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The brute lets the scene play out in front of him without much input. He wasn't very social, and certainly not friendly enough to help in any interactions with the excited children. Instead, he just stands there quietly, digesting the strange goings-on with a dubious eye. Something just didn't seem right about all of this.
He listened with interest to hear about the clock light that everyone seemed so curious about.
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Jaender takes some time, looking closely at the slowly rising mote of light, but isn't able to determine what it is, except that it is some sort of magical effect.
Xifen looks first at Vox with a puzzled look, and then to Arturo, giving him an odd look. He then looks back to Jaender, and says, "Certainly, I can bring you to Master Zhuang. He is just over here!" He grabs Jaender's hand, and pulls him to the door just down the hall. Jaender notices that the boy is missing the tip of his left pinky.
"Enjoy your meditations. I really like spinning the glass balls. I am not good at it yet, because my hands are so small, but Master Zhuang assures me that I will get much better when I am big and strong like my father!"
He stops to think a moment. "Master Arturo, is that the sort of ball you meant?"
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"Oh dear," says Arturo sadly, a child who thinks a "ball" is some glass sphere, "No, Xifen, I'm afraid it's not. If we threw that ball, it would drop eventually... and smash. Not to mention, the giant in the middle could really get hurt if he was hit in the head by it.
"Let's just go and meet this Master Zhuang fellow. It sounds like the sort of games you might have in mind for us are exactly as much fun as fulfilling our mission will be anyway. May as well get on with it."
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"Dear boy, what happened to your hand? You seem much to young to have had an industrial accident. " Jaender asks with concern in his voice, following along eagerly.
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Without missing a beat, Jaender follows up, "and who or what made you pay such a high price my child?" waiting for the answer before advancing into the room.
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As they go into the room, Jaender lands over to Arturo and whispers, "this temple was supposed to be empty, not teeming with acolytes and people. Something is... Off...."
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The youth exchanges a look with the wolf at hearing the Xifus' comment, then realizes a moment later that Einhardt doesn't understand speech. "Yes, Xifus," Vox calls to the boy, agreeing with Jaender that further explanation is needed before they move on. "Who is the one that made you pay this price?"
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"Oh, no one made me pay the price. I thought I would try the sacred rite that the holy pilgrim in the garden offers. If you are pure and holy enough, you will get visions of enlightenment. But if you have impure thoughts, you painlessly lose a finger as a penalty. Wei told me I wasn't ready, but I didn't believe him. So, I paid the price. At least it was only one knuckle."
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"I agree, Jaender.. but what else can we do? Maybe this is part of the meditation or some higher plane bull-sh*t like that. Personally, I'm happy to just play along and avoid meditating, reading and rubbing as long as I can..."
Arturo wonders what kind of people would make a child pay any kind of penalty, painless or otherwise, for simple curiosity... and decides that if he must put his new rapier to deadly use, he'll shed no tears for the f*ckers who did.
"So, a pleasure to meet you, Master Zhuang," Arturo bows deeply, "We have come here to seek enlightenment, and have a total of sixty fingers and twenty claws to offer you in return. Though I hope that a simple discourse might suffice."
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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.
Master Zhuang is a Tian man with hazel eyes and a streak of white in his hair. He acknowledges the Slayers by saying, "Friends, I am Master Zhuang, humble devotee of Korada, Empyreal Lord of foresight, forgiveness, and peace. I cannot grant you enlightenment, being nothing but an unworthy servant, though I can instruct you in meditation.
"Proper meditation to Korada is a combination of physical excercises and the repetition of a simple mantra, all designed to clear your mind. I would encourage all of you to try it. It is quite freeing when done correctly.
"Please, take a seat, and we can start."
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Arturo takes a seat. "Honestly, losing part of a finger will at least be more excitement than I was expecting... and it would be a good excuse to get more... erm... fun out of this trip.
"Alright, we came here to meditate, so let's do it. If you take any body part of mine, there will be hell to pay. Understood?" Arturo is aware of how rude he is being, but is uncaring as to the implications.
