Farewell, Sweet Prince

Just when the party was feeling good about successfully tricking Prince Batsaikhar into accepting a worthless ring as the priceless artifact they’d won at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, everything started falling apart. The Prince shocked everyone by asking Bella to marry him, and Bella shocked the Prince by not accepting immediately. Knowing that the Prince was not the sort to take disappointment well, the party decided to slip out of town before he could decide what form of punishment would be most appropriate for this insult. The streets of Ordu-Aganhei were packed with citizens celebrating the Feast of the Dragon, with fireworks going off everywhere and long paper dragons parading through the narrow streets. Suddenly, one of those dragons was cast off, and the people underneath were revealed as black-clad ninjas, who immediately attacked the party. Could this night get any worse?

Sawyer had quickly dispatched one of his assailants, but another managed to land a blow with his katana. The cut was little more than a scratch, but the poison on it immediately began to sap the fighter’s strength. More ninjas began appearing from hiding places inside nearby market stalls, and they slipped behind Zhustin, Ameiko, and Bella. Ameiko desperately tried to parry their blows, but the ninjas’ poison also began working on her, and she was getting weaker and weaker.

Miyaro

The market square in which they’d been ambushed was in turmoil, as onlookers began screaming and running away in panic. One young woman did not run however; instead, she pulled a kukri from within her kimono, and slid the blade into the back of the ninja who’d come up behind Zhustin. The blade was small, but she handled it expertly, and the surprised ninja found himself with one less working kidney.

Nicki had ninjas all around him, and had no interest in a fair fight, so he used Dimension Door to vanish, reappearing 40’ directly overhead, where his Boots of Levitation kept him. Zhustin considered something similar, but he wanted to help his unknown benefactor as much as possible, so he whipped out his new adamantine quarterstaff and rapped the ninja upside the head. Unfortunately, the ninjas on either side of him kept their attacks focused on him, and Zhustin knew he couldn’t keep trading blows with them. “Thanks!” he called to the girl with the knife, then used his own Dimension Door to teleport out of danger.

Bella was also surrounded by ninjas, but in her case, that was exactly what she wanted. With both her blades whirling around her in a blur, she sent one ninja down in a bloody heap and sliced another to within an inch of his life. Sawyer hacked away with Suishen, hitting one of the ninja attacking him three times, then cursing when he had the bad manners to keep standing. Ameiko thrust with Whispering Shrike, and cut deep into the ninja assaulting her, but the poison kept working in her veins, and her blows were growing weaker by the minute. Marie, standing back-to-back with her, grabbed her by the arm and together they Teleported out of the action.

Sandoval used his Jaunt Boots to dash past one of his attackers, coming up behind him and dropping him with a wicked thrust of his crystal echoblade. Shinjiro was using his ki flurry to batter the three ninjas around him.

As the party recovered from the shock of the ambush and began to establish tactical positions, the tide of the battle quickly began to turn. From his airborne vantage, Nicki rained down Scorching Rays on the ninja still threatening Sandoval, turning him into a pile of ash. Bella focused her attacks on one ninja, and he fell before her blades as his comrade had. Sawyer quickly finished off the two still attacking him, and Sandoval circled around behind one of Shinjiro’s assailants and he was dead before he knew what hit him.

When Zhustin disappeared, one of his attackers whirled around and began slashing at the girl who’d come to Zhustin’s aid. She was fending off most of his attacks, but couldn’t seem to get in any good blows of her own. Bella didn’t think it was fair to have a big bad ninja picking on a little girl (not seeing the irony in that), and charged her attacker. He looked down in surprise as the point of her rapier appeared out of his chest. Before he could decide whether he was dead or not, Marie stepped in and settled the matter with her mace. Nicki fired off a volley of Magic Missles, Zhustin added a pair of Scorching Rays, Sawyer killed two more ninja, Sandoval stabbed one more with his echoblade, and suddenly the only ninjas were dead ninjas.

