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

Game Master Netopalis

Lily turns to Minunoken, "How would you kno...", and seeing the look in his eyes, her own face turning red, "Oh, my, perhaps it's best that some things remain unknown."

What's going on here ? asked Tamerius.

"Our friend 'ere is in on this racket. The Kiss of Korada is a parlor trick that'll leave you finger-less unless you deactivate it with a hidden switch. Gastidem here's been withholdin' the secret from his fellow residents and has been so busy tendin' to some illicit flayleaf, that the actual tendin' of grounds has fallen to the wayside,"[b]

[b]"I'm sure in no small part due t' inebriation and religious ecstasy?"

Mizunoken pauses to allow Tamerius a moment to let the new information sink in.

"It would seem, however, Gastidem has experienced a rather sudden crisis o' faith, and has decided to offer us his help in our endeavors."

Hawk nods at Mizunoken's words That is an excellent summary

Diplomacy towards Gastidem: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

I am relieved that you were able to come to your senses. You say that you can help us out? I'd be very interested in hearing how as this place has had one foul thing after another.

Suicide, drugs, false gods, mutilation of fingers.... what's next.

"Of course, of course, I'll help you out however I can, just let me go!", says the gnome. He looks extremely frightened. "I don't know much, though. Dakang knows what's going on, and I'm relatively sure that he's got some weird plan going on with all of this. I'm sure it has something to do with the crypt, since he's quite sure to never let anybody in there..."

The monk speaks up after his silent observation.

"Indeed. We must be wary of this one. If this Dakang has awaited years to slowly unfold his plan, he may have thought out every angle. Such patience is to be admired and respected. He is a dangerous man."

Shan returns to admiring the turtle statues. He is a student the art form of the snapping turtle. It is a primarily a defensive in nature. But when the turtle bites, he clamps down hard and doesn't let go.

"The crypt is forbidden, why would he do that. I suppose we may have to go there now if that is where all the shenanigans start. How do we get there?"
besides clearing out the overgrowth, do we have more here? Where we hoping Dakang would come out so we can turn Gastidem over?

It's not a man but a demon disguise as a man. A demon following Sifkesh, demon lord of Heresy and suicide ! Demon lord who loves to wholly corrupt mortals' souls. Her highest ambition is the fracturing of a good, devout person's faith through careful seduction, leading them to apostasy. It is said her greatest joy is lies in witnessing the moment when a corrupted priest realises how far they have sank and seeks suicide as the answer, forever damning there soul to her Abyssal realm of Vantian.

Said - a cold anger barely contained reflecting in his voice - Tamerius.

what's is in motion is the corruption of each soul of this temple. Their eternal damnation to the Abyss, their self sacrifice to Sifkesh !

After a few thundering silence, Tamerius continued

But, if WE want to defeat it. We must fight it in a subtle way. Restore this temple to the True Teachting of Korada.
First, Gastidem must clean and retake this garden and align the three sphere to give harmony to the Temple.
Second, we must retrieve or restore the books from the library.

I'm more used to the direct way, but this time I know I can't take it and I lack the talent for subtility. But we must save the soul of these people. I can't let them be condemned for eternity

"Who is not a man? "
Aikio's fingers spark with a longer gout of red flame than normal. Finally
And show me which of these weeds you want me to burn!"

Dakang is not a man, but a demon in a man's skin

Dakang? the Abbot? What? How?" Aikio splutters and sparks fly.

He is a Vermek, a demon, a creature from the abyss, who can use a corpse like a suits and looks like a human in flesh and bones. May be Dakang a hundred years ago was a true abbot, a true follower of Korada, but this demon took him and corrupt all this temple and its inhabitants transforming follower them in Sikfesh's follower.
Trust me, as a former Mendevian Crusader I know a lot about demon and the Abyss.

Gastidem you never noticed? Not in 150 years? You did say he was abbot when you arrived.*Wait a moment, do humans even live that long?
*I might have confused something on the times/arrivals/people

Usually, they don't

Said Tamerius to Aikio.

Lily ponders this for a moment, "This is an awful big leap in conclusions, especially never even meeting the man. How did you come by this information?"

Shan moves over to the western door in the garden and opens it.

With disdain Tamerius responded to Lily

We all met "him" in the chapel delivering his sermon.
I'm just more perceptive and better knowledgeable about demons than you.

Gastidem responds to Aikio, "The crypts are behind the door that your friend is trying to open. However, the door is barricaded..."

Shan: It does seem that the door is blocked. You'll need to give me a strength check if you want to try to open it.

If you are opening it, we'll also need to figure out what the rest of your party is doing.

Not at this time . . .
"Thank you for answering my question." Shan says in response to Gastidem remark.

Shan will now try to open the northern doors.

What are our options? We have a demon in a bad abbot suit. We have a charlaton drugdealer. And we have a temple full of deluded worshipers. Are the two in cahoots?" the last word comes out as a little sqauwk. Aikio bobs her head in embarrassment then continues "Is there any reason we can't simply reveal Tamerious' demon to the Koradan's?"

