The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Mingzhu follows the kami’s direction and finds the place where the town has its government center. She easily finds the Elder’s office. She tries the door, and it is locked. She knocks on it. Immediately she hears a voice, “Y… yes? Who is it?” A nervous sounding voice calls out.

“Greetings, Elder. I am Mingzhu a shamaness come to lend aid to your town.”

"O... oh, right. Um, sure..." The door is unlocked, then opened, the man looks around sharply at angles, then ushers her inside, then quickly closes the door. His abode seems relatively well off, given the often-humble appearance of the other villages and Port Ginji, but there's no windows that aren't barred and the doors look sturdy.

He locks the door. "A shamaness, Mingzhu, yes? How can I help you?" The elder's attire seems relatively well made. He seems a nervous man, probably young for a village elder role, well-groomed and kept appearance though.

She quickly scans the room for anything else unusual while she does a polite bow to him. Papers, notes, some fancy sculptures around, seems this Elder lives a more extravagant lifestyle than most village Elders do. Despite it she can't help but notice that everything seems rather closed off, like the elder lives in his study with a small bed on the side, like he's ready to hole up in here if needed.

“I am guided by a community and sea spirit, Elder. They have told me of an undead menace plaguing your fair town. I have gathered a priestess and a holy warrior to aid in eradicating this problem.” She says very diplomatically.

He shakes his head, a breath out. "If you listen to the rumors there would be an army of undead overrunning this village like it was a zombie apocalypse or something! But it's only been a few scattering ones here and there." He shakes his head. "Just a few minor incidents that were handily enough dispatched and way overblown by the rumor mill."

We have reason to believe that a creature from the lower bowels of the earth is involved in this. A creature of the hells known as Death. The spirits are clear.................... Elder is your life in some form of danger?

"A... creature of the hells known as death?" ... The Elder looks over nervously, then shakes his head. "Nonsense, I'm doing well, well! I..." Shakes his head, ahem, "That sounds like some kind of farfetched rumor..."

“Elder. You know the relationship between shaman and elders. You have my confidence. I am not here for anything else but the people that are making the dead walk. Have no fear.”

The elder sighs, shaking his head. "I really wish I could help you with that. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to go on, besides just... a few incidents here and there. If you say someone is animating them, you know more than I on this matter."

She concentrates on him trying to determine his motives. She senses he’s definitely nervous, fidgety, he definitely does believe his life is in danger, though he seemed more confident in replying regarding the undead, but you get the impression he might still be hiding something. She continues, “As you can tell by my accent that I am not Wa. I am Shou lung. Once this threat to your city is gone. The people you advise and protect will be especially gladdened that you helped us in every way you can. Let us do this together. You with your information and I with my holy group.”

The Elder looks torn, a breath out, looking over nervously. "Look, I .... " A sigh "I really don't know a lot about the undead. But I know this situation is a really unstable one. I'm sure you've heard of the killer Kami, right?" She nods. "I can tell you this much, I get what his master has sent him to do but... he's really making everyone in this village nervous. I mean... he's got divine authority to act as judge and executioner and is willing to exercise it readily." He looks around, nervously. "And the whole village knows it."

“He is the servant of a Typhoon dragon I would expect as much. Is this why you are so nervous, Elder?”

"Yes! ... One misstep or something he'd consider blasphemy, and he'd execute me, and no one would stop him! I mean he'd have anyone executed if he thought they were partaking in something against the Mandate of Heaven. He's utterly terrifying!" He shudders. "And he's got a god's blessing to kill any of us or even the whole island if he wishes to."

If he is a servant of a typhoon dragon, he and I are diametrically opposed in our views, yet I would not fear. I will speak to this Kami make him understand that no innocents are to be executed. I will guard vigilantly to make sure he does not. May I calm you, Elder? It seems you are in need of letting go a few moments.”

"Oh, I know that type well enough to know he will say he won't kill anyone innocent. But it won't take him much to declare someone guilty and worthy of being killed." He shakes his head. "Look, I... it might help the village a lot if he could end up... going somewhere else."

“It is more likely that he will not leave until the situation of the undead is taken care of, Elder. By helping us get to the bottom of the situation it will leave no reason for this Kami to stay in town. He will move on to the next and take his wrathful vengeance upon others. So, by helping me you help both yourself and your townspeople.”

The elder seems very nervous, he lets out a breath, then shakes his head. "In between all of this... look... I don't know what's going on with the undead. The only one who might..." He shakes his head. "Look, I'm sure you've heard other rumors about this town, right?"

She nods, “A name?”

"Then can try to talk to them then." He leans back, still nervous. "But I can at least assure you they're not the types to go making undead, if that's what you think."

“Have you seen anyone with a strange amulet on.” She describes the other amulets.

"But honestly, it might be easier to just... point the Kami in another direction, I'm sure there's trouble around, ... hrm?" The Elder listens to the description, then shakes his head. "Doesn't seem familiar. Not like we've had a lot of foreigners coming in lately anyways. I'm sure that Kami scares away all the traders."

She nods. "What is your relationship with the Triad if any?"

He raises an eyebrow "Triad?"

He raises an eyebrow "Triad?"

“The yakuza. We of the Shou lung called them Triads.”

He's pretty clearly pretending not to know them. "Eh, we don't really have problems with crime around here. Things are kept clean, here." His nervous expression really makes it obvious he does know them.

“I am not pointing fingers. I know well enough that sometimes government works with Yakuza, Elder. I am just getting my bearings as to the environment. Being honest with me helps me help you. It also helps me to know what questions to ask of the spirits of the town.”

He sighs, then looks around nervously, then looks to her. "I don't go poking my nose into business that it doesn't need poking into, they don't raise a fuss that causes the Daimyo's men to come knocking."

She nods.

"Of course, given the Kami is here and..." He nervously leaves that thought unfinished...

“Elder is there anything else? Something you can remember. Spirits will tell me tomorrow morning some things but it’s always better if you can remember something?”

He shakes his head "Not at the moment, I'm afraid. I don't know if I can really help you further."

“Then I must go to the yakuza. Where are they?”

He sighs "I don't really think going to them will yield anything."

“Then who?”

"Probably best to just let it be." He shakes his head

"Elder please, I do not need to remind you the welfare of the villagers are as much your affair as is mine. If you know someone you need to tell me. If you do not, I must go to the yakuza. so please give me name or tell me where the Yakuza operate."

He sighs, leaning back. "Fine, just... there's a Nightclub that they own. If you end up attracting their attention, they may talk with you. Just... I didn't tell you this and don't go making a scene. I really don't need that killer Kami getting any ideas." He shakes his head "It'd be better if you could lead him off somehow."

"As I said, I am sure once the undead problem is solved, he will move on." She studies him for a long time. What did you do Elder to fear the kami this much?"

"I didn't do anything! But that Kami is willing to kill over the slightest things!"...

"And as I have said I will temper this." She sighs. "Will you let me calm you. You seem overly aggravated. I can place a calm spell on you. It will help you sleep peacefully for a night.”

"S... sure... maybe..." He shakes his head but relents. She uses her community talent and calms him. He seems to relax some, he seems like he's been in panic mode for a while now.

She smiles, "I'll see what my friends and I can do to help the town." She bows and leaves making her way to the nightclub.

[Winterhawk99]

Mingzhu makes sure her path of enlightenment robes are in order and puts her pendant of the path on over her robes. She wants to get to the bosses quickly and nothing better than something like a nun going to a mob gambling hall to get noticed quickly.

Mingzhu heads to the Moonlight Paradise Shiyuba Club, it looks like a mix of opulent and raunchy as soon as she goes in. There are patrons indulging in booze, watching some pole-dancers. It looks like a rather expensive club, and there are burly looking bouncers that have an elaborate latticework of tattoos on their bodies. There's a bartender, several tables, and a performance stage where some provocatively dressed ladies are putting on performances. She also notices Silgara sitting at one of the tables and keeping an ear out. Silgara pretends not to notice Mingzhu as she enters the club. Despite the desolate look of the village, there are a lot of people seemingly hiding away in here. She goes to the bar and sees if they have something non-alcoholic.

The bartender says they do indeed and offers her a glass of water. She pushes it away and orders what would amount to a standard village beer. She sees he has an elaborate latticework of tattoos on himself even with wearing a classy outfit.

As she looks around, she notices the bouncers are keeping an eye on her and Silgara. She looks for customers that have anything on them that would denote them as worshippers of the path. She silently makes sure they know she is watching them. She also checks to ethereal plane to see if there are spirits here. There are none. Theres also doesn’t seem to be anyone devoted to the path here, in a place like this. It just screams opulent and seedy.

She checks over at Silgara's table every once in a while, to see what she's doing. Silgara for now just appears to be sipping a beverage and trying to overhear gossip from other tables. She does look pretty out of place, clearly a foreigner. Once she finishes her beer she goes over to the bartender and orders another, "What's your name barkeep?"

He cleans a glass. "Name's Qinlan. You?"

"Greetings Qinlan. I have heard rumor of ghouls in the area and a figure that leads them that wares an amulet of a creature called death."

