Sifu, even the strongest wind can tear apart a forest. Zan intones. Rong nods along eagerly. We were thinking of recruiting men from the village to join our dojo.
[spoiler=gardening at night]
The moon is high in the night sky as the three wait. The shadow spreads across the field, silent. As Jian Xi watches, though, he realizes that it's not a shadow, but several small creatures each the size of a small cat. They spread out in a mass. Wherever they touch, the plant life withers and dies.
Jian Xi senses the darkness is a manifestation of the qi of whatever these creatures are. They feed on the life force of the plants, and use that to extend their shadows outward to hide their movements.
[/spolier]
"There are small creatures hiding in the shadows!" Jian Xi exclaims as he stands drawing his sword as he does so.
Arrows fly over the wall of the trading post, but they strike shadows and trees, not whatever it is that feeds on the crops. Hayashi's shuriken strike and the creature wails in pain. It curls upon itself and twists back sliding into the shadowy night.
In the distance, just at the edge of Hayashi's vision, he sees a woman dressed in an elegant hanfu. Her face is obscured by a mask, but it's obvious from the intensity of her gaze that she's staring directly at Hayashi, and she is filled with malice.
However, something about her seems... familiar.
At the sound of the shout from Hayashi, Hu Baolin is up and out of bed in moments. His time at war kept him well-trained to fall asleep and wake up at a moment's notice. He emerges from the inn, barefoot and unarmored but otherwise dressed, with his spear in hand. The Qinglong is nowhere to be seen, as the dragon retreats into the world of yokai while Baolin sleeps. He runs through the gates to Hayashi's side, ready to summon his magics to assist should something attack. "What is it?" He raises a hand and casts a spell to light up his immediate area, as he is not blessed with such sight as some of his comrades.
The woman at the edge of the forest laughs hauntingly at Hayashi calls out to her. Unconcerned for the arrows from the guards that sail passed her. She smiles. Her face is completely obscured by her mask, but still, somehow, the heroes know she smiles at them. It is not a pleasant or forgiving smile.
Baolin summons the element of fire to illuminate the area. For a moment, he struggles, it's as though his chi is blocked! But he finally succeeds and a small plane ball of light hangs in the air. It gives off weak cold light, barely more than a dying candle. The light hardly reaches the woman at the edge of the forest. But, it is just enough enough to shine on her.
Baolin senses that she is the reason the spell was so difficult.
Her hanfu is the finest silk: brilliant blue and red peacocks dance amongst orange and yellow chrysanthemums and vibrant green vines. Her fingers are lacquered in green paint. Her mask is a plain porcelain covering of a serenely smiling woman with ruby red lips and high-arched eyebrows. The left side of the mask has a large crack running to one eye.
She laughs again, and the thousand gold and jade bangles of her elaborate headdress set to jingling in the still night air. It's a beautiful sound, like a thousand tiny bells and wind chips tinkle melodiously in the wind,
Smoke rises up from the earth, surrounding her in jade-tinged must.
We shall meet again, brave ones, in the ancient hall, of stags and falling waters.. She laughs again and disappears in the jasmine -scented mist.
Jian Xi allows his body to be infused with ki with a shout he flings his hand outwards causing two red blasts of energy to fly towards the mystery woman hoping to hit her through the smoke.
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Hayashi's staggered, and then fell to his knees, staring into the darkness of the woods in disbelief.
Baolin's question fell on deaf ears, Hayashi looked on, as the mists rolled over. Somewhere behind his senses, Jian Xi let forth a blast of manifested Ki, though the shinobi was lost in thought.
Haruka...is the Lady of Jasmine Mists?
The ki blasts swirl through mist, striking, nothing, only smoke. Although they are favored with a final chuckle before the mist fully clears. Where she stood, the earth is withered and dead. The plants are grey and puff to dust as soon as anyone touches them.
As the woman disappears, the creatures melt into the shadows with her, leaving the garden a grey withered ruin with naught but puffs of dust and the faint scent of jasmine in the air to mark their passing. Hayashi falls to his knees in shock as dust swirls up around him. Try as he might, She of the Jasmine Mists' words means nothing to him. What could the ancient hall of stags and falling waters mean?
