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The Runic Storyhour: An Oriental Adventure in The Dream
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<blockquote data-quote="Rune" data-source="post: 8293" data-attributes="member: 67"><p><strong>Act II: Honor</strong></p><p><strong>Year 3150</strong></p><p></p><p><em>A new town is born</em></p><p><em>where the Monkey's mind is gone.</em></p><p><em>Whose honor is lost?</em></p><p></p><p>Session 5, part 1</p><p></p><p>Five years have passed. Already, memory of the horrible events that have led us to this point begins to fade. The halfling is affected more severely than the rest of us, but our memory will blur, as well. That is the nature of the Dream.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: one of the side-effects of living in someone's dream is a short memory--and the halfling's memory loss is exaggerated in this case, just as all other attributes of halflings are also exaggerated. They are truly "half-people."</em></p><p></p><p>It has been a long five years, it seems. The dwarves have been fighting the Nightmare in their barbaric homeland. The halfling has been in seclusion, still trying to teach his monkey in his monkish ways. I have had a son.</p><p></p><p>Then, we get the invitations. Each of us, it seems, has received a dozen invitations to a great party in the newly rebuilt Silver City at the Governor’s Palace, on the night before this year’s Rice-Cake Festival. That is how the three of us (Strong Dwarf Stands is still out fighting the Nightmare, his brother tells us. He will join us later.) find ourselves walking together toward the terrible city of spiders. We have not yet decided which invitation to accept. It is clear that we will insult any house whose invitation we decline. For most of the houses, this is not a problem, as we do not recognize them. Two, however, are distinct. We are invited by House Bamboo, House Sky, House Hawk, House Monk, House Naga, House Immortal, House Fire, House Spear, House River, House Water, House Typhoon, House Dragon, and House Monkey, specifically, by the Governor of Silver City, Laughing Monkey Rules. After much discussion, we settle on the Governor's invitation.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: ...instead of the invitation from House Dragon (specifically from Dragon Silently Hunts). Even though House Dragon is one of the most powerful houses in the Empire and the Silver City <strong>is Dragon Silently Hunts' home city</strong>.</em></p><p></p><p>A new city has been born from the ruins of the fire, an exact duplicate of its original design. Down to the cracks in the walls and the insane babbling old beggar at the East Gate, through which we once again enter the city, as we did five years before. Again, we are asked to peace-bond our weapons. We are wary, but we comply. We seek out an inn—the same inn that we stayed at on our last visit to the town—and prepare for the night’s party.</p><p></p><p>Soon we are ready to go. We weigh the advantages and disadvantages of showing up armed (albeit peace-bonded) and armored to the party and decide that we will be out of place in either situation. We might as well be prepared for whatever dangers this city still holds.</p><p></p><p>The Silver Hill neighborhood is amazing in the Rose Season. The red tint that saturates all of the Dream is reflected marvelously in the silver leaves of the silver trees, and on the silver bulb-shaped domes that top many of the buildings. The dwarf is so taken that he pulls a shining leaf from a nearby tree, but the fine sheet of silver crumbles to dust in his rough hand. It is spring, the land exists in the freshness of a new season and the rose glow lingers in the air. As we walk through the neighborhood toward the palace, we occasionally sense a presence moving along behind us out of the corners of our eyes. We separate and fall back, to ensnare whatever pursuers that we have, but we can find no one. The streets are empty, as everyone in this neighborhood is certainly at the party.</p><p></p><p>Inside the Governor’s Palace there is an abundance of food and drink. Musicians are playing and there is an undercurrent of celebration in the air, but the stiff formality of the situation kills any true celebratory spirit—for all but Drunk Dwarf Snores, that is. The dwarf quickly helps himself to the food and pushes his way through the crowds. Our host is nowhere to be seen.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: I usually don't have music playing in the background for my games, but I had some very nice Vietnamese music from the Khac Chi Ensemble and it made for a pleasant atmosphere.</em></p><p></p><p>It is quickly apparent that our presence has become a sort of a fashion. The family who was able to bring the "Heroes of the Night of Spiders" to this party has gained honor. The stories that relate us with that night astound me with their lack of accuracy. One persistent rumor even has us slaying the colossal spider. This is going to be a long night, I fear.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: just how the world knows about the PCs' events that night, in the first place, is still a mystery.