The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Khzuro and Sango go to the docks. There’s a Shinto shrine at the water in honor of Sanshow ou Okii the local god salamander and protector of the village. It is small with enough room for a few people to pray and two incense blocks. It sits just behind the beach in an honorary position between both the land and the lake, being that salamanders are amphibians. Most of the fishermen back up from the water as they step on the sacred boards of the shrine.

Khzuro follows her, looking around carefully, but seems focused on Sango and the shrine. At this point the two of them see no sign of the god. The boats are all in their slips. A crowd gathers around you gut they stay well back 50ft behind the altar.

Sango starts a cleansing ceremony starting at the altar and moving in a clockwise circle until she circles the whole torii that the altar is placed under. Khzuro assists how he can with it. She has him walk around the shrine with a brass ball with a chain that has incense burning within it, as she goes to her knees and prays. After that part of the ceremony is complete, she tells Khzuro to get a bucket of water and two sponges.

Soap is added to the water and the two wash the whole of the shrine diligently. As the two of them finish washing it a giant salamander jumps out of the water to their left and starts to chase a fisherman. It is at least 40 ft long. Khzuro just keeps on washing the last parts of the shrine and focuses on the ceremony helping Sango, but he does look at her.

The salamander easily chases the fisherman down and swallows him whole. It slides back into the water. Khzuro’s eyes follow the ripples of its wake. They slowly go back and forth up and down the shoreline as if waiting.

Now that the shrine is clean Sango gives him a shaker. He shakes the ōnusa over the altar’s table while Sango lights incense sticks, blows them out and puts them in holders. She then prays for 15 minutes. When she is done, she turns to the crowd, “We will need village offerings of food now."

One among the crowd says, "Well he just ate poor Toromo!" the crowd does not look happy.

The kobold looks over at the crowd, speaking up. "And if this offering isn't completed, things like that and worse will continue to happen. When the gods are angry, it is for a reason, and best to make peace with them."

Someone else comments "maybe we should offer these two to the god!" Half the villagers clap and cheer.

Khzuro looks up at Sango for direction.

“Fish tell them to offer fish its better than a priestess and kami. Convince them."

Khzuro steps forward to the crowd, obedience to the dragons/gods is natural to his kin, not to them apparently. "Listen, these ones know that the god's wrath has been going on for months now. Offering up us two will likely only provoke such wrath further. We're here and trying to find balance to this situation. If you don't want to bring offerings, won't force you to. But it won't help stop this problem from happening in the months to come either."

The person stirring up the crowd starts to speak, "We've offered it almost everything! We have nothing else. What will we eat! I still say feed it the newcomers.”

Others grumble "They are trying to help us. This is a bad omen. if it needs something let us give it you!" The crowd switches sides on the man. They start to beat him.

Khzuro looks over, then furrows his brow, watching as they beat the man, before shaking his head. "The gods frown upon barbarity such as this. Stop this!"

The villagers beat him to unconsciousness they then tie him up and bump him at the foot of the altar. The new leaders say, “There’s you're offering.”

Khzuro just muzzle paws, then a glance to Sango, then back to the villagers.

Sango stands up and turns around. This god will not want more villagers. He wants fish! Bring me baskets of fish......PLEASE!?" The man is dragged away and the villagers scramble to bring fish to the shrine. Meanwhile Sango goes back to praying.

Khzuro tries to arrange the offerings neatly in a proper fashion. As he does and the villagers gather fish, he notices the offerings look sickly and have a funny smell. It does not smell like rot or fish around too long. It is something else. Something sickly sweet, a distinct flower like smell.

... "Wait, hold on, priestess, these fish... they are sickly... something's wrong. Hold on..." He Inspects them more closely... He has smelled that scent before on some of the people that captured him, but he cannot quite place it.

Sango sighs, “We need to make an offering of something?"

"Smell is familiar... but this offering would be tainted, and the god would consider it an insult."

"What do we do then?"

"Think this may be a clue the god wanted us to find..." Looks to the Villagers, trying to find one that looks approachable "This one needs to ask you something. Have any villagers who have eaten the fish caught from the lakes experienced any strange symptoms? Gotten ill? Something of the like?"

A village elder speaks up. "The fish help you sleep. too many and it makes you confused. and all our pee is dark. And sometimes you see things that aren’t there.”

Khzuro asks, “How long has this been going on?"

"Many months now. You are the first sent by our Daimyo to investigate."

He nods to the elder considering. It fits the timeline. "Is that around when the god started to become angry?"

Sango, exasperated, starts to sprinkle salt over herself while praying. She then begins chanting a liturgy.

Khzuro doesn’t see it. His focus is on the elder. "This one gives thanks. Need to return to the rite. May need to ask more later..." Then goes back to Sango, trying to figure out what could constitute a proper offering given the fish are tainted.

She gives him a wand and instructs him to wave it over her head while making her chants. He does so after the prayer is done, she turns around and walks out onto the beach. As she does so, she disrobes and throws out her arms, starting another chant.

Khzuro suddenly concerned tries to assess if this is normal in mammal rites. He is not sure. The salamander swims up to the water’s edge and opens its great maw. Sango walks up to it. Khzuro approaches cautiously, but tries to determine if the Salamander really does intend to eat Sango...

She steps inside its mouth and falls on its tongue. Khzuro tries to determine if the salamander is being magicked in any way, but doesn’t provoke it… If anything, they remain cautious and hope that nothing goes horribly wrong (Which it almost certainly will) and tries to tap on his religious knowledge again. (this /can't/ be right, can it?) He deduces that because there was no offering the priestess offered herself to it. Thus, it may eat her or do something else he is not sure.

He quickly tries to look around for an alternative offering. Untainted fish or food, or something. He finds nothing in the vicinity.

... Khzuro realizes they fucked up. But at this point, they can't stop the will of the gods. Instead, he goes to the altar and prays that they will be delivered safely to the dragon and not consumed...

The great salamander closes its mouth and swims away. Khzuro looks down in dismay but keeps up the prayer for a while.

The lake goes silent other than the ripples stirring the water appearing to go to the opposite shore on the south side.

[Winterhawk99]

Khzuro tries to determine with the lake is any calmer or the like… It seems to be. He shakes his head…, muttering to himself. “I'm sorry, I failed in keeping her safe. May the gods have mercy on her..." He then picks up his resolve and goes into the water trying to determine if the tainted scent is in the water too. It is greatly distilled but he can still smell the odd, sweet scent of the flowers. It’s just on the edge of his tongue but he cannot remember what it may be. It does have something to do with flowers.

He did hear of those flowers from the rumors he picked up. He says to himself, “Okay, this might be dangerous.” Casting water breathing on himself he dives in and starts to swim to the opposite side of the lake. In the din of the lake, he tries to take note of anything going on down in the depths, but his sight is somewhat hampered by the mirky depths. He swims at about mid depth to stay away from the deep hunters and the surface hunters.

After an hour of swimming toward the eastern shore Khzuro senses something beneath him. In the murky depths below, he sees a spot moving parallel to him. Although he can listen better than see, he hears nothing. He tries to pick up the pace because there is nowhere to hide in the middle depths of the lake. (He doesn’t think going down with whatever is pacing him would be a good idea.)

At the beginning of the second hour the spot starts to grow as it rises quickly making a line for him. It seems to be swimming at twice the rate he is. As it closes in, he sees it’s a giant pike almost 20 ft long and it’s almost upon him.

He Sighs, pulling out his dual crossbows, then opens fire. (Admittedly he's trying to hurt it enough that it flees rather than kill it, but what can a kobold do?) He’s at point blank range. It’s hard to miss but the pike grabs his leg as he shoots. One of the bolts flies wild while the other hits the giant fish in the side. Blood starts to trail from both him and the fish. At the bite of the bolt the pike releases him and swims off making a circle.

Khzuro checks his leg. There are several holes from the pikes needle sharp teeth in his armor. All of them leaving trickles of blood that darken the water. He knows he doesn’t have any spells for a quick escape and the pike can outswim him. He moves 5 feet to the side and reloads his hand crossbows. He then gages the spot in the water with the darkened trail behind it.

The pike swings in for its next attack. Khzuro waits and waits some more until it’s right upon him. As the fish opens its mouth, he spins his body up and shoots again. Another bolt goes into the side of the fish near the first one the second glances off the fish’s scaly armor. The fish misses him but hits his body with its upper jaw. He goes spinning and the fish continues for its next run against him.

The pike comes in a third time smelling the fresh scent of blood. This time Khzuro swings his arms up at the last moment pushing his body down. He shoots. The first quarrel goes through the bottom of the fish’s jaw and traps his mouth shut the other goes into its underbelly near the side.

The pike swims off. He doesn’t know if it’s going to try to turn again and attack or not, but he does know that he did great damage to it on the last joust like attack. He reloads and swims away, not striking yet, but readies an action to shoot it again if it tries to close once more. After 10 minutes he does not see it, but he does notices he’s leaving a blood trail across the middle of the lake.

Khzuro tears a piece of cloth off his tabard and wraps his leg quickly then continues on his heading to the east side of the lake.