By dawn, it finally hits him, she is with the Stag Lord in his ancient castle. The castle would be near a waterfall. Bai Cheng recalls that there is a waterfall in the eastern hills. The river slips through a defile on its way to the sea and passes over a series of falls and rapids before broadening out just outside the gorge. He's never been there, few, if anyone has ever gone there. He doubts even Laozu has traveled that far. The people all claim the area is haunted, and the bandits are thick there.
It'd be the perfect place for a stronghold.
By dawn, Hayashi gathered a council of his allies "We cannot let this stand. The sooner we wait, the more often they can target our farms and starve us out. We must harry them, or (if we dare), assault their stronghold."
"To leave what we have done would make it easy for our enemies to ruin, breaking faith with King Huang, may He live forever. We may sacrifice our lives in an attack and die nobly, but not at the cost of His glorious design."
Hu Baolin addresses the council of heroes, along with the leaders of the villages. "When the troops sent to us by the wise and noble King Huang arrive, we shall march on the so-called Stag Lord's stronghold. Hayashi, take whomever you feel is best equipped to accompany you and scout ahead so that we know how best to lead the attack. I will make the necessary logistic arrangements so that the soldiers are rested and fed before we make our attack. We have the chance to strike a great blow against an enemy of our king and secure this land for him. Let us not fail."
So...we'll finally meet....why do I have your face? Jian Di sits quietly at Hu Baolin's deceleration his mind consumed by what Laozu had revealed to him.
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Hu Baolin addresses the council of heroes, along with the leaders of the villages. "When the troops sent to us by the wise and noble King Huang arrive, we shall march on the so-called Stag Lord's stronghold. Hayashi, take whomever you feel is best equipped to accompany you and scout ahead so that we know how best to lead the attack. I will make the necessary logistic arrangements so that the soldiers are rested and fed before we make our attack. We have the chance to strike a great blow against an enemy of our king and secure this land for him. Let us not fail."
Hayashi saluted, and took off to prepare Zan and Rong.
To them, he said, "Release is upon us; we soon assault the Stag Shogun's fort to bring him to justice. With their mortal hand cut, the yokai resistance to just rule will wane, and the forces behind the Torii of Mirrors, as well as the other evils in this land will tremble. Prepare yourselves."
A week later, the troops arrived. A hundred men in armor marching in suit (plus a few well-disguised retainers that Hayashi picks from the crowd), is an impressive site to behold. Even for seasoned warriors. The plan is decided and the armies move out at first light.
Hu Baolin and Hayashi lead their to the west, through the dark and narrow gorges of the hills. Limestone cliffs rise from each side and arrows rain down upon them from above. But, the shafts bounce uselessly off of the rocks surrounding the brave warriors. Cautiously, they make their way to hold outs of the mountain pass.
The two lovers race through the woods, their armies fast behind them. They turn a bend through the trees and come to a small clearing and a watchtower rising from the center. The dfront door bursts open and a score of men rush out. Atop the tower, a large bald man with a massive flail roars a challenge
Like lighting, Tsui Dawei leads his soldiers along the river path. The Eternal Emperor commands him to destroy his enemies, and Dawei will obey! His men are loyal, and move swiftly. But, the river fort is well guarded, and a man with a spear stands behind a horde of men.
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Hayashi moved up the northern pass, accompanied by his disciples Zan and Rong, as well as the Kage Ryuu agents assigned to him. He detached from Hu Baolin's force, promising to scout ahead and harry the enemy's own scouts.
