The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

The Elder goes off to handle some business. Silgara looks over to T’kharr. “Well, I suppose that about wraps up what we needed to do here, unless you had anything else in mind. Though, what do you propose we do next?"

T’kharr smiles, “I think we head back to the main island and let Samael know that he's got some folks to smack around his own self."

Silgara nods, "That's fair. Port Ginji is to the west of where we are now. It's on the way if we wanted to go to Zalusu next."

“Aye I think that would be best there is not much we can do here.” Balan replies to her.

Mingzhu a bit incensed says, “We can’t go to the main island. I have to see what happened on the other island first.”

Silgara considers. "The only thing I'd note is that Mingzhu mentioned wanting to go check out Soljura, to the North. We'd be moving away from Soljura by going back to Port Ginji. Still, maybe the lead on Samael is too important..." She looks over.

"Ah, yes, on the west island. There's also us sticking around here for a bit and figuring out Tianyu's fire and helping the plague ease." T’kharr says.

Minamoto looks over. "I understand your concern, Shamaness, though I think pressing Samael and Diamond Industries would take priority. Two of his men were implicated in a conspiracy against the people of this village. It's possible a delay would allow him to cover up further evidence."

Silgara nods. "Soljura is to the North of our current location. It shouldn't be too far."

Zsikhou looks over. "Doubt Tianyu is sailing off at the docks here, so he'd need another way off the isle, if we can somehow track his movements."

Mingzhu crosses her arms defensively. “You think that is more important than a man being captured and used for a yokai's interests?”

Silgara looks over at Mingzhu. "Port Ginji is on the way if we sail back towards Zalusu. Though it may be pertinent to sail directly to Zalusu all the same, in case the situation with the Tsuno becomes more unstable in our absence."

Mingzhu nods. “I agree. We have unfinished business in Zalusu.”

T’kharr suggests, “Aye, Zalusu with a brief stop in Port Ginji seems to be our wisest move."

Minamoto nods to Mingzhu, looking around, to see if no one's listening, then looks to her "We know one of the trading companies is being run by a foreigner Yokai and actively causing corruption. I believe that would be our highest priority if we have a lead."

Silgara looks over at Mingzhu. "I know you wanted to look at Soljura as well."

Zsikhou looks over. "We'll need to make a decision. What will it be?"

“Look, I promised the Elder I would return. and there is much trouble brewing there.” Mingzhu says.

"I think we make a brief stop in Port Ginji to inform Samael of the news ourselves, hopefully before his men spin-doctor it to him, and then move onto Zalusu." T’kharr states.

Mingzhu sighs, “Ok, I can live with that.”

Silgara nods, "Right, let’s not make our stop too lengthy then, but we can pick up any supplies there if we need them. I'll get the boat ready." Silgara moves off to the docks to get the party's boat ready to depart.

Fwangzhu and Sakura are eventually seen returning to the village together. Fwangzhu nods to Sakura then moves to the group. "Well, you lot found anything while I was picking herbs with Sakura?"

Zsikhou looks to Fwangzhu "We finished business here. Time to go." Then heads to the docks. Mingzhu delays a few moments to buy Snout a new ball.

The party sails off towards Port Ginji. Thankfully it's still pretty early in the day so they able to make it back to the Port relatively quickly, after perhaps a boring and quiet sailing. Minamoto gives a grim nod looking out to the port. "Let’s not dally then. Shall we?"

"Aye, lets visit Samael." T’kharr affirms.

Silgara looks over "Hrm, who should we bring with us to speak with Samael?"

Mingzhu mutters, “I can bring a lantern.”

Silgara breathes out. "I still am curious as to the auspicious timing of that Golden Sail’s ship arrival, and sure, just don't and be clumsy with it." The group moves off to the Diamond industry’s ship. It seems like there’s two in port now. But they recognize Samael’s as the more impressive looking one. They head for his ship. There are two guards on the pier there. Mingzhu follows T’kharr’s lead.

One of the guards throws his hand out. “Hold, state your business." He says with a distasteful glare at T'kharr.

"Hello there, we wish to speak with ser Samael please." T’kharr states rather pleasantly for a gnoll.

"Urgh, well, he's not on this ship." The guard motions to the other one. "He seemed busy. Do you have an appointment?"

Minamoto looks over. "He does now. This is a matter of the Daimyo's law he needs to be spoken with about."

The guard lets out a huff "Well whatever, he's not on this ship."

"If we could make one with him for the soonest opportunity, that would be for the best, or perhaps you could point us his way if you know where he is right now?" T’kharr asks.

"Urgh..." He speaks with the other guard "Right, wait here please." The guardsman goes off.

Mingzhu steps a few steps away from the group and starts playing with snout and his new ball while waiting. T’kharr waits. Balan stands quietly focusing on detecting any very evil presences watching in the vicinity of the ship itself. The guardsman eventually returns, with Samael in tow.

T’kharr greets him. "Ah, good seeing ye good ser Samael, even if it isn't the finest occasion. We are here to bring you news that a couple of your underlings were caught with their fingers in...most unsavory business."

