Jianghong seems to hesitate as Boolar reminds him of his family, which is just long enough to get hooked by Myth's accurate cast.
Yidric Belove
Boolar Rejic
Mythrynder
Abolt Greenseed
Skaf
Kita Kyuichi
Jianghong just barely maintains his grip on the wall, until a sudden weight on his leg pull him, toppling to the ground. The stern talking to is enough for Jianghong to forget about the map which is currently tucked safely inside Mythrynder's tunic. Rubbing his hindquarters where he struck the ground, Jianghong looks dejected. "I was just hoping to get the dean's attention. No matter how well I do in classes, all she does is scold me. My aunt should treat me just the same as other students!"
Moments later, a furious Zheng appears from the other side of the hedge, holding a single lantern. "Jianghong, I have been looking ALL OVER for you! You are late for your dinner invitation. The dean requested you SPECIFICALLY!" With a sudden glance to the party, his eyes narrow on Kita. "What kind of Nonsense has Jianghong been up to? And why is he in such poor shape?"
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"I imagine it is the kind of nonsense that he typically gets into.
We were walking by the offices when Jianghong nearly knocked me down while jumping out of the window of the room where the artifacts are kept.
We did not want to see Jianghong suffer from the dishonor of public knowledge of theft and attempted to stop him. His flight ended here.
I suggest that you take him back and see that any artifacts that remain on his person get replaced. Unfortunately, the wind blew the orange silk map up over the roof of this building.
Mythryndyr, do you see the map up there? Did the wind blow it away?"
After a brief pause.
"For your benefit, we will not speak further of this incident. I take it you can ensure Jianghong gets cleaned up and safely to the Dean's care?"
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"That is sad, for that map truly was priceless.
Zheng, please take Jianghong to dinner. I will do my best to search for the map."
Kita heads off in the direction the map was last blowing, searching the trees and bushes for any sign.
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Zheng sighs, and shakes his head "Of course he did. Jianghong, someday you will learn to cease these pranks! Thank you so much for your... discretion in this matter. I will take it up with his family and see what can be done about this artifact. It sounds to me like another 'Donation' is in order..."
Grabbing Jianghong by the ear, Zheng dutifully drags him back to the student's housing, while giving him a stern talking to.
The rest of the evening passes uneventfully, and in the morning, Chie comes to retrieve your group.
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"Your subterfuge to save my honor is greatly appreciated.", Kiya says with a bow.
"As the school has a scapegoat, and will not be missing the map currently, I propose that we collect the remainder of our belongings and leave as soon as we are able."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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With an almost musical laugh, and a bemused grin, Chie quips "I knew you would be able to recover what you needed! Let's get on our way before anyone starts asking any difficult questions."
With a few words, you are once again walking among the clouds, heading south across the Sea of Ghosts, into Po Li. "From what I have heard, there is supposedly a very large statue in the center of Changdo, dedicated to the Eternal Emperor. We should be careful as we get closer!" Only a moment after mentioning it, a colossal face looms in your view. "I didn't think it would be quite THIS tall! But I suppose this means that we are here!"
After touching down in the city itself, Chie smiles and hands you the note from Mai Chun. "Apparently his favorite fishing hole is just outside of the city gates? I'll secure our lodging for the evening, and wait outside the gate for your return!"
A correspondent of mine, a minor bureaucrat in Po Li named Yue Xin, implies that he has identified where to find some valuable information to locate the Summer Palace. Although he attempts to obscure the truth with his cryptic responses, I believe Yue Xin is fearful of searching out the information himself, so there may be some danger. I have written to him of your capabilities, and he is eager to meet you. Travel to Changdo, the capital of Po Li, and find Yue Xin at his habitual fishing hole outside the city gates. He will direct you from there.
– Mai Chun
Outside of the City is a busy trading yard, populated by all manner of people from across Tian Xia. Off to one side is a small well, surrounded by a low stone wall. A young Tian-Shu man wearing a broad straw hat stands beside the well, the line of his bamboo fishing pole disappearing into its depths.
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Aside to the group, "Po Li! It has been some time now since I have stepped in my native land.
As it seems that the Society deals almost exclusively with the less savory members of civilization and I quite literally represent the local authorities, it is probably best for someone else to begin the discussions."
After a moment of thought, the man looks at the fishing pole, shrugs his shoulders, and absently flips the bamboo pole down the well. With hands outspread, he looks at Kita and speaks.
