The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Some shuffling can be heard ahead, but it's quiet. The cat rushes ahead. "I think it’s the cat using the crossbow. It’s probably a hengeyokai. see if you can speak to it Fwangzhu." Mingzhu asks. Fwangzhu tries talking to the cat. She doesn't respond. The cat keeps moving ahead

"Let’s keep moving up cautiously." T’kharr orders. Balan nods and moves to the front. Eventually, they see what looks like a human sized humanoid, with a rat head and tail, and other clear rodentlike features. They have a crossbow, are wearing leather armor. They also wear a hooded cloak, though the hood isn't up. They also wear a pendant with some kind of strange symbol on it. They also look tired, as if it they were drained.

The cat looks at all of the group looks ready to attack and move forward, the rat-fellow seems to recognize the cat, immediately loading a bolt and aiming at the cat, despite being drained. They let out a sound that sounds like something between a squeak and growl. "CURSE YOU! NASTY BAD CAT! WILL SHOOT YOUR SMUG NASTY FACE AFTER EVERYTHING!"

Mingzhu screams out, "HOLD BOTH OF YOU!"

The rat fellow looks over "What? You with Cat? You don't know CAT IS EVIL BAD!" The cat doesn't wait and goes to pounce at the rat fellow, clearly going for the kill. Balan lunges to grab the cat.

"Now slow down and explain yourselves, before I turn you both into menu items!" T’kharr yells as she joins Balan in trying to restrain the cat for the time being. Mingzhu tries to put herself between the cat and the nezumi.

The cat freaks out, Balan wins the grapple, it CLEARLY hates this and is trying to escape. Balan holds the cat trying not to hurt it or let it go. T’kharr moves in to rub the scruff of the cat’s neck to try to calm them down. The rat fellow looks confused for a moment, looking at Balan, then to Mingzhu and T'kharr "What are you lot doing with EVIL NASTY BAD CAT?!?" The cat doesn’t calm down.

"You’re going to have to explain why it’s evil?" Mingzhu calls out, “It was saying you are evil but the way you take out the undead we do not think so.

"Works for Shaman that went BAD, makes Gaki! Works with three others that ALSO make Gaki! BAD CAT hunting me!" The Ratman keeps speaking, but it keeps their crossbow aimed at the cat.

“So, let’s calm down and figure this out.” Mingzhu says.

Balan shouts out, “Tell it to stop squirming or…”

“My spell ran out, Balan.” Mingzhu shouts back.

T’kharr tries to aid Balan with holding the cat down. It narrowly escapes, squirming out of Balan's hold, and runs out of the cave. Unfortunately, it manages to slip away from T'kharr too. Balan snarls at the gat aggressively, “Stop!”

The nezumi tries to shoot the cat as it runs away. Mingzhu seeing the move tries to punch the crossbow. She misses. The nezumi doesn’t. He shoots the cat in the gut. She takes a nasty bolt hit, but then runs, yowling.

Mingzhu calls out in anger, “Is it me or does everyone in these lands want to just kill each other without talking things through."

"Gah! Why are you interfering!?! NASTY CAT is going to call the Gaki to hunt us now!!" The rat fellow huffs in frustration.

"Look we don’t even know what’s going on. Please explain." Mingzhu looks at him with a bit of anger.

The Rat fellow looks over at Mingzhu, looking annoyed. "Fine. Don't have long. Going to have Gaki swarming here. Thanks for leading the STUPID NASTY BAD CAT and them here. Ask. Quickly."

"Well, we'll at least have a blood trail leading from here to that Shaman's lair now, no?" T’kharr chuckles.

"No thanks to stupid woman trying to punch me for STUPID NASTY BAD CAT!" The rat-fellow huffs.

Silgara looks over, seeming confused by the whole encounter. T’kharr speculates, “"Wonder if the cat's the shaman's familiar?"

"YES! THANK YOU!" The rat-fellow huffs "NASTY BAD CAT is the village shaman's companion. Of course, CAT LIKES BAD SHAMAN RUINING EVERYTHING!"

[Winterhawk99]

The rat man huffs. It’s a crossbow on closer inspection is a repeater model. Another bolt clicks into place, rapidly reloading itself more than a normal crossbow, but then the tired looking being stows it away onto their belt, tucking it beneath their cloak. Mingzhu asks “Ok, what is your name?”

He huffs, “Am Nor’vee. Who are you?”

“I am Mingzhu. A shamaness of the Path of Enlightenment.”

He almost has a sneer, “Have seen what shaman do. You bring cat here. LITTLE CLAWED DEMON THING! What Mingzhu doing here??"

“The Cat brought us here.” T’kharr explains.”

Mingzhu shakes her head. “I did not know the cat had nefarious intentions or that you were trying to cleanse the undead. No, he is right, I trusted the cat. Now you are saying there is an evil shaman out there raising the dead along with two others?”

Nor'vee lets out an irritated sounding squeak, "Other Shaman making Gaki. Has three others. Four if include the NASTY BAD CAT." They squeak again.

“Yes, this much we understand now. We would like to know where they are getting the bodies from. were there so many from when the Daimyo's men came and killed them? are there other villagers still alive? and where are the children of the village?” Mingzhu asks.

"Yes. No. Dead. Dead. Daimyo's men were too and not enough thorough. Killed Shaman. Or thought they did." They squeak with irritation. "Only survivors were bad shaman, and three others Shaman was speaking with before."

Mingzhu looks grim and asks again to be sure she heard right, “Did the daimyo’s men kill the children?”

Nor'vee squeaks with irritation. "Yes! Just said that."

Fwangzhu snarls, "I fucking knew it. That bastard had the whole village slaughtered. Are you still going to keep justifying loyalty to him?" He angrily turns to Minamoto.

Mingzhu nods sadly. “So, now we have to clean up all the undead and stop this shaman and the others from making more.”

Minamoto looks over. "And the village shaman was creating Gaki. Clearly they were up to nefarious treachery, here."

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto, "Oh you shut the fuck up! Like any of that fucking justifies what they did!"

Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu, "You are a treacherous rebel and savage. This would not have been done without very good reason."

“From what Nor'vee says I suspect perhaps the shaman lost his mind when he saw the villagers getting slaughtered.” Mingzhu suggests not wanting to see any other way this could happen.”

Nor'vee squeaks again, "No. Didn't lose mind. Shaman and STUPID CAT were doing bad, bad things before too."

Mingzhu cups her face in her hands, “OK.”

"Course I knew cat was BAD NEWS, but no one listened!" They squeak in irritation.

Minamoto looks at Fwangzhu. "See?"

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto, "Oh fuck off!"

“Still, it was the Daimyo's men that slaughtered everyone in the first place including the children. I do not know what to think now.” Mingzhu fires back at Minamoto.

Silgara looks over. "A comprehensive account of what happened may be in order here." Mingzhu nods and listens.

Nor'vee huffs, still looking drained and tired. "Fine, want to hear? Maybe you listen unlike other stupid humans. Don't care either way." They squeak.

“We will listen, Nor’vee.” Mingzhu responds.

"So, elder and shaman were talking. Humans being very angry and cat-like and demanding and stuff. Daimyo humans and village humans getting angry and being nasty to each other." Nor'vee speaks "Shaman counsels elder to put villages to rebellion. Tax stuff and rulership and other human stuffs. And CAT KNOCKING THINGS OVER!" They squeak in irritation again.

"Then after meeting with daimyo's men the elder and village angry mob has daimyo's men hanged in public while angry humans cheer. Meanwhile throughout all of this Shaman is meeting three strange foreigners. Didn't know who they were at the time. They kept Nor'vee away. Two witches and one other strange shaman." Nor'vee keeps speaking.

"Daimyo sends another delegation and village humans then hang the Daimyo's humans again. Put them on stocks. Angry mob cheering with lots of angry humans on both sides. “T’kharr’s ears perk at hearing mention of the foreign shaman and witches.

"Then next Daimyo's delegation comes in with metal humans and they start killing whole village. Nor'vee kept out of that fight. Thought they killed everyone. Including shaman. Guess they missed him. And the two witches and other shaman." Nor'vee squeaks in irritation, "Then four of them start raising everyone as Gaki."

“So, they are all undead now too?” Mingzhu asks.

“Humans and so many Gaki and can't go shoot them all myself." They squeak in irritation, "No, two shamans and two witches still alive. I think. Maybe? Shaman has had their STUPID CAT hunt me everywhere so can't get close to them. Even if did they have witch stuffs. Now Nor'vee stuck on this stupid island with stupid cat.”

Silgara sighs, "The term is /wizard/, or possibly /sorcerer/ if their magic is innate. Not 'witch'."

“Wu-jen is the term in the east, Silgara.” Mingzhu corrects.

Nor'vee looks over "Is pointy eared human-fellow stupid? Witch is witch!" Silgara just sighs and rubs her face.

Minamoto looks to Fwangzhu, "See? This village had earned their sentence through rebellion."

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto, "Oh fuck off! You'd justify fucking anything for that dipshit."

Mingzhu just looks at Minamoto as if he just said the vilest thing. “And the children too Minamoto?”

"Clearly something terrible was happening here. If my lord deemed it so, it was likely justified." Minamoto responds.

Nor'vee just huffs, "Bah! Stupid arguing humans. Just like in village. Or maybe like dog and stupid cat. Dog stupid too!"

Mingzhu looks out at the cave mouth. “Nothing justifies killing children nor those who refuse to participate in rebellion. Nor’vee we will help you take care of these evil shamans and wu-jen.” T’kharr nods in agreement with Mingzhu.

Nor'vee huffs, tiredly, "If has shaman magics to deal with gaki draining would be nice." Nor'vee shakes his head. "But bad shaman and bad witches likely in main village center. Is split setup. Has bit by coast but main village further inland. Had rice crops and other land farms. Probably in that village hall or square can find them."

“Have they fortified it?” Mingzhu asks?

"Has lots and lots of Gaki." Nor'vee replies. "Gaki everywhere." Nor’vee looks rather drained and tired. He slumps a bit while they talk.

"Well, with two shamans and a paladin on our side...target rich environs, eh?" T'kharr grins slightly to Balan and Mingzhu.

Balan smiles, “Aye can be a bit of fun to be had.”

Mingzhu looks around while thinking. “If there are that many, we may need a place to rest. This may take a while.”

Silgara looks over ,"We can deploy the boat near the coast if we need to withdraw."

Nor'vee squeaks, "Fine, can just get off this island then. Don't have another way off. Hope Gaki don't break your boat."

"She means for us to rest and recover so we're at full strength for the fighting ahead." T’kharr corrects.

“We should also fold the ship up into a figurine when it is not in use so we don’t get invaded by undead.” Mingzhu adds.

"Already ahead of you on that." Silgara nods.

"Fine, you lot ready to move then? Gaki will likely know our position when Cat reports back to bad shaman." Nor'vee says.

Mingzhu nods, “Where are we going?”

“I can still turn them if we get into a pinch a few more times.” Balan reports.

Mingzhu says, “I have 3 more turns myself.”

"If we want to withdraw, we can head to the shoreline and I can deploy the boat, get us a bit away so we can rest. Otherwise, we can press on." Silgara says, "We'll have to make the call though. Sounds like we'd better make it quick. Not sure how many undead will start swarming over us."

Balan nods, “I believe I can cast six more times if needed.”

"How many villagers were there anyway?" T’kharr asks.

“Lots” Nor’vee says.

Mingzhu considers, “I’m our most powerful turner I think so will hold back unless Balan and T'kharr either run out of turns or have trouble.”

Balan nods in agreement, “I would agree you are.”

