Kamo slashes Gray Butcher from one side, then Sakura attacks from the other. The ittan-momen screams as the blades rip and tear it apart! The leather apron flutters to the ground, the kami spirit departing and leaving it nothing but a tattered and bloodstained garment. Tucked into one of its pockets is a +1 silver dagger in a silk-wrapped leather sheath (the sheath is worth 10 gp).
You feel stronger from your recent experiences...
Pagma had lifted a vial of bubbling acid to fling at the wickedly evil-looking apron when she saw... no almost Felt... the shattering slam of force into her friend. Destroying the thing became secondary to helping.
Quickly she gets one of her healing draughts and rushes over. Thankfully the siblings had cut the strings out of the Butcher, so she wasn't gutted as she did so.
"Drink" she orders, holding out the chalky pink liquid. A little breathless from the sprint she waves away any argument "I know you hate them but they work, so... Drink!"
Seeing some of the discomfort disappear, Pagma leaves her to the tender mercies of her brother. The alchemist collects all the knives, forks, and spoons littering the ground from the fight, stuffing them into one of her extra bags until it is practically bursting.
"Are you okay, Sakura? Give me a moment, and I'll fix you up." After checking to make sure his sister is stable and comfortable, Kamo investigates the remains of the butcher and tries to pick up on any strange clues around the swarms of silverware.
There doesn't seem to be much to learn from the remains of Gray Butcher or the broken cookware. Once you're ready to proceed, it would seem the time is ripe to confront Mo Douqiu in the Cerulean Teahouse.
[ooc]Treat Wounds[ooc]
As Pagma rushes over, Sakura initially grimaces at the sight of the chalky pink liquid. She's never been fond of potions, but this isn't the time for preferences. ”Ugh. hate the pink ones.”
Meeting Pagma's stern gaze, she takes the vial and downs it in one go, suppressing a shudder as the liquid hits her system. Almost immediately, she feels the magic go to work, mending some of her broken bones and alleviating a portion of her pain.
"Thank you, Pagma," she says sincerely, still catching her breath but noticeably relieved. "Your timing is impeccable as always."
She looks up at her brother, grateful for his attentiveness. "I'm holding up, thanks to Pagma here. But a little more healing wouldn't hurt.".
As Kamo begins to attend to her wounds, meticulously checking each injury before applying his own healing skills, Sakura can't help but feel a deep sense of camaraderie with her companions. It's a sentiment that extends to Jing-De, who had provided a protective magical barrier during the battle. Turning towards him, she nods appreciatively. "Jing-De, your ways of the divine amaze me. I am grateful for you and your skill.". She rises to her feet and offers him a courteous bow ”Thank you.”
The Cerulean Teahouse, abandoned by its aristocratic owner after the fall of Lung Wa, is located just north of downtown. You cautiously approach the structure and slide open the doors to the common room.
The once finely lacquered wooden walls of this room bear evidence of violence, covered now with gouges and scrapes. The front counter of the teahouse is a mess of broken pots, bottles, and cups. A table has been turned on its side, along with whatever dishes were on it at the time. Another table still stands in the southeast corner, this one strangely well placed and set, as if expecting guests. Steps lead up two feet to an upraised wooden platform running along the northern wall, where several sliding doors stand closed save for the northwest corner, in which two unlit stoves sit in an alcove near a smaller wooden door.
Stairs lead up to an upstairs balcony to the northeast. An enormous toad the size of a horse squats near the stairs, eyes closed. It appears to be asleep...
"why is there a huge toad???" Pagma whispers as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake it. "we should attack it, right?" she goes ahead and pulls out one of her bombs, ready to lob away.
"We could try to sneak by." Kamo looks dubious, but it hasn't woken up yet.
Most giant toads live in dry environments, particularly deserts, and eagerly eat almost any creature smaller than themselves. They're known to eat giant rats, then take over the rats' burrows as homes. Giant toads have large poison glands behind their eyes that enable them to coat their skin with poison. This leads to them having very few natural predators, and populations can quickly explode if left unchecked.
"They're an invasive species, Pagma. I say, fire away!" Kamo urgently whispers to his friend.
The toad begins to stir as you prepare to attack!
Pagma remembers something about Kamo saying toads were cold blooded, but whether heat or cold affects them more, she does not know.
So she throws both.
/
Drawing her katana with fluid grace, she nods at Pagma. "Do it," she whispers, her voice barely audible.
As Pagma lobs her bombs, Sakura braces herself for the impact and the likely aggressive response from the toad. Her eyes lock onto the creature, and she calculates where she might strike most effectively should it leap into action.
"May Daikitsu guide my blade," she murmurs under her breath and charges the toad. She slashes once but timed her strike poorly and misses. Afterwards, she defensively raises her blade.
