"Come now, mighty one: Isn't it one of your Lady's precepts to travel? This shrine has stayed in one place for too long."
The kami inclines their head. ”Hmm. I suppose you are correct. Very well, you may move the shrine to an appropriate location. Surely the goddess will appreciate having more visitors, as well!”
Sakura had been standing quietly, not wanting to open her mouth and offend the Kami. Once Kamo smooths the way for the work to begin, she nods and steps forward. "I will move the shrine."
She approaches the object and immediately goes to work.
Sakura hauls the hefty shrine piece by piece through town, carefully placing it at its new location at the Milling Houses. After several hours, the task is done. Both Kohoshi and Choe Chung-hu are pleased!
Part 4: The Wall of Ghosts
The next morning, the townsfolk of Willowshore are abuzz with worry and fear! Word quickly spreads of an attack on Willowshore Stables that happened in the middle of the night. Many locals in the southwest part of town confirm that a group of masked bandits raided the stables and marched everyone there off to the west!
The attack sounds suspiciously similar to your own abduction attempt that Ugly Cute interrupted. If you want to rescue the townsfolk, you’re going to have to head to the abandoned lumber camp!
Pounding on the Yuzuki door, reveals a near panicked alchemist girl covered in morning flour. She is struggling into her armor "They attacked the stables! Took everyone. Hurry up!" she's already moving to Jing's house to get him.
Sakura comes running out, yelling at Kamo behind her
Turning back to Pagma, she responds "Quickly! We need Jing-De! Go get him and meet Kamo and I in ten minutes."
Turning back inside she yells again,
Pagma nods, but not turning around to do so, as she is already running. At Jing's house she hammers away at the door. (some part of her mind realizes she messed up logistics since Jing's is closer to the Inn than the Yuzuki siblings) "JING! We need your help!!! People have been kidnapped! Please Jing!" she really really really can't imagine doing this without him.
"Ooof, so loud! The spirits don't need to sleep, but I do." Kamo rubs bleariness from his eyes. "I stood in the sun and watched you work all day yesterday! I'm tired."
Despite his protests, the young man cinches on his clothes and grabs his walking stick. Around a hastily grabbed breakfast bun, he asks, "Mfph, what did Pagma say, the lumber yard?"
Sakura hurries along, dragging Kamo behind him as she quickly makes for the agreed meeting spot. "Yes. She said stables were attacked. She's getting Jing and meeting us shortly."
She stops and turns to face Kamo. "Your shirt is on backward. Here." Roughly spinning his clothes, she pushes and pulls him around. "There."
The news hits the sleepy Jing-De like a bucket of cold water to the face. While time is of the essence, and Jing-De does hurry, the young man does take a moment to commune with Tsukiyo, the spirits, and whoever else might be listening. Head inclined and with his eyes closed, Jing pressed the palm of his hand against the moon tree in the center of his garden.
After this quiet moment of contemplation, Jing gathers his belongings only to find Pagma banging on his door. "I'm coming!" The words are still adrift when the door opens and Jing, packed and ready, joins Pagma.
Willowshore Lore - Critical Success!: While the lumber camp hasn’t been occupied for two years, its location and basic layout are still known to many locals. Pagma is able to create a map of the site. There are two entrances to the main camp, but entering through one of these routes might be too obvious. However, Pagma also knows about a secret door in the stockade wall that woodworkers once used to sneak out and enjoy the nicer guard outhouse.
As you are just leaving town via the western road, you see the merchant Shinzo approaching with his cart. He waves to you, and his raven Yix lets out a loud "caw!"
"Hello! You seem to be leaving in a hurry. I am glad that I caught you before you left," Shinzo says. "If you are heading west, then you should be careful. There are strange monsters who have been masquerading as bandits that way."
Upon hearing about the abduction, Shinzo doesn't seem surprised. He scratches his chin. "Hmm. How do you intend to approach these enemies who invade your town and take your people? Do you intend to bring furious ruin to them in battle, or do you think you can fool them into believing that you are one of them to effect a rescue without resorting to violence?"
