Pagma likes chemicals much more than traps, but hunches over the wires with her two friends. "I think that one there" she points "is a decoy. See the line move all the way to that odd dowel by itself... I bet if we..." she touches it and the entire thing rumbles "No. We don't want to do that. Okay..." she hums and haws, rubbing her chin before she reaches out, holds her breath and cuts a single wire.
The wire proves to be the lynchpin of the complicated trap. Pagma successfully disables it, rendering it safe for the youths to escape! They thank you profusely, bowing low before scrambling off to the safety of the nearby buildings where the other Northridgers have taken refuge!
The relief floods the trap springer's face. "oh good" she says So so so softly. She had been hiding the tension inside her, from the hard worry of what would happen if she had gotten it right.
She hugs the two boys hard, trying to will the world to keep them safe. "Tell them your grandmother is safe and sound as well. There is hope, all will be good..." eventually.
Then she turns to there leader "Where too next, Sakura."
Sakura smiles warmly at Pagma, genuinely impressed by her skill in defusing the complicated trap. "Pagma, that was amazing work. You've got a real talent for this."
As they release the children and see them scuttle off to safety, she can't help but feel a rush of pride. They've done something good here, something tangible amid the chaos. It's a small flicker of light in the darkness surrounding Willowshore.
Turning to her group, she remembers Jing-De's earlier comment. "Jing-De mentioned a shrine in Mother's Coil. That should be our next destination. We can seek the next blessing for the Eternal Lantern there."
Her eyes meet each of her companions in turn, ensuring they're all on board with the plan before leading onward.
Cloud watches Pagma with professional interest, unsure if he would have approached the trap the same way, yet equally unsure if he might have spotted the decoy element. He too breathes a sigh of relief and gives Pagma the slightest of estimable nods.
Cloud nods to Sakura.
”Let us hope the blessings and the relit lantern have an appreciable effect. I do not wish to face the mastermind Granny Hi mentioned without all possible advantages…”
Jing-De guides the group west back towards the heart of town. The fog-shrouded street takes you to Mother's Coil, a Nagajor-styled tower of dark basalt built by an old nagaji wizard who settled in Willowshore fifteen years ago. The wizard died tragically last year, and care of the tower passed to their apprentice and ward, the human woman Igawa Jubei.
Jubei is sheltering with the other Northridgers, but Jing-De shows you to an unlocked back door that leads into a small shrine. The shrine here actually has three altars, one each dedicated to Nalinivati, Shizuru, and Tsukiyo. You could try to bless both remaining copper coins here.
You offer prayers to a shrine and implore its associated deity to bless a copper coin. Place the copper coin before the shrine, then spend 10 minutes in prayer before the shrine. Attempt a DC 15 Religion or deity Lore check or a DC 17 skill check associated with the deity’s teachings—two alternate skills are available for each shrine. If you worship the deity in question, increase the result of your check by one degree of success.
Critical Success: The deity blesses the copper coin but also imbues you with additional divine energy and insight. You heal 1d8+8 Hit Points and can cast guidance once in the next 24 hours as a divine spell. You treat all further critical successes at Invoking Shrine Blessing as regular successes instead.
Success: The deity blesses the copper coin.
Failure: You fail to achieve a blessing but suffer no ill effects. You can’t attempt to invoke a blessing at this specific shrine again for 24 hours.
Critical Failure: You anger the deity. The copper coin vanishes, you can’t attempt to invoke a blessing at this shrine again for 1 week, and you become stupefied 1 for 1 hour.
Alternate Blessing Skills: Nalinivati: Midwifery Lore or Nature; Shizuru: Diplomacy or Warfare Lore; Tsukiyo: Genealogy Lore or Occultism
Cloud seems reluctant to enter the tower, and stands outside, longspear gripped tightly, scanning the edges of the fog for enemies.
Jing seems to become even more wary and antsy when the group enters the shrine. Will Tsukiyo and Shizuru answer his call? What if they don't? Does that mean that the blood within him possibly is of a rotten nature? Is today's attack a result of his accursed blood? Stop it!
He blinks away the worrisome thoughts and then gets to it. Wisps of divine energy swirl around Jing once he sits down and plunges himself into contemplative prayer. "Light. Light. Divine Light. Light. Light. Divine warmth."
And so on.
