Tianchao Wangguo Chapter 1: Calm before the storm
- Thread starter Ariakor
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Another thunderclap booms across the countryside and for just an instant the rain and the wind seem to intensify once more. Then it all is silent again, safe for the murmur of the rain on the rooftop, the talking of the guests and the clicking of the mahjong-pieces.
Pan Chou:
The young man, who had been watching you all the time since you have entered the tavern, finally rose and walked over to your table. He wore the same simple woolen tunics and wooden sandals as the other peasants, who remained sitting at their table, talking amongst themselves. His face shows his nervousness, as he bows to you deeply, then looks at you with his dark eyes. Then he said in a voice just a little shaky with nervousness: "I don't want to disturb your conversation, mylord, but do you mind if i ask you a question?" Without waiting for your reply and his courage to give up on him, he continues. "Are you here to do something about the bandits?"
Some of the other villagers look at what the boy is doing, still with mistrust on their faces, but also happy about him having been the one to as, it seems. Meanwhile, the innkeeper serves them another round of drinks, a local brew of hot spiced wine, by the smell of it.
Pan Chou:
The young man, who had been watching you all the time since you have entered the tavern, finally rose and walked over to your table. He wore the same simple woolen tunics and wooden sandals as the other peasants, who remained sitting at their table, talking amongst themselves. His face shows his nervousness, as he bows to you deeply, then looks at you with his dark eyes. Then he said in a voice just a little shaky with nervousness: "I don't want to disturb your conversation, mylord, but do you mind if i ask you a question?" Without waiting for your reply and his courage to give up on him, he continues. "Are you here to do something about the bandits?"
Some of the other villagers look at what the boy is doing, still with mistrust on their faces, but also happy about him having been the one to as, it seems. Meanwhile, the innkeeper serves them another round of drinks, a local brew of hot spiced wine, by the smell of it.
"'Bandits?" Guchiko says with tones of alarm in her voice, her hand fluttering to her throat. "What bandits?"
*Banditry was unknown amongst her people, and something she had only recently learned of. The fact that people would attack others for their possessions when the land gave plenty for all... it was just horrible to think that reasoning people would do something like that.*
*Banditry was unknown amongst her people, and something she had only recently learned of. The fact that people would attack others for their possessions when the land gave plenty for all... it was just horrible to think that reasoning people would do something like that.*
Tha youg man seemed to look more nervous now then before, but he continued nevertheless: "Well, ..ah.. these bandits first came here about two months ago, killed those that put up a fight and just took what they wanted. Since then, they have been coming here every fortnight, taking things and people and saying that they are our new lords now. They are strong, on horse and well armed and there was nothing we could do about them. They just killed anyone who didn't follow their orders. Old Wang said he'd go to the nearest city and ask them for help, that was about a week ago. Did they send you to help us?" In his eyes you can see tears strating to form, but it also seams like a great weight has finally fallen from his shoulders and he seems to be more at easy now, though still a bit anxious as he's looking at you and the other newcomers.
The other people in the room pretended not to pay any mind to the boy talking to the newcomers, but somehow it seems as if the were still paying more attention to it than they wanted to admit.
The innkeeper put a hand on the boys shoulder and said: "These bandits have caused trouble for some time now, you know, but they mostly stayed away from the imperial roads and kept to villages like the one little Mao here has come from. They usually don't molest travellers, so there is no need to be afraid and while that sorm is raging outside, they won't be about either, i'm sure." Turning to the boy, he said: "You don't have to worry, you're safe here."
The other people in the room pretended not to pay any mind to the boy talking to the newcomers, but somehow it seems as if the were still paying more attention to it than they wanted to admit.
The innkeeper put a hand on the boys shoulder and said: "These bandits have caused trouble for some time now, you know, but they mostly stayed away from the imperial roads and kept to villages like the one little Mao here has come from. They usually don't molest travellers, so there is no need to be afraid and while that sorm is raging outside, they won't be about either, i'm sure." Turning to the boy, he said: "You don't have to worry, you're safe here."
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sword-dancer
Explorer
Arishan Tüen Li
I fear you´re right, and your hope is only an illsion in an illusion
*after he heard the young man speak*
maybe these are connected?
Nephtys said:
I fear you´re right, and your hope is only an illsion in an illusion
*after he heard the young man speak*
maybe these are connected?
Gez
First Post
Hearing Jian Guo speaking of "spiritual wrongness", Lin Xu rises up and moves toward her and Arishan Tüen Li's table.
