as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Sunday, 16 Sarenith

The battles aren’t getting any easier, and there’s only so much more I can do with my armor.  So I asked Zos to make me two potions of displacement, which should only cost me 375gp each in ingredients.  Seems like a good investment.

We are heading into the spider’s lair, but Hatsui has volunteered to scout ahead.  Not only is she familiar with the city, she believes she can contact Asachi (the sympathizer) and provide a safe place within the city from which we can base our operations.  Because make no mistake, this will not be a sightseeing visit.  I’ve a hunch that once we enter the city, we will not be leaving until Ameiko is sitting on the throne, or we are dead.

We will be traveling by windwalk and only using teleport in a pinch (Kali can’t teleport anyplace we haven’t been so we can only teleport back, not forward), so this will be a multi-stop trip.  We’ll go as far as we can the first day, and then probably need a few more hours to get to Akafuto.  We know we can move from Akafuto to Kasai in well under a day, so the plan is for Ivan and Hatsui to scout ahead and then we’ll wait until they have a safe place for us all to arrive – and probably a safe method as well.  While there aren’t any Wanted posters out, I have to imagine the equivalent notice has been given throughout Kasai in some manner.  Hatsui, as a Minkai native and frequent visitor to Kasai, has the best chance of showing up by conventional means and not triggering an alarm.

Moonday, 17 Sarenith

Today was almost entirely a travel day, as we went almost as far as we dared on windwalk.  Knowing pretty precisely the spell’s duration, we started looking for a small village at about 8pm or so and reconstituted outside one by 9pm.  We walked into the village like ordinary travellers, but of course, our little troupe hardly looks like ordinary travellers 🙂   Still, our reputation did not precede us, and Dasi set about trying to discern what the attitude here was towards the Jade Regent.  Not surprisingly, they are happy they’re not in Kasai, and they’ve also adapted to a largely subsistence level of living.  They are neither happy not unhappy – the attitude seems to be “it sure could be worse.”  There are vague rumors from the north about a true heir arriving, but such stories have been heard before and they are given very little credence.  Equally, there were also stories from the south, warning of such inane rumors, and the net effect was a collective shrug.

Toilday, 18 Sarenith

Knowing it wasn’t that far to Akafuto, we didn’t leave the village until afternoon. This gave Dasi and Kali tme to give some musical and dance performances reminiscent of the old emperors and better times.  The village seemed to enjoy their performances.  I noticed a child looking at me both a bit fearfully and curiously, and I knelt down next to him. I smiled.

“These are exciting stories, aren’t they?”

The boy nodded.

I glanced at who I assumed were his parents and they nodded as if to say it was ok to continue talking.  “Do you have a weapon of your own?”

He shook his head.  Well, of course not – this was a farming community.  I toyed with the idea of giving him an ordinary dagger as a token, but then thought his parents might not appreciate that.  I wanted for the village to remember this visit, that someday they might tell stories of how the supporters of the rightful heir had come through – wait, that’s it!  “Would you like to see my sword?”

His eyes big, he nodded.

I slowly drew out Suishen, and the boy looked at it.  The boy was taller than the katana was long, but not by a whole lot.  As he involuntarily reached a bit towards the sword, I said to him, “Wait …” and I told Suishen to light the fire.   There was an audible gasp from him and he looked at me.  “This is an ancient sword,” I said.  “It was around when some of the stories you heard today actually happened.”

Glancing around I saw I had more than the boy’s attention now, including several members of my own party who looked very judgemental for some reason.  “It has seen many battles and even now, it would like to see an Amatatsu back on the throne.  It is probably too heavy for you to lift safely today, but perhaps one day you may see this sword again and remember it.  It takes a brave man to fight for a cause on principle,” I said in a moment of gravitas.

And then Suishen kinda sorta ruined it by adding “and it takes a great sword too” and from the look on the boy’s face, I could tell he had heard it too.  He hastily backed away, his eyes huge.  Nobody else seemed to react so I knew Suishen had spoken only to him and to me, insuring that this night would indeed be memorable to the lad, and possibly scarring.  Wait – the look on my companions’ faces suggested they too had heard it.  Sigh.  I gave a Varisian coin to the boy and said, “Here is a coin I obtained in a land many months of travel from here.  Thank you for talking with me.  It has been a pleasure.”  The boy took the coin but his eyes never left the sword – no longer flaming and once again silent.

I resheathed Suishen.  I should have seen that one coming.

Although we waited until afternoon, we were only going to Akafuto  Hatsui and Ivan left early as they were going all the way to Kasui.  Plan was to wait for the word from Ivan that things were ready and then the rest of us would follow.

But that was a fail almost from the beginning.  Hatsui materialized outside the city and walked through the northern gate.  THAT was not a problem.  But Ivan planned to hover over her and see if she had attracted anybody following her or even just watching intently. But suddenly he was surrounded by dancing lights and three archers announced for him to descend immediately.

Knowing that it takes nearly a half minute to full materialize from windwalk, and being able to imagine what might happen to him during that time and immediately after, he instead chose to immediately end the spell.  That made him materialize instantly and fall to the ground – cushioned by his feather fall.  His next action was to use his Word of Recall to return immediately to the fortress, leaving some surprised guards and a bemused Hatsui behind.

And for our part, Zos looked startled and sad, “Ivan’s at the fort.”  About the same time, Kali got a message from Ivan that said, simply, I’m ok but at the fort now, come get me.  Kali was a bit surprised but did that, and upon returning with him, we got the full story.  “Windwalking into the city is not a good idea,” concluded Ivan.

Meanwhile, in Akafuto, Dasi again wandered through the town, chatting and making casual conversation, discerning the mood of the town.  Akafuto was considerably larger than the last village; n fact, I’d venture to say it’s one of the larger cities we’ve encountered (although presumably Kasai is larger still).  The overall attitude was similar to that of the village, but the word on Kasai was more specific: unofficially, visitors are viewed with suspicion.  It’s very close to martial law.  (From the body language, I got the impression that “very close” may have been an attempt to water down the news.)  This is a relatively recent development – within the week – so I suspect our recent activities might have had something to do with the Regent tightening his hold.

We asked about going by boat, but the heightened security would make our arrival no more secret, and it would still take a while to get passage and arrive.

An important detail that Dasi learned was that the Regent would never approve of a new ruler which had not received the blessing of the ancestors.  Now I suspect the Regent really could care less, but the public perception is likely similar.  This suggests that a “legitimate” obstacle to the coup is receiving this approval, and I fully expect that the Regent is going to put obstacles up to impede that goal.  If we fail, he will get more of the populace on his side.

We again arranged for a performance – a little more formally than in the village, but the up side of that is that we actually got a discount on our rooms in trade.

Wealday, 19 Sarenith

The plan has been to head to Kasai, Hatsui permitting.  Ivan contacted her and she said she was with Marika, who knows Asachi, the contact we’ll eventually meet.  We are ready to enter the city.  Once we are settled and safe, we’ll retrieve Ameiko via teleport.

Because of the martial law, we expected there to be be more guards than we’d like.  We planned to disguise ourselves mundanely, and because he’s likely to be recognized, I put away Suishen when we entered the city.

We entered without incident, although the guards appeared to be looking more closely at the women than the men.  Clearly the word is out that the heir is female; they may have even developed images.

Shortly after entering the city, however, we witnessed an incident that reminded me of the market incident.  A citizen was accosted by a guard,, and accused of being a rebel.  After she seemingly “confessed”, they dragged her off.  It seemed contrived, but for now secrecy is more important and nobody took action.  Citizens simply looked away.

Following Hatsui’s directions, we headed into town. We finally met Asachi Isao, who took us quickly from our meeting place to a more secure and private place in a more affluent part of town.  Like most towns, the affluent are afforded less government interference and while we’re not by any means safe, we are safer.

Our benefactor is not just a sympathizer … he’s an old family friend.  Apparently he quietly took possession of most of the estate and is now not only a supporter, but also a source of finances should we need them.  He has, at his disposal, many family heirlooms and belongings that he can sell to raise cash.

Ameiko was retrieved, via Kali, and got to meet a person who knew her great grandfather.  She took that well.

And after being briefed on the situation in the city, she has decided that food for the starving takes precedence over meeting the ghosts of emperors past.  So we are scouting out the city granary, to see if it is feasible to liberate the rice.   We will need help from the populace if we succeed in breaking it open but Asachi believes he has sufficient contacts within the resistance to make that happen.  Now to solve the small problem of breaking in when there are all these guards and the invisible oni flying overhead.  We believe some of the seemingly decorative statues may in fact be enchanted constructs that are guarding the building.  Since they seem to be made of stone (marble I think) we have purchased two adamantium katanas which may better be able to attack them.  This isn’t looking to be easy …

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Starday, 14 Sarenith

We were able to set up a meeting with the Emerald Branch this evening with little trouble.  Before then, I would have time to do a little shopping.

