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Great. I'll check off the third one then so I can qualify for the 4 goal boon. I enjoyed the game, it did take a bit of getting used to the free flow style and the investigation vs a more combat heavy scenario. You and the other players did a great job keeping things moving so it didn't bog down and have people lose interest. I really enjoy the twist of the 'gardener' being a total wild card and just being there to satisfy his own morbid sense of humor. The pesh addiction topped it off. There aren't enough instances of addiction in the games, it really adds in an element to keep things interesting and add motivations than just good/evil. On an unrelated note: Mera! How did you get that bionic arm? That thing is a killer!
Season 8 Faction Card Goals: Silver Crusade Did I accomplish any of these tasks? I'll chose which out of the options. Its possible I qualify for any of them in this adventure. It was very much Silver Crusade worthy. (0/2)Defeat an outsider that has the evil subtype or an undead creature whose CR is at least equal to your character level. (0/2)Defeat a divine spellcaster whose patron is an evil deity and whose CR is at least equal to your character level. (0/1)In the course of an adventure, purify a corrupted object or location, or remove an evil force that is possessing or otherwise controlling a creature. PS, Chronicle looks good. Nice magic item for Kembe there too.
"I would let those of this place decide his fate. They are of a different world than you and I, it is not our place to cast final judgement on him. They can do that for themselves."
Kembe lets the silence at the end of the battle wash over him. They defeated the creature, but now the real work needed to be done. He nodded in agreement with Arin as he calls the guards in, then consoles them as best he could. "Dakang was likely at first a true man, then was taken by this beast and perverted. Don't feel ashamed, we would have never figured this out just by speaking to him." He clasps each one's hand and nods. He stays mostly silent when the others are brought in, seeing the truth for themselves. At least until Zhaung arrives. Kembe knows what this must be doing to the man and offers his assistance. "I would like to stay here for a few extra days. I have spent much of my life in and around temples of learning and meditation. I could help you get your mind and soul back aligned with the true teachings of Korada. Will you do me this honor Zhaung?"
Kembe's eyes go wide as he sees the twisted... THING the man becomes "Strike now!" He hollers and tries to move in to get behind it, readying a strike for a weak spot in the creature's neck.
Readied Attack for Flank: Would being on the desk count as high ground? And thus grant an additional +1 to hit? Also do I need to make an acro check to get up there?
Kembe bows deeply to the trio of guards "We appreciate your wisdom and hope to fix the evils in this place." He too dips his fists into the fountain, wiping a bit of the water on his forehead and taking a moment of silence for himself to focus. He then dips the remaining weapons in and heads off with the others, purpose in his steps. "Please try to convince this demon to leave on his own, without violence if it can be helped. If not then bring the fury on his head!" Kembe isn't usually this expressive, but he's seen enough in this place to have worked up his conviction. -------------
"In our short time here we have uncovered your ways. We have shown these clues to the rest of your 'soul farm' and they have agreed. It is time for you to leave. Even your personal guard can not overlook the evidence against you." Kembe stands tall and confident but not aggressive in his manner. "You will dupe these people no longer."
Kembe winces a bit as he's asked to present his evidence, not being one with words he stumbles a bit as he speaks, but the evidence speaks for itself.
"See these books? 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 by someone."
Kembe nods in satisfaction with the teacher. He claps his hand on the man's back and smiles. "Your wisdom and strength will be needed. Speak to your students while we try to resolve this with Dakang and his guards. Afterwards I would like to learn your meditations." And with that he bows out with the others, to go confront Dakang. "Would any of you be able to try my mage armor wand again? In case this gets ugly. Feel free to use it on whoever needs it."
Kembe looks Mera in the eyes to humor her "Nope, no demons in there.. at least ones that apply to our current problem." He then continues listening and watching the back and forth, keeping an eye on the motivations of the Gnome and also making sure the others don't go over the line with the little deviant Gnome.
Kembe tightens up his core muscles and controls his breathing through his mouth as the stench encircles him like a wet mist on a hot day. I have cleaned bedpans with worse odors... but its close. Seeing the direction the creature retreated, and Mera in front of him, Kembe carefully weaves ahead, doing his best to dodge any attacks that may lash out from it. Through the mists he recognizes Jahz and nods as he attempts to deliver a kick to the creature's already damaged face.
"Once we finish gathering our information maybe it would be possible to travel back to Absalom to their great library and get some of these books that have been altered? Ones that show the names and rituals they speak and practice are actually of demons and not who they think." Kembe speaks slowly and deeply, articulating his thoughts with his large hands. "Then they can make their decisions. I fear if we do too much they may not believe us and fight back. If we show them the truth..."
