Chapter 5, Scene 8 Return to the Dreaded Tower

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8 Return to the Dreaded Tower

By the time that Gizerak finishes the unavoidable leadership role that he must play in the funerals, it is late afternoon. They set out for Merak Town, missing their dinner.

By the time they arrive, it is after dark. The sentries at the town gate recognize them and welcome them back. Merak Town is still bustling after the recent takeover. Residents that took refuge in nearby provinces are now returning home. The mood is celebratory.



OOC: Where do the henchmen want to lodge for the evening? The Imperial Army Headquarters? Gizerak's family? an inn?

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj recomends that perhaps they should take advantage of there recent assistance to the locals and request a corner to sleep at the Imperial Army Headquarters.

[trendel]

Listening to what Flaargj says, Gizerak nods in agreement.

"I believe that we will be able make sure the prisoner is secure there. We should each take a turn helping with the night watch over him though. I would hate for us to be surprised by Bon-Quo's minions if they were to try to retrieve their comrade. I am going to take a quick jaunt to see my family and wish them well. I will return shortly to join you all here."

Before he leaves, he asks Fugen to consult his maps, perhaps getting more from the Imperial Army's cartographers to help determine their return route.

[Black Plauge]

Signing, Fugen indicates that it isn't necessary to consult with the Army cartographers, as they simply need to travel on the Imperial Highway.

As Gizerak goes to visit his family, Fugen goes about obtaining manacles for their prisoner and lodging him for the night with the other prisoners the Imperial Army had captured. He offers his own services to help with the watch, and also makes sure that the others in the group do the same (especially Kierna, who can watch most of the night by herself).

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8:1 Back at the Imperial Army Headquarters

At the Imperial Headquarters, the army is unwilling to accept prisoners from the Temple of Stone. The imperial officers do not believe that Bon Quo's underlings fall under military jurisdiction, and so they refer them to the civil authorities.

At the town hall, the acting prefect is willing to imprison the mercenary overnight, but would prefer that the henchmen leave him to face trial.

Back at the Imperial Army Headquarters, the henchmen are given comfortable accomodations, and stabling is provided for their mounts. Fugen is welcome to consult their maps.

The regiment is refitting and preparing to move out the next morning. They intend to follow the highway northwest then cross the Crown River and pursue the Aikou forces across the mountains to Anmi.

Gizerak finds his family and the entire community in shock at the news from the Temple. They are appalled at the turn of events but proud of Gizerak for thwarting Bon Quo.



OOC: How far do you intend to travel each day on the way back to the dreaded tower? Stay in inns or camp out? How will the prisoner be transported? Which route will you take? The highway through QingShan Province and Shen village, or the minor road that cuts straight from Huoyanshan to ZunYan? (feel free to consult the maps in the Campaign Info thread)

[Black Plauge]

At the acting prefect's suggestion that the mercenary remain behind to stand trial, Fugen finds himself in an uncomfortable situation. Using Linus to translate (or writing, if necessary) Fugen lets the Prefect know that having Golock interrogate the prisoner could provide valuable information that could lead to the final defeat of Akiou and the restoration of the empire. As such, they really need to transport him to Ichiba (as it is highly unlikely that Golock will come to them). However, if the prefect would like to send along a set of guards to accompany the prisoner to Ichiba, Fugen is sure that Golock will let them escort him back to Merak for trial after he is done interrogating him.

***

Later that evening, Fugen asks around to see if anyone knows what the recent weather in Huoyanshan has been like, and what effect that has had on the conditions of the cart trails.

[Linklegacy77]

"So, what's the plan guys?" Nimdor seems rather pleased with the groups progress, strangely ecstatic even.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8:2 Termix’ Home Village

The prefect consents for the henchmen to take the prisoner, and declines to send any guards with them. Gizerak and the henchmen have earned such credibility in Merak Hoi over the last two days that he is content to trust their word that the prisoner will eventually return for trial. He loans them a set of manacles. The Imperial Army donates them a horse from the spoils of the battle.

They are restricted to the speed of their slowest mounts, which are the halfling’s ponies.

The next morning they set out. the weather is mostly dry in this warmest season of the year, and the weather is clear. There is steady traffic, but not heavy enough to slow them down.