At the culmination of twenty minutes of prayers and invocations, both remaining copper coins begin to glow faintly, blessed by the gods of the sun and the moon. You now have all three coins that you need to relight the Eternal Lantern!
Tears begin running down Jing's face as the love for the heaven-bound lovers is reciprocated by the Empress of Heaven and the Prince of the Moon. Willowshore won't stand alone against what is yet to come.
Jing gets up and presents the coins to the others. In his outstretched hands lie the two blessed copper bits. The light that comes from the coins is warm and comforting, and if he were a more selfish man, Jing would close his hands and bask in it. "It is done. Shizuru and Tsukiyo will watch over Willowshore."
During the twenty minutes Jing-De spends in prayer, Sakura takes the opportunity for focused preparation. She meticulously inspects her weapons and armor, observing the shrine's intricate altars and pondering its spiritual significance. She occasionally glances at Jing-De, whose tranquil prayers remind her of the higher powers guiding them. Using this quiet time for reflection, she contemplates their mission and the adversaries they face, fortifying her resolve to protect Willowshore. Briefly closing her eyes, she gains some rest and feels a sense of peace listening to Jing-De's whispers.
Upon completion of the blessing, Sakura approaches Jing-De, her eyes meeting his as she takes in the glowing copper coins he holds. The light emanating from them seems to cast a warm glow on his face, as if the gods themselves were acknowledging his devotion."Jing-De, your prayers have done something truly special here," she begins softly, her voice tinged with awe and gratitude. "I couldn't have called upon the gods in the way you did. Your spiritual connection is a gift, one that has bestowed hope not just upon us, but on all of Willowshore."
She reaches out and gently places her hand over his that holds the blessed coins, as if touching a sacred relic. "Thank you for using your gifts to light our path. Let's take this divine blessing and spread its light to all the dark corners that plague our home."
You make haste back to Dawnstep Bridge, where the Eternal Lantern stands. Jing-De opens the grill on the lantern's southern face, places the blessed copper coins in the cold iron cage within, and then closes the grill again. The lantern immediately ignites once more, shedding bright light around it. The strange fog that had blanketed Willowshore clears away at once! The sun shines in the sky above, a bright summer day.
You can feel a stirring in your spirits as the gods' blessings on the copper coins suffuse you as well.
As Jing-De places the blessed coins into the Eternal Lantern, Sakura watches intently, holding her breath in anticipation. The moment the lantern ignites, casting its radiant light around them, she feels a rush of emotions flood through her—relief, triumph, and an overwhelming sense of hope.
The instant the fog begins to clear, dissipating like some evil spirit banished back to the underworld, Sakura looks up to the sky. The sun shines bright and clear, as if acknowledging their hard-fought victory. Her eyes fill with tears of joy, but she holds them back, knowing that there are still challenges ahead. However, for this one moment, she allows herself the luxury of pure, undiluted happiness.
Taking a deep breath, she feels as if she's inhaling the light itself, filling her lungs with newfound strength and resolve. She can feel the gods' blessings coursing through her, a tangible force that reignites her own inner fire.
Turning to her companions, she locks eyes with each of them, her expression one of gratitude and camaraderie. "We did it," she says, her voice filled with awe. "Thanks to everyone's bravery and Jing-De's divine connection, we've returned light to Willowshore."
She takes a moment to touch the lantern softly, as if to affirm its reality and the extraordinary feat they've just accomplished. "This is more than just fire and metal," she reflects aloud. "It's a symbol that we can push back the darkness, no matter how thick it gets. We've been chosen by destiny, by the gods, to restore hope. And this is just the beginning."
Sakura draws her katana then and raises it towards the sky, catching the sun's rays on the blade. "Onward, my friends," she declares, her voice steady and her eyes shining with resolve, lifting her katana. "There's still much to do, but now we walk in the light."
Kamo lets the light wash over him and gives a mischievous smile. "Kofusachi, Shizuru, and Tsukiyo blessing the town. Well, at least Kofusachi is here to keep things from getting too stuffy."
He looks out in the direction of the Nine Ear Shrine. "I wonder what blessing Lady Daikitsu would have brought? We'll have to visit her after we've checked on the rest of the townspeople."
To Sakura he says, "Yes, we made a good start. Should we check on Doctor Domi? I'm sure many of the survivors would be happy to have medical treatment."
