Book II: Chapter 3: Pirates! The Leviathan Facility

They spent many weeks traveling at sea. Captain Hurloon was cured of his malady, and resumed command. A fellow by the name of Guy joined their crew, proving himself a handy Bo'sun with master's eyes.

After finding themselves stranded in slow seas and surrounded by shallow crystal reefs, the pirates discovered an underwater facility. A dry docks was housing mechanical submersibles, being worked on by pirates and Sauhaugin sharkmen.
They captured a pirate by the name of John Smitty, and with his aid launched an attack on the dry docks, stealing a submersible. They were informed that indeed, another had been launched to attack their ship.

They arrived in the midst of the attack, the pirates had just reached the cargo bay, and were heading for the powder room, aided by a tribe of sauhaugin. Cunning fighters, they held the minotaur crew at bay, but were finished once Huang Ti, Trogdor, Kilan and Arver arrived to flank them.

The pirate crew, now armed with submersibles, but stuck with a badly wounded crew and ship, decided to leave the Leviathan Facility, and report back.
But before reporting back, they wanted to take a 'detour' in order to test the capabilites of these submersibles.

Xian Hoy. An exotic frontier port, full of expensive goods and little room for the law. A perfect target. After baiting a merchant at the bar, and hitting up Minister Jong for some information, the pirates set their sights on the Meiyo Wenti- "No Problem". She was loaded with exotic glasses from the City of Glass in the Meshketi lands.
A plan was enacted. Captain Hurloon would assault a decoy target, while the submersible team would drill through the Meiyo Wenti, and then load up as many goods as they could and vanish. The Wenti plan went without a hitch- but the Seacow hit an unfortunate bit of luck, and was caught by the Imperial Navy and sunk.

Captain Hurloon and crew were due to be executed by morning. Depositing the goods in a nearby safeharbor, the remaining crew and Smitty returned in their submersible to Xian Hoy and snuck back to the harbor prison. Guy attempted to bluff his way into the jail, but when Trogdor tried to climb the prison roof,the jig was up. Stabbing his questioner through the throat, Guy started a whirling melee that ended up with all the guards dead and unconscious.

Time was not on their side. Quickly, Kilan smashed through the roof and freed the rest of their crew while the city guard began circling the area and cutting off the perimeter.

They armed the minotaurs with tables, chairs and the dead guard's weapons. Huang Ti and Guy targeted the weakest point in the Guard's perimeter.
There was only one plan, so Captain Hurloon gave only one order.
"CHARGE!"

Book II: Chapter 2: Pirates! And The Well Of Souls

Huang Ti smelled a rat.
The Minister had left with the dragon eggs in a suspicious set of circumstances. His suspicions were confirmed when they found the real minister, tied up and locked in a nearby storage closet.

In a race against time, they snatched horses from the stable and tore on after the stolen eggs and the carriage. As sunset approached, they reached the carriage. Kilan set the vehicle on fire, then lost control of his horse, spooked by magic.

Huang Ti and Arver maintained their pursuit, Arver picking off the driver and guards with his bow as Huang Ti leaped aboard and confronted the false minister on the flaming carriage.
It was difficult. The bureaucrat moved with the efficiency of a snake, dodging blows and delivering bites and stabs with poisonous spittle. The Imperial Guards were no pushovers either, their training allowing them to deal effective blows and distract the pirate captain.

Finally, as the carriage reached a full inferno, Huang Ti and the minister lept into the side of the road and the rice paddies. The minister was lost in the knee high water, but with cunning senses, Huang Ti found a leaping fish- then stabbed it. Upon death, it revealed itself as a spidery Neogi.

The pirates returned to An Biao, where they were directed to proceed to the Well of Souls. Trogdor was left behind in care of the ship.

After a long travel, they all reached the Well, where they were prompted to wait several weeks. To pass the time, Kilan and Arver decided to take the Magister's test. Kilan passed. As a cruel joke of some kind, The Black Council allowed Arver to take the test, never letting him even a clue that the Ministry of Magic was not a place for those in the service of gods or goddesses. They left him in a dark room for days, then tossed him out with a reccomentation to 'come back next year'

Of course, they full well knew that no divine spellcaster could pass the Test.

They later met with the Dragon Minister, Sae-Jin, caretaker of the well. This grim golden dragon was reputed for wanton cruelty and strange tastes. She wore the skull of a dragon as a grim headress, and dwelt in a lair of bones and screams, reputedly from her victims.

She accepted the eggs with grace, knowing full well they belonged to Hong Chi, the Minister in care of the Capital region. What happened to them, is a tale for another day.

The pirates were paid in gold for their delivery, and given an assignment. The Neogi carried a journal detailing 'The Leviathan Facility' a massive operation involving the infiltration of ports all over the Empire. If the pirates investigated the matter, and possibly destroyed it, there would be great reward.