Mingzhu formulates a plan of action. “We can go step by step and clear an immediate area then go to the next. We need to burn the bodies. I can give the village proper burial rites when I can. I do not wish the souls to linger if possible. it will give us more safety as we clear more and more out.”

"That makes sense." T’kharr quips.

“Should we start with the seaward village and work our way inland?” Mingzhu asks.

"I think we start with the seaward village." T’kharr responds in agreement.

Mingzhu nods to her. then asks, “Nor’vee, do you wish to join us?”

Nor'vee stands, "Beats staying here. Just don't get me killed." “Squeak.” Though Nor'vee still looks tired and drained, but he forces himself to move.

Mingzhu gets ready to set out toward the seaside village.

[Winterhawk99]

T’kharr follows along, eyes wary for any sign of undead. They set out, walking along, however, as they are about to exit the cave... It looks like there is some undead Gaki waiting for them outside. They're sort of shambling around the cave entrance. The lost souls have not noticed the group yet...

T’kharr grunts, “Looks like we have work to do right away.”

“T'kharr and Balan in front I'll go next then the rest of you. This is a battle of faith before swords.” Mingzhu orders.

Silgara looks over. "Entry to this cave is pretty cramped."

“I will exit first and be your shield.” Balan responds. Nor'vee loads some bolts but takes position near the back. T'kharr takes position behind Balan, staff in hand. The undead still haven’t noticed them.

Mingzhu comments. “We approach the largest group. Balan turns, T’kharr is in reserve. If they all don’t turn, then me. Afterward, we fight any that are left until there are no more. Sound like a plan?”

“Right,” T’kharr states resolutely.

Mingzhu looks around to see if the group wants to surprise the undead or not. T’kharr sees the look and says, “I think we can open hot with Balan’s turning.” Silgara nods, nocking an arrow.

Mingzhu nods, “Let’s get into range.

Balan steps out of the cave and immediately shows his holy symbol, turning undead while blocking the cave entrance. T’kharr casts bless upon the party. One of the ghasts notices Balan before he turns and charges him. T’kharr casts Shield of Faith upon herself while the gaki moves. Zsikhou throws a couple of shuriken at it. One hits but misses its head. Balan uses his turning ability. The closest three gaki start to run away as fast as they possibly can.

A Wraith floats in and attacks Balan. It scratches him; Balan avoiding a direct strike and the draining effect of the Wraith. Mingzhu casts prayer waiting to see if T’kharr tries to turn the wraith. Both Fwangzhu and Minamoto draw and shoot their bows. Both shoot undead but again miss their heads for the killing shot. Another gaki comes in from the side and strikes Balan with its diseased claws. Again, the paladin avoids the draining effect. Silgara scores a hit on one of the gaki’s heads. It goes down. Nor'vee loads a special clip and shoots at one of the wraiths. It goes down but another comes right behind it.

Another of the gaki comes into combat range but it’s too jammed up that the cave entrance for it to strike anyone. T’kharr takes a chance and casts Magic Vestment. Another Ghast flees. Balan is right there and quickly strikes out with his sword wounding it badly. The gaki stumbles back and tries to flee. Zsikhou again throws some shuriken. All three go right through the wraith he aimed at. Balan calls out again to his god and tries to turn the undead. 3 ghasts immediately disintegrate and one of the wraiths turns and starts to float away. Mingzhu shakes her head and performs a turn undead herself. She turns all the undead into powder. The one wraith that was out of her range is quickly chased down and killed by the combined sniping of Silgara, Nor’vee, Minamoto, and Fwangzhu.

Nor'vee huffs, "Not know how often you can do that but there's a lot of Gaki to go through if we fight them all directly."

Mingzhu responds, “I can do it two more times. I am unsure of the others.”

“Have four more.” Balan says.

Zsikhou looks over. "Do we need to withdraw, or do we press on?"

“We have to press on to safely get the ship out in the water.” Mingzhu directs.

Squeak, "Can lead you to shoreline. Less Gaki that way. Or to port. Or to town center. Where do you want to go?" Nor'vee looks over.

“Lead us to port then so we can sail to where it’s safe." Mingzhu tells him.

Silgara looks over. "A shore would suffice as well."

Nor'vee nods, "Shore, right." Squeak "Come on, let’s move before more Gaki show up." Mingzhu nods and follows the nezumi.

Nor'vee leads them through a plenty wild, densely wooded part, but eventually the party following him finds themselves on a shoreline. Beach and sand. There's still the presence of Gaki in the distance, but it seems this place is more remote. Silgara steps forward and uses the figurine to expand the boat. Nor'vee blinks, not having expected that. "Witch makes boat?"

Silgara huffs "It's Wizard!”...

Zsikhou looks over. "Just get on before the rest of the Gaki show up."

They board the ship. Silgara quickly gets it offshore and some ways out to sea. "As long as they don't have any Lacedons we should be safe here." Mingzhu nods and jumps off the ship into the water taking the first watch and making sure there are no undead in the area. She finds none.

Silgara looks over "Well, what's the plan now?" as Nor’vee slumps against a mast. He seems quite drained.

"Rest up here, then we push back out in the morning fresh and ready" T’kharr says as she takes the chance to rest herself. Balan sighs a bit of relief and takes a bed to rest in. Silgara nods and heads below deck. Everyone gets a chance to rest during the night.

After some time Fwangzhu finds Nor’vee on the deck looking out to the island. The hengeyokai sizes up the nezumi. “You've a sharp aim with that Chu-ko-nu.”

Nor'vee squeaks aside, then a huff "Of course. Not good to let Gaki or Shadowlands predators get close."

Fwangzhu keeps saying, "Course that still happens. You want to be able to handle yourself when need to get up close and personal. It doesn’t seem like you're well prepared for that."

Nor'vee replies, "Better to keep distance, use cover, never let enemies get close. Gaki and others outnumber us. Keep them down without getting hurt or taking losses."

Fwangzhu huffs, "Doesn't always work out… doing that."

Nor'vee shrugs, "Nor does charging in and getting caught on bad claws."

In the morning Mingzhu and T’kharr are doing their meditation. Nor’vee doesn’t look any less energetic. Balan casts Lesser Restoration on him. It seems to have no effect upon the nezumi. He still looks quite drained. He says, “Thanks for trying, but… think that spectre took something out of me.

Balan sighs, “It is the best I can do. Maybe one of the others can help more.” Nor’vee squeaks and nods.

[Winterhawk99]

It's night on the ship; most seem to be doing whatever last minute routines before resting or resting. Some prowl about the ship, but most remain below deck for now. After a couple of hours Mingzhu surfaces and climbs on deck. Silgara's up, she's at the helm of the ship. Nor'vee is below decks. Zsikhou is staring out to sea in desperate need of a hug. Fwangzhu is leaning on the edge of the boat. Mingzhu comments, “Well, no undead under the water. Perhaps I should have called a great white to patrol the coast and tell them to eat any undead in the water. I would tell it they are tasty and chewy."

Silgara looks over. Of those present, she seems the most awake. "That's a pretty cruel thing to tell them, don't you think?"

"Sharks eat dead whales they would as much eat undead."

"Undead flesh is suffused with negative energy. It's not safe or healthy for animals to eat." Silgara shakes her head.

"Can a shark get heartburn? Will have to ask."

"I expect them, eating anything undead is highly unpleasant and potentially risks necrotic contamination." Silgara shakes her head

"Well, if the sharks don’t get them, I imagine the crabs will."

"From what I understand, most animals naturally prefer to avoid undead, their presence is unnatural after all." Silgara shrugs.

"Alright then. No worries Silgara I did not call a shark.” Mingzhu replies. Silgara just nods. "I have to go speak to Fwangzhu. You have a good sleep or whatever you do."

Silgara sighs, "My people usually Reverie, but I don't do it. I prefer to sleep myself..."

Mingzhu goes to look for Fwangzhu. She finds him below deck in an otherwise unoccupied cabin. She walks in. He looks over at her, leaning on the ground. She says, “I would like to talk to you a while Fwangzhu mind taking a chair?"

Fwangzhu snorts "Not like we have a lot of furniture here but whatever. What is it?" He grunts and sits up.

She sits down and takes a deep breath. "I had a long talk with Minamoto about the way he treats you. And since that talk he has calmed down quite a bit. Now I wish to talk to you about him."

Fwangzhu snorts "Oh sure. That Asslicker still makes excuses for his shit excuse of a tyrant after seeing their atrocities firsthand. Or the part where he calls me savage, wants to turn me into a pelt and shit. He's asking to be fucking mauled. Why the fuck do you put up with him?" Fwangzhu snarls.

"We have both seen him fight courageously for the group. I know you have seen it yourself. right?"

"I've seen him fight. I know who he's fighting for. Do you have a point?" Fwangzhu grunts.

"Yes, I do. and I will get to that. You realize that Minamoto is just a soldier and a good one. The daimyos clan is like his family, and he thinks of the daimyo as his father in many respects."

"And I know that makes him loyal to a jackass tyrant. That makes him a fucking problem." Fwangzhu snorts.

"Fwangzhu that only makes it a problem if you let him get under your skin. Yes, I know what happened here was a grand tragedy the fact that not even the children were spared makes my blood boil, but Minamoto did not commit these crimes.”

"And yet he still loyally serves the jackass who did. Fuck him." Fwangzhu snorts.

Fwangzhu, we all come to the right conclusions in different ways. Who was the one that insisted we come here in the first place? Eventually he will see the evil the daimyo has done.”

"You." Fwangzhu snorts, "And no he won't. His bootlickers are like that. Won't matter what awful shit they do. As long as it fits their own version of tradition it's all fucking fine to them. Stop making excuses for him."

"I believe he will eventually see through all of this. It may take him some time. Loyalty is a strong thing but eventually I believe he will come to the right conclusions too. Now did you notice he didn’t insult you personally after we got here?”

Fwangzhu snorts "No he fucking won't. Oh, like I fucking care if he does."

“He's giving you the benefit of the doubt now. He's giving you a break. I would like you to do the same for him.” Mingzhu insists.

"Yeah, I'm not betting on how long that lasts." Fwangzhu snorts.

"Look, we, all of us on this ship are a team too. If we tear each other apart the team suffers for it. I don't expect harmony from the two of you. He is a loyalist, and you are an independent thinker. But we need to work as a unit if we are to survive the struggles ahead. So, give him a break. Remember he’s just a dumb soldier.”

"Oh, like I'm supposed to be fine with that because he mindlessly follows a tyrant. Fucking wonderful." Fwangzhu snorts

“Fwangzhu that we can take up on another day when it comes. Right now, we are fighting evil shaman and wu-jen that don't give a damn about either the people or the daimyos clan. Minamoto for all his problems is a good fighter and is loyal to the group. He does his best. Just as you do. and who knows, if both you and him take a step back for a few moments maybe you can find some common ground to work with.”

"I know that. That's why I haven't buried my axe in his skull. And because he's too chickenshit to actually try to fight me despite him putting on bluster. And yes, I fucking know we have shit to deal with." Fwangzhu snorts, "But if you're under the impression he'd ever choose us over his lord? Then don't."
"He's loyal to us only as far as it serves his Daimyo's goals."

"I'm not saying that Fwangzhu. I am saying that while he is with this family and it is becoming a family, he has always done his best just as you have. I realize who he is."

"Really? Family with that jackass? What the fuck gave you that idea?" Fwangzhu snarls.

“He has given you a break. Try to give him a break too. Remember Minamoto is not responsible for the horrors we found on the shore. We will eventually deal with that, ok.”

