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It’s been three days since parting ways with Venture-Captain Amara Li, and the journey along the Tuunma River has been unusually quiet so far, with the two-masted junk called the Laughing Crow holding up surprisingly well, especially considering its simple design and relatively minute size. The journey has been peaceful so far, the endless processions of sand dunes and clear skies proving remarkably contrary to many of the warnings Amara Li provided during the meeting with her nearly half a week ago.
“No time to rest, Pathfinders!” she exclaimed late one night, barging into the bedroom of the ramshackle tavern in Goka. “I’ve looked into the situation surrounding the relic you found, the Braid of a Hundred Masters. As you may have noticed, the artifact appears to have been dormant for many years now, and in this state it’s essentially worthless to us. Fortunately, it can be reactivated, but only by the descendant of the braid’s last master, who, as you may know, was the master of the Clouded Path Monastery many years ago, a man by the name of Li Yao. I’ve discovered the whereabouts of his final living descendant—a woman by the name of Je Tsuin—but she now resides in the nation of Shokuro to the east, far from where her ancestor taught in his monastery in the Wall of Heaven. In order to reactivate the sacred relic, you’ll need to travel to the village of Nesting Swallow in Shokuro and find Je Tsuin to perform the necessary ritual."
“Unfortunately,” she continued, “we’re not the only group interested in Iroran artifacts. Our operatives claim that Lingshen, the Successor State to the southeast, is after the relic as well. Since Lingshen’s armies have a stranglehold on the overland routes from here to Shokuro, you’ll have to travel by river. Riding the Tuunma is faster anyway, though you might run into some hostile Mutabi-qi or goblinoids along the way. The river empties into the Sea of Eels—cross it and you’re in Shokuro, and from there you can follow the map I’ve provided to reach Nesting Swallow."
“Ah, before I forget, you’ll also need you to make a quick stop along the way. The ritual requires a large amount of rare incense—more than I could easily procure from any of my local suppliers—so I’ve contacted a nomadic tribe in Shaguang, the Jhemulit, and they have agreed to provide you with the prepared herbs. I’ve already paid their shaman, a man named Ogokai, and I’ve marked their approximate location on your map, so it’s simply a matter of picking up the incense on your way to Shokuro.”
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Daji falls out of bed at the sudden intrusion. After much grumbling, a cup of something hot to drink, and much mulling over Amara Li's words, Daji voices the only concern that comes to his mind. "Are there any customs we need to be aware of? For Shokuro or for the Jhemulit tribe? I don't want to ruin any of this just because I don't know the secret handshake or something."
On the boat, Daji entertains himself by using mage hand to move about different things on deck. He tries to stay well away from the boat's sides, knowing his curse might cause him to fall overboard if he's not careful.
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Happy to be back where it is easy to breath, Danny rests comfortably in Goka. Amara's timing with the new task was fortuitous actually as Danny was starting to get bored staying in town. He soaks in all the information being shared by Amara Li and is heading back to his room to pack as soon as she is finished.
On the ship he tries to keep from being underfoot but on deck as much as possible it's not often you get the chance to travel and he doesn't want to miss any of the sights no matter how mundane.
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The Balrog enjoys the good life for a couple of days in Goka. Well, as much as can be had in the shack that passes for a tavern.
"A boat, huh? Who's the captain? Someone you trust?
And is the river in Lingshen territory, or is it not? If these Lingshen people try to take the braid, my instinct would be to kill them, but if they have a whole army that could be trouble. Maybe we should hide it and deny that we have it. I could pick up a Pathfinder Pouch, might be helpful."
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Having found himself somewhat restless waiting for something to happen during their stay in Goka, Valon is eager to continue with their journey. On the boat ride itself he busies himself with some small amount of exercise, abortive attempts at meditation, chattering with the others, and otherwise simply watching the scenery pass them by.