He cranes his head. "That's a new one. Then again, lots of ghost stories regarding creatures of death." He shrugs.

"This one has three brothers. Famine, Pestilence, and War. Pestilence has been defeated and the town of Rhakku freed from plague. And each of these demons has a minion that wears a pendent.

"Huh..." Qinlan seems to be taking very careful notes of what she is saying, considering, but simply listens for now. She smiles and sips her beer.

"Well, that's an interesting one." He seems very careful with his words. "So, where'd you hear this ghost story?"

She shrugs "I have my ways. I'm sure someone would be very interested if I happened to have more to say. But then again perhaps I'm in the wrong place?"

"Hm.... well, that's an interesting scoop," He leans forward "Go on then, I'd be interested in hearing the rest of the tale. The night is young after all."

"Well now information given in exchange for information I need. I don't think this would be the right place though and the owners would be very interested too I gather?"

"Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't. Really depends on what kind of business transaction you're trying to make. Of course, you'd probably want to whet their appetites with a bit more than scattered rumors and ghost stories." Qinlan smirks, he's definitely taken note of her Path robes and attire.

"The minions all seem to be westerners. Looking to cause havoc among the 4 cities. Each minion has taken a different city. The minion of famine has burned the crops of Tsaboru, and the minion of war has a champion Oni to do his work for him. I think that’s enough for now Quinlan. Let’s see what the owners say."

"I've heard about the Oni warlord attacking with Golamaru. I've also heard about the crops of Tsaboru being burned. That's not news." He pauses. "As for what the owners say, well, that's up to them, not you, if they want to talk to you."

She nods. "If they agree I would like someone with me. That pointy eared girl looks like a sensible type. safety in numbers so to speak. You do understand, don't you?"

"Yeah, I get it. I figured you and she knew each other. "Still, that's a big /if/ there, you know? Like, what kind of business proposition do you have for them?" Qinlan stops cleaning glasses, focusing on her.

"You have great perception Qinlan" she bobs her head slightly.

"What, are you looking for some 'powerful magic' too?" Qinlan gives Mingzhu a smirk

"Just an exchange of information. I wish to find this minion making the undead............ and put an end to him before they make enough to take over the town."

Qinlan considers... "Hrm, you really think you can pull that off? I mean assuming there is someone making the undead. And it really is enough to take over the town."…

She looks him straight in the eye, "I do."

"Heh, well, you got guts at least." Qinlan smirks at her. "Speaking of which, besides the pointy eared foreigner, did you bring any friends with you that may not be present right now?"

"I did. A holy warrior and a priestess. They are not here at the moment."

"Heh" He smirks. "Right well, let me head out back for a moment, I might get you a special beverage."
Qinlan heads to a staff room. Not long after, he comes back to tend bar. Silgara seems to be looking over as she does but then goes back to tending to her own drink. Qinlan goes back to tending bar but doesn't say anything when he does return.

Mingzhu waits quietly and watches the customers while sipping her beer. That said, it doesn't seem like anyone is coming out to meet her...

She looks over at Qinlan, "I'm guessing they said no?"

Qinlan shrugs "If they want to come talk to you, they will find you. That's how it works. I don't ask more than that."

Silgara goes to leave the nightclub after some time. Mingzhu follows her. Silgara looks around, tries to find somewhere relatively concealed in the night. "Was your evening a bust for intelligence as well?"

"I believe it may have been a success. We will know if they contact us. They have word and are considering. As far as the Elder. I have some information but on the elder himself not the undead."

"Better than how my evening went, I'm afraid I didn't gather anything actionable." She shakes her head "What did you find out regarding the Elder?"

He is deathly afraid of our Kami and also, he is very familiar with the....... heads of the establishment we were enjoying. I believe there is much trading between the two parties. of what I do not know yet."

Did he seem afraid of the heads of the establishment there?" She considers.

Mingzhu shakes her head.

"You know the kobold better. I'm more familiar with his kind being raiders and pests, but it seems different in this land if he's received in such a manner." She considers "What's your take? I mean, why wouldn't they just have the kobold killed if they have the means to?"

He is working for the celestial court therefore I must assist him but also, we are diametrically opposed to each other in our outlooks if he is like his masters. I believe he will seek any excuse to bring down judgment that he deems against his view of the heavens. That is why I warned him. He did not like that but understood that I will be watching him. He will do what he thinks is his duty to his master."

"I'm not as familiar with this... Triad is either, what are they usually involved in? I attempted to ask regarding... if they had trade in magic that was 'off-the-books' as it were, but that angle didn't work."

“The triads or here families of the yakuza are organized thieves. In my country we call them triads.”

She nods, listening. "There are variances in how thieves’ guilds operate throughout the realms, though."

"It seems this triad runs many operations within the town. If my guess is correct business is down due to the rumors of undead. They will try to use us to clean up this mess, so they don’t lose valuable men.”

She considers. "Assuming of course, the business they're involved in is something that the local clergy would be willing to turn a blind eye to. Otherwise, it risks us alerting the Kobold to it, and he will likely behave predictably then. Something I suspect they are likely calculating around."

She nods, "As a community shamaness I must work with those who are willing to work with me. If the yakuza own most of the town. I must work with them. They do not want villagers dying. Not because they have a kind heart but because it’s bad for business. And they certainly don’t want to have rumors going around of an undead infestation as docks become empty. Yakuza, triads, whatever you call them need people. They need their marks."

"Actually, one thing the kobold mentioned after you left. Apparently, there was a trader from the Golden Sails company that went into their private rooms for a business discussion. In case it gives us an angle of investigation." Silgara keeps her voice down and keeps alert. "Do you think we should return? Reconvene with the others? It might be pertinent to share what we've found."

"Was it not the golden sails that lost that special crate?"

"Though I will admit if we're known to be staying with the kobold it will likely make the local Yakuza less inclined to trust us." She shakes her head. "No, wasn't them. Hadn't heard of them getting involved prior.

"I did not mention the Kami to them." Mingzhu says in a hushed voice.

She whispers. "It was Diamond Industries who had the crate on that island, and the Azure Winds who had the fire-goods stolen. I suspect they're trying to watch everyone, regardless, let’s be off."

Mingzhu nodes and follows the wu-jen. They head back to base. The kobold doesn’t seem to be around.

[Winterhawk99]

As the pair arrives T’kharr is waiting for them. "Welcome back. Did you wish to share first or would you rather we did?"

Silgara sighs. "My evening was largely a bust in regard to intelligence. In about every sense of the word." She quiets down to let the others speak. T'kharr looks to Mingzhu to let her speak next.

She looks at Silgara, "I have picked up bits of information on how this village works and it's elder. I have also made contact with the Yakuza and await a possible meeting. They will contact us when ready. I gave them just enough to be interested." Silgara translates. "Silgara also told me of a merchant of the golden sails here? It would be interesting about the person's description being the fire globes were stolen from the golden sails ship."

"The fire globes were stolen from the Azure Winds, not Golden Sails." Silgara states.

T'kharr nods "Alright, hopefully you're able to at least get some useful tidbits out of them. We scouted the coast ourselves, found a dead ghoul. Likely came from the water and was killed by the Kami, no signs of other sources of undead although we did find a forest-cove just inshore that could be a ritual place albeit with no tracks. Could be that they have a rock or small isle they're carrying their rites out on though."

“Aye.” Balan tosses the bag on the floor. “They call them Lacedons.”

Mingzhu thinks about how long it would take to build a significant undead army to attack the town. She finds there are too many variables. It would depend on the amount of casters, how strong they are, plus being able to control a large amount of undead can be difficult. She concentrates a bit then frowns.

"A Lacedon." Silgara considers. "Those can swim easily. So, the source being on another island entirely is possible."

“Aye that was our thought as well.” Balan agrees.

T’kharr looks at Mingzhu but speaks to Silgara. “Aye may have to send Mingzhu out scouting for the source given it's coming by sea. Do you think I could get anywhere with finding information from folks in town? It seems we know where the Yakuza lair at it least"

"Let them come to us." Mingzhu insists.

T’kharr asks, “Alright then. Do we have some sort of...expiration date on that plan, in case they just string us along?"

"I will scout after meditation. if that is what you want." Mingzhu replies.

"Scouting may be difficult, there's a lot of places they could have come from, and we don't have any leads." Silgara considers. "Unless we can find one somehow."

Balan gets a bit worried about Mingzhu’s welfare. “If you are to set into the ocean, I would ask you be careful in that since we now know they come from it.”

"Aye, one thing we could do is trek back to Port Ginji at this point and fetch reliable charts of the oceans around here. I reckon that we'd be best off not asking locals about such lest they mislead us." T’kharr considers.

Mingzhu looks at Balan. “"I will only have a problem if they box me in. I am unsure if I or they can swim faster but I know I can swim as fast as a man can run."

"So can they." Silgara says.

The shamaness nods. “Ok.”

"How much would you say the elder can be trusted?" Silgara looks to Mingzhu.

"The elder is in the pocket of the yakuza and is in deep fear of the Kami which means he may have done past indiscretions............. I'm unsure his words can be trusted. He is also very young for his position. Most times I and he would work together but he seems too afraid or does not know his position well."

