Kanako brings the flying carpet lower. She touches down near Port Zalusu. "Whew... you know, this would be fun to have, but ah... we did agree to give it back after all." Kanako lets out a deep breath, then looks the party over. "Whew, that was a rush! Are you all alright?" She stands and rolls the carpet back up once everyone is off. Silgara and Zsikhou keep quiet for now, both of them looking pretty rough from that fight. T'kharr casts Cure Light Wounds on both of them giving them some reprieve from the pain.
Mingzhu looks them over. “We need to get these two back to the ship. I'll need a long rest to heal them.”
Kanako goes to rest a hand on Zsikhou's head, casting a Cure Light Wounds on him. Zsikhou seems very happy, slightly irritated by the location and pats but doesn't make a stink of it since she's healing him. Balan starts wrapping up the cuts on his face, “It would be best to return some need rest.” Kanako gives him a vial of Cure Moderate Wounds.
"Yeah, you sure took quite a beating there, big guy. I can go ahead and return the carpet if you need some rest." Kanako nods. She wasn't hit at all in that battle, so she doesn't seem to be in nearly as bad a condition.
“Aye it is why I stand in front.” Balan says back to her.” Mingzhu received one pretty bad wound, but she knows she will survive so she concentrates her efforts bandaging Silgara and Zsikhou.
"Well, for those of us who got a full view of your sword prowess and stopped us from getting a beatdown, I appreciate it!" Kanako gives Balan a smile. "Oh, better do this before I go back into town." She focuses, then she looks human again. "Got to say I like looking like my real self, but... probably best I keep the guise in town."
"You make a good assassin all the same" T’kharr gives him a broad grin on her muzzle as she addresses Balan. Balan just nods.
"Are you going to go off to rest, then? I can see to things around town." Kanako says, "Maybe see how the two fine gentlemen we had to leave behind are doing." She gives a playful smirk.
Balan looks to the others. “It is the choice of the group.”
Mingzhu tells her as she’s working on Silgara and Zsikhou, “Make sure you get our collateral back, Kanako.”
"Course." Kanako nods and smiles at Mingzhu. She then strolls off.
Silgara and Zsikhou look like they both want to go off to rest. "Aye, let’s head off to rest." T’kharr says as she looks at how drained everyone is.
Zsikhou mutters "If those two idiots we left behind started a fight or something this one might have the... hrsskh, never mind. Am going to go lie down." They all go to rest on the ship.
Mingzhu smirks and looks at Zsikhou. “Could turn them into beta fish and put them in a tank together.” T’Kharr loses it laughing so hard she has to catch her breath.
Minamoto finds his way aboard as the night draws near. He lets the group rest. Mingzhu sees him and asks if there was any trouble with Fwangzhu. Minamoto shakes his head "No. I kept away from that Savage and he didn't start anything that warranted his execution, at that moment. I did... well. I would say I looked into some matters but what I found, or rather, did not, was troubling."
“What matters were those?”
"Given what happened on Kizamine, I felt it prudent to speak with Daimyo Zuodong's man here. But..." He shakes his head. "I couldn't find him anywhere. None of the villagers knew what happened to him but are sure he didn't leave either. Then I went to find the elder but... he was also missing. I couldn't find him anywhere either." Minamoto furrows his brow.
“Daimyo Zuodong's man does not surprise me. The Elder's absence does surprise me a little. I will try to see him in the morning.” Mingzhu replies.
Minamoto nods "I'll keep watch on the boat, then."
“Minamoto what’s more important is You need to learn to bend a little for Fwangzhu he is your comrade in arms. and he is a member of this group too. Give him some slack. And I will tell him the same thing. You need to start getting along. He can do things you cannot do, and you can do things he cannot do. You are both needed.”
"He's a savage and a rebel, Shamaness. Keeping him around will lead to trouble." Minamoto shakes his head. "He's a strong warrior, but one without discipline and is actively hostile to my lord."
“Starting unnecessary fights and bickering with each other is causing more trouble than any trouble one or the other of you will get into alone. I would like it to stop. find some middle ground with him.”
He lets out a breath. "I don't know if there will be. He is set on his course to battle against my lord and undermine his authority. I am a loyal man-at-arms for my lord. I do not see a middle ground here." He pauses. "I take it your mission was successful?"
“He’s not undermining the daimyos authority. He couldn’t start a revolution on his own if he tried. He is too disorganized. He is independent, yes. but he has value because he knows the feelings and deals well with the common peasant just has you deal well with the authorities. Together the two of you can accomplish much to bring the people and the authorities together but it takes both sides to bend just a little and accept just a little from the other side. If you two would work together the two of you could mend the hard feelings of both sides of this coin.”
Minamoto looks over, considering, there's a lengthy pause.
"I still foresee there being trouble, but I will see. I cannot abide by his... many insults and provocations to my lord though." Minamoto shakes his head.
“I will talk to him too when he comes around.”
Minamoto nods, "I wish you the best, but I don't see you getting anywhere there." He pauses, then a sigh, "I must admit, I don't like the situation in this village, Shamaness. We're leaving this place under a Youkai's thumb unless we do something about it."
“I do not like it either and I have warned the elder of these ways and what it may lead too. However, I cannot ignore centuries of tradition that have kept a balance in the village. Even we would be, hard pressed to stop a Kitsune who has been around this long. She has been around for so long because she is so good at what she does. I am at a point of ineffectiveness due to all the points for letting the situation remain. mainly the Tsuno and the Gaki.”
Minamoto nods, "If they do come by another warlord they could pose a serious threat. And it would take many samurai and men-at-arms to keep them at bay or deal with them in finality. I know the tactical aspects of it look grim. But I still cannot help but feel it seems like it is selling out our principles for convenience's sake."
“In truth it is selling our principles out. However, there is nothing we can do in the face of it. If we take Cerabo out it will lead to the destruction of the entire village. And Daimyo Kaluso has been ineffective here to protect the people whether Cerabo is the cause or not remains a mystery but as far as I have seen being an outsider myself is that Daimyo Kaluso seems to take everything in without providing the protection that he is supposed to give. This is as I look at, each of the islands in his domain and see the mess that it is in. I am sorry Minamoto but that is what I see. It is not the daimyo’s forces that are ultimately cleaning everything up. It is us.......our group that is.”
Minamoto seems quite insulted at that; he huffs, "Remember he sent a ship to help that was sunk by outside forces. The forces that we are up against suggest that he might be warranted in going to the emperor for help here. Excuse me. I should practice my katas. Go rest." He shakes his head and tries to leave. Mingzhu stops him.
She nods. “He did send the ship Minamoto but what also did the logs say about putting down the rebellion on that island we have not been to yet. It is the reason I want to go to the island. to see what extent the daimyos justice did with my own eyes.”
"I am well sure if he came to the conclusion that it was warranted, it was." Minamoto says with a certain steely certainty.
“Also, you must realize that the ship is at the bottom of the ocean. How effective is it there? I do at least applaud the daimyo for sending the help. Perhaps you are right and if that is true when we go to the island, we will see that his hand was just or not.”
"Thanks to the treachery of outsiders. And possibly our neighboring Daimyo." Minamoto says in regard to the ship being at the bottom of the ocean.
Mingzhu nods, “It is a web we must uncover, and we need to know the whole truth to these situations.” Minamoto nods to that. She continues, “Please do not be insulted by my questions. If you were on the outside, The other side of the coin, you would see that these questions I have are fair questions. It is simply that your loyalty to your daimyo makes it so you cannot fully see it. And I do understand that. It feels like an attack on your family, but it really is not if it is a fair question.”
Minamoto gives a gruff nod. He clearly doesn't like that line of questioning, but he doesn't raise any objections. The group rests the night under a warm breeze and the heaven’s filled with stars.
She Came from the Sea: Book 2
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
As Dawn breaks Mingzhu gets up and meditates. She then checks with Zsikhou and Silgara casting Cure Light Wounds on both, and one on herself. They both thank her. Kanako and Fwangzhu board the ship. Kanako looks around, looking to see who’s up and about. T'kharr nods to them with a greeting, "Good seeing you back. I take it, do you have the collateral with you? Also, it seems the town elder and an official from one of the other Daimyos have both gone missing while we are out, that might be something to inquire into. Also, I take it you have yet to present the case for the return of the captain?"
"I do, yep... Oh...." Kanako pulls out a pouch, handing the collateral back. "Captain Fareed is back, safe and sound. As for the Elder, he's back too. If he was missing, he was probably with mom. She does that sometimes, whisks him away when she wants to be with him." Kanako replies. “Anyways! Kanako keeps speaking.
T’kharr cuts her off for a moment, “Ah, fair enough then" nodding along with Kanako, passing the pouch of collateral along to Mingzhu.”
Mingzhu says, “Thank you. I have questions.”
"Yeaaah... that actually brings up what mom told him, and it's something you should hear about too. I know the elder mentioned she had information you'd find interesting... first thing is about that man who works for Daimyo Zuodong... hrm? Oh? Yes?" Kanako looks over to Mingzhu.
"Aye, that was the Daimyo's man who went missing, no?" T’kharr asks.
Mingzhu mutters, “That’s what I was going to ask about.”
"Yeahh.... mom found out he and his associates had been paying the corsairs to raid Daimyo Kaluso's holdings, including this village." Kanako rubs the side of his head. Zsikhou narrows his eyes, clicking his tongue. Silgara lets out a sigh.
"Oh, dear. Good find, at least. Doubt he'll be making any miraculous returns given that tidbit." T’kharr declares. Minamoto’s eyes widen, then he seethes.
“I take it the elder did not know this?” Mingzhu asks.
Kanako nods, "I know what mom does with guys who offend her. It's..." She shakes her head "Not beforehand, no. The guy was an unpleasant asshat." She adds a little 'nyeh' reflexively. "No one around here really liked him or probably cared when he went away. The elder had other things on his mind. It was on the backburner, as it were."
T'kharr offers Minamoto a hug. "You're right to be mad at Zuodong for that sort of crap, do be glad that you're not the only one willing to stand up against it, at least."
Minamoto huffs, "And yet it's almost worthless information. We cannot take this to court because the source is a Youkai and we have no one to take before us."
Zsikhou looks over. "We know enough to have warrant to investigate Zuodong's doings further."
"I doubt he'll be once bitten, twice shy about this sort of thing.... it gives us a lead to keep an eye on his agents next we see them." T’kharr suggests.
"Yeaaahhh... I don't think mom's going to let him go without punishing him first..." Kanako stammers some, her tone making it clear the 'punishment' is probably going to be fatal.
Minamoto looks over. "Only if he knows to be. I doubt Zuodong knows about the Youkai here. Might have just assumed some brigand or monster got them and sent another."
“I want to check on both the elder and the good captain before we leave.”
"Aye, that'd be a good idea." T’kharr agrees.
Kanako nods "Of course, actually, there is one other thing that was shared. It's about a neighboring isle to the North, Tzukine, which we haven't had contact with for a while, we thought it was because of the Corsairs, but... according to mom... it had a guardian nature spirit which vanished about a week ago. I've... got a bad feeling about what might have happened there." Kanako stammers a bit. Fwangzhu doesn't seem surprised, it's likely he already heard about it.
"Is that the isle where the court is, or a different one?" T’kharr asks Mingzhu.
"Different one. The one with the court is Renkao." Silgara interjects.
“Different island though I feel I have heard the name earlier.” Mingzhu tries to remember where from coming up with nothing. She then says. “It’s a new island for us.”
"Ah, thanks. Let’s head to Tzukine next then, and then we can follow up on the ship logs." T’kharr suggests.
Silgara nods "Gives us a few potential leads to follow. Tzukine, Soljura, Renkao, or back to port Ginji to speak with the trading companies again."
"Soljura was the isle in the ship's logs, right?" T’kharr asks. “Or was it a different thing?”
“How far is this island where the daimyos ship went to before it sunk?” Mingzhu asks.
"That's the one that was put down by the Daimyo. If I had to recall exactly where it was..." Silgara considers, "I think it was between the waters between Soljura and Kizamine where it was sunk."
Mingzhu nods, considers then says, “I think perhaps we should go there and put a huge question to rest.”
"Right. So, after we're done here, we head to Tzukine, then Soljura, then back to Port Ginji to prepare and consolidate. Sound like a plan?" T’kharr says as she looks around to her companions. Mingzhu hesitantly nods
"Tzukine is closer to our current position than Soljura, so that works." Silgara nods.
“I will go to the elders and see the captain first to make sure all is well.” Mingzhu states.
"Alright. We can join if you wish or stay back if you'd rather." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu nods, “You would be welcome T’kharr and any wishing to come.”
Fwangzhu shrugs, "I've seen them both intact, but sure, go ahead."
T'kharr nods "Alright. I'll be along then."
"I do, yep... Oh...." Kanako pulls out a pouch, handing the collateral back. "Captain Fareed is back, safe and sound. As for the Elder, he's back too. If he was missing, he was probably with mom. She does that sometimes, whisks him away when she wants to be with him." Kanako replies. “Anyways! Kanako keeps speaking.
T’kharr cuts her off for a moment, “Ah, fair enough then" nodding along with Kanako, passing the pouch of collateral along to Mingzhu.”
Mingzhu says, “Thank you. I have questions.”
"Yeaaah... that actually brings up what mom told him, and it's something you should hear about too. I know the elder mentioned she had information you'd find interesting... first thing is about that man who works for Daimyo Zuodong... hrm? Oh? Yes?" Kanako looks over to Mingzhu.
"Aye, that was the Daimyo's man who went missing, no?" T’kharr asks.
Mingzhu mutters, “That’s what I was going to ask about.”
"Yeahh.... mom found out he and his associates had been paying the corsairs to raid Daimyo Kaluso's holdings, including this village." Kanako rubs the side of his head. Zsikhou narrows his eyes, clicking his tongue. Silgara lets out a sigh.
"Oh, dear. Good find, at least. Doubt he'll be making any miraculous returns given that tidbit." T’kharr declares. Minamoto’s eyes widen, then he seethes.
“I take it the elder did not know this?” Mingzhu asks.
Kanako nods, "I know what mom does with guys who offend her. It's..." She shakes her head "Not beforehand, no. The guy was an unpleasant asshat." She adds a little 'nyeh' reflexively. "No one around here really liked him or probably cared when he went away. The elder had other things on his mind. It was on the backburner, as it were."
T'kharr offers Minamoto a hug. "You're right to be mad at Zuodong for that sort of crap, do be glad that you're not the only one willing to stand up against it, at least."
Minamoto huffs, "And yet it's almost worthless information. We cannot take this to court because the source is a Youkai and we have no one to take before us."
Zsikhou looks over. "We know enough to have warrant to investigate Zuodong's doings further."
"I doubt he'll be once bitten, twice shy about this sort of thing.... it gives us a lead to keep an eye on his agents next we see them." T’kharr suggests.
"Yeaaahhh... I don't think mom's going to let him go without punishing him first..." Kanako stammers some, her tone making it clear the 'punishment' is probably going to be fatal.
