(March 16, 2003) Chronicler: Tsuruchi Zenako
Prelude
After returning to Marike on 10/12/1561 from our patrol through the Lords forests north of town, the group spent time reflecting on what was learned, and on mastering new skills or spells. Three of our company advanced to a new level of mastery (Zenako, Mulan and Isaku). A number of quiet days passed with no news any more activity from the roaming bakemono bands, perhaps their numbers have been dropped sufficiently to curb their danger to the local peasants.
As the time drew near for the expected completion of the first item commissioned from the Ogre Smith Matoko, Mulan and Ashiko traveled with Hatori to collect his mithril shirt and settle his debt. While at the smith’s Mulan, having seen first hand the benefits of the excellent armor made by Matoko, placed her own orders for Mithril chainshirt and 4-Mirror Armor, as did Ashiko. This is one smith who will be busy for many many months.
Something comes up
While those three were away collecting the commissioned armor, a woman approached Zazu with a request. It seems that she had received a message (via animal messenger) from an acquaintance who seemed to be being held captive by some brigands based on the message on the note that we viewed. This woman, whose name was Kiko, indicated that she was seeking some aid to help her rescue this friend, whose name was Blossom. The note indicated that she was being held captive by 4 score brigands, Ronin and Wu Jen. Against such a force, we would need most of group to succeed, so we waited until the shoppers returned and set out in the direction indicated on 10/27/1561.
The message from Blossom had indicated that she was 20 miles south of town, which we had to assume was Marike. The party consisting of all of the usual faces (except for Isaku, who was not available, having to attend to other matters), headed south south west along the river road, looking for signs of trouble or bands of brigands. About noon we reach the halfway village and speak with the locals. They have some reports of brigand like activity, but nothing to specific to work with. Zazu, Noku and Mulan had remained outside of the village in an attempt to spot if anyone left the village soon after we began to ask questions. Ashiko spent some time probing the surface thoughts of many in the village, and failed to learn anything of use in our brigand hunt.
Continuing along the road, we reach the next, and much larger village where the small river near Marike meets a much larger river, and boat traffic is much greater. In this village of about 500 souls, we encounter what can best be described as a tong working the shipping lane, and a Samurai in charge who worries mostly about his next meal, rather than how to best protect his charges. (We suspect that the tong prefers it this way and probably takes steps to ensure that nothing occurs to bring unwanted attention or soldiers to this village.) We do get some hints that trouble would lurk in the foothills to the east, if it was to be found anywhere, which would also make it more due south of Marike in the first place. Again, our scouts watched for anyone leaving town, but nothing was seen and the night passed without event.
(On a side note, Kiko had apparently noted Ashiko attempts to read her mind during the day, and Ashiko discovered that all of her pocketable possessions had switched locations during the night, ie. Stuff in the left pocket was now in the right pocket and so on...)
The next morning on the 28th we head up into the foothills east of the village. Zazu asks the rangers, who were looking for tracks, if this burned out campfire site would be something that they might want to consider. The rangers, who were both so used to tracking Ogres and Bakemono, had apparently forgotten to look for the obvious (both rolled real pathetic Tracking rolls). Seeing as it was late in the day, we posted watches near this location and settled down for the night.
The next morning on the 29th Mulan noticed some crows hanging out nearby and offered to speak with them to see if they might know of where any other humans were hanging out near here. "Yup they had seen them, yup not too far away, yup some food or drink would really taste good about now?!" Hatori creates some enchanted water/beer and that pleases the crows. After discussing among the people a bit, Mulan, using Noku's pearl, casts another Speak with Animals and tells the bird what she would like it to do, fly slowly towards the location of the other humans and then circle the spot like it had a dead animal. Zazu would follow the crow and scout the area. To help ensure his stealth, Noku cast an Invisibility Spell on him. The crow flew about a 1/2 to 3/4 mile from where we were and circled and Zazu was able to follow it successfully. The crow, being a smart bird (as birds go), stopped and tried to listen for our scout a few times and eventually managed to hear him once or twice. The rest of us slowly moved in that direction so we would be closer to the site when Zazu returned to us. While Zazu scouted, Hatori and Ashiko cast a number of Bull’s Strength and Cat’s Grace spells on many of the party. (Zenako was much pleased to have received maximum buffs in both spells (5 points) and was really feeling her oats. Extra Grace went to most people, and Strength to a few like Mulan, Gorvak, Hatori.)
