"I suppose that depends on him," Baolin replies. "For now, be on your guard. Who can tell how long her treacherous sorcery will last? Jade Moon, can you tell how deep his mental corruption runs?"
Chao Si let's ou a wail of loss as he falls to his knees beside the prone form of his wife.
"Do not weep, Chao Si. Instead, let us meditate with nature, and dwell on the cycle of rebirth."
Her eyes meet Baolin and she gives him a slow and hesitant nod. She searches his face for the same worry she is feeling. She closes her eyes and gently places two cool fingers on the forehead of Chao Shi. Before beginning her search and journeying through his mind, Jade Moon silently reaches out to Diakitsu. "Great Mother Fox, keeper of the sacred den, hear my cry and my plea for this man! Spare him of the shades of insanity and preserve his fragile mind."
Dawei looked at Yaoren's corpse and quickly ensured she did not merely pretend her death.
"The Eternal Emperor now sits in judgment over her," he said with satisfaction.
Xiang Lun's spell flows about the Chao Si's form, settling in his hand as a gentle whirlwind of leaves. For the briefest of moments, clarity dawns in the man's eyes. please... Help me!. But, all too soon, his eyes cloud over with madness and he begins wailing again for his lost love.
Jade Moon completes her ritual and a shaft of pale moonlight descends through the roof and surrounds Chao Si. His entire body glows and a giant spider seems to sit atop his head. He's never seen the casting before, but it's as though the spider is alive. Which is impossible. It is feeding on his sanity, and spinning something that looks very similar to a spider's egg sac or a cocoon.
Hayashi finds no trace of the shinobi. But, he gathers the sense that everyone hates Yaoren and obeyed her only out of fear. If he tells anyone that she's dead, he's met with tears of joy and relief.
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Hayashi returned, thinking about the absence of the ninja. For a moment, he thought that they might descend on Bai-Cheng's fort, but he dismissed the thought. What would the Kage Ryuu do in this situation?
They would observe our strengths and retreat if eliminating us is not an option. They would head north--back to their real masters.
Coming to his party, he said, turning to the group: "The people seem to hate Yaoren, and will welcome us with open arms. I am unsure if we should claim lordship of the village; we cannot be in two places at once. What do you advise?"
"This place is cursed. Gather the people. I will invite them to abandon it for a new home, one where they can be free, if they will but follow us." Baolin nods to the others to continue caring for the mentally addled mayor. Only the gods know if he will be able to be freed of the dark grasp of the evil witch.
Once the people of the village are gathered, as word spreads of the death of Yaoren, Baolin and the majestic dragon emerge to greet them. The downtrodden mass seems hopeful and scared, all at once. He stands tall to greet them. A gust of wind carries his voice far. "What you have heard is true! You are free! The sorceress who enslaved the mayor, who forced you to live in squalor, is dead! Your lives are yours now, to do with as you see fit. We have not replaced one ruler with another. We do not seek your wealth or your labor. But, there is a place for you with us, if you choose freely. We offer protection and freedom to farm and trade. We will return soon to our home, but we invite anyone who longs for freedom to join us. We ask for nothing but loyalty."
The people mill about the small central village, wringing their hands and looking about them in confusion. They seem afraid, lost. One man, in tattered rough-spun clothes, steps forward. His face is coved in the dust and soot from the mines, and his body is thin and haggard. He falls to his knees and holds up his hands in supplication. Forgiveness, great lord. You are mighty, indeed, and the heavens shine upon your illustrious name! Great are the deeds you have done, and you have freed us from a great darkness! But, we are miners. Mining is all we know. We have farmed, yes, and will gladly give you our loyalty. But, cursed though this place is. It is ours. Yaoren is gone, but we have known no other home.
The others fall to their knees as well, clasping their hands above their bowed heads. Please, Great Lord! Do not drive us from our homes!
Let's say the DC is 40 (you can use Aid Another from all the other PCs AND Quinglong to get you there), plus spells
Jian Xi leans slumps slightly from the after effects of using his ki. Must get stronger if this is the best I can do... He thinks to himself silently. While the others begin to head out of he pagoda he quickly checks Yaoren's remains.
Chao Si moans and wails over his wife, but he scurries away form Jian Xi as the warrior approaches.
The warrior pokes and prods the corpse of the dead yokai. She doesn't move.