Minamoto looks over. "Only if he knows to be. I doubt Zuodong knows about the Youkai here. Might have just assumed some brigand or monster got them and sent another."
“I want to check on both the elder and the good captain before we leave.”
"Aye, that'd be a good idea." T’kharr agrees.
Kanako nods "Of course, actually, there is one other thing that was shared. It's about a neighboring isle to the North, Tzukine, which we haven't had contact with for a while, we thought it was because of the Corsairs, but... according to mom... it had a guardian nature spirit which vanished about a week ago. I've... got a bad feeling about what might have happened there." Kanako stammers a bit. Fwangzhu doesn't seem surprised, it's likely he already heard about it.
"Is that the isle where the court is, or a different one?" T’kharr asks Mingzhu.
"Different one. The one with the court is Renkao." Silgara interjects.
“Different island though I feel I have heard the name earlier.” Mingzhu tries to remember where from coming up with nothing. She then says. “It’s a new island for us.”
"Ah, thanks. Let’s head to Tzukine next then, and then we can follow up on the ship logs." T’kharr suggests.
Silgara nods "Gives us a few potential leads to follow. Tzukine, Soljura, Renkao, or back to port Ginji to speak with the trading companies again."
"Soljura was the isle in the ship's logs, right?" T’kharr asks. “Or was it a different thing?”
“How far is this island where the daimyos ship went to before it sunk?” Mingzhu asks.
"That's the one that was put down by the Daimyo. If I had to recall exactly where it was..." Silgara considers, "I think it was between the waters between Soljura and Kizamine where it was sunk."
Mingzhu nods, considers then says, “I think perhaps we should go there and put a huge question to rest.”
"Right. So, after we're done here, we head to Tzukine, then Soljura, then back to Port Ginji to prepare and consolidate. Sound like a plan?" T’kharr says as she looks around to her companions. Mingzhu hesitantly nods
"Tzukine is closer to our current position than Soljura, so that works." Silgara nods.
“I will go to the elders and see the captain first to make sure all is well.” Mingzhu states.
"Alright. We can join if you wish or stay back if you'd rather." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu nods, “You would be welcome T’kharr and any wishing to come.”
Fwangzhu shrugs, "I've seen them both intact, but sure, go ahead."
T'kharr nods "Alright. I'll be along then."
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
Mingzhu goes to the elder's first. As they walk Kanako says, "I wouldn't mind coming with you to help check out Tzukine, when you're ready." No one replies back.
The Elder is sitting in the hut, seems kind of tired. When Mingzhu comes by, he calls, "Come in, please."
She bows, take her shoes off and sits down across from him, "Are you well, Elder?"
The elder nods to Mingzhu "Yes. Just... I've had a busy day. As have you, I've heard. The Tsuno's chief and their consort is dead, and they're in disarray. I expect they'll re-organize sooner or later, but they typically have plenty of in-fighting once their leadership is out. I ah... take it Kanako shared what it is I found out?" The elder speaks.
Mingzhu nods, “The task is completed, and we will be leaving soon. I just want to give you this. If she ever gets out of hand or breaks faith send word to me and I will come. It is all I wish to say. It does not mean there will be a fight or confrontation, but I will do what I can to make the situation right for your people." Mingzhu nods to him about the information.
"I... doubt that will be necessary, but thank you, Shamaness." The elder nods "Was there anything else I can help you with?"
Mingzhu shakes her head. "The balance has been corrected. The captain is free. That is reward enough."
"Believe me, I'm glad for that as well. It was... quite a talk with him after that whole experience. He is understandably shaken." The Elder insists. Mingzhu nods and waits for any of the others to offer questions. Having no one speak Mingzhu offers proper honorifics. They leave and go to Fareed’s ship. Mingzhu takes a step back for T’kharr and Balan to deal with the captain.
Omar is overlooking the market. Fareed is on the ship. There are guards on the pier, but they let the party on without too much fuss. They also mention the captain is below deck in the common area.
T'kharr nods to Fareed. "It's good to see you back and hale, Captain Fareed"
The captain is sitting on a couch in a common deck. Perhaps not wanting to be alone and with the rest of the crew. He fidgets some but then looks up. "Salam Alaikum. Are you one of the ones responsible for my... rescue? If so, you have my thanks. I do not... well... it was a.... interesting experience." He fidgets some more, trying to relax.
Balan gives a nod as well. “We played a part in it, yes.”
T’kharr says, “Not directly, but aye, indeed so.”
"I was told some of the details of it... regardless..." He considers. "Actually, there is one thing... do you think it is worth it for my company to continue trading here? Given the... complications...?" Captain Fareed seems a touch nervous as he asks, but sincere.
“That decision is one only you can make.” T’kharr councils.
“I would agree that it is your company’s choice to make.” Balan agrees.
Mingzhu listens quietly. She looks like she was about to say something but stops herself. The captain nods "Fair, I suppose it is... my place to decide that. I suppose I must assess the risks and benefits on my own, then. Well, can I help you fine folk with anything?" The captain seems, a touch, dazed, healthy, but exhausted.
Mingzhu decides to say something measuring her words, "I can say this. Captain. If you yourself run the trading here it will no longer be a problem. The.... person in question would not take you again though one of your men I would not be so sure of."
The captain frowns "I am responsible for the safety and health of my crew."
Mingzhu bows slightly, “I understand.”
"No matter, I'll figure it out. Well, was there ought else?" The captain asks.
"Thank you for letting us use the magic carpet, it proved invaluable in the mission that we did to let you go." T’kharr smiles.
"Thank Omar for that, it was his decision." Captain Fareed nods, "But I've already spoken with him about it. All things considered it was a ...good gamble on his part."
“Indeed, it did work favorably for the time it was used.” Balan puts in.
"I am grateful for that, then." The captain allows himself a tired smile, but slumps further.
Balan nods to him, “I am not sure if I have any questions.”
T’kharr adds, “I have nothing further.”
"Very well. I ... think I need some rest. Ma'as Salama, and thanks again." The captain nods.
"Burdens be eased." T’kharr bows the captain farewell. Captain Fareed dozes off. The others on the ship don't seem to mind. Some seem to watch him carefully.
The companions head back to their own ship. T’kharr addresses Kanako, “I trust you have a way of returning home without us after we finish dealing with the situation at Tzukine?"
"Ah..." Kanako rubs the side of her head "Ahheh, I don't! Buuut, I don't mind coming with, if you would have me." She gives a smile. The other party members look over. Minamoto and Zsikhou look apprehensive. Fwangzhu and Silgara seem more accepting.
"Hm. I would be agreeable to it but for the logistical issue of getting you home again, it'd take us out of our way I reckon, no?" T’kharr considers.
“If anything would happen to you Kanako what would your mother do?” Mingzhu asks.
"Well, I don't haaave to return home that very moment, do I? Besides... after what I heard about what Zuodong did, I think I've got a bone to pick with his guys. And well, it seems like there's a lot more going on that affects my home." Kanako nods. She pauses then says, "She'd uh... be pretty mad." Kanako nods to Mingzhu.
Zsikhou looks over. "Taking her with us is also a risk in case her mother will be observing us through her."
"That is a fair point." T’kharr contemplates out loud.
Silgara looks over. "She is capable and knowledgeable though. Her presence could be a boon."
Fwangzhu huffs, "She's been helpful, hasn't she?"
Minamoto looks over. "And has dubious connections. That poses a considerable risk."
Kanako looks over at T'kharr, Mingzhu, and Balan for the verdict. Mingzhu holds her tongue to see what T'kharr and Balan say.
Balan considers the question carefully and says, “It is unsure if it would pose a threat having you travel with us. There is a risk that needs to be calculated carefully as to not paint a bigger target on ourselves.”
T’kharr says, “I'm going to have to say no for now, unless someone can indicate to me that the logistics of a one-ride-only ticket will work out."
Mingzhu sighs seeing T'kharr is in deep meditation. "It is nothing personal against you Kanako, but I would say no. The first is if you get badly injured Cerabo will come after us for sure. The 2nd reason is I do not like the thought of a yokai looking over my shoulder all the time."
Kakako looks a touch disappointed, but nods and relents. "Ah, well, alright. Well, have a good trip then!" She gives a cheery smile, then departs the ship.
Fwangzhu waves to Kanako, looking at her as she departs. Silgara nods aside. "Well, that's settled then. Where to then? To Tzukine, then? Or do we have another course in mind?" Silgara asks.
“Tzukine sounds fine Silgara.” Mingzhu says.
"Aye, to Tzukine." T’kharr agrees.
"Very well. Let’s set sail, I'll chart a course." Silgara goes to take her position. Minamoto and Fwangzhu take rest during the trip. Since Fwangzhu went to rest Mingzhu waits. She will talk to him later. They set their sails toward Tzukine island.
The Elder is sitting in the hut, seems kind of tired. When Mingzhu comes by, he calls, "Come in, please."
She bows, take her shoes off and sits down across from him, "Are you well, Elder?"
The elder nods to Mingzhu "Yes. Just... I've had a busy day. As have you, I've heard. The Tsuno's chief and their consort is dead, and they're in disarray. I expect they'll re-organize sooner or later, but they typically have plenty of in-fighting once their leadership is out. I ah... take it Kanako shared what it is I found out?" The elder speaks.
Mingzhu nods, “The task is completed, and we will be leaving soon. I just want to give you this. If she ever gets out of hand or breaks faith send word to me and I will come. It is all I wish to say. It does not mean there will be a fight or confrontation, but I will do what I can to make the situation right for your people." Mingzhu nods to him about the information.
"I... doubt that will be necessary, but thank you, Shamaness." The elder nods "Was there anything else I can help you with?"
Mingzhu shakes her head. "The balance has been corrected. The captain is free. That is reward enough."
"Believe me, I'm glad for that as well. It was... quite a talk with him after that whole experience. He is understandably shaken." The Elder insists. Mingzhu nods and waits for any of the others to offer questions. Having no one speak Mingzhu offers proper honorifics. They leave and go to Fareed’s ship. Mingzhu takes a step back for T’kharr and Balan to deal with the captain.
Omar is overlooking the market. Fareed is on the ship. There are guards on the pier, but they let the party on without too much fuss. They also mention the captain is below deck in the common area.
T'kharr nods to Fareed. "It's good to see you back and hale, Captain Fareed"
The captain is sitting on a couch in a common deck. Perhaps not wanting to be alone and with the rest of the crew. He fidgets some but then looks up. "Salam Alaikum. Are you one of the ones responsible for my... rescue? If so, you have my thanks. I do not... well... it was a.... interesting experience." He fidgets some more, trying to relax.
Balan gives a nod as well. “We played a part in it, yes.”
T’kharr says, “Not directly, but aye, indeed so.”
"I was told some of the details of it... regardless..." He considers. "Actually, there is one thing... do you think it is worth it for my company to continue trading here? Given the... complications...?" Captain Fareed seems a touch nervous as he asks, but sincere.
“That decision is one only you can make.” T’kharr councils.
“I would agree that it is your company’s choice to make.” Balan agrees.
Mingzhu listens quietly. She looks like she was about to say something but stops herself. The captain nods "Fair, I suppose it is... my place to decide that. I suppose I must assess the risks and benefits on my own, then. Well, can I help you fine folk with anything?" The captain seems, a touch, dazed, healthy, but exhausted.
Mingzhu decides to say something measuring her words, "I can say this. Captain. If you yourself run the trading here it will no longer be a problem. The.... person in question would not take you again though one of your men I would not be so sure of."
The captain frowns "I am responsible for the safety and health of my crew."
Mingzhu bows slightly, “I understand.”
"No matter, I'll figure it out. Well, was there ought else?" The captain asks.
"Thank you for letting us use the magic carpet, it proved invaluable in the mission that we did to let you go." T’kharr smiles.
"Thank Omar for that, it was his decision." Captain Fareed nods, "But I've already spoken with him about it. All things considered it was a ...good gamble on his part."
“Indeed, it did work favorably for the time it was used.” Balan puts in.
"I am grateful for that, then." The captain allows himself a tired smile, but slumps further.
Balan nods to him, “I am not sure if I have any questions.”
T’kharr adds, “I have nothing further.”
"Very well. I ... think I need some rest. Ma'as Salama, and thanks again." The captain nods.
"Burdens be eased." T’kharr bows the captain farewell. Captain Fareed dozes off. The others on the ship don't seem to mind. Some seem to watch him carefully.
The companions head back to their own ship. T’kharr addresses Kanako, “I trust you have a way of returning home without us after we finish dealing with the situation at Tzukine?"
"Ah..." Kanako rubs the side of her head "Ahheh, I don't! Buuut, I don't mind coming with, if you would have me." She gives a smile. The other party members look over. Minamoto and Zsikhou look apprehensive. Fwangzhu and Silgara seem more accepting.
"Hm. I would be agreeable to it but for the logistical issue of getting you home again, it'd take us out of our way I reckon, no?" T’kharr considers.
“If anything would happen to you Kanako what would your mother do?” Mingzhu asks.
"Well, I don't haaave to return home that very moment, do I? Besides... after what I heard about what Zuodong did, I think I've got a bone to pick with his guys. And well, it seems like there's a lot more going on that affects my home." Kanako nods. She pauses then says, "She'd uh... be pretty mad." Kanako nods to Mingzhu.
Zsikhou looks over. "Taking her with us is also a risk in case her mother will be observing us through her."
"That is a fair point." T’kharr contemplates out loud.
Silgara looks over. "She is capable and knowledgeable though. Her presence could be a boon."
Fwangzhu huffs, "She's been helpful, hasn't she?"
Minamoto looks over. "And has dubious connections. That poses a considerable risk."
Kanako looks over at T'kharr, Mingzhu, and Balan for the verdict. Mingzhu holds her tongue to see what T'kharr and Balan say.
Balan considers the question carefully and says, “It is unsure if it would pose a threat having you travel with us. There is a risk that needs to be calculated carefully as to not paint a bigger target on ourselves.”
T’kharr says, “I'm going to have to say no for now, unless someone can indicate to me that the logistics of a one-ride-only ticket will work out."
Mingzhu sighs seeing T'kharr is in deep meditation. "It is nothing personal against you Kanako, but I would say no. The first is if you get badly injured Cerabo will come after us for sure. The 2nd reason is I do not like the thought of a yokai looking over my shoulder all the time."
Kakako looks a touch disappointed, but nods and relents. "Ah, well, alright. Well, have a good trip then!" She gives a cheery smile, then departs the ship.
Fwangzhu waves to Kanako, looking at her as she departs. Silgara nods aside. "Well, that's settled then. Where to then? To Tzukine, then? Or do we have another course in mind?" Silgara asks.
“Tzukine sounds fine Silgara.” Mingzhu says.
"Aye, to Tzukine." T’kharr agrees.
"Very well. Let’s set sail, I'll chart a course." Silgara goes to take her position. Minamoto and Fwangzhu take rest during the trip. Since Fwangzhu went to rest Mingzhu waits. She will talk to him later. They set their sails toward Tzukine island.