Zazu reached the site and noticed pretty soon that of the many thorn bushes on the side of the hill, that only a couple looked dead, and upon closer inspection, he observed an opening behind the bushes, and upon even closer inspection, he noted an alarm string tried to a part of the bush! Zazu returned and told us of the situation. It will never feel normal talking to someone who is invisible! We closed in on the cave, found a nearby spot to tether the horses and Ashiko had Gonji guard the spot as well. Zazu returned and disabled the string alarm system and we entered the cave. Our objectives at this point were to a) rescue Blossom and b) bring the kidnappers to justice. Zazu went ahead to scout out what lay beyond.
In the Cave of the Brigands
Zazu headed down the passage and stopped when he heard what sounded like some gambling going on. He watched (being invisible makes this sneaking stuff much easier!) the guard corps of about 12 men, putting down some bets, the one guard stands up and holds out his chin, while another, larger man, pulls back and slugs him! The first guard collapses and money changes hands as those who bet on the puncher won the bets from those who bet on the punching bag! It occurs to us that if we wait long enough that their might be no one left after awhile, but that would be way too uncertain. Zazu returns and describes the situation. We approach the corner near the guards. Kiko loans her Spider Climb slippers to Zazu so he can go over the guards and to the intersection beyond them to stop any alarm from running off in that direction. Ashiko and Noku plan to sleep most of the guards (if lucky), and the rest of us will dash up and silence others with attacks (mostly bow shots). This works mostly like planned, and after determining initiatives, Gorvak and Mulan dash around the corner first and fire at one target each. Mulan drops her target! The spellcasters drop their sleep spells, but only a total of 5 guards drop asleep from the spells (one is still knocked out from the punching game). Of the 5 still standing, we still get another action after our surprise round attacks and Mulan fires off 3! arrows at various targets and drops 3 of the guards, Zenako fires twice and drops one and Gorvak drops one as well. Kiko advances and "boots to the head" a couple as well.
Without raising much of an alarm, we have taken down the outer 12 guards. Noku charms one of the sleepers and then wakes him up and pumps him for some info. We learn a little about rooms A, B, C and E-H and that was about it. Noku accepts this scum's pleading for mercy and we do not execute him at this time, and I believe he might well have fled before we returned to this location again. We learned that A) contained some smelly stuff (turned out to be rotten food and 5 dead guards who disobeyed the leaders edicts!), that B) was a storeroom with only slightly less rotten food and some supplies, that C) was where the leaders stayed, and that E) contained a woman prisoner, G) had a Korobokuru spy, and F) and H) had more guards and that the stairs at the end were off limits.
Having now breached the stronghold, we moved forward swiftly and made certain that we were not leaving foes behind us. We checked out Room A and found it as advertised. Room B was also unoccupied by opponents (to be inspected later), Room C was also empty (and had a decent lock on it that Zazu opened, this room also had some locked chests or footlockers). Room D when opening revealed an armory of weapons, Scimitars, Short Swords, Spears, Arrows, Bows, etc. Moving over to E and F we hear sounds of a woman in E and what sounds like a fight in F. We open E first, and see two scums prodding a woman (Blossom) in a cage with naginatas. Kiko and Zenako get a surprise round on the two and both are freed of earthly concerns (Iajutsu focus damage on Zenako’s and Sneak Attacks on the other, both are Dead). Kiko moves to free Blossom from the cage, while Zazu opens the doors on the other side and again we drop the few standing brigands. Of the 11 in that room, 8 are down from the internal fighting and the remaining 3 soon join them. Moving up to Room G, where Blossom indicates she thinks the Korobokuru is being held, we hear some yelps. Smashing open this door, we see 4 more scum holding torches near a naked dangling Korobokuru. It seems that they are trying to see if his hair will burn. This torques off Gorvak big time, and in a few moments the 4 scum are breathing their last. Boombar is freed and after being healed by Blossom, wants in on revenge. Mulan loans Boombar and Blossom Short swords to use. Room H is a storeroom with some Oil and Packages and Saki or wines.