From the sounds of panic and screaming all around them, they could tell that their little scuffle had not gone unnoticed. They’d been accompanied out of the palace by their usual retinue of fawning servants, but these had all fled in panic at the first sign of danger. All except one: a dusky Hongali girl had been one of the half-dozen following Nicki. The others were long gone, but she’d stayed by his side (cowering, but faithful), and was still there. Since she appeared to have all her flesh and still be breathing, they decided she was an improvement over Nicki's past servants, and didn’t ask too many questions.

The young woman who’d come to their aid was tugging at Marie’s sleeve. “Please – come with me! I’m a friend, and I know the precious cargo you carry with you.” She cast a meaningful glance at Ameiko as she said this. “I’m here to help!” Suspicious, they were nonetheless grateful for her help so far. They followed her into a nearby alley, away from the press of panicking crowds.

“My name is Miyaro. I was sent by the kami of the Forest of Spirits. One of their sisters came to them many months ago. She was the guardian of the Amatatsu Seal, and she told them that the Seal had been found, and that an heir still lived and was on her way, and that they should prepare for her. They are not comfortable with humans, so they sent me to wait for you here. I walked many weeks to come here from the Forest, and I am here to guide you back. It is not safe for you to travel by the Spirit Road!”

The party wasn’t quite sure what to make of Miyaro’s excited ramblings, and most of them had no idea what a “kami” was. But she was offering to help them get away, and that was good enough for now. With Miyaro in tow, they continued pushing their way towards the city gate that led to where their caravan was camped.

But when the arrived, they found the gate barred, with double the usual number of guards clustered before it. Sawyer strode forward confidently, and they brandished their spears nervously. The guard captain brusquely shooed Sawyer away. “Gate’s closed. There are riots in the city, and orders are, no one gets in or out. Move along now.”

“We’ve got business outside the walls. You need to let us pass.” Sawyer demanded, but the guard held firm. “Sorry. These orders come from high up, and no one said anything about any exceptions."

Sawyer glared at the guard captain, and half drew Suishen from his sheath. “I don’t care who gave you your orders. I said we’re going out that gate!” The guard captain’s knees were knocking, and his troop of guards had all quietly backed several paces away. But frightened as he might be of Sawyer, he was even more frightened of the Prince. “I … I … can’t l-l-let you through the g-g-g-gate,” he stammered.

Things might have gotten ugly, but Marie stepped up, and pulled Sawyer back. “We’ve got other ways out,” she whispered. Sawyer was tempted to Air Walk right over the wall, just to show the guard how little they could do to stop him, but he let Marie lead him away, glaring daggers at the terrified and relieved captain.

Once out of sight, the party’s spellcasters got together, and Dimension Door’d everyone to the far side of the wall. They quickly made their way to where they’d left the wagons, but all was not as it had been. Heavy chains were looped through the wagon wheels, fixed to large stakes that had been driven into the ground. Those would not be much of a hindrance by themselves, but their horses were gone and worse, their crew was nowhere to be seen.

There was a crew of wranglers sitting around a fire by a nearby corral, and Sawyer went over to ask them if they knew anything about what had happened to their caravan. Most mumbled something like “I know nothing,” and made themselves scarce. But one old wrangler lay beside the fire, cradling a mostly-empty jug of rice wine. “Yeah, folks from the palace showed up a week or more ago, and took all those folks away. I think they took the horses to one of the Prince’s stables. Don’t know where they took the people.”

So this wasn’t a retaliation for Bella’s snub of the Prince’s proposal. The timing coincided with when they’d been “invited” to go to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, and when Ameiko and Sandru had been kidnapped. It was likely another step the Prince had taken to ensure their cooperation. Ameiko and Sandru had no idea where they’d been held, but they’d seen or heard nothing to indicate there was anyone else being held there with them.

“Screw it! We don’t need wagons, or horses. I say we just leave right now – follow Miyaro and get as far away from town as possible before daylight.” Zhustin was ready to hit the road, and Sandoval was nodding in agreement, but Sandru was anguished about abandoning his caravan and his crew. “But those are my people! I’m responsible for them!” he countered. “And besides – I’ve still got all these wonderful glass goods from Ameiko’s glassworks that I haven’t found a buyer for yet! I think we need to go back and convince the Prince to let our people go!”

