Midori froze, one hand dramatically mid-gesture. "Wait... what?"
Murasaki blinked, then drew herself up in offense. "No! No-no-no. We’re the Abacus Sisters! We abacus things! That’s how we steal the cows"
A sharp clack echoed from above as Sparrow flapped his wings and let out a triumphant caw. “I KNEW IT! It’s abactor! I said that three moon-drinks ago! But nooo, you said abacus sounded fancy!” Sparrow flies off cackling and the two gremlins chase after the bird into the woods, Noodles the Weasel quickly following along after. Their voices growing distant as they yell and chase after each other “You said abactor was made up! You threw a rock at me when I said it!”
Sumika, steps out of the outbuilding, holding her side, her leather armor stained red with blood, looks like a large spike trap might have impaled or stabbed her, "Heh, thanks, none too soon, I was investigating this area, when I heard voices, thought it was children, but those gremlins had laid a trap and I walked right into it, was able to retreat into the outhouse there, but didn't have much of an escape plan except live long enough waiting for them to get bored," Sizing up Yuranosuke, "Where you last night when the whole world when to hell?"
Yuranosuke looks at Shandari with an "I can't believe that actually worked!" look on his face and nods.
"Yes, silly indeed, it seems."
As Sumika emerges, his attention turns back to her and focuses again.
"Jiang, Kwan, tend to her, please."
Once the wound is treated, only then does he drop his shuan ji and give his cousin a hug.
"I am sorry, cousin. I was one of the 'sacrifices' for the Festival. I was in the woods with the rest of my friends here. We came into town as soon as we awakened and noticed something was wrong. And now that we know, we are here to set things right. We seek Ketephys' blessing to relight the Lantern and drive the fog away."
"I like silly names, it makes people smile. Though it was kind confusing for a while. I was wondering if they did count the cows after stealing them. Wonder how many they got. I'd like to ask them next time" she ponders out loud
Jiang immediately works to heal Sumika's injury, but can't overcome the wound.
As Yuranosuke catches Sumika up on the group's events over the course of the day, Kwan does his best to heal the worst of the rangers wounds. "There, that should help. Sumika, I'm glad you are safe now. Are any of the other lodge members here?"
clapping and doing a little dance! "Shandari! That was perfect! if only all fights could be that easy! Ha!"
Sumika gave a breathy laugh, shaking her head.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to hear someone argue with a raven,” she said quietly. Her eyes turned to Yuranosuke, and the others. “Thank you.”
She took a steadying breath. “I was alone when it started. The others were out—scouting, patrolling. I remained close to the Lodge, patrolling the area here,"
She paused, then added, voice low, “Some of the us think that Ugly Cute is awake... but none have been able to locate it yet, still if it has awakened maybe the tide hasn’t turned against us yet. Just give me a moment to stand again, and we'll head back to the lodge,"
Its a short walk back to the lodge, just another couple hundred feet, the lodges’ woodwork conforms to the grain of the wood, giving the buildings an organic look associated with the original elven architects. Inside, a shrine to Ketaphys can be found.
Kwan's face shows obvious worry that the other Lodge members haven't returned yet. "We will do our best to find those that were on patrol. They are probably hiding in a building for safety."
Turning his attention to the shrine, Kwan suggests asking for Ketephys' blessing. "Yuranosuke, as a lodge member, I assume you would like Ketephys' blessing on one of the coins placed in the Eternal Lantern. Perhaps, you and Xu both could pray to The Hunter."
Xu Jiang bows respectfully before the shrine of the elven goddess, trying to recall the appropriate ritual before approaching her shrine.
Responding to Kwan's suggestion, Jiang beams at Yuranosuke. "I am familiar with the Hunter's theology. Let us pray together for his blessing."
Yuranosuke nods and takes the coin.
He closes his eyes and holds it close for a moment.
Then he opens it, and begins looking about the grass.
"No tracks to find," he says glumly. "No animals to thank for being part of the forest."
Kwan patiently and respectfully observes the ritual, glad that the group was able to pray at a shrine dedicated to another of the group's deities - first Xu Jiang and now Yuranosuke.