He makes it to the other side. It’s about 4pm as he leaves the water. He turns around to look at the other side and sees several large dark objects hit the sand. They look like large black worms 3 ft long as they ground. As they roll around and swim back out into the lake Khzuro realizes they were giant leeches.

He sighs and looks around near the beach for those rumored flowers. The beach itself is small and rocky. There’s a tree line to the east. Khzuro heads east while silently cursing his bad decisions and misjudgments…
As he heads through the trees, he gets about 50ft and finds the edge. Here there are many stumps where the land has been cleared and the fields start. There are acres and acres of bluish/purple flowers growing here. It’s almost as far as the eye can see.

Going to the edge of the field he steps into the flowers and sniffs to see if the scent matches. It does the scent unmistakably comes from this flower. He picks one of the and closely examines it. That’s when he realizes that these are opium poppies.

He squats down and hides among the flowers and slowly scoots among the rows to see if there is any activity here. (This looks planted after all, means someone planted it.) No one seems to be around or in the fields, however. It is not harvesting time. Whoever planted them will have to wait until the flowers fall off and the seed pods are left. Khzuro does realize that there are enough acres here to keep a small factory running a whole year after harvesting if someone were clandestine about doing it.

He tries to assess the situation first. He knows he’s about 75 ft from the shoreline now. And he doesn’t see any easy way back to the village. The fields are two large, and he sees no access roads to the village or even the textile mill. He goes back to the beach and walks north.

He walks along the beach for two hours. Dusk starts to settle over the land, and he can make out the faint outline of the mill in the distance to the north across the shallows of the northern side. Here the lake T’s. As darkness starts to take over, he gets to the southern end of the shallows. The lake here is week chocked, and there are many three clawed tracks in the mud as big as his torso. Across the shallows he can see the factory nestled on a small hill looking over the north side of the lake. There are many translucent flower petals also chocking the water here. He immediately sees it’s the same flower as in the fields.

He cannot see much from his vantage point. The lights on the first floor are out. The place is dark. He knows he would have to trek around the reeds or swim through them. He thinks about doing that when he hears a sound.

Switching to infravision he sees several great forms coming up from the reeds. They are low to the ground and long. The sound is the articulated growl of a saltwater crocodile as they beach themselves for the night. He decides this may not be the best of places to be right now and goes back into the wooded area, climbs a tree with a good vantage point to spy on the factory.

Khzuro laminates on how messy things have gotten and waits out the night on his perch with the factory in view.

[Winterhawk99]

In the morning Khzuro wakes up with an aching back to the sounds of fighting. He sees Sanshow ou Okii fighting with a crocodile. It kills the croc, takes it in its mouth and starts to walk along the shore to the south.

Khzuro climbs down from his perch and tries to discreetly follow the salamander god. He sticks to the woods and moves from tree to tree using whatever cover he can as long as he can see where the giant beast goes at least. He follows it forever south as it walks along the pebble strewn sand. After2 hours the god stops and seems to spot him. Khzuro keeps his cool and ducks behind a tree. The salamander searches the woods with his eyes for nearly 15 minutes then slowly turns and continues his journey to the deep south end of the lake. After another 2 ½ hours the god stops.

There is a stream here that has channeled out a small canyon. Trees from the clear cut for the flower fields choke the canyon completely. The salamander sets the dead croc on the ground and makes strange grating noises. Khzuro hears a reply noise from deep within the canyon. The god tries to fit through a break but can’t. Sango is lying on the ground. Her skill looks pale, and her lips look slightly blue. He places the crocodile beside her. He then nudges her with his nose. Her eyes open a moment then close again. She has no clothing on.

The first thing Khzuro does and watch to determine if Sango is still alive. She seems to open and close her eyes occasionally, but they are unfocused. There is something wrong with her but Khzuro, being cold blooded, can’t seem to put it together. He thinks to himself (Okay, something else is odd, tries to understand what the Salamander god is trying to do.)

He puts his attention to Sanshow ou Okii trying to figure out what the god is trying to do. It seems to be trying to get into the canyon with the crocodile, but the trees and rocks thrown into it block its path. They choke the entire canyon and the sides. In fact, this whole area has many downed and cut trees: Refuse from the field clearing of the flower farm. They pile up sometimes two stories high.

He studies the canyon next to see if there’s a path around, possibly with a spider climb spell to get to where the blockage is and see if it can be cleared more easily. He deduces that with his small size if he casts the spell on himself, he can weave through the clutter and explore the depths of the canyon. He casts spider climb and goes in.

He starts to explore the canyon moving around the logs and boulders through nooks and crannies. Finding small gaps to go through. As he gets closer to the end he hears great scratching noises ahead of him.

Occasionally the noises end with a crack at the western end of the canyon. As he approaches the sounds get louder. He sees a sizeable cave half choked with tree trunks. There’s an arm to another giant salamander slowly scratching at the wood. There are wood chips around the open part of the entrance and as his line of sight comes in range, Khzuro sees a tongue come out of the cave. It seems to be licking one of the trunks for insects. The arm looks very much thinner than the god’s limbs.

The salamander seems to be trapped in the cave with only insects and water collected from hollow parts of trunks to sustain it. Khzuro judges that it is desperate to be free of its predicament. The trees trapping the salamander look to way tons. He can't seem to see any way to dig it out.

Khzuro takes another look around the canyon to see if there are any other problems of note, before heading back to where he found Sango and the god. As he looks down, he spots a mass of movement on the floor of the canyon. Hundreds of rot grubs are at the bottom feasting off the rotting wood. He knows that if they can get under his skin, they could potentially kill him.

He keeps elevated making his way back out of the canyon and to where the god and Sango are. He thinks to himself, (I’m either going to do something extraordinary, amazing or something very, very, dumb.) He gets back to see the salamander occasionally trying to nudge Sango. She has tried to move several times to the dead crocodile but can’t. Her lips are taking on a darker blue and she has stopped shivering. Her toes and fingertips are also starting to take in a light shade of blue.

Khzuro goes to reveal himself openly, looking to the salamander god, giving a bow of respect, as he would his own dragon god. He speaks in the dragon’s tongue. “Greetings, divine one. This one is Khzuro, and gives you greetings on behalf of his mistress, Ibexis’czar. This one has seen your wrath outside and wishes to help correct what has caused it. But the priestess is hurt, if you wish, this one could attempt to aid them.”

Sanshow ou Okii turns his head and stares at the little kobold. Khzuro keeps in a supplicating, kneeling position. “This one hears, whatever you wish this one to do, this one shall follow your orders.” He waits. The great beast doesn’t seem to move at all. It just tilts its head staring at him. He keeps where he is, waiting for invitation or direction but the god seems confused by his very presence.

Khzuro glances at Sango, then to the Salamander god, perhaps as if trying to ask if it’s okay for them to try to tend to the priestess? The god looks at her and then to you.

Straight away the beast does a 180 turn and swats Khzuro’s whole body with its tail in her direction. He does not get hurt because Sanshow did not use his strength. He tumbles safely beside her. Khzuro doesn’t move through the whole thing depending upon his faith to sustain him.

He stands and bows to the god. Then goes and casts endure elements on the priestess. The god lumbers around to watch the kobold tending to the girl. Sango’s fingers and toes turn from a pale blue to a pale white and her lips lose a few shades of blue. She’s not out of the water yet. Khzuro then casts a prestidigitation spell to clean off the water, saliva, and dirt from her that could be making her more ill. He then places his now dry cloak over her body.

As he does the god picks up the croc and tries to throw it into the choked canyon. It bounces off debris and almost hits the two of them. It then starts to claw at the tree trunks. Khzuro tries to speak to it again. “Has done what they can for the priestess. If you wish this one to aid in clearing the blockage, this one can start tending to that.” But does give Sango another once-over to make sure she’s healthy.

The god keeps scratching at the debris but isn’t getting far. It tries to nudge the crocodile to you gently. It almost hits him again, but he is able to dodge it. Khzuro gets his tools ready and starts trying to clear the blockage, helping the salamander with it. In the first hour he exerts great effort clears 20 feet of the canyon. He sees he has about 70 feet more to go. Meanwhile the rot grubs smell a new meal and start to go after him. He manages to step on or scrap off all of them before they get under his scales so far. Aware of the danger they pose, he stops and thinks for a moment. The god watches him and occasionally nudges Sango who is not moving.

Khzuro has to step back a moment and think about the situation. If he casts prestidigitation to ignite a fire it could set the whole thing ablaze and kill the starving salamander. He knows salamanders do not like fire. There are hundreds of rot grubs feasting on the rotting wood and there’s a god behind him expecting him to save his mate and he has a wounded and sick priestess on his hands. It’s a tight situation.

Spotting some grubs, he tries to shoot them a few times with his crossbows. (They do have infinite ammo maybe that’ll help make the digging easier, or maybe the energy will blast the debris some.)

He does blast some of the debris with his positive energy bolts and rot some wood with the negative. The rot grubs become more active with the negative energy rotting more wood and the small area he blasts with his positive bolts destroys the rot grubs in the area, but there is a collapse near him from falling wood and debris. He manages to tumble out of the way this time and sees he has about 60ft to go. It’s 3pm in the afternoon by now and he knows he needs to start double timing it.