My enhanced bow doesn’t take full advantage of my strength.  I’ve been wearing my magical belt long enough that I’m stronger than I used to be.  Ivan says he can create a bow like he has, that adapts to whatever the user’s strength is, if I provide him with a masterwork composite bow.  It’ll be a shame to see this old bow go, but I can sell it and use that plus a bit more to get a new bow and let Ivan work on it.  I don’t use the bow that often but those times I do, I’ll want to really make those arrows count.

We made a point of telling Itsuru what Zos’s treasure maps revealed, and also warned him about oni on his staff.  He agreed that was a disagreeable state of affairs, so after Kali discreetly scanned his core staff with True Seeing, told him they were good, and discussed a plan to bring the rest of the staff in a few at a time, and his court wizard – who already knew True Seeing – would be able to check them. Failures would be quietly dispatched.

Dasi, meanwhile, was working hard to find a friendly neighborhood sovereign dragon.  Turns out that not-so-nearby Xa Hoi is supposedly ruled by sovereign dragons, but our chance of meeting our commitments here and getting there too before the new moon is small (though not zero I admit).

(Later)

I wasn’t there, of course, but I’m told the meeting with Emerald Branch went surprisingly well, along these lines:

We killed the assassin.
“Have you proof?”
We have his distinctive nun-chuks here.  And his flute.
“We’ll need to verify.”
Of course.  We want you as an ally.
“We are impressed.  Only 10K.”
<surprise> Graciously accept.
“How did you kill ninja?”
Tired him with nightmares.
“Ah.  Did the assassin have other belongings?”
Of course.
“Like what?”
Disguise kit.
“Pft. Any magic?”
The nunchuks are magic.
“Hmm. Right. The other clans may be more curious than we, ally.  Tread carefully.”
Thank you for your wisdom.

Dasi was talking, so of course it actually took longer than that.

After the pleasant surprise of getting an ally for 10K less than we thought we would, we arranged meetings with the other two clans for the next day.

Kali cast codespeak so we could have a frank conversation about the coin.  We’ll let them suspect what they want but we won’t admit to possession of the coin to any of them.

Sunday, 15 Sarenith

Our first meeting with a ninja clan was with Dragon Shadow.  That one, I’m told, didn’t go as well.

“Why are you here?”
Killed the assassin. Want you to remain neutral.
“Really? Heard you hired the other clan.  Neutral will cost 10K now.”
<bargain>
“Agree on 7000.”
Give you 7500.
“You negotiate strangely.”

Two hours later, it was with Black Lotus

“Why are you here?”
Killed the …
yeah, more of the same.
Except they wanted 10K and wouldn’t negotiate.

And again, Dasi, so …

Dasi continued his research, this time seeing if the dragon in the Amatatsu family crest had origins in a sovereign dragon.  (Probably, since legend had it that 5 sovereign dragons were the founders of the five royal families.)

Our work seemed done in Enganoka.   We teleported to the fort to discuss plans with Jiro.

…

While we were talking with Jiro, he formally pledged to Itsuro.  He mentioned that, in a sending, Itsuro had asked if Ameiko had sought the blessings of the old emperors yet.

We all said … ??  Tell us more?

Apparently there is a shrine on a small island off the coast of Kasai, where every emperor has stopped and sought the blessings of emperors previous.  It would seem that we – well, Ameiko – have another stop to make.

And then the coin.  Everything comes back to the coin.  Can’t let it go, can’t pick it up.  Ivan made a point of touching it briefly so that he’d be better able to use Locate Object later if it left us.  But then Radella surprised me … surprised everyone, I think … by announcing she was going to take it.

She picked it up, put it on, and waited for something to happen.  Judging from the distracted look on her face, I think something TRIED to happen, but then she looked okay again, and she looked down at the coin.  I saw it now had a 7th symbol on it … I guess that means it accepted her.

I’m not sure I’m happy about that, but it was clearly her choice.

Moonday, 16 Sarenith

We rose early, as we often do.  I was considering if I should suggest another training session for the green troops, although, to be honest, the chance of attack was much smaller now that Itsuru was the daiymo.

But I was wrong.

Not a half hour after rising, we heard a loud boom from the direction of the courtyard, and an immediate babble of voices.  Involuntarily we all stood up and looked through solid walls in that direction, even as we heard a voice say quite clearly, even though we were not near:

“Bring. Me. The. Amatatsu. Heir.”

I glanced at Ameiko.  “Do NOT. I got this.”  She smirked and said, “I’ll take care of the inner defenses,” as she drew her rapier with, I swear, a gleam in her eye.  I told Suishen “flame on” and moved towards the courtyard.  Shalelu followed Ameiko and Koya began pulling out the things she needed to do healing.  Many people would probably need that today.

“Wait!” called Zos, and did his alchemical thing.  I immediately felt myself moving faster. Ivan also cast a blessing over most of the group and it was the same thing Qatana used to do.  And Dasi, of course, began to sing a song of inspiration.  “Yes, good,” I said and moved out.

Outside waiting for us were a small group of young fighters … and two – make that three – towering monstrosities and several fire giants.  From inside I heard Ameiko yell, “Archers! Focus on one target! Take the one closest to the inner wall and shoot until it falls!”

It wouldn’t have been all that long ago when finding a dinosaur appearing several yards in front of me would have given me pause, but when exactly that happened, I spared a quick glance over my shoulder and sure enough, Kali was grinning.

I saw one of the monstrosities leap down from the upper wall, but land a little too softly. Fliers, I thought, and as I continued to advance to the battle I said quietly to Suishen “Air walk.”

A wall of fire tried to separate us but almost as soon as it appeared, it disappeared.  I finally got close to one of the big uglies, and bloodied him up a fair amount.  Ivan turned him into a pincushion and he responded by turning into smoke and threatening to drift away,  However, another set of toadstickers from Ivan and .. well, it seems that Ugly wasn’t entirely smoke, because they actually killed him.

A bright flash alerted me to a round of chain lightning, and since it didn’t hit me, I presumed I could thank Kali later for that. I picked out another big guy and marched over to him.

Between us and the dinosaur, we beat up these uglies pretty well.  And pretty quickly.  Radella seemed her usual self, despite the coin hanging around her neck.  And then just when I thought the battle was over, Zos, Kali, and Ivan all disappeared and I heard their voices from outside the busted front gate.  Apparently they did something with or to one last fire giant that, I don’t know, I’ll have to ask them about when things settle down.

For now we have a front gate to repair, many people to heal, and a (hopefully small) number to mourn.  And a quick inventory of newly transferred possessions:

[740] potion of fly
[741] potion of fly
[742] monk’s spade (?)
[743] monk’s spade (?)
[744] fosail-hoselu (sp?) [chain mail equiv]
[745] fosail-hoselu (sp?) [chain mail equiv]
[746] 3 great swords

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Wealday, 11 Sarenith

The pending battle with Sennaka, and the unfortunate coin has led to more talking and disagreement within our group than anything I can remember since we came together. At the very least, it required a frank conversation with Ameiko to discuss her dual role as both cargo and unknown national ruler. It was an awkward and uncomfortable conversation to have with a friend, but these are awkward and uncomfortable times. Kali sort of moderated.

For her part, Ameiko acknowledged that she cannot be part of every battle, because strategically speaking, some things need to happen to help her reach the throne, but she cannot be seen to have initiated them. And practically speaking, it is too risky for the presumptive heir to risk her life in every confrontation. While she (and we) are skilled, all it takes is one lucky blowdart, one lucky blow, one arrow with the right bane or the right poison, and the whole campaign would be for naught. (True, there are we scions, but using any of us loses the benefit of blood connection to the throne that I feel will truly galvanize the population eventually.)

This acknowledgment means a lot to me, because she is giving me permission to be her agent rather than simply her protector. Yes, of course, if she is in danger I will rush to her side as soon as possible, but I need not be tethered to her waiting for that moment. I feel like I am part of the group again, able to help with things that need to be done and not feeling guilty for leaving Ameiko “unprotected.” As our circle of supporters grow, more and more places will be safe for her, with more and more people able to help protect her.

She agreed to stay behind at the fort while we deal with Sennaka. There is no small risk staying here, either, but it gives her an opportunity to be a leader in front of a handful of “her people” and a couple of very important “others” (that is, Jiro and Hatsui). Ten years from now, perhaps these people will be telling how “I met the empress before she was empress”. Additionally, if we are successful in overthrowing Sennaka, the risk here at the fort may even fall to zero.

For his part, Zos is leaving his animated Gorgon and told it to obey Ameiko.
Dasi is leaving the magical samisen, on the possibility that Ameiko would need it to scry.
And Ivan is leaving three magic weapon scrolls, since if oni attacked, most of the archers and swordsmen would not have enchanted weapons and so would not be able to damage them at all.

Oathday, 12 Sarenith

I thought I saw Qatana briefly this morning, or maybe heard her voice but she’s nowhere around now. I asked Kali, who distractedly said Qatana will not be joining us at the resort. There’s more to this but we are on a schedule now and in a hurry to get back to the resort. Because Qatana’s not here, Kali will have to use teleports to get us back to the clearing we were at before.