Samael approaches, his demeanor still diplomatic, but he looks more visibly agitated or stressed, still, he tries to be courteous "The heroes of the hour. Though from what I hear, some very unpleasant business transpired not long ago." He gives a dramatic pause. "Ah, yes, I was hearing the debrief from some of those who were there. A most unfortunate series of events."

T’kharr nods, "Aye, I figured you'd want to hear our perspective on it firsthand, so you got both sides of the story. It seemed they had gotten themselves tangled in a plot involving officials of Daimyo Yasima to sicken the residents of a neighboring isle in order to make them dependent on curative supplies from outside."

Mingzhu listens quietly while playing with snout a few steps away from the group. Samael replies to T’kharr, “Indeed, it would be best if you regaled your side of the tale. As it is, most of the guardsmen I spoke with simply thought a group of monstrous brigands busted onto the ship to kill and loot, at least before I had to speak with Sebastian."

"Our Kami was indeed...a bit over-eager during a tense time." T’kharr half agrees. "Although the reactions of his late colleague Rynard and the guards did not help matters at all."

"And two dead guardsmen who's only crimes were trying to defend the company. I haven't forgotten them. I will need to make arrangements." Samael says, more bluntly than usual. "Still, it is clear I am going to need to fire Sebastian. I have expectations of decorum and professionalism from my employees. If they can't sustain those, well... they won't have any place in this company." Mingzhu calls Minamoto to the side while she’s playing with Snout as Samael continues, “What Sebastian was involved in was well, well beyond what is tolerated."

"Indeed." T’kharr nods, "What Rynard especially and Sebastian as well were tangled in...that's the kind of duplicity that would get any company banned from trading"

Samael gives a dramatic sigh. "A pity that Rynard is not alive, I would have loved to hear him /explain/ himself, as it is. But well, I ended up seeing his corpse on the below decks. So that isn't going to happen, alas."

Mingzhu looks up, “You can speak to him. I can raise his spirit and ask him three questions, And he must answer.”

"Ah?" Samael looks to Mingzhu. "Well, such a spell to bring him back to life costs diamonds, which is costly, and I do not have any employees capable of such magic on this side of the world. I would need to bring him back to Cormyr."

Mingzhu looks him square in the eye and says, “The spell is called Speak with the Dead.”

He looks over to Mingzhu "Hrm... a different spell? I see. Well, do you have that spell ready?"

“I will after I rest.”

T’kharr asks, "Would it be possible to keep the body in repose for a little bit? We have some business to take care of ourselves, but we can be prepared for such once we return."

"I was planning on giving him last rites, though... Hrm, what was he involved with? None of the others seemed to know. Sebastian didn't either. Maybe you could enlighten me?" Samael asks, "A truly grim thing you ask of me, it won't go well with my employees. I would like to hear what exactly he was involved with before granting such a request. As it is now, what I have heard was that your company broke onto a ship, and killed my employees, for reasons they aren't aware of."

"He had a role, albeit an uncertain one, in a scheme that planted and distributed a sickness among the villagers of an isle, in addition to supplying their tea-brewer with ingredients that could be used to further sicken the villagers." T’kharr states.

Mingzhu interrupts, “He conspired and with the teahouse owner and sold the teahouse owner poisons to sicken the people then profited over the medicines to heal them.”

"I see, and what was Daimyo Yasima's role in all of this?" Samael looks over, asking.

"To benefit from it and perhaps try to claim the isle from Daimyo Kaluso as a result." T’kharr states.

Again, Mingzhu cuts in, “We believe Daimyo Yasima sent a man to Sebastian who then stole all the local healer's supplies and threw them into the ocean so she would be ineffective in healing the sickness herself or finding out what poisons affected the populace.”

Samael lets out a chuckle, "Ah, the schemes Daimyos have against their rivals? I figured there was something to it. It seems I was correct." He lets out a smirk "But alas, there's always chaos that comes of such schemes."

Mingzhu turns her attention back to Snout. “See, a ball is much better than a stinky old flying carpet and your momma can play with you too.” Snout looks up at the mention of the flying carpet.

Samael continues, “Ah, yes, I was asking Sebastian just /what/ he was doing. I have had a certain... tolerance for vices. Gambling. Drinking. Wenching. But thievery or such goes well beyond what is acceptable /professionally/." He continues with his usual theatrical gestures "Still, I wonder if he was simply a patsy or if there was more involved. It's a pity though, I knew of Sebastian's /proclivities/, but Rynard was only a good and reliable employee as far as I knew." He pauses then says, “Still, it sounds like case closed, doesn't it?" Samael shrugs "The perpetrator was one of Daimyo Yasima's men, masterminded the scheme. Bribed my employees to be complicit in such."

T'kharr Shakes her head. “I'm not sure how deeply Rynard's complicity goes, that will hopefully be brought out in the future no?"

"I will need to conduct some investigations, and of course, procure some /replacements/ for the people lost there. Still, I suppose we'll see. His and Sebastian's unprofessionalism and scheming have cost the company business, after all." Samael almost fumes.

"Quite so." T’kharr nods.

Mingzhu finally gets Minamoto’s attention. “Minamoto you should go to Hattori and make a full report to him.”

"Well, if I may ask, how did you come to the knowledge of Rynard's activities? None of the other employees seem to be aware at least on a preliminary questioning. I would certainly hate to lose a potentially good employee over rumors or something unreliable." Samael looks over.