"He's still responsible for furthering the goals of the tyrant who did that shit. Don't think he's a friend just because we have a common enemy here." Fwangzhu snorts.

“The daimyo has already lost two whole villages. His power is waning quickly as now he will gain no taxes at all from those two villages. We need to stop these pirates and these undead before they cause more havoc. Then we will find out what is wrong with the Daimyo and his court. We need to save the people first. If Minamoto gives in just a little and you give in just a little, it’s better for the group as a whole. We will work much better.”

Fwangzhu huffs, seemingly in agreement. Or partial agreement, since his stance is slightly less confrontational. "Sure. Though don't expect that Asslicker to side with us if we end up in a confrontation with his corrupt tyrant of a lord. Yeah, I don't feel like giving an inch to a tyrant's bootlicker who abuses his people. Fuck that." Fwangzhu snorts.

“I’m saying try to play nice and realize it’s not Minamoto's fault all this is happening. He is starting to play nice now. give him a chance, ok. You might even make a bet with him on who kills the most Gaki that could be a start to calming everything down. Between the two of you personally.”

"I couldn't care less about playing politics or telling him he's a companion when he's just a jackass who happens to share an enemy, I want to axe more than his stupid face." Fwangzhu snorts.

“He is one of our companions all the same, and he has fought bravely. Eventually everyone grows Fwangzhu, even him. Give him some time.”

"I'm not holding my breath. You shouldn't either. You had anything else you wanted to talk about?" Fwangzhu snorts.

Mingzhu asks, “Do you?”

"No." Fwangzhu huffs and lies down again.

Mingzhu nods, "I will be able to help Nor'vee in the morning, but I will check on him now to see how he is doing."

"Fine, go ahead. He should be in one of the other Cabins." Fwangzhu rolls over and tries to get comfortable.

"Sleep well Fwangzhu." Mingzhu says saying goodnight. Fwangzhu just grumbles.

[Winterhawk99]

Mingzhu next looks for Nor’vee. He seems to be helping himself to some stored rations on the ship. He looks tired and famished if the way he’s tearing into them is anything to go by. She comes up to him and leans against the table. "Nor'vee I should be able to heal your problem in the morning."

Squeak! "Oh, good." Nor'vee crunches down on something before cleaning up any mess made albeit sluggishly.

"Tell me by the way. It seemed as if you told your tale that the shaman instigated the revolt. Is that right?"

Nor'vee looks over shrugging, "Hard to say really. Saw from a distance. Human politics. Lots of angry humans. Raging, clubbing. Shaman stoked fires. Think the fires were already there though."

Mingzhu nods, "No doubt. Do you know anything else about the shaman. spells he favors?"

"Besides making Gaki? Not sure. Don't know much about magic. Didn't see him spell cast too much. Assuming usual spiritualist magics and stuff." Nor'vee shrugs, "Know he has that cat though. Nasty Bad cat!"

Mingzhu smiles and nods. “I have an otter. He’s good a little mischievous but a good companion.”

Nor'vee nods aside, then a heavy breath out, "Used to have a companion too. Lost them." They look aside.

“A woman?”

Squeak, "No, no. Animal companion."

“Are you a forester?”

"Nor'vee is Darkhunter. Tradition in ranging Shadowlands. Shooting Shadowlands monsters before they hurt colony." He pauses, and looks at his complex-looking repeater crossbow, before looking back to Mingzhu. "So yes. Have forester skills."

“You said that you knew the shaman was bad news even before the daimyo’s troops came. Was he always like that or did something change him?”

"Had BAD cat. Always bad news. Nor'vee could tell. No one else knew. Stupid humans. Too busy being angry and thinking NASTY BAD CAT knocking things over was cute rather than a problem." Nor'vee huffs.

“Ok, ok. slow down. Did you see things that the shaman did before the troops came that told you he was bad?”

Nor'vee tiredly squints at Mingzhu, there's a breath out. "Besides let NASTY BAD CAT be a demonic menace?" He shakes his head. "Not directly but saw subtle things. Could read signs. Shaman counseled others in village in bad directions. Stow fear. Stow hate. Keep others out. Find ways to get them more angry. Blame others for their problems. No one thing. But could see pattern."

“Ok, that’s something to go on. Did he regularly go to a shrine?”

"There is one in the center village. Still goes there. Shrine to Eight Million." Nor'vee squeaks, then huffs, "Doubt eight million likes what Shaman is doing. But they still have powers."

“Does he meditate at dawn, dusk, or in the dead of night?”

Nor'vee considers, then shakes their head. "Think dusk. Didn't keep track of that too closely."

Mingzhu frowns. "If that is true it would mean that he isn’t evil just stupid. evil shamans usually meditate in the dead of night though some may meditate at dusk." She shakes her head. "Maybe a shaman that is neither good nor evil that seeks revenge upon the daimyo in some way. so has chosen to gather an undead army for his revenge."

Nor'vee shrugs, "Don't know how that works. Village humans and Daimyo humans hated each other though." Squeak, "Don't really even know why fully. Couldn't get too close without being shunned or chased away. Nor'vee was never trusted. Stupid humans trusted bad shaman and STUPID CAT more than Nor'vee."

"I take it you are nezumi?"

"Yes, Nor'vee is a Nezumi." They nod, "Most humans here don't know what Nezumi is. Just think Nor'vee is big rat spreading disease and stealing cheese. And other things." They huff.

“Are there others? family?"

"Not with me." Nor'vee looks off, a sigh.

Mingzhu nods. "Perhaps in the future."

"Maybe..." Nor'vee shakes his head. "Later though."

“After I meditate in the morning come to me and I will see if I can heal you from this fatigue. Once we clear out the ocean side village, I will call all the spirits of the children and try to release them to the heavens. Then we can tackle the bigger town.”

Nor'vee shrugs, "Think you probably want to shoot bad shamans and witches first. Then deal with spirits."

“Depends upon the situation. We may have to. We need the burn the bodies we find or undead we kill so they cannot be raised by the shaman and wu-jen.”

Nor'vee shrugs, "Guess your decision there. Or whomever your colony leader is."

Mingzhu smiles. "It all depends upon the situation Nor'vee I deal with the easterners. T'kharr the westerners. sometimes Balan. We are trying to fix all the wrong done in the lands of the Daimyo. Not for his sake but for the peoples’ sake.”

Nor'vee just raises an eyebrow as if to ask 'who?”, but keeps listening, though tiredly, "Is your colony against the Daimyo then?" Nor'vee asks.

“We are neither for nor against. We simply try to fix the wrongness in the land. Those that would hurt the community as a whole.”

"Keep out of stupid human politics? Sensible goal. Good luck doing it." Nor'vee squeaks.

“Pirates, Evil men and yokai that spread lies and deceive, The yakuza. I am a community shamaness and also an ocean shamaness I cannot stay out of politics but try to find middle ground between the people and their rulers. It can be very difficult. I cannot say I haven’t made mistakes along the way.”

Nor'vee looks over, then shrugs, "Nor'vee doesn't envy your job then."

She nods, "Life is not always so simplistic for me. I do my best."

"Made any headway into sea-bandit problems?" Nor'vee cranes their head.

“We have destroyed one ship and have cut more than one of their supply lines.”

"Sea-bandits make travel difficult." Squeak.

“Yes, they do but I have just come into the ability to command large areas of water.
I can make a whirlpool to stop or even sink ships in time.”

"Handy. Wonder why so many sea-bandits here though." Nor'vee huffs.

“I just came into the spell, and we have only seen one ship so far. We believe the pirates ware working with other daimyos and a yokai.” Nor'vee nods, though even tired, it looks like he's taking mental notes.

“Get some rest I'll help you feel better in the morning.” Mingzhu insists. Nor'vee squeaks and nods, then slinks off, his step is awfully quiet.

Mingzhu leaves and comes back on deck to find Zsikhou still staring out to sea, mutely. She goes over and stands beside him. Zsikhou glances aside as she does so, giving her a node, then just continues staring out at sea. She asks, “What are you thinking?”

There's a pause, he's deep in thought. Then a breath out. "About what comes after this mission is done..."

"What do you think will come?"

Zsikhou breathes out ... "Have been so focused on the mission and well... I don't know..." A look aside. "Do you have a place to return to when our duties here are done?"

"That is a good question. My people: I would assume, think I am dead. Though the shaman who taught me is a shaman of knowledge. He would know I'm alive. Now, whether he chooses to tell the village I’m alive. I don’t know.”

Zsikhou nods aside. "How would they react? You showing up again...?"

"My father would be thrilled. I think most of the village would think it a miracle. I think they would be surprised and most delighted if only to have their fish whisperer back." she smiles. "Do you plan to go back Zsikhou?"

Zsikhou looks aside, then a breath out, looking out to sea. "After what happened? Doubt this one can. If he did it would only be to a disciplinary hearing and likely execution..."

"Did you ever think of changing your perspective of the world now that you are unchained from your dragon? You are mortal now. You can go anywhere. Do anything. And now you can find that there is more to life than the mission."

Zsikhou pauses, a breath out. "Not really... I hadn't... But am not sure I could go anywhere either. It's...." He shakes his head. "Wasn't concerned about that. This one... had a tribe to return to. Others they knew and..." He closes his eyes. "Gone forever to this one now..."

“There are other tribes out there, Zsikhou I am sure. Perhaps fate has found you and wishes for you to quest for a new tribe.”

Zsikhou grimaces some at that... then looks to Mingzhu "What of your village? Are you fine with never seeing any of them again?"

“I would wish to go back, yes. But if fate leaves me here on these islands for a purpose perhaps a purpose greater than myself then I will stay and help the people as I must. Zsikhou. It is up to you how you face the future. You don’t always have the option to do what you wish. But you can regard your options with pessimism or see it as a new start something to look forward too.”

Zsikhou breathes out and looks off to the sea. "And this one still has a mission to accomplish. We all do here."...There's another grimace at that "Will focus on that. Just... just another thing, this one gave up by disobeying orders. Better be worth it."

Mingzhu nods. "But I ask. Why do you still keep doing it now unattached to your dragon? You could just walk away."

Zsikhou looks over to Mingzhu. A huff "And then what?"

"Start a new life but that wasn't the reason I asked the question. Why do you still keep doing it? You are under no obligation to continue? Is it that you have started caring about the people? About the balance of rulership? What is it that keeps you going and doing this with us?" Or is it that you just have nowhere else to go?”

"Oh..." Zsikhou pushes himself off the ship railing, sounding more resolute, like he's back on the job and done moping around. "While it's true that this one does have nowhere to go, this one also did join up with the expectation of issuing gross correction to unacceptable deviations from the mandate of heaven. The root causes still persist. Especially after what we had seen at that Midnight Island. This one signed up to stop that, and the issues are still present regardless of this one's status or not. This one set out on this mission and will complete it. Balance of human rulership and their people is not this one's concern. This one has obligations and am not going to abandon them so casually. It's as simple as that.”

“And what of all those lost souls you saw today. Did you feel nothing of their plight trapped in the hands of an evil shaman and his cohorts?”

"My 'feelings' on the matter are simple, Shamaness." Zsikhou continues his measured, professional tone. "The situation is in need of gross correction. Assuming our information is accurate, the shaman needs to be executed, the Gaki destroyed, and the flow of souls corrected to its proper state."

Life is not that simple, Zsikhou. You can delay the end of all of this in your mind, but when the mission is over it would be best to prepare for something other than the mission. You are mortal now and have some many options on what you will do afterward. Think about them. Life is very short for us all respectively. Learn to see beyond the mission and how things outside the mission that you choose affect all those around you. Perhaps it will lend you a different perspective than what you were in the past. You don’t need to be just an instrument of destruction now. Think about it. I will go rest now.”

