"Oh, Dakang will not be there. He long ago transcended the need to eat," Miriya answers Baram.
She frowns a bit at Castinus' question. "He doesn't have an inner circle, per se. He does have 3 guards that are devoted to protecting him. As aasimar, they were chosen specifically for the task because of their connection with the divine."
When they arrive at the dining hall, they find the remaining 9 human and halfling residents, including Zhuang, already gathered around the table. Zhuang nods to the group as they arrive, welcoming them to the meal and introducing them to the others. There are smiles and welcomes and nods and handshakes all around.
"Well, I'm sure our new friends are hungry from their long trip, so let us eat," Zhuang says then speaks an arcane word.
A moment later the table is heaped high with fruits, grains, nuts and juices. The residents tuck in.
"Please, join us," Zhuang says.
Baram's exclamation and storm out of the room sends those who just met him into a state of confusion. Zhuang makes apologies for him but Miriya reveals that the Pathfinders found undead in the crypts which starts a shocked debate about what it could mean and if it is even true or if the Pathfinders are lying.
They gather in the doorway, watching the Pathfinders go and continuing their discussion until one of them shouts "Watch out!" and another one screams in fright.
It's enough warning for Itham to turn in time to see a creature with a bloated frame that shudders with each heaving step, yet despite its shape, the thing moves with surprising quickness.
Castinus
Vanna
Tofang
Itham
Kal'Ryon
Demon?/Devil? Red Guy
Baram
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Turning and catching sight of the monstrosity lumbering quickly up towards the rear of the party, Castinus looses an oath and dashes back to distract the foul thing from the squishier members of the group. "By Hells levels, look out!". Only getting partway back down the crowded corridor he pauses, considers lobbing a tanglefoot bag over the heads of Tofang and Itham to slow the beast's assault, but thinks better of it. He draws his rapier instead, and rushes past to interpose himself in the way
Both Tofang's bullet and Vanna's blade strike through and both clearly wound the foul creature. Neither does quite what might be expected, however and it is still on its feet. Though obviously seriously hurt, it still shows clear malice.
Castinus
Vanna
Tofang
Itham
Kal'Ryon
Demon?/Devil? Red Guy HP-13
Baram
Itham realizes that it is a Dretch, a beast from the very depths of the Abyss. Though a minor example of it's kind, it is still resistant to most mundane damage as well as having the normal immunities and resistances that might be expected of demons.
His quick thinking with his wand lays some more damage into it though doesn't quite manage to put it down.
The creature lashes out with teeth and claws at Vanna, displaying a shocking rage.
It manages to land one extremely solid blow against her with one of its claws.
Castinus
Vanna HP - 9
Tofang
Itham
Kal'Ryon
Demon?/Devil? Red Guy HP-16
Baram
Castinus
Vanna HP - 9
Tofang
Itham
Kal'Ryon
Demon?/Devil? Red Guy HP-16
Baram
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Wary of the beast in front of him, and hearing Kal'ryon being frustrated at being unable to engage, Castinus steps sharply backwards, his rapier 'en garde' against attack. Once five feet away, he deftly switches hands and raises his tanglefoot bag high above his head before dashing it downward at the monstrosity, hoping to entangle it enough for the others to bring it down.
A tanglefoot bag is a small sack filled with tar, resin, and other sticky substances. When you throw a tanglefoot bag at a creature (as a ranged touch attack with a range increment of 10 feet), the bag comes apart and goo bursts out, entangling the target and then becoming tough and resilient upon exposure to air. An entangled creature takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls and a –4 penalty to Dexterity and must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be glued to the floor, unable to move. Even on a successful save, it can move only at half speed. Huge or larger creatures are unaffected by a tanglefoot bag. A flying creature is not stuck to the floor, but it must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be unable to fly (assuming it uses its wings to fly) and fall to the ground. A tanglefoot bag does not function underwater.
A creature that is glued to the floor (or unable to fly) can break free by making a DC 17 Strength check or by dealing 15 points of damage to the goo with a slashing weapon. A creature trying to scrape goo off itself, or another creature assisting, does not need to make an attack roll; hitting the goo is automatic, after which the creature that hit makes a damage roll to see how much of the goo was scraped off. Once free, the creature can move (including flying) at half speed. If the entangled creature attempts to cast a spell, it must make concentration check with a DC of 15 + the spell’s level or be unable to cast the spell. The goo becomes brittle and fragile after 2d4 rounds, cracking apart and losing its effectiveness. An application of universal solvent to a stuck creature dissolves the alchemical goo immediately.
Vanna's powerful stroke finds its mark. The cold iron weapon slices through the beast's tough flesh and lays it open, dropping it to the floor.
The people gathered for their daily meal watch aghast and are shocked into silence for several moments before one of them screams and then they break into surprise and confusion.
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That thing was a Dretch. I have no clue why it would just be in a temple. It is odd enough to come across one in any other place... but here? Something is really wrong guys. We must of come at a good time so we can not only gather information but also help Baram's people.
Looking to the heated half or, [b]I am unsure if this is a test from your lord or not... but you might want to take a breath before we confront Dakang. Peace is what your lord wants, I gather. Here is a great time to live it. Itham looks down as if he worried he may of stepped too far.
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"I agree, peace is what I intend to bring to this temple, but I have a bad feeling about this Dakang from what we have seen. I fear that it may come to blows against him, but he needs to seek forgiveness, not death. Mercy changes more than butchery." Baram replies as he continues to drag the Dretch around, looking for Dakang.
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Kal follows quickly in behind Baram, guisarme in hand. He smiles and laughs silently as they move- clearly finding some small personal enjoyment as the scenario reveals itself.
"Never fear my friend, I have your back against whatever this betrayer turns out to be!"
"Yes! More chaos. Shaking the stable. Producing emotion. Yes!"
