PFS 3-21 Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment (Inactive)

Game Master Aeshuura

Victory in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament earned the Pathfinder Society a pick of the legendary treasures of the Tian sorceress Hao Jin, and the Decemvirate knew just what item to select: a frayed and dirty tapestry hidden deep in Hao Jin’s vault. This unassuming tapestry acts as a doorway to another dimension in which Hao Jin stored her most massive items, including entire buildings, battlefields, and the ruins of ancient civilizations. The Pathfinder Society is now methodically exploring and cataloging the diverse locales tucked within this extradimensional space.

Deep beneath Absalom’s Grand Lodge, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells, Aram Zey, gestures at the tapestry hung on the wall, surrounded by ladders and scaffolds. Scholars and diviners scurry around the tapestry, analyzing its abstract patterns and comparing insights.

Pic

Zey snaps his finger to quiet the room and speaks rapidly. “The aasimar nation of Tianjing contains a handful of temples to Korada, Empyreal Lord of forgiveness and foresight. The Pathfinder Society is interested in exploring these holy sites, but the aasimar disciples in Tianjing are reluctant to grant the Pathfinder Society full access to their faith’s secrets. Fortunately, the custodian council of Tianjing gifted one such temple to Hao Jin centuries ago. This temple—the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment—now sits vacant within the museum demiplane of the Hao Jin Tapestry. We need well-trained explorers to survey the isolated and abandoned site.

“We will transport you to the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment within the Hao Jin Tapestry and provide you with a small cache of supplies. 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.
“You will enter the tapestry within the hour. Any questions?”

A darkish skinned man speaks up, thick osirian accent

Will we be the only ones there? Any chance that we will encounter...others?

Most of his face was covered, except for his piercing green eyes.

Aram Zey: "We have no reason to think so. The temple is likely uninhabited except by ancient guardians or traps, although I suppose some scavengers may have found their way into the structure."

Sutekh chuckles a bit. Same old same old. He was use to this kind of things.

Verywell, seems i signed on for the correct mission

There was a hint of excitement to his voice. New underground places always have interesting things, just waiting to be found.

A tall, weathered man with a scruffy face and gray hair at his temples speaks:

"Aye, it seems we'll be expected to prepare for anything. The brass never seem to mention much in the way of danger, yet it always seems to find us. The name's Osric, by the way. I'm a hunter and scout. Good to meet you all."

Site's bein' weird; couldn't put up picture.

A tall, tanned human steps forward. His face and arms are covered with old burn marks, and a longsword hangs from his right hip. His voice is a low baritone when he speaks, slightly gravelly. What supplies are we being given? And--more importantly--how do we find our way back out?

A small humanoid appears from the shadows

"Home sweet home"

An Ulfen giant of a man holding an oversized sword stands quietly as he takes in all that is being said. "I am called Rekkr." he says after a few moments. "I have recently returned from a mission in the northern lands. I have heard of the tapestry before and am somewhat wary of how it works. Will we be able to find our way out?"

Aram Zey: "Everything that you need to do what is requested will be provided, but any precautionary measures you intend to take will be your responsibility."

“As for how you get out... A creature entering the tapestry leaves a planar eddy in its wake. It looks like a ball of light about two feet across. The planar eddy is visible and usable only by that creature as long as it remains alive. Enter your planar eddy to return here.”

Rekkr doesn't quite understand what a planar eddy is...having never seen one before. The rest of his group doesn't seem too concerned, so he decides he'll just follow the crowd when its time to leave.

I dont think that is how I escaped. Did I steal someone else's Eddy? Maybe that's why I have no memories.

A serene Half-Orc of about 6 feet asks:

Do we have a time limit? Can we stay inside for as long as we need? Name's Falksat, by the way. Glad to meet you all.

Aram Zey: “I expect a full exploration might take several days, depending on the condition of the temple. Take all the time you need.”

"If we'll be gone a few days, I suggest we prepare ourselves adequately. I've got a wand here for healing, how are we fixed in that department otherwise?"

I'm sorry Osric but i'm not able do afford any magical way of healing, it's been a bad year... but i don't want to be a burden, so i'll compensate for your use of it when we're done it. I'm sure we should have enough money by then...

Anyway sir Aram, i got one more question. Have you sent anyone to the temple before us?

Aram Zey: "As far as we know, no one has set foot in there since we have recovered the Hao Jin Tapestry."

