Juan Xi rushes the shinobi directly across from him his sword gripped in both hands.
Hu Boalin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Jian Xi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Lady Jade Moon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
Tsui Dawei: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Qinglong: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Jia Hua: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Shinobi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Dawei breathes deeply, relaxing every muscle in his body. He closes his eyes, trusting himself ot the will of the Eternal Emperor and he looses the arrow. But, the storms of Shenmen do not obey King Huang's will, and the arrow bounces off a rock and harmlessly lands on the ground.
The fairly burns with magic! Its aura is filled with Wood and Void. However, the assassins demand the kitsune's attention at the moment. Jade Moon is surprisingly calm and collected as the four shinobi drop from the trees. Reciting a quick incantation she sweeps her hands in mystical passes causing a blanket of exhaustion to lay over the ninja. My dear Daikitsu touch them with slumber from your den.
Mists float up from the sodden earth, twisting about the form of the shinobi's legs like legless foxes. The foxes float and dart about the ninja's, as they do, they sprinkle small sparkling dust in the air. As the dust settles, the ninja's eyes flicker closed, and they collapse to the ground, asleep.
The wind howls once more and kicks up rain into the ninjas' eyes. It's a momentary distraction. But, it's all Jian Xi needs. Quick as lightning, the warrior darts forward, slashing out at shinobi with his longsword. Blood bursts from the wound and stains the mud a deep red as the ninja falls to the ground, dead.
The remaining ninja presses forward and attacks Baolin. Fists and feet fly at the noble in a flurry of limbs.
Baolin manages to dodge most of the blows, but one fist connects soundly with his chest. He feels his ribs snap beneath the fist.
Jia Hua sneers and steps backwards over the cliff. Please, tell Hayashi that I have seen beyond the Demon Gate. One day, he will, too. He falls over the edge of the cliff beyond sight.
Gao shudders. You speak of the Stag Lord. He is terrible, Lord Xiang Lun. He has... they say he has turned his back on the kami, and even the gods themselves. He slays the kami he finds here and has allied hismelf with the yokai. He destroys the shrines to all the gods, even General Susumu! All warlords serve the Black Daimyo. Gao makes a sign to ward off evil. May the Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, shield me from his Winged Horse's path. He has a fortress to the east. It is an old castle, from before the fall of Lung Wa. The Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, built it to control the region, when the regional governors proved too weak to pacify the yokai. I have heard some of his soldiers say that the fortress is his Summer Palace, and his true home is deeper still in Shenmen. He is cruel and evil... do not... do not strike against him, my lord. Gao falls to his knees, clasping his hands before him in a deep bow. I do not wish to dishonor you or bring shame to your noble purpose, but the Stag Lord is a powerful force, my lord. He has slain many warriors with a single blow! And his stag... it is no simple deer, great lord! It has fangs and claws for hooves! He feeds it meat and it has a hunger for blood!
Xiang Lun is startled by Gao's reaction. This man seemed to have no lack of strength and courage, yet he was beyond terrified of this Stag Lord. This Stag Lord shunned the kami and the Heavens themselves, allying with the Yokai. No wonder this land was corrupt and shrouded in darkness, if one such as this held power here. To Gao, he said, "Please, rise. I do not believe we shall approach this Stag Lord anytime soon. You have given me much to think on, as well as valuable information. I thank you. And now, I should like to give you something to think on."
Resuming his seat, Xiang Lun sipped his tea, and, when Gao had resumed his seat, said, "I will need to discuss this with others first, but I would put forth a proposal. You have clearly turned your back on banditry, which is to the good. However, your crimes cannot go unpunished, for without such there would be no law. What I would like you to think on, is spending a year and a day in service to the good people of this trading post. Afterwards, you would be welcome to remain here, or seek your fortune elsewhere, provided you do not return to banditry or criminal pursuits. As I said, this must be agreed upon by others, but I believe that the work would do you well."
