#3-21 The Temple of Empyreal Enlightenment - GM Nowruz (Inactive)

Game Master noral

You all realize that all doors out into the little park area are boarded up.

You would need to break the barricade to enter the garden from the hallway or from the crypt.

So you can only return back to the library via the hallway although everything seems clear according to Elena.

To speed things up I move us along.

The Pathfinders decide to leave the crypt, pass through the hallway of statues and round the corner. Zhuang is nowhere to be seen, likely back in his studio.

But Miriya is peeking around the corner of the door to the library.

She has a book in her hand but is clearly not paying as much attention to it as the passageway where the Pathfinders disappeared.

"Oh...you're back...what did you find?" she asks you.

"Some of your forebears were not as restful as one might hope." White Rose whispers. "That issue has been handled. We were able to record some of what we saw on the tombs." She shows Miriya a sample of her rubbings.

"This is a very nice temple. The architecture is quite impressive. Unfortunately, if those were saints that were entombed in the crypt, they aren't saints anymore."
Piotr proudly puffs out his chest as he nods with a knowing smirk to his companions.

"Well, I sure could use a bit of fresh air. I would really enjoy a visit to the garden."
He glares intently at Miriya.
"We're allowed into the garden, right?"

She looks at the rubbings with great interest and then nods.

”Thank you for sharing this with me. Of course you can visit the garden! Let me take you there!“ she says while still in thought.

A13. Garden

The temple garden is badly overgrown with tangled vegetation. Vines and briars climb the temple walls on three sides, surrounding the large windows into the chapel and the smaller windows into the library.

The garden itself is a profusion of flowering bushes and weeds. Except for a clear space in the center of the garden, the dense weeds grow taller than an adult human.

At the center of the garden sits a crumbling fountain, long dry, with a statue of a noble turtle in the center. Heaps of foliage choke two similar fountains, each with a large stone orb resting in the fountain’s center.

In Tianjing, the temple garden was carefully cultivated in the shape of the Spiral of Korada surrounding three ornate fountains.

Today, the garden is a wild mass of overgrown vegetation and none of the fountains function. Two fountains are only barely visible beneath the overgrowth.

"What happened here? The rest of your temple is so orderly, I am surprised that the plants were allowed to take over the garden."

Miriya looks at you shyly.

"Well, ehh ... we do not spend much time here except when testing our purity. Gastidem is mostly taking care of the garden." she says.

To complete the task of accurately sketching the original plan of the garden, you must significantly prune back the overgrowth to see how the original beds were designed. This task takes 12 person-hours of labor, or only 6 person-hours if a you succeed at a DC 15 Knowledge (nature) or Profession (gardener) check.

Suddenly a appears from behind the central statue and leans against it, thoughtfully.

"Greetings! We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Gastidem. Korada's Kiss, is my expertise." he gestures to the turtle statue.

"Would you like to test your worthiness? I'm certain you'll all pass with flying colors."

Please place your icons in the garden.

"Good day to you, Gastidem. I am Piotr."
The wolfman says as he takes a stoic stance.

"I am ready for another test. It appears there are a lot of challenges for us to do here at the temple. I enjoy it. I realize that if I fail at a challenge, it just gives me reason to work harder at strengthening my mind and body to overcome a similar challenge in the future."

Suddenly a [?] appears from behind the central statue and leans against it, thoughtfully.

A word was omitted in the sentence. Apparently, it's the race of the creature.

Content to let his companions do the talking, Valeros keeps his eyes peeled and his hands on his blades…

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 1

"Gastidem, what do we have to do to test our worthiness, and worthiness of what exactly?"

This test doesn't happen to be doing your job for you? White Rose wonders.

"Good day to you, Gastidem. I am Piotr."

The wolfman says as he takes a stoic stance.

"I am ready for another test. It appears there are a lot of challenges for us to do here at the temple. I enjoy it. I realize that if I fail at a challenge, it just gives me reason to work harder at strengthening my mind and body to overcome a similar challenge in the future."

GM Nowruz wrote:

Suddenly a [?] appears from behind the central statue and leans against it, thoughtfully.

Sorry, I missed to write that he is a gnome!

"Very good!" Gastidem exclaims with a triumphant smile. "Just stick your hand in the turtle's mouth. Don't be shy, the further you go, the clearer your dedication to Korada!"

He steps away from the statue to give you room.

"Korada will guide us all, of course.," the gnome says with an expression of hope.

"I enjoy these beautiful grounds and to help others determine if they are truly worthy of Korada."

"Really? Just stick my hand in the mouth of the statue?"
Piotr looks puzzled at such an easy task. Maybe there's a neat prize deep inside, he wonders.

