With as many ghosts gone as there are, Xiang feels confident in his ability to free the family. Turning to Fa-Shi and An-Ya, he says, "Now is the time to move. Come along with me." Shepherding the family, he moved them towards the door and out of the dark place in which they were trapped.
Seeing most of the ghosts disappear, Jade Moon grips Li-Wu's hand as she pulls him along heading for the door in hopes of getting him out of the house first she casts a spell causing fox fire to glow around them to light up outside. Ghostly hands stretch out towards here as she approaches the hanging body near the door, but she spins quickly, keeping Li-Wu far away from the wrathful spirit. She presses against the door, her fingers scrabbling at the cracked wood. Finally, she finds the handle and bursts out into the yard, foxfire flaring to light around her and the child.
Jian Xi moves to attack, but the strike falls short. This is but one more failure in a litany of disappointments... The hanging ghost turns towards Jian Xi and laughs.
DC 11
He hears dark whispers of his personal failures. The voices feed on the darkness in him, the doubts he harbors inside. Stunned by visions of despair, and the vile poison of the wormtongue ghost dripping in his ears, Jian Xi stands still, his mouth working in mute horror. Tears trickle down his cheeks.
Baolin stands drives his spear at the remaining ghost, despite the gloom filling his heart.
His spear strikes only air, but such was his intent. The apparition is distracted long enough for Qinglong to make his attack. The spirit dragon flies through the air and rends the ghost in twain with two quick strikes of his claws.
The ghost disappears in a burst of dust and smoke with a wail. Suddenly, the room grows light, again, and the heroes' spirits instantly lift!
Xiang turns to Fa-Shi and An-Ya, he says, "Now is the time to move. Come along with me." Shepherding the family, he moves them towards the door and out of the dark place in which they were trapped.
Outside, Li-Wu runs to Fa Si and An-Ya. The three of them laugh hug each other. "Thank you, honorable Sirs! Thank you! May the gods bless you with great fortune!" Fa Shi and An-Ya bow deeply. The horses whinny outside the ofuda-laden fence.
With the entire family outside, Xiang breathes a sigh of relief. They have not finished their task yet, however. They still needed to get the family to Bai-Cheng's trading post, and then protect them from the bandits plaguing the region.
Turning to the others, he said, "We should leave now, and put as much distance between us and this place as we can before nightfall. Else, I fear we will continue to be plagued by this yurei."
With the entire family outside, Xiang breathes a sigh of relief. They have not finished their task yet, however. They still needed to get the family to Bai-Cheng's trading post, and then protect them from the bandits plaguing the region.
Turning to the others, he said, "We should leave now, and put as much distance between us and this place as we can before nightfall. Else, I fear we will continue to be plagued by this yurei."
Fa Shi pulls a screaming horse from the barn behind the house. He saddles the beast and leaps astride, pulling An-Ya behind him. Panicked, he looks to Jade Moon with grief-stricken eyes. "Please! See him to safety, Great Lady!" He follows Jade Moon and the others on their horses as they ride form the yard.
The air about the gate ripples like water as the brave heroes approach. They can feel something pulling at them, tugging at hair and hanfu, The horses slow, as though wading through a river. But, then, yes! They're through! The four heroes race down the forested path, which seems darker and more ominous than it did before.
For a brief moment, the heroes turn back to see the house they escaped. Standing in the doorway is a woman dressed in white, her long black hair obscures her face. Her feet dangle uselessly above the ground and she sways like a chime caught in a breeze. Five more bodies appear in the yard, each hanging and swaying like the woman.
The heroes turn away from the apparition and race through the night and early morning. Their horses are covered in lather; the heroes are exhausted as they approach the gates at Bai-Cheng's Trading Post, at the hour of the Forest Dragon.
