The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Zsikhou motions to the boat, going towards it. Mingzhu swims toward it warily hoping nothing has made a permanent home there yet. They see an adorable little snuggle pile a shiver of nurse sharks hanging out on the bottom of the sea. Mingzhu ignores them. There doesn’t look like there are any larger predatory fish around. Though some have gone picking through the remains of the ship before. It seems, mostly clear. That of maybe Zsikhou is scaring them off.

When she gets to the wreckage she looks for anything that would be from one of the three trading companies. What she finds is a scuttled looking, messed up boat. Nothing that identifies the companies or the attackers though. Deeper inside, it looks like there are plenty of corpses, or at least what's left of them, having spent quite some time below. Along the boat's hull it unfortunately just looks like a boat hull, though.

She searches around that area and looks to how they died just drowning? were they fighting others? are their different corpses there in other uniforms or mismatched leathers? Zsikhou also goes to check the bodies. It's hard to say how the damage was inflicted here, the bodies have been in an advanced state of decay, not to mention the local scavenger fish did a number on them.

Mingzhu motions Zsikhou over. When he gets there, she puts her index finger in the palm of her other hand then makes swirly circles going around her palm outward. She then swims out of the ship and begins a search for other debris not of this wreck but of something that may have fallen off of others ships in the battle. She swims around the wreck in ever increasing arcs.

It does look like the boat itself is quite damaged, possibly from battle. It's hard to tell. There's a ship's hold in there, it looks like it's been mostly plundered. Some parts and debris do look to have fallen off, though mostly just oars and other chunks of wood. She looks for clues along the debris parts of other ships or bodies that may have fallen from the wreck's enemies. something she can possibly identify later. Even clothing of the dead would be good types to collect.

Zsikhou seems to fixate on one of the bodies he is looking over. Looks like it was a samurai, given the equipment and armor. Though a lot of the metal is rusted, his blade is in pristine condition. It seems among the bodies at least, a lot of the clothing is rotted and torn, but the armor does suggest there were men-at-arms and some servicemen below deck. Looks like none were spared though.

Mingzhu meanwhile tries to find a small patch of clothing that isn’t from a samurai she can cut off with her knife and taken back. and keeps searching the debris field of the battle for any other evidence she may stumble upon.

Zsikhou moves to the cargo hold. She loses sight of him.

The debris field has plenty of broken off bits of wood, though it’s pretty heavily waterlogged by now. A lot of it isn’t really recognizable at this point. It probably was from a decently impressive ship at least. Mingzhu picks a small chunk and puts it in her pouch. She also finds some fabric hooked on to an anchor, but it looks like the body has disappeared. She cuts a swath off and puts that too in her pouch.

She swims back close to the ship and examines the whole of it slowly swimming around. The mast is ravaged by some unknown force. She can tell that the hull's damage was NOT from erosion entirely. In fact, it clearly doesn't seem like physical wear or decay either. While she isn't able to immediately tell from that what did damage this hull, it would surmise that there was perhaps magical assault involved.

She goes back into the ship to find Zsikhou. He looks over at her. She looks around the hull for anything else she can find as evidence or possibly valuable. He motions to one of the fallen Samurai, then looks over to her, swimming over for a snuggle. She swims over to him.

She sees that there is a samurai’s katana, Zsikhou points it out. It’s in pristine condition. Despite it being underwater, there's no rust on the blade. She looks at it and nods thinking, ‘Magical then possibly a blood sword or an ancestral sword.’

She then shows him the wood and fabric. He inspects it, raising an eye ridge. He then sniffs it and shrugs. She puts them back in her pouch and points up while taking the katana and sliding it between her harness and skin. She then points up. He looks up and shakes his head. He starts looking around on deck for some reason.

Zsikhou decides to go searching through the cargo hold again, just to be thorough. She follows. He looks around the cargo hold, seemingly looking for hidden panels or other places. It looks like the Cargo hold was pretty well cleaned out though. There isn't much there... He looks around, then goes over to a particular compartment. Looks like there was indeed a concealed compartment. She watches. There is a locked chest inside.

She makes a key turning motion to him. He looks aside, then shakes his head. He motions to the chest, then points up. She nods. It’s a pretty heavy chest. They manage as she helps him. First though he checks the chest over for traps. They begin the long journey up. Zsikhou takes a good last look at some of the woodwork again...

Mingzhu makes them stop every 50 feet and tread water for about 5 to 10 minutes. So, it will be slow going up for them as the nitrogen balances in their bodies.

[Winterhawk99]

Snout dives down with Mingzhu and the weird little lizard creature with the glowing forehead to his maximum depth of 300 hundred feet. He stops and watches them continue until the lights on their pointy things stop moving. He then swims up to the surface and swims in circles around the area near the boat. The giant lizard, two legs that snorts fire and smoke sometimes keeps looking at the water as if he’s afraid of it.

The girl with the pointy ears also watches the water as if searching for something she’s missing, maybe its food. Snout dives a bit to see if its food. He doesn’t find anything then he goes down 300 ft to make sure the lights are in the right place. He then swims back up.

When he does the pointy girl says, “We have company. Corsair ship on approach vector.”

Giant lizard says, “Not what we need.”

Pointy ear girl gets her bow out. Snout claps waiting to steal the fish when she shoots it. She says, “We’ve been spotted. I expect unless we move out and hide quickly, hostile forces will be imminently at our location.”

The Snarly Stripey snarls, “Let the fuckers come!”

Pointy ear looks at the others, “We are at a tactical disadvantage here. But if we leave, we will be leaving our divers to fend for themselves." She looks at the big lizard and the Soft Fuzzy Wuzzy with big teeth. “Plan?”

The big lizard says, “We cannot leave them behind so be ready for when they either attempt to board or our friends surface so we can leave quickly.”

Fuzzy Wuzzy says, “Our best bet is to move well and keep them at bay, they’ll want to board us. We’ll have to do zig zagging and circling maneuvers.”

Snout looks the other way and sees a giant ship coming upon them in the distance. He puts his paws over his eyes and chirps. Then he hears the big lizard’s voice. “If you think that is best, I will help with the rowing.

The two legs look around then the point ear crinkles a paper. Snout swims up to the boat in anticipation. He sees the Snarly Stripey and the metal man now in a competition. They each have an oar, and they are snarling at each other while rowing. Somehow the boat still isn’t moving much. "We're exposed at open sea here, but if we can get some distance there are some islands around. Whatever move we're making, we need to do it quickly." Pointy girl says.

Still no food! Snout barks at them.

The big lizard brings another oar out and latches it to the forward ring opposite the side he is on. The pointy girl looks at the Fuzzy Wuzzy. “Whatever the call, make it now.” She then salutes looking out in the distance. Snout salutes back then remembers he needs to keep his position. He dives down again to check the lights. They are still there.

All the people in the boat start to circle around him marking his position like he is doing for momma. He rolls on his back and chirps happily that they care so much for him too.

Pointy girl looks over to everyone. “Might give the divers some time to get back up.”

Fuzzy Wuzzy tells her. “Aye, we can buy time while we maneuver, I reckon.” She sticks an oar in the water and the boat makes loopies. Snout gets a little dizzy watching them.

Snout turns around to see the big ship coming. The boat starts drifting away. He looks at his spot and then the boat. He thinks ‘it will be ok if I follow the boat a bit more. After all they have a big fish in there.’

Fuzzy Wuzzy keeps her oar in the water but instead of rowing she turns it first one way then another. She says, “I'll take one of the oars, best that you be able to shoot back at any potential boarders."

Point ear nocks an arrow, then looks over "They're out of shooting range. I can try to hit the sail, that might cripple their movement. But I don't know if it will."

Fuzzy Wuzzy tells her, “Come to think of it, how about a fire arrow if you can still manage that?"

The big ship comes closer and closer. Snout watches fascinated. It’s even bigger than the tuna boats of mama’s home. Snout hears Point Ear say, “I can.”

"Once they get in range, put it into their sails and rigging, should be an easy shot relatively speaking, no?" Fuzzy Wuzzy asks.

"Not at this distance... it'd be easier if it were closer. But..." Point Ear mentions

"If you feel it's best to hold off a bit, go ahead." Fuzzy Wuzzy calls out quite loudly. Snout holds his ears.

The two legs get frantic as the big ship gets closer. Snout claps seeing all his friends dance around. He rolls and swims in figure 8s to mimic their little dance on the boat. Snarly Stripey shouts out. He’s very loud. “What's the plan? Get to ground and try to lose them? Or get close so we can kick their asses?"

Pointy ear gets her fling stick prepared "Mingzhu and Zsikhou are still diving." ‘Oh Momma…… better check.’ Snout dives down to look for the lights. At 250 ft. he sees one of them. He comes back up.

When he resurfaces, he hears Fuzzy Wuzzy say, “Get enough time that we can pick up our divers, then get out of here."

"I expect we only have a few minutes before they close distance." Pointy Ear states.

Fuzzy Wuzzy nods "Aye, hopefully the fire arrow gives them something else to think about once they get close enough for it. We just have to keep away from any skiffs they launch and not let them get close enough to drop folks onto us directly."

Snarly Stripey snorts "If we're gonna end up fighting we'd be better off doing so on land if we can."

Metal man looks over. “I don't think we can get to land in time."

"Aye, we aren't going to be able to make landfall to have a battle on land, hence the hit and run idea -- while they may be able to go faster than us in a straight line, it depends on which way they're going. Sailing upwind is a bit tricky, after all." Fuzzy Wuzzy says.

Point Ear nods "Then I hope I can make this count..."

The big Lizard snorts sending smoke out his snout. “Aye, we must do what we can to delay the inevitable.” Snout isn’t sure what they are all doing but the dancing and talking makes him happy. His new friends are so funny at times. He claps with glee, clicks and chirps at them.

The big ship is really big now. Moving closer and closer. Maybe they are new friends. Maybe they have lots of fish like Mama’s tuna boats.

His friends make their boat move all over the place. Pointy ear makes her stick catch fire and says something in that weird lingo when strange things happen.

Fuzzy Wuzzy says, “We'll start rowing a dead upwind as soon as we get our divers back."

Once the ship comes close enough that Snout can see the faces of the men, Pointy ear fires her arrow. Snout claps, ‘FIREWORKS My favorite……. Besides food.’

Fuzzy Wuzzy says, “Try again.”

Pointy ear starts to wrap cloth on another stick. “Trying!”

Little sticks shorter than Pointy ear’s come flying all around. Snout swims on the other side of the boat. ‘They must have bad two legs on the other ship. They’re trying to kill us.’

Fuzzy Wuzzy says, “Stay low in the boat if you can.” Snout puts his paws up and barks at them. “Get in the water and swim down with Momma! You’ll be safe!” No one listens to him.

His friends make their boat do swirlies all around. They stay hunched over low on their bellies. He barks at them. “Is it really time to take a nap? You have to eat before you take a nap. More fish!”

The big ship gets closer. Pointy ears slings another fire stick in the air. Snout watches it hit a big sheet and it catches fire. He claps as the blaze goes up on the ship. ‘Fire is so pretty and this time I can just dive if it gets too close.’

"Excellent work! Now, we just need to keep any boarders at bay and stay low, so we don't get peppered with bolts." Fuzzy Wuzzy tells Point eared lady.

"Best get us out of here then!" Point ear exclaims, some bolts come shooting towards them. Snout ducks under the water. The little sticks don’t go very far, maybe five feet before floating back up to the surface.

He resurfaces to see Pointy ear girl has a stick coming out of her leg.

They move the boat sideways to the big ship. Fuzzy Wuzzy says, "We'll have to try to force them to overshoot while we circle back long enough to snag the divers." ‘Oh yes, Momma!’ Snout dives to 275 feet and sees two lights.

When he comes back up, he hears Point Ear say, “Let’s hope that sail stays out of commission..."

"If you can prepare another fire arrow and put it into them, that'd help" Fuzzy Wuzzy tells her.

“Right…” Pointy ear calls back.

“Give them more fire fighting to think about.” Fuzzy Wuzzy responds.

“Aye we would not get close enough for me to attempt to burn it.” Big Lizard says as he blows smoke rings out his snout. Snout claps, ‘Do it again! Do it again!’

The fire goes out on the big ship, and they put a new giant sheet out for Pointy ear girl to make more fireworks. Snout claps and chirps. But Pointy Ear looks disappointed. She says, “Curses, they used a mending cantrip. Their sail is back to working condition."