Arriving there, Dasi and Kali, along with one of the Pawns, will tour the resort under the premise of being new workers, giving us yet another scouting of the rooms. I also learned that the Pawns speak Minkai or Tien; increasingly it seems I need to study the Minkai language as my increasing mastery of Tien seems insufficient. Sigh. Why can’t they all just speak Common like back home?

Sennaka is expected tonight or tomorrow. A quick trip by Nehali confirmed he was about where we expected, and strongly suggested his arrival would be tomorrow. We are discussing our strategy, which seems to simply be a frontal assault. We are trusting the army to be held back by the Pawns, leaving us to deal with Sennaka and the guards. There was some surprise at the concept that he would be offered the opportunity to surrender, but I feel from what I know of this culture’s code of Honor, it is a necessary thing to do. His almost certain refusal will provide us the moral and possibly legal right to kill him, should it ever be questioned closely.

Of course, if there are no survivors, that will be unnecessary. But best to have a plan B.

Fireday, 13 Sarenith

This should be the day.

At 7:30am we broke camp. We expect Sennaka to arrive around noon, and while we are out of sight, it seems prudent to be virtually invisible rather than simply out of sight. And this proved wise, as a couple of advance guards did arrive a bit before noon, and examined the very area we had camped. We watched silently from within the woods. Nehali reported that most of the artisans were gone. Seemed that Sennaka must be close.

It was around 2:30 when we observed a small group marching up the road towards us. About half looked like ordinary guards and half looked a bit more buff … personal guards or samurai probably. By agreement, the Pawns would wait for a sign from Nehali that we were beginning our attack before blocking the army, which was camping further away from the resort. It looked like we may have 10-15 warriors to defeat. Now just give them a chance to spread out a bit …

It was 5:30 when we used our last trick – an arcane eye to give us an up-to-date scouting report. Carefully noting where the guards were now located, we prepared: a magic circle against evil for me, and flame on. Zos and Kali went invisible. Word was sent to the Pawns. And the four of us – Radella, Ivan, Dasi, and myself – appeared in the room with Sennaka, his advisor Kazuo, and many guards.

We surprised them, but my count was off. It was more like 20-25 guards and samurai total, but fortunately they WERE still spread out over the resort. It took some of them 10-15 seconds to reach us. And by that time, frankly, we had been hasted, and the ones in the immediate room had encountered chain lightning, scorching rays, flurries of arrows, and some sharp swords. Almost all were wounded, and probably half were dead. As I worked my way steadily towards Sennaka I called out to him to surrender and he called back, with derision, that he challenged me to the death! I returned the favor.

And while around me guards, samurais, and advisors bled, fell, and were frozen in place, it took only 12 seconds and eight swings of Suishen to end a tyrant’s reign. And find that his advisor was, no surprise, an oni.

Immediately we turned to the samurai and demanded they now declare loyalty to the new ruler of the province. With contempt, one spat “You?”

“No,” I replied. “Sennaka’s brother Itsuru is the rightful heir. We do not take this office for ourselves. We represent the rightful heir to the throne, who opposes the injustice, the indiscriminate killing, and the collaboration with oni. A challenge was lawfully issued, accepted, and resolved. There is no additional conflict, and we understand that honor required you defend Sennaka. But he is dead now. We will heal your wounded and you may take control of the grounds as you wait for Itsuru’s arrival if you agree to cease fighting.” The remaining samurai hesitated, exchanged glances, and then agreed.

We spent time healing ourselves, the samurai, and eventually the Pawns as well. We took proof of Sennaka’s death to quell the army, as well, and the found it even easier to follow a new leader.

Although it’s unclear right now how much we can legitimately take and how much needs to pass to Itsuru, we did take inventory.

From Sennaka:
[715] darkwood box w/family sigil
[716] 2 potions of shield of faith
[717] 2 potions of bull strength
[718] potion of CMW
[719] potion of dark vision
[720] potion of lesser restoration
[721] armor (magic)
[722] +2 katana
[723] +1 composite longbow
[724] 20 arrows
[725] dagger
[726] MW wakazashi
[727] belt of mighty constitution +2
[728] cloak of resistance +2
[729] banner (magic)

From Kazuo:
[730] MW tetsubo
[731] composite longbow (large) +6 ST
[732] MW tatomodu armor
[733] 20 arrows

and from the other fallen:
[734] 6 leather armor
[735] 6 wakazashi
[736] 12 thunderstones
[737] 6 composite longbow +4 ST
[738] 120 arrows

Ivan did a quick sending to Ameiko, who sent back her congratulations and appreciation.

Kali again teleported us back to the fort.

Starday, 14 Sarenith

After a restful evening at the fort, we arose and travelled to Enkanoka. We needed to bring Itsuru up to date. We gave him the full story and told him there were samurais waiting for him. Dasi provided a compelling story with all the proper flourishes. In gratitude for our helping solve this problem, Itsuru provided us with

[739] ancestral longbow (magic)

10,000 gold pieces

We got permission to use Sennaka’s body to make treasure maps (ok, it wasn’t QUITE that forthcoming but we did make it clear we’d be using some of his skin and Itsuru did not object) and they revealed

stables from the resort
treasury in the palace
area of new excavation in the resort

We will not be touching the treasury, but the others we intend to go back and check out …

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Sunday, 8 Sarenith

It’s pretty clear that this issue with the assassin has to come to a head soon.  It’s blocking progress with the ninjas, and we’re spending a lot of time looking over our shoulder.

Dasi tried another divination with the samisun to learn more.  He learned

• his name is Kabuninsho
• he came from an obscure past from Sakakabe
• trained there as a ninja
• gained fame first as a spy
• recruited to Oni’s mask
• meteoric rise
• over just a few years, rose on aloofness and ingenuity
• rumored to go against his own associates whewn he felt it appropriate
• “ninja of chaos”

There was a discussion about what to do with the Ameiko zombie – excuse me, “construct” – as well as the resurrected merchant …

Did I mention the resurrected merchant?  Yeah, well that wasn’t very well discussed.  Kali and Qatana just decided to do it.  I’m not sure I actually object, but I guess I’m surprised to be surprised.  Anyway, the construct will be given a proper burial tomorrow, and the merchant will accompany us to the fort at some point for his own safety.  After all, his actual hometown probably truly has been erased off the map, if we know the oni.

Moonday, 9 Sarenith

In anticipation of a top notch ninja stalking us, Zos made a few more delay poison potions for others, including Ameiko.   We did then go and check out the village, and we did discover it was gone.  Well, not really gone, but annihilated.  From the look on Ameiko’s face, I think it set her thinking.  The resurrected man held up well, considering he was viewing the destruction of his home, his relatives, his friends … really, his history.  We buried the Ameiko clone, and Kali and Qatana did some things to honor the dead  (I barely understand the elven ceremonies from Varisia)  and we left.

We windwalked to the fort.

Qatana set herself to producing glyphs of warding at the guard towers, where they would explode if someone tried to enter the fort as we once did.  She also installed one of sleep near the front gate.  These were all tagged with passwords to try to avoid unnecessary “incidents”.

Neither Hatsue nor Hiro had heard any new news.

Dasi whipped out the magical samisen and tried a divination regarding the daiymo.  He was successful, and learned

• his name is Sakutsu Senaka
• had a decent reputation in naval engagements
• reputation as a good tactitian
• supposedly the epitome of honor
• ordered by the regent to maintain order in the north
• his influence over Sakanabe is an open secret
• known for his engaging personality

Some of these seem contradictory to what we already know of him.  Honor here seems to mean following the rules.  The epitome of honor would seem to me to mean you found a way to do the right thing while still staying within the rules.  Hiro comes to mind.

I wonder if Senaka used to exist but has since been replaced with an oni.  I’m increasingly certain that the Jade Regent must be an oni, or worse.  Why would he – or she – not install confirmed allies in key positions?  The actions of the current Senaka do not seem honorable.

Perhaps I’ll talk to Ameiko about that later.

Kali interrupted my thoughts by announcing that she just scryed on the assassin and he looked to be packing for a journey.  He seemed a bit tired too

Das tried a scry on Senaka, and was successful.  He saw him

• in a pavilion
• eating with others watching him
• seemed to be reminiscing and gesturing as though he were reliving old stories

and Dasi saw him armed wth a longbow, katana, and wakazashi, and tried to memorize the faces he saw surrounding Senaka.

And it was a few minutes after that that Kali silently held up a note: “being scryed”.  We kept our conversation benign.

Toilday, 10 Sarenith

Around 2am, Qatana reported the nightmare she’d cast kicked in.  One more sleepless night for our assassin ,,,

Upon arising, Dasi again tried scrying on the daimyo and saw him in resplendent armor and the armor was being repaired.  It was greenish, with a horned helmet and a jade green mask.

Recon reported there was no sign of an approaching army.  But a recon by some windwalk-enabled people did reveal the daimyo was about where we expected. and we reported back on that.  He was still some distance from the fort, but it was sufficient to make most at the fort realize this was for real.

With Kali providing an illusionary opponent (and with Hiro’s consent) we ran some surprise drills with some of the patrols.  They actually did fairly well, holding their ground even when the foe seemed stronger than they expected.  Ameiko also assisted, giving her some visibility and perhaps credibility in front of some future subjects.