T’kharr listens and says, “Aye, he sounds like a figure set up to take a fall should something go wrong." Mingzhu nods to affirm her idea.

Balan nods too, “I would agree with that.”

"The yakuza may have set him in the position, so they have an advantage in town politics or to run orders through him. Though I am only speculating." The shamaness considers.

“Or he inherited the position, and they are using him to get what they want without a sight back because of his years.” Balan offers.

"Well, I suppose we can wait to see if the Yakuza contact us then. Still, what are our next steps in the interim?" Silgara asks.

Balan looks at everyone. “We rest if needed and then keep searching for more information?”

"Aye, we should take the time to rest and meditate before we search again." T’kharr agrees. Silgara nods, though leaves the unspoken question of how much to tell Zsikhou unsaid. She goes to find a semi-comfortable spot to trance for the night.

"There may be a knock at the door at any time. If there is, be polite whoever answers. Remember that we need any information we can get." Mingzhu insists.

Balan goes and sits next the door clutching his holy symbol saying a prayer for the night.

"I expect the Yakuza will not knock here. If we want their attention we should go back to that seedy club." Silgara states.

"They know where we are. We were most likely tailed." The shamaness theorizes.

"Probably, and if they also know this is where the Kobold has been holing up..." Silgara states.

T’kharr looks at everyone, “Aye, we'll probably not want to use this as our base for the long-term. We could camp in that grove along the coastline."

"Might be better in the future, as long as we don't expect the Yakuza to send assassins after us." Silgara shakes her head with a sigh.

"They are businessmen not assassins and I gave them every reason to leave us be until they make a decision to talk or not. I do agree this is a bad place to hold up." Mingzhu looks around exasperated.

"Should we go elsewhere then? I also expect the Kobold to start demanding answers if he finds us here later." Silgara speaks, “wondering if said Kobold is sneaking up on them.” Mingzhu nods to her. Silgara picks up then begins walking. "Well, you found somewhere, T'kharr? Lead on."

Mingzhu signs to snout, "We are leaving come on boy."

T'kharr leads them to the grove she found earlier to set up camp. Mingzhu makes a fire. Before sleeping, she sits by it stroking Snout and looking into the flames. Silgara goes to trance. The party is able to rest without incident.

Mingzhu does her meditation in the morning waiting for the spirits to touch her. T'kharr meditates herself and changes back to her normal spell set in her morning prayers. Balan takes a few moments away from the group in prayer asking for guidance and safety for the group.

"Do we have any other leads we want to explore while Mingzhu scouts the waves, or do you think the evening would be better for your sea-work Mingzhu?" T’kharr asks.

Silgara also asks Mingzhu, “Do you have some way of finding a lead? I hesitate to suggest it but without any leads, the odds of finding something are quite low." Silgara considers "Unless you have some druidic magic that can point you in the right direction."

Mingzhu says to the two women, “I can try to commune with a spirit of the sea and see if it can direct me. Do you want me to try?"

"I'm admittedly uncertain of how the spell works, but if it will help give us some kind of direction, feel free." Silgara replies.

“It’s worth a shot, aye.” T’kharr agrees.

Mingzhu nods and goes to the beach. She sits down in full lotus and casts the spell. She waits for a spirit to come to her. A spirit appears, awaiting a question she is to ask. She'll only get one question, and they typically reply with one-word answers. She knows she best make it count.

She looks up at it, "Which direction should I go to find the source of the Lacedons coming from the sea? Point the way spirit."

The Spirit points off: out towards the sea, in a particular direction. "There" Though strangely as it points, it doesn't point downwards, but rather straight ahead. Then it fades.

She points to the exact spot he is, "The source is there." She holds it for everyone to get a bearing, while saying "Thank you spirit."

[Winterhawk99]

Silgara looks out to sea, considering, “Pity we did not bring a skiff with us.” She shakes her head.

T’kharr observes with a nod, “That said, we should be able to at least seek one without issue.”

Mingzhu looks at the end of her finger. “My guess would be it is an island and not underneath the sea.”

"That would make sense, at least." Silgara nods aside to Mingzhu "I doubt the ones making them can breathe underwater on a permanent basis." She then looks over to T’kharr. “Did you intend on getting one, then? I imagine you could buy or rent one from one of the villagers at the docks."

"Aye, we can go get one, did you want me to try to do that by myself? I was thinking we'd all show up for that, but I can understand if you want only one of us to fetch such." She answers.

"Up to you." Silgara shrugs

Balan grunts, “Keep the direction we can find a boat and captain, I am sure.”

"Just a boat, even, I reckon. Don't want to try to find a captain in these parts." T'kharr starts off towards town at least. Mingzhu holds her position.

"Probably best not to try getting a captain... we're not sure we can trust anyone around here." Silgara shakes her head

T’kharr looks at everyone and says, “If we keep Mingzhu back here though, I'll need Silgara with me to translate at least."

"Right, I'll come with you then." Silgara comes along.

Balan rubs the scales on his head. “Ahh there is that. I could stay with her then. Maybe even learn a better way to communicate?”

"I'm also assuming we're not going to inform the kobold of our little boat trip," Silgara states.

"Only if he shows up. then he will most likely come." Mingzhu asserts.

"Let’s get the boat quickly then." Silgara states aside. “It's easy enough to go to the docks to rent a skiff, at least...”

She and T’kharr make their way to the docks. They come back rowing a skiff. They beach near camp without difficulty. When they come up to Mingzhu and Balan T’kharr says, “They did try to put eyes on us in town, but we gave them the slip by casting out to sea.”

Mingzhu asks, “Who?”

Silgara is the one who answers her, “Looked like one of the Yakuza’s ninjas.”

The shamaness shakes her head. “Could it have been a contact?”

"Either way, I would suggest we cast out promptly if we are doing that. And, I doubt it, they did not approach us, they were trying to remain inconspicuous." Silgara shakes her head. Mingzhu nods and gets in the boat. Snout right behind.

Finding a direction at sea with a simple pointing method isn’t the easiest to maintain. Somehow Mingzhu is able to handle the sense of direction very well indeed! It takes some time sailing and going through a few small islands that are in the way, involving disembarking and carrying the skiff through some uninhabited islands… Eventually though, they come to what looks like a forested island of some size. Silgara gives a weary sigh. “Think this one is it this time…?” She looks around. “Well, I suppose same as last time, back up the skiff and let’s move.

Balan takes a moment to concentrate on his senses as they approach. Mingzhu asks him what he is doing. He simply says, “Searching for evil intent.” She shrugs.

From their vantage point on the beach the island seems like all forest, though this time there is a bit of a strange smell in the air. It’s hard to place. T’kharr tries to pick up on the source of it. She makes a strange face. "Hmm...aren't these lands famed for laudanum and other such...dulling-drugs?"

Silgara raises an eyebrow. "I... had not heard of such, but I'm hardly a local..."

"These are a bane to a community. Those that deal in these things are evil and create a cancer that reaches the very soul of a city." Mingzhu’s eyes narrow. Balan meanwhile is sitting on the boat still concentrating.

Silgara looks over to Mingzhu "Is... creation and dealing of that something that would provoke the kobold into trying to kill them?" The shamaness nods.

"It would also explain where the extra wealth for the village is coming from..." Silgara shakes her head
"Right, we're here on this island uninvited. We'd better be careful. I doubt the Yakuza will be happy with us if we are found here." She looks around, more alert now.

Mingzhu lowers her voice. "It would and the Elder's life of luxury. Yes. We will deal with this after we deal with the agent of death." She looks for any poppies in sight. Being that there is forest cover on the island’s edge, It’s probably further inland.

T'kharr cautiously leads the party further inland after warding herself for battle, sling at the ready and staff magic weaponed. She keeps a careful eye and ear out for any sign of guards, as well as following her nose to the poppies since that's likely where people are camped. Silgara casts a mage armor on the Gnoll. She is able to track the scent of the poppies though, eventually, after wading through woods, they come to a clearing, it looks like there's a farm of sorts further inland. Opium poppies, cannabis, and other such plants are being worked on. There appear to be some farmers as well, who look rather tired and malnourished, but are diligently working.

T'kharr stays to the edge of the woods, staying a bit inside the trees to not alarm anyone as she leads the party around the edges of the clearing to try to get a 360 on the place. “Well, this seems to be their funding I would think.” Balan says quietly to the group.

"Yes, but we haven't yet seen an explanation for it being pointed out as the source of the ghouls." T’kharr replies in a hushed tone. Mingzhu picks some poppies and puts them in her pouch as they go along. The farmers don't really appear alert, ...

Balan suddenly holds up his finger. “I detect an evil presence.” He points his finger in the direction of a well-fed man watching over the farmers. He moves away. Balan watches until he is out of sight then says, “That’s one so far I can sense.”

Silgara looks over at the others. "Could follow them, could also try to speak with one of the farmers..." She does speak quietly.

"Let’s tail the thug at a distance and see if he reveals more" in hushed tone. Or if he represents their sole muscle on this isle." T’kharr suggests.

It would be best in any matter to be careful and quie...” Balan stops and listens while speaking quietly.