Sakura listens to Kamo, her eyes following his gaze in the direction of the Nine Ear Shrine. "You're right, Kamo. The blessings of multiple gods have graced us today, and perhaps Lady Daikitsu would have her own unique gift to bestow. We should indeed visit her shrine when the time is right."
At the mention of Doctor Dami, Sakura's expression turns earnest. "That's an excellent idea. Medical attention will be crucial in the aftermath of what happened. Dami is a pillar in this community, and his skills are invaluable. We should make sure he's alright and assist him in any way we can."
She takes a final glance at the now-illuminated Eternal Lantern. "May its light guide and protect us on this next leg of our journey," she murmurs, more to herself than anyone else.
With a determined nod to her companions, she says, "Let's move. The sooner we find Doctor Dami, the sooner we can start helping the injured and give the townspeople some much-needed relief."
Pagma hung out with Cloud on the entrance of the shrine "I'm not religious" she admits to the warrior. Their town has so many shrines, so she doesn't actively avoid them. The Inn even has one so it would be really hard to.
But even with her secular leanings, she feels the warmth of the lantern. As the mist dissipates, joy blossomed. She moves to stand next to Jing and tell him "You did good."
Then to Sakura she admits "Okay, I was wrong, lighting the lantern was a good idea." before agreeing with Kamo "The doc is a good idea"
Willowshore relied heavily on home remedies, herbal droughts, and traveling priests for medical care until the arrival of Doctor Damihansig, whom everyone calls Dami for short. Dami uses a mix of acupuncture, purified chemicals, and surgery to provide care. Though his treatments aren’t what Willowshore is used to, Dami has developed quite a reputation for being a charitable doctor who cares more about his patients than monetary gain.
You find Doctor Dami removing the boards over the door to his clinic, the Hand of Spring. He waves to you as you approach. "Aha! Do you see? The fog is gone, and with it, the monsters! And not a moment too soon--I heard some strange whispering outside my door just a few minutes ago."
The doctor welcomes you inside his clinic, where he has been tending to a handful of townsfolk who had become mildly injured in the earlier attacks. They cheer when you tell them that the Eternal Lantern has been lit once more.
***
Over the next few hours, it becomes evident that the monsters and perils in most of Willowshore have abated. Citizens who have been hiding in their homes or gathering in safe zones emerge cautiously, yet the people of Willowshore remain frightened. Nothing like this has happened before, and the town’s leaders will have their hands full keeping the citizens comfortable, safe, and calm.
A delegation of citizens from Southbank arrives at the Ceiba-Duyue Exchange, lead by Old Matsuki himself. The leader of Southbank has earned his moniker--at nearly 99 years old, Shou Matsuki is the only human left in Willowshore who has experienced the village’s entire history in person.
"You are the heroes who reignited the Eternal Lantern, eh?" Old Matsuki says, beaming at you. "All of Willowshore is in your debt. But we are not out of the woods yet." He turns from you to Granny Hu, the warmth leaving his smile. "Hello, Ban-niang."
"Shou," Granny Hu says in acknowledgement, her voice icy. It is a well-known fact that the two elders don't exactly get along. Nevertheless, they put aside their differences for the time being to see to the town's safety and welfare.
***
Part 2: Reclaiming Willowshore
It is late afternoon by the time Old Matsuki and Granny Hu summon you to speak with them. They thank you once again for your heroic efforts so far, but they tell you that there is still one notable part of town still in danger: downtown Willowshore remains controlled by monsters, and any citizens who were trapped there remain prisoners or worse. More disturbing, now that the mists are gone, the light of day has revealed the unsettling truth that you noticed earlier. The governor’s manor, once situated at the northeastern corner of downtown Willowshore, has vanished!
"As I mentioned before, we believe the monsters' ringleader, Mo Douqiu, is lurking somewhere in the downtown area," Granny Hu says. "If he is defeated, the remaining monsters will likely flee. Thus, finding him should be a priority."
"But you should also endeavor to rescue any of the town's citizens you come across," Old Matsuki says. "There has been too much pain and loss already."
The elders have gathered up some supplies for the dangerous task. They present you with ten minor healing potions and eight potency crystal talismans.
Sakura listens intently as Granny Hu speaks, her gaze unwavering. The mention of Mo Douqiu makes her grip tighten around the hilt of her katana for a moment. She knows well enough that he is a formidable enemy, but also realizes that their town’s safety hinges on his defeat.
