Path of Enlightenment: Chapter 2

Wang Chi

The young soldier looks very concerned, yet he nods at Ban Lu's words. "We will definitely have to do our best to kill or maim the demon before it flees..." He looks with concern at the toiling sailors. "Otherwise many innocent lives will be lost."
 

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Shen nods as the others speak. "We do indeed have much to lose. It would appear we have much to gain also." Shen turns toward his father, "Master, is it known how this creature can travel from one place to another so quickly? Barring some sort of instant transport, we should be able to block it from exiting."

Shen leans forward, as if studying a mental map. With a sigh, he leans back. "We will split up as you have wisely suggested. I cannot see another way beside dividing out strength."

Shen sits on the floor, his legs crossed and his eyes closed. Meditation cleared his mind, opened his eyes to paths that were not readily visible. Most importantly, it helped him to relax. There was no point in being frightened or nervous about the upcoming battle. Death strikes everyone eventually. It is the one sword that cannot be blocked.
 

As everyone discussed about tactics and the better way to defeat the spider fiend, the tiredness slowly takes its toll over our heroes. One by one, they retry to the bedrooms for the night.

In the morning, Koryo is up first, he had strange dreams during the night, most of them, about his fallen comrade, and about Kaoru, who resembles him so much. His dead friend's ghost hunted his dreams, asking Koryo to avenge him by slaying Master Jien. The troubled veteran mets with he would have wisehd to avoid for the rest of the day: Master Jien.

"It's good to see that at least some raise early in the morning." he says as Koryo enters the main saloon, and sits in an empty seat. The old man serves Koryo some warm tea.

Around a quarter of hour later, the rest of the heroes arrive at the table, and help themselves something to eat and drink.

As everyone finishes, the group prepares to make their journey. They get their gear, and ready the provisions and supplies for the trip. Koryo has an expert knowledge of the area, and with some of his suggestions, the party equips themselves with necessary items for the day ahead.
Outside, the sailors are ready as well, they all have sets of studded leather armor, and jians and spears. Some of them carry bows and crossbows.

The local weapon and armor smith stands outside, looking at the heroes when they come out. "Hail to you honorable men. I came here to offer you my services. I'm Qing Zim, blacksmith of Tiger's Rest. I have assorted weapons and armors you can find useful, for a price of course."
Jian rubs his chin "That is an interesting suggestion, and I thank you for it Qing, we'll join you on your shop later."
The blacksmith nods, bows, and walks away to his shop.
"This seems as a good opportunity for you to arm yourselves. Probably he'll have some valuable items, and we'll need every help we can possibly acquire."


OOC: Each has 4000 GP to spend on magical or non magical supplies. Go with what you prefer (form whatever you find in the character builder) but remember to fluff it appropriately.
 

Ban Lu

The monk rises late and partakes heavily of tea and food to stave off the effects of last night's drink. His eyes blaze with intensity and perhaps a little madness as you prepare to face another supernatural foe.

"Honorable Blacksmith Qing Zim, we shall visit you shortly. I see you are eager to make a profit from our need. Keep you in mind that we are on a holy quest for the good of all people of the Empire. Ponder this and the fate of your own soul as you set your prices this morning."
 


Ziang Yu

"Thanks for your offering, master blacksmith, but I'm at the moment more interested in potions and tonics." Ziang says, hinting a question for direction.

[sblock=OOC]
Shall I add the trainings to the character sheet?