The consequences of failure were unstated. Or perhaps, they were. When they left the dragon's presence, the next person to see her, a man dressed in offical robes, was pulled apart and eaten alive.

Book II: The Pragmatic Wisdom of the Great Sage

Our story begins in Yuelan.

The Guang Hu Hien, Otylia and Darius had joined forces with the Magistrate Julia and the Great Sage Melissa. They planned to take revenge for Quynh's death at the hands of Magistrate Antipheros, and Governor Lung's charge of treason.

The first step was to get into the Lung Palace, where the Historical Library was stored. After a confrontation with the guards, Darius was allowed in. There was a brief dialogue with Governor Lung, while the Dragon Minister Hong Chi watched on. The Governor scorned him and his niece, and throw him out along with a bag of money in an insulting condolence for Quynh's death.

The party ironically entered the Dragon Phoenix Restaurant to begin planning their downfall for Governor Lung. Armed with incriminating papers of stolen military supplies and war without the Emperor's approval, Otylia enacted a plan to get the papers to the Dragon Minister and set the fall for Lung.

She sent Julia in the hope that the Magister's status would get her into the palace unharmed.

Julia left for the palace, and was confronted by the gate guard. She was denied entry because she was associated with the Governor's niece. Then she tried to pull an elaborate hoax that indeed, she was a spy working for Governor Lung.

The guard, rather disbelieving, led Julia on that indeed, the Governor was expecting her. He trapped her in the "Null Suite", an antimagic room designed to accomadate 'guests' of her kind.

She was brutally tortured.

The Governor now alerted to the plan, sent Minister Hong Chi off for the capital, and sent his assassins after his niece and her companions.

The Dragon Phoenix Restaurant, was of course, a base for the Lung Feng Wong. Ironic, because Lung Feng does mean Dragon Phoenix. A battle ensued with rockets and explosions, and the assassins fled after being harried with magic and fire.
The party made it's way quickly through the city on high alert. After dealing with the gate guards, they scaled the wall of the palace into the Null Suite.
They dealt with a flood of guards, who were recalled back to the throne room after some embarrasing defeats. The party planned on holing up in the Null Suite, when Governor Lung delivered a message.

He had Julia captive. If they wanted her alive, they would come to him.

Hien was no fool, but she walked into the trap anyway. Darius and Otylia followed after some hesitation.

They confronted Lung in his massive throne room. They were surrounded by forty men with muskets and pistols. The Governor also had a massive Draconian body guard, and a terra cotta lion guarding him personally.

While Hien and he traded some nasty words, Otylia spotted a strange thing- something was moving under his hat! With a deft and critical toss of her dagger, she knocked the boxy headgear off the Governor's head, revealing a tiny Neogi hiding underneath, clutched to his skull.

Chaos ensued. The guards were motionless, confused about who to shoot. The Draconian bodyguard was crippled as the Neogi frantically tried to control his mind and render assistance. Darius, acting swiftly fired a blast of arcane energy that disrupted the creature's concentration, allowing Hien to deliver a swift blow that neatly seperated the creature's legs from the rest of it's body.

The Neogi died a squishy death under the boot of an Imperial Guard.

The aftermath was bittersweet and cold, the taste of revenge. Governor Lung was devastated, the memory of the heinious crimes he committed flooding back to him. It was revealed that he indeed was responsible for the assassination of Hien and Quynh's father, Hien's discharge from the army, and most recently, allowing Antipheros to enlist the Lung Feng Wong to find and kill Quynh.
He had mobilized the Lung family and all it's assets into revolution against the Emperor, and would have been at the head of his downfall. A central figure head in a massive Neogi infiltration network designed to sever the nation from within.
And there was still Magistrate Antipheros, and how he was connected with all of this.

One question remained.
Could it be stopped?

Chapter 16: Funeral

She was killed by the Three Horn.

Quynh's funeral was brief, but meaningful. Her body was cremated in the Taoist temple, placed into a dragon runed canister. Her death triggered many meaningful thoughts and events.

Raluhn left the Guang Hu world, and entered the Ministry. Unable to attend to funeral, he sent his condolences and someone to aid in his place, a Magister by the name of Julia. Quynh, never one to let death stop her, sent aid in the form of a guardian angel by the name of Melissa. Her coming was heralded by the monks as a great event. She was named the Great Sage, and adored by many.

After the funeral and the great commotion caused by the coming of the Great Sage Melissa, the party set out for Yuelan.
They had business with this Antipheros. Indeed, he was the 'dead' Magistrate of Saelan, the Jewel of the South that fell five hundred years ago during the Neogi Invasion.
The best source for information on him was the Governor's Historical Library in Yuelan City. They needed to pay Governor Lung a visit anyway.