Nestled in her robes, however, he finds a jade talisman with several words written on it in a language he can't read. As his sword pokes around in her body, the blade glows briefly as the yokai's blood draws up into it from her body. The blood flares with light and then disappears as the blade seems to absorb it. A large coil of spider silk still remains. He picks it up. It looks strong.
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The people mill about the small central village, wringing their hands and looking about them in confusion. They seem afraid, lost. One man, in tattered rough-spun clothes, steps forward. His face is coved in the dust and soot from the mines, and his body is thin and haggard. He falls to his knees and holds up his hands in supplication. Forgiveness, great lord. You are mighty, indeed, and the heavens shine upon your illustrious name! Great are the deeds you have done, and you have freed us from a great darkness! But, we are miners. Mining is all we know. We have farmed, yes, and will gladly give you our loyalty. But, cursed though this place is. It is ours. Yaoren is gone, but we have known no other home.
The others fall to their knees as well, clasping their hands above their bowed heads. Please, Great Lord! Do not drive us from our homes!
The ninja approached Hu Baolin, and said in an undertone, "My lord, might I suggest an alternative to this course of action?"
"If we remain, we can push the yokai and the assassins from our gates and take the fight to them. I am sure the Lingshen markets would be open to this jade."
Baolin nods at Hayashi's suggestion. "You are wise. Perhaps I was overly cautious - and now is a time for boldness." He turns back to the people of the village. "Of course, we do not wish you to leave if that is not your wish. My concern was the distance between our home, many leagues from here. Yet we will protect you to the best of our ability, and send for more aid from our liege. You are free men and women now, with the ability to decide your own futures! We will stay here to protect you and help build your defenses, as well as help you forge your own path. The fruits of your labors will be yours! The markets of our people will be open to you, and you can prosper under the peace of King Huang."
Baolin turns to the dirty miner, treating him with the respect one gives an equal. "Tell me, friend, what is your name? would you call yourself a leader of your people? We cannot stay indefinitely, and we will need a just leader to organize the men and women of the village in our absence."
Praise Lord Hu Baolin! Praise the Seven Wise Heroes of Lingshen! The villagers all shout in unison. Their voices rise from their bowed heads and soar into the air above their clasped fists held in front of their heads.
The wretched miner goggles at Baolin's touch, and bows. I am Chen She. He bows again, and again. Lord Hu, I am a simple miner. I cannot even read! Wouldn't someone from the capital be more appropriate?
Chen She is wise! The crowd laughs. Chen She has pulled many of us from the mines when the shafts collapsed. He has found the richest veins, and works thrice as hard as any of us! He will govern this town wisely!
The villagers cheer as Chen She bows to them in gratitude. Thank you for your kind words! I will do my best to be worthy of your respect! He bows again, and asks for food to be brought for the heroes. He even goes and helps them bring the table and chairs into the town square.
They set down roast pigs and rice. Steam vegetables and fruit. The town empties its stores for the heroes, meager and withered though those stores are. As the heroes sit to eat, several of the villagers bring small, treasured heirlooms that they had kept hidden from the yokai and her pawns. They bring an old, beaten up piece of leather armor. Another villager, and old woman, hunched over with age and barely holding herself up on her cane, bows. She lifts up a small string of jet beads in her hands and offers it up with a bow. A final villager brings over a moth-eaten and worn yukata of silk.
"Though you may never have had the chance to learn, Chen She, I will teach you something of reading and writing. That the other villagers look to you shows you are a wise choice of leader, and you shall have the tools that are needed."
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Hayashi left the ceremony as soon as it was appropriate, heading to a vantage point over the town, and looking over it after dinner.
He looked over it with a keen trained eye, looking for paths into the village (both hidden and clear), defensible locations, as well as looking to the north, where his yokai foes undoubtably prepare themselves to retake the village.
Hayashi left the ceremony as soon as it was appropriate, heading to a vantage point over the town, and looking over it after dinner.
He looked over it with a keen trained eye, looking for paths into the village (both hidden and clear), defensible locations, as well as looking to the north, where his yokai foes undoubtably prepare themselves to retake the village.[dice=Perception: What do I see?]1d20+9
"Though you may never have had the chance to learn, Chen She, I will teach you something of reading and writing. That the other villagers look to you shows you are a wise choice of leader, and you shall have the tools that are needed." Xiang Lun's kind words overwhelm Chen She, and the miner's eyes moisten as he bows deeply.