"Best plan we have is to keep throwing flame arrows at them while we try to outmaneuver them." Fuzzy Wuzzy says.

The little boat gets some distance from the big ship. Snout then thinks about Momma again. He dives and sees the lights. He comes back up to see all the fun.

Snarly Stripey gets his stick slinger out too now. Snout thinks to himself, ‘Even more fireworks. My friends like to have so much fun.”

Pointy Ear and Snarly Stripey both sling fire up into the air this time. Pointy ears hits the water. The one Snarly Stripey shoots hits a two legs on the other boat. He sings and dives into the water. More little sticks come down at them. Snout dives to safety. When he coms back up Snarly Stripey has a stick coming out of him.

Fuzzy Wuzzy starts rowing and says, “Another fire arrow if you can, if you get a better target for them then the sails do let me know!"

"It is still the optimal target, but I do not know how many times they can cast mending." Pointy Ear states.

"Aye, or how many of them can cast it." Fuzzy Wuzzy says back to her.

"It's a cantrip, so even a beginner wizard can cast it, but they'd have to prepare it. An innate can cast it more times." The other snaps.

“Aye!” Fuzzy Wuzzy says to her.

The big ship gets really close. Pointy ear and Snarly Stripey both take another shot. Snout watches the flames go up! Up! Up! Both fires sticks hit the water. Snout is disappointed and barks at them. More little sticks come at them. Snout dives. When he comes back up, he grabs a stick with his muzzle to offer to his friends. They ignore him. He spits it out. Metal man has a stick coming out of his shoulder now. Finally, Snouts gets it. They are saving the little sticks for later. Maybe they make more fireworks than the big ones. A grand finale. Snout whistles his pleasure.

Fuzzy Wuzzy throws a pearl at the ship. It turns out it’s a big firework. The biggest. The big ship’s sheet catches fire everywhere. There are men all over the other ship on fire too. Some jump in the water. Snout nods to himself. ‘That’s what you do when on fire. Jump in the water.”

Fuzzy Wuzzy returns to the oars. She says to pointy ears, “If you have any spells that'd help, now's getting to be the time."

Pointy Ear looks over. "Okay, I thought you gave that back and that would have been the honorable thing but might have just saved our lives."

"Nah, I wasn't going to give them back used goods lest they lose track of its usage." Fuzzy Wuzzy says back. Two legs are running all around the other ship. Snout watches them all his head turning this way and that watching them in their strange dance.

Metal man and Big Lizard switch with Fuzzy Wuzzy on the oars. They start to do swirlies again with the boar. Snout thinks it’s great fun to watch. Fuzzy Wuzzy says, "More arrows, flaming if you can manage them, keep their firefighting busy, I can toss another fireball in in a bit if you think it's best."

Snarly Stripey says, “If you can keep fire balling the shits then maybe we should go in and take their whole fricken ship over."

"Nice thought, but that'd be a bit...unmanageable. Don't think any of us have ever tried to sail something that large, and we still need a little boat to pick up divers with." Fuzzy Wuzzy says.

"We still have this boat!" Fwangzhu huffs "But I meant more for just killing the damned Corsairs rather than let the bastards harass people later." Snarly Stripey growls. Snout barks at him. No one pays attention.

Pointy Ear looks over "At this juncture it is unknown how large their crew compliment is. They could have more below decks."

"That too!" Fuzzy Wuzzy exclaims.

Snarly Stripey huffs, “What, we'll need to axe these bastards anyways. Why fucking wait when we have the advantage now?"

"We don't have quite the advantage you think we do anyway, fireball's pretty unhelpful when you're in the thick of a boarding action and more of them are coming up from below." Fuzzy Wuzzy tells him.

Metal man tells them, “Whatever heading we are to make, we need to do it soon."

Pointy Ear looks over "If we do not flee to ground, they will likely repair their sail after some time. I do not know how long it will take them."

The boat turns sharply into the wind. Fuzzy Wuzzy throws another pearl. Another grand fireball explodes on the ship. The mast is wrecked. Many of the men dance around on fire. The big ship starts to drift. Snout claps his paws, chirps and whistles and thinks about how to steal the exploding pearls.

Metal man exclaims, “That did some heavy damage to them."

"Now we keep an eye out for the small boats, they're the major threat to us now." Fuzzy Wuzzy tells them.

“Aye we should not have many issues getting away from them.” Big Lizard says.

Pointy Ear looks over, considering "Re-assessing situation. Hostile takeover of their ship could be viable now..., if potentially risky. Though getting away from them is possible too." She looks excited. Snout cheers her on with whistles and chirps.

"Should be able to swoop in and snag the divers quickly once they surface though." ‘Oh, Mama!’ Snout thinks to himself. He dives and can see the lights slowly coming up and stopping. ‘Mama’s on her way up. All my friends together again. Maybe I can stag some more fish before she resurfaces. He heads to the boat.

Metal Man nods "Right, I'll get us back to where they dove in."

Snarly Stripey and Pointy ear keep slinging fire sticks at the big ship. Snout wants to see more. He tries to get in the boat, but no one lifts him up. They are all looking at the big ship.

"And aye, the continued harassment certainly doesn't hurt for that matter." Fuzzy Wuzzy calls out.

More little sticks come. Snout dives under to safety. When he resurfaces Pointy ear has another stick coming out of her. They turn the boat around and back to where Momma is. Snout goes back to the spot and starts circling. ‘Doing what momma said, doing my job.”

The two legs on the big ship have buckets of water and are trying to put out the fire. Maybe they are getting ready for another big explosion. Snout doesn’t clap now because he has to circle, but he whistles with pleasure.

Pointy Ears says, “We might have gotten their casters. Also, unnecessary, but sure. It’s at a farther distance now.”

Metal Man says, “Once the Shamaness and Kami are back, what is the plan?" Snout thinks, ‘I think he means Momma.’

Big Lizard laughs showing his rows of pointy teeth. “We can go finish them when we get the ones below.”

"Hm" Fuzzy Wuzzy looks for ropes and rigging that could be used for a boarding action "Not sure if we have what we need to get aboard a larger ship like that, anyway, even if we do have them softened up right good"

Big Lizard says, “I could toss you up.” With a giant smile.

Fuzzy Wuzzy says to him, “Might be easier said than done for me or the armored folks..."

The other replies, “If the burning sensation in the back of my head finds out we know his tiny evil arse will want to finish them off.”

Metal Man looks over "What do you mean by that?"...

Pointy Ear just shakes her head "We still do not know how many are aboard that ship. Retreat is still a viable stratagem."

[Winterhawk99]

After the group gets some distance from the corsair vessel, Mingzhu and Zsikhou eventually re-emerge from the depths. They have a rather sizeable chest with them. Zsikhou looks up, trying to solicit post diving head pats get the chest on their boat. T'kharr directs the boat there, joining in on the oars and motioning anyone who isn't rowing to do the same, trying to make the best time to pick up the divers, seeing that they're clearly expending a lot more effort to stay upright in the water. Mingzhu helps him then takes the sword and tosses it on board calling Snout back.

T'kharr does her best to drag the chest into the center of the boat, trying to make sure that that heavy weight is as low as possible and thus not tip anything over even if the seas get rough. The Chest is secured onto the boat, as is a Katana. Zsikhou climbs onto the boat, trying to wring some water out of his clothes into the sea, then goes to pull out what looks like a small, waterlogged notebook. He looks it over but then sighs in frustration and shakes his head. Looking for a hug to calm down. “I’m sure we can dry it out.” T’kharr tells him.

Mingzhu waits for Snout and helps him onto the boat first then climbs aboard herself. Zsikhou looks over to T'kharr "Found this on the body of a Samurai. Likely been there a while. Thoroughly waterlogged. Not sure how much is going to be recoverable."

"Ah, I see. Hopefully we can get something out of it at least." T’kharr replies looking the notebook over.

Mingzhu adds, “I recovered a chunk of wood and fabric from I believe an enemy vessel or what fell off one.”

"Also recovered his weapon." He motions to the Katana that is still in pristine condition. Minamoto looks over with interest. "And there's this chest."

Mingzhu looks over, "What is that? Points to the other ship."

Silgara looks over. "Corsair vessel. We engaged it briefly. It's been damaged."

"Aye, seems like we got what we came here for. As for that? That's an ex-corsair-ship. Fireball necklace cleared the decks, but I'm not sure what surprises they may still have in wait if we tried to board it." T’kharr muses.

Fwangzhu huffs "We've already been beating their shit in. We might as well take advantage and wipe them out."

Silgara looks over "Without knowing their full complement, it is a highly risky maneuver."

“We could get back the stolen merchandise?” Mingzhu smiles.

T’kharr considers, "Possibly? Not sure if they're laden from a raid, or were empty and looking for a target, though."

Fwangzhu huffs "Might have evidence on board if you're looking for that, just saying."

"That is a fair point. One other option would be to have perhaps Zsikhou put a hole in the ship below the waterline, if we don't want the ship or what's on it and he has water-breathing left?" T’kharr returns.

Minamoto shakes his head "While those pirates deserve to die, we have our mission."

Mingzhu studies the ship. “How much do you think its worth? The ship?”

Zsikhou nods "Was thinking of that, yes. Scuttle the ship. Eliminate the corsairs. Let the seas claim them all."

“What about salvage?” Mingzhu asks.

T’kharr looks at the otter. “You think Snout could tell us what's left below decks on the ship without getting noticed? We'd need to spend some time repairing sails to salvage the vessel itself, it'd take a lot of Mending magic."

Silgara looks over "Their ship is a Sloop. Unknown what they have on board at this juncture. They have or had a spellcaster capable of casting mending."

T’kharr smiles, “That, and/or a jury rig of theirs.”

“If we can’t salvage it, we should send it to the bottom so they can harass no more ships.” Mingzhu states emphatically.

Fwangzhu huffs "Might as well board, axe them all, and take the ship ourselves. And they might have clues we'd miss by scuttling the thing."

T’kharr nods, “Aye, , do want to know if we might be missing out on an easy chance for furthering our mission though, hence sending a scout onboard.”

Balan being dragonborn sees what Mingzhu is thinking. “If we could bring back a bigger boat that we can claim as our own I think that would be spectacular…. And profitable.”

Mingzhu looks at the ship to see if Snout can even make the deck on his own. She shakes her head. “I can’t risk my pup no matter how sneaky he is."

"Hm. Got any better ideas for a way to scout the boat?" T’kharr asks.

Mingzhu looks at the other ship and speculates. “I could call an animal maybe a bird?”

"That'd work." T’kharr nods.

Silgara shakes her head "I do not have any invisibility castings, I'm afraid."

Mingzhu looks at everyone. “Is that what we want to do? I only have one casting."

"It's our best plan so far." T’kharr agrees.

Mingzhu casts, speak with animals then summon natures ally 3 hoping to get an albatross. She gets one and talks to it, “Friend, need you to search other nest say how many people, if underneath is empty or full. Can do that?” They albatross takes flight and circles around to the other ship. She watches it. Eventually it flies over but Mingzhu feels a snap as the summoning fades after it gets too close to the vessel. She can tell they shot it down. She turns to them. "They killed it."

Silgara frowns, then a sigh, "That would indicate they still have some firepower available."

T’kharr hesitates then says, "If they're up and at it like this, it sounds like we shouldn't take our chances much. We can try to pull closer and trade a few arrows with them but otherwise, if they put up more resistance than a couple archers on the deck, we bail and make for home. “Make sense?"

Mingzhu nods. “It was a thought.”

T’kharr shakes her head. “It told us something at least.”

Zsikhou looks over "Scuttling their ship from below is still an option."

Mingzhu agrees, “We should sink it then.”

Fwangzhu huffs "Come on, we can take a few archers. We came this way to get evidence. We shouldn't chicken out now. Let’s go in charging."

"True. I suppose that's our backup plan if they put up more resistance than an archer or two." T’kharr
starts to bring the boat around back towards where the corsairs' ship is.

Mingzhu sighs, “Nothing I have will get through a forearm's thick wood.” She then looks at Zsikhou. “How do we do it?”

Zsikhou looks over, considering "My Siangham isn't the best option for it. If we have a small axe or something..." He looks over to Fwangzhu's axe

"So, we toss him in the water and have him, do it?" Mingzhu says slyly.

"Hrm, how do you feel about swimming up to their boat?" T’kharr asks Fwangzhu.

Fwangzhu snarls "I can't breathe underwater jackass."

