Shadow rondo

[Anastasia]

Enough. Speak the truth.

> roll 1d20+36
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 55 > [d20=19]

Colke visibly recoils from Antenora, a hiss of pain as he throws his arms up, as if to shield himself from her. He steps back several steps, but no words come.

"Didn't like that, did you?" Jessica notes coolly, "They need no sword nor armor when they wield the truth as a weapon."

[Ebiris]

Alicia gives him a moment to collect himself after that before she takes several steps forward. "We're not looking for a fight, only answers. What did you find on the 666th layer?"

[Anastasia]

"I don't remember," Colke finally says. "Tempus as my witness, I do not remember!"

Antenora is at his side in a few steps, distance devoured. Behind him now, a hand on his shoulder. "You have nothing to be afraid of, I will not personally strike down one of the Foehammer's without fair provocation, and only in honorable battle unless they give me no other recourse. Tell me what you remember instead."

Colke stops entirely, any retreat blocked by Antenora. Jessica approaches as well while he responds, "I remember my retreat. I escaped, gave thanks and offerings for that mercy and found a new cause to glorify the Foehammer's name. Glorious battle is always a good offering to him."

[Ebiris]

"Was it just you?" Alicia asks as she follows the other two more sedately. Where did all the other Colkes come from?

[Anastasia]

"Yes," he answers. "I went alone, that I remember."

Antenora's taking 10 on sense motive here as needed.

A slight nod from Antenora as she goes on, her hand soothing on his shoulder, rubbing it. "There are other Colkes." Is her answer, "I will not hide the truth from you. To what end I know not."

"LIAR!" A rapid turn and wild swing. It hits Antenora in the face, and from the creak of metal and snap of bone, he is not a trained monk. Antenora's face doesn't move in the slightest, her expression unchanged.

"That," Jessica says very softly, "Is enough of that." She comes to his side and holds his fist.

[Ebiris]

"Tell him of the others, Jessica," Alicia asks once she joins them all, wanting to see if that'll knock anything loose in his head.

[Anastasia]

A roar. His other hand comes to strike Jessica - but Antenora stops it. His screams are loud before Antenora reaches out and whispers, "Be calmed."

> roll 1d20+36 vs 44
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 53 > [d20=17]

Calm emotions via miracle SLA.

"Whatever this is, it is fearsomely strong," Antenora observes over his screams, as the golems do not move to intervene.

[Ebiris]

Is he wearing any kind of magic amulet I can see with arcane sight?

[Anastasia]

No. His mask, his armor, two rings, a belt worn beneath his armor (mostly) and an anklet are magical, though.

[Ebiris]

"Hold him," Alicia asks curtly, taking off the emerald amulet she received from the Man of Winds and draping its chain around Colke's neck.

Greater Gemstone of Truth: Anyone who wears this pendant can discern truth from lies, as if by a discern lies spell (CL60th, save DC 60). It grants a +60 competence bonus to Sense Motive. The wearer sees through all illusions short of deific illusions, and gains a +10 competence bonus to any saving throw against them, and is entitled to one whenever he first sees such an illusion, as if he actively disbelieved the illusion.
The wearer can see the truth behind lies and twisted truths from the 666th layer of the Abyss, and with this, can find the power to undo such lies, though it is exceedingly difficult and requires extraordinarily powerful magic or divine will. Any dispel checks to do so (but not rank checks should alter reality or divine measures be used) gain a +10 competence bonus.

[Anastasia]

He is held. Once the pendant is put on Colke, he stops his struggles.

Silence.

Colke sinks to his knees and begins to sob, mask cast aside so that his hand, broken or not, can hold his face.

Antenora kneels next to him. She says nothing and he sobs until the storm passes. His voice is shaky now but he does not hesitate to speak.

"I have to die." His answer is plain. "As long as I live, this lie about Colke becomes truer and truer. All lies will become truth and all truths will become lies. Your sword there," He looks to your blade, "Take my head."

[Ebiris]

"You can't die on Ysgard, and that's truth," Alicia crouches down, healing his broken hand. "Tell us what you found, what you feared."

Lay on hands can get up to 81hp so can probably manage whatever he did to his hand by punching Anty.

[Anastasia]

"I don't know," His voice is broken, "I'm not Colke. I am but I'm not. I'm a creation of that hated place. It's all a lie. My past, my motivations, everything. No...I do know one thing. This is my punishment."

[Ebiris]

"Punishment for what?" Alicia asks, keeping half an eye on the golems. Were they created by it too? What about the gorgon? Any movement in that camp?

[Anastasia]

The golems do not move. No movement in the camp.

"It's alright, if I can save you, I will," Antenora soothes.

"I don't know," Is the answer, "I don't get to know. I'm not Colke, but instead another lie."