Gastidem responds to Jani, "That's a good question, and all we have on this side of the Tapestry are rumors brought by later arrivals, perhaps through the Tapestry, or maybe other doorways here - back doors if you will. Don't rightly know."
"But, most of us - or, actually, our ancestors - seem to have come here with the temples and lands and monuments, whether intentionally stocked here like fish in a pond or accidentally, I don't know. My family's tale was just that our little gnome homes were vanished into this realm with a grand abandoned city. I suppose when you are as powerful as Hao Jin, the little people are easily overlooked. Ain't that just the ways with the gods and godlike?"
"The understanding here, though, going back many generations of the humans and halflings - and even a few aasimar generations, I understand - is that Dakang has always been here. I suppose he came with the Temple."
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Herman looks around astonished at the architecture, but then a little confused about the overgrown garden. When Hagan asks about the missing fingers, he pipes in: "Yes I am most interested in that as well. Do tell what has caused the same issue for so many of the faithful?"
Herman also considers the instructions on being sent here. " 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."
Since they are in the garden, he takes out a pencil and paper and begins making the drawings while the others discuss other details, sketching a map as much as possible given the overgrown condition.
Gastidem seems confused for a moment, then says, "Oh, there is no danger here, certainly not. No, no..."
He is obviously not mentioning something important and, when pressed, he admits, "Well, there is some 'danger' - if you could call it that - for the spiritually impure. Those who attempt the sacred ritual of the Kiss of Korada are judged and, if found impure, they may suffer an injury, a sign that they need to travel further and more faithfully along Korada's path to enlightenment."
With this, you see Di Duang blush momentarily and put her hands behind her, apparently a bit ashamed at her own failures.
(You notice, however, that Gastidem has all of his fingers.)
Knowledge (Religion)
You don't remember anything about a "Kiss of Korada", and it does not seem the kind of test that would be appropriate for a good, peaceful deity.
You are quite certain that there is no sacred ritual called the "Kiss of Korada" and that it would be a completely inappropriate kind of test for a good, peaceful deity.
Gastidem responds to Herman, "Oh, I would be happy to have you meet Dakang, but he is a most holy individual, and spends all his time in strict seclusion. It is a great honor to be chosen to see him on some matter. But, you can see him and hear his words during the service, the next being after the Common meal."
Herman attempts to sketch out the layout of the garden but, it its current state, it is quite impossible to determine the original layout: except for a relatively clear area in the center, the weeds are growing taller than an adult human in most of the garden. It would take a great deal of trimming and weed removal to get it under control.
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"Perhaps someone with knowledge of plants and nature should do the outside work. We don't have a druid with us, but maybe Turan has some outdoor skills? Would you mind working in the garden so we can make a drawing of it's design?"
Herman then excuses himself to go to the library to begin what looks to be a long-time process in cataloging the works. He makes sure to remember to attend the service when it is ready.
Taking a preliminary examination of the flora of the garden, Wuliem is able to quickly determine which plants are weeds that just need to be removed and which plants need to be pruned back and how, all significantly simplifying the task. He estimates it will now take about six person-hours to complete the task.
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Herman enters the library quietly, looking to see if the studying acolyte is still present.
He casts Detect Magic on the library looking for any magical writings first. After that bit of business, he sees that most of the texts are religious or planar in nature. Not having particular skills in those areas, he goes to find Storn and the others.
"Besides Storn (who I'm certain can't read) who else is skilled in Religious or Planar studies? This library looks like a trove of that type of work, and someone knowledgeable in those areas, might make quick work of the cataloging."
Reentering the library, Herman notices that Miriya is, indeed, still reading, but she doesn't take much notice of him.
Detecting magic, Herman finds two items with magical auras, one a scroll and another a book. The book is a Manual of Calm Reflection, with techniques to bolster the mind's defenses, particularly for a follower of its central deity, Iori.
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Storn looks around the library.
Cataloguing. I now know what hell awaits me if I displease my God.
"Hey Miraniyoo - there a catalogue here?"
Without waiting for an answer, Storn begins looking up what he can in the religious texts here on meditation rituals and Korada - specifically any kinds of heretical sects that may involve painful punishments.
"Hmm?" the young woman asks, looking up from her book. "Well, I've honestly never looked, since, well, the office wasn't my place," she says timidly. "But, I suppose that there is no harm in looking..."
"Ah! This looks like it could be it!" Miriya says, showing Storn a large, centuries-old bound catalog of all of the libary's works.
Skimming the catalog and the shelves, Storn finds that many works seem to be missing, perhaps half of the total on Korada.
The books here refer to Korada’s holy city of Vantian the Unshuttered, which continually crumbles into the sea of Ishiar while residents continually rebuild on the far side of the city. The books also describe the double-arrow symbol of "celestial silence and contemplation" to be drawn over the mouth and eyes of adherents of Korada.