Minamoto huffs "Heavens forbid you might be helpful."

Fwangzhu snarls at him. "Shut it bootlicker!"

Zsikhou shakes his head "Might be we'd only need his axe."

Mingzhu nods, “Ok. Snout you stay here and guard the chest. There might be food in it."

Silgara looks over "It's a pretty heavy axe. Are you sure you can actually swing it?"

"I can't not sure if Zsikhou can or not." Mingzhu chimes.

Minamoto looks over "If the chest has the evidence, we need then fleeing might be the best option. I know those corsairs deserve execution."

Fwangzhu huffs "No offense to the Kami, but this axe is pretty heavy, it'll take some good muscle to swing it. Besides, we might as well go the direct route."

Zsikhou shrugs "If that doesn't work, can simply take time to pry the boards open with a knife. And electricity should weaken the wood sufficiently." His claws generate a few sparks

"I say we send Zsikhou over then, probably a surer plan I reckon." T’kharr insists.

"I can add my fishing spear to the knife." Mingzhu says.

Silgara looks over "Fwangzhu is at least right that scuttling the boat might cause us to lose evidence. But it is at least the safest option. What's your call?"

"If they are anchored and have a rope anchor too, we can cut that but not if its chain.” Mingzhu observes.

"It will depend on how much return fire they can put up, and if they can replace any of their archers. If the resistance amounts to just a couple of archers on the deck that we can clear easily, and nobody shows up to replace them...." T’kharr strategizes.

"Well, what's our decision? Move the boat closer? Send this one to scuttle it?" Zsikhou looks over.

T'kharr is already directing the boat back towards the corsairs. "I reckon we move closer and see what happens when we engage. If we can clear the decks readily and they send no reinforcements, we move in and board. If they do send more from below, we break off and you get to go a-scuttling"

"Get close enough and I can throw an animate water and obscuring mist on the deck.” Mingzhu offers.

The companions take the boat closer. The Corsair Sloop is having some trouble moving, but they are probably trying to fix what they can at sea. T’kharr keeps the rowers, rowing. "We'll probably have me and Balan rowing unless Mingzhu here wishes to take an oar instead, with the rest of the folks save for Zsikhou shooting."

“I can do that.” Mingzhu jumps in the seat offered.

T'kharr offers a 'thank you' to Mingzhu.

Minamoto looks over to the katana "Before we engage... where did you get that?"

Mingzhu answers him, “"From a dead samurai officer. It might be a special blade. I'm not sure but doesn't your culture have special blades like blood blades and ancestral blades? We will want to give it to the family if that is so."

Minamoto nods "We do..." He looks over "Yet I wonder if the blade would consider me worthy... they didn't get the chance to strike down these Corsairs, but by my duty, I am sworn to do the same."

Mingzhu shrugs, "I do not know your culture that well Minamoto. It would be your choice to wield it or not. Until we find out what it is for sure. Once we get back to shore though we need to find out what it is and if it is special a family blade, we should give it back."

Silgara looks over "It's a magic weapon. It should be more effective than his other weapon."

Minamoto nods, then takes it "I'll bring it to Hattori after this mission, we can see about doing that... but for now..." He focuses in an almost meditative stance "By this blade and the honor of all who wielded it, I swear I shall wield this only to uphold the law of the land and strike down those who would destroy it."

Silgara looks over, "I think they're turning around to try to face us."

Mingzhu asks, "Can you hit them with something, Silgara?"

"Not at this range." She shakes her head.

"Someone get a bucket of water ready." Mingzhu commands.

Balan grabs a bucket of water. “For?”

Mingzhu answers, "When we get within 25 ft. pour it out and I'll animate it creating a Water Elemental to help us." The Corsair sloop, while slowed, seems to be lumbering in their direction. She calls out then, "Do we have anything we can do now?"

Silgara looks over "I can shoot arrows but at this distance I am very unlikely to hit."

"We break to one side once they start getting in bow range and try to keep our distance." T’kharr explains.

Fwangzhu huffs "Don't we want to get closer?" Mingzhu nods to him. Silgara keeps an arrow nocked, waiting, watching...

Mingzhu stops rowing for a moment and throws a Bless spell on the group. T’kharr says, “We'll probably wind up turning back in towards them if we do find it opportune, I just want to stay far enough away that they can't put folks on us. We'll need to watch in case they launch a gig or dingy as well, of course."

Silgara casts mage armor on herself and then on T'kharr. "Get ready, they may strike us with some crossbow bolts". Silgara says, as she gets an arrow ready. Fwangzhu and Minamoto do the same.

"Let me know when to cast prayer!" Mingzhu tells them. They loose their arrows without giving Mingzhu the word. She casts Prayer.

Silgara severely injures one of the boat crew, T’kharr stays low, waiting for the first volley to be loosed to start directing the boat away from the collision course… and there, right on schedule, she directs the boat on a 45-degree course to the right track.

Fwangzhu and Minamoto miss. They take incoming crossbow fire!

Zsikhou sways one of the bolts away with a hand, then pulls out a crossbow and returns fire but misses. The enemy Sloop decides to keep moving. T’kharr screams out, “Okay, I think that decides it, we send Zsikhou in to scuttle things. seems like they had a fair bit more below decks after all from the volume of bolts that just headed our way." She continues to veer the boat 45 degrees off the former course, keeping tabs on if she needs to turn further to keep some range.

Fwangzhu snorts "Come on, they didn't even hit anything, we can take em!"

Mingzhu casts. Suddenly there is an obscuring mist that grows over the whole of the ship and also encompasses the small boat.

Silgara looks over "I won't be able to aim with this mist, but neither will they. I think they are going to close ranks."

Fwangzhu huffs "Bout fricken time."

Mingzhu calls out, “Zsikhou Go!”

"Uh oh. They still have a caster, too." T’kharr exclaims.

Zsikhou looks over. "Final call, is this one to go, or not?"

“Go!” T’kharr commands. Zsikhou dives in. "We have this and that's it for chances. The only good news about them being fogged up as it's good cover for you." She directs the boat, or tries to direct the boat, another 20 degrees to the right, but that's not easy to do when you're stuck in a bank of fog so thick you might not be able to see your own bow.

Silgara nods "Let’s keep the fog then. It'll give the Kobold more time to do what he needs to do."
Minamoto puts his bow away, a nod, "The Kami shall deliver them to his master, it would seem."

"Just trying to make sure they don't run us over." T’kharr exclaims.

Silgara nods "Good idea, will this fog follow us?" Mingzhu shakes her head.

T’kharr thinks then says, “Ok then.”

Fwangzhu huffs "We coulda taken em... well whatever. This gets rid of em at least."

Balan agrees with the others, “Aye, they won’t be causing any more trouble.”

Mingzhu nods "One less pirated terrorizing fishermen."

Silgara looks over "Best be ready just in case they have any countermeasures to stop the kobold from doing this."

"We'll be swinging back in towards their track here once we exit this fog." T’kharr says.

Mingzhu explains, “Most do not think that there will be an attack from underneath."

T’kharr laughs, “And yes, that as well.”

"Unfortunately, the logs will be lost too." Mingzhu states.

Silgara nods "Unfortunate, but this is the safest route at least."

"I suppose we can return and fetch them from the wreck" small chuckle to Mingzhu.

After a few minutes they clear the fog fields. It looks like the Corsair ship is sinking. Zsikhou seems to be still underwater. T’kharr directs the boat to cut hard back to the left in a 90-degree turn.

"If we need to. We have the fabric, wood, and it looks like Zsikhou found a notebook.” Mingzhu says.

Silgara looks over "Didn't the kobold say the notebook was waterlogged, though?"

"Aye, but that's recoverable." T’kharr states sure of herself. Mingzhu nods in agreement.

Fwangzhu looks over "HEY! Heads up this fight isn't over yet!" He points. It looks like five of the Corsairs are walking... on the water and running towards the party.

T’kharr looks up, “Oh boy. Looks like more work for you, folks."

Mingzhu calls out, “Dump the water!” Balan does what he is told and dumps the water out of the bucket. T’kharr gets her sling and staff ready, taking over the oar from Balan briefly. Mingzhu casts Animate Water on the falling water. When the elemental is formed, she points to the enemy.

Silgara looks over "If they're walking on the water like that... they must be enspelled with water walk, there's no way they wouldn't sink otherwise."

“Exactly.” T’kharr spouts off.

Silgara casts a dispel magic at the group of water walking pirates. Three of them have their water walking spell broken and immediately fall into the depths of the Abyss. T'kharr directs the boat in another hard left turn to try to throw the water-walkers off navigationally.

One of the last casts an Eldritch Spear at T’kharr but misses. She points at him. “One him with the arrows! He’s the caster!”

Silgara looks over "That's a warlock. Might as well take shots in turn." Silgara, Fwangzhu, and Minamoto shoot. Mingzhu directs the elemental at the caster. Silgara’s arrow glances off of him. Fwangzhu’s hits him on the outside of the thigh. Minamoto scores a hit just on the top of the bicep. The water elemental goes for the two that are still water walking. Zsikhou attacks the Warlock from below, throwing shuriken. Electricity surrounds the warlock, but he somehow shakes it off.

T'kharr directs the boat on another 90-degree right turn this time around, trying to keep the water-walkers from predicting its course. Mingzhu keeps concentrating on the Water Elemental for its attack on the two still walking.

The warlock casts another Eldritch Spear Invocation at T’kharr but again misses. Silgara casts Magic Missiles back at him. The warlock suddenly sinks below the waves. The elemental then strikes at the lone man from the other ship It streams into his mouth to drown him while Zsikhou and the other shooters hit the scallywag repeatedly. He sinks down into the depths at the same time the Corsair’s mast goes under.

[Winterhawk99]

Zsikhou swims back to the boat. T’kharr turns back towards their old course until Zsikhou is hoisted aboard, then turns onto the course for home. Silgara looks over "Do you think it may be prudent to search the bodies of those we just killed in action?" As the ship pilots for home. Minamoto shrugs.

Mingzhu sighs tiredly, “I could go down.”

T’kharr offers Silgara a hi-five. “Excellent work with the dispel" then looks to Zsikhou and Mingzhu "If either of you wishes to, I'm not opposed."

Zsikhou huffs, he clearly wants head pats for all his diving work "Can go down again..."

Mingzhu jumps overboard seeking out bodies. Zsikhou goes to join her.

Silgara returns the hi-five "Thank you, it was a simple enough observation and stratagem to counter."

Underneath the waves Mingzhu points to the ship and motions like she’s reading a book. She goes down and checks the Corsair. Unfortunately, because it was sunk, after searching, it looks like most of the provisions, rum etc. that was aboard was spoiled. She does find some pearls and gold though. Both of them look for the ships log but before they find it, it’s been waterlogged entirely and unreadable.

They next check the bodies of the others that water walked. They find a +1 Battleaxe, +1 handaxe, Mithril chain shirt, +1 harpoon and on the same person a nasty-looking unholy symbol. They also find a pair of Masterwork cutlasses. Mingzhu and Zsikhou return to the boat.

Silgara looks over "Find anything of note?"

Mingzhu nods, “A lot of stuff.”

Zsikhou also returns "Got a logbook, but this one is also waterlogged. Pretty badly damaged."

Fwangzhu huffs, shaking his head "Well, guess we lost that, for playing it safe. Whatever. The Corsairs are dead. So good on that."

Minamoto looks over "Anything else of note?" Mingzhu rattles off what they found. Then says, “We still do not know what is in the chest.”

Silgara casts Detect Magic. Zsikhou looks over "Can tend to that now that the Corsairs are dead. Didn't want to open it underwater in case the water would damage any of the contents."

T’kharr nods, “If you feel it prudent.”

Mingzhu nods, “Good thinking.”

Silgara looks over "Any idea what the symbol is?" She passes it around for the others to examine.

T’kharr shakes her head. “Nothing I recognize offhand.” Mingzhu examines it and shakes her head. She gives it to Balan, and he also has no idea.

Sadly, the boat has no sail. It’s a fishing rowboat and the only other sail was torched in the battle. T’kharr comments, “shame they didn't pack a rig of any sort in this, even a basic jury Rig'd help right now, I suppose we can rotate some folks to deal with the rowing though."

Fwangzhu huffs and nods "I can take it from here."

Zsikhou looks to the chest "Open it now or after we get back to port?"

