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"Hmm, usually the Grand Lodge sends a trap specialist along on these things... guess they didn't think that would be a risk here inside the Tapestry?" Feelo studies the statue and tries to think of ways to defeat it, but really doesn't come up with much.
"I suppose we could just trigger it on purpose, and just prepare for the fall as best we can? I can ask Desna for some minor help."
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"As much as I'd like to get in there, and we need to, I don't want to damage anything if we can help it." He looks at the statue long and hard to try to figure out how maybe they can steady it with some ropes.
"I have some pitons we can use to anchor the rope to the wall and hopefully steady the statue. Maybe they have someone here that works with masonry for a long term fix, but looking at the disuse here I don't expect that to happen." These people must spend all of their waking hours doing rituals and none doing any chores or maintenance. Much different from what I'm used to seeing.
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Looking up from her drawings, Pai pipes up: "We should ask them for permission before we do anything, especially if it means making any changes that would persist after we leave. Like those pitons, they'd damage the wall. I know they haven't come in here in a long time, but they may want to eventually. We can also ask if we can scrounge up materials to do it. Maybe there are some trees outside with sturdy branches we could use to prop it up or something. Just a thought. Anyway, we should ask them before we do anything." She turns back to her parchment, jots a few more marks, then sighs with satisfaction. "There! Done. What next?"
Mera might be most surprised how normal this ritual feels. It is a relaxing and effective meditation technique to be certain, but not one that weighs on her soul in anyway.
A loud bell rings throughout the temple from the dining hall and there is motion throughout the halls as people move to the communal eating area.
Many others of the temple arrive at refectory along side of you. Another pair of young halfling adults speaking Xifen. One of the halflings casually spins a trio of balls in his hand while talking. Along with them is a halfling woman old enough to be their mother and another pair of humans, a man and a woman.
They all give their greetings and seem wonderfully pleased for you to join them.
The table is empty and clear as everyone begins taking their seats and after a pair of thanks to Korada for her bounty, calls out a word in tien.
A magical wind sweeps across the table as it fills with fruits, nuts, grains and juices for every one seated and then some. The people offer their blessings and dig into their food as Xifen grabs a trio of plates and leaves with them into the hallway. Everyone is more than pleased with the meal as they savor every bite.
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Pai eagerly follows after the others toward the dining hall. Upon the appearance of the food, her eyes widen like saucers. She can hardly wait for the hosts to say their blessings before digging in. She takes a large bite of a delectable-looking fruit unlike any she has ever seen...
...and immediately begins choking and gagging on the nastiness. It's quite a scene, though she's not trying to play it up in the least.
A few of them look with curiosity to Arin's statements, but Pai's response stalls them in their tracks as most of the table rises immediately as several attempt to aid her. A few pray from their places at the table. Both for forgiveness for the temple as well as Pai and Arin as well.
Zhuang looks on his frame wavering as he contemplates. He settles himself with a prayer before saying, "This is an ill omen. This food is a gift from Korada. It should be a gift and not cause this anguish or taste as you describe. This may be a sign of your apostasy of Korada, that this is a sign of that rejection. I would urge you to meditate on this, find the impurities within yourself. See what part of you conflicts with the teachings of Korada. I would be willing to offer my own aid with this."
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Kembe sits politely and nods respectfully as the words and blessings are offered to Korada. He chooses one of the most simple items to try, after seeing the congregation dig in... his skepticism already firmly entrenched by the odd temple. A magically summoned apple, wonder if the flavors are similar to those along the roadsides.. ACK! Not even close!
He politely sets down the piece of fruit and reaches for his waterskin to wash down the vile taste, doing his best to control his stomach and his face at the same time.
"This food does not taste like food I have ever tasted." He states simply.
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I would urge you to meditate on this, find the impurities within yourself.
Pai is truly embarrassed. Her bright peach complexion flushes with vibrant pink. Unable to meet anyone's eyes, she mumbles in a tiny, cracking voice: "I'm so sorry. I'll go do that now." Rising slowly from the table, so as not to further upset her stomach with any swift moves, Pai exits the dining hall. Stepping outside into the courtyard, she slides her form down the wall onto the ground in the corner to her left. With her eyes closed, she breathes deeply, trying to control her roiling stomach and do some of this meditation stuff or whatever.
How can they eat that? It's not food! Wait a minute! What if they're all demons or something? Oh my gosh! This could be a trap! Pai is determined to keep her eyes peeled for anything suspicious from now on.
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Mera shrugs and swallows the horrendous tasting food...she's eaten worse. But she does then put down her utensil and push away her plate, saying, "I'm not really hungry, but thanks." As she speaks, she takes a careful look at her hosts, trying to judge their sincerity, and if they seem to be hiding anything.
While Feelo's magic blesses his meal, it has a limited effect on on the taste. The meal is still horrid and is difficult to stomach.
The worshipers look at the party with some trepidation as though you were tainted by some evil influence. They look at confidence upon Mera and don't seem to think that she was negatively affected by the food at all. They leave Pai to fall back, they seem as concerned for you as they are for themselves.
