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Meanwhile, back in the house before it explodes, the team medic decides a bout of healing might be in order before they head underground.
"Venture-Captain Li, is there time to heal us all before we find your path?"
Luisila will position herself so that Shan, Desmond and herself receive the benefits of Calistria's gifts, but not any of the Golden League soldiers.
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Shan quickly turns his attention to the fallen body of Amara Li. His eyes narrow as he slow cranes his neck toward the giant before him. His bushy eyebrows crease into a sharp V. Shan's off hand knuckles crack as his fingers become a fist.
"You have dishonored the Way of the Kirin. And you have dishonored the Lantern Lodge. Justice will be served this night."
Shan then races toward Shimazi, temple blade in one hand cutting through the air. Instead of jumping in the air, he slides beneath large man's legs*. Shan then kip-up and tries to cut a long stride out of Shimazi's backside.
In a moment of clarity, Shan calls out, "Des, dispatch of the peon before he pulls any tricks on us."
*Again, artistic license. Shan has enough movement to move around Shimazi and get into his current position.
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Luisila will delay until Desmond has his turn, but will act on the assumption that Des heeds Shan’s advice.
Luisila casts Burning Disarm on the creature Shan is fighting.
“Tordurbar’s breath on your weapon, fiend!”
She will then follow any movement Desmond makes to a distance of 20'.
Despite his acrobatic prowess, Shan's blade bounces off the armor of Shimazi. Luisila tries to disarm Shimazi but he hold on firm to his blade. Desmond lays into the saboteur and nearly guts him with one swing. The saboteur will respond by backing up and lobbing a bomb at Desmond.
Shimazi slips in Shin's grease and falls on his rear. How embarrassing! You guys should probably kick him.
In retaliation, Shimazi slashes out at Shin with his katana.
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“Desmond, I’ll probably make extinguishing you a priority next round.”
At Shan’s shout, Luisila moves back onto the bridge into a position where her channelling will just reach Desmond, Amara Li, Tsuneo and the two servants – but NOT the saboteur.
The ominous drone of a thousand wasps emanates from the priestess. As the buzzing rises in pitch, to Shimazi’s ears it sounds like Vengeance is drawing ever closer...
Desmond quickly dispatches of the saboteur and Luisila calls out to her goddess to heal her allies.
Amara Li and her servants blink warily as their senses come back to them. Tsuneo's wounds begin to heal but he remains lying still, his body taught and seemingly paralyzed in place.
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Shan nods at the excellent teamwork displayed by the group.
"The Mountain will crash down upon you for what you have done. Avalanche's Fury!"
The ground just below Shan begins to rumble as ice crystals rise up from the hard-pan. The monk is encapsulated by the frost for a brief moment. The cube shatters leaving a blue skinned dwarf with cool tendrils of vapor. The dragon tattoo over the monk's right shoulder begins to glow as Shan release a yell that could have brought the whole cave down upon the group.
Shan then looks down upon Shimazi and starts to curb stomp him.
Shan begins to pummel the prone Golden League agent, landing two solid hits on him. Shin likewise slashes away Shimazi.
Shimazi tries to cast a spell from the floor but his spell fizzles.
Shin gives Shimazi a nasty tear across the midsection. Shan, enraged that the man would dishonor his leader Amara Li, then follows up with a few quick kicks to the man's head to finish him off.
Flying through the cave opening, four staglike creatures with draconic scales swoop through the air with awe-inspiring grace: the help that Tsuneo had hoped to summon and the patron of the Way of Kirin.
Seeing that Tsuneo, Amara, and Amara's two servants have been weakened by the poison of the Golden League's dark blades, the four Kirin walk over to the fallen and place their hooves on each person's chest. A faint glowing emanates from the creatures as they restore the minor wounds of the fallen.
After a moment of clearing their heads, Tsuneo and the others sit up. Tsuneo smiles at the party and then stands up to pat one of the kirin in thanks. Tsuneo walks over to the body of Shimazi and shakes his head in shame. "Mikogu Shimazi, my former student. I am ashamed that I was not able to reform his ways. I thought he was killed some years ago, though, and I have not considered him for some time. I feel at least partially responsible for the tragedy that nearly occurred here tonight. I am deeply sorry."
Turning to the party, Tsuneo continues. "I am suitably impressed, however, by the honor and courage of you all and if you four represent the Pathfinders responsibly, then I offer my enthusiastic agreement to an alliance between our two organizations. From this moment let the Way of Kirin and the Pathfinder Society work together and share resources to do good in this world." In the background Amara Li grins broadly at all of you, not caring to hide her pride in the company of adventurers before her.
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On the way back to Ramparassad, Amara Li calls the party together for meeting, addressing Shan and Shin in particular. "Several years ago I arrived in Absalom as a nearly unknown figure who spoke of a nearly unknown land, and together we endeavored to bring the wonders of Tian Xia to the Pathfinder Society and in doing so draw the Society’s attention to our land. We brought the Decemvirate knowledge of the Hao Jin Tapestry, and it was we who guarded it against further intrusion when our enemies exploited gaps in the demiplane’s weave. With our efforts it is now one of the greatest treasures and tools of the Society. Were that not enough, we have now secured an alliance with an ancient and honorable organization. There is much honor in what we have done, and so much of it belongs to you for your years of service.
"I have a few last tasks to conclude before I return to Goka to lead an expanded lodge there—the Society’s new regional headquarters. While our accomplishments thus far are great, even greater work lies ahead for me, and I cannot split my attention between the whole of Tian Xia and interests in the Inner Sea. I shall always support you when you are in Tian Xia, but your oaths and obligations to me are now officially fulfilled. Do not think that you are being abandoned. If you wish to seek a new patron, you will receive a letter of introduction penned by my own hand. If you wish to continue to serve me, do so by working alongside your fellow Pathfinders and sending me news of your travels. For now, rejoice, for we are victorious!"