-
Winterhawk99
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
As they sail, they look over the horizon. Even from here though, the village by the shore, the village looks, dilapidated, run down. Reasonably sized, but it looks like a ghost town. No fishing boats at sea. No one visible on the docks... the buildings are all run down... Mingzhu comments, “This doesn’t look suspicious at all.”
"No shit?" Fwangzhu snorts.
Silgara looks aside. "How reliable do you think the 'tip' we were given is?"
"Not assessable until we explore the village itself." Mingzhu says as she studies the scene.
"What's our plan then?" Zsikhou looks aside.
Mingzhu thinks about it. “We talk to the local villagers first. Fwangzhu should lead off. After, we hear from them speak to the local Elder. That is if there is still an elder in charge"
Fwangzhu nods, "Right. Take us in direct then."
Silgara steers the wheel "Right then, coming into dock.” Silgara steers the boat into the dock. As you look at the village, no one comes to greet you, no one seems to be there. And the damage is clearer up close. Damaged buildings. Goods looted, furniture and outdoor stands toppled over. The place is a picture of ruin and wreckage now. Homes still stand but many look damaged. Fwangzhu narrows his eyes. Even Minamoto looks unsettled.
Looking around Mingzhu says, “We must find survivors if we can.”
Fwangzhu draws his axe out as he disembarks the boat "Weapons out, whomever did this shit could still be around."
"T'kharr follows closely behind. "It looks like some sort of destructive force has been through here. Anyone see any fallen?"
Balan follows as well with blade and shield, “Aye or a raid.”
Mingzhu peers into the ethereal plane looking for spirits. She finds them everywhere she looks. There are dead bodies everywhere. She tries to estimate how long they have been dead. She sees they have been dead 5 to 6 days. The smell in town is terrible.
Balan checks the wounds for weapon marks. The wounds came from what looks like cutlasses, rapiers, daggers, with some crossbows mixed in. T’kharr is also examining bodies with Balin. “Seems consistent with a corsair attack, the weapons used."
Balan nods, “I would agree.”
Mingzhu quickly casts trance to draw them to her and commune with spirits. Since the others are with her, they can hear her questions. A spirit is called. “Calm, I will see you all laid to rest in proper fashion I have three question. First, who did this to you?”
“Corsairs.”
“Do you know why?”
“No.”
“Is your Elder alive?”
“No.”
“Be at peace spirit. I will tend to your souls.” Mingzhu releases it.
T’kharr also looks for signs that any of them attempted to defend themselves. She sees broken weapons or shields, defensive injuries upon the fallen, scraps of tabards or other battle robes, signs that some of the fallen were armored. She comments, “It looks like some of them grabbed some spears, harpoons, improvised weapons, but the defenders were villagers, seems they didn't have a chance.”
Silgara looks around. "I see bodies but... not enough to account for the entire population of the village..."
T’kharr nots to Balan, “Aye, that tracks with the weapons used to fell them."
Mingzhu wakes up. “It was the corsairs that did this. The Elder is dead.” Zsikhou nods to her. She continues, “We must find anyone that lives." I will start taking bodies out. I think burning them would be best here."
Fwangzhu grimaces, "Fuck them..." He looks around "We should still check for survivors."
Minamoto nods, "You would know best, Shamaness."
"No sign of organized defenders here though, just a village watch if that. And yes, we will need to check the isle for survivors once the dead no longer fester." T’kharr agrees with Mingzhu.
Silgara looks over. "It seems unlikely that our enemies are still around, but it may not be prudent to split up too much all the same."
"Aye, we do not know if other perils yet lurk here." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu ignores them. She goes to task being it’s more important to her that the souls of the dead move on. "If anyone finds the elders body I will question him." They do eventually find the elder's body in the town square, except it looks like he was publicly beheaded, the body is on a stand, and the head is missing. Mingzhu decides not to question the dead body as it has no vocal cords anymore. She sighs.
T’kharr doesn’t see any survivors. She says, “If you see any tracks of survivors or any possible hiding places, do speak up. Or any signs the Corsairs went deeper into the isle for that matter."
Fwangzhu and Zsikhou start looking, canvassing the area. After some time Fwangzhu’s ears perk up. T’kharr heads over to join him. Fwangzhu starts moving over toward a hovel. Silgara opts to follow T’kharr and Fwangzhu.
Meanwhile Mingzhu takes the bodies just out of town one by one and lays them out in a respectful manner. She covers her mouth and nose with a damp cloth. Minamoto joins her hand helps. It's a lot of grim, depressing work on Mingzhu's end. At least the corpses don't provide too much resistance. Minamoto aids how he can. Balan also joins them.
After awhile Fwangzhu’s group hears what sounds like….a rocking chair in one of the hovels.
"That's strange, a rocking chair? Let us investigate carefully. Wouldn't be beyond the corsairs to leave traps for those who find the scene of the raid." T’kharr states.
Fwangzhu, Zsikhou, and Silgara fall in. "This one should scout then?" Zsikhou looks over.
T’kharr motions Zsikhou up to let him lead the way, nodding in agreement. "Indeed so, my thought exactly." Zsikhou steps forward, checking for traps, scouting ahead.
He comes to a door. “No traps.” He peeks inside. Then he slinks back. "Old human on a rocking chair. Looks like a villager. The place looks like it’s a wasting away mess. Don't think she is or is in any immediate danger though." Zsikhou mentions.
"Strange. Let us approach with care, no idea how the corsairs passed them up." T’kharr says.
"Who goes in first?" Zsikhou looks to T'kharr.
Over at the edge of the village, after all the bodies are lined up. Mingzhu opens her Path book and performs a funeral service. When finished she lights the bodies up one by one with a torch. Minamoto bows his head respectfully, looking rather crestfallen. Mingzhu watches the ethereal plane to see the souls depart on their new journey. Some do; some linger... something like this might have left a natural haunt... Or be tough to let go of.
Mingzhu comments, "Some are not leaving though...… with such tragedy it is expected."
Minamoto looks over to her. "Is there anything else we can do...?"
Mingzhu silently shakes her head sadly. “Come lets go find the others.”
T'kharr takes the lead heading to the villager's door "Unless you think Fwangzhu would be better at this..."
Silgara motions T'kharr onwards. "Go ahead."
T'kharr carefully steps into the old lady's hut, nodding to her gently as she pads slowly, not wanting to overly spook or startle her with quick motion but visible all the same, including her hands "Why, hello there miss. We mean no harm."
The old lady looks over. Dirty, possibly haven't eaten in a while, or if so, minimally. She looks over with a jolt, like she was dozing off, she lets out a groan. The hovel has a rather unwelcoming smell to it, like it hasn't been maintained in a while.
"Is there anything we can get you even whilst we are here?" T’kharr asks.
"Another outlander... haven't your ilk taken enough? Go on. There's nothing to take here." She looks old, decrepit, clearly on her last legs, and years.
"We are not of the Corsairs' ilk. Can you speak of what happened here, though?" T’kharr asks again.
She scoffs, "You outsiders are all the same. Is this your way of tormenting me? Reminding us of all that befell us? Begone. There's nothing for you here."
Mingzhu, Minamoto and Balan find them in the hovel. Mingzhu looks around to see the old woman. T’kharr turns to her. “Perhaps you could speak with her Mingzhu? She's alive and at least talkative but seems to think of us outsiders all the same."
Mingzhu steps forward and bows. "Hello, there how may I assist you?"
The old lady scoffs, "There's nothing that can be done to assist me. Save your breath and go."
The shamaness turns back to the group. “She needs some good food and water. Fwangzhu, could you hunt something? a lesser restoration will help." She casts lesser restoration on the old woman. Fwangzhu looks over at the old lady, worriedly.
T’kharr offers, “I could purify some water, either for her to drink directly or for us to brew her tea with."
The old lady looks at Mingzhu. The restoration seems to jolt her from some fatigue. "I heard you just fine. I don't need anything. Not like I'm long for this world. Or that there's anything worth living for anymore. Tea's not going to help. I couldn't care less. I'm no help to anyone anymore. And I don't care to be either."
"Do you know where the other survivors went, madam?" Mingzhu asks.
She scoffs, "Survivors? Grow up child."
Fwangzhu looks over. "I think what'd help her most is to find whichever bastards did this and make them bleed."
Mingzhu turns to him. "We will Fwangzhu, we will."
The old lady looks over to Fwangzhu "Then you might as well draw your weapon and challenge the seas and the sun. You'd have just as much chance of making a difference." She just shakes her head "All your kindness and help, all it will do is prolong my torment. Just go. There's nothing for you here."
Mingzhu frowns. "She's still in shock. This will take a while. Madam we can take you to another island where you can be better cared for."
She shakes her head. "For what? For me to waste away there and be a burden on everyone else? I might as well waste away in my home. It's not like I'm going to outlive the year no matter where I go."
Silgara whispers aside "I... All the same... she might still know something about that protector that vanished. Assuming our tip is accurate."
"Madam my name is Mingzhu, a shamaness of the path of enlightenment. Do you know if there are other survivors and where they may have gone? We wish to help as best we can. Do you know what happened to the guardian spirit of the village?"
She scoffs, "And why should I tell you anything? You keep outsider company. You know what they've done to us. And nothing I say will help anyways."
Mingzhu nods. “Yes, there are outsiders with me but they are good people. I can see what they have done. I have given the bodies a proper funeral and many of their spirits have moved on to the next world. We only wish to do what we can for you and other survivors and then to avenge those that have died."
The old lady just scoffs, "Good outsiders. You say that after seeing this? Just go. There's nothing you can do here."
Mingzhu sighs. "What of the guardian spirit, ma'am is it hurt does it need assistance?"
The paladin watches this unfold. “I do not think she is willing to help.”
The old lady just sneers at Mingzhu. "Nothing you can do or say will help."
"We may just have to explore the isle for ourselves." T’kharr observes.
Mingzhu turns her head to the side and nods, “We will have to. There must be other survivors and there may be an injured spirit somewhere on the island."
The old lady scoffs "You won't find any." But then turns away.
Zsikhou narrows his eyes at the old lady. "Can demand that you tell this one."
The old lady looks over "Or what, you'll kill me for your master? It would be the last mercy you can give me. And from the look of you, yours has none. So, you won't do anything." Zsikhou just seethes.
Mingzhu looks around. “Leave some food and water for her. I will do what I can to clean the place up for her. " We will most likely need to rest then explore the interior.” She then looks at Zsikhou. “Please leave now.” Zsikhou looks over at Mingzhu, then slinks into hiding.
Mingzhu cleans up the home as best she can, washing dishes, cleaning the floor. Whatever needs done that she can do. The old lady just sits there, uncaring, scoffing. After she is finished, she turns to the old woman, "I have done what I can for you and the home. Are you sure you do not wish to come on the ship. It is warm and inviting. You are welcome to sleep on my bed mat."
"And prolong my torment? It will do no good. I was only left here to prolong my suffering. There's nothing you can do." The old lady just gives a dismissive snort.
Surprised Mingzhu turns and stares at her. “What do you mean, left here?” The old woman just scoffs, not wanting to talk further. Mingzhu casts a blessing on her and leaves for the ship. when she returns, she talks to the rest of them about the old woman said that she was left there. Mingzhu cannot tell if she meant by the pirates or her own people.
T'kharr heads back to the ship as well. "I reckon we rest here for the night then head back out the next day to explore the isle"
Silgara looks over to Mingzhu, considering "Well, let’s try piecing the facts together. The village was clearly attacked by Corsairs. The amount of dead does not equal to the population of the village. She's a survivor of the attack but has lost all will to live." Mingzhu nods.
Fwangzhu looks over to T'kharr. "And waste the day?... Why not just head out and explore now?"
Minamoto looks over. "She clearly knows something. But I don't know how to coax it out of her in this situation..."
Zsikhou considers, thinking. "So where would the rest of the villagers be, if not dead then...?"
"Do you folks think we can get through this isle, or at least sweep the rest of the coast, before nightfall? And as to the rest of the villagers...captives of the corsairs perhaps?" T’kharr surmises.
“They did not go to the closest island that would be the last we were at.” Mingzhu states.
Zsikhou nods to T'kharr. "Was thinking that too. If what we found on the Yakuza's island is anything to go by, the Corsairs may be involved in the slave trade."
Minamoto looks over. "Daimyo Zuodong's holdings are not far either, to the west. If he's paying them and allowing them to operate, then..." He pauses, considering
Fwangzhu huffs, "I don't really see any other leads other than to get sweating and explore the isle."
"Aye, big question is how much we have to explore though." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu asks of Minamoto and Fwangzhu. "If this nature spirit is alive, would it have a sanctuary on the island? I am not so versed in the customs of Wa."
Fwangzhu looks over. "They would. Depending on what kind of nature spirit they are. But it'd be somewhere wild and secluded. Odds are a deep part of the isle, they wouldn’t be along the shoreline for sure. They get pretty cranky about people stomping all over their sacred spaces. So, they tend to be more remote." Fwangzhu huffs.
I will take Zsikhou with me to explore the interior. The rest can comb the beaches for signs of survivors and anything else they find of pertinence. How does that sound? Both I and Zsikhou are sensitive to spirits. this nature spirit may have taken survivors to her sanctuary to hide them."
Minamoto looks over. "Except, usually with more benign nature spirits, there's usually a shaman or the like that handles ceremonies and rituals involving them. So, there should be some shrine around which would involve communion with them. Somewhere where they hold court and take petitioners."
Zsikhou nods. Fwangzhu looks over. "Sure you ain't gonna get lost in the woods or plains or whatever on your own?"
Mingzhu nods, “But each shaman can only call on their spirits. So, I would be of no effect unless this spirit is an ocean spirit.”
"Did you just want to start doing sort of a line-search pattern, or search the coast first to make sure we aren't missing something important before we start heading inland, or?" T’kharr asks?
Mingzhu thinks, “I’ll call and animal to help me, T’kharr. If I can find one intelligent enough. They wold know where the nature spirit keeps its sanctuary.”
Fwangzhu huffs, "Maybe I'd better accompany you. I know my way around woods."
Mingzhu nods, "A good idea Fwangzhu
"Both are good ideas. Although, does one of you wish to search for signs of any more survivors, perhaps folks that escaped to the woods?" T’kharr asks.
"We will T'kharr and Zsikhou is good at searching for sign.” Mingzhu answers.
"Right then, we've got our plans set then?" Silgara looks aside.
Zsikhou nods, "Right, we've got a plan at least. Let’s get to it. Figure we'll meet back up at the village when we're done."
T’kharr nods, “Aye let’s get to it.”
"No shit?" Fwangzhu snorts.
Silgara looks aside. "How reliable do you think the 'tip' we were given is?"
"Not assessable until we explore the village itself." Mingzhu says as she studies the scene.
"What's our plan then?" Zsikhou looks aside.
Mingzhu thinks about it. “We talk to the local villagers first. Fwangzhu should lead off. After, we hear from them speak to the local Elder. That is if there is still an elder in charge"
Fwangzhu nods, "Right. Take us in direct then."
