GM Mindxing 03-15 The Haunting of Hinojai

Game Master MindXing

Dot in here

Arriving at the Lantern Lodge in Absalom's Petal District, the team is ushered into an immaculately maintained garden where Venture-Captain Amara Li is found pruning a rose bush. She rises gracefully while handing the gardening shears to a servant and tugging off her gloves. "Thank you for coming," she says, gesturing for the group to walk with her through the garden.

"I am sending you to Minkai, on the other side of Golarion. The lands of Tian Xia are rich in mysteries unknown here in the Inner Sea. There is one legend in particular that has intrigued me for many years, and astute agents many find it an opportunity to see their investigations chronicled for their colleagues to read and admire. In the land of Minkai, a mansion sits atop a hill, where no one dares to venture. It is called Hinojai, and stories tell that it was the home of a wealthy and powerful woman before the fall of Imperial Lung Wa a century ago. It is a long trip, but I strongly suspect the manifestations are genuine and worth the trek. You see, there is but one thing more interesting than discovering a haunting—discovering how it came to be."

"Your transportation is arranged, of course. Hinojai sits in a triangle between two villages and a small town named Nagura. Nagura is large enough to allow you to do any last minute provisioning you require, as well as any background investigation you may wish to do. Remember that the Pathfinder Society is not as well-known in Minkai as it is in the Inner Sea. Be mindful of local traditions and represent the Pathfinder Society in a positive light—do not upset the local people! Damaged relationships only hurt future agents who may be following up on your discoveries. Finally, remember your mission is to discover what happened at Hinojai, not burn it to the ground. Protect and defend yourself, by all means, but we seek the truth, we do not destroy it."

Kiyoko bows respectfully to the Venture-Captain as she rises from her gardening. The Tian-Min woman is attired in her customary short red kimono, thigh-high tabi stockings, and zori sandals, and her daisho--an adamantine katana and a wakizashi--rests at her hip. "A pleasure to see you again, Li-dono," she says by way of greeting, following after the Venture-Captain as she moves through the garden. Stony-faced, the Tian-Min's porcelain complexion, ice-blue eyes and chin-length platinum bob are contrasted and accentuated by the distinctive beauty mark to the right side of her chin; her countenance brightens slightly at the mention of Minkai, her homeland. She allows herself a small smile.

"It will be good to return to my homeland for a time," she says. "Though I am curious what stories you have heard of this mansion. It is not a tale I am familiar with. Nor am I familiar with Nagura, though that means little. Sakakabe is in the northwest, and much of the southern lands are unfamiliar to me."

As the conversation progresses, Kiyoko recalls that she had seen a suit of do-maru armor in a Tian-owned armorer's shop in the Foreign Quarter recently. The shopkeeper had told her about the do-maru's history, though she scarcely remembered any of it beyond that he claimed the elves of Jinin had made it and given it to a Tian-Min yojimbo as a gift. Her interest had been piqued, but she had put off the purchase while other things occupied her mind. This was a sign, though: she would make sure to purchase the do-maru before they left Absalom.

Selling her suit of leather lamellar armor and purchasing mithral do-maru +1 at some point before the party arrives in Nagura.

Amara pauses in her stroll and inclines her head at Kiyoko's greeting. She replies to the samurai in Tien.

Then, she continues in Common for the sake of others who might not know the language.

"The stories, they are strange and inconsistent. Hardly a surprise since they must make their way around the world. Nonetheless, there is a dark thread that runs through them all. Tales of dreadful hauntings. It is curious."

As she continues walking through the garden at a leisurely pace, she holds out a finger and a passing butterfly with violet iridescent wings alights on it. Amara pauses and watches the butterfly until it launches into the air and dances away.

Eltran is absolutely anxious to adventure with the crew that was praised so much!

He is clearly astounded to learn that the mission involves Tian Xia as he is very interested in this area!!

~

Eltran walks with slow steps in his full plate armor and heavy shield which clearly encumber him heavily.

