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'Ol Deadeye Slaine blasts the second firework and it explodes like the first one.
After a bit more searching, you leave the ruins with the information from the green characters in the sky. You spot the familiar figure of Yue Xin camped just outside the station, seated on a folding camp stool and peering through a tripod mounted telescope pointed at the night sky. Gesturing upward, Yue Xin says,
“So the letters of green fire invoke the sign of the Dog, eh? Dogs may be vicious gluttons or friendly allies, and the wise know to be cautious until a cur’s true nature is revealed. But tell me, what does the Dog have to do with the lost palace?”
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I relate the events with the ziggurat thing and the fireworks hidden, etc. and the symbols in the air relaying The words reference the Dragon Empires Zodiacal symbol of the Dog. Just in case he needed to be filled in on any details.
Do your notes reference the symbol of the dog meaning something in the old signal system?
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Archibald's appropriate knowledge check tells him that the Dog constellation is a series of 5 stars that look like a dog, of which a very bright star know as the dog star, is at the head.
Wu-Tang's knows the same things as Archibald and that a constellation would be an excellent clue in finding some place, but you would definitely need other reference points.
Yue Xin replies A cur is a mangy dog. and no, I've seen no reference to this dog constellation. But I'll tell you one thing following the constellation could lead you to the summer palace or it could simply lead you all over this land. The question you should ask is not should you follow it, but when should you follow this constellation?
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The plot thickens! What a great book this adventure will be. Might even make the Absalom best seller list! Onward we shall go. That's my decision as the most fearless of leaders the world has ever seen! Might as well invite me to be on the Decemvirate right now! Well or at least a Venture Captain! I am just such a powerful wizard and humble leader! Right?
Archie says as he gets lost in his own pride with a ridiculous smile on his face.
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You travel to Quain, reaching the city of Lanming without difficulty and seek out Jiang Fei. Asking locals about the 'School of the Jade Ogre' initially receives quizzical looks, then the reply, “Oh, the Dumpling House!”
They provide you directions to a small shop in a slow, shabby section of Lanming. The shouts of merchants hawking wares and students practicing
their forms are quieter in this part of the city, but the streets still bustle with activity. Rows of old and run-down dwellings line the streets. One small apartment has been converted into a food stall, where a handsome woman with dark hair chats with a few customers. The sign above the shop reads “Jiang Fei’s Dumpling House and School of the Jade Ogre Style.”
She's a Tian-Shu woman on the young side of middle age, with bright eyes and a demure smile. She keeps her long black hair up with a beautiful jade comb and wears the simple garb of a martial artist.
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Wu-Tang attempts to corral a section near the stall or a table and chairs if possible and then tries to catch the proprietors eye. When she's done chatting with her current patrons we'll attempt to introduce ourselves, mentioning that Mai Chun has sent us meet with her. Hopefully we can chat over some lovely dumplings and hot tea!
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Excellent! Jiang Fei says looking you over. Mai Chun always comes through, come in, come in. Jiang Fei closes up her shop and welcomes you into her home.
You are no doubt starving from your journey, let me make a lot of dumplings for you and tea, yes, of course.
She scurries off, leaving you to relax a little, although Jiang Fei's apartment is not very comfortable. Sparsely furnished and those she has are not of very good quality.
She returns a while later with a giant bowl of piping hot dumplings, chopsticks, and a steaming teapot, and 5 cups. Which she somehow gracefully balances. Setting down the meal, Dig in, I'll tell you of the favor I have in mind.
She pours the tea and pauses allowing you all to begin to devour the dumplings, which are quite tasty and the tea is a flavorful orange flavor which goes very well with the dumplings.
Okay, I don't know how much you know about Quain? Well it is a nation of heroes and the home of hundreds of martial arts masters. I am one! Having developed my own fighting style, Jade Ogre style! She pauses with an excited flourish.