Thank you, great one! Thank you! Shaoren forbade any but her pawns from reading or writing. None has been allowed to even look at a scroll in over a hundred years! To be able to read.... thank you!
There is but one clear road into and out of this village. Although, there are a few hunting trails that empty into this road and a bit on either side of the village. Three Trees once had walls, but they've long since rotten away through neglect. At the far end of the village, directly opposite of the main road, is the opening to the mineshaft. The great trees that give the town its name stand tall and proud in middle of the town square.
There are no other obvious threats. Although Hayashi does see Chao Si running north into the forested mountains.
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We let him get away! he thought at first, crouching, about to leap forward. He then paused, thinking.
I suspect he might meet up with someone. Also, if he happens to get offed by the villains (in a classic 'your usefulness to us has ended', we might get a scene out of it.
@Shuriken Holster: I'll look for something and update you once I find it.
Hu Baolin sits alone except for the qinglong in the pagoda, having made arrangements for the future of this cursed little town. A line of frowns crosses his brow. He looks over to the regal dragon, curled and serene. "I worry about the arrangement that I have made. We have freed this town, but what is to prevent another warlord or yokai from conquering these people as soon as we leave? It is many leagues from the heart of our land that we have wrested in the name of King Huang."
The dragon raises its great head up to look back at Baolin. "I grow stronger as the days pass. The strength taken from me in Quain and scattered into the winds returns as we follow your quest. I believe that this shows that your actions are blessed by the gods. You have many friends and resources to call upon to aid you."
"Thank you, my loyal companion. I will send a letter immediately to the court of King Huang, petitioning for aid." Baolin sits at a low table belonging once to the horrid Yaoren, putting out his ink brush and paper. He writes the letter to Zhao Kui Xing in Waigonshu, who set them upon this quest months ago. This is not his first letter updating the representative of King Huang of their progress in bringing civilization to this corner of the world, but this is the first one where he has asked for aid. Hopefully the successes that they have achieved in this short time has earned them some additional aid to consolidate their achievements. He writes the possibility of additional trade between the town and the markets of Waigonshu. His brushstrokes are excellent and his words are well-chosen. He hopes that the letter will bring the king's blessing to this poor town as he seals it with wax. He emerges from the pagoda with purpose in his heart and asks one of the villagers to bring it to the trading post with word of their victory, so that a more official messenger can carry it to its destination.
Days pass as the Seven Wise Warriors attend to the needs of Three Trees Village. . They rebuild the walls to the town, and even begin working the mine. The dark aura that surrounded the village seems to have left. For twelve days, the heroes oversee the Three Trees, uneventfully.
But, then, finally, on the last day, a rider arrives bearing a scroll from Zhao Kui Xing. The missive praises the heroes' accomplishments, promises a detachment of soldiers to protect the King's interests. But, there is more! The Seven Wise Warriors are commanded to present themselves before King Huang himself in the Eternal Palace in Xiwu within a month!
Hayashi spends days scouring the village, asking the locals, and following leads. Most of the ninja sworn to Yaoren were local men whom she had enslaved over the years. She kept them, like prized horses or showdogs in a rundown house near the mines. The villagers all knew she had died, because the ninjas, as one, screamed and then fled into the woods. They ran north through the mountains, along the same path Chao Si later followed.
Dawei considered the summons gravely, "It is not well for us to tarry. We must delay only so long as absolutely necessary to ensure our work in his name remains before attending the Eternal Emperor. Even that may take us from the righteous path, but only he may see clearly enough to know."
"We have not the ability to protect all holdings," Hayashi said. "If we leave, we leave the fort and Three Trees to yokai mercy.
Despite that, he said, "What do you decide, Lord Hu?"
Hayashi spends days scouring the village, asking the locals, and following leads. Most of the ninja sworn to Yaoren were local men whom she had enslaved over the years. She kept them, like prized horses or showdogs in a rundown house near the mines. The villagers all knew she had died, because the ninjas, as one, screamed and then fled into the woods. They ran north through the mountains, along the same path Chao Si later followed.
The house is more of a shack: one room separated into sections by tattered folding screens. The tatami is molding, and Hayashi's foot sinks in in a few areas. There are almost no personal affects, nothing to tell Hayashi of the people that were there. If the villagers hadn't told him that this is where Yaoren's ninja slept, Hayahi wouldn't be able to tell.
Curiously, though. He does find a new toy soldier. The kind a little lchild would play with.
