(September 21, 2003) Chronicler: Tsuruchi Zenako
Prelude
The 19th day of the 12th month was spent in rest and healing and getting our preparations in order for the anticipated completion of the exploration of the ruins outside the central complex of Ming Yo Temple.
However, that night the barbarians guarding our encampment awoke us to describe the sight they had just witnessed in the night sky and that had awakened some of us. On a low flying trajectory from the north and heading to the south was a great flaming body, perhaps a phoenix or some such mythical creature. A great booming was heard from the speed of its passage. After some consultation with our scouts, and based upon the reports of the barbarians, we deduce that the impact would have to be about 10 miles to the south of our current location.
A brief but intense discussion follows about what course of action to pursue. Should we set out immediately for the impact site and find what might be there, or should we wait until daylight and then go there, or should we just ignore the event and continue on with our plan of exploration of Ming Yo Temple? There are pros and cons to each approach. As the discussion evolves, many eyes turn to Hatori and his divinatory wisdom to settle the matter.
Setting out immediately ensures that we would be amongst the first people to arrive at the location, but our company would be essentially without any spells or spell preparation whatsoever. Our trek would also entail a possibly dangerous 10-mile foray in the dark of the night to face an unknown situation. This would be risky and certainly unwise. The premise that we might be able to help save someone (not sure whom would be in a burning ball of fire that we want to save?) is tempered by the fact that it will take us a significant amount of time to reach that location, especially if we have no magic to aid us, and that if someone (thing) was in need of help, then they would likely expire long before we could get there, or else they would still be alive and “fine” in the morning.
Attempting to query the ancestors on what would be the best course of action; Miya Hatori uses his skills and does a divination. The Ancestors indicate that rushing off hastily would be foolish idea and that we should take all reasonable precautions. Hatori then attempts to Scry upon the “being” that arrived on the fiery ball which crashed 10 miles south of our encampment and manages to catch a glimpse of a horrific visage which when described, appears to be a dread ONI! Not just an Oni, but an OUTSIDER Oni of the Akuma No Oni breed.
This most definitely calls for proper preparations to be made. This large Oni is a fearsome foe and needs to be driven off this land before its virulence can corrupt the region. Beyond the normal Oni qualities, (Cold, Fire and Acid Resist 10) this one has a great Damage Reduction of 20/+2 and regenerates swiftly. Only blessed or Jade/obsidian weapons will do permanent damage to the monster. Its spell like abilities, are steeped in Darkness and the always-present Aura of Fear will be of some concern. Although the later is not so much a problem anymore with many of our warriors having been blessed with the unshakeable courage of the Falcon. Our worries however expand since it would be very likely that such a being will not be found alone, but will have some lesser Oni with it as well, and we did not scry upon them, or learn of their nature, but fear that they too will be found when we arrive.
Having learned the nature of what we might face, the decision to wait for morning is greeted with relief by all. The rest of the night passes with fitful sleep, as each person has to deal with the fears and demons of impending battle on their own terms.
12/20/1561 - Dawn
Dawn arrives and the preparations and deliberations begin. After much discussion, our course of action is settled. Some spells are completed in camp, other spells will be cast as we near the impact location, and still other spells will be readied for casting once battle erupts. Isaku spends a goodly time preparing weapons and arrows with Weapon Bless enhancements to ensure that the initial blows will strike true on the Oni and hurt it deeply. The Blade of Til’k, the Axe of Gorvak and 3 arrows (1 for Hatori, 2 for Zenako) are all so enchanted. Noku also enchants, using a Greater Magic Weapon spell, a collection of 50 Daikyu arrows that are also split between Hatori and Zenako. Zenako burns some incense and focuses an extra spell.
The usual spells are also cast upon the company, the Endure Fire spells from Noku, the Bull's Strength from Hatori, the Cat's Grace from Ashiko and the Endurance spells from Noku. For this battle, Ashiko also plans to cast Fly on many of the company as we near the impact site, and reserve a couple of slots for Haste Spells when possible.
Our company on this morning includes Zenako, Hatori, Ashiko, Noku, Gorvak, Isaku (Raji) and Til’k. Mulan chooses to remain at the encampment and provide extra defense for the barbarians, who are quite unnerved by the whole event, and are somewhat comforted to have the powerful Ranger Scout staying with them. Our trek to the hills where the impact occurred was uneventful and took a good part of the morning, since the woods were noticeably dense, so dense in fact that had we brought our steeds, we might have had to turn back.