By mid afternoon they have reached Termix’ home village.



OOC: Current location: 01E/41N. Regardless of the encumbrance of the horses, the group is restricted to a move rate of 40 (32 miles a day + any forced marching etc). They have expended 28 miles worth by they time they reach Termix’ village.

[Canter_shadow]

"You know, it feels like it has been much longer than it actually has since I've been here. I'd... like to move on as soon as we can."

[Black Plauge]

Signing, Fugen indicates that they can push on by one of two routes from here. If the weather has been good recently, they can use the shorter route that goes directly to ZunYan province. If it hasn't, then they should stick to the highway and travel via QingShan.

He then let's one of the others go about inquiring after the weather and road conditions, as it is bound to be much faster for them to do so.

[trendel]

Gizerak inquires about the recent weather.

OOC: :P Nothing else from me today.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8:3 Termix’ Home Village Part 2

The henchmen do not get far into the village before a crowd assembles to greet them. Not only is Termix a famous son of the village, but the henchmen are local heroes for saving the village from the menace in Mikon's tower a month ago.

Termix' mother is disappointed that her son does not want to visit his home, but she is the daughter of Golock, after all. She is well accustomed to rude behavior from the wizards in the family.

Typically, the latter part of summer is fairly dry, and this summer is no exception. The rains of late summer are typically violent storms that do not last long. Fortunately, the local druid does not forecast any impending precipitation.

[Black Plauge]

Given the weather forcast, Fugen suggest taking the more direct route. They should be just shy of the border with ZunYan province when they are forced to make camp tonight, and then should be able to get to Ichiba, and Golock's tower on the marrow.

[OOC: By my count 40 miles would occur at the road intersection just shy of the border. The party should camp out there (or maybe stay with a farmer or in an inn if one is available). It is then 22 miles to Golock's tower, a distance easily managed on the following day.]

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8:4 Something is Wrong


The henchmen must camp out. They do not have good camping equipment, but fortunately it is a warm, dry summer night. The last time half of the group took this path when it was muddy and treacherous. Now it is easy. The next day, they pass through the the border checkpoint with no problems and cross QingShan province to the Dreaded Tower.

They arrive in midafternoon. THey can immediately tell that something is wrong. The front gate is wide open, and no sentry is visible on the battlements. There is a huge hole in the side of the main tower. Once they get closer they can see a mason patiently mortaring stones to repair the hole. Two apprentices are working from a cart in the courtyard, loading stones and raising them up to the hole with a pully.

Barnabus eventually appears. He listlessly approaches the henchmen. Without introduction, he says “Someone attacked the tower. Golock disappeared. Yi and Si were killed. There is a scroll upstairs that might tell us something, but we need a wizard to make sure it is safe to read.” He starts to lead them upstairs. In the lounge they find a gnome. “This is Takeshi” introduces Barnabus.

[Exarzun]

Takeshi sees a massive barbarian in the back of the group, instantly identifiable as foreign by his ruddy and freckled light skin, wavy blonde hair pulled back into a bun in a the local fashion, and light blue eye's. Apart from this though, he wears a tunic of imperial fashion and carries a massive curved katana on his back. He apears near seven feet tall, with wide shoulders but a narrow waist. He glares silently, saying nothing.

[Boomlaor]

Takeshi rises to his feet as the henchmen enter and bows respectfully to them.

"I am honored to meet you, though I wish it were not in these circumstances. As our friend Barnabus has indicated, I am Sato Takeshi. It seems that the spirits have drawn our destinies together. I was told by the people of the Village of the Five Martyrs that the henchmen of Golock had received the blessing of the Martyrs only days before I myself did."

Noticing the foreigner's tunic he continues, indicating the imperial seal on his own tunic.

"Although perhaps our destinies have crossed before, tall one. I had the honor of serving as caretaker to the imperial gardens before these dark times."

[Linklegacy77]

"Wow, what in the nine hells happened here? I mean... WOW! What on earth could get Golock?"

The little halfling seems geniunely confused... which doesn't happen often.