While we assess our options, Zazu goes up the stairs and finds that they lead to a trapdoor in the ceiling that is barred from this side. Either it is another way to the surface, or it is a weird holding cell for something. Not aware of any other captives, we decide to wait on that direction and move down further. As we move near Room J, 6 brigands exit the room and almost as quickly 6 brigands lie on the floor, pierced or fried (Burning Hands from Ashiko (5d6 is generally lots more than a 1st level type can withstand!) At this point, it is clear that the typical brigand is completely overmatched by almost any of us, so Zenako calls out for a more aggressive exploration.
Zenako and Mulan and Ashiko setup to check out Room K, while Zazu, Boombar and Gorvak head to Room N. Noku, Blossom, Hatori and Kiko go for Room L. The 5 brigands in Room K put up a little fight, flip a table to act as a shield and soon are defeated. About this time Gorvak open up the door to N and sees two brigands with whips and about 6 peasant cooks in this room. Gorvak and Boombar charge into the room and make short work of the two. Meanwhile Zazu, who has made it his quest to find the Wu Jen that is supposed to be here and aquaint him with the edge of his blade continues down the hall past the opening to O.
Back at room L, when that door is opened, the group sees 4 men around a table, 3 appear much as the rest of the Brigands have, but one has a more masterful bearing and is wearing Lamellar Armor. This might well be the Ronin that Blossom mentioned. Well, the group at this door is perhaps not the best one to face an accomplished warrior, but they give it a go. Noku fires off a Magic Missile (which marks him for a "slow" death, or so says the Ronin) while the other brigands flip up the table and deal with the intruders. Alas, only Noku got to act before the Brigands. Kiko moves into the room to get some flexibility and attack a brigand, but swings poorly and misses. Ignoring Kiko the Ronin moves to the doorway and draws his Katana to strike down the offending mage. His blow is true, but not fatal and Noku is shaken, but not stirred. Hatori seeing his chance, and having buffed up with some spells before, strikes a mighty blow at the Ronin and digs deeply into his flesh (criticalled for 31). The Ronin rethinks who might be the more worrisome foe and glares at Hatori. Blossom moves slightly and Cures some of Noku’s wounds. Noku, steps back from the deadly Ronin. The 3 brigands gang up on Kiko, to no avail. Kiko drops one of her assailants. The Ronin seeks to return the favor to Hatori and strikes him twice for deep wounds and drops the Sorcerer (hits for 17 and 14, ironically the same damage Hatori had dealt to the Ronin mere moments earlier). The Ronin steps back into the doorway to get some cover, which leaves enough space for Blossom to move to Hatori and heal him back to consciousness.
By this time Zenako, Mulan and Ashiko are back in the hallway and see the trouble in this direction and move to help. Zenako charges down the hall in a Frenzy and takes a wild swing at the Ronin and Misses, but is now between him and her fallen allies. Suddenly down at the other end of the halls, Zazu spots another group of brigands coming from Room P. As Zazu turns to see if Gorvak and Boombar see the new foes, Gorvak clenches up tight, his body Paralyzed! Ooops! Boombar grabs his stiff ally and starts heading back to the rest of the group (since Zazu is still invisible Boombar has no friends in any direction expect backwards). The Ronin, seeing a foe that really does concern him manages to find a chink and criticals Zenako for 39 points! Ouch! After Hatori stands up and moves back a step, Blossom moves to heal Zenako, and Mulan charges down the hall to also confront the Ronin.