Sakura, maintaining a composed exterior, responds to Shinzo with a measured tone. "We plan to assess the situation first and then act accordingly. Our priority is the safety of the abducted townspeople." She gives nothing away about their actual strategy or intentions.
She cuts off any of her companions from answering stating, "I'm sorry Shinzo, duty calls, we must be off."
After leaving Shinzo and his cart behind, Sakura shares her concerns with her companions in a low voice. "Something about Shinzo doesn't sit right with me. His timing is too convenient, and his questions are a bit too probing. We should be cautious about what we reveal to him in the future."
Shinzo nods sagely. "A wise answer. Then I shall you offer you a choice of gifts." He reaches into his cart and produces two items: a cape of justice and a noperra-bo hood.
"Whichever you don't choose is available to purchase, have you the coins," the merchant says. Yix caws again, hopping onto the cart and cocking his head at you.
Kamo snorts at the thought of Sakura pretending to be a bandit, but quickly quiets himself down when he remembers the seriousness of the situation.
"Do you know anything else about these bandits, Shinzo? What kind of monsters are they?"
”I do not know, but do not underestimate them. They are a large and organized force.”
"Thank you for the advice, and this excellent cloak!" Kamo drapes the cloak around his shoulders and does a little twirl, completely out of keeping with the dour nature of the garment.
Pagma has no sense of forboding from accepting gifts from strangers it seems, and says to Kamo "It looks simply stunning on you, sir Kamo the Red." It seems witty nicknames is also not something she has a sense for.
"Now, there is fresh bread in the inn, Master Shinzo. Go help yourself, since we need to get going, excuse us." she bows quickly, gives Kamo's new cloak an appreciative tug, grinning at her friend, then hurries off.
The lumber camp is located just over 8 miles west of Willowshore, at the end of a poorly maintained road that follows the northern bank of the Ceiba River. As you approach, the sound of rowdy celebration comes from within, along with the smells of smoke and roasting meat. In addition, the sounds of cackling and taunting voices come from the island to the west, while periodic cheers and curses accompanied by the sound of a crossbow firing come from the dormitory to the east.
The heart of the lumber camp is surrounded by a 15-foot-tall log fence. Each of the logs has been sharpened to a stake, making it impossible to stand atop them. The heavy double doors to the fence are shut tight. Two men and a feral-looking dog stand guard outside of them.
After they leave Shinzo but before they reach the camp, Sakura repeats her thoughts "No good will come from you accepting that cloak, Kamo. I do not like that man, it feels wrong."
At the lumber camp, Sakura strides forward confidently, her demeanor one of authority and purpose. Her katana is sheathed, but her hand rests near its hilt.
As she nears the guards, she surveys them briefly, assessing their stance and demeanor. The feral dog growls lowly, sensing the tension in the air.
"What's going on here?" Sakura demands, her voice steady and commanding. "Step aside. We need to see what's happening inside."
The men straighten up, placing their hands on the hilts of their short swords. ”The camp’s owners have posted us here. There are to be no visitors. Turn around and head back to town.”
Earlier: "That's what you said about eating those mushrooms, and that turned out great!" Kamo pauses. "Well, we did have to get Pagma out of that tree, but otherwise, great."
"We're not visitors. We're envoys from the town. No one owns this camp these days. Who told you that they did?"
"Who are you?" Pagma asks, reasonably certain they are not townfolk.
The two men impatiently draw their swords! "You were warned!" they declare. The feral dog barks and growls!
Before Jing-De can add his voice to the conversation things take a violent turn. Steel sings as swords are drawn, and the bark of the dogs of war fills the air.
Kamo is hesitant to rush in and take all of the attention of the guards, so he makes an esoteric gesture and the stones around the guards leap up around them. He positions his staff defensively, waiting for reprisals.