“Oh no!” Bella piped up. “I’m not going back there! If we show our faces again, he’s just going to kill us. If his ninjas didn’t do the job, he’ll just come up with something deadlier.”

Miyaro looked confused. “You don’t understand. Those ninjas were from Minkai, and were sent by the Five Storms. They’ve probably sent many groups to kill you, and these were just the first to arrive. That’s why we should leave as soon as possible – the princess is in great danger as long as she stays here.”

Zhustin and Sandoval used Miyaro’s argument to bolster their own proposal, but Nicki threw out an alternate. “If the ninjas weren’t from the Prince, we can use their attack to our advantage. Bella can hide out with Miyaro somewhere. We go back and say that in the confusion of the attack, the ninjas made off with Bella. Then the wedding’s off without the Prince losing face. He’ll release our crew, we’ll be on our way.”

“What if he doesn’t release our crew?” Bella asked

“I say we don’t waste time with the Prince,” Sawyer growled. “Let’s just take that Chua guy prisoner and make him talk. Force him to tell us where they’ve got our people and horses, get them out, and be on our way.”

That started another round of arguments. Zhustin suggested stealing the horses, but Marie countered that since Hongali people valued their horses more than their children, being a horse thief in this country might be the worst of all possible ideas. They argued back and forth, growing more and more heated, and it seemed that no more than two people favored any given suggestion. Finally, they turned to Ameiko. “Look, it’s your decision. Putting you on the throne of Minkai is the most important thing, and we’ll do whatever you think is best.”

Ameiko’s shoulders drooped, and she was silent for a long time, staring into the fire. “If this is what it’s going to be like to be an empress, then I’m not sure I want the job. But here’s what I think. I think we owe it to our people to try to free them. I’ve seen you guys in action. I think if the Prince tries anything with you, you can be out of there before they know what’s happening.”

“And what about me?” Bella squeaked. “Do I stay hiding out here?”

Ameiko took a deep breath. “I think you have to go back and tell the Prince you’ll marry him. I think that’s the only way he’ll let our crew go. Once they’re free and safe, we’ll figure out a way to rescue you.” Ameiko grinned. “And if we don’t, can I be your maid of honor?”

Everyone agreed to follow Ameiko’s suggestion. Miyaro said she’d wait for them in a copse of trees south of the city (“I’m not comfortable around crowds, and I’d rather not go back to the city if that’s OK,” she said timidly.) They Teleported back over the city walls, and made their way back to the palace. The city’s streets were deserted save for frequent patrols of heavily armed guards. There was obviously some kind of curfew in place, but when the patrols saw them, they pointedly looked the other way, and they reached the palace unmolested. They collapsed into their beds, heads spinning with how tomorrow’s events might unfold. Sleep eluded them, as they slowly realized that something just didn’t feel right. It took them a long time to realized what it was. For the first time since they’d been in the palace, they were alone, without the usual retinue of doting servants.

They next morning, they were awakened early, and found their clothing all neatly folded. Chua was waiting for them when they emerged from their rooms, along with a sizable honor guard. The usually unflappable diplomat seemed almost embarrassed this morning. “We have been most honored by your long visit to our wonderful city, and are most grateful for your efforts on our nation’s behalf at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Alas, our Golden Sun is unable to dine with you this morning, as pressing affairs of state demand his impassable wisdom. He hopes that you have enjoyed your time here and will depart with fond memories of Ordu-Aganhei.”

He turned to Bella, but looked slightly to her left, not making eye contact. “The Prince realizes that the incomparable honor of marriage to his glorious imminence must have been more than one of your station and your race could comprehend. You did not understand that his offer was a jest, one which continues to fill the court with humor, but which you obviously did not grasp. I hope that you will overcome the embarrassment that you suffered before all the assembled nobility of Ordu-Aganhei and will one day be able to look back on yesterday’s events and laugh at your rustic faux-pas.”

