Although some of you had been eagerly awaiting word of your next assignment the timing isn't quite what you expected, as several days after your last mission you're all awakened at dawn and summoned to the temporary office reserved for visiting Venture-Captains. As each of you arrive, you're ushered inside by a visitor from Goka, Tian Xia: VC Amara Li.
The accomplished singer, shamisen virtuoso and leader of the Lantern Lodge bows politely to the group assembled before her. "Well now, that looks like everyone. Very good! I trust you have had enough notice to ready yourselves for a diplomatic mission to another continent."
"You see, an ally of the Lantern Lodge could use some assistance with exploring a ruined estate in the Successor State of Shokuro."
Uncharacteristically, Amara Li gets straight to business, skipping her trademark tea ceremony.
"Her name is Chun Mai. You will find her in the town of Ashima. Our correspondence has been brief and cryptic to ensure agents from the rival state of Lingshen do not uncover Chun Mai’s problem and exploit it.”
“You'll need to travel there and meet with her to learn the specifics. But first, I desire an introduction from the agents I propose sending, after which I shall answer any questions you have at this early stage.”
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The oracle comes in with a slow, unsteady limp, leaning heavily on a gnarled staff.
Thump, shuffle, drag.
Thump, shuffle, drag.
The elderly man seems to grimace with each painful step, as though gout or worse has made one leg all but unusable. Atop the staff is a melted mass of wax, vaguely in the shape of a sphere with two thumb-sized holes stuck in it to appear as eye sockets and unskilled hands made a twisted, gaping mouth that hangs open on the orb. Brand wears tattered robes, once a creamy pale blue, now stained yellows and brown and covered in old blood stains (some others' blood, but mostly his own) and a multitude of unmended tears. A few of which, spiked armor peaks out of. Half his face seems to be peeling, leaving splotches of angry red skin that catches the light.
"Hnng... you drahg a dead mahn out of ze alley to help eh leetle geerl, Venture-capitane? Despeerate times," He chuckles, which turns into a wheezing cough, and then hits his chest with a hollow thud, "Brand le Blanc. I have been to Tian Xia once before... long ago. Ze air zere did me good... eet would be nice to smell eet again."
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You hear a rumbling voice addressing you.
”I see new faces ... an honor to work with you! My name is Kenji Haru.“
Kenji is a massive Ifrit. His hair and beard are blazing and burning so that they almost warm his surroundings.
He has a greatsword and a bardiche on his back, a longsword at his side and a heavy shield in his hand.
He wears a fullplate that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Resting on top of his chest is an amulet showing the holy symbol of Irori.
Kenji is standing as if in a medidative stance and bows.
"I am glad to walk the road to perfection with you." Kenji says in a crackling voice.
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A serious-looking young woman enters, wearing traditional masculine Tian-Min attire, with her long black hair in a disheveled single braid, blinking sleepily - until she lays eyes on Amara Li. Her eyes snap open and her posture straightens as she comes to alertness. She obviously recognizes the celebrity. She has a high-quality darkwood composite bow loosely held in one hand as well.
Upon hearing the mission her body language tightens even further. When the VC skips the tea ceremony, Keiko knows it is a very serious matter indeed.
When it comes to her turn to introduce herself, she pauses awkwardly. How much to say? Would he still be looking for me, after all this time?
After a moment she makes eye contact with the VC again and starts neutrally, gradually growing more emotional as she speaks "I have 3 things I care for in this life, 3 goals to protect and support. My horse, Mairu; my bow..." she lifts her hand carrying the beautiful bow "...and now, the Pathfinder Society. This is the closest thing I have to family. I do not wish to keep potential dangerous secrets from you."
She launches into a terse summary of her history, her gaze drifting to the floor in shame as she recounts her experience from working for an evil liege (Prince Dukat Kazuyuki) as a Samurai in the Minkai mainlaid, running away to the other side of the world when realizing the depths of his evil, and eventual joining of the Pathfinder society through way of the Umbra Carnival working as an equestrian acrobat.