[Black Plauge]

Were it not for the seriousness of Golock's disapearence, Fugen would have broken out laughing at the suggestion of Flarrgj working in the Imperial Palace. Instead, the courier merely smiles and gestures Termix forward to examine the scroll which Barnabas had mentioned.

[trendel]

Following Barnabus up to the study, Gizerak prepares himself should he need to heal someone if this goes wrong.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj breaks out into a wide, chortling smile upon understanding the new comers confusion, but says nothing, instead falling back into silence, though with a amused twinkle in his eye.

[Canter_shadow]

Termix stands there staring off into space for a moment, with his mouth moving and forming the words "My Grandfather" but not actually speaking, before he shakes his head and snaps back to reality.

Then he walks toward the scrolls without a word and begins to examine them.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8:5 A Debt of Revenge

Termix unfurls the scroll. It is written, almost entirely, in a fancy formal script. The calligraphy is quite good. Termix reads aloud.

“Greetings, Mortals! I am the mightly and immortal wizard Nakigara, elder of a distinguished and honored clan. I owed a debt of revenge against the foul wizard Golock who sent his minions to murder my great-grandson Nakigara the Fourth at the Imperial Library. At the location where this scroll is found I claimed that debt by killing the wizard with..” and next there is a blank space where someone hastily added the word “DISTINTEGRATION.” Then the fancy script resumes. “I, Nakigara, have prevailed! My clan is avenged! The end”

As Termix reads “The End” suddenly a snake appears, emerging from the scroll. Termix is startled. The snake bites him on the neck and then disappeares in a puff of flash of brown light accompanied by a puff of dun-colored smoke. Termix is engulfed in a shimmering amber field of force and immobilized. He stands frozen, like a statue.

[Linklegacy77]

"Uh... Termix? You... alright?"

Nimdor just stands there, having no idea what to do.

[The Alcotroll]

Having stifled a gasp of surprise at the sudden appearance of the magical snake, Kierna now steps forwards and cautiously raises a finger to touch the shimmering forcefield.

[crueldespot]

Termix remains frozen, but nothing unusual happens when Kierna touches him. She cannot feel the amber forcefield. Her finger passes through it and she feels only the fabric of Termix' robe.

[Black Plauge]

Startled by the snake, Fugen assumes a defensive posture that is totally incongruous with the group's surroundings. After a second or two, Fugen forces himself to relax and resume a more normal standing posture when it becomes apparent that the only "attack" was that aimed at Termix, who read the scroll.

Impulsive fool. Barnabas could have done that just as well as you did. The whole point of having a wizard examine the scroll was to make sure that kind of thing didn't happen.

Signing, Fugen gets Gizerak to ask Barnabas if Golock had anything in the tower that might reanimate his frozen grandson.

[trendel]

Gizerak quickly tries to discern the nature of the magical trap that Termix has sprang. Having had some focus on the arcane arts when he was training back at the Temple of Stone, he prays to the Four Royals that he may find a way to reverse this spell.

[Boomlaor]

Takeshi gasps as the snake bites Termix. Amid the chaos, he recalls a conversation he had with Golock.

"I wonder if this Nakigara is somehow involved with the haunting of the imperial province as well."

He quickly relates to the henchmen the discoveries which Golock had related to him (see post 57 in Takeshi's solo thread).

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 8:6 A Wizard Trick

Gizerak is not familiar with the condition afflicting Termix. Barnabus has seen it before, but he doesn't know what it is called. "It is a wizard trick. Golock knew it, too. It affects whoever reads it, and makes them froken into a statue like this for days- maybe weeks."

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj's mouth opens. Then closes. He looks around in confusion. He is not sure what to do.

[Linklegacy77]

"So... it's not permanent then? He'll come out of it?"

[trendel]

"Perhaps I can find something out from Golock's library. Barnabus....do you know if there are books or scrolls that I could investigate that our employer hasn't warded with horrible, thief disfiguring spells? Also, perhaps there is some sort of clue here and Golock is not really gone?"

"It all seems suspicious to me. Termix said that the word disintegration was written in a different style. Perhaps this is a ruse to make us believe that he is dead."

[Boomlaor]

"Well," Takeshi says, indicating the masons at work, "The wall was certainly disintegrated. There were other attackers in the tower as well though. At least a few of them were killed by the tentacle wards Golock had placed on the stairs."