Mingzhu nods, "The farmers may be alarmed and call out seeing us." Silgara nods to her in agreement.

They move out. The group is relatively stealthy, except the paladin in the heavy clanking armor. Regardless, they eventually come across what looks like a building, or rather expansive gatehouse. The Yakuza guard knocks on a door, whispers something to the door, and is quickly let in, it's re-locked afterwards. From a quick look away, it's likely a kind of dock house, but the only way to the dock is either by water or through the door.

T’kharr looks at Balan. “"Might be best if you peel off deeper into the trees somewhat with the noise you're making. Would red herring anyone who's picked up on you right into the rest of us. Then again, they may not have cottoned on to begin with"

He nods, “Aye.” And quietly moves away from the group. T'kharr continues the 360deg sweep with the rest of the party, noting the presence of the guardhouse.

T’kharr turns her head and motions the other women to stop. Mingzhu can hear someone who is definitely not Balan approaching. “Someone is coming she whispers.” T'kharr loops back around, leading the party back towards Balan with a nod to Mingzhu.

"Then we likely have been spotted. Encounter imminent." Silgara whispers aside. They see Balan up ahead pulling his sword as quietly as possible without moving. T’kharr leads them off to the side in a looping approach toward the paladin to try to get the drop on their pursuer once she gets closer to him. Mingzhu casts animate water on a puddle creating a small water elemental.

Soon after however, a woman comes out of hiding and appears before them. She has Yakuza tattoos, wears a nondescript outfit, but has a lot of knives on her person. She seems rather well off, and lethal. Clearly looks like a dangerous ninja. She looks over to Mingzhu "Couldn't wait to be contacted, could you?" She hasn’t drawn her weapons yet. "You wanted to talk though. It would have been better if you stayed put first."

"I had to make a decision to follow the rest of my group or wait so do we talk?" the shamaness replies.

"I and the family are still willing to talk and deal. So, let’s do that."

Mingzhu nods and looks at Silgara. “Tell the others to stand down.”

[Winterhawk99]

Silgara keeps alert, eyes going back and forth around the woods and to the gatehouse, clearly ready for combat. Mingzhu dispels the elemental. Balan places his sword back in its scabbard. T’kharr lowers her sling gently, although she does still keep an eye out, leaning on her staff.

The Ninja studies them all. “Now, I do not know how you discovered this place, but you are here now. I might as well tell you the score." The ninja woman pauses and continues. "But let me impress upon you this first. The Kami? We could have had him killed, probably taken some losses, but the family would have been devastated by his god's wrath in retaliation for that. You lot? You don't have that protection. You can be erased. Keep that in mind. Now, you are after the ones creating the undead, correct?" She looks to Mingzhu

“We are.” She reports softly.

"Good. In that case, we can come to an arrangement." She continues speaking, but her stance suggests she still feels like she's in a standoff. "Now, the family does business with many... interested partners. One of those came to one of the family members with a proposition. It was one that caused some internal disagreement."

Mingzhu keeps her eyes on the woman. “We are listening.” Balan looks around having no idea what is being said.

"One of those is your undead summoner. Some foreign disciple who dabbles in such things. She came offering a way to have a cheap workforce that would work tirelessly and not complain. The deal, however, did not go through well. It's also made several elements of the family want to break the deal off and have them erased. The head of the family has come to the conclusion that this... foreigner who deals in undeath is too much of a loose end and problem to keep around. Of course, since they already made a deal with one of the younger members of the family, simply cutting them off would cause reputational problems. So, we've been trying to re-negotiate. Except, that has not gone well. So right now? The head of the family wants them gone.

So, I have an offer for you. What you've seen here? Our family's work? It stays a secret with each of you, and you don't touch this business at all. I'll lead you to the undead creator; we erase them, then we get you off. And the Kami hears of none of this. All they need to know is that you found the undead summoner and killed them. What will it be?" The Ninja keeps watching Mingzhu. Silgara translates quietly.

“I want their head. Balan says quietly and opens a bag that has the undead head in it.

T'kharr gives Silgara a hushed response "It's...too easy of a deal. Besides, I seriously doubt the summoner has much of a place to.... hide here, given that they need to be close to shore to do their work no?"

Silgara looks aside "Who's head?" She still speaks in a hushed tone. "Maybe, sounds like there's a lot of cutthroat underworld politics involved here."

"I think our counteroffer is that we find and dispatch the summoner without the family's help, on the proviso that the family does not interfere with our efforts." T’kharr replies keeping her eyes steady on the ninja.

“The creators for proof.” Balan tells Silgara quietly.

The ninja looks over, seems she can speak western common "Quite simply, whether you deal with the undead summoner, or we do doesn't matter. Right now, though, you're trampling on other business that you don't need to be involved in. So, I lead you there, we deal with them, and then you leave and never breathe a word of what you saw here to anyone ever again. Got it?"

Mingzhu listens to the others through Silgara. Then she tells her. "It seems we have no other option. And she knows If I give her my word, I cannot break it."

Silgara looks over. "Are you really sure that is a good idea...?" She looks over, seeming to remember the farmers.

The ninja looks over at Silgara. "It's a better option than waking up with a knife in your neck, witch. Don't think your witchcraft will save you from that."

"I assume we have some room to maneuver." Mingzhu replies.

“I am neutral on these politics.... I am here to remove a greater evil than what your faction is unless it proves to be a threat in the eyes of my god.” Balan tells them.

Mingzhu turns to the assassin. “The farmers need better care, and I want the Elder ousted from his position. if we agree."

"That really isn't your business, is it?" The ninja looks over to Mingzhu.

"Judging by what we saw of those farmers..." Silgara considers, then she whispers aside. "It seems likely these Yakuza are involved in slave trade as well."

"Based on what I see the family has plenty enough to care properly for its employees.” The shamaness states rather resolutely.

The Ninja scoffs at the mention of 'employees'. "You've been through Sudzuki. We make sure they are cared for. Once the Kami leaves, they'll be well again. Why do you want the Elder ousted anyway?"

Mingzhu angerly retorts, "He is not competent. That is why."

The ninja shrugs. "Let him grow into the position then. Either way it is not your concern."

Mingzhu stares at her. "Then it is up to my companions whether to pursue this venture with your family."

The Assassin looks over at the others. “"Well, what will it be then, foreigners?"

Balan thinks and quietly speaks, “Perhaps we can come to an agreeance on removing this threat and the treatment of your slaves in a meeting then.”

"Your interest is in removing the undead summoner. These that follow the four foreigner yokai? That is what we are offering. You don't need to be involved in our business any further than that." The Ninja looks Balan up and down. Balan smiles in a more diplomatic manor.

"I'm thinking that we can take on finding the summoner on our own, as long as you and yours do not interfere with our work. Deal?" T’kharr offers rather despondently.

She looks to T'kharr "I'd rather you not blunder about our business aimlessly any more than you have. And you must swear to never speak of what you have found here. Especially to the Kami. Got it?"

T’kharr tries to use some logic. “We know the summoner is bound to being near water, no? That gets us out of your hair right then and there."

Silgara doesn't particularly look thrilled. "Making bargains with slave traders...?" But she decides to quiet down.

T'kharr murmurs to Silgara "I'm trying to give us space to work down the road."

The Ninja looks over "We know where they are holed up. It'll be quicker and easier if I just show you. After you agree to not further interfere in the family business and tell no one else of it. Especially the Kami. And the sooner the matter is dealt with, and the sooner you're off this island, the better." She states simply.

"Are you trying to imply that your faction reserves the right to interfere with us dealing with the summoner lest you provide escort?" T’kharr asks.

"I'm implying nothing. I simply don't want you messing around with other things unrelated to the undead summoner. By all means, erase them how you see fit." The Ninja speaks in turn.

T’kharr retorts, "Well then, I think we have a deal, you let us go off and deal with the undead summoner without anybody else of yours getting in our way. Easy enough, or is that not a workable deal for some reason?"

"You're not getting sidetracked. It's that simple." The assassin states firmly.

“Aye less we find reason that you do not even know of to trace another path, yes?” Balan confronts her.

T’kharr nudges him back. "We all know that the summoner's the top priority."

She looks over T'kharr at that. "I've dealt with enough negotiators like you to know when someone's trying to play me by exact words. So go ahead and tell me why you insist on not having me show you the way and I might consider acquiescing on that point. Might." She has a dangerous glint in her eyes. The Ninja looks back to T'kharr squarely, looking for her answer.

"Because we don't want to give away that you've taken a side in the matter. Which having you lead us to them would do." T'kharr's voice is matter of fact and plain-spoken, albeit strong, almost stern.

The Ninja shrugs "The necromancers are disposable. Once they're dead, it hardly matters what side we've taken. It's not like they've been a good business partner."

"It'd also be less risky for you." T'kharr's getting a predatory gleam in her own eyes, almost as if the ninja is risking becoming a menu item.

She chuckles "Well if you want to go face their lair all on your lonesome? You're welcome to big fella." But she shakes her head "But I want to make sure you don't get sidetracked. Got it? That's not optional. Nor is you and your little team keeping total silence on this matter. Not even a hint to anyone. Especially the Kami."