Khzuro keeps shooting, realizing it’s too dangerous to dig with the rot grubs there without immolating the whole bunch. He breaks up and rots the debris and as he kills the rot grubs with his positive energy blasts. He clears the rocks and wood left over.

At 3pm a blast from his bow blows a support holding up a large portion of the debris. A cloud of dust and stone comes rocketing out of it. A softball sized stone hits him on the shoulder dislocating it as the pile crumbles down into the canyon. He loses the use of his left arm and sits down for a break. He sees he has about 40 ft to go.

After a ½ hour he holsters his negative energy crossbow and slowly reloads his positive one. He is determined to clear the way and save Sanshow’s mate, figuring that he can get the arm healed later for now there is a Salamander to rescue.

At 5pm he gets within 30 ft of the mouth of the cave. He can hear the panicked scratching sounds from within. He now must shoot and clear the leftovers then add support to the upper part of the tangled mess above him. It’s no easy task with one arm and he’s slowed down. At times he uses a cantrip called mage hand to help him raise support beams.

He checks himself again and finds his shoulder is not only dislocated but there’s a clean fracture on his collar bone.

At 6pm he hits a weak point in the structure without any upper limbs or stone falling. It’s a lucky shot. He gets within 15 ft of the cave mouth. He now goes back for a brief check on Sango. She’s unconscious without food or water for a day. Her color is returning except two of her toes that have turned black and shriveled.

He hopes that clerical magic can fix her toes and knows she can’t eat or drink any of the food or water Khzuro has until she’s awake. With nothing he can do he goes back to the tunnel he’s made in the canyon to see if there are any more rot grubs there. Some still linger around the entrance, but they are significantly thinned out. Instead of hundreds there are dozens.

He shores it up with his mage hand again and through shooting and clearing he gets within 5 ft of the cave mouth and the other salamander. He mutters, “Might as well finish the job and clear the rest of the blockage.
He carefully aims his crossbow and shoots. He blasts the last of the logs and rocks partially into the cave which catches the salamander. Weakened by hunger, it could not get away and is crushed by exploding rocks and limbs. It’s about 30 ft long.

Khzuro doesn’t linger. He doesn’t think. He casts his last spider climb spell and gets on top of the beast throwing debris off as fast as he can. He finds that it’s hanging on to life by a thread. He gets most of the dirt, stone and wood off and pulls out all the splinters from the wood from its body. He casts his last endure elements on it trying everything to keep it alive enough to wake up Sango to heal it.

He clears all the refuse off the creature, and it starts to crawl out very slowly. Khzuro runs out of the canyon to check on Sango. She looks up at him now. “Need water, food.”

He gives her some water and a few hard crackers, hand feeding her. She drinks the water first than eats small bits of cracker and seaweed. The wounded salamander makes its way out of the canyon while he’s doing that. It flops down exhausted and almost dead. Sanshow tries to nudge it. Sango crawls over to the great beast and casts cure critical wounds upon it. The wounds from the wood splinters heal and its raspy breathing returns to normal. She then passes out again.

It gets dark. The god roughly takes its arm and scoops the two of them up. It places them against its belly. Khzuro doesn’t resist too exhausted and with a broken shoulder, Sango is too weak too. They spend the night against the belly of the beast.

In the morning the two salamanders seem to be gone. Sango heals Khzuro’s shoulder and tries to heal her toes but it’s too late. The flesh has taken on rot. She has Khzuro cut her toes off and she casts a cure light wounds on the two stumps.

The god come back out of the water. He looks at the two of them. A faint golden glow surrounds both the adventurers. He goes back into the water. Khzuro tries to bow in respect to the god then tries to figure out what it just did.

It doesn’t take long. Before a minute is up both of their throats tighten. They feel a great pain in their necks as slits open in large cuts. There is no blood, just a burning pain. They both fall to the ground screaming the pain is so great. Nodules appear and bloom from their necks. The fan out and become membranes. The pain ends. Both Khzuro and Sango have grown external gills and have become somewhat naturally resistant to cold.

Khzuro thinks to himself, (Well, that’ll be a mark of pride when he returns to his warden, but for now, Khzuro just bows and gives thanks to the god for their benevolence.) He then looks at Sango. “How are you doing priestess?” She just looks at him and faints again.

He shakes his head and says, “Noted.” He takes a deep breath staying with her until she wakes. The god goes back into the water not to be seen again. When Sango recovers after several hours, they both swim back to the village.

[Winterhawk99]

Out in the woods west of the factory and away from the swamp Sei takes his group walking until he finds a place to camp. He builds a larger fire than usual so that the smoke keeps the crocodiles and insects away from the immediate vicinity of where they rest. Nothing comes into the camp and since the whole of the group smells like smoke no insects will bother them until they take a bath. They wake up in the morning, eat some breakfast of rations, and gather to decide what to do next.

Sei starts the conversation. “Does anyone have any other inklings about what the flowers could be? Should we check them out first then head back to the factory and tell the owner they need to stop what they’re doing… or does anyone have a better idea?”

Drasta is the first to answer, “Perhaps find the source of what they are using though I am unsure if perhaps we should check in with the others.”

Samo says, " We could send Drasta with a very long pole. She could pole vault through a second story window. Kill all the yakuza and then everyone will be fine."

"That is a good point. We probably should have Khzuro and Sango at our side again before we confront them, I think." Sei then snickers to Samo with a wry grin on his lips.

Bunka smirks, "I like that idea. I also like burning the place to the ground. Obviously, the owner is with the yakuza."

Drasta nods, “I would believe the same.”

Sei grunts and thinks before speaking. “It seems that the yakuza have the mayor by a rope as well, though. We may have to be a bit delicate with this lest the local authorities start trying to hunt us actively. Anyway, I think we can head out and at least check around the source of the floral ingredient in question."

Samo shrugs. Bunka stays silent. Sei continues, “Then perhaps see about checking in with our comrades as to how their rituals have gone." Sei gets ready to head out to the flower-fields.

The band of comrades start to trek east along a wagon trail that’s used to take waste material away from the lake and bring in silk. Sei does this because he figures that someone sulking about in the woods would attract more suspicion than a wagon trail. Several in the group nod their approval including Drasta who keeps on her guard.

The wagon trail goes slightly south and east as it follows the shoreline. After an hour they come to a crossroads. There is a causeway to the south. The lake turns to weed choked shallows there. The east and north roads are unmarked. The south way across the causeway has a marker saying ‘Danger! Do Not Enter!’

Sei thinks about what he’s seen so far of the lake and says, “Come to think of it we may be better off going around the northeastern swampy part and into the hills to the east.”

They start to travel east. The ground here is very soft and reedy. Sei and Drasta do not have a hard time but Samo and Bunka both struggle in their heavy armor. They are slowed by a ¼ at least. Sei sees this and directs more to the north to try to stay at the edge of the reeds.

They walk for 2 hours and reach a hill looking over the eastern side. Hills take over here. They find themselves in short order in a combination of pin and hardwoods. They are at the very tip of the lake which is slightly south and far to the eastern side. Sei now leads the group south using the hill to give their own eyes a better vantage point.

After a ½ hour they are fully into the hills. Sei becomes somewhat hesitant on what to do. He treks south and then westward again but after another ½ hour Sei catches the scent of flowers to the west and south. He follows the scent for an hour or so and comes upon a hill overlooking a valley. There are acres and acres of blooming purple and blue flowers growing in neat rows as far as he can see.

He leads the group down the hill to investigate the plants. As he kneels, he picks one and studies it carefully. They are poppy flowers. He knows now exactly what kind too. They are the same flowers used to make opium once the petals shed and the seed pods develop. He comments to Drasta. “I think this is more evidence of your theories. Opium.”

Drasta thinks and adds, “It would seem so. Perhaps this has something to do with the water god as well.
Sei looks up and sees its noon. “Aye. Let us head back towards the shrine and see if we can find our companions who were taking care of the ritual."

Drasta asks, “Are we to make way towards the lake in hope of finding a shorter path or shall we back track?”
Sei does some dead reckoning. It seems to him that rounding the lake again and going to the village would be a 10-hour walk. Taking the causeway, it would be a 6 or 6 ½ hour walk. “I suppose we can take a look at the causeway, may be best in the interest of time.

Sei looks around and finds a dirt wagon road going from the fields to the causeway that is plainly marked with wheel tracks. It doesn’t take them long to get to it. It looks like the road is about ten feet above the water on a manmade path made of stone and dirt. There is a grass choked wetlands on each side. They take the path and have an easy walk. About ¾ away from the opposite shore, Drasta, Samo and Bunka see a bunch of reeds moving in the water strangely.

Suddenly 10 men on the east side and 10 women on the west side appear in the water. They are surrounded. Crossbow quarrels suddenly rain down upon them. Five shots come at Samo. Most miss or bounce off his armor. One finds a gap and hits him in the hip. He roars a battle cry and runs down the east side of the causeway drawing katana and wakizashi as he goes.