While most are aghast, Gastidem looks more confident in his appraisal of your faith and his own as he takes another bite.
The halfling woman pipes up as she speaks in a wavering voice. "You all seem like such wonderful people, but you must have done something to be denied this gift. Xifen told me that Mera had entered meditation while the others studied within the library. Mera, you seem unaffected by this same plague, maybe Zhuang is correct and the answer it that proper meditation was what seperated you from the others. I mean, I hate to assume that you would have been affected as they were without the meditation, but maybe some ill wind has passed you all on your way here."
Gastidem was also surprised by how you reacted, he doesn't seem to believe that this is any punishment for impurity, but he is also wondering what the party did to taste the food as some foul thing.
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"As you say, we are . We are...new to the ways of Korada?...And indeed, I had the distinct honor of Zhuang's wise tutelage while achieving some success in my meditations. I assure you, my are in the right place," at this, Mera mistakenly pats the right side of her chest, before realizing her mistake and moving her hand over her heart "and we are here merely to seek knowledge in the ways of Korada. Perhaps once pull our heads out of our--I mean once we complete our studies, we will achieve an appropriate level of understanding. We simply ask for your "
Unfortunately, while Mera's reasoning is sound, she spends too much time trying to mimic how her mentor would speak, but she lacks the eloquence and charm of Lady Lila, and her efforts are much too earnest and awkward...
Mera's words don't completely erase their concerns although they do appreciate the earnestness of them. The halfling boy spins his stones quickly about his hands to focus his own mind and sanctity.
Zhuang answers, "We are happy to offer that guidance. I hope that our reaction did not offend you. How long do you plan to spend here to learn the ways of Korada?"
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" I would urge you to meditate on this, find the impurities within yourself. See what part of you conflicts with the teachings of Korada. I would be willing to offer my own aid with this."
Arin cocks his head and looks at Zhuang quizzically. Why? What impurities does this food detect, and how?
He looks at Pai not understanding why she became embarrassed.
I don't see any impurities in you. I'm not understanding.
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"We are happy to offer that guidance. I hope that our reaction did not offend you. How long do you plan to spend here to learn the ways of Korada?"
I suppose we will spend as long as it takes. Clearly we have much to learn about your ways. Though I'm unclear on the trigger of this experience as spell effects, both arcane and divine, can be brought about in many ways. I remain open to the possibilities.
Arin attempts to remain objective, but not too pushy against their default beliefs about the situation.
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Glancing around the courtyard in boredom, she sees the set of doors in the southwest corner. Rising to her feet, she idly wanders over there and tries the door handles, just to see if they're locked.
Arin cocks his head and looks at Zhuang quizzically. Why? What impurities does this food detect, and how?
Zhuang's head seems heavy as he ponders the question, but his eyes waver of uncertainty. "I admit I'm uncertain, I can't recall this happening in my lifetime here. What I know is that this food is divinely bestowed on us and the way that could be disrupted is the divine stripping it away."
"You are welcome to stay here for all the time you need. I believe we can make room." He looks to the others for confirmation and the halfling mother picks up the matter.
"Wei and I, and the boys would be happy to give up our room for the time to give you a place to lay your head. I'm certain Wei will agree. As long as we can find some space in one of your rooms, " directing her last portion specifically to the remaining worshipers.
Gastidem shows no desire to offer his living space, but before he can think of a way to decline several of the humans all quickly agree to sharing rooms.
Duang comments, "I have been given so much here that I would be dishonored to be unwilling to offer space to another." The other humans concur as their is a bit of discussion on the exact details of how the rooms are set up.
Pai does not see anyone around. A quick check finds the door unlocked.
Pai finds the room a bit dark with a few empty sconces that are missing their torches. The light she brings illuminates the dust filled room. There are some tack and blankets that are discarded onto the floor and supply closet within this room. The layout is familiar as a stable but based on the state of disuse, it has not been used for years.
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Arin nods in agreement.
Yes, we need to take stock of all the tasks so that we have hope of appropriately breaking down the work and getting done faster, overall. If we go in true serial without knowing about the various rooms to analyze, we shall spend as long as possible here. I don't think anybody wants that.
He looks back down at his plate and shudders. It's the most "emotion" you've ever seen the normally stoic gnome let slip out.
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Mera shrugs. While she'd rather simply go work on the tasks they were appointed, she'll tag along wherever the party may wish to go.
"When we're ready to get back to work, I'd rather start with the crypt...the library and the garden seem like they'll take hours. The rubbings should be quicker."
She reminds her fellow pathfinders of the tasks they were instructed to perform...
1) locate the temple’s meditation room, find evidence of any meditative techniques described there, and record any effects of performing those techniques.
2) prepare a comprehensive catalog of all works in the temple library.
3) find the temple gardens and draft a detailed plan of the garden’s layout.
4) enter the temple’s crypt and take rubbings of the carvings on each sarcophagus."