Mingzhu looks at it sitting in the middle of the boat. “Let’s see what is in it so we know what to do with it before we get to shore." With a nod, Zsikhou gets his lockpicks and opens the chest with a smooth easy turn.

Minamoto looks over "Whatever is in there is property of the Daimyo, please treat it with respect."

Inside, it looks like there are some maps and sealed documents. Minamoto looks over "That... those bear the Daimyo's seal."

Mingzhu looks at all of them. “We should take these to the tax collector along with the katana then. It's the right thing to do."

Minamoto nods "Agreed."

Fwangzhu huffs "Feh, let’s open up those documents. We're the ones that sank the damn Corsair ship after all."

Minamoto glares "Those are official documents of the Daimyo. They are meant for his loyal men."

Silgara looks over "I must profess, those documents may be useful in figuring out what is going on. Having a look at them ourselves would be helpful."

"Those who can use the weapons or armor we found should take what they need. I need none of this here." Mingzhu says, as she looks the booty over.

"Aye, unsealing them at this point would make them worthless. Best wait until we are with the tax collector to do so." T’kharr agrees.

Fwangzhu huffs "Just make sure that that little Asslicker actually fills us in and doesn't leave us in the lurch."

Mingzhu nods to him. "Yes, that way there is an official observing and it is legal."

Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu "Don't step out of place, savage."

Mingzhu calmly looks at the two. “Gentlemen, let’s not start this all over again.” T’kharr gives the two a disapproving-mom look.

Fwangzhu grumbles and gets to rowing "Whatever. This trip better not be a damn waste because those bootlickers decide not to share now of all times."

They make it back to Port Ginji late at night.

Silgara looks over "It may also be prudent to have that... symbol identified."

T’kharr says, “Aye. I reckon we sleep here in shifts and handle our business come morning time, no?"

Fwangzhu looks over "We'll want to return this boat. The family who loaned it to us will need it. They'll be happy to know we sunk a Corsair ship, at least."

Balan laughs, “Last time I was laughed at for stating so.”

"We can tie it off in their slip and sleep on the boat till morning I think." Mingzhu interjects.

Silgara looks over "It's late, but... we could rest at the Dizzy Panda.”

T’kharr gives a nod to Mingzhu. "Aye, that's part of the business agenda come morning time. We'll need to:
return the boat,
have the unholy symbol identified,
dispose of any treasure we aren't keeping,
find someone who can help us restore and read the waterlogged documents,
and bring the official papers to the tax collector."

Fwangzhu decides to claim the +1 battleaxe.

Mingzhu says, “I would say the Dizzy Panda its safer and most likely just a short walk.”

Minamoto at night looks over, before they rest. "I should take this over to Hattori's office. It's safest there. He can review the contents in the morning."

Fwangzhu snarls "Oh so you can read it and not tell us what's in them, is that it?"

Mingzhu frowns, "We stay together Minamoto. we all need to see it turned in in case there are clues."

Minamoto looks over "These are official documents. They'd be safer kept with my colleague than at some inn."

"I realize that but now you also have a responsibility to this group too. They will be turned in by all of us." Mingzhu softly retorts.

Minamoto is exhausted and relents "Alright then, just keep it safe please." He nods and heads off "I'll head to my bunk at the Tax Collector's office." Fwangzhu huffs and nods.

Mingzhu smiles, “I'll have Snout guard it."

Silgara snickers, "There's no possible way that could go horribly wrong." Mingzhu smiles and blushes.

They go to rest: Either on the boat or at the Dizzy Panda. Or elsewhere. Minamoto has accommodation provided by Hattori.

[Winterhawk99]

Silgara is up first, only needing to rest for 4 hours. Mingzhu is next she goes out just before dawn and meditates with her spirits. Coming back to the Dizzy Panda when she’s done. Balan also goes out when he gets out eating a pig and praying. When he comes back, he keeps an eye on the chest full of papers. T'kharr rises at dawn, meditates, and does her morning practice routine before joining up with the party.

Silgara looks over at him. “We do have two things to handle; one is to deliver that.” She points to the chest. “And the second is to see if we can find someone who can identify that symbol.”

Fwangzhu is up early in the morning and out, he goes to ensure the boat is returned. Meanwhile, Minamoto stops by the Dizzy Panda. Mingzhu returns with Snout in tow. She sits down to eat breakfast. Balan gives a nod to Minamoto when he comes in. Minamoto acknowledges him. “Are you ready?”

Mingzhu is the one who answers, “I think the tax collector first.” Silgara affirms the remark.

“Aye we need to find out what we have.” Balan suggests.

"We have the wood and fabric to identify too. if they are from the west, it will be more clues as to who to look at more closely." Mingzhu says.

T’kharr looks over at her. “Aye, that is true as well. Where to first? Selling the treasure, and hopefully finding someone to identify the holy symbol and point us in the right direction as to restoring and reading waterlogged things? Or heading off to the tax collector to deal with the scrolls from the chest?"

"I think the tax collector should be first. We have a responsibility to the community at large." Mingzhu returns.

T’kharr nods absently, “Fair.”

The companions collect up and head over to the tax collector’s office. Hattori is there. It seems he is expecting them. And perhaps it’s a good thing Fwangzhu is still occupied with returning the boat so as not to cause trouble here.

T'kharr gives the Tax Collector a nod as the party steps in. Hattori looks up "Minamoto told me that you recovered something from the wreckage of the Daimyo's ship. A chest of documents, if I am not mistaken?" Mingzhu and Zsikhou set it on the table with a thud. Hattori opens it up and looks over the documents.

While he’s reading Mingzhu adds, “There may be documents in there that help us in our quest to help you're people we would like them opened so we may examine them. We also found a magic katana that may be a family heirloom of a samurai officer on the ship."

He looks over at her. “May I see it?” She then looks over at Minamoto who presents the blade. Hattori looks it over, pulling out an appraiser’s eyeglass as he looks it over "A beautiful piece..." He keeps looking over it... "But this one isn't a family heirloom." He looks over to a pattern on the hilt "These are a style that are given to Samurai and men-at-arms under Daimyo Kaluso's service."

"Ah. Noted." T’kharr nods.

Mingzhu suggests, “Then perhaps it would be best in Minamoto's hands to be in further service to our group." T’kharr nods in agreement.

Hattori nods "I agree. Minamoto, I requisition this fine blade to you. Use it well"

Minamoto bows "Thank you" And takes and stows the blade in his scabbard

Hattori nods, then looks over to the chest, then starts reading the maps He then starts reading the documents. “Hrm... I see..." He narrows his eyes. Balan arches a brow at that. "These documents have orders, and maps. They're patrol routes, and locations they were to inspect, before they were waylaid." Hattori states.

"Perhaps you could point out the locations they were being sent to, so we can see if any match up with where we've run into trouble at?" T’kharr asks.

Mingzhu backs her up, “It would be a way to cut out where we have already been."

Hattori lays out a map, Silgara looks over. Zsikhou goes to stand on a chair so he can get a better look. and maybe get some head pats. Silgara looks it over. "Seems they were due to visit the island where the Yakuza had their secret base."

As Snout hears the paper shuffle he barks excitedly. Hattori looks over with a flash of irritation "What is that thing doing?"

"Being a silly fuzzball" T'kharr chuckles lightly. Hattori groans, sighing.

Mingzhu sighs, “Begging for scraps.”

"Keep it away! These are important documents!" Hattori snaps. He huffs as he keeps reading documents. Mingzhu turns around and shushes him while handing the big otter a sardine.

Hattori reads a particular passage but doesn't vocalize it. Minamoto, Silgara, and Zsikhou keep checking the map. "Seems like they kept track of which locations were already visited on their route." Minamoto interjects. "So, it's likely we can tack off some of the search routes."

Noticing Hattori’s sudden change in demeanor, Mingzhu watches him waiting patiently. Silgara looks over "It may be prudent if we can investigate these locations. Some of them are quite far away from this isle." Mingzhu nods still watching Hattori.

"Aye, if we can investigate them, we should." T’kharr replies to the mage.

Balan looks over towards Hattori, “What of the rest, you've been quiet?”

He finally looks up to Mingzhu, then to Silgara, T'kharr, and Balan, but he doesn't say anything, he just keeps reading.

Hattori keeps reading, but once again, he doesn't seem to feel like talking. Then he looks up to Balan "I'm still reading. Be patient."

Mingzhu uses her acute senses to tell what’s going on in someone’s head. She reads his expressions and posture the inflex of his words. She immediately knows that he’s reading something that he definitely does not want to share with the rest in the room. Her voice cuts through the chatter about the map, “Hattori? Anything you would like to discuss in private?”

"Please let me read this." He sharply says and continues reading. Silgara looks up with a raised eyebrow but then goes back to studying the map. Balan queues in on what Mingzhu said and also stares at the tax collector, waiting patiently.

"We were told that the pirate ships were seen taking their ill-gotten goods west-wards, correct?" Silgara considers "I notice the map route has it checking the eastern side of the isle first."

"I believe that is where it is said there are good places to hide or hold up." Mingzhu replies to her.

She nods … "The boat was intercepted before it found the Yakuza's hideout."

Hattori seems relieved that attention is off of himself. Though Mingzhu is still staring at him and Balan as well. He tries to ignore the two. Zsikhou seems to be oblivious to the confrontation going on and is staring at the map closely, but he does seem to catch the looks Balan and Mingzhu are giving to the Daimyo’s man.

Again, Mingzhu speaks up. “Hattori. In a way we are working not only for the betterment of your people but also for you. If you have information that will help us. I ask you to confer it?” Balan taps his talons slightly aggressively on the table waiting. His own patience wearing thin.

Hattori looks up to Mingzhu "I'm aware. Let me read." He's clearly stalling her.

Mingzhu decides to wait doing Hattori a favor while the others are going over the map, but Zsikhou has other ideas. He stands up and glares at the tax collector. "We went through great danger to recover this. So, whatever is there. Out with it. Now!

Zsikhou's presence is enough to jolt Hattori, like he suddenly sits up and suddenly his focus is on the kobold, rather than the scrolls he was reading. "A....as you wish..." A sigh. He starts reading, "Stop by Soljura isle. They are in a rebellion. Detain or execute all involved in the rebellion. If any evidence comes to light of outside factors being involved in the Rebellion, report to me immediately. Also report any sightings of Daimyo Yasima's vessels, marked or unmarked, to me immediately if they are spotted." Hattori looks up nervously. Silgara looks over, shaking her head in disgust. T'kharr listens quietly to Hattori's reading although a soft frown graces her muzzle as she does so.

Minamoto is more level "Seems they had already passed by it on their route."

Mingzhu is less surprised being from the east and knowing how warlords operate. She asks Hattori. "Is Soljura isle your home?”

Hattori shakes his head "No, it's not."

Silgara shakes her head "Those orders don't exactly paint a flattering picture regarding how things are handled though."

Hattori snaps at Silgara "Do not judge us, foreigner witch! It is not your place."

Silgara rolls her eyes "Yes, I can see how well such leadership works. Or doesn't as the case may be."

Mingzhu softly says, “"Silgara please leave for a bit. Get your head together. I will explain later."

Silgara looks over, a sigh "As you wish." She shakes her head and walks out. Mingzhu gives a small sigh of relief.

Zsikhou stares at Hattori "What else. There's more. There were more documents than just that one you read to us."

Hattori sighs "That's not the only place this crew was asked to restore order to.... The degree of disorder on the other isles in the border territories was worse than I thought. My Daimyo did not say it outright, but he clearly suspected that our neighbors to be fermenting rebellion among his people." He continues reading, this time Zsikhou keeps staring at him. Minamoto at least seems satisfied when Silgara leaves as well.

"Could your Daimyo be unduly influenced by getting the wrong information from an... …. ambitious advisor?" Mingzhu asks calmly.

Hattori looks up "It's possible but I expect my lord to vet his advisors and informants carefully."

She looks back at him a bit incredulously. “In the courts of the Shou Lung everyone has a dagger to strike anyone in the back at any opportune time. I would think it also so here. Or am I wrong Hattori?"

Hattori looks up "Such conduct would be highly dishonorable."

"Reality and what is right is often very different."

He shakes his head "It would be improper for me to make such speculations." Again, Mingzhu reads his face and gestures. She can tell that he at least genuinely believes that the Daimyo's court is not corrupt. Maybe he has some suspicions in the back of his mind, but she gets the impression he doesn't know anything for certain on this topic. Then he reads a scroll "I... think this is the one you were looking for..." She listens.

