Each of you has arrived in Minkai within the past few months. Since then you have been working with Venture-Captain Amara Li to help lay the groundwork for a lodge in Minkai, performing a variety of tasks that are well-suited to your individual skills.
You know that Amara Li has been collecting relics from across the world to house in a new museum with a focus on relics from Minkaian history that have been kept in other nations.
To this end, she has been traveling all over the nation to pursue leads. These relics have come from a combination of purchases and donations, and she has occasionally called on local Pathfinders to guard the relics.
You are currently working in Sakakabe, a prosperous city famous for its trade in silver and pearls. There you have been summoned by Venture-Captain Li summons to the Kiniro Kyomai teahouse, a famous teahouse run by geisha.
There she insists that you enjoy the refreshments before getting down to business.
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During the trip, Obad'of is fascinated with the flora and fauna. When the weather turns south and everyone else is annoyed (or seas sick), he is reveling in it.
The young Aspirant spends most of his time guarding relics which come from far flung places, especially those of rough terrain. He revels in the travel, the more remote the better.
At the dinner Obad'of spends his time sampling a little of everything. He's oblivious to the looks any locals give him when he mixes food combinations which are... not normal.
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Kashkura loosens the scarf around her head a little bit. She drinks her tea, then swishes the cup around and looks carefully at the tea leaves at the bottom.
"Someone is in grave danger."
Kashkura has been reading the stars every night, providing her insight to the new lodge. She's also helping with the negotiations with some owners of relics to purchase them for the lodge.
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Tamo has been painstakingly keeping careful record of each and every acquisition in duplicate. His time in scribing classes at the Magaambyan Academy serve him well in this capacity, and he routinely scans new relics for magic and tries to read the aura of those that ping.
He has also learned that tea is something he enjoys very much.
The very fine tea house serves a variety of refreshments and while Obad'of does not receive any dirty looks he is somewhat frequently encouraged to try a certain sauce or gently guided to a complementary item to what he's already picked out.
Eventually the fancy meal part comes to an end and the various waiters and other staff make their egress, closing the doors behind them. Amara Li whispers a brief spell and the sound in the room becomes somewhat dampened, as though the walls were absorbing all sound, rather than bouncing some.
She looks to you with a more serious look than she's had all meal.
“I fear that misfortune may have struck some of your fellow agents. I hope that you can help them return here to safety, but I fear the task I have to request of you may instead center around recovering what you can from your fallen allies and, if it is safe to do so, completing the mission in their stead.”
She pauses for a moment to gauge your reaction to a recovery mission before continuing with the full story.
“Last year, I received a donation of relics from Taldor. The route is lengthy and complicated, so I will spare you unnecessary details.
A caravan carrying the relics safely arrived in Hongal to the north, where it met up with a pair of Pathfinder agents, Lin Po and Ti Lan. These agents inspected the cargo, sent me a missive indicating that all was in order, and joined a second caravan to take the Spirit Road through the Forest of Spirits.
The journey is understandably long, taking over two months to complete. Still, the caravan is late, and I fear that they may have run into trouble along the way. They were supposed to reach Sakakabe two weeks ago."
She pauses to refresh her voice with a sip of tea.
“While it’s possible that they were waylaid in the northernmost parts of Minkai, I believe it’s far more likely that they ran into trouble in the Forest of Spirits, a mystical place that shelters departed souls and most of the world’s kami. Kami are spiritual guardians with a deep connection to certain living locations or living things.
The locals pay great respect to the kami, never intruding further into the forest than their one coastal road, the Spirit Road, and a number of small settlements built around shrines. This should make tracking the caravan simple, since there’s only a single road along which they should have had to rest or resupply at some point. I need you to check each of the roadside settlements until you find the last one to have seen the caravan, then track it from there and figure out what happened.”
Pausing a moment for another sip of tea and to let the briefing sink in for a moment Amara Li then continues.
[b]“Be sure to respect the kami and the local traditions honoring them; I don’t want you to come to harm in your journey. The kami are mostly benevolent, so long as they receive the proper respect, but there are some dangers that might have harried the caravan. Bandits, hobgoblins, and giants, among other creatures, dwell within the forest.
The forest also hosts some aggressive plants and animals, not to mention malign spirits such as the oni, the sworn enemies of the kami. The locals will know more than I of what perils to expect. Kami are as varied as the leaves on the trees.”
She unrolls a large map onto a side table that previously contained appetizers takes another sip of her tea and waits patiently for questions.
Looking at the map you see that Sakakabe, where you are, is the closest city to the forest of Spirits, it will still take at least a week of travel on a road that winds through the Osogen Grasslands to reach the Forest of Spirits. There the Spirit Road is expected to take a month if not longer.
Amara Li does her best to answer the questions "The northern grasslands are fairly peaceful, plenty of farming villages. While I don't think the caravan made it to them, it wouldn't hurt to ask. The Kami are spirits that communicate with thoughts, images and feelings rather than words."
Obad'of does know that the Kami are generally benign and that can possess living creatures to share memories but exert little control over their hosts.
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Uthkosh is a massive, hulking figure even by the standards of the tribe. He is soft-spoken, and prefers to take instructions from others. For Amara Li he spent his time guarding what needed guarding or lifting what needed lifting.
After listening to the Venture-Captain, he watches the others and takes his lead from them. Listen to the wise ones, the clever ones, then choose your path. They see the starlight better than me.
When there is a significant lull in conversation, the warrior says, "I will protect the tribe, protect Pathfinders, and spare the kami from any pain."
He asks no questions.