He is quite chubby and not really the most attractive man. His mixed Taldane and Tian Xia heritage together with his Ifrit blood make him an oddball that does not feel welcome in most places.

~

When he meets the group he waves.

"Greetings to you all. Superb to work together again." says the corpulant man with a self conscious smile.

Resting on top of his chest, two amulets showing the holy symbols of Pharasma and Brigh are visible.

Facing you all Eltran bows but more out of tradition than courtesy you believe.

“Eltran Katsu is my name. And I just returned from the Planes so it feels good to be on old Golarion again … but being on the elemental planes is really great!!“

He does not really have a natural presence and unfortunately might come across as strange sometimes.

~

You see him performing a spiralling gesture to the lady of graves.

Worshipers of Pharasma—as well as most commoners—trace the goddess's spiral-symbol on their chests, typically as a form of prayer when hearing ill news or a spoken evil.

“Dear Amara, I just want to know if any opposition or danger can be expected?! And what drew you to this mansion in the first place? And why hasn’t it been researched already?!“

To-to-obika is wearing mithral breastplate underneath his coat. Symbol of Abadar is bound to his chest. He tips his hat and bows to the Venture-Captain as he arrives in the garden. He listens intently until she and Kiyoko have finished. "I'd like to hear more details of these hauntings before entering that mansion. Is this all you know of that location?" he asks

Aylanna nods with the others' inquiries for more details about the hauntings. "I also suspect we will get more information in town than we will from the other side of Golarion."

Amara turns off the main path through the garden and along a narrow strip of lawn that leads to a gazebo. She arranges and smooths the folds of her gown as she sits on a small bench in the structure's shade.

"Dangers and opposition? When it comes to hauntings, there are always dangers. Beyond that, I'm afraid that I know no more details. That is, of course, one of the reasons I'm sending you. Keep in mind that the villagers of Nagura stay clear of the mansion. It is likely that they will be able to provide more substantive information."

Kiyoko nods to Eltran when he introduces himself. “Kiyoko,” she says by way of introduction. “Tamahi Kiyoko.”

As the sword saint follows after Amara Li, she notes the tranquility of the garden. Perhaps one day she would own an estate where she could do something similar. In the meantime, Amara seemed to have nothing further to offer in the way of information.

“When do we depart?”

"A Minkai trading ship called the Windblown Leaf will be leaving from The Docks tomorrow at dawn. I have arranged for it take you to Kasai. Once in Kasai, locate Jian Liu at The Golden Cricket and give him this." She hands Kiyoko a small, leather wallet. "All the necessary instructions are here and Jian will make sure you get to Nagura. If you don't have more questions for me, I suggest that you enjoy the rest of the day and the evening."

The details of travel are not important. When everyone is ready to go, we will shift to Nagura. I just put in the details here for color.

During the long voyage Aylanna eagerly awaits seeing the lands of her mentor - a master of Pei Zin arts - in person. "I hope Tian Xia will give me the insight to take the next steps in mastering the healing craft. I can hardly wait!"

“Jian Liu,“” Kiyoko repeats with a nod. “We will seek him out.”

After the meeting, Kiyoko returns to the armorer’s shop and purchases the do-maru that had caught her eye. She spends the remainder of the day at a small bar in the Foreign Quarter that sold sake. The next morning, she arrives at the Windblown Leaf on time and sober, her pack, armor, and weapons in tow.

During their voyage, she familiarizes herself with her new armor, practicing her training kata obsessively during the long trip. She is quite happy when they finally arrive in Kasai—even breaking into a smile when she finally disembarks from the ship onto the dock. Finally—home. And no more rolling seas!

"It is good to see you once again my friends!" comes the joyful greeting as Ki Chin's hanfu clad form enters the room, longsword at his side. Not much has changed for the magus from the last time the others have seen him. Red hair still bound in a ponytail, the cross scar on his cheek still present.

"It is good to meet you, Katsu. I believe this is our first meeting, is it not?" the Minkaian greets the bard with a bow.

"Should we acquire some holy water, in case of undead?"

