(July 20, 2003) Chronicler: Isaku
Month 12, Day 9, Year 1561 --
We've been busy with various errands and such since our last trip to Ming Yo Temple. Gorvak and Mulan collected some cuttings around Waterstone Temple for the Doc Cu'o'c of the gardens at Ming Yo Temple. With the help of some other shamans at Waterstone Temple, we were able to increase Raji's strength and size, so he'll have a better chance of surviving future encounters at Ming Yo Temple. Zenako successfully awakened the powers of her katana.
Once the rest of our party returned from Marike, we set off for Ming Yo Temple. We struck camp after a day of uneventful travel, but the night did not pass as quietly.
During third watch (Zenako, Ashiko, Til'k), we were attacked by 64 bakemono led by 5 ogres. Those of us who were asleep got off to a slow start, but a flask of Smoke from Ashi, a couple of Fireballs from Noku, a couple of Ice Blasts from Hatori, and an Entangle spell from Mulan helped turn the battle to our favor.
Noku managed to avoid catching the party in his Fireballs, but Raji and I got hit by one of the Ice Blasts. Zenako, Raji and I then got caught in the Entangle spell. I was able to cast a Bane spell, but spent most of the battle casting healing spells on myself and Raji. Mulan went down in the battle, but I think everyone else managed to stay up.
After the battle, Ashi and I healed up the party as well as we could. Mulan's wand of Cure Light Wounds was also helpful.
On searching the battlefield, we found a box of 5 potions, some javelins, a nodachi, a naginata, and some armor. The potions were later identified as Broken Arrow (protection from arrows), Cat's Grace, Swim, Cure Moderate Wounds, and Neutralize Poison.
12/10/1561 --
We reached Osawesataray village, and rested for a couple of days to recover from the battle.
12/12/1561 --
We set out for and reached the base camp near Ming Yo Temple.
12/13/1561 --
This time Mulan stayed behind to oversee the camp, while the rest of set off for the dormitories of Ming Yo. First, we made our usual preparations of Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, and Endure Fire spells. Hatori also scried on the Vanara, who appeared to be preparing spells in a mountainous region. Hatori also got the distinct impression that he was being watched. (Turnabout is fair play, I guess.)
As we approached the overgrown dormitories, Hatori and I heard something swishing in the grass in front of us, and Noku detected something invisible nearby. I cast a Bane spell, and Noku cast a Fireball centered on the area where he thought the invisible thing was. We were then attacked by 13 Jiki-Niku-Gaki, and some of them looked a bit scorched. We finished them off without too much trouble, but didn't find any loot on the dead Gaki.
We reached the river and saw the Doc Cu'o'c of the gardens, who recognized us from before. Gorvak presented the cuttings, and he seemed pleased. Hatori asked if we could again enjoy the gardens for a while, which was no problem. Ashi recited a haiku she had written, and we rested for a while (the spell casters each regained one spell).
We headed on to the orchards to meet the nephew of the Doc Cu'o'c of the gardens. We gave him greetings from his uncle, and chatted for a while. He warned us about the fire toads beyond the orchards, and asked us to pass his greetings to the other nephew in the cold storage caverns.
We soon reached the cold storage caverns, and met the third Doc Cu'o'c, an ice spirit who was rather bored, since the caverns were no longer in use. We asked if he would be interested in protecting the lands around Osawesataray village. He was indeed interested in the barbarian village, and told Ashi his name, so that he could be called by name in the appropriate ritual. He asked that we check with his uncle first, so we went back to gardens to ask permission of the elder Doc Cu'o'c. He liked the idea, and hoped that his nephew might learn some manners after dealing with people again. (Manners in a barbarian village? Not likely, but at least he wouldn't be so bored!)
We continued along the western side to the great courtyard and the ruined dorms, and soon found ourselves in a battle with 26 more Jiki-Niku-Gaki. Noku took 10 of them out with a couple of Fireballs, Hatori downed a couple with Magic Missiles, and the rest were finished off in direct combat. Ashi cast Fly on herself, and developed an interesting technique of swooping down to attack a Gaki, then flying out of the way again.
We searched the ruins and the dead Gaki after the battle, but found no loot. We found our friend Rokuri Buko by the shrine of the Vanara again, and she had cleared most of the brush from around the statue. Til'k sniffed around, but found nothing new. Ashi could not detect any new air pockets, but did find some buried objects of stone (most likely some large boulders).
We decided to move on to the merchant halls. We noticed some big red boulders off in the boggy areas, where some of the fire toads probably live.
Til'k soon smelled more Gaki. Battle commenced, and we defeated another 14 Jiki-Niku-Gaki. Hopefully this clears out the last of them (at least within the temple ruins). Again we found no loot on the dead Gaki, or in the merchant halls.
We headed back to base camp for the night.
12/14/1561 --
Noku, Ashi and Hatori headed back to the Osawesataray village to see if the villagers were interested in calling the Doc Cu'o'c from the cold storage caverns. They agreed, and the appropriate ritual was performed. Seemed like a good fit all around.
The rest of us stayed in the base camp to rest and prepare to return to Ming Yo.