Silgara steers the wheel "Right then, coming into dock.” Silgara steers the boat into the dock. As you look at the village, no one comes to greet you, no one seems to be there. And the damage is clearer up close. Damaged buildings. Goods looted, furniture and outdoor stands toppled over. The place is a picture of ruin and wreckage now. Homes still stand but many look damaged. Fwangzhu narrows his eyes. Even Minamoto looks unsettled.
Looking around Mingzhu says, “We must find survivors if we can.”
Fwangzhu draws his axe out as he disembarks the boat "Weapons out, whomever did this shit could still be around."
"T'kharr follows closely behind. "It looks like some sort of destructive force has been through here. Anyone see any fallen?"
Balan follows as well with blade and shield, “Aye or a raid.”
Mingzhu peers into the ethereal plane looking for spirits. She finds them everywhere she looks. There are dead bodies everywhere. She tries to estimate how long they have been dead. She sees they have been dead 5 to 6 days. The smell in town is terrible.
Balan checks the wounds for weapon marks. The wounds came from what looks like cutlasses, rapiers, daggers, with some crossbows mixed in. T’kharr is also examining bodies with Balin. “Seems consistent with a corsair attack, the weapons used."
Balan nods, “I would agree.”
Mingzhu quickly casts trance to draw them to her and commune with spirits. Since the others are with her, they can hear her questions. A spirit is called. “Calm, I will see you all laid to rest in proper fashion I have three question. First, who did this to you?”
“Corsairs.”
“Do you know why?”
“No.”
“Is your Elder alive?”
“No.”
“Be at peace spirit. I will tend to your souls.” Mingzhu releases it.
T’kharr also looks for signs that any of them attempted to defend themselves. She sees broken weapons or shields, defensive injuries upon the fallen, scraps of tabards or other battle robes, signs that some of the fallen were armored. She comments, “It looks like some of them grabbed some spears, harpoons, improvised weapons, but the defenders were villagers, seems they didn't have a chance.”
Silgara looks around. "I see bodies but... not enough to account for the entire population of the village..."
T’kharr nots to Balan, “Aye, that tracks with the weapons used to fell them."
Mingzhu wakes up. “It was the corsairs that did this. The Elder is dead.” Zsikhou nods to her. She continues, “We must find anyone that lives." I will start taking bodies out. I think burning them would be best here."
Fwangzhu grimaces, "Fuck them..." He looks around "We should still check for survivors."
Minamoto nods, "You would know best, Shamaness."
"No sign of organized defenders here though, just a village watch if that. And yes, we will need to check the isle for survivors once the dead no longer fester." T’kharr agrees with Mingzhu.
Silgara looks over. "It seems unlikely that our enemies are still around, but it may not be prudent to split up too much all the same."
"Aye, we do not know if other perils yet lurk here." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu ignores them. She goes to task being it’s more important to her that the souls of the dead move on. "If anyone finds the elders body I will question him." They do eventually find the elder's body in the town square, except it looks like he was publicly beheaded, the body is on a stand, and the head is missing. Mingzhu decides not to question the dead body as it has no vocal cords anymore. She sighs.
T’kharr doesn’t see any survivors. She says, “If you see any tracks of survivors or any possible hiding places, do speak up. Or any signs the Corsairs went deeper into the isle for that matter."
Fwangzhu and Zsikhou start looking, canvassing the area. After some time Fwangzhu’s ears perk up. T’kharr heads over to join him. Fwangzhu starts moving over toward a hovel. Silgara opts to follow T’kharr and Fwangzhu.
Meanwhile Mingzhu takes the bodies just out of town one by one and lays them out in a respectful manner. She covers her mouth and nose with a damp cloth. Minamoto joins her hand helps. It's a lot of grim, depressing work on Mingzhu's end. At least the corpses don't provide too much resistance. Minamoto aids how he can. Balan also joins them.
After awhile Fwangzhu’s group hears what sounds like….a rocking chair in one of the hovels.
"That's strange, a rocking chair? Let us investigate carefully. Wouldn't be beyond the corsairs to leave traps for those who find the scene of the raid." T’kharr states.
Fwangzhu, Zsikhou, and Silgara fall in. "This one should scout then?" Zsikhou looks over.
T’kharr motions Zsikhou up to let him lead the way, nodding in agreement. "Indeed so, my thought exactly." Zsikhou steps forward, checking for traps, scouting ahead.
He comes to a door. “No traps.” He peeks inside. Then he slinks back. "Old human on a rocking chair. Looks like a villager. The place looks like it’s a wasting away mess. Don't think she is or is in any immediate danger though." Zsikhou mentions.
"Strange. Let us approach with care, no idea how the corsairs passed them up." T’kharr says.
"Who goes in first?" Zsikhou looks to T'kharr.
Over at the edge of the village, after all the bodies are lined up. Mingzhu opens her Path book and performs a funeral service. When finished she lights the bodies up one by one with a torch. Minamoto bows his head respectfully, looking rather crestfallen. Mingzhu watches the ethereal plane to see the souls depart on their new journey. Some do; some linger... something like this might have left a natural haunt... Or be tough to let go of.
Mingzhu comments, "Some are not leaving though...… with such tragedy it is expected."
Minamoto looks over to her. "Is there anything else we can do...?"
Mingzhu silently shakes her head sadly. “Come lets go find the others.”
T'kharr takes the lead heading to the villager's door "Unless you think Fwangzhu would be better at this..."
Silgara motions T'kharr onwards. "Go ahead."
T'kharr carefully steps into the old lady's hut, nodding to her gently as she pads slowly, not wanting to overly spook or startle her with quick motion but visible all the same, including her hands "Why, hello there miss. We mean no harm."
The old lady looks over. Dirty, possibly haven't eaten in a while, or if so, minimally. She looks over with a jolt, like she was dozing off, she lets out a groan. The hovel has a rather unwelcoming smell to it, like it hasn't been maintained in a while.
"Is there anything we can get you even whilst we are here?" T’kharr asks.
"Another outlander... haven't your ilk taken enough? Go on. There's nothing to take here." She looks old, decrepit, clearly on her last legs, and years.
"We are not of the Corsairs' ilk. Can you speak of what happened here, though?" T’kharr asks again.
She scoffs, "You outsiders are all the same. Is this your way of tormenting me? Reminding us of all that befell us? Begone. There's nothing for you here."
Mingzhu, Minamoto and Balan find them in the hovel. Mingzhu looks around to see the old woman. T’kharr turns to her. “Perhaps you could speak with her Mingzhu? She's alive and at least talkative but seems to think of us outsiders all the same."
Mingzhu steps forward and bows. "Hello, there how may I assist you?"
The old lady scoffs, "There's nothing that can be done to assist me. Save your breath and go."
The shamaness turns back to the group. “She needs some good food and water. Fwangzhu, could you hunt something? a lesser restoration will help." She casts lesser restoration on the old woman. Fwangzhu looks over at the old lady, worriedly.
T’kharr offers, “I could purify some water, either for her to drink directly or for us to brew her tea with."
The old lady looks at Mingzhu. The restoration seems to jolt her from some fatigue. "I heard you just fine. I don't need anything. Not like I'm long for this world. Or that there's anything worth living for anymore. Tea's not going to help. I couldn't care less. I'm no help to anyone anymore. And I don't care to be either."
"Do you know where the other survivors went, madam?" Mingzhu asks.
She scoffs, "Survivors? Grow up child."
Fwangzhu looks over. "I think what'd help her most is to find whichever bastards did this and make them bleed."
Mingzhu turns to him. "We will Fwangzhu, we will."
The old lady looks over to Fwangzhu "Then you might as well draw your weapon and challenge the seas and the sun. You'd have just as much chance of making a difference." She just shakes her head "All your kindness and help, all it will do is prolong my torment. Just go. There's nothing for you here."
Mingzhu frowns. "She's still in shock. This will take a while. Madam we can take you to another island where you can be better cared for."
She shakes her head. "For what? For me to waste away there and be a burden on everyone else? I might as well waste away in my home. It's not like I'm going to outlive the year no matter where I go."
Silgara whispers aside "I... All the same... she might still know something about that protector that vanished. Assuming our tip is accurate."
"Madam my name is Mingzhu, a shamaness of the path of enlightenment. Do you know if there are other survivors and where they may have gone? We wish to help as best we can. Do you know what happened to the guardian spirit of the village?"
She scoffs, "And why should I tell you anything? You keep outsider company. You know what they've done to us. And nothing I say will help anyways."
Mingzhu nods. “Yes, there are outsiders with me but they are good people. I can see what they have done. I have given the bodies a proper funeral and many of their spirits have moved on to the next world. We only wish to do what we can for you and other survivors and then to avenge those that have died."
The old lady just scoffs, "Good outsiders. You say that after seeing this? Just go. There's nothing you can do here."
Mingzhu sighs. "What of the guardian spirit, ma'am is it hurt does it need assistance?"
The paladin watches this unfold. “I do not think she is willing to help.”
The old lady just sneers at Mingzhu. "Nothing you can do or say will help."
"We may just have to explore the isle for ourselves." T’kharr observes.
Mingzhu turns her head to the side and nods, “We will have to. There must be other survivors and there may be an injured spirit somewhere on the island."
The old lady scoffs "You won't find any." But then turns away.
Zsikhou narrows his eyes at the old lady. "Can demand that you tell this one."
The old lady looks over "Or what, you'll kill me for your master? It would be the last mercy you can give me. And from the look of you, yours has none. So, you won't do anything." Zsikhou just seethes.
Mingzhu looks around. “Leave some food and water for her. I will do what I can to clean the place up for her. " We will most likely need to rest then explore the interior.” She then looks at Zsikhou. “Please leave now.” Zsikhou looks over at Mingzhu, then slinks into hiding.
Mingzhu cleans up the home as best she can, washing dishes, cleaning the floor. Whatever needs done that she can do. The old lady just sits there, uncaring, scoffing. After she is finished, she turns to the old woman, "I have done what I can for you and the home. Are you sure you do not wish to come on the ship. It is warm and inviting. You are welcome to sleep on my bed mat."
"And prolong my torment? It will do no good. I was only left here to prolong my suffering. There's nothing you can do." The old lady just gives a dismissive snort.
Surprised Mingzhu turns and stares at her. “What do you mean, left here?” The old woman just scoffs, not wanting to talk further. Mingzhu casts a blessing on her and leaves for the ship. when she returns, she talks to the rest of them about the old woman said that she was left there. Mingzhu cannot tell if she meant by the pirates or her own people.
T'kharr heads back to the ship as well. "I reckon we rest here for the night then head back out the next day to explore the isle"
Silgara looks over to Mingzhu, considering "Well, let’s try piecing the facts together. The village was clearly attacked by Corsairs. The amount of dead does not equal to the population of the village. She's a survivor of the attack but has lost all will to live." Mingzhu nods.
Fwangzhu looks over to T'kharr. "And waste the day?... Why not just head out and explore now?"
Minamoto looks over. "She clearly knows something. But I don't know how to coax it out of her in this situation..."
Zsikhou considers, thinking. "So where would the rest of the villagers be, if not dead then...?"
"Do you folks think we can get through this isle, or at least sweep the rest of the coast, before nightfall? And as to the rest of the villagers...captives of the corsairs perhaps?" T’kharr surmises.
“They did not go to the closest island that would be the last we were at.” Mingzhu states.
Zsikhou nods to T'kharr. "Was thinking that too. If what we found on the Yakuza's island is anything to go by, the Corsairs may be involved in the slave trade."
Minamoto looks over. "Daimyo Zuodong's holdings are not far either, to the west. If he's paying them and allowing them to operate, then..." He pauses, considering
Fwangzhu huffs, "I don't really see any other leads other than to get sweating and explore the isle."
"Aye, big question is how much we have to explore though." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu asks of Minamoto and Fwangzhu. "If this nature spirit is alive, would it have a sanctuary on the island? I am not so versed in the customs of Wa."
Fwangzhu looks over. "They would. Depending on what kind of nature spirit they are. But it'd be somewhere wild and secluded. Odds are a deep part of the isle, they wouldn’t be along the shoreline for sure. They get pretty cranky about people stomping all over their sacred spaces. So, they tend to be more remote." Fwangzhu huffs.
I will take Zsikhou with me to explore the interior. The rest can comb the beaches for signs of survivors and anything else they find of pertinence. How does that sound? Both I and Zsikhou are sensitive to spirits. this nature spirit may have taken survivors to her sanctuary to hide them."
Minamoto looks over. "Except, usually with more benign nature spirits, there's usually a shaman or the like that handles ceremonies and rituals involving them. So, there should be some shrine around which would involve communion with them. Somewhere where they hold court and take petitioners."
Zsikhou nods. Fwangzhu looks over. "Sure you ain't gonna get lost in the woods or plains or whatever on your own?"
Mingzhu nods, “But each shaman can only call on their spirits. So, I would be of no effect unless this spirit is an ocean spirit.”
"Did you just want to start doing sort of a line-search pattern, or search the coast first to make sure we aren't missing something important before we start heading inland, or?" T’kharr asks?
Mingzhu thinks, “I’ll call and animal to help me, T’kharr. If I can find one intelligent enough. They wold know where the nature spirit keeps its sanctuary.”
Fwangzhu huffs, "Maybe I'd better accompany you. I know my way around woods."
Mingzhu nods, "A good idea Fwangzhu
"Both are good ideas. Although, does one of you wish to search for signs of any more survivors, perhaps folks that escaped to the woods?" T’kharr asks.
"We will T'kharr and Zsikhou is good at searching for sign.” Mingzhu answers.
"Right then, we've got our plans set then?" Silgara looks aside.
Zsikhou nods, "Right, we've got a plan at least. Let’s get to it. Figure we'll meet back up at the village when we're done."
T’kharr nods, “Aye let’s get to it.”
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Winterhawk99
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
Mingzhu checks her weapons, “I’ve got my spoon and meat tenderizer.”
Silgara looks over "Right, I'll get the boat ready. But what's the plan, Circle around the island? Or something else?"
Mingzhu frowns a moment, “Now all I need is…. A pan.”
Fwangzhu looks over to Mingzhu. "Spirits are usually pretty reclusive, so we'd better... what the fuck do you need a pan for?" Mingzhu just smiles at him evilly.
Silgara looks over those with her. "Unless you feel we should try talking to the survivor again."
Fwangzhu huffs, "Oh if it's important spit it out, otherwise, focus."
Zsikhou looks over. "Right, we don't know this island's terrain. Searching it might take quite some time. Do we have any ways of accelerating the search?"
“I can call an animal.” Mingzhu responds.
Fwangzhu huffs, "If you want to try that, do it. Otherwise, we might as well get sweating."
On the ship T’kharr motions Silgara to start the search along the coast for any escaped survivors. Balan nods to her. “Let us work the edge.”
Silgara nods, "Might as well. On foot or by boat?"
T’kharr says, “On foot.” Then asks, “Any of you good at spotting tracks?”
Silgara and Minamoto shake their heads. "I think our tracker went with Mingzhu to find the spirit's home." Silgara says.
