Session 45: Offa in love? The party is split? A non-lethal escape? What next?
Returning to the palace, the party is led to the Empress of the foxes. She acknowledges her son throughout the conversation, in which she thanks them for helping restore their relationship, even if it is at the cost of her society. While she wants them out of her country immediately, the Empress also offers a boon as a token of thanks. Knowing their intention of heading to the palace to find A’flora and contend with more of the Cherries, the Empress shares important information for them to consider, including:
• Only women and biologically young boys are allowed in the court.
• There is a foreigner halfling who works in the protective services to the mother of the emperor named Tamara. Likely this is A’flora.
• Su Youn Gul - power behind the throne
• The Mother - Kasuga No Subonai - actual power and the leading maiden
• The Cherries have many traps laid out leading to the Oku.
• Yu do Dono – former wet nurse to the emperor and not to be trusted.
• It is possible for the guys to be workers but must be blindfolded to do so.
The now-prince thanks the party as well and offers a special broach to Anya (with the traditional back and forth) that is worth a great deal and serves as a connection to the Foxes.
Before leaving, Silas asks if they may do anything for the Empress. She tells them of a simple lacquered box with a phoenix feather that allows one to speak with the dead. It was a gift to the old emperor who died in the Yokai wars, and she would like it back.
She also gives them a letter of passage for Anya to enter the Oku and all of them enter the palace itself. They are also given a message to give to the emperor’s mother and she sends a note ahead requesting a meeting for them.
After many thanks, the party is escorted out of the forest by fox guards. At the gate, Tendo finds them and challenges Sikander to a fight. Content to let him, Anya stands back, as does Silas and Offa. The fight started off with a bang as Tenda goes after Sikander with his gonads. After some tussling, Sikander ends up grabbing them and tries swinging Tendo, without success. As weapons come out, Wibbles goes to work dealing damage.
At this point, Anya sits with her bow eyeing the crowd along with Offa pacing. Silas speaks with those looking to jump in and dissuades them from interfering. As damage from Tendo’s quarterstaff and testicles is dealt, Silas quotes Gnomish Rule 42B, “The battle doesn’t have to end with death to win”. Hearing this, Sikander casts Command, telling Tendo to yield. He does, but insists this was not defeat, then licks his hand before shaking Sikander’s.
The party finally arrives at the high imperial walls, Sikander and Silas noting the bricks don't match and are uneven but are chosen carefully. As they approach, the Uza tree is visible above the walls, and they notice passes are being checked once folks were in the gardens. Inside, a small, wizened man with a white beard tells them stories of special trees being planted by the old emperor’s own two hands. Walking the garden, admiring the camphor tree, Sikander approaches the walls and touches them, listening to them as they spoke, “We will never be broached or destroyed”. He learned the stones were taken from the mountains before the darkness came and spread throughout the forest. A guard tells Sikander to step back from the walls, explaining he was one to check passes. Hearing this, Anya approaches and asks for entrance further into the palace. The plan falls apart at this point as Anya panics trying to explain why foreigners would be workers. Opting for the truth, she tells Triame son, head of the Oku guard (and source of Offa’s newfound joy) they are here seeking an audience with the emperor’s mother. She is angered at the deception, and insists Anya may have passage, but the others will wait in a prison cell, without their weapons.
Silas lays down his weapons, and seeing Sikander unwilling to part with his, says, “Sometimes the price of finding your sister is so high it hurts, and I know I would pay anything.” Hearing this, Sikander finally drops Tinkerbell and Wibbles, and keeps Skybreaker on his back, swearing not to unsheathe his family axe. He is roughly bound, along with Silas and Offa (who happily agrees to be tied up). As they are led away, Sikander slips Anya his Ring of Tymora, which she quickly takes and slips on her right thumb, rubbing its face nervously as she watches her boys be led away. Before they get too far, Anya is told Tal will not be allowed to enter, so she sends him after the others.
