"Mmm, all you need to do is show up," the mayor smiles. "Er...you mean to watch, yes? If you're wanting to participate, well...you would be better off speaking to Chosen Megari if that is your intent. It would certainly be quite unorthodox but if you are sincere in wishing to pledge yourselves to Hei Feng then she would be the one to speak with."
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Remembering the general direction given to you earlier by the tengu you'd stopped, you make your way down Yiangma's small, stone streets until you spot your destination - the Windy Willow. From the outside it looks homey, modest and peaceful but that initial welcoming impression is quickly shattered as you step inside. As you enter, you're welcomed by a sudden silence and several pairs of watching eyes as the local patrons give you chilly looks.
From behind the bar, the bartender glances up at you and then back down at the glasses he's polishing, making no other effort to acknowledge your presence.
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Before entering the inn, Zithembe removes a scroll and reads it silently. Nothing noteworthy happens. He then draws a wand from his side and invokes its magic with a command word. Again, nothing noteworthy happens. However, as he begins to move again, there is something different about his gait, his posture. Nothing you can put your finger on.
Once inside, Zithembe approaches the bartender with a reserved but friendly smile, being used to dealing with hostile proprietors. "Greetings," he says. "I apologize for my lack of skill in your language; however, feel free to respond in your own; I will be able to understand you. We are pilgrims from Hisuikarasu sent by Zepha to intercede on any troubles that have befallen Yiangma, and we are going to observe the Choosing ceremony. I hope that your day has been pleasant so far.
"Foremost, we seek lodging for the night as we have walked far and will not be able to leave until after the ceremony. We are certain to have big appetites, and Rumble, here, is certain to purchase a significant number of drinks. And, now that I think about it, you will probably have more than the usual number of guests as people come into catch any gossip about us or even witness us for themselves. How might you be able to accommodate us?"
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Parison watches as Zithembe and Maria talk on the group's behalf.
That was some quick thinking and adaptation on Zithembe's part. He's carrying himself like he's a part of this area very well.
For his part, Parison doesn't say anything, but he does take a step forward and does his best to replicate Zithembe's bow.
Finally forced to acknowledge the group's presence as Zithembe strides forward and begins to speak, the barkeep looks up with an expression of irritation and suspicion. However it slowly shifts to one of cautious respect.
"Bạn nói tốt, cho một người ngoài," he croaks. "Nhưng bạn mang mình như thể bạn đã sống một cuộc đời ở Kwanlai. Tin tức đã lan truyền qua Yiangma về những người ngoài cuộc đến gặp Thị trưởng Kanbayo, vâng."
He sets down the glass he'd been polishing and eyes each of you before continuing, "Miễn là bạn và bạn bè của bạn duy trì sự tôn trọng đối với các cách thức và phong tục của chúng tôi và không gây ra bất kỳ vấn đề nào, thì bạn sẽ được chào đón ở đây tại Windy Willow."
"You're well-spoken, for an outsider."
"But you carry yourself as though you've lived a lifetime in Kwanlai. Word's already spread through Yiangma about the outsiders that came to see Mayor Kanbayo, yes."
"As long as you and your friends maintain your respect for our ways and customs and don't cause any problems, then you will be welcome here at the Windy Willow."
Some of the other patrons look at each other and nod, seemingly satisfied with what the barkeep had to say, before gradually returning to their drinks. While still clearly not inclined to treat you all like bosom buddies, the atmosphere within the inn is noticeably more relaxed.
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"Thank you, that is much appreciated," Zithembe says. "We will most certainly treat your customs and ways with respect. We have to go meet some of the citizens of Yiangma in a moment. Should we pay you up front for the night's lodging?
"And I hope I am not imposing, but our second reason for stopping here is to ask for information. We assumed that the keeper of the inn and tavern would be quite familiar with the citizens in town. We are to meet with Chosen Megari and with Laiping. What do you know of them--so that we do not make fools of ourselves?"