"Okay."
He shrugs and sticks his hand in and thrusts it as far in that it will go.

She stands there watching Piotr, and will do the same when he is done

"This seems supicious but with it, its part of the experience"

When her turn comes she will push in her hand and arm as far as she can

You all really feel that you are part of a very spiritual experience and both of the worshipers that are with you believe that you have been given a great honor to try this test!

Piotr, you feel a light sting when you put your hand inside.

"Do not worry if you feel something at the beginning. This is the kiss. Please push your hand in a little further." the gonme says while closing his eyes in divine bliss.

With a shrug, White Rose also plunges her arm into the obviously very safe and not at all a trap statue's mouth.

Elena waits to check first how things are going and if there's any change on Piotr.

With barely a flinch, Piotr feels "the kiss" as he sticks his hand in. He's then told to reach in further.

"Okay."
He says with another shrug as he sticks his arm further down the throat of the turtle statue.

Piotr sticks his hand in and feels a sense of calm and that he can almost hear Korada speaking directly to him and as though he has shed his physical form. Then he shoves his hand in further before pulling it free.

And when it comes out, it is cut and bleeding.

"Oh! A shame, friend. It appears that you are not quite worthy, after all. Perhaps some further contemplation and meditation and you can try again?" Gastidem says.

He looks to the others with the same beneficent smile.

"Anyone else want to try?"

Do those that indicated that they want to try, want to continue?

After looking at Piotr’s hand, Valeros shakes his head. ”Not I…I prefer my hands unmangled…but that’s just me…”

"That is unfortunate! But you might come back later!" the gnome says.

White Rose will still attempt the test.

Piotr was feeling calm and at peace while his arm was inside the statue, until he pulled his arm out and saw the gash running along the length of his forearm and spurting blood.
"Aaaargggh!!! My arm!!!"
He shouts, gripping it in pain, the blood matting the thick fur on his bestial arm.

"YOU FIEND!!!”
He shouts at Gastidem, as he hops down from the statue's step.
"What kind of diabolical beast are you!?! You try to kill us with this statue? This is no 'test', foul beast!!!"
Drawing his blade, he snarls menacingly as he advances towards the gnome, raising his wicked blade.

Piotr is gonna cut the gnome down if nobody stops him!

Serata looking at Piotr, tilts her head a bit, however she will continue and place her arm inside

Upon hearing piotr shout as he draws his weapon, "Piotr calm down before you get into trouble and have us thrown out, or worse yourself killed as well as us"

Valeros puts a firm hand upon Piotr’s shoulder. ”Listen to her, my friend…this gnome may indeed be deceptive, but he didn’t force you to put your hand in there…you did that on your own…”

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

White Rose readies an action to cast daze monster (DC 16) on Piotr if he attacks.

The gnome is clearly devastated.

“I hope you know that this is a temple to Koroda!!!“ he says and goes into full defense with a scared expression on his face.

Piotr heeds the words of his friends and lowers his blade as Valeros pulls Piotr back.
"Alright. I'll yield."
He says, sheathing his weapon as he scowls at the gnome acolyte.
Infuriated with the gnome, he leans into the gnome's face and snaps his teeth.
"I need to heal this wound."
He turns and walks away from the group to sit on a rock.

"Supposed to be enlightened. Not have my arm ripped off."
He mumbles in anger as he pulls out his wand of cure light wounds and taps himself twice.
CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (5, 7) + 2 = 14

The gnome looks at all of you.

“Ehhh … so maybe you want to postpone further tests? Or do you … “ he says and looks at White Rose with a question mark on his face.

"Perhaps if we knew what we were being tested on?"

Miriya jumps in shyly.

"Well, ehh ... you are tested to see if you are spiritually pure and if you are on the right path to embrace Koroda. Many of the inhabitants here mediate daily and still sometimes loose a finger due to their impurity! This is not an easy test." she says.

Please everyone make two heal checks.

Heal: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (3) - 2 = 1
Heal: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

White Rose's fingers feel like they may fall off even without sticking her hand in the statue.

"Eh... maybe this is a test I am better off not taking."

The gnome nods at Rose.

"Ok ... I understand, Friend," Gastidem says. He looks at Piotr, "No one is forced to accept the Kiss of Korada. Our friend here did it of his own accord."

He looks at his hands.

"I have taken the kiss many times and, as you can see, always succeeded," he says, wiggling his unmarred fingers.

"It is simply a matter of being properly enlightened."

What do you do now?

"I am sorry for losing my temper, Gastidem. I am quick to anger."
He says softly.
"As you can see by my monstrous form, I have been cursed by the gods. Now even Korada wants me to fail a test as simple as putting a hand in a statue's mouth."