Mingzhu watches silently while Silgara whispers in her ear. T'kharr glances to Silgara and Balan to see if they have takes on the matter. Balan thinks it over a moment Looking amongst the group

“Our hands are tied now unless we do something radical. If we fail this lady’s request it may not be good.” Mingzhu says looking around at her companions. T'kharr waits to see if Silgara has an idea before she puts her next card on the table, so to speak.

Silgara looks over, she shakes her head. "Tactically speaking, agreeing to this deal is the most direct way of dealing with the Horsemen. That is if we are willing to ignore the slavery and other reprehensible things we do. I would not count them as reliable allies or even allies." She shakes her head "It's a case where my people usually prefer to stay out of human affairs, I don't see any good answers here."

The Ninja looks over to Silgara "You are free to leave and head back to your tall treehouse in foreign lands, after you agree to keep your mouth shut on the business here."

T'kharr then speaks up at this cue "If you insist on traveling with us, you will have to stay with us through the entire mission, no show-and-slink-off, and it is at peril of your...disappearance should cause be found. Or, you can leave now, and all you have to do is let us depart for the coast without interference."

The Ninja looks over T'kharr, smirking. "Well now, for the entire mission through? That was the plan. Besides? Tactically you're probably going to need me. I know those necromancers have traps in their lair. None of you are Ninja or can otherwise deal with them, I'm sure." She gives a smirk
"So, swear to it now, that you will. Once our mission is complete here, that you will tell nor hint to no one about to what the family business is on this island. Especially that Kami. And in turn? We shall kill the necromancers that you are hunting together. Do you so swear?" The Ninja strolls over, with a sleight of hand, she pulls out what looks like a brassy, gold coin. But there's also a small pin on the edge of the coin. "A little family tradition, when it comes to a contract of death. A drop of blood to seal in a contract for the blood of one's foe." She offers the coin to T'kharr.

Mingzhu watches the whole thing. Her eyes look saddened.

Balan breaks into the conversation. “Destroying a greater evil.... It could be worth this temporary alliance, though I will still hold my values at heart throughout this.”

"As long as you uphold your end of the bargain big guy." The ninja gives a dark smile to Balan. "Remember, not a peep."

“I have need for political value on either side that is not my way.” Balan says.

"As long as we're clear." She looks over at T'kharr and Balan, wondering if one of them will take the coin and partake in the ritual. "Well then, by all means, let’s seal the deal and get this done."

T'kharr licks her lips with a predatory gleam in her eyes "Are you sure you want to take the risk that there won't be anything of you to find, or bury, should...more be found than expected?"

The Ninja eyes T'kharr dangerously. "Well, if you want to play it that way, you could always refuse the offer and sleep with the fishes tonight. I hope you understand that the family won't want you reporting back to the Kami about what you've seen here. None of you have a god's protection."
"What'll it be?" She flips the coin, but it's easy to tell the Ninja could grab some of her knives and is ready to fight it out if the deal isn't taken. Silgara looks around nervously, as if expecting there's more Ninja hiding around and ready to strike.

T'kharr glances over to Balan, then back to the ninja "It's not like our gods do not give us shields of their own now, is it?" and begins to incant a prayer of Sanctuary, of all things.

The Ninja narrows her eyes, she puts the coin away, steps back, and seems ready to draw knives. "Casting spells can be taken as hostile intent during a negotiation like this." She looks at Balan and Mingzhu "So what will it be? Decide now. Are you going to take the deal or not?" There's a hand motion, an implied menace to her that suggests if no one takes the offer, then this will become a fight.

Silgara does not step forward to take the offer. Silgara does not step forward to take the offer. Balan stands firm in his position looking to his friends. T'kharr also seems to have no interest in the offer at this point. Mingzhu holds to see what Balan and T’kharr will do.

The ninja backs up. Mingzhu stands up. “Stop this now! We either take the deal or we do not. this person came to us in good faith."

"I've given her every chance to avoid becoming a menu item, either now or later, and she seems far too stubborn for her own good." T’kharr steams.

Silgara looks over "With threats to have us awaken with knives in our necks, so you know."

The Ninja looks to Mingzhu "She gets it. So, Shamaness? Are you going to take the deal? Or not?" Then she looks to T'kharr "The deal the family offered you is more than fair, big fellow. It's really up to you if you want to be a business partner or a liability."

"No. The deal is your deal, and you are what is at liability should things go wrong." T’kharr smiles.

“Balan and T'kharr are the leaders of us. They must make the choice I will stand by their decision.” Mingzhu insists.

"And I can tell the deals you're offering are a way to slip around ways of telling the Kami. If you want to actually make a counteroffer? Make it a good one. But I don't have all day." The Ninja speaks in a very firm, sharp tone.

Mingzhu looks at her companions then says, "I only wish to make sure that the men that work the fields here are fed and clothed properly and they have a good night’s sleep every night. Slavery is not against the mandate of the heavens sadly and I do not agree with it. The poppies are against the mandate, and you leave us in a terrible position however the greater evil is this minion of the horseman. As an adviser I say if my grounds are met, we should take the deal. because it does not put our own lives in danger from two sides."

T'kharr looks at the Ninja. “You ever considered...making this whole operation into something where you don't have to worry about someone telling the 'wrong' people about it?"

"It's family business, and you're not family. So, it really isn't your business, is it? No, it's not." The Ninja just glares at T'kharr.

T’kharr answers, "It's only our business because you seem bent on trying to force it to be our business."

Silgara looks over at Mingzhu, but she doesn't seem convinced. "Taking the deal would make us complicit in their reprehensible actions."

She whispers back, "What choice do we have surrounded by yakuza.”

The Ninja looks over "Well you're the ones that trespassed here, hrm? Ever consider that? Regardless, the family business isn't up for discussion. You're here for the necromancers. If you're here to try to interfere with the family business, then that puts us at cross purposes, and corrections will need to be made." Silgara sighs, knowing Mingzhu has a point, but she clearly doesn't like it.

T’kharr asks, "Does anyone, or any list of business for that matter, await you where you lay your head at night?"

The Ninja chuckles back at her. "If you want to talk tough, you really have to do better than that."

"I'll take that to be a 'no', then, eh?" small chuckle in return from T'kharr

"That's up to you lot. Take the deal the family offered or don't. It's plenty fair and suits your interests and ours. What will it be?" She looks firm now, like it really is the final decision time now.

"If we do formally decline the deal, then how many others are you going to bring into the picture?" T’kharr asks while looking around.

She gives a smirk "Now that will be a surprise, and not one you will like."

"Then one cannot claim it as a contract." T’kharr retorts.

"Well, in that case..." The Ninja backflips back and draws her knives. "Too bad you couldn't be reasonable."

“May I speak to my..................” Mingzhu stands up and shields her companions. “May I speak to my companions alone?”

The Ninja draws her knives, then looks and gives a hand motion, then looks at Mingzhu. "Right then, you have some sense. I'll give you two minutes. Don't try anything funny. More spellcasting and we'll assume you intend hostility."

Mingzhu waits for the ninja to disappear and turns to them. The Ninja is still watching it seems, but gives them some distance, but makes it clear she is still watching. "We are on an island of yakuza. We do not know how many there are and even if we did if one escapes, we have a whole triad after us. The only way we will get off this island is to take the deal unfortunately. We must take the greater evil out. we worry about the smaller later. That is my opinion and my advice to you. If we had waited for the contact back on the beach this may not have happened, but we know too much, and their family will seek revenge if we do this the hard way."

Silgara looks over. "We do have an alternative."

"Oh?" T’kharr says to Silgara. Mingzhu nods and listens to her.

Silgara speaks quietly. "If we don't take the offer, we fight our way off the island, then we rush to inform the kobold. The Yakuza are clearly unwilling to fight him. If the kobold is in our company, they will likely not risk attacking us. Of course, it might be a rough fight, but they won't find out immediately."

“After he leaves, they will seek out their revenge.” Mingzhu states.

"I think the ninja doesn't understand the risk of disappearance she herself is taking." T’kharr suggests.

Balan hushes his voice. “And that is to assume they have not already sunk our boat.”

"Possibly. Then again, given the Yakuza have at least by their own admission, tried to enter into a business relationship with the Horsemen... and possibly other malign actors that we may come into conflict with." Silgara considers, then a sigh "I suppose it's your call though, but it ultimately comes down to whether we take the deal or not now. " She quiets down considerably. "Or potentially break the deal later."

"That said, I do have one meet-in-the-middle alternative still. We promise her non-interference for as long as we're on this isle. However, I cannot accept a permanent offer, especially considering that it'd bind Silgara here for...perhaps longer than this operation as a going concern."

"She isn't going to accept that, I can tell." Silgara shakes her head. "Any possibility of us informing the kobold is unacceptable to her. The kobold can and will kill all of them if they become aware of this business of theirs, and they are unwilling to kill him in turn since it risks angering his patron."

T’kharr thinks and looks at Silgara. “"Do you have any fire magic at all?" to Silgara "We could create a distraction and use that to escape."