The old barkeep finally seems to offer something of a smile and shakes his head. "Vì bạn có quyết định hỏi...không. Không phải tất cả, dù sao đi nữa. Một nửa bây giờ, một nửa khi bạn đã sẵn sàng rời khỏi Yiangma. Hội chợ?"
"Đối với Megari...cô ấy là một người khó tính, tôi sẽ nói với bạn điều đó ngay bây giờ. Bạn đã nói chuyện với Thị trưởng Kanbayo; Tôi sẽ nói với cô ấy rằng, nếu không bạn sẽ nhận được một sự tiếp nhận thậm chí lạnh hơn bạn đã có," he continues as you hash out payment for room and board. "Nhưng cô ấy hoàn toàn dành cho việc giảng dạy và truyền bá ý chí của Hei Feng, một tín dụng thực sự cho làng và người dân của chúng tôi."
"Laiping, anh ấy thường bám sát Megari khi cô ấy đang thịnh vượng. Anh ấy là một người lo lắng, căng thẳng, nhưng là một người đủ tốt."
"Since you have the decency to ask...no. Not all of it, anyway. Half now, half when you get ready to leave Yiangma. Fair?"
"As for Megari...she's a prickly sort, I'll tell you that right now. You talked to Mayor Kanbayo; I'd tell her that, else you get an even chillier reception than you have already."
"But she's completely devoted to preaching and spreading the will of Hei Feng, a true credit to our village and people."
"Laiping, he usually sticks close to Megari when she's out proselytizing. He's a nervous, high-strung sort, but a good enough fellow."
As Zithembe and the barkeep of the Willow banter back and forth, Rumble feels a gentle tug on his sleeve and turns to find a young, timid-looking tengu with beautiful blue-black feathers staring at him with anxious eyes.
"Ah...I speak...listen?" he whispers in broken Common to the dwarf and then gestures towards a table in a nearby corner. "Please?"
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"You have been most kind and most helpful. How much is it?" Zithembe says, dolling out the requested amount of money. Once the pecuniary matters have been settled, he turns to the others sans Rumble and relays the description of the Megari and Liaping.
He turns back to the barkeep. "Oh, pardon me. Do you know Yakuri the hunter? Is he a fair dealing fellow?"
Though it's certainly strange that the tengu youngster would approach any of you given the reticence anyone has to speak to outsiders, you're reasonably certain that there's no danger afoot. A few of the other patrons give you looks as you pass by on your way to the corner table but they quickly return to their own business afterward.
Once you've taken a seat at the table, the young tengu coughs and fidgets, clearly uneasy but also clearly burdened by something. "You listen me, thank you. Sorry, myself no spoke Common good," he mumbles. "You are this place to look the Choosing? I sister, she go outward to shrine. Herself want to joined Chosen."
Tears begin to form in the tengu's eyes, slowly tracking down his feathered face. "Three weeks, her still not home come. Hei Feng, maybe he take she for doing bad. For going where herself not...not...not invited? Not invited."
"Maybe I bad too...doubt Storm Prophet," he continues, wiping at his face with his sleeve. "Maybe Hei Feng come, take me too. Yiangma...feel bad, since Storm Prophet come. Be...be care, okay? Okay."
"5 bạc, mỗi cái. Giá chuẩn. Có 5 bạn? Hrm...trả tiền cho 3 bây giờ, phần còn lại vào ngày mai," the barkeep replies. As the coins are counted out, he actually fails to suppress a rather amused snort when asked about Yakuri.
"Anh ấy? Hừ! Đừng để cô ấy nghe bạn nói điều đó. Cô ấy cảm động về tên của mình, đoán rằng cô ấy đã từng lấy nó rất nhiều từ nơi cô ấy đến," he replies. "Và vâng, cô ấy đối xử công bằng với một con người. Ở đây tại Yiangma trong hơn một thập kỷ, bán thịt thú và thịt. Cũng có thể là một trong số chúng ta; đó là cách tất cả chúng ta nhìn thấy cô ấy những ngày này."
