Test of the Starstone

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Iomedae ascends to godhood.

The Test of the Starstone is a test that anyone can take by attempting to reach the Starstone in the Starstone Cathedral at the center of Absalom's Ascendant Court district. The Starstone is surrounded by a large, deadly maze containing traps, guardians, and wards.12 The exact nature of the obstacles changes over time, but constant hazards include magic not always working right and prevention of extra-dimensional movement. Those few who pass become demigods, while those who fail usually die, although a select few manage to escape, occasionally with great wealth, but no divinity.3

History

The first known person to ascend to divinity through the Starstone was Aroden, his reward from the deities when he raised the stone from the bottom of the sea along with the Isle of Kortos in 1 AR and devised the Test of the Starstone to protect its powers.4 Since then, only three of the vast number who took the test are known to have passed: Norgorber, whose life prior to the test is unknown; Cayden Cailean, who took it on a drunken bet; and Iomedae, a worshiper of Aroden who became his herald.5

Clues to the Test

Dyrani prepares to attempt the Test of the Starstone by stepping over the Starstone Cathedral's outer chasm.

The Test of the Starstone is mysterious; the only publicly known part of the test is that hopefuls must cross the bottomless pit surrounding the Starstone Cathedral without using a bridge.6 Crossing the pit is a necessary first step, but not sufficient to enter the cathedral and continue the test, and what has worked for one hopeful may fail for another.6 Hopefuls have leaped across, flown with magic, or used tightropes, and the spectacle of an attempt nearly always draws an enormous, attentive crowd.6 Each attempt to cross must be unique to the individual, making it more difficult to pass as more people attempt it.7

The Failed

Many of those who failed the test, collectively known as the failed, are lost to time and obscurity. A few notable ones still have worshippers and temples, including:7

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.

  1. Erik Mona & Jason Bulmahn. Gazetteer, 24. Paizo Inc., 2008
  2. Dennis Baker, et al. “Heroes of Myth” in Mythic Origins, 5. Paizo Inc., 2013
  3. Erik Mona, et al. “Chapter 2: The Inner Sea” in Campaign Setting, 54. Paizo Inc., 2008
  4. Benjamin Bruck, et al. “Chapter 1: Founts of Mythic Power” in Mythic Realms, 16. Paizo Inc., 2013
  5. Erik Mona & Jason Bulmahn. Gazetteer, 20. Paizo Inc., 2008
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Owen K.C. Stephens. “Places” in Guide to Absalom, 17. Paizo Inc., 2008
  7. 7.0 7.1 Hilary Moon Murphy. Starstone Aspirants” in Assault on Hunting Lodge Seven, 71. Paizo Inc., 2020