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After being stymied and shooed away from the structure. Spackle grows more suspicious. High Priestess made it off limits, huh? Suren there's sumthin' off 'bout that.
Spackle takes advantage of Verres' communication spell and whispers to the man, Sumthin' sour in this place. You gettin' a similar feel from this village like the last time we were in the muck 'n mire?
He decides to see how the village prepares to defend itself from the next conflict it may face. Quite possibly us, don't I be knowin'
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Still under the effects of the tongues spell, the group head out once more to gather more information about the Sunsu Godae.
Carrina heads to the weaver's shop to check out the village's famous artform. It is the home of one of several prominent weavers in the village. Weaving is a prized art in Onhae, with weavers making tools such as fishing nets, durable blankets, and elaborate brocade clothing. She finds the weaver in question inside and hard at work on their latest piece.
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Ansha mingles with the villagers once more, her pleasant demeanour and respectful tone, winning many over enough to share about their new religion.
In hushed tones, the villagers speak of the way that their home was falling apart, with the rivers drying up and tears appearing in reality. One day, this decay accelerated out of control. Monsters surged forth, and it seemed that all would be lost. Then a great voice echoed throughout the land, the voice of the god Aram Zey. The voice guided its faithful, a group known as Pathfinders, to beat back the monsters and destroy an army of blighted phoenixes. Then, Aram Zey the Ruby Phoenix manifested in the sky, and in a great surge of flame, purified and restored the land. Through continued prayer to Aram Zey, the villagers believe that their god will continue his work of repairing their home.
The villagers believe that their old god has forsaken them, and that praying to Zey under the wise guidance of High Priest Lin Fen Hai is their route to salvation. They also recommend that the group visit the Shrine of the Phoenix, if they haven’t already, to learn more about the ways to appease Aram Zey.
They recommend that Lin Fen Hai would be the best person to speak to if they want to discuss matters of religion in greater depth, and then provide directions on how to find him if they so wish.
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Meanwhile, Spackle heads to check out the training building.
Wooden swords and training dummies line the walls of this building, interspersed with the occasional spear, shield, or bow. Suits of o-yoroi armor and decorative masks carved to resemble the faces of demons and oni fill the corners of the room. It is here that Onhae’s children receive instruction in the sword. The Sunsu Godae have a long tradition of swordsmanship, and its young people are expected to master and demonstrate a complex series of sword forms as a part of their coming of age ceremony.
When approached with respect, Swordmaster Jai is willing to show a few of the forms. Though he is patient with his young students, he has no interest in giving the visitors any training.
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Spackle watches the weapon master before pulling the rapier from his belt. He also offers encouragement to any other Pathfinders willing to attempt the attack routine.
"The smith ya say? Well, I may jest go me over 'n say hello then. Thank ye fer yer time Swordmaster." The gnome offers a bow before departing.
Alright, so maybe I don' go pokin' no bears jest yet.
When the bard catches the eyes of the others, "We're burnin' magic here. Let's keep an eye on the durashun 'n finish afore it runs out."
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On his way back from the Smithy's, Spackle, the sensitive bard that he is, senses two external pulls on his emotions, one nudging him to be more prideful and confident, and the other pulling him to be more fearful and uncertain. He is not sure of the source of this effect but it does make him wonder...
Malusha takes a stroll to the bridge. Nothing looks untoward about the woven net mechanism that the villagers use under the bridge. The small group of Sunsu Godae go about their work retrieving today's decent haul. They explain that they tuck it away periodically during large migrations to avoid damaging fish populations downstream.
You study and take note of the local fishing technique and earn 1 Culture Point
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Feeling a bit bored and restless in this small, quiet town, Serres decides to head to the inn to check out the lodgings and maybe even pick up a drink.
The inkeeper, Gao Lai Wam, welcomes him in and explains the rates for the rooms. A room with two beds goes for 2gp a night and for an extra 2sp per person someone can sleep on the floor.
The inn also has a room full of books that serves as the village’s library. With nothing else to excite him, Serres starts browsing some of the books.
He finds several example of the the Sunsu Godae traditional written language, which differs substantially from that of most Hwan speakers. He thinks that with a little bit of help, he might be able to decipher some of the characteristics of the written language. This might make understanding the rest of their culture a bit easier.
characteristics of the written language.
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No longer bothering with invisibility, at least for the time being, Fade turns to regard his small blonde friend and offers Spackle a lopsided grin, "I like that plan. Local drink is always a good idea. That and I could swear I was close to getting a handle on the writing these folks use."