Minamoto nods "Of course, I shall. This matter shall continue to be investigated." Samael looks over as Minamoto departs. He furrows his brow

T'kharr glances at Mingzhu at the question to see if she wishes to speak firsthand. Mingzhu nods and says, “Spirits of Elders past must answer my call if I chose to call them. They watch over the communities of their former interest and know all that goes on. I called the spirits and gained the knowledge of much of what was going on.”

"Ah, I see." Samael nods, "Well, it is good that they gave you good advice and information then. It would be a tragedy if people's lives were lost so casually on unverifiable information. Well, was there ought else I can assist you fine ladies and gentlemen with?" Samael brings his hands back up to a more relaxed position "As it is I have some /auditing/ to do."

“The community spirits must speak truth to me unless they do not know then I will receive just that that they do not know. Just as the dead must speak truth to me.

T’kharr bows slightly. "That is it, thank you for the time ser Samael. Burdens be eased bows him farewell.”

"I bid you all a fair eve." Samael gives a diplomatic smile, then goes back on board.

Zsikhou looks between T'kharr and Mingzhu after they walk away. "Hope he's genuine about keeping that corpse preserved. What's your take?"

"I reckon that he at least wants a few answers as well. Nonetheless, let us not tarry, and sail west." T’kharr responds.

"Hope that's right... if not, he might find some way to skew it, and right. I'll go fetch Minamoto but let’s get going." Zsikhou nods.

“That is why I sent Minamoto to Hattori to report before anyone can skew the truth.” Mingzhu explains.

Silgara goes off to get the boat ready. Zsikhou and Minamoto eventually board. Mingzhu looks around. “Where is Fwangzhu?”

“Right here.” He huffs.

“There you are.” She pats him on the head. “I missed you.”

Fwangzhu snorts, "Really? Did an evening with the Daimyo's Asslicker make you miss me that much?" He continues, "Well," He huffs "I went with Sakura to go collect herbs for them. Got a whole lot while I was out harvesting. Hopefully that keeps things going."

She smiles, “I need to find a dress to you know a place that has a hanfu dress?”

He snorts again, “Of course come with me.”

T’kharr shouts out, "Ah. I was figuring we'd stop back here before we headed court-ward."

Mingzhu shouts back as she walks away with Fwangzhu, “"Just preparing in case I don’t get a chance for a proper dress before, T'kharr."

T’kharr nods and shouts back, “Fair!”

Balan goes off to see if a couple of beds could be acquired for the ship. He finds some from Port Ginji’s markets. Mingzhu and Fwangzhu make it back fairly quickly. Mingzhu has a simple Shou Lung court dress draped across her shoulder in a rice paper bag. Everyone boards and they set sail for Port Zalusu.

[Winterhawk99]

During the journey Everyone gets a chance for a long rest. In the morning, they arrive at the docks of Port Zalusu.

Mingzhu and company head straight to the Elder’s with her in the lead. She knocks on the door. He welcomes her into the abode. “Ah, Shamaness. Come inside please. “She bows, takes off her shoes taking a seat across from him. He continues, “I take it you wish an update. Well, I have one. Though it might not be what you were hoping for." The elder sighs.

Mingzhu collects her thoughts. “How did it go Elder? Did she release him?”

"No." He sighs "But she did provide... well, it's not exactly a formal agreement, but Ceroba did provide terms for releasing him. And some support." The Elder leans tiredly. "Basically, if you and your party kill the outsider demon in the Tsunos’ fortress, she'll let captain Fareed go. She also threw in that she'd pass along some information you would be very interested in if you did this for her. For the practical side of things, Ceroba gave Kanako some magic scrolls. Powerful ones if she is to be believed. And also, a plan to get there. Kanako has the details."

Mingzhu frowns, “I will take this to the group. I'm sure they will want to get rid of her rival. Though I do worry about you and yours dealing with Ceroba. She is evil and eventually maybe not this generation maybe the next this could backfire on you.”

"It's not a formal deal that she'd be bound to adhere to but..." The elder pauses "I think I know Ceroba well enough that she will honor it all the same." Mingzhu reluctantly nods. The Elder looks to Mingzhu squarely "I'm well aware of what she is and what she's like, Shamaness." He pauses "But you've seen what the lords of this land are like. Do you think any of them are a better option?"

“Do not worry, Elder. I will not upset the balance or any deal that you and your people and Ceroba have.” Mingzhu confirms. “As far as I have seen you are correct Elder. The Daimyo's here all seem corrupt, lazy or uncaring.”

"Thank you." The elder breathes out a sigh of relief. “You understand my position. Anyways, if you want to find Kanako, she's likely at the Azure Winds ship, there's something there she needs to get to the Tsunos’ fortress."

She finds them outside and tells them what she and the Elder discussed. T’kharr says, “Alright, let’s go at least find Kanako, see how her plan looks." Mingzhu nods and follows her to the docks.

They find Kanako talking to some of the Azure Winds guards, and a merchant, outside the ship, Kanako looks over at the group when she hears you coming. Mingzhu checks to make sure she doesn’t have a whole mob of baby badgers surrounding her.

"Ohhh! You're back!" Kanako doesn't, then steps over.