Baram finds himself facing a closed door. Though as soon as he pounds on it, it is opened.
"What was all that noi...oh...strangers," an faintly otherworldly woman stands on the other side. "Were you the cause of all that noise?"
Another woman who faintly resembles the first stands down the hall. "Is that dinner?" she asks.
If you were told that they were related, it would be easy to see though you wouldn't come to that conclusion by yourself.
"No. It's newcomers."
"What do they want?"
"I don't know yet. They haven't told me. What do you want?"
[ooc]A picture has been added to the slides to show what they look like.
The closest woman looks aghast and disgusted when Baram holds up the demon carcass, the woman further back actually lets out a little gasp of shock at the mention of undead in the temple.
Both of their expressions harden with resolve when Baram makes his demands, however.
"Lord Dakang is in contemplation in preparation for delivering his sermon. He cannot be disturbed. Especially by strangers with wild stories," the lead woman says.
"We will notify him of your concerns and he will speak with you when he likes."
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Castinus tries to resolve the matter without violence; "Madam, thus is urgent and we will brook no delay. This is a matter at the heart of what this temple stands for - the tranquility and peace, even the safety of your fellow monks. An extra-planar demon such as this loose amongst your corridors? If your master is unconcerned at this, he does not deserve to be master here. Indeed we have concerns there may be heresy in play here. You will take us to Dakang now; this must be his immediate concern, or he is not the man you believe he is..."
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Baram focuses his mind with his newly learned mantra, "Light combined, My peace find; Calm my soul, To control; Woes I sift, Catching gifts"
"As I said, I am a champion of Korada and I cannot let these transgressions slide on this sacred ground. We all know that Korada is the god of forgiveness, but I must first speak to Dakang to see if he even knows about this occurrences! There were undead despoiling the crypts and a drech attacking us in the halls. Also, the religious texts in the library have been altered to disguise an evil deity as Korada. Someone is leading you down the wrong path to Korada's enlightenment and I really must speak with Dakang about this."
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"I have to admit that I was shocked when I found out about these heresies!"
Tofang takes out what he found in the library.
”Look here: These books and this symbol have nothing to do with your deity. Vantian and Ishiar are not locations connected with Korada. They are not locations in Nirvana at all. These books have been altered! None of the rites or symbols described are actually connected with Korada. There is no such “symbol of celestial silence and contemplation.” These books have been altered!”“
He waits a moment so that this can sink in.
”The double-arrow symbol is sacred to Sifkesh, demon lord of heresy and suicide. Drawing this symbol over and across the mouth and eyes would resemble stitching, and Sifkesh is depicted with eyes and mouth stitched shut!!“
The firm scowls of obstinate suspicion slowly fade from the two women's faces. It is as though Baram has been sent to this place for this very purpose. Perhaps Korada is not speaking through him but his god has certainly touched him in these moments to lend import and impact to his words.
A look of dismay comes over both their faces as they begin to doubt what they have dedicated their lives to.
"Come in," the first one says in little more than a whisper. "Those are his chambers there."
She points to a door on a wall by itself. Then, she and the other woman as well as a third that the party had not seen yet, retreat to their own chambers.
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"Thank you sisters, Korada smiles on you today." Baram says as they take their leave. He then walks up to the door and looks back at the party, "Best be ready for anything based on what we've seen, but please, don't kill Dakang, even if he tries to kill us unless you absolutely have to in order to prevent a death."
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Tofang hears Baram and starts drinking his extracts.
After he prepared the last extract of 'tears to wine' he offers it to his companions.
"Drink the wine and you will fell mental clarity for the potential confrontation ... " he says.
"I know who you are, Brother Baram. Please, there is no need to stand on such formality with me. I know that you have many questions and that there is much that you don't understand. Come in and let us discuss things," a calm voice calls from the other side of the door.
Once Baram opens the door, he sees a spacious chamber that contains a simple bed, a writing desk,and an enormous armoire. A Spiral of Korada is drawn along the north wall, but the drawing is made up of several small marks resembling double-headed arrows. A short stairway leads up to an archway blocked with a heavy curtain.
The lone inhabitant of the room is a man in his early elderly years, still spry and with clever eyes despite his notable obesity. He shows no fear or anger about this intrusion into his meditations but rather seems ready for kindly religious discussion.
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Tofang steps forward too, he still has his firearm in his hand.
"Dear spiritual leader of this temple ... either you are completely blind to what is going on here or you are part of this! Look at the wall! The Spiral of Korada is made up of several small marks resembling double-headed arrows. This is Sifkesh!" Tofang says as the he points at the north wall.
Dakang cocks his corpulent head to the side with a bemused grin. "I'll admit, I have not reviewed every book in the temple and certainly do not make it a habit of re-reading each one. Perhaps there is a text or two that has crept in that isn't entirely canonical, but are you so certain, Brother? Though I can see that you are dedicated to Korada's light, I also sense that you are somewhat new to it, whereas I have been following him for decades."
He looks at Tofang's gun with patent disappointment and disapproval. "And your companion comes in with...some sort of weapon, making accusations. Perhaps there is heresy in my temple but I begin to suspect it is fresh."
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"I'm not sure the undead or demons you house here are new, and if so, they are likely being placed here to stop us from uncovering the truth of this place. I suggest you review the texts Tofang discovered as well as the symbols, because something is definitely not right here, I mean, look at this thing, why is it here?" Baram asks as he gestures to the demon that he left outside the chamber door.
"Undead? You say there are undead here? But hold, you say I house them here. No brother, not I. Where did you even see undead?" Dakang answers, visibly shocked and offended.
He cranes his neck to see the demon corpse sitting outside the door. "I have no idea why it's here. I have seen nothing like that. Nothing like that has ever been here."
"...until you arrived."