"Has anyone noticed if any of the teachers here are missing fingers? Or just the followers. I'm inclined to think anyone that has all their digits still is in on this ruse and could be a demon in disguise..." He tries to remember if he noticed Dakang was missing any fingers, or the man teaching the meditations.
Kembe nods in agreement as he and Arin take a stroll to check in on the others, overhearing the prayer and Arin's knowledge he frowns "Perhaps there are more involved in this than we thought? Or are they just ignorant as well and going along." He quietly shares what they've found so far with the others in the garden. "Arin and I are nearly completed in the library. Afterwards we'll come help the rest of you finish up on your projects." He looks around for the temple gardener "Where did he go off to?"
Kembe nods as he withdraws from speaking with Dakang to head back to the others. "He claims to be over 310 years old as a human. That seems unlikely, but faith and magic can do some incredible things I've heard." He listens to the others' plans and agrees with Mera as well. "We need to keep in pairs and accomplish our tasks with as much haste as will allow." "Pai, can you and Jahz be sure to leave the vines crawling up the wall intact? If we wanted to investigate Dakang's room it may give us entrance in the future." He raises an eyebrow at the thought. Snooping and spying is not one of my teachings, yet this circumstance it seems appropriate. He turns to Feelo "Would you mind helping Mera in the crypt? Your eyes are trained to spot anything important there aren't they?"
At the conclusion of the prayer Kembe gets up quickly to catch Dakang before he leaves. He offers a handshake as he introduces himself "Hello Mr Dakang. I am Kembe. I just wished to thank you for your hospitality for taking in us travelers as we visit your temple. Have you presided over your congregation long?"
Kembe is attentive and sincere about his greeting, curious about the man.
"You know what I've started to realize?" Kembe speaks up as he reads through another book. "These books seem to be altered. None of the rites or symbols described are actually connected with Korada. There is no such 'symbol of celestial silence and contemplation.'" He hopes Miriya is within earshot of this. Misrepresentation of a God and their ways to trick people aren't something Kembe will overlook. "So how often do you all see Dakang? All we saw was his guards. You should have thought he would have come out to greet guests."
Kembe stays silent as the others relay the news of Wei's death. He watches the reactions of everyone closely, nodding along with their sympathies. Once the group leaves the body with the family and departs he passes on his observations with the others. "A tight knit monastery should have more compassion in their hearts for this man, I believe. Their faith in this Korada is dominating their minds and hearts to the extreme."
"This place is not normal. I do not know if it is because it is contained in that magical tapestry or what it is." He shakes his head slowly. "I have been to many temples and monasteries in my travels, this one is different. It should be a home to these people, yet they do not care for it as a home. The food tasted worse than what I have had to scrounge from the wilds when hungry. I think they spend too much time in meditation or something, and not enough in life." Kembe helps lower down whoever is willing, happy on their return that there was nothing dangerous below. "You have found some interesting items. All things you would expect in a place like this at least." He'll take a look at them for any inscriptions or other oddities.
Kembe also takes a quick look around the room after the fight is over his gaze quickly settles on the crack in the floor and doesn't budge off it. "Huh. Think you can peek down in there a bit Pai, Feelo, or Arin? Could be something useful to see down there. And we've got ropes to keep a hold of you." He asks without any pressure.
Thanks for putting all that together. Kembe's priority will be finding who the dead Halfling is and if he has any family. After that I'd still like to explore the rest of the rooms we have access to before taking any long term actions like rubbings and library work. Most his skills are physical. He does have 1 rank in K history and K religion. As well as being an accomplished healer.
On preparation for entering the crypt Kembe sets down the Halfling's body with a bit of trepidation "Leaving him in the crypt? What if he has family here?" As the skeletons appear however all thought of that is lost as Kembe prepares for battle. He strikes with forearms, knees and elbows into the brittle bones of the risen dead.. if any remain after the holy power hits them.
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.
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.
"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.
Kembe nods and heads in head of Pai. Seeing the lack of light he'll retrieve his flint and steel and light up a torch for a closer inspection. "No one certainly has been in here lately." He takes the opportunity to check this with the dust on the floor, looking for any signs of passage ahead of them.
"I hope Mera is ok. I was hoping to see that ritual as well, but maybe later."
"I do look forward to hearing Dakang speak later. He? Sounds like he takes care of you all very well." Once he realizes the crypt door is barred he asks about any other entrances "The Statuary Hallway.. mind if we have a look there before the meal?" Kembe heads in that direction, waving the others along. "Thank you for your hospitality Gastidem. I will think about your offer and get back to you later." Once everyone is outside of the garden and alone he'll fill them in on what he thinks of Gastidem. "Let's check on this hallway and the other crypt door, then maybe head to check on the kitchen? This place gives me chills for some reason. Be wary."
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