“It may only be a time before the kami finds this place on their own, as well.” Balan surmises.

"The kobold likely doesn't have the divination magic needed for finding this place... but it is possible. And yes, I do have some fire magic." Silgara nods.

"How far can it reach?" T’kharr asks.

Silgara winces. "Thirty feet, less range than I can shoot an arrow, I'm afraid."

"You still have a bit of that strong liquor on you?" T’kharr smiles.

"The Rum? Yes, I do."

The Ninja starts looking impatient. "Your two minutes is coming up..." Mingzhu looks down at snout and gets ready to run.

"Dip some cloth in the rum, tie it around an arrow, and ignite it with your fire spell then shoot the arrow into the fields. That'll give them something else to think about and make the matter of the Kami somewhat...irrelevant. It does mean we'll have to make a mad dash for the coast and our boat, then return here in a day or two, but I reckon that would at least get us out of the situation long enough to return here and clean up the necromancer on our terms." T’kharr says as she thinks through the plan.

"I'll be open to attack while I do that. The Ninja is watching. She'll attack before I'm done. If you want then sure, I can try it, though... I have one invisibility casting prepared." Silgara goes over with them.

T’kharr nods, "Aye, it'll be a shoot-and-run for sure, a parting shot if you will if you can pull something like that off."

"Are we all agreed then...?" Silgara looks to Balan and Mingzhu. Mingzhu slowly nods.

The Ninja twirls a knife "Well? What's your group's answer then? Time is up."

Silgara whispers quietly "Distract them, quick."

"Let us go, or we make the matters of the Kami...irrelevant." T’kharr insists.

"Well, I'm taking that as a firm ‘NO!’ then..." The Ninja twirls her knives, and gets ready to attack, giving some kind of signal.

[Winterhawk99]

T’kharr sees two other Ninjas hiding in shadows, do does Balan. Mingzhu sees three. T’kharr blesses Balan with an Expeditious Retreat spell. A ninja throws a dagger at Silgara. It hits her in the leg. She has to stop to pull it out of her. Balan pulls his shield up in front of him, with a guttural roar in a defensive stance. He extrudes a frightful presence in front of the girl ninja they were talking to. He looks at Silgara and becomes angry. He blows his fire breath directly toward the woman. She moves quickly to get out of the way, but his fire catches her still the same burning the side of her face and much of her hair on her right side.

Another ninja also throws a knife, hitting Silgara in the back. Mingzhu casts Summon Nature’s Ally II. Not far away a dire badger hears the call and comes running toward the group. T’kharr yells to Balan. “Shield Silgara!”

The negotiator moves again throwing a dagger at Silgara. It hits the mage in the shoulder, and she loses consciousness. The ninja slides into the bushes to hide.

T’kharr shouts out, “WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!” A knife whizzes past her. Two more knives come flying at her. One hits getting past her armor. She casts Cure Minor wounds on Silgara to try to get her back up. Silgara stops bleeding but is still out cold. T’kharr picks her up and starts running. “WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!”

Another ninja disappears into the foliage. The dire badger rages in and jumps on one of the ninjas, raking and biting at him. He falls down trying to get the giant of an animal off him. Balan’s breath weapon has caught the dry brush afire. It starts to spread. Balan starts to retreat holding his shield up to protect T’kharr and Silgara.

The ninja that the badge is on is finally able to dodge away. He tries to hide but the animal is on his trail following its nose. Looking around and seeing that her companions have left her alone, Mingzhu knows the only thing she can do is run. So, she does, hoping the badger will rear guard her. She and Snout make for the water.

The leader notices the group is fleeing. She makes a sign to her companions to pursue them. T’kharr continues to retreat, taking Silgara with her. The badge runs back and forth while the ninja try to avoid him like the plague.

T’kharr yells out at Balan. “SEE IF YOU CAN GET SILGARA BACK UP!” He stops and performs a Lay on Hands upon Silgara. She stirs awake. Their pause to heal Silgara allows one of the Ninja to catch up, who throws two knives at T'kharr. One of them hits her in the gut. Mingzhu keeps running to catch up with the group. No one seems to be attacking her.

The leader comes out of hiding and throws two more knives at T’kharr. But both fall short burying in the ground at her feet. A third throwing knife comes out of nowhere and hits her in the back. T’kharr stumbles and yells at Balan, “Can you do something to shield me?"

Silgara, being carried and stirring awake, casts a sleep spell on the ninjas. One drops to the ground. T'kharr continues the retreat but does set Silgara down on her own two feet in the process. She then looks to Silgara to have her signal Mingzhu to drop a heal on the not-a-hengeyokai. She continues retreating. The badge continues to follow the group looking for a ninja to maul to death.

T’kharr again yells at Balan. "If you can make even one of them hesitate, that'll help tremendously!"

He turns around continuing to shield them and growls back in intimidation. “The next one who follows will be disemboweled and had for dinner!” One of the ninjas turns back frightened by the dragonborn. Smoke rises behind them all as the fire spreads.

Mingzhu catches up and quicky casts a Cure Light Wounds on T’kharr while pulling out the dagger. The magic stops the bleeding and sews some of the wounds back together but not all.

As they stop the woman leader takes the opportunity to throw more knives at Mingzhu and T’kharr, but Balan catches the trajectories, and they harmlessly bounce off his shield. Three more knives come in from another direction. Balan isn’t fast enough to turn his shield, and one gets past hitting T’kharr in the arm. Silgara casts another Sleep spell. Two more pursuing ninjas drop.

T’kharr quickly gets out a Command scroll and casts it at the leader. She commands her “Yield!” The woman shakes off the magical command. The Badger follows along ignoring the sleeping ninja looking for a good fight. In desperation Mingzhu casts Obscuring Mist. It descends upon the jungles.

The leader surprised by the move dives into the underbrush along with her men.

With the mist acting as cover the group runs for the water looking for their skiff. T’kharr calls out, “Once we get clear of the fight...how far can you launch an arrow, Silgara?"

"Quite far, but this dense foliage does not make for a good place to make precision shots at long distance." Silgara answers. "Three of their company are asleep now, I suggest we use the opening to find our ship and evacuate post haste, if they go back to awaken their companions it will take them time we need to flee."

Balan agrees, “Aye we should get as far away from here as we can.”

"Precision isn't what we need, just thinking if you could loft a fire arrow over the forest and into the field itself, that'd amplify the threat from the extant fire, but if you think we don't have the time for that..." T’kharr answers still on the same thought.

"I was out for a bit, I don't know where the field is now. But you breathed fire earlier..." Silgara says.

"That was Balan, and yes, I think he caught some litter on fire." T’kharr corrects.

Silgara tries to guide the group back to the boat. Fortunately, it seems the ninjas have lost them in the fog. They some blundering about and running through the forest. They eventually find it. Mingzhu just skips the whole boat thing and makes for the water at first opportunity.

"Mingzhu where are y..." Silgara sighs, looking for the boat, then casts Mage Armor on herself. "I guess she is running ahead of us then. Come on."

As Mingzhu hits the water she dives and swims out a bit. When she surfaces, she yells out to Snout, “Snout! Find the boat!” Snout swims around her refusing to leave her alone. She swims around the island looking for the skiff. She finally does as the rest of the group are running to it. The ninjas close behind. She waits out in the tide at a safe distance.

She watches the group get the boat out on the water and jump in. The ninjas bring out crossbows and start shooting. Balan holds up his shield while Silgara trades shoots with them. She wounds two of them while taking one bolt. Balan takes two himself but keeps vigilant his shield up protecting them as much as he can.

When the boat gets out of range Mingzhu swims up to it with Snout. Silgara calls out, “Where is Mingzh... oh"

[Winterhawk99]

T’kharr starts dressing Silgaras wounds. "Now that that's over...apologies for how rough it went, I should have set our order of battle more explicitly to guard you Silgara...was my fault not figuring that they'd all target you right off the top."

Silgara sighs, putting her bow away. "We'd better make haste. I expect the Yakuza are going to throw everything they can muster at us."

Mingzhu hangs on the skiff but does not get inside.

"That said, I'm pretty sure the fire Balan started inadvertently has enough of a hold to keep them busy for a good, long time." T’kharr says in hope.

Mingzhu says to everyone, "I must do something to try to keep them on the island. I will swim back.”

"Scuttle their boat then? Good luck." Silgara nods.

T’kharr nods, "Aye, best of luck, I'd give you a blessing, but I have naught more to offer."

Mingzhu shakes her head. “No. I will look for something very large and very smart. a whale or something of that nature. I have one more spell Speak with Animals.”

"Right, time is at a premium, and extended discussion will cut into that. Whatever you have planned, get going." Silgara urges T'kharr on, "Quickly, we'll inform the kobold." She sighs, "The irony of us turning to a /kobold/ for help...."

Balan nods to Mingzhu and sits to help row the boat for quicker speed. Mingzhu dives and makes for open sea. Close enough to the island but far enough away to find something big. As she searches, she finally finds something. It’s a tiger shark.

The shark swims around her slowly. Snouts whiskers are ruffled in full alert. He’s scared but swims around her too, avoiding getting directly in front of it.

