(December 13, 2003) Chronicler: Tsuruchi Zenako
Prelude:
After returning from the Ming-Yo Temple ruins on the 18th with our newest ally, Magoun waiting nearby with his "Tiger" companion, we discuss the many options that now lay before us. Time is not our ally and we must strike quickly as possible to ensure that no additional allies of the Hebi-no-onna arrive. That evening is spent examining the portents, further communication with the spirits and discussing the strategies for casting enchantments and how to maximize our boons while still enabling our spell casters some flexibility during the assault. The addition of Magoun bodes well for our side in this conflict, for he may also be able to sway the allegiance of some of the Snake-Witches warriors. Gaining the aid of the Dragon Clan warriors in cleansing the inner circle of shrines help ensure that we are not confronted with a two front engagement, they should be able to deal with any Gaki or other undead that lurk in those locations.
Our spell casters lay out a matrix of the various effects they can cast upon us, how many could be cast, how many would be needed for casting later this night and so on. The discussions lasted many hours for the options are many and not every enchantment could be cast on every member of the company. It becomes clear that the earliest we can assault the stronghold of the Hebi-no-onna and enjoy the full benefits of our spell casters and preparation would be in two mornings from now, on the 20th of the month. Every spell caster in the company is being called upon to assist in this effort, even the Ranger and Sohei who have certain uniquely useful spells to cast such as Weapon Bless. With a carefully crafted schedule, most of the company will be enhanced with Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace and Endurance to aid in battle and hit points. All of the party will be protected from minor Fire, Sonic, Cold, Acid and Electrical damage via Endure Elements spells. Poisonous effects will be delayed for some hours (and staggered so they do not all expire at once) via Delay Poison spells. Shortly before we enter the inner courtyard, many will be enchanted with Flying spells, or Protection from Evil or Chaos spells. As we enter the inner shrine, various members, in a predetermined sequence will be the recipients of Haste spells to enhance their movement and attack abilities. Enchanted arrows from a Greater Magic Weapon spell will be distributed as well to those bearing the Noble Daikyu.
With the insights from Magoun, we have a good understanding of the layout of the underground chambers and plot out the expected targets and actions for each of the company, so as to best ensure our success. It should take but a few rounds once we pass through the gateway to the inner courtyard for us to reach the trapdoor leading to the underground chamber where all of our scrying has indicated she now lairs. All focus is on complete victory, for should she escape, a powerful enemy will have to be dealt with at a later date.
Heading Out 1/20/1562:
The final preparations are made and we join up with Magoun, and then later with the Mirumoto Clan warriors. Medium duration spells are cast and the combined forces enter the ruins of Ming-Yo Temple. The Liberators of Brightstone Keep forge ahead and swiftly cross the snowy ground to the inner most gateway, where we spend a brief moment letting everyone catch up before breaching this final barrier for the first time. At this time, some short duration enchantments (such as Bless, Shield, Prot Evil) are cast as the combined forces muster. In the mockup of the battle, detailed strategies had been scoped out for the first 5 rounds after entering the inner courtyard, at which point we fully expected to have made full contact with the forces of the Hebi-no-onna in the basement chambers. Various targets were prioritized with various members of the company, so that we did not waste efforts or block access to the prime objectives of this mission. Alas once battle is engaged, unless formal protocols of war are followed, the ensuing chaos is all but unavoidable.
As we charge into the inner shrine, our company faced no opposition, which means we are not being delayed in any manner. Til'k is able to reach the trapdoor to the lowest level swiftly and pronounces it safe to open. As the company has been rushing through the upper portion of the Shrine and the first basement, the final enchantments (Haste's) are being cast, so that once we leap into the tunnel leading to the lowest hall, all who were planned to be Enchanted with Haste have received it from one of the casters. With no opposition, Isaku casts the Holy Aura spell from the scroll we acquired from the barbarians of Osawesatary Village, and then breach the trapdoor and leap downward into the lower tunnel leading to the hall of battle.
