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"Can someone charm them? Could we purchase some scrolls of charm? I have no divine magics that will helps us ... nor am I very good at what I can cast should they have the ability to resist."
"Should we inform the Hellknights, and purchase magics that will allow us to attempt what we wish?"
Vayu looks at the closest door in an attempt to determine how difficult they would be to lift or manipulate.
Vayu sees very little of special note in the construction of the doors. He knows that,if these are metal, they would be very hard to move.
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Moving down the staircase, the pathfinders come upon a niche. At the back is a blue swirling portal, and behind the shimmering veiled a forested hill can be seen. The sight triggers memories from a request made by Aram Zey. Before the group set out to Absalom, he introduced the group to the Hao Jin tapestry.
This is the Hao Jin tapestry, which grants access to a museum demiplane.
The tapestry is dirty and worn around the edges, and seems to be focus of many scholars studying.
The aasimar nation of Tianjing contains a handful of temples to Korada, Empyreal Lord of forgiveness and foresight. The Pathfinder Society is interested in exploring these holy sites, but the aasimar disciples in Tianjing are reluctant to grant the Pathfinder Society full access to their faith’s secrets.
Fortunately, the custodian council of Tianjing gifted one such temple to Hao Jin centuries ago. This temple—the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment—now sits vacant within the museum demiplane of the Hao Jin Tapestry. Our scholars have been unable to find it, however. We think this and he points to worn hole in the tapestry is the reason. The tapestry reflects the various points of access in an abstract way, and we believe the hole indicates that the access point is... somewhere else
Our diviners have found that there must be an alternative access point. They even have pinpointed the location to some where in the river kingdoms. I understand your next mission will take you there. Keep an eye open for the access point, and if you discover it, take the opportunity to survey the isolated and abandoned site.
We will even provide you a small cache of supplies. We need a complete report on the temple with a focus on four key locations. First, locate the temple’s meditation room, find evidence of any meditative techniques described there, and record any effects of performing those techniques. Second, prepare a comprehensive catalog of all works in the temple library. Third, find the temple gardens and draft a detailed plan of the garden’s layout. Finally, enter the temple’s crypt and take rubbings of the carvings on each sarcophagus.
This portal is definitely the access point that Aram Zey described. It is good that, at the time, the party asked him some questions about the mission, and that you still carry the ink, charcoal, parchment, rice paper, and measuring twine that Aram Zey provided.
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"How do we return when we're done?" Ilya asks the master of spells. "I wouldn't want to get stuck there. I'm heading over to the Emerald Spire pretty soon, you see."
"If it's possible to enter through this tapestry, did others go before us? Or, what I actually mean to ask, will we encounter others inside?"
Aram Zey explained the specifics of the Demiplane: A creature entering the tapestry will leave a planar eddy in its wake. It looks like a ball of light about two feet across. The planar eddy is usable only by that creature as long as it remains alive. Enter the eddy to return to where you came from.
We believer the alternative entry point to be well-hidden, but there is not telling who may have entered before you. We have no reason to think the temple is inhabited, except by ancient guardians or traps. Some scavenger may have found their way into the structure, though.
Korada is the Empyreal lord of foresight, forgiveness and peace. He is a force of good, dedicated to peace and contemplation. Korda spends his time meditating in the Dream Lotus on the plane of Nirvana, balancing the spheres of existence in his mind and conversing with other enlightened beings.
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"This Korada is the Empyreal lord of foresight, forgiveness and peace. He is a force of good, dedicated to peace and contemplation. Korda spends his time meditating in the Dream Lotus on the plane of Nirvana, balancing the spheres of existence in his mind and conversing with other enlightened beings. I expect that his cult would be rather peaceful as well, if no scavengers have found their way into the temple we will probably have an easy time at it"
A top the forested hill sits a graceful building, with no sharp corners; the white marble walls are carved with soft, round edges. The edifice appears well-scrubbed, but despite this obvious care black flecks of mold cover its surface. A gravel path leads into an airy courtyard and up to a pair of large wooden double doors. The doors are carved with an image of four spheres resting inside an open lotus flower. There is no doubt that this is the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment that Aram Zey spoke of.
There's a flagstone path that leads to a pair of light, wooden doors. Behind them is an open courtyard, covered with crushed white gravel. Another ornate set of wooden double doors leads into the temple.