“Kiyoko, it's a true pleasure to meet you. Your name has graced many tales, and Tamahi Kiyoko, I am honored to stand beside you on this endeavor!“

He then turned his gaze to Ki Chin, offering a small and respectful smile.
“Ki Chin, your reputation precedes you. The tales of your bravery and skill with are known even in distant corners. Our paths might not have crossed before, but it's an honor to finally stand beside you!“

Drawing himself up, he continues, “To all the Pathfinders gathered here, and especially Venture Captain Li … I know I might appear an odd choice for such a vital mission. But I assure you, beneath this armor, and my... unassuming appearance, is a heart dedicated to the cause, and a soul that has traveled realms many can only dream of. I thank you for welcoming me … for seeing past the peculiarities of my heritage and acknowledging the strength and knowledge I bring to our collective journey. Together, I have no doubt we'll triumph!!“ he says but it’s clear it’s more a wish that true confidence.

Before leaving To-to purchases wand of cure moderate wounds (4500 gp) and pays to have his masterwork crossbow enhanced to +1 (2000)
"Ready to leave once you are. Greetings Eltran! Pleasure to meet you, I'm To-to and I'd like to hear about your travels in other Planes."

During the voyage he spends time getting to know Eltran.

The blush of predawn is barely showing on the eastern horizon as the Pathfinders make their way through The Docks to the Windblown Leaf. It is not difficult to find the ship. Its distinctive Minkai design stands out amongst the other ships.

Standing at the bottom of a narrow gangplank, wearing a well weathered kasa, a bored looking sailor sits on short wooden barrel. He's gnawing a dark red colored stick but when he sees the Pathfinders he pulls it out of his mouth and spits on the ground.

He spits on the ground again and stands. He eyes Kiyoko up and down then mumbles something under his breath while he turns and staggers up the gangplank.

The Pathfinders follow the sailor onto the ship. Eltran comes last and the flimsy gangplank sags considerably under his weight but it holds just fine.

Another sailor greets the Pathfinders. This one seems a little more polite. She gives a quick introduction on where they will be staying, the hours for eating, and general instructions.

Once in their guest cabin, the Pathfinders find some messages that have been left for them.

As the Pathfinders are reading their messages, shouts can be heard from above deck and the ship starts rocking. Their voyage is underway.

After several days, the Pathfinders find themselves riding into Nagura around noon.

Nagura is a small but active town at the crossroads of three major highways. It serves as a hub for transportation and the distribution of lumber, rice, and other foodstuffs between several smaller villages and two larger cities. Besides numerous residences, the town offers accommodation for merchants and travelers, a general store, and a number of cottage industries such as pottery and weaving. Smoke wafts in the sky from the chimney’s of active ceramic kilns, while the street is filled with the scents and sounds of vendors selling both raw and cooked food items from booths. To the west of town, a large residence for government officials) sits empty and waiting, reserved for the local samurai or the representative of the regency. To the east are a number of shrines to various gods, separated from the rest of town by a bright red torii gate.

At the Docks: Kiyoko gives the kasa-wearing sailor a dark look as she passes him by and heads up the gangplank. He wasn't her type to begin with.

Once in her guest cabin, Kiyoko sets aside her armor and gear, keeping her daisho close at hand. She notices the message and looks it over, then folds it and puts it in an inro belt pouch tucked inside her obi sash. Then she heads back up onto the deck to see what she can of their departure, hopefully while staying out of the way of the crew.

After arriving in Nagura: Kiyoko rides into the small town on a borrowed horse, attired in her kimono and do-maru, daisho at her hip, looking every part like the Minkaian samurai she is. She heads straight-away for the local ryokan (inn), parting the half-curtains at the entrance and removing her zori sandals inside. She calls for the attendant in Minkaian, "Gomen kudasai!"

"Yes. We are the passengers." Ki Chin replies in Tien back at the sailor as he follows him to their cabin.