Baolin feels the impact of the shinobi's fist driving the breath out of his body. He stumbles backwards, trying to get some distance between himself and his attacker. He reaches out to the stars, summoning the power of the constellations to cover his foe. A starry light shimmers over the shinobi, making it hard for the man to see properly.
The qinglong leaps between Baolin and the ninja, snarling with fearsome anger. Sharp, terrible claws tear through the heavy cloth and into his flesh, while large teeth threaten to tear his throat out. Surely, the shinobi will soon falter in the face of the noble dragon's attacks!
Gao shudders. You speak of the Stag Lord. He is terrible, Lord Xiang Lun. He has... they say he has turned his back on the kami, and even the gods themselves. He slays the kami he finds here and has allied hismelf with the yokai. He destroys the shrines to all the gods, even General Susumu! All warlords serve the Black Daimyo. Gao makes a sign to ward off evil. May the Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, shield me from his Winged Horse's path. He has a fortress to the east. It is an old castle, from before the fall of Lung Wa. The Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, built it to control the region, when the regional governors proved too weak to pacify the yokai. I have heard some of his soldiers say that the fortress is his Summer Palace, and his true home is deeper still in Shenmen. He is cruel and evil... do not... do not strike against him, my lord. Gao falls to his knees, clasping his hands before him in a deep bow. I do not wish to dishonor you or bring shame to your noble purpose, but the Stag Lord is a powerful force, my lord. He has slain many warriors with a single blow! And his stag... it is no simple deer, great lord! It has fangs and claws for hooves! He feeds it meat and it has a hunger for blood!Xiang Lun is startled by Gao's reaction. This man seemed to have no lack of strength and courage, yet he was beyond terrified of this Stag Lord. This Stag Lord shunned the kami and the Heavens themselves, allying with the Yokai. No wonder this land was corrupt and shrouded in darkness, if one such as this held power here. To Gao, he said, "Please, rise. I do not believe we shall approach this Stag Lord anytime soon. You have given me much to think on, as well as valuable information. I thank you. And now, I should like to give you something to think on."
Resuming his seat, Xiang Lun sipped his tea, and, when Gao had resumed his seat, said, "I will need to discuss this with others first, but I...
Tao falls to his knees, pressing his hands together in a fervent bow. Thank you, Lord Hu! You are most merciful and wise!! I am undeserving of your kindness!! I will do anything fo a chance to regain my honor!
Baolin feels the impact of the shinobi's fist driving the breath out of his body. He stumbles backwards, trying to get some distance between himself and his attacker. He reaches out to the stars, summoning the power of the constellations to cover his foe. A starry light shimmers over the shinobi, making it hard for the man to see properly.
The qinglong leaps between Baolin and the ninja, snarling with fearsome anger. Sharp, terrible claws tear through the heavy cloth and into his flesh, while large teeth threaten to tear his throat out. Surely, the shinobi will soon falter in the face of the noble dragon's attacks!
The shinobi leaps and ducks most of the noble dragon's blows. But he turns away from one claw, and finds himself walking straight into a swing from the other direction! The noble dragon rakes a claw down one side of the shinboi, tearing through gi and and armor alike. The dishonorable cur stills stands, but he knows he cannot easily suffer another assault!
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Gao shudders. You speak of the Stag Lord. He is terrible, Lord Xiang Lun. He has... they say he has turned his back on the kami, and even the gods themselves. He slays the kami he finds here and has allied hismelf with the yokai. He destroys the shrines to all the gods, even General Susumu! All warlords serve the Black Daimyo. Gao makes a sign to ward off evil. May the Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, shield me from his Winged Horse's path. He has a fortress to the east. It is an old castle, from before the fall of Lung Wa. The Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, built it to control the region, when the regional governors proved too weak to pacify the yokai. I have heard some of his soldiers say that the fortress is his Summer Palace, and his true home is deeper still in Shenmen. He is cruel and evil... do not... do not strike against him, my lord. Gao falls to his knees, clasping his hands before him in a deep bow. I do not wish to dishonor you or bring shame to your noble purpose, but the Stag Lord is a powerful force, my lord. He has slain many warriors with a single blow! And his stag... it is no simple deer, great lord! It has fangs and claws for hooves! He feeds it meat and it has a hunger for blood!