"I will grant you this, this whole thing sounds like some kind of sick joke that Sifkesh, the Sacred Whore, the Queen of Blasphemy, would cook up, but don't you dare speak to me like that. Ever!"

With even further disdain for Tamerius, Lily fumes, "We did not "meet" him, he delivered a sermon that we witnessed. From afar. From a single sermon, we saw that he was overweight, okay, one of the signs, but he appeared to neither move drunkenly nor smelled of rotting flesh, that I nor Daisy were able to discern, at least, and yet you immediately jump to the conclusion that he is a demon of deceit and disguise. But do not ever speak to me of having better knowledge of demons. I am an Aasimar, and my blood has been battling demons and devils for longer than you can imagine! Speaking of you, in your own words, you are a follower of Asmodeus! Do you not find it ironic that you speak with hatred about this supposed vermlek demon that you claim he is, subjugating and bending the will of these people to his own needs in the name of Sifkesh, when you yourself worship, pay lip service, and bend your knee to the very Archdevil of Slavery!? Am I the only one here who is not insane!?"

Daisy's back plates stiffen and her inner eyelids swing shut as she begins snorting and clawing at the dirt.

"You have been nothing but a thorn in this entire investigation from the beginning, and I have no doubt that it has much to do with your worship of the Archdevil of Tyranny and Slavery, Asmodeus. At every bend you thwart our attempts at finding answers by threatening and belittling everyone we meet. Subtlety, my ass. So shut up, and let us investigate this matter completely before we decide to burn down the temple, murder its inhabitants, and declare their worship to a demon that pales in comparison to your own Archdevil, please! Now, we had a mission given to us, and I would like to finish the mission before we tear the place down and ruin it for future generations. Please, will someone hand me the hedge clippers!?"

...great, religion fight.

"Mayhaps we should put our respective gods away and remember that while we're here, we're Pathfinders. No one here has time for this type o' bickerin', least of all the occupants of this place if what we're uncoverin' is even half true."

Document now or later...?

"Seein' as how we're still held in mostly positive regard, I'd recommend highly we do what we were asked to do, and if we have time to subvert an entire religious cloister, I may consider joinin' in, but not a moment before."

One of our duties was to draft the layout of the garden, prehaps we should do that for awhile and not let bickering be the downfall of us. Will give us something else to focus on for awhile

Hawk hopes to remedy the situation before it gets worse.

Aikio snaps her finger and sparks appear. "I don't know what to miss, which one is the flayleaf? She pointedly looks at the gnome. "I can clear the plants out. Just tell me where to aim this thing."
Is everyone agreed on clearing the garden? 'Tis probably simple albeit time consuming, unless the gnome tries to stop us.

The gnome doesn't try to stop you.

Roll 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Roll 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Roll 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Roll 4: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Roll 5: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Roll 6: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Roll 7: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

As the argument dies down, you all notice that the gnome is now gone. The most perceptive of you can see a tiny, tiny figure running on a hill in the distance.

Mizunoken points out the flayleaf to Aikio.

"Ma jaqbadx li wieħed għażiż. L-effetti jkunu pjuttost kontroproduttiv."

Mizunoken will look around for suitable equipment for clearing and, failing that, will resort to his own blades.

You easily manage to trim down the garden enough to make your sketches. While it takes several hours, the garden looks quite pleasant now.

Shan, I forgot to mention this earlier, but the northern door opens into a statuary hallway.

After helping clearing out the garden, Shan will continue to explore the unopenned room. He will leave the door the crypts or any that are locked for a later time.

With a snarl Tamerius responded to Lily

Sorry, but the blood have nothing to do with demonic knowledge ! My father fought demons, I in Queen Galfrey army fought demon in Mendev and in the Worldwound. As such I received specific knowledge to fight and to understand demons. My church trained me against these specific creature. I in Nerosian defend the city against demons and cultists. My faith have nothing to do with demon fight. But I choose it because I know we must do anything in our power to destroy demon and demoniac activity. I'm ready to sacrifice my own soul to save hundred ! I'm ready to sacrifice anything necessary to do what we must to save the soul of innocents.
I'm more dedicated to this fight than the so called do gooder or crusader from other faith.

Queen Galfrey herself gave me a weapon and I trained under Her direct command.

Blood or heritage his nothing. I've known better human or halfling crusader than angel blooded crusader. Only acts and studies can make anyone a true demon fighter.

I joined the Society in hope to encourage them to participate in the Fifth Crusade. My goal is to save Mendev and saving Mendev is saving Golarion from the Abyss.

I don't follow an Archdevil but a True God. A God who fight with Sarenrae to emprison the Beast Rovagug. A god of Law and Fire and if you compare my God to these chaotics, evil and destructive creatures that's demons then you know nothing.