"5 silver, each. Standard price. There's 5 of you? Hrm...pay for 3 now, the rest tomorrow."
"He? Hah! Don't let her hear you say that. She's touchy about her name, guess she used to get it a lot back where she came from."
"And yeah, she's fair-dealing for a human. Been here in Yiangma for over a decade, selling furs and meat. May as well be one of us; that's how we all see her these days."
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Rumble does his best to give consoling pats on the child's shoulder, but it is pretty clear he has minimal experience comforting people. "By tha mighty Torag, aye'll see wha' aye can do abouh yer sistah. Wha' does she look like, eh? An' wha' do ya know about tha Chosen thingy? An' why do ya doubt tha Storm Prophet?" he asks. I suspect trying the Choosing for ourselves is our ticket in, so this'll be convenient for us to boot!
"Sorry fur all tha' questions, buh it'll help us find 'er, ya know?" he pulls out one of his copies of Hammer and Tongs and turns to page 537. Putting his finger to the text, he reads for her. "Tha Hand with tha Hammer Shapes tha Future. Yer tha one holdin' tha hammer now, ih is good tha' ya asked fur help," he explains, closing the book and pushing it towards her. "Ih may give ya clarity o' mind when times are tha hardest."
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Maria shrugs and points over to one of the tables, "Getting started on building up that tab I guess. I say let him get a drink in before we head out, it's been a long day and he'll be less cranky that way." She plunks her five silver on the counter once Zith passes on what the room will cost and nods at the proprietor, "Thanks!"
"I...name is Tak," the tengu finally manages, having had to take a moment to work through Rumble's words and think of how to form his own reply. "Sister look same as Tak, eyes yellow. Sister Menyel."
When you ask Tak about his knowledge of the Chosen and the Choosing, he shakes his head. "Choosing...sekret. Yiangma not see before. Tak not see before. Now see, tonight. Chosen seed will of Hei Feng, but...Storm Prophet seem...odd. Not right? Tak not sure. Just seem odd."
The young tengu blinks, cocking his head slightly as you read the excerpt from Hammer and Tongs. When you gently nudge the book towards him, he looks surprised.
"Tak...keep? Is okay?"
Once reassured that it is okay - and that you have many other copies - he smiles a little and carefully takes the book, pulling it closer to him.
"Tak thank. Thank you. Read...try understand. Maybe Tak learn foreign words better and speak better good."
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It was a rare moment for Parison. Normally, he could find something to do or say to help in certain situations, but in this case, he felt like dead weight as Zithembe and the proprietor of the inn conversed in a language that he couldn't understand. He turned to speak to Rumble, but saw that he'd been drawn to the side by a small child.
He took a half step in that direction, but stopped. From the looks of things, Rumble had already established a bond with the kid and Parison didn't want to interrupt whatever the boy was confiding in Rumble.
The adept waited patiently until Zithembe finished conversing with the man behind the counter and paying money for the rooms and committed his descriptions of two of the citizens the mayor had named to memory.
"Let me stow my gear and I'll be ready to head wherever we need to go," he says to the others. "Not sure what Rumble's up to with the little boy. It's kinda cute, though, sort of like a nephew with a favorite uncle."
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Even though most of the tengu present in the Willow probably can't understand any or most of Hepsubia's song they still know a poor performance when they hear one. Several of them scowl and shake their heads while a few even begin to boo and jeer.
Except for one old tengu over by the bar, his feathers tinged with gray. He stamps his feet and hoots and hollers rather loudly as the elf sings.
Most likely he's either drunk or deaf. Or possibly both.
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Conversation over, Rumble gives Tak a farewell pat on the shoulder and stands up. "Tha lad is Tak. 'e spoke tah meh in confidence, but thah message is fur us. Aye'll share once we geh outside, eh?"