« If you excuse my intrusion, milord and milady, I'd like to partake in your conversation. My master sent me far from my home to enquire about the rumors of Taint in this region. »
« If you excuse my intrusion, milord and milady, I'd like to partake in your conversation. My master sent me far from my home to enquire about the rumors of Taint in this region. »
sword-dancer
Explorer
Arishan Tüen Li
Absolutly splendid, this will be a glorious day, a journey to learn the empire, to gain understanding..., problems to help, problems to solve.., through advice and Negotiations.
Not to be damned facing taint ridden traitors and their foul masters!
"There is no intrusion, please take your place. Excuse me please I must go outside"
*He goes outside to release himself and after a short look of being alone, call to the spirits to let him see the taint before he goes slowly back in the dining room*
Did he detect anything or anybody tainted.
Absolutly splendid, this will be a glorious day, a journey to learn the empire, to gain understanding..., problems to help, problems to solve.., through advice and Negotiations.
Not to be damned facing taint ridden traitors and their foul masters!
"There is no intrusion, please take your place. Excuse me please I must go outside"
*He goes outside to release himself and after a short look of being alone, call to the spirits to let him see the taint before he goes slowly back in the dining room*
Did he detect anything or anybody tainted.
Magistrate Pan Chou
Pan Chou stands, and bows to the young man. "Thank you for coming forward. Bandits are a matter of interest for me. Especially when they oppress the weak and downtrodden. I swear to you, as a magistrate of the Empire, I will hunt them down and put an end to depredations." He looks at the young man and the innkeeper pointedly. "Now, do you know where the bandits have their camp?"
Pan Chou stands, and bows to the young man. "Thank you for coming forward. Bandits are a matter of interest for me. Especially when they oppress the weak and downtrodden. I swear to you, as a magistrate of the Empire, I will hunt them down and put an end to depredations." He looks at the young man and the innkeeper pointedly. "Now, do you know where the bandits have their camp?"
Arishan Tüen Li:
The spirits of the elements answer your call as you stand outside the main entrance to the inn. Meanwhile, the storm is pouring down heavily on the surroundings and so the first to answer your call are spirits of water - your favored elemen, so this could probably be a good sign. Aside from the joy the storm seems to be bringing them, there is not much unusual about them. The spirits of the other elements wh aswer your call - though fewer in number - generaly leave the same impression. The only information that you receive regarding the Taint of the Shadowlands or its influence signals that it is out there, somewhere, hiding in the storm. But nowhere near the inn, or the spirits would show more reactions to your questions.
Pan Chou:
The boy seems to be glad that you are going to help him and his village, bowing and thanking you for your help. The innkeepershares the boys feelings but frowns when he answers your question. "I don't know where they could be making camp, no sir. But they have been around this area for quiete some time now, almost always keeping their distance to the main roads. I only saw them once myself, but that was some time ago. Probably someone else could tell you more about it. But i also heard from people from other villages that they haven't only kept to raiding villages. They are said to looting the shrines to the spirits of the land as well."
One of the locals, a man of around fourty years, with baldness already spreading across his head and also clad in the garb of a peasant, now speaks up from the table where the boy had sat. "Aye, i have seem 'em, destroyed a shrine near our village. 'tis not the only shrine they destroyed, i tell you. And ever since the we were having troubles of late. Not so before the bandits came, but now, in the last few weeks. I'm sure it was them."
The spirits of the elements answer your call as you stand outside the main entrance to the inn. Meanwhile, the storm is pouring down heavily on the surroundings and so the first to answer your call are spirits of water - your favored elemen, so this could probably be a good sign. Aside from the joy the storm seems to be bringing them, there is not much unusual about them. The spirits of the other elements wh aswer your call - though fewer in number - generaly leave the same impression. The only information that you receive regarding the Taint of the Shadowlands or its influence signals that it is out there, somewhere, hiding in the storm. But nowhere near the inn, or the spirits would show more reactions to your questions.
Pan Chou:
The boy seems to be glad that you are going to help him and his village, bowing and thanking you for your help. The innkeepershares the boys feelings but frowns when he answers your question. "I don't know where they could be making camp, no sir. But they have been around this area for quiete some time now, almost always keeping their distance to the main roads. I only saw them once myself, but that was some time ago. Probably someone else could tell you more about it. But i also heard from people from other villages that they haven't only kept to raiding villages. They are said to looting the shrines to the spirits of the land as well."
One of the locals, a man of around fourty years, with baldness already spreading across his head and also clad in the garb of a peasant, now speaks up from the table where the boy had sat. "Aye, i have seem 'em, destroyed a shrine near our village. 'tis not the only shrine they destroyed, i tell you. And ever since the we were having troubles of late. Not so before the bandits came, but now, in the last few weeks. I'm sure it was them."
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