The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

T’kharr quickly gets out to Balan, “Get in the necromancer’s face as soon as you can.” She then pulls off and heads in front of everyone taking point. “Right, let’s not let them get too far.” The necromancer does have two zombies screening in front of her. The distance from her to Balan is 40 ft, but the zombies and Lacedons are in the way to a direct charge. Balan considers it all.

T’kharr takes up commanding again, “"See if you can pin down at least one of the ninjas with a Glitterdust, maybe their leader?" She looks at Silgara, "And focus on them. I reckon either Balan or I can turn the undead" looking to him.

Balan moves in a direct line to the necromancer until getting to the first creature in his path. It’s a zombie. He goes to strike it down and cuts off one of its limbs. Silgara casts a Glitterdust on Taki while trying to get the Horseman of Death in the radius as well. She succeeds with both. Taki, the lead ninja, is blinded. Her underling throws a knife at the mage in retaliation. The weapon is fumbled, and he drops it.

The Necromancer of Kali casts hypnotic pattern which catches both Silgara and Zsikhou in its bath. They both go down dazed looking at the pretty lights.

A Lacedon goes to flank Balan and attacks. It completely misses him. Mingzhu finds something near the cave system and casts her spell. A saltwater crocodile rushes to the scene.

T’kharr steps up and tries to turn undead, “IN ILLMATER’S NAME BEGONE!" Her conviction falters however and her inexperience shows. The undead ignore her. A Lacedon attacks Balan but he is ready, throwing his shield up. Its flailing arms only hit his shield. A zombie joins the creature but the large dragonborn is ready he turns the shield slightly deflecting the undead attacks again.

One of the ninja minions of Taki throws a knife at Mingzhu. It flies wide and hits the wall behind her. Zsikhou, fascinated by whatever illusion he sees, cannot act at all. Another Zombie joins the others in attacking Balan, but its fists cannot seem to affectively hurt him thick as his armor is. T’kharr calls out to him, “Balan, we need you to just push through the line and get to that necromancer!”

Taki is blinded and tries to move away, she's also glittered and can't hide, but she tries to get distance from the melee. The necromancer casts Spiritual weapon. The spectral spear created attacks T’kharr just swats it aside smartly with her staff. Balan listening to T’kharr pushes through to get as close to the necromancer with his shield up. He tries to overrun the undead and succeeds; however, the Lacedon uses the opportunity to lance out and scratch the dragonborn between the plates of his shoulder cuffs. Ripping a bunch of scales and flesh out. The others look like they have no chance of hurting him in his heavy armor. Unfortunately, the two zombies guarding the death mage hold firm and he can’t push past them. They stand their ground. Silgara is still caught up in the necromancer’s spell and sits there watching things that are not there. She seems fascinated by whatever it is.


He casts again. This time the spell Grease on both T’kharr and Mingzhu. They both fall into the mess on the floor. One of the Lacedons flails at the knight but he shrugs it off. Mingzhu manages to get off the floor and stand. She grabs her amulet knowing this fight will not go well with all the undead. “FEEL THE MIGHT OF THE CELESTIAL COURT YOU WHO KNOW NO REST!” The undead begin to retreat from everyone as if the very ground were consecrated against them.

T'kharr also manages to get up. She heads straight after the necromancer. Balan slashes out at the Lacedon taking advantage of Mingzhu’s turning undead. He cuts it deeply, slowing it down even more. The crocodile Mingzhu called comes into the chamber and rushes one of the ninja men under Tika. It grabs the man’s leg and starts to flail its head around. The ninja’s body bounces off the back wall and floor while his leg is being chewed apart. The other ninja tries to throw another knife at Mingzhu. She easily sidesteps it.

Zsikhou starts to drool still under the illusion spell. The woman, Taki still blinded tries to move away in all the confusion still blinded by the Glitterdust spell. The spiritual weapon again attacks T’kharr. She bats it away again with her staff easily. The horseman of Death moves to close melee with Balan and get in between him and the Necromancer. He casts Inflict Moderate Wounds, but he misses the touch attack and hits the dragonborn’s breastplate instead of his skin. The spell fails.

Angered now and knowing what the horseman tried to do. Balan stares directly into the eyes and strikes him calling out Bahamut’s name. He puts a deep laceration in the man’s upper arm while ripping off his shoulder harness. Blood starts to stream. Silgara, also under the necromancer’s spell stays where she is looking up at the ceiling.

The ninja that is not being eaten tries to flank and shank Balan, but his knife bounces off the dragonborn’s armor harmlessly. The necromancer of Kali casts Magic Missile at Balan. That knocks him back for a moment and burns through his scales and into his flesh.

Mingzhu manages to get out of the greased area. Moving into the middle of the fray she unleashes a Cure Moderate Wound on one of the Lacedons. As her hands touch its flesh all the flesh around one side of its ribs turns to dust as the positive energy disintegrates it. Still, it manages to pull away so that the full effect of her magic is deflected. But with the damage it has already taken it falls, never to get back up again.

T'kharr finally reaches the necromancer and takes a swing at them with her staff. She clubbers him soundly with it. He manages to stay conscience though and starts casting another spell. The ninja manages to escape the jaws of the crocodile and begins to crawl along the floor to try to get away. His leg is completely mangled and he’s losing blood fast. The other ninja flanks T’kharr and tries to surprise attack her but his knife is defected by her armor.

Zsikhou finally shakes off the necromancer’s spell, but he needs time to assess the situation and doesn’t move studying where he may best be of help. The Glitterdust effect wears off on Taki. She repositions herself but doesn’t get a chance to strike out at anyone.

T’kharr once again swats away the spectral spear as if she’s got the rhythm of its attacks well in hand. The horseman draws out a short spear and manages to bury it into Balan’s thigh. The dragon born winces but stays off the spear not being able to damage a major artery or crack a bone.

Balan attempts to wretch his sword into the horseman’s heart, but the warrior deflects it with his shield just as Balan did earlier with his. Silgara shakes off the necromancer’s spell too but also has to assess the information. The ninja again tries to attack Balan and again his knife is deflected. His frantic attacks are not finding the creases in the knight’s metal plating.

The necromancer changes tactics and tries to cast Ghoul Touch on the furious knight in front of him. But like the other man he cannot find skin. His hand harmlessly bounces off leather and steel: the spell dissipating for no effect.

Mingzhu punches the Lacedon. Her fist goes partially into the creature’s body. When she pulls it out there is goo all over her wrappings. She opens her fingers up and tries to shake it off. The Lacedon seems to walk slower as she damaged it greatly.

T’kharr yells out to Silgara when she sees the wizardess is up. “TELL MINGZHU TO GET ON THE NECROMANCER WITH ME!” as she goes for another swing at the death mage. He avoids the attack. The croc, not done with his meal, rushes the wounded ninja again. This time the great creature gets the man’s whole body in its jaws. It mangles the man’s torso and swallows him whole.

The ninja on T’kharr tries to strike her again. He finally finds a weak spot in her armor. The knife goes between two lower ribs. She takes it with a grunt and keeps on fighting. Zsikhou finally gets into the fray. He flanks the necromancer and goes to stab her with his Siangham. With one vicious strike the death mage goes down. Tika now caught up on the action herself and tries to surprise attack T’kharr. It works T’kharr gets another knife in the side of the back. Again, she winces but gnolls are strong creatures. The furry co-leader stands firmly and fights on.

The horseman now losing a lot of blood and with no one he can flank straight up attacks Balan, but his arm is getting weaker and weaker. The spear is easily deflected by the giant knight. The crocodile gives off a large burp. Balan strikes back at him but misses as the horseman manages to dodge the sword. Silgara ready now to go into actions casts a Scorching Ray at the foe. It burns much of his hair off and scorches his face and neck.

Mingzhu punches out at the Lacedon again. Again, her punch goes deep within its body. It falls to its knees and tries to get away from her. T’kharr flanked between 2 ninja disengages and gets out of there moving over to the saltwater croc that is rushing the horseman looking for its next meal. It grabs the horseman’s leg and rips it clean off. Mingzhu’s control spell wears off. The crocodile saunters out slowly carrying the leg with it. The horseman dies within seconds in agony.

One of the ninja chases, T’kharr, stabbing her again in the back. She stays upright despite the wincing pain. Zsikhou goes for Taki with a flurry of blows but misses her as she ducks and dodges his attacks. She tumbles way toward T’kharr. She strikes out at the gnoll but misses. T’kharr screams out to Silgara, “TELL MINGZHU I NEED HEALING OVER HERE!” Balan hears her call and rushes over. He lays his hands on her. Several knives fall out of her armor and flesh starts to weave together closing her wounds.

Silgara has her bow out now and shoots two arrows at the ninja. One hits him in the gut. As Taki tries to pass Mingzhu. The Shamaness turns and tries to deliver a stunning blow to the ninja’s head. Taki just manages to turn her head enough for Mingzhu to miss her mark, but the blow hits partially defected by the skull. She receives just a glancing blow and manages to shake it off.

T’kharr turns and strikes out at her ninja. She manages to deliver a blow too for some substantial damage. She breaks his jaw. He tries to retaliate through the pain but misses her completely, almost blacking out. Zsikhou goes after Taki in a flanking attack this time he hits her. Electricity stuns her for a few seconds and the cut from his weapon hits a vein. Blood starts to stream from the wound. The woman realizes this whole thing is going south quickly and tries to tumble away and flee. T'kharr yells at Silgara "Finish off the fleeing ninja!"

