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After noticing the eyes moving, Dwight studies the statue more carefully. Specifically, he notices that the closer anyone moves towards the southern door, the more the statue animates. Clearly, it will react should someone actually open or even touch the door, but what exactly, you can’t tell just yet.
Otherwise, it does not react to Dwight’s bow nor to Inira’s apology.
"Well we will only find the answer once we open the door!"
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After making sure that the rest of the team has retreated sufficiently far enough and behind some cover from the broken furniture, Dwight heroically moves to open the door. As soon as his hand rest on it, the statue animates fully, possessed by the same restless spirit which had possessed the bear for many years. The statue snarls, points its sword at Dwight, and releases a gout of fire from its mouth. The burst smashes into him and explodes into a ball of fire!
Dwight is made of sterner stuff, however, and the blast of fire only partially singes him. That magical attack seem to have drained the rest of the spirit’s power and the statue reverts to its original inanimate state.
Dwight finds the door locked. Although partially damaged by the fire, It still stands partially intact. The spirit must have taken care with whatever power it had to keep this area free from rot.
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With the door already badly damaged, it the party makes short work of taking it down. In stark contrast to the decaying ruin of the rest of the manor, this combination of bedroom and office is almost pristine save for a thick layer of dust. One wall contains shelves bearing books and scrolls, and another wall is covered with an enormous map of central Tian Xia. On the desk lay several sheets of thick paper, their script indecipherable under ages of dust. You stay on your guard as you slowly search the room, but thankfully, there is no more manifestation of the malevolent spirit.
The books on the shelves are military treatises and the scrolls are military orders detailing troop movements in the dying days of Lung Wa. These would certainly be of historical interest to Mai Chun and weigh 200 pounds in total. The giant map of the region that became Shokuro is highly detailed. Someone with a steady hand carefully marked several remote locations in various mountain ranges. The border of the map is an intricate depiction of the Dragon Empires zodiac. You carefully remove the map from the wall as it is delicate and might tear easily.
The papers on the desk are the most significant items here. They are a series of one-sided correspondences in Tien from an adjutant of the last Lung Wa emperor to General Chiang Zhen. The adjutant thanks General Zhen for his visit to a recent military summit at a place called the Summer Palace.
Though these letters are putatively written on behalf of the emperor, their tone is familiar, even intimate, and hints at a close relationship between the adjutant and the general. Details about the sunsets viewed between mountain peaks and constellations seen from the Summer Palace provide hints as to the lost Summer Palace’s location.
Beyond these finds of scholarly interest, you also find a fine calligraphy set on the desk is worth 100 gp, a gold ring worth 300 gp and 50 gp in loose coins in the desk drawers. Leaning against the desk is General Zhen’s a naginata, which you eventually determine to be magical enchanted.
When you return to Ashima with the books, map, and letters, Mai Chun is overjoyed. She bids the party to stay while she goes over the adjutant’s letters, and her eyes go wide with realization. She unrolls the large map across her table and traces the identified sites.
"Oh my, this is exciting! The location of the Summer Palace has been lost since the fall of Imperial Lung Wa; the treasures it contains are unknown but likely significant." She pauses as she studies the documents further. "Hmm, these materials from the estate aren’t sufficient to pinpoint the Summer Palace’s location, but are a good start." Tapping her fingernail on the map, she muses,
"The moon, with joy enough to tear the heavens,
Sinks to the horizon, and suddenly,
The Spring has grown old."
Mai Chun grins widely and asks, "Who wants to make history and find the lost Summer Palace?"
With a big smile Kyra raises her hand and smiles."Well yes I do!"
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You arrive in Xiwu, Lingshen without difficulty and easily locate the School of Affinities. It stands on the southern side of Xiwu, overlooking the Golden River. The school is a compound of several freestanding buildings surrounded by a stone wall. A small fountain bubbles in the space between buildings. The sliding walls of most buildings are open, allowing light to reach rows of students kneeling at their desks. Teachers walk between the desks, occasionally pausing to check work before continuing with their calligraphy lessons. Several guards wearing blue and black sashes patrol the grounds, keeping an
eye out for trouble.