Jade Moon seeing the ghostly figure dangling in the doorway of the haunted house, felt her heart skip a beat. Her mouth dried and her hands became clammy. She tried to swallow a gulp of air but her throat would not allow it. She knew it was bad if Jian Xi was disturbed by the whole ordeal. She worried for him and what he might of felt or thought while there. She had a feeling that the foul specters might have done something to him. Something about the image of the gathering sinister souls poked and prodded ominously at her mind. It was a fear that was palpable. She rode furiously into the night clutching the boy tightly like a mother would to protect her child. The further they got away the more relief she felt. Upon reaching the trading post she let out a deep breath, almost as if she was scared to breathe the entire escape. "Jian Xi!" She whispered softly to her beloved in a comforting manner. "Are you alright? What happened at that dreadful house?"
A shadow seems to pass over the Warriors face before he answers. "I..was shown things. I saw visions of my death, yours all of us. It was just a dream I'm ok now my love." He says as he puts his calloused fingers against her cheek.
Bai-Cheng bows deeply as Baolin and the others arrive. "Honorable Sirs, Lord Hayashi and Lord Dawei arrived earlier today. An-Bao has prepared ochazuke and unagi for lunch. Please, allow us to serve you."
Fa Shi and An-Ya slip off their horse and collapse into dirt. An-Ya quietly sobs into her husband's shoulder; he clutches her tightly, stroking her long hair. Tears stream down his cheeks as he looks at the sunlit sky with eyes of wonder. "It is OK, Wife. We are free! We are finally safe! The gods heard our pleas." Li-Wu looks about the trading post with innocent eyes. There's so much to see! But, concern for his parents overcomes his youthful exuberance, and he rushes over to hug his parents after giving Jade Moon a fierce squeeze and a gentle smile.
Bai-Cheng politely looks away from the undignified display of emotions before him. It would be rude for him to comment at this moment. Instead, he busies himself with attending to the horses. An-Bao, however, doesn't seem to hold such sensibilities. She runs over to the sad couple and guides them towards their rooms in the main house.
Dawei spent his time surveying the post's defenses, riding about nearby so he would know the terrain, and looked to the siege engines in disrepair to see if he could restore them.
Dawei spent his time surveying the post's defenses, riding about nearby so he would know the terrain, and looked to the siege engines in disrepair to see if he could restore them.
Dawei thinks that they could be repaired with some of the supplies that Hayashi brought. It'll take some time, but he could probably get at least one of them working before the bandits hit.
Dawei spent his time surveying the post's defenses, riding about nearby so he would know the terrain, and looked to the siege engines in disrepair to see if he could restore them.Dawei thinks that they could be repaired with some of the supplies that Hayashi brought. It'll take some time, but he could probably get at least one of them working before the bandits hit.
Dawei does so.
Soon, An-Bao sets out trays of ochazuke and unagi on a long table Bai-Cheng has constructed. It's a rough setting, it's clear that the woodwork is unfinished, but the man has talent and the table will be something marvelous, eventually. There are too few chairs to go around, so Bai-Cheng and Fa Shi make do with barrels, while An-Ya and An-Bao get simple work stools. The "lords from Lingshen" get the chairs from the house. The food is good, and there is a companionable air about the meal: the sun is out, and the air, for once, is free of the perpetual rain; Li-Wu alternates between chasing Yuki about the yard and eating food his mother insists on giving him (much to his consternation). Soon, everyone is laughing and it seems the troubles they have faced till now are far away.
Xiang reluctantly takes the chair in the face of Bai-Cheng's insistence, and enjoys the meal and camaraderie. He asks Dawei and Hayashi about what they may have found on their journeys, and compliments An-Ya and Bai-Cheng on the meal.
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"I see you were successful," Hayashi said, entering the house shortly after the meal started. Clad in simple clothes, with a refreshed look upon his peaceful face, he turned to Fa Shi and An-Ya, nodding softly, greeting them. "We are happy you are unharmed."
Removing his sandals at the door, he took a place at the table, and sat next to Xiang Lun. As he took a bowl and split a pair of chopsticks he drew from his robe, he whispered quietly to the nobleman beside him, "They were unharmed, correct?"