Balan strikes out at the last ninja, but the man is too cagy and dodges the armored giant. Silgara casts Sleep on Taki. The woman falls across the floor snoring. Mingzhu now attacks the ninja she does hit but again it’s a glancing blow. He receives little damage as his armor deflects most of the force. T’kharr finally cracks his skull with a powerful blow toppling him to the ground.

Zsikhou moves over and gives Taki a Coup-de-grace. He then looks around. “They are all dead.”

T’kharr reprimands him, “I was going to drag her in to the authorities..." T'kharr shrugs and gives Zsikhou a small chuckle "But divine judgement works too." Only things up that are left are turned undead, which are easily dispatched.

Zsikhou looks up "They have broken the mandate of heaven. Their punishment is deserved."

[Winterhawk99]

Silgara lets out a sigh, "I must admit, I don't know if the authorities could hold someone as dangerous as that ninja. It might be for the best."

T’kharr nods, “Fair point indeed. We'll take the victory in any case." Balan sits on the ground a bit woozy patching himself up. Mingzhu casts a Cure Light Wounds on him. T’kharr does the same.

Balan breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you, friends.”

Silgara looks around, stepping over "Are you both alright...?" She looks Balan and T'kharr over. Zsikhou seems to be looking around for more hostiles, doing a quick move around, but moves to the group once satisfied the fighting is over.

"Aye, we did a good job of sticking with the battle and overcoming our initial errors" T’kharr nods to Silgara. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Then motions the party to move over to search the necromancer and her cleric friend first.

Balan bolsters himself with a firm, “Aye! It is not the worst I’ve had.”

The necromancer has those skull jewelry things, but also has: +2 Headband of Intellect, +1 Ring of Deflection, Cloak of Resistance+1, and a spellbook, and a few scrolls. The cleric has: An Unholy Symbol of the Horseman of Death, +1 Short spear, +1 large shield, Chainmail.

"I reckon we can give the spellbook and scrolls to Silgara to decide what to do with, and she'll probably want the headband too." T’kharr states. "We'll also have to take the jewelry we found on her to be identified."

"Righty-o. Our paladin could use the shield, for sure." T’kharr says.

"She was an arcanist. I would… Probably be best suited for studying her effects. I could identify it once I have the proper spells prepared." Silgara speaks.

Mingzhu studies the necromancer, who is clearly a Durpari human. “Could this be the man that went into the yakuza club?” She asks?

Silgara considers, then nods "it's possible."

Once the helmet is removed, the Horseman cleric is a western human.

Mingzhu looks over at Tika’s body. “Check the ninja too.”

"They clearly had some luxury items..." Silgara starts looking around the room.

"Aye, especially what seemed to be their leader." T’kharr answers.

They find +1 leather armor and two +1 daggers on the ninja’s body. Also, with trap creating and handling gear. The other ninjas only have mundane gear, leather armor, a short sword, daggers, and thieves’ tools.

T’kharr looks over. “I reckon Silgara here can identify the potions as well?"

Silgara answers her. “"It might take me some time, but I can do so."

Balan considers, “I could take a look at them if needed so no spells are wasted.” He identifies the potions as: Reduce Person, Expeditious Retreat, Jump, and 2 Cure Light Wounds.

Mingzhu states firmly to them all. "If I am to be the bank the bank takes the gold we find."

Balan laughs heartily and winces with a bit of pain. “Bank. Thats what I’ll call you.”

Zsikhou was gone for a while, then re-appears "Checked around. Seems they had two other rooms. One for doing their magic. One for living quarters. No traps."

"We'll search those once we're done here, I reckon, thanks for the report." T’kharr nods. Balan walks off to the living quarters and tosses the room looking for things.

As he passes Mingzhu tells him, “Bring everything here, Balan… that you find.” She then looks at Silgara. "Could you check the other room? Seems you would be best at it."

"For their magic rituals? Sure." Silgara heads off.

Balan brings back a strongbox. It is unlocked and open. T’kharr examines it. Inside there's some gold pieces, and jewelry. It's worth about 800 gps. Total. "Looks like just things for you to manage." She gives a small smile to Mingzhu as she motions her over to let her take care of it. Minzhe nods and takes them for sale later for the communal bank.

T’kharr mentions, "How do we want to handle mopping up those last few undead we left behind?" letting Zsikhou translate, since Silgara's rummaging through the magic room.

"They fled beneath the water. Does not think there are many of them left." Zsikhou replies "Can be dealt with as they come."

She nods "Aye, either they shamble over here and get dealt with or we wind up dealing with them on our way out. Speaking of, I reckon we rest here overnight unless you think we've got enough time and resources to make it out."

Zsikhou shrugs "Your call on that."

Silgara returns from her looking through the ritual room. "Wasn't too much there of interest. Table, candles, other miscellaneous reagents. A lot of black onyx though. Which are material components in animate dead castings."

“I could spend some time during the night turning the rooms to splinters to find every last thing.” Balan suggests.

"If there are undead around, we need to keep a watch." Mingzhu tells T’kharr.

"If we have everything we can think of though, I suppose you two might wish the head ninja's daggers?" to Silgara and Balan "then we can head out if you think we can manage. I still have a few turnings left for dealing with undead. Oh, were any of you able to find documentation?"

Silgara shrugs "I suppose I could take one, could be a useful tool in places. Oh, I'm afraid I have not." Silgara shakes her head.

"I would not mind either the ring or cloak. Those are the only things I can use.” Mingzhu suggests.

"Aye, take the ring indeed. I suppose Balan might wish the cloak." T’kharr answers the shamaness.

Mingzhu bobs her head slightly, “Thank you.”

"This one didn't find any either. Yakuza prefer not to leave incriminating things around." Zsikhou shakes his head.

"Fair. Let us finish dealing with the spoils then pack up, just have to remember to get the poppies good and roaring on the way out."

"That will be up to Balan, I already cast what fire magic I could today." Silgara shakes her head.

“Aye. The shield will help the cloak however if anyone can use it better, please.” Balan cackles a bit, yes, I can burn them.

T’kharr smiles, “Excellent.”

“We should go to the mayor of Port Ginji and tell him what we have learned; and that the village is now cleaned out of both yakuza and the undead threat.” Mingzhu insists.

"Aye, I reckon we'll do that once we return to the main island, daylight permitting." T’kharr agrees.

Balan looks a bit confused. “You ran out the mayor.”

“I mean at Port Ginji, but I must look to find a new elder for the village too.” Mingzhu says.

"Well, shall we head back to Port Ginji, then?" Silgara looks over "There is still that structure that the Yakuza were using from before..."

Zsikhou chimes in "If there are those in breach of the Mandate of Haven there, am obligated to investigate."

"Aye, let’s check it out once we're done here." T’kharr agrees. Silgara nods her agreement.

Mingzhu asks, “Are we resting here until morning?”

“Seems not the case.” T’kharr responds.

Mingzhu nods." I will swim back then and look for oysters to add pearls to the pot."

"That may not be wise, in case you encounter any Lacedons on your own." Silgara interjects. "Still, where to next? We have a few options. Or to rest here."

"I'm thinking we finish up our work here in any case then either retreat to rest or head out and deal with the Yakuza," T’kharr suggests.

"Well, lead on then." Silgara shrugs.

Mingzhu looks around waiting for the others to answer. "What are we going to do next.... Balan....T'kharr?"

“We should take some time to recover and think on what we have seen.” Balan says.

“Here or in town?” Mingzhu asks.

“It would be best in a safer place.” He answers.

Mingzhu nods. "Let us go then." They head out of the cave complex.

[Winterhawk99]

As they come out of the cave, Mingzhu heads straight for the poppy fields. She wants to make sure, first and foremost, that all of the poison is burned. The farmers are gone. She looks around. “We should check the shack too if there is not inside burn it too.”

"Aye, this is our best chance to check on the Yakuza shack." T’kharr nods.

They go there. Zsikhou walks to the door and goes to open it. He tries a handle missing the trap that was set there. It goes off but his reflexes save him from injury. T’kharr and Mingzhu cautiously follow him in. The inside looks like a sort of private dockyard. However, there's no ships there. It looks like there's an abandoned skiff or two there. There are boxes, but they're all emptied. No people there, it seems.

"Let’s search this place, make sure there's nothing major we're missing here, then head back. Without anyone around, the fire should take care of the poppies." T’kharr tells the two.

Mingzhu looks for any documents or valuables. Silgara frowns as she looks around "I was hoping we'd find the slaves they kept and free them... looks like this dock could port a larger ship at least, rather than just the skiffs..."

"After we are done no one will be able to dock here." Mingzhu says.

Zsikhou looks up, then shakes his head "Found some clipped moorings. Think it's as close as we're going to get to finding out what happened here. Was a ship docked here; they left some time ago."

"Sounds like we can move onward then, don't want to linger here too long after all." T’kharr looks out the window toward the water.

“Looks like whomever was here, they took everything that wasn't nailed down and on fire.” Zsikhou says.

Mingzhu takes the oil lamps around and smashes them on the floor. She then puts the place to the torch just before she leaves. “They will never use this place again for slaves or their vial poison.”

Zsikhou just raises an eye ridge but doesn't comment. As they walk out, they see that Balan had taken the torch to the fields.

They all pile into the skiff and head back to the main island. They make it back sometime after midnight. Mingzhu goes to the save house and collapses on the sleeping mat. T’kharr does likewise. Balan takes some time staring at the stars then comes back. They have a restful sleep. No one disturbs them.

Just before sunrise T’kharr and Mingzhu wake up and go out to do their morning routines like clockwork. Mingzhu changes her invisibility to undead to Bless. Afterward she searches for the mayor of the town or someone that seems in charge. Without the Elder and without the Yakuza, it seems like there's no one who has an actual leadership position left.