With lightning fast Wu-Jen reflexes, Noku leaps into the tunnel first and steps around the corner and releases his first Fireball into the chamber. Before he can get his spell of, he feels the power of an enemy spell caster attempting to hold him, but Noku's powerful Will avoids that compulsion (with a little help from the numerous prepared enchantments). The Naga's spell fails to stay Noku's spell and the powerful blast is unleashed. While enough to fell many normal Ogres, it barely harms any inside, as most of the guardians are protected by permanent Globes of Invulnerability spaced throughout the chamber. As Ashiko dashes by next, two of the waiting Hannya unleash readied Dispel Magics into the hallway in an attempt to thwart more attacks. Ashiko's emerging Lightning Bolt is snuffed, and other effects challenged by the Hannya's power. Magoun and Gorvak charge into the room and seek targets, Magoun must hurl Shuriken to attack, since he has no other remaining attack option and fills the great serpent with painful hurts, but Gorvak is able to strike at one of the guardians who was near the entrance to the chamber. Zenako charges next and rushes into the chamber and attempts to jump past the Giant Serpent, which filled the whole central portion of the chamber. Although her jump was fine, the Serpent was lying in wait and sprung an attack on her and grabbed the Samurai and began to crush her. Zenako is able to pull her Wakishazi out and strike with one arm; the strength of this GREAT snake is far beyond anything she could defeat in a contest of muscles. Thou she hits three times, the snakes barely flinches. The invisible Til'k reacts next and with inhuman speed, charges down the hallway, leaps past the serpent (who is engaged with Zenako in any case) and lands next to the startled Hebi-no-onna!! The Snake Lady was surely not expecting to face such fearsome and fearless foes. Til'k takes some swings at the Hebi-no-onna, but her defenses thwart him from landing a telling blow. She is however disrupted from the summoning spell she was casting and in a defensive reaction dimension doors to the very back of the hall (which as we later learn is behind a permanent Wall of Force!) leaving a frustrated Til'k with no foe, although he did inflict some more wounds as she left. Mulan enters the chamber and pumps some mighty shots into the Giant Serpent in an attempt to liberate the Samurai, but this serpent has enormous vitality and will not go down. The Rokuro-Kubi Samurai sisters all act and they choose to deal with two targets, the Nezumi who threatened their master, and the Samurai who threatens to kill the master's favorite serpent! With starting efficiency they move out and deal great wounds to both allies. Hatori in Tsuno form steps forward, and resists a variety of spells cast his way by the Yuan-Ti rangers! Many of the Hebi's allies have yet to act! Hatori takes some great strikes at the serpent and harms it even more. The serpent is not looking well. Assorted small vipers strike at members of the party to no great effect, but the handful of Tsuno in the chamber react and move to assist in the battles, but only one has a target and it strikes our Hatori/Tsuno. Isaku charges in (charging was the name of the game today!) and Smites the Great Serpent with a mighty blow. Still it lingers. The last two Naga cast some controlling type spells, but the power of the Holy Aura prevents any effect from occurring. And lastly, the Wang-Liang Captain steps up and takes a strike at Til'k, further harming our heroic Nuzemi Sohei. The battle is joined! This will be a short but bloody battle!
The Naga, who acted first and who had witnessed every spell her allies cast at us fail and our bold and fearless charge into the heart of the lair, decides to flee and reverts to a small serpent form and heads towards some cracks in the wall. Noku surveys the scene and decides to unleash damage from his Heart Ripper Wand, which slays all of the vipers that had emerged to threaten those in the chamber. Noku also moves to the middle of chamber to see if he can help Zenako and propose to put into effect the emergency plan that had been discussed. (IF needed, Noku could Dimension Door with one ally past any obstacle such as a Wall of Force - which he can see with his enhanced vision right now - and pursue the attack on any foe, such as the Hebi-no-onna. However, with only one spell available, this would be a one-way trip in the battle.) The Hannya bear down on Gorvak, and deliver more telling blows on the Korobokuru and drop him negative. (Gorvak had taken much other damage from attacks of opportunity as he had charged in last round as well!) Ashiko flies to the fallen warrior and casts a powerful healing spell upon him, likely preventing him from dying shortly. The Serpent gives a last gasp squeeze and further crushes the still fighting Samurai, who then strikes again and finally inflicts enough damage to slay the mighty beast! Magoun fights carefully and spends more focus on trying to convince his old girlfriend to surrender and stop fighting for the Snake Witch, who has swiftly abandoned her and her sisters! Til'k, thwarted by the wall of force, turns and attacks the Hannya nearby and wounds one severely, and then watches helplessly as the Hebi-no-onna begins to gather her treasures from a shelf along the back wall, behind the wall of force. Mulan, finding her closest target now dead, turns her deadly shafts into a nearby Tsuno that had been wounded, and ends its ability to help in this battle, dropping it dead.
The battle is turning our way, as the four Samurai Sisters, exchange quick glances and words and all sheath their katanas and step towards Magoun. (Zenako who had been severely beaten by one of the sisters while in the serpent's coils is most relieved to see this development!). The Yaun-Ti rangers, not allied with the Samurai and most definitely on their own with the vacating of their mistress, combine using their Mighty Daikyus inflict some serious wounds on our archer Mulan, who shrugs off the damage, causing the Yaun-ti much distress. Hatori continues to fight another Tsuno and with hasted great blows drops another of the Bull warriors. The two standing Tsuno, seeking to make a heroic stand, lash out at nearby members of our company, inflicting deep wounds, but dropping no one. Isaku moves against his nearest foe and pummels it twice. The other two Naga, taking a hint from their fleeing sister, also morph into small serpents and head into the small cracks lining the walls of this underground chamber. The Wang-Liang Captain, his troops falling swiftly, his employer making ready to flee, offers his surrender in exchange for his sword and ring. This offer is accepted, since he is but hired help in this battle.
