Chapter 4: A Meeting with the Minister

After waking in the local inn, our companions set out for the city plaza to do some shopping. Little did they know however, that they were going to witness a murder. Once they reached the interior, the heroes noticed a black masked man apprehend and kill a well dressed man in the fountain.

After giving brief chase, the murderer got away. They instead decided to retrieve the townguard, who called in the respectable Inspector Min. After a brief survey, the Inspector bid the companions to take the body to Minister Jong Wu, as the dead man was indeed his brother, Jong Sun. They were also not to leave the province.

After a short trek through the plains outside the city, they reached Jong Wu's household. After much lamentation, Minister Jong determined that the outlaw nobles the Shen brothers were behind the killing, and requested that the adventurers find thier castle and kill them. In exchange he would pay them richly, and gave him his wife's dowry in advance.

After agreeing and purchasing supplies, the companions set out along the road to Zhong Tien, where it is believed that the Shen Li, the Shen Brother's castle is to be located in the southern part of the province.

On the way, they encountered a large marsh crocodile that ate on of thier horses. The next day, they had the misfortune to be lured into attacking a giant who had held a kitsune captive. They fought a ferocious battle, killing 5 men and the giant. The kitsune was ungrateful when released, particularly annoyed at the companions demanding and mercenary attitudes. Thus he decided to capriciously twist thier wishes to his own amusement. After a period of antics, Otylia was brought onto the seen, along with her equipment acquired prior to slavery. The party also received 340 platinum pieces, a magical fox-head towershield, and a large book discussing wishmaking legalities. Afterwards the kitsune vanished, hoping never to see the band again.

The long road still stretches to Zhong Tien. The companions must travel through the dangerous lands of the Jade Tower, and still they do not know the location of Shen Li.