Temple of Empyreal Brute Squad (Inactive)
Game Master ThorGN

"Ashur, of course, my apologies. Agreed. Let's go."

"Whatever. Let's go before they decide to get back up."

Erin listens to this whole conversation silently, then quietly states at the end.

"Put me down for trying to stay unnoticed as long as possible. I have dreaded having to sleep here since we first found out about the bladed turtle."

I agree we need to just keep plodding along with our tasks. Surely we shall not face such competition for use of a room again.

Getting some rest would also be welcome. We all have some wounds to bind and treat.

Upon your request for a place to stay, you are ushered down the hall and behind the dining room to some monk's quarters that have obviously been recently vacated for your use. The room has been separated into three rooms by white paper walls and there is a bunk bed in each.

Apparently the Halfling family sleeps down the hall. Some of the Humans are crashing with them tonight to make room for you.

"So, Petr and Freya can go in that one. Arkwright and Tanrov can share the middle one. Which leaves me to room with Erin. Sounds good? Let's go."

Arkwright drops his pack in a corner and nods at Tanrov's suggestion, then pulls something out of a pouch.

"I'll take first watch; I need 8 hours sleep so that the eldritch energies inside of me can recharge for tomorrow, so I suggest that we each take two hour watches and that should be sufficient. I'll hold this and pass it the next person who will pass it to the next person-" he lifts up his hand to show a small signal whistle "- and the person on watch can blow it if some danger comes up."

He pauses and smiles at Petr.

"Think Freyr will mind keeping me company for a bit? I could use her keen nose."

Tanrov hesitates.

"What if more of those dead men show up?", the young barbarian asks. "You should be in the middle one so you can get them", Tanrov says to the tiefling.

"No, I think you can have it. I need a break from undead. I like my plan."

Tanrov's shoulders slump as he steps into his room.

"Hold on one moment."
Erin states, as she moves into each room to check for traps.
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 +1 Traps

"Poisoned food, falling statues, zombies.....I just want to make sure everyone is going to wake up in the morning."

After checking all the rooms, she states.

"I do not mind which room I am in, but I will take a middle watch so you can all study your magic uninterrupted. I know how little you like to be disturbed in the middle of your studies.

Arkwright winces at his ommission

"It didn't occur to me to check for traps... It would seem discretion really isn't a great part of my nature. Despite the, as you said, poisoned food and falling statues and zombies..."

Your night of rest passes without incident or interruption.
Well, that is except for Tanrov's snoring. The young barbarian sounds like a coach passing by and paper walls provide little in the way of a sound barrier.

:)

None of which bother Arkwright thanks to his handy purchase of 'Earplugs, 2x'.

Ashur is bothered by the snoring and just attributes it as another thing he hates about this place.

Sorry, Tanrov snores when he's anxious.

In the morning, Tanrov pokes his head out of room looking for deadmen with two-handed swords.

Once he's convinced it's safe, the young barbarian gets the others out of their rooms so the search can continue.

Erin awakens and sits at the edge of the top bunk eating a ration produces from her pack.

"This stuff really tastes terrible, but I suppose it is better than poison. I take it everyone had a rough time sleeping last night.

She states, nodding towards Tanrov.

"Well its good to know they haven't killed me in my sleep." Ashur says as hes being woken up by Tanrov. "Yea, I'd rather take some bland rations over poisoned cultist food anyday."

A monk stops in the hall to greet you. Good morning! We will be having a chapel service in a few minutes, and would be pleased if you all would join us. Dakang is teaching today on Korada’s holy city of Vantian, the City of Open Windows.

Erin waits for the monk to leave, then sarcastically states.

"I get this feeling this is going to be an enlightening experience. I suppose we should be ready for anything."

"I couldn't have said it better. You're learning, Erin."

"Yes, I've learned thieves dens in Westcrown are friendlier and more open than Aasimar temples. That comes as quite a shock actually."

"Not to me. Some of my oldest friends are thieves in Westcrown."

"We may know some of the same people then.... Small world."

"We probably do."

The chapel is a tall room with long windows that overlook the garden. An elaborate stone font stands empty at the front of the chapel opposite a high balcony. The monks are gathering for the teaching, taking places on the prayer mats and motion you to do the same. Three Aasimar stand along the west wall, near the fountain.

Arkwright steps forward and quietly takes his place on the prayer mat; cautious after yesterday's events, he discreetly waves his hand behind his back and scans the room for magical auras.