Though Fwangzhu approaches, "Hello again!"

T’kharr chuckles, “Hello again indeed.”

"Soo, maaaybe you can help me? I'd really appreciate it!" Kanako gives a sheepish smile.

"So, what sort of help do you need?" T’kharr asks.

"Well, I had it confirmed that they have something wondrous aboard. A flying carpet! Except uh...they insist it's something only to be sold at Captain Fareed's discretion, who is missing..." Kanako pouts some.

"Ah, yes, we know all about that flying carpet...." T’kharr says while she looks at Snout. Snout takes on an expression of being very smug.

"Welll.... it'd help getting their captain /back/ but I need to convince them of that! Gahhh!" Kanako huffs.

T’kharr steps up. "I think we could see if they'd be willing to lend it to our efforts, given that we're familiar with them?"

"Aaanyways, you seem to know them, do you? Oh! Yep! Please!" Kanako motions over to the Zakharans.

"Aye, we've had several dealings before" T’kharr mentions to Kanako.

"Well, here, let me introduce you!" Kanako insists.

T’kharr nods, “Ah yes...can we speak with ser Moalem please?"

The Zakharan man looks over to T'kharr. "I do not believe we have someone with that name on this ship."

"Hi again!" Kanako smiles to the man. "Oh, T'kharr, this is Omar Bin-Ussud. He's the one in charge with... well..."

Omar looks over at T'kharr. "Salam Alaikum. What is it you seek?"

"Ah. Apologies. We were hoping to borrow the flying carpet to aid in ridding this isle of some rather nasty demons that have been occupying part of it and rendering it unusable to the townsfolk"

Omar smiles and looks over to the gnoll, “Ah, of course. A valuable item, and potentially helpful. But such is expensive, and its sale must be authorized by Captain Fareed."

Kanako pouts "Who's missing!"

Omar looks to Kanako "That doesn't change the facts, I am afraid."

"We'll ensure to return it once we're done with it." T’kharr insists.

Omar looks over "That is still a huge risk for my company, and I cannot authorize it's transfer or sale alone."

Mingzhu keeps her eye on Snout. There is mischief in his yes. There is PLOTTING. She narrows her eyes at him while saying, “I might have collateral for a lending.”

Omar looks over at Mingzhu, “Yes?”

“I have 3,000 in gold along with one gold pearl.”

"That's less than half its value." Omar says, "And even if that was enough, I cannot authorize the sale."

Kanako looks aside. "I think we need to convince him we need it to rescue the captain."

T’kharr studies the man. "There's pretty much no other way into that fortress, marching over land would be exceptionally difficult as it's what they're all expecting us to come in by." Mingzhu nods agreeing with her.

Omar looks over. "Is the Captain held captive in that fortress?"

"Not directly in it, but the party who is holding the captain captive is willing to free them should we succeed in conquering the fortress." T’kharr states.

"If you need to conquer a whole fortress, I expect you'd need an army, not a magic carpet." Omar retorts.

"We've taken down fortifications before just with our small band." T’kharr insists.

Omar shakes his head. "This is a large risk, I do not see how this will be needed or even be of help. And if this fails, then we give... whatever is in that fortress the carpet too." Omar looks over at T'kharr and the others. "If you want this, I will want a plan. What you plan to do to rescue the captain."

“We slay the yokai...........demon in the mountain fortress and then the other party releases the captain. It is that simple. Unless the other party breaks their word.” Mingzhu says.

Omar looks over to Mingzhu. "So he's not even in the fortress? Why not go to where the captain is held directly then?"

“It's complicated and I have had to deal with several people to even know who is holding the captain.” Mingzhu reflects to him.

T’kharr backs her up. “Because that'd greatly disturb the balance of power in this place, far more than ridding it of the mountain fortress would."

Omar lets out an unconvinced huff. "This is... this all seems like a huge stretch. You're asking me to entrust something very valuable to you here. And this doesn't seem to have a great chance of success."

Kanako tries to put in. "Please! It's our best chance of getting captain Fareed back! We're going to need this! We get in, slay that nasty demon, then we get captain Fareed back."

T’kharr frowns, "It's really our only chance of getting him back, even, unless you want to throw some of your own elbow grease into this otherwise?"

Omar looks over, then a sigh, relenting "Alright... I... okay. I'll take the three thousand and the pearls as collateral, to be returned once the flying carpet is. And I have it on your word of honor that the captain will be returned to us. If he is not, the carpet will be returned and the three thousand kept. Is this acceptable?"

Mingzhu sighs and nods. She counts out three thousand in coin and adds her pearls to it. Handing him the pouch.

He takes it, nodding, "I am breaking protocol, so I hope this does return the captain. Here, I'll show you the carpet." He makes a motion to the guards, inviting the party inside. Kanako breathes an audible sigh of relief. T'kharr follows.

"There is one other caveat, I am afraid." Omar says.

"No otters on carpets? Or...?" T’kharr asks.

Mingzhu angerly cuts in . “Snout stays with me!”

"No, you can have otters along, but..." He shakes his head "I notice eight among your number, but the flying carpet can only hold six in total."

Surprised all T’kharr can say is, “Ah, hm.”

“It would seem then we would need to leave some behind, if we take it.” Balan says.

