Netopalis' Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment (PFS 2013 PBP Game Day) (Inactive)

Game Master Netopalis

Mizunoken keeps a hand on his sheathed katana and edges north to peak down the hallways.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

How is the lighting?

If it's hard to see in the room (or outside for that matter) Hawk will cast Light on his spear, giving him better visibility in the surrounding area.

"Baubles!" Aikio gawks at the shiny globes before remembering the number of other races in the room. She looks down, eyes fluttering a bit. A spark of flame appears and disappears in agitated fingers. Oh my, I said that in front of everyone. With a stolen glance at the other Tengu, she tries to determine how much her outburst might have embarassed him as much as she has herself.

Waiting as patiently as possible, Aikio will study the globes when the way is clear.

Tamerius read the missive, looking worried. Why asking me this...

Then he burned it taking back his composure.

We can go, comrades. This strange mobile is worth looking I think

Mizunoken recognizes the outburst of "Baubles" as coming from a Tengu mouth.

Besmara save me, she's still got Shiny Fever. Please let her parents have taught her to keep those hands to herself...

...unlike mine.

Mizunoken lets out a sigh of exasperation, in light of his own failings.

What do we need to study the three spheres ?

Tamerius begin to observe the mobile, trying to understand what it's represent and how it worked.

"Let us explore the temple in its entirety first, then come back to anything of interest."

Unless there is any objection, Shan heads to the southern door and opens it.

Mizunoken: As you glance down the hallway, a woman starts to approach. She is carrying a basket full of robes, but drops them as she notices you. "Oh! Oh, I'm sorry, you startled me! I wasn't expecting visitors..."

She is a middle-aged woman, roughly 30, with black hair.

Several of you notice that she is missing 3 fingers.

Tamerius: The design on the floor is just that, a design. It is two-dimensional. Based on your previous knowledge and a bit of logic, your character would recognize the design as a holy symbol of Korada.

Shan: If you would still like to open the door based on what has just happened, you may.

Mizunoken gets his katana about three inches out of his scabbard before relaxing his sword-hand.

"To be quite frank, we weren't expectin' any inhabitants, though the thought crossed our mind that might not be the case."

Mizunoken bows politely to his potential host, hoping Aikio will play along.

"Waħda, ebda armi, paċifiċi, ma'am. You may call me Mimi."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 Listening for others

"Are you here alone, ma'am?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

This certainly makes things more interestin'

As the woman makes her way into the room, Shan will stop just in front of the side door.

With a bow, Shan introduces himself.

"And we did not expect a host. Greetings, I am Shan Pangu. We have come to pay our respects to the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment. Are we allowed such custom?"

Lily looks just as surprised as the woman, "Oh, my. We were told the place would be empty. It's certainly a pleasure to have a friendly welcome, however. Are... are there more of you, or are you alone?" she asks politely as she moves forward to help pick the robes up.

Startled by the presence of another, Mizunoken struggles to find a balance between safety and propriety.

Lily give her a wide berth give her a wide berth give her a wide berth...

Strange... why a woman would be there while we were told that the place was empty ?

Accustomed to the tricks of demons, Tamerius looked suspiciously the woman, trying to read her mind. In Mendev, even paladin could be a demon in disguise...

Sense Motive (did she looked suspicous?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

The woman recovers her composure. "Oh, dear, where are my manners? I am terribly sorry. I am Di Duang. It's a pleasure to meet you all." She gives a slight bow to those who addressed her and says, "Yes, there are a number of other worshipers of Korada here with me - the Temple has quite a thriving population. You are welcome to join us! We always welcome visitors, even though we have not had any in the last fifty years or so. We were just about to sit down for our afternoon meal - would you all care to join us?"

Tamerius, Mizonuken: Your Sense Motive leads you to believe that she is likely being genuine.

Mizunoken relaxes a bit.

"Apologies for giving you such a start Di. Our crew is a bit larger than what you see."

I wager she'll be getting her cloister involved shortly. Might'n we make a plan.

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, my crewmates and I might need a moment to discuss whether today is the best time to visit, seeing as how circumstances are a bit diff'rent from what we were led to believe."