Whispering to the shinobi as he sat down beside him, Xiang said, "Physically yes, but their home is built upon the site of a powerful yurei - a hanging haunt. They and their son were being driven beyond the point of sanity, and it is fortunate we arrived when we did. The yurei did not want to let us leave, either, but we fought our way clear."
Xiang reluctantly takes the chair in the face of Bai-Cheng's insistence, and enjoys the meal and camaraderie. He asks Dawei and Hayashi about what they may have found on their journeys, and compliments An-Ya and Bai-Cheng on the meal.
"We found the wise man, Laozu. He speaks riddles, but will give us no difficulty. From him we learned some movements of the bandits and discovered their camp. They did not see us. We think that they are a separate enemy from the spider-sender."
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"We found the wise man, Laozu. He speaks riddles, but will give us no difficulty. From him we learned some movements of the bandits and discovered their camp. They did not see us. We think that they are a separate enemy from the spider-sender."
"Indeed," Hayashi said, picking up a strip of eel flesh and dropping it into his rice bowl. "I will provide a full report when this is over."
Hayashi led the rest near his cart of supplies, which was covered to protect its content from the days of rain. There, he turned to the rest, and said, "As Sir Dawei said, we followed the tracks. They are nearly five days' walk, one day's ride from us, and they settled at the other bank of the river. Most of them are untrained thieves, but one. This Jia-Hua walks with the grace of one trained in...my world," he added neutrally.
"They had these," he said, pulling out a familiar-looking silver hair pin. "However, they were, as Sir Dawei added, not familiar with the spider-creatures of this land, or at least not in league with them.
This causes me to believe that the shinobi that assaulted us and the Dark Shogun () are not working together. We know near to nothing otherwise, however, and their attack is coming in but two days--and I believe they will change their camp after their monthly tax foray."
The companionable air that fills the mealtime makes it hard to leave. The sun shines a gentle light in the sky, and the air is sweet-smelling and fresh. A breeze stirs in the air, enough to cool, but not chill. A birds sing on the wing. It is a rare day like this in cursed Shenmen, even before it fell under sway of yokai. And that rarity draws the heroes and peasants alike together. Soon, formality and propriety are forgotten, and everyone laughs and talks together.
Then, the air turns damp and cold, and the clouds darken in the west. Rain waits on the horizon, and it will be but moments before it is upon the trading post. Whatever spell of the kami lightened the day has past.
Bai Cheng and Fa Shi quickly dismantle the table. An-Bao retires to the kitchen to wash dishes. Fa Shi and his family retire to their rooms to sleep. Both adults nearly fall asleep standing up! Li Wu long ago curled up on a hay bale and drifted off to dream land with Yuki curled up on his lap. It has been a trying time for the small family, and there is no shame in their weakness, now.
The sky darkens once more, the sun a splotch behind thick clouds, and it begins to rain. The mist is thick enough to paint the world in muted hues of grey, but light enough that it doesn't obscure vision or sound.
Hayashi leads the rest near his cart of supplies, which is covered to protect its contents from the days of rain. There, he turns to the rest, and says, "As Sir Dawei said, we followed the tracks. They are nearly five days' walk, one day's ride from us, and they settled at the other bank of the river. Most of them are untrained thieves, but one. This Jia-Hua walks with the grace of one trained in...my world," he adds neutrally.
"They had these," he says, pulling out a familiar-looking silver hair pin. "However, they were, as Sir Dawei added, not familiar with the spider-creatures of this land, or at least not in league with them.
This causes me to believe that the shinobi that assaulted us and the Dark Shogun are not working together. We know near to nothing otherwise, however, and their attack is coming in but two days--and I believe they will change their camp after their monthly tax foray."
"In our time here, I also repaired one of the siege engines," Dawei said. "It may be of use when the bandits come."
