Jade Moon returns the fox's bow as well as she can from her horse. As soon as they stop for the night she pulls out the rice ball once again and begins to study it. Her eyes shifting through the threads of magic as a seamstress would pick apart a kimono.
During their journey back to the trading post Jade Moon would sing in hushed tones lending the air a comfortable safe feeling. She'd also show kindness towards the prisoners giving them their food and making sure they could hear her singing hoping to soften them. Her hopes were to win them over eventually though she feared her attempts were in vain.
As Jade Moon studies the magic of the rice ball beneath the light of the moon and stars, the rice ball begins to glow. This ball has been worked by the kami, or one who is close to them. An overwhelming sense of peace and contentment fills her, followed by a hearty amount of playfulness. The aura of calm extends outwards and touches everyone in the company.
three times per day it can create a sanctuary aura
The bandits cease their struggling and cursing as Jade Moon sings and feeds them. They still keep a wary eye on her and the others, but they no longer curse them.
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"We have many enemies," Dawei said. "There may be more still. We should survey the land about this place to discover them and be sure they do not lurk close, like a serpent in the tall grass."
"Indeed. I suggest widening the scope of our surveys, and placing markers at the end of what territory we dare to claim our own in this land." Hayashi said.
Later that night, he drew out a medallion from his robes--a symbol of the Kage Ryu emblazoned on it.
"Be warned, Hayashi--although we share enemies, we are not as kin to each other.
“But we are of one clan,” I said, confused. “Do we not fight together?”
“We are one clan,” he whispered softly. "But be wary, and watch your tongue.”
"Clan Kage Ryu is toying with this land," Hayashi thought. "What is the Grandmaster playing at?"
Banishing such dark thoughts, he rested, aligning his Ki, and went into a dreamless sleep.
"If I may have a moment, my companions, I would speak to you of something regarding our captives. I have spoken with Gao, who left Po Li because of the corruption and follows the Eternal Emperor. I believe him to honestly seek redemption, and so I believe that allowing those who honestly forswear banditry to serve the trading post for a year and a day as punishment for their past crimes. They are then free to do as they will, provided they do not return to banditry. What say you ?"
"If I may have a moment, my companions, I would speak to you of something regarding our captives. I have spoken with Gao, who left Po Li because of the corruption and follows the Eternal Emperor. I believe him to honestly seek redemption, and so I believe that allowing those who honestly forswear banditry to serve the trading post for a year and a day as punishment for their past crimes. They are then free to do as they will, provided they do not return to banditry. What say you ?"
"I would not turn aside one who walks my own path," Dawei said. "But I will watch his deeds to see the pureness of his heart.
Baolin smiles at the wisdom of his cousin. "It is most excellent that they should agree to this bargain. We can show them a better way of living, one in which they can act as guardians and protectors of civilization rather than rapacious villains. Well done, striking this bargain." He turns to Dawei, nodding at his statement. "And you, too, show wisdom. We have offered mercy and they have accepted it, but it is a bargain that must be struck within one's heart - and renegotiated daily and hourly. They may turn away from goodness. We should hope that they do not, but we cannot control a man's heart."
Jian Xi listens as Xiang Lun talks about his plans to reform the thieves. "What should we do with th two ninja we captured...I have a feeling they maybe cursed as the ones who attacked us originally were."
"You speak truth, Jian Xi. We must be sure of this." Xiang weaves his spell to observe magical auras, and looks over the two captured shinobi to see if they bear the magical auras the others did.
Upon Xiang Lun's discovery about the ninja's chi Jade Moon's mind turns once again to the fox's gift. Her eyes take on a pale green shimmer like a lunar moth as her eyes become attuned to the magic threads wrapped around the two ninja's heart chakra.
Jade Moon holds the rice ball in her hands. The ball seems to glow in a shaft of moonlight. The kami have filled the rice ball with their serene light; such gifts usually have the power to ward away the darkest of yokai. She is sure that the rice ball's calming aura could be more than a match for the creatures that lurk within them. It may not free their chi, but it may prevent the spiders' killing their hosts.
Xiang Lun studies the aura of the shinboi from the defaced shrine. Faint glowing leaves rise up from the ground, swirling about the heads of each of the ninja. the leaves glow and then trace along the pressure points of the warriors, but, they stop and whither into ash at certain points along the path. Their chi is blocked much in the same way as the shinobi from the ryokan! What's worse, they bear the taint of oni within them. The ninja do not, as yet, appear to be distressed like the others were, however, possibly because they have not be questioned.