Storn doesn't find anything in the texts about physical injury as part of any ritual.
It appears, from an early overview, that works on Korada are the ones specifically missing.
There don't appear to be 'gaps' per se, but something seems wrong with the works...
You are both sure that none of the rites or symbols described are actually connected with Korada. There is no such "symbol of celestial silence and contemplation." These books must have been altered!
The double-arrow symbol is sacred to Sifkesh, demon lord of heresy and suicide. Drawing this symbol over and across the mouth and eyes would resemble stitching, and Sifkesh is depicted with eyes and mouth stitched shut.
Vantian and Ishiar are not locations connected with Korada. They are not locations in Nirvana at all. These books have been altered!
Ishiar is a great ocean in the Abyss. It is the realm of the demon lord Dagon and connects to several other Abyssal regions.
Wuliem begins his work supervising the restoration of the garden.
Turan and Herman sense that, despite Gastidem's shrugging approval of the work, he is actually opposed to the idea, and nervous about something.
Herman, in addition, notes that several nervous glances are given by Gastidem when the party is in a particular location within the garden.
At this point, you suddenly hear an alarming loud bell being struck in the location of the refectory!
Gastidem, Miriya, and the other humans and halflings can be seen making their way to the refectory for the common meal.
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Storn starts, almost dropping the catalogue he's been working on. He grumbles over to Herman and Hagan.
"To the surprise of nobody, this Koradan sect isn't even heretical, it's just entirely made up. I think this Dakang has some explaining to do. Just fair warning, if somebody comes for my fingers I'm removing their lower intestine. Fair is fair. You guys find anything?"
With Wuliem's expert guidance, the group is able clear away and map the original layout of the gardens, although a full restoration would doubtless take a great deal more effort and the passage of time.
Entering the refectory, you see that everyone (or, nearly everyone) is taking seats at the large, simple table of white wood: Gastidem, the Di Duang and the the other humans, the halfing mother and her three sons. Absent from those you met appears to be the three aasimar bodyguards, and Dakang is also missing.
The group is greeted by smiles and respectful bows by the attendees. Di Duang invites you to take a seat and partake, if you wish, explaining that "Korada will provide."
A few moments later, Zhuang, the older human who leads the meditations, is given the honor of saying a command word, instantly causing the table - called "the banquet table of the autumn feast" as you learn from Di Duang - to fill with an abundance of fruits, grains, nuts, and juices.
As people begin to eagerly partake of the meal, you see that the halfling mother, Liso, asks her three boys to pile up food on three plates, and they leave to take it to the aasimar, returning after a few minutes.
When clearing the weeds from the garden, Wuliem finds what seems to be a hidden but carefully-tended plant, wiry with red-brown leaves. He identifies it as "flayleaf", considered by some to a mild recreational drug when chewed, smoked, or made into a tea. However, it is highly addictive and it can also be made into a powerful hallucinogen and pain-killer.
Furthermore, Wuliem and the others find very obvious footprints around the plant which match the gnome's boots.
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Herman notices the discomfort of the group, and the odd glances at the empty seat near Liso.
"Just what in the blue blazes is going on around here?" he asks standing up from the table. "First, there's the missing digits, then this made-up god Korada and his strange rituals which appear more abyssal than heavenly. Flayleaf hidden away in that ruin of a garden, and now these strange looks at dinner. You people have some serious explaining to do, starting now!"
The halfling may not be very big, but he his a good actor and he puts on his most fearsome visage, eyes flashing and fist banging on the table for effect.
You sit and try to eat some, but the food tastes - without exaggeration - like scorched earth. It is so repulsive that you are almost sickened, and it is a mystery as to how the residents can be eating it at all, much less seeming to enjoy it very much.
You can spit it out without effort, or perhaps try a Bluff or Sleight of Hand to pretend it is not terrible, hiding that you are getting rid of the awful 'food' without swallowing it.
The room seems to be thrown into confusion and alarm by Herman's accusations. There are many shocked and nervous faces, and whispered and sputtered cries of "Blasphemy!" Liso, the halfling mother tries to "Hush! Hush!" you and her suddenly-alarmed children. "Such is the fruit of unbelief!" one human, Hamada, calls out, and Ziya faints. "I have never heard such in all my life..." a stunned Zhuang murmurs, his deeply-ingrained calm allowing him to keep his composure better than most. "I have read of this 'Abyss' and of Korada and do not know why you would say such things," Miriya says softly but plaintively. "Is 'flayleaf' a plant? Is Flayleaf a plant?" one of the boys - Xifen, you think it is - asks.
"Lies!" Gastidem adds, "I know of no such thing! ... And far better to lose a mere finger than the path to enlightenment!"
Di Duang seems shocked and dazed, but dazedly tries to see a positive solution, "Perhaps you need to eat ... and listen ... and meditate, then reflect on your ... errors. You are strangers here, but we have known this our whole lives, haven't we?"