"We will find Mo Douqiu and put an end to this," Sakura says, nodding at Granny Hu. "I swear it on my honor."
Before they proceed to the next phase of their mission, Sakura and her brother Kamo make a brief detour to their family home. The sight of their parents, safe and sound but clearly shaken, fills her with a sense of relief but also amplifies the weight of the responsibility she carries. After assuring their parents of their safety and of their commitment to rid Willowshore of the monsters, they head back to meet the elders.
Old Matsuki’s presence brings a gravitas to the gathering that Sakura deeply respects. As the elder speaks, she can see the worry etched into the lines of his aged face, and his words about rescuing the trapped townsfolk resonate with her.
"There has indeed been too much suffering," she agrees solemnly as Old Matsuki finishes speaking. "Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to rescue the citizens and reclaim downtown."
Her eyes widen in appreciation when the Elders present them with the supplies. The healing potions and potency crystal talismans are more than just tools; they are symbols of the town’s trust and hope placed upon them.
Taking her share of the supplies, she bows respectfully to Granny Hu and Old Matsuki. "Thank you for these gifts. We will use them wisely to protect Willowshore."
She waits for her companions to be ready before setting out for downtown.
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Earlier, outside the tower, with Pagma
Cloud nods silently, staring into the mist. ”Caring for the gods is like holding a…lantern - their is promise of illumination, but look too close and you are blinded - and if the flame escapes, danger follows….” Cloud smiles, just a little. ”Perhaps the lantern metaphor was…inappropriate, given our current mission. And yet…perhaps…not.”
At the Eternal Lantern
Cloud stifles a small frown as the lantern is lit. While he understands that having a clear view is paramount to clearing the village of the interlopers, he feels strangely exposed himself in the clear light of day. Nevertheless he nods to Jing-De with his usual estimation.
At Doctor Damihansig’s
Cloud appears to be quite friendly with Doctor Damihansig and even makes a little small talk regarding a job the doctor wanted Cloud to finish.
Now
Cloud watches with his usual intensity as the leaders of the two factions continue to act like children. He has little time for their internecine vagaries nor their imprecations. He remains silent, and readies himself for the next challenge.
"It was good to see the family, but we can go villain hunting now that we know they are safe." Kamo pockets the gifts from the townsfolk. "Now, what do these creatures want with us, anyway? Do they just want to make mischief?"
There’s one way to find out what the creatures want! When you are ready, you return to the streets of downtown Willowshore. They remain eerily empty, with evidence of battle all around. The empty lot where the governor’s manor once stood is nearby. A search of the grounds reveals now clues as to what might have happened to it.
“I hope they are okay” Pagma says to the siblings as they go off to check on their parents. The Yuzuki’s are some of Pagma’s favorite people. Always treating her as a kid instead of an oddity or someone to be pittied.
She excused herself from the elders, and went on her own to an older house next to a plot of farmland. “Papa?” she asks into the dark interior, a respectful tightness in her tone.
“About time, girl. Your chores aren’t finishing themselves” the grumble came from within, but there is a hint of relief in his voice.
She nods and then bows “The elders have some tasks for me.” she answers, politely.
“Everyone in town treats you like a servant.” her grandfather complains “Best get on with it then. Check on Mother Otis, she was worried about you.” he ordered, the closest he would ever come to say he was worried to.
“Yes,Papa”
Mother Otis was a truly different, containing a crushing hug, being asked, are you okay a dozen times, and demanding to be told everything.
The giddy young woman returns to Granny Hu’s, and immediately agrees with Sakura. “Of course, we’ll make sure everyone is okay, we promise.”
As the group navigates through the remnants of downtown Willowshore, the absence of the governor's manor is a haunting sight. Sakura's eyes narrow as she surveys the empty lot, her senses heightened as if expecting an attack at any moment.
"I cannot say how creepy it is that this place is just gone," she remarks, her words tinged with a mix of disbelief and unease.
She adjusts the grip on her katana, her knuckles going white for a moment. Her eyes meet each member of the group, lingering a moment longer on Kamo.
"The next closest place is... the prison. I suppose we go there then. Stay close. Stay alert," Sakura advises, her words a clear directive.
With her katana at the ready and her instincts on high alert, Sakura takes the lead.