"Tha lad's sistah 'as been missin' fur some time now. Went tah tha Shrine tah participate in tha Choosin' an' never made ih back home. He asked if we could take ah look an' since aye figured we'd be doin' somethin' aroun' there anyway, aye said we'd keep an aye out fur her. Tha lass' name is Menyel. Tha lad also mentioned he thought tha Storm Prophet was actin' a bih funny," Rumble explains.
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Parison winces as Hepsubia showcases her singing talents. All things considered, she sings better than I do.
Mercifully, Rumble's rejoining the group cut short a potential encore from Hepsubia. The adept listened intently as his dwarven compatriot spoke of his conversation with the tengu boy.
"I'd hate to go against what the mayor said about us checking out the shrine," he says in a low tone, making sure his words can't be heard by any of the town residents. "But it looks like we may not have a choice if we're going to find out what's going on."
"Rumble," he said. "Did the boy happen to say exactly how the Storm Prophet was behaving to merit acting 'funny?'"
As you all ponder this new bit of information you make your way back towards the market square until you spot a sign above a shop that reads 'Packin' Meat'. With this being your likely destination you step inside to find a surprisingly clean and well-kept butcher shop and a middle-aged Tian-Min woman working behind the counter. She looks up as you enter, a small, wry smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"It has been a while since I have seen my own kind around here, for reasons I'm sure you have already discovered. What can I do for you today? Surely such a diverse group did not come all the way to Yiangma just to buy meat and furs."
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"No, Tak wasn' able tah say anythin' more specific than thah about tha Storm Prophet," Rumble explains to Parison. "Aye misspoke, tha lass went tah be ah Chosen, buh it was nah parta tha Choosin'."
In the butcher's shop, Rumble appreciates the cleanliness of the place and eyes a particularly plump rope of lamb sausages. Now THAT would be a nice pre-Choosing meal! A pint or four of ale to wash it all down, now we're talking!
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"Greetings, hunter Yakuri," Zithembe says. "You have adeptly assessed our purpose is other than filling our bellies." He pauses for the inevitable growling of the dwarf's belly. "The mayor directed us to you for insight into the Storm Prophet and the bandit threat in the area. We were sent here by the archon Zepha to discover why the reports from the shrine had stopped, so if you know of the location of any of the former defenders of the shrine, that would be a great help as well."
Yakuri frowns, setting her cleaver down on the cutting board before wiping her hands with her apron. "I think the Mayor may have overestimated my usefulness to you as I cannot tell you anything more of the shrine than what he himself has likely shared with you."
"But the Storm Prophet, now, I would be more than happy to tell you what I know of him," she says, a look of awe and reverence on her face. "As you might guess, I spend much of my time out in the woods and in the mountains and yet I was blind to the growing threat..."
She hangs her head for a moment, obviously disappointed with herself, before looking up again.
"The Storm Prophet already knew. His visions gave him clarity; he could see the growing threat to the south and could feel the taint of the dark powers they've harnessed slowly creeping out, poisoning the land."
"And it was a good thing, too. The Storm Prophet had already been several days at his protective rituals before I began to see the signs of this foul blight for myself during my sojourns outside of town," she adds. "Dark, twisted animals and plant life. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if not for the Storm Prophet's magic!"
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Rumble's eyes bug out a little when he hears news of twisted animals. "Are any o' tha sausages, like this one 'ere, made o' these animals?" he asks."Unless aye'm furgettin' somethin' thah's tha first time aye've 'eard of animals an' plants bein' off. Aye thought tha threat was bandits?" This might be worse than we thought.
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Maria speaks the obvious towards Yakuri, at least obvious to her, "Wait what? Are you seriously believing this without question? This Storm Prophet shows up, all of the shrine guardians who have been keeping evil at bay for centuries leave, the Storm Prophet starts casting rituals and then dark twisted animals and plants start being noticed? I mean, how can you not see the connection? It's a logical progression that the Storm Prophet is causing the twisting of the animals and plants."
Looking at the shocked faces of her allies to her brashness, "What, people need the truth! There are literally countless stories of charlatans doing this exact thing."