Oblivious of the agreement, Hayashi frowned and thought inwardly on the information they'd been given.
"With which yokai has the dark shogun allied with?" Hayashi asked.
Dawei nocked another arrow and loosed without speaking, focused upon his task and thinking prayerfully of the Eternal Emperor.
Dawei takes careful aim, trusting himself to the will of the Eternal Emperor. He releases his arrow, and his skill is true! The arrow flies through the air slip pining past the buffeting winds of the storm like an eel slithering through the reeds. The glowing shinobi has but a moment to blink through the dim light clouding his vision before an arrow drives straight through his neck! The assassin gasps for breath and then collapses to the ground, dead.
Gao shudders. You speak of the Stag Lord. He is terrible, Lord Xiang Lun. He has... they say he has turned his back on the kami, and even the gods themselves. He slays the kami he finds here and has allied hismelf with the yokai. He destroys the shrines to all the gods, even General Susumu! All warlords serve the Black Daimyo. Gao makes a sign to ward off evil. May the Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, shield me from his Winged Horse's path. He has a fortress to the east. It is an old castle, from before the fall of Lung Wa. The Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, built it to control the region, when the regional governors proved too weak to pacify the yokai. I have heard some of his soldiers say that the fortress is his Summer Palace, and his true home is deeper still in Shenmen. He is cruel and evil... do not... do not strike against him, my lord. Gao falls to his knees, clasping his hands before him in a deep bow. I do not wish to dishonor you or bring shame to your noble purpose, but the Stag Lord is a powerful force, my lord. He has slain many warriors with a single blow! And his stag... it is no simple deer, great lord! It has fangs and claws for hooves! He feeds it meat and it has a hunger for blood!Oblivious of the agreement, Hayashi frowned and thought inwardly on the information they'd been given.
"With which yokai has the dark shogun allied with?" Hayashi asked.
Gao shudders with horror. They say he has allied with the jorogumo of the mountains and the hungry dead. He even commands oni!.
With the shinobi felled by Dawei's arrow, Baolin runs to the cliffside to look for Jia Hua. The villain must be mad! The qinglong bounds along beside him, taking a leaping jump off the cliff to hang floating in the air. The dragon whirls through the air slowly as it looks for any sign of the villain. As the dragon seeks out Jia Hua, Baolin turns to speak to the others. "Bind the sleeping ones, so that we might interrogate them. I doubt we will have as much success at convincing them to walk a righteous path as the others."
"He sure is good at running away.." Jian Xi mutters as he begins to pull out a length of rope to bind the two remaining ninja.
Qinglong floats in the air, his keen eyes piercing the night air. His keen eyes find a set of stairs carved into the cliffside. The two thugs do not stir as Jian Xi ties them.
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Gao shudders with horror. They say he has allied with the jorogumo of the mountains and the hungry dead. He even commands oni!.Gao shudders. You speak of the Stag Lord. He is terrible, Lord Xiang Lun. He has... they say he has turned his back on the kami, and even the gods themselves. He slays the kami he finds here and has allied hismelf with the yokai. He destroys the shrines to all the gods, even General Susumu! All warlords serve the Black Daimyo. Gao makes a sign to ward off evil. May the Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, shield me from his Winged Horse's path. He has a fortress to the east. It is an old castle, from before the fall of Lung Wa. The Eternal Emperor, may he live forever, built it to control the region, when the regional governors proved too weak to pacify the yokai. I have heard some of his soldiers say that the fortress is his Summer Palace, and his true home is deeper still in Shenmen. He is cruel and evil... do not... do not strike against him, my lord. Gao falls to his knees, clasping his hands before him in a deep bow. I do not wish to dishonor you or bring shame to your noble purpose, but the Stag Lord is a powerful force, my lord. He has slain many warriors with a single blow! And his stag... it is no simple deer, great lord! It has fangs and claws for hooves! He feeds it meat and it has a hunger for blood!Oblivious of the agreement, Hayashi frowned and thought inwardly on the information they'd been given.