One of the men takes a pummeling from Kamo's spell, while the other avoids some of it. As they draw their swords, their facial features melt away into nothingness, a terrifying sight!
The barking dog rushes at Kamo and attacks him!
Pagma takes a step back "That... That's... just wrong" she manages after witnessing the melting faces. "I think these are the ones our spider friend was telling us about."
She pulls out and hurls two vials of various liquids at the one pummeled by rocks.
The sudden transformation of the men's faces into featureless voids momentarily startles Sakura. It's a horrifying sight, one that sends a chill down her spine.
Sakura's grip on her katana tightens, her muscles tense in preparation. She takes a quick step forward, closing the distance between her and the nearest faceless foe. With a swift, practiced motion, she unleashes a powerful strike. Without pausing, she pivots gracefully on her heel, bringing her katana around in a wide arc towards the second guard.
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Sakura’s sword flashes twice. Both creatures fall, headless. The dog yelps at the sudden violence and runs off with its tail between its legs!
The doors here are barred from the inside.
Pagma lowers her unflung bombs with a low whistle "Well, that went well." she slips them back into her pack. "To the other entrance or should to the dorms. The laughing and crossbow sounds are worrisome."
"Let me try, Pagma-chan." Sakura says in a whisper, putting a soft hand on Pagma's shoulder.
She approaches the skittish dog with a steady, non-threatening demeanor. Understanding that animals often respond to calm and confident energy, she extends a hand for it to sniff, speaking softly to it. "Hey there, little one. No need to be afraid now."
The dog, still wary, slowly approaches Sakura. It sniffs her hand and, after a moment's hesitation, its tail begins to wag tentatively. Sakura gently pets the dog, and it relaxes further under her touch.
With a playful grin, Sakura looks over at Kamo and says, "I think I'll name this brave creature 'Little Kamo'. Just like our Kamo here, it's quick to bark, but a soft touch reveals a kinder side." The dog wags its tail, seemingly happy with its new name, unaware of the jest at Kamo's expense.
Sakura stands up, still patting Little Kamo. "Now, let's check out the dorms, and keep an eye out for any more surprises. Right, Little Kamo?" she says, ready to lead the group towards the dormitory area, the dog following closely at her heels.
Blood splatters and weapon marks cover this dormitory’s walls. Pools of dried blood stain the floor and bedding of the bunk beds. On the southeastern wall, several humanoid silhouettes have been painted using blood.
A total of four faceless creatures are inside this dormitory, three of whom are engaging in a shooting contest with a hand crossbow. The fourth one works to try to clean up the mess. They glance over at you briefly before turning back to their game. "Nice new faces," one says, somehow speaking despite having no mouth.
"Careful, Sakura! That dog is a vicious beast." Kamo rubs his calf where the dog tore into it and looks at the creature with suspicion.
He follows the group into the compound and pauses at the dormitory door.
Sakura gives Little Kamo an affectionate pat, reassuring the dog with a gentle tone. "Don't worry, Kamo. Little Kamo here is a good boy, aren't you?" she coos, earning an excited wag from the dog's tail. She then addresses Kamo with a playful smirk, "He's only vicious to those who underestimate him."
Turning her attention to the faceless creatures in the dormitory, she steps forward, her hand instinctively hovering near her katana, ready for any sudden movements. Despite their appearance's eerie and unsettling nature, she addresses them calmly and assertively.
"We're not here for games," she says firmly. "We're investigating what's been happening at this lumber camp. Who are you? What's your business here? And why all this mess?"
The four creature stop what they're doing and turn towards you. "So! You are intruders! In that case, you must die!" They reach for spears!
"why did they think we are Not intruders? We're the only ones with faces?" Pagma says, wondering aloud, as she quickly grabs some of her bombs "Little Kamo, stay back" she advises loudly.
She pulled out three, all different, and tossed them at the grouped people playing the game.