Lingshen Soldier (10-Man Troop)
Human warrior 1 [Troop (10-Man)], LN Medium humanoid, Init +1; Senses Perception +0
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor , +1 Dex ); hp 40 (1d10+3 x 5); Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +2
Offense
Speed 20 ft.; Melee longspear, Accuracy 13 (5d8+15/x3) or greatsword, Accuracy 13 (10d6+15/19–20) or dagger, Accuracy 13 (5d4+10/19–20); Ranged javelin, Accuracy 12 (5d6+10)
Space 10 x 25 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with longspear)
Statistics
Str 15, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 9; Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 14; Feats Step Up , Toughness; Skills Craft (weapons) +3, Profession (soldier) +4, Survival +1; Languages Common
Combat Gear 10 potions of cure light wounds (heals 5d8+5 hp); Other Gear 10 chainmail, 10 greatsword, 10 dagger, 10 javelin, 10 longspear, 20 gp
Shenmen Bandit (10-man troop)
Human Warrior 2 [Troop (10-man)]; NE Medium humanoid ( human ); Init +1; Senses Perception +0
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 11, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor , +1 Dex ); hp 75 (2d10+4 x 5); Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.; Melee longsword, accuracy 13 (5d8+5/19–20) or sap, accuracy 13 (5d6+5 nonlethal); Ranged longbow, accuracy 13 (5d8/×3)
STATISTICS
Str 13, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 9, Wis 10, Cha 8; Base Atk +2; CMB +3; CMD 14; Feats Point-Blank Shot , Skill Focus ( Stealth ); Skills Intimidate +4, Stealth +6; Languages Common
Combat Gear 10 potion of cure light wounds (heals 5d8+5), masterwork arrows (50), tanglefoot bags (20), thunderstone (20); Other Gear 10 leather armor , longbow with 20 arrows, 10 longswords , 10 saps , 480 gp
Hayashi and his shinobi part north, cutting through the narrow gorges and ravines of the hill country. Shrouded in darkness, the ninja run like shadows themselves, silently cutting across the gravel as through running across a grassy field.
Arrows shatter uselessly against the stones of the ravine, but the ninja doesn't lose a single man as he calls a quick halt. There, on the cliff sides are the Stag Lord's archers!
Where do you want to go?
Where do you want to go?
WHere do you want to go?
Hu Baolin has returned to the art of war - but he leads the army now, with the great dragon striding beside him. The battle plan is clear - he will lead his troops up through the mountain pass, buttressed by the scouting of the shinobi under Hayashi. The others will seize the watchtowers in the valley, so as to deprive the Stag Lord of the ability to cut them off from behind or reinforce the troops. He spoke to the troops earlier, hoping to inspire them to fight their best for King Huang. Hayashi's scouting was invaluable, allowing them to develop a plan to assault an otherwise-impregnable stronghold and determining where his forces would be weakest and strongest. He knows that the entire plan is contingent on him quickly seizing the high ground of the mountains, especially the fortress to the north of the main stronghold. He leads his small force through the narrow winding pathway, trusting in Hayashi to pick off some of the archers that threaten them. He holds his crossbow rather than his spear, occasionally shooting at the enemy to force them into cover. He keeps his eyes open for a chance to find and defeat one of the Stag Lord's lieutenants, so as to drive a terrible blow to the morale of the men who defend the wicked warlord.
Dawei arranged and inspected his men repeatedly in the days leading up to the assault, ensuring that each knew his duty and the path of tenfold miseries the befell all cowards in righteous battle. He instructed them that they must strike first at any leaders they saw among the enemy, for in laying low the higher traitors they would impress the Mandate of the Eternal Emperor, May He Reign Forever, upon the rest. They should submit, trembling and begging punishment, or die screaming.
When the time came, Dawei led from the front. He arrayed his men not in an august panoply, as befitting a worthy foe, but as hunters for vermin. They skulked along the river toward their target, drawing to within an easy bowshot. With silent gestures, he bid his men draw aim upon the spearman. Seeing that tended, he took his own aim.
With all in readiness, he prayed soundlessly to the Eternal Emperor, Death to His Enemies, and spoke his order, "Loose!"
Hayashi's men spread out, not allowing their enemies to volley them, and Hayashi himself jumps into the fray after throwing a couple of shuriken. He has trained his shinboi well. They dodge the arrows raining upon them from the heights, and only a few find purchase. The Stag Lord's warriors are strong, but they are no match for the Clan.
