(February 29, 2004) Chronicler: Isaku
Before returning to Marike for the winter, we attended a feast at the village of Osawesataray to celebrate our exploits at Ming-Yo Temple. Some of the barbarian hunters mentioned a large rocky hill off to the west-southwest of Ming-Yo Temple. They said that ogres were working a mine in the hill, but they didn't think the ogres occupied the "old stone forts" (in various stages of ruin) on the hill.
They described the hill as roughly triangular, about 7 miles up on a side, and about 600 ft. up from the forest floor. The mine entrance is about 400 ft. up. The hill is fairly barren of plant life, with some scattered low brush, and plenty of moss and lichen. Apparently the hill is very wide, but treacherous to climb (lots of jagged areas, crevices, rockslides, cliffs, etc.), but there seem to be some trails that might go through the safer areas.
We decided to wait until after the winter to investigate the hill, but did some research back in Marike and Waterstone Temple. We found some records referring to "Imperial Mines at Broken Hill", which were once a source of high-grade iron ore. It is believed that the best veins were mined out by the time the border was overrun. Apparently the mines were quite large with entrances to both the east and west slopes. Also, there were three castles on the hill (overlooking various approaches to the mines), each with a supporting village about 5 miles away. We couldn't find much detail on the castles, but it seems that they were postings for minor lords, and were not closely connected to the mine. Apparently an Imperial sorcerer (or perhaps a Eunuch Warlock) was in charge of the mining operation itself, with some Imperial shamans on hand to keep the miners healthy and productive.
Month 5, Day 12, Year 1562 --
With spring's arrival, we were finally ready for some new adventures. We departed Marike heading towards Waterstone Temple. We found a suitable campsite for the night, which passed uneventfully.
Month 5, Day 13 -
We reached Waterstone Temple by evening. During our sleep, each of us dreamed of a god that resembled the tattoos we had received in the Shrine of the Lucky Gods. There were four different dreams, one for each of the tattoos:
A hawk-headed warrior sensei (teacher) sparred with the folks who got the falcon tattoo - Mulan, Gorvak, T'ilk, and Isaku. (Somewhat like the Egyptian god Horus.)
A Crane hengeyokai wu-jen spoke with Noku, the only one with the crane tattoo. (Somewhat like the Egyptian god of knowledge, Thoth.)
A Vanara (monkey-like folks from the jungles) shaman spoke with Miya Hatori, the only one with the monkey tattoo.
A Ki-Rin (unicorn-like creature of great power and wonder) spoke with Zenako and Ashiko, the folks who got the unicorn tattoo.
After waking from our dreams, we each became aware of some improved skills, apparently a further gift from the Lucky Gods.
Mulan, Gorvak, T'ilk and I discussed our dreams. We found ourselves together in a clearing with the hawk-headed being, apparently a sensei, who simply said "Begin". We somehow knew that this was not a battle, but some sort of test. At first, we each acted on our own and were not able to hit the sensei. Eventually we started to work together and were more successful. The sensei seemed satisfied, and signaled that the test was over. At that point, we woke up.
Zenako offered that while it was an intensely private affair, somehow Ashiko was in her dream as well. The setting was misty and serene and they were graced by the presence of a being sometimes called a Ki-Rin, an immensely noble and wise being, that informed Zenako that her path was true, the our efforts well done, and that members of the order watched us. As they parted, some of the power knowledge and grace of the Ki-Rin affected Zenako's very being, and she felt that some of her more instinctive behaviors will be slightly more refined and tempered by merely having been privileged to be in to presence of such a being.
Month 5, Day 14 -
The next day, Noku spent time talking with each of us individually, and told us of his background. Noku's real name is Doji Kimoru Arianoku, and he is a noble of the Crane clan. When he was much younger, he was involved in a theft that caused him to be exiled from his village. He has been trying to make up for his dishonor ever since. During his dream, the Crane god told Noku that he done much to atone for his actions, and it was time get over the past. Later that evening, Noku introduced us to his parents, who now live at Waterstone Temple.
The second night at Waterstone was quiet, with no more odd dreams.
Month 5, Day 15 -
We set off towards the barbarian village of Osawesataray. Mulan and Gorvak discovered some bear tracks in the woods, but we decided to ignore them and continue on our way. The night passed quietly.
Month 5, Day 16 -
We reached Osawesataray village, and briefly met with the village elders to get more information on Broken Hill Mine.
Month 5, Day 17 -
We set off to check out Broken Hill Mine. On the way, we stopped to talk with the ogre/monk near Osawesataray Village. He didn't know any of the ogres working the mines, but he figured they were probably working for or trading with the Oni Lords of the mountains.
We also stopped to talk with the Mirumotos near Ming-Yo Temple. Other than cleaning out a few more gaki from the area and cleaning up the shrines a bit, things had been fairly quiet.
We also visited the Shrine of the Lucky Gods to leave offerings and prayers, in thanks for their recent gifts to the party.
Month 5, Day 18 -
We left Ming-Yo Temple and soon found a ruined village near the base of Broken Hill. (Call it V1, since it was the first village we reached). We encountered and destroyed a green slime spirit in the village, but not before it managed to kill Noku's riding horse. The poor beast was infected by the slime spirit's horrid cloud of decay, and quickly succumbed to the infection.
We spent the night nearby, with no further encounters.
Month 5, Day 19 -
We finally reached Broken Hill and climbed up to the first "Castle". Finding the doors barred shut, our brave warriors Zenako and Gorvak broke through the door and we entered the castle. We had to break through some of the other doors to enter the other rooms of the castle.
We soon engaged in battle, eventually defeating two ogre mages, two elite ogre warriors, three more ogres, and four winter wolves. After clearing out the foes from the first level, we went downstairs to investigate the basement. There, we met an ineffective ghost of a samurai warrior, and the ghost of the samurai's lady further along in the basement. The lady ghost was crying over a skeleton, most likely her own. We guessed that the reason for her distress was lack of burial, which we would deal with the next day.
We also freed a couple of barbarian hunters that had been beaten by the ogres. It took us a while to convince them that we were not working for the ogres and would not hurt them, but they eventually calmed down.
We gathered up any treasure carried by our defeated foes, and spent the night in the castle, away from the ogre carcasses. The night passed quietly.
Month 5, Day 20 -
The next day, I cast Commune With Lesser Spirit to speak with the lady spirit, and confirmed that she desired proper burial. We carefully removed the bones and buried them outside the castle, and Ashiko and I said a few prayers. The lady's spirit appeared above the burial site, bowed to us and disappeared, finally at rest.
We also made a more thorough search of the castle, especially the office area. We found several books and items of value which will be listed later.