He looks around, trying to spot some clue that he had missed in the dark of night.

[Black Plauge]

Signing for Gizerak to translate, Fugen lets the others know that while he knows nothing definitive of magic, what he had heard of disintigration was that it left a pile of dust, not blood stains.

Seeing Takeshi start searching the room, Fugen cuts himself off there, letting the gnome look for the incriminating pile of dust.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:33 Search of the Dreaded Tower

Takeshi searches the room thoroughly. He can tell that someone cleaned up after the battle. The smeared bloodstains indicate that several dead bodies were dragged to one spot (though they are not present). The area in the middle of the room (where the scroll was found) was thoroughly swept clean. The square of dust at the foot of the bed is clearly old dust of the type that gathers under furniture. Kierna can see that several items were removed from shelves. A few nicknacks are all that is left.

Watching Takeshi search, Barnabus comments “Golock spent most of his time in his workshop downstairs. I have the key to get in there.”

Once they enter the workshop, the heroes face a challenge that is the opposite of the bedroom. Whereas the bedroom was empty, the workshop is cluttered with disorganized piles everywhere.

All of the horizontal surfaces are filled with papers, tools, or cryptic objects. There are vials of strange liquids, bags of various powders, and other oddities that may be material components for spells. A summoning circle is laid out in one corner, but appears recently neglected. The remnants of the golem project are apparent with spattered clay around and pottery tools piled in one area.

There are no signs that the intruders entered this room.

Several items are displayed prominently in the workroom. The books that the henchmen retrieved from the imperial library lie open on several tables. On one table lies a stack of heavy canvas building floorplans. On another is a still-incomplete journal, open to the most recent entry.



OOC: Using Takeshi’s rolled search check of 16.

[Boomlaor]

Without a wizard to check for magic, Takeshi crosses his fingers, hoping that Golock hadn't trapped his journal, and with a whispered prayer to the animal spirits for protection, he reads the most recent journal entry.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:34 The Journal

The journal consists of notes instead of a clear narrative. The most recent journal entry is undated. It says the following:

New Theory. 5 Martyrs blessing is protect vs evil = Evil spirits were summoned = Must be gate spell. No limits if uncontrolled.
New questions:
What is their long term goal?
Why not leave Dian Province?

The answer to the last question was added later:

Angara Mainu & minions were restricted to Dian Province long time (centuries?) then later Emperor #1 invaded and expelled from plane. Ward to ban from plane has expired. Ward keeping in Dian still in effect. How long?

Big question: What is ritual to ban from plane?

This question was also answered later, with a long passage that is written in a language none of the characters understand. Fugen can guess that it is probably celestial (written phonetically in the common script), since many of the most important imperial rituals were in the celestial tongue. After this passage are more notes:

Only emperor can do. Must be done in Court of Glory. Fragrant incense lamp lit. Everyone present kowtow between verses.

[Black Plauge]

So the emperor is both the solution and the problem, Fugen muses after the portions of journal are made public.

Or rather, the primary problem. There is still the issue of Termix, and whether we can do anything to rectify his situation.

[Linklegacy77]

"Gizerak... you said you couldn't help Termix. Do you know any other priests who can?"

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:35 Ministry of Rituals

"The Ministry of Rituals for the Interim Goverment is here in Ichiba" suggests Barnabus. "They are mostly wizards and priests. I don't think any of them are real powerful, but maybe they can help."

[Black Plauge]

Signing, Fugen indicates that given Golock's notes, they likely need to consult with that ministry anyway so before going over, it might be a good idea to copy the ritual text from the notes so that they can show it around. Looking at the others, he wonders if any of them have any skill at copying a language they can't read.

[trendel]

Gizerak offers to help, though he doesn't know if he will have the sufficient skill to copy it. He was never much for scribing back when he was a young disciple of Sha-gaat.

He suggests that they take the notes with them, perhaps there will be someone at the ministry that can help them.

After all the discussion is done, Gizerak asks Barnabus to keep watch on Termix. If there is someone at the Ministry that can help, they will bring them back here as soon as they can.

