Mai Chun listens intently to all the information obtained by the Pathfinders as she gathers you all around her table which is now cluttered in notes and drawings, all on a mess of parchment atop the large map from General Zhen's estate. "You all have done remarkably! You were definitely the right agents for this job."
She begins plotting a location in the southern end of the Gossamer Mountains. Once she identifies a location she suddenly mutters:
"Spring melts into a
Summer's dark night sky where
Cynosure abides."
She blinks as she looks up to see you all watching her intently. "Look here. The path which leads to the Summer Palace's valley can be identified by the position of our north star, Cynosure, between these two specific mountain peaks here." She taps an area around two large mountains. "I will provide more detailed directions before you leave, but first..."
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."
Mai Chun shrugs her shoulders in regards to Fahr's question. "Your guesses would be as good as mine. I would caution that you expect most things one might encounter in an abandoned ruin." She smiles. "But you are resourceful Pathfinders. I have no doubt that you will return with that which you seek."
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.
You all cautiously enter the ruins, constantly checking for traps or enemies, but find that the ruins are devoid of threats. Many of the palace's former rooms have been buried in landslides or are inaccessible due to thick overgrowth of vegetation. Despite its dilapidated existence, the ruins are oddly peaceful and quiet, but an eerie ambience fills the palace. Many of the rooms and halls contain mysterious puddles of stylish clothing and armor, some of them containing small mounds of ash within their folds.
Ballroom: This cavernous ballroom contains a long table and place settings for dozens of people. Cobwebs and dust attest to how long it it has been abandoned.
Emperor’s Bedroom: This bedroom is elegant but austere. 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.
Solarium: 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.
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 explaining the complicated teleportation ritual—attest to the fact that the ritual went awry, leaving the Summer Palace eerily abandoned in a single moment.
Lastly, your meandering path leads you to the Throne Room. Arranged like the rays of a midday sun, the primary corridors of the Summer Palace lead to an enormous throne room. Your footfalls echo throughout the room; however, you notice almost immediately that you are not alone. Meditating before the throne is a ghostly Tian-Shu woman with an ornate headdress and elegant robes. When she hears your echoing steps, she slowly stands to turn and face you all. She bows with a studied grace before clasping her hands together in front of her body. Her voice is soft and ethereal, but the clarity is unmistakable. ”Welcome to the Summer Palace, travelers. I am the late princess, Song Rui. What brings you to my home?”
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"Greetings Princes Song Rui. I am Raevin, a representative of the Pathfinder Society. We have come here to seek a scroll case which is believed to contain the 29 final prophecies of the last emperor of Lung Wa. We have heard that only a true heir of Lung Wa can interpret them, but if this interpretation can be made in Shokuro, it ensures your nation a high political position among the Successor States. Would you allow us to take this scroll back to Shokuro? We would be most grateful."
Song Rui listens intently to Raevin's explanation. "Could you please tell me more about what happened to the Empire? I have received no visitors since mother's spell caused this awful tragedy here. If you would share with me, then I will gladly share with you." The ghostly figure smiles.
The Princess smiles as she listens to the story of the Shokuran peasantry. "It pleases my heart to hear they were able to liberate themselves from Lingshen. Even before my untimely death I detested the selfishness and scheming of the politics. It was my hope to find a way to end the arrogance of our imperial rule; however, it would seem that world has a way of righting itself." When she listens to Too-Tuk, she frowns. "I am sorry for how your people were treated, but I am glad to hear that you now have your own home."
After hearing all that she could of the previous years of her home, Song Rui nods. "Now it is my turn to give that which you seek. Sadly my bedchambers were destroyed in a landslide many years ago; however, I " She moves behind the throne and manipulates a hidden alcove. She hands over the scroll case. "I have no interest in prophecies of this dead empire; however, the scholar of which you spoke , Mai Chun, I would accompany you all to meet her. If you would have me along for the journey?"
Song Rui looks absolutely ecstatic to be leaving behind the ruined temple. "I move much like I did in my earthly form, but now I can float through solid objects. Thank you for bringing me with you!"
The party gathers everything they need and begin their ascent out of the valley. You all round a sharp turn and suddenly find your way blocked by some familiar faces; the martial artist Jiang Fei, the bureaucrat Yue Xin, as well as Jianghong of Linshen and his bodyguard Zheng.
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The group hastily moves forth towards you. The young man whom you clearly recognize as the student Jianghong passionately speaks first with his quick tongue ignoring the ghostly figure standing behind you, as well as the rest of the other men.
"If you left the Summer Palace, you must already have what you are looking for. And I believe it to be the jewelled dragon scroll case! Please, do not leave with it, I am ready to offer you a deal." As he speaks, he reveals from his persons, a set of Marvelous Pigments that glitter under the basking sun. "This can be all yours, all I wish is for the Scroll."
But before he could speak further, Yue Xin of Po Li, forces himself forward and speaks his mind. "No star in the sky jewels so bright in the day, but divine might may show you the way. Fortune favours the brave of bold, be not fooled by the scroll of old." He removes from his robe a writ of exchange. "Additionally, I offer you the Star of Changdo, it's value not less than 5000 gold pieces."
Acrobatically making her way forth, Jiang Fei in turn makes her pitch. "You are all worthy warriors, and have proven that you can master the arts in a very short time. BUt there is more for you to learn, I can teach you greater wisdom in exchange for the scroll." And to be true to her word, she presents a headband of inspired wisdom +2.
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"Did I miss something, here? Now, if I remember correctly, these scrolls are very important. I wouldn't give them up for anything."
"I uh... respectfully refuse." Dawn crosses her hands.
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Jianghong sighs, "No no no no no no. It would be uncivilized to fight in that manner, Po Li's writ is worth nothing without his signature! But you are reasonable man, take my deal. This would be worth more to you than a rotten piece of paper." He responds towards Too-Tuk.
But soon enough, the other two speak their own minds towards the matter, and clearly believe their offer is the best. The group makes it clear they don't intend to fight each other as they see no gains from it.
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After you've made it clear that the scroll is not for trade of any value, be it wisdom or monetary, the group scowls. Yue Xin responds, "Dragons hear, but do not listen. Wise for the monkeys to drop the fruit it cannot eat. The Dragon roaring eats and takes the monkey"
This seems to be something the group can agree with, and they are insisted you pass it over, or they will not leave without a fight. Jianghong backs away from getting his hands dirty, but commands his bodyguard to deliver the product, albeit without killing you.
~~~
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"Man, that's pretty." Dawn finally snaps to attention. "Oh yeah, we're fighting now, I guess. Is this customary, Pai Gow?" She watches Aoyagi impale one of the fighters. "Are we supposed to do this lethally?" Dawn shrugs, snaps her fingers and fades from view, leaving behind her smile for a moment.
Unless they can perceive her, the target is denied their Dex bonus and Dawn gets a +2 to her attack. This will counteract the -4 for attacking Non Lethally.
This will also cause Dawn to reappear.