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

Game Master Netopalis

Hawk nods.

A confrontation now would be disaterous I fear. Still we should attend the ceremony, getting a look at our enemy will be the first toward eventually defeating him.

You all arrive in the chapel, where rows of mats are laid out. Several of the monks are already finding seats. There is an empty fountain to the left of a podium. As you enter, a morbidly obese man in white robes enters, carrying a staff which bears the holy symbol of Korada. He then leads the crowd in the following mantra, which they repeat:

Light combines;
My peace find;
Calm my soul;
To control;
Woes I sift;
Catching Gifts.

Following that, Dakang leads the group in a series of meditative stretching exercises, then delivers the following sermon:

"My fellow Believers of Korada, I welcome you. It is indeed another peaceful day here in the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment. I see that today, we have visitors! Welcome, Pathfinders, and may the blessings of Korada be upon you all.
As I was preparing for today's sermon, I heard of the death of Wei. My friends, do not be alarmed, do not be discouraged, do not be sad - for Korada has eased his suffering. As we all know, suicide is Korada's means of helping those who cannot bear to continue their life. Such events may seem tragic, but we must remember, his soul has been carried on to Vantian.
Vantian! The City of Open Windows! It is a city of peace. No crime, no heartache, no pain...just continued devotion to Korada. Indeed, Vantian is such a peaceful, blissful city that every day, portions of it fall into the sea - but the residents manage to rebuild without a second thought. Harmony, pleasantness, peace in all things - would that we could all take the path that Wei has chosen. I, myself, would have done it long ago were it not for my duties here. To all of you, though, I urge you - if you are considering such an act, please see me. Wei chose to take his own life, and he chose a painful method. I assure you all, suicide does not have to be such a grisly scene - the blessings of Korada have gifted me with means of achieving it painlessly, effortlessly and peacefully.
Regardless of your decision, however, I would encourage you all to attempt the Kiss of Korada. I, myself, have taken it a number of times. I know that the price of failure is great, but for those who are true of mind, sound of body and aligned with Korada in every way, it is a wonderful experience and a true show of your faith. Remember - every failure should drive you to try harder. If you fail, do not despair! Simply see it as the opportunity that it is - an opportunity to improve yourself, to focus on the true teachings of Korada and to try again soon. And, if you do happen to fail the final time, as Wei did, you should truly consider the advantages of leaving this realm of despair and traveling onward to a land of glory.
As we leave today, please take a moment to assume the symbols of celestial silence and contemplation."

At this time, the monks begin painting the symbols seen from the book in the library on each others' eyes and faces.
Picture of the symbol.

Some of you with some knowledge about healing will notice that it looks disturbingly like stitching across the mouth and the eyes.

Liso says, Would you like me to paint your faces for you? I'd be more than happy to. It's awfully difficult to paint yourself."

And people believe this rubbish?

Politely Hawk turns to Liso.

No, thank you, it is enough that I observe your ceremony learning what I can.

So that is Dakang? I recall it being said that he doesn't eat. Yet he looks.... well fed Hawk mentions, referencing the obesity.

Mizunoken politely declines the face-painting, pointing at his beak.

"I imagine it'd be difficult for anyone to paint the symbol with any accuracy on this face."

Mutilation, suicide... assisted suicide... the promise of some imploding nirvana...

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 and Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 Korada

Tamerius find peace in a meditative stance he learned in his youth. Trying to not burn all of the priest and his stupid followers here.
But may be he could find a way to reverse the teaching of Sifkesh and to open the eyes of these fools and prevent them lose their soul to a demon prince. He known he lacked the subtlety of some of his fellow clerics who would think of such way sooner. But he was like the Fire, prompt to act, ardent to destroy, easy to forgive.

When Liso came to them offering to paint their face he said

Calm... calm... use the subtlety of Asmodeus

I tank you for the offer but I must decline as I'm a follower of another deity. But can I ask you a question ? Do you do this painting often ? As I recall my old studies I don't remember this sign as one of Korada. Is it new ?

Know. Religion (what is not Korada): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Sense Motive (is Dakang a Korada's priest or a demonist ?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Checking something:
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Your sense motives indicate that the followers present believe Dakang's words, but that he is hiding something. You also suspect that Gastidem, the gnome, is hiding something.

One more check:
1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Tamerius, you are relatively certain that Dakang is a vermlek in disguise.

A vermlek is a demon which has the power to inhabit human bodies and wear their skin as if it were a disguise.

Aikio asks if it would be alright to document the stretching & meditation forms, but declines the painting. "One thing at a time, please."
Somewhere in here should be poses of meditation stretches.

Asmodeus sake ! A true demon here ! Calm, calm... keep cool

How could I unhide it ?

Aikio: Zhuang, the elderly monk from earlier, says, "If you wish to study the stretching further, I would recommend a session with me in the meditation room. It's directly across the hall."

Mizunoken recalls his task assigned by Guaril and starts rotate his sword arm about his shoulder.

At the very least I can scout the area. Always willing to learn new stretching techniques...

