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With her allies in the way, Inira's first shot just misses the elemental, but her next two plunge right into its midst. The elemental's form wavers for a moment before it collapses and dissipates.
With the extraplanar creatures taken down, the Pathfinders make haste to leave the area before the guards have time to return to investigate. Back at the outskirts of the Po Li, you spot the familiar figure of Yue Xin camped just outside, seated on a folding camp stool and peering through a tripod mounted telescope pointed at the night sky.
Gesturing upward, Yue Xin says, "So the letters of green fire invoke the sign of the Dog, eh? Dogs may be vicious gluttons or friendly allies, and the wise know to be cautious until a cur’s true nature is revealed. But tell me, what does the Dog have to do with the lost palace?"
Kyra shrugs and replies."I only know that dogs are faithful guardians, of places and men."
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Yue Xin looks disappointed that the Pathfinders did not, or could not, share any more information on the Summer Palace. He rolls his eyes and says, "Ignorance and choke-vines strangle the unwary." He packs his chair and telescope quickly, and leaves unceremoniously without even a word of farewell.
Left rather perplexed, the Pathfinders make their way back to Ashima and share what they found with Mai Chun. "Dog? That's it? What could it mean?" She paces around the room, then stops suddenly. "Could it be? Oh, oh, oh..." she exclaims as she rushes back into her study and pores over the map. "Yes, it could be, but I would still need her information..."
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Quain is a nation of heroes and the home of hundreds of martial arts masters. Some of these masters are highly respected and lead renowned schools, while others struggle to perfect and promote their style. It soon becomes painfully obvious which kind Jiang Fei's is...
The Pathfinders arrive in Lanming without difficulty and seek out their contact, Jiang Fei. Locals asked about the School of the Jade Ogre initially look quizzical, then reply, "Oh, the Dumpling House!" and provide directions to a small shop in a slow, shabby section of Lanming.
The shouts of merchants hawking wares and students practicing their forms are quieter in this part of the city, but the streets still bustle with activity. Rows of old and run-down dwellings line the streets. One small apartment has been converted into a food stall, where a handsome woman with dark hair chats with a few customers. The sign above the shop reads "Jiang Fei’s Dumpling House and School of the Jade Ogre Style."
Jiang Fei is a Tian-Shu woman on the young side of middle age, with bright eyes and a demure smile. She keeps her long black hair up with a beautiful jade comb and wears the simple garb of a martial artist.
She looks you up and down, quickly sizing you up. "Welcome, welcome, guests from the west. Come and try Jiang Fei's world famous dumplings! Come, sit, sit!"
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Great! I like dumplings. Says Yama who come inside.
After buying some, Yama asks, following his comrade' questions.
Greetings Jiang Fei sama, I'm Yama no Oni, follower of Yamatsumi.
We would like to know more about the Jade Ogre Style as well as what you could know about the ancient Palace and its link with the Sign "Dog".
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After munching on rather mediocre dumplings (and with Dwight inviting condescending stares for using the chopsticks as spears), the Pathfinders revealed their interest in the Summer Palace. "Ah, you are from Mai Chun! Why didn't you say earlier? We don't have time to waste!" She quickly clears your bowls of dumplings (eaten or otherwise), and hastily closes up her shop. As she does so, she continues prattling, "As Mai Chun would have told you, I need a favour first. And rather fortunately for you who seem interested, you would learn about my world famous Jade Ogre Style."
Once done, she quickly ushers you into her home, before explaining her favour. "You would know that here in Quain, martial arts schools bloom like a thousand flowers. There is this particular Scorpion School, whose students are known as bullies and braggarts. Well, my hope is to have you best them in a fight tomorrow. I will teach you the basics of my world famous Jade Ogre style, and then have you demonstrate its technique by getting into a fight with the Scorpion School students at a local teahouse. Beating them in such a public manner will garner my school much positive attention! Nothing lethal of course! That would be detrimental to my reputation! After the fight, then I will show you the information that I promised Mai Chun. Do we have a deal?"
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"Fantastic!" Jiang Fei claps her hands in glee. She leads the Pathfinders to a park behind her apartment, and begins coaching you on the basics of her Jade Ogre style. Because she only has a day in which to train you, Jiang Fei focuses on teaching the four principal motions which form the basis of her style. "These principal motions
should be sufficient for you to show off the Jade Ogre Style in your fight the next day." With that, she starts demonstrating the first motion, gesturing at you to follow as she then goes around correcting your stances...
It is a group of aching and tired Pathfinders who return to Jiang Fei's little shop in the evening. She serves you copious amounts of dumpling but most of you are dozing off as you feed, and do not even care that her dumplings really aren't that good. Almost immediately after, you barely had time to review what you've learnt for that day before crashing on the pallets that she provided for the night.
Kyra smiles and rolls her shoulder, to prepare for the melee.
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During the training a corpulent Toral had some difficulties to really match your advanced fighting style as he lacks the strength and the agility to really be a good melee fighter ... a fact he has been confronted with many times as other dwarfs expect more.