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Satisfied with her cursory glance into the abandoned storage room, Pai closes the door and wanders back inside. I guess I'd better make it look like I tried harder to do that meditation stuff, she thinks to herself. Slipping quietly into the meditation room, she holds still with her eyes closed, listening for signs that folks are leaving the dining room.
Pai is alone in the mediation room. Despite the lacking of any instructor present there appear to be pictures showing the meditation throughout the wall starting with stretches and ending with spinning the glass spheres in the palm.
The worshipers continue to quickly finish their meal; taking the unused plates of food away. The halfling mother asks one of her children to save one of the plates for their father. One Tien human man you haven't been introduced to gathers your plates and, with some trepidation, asks, "Would you like us to save these meals for you later?"
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Maybe these folks have forgotten what food is supposed to taste like, Jahz thinks to himself as he heads through the curtain towards the kitchen. I bet if we made something that tastes better than scorched dirt - not that that's a high bar to reach - we could show them that we're not impure or whatever. And how hard can it be to cook something simple?
After sticking his head in the door, Jahz quickly returns to his companions. "Um, could I, uh, get some help in the kitchen?" he asks hurriedly, a flustered look on his face.
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Kembe thanks the man for clearing his dishes and slowly shakes his head in the negative "I've had enough, thank you for your hospitality. What do you do with the remaining food? Do you put it in the gardens? Or feed livestock perhaps?"
His questions are cut a bit short as Jahz calls for assistance. "Excuse me, I'll get back to you." Kembe gets up and heads to the kitchen, grabbing any others of the group in reach as he goes.
Once he steps inside his eyes grow wide and he rushes to the hanging halfling, hoping he is still alive. If he could be he lifts him up for the others to cut the cord. "What happened in here?"
Kembe has spent a fair bit of his lifetime as a wandering healer. Since he was a boy helping in the infirmary he's always taken to helping the sick and the injured.
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Feelo gets up quickly, and follows after Jahz's call.
The temple kitchen is long abandoned and smells faintly musty. The kitchen’s massive stove and rows of cooking implements are all covered with a patina of rust and dark flecks of mold. Dangling in the center of the room, above a solid oak table, swings a halfling man on a stout cord.
"Song of the Spheres, what is this?" As soon as this fellow halfling is on the ground, Feelo is crouching near his head, a wand in his hand, slapping the unconscious cheeks and studying both lips and chest for any sign of breathing.
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Arin follows the cries for help into the kitchen.
Indeed, what has happened here? Is he still alive? We must ask him some questions once he recovers, if so.
Once they get the man to the floor Arin helps remove the cord from his neck and checks him for working breath, and for any other effects of the hanging.
"We set aside a few plates for Dakang's guard, but aside from that the remainder we set aside for smaller meals later on. The bounty Korada provides is only available once every passing day, so we take care it not wasting any of it."
***
The party confirms the man is beyond resuscitation and has been dead for hours. There is a pot on the floor as well as scuff marks where it was kicked away underneath the halfling's feet. There doesn't seem to be any sign of foul play. Although his left hand is missing all of his fingers, those wounds don't appear to be recent. Kembe, Arin and Feelo all identify that he seems to have died by self inflicted strangulation.
However, as people move around the room, everyone but Feelo and Mera notice a knife on the central table that begins to twitch and move without any interaction. The handle pulling itself closer to Feelo and Kembe. They notice the haunting chill pass throughout the room of some lingering spirit.
Those at the lodge have spoken at lengths upon haunts and if anything can be done, it must be done quickly.
Surprise Round
Arin
Pai (if around)
Jahz
Kembe
Feelo
Mera Ka
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You notice the gnome inadvertently switches to another language as the situation heightens.
The dagger only makes the slightest of motions with little intent to stab, as Jahz approaches it, there is a driving compulsion coming from it, and the spirits themselves, to take the blade into his own hands and ... before this could be pushed any further the spiritual power within the room is driven off by the powerful healing energy. The knife grows still again and the spiritual influence goes quiet.
Searching the room, you find little other physical evidence within the room. Aside from the party's own prints, the only other person that has walked into this room recently was the halfling himself.
He is wearing the common garb of the worshipers here and has no notes or effects on his person. His right hand seems intact, but his left seems to have suffered extensive damage to his left hand over the course of months if not years.
As you search the room, the cold chill of unquiet spirits runs down across your backs. For the moment they can't do any harm. Their presence is weak and hard to detect, but even now they continues to try to take hold of the edges of your mind as you investigate.
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Staring around the meditation chamber, Pai notes the pictures on the walls, depicting instructions for a particular meditation. Just as she is about to attempt it (because the glass balls look so pretty and inviting), she cocks her head. Is that shouting? She follows the sounds to the kitchen. Walking in to see the rest of her team, she pipes up: "Hey, guys! What's all the shouting--Oh! What happened to him?! Is he okay?! And what's it with the weird coldness in here? Brrrr!"