"I was a prized soldier in his military and, from his perspective, stole his valuable property when I escaped. I don't know if he will still be looking for me, and regardless, Shokuro is probably far enough away so perhaps I am being overcautious. But in any case I will go where the Society needs me." At the last line, her gaze snaps back to the diva's face in full commitment.
And who knows if the information I told to Yargos Gill has come back to hurt Kazuyuki by now. Depends if Yargos has published yet.
Her story told, she exhales heavily and relaxes a bit.
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"Greetings, fellow Pathfinders!" bellows a man with a thick Osirian accent. Much of his sun-darkened skin is wrapped in clothing, making him appear overly-dressed for the local weather. "Your hospitality is legendary, Venture-Captain Li."
The man bows to the Venture-Captain and then to the rest of you, before resuming an upright position with flourish. "I, Razisus, am humbly at your service or, as may be the case, that of your ally."
He subconsciously places his hand over the amulet that sets around his neck, which bears a spiral image.. "Though, I am but a recent addition to the Society, my devotion to it is second only to that of the Mother of Souls, herself."
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"Pleased to meet you all. I am Radiarch Eklesya, Loyal bowman of the kingdom of Mendev*," the young aasimar captain professed. He stood tall, clad in a white cloak and hood over studded leather armor and a sword strapped at his side. But that would not even be his chosen armnament. He Admired the bow that Keiko wielded, motioned to the ornately-painted azure blue longbow also hewn from darkwood slung over his shoulder aside his quiver. "May Old Deadeye guide our arrows where they are needed most. Your devotion to your steed reminds me of my cousin Reynald."
Turning to Amara, with arms crossed, Radiarch inquires, "Captain Li, what can you tell us of the town of Ashima? Anything to be wary of upon arrival?"
*A more detailed account of his story can be found in my profile at the bottom.
“Not really, Master Eklesya.”
Does VC Li have her nose in the air? “It’s a typical rural hamlet in what was central Lung Wa.”
“The greatest dangers you’re likely to face are peasants with pitchforks who have never seen a spell-caster before.”
" I have been to Tian Xia once before... long ago. Ze air zere did me good... eet would be nice to smell eet again."
“Is your lucky number 'trois' the ‘number of life,’ L'agent le Blanc? For smell it again you shall! Perhaps it will be your élixir de jeunesse, n’est ce pas?”
“I don't know if he will still be looking for me, and regardless, Shokuro is probably far enough away so perhaps I am being overcautious.”
“Another with ‘3’ as their lucky number, Ishikawa-san?”
The Venture-Captain smiles. “I like my agents a little paranoid – they tend to live longer.”
"Your hospitality is legendary, Venture-Captain Li."
“Your words humble me, Imam Razisus.”
Amara Li bows to the priest. “I have heard the 红灯笼 Hóng Dēnglóng called ‘junk’ in the Taldan tongue by some who have spent time aboard her.”
“Though perhaps they were not the sailor you are, Imam or lacked faith that the Lady of Graves would keep them during their voyage.”
Finally, she folds her hands serenely in her lap. “Now if there are no other questions, I suggest you gather any last minute supplies now. For your ride to Tian Xia leaves on the next tide.”
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"Is there something in particular Chun Mai is looking for in the ruined estate? I understand you don't have details on her 'problem' but can you share what her original mission was in seeking this place out?" She looks disconcerted for a moment and adds "Uhh... how do the sailors of the Hóng Dēnglóng feel about... horses on board? Is it a large enough ship that I can bring him with?" she looks hopeful.
“Anything I say would be speculative, Ishikawa-san.”
Amara Li sighs. “But if you insist on putting your elder on the spot, I suspect Chun-san’s problem involves Shokuro’s vassal-status with respect to its powerful neighbor, Lingshen.”
