Season 10, Episode 5: "The Ginkgo Tree" Report
General Summary
Fueled by visions given to him by a mystic banana, the Mercenary had a sudden interest in returning to a particular location in the Abyss. While the Dream Team were initially confused on the particulars, on their way to Ezorod the Mercenary uncovered another mysterious letter from Vaughn Blackblood, which contained a spell for shifting to the Abyss once per sunrise.
Eager to move forward, the Mercenary convinced the group to be away at once, and so they were transported from the Material Plane into the shade beneath the Ginkgo Tree. There dozens of Oni and lesser Demons lie in wait, loosely represented by Scathe Blackblood, who had taken ownership of the Tree in the absence of the "General" and their Master.
The Mercenary stated his intention to get back what was his, even with the holes in his memory, and thus Scathe challenged him to a duel. The melee was immediate, with Scathe and Mercenary fighting individually while the Dream Team clashed with the prominent members of House Blackblood. Of particular note, Nina Blackblood proved herself to be more than a mere Oni, possessing a power akin to a the Dream Team after donning a mysterious mask.
While the test of the two clans was held in high esteem, all hinged on the battle between the Mercenary and Scathe, two swordsmen with millennia of training and hundreds of wars in their past. Although bonded to the Ginkgo Tree, Scathe refused to use its power, relying instead on the power he could muster with his own two hands. In the end this was his undoing, as it was pure skill that won the bout, and the Mercenary showed all of House Blackblood which of them was greater.
Showing mercy, the Mercenary allowed Scathe to live, and after some consideration named Nina his second — a relationship the two of them once shared in the past. The Oni began to call the Mercenary "General" instead, his name now reflected as such in the System, and Scathe relinquished his hold over the Ginkgo Tree.
Once again master of his pocket of the Abyss, the General sat with the Dream Team and his warriors at his nearby home. Nina explained that Vaughn had recently returned from Norn, and that she had seen Isra with him (although the party knew this must instead be Wynrey). The two of them had already gone to the Boneyard, and all were curious how the General would lead them to the Master's side.
Seeking resources, the General explored the valley, and recovered the one-hundred Tien Lanterns left in his care. Nina revealed to him the three-thousand Terracotta Warriors hidden in an illusion of rice fields, and at her leader's demand, called on the many pacts Vaughn had made over the centuries — in particular the Elemental Lords, and the "slumbering" Sky King.
Dozens of Oni were put into motion, many making way to the Boneyard to aid with the current battle, leaving the Dream Team to decide their next move...
Rewards Granted
Tarot Deck
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Report Date
16 Feb 2023
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