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"Not 'abandoned'," Miyaro interjects with a bow. "The kami are still around us, as they have ever been. Remember that their concerns are not necessarily the concerns of mortals such as we." "Taking down a few trees judiciously will not provoke their ire, though ensuring that we are not cutting down a kami's ward..."
Aside to Kiyomi:
Miyaro bows low. In Sylvan, she responds, "It is an honor, Kiyomi-sama. I confess that we have not met before in person, but I saw you perform in Akafuto about two years ago. Your reputation is well deserved."
She straightens, but remains deferential. "They are good people, and I believe you will find them trustworthy. My humble story is a long, winding tale, but in short, I came to serve the kami spirits of this forest. I was sent to intercept them and bring them here, or to guide them the rest of the way to Minkai." She hesitates a moment. "Their story is their own to tell, but I think you will learn that soon enough." "As for your own secret, that too I will keep discreet until you wish to reveal it."
Miyaro nods to Heng, "I will be here when you return. There is no true safe place here like the clearing, but I know a few secluded glades to camp unperturbed."
Miyaro stops at the top of a broken stair, bisecting the terrace descending into the depression. "This path will lead you to the pagoda, at the center of the garden. I will remain here, if you wish, but this is as far as I can go."
Knowledge (arcana) DC 20:
The aranea are shapeshifting magical beasts who naturally appear as a giant, bloated spider. They are known to wield sorcerous spells. They can assume humanoid shape, often doing so to blend in with local humanoid communities. They earned their moniker by living with and herding spiders as guards and food. Miyaro nods, adding, "The pagoda is about a day's travel from here. When you are ready, I can guide you the rest of the way there. In the morning, perhaps?"
After you accept the task, an audible sigh and sense of relief come from the gathered kami. Their voices begin to chatter and overlap in excited conversation, and Parity's question is lost in the din. The spirits begin to slowly disperse and return to their wards. Miyaro steps forward, responding on their behalf. "There are no maps of the pagoda, and the kami would not need them if there were. The oath prevents them from learning anything about the oni within, else they would know more about what remains. The minions of the oni are hobgoblins and other fell creatures of the forest." "I can tell you little more, but I do know that a clan of aranea or 'spider eaters', has taken residence in the upper pagoda and surrounding gardens. They are not friendly with the kami, but neither are they allied with the oni."
Miyaro leans in and whispers hurriedly, "Noburo is a zuishin kami, protectors of gates and doorways and sworn enemies of the oni. You each must face him before you are allowed to enter. He is not an enemy, but you must respectfully ask his permission to pass the gate."
Miyaro frowns at Malnival and shakes her head. "No, he's been possessed by the spirit. It can be driven out with protective magic, but then it may just hop to another host." Knowledge (religion) DC 20:
"It is their home, and we are visitors."
The sound floats around Malnival for a few seconds, then moves away, again circling erratically through the caravan. "It is a spirit of some sort, manifesting through song," Miyaro explains. "It doesn't appear to be hostile."
At Harlan's question, Miyaro holds up her hands. "Difficult to say. The kami should let us through unimpeded, but there are many other spiritual entities in the forest that are not affiliated with the kami." She ponders a few moments before adding, "There are very few mortal settlements in the forest, and none that I know of are off the Spirit Road. Our path takes us deep into the woods, and our presence will potentially draw attention. Every spirit manifests in different ways, for different reasons... we can only be cautious, respect the balance, and handle each as we encounter them."
Miyaro nods, "The Forest of Spirits is... haunted, for lack of a better word. Not by undead or phantoms of the dead, but rather the forest has a very thin boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds. Spirits of all kinds are drawn here." She gestures to the marker. "These waymarkers are here to warn mortals of such. Often, they have guardian kami who watch over them. If you were to set the waymarker upright for the kami, you may receive a blessing or favor."
"I follow Ameiko. If she is OK with this, then I will accept it. You didn't answer my question about the House of Withered Blossoms. Is it close?" "No, it is in the heart of the Forest of Spirits, more than a thousand miles from this spot. The north border of Minkai is twice that." Malnival shakes his head and throws his hands into the air. "I guess we may as well trust her. So far theses oni have tried a strait brute approach to stop us, planted her here seems against their character." "I understand your distrust, but I am right here... if you wish to test me, then do so."