He reads, “Your primary orders are to locate a hidden Corsair port. We are aware that a foreign trading company has been providing them with supplies, provisions, and intelligence. Locate this port, apprehend or execute all of the corsair pirates, and locate any evidence of foreign involvement with these lawless pirates." There's a section he reads, but he deliberately skips over. "We are aware that one of these foreign companies has been using unsanctioned magic in order to hide their involvement in these affairs. My Wu-Jen have detected scrying interference that they say would not be possible without the addition of extensive magical support.

In addition, we are aware that these Corsairs are involved with some kind of Youkai. My informants detected that one of these Youkai is a representative of a foreigner trading company, a fiend brought over from afar. Consider killing this Youkai a high priority. We are at this time unaware of which trading company it is, but we are aware it is one of the three that do business in our lands and our neighbors. However, we are aware that among the responsible party, there is at least one unsanctioned Wu-Jen that summons and bargains with Youkai. Additionally, whomever it is uses some kind of teleportation magic to move around quickly and without detection."

T'kharr offers an idle glance at Balan as Hattori concludes the reading, "Investigate, find out, and eliminate or apprehend all that would undermine the Daimyo's law." Zsikhou looks up, considering.

T'kharr gives Hattori a thoughtful look, then glances at Mingzhu "Want me to fetch Silgara? I think the biggest question is what...style, if you will, of magic was being used to counter what the Daimyo's Wu-Jen were doing."

Mingzhu nods, “Yes, we need her expertise, but I wish to talk to her about some things afterward privately."

"Fair." T’kharr steps out to fetch Silgara back in. "We need you back here, please. Lots of magic stuff to talk about."

Mingzhu waves, “if you go on, I'll catch up later.”

Silgara looks over, a sigh, nodding "Right..." She heads back in.

Mingzhu goes and finds a bathroom. When she is finished, she paces outside the room trying to figure out how to diplomatically say what she needs to say to Silgara after the meeting. When she is ready, she steps back into the room.

Hattori looks up "For the merchant's ships? Well, they tend to wear their sigils openly, or with unmarked boats for more illicit trade. If you mean what goods, well, they do have shops on the docks, more of that, mostly."

The first thing she does is look for Snout. He’s not there, at least not in the room.

"I mean, more specifically -- if there's a commodity that's only found or grown in Yasima's realm, or a famed weapon smith there whose maker's mark we could key off of. Or some other sort of thing we could use to trace." T’kharr responds.

Mingzhu goes back out looking and calling for him. Snout at least seems to be in the building outside of the office, maybe looking for shiny things to opportunistically swipe... She calls out to him when she finds the little thief. "Snout! Let’s go you have to stay with momma for now. Come on pup."

He decides to stop being mischievous for now and come with her. At least he hasn't swiped anything or made a mess.... That she can see. She steps back into the room with him in tow.

Hattori looks up "I think that is about it for now, unless you wish to keep reviewing the map."

"Is the Corsair port a known location?" T’kharr asks.

"I'm afraid it is not. The ship had several locations to check, but they were waylaid before completing their patrol." Hattori shakes his head.

T’kharr sighs, "I suppose the list of places they were to seek it in would make sense for us to have at least."

"Review the map as you like." He motions to the map. T'kharr's eyes scan the map, taking in whatever she can.

It Looks like a pretty complicated map of the territory. It does look at least like that island with the Yakuza was on the patrol route. The route generally handles along the eastern end of the territory first, heading southwards, then interweaving and intermixing checking along various noted ports and island villages, as well as other islands. The route seems to be of a sort of spiral pattern, going south, then to the west, then north along the border of their territory, then back east a bit to cover other places that might have been overlooked in between. A sort of spiral pattern patrol route. The stopping point where T'kharr checks was to the northeast of the isle they are on.

“Still, if you were to try to follow the patrol route there's quite a lot of places to check.” Hattori adds.

"Hm. Were there any places they made it to already, that we can perhaps rule out?" T’kharr asks.

"Where they were before being attacked, I would presume those locations are clear." He motions to the points on the patrol route before the ship was scuttled.

T’kharr nods, as she looks over the map some more, trying to take count of where the patrol didn't make it to yet. It's most of the spots along the eastern border between Kaluso and Yasima's domains, at least. It's not a straight line, as they tried to keep closer to the islands, but they did get caught on what looks like a sizable gap between one island and the next. She nods again looking. "Is there anything we should be aware of were we to try to follow these leads ourselves?"

Hattori sighs "There's a lot of islands to check. We could be here days giving you all the details that I know of..." He shakes his head

Zsikhou looks over "Odds are we will need to narrow it down further with other investigative tracks, then."

T’kharr hesitates and then nods back. "Aye. Just trying to figure out what would be good leads without giving away too much to our potential quarries."

Mingzhu says, “I can narrow it down some.”

The gnoll looks at her, “go on.” Hattori also looks to the Shamaness.

“By asking the spirits of the sea which directions the corsairs take safe harbor.”

Silgara looks over "It's worth trying, but we know our foes have some kind of scrying interference. It also could be they simply don't know."

“It could be, but they will know where the ships disappear from their eyes. Even maybe which directions.... the course they were tracking.” Mingzhu responds.

Silgara shrugs "Worth a try at least... If it fails, we'll just try another lead." She considers.

Mingzhu nods to her. “I will save it for when we need it though. a direction from here in port would be quite meaningless.” T’kharr also considers and nods.

Mingzhu asks, “Is there anything else?” She looks at Silgara. “Are you ready Silgara?”

Silgara looks at Mingzhu, a sigh, nodding to her "I suppose we do have other avenues of investigation to look through at this juncture. Let's."

T’kharr nods slowly, “I suppose we can go and look into other things. Did you have something in mind?"

[Winterhawk99]

Once they leave Hattori's office, Silgara looks over "Two things. One is that symbol we recovered. The other is that prisoner on the Azure Winds boat."

"Ah yes, let us go get that symbol dealt with. Hopefully we can also find a lead as to the restoration of waterlogged papers." T’kharr answers.

Mingzhu speaks up, “I wanted to speak with Silgara alone for a small while if I may."

"Sure. no sense delaying that conversation further." T’kharr says.

Silgara nods aside "Alright then."

Zsikhou and Minamoto go to follow T'kharr and Balan. Silgara goes to follow Mingzhu.

Balan nods, “Aye.” And steps out.

T’kharr steps aside to await Silgara and Mingzhu returning "Any thoughts on the paper-restoration thing, or who we should consult first on the symbol for that matter?"

Silgara looks over, considering "Ah... that is one other possibility. But what damage the waterlogging did, we won't be able to fix with just mending. Apologies. I'll let you know if I think of something."
Then she goes off after Mingzhu

Mingzhu goes down to the fisherman's wharfs. along the way she buys some street food for the both of them. Uni dipped in squid ink, tuna bowls with wasabi, and crab fish cakes on a stick with mustard. She takes Silgara to the end of one of the wharfs and sits offering her the food. The elf sits down with her.

The first thing Mingzhu does is send Snout out into the bay so he can play, eat and look for his shinies. She then east silently while thinking again about how to approach the elven wu-jen and enjoying the view of the bay.

Silgara sits down with her, takes the food graciously. She does seem to have impeccable table manners. "Thank you." Mingzhu nods and giggles when Silgara finishes her Uni.

Silgara quietly eats, but then looks to Mingzhu "So, you wished to speak in confidence. And I can hypothesize as to what it is about, but, whenever you're ready, go ahead."

When she finishes and when Silgara finishes Mingzhu starts, "I wanted to talk a little bit about cultures. I do not know much of your own I realize but it is less important than where we are now: in the east and In Wa."

Silgara looks over to Mingzhu, a nod "Of course. If you have inquiries, I can try my best to answer."

"Your people it seems that each has a voice that is heard or respected. You may speak your mind to those around you without fear. Is this right?"

Silgara nods, "That is correct." Silgara considers "Though it is fair to say among the elves, things are a lot more… loose. We have our traditions and the Seldarine to guide us and our structure. But our people tend to be given more freedom to operate within those guidelines."

Mingzhu nods, "Here in the east this is very different. Peasants like you and I do not usually get to speak at all. and if they do, they may suffer grave consequence."

Silgara's facial expression clearly expresses distaste at that. "The discontent among the populace is a very expected thing then."

Mingzhu nods, "there is much more to this. of course. You know of money as currency. I suspect all the world has it but here in the east there is another type of currency that can be much more important than coin. It is called respect. or if you will: personal honor.

What you do, what you say, your very facial expressions all contribute to your standing in this personal honor. If a peasant acquires enough of this respect even a daimyo will have to respect their words. even if one is a peasant. This is how the lands of the east work so that in normal times peace and contentment is kept and discontent held at bay."

Silgara listens patiently. Mingzhu goes on, "Being constantly outspoken or speaking out of turn can lose you honor. I ask you to try to keep your emotions and outspokenness in check. Control them. I often feel as you do by your facial expressions and do not react. All children in the east are trained to control emotion like this. Not just me. It is because no matter how angry, or mournful, or despiteful of the ugly things you see you maintain control on the outside while rage on the inside and find ways to stop the injustice you see with those who are with you. Here it does not do justice to be outspoken and show your feelings on your face. Most think this negative that you are not mature."

Silgara considers listening, waiting for Mingzhu until she is done.

"I want you to be aware that your actions affect the group and the group’s honor as a whole. We have done great things together. Important things. And we have gained much honor from it. However, we have also done things to lose honor too. It is a currency we cannot afford to squander if faced by someone like a Daimyo, especially a Daimyo that may be an evil or bad one."

"We are here now not in your home. The rules are different. I care about your welfare, so I am advising you on how to have others here, listen to your words. Wait and speak when it is truly important and in your turn. You will do much better here and others will accept you more than now. Remember that people like Hattori can end your life in an instant without any repercussion if they are angered enough by your words. They are the law and in this land Wa often enough law comes at the end of a blade. Gain enough respect with those around you: Those you speak and work with then you will find more that are open to your words.”

Silgara looks over, she sighs, considering. "I don't like what I've been observing, though. The more I learn about Daimyo Kaluso and the way things are run here, the more and more problems and corruption I am finding. More and more evidence piles on regarding his unwillingness or inability to treat his people well or fairly. I do not think that many of his people are discontent or in rebellion is a coincidence. And others come in to take advantage."

"And the more I move into that system, legitimize it, the more I feel I am aiding in corruption to this place's detriment. It's a prospect that bothers me." She sighs, considering "I get that those fiend cults need to be eradicated. But how much better are we making things if we end up aiding a brutal or corrupt tyrant while doing so?" She considers, shaking her head "It's one reason my people are often slow to aid humans, because oftentimes, lending aid just furthers some kind of corruption."

Mingzhu nods. "I agree that things look bad as with all countries there are hard times and good times. There are good Rulers and bad. But the right approach needs to be applied. We still know little about this ruler first hand. In fact, we know nothing. We do not know if he is being corrupted or if this is just the way he is. In time we will find out more and more. I must admit it does not look good, but we cannot just storm his castle and put everything anew overnight. We must be patient Silgara and learn the truth before acting."

Silgara nods "I'm aware. We also shouldn't ignore the continually mounting evidence, nor should we do anything that worsens the already unstable situation by aiding in something that is clearly broken and not working..." She sighs, shaking her head "I get it, this Horsemen cult and whatever other dark forces need to go. But we shouldn't blind ourselves to other problems either."

"It may seem to you that the natives like me and Minamoto are blinded by what is going on, but I assure you we are not. We are looking for the real truth. making proposals. I am hoping that the letter that Hattori read awakened something in Minamoto about the injustice of what was done. Once he realizes this he may or may not come to me to speak of these things. but unless he is a complete.... moron for lack of a better word. He did take notice and will eventually speak of these things. Let us take care of the immediate problems first before we try to solve the more complex and subtle problems in the politics of it all. Meanwhile while we are with others not of the group try to use control over your emotions on what you hear. Ask questions when appropriate and instead of saying what you mean as emotion. Let it flow to questions with meaning that will be answered. Can I ask this of you?”

Silgara looks over "It didn't. I can tell. They're the type that will follow such orders without question. I expect many of them are. They've grown so accustomed to it that they won't question it at all. Recall that Minamoto attempted to extract a rice tax from a village that just finished being besieged by an Oni. I do not have confidence in that." She sighs, considering "I'll try to be diplomatic here, but, there's only so many problems I can tolerate before I feel I become a part of them."