Several bolts fly towards Bunka. Again, all miss or bounce off her heavy armor. She draws her Yumi from its saddle holster and begins to fire. Drasta takes a bolt deep to the thigh as she tries to dodge and duck. It pisses her off and she draws her great elven bow firing. All the bolts aimed at Sei miss but one comes just past his nose. He can hear the load whistle as it passes him. He pulls his axe and dagger and jumps into the shallows after the first enemy he sees.

Bunka fires at three of the women while Drasta focuses on the first one Bunka shot at. Drasta puts 4 arrows into her and Bunka one. The woman falls immediately dead from several mortal wounds at once. The other two women Bunka shot at get shot in the leg and arm. Both are severely wounded. Samo and Sei are rushing the men on the other side.

Bunka gets hit in the back shoulder for a light wound. Her armor protects her for the most part. It doesn’t slow her down at all. Drasta gets hit in the hand, but the bolt just grazes her and leaves a thin trail across the back of it like a paper cut. Again, several quarrels either miss or bounce off Samo’s armor and Sei seems to be weaving in his attack. All the shafts miss that are aimed at him.

Drasta shoots 4 arrows at two more of the women. Both of them die where they stand and fall arrows through lungs, and one goes completely through the heart.

Bunka turns and tries to clear the way for Samo and Sei. She shoots at three different opponents on the other side. The one Samo is keyed on goes down immediately an arrow through the forehead. She hits another but his crocodile skin armor protects him from most of the bite of the arrow. The third she misses completely as he is not mimicking Sei’s tactics of weaving in and out as he throws his crossbow down and takes up his Sai. The rest also go to their hand weapons of daggers, ninja-to and katana’s taken from dead ronin.

Samo takes a nasty cut across the face. The sword of the other goes through his cheek which enrages him even more. The dancing bear goes into a frenzy of attack on the man. Bunka takes another bolt to the back but again her armor protects her from the worst of the damage. Drasta is in constant motion while shooting all the quarrels directed at her miss by a wide margin. Sei is met by several men with ninja to, but he is able to dodge and parry them. He lines up for an attack.

Drasta again shoots 4 arrows. The first she shoots at takes a nasty wound through the shoulder but is still up trying to cock her crossbow. The second dies on the spot with an arrow piercing her neck and severing her backbone. Bunka kills another one on Samo and wounds another, the third shot she takes flat out kills him as the arrow goes through his eye. Sei comes in right beside Samo. He hits one of the ones attacking Samo, burying his axe in the man’s neck. He goes down. Samo strikes the one nearest him cleaving him in two then slips on the muck and hits Sei accidentally, but he tries to pull back at the last second. Sei takes a flesh wound from Samo’s wakizashi. Sei chuckles to Samo as the two get a wee bit tangled up.

With both Samo and Sei attacking and parrying they set up an effective defense/offense structure. None of the yakuza seem to be able to land a sword upon their bodies. At one time Samo roughly pulls Sei’s body out of the way of a swing as they strike.

With Bunka’s attention on helping defend the men the women yakuza get to enjoy their time at aiming. Another bolt goes deep into Bunka’s back. She suddenly leans forward and makes a raging cry then turns her attention at her back and the women shooting her.

A quarrel also goes into Drasta’s side yet once again her tough armor protects her again. Still, she can feel the bite of the head of the bolt and the blood running down her hips from the sting. Drasta chuckles loudly and focuses on the arrow in her bow casting a spell only an arcane archer can. As she releases the arrow splits into ten and they fly to their targets. Four women are instantly killed the others take sever wounds but seem to be desperate to fight on.

Sei strikes out with three attacks on the man closest to him. He hits him in the neck and face repeatably. The man is not bleeding so badly he can hardly see. He takes a last desperate strike at Sei. Samo slaughters one separating his thigh from his body and hits another in the liver. His sword going completely through the man. He falls. He’s not dead yet but will not last long.

Bunka takes yet another hit in the chest. She’s starting to slow down as many quarrels have hit her one deeply. Drasta again seems to be able to dodge all the shots against her. Sei only has one left that can fight him who misses. Sei returns the favor but doesn’t. His axe bites deep into the man’s kidney. The man slowly falls to the ground too wound and dying. Samo beheads the man on the ground that’s still alive. Drasta now picks her targets carefully now that the return fire has thinned. She drops on and severely wounds 3 putting an arrow in each of her targets. Bunka finishes off three more, and severely wounds the last. She tries to limp away.

Drasta looks at Bunka. “Information or death?” Bunka smiles and draws her bow. Her and Drasta fire at the same time. Bunka’s arrow goes through the woman’s neck. Drasta’s goes through the center of her chest. She dies before she hits the ground.

The battle over Samo and Bunka decapitate their kills and place the heads into bags. Samo takes two and Bunka four. Sei takes his 2 heads. Drasta draws her rapier and does the same with hers. The crocodiles start to move in to dispose of the bodies.

As the salties become active the group decides to run first and heal up at the other end of the causeway and relative safety. They begin their journey back to town.

[Winterhawk99]

Momo slowly and carefully makes her way out of the reeds, sure not to overly disturb the water less the crocodiles take notice and investigate. She walks up to the factory and finds Gorou. He looks now at the diminutive woman only 4 ft 10 inches. “Yes?”

“They found the fields. 5th squad waylaid them at the causeway.”

“And?”

“They completely destroyed the squad.”

Gorou looks grim. “What of the Barasume contingent?

“Light wounds. One of the onni-bugeisha chose not to participate in the battle she stood in reserve. The one with the emperor’s mon. The others decimated our ranks as if they were fangless game. We thought the samurai and the other onni-bugeisha would be the biggest threats. The woman took the greatest wounds though her amor protected her from most of our points. It was the besshikime archer that did the most damage. None of squad 5 made it.”

Gorou looks dower. “We’ll have to tell the old man.”

“He’s not going to like it.” The taller man nods and starts for the gate.

The pair walk down the path to the village then veer off to a small farmhouse on the outskirts. There are a few acres of vegetables on either side of the path walking up to the door. Gorou knocks loudly since it is late in the night now. An old woman opens the door. The two bow and walk in. Lanterns are lit and an old wiry man comes out to the bedroom. He stretches to get the blood flowing and sits down on the mat in front of the table. Gorou and Momo sit on either side of him.

The old man sighs, “What is so important that you disturb the peace of my home?”

Gorou is the one that answers. “The Barasume investigators have found the poppy fields. We laid in wait for them at the causeway as they returned. They destroyed Kazhiko’s squad.”

“Survivors?”

Momo says, “None, Oyabun?”

The old man rubs his eyes. “And what did I get back for sacrificing a 6th of my organization?”

Momo again answers, “They received light wounds. None were killed or severely wounded.”

The old man looks up at the ceiling and back to his henchmen, “I simply do not understand the whole of it. We kept the traditions of the factory so we would not poison the lake. Our wastewater is all taking to a dumping ground, yet the god is angry and has attracted the attention of the Barasume clan.

A clan rising quickly enough that it disturbs the emperor himself.”

Gorou thinks about it. “I could send 3 squads into town to take care of them for good. There are only a few of them.”

The old man grunts, “And how many more people would I lose in the process. We know these are all hardened warriors now. Would we win. Most likely but how many more would die.

Barasume has already forced us out of Renkyu in a campaign to rid the city of crime. He could not get all of it of course but he was able to hurt us greatly in his efforts. I’ll not lose most of my family again over a business I set up for my retirement.

You are all young. Not yet ready to defend the organization’s investment. We’ll have to negotiate.”

Gorou looks incredulous, “Negotiate with the Barasumes? We’ll all end up hung.”

The old man chastises him, “If you had found out why the god was angry this would have never happened in the first place. You didn’t you failed.”

Gorou lowers his head in submission, “Perhaps it was the dumping of flowers in the lake.”

The old man sighs, “The opium in the petals themselves is minimal. We weave the residue into the clothing to prepare our customers for the real product. I do not think that is it. The flowers would naturally fall of and end up in the lake………at least some. Has to be something else. Something we could not figure out.

It is not the time for this now. That time is over. We have to pay the consequences of never finding the true reasons for the god’s wrath. I’ll send a letter. I’ll not have any more of our family die in useless battle.”
Momo asks, “What about the mayor?”

Gorou mentions, “I had a meeting with him telling the fool that the intruders need to be run out of town before they find the factory.”

The old man nods, “The mayor must also pay for not doing what is ordered. I have be extremely generous to him. I have invested both time and money in his good fortunes and he has not done what was needed. Send Ai’s squad. He must pay. The whole of his family must pay.

Have your personal squad ready if they agree to a meeting Gorou. No tricks. It must be completely legitimate but be on the defensive all the same in case things go badly.”

Momo asks, “And what do we get out of this?”

The old man sighs, “First our lives. Even if we manage to wipe these out more will come and we would either have to fight a small army or pick up stakes. Second a business I spent two years investing in. We can’t afford another culling. The leader of this party I believe is an untried peasant representative. Perhaps I can force his hand peacefully in negotiations.”