[sblock=Mini stat block]
Ziang Yu
Perception: 17 Insight: 14 Normal Vision
AC 18 Fortitude 15 Reflex 16 Will 14
Hit Points: 36 / 36 Bloodied: 18
Temporary Hit Points: 0
Action Points: 1 Second Wind: 1
Healing Surge: 9 Surges per day: 9 / 9
At-Will: Aggravating Force, Magic weapon, Static Shock
Encounter Powers: Healing Infusion: Resistive Formula / Healing Infusion 2/2, Curative Admixture, Burning Weapons, Lightning Sphere
Daily Powers: Icebound Sigil, Restorative Infusion
[/sblock]
[/sblock]
 

Wang looks around the smith's workplace until he identifies a suit of dingjia armor, covered in black cloth trimmed with gold -- the colors of the Emperor's Guard. He bows to the smith. "Master Qing, this is most excellent work. I will be proud to wear this to battle." He also chooses a pair of burnished iron wrist guards worked with dragons.
 

The Forest at the Mountain base

The store of Qing provided the heroes with many trinkets and useful weapons and armors. Even master Jien raised his left populated eyebrow when he looked upon certain turtle miniature. The captain bought regular armors for his crew, who had nothing to protect themselves from the enemies but the lose clothes of the sailors.

The two groups parted ways at the edge of town, each one taking a different road towards the storming peaks where the fiend had made it's lairs.

Shen Rui, Lucky Leng, Kaoru, Wang Chi, Ban Lu and Ziang Yu marched at soldiers' peace, led by the imperial guard, who marched ahead with iron discipline.
The road waves around the edge of a thick forest, and it is in good conditions. The air made sounds as it waved the leaves of the trees, bringing the aroma of spring into our heroes' noses. The sun shined high above the group, it was a nice day to focus and meditate before an important battle.

Following Jien' instructions, the warriors find themselves standing on the edge of the road, before a small path of dirt that leads inside the forest.
The six men resume the march into the shady path, dodging low branches and jumping over huge roots that protruded from the ground.
Each step led deeper into the forest, and each time, the trees became bigger and taller, and fewer light filtered among their foliage. Eventually, the shiny day became as dark as night. Ban Lu gets a bad feeling about the forest.

[sblock=Insight]
[sblock=DC 10[I] Something is not right, the sudden darkening was something unnatural [/I][/sblock]
[sblock=DC 15[I] You got the sensation of being observed. [/I][/sblock]
[sblock=DC 20[I] You sense an evil entity near your location, probably the source of the darkening.[/I][/sblock][/sblock]

[sblock=Perception]
[sblock=DC 10[I] You didn't spot any animal, nor heard anything in this area of the forest since the sudden darkening [/I][/sblock]
[sblock=DC 15[I] In the corner of your eye you see something moving, but when you turn, it's gone. [/I][/sblock]
[sblock=DC 20[I]You see something. Something big, moving, shifting around the group, behind the shadows of the trees.[/I][/sblock][/sblock]

[sblock=Nature]
[sblock=DC 10[I] You know that there are not such dark forests, and that the leaves of the trees always rustle, even without wind. [/I][/sblock]
[sblock=DC 15[I]You see unnatural footprints in the dirt, something with big feet. Strange feet.[/I][/sblock]
[sblock=DC 20[I]The track ends near a group of trees. Among the shadows of the trees you distinguish one that moves and shakes abnormally.[/I][/sblock][/sblock]
 

Ziang Yu

"Beware, there is omething moving behind us, behind the trees." Ziang says calmly and draws his new weapon.

[sblock=OOC]

Insight, Perception, Nature (1d20+4=14, 1d20+7=24, 1d20+4=24)


[sblock=Mini stat block]
Ziang Yu
Perception: 17 Insight: 14 Normal Vision
AC 18 Fortitude 15 Reflex 16 Will 14
Hit Points: 36 / 36 Bloodied: 18
Temporary Hit Points: 0
Action Points: 1 Second Wind: 1
Healing Surge: 9 Surges per day: 9 / 9
At-Will: Aggravating Force, Magic weapon, Static Shock
Encounter Powers: Healing Infusion: Resistive Formula / Healing Infusion 2/2, Curative Admixture, Burning Weapons, Lightning Sphere
Daily Powers: Icebound Sigil, Restorative Infusion
[/sblock]
[/sblock]
 


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