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Autumn comes for wise men and fools alike, yet some things endure throughout the seasons. In these places, Summer exists for all time.
Seek for Summer to the North, you say. Can you be more specific?"
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Rolling his eyes, Yue Xin looks over the rest of your party, before finally settling on Abolt. "I can speak in the your tongue if it means I do no not have to deal with the unenlightened. 'If every flower bloomed at once, there would be tremendous beauty, but for only an instant.' I am Yue Xin, and Mai Chun was correct seek my aid!"
Flipping open a leather satchel, Yue Xin grabs a handful of loose papers and thrusts them forcefully into Abolt's hands. A moment later (after a very quiet splash) he pulls a red-lacquered wand from his sleeve, unceremoniously slapping it atop the papers. "I trust you can see the importance of these documents."
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Relived that they share a common language Abolt only has a moment before papers are thrust into his hands and a wand is produced.
"My, what a useful wand that is.
Quickly glancing at the papers. "Yes, yes but I will need a moment to read them. Shall I take the moment now or can you summarize to save yourself the time of waiting?"
The papers in Abolt's hand appear to be written in a cramped Tien handwriting that a tap of the wand can fix.
A moment after Abolt taps the wand, Yue Xin snatches the papers back out of his hand, before stuffing them awkwardly back into his satchel.
In an Almost Professorial tone, Yue Xin readjusts his straw hat, and starts to lecture. "When Imperial Lung Wa controlled these lands, quick and accurate communication was of paramount concern to the Eternal Emperor and his servants. Relay stations formed a network covering much of the continent, speedily carrying imperial dictates to the farthest corners of the realm. In these dark days, those relay stations have fallen into ruin."
“But into darkness comes light, as into memory comes charitable action. My researches indicate that some of the messages that passed through these redoubts were secretly recorded. A clue to the location of the palace Mai Chun seeks is certainly to be found in a ruined communications station just half a day’s walk to the west, down that road and left at the first crossroads you reach. Directions to the palace are said to be ‘writ in letters of green fire.’ Surely heroes of your mettle will have no trouble traveling to the ruin, avoiding the soldiers who guard it by day, exploring it by night, and overcoming the ghosts said to haunt it. The restless dead offer no threat to he who sparks the tinder.”
After his miniature lecture, he promptly turns around, and heads to a trader nearest to the well. Almost as if the trader could anticipate Yue Xin's thoughts, he takes a Bamboo Pole from behind the counter with a length of string tied to the end.
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Kita rolls his eyes as the official walks away.
"Maybe I was better off dealing with pirates in Absalom"
Kita mounts and takes out his bow.
"Abolt, did the fool actually let you read any of those documents?
Regardless, this talk of the restless dead is unsettling. Let us proceed and see if these sites need cleansing."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Before you head to the ruins, you might know a bit more information about Imperial Lung Wa!
Knowledge (History) or Diplomacy(-5 if you don't speak Tien)
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"The guards of Po Li will zealously guard these ruins. It is possible that I might be able to use my status as a Samurai of Po Li to get past them. However, it is more likely that we can get by them during the night.
Also, many imperial ruins are said to be haunted. Sometimes that includes actual undead. Sometimes it includes beings that have been bound to protect the structures."
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Mythryndyr nods at Kita's words. "I can scout a little ways ahead of the party."
Myth will lead the way to the ruins, keeping his eyes open for anything suspicious, scouting far enough ahead where their noise won't be a hindrance but close enough where he can signal them by hand if needed, bow drawn...
The directions given by Yue Xin are accurate, as is the information from Kita. Around the perimeter of the ancient watchtower ruins are patrols of several Tien-shu warriors in polished red and black armor, with polearms with foot long blades at the end. As sneaky as Myth is, the patrols are too numerous for him to get very far.
"Halt! These are grounds important to the Eternal Emperor! None shall pass without proper identification, and documents!"
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I don't really expect this to go well, but it is worth a shot
Quietly aside to the rest of the group, "Head back up the trail a few hundred yards and find a place to set up camp. I'll try to get them to allow me to scout approaches for after nightfall. Chances are I'll get turned back anyways."
Kita slowly approaches the soldiers. His banner and other insignia clearly mark him as a samurai for Po Li. He carries himself as if he has every right to be here and expects to be obeyed.
"Excellent, soldier! I like your assertiveness.
I am here to inspect your patrols. I'll want to inspect some of the men on patrols and your barracks. Please arrange for an escort immediately."