12/20/1561 – Late Morning
Our company nears the impact zone and casts the spells of many minute durations. We emerge from the dense forest and take in a most unnatural sight. The earth has been plowed and torn asunder where the object (a silvery looking cylinder perhaps 50 feet in length and 15 feet across) has gouged its way into the hillside. We observe a dark opening on one side of the silver “house”, and not far away, what appears to be a cave mouth. As we look over the location, no Oni are seen. With all spells active and many short duration ones just cast, the company moves forward, using the great speed of the Fly Spells from Ashiko, to a location near the dark opening in the silver house, and perhaps 80 feet from the cave in the hillside. Suddenly many of the company are engulfed in a horrid black cloud, which harms and sickens many of us. The cloud hurts those exposed to its evil for 19/9 points of physical harm and for those who did not resist the full effect; they are also sickened for a short time (which has the effect of -2 to most all rolls). Having been slow to react to our rush to the front, Hatori was not in the cloud and casts Haste upon himself and moves forward to where he can see the Akuma Oni standing just in the cave mouth entrance, whereupon he fires his Blessed Arrow at the Outsider, but fails to locate the foe. The Battle is joined.
Zenako, the only one to resist the sickening of the greasy cloud, takes but a single step in the direction of the Oni, summons her Frenzy and Focus and lets loose with 3 mighty shots at the Oni, and hits with the 2nd and 3rd arrows, doing some noticeable harm to the Oni. Noku, fearing that more foes might lie in the darkness of the opening in the Silver house, casts a Light spell there, and is dismayed when the darkness remains. Gorvak, spying the foe that has sickened him, enters his Barbarian Rage and charges the Oni and strikes it a powerful blow with his Blessed Axe. Isaku, who had been next to Gorvak, follows his lead and charges the Oni and Smites it with his Blessed Mace, once more harming the outsider severely.
At this point, Noku fears are realized as two lesser Oni, which are recognized by our experts as Sanru Oni, appear near the Silver house and attack. One of them attempts to harm Noku as it flies by, but his Shield spells protects him, while the other one drops another black cloud of evil darkness on those who still remain in the area from the first one. The damage is less (14/7) but the intensity is deeper, and again, all but Zenako, who is blessed with outstanding Fortitude, are further afflicted and sickened. Ashiko moves to Zenako and casts Haste upon Zenako, and then moves far enough away to not be within the same cloud as anyone else. Til’k finally getting a chance also engages the frenzied focus of the Sohei and charges the Oni in the cave, with the hope of striking a telling blow and perhaps dropping it. His blow does swing straight, but the Oni is curved. The Oni, feeling mighty wounded, and truly wounded at that, takes a step back and creates another black cloud on those facing him. Again the vile darkness deals a physical harm of 19/9 and the sickness continues (and fortunately does not stack!). The three facing the Akuma still stand (shaken, and stirred and sickened), but still standing and the Oni feels desperate. Hatori (and his very hurt and sick Saru, who grabs a potion, quaffs it while hasted and then Jumps down from his master and scampers away hoping to remain unseen and untargeted by any more black death) who is flying, swoops down and casts a haste spell on Gorvak and then fires another shot at the Oni and thus ends the second breathe of battle.
With her hastened condition, Zenako switches targets (since the Akuma Oni has three powerful warriors next to it, and Noku has two Sanru Oni near him, a change in targets was indicated). Zenako, using her skills and haste, fires off 4 telling shots that all hit the Oni, which shatters its confidence and lowers its hit points to almost gone. Noku seeing that the two Oni are within the area of a single fireball and one has been sorely wounded, does as he is won’t to do and Fireballs the foes! The sorely wounded one does in fact drop to the ground, down, damaged, but not dead (until later). Gorvak unleashes the flurry of his raging might and strikes the Akuma Oni a great blow, and drops it. Isaku, feeling greatly wounded, debates curing himself, but seeing the fallen Oni, gathers his inner strengths and plunges a powerful Fist of Jade Iron into the Oni’s brain, and truly kills it. The Sanru Oni were not just two, but four and the other two appear on the field not far from where we arrived, and cast yet more vile darkness and sickness upon us. One spell for 22/11 lands on the battle near the Silver house, and furthers harms and sickens some of us, and once again Zenako resists the full effects. The second Oni attempts to save his master with another cloud upon those who were near his fallen body only this one is a weak spell (12/6) and merely serves to further hurt, but not drop any of those warriors. The remaining Oni, who had been Fireballed, attempts to attack Noku and gets a hit, but merely scratches him. Ashiko swoops down from above and casts Haste upon Isaku and then backs off a bit. Til’k using his speed and training, and keen eye, swiftly moves to the fallen Sanru Oni, carefully places his Obsidian dagger on its throat and truly ends its existence. Hatori casts another Haste spell, this time upon Til’k and then fires an arrow at the nearby Sanru Oni. And thus ends the third breathe of battle.