Offa, Sikander, Silas
Once they are settled into cells, Offa very quickly starts scratching "Chiyome + Offa" on the prison wall. Silas sets about making friends with the guards and shares their connection to the great Sikander Steelstone and Haka-ho. (Offa is slow dancing with Granny Too at this point).
Hofu is eventually persuaded to let Silas and Sikander out, much to Tako’s annoyance, and they all play Hibots. (Offa starts speaking with the dead prisoner and learns they were a scribe that spoke against Yo Du Donu, calling her a maligned influence. Also, that there is a secret door by the guard table.)
The game continues as Silas pours saki for everyone, asking questions and learning Lord Mirt has come back to visit, that there is a train the next day leaving for Dragon’s Tooth castle. Using Sikander’s special mug, Hofu becomes very drunk and passes out. Kato shares his recognition of the God Eaters at work while Silas gets the keys off Hofu. He manages to trick Kato into the cell and uses dimension door to escape. They promptly head next door, grab their weapons, and head for the secret tunnel. Once in the tunnel, Sikander pulls out his sending stone and sends Anya message, saying, “Hey Little One! We’ve escaped and didn’t have to kill anyone. Don’t worry, we’re going to ambush the hell out of this place. Watch out for..”
Anya
She and Hoshiko are led to the entrance of the Oku. Hoshiko reminds her not to speak unless spoken to and not to speak about the old emperor. As they approach the door, they find a giant mural of a crane at the end of the hall, with a door panel that shows the cranes. She figures out the cranes can be moved to create a taijitu, allowing the door to open. Entering, she finds Yo Du Donu and is offered tea. Attempting to inspect it, she finally accepts and drinks it, while engaging in subtle back and forth regarding the dangers of political intrigue. She is also invited to fold origami, which she flawlessly pulls off. Thanking her for her time, Anya rises to leave, and is given a fan to return to Katsuga, the mother of the emperor. Heading west, Anya stops near a shrine and pulls her sending stone from her pocket and listens to Sikander’s message. Shaking her head, suddenly feeling exhausted as she glances at the statue, Anya replies, “"No ambushing. I just left Yo Du Donu and am close to A'flora. There are traps all over. (sighs) Please be careful. She needs her brother."
• Only women and biologically young boys are allowed in the court.
• There is a foreigner halfling who works in the protective services to the mother of the emperor named Tamara. Likely this is A’flora.
• Su Youn Gul - power behind the throne
• The Mother - Kasuga No Subonai - actual power and the leading maiden
• The Cherries have many traps laid out leading to the Oku.
• Yu do Dono – former wet nurse to the emperor and not to be trusted.
• It is possible for the guys to be workers but must be blindfolded to do so.
The now-prince thanks the party as well and offers a special broach to Anya (with the traditional back and forth) that is worth a great deal and serves as a connection to the Foxes.
Before leaving, Silas asks if they may do anything for the Empress. She tells them of a simple lacquered box with a phoenix feather that allows one to speak with the dead. It was a gift to the old emperor who died in the Yokai wars, and she would like it back.
She also gives them a letter of passage for Anya to enter the Oku and all of them enter the palace itself. They are also given a message to give to the emperor’s mother and she sends a note ahead requesting a meeting for them.
After many thanks, the party is escorted out of the forest by fox guards. At the gate, Tendo finds them and challenges Sikander to a fight. Content to let him, Anya stands back, as does Silas and Offa. The fight started off with a bang as Tenda goes after Sikander with his gonads. After some tussling, Sikander ends up grabbing them and tries swinging Tendo, without success. As weapons come out, Wibbles goes to work dealing damage.
At this point, Anya sits with her bow eyeing the crowd along with Offa pacing. Silas speaks with those looking to jump in and dissuades them from interfering. As damage from Tendo’s quarterstaff and testicles is dealt, Silas quotes Gnomish Rule 42B, “The battle doesn’t have to end with death to win”. Hearing this, Sikander casts Command, telling Tendo to yield. He does, but insists this was not defeat, then licks his hand before shaking Sikander’s.
