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"By the gods, already? First Long Night is approaching? This oughta get our minds off of all that has happened to us since the beginning of this fiasco."
2) COMMUNAL REVIVALS:
Survival to forage for food in the forest to bring to neighbors.
[ dice=Survival (E)]1d20+10[/dice] (class skill, +1 Survival in Forest Terrain)
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
Protecting villagers from bandits and/or scaring off bandits.
(Scouting Lore or Ranged attack)
[ dice=Lore (Scouting, T)]1d20+7[/dice]
(skilled heritage)
[ dice=+1 Striking Longbow]1d20+11[/dice]
[ dice=piercing]2d8[/dice]
MAP: 0/-3/-6
(Deadly d10, Volley 30', Range 100')
9) BUNDLE-CUTTING:
Thievery, Dexterity, or Light Weapon skill.
[ dice=Thievery (T)]1d20+10[/dice]
[ dice=Acrobatics (T)]1d20+10[/dice]
[ dice=stone dagger]1d20+10[/dice]
[ dice=slashing or piercing]1d4+1[/dice]
MAP: 0/-2/-4
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4) GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS?
Lan may be a bit of a dimwit, but he understands the value of traditions, and doesn't skimp on the rituals that his ancestors have passed on.
[ dice=Lan to do Ghosts or Ancestors (Religion) vs Task Level ?]1d20+6[/dice]
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
Lan brings his offerings to his former god tentatively, unsure of whether he might be punished even for showing up. But his offerings are genuine - he hopes that thieves will steal his offerings, and distract the eyes of Fumeiyoshi from him.
[ dice=Lan to Bribe Fumeiyoshi (Deception, Diplomacy, or Intimidation) vs Task Level ?]1d20+13[/dice]
8) ADMIRING THE MOON
Lan listens to the trained poets talk about the moon, and picks up enough to throw his composition into the ring for everyone's amusement.
锄禾日当午
汗滴禾下土
谁知盘中餐
粒粒皆辛苦
Farmers weeding at noon
Sweat down the field soon
Who knows food on a tray
Thanks to their toiling day
[ dice=Lan to Admire the Moon (Performance via Assume a Role) vs Task Level ?]1d20+8[/dice]
Lan drops everything to help with the First Long Night - the remaining PCs tend to their individual goals...
...and everyone puts their work down to enjoy the festivities!
1) COLD NIGHTS, WARM HEARTS
@ Vekka
2) COMMUNAL REVIVALS
@
Sigurd, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
4) GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS?
@ Sigurd, Lan, Auntie Wu
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
@ Vekka, Lan, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
8) ADMIRING THE MOON
@ Lan
9) BUNDLE CUTTING
@ Kazuki
10) LANTERN MAKING
@ Sigurd, Vekka
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The cheers of the onlookers echoed through the clearing as Kazuki stood, bound in thick twine, his calm teal eyes scanning the setup. The bundles of straw swayed lightly in the breeze, their tightly woven lattices hanging from an overhead framework. A quick glance marked the location of the stone daggers glinting in the dirt a short distance away.
Kazuki’s lips twitched in a wry smile. This wasn’t so different from the snares and traps he encountered in the wild. Bending his wrists, he tested the ropes binding him. With a sharp inhale, he began.
His fingers worked deftly, finding the give in the knots. He twisted his arms, pulling against the ropes just enough to loosen them without wasting energy. A few murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd as his bindings fell away faster than many expected. He sprang to his feet, already focused on the next step.
Kazuki sprinted towards the daggers, his movements fluid and precise. The ground was uneven, but his forest-trained footing carried him effortlessly over roots and stones. His hand closed around the hilt of a dagger, and with a turn, he was racing back toward the bundles.
Now came the real challenge. His first swing was deliberate, the blade slicing cleanly through a bundle’s bindings. Straw scattered to the ground, and Kazuki quickly moved to the next. His cuts were efficient, each swing guided by his practiced precision. While others hacked wildly, Kazuki’s approach was systematic, targeting bundles within easy reach to maximize his score.