Now I know my style is one of the best ever develop, but somehow it's just not catching on like it should. That's were you come in! I'm going to teach you the basics. Then your going to best the Scorpion School at the local teahouse!
You see the Scorpion School is quite popular, but its students are known as bullies and braggarts. I can't stand them really. Once you defeat them everyone will know that Jade Ogre style is the superior style and we'll put them in their place! She looks on expectant of your acceptance.
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Slaine looks at her with hesitation and a shadow of a doubtful expression crosses his face before it settles into a mask of determination. Bullies and braggarts, eh? I'm in. Can't let a bunch o' no-good varmints go around disturbin' the peace. I think I kin speak for my companions here that they're in too. He snaps a look at the other 3 with a look that says there will be no argument. I hope yer Jade Ogre business allows for some musket fire, tho!
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Well no muskets or magic; but I think you'll find my style so impressive, you probably won't need those tools any longer! Instead you'll have Jade Ogre Power! Follow me to the backyard, your training begin now! Now their are 4 basic motions these I will teach you and they will be enough to defeat the Scorpions.
Jiang Fei focuses on teaching you the four principal motions which form the basis of her Jade Ogre Style and you spend the rest of the day learning and practicing them. And it turns out Jiang Fei is an excellent teacher and her style is pretty good.
The 4 moves are:
A hard strike with the knee aimed at the lower body. A target damaged by Ogre Scares the Foe must succeed at a Will save or lose any Strength bonus to attack and damage rolls for 1 round.
A straight-line punch designed to rock a foe backward. A target damaged by Ogre Smashes Rock must succeed at a Fortitude save or be pushed back 5 feet.
A fast, jabbing kick that distracts a foe. A target damaged by Ogre Stomps Around must succeed at a Reflex save or lose its Dexterity bonus to AC for 1 round.
The morning after their day of training, Jiang Fei offers the a hearty breakfast of more dumplings and then leads you to the Wang Li Fa Teahouse. The Wang Li Fa Teahouse is well lit and nicely decorated, with elaborate murals painted on the walls displaying the feats of local heroes. The furniture and serving dishes of the place are somewhat at odds with the decor though, and seem to be of cheap, rough make. The numerous patrons of the teahouse don’t seem to mind, and the place bustles with servers moving around and patrons chatting.
Jiang Fei leads you to an unoccupied table against the front wall of the teahouse. She points out the rowdy Scorpion School students sitting across the teahouse.
Now find a way to pick a fight with them. But don't just walk up and start throwing punches, as that would be crass. Just give them a good goading.
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Raising his voice to what he thinks is a stage whisper, but is closer to a bellow, Slaine says in a conspiratorial manner: I done heard about them Scorpion School students is as dumb as a run over coon in a Qadiran sand storm. From what I seen, their chief student's brain cavity wouldn't make a drinkin' cup for a canary and their teacher smells like a mildewed saddle blanket after it had been rid on a soreback hoss three hundred miles in the month of Arodus! Slaine smirks at his own perceived cleverness and looks around at the other 3 before glaring over at the Scorpion School students.
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One of the Scorpion School students jumps up from her table and shouts, “That’s it! You are going to regret insulting the Scorpion Style!” His fellow students follow his lead and leap to their feet, sending teacups and other dishes crashing to the floor. The fight is on, Brawl!
The Scorpions leap to there feet quicker than you expected, down potions quickly and assume a fighting stance.
Round 1
map
Scorpions
Archibald
Slaine
Diluvious
Wu-Tang
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Archibald tries to go for Ogre Scares Foe, but underestimates the speed of the scorpion man and misses. Slaine also goes for the same move with similar effects.
Diluvious lands a Ogre Stomps Around on the one with the red headband.
Wu-Tang brings blue down with Ogre Swings the Club.
The remaining two scorpions shift and attempt to retaliate. One delivering two punches Archibald one hitting, the other two to Diluvious but they both miss.