Gorou sighs, “I’ll get my squad ready.”

Momo smiles, “I’ll take care of the mayor and his family.”

The old man affirms, “Do it. I will prepare myself for a meeting. If they agree.”

[Winterhawk99]

Sei and party come to town at about 6:30 pm. They see no sign of Sango or Khzuro, but they do find that the mayor’s mansion has been burned to the ground. He and his entire family have been hung by the neck at what would be called the city hall. They are all dead.

Sei shakes his head slowly. “We need to find Sango and Khzuro.” They search the docks and main street of the village. The villagers all tell them that the god ate the priestess and the kami dived in the water after the beast. Sei sighs a bit sadly but was expecting something like this. Upon deeper inspection they find out that priestess offered herself as a sacrifice purposely and went into its mouth. Khzuro dived in to chase the god down.

Sei exclaims, “Oh dear! We need to find Khzuro and figure out what happened. If Khzuro went to chase the god down, then I think looking for signs of the god’s presence are our best bet.”

Drasta nods, “Agreed…But how should we start?”

Bunka and Samo post their kills on the north side of town on the road leading to the factory. Drasta places hers in the appropriate fashion, asking where they should be placed. Samo and Bunka help her. Sei hands the head he took for posting to Samo. The crew goes back to the inn tired but ready to do their duty on the marrow. Drasta buys a bottle of sake and spends most of the night drinking it.

Khzuro and Sango swim into town the next morning. After much commotion and swearing someone throws a blanket over her body. Many of the villagers bow deeply to the pair as they notice the external gills. The Salamander is the god of their lake and it’s obviously a blessing. Word spreads like wildfire to the town and the townsfolk celebrate with the idea that they are saved from the god’s wrath.

As they walk to the inn, Sango is given clothes by women and Both get hugs, snuggles, and kisses as they walk. Villagers even try to give them drink and food. They head to the inn to find Drasta still drinking at the table.

Drasta stares at them in disbelief sipping from her cup and staring at them. She says nothing. She’s not sure what to say.

Sei enters the inn after a bit as well. He lets out a protracted sigh of relief as he sees Sango and Khzuro alive, not seeming to care about what happened to the former’s vestments as he approaches. “Thank the heavens! We were about to organize a search party.”

While Sango goes up to her room to change, Khzuro answers him. "Indeed, thank the heavens." A breath out, getting closer "We had a busy time. ssskh. Should probably compare notes about what we've found."

Sei looks around, “Yes, once Sango is in something a bit more comfortable, then we can head up to a room and compare notes, maybe best not to do it in the open inn."

“Course.”

A letter courier comes in asking for Sei. He bows to the man and accepts the letter from him. “Thank you.” The runner bows and leaves.

Khzuro looks up the stairs. “Shall we head up?”

Sei answers, “Let us.”

As they head up Khzuro thinks to himself, Perhaps they will be awkward and barge in while Sango is changing and naked again, because it would be funny.

They go upstairs and everyone gathers including Samo and Bunka. Sango comes in with new clothes on and is doing up her hair. Khzuro starts off. “Right, so um... thinks we're alone now, yip?" Looks aside, then back to Sei "Well, do you wish to begin your account first, or for this one to go first?"

Sei says, “I suppose I can begin with our account. We arrived and spoke with the manager of the facility, who insisted all was in order, but that the second floor was off-limits. Drasta and I, with the help of a bit of magic, went to investigate it and found.... another operation up there, working on those flower petals, and guarded by men-at-arms."

Khzuro gives him a nod. “Opium Poppy flowers, yip?"

Sei affirms, “Sure seems like that's the most likely thing." While Drasta listens carefully.

Khzuro gives him a nod, “Thought so, please continue."

"We were also beset whilst crossing a bridge on the lake but were able to repel the attackers. Had a warning sign going one way but not the other."

Bunka inserts herself, “It was an ambush.”

Sei affirms her. “Aye, there was no posted guard or any such thing that would lead one to believe the bridge was naught but rickety."

Drasta finally says something. “I feel there may be more danger like this in the future.”

Sango mentions, “I will be able to heal some of your wounds tomorrow but not today. Anyone that is hurt." She looks at Bunka.

Sei gives her a smile. “Aye, we're going to have to rest up and recuperate before we head into the teeth of the storm, so to speak."

Khzuro asks, “Who are those people that attacked you?"

Drasta tries to gauge Bunka’s reaction to Sango’s comment. Bunka’s eyes shift to the young woman, and she flickers them a bit. Other than that, there is no reaction. Bunka puts her attentions back to the group.

Sei answering Khzuro’s question says, “The kind you'd expect to find enforcing a criminal element's will".

Khzuro narrows his eyes. “Right. Am guessing that they're poisoning the lake too, but... anything else of note on your ends?"

Sei looks to Drasta. “I think we've covered most of it?"

Drasta affirms him. “I believe those are the most important pieces, yes. Other than them also slaughtering the family as well.”

Khzuro question’s, “"Slaughtering the family?"

Sei clears it up. "The mayor's family, no?" Drasta nods.

This surprises Khzuro. "Oh..." There's a distinct frown at that "This one sees. This group needs to be ‘dealt’ with, then."

A heavy sigh "Right, this one's part then. First, for why the god was angry, there's two additional things to know for context. One is that there is a second one that was trapped, possibly by this same group's carelessness or malice. The other is that the lake and fish have been tainted by the Opium Poppies. The god would not take offerings of such tainted fish."

Sei nods, “"I was suspecting this was connected to tainted waters."

"It was, but there's plenty of things here the god is very definitely angry about. The tainting of the lake and fish among the start. That the second was trapped too, is another. Why it was lashing out."

Sei thinks for a moment. “Ah. I suppose we'll have to deal with that once we get the lake on the mend."
"This one and Sango's efforts have perhaps mollified it for now. Have been blessed for our efforts. After our ritual and finding Sango again, we helped free the second one. The lake gods should be mollified, for now. But the poisoning of the lake continues, they will not remain silent forever on this. At best, they are giving us time to fix this before they visit their wrath upon these people once again."

"Ah" Sei nods "Let us put an end to the troublesome operation at our first opportunity then."

Khzuro gives him a nod. "We will need to, I suspect. They are causing the gods to be angry. Either they submit to judgement, or we'll have to put them to death."

Sei looks at the letter. There is no seal on it. "That said, let's address the matter of this letter" He opens it. He reads it out loud.

Honorable Huntsman

There is no need for further hostilities. Meet me one hour after sunset at the mayor's ruins, under truce. Bring no Samurai. Your safety is guaranteed if my conditions are met.

Koramini Ru

Sei then comments. “This...smells suspicious. That said, it may be worth meeting anyway, to see what terms they offer."

Bunka grunts out, “It’s a trap.”

Khzuro muses, “Bring no Samurai, guess you could bring non-Samurai. Still, not sure if this should be trusted. Those who anger the gods so brazenly and try to duck the consequences are not trustable and should be punished."

Sei looks at Sango. “How comfortable are you at...the works of a priest of the battlefield?"

Sango says, “I follow the eagle goddess but must rest and pray to receive divine inspiration.”

Khzuro pulls on Sei’s sleeve. “"Did you um... shut down their operation?"

"Shutting down their operation would be our next move, and I suspect they are trying to prevent that at all costs."

Khzuro looks at Sei and Drasta. “Guess that means if we do go for this, it would probably be us three."

Sei considers. “Aye, we would be attempting this tomorrow night if we were to do this. I'm still a bit worn out from the battle, and we'll need some...trickery to get Drasta onto the field."

Khzuro mentions. “She’s not a Samurai, is she?”

Bunka tightens her mouth. “She is not and never will be.” Drasta smirks at that.

Khzuro nods, “Works to our advantage in this case. We follow their exact wording."

Sei winces as he speaks. “Although perhaps we could dispense with the tricks, come to think of it."

Khzuro brightens up. “This one does have one trick he can share... depending on where we meet. But um, might not be practical. Can cast a water breathing spell to allow us to hide in water. Of course, would... ssk, need to be near water to make that work."

Drasta speaks up. “Then perhaps we shall cause a bit of trickery if it is needed. I’ll do what is requested if needed.”

Khzuro says. “Letter said no Samurai. So can bring non-samurai." A pause, considering. "But we know where they're operating. It may simply be better to not comply, head over there, and shut them down forcibly." Looks to Sei "What's your call?"

Sei thinks then says, “If you think they are anticipating us tonight, I can scout the area with a bird, one way or another."

Drasta adds, “I believe perhaps they will be watching this place for anything and everything.”

Khzuro adds, “Why this one suggested if we do comply, we comply by exact letter. Going alone would be a very dumb idea."

Sango interrupts, “How do we know they would honor such a truce?"

Khzuro shrugs, “They probably won’t. But if we went full force they’d scatter and hide.”

Samo considers very carefully. “If it’s the leader. He most likely will. If it’s an underling, he will not.”

Sei says suspiciously, “I'm suspecting they won't as well." nodding to Khzuro "Why I want to scout it and see if there's something that tips their hand."