Kali scryed again on the ninja and saw an old woman talking to servants at the teahouse.  Ah, well, not useful, if he’s looking for us. They won’t know where we are.

That evening, Qatana tried to scry and found the assassin walking through a shadowy and indistinct corridor during the entire scry.

When it got to be 11pm, she started her nightmare spell.  Meanwhile, Radella and I staged another mock attack, taking minor damage before we ended it and debriefed the guards with Hiro.  These exercises have really helped, I think.

Wealday, 11 Sarenith

At 7:30am, we were windwalking off to the resort to meet the Nine Pawns.  We were not expected until later in the day, but wanted time to select a camp and settle in before sending Nehali to meet them. It still took us a few hours to get there, so it was 1pm before we sent Nehali to the rendezvous point.

It was 3:30 when Kali again held up the sign “he’s watching” and we again carried on a benign conversation for 15 minutes.

But it was 4 before somebody spoke to Nehali, who had been instructed to tell them we wanted to meet with them.  It was agreed to meet under cover of darkness at our camp.

At around 8, they returned.  Kali led the discussion, and the Pawns agree to keep the army separate from the personal guard.  This they would do by creating barriers along the path between the resort and the army camp.  Presumably by the time they could battle past them, our job would be done.

Will there be magic among his personal guard?  Probably.  Will there be samurai?  Almost certainly.

Several indicated they wanted to scout the lodge.  The Pawns said we could probably simply disguise ourselves as artisans. Around 8pm, Zos, Radella, and Ivan set out to do just that.

An hour or so later, Kali tried to scry our personal assassin again, and found him in a refugee camp, disguised as a refugee.  But the more she watched, the more clear it became: the assassin was at the fort, in the refugee camp there!

We immediately recalled our scouting party by cutting Ameiko.  (She understood.)  They hurriedly returned. Ivan sent two messages to Hatsue – “assassin in refugee camp” and “do nothing; on our way”.

Using his Word of Recall, Ivan returned himself, Ameiko, Radella, Dasi, and Shalelu. Quickly after that, Kali teleported the rest of us there.

We quickly briefed Hatsue and Hiro, and Hatsue expressed doubt. “I’ve detected no evil among the refugees!” she said, but we all presumed some magic was at play.  I’m now wizard but I’ve heard it said you can conveniently transfer your aura to, say, even a doorknob for a short amount of time, so her attention might have simply been misdirected.

Kali, having seen the assassin the most, led the charge to find him without frightening him before she could throw a dimensional anchor on him.  Using airwalk, I took an aerial approach and Radella approached on the ground. After a couple of false leads, Kali found the right person and between the dimensional anchor she placed on him, and the fatigue he was already feeling from the nightmares, he was not nearly so slippery as our last meeting.  It was Ivan who delivered the killing blow, making him look like some sort of large straggly bird with the number of feathers sticking out of him.

There was a quick mumbling of “nothing to see here; move along” to the other refugees, but we picked up the corpse and the belongings from his tent and left the area to inspect them.   Examining him and his belongings, we found

[698] potion (later determined to be barkskin)
[699] potion (cure serious wounds)
[700,701] potion (invisibility} x 2
[702] vial (5 doses) black adder
[703] vial (5 doses) death blade
[704] vial (5 applications) oil of taggit
[705] portable hole
[706] disguise kit

[707] mithril chain mail +2
[708] nunchaku Dragonmaw (+2, special on crit or disarm)
[709] 10 shuriken +2
[710] blowgun (looks like flute)
[711] 20 darts
[712] MW wakashazi
[713] ring of protection +2
[714] coin on a string

It is that last that is causing the most trouble.  Between divinations, and hasty research, and in some cases just plain memory, it appears this is the Shinobi Fuhonsen.  Legend has it that it was the first payment given to the first ninja for their first mission.  But it’s not just historical.  It grants the owner a number of additional skills or spells helpful to ninjas.

However, in the brief time he held it and inspected it, Dasi felt like the coin wanted him to keep it.  And as we did more research on this, we learned

a) the coin must APPROVE of its new owner (it must be worthy)
b) the new owner will be inevitably drawn to darkness
c) if we don’t provide it with a suitable owner by the next new moon, it will seek an owner on its own
d) it can only be destroyed by a sovereign dragon
e) Upon choosing its 8th owner, “something catastrophic” will happen to the world

This will require much more discussion, I fear.  It is very valuable magicwise, it is very valuable money-wise, and it is deadly in the catastrophe sense.  And it will do something on its own if we do nothing.

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Oathday, 5 Sarenith

Dasi told us there were five basic districts in the city, but he wanted to spend a day or so learning more about them by strolling through them.  He hoped he might get a better sense of the city, and maybe even news of the allegedly legendary assassin stalking us. Zos and Radella thought that sounded like a good way to spend the day so they went along.

They were learning little more than we already knew, when a curious thing happened.

Kali was scrying the scryer and she saw what could have been a monk, in a simple gray tunic, walking through streets that looked like Sakakabe.  He wandered down an alley and, looking around quickly, pulled out a cloth that was wrapped around a vial and some blowdarts. Kali hastily ended the scry and yelled for Ivan.

In town, a city guard leaned in to watch the three out-of-towners soliciting stories about an assassin. They entered a shop.

Ivan sent a message to the three …

The guard suddenly slumped over and fell to the ground.  Inside, the shopkeep was going on about these stories about assassins started by riffraff and how safe this city was when they were startled by a minor disturbance outside. Zos, Dasi and Radella exited the shop and gaped.  The crowd started murmuring, and one voice said, “What’s up with HIM?”

Ivan sent another message.

They rushed over to the guard and found, as expected, a blowdart in his neck.  Zos was able to quickly identify the substance on it as blue whinnis.  He also quickly scanned the crowd looking for lawful evil, but found none.

Other guards quickly arrived, and questions were asked.  Dasi is great at snatching weapons out of your hand, and he can sing like a bird, but when it comes to just talking he sometimes sounds like he’s trying to explain badly why it wasn’t him that broke the window.  The guards were shaking their heads a bit and eyeing him and especially the foreign looking Radella, but Zos stepped in and vouched for her and eventually they all were able to leave.

The duality of having been scrying and seeing an attack possibly intended for us from both sides was a bit eerie.  But it did underscore the threat was real …

Not too long after this, Kali detected another scrying.  In an effort to draw the assassin closer, she “accidentally” let slip we’d be at the geisha house that night, and the scrying immediately ended.  Kali was happy about this, but that didn’t generally extend to others.  In particular, O-kohaku was not happy about her business doubling as a killing field.  Kali angrily said something like you don’t overthrow the regent and expect it to be completely incident free.  She made Qatana look tactful.

Expecting trouble now, Zos gave Ameiko a delay poison to drink that would provide 12 hrs of protection.  We then created an illusion of Ameiko and surrounded her in relaxed and incidental poses while the image not-that-skillfully played the samisen in contrived disregard for the world around us.

Nothing happened.

Freday, 6 Sarenith

However, around 12:30 that evening, our vigilance was rewarded. The swing of a bladed instrument cut through the paper wall of the room we were in, narrowly missing Kali.  Ivan had his bow drawn in a flash as Kali created an interposing hand between herself and the threat.  I threw open the door and started searching for the intruder.  It was Kali’s imposing hand, though, that quickly revealed the threat was gone.  Careful searching did reveal some faint traces of a person and the path they took but that only confirmed what the slit in the tissue paper wall already told us.  We’d been attacked, and he’d missed.

Nothing else happened the rest of the night, but it was the next morning that Kali kind of lost it.  We detected a scrying again and so Kali hastily scrawled a sign that read, “C’mon, prick.  Is that the best you can do?”  She added another message questioning his courage, and possibly his heritage.

Receiving no reply, Kali returned the favor by scrying him, and found a dark cloaked figure leaving the entertainment district.  He turned into a shadowy figure, but the scry held as he apparently entered the shadow plane.  Emerging in a forest somewhere, he quickly changed his garb to that of a farmer.  He seemed to be slim, with short, fuzzy gray hair – rather ordinary looking overall, according to her.

When Kali sent a message to him, he responded with a soundless but universal gesture of digital disrespect.

It was about 9:30 when we left the teahouse and Kali decided to make leaflets with the assassin’s image on it – “Have you seen this ninja?” and spread this over the town.  That done, we all reconvened outside of town and flew or windwalked to Enganoka. We hired 3 adjacent rooms to spend the night in and started planning for the big meeting with the Three Monkeys. We decided to check out the venue as well as make our “reservations”, and discovered the proper protocol was to buy the table with the Three Monkeys a drink and wait for them to invite you over.  Oh, and each person seated for dinner that night would be required to provide a 100gp reservation fee. We reserved 4 seats.

We’d already decided we could not take the whole group there.  Not only might all personalities not be welcome, but now we found it out it would be a little expensive.  The 3 would be Dasi, Ameiko, and Radella.  I wanted to be there but had to admit that Suishen is not a subtle sword.  Radella promised to look out for Ameiko.  So we paid 300gp and decided to check out the market.