Zenako turns her mighty bow to the next Oni nearby and lets loose another flurry of enchanted arrows, and manages to hit three of the four shots, which greatly harms the Oni, but does not drop it, yet. The Wasp has stung! Noku seeing the grievously wounds upon that foe, hurls his Magic Missiles into it and drives it from the sky. Gorvak, with both Haste and Fly is able to charge one of the new Oni on the Field and takes his battle to it. Isaku, sorely wounded, cures himself and moves towards the conflict. The two remaining Oni, both again cast Sickening darkness upon some of us, and again fail to drop anyone. The intensity was 15/7 and 12/6 from the two effects. Ashiko casts haste upon herself and swiftly moves to a new location on the field. Til’k is able to move to the freshly fallen Oni and again finds just the right place to insert his Obsidian dagger and end the existence of the abomination. Hatori having moved a bit closer, unloads a magic missile into the Oni Gorvak is fighting and drives it to the ground as well. And thus concludes the fourth breathe of battle.
With only a single target left, Zenako aims true and once again impales an Oni with 4 hasted enchanted arrows and severely harms this creature. Noku, seeing the success of other magic missile spells, unleashes such a spell at the last Oni, and drives it to the ground as well. Gorvak and Isaku pummel the freshly fallen Oni, and the field is held. Til’k makes sure the last two Oni are permanently dead, and the wounded begin to line up for what healing remains. (With so much prep magic, Ashiko has relatively few spells left compared to many encounters.) The sickness soon passes for all those affected, but the damage will take a while to heal.
After but a few moments, Zenako moved to the fallen Oni leader and examined its body, and except for a tattered harness, finds only a Ring of note on one of its fingers. Zenako removes the ring and holds at the entrance to the cave. Concerned that there might be more Oni inside the silver house, attempts are made to dispel the darkness and while the first one fails, the second attempt succeeds. The Silver house seems to be a single chamber with some freshly gathered brush, perhaps nests or beds for the Oni, scattered about inside the chamber. Parts of the silver house appeared to have once had some intricate workmanship, but appeared to have fallen prey to Oni urges and destruction! Nothing of value to us is located within, but the glowing silver walls cause pain and harm to any of us that come in contact with the house. This must be dealt with at some point.
Over at the cave mouth, some light sources are summoned and we carefully enter. This is no natural cave, but one that was formed over the past day. Inside we find a battered wooden chest and a smaller wooden case. Stacked near those are many large bars or bricks of metal ore. A truly large haul of wealth, liberated from the clutches of the horrid Oni. The pile of yellow bricks (gold) counts 22 with each brick weighing 20 pounds. (With 50 coins to the pound, that is 1000 coin weight per brick!). Near the yellow bricks are some reddish ones (copper) and their count is 95. Stacked in piles are also some smaller disks of yellow and red. Each disk weighs 2 lbs and we find 13 yellow disks and 50 reddish ones. Market value of this precious metal is 23,200 gold in gold and 1000 gold in copper. The total weight of the metal will be a problem to retrieve however, since the 95 copper bricks weigh almost a ton by them self. The 462 pounds of gold will be split up and brought back to camp fairly easily.
Looking inside the small wooden case after Til’k pronounces it free of traps, we see a four by six matrix of little compartments, and there are gems in sixteen of them. The gems range in value from 1000 gold down to a mere 8, but when all totaled, the value is four thousand two hundred and seventy seven gold worth. This is fast becoming the richest treasure our group has ever found in terms of pure cash items. The large wooden chest is examined and pronounced safe to open by Til’k. Inside this chest are five items of interest and enchantment. First we find a set of enchanted Banded Mail (later learned to be +1), and an enchanted Ninja-to (later learned to also be +1). The scroll tube contains an Arcane Parchment, which has two spells on it, Locate Objects and Resist Elements: Electricity. Lastly we find two Talismans, a Tortoise Shell Talisman (which protects one from arrows) and a Bone Shield (which creates a Sanctuary effect). Located near the bottom of the chest are two other items of non-magical nature, a platinum statue worth 500 gold and an Obsidian Medallion worth 70 gold.