Othkosh is able to confirm Obad'of's small knowledge of the Kami.
Amara Li notes "I have arranged provisions for your long journey. A sturdy wagon drawn by 2 fine horses stocked with basic provisions, including food, water, and a repair kit."
She will also roll up the map of the Forest of Spirits for you to take with you. It indicates that the only settlements within the woodland are along the Spirit Road.
Amara Li continues "You have a long journey ahead Sable Tips. The Society is greater for our alliance and your help here has been invaluable. Please recover the relics and if possible whatever remains of your fellow Pathfinders."
During the nearly two week journey through the Osogen Grasslands you cross paths with travelers heading south into Minkai, as well as the nomadic herders who call the rolling plains home. No one you meet recalls seeing the caravan you are looking for.
Eventually reaching the Forest of Spirits, the atmosphere changes. The forest is cool and damp, and profoundly alive. Unlike the late fall climate of the grasslands snow blankets the ground and clings to branches of towering pine and spruce trees. Birds, rodents, foxes, deer, bears, and numerous other creatures roam through the woods, keeping their distance from the road.
The density of the trees suggests that logging is almost unheard of in this forest. Animals are not the only creatures moving out in the woods; you occasionally see unexplained movement in the trees and rocks or feel like someone is watching you.
Obad'of additionally notices a copse of trees along with way with peeling bark that smells similar to cinnamon but with a distinct whiff of licorice. Given the price of dishes with that scent at some of Amara Li's fancy dinners it's likely to be quite rare.
As you progress through the forest, you visit several small villages such as Basaru, Rano and Suboyashi, none of which have seen the caravan you are looking for. The villagers are reasonably inviting, teaching you the appropriate offerings for their Kami and selling you fresh squash and other supplies to keep your wagon well stock. Each has its own distinct flavor and their behavior seems related to the kami that live within and around their settlements.
In one village everybody speaks quietly and background noise seems unnaturally muffled by the surrounding snow, while in another them seem quite talkative and readily share many stories about the surrounding deer, foxes and other woodland creatures.
Along the road you find signs of passage from several other caravans and groups that travelled on foot, and the remains of campsites right next to the trail. However, there are no indications that any of these groups came to harm.
Late one morning almost a month into your journey you enter the village of Ayaichi. Unlikely the largely vegetable offerings in other villages here you see many small animals and other game hanging from stalls as well as hunting and trapping supplies in abundance.
Several locals do seem to recall the caravan you're looking for and suggest that you speak with Master Hunter Ossfrin and that he can most likely be found at the hunting lodge just outside of town.
Finding your way to the hunting lodge once on the outskirts of the village is a bit harder than expected. There are various markings on the trees that the locals assured you would be obvious but are not familiar to the Sable-Tip Tribe.
You're sure you'll find your way there eventually, but it might be nice to not wander in too many circles first.
Kashkura has no trouble interpreting the sun and moon markings to determine the direction of the lodge.
After a few minutes you come to the low roofed sloped hunting lodge. Several sizable contraptions nearby have smoke rising from them, while a large animal hide hangs over what is likely the front door.
The sound of whistling comes from inside, occasionally interrupted by sawing, hammering and other work noises.
The whistling and woodworking stops a few moments before a bit of wood slides out revealing a peep hole with a green eye behind it "Who are you?" responds a raspy voice?
There's the sound of throat clearing, followed by a very slightly less raspy voice "Speak up, I can't hear ya."
The sounds of a bar being removed are followed by the door opening as a leathery hand beckons you inside "I am who you seek." says the raspy voice.
Inside are hunting and trapping supplies, many look well worn with strategic new pieces added to extend their life.
"You're clearly not from around here." they note before continuing "Do you need supplies for your journey or does something else weight upon your hearts?"
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"We may need supplies," Uthkosh's voice is low and almost apologetically quiet. He's uncomfortable with strangers, but pushing himself outside of his normal comforts is why he became a Pathfinder. "We are looking for a caravan that may have come through with a pair of Pathfinder agents. Their names were Lin Po and Ti Lan"
Master Ossfrin "Hmmmm, those names sound familiar, let me check the log book. While I'm at it make yourselves useful" They gesture towards a bench of partially dismantled traps. "Don't be shy now, they're already broken so it's not like deep water is any worse than hot fire."
While Kashkura is less successful than her allies it's clear you all have some outdoor knowhow which pleases Master Ossfrin and reassures them than y'all are not just some city slickers.
Looking up from the logbook Master Ossfrin spins it around to show you the matching entries as they explain what they know.
"Almost 7 weeks ago now, stocked up on deer jerky and some other sundries. I do remember something a bit strange though. As I'm sure you know The Spirit Road changes as the seasons do, but they had a lot of questions about last year's summer path. I warned them that the path changed for a reason and that not taking the current one would be an unreasonable danger. I don't know if they listened or not, but judging by the fact you're here looking for them I guess they didn't."
They ponder for a moment scratching their chin again "While the bears sleep through true winter you may still find other dangers along the summer path... Take these for your journey, and remember to whisper prayers to whatever gods you believe in at every fork. Only with faith can you avoid the Oni and other evil spirits that haunt the spirit path."
They provide you with 3 glass flasks fills with very slightly glowing clear liquid.
You recognize them as holy water.
They respond "Oni are the disquieted spirits, not content with their fate, they are malicious and can be extremely dangerous."
There doesn't seem to be much more to do here. Your wagon is currently parked in town, should either make plans to take it with you on to the Summer Road or make arrangements to at least stable the horses while you go galivanting off.
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