Erin sits on a mat near the others, and keeps a wary eye on the Aasimar.

Ashur just follows the others in and sits down keeping his mouth shut.

Once everyone is in place, an obese human man steps confidently to the podium on the high balcony in the chapel. He is draped in layers of cloth trimmed with small bells that jingle lightly as he moves. The man’s bald head is surrounded by a thin fringe of gray hair, but the lower half of his face is wrapped in a white silk scarf stitched with a line of unusual double-arrow symbols.

Dakang opens the service by welcoming the new visitors and leading his congregation in a few meditative stretches. Soon, he launches into a lengthy sermon about Korada’s holy city of Vantian, City of Open Windows, whose sacred residents are eternally engaged in prayer and maintenance of the city.

After his sermon, Dakang instructs his worshipers to “assume the symbols of celestial silence and contemplation.” The worshipers produce vials of ink and begin marking each other’s faces with double-arrow symbols above and below the eyes and above and below the mouth, similar to the symbols that adorn Dakang's scarf. The worshipers attempt to do this in reverent silence. You are offered vials of ink if you with to participate.

Ashur shakes his head refuse and looks to his allies.. "It's also probably poison." He whispers.

The formality of the service starts to make Tanrov feel awkward for being un/underdressed. The young Shoanti tries to distract himself by focusing on the sermon.

Sense Motive - 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Arkwright whispers intensely to the rest of the party-

"The ink markings look suspicious to me. And this city of 'Vantian' he speaks of- it is a city in the Abyss, in the realm of the demon lord Sifkesh, Korada has nothing to do with it! Either they are sorely mistake about Korada or Ashur was right and these people are cultists!"

Arkwright quickly refuses the offered ink, and stares intently at the Aasimar at the corner, trying to get a grasp of their physical state.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Ink? I said the fountain is magical, not the ink.

You said the 'font' is magical. I assumed you meant the lettering... ahh, damn. Should have read that bit more carefully. I'll edit it out.

"Of course I'm right. No one would make a mistake like that. So what do we do?" Ashur whispers back.

"I say we leave the room quickly. If they are just confused about Korada, they won't be too offended. If they are cultists, they won't be able to attack us en masse. Another option is that we continue with this ceremony, wait until the Aasimar leave and then follow them and ask them about what we know. I just think that referring to a city in the domain of a demon-lord is too obvious a mistake to make, and they either have or are about to give up on trying to deceive us. In which case, we ARE in danger."

"I think the Aasimar are in on it so that doesn't sound like a good idea. I'm good with leaving ASAP."

"Okay. Do we still want to be discrete, or should we make obvious that we know that something curious is going on at this temple? Anyway, we can decide that later. Let's leave now, and quickly too."

"Yea, best idea I've heard all trip. Let's go."

Arkwright stands up and walks briskly to the door.

I guess if no one objects, you fellows follow me at same speed.

No objections.

I'm waiting to see if Tanrov learns anything with his Sense Motive check, otherwise he'll follow along.

"Well if anything was going to provoke them, this will likely be it."

Erin says quietly as she gets up to follow the others. She also watches the Aasimar for any reactions to this transgression.

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Petr listens to the whispers of his friends and politely refuses the ink ritual.

"Be easy friends. This seems a perfect chance to test the perimeter of this Dakang, let us wait until the end and attempt to speak with the Aasimir.

Arkwright pauses as Petre speaks then continues walking out the door. He does not close it fully, and bends down to look through a crack to watch Petr and the congregation, ready to charge in if he seems to be in danger.

Once the face-inking is complete, Dakang breaks the silence with the command, “Wash the symbols from your face and enjoy the beautiful day Korada has provided.” The worshipers cheerfully wash the symbols from each other’s faces and exit the chapel to return to their normal business. The Aasimar hang around the font until everyone leaves, and Dakang retreats to his chambers.

Petr approaches the Aasimir with a smile on his face.

Blessings upon you friends. My name is Petr Galdr, I am a servant of Erastil and a healer. My friends and I have come to your temple to learn about Korada.

Might you have a few moments to speak with us?

Erin stands beside Arkwright peering through the door as well and whispers quietly to him.

"If this comes to blows, I have got 10 gold on Tanrov smashing that pasty looking guy in one swing."

"There are some things you don't bet against. One of them is Tanrov's ability to oneshot people."