Turning back to Yakuri the elf takes a deep breath and exhales, "I'm sorry if what I said was offensive, but it's just hard for me to believe what is going on here. Maybe I'm just not understanding what exactly the Storm Prophet has done. Please, share your insight as to why you believe they are as they say."
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Zithembe considers the hunters reverence and the odd story.
After Maria's blunt outburst, Zithembe asks, "You have seen no signs of bandits? Could you tell us more of the twisted nature. The mayor did not mention unnatural corruption in the forest. He seemed most concerned about the encroaching bandits."
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Parison tries to digest everything that Yakuri has told them and is balancing it with the observations made by the members of his group. "My friends all make good points," he says to Yakuri. "The mayor seemed very concerned with the threat of bandits to the area. And I have to agree with Maria. It seems very strange that a lot of the noticable oddities that are occurring have only begun to be noticed after the Storm Prophet started invoking his rituals."
"Something that concerns me is that the mayor has forbidden us access to the shrine itself. Is there a reason for this, whether it be based in tradition or some unfortunate tragedy or circumstance?"
"Are any o' tha sausages, like this one 'ere, made o' these animals?""
"Oh no, certainly not," Yakuri quickly replies to Rumble, eyes wide and a hint of incredulity in her tone. "Why would I purposely sell tainted goods to my customers?? I am not sure how things are done elsewhere in the world but around here that would be a recipe for ruining ones' good name."
"And yes, there are bandits but they have apparently consorted with some manner of foul, dark powers in order to gain aid," she adds. "It does not surprise me, sadly. There are too many in this world willing to bargain their very souls for a short-lived, earthly profit."
<many expressions of incredulity>
Yakuri's demeanor immediately grows chilly as she listens to Maria's objections and misgivings. "You would not be so doubtful if you had seen the Storm Prophet's power for yourselves," she responds coldly. "All of us, we bore witness to the might of Hei Feng himself, channeled through his prophet. Before our very eyes the storms raged and lightning struck from the heavens!"
"That was proof enough for us," she finishes quietly, no trace of doubt in her eyes.
"You have seen no signs of bandits? Could you tell us more of the twisted nature."
"No sign of bandits as of yet," the huntress confirms. "But I am sure that all of you would agree that it would be most sensible these miscreants to wait until they had sufficiently gathered their strength before beginning their assault in earnest, would you not?"
"As to the twisted nature...I admit, it is most strange and troubling," Yakuri frowns, clearly disturbed as she considers the matter. "Sections of landscape blighted, the plants withered and dead. And the animals...they...the ones I have seen, they were...twisted and warped. Like a painting that's been ruined by water."
She shudders.
"Something that concerns me is that the mayor has forbidden us access to the shrine itself. Is there a reason for this, whether it be based in tradition or some unfortunate tragedy or circumstance?"
"Tradition. Once, the shrine was populated by a host of beings from the celestial realms. Over time, they allowed a few particularly virtuous and worthy humans to join them in their vigil."
Yakuri's lips quirk with amusement. "It was not terribly long after that that there arose a new crop of shrine keepers, largely human in appearance but bearing traces of their celestial parentage. And so it went, until the celestials departed back to their heavenly homes, leaving the shrine in the care of their offspring."
"While the shrine keepers have always been free to leave the shrine for short periods to visit Yiangma and other villages for supplies and news of the outside world, they have always been the only ones allowed inside the shrine itself."
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Rumble breathes a sigh of relief and puts some gold down on the table. "'ow much'll this geh meh?" he asks Yakuri, before collecting an acceptable amount of sausages and stowing them in his bag.
This is some disturbing stuff. Storms and lightning aren't something one god has power over though, how do they know it was Hei Feng? No use pushing it further here, we'll see this Storm Prophet at the Choosing. "Any indication where tha bandits are hidin'?" he asks.