Khzuro obviously wanting to go a different direction says, “That or we ignore the invitation and just go ransack their base and burn their poppy fields. Your call though. What do you think is best?"

Sei considers. “I think the plan to scout it is best...if they hair-trigger on the presence of a bird, they've given away their whole game at that point."

Khzuro, slightly irritated says, “Alright then. Well, um, anything else you wish to discuss. Or shall we proceed?"

The group breaks up to get some rest. Khzuro goes to his room to get ready for the night, but something happens.

The wind from the window suddenly stops. A nine foot being suddenly appears in front of him. It looks like some form of great hulking demon with two horns. He is fumbling around with an hourglass then looks up and spots the kobold. The being looks more like a phantom than a real creature. He smiles and looks down at the device again. It has crystal sand, both white and black in its interior. The two different kinds seem to spin around each other, never touching. They spin ever going down into the bottom. He looks suddenly surprised as the last of the sand crystals fall through and then…. He vanishes.

[Winterhawk99]

Khzuro casts protection from evil and draws his crossbows. As he does the wind again starts to come through the window. There is no trace of anything now. The being is gone. He shakes his head and puts one of his weapons down so he can cast a detect magic spell. He finds a magic aura residue all around but it’s completely alien. It does not seem demonic like the one he came across in Sadao’s household. He furrows his brows, picks up his crossbow again and holsters both. He then rushes to get into the room with the others.

As Drasta is talking to others in the next room she notices that for nearly a minute everyone either stops blinking or has their eyes closed. The wind in the room completely stops. There is no noise whatsoever for that minute. Khzuro comes rushing in.

He suddenly remembers that he forgot to cast see invisibility on himself and casts it in front of everyone. Drasta looks shifts her eyes to him. “Odd….”

Khzuro waving his hands says, “Well, yes. Saw what I think was an illusory projection of a demon when I went to my room."

Drasta arches a brow. “I felt no demons near.” Samo also raises and eyebrow, meanwhile Bunka moves to guard the doorway.

Khzuro excitedly says, “"I didn't either... think it was a sculpted illusion or phantom or shadow or... something. Possibly a wu-Jen's trick meant to scare this one. Does give us the impression we're possibly being magically observed now though."

Drasta considers and says, “Perhaps though this was a strange magic similar to one I have seen before yet not as powerful.”

"Perhaps, ... This one wasn't able to positively identify it either. What did it seem like to you?"

Drasta thinks, “Like a brief pause of all living and natural elements.”

"That is very suspicious" Sei chimes in "Makes me think they are indeed using such wu-jen work to watch us."

Khzuro looking for direction asks Sei, “Well, what do you wish to do then?"

"I... don't think we should use the bird tricks under such conditions, no?" to Drasta.

Drasta answers him. “I would not advise it again. I feel they may have figured out that trick.”

Sei nods and hms "I could try more...conventional techniques but those have their limitations."

Drasta nods. “I feel either way we will need to be on a higher guard.”

Khzuro exclaims. “"Yip, definitely. Well, what's your call then?"

Sei considers while pacing for a few seconds. "I will try something conventional and see what we get. If we see anything besides a single figure, or they attack the bird, then we rest up and prepare for full assault. Can you give the bird magical sight?" the last at Khzuro mostly, but also to Sango.

Khzuro says, “Can do. Will last seventy minutes. Let this one know when they are ready."

Sei steps out and calls his bird to him. He comes back with his bird for Khzuro to magic it up before letting it out to scout the area described in the letter. Khzuro casts see invisibility on it while Sei himself uses an ultra-vision spell of his own before sending the bird off. Sei sends it off to the target area.

The house is burnt down to its foundation but the floor to the main room has been swept and there is a table in the middle of it. An older thin man stands waiting in front of it. There are five others behind him sitting on mats. and there are 4 guards off to the side. There is also something covered beside the mat beside of the old man. It looks like it may be a covered cage and there is tea and cakes on the table. They are not hiding.

Sei comments when the bird returns. “No sign of hidden ambushers, simply well-guarded. We can try to accept the offer. What can you bring to a fight for area-control, Khzuro? If you don't have anything, that is alright, I have entangling magic for that purpose at least."

"Have my magic and crossbows. For area control? Um... not much. Can cast spells on us to make us more mobile though. Able to walk on walls."

Sei nods, “I will keep my entangling magics in reserve then, the mobility spells are a good idea too."
The three get ready leaving everyone else behind. They go to the ruins of the mansion. there in the now completely open main room are the table and men. There are candles around to let them see. The man motions his hand over to the mats across from him.

Sei bows lightly and takes a seat on the mats "Hello there. I understand you have an offer to present?" The man recognizes you and waits for the others to sit down.

Drasta bows a bit then takes a spot sitting. Khzuro looks to the man warily, but follow’s Sei’s lead and goes to a mat to sit. The man sits down. A young woman comes into the area bows to everyone and serves tea. Khzuro sniffs the young woman’s Butt tea. Sei eyes the tea serving just a bit longer and more warily than usual, ensuring that the same tea is being served to everyone before he sniffs at his own pour.

Drasta watches everything carefully and methodically for any unwelcome news. She sees nothing suspicious. The guards are of course armed.

The old man smiles. “Barasume a growing and proud clan who has taken over much of the region here in southwest Kozakura. I respect that."

Sei nods slightly at the compliment, but just keeps listening otherwise.

The old man sighs not getting any further response. “I have an operation; it seems… you have come upon. My underlings defended themselves once and there were some hasty repercussions from my organization. I do not particularly like this when profits are at stake so perhaps, we can come to a compromise.”

Sei answers him. “Said compromise involves stopping the tainting of the lake, no?"

He thinks a long time sipping his tea. "Is that what this is about? hmmm."

Khzuro angerly interrupts. “Why did you think the lake gods were angry?" He says it with a tone of one who thinks that understanding of the dragons or gods should be obvious.

The Oyabun grunts again while thinking. Khzuro looks like he would really want to ask why they were tainting the lake in the first place, but he lets Sei speak for now.

Sei adds, “Why did you taint the lake to begin with? This entirety could have been avoided."

Drasta listens carefully with a bit of aggravation.

The old man says simply, “We did not know the flowers would taint the water. However, we can clean it up if this will bring peace to our clans.”

Khzuro looks like he just wants to offer a hug to make everything better muzzle paw with a lot of force and frustration but keeps quiet for now.

Sei responds. “Consider it a hard lesson learned, then. Clean up the mess you made, and do not add to it or make more of a mess in the future. Then you will hear no more trouble, from clan or god."

The old man nods. He stands up and lifts the sheet from the cage. Within it is an exceedingly rare blood hawk. "A gift and a seal for our bargain then."

Sei nods slowly at the sight "Aye, a gift and a sealed writing will make this bargain complete."

The old man grumbles, “This is not for those you serve. This is between me and you three then.”

Drasta eyes him up for a moment then looks to Sei. Khzuro does not look particularly enthused, but also looks to Sei for direction.

"I cannot guarantee that you will not run afoul of others in different ways then."

"It is the way of things. Samurai and Yakuza will always war. If I find one of you in attendance to anyone trying to interfere in my operations, then of course our bargain will be broken. I do not enjoy the highlights. It is simply a way to become wealthy and I support the entire town with my operation. The product is shipped elsewhere: far from Barasume territory. In a way......I am a generous public servant, but the samurai do not understand this. Now do we understand one another?”

Khzuro says, “To clarify, my interest in this affair is the interests of the lake gods. Mammal disputes aren't my concern. This one has found several reasons for their anger. The tainting of the lake is the biggest one. This one does not need to be guaranteed of anything. This one knows that if the lake gods are offended again, they will be even less pleasant in the wrath they visit upon those who offend them."

The old man grunts and looks at the strange Kami. "We will not disturb the lake god again. You have my word little one."

Sei nods slightly. “I accept the bargain.”

He nods. One of the men behind him stands and walks up. He lifts the cage and moves it to your side of the table. The old man stands. "Good-bye honorable huntsman. May our paths never cross again." He gives orders to his men to find the logistics to either clean the petals up or export them away from the lake.

Sei takes the hawk and rises with a bow "Goodbye, and may the lesson stay with your hearts."

The yakuza recognize the three and slowly slip out of the burnt-out building and into the night silently.

Khzuro stands up, though his body language perhaps suggests they didn't think themselves part of the bargain, by their body language, more a messenger for the lake gods. Then looks up to Sei and Drasta.

Sei says, “Let us hope that this returns peace to the town as a whole." He leads them back to the inn.

While walking back Khzuro says, “This one expects that if they break their word the lake gods will devour all of them."

Drasta affirms, “Indeed.”

Sei half smiles, “Aye. If they had gone for the ambush...They'd have faced what might as well have been the wrath of the gods."

When they get back: Samo, Furi, Bunka and Sango are waiting for them. Khzuro ducks to the side to get more snuggles and lets Sei explain things thinking. They all look to the three of them interested in what is going to happen next and what the meeting was about.

Sei says, “We were able to settle with them, get them to stop the pollution and clean up their mess."
Samo pumps his arm and shouts, “You killed them all!”