"By Chaldira's soft beard ... I was never so tired. And to be honest I am a little bit scared. They are going to beat the sh*** out of me! Can I at least keep my armor?!" Toral asks with a slightly quivering voice.
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The next morning, Jiang Fei offers the Pathfinders a hearty breakfast (of dumplings, of course!) and then leads them to the Wang Li Fa Teahouse. After setting up Hero in the stables, she brings you in. Immediately, all eyes fall on this large group and conversations pauses briefly before resuming. The Wang Li Fa Teahouse is well lit and nicely decorated, with elaborate murals painted on the walls displaying the feats of local heroes. The furniture and serving dishes of the place are somewhat at odds with the decor though, and seem to be of cheap, rough make. The numerous patrons of the teahouse don’t seem to mind, and the place bustles with servers moving around and patrons chatting.
Jiang Fei leads you to an unoccupied table against the front wall of the teahouse. She points out the rowdy Scorpion School students sitting across the teahouse. "There they are. The arrogant students of Scorpion School." Indeed, the group of 6 are demanding wine repeatedly from the serving wenches, teasing them, and just making a ruckus. In fact, the other regulars are looking at Jiang Fei and you with in anticipation. You then realise why the furniture and serving dishes are cheap - fights likely break out here all the time, and in fact, is likely expected! Jiang Fei continues. "You need to find some way to start a fight with them. Nothing as crass as just walking up and throwing punches! That would embarrass me! Offend the Scorpion School students and goad them into starting a fight themselves!"
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Is there a table next to the Scorpion School guys where Vayon can intercept the serving people going to their table? He'll go sit there, offering any current occupants 1 gold each to vacate the table. Each servant that is intercepted will receive a silver as Vayon takes whatever it is that the Scorpions have ordered.
If they speak to him, all Vayon will says is [b]"You really should leave."[b]
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First, Vayon moves to the adjacent table and starts waylaying food that is being served. One of the Scorpions stand and is about to confront him, when Toral moves over and starts picking at their food right from their table! All while Yama calls out cryptic insults in their direction.
The standing Scorpion slams his palm upon the table and points straight at Toral's face, yelling out with his face all red.
"啊你们找死啊!麻烦惹上头上了！"
The patrons and servers seem to have a preternatural sense that a fight is about to break out. They quickly flee from their tables, but instead of running out the tavern, they run to hide behind the bar and starting cheering on the combatants!
Kyra makes a double move forward.
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Kyra quickly close in together with Dwight. The halfling, being nearer, manages to send a flying kick at one of the Scorpions. They, in return, roar in fury and move in coordination, one even leaping onto the table to get directly into the midst. They focus their attacks on Vayon and Toral for the insults thrown their way, and on Dwight for daring to attack those deemed superior to him! Enmasse, they shout "Kiyah!" as almost simultaneously, they attempt a rapid strike at the sternums but their rawness is showing - all of them miss!
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Toral looks around and sees that he is completely surrounded.
Oh dear Chaldira, how did I get into this mess! I really need to listen more to the lessons of the past!
Toral tries to hit the brute with the yellow clothing and tries to perform an 'Ogre Smashes Rock' maneuver to push the man into the tables and chairs.
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Vayon attempts to use his newly learnt techniques, but despite his arcane enchantment he only manages to swing into thin air. Toral fares no better - instead of smashing the Scorpion, he only smashes the table, and not even hard enough to cause a dent. Finally Inira, with her sparring background, manages to land a blow straight into the stomach of the yellow-robed student. It knocks the air out of him momentarily, but he manages to stand his ground. Kyra spins around and gives the red-garbed one a roundhouse kick to his chest, bruising him badly. Meanwhile, Yama and Dwight takes a moment to summon their magic to enhance their fighting abilities.
The Scorpions quiet down from their earlier bluster, realising that they are facing serious opponents. They keep close and maneuver to keep the Pathfinders surrounded to some extent. Again, they attack in unison with a fast jabbing style but again, the Pathfinders are too well defended, and only the one in purple manages to slam his fist across his head.
The save DC for these abilities is always equal to 10 + half the attacker’s level + the attacker’s Wisdom modifier.
Ogre Scares the Foe: A hard strike with the knee aimed at the lower body. A target damaged by Ogre Scares the Foe must succeed at a Will save or lose any Strength bonus to attack and damage rolls for 1 round.
Ogre Smashes Rock: A straight-line punch designed to rock a foe backward. A target damaged by Ogre Smashes Rock must succeed at a Fortitude save or be pushed back 5 feet.
Ogre Stomps Around: A fast, jabbing kick that distracts a foe. A target damaged by Ogre Stomps Around must succeed at a Reflex save or lose its Dexterity bonus to AC for 1 round.
Ogre Swings the Club: A strong side kick. Apply 1-1/2 times the character’s Strength modifier to damage rolls when using Ogre Swings the Club.
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The hit Van takes from purple convinces him to take the scorpion school fighters more serious. He activates his magical ability to increase his strength and enhance his attacks and strikes at red again.
to cast Bull's Strength.
Ogre Swings the Club: spell combat, bulls strength, arcane strike, maneuver bonus
to hit damage
Kyra will cast guidance on Toral.