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

Game Master noral

"Mutilation as punishment for lack of faith and then suicide? Doesn't that sound like some evil teaching to you?" Elena countered, clearly upset by this.

Perception +8 Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Will Save Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
+ Will Save if this is a mind-affecting effect Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The Spellbreaker rolls twice and takes the best result when making a Will saving throw against a mind-affecting effect.

will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

I know little for sure about the teachings of Korada. However, I doubt the test, its random consequences, or this response matches the writ of Korada. Anubis certainly wouldn't tolerate any such.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Perception is only +10. I had some old boon bonuses added that I forgot to remove. It's fixed in profile now.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Will Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 (add 1 if vs fear)

You all feel a tormented spirit pushing you to hurt yourself!!

Serata and Geo Lem suddenly notice a knife on the table move of its own accord. In the same instance you notice that Piotr is about to pick up the knife.

~

Initiative - Suprise round only move or standard

Serata
Piotr - picks up knife without control (failed will, nearest plus special game reason)
Geo Lem

~

Initiative - Round 1

Serata
Elena
Valeros

Bold may act. Serata in both rounds.

Surpise round

"Everyone out NOW"

Serata will move next to piotr

First round

"Goe get piotr out now, and get ready to heal him from this"

Serata will strike at Piotr non lethal

attack Piotr: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
sneak?: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5) = 12

13 if no sneak 25 if sneak

If Piotr is knocked out with the non-lethal by Serata, Elena will drag him out of the kitchen.
But if that doesn't work and he hurts himself, she will heal with her wand.
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Ok, so since we've been walking around peaceful-like, I have to assume I'm not wielding my flail. So, I don't have the bonuses from that. But I do have Improved Disarm, a standard action to attempt a disarm, and swift action to give a slight buff on the attempt.

Goe Lem quickly intones, Анубіс, веди мене!
Used a fervor to cast guidance as a swift action.
disarm: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 = 21 Hmm... not great, but not awful. Don't know if that will beat his CMD.

With a blank expression on his face as if he's not even there, or not even thinking about what's going on around him, Piotr is compelled to pick up the butcher knife. He raises the knife and turns to face his friends, eyes wide like a predator about to go in for the kill.

He's suddenly struck on the back of the neck in an attempt to knock him out. At the same time, his oread friend quickly tries to smack the wicked butcher knife from his hand.

Piotr's CMB is 15.

The knife flies out of Piotr’s hand when Geo Lem strikes and it lands on the floor.
Serata positions herself and tries to knock out Piotr but she cannot sneak attack him.

What's the situation with Piotr? Can he act on his own accord or is he possessed? If he's possessed, you should probably take over his actions, Nowruz. Piotr would probably change form as soon as possible from all the stress being caused and knowing he's more powerful in that form.

Yes, Piotr is possessed and cannot act so I’m unfortunately controlling your actions now. :-(

Valeros is up!

Valeros uses the flat of his blade with 2 hands to try and knock some sense into Piotr…

Sword: 1d10 + 9 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 - 4 = 15
NL Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 = 14

If that's enough to knock him out, Elena will drag him out of the kitchen.

Valeros hits Piotr and before the knight can act he is already unconscious.

You drag him out and are now outside of the kitchen!

Just waiting to see what my terrible Will save does to me.

The haunt only affects one person. :-) You were lucky! So what next?

Anyone here who can affect a haunt? Disperse it, or destroy it?

"ok nkw that fur boy here is away from that, lets wake him up, while we figure out how to deal with what happened"

"Just to make sure..." Elena will tie Piotr up with her rope in case he continues to be under the influence of the haunt.

"I can heal him. But do you want to do something else first?"

I can cast positive pulse and have +9 UMD. Someone will have to aim me, though, since I don't have Knowledge Religion.

You can all roll kn religion.

know religon: 1d20 ⇒ 9

didnt think so

Religion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Elena knows that this was clearly a haunt that is created which such force when more than one person kills himself in an area.

You believe that the haunt could force another person to commit suicide after a minute or so.