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The brute looks at Master Zhuang with a bit of suspicion, walking into the room and then folding his arms across his chest when he finds a good place to stand. He is not sure he wants to learn to meditate...but such would seem what they were going to do very soon. He silently nods along with Arturo's statement, being fairly attached to all his own parts.
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The Master appears to ignore Arturo's outburst, focusing on the meditation.
"Please, everybody sit, and we can get started." He shows the group the proper position, and then gets up again. He then goes to the shelf, where the glass spheres are, and hands three out to each person that is participating.
To Einhardt, he says, "Sorry, my lupine friend, while you sit beautifully, you do not have the digits to perform the meditative ritual"
He shows how to spin the balls, and says,
"Then, repeat this mantra."
Light combined,
My peace find;
Calm my soul,
To control;
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts"
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Arturo sighs, and tries to find his inner spot of peace. He imagines himself seated at the steps of the temple of Desna in Absalom - the only place he felt truly accepted, and the first time he felt that his voice was truly heard. The voices of the roguish individuals that frequented that temple flood back to Arturo as though he were hearing them anew. In his mind, the four-symboled purple butterfly of the Goddess of Luck flutters before him, as though giving him a personal display. In the real world, Arturo smiles.
"Light combined,
My peace find;
Calm my soul,
To control;
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts."
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Jaender starts to smile, growing more intrigued by the exercise.
I bet that ninja who took my place after the foray into the red redoubt wouldn't have any problems with this...
His small hands spin the glass spheres, and his tounge starts to stick out the side of his mouth before he takes a deep breath, trying to relax, and repeats:
"Light combined,
My peace find;
Calm my soul,
To control;
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts"
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Master Zhuang walks through the room, observing. He shows them several gentle stretches, including some that involve stretching along a staff. "Good job, Arturo. Find your inner peace. Embrace the love that Korada has for us. "
As Jaender attempts the meditation, he is stymied by the twirling of the spheres, and his three spheres slip out of his hands, ringing softly as they bounce along the ground.
Master Zhuang's staff smacks the wall, loudly, just missing Jaender's head.
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Jaender's eyes narrow as he snaps a dirty look towards master Zhuang. He stands back up, purposefully kicking one of the glass spheres across the room.
"Try that again. Then I will show you what playing around really is."
The little wayang puffs his chest out, fire dancing in his eyes.
Jaender breaths a gout of flame at the old man, catching his robes on fire. "I did not come here to be insulted and attacked. Stand down or I will burn you down!"
for
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"Yes! Glass balls, awesome!" Roudantaimi bounces forwards. The idea if spinning the spheres sounds as good as previously, even if the first try wasn't very successful. The gnome picks up the spheres, tries to hide his excitement, and starts meditating.
"Light combined,
My peace find;
Calm my soul,
To control;
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts"
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Roudi is so excited that when he grabs his glass balls, and starts to spin them they go flying. One flies away so fast that it shatters against the wall. This pulls Master Zhuang away from tormenting Jaender...
"Master Gnome, you are an INSULT to your ancestors! Obviously you were making mockery of our sacred traditions! Don't even bother trying again, it is obvious to all here that you cannot succeed."
He turns away from the gnome in obvious disgust.
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Vox casts a sidelong glance at Einhardt, and the wolf promptly lays down as if somehow she understood the man's words and choses to express her lack of caring by dropping to the floor while ignoring the group entirely.
Why am I so stressed out about meditating? he thinks to himself, getting into position. How hard can this be?
"Light combined,
My peace find;
Calm my soul,
To control;
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts"
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Jaender glares at the Zen master while spinning the child's glass in his hand.
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Turning to Arturo, "I don't think he is very good at meditating himself. Look at all those fingers he is missing."
Taking a seat like the rest of his companions, begins to twirl the glass balls around while chanting.