◈◈
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Whereas Sakura projects force outwards, Jing projects protecting force inwards. He magically catches a strand of moonlight and weaves it into a protective layer between Sakura and the toad. He then hisses at it, hoping it might give the creature reason to pause.
Pagma scores a direct hit with her first bomb, but only splashes the toad with the second. The animal fully awakens and lets out a angry croak as the burning liquid clings to its body!
Jing-De fails to demoralize the beast. He wards Sakura as she charges in, but her sword scrapes harmlessly against the toad's tough hide.
The toad rises up onto its haunches and bites at Sakura, but she dodges! The amphibian continues to burn.
A gruff voice calls out from behind the doors on the platform. "Settle down, Warty! I'll get you some food in a bit!"
Kamo looks for the best way to attack the toad.
He sees his opening and hurries up to the toad. His times his attack to leave an opening for Sakura!
and
Caught in gratitude for Jing-De's protective spells, Sakura momentarily loses focus. Despite having an advantageous position alongside her brother, her thoughts drift away from the battle. As a result, her usually precise strikes against the toad miss their mark.
"Gah! Sakura, FOCUS!" She chides herself mentally for the lapse in concentration, vowing to thank Jing-De later but remain vigilant now. She raises her blade defensively once again.
◈
◈
Jing sustains the protective magics and then calls upon the vast cold between the hearts of the celestial lovers. He weaves a fragment of it into a ray and launches it at the toad.
Jing-De scores a critical hit, blasting the toad with ice! Kamo’s strike provides an opening for Sakura, who capitalizes on it. Her sword flashes, blood flies, and the toad falls!
Though frustrated with her earlier misses, Sakura feels grateful for her team. As the toad falls to the ground, lifeless, she looks at her allies with relief and admiration.
"Thank you, everyone," she says, sheathing her sword. Her eyes meet Jing-De's, and she adds, "Jing-De, your magic made all the difference. I owe you my thanks, in particular."
Even as she acknowledges her teammates, Sakura can't help but internalize her earlier shortcomings.
More training tonight, Sakura. You need to train harder.
"Ha! Nice work everyone. That toad never had a chance." Kamo pokes the amphibian with the end of his staff, then points toward the door. "Who do you think is through there? Our long-necked enemy?"
Jing inclines his head in acknowledgment of Sakura's words. Kamo's words, however, make it clear there's no time for words. Now is the time for action. "Most likely. He is supposed to have multiple animal pets, so keep those frost vials at the ready ... if you want, I can enchant your blade before we go in."
Sakura nods appreciatively at Jing's offer. "Yes, please. Every advantage counts."
As Jing-De chants the incantation and his hand glows briefly upon touching the blade, Sakura feels a tingling sensation run up the length of her weapon. The sword now seems keener, almost humming with magical energy.
"Let's go," she whispers, pushing open the door to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
This once-elaborate banquet room has become a den of filth, littered with unwashed dishes, food stains, and what looks to be the aftermath of many grisly slaughters. Bodies flayed or partially digested to the point of being unrecognizable lie heaped in corners or sway from ropes tied to wooden beams above. A pile of filthy, soiled cushions and blankets lie in a nest-like heap in the middle of the room.
A slovenly man reclines on the heap. When he sees you, he lets out a heavy sigh ans shifts into a more upright position on the filthy cushions. His neck stretches to an impossible length. This has to be Mo Douqiu.
"Eh? I didn’t call for performers, but I will accept the new entertainment. Go on, then. Start your performance." He begins to chug from a large jug of alcohol.
Pagma looks to Sakura and nods toward the chugger "you heard the man... perform" she makes a chopping motion with her hand.
Sakura narrows her eyes at Mo Douqiu, taking in the gruesome scene around him. Her grip tightens on her enchanted blade, and she steps forward, her voice tinged with steel and disgust.
"You're gravely mistaken if you think we're here to entertain you. We're here to end your vile reign over this town. Willowshore has suffered enough because of you, and now you will answer for your crimes."
And without waiting for a response, Sakura lunges forward, her katana slicing through the air as she charges at Mo Douqiu, intent on putting a decisive end to his reign of terror.
◈
◈◈
And Sakura's blow is decisive, indeed! With one mighty strike, she hacks Mo Douqiu's head clean off of his long neck! The rokurokubi's head rolls across the floor, issuing an eerie laugh as he dies. As it comes to a stop, you can see an unhinged grin frozen on his features.
The creature manages to torment Jing even in death as its unearthly grin rolls across the room. Visually distressed, it takes Jing a moment to process all that's happened but then he bursts into action. He grabs one of the blankets and wraps it around the head. There, grin gone. Not wanting to carry it, Jing drops the gnarly package which generates a mushy thud when it connects with the floor.