Once settled the magus heads out onto the deck to watch the scenery as he ponders the paracountess' request. "A magical object from Làu Kiritsu, hmmm? I will need to be on the look out."

******************************************************
Arriving in Nagura the Lin decides to browse the shops. His eyes land on a Ring of Protection and a pair of Bracers of armor +3 trading his Bracers of Armor +1 and adding some gp. Satisfied with his shopping Ki Chin heads to the inn.

To-to gasps for air in his cabin as he reads Lady Morilla's letter. Can anything be done if the Empire is in such dire situation? Maybe I should seek guidance of senior follower of Abadar?

When the ship has arrived in Nagura, To-to follows his friends to local inn.

Once in Nagura, Aylanna will ask around with the people they do business with about this "Way of the Kirin," wondering if any of the government officials or temples have any relationship with it.

Kiyoko's entrance attracts a few looks. They aren't entirely unfriendly but they aren't happy either. To-to shuffles into the inn's meeting room right behind her.

A short Tien woman comes out from a backroom. An blue patterned apron is tied around her waist. She waves a large wooden spoon, the tip still glistening, at the newcomers.

Kiyoko and To-to, please give me a Diplomacy or Knowledge(local) here as you ask questions.

While Kiyoko and To-to head to the inn, Aylanna tries her hand at simple conversation with the locals.

Aylanna, please give me a Diplomacy or Knowledge(history) here as you ask questions.

This act is about interacting with the locals and trying to get information. To do this, ask questions and include a Diplomacy, Knowledge(local) check to find out about Hinojai, I'll need a Diplomacy or Knowledge(history) for info about the Way of the Kirin. Also, they only speak Tien or Minkaian. Let me know which language you're using when speaking with the locals.

Kiyoko nods to the short woman, her attitude carefully neutral in spite of the somewhat-chilly reception she received. She replies in Minkaian.

The Tian-Min sword saint picks up her backpack from the entrance and takes a step into the inn, intending to follow their hostess to whatever rooms they are presented with.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Aylanna knows Tien, but not Minkaian. She has a +11 trained linguistics if that ends up mattering.

Aylanna will begin chatting with locals at the inn hopefully over a meal before heading to the local shrines, keeping an eye out for street food vendors for when the need for snacks arises.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25

The host leads Kiyoko and To-to to the second floor. She stops at the top of the stairs.

With that, she turns back down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Aylanna finds that she can communicate with the locals quite easily in Tien. They are not unfriendly but they generally only offer short responses. Despite their reticence, she learns quite a bit about the Way of the Kirin. The Way of the Kirin was dedicated to fairness for common people and to opposing political corruption. When the empire of Lung Wa fell a century ago, there was a strong backlash against the Way of the
Kirin, and the exploitation and corruption the Way had held at bay ran rampant throughout the Successor States. At that time, a woman named Minasako was the patron of Hinojai. That house remained a bastion of the Way’s ideals, since it was safely in Minkai, but without the power of her network to support her, Minasako’s influence in the area began to wane. After 1 or 2 years, Minasako could represent the Way in name only, as she no longer had any means to enforce its doctrines. The Hinojai manor eventually fell into disrepair and Minasako disappeared, but no body was ever found.

Every time the locals mention Hinojai, a dark shadow crosses their brow and they lower their voices.

Kiyoko arches a brow at the hostess as she turns back down the stairs. She shrugs to To-to-obika and pokes her head into the rooms. With a disgruntled mutter, she drops her backpack in the room she likes most and steps back out into the hallway. To To-to, she says, "Perhaps others in town will be more talkative. Do you speak Minkaian? Or Tien?"

With that, she heads downstairs again and pauses at the inn's entrance to put her zori sandals back on. She then steps back out into the streets, heading for the general store.

Before stepping to his room to drop his backpack, To-to shakes his head at Kiyoko "No, I'm woefully out of even simplest conversations in either language. But perhaps one day I can master at least Tien."