"Ah. If so, I think we go rejoin with them to find the spirit then we can sweep for survivors." T’kharr responds.
"Well, alright then. We can go together then." Silgara nods.
Back near the edge of the village. Mingzhu casts Summon Natures Ally 4 (Tiger) then Speak with Animals. The Tiger appears. Mingzhu says to it, “Roam the interior of the island and search for anything unusual like people or tracks come back to me and tell me if you found something.” The Tiger marches into the forest on reconnaissance. Eventually, the Tiger returns, and says they found nothing of interest. Then simply prances off back into the jungle. The other party members find Mingzhu and crew after.
Zsikhou looks to Mingzhu, "What did they say?"
“It said it found nothing of interest.” Mingzhu states.
Fwangzhu huffs, "Guess we're doing this ourselves then." Mingzhu nods to him. He starts heading off. “Right, lets haul ass and keep eyes out." Minamoto shakes his head, not liking Fwangzhu's choice in vernacular.
As they all head down the forest paths Mingzhu is able to find a few things. First, nearby the village looks like a more secluded shrine. She doesn't find any evidence that anyone left the village. But it's likely that the shrine is where people have gone to make offerings or do other spiritual services, not the spirit's residence. Further analysis of the terrain seems to indicate that deeper into the isle there is a sizable, forested part, as well as a part that is more marsh and swamp terrain.
Fwangzhu huffs, looking over "Doesn't look like anyone was here when the attack happened... Think our spirit is more likely to be in a forest or in a swamp?"
Mingzhu leaves one of her white pearls there at the shrine and quickly does any quick maintenance she can on it. Meanwhile T’kharr is studying the ground in the area. She does not see any villager tracks that look like they escaped from the village, at least not this way. Though some old tracks might suggest the path to the forest is the correct one, rather than the path to the swamps. From her survival knowledge, the marsh is probably where herbalists go to pick certain ingredients up, but the older trails from the shrine all go to the forest.
Mingzhu studies the various paths. “Looks like we need to head to the forest.”
Zsikhou nods, "Let’s keep moving then." Balan nods putting himself up front.
T’kharr comments, “Forest, I think, aye.”
They keep moving for a while. It's thankfully devoid of monsters, even if the usual forest wildlife and animals are around. But they all seem to give the party a wide berth. Thankfully it seems that the usual wolves or other predatory animals aren't suicidal enough to attack a heavily armed group.
It doesn’t look like the woods this deep are often traversed. Mingzhu and T'kharr can both tell that. Things seem pretty normal here, it must be deeper in. It doesn’t look like the animals are avoiding anything in particular either. It's likely if there was a nature spirit the animals would have behavior patterns around it, either avoiding or being servants. The companions keep going, it's a lot of hours of just marching, walking, trying not to get lost, and moving through wilderness...
Fwangzhu seems pretty lost after a while. Mingzhu looks around and adjusts her eyes to the ethereal plane every so often to look for the spirit. So far, she has seen no spirits. It begins getting dark, but Balan starts to get a feeling they should keep going in this direction. Based on well... a feeling. Visibility starts to become more limited. The sound of crickets and hooting of owls awaken the night’s forest creatures.
Balan attempts to detect any evil presences in the area. The only evil he detects is from Zsikhou. He says, “I cannot feel anything in that direction. Just the burn of Zsikhou.”
Zsikhou looks up to Balan. "This one burns...?"
Balan responds, “Every time I attempt to detect evil.”
"Oh." Zsikhou looks up with innocent puppy eyes then huffs.
“I have grown used to your presence at this time.” Balan says.
Zsikhou just grumbles and sighs, "Let’s keep moving."
Silgara looks over to Balan. "We may need to get closer, then."
As they move, ever forward the sound of hooting birds and crickets gives way to silence. Mingzhu carefully walks forward after casting protection from evil and shield of faith. Thankfully T'kharr's sense of direction is quite good for this. It's gotten dark now. But it takes another hour of searching... but they eventually come to find a sort of glade. In its center though, there's a tree, or was. It looks like a hollowed out, decayed stump, but it looks like it clearly WAS impressive, when it was alive. The tree is only about six feet in height now, clearly hollowed out and brittle. Large fields of flowers surround it, except that they're withered and dead. The flowers look like they were arranged in some kind of courtly fashioned. It's clearly not fully a wild growth but definitely guided. There are a few withered bushes around, they are shriveled and decayed.
Silgara looks over "Right, I'll get the boat ready. But what's the plan, Circle around the island? Or something else?"
Mingzhu frowns a moment, “Now all I need is…. A pan.”
Fwangzhu looks over to Mingzhu. "Spirits are usually pretty reclusive, so we'd better... what the fuck do you need a pan for?" Mingzhu just smiles at him evilly.
Silgara looks over those with her. "Unless you feel we should try talking to the survivor again."
Fwangzhu huffs, "Oh if it's important spit it out, otherwise, focus."
Zsikhou looks over. "Right, we don't know this island's terrain. Searching it might take quite some time. Do we have any ways of accelerating the search?"
“I can call an animal.” Mingzhu responds.
Fwangzhu huffs, "If you want to try that, do it. Otherwise, we might as well get sweating."
On the ship T’kharr motions Silgara to start the search along the coast for any escaped survivors. Balan nods to her. “Let us work the edge.”
Silgara nods, "Might as well. On foot or by boat?"
T’kharr says, “On foot.” Then asks, “Any of you good at spotting tracks?”
Silgara and Minamoto shake their heads. "I think our tracker went with Mingzhu to find the spirit's home." Silgara says.
"Ah. If so, I think we go rejoin with them to find the spirit then we can sweep for survivors." T’kharr responds.
"Well, alright then. We can go together then." Silgara nods.
Back near the edge of the village. Mingzhu casts Summon Natures Ally 4 (Tiger) then Speak with Animals. The Tiger appears. Mingzhu says to it, “Roam the interior of the island and search for anything unusual like people or tracks come back to me and tell me if you found something.” The Tiger marches into the forest on reconnaissance. Eventually, the Tiger returns, and says they found nothing of interest. Then simply prances off back into the jungle. The other party members find Mingzhu and crew after.
Zsikhou looks to Mingzhu, "What did they say?"
“It said it found nothing of interest.” Mingzhu states.
Fwangzhu huffs, "Guess we're doing this ourselves then." Mingzhu nods to him. He starts heading off. “Right, lets haul ass and keep eyes out." Minamoto shakes his head, not liking Fwangzhu's choice in vernacular.
As they all head down the forest paths Mingzhu is able to find a few things. First, nearby the village looks like a more secluded shrine. She doesn't find any evidence that anyone left the village. But it's likely that the shrine is where people have gone to make offerings or do other spiritual services, not the spirit's residence. Further analysis of the terrain seems to indicate that deeper into the isle there is a sizable, forested part, as well as a part that is more marsh and swamp terrain.
Fwangzhu huffs, looking over "Doesn't look like anyone was here when the attack happened... Think our spirit is more likely to be in a forest or in a swamp?"
Mingzhu leaves one of her white pearls there at the shrine and quickly does any quick maintenance she can on it. Meanwhile T’kharr is studying the ground in the area. She does not see any villager tracks that look like they escaped from the village, at least not this way. Though some old tracks might suggest the path to the forest is the correct one, rather than the path to the swamps. From her survival knowledge, the marsh is probably where herbalists go to pick certain ingredients up, but the older trails from the shrine all go to the forest.
Mingzhu studies the various paths. “Looks like we need to head to the forest.”
Zsikhou nods, "Let’s keep moving then." Balan nods putting himself up front.
T’kharr comments, “Forest, I think, aye.”
They keep moving for a while. It's thankfully devoid of monsters, even if the usual forest wildlife and animals are around. But they all seem to give the party a wide berth. Thankfully it seems that the usual wolves or other predatory animals aren't suicidal enough to attack a heavily armed group.
It doesn’t look like the woods this deep are often traversed. Mingzhu and T'kharr can both tell that. Things seem pretty normal here, it must be deeper in. It doesn’t look like the animals are avoiding anything in particular either. It's likely if there was a nature spirit the animals would have behavior patterns around it, either avoiding or being servants. The companions keep going, it's a lot of hours of just marching, walking, trying not to get lost, and moving through wilderness...
Fwangzhu seems pretty lost after a while. Mingzhu looks around and adjusts her eyes to the ethereal plane every so often to look for the spirit. So far, she has seen no spirits. It begins getting dark, but Balan starts to get a feeling they should keep going in this direction. Based on well... a feeling. Visibility starts to become more limited. The sound of crickets and hooting of owls awaken the night’s forest creatures.
Balan attempts to detect any evil presences in the area. The only evil he detects is from Zsikhou. He says, “I cannot feel anything in that direction. Just the burn of Zsikhou.”
Zsikhou looks up to Balan. "This one burns...?"
Balan responds, “Every time I attempt to detect evil.”
"Oh." Zsikhou looks up with innocent puppy eyes then huffs.
“I have grown used to your presence at this time.” Balan says.
Zsikhou just grumbles and sighs, "Let’s keep moving."
Silgara looks over to Balan. "We may need to get closer, then."
As they move, ever forward the sound of hooting birds and crickets gives way to silence. Mingzhu carefully walks forward after casting protection from evil and shield of faith. Thankfully T'kharr's sense of direction is quite good for this. It's gotten dark now. But it takes another hour of searching... but they eventually come to find a sort of glade. In its center though, there's a tree, or was. It looks like a hollowed out, decayed stump, but it looks like it clearly WAS impressive, when it was alive. The tree is only about six feet in height now, clearly hollowed out and brittle. Large fields of flowers surround it, except that they're withered and dead. The flowers look like they were arranged in some kind of courtly fashioned. It's clearly not fully a wild growth but definitely guided. There are a few withered bushes around, they are shriveled and decayed.
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Winterhawk99
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
Mingzhu tries to use her spirit knowledge to figure out if the spirit is in fact dead. All she can really tell is that there isn't one here at the moment. Zsikhou huffs, growling as he looks around. Fwangzhu looks around. "Well, this looks fucked up."
Minamoto looks over. "Shamaness, what do you sense here? Or... what should we look for?"
Mingzhu purses her lips, “I am unsure if the spirit is dead or not or if there is anything we can do."
The spirit is not here that much I know.”
Fwangzhu looks over. "Well, according to Ceroba, they vanished. Should a spirit vanish cause this to happen?"
“I could try to contact a spirit, but it will not be her unless it’s an ocean or community spirit.” Mingzhu says, as she shakes her head.
Silgara steps over to Mingzhu. “Maybe?” She casts Detect Magic. She looks around, a notable frown. "Necromancy aura. It was powerful but it's fading." She looks around "This place almost looks like it was hit by a Horrid Wilting spell..."
Mingzhu frowns, "Necromancy. the corsairs sounds like they have a wu-jen or evil priest.”
Fwangzhu looks over. "Well, that'd make sense. After they wreck the village, they send some jackasses to attack the spirit?"
Mingzhu nods, “High shamans have that spell. I will when I gain enough favor with my ocean spirits.”
Zsikhou shakes his head. "Except we didn't find their tracks, did we? And without knowing what to look for, we might not have found this spot."
Silgara looks over. "I'm not picking up any active magic, just lingering remnants from other spells thrown. My guess is some kind of battle that happened here. That's about all I can say at the moment."
"Aye, that'd make sense. It seems like it wasn't much of a fight though...or was it?" T'kharr looks around for signs that the spirit gave as well as it got... After studying their surroundings, she is pretty certain the spirit got stomped. That said... the assailant was likely considerably more powerful than what they’ve seen of the Corsairs so far... "It wasn't much of a fight, either.... clearly whoever they sent to deal with the spirit's quite powerful."
"I haven't seen our usual foes use more than third circle magic as of yet..." Silgara says "If someone cast Horrid Wilting, that's eighth circle magic..."
Mingzhu asks, “Could they have cast it from a scroll?”
T’kharr nods to her. “Quite possible as well. It would mean they'd need to have a supply of such though."
Mingzhu again purses her lips, “Or be given it for a specific task.”
"Not like we're in Waterdeep where Blackstaff has any arcane scroll one can imagine for sufficient coin." T’kharr remarks.
“There are not many shamans that align with the Yokai, but it is not unheard of. Priest, shaman, Wu-jen and most likely quite powerful.” Mingzhu adds.
"Magic is heavily regulated here. Wu Jen must be under the sanction of the court of the emperor or one of the Daimyos." Minamoto says.
Mingzhu almost laughs, “Like the others we have already faced?"
Fwangzhu sneakers snorts a chuckle. Zsikhou looks over "Is there anything else we can get from here? Otherwise, the only other source of information we really have is that survivor."
Minamoto looks over. "The unsanctioned witch with us notwithstanding, they've all been executed."
“Wu-jen Minamoto I have my spoon. Be nice.” Mingzhu retorts. Fwangzhu grins and rubs the palms of his hands together.
"Regardless, Shamaness, unsanctioned practitioners of magic like that are not tolerated and we have been executing them." Minamoto says.
Mingzhu nods. “Still, it seems many have eluded that justice. In Silgara’s case we will rectify that in court and get her sanctioned.”
Then Silgara looks to Mingzhu. "I'd rather not become tethered to the courts in this land, if that is involved."
"Terminology aside, what's our next step? Do any of you have any ways of extracting more information here? Or should we return?" Silgara says.
Zsikhou looks over. "Think we need to make that survivor talk."
Silgara looks over to Zsikhou. "After what she's been through? I don't think it's a good idea to force her to retell all that trauma."
Mingzhu states flatly, “I will not condone torture. We may have to coax her yes. but no torture.”
Zsikhou shrugs, "Said nothing about torture. But right now, she is the only one who knows what may have happened and is saying nothing."
“Well, it’s dark let us set up camp. If the spirit happens to be alive perhaps, she will appear. I will try to contact one of my spirits now and ask it questions.” Mingzhu says.
Fwangzhu looks around. "Doesn't feel great setting up camp here. But alright... we'll do it your way."
Mingzhu sits down by the tree and meditates then casts trance and commune with spirit. She calls a spirit one appears before her. “Greetings spirit. Is the spirit of this glade dead?”
“Don’t know”
“Is there any way we may help if it is still alive so to speak?”
“Don’t know.”
“Is there any way to save her tree if she is dead?”
“Don’t know.”
“Is there a way to coax the old woman in the village to speak to us about what has happened? Something she cherishes that we might find for her. Something she loves where we can help her from her depression?”
“Maybe.” The spirit fades.
She looks at the others. “All my questions on the tree and glade the spirit did not know. However, I asked her if we could help the old woman and coax her into talking but finding something she cherishes or something she loves. the spirit said maybe. It was most likely a community spirit.”
Zsikhou huffs, "Not exactly helpful, looks like we might be on our own for this one."
Silgara considers, "It also occurs to me that a mage capable of casting Horrid Wilting is likely also capable of casting teleportation magic."
"We can try searching the coast. And yes, likely so." T’kharr observes.
Silgara looks over. "If we're going to camp for the night. She could prepare that spell again, but, alright... it's already dark out."