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"Don't call me that, Pagma! Oh...the dog!" Kamo shakes off his momentary confusion, looks for an opening on the creature weilding the crossbow.
He moves in to give the faceless creature a good whack.
for
Jing weaves magic into Sakura's blade and then glares at one of their foes. The glare, while somewhat menacing, gets lost in the chaos of the melee.
"I think you are the intruders here!" she blurts out before approaching them and attacking twice with her katana.
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Pagma's bombs devastate one of the monsters, taking it down, while splashing the other two with fire, frost, and acid. Sakura cuts another one down with her empowered katana while Kamo wounds a third.
The remaining foes strike back, the Kamo injured stabbing at him with its spear while the last one steps up to attack Sakura.
Gritting her teeth against the sharp pain of the spear wound, Sakura refuses to show any sign of weakness. The stab fuels her resolve as she lunges forward, katana in hand. She strikes twice in rapid succession.
After delivering her blows, she swiftly shifts her stance, raising her katana in a defensive posture.
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◈Dueling Parry: +2 circumstance bonus to AC until the start of your next turn
The combination of bright orange fire, sickly green acid, and crisp blie frost exploding all together, takes the young alchemist's breath away.
It is beautiful. Briefly her mind starts constructing a Tri-bomb, that has all three, and she wonders about the chemicals needed to make them spriral around each other when released, cause that would be even MORE--- her mind stops, realizing she just killed a person.
Oh... "I never thought we'd be killers" she says quietly, as Sakura cuts another down, and Kamo injures another.
A stab into Sakura breaks her out of her moral stunnedness. Only one bomb this time, then she pulls her dagger (a slight quiver in her hand) and moves to help with her friends.
Pagma's bomb misses the mark, but Sakura cuts down the remaining two creatures with two slices of her sword!
The structures near the dormitory are a guard tower and stables, both currently empty. You do uncover a bottle of lesser bravo's brew in one of the hay boxes in the stable.
Jing-De checks up on Sakura and when he sees she's wounded, he gets out the bandages, healing salves and ointments. "There, this should help. I recommend you drink a brew of moon herbs before bed for the coming days to ensure no infections will take hold."
"Is everyone okay? Those faceless monsters don't seem interested in talking. We should get the captives out of their clutches as soon as possible." Kamo looks everyone over and notices that Pagma is shaken. "That elixir will protect against their magic. Pagma, you should drink it."
Pagma quickly grabs her hand to stop the wobble, hiding it behind her back, like that would help. That is ridiculous her mind tells her, these are your friends, and they know this is weird and brutal and all the things working in a bakery and trying out new bombs are not.
"It's just... you know." she looks up and smiles in thanks, taking the flask, sniffing it, then shrugging before drinking. Her eyes go wide as the foam slides into her and her cheeks end up flushed. "Yes, that is better." her grin is wider, her hands stop their quake.
Sakura nods in gratitude to Jing-De, acknowledging his medical care with a brief, "Thank you, Jing. I'll make sure to follow your advice."
Turning to Kamo, she agrees with his assessment, her voice firm and resolute, "You're right, Kamo. We can't waste any time. Those captives need us."
She then shifts her attention to Pagma, her expression softening. "Hey, you did great out there," she reassures her friend, offering a supportive pat on the back. "We're all shaken up by this. It's... a lot. But we're getting through it together."
She hugs Pagma, probably squeezing more than she should, forgetting her strength. She relents when she hears Pagma coughing.
Lastly, Sakura crouches down to gently pat Little Kamo, ensuring the dog is unharmed. "And how's our bravest warrior doing?" she asks playfully, scratching behind the dog's ears.
Little Kamo barks happily as Sakura scratches him.
Pagma is squeezed, and burbs, then coughs "Together" she says happily, much better now, though there is a touch of slur in her together, more like togefer.
"Now... to the unused entrance to the login camp?" she smiles brightly, reaching in, retrieving, and then tossing an alchemist fire up to catch. For effect.