Kicking The Anthill

The party had penetrated the outer defenses of the underground fortress that had been the prison of the oni of the Five Storms for centuries. But they knew that there was far worse ahead. They stood in the body-strewn vestibule and took stock: the small balcony on which they stood had two doors leading out of it, one to the south and another to the north. Bella, on high alert from the many traps they’d already encountered, checked the south door carefully, as well as the small alcove that it revealed when opened, but everything looked safe. There was another door leading out of the alcove, and after a thorough inspection, she pulled it open.

Munasukaru's Embrace

Deep beneath the House of Withered Blossoms, the party had fought their way past the outer defenses of the oni’s stronghold, oddly named “Munasukaru’s Penance”. They’d rescued two slaves who had been impaled on the gates, and learned that somewhere beyond the closed door to the east was a vast cave full of scores of hobgoblins, ruled by a cruel and gluttonous overlord known as the Swine Shogun. And that the hobgoblins feared and worshipped even more fearsome creatures, somewhere deeper in the vast complex. Just another day at the office.

Munasukaru's Penance

Upon reaching the heart of the Forest of Spirits, the party had learned that the oni of the Five Storms had been imprisoned for centuries inside an ancient pagoda called the House of Withered Blossoms. Somehow most of them had escaped over 150 years ago, and the kami guarding the pagoda had no idea how. Since the kami were prevented from crossing the threshold as long as even one oni remained inside, they asked the party to enter, learn what they could, and kill any oni still inside. Complicating things, a band of spider-like creatures called aranea were also occupying the pagoda, and had been at war with the oni for decades.

The House of Withered Blossoms

Having survived an ambush by a clan of stone giants, the party continued on through the mysterious Forest of Spirits. Despite the unnatural quiet of the forest, the party couldn’t shake the feeling that they were not alone. At one point, several people could have sworn they heard the distant crack of a whip, and Ameiko and Miyaro noticed something flickering beside Zhustin, but nothing was there and the others looked at them like they were seeing and hearing things.

The Forest of Spirits

Following their new ally, Miyaro, the party had avoided the main road between Hongal and Minkai, which was heavily guarded by patrols of Minkaian soldiers loyal to the Jade Regent. Instead, they made their way south towards the Forest of Spirits, traveling on back roads that turned into cart paths, and finally little more than game trails. Despite their best efforts, they’d suddenly found themselves stopped by a patrol of Ja Noi Oni, led by a hulking ogre mage. “We’re the Minkai border patrol,” he’d proclaimed, despite the fact that the border with Minkai was still hundreds of miles away. “We have to search you and your wagons to make sure you’re not carrying any contraband.”