The room remains a grisly sight, however, and Jing quickly stumbles out of the room. "I need some fresh air."
Pagma's jaw dropped. She had been drawing her dagger to join her friend in the attack, but then it was dead. Stunned awe, lasted about three heartbeats, then the alchemist says "Its... over. Isn't it? That was there leader, and its dead now." her eyes follow the rolling head until Jing, very wisely, covered it.
Her eyes then shift to the bodies... so many bodies. With a voice dropping in loss, "We need to let people know... so we can start..." her voice falls off, leaving potential of words like cleaning up or mourning. Celebrating is not one of those potentials.
His sister's display of martial prowess completely distracts Kamo from the grisly scene in the teahouse. "Wow, Sakura! You caught him bragging. Slice!" Kamo makes a chopping motion with his hand.
"And Jing, your spells are very potent. That will teach monsters to keep out of Willowshore. Hopefully some of those gremlins escape and spread the word."
Kamo enters the room and examines Mo Douqiu's body.
There is nothing of value on Mo Douqiu's grotesque body save for a ring of keys. While he has ruined most of the objects of value in the teahouse, one item has escaped his notice--a flask of fellowship.
The keys unlock the door by the stoves in the previous room. Inside the pantry are twelve terrified villagers, bound hand and foot with coils of rope. They sob with relief when they realize you have come to rescue them.
"Ah, don't worry now! You're safe, and my sister has killed all the monsters," Kamo reassures the trapped villagers. He leads them through the slaughterhouse that was once a teahouse.
As Kamo begins to free the villagers and offer reassuring words, Sakura steps forward, her eyes meeting those of the people who had been trapped in unthinkable conditions.
"Please, don't give me all the credit," she says gently, but firmly. "Think of us as the four winds that blew away the dark clouds hanging over Willowshore. Alone, each of us can stir the leaves and sway the trees, but together, we've swept the sky clean. Kamo's bravery, Pagma's ingenuity, and Jing-De's potent spells—they were as vital to this victory as any sword."
She cleans her katana with a piece of cloth, then carefully sheathes it, her eyes still holding the gaze of the villagers. "Willowshore is safe now, and it's thanks to all of us, not just any one person."
With a nod to her companions, Sakura steps aside to let Kamo continue leading the villagers out, her heart a mixture of relief and sorrow for the lives that could not be saved.
Part 2: The Willowshore Curse
With the monstrous ringleaders defeated and the Eternal Lantern shining brightly once more, life can return somewhat to normal for Willowshore. In the days to come, the townsfolk will set about the grim task of arranging funerals for the dead, treating the wounded, and searching for the missing, as well as working to repair, rebuild, and restore the town from the damage caused by the monstrous invasion. Tonight, though, you settle down to rest and sleep, exhausted from the grueling first day of summer you have had.
The next morning, as you prepare for the day, word comes that a stranger has arrived in a horse-drawn cart. He has set up a stall in downtown Wilowshore. The merchant appears friendly, but the timing of his arrival makes the townsfolk wary.
As you approach the stall to investigate, you can see the merchant is a nondescript man in a douli hat. A raven is perched on his shoulder. The man smiles at you as you approach. "Hello! Welcome! I am Shinzo, at your service. And my little friend is Yix." The raven cocks his head at you and squawks.
"I am a traveling salesperson. This is my first time in your town, but I hope to make it a regular stop on my route. The other villagers have mentioned strange events happening here. I hope you are all okay. If you have need of gear or supplies, please check out my inventory. I will be here for the day before I continue on tomorrow."
"Yes, we had a strange day yesterday. Tell me, did you have any unusual encounters on the road." Kamo questions. "Oh, look at this, how interesting!" Kamo becomes momentarily distracted by some talismans that the merchant carries.
Shinzo shrugs. "We did not encounter anything out of the ordinary, did we, Yix?" The raven caws and hops back and forth, as if to say "no."
Kamo continues to look over the goods, but he casts a sidelong glance at the merchant and tries to discern if he is hiding anything.
Shinzo does not seem to be hiding anything or putting on false airs.
Sakura approaches the stall, her eyes scanning over the various goods and talismans laid out. Though she appreciates Kamo's caution, she too senses no immediate deceit from Shinzo.
"Welcome to Willowshore, Shinzo," she says, giving a polite nod. "As you've probably heard, it's been a challenging time for us. If you have any supplies that might aid in the town's recovery or in fending off future threats, I'd be interested to hear about them."
She pauses for a moment, then looks directly at the merchant. "Your timing is fortunate for us but seems risky for a merchant. Were you not concerned about coming to a town that's just survived an attack?"
Sakura's tone is not accusatory but genuinely curious. It would not be unreasonable for merchants to avoid Willowshore until its troubles were confirmed to be over. Yet, if Shinzo and his raven companion had traveled without incident, perhaps it was an indication that the immediate threat had truly passed.