Kanako looks over. "Well, if you want, I can discuss the plan? Might decide how we handle this."

"Aye, we'll have to take it into account." T’kharr says.

"So..." Kanako brings out a small piece of parchment "I got a semi-decent layout of the fortress. We definitely /don't/ want to take the front entrance. What we want to do is land on the top here. Now the way it's structured, there's entrances on the towers, one in each corner. There's the roof, a top floor, a ground floor, and several basement layers. But luckily for us, the throne room, our target, is on the second floor. Close by where the guard towers are. We take one of the front guard towers and we can go right to the throne room, take out the foreign Youkai and the Tsuno chief, then extract on the carpet through the roof." Kanako pauses, musing "Though... the treasure chamber is near the throne room. We could hit that too but... we can expect once the Tsuno know we're there, they're going to call reinforcements. So, the safest thing is to hit them quickly and pull out."

"That all makes enough sense. How do we deal with having to leave folks behind though?" T’kharr asks.

"But we don't want to go to the ground floor or go to the basement levels. Oh uh... I mean, we go by the carpet, touch down on the roof, hit the throne roof, get out through the carpet." Kanako nods.

"I mean, that the carpet can't carry all of us." T’kharr reminds.

"I... guess that means we'll just need to pick which six of us are on the strike team, then." Kanako nods, "Oh, one other thing, I got some scrolls for this. The Wu Jen or I should be able to cast them, but one of them is an invisibility sphere that should mask our approach so the sentries don't spot us. Tsuno have a good sense of scent but that won't apply unless we get close."

Silgara looks over. "I suppose in that case we take the six of us who are most capable of having this mission go successfully then."

"That makes sense." T’kharr nods.

Silgara looks over "The other option is taking all of us the long way, but..."

T’kharr shakes her head. "...I doubt that'll work."

Kanako cuts her off "That'd mean going through the front gates and their whole force." Silgara nods back to her.

"Hm. I reckon we'll need Kanako here as a guide unless you think we'd be better off with you staying behind, Silgara and her magic, me and Mingzhu with our prayers, Zsikhou with his skills at attacking from stealth...."

Kanako smirks, "Hey, I'm not helpless in a fight either."

Silgara looks over to T'kharr. "In case it matters for tactical matters, I believe her skillset is similar to that of bards from the west."

"I doubted you would be" T’kharr has a small grin back to her on the gnoll's muzzle, nodding to Silgara "Noted"

Fwangzhu huffs, "Well, go ahead and tell us who's in then."

"Which means that the last one in will have to be the heavy fighter among us who can padfoot the best or is most willing to." T'kharr looks between Fwangzhu, Minamoto, and Balan.

Seems Fwangzhu and Minamoto are both quite willing. "How confident do you feel fighting without your suit of armor?" T’kharr asks Minamoto, "Since this'll likely require enough stealth that clanking about isn't an option."

"It... would be problematic." Minamoto admits.

Silgara looks over. "Balan has a holy weapon. That may be necessary against the fiend we're up against."

"Fair enough, and a good point as well Silgara." T’kharr looks over at Balan.

“In means of direct protection I am a wall and not very quiet. And yes, there is that as well.” Balan replies.

"How well could you manage in lighter armor?" T’kharr asks of Balan, "Or at the very least, with some aid in quieting it. I could use a silencing prayer if need be but that'd have its own drawbacks, we'd have to have some sort of invisibility-sight to communicate via hand signals."

“I will come if it is wanted.” Balan insists.

"Aye, I think it'd be for the best overall, unless anyone has strong reason to disagree?" T’kharr says.

Fwangzhu huffs, "Just make sure she's safe out there, alright?"

Kanako blushes "Aww, you're such a gentleman! But thanks." She smiles at him.

Minamoto shrugs, "I can keep the town guarded while you are away."

T’kharr nods, “That would be good, aye."

Zsikhou narrows his eyes "Just hope these two won't cause any problems while the rest of us aren't there to babysit them." A huff.

Silgara looks over. "Are we set then?"

Kanako suggests, "We go to the tower, drop in, go to the throne room. I have a scroll of mass haste, that should give us an edge that should allow us to overpower the Tsuno Chief, the foreign Youkai, and their guards."

"Aye, I'm about as ready as I can be given the circumstances." T’kharr agrees.

Omar nods, "Be well, then. Ma'as Salama."

"Aye, burdens be eased ser." bows Omar farewell while blessing him.

Omar offers the carpet over. It looks like a luxurious, masterfully made item. Clearly Zakharan in origin and design. Perhaps ostentatious even if it weren't something that flies. Kanako goes to give it a test run, it floats a bit off the ground. "Right, all set then. Everyone aboard!"

T’kharr wards herself, then mounts up. Balan gets onto the carpet and sits down. The party flies up and out of the ship on the magic carpet ride. Silgara and Zsikhou join. Kanako goes to fly the party out of the boat, up in the air, and northwards "Right, uh, we should get some altitude."

[Winterhawk99]

Zsikhou looks over. "While we're here, why don't you show us what you really look like without that human guise?" He looks at Kanako.