She comes back to the group. "I will have to see the mayor of port Ginji as soon as we make the port."

T’kharr starts to say goodbye to Zsikhou. He stops her. "Still problems to tend with, aren't there?" Mingzhu tempers herself and waits, watching T'kharr and the kami speak to each other.

"Well, you can come to Port Ginji with us if that's where you're headed, but I wasn't figuring you and I would have the same business in mind next, unless you were planning to head after War's forces now that this is taken care of?" T’kharr tells him sharply.

Zsikhou snorts "Of course, they are a force that is breaching the Mandate of Heaven and must be dealt with. This one's business in Suzuki is done. But there is more to do."

"Alright then. Shared cause still binds us then, despite our disagreements." T’kharr surrenders.

"Besides, someone there this one should visit." Zsikhou shakes his head.

Mingzhu looks up. "T'kharr. He has tempered his way and did not stand against me in the elder's office. I let the elder go on conditions. Even though he would have killed the elder for his indiscretions he let me be the one who brings corrective actions. He is trustworthy in my eyes."

"Fair. I reckon he stays with us then, at least for the time being and barring any objection from Balan.” T’kharr answers.

Zsikhou looks over "If he had been guilty of something that would have warranted it, this one would have executed the elder. But what infractions he had committed were handled by another part of the Celestial Court."

T'kharr nods to him. "Noted."

"Let us be off then." Mingzhu suggests.

The rest of them gather and they make their way to Port Ginji.

[Winterhawk99]

The party heads into Port Ginji. Most of the locals, however, when they see Zsikhou, get very nervous and try to be anywhere else. Mingzhu leads the party now, straight to the mayor’s office. There was originally an appointment, it’s disbanded and cleared out quickly. The companions are ushered in. Mingzhu bows to the mayor. He looks over and almost seems to jump a bit out of his seat when he sees Zsikhou, who gives him a look. He then looks to Mingzhu "Greetings, Mingzhu and company... I .... " He looks over to Zsikhou, then back to her. "I suppose the rumors were true then."

"Greetings Mayor. The problems in Sudzuki are over. The yakuza have been wiped out or severely wounded. They were growing opium and trading in slaves. The undead problems are taken care of. Another cult member is dead. And I have forced the elder out of office for incompetence and looking the other way as the Yakuza ruled the town and ran their operations. Sudzuki will need a new elder. One that has convictions and cares for his people. T'kharr the amulet please."

T'kharr passes Mingzhu the unholy symbol and the skull amulet both. The shamaness sets the skull amulet in front of the mayor. He listens; he gives a nod of relief. "I'm glad to hear the problems are gone. It'll likely take some adjusting; the Yakuza had been entrenched there for a long time." He leans back and lets out a breath of relief.

"The Yakuza was consorting with a necromancer, an animator of undead," T’kharr adds.

"I worry about Suzuki though, their elder was definitely bent but.... he was also the only one who had any kind of leadership experience." The mayor nods to T'kharr "That's low, even for them. I'm glad they're gone then."

"Something for the Daimyo to do then. Appoint one that is better." Mingzhu insists.

He lets out a bitter chuckle "We all know how well our dear Daimyo is at doing his duties around here." He shakes his head.”

"Are you willing to send someone from port Ginji as an interment?" Mingzhu asks.

"Is there any news from the other towns? of War or Famine?" T’kharr asks.

"I'll have to see what I can do. It's not easy finding someone who can and will fill the position. But it is something I'll try to do before all of the villagers flee." To Mingzhu, then he looks to T'kharr "As for the other towns, nothing yet. But I have a bad feeling about Golamaru..."

"Ah. I was thinking we'd be returning there next, anyway." T’kharr nods. She picks the skull necklace back up and examines it. She cannot get anything and looks at the rest of the party to see if they can provide insight.

Mingzhu tries to examine it. “I think… I know a bit about this. a western god of undeath but it seems........different from what I studied with my master somehow.”

"Anyway, that tells us what we need to know I think, no need to bother the merchants." T’kharr nods.

"Anything else I can help you with?" The mayor asks.

T'kharr shakes her head "I reckon that's all."

"Eight million be with you." Though the Mayor looks relieved once Zsikhou makes his exit.

Before she goes, Mingzhu asks, "What rumors have you heard about Golamaru, Mayor? How bad is it, now?"

He looks up "That's just it, I used to hear things, at least scattered stories. But now it's gone silent."

"That's not a good sign; we'll be departing for there as soon as we leave here since I don't think we'll need to resupply much." T’kharr says grimly.

Mingzhu nods then bows to the mayor. “We will take our leave then.”

Silgara shakes her head as she walks out the door. "Isn't magical, resembles Velsharoon somewhat? Probably just a macabre ornament." She shrugs.

"We were thinking it had to do with the goddess of undeath somehow, yes." small nod from T'kharr.

They start the trek to Golamaru.

[Winterhawk99]

The group finds their way back to Golamaru. Unlike before though, there are no sentries. The village seems very, very, quiet. Silgara looks around. “No sentries…? Worrying…” Mingzhu nods.

T’kharr looks around. “That doesn’t seem like a good sign.”

Balan nods, “Aye.” Zsikhou just nods.

They soon hear a very loud familiar voice. “This Pissbucket is NOT here for the same thing. He couldn’t give a shit after he extorts his rice tax.”

T’kharr slowly scans the village again to see if there’s any obvious signs of damage or destruction. There doesn’t seem to be.

Mingzhu answers her unspoken question. “As I suspected the Oni is whittling down the town slowly after we left.”

Again, they hear another familiar voice, “I am here to do my duty to my lord. A concept a savage like you couldn't possibly comprehend."

Silgara frowns, looking around. “Odds are they might concentrate what force they have left along the north border again. Shall we?" Mingzhu nods and walks behind T’kharr and Balan. Balan takes the lead with strong and firm purpose.

The party follows the voices to find Fwangzhu, Minamoto and another man. This one a westerner. They are again arguing. The rest of the town appears quiet, almost deserted. Fwangzhu and Minamoto are busy at their game of insults at each other…… As usual. The westerner seems to be trying to mediate between the two enemies. “Whatever duties you might have, good sir, you won't achieve them arguing with whoever's left. You need to get to the bottom of this."-

I'm aware, the Oni has to be slain. That is why I have put up with this savage's offenses, despite there being enough that I should have turned him into a pelt long ago." Minamoto shakes his head

"Oh, you wish you could, Asslicker! Go ahead and try it and I'll fucking maul your face off!" Fwangzhu snarls in turn. Zsikhou looks over to the two of them and looks like he wants to draw them into a cuddle puddle, so they make up and become friends murder them already.

Mingzhu is the first to react. “Are you two married yet. I could perform the ceremony for you if you like." Seeing the westerner is clearly having no luck diffusing the tension. He's kind of just talking over them with book learned diplomacy tactics. -

Fwangzhu looks over, snarling "Oh look at that, done crying in a corner now, Shamaness?"

Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu "Do not insult her, savage."

“NO! While you two were consummating your elopement we have been cleaning out the undead and the yakuza of Suduzki and I forced the elder to abdicate.” She answers. “That yakuza were slavers and grew opium.”

Snorts "Oh, so you actually did something useful. Color me surprised then." Fwangzhu snorts and shakes his head.

“More than you, skunk.” She retorts.

Minamoto nods in turn. "I see, in that case, well done, though why did you force the Elder to abdicate?"

"Aye, we put down a necromancer while you were busy bickering, and found some more reinforcements too" T'kharr speaks up in broken but passable low Shou.

She answers Minamoto, “He was incompetent and taking money from the yakuza.”

Fwangzhu snarls "Hey, while you were off eloping, I was fighting for this village's life through every raid they sent at us!"

Zsikhou looks over to Mingzhu, then Fwangzhu and Minamoto. He looks aside to T'kharr "Get what you meant now." Seems neither Minamoto nor Fwangzhu have noticed Zsikhou's presence.

The westerner points to the group. “And who is they, again? Some directions would help. Inquiries must be made, yes?"

Fwangzhu looks over to Zee "This is a Shamaness and a gaggle of foreigners." Mingzhu bobs her head slightly in T’kharr’s direction hearing her speak low shou.

Minamoto answers the shamaness. “"I see, I would have preferred him taken into custody to be tried before a magistrate, but I suppose that is acceptable." Then he looks aside "Of course I have had this savage reprobate to put up with on the side."

"If you think the orcs and goblins are bad...you don't want to have to deal with an animator of the dead. Let one fester long enough, and they start being able to cheat at the game of geo-politics, you see." T’kharr states flatly.

Fwangzhu snorts "Good riddance then, but we've still got an Oni and his Horde to deal with, in case you've forgotten."

Zsikhou remains silent, but glares daggers at Fwangzhu and Minamoto, neither seem to have noticed him yet though.

"And they certainly won't care if a few rice paddies burn. Their people don't eat, yes?" Zee finally turns around to acknowledge the new group. Particularly the shamaness. "I have heard stories. They do not do justice. You're tending to the dangers of the frontier then?"

Mingzhu nods, “Mingzhu of Shou Lung.”

T'kharr glances to foreign man, a red cord plainly visible on her wrist and what looks to be a leather cord dipping down from her neck into her plain, if well-worn monk's robes. That said, she's still an amber-furred, hyena-headed figure with a quarterstaff in her hand and jaws capable of crushing a man's long bones to dust with ease. Balan watches it all listening to Silgara translate only picking out a few words. Mingzhu continues. “This is T’kharr, Balan, and Silgara.” She purposely leaves out Zsikhou in case things get nasty. He keeps quiet for now.