"Some will always be slow in realization and growth. A soldier being one of these types. I ask for patience and deference for a time to let things unfold. I think you will see in a while a change in Minamoto as he thinks about these things. I do not want to change or chastise you. You are who you are and from a very different culture. I am just asking some things from you as a curtesy and helping you to understand the east a little better and why we are the way we are."

Silgara looks over, a nod "Of course. Patience is a virtue after all. Just... What do you plan to do if it becomes intolerable? I mean, watching so many wrongs being just shrugged and accepted? That's how corruption starts, then fifty years pass by, things are rotten, and then humans wonder how it got so bad, when it all starts with accepting bits of corruption piece by piece."

"If we must, we will look to displace the Daimyo himself, but that time has not yet come. We do not have the honor nor coin to even approach the court. We gain enough honor to know exactly what is going on behind the throne then decide on a course of action whether that is to oust bad and corrupt advisors around him or...…. as a last resort himself. And why I say this is we do not know the full truth yet. a country does not run on one man alone. Is the man corrupt or are those around him making him make bad decisions for their own benefit or the benefit of another? Like another Daimyo. We simply do not know at this time."

"I hypothesize that the likely permutation is that he is simply all too willing to hold fast to his traditions, no matter how brutal or awful they are. But you are right that the full truth is at this juncture unknown. So, a full hypothesis is not possible." She sighs "Very well, I will try to remain diplomatic. Though I figure deposing any Daimyos is not going to be feasible for us..."

Mingzhu nods then laughs picking up the empty urchin shell." Do you know what that black creamy goodness was that you ate out of this shell?

Silgara cranks her head, “What of it?”

"It was the urchins balls cooked in squid ink. You are officially one of us eastern girls now." Mingzhu laughs.

Silgara raises an eyebrow, confused.

Mingzhu just shakes her head. “It was their reproductive organs. let’s go sell these pearls and find the others.”

Silgara winces in clear disgust "Oh..."

[Winterhawk99]

The pair get up and go to the market. As they enter the market area they find Fwangzhu roaming around there. He seems to be mingling with the locals, surprisingly no one is being mauled, beaten up or threatened.

Mingzhu goes to Vrishnu’s stall. She shows her pearls to the merchant then brings out the scrimshawed pearl and presents it while looking at what the badger is doing. Silgara and Snout with her.

T’kharr and the rest of the party show up. The group reconvenes at the stall. T'kharr bows to Mingzhu and Silgara "We were able to find information on the unholy symbol, seems to be linked to a Youkai of the deep oceans. Sensei is also working on restoring the tomes we found."

Silgara nods "Ah, excellent."

Vrishnu always seems happy to buy pearls at above market rates. The shamaness presents the 400 in pearls. And this time she gets 400 for them. She next presents the scrimshawed on. The merchant studies it trying to appraise it. The original was not worth selling being cloudy and misshaped. Vrishnu over prices that one it seems again. She gives Mingzhu 500 for that one pearl. The shamaness is thrilled.

Zsikhou nods over to Silgara "A youkai prince."

Silgara grimaces, then nods "Some of the demon princes have followers and priests like the gods do... that is troubling news though. Demon, not Daemon... so there's two kinds of fiendish cults at work here." Then she looks over to T'kharr "What's the next step, do you think?"

Mingzhu makes some notes on some paper and says, “Bank as 4,550 in coin as of now.”

"I think we stop by Diamond Industries for that quarterstaff." T’kharr says with a smile.

“What of the other stuff have you sold it?” Mingzhu asks?

T’kharr hesitates then says, “We haven’t yet, but if you wish to sell the other things here of course?”

"Let us find the best prices for these other items first so we know what we have.” Mingzhu insists. She then looks around the group. “Are we selling our things to Vrishnu? She deals usually better than the others."

“If you wish, I do not object.” T’kharr returns.

Mingzhu directs, “Set the things on the counter and we’ll see what she gives us.” Everyone shows what they have been carrying. Mingzhu puts everything on the table. +1 hand ace, Mithral light chain mail, +1 harpoon, Masterwork heavy cured swords.

The merchant appraises everything. Vrishnu offers 1150 for the hand axe and harpoon. 550 for the Mithril chain shirt and 100 for the masterwork swords each. She’s offering normal market rates this time. Mingzhu thinks about how well the merchant has treated her with the pearls and then looks to the other speaking the quoted prices. Silgara shrugs "Those are regular market rates with the usual mark-down that merchants offer."

“I think it’s good in this case, but I want Balan and T’kharr’s answer?” Mingzhu recommends.

T’kharr answers her, “Up to you folks. I'm not particularly partial to one company or another for selling."

"She has always done me well in pearls.... I would accept what do you think Balan?” Not getting an answer she sells them. She makes notes on the paper. "The bank now has 7,600 in coin. We can get miss T'kharr her quarter staff." And perhaps a few things for others that did not take bootie.

The exchanges are made. The group’s companions don’t seem in a rush to buy anything. Fwangzhu and Minamoto glare at each other. Fwangzhu snarls at him. But then he moves over "I made sure the boat was returned to the family by the way. I gave them a tip." Mingzhu nods at that.

Before she goes to get T'kharr her quarterstaff she looks at Vishnu’s wares, specifically boots, belts, rings, or amulets that may catch her eye. T’kharr smiles, “Go ahead, I can wait a moment.”

Vrishnu mostly deals in jewelry. She does have a few minor enchanted charms though. Mingzhu looks at the rings and amulets. The merchant has a +1 ring of protection, +1 amulet of natural armor, +1 Scarab of Protection, or +2 Periapt of Insight, she has those. Mingzhu asks about the amulet of protection. The merchant offers it for 2000 gold.

Mingzhu feels too self-conscious about buying it. That would be way more of a percentage of the group’s money even if she earned the bulk of it pearl diving. She shakes her head. and goes to diamond industries with T'kharr maybe they have something a little less pricy. Then she stops as Vrishnu opens a drawer and produces a ring of feather fall. Mingzhu asks what she wants for that one. The merchant offers the same price 2,000. The shamaness also notices that there are pearls inlaid in some of the amulets that she has... “You use pearls to magic your amulets? This is why you buy them higher than others?”

She looks up to Mingzhu "Oh, they're just so lovely! I mean, they do make good components for my baubles, but they're just so... pretty!" There's a sparkle in her eye as she admires some of the pearl-made jewelry

Mingzhu laughs at herself more than anything, "I see. be well Vrishnu. you know what I do think I will buy that amulet of protection from you."

"Oh! Certainly!" She offers it over "I hope it keeps you safe." She smiles.

“Thank you.” Mingzhu replies. She puts it on.

The group leaves and heads off to the Diamond Industries booth they head then, with a nod farewell to Vrishnu. When they arrive, T'kharr nods to the merchant there "Ah, hello there. Is that quarterstaff you offered me earlier still available?"

He looks up "Ah, yep, still got it in stock. You want it?"

T’kharr grins, “Certainly, how much?”

"That's 2300 gp, you interested?"

"Quite the increase from what I last heard the price was." T’kharr insists.

Mingzhu nods, “Fwangzhu, and Minamoto got their shares. You should have yours too T'kharr.”

T’kharr asks, “Have there been other bidders?”

"Eh, not really. But it's what the market price is." A sigh "Fine, I can't offload this thing anyways. You want to haggle? Fine. What're you offering?" The Merchant looks over to T'kharr.

"900, 'twas what it was on the table for last I was by."

He sighs "Fine, fine, I'm not getting rid of it anyways. 900 and it's yours."

"900 it is then" T’kharr nods to the man and turned to Mingzhu for the coin to be presented. "Oh, and by the way, as to my old staff, you mind taking it off my hands. Nothing fancy but might be useful to some traveler in the future, and I can't really tote two around with me."

"Urgh, fine, I'll take it." He shakes his head.

T’kharr takes up the new staff after handing over the old one as Mingzhu presents the coins. She pays the man.

"Well, thanks fer yer business. Ya want anything else?" He looks over. T’kharr looks over the selection to see what they have. They've got the usual assortment of wares, some +1 other weapons or armors if they want. Mingzhu looks to see if they have any fighting gloves. They don’t.

T’kharr asks, “You have any enchanted robes or bracers?" They do indeed have bracers of armor +1, for 1000 gp.

She looks to Mingzhu, “You think we have enough to pay for these?" Then to the bracers of armor.

Mingzhu takes a long time to look at them. “We do.”

T’kharr nods. “Aye, we'll take the bracers of armor then."

"Done deal." He offers them over "Can I get anything else for her?"

"I reckon that'll be all" as she takes the bracers and puts them on, adjusting the red cord on her wrist to make sure it isn't hidden by said bracers.

Mingzhu makes some notes. "We are down to 3,700 in coin"

Silgara looks over, a nod "Well, is our shopping done? Or... are we ready to resume investigating?"

Fwangzhu huffs "What did you find so far?"

Zsikhou looks over "We had that symbol identified."

Fwangzhu nods, a huff "Right."

Mingzhu says, "Skunk repellent."

"Aye, we had the symbol identified and found someone willing to attempt restoration of the waterlogged tomes." T’kharr intones.

Silgara nods "Ah, that's helpful. If successful." She considers "I suppose the other lead we have currently is that... man in the brig."

Fwangzhu flexes his claws "You ready to take a shot at that bastard then?"

T’kharr nods, "I reckon that's our next move at least, although we'll need to prepare for it of course."

Silgara looks over "I do have two castings of charm person prepared, if you wish me to make such an attempt."

Fwangzhu snorts "Save your witchery. I can get him talking just fine, I'm sure."

Mingzhu speaks up, “I will not go if there is torture involved. I have my limits.”

T’kharr backs her up, "I'd rather not risk getting misled by 'first fit' answers."

Fwangzhu snorts at Mingzhu "What, you're okay with punching someone's skull into jelly but not with me snarling at a prisoner?"

Silgara looks over "Charm compulsions do have their limits, so we'll need to make the questions count. But I'm ready when you are."

“I was defending myself.” Mingzhu retorts. "Fine. I will stop any torture before it happens. It's inhumane."

Fwangzhu shrugs "You want to take the yin-yang routine and be the yin, I can be the yang. But this guy after what he arranged for Golamaru? I'm not shedding any tears." He huffs

Zsikhou looks over, considering "This one could also attempt to assist in interrogation, as well."

"We'll see what turns out to be needed." T’kharr carefully says after gaging the different attitudes toward the prisoner.

Mingzhu studies Zsikhou hard. , "I mean what I say Zsikhou."

Zsikhou seems intent on snuggling the information out of the prisoner like he'd be perfectly okay with torture, but he also looks like one who's used to being able to demand his way to getting the answers he needs. But he's also plenty disciplined as well. Mingzhu relaxes a bit.

He then shakes his head, "Will likely need to put them under some pressure, regardless."

"Aye, if the charm doesn't work, we don't have many other options." T’kharr replies. Mingzhu just looks at T'kharr.

"We'll try the best we can though." T’kharr emphatically states.

“If worse comes to worse I'll try to enthrall him, but it mostly only works on those that follow the path or 8 million since the religions complement.” Mingzhu suggests.

Silgara looks over "Conventional interrogation methods may work. Torture is reprehensible and inefficient. Whatever strategy we want to take with this interrogation, best figure it out before we commit to it"

“Enthralling plays on one’s religious beliefs mostly but they are likely more to answer a priest or shaman as more of a confession of sin if I can enthrall him.” Mingzhu explains. “Besides if it happens it will be good for his soul.”

Silgara looks over "Our prisoner is a Zakharan. Is that going to work then?"

Mingzhu nods to her. “That makes it chancy, yes, Silgara.”

"So not a perfect option." She nods "Charm compulsions are an option, but they do have limits. The more against their true nature something asked of them is, the more likely it is to snap. Same with keeping it up for interrogations over a lengthy period of time. The more questions I ask, the greater a chance is they'll snap out of it."

Fwangzhu huffs "Just let me get the answers out of him the old-fashioned way."

Silgara looks over "It's likely they will simply lie in order to tell you what you want to hear then."

"Aye, the moral issues aren't the least of the troubles with the 'old fashioned way'" T’kharr gives a firm nod in agreement with Silgara.

Zsikhou looks up to T'kharr "Might be troublesome if too many are in there at once. Will need to decide who goes in and what they do."

Silgara looks over "Since our prisoner is a foreigner, I expect the kobold's social status won't matter to them."

