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

Game Master Netopalis

Tamerius: You do know this.

Are you all headed out to the courtyard?

Lily and Daisy, leaving behind half a chewed up mat, head out to the courtyard, "I just don't know what to do with you. Hopefully we can find something better for you outside. Don't complain, now! It's your own fault." Daisy, as always, seems oblivious to Lily's scoldings. After a bit, Lily goes through her notebook, looking over everything she's recorded so far, making notes in the side margins here and there.

Yes

Tamerius thanked Zhuang for his help then followed his comrades in the courtyard.

That is a gracious idea Temerius. Thank you Zhuang, I shall return repair my clumsy mistakes for you tomorrow. Then she moves with the rest of the party to garden.

She sends a glance to the mischivious Daisy. If the dear creature eats a dried mat, I fear what she will do to the garden. Let's hope the garden lives up to its name and hasn't diminished like the food and library," she says.

Is the meditation room still covered on the map? Is Dakang (expected) in the garden?

As you enter the courtyard, you see Gastidem, the gnome, leaning against one of the statues - a snapping turtle with its mouth open.

The temple garden is badly overgrown with tangled
vegetation. Vines and briars climb the temple walls on three
sides, surrounding the large windows into the chapel and
the smaller windows into the library. The garden itself is a
profusion of flowering bushes and weeds. Except for a clear
space in the center of the garden, the dense weeds grow
taller than an adult human. At the center of the garden sits a
crumbling fountain, long dry, with a statue of a noble turtle in
the center. Heaps of foliage choke two similar fountains, each
with a large stone orb resting in the fountain’s center.

It would seem the groundskeeper has been extremely diligent in his work...

"Statues. Finally," Aikio says as she moves to the fountain with the noble turtle. "What makes a turtle noble?" she wonders aloud and bobs her head to the gnome when she sees him.

Hi Gastidem, are you the caretaker of this garden and its turtle's statue ?

asked Tamerius

Daisy immediately goes to work on the weeds as Lily carefully records the details about the garden and fountains, and more specifically the turtle statue and orbs resting in each fountain's center, "Turtle, noble, snapping, okay, just to draw a picture... okay, that's awful, I hope they don't mind stick figures, but I hope it gets the point across... and orbs... well, that's easier, at least... Stay away from the thorns, Daisy dearest!"

Mizunoken peeks over Lily's shoulder and watches her draw.

...it's unlikely I could do better.

"Mayhaps it would be easier if we cleared some of this brush out? It's a mighty fine mess as it stands...

Begrudgingly, Mizunoken seeks out maintenance equipment to clear some of the brush, hoping Daisy will help eat some fresh grass as well.

Lily: Unfortunately, you are unable to make the requisite sketches with the weeds as thick as they are. You can't see the finer details of the garden. As Mizunoken suggested, you'll have to clear it out.

Gastidem, however, doesn't seem very keen on the idea. "Yes, I am the caretaker of this garden. It has been perfectly maintained, and I'd ask that you please not disturb it.", he says. "Also, this is the staging ground for the Kiss of Korada. Could I interest any of you in attempting it?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Knowledge=Nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Is there any reason to believe any of this is more than just fallow overgrowth?

"Beg my pardons Gastidem, but it seems strange you'd let the local flora overtake what I'm sure are very impressive statues."

As for the kiss, I'd sooner rid this lot of its weeds than my hand its digits.

Excuse me good Gastidem, but Korada's teaching is one of harmony and symetry isn't it ? And this garden seems more a natural one, as my friend Mizunoken just point out, than a Korada's one.
May be, could you explain to us, how do you take care of it ? I would be pleased to know , if you may.

asked Tamerius

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Chaos, the mark of demons...

"It's quite simple, my good man. Nature grows in mysterious and wonderful ways, and I carefully allow the plants to grow in such a way that their seeds will fall in the right places for future gardens to be even better. What could be more in line with Korada's teachings?", says Gastidem.