The imprisoned bandits do not have any taint upon them.
Baolin nods in thanks to Jade Moon and his cousin. Their talents are most useful, especially now. He stands imperiously above the captive pair of shinobi as the qinglong floats in a slow spiral above. His starry eyes fall upon both of them. "Your master has fled from our righteous vengeance. His comrades have turned their backs on him and back towards righteousness. Even the dark yokai inside your bodies will be still for now while we discuss your futures. Tell me about yourselves and how you came into the service of Jia-Hua."
I am loyal to my Masters. He sounds almost pleading as he cows his head in Baolin's august presence. I swore myself before the Torii of Mirrors, and entered Yomi. He smiles and sighs with relish. We were born in Baxing, at the foot of the Gossamer Mountains. It is a mining town, Lord. All able-bodied men work deep in the mines. Only women and the infirm work in shops. We were doomed to such a life, before Jia Hua came. He spoke to us of the House of Fallen Leaves and the powers of the zhuyao. How could we refuse?
His companion nods dreamily, a small smile plays across his lips. We lose all, and gain all. We are nothing, and are all. We are the void, the emptiness. We are all and nothing. Everywhere and nowhere.
Xiang will accompany his cousin to the interrogation, but he will allow him to take the lead and aid if necessary.
Jian Xi decides it would probably be best if he waited outside during the interrogations. Waiting next to the doors he runs a whet stone across the edge of his sword. His body is at rest but his mind is running different combat scenarios against differing odds. When to parry, when to deflect, and even when to avoid the strike altogether. Sometimes it's even odds a duel other times it's an ambush.
Jade Moon quietly listens to the questions and the two ninja's responses.
Whilst listening she tries to think of anyway to remove the taint from their bodies. "You'd sell your souls and bodies to oni to avoid working in the mines? You'd sell them to a man who abandons both of you as soon as the tides of battle shifted? Surely your lives are worth more than that." She says with a sadness in her voice that threatens to break her serene mask.
Although, it seems ludicrous to use such words with honorless dogs like these shinboi, Jade Moon believes they're telling the truth. The only magic compels them is the spells that allow the spiders to live within them. There are many ways to remove oni possessing a human soul. Prayers from those who have learned the deepest mysteries of the gods are the easiest way to purge an oni, although it is difficult to find someone, especially in these wilds, who speaks so closely with the gods. The acupuncture and rituals from trained masters knowledgeable in the flow of chi can also unleash the blocked chi and assist a human in expelling spirit on their own. Anyone with the proper skills could do this, but only someone who has studied for years could boast such knowledge and ability.
Jade Moon remembers one story told in her home village. An onryo had latched onto a small girl in a village three valleys over. At first, no one had known, for this was a crafty spirit, an odd accidents came upon the village. Horses slipped their reins, rice bags would split, pots of congee would burn. Then, as the spirit grew stronger, it took control of the girl at night. Each night as the village slept, the girl would walk through the lanes, and kill one person before the break of dawn the next day. When the villagers caught on, they tried to kill the child, but the onryo prevented any harm from befalling the girl. The yurei's spiritual energy was so strong you could see it as a nimbus about the girl. Finally, they called a komuso, and begged his aid. The komuso played his flute and burned moxa, he placed the stones and needles, and he even burned incense and held out his hands over the girl. It is said that the girl screamed with two voices as the komuso practiced his arts. For three days and three nights he worked, until finally, the screams stopped. The komuso had been successful, but it had taken all of his strength. He had entered the room as a young man, but he left with gray hair and body worried and worn by countless years.
Although she's never heard of a zhuyao, Jade Moon is sure that these oni-spiders could be removed the same way as any other yurei.
Finally, overcome with emotion, the kitsune sorcerer feels compelled to speak. "You'd sell your souls and bodies to oni to avoid working in the mines? You'd sell them to a man who abandons both of you as soon as the tides of battle shifted? Surely your lives are worth more than that." She speaks with a sadness in her voice that threatens to break her serene mask.
The House of Fallen Leaves has given us strength and power. We our slaves to no man, and serve our masters willingly! We give everything, and receive everything in return!
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"It is folly to sway a shinobi by mere words, my lady," Hayashi said, a hint of distant pride in his voice. "They are not mere bandits."
He turned to the rest, and said in a low tone, "If we are ready to take the risk, I may attempt to dispel the spirit, with your aid and prayers. Can we keep them protected and risk them escaping, or would we risk their lives to purify them?"