"Oh, and..." A moment as Kanako changes form, or perhaps an illusion falters, once they're far away from the town. She becomes a humanoid with orange fur, a fox head, and three tails "Whew, okay, I usually prefer being myself if I have to fight. Right, best save the shorter duration wards until we're closer by. I'll get the invisibility sphere up before we're spotted. Let’s try to land and make it to the tower without tipping them off."

"Aye, we'll need to be moving fast and hard. Got any wards you want to put on us while we're up here?" T’kharr looks over to Silgara.

The wu-jen casts a mage armor on herself, T'kharr, and Zsikhou. "Others would expire before we arrive." She mentions.

"We might be able to do more lasting wards when we get close to the Fortress." Kanako says.

They fly over the forest, and mountains. Eventually, the edges of a fortress, constructed and nestled into the mountain range comes into view. A rather imposing but undecorated structure, a fort of black stone jutting out of the mountain rock. It does have four towers, as mentioned before. Kanako pulls out a scroll and then reads the invisibility sphere "Okay, you probably want to cast any medium duration wards now." The scroll is a scroll of Good Hope. "Any questions about the plan before I take us in?" Kanako looks aside.

“I have none.” Balan snorts in a low rumbling voice.

"Let’s try to avoid getting too close. Tsuno have a sharp sense of scent." Kanako says, before flying the carpet closer, quieting down.

"I have none as well." T’kharr replies. “Do we have a backup extraction plan in case we can’t return to the roof?” T'kharr puts her magic vestment and resist energy up.

"If they block off one of the towers, we’ll have to get to one of the others." Kanako shakes her head. "Otherwise no, we'd basically have to fight through the rest of the fortress otherwise. The front towers are closer to the throne room than the back ones. It would be possible to reach the back towers, but we might need to fight through more Tsuno to get to them."

The group descends. As they get closer, there is one large Tsuno at the top of each tower. It looks like just below each one is an entry point from the roof. The stairwell from there goes up to the top of the tower or below. Kanako touches down near the front of the fortress. There's a tower to the left and right, also one to the back, to the left and right. Still... each tower does have a Tsuno watching. The westerners see that though the Tsuno look a little like minotaur the Tsuno don’t look exactly the same, even if similar. It seems that their landing has not been detected yet. Mingzhu casts Bless and Prayer on everyone, then endure elements and substitution on herself.

T'kharr signals the party to one of the front towers. Everyone follows. There is a Tsuno on the top floor of the it, keeping watch. The massive beast cannot see the companions, but they know they have to sneak down the stairs behind it. T’kharr takes a Cure Light Wounds potion out of her pocket, hurling it at a tangent to them to create a distraction. The Suno hears it, then moves to investigate the broken glass. The companions try to sneak by him and down the stairs. As they do, they can hear the monster coming down from the top of the tower to see what’s going on.

T'kharr whispers to Mingzhu, “Now the Obscuring Mist. Throw it back up the stairs to confound their guard. Mingzhe does. The monster looks around at the mist, momentarily confused. They pause but it still looks like they will come down. It gives the team enough time to quickly get down the stairs.

T'kharr motions for them to make haste down the stairs to the throne room. Once there they find they can head down a hallway on the second floor or continue down the steps to the first floor. T’kharr motions them to go down the hallway. Mingzhu follows along.

Out in the hallway, it looks like it extends along the length of the castle wall. There's some fortified windows to the outside on the left, held secure with heavy bars. To the right a fair ways down the hall are two larger openings that go into a larger room. "Throne room should be past the main room on those doors there. Past there then straight ahead into the throne room." Kanako whispers. T’kharr nods to her and starts to lead the party past the main room.

The group is surround by a shell that makes them invisible thus the alarm is not raised. Out in the main room it looks like it might be a gathering or dining hall of sorts. Some Tsuno are walking around there seemingly minding their own business and grunting among each other. At the other end of the room there appear to be two guards standing before the throne room. There is an archway between them.

T’kharr whispers, “Do we want to try to sneak past them, or try to speed rush this?"

They see other than the two guard who have weapons there are 3 more in the room in front of the throne room. T’kharr starts counting very quietly looking for the opportune time with the least amount of staff inside. She tries to peer beyond to observe the throne room as well. She sees a Succubus and a Tsuno in an ornate cloak. The Tsuno has a magic falchion on his side in a scabbard. There are two Tsuno guards on the side, two humans and what looks like another Tsuno there attending court or having a meeting.

T'kharr whispers to Balan, “Balan, your priority is the succubus, smite her with your holy blade. Silgara and I can burn our fireballs on the guards if we can get them clumped up even a bit, and our kitsune and Mingzhu can distract while Zsikhou slips blades into the Tsuno thrones man. everyone good?"

Mingzhu whispers back, “oh………k.” Not so enthused with the plan.

Balan nods, “Of course.”

Kanako looks over. "Cast the mass haste then we rush in?" Silgara nocks an arrow, Zsikhou nods. Mingzhu gets ready to cast castigate at the throne.

"Think we're good, cast it." Silgara says. Kanako reads the scroll, putting everyone under a haste spell.

T’kharr let’s Balan and Kanako lead the charge following behind. Next is Mingzhu and Silgara then T’kharr herself. T’kharr and Silgara throw fireballs at the guard while Mingzhu throws castigate. Balan makes a B-line toward the Succubus. Kanako goes after the Tsuno on the throne.