Despite not speaking local language, he tries to ask in common about what the locals are willing to say about haunted mansion.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Kiyoko finds the general store to be like every other small, family-operated store that she's ever been in. The proprietor is sweeping the floor with a rush broom. He glances at her then turns back to his sweeping without a word. While Kiyoko is browsing the shelves, someone else enters the store. The newcomer has the look of a well traveled merchant.

The store proprietor smiles and bows at the merchant.

"Zataki-san, my friend. Welcome back. I hope your recent travels have been successulf."

"Yoshi, you crazy man. I've only been gone two days. I'm just here to pick up some more supplies then I'm off for a much longer trip. Do you have those sacks of tea ready yet?"

Yoshi nods eagerly. He and the merchant head to the back room of the store.

...elsewhere...

To-to tries his best to communicate with the locals. Mostly they are willing to struggle with signs and a smattering of Common words that they know. However, once he mentions Hinojai, the locals shut down. They quickly leave him alone.

The roll wasn't high enough to get any info but it did let the locals know that that's what you were looking for.

Eltran and Ki Chin, anything or are you just hanging out?

Eltran is not really in the mood for socializing which is strange for a bard but his
Introverted character was what it was.

"I heard there was a cursed mansion near here called Hinojai. Do you know anything about it?" Ki Chin questions the vendor as he puts on his new bracers.
Knowledge(local): 1d20 ⇒ 1

Kiyoko loiters around, browsing the general store’s supply of sake bottles and waiting for the traveling merchant to re-emerge. When he does so, she takes a bottle of umeshu (plum sake) from the shelves and addresses him in Minkaian. “Excuse me. Zataki-san, yes? I am Tamahi Kiyoko, a shugyosha (warrior-pilgrim). Where do your travels take you? Westward, toward Amanandar, perhaps? If so, perhaps you could be troubled to carry a letter there?”

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 18

But Eltran can think about the past.

history : 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

To-to arrives at the store some time after Kiyoko. "Zataki-san, I am To-to, Kiyoko's friend and colleague. Delivery of this letter to Amanandar is important our businesses and you would have our gratitude if you agree to assist."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Kiyoko translates for To-to, if necessary (i.e. if the merchant doesn’t speak Common [Taldane]).

Although I don’t know how you translate a Diplomacy roll….

"Where do your travels take you? Westward, toward Amanandar, perhaps? If so, perhaps you could be troubled to carry a letter there?"

"Zataki-san, I am To-to, Kiyoko's friend and colleague. Delivery of this letter to Amanandar is important our businesses and you would have our gratitude if you agree to assist."

The merchant's eyebrows shoot up. "Why yes. That is exactly where I'm going. And of course, I don't mind delivering a message." His eager response seems a little too eager. Kiyoko and To-to exchange a glance.

Roll a Bluff to convince him that the message is not important enough to tamper with. Or, Sense Motive to assure yourself that he is trustworthy.

In an other part of the store, the vendor is unloading a few items from a box when Ki Chin approaches.

"I heard there was a cursed mansion near here called Hinojai. Do you know anything about it?"

The vendor flinches and pauses for a second before he continues unloading. He avoids eye contact with Ki Chin. "If your business is done here, I suggest you move along."

Kiyoko arches an eyebrow. "Payment upon delivery, of course. The one who receives the letter will see to it," she says in Minkaian, gauging his trustworthiness.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"One last thing, are there any shrines here?" Deciding not to push it Ki Chin changes the topic. If I'm lucky I can find out more about Làu Kiritsu. the magus thinks to himself.

Kiyoko gets a good sense of what Zataki is like and she's convinced that he's trustworthy. Afterall, a travelling merchant would not continue to be successful if rumors of shady business started going around.

The vender mostly ignores Ki Chin's question. It's clear that he doesn't want anything to do with him.

By now it is mid-afternoon. The town is small enough that the adventurers have seen about all there is to see. And, through various means, they have come to find out where Hinojai is located.

You've done all that you can in the village. Visiting Hinojai is next on the agenda. Do you want to go now, in the daylight? Or wait till night?

