The Asian Occasion: November 2024

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Elemental Temple, Wood Giant, and the missing Tortoro:

About 2 days after leaving Sandy Meadows, the party is approached by another young Druid who was flying in bird form. The druid explains an Elemental Temple used by Clan Mandarin was attacked by dozens of lumberjacks, armed with axes. They assaulted the druids, kidnapped the Tortoro, which is a large forest troll, and the Wood Giant that oversees the temple chased after them. Now, elementals are pouring out of the temple as all the portals are opened. The elder Druid from their caravan ordered the party to assist in closing the portals, assisting the Wood Giant, and saving the Tortoro.
After a hard ride, the party approaches the Elemental Temple; bodies of dead druids litter the exterior. They dead have gashes from Axe wounds, drowned by mud, and seared by fire. When the party enters the temple, they see over a dozen elementals (earth, fire, water, and wind) surrounding an portal. As the party fought off the elementals, the elder Druid burrowed under, directly to the portal. During combat, some of the elementals combined, transforming into Mud Monsters (earth and water) and fire vortexes (fire and air). It was a tough battle, but with the assistance of the elder cleric and completed druid ritual, the party was victorious in closing the portal to the elemental planes.

Immediately after, the party tracked down the lumberjacks, which were engaged in a combat with the Wood Giant. The party members are now mixed in a new combat, slowly winning....

Delivery and Challenge to the Clan:

After a week of traveling, the party enters into the Imperium and checks into a Village called Sandy Meadows. The party successfully delivers the goods and the elder Cleric instructs the party to enjoy their brief stay, but be respectful as to be mindful of the clans reputation. Not more than 30 minutes was the party approached by the local clan. A samurai leading a young crew of 7 challenged the party to a martial arts duel for honor. The crew was composed of 4 Monks, 2 archers, and a Sorcerer. During the combat, a kobold monk was dueling Yami on Batu's horseback whil Batu plucked Arrows at one of archers. Rafiki stealthily slayed the Sorecer with 1 blow. Necfut was tripped prone by a woman monk, but he got the last laugh when jabbed a dart with knockout poison, slumping her to the ground. The party made quick work, defeating the opposing clan, in front of the whole village. The Samurai committed sipaku in disgrace and Necfut kept his Katana as a rod for fishing. The party received praise and earned the locals respect by being showered food, booze, and flowers. The Mandarin Clan's reputation remained intact and garnered further honor through the achievements of the party. In the morning, the party members cleaned up and headed home.

Penis Swamp Demon

2 days later, Necfut wanted to do some fishing and the Druid promised they could camp near some wetlands. During the fishing, the party noticed a helpless victim floating on a log in the water. It was a bloody and beaten human. When the party revived him, the man explained he was a local fisherman whose family was taken by a demon swamp monster. The party offered to rescue his family and headed deeper into the wetlands. After awhile, the party was ambushed by the demon swamp monster: a large, black rubbery beast with 8 long penis appendages and masked face. The creature would shoot jism and spooge at their faces, blinding it's enemies. It would also Grapple and strangle with its 10ft Tentacle penises. The party fought valiantly, but the beast was about to decimate the clansmen, until a large alligator chomped the beast, freeing the partu from its phallic clutches. The beast died, dissolving into muck with in the water. The alligator was actually the druid, disappointed that the party almost died, which would disgrace the clan by failing in their duty to protect the wagons. The party also learned the family of the fisherman they saved was killed by the beast. It was a sad finish, but they lived to fight another day.

Opium Camp

1 day after leaving, the party notices a suspicious encampment about half mile off the main road. After closer inspection through Stealth, they see the encampment is composed of more thugs: archerers, rogues, and a half-orc Sumo warrior. The party ambushed the enemy after Felonius rushed in. The party was victorious but not before a surviving archer burned some important documents written on rice paper. The Thugs were part of the opium operation and the camp was the storage lot for the opium. The party discovered 3 large, sealed jars of opium balls, another chest of gold. All thugs had tattoos of a black quarter moon with a kukri overlapped; symbol of the Devil Shin. The senior cleric and Druid were impressed, honoring the victory with healing and praise.