She casts her spell. "Great one you have many friends. The people of that land.” She points to the island. "They break the mandate of the heavens. Tell all your brothers and sisters you know. they cannot leave. their vessels should be wrecked, and they should be eaten. They break the laws of heavens and sea."

The Shark seems to consider but also thinks that hunting meals in the sea is easier for it, seeming to wonder why it should hunt for land-meat.

"When they try to leave on their platforms of wood. You and your friends need to flip the wood and eat the pigs that ride them."

The shark considers The Shark seems to wonder if it's really a better meal than sea fare. It looks at Snout. Snout seems somewhat self-conscious right now.

She nods, “The dragon of storm will be pleased too.”

The Shark seems to think dragons are best avoided. They're predators even for predators like sharks.
The Shark seems it might need some convincing to do this

"The great dragon that rules theses sea will be happy you ate these people."

The Shark seems to shudder, it seems they don't really want a dragon's attention period.

“You need to eat these people if they go on their platforms the heavens will smile upon and bless you.”

She has a hard time convincing the shark to do it, but they seem to acquiesce. She thinks it should slow the ninja down… hopefully… She swims to the mainland as fast as she can. She knows there may be sea ghouls in the area. Snout swims beside her. Some time passes. She eventually finds her way back to the town. She walks upon the beach and collapses for a moment to catch her breath, then starts to walk to the safe house. She only takes a few steps before she hears screams.

[Winterhawk99]

The village is in absolute panic. There are villagers screaming in terror. Some are rushing into their homes or onto a ship. Some are running away from the town. She runs to where they are running away from. She finds the Moonlight Paradise Shibuya Club.

She goes in. The lobby and bar look like a typhoon might well have stormed through the place. The bouncers are dead. The barkeep Qinlan is dead. The patrons rushed out in a panicked hurry. The serving girls are hiding under pushed over tables and corners and whimpering. And the doors to the back rooms are open.

Mingzhu walks up to one of the girls. “Who did this?”

The young girl stops crying. She whimpers, "K... killer kami!"

The shamaness goes to the middle of the room. "Get out. All of you get out and find a safe place away from this place............Now!" The girls just up and run, they don't stop to look back or pick anything up.

Mingzhu slowly walks to the back following the trail of blood and broken things. There are lots of dead Yakuza, guards, ninjas, workers, though it seems that some of the servants were spared, at least. The place looks like a scene of total, absolute carnage.

Eventually she does find Zsikhou. It looks like he's been busy. His electrically buzzing Siangham covered in blood, as well as his outfit and claws and teeth. Still, he moves over to Mingzhu when she sees her, putting the weapon away. "Shamaness. Greetings."

She looks drained. She's used all her non-cantrip magic and swam for miles, she looks around. "I suppose you know. I have set the sharks on the island into a frenzy. any boat coming off of it they will tip over and eat its occupants."

"Ah..." Zsikhou nods "They seemed surprised when this one came upon them. I have you to thank then for why they had been delayed in being alerted. You have my thanks, Shamaness. Your dedication to ensuring the Mandate of Heaven is safeguarded is commendable." He looks around, some of the serving girls get a look from Zsikhou who is possibly offering comfort and hugs, then run at full speed. Zsikhou lets them go, then he looks back to Mingzhu.

she nods "Slavery though terrible does not break the mandate of the heavens..........but these do. She pulls the poppies she picked from the fields and tosses them onto the nearest table."

He looks them over, taking a sniff, then shrugs "Your companions already informed this one. This one is not overly bothered by what is being farmed. Slavery and participating in dealings with necromancers, however, is deserving of Storm's wrath." She nods. He looks around "Regardless, have handled things here. I am ready to re-convene with the others. They mentioned further presences needing wrath brought down upon them."

"I have an elder to speak with now." She picks the poppies back up. "I will need these."

He looks over. "Your companions mentioned there was no conclusive evidence of his being involved. Regardless, can come visit him. He might need to be dealt with. "Let’s go then." Zsikhou starts heading out of the now messy club.

"I spoke with him. I knew he was holding back. It’s my responsibility now as a community advisor to confront him." She nods.

"This one could tell that as well." A huff "But did not execute him without proof of wrongdoing. Let’s go."

“This is my job. Let me speak.” She says as they leave the club.

Zsikhou moves towards the elder's home, intent on offering comfort and hugs after all the trouble quite ready to act as judge and executioner. He then looks over at Mingzhu, a shrug "Fine, can stay hidden if it will help him open up." The people still on the streets run when they see Zsikhou as they pass. Mingzhu looks grim.

The elder is, as before, holed up in his room. She knocks on the door. "Elder it is Shamaness Mingzhu."

She hears a voice. "Y... yes? Is... uh.... I ..." His voice sounds utterly terrified.

"Open please we have much to discuss." The Elder eventually relents and opens the door after some time. Then he closes it quickly after she comes in.

She walks in. "Sit down please." It doesn’t sound like a request.

He sits down; he seems /extremely/ nervous "Is he... I heard the screams... It.... are my people safe...?"

She looks around. "All this wealth. This is where it comes from." She puts the poppies on the desk in front of him. "Talk, Talk or you won’t have to worry about the Kami. I will send your ancestors to haunt you every night of your life after this one."

"I..." He stammers, a gulp "What do you expect me to even talk about...? What even is that...?" He Looks to the likely waterlogged poppies...

“Explain to me all this wealth and what you know about the yakuza. Did you provide them with the slaves? Or just look the other way while they turned your people into living zombies. You better tell me now.”

"What the h...? I swear I never allowed them to turn my people into slaves or zombies! They wouldn't have!"

"Wouldn't have What!" She raises her voice.

"They treated this community like extended family, okay! I mean, we didn't ask questions about their business arrangements, but they provide for us! Look, slaves? Zombies? I don't know about that! I didn't go poking my nose where they didn't want me to go, okay? I just... made sure that people in the village got along, that meant respecting their privacy."

“I mean the opium they produced turning people into living Zombies. WAKE UP!”

"Hey hey...! Look, I never saw Opium coming through here! And none through Port Ginji either!"

“You are not fit to be an Elder. How did you gain this position? Tell me!”

He looks around, stammering. "I had to step up when the last one died. It's... really that simple..."

"Of course. Remove the thorn in their side and put in a sniveling lacky that knows nothing. You have one chance. and only one chance. All this wealth goes to the people of the village. You will abdicate and find a new home. A proper elder will be found that can stand on his convictions. If you don't I promise you both Your Daimyo and the kami will hear about this. You are never to return here, and you will never be an Elder again. Do you understand?"

"What...?!... But... I ..." He stammers, the threat of telling the Kami more is definitely something that shuts him up, he's terrified, clearly... he looks around, almost wondering if said Kami is listening in.
He composes himself "They've been here for years. Every village elder has known they had to be worked with... but... fine... I ... I'm going. I'll do it. Just... go... I need some... time..." Then he just seems to break down in his chair.

"Leave with only the clothes on your back and know how you shamed this village. You have 3 minutes or when I step out this door. I will do what I have to do."

"What?! But... that's not anywhere near enough time to.... enough to...."

She stands there slowly counting to 180. He stammers, he's pretty clearly unaccustomed to doing anything else in his life. Then he just bolts out the door. Now that he is gone, Mingzhu’s shoulders slump from exhaustion. Zsikhou comes out of hiding, looking over to Mingzhu.

She looks at him. “I did worse than killing him. I took away whatever little manhood he had. Now he will have to live with that.”

Zsikhou shrugs "Will probably get himself killed soon enough. Either way, no longer a concern. Let’s return to your companions. Work isn't done."

She nods and looks down. “Let’s go home snout.”

Zsikhou heads back to the safe house, unlocking the door and de-arming the trap. Silgara, T'kharr, and Balan are there.

Mingzhu comes in. She collapses on a bed pad and falls asleep almost as fast as she hits the pillow. Snout curls up beside her.

[Winterhawk99]

Just before dawn the next day both Mingzhu and T’kharr wake up and go out to the beach each to their separate spots. They both exercise. T’kharr concentrates, readying herself for battle. Mingzhu is still sullen but knows the team depends upon her. When they come back everyone is up and getting ready to go back to the island.

"When all are ready, should head back to the place that was mentioned." Zsikhou says to Silgara.

"I'm not the navigator. Besides, we will need to be ready."

Zsikhou looks around and waits for the party to be rested "Do you have a boat or skiff we can use?"

"We do, aye" T’kharr replies.

"Good. Let’s go then." Zsikhou nods and prepares to follow T'kharr.

Once the party's ready, T'kharr leads them out, skirting the village at a decent distance before approaching cautiously to where they beached the boat. Thankfully, it’s still there and it’s large enough to accommodate everyone. T’kharr mounts up into the boat, helping anyone in who needs it. Mingzhu and snout jump in. Balan steps into the boat taking oars in hand.

Silgara muses "I hope you all remember the way there..."

"I know the way now, both below and above." T'kharr helps push the boat off once everyone's in it, letting Mingzhu point the way. "Well, let’s go then." Zsikhou also gets in. Silgara does as well. Balan starts rowing in the direction Mingzhu points.