After Spackle's expert assistance with the language, Fade suggests, "Maybe we should bring that Elf Wind, err... East Wind along with us as we explore. To hear him talk, and really who can avoid it, he must be great at everything."
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Spackle and Dryden head to the Inn, under the pretense of checking out the rare books...it has nothing to do with the fact that this might be the best place to go in search of a drink. Regardless of motive, they successfully decipher some of the characteristics of the written language. This will surely help them learn more about the Sunsu Godae traditions...or at the very least help them read the wine labels.
Ansha continues to get on well with the locals who can't seem to help but open up to the sociable elf. Malusha joins her and together they try to listen for any more interesting rumours.
The old religion is an uncomfortable subject for the people of Onhae and they visibly tense up a little when the topic is raised, but Ansha manages to get them to speak of it just a little nevertheless. They inform her that everything tied to their old religion is now forbidden and that the few surviving items are locked away in the boarded up house, which no one can enter without Lin Fen Hai’s permission.
Following up on the lead brought back from the training house by Spackle and Dryden, Carrina heads to the Smithy to learn more about the village's past.
The village smith, Lin Wo Got, runs the forge near the inn. When asked about about their forging techniques, Wo dismisses the question. Rather, Wo prefers to talk about why their work forging weapons is so important to the safety of the village and its connection to the past alike. Wo speaks poetically of a time long ago, back when their ancestors lived in a jungle that stretched far and wide, serving as both a wise teacher and a hunter for those who could not protect themselves. "The Sunsu Godae who lived outside of its harsh wonders forgot the ways of the sword and the discipline of the mind. They became soft, and when danger loomed, they 'surrendered their identity' to invaders without a fight, ceasing to become Sunsu Godae."
Carrina knows just enough of the events that the smithy speaks of to realise they are referring to events nearly 700 years ago, when the Empire of Lung Wa conquered much of Tian Xia; in particular, they are referring to the peaceful surrender of Hwangott to Lung Wa.
Meanwhile Serres investigates the bridge. While the half-elf gains a sound understanding of how the simple bridge was constructed he is unable to learn anything more about the unique fishing techniques of the local fishermen.
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As the group reconvene to share their new knowledge, the sound of roaring flame suddenly passes over the village, before quieting to a sound akin to a crackling campfire. Somewhat surprisingly to the group, this unexpected sound does not seem to trouble any of the villages. They seem to see it as a manifestation of Aram Zey's power.
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You detect nearby a planar tear in the fabric of the tapestry. While it looks as though this planar hole has been repaired, a small bubble of another dimension has permanently been sewn into the tapestry. After being trapped underground, it looks like this bubble has just floated back up to the surface. It may be possible to step through if you wish and you dare.
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As the group decides their next course of action, Dryden notices what he describes as a planar tear in the fabric of the tapestry that wasn't there before the recent sounds of roaring flame. While it looks as though this planar hole has been repaired, a small bubble of another dimension has permanently been sewn into the tapestry. After being trapped underground, it looks like this bubble has just floated back up to the surface. It may be possible to step through if you wish and you dare.
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"Ifin we're suppos'd ta be makin' friends, mighten as well find the preacher 'n make nice. By th' way, anyone else feelin' weird 'bout these people worshipin' the former 'Master o' Scrolls'? Met 'im once, can't sez he had a lick o' divine spark. This whole place 's a few cards short of a deck." The bard starts to ask villagers where Lin Fen Hai can be found.
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Ansha recalls the directions she received from the villagers when she asked about their new religion and that they suggested speaking to Lin Fen Hai would be the best thing to do.
Following these directions, the group have no trouble finding the path out into the jungle. When they finally find her at the end of the trail, she is with a retinue of three guards in a clearing. She looks surprised to be disturbed and looks warily at the armed and armoured group. The guards look to her for instructions, hands clasped on the hilts of their sheathed swords. "Who are you?" One asks in the Sunsu Godae dialect of the Hwan language. "Why do you disturb the Ruby Phoenix in her meditations?"
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Spackle smiles as he holds up his hands in an effort to placate the guards. "Easy now boyo." Dregs, but ain't he a big 'un? "As Ah'm sure my companion Ansha here is 'bout ta tell ya, we're bein' in yer pleasant village ta make friends. Jest comin' out here ta be payin' respects is all. M'name's Spackle, 'n my friends 'n I 'r with the Pathfinders. Ah'ma guessin' ya may o' heard 'bout us."
Ansha smiles at Lin Fen Hai at Spackle's mention of her name. "We are, indeed, quite interested in making friends. In fact, we would be quite interested in hearing more about your Ruby Phoenix. Are you she? We have heard many things about Aram Zey, and want to know how we can best venerate him, as well."