Cloud heads off in search of something from his abode…but does not return.
"I bet the manor is haunted as well. I doubt it grew legs and walked away, though." He points at the vacant lot, "No tracks."
"I haven't been in the prison since I was twelve. Remember that, Pagma? Mistress Yu was so mad! Her flowers grew back the next year, too."
Pagma should feel remorse but the aftermath of the petals raining down all of them... she smiled brightly at Kamo "It was glorious" she breathed in awe of the memory. "You had to tell me all bout reading how burning put nutrients back in the soil. And her petunias had been looking Sooo sad." the mix had been way off though, and BOOM. She laughed before catching herself. "I do feel bad, really."
You head to the imperial guard house across from the empty lot. The office looks like a hurricane has been through it, with documents strewn about the room. Very few furnishings remain in the room at all. A small, sunken courtyard covered from above by a canopy of wisteria in bloom leads to the dingy prison. The seven cells have iron bars and brick walls.
Ten of Willowshore's guards languish in the cells, alon gwith the captain of the guard, Zheng Peng! The guards are relieved to see you, and Zheng Peng calls you over. "At last, rescue has come! The monsters that attacked the town captured us and locked us in here. But fortunately, there is a spare set of keys hidden under a loose brick over there! Unlock the cells so we can get out of here!"
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An empty house greets Jing-De and welcomes him with silence. After all that has happened, Jing finds the silence to be soothing. Quietly he shuffles about his modest abode and collects a couple of healing draughts and other items that might come in handy in what's to come. The urge to leave is strong, but Jing feels the need to sit down and order his thoughts and feelings. Surely he can take a minute to do so?
After carefully stowing away the draughts into his leather sling bag, Jing opens the sliding door to his garden and takes in the sight of the majestic moon tree. It's decorated with floral garlands and paper fulus left behind by those who lost loved ones and came here to talk with Jing. About loss, about life, about everything and nothing.
This mighty tree, whose roots run deep, embraces the tokens and keeps the memory of those who have left firmly rooted in Willowshore. Jing touches it and utters a soft prayer, asking the Gods to shower Willowshore with mercy and compassion. After a moment of contemplation, he gets back on his feet and collects the last but perhaps most important item from his home: a crescent slash of hammered silver, his holy symbol of Tsukiyo.
Jing does as Zheng Peng asks, but somewhere along the way to the spare set of keys he can't help but wonder - is this really Zheng Peng? He glances over his shoulder at the captain of the guard and then blushes. How would he feel if he were in need, and they hesitated because of unfounded fears and worries? No, this is how evil spirits truly kill a community. Jing won't play their game.
He returns with the keys and tries every key on the lock until he finds the one that fits. "What will you do now?", Jing asks when the door croaks and the path to freedom presents itself to the guards.
Zheng Peng and the other guards all bear numerous injuries from the torments they have suffered. They are haggard and exhausted. "We are in no condition to fight those monsters right now," Zheng Peng says. "We need to rest and heal. But one of those keys unlocks the armory. Please, take whatever you need from there to help liberate the town."
Zheng Peng describes how one human-looking figure—a man with sharp teeth who wore a hooded cloak and whose neck seemed capable of rotating more than it should—organized the attack on the barracks along with several jinkins. He’s unaware of where the man and his gremlins headed next.
While Pagma does do all she can to make up for them, her experimentation does cause quite a few accidents around town. So it is simple natural that the majority of the guard see her as a menace.
Hoping it helps a little, and simple cause it is the right thing to do, she rifles in her bag for the two healing draughts she made and hands it to the captain "For the worst of the wounded." she says respectfully meek, bowing as she hands them.
In the armory, "Crossbows would be a good idea for everyone..." she then looks at Jing "I mean everyone that can't shoot nifty frozen beams." she grins. She also collects the frost vials, since they were probably confiscated from her in the first place.
Kamo picks up the dagger and tucks it in his belt. "That will be useful against those gremlins. Sakura, you could bash them with that shield!"
Listening to the guards, Kamo responds. "That doesn't sound like a man to me. Who can turn their head so far? Jing, do you think he's some kind of restless spirit?"
Sakura starts her inspection of the guards, eyes scanning for injuries that need immediate treatment. She directs her brother to tend to the most seriously wounded guards while she takes care of the minor injuries with a first aid kit she always keeps handy.