The party once again makes its way to the island. It does take some time to find their way there again, it's not a short trip by boat, but eventually they do. They beach and pull the boat up past the high tide line. Zsikhou sniffs the air then looks around. Mingzhu disembarks and looks around.

"If I recall there was a structure we didn't investigate last time, in addition to the fields." Silgara speaks.

"Aye, that's the structure the Yakuza were working from. We're after the necromancer near the coast as our priority though, don't want to get driven back without dealing with that even though I doubt that'll happen with our companion in tow." T'kharr starts leading them in a half-circle around the isle, looking for signs of any sort of lair other than what the Yakuza are using.

"Unfortunately, we don't know where it is... still, I'll leave it to your call if you want to investigate that structure or not." Silgara speaks, then goes to follow along. Mingzhu also follows along quietly trying to be aware as much as possible.

T’kharr hesitates and says, “I reckon we don't investigate the structure unless we can rule out that the lair's somewhere else."

"It's likely the lair is somewhere else entirely." Silgara says but then quiets down.

"On this isle, or?" When they reach sight of the section of the beach where the structure is, they smartly turn around and double back to investigate the rest of the beach.

Zsikhou raises an eye ridge. "Is there a reason you don't want to investigate that structure?"

"I want to rule out that the lair of the necromancer is somewhere else on this isle before we go investigating the main Yakuza lair." T’kharr affirms.

“Fine.” The kobold shakes his head. As they wander around, they do find the Opium poppy fields again. Curiously though, they don't seem to be too badly damaged or burned at all really. However, there doesn't seem to be anyone around either. Mingzhu comments, “We should burn the rest of these fields. Let no one use them.”

T’kharr nods, “Aye, a good suggestion but not for the moment, if we don't find the lair, we'll burn them before we hit the main Yakuza lair." Mingzhu sighs and nods.

It is a sizable island to comprehensively search and there is a lot of fields and wilderness to look through, but they do eventually find what looks like a cave entrance by a more remote hillside.

Silgara holds up a hand, then points to the lair "Careful, trap trigger there." Mingzhu and T’kharr stop and wait. Zsikhou looks around, then to where the elf is pointing, then he steps forward and pulls out some well-made thief’s tools.

He spends a short time working but then disables two traps. He takes a sniff, "Smell of rot. Best be on our guard." T'kharr nods and wards herself, staff in hand. Silgara casts a mage armor on herself and one on T'kharr. Balan pulls his shield and draws his sword to his side. Mingzhu just waits. T'kharr has her Shield of Faith up and Magic Weapon on her staff.

T'kharr heads in cautiously, letting Zsikhou take point. They head in, eventually, you find two Zombie dogs patrolling around a small cave room. The sentries.

[Winterhawk99]

T’kharr looks at them. “Guess we’ll put them down then.” Mingzhu steps up in front. She puts a hand on her amulet displaying the symbol of the celestial court. She raises her hand and in a loud voice says, “I banish you in the name of The Path! The two undead dogs freeze then turn to dust.

Zsikhou looks around for a moment and takes the lead again. He goes twenty feet and spots more traps. “Traps ahead. Will handle it." He holds up his fist. In a moment he goes to disarm them. He disables them. “And done.”

T'kharr moves up cautiously at Zsikhou's signal, keeping a sharp eye out for foes. Up ahead, there's a small room. There are six zombies shambling around. It doesn’t look like they've noticed the group yet. Mingzhu casts invisibility to undead on herself. T’kharr comments in hushed tones, “Reckon Mingzhu can't turn anymore, so we move in unless anyone has anything else they wish to pull out as a surprise?" as Mingzhu walks slowly right into the middle of the undead.

T'kharr rubs her muzzle and asks, “What is she doing? How is she doing that? And how come they don’t see her?”

A voice sounds out. “I CAST YOU DOWN IN THE NAME OF THE PATH!” This time none of the zombies turn to dust but they shamble away as quickly as they can from her. T'kharr keeps her sling and stone at the ready to attack in case there are still zombies left after Mingzhu gets done. The rest of the group, including T’kharr, easily take them all out.

T’kharr wipes her hand across her muzzle. “Anything we want to do before we move onward?" T'kharr looks mostly to Balan for an answer.

Mingzhu shakes her head. “This is a new ability I can use. I am unsure how many times I can use it.”

"Let’s hope it's enough to keep dealing with these undead..." Silgara speaks, then looks to T'kharr and Balan.

“I am unsure that determining the bodies type will help since we know the magic already.” Balan muses.

"They do appear to have been human, at least." Silgara looks over.

"I reckon you can try it twice more, and I can then take over from there if we need to use it still more. Balan might have a use or three himself, too." T’kharr answers Mingzhu while nodding to Silgara before she motions Zsikhou forward to take point again. He does, renewing his search for traps.

It doesn’t take him long to find some. "Traps. Let this one handle this." He just barely manages to avoid setting one off but disables them.

Mingzhu looks around. “If scouting is correct there will be ghouls too. sea ghouls.”

Zsikhou nods "Let’s keep alert then..." T'kharr nods back to Zsikhou as she moves up, keeping her eyes peeled. The party moves on then. The cave complex seems to circle around some, but there does appear to soon be an underwater pond, or waterway of sorts. However, there's also... There's two Lacedons ahead.

"We may have to draw them to us." T’kharr suggests.

“I will be ready.” Mingzhu holds her amulet of the path and makes ready to turn again. Silgara knocks an arrow Zsikhou gets his crossbow out. Zsikhou tries to hide to get a good shot. Balan holds firm in front as a shield.

T'kharr motions for Balan to advance to the water's edge "Try to get their attention at the water's edge, make them come after you." He nods and goes to the front. Once he’s in a position, Zsikhou fires. Mingzhu stays right behind Balan waiting for the right time to use her turning ability. An electrified bolt hits one of the Lacedons before they’re even aware of a fight breaking out. They shamble towards Balan.

A ghoul emerges from the water to charge Balan, but his shield holds firm as he protects Mingzhu. Zsikhou throws two shuriken at the one that charged him. Both hit. It falls at his feet no longer moving.

T’kharr raises her voice. “Hold here! Let them come to us.” Balan keeps his shield up in a defensive stance ready to swing at whatever gets closest. T’kharr holds in position, waiting to strike.

Mingzhu raises her amulet. “I CAST YOU AWAY! THOSE THAT DO NOT REST! IN THE NAME OF THE PATH! THE HEAVENS REJECT YOU!

The two Lacedons left turn around and flee, diving into the pool as quickly as they can. Silgara looks at the water, keeping a ready action to shoot at any that choose to reemerge. "I do not believe we can chase them into the water, but I expect our necromancer can't either."

“I can.” Mingzhu comments while watching the surface of the pond resettle. Zsikhou looks to a path deeper into the cave complex, then to the water.

"Are you sure you want to chase them yourself though? We don't know how many are hiding underwater." Silgara states.

“If you run into more, just come back to us.” T’kharr suggests.

The Shamaness thinks about it for a moment. “You are right. I should not go alone.”

Zsikhou is on the other side already. “Traps ahead. Will handle.” He disarms them and looks back. “Is a path ahead.” T'kharr nods and moves on the path ahead slowly. As she does Zsikhou looks sharply ahead. “Ninja, Yakuza. They ran back further down this passage.”

T’kharr nods. "Seems we've found the real troublemakers. Let’s move up slowly" She Glances to Silgara "Do you have any tools for making it hard for foes to hide?"

"I do have a casting of Glitterdust prepared." Silgara affirms. "But I need to find them to cast it first."

The big gnoll nods, “Noted.” She then motions for Balan to take point. “Doubt they have any more traps beyond this point if they have ninja running around." Mingzhu falls in line between the two.

Balan peels off and heads in front of them taking point. “Right. Let’s not let them get too far.”

Mingzhu falls in line behind the other two.

The party advances. They eventually come upon a cave room that does appear to have at least some furnishing. A few wooden panels on the cave floor. Inside, there's two zombies, two Lacedons, and three humans. One of the humans looks like a Durpari, however their drapery is different than what you've seen others wear. They seem to wear earrings and a necklace. The necklace has a skull emblem on it. They do wear what look like expensive silks though. The second human wears chainmail and has a shield and spear drawn. They wear a strange unholy symbol, that looks similar to the ones of the other Horsemen you've seen. And the third is the Ninja that you had prior negotiated with. She looks over at the party with a particular disdain. "You lot really can't just mind your own business, can you?" She sneers. "And just as I figured, you brought the Kami." There appears to be one other ninja hiding off to the side, but poorly.

Zsikhou narrows his eyes, but he extends the Siangham, his intent pretty clear once banter is through. T’kharr murmurs, “At least one other ninja in the room. We’ll need to be careful with this fight.” Silgara nods.

Mingzhu begins sending her will out to nearby animals getting ready for a spell. The Ninja woman looks over. “Got anything to say?”


“Our words are done.” Mingzhu says to her. She begins casting Summon Ally II.

“Fine. I have nothing to say to you either.” The woman draws her daggers and the other two ready spells.