Temple of Empyreal Brute Squad (Inactive)
Game Master ThorGN

"I am ready to explore as well."

Aram Zey escorts each of you, one by one, onto the scaffold and instructs you to place your finger upon a symbol of three linked circles in the tapestry’s weave. The Master of Spells utters a trigger word and the room vanishes.

Instantly, you find yourself standing atop a forested hill in front of a large, wide building of burnished white stone. The sky above is bright and the air smells clean and fresh. Behind you floats a 2-foot-diameter sphere of pulsing blue light. From the corner of your eye, you spot other party members winking into existence.

You gather together and regard your surroundings. The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment is a wide structure atop the hill. This graceful building has 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.

Erin slowly takes in the new environment around her.

"Well that is definitely a neat trick. Would make travel a lot easier if those tapestries were more common.

After a brief pause, she turns to take a closer look at the temple.

So, shall we find a subtle way in, or should we walk in the front door, announce ourselves, and find out exactly how welcoming our hosts are?"

Tanrov marvels at the new world before him.

With practiced ease, the big youth climbs onto the back of his mount.

"I don't know", Tanrov replies to Erin. "It doesn't look very dangerous."

Arkwright looks up in fascinated interest at the white marble structure.

"Extraordinary... Though i'll admit I was half hoping Zey would get the incantation wrong and send us to a treasure chamber with gold coins fifty foot deep, but ah well..."

He replaces his black sword in his backpack and steps forward cautiously, still looking up at the temple.

"Given that I have all the stealth of our honored Cleric's boar- and I would think the same is true for most of us" *he shoots a look at the six-foot-tall youth atop his mount*- "I would suggest we head forward, knock politely and see who's home."

"You got it!", the young barbarian exults as he urges his beast towards the large wooden doors.

"Remember, 'knocking politely' does NOT involve using an AXE!" shouts Arkwright after the impatient youth.

He then sighs, and follows him, keeping his weapon sheathed and beckoning to the others to come along.

"As you wish, but keep in mind things are not as they always appear."

Erin falls in step behind the other two pathfinders.

Although I would have thoroughly enjoyed the chamber full of gold too Arkwight, I will take the correct location over some of the other more horrible places we could have wound up. Also, please do remember that the man mentioned traps. I would like to have a look at them before they are sprung, not after. It tends to be a lot less messy that way."

Arkwright pauses and looks back at Erin-

"You... have three very, very good points."

The thin half-elf passes his hand flat in front of his eyes and whispers for a few seconds as he continues to walk.

Casts Detect Magic ahead of us towards the temple.

"Not a problem Ark", the young Shoanti quips. "I don't even have an axe!"

I wonder if the spirits of this place are anything like the Quah's spirits back home...

Erin gives a small nod of appreciation to Arkwright.

"Thanks, I know I'm the junior member of this expedition, but let know if you notice anything out of sorts and I will check it out."

She then looks up to Tanrov.

"Hopefully we will not need that hammer of yours before the day is through, but do keep it ready just in case. Its good to know if things go bad that thing will not be swinging at my head. How much does that even weigh?"

"Subtlety is overrated. Lead the way." Ashur looks around carefully as the other three lead the way into the temple.

Tanrov cocks his head at Erin's question and looses his weapon in its harness.

He hefts it in one hand, causing the slabs of muscle in that arm to flex mightily.

"I don't know", he finally answers. "Probably more than that", he says pointing to the rogue's blades.

"What to try it yourself, 'Rin?", he says as he offers the rogue his maul.

"Bright one you are, Tan. Forget her blades, it's bigger than she is."

Arkwright smiles at Ashur's wit as we all approach the entrance to the temple.

"So, any volunteers for knocking duty?"

He continues passing his hand before his face and whispering, staring at the temple intently.

"I'll do it. If we let him do it, he might knock the door down. On second thought, let Tanrov knock on the door with his hammer."

"Terrific. Barbarian at the gate. Or, if what you say about Aasimars is true, they won't be delighted at your presence, my horned friend."

"Can I suggest Erin takes the honor? I'd rather trust in her trap finding skills than Tanrov's health."

"I am afraid Ashur is right. There is no way I could lift that thing. That is going to be more like a battering ram than a doorknocker."

Erin steps up to the door to take a closer look.

"That's putting it mildly but yea. I suppose you're right. We should let the trap finder lead. Though that's kinda boring."

A look of worry briefly crosses the young barbarian's features but passes a moment later.

"Okay 'Rin. I'll wait here if you need help."

Tanrov dismounts and watches the rogue work.

Petr follows the pack to the front doors.

Petr looks down at Freya and pats her on her head to assure her everything is still OK.

What do you think Freya? Its a nice shape don't you think?

Crushed white gravel crunches underfoot as you enter the courtyard from the east. The large ornate doors are directly in front of you. To your left is a set of plain double doors, and to your right is a single door. Both of these are set back in the white stone walls.

"Let's see who's home"

*looks expectantly at Erin*

Arkwright furrows his brow, then steps forward and presses Erin backwards.

"Hold, there's something behind the door...

