Gameplay dot
*Snorffle*
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 extra-dimensional 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.
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?
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A wide grin spreads across Tanrov's face as Zey lays out the specifics of the mission.
"We're going inside!", the burly youth practically shouts in excitement. "My big brother's been inside. He's told me all about the wonders within."
Composing himself a bit and looking around at his companions, the Shoanti continues, "We won't let you down Venture Captain!"
"There's one problem", he says as he absentmindedly scratches at his unruly mane. "I'm not really good at meditating."
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Arkwright crosses his arms and furrows his brow thoughtfully.
"This should be interesting, I've never met an aasimar before. Seeing the work of their should be... informative. And an entire library filled with the knowledge of the worshipers of the Lord of Foresight..."
Arkwright rubs his hands with the fervor that marks a true scholar's lust for knowledge as a broad smile breaks out across his pale face.
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Petr Galdr listens intently and jots a few notes down. Underlining a few subjects to think about when a quiet moment presents itself.
When Master Zey is done speaking, he listens to his party members speak and smiles to himself at the enthusiasm of his peers.
"Master Zey, this would not be the first time I've had reservations after a briefing, nor do I wish to question the Decemvirate's wisdom, but would it not anger the Aasimar to explore this temple? What if they see our attempts to unlock their religious secrets as a breach of trust?"
The Hao Jin Tapestry measures 5 feet by 7 feet. It is dirty and quite worn around the edges. 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.
Aram raises a dark eyebrow at Tanrov’s sudden burst of enthusiasm.
We have been laboring to understand the tapestry have determined that the seemingly abstract features correspond with the actual features of the demiplane held within it. Those who enter the plane determine where they appear inside by which point on the tapestry they are touching when they speak the command words. The scaffold in front of the tapestry allows you to reach any point on it easily and touch the tapestry in the correct place without accidentally brushing up against the edges.
The temple was a gift to Hao Jin centuries ago. Any claim the Aasimar had, they gave up then. The temple is likely uninhabited except perhaps by ancient guardians or traps, although I suppose some scavengers may have found their way into the structure.
From one of the esoteric books you studied a while back you remember that Korada is the Empyreal Lord of foresight, forgiveness, and peace. He is a force of good, dedicated to peace and contemplation. Korada spends his time meditating in the Dream Lotus on the plane of Nirvana, balancing the spheres of existence in his mind and conversing with other enlightened beings.
We are still compiling reports from other explorations, and that's what you're here for!
Hao Jin created her museum demiplane with an environment identical to Golarion’s. It has air, weather, and gravity just as you’d expect. However, in the centuries since Hao Jin’s disappearance, the weather patterns within much of the tapestry demiplane have shifted, so we’re uncertain of the precise environment around the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment.
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Erin leans up against a wall listening intently. At the mention of traps and guardians she moves over to the nearest available tablespace, produces a small box from her dark red robes, and begins to sift through several small tools.
"Ancient Aasimar traps you say? I am quite interested in seeing what they were capable of constructing."
Tianjing is a nation of Aasimars in the Dragon Empires. Several centuries ago, Hao Jin performed a great service for Tianjing’s custodian council. In gratitude, the council presented the sorceress with a temple of Korada, the Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment, to add to her collection.
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A sly smile appears on Erin's face as she places the pick back into the box.
"Oh please Ashur. I'm not worried about meeting them at all. I personally have not met with any Aasimar, but I hear they are a kind people. If what I have heard about them turns out to be untrue, just try to win them over with that amazing smile of yours."
She parts the front of her robe enough to reveal an exquisite chain shirt and retrieve a short sword from her belt.
If that does not bring them around, at least it will give me enough time to step behind them and convince them hostilities were a bad idea.
With a wink, she replaces the sword and continues to sort through the rest of her equipment.
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After replacing the rest of her items, Erin turns to Arkwright.
"I never mentioned initiating hostilities. I was just reassuring our compatriot that I have his back if the situation demands. I will not be the one throwing the first stone, just ensuring the one that does pays dearly for it. To be honest, I am much more interested in seeing what they have constructed to keep the unwanted out, rather than the denizens that live there."
Erin approaches the tapestry.
"Master Zey, I am fully prepared to go. What words do I speak when I touch my destination?
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If everyone has all the equipment they need. I will fetch Freya. I believe she is lounging outside in the yard.
Petr leaves the room to retrieve his Animal Companion.
After a few short minutes, Petr returns with Freya. Freya trots in the room at the heels of her master. A solid chunk of animal that jingles slightly as her chain mail barding bobs up and down.
Freya takes stock of the room, wandering a slow circle to get a good sniff of everyone here. She spends a few extra snorts on Tanrov, separating the smell of horse from the smell of man. Satisfied she plops down at Petr's heel and waits.
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Erin pulls back from the tapestry.
"I have a wand on me Petr in case of unfortunate circumstances."
She hands Petr her wand of Cure Light Wounds with a small frown.
"I like to keep it on my person, but getting it to work myself is spotty at best."
Turning back to Master Zey.
"Master Zey, I just thought of one more question, possibly the most important one. How do we get back?"
I will speak the words needed when I am confident that you are pointing to the right spot on the tapestry. You needn't worry about the exact wording.
Hug your animal as you touch the tapestry and they will go in with you.
Oh, did I forget to mention how to get back? Well, when you are done at the temple you must travel north across the gully, through the forest, and around whatever that ax looking thing is. In the mine there, find an emerald the size of your fist and use it to barter with the wizard of the fern gully to create a portal and send you back. Easy! We are still waiting for the last three groups to come back though...
Aram pauses, *blink*, *blink*, then breaks into a snorting chuckle.
No, no, I kid. When you enter the demiplane there will be a glowing sphere at your point of entry, visible only to you. You enter the sphere's space and you will be transported back here. It's really quite easy.
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Erin shoots a sharp look back towards the chuckling Venture Captain.
"With some of the journeys I have undertaken on the Society's behalf, I would not be totally surprised if the second half of your comment was the joke. Someone needs to go though, and I would be lying if I said I am not interested in this temple."
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Arkwright groans and quietly mutters something about 'sarcastic society masters' and 'Nine Omens of the Doom'.
"Out of interest in examining this temple- and definitely not out of interest in escaping attempts at humour-" *he shoots a look at the Master of Spells*
"Let's go."
Arkwright sheathes his weapon and pulls a shadowy rapier from his backpack and steps forward, waving its tip around the tapestry carefully, as he looks expectantly at Master Zey.