Elena shares what she knows about haunts to the others. If that was enough to know that positive energy can get rid of the haunts, she will tell White Rose as well.

Elena turns to Zhuang.

"It would appear that was a haunt... It can control people and compel them to hurt themselves. Usually are created from the force of other suicides. I guess it would be easier to manipulate people who have been affected by drugs or magic. This doesn't look good..."

She shakes her head.

"Have this happened before then? If entrance to the crypt is forbidden, where do you bury your death?"

"Knowing what we face, I may be able to hold this one off for a little while. But we need to figure out how to cleanse it. Perhaps giving this fellow proper last rites?" She ponders a moment. "Though I wouldn't trust Dakang to do so, and I know as little as anyone about their faith."

Piotr lies on the ground, unconscious and tied up. He twitches and mumbles incoherently.
"Mmphh-grr..."

One sentence, however, can be understood.
"Kill! Gonna... kill you all..."

"Mmmuummph."

Elena knows that this was clearly a haunt that is created which such force when more than one person kills himself in an area.

You believe that the haunt could force another person to commit suicide after a minute or so.

Zhuang looks at Elena but he is clearly uncomfortable but then he looks at Rose and calms down.

Auto success diplomacy from White Rose. ;-)

"Well, suicide is relatively common here. I truly believe that it is Korada’s way of easing the pain of those who will never be worthy of true enlightenment. If you excuse me now ... I need to inform his family!" he says and bows to leave.

Does Elena have any idea of how long the effects of the haunt would last on Piotr. She won't wake him until she's sure of it.

It's what I do.

"Drugs, mutilation, forced suicide... nothing here matches the desccription that Venture-Captain Zey gave us. I know the Society would frown on burning this to the ground, though that is my current inclination. As it is, we must get as many of the innocents out as possible and end the corruption so that it may be properly cleansed and rededicated."

Does Elena have any idea of how long the effects of the haunt would last on Piotr. She won't wake him until she's sure of it.

You believe that it is safe to wake him up now!

Goe puts a hand on Zhuang's shoulder before he can leave. Suicide should not be common anywhere. Certainly not a monestary dedicated to such a benevolent and peaceful deity such as Korada. I believe you could benefit from some time pondering the accurate teachings of Korada.

To the rest after he leaves. I think it time to go listen to the sermon of this Daktang and correct him on the error of his teachings.

"I think you are right Goe, lets not hesitate"

"Glaarrgh... Kill me... an'... Kill you, too! Dagger strikes... Everyone dies... Muah-ha-ha!... Muuumph..."
Piotr continues to spout words of gloom and doom as he twitches and struggles while bound tightly in the rope.

Piotr suddenly goes limp and a smile crosses his face as he turns onto his back, still unconscious. His tired and sunken eyes suddenly open wide, startling those watching. He stares to the heavens above.
"Take me now... Milani..."
He whispers.
"Too much... pain... and suffering..."
He cringes as if in pain and then rocks his head to the side back and forth.
"The bleeding roses... friends and family... No more war... I'm ready to be with them all... in your... Realm of peace..."
Piotr turns onto his side and tries to curl up into a comfortable position while still bound in the rope. He begins to snore heavily.

Goe puts a hand on Zhuang's shoulder before he can leave. Suicide should not be common anywhere. Certainly not a monestary dedicated to such a benevolent and peaceful deity such as Korada. I believe you could benefit from some time pondering the accurate teachings of Korada.

To the rest after he leaves. I think it time to go listen to the sermon of this Daktang and correct him on the error of his teachings.

“I will ponder upon your words!! But now I need to go to the family of the deceased. If you can get him out I’d appreciate that! If any of you want, you can bring your friend to our private quarters to rest!!“ Zhuang says to Geo Lem with a bow.

"Don't worry, we can heal him now..." Elena will use her wand to heal him. "Hey Piotr... you up? Sorry, we had to knock you out before you hurt yourself badly with that blade. How are you feeling? Do you have a wand for you?"