</em></p><p></p><p>When we finally spot Dragon Silently Hunts, we advance to speak with her. She greets us precariously with, "I see that you have accepted the governor's invitation." Drunk Dwarf Snores has walked over to us from a table where he has torn a large leg of fowl from the tray and begins to suck the meat from the bone. Dragon Silently Hunts pointedly ignores him. We ask of her where the Governor is, and she replies that he just stepped out. He should be back momentarily.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: and here we see the well-played low-charisma character. The rest of the PCs wanted him to go away, and he <strong>just wouldn't leave</strong>. All night long!</em></p><p></p><p>We have not been standing with the head of House Dragon for long when a murmur swells through the crowd and all of the nobles drop to the floor in deep bows. We sweep down when we see the boy enter the room. He is dressed in golden raiment and is followed by a train of servants. He cannot be more than ten years old.</p><p></p><p>The boy demands that the dwarf, intent upon his food, pay respect to the EMPEROR. The dwarf gives a little bow, pointing his fowl leg toward the floor.</p><p></p><p>What could bring the emperor to the Silver City, the home of the powerful House Dragon? The halfling is full of suspicion.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: isn't that cute? The halfling is full of suspicion! Wait...the halfling is always full of suspicion. Maybe his player knows me too well...</em></p><p></p><p>Fighting Man Dances looks at me. "I fear we have stepped into a trap." Is it only our own paranoia about the invasion and destruction of the city, or the imminent return of the spiders? After all, we are in a great hall filled with every manner of delectables to eat and are surrounded by beautiful music.</p><p></p><p>Just as the question is forming in our mind and Drunk Dwarf Snores has resumed his visits to the tables, we agree, we would like to leave the celebration. The Governor has not returned. Near the exit, we stop short, staring directly into the eyes of Grinning Tiger Rules. "I fear the trap is sprung," Fighting Man Dances says beneath his breath.</p><p></p><p>"Leaving so soon?" Tiger smiles. "Have you not spoken with my mother? She will be upset that you did not accept her invitation." A tense moment passes between the young noble and our uncharismatic dwarf. The halfling manages to pull the dwarf away from Grinning Tiger Rules and explain to Drunk Dwarf Snores why the dwarf does not want to engage in a duel. Tiger leaves to speak with his mother, and then departs from the room.</p><p></p><p><em>DM note: what's a party without Grinning Tiger Rules?</em></p><p></p><p>It is at this point that the halfling and I see shadows cross the windows outside. Someone is clearly out there. </p><p></p><p>Before we have time to contemplate the implications of this, the Emperor overtakes us. "It would please me to have an audience with you in the courtyard."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rune, post: 8293, member: 67"] [b]Act II: Honor Year 3150[/b] [i]A new town is born where the Monkey's mind is gone. Whose honor is lost?[/i] Session 5, part 1 Five years have passed. Already, memory of the horrible events that have led us to this point begins to fade. The halfling is affected more severely than the rest of us, but our memory will blur, as well. That is the nature of the Dream. [i]DM note: one of the side-effects of living in someone's dream is a short memory--and the halfling's memory loss is exaggerated in this case, just as all other attributes of halflings are also exaggerated. They are truly "half-people."[/i] It has been a long five years, it seems. The dwarves have been fighting the Nightmare in their barbaric homeland. The halfling has been in seclusion, still trying to teach his monkey in his monkish ways. I have had a son. Then, we get the invitations. Each of us, it seems, has received a dozen invitations to a great party in the newly rebuilt Silver City at the Governor’s Palace, on the night before this year’s Rice-Cake Festival. That is how the three of us (Strong Dwarf Stands is still out fighting the Nightmare, his brother tells us. He will join us later.) find ourselves walking together toward the terrible city of spiders. We have not yet decided which invitation to accept. It is clear that we will insult any house whose invitation we decline. For most of the houses, this is not a problem, as we do not recognize them. Two, however, are distinct. We are invited by House Bamboo, House Sky, House Hawk, House Monk, House Naga, House Immortal, House Fire, House Spear, House River, House Water, House Typhoon, House Dragon, and House Monkey, specifically, by the Governor of Silver City, Laughing Monkey Rules. After much discussion, we settle on the Governor's invitation. [i]DM note: ...instead of the invitation from House Dragon (specifically from Dragon Silently Hunts). Even though House Dragon is one of the most powerful houses in the Empire and the Silver City [b]is Dragon Silently Hunts' home city[/b].