Before you can get a good look around the school, a young Tian-shu scholar in yellow robes approaches and greets with an easy smile. Standing a short distance behind him is a dour-looing grizzled and scarred middle-aged man. "A very good morning to you. My name is Jianghong, and hovering behind me like a incessant spirit is my ever loyal bodyguard, Zheng. How may I address you, and also ask about your business in our most illustrious school today?" He says all this with a faint wry smile. The bodyguard merely harrumphs.
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What, exactly, are we here to learn that will aid us in locating the Summer Palace?
What information do we have about this place?
I have the librarian trait and profession skill (it's not high, but it's there).
Does Mai Chun think it best to tell the truth, we are here to research the location of the Summer Palace? Does she advise some other ruse instead, like we are a group coming to research ancient texts
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Toral steps forward and smiles. Then he bows and starts speaking in Tien.
”It is a pleasure meeting you! I am Toral Kargar, a merchant from Osirion. I want to purchase art work and other items that I believe to be interesting here. I have interest in such items as I believe them to have intrinsic value to others so that I can profit from trading these items or I believe them to provide me with the means to implicitly make a profit. You see that I am honest here and also warn you that I am a stoic but empathic negotiator!“ Toral says grinning and bows again.
”So who is in charge here and can show me your wares and also show me what you believe could be of interest to me?!“
Looking around Kyra keeps her hands folded in the gesture of her goddess and smiles.
"We for sure do not seek trouble!"
She then looks at the emblem of the guards but has not clue.
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”So who is in charge here and can show me your wares and also show me what you believe could be of interest to me?!“
Jianghong replies with a jolly and good-natured laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry I did not mean to laugh at you. That is most disrespectful. Whoever pointed you this way was either highly mistaken, or was pulling a fast one on you. The School of Affinities is not an artist village, churning cheap pieces of artwork for such crude purposes of buying and selling! Oh no, indeed. The school is above such mundane gross matters! This is a highly respected education institution dedicated to inculcating in the next generation of nobility the fine craft of calligraphy, the classics, diplomacy, and of course, the snobbish skill of keeping your nose up in the air!" He says all this with a mischievous glint in his eye. He then continues. "And I would certainly not wish Master Guan upon anyone, especially such well-mannered folks like you. He is the Principal of the school. He seldom meets the teachers or students, much less guests, especially those here for shopping!" Zheng, his bodyguard, can only sigh and mutters his breath, "Young Master..."
Jianghong again bursts out into laughter. "Before I disappoint my loyal companion even further, perhaps I should proceed with my assigned punishment... uh I mean, my assigned tasks. I am on door duty today, and although your trip might have been for nought, at the very least, allow me to show you around the school. Shall we?"
The young tour guide first points out the stone wall, with three gates, that surrounds the entire school. Jianghong mentions that during the day, the gates are open and the school guards patrol the grounds. At night, the gates are closed and the guards stand upon the walls, watching the surrounding city for trouble. As he brings you towards the centre of the school, he gestures to various classrooms, dormitories, and supply buildings along the way. Along the way, you notice that the grounds of the school consist of several gravel paths and well-tended hedges. These hedges are thick and about 4 feet high. Guards are constantly patrolling the place, but seeing you with Jianghong and Zheng, they do not disturb you.
"This fountain marks the exact centre of the school." It stands on raised dais and Jianghong points out how it consists of several pools that represent elaborate inkstones. "And alas, that is the cause for my punishment for today. For my ever intellectual mind felt that if they represent inkstones, should they not contain ink?" Again, that mischievous grin.
"Now this small hut is the home of the school’s groundskeeper. Yes, kind of an eyesore but hey, even young entitled nobles need some reality check, no? Anyway, I would love to show you the most mundane interior but the groundskeeper is away visiting relatives"
Jianghong then shows you to this large guesthouse, which contains a dining room and three private rooms. "It is reserved for guests of the school, such as prospective students or their visiting parents. Oh, and merchants that come to provide the school with our supplies." You can tell that it is
currently unoccupied.