"Zander Vogel, Diamond Industries. I've been sent to investigate the tragedies befalling the island. Particularly in this village. The company is concerned." He offers a genteel, foreign-styled, bow of deference to the shamaness, automatically deciding she's in charge of this rabble because she is the prettiest or something.

T’kharr nods to Zee. “Good meeting you Zander. I'm T'kharr of the Maimed God" shifting to Western common as she speaks to him. He replies only in Shou, crisp and rehearsed and unmarred by much time in actual use. One can sense he's proud of not needing mere common.

Balan’s presence is Tall boisterous and shiny gold with a large maw dragon like in features staring directly to the current conflict with depth and literally a blank expression of whatever is being said half the time. Also in their company, Silgara is a sun elf, wearing practical looking clothing, has a longbow on her back, and several spell components and a spellbook on her belt. Also, in their company there is a kobold, but there's something strange about them. Across their head and muzzle, and down their neck is a peculiar mark, it looks like this mark is energized somehow. They seem to have fins on the sides of their head where their earholes would be. He's got bracers on his arms, equipped with a Siangham on his right one, though holstered for now, as well as having a crossbow on his belt. Wearing attire that looks practical but well made.

Such an eclectic group of people, such strange markings and trappings! Too bad Zee doesn't know a thing about any of it, least of all magic. He just kind of brushes all that aside. "You are investigating the woes of these people as well, then? That makes my job a lot easier-- I mean, that's very kind of you."

T’kharr shifts back to Shou with a nod. “Aye and hopefully getting some of the tempers quieted down in the process" as she gazes out for the village elder from before to see if they're anywhere to be had. Mingzhu shifts back and keeps her eye on Zsikhou in case he gets too uptight with the infighting. She keeps Snout close to her.

Fwangzhu looks over "So are you here to actually help this time or just to grab my whiskers again?" He snorts.

"Depends on how well you are willing to work together now." Mingzhu replies.

"I don't see much a choice. There won't be much left to fight over soon." Zander’s looks around at the empty village.

"Hey, you're the one that chickened out last time" He snorts "Are you willing to actually lend a hand this time?" Fwangzhu sneers at Mingzhu.

Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu "Silence yourself, savage. I am sure we can all work properly without you."

"The only reason I stopped is because the Elder forced my hand." Mingzhu retorts. “As witnessed by most here.”

"Speaking of the Elder, where is he in all of this?" T'kharr spoke up in Low Shou again

"Yeah, he prevented you from getting a mauling, that's for sure." Fwangzhu snorts "Oh, right, while you lot up and abandoned us, the Elder decided that he had to make one last desperate push."

Balan listens to Silgara’s translation and replies in common, “For the time at hand it is best for all to work together, and you can go back to your bickering when the task is completed, Hell, you could even kill each other after if that is what you prefer.” Saying firm and peaceful.

“Seems the other way around to me. but we are not here to fight. We are here to stop this Oni." Mingzhu says still keyed on Fwangzhu.

Minamoto looks over "The Elder rallied what was left of the militia in a desperate strike against the Oni. He ordered me to stay here, and said that if I was to follow, he would have his men shoot me dead. And then I would have been honor bound to slay them all."

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto "I'd have axed your face off before you could have hurt any of them you worthless Asslicker."

“...And why is he here, then? Making sure there's a village to return to?" Zee asks.

Minamoto glares back at Fwangzhu "I am going to have your pelt gifted to my lord, your continued provocations ensure it."

Mingzhu says, “That’s enough please.” She uses her ability to calm emotions before things get out of hand. It works. Everyone present calms down. She looks at them all. “Thank you.

Silgara raises an eyebrow "Desperate moves aside, it... does not make sense for the Elder to not take Fwangzhu with them..." But then she too quiets down.

Mingzhu asks, “T’kharr, Balan? What is our next move?”

Balan takes a moment to put his hand on his chin. “Well, I do not think diplomacy will work with the orcs, goblins, or oni. Saving this town is a high priority but removing its threat is the only way to do this and I believe it would please the gods.”

Fwangzhu snorts "Great idea, genius. Got any idea as to HOW you're going to do that?"
Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu "At least they are working on solving the problem and not just being a savage brute.”

"You've got my cutlass, too. If I take this home, they'll just sit on it." -Zee doesn't mention how he doesn't want to return to port without something that might clear his debts. -

"We've got a few ideas, but we're going to need a bit of cooperation from you folks, and also to know if there's a village left, or if the elder got everyone in it captured or wiped out with his push." T’kharr suggests. Balan, knowing he stated the obvious and is still judging the situation then laughs pretty heartily

Fwangzhu shakes his head "Elder took everyone who could fight. The rest of the village are non-combatants."

"Noted, thank you" T'kharr nods calmly

"Odds aren't in his favor." he grumbles "I should be there leading the charge..." Fwangzhu considers.

“Well badger you did state you knew the rough location to their camp. We could use that information if you have a map to place it on.” Balan says.

Minamoto looks aside "Maybe the elder finally saw you for the savage you are and left you behind intentionally."

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto "Oh fuck off bootlicker!"

Minamoto glares. "I'm worthier of leading the charge against that Oni than you are, savage." Balan sighs heavily shaking his head at their continued bickering.

Fwangzhu glares back at him. "The only thing you're worthy of is getting your ass and face mauled off, but I can probably get both in one go since with you they're interchangeable!"

Silgara shakes her head "Wow, I did not expect that level of wit from them."

Fwangzhu snarls "Fuck off witch!"

Silgara sighs "That was the predictable response."

“Agreed.” Balan says looking at Silgara.

Mingzhu says softly to Zsikhou, "Can you do something about this without killing them?"

Zsikhou nods aside "Tall order, will do what he can." Balan steps aside, letting the kobold through to the front.

Zsikhou, having stayed in the background, steps forward, and speaks with a voice that momentarily sounds like a thunderclap. "Enough!"

[Winterhawk99]

Minamoto and Fwangzhu finally seem to take notice of the kobold. Both appear instantly unnerved by his presence. Minamoto more than Fwangzhu, but they both look terrified of that kobold. "I can only offer assurances that Diamond Industries and Solutions has a stake in removing all enemies of commerce. Sit tight and try not to make more enemies until we get back!" Zee tells them.

Balan smirks, “Now we have your attention can we work this out with a proper plan and no bickering.” the whole time Zsikhou's presence is a burning feeling in his skin and mind.

"Aye. I have a plan in mind if you can stop bickering long enough to let me explain it, even." T’kharr states.

Zsikhou speaks "This one is Zsikhou, executioner of Qianfeng’laoxzhen of Storms, with the authority and mission to eliminate all who break the Mandate of Heaven. If you two are incapable of getting over yourselves, the next heart I am offering to the storms is yours. /Got that/!? The next of you that disrupts unit efficiency will have that happen to them." Mingzhu sighs and looks up to the heavens.

That at least seems to quiet Minamoto down. Fwangzhu also paces a bit... snarling some in turn but then calming down. Seems even he knows better than to pick this fight. Zsikhou looks to them with narrowed eyes. "Good. Now, matters of correcting the Oni take priority."

T’kharr nods slowly, "Understood? Now, as to a plan. We know they have the fire-globes, and the rice, and those sort of things would be back at the main camp, since it's the best secured. Now, if the badger can either scribble on a map where that camp is or hold his temper long enough to be a guide to it, we can get a small group together and have them sneak up on the main camp with what tools of cover we have, then strike quickly to either steal or destroy the fire globes and perhaps take out their food store as well before we retreat."

"That is, unless that ill-fated? raid was recent enough that tracking them to discern their fate should still be plausible. We're going to need to keep more than the two bickerers in town in any case, though, in order to have a chance of protecting what's left of the village from being overrun should a raiding party be sent."

Minamoto and Fwangzhu seem to have calmed down or at least stopped their infighting for now.
Fwangzhu looks over "You want me to lead you to their camp? I can do it. Look, I know the old man is capable, but I know he's outclassed. So is the militia. He's going to need help."

"Right. We'll need you to lead our party to their camp and then basically stay out of the way until we break off and retreat. Note that there is a chance they have captives, in which case we may have no choice but to risk rescuing them while the chaos is going on. It'd make the operation significantly more risky overall, but this village needs something, anything, more to hold the line." T’kharr explains.

"Why the hell would I stay out of the way? I'm plenty capable of handling the orcs." Fwangzhu snorts

Silgara quiets down, but she looks aside. Something is clearly bothering her. T'kharr glances to Silgara "We'll need you to have some burning-arrows pre-prepared this time, ready to light off and shoot. If nothing else, it'll be the best way to take out the fire-globe crate from afar."

Mingzhu looks over to Silgara. “You are thinking something?”

She replies "I am. Something about this doesn't seem right. Even counting a desperation move, the elder rallying a desperate attack doesn't make sense. And if that was the case, he would at least bring the two other strong fighters. They have empirically shown they can put their animosity aside to fight the horde. So why not bring them?" She then turns to T’kharr. “I’ll keep a Scorching Ray ready.” She nods.

T'kharr speaks to Fwangzhu quite directly "Because the intent is not to get into a bloodbath that will simply get a small party overwhelmed. The intent is to deliver a single, swift blow to their fighting ability then slip away before they figure out what in the ever-loving-anything happened in the first place"

Zee comments, “I’m alright with a crossbow… If anybody ‘Has’ a crossbow.