After a long journey with a pair of fawning scribes in tow, they reached Yuelan.
The scribes had infact, spread much word about the 'coming of the Great Sage' and began writing a great book about her and her companions. Indeed, with old friends gone, and the coming of the Great Sage, a new phase in the story had just begun.

Chapter 15: The Well of Souls

Hien, Otylia, Raluhn, Darius and Quynh finally reached the Well of Souls.

It was a long journey, but they made it. Dismayed at the visage of death displayed all over the city, they stopped by the 'Skull Key Tavern' where they learned of a discount exorcist by the name of Shalkilzar, and the Temple of the Well.

Retreating to the Temple of the Well, they found a paradise of life amidst the city of death. Their first task was to exorcise the spirit of the cursed bear. With the aid of a Taoist exorcist by the name of Inquistor Gui, they banished the murderous child spirit, and imprisoned her soul in a tiny glass bead. It was a harrowing experience, drenched with blood. Darius wound up possessed, and stabbed in the heart. It was discovered that the child's name was Lee.
Fortunately for Darius, the temple preists were skilled healers, and they helped the party recover fully. In exchange for their services, the party 'gifted' the monks with the barbarian girl as a disciple.

They sold the Three Horn to an exotic mount salesman.

The second task was the test of the Black Tower. Darius and Raluhn took the written tests, and Darius was passed without issue, as his wild warlock nature did not allow him to progress further within the Ministry. Raluhn was however, compelled to join. The Black Council that oversaw the tests blackmailed him with a legal condition- he would become a Magister and gain the legal rights to protect his friends and himself; or they would be convicted for treason and the murder at the Jong Sheng waystation.

He took the test. He was confronted with destroying the soul of the cursed child, consigning her to oblivion in the name of justice. He did so, but to an illusion. His loyalty to the Empire was resolved, and the Council congratulated him and gifted him with the Magister's Robes and Staff.

After the celebration, the Hien, Quynh, Raluhn, Darius and Otylia met at the Skull Key Tavern to depart for Yuelan. They had unresolved business with Governor Lung, Hien's uncle. He was the one behind the treason accusation, the one behind the Shen.

Unfortunately, old enemies caught up fast. A man and two intelligent wolfhounds charged into the tavern, fireballing the place and snapping at the party's heels. A brilliant spellbinding battle followed, and the Skull Key Tavern was turned into flinders and webbing. When the tide seemed in the party's favor, the mage made a daring escape as a Three Horn, THEIR Three Horn burst through the wall of the inn, trampled over them and carried the mage to safety.

In the smoke and dust, Darius unleashed hellfire upon the escaping assailant, and killed him and the Three Horn. They began investigate the situation, and after the guard arrived to examine the body, they discovered that the man was indeed a kobold named Shalkilzar, and he was working for a man by the name of Antipheros.

That was when they discovered something wrong. Quynh was dead.

Chapter 14: Lung Feng Wong

They waited for a long time in Yuetong Gong.
By dawn, the guard had already been dispatched in full strength to find them. Desperate for a solution, Otylia delved into the underworld to look for a way out. The way they found was very unpleasant. It was discovered that an underworld element by the name of Lung Feng Wong was out for them.

They had a single demand; work for us, or die. The meeting took place in the Black Deeds Inn, a dirty place with a bad reputation. Otylia discovered to her horror that the 'special dumpling' they served was in fact the diced meat of their less fortunate clientele. After talking to a man in the black mask, she discovered that this guild of assassins wanted the Guang Hu to rescue Shen Tsung, and restore him to his old position.

The group found this unpalatable and left, but warned that the Lung Feng Wong would find and kill them.

Using ingenious magic, the group escaped from the city by midmorning, and fled into the countryside. After traveling for days without a map or guide, they found themselves stranded in the rocky steppes of the North; they only realized this after encountering a tribe of dinosaur hunting barbarians.

After meeting up with their leader, a man by the name of Ahan, they traded a magical halberd for safe passage to the Well of Souls. During the first night of their stay, the tribe was attacked by three Sword Tooth Titans (Tyrannosaurus). Hien slew one from the insides, as Otylia stabbed it in the brain cells. Once seeing one of their number fall, the predators fled with what they could.

Rewarded for their bravery and aid in repelling the Sword Tooths, Ahan gifted them with a captured Three Horn (Triceratops) and a slave girl captured from a rival tribe. After debating what to do with these gifts over a long trip, they finally reached the Well after a journey of 20 days.

Chapter 13: Unlucky Numbers.

Luckily for our party, the Lady Luck was kind to them. As it so happens, monsoon season is a regular event in the flood plains of Zhong Tien and Yuelan, so much so that most of the peasants resort to living on boats during the high summer months.

After some long debate, Darius recruited an old salt by the name of Xi Yan to guide them West. He took them along the Mei Lung River, through Yuelan province and further west. They were attacked by pirates along the way, but those were defeated and the ship commandeered.