Sweat glistened on his brow as he worked, the rhythmic farming songs of the crowd blending with the satisfying snap of cut ropes. With each bundle that fell, Kazuki imagined a trapped ally freed or the sticky strands of a monstrous web severed.
When the final horn blew, Kazuki stepped back, chest rising and falling with exertion. Around him, laughter and applause erupted as the results were tallied. He cleaned the dagger with a quick swipe against his sleeve, his expression a mixture of satisfaction and quiet determination. Whether in a game or in survival, Kazuki knew one thing for certain: in the forest, every skill mattered.
Yun Mong-Un comes over to Kazuki.
”Having a little trouble there with that bundle?” she chides him - the moment is short, and just before she intercedes to help, he rights his knife ”Spoke too soon…” a woodcarver by trade, she handedly makes her own skill known, freeing herself and a few others.
After the competition, she shares ”I know you spend your time in the woods helping us to prepare for winter. Let me help you out too. We gotta pull together, right?” offering a discount to him (and the party) at her own wood shop at Mercantile Street.
Hot desserts (such as sesame and peanut soup) and brewed tea are shared between all, along with mooncakes, glutinous rice balls, and fruits. Local syncretic beliefs encourage such generosity, stating such warmth and unity are sure to impress visiting ancestors or benevolent spirits who might then return in future years and bring good fortune with them.
Vekka cannot help but participate in COLD NIGHTS, WARM HEARTS. His special brews are starting to create pockets of excitement around Willowshore.
He obviously enjoys it. He brings all of his blends and tells stories to the children about which ones are favored by particular visiting ancestors. He then tells them stories of heroic tengu from the mountains from which he hails.
Kum Soon-chong comes over to Vekka.
He listens intently as he recounts of the mountain tengu, sipping his special tea.
Afterwards, he shares his own story - about how his teenage son discovered a wounded bird, and nursed it back to health in a few weeks time without telling him. And how he believes the bird still visits him every winter to make a nest in the roof of the stables.
As the First Long Night continues, more company is shared.
2) COMMUNAL REVIVALS
@
Sigurd, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
4) GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS?
@ Sigurd, Lan, Auntie Wu
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
@ Vekka, Lan, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
8) ADMIRING THE MOON
@ Lan
10) LANTERN MAKING
@ Sigurd, Vekka
Separately he partakes in LANTERN MAKING, helping to construct lanterns that will be released into the night. He takes particular pride in the patterns they apply to the rice paper.
Sigurd fumbles as he assembles the lanterns. Why is this so difficult? Maybe no outsiders want to hear his plea...
Kim Gu-won passes by Sigurd with a polite nod and comes over to Vekka.
He compliments him on his lantern.
Looks this way, that way, coast is clear "We all get out sometimes you know. You negotiate well. I negotiate so that I may be here too" his excuse is matter-of-factly spoken. He spends the next several moments, with his average quality lantern, in awkward silence "I can help out if you come by. Within my means, of course"
As the First Long Night continues, more company is shared.
2) COMMUNAL REVIVALS
@
Sigurd, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
4) GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS?
@ Sigurd, Lan, Auntie Wu
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
@ Vekka, Lan, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
8) ADMIRING THE MOON
@ Lan
Sigurd politely accepts Kim Gu-won's advice. Perhaps Sigurd needs to be patient, and he is rushing too much. Kolphanir always said good things come to those who wait. She also said the early bird gets the worm, Sigurd is never certain on which metaphor he needs to follow.
2) COMMUNAL REVIVALS
Sigurd, Sheela and Darius move through their home neighborhood to check on how people feel. He knows spirits are low, but he will do everything he can to cheer them up. Darius always introduces him by recalling his deeds, and Sheela hangs back for once to let him take the spotlight. He's not used to it.
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Community unity has been the primary concept Auntie Wu has been harping on ever since things started going wrong, so she feels compelled to make an effort to further that goal for the First Long Night celebration. Instead of moving about Southbank, however, she crosses the river and visits the homes in her daughter's neighborhood. She visits Zhung and Xao first so she can chat with her grandson, Cho, before he has to go to bed. She hopes the visit will be less strained than usual. Perhaps Zhung appreciates how much time Auntie Wu has spent teaching the Northridgers about container gardening.