Frst, we had to pay the guards 10pp + 10gp to enter with our weapons.  That seemed a bit steep but nobody batted an eye.  We did not, after all, wish to draw attention to ourselves.

At least, that is, for the next ten minutes.  After that, apparently, we abandoned that premise.

We’d only been in the market a few minutes when the guards came in and surrounded some man and accused him of being a spy. He was certainly the most frightened looking spy ever born if he was one.  He shakily denied it, but the guards announced that because he was lying to them, the punishment would be death. Out of the corner of my eye I saw both Kali and Qatana step forward.

I was tempted to jump in but I hesitated, mindful of our need to keep a low profile. I turned to Ameiko and said, “You can’t be seen around this.  We should leave.”  She also seemed torn before nodding yes.  I did not want to leave my friends but it was not the first time that Qatana, and increasingly of late, Kali, had taken matters into their own hands without consulting the group first.  And now, in my role as protector of the Heir, I would need to do the same.  Ameiko and I (and several others in the group) moved away from the disturbance.  Glancing back I saw

• an increasingly panicked crowd
• a flash of what surely had to be chain lightning
• at least one body already on the floor

Later I would learn that Kali, Qatana and Zos together defeated the 8 guards before disappearing (literally, apparently, via either teleport or invisibility) and taking the dead commoner with them.  Worse, they discovered during battle that the guards were all oni.  Nobody at the market seemed surprised by that; it is apparently an open secret that the guards are magical demons.

It’s different here, I guess.

Upon returning, Qatana and Kali kind of kept to themselves.  I assume they were talking about how to get the body to the appropriate party.  For my part, I talked with Ameiko and said this provided a good opportunity to set the tone.  Although she is not sitting on a throne yet, I told her, my job is to keep her alive so she can.  I will defer to her wishes if she expresses them, but my default actions will tend to be the ones that keep her out of harm’s way.  She agreed that our roles are changing, and she herself is having to consciously stop herself at times.  This was one of those times.

Qatana, this time, attempted a scry and succeeded, seeing a wealthy-ish woman entering the mall we’d left earlier.  She asked about the mess and disarray and was told that some evil wizards had attacked a man and killed all the guards.

Kali tried scrying the assassin and connected. He was simply walking through city streets somewhere.

Starday, 7 Sarenith

It wasn’t long after midnight that Qatana cast a special spell.  Because she’d been able to scry on the assassin, she was also able to send him nightmares that would leave him tired and exhausted the next morning.  Her plan was to do this every night now, leaving him at a disadvantage for any battle or even using his skills.

After rising that morning, Dasi and Radella returned to the market on the theory that they would neither be recognized nor even associated with the fracas the previous day.  After all, we still didn’t get to scout the area.  One vendor seemed friendly andd they chatted some time with her.  She read some tarot for Dasi, but the longer he was with her, the more his gut told him something was up.  When he declined some tea she’d brewed and he asked her some pointed questions, she simply vanished.

Looking around her area, Dasi found an unconscious woman on the ground.  Reviving her, they learned she’d been accosted while arriving at the market that day.  Dasi brought back some of the tea and napkin he’d been offered and Zos later identified it as being tainted with oil of taggit, a poison that would have caused him to fall unconscious.  That suggests the assassin might be looking for a hostage rather than a corpse. Hmmm.

Speaking of corpses, Zos had a crazy idea to steal a corpse and “sculpt” a replica of Ameiko that he could animate, on the theory that it could be an alternate target.  Sort of a living mirror image spell.  Ugh.

Meanwhile, Dasi tried a scry himself … but failed.  He did squeeze a divination from the samisen …

HOW CAN WE BEST BE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT ATTACK?
-= stay together =-

Well, ok.

Qatana did a scry, and caught him down at the docks, chatting wth someone who was moving cargo.  He spent a fair amount of time there before moving back into the city .. maybe a noodle shop.

And that evening, Qatana gifted him with nightmares again.

Sunday, 8 Sarenith

The big day.  We timed a tea ceremony with the magical tea set to maximize our chances with the Three Monkeys.

Zos rolled out an animated – oh my god, he DID make a copy of Ameiko.  So that means he DID steal a corpse and .. so he was serious?  Well too late now but this pushes the envelope a little.  I didn’t really envision us as grave robbers …

Dasi brought 3 of the really good sake bottles he took from the pearl merchant’s collection, to impress our hosts with.

When the time came, they were impressed.

i wish I could have gone along, but Dasi, Radella, and Ameiko summarized the meeting for us.

5,000gp to any clan we wished to remain neutral.
15,000gp to any clan we wished to actually engage.

So 15,000gp just to keep them all out of it.  Wow.

One hitch, of course.  They won’t make any deal with us at all so long as there is a contract out on us.  Professional courtesy, I guess.  Well, that’s fine … we’d rather planned on taking care of that problem anyway.

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Wealday, 29 Desnus

It would be too much to ask, of course, for us to simply board the barge and head back to the mainland.  These gods that Kari, Ivan, and Qatana speak of were clearly idle and bored this day.

It began typically enough.  We had rescued the maiden and soundly defeated a dozen enemies.  It was time to sail into the harbor, victorious amidst a cheering crowd.  We boarded the boat and found, to MY surprise at least, that Dasi knew how to operate a boat!  I mean, anyone can take up a pair of oars, but this was a bit more than that.  He helped arranged rowers and watchers and flyers (Kali and Qatana do so like floating above the ground) and took the tiller.

Before we left, Kali announced we were being scried. Of course.  She tried doing that thing where she gets a glimpse of the scryer. It worked, sort of. She got an image of what seemed to be a beggar, hunched over.  Probably a disguise.

We were just far enough from shore to be in some of the deeper water, when Zos, He of Small Stature but Sharp Vision and positioned at the front of the boat, pointed at a wake heading for us from the right side.  Defensive postures were struck.

I can now say I have met my first “dragon turtle”.  It is not a dragon.  It is not a turtle.  It’s as if somebody took all the gracefulness of a turtle on land and combined it with all the social graces of a dragon missing 10 copper pieces.  They were kind of ugly, and more than a little ornery.  They could actually speak (Dragon, I’m told) and they claimed we were going the wrong way. And so we had to die.

They? Sorry, did I say they?  Yeah, two more showed up seconds after the first.  All of them tried to tip the boat.  All of them could breathe scalding steam.  And all of them did this, before all of them died.

Can we rest now?  Zos reminded us there was some distinct advantage to resting right now, because he could do the old ‘make a treasure map out of their skin’ trick which sounds so disgusting but has proven useful more than once.

So we reached the dock safely, with the added weight of one turtle-dragon corpse. One hour later, Zos was able to announce that there was indeed “something valuable” (at least to a dragon turtle) underwater near one of the islands.  Since we would want more spells available to us for that effort, we decided to go visit turtle-uncle Numataro-sama.  There was much joy when he and O-sayumi saw each other again.

Oathday, 30 Desnus

This day was dedicated to finding out what is valuable to a dragon turtle.  Thankfully, they value (or at least, these valued) the same things we do.  In an underwater cave, aided by an air bubble spell, we found 3 piles of mixtures of pearls, precious shells, and gemstones … about 18000 gp worth.

I need to consider what item(s) might make more effective (or less defective.)

We will spend another night at the kappa’s place before windwalking back to town.

Fireday, 31 Desnus

There was another happy reunion when O-sayumi returned to the teahouse with us.  True to her word, O-kohaku arranged meetings over the next several days with key merchants, nobles, and  other contacts from the area.  Each would arrive secretive and skeptical, and each needed to leave pleasantly surprised and hopeful.  We need to have our presentation well polished.  Suishen will undoubtedly be a part of many of these meetings as he offers concrete proof that the Amatatsu line survives.

In gratitude, O-sayumi offered the magical samisen.  We declined it at first, but it seemed to only make her more determined.  Both Dasi and Ameiko are able to play it so nit wouldn’t sit idle … in the end we accepted it.  But then she gave us an even greater gift. As discussion turned to overthrowing the daimyo, she offered that she had connections to the general of his army .. his brother.  She believed she could arrange a meeting with tsuru

We have the ninjas to get in our corner yet, but things are moving better than we might have expected.

We were again surprised when O-kohaku asked her servants to bring out a green box.  She offered it as a gift, and when we opened it we found an exquisite tea set.  (Ivan whispered that it radiated magic.)  “It’s been at the tea house since before I was here.  Those who perform the tea ceremony using this set, find it easier to recover from illnesses and consummate deals.”

[669] tea set decorated with willows and flowers

Starday, 1 Sarenith

Although I’ve been in this side of the world for months now, I am still amazed at the culture here.  Between her wizardly skills, her musical skills, her social skills, and her attractive person, I find O-sayumi to be a most intriguing representation of that culture, and I asked her if she would like to enjoy a meal with me this evening. She has agreed.

Before then, though, she arranged the meeting with Itsuru.  She believes that Jiro can expect substantial support from him once he understands the situation.

We were scryed upon again, and this time Kali detected a man in clerical robes within 10 miles of us.