With an exaggerated shudder, Jianghong points out the classroom buildings Located at various locations, filled with teachers, students, and bodyguards. "Whew, at least this most dreadful task got me out of another mindnumbing day of reciting the classics." In the day, the buildings have their sliding paper walls open to admit light. You noticed that there are no locks on the doors.
Finally, your tour guide brings you into this two-story building, the only one in the whole compound. "And finally, as the highlight of the tour, if you can contain your excitement, is our very own treasure room!" Jianghong exclaims dramatically as he gestures into the building. This reveals a high hall on the ground floor, containing several treasures on display, including weapons and examples of exquisite calligraphy. Two guards stand at attention in the hall, and with the wide doors, other
guards patrolling the grounds can easily see into the building. At this time, Jianghong stands and waits patiently by the door, giving you time to explore the various items.
As you wander around, you almost immediately notice an ornate map on orange silk. Could it be the one Mai Chun is looking for? Unlike many of the other art objects, the map is not secured behind glass. The guards do not mind you approaching close to it, or even studying it in great detail. But should you attempt to handle it (or anything other items in the room), they quickly move to stop you.
Otherwise, the only thing else in the hall is a narrow stairway at the rear of the hall. "That goes to the principal's and teachers' office upstairs. Trust me. They do not welcome visitors. Or students, it seems."
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"Much as it fills me with sorrow, I regret that we have come to the end of our most enlightening tour," Jianghong intones sarcastically in a most melodramatic voice. "Before I show you to the gates, is there anything else you would like to know about our most illustrious school?"
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* * *
Guesthouse Jianghong then shows you to this large guesthouse, which contains a dining room and three private rooms. "It is reserved for guests of the school, such as prospective students or their visiting parents. Oh, and merchants that come to provide the school with our supplies." You can tell that it is currently unoccupied.
"Ok! So I cannot buy anything here! Understood! Stop laughing already!" Toral says and then starts thinking.
"But then I can sell you something! You still buy something from merchants, as otherwise you would not have a guesthouse for merchants, correct!? So let me tell you that I am a merchant who sells everything! Everything! What do you need? Ink, parchment, glue, art??? We would like to talk to your purchasing representative and due to the fact that negotiations are going to take time we would like to stay in the guesthouse tonight! I have lots of credentials, listen ..."
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"But then I can sell you something! You still buy something from merchants, as otherwise you would not have a guesthouse for merchants, correct!? So let me tell you that I am a merchant who sells everything! Everything! What do you need? Ink, parchment, glue, art??? We would like to talk to your purchasing representative and due to the fact that negotiations are going to take time we would like to stay in the guesthouse tonight! I have lots of credentials, listen ..."
Jianghong quickly loses interest in this talk. "Ah, I don't really need to know. You have quite a quick business mind, don't you." Giving a brief bow, Jianghong continues. "I am afraid that is beyond my responsibilities then. Let me get you one of the staff to instate you in the guesthouse for tonight. The caretaker would be back tomorrow, and you can discuss your trading with him then."
"This is a very well made replica. It seems to be the only replica in here if I am observing correctly. Why does a prestigious school not have the original? You were not swindled by a dwarf were you?"
"Ooh, I wish someone would swindlw Master Guan. Bring him down a notch or two." Jianghong grins at the thought. "Alas, at least for this map, it is not to be. The original is upstairs, in Master Guan's room. The teachers sometimes copy the art on display here as practice, as with this map. I presume values it too much to leave the original here?"
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Jianghong quickly loses interest in this talk. "Ah, I don't really need to know. You have quite a quick business mind, don't you." Giving a brief bow, Jianghong continues. "I am afraid that is beyond my responsibilities then. Let me get you one of the staff to instate you in the guesthouse for tonight. The caretaker would be back tomorrow, and you can discuss your trading with him then."
Toral sees Jianghong's raction and starts to address Jianghong's companion.
"Hello Sir! Listen, I do not know what kind of mischief this friend of yours has been up to lately - but you seem like a upright man. So what do you think? Will we be able to sleep in the guesthouse tonight? Who is the guy that can decide this?"