"That is good. Our best option is likely to lure them into ambush. We will keep a lookout for them. When we see them coming, we can conceal ourselves, and Bai-Cheng will let them in before taking shelter. They will see a stack of goods sitting out, thinking it is their 'tax', and when they approach it, we will strike. Come, let us consider the layout of the trading post while we decide where to hide."
Xiang looked about, trying to determine the best place for them to take refuge from the bandit's eyes upon their approach.
Jian Xi stays quiet for much of the lunch his thoughts still haunted somewhat from that night. However when talk shifts to how to best defend the trading post he becomes more involved.
"If Hayashi can back me up I can hold the gates that way you and those versed in the artes magical can attack our enemy from afar."
He says to Dawei and the others.
Baolin gazes upon the men and women of his new endeavor as they dine together, forgetting the social divisions that dominate the interactions in his native land. It is right and proper that those with the great fortune to be born into a great lineage should mingle with those with lesser fortunes. They may only have two families here under their protection, but the two will soon blossom into dozens, a hundred, thousands. Each family will contribute something to their endeavor and should not be separated from one another by mere custom.
Hayashi's report turns his mind to the immediate problem rather than the great possibilities in the future. With the confrontation with the bandits fast approaching - and the apparent knowledge that they are somehow separate from the would-be assassins - they have enough information to plan an ambush. "My cousin plans correctly. Warfare is based on deception. Thanks to Hayashi and Dawei, we now know that our presence is not expected. Our enemy has grown arrogant and greedy. This is our advantage to exploit, and their downfall. We should focus our efforts on slaying their leader and shattering their morale."
The trading post is very tight quarters with the Six Auspicious Nobles (as Bai-Cheng has taken to calling the heroes; although Li-Wu insists on calling them the Magnificent Eight, because Qinglong and Yuki are also part of the band of heroes) occupying the guest house, the two families in the main house, and eight horses in stable. But, everyone sleeps soundly and safely through the night. Morning comes at the Hour of the Swallow and the delicious smell of chazuke and roasting eels fills the air An-Bao and An-Ya have been busy preparing a hearty breakfast for the brave warriors. The food is good, although the air is somber. Already, the ever-present rain has come, and the grey clouds match the dull grey mist rising from the earth.
It is a miserable time for a battle. The ground will be slick and slippery, and the rain will make it hard to hear. The bandits could be upon the trading post before anyone knows. Still, they must try to save the dead horse as though it were still alive. Fa Shi offers to stand lookout, hidden behind one of the catapults. Meanwhile, Hayashi and Jian Xi erect bush screens and hide behind them.
Hours pass, and then Fa Shi gives the sign. Seven bandits walk down the trail with a cart. They stop at the front gates, and mill about for a bit before the leader (the man Hayashi recognized back at the bandit camp) steps forward and calls out. "Hail the trading post! The bandits around him laugh and shove each other's backs. It is time to pay your taxes to the Stag Lord! More laughter rises from the bandits, and one of the outlaws points up on the walk way. Tsui Dawei has been spotted!
Jia-Hua snarls and pulls out his bow, taking careful aim on the loyal warrior of the Eternal Emperor!
Initiative
Hu Boalin:
Hu Xiang Lun:
Jian Xi:
Lady Jade Moon:
Narukami Hayashi:
Tsui Dawei:
Qinglong:
Bandits:
Jia-Hua:
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Hayashi witnessed the men walk up and jeer at the shut trading post from his position, observing their numbers before they came close, focusing on Jia-Hua.
, DC 13 or be stunned for one round.
As the bandits spot Dawei, Xiang Lun conjures up a small ball of ice and snow, and sends it hurtling towards the leader.
Staying hidden Jade Moon quickly casts a spell hoping to confuse the bandits she makes it sound like a group of armed men are approaching them from behind.
Juan Xi seeing all the bandits arrive feels his muscles tighten in response. He watches them through the slits in his battle mask. He inwardly curses as one of the bandits spot Dawei, knowing it was just a matter of time before they were all spotted he pops up and looses an arrow at their leader. The arrow due to the wind and rain and Hayashi's attacks flies wide sailing into the distance.