Zsikhou looks over... but keeps quiet for now. Then he simply shakes his head and slinks off into the night, heading below deck.

[Winterhawk99]

The companions rest on the ship the rest of the night. At dawn T’kharr and Mingzhu do their normal routines and practicing. They sail back to the island while they are making the trip Mingzhu asks T’kharr, “How do we want to do this T’kharr?”

"I think we take the seaside village and fortify it to serve as a beachhead from which we can take the shaman's lair. Let me know if your restoration on our rodent friend, doesn't do what you're expecting okay?"

Mingzhu nods and approaches Nor’vee. She examines him carefully. He looks healthy now. She asks him how he feels. He squeaks, “Better now. Ready to shoot bad shaman and cat. Or turn back and not come back. Either one." Nor'vee responds as he tinkers some with his repeater crossbow.

Mingzhu still gives him the once over. When satisfied she says, “"Ok we are going to clean up the sea side part of town first. I will save my spell in case someone needs if you are feeling ok.”

Balan walks by and chuckles heartily, “A fine mood then.”

Silgara steers the ship toward the docks, “Right then, taking us there.”

Mingzhu then states, “After we clear this part out, I’ll make sure the bodies get a proper burning.”

Nor'vee looks over to T'Kharr. "If you are making colony tactics. Will likely need some on standby on sides to keep Gaki from surrounding us."

"Aye, we'll be having watches overnight and such." She responds.

Silgara makes dock. Mingzhu shuffles down, ties the ship off and starts to slowly walk down the pier watching for threats. T’kharr comes right after her, eyes wary for signs of undead. The port looks much the same as they'd left it. It doesn't look like there's anyone here but corpses, and that uneasy feeling of corruption in the air and of being watched constantly. Nor'vee narrows his eyes, aiming his crossbow around, then looks over "Port is small. Main village is further inland. Was lots of rice farmers there, Squeak.”

While Mingzhu is looking around she says, “Our plan is to clear this part up and set up a defensible position before attacking the shaman and his minions.” Nor'vee shrugs and nods, keeping his crossbow ready, looking around, on alert. Fwangzhu and Minamoto are on edge, especially in proximity to each other. The shamaness then orders, “Fwangzhu take the left flank, Minamoto the right." Fwangzhu and Minamoto huff, then they go to stand on opposite sides of the party's flanks. The scattering of dilapidated huts doesn't make for a well-fortified place though... Mingzhu moves through the homes slowly looking for undead or the shaman’s cat.

"That said, if we do not find resistance in the village, we can push inland after the shaman lair." T’kharr comments.

Mingzhu sighs, “After all the bodies are burned T'kharr we have souls to save too.”

T’kharr slowly nods, “True.”

"Bad shaman is likely holed up in town hall of inland Village." Nor'vee mentions, "Or possibly by shrine."

"Got it, probably check shrine first?" T’kharr states.

Mingzhu nods back to her, then asks Nor’vee, “Are there any undead left in this part of town?”

"Near port? Not many. Probably so not to raise alarms from outside. In inland town? All over." Nor'vee squeaks. Balan nods listening.

Silgara looks over. "If we do go further inland, we may need to decide who's watching our backs to keep us from being surrounded"

The port side seems to be free of undead for the moment. Mingzhu gets to work gathering up all the bodies here. Once she does, she gives them a funeral and lights them up. The work will take several hours. Balan stands guard watching as the fires burn after he helps with the collection. After an hour the work still isn’t done. Nor’vee had snuck off and comes back squeaking. “We are taking too long sitting here. Gaki are approaching!”

Mingzhu nods and gets ready. Nor’vee squeaks again, “Coming from all sides. We'll need to split into groups."

Mingzhu casts Call Nature’s Ally 4. A dire Ape appears beside her. Silgara looks over "There's eight of us. Might need to split into two groups of four."

T’kharr who had been gathering corpses stops and prepares for the fight, “How many?”

Nor'vee squeaks frantically, "Lots! Hope you have a plan. We're going to get swarmed VERY soon!" Zsikhou, Minamoto, and Fwangzhu ready their weapons.

Mingzhu shouts out, “Get ready for turns. I’ll be the last on T’kharr’s que.” T'kharr prepares to turn undead as soon as they're on top of the party.

Silgara looks over. “The undead are swarming fast. Looks like we're out of time, get ready everyone."

Mingzhu talks to the dire ape, “You stick with Minamoto for support and points to the man at arms.”

Balan also prepares a turn while waiting for the undead to come into range. Zsikhou stays with the group. Silgara, Minamoto, Fwangzhu, and Nor’vee go to tend to another flank along with the ape. Some of the Gaki this time look like flaming, incorporeal wisps, burning hot with rage it’s palpable but there are also a mess of ghasts leading them.

Balan is the first to act being his turns are the weakest. He holds off casting until they are all within range in front of the rest of the group. Mingzhu casts Prayer. Zsikhou shoots a crossbow bolt at one of the ghasts. They are no longer electrified now that his dragon has abandoned him. T’kharr casts Magic Vestments while waiting for her own turn to cast after seeing the affect Balan had on them. Balan suddenly breaks the line and rushes forward casting Turn Undead. 4 of the ghasts are immediately turned. The rest of the horde charges. Three Shinen-Gaki (the ones with so much rage they look like hot wisps) go for Balan Two burn him fairly seriously.

Two other ghasts charge and make attacks on him as the horde surrounds the paladin, but none of them manage to scratch him with their claws. His armor is too thick. Zsikhou puts his crossbow away and gets out his Siangham out. He strikes out at one of the ghasts. He connects with it in the gut. Another charges him but he dodges the blow.

T’kharr steps up and attempts to Turn Undead. She brings her holy symbol out and prays managing to turn 4 more ghasts. She shouts out, “We need you to try a turning, Mingzhu!” Two more Shinen-Gaki surround Balan. Another hits him with a tendril burning him in the face.

Balan starts cursing in celestial and tries to turn again. He manages to turn 2 more ghasts and 2 of the Shinen-Gaki. Mingzhu concentrates and holds her Path of Enlightenment amulet up and tries to Turn Undead. 4 of the Shinen-Gaki are deaminated and fade out of existence with her prayer. Those that are not annihilated are turned. The group with Mingzhu quickly clean up and destroy all of the undead that came after them. They turn to the other group to see how they are doing in terms of support.

They definitely need support. While they have enough blades and bolts to do quite a bit of damage they do not have anyone that can turn undead. It turns out to be a back-and-forth melee. Mingzhu shouts out, “I’ll go, T’kharr. You stay here for the cleanup.”

They watch Silgara throw a fireball at a mass of ghasts. 4 instantly crumble to the ground in burning heaps. Others have caught fire but are still fighting. The Shinen-Gaki are all immune to the fire so they keep attacking the other group. Mingzhu takes off at a run. Meanwhile T’kharr takes down the turned shinen-gaki then moves to destroy any ghasts left in their group.

One of the shinen-gaki hits Minamoto, another hits Fwangzhu giving them hard burns on various places on their body where the armor is weak. No’vee manages to hit one of the fiery wisps with a bolt. They hear Mingzhu shout out, “EVERYONE DISENGAGE FOR A MOMENT SO I CAN CAST CASTIGATE." They ignore her. Fwangzhu engages a shinen-gaki and damages it. Minamoto also slices one with his magic katana downing it.

Mingzhu gets to them and instead of trying to cast Castigate she decides to Turn Undead again. She turns the last wisp remaining. Fwangzhu and Minamoto cut it into pieces. It fades out of existence. Mingzhu takes a cloth and wipes her face then goes to the task of burning all the bodies again, saying prayers for their souls.

Once the mop-up is done, T’kharr returns to standing watch over Mingzhu’s ceremony. Balan shakes the pieces and chunks from his armor and returns to guard as well. Nor’vee comments with a huff, “Does shaman really have time for that? We stay here; we get ambushed by more Gaki. Once it's night the Wraiths can come out too." Nor'vee squeaks.

Balan looks at the Nezumi with a smile, “The more that come to us the less we will fight on the way.”

T’kharr also responds, “Does the shaman not need the dead in order to make undead?"

Nor'vee looks over to T'kharr "They do. Though spectral ones like wraiths and Shinen-Gaki are made from their spirits."

Mingzhu looks over to them, “And that is the second reason for burning the dead so they cannot be used again.” T’kharr nods emphatically to that.

Nor'vee nods, "Think win by attrition? Well, alright." He just shrugs, then goes back to remaining on lookout. Crossbow bolt at the ready.

Mingzhu says with a calm voice, “We will stop at dusk if it is not completed and move inland tomorrow to get the shaman.”

The party lets Mingzhu tend to the dead. It's a long, draining process; but at least it's over another hour in, and there aren't any interruptions this time. They all get the feeling they are still being watched. Mingzhu looks into the ethereal plane for spirits. She sees many of them some surrounding the party. Many are seething with rage. She looks to her companions, “I must speak to them.”

Nor'vee looks over. Rather anxious over this waiting. Silgara looks over "I take it you mean by context speak to the spirits? I do not see any further hostiles currently." Mingzhu nods. She casts Trance to gather the spirits around her then Commune with Lesser Spirit.

A spirit is called. She can tell that unlike the normal community spirits, this one seems... enraged... volatile. She knows the answers she get may be affected by that. “Spirit! I know you are angry. I know you are also saddened by the loss of so many. I and my companions will give you vengeance on the Shaman that betrayed you. It is time to give up this life and seek out the next stage in the afterlife. It is time for you and your fellows to go home back to the gods and kami. Will you gather those around and leave now?”

The spirit gives an incoherent, angry shriek in response. One can surmise, the answer is 'no!'

Zsikhou huffs, looking over to T'Kharr and Balan "Not sure if you're familiar with those flaming undead, but usually those are made from the spirits of soldiers who have gone renegade, though it seems they might be from enraged villagers."

Mingzhu stays calm and asks her second question, “Is the shaman hold-up in the shrine?”

The spirit lets out a growl of affirmation.

“Are the two with him westerners?”

The spirit seems to want to say more but can’t. Maybe the spell doesn’t allow more complex answers. “THREE!!!” It shouts at her in frustration and anger.

Mingzhu nods and turns to the others, “Quickly! One more question?”

Zsikhou looks at Balan and T'kharr. "Careful, even this one can tell the spirit is enraged. Whatever answers they give will likely be tarnished by that."

T’kharr in response to Zsikhou says, “Noted on the flaming undead, thanks.”

Fwangzhu looks over to Minamoto. "I can totally get it if they want to tear you a new asshole."

Minamoto glares back at Fwangzhu. "Silence, savage!"

Mingzhu shakes her head and looks to the others again, “One more question, T’kharr? Balan?”

T’kharr gets her senses back, “Oh?”

Balan says, “could ask them to help keep the other spirits away?”

The shamaness turns back to the spirit. “Is it possible for you and yours to keep the evil spirits at bay from us so we may carry out justice for you?"

The spirit shrieks, growls and flails. They didn’t like that question, but it seems they cannot attack her directly. The spirit fades away for now, though the feeling of simmering rage lingers. Mingzhu feints under the strain of so many angry spirits surrounding her.

Zsikhou rushes over to her. Balan moves to her quickly standing guard. T'kharr kneels beside Mingzhu and takes her hand in her own "Need a hand?"

The shamaness opens her eyes. “They are everywhere and so angry they will not leave even with rights. I am at a loss. If they stay long their anger will consume them and they will turn into yokai and undead on their own accord ghosts, wraiths, other evils, that stalk the night.”