He stands and throws a fist in the air as he looks towards the sky.
"I'll show you!"
He shouts at the gods that are listening.
"I may fail your tests and challenges, but that only makes me stronger! Keep throwing those challenges in life at me! I will not be a failure!"

"Sadly I think I will have to agree with Rose on this, though since part of our task is to document the garden, can I inspect the statue so we may replicate it?"

if allowed she will inspect looking into the statue as well as looking around it, if she is not allowed, she will still do so, she only asked to be polite about it

"I would love to know just how Korada's 'test' actually works," White Rose whispers to Serata.

"Well, Gastidem, it looks like you could use a hand getting the garden in order. And we still have all of ours, so shall we get to work?"

She is trying to convince him to join them in the labor that he has obviously been neglecting.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32

The gnome again nods at Piotr and then turns to the ladies.

”Please inspect the garden. No one will disturb you!“

Inspecting not being his thing, Valeros just watches over his companions, eyes alert and ready to come to their aid if needed…

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20

Don't we have actual work to do?

perception for the statue or something else?

Elena looks at the gnome with suspicion. "Who exactly explained you this ritual?" she asks while examining Piotr's wound closely. After the forbidden tomb of 'saints' full with undead she's not exactly trusting...

She will take 10 on her heal check on Piotr for a 15. And she will take 20 on perception to inspect the turtle for a 28.

If she finds nothing else she will just keep clear of the turtle and help clean the garden.

As Elena looks over Piotr's wounds, he thanks her for tending to him.
"Thank you, Elena. I think I'm alright now. You're a good friend."
He says as he rubs the long scar along his forearm.
"I would have cut that gnome in half if Serata and Valeros wouldn't have stopped me."
He says with a touch of guilt in his gutteral voice. He then leans in close and whispers to divulge his speculations to Elena, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Gastidem isn't listening.
"Something isn't right with this place, Elena. Undead in the crypt? A statue of Korada that's supposed to test if one is 'spiritually pure', yet it attempts to tear of an arm?"
Piotr grips Elena's arm to say something of importance. He furrows his brows as he looks into Elena's eyes.
"I don't think these people are who they say they are. We should not miss that sermon. The inhabitants will all be in one place. We should be ready if anything strange were to happen"
He glances down and grips the handle of his sword then looks back at Elena.

Elena whispers "Indeed. I'm starting to think they have been mislead by this 'leader'. I'd try to avoid doing any other ritual until we have had a good talk with him. Let's take it slow and do our jobs... maybe clearing the overgrowth here might reveal some clues before that," she says, starting to clear the plants around the turtle.

"Why Korada has given us these tasks! You are new here. Do not start with blasphemy on your first day! And do not doubt Dakang's true allegiance to Koroda!" the gnome says with an expression of dismay.

Reminder: To complete the task of accurately sketching the original plan of the garden, you must significantly prune back the overgrowth to see how the original beds were designed. This task takes 12 person-hours of labor, or only 6 person-hours if a you succeed at a DC 15 Knowledge (nature) or Profession (gardener) check.
I ASSUME YOU START.

Gastidem does not interfere when you start to cut back the garden, but neither does he assist you. You clear the garden and discover a wiry shrub with red-brown leaves.

Know: Nature: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (4) + 0 = 4
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Piotr discovers the gnome's boot prints around the bush, but pays it no mind. He continues clearing weeds and pulling back overgrowth. He really didn't expect to do gardening work on such a seemingly important mission for the Pathfinder society.

Elena approaches the others and while they are cleaning the garden, she explains what she found whispering. "The turtle hit Piotr with fayleaf to make him more susceptible to mind altering magic... the gnome's also under the influence. There's foul play at hand. I suggest we finish our tasks as soon as possible and avoid taking anything else offered by them for the moment until we discover exactly what's going on."

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

"I think this is it." She points at the plant.

"The turtle hit Piotr with fayleaf to make him more susceptible to mind altering magic..."

Dumbfounded, Piotr just stares at Elena for a moment.

I suggest we finish our tasks as soon as possible..."

Piotr doesn't realize he's quite susceptible to the power of suggestion from his friends, as well.

"Fayleaf are you sure?" she will eye the gnome and keep her eye on him while she continues to help and assist at the current task

The gnome looks dumbfounded.

“I really have no idea what you’re talking about!“

"Does Dakang know what you are doing here? I would guess not, since he probably would prefer you actually do your job, but I would be happy to ask him just in case," scolds the White Rose Schoolmarm.

white rose intimidate : 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

“OK, OK lady! I … I really do not want to be in trouble! And please don’t take away the leaves from me! I assure you that I only wanted the best when I invented the kiss! Dakang knows so I thought it is fine!!“ the gnome says a little scared.