If everyone agrees, Mizunoken will head to the meditation chamber, as a group, for "stretching".

Sorry for taking a step backward before moving on, but can I assume that I have cataloged the library's books, then, and noticed a bunch of discrepancies? If not, then that's what I'm doing while they go and stretch. If so, I'll follow silently for now (now that Tamerius has been calmed) to the stretching chamber.

Shan bows and allows his face to be painted.

"The Stretching?

Also I'd like to know approximately what time it is, between everything that's been going on it feels like it's been a long day already for them, between dinner, the murder, cataloging books, now the ceremony.

Tamerius looked badly at Shan and approached Shan whispering to him

You know you just accepted the unholy symbol of Sifkesh, demon lord of Heresy and Suicide ? He loves to corrupt the soul of men.

Then he said to Zhuang

I will be interested to know more about it. I follow you.

Hawk: It's the early afternoon. All of the events thus far have happened on the same day.

"Sometimes, to understand the river, one must get in the water. Besides, demon lords are not gods. They have no power over man."

The meditation room is a lofty, open space. The stone walls
are carved with several figures in various meditative poses. A
few large mats cover the stone floor. The only other furnishing
is a rack containing a few wooden staves and several stacked
glass spheres, each no bigger than a plum.

Zhuang sits on one of the meditation mats as you enter. He says, "Oh, good, you've come. Here to learn more about the meditative teachings of Korada, are you? It's quite simple. We assume the lotus position while spinning three glass orbs in our hands, all while repeating a mantra. I'll demonstrate."

He assumes the position then, as the orbs are spinning, says,
"Light combined,
My peace find,
Calm my soul,
To control,
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts."

"Now, you try it.", says Zhuang as he stands up.

If you wish to try the meditation, please post a sleight of hand or dexterity check. Also, if you are saying the mantra, please copy it into your post.

Mizunoken studies the room, looking for the mat Karella tasked him with retrieving.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Mizunoken takes a triplet of glass orbs and assumes the position on a free mat.

Let's see how nimble these digits still are.

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Glass orb spinning

Mizunoken whispers his own calming mantra in his mother tongue.

"Ilma kalm, galleġġjanti paċifiċi,
Still irjieħ, irqad faċli,
Besmara, tkun ankra tiegħi
Permezz maltempata xita u."

...might be the first time I've said that prayer off-board.

Be careful Shan, a demon lord is like a God. Less powerful yes, but still enough to be praise as god by man. More, you already saw they work here. So don't say thing you don't know or are wrong.

Tamerius followed his comrade to the meditation room.

Tamerius just looked at the mantra, trying to find the mark of Sikfesh in the words said or the position.

Know. Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Aikio grabs three globes and sits down in the lotus position. Her fingers spark before she calms down. If this is not one of the poses figures on the wall she asks "Will one of you please record this?"

"Light combined,
My peace find,
Calm my soul,
To control,
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts."

Dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

where on the map is this? I assume we need more time to finish the listings in the library, correct?

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, which is why I said that Lily was staying behind with Daisy in case we needed more time to catalog everything in the library. Just waiting for confirmation from Netopalis before I do anything else.

Shan easily places himself in the lotus position. Upon taken the three globes, he exhales, allowing his entire body to relax. He starts to fall into deep meditation as the glass orbs begin to spin. Shan begins to gruffly chat in dwarven a matra he learned from the unorthodox style of the Kobra Kai monastery during his travels.

Dex check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

Lily: I'll say that you looked at the book catalog and noticed a LOT of discrepancies. You've completed enough for the mission as far as that goes.

Mizunoken: You easily see the mat. Unfortunately, you pay so much attention to it that the orbs crash to the floor.

Tamerius: Your Knowledge(Religion) check reveals that this type of meditation is common to worshipers of Korada, but the mantra is new. You do not identify any particular demonic influence on it, though.

Aikio: You manage to spin the balls easily in your hands. This position is one of the ones indicated on the wall.

Shan: Unfortunately, you do not manage to keep the orbs all spinning - they crash to the floor as well.

Mizunoken is startled when one of the orbs hits the ground; he stares at it blankly as it rolls a short distance away.

So much for still water.

The sound of Shan's failed attempts grabs his attention once more.

So it's not just me. Now, onto the business of liberating that beautiful mat from these droll confines...

Lily starts taking notes down in her journal, "Interesting. Mizunoken and Shan looked to perform the meditation's correctly, but spoke the mantra in different tongues, and then the orbs dropped. Aikio performed the same meditation, but spoke in the same tongue as Master Zhuang and the orbs did not drop. Curious."

She then goes on to copy down the different meditative poses as best as she can, "Master Zhuang, is the same mantra used for all the different poses, or does each offer a unique mantra?"

Daisy, meanwhile, sniffs at one of the fallen orbs momentarily before losing interest in them and continues her search for something green and leafy. Maybe one of those mats? Quickly, before Lily notices and catches her, though.

After the first try, Tamerius asked brother Zhuang.