As they start their rush, T’kharr changes tactics and throws two fireball beads at the guards outside of the room by the archway. Silgara casts her fireball inside the throne room at that throne. Mingzhu rushes within range of the throne and casts Castigate.

Shouting her deity’s teachings she casts the spell. The succubus resists it but the Tsuno on the throne bends over and holds his hands to his ears in discomfort. A spot of blood runs down from both his ears. Zsikhou runs past her throwing Shurikens at on of the Tsuno’s guards. He hurts one really badly. Kanako nearly finishes him off with her Kanabo: a club with metal studs at the end.

T’kharr shouts, “Balan, pull off the human and charge the succubus if at all possible! Zsikhou, rush the chief if you can! I’ll do the same.”

Balan rushes and cuts down the succubus where she sits, caving in her skull all the way to her neck. He turns eyeing the leader all covered in blood. Zsikhou wounds the Chief Tsuno while he is still reeling from Mingzhu’s Castigate spell.

One of the humans, casts Animate Dead, and a Gaki is called into battle. The Chief takes another hit to his shoulder as T’kharr smashes it with her quarterstaff. She calls out, “Mingzhu, see if you can finish off that wounded Tzuno, or Silgara for that matter.”

One of the Tsuno guards goes after Zsikhou. The beast lacerates him quite badly with its swords. The Tsuno chief shouts in a rage "Assassins!? You took my Queen!! Kill them all! Especially the Fox's daughter!" It swings at Zsikhou. The chief strikes the diminutive kobold with his fist then gores him in the stomach. Zsikhou reels back as he is sorely wounded now. Zsikhou then falls to the ground unconscious.

T'kharr again shouts out. “Silgara, get the wounded Tsuno, Mingzhu get Zsikhou back up if you can! Kanako, if you can jam up the wounded cleric, that'd be good!" Silgara shoots at the severely wounded Tsuno. He goes down with an arrow in the face and an arrow in the gut.

The other Tsuno guard attacks Kanako but misses as she ducks and dodges. She doesn’t worry about the beast instead she turns her attention to the other human in the room that is slightly wounded. She hits him in the face three times with her Kanabo, and he drops like a sack of potatoes. Mingzhu tries to quickly turn the Gaki, but it ignores her holy symbol.

Another Tsuno rushes T’kharr, goring her in the side as she tries to dodge him. She reels back a second and blood starts to poor from the wound. Another goes after Balan but trips all over itself falling to a knee for but a second.

T’kharr calls out to Balan, “Finish off the chief!” Balan does and smites the giant Tsuno. Its head rolls off the chair while its body slumps back in repose on its throne. Balan lets out a low guttural growl. The Gaki goes after Mingzhu. The undead puts a minor scratch on her as the spirit she called takes half the blow for her.

The last human casts Prayer counteracting Mingzhu’s prayer. T’kharr not able to help Zsikhou takes on the Tsuno in front of her. She wounds it but not enough. Another Tsuno charges after Silgara. It wounds her. She takes a step back and casts Grease on it. It slips and falls over. Another Tsuno goes after the wu-jen. It devastates Silgara goring her, then shaking her body off of its tusks.

Kanako runs after one of the Tsunos that were on Silgara. She wounds it badly. T’kharr screams out, “Mingzhu, get Silgara back up, she needs it NOW!”

Mingzhu screams back, “I have a gaki on me at the moment!”

T’kharr retorts, “Doesn’t matter!”

Mingzhu this time concentrates on the celestial court and again tries a Turn Undead on the gaki. This time the power surges within her soul and the gaki runs away from her as fast at it possibly can. The Tsuno on T’kharr attacks her but misses both times. The Tsuno on Balan strikes out and connects giving the dragonborn a serious wound but not one that will put him down.

T’kharr shouts out again, “Balan, either get Silgara up yourself or get this thing off me so I can!" Balan does so and the Tsuno on him takes the opportunity to strike again, hitting him in the back so hard it almost breaks it. Still Balan gets to Silgara and Lays on Hands. Silgara slowly gets back up. The human turns his attention to Mingzhu now that she turned his minion. He casts Inflict Serious Wounds. Her training and knowledge of magic partially saves her and the protective spirit from the substitution around her shields her some more. Still cuts appear on her face, as she was not completely shielded.

T'kharr bites the Tsuno on her in the arm. She stuns it, as it would have never thought someone would do that. She then smacks it in the head with her staff sending its body to the ground. The Tsuno, covered with grease, tries to stand up and falls back down. Kanako bashes its head in with her studded club.

T’kharr shouts out, “Nice! See if you can get over here and finish off the Tsuno that's on me! And that should let Mingzhu get over and get Zsikhou back up."

Silgara gets up and takes a step away, glitter dusting the Tsuno near her, but it resists the blindness effect. The Tsuno counterstrikes her knocking her half-way across the room. T’kharr shouts out, “Balan, get the Tsuno off Silgara. Kanako goes over to it smashing its skull in from behind. Mingzhu casts Hold Person on the priest. The man obviously a priest resists the paralyzing affect.