Satisfied that they've done all they can for now, she addresses the guards. "We'll continue to search the town for those in need and put an end to the evils haunting Willowshore. You should rest and heal. We'll handle it from here."
Her gaze then shifts to the armory, the collected weapons and supplies a welcome sight. "Crossbows could be beneficial for our mission," Sakura suggests, agreeing with Pagma's assessment. She picks up a silver shortsword and a +1 spear, feeling the balance and weight of each before storing them carefully in her equipment. "These could come in handy later."
She turns to Kamo, nodding to him. "You're right, that shield could come in handy as well. I am not familiar with using one though, I typically only hold blades in my hands."
As you head out the back of the barracks, you see a large bamboo cage that usually serves as a holding cell for those who commit petty crimes. Four villagers have been thrown in here, and they beg for release when they spot you. One of the keys on the ring you recovered unlocks the cage. They are grateful for the rescue, telling you that the gremlins who put them there told them to "repent" or risk being sent to the Cerulean Teahouse, where their boss has set up shop.
In the training yard behind the barracks, a trail of bloody prints extends from the stables out through the northern gates. The smell of offal and rotten meat wafts from the stables. Looking inside, you see a dozen dead horses. Most died with their eyes wide open, sharing the pain of their last moments. The corpses have been eviscerated.
"Ugh, what a scene! Those poor creatures." Kamo covers his mouth at the sight.
"What ever did this is in the bathhouse." Kamo points toward the Happy Kappa bathroom. "We should go teach them a lesson."
Sakura nods and moves to stand behind her brother, "Lead the way, Kamo. I am right behind you."
The Happy Kappa is Willowshore's only public bathhouse. The Happy Kappa’s foyer is as homely as it’s always been, though the floor is damp as if recently mopped. A distinct lye-like smell of some disinfectant hangs in the air.
The adjoining locker room is orderly, with slippers and towels in each cubby. All the lockers are open, save for one. You can hear the sound of shuffling and soft whimpering within the closed locker.
Kamo slips some lockpicks out of his pocket.
"There. Everyone ready?" He raises an eyebrow, but he doesn't wait long before throwing the door open.
"Step aside, brother. I have this." Sakura says, throwing her shoulder into the door.
She bounces off the door and falls to the ground, losing her balance. She watches her brother pick the lock from the floor, standing up with red cheeks and looking embarrassed.
She stands and pulls out her katana, and readies herself, nodding to Kamo without looking him in the eye.
The sight of the caged villagers pains Jing greatly. What being could take pleasure from doing this to others? Something otherworldly and spun from threads of pure evil.
But the horror and pain don't stop there. Next comes the stable and the sight of it causes Jing to tear up. He steels himself against the urge to desire revenge, for it's the first step towards becoming whatever these creatures are, but it hurts. It hurts a lot. He vows to the slain horses that he will treat horses with twice as much kindness and patience in the years to come.
And now he finds himself holding his breath as they eye the closed locker. "Do you think a halfling would fit in there?", he asks.
Jing-De’s guess proves correct. As Kamo opens the locker, you see a terrified halfling cowering inside. It is De-ge, the owner of the bathhouse.
”Ah! Thank you!” he says with relief. ”But shh! Don’t make too much noise! They’re in the baths!”
When asked for further details, he explains that a few hours ago, a group of five kappas (”Real-life kappas! They must’ve seen the sign and felt like they belonged here!”) strolled into the bathhouse, covered in horse gore. De-ge knee it was best to trust the monstrous visitors as respected guests. Once they were settled, though, he immediately set to cleaning and disinfecting the foyer before hiding in the locker.
”I didn’t expect it to lock behind me! But now I’ve had just about enough of this filthy kappa business! Take me somewhere more sanitary, I beg of you!”
Kamo considers what he knows of the mythical kappas.
"We'll evict those guests, though you are on your own for cleanup." Kamo wrinkles his nose at the thought of the mess inside the baths.
Kamo knows that kappas delight in playing pranks on unsuspecting travelers. While not overtly malicious, kappa pastimes can be a significant nuisance to their victims, such as stealing the clothes of people while they bathe or snatching up unattended food from campfires. Kappas also enjoy proving their worth in competitions of strength and, despite their propensity for trickery, are known to be honorable competitors who keep their word and remain polite in conversation. Kappas’ favorite food is cucumbers, but they despise horses and are known to gleefully kill and consume the innards
”Thank you! I’m sure a few polite words will get the kappas to leave. I’m just too afraid to face them!” De-ge says.