"Light combined,
My peace find;
Calm my soul,
To control;
Woes I sift,
Catching gifts"
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Watching the Pathfinders struggle at their meditation, Master Zhuang looks resolved that they don't have the ability to complete their devotions properly. "Maybe you should try another time, visitors. I believe it is about time to meet in the chapel, to join Most Holy Dakang, favored of Korada. After the ceremony, you shall join us for our daily meal. Come, come. Your ancestors are disappointed, undoubtedly, at your clumsy meditations... except for the deft Arturo, of course, but perhaps you just need more prayer?"
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The brute rises quickly, shaking his head. "This one requires no more meditation." There is a pleading note to his voice.
"Please, lead on to the chapel, good Master Zhuang." His tone is respectful and soft as he flexes his legs, working out the kinks from sitting on the floor trying to be deft and failing.
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"Speaking of ancestors, Master Zhuang... My leader, Ollystra Zadrian, is looking for descendants of a paladin named Bewei. And your eyes and streak of white hair matches the description she gave me. Would you be interested to travel with us to meet her?" Roudantaimi asks Zhuang, forgetting the failed meditation tasks already.
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"Thank you, Master Zhuang," Arturo bows deeply, a little surprised that his companions didn't rise to the occasion as they usually do, "Please lead on. Perhaps on the way, you could fill us in on Korada and her (or his?) teachings. We are not as familiar with this deity as we perhaps should be. I, personally, would like to know as much as I can."
And more to the point, let's see if I can discover why none of you seem to be evil - but your god demands that children sacrifice their fingers!
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"I think you are right, Ophiouchus. Though the multitude of missing fingers is not the only evidence we have seen that this master has far to go in search of peace and enlightenment." Jaender snaps, not caring that his own outburst is equally, woefully short of any sort of inner peace.
"At least food is something we likely won't get yelled at for." Jaender follows the lead to the mess hall.
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The Slayers are led into the chapel, which has 30' high ceilings. Tall windows look out into a riotous growth to the north. An elaborate font stands at one end of the chapel, although the font is empty. Several evenly spaced prayer mats cover the floor, and Master Zhuang indicates that the Slayers should take their place on the mats.
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As they are waiting, Master Zhuang quietly addresses Arturo, "Korada is the Empyreal Lord of foresight, forgiveness, and peace. He is a force of good, dedicated to peace and contemplation. The Spiral of Korada is a symbol sacred to the Empyreal Lord. The Spiral of Korada is an outward-sweeping arc balancing three circles. The circles represent reflection on the past, focus on the present, and contemplation of the future. This symbol is often prominently displayed in temples to the Empyreal Lord."
To Roudantaimi, he says, "Thank you for your invitation, but I see no need to leave this place of peace, where I have lived my whole life. Should things change, I might be more conducive towards leaving. But, be warned, things have not changed in over 200 years in the temple."
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Once everyone is in place, an obese human man steps confidently to the podium on the high balcony in the chapel. He is draped in layers of cloth trimmed with small bells that jingle lightly as he moves. The man’s bald head is surrounded by a thin fringe of gray hair, but the lower half of his face is wrapped in a white silk scarf stitched with a line of unusual double-arrow symbols.
He smiles, and then leads the assembled congregation in their devotions, which they repeat back to him.
"Light Combines
My Peace Find
Calm my Soul
To Control
Woes I sift
Catching Gifts"
Ht then looks out over the congregation, noticing the Slayers. "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, friends, and may the blessings of Korada be upon you all."
He then takes a deep breath, stretches, then continues.
"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."
The worshipers produce vials of ink and begin marking each other’s faces with double-arrow symbols above and below the eyes and above and below the mouth. The worshipers attempt to do this in reverent silence. They gesture to the Pathfinders, offering to decorate their mouths and eyes as well.
"May the Peace of Korada be upon you!" he says before he turns and leaves.
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Jaender shoos away anyone trying to mark his face.
"I've my own markings, thank you very much." Jaender indicates the white-dot facial scarring that is common among his race while trying to politely decline.
