Session 4: Return to Sekae Report

General Summary

After a long rest, the party makes their way back to Sekae with Ping, the Halfling Ranger, as their guide through the Burning Plains.   On their trip they suddenly hear the sound of gruff voices heading in their direction. Though the smoke obscures the source, Ping signals the group to get low and observe. "Orcs," he whispers, the only one among them who can understand their gravelly tongue. The party quickly formulates a plan as the orcs come into view, oblivious to the presence of the adventurers. Hikaru moves forward in the oncoming path of the orcs as the others, with the exception of Vaa, rush forward to attack.   The eight orcs are durable, but can ultimately do nothing to save their own lives as they fall, one by one. In the aftermath of the battle, the bodies are searched for loot. Besides some coin, a wooden dwarven flask is found among the bodies. It contains a dark liquid, rich with the scent of peat and alcohol. With none of them able to read the runes upon it, they pocket it, knowing that it could fetch a few coin in town.   With the business of looting done, Jun Kao takes the opportunity to feast upon the raw orc flesh bounty before him. Ping is horrified as Jun, while eating, imparts: "It's the only way to take their power," orc blood dripping from his mouth. The others take his consumption of dead monster flesh in stride, familiar as they are with the practice in various communities around the Iron Empire and the rest of Tengoku. Some of the party even speak fondly of "gnoll bowls," though Jun clearly has a preference for "orc pork."   When they finally return to the village, Ping is ecstatic, relating the story of the "Heroes of Sekae" to anyone who will listen. Meanwhile, the village is in mourning, though its citizens are dutifully working hard to clean up the majority of the damage caused by the gnoll attack. As they pass by the House of Whispering Grass, they see that the small executive tea house is adorned with flowers and symbols of loss and mourning, for that is where the Governor's son was slain.   Heading to the governor's home, they behold other peculiar sights. A trio of magic users are flying around the highest point of the pagoda in clear preparation of some kind of ritual. Meanwhile, outside the doors to the house, the Ancient Ancestor who accompanied the Emperor's Emissary stands guarding a covered wagon. As they pass, the gaze of the ancient warrior follows them. The iron rings around the party's fingers, gifted to them by the governor's scribe and fortune teller, tingle.   At the door they are met with the governor's man-in-waiting. He escorts them past the double-doors to the audience hall. The doors are marked with strange arcane symbols which bring to Vaa's mind images of graveyards and shadowy figures. In an audience with the governor, they discover that their success has lead to a great reward for the governor. The village of Sekae would formally re-pledge their loyalty to the Iron Emperor and the governor's son would be reborn to him as an Ancient Ancestor. The party would be rewarded as well, with positions within the Empire as elite mercenaries.   After their meeting with the governor, the scribe takes them aside and explains the situation.

Created Content

• Orc Pork
• Gnoll Bowls
• Copperbeard Distillery (dwarven flask)