[/i] A new city has been born from the ruins of the fire, an exact duplicate of its original design. Down to the cracks in the walls and the insane babbling old beggar at the East Gate, through which we once again enter the city, as we did five years before. Again, we are asked to peace-bond our weapons. We are wary, but we comply. We seek out an inn—the same inn that we stayed at on our last visit to the town—and prepare for the night’s party. Soon we are ready to go. We weigh the advantages and disadvantages of showing up armed (albeit peace-bonded) and armored to the party and decide that we will be out of place in either situation. We might as well be prepared for whatever dangers this city still holds. The Silver Hill neighborhood is amazing in the Rose Season. The red tint that saturates all of the Dream is reflected marvelously in the silver leaves of the silver trees, and on the silver bulb-shaped domes that top many of the buildings. The dwarf is so taken that he pulls a shining leaf from a nearby tree, but the fine sheet of silver crumbles to dust in his rough hand. It is spring, the land exists in the freshness of a new season and the rose glow lingers in the air. As we walk through the neighborhood toward the palace, we occasionally sense a presence moving along behind us out of the corners of our eyes. We separate and fall back, to ensnare whatever pursuers that we have, but we can find no one. The streets are empty, as everyone in this neighborhood is certainly at the party. Inside the Governor’s Palace there is an abundance of food and drink. Musicians are playing and there is an undercurrent of celebration in the air, but the stiff formality of the situation kills any true celebratory spirit—for all but Drunk Dwarf Snores, that is. The dwarf quickly helps himself to the food and pushes his way through the crowds. Our host is nowhere to be seen. [i]DM note: I usually don't have music playing in the background for my games, but I had some very nice Vietnamese music from the Khac Chi Ensemble and it made for a pleasant atmosphere.[/i] It is quickly apparent that our presence has become a sort of a fashion. The family who was able to bring the "Heroes of the Night of Spiders" to this party has gained honor. The stories that relate us with that night astound me with their lack of accuracy. One persistent rumor even has us slaying the colossal spider. This is going to be a long night, I fear. [i]DM note: just how the world knows about the PCs' events that night, in the first place, is still a mystery.[/i] When we finally spot Dragon Silently Hunts, we advance to speak with her. She greets us precariously with, "I see that you have accepted the governor's invitation." Drunk Dwarf Snores has walked over to us from a table where he has torn a large leg of fowl from the tray and begins to suck the meat from the bone. Dragon Silently Hunts pointedly ignores him. We ask of her where the Governor is, and she replies that he just stepped out. He should be back momentarily. [i]DM note: and here we see the well-played low-charisma character. The rest of the PCs wanted him to go away, and he [b]just wouldn't leave[/b]. All night long![/i] We have not been standing with the head of House Dragon for long when a murmur swells through the crowd and all of the nobles drop to the floor in deep bows. We sweep down when we see the boy enter the room. He is dressed in golden raiment and is followed by a train of servants. He cannot be more than ten years old. The boy demands that the dwarf, intent upon his food, pay respect to the EMPEROR. The dwarf gives a little bow, pointing his fowl leg toward the floor. What could bring the emperor to the Silver City, the home of the powerful House Dragon? The halfling is full of suspicion. [i]DM note: isn't that cute? The halfling is full of suspicion! Wait...the halfling is always full of suspicion. Maybe his player knows me too well...[/i] Fighting Man Dances looks at me. "I fear we have stepped into a trap." Is it only our own paranoia about the invasion and destruction of the city, or the imminent return of the spiders? After all, we are in a great hall filled with every manner of delectables to eat and are surrounded by beautiful music. Just as the question is forming in our mind and Drunk Dwarf Snores has resumed his visits to the tables, we agree, we would like to leave the celebration. The Governor has not returned. Near the exit, we stop short, staring directly into the eyes of Grinning Tiger Rules. "I fear the trap is sprung," Fighting Man Dances says beneath his breath. "Leaving so soon?" Tiger smiles. "Have you not spoken with my mother? She will be upset that you did not accept her invitation." A tense moment passes between the young noble and our uncharismatic dwarf. The halfling manages to pull the dwarf away from Grinning Tiger Rules and explain to Drunk Dwarf Snores why the dwarf does not want to engage in a duel. Tiger leaves to speak with his mother, and then departs from the room. [i]DM note: what's a party without Grinning Tiger Rules?[/i] It is at this point that the halfling and I see shadows cross the windows outside. Someone is clearly out there. Before we have time to contemplate the implications of this, the Emperor overtakes us. "It would please me to have an audience with you in the courtyard." [/QUOTE]
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