(November 15, 2003) Chronicler: Tsuruchi Zenako
Prelude:
Having arrived at the village of Osawaesataray with our ogre friends, the group spent a day or so trying to scry the temple, and speaking to spirits about what lay within.
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."
We then spent a quick trip, after moving to the forward camp, scouting the temple using various detection spells.
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 a Locate Object object spell detected an object with a jade spearhead (the Jade Yari?) about 40 ft. below the middle of the main shrine. There also appears to be a magical barrier along the board fence, and 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?
The rest of the 16th and 17th were spent in scrying and preparations for re-entering the inner portions of the Ming Yo Temple Ruins on the 18th.
Heading Out 1/18/1562:
The evening before our spell casters, using some newly mastered skills, cast some extended duration spells upon some of us that would last until the middle of the afternoon of the following day (16 hours). This would leave them with more slots to enhance us with on the following morning, before we enter the ruins and face grave dangers.
For various reasons, some of which involve ensuring the safety of our base camp, Gorvak and Isaku remain behind on this foray. Leaving Gorvak behind, and his frequently impetuous actions, would turn out to be a wise move once the events of the day unfolded. By using many extended spells, the entire group entering the ruins this day received Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Endurance, Fly, and the ability to Endure both Fire and Sonic damage. A few bits of incense were also burned to enable additional spells to be focused by the other spell casters.
When we awoke to begin our morning preparations, we were surprised to see a fresh snowfall of many inches lying on the ground. This might be a factor later in the day, again time will tell. All preparations are made, we intend to enter the outer courtyard of the central temple complex and purge the region of Gaki and whatever else infects those ruins. The remaining structures will be cleansed and searched for any writings left behind. Our objective is to explore all the remaining area outside of the magical barrier on this morning, and to perhaps go deeper if such is indicated.
As we near the ruins, a set of HUGE tracks is seen, even by those who cannot usually spot such things. It has the indications of a Tiger of Immense size, perhaps 30 feet in length! Such a being is to be respected and possibly feared. Its tracks are heading towards the ruins.
A discussion emerges, should we simply follow its tracks to the ruins, or should we follow its track back along the path it came from? Ashiko takes this time to cast Fly on every member of the party. The sensitive nose of Til'k picks up a fiendish scent! This is no normal tiger! A brief foray back along the tracks finds nothing but continuing tracks until they are lost in the new snow. The group then follows the tracks towards the ruins, and as we enter the outer portions, we can spot the source of the tracks standing near the outer gates to the central temple region, right where we intend to go to enter.
What greets our eyes is Gggggreat Huge Fiendish Dire Tiger, with as we will soon learn, a Rider known as Magoun of the Burning Tiger Order, who is riding Rivool his Dire Tiger companion. Our group, which does not spot the rider at first, slowly approaches the great beast, and moves in an expanding circle about it. Magoun reveals himself to us and a conversation ensues. Terse questions from our Samurai Zenako, are greeted with even more terse replies by the Monk. Our more diplomatic folks engage Magoun in a bit more talk, as we move about his location and head to the main gates. As we all move past him, giving him careful scrutiny at all times, Ashiko invites him to come along. Harrumph? says the Samurai, but she will not make an issue of it at this time. Magoun speaks to his tiger and the tiger moves away from the gateway and takes a resting spot a little distance away, hopefully more than a pounce distance.
With Magoun following along, it seems that he has a lost love under the sway of the Hebi-No-Onna whom he wishes to liberate; the company enters the outer ring of the Central Temple. Almost immediately various Gaki appear and attempt to defeat us. In the Oratory building, a music playing Gaki begins playing as some of us enter the building. It is a threat soon defeated, but at the same time, more Gaki transform from insignificant insects into annoying creatures of battle. As the Biwa playing Gaki in the Oratory is slain, more Jiki-Niku-Gaki are slain outside the steps to the building. During the fight inside, Noku unleashes a Wall of Fire, which also begins to burn the remains of the building. Magoun displays some of his heritage as he stands IN the wall of fire while striking blows on the Gaki. More Jiki-Niku-Gaki tracks are seen near the Office building and Zenako heads over to see if she can get them to reveal themselves. She does and provides a great target for a Fireball from Noku, which harms them greatly. While we fight and finish these Gaki, Noku, whom can See Invisible, spots more Gaki flying over the burning Oratory towards us, and Fireballs them as well. Various other spells, Burning Hands, Magic Missiles, and Hastes have served to help us lay waste to close to a score of Jiki-Niku-Gaki and three Biwa Gaki. Magoun has acquitted himself with honor to this point.