Jia-Hua levels his daikyu and takes aim at Dawei. He doesn't fire, but Hayashi can tell that he is studying the servant of the Eternal Emperor, following the warrior's movements closely like a hunter leading a deer. It's a move Hayashi has performed himself. However, Hayashi doesn't not rush his own strike. He knows that he needs to wait, to bide his time and let the outlaws come to him. He knows that plants cannot be made taller by stretching them.
Jian Xi Stands, giving away his position. The arrow flies from the bushes, his aim is true. But, the wind and rain buffet the shaft in its flight, and the point lands in the mud several yards from the bandits. The outlaws laugh at the poor shot.
"Bai-Cheng! What guards are these?! A man too stupid to hide, and a warrior too blind to shoot an arrow? Come now! Stop this foolishness! Open the gates and pay your taxes! Call off your foolish guards!!
Jade Moon pulls a piece of wax from her hanfu and traces a series hanzi on the wood of the palisades. She whispers over the symbols and a great crashing and banging sound issues forth from the back of the trading post, like a host of warriors are approaching.
[b]"We are surrounded, Jia-Hua! The fools on the wall is just a decoy! Commander, we must attack now!"[b] Three of the warriors break off their group, proving their low birth and ignoble dispositions. They do not heed the admonishments of their commander or fellows, who see Jade Moon's ruse for what it is.
DC 14
DC 14
DC 14
DC 14
DC 14
DC 14
DC 14
Rain pours down onto the trading post as the bandits arrive to raid its bounty. They are a menacing group, but they are used to threatening frightened traders, women, and children. Inside the stable, dragon and master await them to set upon them with an ambush. They look at one another, sharing a singular purpose and connection, ready to make their presence truly known. Together, they step out of the stable and into the courtyard. The jeers of the bandits turn to silence when they see Baolin and qinglong waiting for them in the center of the trading post.
Spear in hand, dragon floating above, Baolin seems to summon the very heavens down upon the bandits. He speaks to them from the courtyard, but his voice is clear over the rain even though he doesn't raise his voice to a shout. "Jia-Hua! Long have you plagued these lands! For the crime of banditry, I - Hu Baolin, vessel of the Celestial Dragon, sworn servant of King Huang, and named protector of this land - do name you forfeit of life! For those who have come with him, I offer mercy only if you throw down your weapons and swear an oath of loyalty. If you defend Jia-Hua or run, you will die by the end of this storm. Surrender now." As if his words are endorsed by the gods themselves, a great stroke of lightning emerges from the clouds many miles behind him. The light illuminates him and the dragon, and the sound of thunder grows as he speaks. The great crash of thunder from the lightning bolt rolls over them as he finishes his offer, emphasizing the final word with a nearly-supernatural finality.
Baolin stands atop the walkway, balanced on a narrow ledge above the sealed gate. Beside him floats the mighty Qinglong, a very fragment of the Celestial Dragon himself! Lightning crashes and Qinglong roars in company. Rain and wind whip about the trading post in a frenzy. There can be no denying that the gods and fate itself have chosen Hu Baolin for noble purpose!
"Commander! Maybe we should..." Every outlaw's sword shakes in their hands, and they look between each other, seeking strength int eh camaraderie of brothers in arms.
"Fools! Have you no discipline? No dignity? This is but a small storm! A few panicked words spilled as we march across the gate! We are the terrors of these lands! We have preyed and lorded over the masses of these people for years! Are we to be undone by a storm!? By words!?"[b] Jia-Hua moves his arrow and points it at Baolin. The servant of the Celestial Dragon knows with perfect clarity that, should Jia-Hua let fly his arrow, it shall not miss.