I can cast healing magics a few times per day if needed. You can call me Donkey Teeth, everybody else does.

"No problem, Falksat - and don't worry about money, I'm happy to lend a hand if need be. I just want us all to know where healing items might be found if one of us succumbs to some sort of peril."

To Master Zey:

"No one, eh? Sounds dangerous, based on my experience. Who knows what hidden traps and guardians await? So we know how to get in and out again, we will have supplies waiting for us, and we should have a few days' work with no expected interference? Is there anything else we should know about the Empyreal Lords? Who are they, what do they do?

Anybody have Knowledge (religion)?

I do, in fact.

Know (religion): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Yes, such excursion to tombs and dungeons can be very hazardous, best be prepared for such encounters. Some of the traps can be very ingenious...

He rubs his arm, remembering a very close encounter. The man chuckled, it was a good day. He got out alive, and he got the treasure. Not that it was worth much, but it was very exciting non the less

I wait until Master Zey answer Osric's question, first

Well, then let's see what this famous place is about! Shall we go?!

Yay my first mission.

Oh, I forgot. Osric, your roll got you something about this Korada, who was mentioned by Aram Zey.

Anyone with Knowledge (history)?

"Comrades, I remember some things about these Empyreal Lords and this Korada from my time training as a priest. I left the clergy before taking orders, you see."

Osric shares the information he remembers.

This is true, Osric was a cleric until I re-trained as a ranger after two scenarios. Please reads the spoilers to save me a re-type!

I love peace and contemplation, sounds like an easy first mission.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Sorry Nuntio, you got nothing about the Temple.

You are led to a small room containing an old tapestry. The Hao Jin Tapestry is a centuries-old tapestry, measuring 5 feet by 7 feet. It is dirty and quite worn around the edges, though careful examination shows the wear to be structurally stable—the tapestry is in no danger of unraveling, and may have been woven that way on purpose to deter potential thieves. The patterns of the tapestry are highly abstract with lines, shapes, and patterns in a variety of colors, none of which are attractive on their own or in conjunction with each other.

As each of you reach out to touch the tapestry as instructed, it ripples and you pass through you feel a disorienting feeling as you step through dimensions, stepping out onto a gravel path, the brisk air burning your nostrils as you draw in a deep breath. Behind you, you see the whorls and eddy's of light that Aram Zey had mentioned.

--

The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment is a wide structure atop a forested hill. The graceful building has no sharp corners; the white marble walls are carved with soft, round edges. The edifice appears well-scrubbed, but despite this obvious care black flecks of mold cover its surface. A gravel path leads into an airy courtyard and up to a pair of large wooden double doors. The doors are carved with an image of four spheres resting inside an open lotus flower.

"If it's all right with everyone, I'll scout this doorway out a bit. I'd like to try to make sure it isn't trapped somehow."

Osric carefully makes his way to the door, examining the pathway and the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Posted your faction missions above. See the top of the page. Map will also be linked up there.

EDIT: As Osric moves to investigate the door, he enters the small open courtyard.

The ground in this open courtyard is covered with crushed white gravel. An ornate set of wooden double doors leads west into the temple, clearly the structure’s main entrance. Functional wooden doors lead to the east, one set on each side of the flagstone path leading into the courtyard.

Osric looks closely, and realizes that the door, while not trapped, is unbarred, and fairly recently opened. In fact, he notices that there isn't even the tell-tale sign of dereliction. No layer of unswept dirt, no real sign of dis-use on the hinges.

One of two, or the time stops when there's no one, or this is home to some kind of beings

What is the size of the structure? Is it possible to go around it, looking for other entrances or exits, including windows?

I think we should study the outside before entering, it should give us more information in case we need an escape route.

Edit: ok sorry i did see the map now, but it wasn't there a minute before! ^^

I'm not sure if that was intended, but we can see the full map right now, even the insides, and can move it we wish.

You are able to peruse the perimeter and make a sketch of the outside dimensions, but you only find the one door. Sorry, I was still making the links for the map, and adding your icons.

EDIT: I take that back, you find a well overgrown garden with vegetation taller than a man. You could also go in that way, but it would take some trailblazing.