Das tried a divination using our new samisen.  “What can we do to improve our conversations with the ninjas?”  The non-specific reply he got was “stop the scrying.”

Sunday, 2 Sarenith

We sent a message to Jiro today to arrange for him to meet with Itsuru.  He was surprised and agreed, but warned he had intelligence that the fort was soon to be attacked.  Consequently, he would come but Hatsui would remain to fortify their position.  If it were not that Suishen will play an important role in the meetng, I would go to the fort to assist.  Dasi tried a divination again – Does Jiro coming here put the fort at risk?  The terse response was: fort will still be there if he’s not there.  Cryptic, but we’ll take it as a positive sign.

So later in the day, the following people met in a large room in s private part of the teahouse:

Jiro
Ameiko
Qatana
Dasi
Itsuru
myself
Kali
Radella
and of course O-sayumi

Itsuru appeared confident and hesitant at the same time.  He nodded politely to Jiro.  He paled and looked doubtful though when O-sayumi introduced “the Amatatsu heirs”.  This is why I was here, and I withdrew Suishen from his scabbard and bathed him in flame.

From that moment the meetng took on renewed energy.  Itsuru offered that there may be a moment soon when the daiymo would be less guarded.  He is leaving soon to his vacation retreat with minimal staff.  There are nine other ronin who know of this as well, and together we may be able to overcome the staff and bodyguards .. and kill the daiymo.  Family honor prevents Itsuru from doing this himself, but it does not prevent him from being conspicuously unsupportive of his brother.

We have opportunity.

Moonday, 3 Sarenith

Another day, another divinaton.  Both Dasi and Ameiko used the samisen, and got related responses.

THERE IS A NINJA OF GREAT RENOWN FOLLWNG AMEIKO.  and
NEUTRALIZE THE STALKER.

That’s getting pretty direct.  The new Mask Clan of ninjas is rumored to have a superhuman ninja.  The puzzle is coming together.

Toilday, 4 Sarenith

Itsuru returned briefly.  In 10 days his brother will  set out for his retreat.  The 9 have infiltrated his staff and are ready to provide the necessary distraction which will separate him from most of his retinue.

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Wealday, 29 Desnus

(still)
Our encounter with shadows in the chessboard trap made us feel we might well run into more of the same in what appeared to be a trip thru the Shadow plane.  We prepared with two separate Hide from Undead spells, expecting that the (usual) fighters would likely break that spell by attacking than the other group of, well, Kali.

I was one of the first into the shadowy passage but it took only seconds for all of us to enter.  The colors may have been muted, but the sound seemed the same.   Ivan had a theory that the inro was actually a map of sorts to lead us through this shadowy world.  There were gates of certain colors, or materials, that seemed to match up with items in the inro.  We made a couple of wrong turns and got hit by lightning and ice storms, but by and large I think we avoided a large amount of grief.

We came upon a largish room, and the entrance to the room seemed also to be an exit from the shadow plane.  I entered the room and observed two women on the floor.  I immediately moved to check out the women.   In one corner was a life size statue of a female in the lotus position, and in the other corner was a monkey – no, tiger – no, snake.

Actually it was all three, and did not seem friendly.  In fact it had a yell that actually hurt.  The women seemed .. not dead but not alive and I announced that.  But the first issue was the montigersnake.  Actually, Kali later said it had an explicit name too but I don’t remember what it was anymore.  The usual suspects (myself, Radella, Qatana) moved in to attack it.  It was going to take me a few seconds longer to reach it, having spent time first checking on the women, but Kali magically moved me and I started beating on it in earnest.

Suishen informed me again, in an almost accusatory manner, that it was not an oni.

But when we cut it, it did bleed, and despite some bizarre capabilities (it could make us feel incredibly tired just by waving its paws) we managed to best it with some wicked good swings and some good arrows by Ivan.

There was a door in the room, and it seemed to lead to a study. A quick search uncovered several magical items.

[669] magic samisen
[670] ivory plectrum
[671] potion of bull strength
[672] potion of cure moderate wounds
[673] potion of protection from cold
[674] potion of water breathing
[675] scroll of bestow curse
[676] scroll of ice storm
[677] scroll of lightning

There were also some

[678] business records

A quick read through the notes completed the story of what had happened.  He had tried to move his wife’s soul into his daughter’s body, but any fool knows that a body can only hold one soul so the whole thing fell apart – his wife’s soul seems to have disappeared while his daughter’s soul – O-Suyami’s soul, we could now confirm – occupied a pearl instead of her body.  He was reluctant to return hers to her body because he feared it might make it impossible to recover his wife’s.

About this time, Radella said, “aHA” and a portion of a shelf moved.  “There’s a secret door here” she announced.  And we again prepared ourselves for battle, although at this point the preparation was entirely mental and not magical.  Arranging ourselves we entered the narrow passage.

The passage led first to what Zos readily identifed as an alchemical lab.  His eyes lit up as he looked over the room.

But it was not our main interest right now.  We anticipated that we would be finding a dark mage of some sort, holding his daughter’s soul captive.  We moved on.

The next room again had muted colors and a grey appearance to it, even though it was not in the shadow plane.  There was a man sitting at a table on the far side of the room who observed us entering in an almost unconcerned manner.

“My wife is gone forever,” he remarked in a strangely flat voice, taking a sip of tea.  “I was trying to move her into my daughter’s beautiful body, but something went wrong.  I have so far been unable to reverse the effect.”  He glanced at Radella, who had moved next to him. He glanced up at her. “I assume you do want to save the girl, don’t you?”  He casually tipped a container of pearls over and they spilled across the floor.  “Be careful you don’t crush her soul by stepping on the wrong pearl” and he began to chant in earnest.

While Zos hasted us all, I hurried over to interrupt his spell with Suishen.  Unfortunately, the discarded pearls acted as marbles and I fell on my way there.  He gestured at a shadowy alcove at one end of the room and a number of shadows appeared.  Kali quickly threw up a wall of force but warned, “they’ll probably go underneath it so it won’t work for long.”  I regained my footing and attacked the man, while Qatana cast a greater dispel magic at him to render him more vulnerable.  It did not take long for us to finish him off, but it too longer to deal gingerly with the shadows he’d welcomed onto our plane.  I lost strength several times to the foul things, but Qatana was able to help me recover.

On the man and in the room, we found

[680] pearls picked up from the floor and left in the jar
[681] an inro (darkwood + embedded emeralds forming a dragon and turtle, with 3 compartments)
[682] blue-green aquamarine (magic)
[683] black pearl
[684] large white pearl (magic)
[685] potion of water breathing
[686] scroll of resist energy
[687] MW dagger
[688] cloak of resistance +4
[689] dusty rose ioun stone +1 insight bonus to AC
[690] ring of protection +2
[692] spell components
[691] ring of swimming
[693] spellbook
[694] 250gp of diamond dust

and of course the previously discovered

[695] alchemy lab

We tried to decide our next step.  We needed to revive O-Sayumi but none of us were sure how this might work.  Eventually we decided dispel magic might do the trick … and it did.

O-Sayumi told us how she was brought there by threats to harm the monks if she did not.  There was a brief discussion and we decided to leave by barge, now that it was safe, rather than waste more magic flying.

Upon approaching the barge, however, a company of hobgoblins challenged us and we shook our heads at each other.  Really?

Qatana created a blade barrier to hem them in, but much to our surprise, one after another flew ABOVE it to escape it.

The first one I laid Suishen into made him practically tremble with excitement. “ONI!!!”  ah, a dozen overconfident, underpowered oni.

Time was when that would have been a problem for us but even O-Sayumi joined in the battle, casting spells no less!  Clearly not your ordinary geisha.

With that taken care of, we are preparing to board the barge.

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Wealday, 29 Desnus

So we traveled without incident to the kappa-uncle, but along the way we had an open and honest discussion of how best to protect Koya.  While both Ameiko and Shalelu were trained and experienced fighters, that was not at all Koya’s strong suit.  The difficult question was not resolved enroute.

The kappa, Numataro-sama, greeted us pleasantly and told us a story and history that suggests there are familial ties at play here.  Is O-Sayumi related to the pearl merchant, whose name we now know to be Shosaito?  Numataro-sam suggested strongly that it might be a father-daughter relationship.  The circumstances seem to indicate that O-Sayumi felt compelled to come, but compelled emotionally or compelled magically we cannot say at this point.  Mysteriously, he gave us a shogi piece “for luck” and said it had the power to summon the greatest shogi player in all of Minkai.

We did come to one conclusion, however.  With Numataro-sama’s permission we will leave Koya here inside a Mage’s Private Sanctum. She should be safe from most things, including scrying.  Long term, however, we will need to come up with another plan.

The island looks dim, and seemed pervaded by gloom and doom.  I judge this to be a way of discouraging visitors, and while that may prove true, I’d also not be surprised if it turned out to be an ominous side effect from somebody or something living here.

(later)

Like undead.