"Or at the very least encamp somewhere a bit less rotten." T’kharr almost insists.
Zsikhou shakes his head. "Have a feeling it's a waste of time, but we can try it. Think our best bet is to go get information from the survivor."
Mingzhu quietly says, “After resting, yes. I can do the spell again. I must meditate at dawn though as I always do.”
Fwangzhu huffs, "I remember which way we came from. Trail is still there if we march it."
"Aye, head back to town if folks think we still have time to do so and rest before sunup." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu disagrees. “It's already dark, T'kharr and the spirit may come back if badly wounded. though I fear it is dead.”
Silgara shrugs, "Your call."
T’kharr grumbles as her nose if very keen. “I suppose we can rest here if we have not the time for anything else, who wants to take the other watch given Silgara will be taking one?"
"Will take one." Zsikhou volunteers.
“I’ll stay by the tree.” Mingzhu says. Before she rests, she tries some Heal spells on it. Cure Critical Wounds. Unfortunately, it still doesn't really seem to do anything for the tree. She feels sadden because she seems ineffective with dealing with this situation. She tries one more spell on it: Lesser Restoration. It has no effect. She sleeps by the tree. T’kharr sets up to rest for the night.
As most rest Fwangzhu and Silgara banter some. “Fwangzhu, from what I've heard, you can take the form of a badger, human, or the hybrid form, you favor. I realize the advantages of being humanoid in shape, but is there a reason you prefer to keep that form over a human one?" Silgara asks while studying a spellbook.
Fwangzhu snorts, "I don't feel like hiding what I am or who I am. People who do are usually cowards or trying to pull some shit."
"Well, it is your choice. Fair enough." Silgara nods.
Fwangzhu grunts "Not like we should have to look human or human-ish to fit in."
Zsikhou moves over to Mingzhu. "Yes Zsikhou?" She asks.
"Just seeing if you're ready. And safe. Not that this one saw anything around here. Understandable that the animals avoid this place." Zsikhou says.
She nods to him. The night carries on without incident. The sun comes up at dawn.
Minamoto looks over. "Shamaness, what do you sense here? Or... what should we look for?"
Mingzhu purses her lips, “I am unsure if the spirit is dead or not or if there is anything we can do."
The spirit is not here that much I know.”
Fwangzhu looks over. "Well, according to Ceroba, they vanished. Should a spirit vanish cause this to happen?"
“I could try to contact a spirit, but it will not be her unless it’s an ocean or community spirit.” Mingzhu says, as she shakes her head.
Silgara steps over to Mingzhu. “Maybe?” She casts Detect Magic. She looks around, a notable frown. "Necromancy aura. It was powerful but it's fading." She looks around "This place almost looks like it was hit by a Horrid Wilting spell..."
Mingzhu frowns, "Necromancy. the corsairs sounds like they have a wu-jen or evil priest.”
Fwangzhu looks over. "Well, that'd make sense. After they wreck the village, they send some jackasses to attack the spirit?"
Mingzhu nods, “High shamans have that spell. I will when I gain enough favor with my ocean spirits.”
Zsikhou shakes his head. "Except we didn't find their tracks, did we? And without knowing what to look for, we might not have found this spot."
Silgara looks over. "I'm not picking up any active magic, just lingering remnants from other spells thrown. My guess is some kind of battle that happened here. That's about all I can say at the moment."
"Aye, that'd make sense. It seems like it wasn't much of a fight though...or was it?" T'kharr looks around for signs that the spirit gave as well as it got... After studying their surroundings, she is pretty certain the spirit got stomped. That said... the assailant was likely considerably more powerful than what they’ve seen of the Corsairs so far... "It wasn't much of a fight, either.... clearly whoever they sent to deal with the spirit's quite powerful."
"I haven't seen our usual foes use more than third circle magic as of yet..." Silgara says "If someone cast Horrid Wilting, that's eighth circle magic..."
Mingzhu asks, “Could they have cast it from a scroll?”
T’kharr nods to her. “Quite possible as well. It would mean they'd need to have a supply of such though."
Mingzhu again purses her lips, “Or be given it for a specific task.”
"Not like we're in Waterdeep where Blackstaff has any arcane scroll one can imagine for sufficient coin." T’kharr remarks.
“There are not many shamans that align with the Yokai, but it is not unheard of. Priest, shaman, Wu-jen and most likely quite powerful.” Mingzhu adds.
"Magic is heavily regulated here. Wu Jen must be under the sanction of the court of the emperor or one of the Daimyos." Minamoto says.
Mingzhu almost laughs, “Like the others we have already faced?"
Fwangzhu sneakers snorts a chuckle. Zsikhou looks over "Is there anything else we can get from here? Otherwise, the only other source of information we really have is that survivor."
Minamoto looks over. "The unsanctioned witch with us notwithstanding, they've all been executed."
“Wu-jen Minamoto I have my spoon. Be nice.” Mingzhu retorts. Fwangzhu grins and rubs the palms of his hands together.
"Regardless, Shamaness, unsanctioned practitioners of magic like that are not tolerated and we have been executing them." Minamoto says.
Mingzhu nods. “Still, it seems many have eluded that justice. In Silgara’s case we will rectify that in court and get her sanctioned.”
Then Silgara looks to Mingzhu. "I'd rather not become tethered to the courts in this land, if that is involved."
"Terminology aside, what's our next step? Do any of you have any ways of extracting more information here? Or should we return?" Silgara says.
Zsikhou looks over. "Think we need to make that survivor talk."
Silgara looks over to Zsikhou. "After what she's been through? I don't think it's a good idea to force her to retell all that trauma."
Mingzhu states flatly, “I will not condone torture. We may have to coax her yes. but no torture.”
Zsikhou shrugs, "Said nothing about torture. But right now, she is the only one who knows what may have happened and is saying nothing."
“Well, it’s dark let us set up camp. If the spirit happens to be alive perhaps, she will appear. I will try to contact one of my spirits now and ask it questions.” Mingzhu says.
Fwangzhu looks around. "Doesn't feel great setting up camp here. But alright... we'll do it your way."
Mingzhu sits down by the tree and meditates then casts trance and commune with spirit. She calls a spirit one appears before her. “Greetings spirit. Is the spirit of this glade dead?”
“Don’t know”
“Is there any way we may help if it is still alive so to speak?”
“Don’t know.”
“Is there any way to save her tree if she is dead?”
“Don’t know.”
“Is there a way to coax the old woman in the village to speak to us about what has happened? Something she cherishes that we might find for her. Something she loves where we can help her from her depression?”
“Maybe.” The spirit fades.
She looks at the others. “All my questions on the tree and glade the spirit did not know. However, I asked her if we could help the old woman and coax her into talking but finding something she cherishes or something she loves. the spirit said maybe. It was most likely a community spirit.”
Zsikhou huffs, "Not exactly helpful, looks like we might be on our own for this one."
Silgara considers, "It also occurs to me that a mage capable of casting Horrid Wilting is likely also capable of casting teleportation magic."
"We can try searching the coast. And yes, likely so." T’kharr observes.
Silgara looks over. "If we're going to camp for the night. She could prepare that spell again, but, alright... it's already dark out."
"Or at the very least encamp somewhere a bit less rotten." T’kharr almost insists.
Zsikhou shakes his head. "Have a feeling it's a waste of time, but we can try it. Think our best bet is to go get information from the survivor."
Mingzhu quietly says, “After resting, yes. I can do the spell again. I must meditate at dawn though as I always do.”
Fwangzhu huffs, "I remember which way we came from. Trail is still there if we march it."
"Aye, head back to town if folks think we still have time to do so and rest before sunup." T’kharr says.
Mingzhu disagrees. “It's already dark, T'kharr and the spirit may come back if badly wounded. though I fear it is dead.”
Silgara shrugs, "Your call."
T’kharr grumbles as her nose if very keen. “I suppose we can rest here if we have not the time for anything else, who wants to take the other watch given Silgara will be taking one?"
"Will take one." Zsikhou volunteers.
“I’ll stay by the tree.” Mingzhu says. Before she rests, she tries some Heal spells on it. Cure Critical Wounds. Unfortunately, it still doesn't really seem to do anything for the tree. She feels sadden because she seems ineffective with dealing with this situation. She tries one more spell on it: Lesser Restoration. It has no effect. She sleeps by the tree. T’kharr sets up to rest for the night.
As most rest Fwangzhu and Silgara banter some. “Fwangzhu, from what I've heard, you can take the form of a badger, human, or the hybrid form, you favor. I realize the advantages of being humanoid in shape, but is there a reason you prefer to keep that form over a human one?" Silgara asks while studying a spellbook.
Fwangzhu snorts, "I don't feel like hiding what I am or who I am. People who do are usually cowards or trying to pull some shit."
"Well, it is your choice. Fair enough." Silgara nods.
Fwangzhu grunts "Not like we should have to look human or human-ish to fit in."
Zsikhou moves over to Mingzhu. "Yes Zsikhou?" She asks.
"Just seeing if you're ready. And safe. Not that this one saw anything around here. Understandable that the animals avoid this place." Zsikhou says.
She nods to him. The night carries on without incident. The sun comes up at dawn.
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Winterhawk99
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
Morning comes without incident. Mingzhu does her meditation with her spirits. Zsikhou lets her meditate. T'kharr does her own meditation and breaks her fast from rations. After Mingzhu is finished with that, she looks around at all the dew surrounding them. Beyond the bounds of the damage, she sees all the leaves on the trees glistening. She looks at everyone. I have one spell that could possibly help the tree, but it may take much more control than what I have at this time. It may fail. Still, I must try.
Silgara nods, "Then, I hope it works."
Mingzhu casts Control Water and tries to bring the dew from the surrounding forest to the tree. It does bring the water to the tree but… it does nothing other than that. The tree still looks hollowed out and brittle. She slumps. “I have tried everything I know. I just...Just don’t know what to do now."
Zsikhou looks over, "Call your spirit to ask more questions? Otherwise, our only reliable source of information is the survivor."
T'kharr nods and sighs, offering Mingzhu a hug. "Aye...it's never easy witnessing the aftermath of something like this, but yes.... I suppose we can try heading to the coast and calling a different sort of spirit?" Mingzhu accepts the hug but still feels like a failure. She gets ready to commune with her spirit.
Silgara considers "We might want to consider what questions to ask."
“But what shall I ask it Zsikhou?” Mingzhu looks at him.
Zsikhou looks over. "The questions prior were all in regard to the current status of the spirit. We could ask who did this. Or what. Or where they went. Or where the surviving villagers are."
Mingzhu nods. “I was so concerned about the spirit and its tree I did not take that into account."
"Those are all very good questions, indeed." T’kharr remarks.
Zsikhou nods, "This one, figures we might find the spirit if we find the perpetrator, as well."
"If the spirit still lives, aye." T’kharr considers.
Mingzhu nods, “I will ask.”
Zsikhou gives her a pat on the back. “Indeed.”
Mingzhu meditates and casts Trance and Commune with Spirits. A spirit is called again. She asks, “Who did this to the spirit of the tree?”
“Sage.”
“Where did this Sage go after the battle?”
“Vanished.”
“Where are the surviving villagers?”
“Enslaved. Corsairs.”
“Where are the Corsairs at this time?”
“Somewhere west. Don’t know more.” The spirit fades.
T’kharr comments, “Not very sage-ly of them hmm...?"
Mingzhu reports what she heard, “A sage or someone named Sage battled the spirit. Then they vanished. The missing villagers were enslaved by the corsairs which headed west.”
Silgara rubs her temple. "That would fit if they cast a teleport spell." Mingzhu nods.
Minamoto looks over. "West is into Daimyo Zuodong's domain."
“I wish to tell everyone something. If this sage is adept at battling spirits this is a great danger to me personally because I myself am part spirit and am affected by spells aimed at spirits. Also, if someone were to cast horrid wilting on me it would be more devastating for me because I am partially a water spirit myself. an ocean spirit in fact.” Mingzhu confesses.
Zsikhou shuffles some, then nods. "We will need to find out more about this sage, then." He huffs "Odds that the survivor in town knows?"
Balan considers everything then says, “It is possible though they did not wish to speak with us before I doubt that has changed.”
Zsikhou looks at Silgara. "Don't suppose you have that charm spell?"
Silgara looks squarely at Zsikhou. "I am not going to abuse my magic for that."
Zsikhou huffs, "And waste more time, then?"
“I may have to rest again before we move. Control Water is a powerful spell. I can lower water in the ocean creating a whirlpool that stops a ship flat perhaps sucking it in.” Mingzhu says.
Silgara looks over. "What did you intend to do with the Control Water spell?"
"What do you think I intend to do if we meet another one of those Corsairs, Silgara. The spell will create a 470-foot whirlpool if I choose to lower water.”
She nods, "Good point."
Zsikhou looks over. "Efficient". Zsikhou clicks his tongue "Still need to decide what we do next though. Well, what's our next move? Back to the village? Or to another island?"
"I think perhaps we should talk to her again. I think if she knows the villagers did not leave her, that they were enslaved it may make her more agreeable. in that she may have children or grandchildren among those that were enslaved." Mingzhu surmises.
Zsikhou looks over. "This one thinks she already knew but likely did not think we could do anything about it."
Mingzhu takes on a grim look, “Then we must convince her.”
Silgara looks over. "Either way, we've got a long walk back."
"Aye, I think our best choice is to return to her and mention that the surviving villagers are enslaved now, and that anything she can give us would be useful in trying to free them" T’kharr says nodding to Silgara as she starts to lead the party back village-ward.
Silgara nods, "Then, I hope it works."
Mingzhu casts Control Water and tries to bring the dew from the surrounding forest to the tree. It does bring the water to the tree but… it does nothing other than that. The tree still looks hollowed out and brittle. She slumps. “I have tried everything I know. I just...Just don’t know what to do now."
Zsikhou looks over, "Call your spirit to ask more questions? Otherwise, our only reliable source of information is the survivor."
T'kharr nods and sighs, offering Mingzhu a hug. "Aye...it's never easy witnessing the aftermath of something like this, but yes.... I suppose we can try heading to the coast and calling a different sort of spirit?" Mingzhu accepts the hug but still feels like a failure. She gets ready to commune with her spirit.
Silgara considers "We might want to consider what questions to ask."
“But what shall I ask it Zsikhou?” Mingzhu looks at him.
Zsikhou looks over. "The questions prior were all in regard to the current status of the spirit. We could ask who did this. Or what. Or where they went. Or where the surviving villagers are."
Mingzhu nods. “I was so concerned about the spirit and its tree I did not take that into account."
"Those are all very good questions, indeed." T’kharr remarks.
Zsikhou nods, "This one, figures we might find the spirit if we find the perpetrator, as well."
"If the spirit still lives, aye." T’kharr considers.
Mingzhu nods, “I will ask.”
Zsikhou gives her a pat on the back. “Indeed.”
Mingzhu meditates and casts Trance and Commune with Spirits. A spirit is called again. She asks, “Who did this to the spirit of the tree?”
“Sage.”
“Where did this Sage go after the battle?”