EDIT 2: It will become evident why I did not use some fog of war for the map. :)

"Inside or out is fine by me, Falksat. It does look as though someone's been here recently. Wherever we explore, we'd best be on our guard. We have been tasked with making a detailed sketch of the temple gardens. Perhaps we can find them and start there? But first, I'd like to know where our promised supplies are located."

Osric searches around the area they've been to see if the provisions are there.

I think we should study the outside before entering, it should give us more information in case we need an escape route.

Donkey Teeth nods his head in the affirmative at the half orcs suggestion.

Sorry, you were given provisions and parchment and any sketching materials that you would need for the mission before you stepped through the Tapestry... I should have put that down, but it slipped my mind.

Did we receive any healing wand or potion in the supplies?

Falksat puts his hand in his chin and looks up, appearing to be thinking.

Well, we have all the time we need, and on a fast look we found only this door. If you consider that there might be other people here, it would be more clever to deal with them before dispersing our attention on missions, cause we might be observed and caught unprepared. If you all agree let's start with the front door! After we find out what's going on we may conclude our missions with full attention on it.

Falksat slowly draws his Greatsword.

Stealth is on if Osric does it, when oppening the door: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8

No, since this should be relatively simple and not particularly dangerous, it was not deemed necessary. Usually they will only give you a cache, when they expect it to be particularly dangerous. Osric mentioned that he had one.

"Did anyone bring a light? If we're expecting trouble I'll need both hands for my bow, and Falksat here has got that big sword."

Osric readies his bow and makes sure his quiver of cold iron arrows is close to hand.

The map makes it looks like there are two sets of doors, the ones I'm in front of and another set that open to the West. Which are the main ones?

Oh, sorry, the main doors seem to be the ones facing West. The doors to the East lead to stables.

If you check out the stables first:

Some tack and blankets for horses lie discarded in this stable. It has not been used for centuries, and any straw that once covered the floor here has been long since cleared away. Over time, the smell of horses has dissipated, and only the empty stalls and remaining equestrian equipment reveal the room’s original purpose.

Sutekh follows their lead, reading his bow. He will be ready as always. Keeping his eyes open

at place with low access this weekend

Osric quickly checks the stables, and then moves towards the main doors. He slowly pushes the left door open, and steps back onto the entryway, allowing light to enter the temple from outside.

Is it dark farther inside?

After checking the stables, not finding much...

You look into the antechamber, expecting it to be dark and you see it to be pretty well-lit. In fact, you see lit hanging paper lanterns, evenly spaced around the facility. The light flickers as if a flame, but anyone with a practiced eye (ranks in Knowledge (arcana), Spellcraft, or something similar) quickly picks out the rhythmic patterns of everburning torch effects.

On the floor is a pattern as seen on the map that Osric with his previous Knowledge (religion) check calls the "Spiral of Korada", though it seems scuffed from centuries of traffic.

As you begin to cautiously enter, Two things happen almost simultaneously. First, from the center of the spiral, a small mote of light emerges. It floats up to the ceiling, dissipating at the apex, just as it hits the marble surface.

Second, you see a pair of worshipers, dressed in a simple white tunic with several small bells sewn into their sleeves. One is an older human, and the other a young halfling. They notice you almost instantly, their eyes drawn to the mote of light. As you instinctively brace for an impending attack, they smile and welcome you with open arms! Visitors! Welcome to the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment, the older man announces.

The young halfling chimes in, What brings you the this house of worship?

EDIT I assume that Osric is in the room, and probably one or two more of you at this time.

carpet

Falksat seems disturbed by such an open welcome, but that is not enough for him to sheathe his weapon, he just holds it in a more relaxed way. This could be good.

Greetings from the outside world. We came to examine the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment, since it now belongs to the Pathfinder Society, as we were informed. But you surprised us. We weren't expecting to find anyone here.

The stables do have an inside compartment, as shown on the map, does it have anything worth of note?

Armed strangers invade their Temple and they're...happy to see us? Rekkr says nothing and keeps a watchful eye. Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Nope, just what was listed in the description, saddles, tack and harness, etc.

The man bows, I am unaware of any ownership of this Temple, but perhaps you should speak to Father Dakang. He is making preparations to lead us in prayer, but if there is anything that we can do in the meantime, please do not hesitate to ask.

Rekkr scans the room, and watches the two ascetics looking for a sign of deception, but sees no subterfuge, or even weaponry. They do look a little wary of the brandished weaponry aimed at them, but still make it a point to show that they are no threat.