"With which yokai has the dark shogun allied with?" Hayashi asked.
"The Spider-folk," Hayashi nodded, giving Hu Liang a significant look. He turned to Gao and said, "They employ ninja, like Jia Hua, correct?"
He has allied with them. Yes. I.... He hangs his head in shame. I once hoped to join Jia Hua in the House of Fallen Leaves. His clan provides him with purpose, I craved that purpose. But, I could not walk through the Torii of Mirrors.
Dawei saw that the prisoners were in hand, nocked an arrow, and started up the steps.
"He must have fled down the stairs. Let us give hot pursuit! He must not escape!" The noble Hu Baolin begins to descend down the cliffside staircase, with the dragon following through the air. His brow is furrowed with frustration. Twice now Jia Hua has been within his grasp, twice now he has escaped - though the extraordinary success at routing the bandits at the trading post, and perhaps even swaying them to his side, gives him great hope for their eventual victory over the villain.
Jian Xi keeps his sword drawn as he follows down the stairs keeping a watchful look out.
It is old and weathered, as though it has stood for a thousand years. Some say that it has stood since the beginning of this world. It is ideal in a small clearing, surrounded by rot and death. I don't know how to get there. I and the other applicants we're blindfolded, and led by horse to stand at the Torii. When our bindings were removed, I saw several shinobi standing around the Torii in blank face masks. There was foxfire in the air, and ghostly shapes floating above each of the ninjas, likes shadow.. He shudders and tears of shame trail down his cheeks, unheeded. Hayashi thinks the man is sincere.
Then, a giant spider, nearly the size of a horse, came out of the Torii. I pulled back in fright, as did many of the applicants, and the spider turned into a beautiful woman. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I can still see her, even now. She ordered a horse to be cut, and anointed each of us in its blood. Then, we were told to stand before the gate and walk through. Many did. Some did not come out the other side. I stepped to the gate and saw... I saw only shadows. Liquid, watery shadows. And, I knew I could not walk through.
The heroes descend the stairs cautiously, knowing that a false step could lead them to certain doom. The stones are carved from the very rock of the cliff side. They are plain and unadorned, but well-crafted, and, although they are pitted with age, they are free of cracks and other signs of weakness. The stairs curve around the cliff and approach a narrow tunnel that' passes beneath the path the heroes took as they chased Jia Hua. The tunnel mouth is guarded by twin giant foo-lions flanking the tunnel mouth, a coiled dragon crests the mouth. The statues have been defaced, claw marks scratch out their eyes and scour away the prayer emblazoned on their chests.
Dawei recognizes the statutes and pieces of prayer. They are dedications to the Eternal Emperor!
Beyond the tunnel, stands a small shrine to the Eternal Emperor, similarly defaced. Dawei gets the sense that the shrine is cursed.
There is no sign of Jia Hua.
The honorable Hu Baolin scowls at the desecrated shrine. "Blasphemy," he mutters. He was not raised to worship the Eternal Emperor, but he was taught to respect the gods. He opens his eyes to magical auras, letting the starry constellations shine out from behind them, and turns his sight to the statues and the entrance to the tunnel. This is perhaps a trap. The qinglong glides to the ground, pacing back and forth with a bit of a growl.
Dawei looked grimly on the defiled shrine. Those who did such a thing deserved the attentions of ten thousand hells. Their screams should shake the earth and their tears fill rivers.
Jian Xi frowns upon seeing the desecration. He tightens his grip on his sword prepared for anything after all their quarry does seem to like ambushes. "Why destroy the shrines? What is Jia-Hua's game?
Hu Baolin sees the stars and the auspices they teach. This place is cursed! A dark omen has occurred here, although even Quinglong cannot guess what would turn the Ancestors's eyes from this place. However, Hu Baolin is sure that that this place was cursed by the Eternal Emperor himself.