Baolin looks at Hayashi with sadness in his eyes. "It seems to me that they have no wish to repent, even should we remove the spirits within. Their hearts have been corrupted by the bargain they struck, not their spirits. Such evil cannot be removed by allowing the chi to flow properly. As unrepentant bandits, we will be required to pass sentence upon them." He glances down pointedly at Hayashi's short sword. "Would they be amenable to the offer of a more honorable end?"
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"They would be," he said. "Seppuku for being defeated, failing their mission, and being caught.
But lord, I have three reasons why we should attempt this feat."
He will discuss this away from the ninja.
"One: We will gain experience about how this technique is performed, and be able to dispel it more easily should we come across more malleable or cooperative foes.
We shall also know about how such a seal was formed--and perhaps even manage to replicate its effects.
Thus my first reason is knowledge and experience.
"Two: You inspired us to not leave an option unexplored to better this land and its people. If we despair from any difficulty so early in our quest, we shall surely meet with defeat quickly by losing heart now.
Thus my second reason is principle and honor.
"And three: Listen to the Way of the Ninja: if the shinobi here do feel abandoned by their masters in the House of Fallen Leaves, they will drift away, sooner or later; shinobi are man after all, and have all their failings.
As with all dedicated servants, they will swear a new oath to whom exerts their authority over them, and who gives them new purpose. These men are well-trained, and a shinobi with a new master has no loyalty to their previous one. It is the way of the ninja to serve--regardless of who the new master is.
Thus my third reason is potential and wisdom.
"If you feel that a course granting us knowledge, stands in line with our principles, and utilizes promise and potential warrants my attempt, please allow me to start.
I shall attempt it with your blessing, and the aid of my fellow comrades."
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Jian Xi reclines with his back to the makeshift cell his eyes closed his breathing even. Though he is not asleep his ears are open his senses strained to their limits. He attempts to feel the worlds chi and those around him, is master used to feel the legs of an ant as the crawled along a branch. Jian Xi doubted he'd be able to sense a dragon damaging across his path but still he practiced. This time something seemed different...almost as if..
Then the doors to the shed open shattering his frail concentration. He opens his eyes which flash a bright gold for just a second before fading to their normal mahogany color.
"You want to keep them prisoner until they decide to switch sides? Seems a bit optimistic...though I suppose if they are new recruits their beliefs maybe...a bit more mutable than say a senior member. Though if they are truly unrepentant is it fair to allow them to live when others we may slay during our travels maybe much like Gao. A man lost and without purpose...I know what that's like. I could have become like him after my master died, I was willing to accept gold for any work. Though I defer to the groups decision with them. " He wraps his arms around his wife as he talks still ignoring what's "proper".
Jian Xi reclines with his back to the makeshift cell his eyes closed his breathing even. Though he is not asleep his ears are open his senses strained to their limits. He attempts to feel the worlds chi and those around him, is master used to feel the legs of an ant as the crawled along a branch. Jian Xi doubted he'd be able to sense a dragon damaging across his path but still he practiced. This time something seemed different...almost as if..
His concentration shatters as a small ball rebounds off his head. He sees Li-Wu standing aghast with little Yuki hiding behind his legs chittering.
"You want to play little one." He says with a smile as he removes his sword from his back laying the blade to the side. He spends the rest of the time waiting teaching Li-Wu the secrets of juggling the ball with your feet never letting it touch the ground. Only to kick it at the last moment with unexpected strength.
"Hayashi does bring up some interesting points, cousin. Could their allegiance be earned, these shinobi would be of great use. The ability to remove this yurei would be most useful, as well, particularly if there are others we encounter who may be possessed by it or other yurei. However, I do not know if we yet have the strength needed. There is powerful magic at work in them."
"It would be good to bind them to our will, so that they know it and their own are one. So must all serve the Eternal Emperor. But so long as we lack that skill, they stand traitors to Heaven. Should their death screams guide us to mastery, then they may earn themselves less torment. To use them so would be only kindness," Dawei said.
"That is a very important if," Baolin says skeptically. "I suppose that so long as we act with diligence and caution, our honor and the righteousness of our cause compels us to try our best to redeem all foes whenever possible. If you believe that you can rid them of the evil that has burrowed within their ki, we can give them the chance to earn a place in our new nation. A single chance, and no further mercy should they betray us or choose not to accept the offer."
