"Trying to protect the secrets of their masters, no doubt," the woman comments as she walks past the mass suicide. "I am sorry I could not help earlier but the crowds were difficult to fight through. I am Miyaro. You should grab his body and we should take him back to the Prince."
Miyaro leads the way once you have reassembled and collected Jennix's body. "I am an ally of the kami of the Forest of Spirits," she says as if this explains her intervention, even if you do not fully understand her meaning yet. "I have walked a long way to meet you and offer Ameiko safe passage through the forest. The kami are aware of your arrival in Tian Xia and the precious treasures you bear, although we will not discuss that here."
"The ancient nature spirits are anxious to see the Five Storms destroyed and the rightful empress return to the throne of Minkai, but the kami are bound by ancient agreements not to directly interfere with the world of mortals, and so they have sent me as their herald and ambassador. I have no doubt that those assassins were sent by the Five Storms to prevent your intrusion into this land."
Miyaro continues as she marches along ahead of you. "Five Storms control much of Minkai, as well as the Spirit Road from Hongal to Minkai. If you wish to enter Minkai secretly, you need a less obvious way to enter the empire than the main road. Fortunately, however, you have allies here although you are perhaps not yet aware of them. I can guide you through the Forest of Spirits, the vast "haunted" forest that grows between Hongal and Minkai, via a secret route that bypasses the heavily patrolled Spirit Road. Once there, I promise to introduce you to these mysterious allies and bring us to a place that may aid us all in the battle to come."
"I see." Terflynn says, eyeing the woman suspiciously.
Miso is unfamiliar with the kami that Miyaro mentions, but he listens intenl and studies her as she talks, hoping for some insight into her character.
Certain that her words are true and she is trustworthy, he asks her quietly, What do you know of Prince Batsaikhar? He seems pleasant but I am unsure; I do not wish to risk Ameiko's safety. We have told him nothing of her.
"The Prince is innocent enough," Miyaro says. "I do not think he is even aware of our cause and with the interest he has taken in your friend I do not think he would oppose us were he made aware. But I do not think it is wise to let him know at this time. We must retain as much secrecy as possible."
Miyaro sighs. "It is unfortunate that the Prince has become fixated with Ameiko. I have observed him these past five nights during the feasts. He becomes bored and fixated on things often, until they tire him and he moves on to the next bauble or trinket. You may upset him when you take your leave and deny Ameiko's companionship to him but after a few days of sulking I assure he will forget the slight as if nothing has happened."
You near the palace where guards scurry about in heightened security thanks to the rumors of the attack on you in the market. They recognize you and let you pass, however, and you are told that the Prince is awaiting you. Miyaro wishes you luck.
"Oh my! Oh my!" the Prince exclaims as you enter his chambers carrying your fallen companion. "How could such a thing happen in my city! I feel dreadful, truly awful! You must allow me to remedy the situation, please! I beg your forgiveness! I will have one of our priests fix your friend right away if you will but bring his body forward." He claps his hands and motions for several of his staff to help you with Jennix's limp body, taking him and carrying him from the hall to a side room before running off to find a priest. "Please, I hope that you do not take offense! No such thing has ever happened under my watch! Who were these people and what do they want from you? Have you stolen their goods? Taken their caravan as your own? Please, no secrets from the Prince! I must know the cause of this!"
Miso surrenders Jennix's corpse to the servants and bows before Prince Batsaikhar. Your offer is kind, Prince Batsaikhar. We would be eternally in your debt to receive this service. Miso straightens and continues. Forgiveness is not necessary, and truly, we bear you no ill will. In fact, I fear, good sir, that the blame for this falls upon us and not you. For which we must beg YOUR pardon.
Miso pauses a moment, contemplating, as though thinking on what to say. Then he sighs and continues. I cannot keep this from you, even in an effort to spare you the stones along our journey. While we always endeavor to be good people, our success has brought us no paucity of enemies — wearing the crown, you likely understand this all too well — and it seems some of our past has followed us over the Crown of the World and disrupted your realm. For this, we are truly sorry. When our friend is restored, we shall depart in short order and take this trouble with us. It will be our pleasure to repay your kindness in full, sir.
The Prince's smile does not falter, for it seems his smile never leaves his face, but you can hear the disappointment in his voice. "Oh no, surely you mustn't leave so soon! I will supplement your own prowess in battle with a battalion of my personal guards to escort you about, please!" When it seems that not even this will get you to stay, he pouts, "But your whole entourage will not be joining you, I hope? I have become rather attached to the young lady. . . Ameiko. Perhaps she can remain as my guest as you travel onwards? I will keep her safe until your return."