Taking stock of what we have, we decide to return to the encampment, leaving most of the copper bricks here, with the intention of coming back tomorrow with some of the barbarians to get the copper and to help bury the silver house. We will also try to deactivate the corruption on the house so that it does not kill the living, but that will be seen.
Upon returning to base camp, Zenako takes a few moments to assess the booty and decides that this division can easily be made that with so much gold on hand, it is time to balance the books to some degree.
12/21/1561 – Treasure Division and burying the Silver House
The next morning, as planned, we return to the impact zone and retrieve the remaining bars of copper and do what we can to make the silver house not a threat. With so much loose earth nearby, it does not take long to cover the structure and make it hard to see and safe from contact with most wandering animals.
The group returns to the encampment, and the barbarians, as we had promised yesterday, get to keep all of the copper bricks and disks. While our arrangement with the leader of the Village had indicated that the 10% of monetary loot was expected to come from the ruins of Ming Yo Temple, and technically this loot came from elsewhere, it was the decision of the leadership that turning over all of the copper was fair and equitable in this case (not to mention the practical problem of transporting a ton of copper any great distance without magic or a wagon!).
As such the Barbarian guards get to split 100,000 copper coin weight of copper worth 1000 gold in civilized lands.
Soshi Ashiko was allotted 6200 in cash value of the gold.
Miya Hatori was allotted 4500 in value and took the gem collection as the largest part of that value with the balance in gold.
Mulan was allotted a token amount of 47 gold (rounding error/ left over) since she had remained at the base camp this time.
Tsuruchi Zenako was allotted the Ninja-To +1 and the Banded Mail +1 and 4500 worth of gold as her share.
Til’k would receive the Ring worn by the Oni (which was identified as a Protection +2 Ring, and 1400 in gold.
Noku would receive the Arcane Scroll of Locate Object and Resist Elements: Electricity and a cash pile of 6000 gold
Gorvak would receive the Tortoise Shell Talisman (Protection from Arrows) and 2000 gold.
And lastly Isaku, who received the Bone Shield Talisman (of Sanctuary) and 3500 in gold.
The apparent inequities of this division are in fact adjustments for previous tilts in the balance of divisions.
The rest of the day is spent preparing to return to the ruins of Ming Yo Temple on the morning to complete our exploration of the northeast corner near the Mirumoto Dojo and the alleged Kappas.
12/22/1561 – Back to the Ruins – for real this time
Arising early, we break our fast and set out for the ruins. Mulan, having become absorbed with her studies and conversations with the locals says she will again remain in camp, that if you really need her, to come back and get her. Zenako thinks that if we really needed her arms and skills, then we won’t have time to come back. When we get near the ruins, the usual spell preparations are once again cast upon the party, with Bull’s Strength, Cat’s Grace and Endurance on a few. All were earlier Resisted to Fire, and the spell casters were all enchanted with a Fly spell.
Once we pass the Shrine of the Lucky God and enter the area north of it, we shortly observe the signs of recent battles. Our scouts show off their skill by trying to deduce the entire sequence of battle, but we soon tire of their accounting of the details. What is clear is that where there used to be some number of Hopping Vampires and Skeletons in this area, now there are none. The victors in that fight were wearing footgear and were of human size. Our party is even more clearly not alone in its exploration of the ruins.
Moving further north, we can see the old Mirumoto Doge and can clearly see the Mon flying near it. That was not there when we scouted the whole perimeter some weeks back. We also spot what appear to be some guards or samurai near the Jitto’s Estate as well. If someone from the Mirumoto clan has arrived, this could complicate things. Taking no chances, either from a Military or Social basis, we rearrange the order of march with Zenako on point, followed by our Diplomats Miya Hatori and Soshi Ashiko. The commoners and others follow behind.
As our company approaches we are hailed by one of the guards. Hatori introduces himself and awaits the reply. The guard scurries off and informs his leaders that a Miya is outside, and should be greeted. As the guards near the old estate move about and take positions and assume a more formal posture, the leader(s) of this other company emerge from the estate and introduce themselves. The speaker is Mirumoto Mariko, and she appears to be a Samurai and Tattooed Monk! She indicates that this is her Sister, Mirumoto Kamiyoko (who appears to be a Shintao Monk) and that this is her honorable brother Mirumoto Kaigen who appears to be a Monk and Earth Shugenja. We later learn that the name of the leader of the Guards is a Samurai who goes by the single name of Yojimbo. (We suspect he is Ronin and we can see signs of the Crab clan in his equipment.)