Mizunoken will take his leave from Di Duang once she acknowledges his offer, and will relay any info to the party they have not already picked up on.

Tamerius responded to Mizunoken She seemed as genuine as she looks, may be it's a great opportunity here to speak directly to Korada's follower rather than explore by ourself all the temple. Having guides is always better.
I will ask her

Tamerius went to Di Duang and bowed to her, trying to remember how Tian do that.

I'm Tamerius Nilmois, please to meet you Duang. My comrades and I are here to explore and study this temple. May you and the other inhabitants could help us in this work ? As you can see we are almost all clerics or followers of other deities and the teachings of Korada could be a great step for us. We want no harm to you or anybody, only the knowledge of Korada's teachings and how his temples are built is of interest.
We will be very pleased to be our guests here.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Greetings Di, I am Hawk, a healer among other skills. It is an honor to be here and see this temple of Korada. My fellow Pathfinders and I are most welcome to be in your presence. Do you lead these people?

Aikio bows to the Koradon, but lets the others speaking do so.

Di blushes. "Oh, no, I'm not the leader. That would be Dakang; he is the abbot of this monastery. But. I hope that you can all find what you are looking for! Followers of all faiths are welcome to learn more about the teachings of Korada here. If you need a few moments to regroup, please feel free to take them - I will be finishing preparations in the dining room." She walks through the double doors to the dining room.

How crowded was that dining room? Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"If they'll be predisposed with evening sup, might'n we take a look at the facilities, should we join them, or shall we regroup in Absalom with our new-found intelligence?"

Well, they know we're here... and I'm sure Aram Zey will chide us to no end if we return empty-handed....

"...Who's up for dinner?"

"We have been invited to dine with them. It would be an insult not to accept their invitation.

I agree with you Pangu said Tamerius.

I think it's a unique occasion to observe followers of Kurada in their journey. Better than expected in fact

Mizunoken: It looks and sounds as if there are several people in the dining room, but it is not crowded. Around 10-15.

Hawk looks around at those gathered around the table, specifically at their hands.

What Hawk is looking for is if the missing fingers are unique to Di or if others are missing them as well.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Lily looks down at Daisy, smiling gently, then looks around "I'm not sure that's a good idea. I mean, I would hate to spoil my appetite before our tea party. Though I guess it would be impolite to turn them down. Maybe just a nibble, if they'll have Daisy and me, both, that is."

"I still find it curious that there's people here when Master Zey told us that no one has been seen entering or leaving the building and that it was supposed to be empty. Does no one else find that odd?"

"In Aram's defense," What am I SAYING!?, "Seeing no arrivals or departures doesn't make the place derelict, just self-sufficient."

As much as I'd like to doubt that puffed-up caster, how're they getting supplies? If I recall correctly, there was a 'courtyard', not a 'garden' or 'farm'... either the seers are blind or this will be quite the supper.

Mizunoken addresses the group in a lower tone.

"If we're to sup, stay on guard. I volunteer to fast this evening, as a precaution."

We were given rations, so there would be no reason to fast completely. Just things wouldn't be very tasty.

Mimi is used to less-than-delectable foods on the high seas. He and rations are good friends.

"Where is the dining room? and oh! that smells delicious. Where is the kitchen?"

"Għandna nimxu flimkien, Aikio. Nemmen li dawn se jġibu l-ikel lilna, jew għall-inqas jgħidulna mod ieħor."

Di Duang is not present - she went into the dining room and closed the door to give you all the privacy the group requested.

Oddly, you don't smell any food - Di did say that you would be welcome to join her in the dining room whenever you are ready. It is the door to the west on the map.

Unfortunately, Hawk, the door wasn't open long enough for you to get a good look at that particular fact. You'll have to go inside to see.

Shall we follow Di? She seemed nice enough

The 'smells delicious' was a bluff, but hoped it would come across as guest-appropriate praise :)
"I would not feel right, wandering around the temple un-escorted. At least now that I know it is still occupied. I vote to join the dinner, even though it might just be rice and gruel."

Shan will lead the way to those who wish to dine with the local residents.