“Vanished.”
“Where are the surviving villagers?”
“Enslaved. Corsairs.”
“Where are the Corsairs at this time?”
“Somewhere west. Don’t know more.” The spirit fades.
T’kharr comments, “Not very sage-ly of them hmm...?"
Mingzhu reports what she heard, “A sage or someone named Sage battled the spirit. Then they vanished. The missing villagers were enslaved by the corsairs which headed west.”
Silgara rubs her temple. "That would fit if they cast a teleport spell." Mingzhu nods.
Minamoto looks over. "West is into Daimyo Zuodong's domain."
“I wish to tell everyone something. If this sage is adept at battling spirits this is a great danger to me personally because I myself am part spirit and am affected by spells aimed at spirits. Also, if someone were to cast horrid wilting on me it would be more devastating for me because I am partially a water spirit myself. an ocean spirit in fact.” Mingzhu confesses.
Zsikhou shuffles some, then nods. "We will need to find out more about this sage, then." He huffs "Odds that the survivor in town knows?"
Balan considers everything then says, “It is possible though they did not wish to speak with us before I doubt that has changed.”
Zsikhou looks at Silgara. "Don't suppose you have that charm spell?"
Silgara looks squarely at Zsikhou. "I am not going to abuse my magic for that."
Zsikhou huffs, "And waste more time, then?"
“I may have to rest again before we move. Control Water is a powerful spell. I can lower water in the ocean creating a whirlpool that stops a ship flat perhaps sucking it in.” Mingzhu says.
Silgara looks over. "What did you intend to do with the Control Water spell?"
"What do you think I intend to do if we meet another one of those Corsairs, Silgara. The spell will create a 470-foot whirlpool if I choose to lower water.”
She nods, "Good point."
Zsikhou looks over. "Efficient". Zsikhou clicks his tongue "Still need to decide what we do next though. Well, what's our next move? Back to the village? Or to another island?"
"I think perhaps we should talk to her again. I think if she knows the villagers did not leave her, that they were enslaved it may make her more agreeable. in that she may have children or grandchildren among those that were enslaved." Mingzhu surmises.
Zsikhou looks over. "This one thinks she already knew but likely did not think we could do anything about it."
Mingzhu takes on a grim look, “Then we must convince her.”
Silgara looks over. "Either way, we've got a long walk back."
"Aye, I think our best choice is to return to her and mention that the surviving villagers are enslaved now, and that anything she can give us would be useful in trying to free them" T’kharr says nodding to Silgara as she starts to lead the party back village-ward.
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Winterhawk99
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
The companions make their travel back. It does take a good several hours to make their way back to the village though. It's a long trek through wild terrain. Fortunately, they don't have to fight anything off
Just a long and tedious march. After several hours of walking they reach the village, dreary sight that it is. As it comes into view Silgara asks, “"Right, who wants to take lead in talking with her...?"
"I was thinking it'd be best if Mingzhu did." T’kharr suggests.
Mingzhu nods and heads to the hovel. The old woman doesn't look like she's moved since you last saw her, she's right where she is in the rocking chair. The shamaness looks at the supplies they left for her and grabs some of them while starting to make a decent breakfast. "How are you today?"
She scoffs, "Don't bother asking questions you know the answer to."
"We found the glade of the spirit. and found some answers. A man called Sage battled the spirit and may have captured her. The spirits say that the survivors were enslaved and taken to Daimyo Zuodong's lands. we mean to get them back to you, Ma’am. When we do They will be able to rebuild their lives. Do you have family that were taken? Could I have their names so that I can tell them you are alive?"
She scoffs, "You might as well shout at the ocean and demand it yield it's bounty for all the chance you have."
"I and my companions have cut their supply lines already and downed one of their ships. we can do this." Mingzhu says, as she continues to make breakfast for her.
"No, you can't." She sighs, "My direct family was killed in the attack. But you already know. So, you don't need me to talk about it."
"You could help us greatly find the rest of your friends by telling us about your experience and what happened here. It doesn’t hurt at all. and possibly help get everyone back."
She sighs, "You're darned persistent, aren't you? I don't see how you can help at all. And I know you travel with foreigners. That foreigner sage was the ruin of us all. We should have just run him off. No, I don't have anything for you here."
"Could you tell me about this man? It would help us free the villagers and the spirit. The more we know about him the more we will be prepared to fight him. It seems you know this man perhaps he was around the village for a time." She offers the old woman breakfast. "I never got your name. Mine is Mingzhu."
She sneers, "And why should I tell you anything? Are your other foreigners going to entreat with his ilk at the expense of others?"
Mingzhu shakes her head. "We look to right those wrongs the corsairs created. We are working hard to stop them from ever doing this sort of thing again." she smiles, "I'm not the best cook but it should be good enough."
She huffs "You want to know about that sage?" She shakes her head. "He was some foreigner scholar. Said he was a scholar of belief. He was really interested in how things worked on this side of the world. Asked us about our beliefs, spiritual, religious, social, all of that. He eventually found out about our protector spirit which we give thanks to and had a shaman who communed with them." She sneers "Then the next thing happens is he leaves once he finds out about it. Then the spirit disappears. Easy to put two and two together. Then the Corsairs came by and you know the rest." She leans back "There, I've said my peace."
Mingzhu smiles. "Perhaps after tasting it you might give me some pointers on how to make it better?"
She huffs, "You don't need me for that."
As I said, "I'm not the best cook. I come from a small fishing village myself. And most likely don’t have half your intuition on cooking a good meal being young."
"I don't have anything left to teach or live for. You got what you came for. You can run along now." She scoffs, "The Corsairs only left me here to torment me." Mingzhu casts a spell. Animate water. She coaxes the little elemental to playfully dance for the old woman. She doesn't seem amused. She just seems extremely bitter.
"You know I'm a community shamaness. It’s part of my job to make sure you are safe and as comfortable as possible. I worry for you ma'am. and will do everything I can to make sure you are safe until we find and bring the villagers back."
She scoffs and waves Mingzhu off. "Then go out there and do it and don't hold your breath. Stop wasting time here then."
Mingzhu nods. "We left you plenty of supplies and I've cleaned up as best I can. Live Ma'am live and fight every day. We will bring your friends and the rest of the village back." The old woman doesn't reply, but she seems entirely skeptical and disinterested in further conversation. Before she goes Mingzhu casts Lesser Restoration and Bless on the old woman. then meets back up with the party to tell them all the old woman told her.
When she gets back, Zsikhou looks up to her. "Well, what do you think, then?"
Mingzhu reports everything the old woman told her emphasizing the part about Sage. She waits for what everyone has to say.
Balan shakes his head, “Well, it would seem you did not get much information from her.”
"We did get at least some explanation of that rotten bastard of a sage. Seems the Corsairs were using them as a scout of sorts?" T’kharr remarks.
Balan looks upset, “Aye, about the only thing.”
"I got what I could. The woman is in shock.” Mingzhu insists, “What do we do now?"
"Hm. We can try one more communing with the spirits before we depart this isle?" T’kharr suggests.
Mingzhu nods, “We could what questions should we ask then?”
Zsikhou pauses, “Silgara seems to be in deep thought.”
Mingzhu asks, “T’kharr, Balan? Any suggestions?” That’s when she realized she already used the spell that morning. She says, “I think I used the spell already today. will have to wait until the next.”
"Well, in that case, we'll need to decide where we sail off to next, then." Silgara says.
"Do we try to chase after the pirates that have a 6 or 7 day start or go the island the Daimyo did his justice? That was the next island." Mingzhu asks.
"Renkao island is between us and Soljura, but we can head for Soljura." Silgara says, "Or we head West into Daimyo Zuodong's domain and begin investigations there." She considers "Or maybe back to Port Ginji if we want to speak with the trading companies again."
"I think we have too much here to speak to the trading companies at this time." Mingzhu flatly states.
"I think we go to the island the Daimyo did his justice if we can't find anything more here." T’kharr nods in agreement with Mingzhu knowing that she really wants to go there.
"Well, I'll get the boat ready and set a course then" Silgara nods, heading off to the docks. Mingzhu follows to help her. Everyone hops on and they sail off.
Just a long and tedious march. After several hours of walking they reach the village, dreary sight that it is. As it comes into view Silgara asks, “"Right, who wants to take lead in talking with her...?"
"I was thinking it'd be best if Mingzhu did." T’kharr suggests.
Mingzhu nods and heads to the hovel. The old woman doesn't look like she's moved since you last saw her, she's right where she is in the rocking chair. The shamaness looks at the supplies they left for her and grabs some of them while starting to make a decent breakfast. "How are you today?"
She scoffs, "Don't bother asking questions you know the answer to."
"We found the glade of the spirit. and found some answers. A man called Sage battled the spirit and may have captured her. The spirits say that the survivors were enslaved and taken to Daimyo Zuodong's lands. we mean to get them back to you, Ma’am. When we do They will be able to rebuild their lives. Do you have family that were taken? Could I have their names so that I can tell them you are alive?"
She scoffs, "You might as well shout at the ocean and demand it yield it's bounty for all the chance you have."
"I and my companions have cut their supply lines already and downed one of their ships. we can do this." Mingzhu says, as she continues to make breakfast for her.
"No, you can't." She sighs, "My direct family was killed in the attack. But you already know. So, you don't need me to talk about it."
"You could help us greatly find the rest of your friends by telling us about your experience and what happened here. It doesn’t hurt at all. and possibly help get everyone back."
She sighs, "You're darned persistent, aren't you? I don't see how you can help at all. And I know you travel with foreigners. That foreigner sage was the ruin of us all. We should have just run him off. No, I don't have anything for you here."
"Could you tell me about this man? It would help us free the villagers and the spirit. The more we know about him the more we will be prepared to fight him. It seems you know this man perhaps he was around the village for a time." She offers the old woman breakfast. "I never got your name. Mine is Mingzhu."
She sneers, "And why should I tell you anything? Are your other foreigners going to entreat with his ilk at the expense of others?"
Mingzhu shakes her head. "We look to right those wrongs the corsairs created. We are working hard to stop them from ever doing this sort of thing again." she smiles, "I'm not the best cook but it should be good enough."
She huffs "You want to know about that sage?" She shakes her head. "He was some foreigner scholar. Said he was a scholar of belief. He was really interested in how things worked on this side of the world. Asked us about our beliefs, spiritual, religious, social, all of that. He eventually found out about our protector spirit which we give thanks to and had a shaman who communed with them." She sneers "Then the next thing happens is he leaves once he finds out about it. Then the spirit disappears. Easy to put two and two together. Then the Corsairs came by and you know the rest." She leans back "There, I've said my peace."
Mingzhu smiles. "Perhaps after tasting it you might give me some pointers on how to make it better?"
She huffs, "You don't need me for that."
As I said, "I'm not the best cook. I come from a small fishing village myself. And most likely don’t have half your intuition on cooking a good meal being young."
"I don't have anything left to teach or live for. You got what you came for. You can run along now." She scoffs, "The Corsairs only left me here to torment me." Mingzhu casts a spell. Animate water. She coaxes the little elemental to playfully dance for the old woman. She doesn't seem amused. She just seems extremely bitter.
"You know I'm a community shamaness. It’s part of my job to make sure you are safe and as comfortable as possible. I worry for you ma'am. and will do everything I can to make sure you are safe until we find and bring the villagers back."
She scoffs and waves Mingzhu off. "Then go out there and do it and don't hold your breath. Stop wasting time here then."
Mingzhu nods. "We left you plenty of supplies and I've cleaned up as best I can. Live Ma'am live and fight every day. We will bring your friends and the rest of the village back." The old woman doesn't reply, but she seems entirely skeptical and disinterested in further conversation. Before she goes Mingzhu casts Lesser Restoration and Bless on the old woman. then meets back up with the party to tell them all the old woman told her.
When she gets back, Zsikhou looks up to her. "Well, what do you think, then?"
Mingzhu reports everything the old woman told her emphasizing the part about Sage. She waits for what everyone has to say.
Balan shakes his head, “Well, it would seem you did not get much information from her.”
"We did get at least some explanation of that rotten bastard of a sage. Seems the Corsairs were using them as a scout of sorts?" T’kharr remarks.
Balan looks upset, “Aye, about the only thing.”
"I got what I could. The woman is in shock.” Mingzhu insists, “What do we do now?"
"Hm. We can try one more communing with the spirits before we depart this isle?" T’kharr suggests.
Mingzhu nods, “We could what questions should we ask then?”
Zsikhou pauses, “Silgara seems to be in deep thought.”
Mingzhu asks, “T’kharr, Balan? Any suggestions?” That’s when she realized she already used the spell that morning. She says, “I think I used the spell already today. will have to wait until the next.”
"Well, in that case, we'll need to decide where we sail off to next, then." Silgara says.
"Do we try to chase after the pirates that have a 6 or 7 day start or go the island the Daimyo did his justice? That was the next island." Mingzhu asks.
"Renkao island is between us and Soljura, but we can head for Soljura." Silgara says, "Or we head West into Daimyo Zuodong's domain and begin investigations there." She considers "Or maybe back to Port Ginji if we want to speak with the trading companies again."
"I think we have too much here to speak to the trading companies at this time." Mingzhu flatly states.
"I think we go to the island the Daimyo did his justice if we can't find anything more here." T’kharr nods in agreement with Mingzhu knowing that she really wants to go there.
"Well, I'll get the boat ready and set a course then" Silgara nods, heading off to the docks. Mingzhu follows to help her. Everyone hops on and they sail off.
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Winterhawk99
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
The trip to Soljura is extensive, taking a full day. The companions get a long rest before docking. There's a small port on Soljura. Looks like the place has been abandoned, but it's hard not to be caught up with a tension in the air... From a distance, dilapidated buildings seem to be barely holding and standing
Silgara heaves a sigh, "Taking us in." She gages the town. Should we dock at the port then? I doubt there's anyone living there anyways, but..." Silgara looks over.
T’kharr affirms, “I suppose it'd be easiest." As the ship docks. It looks like a pretty bleak scene up close. Definitely looks like the site of a nasty, bloody battle. Mingzhu looks around at the damage. It's pretty extensive, there's some bodies swinging from gallows, but it doesn't seem like there's other corpses on the ground at least... A lot of gallows. T’kharr looks at the bodies and can tell they are the villagers.
Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto, "I'm burying an axe in your lord's skull for this outrage."
Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu. "If this was his work, then I can trust it was for a justified reason."
"Stop it Fwangzhu! It’s not Minamoto's fault." Mingzhu shouts.
Fwangzhu snarls "You seriously think this is justified? Maybe I should bury an axe in your skull!"
T’kharr rolls her eyes, “Do Balan and I have to get between you two again?"
Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu, hand going near his weapon. "Try it savage, and it will be the last thing you do."
Mingzhu uses her community ability to Calm Emotions. Minamoto calms down, Fwangzhu is not. He’s pretty livid. Balan steps up towards them. “Please.”
Fwangzhu calm down we need to know the extent of the damage and if there are any survivors. I need you calm. I know it looks bad. Remember it’s not Minamoto's fault he’s just a soldier.” Mingzhu pleads.