[b]Commander's right![b] Just at that moment, a crash of thunder and lighting tears through the heavens and illuminates Baolin and the dragon once more. Whatever steel filled the outlaw's spine melts instantly. He throws down his weapon and falls to his knees, with his hands locked behind his head. [b]I yield
Fool! Dishonorable cur! The Sta.... At the moment, Hu Xiang Lun hurls his snowball. The small ball of fluff flies through the air, buffeted by wind and rain. At first, it seems as though the white lump will miss its mark completely, as a gust of wind sends the thing flying wide. But, at the last moment, another eddy from the opposite direction bends ball on a different path, and the cold lump slaps Jia-Hua in the face. He stands, blinking and spluttering in shock. His bow momentarily forgotten in his hands.
His men laugh and throw down their weapons. Whatever command Jia-Hua held over them is gone, his authority shattered by a speech and a well-aimed ball of snow.
You will suffer for this! You all will pay! We are not broken! The Company of the Stag will punish you for this insolence!!! He glares at Baolin evaporates into shadows, his body literally fading from existence.
Diplomacy DC on the bandits: 25
Baolin's roll: 38 .... that should be 3 steps up the chain of everything. They're not going to hit friendly... but.. wow... just... wow.
Jia-Hua... however... is.. unimpressed
Xiang Lun: snowball touch AC 10, hits
damage 10
and failed! wow....
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Tense as a bowstring, Hayashi did not anticipate what was to come. A storm rolled upon them, and his commander's voice thundered down upon the outlaws. The magical ball of snow struck Jia-Hua, who promptly faded. Hayashi's eyes scrutinized the spot where he disappeared.
Regardless of the power Jia-Hua owned, Hayashi knew that the technique is not too far from him as well. He appeared from his spot, focusing on the gathering of bandits, drawing his katana. He pointed at the wiser outlaw who yielded, and shouted sternly, "Yield, all of you! To your knees!"
As Jia-Hua fades from sight, Xiang uses his magic to try and determine what spell Jia-Hua has used.
Hahayashi gets a small sense of Jia Hua's ki, He reaches out with his mind and feels a flow similar to his brothers and sister of Clan Nara. Jia Hua's power is not magic!
The bandits, already impressed by Baolin's speechless outlaws are further cowed by Hayashi's bold words and they cringe down lower. A chorus of oaths and vows rise from the dirt. We yield, noble Sir! Stay your hand! By the Crlestial Dragon, I swear it! In the name of the Eternal Emperor, I submit to your will!
Jade Moon looks over at Baolin and whispers into her hand and yet it sounds to him as if she was right next to him despite the wind and rain.
"Would you like me to put them to sleep to more easily deal with them, or have Jian Xi tie them up and lead them inside?"
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Hahayashi gets a small sense of Jia Hua's ki, he reaches out with his mind and feels a flow similar to his brothers and sister of Clan Nara. Jia Hua's power is not magic!
The bandits, already impressed by Baolin's speechless outlaws are further cowed by Hayashi's bold words and they cringe down lower. A chorus of oaths and vows rise from the dirt.
We yield, noble Sir! Stay your hand! By the Celestial Dragon, I swear it! In the name of the Eternal Emperor, I submit to your will!
Suppressing his budding fears, he approached the bandits, and asked for a rope.
"Stay put," he commanded, binding them tightly.
After binding them, he turned to his commander Baolin, and nodded, moving them into the camp unless anyone wishes to intercept him.
Detecting no magic from where Jia-Hua had once stood, Xiang grows concerned. Moving over to Baolin, he quietly said, "Jia-Hua used no magic to do his trick. I believe we must learn more of his abilities. I would speak with one of these bandits to learn more of him - and what else they may have at their disposal."
Jian Xi walks up along side Hayashi his mask concealing his emotions leaving the bandits nothing to go on as he stands silently sword drawn as they are bound.
Dawei joined the general advance to the bandits, keeping his bow drawn and eyes open for treachery.
"You have sworn by the Eternal Emperor, who hears all oaths. Break your word and you will walk the path of the thousand screams. Be faithful to his design and your loyalty will be rewarded."