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Storn lets out a low grumble, speaking up in his booming voice.
"I am Storn of Gorum, and I say to you that you have been deceived! Explain to me why texts of Korada are missing from this library while the rest of the collection is faithfully preserved? Explain to me why an Empyreal Lord of peace would remove digits? Knowledge of Korada's true ways have been hidden, and what remains has been perverted to some strange ritual of pain! If you have only known this your entire lives, it is simple - these lies began before you were born."
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Earnestly watching the inhabitants for a reaction, Herman is not all that surprised to see them display stunned horror at his "blasphemy". All except the drug-using gnome who apparently knew all about the flayleaf the whole time.
The outrage of Storn and diplomatic offerings of Hagan fade to the background as Herman ponders the situation aloud. "These people don't know they have been lied to (except maybe the gnome). The villain here is not them, but their leader -- this Dakang and his aasimar bodyguards. They have filled these poor folks heads full of lies and half-truths, but for what?"
Herman turns towards the others "Grab the gnome! Let's see exactly what he knows. There is something sinister going on here, and he knows more than he's saying."
Herman strums a chord on his lute, and begins chanting in a bizarre sing-song way, trying to enchant the room full of worshippers and the devious gnome.
Bah, humbug!
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"Indeed. We have discussed the materials in your books, and they have been corrupted. This symbol, the arrows -- Hagan recognized it as the symbol of the demon lord Sifkesh! You have been profoundly deceived, all of you, and it is with a heavy heart we tell you that the being to whom you have been directing your worship with these rituals and symbols is a creature fouler than you can possibly imagine. "
(Hypnotism stuff)
Herman begins his strange chanting and, while no one seems to understand what a spell might be (perhaps too sheltered), they do understand chanting and look at each other with confusion and concern at the unexpected ritual, but very quickly (almost) everyone seems entranced to some degree, watching the halfling bard's hypnotic performance - though it is difficult to tell who, exactly, is formally under his spell.
The exceptions are Xifen, the middle halfling boy, who disappears under the table and starts to cry, "Mommy, where's Daddy? Mommy, where's Daddy?", and Gastidem who, hearing Herman's words, makes a hasty exit through the door to the north, saying, "Dakang must hear of this!"
You sit and try to eat some, but the food tastes - without exaggeration - like scorched earth. It is so repulsive that you are almost sickened, and it is a mystery as to how the residents can be eating it at all, much less seeming to have enjoyed it very much.
You can spit it out without effort, or perhaps try a Bluff or Sleight of Hand to pretend it is not terrible, hiding that you are getting rid of the awful 'food' without swallowing it.
Wuliem dashes after the gnome and soon finds himself face to face with three stern aasimar, their spears leveled at him. "What is the meaning of this?!" demands Devyna, the female aasimar, in her strange accent and with a deeply resonating voice not of Golarion, her clothes flowing in an unseen breeze.
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Wuliem reaches into his coat pocket, producing an envelope-looking item.
I have a message...ah, here it is....aaahhhhhhcchhhhoooo!
Wuliem sneezes, causing the contents to fly through the air at them.
Price 60 gp; Weight 2 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
This fine gray powder causes targets to suffer from uncontrollable itching until they spend at least 1 round washing it off. Throwing a packet of itching powder is a splash attack with a range increment of 10 feet. Anyone standing on the square of impact must succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save to resist the powder, while those in adjacent squares must make a DC 8 Fortitude save. Creatures that fail the save take a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks until they wash the powder off. This is a poison effect.
Oh my!
As Wuliem goes to retrieve an item, Devyna steps forward and attempts to disarm him with a flick of her spear, but fails.
Wuliem throws the powder, hitting Phaneon and enveloping Devyna and Salathir with itching powder. Devyna and Salathir resist, but Phaneon inhales too much of the powder.
Phaneon steps forward and throws a large bag at Wuliem and, though twitching, hits him square in the chest and envelops him, in turn, by sticky goo. Worse, Wuliem is stuck to the spot!
Meanwhile, Salathir moves into position to the other side of Wuliem.
"I repeat: What is the meaning of this?" Devyna says again, readying her spear.
Under the table, Xifen says, "Devyna is upset! Devyna is upset!"
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I believe that there may have been a failure to communicate!
Wuliem--carefully--pulls a vial out of his pocket, pouring on the glue.
Price 6.6 gp; Weight 1/2 lb.
This bubbling purple gel eats through adhesives. Each vial can cover a single 5-foot square. It destroys most normal adhesives (such as tar, tree sap, or glue) in a single round but takes 1d4+1 rounds to deal with more powerful adhesives (alchemical glue, tanglefoot bags, spider webbing, and so on). It has no affect on fully magical adhesives, such as sovereign glue.