A pair of stone-lined baths of steaming water sit within the open-air, hedge-walled yard. The five kappas soak in the water, relaxing and chatting amiably with one another. They look up as you approach.
"I wonder how the frost bombs would react in water?" Pagam says outloud. As the others looks at her, she shakes her head "No, not a good idea, ice expands and might crack the bath tiles."
"Jing, you are really good at talking to people." she remembers him getting her out of trouble at least once by calming relating that she did not MEAN to melt that wagon wheel or make the hair of their favorite cow to shed.
Sakura looks over at Pagma, her eyes narrowing briefly as she considers the alchemist's words. "You're right, Pagma. Jing does have a knack for diplomacy."
Her eyes then shift to Jing-De, and she gives him a nod of approval. "Jing, perhaps you can speak with them, see if we can resolve this peacefully. Kappas value politeness and honor. If we treat them as respected guests who have overstayed their welcome, we may be able to get them to leave without resorting to violence."
Sakura stands back, ready to intervene if necessary but trusting in Jing's abilities. While she's always been quick to act, often impulsively, she recognizes that some situations call for finesse over force. Her fingers tap restlessly against the hilt of her katana as she waits. She whispers "I would probably just yell at them to leave and then smack them when they don't listen anyway."
As you whisper among yourselves, one of the kappas calls out. "Hello! What are you all doing standing around there? Please, join us in the bath! The water is warm and pleasant."
Ignoring the fact that she still had buso guts staining her garments, she whispers "Kamo, you are quite stinky. A bath wouldn't hurt. Maybe Pagma even has smelling soaps for you so evil spirits do not smell you coming from the southbank."
"Oh course I have smelling soaps. we had to sleep in the woods, so I had planned to come here as soon as we were 'saved'" the alchemist whispered back with mild offense. "you can have them Kamo, if you want to bath with kappas."
Thinking about camping, about sleeping on the ground with the bugs and where animals probably do all sorts of things makes Pagma start to itch. That and seeing Sakura still covered in blood.
Sighing, since no one else is offering, the young alchemist goes into the bath.
"Pardon the intrusion." she says to the creatures, eyes lowered and bowing. Her body is tense, since they had slaughtered the horses, But Kamo said they were not bad, so... her eyes rise taking in her surroundings, and her hands away from her daggers and bombs. Which is hard because when she is nervous her hands want nothing else but to be in her bag.
Sakura watches intently as Pagma moves to join the kappas in the bath. Her eyes never leave the scene, and her grip tightens on her katana. While she appreciates the complexity of this situation, she also knows that circumstances can change rapidly, sometimes violently.
"Be mindful of their actions, Pagma," she says, her voice barely a whisper but laced with urgency. "And remember, if things go south, get out of there quickly."
As her eyes meet those of the kappas, Sakura takes a more assertive stance. "She's there as a guest," she tells them, emphasizing the last word. "Harm her, and you'll have violated the sacred rules of hospitality. And trust me, you won't like the consequences."
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"I will be mindful" Pagma insists back. Her green eyes look at the two men with them, a faint deepening of the color of her cheeks. One bathhouse meant frequent baths have been in the presence of men... but still...
She knew this was important. Standing out of the baths with weapons and armor was not the way to make these creatures trust them.
With a sigh, she lifted the strap off her shoulder and presented her bag of alchemical goodness to Kamo, since he'll know what to do with them more than any of the others. She whispers to him and Jing -De "I would prefer you to turn around, please"
Whether the two men decide to stay alert is more important than her sudden embarrassment or not, she starts to disrobe. Her practical chemically scarred leathers first, worn boots, her light kebaya (lightly stained) dress, and then finally dark leggings. Leaving her in a thin hadajuban, which she decides is well enough.
Slipping into the water almost makes up for all the rest, sighing with deep contentment, she goes to her neck, closing her eyes for a long moment "Honorable Kapps, thank you for the invitation."
Politeness has been drilled into her by her grandfather battled constantly by her very inquisitive nature. This results in it only really coming out when she is trying, Really Hard.
"May I inquire how long you intend to soak?"