That Knowledge (Nature) won't cut it, but I am going to roll some others:

Lily: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Hawk: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Actually, I'm sorry, that roll would have gotten it. So do these two. All three of you are instantly able to notice that much of the thick underbrush is disguising a thriving Flayleaf farm. Flayleaf is a mild recreational hallucinogen. It looks as if Gastidem is a regular user of it.

Heh... our friend has a secret.

"Lily, my dear, you may want to reign Daisy in. It would seem some of the plants in this thicket aren't entirely edible."

Now, to negotiations.

Mizunoken pulls a vial of Alchemist's Fire and studies it, the illicit crop, and Gastidem in turn.

It's not defoliant, but it'll do.

"Gastidem... I'm afraid there might be flayleaf among your carefully tended lawn. In my experience, those found with flayleaf aren't treated very kindly. Allow me to take care of this fer ya..."

Aikio's fingers spark in anticipation when she recognizes Mizunoken's flask. Embarrassed at the outbreak she puts them behind her back. Then she remembers something odd. I

...all of the adults here except Gastidem are missing at least one finger.

"Gastidem, have you not experienced the Kiss of Korada?"

"Oh, she already knows to stay away from the red leaves. There was that misunderstanding at Venture-Capt... actually, I'm not supposed to talk about that. But rest assured, she won't go near anymore Flayleaf anytime soon."

...she has my curiousity. Mayhaps later.

Hawk looks about the garden and trys to determine how much work it would be to draft a detailed plan of the garden’s layout as per the orders given.

Preception?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Hawk: To draft the garden plan, you would need to first clear the underbrush.

Gastidem looks shocked. "Flayleaf? Flayleaf? Certainly not! I've never heard of anything like that in all my years! And of course I've taken the Kiss of Korada - it's very simple. It only takes from those of impure hearts, you see..."

Excuse me good Gastidem, from who did you learn the art of gardening ? May be he doesn't know that this plant is Flayleaf ?

Sense Motive (does he really don't know what a Flayleaf is ?): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Through years of study and research!, snaps Gastidem.

You're pretty sure that the garden is intentionally overgrown to hide the Flayleaf, and that Gastidem knows perfectly well what is going on.

In this case, may be Dakang could came here and see by himself how you pass the test... ?

"I'd be more than happy for Dakang to witness it. He's administered it to me and I to him!", says Gastidem, getting agitated.

Good, I will call him here. He will witness your hability to take care of this garden... and to pass the Test.

Tamerius began to go back to the Temple.

Gastidem, can you please tell me what the test entails? And if failing leads to a loss of digits what the outward signs of passing include?"

Gastidem seems to settle down. "It's quite simple. You place your hand in the mouth of this statue. Should you pass, you will remove it unscathed. If you are impure of heart, however, you will be admonished to improve yourself."

He's gone from outright hostility to passive-aggressive hostility! I wonder if he's intentionally trying to provoke everyone we meet into open confrontation with us...

With a worried glance at Tamerius, Lily calls Daisy back to her side, "Sweetie, come back to me. I'd like for you to stay close for a moment."

Daisy snorts, sniffing the air, and comes back over to Lily, one eye carefully watching Tamerius as he walks back inside.

"Unscathed? That's all?!" I remain unscathed without taking the test thank you. Aikio fingers spark before she catches her self.

"I'm sorry that might seem rude. What does the turtle signify for Koruda?"
I am tempted to try it, but for being an arcane caster,... :)

How long before Tamerious and Dakang get back? Aikio wonders while looking at the turtle statue.

Gastidem says, "The turtle is merely a representation of Korada's meditation. As the turtle, Korada is slow and contemplative, seeking balance in all things."

Tamerius looked around the temple to find the two aasimar.

To Gastidem Perhaps you would care to demonstrate yourself how it's done

To his fellow Pathfinders Watch out for any funny business that he does

Hawk keeps a watch on Gastidem as he does Preception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Tamerius: You find the two aasimar standing outside the door to Dakang's chambers in the hallway.

