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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 2051248" data-attributes="member: 15043">Yeah, most of the NPCs are unique... that’s my goal.  And yes, Meiji and Yari Ai started out that way, but as things go on, well, they get kinda... grouchy... <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> (ie. she has to slap him every five minutes... drag n fly laughs quite a bit at this. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> )And yes, Felonca is a rogue, specializing in the use of warfans (according to the vanilla rules, they aren't rogue weaponry, but as the party is small, I gave her the okay anyways).  The last time I talked to Felonca's playuer, she was looking for a class that was roguish, but helped her either a) use poisons (they came in handy in a couple adventures), or b) focused on bladed weapons that could be modified to take her warfans into account.  I've trolled around here and the WotC boards, and offered a few suggestions, but can't really find anything yet.Either way, on with the story...The Tale of Yari Ai, and Felonca Suspects Something from NayuTo Felonca’s surprise, it only took Yari Ai less than a minute to gather her things, and be ready to go.  Within fifteen minutes, the party, along with four other traders from Mafeng, were on the road towards Mingzhong.At first, Felonca found Yari Ai to be quiet, distant even.  As they all rode through the late summer weather, she merely stared off towards the south, as if she was gazing at something long lost, long destroyed.Felonca made a specific effort to stay on watch with the young woman, and ever so slowly, the barrier between them melted, to the point Felonca herself felt confident enough to speak about her own troubles, some four days into the journey.  Of course she left out exactly what the dagger did, and above the snores of the other travelers, trust was gained.“So... that is why that the huntress was running about Mafeng a few nights ago, as if she was looking for someone,” the young woman said.  Felonca was thankful the darkness hid her look of embarrassment at inflating her own abilities.“Yes... and she never found me... not before that monster came,” Felonca finished the tale.  No reason to tell her I unintentionally brought that beast into Mafeng!“Your predicament sounds close to mine, then,” the other young woman sighed.  Despite her youthful features, for the first time, Felonca noticed the age, the weariness in her eyes.She has seen much...“Would you mind sharing what you have gone through?  We can share comfort in our troubles,” Felonca pressed gently yet again.  Someone is being chased like me!  I’ve been chased alone long enough!  The woman looked off into the distance for a few moments, before she looked down at the ground.“Hai,” she sighed, “it is time someone knew what I know.  I am terribly afraid of what harm what I’ve seen will do... but someone must know!”  A despairing, sharp conviction was in the woman’s voice, as she hissed her demand.  Felonca nodded slowly.“Tell me.”“I was one a handmaiden, in the Imperial Court,” Yari Ai began slowly, haltingly.  “I was trained as a Maiden of the Four Winds, the last line of defense for the members of the Imperial Family in case of assassination.”“But... I thought the Emperor couldn’t be assassinated, so long as he has Heaven’s Will on his side...” Felonca’s voice petered away as she realized what she’d just blurted out.  He’s immune except for my damn dagger!Yari Ai stopped, a look of mistrust growing on her face again.  For a second, there was a wrestling of thoughts in her mind, before she shook her head.  “Yes... that is true,” the maiden replied, “though his family members still can be injured.”  Her voice suddenly grew wistful, and she looked down, rubbing her hands together nervously.  “It was my job to stop that.”And she failed?  But I haven’t heard of any members of the Imperial family dying...  Felonca’s puzzled look finally urged Yari Ai to continue.“I was originally to guard Lady Hao Jin, the second cousin of the Dowager Empress.  I did this for three years, with no problems.  I then was assigned to guard the Dowager Empress herself.  That is how I received this,” she motioned towards her elaborate cane.  “No one has attacked the Dowager Empress?”“No, not while I was there,” Yari Ai replied.  “But... but... I...” she stopped, a tear starting to form, “I saw things!”“What?  What did you see?”  Felonca whispered, reaching to reassuringly touch the young woman’s shoulder.  The rogue recognized the look of remembered fear in the woman’s eyes.  They tortured her... abused her!  Like I was abused at the Academy!“I...” she started, before stopping to compose herself.  With a sigh, she continued, “I saw him!”“Who?”“Hao Yu, the Prince of Shu!  The Empress’ brother!  Going into her chambers that night!”  Tears began to come from her eyes... guilt, pain and shame boiling from her.Instinctively, Felonca had encircled the girl in an embrace.  “Please... tell me what happened.  I want to know!”  What did they do to you!  Why do they hunt you like they are hunting me!“I...I heard noises!” the girl sobbed.“What... what kind of noises?” Felonca asked guardedly, her mind having an inkling of something, but her heart and her logic rebelling against the conclusion.  No... not in the halls of the Jade City...“I... I was curious,” Yari Ai continued, “and then... I...I saw them!”  Felonca’s heart plummeted.  She was no scholarly sage, no purveyor of arcane knowledge, no trader in secret tomes, but she understood the depth of what this young maid was implying.  Depravity like that in the Jade City... Heaven’s Anger falling on the people...As long as the rulers of Ak Konylu were virtuous and true, it was well known that Heaven’s blessings flowed onto the people.  Crops flourished, the rivers stayed within their banks, and blessed rain fell from the skies.  But when the rulers became dark and depraved, focused on immoral acts and debauchery instead of their duties, Heaven vented its anger.  Crops died, the clouds dried up, and the great rivers overflowed, destroying noble and commoner alike.Yari Ai continued the shudder, and a dark shadow seemed to fall on Felonca as she realized there was more.  “I saw the Emperor Yuandi the next day, visiting his mother’s chambers... and I noticed the young boy looks exactly like his uncle!” the maid shook as a leaf.The Emperor did not come from his father, Beiyan-di?  Then... then the Imperial line died......there is no Emperor!“How did they find out you knew this?” Felonca asked gently, her mind shuddering at this new implication.  There is no Emperor... and surely this girl was not the only witness!  Once the nobility, once all the princes and their followers find out...  Images of blood rising from the land as a terrible tide flooded her mind.The girl’s hug on Felonca grew fiercer, and anger seeped into her voice.  “I told someone I thought I could trust!  But he revealed my secret, and I had to flee north to stay alive!  I... I went through so much!”“I’m sure you did, Yari Ai... I’m sure you did,” Felonca whispered quietly.  When I ran away, leaving everything behind, I was alone!  You won’t be alone... not at all!Nayu hunched over his pack, as the bonfire in the center of their camp continued to crackle and sizzle.  The young maid had gone to sleep long before... when he’d awoke to take his watch, Felonca had still been consoling her.  As soon as she was asleep, his friend had quietly told him what the young girl’s demons were.So the Emperor is a bastard child... Nayu thought.  All the more reason to go to Langya.  Prince Hu has a legitimate claim now, and he’ll be inclined to remember us fondly for helping him...Absently the young sorcerer poked the fire with a stick, other thoughts also rumbling through his head.  No.  Why, Nayu?Because... it is YOUR birthright too! a part of his brain snapped.  The Military Governor is undoubtedly evil!  The Dowager Empress and her brother engaged in debauchery inside the very halls of the Heavenly Palace!Would you do any better?  He sighed, doubts coming back.Of course you would!  You would rise just as General Qiling so long ago, just as Xua, who went from a basket weaver to Emperor Xuande!  A commoner rising to the throne, bringing peace!But you know nothing of rule!  You couldn’t even head your father’s merchant business!Arguments raged within his mind as the minutes of silent darkness ticked by.  Finally, quietly, he reached down into his pack, his fingers silently twisting around spell components, rations, and even a few trinkets, until he felt the same coldness of ivory he’d felt a week early.Father, what would you have done?  Nayu looked up towards the stars, twinkling in the midnight sky above.  Gently, he pulled the seal from the bag, and cradled it in the light.  Father... tell me what Heaven wishes me to do! he closed his eyes tightly, memories flooding back.  A tear rolled down his cheek.Ancestors, give me guidance!  I don’t know!  Felonca looked at Nayu, and though she could only see his back, she could tell by his shuddering that he was crying.  She gave a quiet sigh.I’d cry for all of us too, if Yari Ai speaks the...  What is that?He’d turned, and slipped something back into his travel bag, even as he wiped the tears of confusion from his eyes.  She’d caught only a glimpse of it, but even her inexperienced thief eyes recognized the sheen of polished ivory, and the flash of a large ruby.His father’s thing... Felonca thought, consciously not stirring.  He doesn’t want me to know what it is... I’ll respect that.But if it tears him up like that, you should help! another part of Felonca chimed in.  He’s crying!  He needs your help!  You just need to have the courage to go over there!Felonca rolled over, but couldn’t sleep, instead cursing her cowardice.</blockquote>

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