We used fly rather than try to take a more mundane method of reaching the island.  It has been our experience that appearing at the entrances made explicitly to greet visitors, like front doors and docks, usually are the worst way to introduce ourselves.  Geisha houses excepted.   On our way in we saw what we assumed to be pearl divers at work (and they saw us).  They stayed underwater a surprisingly long time but when they walked up on shore they were not interested in welcoming us.  They attacked us, and while I suppose in a sense we were trespassers, I think most civilized places will agree that employing undead as laborers is the greater offense.

After dispatching them (Kali said they were mastodons, I think, which I have always believed to be larger, but …) we examined their crude village.  Surprise surprise, we found a secret door in the floor which I’d be willing to bet will lead us to our next problem.   By the way, both Qatana and Kali say this place is bathed in faint magic. No, really?

(later)

aaaand spot on.  This time it was manangles (I think – Kali speaks so softly) masquerading as servants.

We seemed to be exploring, perhaps, the basement of the only house on the island.  We found one room  (before we even met the manangles) that immediately drew Dasi’s attention, since it seemed to be filled with some very fine bottles of sake.  One passage looked even more shadowy and ominous than the rest of the basement.   We decided to save that for last.

It was about then we ran into the first manangle.  We tried to convince her, and the rest eventually, that we were part of the security testing team. They almost bought it (we even had one in manacles “so it would look authentic”, but in the end one of them doubted it enough to attack us and that meant the others no longer cooperated.  Ivan called out they are undead, but they seemed especially difficult to kill.  Suishen confirmed to me, after cutting into one, that these were not oni. (I realize he only speaks telepathically but he almost sounded disappointed.)  According to Kali, these things are really nasty at night so I’m glad we came when we did.

Exploring, we found several rooms – all looked dusty like they’d not been used for a while.  We still have no firm confirmation that O-Sayumi is even here.  One room had a shogi game set up and apparently in progress, and Radella detected a trap of some sort, but Kali was sure it was an important clue.

She was wrong.   Touching the board threw all of us into a sort of grid – a shadowy shogi board? – and about the time figured out how to maneuver within it, we also found we were sharing it with extra things – shadows themselves.  I don’t know who held the lucky chess piece that Numataro-sama gave us, but they apparently activated it and a hazy figure of Hatsue, appeared and although confused by our presence in what she said was HER dream, went to work destroying shadows.

Other than Hatsue, the things that helped us best was recognizing that by DISBELIEVING the grid one found oneself in, it became noncorporeal.  The second was that Dasi had this capability he called “ghost purge” which made our weapons much more effective against the shadows.  (I have to say, he continues to amaze me.)

Having put that behind us, we regrouped to return to the shadowy pathway.

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Starday, 25 Desnus

It is hard to believe that all the drama with the prisoners happened before noon had even passed.  But we had made a point of starting while it was still dark, so it only made sense that we had most of the day ahead of us yet.  Even taking 4 hours for some people to recover their spells put us only at 1:30 or so.

We set Nehali to task looking for returning parties.  The aerial surveillance would likely give us ten or maybe even fifteen minutes advance notice to prepare for them.  From what the prisoners told us, we might see 3 or 4 parties return.

However, all we saw was one wounded horse return. That’s it.  Qatana healed it some, and Radella spoke with it, learning it was the only one that survived.  Apparently Jiro had been very successful at attacking the raiding parties.  Three or four parties, and all that’s left is a single horse.  Wow.

While waiting, Dasi did his blood thing on the weretiger.  We learned … well, nothing new but it cost nothing to try.  The weretiger was female and (surprise) a ranger.  She was obsessed with how we “took her fortress”.  I guess that was a little surprising – it’s no more hers than ours – but whether her position was from arrogance or ignorance I guess we’ll never know.

Word was sent to Jiro and he will come to the fort with Hatsui and Ameiko (and the others in his party) by more mundane means.  I understood that Ameiko was hanging back to talk with Jiro, but it hadn’t been made clear that she was going to be in active battle.  Humph.

About 3:45, Qatana went with Kali to retrieved Koya and the seal.  They all had to windwalk back, of course, because the seal could not be teleported.  Hatsui and about ten recruits arrived not too long after that, and Jiro, Ameiko, and their party about an hour after that.

We already knew that we, as scions, apparently could not open the vault. Ameiko, as Prime Scion, we thought might have a different effect.  But no, she didn’t. It wasn’t until, with some trepidation, that we took the seal out of the warding box and Ameiko tried again while holding the seal that we were successful.  A circular portion of the floor opened outside the room, and revealed armaments, including the family sword that Jiro had mentioned.

Given how nervous we were, we’d arranged ourselves very particularly, expecting an oni or twenty might teleport in as soon as the seal revealed itself.  While that didn’t happen, Kali did detect scrying just mere minutes after it was unveiled, and utilized her previously-prepared anti-magic field to block it.  But now they knew.  They knew.  Their worst fears were still true … a true heir still lived and would be a significant obstacle to their stolen throne.

Inspecting the weapons, Dasi confirmed the antiquity of the swords in the revealed armory.  I caught a glance at Jiro and tried not to smile. As Dasi performed the analysis we’d so often asked of him, it escaped him that the best means of identifying the authenticity of this find was already in the room, and had in fact already validated it.  The look on Jiro’s face was one that registered a mix of astonishment and mild anger.  It clearly said, “What?  REALLY?”

But seeing all this transpire, Jiro turned to Ameiko and bowed, accepting her as the eventual Empress.  And became a fount of helpful information.

He reminded us that simply announcing an heir wouldn’t necessarily throw everybody behind her.  We needed to fan the flames of rebellion before striking at the target, so that we’d either have massive support or, at the least, have few others opposing her. He outlined three key factions we needed behind us or neutralized.

One was the military.  While they were currently firmly on the side of the Regent, there were plenty of indications that support was not as strong as it appeared.  In particular, the local daimyo, Sikutsu Sennaka, had few on the military who supported him for any reason other than honor.  The daimyo and the Regent both seemed unfamiliar with maintaining and growing military careers, and plum assignments and promotions were going to the wrong (in the minds of some military leaders) people.  Seeing those undeserving individuals disappear or actually die might make many in the military feel things had improved … so long as they also felt this improved their chance at recognition and promotion.  It would require the right timing, and the right people, and so would probably be one of the last groups we’d win over.

Another was the merchants.  They were chafing under the Regent’s regime, again largely because their traditional role (and the wealth that went with it) was not being honored.  Trade with other provinces was disrupted by squabbles and taxes.  The decrease in income was keenly felt, and roundly hated.   While this group was not as well armed as the military might be, they had other methods at their disposal.  Economic pressure – who they bought and sold from and to – might prove as wounding as a sword.  They also knew of ways to get into markets – be that countries, harbors, or buildings – that they might be willing to share.  That is, once they believed.

Lastly was the ninja groups.  While ninjas tended by their nature to be a bit reticent and difficult to access, if they didn’t have some way of contacting them they’d have no business at all.  Jiro mentioned there had been four main groups: the Black Lotus, the Dragon Shadow, the Emerald Branch, and the Ruby Crypt.  Recently, though, in perhaps the last few decades, a new order had appeared: Oni’s Mask.  The other four considered the newcomer to be ruthless (even for ninjas) and without honor, which ninjas are fanatical about.  Helping restore the order may be a welcomed option.  Jiro was not so bold as to predict we would get allies, but even a promise not to interfere would be welcome aid.

To touch base with the merchant faction, Jiro advised us to make an appointment with a high level geisha, O-kuhaku. She was considered a geisha with sufficient connections that, were she to support us, we’d have a decent chance of both contacting and winning over the merchants.  Take a nice gift, he advised, so that you don’t wait a month to see her.  She is in Sakakabe.

To reach the ninjas, we would need to approach their council.  They meet once a month, on the night of the new moon in Enganoka.  We could learn more in the Korrang Market.

We definitely had our work cut out for us.  The geishas were first on the list, since the new moon is some two weeks off.

Based on all this, Zos and Kali would teleport back tomorrow to get his cart and our horses, including Kasimir.

Sunday, 26 Desnus

As promised, Zos and Kali left in the morning.  They rolled in around 11pm.  The cart and the horses will stay at the fortress because most of our travels will likely be by windwalk or teleportation in the near future.

We have great concern about leaving the seal here, right where it was last detected, but it would be even more foolish to take it with us.  In the end, Qatana and Ivan fashioned a place for it deep within rock using Stone Wall and Stone Shape.  It’s now not accessible to anyone who doesn’t know exactly where it is and either is willing to undertake a great deal of physical labor, or has the capability to use magic to reshape the stone again.  It’s about as safe as it can be, and arguably safer than it was before.

Because Jiro was fascinated by the idea that magic could compel a person’s direction in life, he offered the remaining prisoners quick and merciful death, or magic by Qatana that would compel them to a new life.  They all chose the latter, so Qatana placed them under a Geas that had them serving Jiro.  I had said that if Jiro passed this judgement upon them I would be fine with it and I will honor my statement but I have to admit it does still bother me.  I can’t really explain why.

Moonday, 27 Desnus

With Qatana’s generosity, we all received windwalk and proceeded to Sakakabe.  In windwalk we move much faster than normal, but it still took most of the day.  We materialized outside the city so that we could walk in normally like any other group of travelers.