“The junk’s hold is large enough to accommodate horses. Indeed most Hóng Dēnglóngers are familiar with transportation of the beasts.”
She removes her hands from her lap to fold her arms. “However, the junk has a limited draught and tiny keel, so it will be your responsibility to keep the animals safe and calm should you experience foul weather on your voyage.”
Once you have made the necessary preparations - and perhaps grabbed a spot of lunch or a quick nap - you reconvene at the docks for your long ocean journey to Tian Xia.
After several weeks cooped up in the Hóng Dēnglóng, the worthy junk enters Benchu Bay on the central-east of the continent, before finally docking at the Port City of Xiwu on the far north-western shore of the inland Sea of Ghosts. From there you are whisked away via horse-caravan to the village of Ashima in neighboring Shokuro
The caravaneer bids you farewell in her strangely accented Tien, before directing you to an unassuming house tucked away from the central mud track running through town. Before you can even knock or announce yourselves the screen door opens.
Filling the doorway is an elderly woman of regal bearing who wears a lopsided smile. Long white hair meets her waist over colorful robes that would not be out of place in the fashionable salons of Goka or Kasai.
The youthful grandmother speaks perfect Taldane with a deep, rich voice.
✑ What fates and fickle winds bring blooming lilies to our forest island.
With such winds does history ebb and flow.
Having introduced herself with this couplet, she bows and adds, "Yes, yes you will do perfectly. I hope you are fond of bears."
She grins and steps aside, raising a welcoming arm. "Quickly, come in. And off with your shoes!"
Such couplets are often meant to be complemented with an equally poetic reply - if one of you invents one, she'll likely be impressed.
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Deep memories stir as the elderly woman speaks her couplet. Keiko wracks her brain for an appropriate response.
She removes her shoes and bows deeply in the traditional style, mimicking the elder.
"Led by the festive sound of rustic pipes,
yokai and fey creatures lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring."
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"Peazzaunts with pitchforks are no joke, ze Venture Capitane must not know of my homeland," Brand mumbles as they left.
Through their journey aboard the Hóng Dēnglóng and beyond, Brand seeks to create a Life Link with the other Pathfinders besides Razisus , ensuring each of them in kind that they are chosen for a greater purpose, and that the fates are fickle and will not allow them to escape until it is finished. He is almost apologetic, knowing pain and injury await them all.
Misery. Torment. Despair. Ah, to be naive again.
He kindly promises them he will take any burden from them he can, and aids them as much as his arthritis, gout, and neuralgia allows, be it menial or magical.
Brand is at first smitten, briefly, with the attractive older woman who greets them, and then has a pang of pity. Was she, too, cursed to endure? To see her children die, and her line end? Was she, too, cursed to live on, a flower blossom knowing it's stem had been cut? Only the great end times would bring peace. Only oblivion brings peace. Not soon enough...
"You mock me, Moon," the old man hisses under his breath, seemingly talking to the wax-faced orb atop his staff as he plods inside.
"My apologies, zere iz no 'quickly' with me,
My shoes should stay on, vat's underneath is worse zan mud to zee."
He says flatly as he shuffles past and into the building, a feeble tilt of his head the best bow his broken body can muster.
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A petite, pretty woman had joined the rest of the Pathfinders towards the end of VC Amara Li's meeting, flushed a deep red with shame. She was quick on her bare feet, and otherwise wore a warm dress, carrying a solid-looking large handbag over her shoulder (one would say underequipped for a typical agent, and not be wrong). Her hair was interlaced with fragrant herbs and twine. The rosy, sweet smell of flowers seemed to surround her as she stepped unto the boat, and her simple, uncomplicated ways appeared to mesh well with Brand's honesty throughout that afternoon and the next few days: she was an open book.
"I hope you won't mind me sticking around with you all for a while. All this talk about Lung Wa and Shokuro has me intrigued, excited, and... a little worried. This is my second mission only... I haven't gone through the Confirmation, and I doubt they'll ever give me a turn at it."
