As we left things last time, we had managed to learn some info about the nature of the powerful occupant of the ruins, whom we hopefully shall not face directly until we have reduced her assets and allies.
We had recieved indications that the prudent course of action would be to purge some of the outer portions of the inner temple of the undead occupiers and thusly protect our backs when we forge ever deeper.
Once we begin the penetration, we need to continue with a minimum of downtime, unless the benefits to the company are significant.
As such, it seemed like we should enter the outer portions of the inner complex and head towards the location of the building marked as the treasure house (location 11 on the map). Now a reasonable first objective might well be to examine and cleanse all of the buildings in this ring of the compound. That would include the Sacred Stable (15) (of some interest to Zenako!), the Office (8), the Oratory (2), the Assembly Hall (16), The Cistern (4), the Stages (14) and the dormitories (2+) and assorted Shrines (3 x 9) in the outer ring. We would also need to examine and either pass through the Main Gate (7) or use one of the many lesser gates on the east and west sides of the Compound.
If I recall the DM description correctly, this would result in our having examined and explored all of the buildings/structures outside of the Barrier which protects the middle and inner parts of the compound.
Since we may well have numerous Gaki and other Undead roaming the outer portions, it would be nice to reduce them before we attempt to enter the protected inner portions.
As players, Mike will not be making it so no Mighty Morphin Raging Ranger Gorvak Barbarian along for the ride! I expect that Laura/Mulan will be playing, and that the rest of the crew will be available on the 16th of November. We might have to resolve some level up stuff from the trip out to the village, so hopefully we can get the info from the DM and get on that as soon as Ernie gets to it. (I intend to put a hold on further Underdark discussions until we get back into the temple here to avoid distracting the OA DM...) We have reason to believe that Hatori and Noku will be advancing and perhaps others as well.
I assume that our powerful Shugenja will be able to partake in the session, and that we will have completed any other divinations attempted before the session sit down begins. IF PC's have gone up, it is a good time to spend the extra day or two needed now before we start to crack the compound.
Once we begin to take down some of the vile undead, that will leave the route also cleansed for either of the other two factions (the Murimotos and the Rokuri Buko (sp)) to enter and explore more safely. It is pretty clear that neither of those groups possess our combined abilities of melee prowess and spells, so we will be the ones most likely to break through.
If some of the diviners could recapture the information we gathered at the end of the last session, I had very little in my notes and Zenako was not directly involved with the casting of any of the spells, so my recollection is a bit unclear at this point.
Notes on Isaku's Trance spell from last session:
Isaku was able to commune with a lesser spirit, apparently a monk from the temple. He asked the spirit, "What is the nature of the defenses of the central temple complex?", and got this reply:
"A viper's nest may here be found - serpents magical and monstrous abound. Led by a lady powerful and dark, with poisonous bite and devious spite. Her entourage are women-snakes too, and nagas server her, more than two. Deep below the master waits, for one worthy of the weights of duty and honor."
Notes on Detect Magic spells from last session:
Detected some undead wandering in groups of 12 or so. Also detected some magical incense in the shrines by the board fence (near the gateway), and something magical (the Jade Yari?) about 40 ft. below the main shrine. There also appears to be a magical barrier along the board fence. There appears to be a desecrated area in the outer court.
There was some discussion about using Dimension Door or Pass Wall to get through the barrier. Some of the undead may be Gaki in insect form. Til'k also sniffed some snakes in areas of the central temple, maybe Hannyas?