As Bella began to sputter and Marie struggled to hold her back, Chua turned back to the rest of the party. “We wish you safe travels as you journey onwards from our city, and as a final demonstration of our Golden Prince’s infinite beneficence, he has bestowed upon you one parting gift to speed you on your travels.” He turned and glided off down the hallway without a backward glance. The guard escorted the party out of the palace, where they found a fine Hongali pony waiting for each of them, each outfitted with a gold-filigreed saddle. Deciding not to (literally) look a gift horse in the mouth, they immediately mounted and cantered off to the caravan yards. There they found their wagons unchained, horses already in the traces, and their drivers befuddled but safe.

Miyaro appeared out of her hiding place as they passed, and she fell in with the caravan. She led them down a lightly traveled road leading generally east by southeast, away from the main road south out of the city. “The Spirit Road isn’t safe,” she repeated. “It’s heavily guarded by patrols from the Jade Regent. Many of them are actually oni disguised as humans, and they’ll all be watching for any sign of the princess.” The group remembered what they’d learned of the area’s geography while they were in Ordu-Aganhei. Between Hongal and Minkai lay the Forest of Spirits. It was supposed to be a dangerous and haunted place, and the only safe passage was a road that skirted the Forest along the western coast, called the Spirit Road. It was the only route for overland trade with Minkai, and although the Forest was technically Hongali territory, the Spirit Road was maintained and protected by military forces from Minkai (and Hongal had never tried to dispute the presence of troops from their more powerful neighbor to the south).

Miyaro led them east then southeast, towards the Forest of Spirits. It was to be a journey of several hundred miles, and as the days passed, she told them more about the kami who had raised her, and Shinjiro chimed in with legends he’d learned from his grandfather. Kami were created by the gods at the dawn of creation, tasked with the sacred duty to protect the gods’ (and later some of man’s) creations. The gods also established a set of labyrinthine rules known as the Laws of Golden Perfection which govern every aspect of kami conduct and their interaction with the world.

Every kami has a creature or object that it is paired with, known as its ward. Not everything has a kami, but every kami has a ward. A kami might be charged with protecting a tree, or a rock, or a gate, or a fox, or a mountain. Kami have difficulty manifesting in physical bodies, and have restrictions on how they can interact with humans and other sentient beings, so for the kami of the Forest of Spirits, Miyaro has become their agent in many ways.

Oni are the antithesis of the kami; where kami strive to protect and preserve, oni lust to destroy and pervert. Oni exist in endless conflict with kami, resenting them for the favor the gods show them and for what the oni see as their misguided devotion to the divine directive to shield creation. In contrast, oni see the world as a playground on which to indulge every base whim and desire that might cross their selfish and venal hearts. Though they often act in direct opposition to the kami, oni too must abide by the tangled and voluminous Laws of Golden Perfection, but the cruel beings do their best to bend and manipulate these strictures in their pursuit of physical pleasures. Kami find oni to be dreadful embarrassments, or live in fear that they may one day fail in their sacred responsibilities and become oni themselves.

Miyaro told them that the kami of the Forest of Spirits had a special bond with the oni of the Five Storms, but beyond that she would say no more. “When we reach the heart of the Forest, they will tell you themselves.”

Miyaro led them over seldom-traveled roads between more and more widely scattered villages. They were still very far north, and although it was late spring, the landscape was still dusted with leftover snow. Sawyer frequently took to the air to look for any signs of pursuit, but saw nothing suspicious.

Late one morning, as they rumbled along the rutted track, they rounded a hillock to find a group of creatures blocking their path. In the center was an ogre mage, similar to the one who’d attacked them in Ul-Angorn. With him were a squad of squat, brutish humanoids with bony brows and armed with tetsubos, heavy spiked clubs. Those who had studied their oni ecology recognized them as Ja Noi Oni.

The ogre mage called out in deep resonant Minkaian. “We are the border patrol to ensure that no contraband enters the nation of Minkai. Get down off your wagons so we can search them – and you!”

The PCs earned 4,800 XP for the night, putting them at 157,569 XP. They are now at level 11, and need 220,000 XP to reach level 12. We’ll be at Rich & Joette’s next week. I’ll be there in person, but Roger will be on call. Brian will be starting his new chapter in Sin City, and may or may not be able to join remotely.