Later they reached the city of Yuetong Gong, the border city to the Yuelan province. There they were questioned by the customs officials, and then captured. It was discovered that the Guang Hu Burning Hand and her band were accused of treason for overthrowing the Shen. They were thrown into jail for an indefinite period of time.

Fearing that they would be accused of the massacre at the waystation, they broke out after two weeks. In a daring nighttime escape engineered by Rahluhn, they hid in the city, and waited for dawn to come.

Chapter 12: The Journey West

The day began auspiciously for the party of Guang Hu.
Raluhn, Darius, Hien and Otylia were all in high spirits as they began their journey to the Well of Souls. The objective? To register at the Black Tower, and become official practioners of magic.

Unfortunately, they were delayed by a horrible event at a waystation two days into the journey. The bear, named Ms. Fluffikins was responsible for a terrible rampage in the middle of the night. When our adventurers awoke, they did so in pools of blood. The horses in the stables were found pinned to the ceiling by means of silverware, and the towns people all hacked to pieces and stuffed in barrels in the cellar.

The party quickly left. They inquired at a local farmhouse whether this was the fault of a local creature- it was indeed, not. They later stopped by a roadside shrine in order to request that the bear's 'curse' be lifted. The pastor confirmed that he had never seen such a curse that radiated no magic- in fact, he believed the party to be the perpetrators. They left after he suggested they wait for authorities to arrive.

After a few days, they finally reached the crossroad where the Inevitable Walk and the Capital Road met. Those led to the Well of Souls, and Zhong Tien respectively. The garrison of Bai Tien Tong guarded the pass, and they were questioned by magisters as to their heavily armed intent.


After a few clever dodges, they made their way onto the Inevitable Walk. That's when a monsoon hit. The water level of the river rose to such a degree that a man couldn't stand without drowning, and the massive winds prevented much travel. Wanting to avoid the authorities, the party pressed into the storm, and were savagely beaten by the elements. Almost lost to the wind, they managed to find an abandoned wagon, and took refuge there until the storm abated. They became quite sick, and the next day were floating on a cart in the midst of a flood plain, the hot sun bearing down upon them.

Chapter 10 & 11: The Fall of Shen

With the capture of Shen Qisi, the path of the Iron Cranes was clear. Shen Li Castle had to fall that night, or the rebellion would be crushed.

Rallying thr troops under the banner of a mysterious mercenary by the name of Dalion, the rebel army marched onto Shen Li Castle. Darius, and a Meshketi wizard by the name of Raluhn were at his side, and on the watch for threats from the supernatural.

Meanwhile a strike force led by Otylia was sneaking upon the castle in the darkness. A Tiger Soldier by the name of Jayne was in her company, along with Hien. Jayne savaged the walls with lightning and then landed, causing tremendous chaos. Hien and Otylia scaled the walls in the din.

During this, Shen Li Wei decided that enough was enough. Afraid that the magical incursion would destroy is horsemen, he led a charge into the rebel army. They held before his charge, with Raluhn delivering a killing blow to the Horselord. The Silver Scarf cavalry broke upon his death, and was quickly dispatched.

At Shen Li Castle, the mighty Jayne was felled by thirty Shen arrows. But in this courageous act, he paved the way for Otylia to reach the barbican and she hurled open the gates.
The army entered the castle and chaos erupted. The Guang Hu found themselves reunited as Otylia, Hien, Raluhn, Darius and Dalion entered the castle's main citadel in search for the rest of the Shen.

In the lobby, they encountered a cunning trap by Chen Zun, a man known as The Killer. He struck once, a telling blow that cleaved open Raluhn's shoulder. However, the wizard retaliated with a blinding magical blast, and The Killer retreated.

Slaying numerous defenders along the way, Otylia led the way upstairs to Shen Gong with her magical silver raven. It was trained in divination, but alass, not defense. The magical bird was turned to dust as it encountered the mighty Jin Ci, a giant rust monster raised by Shen Gong. When the party followed it up to the roof, they were cunningly led into an ambush. Shen Gong was waiting with Jin Ci, and dozens of Silver Scarf warriors. A furious melee ensued, but the Guang Hu proved victorious as Raluhn laid Shen Gong low with a fiery blow. Hien's armor was turned to dust, but she felled the rust beast in her rage with a pointy stuck. When Darius raised the banner of the Iron Cranes, the battle was won as the rebels rallied and captured Shen Hsung, the last Shen.

Celebrations and honors were accorded to all involved. Mei Fan allowed the Guang Hu to adjucate the fate of Shen Hsung, and they determined he would live in exchange for information. Shen Hsung revealed the nature of his master, a mysterious person by the name of "Rising Dragon". A fabulous treasure of gold and magic items was discovered, and it included a burning staff of fire, a dripping halberd coated in blood, and a magical glove.