"Discipline is why armies are made of soldiers, not warriors." T’kharr says directly to Fwangzhu.

"Though sabotage isn't very glamourous, I do understand the need in times like this." Zee thinks out loud.

"And no, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense." T'kharr turns back to Fwangzhu and Minamoto "How long ago did the Elder and his forces depart?"

Minamoto looks over "A Day ago."

Fwangzhu huffs "The old man asked me to watch the village. And to keep this jackass from extorting the villagers for the tax."

"Ah. Should be fresh enough prints that we can track them. I presume you've got at least some knowledge of that art, no? " T’kharr asks Fwangzhu.

Fwangzhu snorts, then nods "I can track em just fine. You lot ready to move then?"

"Good. I reckon we'll start by catching up to whatever's going on with the Elder and his forces then and keep the sneak-attack in our back pockets depending on the situation." T'kharr nods firmly.

"Good, finally. Should have done this last time." Fwangzhu snorts "Come on you lot, let’s move it."
Minamoto goes to follow, Fwangzhu gives him a glare.

“I may be able to find out what is going on from here?” Mingzhu asks.

Fwangzhu looks at Mingzhu "Oh, what, did you prepare any kind of fancy magic that might do something besides trying to get blackmail material on us?" Zsikhou shoots Fwangzhu a warning glare.

“I speak to spirits They may be able to tell me what is going on. but I must phrase the question properly.” She replies ignoring the insult.

T’kharr nods, “Go for it then.”

Fwangzhu snorts "Well, don't take too long, then."

Mingzhu runs to the graveyard and sits in the middle of it. She goes to full lotus and casts commune with spirits. The spirits of the dead leaders of Golamaru gather round her as she adjusts her sight to the ethereal plane. She has learned much since she came to the island and now can ask two questions of them instead of one. She waits as they come and stand or sit beside her then she asks her first question. “Elder spirits of Golamaru are the elder and his people alive?”

An ancient spirit answers her, “Yes.”

Zee followed her and while she is performing her spell he watches with a glazed look. The only spirits he ever talked to had sherry in it, of late.

Mingzhu hopes her next question is no, but she has her suspicions now. “Spirits has the elder and his men joined the Oni?”

Another spirit, this one much younger, answers her, “Yes.” She nods and returns to the group. The spirits go back to their rest.

When she comes back to the group she says, “The spirits have told me that the Elder and his men have joined the Oni. The rebellion they felt toward the Daimyo has corrupted their hearts."

Fwangzhu and Minamoto look over. Fwangzhu's eyes widen, then he snarls. "What the /fuck/?! Are you serious?! No way, that can't be right. We've been fighting the damned horde!"

Minamoto just sneers at Fwangzhu "You shouldn't be so surprised, savage. He was one who forgot his place to the Daimyo."

Balan gets a serious look about him. “That would be why they did not wish for you to join them it may seem.”

Zee scratches his head. “Do the spirits ever uh. Lie about something like that? I'm not an expert.”

"This is an extremely grave turn of events. A village's elder and militia turning against the very thing they swore to serve. And generally, no." T’kharr stares at Zee.

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto "Oh like hell you would know?! If your Daimyo actually gave a damn, he wouldn't have left the village to fend for themselves!"

Zsikhou snaps at Minamoto and Fwangzhu "Enough!"

Mingzhu after giving Zee’s question a long thought answers him. “They can but it is rare. I used a spell that is slightly compulsorily to them.”

Silgara sighs, frowning "In a way it does make logical sense. The Elder may have figured the only way to save his people was to capitulate. If he was under the impression no outside aid was coming. He likely did not bring Fwangzhu or Minamoto since neither would have gone along with it."

“If they are willing to join those that are evil, I do not feel they will repent so easily even if the Oni is killed, and the war band wiped out.” Balan surmises.

Mingzhu says, “These are communal spirits. They rarely if ever lie.”

Zsikhou looks over, shaking his head "His action was one that breaks the Mandate of Heaven, especially if this Oni is involved with a Daemonic force. The elder and those who have joined him have sealed their fate in the eyes of the heavens. This one will have his duty to carry out."

Fwangzhu looks aside, huffing "Damn it, no, the old man wouldn't sell out his village! Shamaness this shit can't be right."

“Zsikhou the villagers they are not beyond redemption.” Mingzhu says meeting the kobold’s eyes. “It was the poisonous politics of the leaders here that have done this.”

"Everybody has a price, sir. They could be blackmailing him. Or promising him safety in some twisted sense. We know he's turned tail. We don't know why, right?" Zee pleads.

Zsikhou looks to Mingzhu "The ones who have sided with the Oni will have to face the consequences of their actions."

“I would agree with the elder but not the villagers. They most likely followed a few.” Mingzhu says calmly.

"We don't know how much the ordinary militia folk were in on his idea, either. It could be that the Elder led them into captivity with them being unaware as sheep." T’kharr says backing up Mingzhu.

Minamoto looks over "I must agree with the Kami. Those who followed the elder into treason must pay for it. Besides, I know how loyal the militia was to him. I expect that if we attempted to apprehend the elder, all of them would attack us in his defense."

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto "Fuck off! Are you seriously okay with butchering a number of scared people fighting for their lives?! Because I'm not!"

Mingzhu nods to T'kharr. "Please let us keep an open mind so that we may find true justice"

Minamoto looks to Mingzhu, then to T'kharr "I doubt that. The men were loyal to the elder. I expect he brought them because he knew they would follow him. Why he didn't take the savage..." He considers

"Because I'd fucking beat the stupid out of him if he considered something so fucking idiotic." Fwangzhu snarls "Then maul that Oni." Zsikhou glares at the two again.

Mingzhu quiets down and listens to everyone else.

Silgara sighs, shaking her head. "Desperation and hatred, ugly combination. Diplomacy may get some of them on our side, but... I expect even if the Elder did betray the Oni..."

Minamoto looks at her "I would be honor-bound to execute him for his crimes."

Fwangzhu sneers "You've wanted to do that anyways."

Silgara considers "I would expect that should the elder have sided with the Oni... their next move is likely to move an invasion force here. I expect they would normally face minimal resistance."

"Aye, they're probably only expecting to fight the two bickerers if they're going full turncoat...." T’kharr nods.

Silgara sighs, considering "That does however change our avenues of response. I expect that if we simply wait, they will come to this village in force eventually. That or we can try to take the initiative somehow." She looks over to the others.

"Unless they've been completely possessed, I doubt every man on that army's in on this. What man can turn coat on his own homeland? It's downright aromantic." Zee exclaims.

Minamoto looks to Zee "That elder has already been fostering thoughts of rebellion against Daimyo Kaluso. The Oni may have appealed to that, give him the force needed for his rebellion to become a reality."

Mingzhu nods, “Some men are easily fooled and easily led by others that convince them wrong is right.”

Silgara considers "That and desperation. The Elder may have sold out because he thought it was the only way to save his people."

"Also, a good point Silgara." Mingzhu says.

Fwangzhu just huffs and snarls "Are we seriously going along and just saying he betrayed us all?! Just like that? After he's fought so hard for this village?!"

Silgara sighs, considering "Either way we're going to need a plan... even if it's something like evacuating the rest of the village."

"I'm saying the situation is probably complicated. I doubt he's completely on board. He's being cornered by something." Zee insists. Mingzhu looks at Zee confused by his words.

"It sounds like we should try to get eyes-on the camp they're in then. Get a look at their conditions, as that'll tell us a lot about what's going on. I can go with the badger, Mingzhu, Zee, and Silgara, but that's the most I think we can manage given the need to leave fighters behind at the village to serve as a rearguard." T’kharr says while formulating a plan.

Silgara looks over "I'm admittedly not the stealthiest, but I'll do my best... what are you planning?"

T’kharr kneels and talks to them. “Tracking the party that left yesterday to see what their whereabouts and the nature of their camp reveal. That said, if you'd rather stay back and deal with the Homefront, that's your prerogative -- I just can't afford to have a bunch of armored warriors jangling along behind me for this work." Zsikhou looks over.

Balan taps his armor looking at the mage. “Better than I am.”

She looks aside, “True” …

T’kharr moves on with her plane. “And we need Zsikhou to keep the other man-at-arms in line, too."

Zsikhou snorts "If he doesn't behave while this one is gone can always execute him after."

Minamoto actually looks quite worried about that... "I'll behave with all due decorum, good Kami."

Zee smacks his hand to his forehead. “Can we not talk about betraying one another? We've only been comrades for... Ten minutes."

T’kharr sighs, “I suppose we can take Zsikhou then, either in addition to or instead of Silgara. That said, in any case, this is purely a scouting mission -- we are not to fight unless it is to safeguard our own retreat."

"It may give us a chance to get rid of the fire globes." Mingzhu adds.

Silgara looks over, a shrug "Up to you."

"That said, we may find that they are at the main camp, and if so, our other objectives would come back into play, namely the fire globes and the food store." T’kharr says while looking around.

"However much is left of it.” Fwangzhu snorts

"Anyway, any objections to this plan before the folks going to assemble and depart?" T’kharr asks

Mingzhu shakes her head. “Come on Snout. We must be quiet now.”

The gnoll looks around to make sure the rest of the party was comfortable. Silgara and Zsikhou move over. Balan gives everyone a nod. “I will be the wall if any decide to attempt a raid.” Minamoto goes to move to take watch.

Fwangzhu huffs, “Right, let’s get a move on then.”