During the sea voyage the Pathfinders had noticed the woman reaching into her handbag constantly, but after the first week it was evident that something was moving in there, and upon being questioned about it, she had pulled out her pet skunk 'Daysie', to everyone's horror. Tucked in her handbag, the so-called pet slept most of the time, and for some unknown reason had not produced the strong odor one would expect of such an animal. The Varisian woman groomed the pet constantly, more easily now that the secret was out and that she could openly take the skunk out of her clandestine travel accommodations, so much so that in fact, the potpourri scent that seemed to dance through her own hair had begun to imprint upon the animal.
First thing I have to do before we arrive is to buy some... other shoes... that story about losing them to some fey - again - will only work for a time before people start wondering if there's something wrong with me. The downside of civilization I suppose... I didn't have to give a reason for having no shoes back in the swamp... but for now: who needs shoes on a boat anyways?
Throughout the voyage the woman had also managed to secure a backpack and a pair of knee-high boots, both of which she kept by her bunk, seemingly saving these items for a time when they'd be absolutely necessary. Various clothes and personal effects were also stashed there, bought at the Hóng Dēnglóng ship's store along the way. Except for Brand, the weeks at sea had shown her overly careful around the rest of the Pathfinders. She appeared worried about breaking what she perceived as a strong desire for privacy in all of them. She felt woefully casual around them, as they appeared to favor either formalities, religion or discipline above all else.
When they arrived in Ashima she smiled at the sight of mud. But when the nice lady told them to remove their shoes, she laughed out loud, and threw her boots off before proceeding to prance around the house barefoot and attempt to dance with Brand (then she remembered his bad knee, and apologized for the next three minutes...)
"Led by the festive sound of rustic pipes,
yokai and fey creatures lightly dance beneath the brilliant canopy of spring."
“Youthful optimism arrives in an ancient land conceiving a new nation!”
The matron clasps her hands together and bows to Keiko. Her lips curl into a knowing smile. “Though there remains the question of ‘how the piper gets paid, and by whom?’”
She threw her boots off before proceeding to prance around the house barefoot and attempt to dance with Brand.
“Speaking of the fae folk, my goodness, girl! Was your mother a grig?”
“The Iroran proverb ‘The Master may lead you to the door, but you enter yourself,’ does not imply that you then proceed to ‘trash the joint.’”
The Whitehair sighs. "In reparation, ponder how many times one gets to make a first impression."
"My apologies, zere iz no 'quickly' with me, My shoes should stay on, vat's underneath is worse zan mud to zee."
“Buck up, grandpère! If my old tortoise moved like you, his problems would be over! The end itself would be swift, sharp and painless. I beseech you to move your derrière, mon ami – or never to turn your back on Chun Mai.”
Her tart words don’t match her actions though, as the old woman hurries inside to fetch Brand a pair of snug house slippers.
🏡
"Now follow me!"
Chun Mai leads you into her home which is delightfully cluttered. Papers and parchments are stacked perilously high, piles of books lean against disorderly shelves, and swords and shields are displayed on every wall. The only thing out of place amid the chaos is an orderly circle of concentrically arranged cushions around a chalkboard.
"Please, have a seat in my classroom," Chun Mai smiles, gesturing towards the cushions. "Securing Shokuro’s future includes passing knowledge and talents onto the next generation, you see."
Once Brand is seated as comfortably as he can be, Chun Mai clears her throat. "Since some of you seem quite eager to begin, I will get straight to the point. Nearby, in the Li Sho Forest, lies a ruined estate that I believe was once an estate for military officers during the days of Imperial Lung Wa."
"Simply put, I would like for you to explore this estate. As to why –– I have hopes that it contains relics or information about Lung Wa that Shokuro can use to enhance its reputation among the Successor States."
Noticing more than a few blank looks, Chun Mai chuckles wryly. "Of course, I understand that the history of these lands isn't as widely known as your own. Let me give you the short version ..."