Yes I follow a god of Tyranny because I believed Order is what the world needs against the perils of the Worldwound.Yes I believe in the burning Fire of Hell to cleanse the rot of demon worship. But I believe it in Open. I don't hide it, I don't ask other to follow my beliefs. But when I see demoniac activity it's my duty as a former Mendevian Crusader, as a Pathfinder and as an Asmodean cleric to fight it, to enlight those who can't see it of the menace, to do what must be done to stop it.

I lived 20 years in Mendev, 20 years when I witnessed the power of demons, the danger of their cultists, their corruption of the souls of innocents... May be when you lived what I lived you could understand what it meens to fight these creatures.

If you don't believed me I can't do more. I will stay quiet but when the truth will be revealed you'll know I was right.

Shan: The statuary hallway ends in a door that appears to go to the same place that the door from the garden went. It is covered in dust from years of disuse. Do you wish to check that door?

Following Shan into the hall of statues before the argument escalates any further, Aikio lets out another embarresing squawk. "Statues!" The wizard begins to mimic the statues' poses. "Are these heroes of the temple do you think?"
perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Hawk examines the statue with Aikio and thinks about what the statues might mean or represent -

Knowledge: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Planes, nature, history, religion at +5

Shan tries to see if he can identify the subjects of the statues

Knowledge Check: 1d20 ⇒ 6
+5 for History (+7 on checks that pertain to dwarves or their enemies)
or
+4 for Religion

Shan will share any knowledge he is able to glean, then move back into the temple to search out the other unopened door near the entry way. He will leave the door that leads into the "crypts" either from the statuary or the garden alone at this time.

Lily sighs, "Fine, that is all I'm asking, is for you to stop being so damned condescending to everyone around you and to stop riling up the natives."

"And Asmodeus isn't a god, but an Archdevil. Might want to check your scriptures again," she adds without a glance back as she moves to investigate the statues.

Even said himself that demons can act much in the same way as gods, granting powers. I wonder how he thinks devils differ. No point in arguing with zealots, I guess. Lose lose situation everytime. Humans and their cults, when will they learn...

"Come, Daisy, we've already recorded the garden here, let's see to these statues that we're supposed to be paying special attention to. I wonder if we can learn anything about them!"

As she comes up to the statues, she notices everyone taking notes about them already, "Oh, look! See, this is what I was talking about! Everyone coming together as actual Pathfinders and recording actual, comprehensive notes. This is what every Pathfinder should try to attain. Not chase their tails around and rile up the locals! Finally..." she finishes as she begins to take detailed notes on each statue's race and positioning.

"I wonder if these are the statues that honor the heroes we were told about..."

I think you must re-read your classics and learn more about religions and gods. Asmodeus IS a God. Far more ancient than most. There is Archdevils in Hell, like Dispater, Belial or Mamon and they can grant powers to believers but only because Asmodeus allow it. But if you don't believe me it's only because you're like the fools you see only what they can see and the fools who are afraid of what they don't know.

Tamerius patience was at an end but he known all his life that believing in Asmodeus will earned him few friends and more enemies. He followed his comrades seeing the statues

Know ?: 1d20 ⇒ 17 +6 arcana, +6 history, +9 planes, +8 religion

I guess a statement that he would remain quiet from a follower of the Prince of Lies was bound to be broken, but I didn't think that quickly...

Smiling faintly and nodding patiently at Tamerius and wishing he would just disappear into this pocket plane forever, Lily walks over to where Shan stands after noting down the statues positions, stances, apparent races, and type of stone each is made of that she can possibly discern, still nodding as Tamerius continues to rant and rave.

As she catches up with Shan with Tamerius still on her heel, she looks pleadingly to the monk for help, "I can use some of that oneness with oneself and peace within right now, please, or a calming meditation of some sort. I'll take anything you've got right now!"

Shan turns towards Lily with a bearded smile just before he opens the doors.

"I can only give you the Way. It is the Will that you must provide."

If Lily follows Shan's instructions he begins to move his hand across her head and neck, but never touches her. It is as if he is wiping something away. He then clinches his fist and pulls, as if he has grabbed unseen muck and then violently throws it to the earth below. He repeats this until Lily comes out of her meditation.

"Better?"

...I'm among loons.

Mizunoken's lack of "book learning" makes him relatively bored with proceedings, though Aikio's poses provide some amusement among heated theological debates.

...I'm among loons.

Ahh Tengu irony!

Aikio stretches into the next pose.

Hawk does the same :)

Lily breathes slowly as she follows Shan's instructions, "Oh, oh my. That does help! Thank you!"

And it helps in real life, too!

You recognize the statues as famous Tien saints and historical figures.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Shan, you realize that the statue nearest the crypt end of the hallway is rigged to fall on whoever would try to walk to that door.

"Locked on one side, and trapped on the other. Somebody needs the room secure," he says as he departs to check out the closed door near the entrance.

"I'm hardly surprised at this point, Shan."

With the heroe's poses and races catalogued, Aikio follows Shan to the next area.

Tamerius went back to the garden, looking at the spheres.

Shan leans in closer to try and understand Mizunoke.

Spoiler tag isn't opening for me. Please repeat.