Afterwards, the Guang Hu met with Minister Jong Ping, who was placed as head administrator of the former Shen Sheng. As it turns out, the Sheng was originially the homeland of the Jongs, and Jong Ping had returned to take back her family's property. The castle was renamed Jong Castle, and the land Jong Sheng. She thanked Hien, Darius and Otylia for avenging her father, the late Jong Sun and bid them to find the power behind the Shen. It was suspected that the Governor of Yuelan was possibly this Rising Dragon, and she bid them to find him.

It was noted that Darius and Raluhn were both renegades in the Empire, and suggested they depart for the Well of Souls in order to receive accreditation. The rest of the party agreed, especially because of the cursed bear they carried.

And so, they journeyed into the West.

This concludes the chronicle of the Shen. With the fall of Shen Li Castle, Minister Jong began the process of restoring her homeland to it's former rustic glory. The Guang Hu that defeated them continue to journey on, searching for justice. In the case of the Tiger Soldier Jayne, he was buried with full honors in the Jong burial grounds.

Chapter 9. Pirates!: Imperial Entanglements

Despite their noble act of sparing Captain Chu's life, The Pirate Captain Hurloon ordered his officers to ruthlessly break into the vault, and kill whoever stood in their way, Imperial or not. After a short scuffle, the Ship's Medic Arver Talvin blinded the man, and Hong Ti delivered the final blow as he struggled on the floor.

It appeared to be worth it once they broke into the vaults of the Angellic Traveller, which was stocked to the brim with coins. Copper coins. However, they did find a magic chest. After showing it to the Captain, they decided to keep it in the hold and open it the next day, when magical precautions could be taken.

They were not so lucky. The Emperor's Guardians arrived a few hours later upon a Sea Serpent, demanding to see the chest. The Seacow's officers gathered below deck to discuss this. They unveiled what was inside, a pair of dragon eggs, as determined by the ship's Dragonmaster, Trogdor. It was determined that he should negotiate with the Guardians, and he attempted to do so. They filled the box with coins, placing the eggs aside.

The Guardians were not fooled. Captain Hurloon was paralyzed magically by the boxes wards when he knocked on it to assure the Guardians of it's safety. They took it from him, and shook it, demanding the key. They found the ruse of the coins, and demanded the replacement of the eggs. Because they were in a desperate situation, and the Seacow had a reputation for getting things done, the Guardians forestalled punishment, promising amnesty for safe delivery of the eggs to An Biao. This was agreed to, in addition to a Letter of Marque, requested by the First Mate Hong Ti, now Captain. So, the Guardians went off to do battle with approaching Neogi, and the Seacow made her way unto An Biao.

It was a long journey, but the monotony was broken up by the untimely arrival of a Neogi Aerial Platform, The Confederate's Revenge. Somehow the Neogi had seen through the Imperial Navy's delaying tactic, and sent a retrieval team for the eggs. However, the Revenge was soundly defeated. A barrage of rocket fire from Arver Talvin destroyed it, forcing the Revenge's crew to board. A fierce battle ensued, as the minotaur battled with enslaved Imperial Ninjas, Sharkmen and Ogres, the choice servents of the Neogi. The remnants of the Revenge held up the bow, coordinating an dazzling offensive. This was ended with a daring cannon shot, coordinated by the Bo'sun Gorath, and the Ship's Mage Kilan Nailo. Afterwards, Kilan slew the last Neogi with a blast of magical fire. The remaining Ninjas surrendered to the Seacow's crew, as the Sharkmen fled into the seas.

The arrival to An Biao was unceremonial. A nervous Minister took the eggs and left in his carriage, leaving behind the key and a slew of questions. The Seacow's officers had the feeling that they may have just been duped.

Chapter 8: The Iron Cranes

Chapter 8: The Iron Cranes

Upon their way north to Castle Shen, Darius and Hien met a rider by the name of Jien Fei. After a brief introduction, he revealed that he was from a group of rebels by the name of the Iron Cranes. They opposed the Shen, and wished to use these brave new Guang Hu against them.

After they agreed, he led them to the Ying Farmhouse, where a gathering of the rebel leaders was taking place. There, Mei Fan the Taoist leader of the Cranes, and her strategist Kyu Sang waited, planning the details of revolution. Suddenly, a Silver Scarves patrol showed up. Unbeknownst to the rebels, it was led by Chen Zhun, also named The Killer, a top lieutenant of the Shen's. Luckily neither Darius or Hien were found.

After joining with Iron Cranes, the rebels decided to seek the advice of the Man of The Mountains. The MOM offered council to the rebel leader, and divined the magics that surrounded Darius and Hien. It was revealed that the stuffed bear that they carried held the soul of a forsaken child, and would haunt them for the rest of their days until they received the aid of the Necromancers who dwelled in the Well of Souls.