T’kharr thinks and formulates a plan. "Aye, I think we start with the charm compulsion, and then if that doesn't work, we switch to the enthrallment attempt. Would you folks rather I did the questioning, or rather Mingzhu did it?"

Zsikhou shakes his head "Can still make it clear what happens if they fail to cooperate."

Silgara looks over "The Charm effect won't make them respond well to anyone except myself, so I'd need to ask the questions. Of course, we can figure out what we want to ask prior for optimal chances of success." She says

"Fair enough then. We send Silgara in first, then Mingzhu, then if all else fails, resort to Zsikhou." T’kharr says in a measured tone.

Minamoto considers "Is this the ship of the Trading Company who refused to let me on before?"

Silgara looks over "I don't think the kobold will be a good choice here. Most of his social clout is with the locals because of their beliefs. It is unlikely that angle will work on a Zakharan."

Zsikhou narrows his eyes at Silgara "Am still fully capable of getting it done."

Fwangzhu huffs.

Silgara looks over "Still, if that's your plan, we can see about it."

Mingzhu looks like she's about to say something then decides not too.

[Winterhawk99]

Silgara looks over to the others "Are we ready, then? Or do you wish to re-define the plan before we go?"

Mingzhu nods, “I still have the wood and fabric too.

"I think I can be ready at least provided you have a good set of questions to ask." T’kharr adds.

Silgara looks over, "That's another potential avenue of investigation. And... that would be good to define beforehand as well. Note that while the charm compulsion is in effect they will only behave positively towards myself, but you can still speak to me without risking breaking the compulsion."

T’kharr looks doubtful. “"Hm. I'm...honestly not sure if one can really ask directly with the charm spell up or if one still needs to build a...rapport, is it?"

"The Charm spell will have the subject affected treat the caster as though they were a trusted friend. That would only be myself. That would not extend to anyone else." Silgara says. Mingzhu nods and stays silent. Silgara adds, “But the more the conversation or request goes against their true nature, the higher the chance is of the compulsion breaking."

Fwangzhu snorts, shaking his head "Sounds like there's too many caveats. Nothing beats the old-fashioned way when it comes to getting information."

Mingzhu considers the situation carefully. “I think perhaps Silgara should do all the talking then. At least for now. I am not sure I can even enthrall someone not from the east.”

T’kharr nods, "That much we grasp, but I'm trying to figure out if Silgara can go in hot or needs to lead our subject in gently."

Silgara looks over "I can go in from the start and begin asking questions, yes. The issue is if they have enough willpower to break the compulsion, or if I ask something that strains them too far, I might run out of castings before we get the necessary answers. We will need to apply this judiciously to make the most of it. Still, once they are under the compulsion, I will be able to ask them questions and get answers from the get-go.” T’kharr and Mingzhu both nod.

Zsikhou looks over "Well, we will need to decide on something."

Mingzhu looks at him suspiciously. “What is it that we need to decide?”

Zsikhou looks over "What we're going to ask and how we're going to handle it?"

Silgara looks over "We might want to prioritize what questions we deem most important. The longer we go on, the likelier it is the subject will break the compulsion."

Fwangzhu snorts, shaking his head "Whatever, let’s get going already."

"I guess questions about the future are more important than those about the past?" T’kharr says.

The party heads over to the Azure Winds boat. As before, the guards don't allow Minamoto to board. There's some tense discussion between them, and mockery towards Minamoto from Fwangzhu, but eventually Minamoto relents.

Silgara looks over to T'kharr "More open ended too, ambiguity when using compulsion spells has a way of working out poorly."

As they are going, Mingzhu asks, "Would it be out of the realm if we play like we want to join up with his superiors like we want to be part of the organization?"

Silgara looks over, considering "That may work under certain conditions, but unlikely if his mental faculties are not impaired."

Khalid visits them on the ship's bridge "Ah, Salam Alaikum, friends. How can I help you?"

T’kharr gives him a small bow, “Hello there.”

Fwangzhu snarls "That asshole you have locked up in your brig. We're taking a crack at 'em. Let’s get this started."

Silgara looks over "We're sticking to the plan, Fwangzhu."

Fwangzhu snorts "I can get him talking better than your witchcraft can."

Exasperated, Mingzhu curtly says, “Wait for Silgara…. Please!”

Khalid looks over "Ah, well, whomever is going, I can have my guardsmen escort you to the brig to speak with the prisoner." He looks the group over "The brig room isn't that large. Who will you be sending over?" Fwangzhu looks eager to be in the party selection for this one.

T'kharr motions Silgara forward. Silgara looks over "I... think it might be better if I had someone assist me on this. Who else?"

T’kharr considers and says, “I suppose that’d be either me, Zsikhou, or Mingzhu.” She waits for the decision, looking over. Zsikhou tentatively steps forward.

Balan looks at them, “I am sure you have this handled but if you would like me present, I would come if no others would join you.”

Zsikhou steps forward. "Am willing to be a backup in case the magic interrogation fails."

“I will stay here unless called.” Mingzhu states emphatically not liking the whole of the situation.

Silgara nods "Just don't get aggressive with the subject, that can break the compulsion."

T’kharr steps forward. “Hm. I suppose if nobody else wishes to, I can join, although I'm not sure how useful I'll be either."

Zsikhou looks over "This one will volunteer. Let’s get this done."

Khalid looks over for confirmation. Mingzhu asks, “T'kharr please go with them to make sure the prisoner is not harmed. I trust you about this.” T'kharr steps forward at Mingzhu's request.

Zsikhou sighs "Am perfectly capable of interrogating without harming them, but as you wish."

Silgara nods, Zsikhou steps back. Khalid nods, then gives some directions to some of the guards in Midani.

Balan gives them a nod, “Best of luck.”

T'kharr and Silgara are escorted to the brig. Silgara speaks aside. "I've only got two castings, so we'd better make them count."

T'kharr nods slowly "I'll let you know if I think of anything, mmk?"

Mingzhu looks around and at the bit dragonborn while they are waiting. Then Khalid looks to Mingzhu "Ah, your companion will be behaving themselves, yes?" He looks straight to Snout.

She puts a hand on Snout. "I'll do my best to keep him beside me." She looks down "No flying carpets this time." After a bit she tries to keep Snout entertained with a ball of yarn while they wait.

After a time T’kharr reappears from the brig. "Well, that gets the pieces put together at least. I reckon our next move is to have the prisoner in the brig formally extradited to the Daimyo's jurisdiction? Or do you think this imp might have further influence beyond the prisoner and Gobu?"

Mingzhu keeps her eye on Fwangzhu as she plays with Snout. Then Silgara joins them and does a debrief, "To summarize for everyone, he was stronger will than we expected, but we did get an important detail. There was an imp, a baatezu, serving as an intermediary messenger." She shuffles. "Combined with the other information we've uncovered, that means there are demons, daemons, and devils involved here."

She looks over to T'kharr "Imps often work for higher ranking fiends or others who are involved with fiends. It was confirmed that the imp was an associate of Gobu's efreet patron. The logical conclusion is that there is a covert infernal cell actively involved with the troubles in this locale."

Khalid then looks to T'kharr "When the waters clear, I was planning to have him given to my Shiekh and judged back in Zakhara. We can add that he was dealing with devils to the charges."

T’kharr nods slightly to that, “That said, an extradition would do a great deal to clear your name around here I reckon."

Mingzhu sighs, “I am not fully understanding this but will accept what you say is true.”

Silgara looks to Mingzhu "There is another factor... demons and devils hate each other. A lot. Even though they are both evil lower planar beings, they fight endlessly in a conflict called the Blood War."

The shamaness tries to wrap her head around it. “So, some Yokai hate others. this is known."

Zsikhou looks over, considering "That might be supposing too much, though. As it is, we have not confirmed the presence of a great amount of Youkai involvement beyond people who may be trying to use them for their own selfish gain."

Fwangzhu huffs "Well, do we need to take another shot at the prisoner then? Get the bastard to squeal some more? Least now we've got a good starting point."

Balan looks at him, “I am not sure if beating the man would release more information but that is at your own discretion.”

Fwangzhu snarls "I can make him squeal like a pig. Trust me."

"We've already got what we need." T’kharr snarls back. Fwangzhu huffs, shaking his head.

Mingzhu nearly yells, “Do not beat this man!”

Fwangzhu snarls "Fucker would deserve it. And we'd get more out of him."

Silgara looks over "Where to next, then?"

Mingzhu remembers, “I have the fabric and wood.” Khalid looks over.

“For?” T’kharr asks and looks curiously to Mingzhu.

“If we can identify where it comes from, we may have an idea about something.” Mingzhu states softly.

T’kharr suddenly remembers where she got it from. “Ah. That. Yes.”

"Do you wish me to attempt an appraisal, then?" Khalid asks

Mingzhu looks to him then at the others not knowing what to say." I am unsure if it is prudent. It would be up to the others if I should show it or not."

Silgara shrugs "He leads a merchant company. I'm sure they have some shipwrights that are knowledgeable about wood."

"Aye, he can at least point us in a useful direction.” T’kharr intones.

Mingzhu She reluctantly gives him the wood and fabric to examine. "I found them somewhere were those that own these may have killed some men."

Khalid nods "Of course, one moment, I'll get my aides. We'll try to have this identified. Please wait here for now." He takes the wood and fabric and heads off.

Silgara waits patiently, Fwangzhu huffs, pacing around. Zsikhou looks for head pats and snuggles watches the others critically. Mingzhu waits pacing and watching over Snout.

T’kharr asks, "Hm. If we don't get a useful direction from the folks here regarding the fabric and wood scraps, where do you think we should head next?"

Mingzhu whispers back "Even if they do, we must recheck in case the wood and fabric are from them. If this is the company involved, they would say anything to throw us off track and may even point to another company."

"That is a good point" T'kharr nods as she responds quietly to Mingzhu's whisper.

Zsikhou looks over "You found the wood on the Daimyo's boat, correct?" Though he speaks quietly

Mingzhu shakes her head and whispers, “Out in the debris field where the other boats may have lost men or pieces of other ships. I looked for something foreign that would not come from this area.”

"Could have still been from the Samurai's boat though, that one's hull was badly damaged, the debris could have been from the same ship..." Zsikhou considers...

The Shamaness nods, “nods I tried to pick wisely the best wood that looked different and a dead one with a uniform, not like we know. But yes, it could be from the samurai ship too.”

After a short time, Khalid comes back. Mingzhu stops whispering and looks at him. "Ah, greetings. We did identify the kind of wood." He nods "It's known locally as Hinoki wood."

"Where does it come from?" Mingzhu asks.

He answers her, “Rather common material to make ships out of, given the water resistance. It is rather common around Wa's islands." He states

She nods, “And the fabric?”

"My apologies, it was too badly damaged and waterlogged to properly identify." He hands the goods back.

Mingzhu looks a bit lost, but says, “Thank you.” And does a short bow.

T’kharr gives him a polite bow as well. "I reckon we're done here, no?" Mingzhu nods.

Fwangzhu huffs, shaking his head "If you really don't want me taking a crack at that bastard in the brig, we are." A snort.

Mingzhu looks over, “NO!”

T'kharr bows again then "Thank you for your time, Khalid, and may the Maimed God ease your pain"

Khalid dips his head "Ma-as Salama, friends."

Fwangzhu snorts. "Fine, waste an opportunity. Whatever."

The group is escorted off the boat once again. Minamoto is waiting outside.

[Winterhawk99]

Balan looks at Fwangzhu. “Look, it’s your friend waiting patiently for us.” He then laughs heartily.

Mingzhu smirks, “Please wait to kiss him where the two of you are alone. We don't need a public display."

Fwangzhu snarls, “I'd sooner maul his ass."

Minamoto wrinkles his nose in disgust, then looks over to Mingzhu "Did you find anything useful on there?"

“What you do with him behind closed doors is your own private affair.” Balan adds.

T'kharr quirks a brow to Mingzhu and looks like she's about to speak but holds her tongue at figuring out what it is. Fwangzhu snarls at Balan. "Oh, fuck off, I've got much better taste than that Asslicker!"

Balan laughs at that, “Aye.”

Mingzhu nods, “Silgara got a piece of information. Unfortunately, it seems I failed in my search of the wreckage. but we do need to double check.”

Minamoto looks over "Double check what?"

“I found some wood and fabric in the debris field of the battle I had hoped was of the enemy. but it seems at least now the wood is native and the fabric indistinguishable. The spirits did not fail. I did, in my search." Mingzhu tells him.