Together Yuranosuke and Xu Jiang pray at the shrine, spending 10 minutes, the copper coin placed atop the small alter. Yuranosuke struggles to focus his thoughts in prayer to Ketaphys, distracted by everything going on, but he preserves, with Xu Jiang's helpful guidance, completing the ritual. The copper coin slowly sputters to life with sacred fire, that swirls between an unnatural gold flame with silver streaks, Ketaphys sacred colors.
Looking at the group, Sumika says, "So that's two coins down, though its starting to become evening time already, you better hurry to get that third coin blessed, I can't imagine how much worse things will get come nightfall,"
Kwan smiles as the coin glows with The Hunter's blessing but the smile quickly fades as he considers Sumika's words "I had hoped to make it to Mother's Coil to ask for Shizuru's blessing, but I too fear what night might bring if the Eternal Lantern is dark. It may be best if we seek Abadar's blessing since we are nearby." Kwan glances at the others to see how they feel.
"Very well, I don't mind, we go give the coin go back to the bank people" she smiles cheerfully
Watching in awe as the coin alights with flame, Ayane claps quietly. ” it’s amazing! Let’s quickly head to the next closest one. I don’t want to be caught outside after dark”
Hearing agreement from Ayane and Shandari, Kwan leads the group out of the lodge and back to the shrine of Abadar near the coast of the Ceiba River. "I'm not familiar with this shrine. Xu Jiang, perhaps you are best suited to lead our prayer again."
"It would be my honor to do so," replies Jiang. "Assuming we make it there safely!"
Your group hustles the little more than a quarter of a mile back to the Abadar shrine, its nearing evening now, though the sun is still a few hours out from setting thanks to the Summer daylight. Its about 6pm by this point and nearing the end of the first day.
Your group doesn't encounter any more threats on the way, it only took maybe 10 minutes to hustle back through the trees and into town.
Your group sets up a perimeter to give Xu Jiang a chance to pray.
Although he doesn't remember any specific Abadarian rituals from his training in the Cathedral of Pharasma, he has lived in Willowshore all his life and is familiar with the basics of the popular deity's worship.
"Brothers and Sisters," the priest intones, "Let us humbly beseech the aid of the Wealthy Father, the lord of Walls and Ditches, the master of Cities, Towns and Villages. Aid us, oh Abadar, and bless our efforts!"
Xu Jiang completes then ritual without interference, the perimeter your group set up proved effective. His prayers are answered when the copper coin alights with a gold holy flame.
With all three coins blessed, the only thing left is to return them to the Eternal lantern at the bridge. Stepping off, you guys begin the half mile or so walk, sticking to the roads, back to the Eternal Bridge.
The trip passes by without trouble, though the sun is starting to hit the crest of the forest trees, twilight is fast approaching. You guys arrive at the Southern End of the Dawnstep Bridge, where you find the stone lantern is a 5-foot-tall stone lamp carved from silver-laced granite from the Gossamer Mountains. Its interior contains a cold iron cage with a lotus-shaped pedestal on which three glowing copper coins once sat.
Together, three of you each place a blessed copper coin back onto the lotus shaped pedestal. As you do so, and close the Lantern's cold iron cage door, it ignites, shedding bright light. More importantly though, a thrum of energy emanates from the lantern, and the mist and fog that pervaded the town retreats from the wave of energy, pushed to the edges of town.
Sumika, still with your group for now, "I didn't realize the old lantern was this powerful, always thought it was just fairytale that it protects the village,"
"Oh, no more bad mist!" she claps her hands excitedly
Xu Jiang completes then ritual without interference, the perimeter your group set up proved effective. His prayers are answered when the copper coin alights with a gold holy flame.
With all three coins blessed, the only thing left is to return them to the Eternal lantern at the bridge. Stepping off, you guys begin the half mile or so walk, sticking to the roads, back to the Eternal Bridge.
The trip passes by without trouble, though the sun is starting to hit the crest of the forest trees, twilight is fast approaching. You guys arrive at the Southern End of the Dawnstep Bridge, where you find the stone lantern is a 5-foot-tall stone lamp carved from silver-laced granite from the Gossamer Mountains. Its interior contains a cold iron cage with a lotus-shaped pedestal on which three glowing copper coins once sat.