Round 2
map
Scorpions
Red 3 dmg
Blue 10 dmg - down
Yellow
Archibald 7 dmg?
Slaine
Diluvious
Wu-Tang
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Diluvious misses, but Archibald knees the red headbanded Scorpion in the goods with Ogre Scares Foe, howls in pain, and sapped of strength. He nevertheless fights on. Punching at Diluvious, which miss. Before attempting a roundhouse kick on Archibald connecting.
Round 3
map
Scorpion Red 7 dmg
Archibald 10 dmg
Slaine
Diluvious
Wu-Tang
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I will admit my friends and I goaded you a bit into this little fracas but we merely wanted to demonstrate how superior the Jade Ogre style is and what a great teacher we've had in Jiang Fei! Now stand down so we can heal your friends! I think 4 to 1 is bad odds for anyone and would certainly not demonstrate the wisdom your noble teacher of the scorpion style imparted to you.
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The scorpion fighter is undeterred, his pride showing, despite the wise counsel to surrender, he rears back to hit Diluvious. From the side Slaine kicks the tar out of him, dropping him to the ground.
A polite applause rings over the teahouse. Jiang Fei rushes over, Now go and rest, I'll meet you back at my apartment in about an hour.
She shoos you out of the teahouse and as you leave you hear begin to
talk up the Jade Ogre school to onlookers, As you can see Jade Ogre school...
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Back at her apartment, she soon returns beaming, Well done you whipped them good, I knew my style was superior to Scorpion! Now then I need to hold up my end of the bargain.
She removes the comb from her hair, The Jade Ogre Comb as promised. She hands the comb to you, You are welcome to study it and document what it shows.
The Jade Ogre Comb is a beautiful comb carved with a depiction of the summer palace of Imperial Lung Wa and nearby landmarks, including the
distinctive Ogre Rock. You are free to draw the combs intricately-patterned landscape or write down the details.
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Wu-Tang takes the comb and examines it in detail, taking what notes I can from it.
What a beautiful comb. Is it magical in some way? Can you explain the depictions on the comb, specifically the landmarks around the Imperial palace? Whatever information you're able to give us to pass along to out patron Mai Chun would be of immense help.
With a loud belly rumble he asks, I wonder if we could trouble you for some of those dumplings before we go? Simply amazing....!
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After providing you a large quantity of delicious dumplings, she explains the comb as well as she can. And soon you are waddling back to Ashima with your hard earned information.
When you arrive, Mai Chun’s door is wide open, as if flung free by the cyclone of a woman pacing furiously around her house, referencing and cross-referencing books, scrolls, and maps. She suddenly stops her pacing, balancing two heavy books in one hand.
“Ah! Delights abound! What have you learned?”
Her table is now covered in notes and drawings, all on a mess of parchment atop the large map from General Zhen’s estate.
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Slaine stumbles through the door and slumps into a chair, holding his distended belly. I ain't normally in fer this Tian food, but Jang Fay has got a way with her dumplin's. I think I'll take a bit 'o nap over here while these learned types tell ye about the comb an' fireworks an such.
With that he nods off...
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Well, everyone seems a bit silent on this as we're not sure what we have learned! We found out that back in the day they used fireworks to signal from point to point with a prior arranged plan of colors meaning certain things. We had a clue to launch green so combining blue and yellow we did indeed get green and a symbol in the air formed words referencing the Dragon Empires Zodiacal symbol of the Dog. We wondered about the stars in the sky and a direction to head towards but not necessarily a start point. Then in exploring your friends dumplings we accomplished a task for her and she let us copy the comb and the details on it but she wasn't sure what they meant either.
Wu-tang looks a little uncomfortable....I didn't mean we explored her dumplings, just that she fed us wonderful dumplings so that's how I think of her now.....Sorry!
So all together we have the map, some directions and comb with pictures on it. Does any of that make sense to you? I'm sure my compatriots will chime in if I forgot anything.
