Chapter 5: The Road Leads to Vengence

After being alerted to an approaching band with arms and armor, the companions decided to split up for safety. Hien would go see them, while the others would venture ahead.

The armed band revealed themselves to be the Righteous Marshals of the Southcoast Road, dedicated to stopping banditry and Neogi from blocking travel along that major landroute. Taking Hien into custody, they took her to their fortress for proper identification.

There at Beishi (Southern Rock) Fortress, she met with General Changya Ki, who demanded her aid in requesting reinforcements from her Uncle. She spent a night in the warrens, and then made her request. The Governor of Yuelan, Lung Jihwei, denied the request, stating that the Tiger Army and an Imperial Advisor were already in the area. Meanwhile, he accused the Minister of lying, and proclaimed the Shen brother's innocence. It was revealed that Hien's father was killed by poison, and she has yet to avenge him.

Afterwards, Hien was conflicted. The old rat Void Master gave her a gift to guide her way, the Twelve Dragon Seal in quicksilver and branded to her palm. It would let her know where her loyalties lie.

With this knowledge, she determined to return to Xian Hoy to question Minister Jong.

Darius was delivered at this point in chains, accused of banditry and being a Renegade. Earlier Darius, Otylia and Red were startled by an armed party and began demanding answers from the Marshals. It quickly heated into conflict, leading to the two women fleeing and Darius' capture. General Ki allowed him to leave when Hien promised to register him at the Jade Tower.

The two returned to the road, where they were attacked by merchants wielding gunpowder weapons. They were suicidal in nature, attacking without remorse or emotion. It was surmised that these were Neogi Sleeper Agents, poor people implanted with triggered suggestions that turned them into assasins and worse. From the battle, Darius picked up a small stuffed bear with a half-sewn on eye that seemed to escape relatively unscathed an explosion that left it's young owner little more than a wet spot on the ground.

As they continued, they encountered the bodies of the men they encountered in the marshes of Xian Hoy, hammered into trees and declared bandits by Imperial decree.

They continued to travel north, bereft of supplies and plagued by supernatural happenings regarding the bear, hoping to meet with their companions once again.

The log