Terflynn frowns at the Prince's suggestion, but has long since learned to keep his own mouth shut when in sensitive social situations.
But if you were to lend a battalion to us — a noble gesture, to be sure — who would then protect Prince Batsaikhar? No, we could not have such a slight upon our heads.
Miso shakes his head at the suggestion that Ameiko stay behind. Alas, my good sir, she is the only one authorized to negotiate for our caravan and is thus quite indispensable. he hinks a moment, then smiles. Ah! But we should have good cause to stop by on our way back through, if your hospitality remains open to our humble group; and, if our trouble is no longer a burden we must bear, we can stay as long as you — and she — might like.
Prince Batsaikhar's smile is quite strained but nonetheless he assents, "Fine, fine, yes, you are always welcome in my city should you pass this way on your journey back over the Crown of the World. I will detain you no longer if you must go. When your friend is well again you have my leave to depart at your pleasure."
Moments later Jennix is returned to you, fresh and whole and thankfully not dissolved in an acid bath. The Prince exits the hall and Miyaro is waiting for you.
Jennix makes a motion as if dusting himself off. Giving a wry grin, he asks. "What'd I miss?"
"Zachary turned into a cloud. Is Pharasma getting to know you well enough?"
"Well I was planning on exacting revenge from the rooftops until they all decided to do themselves in." Zack says, still slightly upset the attackers got the jump on them.
Jennix ponders for a moment. "I don't think I've met Pharasma yet, but I'm sure I'm am on a first name basis with her handmaidens....." He says wryly.
Once you leave the city, it is a 500-mile journey southeastward through the steppes and outlying villages of Hongal to reach the northern fringes of the Forest of Spirits.
"Do you know why this place is called the Forest of Spirits?" Miyaro asks as you near a narrow dirt path that disappears into the dark edge of the forest ahead. "It is indeed quite a literal name. But you should not confuse spirit with ghost or some similar restless undead. Spirits are indeed incorporeal but fighting them is a waste of energy. They can possess a living creature, but cannot control the body as a ghost might. The effect the spirit has on the body might be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the spirit."
"If you can feel a spirit's presence before it possesses someone, positive energy can harm it. Once it is inside a host, however, there is little to be done. They are difficult to detect unless you have the ability to detect undead or the specific mood of the spirit."
The boughs of the trees hang heavy with fallen snow and an almost preternatural silence reigns over the area. Ahead, a small stone pillar engraved with strange symbols has fallen across the path, blocking the way forward. "Of course, there are other dangers in the Forest of Spirits as well and we should be cautious and prepared for any danger. Are you ready to enter?"
"This," Miyaro says as she cautiously approaches the stone, "may have a spirit watching over it nearby. Should we right the stone and leave an offering, we might hope for the blessing of the watching kami."
Miso notes the pillar and works to set it upright. I will honor these spirits in the name of Korada, the Open Hand of Harmony.
Terflynn considers the pillar, a ward of the kami, and ponders an appropriate offering. "Let us take care to not offend these spirits. I prefer to deal only in matters of the flesh, and care nothing for making a spirit cross with me."
A small bit of food or a few coins would serve as an offering once Miso has set the stone upright. Afterwards you feel a sense of satisfaction and well-being settle over you. A moment later, a wizened, two-foot-tall man in homespun robes appears. He bows to you and thanks you in Tien. "Because you helped me, you have earned the blessings of the local spirits-the sense of gratification that you doubtless feel."
Miyaro introduces you and tells the man of your purpose in traveling through the forest. The spirit responds, "I am Shunkichi. I offer you blessings on your journey but must warn you that the wood contains many dangerous spirits and creatures. Mortals should not trad carelessly beneath the forest's boughs. I promise to inform the other kami of your coming though." With that he merges with the waymarker and disappears from view.
Miso will attempt to talk to Miyaro along their journey. I know little of you, though I cannot help but thank you for your aid in Ordu-Aganhei. How were you able to locate us in the many streets there? What do you know of Ameiko? How came you to be an ally of the kami?
Miso realizes he has asked what may be impolite questions. I beg forgiveness for my insolence and my ignorance. I know little of this land, but I seek to learn, for reasons both personal and practical.