2) COMMUNAL REVIVALS
Kazuki searches the wooded areas bordering the town for berries, mushrooms, and other forest edibles -possibly using some tips and tricks he picked up from Auntie. He gathers the items in small baskets and delivers them to those most in need. Somewhat shy himself, Kazuki engages in small talk to make those that are lonely feel better. Before saying his farewell to those that he visits, he wishes them hope and prosperity in these troubling times.
Looks this way, that way, coast is clear "We all get out sometimes you know. You negotiate well. I negotiate so that I may be here too" his excuse is matter-of-factly spoken. He spends the next several moments, with his average quality lantern, in awkward silence "I can help out if you come by. Within my means, of course"
Vekka looks at Kim Gu-won discerningly for several moments.
Help out with what? This lantern, or...?
He looks at Kim expectantly. He thinks its not about the lantern.
Huo Tian-Zhe had been handing out tiny toys that he made when he bumps into Sigurd and Kazuki.
One of the little clockworks grabs one of the rangers berry beaskets and drops it ”Still a prototype. Little clumsy.” he explains ”I have admired your work from afar. Please stop by my shop any time”
As the First Long Night continues, more company is shared.
4) GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS?
@ Sigurd, Lan, Auntie Wu
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
@ Vekka, Lan, Auntie Wu, Kazuki
8) ADMIRING THE MOON
@ Lan
"What a strange device..." Sigurd peers at the automation. "Still, it could be very useful, if it can locate lost folk. We could use the assistance."
Sigurd remembers how desperate he was locating lost villagers. And the ones he couldn't save from those No-faced ghosts...
4) GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS?
The town's refusal to use the word Ghost annoys Sigurd. He always has to talk around the subject.
But honoring ancestors? The language and duty is clear. He wonders if his parents were buried amongst family. They spent the last of their money sending him to Tian-Xia, hoping for a new life.
Cleansing the gravestones is an honored duty.
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As she is a follower of Pharasma, Auntie Wu is heavily invested in preventing undeath. Every year, she cleans her family's graves. She spends extra time and effort on her husband's grave. She misses Po's quiet contentment, especially as weeding the garden was a task they often did together. As she works, thoughts of Pick intrude on her reverie. Your turn will come soon, she muses, swearing to herself that she will find a way to release his soul to the Boneyard.
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5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
Kazuki crouched low in the shadow of an old cedar, his sharp eyes scanning the moonlit graveyard. Silver dust shimmered faintly on the freshly strewn paths between gravestones, catching the pale light. The villagers had done their part, murmuring prayers as they made their offerings. Now it was his turn to ensure their safety.
He’d scouted the area earlier in the day, marking likely ambush spots where greedy bandits might lurk. A crumbling stone wall to the east and a dense thicket near the path to the village were the most suspicious. Kazuki had left subtle signs—a snapped twig, a shifted rock—to monitor whether anyone had passed through. Now, under the cover of darkness, he checked those markers with care.
Moving silently, Kazuki glided through the underbrush like a shadow, his movements deliberate and measured. He circled wide around the graveyard, keeping low and using natural cover. His ranger's instincts guided him, attuned to the faintest signs of disturbance—a scuffed footprint, a broken branch, a hushed whisper.
The first sign of trouble came near the eastern wall. Two figures crouched behind it, their hushed voices carrying faintly on the wind. Bandits. Kazuki slipped an arrow from his quiver, nocking it to his bow without a sound. He didn’t draw—yet.
Instead, he crept closer, angling to flank the would-be thieves. From his new vantage point, he could see them clearly. They had sacks ready, anticipating easy loot. Kazuki smirked faintly.
Terrain Stalker (underbrush)
He stood abruptly, allowing the moonlight to catch his silhouette. The bandits froze, startled by his sudden presence. Kazuki’s voice, low and calm, carried a hint of steel.