The party finally arrives at the high imperial walls, Sikander and Silas noting the bricks don't match and are uneven but are chosen carefully. As they approach, the Uza tree is visible above the walls, and they notice passes are being checked once folks were in the gardens. Inside, a small, wizened man with a white beard tells them stories of special trees being planted by the old emperor’s own two hands. Walking the garden, admiring the camphor tree, Sikander approaches the walls and touches them, listening to them as they spoke, “We will never be broached or destroyed”. He learned the stones were taken from the mountains before the darkness came and spread throughout the forest. A guard tells Sikander to step back from the walls, explaining he was one to check passes. Hearing this, Anya approaches and asks for entrance further into the palace. The plan falls apart at this point as Anya panics trying to explain why foreigners would be workers. Opting for the truth, she tells Triame son, head of the Oku guard (and source of Offa’s newfound joy) they are here seeking an audience with the emperor’s mother. She is angered at the deception, and insists Anya may have passage, but the others will wait in a prison cell, without their weapons.
Silas lays down his weapons, and seeing Sikander unwilling to part with his, says, “Sometimes the price of finding your sister is so high it hurts, and I know I would pay anything.” Hearing this, Sikander finally drops Tinkerbell and Wibbles, and keeps Skybreaker on his back, swearing not to unsheathe his family axe. He is roughly bound, along with Silas and Offa (who happily agrees to be tied up). As they are led away, Sikander slips Anya his Ring of Tymora, which she quickly takes and slips on her right thumb, rubbing its face nervously as she watches her boys be led away. Before they get too far, Anya is told Tal will not be allowed to enter, so she sends him after the others.
Offa, Sikander, Silas
Once they are settled into cells, Offa very quickly starts scratching "Chiyome + Offa" on the prison wall. Silas sets about making friends with the guards and shares their connection to the great Sikander Steelstone and Haka-ho. (Offa is slow dancing with Granny Too at this point).
Hofu is eventually persuaded to let Silas and Sikander out, much to Tako’s annoyance, and they all play Hibots. (Offa starts speaking with the dead prisoner and learns they were a scribe that spoke against Yo Du Donu, calling her a maligned influence. Also, that there is a secret door by the guard table.)
The game continues as Silas pours saki for everyone, asking questions and learning Lord Mirt has come back to visit, that there is a train the next day leaving for Dragon’s Tooth castle. Using Sikander’s special mug, Hofu becomes very drunk and passes out. Kato shares his recognition of the God Eaters at work while Silas gets the keys off Hofu. He manages to trick Kato into the cell and uses dimension door to escape. They promptly head next door, grab their weapons, and head for the secret tunnel. Once in the tunnel, Sikander pulls out his sending stone and sends Anya message, saying, “Hey Little One! We’ve escaped and didn’t have to kill anyone. Don’t worry, we’re going to ambush the hell out of this place. Watch out for..”
Anya
She and Hoshiko are led to the entrance of the Oku. Hoshiko reminds her not to speak unless spoken to and not to speak about the old emperor. As they approach the door, they find a giant mural of a crane at the end of the hall, with a door panel that shows the cranes. She figures out the cranes can be moved to create a taijitu, allowing the door to open. Entering, she finds Yo Du Donu and is offered tea. Attempting to inspect it, she finally accepts and drinks it, while engaging in subtle back and forth regarding the dangers of political intrigue. She is also invited to fold origami, which she flawlessly pulls off. Thanking her for her time, Anya rises to leave, and is given a fan to return to Katsuga, the mother of the emperor. Heading west, Anya stops near a shrine and pulls her sending stone from her pocket and listens to Sikander’s message. Shaking her head, suddenly feeling exhausted as she glances at the statue, Anya replies, “"No ambushing. I just left Yo Du Donu and am close to A'flora. There are traps all over. (sighs) Please be careful. She needs her brother."
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