Miyaro thinks on Miso's inquiries for a while before responding. "Finding you was not hard, no. The whole town was in celebration, after all. And I was looking for you and for Ameiko. I know of her family's history and of her rightful place on the throne. It is my duty to restore her and to oppose the forces of the Five Storms."
"The kami-" she pauses again, thinking best how to explain her allies "-the kami can manifest physical bodies, yes, but doing so makes them mortal and susceptible to being killed. But their spirits are tasked with protecting parts of the physical world that cannot defend themselves in order to protect the natural order of things. So they must assume physical forms to offer that protection. Any individual kami's power will depend on the nature of its ward-a rock or frog kami might be weak, but a blue whale kami or a mountain kami is quite powerful."
"You should be aware, though, that while they are often seen as good spirits, their immortality can make their morals seem quite different to yours. Tales tell of kami tearing people apart for felling trees while ignoring a raging murderer."
Once entering the forest, you soon have the feeling of being watched, though you can see no signs of anything following you. Strange noises occasionally ring out though he forest, though it's impossible to discover their source. These occurrences only increase as the journey progresses.
(+2)
Jennix cocks his head. "Do you hear that? The humming? Another kami, I suspect. Should we try to offer something?"
Jennix tries to quickly think what might be a good offering here, or a proper course of action.
"Be wary. Not all spirits are friendly, but we can't afford to offend the ones that are." Terflynn responds, nodding at Jennix's suggestion. "We come with offerings of good will." he announces.
Soon the humming grows louder and grows into an epic song. The songs and poetry begin to work their way into your minds...
Jennix finds he can't resist a good tune. He eyes shine as he possessed by the music, his body swaying to some unheard beat.
"I think something is trying to enter our minds." Terflynn says as Jennix begins to dance. "It looks like it got him."
Miso hears only humming, but notes Jennix is dancing to his own beat.
The spirit does not seem to have had too much of an ill effect on Jennix except for his greater pension to hum and whistle while you travel through the forest.
(+2)
"Did anyone hear that? I don't feel good about this one." Terflynn says, pulling out a sleeved flask defensively.
"Don't listen to it. Let's just keep moving."
Jennix doesn't seem to hear anything, as he is still entranced by the earlier melody.
Miso studies the trees and listens intently to Miyaro, but doesn't seem to notice the spirits.
You continue your long journey through the Forest of Spirits and meet no more obstacles or spirits for the next two days.
Suddenly, a large all-white tiger with red eyes rushes out of the trees 300 feet ahead of you. It spots you and roars in your direction before rushing towards you! It's roar sounds strange, as if the sounds contain half-formed words
Something is not right with this creature! Miso observes. Perhaps we can avoid hurting it in earnest. He moves in front of his companions, ready to grapple it if it attempts to attack anyone in the party.
"Yes, we would do well not to harm. Such beasts are sacred to the kami." Perhaps you could try to calm it, Zachary?"
Zack speaks calmly to the creature, not sure if it can understand him any more than the people that live here. "We are only passing trough guardian of the forest. We do not wish to disturb you."
Just as the tiger closes in on you, it suddenly halts and sniffs at the air. It eyes you suspiciously for a tense twenty seconds considering Zach's words and demeanor. It seems that whatever Zach did was enough to calm its frayed nerves and the tiger turns and departs as quickly as it came.
(+2)
You then continue your journey through the forest with no further sign of the mad beast.
A little while later yTerflynn smells smoke on the wind.
Jennix sniffs the air, shrugging. "I don't smell anything, well, wait, maybe brownies! No?"
Smoke. On the Water. A fire in the sky...?
Miso considers pulling out his wand of scorching ray and cooking a tree or three, but opts against it, instead playing with the tindertwigs Terflynn gave him before and watching them intently flame down to the stub, burning his fingers each time.
After going through all eight, he asks Terflynn if he has any more. A few minutes later, he asks the elf again. And then again.
"Some sort of fire spirit approaches. Guard your minds."
Terflynn no sooner speaks this than does he start to giggle, a strange sight for the stoic elf. He absentmindedly begins playing with a tindertwig, noting all of the flammable materials around him. When Miso begins pushing for some, Terflynn throws him one and then focuses on making little sparks and embers between his mittens.
Zack begins to place his alchemist fires into more easily accessible areas on his person.
(+2)
Although none of you senses anything, you soon feel another spirit trying to come into your minds.
Jennix keeps dancing through the forest.