His shinobi launch their shuriken, and Hayashi ducks beneath the whistling metal stars. Like lightning, he darts from rock to rock arms held at the ready. He finds the captain of the squad, and reaches for a neck grab, but the captain dodges beneath the blow, spinning and sending a fierce kick to the ninja's spine that he will feel for days after! The ninja spins again, and this time, he succeeds! Snatching the captain into a fierce chokehold as the last of the man's archers fall beneath the metal stars.
Hu Baolin has returned to the art of war - but he leads the army now, with the great dragon striding beside him. The battle plan is clear - he will lead his troops up through the mountain pass, buttressed by the scouting of the shinobi under Hayashi. The others will seize the watchtowers in the valley, so as to deprive the Stag Lord of the ability to cut them off from behind or reinforce the troops. He spoke to the troops earlier, hoping to inspire them to fight their best for King Huang. Hayashi's scouting was invaluable, allowing them to develop a plan to assault an otherwise-impregnable stronghold and determining where his forces would be weakest and strongest. He knows that the entire plan is contingent on him quickly seizing the high ground of the mountains, especially the fortress to the north of the main stronghold. He leads his small force through the narrow winding pathway, trusting in Hayashi to pick off some of the archers that threaten them. He holds his crossbow rather than his spear, occasionally shooting at the enemy to force them into cover. He keeps his eyes open for a chance to find and defeat one of the Stag Lord's lieutenants, so as to drive a terrible blow to the morale of the men who defend the wicked warlord.
Smoke rises from the fortifications of Baolin's foes. For a moment, he recalls his campaigns against the Wu, his family's bitter rivals. He quickly shakes the memory free, and orders his men to press the advance, beneath the fierce roar of Qinglong. His warriors rival the dragon with their answering shout, and charge the Stag Lord's forces as one! They rush forward, steel meeting steel in a deafening clang. The Stag Lord's men are brave. Baolin's are braver. And, better trained. They cannot match the ferocity and desperation with which the villain's men fight. They do not have to. They have discipline and honor. And, in the end, skill always triumphs over chaos. Soon, Baolin stands proud over the battlefield. Triumphant.
?
Dawei arranged and inspected his men repeatedly in the days leading up to the assault, ensuring that each knew his duty and the path of tenfold miseries the befell all cowards in righteous battle. He instructed them that they must strike first at any leaders they saw among the enemy, for in laying low the higher traitors they would impress the Mandate of the Eternal Emperor, May He Reign Forever, upon the rest. They should submit, trembling and begging punishment, or die screaming.
When the time came, Dawei led from the front. He arrayed his men not in an august panoply, as befitting a worthy foe, but as hunters for vermin. They skulked along the river toward their target, drawing to within an easy bowshot. With silent gestures, he bid his men draw aim upon the spearman. Seeing that tended, he took his own aim.
With all in readiness, he prayed soundlessly to the Eternal Emperor, Death to His Enemies, and spoke his order, "Loose!"
Like brown rain, the arrows fall from the sky, pincushioning the enemy before them. The Stag Lord's forces unleash their own volley, taking down a few of Dawei's warriors, but the Eternal Emperor stands with him this day. Dawei cuts his arm down again, and once more his archers loose. Their arrows fly, blotting out the sun with their mass, and run the captains through. The captains down, the rabble drops weapons and run. The field is his!
Dawei felt a moment of envy for the righteous dead, gone to march in the Eternal Emperor's armies, but the rites due them must wait. Dawei surveyed his men for injuries that might slow them, then led them on down the river for the Waterfall Pass and the fort there. They would not take it with arrows alone, but once they slew the guards they could steal in close and scale the wall. He had trained his men for this. They would not fail.
The heroes fought their way through the soldiers of the Stag Lord. Dawei's archers darkened the sky with their arrows, and Baolin's forces forged met with the soldiers sword for sword. Jian Xi and Jade Moon's soldiers formed a wall, defending the archers as Hayashi's shinboi darted about the field, quickly stabbing and kicking the Stag Lord's forces.
The forces rushed and crashed forward, each fighting and cutting towards the other. The ground was trampled to mud beneath their feet, smoke filled the air, blocking the sun. Horses screamed and reared as wedge of cavalry charged the Heroes' forces, and splintered against Jian Xi's and Jade Moon's men.
