His first instinct is to thank the Sun God for what he interprets as a warning or guidance- getting this feeling during his prayer.
He’ll spend an extra morning, some of his time off from temple duties, to continue praying and ask his god to continue watching
over him as he prepares to face whatever challenges he’ll be facing.
His next step is to reach out to the other clerics and holy men in the Church of Egypt- is anyone else having this feeling? Have they
received any guidance from the other Egyptian gods? If not, he explains how he’s been feeling, and urges his compatriots to stay alert for anything similar.
I will presume you are taking stock with the others working at the church and the elders. Oddly, no other clerics you speak to seem to be encountering the same distress. But your news will be greeted with more than a little concern. They will ask you to NOT openly discuss this with the masses as to not create mass hysteria. The elders will take it upon themselves to see what they can discern at 'higher levels'.
For easier review here is the content of the above audio
Hear me, yon acolyte of the gods. I am the Inquisitor and I have been dispatched to enlighten, warn and provide notice
of a test of faith to which you will soon be put. I am a representative of not just one, but all. Good or evil.
Law and chaos have agreed on this task. I bear no judgment. I bear no stake. It will be my responsibility to render unto
you that which the gods have deemed necessary.
Know this, you have not acted improperly and are not an intended recipient of punishment. The gods have deemed you an apt representative to resolve questions that have arisen. Your participation is not optional. You have been selected by the court of your deity. Refusal will result in the removal of your religious powers.
Soon you will be visited during prayers to assist in the resolution of this quandary. Your spirit will be gathered, your physical presence protected. The test will occur in a safe place but much will lay in your hands and choices. Respond with openness and honesty. Respond in your faith and with what you believe to be its best representation. The future of clerics everywhere will rest in your actions.
Here is your first test…
With that, he will fade from sight and the fog will clear. Everything will feel completely real to you. For you, right now, this IS real. You will find yourself in the following situation.
You are in a new town, one with which you have little familiarity. It is later in the evening and there are not many people out and about. You walk around a corner on to a main thoroughfare to see a man lying in the road. He would appear to be a local and not an adventurer. Some blood can be seen emanating from under him.
--- I await your email to tell me your actions or ask any questions ----
After receiving the Inquisitor's warning and guidance, Gwyn suspends any of his daily activities aside from the bare essentials- meals, a few hours of sleep, a quick wash, and then spends the remainder of his time (particularly daylight hours, sun-up to sun-down) in prayer, bracing for what will come. He is nervous, apprehensive, but above all he is proud and grateful that the Sun God would deem him worthy of undergoing such a trial.
He approaches each day with a personal prayer to the Sun God, asking for guidance and grace whenever his trial does arrive- and then just two days later The Inquisitor whisks him away into the first.
After spending a few moments to look around, examine himself, and find himself not in immediate danger he sets off, and quickly spots the man in the road. Gwyn approaches and tries to gently lay the man on his back, checking him over for any visible injuries and/or signs of life. "Sir, are you alright? What happened here?" He pulls his hammer from his belt, if it is still there in this waking dream, and prepares to heal the man if he is still alive. If he is not, he prepares a Speak With Dead.
There is no one approaching you as you cross to the body. You find your hammer right where you expect it to be. >
As you examine the man you hear him let out a pained groan. You cast a heal and notice it was very effective. The man was definitely a typical towns folk. Your spell complete he begins to grogily come around and greets you with a confused look.
"Don't worry, I've got you. You'll be alright. Can you tell me what happened to you, or where I am?" He helps the man sit up with one hand, the hammer still in the other. "My name is Gwyn, and I am a cleric of the Egyptian Sun God. You're in good hands."
As you help up and speak to the man he says... "I was walking back from the pub when this man....." at that,
the man slowly vanishes in to a swirling fog. The Inquisitor reappears from the fog. He places a hand on your shoulder,
nods and says...
Thank you for your affirmation of our expectations. There will be more tests to come. I have faith in you.
And with that, the fog clears and you find yourself back amidst your prayers.
We thank you for your first contribution to our process. You displayed courage, honor, intelligence and compassion. All qualities we seek to confirm. It is now time for the second event. As before, your behavior, decisions and actions are what we want to see. The first test was rather simple. Straight forward. Each test will be progressively more involved. More… complex. Each test stands on its own as regards your actions and capabilities. No artifice, no play acting. It is YOU we wish to know.