Til'k rushes back into the burning building to search it for anything to recover while he still can. We later find one more Gaki waiting to ambush us in another shrine, but is swiftly defeated with but a few mighty swings and some Magic Missiles.
With no active foes at this point, we search the standing structures of the outer courtyard and find a number of items of value. In the Oratory we find some Jade Figurines, Mirror Chimes and a Biwa. In the Office we find a number of books and ledgers detailing activities at the old temple, and pouch with 30 pearls of various sizes and values. The ruined shrines we search yield nothing of value. In and near the old Assembly Hall we find the remains of a fallen Samurai, Katana, Wakizashi, Great Armor all lie in the small moat surround the structure. These will be restored and later offered to the ancestors. In the Shrine where the Biwa Gaki lay in ambush, a hidden storage hole reveals a skeletal hand wearing an enchanted Ring, and Holding a Wand. These are carefully removed, along with the bony remains, for later identification. The old Treasury building has some opened chests, and no obvious treasure, but our sharp eyed spotters note a false bottom on one and uncover a Protective Charm against theft in that hidey hole. It had not been activated. Lastly we examine the cistern and find a small leather pouch still holding together and within it 20 gems with most being small, but a couple larger ones and one very large one. Further searches around the magical barrier uncover nothing more of value.
With the rush of imminent battle no longer upon us, further discussions with Magoun about what he knows of the Hebi-No-Onna and its entourage ensue. Our company has accomplished our objectives for the day; we have peeled back another layer of the onion, and now await perhaps the final confrontation within the temple ruins. As part of our post battle discussions, we also speak with the Murimotos and determine how they can best serve the needs of the day and where Honor may befall them in this ancient place.
Since much time has been spent ensuring that nothing has escaped our attention in this portion of the ruins, many of our spells are aging out, so the course chosen is to retreat slightly to discuss our plans, and then coordinate our next strike with the other forces involved.
While the final plans have yet to be set, as of this writing, the following shall serve as a general note regarding our intentions for the rest of this day and tomorrow, before our final strike on the 20th of the month.
The combined forces will meet outside the Main gate of the Central Temple. Magoun will be traveling with the Liberators of Brightstone Keep. The war party of the Murimoto clan shall enter with us, and defeat and cleanse the middle courtyard just inside the magical barrier, while the Liberators forge straight ahead into the Main Shrine and down to confront the witch mistress of the snakes. There are numerous shrines and the old library in the middle courtyard which likely house many Gaki or other fell beasts worthy of the Murimoto Clan warriors.
The Liberators shall enter the Inner Courtyard, ensure that no enemy remain behind us in the two mediation halls on either side and rush into the Main Shrine. Once we enter the magical barrier, all due haste is incumbent upon us to leave the defenders a minimum of time to respond. Magoun had been into the chambers beneath the Main Shrine and gives us a briefing of what may lie beyond, Wang-Liang, Tsuno, Dark Nagas Sorcerers, Hannya Shaman, Rokuro-kubi sisters and Yuan-ti and of course, the mistress of them all, the Hebi-No-Onna. To ensure our success, careful plans will be made, and many spells cast upon us, the details of that will surely follow, as will the division of spoils from this days activities once we return to camp, for we surely need the power and skills of Gorvak and Isaku if we are to face the entire force of the sorcerer witch.
May our ancestors bless our actions and look kindly on our fortunes for this coming battle!