Excuse me brother Zhuang, but are these Mantras new ? and as my comrade Lily is it a mantra for each exercice or one unique ?

Mizunoken: Your perception and sense motive indicate that Zhuang will likely be here for a long time. The mat is roughly 3x5, and is one of a number of mats in the room. You might be able to get in here unnoticed at night, or you might not.

Lily and Tamerius: "Yes, we use the same mantra for all of the poses. It is an ancient mantra that has been passed down through the ages. I learned it as a small child while I was here...", says Zhuang.

I wonder how focused Zhuang can get on the meditations... I have my doubts anyone here will help me steal this thing... I need his attention elsewhere, most preferably not in this room...

Mizunoken reflects silently, too caught up in his own world to be bothered with the questioning around him.

I can peek my head in throughout the rest of the day. Come nighttime, I can ask to borrow a mat to meditate further in our private chambers... or if this comes to blows, this could simple be part of our spoils.

Is it Dakang who taught you this mantra or his predecessor ?

asked Tamerius intrigued.

Zhuang says, "Dakang has been the abbot here for as long as I have lived. Korada's blessing have allowed him to live an unnaturally long life."

Is it a blessing or a curse ? I myself don't know...
So it's Dakang who taught you the mantra, right ?
If I may ask. I would like to interview your abbot as we are here to know more about Korada and his teachings. If he's the oldest member of your community he's the best man to interview, isnt't. How could we do this ?

Hawk thinks on what he knows of the meditation practices of Korada but for the most part he has no intention of doing the exercises or repeating anything.

This whole place has corrupted, why should this be any different?

K. Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
K. Planes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Tamerius: Zhuang says, "Oh, he rarely sees visitors. If you wish to talk to him, though, you could speak to the Aasimar. They can check to see if he would grant you an audience."

Hawk: The spinning of the glass orbs seems to be a legitimate practice to Korada, but the mantra is new. It does not immediately seem to be demonic, though.

"Light combined,
My peace find,
Calm my soul,
To control,
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts."

Dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Aikio cocks her head to the side in between mantras. How old is Dakang? How old is brother Zhuang if Dakang has been abbot since he was a child?.

"Light combined,
My peace find,
Calm my soul,
To control,
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts."

Dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

"I am still curious brother Zhuang. Your ancestors must have agreed to come with the temple when it was gifted to Hao Jin. Can you tell us more about that please?"

"Light combined,
My peace find,
Calm my soul,
To control,
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts."

Dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Three attempts and three failures, Aikio. It seems as if this meditation just wasn't designed for Tengu wings.

"Well, all I know is what I have heard from my parents, of course. The temple was moved to the Tapestry about 300 years ago. Apparently, that was right after Dakang was made Abbot. Any more than that, I cannot say, for I am no historian.

If you are here since a long time, do you know what happend to your books ? It seems that a lot of them are missing and strangely I found this one, Tamerius show the Book on Vantian and continue writing in Abyssal. A language rarely seen in holy temple such a this one as it's the language of the demons.

Asked Tamerius, trying to conceal his thoughts.

Aikio retrieves the globes when her fingers quit sparking annoyance. She tries spinning the balls while performing the other meditation poses.
dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
an attempt to better record the information in them

Aikio tries spinning the balls while performing the other meditation poses.
dex: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
an attempt to better record the information in them.
a daily post not a double post :) Anyone else have thoughts on what we should be doing?

Once you are all done with this meditiation how about we check out this Kiss of Korada that we keep hearing about

"I'll be happy to observe, but methinks I'm better off with all my digits if it's all the same."

I'll wait on the mat. I'm certain there will be ample opportunity.

Zhuang looks surprised. "Some of the books are missing? I have no ideas about that."

Aikio keeps trying and keeps failing. Zhuang seems worried he may start running out of glass baubles.

Yes. As we look for more knowledge of Korada's cult we found very few books of his teaching. We investigate furthermore and found a list of books. But a lot of them were missing and if I may, those left were strangely altered...
Who is in charge of the library ? May be has he the books somewhere else ?

said Tamerius.

Zhuang shrugs. "I'm afraid that's not really my department. Dakang would know more."

We will try to ask him. Thank you for your time Zhuang.

Interesting, we definitively need to show the true Dakang to theses damned souls

Tamerius try to remember all the information on Vermlek demon he could known, hoping to find a way to strip it from his disguise.

Know. Planes (Vermlek): 1d20 + 9 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 + 3 + 1 = 30

"Oh! I didn't realize they were breaking. Perhaps I should try with a beginners set." Akio stands as the group gets ready to visit Dakang. "I can finish learning these later."

Tamerius: You do not recall any way to force a Vermlek to drop its disguise. You do know that they generally have spell resistance, DR bypassed by good and/or cold iron, immunity to electricity and poisons and the ability to heal themselves by destroying their host body.

Edit: They also have a small repertoire of spells at their disposal.

Mizunoken will leave with the rest of the party, following the majority.

GM : do I know that Vermlek are hurt by positive energy and heal by negative energy ?

May be you can repair the balls with your magic my dear Aikio ?