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"Thank you, Yakuri. I appreciate your helping us to understand what has been happening at the shrine and in Yiangma," Zithembe says. "I trust that we will see you at the Choosing. It seems we will need to speak with Chosen Megari to obtain yet further understanding."
Outside of the butcher's shop, on the way to find their next interview, Zithembe counsels the others. "I understand how coincidental this story of a new threat, the shrine-keepers abandoning their post in fear, and this new, charismatic religious leader appearing all seems to us. However, two things to keep in mind if we are going to be allowed to continue our own investigation or even stay in Yiangma:
"The first is the reason that there are countless stories of charlatans doing this exact thing is because it works," the jade shabti says, looking directly at Maria. "The people here believe the story, whatever the truth."
"The second is that people do not change their beliefs when simply told the truth," he continues. "You need to replace the story in their minds with a more convincing story. If a blind man believes that the grass is red because his father told him that as a child, he will not simply believe a stranger that he has known for a few minutes who tells him that it is green.
"And yet a another thing that we would be wise to keep in mind is that this story may actually be true. We need to keep an open mind while we search for the truth. If it is not true, we need to find evidence to help us build a more convincing story in order to protect these people."
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Maria thinks for a second, "Or it could be magic, mind control magic or something similar. Using your own analogy, why are ALL these people suddenly trusting a complete stranger in a span of a few days when their entire lives they have been trusting the shrine protectors. I'm betting it's some spell or divine aura. Either way, probably won't know until we can deal with the big boss themselves. Judging by the reaction this lady made, just shocking them with the truth wasn't enough to break whatever hold the Storm Prophet has on them. This will take more investigating, for sure."
She adds, "I won't be repeating my outburst, but it was a valid tool to use and gauge the reaction, especially in a one on one situation." She makes a few notes on her papers. "Let's go chat with the next on the list."
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"So the shrine keepers themselves are part of a bloodline," Parison mused as the group headed to their next destination. "If you are not of celestial blood," he added as he thought out loud, "or if one is not selected at the Choosing, to enter the shrine would be taboo. No wonder the mayor was so adamant about not letting us go there."
"What we've found out is a start, but I'm of the mind that there's more we can discover about the current circumstances. We'll know a lot more at the Choosing tonight, but in the meantime, uncovering more clues from the people the mayor recommended we talk to sounds like a solid plan."
Parison looks at Zithembe. "Your knowledge of the people and the culture here have served us well. And now that we've gotten an idea of how revered the Storm Prophet is by the villagers, we know that we should tread lightly. I think you would do well to speak for us as a group, especially since you understand their language."
"Any indication where tha bandits are hidin'?"
"Not as of yet, which is, if you'll excuse my language, a damned troublesome thing," Yakuri admits as she parcels out a surprisingly large bag of sausages for the hungry dwarf. "Although I know the Storm Prophet will surely return soon to lead us against them in defense of our home, I do wish we were having better luck getting some intelligence on their numbers and movements."
"But I have faith that Hei Feng is watching out for Yiangma," she adds quickly. "I will just have to be patient and do my part when the time comes, it seems."
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After leaving Yakuri's shop you take a few moments to have a quick meeting out of sight in a nearby alley, discussing what you've learned and plotting your next move. With no one voicing any objections you now turn your attention to finding Chosen Megari and seeing what she has to say on the whole matter.
Luckily, it doesn't take you long. On the west edge of town, near stairs leading farther up the mountains, a female tengu dressed in solid blue robes stands on a scaffold. She seems to be engaged in some sort of whirling, stomping dance with a nine-ring broadsword, clattering the blade’s rings and kicking up a shower of sparks all around her. Her shrill, querulous voice rings out above the murmurs and cheers of the crowd as she cries, "And so, my brothers and sisters, we must rise up and take our destiny into our own hands! We must strengthen ourselves, become as swift as the howling wind and as powerful as a thunderbolt! We will fight against the southern tides and when the day is won, all those who proved themselves worthy will be granted immortality and a place at Hei Feng's side!"