"You’ll want to leave before Fumeiyoshi notices you’ve been eyeing his offerings. Or do you wish for a closer acquaintance with the undead?"
One bandit cursed under his breath, the other hesitated. Kazuki drew the bowstring back just enough to emphasize his point, the faint creak of the bow a promise of swift retribution. The pair bolted into the night, their greed no match for their fear.
Satisfied, Kazuki melted back into the shadows. He continued his patrol until dawn, ensuring no other threats emerged. When the first rays of sunlight bathed the graveyard, the villagers returned, safe and unbothered. Kazuki stepped out from the trees, a quiet protector, his duty fulfilled.
Yun Mong-Un comes over to Kazuki.
”Having a little trouble there with that bundle?” she chides him - the moment is short, and just before she intercedes to help, he rights his knife ”Spoke too soon…” a woodcarver by trade, she handedly makes her own skill known, freeing herself and a few others.
After the competition, she shares ”I know you spend your time in the woods helping us to prepare for winter. Let me help you out too. We gotta pull together, right?” offering a discount to him (and the party) at her own wood shop at Mercantile Street.
As Kazuki wiped the sweat from his brow, still catching his breath after the contest, he glanced up at Yun Mong-Un with a sheepish grin.
"Alright, alright, I admit it—you’ve got me beat when it comes to bundles," he said, chuckling. "Guess I should stick to what I know best: cutting through brambles, not straw."
When she extended her offer, Kazuki's expression softened, his gratitude evident. “That’s generous of you, Yun. Thank you. You’re right—we all have to pull together, especially with winter around the corner. Your work makes a real difference, just like the woods do for me.”
He extended a hand, his calloused palm a testament to his own labors in the wild. "I’ll be sure to stop by your shop. And if there’s anything you need from the forest—wood, kindling, or even a hand gathering—just say the word."
He smiled warmly. "I don’t forget a favor, Yun."
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Huo Tian-Zhe had been handing out tiny toys that he made when he bumps into Sigurd and Kazuki.
One of the little clockworks grabs one of the ranger's berry beaskets and drops it ”Still a prototype. Little clumsy.” he explains ”I have admired your work from afar. Please stop by my shop any time”
As Kazuki and Sigurd strolled through the bustling streets of Willowshore, the faint whirring of tiny gears caught Kazuki's sharp ears. Before he could react, a small clockwork creature darted forward, snatching one of the berry baskets dangling from his belt.
“Hey, what the—?!” Kazuki exclaimed, jerking back in surprise as the little contraption clumsily dropped the basket at his feet with a wooden clatter. He crouched low, his teal eyes narrowing in fascination as the curious device whirred and clicked.“No way! What is this thing?” he said, his fingers hovering near the little machine as if it were a rare animal he didn’t want to spook.
Kazuki looked over his shoulder at Sigurd, his mind already racing. “You know,” he said, his voice brimming with curiosity, “these little things could be useful. What if they patrolled the streets? You or one of the others could enchant them—maybe with alarm spells or something—to keep watch over the town!” He glanced back at the clockwork creature, almost as if expecting it to respond.
A wide grin broke across his face. “Mister Tian-Zhe! Greetings!” he said warmly, bowing slightly in respect. "I still wear the armor you made and carry the climbing kit I purchased from you. I will tell my friends about this," he gestured towards the clockwork with a nod, "These could be game-changers for Willowshore, and my friends and I will hopefully visit you soon." he promises, picking up the fallen basket.
As he secured it back to his belt, he cast another lingering look at the clockwork creature. “I’ll see you soon, Mister Tian-Zhe. And you—” he added, pointing at the little contraption with a grin. “Stay out of my berries, yeah?”
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Mother Otis sits next to Lan as he recites his poem.
Moved beyond words, she weeps, and is silent for a long time.
Until "You remind me of a young Shou " she smiles "He was a frequent patron in his day, and how he used to woo the ladies, one and all..." she turns to him, grabs his hands "So soft. You have a pure heart. That is why you save Willowshore. What is left of it. Please. Come by any time. Whatever you need that I can provide"
Lan will gladly stop by sometime during the following week to say hi and pay his respects, but not make any requests.