[Winterhawk99]

T’kharr joins Mingzhu, Snout, the badger, Zee and Silgara. They begin to move out. Balan moves to a spot with a good vantage, and quick exits to get to any openings and holds himself firm. Zee gladly takes point despite having no idea where they are going. Fwangzhu jumps out ahead of him. Balan waves to them. “Best of luck, friends.”

Fwangzhu snarls at Zee "Get your caboose in the back, I'll handle the tracking." T’kharr motions for the new one in the group to stay a bit behind the badger as they follow the tracks.

Mingzhu asks Silgara, “Do you have a spell to protect you from the forces of nature?”

Silgara looks over "I prepared a fire protection spell, but not an Endure Elements."

The shamaness nods. “Fwangzhu come here a moment.”

Fwangzhu looks over "Yeah? What is it?" He moves over. She casts Endure Elements on him. He huffs, and nods, then polymorphs into a badger and starts his tracking.

Mingzhu and snout stay in the back watching for anything unusual. After some tracking into the woods, they come across what looks like a goblin patrol of six goblins. T’kharr leads them to skirt well clear of the patrol but it is too late they spot the group. Mingzhu sees that the leader goblin has one of the blast globes. She says loud enough for her group to hear. “There is a blast globe. Spread out quickly.” She downs her potion of fire resistance.

T'kharr downs her fire resistance potion as well. The enemy starts to move in on their location. Mingzhu and Snout try to move away from the others so that they can’t hit everyone all at once with the globe.

"Looks like we may have to take this patrol out after all" T'kharr motions for folks to scatter as she casts Shield of Faith on herself and Magic Weapon on her quarterstaff. The goblins hear the casting, combat is now inevitable.

Snout bounds to the middle of the patrol and latches on to one’s leg with his powerful shell crushing jaws. Zsikhou sneaks over and then unleashes a flurry of two shuriken on the chief carrying the blast globe but misses both times. Mingzhu goes after the leader too with a stunning fist to the heart. But he’s too quick and she misses too. Silgara casts Magic Missile on the chief. Those do hit Knocking him back and burning him severely.

Seeing Mingzhu in the middle of it all the goblins go after her, but her flexibility wins out and she’s able to dodge the blow. The goblin that snout has a hold of tries to knock the otter off with a blow, but the otter is almost as big as the goblin, and they wrestle on the ground with each other. Still the goblin gets a few glancing blows in on Mingzhu’s companion. T’kharr finishes off the chieftain with a well-aimed blow to the head.

Fwangzhu changes to his hybrid form and charges another goblin with his axe but overreaches and misses flying past the creature. The goblin turns and swings his sword at the hengeyokai but also misses. Zee rushes into the thick of things. His stance is atrocious and confusing. He immerses himself in as many goblins as possible and strikes out at a goblin. He completely misses. The goblin retaliates but also misses Zee as the cut bounces off his armor. Another goblin attacks T’kharr but the swing is short, and he just barely misses her.

Snout is thrown off his goblin, so he goes after him again but misses as the goblin is now wary of the otter’s potential to tear him to ribbons. He dodges the animal’s jaws. Zsikhou throws two more shuriken at two different goblins this time. Both sink into the goblins’ faces. They both instantly drop as each shuriken is thrown with so much force it penetrates the creatures’ skulls. Zsikhou has found his gage. Silgara, doesn’t, she aims and shoots at a goblin with her longbow but misses both shots.

Mingzhu turns her attention to the one on Snout and lashes out at him with a side kick. Her foot lands on the back of its ear. There is a crunching sound as the goblin drops dead. T’kharr moves in to engage one of the goblins that are left. She hits it across the throat and almost kills the beast but still it’s just able to stand. Fwangzhu tries to finish it off with an axe to the belly but somehow misses the stunned goblin. T’kharr as to turn and dodge the axe herself and just manages too.

Another goblin goes after T’kharr but fumbles its weapon badly. Zee continues to swing with no class or culture. He's trying to press into as many goblins as possible and still manages to skewer and down another of the little creatures. Snout again tries to take down his goblin. He goes for the other leg. This time the varmint bites it on the thigh severing an artery. The goblin goes down and bleeds out while the otter continues to rip out the flesh of its leg. All the goblins are down now.

T'kharr gingerly collects the fire globe "Whew. Now, let’s get back on the road real quick like."

Snout rolls over and acts like he’s going into convulsions and lifts his wounded paw up
Mingzhu just puts her fists on her hips and looks at him. Silgara looks over "There's likely to be more patrols here... are you sure we shouldn't get the full force here...?"

Fwangzhu looks over, grumbling "Let me know when you're ready for me to resume picking up the trail. And there are going to be more patrols." Zee happy in his success does offensive and pointless katas with his bloodied scimitar.

T’kharr nods. “Let’s pick the trail back up and see about keeping a yet wider berth of the patrols, we'll have to move quickly though."

“Right” Silgara nods.

Mingzhu still looking at ‘The terribly wounded Snout’ says, “A moment I have to take care of this actor. " She coverts Speak with Animals to Cure Light Wounds healing him.

[Winterhawk99]

Once they're back on the trail, not that there really is a road, but Fwangzhu goes back into badger form and keeps tracking... Eventually however... they come across another patrol roaming around. This time there's eight in total, four goblins, four orcs. Zsikhou points out one of the goblins quietly. "Chief. Has one of those globes you mentioned."

T'kharr nods, speaking quietly "Sounds like a good target for a fire globe of our own, should it come to that"

Mingzhu asks, "What would happen if someone shot the globe?"

Silgara considers "They're not wholly unstable, it would take a sufficient degree of thermal or other energy to make them explode. Blunt force trauma would probably cause it to break without exploding."

T'kharr also tries to have the party give this patrol a wide berth as well, a fair bit wider than last time. Still the less stealthy of the group make it easy for the patrol to notice. T'kharr sends her best four-seamer at the orc chief as soon as he advances into globe-throwing range. She throws the blast globe at the patrol. A fireball erupts in the middle of the orcs and goblins. There’s also a secondary explosion as the other blast globe goes off.

3 of the goblins are burned to a crisp and explode. Body parts are everywhere. The chief is badly wounded but somehow his armor saved him and one of the orcs partly dodges both explosions and isn’t completely fried.

Mingzhu pours her water bladder on the ground and creates a water elemental with an Animate Water spell. T’kharr moves in to clobber one of the remaining orcs with her staff. She makes it to him but in her haste her aim is off, and she misses. Silgara goes after the goblin chief with her bow. It goes down an arrow in the gut. Snout hangs back seeing that Mingzhu is trying to put out the multiple fires that have started due to the two fire balls.

Fwangzhu changes and rushes an orc warrior but again over plays his hand and the Orc avoids him. Zsikhou rushes in also and stabs the orc with his Siangham. It’s legs crunch as he stabs it through the lungs and heart. It then crumbles to the ground dead. The companions look around now all the enemy are dead.

Mingzhu sends out the elemental to douse the fires started. "Hopefully we don't have to fight any more patrols" as T'kharr looks around to make sure the forest isn't going to be ablaze.

Silgara looks around "Odds are if there were any other posts nearby, they heard the explosion."

"True, best we move quickly." T’kharr asserts.

They keep tracking, Fwangzhu looks to the others "We're getting closer to where the Oni had its tent the last time, let’s keep moving."

“If we encounter villagers, I may have something that can deal with them without bloodshed.” Mingzhu asserts.

Eventually, they come across what looks like a more well-established camp. It looks like there's several tents, but one is much larger than the others. There's several orc and goblin guards patrolling throughout the camp. The main tent has two burly orcs, as well as two human militiamen standing guard at the entrance. You can also see that there are other human militia personnel there, apparently part of the camp now. T'kharr motions for the party to hold almost immediately upon seeing this, then motions for them to stay low. Speaking quietly to the party "Can any of you see sign of where they keep the fire globes or their main food store?"

Zsikhou narrows his eyes, flexing his claws, but looks around. He shakes his head "Not from here..."

There are multiple tents in the camp, but two of them are larger than the others. One is clearly the Oni's tent. The other, hard to say. It might be the food store. Might also be a large residential tent. It looks like there are warriors and laborers going about the camp, making rounds.

Still speaking quietly to the rest of the party "Keep an eye on the plain-er of the larger tents, see if you can get eyes on anything being carried out of it"

Mingzhu quietly asks, “Maybe a distraction?”

T’kharr looks at her, "Hm, what do you have in mind at least?"

“A bear?”

Silgara looks over "This is a full war camp here..." She sighs "And we don't have the paladin with us either. I didn't prepare an invisibility; I figured we might need more firepower."

T'kharr shakes her head "Not at this time, we can save that for if we need to make an escape."

Mingzhu thinks about it. ‘Zsikhou is probably the stealthiest of the group conventionally, still, there's numerous orcs in this camp... the laborers might not put up much of a fight, still, there might be more in the Oni's camp.’ She then nods. “Too risky. I agree with Silgara.

"Let’s keep our eyes on the situation for a bit." T’kharr insists.

"The Oni probably keeps the Blast-Globes in his tent somewhere... odds are he doesn't trust the others too closely with them." Silgara considers.

T’kharr nods, ‘That’s a fair point.”

Zsikhou looks over "Will be tough sneaking in there, there's at least four guards on the only entrance."

“Would burning the tent down do it?” Mingzhu asks.

"Aye, but we'd have to be a bit more certain about what we were doing first." T’kharr replies.

Silgara considers "Thats if it is in there anyways... we're basing this on assumptions..." She sighs...

Fwangzhu looks over "I can sneak closer to most things in badger form, but the Oni has at least half a brain, so he'd figure it out. And the other orcs might look at me like a snack, too many for me to handle myself."