The battle is now firmly going our way; only a few foes remain facing us: two wounded Tsuno, the two Yuan-Ti Rangers, and the two Hannya, as well as the fleeing Hebi-no-onna. Victory will be ours; only the measure of its success awaits determination. Per the agreed upon plan, Noku grabs Zenako, and Dimension Doors to the far side of the Wall of Force next to the Hebi-no-onna! She is very surprised and dismayed at this development! The remaining Nagas all make their way into the walls as small serpents, and the two Hannya also conclude that to continue fighting when their master is fleeing is pointless suicide, so they too morph into small serpents and slither into the cracks in the walls. Ashiko is able to position herself cleverly and unleashes a powerful Lightning Bolt, which drops a Tsuno, severely wounds the other, and singes the Yaun-ti nearby! Gorvak, on the verge of unconsciousness, quaffs a healing elixir, and moves to strike the other Yuan-ti on the far side. Magoun finishes off the last Tsuno with a flurry of strikes, leaving only the two Yuan-Ti and a handful of vipers and snakes that had been in the protected areas of the globes. Zenako, in close proximity to the Hebi-no-onna, unleashes a flurry of blows and seems to connect with every blow, but distracting enchantments cause 3 of the blows to pass where she is not! However, the message has been sent, her magic will not avail her forever, and the Samurai in her space is a serious threat in her fury. Til'k moves to engage one of the Yuan-ti, but is brought up short by the numerous serpents and dispatches a number of them instead, clearing a path for others and himself in a few moments. The Hebi-no-onna, taking note of the grievous wounds on Zenako and completely dismissing the martial skills of Noku, casts a multi-bolt Magic Missile into the Samurai, who shrugs it off and glares at the Snake Witch. With a look of resignation, she steps aside slightly and continues to gather what loot she can, then utters a word and vanishes! Mulan continues her exchange of fire with the Yuan-ti archer and inflicts a couple more telling shafts into his body. The Yuan-ti, having foes right next to them at this point, drop their bows and pull out their blades for their final stands and take some ineffective strikes at those nearby. Hatori moves up next to the archer and attempts to strike him down, but the Ranger still stands, avoiding death so far. Isaku, taking heed of the serious wounds on his own person, takes moment to cast a healing spell on himself. Those who had surrendered move to a neutral position in the room, where they hope to not be caught in any more Lightning Bolts or the like.
After an intense three rounds of engagement, the only combatants left fighting on the Snake-Witch's side are the two doomed Yuan-ti, who choose not to surrender, but take their chances and fight it out. Their skill and defense are exceptional and they have taken only some damage so far and much of that was from either magical effects or Mulan's arrow shots.
It would take three more rounds of attacks by Magoun, Til'k , Mulan, Gorvak, Hatori, Isaku and even Zenako (as she and Noku were freed from behind the Wall of Force by a shaping of the stone by Ashiko, which opened a small tunnel that they could clamber out through). The Yuan-ti fought bravely but were outnumbered and once surrounded, they soon fell.
The chamber was won; the victory bittersweet, for the leader of the den had fled, and was now certainly our sworn enemy. The Great Serpent lay dead, as well as the four Tsuno warriors. The Yuan-ti were corpses beside them. The Wang-Liang Captain and the four Samurai Sisters had surrendered, and the Hannya and Nagas had morphed into small serpents and fled. Numerous small vipers and constrictors lay dead about the chamber, and any that were still living had fled once the Hebi-no-onna teleported away.
The spoils of our victory were gathered. We took the No-Dachi +1 and the Ring of Protection +3 from the Wang-Liang as he promised, and he and the Rokuro-kubi sisters left, along with Magoun, as we had agreed to when we accepted his offer of knowledge and aid in this attack. All portions of that agreement were met and honored.
The fleeing Hannya and Nagas had little of worth except for the Ivory Mah-jo set with gold inlay that they had been playing with when we attacked, while the Tsuno had huge weapons of no great workmanship. The two fallen Yaun-Ti both wore enchanted Ashigaru Armor +1, used Large Shields +1, Enchanted Scimitars +2, Mighty masterwork Daikyus (+2 Strength), and had 30 masterwork arrows intact. While the Hebi-no-onna had managed to collect many prizes from her treasure shelf, she did not have time to grab everything, and we found a Lesser Rod of Silence and 13,700 gold worth in various gems and jewelry on the shelf.
The results of the Mirumoto Clan were good as well. They dispatched numerous Gaki, and were able to secure the library and recover the incense that we quested after. They turned over to our group certain writings of religious importance to Waterstone Temple. With that, our task here at Ming-Yo Temple was almost complete. All that remained was to open the passage to the keeper of the Jade Yari and meet with him. The outcome of that meeting will be reported elsewhere, as will the division of spoils from this battle.