Kiyoko nods once and retrieves the letter from her inro belt pouch. “I thank you,” she says simply. Her business concluded, she turns to To-to.

“To the inn?” she asks in Taldane. “Or maybe a food stall, first.”

With that, she heads for the door and slowly works her way back to their lodgings (after a brief stop for taiyaki, okonomiyaki, or some other light food she finds at a food stall).

Going to a haunted house at night seems silly. Definitely go there during the day, imo.

"Food first, to celebrate completing our letter delivery mission, and then to the inn. Then, before getting to sleep, we may plan how to approach this haunted mansion, if it is really haunted." he answers

Aylanna is about to argue with Kiyoko that going at night is the BEST time to find out what's actually going on, until Kiyoko mentions a food stall, and then the halfling is happy to go along with this schedule.

"I saw this one place with handheld triangles of rice stuffed with minced fish and wrapped in dried seaweed! And this other place had a hot noodle soup that smelled AMAZING! And this other place was just fish, not even cooked! What's up with that?" She continues rattling on about Minkaian cuisine until she has something to eat.

Kiyoko patiently ignores endures Aylanna’s ranting until they arrive at a food stall, offering occasional noises like “Mmn,” “Uh huh,” and “Nn” as appropriate. She then buys Aylanna a taiyaki cake, shoves it into her hands, and revels in the silence.

By the kami, it is like having a kid sister.

“We've combed every corner of this village, heard every tale, every whisper. We've lent our ears and offered our assistance. But now, as the twilight descends upon us, I feel in my heart that we've done all we can here!“

He pauses.

“Hinojai beckons us. Its mysteries, its challenges, and its answers lie in wait. But as eager as I am, as we all are, to uncover what awaits us there, I propose prudence. Night’s embrace is not our ally in unfamiliar terrain!“

Seeing the vendor ignoring him Ki Chin decides to head toward the inn Kiyoko said she would be going to. Maybe the others had better luck.

The Pathfinders reconvene at the inn and share the information that they've gathered. The location of Hinojai was no secret -- only a short distance outside of town on top of a small hill. And it seems most prudent to visit in the daylight. That is, the following morning.

With all the questions about the haunted mansion, it seems that villagers have become very much unfriendly towards the newcomers. The innkeeper grudgingly serves the group a cold supper and none of the locals spend any time in the common room.

The next morning the Pathfinders gather together and make their way to the mansion. As they were informed, it sits on a sloping hill. The northwestern corner of the house extends furthest away from the slope. The mansion itself is mostly wood construction built on a stone foundation and a wooden porch encircles most of the exterior of the house.

Meandering stone steps, overgrown with vegetation in places, climb the slope of a hill underneath sheltering trees. On the final landing before the mansion itself is a freestanding moon gate—a circular stone gate that opens between the trees. The surface of the landing itself is stone and decorated with a sundial fashioned from colored tiles. The sundial’s blade rises two feet from the landing like a shark fin pointed toward the moon gate. Beyond the gate, a final set of stairs ascends to the house.

You should be able to add your icon to the slide #7. You should be on the walkway in the lower left of the slide. Please determine the order you will be in as you approach the moon gate.

Kiyoko approaches the moon gate cautiously, taking in the mansion's environs. Well, it is no doubt abandoned. Whether it is haunted remains to be seen, she thinks to herself.

She advances to the base of the final stairs, just outside of the moon gate, inspecting the stone gate and the overgrown vegetation around it. She then looks to her companions. "Any trace of magic to this place?" she asks.

Eltran looks around and casts detect magic and looks for any signs of danger.

Aylanna casts Detect Undead as she looks around. If she detects any presences she will alert the party.

Advancing behind Kiyoko, To-to is startled by passing of a bird and glances at his surroundings.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

As you all ascend the steps approaching the gate, your skin begins to tingle. To-to and Ki Chin's eyes grow wide. Ki Chin's face goes pale and the feathers around To-to's neck start to puff up.

Staying calm despite sinister feeling, To-to casts Protection from Evil on Kiyoko.