Escorting the goods

In the morning, the players are to meet with with a Sr. Cleric and Sr. Druid; escorting a shipment of 2 wagons of goods: silks, spices, Spirits, and alchemist goods. The travel time is 1 week in each direction and destination is a border trading town call Sandy Meadows. The clansmen were given travel passes to enter Sandy Meadows which is in Imperial domain. 2 Samurai escorts are also coming to protect the seniors, but party is responsible to protect the Wagons. Upon return, party will be paid a salary, but they will be judged on their behavior.

Opium Den

After, Shadow House Master Hondo instructs the party to raid an opium den in The East Village. It has come to light that a foreign influence has infiltrated the village, bribed some of the guards, and began operations in a warehouse. The party will be judged on their approach, on how they enact justice but also the level of mercy to make a balance for maintaining honor and punishment. Remember, we wish to punish the operatives, learn of their loyalties and source, but also be mindful of the junkies as they are villagers of the Clan. We want to set a stern example but also exhibit respectful vengeance for this transgression. Upon completion, report back to Hondo with findings.

The party approaches the warehouse on 2 sides (front and back entrances) which were guarded by 4 bribed, clan spearmen. The 2 ninjas, Necfut and Rafiki, climbed the roof as well. The guards were greeted by the remaining party members, but the Necfut attempted to use a poisoned dart from above, missing the guard. The party engaged the the guards, killing 3, but 1 ran. Necfut chased the guard, but unfortunately lost him in the town due to a fumbled attempt at "shooting" him with a magic energy bolt.
The remaining party at the warehouse skillfully entered, starting with Felonius, a Sumo wrestler, charging through a curtain,.tackling down 3 thugs. Despite several fumbles from the clan party, they were victorious in defeating 8 thugs, and breaking up the opium den. From interrogating a lone surviving thug, Yami determined they worked for the Warlord Devil Shin. They also interviewed a Prostitute and a neighbor, whom indicated a cart delivers and picks up the junkies in 2 shifts. Yami then convinced the Prostitute, who was already paid by thugs for the night, to commit to some final service to some of the party members, before heading out. The party also secured a small chest of gold, and a large jar of opium balls.
When Necfut returned, he took 4 of the opium balls to make knockout poison. They then escorted the junkies out as well, Rafiki and Yum Yum dressed up as guards, and the party waited to ambush the cart driver for his return. Lastly, Batu and Necfut left on horseback to track down the guard who fled.

When the cart driver arrived, Rafiki failed at bluffing his way into his confidence, but Sake grappled the driver before he could escape. Batu and Necfut eventually caught up with the guard who fled, but the guard killed himself, disgraced as a failed warrior. They dragged the driver and thug, along with the opium and chest to Hando, making a full report. Hando gave the party the gold and requested they destroy the remaining opium. Rest up, take the gear you need, as tomorrow, the party must travel away for 2 weeks.

Moving Up.

Clan Lord Ziwei Shine-Ra decrees the initiates as full fledged clan members. They now carry the weight of the clans reputation on their shoulders. Clan Lord Ziwei Shine-Ra stated, "Continue on your paths, but explore new possibilities; life is a tree with many roots that lead to a whole being. Strength through Diversity!" The party members were given necklaces with their house symbols indicating membership, but 1 Ninja (Necfut) tossed it away, claiming he was quiting. However, a smaller swordsman (Yami) talked the Ninja into embracing his role with the clan, and agreed.
Then 2 challenges were presented before the clan:
Yoshimitsu (House Fist Lord) from Captain Lui Han; Circle of Darkness challenge where the 2 combatants were tied by 10ft if chain to the legs in a globe of Darkness. Yoshimitsu beheaded the captain in 3 rounds.

Then 2 House Lord Emeritus (Monk Sabri & Sorcerer Cao) challenged Clan Lord Ziwei Shine-Ra. Lord Ziwei decimated the 2 opponents in 5 rounds, demonstrating his supernatual powers. He killed Cao and spared the Monk after crippling him.