She begins to scan his wares, turning to her companions briefly to ask them "Perhaps it is fortune that allows us time to restock our supplies?"
"Nice to meet you, Shinzo and Yix" Pagma gives a low bow and smiles. She had been munching on a fresh loaf of bread from the Inn, which she tears off a little and asks "May I?" meaning to offer a little to the raven.
"Do you have any news for other villages?" Pagma loved hearing stories. She does agree with Sakura's suggesting of buying interesting things, but news is so much more interesting.
Shinzo laughs. "Had I known this town was under attack, I probably would have steered clear! Good fortune, indeed, that you folk ended the threat before my arrival!" He turns to Pagma. "No news worth telling, milady. But they say that no news is good news!"
Yix squawks and hops forward at the offered bread. He pecks at it and gobbles down the crumbs happily.
Once you have concluded your business with Shinzo, you seek out the town's elders. Old Matsuki is overseeing the town's carpenters as they work to repair the damage the monsters did to the buildings. The gruff man sips a cup of rice wine as he complains about the "younger generation" of workers' lack of attention to detail. The mild-mannered Granny Hu, meanwhile, works with her nephew Zheng Peng to rally the town's guards and set up patrols and watches to ensure the monsters do not return.
Both elders essentially request that you undertake the same task. The recent events have left Willowshore reeling, and news (as well as requests for aid) must be sent to Willowshore’s closest neighbor, the fortified settlement of Karahai. Located several dozen miles to the east of town on the coast of the Sea of Ghosts, Karahai has long served as Willowshore’s most important trade partner. Word of the attack and the loss of the governor and his estate must be reported. They want you to make the journey southeast along the banks of the Duyue River to deliver news of recent events to Commander Wen of Karahai. The trip to Karahai is one many in Willowshore have made, and it’s known to be a relatively safe route. Horses will be provided for you so that if you leave at dawn, you'll arrive on the coast at Karahai just before sunset.
"We'll prepare to leave at dawn, as you suggest. The quicker we get to Karahai, the sooner we can get aid and possibly more manpower to help rebuild Willowshore and keep it secure."
With a determined nod, Sakura takes her leave, rallying her companions for the journey ahead. Tonight, they would rest and recuperate, for the path ahead, while considered safe, was never without its potential perils.
"Let's ready our gear," she tells her companions. "Tomorrow, we ride for Karahai."
She notices the weighty atmosphere among her companions and decides to lift their spirits. With a slight smile, she turns to Kamo and asks "Any chance you are going to make your spicy fish stew tonight?"
"I was planning on making it the night after the festival anyway, it's always a big hit! I think I have all of the ingredients I need back at the house."
Kamo recites the recipe in his mind, but it's an old favorite, and he knows he has everything he needs.
"Pagma and Jing, you should join us. Mother and father would enjoy having some fresh faces at dinner."
Sakura smiles warmly at her brother's invitation to their friends. "That's a wonderful idea, Kamo. I think we could all use a night of good food and company after everything that's happened. Pagma's Alchemical Curry and Kamo's Spicy Fish Stew in one evening? We'll all be spoiled for sure." She then turns to Pagma and Jing, her eyes soft but inviting. "Please, it would mean a lot to us—and to our parents—if you joined us. Let's celebrate the little victories and the strength of our friendships."
Pagma looks touched "Are you sure they'd let me back?" since that day in the meadow Pagma had been a regular at the Yuzuki household. Until one rather unfortunate attempt a volcanic cheese dish, that was supposed to bubble down the sides... NOT nearly burn the house down.
"You should check. I need to make sure Papa has dinner, then I'll come by with some curry and milk rolls, which I'll leave if they say no." the alchemist seems flustered, but hopefully as she starts to dash off.
Sakura laughs softly, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and fondness. "Oh, you're worried about the cheese dish? For a moment, I thought you were talking about the time your innocent smoke bomb turned the whole living room into a foggy landscape!"
Realizing her mistake, she continues, "Ah, the volcanic cheese dish! Yes, that was quite the spectacle, wasn't it? Don't worry, Pagma. I'm sure Papa has forgotten about it by now. Our home has seen its fair share of mishaps—many of them my own doing. You're always welcome. Mother and Father think of you as part of the family."
With a warm smile, she adds, "Just maybe keep the volcanoes—cheese or otherwise—to a minimum this time."
Pagma turns in surprise "The smoke bomb was Kamo! I mean... I was helping, but he was the one interested in seeing the reaction and then I added the accelerant because it was going too slow..." it occurs to her that maybe it was her fault.
So she stops talking, mouths 'I'm sorry' to Kamo, and runs home.