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Heya there Song Roo-Wee. Pleased ter meet'cha. Slaine gruffly says while touching his hat and giving a slight tip of his head in a bow. We here is the Pathfinders and we's lookin' fer a jade scroll case holden some of yer prophesies. We've come from Shokuru an' one o' yer distant relations sent us ter find that scroll. Seein' as how yer probably not needed prophesies no more, we were hopin' ye might give that to us to take back.
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The ghost floats a little closer, intrigued by what Slaine had to say.
Yes, the Jade Scroll Case. You may have it, I have no use of it any longer. She baubles in the air.
You speak of Shokuran and a distant relation; it's been so long. Tell me of what has transpired, what is the fate of the people of Lung Wa?
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Honorable Princess. My name is Wu-Tang. I'm also among those who call themselves pathfinders. Let me summarize briefly the history since you've been gone. This is a rough approx. from my study of history. The Successor State of Shokuro was once the breadbasket of Imperial Lung Wa. After the empire's collapse, the leaders of its four provinces fought amongst each other for supremacy, until the land's once fertile fields were destroyed. In its weakened state, the people of Shokuro could not properly defend themselves when Lingshen armies invaded soon thereafter. The victors forced the people back into the fields, inflicting terrible cruelties upon them to keep them in line. They eventually united under a banished Minkaian lord and drove the occupying armies back to Lingshen.
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With the jade scroll case and the spirit of the Princess Song Rui in tow, you begin to ascend from the valley from the Summer Palace.
You find several familiar faces waiting for you on the narrow trail: the student Jianghong of Lingshen and his bodyguard Zheng, the bureaucrat Yue Xin of Po Li, and the martial artist Jiang Fei of Quain.
Jiang Fei is first to speak; My honorable Jade Ogre's I see you have found the found the Summer Palace, no small achievement. My family's comb no doubt was the most critical piece of information. You demonstrated your excellent fighting prowess under my guidance, I can provide your further teaching and unlock greater wisdom for you in exchange for the scroll case.
Not so fast, Jianghong speaks up. The map was the key, and I lead you too it. I can offer you this exquisite set of marvelous pigments, if you give me the scroll case. Then return to Lingshen with me and watch it rise in glory!
Yue Xin chuckles, Ha Ha Ha. Celestial favors await those honor Po Li with what is rightfully Po Li's the Jade Scroll Prophecies; that and a writ of exchange for the Star of Changdo, a diamond worth 5,000 gp.
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Slaine steps forward and sneers at the 4 people blocking the road. What in Sam Hill Nation is goin' on here?! We've got ourselves a task to complete and bring this here artifact to the rightful owner. I kin hardly say I'm surprised ter see you, Poo Lee, or that shifty student from the scribe school. But Jang-FAY? Here I thought you was honorable and such! We got ter follow our orders and git this here scroll case back where it belongs. Now step aside 'afore we make ye!
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I step forward and address our previous coworkers.
What my hasty and ever so tactful friend is trying to say is that we have been tasked by Mai Chun to gather this information and these relics. She orchestrated our meeting with each of you. And in meeting the spirit of the princess at the palace even she has desired to accompany the jade scroll case back to Shokuru to meet Mai Chun. I would humbly ask you to step aside and not impede our journey. As pathfinders, the pursuit of knowledge is foremost but close behind is our sense of duty and honor.
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Clearly shaken by Archibald's words, the three look around at each other. Jianghong speaks up, Get that scroll case Zheng! The bodyguard looks back at the boy for a minute, with a slightly shocked look, but nevertheless obeys. He begins to move toward you; not to be outdone Yue Xin and Jiang Fei advance looking to stake there clam as well. But Wu-Tang and Archibald are ready for their treachery.
Initiative
Round 1
map
Wu-Tang
Archibald
Yue Xin Shaken
Zheng Shaken
Slaine
Diluvious
Jiang Fei Shaken
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Wu-Tang causes the ground all around the arrivistes to spring to life. The vines and plants grab at them. Only Yue and Jianghong seem to get tangled however.
Archibald adds on by attempting to magically daze the bodyguard, but the bodyguard does not seem phased by the effect.
Yue struggles to get free, but can't; he still manages to call on the heavens, a ball of energy that looks like little stars explodes between Wu-Tang and Archibald. They are able to duck away from the full blunt of the explosion though.
Zheng tromps through the thick foliage and barely manages to reach Wu-Tang, only to be swallowed up in the vines and become entangled.
Round 1
map
Wu-Tang 2 dmg
Archibald 2 dmg
Yue Xin Shaken, Entangled
Zheng Shaken, Entangled
Slaine
Diluvious
Jiang Fei Shaken
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Slaine sights along his musket at Jiang Fei while shuffling forward 5 feet. He mutters to himself as he calmly pulls the trigger. Some o these no goods, I kin understand, but Jang Fay. Here I was thinkin' she had honor, now I see she's jus' a lawbreaker like the rest of these low lifes. Can't say I didn't warn 'em. With that, the crack of the musket shatters the stillness of Wu-Tang's peaceful spell of entangling.
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Diluvious puts a slug in Zheng.
Round 2
map
Wu-Tang 2 dmg
Archibald 2 dmg
Yue Xin Shaken, Entangled
Zheng Shaken, Entangled 7 dmg
Slaine
Diluvious
Jiang Fei 20 dmg - unconsicous
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Well, if'n no other body is goin' to take control of this here situation, I'll bring some justice on these lawbreakers. Slaine begins roughly manacling the 3 conscious combatants up and looks to one of his comrades to patch up Jiang Fei. After that business is attended to, Slaine recommends that they escort the 4 criminals back to Mai Chun and let her decide their fate for attempted assault and theft.
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You return to Ashima with the bejeweled scroll case, prisoners, and the spirit of a long dead Princess.
Mai Chun is ecstatic at your success! But quickly looks disappointed at the upstarts from the other nation states.
I guess I should not be surprised. As I'm sure you all feel you have a legitimate claim to this. She says holding aloft the scroll case. But I think that Princess Song Rui would agree the prophesies have ended up in the right place. She pauses in thought a moment.
But in the spirit of cooperation, I free you this day, may we long live in peace.
Jianghong, his bodyguard Zheng, Yue Xin, Jiang Fei all give a respectful bow to Mai Chun and exit without causing any further trouble.
The entire town celebrates the your triumph in the temple square. Mai Chun and the old princess get on famously, and the phantom flits awkwardly about the riotous village party to celebrate the your success, an odd site to see indeed. Mai Chun pledges to publish an entire book of interviews based on her conversations with Song Rui, and she delights in trading poetic couplets with the well-educated phantom.
A local representative of the Sun Shogun arrives having heard the news and rewards you with an ornate coffer containing 3,000 gp and access to a store of magical talismans in gratitude.
Your long arduous journey around Tian Xia is at its end after a mere 7 months.