Unfortunately, Dawei left the temple of his father before he could be instructed in more than the rudiments of his faith. But, he knows that a curse that has been given by the Eternal Emperor can only be lifted once the offending act has been corrected. He thinks that an oracle of the Eternal Emperor, or some other person close to the gods would have some advice.
"I don't believe that Jia Hua destroyed the shrines. The omens are clear. The Eternal Emperor is the one who destroyed the shrines. I cannot tell what was the offense that caused it, but I know that the offense must be rectified before the curse will be lifted. We must consult a man of the gods for advice here. This is a dark place," Baolin says with a grim countenance. "Dawei, can you track him? Surely the gods would not bring us so close to him only to let him slip from our grasp."
"I don't believe that Jia Hua destroyed the shrines. The omens are clear. The Eternal Emperor is the one who destroyed the shrines. I cannot tell what was the offense that caused it, but I know that the offense must be rectified before the curse will be lifted. We must consult a man of the gods for advice here. This is a dark place," Baolin says with a grim countenance. "Dawei, can you track him? Surely the gods would not bring us so close to him only to let him slip from our grasp."
Dawei nodded and gripped his bow firmly as he began to look for tracks.
As Gao spoke of the Torii of Mirrors, Xiang listened closely to his description, trying to see if he could tell the magics in use there.
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"It is old and weathered, as though it has stood for a thousand years. Some say that it has stood since the beginning of this world. It is ideal in a small clearing, surrounded by rot and death. I don't know how to get there. I and the other applicants we're blindfolded, and led by horse to stand at the Torii. When our bindings were removed, I saw several shinobi standing around the Torii in blank face masks. There was foxfire in the air, and ghostly shapes floating above each of the ninjas, likes shadow..
Then, a giant spider, nearly the size of a horse, came out of the Torii. I pulled back in fright, as did many of the applicants, and the spider turned into a beautiful woman. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I can still see her, even now. She ordered a horse to be cut, and anointed each of us in its blood. Then, we were told to stand before the gate and walk through. Many did. Some did not come out the other side. I stepped to the gate and saw... I saw only shadows. Liquid, watery shadows. And, I knew I could not walk through. "
"Where does the gate stand?"
Xiang Lun remembers from his time at the Academy that toriI are gates to the spirit world. Normally, they are for the wandering dead to allow the deceased to leave this world to the dwell with the gods in heaven. But, this one sounds like it leads to Yomi, the Land of Shadows and death. It is the world of the hungry dead, the yokai, and the gods of evil.
Dawei searches about the shrine. His well trained eyes examine the dust on the trail, every stone, every blade of grass,. The Eternal Emperor's blessings fill his eyes. However, despite all logic, Dawei cannot find any trace of the rogue shinobi. Once more, the ninja has dissolved into shadows.
"The trail is gone," Dawei said, frowning.
Tired, wet, and still in pain, Baolin grimaces tightly. "We should leave this place for now until we can examine it with the blessings of the gods." He is angry at himself for letting Jia Hua escape. They have lost nothing and gained much, but he still feels as if victory has evaded him. "We should return to the trading post immediately with our prisoners. Dawei, as we return, will you draw a map for us to return here later?"
The qinglong speaks, its voice a deep reverberation. "He will return. We will find him then." It is the first time the group has heard the laconic dragon speak. It usually speaks only to Baolin, and then only in private. The dragon leads the way back through the tunnel to the cliff steps so that they can make their way back.
Jian Xi scowls darkly into the dark caves where Jia Hua has once again escaped fate. " He won't let this defeat stand...it's a blight on what ever twisted sense of honor he has left." He says after nodding in agreement with Baolin then feeling a moment of shock at the dragons words. Didn't realize he could talk... He thinks to himself with a shake of his head.
Tired, wet, and still in pain, Baolin grimaces tightly. "We should leave this place for now until we can examine it with the blessings of the gods." He is angry at himself for letting Jia Hua escape. They have lost nothing and gained much, but he still feels as if victory has evaded him. "We should return to the trading post immediately with our prisoners. Dawei, as we return, will you draw a map for us to return here later?"
