As you are searching the room, you can hear a strange and old voice in your heads. At first you don't believe it is there, but the longer you concentrate the more it reminds you of a very very old man, scratching his throat while speaking.
Forsooth, it haveth been a longe time since a man's mind hasseth entered this here temple... What would be thy name?
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When the voice first sounds in his mind Horatius looks about trying to find the source. Discovering no obvious speaker and realizing he hears it from within his mind he shakes his head trying to clear it of the intrusion while noting his fellows similarly distracted. Finally when it fails to depart and he begins to recognize the words he responds, "I am Horatius Lartius, devoted of Erastil and Pathfinder. I am sorry to hear you have been without communion in so long. To whom do I have the honor of...speaking?
It's been a long time.. Are you pupils of mine?
Jiang Dan... My name is Jiang Dan.
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"Greetings Jiang Dan, it is an honor to meet you. Are you the master at this temple? Do you know what happened here? I am afraid that it has fallen to time, violence or both. It has been some time since word from the temple was heard and we were sent both to investigate and to retrieve the Braid of a Hundred Masters. Do you know of it's fate or that of the monks who lived here?"
He challenged the master to remove the braid and compete against him without its power. The master did so and, in the process, defeated the student.
Once the master had proven himself to the student, the master left the
braid at the student’s feet, then turned away, leaving the monastery, never to return.
The master took one student with him that day, the young disciple, Ying Pei, while the remaining students squabbled and fought over the braid.
None could call upon the power of the braid and so they left the monastery, one by one, once again seeking their true paths to perfection. Eventually, only the petulant student and the braid remained. Here he stayed, until the day he died, contemplating the significance behind his master’s actions. Perhaps, through searching for the master and his last disciple, you may uncover the answer to the Braid of a Hundred Masters.”
Your eyes are drawn to the "nest" of a yeti (presumeably) and you notice a number of things, some of them surprisingly fragile items of value
There is a braid, an antique Iroran silver holy symbol, four jade gemstones, a magnifying glass, a set of silvered armbands depicting pouncing tigers, and a bejeweled ceremonial masterwork temple sword.
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"a sad story... but one which holds many lessons... even should we leave without finding the answer, i shall see to it that the story is shared with the world"
He contemplates the story, taking in the room once again... His eyes falling on the nest through which Theor is rummaging...
"Jiang Dan... what is your role in the story of the braid?"
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Horatius nods at the mans statement. "Such a statement is evidence that you are well on your way. It is a wisdom shared by both Irori and Erastil that a man must take responsibility for himself. I would advise only that you consider that such individuals brought together in community are stronger than any one alone. As to the braid itself, we are but couriers. If you have warning that might aid those we bring it to we would be in your debt for it."
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Horatius nods "As Leiff has recommended, let us see to the last room of this temple and then we can prepare to make our way back down the mountain."
To the spirit he says, "I wish you well in your own reflections Jiang Dan. May you find the wisdom you seek."
Once out of the room Horatius asks, "Is anyone skilled in languages? Perhaps the journal we found or writings from the two brothers might carry a clue to the monks fate. I lack the skill to decipher them however."
The party is feeling the weight of the air on them, as their minds drift easily.
This is an unadorned, simple room.
This room probably served as the monks’ store room, but nothing of value remains inside.
As you are all preparing to leave, everyone feeling dizzy and tired from spending so much time at great height, you start to distribute the weight. Leiff hauls his mountain-like backpack on his shoulders even as Theor is counting the braids, and Horatius is still looking at the text that Thaurux deciphered.
You make ready to leave, when you see the creature you wounded and which ran away, drop from the roof in front of you. He pounds his chest, and seems to want a rematch!
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As Horatius charges, his attack strikes true and he clefts the creature almost in two.