"But close..." Miyaro frowns a little, struggling for the right words to explain. "I understand your distrust, and given your situation I agree with your caution. I do not know the whole truth -- the kami rarely speak to me directly -- but I understand that they became aware of the Amatatsu heir several months ago. Once they were sure she was headed to Tian Xia, I was sent to Ordu-Aganhei to look out. I spent three months there, waiting and watching, until you appeared out of the tundra in the heart of winter." "I watched from afar as you were welcomed, to make sure you were the ones my masters sought. I knew for sure once Ameiko was introduced to the Prince, even if you were trying to be coy about your situation. My mission for the kami is to be your guide, your advisor, whatever you require, so see your mission a success." "Does that help?"
Miyaro blinks a few times at Harlan's rapid-fire questions, turning her head a little before responding after a pause. "I will try to answer as best I can..." "Is there a group in Minkai that will help us? Miyaro nods, "I believe there is. The forces of the Jade Regent do not have complete control of Minkai. Indeed, there are a few rebellious forces that would likely rally around the true heir to the throne. The finest of these is named Hirabashi Jiro, a respected samurai forced into exile by the Jade Regent. If you wish, I will take you to him." What do you mean ripples of fate? She shakes her head, "Though I serve the kami, I do not have their senses. They share a connection to the world that I... we mortals can never have." How many escaped? How did you imprison them? Can we do that too? "Again, I don't have a good answer for that," Miyaro sighs. "Ages ago, the oni of the Five Storms were imprisoned by the gods in a pagoda called the House of Withered Blossoms. The kami kept an endless watch but were prevented from entering the prison, so for centuries, the prisoners and their jailers were kept in balance." "Somehow, in recent years, a number of the Five Storms escaped. Unable to enter the house, the kami cannot determine how they escaped, how many got free, where they went or for what vile purpose." Do you know how those damned ninja keep finding us?" "They can track your unique chili recipe..." she jokes, straight faced.
Winter is still in full swing as you again return to the road, but the weather is dry and clear across the Hongal plains. The true 'luxury', so sorely missed in recent months, is an actual road to follow. You pass a few horsemen and herders headed to the city market, but otherwise the day is uneventful. As you gather around the campfire that night, Miyaro stands and speaks. "Before I begin, let me warn you that I am not all that I appear to be." She bows with a nimble flourish, but as she straightens up, her human countenance fades into that of a fox-headed humanoid, complete with red-brown fur and a long, bushy tail.
"I am kitsune, born in northern Minkai on the fringes of the Forest of Spirits. In payment for my father's crimes, my mother offered me to the kami to be raised by them and taught to respect them. When I was accepted, she committed ritual suicide to seal the pact." "I serve the kami of the Forest of Spirits, who for centuries have opposed the oni of the Five Storms. They are responsible for keeping them imprisoned, although the oni somehow escaped in recent years, to become the blight on Minkai they are today." She glances at Ameiko. "Ripples of fate informed us that the last scion of the Amatatsu family was returning to Tian Xia, and I was sent to find you, to serve and guide you on your quest." She smiles as only a fox can. "Not all in Minkai are your enemies." To the group, she adds as she resumes her seat. "There is so much to explain... For now, what questions do you have?"
"The Prince may be displeased with Maeve's rejection, but you have little to worry about from him. You are still 'guests' under protection of his household; a matter of honor and protocol. He will take no action against you." Miyaro pauses and adds with a smile. "Unlike some stories I've heard from western lands... murderous betrayals at weddings and such, the people of Tian Xia take these matters very seriously."
"If I may, it is worth noting that the Lightning Tong are not known to take captives. Because we did not find her body, I believe she escaped. Ordu-Aganhei is a relatively large city. With her mastery of Hongal and knowledge of local customs, even a gaigin could stay hidden for some time." Turning to Heng, Miyaro adds with downcast eyes offset by a small grin. "I will save the details until we are out of the city, but suffice to say, I do not work for Prince Batsaikhar. In a palace as bloated and overstaffed as his, it is easy for one to blend in." She looks up. "To get close to you, I insinuated myself as a cultural adviser, and none questioned my presence."
"Nowzai! Wake up, you lazy man... there's a melee going on!!" *Nudge* "Oh, you're still dead? Never you mind then. Pshaw! What does it take to get a raise dead around here, anyway?"
"Huh? Who are you talking to, son? Stop shouting! He's not deaf! Oh, you meant me? Well then, I am deaf. Here you go..." Danyell hands over the periapt.
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