Zenako strikes the Ronin, not once, but twice, and drops him dead! Meanwhile down the hall Zazu is further shocked when the Wu Jen fires off a 4 die magic missile at him! This is not good. He spotted Zazu while Invisible...! Ashiko hearing of trouble in that direction turns and moves towards the Wu Jen, but as she gets into the main passage, more brigands from Room M emerge and toss a Net over Ashiko. The 11 brigands swarm out around her and Boombar and Noku. Things are looking a bit messy! Kiko and the 2 remaining Brigands exchange blows and another brigand drops leaving just one. Hatori quaffs a healing potion, Mulan uses her wand of CLW on Zenako and Blossom heals Zenako as well. Ashiko, gets rid of the Net and a half dozen brigands in another burst of fire, which also serves to clear out the hallway better, leaving only 4 or 5 brigands near room K. Zazu at the other end decides that since his "cover" is blown, that now would be a good time to use that Javelin of Lightning he got from Noku and drops down from the wall and hurls it along the bottom passage. Even though he only expected to get 4 or 5 brigands and the Wu Jen in it, it turns out that another 16 Brigands were coming down the hallway from the barracks and 12 of them were in the bolt as well! Zazu dropped 5 of the close brigands, and all the 12 in the hallway and wounded the Wu Jen some more.
Zenako asks Kiko if she has the remaining brigand ? Kiko dismissively replies, what do you think! Zenako moves back down the passage to the intersection to aid against more Brigands. When will the carnage stop? The Wu Jen is mightily pissed at Zazu and lines him up with another Magic Missile, which unfortunately is more than Zazu can withstand and he drops (dead as it turns out). The various warriors in the hall fight various brigands and drop some more. Ashiko and Boombar move down the hallway looking to confront the Wu Jen. Mulan runs down to join the fight and comes up just short of the Wu Jen. Kiko drops the last foe in Room L. Gorvak is still stiff, as he will be until the battle has played out. Zenako, seeing another foe which needs to be confronted and having received a bunch of healing charges in her frenzy down the hall to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mulan facing the Wu Jen.
The Wu Jen grins and casts a spell, a freezing Ice Storm impacts Zenako, Mulan, Ashiko and Boombar (who collapses). The Wu Jen then moves away and orders his guards to protect him. A couple answer his call, but move to "protect" his flanks on the opposite side from us! Mulan charges the Wu Jen and hit him. The Wu Jen is really hurting now. Ashiko moves to help Zazu, but sadly learns that he is beyond her help. Other brigands in the hallway faces the Blade of Kiko and Hatori and soon drop. Zenako charges up and and thanks to the charge (I think) hits the Wu Jen who drops from the blow. The remaining brigands near us surrender. We hold the field. ~ 77 brigands lay dead, 1 Ronin (6th level) and 1 Wu Jen (7th level) lay defeated as well. We have about 9 surrendered brigands, 6 peasant cooks (women and children), We rescued the Shamaness Blossom (~3rd level) and the Korobokuru Barbarian Rogue (likely about 3rd level). We have some significant wounds and Zazu has again taken the passage to visit his ancestors.
Notable booty from the brigands includes the following: Katana +2, Crystal Ball (which makes Hatori drool), a Bag of Holding, a Pearl of Power (3rd level Spell), a Spell Book for the Wu Jen and lots of cash and weapons and trade goods that will be tallied in a treasure report coming after we learn of the fate of Zazu.
In the next couple of days, we will take his body to the Abbess at Waterstone and ask that she speak with Zazu, so that we might know his intentions, for he has not left any indications of his desires in matters such as this.
And that is the story of Brigands and Blossom and Killer Wu Jen.