The same fade out of the Inquisitor and fade in of a new reality happens. You find yourself in what would appear to be the same place you were during the previous vision. The place, the time and the lack of others in the area all appear the same. But this time, as you walk around the corner as you see the same body lying in the street you also see another cloaked figure rising away from the person on the ground. Your quick glance reveals he is holding something that he places in a pocket. Then the cloaked figure turns revealing a short sword in his had that drips what could only be some blood. With that he turns and begins walking away.
--- I await your email to tell me your actions or ask any questions ----
Gwyn turns the corner and sees the cloaked figure, bloodied weapon in hand. His eyes dart to the man slumped on the ground, and his thoughts race. 'He survived long enough for the man to get away last time, I have a few moments.' Gwyn raises his hammer, shouts "You! Stop!" and levies a Spiritual Whip (Entangle) at the cloaked figure. He aims for limbs- legs to halt the figure in its tracks, an arm to stop the bloodied shortsword from doing any more harm. "Drop it!"
You cast your spell, your first thought being to go for the legs, the whip wraps around the mans legs and he falls to the ground. He pays no heed to your warning and hacks at the spell effect with his sword. You can make out what sounds like muttered curses at you and the spell that him tied up. He shows no sign of yielding.
Gwyn steps forward, trying to place himself between the cloaked figure and the wounded man. “I won’t tell you again; give it up. I don’t want to hurt you, but I won’t let you hurt anyone else.” As he gets between the two, he tries to keep the Entangle holding strong around the man’s legs.
The man continues to struggle, seemingly unaware of the futility. He begins uttering curses at you, promising deadly harm once he gains his freedom.
Seeing that reasoning with him will have little effect, Gwyn attempts to cast a Hold Person. If it is successful, he’ll yank the shortsword from the man and toss it into the distance out of reach. He turns to the wounded man, “Hang on, I’m here. You’ll be alright.” If the hooded figure stays held, Gwyn will search his pack for his length of rope to begin binding the assailant.
You cast Hold Person which freezes the man in your Entangle. You step forward , removing the sword from his hand
and toss it aside. As you return to the wounded man you are taken aback as you notice he is no longer breathing.
You check the man and realize he has died. With that surprise the fog returns, swirling about you. The Inquisitor steps
forward from the fog. His face wearing a sad expression. He reaches out to place a comforting hand on your shoulder.
I understand your disappointment and sympathize. Know that even a turn of events such as this furthers the cause for which you have been recruited.
He fades back in to the fog as it dissipates and you find yourself once again in your prayers.
Use this link to hear what he says.
For a third time the process of swapping realities is the same. Once again, you find yourself in that same place in the same surroundings. As you walk around the corner this time the scene is different again. The local man is still lying in the street, blood revealing itself around him on the ground and a short trail leading away from a his body. This time there is a fight happening only a few yards away. You see a man with a long sword in a melee with what looks to be another local man. The attacker is cloaked and no armor reveals itself. The local figure is dressed in common local garb but he is also armed with a short sword, defending himself…
--- I await your email to tell me your actions or ask any questions ----
Gwyn rounds the corner on the familiar scene- and his eyes lock on the townsfolk defending himself. 'The man on the ground only
has a moment- if I tend to him, he might make it, but...' He thinks on his core tenets from the Sun God; light, life, and order.
If he holds the attacker, it restores order but at the cost of the injured man's life. If he heals the hurt man and lets the melee
continue, order and life may both be lost.
He doesn't risk spending any longer in thought- he points his hammer at the attacker in the cloak and shouts "Halt!" He casts a
Hold Person in an attempt to subdue him, and then looks to the second would-be victim. "Keep your distance, and go get help!"
You cast Hold Person but it appears to have no effect on the cloaked man this time.
Seeing the spell fail to take hold, Gwyn darts forward and tries to grapple the attacker. Anything to keep his blade from harming another innocent and claiming another life. Gwyn’s a stocky 6’1 human, so he charges at the man and throws his weight into a tackle. He only prays the other townsfolk heeds his warning and keeps back.
Your move takes the cloaked figure by surprise and you are able to separate him from the local man. The cloaked figure is somewhat stunned by your action and loses grip on his sword and is unable to draw another weapon for the grappling melee. The local man gasps at this turn of events... "what of my friend... he will die without help!"