Balan gets a grim cast to his face and mutters, “Then we need to kill the ones that did this to them.”

T’kharr looks up at the sky to see how late in the day it is. She sees it’s about noontime. Fwangzhu huffs, “Could be they're just fucking angry at the Daimyo's bastards because they're the ones who fucking murdered them. Including the jackass with us." Fwangzhu snorts as he looks pointedly to Minamoto.

Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu. "Or maybe it is this evil shaman they are angry at, for they have been not only mortally but spiritually betrayed by them."

Mingzhu gets angry and tries to strike Fwangzhu on the forehead with her spoon. “It’s not Minamoto’s fault, Fwangzhu! He wasn’t here! And don’t you start either Minamoto!”

"But I wouldn't expect a rebellious savage like you to understand." Minamoto seethes at Fwangzhu.

Fwangzhu snarls at Mingzhu. "He's still loyal to the jackass who did this. Fuck that."

T’kharr gets tired of it too. “Stop bickering! We need to move!”

Mingzhu wipes her nose and says, “I have one more turn left and they will have no more bodies at least here to build more.”

Silgara looks over. "If we're lucky, they've also spent their higher circle spells animating them rather than on combat magic to face us with."

Mingzhu uses her domain power to calm emotions more to calm herself down than anyone else. Both Minamoto and Fwangzhu get caught up in it and calm as well. She looks tired and worn down from all the work of both taking care of the bodies and spell casting.

Nor'vee looks over. "Right, you want to make a move on the inner town? It is a walk there, but hopefully not a long one. We can go around the main road to avoid the Gaki patrols. Or retreat if too exhausted to keep fighting. Your call." Nor'vee shrugs.

Mingzhu lets out a slow breath, “It is up to my companions, Nor’vee. If the wish to move on, I will follow”

Silgara looks over at T'Kharr and Balan, "What's your call then?"

Balan is the one that answers first, “If we can make it with time to deal with the ones there then I say we proceed. If we do not have that luck, we may need to fortify here.”

Mingzhu says, “T’kharr, what do you say?”

Nor'vee looks up "Don't want to fight them at night. Wraiths and Specters are paralyzed in daylight."

T’kharr looks up the path to the main town. "Aye, we move"

[Winterhawk99]

Fwangzhu looks over. "We can follow the road. Get us right there."

Nor'vee squeaks in irritation, "If we want to get waylaid by Gaki and everything Bad shaman has at us."

T’kharr considers and says, “Best to avoid the road.” To Fwangzhu.

"Will lead you there." Squeak! Nor'vee nods, "Best assign two to guard our flanks while we go for the Bad Shaman then."

T’kharr smiles, “That means you" to Minamoto and Fwangzhu. They huff, but nod.

It takes about 2 and a half hours of travel, but eventually the group finds itself at the town center. It also looks like a miserable sight, the site of a massacre. The buildings are dilapidated, and there's Gaki patrols, Nor'vee manages to avoid them though. "They'll be at the shrine I think..." Nor'vee leads the party there. In town though, there's a LOT of Gaki around.

Mingzhu nods, “that’s what the spirit said. Soon enough, they find themselves at what looks like an open-air shrine. There's an altar, plenty of Gaki around, and four humans. One of them looks like a middle-aged man, clearly in shaman of the path robes, and an easterner. The others look like western humans. One looks like an elderly crone, leaning on a staff, in black and red robes. One is a woman, seems younger than the others, also wearing black robes, but it looks like she has some armor underneath. There's a young man, wearing an eyepatch, in a robe overlaid over a leather tunic.

T'kharr lowers her voice. “Hm....lightly to modestly armored, but at least two of them have magic." She looks around to see just how terrible the undead swarm would be if they dead charged the humans. She clearly sees they have screening ghasts and some Shinen-Gaki around. If they charge, they will have to overrun the screens. With her voice lowered still, "Seems our best bet is to throw some turns down to punch through their screening force then try to take them down as quickly as we can."

Mingzhu frowns, “I only have one left. I guess I’m back up.”

“Have six.” Balan mentions.

“I will count Balan.” Mingzhu responds.

T’kharr adds I have 3 turns left.”

Silgara nods aside. "Hope you've got other spells to help then."

“I have Castigate but no one from our own group can be around me.” Mingzhu affirms.

Balan nods, “I will burn mine first.”

Mingzhu checks some things saying, “I also have obscuring mist and bless.” Everyone notices the cat from before is by the shaman. Mingzhu comments. “Everyone remember which way we came. If I have to, I will throw Obscuring Mist so everyone can escape.”

"Best escape route would be northwest towards the forested section if it comes to that." Says Nor'vee.

Mingzhu nods, “Everyone remember that.” Balan nods keeping it in mind. T’kharr nods as well.

"Can lose the gaki with cover. They're not good trackers without direction." Nor'vee nods, clicking a bolt into place.

T’kharr says to Mingzhu. “Would having you charge in and use your Castigate spell on our foes work well?" as her eyes rove the two armored individuals for what weaponry they have to hand. She sees they don’t have weapons out. Their armor seems light.

Mingzhu affirms to her with a nod. She cant see any weapons but can tell the shaman definitely has martial artist’s hand wraps on.

T’kharr concentrates further on the enemy, and she notices she sees a scythe by one and a concealed sickle. The shaman has hand wraps, and the lightly armored one has a mace. "The two fighters are armed, so we'll want to have Fwangzhu and Minamoto pin them down a bit after the Castigate."

Silgara looks over. "We're having those two cover our flanks."

"Once battle starts Gaki from elsewhere will swarm over us." Nor'vee nods.

"Unless you want to switch positions around?" Silgara asks.

"The idea is to take them down quickly, before the undead from elsewhere can really get to us." T’kharr surmises.

Balan adds, “Maybe best for all to rush the targets.”

“Not if you want me to use castigate it will hurt everyone in our group too.” Mingzhu says frustrated.

"Aye, Mingzhu needs to go in first if we don't want to get zinged by her Castigate though, unless you think that's a bad idea?" T’kharr says. Silgara, Zsikhou, and Nor'vee wait for instructions

Balan puffs out his chest, “I am not sure it will hurt me though. I would not want to rush in alone.”

Mingzhu shakes her head. “It will hurt you Balan. Anyone that does exactly match how I see life can be hurt. Zsikhou the worst.”

"So...unless anyone thinks this is wrong...Balan and I charge the screening ghasts with turns, opening the way for Mingzhu to rush in with her Castigate, and then the rest of us are just behind Mingzhu. If you want to put a Fireball or something in there aimed at the humans whilst Balan and I are charging the ghasts, you're welcome to do that by the way Silgara." T’kharr states.

Silgara nods, "It's best to take out spellcasters quickly. Nor'vee can shoot them. Zsikhou may want to sneak around to stab them.

"Aye, we can scrap the Castigate if you want Zsikhou to strike from ambush instead, but we'll need to keep them pinned down and on their heels in any case." T’kharr calculates.

Mingzhu thinks and says, “I’ll be exposed. Let me cast Shield of Faith before we start.”

Nor'vee looks over. "Careful, if we start casting spells they might start casting, from here." Mingzhu frowns and nods accepting that but T’kharr decides to cast her own Shield of Faith. Mingzhu just shakes her head and casts it just after her now that their advantage is gone.

The woman in leathers animates a fresh ghast; however, the shaman stands up and starts to approach the group. He seems to signal for a parley. Balan puts up his shield and clutches the hilt of his sword. The crone casts Mage Armor. The shaman and the other woman also casts Shield of Faith. T’kharr says, “Crone's a mage or some other wu-jen type, other woman's also a shaman of some sort."

The older shaman approaches, then croaks in a gravelly voice "Shamaness of the waves, the spirits have spoken of you to me. You come seeking battle. Perhaps it is inevitable, but we should speak, as followers of the Path." His cat stays close by his side.

Mingzhu steps up silently. He waves a hand, the undead part to some extent, he steps forward, though the others stay behind "If you are here, I expect you know of what had happened here. A shaman's duty is to his people, after all. You likely see this as an abomination. But the abomination was already happening, and what I do is to stop it from continuing how I can. Tell me, can you feel their rage too?"

"I can. From what I have heard you have betrayed your people. Instigated a rebellion against the lord of this island and his men. Then taken those bodies to make these monstrosities." Mingzhu responds. Balan takes the time during the talk to detect how evil they are.

"Counseled rebellion against the lord of this land and his men, yes. Taken the bodies of the fallen and made them into Gaki, yes. Betrayed my people, no, I have not." Balan feels all of them are evil. There is a strong aura on the shaman and cleric, faint on the others.

“Your people are all dead. Gone from this world or crying spirits of despair. I would call that the greatest betrayal what you have done here. If not explain yourself.” Mingzhu says.

"I tell you this, I could have counseled peace and restraint among the people here, but they were suffering and dying under the lord of this land's rule. To have done so would have condemned them to a slow death. There was no way out for them, save to rebel against their lord." The Shaman speaks.

Balan grits his teeth audibly watching them converse. The shaman continues, “The rage you feel from the spirits, it is those who hate their lord who has abused and oppressed them. What the spirits want is to strike back against those who have harmed them. To see the lord and his men cast and torn asunder. Only when this comes to be, will the spirits be satisfied and be able to enter into the realm of the celestial court."

There is always an alternative to what has taken place here. This....This is a travesty The wrong done to the people I understand but the solution it was just as wrong.” Mingzhu replies as she tries to watch all of them for hand movements. She then turns back and looks at Balan for a moment.

"It is all that was left. Sometimes terrible choices are all that remain." The Shaman shakes his head, "No, this is what I must do for them. Only when the lord of this land is deposed and his rule brought to naught will the spirits here know peace once again. Perhaps you have felt the weight of having to make such choices already. If not, then you are fortunate."

Zsikhou's hiding, but it's clear what his opinion on the matter is, he's ready to have them executed. Minamoto glares at the Shaman but lets the two spiritualists have their debate. Fwangzhu also snarls at the Shaman.

Mingzhu sighs, “I will give you a choice. leave this island. I and mine will clean up this mess of undead and do what we may to bring the souls of these spirits peace. Leave and we do not have to fight. This lord...…. This Daimyo there is something there I give you that, but we will find out what is going on and rectify all the sins that we have encountered. You have destroyed your people and will have to weigh that when you die. So, leave."

He shakes his head. "What destroyed my people were the Daimyo's men, a slow death at first, before they came and committed their massacre." He looks over. "And you travel with one. You aim to bring peace. I can commend you on that in principle. But in this case, it is not the path to enlightenment. No, I am committed to this. I will do what must be done." He waves a hand out. "You can walk away and have yours do so as well. Fight what evils you can. But I suspect that you will not."

Balan stares into Mingzhu’s eyes with an acute need to kill them. She shakes her head trying to use her diplomatic training. “You cannot see what you did is evil beyond anything that the daimyo’s forces did. Look around you at the spirits that you have trapped within their own bodies. This is not the way of the path. I ask once again leave before we have to act.”

Mingzhu sees she has hit a mark. The other shaman falters a moment in his conviction. She sees it in his eyes for but only a moment before his own resolve kicks back in again. The Shaman considers a time, he looks around, then a breath out, shaking his head. "I have felt this community and the spirits before you set foot on this island. Their rage existed for a long time. A simmering heat, growing, pushing the kettle until it burst. No, this must amount to something. I cannot back down."

Silgara looks over. "Allying yourselves with fell powers is always a path to ruin and damnation."

Mingzhu almost breaks into tears as she says, “Then may your soul find rest in the next life.” She breaks from her group into a run straight at him trying to get as close as she can for all of them to be in range. When she gets there. She casts Castigate!