"For nearly 500 years, Imperial Lung Wa united and ruled an immense portion of these lands."
Standing by the chalkboard, Chun Mai quickly sketches a crude map of the continent of Tian Xia.
"With the death of Aroden, the empire fractured into the competing Successor States, with Lingshen, Po Li, and Quain at the shattered empire’s heart. So far, none of the three have managed to recapture the fallen empire’s glory and influence, resulting in a tense stalemate. Agents from each nation keep an eye out for anything they might use as a symbol of legitimacy as the empire’s worthiest successor."
"Now, Lingshen has the strongest military of all the Successor States. Shortly after Lung Wa’s fall, it annexed the fertile land to the east - what is now known as Shokuro - and compelled the peasants to labor on Lingshen’s behalf. Over several decades, Lingshen turned its attention elsewhere, convinced that the subjected territory would serve without complaint."
Chun Mai pauses here and grins. “What a foolish notion that was! When a Minkaian samurai named Toriaka witnessed the cruel serfdom, he rallied the peasants and helped the territory secede as an independent nation. With a well-trained militia and an equitable trading policy with Lingshen that placates the larger nation’s need for food imports, Shokuro now enjoys some stability in this post-imperial age.”
“Even so, the Sun Shogun Shokuro Toriaka recognizes that to the three stronger Successor States, Shokuro remains a prospective chess piece in their future ambitions. For our nation to gain the standing to fend off expansionist neighbors, it must acquire some of the same political currency — namely, symbols of old imperial authority.”
"And as I've just explained, this is where you, my blooming lilies, enter the story," the old woman concludes.
"I hope that my request now makes a little more sense to you! I find it's always easier to complete a task if you understand the reason for doing it."
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Before...
While sitting among his fellow Pathfinders, he did eye and was taken aback of the surprise skunk that appeared from the handbag, but simply smirked and assured it's owner.
"M'lady, rest easy knowing that you are not alone in carrying unorthodox creatures. I have certainly seen my fair share, and that is most definitely not the strangest I have encountered or fought alongside of. Provided you can direct it's fumes in a safe direction, I think you will get along quite well here," he then leaned in as far as he could to feint a whisper. "I skipped out on Confirmation myself. Just didn't interest me or somehow enough field work granted they hand waive it," Radiarch stated as he relaxed back in his seat and returned to his normal speaking voice. "Either way, experience in battle at the 'wound proved enough, I suppose."
________________________________________
Currently...
Radiarch listened intently to Chun Mai's lecture and took a moment to reflect.
Regarding this estate, you had described it as ruined. Were there any historical records outside the residence, in town courthouse or the like, that gave some idea why it was originally abandoned? As an estate owner myself, in case of unfortunate happenings, a particular concordant and inheritance is in place to assure the property is tended to.
(OOC: Happy to make a trained Knowledge: Nobility roll if it gleans any new details)
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~*On the boat ride/Makin' friends with animal people*~
Once Magdelina's skunk companion is revealed, Keiko is less horrified than intensely curious, as she is also an animal person and definitely has NOT smelled any 'skunk scent' while near Magdelina. She will kindly and gently ask Magdelina about the skunk, and attempt to make friends with Daysie, as well as introduce Magdelina to her horse, Mairu, if she desires.
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Maggie is visibly relieved to see Radiarch open up to her and to discover Keiko's love for animals. "Call me Maggie," was her response upon being the subject or Radiarch's overly-polite-for-her-taste 'Milady' designation.
She gladly instructs Daysie to accompany Keiko on small outings throughout the ship, which always end up being an excuse to receive more petting by Keiko, and in exchange she offers to help with Mairu's daily brushing.
=======================================
When she detects a lull in the conversation, Magdelina dares speak to Chun Mai and asks, "Assuming we are able to locate and explore this estate, what would we be looking for exactly? are we to leave the furniture or window intact? what would you consider a symbol of the old regime's authority? some vintage stained-glass windows in the lands we hail from could be considered symbolic, or a gold-plated weathervane atop an edifice, for instance..."
