2021-08-25

Previous: 2021-08-23

The Trial of Justice Lightbringer

• Bronywyn sits at the head of the church atop a dais in a crystal throne. The crystal throne glows from the light that hits it from various glowing orbs situated around it.
• She gives a signal, and a cleric decked out in ceremonial armor raises an ornate hammer and pounds it onto a short pillar. The clang of metal on metal reverberates throughout the temple. Most people leave. Some stay seated in the pews nearest to the front.
• Bronywyn raises a hand, and the accused is brought forth surrounded by four clerics also decked out in the ceremonial armor.
• Bronywyn rises from the dais and addresses those gathered:
  • We are gathered here today to decide the fate of one of our most revered companions. And while he is revered, Sowila's justice brooks no uncertainty when it comes to her highly ranked clerics. Justice Lightbringer, who is second only to me in the command of this temple and of its clerics. Given his high position, he is expected to maintain the highest regard for Justice, Lawfulness, and Goodness. We give him the benefit of the doubt, but the accusations brought against him are serious. For this reason, he will be subjected to the Light of Sowila.
  • She transforms into Sowila. Sowila peers around the room, shining a light on each individual there. Each one feels the sensation of the goddess, the warmth from the light that warms their heart as well. Some fall to the ground sobbing while othersembrace their neighbors. Some stand and retreat to the back of the temple as though they are pursued.
  • Sowila focuses her attention on Justice Lightbringer. As all eyes fall on him, the tears streaming down his face are evident even as he beams with love and pride. "My godess.... my godess...." he croaks over and over again, emotion filling his throat.
  • Sowila approaches Justice, stops an arm's length away. Without a word, she raises an arm, finger coming to bear on the emotional cleric. With a CRACK that sounds like lightning, Sowila's power extends through the arm down through the finger, and engulfs Justice Lightbringer in the light of the sun. His heavy boots leave the floor as he is levitated off the ground to float three feet high. He slowly begins to spin, his eyes closed, his face serene.
  • Finally, Justice floats down, gently landing on the floor. The sunlight dims, leaving a faint golden glow eminating from his armor. The presence of Sowila retreats from Bronywyn, leaving her to feint and be caught by two clerics at her side. Bronywyn raises her head and stands. Her face is as serene as Justice's. She turns and returns to her crystal throne. The crystal throne is thrumming from the light captured by Sowila's presence.
  • Bronywyn, voice raised and strong, announces, "Justice Lightbringer, Commander of the Forces of Sowila in Ra'azum and Cleric Exemplar, has been found to be the epitome of Justice, Lawfulness, and Goodness. Justice, you are free to leave." Bronywyn gestures to her right, "or you may take your rightful place at my right hand."
• The only business before us now would be to discuss a certain unrepentant young cleric.
  • Quest: "For the next thirty days, every day you must help five people unknown to you. You must bring Justice, Lawfulness, or Goodness to these five people, and do it in the name of Sowila. Spread Her light and in this way, you shall feel her light again."

Enchantment (Compulsion) [Language-Dependent, Mind-Affecting] Level: Brd 6, Clr 6, Sor/Wiz 6 Casting Time: 10 minutes Target: One living creature Saving Throw: None This spell functions similarly to lesser geas, except that it affects a creature of any HD and allows no saving throw.

Instead of taking penalties to ability scores (as with lesser geas), the subject takes 3d6 points of damage each day it does not attempt to follow the geas/quest. Additionally, each day it must make a Fortitude saving throw or become sickened. These effects end 24 hours after the creature attempts to resume the geas/quest.

A remove curse spell ends a geas/quest spell only if its caster level is at least two higher than your caster level. Break enchantment does not end a geas/quest, but limited wish, miracle, and wish do.

Bards, sorcerers, and wizards usually refer to this spell as geas, while clerics call the same spell quest.