Dawei nodded and then turned back to the shrine. He fell to his knees and touched his forehead to the stone thrice, before rising and then doing the same again twice. When his head touched the stone for the ninth time he held it there for a long, prayerful moment.
He then rose and turned away.
"This place will be sacred again."
Speaking to Gao, Xiang said, "Thank you for telling us what you have. I will speak to the others about confirming our offer of service. Please, spread the word amongst your compatriots. Those who are also genuine in their repentance can find themselves given the same opportunity." With a short bow of respect, Xiang motioned Hayashi and they left the area, hoping that Gao would convince others to forswear their banditry.
Jade Moon runs a delicate finger across the defaced statues and feels a moment of sadness at such desecration and can't help but wonder what would anger a god so much he'd curse his own temple. Thinking of gods she turns her mind towards the strange rice ball she was given. She decides it's best to wait till they arrive at the trading post before examining it further. Before leaving she offers a quick prayer to Daikitsu for her bountiful gifts and to help them restore the glory and honor to this shrine.
The brave warriors ride back to Bai Cheng's trading post, with hearts heavy with questions. What is the House of Falling Leaves, and what is it's connection to Jia Hua, the Stag Lord, and spider shinobi? What is the white fox's message? And, how did the shrine to the Eternal Emperor become cursed? The answers to these questions are few, if any.
Once more, the honor less dog Jia Hua has scurried away, with his tail between his legs. And he has gifted the loyal retainers of King Huan with prisoners. Perhaps they will find their answers when they rejoin their companions at the trading post. The storm rages on as the heroes ride back towards their fellows. Loyal Dawei adds to the map of the area, dutifully marking the shrine and their trail on the tanned hide. It pains him to write the word "cursed" beside the shrine, but his honor demands that he obey.
Finally, as the companions follow the trail down from the craggy foothills, the storm let's up. Jade Moon looks back behind the trail and sees the white fox sitting upon a rock, almost as though waiting for the kitsune to notice it. It yips and stretches, almost in a bow, to the sorceress, and then scampers off to the north.
Further down the trail, the ambushes finally awaken. Lady Jade Moon knows that her spell lasted far longer than it should have. As the thugs awaken, they begin to struggle and curse their captors, but their bonds are too tight. For three days they travel. Dawei's discipline and diligence slow the going, and the horses are weighed down by the captives. Each night, the captives curse and refuse to eat, but one look at Quinglong and Jian Xi, and they grow silent and eat.
Finally, at the Hour of the Ogre, the heroes return to the camp.
Bai Cheng opens the gate and falls to his knees as "Lord Baolin and his retainers" enter the camp. Fa Shi bows as well and then runs off to inform Xiang Lun and Hayahsi of their return. An-Ya and An-Bao calmly leave the kitchens bearing trays of tea and buns.
Emerging from the guest house, Xiang offers a short bow to his cousin, and says, "Welcome and safe return. Did you have success in your hunt for the honorless dog, Jia-Hua?"
"He ran again, I'm starting to think that's his true skill." Jian Xi says as he dismounts giving his horse a distrustful look as he pulls his equipment from its back. "Damn flea bag is going to be the death of me..." He mutters as he rubs his lower back.
Baolin embraces his cousin briefly. "We captured more of his men, though we did not capture the man - if that is what he is - himself. I want them to remain separate from the bandits while we speak to them. I hope that you had some success at further drawing our guests back to a life of honor, so that we might put some trust in them." He glances over at Hayashi in surprise when he suggests that he might know more about Jia Hua. "Where do you know him from, friend?"
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He glances over at Hayashi in surprise when he suggests that he might know more about Jia Hua. "Where do you know him from, friend?"
"He was my senior in Clan Kage Ryu," the shinobi answered softly. "Jia-Hua is not his real name, either. Whether or not the dark shogun knows him by his true name or not, I am not sure."
"We have many enemies," Dawei said. "There may be more still. We should survey the land about this place to discover them and be sure they do not lurk close, like a serpent in the tall grass."