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Keiko listens to Chun Mai's history of the region in silence, nodding along. She was familiar with the tale of Toriaka, though hadn't consciously noticed the similarities in their personal stories before. Perhaps because Prince Kazuyuki painted Toriaka as the villian and traitor in the version of the story she grew up hearing.
Were there any historical records outside the residence, in town courthouse or the like, that gave some idea why it was originally abandoned?
“No.”
Chun Mai’s curt response likely raises your suspicion. Though you sense you will not persuade her to reveal more at this time.
“Assuming we are able to locate and explore this estate, what would we be looking for exactly? are we to leave the furniture or window intact?”
“Windows and furniture were ruined or destroyed years ago by the elements and the curious.”
Chun Mai locks eyes with the skunk-momma. “Li Amara assured me you were all professional treasure-hunters.”
“If so, I have little doubt you will know the items when you find them.”
The matron looks dubiously at Maggie. “If not, she has sent me the wrong people.”
“Now are there more questions, or are you ready to brave the Li Sho Woods?”
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When they met her for the first time he entered with respect and took off his shoes.
”Each path is different and each step has a different footprint. There are many destinations. One is true to the individual walking: personal perfection!“ he responds to the woman's poetic couplets a d yea clear that this is a memorized phrase and not his own words.
Kenji then remains silent the whole time and tries to not put a barrier between his partially rude companions and the honorable Chun Mai.
In Tien he speaks up for the first time.
”You have been very kind. As you said: The Master guides us to the door. We have to walk through!“
He looks at his companions and nods.
”It is time to go and investigate!“ he says in common.
“You have been very kind. As you said: The Master guides us to the door. We have to walk through!”
“Perhaps the Master of Masters in your case, Kenji-kun.”
Chun Mai bows formally to the paladin. 无论你走到哪里，都要全心全意地去。
Before providing directions to the old estate. "The forest is quite dense, so remember these landmarks – corroded lantern poles overgrown with ivy, an empty hunter’s shack, and the old military watchtower. They'll keep you on the right path.”
“Now take care and please try to return in one piece!"
The Li Sho Woods are a surprisingly dense forest that thwarts easy travel. However, Chun Mai’s directions lead to a narrow path that was once a wide road.
The forest has reclaimed most of it, with only a few paving stones peeking up from the soil. The landmarks that you were told to watch for prove easy to find, and so you are able to make the trek out to the old estate in around 6 hours.
Gaps in the forest canopy allow shafts of early-afternoon light to fall on the ruins of a once-opulent manor. The manor’s facade is covered in leafy vines, and the once-neatly manicured shrubberies of the courtyard now wildly overspill their bounds. A mash of rotting bamboo stalks are strewn haphazardly around the front gates, like someone was planning to build a wall with them, before angrily discarding them once their condition was discovered.
The gates themselves are broken and hang agape from rusty hinges.
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Brand was quite content to let others deal with Chun Mai. He gave Magdelina a knowing, sympathetic look before they were finally allowed to leave.
"Some people just enjoy zee air zey breathe, ozers enjoy zey own flatuence," he told Magdelina as they set off into the forest.
As they near the overgrown manor, Brand pulls off an old, battered wooden shield from his back. The heraldry of Galt fading a decade ago, now little more than some peeling flecks of paint. He dons it with a determined grimace, and then raises his staff, waxen moon afixed it's top sweeping over the entryway as his own eyes glow a pale blue.
"Alright, youngens. Go get in to ze trouble, I will be right behind you," he says.
Brand casts Light on himself, Detect Magic around the door, and then casts and concentrates on Detect Undead.
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Though rather gregarious during much of the time he has spent with the party, Razisus grows nearly silent upon spying the estate. Seeing the decaying condition of the estate, the Pharasmin recognizes the possibility that there may be more decay on the grounds. He casts hide from undead, then follows the others casting detect magic in the hope of identifying an aura that could lead to an artifact or object of power.