When he gets a minute away from prying ears, he leans over to his companions, in a hushed whisper, "Does anyone else get the sense that these people are imposters somehow? Tricking these gullible folks into thinking they are searching for enlightenment, but instead stealing body parts and encouraging suicide? This is no temple of peace, mark my words. This is an evil cult. Poochie, Rudi, what happens when you try to detect evil?"
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Roudantaimi's eyes snap open. "Suicide!?" he cannot help but shout aloud. "What is this nonsense? That cannot be the Korada's way!" Admittedly, the gnome is no expert on the matter, but what he has learned about Korada, didn't imply there would be any ritual suicides. Something is amiss here... Not even realizing it at first, the small servant of Shelyn is already looking for evil auras in the room.
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"Maybe not imposters, but something is very wrong when the god - or Empyrial Lord - of forgiveness is taking away fingers and offering an easy suicide to his followers," Arturo shares Jaender's concerns, but not his conclusions, "I kinda wish Roudantaimi hadn't said that in front of the priest and all his followers... though if they do respond violently, we can safely discard them as followers of a god of peace."
Arturo stands ready to fight with his companions is need be, but tries to maintain diplomatic relations, "Actually, I wouldn't mind a bit of face paint. Sounds like fun. Don't mind my friend so much, he jumps to conclusions far too easily. Though, he does ask some interesting questions..."
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Roudantaimi does not detect any evil in the room.
Xifen looks disappointed that Jaender is not willing the take the face painting, but they accept it. Arturo attracts a nice looking young woman, who first puts her finger over his mouth, shushing him. She then very carefully paints the double-arrow symbol over his eyes and lips, all the while smiling at him.
Pulao comes up to Roudamtaini, and is practically bouncing in anticipation of painting him. A third halfling youth comes up to Ophiuchus, silently offering to paint him, while their mother comes up to Vox. A final halfling woman goes to Strong Brute, barely coming up to eye level, even though the large youth is seated, and she silently offers to paint his face as well.
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"Well hello my dear," says Arturo, forgetting his problems for now as he smiles at the young woman, "You know, I like other parts of me painted, too. I see many children around here... and it must be hard in such an isolated part of... erm, the world to find a suitable lover. It would be my absolute pleasure to help you in this regard... in any way I can."
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The youth bows in deference to children's mother but then holds out his hands to politely stop her from applying the paint onto his face. "Thank you very much for the offer, my lady," Vox says, still holding out his arms to prevent the woman's approach. "... however, I wish to respectfully pass on applying these symbols of celestial silence and contemplation to my face..."
"May the Peace of Korada be upon you, all the same," Vox finishes, again bowing to the woman, and turning to bestow the same gesture upon the others gathered there.
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Listening to the overweight human talk, Ophiuchus's mind starts to wander.
Why are there all these people here? I though it was supposed to be deserted. Why do peaceful people cut off their fingers and kill themselves? That does not seem peaceful at all. Their land is falling into the sea? How bizarre. It seems so human to live where your land falls off. Sensible nagaji do not live on land that falls away.
Seeing the halfling come closer to his tabard, paint dripping from his fingers, Ophiuchus squeals in fear.
"Not on the tabard, not on the tabard. I am sorry this tabard cannot get any paint on it. I am sorry, you may not paint my face like some woman of the night that Mr. Hairylips pays money to ...." looking at the youths, Ophiuchus decides not to finish his sentence.
"Excuse me people of peace, I am Ophiuchus the Duck Battle Warrior. I know that you have dedicated yourselves to cutting off fingers, twirling balls, and killing yourselves, but you know there are other ways to be happy.
You can open a store selling things people need, like clothes for the naked, food for the hungry, and alcohol for adventures who are passing time between adventures. If you are not sure this life that you are currently living is for you, I would be happy to help you find a different live where people have more finger parts and don't kill themselves.
I say this not to offend you. If this life is one that you are happy living, then I will leave you all in peace, as I came to you in peace."
Bowing slightly, he moves towards the door to step outside.