Silgara looks over "Storming the Oni's tent may have worked if we had the paladin with us..." A sigh

T'kharr looks, "If only. Even with Balan, we'd still be facing very long odds in that situation"
"What can you pick up on of their goings-on?" She says to Silgara. She looks again. "Seems like a regular war camp, or work camp, but I think they're preparing a march."

"I have Enthrall but I admit it is chancy." Mingzhu adds.

There are orcs mostly here, fewer goblins. And the humans are largely keeping to themselves, but they're also participating in the camp activities. Silgara reports, “I can't see what's going on in the tents though, but... if I had to guess, this war camp would be ready to march on the village either tomorrow or the day after."

"Can any of you hear any of the camp chatter?" T’kharr asks.

"Not from here." Silgara shakes her head "Getting closer would be dangerous." T’kharr still takes a moment to concentrate on listening. From this distance, she can only mostly hear their taskmaster shouting orders at the various laborers. It's hard to get a clear picture of anything specific being said from this distance, though, but it does seem like they're getting ready to pack up and move.

T’kharr observes, "I suspect there will be patrols returning to this camp as well -- that could be a good chance to observe some of their logistics"

"We killed two of their patrols. They will notice." Mingzhu adds.

Silgara shakes her head. "Not to mention the explosion from the blast globe..."

There are about 2 dozen orcs, along with at least 10 human militia in camp. Not all of the orcs are warriors, but they may be problematic. Mingzhu says. “I cannot speak with animals now so will not be able to ask them for help until I meditate.”

"I reckon we wait a little bit longer, see if we can catch something serendipitous, otherwise we head back and discuss our findings.” T’kharr suggests.

Zsikhou looks over "Could try sneaking closer, if it will help."

Silgara shakes her head "Lot of guards, it's a risky move..."

Mingzhu nods, “It would be good to face them with a full contingent.”

"Aye, we'll need a full contingent to risk facing them, but the problem is that foes in number multiply their danger yet still." T’kharr agrees. Many an adventurer has thought since one goblin is easy, ten goblins must not be that hard, only to find themselves bleeding out from numerous stab wounds."

"Then we multiply our defense. I have an idea." Mingzhu looks to the others.

T’kharr focuses on her. “Oh?”

“Scarecrows. We set up scarecrows so that they waste their fire globes in the wrong place before they attack. We gather up what the village has and make what looks like a militia defense.”

Fwangzhu huffs "Just need to kill the Oni and get out... yeah?"

"Decoying them could work for a prepared position, yes, it'd also give us a chance to hit their flank. Let us keep that in mind." T’kharr gives a nod to the idea.

Silgara shakes her head "If the militia defected along with the elder, they're going to have inside knowledge of Golamaru's defenses."

T’kharr says to Silgara, "In the meantime, though, do we want to try to ignite both the large tents and run? And yes...that is a fair point, as sickening as it is. How far can your fire spells reach, or would you need to set up a couple of fire arrows really quickly to hit at this range?"

"Those rays don't have a long range, thirty-five feet in total." Silgara says

Mingzhu still on her thought says, "That makes it better they will expect a weak defense. People with no armor armed with sickles and fishing harpoons. We can make scarecrows that look like that easily”

"How quickly can you get two fire arrows set up and ready to go then?" T’kharr says to the mage.

"For the two big tents?" She asks

"Plan would be to fire arrow the two tents in rapid succession while Mingzhu summons a bear." T’kharr says nodding.

"If that other one has the Village's food supply, or what's left, best not to torch it I think." Silgara responds.

"Okay. One fire arrow then." T’kharr nods to Silgara. Then she looks at Mingzhu. “Get ready to cast.”

Mingzhu looks and says, “OK.”

Silgara confused says, “Fire one at both or both at the Oni’s tent?”

T’kharr smiles, “Or that, yes, better.”

"Give me a moment, then." Silgara nods, going to start making a jury-rigged flaming arrow.

Mingzhu studies the camp and says, “Even if they don’t ignite it will go towards defeating moral.” She prepares her spell.

Though if we strike, I wonder if they might rush an attack on the village afterwards..." Silgara considers as she puts them together.

“We must eventually roll our bones and hope for the best.” Mingzhu answers.

T'kharr nods, rising to a crouch, ready to lead the party in their escape "Then we take advantage of their haste to flank them, since they'll be marching in haste and probably not doing a good job as a result."

"If you're sure... I'll get this done." It takes some time, but Silgara prepares the flaming arrows.

"Everyone else ready to get out of here?" T'kharr looks to Fwangzhu, Zee, and Zsikhou"

Fwangzhu nods, then snorts "Sure hope this plan of yours works..."

Zsikhou nods, readying his crossbow, clicking a bolt into place, which buzzes with electricity. Mingzhu casts Bless on Silgara.

"I'm ready to shoot, shall I?" Silgara looks aside.

"Mingzhu, bear ready?" T’kharr asks. The shamaness nods and begins her casting.

Silgara takes the shots. Both hit the tent, one goes through and There’s a raging shriek from inside the tent. Mingzhu casts Call Animal Ally II. Noting the main tent on fire, orc laborers start to get a bucket line, and the warriors start to organize. Silgara looks aside "Plan?" They all look at T’kharr as a panda bear runs past them to camp raging.

T'kharr stands and starts leading the party at full tilt back to the village as the bear charges into the camp. Zsikhou and Fwangzhu fire a crossbow bolt and arrow before they join in the retreat.

[Winterhawk99]

They all begin retreating while the bear charges into camp. Though as they flee, they hear a very loud, angry roar. It sounds deep and strong, whomever Silgara's arrow hit... Fwangzhu interjects, "Well the witch hit the Oni while they were in their tent. Good shot by the way. Right back to the village then, it likely will take them a bit to muster forces, but we definitely pissed em off."

"Aye, that's the plan, directly back to the village." T’kharr shouts while running double-time and then some to the village. Mingzhu casts obscuring mist to hold the enemy back even more.

They're able to get back to the village without running into any other patrols... Mingzhu stops to catch her breath and tells the group, “Perhaps now some of the villagers will rethink their choices.”

Silgara speaks. "Seems unlikely."

“I still hold out hope.” Mingzhu replies back.

T'kharr greets Balan and Minamoto with a raised hand "Bad news: we've confirmed that the militia has gone turncoat, there's a good ten-odd of them doing various things in the Oni's main camp. Good news: the Oni's tent is on fire, the Oni is on fire with an arrow stuck in him, and there's an angry bear running around their camp disrupting their attempts at a bucket-brigade."

Minamoto looks over "Is the Oni dead then?"

Balan has a hearty laugh. “I would think nothing less of you lot.”

Silgara speaks up "Odds are, they are coming in force to attack here next. We'd best make sure we are prepared."

T’kharr answers Minamoto’s question, "Not sure if he's dead, we got out of there before we could get visual confirmation, but he could very well be. And aye, let us prepare for an ensuing raid -- Mingzhu can have the villagers set up a field of straw-dummies to serve as decoys to make the orcs expend their flame-globes, as well as give us an opening to outflank their party." Mingzhu nods and gets to work.

"The likelihood of that arrow having been fatal given their screaming in rage is minimal." Silgara interjects.

"Aye, it wasn't a kill shot, but it could be that he's in a steadily... worsening situation all the same." T’kharr makes a rather disturbing gnoll smile.

Mingzhu runs to the middle of the village and starts to sing while casting Enthrall. Silgara looks over, then shakes her head at the shamaness. Villagers start to appear around the spirit folk. T’kharr subs out for Balan on watch to let him help Mingzhu who is still singing and enthralling everyone. He goes over to give them hope and fortitude as he activates his own Aura of Courage. Once the shamaness gets the villagers’ attention she stops and tells them to set up the dummies on the north side of the villages. They’re able to get some up but despite all the magic their moral still seems to be low. Mingzhu helps them while directing.

Minamoto and Fwangzhu glare at each other, but they get themselves ready for the upcoming battle.
The villagers do so.

Balan looks over to Silgara. “Would it be possible to also use a tactic to make it look as though the village is on fire as a deterrent.” He points to open alleys that are spread out. “We could use straw and spare timber to create small fires to create smoke throughout.”

Silgara looks over "It may be possible to set up some flammable things on the outside, but.... we don't have much time."

“If you believe it may be worth the time, we either do so or we prepare better defenses.” Balan intones.

T'kharr keeps the watch with Minamoto and Zsikhou. Zsikhou goes to hide in the forest line and keep watching there. "Might as well, beats doing nothing..." He quickly comes back. "This one has some experience in setting traps. Can do that or remain scouting."

"Do set whatever traps you can in line with the scarecrows, at about globe throwing range." T’kharr commands.

"Right. Witch, may need your help with assembling them." Zsikhou nods.

"It's wizard! not witch!" Silgara says in frustration, but then they get to work preparing some traps.

T’kharr goes over to Fwangzhu. “Ambush them from behind…” She stops for a moment not knowing if the badger even understands. He snarls some, then turns into a badger and slinks off.

The party does what they can to prepare for the incoming invasion... Eventually, after a while, Fwangzhu comes back from the woods, transforming back into his hybrid Hengeyokai form, growling "Hey you lot! We've got incoming!" Silgara and Zsikhou finish setting up a trap, though a lot of them are jury rigged, not having proper trap components.

T'kharr sounds the alarm as she hops down from her watch position "Everyone, form up, on me!"

Silgara casts a Mage Armor on herself, then another on T'kharr. Then she casts Resist Fire on herself. Mingzhu says, “I’m out of spells except for small ones.”