Kyra smiles and adds."It has been a long journey and a safe bed would be truly appreciated!"
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"Hello Sir! Listen, I do not know what kind of mischief this friend of yours has been up to lately - but you seem like a upright man. So what do you think? Will we be able to sleep in the guesthouse tonight? Who is the guy that can decide this?"
Toral draws the Jianghong's bodyguard some distance away. The man looks warily at the dwarf at first, but softens somewhat by his warm personality. "Should not be a problem," is his curt reply. He looks concerned before continuing, "Please don't be mistaken by Young Master's frivolity. He is the second son of the Wu family, and perhaps because of that, he is difficult to keep an eye on when he sets his mind to causing trouble. But really he cares very much for his family's reputation."
Jianghong at this time approaches one of the teachers, who comes over after a brief conversation. He accedes to Toral and Kyra's request for the party to stay in the guesthouse tonight to meet caretaker the next day when he returns.
"Where is this a map of?
"What is it about this map that makes it so different from everything else in this room?"
"Would it be possible to examine the original?"
"Can I commission an exact copy be made for me?"
Jianghong looks at Vayon, starting to look somewhat suspicious. "Hmm, you seem quite interested in this map." He pauses as he studies Vayon briefly, occasionally glancing at the rest of the party. Finally he turns away and mumbles, "I'm not much help there. You would have to ask Master Guan yourself, and I know for a fact he has explicitly instructed to not be disturbed the rest of this afternoon. You could try looking for him tomorrow."
Jianghong brings back to the guesthouse. "Dear all, this has bring us to the end of our most marvellous tour. Hope that you have enjoyed it. If you did not, please pretend that you did if the teachers ask. Pardon me but I have to return to my studies. Sigh." He gives you a mocking smile, a deep bow with a flourish, before taking his leave, with Zheng the loyal bodyguard following closely behind.
Standing outside, Yama studies the guards patrolling the place. They are all wearing the same uniform with blue and black sashes. They move about the grounds attentively, nodding their heads to passing teachers and students. With the approaching dusk, they start moving towards the walls of the school. You presume, as Jianghong has mentioned, they would be positioned there at night to guard against intruders from outside.
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"This young noble boy Jianghong is the second son of the Wu family, and his colleague assumes that because of that, he is difficult to keep an eye on when he sets his mind to causing trouble. So maybe he wants to cause some more trouble?" he asks.
* * *
Toral is clearly uncomfortable with the route of this discussion.
"I ... I cannot steal anything! I hope you understand! I am a merchant! A merchant's living is based on joint business transactions that obviously can lead to negative margins but stealing?!? Stealing?! 100% loss of value without compensation? No! No! If you want to steal please do so on your own. I ... I can only offer to stand outside and keep watch but I cannot actively assist! But to be honest I would rather like to wait until tomorrow to just purchase the map!" Toral says apologetically.
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"I was not suggesting stealing the replica. The real map is in the headmaster's office. That is where I would break in and from there I would steal the real map."
"Other options include, staking out the boy he may try something that helps us but we will have to improvise a plan; try to talk the head master is to selling a priceless relic seems unlikely."
Where are gurads posted when Dwight looks around that school?
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"Toral I would not ask you to compromise your morales. I have been given orders to return a stolen map to it's rightful owners and I will do so to the best of my ability. You are equally well entitled to your perspective."
"Another option, if we want a replica, is to offer to buy the the fake on the wall. My concer is I am no artist I I saw that it was a replica my guess is that means it is missing important details."
"Toral if you think you can successfully buy the map your welcome to try. If that is the desire of the group I will keep watch while you all rest."
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As the night falls, indeed as Jianghong has shared with you, the guards leave the grounds of the school, even from the main hall, and make their way to the walls of the school. They seem more intent on preventing outside intruders. Teachers and scholars retreat to their respective abodes in the outskirts of the school, leaving the central grounds quite deserted.
Looking around and smiling Kyra nods to the prestigious teachers.