I'm going to hold off on resolving until people decide how they want to proceed withy the aid another and the Honor. The DC for this is 35.
Baolin places a hand on Hayashi's shoulder. "Perhaps we should seek out the assistance of the venerable Laozu. You can learn from his wisdom how to free men from dark spirits, and he is more likely to succeed at this time. Until he arrives, they are to be watched at all times. We can use the coming days to break down the barriers that guard their minds and convince them that there is a more righteous path to walk."
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Baolin places a hand on Hayashi's shoulder. "Perhaps we should seek out the assistance of the venerable Laozu. You can learn from his wisdom how to free men from dark spirits, and he is more likely to succeed at this time. Until he arrives, they are to be watched at all times. We can use the coming days to break down the barriers that guard their minds and convince them that there is a more righteous path to walk."
Hayashi said nothing at first, lost in thought.
"You're right," he said then. "I will perform reconnaissance early tomorrow to secure the perimeter, and once we are secure, visit him in high noon. Shall we all go?"
Speaking of... does anyone want to RP grabbing Laozu?
Hayashi searches the perimeter, but his disciplined eyes find no sign of any threat. It is the middle of the Hour of the Ogre, an auspicious time to begin the plan to free the shinobi from the zhuyao, when the noble warriors gather about the gates of the trading post. They ride witht he sun to the east, towards Loazu's hut.
It takes most of the day, but they arrive at the hermit's home with the setting sun.
The sun pains the sky a brilliant orange and red as Hayashi knocks on the hermit's hut. Wind stirs the ofuda and other charms hanging from tree branches and torii surrounding the small home, filling the still twilight with the gentle tinklings of a thousand bells. The fluttering paper appear to be moths dancing in the breeze.
Finally, after what seems to be nearly a full geng, Laozu opens the door. He leans heavily on his staff and wearily regards the shinboi and the assembled warriors. Noble warrior, You have brought your masters to the door of Laozu. This is good. I have longed to meet such honorable people. Word of your deeds travels fast. They are known in the spirit world, as well as the world of mortals. They marvel t your greatness, even as your enemies stir and plot. He gives a deep bow to Baolin and Xian Lun. You have been born under truly auspicious signs to hold such an important command. Please, come in. His eyes fall upon Qinglong and he smiles. Auspicious stars, indeed. Old shall become new, and new shall be forgotten, in this cycle. He bows even deeper to Qinglong than he did to Baolin or Xian Lun.
Once all are inside, with cups of tea warming their hands, he sits at the table himself. What do you seek of Laozu?
Both Baolin and the qinglong bow to Laozu as they enter his household, returning his courtesy tenfold. Baolin drinks from the tea before speaking of his business, as is customary and expected. "It is a great thing to meet a man of such wisdom, so blessed by the gods. We are in need of your wisdom. As our enemies attack us, we have had success at turning many of their followers away from their cause and towards our righteous path, in the name of the wise King Huang. We have two shinobi captive, taken from the company of the vile Jia-Hua, and we seek to free them from the dark spirits that grip their chi tightly so that we might speak to them as men. We have had dealings with this curse before, when captive assassins had spiders emerge from their throats before we could interrogate them. We pray that your knowledge and wisdom will be able to assist us in freeing them from this curse."
Laozu contemplates his tea for a moment, and then sighs. I have never attempted such a thing. I know the zhuyao you speak--they are dark things from the land of Yomi--the darkness that existed before the world was formed. They are vile oni, insidious like spiders, they prey upon the weak and spread in places far from the eyes of law.
He stands and limps over to a shelf. He retrieves a small box and a bundle of herbs. Grind these herbs-baishao, renshen, jiang, and chaishu--into a fine powder. Then, brew them into a tea with four pieces of reishi five chongcao. Strain the liquid, but reserve the solids. You may need them again. In the light of the full sun, burn the bundle of incense in this box in the five cardinal directions, with your patient at the central direction. He taps the box. And then make him drink the tea. He will resist you. Laozu gives a phlegmy chortle and pulls out a bundle of danshen. The tea tastes awful. Even if he was not possessed by a spirit, he would refuse to drink it. After he drinks, burn the danshen and set the smoke over his body as well as each of the five directions. This along with the physical practice of unblocking chi flow through pressure points should help you force the oni out.
Jiang: ginger
Renshen: ginseng
Baishao: peony
Chaishu: bulpleurum
Reishi: type of tree bark fungus
chongcao: cordyceps
danshen: red sage