Her words are met with loud cheers and whoops of agreement and she smiles as she continues to dance, seeming pleased at the reception her message is getting. But as she spots the five of you approaching she ceases her dance and points a feathered digit in your direction.
"You! It is no surprise that the darkening of the southern lands is followed by the appearance of outsiders in our midst," she calls out as every head in the audience swivels to stare at you with suspicious, accusing eyes. "Ruin and despair will surely follow in your wake if you do not repent of your wicked ways! Repent now, outsiders, and dedicate yourselves to the Duke of Thunder!"
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"I repent sincerely of any wickedness, though I have paid for another's sins a thousand thousand times over before I gained my freedom," Zithembe says with a polite bow to the Chosen. "The mayor sent us to you to gain insight and understanding into the ceremony of the Choosing and to learn more of the Storm prophet. We came to Yisngma with no more ill intent than to learn why the messages to Heaven had ceased from the shrine and to ensure your village was safe."
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Parison is almost ready to form a scathing retort to Megari, but when Zethembe steps forward and attempts to mollify her, he clenches his jaws shut.
Practice what you've preached, he tells himself. If you start proselytizing, you'll just insult our host and embarrass the other Pathfinders. Sarenrae, give me strength to be tolerant of our host's beliefs and for trust in Zithembe to speak for the greater good of the group.
The tengu cocks her head to one side, staring hard at all of you but particularly Zithembe since he's been the only one to address her thus far.
"Mayor Kanbayo sent you to me? You have proof of this, then? If you do, I would see it," she replies as she carefully deposits the nine-ring broadsword back onto the sword rack that stands behind her.
Once you've passed the letter to her and she's read it, the tengu's attitude and demeanor grows warmer and less gruff. "I see," she remarks, passing the letter back to Zithembe. "Mayor Kanbayo is a wise fellow, wise to have sent you to me. I am Megari, one of the Storm Prophet's Chosen."
Megari then carefully kneels down and takes a seat on the platform. Sensing that the sermons are over, at least for now, some of the gathered crowd begin to disperse but others linger in the area, clearly curious about you and your business with the Chosen.
"What do you wish to know of the Storm Prophet, O seekers from far-off lands?"
Chosen Megari chuckles softly. "What do you have to 'do'? It is not so simple as 'doing', Master Dwarf. You must be fully devoted to Hei Feng, in your heart of hearts. Only then would you be eligible to participate in the Choosing, where he will select those who are fit to ascend to his House of Storms and join the divine war host that will defend our way of life."
"And so while your eagerness is...commendable...I am afraid that it would take much more than that before I would deem you - or any among you - fit to undertake such a sacred ceremony."
In spite of her gentle but firm refusal, she then spreads her arms wide. "But! That does not preclude you from bearing witness tonight. Once you see, you will understand the honor and the sacrifice it takes to walk such a path."
You happen to glance at Megari's holy symbol, which depicts a ring of lighting bolts surrounding a four-petaled flower made of lightning. But then you notice something strange. There are significant differences between this symbol and a traditional holy symbol of Hei Feng, which typically includes clouds and seas.
The exclusion of these elements of Hei Feng's portfolio is unusual.
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Maria simply watches, happy that the questions have been resolved and they will be allowed to at least witness whatever is happening here.
She quietly points out the oddities to her allies, "See her holy symbol? That isn't the traditional symbol for Hei Feng, which also has clouds and seas. It's just lightning and flower petal of more lightning. That is unusual."
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"We knew of Hei Feng in Axis," the shabti says. "You can imagine how he frustrated the inevitables and monitors there. Were you Chosen before the prophet arrived? I would like to hear the tale of how the Storm Prophet came to Yiangma and what role he plays in the Storm Duke's court."
Waiting for the answer to this first, he then asks, "I am curious why your symbol neglects the Duke of Thunder's sovereignty over the sea and weather. While he may buck the rigidity of Axis, he is still a god and worthy of all the reverence due to him."