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“That’s what the nomad tribes of Shaguang call themselves. Most are pretty aggressive toward outsiders, but if you can make friendly contact, you’ll find them very hospitable. They travel from oasis to oasis across Shaguang, and frequently make stops along the Tuunma River to water their horses.”
“The second half of your trip will take you along the border of Kaoling, which was seized by hobgoblins shortly after the fall of Imperial Lung Wa. The hobgoblins probably won’t bother you provided you don’t venture inland, but even less civilized monsters are said to lurk around the border.”
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The Laughing Crow is a modest two-masted junk with a stylized crow painted along its bow.
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Daji spends a good bit of the day time tucked into a corner, playing with bits of the boat's rigging with mage hand to pass the time. The first day he would've spent near the railing, but a mishap with his spirits that almost ended with him overboard would keep him away from the edges of the boat when possible.
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The Balrog is somewhat uneasy on the water - possibly due to his fire-based ifrit heritage. He tends to stay on the forecastle, basking in the sun and strolling about while cracking his whip from time to time.
He amuses himself by repeating a few phrases he's picked up from Besmara followers.
"Avast, ye scurvy sons of biscuit eaters. Mind my words or feed the fish, savvy? And should ye try to run a rig, I'll see you dance the hempen jig."
Should anything actually need to be done, he will get to it after some grumbling.
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Valon spends a good deal of his time on the main deck. When not meditating or reading from a small book he carries with him, the monk will often do some sort of exercise or physical activity. Though he claims it's for "training," it becomes apparent very quickly that he's also doing this to entertain himself. This includes doing handstands and even balancing on the ship's railing. Nearly falling overboard once or twice does only a little to discourage him from doing so again.
Otherwise he often sits at or near the railing.
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After about 12 days of traveling...
The river slows as it leaves the sandy highlands and winds its way between the rolling hills of this dry, grassy basin. The breeze that blows from the north is dusty and warm, and a thicket of short gnarled trees lines the shore.
As four people come galloping over the hill on horseback, settling in about 50 feet from the boat. They keep pace with the boat and appear to be readying their bows.
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon Suprise Round. Move or Standard Action
GM-K
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With a solid thud into the lead rider's chest, they fall from their horse, which goes galloping back off onto the other side of the hill.
Realizing that combat is a given at this point, Daji empowers the group with divine energy.
The remaining three riders increase or decrease their mounts' speed to keep up with the boat, and provide them clearer shots at people on the boat.
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon
GM-K
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Danny keeps the boat on course as if nothing were wrong, and readies his own sling.
Valon launches a bullet at the nearest rider, and hits them square in the chest!
After taking that shot from Valon, the archer takes aim at Valon and fires back!
...and misses.
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon
GM-K
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Daji offers Valon some words of, and magical, encouragement, as The Balrog takes out another rider with a javelin!
The rider that is now in the lead speeds up their horse, making a little more forward progress than the speed of the boat, clearly wanting a better shot at The Balrog, while the rider bringing up the rear takes another shot at Danny.
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon
GM-K
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Danny keeps the boat going like a pro, and everything feels like smooth sailing!
Valon steadies himself and, once again, loads his sling and launches a bullet at the rider nearest him!
but does not make contact with his target.
Valon's target draws another arrow and makes a shot in return!
and misses horribly, lodging an arrow into the side of the boat.
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon
GM-K
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Danny takes a shot at the nearest rider and you can almost hear the audible THWACK! as the bullet makes contact with its target.
However the smooth sailing may be at an end, as it appears that you have now been steered into some especially choppy water!
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon
GM-K
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Danny tries his best, and it appears you have hit a relatively smooth patch of water, as you appear to be sailing fine.
Status: Smooth Sailing - The ship suffers no ill effects[/ooc]
Valon loads up another bullet and let the stone fly towards the nearest rider!
That rider takes a shot in return!
Initiatives - Bold may act!
The Balrog
Daji
GM-M
Danny
Valon
GM-K