None other than Zheng Peng makes an appearance at the "GHOSTS... OR ANCESTORS" activity - and failing despite trying to avoid Lan, ends up in a conversation with him, Auntie Wu, and Sigurd.
Terrified into fawning, he goes to shake Lan's hand with exaggerated roughness - the latter noticing the constable's hands to be soft and silky smooth. Walking by Auntie Wu, he casually confiscates some of her smokes - placing them in his satchel "Contraband - will take this to the offices" and talks to Sigurd - "man to man" - handing him a shovel and broom "I can spot for you if you get those mounds pounded in. Can never be too careful" a shrewd display of insecure dominance.
And "Keeping the town safe is rough work, you know. But you guys have been helpful to the Constable's office. I didn't want to be mayor. Who would protect the town?" he laughs nervously. Very. Nervously. "Quiet lately. Little too quiet. Maybe the Wall of Ghosts is afraid of the fight we'd put up?" his jest intends to be light-hearted. He hopes beyond hope the three of them simply agree with him, if for no other reason than to affirm the facade of his authority in the eyes of the villagers, some of whom seem to be rolling those very eyes with some melodrama.
How gentle the party will be with him - and his disproportionate Ego! - remains to be seen...
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Those were extra good smokes, too! Argh! Quickly wiping the outrage off her face, Auntie Wu puts on a facade of "best behavior" for the townsfolk watching this exchange (whether or not they're pretending to mind their own business).
"Quiet lately. Little too quiet. Maybe the Wall of Ghosts is afraid of the fight we'd put up?"
She allows a heartbeat to pass...then another...and a third. "One can hope, but we're preparing for action all the same. They won't catch us by surprise again." Her response is more for everyone else than for the pompous, cowardly constable, but she knows full well how obstructive he could be if his enmity was earned. Better to avoid giving too much offense, despite how satisfying it would be to put him in his place.
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"You will? Thank you, Constable." Sigurd accepts Zheng Peng's "Aid" at face value. One step at a time, he will realize his responsibility.
"The wall will fall. This I am sure of. If Willowshore stands united, we can overwhelm any obstacle." His brush gently scrapes away some mud that gathered on a gravestone.
The stone looks like a heart. His heart. Zoudou laughing madly, crushing it before Sigurd's face. The life going out from his eyes. It felt so real.
Sigurd is lucky to be alive and he knows it. So let the constable have his moment. When fate calls upon him, he must ready to stand tall.
Zheng represses a sigh internally, and seems to visibly relax. Stares at the gravestone.
Then leans in to dish quietly out of earshot of the other villagers "The Wall has been active. Some of my men have spoken to the rangers that patrol the outskirts. There have been sightings here and there. To the West. But far away, for now. Perhaps, after tonight, you would be willing to send out that shaggy scout of yours . I understand he has been busy gathering food for the Northridge forces..."
An olive branch, perhaps, for his company's thoughtful discretion.
Sigurd looks to his teammates, to see if one of them would volunteer to scout around. He's been so focused on repairing the tea house he almost forgot about this evening.
As the First Long Night comes nearly to a close, more company is shared.
5) BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI
@ Vekka □, Lan ☑, Auntie Wu □, Kazuki ☑
Zheng Peng nods, pleased that the party intends to respect his authority.
He passes the remainder of the night trying to avoid Lan!
Choe Chung-hu - whose stockpiles have grown large due to the party's recent efforts! - lays charms to banish the Lord of Envy's attentions.
He seeks the party himself - everyone who is yet present - and asks "Is it true? Did you guys talk old Granny Hu into sharing grain with us 'dirty' Southbankers?" and laughs heartily in good spirits!