As the cloaked figure is left disarmed and on the ground, Gwyn sees no reason to be cruel and strike him down. He raises his hammer up, looks at the attacker, and fiercely commands, “Give it up, and we might all walk away. Continue, and I guarantee you will not.” He stares into his eyes for a moment to attempt to intimidate him, then will turn his attention to the wounded man if he’s free to do so.
The attacker appears to yield, no longer struggling against you. He provides you with an opportunity to attend to the downed man.
As Gwyn kneels over the wounded, he calls to the other local man. “Don’t let him up, but don’t hurt him.” He channels an appropriate Cure Wounds and tries to stabilize him.
You go to heal the man, as you do, the test seems to freeze and you notice the Inquisitor standing on the porch of the pub.
You have surprised even me. You have taken a path of action I had thought not to see... but still there is room for .... more
Use this link to hear what he says.
I warned them, but they would not listen. Eternal deities can be difficult to convince once they have made up their minds. I told them their test was merely a training mechanism. See how quickly the subject learns to heal the injured man and reinforce it as the proper action. I said these were being with the ability to think independently. Develop and exhibit thoughts and behavior beyond that of rote learning. Perform actions that would greatly contribute to the power pool each collects in the form of worship from their followers. This was not a test of what they truly wanted to evaluate. So now I exercise my authority in this process. I reset the scenario, change the formula. Prove me right…. There is a flash of light and the setting has changed. The man you healed is no longer lying on the ground. You stand in the street in front of the bar. 15 yards away a melee rages. The two local men are now engaged in a battle with the cloaked figure. From the few moments of combat you can see the cloaked figure is definitely more skilled. Onlookers watch the fight from a safe distance, not moving to get involved beyond the occasional verbal encouragement thrown out. Which side they support is indistinguishable.
Gwyn awakens to his newest trial and sees the fight taking place in the street, the crowds gathered around. He thinks, 'Finally, a chance to stop the bloodshed before it happens.' He takes up his shield in his off hand, hammer at the ready in the other. He closes the distance, trying to interrupt the fight- his hammer raised over his head, he shouts at the cloaked figure "Surrender!" and attempts to affect him with a Command spell. He barges into the fray, shield held up to stop the two locals from cutting down the cloaked figure if he does indeed surrender.
The cloaked figure stops, shakes his head, tilts his head to the side and lowers his weapon, dropping out of a combat stance. The two locals maintain their unpracticed battler stance seemingly waiting for you to engage.
Gwyn reaches forward to take the blade from the cloaked figure's hand. He turns his head back to the two locals, "Is anyone hurt? Do you need help?" Seeing them still ready to fight- "I'll take care of him- don't put yourselves at risk."
As you speak to the local men the setting slows to a stop and the Inquisitor reappears. This time he has a significant smile on his face, belying his stated neutrality. The gods have been very pleased with your choices. Your creativity to address the problems placed in front of you. You have also made my role here rewarding to see a mortal prepare and think through an issue as you have, Many of my kind have questioned the ability of your kind to behave in such a manner. This test is concluded. It is also the last you will see of this setting. Prepare yourself for something entirely different when next you are called. The fog swirls about as the Inquisitor fades away. As the fog clears you once again find yourself in your prayers.
Use this link to hear what he says.
Your reality swirls into a fog once more. This time the location is different. It is mid afternoon, you are in the wild, a woodland setting, traveling with several companions you know well. But your mind is not able to discern exactly who they are. Only your close connection to them registers in your mind. One is a mage, one a thief and one a fighter. They are all of equal or higher experience in comparison to yourself. A surprise attack occurs as a band of orcs numbering between 10 and 14 breaks in to the open engaging your Fighter and Thief. You stand in the middle of the party. The mage begins the battle with a Magic Missile dropping one of the assailants. --- I await your email to tell me your actions or ask any questions ----
Gwyn comes to in the woodland and takes a few moments to assess his surroundings- interrupted when the orc party barrels towards them. Gwyn flies into action with his typical combat first turn; a Prayer spell. He raises his hammer high into a beam of sunlight coming through the treetops, utters a prayer in the Sun God's name, and tries to surround his party (and as many of the orcs as possible) in His radiance. With the Prayer in effect, he can turn his attention to whatever comes next.