"I guess we could check directly where he is now? If this becomes a larger confrontation, I rather not get the others involved. They have been obviously misled..."

What do you do next?

Serata will move as quietly as she can towards to where the preaching would be and try to get to dakang before he addresses anyone

stealth: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23

White Rose tries to talk the residents into showing up slightly late for services so the Pathfinders can have a few moments to bask in Dakang's wisdom privately.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32

Piotr awakens with a terrible headache. He's got a black eye and a bump on the back of his head.
"Wha...? What happened? Oof. I feel like I got trampled by a raging bull."
He says groggily as he rubs the back of his head.

Valeros grins. ”We had to knock your @$$ out, wild man, you were ensorcelled; I must say, felt good to wield a sword again, even if it was against a friend…”

Elena pats Piotr in the back. "Sorry. Seemed like you were going to hurt yourself 'the real way' with a kitchen knife. Place's haunted it seems because of several suicides here... White Rose and Serata are looking to try to obtain a private audience with Dakang so we should get ready because I don't feel he would like us snooping around realizing this are not Korada's teachings. Do you need more help with healing? If you have your own wand of healing I can use it on you."

In shock after hearing what he did, Piotr apologizes profusely to his friends. He sits up and glances about groggily, trying to focus his eyes after being knocked out for quite some time. He reaches for his wand of cure light wounds in his pack, but in his sore condition, has some trouble doing so. Dizzy and weak, he taps himself a few times with the wand.
CLW: 4d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 8, 6, 8) + 4 = 33
"Ahh. Much better."
He gets up from the bed feeling refreshed.
"Yes. Let's go 'talk' to this Dakang. I have much to say to him."
Piotr gives Valeros a knowing wink as he nonchalantly grips the handle of his sword.

Looks like I only needed the first 3 charges of my wand to get to full hp.

Confrontation should not be secret as if we were in the wrong. Conspiracies' wither in the light of the desert sun. Expose his lies in front of all!

I personally don't really care if we confront him in secret or not. However Goe Lem is a fairly straight forward kind of guy.

"Confrontation in the open risks harm to innocents, especially if they decide to join the fight on Dakang's side."

Valeros shrugs. "We kill Dakang first...cut off the head of the snake, and the body follows..."

Serata will move as quietly as she can towards to where the preaching would be and try to get to dakang before he addresses anyone

5d20 ⇒ (10, 6, 5, 19, 19) = 59

Serata looks around stealthily and first arrives at the living quarters.

A8. Private Quarters

These private quarters are separated by paper walls into smaller compartments.

Each compartment contains a bunk bed and a small basin for water. The human worshipers live in the private quarters nearest the refectory (A8c), the halfling family shares the quarters near the kitchen (A8b), and Gastidem, the gnome you met, sleeps in the single room farthest
from the others (A8a).

The halfling family is clearly not in good shape and mourns their patriarch Wei. The family consists of Wei’s wife Liso and the couple’s three sons, Pulao, Xifen, and Tamtei.

As Serate tries to look around without being see, two human inhabitants come around a corner and look at her.

"Ehhh ... hello?! We are Hamada and Ziya, can we do something for you?" Hamada, a young woman says to Serata.

White Rose tries to talk the residents into showing up slightly late for services so the Pathfinders can have a few moments to bask in Dakang's wisdom privately.

[dice="Diplomacy"]1d20+22

What a coincidence that White Rose arrives in that moment. Her suggestion to arrive late for the services is met with shock.

"What? We ... we cannot do that?! Espcially with ... you know ... Wei gone!"

The other woman nods.

"We worshipers have to recover the corpse and wrap it in a sheet. We then take the body into Dakang’s chambers, as this is we do with any dead worshiper. Dakang performs a private ritual to “celestially transcend” the dead!!"

Serata looks back at White Rose with a smile hearing that last part "you can get the body certainly but we will take it to Dakang so we can note and document the ritual for Korada" her fingers running along the seams of her scarf "and no i don't think you want to say anything against that idea"