The doll doesn't move. As far as Hayashi can tell, it's simply a toy soldier. It looks to be well-loved and cared for. Either it's been painted over very recently, or it's completely new. On the back, Hayashi sees the name Ken carved ionto the wood.
Baolin quietly reads and re-reads the letter, looking for hidden messages and clues in the calligraphy. He has been watching the stars in recent days, checking for omens and auspices. "We are called to Xiwu. We must leave with sufficient time so that we do not dishonor ourselves in the eyes of the esteemed King Huang. We must send word to Tang Bohu to protect the Three Trees until Zhao Kui Xing's soldiers arrive to solidify their gains. This is a great honor."
From Three Tree Village it's 7.2 days to Waigongshu (the town with Zhao Kui Xing).
From Waigongshu it's another 2 days to the river crossing at Zhaxi.
At Sideng, you can sail down the River of Ten Thousand Songs to Jade Moon Lake and port in Xiwu. That'll take 13.6 days and you'll need to book passage on a boat. This is relatively safe, as the river is so well-trafficked that most dangerous monsters have either been slain or driven away.
You can cross the river and trek your way down the road to Xiwu in only 9 days. This path is quicker by horse, but you have a greater risk of encountering bandits, monsters, and other ne'erdowells.
Or, at Waigongshu, you can head pretty much do south through the forests of Yan province and then cross Jade Moon Lake at Hekou in half the time: 7 days. But, you expose yourself two problems. 1) The Chen of Yan Province have a rivalry with the Cao of Cao Province, and they have a tendency to heavily tax travelers coming from the north. Also, you are drawing dangerously close to the capital of Po Li, and guardsmen from the southern nation have been known to "get lost" in the woods and attack "unregistered invaders". They regret all of these complications, of course, and make reparations... eventually.
By horse over the river: 19 days but, you run the risk of attacks
By boat down the river: 23 days but, $, plus little risk of attack once you're on the river.
Straight south through Yan Province: 15 days But there's a large risk of getting messed with.
It will take 3 days to get word to Tang Bohu at Bai-Cheng's fort. And, 3 days for him to send a response. But, it'll take about 6 days for his troops to get there. It will take 18 days for Zhao Kui Xing's troops to march to Three Trees Village (or only 16 to get to Bai-Cheng's fort).
Baolin has read the signs... He saw a shower of shooting stars rain over the head of the ascending Sovereign Dragon with the Ox crowning. An auspicious sign that nothing can bar their way!
Three days after Baolin sent the message, Tang Bohu and his men arrive in Three Trees Village. Bohu bows to his lord and orders his men to stand guard. Lord Baolin, the trading post's defense have been tended, and Gao is still there with his trainees. Once the reinforcements have arrived from Waigongshu, I will send for him, as well. This is a fine village, my lord, isolated, yet important. He points to the mine. You have done well to secure the area for our King.
Tang Bohu arranges his soldiers about the village, and, with Baolin's permission, guides them and some of the more fit villagers in rebuilding the village's defenses. Everyone sleeps well that night, although Three Trees Village is near to bursting at the seams. At dawn, the next day, the heroes set out on their journey to the King. It is the Hour of the Swallow, a most auspicious time to begin a journey towards the King. The Swallow is alert and social, qualities that will serve the heroes well as they enter King Huang's court. It is agile, as well, foretelling a swift and easy passage, as well as providing them quick and sharp minds to serve the King! The sun has yet to crest the horizon, and despite the early hour, the entire village once again stands outside forming a double-line cheering and waving the Seven Wise Warriors as they leave the town for royal capital, Xiwu.
Despite the good fortune of the hour, a heavy rain falls as the heroes wind down the path from the village. Did Baolin read the signs wrong? Should they turn back and begin later? A full geng more, they brave heroes press on, despite the pounding rain and grim clouds. But, then, just as the Seven Wise Warriors descend to the valley floor and set foot on the path to Waigongshu, the clouds break. The sun shines bright and strong through soft rain and a rainbow alights in the sky, seeming to trail off in the distance towards the royal capital. A truly propitious sign! Indeed, the noble steeds the heroes ride seem to barely touch the road, and they speed off from sodden Shenmen to Xiwu.
The gods smile on the heroes, and they make good time. Four days after they began their journey, they arrive at the gates of Waigongshu. Of course they are greeted with all courtesies by Baolin's friend Tang Fengzhi. He feasts his friend and the other brave heroes, making much over their heroics in "savage" Shenmen. He asks over his son, and is much pleased at Tang Bohu's successes. That night, they are invited to feast and rest at the magisterial palace of Zhou Kui Xing.