Finally, he decides to help those who would be BRIBING FUMEIYOSHI, providing protection against bandits who would presume to easily collect the bribes. Understanding the bandits may just have to come back later than usual, he figures lending the reputation of his party to this protection and giving the families of the deceased even a modicum of peace is vital to their hope.
to be pushy and protective
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Bag of silver dust in hand, Auntie Wu pays particular attention to the graves of her husband and parents. The chill she feels whenever the thought of how she would feel if she had to face their risen corpses blooms in her mind causes her to be extra generous. When Choe Chung-hu stops by to chat, she carefully notes where she left off and what she has left to do before turning to him.
"That was our goal. She wanted to create a standing army and demanded extra food for them. We made sure that half that army will be Southbankers, so the extra food will be evenly distributed. It's a wise idea, considering what happened last time we were attacked. Having an army to respond quickly to an attack will definitely work in our favor, and with half the army being Southbankers, they'll make sure we're properly defended."
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Taking a break from his duties and enjoing a quick meal on the side of an old, dusty trail, Kazuki's nose begins to itch. He gives it a scratch and continues to enjoy his meal. His nose continues to itch. He suddenly remembers an old superstition,
"Ahh! Someone must be thinking about me." he says to himself with a chuckle.
A look of worry suddenly crosses his face.
"Uh-oh. I hope my friends are ok."
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"Well. Southbank is where the folk live best. Time to bring some sense to those damn Northridgers!" Choe Chung-hu exclaims proudly. Clearly the sectarianism wasn't contained on only one side of the river.
The First Night soon comes to a close, and the party make their preparations for next week...
...and somewhere in Northridge, Taking a break from her duties and enjoing a quick meal inside of an old, dusty War Room, Granny Hu's nose begins to itch. She gives it a scratch and continues to enjoy her meal.
"Hmm... Someone must be thinking about me" she says to herself with a snort.
A look of narrowing conspiracy suddenly crosses her face.
"Hmm... I wonder if my spies are busy..."
Summoned by Tattoo, Kazuki and Lan feel a burning sensation - an itch that must be scratched - will they abdicate on their responsibilities to their New Matriarch, or Heed her Call!
With their Town Contacts solidified by celebration, the party decides whether to cash in on the discounts now within their reach.
+1 Relationship with #16 Yun Mong-Un @ Mercantile Street (W17)
+1 Relationship with #2 Kum Soon-chong @ Willowshore Stables (W2)
+1 Relationship with #20 Kim Gu-won @ The Ceiba-Duyue Exchange (W21)
+3 Relationship with #17 Huo Tian-Zhe @ Second Besst (W18)
+2 Relationship with #6 Mother Otis @ Thrice-Blessed Inn (W7)
+3 Relationship with #11 Zheng Peng Mother Otis @ Downtown Willowshore (W15)
+3 Relationship with #7 Choe Chung-hu @ Milling Houses (W8)
@
Mercantile Street (W17) w/ Wares: artwork, wood items, wooden religious symbols
Willowshore Stables (W2) w/ Wares: animal rentals, barding, saddle bags, land vehicles
The Ceiba-Duyue Exchange (W21) w/ Wares: beverages, divine scrolls, foods and spices, fulus, raw mineral, textiles
Second Best (W18) w/ Wares: adventuring tools, alchemical ammunition, alchemical bombs, clockwork gadgets, and simple armor, metal weapons, and shields
Thrice-Blessed Inn (W7) w/ no Wares listed: feel free to make suggestions
Downtown Willowshore (W15) w/ Wares: alcohol, bathing, entertainment, grains, household supplies and tools, preserved foods, rations
Milling Houses (W8) w/ Wares: De-husked grain, grain flour, stone objects
For each +3 Relationship, the party earns one Permanent Item of level 5 or less (or, instead, 5x same-Consumables of same level)!
For each +2 Relationship, the party earns two Consumable Items of Level 5 or less (these can be different items)!
For each +1 Relationship (or higher), a 10% discount on all related Wares so long as Relationship lasts!
Kazuki is suddenly summoned to meet with Granny Hu. He made a deal and will not break it. He hustles to Granny Hu's war room.