I am used to seeing social orders in a society, but in this town they are physical.  The most prestigious actually live higher on the hill, and that’s where we will find O-kuhaku.  We discussed what roles we should play – probably “supporters of the true heir” were not positions we wanted to emphasize just yet.

Dasi – merchant leader.  His knowledge of Minkai made him a natural choice.
Kali – advisor to Dasi.  Having a woman in this role might raise some eyebrows but at this level, it’s likely nobody will raise the issue.
Radella, Ivan, and myself – bodyguards.  Allows us to openly take our weapons most places.
Qatana – spiritual advisor.  While a legitimate position, t made me smile.  I think few merchants have Groetus advising them.

There were armed guards at the gates to this upper crust society, but they were willing to let us in to spend money.

First up was shopping.  We did not yet look the part. Several of us, and I’ll include myself in that, were dismayed at how flamboyant the garb was.

And thankfully, our fine gift for the geisha got us an appointment late the next day.  We could get this all started.

And on a down note, in the late afternoon, Kali quietly announced, using codespeak, that we were being scryed upon again.

Toilday, 28 Desnus

The guards this time were a bit more surly; they seemed reluctant to let us in even with ‘fine garb’ on us.   But Kali figured out that they responded well to 10-15gp in ‘tips’ for their fine work.   At that point, they agreed that we did, in fact, seem fairly harmless.

We had some tea at a tea house while waiting for our appointment.  Kali again pointed out, partway through our tea, that we were being scried upon.  It lasted, she noticed, more than 15 minutes which, she said, made the scrier a pretty powerful mage.

Eventually 5pm rolled around and we, in our garb and in our roles, went to see the geisha.  Dasi tried to gently ease into the topic of a possible heir returning, but he was going too slowly for Qatana who eventually burst out, “we plan to overthrow Sikutsu Sennaka, and Jiro suggested we enlist your help.”  Although this demolished irreparably several layers of protocol, it did get her attention.

She slowly offered that one of her girls, O-siyumi.  Unfortunately, she’s gone missing, and she would like our help in finding and retrieving her.   Sigh.  Everything around here is tit for tat, quid pro quo, and I don’t even understand those words.

Against her better judgement, she may have gone to visit a local pearl merchant on his private island north of here.  He is apparently obsessed with her, which doesn’t bode well.  Strangely, her uncle is some sort of turtle-man … I must admit my mind wandered here and I must have misunderstood.  Perhaps he is a turtle hunter?  Or maybe just very shy (doesn’t ‘come out of his shell’?)

Anyway, tomorrow we will windwalk there and investigate.  We are doing most of the overplanning tonight, the night before, in an effort to be more efficient tomorrow.

as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia, himself.

Starday, 25 Desnus

Today was one of the worst battles we’ve had in some time. It wasn’t the physical damage, although there was, of course, some of that.

It was the emotional damage, and how close we came as a group to fighting among ourselves.

But let me back up.

As I wrote earlier, in order to demonstrate both our intentions and our skills, we had agreed to liberate an outpost that had been taken over by bandits. The local daimyo seems indifferent to their presence. That is troubling enough, but Jiro revealed that he is familiar with that particular location, and there is is a vault there, which will yield only to one with royal heritage, that contains an ancestral weapon.

Ameiko said she intended to stay behind and learn more about these people and this area. I think, with Jiro also staying behind, I can trust that she’ll be in good hands. I remember hoping I don’t regret that decision; Suishen would be extremely vocal about it, I’m sure, should it backfire.

Defeating the bandits did not trouble us terribly. After our victories in the sleeping area, we continued slowly and carefully through the rest of the outpost. At one point we discovered a number of women that appeared to be enslaved or at the very least treated as servants; we cautiously introduced ourselves, reassured them and asked what might be ahead. We then tailored our actions to keep them safe behind us.

As we set out, Qatana again went in a different direction than myself and we again found the group split. She encountered both the magic user Kamuy-Paro, and the chief Gangasum, along with several more bandits. Meanwhile I and Zos had discovered the captive female were-tiger (TosKatun), and since she seemed a captive and non-threatening, we released her. It was Dasi who finally brought it to our attention that a major battle was developing around Qatana. Toskatun intercepted a bandit coming from her north and crushed him with her bite. Meanwhile, alerted by Dasi, I started heading to the other battle. By the time I got there, Qatana, Ivan and Radella had been whittling away at the bandits, and Kali had summoned a dire tiger. She also dropped a wall of force to keep the magic user isolated while we finished off the bandits and the chieftain. One of the bandits surrendered and saved his life by doing so, but everybody else paid the ultimate price. When the wall of force dropped, Kamuy-Paro immediately hit us with a dispel magic, which affected some of us worse than others. But he too fell, ultimately to one of Ivan’s many arrows.

Qatana questioned the disheartened bandit. He revealed there was only a small number of bandits remaining, and that the daimyo not only knew of them, not only permitted them to operate, but charged them a fee to do so. He was making money from it!

So we knew we had the guard in the remaining outlook, plus two on the wall, but otherwise we were done. The captured bandt, named Hashashi, amiably agreed to go along. Qatana, Radella, and I prepared to bring in the last few.

Before leaving we examined the corpses and retrieved

[646] MW scimitar
[647] MW dagger
[648] wand CMW [36]
[649] wand speak w/animals [30]
[650] armor [+2]
[651] wooden shield [+1]
[652] wooden holy symbol
[653] spell components
[654] ironwood key
[655] diamond dust (500gp)
[656] amulet of natural armor [+2]
[657] studded leather MW
[658] scimitar [+2]
[659] comp short bow [+2]
[660] potion, CSW
[661] leather armor [+3]
[662] white wooden shield [+2]
[663] MW dagger
[664] +2 belt of dexterity
[665] ironwood keys
[666] +2 lance

However, we were not very far into our tour when Qatana stopped suddenly with a briefly distant look, and then informed us that Ivan was injured – there must be a battle going on. I stayed to watch the bandits we’d collected so far and Qatana and Radella hastened back.

When they returned, they told me that the were-tiger had decided NOT to cooperate anymore and had attacked the group. Even with the fighters mostly gone, our group’s magic was more than the weretiger could handle. The weretiger, Qatana informed us, was now dead.

We returned with three more bandits for a total of four prisoners, although they were still laboring under the impression that this was a change of command, not a defeat.

Ivan, Radella, and Qatana wanted to give the rescued women a tour to not only show them it was now safe, but ask them more questions about the area. This was a good idea in general, but unfortunately the tale of their experiences there awakened old memories in Qatana, I fear. When one of the bandits hesitated at voluntarily entering a cage, Qatana exploded – and the man died, gibbering slightly.

He just died. Qatana had cast a spell at him and that killed him, with a horrified look on his face.

I turned to look at Qatana but it was as if nothing had happened to her. She again demanded the bandits get into the cages, and they did.

An alcove off to one side seemed like it might be the “vault” we’d been told about – it was a desecrated shrine to Shizuru, and one of the statues there had an inscription “touch me with your grace”. I touched it – nothing. Qatana touched it – nothing. Perhaps this actually will require Ameiko, as the current heir. The plan is to request (and retrieve) Jiro and Ameiko: Jiro to dispense with the bandits, and Ameiko to test this statue. If successful, that will reveal her to be a legitimate heir to Jiro … but perhaps this is exactly the way it should happen, to prove to Hiro what we’ve told him.

However …

At the moment that Qatana killed the bandit with a few words and a gesture, I was shocked. Kali looked like she felt strongly about it too, although she said nothing and did nothing. I couldn’t tell from her face if she was aghast or if she had the same thought but Qatana beat her to it. i did not expect that from either. We are a collection with different backgrounds and different motivations, joined by a few commonalities like Shalelu and Ameiko, but never have our differences been more lethal. I don’t know what the rest of the group felt about that, but I felt very uncomfortable executing a helpless prisoner. I’m surprised nobody else did or said anything, but perhaps they were shocked just as I was. Or perhaps I just learned something important about my companions. If Qatana had started casting another spell at another prisoner, I would have interrupted her to prevent the same.

Would I have drawn blood? I am troubled by a question for which I have no answer.

I sought out Qatana later, hoping to impress upon her the magnitude of what she had done. It had to be a gentle conversation, because I already know that Qatana would not accept lecturing. I’d hoped to get her to admit that her emotions had gotten the better of her, and that she felt some delayed remorse for her action. But sadly, she continued to assert she was justified in her action. I don’t know if she understood the point I was trying to make; she seemed more puzzled than angry with me.

My mind went back to the carnage I’d witnessed when the drow attacked our village, so many years ago. I’d vowed then to not be defenseless again …. but I had not anticipated the day when my skills would improve to the point where I myself could devastate an opponent in one or two swings. In the heat of battle it all seems perfectly justified, but when does the battle haze fade from your eyes? When is the correct action to ease up and be satisfied with victory rather than exacting vengeance? When does strategy dictate that all must die? Why has this not occurred to me before?

I will not sleep easy tonight.