Mirumotos are clearly nobles of the Dragon Clan and would have every right to be here in the old ruins of their ancestors. Mariko offers some tea and Zenako, Ashiko and Hatori enter to enjoy the ceremony. Ashiko and the Mirumoto Sisters exchange some pleasantries and Ashiko offers to perform the ceremony and does a commendable job. The Sisters respond by creating a Haiku for the occasion, which Ashiko returns with further grace. Zenako does her part in an acceptable manner (actually having studied Tea Ceremony for some time!). The conversation moves on to the matter at hand. Why are both parties here in these ruins at this time?
The Mirumotos offer that they are here in response to a prophecy and that they seek a great item. Hatori offers why we are here and the lords that we serve, and that we too seek a great weapon of power. The Mirumotos have been here but a few days it seems and they have met the Kappa, and the Kappa have met them, and the Kappa now keep a distance from the Mirumotos. Their group did indeed purge the ruins south of them of the hopping vampires and skeletons. They have also spoken at length apparently with the Tengu in the nearby woods (something we have not done), and learned a number of things from them. The dangerous fire toads were met and a few slain. Hatori and Ashiko recount some of our encounters in the ruins recently, and make a point of discussing the Shrine of the Lucky Gods just south of where they have been. Hatori points out that the Mirumotos might well be able to avail themselves of the boons of the temple. This greatly intrigues them, as does the story of the Doc Cu'o'c guardians in the garden and orchard.
As one point Ashiko excuses herself for bit and we later learn that she had tried to detect the thoughts of the Mirumotos while engaged in conversation with Hatori, to see if other motives lay just beneath the surface. While Ashiko did learn of other motives, they apparently had nothing to do with the objects of our quest, but more a response to the exceptional charisma of Hatori.
The discussion reveals that both parties feel that further pursuit of the objects they quest after need not be confrontational, but could in fact be cooperative. The Mirumoto Party was counseled by the Tengu that they were not yet up to the challenged posed by the occupants of the Inner Temple. By all accounts the three Mirumoto members are at or slightly greater accomplishment than ourselves, with Yojimbo on a par and the numerous guards and fighters all of low levels, at least 2nd by this time I would think, with perhaps a few more experienced ones included as well. The Mirumoto party has strength in numbers but not in arcane powers, which enhance team Marike significantly. If something would challenge our team, it would in all likelihood be very difficult for Team Mirumoto to vanquish.
As we discuss the options, Ashiko has returned to the table, and has brought with her one of our companions to offer his advice. Zenako, whose rapier like wit has been likened to a Tetsubo, offers that, “We can peel the Temple like an Onion or go straight for the seeds?" When her subtle allusion escapes the listeners, she follows with, “War is like food,” and then returns to her quiet listening to the conversation. The others are not sure what to say, but Yojimbo seems to understand and grunts approvingly from the doorway where he stands watch. Team Mirumoto offers us aid if needed when we enter the temple grounds, or sanctuary if being pursued. We indicate in kind, but since our encampment is miles away, such succor would likely be of little use. With the realization that both teams are seeking the Jade Yari and that it appears both teams have members who would be considered worthy of bearing such a weapon, a sense of fair competition has arisen. We soon part on good terms and wish them well. (Although secretly we think, “not too successful.”) Having now declared that all of the ruins outside of the central complex have been explored, save for those locations occupied by the Kappa, Tengu and Hengeyokai, it is time to formulate plans for our entry into the main complex.
After we arrive back at the encampment, a discussion arises. Should we head back to Waterstone and Marike for the New Year celebrations and also convert some of our treasures into enhancements and magical items that would serve us better, or should we stay here and strike into the temple as soon as we can? We have at this point substantially met the obligations of Noku and the late Zazu. The other parties seeking entry into the Ruins of Ming Yo Temple do not pose a great risk of getting to the heart of the complex swiftly. We do have much treasure that could be converted and if we head back, the warriors assigned to our encampment can also return to the village for their New Years festivities. We should seek further advice on what to do about the Silver House that the Oni fell from the sky in. We have a few more recovered documents to return to the archives at Waterstone.
When looking at the options, it soon becomes clear that a return to the civilization that is Marike and Waterstone would be a prudent decision and we should make plans accordingly. Thus ends the reports on the fifth incursion into the ruins of Ming Yo Temple by Team Marike.