She laughed faintly and shortly at the bishop's jest.   Semi-jest?  Maybe, he really would douse him...

She regarded the inebriated man, and a memory stirred.   Something she'd overheard, back home, about a wastrel, a rake, with a peacock in tow...

"I think he's like me," she began.  And then realized how that might be misconstrued.

"I mean, I'm not like that," she amended hastily. "But, I believe he's distant kin of Medvyed." On the heels of saying so she wanted to slap her forehead.  Acavna! Why did I even mention it?  No one needs to know that, while I'm trying to establish credibility...

The council meeting is interrupted  as a large half-orc walks into the room.   Some of you will recognize him as Bigjob - ex-bandit, friend of Pipre and a bouncer at  The Bottled Nymph (A brothel) in the Port Henry district of Tusk.

Bigjob walks into the council chamber  and empties his sack onto the main  table.  A fist-sized gemstone tumbles out, glinting in the light.  It vaguely resembles a human eye.

"I was sent from Outpost.  They had a killing there and when we investigated we found a priestess and this.  The priest at Outpost thinks it is something to do with Gyrona.  The priestess and some of her cult are dead, but Lt Ress wants to know what to do with the others?  Should he execute them?  Brand them?  Or do you guys want to deal with it personally?"
This message was last updated by the GM at 08:34, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

A halfling at the back of the room stands and clears his throat loudly.

"I don't often speak at these meetings, but that is very close to my own town of Oston.  I will send one of my acolytes over to Outpost, as soon as I get back. They will stay to help spread the word of Old Deadeye  among the people there."

Andalon rose from his seat and moved forward to inspect the gemstone. He recited the words of a very familiar orison (Detect Magic) and studied the gemstone closely.

Cyrus didn’t enjoy these meetings when he attended them with Gandred, but this one had taken a turn that made him lean forward. He waited for Andalon to examine the gem and nudged Gandred to see his reaction.

PM

Brother Lutz sat up in his seat when the half-orc came in to announce the news. Before that, he'd only been halfway paying attention to the proceedings with the rest of his attention on the slovenly human laying on the ground; Lutz enjoyed his ale as much as the next dwarf, but allowing oneself to get that drunk was utterly irresponsible.

As Andalon takes the gem to examine, he asks, "Lord Andalon, may I look at the gem once you have examined it? I have some experience with gems and may be able to identify some of its mundane qualities as well. As for the survivors, I would recommend they be brought here for interrogation, or perhaps we send a contingent to Outpost to do so."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:33, Thu 07 Jan 2021.

Andalon finished his inspection and handed the gemstone to Brother Lutz.

"Gyrona's priestesses - yes, all her clerics are female - don't build chapels or temples or the like, but just small shrines of simple piled stones. Some of these piles have cat's-eye gemstones on top or a painted representation of one, from which it is rumored Gyronna may peer and curse defilers of the shrine. When this stone has been examined I can take it back to the cathedral to be purified, unless you all simply wish to smash it.

"Gyronna's priestesses are renowned for their ability to foster hatred and turn friend against friend, and are not above simply killing someone in cold blood if it betters suits their purpose. The priestess is dead, which is a fitting punishment for her crimes. The followers that have been captured may be ardent worshipers of that evil goddess, or they may simply be misguided or victims of the priestess's manipulation. They should be questioned to determine their involvement and whether they are willing to repent. Bring them here and I will call upon Abadar to grant me the power to discern lies, if necessary. Some may deserve to be executed, or imprisoned, or some other punishment. Others may yet be saved."

OOC: Be aware that V&A cannot build the Tavwrn/Holy House in Kunlun THIS turn. Too much bp tied up in other projects. This is a forewarning of plans for next session.

Noted.

Unless the bank of Adabar has THAT MUCH to loan?

Lutz takes the gemstone and examines it as he listens to Andalon explain what he knows about Gyrona and her priestesses.

17:06, Today: ~Brother Lutz Stigmar rolled 22 using 1d20+7.  Appraise

PM

Lutz looks at the gem for a moment and then hands it back to Andalon with a shrug, "It's a nice gem, worth a fair amount, but nothing especially unique about it."

Alisa arose and spoke:

"Her cult is a particularly sick one.  It preys upon and recruits abused, broken, and shattered women.  Some of her followers are the evil, while others are more truly its victim.   As the bishop implied, I believe assessing these women is the right thing to do.   If even one of them may be swerved from the awful path they are treading, it will be time well invested.  I would volunteer to speak with them, and see what can be discerned, if the council will approve it. I will not be doing any interrogating, however."   

She walked nearer the bishop.

"I have the spell for detecting the presence of evil - may I?" she inquired, meaning the stone.

Unless any reason not, will cast detect evil on the gem.   
This message was last edited by the player at 04:25, Fri 08 Jan 2021.

PM

After performing the spell her eyes narrowed in distaste, and she nodded once in confirmation.

"Aye. Just a very faint tinge - but it's there."

"I suspected there might be something like that," Andalon responded. "Don't worry, we can certainly remedy that tomorrow. Then it will just be a gemstone that can be turned into cash to assist with reparations at Outpost."

Alisa nodded, well satisfied with that proposal.

"And I meant it," she reemphasized, "If it's appropriate and helpful, then I am asking to be allowed to interview those women, and aid in sorting the dupes and victims from the true fanatics."   

“Your assistance will be most welcome, Priestess,” Andalon assured Alisa.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:45, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

The representative of the church of Andoletta and Councilor of the Vallani holdings brings another issue to the Council.

"A proposal has been made by mistress Vallani to build a shrine to Jalaijatali, the goddess of waterfalls and rapids, at the site of the great waterfall in the town of Feyfalls. Rather an exotic choice, but not entirely inappropriate given the waterfalls and rapids that Vallani towns are build around. Mistress Vallani also hopes, rather optimistically I must say, that worship of Jalaijatali may eventually present a more socially acceptable - and less murderous - alternative to Hanspur."

"As such I would like to hear if there are any objections to this from the Council."


There's not a hell of a lot that can be found on Jalaijatali, but she is CG and does seem like a good fit for towns literally build around waterfalls:

https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Jalaijatali
https://www.aonprd.com/DeityDi...ItemName=Jalaijatali

Are there any objections to this? If not I'll go ahead and build a shrine.

Bishop Andalon looks a little surprised at the deity that has been named but after a few moments' thought he nods acceptance.

"I think we can find a place for almost all deities in Midmarch who are not numbered among the forces of evil. I have no objection to mistress Vallani's proposal and I wish her well for her hopes of displacing Hanspur from these waters."

Brother Thaddeus rubbed his earlobe in thought before standing to address the group.  "I have been asked to represent Lady Alisa in this matter as she is currently unable to travel, we hope and pray that the impending birth is smooth and without complications.  House Solanus would support House Vallani in this endeavour and looks forward to easier access to Restov.

Jalaijatali isn't very well known within the stolen lands so we look forward to learning more about her in the future, will there be a representative sent to join this august body?"

"At the moment only a shrine tended by an acolyte if planned for, and no formal presence of the new faith in the Council." Aranel answers Brother Thaddeus question.

Probably not as a (eventually great) shrine is all I'm going for here. Any more would require an NPC and would bring in complications regarding spending the income appropriately.