Afterwards, the Iron Cranes gathered their things and made their first attack on Shen Tong. After defeating the military leader of the city, Chou Suk, the Silver Scarf forces disentigrated, and many joined the rebels. There Darius and Hien were joined by Quynh, Hien's sister and a priest of the Light. She revealed their family names to the Iron Cranes. and Kyu Sang took them aside and revealed that their Uncle, the Governor of Yuelan, was indeed behind the rise of the Shen. It was determined that the Lung family may be fomenting revolution against the Empire.

For a week, the Iron Cranes liberated many towns until they came upon Lin Jo Tong, where the Silver Scarves under the command of Shen Qisi took the priests at the Taoist Temple hostage in response to rebellion. Mei Fan was much distraught, as like her, the Taoists had taken vows of nonviolence, and could not defend themselves. It was up to the Burning Band to rescue them.

The Burning Band was the name the Iron Cranes attributed to Hien, Darius and Quynh. In their guise as Guang Hu, they adopted the aliases Burnt Hand, Foxfire, and Talking Spirit respectively. Over dinner they planned the rescue with a map consisting of barbeque pork, and quickly enacted on the plan. It was warned Shen Qisi was a trickster, and he would be coming up with something clever.

It was determined that the issue was solved with an aerial attack. The chimney was the quickest access to the Holy Altar where the high priest and Shen Qisi were held up. They were ambushed by a ninja foe, but he was quickly dispatched. Descending into the Temple, they found Shen Qisi tied up, and the High Priest free. But Hien was not fooled, Shen had actually disguised himself as the High Priest, and vice versa.

When the ruse was discovered, his hench woman Huifua, a master chemist and grenadier. An epic battle was fought with fire and magic, but in the end Huifua was killed and Shen Qisi surrendered. The temple's holy artifact, the Staff of Air and Water, was awarded to the Burning Band for their heroics.

Unfortunately, Shen Qisi revealed that the hostage sitatuation was a ruse. While it was thought that this was merely bluster, the truth was revealed when Kyu Sang burst into the room, revealing that the main horde of Silver Scarves were only two days away.

Rules for Flyers

Alot of questions come up when you involve flight and combat.
Here are the answers.
Interesting things include stalling, and what happens when you bullrush, trip and overrun flyers. (Namely, they stall.)

All About Movement: Part Five: http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040706a
All About Movement: Part Four: http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040629a

Chapter 7: Pirates!

Chapter 7: Pirates!

While Hien, Darius and Otylia were making their way through the Shen Lands, Captain Hurloon decided to take his leave from Xian Hoy. Picking up his old First Mate Hong Ti and the Renegade Kilan Nalio, he set about pirating again.

Having picked up a tip from his spies, a course was set for the Imperial Treasure Ship, The Angelic Traveller. She was lightly armed and without a full crew, dropping them for speed. For the Seacow, she would be easy prey.

Once she was found, Hong Ti was placed in charge of the assault. They pursued her close, when the Traveller made a daring lateral swing and opened fire with her portside cannon. Weathering the fusilade, the Seacow rammed her with her prow and the Minotaurs under the command of Hong Ti and Kilan Nalo slaughtered her undermanned crew, and sent the ships' captain fleeing.

Later they began looting the ship. Ti and Kilan found a secret door leading into an extradimensional vault, guarded as a last stand by the ship's captain. As part of a deal, they agreed to leave him be in exchange for the rest of the ship.

Unfortunately, Ninjas struck. A great deal of the minotaur crew were caught offguard by the silent assasins, but they were eventually killed. Ti and Kilan pursued One Ninja who had taken the ship's logs up a mast in a swashbuckling fight involving ropes and sails. The Ninja was defeated when he tried to swing across the length of the ship, but thrown to the ground with Kilan's magic. After all the commotion was dealt with, the ship was looted and the spoils divided.

Chapter 6: A Lasting Consequence

Chapter 6: A Lasting Consequence

In this chapter, Hien, Otylia and Darius were reunited in dire circumstances. After wandering listlessly through the forest for days, Hien and Darius found themselves alone, walking through murk in a daze. When they came to Hien encountered Otylia in a pool of blood, and Darius was found later stabbed with a long dagger in his chest. It was reasoned that the stuffed bear retreived from the merchant family of sleeper agents was behind this.

Afterwards, they spent 10 days and nights trekking through unending forest. The problem was resolved after Hien used sap to glue the bear's button eyes back. It was determined that the bear was cursed. The most likely reason is that it happened to be clutched in the hands of a child slain essentially by suicide; a traumatic experience to be sure.

Later that day they met of with four men in silver scarves, who declared themselves as marshals of the region. The leader, a particularly handsome region, named them the Silver Scarves Brotherhood, protectors of the surrounding lands in the name of the Emperor.