He offers them tea and food, and there are dancing girls and music in his courtyard before the night is done. At dawn, once more at the Hour of the Swallow, the heroes begin anew, their stores refilled and a dispatch sent to Xiwu to inform the King of their progress.
Three days later, they cross the River of Ten Thousand Songs, barely stopping to book passage in Zhaxi to Donyan.
As they travel, the deep forests of southern Lingshen give way to the fertile plains and farmsteads of the central provinces. At Donyan, on the western side of the River of Ten Thousand Songs, the road turns south and winds through the hilly uplands that bend the river to the east before it empties into Jade Moon Lake.
Nine days after they disembark from the boat in Donyan, the heroes spot the Glorious Jade Gate of the Eternal Sovereign Dragon rising from the field of Ten Thousand Blossoms. It soars, a massive work of magic and artistry, carved, they say, from a single block of gold-veined-jade. Twin statues of giant samurai stand to either side of the gates, holding giant naginata in their armored hands. Legends say that the giants are actually holy warriors from the gods sent to Lingshen to act as guards, and they shall awaken at the realm's most dire hour to defend it from doom.
As they approach the gates, the ride in shadow far before they ever come near the massive structures. From either side of the twin gate towers, stout walls of grey stone flare out from either side, reminding all who draw near that Xiwu is a fortress first, and a palace second. A courtier and a compliment of samurai in sparkling ceremonial armor march out from the gates to greet Hu Baolin and the other heroes. He bows as he dismounts. Greetings worthy guests! Matters of state draw King Huang's gaze for now, although he is both pleased and impressed by your successes in the savage lands to the north. He bids you welcome to the Royal City offers you rest in the Jade Lotus Palace until he speaks with you.
Dawei made the correct kowtows and conducted himself in every way as he had been taught. He considered seeking out a temple, but memories of home kept him away. After due consideration, he raised his idea with the others.
"We are but few in Shenmen. It would be meet for us to have others, trained in war and of sure faith, who might keep what we have gained while we serve the Eternal Emperor's design. As we wait on He For Whom the Dragons Bow's pleasure, may he live forever, we should seek those who would heed the call of duty with us."
Xiwu is a giant city, with soaring towers and battlements rising high above the the stone outer walls flanking the famed Glorious Jade Gate of the Eternal Sovereign Dragon. The city itself is shaped like the square blade of a plough. The massive stone walls stand over 60 feet tall, and nearly half again as wide. Three gates pierce each face of the wall, and each gate has three entryways. The three gates facing Jade Moon Lake, are called the Water Gates and leads down to the port town that abuts the harbor at the base of the cliffs.
Eight gates feed into a main avenue nearly 150 feet wide broken into three lanes with rows of trees (pine, scholar, and elm) that line up with each entry way. The Water Gates each feed into Water Market, which sells fish and all other goods that come into the city through the harbor. The Glorious Jade Gate of the Eternal Sovereign Dragon opens into a grand thoroughfare that is more an extremely long courtyard than an actual road. It leads straight to the Jade Lotus Palace in the center of the city. The western gate opens into the Market of Trees, which deals with trade that arrives by land.
The city is divided into nine districts which are each divided into 160 walled wards. . They are; 1) the Market of Trees; 2) the Water Market; 3) the Palace; 4) the Temples; 5) the Barracks; 6) the noble estates 7); the Commoners; 8) the Academies.
At the center of the city is the Palace. Surrounding this ward are the tranquil parks and pools and pagodas of the Temple District. It extends south to the Common district that flanks the walls. The common District hugs the walls in a ring, and is by far the biggest district. In the North East, the Academy and Noble Estates continue the park-like atmosphere of the Temples. The Barracks is their own fortification within the city and is even more heavily fortified than the palace. All know that the king flees here if all is lost.
The palace is gigantic, fit almost to be a city itself. It has massive walls and stout defenses rivaled only by the outer city walls and the military district. Many courtiers and servants have spent their entire lives in the Palace and have not seen every room or floor. Nor, have they set foot outside the palace grounds.
The academies are the sources of learning and knowledge in Xiwu, and are the greatest centers of learning and magic in all of Lingshen. Its libraries are ancient and hold scrolls and writings of over a thousand years.