Sei chuckles and shakes his head. Drasta smirks and Khzuro just remains silent. Bunka stares at Sei. “You made a deal with them…. Didn’t you?”

Sei affirms, “Yes. They were coming to the table because they wished the punishment to stop."

Samo and Bunka and Furi stand up, make short bows and leave without being recognized. Sango stays.

Sango looks up at Sei after they are upstairs. "They can no longer be a part of anything here and will refuse to hear what you say about this. They will also report this to your shogun. You will have to answer to him. I hope your answers are satisfactory to his ears. Kyo is samurai. He will not be happy."

Khzuro doesn't look thrilled about what happened either but seems to be staying out of it. Drasta stays quiet sipping on a bottle from her pouch.

Sei states, “We will depart back home in the morning."

Sango nods, “The goddess be with you Sei.” She gets up, bows to the table and leaves.

Khzuro makes a big sigh, shaking his head. Why did you take that offer, Sei? Isn't really my affair, but..." A huff, shaking his head.

"We'd have been left to clean up the mess had we not taken it. Holding him responsible for his own mess will be punishment enough."

Khzuro makes another point to Sei. “Would probably have still been better. They were people who offended the lake gods and possibly imprisoned one and are left to do so again. Do not know now if we'll see this happen again in months’ time or years’ time. Probably still other violations that will happen if they think it won't provoke the lake gods’ wrath."

"We deal with any other trouble they cause when it happens. Let us hope it does not come to that."

Drasta smirks at some point. “They will overstep again, and they will be dealt with.”

Khzuro says, “Suppose it's not my affair." A heavy sigh, shaking his head "Interesting to observe how things are managed though. In any event..." Looks to the door "Should ensure the priestess safety. Please excuse this one." And goes to head out.

[Winterhawk99]

The group packs and rides the next morning to the town where the temple of the eagle and the bear are. While they set up at the inn the priestess goes back to her duties at the temple. Filled with doubts Khzuro follows her. The guards do not stop the diminutive creature. He goes into the temple complex and heads to the garden. It’s small, only 50 yards square. There are benches and prayer mats there. There is also a statue of a great bear rearing up on his hind legs on one end while juxtaposed at the other is an eagle spreading its claws and wings as it looks to be either attacking or about to grab prey.

Khzuro looks around, but noting no people, he goes to the temple itself. He goes into the main hall. It is much like other temples of the 8 million with an alter up front with mats and incense blocks and tales of the god along the walls. After a bit, Sango comes back out into the temple main room. She lights several incense sticks and prays at the main altar. When She is finished, she turns around and examines the room. Her eyes catch Khzuro, and she walks up to him.

Walks forward, dipping his head with a short bow; there might clearly be a lot on the kobold's mind, but they don't seem particularly enthused. Not upset with Sango, mind, but still troubled. "Ah, apologies, can wait if your ministrations are still in progress."

Sango recognizes him, “You wish to talk Khzuro?”

"This one would, yes. About... what happened there." A breath out "We both have our obligations, but still... this one didn't make the bargain with the Yakuza. Stood witness though. Didn't stop Sei either. Could be taken as a silent accepter there, too. Though not fully accurate. This one did... maybe he should explain..." He explains what happened at that shady meeting, in full detail.

She shushes him, “Not here.” He nods, taking the cue and looks around to see who might be listening then gets ready to follow her.

She calls for an acolyte and walks to the back of the temple disappearing. The acolyte leads you to a private prayer room. She sets out three mats for you two opposite each other and one off to the side in between. There she kneels with her toes touching the floor and her heels up and bent in touching each other. After a moment Sango comes in and sits on the mat beside her with her back to the opposite wall of the door. The open mat is on the door side.

Khzuro sits down on the open mat. Sango waits for him to explain. Again, he describes what happened during the meeting then says, “This one agreed to nothing. Gave warnings of what would happen should the lake gods be angered again. Still, was there when it happened. Others may take it as this one agreeing to the terms when it wasn't this one's place to do so one way or another.

What do you think of what happened...?"

"Yet you were there and by being there you have accepted this deal by not saying anything. You were part of this group."

"Also, true." A heavy sigh ... There's a grimace, tapping his claws "Am not supposed to overly interfere in human affairs like that. We were there to aid the lake god. That was done. Still feels like a job done incomplete."

Sango commands, “Tell me specifically what are the benefits of this deal and what are the down sides? What do you think?"

"Benefits, the ones there hopefully stop tainting the lake. Stop angering the lake gods to the point they lash out. Drawbacks, they got away with killing others of their kin. Will likely continue to undermine the mandate of heaven in less visible ways. Problem still exists. Harder to find.

Possibly only a matter of time before the lake gods lash out again."

Sango considers Khzuro’s answer then explains, “If the yakuza leader made and oath, he will most likely keep that oath until he is either deposed or dies.”

"Then... this one will hold onto the perhaps slim hope that they will correct their course and take their oath seriously. Does not think it likely. But maybe mercy will show merit for them." Shakes his head, like he doesn't believe it will happen, though.

“They are still poisoning their kin with the poison they make.”

Khzuro nods, "Yes, they are. Such isn't a matter of the gods though, is it?" Another pause, a breath out "Are laws and limits to how much the gods and their servants interfere in matters."

Sango affirms then says, “"Let me ask you another question. What about the village and its people? These men support the town. Fishing brings very low income here. Textiles, however, bring in some good coin. Which I would think is a good thing being that most of our lands are very poor. It may not seem that way to you and did not to me when I was young, but it is. The average peasant does not have much and most meals are only fish and noodles or fish and rice. Is it not a good thing that the town is supported in some way by industry?”

"Had not considered that. Thought only in terms of tribe function. Village has function, works together.” ... Khzuro pauses "But the others there? They killed the mayor and their family. Brought wrath of gods down upon the village."

“Yes.” Sango affirms.

Khzuro goes on. “Increase in material goods for the village seems like a poor trade for compromised purpose."

"As a priestess I agree with Sei’s decision. As a noblewoman I do not. It has caused controversy in my own soul. The mayor was obviously corrupted by the yakuza, yet the yakuza made sure that the town benefited in kind to their cover business.”

"Think priestess would come first. Why do you think as a priestess you agree with Sei's decision?"

"It means that this clan of yakuza does have a conscientious leadership even if going against the laws of the land. They did not break their word at the meeting. And they agreed with the greater good of the people.”

Khzuro nods, considering that.

“As a noblewoman and schooled in the traditions of the government and law however It hurts my heart that such wild and corrupted men spread in the realms.”

"This one encourages you to answer to the gods first, if there is disunity in you. Have seen how nobility can become corrupt. Deviate from purpose. The path of the gods is purer."

She sighs, "That would depend upon the god."

A nod, considering "Perhaps... still, even with, am not sure leaving them be with the town was a good idea." A sigh "Suppose that's what this one wished to speak of... Despite how it ended we did our mission to aid the lake gods. Was there anything else you wished to ask this one?"

"I think that you need to think of your shogun’s position and how he will treat such a deal, Khzuro. You could end up being heroes or villains in his eyes depending on the thoughts behind why you chose this path."
"Would rather not get too deeply involved with politics."

She nods and looks to the door, her eyes unfocused, "Nor I. I've seen what politics can do to people."

A slow nod, considering... "Doubt the Shogun will be happy with Sei's or this one's reasons regardless. As you said, being silent and not objecting is as good as guilt to them."

"And to the gods."

A nod "Those were at the forefront of my mind. But ssk, if they do not further offend the gods, at least that is handled. Am not convinced they will refrain though."

"The boon you have is that all of these things are complex. They weave the fabric of people’s lives and influence everything around them. You have made a choice and must accept all the good and bad consequences of that choice."

Khzuro slowly nods to that. “"Very well. This one thanks you for your counsel." She stands up and bows. He stands up and recognizes her. She waits for him to leave.

After that, he heads off, then go to the gardens to find some quiet time to think to himself... As he meditates in the garden. Everyone there, whether talking or walking, stop. The wind and all sound stops. The 9 ft demon appears again this time in a chair. He still looks like a phantom. He is shaking the strange hourglass. "I must get this to work!" Then he looks up at you straight in the eye and smiles.

Khzuro casts detect magic. The demon suddenly disappears, and you see in a distance a small man in a blue uniform walking down the street and looks at everyone frozen. He checks a golden pocket watch while continuing down the street. After that everyone continues what they are doing like nothing has happened. The whole scene only takes a few seconds.

The first thing Khzuro sees next is a strange residual magic just like the last time. It is alien to his senses and it’s all around him. He tries to see if the demon and the man are related.

He then casts see invisibility, then moves with what remaining movement he has towards the small man in a blue uniform. The man is an elf in some form of naval uniform he has a hat with feathers in it. The brass pin is a circle and has strange symbols on it. ones you do not recognize. One looks like a divider another looks like a symbol, but Khzuro does not know what it is. Also, the man is an elf with blue skin, and he must be very old because he has many wrinkles and white hair now. not like a drow but the white/grey hair of advanced age. He also walks with a cane.