Your Prayer goes off as expected. You get all of your party and a good number , but not all, of the orcs. They rush towards your group engaging the fighter and thief.
Gwyn steps forward, trying to keep himself in front of the wizard- a line of defense to keep the spellcaster safe from the oncoming threats. He once more raises his hammer and scans the orcs for any that look larger, more threatening, or wielding particularly potent weapons. If he finds a suitable target, or a target the Fighter and Thief are not already handling, he casts a Spiritual Hammer and tosses the weapon forward.
You scan the onrushing orcs and find one larger member at the rear. He seems to be assessing the battle field. You cast your Spiritual Hammer and unleash it towards him. As you do this the Magic-User unleashes a Lightning Bolt, knowing his party members were too close for a Fireball, that strikes and kills several of the tribe.
He looks over his shoulder to the Magic User- "Good job, keep it up! Stay behind me if they break our line." He waves his hand, commanding the Spiritual Hammer from afar to strike again at the larger orc. After the attack attempt, he looks over to his other two party members. Are they handling their oncoming orcs? If either seems to be struggling or have taken serious wounds Gwyn will recall his hammer and use it to cast appropriate Cure Wound spells.
The fighter has waded deeply in to the line and has absorbed a few hits. The thief is taking minor hits from the fringe. The larger orc you are attacking looses a new spell. Out of the corner of your eye you see the magic-user stop moving.
“Well, shit.” Gwyn doesn’t have anything to remedy the M-U at the moment, so he tries a different approach; his Spiritual Hammer dissipates and his physical hammer returns to his hand. He points it at the large orc, casts a Command spell, and shouts “Retreat!” He looks to his party members should they turn their heads, ready to make it clear he’s not talking to them.
The larger orc towards the rear turns and heads away, retreating behind a large rock outcropping. While this happens, the tribe of orcs continues to press their attacks. Your fighter and thief attempt to battle as best they can but are taking more damage. There are now 6 orcs remaining after the two spell attacks from the magic-user and one more dropped by the fighter.
Gwyn joins the front line with his party members, seeing that the orcs’ attention is not on the Magic User at the moment. He stands with them and starts casting Heal spells as quickly as he’s able before putting up his shield to take some of the orcs’ ire. “Your leader flees!! He knows this is a losing fight!! Follow his lead and leave with your lives!!” He shouts over the sounds of battle, hoping to diminish their numbers further with his bluff.
The orcs continue to fight, trading blows with your party members. Your heals will keep up with damage taken as they whittle the opponents numbers down to 3 remaining. The Shaman leader has not reappeared yet and the front line orcs seem to be ignoring your words.
“Now’s our chance, make the last push!” Gwyn starts lashing out- literally- with a Spiritual Whip. As the orc numbers dwindle, he urges the party to turn the tide of the ambush. He holds his position in the frontline, making sure none of the remaining foes slip past him towards the Magic User.
The three of you able to attack press on. Your Spiritual Whip fires off and as it strikes you see a surprising blue flash of light where it hits. The last three are hewn down quickly by the assault leaving only the leader that had retreated behind the large boulder unaccounted for.
Gwyn notes the odd flash of light- something to ask the Church elders about once he has returned from the vision of this trial. He points to his party members to circle around the other side of the boulder, and readies a Hold Person as he crosses behind the Shaman's cover. He'll try to Hold the Shaman... assuming he has the chance once the orc is in view.
Your party splits to encircle the large boulder. As you cross around behind looking for the Shaman you see the Inquisitor.
That's quite enough. You have once again proven yourself to be an appropriate choice for this test. I thank you for your invaluable choices and actions. Some were surprising, some curious and almost all
appropriate to the situation. You may take your rest now. The final test will be presented to you shortly. It will be unlike all that have come before....
And with that the world is once again covered in circling fog, returning you to your private prayers.
Use this link to hear what he says.
You find yourself in the healers house attending to a local man recuperating from an accident. As you pray over the man, an odd individual bursts in forcing his way past the door attendants. He appears wild eyed and frantic and wields a spear. He races towards where you are…
--- I await your email to tell me your actions or ask any questions ----
This page and its contents are presented solely for the purpose of the RPG game events conducted by a private group. Any references to people or places is explicitly within the context of these RPG games and has no connection to any other similarly named source.
Bob Senkewicz / Howell, New Jersey / senk@optonline.net