Hawk: Gastidem says, "Certainly! I'd be more than happy to." With a flourish, he places his hand inside the turtle's mouth, then withdraws it. However, you notice Gastidem stepping on a particular rock as he does so, and you hear a click when he steps on it.

Before meeting with the two guards, Tamerius call for a little help from his god Cast Enhanced diplomacy

Greeting friends. Please accept my apologies to disturb you in your duty. I'm looking for a place where Korada's teaching is at his highest. A place around which this temple was built. It must be some sort of spiral where three sphere will be standing. Except for the garden were it's a mess - I've seen none of such here. Do you know where it could be ?

Diplomacy (Take 10 if I can): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Does Mizunoken retrospectively see the rock trick?

Tamerius: "I believe that the sphere that you seek is in the garden. You'd have to speak about that to Gastidem.", says the female Aasimar in front of the door.

Mizunoken: Yes.

Thank you. But may be you don't go often to the garden because it don't seem as harmonious as Korada's balance but looks more like a wild and chaotic garden...
As I was looking for a perfect place to pray I was quite disappointed.

The Aasimar shrugs. "It seems fine to me, but it is as I have always known it."

Aikio studies the turtle contemplatively. I am pure of heart. I am..
Just waiting for my part. Do we have a move? or should we wait for T to return?
She opens her beak like the turtle and even wiggles her tongue while trying to otherwise remain perfectly still. That's how turtles do it right?

Noticing the trick disabling the turtle's maw from leaving Gastidem a finger shorter, Mizunoken grips his katana hard.

"Aikio, pass bogħod mill-fekruna, huwa l nassa."

Mizunoken approaches Gastidem, getting uncomfortably close to the gnome and addressing him from harshly.

"This is yer test of faith, you deceitful piece o' spoor!? Whether'r not you can disable this contraption before it takes a digit!?"

Mizunoken's heaving chest all but confirms a sudden, seething anger.

"You stand idly by, growin' yer flayleaf while people stick their hand in this thing, thinkin' it'll bring them closer to their god? A man hanged himself today because of this damned contraption... he left his wife and kids to be tended to the likes of you, when all he had to do was push a plate."

Mizunoken takes a step back, never breaking eye contact from Gastidem.

"Now, mister Gastidem, you'll perform the Kiss again; choose a finger or yer head, 'cause you'll be losin' one shortly."

Mizunoken holds family in very high regard. This is pretty upsetting to him.

If you wish to attempt the Kiss, you may. I'm waiting on the party to do something.

Gastidem backs up. "Now, now, let's not be hasty...Alright, fine, it's all a sham. I freely admit that. But Dakang let me get away with it! And if you let me go, I might be able to help you out..."

Lily is shocked by this turn of events, "A ritual built upon a parlor trick? What about this temple is not a sham? Everywhere we turn there is deception! Tamerius might be crazy, delusional, and incapable of making capable decisions, but I wonder if he might not have been so far off the mark, now." Daisy snorts in discomfort at her mistress' obvious anger.

Aghast the wizard steps back from the statue. Tamerius will be back with Dakang shortly right?

She tips her head and her fingers spark again. Where would he go in this demiplane? He said he wandered for century and a half before finding this temple. Was he here before the others. So much is right.

Lily stomps her foot, "Rational! He's incapable of making rational decisions! Now you have me all riled up, too!"

Tamerius left the guards and came back to the garden. It seems that my mission is already made...for centuries

What's news here ? It seems that Dakang is letting Gastidem do what he want with this garden. But I can assure you that's not the way of Korada.

"I suppose we should let the gnome go. Unless the residents here need to know of his falsehood?

"His deceits are terrible, but small fish by comparison. Gastidem, you would do well to cooperate with us, completely and utterly, otherwise you'll be performin' a very special Kiss. Gnome eunuchs have such a beautiful singin' voice."