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Auntie Wu bumps into Kazuki as he's on his way to Granny Hu's war room. She walks with him a bit to explain what Zheng Peng described. When she learns that Granny Hu has summoned him to make good on the favor he had to promise her, she grimaces. "Don't let her take too much advantage of you. She'll probably try to get you to do more than you agreed to. Don't worry about the Wall. I'll look into it, and let you and the others know what I find when I return."
She leaves Kazuki to his fate and heads back toward Southbank, annoyed that she has to abandon the harvest and her nagging sense that it's high time to send Pick's soul to the Boneyard. That ritual isn't going to discover itself. Stupid Wall. Everything was fine here before all that trouble. Ugh. I need a smoke. She takes a swig from her special gourd to tide her over until she gets home, where she has a lovely mix of herbs waiting to be rolled. It's going to be a blissful evening.
Lan will also heed the call, but a little secretively, because of the nature of his bargain with her.
Kazuki chuckles softly, adjusting the strap of his quiver as he and Auntie Wu walk. "Granny Hu? Taking advantage? Never," he says with mock disbelief, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
He shoots Auntie Wu a grateful look. "Thanks for covering the Wall, though. I’ll keep an ear out for what Granny Hu has in mind, but if she pushes too far, well...
I'm sure I have a way to deal with it."
"Got anything stiff I can have a swig of before going in? I sure could use something to take the edge off. I'm very nervous."
His expression softened. "Take care out there, Auntie Wu. I’ll see you when you’re back."
Granny Hu throws a wrench in the party's plans... ...and news that something lurks to the West spooks Auntie Wu into abandoning hers...
[ dice=Week 4: Auntie Wu to Prepare Food (Nature T) vs Task Level 3 (Base DC 18)]1d20+10[/dice]
[ dice=Ho Lan to Butter Up Old Matsuki (Diplomacy) vs Task Level 2 (DC 16)]1d20+10[/dice]
[ dice=Kazuki to Begin Repairing the Cerulean Teahouse (Craft, T) vs Task Level 3 (Base DC 18)]1d20+7[/dice]
Granny Hu summons you to spy on "individuals of interest" for the entire week.
Both / Each:
1) Please roll a 1d25, then consult the NPC Relationships alias to see which of the townsfolk has raised her suspicions - whom she is sending you to spy on!
2) Then, roll a "spy check" (Deception or Stealth works, open to other ideas if you can come up with a very good reason) to see if your petty meddling gets you caught in the act! The DC is 20. Name any relevant skill feats for a possible bonus!
Nakamura Yu Ming (older female human cook), known affectionately as “Mama Bao,” is the owner of a small steamed bun shop near downtown Willowshore. As this week begins, she approaches the party and explains "Please help me. I started finding clumps of hair dangling from the ceiling of my shop that reappear each morning no matter how often I cut them down. At first, I assumed a mischievous kami or children playing pranks to be the culprit — until today!" she produces a bun, which almost looks delicious, except for the clumps of hair mixed in with the filling "Would you come spend the night and take a look, please?" is her plea.
Anyone who has gathered food these past months knows that she has been a part of that concerted effort. (And anyone with a penchant for steamed buns can testify to her unparalleled baking skill). Will the party accept her request?
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Well stocked with provisions to keep her alert and "clear-headed" (others might debate that last assertion), Auntie Wu treks west to scout out what is happening near the Wall. Once she gets close, she casts Speak with Animals interview the first likely woodland creature she finds about anything strange or unusual in the area. When she thinks she's in a spot where she's likely to spot something herself, she casts One With Plants to become a tree and watch for a while. As soon as she has finished scouting, she casts Marvelous Mount, conjuring a majestic elk to carry her back to town.
1st: Heal, Grease, Flourishing Flora
2nd: Marvelous Mount, One with Plants, Speak with Animals
Back in town, Auntie Wu narrows her eyes at the hairy bao bun. "May I take a closer look at that, please?"
"Hmm...Interesting. If you don't mind, a night-long stakeout seems to be the proper way to catch this troublemaker. Would that be alright?"
1st: Heal, Grease, Flourishing Flora
2nd: Clear Mind, Loose Time's Arrow, Web