Fwangzhu speaks up "Oni himself is leading the charge, ... damnit, not a good time Shamaness. Hope you're ready for things to get real ugly." She nods and steels herself.

"Let’s see how he deals with the traps, doubt he'd be wanting to stop to remove them." T’kharr says.

Balan takes the front in a defensive stance shield raised. “Right let's remove this evil.” He casts Divine Sacrifice on himself. Zsikhou goes into hiding.

Once the party is assembled, T'kharr leads them around to the northwest then back towards the direct route, setting up to ambush the Oni's war party when they start to attack the decoys.

"Right. Shall I give them the lost merchant bit? Good way to get them out of formation." Zee asks.

T'kharr shakes her head "The Oni's likely far too angry to buy it."

"If you want them to club your face off, sure, go right ahead and try it." Fwangzhu snorts.

Mingzhu comments, "He’s brave. He’s stupid but he’s brave."

"Needless to say, The Oni is the first priority of anyone with a ranged weapon. He's already hurt from Silgara's fire arrow unless they have healers at camp and probably will wind up ensnared in the traps too." T’kharr states.

[Winterhawk99]

Eventually, the Oni himself, a large, hulking, red humanoid, eight feet tall, with a large horn protruding from their head. He wears a lavish cape and have a rather menacing spiked club. However, with him is a perhaps strange retinue. T'kharr and Balan notice smaller war parties of orcs and former militia members, looks like they're trying to surround the village. However, their main force seems to be with the Oni himself. But he also has some strange retinue members with him. Three humans. One is the elder of Golamaru, longbow readied. One looks like a western human, wearing full plate armor, and also has a flaming scimitar. This one has an amulet that depicts a strange symbol, but similar to those of the other Horsemen The group has seen. Another of his human retinue looks like a Zakharan human, wearing the traditional turban and style of clothing, they hold a shamshir, but also have a strange, ruby red necklace that they're wearing. You can see some goblin scouts reporting to the Oni. It seems like they scoped out the defensive positions out too. There look to be nearly 50 in all.

"It looks like they're trying an encircling tactic of their own, our best hope is to take the Oni and the three humans with him down very quickly, at least we have the snares to help with that." T’kharr informs.

Balan growls, “Right!”

"As long as they don't wind up negating our preparations..." T’kharr worries.

The man in full plate seems to take point but also casts some preparation spells. Bless. Shield of Faith, then Bull's Strength. Then he approaches the group.

"The armored one’s, their priest. Great, so they do have a healer." T’kharr frowns.

Silgara murmurs aside "If I had to guess, I think the Zakharan is some kind of arcanist."

"That would make sense." T’kharr nods.

Silgara continues "And we've seen the Elder's capabilities."

“I’ll try to deflect anything he shoots.” Mingzhu states.

"That'll help, for sure" T’kharr says.

"I can take that oni. I've dueled with the greats. ...Fencing, sabers... Urh. Fencing -with- sabers..."

Balan smacks his shield with the hilt of his sword and lets out a roar towards the approach. Mingzhu goes into a defensive stance concentrating on the Elder. T'kharr sets up not far from Balan to support him.

The armored human in full plate approaches. Keeping his blade sheathed for now. "Ahah! So, this is the group of heroes I have been hearing about! I must admit, I have been looking forward to finally meeting you. After all, there are at least two sides to every war. And a strong adversary makes for an exciting challenge." But at a distance out of engagement for now.

Zee intends to stall out the Oni himself. “Divide and conquer!” T'kharr signals to the party to hold their ground, stopping him.

The Oni growls. "You struck my camp, heroes. I am Warlord Hujao, and I will not stand for such an insult. Realize that you are surrounded and outmatched. This village will make for a fine conquest."

They stop in front of the trap line. They haven't engaged, so They don't seem to know where they are yet. The Armored human looks over again. "A quiet group, are they? Or perhaps they know they have been outmaneuvered. They did, after all, give a lot of openings when they left. It was a move I didn't anticipate. Though I suspect you came back with some surprises."

"Do not underestimate us, mighty Hujao! We would not engage so boldly if we hadn't had help of our own. I am Zander Vogel of Diamond Industries and Solutions. You have disrupted the trade routes and incurred enough wrath to cross an ocean or two!" The armored human just laughs at him.

Mingzhu shouts out, “Even if you do win this little battle, we will drain your troops far enough that you can attack and conquer no one else.”

"Ah, every war has its pawns. Pieces moving unfamiliar to the game around them. You, my friend, really don't know the grand strategy being played, do you? It's no matter. You might want to consider running. You're not important enough of a piece to knock off." He smiles at Zander. Hujao somehow seems amused.

The man then turns to Mingzhu. “That may be your play. But plans have already been set into motion. You must know how deeply unpopular Daimyo Kaluso is among the people of this isle. They are not alone. All it takes for a rebellion to rise is a spark. And then when one rises up, others join them. And then there will be war. Glorious war!"

Mingzhu retorts, “Death is defeated. Pestilence is defeated. You only have famine as an ally now.”

Balan looks to T’kharr and quietly says, “Perhaps he does not know he no longer has the others in his band.”

"Oh, I do. You have given my colleagues a bloody nose there. But there are losses in war. And one lost battle does not doom a cause. And after your pieces are removed from the board, the rest of our plans can come to fruition. So, it all comes down to this battle, the climactic one that will determine the flow of the war to come!" He smiles at her.

Hujao looks over "I have been stalled long enough in my plans for conquest. With our alliance and coalition, we will not fall." Balan holds himself at the ready counting the feet to close.

The Elder looks over, seeming tired, something resigned, but then looks over to Fwangzhu "Fwangzhu, you have dedicated much to the defense of this village. I also know how much you detest the wicked Daimyo that lords over us. There is still time for you. Join us, join this rebellion and we can see the Daimyo fall."

T'kharr quietly remarks to Balan "I don't think he knows quite who's on our side."

The dragonborn nods staring forward and replies quietly, “I feel the same.”

Fwangzhu just snarls in turn "Oh fuck off with that!! What has gotten into you, old man?! I didn't help you and yours just so you could sell out to some crazed cultist Asslicker! Get a grip old man!"

The elder sighs, shaking his head "I always admire your stubbornness, but I am afraid my path is set. There is simply no other way that my people can thrive. It is either this or forever submission to the tyrant's boots. Or burned in futile resistance. I will not have that."

Minamoto glares at the elder "By your actions, you have committed treason against Daimyo Kaluso. The sentence is death. To be carried out imminently."

“Repent so your souls may be saved from the depths. That may be the only way you can save your men at arms and maybe even yourself.” Balan shouts.

The elder sneers at Minamoto "You and your Daimyo would never understand us." He then shakes his head and stares at Balan. "There is only one way to save my people. What I am doing now. If you care for my people, then walk away and return to your lands, foreigner. You do not understand us. You do not have to stand against us."

"Save your people by consigning them to being used as meat-puppets in a warmonger's hands?" T'kharr just stares at the elder

“A sad fate you have let your men fall into…” Balan says exasperated.

"Our rebellion will strike into the Daimyo and free us! This war is a necessity, necessary to ensure my people's prosperity and freedom. We will not falter!" The Elder shouts.

Zsikhou growls, electricity buzzing on his claws. "You have broken the mandate of heaven by siding with Daemonic forces. There is only one solution for handing you now."

T’kharr waits for them to try to push into the field of straw-dummies and snares. The Elder looks over to Zsikhou’s position. "Ah, the killer Kami. Had you perhaps lent a hand before, you might have saved us from all of this. But you did not. The heavens and their ways have failed us. They did nothing while we rotted and were battered. No, your way is ours no longer."

Balan shakes his head. “You then sacrifice the people unable to fight in the village still and those on who can for the wrong side of this. I will pray to the gods for your soul though I do not see any forgiveness that will be given if you go through with this.”

"I do not sacrifice my people." He glares at Balan. "They will join me in this rebellion. The Horde will not harm the civilians. I will ensure that."

Hujao interjects. "They submit to the horde. I am no mad beast that brings carnage to my subjects. Obstacles like you, however, will be crushed without mercy."

“Then their fates and lives are tied to the evil that corrupts this land and feeds on the people you have sworn to protect.” Balan says to the Elder.

Mingzhu moves across the line to Zee and gives him one of her potions of Cure Light Wounds. As she paces, she keeps watching the Elder. Zee takes the sippy and prepares to engage. Not too far forward now... Got to avoid them traps...-

The man in full plate smiles. "That which is considered good and righteous failed him and his people. Instead of protecting him, they went scurrying off to fight another and left them to rot. But now they can have what they have dreamed of, freedom, and revenge. One doesn't know war unless they know what beckons war, and this one has been beckoning for a long, long time."

“I will not sit idly by while you place yourself on their side and murder the women and children of your own village.” Balan beats his shield with his sword.

"You know not of what you speak, foreigner. What I do I do to protect my village." The elder speaks.

"All those who join your rebellion will be put to the sword." Minamoto replies.

"Then you are the threat that would murder the woman and children of my village. And the foreigner stands with you, a great showing of foreigner hypocrisy." The Elder coldly states.

Balan shakes his head. “You are an old fool. War will take your people from you that were left behind.” He looks at T'kharr and Silgara quietly. “He has no reason anymore.”

"There will be casualties. But every war has a purpose. And it is one they agree with." The man in full plate speaks. "But I think what has been said, has been stated. It has been interesting to speak with you. But let this not be delayed overlong. Battle calls!" He draws his blade "Cry Havoc! And let loose the dogs of war!"