Then, the enemy pulled back as a dull roaring filled the air and over their backs leapt a true giant of a man! He was easily nearly 7 feet of solid muscle. He wields a truly massive meteor hammer in two hands and thumps his chest in challenge.
I am Ko! Champion of the Stag Lord! Send me your strongest to fight!
Hu Boalin:
Jian Xi:
Lady Jade Moon:
Narukami Hayashi:
Tsui Dawei:
Ko:
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Hayashi took a step forward, and lowered his face-mask to show his face.
He then said, "I will face you, Ko. Prepare yourself."
Like a streak of lightning or a sudden avalanche, Hayashi shot forwards at the giant man. As he sped forward, he moved in a wave-like pattern, weaving side to side to evade the meteor hammer's attacks of opportunity.
Coming up to in the shadow of the giant, Hayashi jumped upwards in a display of acrobatic skill and finesse, grabbing the man from around the neck, and hanging on in a grapple, holding him down by exerting force on the enemy's back.
Jian Xi almost as a double to Hayashi rushes forward towards Ko. When Hayasi jumped Jian Xi's sword so recently infused with he blood of Yaoren cuts through the air aimed at Ko.
Hu Boalin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Jian Xi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Lady Jade Moon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Narukami Hayashi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Tsui Dawei: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Ko: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Jian Xi' dashes forward, parting soldiers about him like a sword parting a stream. He plants a foot on a fallen soldier and leaps into the air, sword raised in a powerful double-handed hold. His blade comes crashing down, cutting deep into Ko's side, parting armor and flesh alike with equal skill.
Blood pours freely from Ko's wound as he twirls one end of the chain in front of himself, creating a kind of whirling shield. The other side he holds aloft and whirls it above his head like a great ponderous whip. Jian Xi and the other warriors recognizes this move as the fortress stance!
Then, like a powerful meteor, he launches one end of the hammer towards Jian Xi!
The brave warrior cuts to the right, rolling on the dirty and narrowly missing the weight of the meteor as it comes crashing down. He feels the shockwaves of the weapon reverberate through the earth, causing a minor tremor.
Ok.... Did not expect that
. No crit since it had to beat the acro check and that doesn't. I think this is how it works
Hayashi issues his challenge, and the ninja strokes! Like lightning he springs forward, trying to clamp one hand about the brute's throat and spin in a vicious circle while planting a foot against the deadly warrior's back. He almost succeeds. At the last moment, Ko redirects his fallen meteor from the ground and sends it up to crash into Hayashi's chest. The shinobi feels the wind woosh out of him and his ribs creak angrily in protest. He is battered to the side like a doll, and Ko stands, bleeding from the single sword strike Jian Xi landed.
You are strong! You will make good sport!
"The Eternal Emperor sends his infinite bounty, not one champion. We are all your death," Dawei said. He made a silent prayer and fired two arrows in quick succession.
Twin arrows sail from Dawei's bow as he sends his proud challenge out to the heavens. The Eternal Emperor is with him, this day, and his arrows plant deep in Ko's chest. The champion coughs once, a spray of blood floating on the air like the petals of a cherry blossom. And, then, he falls backward to the earth, dead.
Many of Ko's soldiers grip their swords in terror and flee to the north, towards a small fort at the edge of a small forest. Qinglong's keen eyes can make out the faint aura of ki about the place-a worker of some magic commands there. Others turn east along a path up a ridge towards a small tower that has a commanding view of the field below. A samurai stands with a powerful naginata amidst his soldiers.
The rest throw down their swords and surrender. Most offer pledges and oaths of service.
Hu Baolin points towards the small fort at the edge of the forest. "We have shown them our might at arms. Gaze upon the champion of the Stag Lord, who boasted that he could stand against us alone! He has fallen, as will the Stag Lord. His warriors will see that we are blessed by the gods and that he is thrall to nothing more than death! To battle, brothers, to glory!" With the great qinglong at his side, he leads the men to seize the fortress and throw down the sorcerer who holds it.