Together, three of you each place a blessed copper coin back onto the lotus shaped pedestal. As you do so, and close the Lantern's cold iron cage door, it ignites, shedding bright light. More importantly though, a thrum of energy emanates from the lantern, and the mist and fog that pervaded the town retreats from the wave of energy, pushed to the edges of town.
Sumika, still with your group for now, "I didn't realize the old lantern was this powerful, always thought it was just fairytale that it protects the village,"
"This is Shenmen," Yuranosuke says as he continues to marvel at what he's just witnessed. "Our fairytales have more grains of truth than those of other lands...as do our ghost stories."
"Pa always said even ghost stories had some grain of truth to them." she nods at this statement "But I'm happy to see stories come to life! Maybe if I have children I can tell them the same ones!"
Kwan watches as the mist recedes from the area. "The gods really do bless and watch over Willowshore."
Kwan glances towards downtown Willowshore and then looks at the sky. "While I want to press onto Northridge, I think we should rest now and cross the bridge at first's light. It might be a bit cramped, but my house is close by."
"Yes! lets go rest and get some food! Its been a long day and to think we started our day waking up" She pauses and spreads her hands for amore dramatic effect "THE WOOOOODS"
Xu Jiang silently gives thanks to three gods, and also to the spirit of Ugly Cute, praying that peace and prosperity will now bring a new day to Willowshire.
Kwan makes sure that his house guests can find a comfortable place to rest for the night before finding a spot for himself. "I don't expect any issues, but I'll take first watch tonight. Who knows what dangers still lurk."
"Wake me for the next one," Yuranosuke says. "I'm used to night hunts and watches. Only reason last night was an exception was to play along with the festival tradition."
He pauses and thinks for a moment.
"If I'd been awake, maybe I could have roused you all and we'd have been able to warn the town...or maybe it would have killed us..."
He frowns and bows his head.
Satisfied with yourselves for relighting the eternal lantern, you retreat for the night, to Kwan's nearby house. It is indeed small, meant to house at most two people. Still, you guys are able to find space and roll out bedrolls to rest, knowing that the sanctuary of the building should protect from anything coming in at night.
You work out a schedule for nightly watches, and the night thankfully passes without sign of any more ghosts or phantoms appearing.
In the morning, the streets are still empty, residents still wary of returning to normal life. Sumika, chimes in, "It might not be a bad idea to seek out Old man Matsuki, I'll relay the Lodges efforts to find Ugly Cute and you can tell him the Eternal Lantern is relit, if he hadn't already guessed it,"
"Oh yes that is a very good idea! I think we should head to the other side of the river to see how that part of town fared. Is it too much to hope that only this side of the river bank got hit by the spooky nasties?"
After finishing his morning prayers to Shizuru, Kwan readies himself for another day of adventuring in town. "Yes, we should go to Matsuki first. He may have heard news from Northridge overnight. Either way, I imagine we'll head across the river this morning to help root out whatever evil still lingers."
Kwan waits for everyone to finish their own preparations and then locks the door behind them. Then he leads the party back to the Matsuki estate.
Nodding his assent, Jiang follows Kwan.
Heading back to the Matsuki Estate, its strange to see how much things changed in just a single day, there are more guards out this morning, weary, tired but patrolling as some of the Southbank residents return to their homes to pick up the pieces after the terrible raid the day before.
You guys into Hai-er Ha again, she waves at you all, "I'm happy you were able to find my husband, he was able to make it to me last night at the Tower," Sadness in her eyes, "Though my child is still at Granny Hu's on the Northridge side," Hae-er Ha walks with you all, escorting you the rest of the way to Matsuki estate, as you go in, "please, if Old Matsuki sends you over the bridge, if you can find my child, I'd be forever in your debt," Tears welling up in her eyes as she asks.
"We'd be happy to help find him, children are usually a delight. Playing and laughing. Don't want that to go missing" she offers cheerfully
Kwan lays a hand on Hai-er Ha's shoulder to comfort here. "You have reunited with your husband. You will reunite with your child soon. You have my word."
Kwan scans the estate grounds for Old Matsuki. "Is Matsuki awake? We have news to share with him."
Once the group finds Matsuki, Kwan provides a briefing on the group's dealings since they left the estate yesterday - finding Sumika at the Lodge, relighting the Eternal Lantern with three blessed coins, andresting for the night before their planned trip across the bridge today.