After a brief talk, they determined that the companions should be recruited. They led them to a nearby town, and had them meet with a training instructor. Hien and the group were told to prove their prowess by fighting armed men, without being armed themselves. They demonstrated their skill without killing their foes, much to the disappointment of the recruiter. Disgusted at this behavior, they left.

Later they traveled along the road and visited a farm house. There, the lady of the house informed them that they had entered Shen lands- The Silver Scarves Brotherhood was the Shen mercenary army, and Shen Tong was the city they had left. In exchange for food, she requested their aid in consulting an oracle, and plowing the fields.

Darius was sent to see the Man of the Mountain, who knew much about his name and past. Unfortunately, the warlock did not believe in his powers, and was unsatisfied with the results. They left the farm, continuing up the road, now uncertain what to do.

Update: Laws of the Land

Clerics and other Divine Spellcasters- How the Celestial Empire views Divine spellcasters via the Ministry of Magic.

Clerics and Divine Spellcasters

In the clans of course, divine spellcasters that do not worship Sharia are considered infidels. They are allowed to conduct their business, but punished severely for proselytizing or attempting to convert anyone.

Update Exotic Locations

The Blood Alliance is up. They are a coalition of minotaurs bound as sailors for the Empire.

Exotic Locations:The Blood Alliance

Update: Races

Statistics for Nezumi and Minotaurs have been posted.
Also, it should be noted as a house rule, I do not penalize for racial multiclassing. Often it seems superfluous and frankly I don't really see how it balances or enchances anything.
Races

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

Update: House Rules: Social Skills and Spell Changes

We are now using the Spell Changes and Social Skills clauses under House Rules. Please note accordingly.

Social Skills
Spell Changes

Update: Items and Encountered NPCs

Items: Repeating Heavy Crossbow and Blackpowder Bombs
Encountered NPCs: Since Chapter III.

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.

Update! Laws of the Land and House rules.

Laws of the Land: Education, Magic and Rank
House Rules: Pole Weapons
House Rules: Proposals on Spells Changes

Proposal: I more or less wanted this to be a relatively gritty setting. It works by using low level NPCs to populate things, however there are 2 glaring culprits that bother me: Teleport, and Ressurection.

These two things need to come with a real price if they don't turn the world into something akin to Eberron. What I'd like to do is either one of two things:

Assign large material component costs (Like..An innocent soul, or your feet)
OR
Move all effects such as teleport, Greater Teleport, Plane Shift, ressurection, greater ressurection, to 9th level spells only

In exchange I'll remove most of the instant death monsters from the game, because they are obnoxious binary encounters.

Chapter 3: The Brave Companions do Battle against a Traitor

Chapter 3: The Brave Companions do Battle against a Traitor
They were surrounded by shadows and the living dead upon the beach of the Hidden Harbor, but the fight was short lived. The light from the Radiant Favor of the Gods frightened the foul undead creatures, who were destroyed as they fled or were stunned by it's holy light. However, many of the people were killed and pyres were built in sadness for their deaths. Hien had acquired the loyalty of a Nezumi family whose lives she had saved from the shadows. Otylia and Red both tried to return to the plantation, but were stopped by the shadows that took refuge in the depths of the forest. Driven to madness, they returned to the beach where an old Nezumi sage took care of them. Red was bound and gagged as they rode through her madness.
The next day the Sea Cow arrived to pick up the slaves, and there was much rejoicing. After an arduous journey they were glad to return to free civilization, which they had not been to in many years, or their entire lives. The companions decided to spread out and enjoy the offers of the city. Darius and Red wandered about the slums, telling their stories. Quynh ventured to the monastery to relate her tales and pray. Hien terrorized a librarian, entering a private Imperial library to research the Magistrate Antipheros. And Otylia enjoyed the citylife, engaging with the merchants and nobles.

At night, they all rejoined to account their tales of the day. It was learned that the slaves were to become villagers, using the land they had been given by the Emperor to form a hamlet outside of the city. Hien instructed her new servants to care for the land in her stead. Meanwhile, Red arranged a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Census, who was interested in the affairs of this new village. Now they will have to face their greatest challenge yet, the gathering of proper manners for meeting a proper Minister of the Bureaucracy.

How the meeting faired will be related to in the next chapter.

Link To Log

Update: Exotic Locations

Detailing the Four Towers and the brave Nezumi clans that occupy them.
Exotic Locations: The Four Towers of the Celestial Empire

Comments!

Enabled comments from people! Probably should have done thate before. Go forth, and commentate!

Update: Laws of the Land

Laws of the Land

Some information on Sharia regarding magic. In a society that uses magic regularly, there should be accompanying laws. Since mages are essentially living siege engines, they are treated as such. They have much respect and responsibility. Additionally, when people have no ideas what spells you are casting, it's impolite to do so in front of them.
Who knows if you're going to conjure up a puppy or a fireball? With metamagic effects, it's possible to conceal charms and compulsions in something as harmless as a loaf of bread. The Laws of Sharia account for thus.