Silgara looks over "Maybe you didn't fail. What kind of wood was it on that island with the Yakuza...?"

T’kharr thinks a moment. "Hm. It seems that, that...hinoki? Eastern cypress wood was plentiful on the island the Yakuza was on. Probably plentiful lots of other places too though."

Mingzhu looks at the fabric. “There must be someone that recognizes the weave or what this fabric is made of.”

Zsikhou looks over, considering "Is there any way to restore it beforehand? That sample is badly waterlogged."

Balan shakes his head, “Not from myself.”

“I can try a mending spell what do you think?” The shamaness asks.

“It is something that may help?” Balan nods.

Silgara nods "Might as well, might take a few castings given the condition."

Mingzhu studies the patch of cloth. "I only have one, do you have one Silgara?" The wu-jen nods to her.

T’kharr adds. “I could add a mending myself to that.”

Mingzhu casts mending on the fabric then gives it to Silgara. "Between us that might make it so that some of the locals could recognize it, at least..." Silgara nods, takes it, then casts mending on it. Who then hands it to T’kharr. She also casts a mending on it. It's still not in great condition but it's definitely in much better condition. Probably more identifiable now.

"We need to find a fabric expert now preferably not of the trading companies." Mingzhu says.

Balan adds, “I am sure there is a local tailor in the village.”

“............ there must be a dress shop here. It is the largest village on the island.” Mingzhu surmises.

Fwangzhu huffs "Most of the locals around here are more familiar with rowboats, rather than the big sails the ships use, and, yeah, there is. I can show you. This way." He leads the group to a small family-owned clothing maker shop. It's a rather humble place, all things considered. He then puts out his hand. "Here, give me that, I can talk with her." He looks for the fabric and holds his hand out to T'kharr. She gives him the swatch of cloth. He nods and heads inside.

Minamoto glares "Don't cause any trouble, savage."

Fwangzhu snarls at him "If YOU cause this family any trouble I will throw you through a window." Mingzhu shushes Minamoto. Anyways, Fwangzhu heads inside.

After some time, Fwangzhu comes back "Well, good news, she was really knowledgeable about this stuff. Anyways, she recognized not only the cloth type but the style in how it was matted and put together." A huff, "Long story short, it's local-made. From around this chain of islands."

T’kharr nods, “That at least pins it down a little bit, points a bit more towards the local Yakuza Isle being involved I think?"

"They ain't the only ones. The Daimyo's losers use the same style. Or it could be the pirates are buying from them. Or locals. The Daimyo's hated enough that I can see people selling to his enemies just to piss him off. Fucker deserves it." Fwangzhu huffs, "That and the same style is also used in the jurisdictions in the neighboring Daimyos too."

Minamoto glares at Fwangzhu "I will not continue to tolerate your insults against my lord."

Fwangzhu snarls at Minamoto "Then go cry into the ocean because I'm gon’na keep doing it, Asslicker."

T'kharr nods "Okay then. so at least we know that whoever was involved was being supplied by locals."
"Or at least, locals in a broad sense"

"And perhaps had support from those on the yakuza island............I do hope the sharks didn’t take a habit of overturning small boats for food." Mingzhu says starting to drift her thoughts.

Silgara nods "It at least means that they're not being supplied from a foreign entity. At least not in this particular case."

"Still there was a foreign company involved in the attack, but on that we are back to square one.” Mingzhu says rather downtrodden.

Silgara looks aside. "We do at least know there are devils involved, though."

Zsikhou shakes his head, "Even so, that's not a great lead to go on."

Silgara sighs "It does take a certain level of magic to make such planar conjurations though."

Minamoto once again, "If you keep up with your insults I will be obligated to respond." He narrows his eyes at Fwangzhu.

Fwangzhu snarls back at him "Oh, I'm just /waiting/ for the opportunity to throw you through a table! Be my guest and give me one already!"

Zsikhou snaps at them. "Enough! Both of you!"

Silgara sighs, rubbing her face "Well, what's our next step, then?"

"I suppose we report back to the tax collector, either that or we can try checking back with Sensei first to see if he has the books restored?" T’kharr offers.

Minamoto looks over "I can fill Hattori in on what we have discovered. It... admittedly hasn't been much, but it will keep things going."

Mingzhu looks at Snout. "I'm out of options. What do you think we should do?" Snout seems to want to go make mischief. Maybe go ransack another trading company's boat for fun things. "Oh dear, no, no mischief, Snout. Not today." Snout looks disappointed.

Zsikhou looks over "I expect Sensei Minh may need more time, but I can check on him."

Silgara sighs, considering "Guess we can turn in for the night and hope the Sensei has something for us in the morning. Otherwise, I'll keep trying to think of something..."

"Aye, I suppose we turn in for now." T’kharr suggests knowing that everyone is tired and some are frustrated with the skim information from their leads.

"If you want, we can go out in the bay and look for pearls and goodies for you?" Mingzhu says to Snout. He seems to approve of that. Mingzhu smiles, “Ok.”

Silgara nods "I suppose I'll head back to the Dizzy Panda."

"Likewise on heading back to the Panda." T’kharr says as she starts to walk.

“I’ll go to the bay and do some pearl diving until dinner time.” Mingzhu says.

“Aye I'll sit on shore while you dive and tinker a bit until you are done.” Balan tells her.

The party decides to run their errands for the evening then, Silgara, Fwangzhu, and Zsikhou eventually find their way back to the Dizzy Panda.

Mingzhu and Snout spend about three hours pearl diving and playing. She finds one gold pearl and two rather ordinary white pearls. Balan works on designing one of the gold rings into something nicer while she is out in the water. Silgara keeps to a book and studies materials. Fwangzhu chats up with the locals.

Fwangzhu and Zsikhou chat with one another in the evening. Seems they're having some... surprisingly friendly banter. Mostly comparing grisly details about people or monsters they've gruesomely killed.

Fwangzhu asks, "You know people around here are terrified of you, right?"

"I am aware."

"Look, I get it, you have to kill people when they break the Mandate of Heaven, and almost everyone has something they’ve done that isn’t exactly in line. But can you try to scare them less?"

Zsikhou smiles, "It helps me perform my duties."

"Yeah, and it also terrifies the piss out'ta people who don’t deserve to get axed and that fear might get them to do something stupid too."

"It would also serve as a reminder of why they shouldn’t stray off the path."

Fwangzhu frowns. "Not always the best way, Kami. People are already terrified of the Daimyo, but they’ve got no reason to respect him or his ways. And that fear can make em lash out. Last thing you want is them doing that to the gods too."

"I am sure to deliver wrath only when it is deserved. To do otherwise would dishonor my master and duties."

"That’s what the Daimyo’s losers say too. Except in their case, they fucking suck at it. I’m just saying, I know that you know what you’re doing but not all of the people here do."

Zsikhou shrugs, "If the Daimyo’s men are breaching the Mandate of Heaven, I will punish them as well.
Fwangzhu: You know, I think knowing that might make the people feel better. Good to get that out. Ahheh."

Mingzhu comes in with snout eating oysters followed behind by Balan. Everyone settles in for the night.

[Winterhawk99]

When morning comes, Zsikhou goes to get the party together. “Sensei Minh has something for us. We should be off.”

"Sounds like a plan to me" T'kharr nods and joins after her morning routines are done.

After meditating Mingzhu and Snout are ready. Balan steps in from morning payer. “Aye.”

The party travels to the Shrine of the Path. Zsikhou makes sure Minamoto comes along too. Sensei Minh bows as they enter "Ah, greetings.”

Zsikhou bows in turn. "I was able to make some progress with the restorations; I found something you might find interesting from the larger book." He moves over to a scroll, apparently, he'd made a copy of one of the entries. "It's a map of sorts, along with instructions." Sensei Minh continues.

Mingzhu takes a back seat but listens intently.

He shows a scroll "It shows an island, not charted on standard maps, north of Sakurajima Island. But it also says to 'bring the four riders’ talismans at night."

Minamoto looks over "Indeed, on most maps there's just... open water over there."

Silgara and Zsikhou look aside.

Balan ponders that a moment curiously. “Bring them to a place that is not normally mapped. I wonder.
Could it be for summoning or sealing something.”

The Sensei looks over to Balan "It does depict an island being there."

"Aye, that island is a big clue. Whoever managed to get it left mostly unmapped wants it hidden."

Silgara considers "Keeping a whole island hidden would take considerable magic. But illusions of such nature do exist."

"Would it be a good place for pirates to hole up?" Mingzhu asks.

“Or something worse.” Balan tells her.

Zsikhou looks over "What do you think it means when the passage says to bring the four riders’ talismans at night?" Then he looks over to the Sensei "Were you able to restore anything regarding the other book?"

Qualai Minh shakes his head. "I'm afraid the smaller notebook was too badly damaged. I'm still trying, though." Zsikhou nods.

“It may be the case the island can only be found at night.” Balan suggests.

“Do we have all four talismans? Or the mayor?” Mingzhu asks.

Silgara looks over "Shouldn't be difficult to ask for them back, at least. If we need them."

Mingzhu thinks a long time. “Could they be some form of key?”

Silgara considers "Possibly but... that would take very advanced magic..." Balan thinks of what Mingzhu asked but he comes up with nothing.

Mingzhu comes up with another idea. "Another possibility is whoever this is needs them for some form of ritual?"

Silgara nods "Also possible..."

Mingzhu almost meditatively says, “They all seem to extrude an evil presence.”

“There is only one way to find the answer.” Balan says hesitantly.

"Aye, that seems like the most likely case, but the question is what the ritual is trying to accomplish."
"It seems that we have our next target at least though." T’kharr answers.

Fwangzhu huffs "So what, take four evil things somewhere at night? Well, whatever. Sounds like a dumb idea, but a good axing can solve the complications from it."

Silgara looks over to T'kharr "Guess so."

Mingzhu shakes her head with concern. “I guess we should prepare to go to this island and see what is there. Find out why they want the 4 talismans.”

Silgara nods aside "Well, in that case, we have a day to make preparations. Let’s make sure that we make good at that. What's there is likely to be highly dangerous."

Fwangzhu huffs "I'll get a boat for you lot again."

Minamoto bows to Qualai "Thank you, Sensei, I shall let Hattori know and sharpen my sword."

“We have 3700 in coins we can use that for potions and bandages.” Mingzhu says as she draws out her paperwork.

Silgara nods "Then we'd better make it count, then."

They all go to the market. Mingzhu takes them to see the herbalist first. She concentrates on bandages, medical herbs and potions. They are all available. She asks for 21 cure moderate wound potions. The herbalist tells her it will be 250 apiece. Mingzhu goes pale and asks for 7 instead. She recounts and says, “Everyone gets 1 cure moderate wounds potion. We now have 1950 in gold.”

T’kharr pulls everyone over to a wu-jen at the market and asks about Hold Person scrolls. He tells her 150 per scroll. She looks at everyone, “Three of them if you don’t mind.”

He says, “that will be 450 gold.”

Mingzhu passes her the coin and states. We are down to 1500 in coin now.

Balan suggests, “We should have some extra bandages for when it is not immediate.”

Mingzhu makes a pack of rudimentary first aid with bandages, balms, and herbs. Including poison and disease. She spent so much at the herbalist the woman lets her pack the kit for free.

Fwangzhu leaves to rent the boat again. He comes back shortly and says that it is ready. Mingzhu follows along not ready to take any lead as of yet. She quietly watches everyone.

"We probably should have a decent set of charts of our own, no? Or how much sailing were you thinking this'd take?" T’kharr suggests.

Silgara looks over "On a rowboat? Could be a few hours sailing from the north end of the isle. So probably a bit longer if we're starting here."

T’kharr checks herself, “Ah. If it's that close, then I think we should be able to manage it given how we've done so far."

Silgara rubs her forehead "Are we ready to set sail then?"

"I suppose so" looking up to make sure the weather's cooperative.” T’kharr muses.

Fwangzhu huffs "Boat's ready. I paid the family extra in this case. I figured they'd deserve hazard pay."

Zsikhou nods "I got the four talismans from the mayor."

Mingzhu nods goes to the bow of the boat, sits down and meditates leaning against Snout who is behind her. T'kharr loads up into the boat. The party sets off... going to the designated spot by the map on the scroll. It's nighttime, stars are out... part of a moon up in the sky. It so far seems smooth sailing.