[Winterhawk99]

The crone looks over to them. "Seven times seven poxes on you all. Decay and revenge will take you!"

Before Mingzhu gets to the center of the enemy, Silgara casts a Fireball into the fray. Most of the screening ghasts are nearly dead after the explosion. Mingzhu gets within range and casts Castigate. 4 ghasts go down. The shaman manages to dodge her. He seems somewhat stunned but recovers quickly. His friends also seem to have seen it coming. They duck to places where the sound of her prayers would be somewhat dampened.

One of the Ghasts immediately counterstrikes at Mingzhu. T’kharr tries to motion Fwangzhu and Minamoto to join the fray but unfortunately, they have their own problems on the flanks with a bunch of Gaki that didn’t get hit. The Gaki on Mingzhu smacks her across the face and paralyzes her. The opposing warlock casts Darkness over himself and his group. A shinen-gaki flies over to T’kharr and tries to touch her with one of its tendrils. Her armor stops it.

That bastard cat goes after Mingzhu as she is helpless and paralyzed. It puts a deep wound into her side. Nor’vee squeaks in frustration. He can’t see past the darkness, but shoots where he thinks the shaman is a bunch of times. Somehow all three bolts hit the man who reals back within the darkness. He casts cure critical wounds on himself. Zsikhou who has been sneaking up behind him though strikes from the darkness with a death attack. The shaman drops dead instantly with the fatal strike. A shinen-gaki retaliates, touching the top of his head with a tendril. Zsikhou, feeling the burn tries to duck away but it’s too late he has a burn wound on the top of his head.

T'kharr shouts out, “FOLLOW THE LEAD OF MY LIGHT!” She casts Searing Light on where she thinks the warlock is. She misses her completely. Several more shinen-gaki go after Zsikhou. The kobold starts to take burns all over his body. Balan gets himself in position to cover the darkness focusing. He casts Detect Weaponry. He immediately sees where all the weapons are in the darkness, however the spell is a personal spell. Only he can see them.

The witch casts a Hex of sleep on Nor’vee. He falls asleep on the spot. The cleric casts Unholy Blight. Zsikhou is immune. Mingzhu and Silgara are sickened by the spell. Mingzhu, still paralyzed, does not look in good shape at all with a deep wound in the leg and sickened now.

Two more Ghasts add to the pile of undead fighting with Zsikhou. They both miss the nimble kobold. Silgara casts Dispel Magic into the magical darkness where the enemy casters were. The Darkness disappears along with some of the Horseman’s defensive spells. The warlock in turn attacks Silgara with an Eldritch Blast. It blows her back and she falls. One of the shinen-gaki misses Zsikhou but the bastard cat turns and strikes out at him. He rakes the Kobold’s legs shredding his leather armor and putting deep wounds in his abdomen. Zsikhou falls down onto one knee and lucking that because a ghasts had just swung at him. The blow goes just over his head.

Zsikhou now tumbles out of the mass of undead and strikes the witch in the side. She takes a deep wound but is able to stumble away. T’kharr attempts to turn undead while heading for the warlock trying to get into a jamming position. She manages to turn all the ghasts. One of the shinen-gaki break off of Zsikhou and goes after T’kharr. Again, it’s tendrils cant get past her armor.

Balan moves toward the shinen-gaki and attempts to Turn Undead. His turn fails but he is able to get into position to attack the western ringleaders. The witch tries to use her Hex of Sleep on Zsikhou, “You took one of us, now we will take one of yours in service of Beelzebub!” Zsikhou resists the spell and growls at her. The horseman cleric uses Bolster Undead to try to undo the turn effect. Three of the ghasts have their turning undone and are back to normal. Two go after T’kharr the other after Balan. All three miss scraping their claws off the pair’s heavy armor.

Mingzhu’s paralyzation wears off now but sicken as she is she has to wait a moment to get her wits together. Another shinen-gaki breaks off of Zsikhou and goes after Balan It gets through his helm and scorches him on the face. Zsikhou steps forward to stab the witch. He stabs her twice in the throat and she goes down like a ton of bricks. T’kharr steps forward and whacks the warlock good in the side of the head. She reels back but catches her breath preparing another spell.

A shinen-gaki again dances around Zsikhou but he is aware of it and manages to just stay out of its range. The one on Balan gets him under the armpit making his shield arm useless. He roars in frustration with the sever burn he’s taken. He slashes back at it slicing one of its tendrils completely off.

The Horseman cleric casts Prayer. A ghasts turns and makes a surprise attack on Zsikhou but misses the little nimble bugger. The Ghast on T’kharr just cant seem to get through her armor. Mingzhu now up and ready Turns Undead. 3 of the 4 ghasts still up, turn to dust. The one that did not was the one that was already turned by T’kharr.

The cat again tries to attack Zsikhou but misses him as the kobold was ready for it. The warlock takes a 5 ft. step back and uses an Eldritch Blast on T’kharr. She takes a good hit straight to the chest and wheezes in pain. Zsikhou is in pretty bad shape but tries to tumble to flank attack the warlock. He gives her a deep gash to her back. T’kharr takes advantage and strikes the warlock again. The woman again has to real back. She’s in really bad shape but still up.

A shinen-gaki catches Mingzhu from behind and gives her a nasty burn on the back of her shoulder. She isn’t looking to good as well. The shinen-gaki on Balan again cannot get past his armor. Balan retaliates striking it twice. It dissipates as a second death takes it. Balan manages next a backswing hitting the one behind Mingzhu and wounding it badly.

The horseman cleric casts Divine Power. Mingzhu knows she is in pretty bad shape but still goes to Silgara. She casts Cure Critical Wounds on the Wu-jen. Silgara wakes up. Mingzhu helps her to her feet. The warlock goes after T’kharr with a dagger but misses. Next one of the shinen-gaki go after her as well It burns her in the neck. The cat again attacks Zsikhou with a shinen-gaki coordinating with him but both again miss him.

Again, Zsikhou goes after the Warlock who is on her last legs. He stabs her in the leg. She crumbles. T’kharr seeing the warlock down now goes after the horseman. She smacks him in the ribcage. Another shinen-gaki tries to make contact with Balan but again cannot get past his armor. The Horsman strikes out at T’kharr with his scythe but even with Divine Power and prayer on him he misses. Balan smites the one that came upon him It fades into non-existence. Balan roars loudly in victory. The horseman’s scythe catches T’kharr nearly knocking her over and giving her a deep gash.

Silgara is back up and launches a Scorching Ray at the horseman cleric, but due to being sickened and her enhancement spells dispelled her spell goes wide and misses him. Mingzhu converts Speak with Dead to Cure Serious Wounds and almost completely heals herself.

Again, a shinen-gaki beats itself upon T’kharr’s armor to no effect. The cat and Zsikhou begin to dance against each other. The cat just can’t seem to connect with him. A Gaki comes in from behind and strikes the kobold on the top of the head right at the burn spot. Zsikhou falls to the ground apparently dead.

T’kharr smacks the Horseman again in the ribcage as Balan charges him. Balan strikes him on the other side of the ribcage breaking several ribs with his sword as the leather armor prevents the sword from penetrating flesh. Silgara casts Phantasmal Killer on the bastard cat, but it resists the illusion. Mingzhu casts rebuke on the horseman but he resists it too. A shinen-gaki attacks Balan and gives him yet another burn. The cat hits Zsikhou while he is down, severely wounding him further.

The shinen-gaki takes out its frustration on T’kharr’s armor further as it protects her from being burned. The horseman goes after Balan and nearly cleaves his chest. Balan stumbles back hard but manages to stay standing. T’kharr takes advantage and whacks the cleric again with her staff. Balan counterstrikes and cleaves the horseman’s arm off at the bicep. The horseman goes down from his wounds. Balan stumbles down to one knee and tries not to faint.

Silgara strikes the cat with a Scorching Ray burning it badly. Mingzhu runs to Zsikhou and converts Substitution into a Cure Serious Wounds. It works but not enough to get him back up. She stabilizes him from bleeding out. As she is checking on him the cat takes advantage of it and rakes her across the side of the head.

Nor’vee finally gets rid of the slumber hex effect. He puts two bolts in a shinen-gaki. The wisp attacks T’kharr but getting past her armor is futile. T’kharr looking around attempts a Turn Undead. It works. The last ghast turns to dust and the two shinen-gaki left are turned. She then moves to engage the cat.

Balan gets back on his feet and makes a pass at the cat. He clips it across the back. Silgara finally downs it by putting two arrows in its side. All the undead are turned and they sweep the area clean. Mingzhu converts Protection from Elements and hits Zsikhou with another Cure serious wounds. Zsikhou does not wake up.

Nor’vee moves over to the cat. He loads a fresh clip into his crossbow, seething. Then aims at the cat, then shoots the cat. Over and over again "DAMNED CAT! YOU DESERVE SO MANY MORE BOLTS IN YOU THAN THIS!" He reloads, then starts shooting the cat some more.

Balan places a hand on his chest. He’s bleeding everywhere. He uses Lay on Hands to stop the bleeding. T'kharr shakes her head with a sigh "I think the cat must have finished off Zsikhou, striking him whilst he was already down. Sadly, it'll be some time yet before I have the blessings to breathe life back into the truly fallen."

Mingzhu checks his pulse. There's a pulse but faint, but he's going to need a long rest and proper care to get back up again... She looks up and says, “There’s a pulse. He’s alive, T’kharr.”

T’kharr lets out a small sigh of relief at that "Whew. Let’s take him up and get our butts back to the boat so we can rest properly." Mingzhu gets her field kit out and works on the kobold since magic isn’t working. T’kharr then looks around, “We'll need to spend a few more days here cleaning up the mess."

Balan walks over to the cleric and starts ripping into their pockets looking for scrolls or magic. They all hear Nor’vee shouting, “NASTY BAD CAT! SHOULD RIP YOUR GUTS OUT AND SHOOT YOUR BUTTHOLE! FUZZY DEMON WITH CLAWS BEGONE FOREVER!" He keeps shooting the cat in a rage.

"Don't waste too many bolts, we still have to get back to the boat.” T’kharr shouts.

Silgara looks over, raising an eyebrow to Nor'vee. "BLASTED DEMON CAT ATE MY COMPANION!" Nor'vee snaps.

Balan kicks the clerics head hard, “Bastard!”

“Those who are the worse off come to me and I'll convert the rest of my spells to healing spells.” Mingzhu states rather limply.

Silgara looks over. "There's likely still more undead around. If our resources are tapped, then we should... leave quickly. Or maybe take what we can from them then leave."

Nor'vee doesn't calm down. Seems he still has plenty of pent-up rage since they missed the bulk of the fight.

Mingzhu asks, “Fwangzhu come to me please pick Zsikhou up gently and carry him.” Fwangzhu nods, he looks pretty beaten up too, but he's at least standing. He goes to pick Zsikhou up.

Balan is still beating up the horseman’s corpse and ripping through its pockets looking for stuff. T’kharr says, “Balan, mind rifling through the other fallen foes as well, or would you rather I did that? I was going to get Zsikhou, but Fwangzhu can get him instead."

Balan nods while swearing but does make his way to the others. The party that isn’t occupied loots the bodies of the dead. T’kharr casts Cure Serious Wounds on Fwangzhu.

Silgara looks over, “Time to head back, then?" Fwangzhu's standing a bit straighter, he grunts with an appreciative nod. Silgara converts Know Motivation into a Cure Moderate Wounds and heals herself a bit more.