When the old Galtan speaks, Razisus breaks his silence. Though, when approaching Brand, he speaks only in whispers. "I suspect that this estate may contain the remains of the dead that have been robbed of proper rites. Putting the dead to rest is a sacred duty--a truth that should be reflected in one's decorum."
The only magic Razisus detects originates from the wondrous items the party carries.
Brand ✨lights up your lives, before concentrating on being a spectre detector.
However, you feel the influence of a restless spirit somewhere beyond the broken gates.
Kenji-kun opens the gates, which respond with a rude SQUEAL, to reveal the ruined estate grounds, which contain crumbled statues, overgrown hedges, and an empty pool that is now more a pit filled with leaves, sticks, and mud.
More bamboo litters the grounds, and a single door is visible immediately to the east.
As he's looking around, Kenji hears a rustling sound among the overgrown bushes and a LARGE black and white bear emerges, staring directly at the paladin. It bares its teeth and a low growling sound can be heard as it prepares to charge!
This one seems angrier than most of its kind.
Maggie
Brand
--
Panda
--
Keiko
Radiarch
Razisus
Kenji
lead us off!
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"Stay your weapons friends! this is a panda bear, a herbivore that mainly eats bamboo! ...and it is soooooooooo cute!" although a bit larger than I thought they'd be... thinks Magdelina...
Magdelina advances and attempts to place a hex of misfortune upon the bear in the event that the animal decides to attack.
With a piece of his life force in his hand, Brand hobbles courageously to the front of the party, perhaps revealing something of his true character.
This panda specimen is especially large and fierce. Maggie knows they can grab opponents they strike in melee. She also has a premonition something unnatural is affecting the panda’s behavior.
Nevertheless, the witch takes a merciful approach to dealing with the angry critter.
The panda seems not to care about the compassionate attitude the party has towards it.
It rushes Brand, without accelerating quickly enough to charge the oracle.
Round #1/2:
Maggie
Brand
--
Panda
--
Keiko
Radiarch
Razisus
Kenji
Keiko shoots twice, and a single arrow sprouts from the panda’s shoulder.
Radiarch also sends an arrow down range, but unfortunately it lodges in one of the gate’s leaning posts.
The party hears Maggie 🌜cackle for the first time, as she extends some of her Patron’s fortune to the Galtan grognard.
Round #1/2:
Maggie
Brand
--
Panda
--
Keiko
Radiarch
Razisus
Kenji
are go!
Kenji cuts a bloody sash from shoulder to waist of the Panda, but fails to fell the angry ursine.
The happy hopper introduces a new technique for employing the total defense activité.
The panda stands its ground, clearly not best pleased with Kenji’s steel claw.
This event also means Razisus’ readied action does not occur.
Round #2/3:
Maggie
Brand
--
Panda
--
Keiko
Radiarch
Razisus
Kenji
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"Uuf," Brand grunts, sudden wounds from deep claw gashes opening across his back and arm beneath his clothes. Thankfully, Kenji's same wounds close.
"Okay, time to stop huggin!" He reaches over and smacks Kenji on the shoulder even as he's being wrestled about by the Panda, immediately discharging the cure spell.
Brand then shuffles away, gesturing urgently to Razismus.
"Go on, get in zere! Get your greedy goddezz her zoulz!"
Brand feels some of Kenji’s pain, before releasing his cure light wounds spell, bringing the paladin back to full health.
His immediate goal achieved, the party medic moves off the frontline to let the heavy hitters do their thing.
Magdelina laughs it up, but fortunately, only Brand gets the joke.
Round #2/3:
Magdelina
Brand
--
Panda
--
Keiko
Radiarch
Razisus
Kenji
are green lit!
Mairu follows Keiko's instructions, waiting for the panda to come within kicking range.