Order of Updates?

Does anyone care how updates are posted in the main section? If I have something new to add, shall I just place it there in haphazard article fashion, or should I edit an appropriate post and append?

The former is probably easier, but uglier. If I get any replies for either side, I'll do it.

House Rules: Mobs and Troop Templates, Exotic Locations: Celestial Empire

Update for House Rules here.

I've always felt that D&D completely underwrites 'the power of the people' as it were. These are official rules of course, but they are new and obscure. Most players are used to smashing groups of low level creatures to pieces, the aforementioned "Field of goblins" as it were.

I think large groups of people and military units should generally trump small groups of adventurers, as it were. These rules allow the effective massing of firepower and demonstrate the effectiveness of a mass that is greater than the sum of it's parts.

Some may argue, that these rules go against D&D's grain of fantasy and the idea of one person trumping others. I think that it enchances the fantasy. The idea of the baker and the blacksmith taking up arms and revolting against the king's troops is as much a fantasy as a flying wizard. Historically, most peasant revolts were brutally crushed by armed fighting men. The truth is those highly trained knights and footmen really were capable of dominating foes that sorely outnumbered them. Today's troops are only trained and in service from their 20's for a few years. Back in medieval times, fighting men were raised from birth and did service until they were died or otherwise rendered unable.

Situations like 'Zulu' arose because British conscripts were fighting against warrior class men who had been hunting and killing for their entire lives.

Exotic Locations
I've added Exotic Locations for the Celestial Empire. Details are on the Well of Souls and the Lizard Folk Tribes.

Chapter One: Freedom Comes to Those In Slavery

Two games have past since this blog was created.

Emperor Yin has made a decree that the Southern frontier is to be populated. He has created an incentative for noble citizens to move South, granting them parcels of land and a potential chance at nobility. Recruiters and shippers have also been encouraged, gaining a bounty for each head delivered to the province of Xian Hoy.

Aboard the Sea Cow, two sisters have embarked on a journey to Xian Hoy. It is revealed that the Captain wishes to head south to liberate a slave plantation, and increase his bounty. The passengers are threatened to rebel, but are mollified after a peaceful settlement involving a poetry contest.

Later, the two sisters and a fellow adventurer land in a hidden cove nearby the plantation. Attacking the guards on the beach, they venture to the plantation with a small crew. The brave adventurer is taken captive by the Neogi, disappearing into the forest.

Meanwhile, a winged enforcer spots their approach in an effort to stop them, she drops a torch to ignite the area on fire. Unfortunately it also ignites the plantation's cornfields, sending the place into chaos.

After a brief skirmish, the enforcer is released from her magical enslavement, and helps the sisters liberate the plantation. She destroys the factory running the plantation, and the sisters free another enslaved enforcer. The Neogi slavers escape, blasting off into the sky in a metal capsule.

Now saddled with a plantation full of slaves, the sisters return to the beach with two new companions, a mage and the winged one. They make arrangements to ship the slaves off to Xian Hoy, but the load is unanticipated. The leave a large group behind, while the captain takes who he can.

There are some grumbles, but the slaves manage to unify themselves. Another joins their party, an exceptionally acrobatic slave by the name of Otylia. They return to the plantation for supplies, and discover a vault full of papers and baubles. Otylia pockets them for safekeeping.

Afterwards, a large underground crawling insect attacks the slaves on the beach. It is quickly dispatched by Hien, and it is revealed that a magical lantern that emits light as bright as day is found within it's gullet. The slaves dance in rejoice of the god's favor.

However, all is not well. A winged shape bothers them throughout the night. The next night, it lands. The wingshaped is a wingtouched man by the name to Judica Antipheros, a former Magistrate from the Empire. He possesses a Neogi on a chain. He demands the lantern, but is refused. Using his Neogi ally, he forces the wingtouched enforcer to turn it off and toss it into the sea, allowing his hidden undead to now approach unmolested.

But Lim Kuei must be with them. The lantern is returned by the ocean ontop the beach nearby, a last hope for the surviving slaves. Will they reach it in time?

Updates page up!

Created a page to track updates to the blog.
Today
-Added in a World Map
-Posted descriptions and statistics for the Cttrach, an insectoid race from the Southern Jungles.
-Added an 'encountered NPCs Post"

The idea around this blog is that each post is similiar to articles on the WOTC website. For entirely new subjects, I will make new posts with seperate headings, such as "Factions" For others, I will simply go back and edit the posts, such as for Encountered NPCs and Locations.

Of course, this is all dependant on Blogger Archiving behavior, which I can't predict right now. It'd be rather irritating for all those posts to be gone within the month!