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"Pathfinders?" The guard responds, repeating the word in slightly accented common before continuing on in his own dialect. He looked momentarily surprised but then a welcoming smile crosses his face. "We are Pathfinders too! The worshipers of Aram Zey!"
As Ansha addresses her, Lin Fen Hai replies. "You know Aram Zey?" the village's High Priest looks impressed. "Our god, the Ruby Phoenix, reached out to you too? Yes, I am his chosen one! What would you speak of?"
You notice that Fen’s eyes keep flickering away from the group toward something else nearby, as if she were seeing something that you all do not.
Just when it seems the introductions are going quite well, Lin Fen Hai's mood changes abruptly and she draws her sword in anger. "...but no, you are not true Pathfinders. You are here to trick me into letting my guard down so you can kill me and take over the village!"
The heirophant draws her sword. Clearly devoted to protecting their leader, the three guards all follow suit.
Before anyone else can react, the High Priest then charges forward, sword raised in anger. "Stop them! They musn't be allowed to conquer our village!"
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Sumthin's got 'er attention.
"'Member folks, we're bein' here ta make friends, not body counts! Also think we got ourselves a guest around here hidin' in the shadow 'n stirrin' the pot."
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Lin Fen Hai's anger only grows as Ansha's spell fails to affect her and the heirophant notices the attempt to manipulate her thoughts. "More trickery! They are in league with an evil spirit!" she calls to her guards. "Kill them for the sake of our village!"
Spackle, noting the woman's eyes flickering to the side as if seeing something out of sight of the group, sees nothing unusual in the direction that her eyes keep darting, just the thick foliage that makes up this section of jungle. He then starts up a song and pulls out a wand.
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Noticing Lin Fen Hai glancing to the foliage, Fade narrows his own eyes in an attempt to see what she is looking at.
Frustrated at the priestess' behavior, Fade growls under his breath, "You know...If we weren't real pathfinders, we would have just rolled over them by now. They area really being thick headed."
Grunting in acceptance with the group's plan, Fade then offers, "I could try to disarm Lin too, just in case...if that isn't something you all object to."
Fade quickly gathers aether around some loose rocks at his feet and with a swift thrust of his hand, he sends the swirling ball off to collide with the priestess' weapon.
"Fine, fine. I'll just try blasting that area of foliage for the fun of it..."
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As the heirophant and her guards approach from the other side of the stream, the group continue their non-violent tactics aimed at diffusing the escalating situation before it can get out of hand.
Serres sends a projectile of stones towards Lin Fen Hai's raised sword and successfully knocks it out of her hand. "More trickery!" she snarls in dismay and looks anxiously back to her guards, hoping they have her back.
Dryden is next to react, summoning a web into existence over the High Priest and two of her guards. All three try to avoid get caught in the sticky substance.
One of the guards, the one in mainly yellowish armor, looks to be stuck for the moment. Lin Fen Hai and the other guard dressed in red, avoid getting caught, at least for now. "Kill them! Before they try any more of their fiendish tricks!"
Stuck in the restraining strands, the guard in yellow struggles to free himself from the trap.
Managing to free himself enough to move through the web, he approaches the group via the log bridge, two-bladed sword raised to protect the High Priest.
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Carina reaches into her spell pouch and pulls out a small paper envelope, which is enveloped by a bit of mist. The mist rapidly turns a disgusting shade of green-brown, before the Varisian mage raises it up in front of her. With an exhale that imparts far more momentum than it should, the mist rockets to just in front of the high priestess before rapidly expanding to flow over a rather large area.
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Pulling out all of their tricks, Carrina is the next to try and contain and control the situation a little. She sends a stinking cloud of noxious gas billowing over most of their opponents, in the general area of Dryden's web.
Distressed coughing and wheezing comes from the direction of the red guard, but from what they can see through the fog, the High Priest and the closest guard seem unaffected for now...well apart from being visually hampered.
Meanwhile, the guard with the blue tinged armor, makes his move. Trudging into the nearby foliage he then disappears from sight altogether for the blink of an eye, and then magically reappears on the same side of the stream as the Pathfinders. He pops back into existence only a few feet behind Spackle, his nasty two-bladed sword looking even sharper and nastier from up close. The bard sees the look of fierce determination and dedication in the Onhae man's eyes.
"Do not succumb to their evil mischief!" Lin Fen Hai orders the nearest guard. "Be strong and fight for your village!" The group notice her reaching out to touch the red armored guard, causing his coughing to cease instantly. She then attempts to make her way forwards through the web.