He passes his hand before his face again, squinting carefully as if he could see straight though the door...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

He glances at the doorframe, checking if there is enough of a gap to permit a thin blade's entrance.

Tanrov puts a meaty hand on his spirited steed's flank to keep it calm.

"What's he doing Horns?"

"Some magic finding stuff I think. Or he just really likes doors."

Tanrov watches diligently.

"I wish I knew magic..."

"Overrated. I'm sure you and that hammer do enough "magic" to people's faces."

Arkwright, you can't attempt to idenntify the particulars of the aura unless you can actually see the source, which you can't without opening the door.

Ahh apologies...

"There's something magical somewhere behind the door... I can't tell exactly what, but its a type of magic usually associated with sparks and bleeding. It might be triggered by opening the door, or it might not. I suggest you stand back while I open the door, unless anyone objects?"

"Yeah...", the young barbarian replies. "My brother says the same thing."

At the mention of opening a trapped door, Tanrov returns his attention to the task at hand.

"Are you sure Ark? You're not scared of whatever's going to happen?"

"Well, he's right." Ashur then proceeds to walk backwards while the Magus opens the door.

"I'm the mage here. My job to get zapped." Arkwright says with a grin. "Besides, I might learn something."

He steps smartly forward and rests both hands on the door, pushing them both forward hard, knees bent ready to dive to the floor in the event of sudden sparky death.

"Spirits watch over you", Tanrov offers as he moves with the others a safe distance.

"This must be one of those Only-Magic-Can-Defeat-Magic things."

"You sound like a wise old uncle or something."

"Something my brother always says."

"Who is this brother of yours? He sounds like a sage. I figured a brother of yours would be more likely to scalp someone than to give them advice."

"The door shows no signs of being trapped, and is unlocked. As for whats behind the door... It is not a trap, but if you can sense it Ark, I will take your word for it. It is also my job to make sure no one gets zapped in the first place."

Erin steps forward again and assists Arkwright with the door.

Arkwright flashes a grin at Erin.

"Then let's go in!"

"Ugh...these doors are heavy. I can not imagine mere priests making their way through these every day. They are quite extravagant though..."
States Erin, as she continues to push the door open.

Open before you is a wide entry. The floor in the room contains an engraved Spiral of Korada, but the spiral is badly scuffed from centuries of traffic. The ceiling is a comfortable 20 feet high, and the room is well lit from several ever burning torches along the walls. There is a set of closed double doors on the west side of the room, and a single door along the south wall. Hallways lead off from the room on the northwest, and the north east corners.

Standing in the back is a male Human, and a female Halfling. It seems you interrupted whatever conversation they were having and they are mildly surprised to see you. They are both dressed in simple white tunic with small bells woven into the hems and sleeves. The man holds in his right hand a pair of clear glass spheres, about the size of plums, and continually twirls them through his fingers.

The middle-aged Halfling steps forward. Welcome travelers! My name is Liso. How can the devotees of Korada be of service to you?

"I thought this was an Aasimar temple. I don't like this. And I mean more than before." Ashur whispers to Erin.

Erin gives a small nod in acknowledgement to Ashur. Then whispers back.

"I'll buy you guys some time and try to figure out their intentions."

She then begins making her way forward toward the pair. While walking forward she obviously takes an interest in the wall decor.

"Good day to you Liso, I apologize for the unannounced intrusion. This is quite the fine temple you have here. I cannot begin to imagine the number of people it must take to keep it in this condition. I also must say I am a little ignorant on the teachings of Korada and would not mind learning a bit more about the faith, if you have the time."

Arkwright nods gratefully at Erin, then steps closer to Ashur and starts whispering, keeping his mouth as still as possible to avoid detection.

"They said they were devotees, not priests or disciples, so it's possible the faith has spread outside the Aasimar race... but I agree, it is odd. And those glass spheres..."

Arkwright subtly waves his fingers and furrows his brow, gazing into the two small glass spheres.

Casts Detect Magic discreetly on the spheres.

I apologize if I seemed a little startled. We don’t expect visitors often. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. This temple is not especially large, I can also offer you a quick tour.

Korada is the Empyreal Lord of foresight, forgiveness, and peace. We live simple communal lives here, focusing on meditation and achieving enlightenment. Dakang is the head of our temple. He is an enlightened individual that has guided our learning for generations. You all are welcome to attend our service in the chapel later today, or take part in any of our meditation practices here.

The bells on her arms chime softly as she motions with her hands while she talks. The man with her nods agreement while continuing to roll the glass spheres through his fingers.

Tanrov listens to the introductions and tries to get a sense of the devotee's character.

Sense Motive - 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

"Do you have stables or some other place you keep animals?", the young barbarian chimes in.

"I will gladly accept the invitation to your meditative services, and the tour as well if you have the time."

There is a stable across the courtyard where you can keep your horse.

Petr smiles and listens.

As a cleric of Erastil, I am always interested to learn the ways and methods of fellow pilgrims on the path to godliness. We have heard much about Korada's mediation, might we perhaps get a demonstration?