In the courtyard, three humans wearing white tunics stroll around. Little bells ring out as they walk along. One of the men is spinning a sets of three glass marbles in the palm of his hand, humming softly.
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That's one question answered: there are others here.
"It seems to be inhabited. Let's try to achieve our goals by simply asking them if we may enter."
Ilya walks up to the humans with the white tunics. "Hello, how are you! We're travelers, and we've come here to see your temple and learn about your religion. May we come in?"
Welcome, pilgrims. Do come in, we welcome all traveler that are interested in learning about Korada. Korda preaches foresight, forgiveness, and above all peace.
The man speaking to Ilya has several digits of his finger missing.
You have been correctly informed, then. the man speaks with a soft, almost velvety voice. This is indeed a shrine devoted to Korada, one of the many Empyreal lords. Oh, I see. I see, yes. The empyreal lords, you have not heard of them? I see, I see. Avistanian? The focus, in that part of the land, is on the main pantheon, if I am not mistaken. The empyreal lords... they are powers of the upper planes. The information flows from his mouth patiently, a steady but gentle steam. Archons, Azatas, beings of purity. Korda is the embodiment of foresight, forgiveness and peace. He is an example to us all, spending his time contemplating in the peace and order of Nirvana.
Your journey? I see you have wisdom in you. Yes, it's the journey that is important, not the goal. I'd suggest you walk along the path... he says as he points to the flagstone path leading to the entrance. Walk the halls in contemplation. Feel the enlightenment shine on you as our leader, Dakang, speak in sermon at the chapel. His service will be soon, will you honour us with your presence?
Welcome, Ilya from elsewhere. Here in the temple, we do not carry any names, save for Dakang, our leader and teacher. We are many, but we live in unity.
The man's devotion seems real enough, though his missing fingers are somewhat unnerving.
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"Thank you for the information. We will walk along the path."
Ketill turns to walk further on the path and then turns back again
"Forgive me for being so bold, in the temples in Avistan the priests can cure all ailments and I couldn't help but notice your finger. Why wasn't it healed in the temple?"
The ritual of the garden. the man says as he drops his eyes in shame, from where but there flows the force, but in the garden where the pilgrim offers the ritual of purity. Those of unblemished mind, purity of essence, may perform the ritual of Korada. Yet, those unready.. he pauses for moment at the sad implication find themselves marked with a brand of shame. The price for attempting the ritual while still unclean is the painless loss of a finger.
Looking around, indeed the two other men are also missing fingers.
Behind the double doors in the entrance hall of the temple, with a large spiral - the sign of Korada - on the floor, badly scuffed, though, by years of traffic.
You are more than welcome to partake in the ritual, if your mind is so inclined. In the eyes of Korada, we are all equal. the man says with a peaceful, beaming smile.
There's several ways the adventurers can go from here. The acolytes in this temple - all clad in the same white robes, and some missing fingers, shuffle around, mostly of them moving through the double doors in the west. Most of them are coming from the hallway to the west, or from the double doors on the left side of the hallway to the north.
Behind the double doors is a dining room with a huge table inside. One of the acolytes, a woman, speaks up as soon as the pathfinders enter: Welcome, visitors, have a seat, for in moment we will gather for our daily communal meal. Do partake, for Korada will provide enough for everyone.
With that, she rings an alarmingly loud bell. Soon, the room fills with more of the white-clad cultists. A senior acolyte speaks a single word, and the table fills with fruits, nuts, grains and juices. One of the acolytes, a halfling, fills three plates with food, and carries them outside, while the rest of the acolytes dig in and invite the party to do the same.
He brings them to the devout guardians, who stand sentinel. They do not abandon their post, and therefore our brothers brings them food.
The two tieflings take a bite of the fruits and nuts, just like the acolytes are doing. A single bite is enough to discern a particular taste: that of scorched dirt. It's disgusting.
What do you mean? It this generous offering not delicious?
I sense a draining force, yes, a negativity stemming from a taint. Perhaps your enjoyment of the food is a consequence of that. I would suggest a ritual of meditation - meditation as a goal to reach purity. Perhaps that will also make the food taste pure to you.
The robe-clad female seems undisturbed though, pitying the adventurers more than scorning them.