T’kharr examines Minamoto to see just how badly messed up he is. He looks rather shaky too; it seems he also had a pretty rough time fighting the Gaki. She heals him.

Nor’vee huffs and casts Cure Light Wounds on Balan. T’kharr looks at him, “Ready to do now?”

Balan huffs while digging through pockets angerly and speaks in a low tone, “Thank you.”

"If we want to leave, we best do so now before more Gaki show up. Stopped them from making more but there are plenty roaming around the isle. Let’s move." Nor'vee still looks livid, but seems set on getting out of here.

T’kharr looks at Balan, “Got their stuff?”

“Think so. I have all that I could find.”

Nor'vee leads them back to the port town, Silgara then deploys the ship. It takes about another 3.5 hours to get back, so it's around evening time now. But they do manage to safely get aboard the ship. Mingzhu follows the group keeping close to Fwangzhu so she can tend to Zsikhou when they are on the ship. She stays with the kobold tending to his wounds.

Balan passes out onto the deck immediately.

As for the loot Balan found: Periapt of Wisdom +2, Belt of Agility +2, Hand wraps +2, Leather Armor +1, Periapt of Wisdom +2, Belt of Strength +2, Unholy +1 Scythe, +1 Hide Armor, Cloak of Resistance +1, Bracers of DEX +2, Leather Armor +1, Cloak of Resistance +1, +1 Dagger, Headband of Intellect +2, Bracers of Armor +2, Cloak of Resistance +1.

Silgara takes the boat out to sea, Nor'vee prowls restlessly around the lower decks. Zsikhou is out. Thankfully Minamoto and Fwangzhu each go to rest as well.

Silgara looks over at T'kharr and Balan. "I know we need our rest, but... where would you like our next heading to be?"

Balan opens and eye, “Tavern… Ale…”

"Nearest known tavern is at least a day away." Like she sympathizes with that "Now I know why pirates stock rum. Pity we don't have any..." She sighs, "Odds are Renkao has the closest port tavern we can dock at. Port Ginji would be somewhat further away." She looks out to sea, then consults a map.

Balan picks himself up off the deck looking over, “Who forgot to bring the ale?!”

"That depends on if it was forgotten or simply deemed irrelevant." Silgara muses. "Either way I doubt we're going to find any taverns on Soljura. So, where do we head next?" Silgara looks over.

Balan looks over to Mingzhu and T’kharr, “We are spent.”

"We'll rest here overnight and return I reckon." T’kharr states.

Silgara nods "I'll keep us parked then."

"'Because we have mop-up to do, cleaning up undead and putting souls to some semblance of rest." T’kharr insists.

Mingzhu listlessly says, “There will be many souls that will refuse to go I’m afraid
I'll do what I can.”

Silgara looks over. "Cleaning out that place of undead might take a while, but it's worth doing if we have the time."

Nor'vee looks over. "Are wraiths that only come out at night there. Want to hunt them all down? Keep you all busy, Squeak. Should have RIPPED CAT BUTTHOLE OPEN THEN RIPPED OUT GUTS!" he lets out a frustrated huff.”

Silgara looks over at Mingzhu. "Do you think that Shaman was right about the spirits not being able to move on without indulging in revenge?"

“It is possible Silgara no matter how misguided. The spirits will believe what they believed in life.”

"Not that letting them indulge in such darkness is a good thing in any fashion, but I expect correction will likely result in resistance." Silgara huffs.

“Still enough will hear my calls and leave. I will save every soul that I can from the darkness that tries to claim them.” Mingzhu says.

"Guess we'd better rest. It's... been a rough day." Silgara goes to head below deck.

Nor'vee looks over. "Hunting all Gaki on that island will take time. For sure." He hasn't really calmed down, but he's at least less visibly agitated. "Want to do it, fine. Nor'vee doesn't have anything better to do right now. Cut off the source at least."

“We will find it much easier as three of us can use Turns over the next few days.” Mingzhu replies to him.

"Kill Gaki. Not sure how to help spirits though. Can't just shoot them until they get the point. Would make things easier." Nor'vee huffs.

“Make a large fire in a place to lure them all I say. Make it load and be known.” Balan says.

Mingzhu nods, “Some will linger here with the tragedy that happened. Unfortunately, not even a shaman can deter some. Too much violence and death all at once.” Mingzhu says.

Nor'vee looks over, then shrugs. Well, anything else you want to talk with Nor'vee about? Just..." He seems rather restless.

“Where would you like to nest Nor'vee? I do not think you would want to live in a cursed and abandoned town.” Mingzhu asks.

"Course not." Nor'vee huffs. "But... Nor'vee doesn't know. Thought shooting stupid cat would make Nor'vee feel better."

“The cat is dead. You have no need to worry about that again.” Mingzhu replies.

Nor’vee just shrugs and looks out to sea, lost in thought.

It takes several days to clean out the undead on the island. Mingzhu casts commune with spirit again and again trying to get the spirits to depart the island. Some do, many stay angered either by the rebellion of the populace in the case of the Soldier’s spirits or Angered by the Soldiers in the case of the villagers. Mingzhu comes back each day completely drained and frustrated. In the end they do all that they can do and leave for other shores.

[Winterhawk99]

The ship sails through the night. Skies are clear. The waves have an easy-going 4-foot crest. Fwangzhu and Minamoto shuffle around the deck. The tension is high. Fwangzhu can’t help but snarl at Minamoto the moment he lays eyes on him. His claws flex. His rage apparent. Minamoto glares back at Fwangzhu, fists tightening. Minamoto sneers at Fwangzhu, “Stop snarling at me already, savage.”

Fwangzhu snarls and moves closer "Oh like you would fucking like that? Just want everyone to be a mindless puppet bowing to the feet of your entirely unworthy jackass of a lord."

Minamoto glowers at him. "Still your tongue."

Fwangzhu snarls "Or fucking what? Try and butcher me like your worthless tyrant butchered Soljura? No one with any sense would make excuses for that atrocity!"

Minamoto scowls, "You saw their treachery and depravity. Their sentence was well justified. Though clearly, you're too much of a rebellious savage to understand that. That shaman clearly didn't know their place. You don't either."

Fwangzhu snarls, "Oh fuck off! I can blame you and your worthless tyrant for that atrocity and pushing them into that shit!"

Minamoto sneers, "Well there you go making excuses for other rebels and malcontents. Then again, you are a savage malcontent, but that's nothing new. Don't forget your place."

Fwangzhu growls, "I'll show you your fucking place!" Fwangzhu enters a rage. He and Minamoto start punching each other trying to knock the other out.

Fwangzhu is the first to really connect breaking Minamoto’s nose. Silgara calls out from the wheel, “I’m going to stay out of it and let you two savages deal with each other.” She sighs in exasperation and wonders if she should grease them both, so it becomes an actual mud wrestling match.

Minamoto cuts Fwangzhu above the eye as badger hengeyokai clock him back in the chin almost knocking him out. T’kharr bolts awake at the fracas and without even bothering to grab her quarterstaff, charges towards the two. “DON'T MAKE ME PUT BOTH OF YOU ON THE MENU!"

Fwangzhu and Minamoto just keep brawling. Snout wakes up and starts to clap his flippers at every good hit. Mingzhu wearily walks on deck. She looks at the two fighting and states. “I’m not healing either of you.”

Fwangzhu misses both his strikes. They keep brawling. Minamoto also misses as the two are tiring some. Silgara looks at the two other women, “Can we throw the loser overboard?”

"They'll both wind up being fish food if I have to jump into this." T’kharr states.

Fwangzhu hits the man at arms hard twice in the ribs. Mingzhu comments, “We could always castrate them. That usually stops the need for fighting.” Silgara looks over to her sighing.

T’kharr says, “I don’t think that’d work as well on them as it would on animals.”

Mingzhu shrugs, “We could always try it and see.” Silgara sighs, then casts a Grease spell on the two-brawling people. Amazingly they both manage to keep their footing. Mingzhu again comments, “No fair Silgara. They have to get naked first for a grease match.”

Fwangzhu just keeps attacking Minamoto in his rage, slugging him hard again in the ribs. Minamoto definitely looks like he is losing this though. He draws his weapon and goes into expertise mode, “Alright savage, enough! Time, I gave you what you needed." He hits Fwangzhu with his katana cutting him badly.

"Oh, want to go there? Let’s fucking go there!" Fwangzhu draws his axe.

T'kharr moves to intervene at this point "STAY YOUR BLADE!" as she tries to wrangle Fwangzhu, charging at him from behind.

Nor'vee sneaks on deck, just watching for now. Mingzhu calls out , “OK! THAT’S IT!” She casts Hold Person on Fwangzhu, but he resists the effect. T’kharr slips on the grease and falls flat on her face. However, both Fwangzhu and Minamoto lose their footing and go tumbling down.

"Don't fucking get in my way!" Fwangzhu snarls at T’kharr. Silgara moves closer. T’kharr tries to clamber back up and throw her own Hold Person to subdue Fwangzhu. This time it works. He becomes paralyzed. Minamoto tries to get back up.

Balan stumbles onto the deck, “What in the hells!”

"STAY YOUR BLADE" T'kharr barks an order at Minamoto.

Minamoto stumbles up off the grease and moves off of it, he looks over "That savage attacked me! We should execute him before he causes even more problems."

Mingzhu screams out, “THERE WILL BE NO EXECUTIONS OF COMRADES!”

T’kharr shakes her head. “Let us all calm down now that nobody's tangled up with each other in a brawl."

Minamoto just looks over, stunned. “I appreciate you getting that savage off of me but are you serious?!"

Balan grabs an empty barrel, rips the lid off and walks over to Minamoto. “The barrel with you until we figure out what we are going to do with you two.”

Silgara just heaves a tired sigh. Minamoto looks over at Balan. “Don’t you dare!” The dragonborn attempts to stuff him in it. T’kharr joins double teaming him.

They are able to wrestle Minamoto into the barrel. Balan calls out, “I said IN THE BARREL!”

T’kharr says, “Be glad you're going in a barrel, not down my gullet!"

Minamoto screams out, “Unhand me damn you!!”

Fwangzhu tries to break out of the Hold spell and manages too only to face plants in the Grease. Silgara just huffs, Nor’vee silently watches. Mingzhu says, “I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything on them.” She then asks, “Does anyone know who started it this time?” While Minamoto tries to climb back out of the barrel.

Silgara looks over with a sigh, “They were hurling their usual degree of insults at each other, but I believe it was Fwangzhu who threw the first punch, and we all saw Minamoto escalate to drawing his weapon when he was losing."

Balan sits on top of the barrel, all 250 lbs. of him. T’kharr jumps in his lap to add her weight. Mingzhu looks at the scene in disgust, “We could shackle them to weights. Give them the other’s key to unlock the chains and throw them overboard. Maybe they will have the brains to work together for once.”

Silgara shrugs at the comment. Minamoto bangs from the inside of the barrel. He clearly doesn’t like it in there. T’kharr gives Mingzhu a good, hearty laugh at what she said.

Then Silgara looks over to Mingzhu "The grease is due to wear off rather quickly."

“Ok, what do we do with the other one then?” Mingzhu asks.

T’kharr asks, “Got another empty barrel to stuff Fwangzhu into?"

Mingzhu shakes her head, “Who’s going to hold him down?”

“Fair.” T’kharr says after she realizes Mingzhu and Silgara don’t have the strength.

Mingzhu says, “We could give both to the fox?”

Silgara looks over at Mingzhu. "Given what she is I... doubt that is a good solution."

"I'm out of ideas Silgara." Mingzhu says.