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Mai Chun listens eagerly to your report, chiming in with Oohh! and Well done! and Excellent!
She moves to the large orange map and begins to plot a location in the southern end of the Gossamer Mountains. Her finger stops on a location and utters,
Spring melts into a
Summer’s dark night sky where
Cynosure abides.
Mai Chun explains her poem by noting that The path into the Summer Palace’s valley can be identified by the position of Golarion’s polestar, Cynosure, between two specific mountains.
Mai Chun pulls a heavily annotated book from one of her shelves.
This is a chronicle of the Empire’s final days. I’ll be putting out a second edition when we’re through! Anyway, see here.
She points to a page featuring a gold-and-gemstone statue of a sovereign dragon coiled around a jade scroll case. This scroll case is believed to contain the 29 final prophecies of the last emperor of Lung Wa. Only a true heir of Lung Wa can interpret them; if this interpretation can be made here in Shokuro, it ensures our nation a high political position among the Successor States. It was last owned by a princess of Lung Wa named Song Rui, but it has never been found. I believe it may be in the princess’s quarters at the Summer Palace. When you find the lost palace, seek out the princess’s chambers and find this scroll case. Even if we can’t interpret the prophecies, it still provides an excellent symbol of the lost empire. Having worked in politics, let me tell you: symbolism is everything.
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The trip to the summer palace takes several days through the Gossamer Mountains, but the journey is uneventful. The Summer Palace silently presides over a secluded valley, majestic despite its obvious abandonment. Its terraces and sloping roofs form a multi-tiered affair that seems to grow from the surrounding mountains.
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Slaine peers at the palace to look for any movement and sniffs the air to catch any trace of critters that may have decided to make the abandoned palace their home. If he doesn't see anything, he'll take his loaded musket at the ready and see if everyone is ready to go in.
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You are free to explore the Summer Palace and move with caution, but don't find any dangerous creatures among its crumbled elegance. Many of the palace’s former rooms are buried in landslides or inaccessible due to thick overgrowth of vegetation. The rooms that remain are eerily peaceful and quiet.
Many rooms and halls contain mysterious puddles of stylish clothing and armor, sometimes filled with small mounds of ash. Could it be that these ashes are all that remain of the palace’s last residents?
You find a cavernous ballroom which contains a long table and place settings for dozens of people. Cobwebs and dust attest to how long it it has been abandoned.
An elegant bedroom is austere, perhaps it belong to the Emperor. A vast canopied bed dominates one wall, but much of the room is sparse and free from any other kind of furniture. A personal shrine against the opposite wall is surprisingly well-maintained for its age, and a few candles in the shrine are mysteriously lit, which instantly puts you on edge they are not magical, so perhaps someone or something is here, you move on catiously.
You find a Solarium next. This stunning chamber was an astronomer’s paradise. A perilously long telescope of faded brass peers through one of the windows, its lenses cracked. Rusted orreries and faded star charts cover the walls, next door is a study. Although this room is filled with shelves of books and rows of gilded scroll racks, a section of the roof collapsed long ago, admitting rainwater and hanging vines. The contents of this room—once sufficient to put many civic libraries to shame—have deteriorated to nearly total illegibility. Some of the remaining volumes are books on magical lore that speak about transporting large numbers of people magically, but at great risk. The empty clothing around the palace—and particularly in front of the books suggests perhaps the complicated teleportation ritual—attest to the fact that the ritual went awry, leaving the Summer Palace eerily abandoned in a single moment.
Arranged like the rays of a midday sun, the primary corridors of the Summer Palace lead to an enormous throne room. And here you find the palace is not completely empty.
Meditating before the throne is a ghostly Tian-Shu woman with an ornate headdress and elegant robes. The ghost rises calmly from her meditation as you enter the throne room and bows with studied grace. She speaks with ethereal calm and introduces herself.
Welcome to the Summer Palace; I'm am the ‘late’ princess Song Rui. And I haven't received guests in a very long time.