He just angrily snarls, "Oh like that fucking justifies the loyalty he has to his fucking butcher and tyrant. Anyone with a fucking lick of decency would know his lord is a piece of shit! Just fucking look around!"
“We do not know that. it could have been an overzealous admiral. We will find out. OK, find out just how bad it is. Look for survivors and let them tell the tale.” Mingzhu explains.
"Oh, stop making excuses for them." Fwangzhu snorts. Mingzhu just walks awa and starts working through the village for survivors. She keeps her eye out for children surely the Daimyo's men did not kill the children at least in her mind.
Before she can even get a few steps Zsikhou hisses, “Hostiles! Gaki! On approach!” The argument and commotion have attracted some visitors. Zsikhou narrows his eyes and looks in a direction before focusing on the undead coming forward. Mingzhu retrieves her holy symbol to get ready to turn undead when they come into range.
There is a wraith with them it moves in and attacks Zsikhou. He dodges it. Silgara casts a Scorching Ray at one of the ghasts. She burns it quite badly, but it keeps on coming in and also attacks Zsikhou. It too misses as Zsikhou ducks under it. Fwangzhu attacks the wraith. His axe goes right through it without it even noticing.
T’kharr moves in and tries to turn undead. She fails completely. Balan tires to turn undead himself. As he does the ghasts move away running as fast as they can, but the wraith does not. Zsikhou tires to strike the wraith again and again but his weapons pass right through it. Mingzhu focuses on the wraith and tries to turn undead. It works. The wraith moves away. The companions chase the group down and dispatch them easily now that the undead are completely confused and afraid.
Now that the fight is all mopped up, T’kharr returns to paying attention to the bodies in the gallows. Mingzhu looks for survivors, especially any children. Zsikhou looks over "Gaki. If we've got them around, we'd better not split up." Then he looks over "Cat watching us over there."
Mingzhu looks over. T’kharr asks, “Little cat or big cat?”
"Bigger than a housecat, smaller than a tiger it looks like." Zsikhou says.
"Hm. like closer to the tiger end or closer to the housecat end?" T’kharr asks again while sniffing the air for carrion. "Either way, perhaps you could try to talk to it Mingzhu?" She finds the scent of carrion is still in the air.
Mingzhu tries to get close. If she gets close enough to it, she casts Speak with Animals. The cat itself looks about the size of an akita. It puffs up and hisses at her as she closes in. It seems to slink or dart away at a moment's notice. She casts the spell and speaks in animal, “Calm I just wish to speak with you."
"Nyah! Who are you?" The cat narrows her eyes, looking at Mingzhu.
"I’m a shamaness wishing to know what did this. if there are survivors. and if the children were spared."
"Ohhhh... What did this?" There's a flick of the tail. A glint in the eye. The cat looks up to Mingzhu "Ohhh, there was a very, very nasty bad rat! Bad rat! Need to hunt the rat. They did this! Myep! But they've gone hiding, and so many scaries along the way! Ohh... you'll hunt this rat, myep?" The cat looks up to Mingzhu, almost like she's demanding that she do so.
Mingzhu nods, “We hunt the rat.”
"Yay! Let’s hunt the rat! Myep! You keep me safe! Hunt rat!" The cat seems more excited, then jumps off, seeming ready to head out of the village.
"Does the rat walk on two legs?"
"Myep!" The cat says.
"And they are still here?"
While around, it does look like there are other bodies of undead. Zombies, others. They have some crossbow bolts sticking out of them. "Oh, I lost their trail! But I think I can pick it up. As long as you're with me and help. Assuming you can of course." The cat smirks at Mingzhu.
She motions to the others and tells them what the cat said. She then turns back to the cat. “My spell to speak with you will end soon but we will follow you." Zsikhou just raises an eye ridge. T’kharr and everyone starts to follow the cat at a somewhat safe distance.
"The... cat wants us to hunt down a rat...? On two legs...?" Silgara asks
T’kharr scratches her head. “Wererat maybe?”
Silgara heaves a sigh, "Taking us in." She gages the town. Should we dock at the port then? I doubt there's anyone living there anyways, but..." Silgara looks over.
T’kharr affirms, “I suppose it'd be easiest." As the ship docks. It looks like a pretty bleak scene up close. Definitely looks like the site of a nasty, bloody battle. Mingzhu looks around at the damage. It's pretty extensive, there's some bodies swinging from gallows, but it doesn't seem like there's other corpses on the ground at least... A lot of gallows. T’kharr looks at the bodies and can tell they are the villagers.
Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto, "I'm burying an axe in your lord's skull for this outrage."
Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu. "If this was his work, then I can trust it was for a justified reason."
"Stop it Fwangzhu! It’s not Minamoto's fault." Mingzhu shouts.
Fwangzhu snarls "You seriously think this is justified? Maybe I should bury an axe in your skull!"
T’kharr rolls her eyes, “Do Balan and I have to get between you two again?"
Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu, hand going near his weapon. "Try it savage, and it will be the last thing you do."
Mingzhu uses her community ability to Calm Emotions. Minamoto calms down, Fwangzhu is not. He’s pretty livid. Balan steps up towards them. “Please.”
Fwangzhu calm down we need to know the extent of the damage and if there are any survivors. I need you calm. I know it looks bad. Remember it’s not Minamoto's fault he’s just a soldier.” Mingzhu pleads.
He just angrily snarls, "Oh like that fucking justifies the loyalty he has to his fucking butcher and tyrant. Anyone with a fucking lick of decency would know his lord is a piece of shit! Just fucking look around!"
“We do not know that. it could have been an overzealous admiral. We will find out. OK, find out just how bad it is. Look for survivors and let them tell the tale.” Mingzhu explains.
"Oh, stop making excuses for them." Fwangzhu snorts. Mingzhu just walks awa and starts working through the village for survivors. She keeps her eye out for children surely the Daimyo's men did not kill the children at least in her mind.
Before she can even get a few steps Zsikhou hisses, “Hostiles! Gaki! On approach!” The argument and commotion have attracted some visitors. Zsikhou narrows his eyes and looks in a direction before focusing on the undead coming forward. Mingzhu retrieves her holy symbol to get ready to turn undead when they come into range.
There is a wraith with them it moves in and attacks Zsikhou. He dodges it. Silgara casts a Scorching Ray at one of the ghasts. She burns it quite badly, but it keeps on coming in and also attacks Zsikhou. It too misses as Zsikhou ducks under it. Fwangzhu attacks the wraith. His axe goes right through it without it even noticing.
T’kharr moves in and tries to turn undead. She fails completely. Balan tires to turn undead himself. As he does the ghasts move away running as fast as they can, but the wraith does not. Zsikhou tires to strike the wraith again and again but his weapons pass right through it. Mingzhu focuses on the wraith and tries to turn undead. It works. The wraith moves away. The companions chase the group down and dispatch them easily now that the undead are completely confused and afraid.
Now that the fight is all mopped up, T’kharr returns to paying attention to the bodies in the gallows. Mingzhu looks for survivors, especially any children. Zsikhou looks over "Gaki. If we've got them around, we'd better not split up." Then he looks over "Cat watching us over there."
Mingzhu looks over. T’kharr asks, “Little cat or big cat?”
"Bigger than a housecat, smaller than a tiger it looks like." Zsikhou says.
"Hm. like closer to the tiger end or closer to the housecat end?" T’kharr asks again while sniffing the air for carrion. "Either way, perhaps you could try to talk to it Mingzhu?" She finds the scent of carrion is still in the air.
Mingzhu tries to get close. If she gets close enough to it, she casts Speak with Animals. The cat itself looks about the size of an akita. It puffs up and hisses at her as she closes in. It seems to slink or dart away at a moment's notice. She casts the spell and speaks in animal, “Calm I just wish to speak with you."
"Nyah! Who are you?" The cat narrows her eyes, looking at Mingzhu.
"I’m a shamaness wishing to know what did this. if there are survivors. and if the children were spared."
"Ohhhh... What did this?" There's a flick of the tail. A glint in the eye. The cat looks up to Mingzhu "Ohhh, there was a very, very nasty bad rat! Bad rat! Need to hunt the rat. They did this! Myep! But they've gone hiding, and so many scaries along the way! Ohh... you'll hunt this rat, myep?" The cat looks up to Mingzhu, almost like she's demanding that she do so.
Mingzhu nods, “We hunt the rat.”
"Yay! Let’s hunt the rat! Myep! You keep me safe! Hunt rat!" The cat seems more excited, then jumps off, seeming ready to head out of the village.
"Does the rat walk on two legs?"
"Myep!" The cat says.
"And they are still here?"
While around, it does look like there are other bodies of undead. Zombies, others. They have some crossbow bolts sticking out of them. "Oh, I lost their trail! But I think I can pick it up. As long as you're with me and help. Assuming you can of course." The cat smirks at Mingzhu.
She motions to the others and tells them what the cat said. She then turns back to the cat. “My spell to speak with you will end soon but we will follow you." Zsikhou just raises an eye ridge. T’kharr and everyone starts to follow the cat at a somewhat safe distance.
"The... cat wants us to hunt down a rat...? On two legs...?" Silgara asks
T’kharr scratches her head. “Wererat maybe?”
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Re: She Came from the Sea: Book 2
Mingzhu casts Protection from Elements, Substitution, and Spell Immunity on herself.
Silgara answers T’kharr’s question, “Maybe.” Zsikhou shakes his head, narrowing his eyes.
Along the trail, Fwangzhu seems to know what he's doing this time. His whiskers twitch. The group also finds along the trail markers several forms of undead, all dead, and with crossbow bolts in them. "Well, whomever this 'rat' we're hunting is, they certainly knew their stuff, hiding their trails, and they always seem to be fair distance away from those Gaki..."
“It would seem that way.” Balan answers.
Mingzhu nods, "Perhaps I should cast prayer soon."
T’kharr gets her own usual wards up. The island's terrain is rather dreary, and it's clear there's plenty of undead around. It takes some careful navigation to avoid them and keep on the trail. They lose it for a few minutes. T'kharr is able to pick it up again. It looks like this 'rat' has been moving around frequently, going from one place to another. There is a pattern she can pick up on though. A pause at a certain spot, dead undead with crossbow bolts riddled in them nearby. But she thinks they are getting closer to where the ‘rat is. She comments, "Seems whoever they are wields a crossbow, we'll need to be wary for them setting up in ambush."
Eventually they come across a rather well concealed cave. It's difficult to notice, and obscured by foliage, but with their combined tracking skills, seeing through some misdirection, they find it. T’kharr studies it. “Hm, maybe their lair?"
“Watch for traps.” Mingzhu warns.
Zsikhou looks over. "Probably... does something seem..." He considers. "Does something seem normal about thiss?" He gives a wary glare to the cat. The cat prances forward, not caring, perhaps trying to nudge the party onwards. "Or not normal. But sensible." Zsikhou clicks his tongue.
Balan looks around and considers everything they saw so far, “Hm.”
"It could be that the cat was sent to fetch us. or that the cat is telling the truth. but if whoever is in there is killing Gaki they may be a potential ally." Mingzhu surmises.
“It is possible.” Balan agrees.
Silgara looks over. "We were told this happened from the Daimyo's men, not a two-legged rat..."
"But the undead are clearly new. No report mentioned that." She considers.
"You have to think like a cat Silgara.” Mingzhu says.
"Meaning?" Silgara looks over to her.
“They may be the dead from the Daimyos justice.” Mingzhu explains. “Or a necromancer may have moved in. I don’t know.”
Fwangzhu snorts when she says 'justice'.
The cat looks on impatiently, like she wants them to stop talking and go in already. T’kharr motions Zsikhou to check for traps. Zsikhou goes in, everyone else follows carefully behind and enter what looks like a small cave. “Three traps. Let me handle them.” Zsikhou says.
Balan is last in line looking for any ambushes. He sees there are some undead in the distance, He’s not sure if they noticed the group though. They might just be shambling around.
Zsikhou disarms two of the traps, but one goes off on him. He manages to evade the acid burst. He huffs, "Traps dealt with, we can resume." The cat seems impatient to keep going. They move deeper into the cave. Mingzhu casts Prayer.
Silgara answers T’kharr’s question, “Maybe.” Zsikhou shakes his head, narrowing his eyes.
Along the trail, Fwangzhu seems to know what he's doing this time. His whiskers twitch. The group also finds along the trail markers several forms of undead, all dead, and with crossbow bolts in them. "Well, whomever this 'rat' we're hunting is, they certainly knew their stuff, hiding their trails, and they always seem to be fair distance away from those Gaki..."
“It would seem that way.” Balan answers.
Mingzhu nods, "Perhaps I should cast prayer soon."
T’kharr gets her own usual wards up. The island's terrain is rather dreary, and it's clear there's plenty of undead around. It takes some careful navigation to avoid them and keep on the trail. They lose it for a few minutes. T'kharr is able to pick it up again. It looks like this 'rat' has been moving around frequently, going from one place to another. There is a pattern she can pick up on though. A pause at a certain spot, dead undead with crossbow bolts riddled in them nearby. But she thinks they are getting closer to where the ‘rat is. She comments, "Seems whoever they are wields a crossbow, we'll need to be wary for them setting up in ambush."
Eventually they come across a rather well concealed cave. It's difficult to notice, and obscured by foliage, but with their combined tracking skills, seeing through some misdirection, they find it. T’kharr studies it. “Hm, maybe their lair?"
“Watch for traps.” Mingzhu warns.
Zsikhou looks over. "Probably... does something seem..." He considers. "Does something seem normal about thiss?" He gives a wary glare to the cat. The cat prances forward, not caring, perhaps trying to nudge the party onwards. "Or not normal. But sensible." Zsikhou clicks his tongue.
Balan looks around and considers everything they saw so far, “Hm.”
"It could be that the cat was sent to fetch us. or that the cat is telling the truth. but if whoever is in there is killing Gaki they may be a potential ally." Mingzhu surmises.
“It is possible.” Balan agrees.
Silgara looks over. "We were told this happened from the Daimyo's men, not a two-legged rat..."
"But the undead are clearly new. No report mentioned that." She considers.
"You have to think like a cat Silgara.” Mingzhu says.
"Meaning?" Silgara looks over to her.
“They may be the dead from the Daimyos justice.” Mingzhu explains. “Or a necromancer may have moved in. I don’t know.”
Fwangzhu snorts when she says 'justice'.
The cat looks on impatiently, like she wants them to stop talking and go in already. T’kharr motions Zsikhou to check for traps. Zsikhou goes in, everyone else follows carefully behind and enter what looks like a small cave. “Three traps. Let me handle them.” Zsikhou says.
Balan is last in line looking for any ambushes. He sees there are some undead in the distance, He’s not sure if they noticed the group though. They might just be shambling around.
Zsikhou disarms two of the traps, but one goes off on him. He manages to evade the acid burst. He huffs, "Traps dealt with, we can resume." The cat seems impatient to keep going. They move deeper into the cave. Mingzhu casts Prayer.