Fwangzhu eventually manages to get up off the grease and break the holding spell, then huffs, though they look to the Minamoto-in-a-barrel situation. Mingzhu tells him. “If you don’t behave your next Fwangzhu. Enough is enough.”

"Hah! That bastard being stuffed in a barrel is hilarious!" The badger snicker snorts in laughter, "Fucker deserves it." Fwangzhu exclaims.

Silgara just rubs her face. Nor'vee seems content to stay out of the mess. Silgara says, “You started this mess.”

"You do realize that it's your turn in the barrel next time you start a mess like this, right?" T’kharr stares at Fwangzhu.

"Oh, like that Asslicker didn't have that mauling coming a fucking mile away. Longer even." Fwangzhu snorts.

Mingzhu is also staring at him. “You both deserve a good mauling.”

"The fuck do I deserve one for?" Fwangzhu snarls.

Mingzhu says, “For blaming Minamoto for something he did not do and was not involved with.” Balan casts Peace bond on Fwangzhu’s weapon.

"Not being able to get a handle on your own self. It's honestly a bit embarrassing being made to look as if I'm the pinnacle of civilization for managing to avoid devouring the rest of this party." T’kharr states.

"He's still totally fucking loyal to the one who did." Fwangzhu snarls.

Silgara looks over to T'kharr, a sigh. "I think those two are setting a low bar. And I honestly thought the kobold was going to be the most troublesome one..."

T’kharr smirks, “Aye, the kobold has more discipline than both of the other two combined.”

“That does not matter. if a friend of yours killed Hattori, should you be hanged to because your friend, did it?” Mingzhu asks him.

"Honestly I'd congratulate whichever fucker did that." Fwangzhu huffs.

T'kharr's furry cheeks are blushed red, somehow. Balan says, “He won’t be able to draw his axe for some time now.”

Mingzhu goes into a rage, “Why can’t I get thought to either of you? I'm about done. Neither one of you is fair to the other. Neither one will give an inch of ground to co-exist with each other. The truth of the matter is back there on the island both the men of the daimyo and the villagers made mistakes. Those mistakes ended up killing everyone.”

"When will you stop fucking making excuses for the Daimyo and his jackasses Shamaness?" Fwangzhu snorts and huffs.

“Should I stop making excuses for dumb villagers too that get whipped up into a mod because of a mad Shaman?” Mingzhu retorts.

Fwangzhu snorts, "When did I fucking say that Shamaness?"

Minamoto bangs against the interior of the barrel "I will not suffer this indignity! Let me out at once!"

Mingzhu looks over at the barrel then back at Fwangzhu, “I didn’t but that’s what Minamoto would say to me if he were standing in your place." She holds up a coin. "See this coin here. "On one side is the law and its representatives. The other side is the common people. If they refuse to work together the coin splits and everyone comes to a bad end. only a coin with both faces will ever be a coin. It takes both the law and the people working together to make a better society. If you and Minamoto are examples of the faces. the society will surely die just as on that island."

Balan’s legs start getting numb with T’kharr sitting on his lap. Fwangzhu looks over "It's a fucking coin Shamaness. What does that have to do with law and the people? Or the law in this region being fucking worthless?" He snorts. Mingzhu stands and walks back down the stairs. She's done with both of them.

[Winterhawk99]

Silgara sighs after watching Mingzhu leave. “Maybe we should reconvene below deck in the captain's quarters. And keep these two apart."

Fwangzhu huffs "Fine, whatever..." He heads below deck.

Minamoto keeps banging against the barrel. "Let me out foreigners! This indignity will not stand!" Zsikhou, perhaps mercifully, is still resting and out of it.

T'kharr chuckles to Balan "Be glad I'm not one for lap dances, eh?"

Minamoto keeps banging. "Enough with this indignity! Let me out!!"

Balan chuckles, “That. ... yes, I am grateful.”

Silgara looks over to T'kharr, then a sigh, "The kobold is still out of commission, it might be best to confer on our next moves, without those two lummoxes. If only we had a brig on this ship..." She shakes her head.

Nor'vee finally stops hiding and moves closer "Is this normal for your colony?"

"Yeah, we'd need one with two separate isolation cells. And well..." T’kharr trails off, not sure how to answer poor Nor'vee.

“We have a cargo hold.” Balan observes.

Silgara sighs, "Let’s move the barrel there then, I think we need to confer on our next moves now that these two have been separated, for now."

Minamoto bangs, sounding angrier. "Release me at once!!"

So...do we let him out now? Balan asks.

T’kharr thinks it over, “I'm not so sure about that, we may have to put something heavy atop the barrel while its down there."

“Well, he will be locked behind the door at least until he calms down.” Balan observes.

"Don't you dare! I will not continue to suffer this utter indignity and impugning on my honor!" Minamoto shouts.

Irritated Balan shouts, “You’re not suffering your contained. If you want to suffer, I can put my blade through the middle of this barrel.

"This is an insult to my honor! I shall not continue to endure it!" Minamoto shouts.

"It's your choice, the barrel or steerage." Balan calmly replies.

"Let! Me! OUT!" Minamoto scowls.

Balan tries to intimidate him, “Listen, this is your choice, make it now or you stay in there until you calm down.”

"I will not continue to... nngh! This is an insult to my honor I am bound to return!" ... Then Minamoto quiets down in an angry huff.

“So, your choice?” Balan asks again.

"I'm calm. Now let me out." He's clearly seething underneath it all.

Balan looks at T’kharr, “You’re still going in the hold.”

T’kharr nods, “Alright, let’s get you down to the cargo hold so you aren't completely cramped" T'kharr rises from Balan's lap. Balan smirks and stands as well.

"Fine... I'll... just let me out..." Minamoto scowls. Balan pulls the lid off making sure he gest a face full of light. Minamoto is scowling, but he climbs out of the barrel... once he's out, he looks over with a scowl. "I will not forget this insult to my honor and dignity, from either of you." Then he turns and heads to the Cargo hold.

Silgara sighs "Right, that's settled, for now. We should head to the captain's quarters, not that it's really... well, never mind. We should discuss our next moves. I think we've done what we can around Soljura." Nor’vee just look over quietly. T’kharr heads down to the captain’s quarters.

As they arrive Silgara says, “"One would think we wouldn't need that unless we're taking prisoners." She rubs her face but then heads to the captain’s quarters. Nor'vee follows along as well. Silgara looks over at T'kharr and Balan once they're in the captain's quarters. "Zsikhou is still unconscious, so he won't be joining us. Right..." She shakes her head "What's our next step then? Either in regard to where we go next, or in regard to those two lummoxes?"

Nor'vee looks over, squeaking some, before chirruping "Is this a conversation Nor'vee should be here for?"

"You being here is fine.” T’kharr says. Nor’vee nods.

Silgara looks over "I have thought of our current options, but... do you have a preference? Or if you wish me to recap our current options, I can." Silgara nods. She waits for T’kharr or Balan to speak.

T’kharr scratches her muzzle, “I think a recap would be good.”

Silgara nods "Okay, we've solved many of the problems on the outlying isles, but we do have some leads. The First is we can go to Magistrate Josou on Renkao. It's to the west and is one of the larger isles. He's one of Daimyo Kaluso's magistrates, if we want to bring evidence of what we have uncovered on our adventures to the Daimyo's court.

When we went to Kizamine, we uncovered a plot to spread disease among the isle. The agitators were Rynard of Diamond Industries, and we had circumstantial evidence that an official of Daimyo Yasima participated in either the plot or worsening it, trying to undercut his rival Daimyo's claim of the island. Diamond Industries was expelled from the island, and the Golden Sails showed up right after. Sailing further east into Daimyo Yasima's territory is an option if we want to further investigate."

Now in Zalusu to the west, we uncovered, thanks to Kanako's mother, who is a Youkai, that an official of Daimyo Zuodong has been paying off the Corsairs to raid Daimyo Kaluso's holdings. We also know that in a neighboring isle, that some sage abducted their spirit guardian. Either way, it leads to looking into Daimyo Zuodong's territory, if we wish to continue investigating in that direction, to the west, geographically. That, or if we wish to speak with the trading companies, we can sail back to Port Ginji and try to gather more information and confer with them there." Silgara nods, considering "I think that covers the most important leads?" Nor'vee listens along, like this is new information for him.

"I think so, aye, we'll need to be very strategic in how we approach the magistrate though." T’kharr observes.

Silgara nods, considering. "Do you have a plan?"

“Not offhand.” T’kharr admits.

"I think that given the amount of preparation we'll likely need to visit the Magistrate's court though, we'll want to head back to Port Ginji first." T’kharr suggests.

Balan grunts, “All avenues have a different problem.”

"But do continue with the other options if you had others in mind though." T’kharr nods.

Mingzhu checks on Zsikhou. He at least looks extremely snuggly out cold so isn't providing much in the way of conversation.

Silgara nods "It may be prudent, yes. And maybe the Trading companies might have some information for us. Still, we might need to prioritize what leads to go on. Whether the corsairs, or the scheming, or the magistrate, or something else." She sighs "I can plot a course back to Port Ginji though in the interim." She considers "There's also the question of whether you want to do anything regarding those two lummoxes. They were both with us on the island of Midnight, but..." She sighs.

“It may be best to deal with the magistrate when we are certain that we are ready.” Balan says.

T’kharr shakes her head. "I don't think that incurring on another Daimyo's territory on our own is the wisest plan, especially with Minamoto with us."

“Especially in his current state.” Balan adds.

"I don't think there's any legal offenses on that, but point taken." Silgara sighs, "We did see men of other Daimyos here on the outlying isles after all. Right, I'll set up navigation to Port Ginji then, unless there's anything else we should discuss?" Silgara looks over. Nor’vee simply remains quiet.

"Not any legal offenses as defined by the law itself, but I suspect other Daimyos could conjure up one from our presence all the same." T’kharr stipulates.

"Probably... " She sighs "My being an 'unsanctioned witch' among the locals being one of such offenses." Silgara says rather sourly. "As if these rubes even knew what a proper practitioner of magic is, they would know that there is no such thing as a witch." She snorts.

"I think we may have run into an actual witch in the battle in Soljura, but I can't be for certain. Suffice it to say, that you're no more a witch than any of the court's wu-jen.” T’kharr says.

She scoffs, "There is no such thing as an actual witch. Just another practitioner of arcane magic of some kind."

T’kharr snorts, "I believe there are some branches that are generally referred to as 'witches.'"

Silgara rolls her eyes. "No, there, aren't. They just cast spells. There is a method to it. It's called wizardry. Or possibly pact magic if they're a warlock. Or maybe a psionics."

"It could be related to pact magic, though, I suppose." T’kharr questions. “And yeah, if 'Witch' is its own separate branch of arcana...then what would you even call a male practitioner of such anyway?"

"A. Wizard." Silgara says rather exasperatedly.

"Still Witch." Nor'vee says. Balan chuckles listening. Silgara just face palms.

"Right, I'll get a course set for Port Ginji then. I think we should all get some rest after that debacle. I can keep an eye on things." Silgara goes to head out of the captain's quarters and goes to take the wheel.
Nor'vee just shrugs and goes to get some rest.

Before Mingzhu goes to sleep she walks over to the hold and opens the window. He looks over at her. It seems that he’s still pretty angry about the whole barrel thing. She stares at him. “Shamaness.” He says, simply. “Need something?”

"You have dishonored yourself, Your family, your Daimyo and this group. You drew your sword in a fist fight...... because you were losing. An honorable man would have taken his licks and have learned from it. That is all I have to say Minamoto." She immediately turns and leaves him there.

He scowls at her at that, he's about to reply, but she's already gone.