Another Tsuno swings at T’kharr. Putting a deep cut in her side. T’kharr goes to speak but then just growls at the situation. Balan heads towards the one on Silgara, “No touch my friends!” He strikes the beast 3 times, but its armor and thick hide save it. The priest casts Hold Person on T’kharr. She resists the affect.

With Two Tsuno and a priest still up T’kharr takes on the nearest one. She wounds it but doesn’t down it. Silgara puts two arrows in the one on her then goes into a fetal position from the pain. Kanako gets free and casts Cure Moderate Wounds of Zsikhou. He slowly gets back up. T’kharr shouts out with relief, “Thanks, just couldn’t get anyone free.”

Mingzhu fed up with the priest casts Call Natures Ally 3. A lion suddenly appears. She says, “Eat that evil SOB!”

The last Tsuno attacks T’kharr. Her armor protects her from the damage. T’kharr shouts out to her, “Jam that priest up if you can.” Balan chases after the priest and Mingzhu locked in combat. He slashes the priest twice but only lightly. Zsikhou gets his head about him and goes after the Tsuno on T’kharr. The priest casts sanctuary on himself to escape. Then takes a chance and shoots between Mingzhu, her lion, and Balan. Her arrow hits the priest square in the back and drops him.

All the enemies in the immediate area are dead now, but the Fortress is on alert. The companions can hear more Tsuno rushing to their location.

[Winterhawk99]

Mingzhu and several others look to see the treasure chamber just beyond the throne room. T’kharr looks out the other way to see what sort of second wave is coming. They do not see anything yet, but movement can be heard from the floor below and there is a lot. T’kharr says to Kanako, "You think you can get the carpet with us on it to fit between the bars?"

Balan asks, “Should I set fire to the room?”

"We'd have to squeeze through, let’s get to the roof before we get surrounded!" Kanako replies

"Aye, let’s bolt for the roof then." T’kharr responds. Balan nods.

The companions bolt to the roof at full speed, lion bounding after them. They come across two Tsuno on the way there near the stairwell. The Prayer Mingzhu cast and the haste Kanako cast fade away. They almost make it to the tower but there are those incoming Tsuno: 2 of them. T’kharr shouts, “Let’s see if we can knife through them too.”

Balan is the first to them and hits one with two devastating blows. It wobbles severely but it doesn’t go down. Silgara casts scorching ray catching the other in the chest burning him. Mingzhu’s lion bounds up next charges and pounces on the one Silgara hurt. The lion bites its arm off and rakes deep slashes across the Tsuno’s chest. It spits the arm out of its maw and goes after the other. Kanako strikes the last in the side with her club it staggers back. Zsikhou throws two shurikens hitting it in the thigh.

The great beast still has some fight in it and rushes Balan. It catches the paladin of guard and rakes his face. Blood sprays out from the wound. Balan has deep scratch marks in his face now. Mingzhu punches it next giving it a light wound and knocking the wind out of it. Another Tsuno comes up the stairs from behind. It goes after Kanako.

Balan counterstrikes at the one on him but misses the first counter as his sight is blurry. He then swings up with his blade and catches the Tsuno in the chin. The blade goes up through his face destroying his mouth and nose. The Tsuno drops dead there.

Silgara quickly spins around and casts another Scorching Ray at the new enemy. She lights the beast up on the left shoulder. The lion jumps on it and gives it a bite, but it does little damage as the Tsuno’s armor partially protects him. Kanako connects with his shin, but the beast’s shin guard again protects it from being broken. Zsikhou comes around to it and attacks it with his Siangham but misses both times being in a rush.

T'kharr takes a shot at it but with a lion on top of the Tsuno and everyone surrounding it she doesn’t get a good opening and misses. Mingzhu finally aims carefully and strikes it in the xyphoid process. The little bone snaps and shoots into its heart case ripping the heart apart. It goes down instantly. The lion grabs one of its 4 horns and rips it off for a souvenir. Kanako pants, then motions, “Come on to the roof! I’ll unroll the carpet!”

T'kharr heads up after Kanako at a good clip. Balan moves with haste in front as a shield. Kanako doesn’t waste time, she runs up the stairs then unrolls the flying carpet near the tower exit on the roof. "Come on! Everyone on!" Mingzhu grabs Snout and jumps on. Balan leaps on. Silgara and Zsikhou, though wounded, get on. They both look to be in rough shape. Zsikhou clearly needs a hug. Mingzhu dispels the lion and its trophy. There's more Tsuno coming. Once everyone's on, Kanako starts flying the Carpet off at top speed. Mingzhu casts Cure Minor Wounds on both Silgara and Zsikhou to make sure they are stable.

They can see the Tsuno rushing onto the roof, there's quite a lot of them that come up after the party, but they're not able to fly after them. Silgara and Zsikhou are both stable at least, but they look pretty battered. After a short while, the mountain fortress is out of sight, Kanako lets out a breath of relief "Okay... whew.... We did it... we did it... wow!"

Mingzhu looks at her companion, “Well Snout you got to ride on a flying carpet again. Snout just looks very relieved to be out of that doom fortress. Kanako just keeps focused on flying the carpet.




This tread is getting overly long and may be intimidating for the casual reader so after this I will start a new thread She Camer from the Sea book 2. This is already the size of an overly large novel so it's time for a new thread.