In any case, we must investigate the temple. If there is Kodara's followers here we will ask them numerous questions about his teachings and the autorization to study the temple itself.
Our mission will be complete with a study from an internal perspective, which is always better than a theorical.

The dinner will be a good start to begin asking questions about their faith and - as the temple is not as empty as expected - I think as Aikio that it will be rude to wander un-escorted.

Said Tamerius to his comrades as following Shan Pangu.

Mizunoken will join for dinner, but will not partake of any food or drink.

The map is being updated.

You all enter the dining room, where you see several individuals seated around a long banquet table. There is a door to the north, to the west and a curtain to the south. In particular, you see the following:

• Di Duang
• An elderly male human monk named Zhuang
• A pair of human spouses named Hamada and Ziya
• A young human girl named Miryia
• A pair of halfling spouses named Wei and Liso
• Wei and Liso's three sons, Pualo, Xifen and Tamtei
• A Gnome dressed in green robes adorned with bells, named Gastidem.

As you enter, Di looks up and says, "Ah, yes, here are the visitors I mentioned! Please, have a seat, we were just getting ready to start!"
The table is quite clean and devoid of food.

Some of you notice that all of the adults here except Gastidem are missing at least one finger.

Before seating Tamerius bow to each of the people present in the room.
A little bit un-eased by the clean table and the missing fingers.

Thank you all to your invitation. I'm Tamerius Nilmois, Defender of Nerosian, follower of Great Asmodeus. I'm honored to be your host in this holy temple. After a short pause he continued speaking directly to the "Abbot" Zhuang

Before joining you may I ask in what consist our evening meal ? As I see no food, may be your meal is made of prayers or meditations ?

Quietly to his fellow Pathfinders.

Look at their hands, one person would be a coincidence, but all of them? I think we have stumbled onto some sort of cult. I will not be partaking in this meal and I think it wise to refuse anything offered.

Does Hawk see Di? If so he will ask them about their hands.

An interesting ensemble. The missing digits... no doubt some religious rigmarole.

"Greetings to you all, and thanks be for hosting our weary party."

Mizunoken directs his next comments to the Halfling family.

"Miło mi pana poznać."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 Do the children have missing fingers?

Zhuang smiles and says, "Oh, no, the meditation chamber is down the hall. Jordan's will provide."

Di responds to Hawk, saying, Sometimes sacrifices must be made in the quest for spiritual perfection..."

The assembled group says a short prayer, then the table is suddenly filled with a grand feast of fruits, nuts, vegetables and grains.

Ahhh, Breatharians. These souls have reached the highest form of enlightenment.

Shan greets each individual in turn then takes his seat. He prepares himself for the feast, whether it is to fill his belly or nourish his soul.

Strange that a good entity ask such sacrifice from his follower...

Tamerius tried to remember what he could about self-sacrifice in good religion. Know. Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

He was quite impressed by the sudden apparition of rich and abundant food after the short prayer.

Food summoned magically. I will not have this machination turn to ash in my mouth, propriety be cast to the winds.

Mizunoken finds a seat among his fellow adventurers, hoping to stay inconspicuous.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Examining the food for tampering

Hawk casts Detect Poison on the meal.

(Stupid autocorrect. It's supposed to be Korada, not Jordan.)

Made more sense :P

If Korada exige such sacrifice is he an harsh master ? asked an intrigued Tamerius

Tamerius: Based on your knowledge check, it is unusual, but not entirely unheard of.

Mizonuken: Craft (Alchemy) would be required to detect the tampering. Survival is ineffective.

Hawk:

Tamerius: Gastidem, the gnome, replies, I think you misunderstand, my friend. Our followers practice a test called the Kiss of Korada, which helps us know when we are in tune with our deity's demands, and when we are not. If you wish, I could show you more after our meal."

Hawk:

The assembled group begins eating. Liso fills two plates and takes them out the door to the west, then returns minutes later.

Interesting, it's Gastidem who respond, not Zhuang

I'm sorry for my misunderstanding Gastidem. I will gladly accept your invitation Gastidem as we are all here to study the ways of Korada. If I may, could you make us a tour of your temple after the meal before showing us this test ?

Sense Motive (Who is the real Head of the community?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11