Yuranosuke nods his assent to Shandari and Kwan's declaration.
"It will be easier to banish any lingering evils and find the lost with the Lantern lit. Rest assured, Ha, your family will be reunited."
Finding old man Matsuki again in his audience hall, enjoying a morning tea, he listens thoughtfully as you explain the rest of your evening, and too Sumika reporting in what information she has as well. "This is all well and good, but we need to drive forward and reconnect with the Northridge community, the fastest way is through downtown, its where the highest density of monsters are still located, in anticipation of asking this, I've prepared a number of items to aid you in your retaking of the Downtown area,"
He slowly gets up and walks over to a nearby table with a number of items laid out, including ten minor healing potion, 3 vials of holy water, a ring of sigils, 3 oils of potency and 4 potency crystals.
Yuranosuke, awed at the bounty old Matsuki has assembled for them, clasps his hands and bows.
"Thank you, honored Elder," he says. "May the Resplendent Goddess of Fortune smile on us."
Xu Jiang bows as well, honoring the elder. But his practical side soon comes to the fore.
"Each of you should carry a vial of holy water." he says. "I can harm unholy creatures well enough on my own. The ring of sigils should perhaps go to Ayane. The oils of potency and potency crystals should be divided among Yuranosuke and Kwan."
Turning to the champion and ranger, he says "You would be wise to affix one of the crystals to your weapons now."
"That's a good idea, good thing I can only shock things. So others can get those" she chimes in
Kwan is surprised by Matsuki's generosity, but quickly follows suit with Xu Jiang and bows to Matsuki. "I don't mean to question your judgement, elder. Is Downtown really that overwhelmed that you would part with so many resources?"
Once that question has been answered by Old Matsuki, Kwan agrees with Xu Jiang's suggestion, but points out that there's three vials of holy water for four people. "We have been provided three vials of holy water. Perhaps Ayane, Shandari and Yuranosuke would carry them. I'm much more capable with my blade than at throwing. And, two healing potions each."
Not wanting to dictate to the others, he turns to Ayane, Shandari and Yuranosuke to ask for their input as well.
Yuranosuke nods at Kwan's assessment.
Ayane takes the potions and vial of holy water and places them in her bag. SHe then places the ring on her finger. Admiring it as she shines it in the light.
"Lets head downtown before the day gets any later. Especially if there are more monsters like Old Matsuki said"
Crossing the Eternal Bridge, the Lantern still lit, a few Southbank guards have returned to guarding the post, old blood from the day before still coats areas of the bridge, but the two guards remain steadfast in watching for any dangers. They both nod at your group grimly, offering a salute as you cross the bridge.
Its a short walk, evidence of a fight grow more apparent as you get to the North side, looks like many citizens did not make it to the bridge before whatever monsters were in the downtown area got to them.
Immediately across the bridge, where the opulent Governor's Manor should have been, just yesterday the crowning jewel of downtown, now has vanished without a trace. The only indication that there was once a building in this empty lot are the two guardian stone lions that once guarded the entrance of the manor. Both have been defaced and damaged.
The Downtown area, you all are very familiar with, is a large encompassing area, looking around from the slightly raised hill that descends from the bridge into the center of town you can see evidence of a battle that took place here. Splashes of blood on the streets and walls, broken weapons in gutters, and smashed doors and windows.
"A wise man would scout first before deciding on a course of action," says Xu Jiang.
Not being particularly sneaky, he instead carefully observes the street, paying particular attention to the two stone guardian lions at the site of the Governor's Mansion.
"A whole building?! That's a neat trick!" she wonders in awe. But when they reach the scene, she shakes her head "This is sad, even to me" she comments
Yuranosuke nods to Jiang and holds up his hand to stop the group
"And I consider myself a wise man" he whispers. "Hold here unless I call for help."
He creeps out and begins to sneak from cover to cover, trying to get the lay of the land and investigate the signs of battle more closely.
Shaking her head in awe and confusion, uh..the building...th-th-the, the whole Governor's mansion is GONE!" she throws her hands up on the last word. " What is even happening in our town!? This is nuts I tell ya, NUTS!"
Seeing that some of her party is starting to sneak up into the downtown area she follows suit.