Hu Boalin:
Jian Xi:
Lady Jade Moon:
Narukami Hayashi:
Tsui Dawei:
Chi You:
The Seven Wise Sages rush down the mountain pass, the footfalls of their soldiers echoing behind them. Three times, their forces meet those of the Stag Lord.
Arrows rain down from the cliffs, taking several of the brave soldiers in the neck. The heroes' loses are minor, and Dawei's archers send their own volley to the Stag Lord's forces and drive the enemy archers back. Hayashi's shinobi quickly race up the cliiff, huntiing the archers like deer in the woods. They round a bend and come to an open field just before the forest. The two armies meet again amidst the tall grass. Swords clash and horses scream. The Stag Lord's forces are strong, but under Baolin's direction, Jian Xi's fighting,and Jade Moon's inspiring songs, the soldiers of the Seven Wise Sages are victorious and push through to the forest.
THere, arrows shoot from the forest like bees! Stinging and felling soldiers as quickly as they can take up position. Soon, the forces return their own volley, and soldiers fall in the trees as well. The Seven Wise Sages gather their strength and turn to fight the armies, but a wall of brambles rises from the earth, cutting off their exit. They turn back and a man in the robes of a scholar stands at the end of the path.
Welcome, noble warriors. The birds have sung of your coming. But, you shall leave here on an owl's wings!
Hu Baolin immediately launches into battle, drawing arcane power from the ley lines to fuel the speed and energy of his comrades. He lends speed to the great dragon and several of the other warriors. Each of them will be able to move faster and swing harder, becoming little more than a blur to onlookers! He himself does not feel the burst of energy himself, as he has barely discovered this arcane power in recent days and has yet to bring the spell to its full potential. "You fight for a false master! Surrender!" His shouted demand booms, announcing the commencement of battle.
The qinglong leaps forward into action at the behest of Hu Baolin, skirting around the rest of the warriors to close the distance between them and the wizard. Its powerful jaws snap shut as it leaps through the air, ready to unleash its full might of tooth and claw! Soon, the sorcerer will be doomed!
Jian Xi rushes Chi You his sword held low in a reversed grip held in close against his arm. As he closes the gap a quick flourish had the blade in both hands in an upward cut the strange web marks on the blade glowing a baleful pale green.
Dawei released two arrows in quick succession. All the Stag Lord's traitors would fall.
Hu Boalin: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Jian Xi: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Lady Jade Moon: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Narukami Hayashi: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Tsui Dawei: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Chi You: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
Hu Baolin immediately launches into battle, drawing arcane power from the ley lines to fuel the speed and energy of his comrades. He lends speed to the great dragon and several of the other warriors. Each of them will be able to move faster and swing harder, becoming little more than a blur to onlookers! He himself does not feel the burst of energy himself, as he has barely discovered this arcane power in recent days and has yet to bring the spell to its full potential. "You fight for a false master! Surrender!" His shouted demand booms, announcing the commencement of battle.
The Qinglong leaps forward into action at the behest of Hu Baolin, skirting around the rest of the warriors to close the distance between them and the wizard. Its powerful jaws snap shut as it leaps through the air, ready to unleash its full might of tooth and claw! Soon, the sorcerer will be doomed! It's teeth bare and snap about the sorcerer's arm, but they don't sink into flesh! Air and light rebounds against the sorcerer's arm!
Dawei fires two arrows in quick succession, but they bounce off harmlessly away from the sorcerer, repelled by the witch's chi!
Jian Xi leaps into action, darting past the sorcerer and cutting across his chest. The warrior's blade slips past Chi You's magic and cuts a large rent deep across the man's ribs. Chi you wheels and snarls a foul curse at Jian Xi and Hayashi takes the moment to plant two stars deep into the sorcerer's back!
Chi You slips backwards, towards the trees and away from Qinglong and Jian Xi. He smirks and his hands flash in a gesture Jade Moon and Baolin recognize. Air and water energies flow through trees about his hands and pulls up towards the tops of trees and forms clouds. The air grows bitterly cold and the air is filled with tiny pieces of ice that pelt the Seven Wise Sages from the clouds above, covering the earth in a slick of ice and blinding them!