Khzuro heads over to the elven man. His detect magic still active, he checks the elf for it. There is a lot of magic on the elf. The sword he carries, the pocket watch which has the same strange alien magic aura upon it as the residual magic he noticed when the demon appears.

He approaches the elf. Still, he tries to remain relaxed, as if not wanting to show he knows something is off.

The old elf keeps looking around and spots him. He looks at Khzuro strangely putting a gloved hand on his sword. “What do you want kobold if you can speak? Otherwise, I will defend myself."

"Greetings. This one can speak. Were you heading for the temple?"

"No, I am not. I will go to my ship until the next incident."

Raises an eye ridge, "Ah, pardon. Incident?"

He nods. "I must find the epicenter and destroy what I find if I can. Since the coast is many days away. I must depart immediately. Good day to you." He turns to leave.

"Epicenter? Of what...? Well... good day then."

The old elf goes to the stables and mounts a large western type of horse much bigger than the horses you have seen so far and gallops toward the coast.

Khzuro sighs and watches him go. Khzuro realizes they have no way to catch up with that fellow.
And then just heads off...

[Winterhawk99]

As Khzuro talks to Sango the rest go to the inn. At the Inn the day seems to go without a hitch except for the general mood. At 4pm Bunka calls for Drasta. Drasta finds her way to her from whatever dark corner she is in. Bunka looks at her, “Armor up. Let’s go.”

Drasta goes upstairs and changes. She comes back now ready and follows three steps behind Bunka as she goes out and starts meandering toward the river. After the Bunka leads her upstream looking for something. When she finds the right tree, she turns back and says, “Guard.”

Drasta does as asked with a curious expression. Bunka takes her swords and lays them in front of her. She sits down in full lotus and stares out at the water and other bank of the river. She doesn’t move and hardly even breaths.

Drasta keeps an eye on the Onna Musha but does not say anything, keeping her ears listening as well. After an hour, Bunka still sits in silence. Drasta feels like this is perhaps may be a lesson in silence and stays in her position a while longer………or some form of punishment.

After two hours Bunka is sitting still in the same position in silence. The sun starts to go down across the river. It turns a deeper orange. After another ½ hour the sun turns a deep red as it touches the horizon. Drasta quietly says to herself, “Beautiful.”

Bunka gives no apparent reaction. Drasta checks if the woman is even still breathing. She notices that she is but very slowly. As the last slithers of the sun drop behind the horizon, Bunka slowly takes up her swords and stands putting them back in their proper place. She then starts to walk away back to the city.

Drasta becomes confused but quickly steps into her proper place behind Bunka with no words. The two women get to the inn. Without turning Bunka says, “You are dismissed.” Drasta gives her a gentle bow and takes a seat at the table thinking.

Furi is at a corner table writing in her books. Drasta nods to her from her table and sends over a bottle of sake. Furi accepts it and puts her quill down. She leans back and enjoys the liquor. Drasta approaches her table with a bow. “May I sit with you?”

Furi bobs her head without standing. “You are welcome to as anyone in the group.”

Drasta takes a seat and brings a bottle that is definitely not sake from her pouch. It has no label. She pours a small amount into a sake bowl. “The events have been far from curious…”

“So, what is it you wish to speak about Drasta?”

“Perhaps just some company unless you wish to speak of something. Or perhaps even advice.”

"I only wish to talk to Sei at this time. His choices are odd, but he is not bound to the unwritten code of Bushido."

Drasta nods her head and takes a sip of her drink. “I understand. I hope I was not in error with saying nothing in the situation. I was not given orders to do otherwise.”

“Is that why? You were not given orders? I find that hard to believe.”

Drasta smirks a bit. “I have little knowledge of the ones that held the meeting, but their words and actions did not seem to prove a threat. Though if they had showed any violent intent, I may have needed to take action. I felt perhaps best to guard the other two in the time I was with them.... Perhaps that was in error.”

“One often cannot say what is in error and what is not until the future bears the results."

The elven thinks for a moment. “I would hope then their words hold true.” takes another sip and bows her head being ready to leave the table to find a quiet corner.

"They are yakuza. Yakuza clans are different from Shinobi. they are... more varied."

“Yes... I had a small group test me as they stated before running away.”

“And the reason for this test?”

“I still am not completely sure who it was that wanted to test me. Though I am sure it is someone’s books somewhere. I cannot read the language as of yet.”

"You will not need to. Your service is for only two years after you leave. and it will be in the west, unless you plan to stay beside her."

“I have thought to stay with her as long as she will need me for...Even after she has passed, and her children’s children grow old if such is asked. I believe I have another seven or eight hundred years before I find a quiet place to disappear.”

Furi winces. “It is a bold oath. Why would you take such?”

Drasta chuckles. “I have seen my future on other paths and this one seems less....Dangerous.
I am sure you can see the joke in that, but it is not.”

"So, you would turn away a dangerous life for the courts of our country. Are you truly insane? Do you know how many lose their heads from a single misstep in the courts of the shoguns and the emperor himself?"

“The courts of my home plane are far worse than here.” She brings out a second cup and pours some of her bottle into it and pushes it to the middle of the table if Furi would want it then sips her own cup again.

"You still have the question of how the shogun will take the news of this venture.”

“This is fore thought on if my lady would want me to stay by her side.”

"I do not know her. Only her reputation which is not sparkling."

“I believe she would have to explain to the shogun the reason...”

"I was not speaking of her. I was speaking on your deal with the yakuza. The shogun will not be happy."
Hmm… Yes… Perhaps Sei’s reasoning will provide a clearer picture…”

"That is why I wish to speak with him. The sooner the better. I want to know his reasoning behind his choices."

Drasta nods. “Then perhaps I should find some rest until you speak with him.” Furi nods in return. Drasta finds her room opens her journal and makes notes about the last few days.

[Winterhawk99]

Now that Sango is back at her temple. The group mounts up for the long ride home. Its middle spring. The cherry blossoms are in bloom. They travel without incident. Mid-day, the day before they reach Renkyu, Khzuro notices everyone suddenly stopping. The wind stops. All sound stops around him, and the light rain seems suspended. Khzuro can see the small droplets defying gravity and hovering around him.

He sees the Demon walk up the hill towards him. Again, he has a phantom-like quality to himself. He looks at the hourglass he now holds level in his hand and back to the kobold. The demon speaks to him looking straight into his eyes. “I’ll endeavor to make it interesting.” With those words the last of the crystals fall through the middle of the hourglass. The demon disappears.

Time starts to flow again. Khzuro furrows his brow then looks aside to the others to see if they noticed it. None of his companions seem to have had. “Ssskh, did any of you see that? Or hear it?”

Samo looks at him and raises an eyebrow. “Only think we can see in this rain is our hands.”

"Guess the illusion that this one saw was only designed to be perceptible by this one, then. Doesn't make this one feel better about it, though. Will try to alert you if something strange happens again."

Bunka laughs, “Now our companion Kami is seeing things. That gives strange portents.”

Sei shakes his head to Khzuro at the inquiry. Khzuro insists, “No, there is actual magic from it. Something strange. Image of a demon. Magic like shadows. Third time seeing it now.”

Furi furrows her eyebrows and looks around, “What did this being look like?”

He gives a full description of the Balor demon with the hourglass and says, “Likes to taunt with cryptic ominous lines too.”

Samo asks, “What did he say?”

“First time they were silent, but ominously had an hourglass that ran out of time. Second time they said, “I must get this to work!”, Then the third time it was “I’ll endeavor to make it interesting.”

Bunka asks, “Get what to work?”

Khzuro answers, “When they said it that time, they were shaking an hourglass, then looked at me and smiled.”

Furi after thinking a long time asks, “Ok. Try to remember each time how he held or what he was doing with the hourglass. Maybe that’s it?” he nods considering. She continues, “You said he was shaking it the second time when he said, ‘I must get this to work.’ Correct?”

"First time, they were fumbling with the hourglass. Had crystal strands of white and black spinning, never touching, like yin yang symbol. Then the sand fell. Was surprised." "Second time they were sitting in a chair, shaking it as if more frantic, before being measured and calmer when looking to this one."

"Third time they were calmer. Holding the hourglass in their hand. Steady in their palm"
Looks to Furi "Does it sound somehow familiar?"

"Not familiar no but based on what you said. I believe he has gotten the hourglass to work."

"Probably. Or could just be some illusionist and there isn't really an hourglass. Haven't been able to determine exactly what kind of magic is being used though." Khzuro iterates as he thinks.

Furi goes in another direction, “Could it be like a daydream and your subconscious it is trying to say something to you?"

"Doubt it. This one sensed actual magic each time."

Samo turns to Sei, "What do you think?"

Khzuro looks over to Samo, perhaps surprised he’s consulting with Sei. He answers the question though. “If it’s illusory, it’s something targeted specifically at Khzuro.”

Khzuro pauses, considering, “Whatever it is it's likely not the last this one has seen of it. Not sure who would target this one or why though." There's a sigh. "Think we should just continue on our way. Let’s keep moving. If there is someone taunting this one with illusions, it may just be that, and we don't have any way to track it down without something more substantial either."