With that, he grabs his adventuring gear (which he had hardly had a chance to take care of) and prepares to head for the Ministry with the others.

[Linklegacy77]

"I can copy anything, no matter what language, just by looking at it. I may not be the best warrior, but I've got many, many, talents."

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:36 Acting Minister Gao Ling

Some ministries of the Interim Government have relocated to Ichiba, others to Bang Xie Province (except for the Ministry of Happiness, which was suspended until the Emperor is restored). The Ministry of War, The Ministry of Engineering, and the Ministry of Rituals are in Ichiba. The heroes arrive at a former Inn. The name of the Inn has been covered with a canvas banner that says “Imperial Ministry of Rituals.” The inn was chosen since it is near several temples in Ichiba, and the ministry is in charge of all supernatural affairs, which includes many religious topics.

The henchmen are asked to wait within once they introduce themselves at the entrance. By the time they have drunk a cup of tea, they are summoned upstairs to meet the Acting Minister of Rituals. Acting Minister Gao Ling was once a popular deputy minister many years ago, and so he was summoned out of retirement to lead the ministry after the fall of Dian Province.

They find the Acting Minister to be a tiny frail old man. He sits slumped in a sedan chair that is sitting on the floor. His wrinkled head barely extends upove his voluminous colorful robes. Other than a long whispy beard and voluminous ear hair, he is completely bald. His hairline is marked by age spots and a lack of the deep wrinkles that cover the rest of his head. He nods very slowly once the henchmen bow.

“Who is this again?” he creaks.

“The henchmen of Golock, Your Honor” his aide (who is also his great great grandson) patiently informs him.

“Ah, Yes. What does young Golock want now?” asks the Acting Minister, squinting towards the henchmen.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj raises a thick eyebrow in the back of the group. This man must be very wise indeed... he thinks to himself. When no one speaks for a good couple seconds, he opens his mouth hesitantly.

"That is.... partly the problem. Sir." He says, tacking on the sir at the end hesitantly. "Golock apears to have been... taken. Or killed. Or... we are unsure of his fate. But we require... assistance?" The big man licks his lips, speaking is not his forte, but he has started it, might as well end it. "We think... Golock might have found a way to end the haunting. In some way. Something to do with the king..." Not wanting to reveal to much he stops and looks at the rest of the group pleedingly, hoping one will at least step in and help.

[The Alcotroll]

Standing beside Flarrgj, Kirena rolls her eyes and tries to hide a smirk. She does little to contribute further though, and keeps her lips firmly shut.

Talking is, after all, not one of her strong-points, and she sees no reason to take the spotlight off the clumsy human by making a fool of herself instead.

In the awkward silence, she pretends instead to make a thorough scrutiny of the room.

[Boomlaor]

"Equally pressing is another matter we are faced with." Takeshi pipes up, and goes on to describe what had happened to Terminix. "We were hoping that you might know how we can, well, reverse this unfortunate incident." Takeshi finishes lamely.

[Black Plauge]

Of the speakers, Fugen thinks that Flarrgj is the one who has the handle on the more important matter. Termix's situation, if Barnabas is to be believed, would solve itself, eventually. What was more important is getting the Minister to look over the ritual text they had brought with them. On the other hand, given the Minister's advanced age, an under minister might be better suited to the task.

Then again, maybe not. Golock's notes had stated that he suspected that at least one member of the Ministry of Rituals was in on the plot to depose the Emperor. If the conspiritor had remained with the Ministry after the fall, they could be on the look out for just such a suggestion as they party is trying to make and be in place to foil it. The elderly minister, who had been retired and thus out of the loop would then be the most appropriate person to address their suggestion to as he would assuredly by serving the good of the empire.

Then again, if he was forced into retirement, and resentful of it, he might have been in on the conspiracy from the beginning....

Shaking his head to try and get his run-away thoughts back under control, Fugen decides that the interpretation of Imperial politics is not something that he, a simple messenger, was well equipped to do, and he doubted that the others, all outsiders to the Imperial government, would could do any better.

Closing his eyes in a quick prayer to all the gods who were listening, Fugen signs to Gizerak that it would be best if the Minister was given the full story in narrative form from one person, rather than in bits and pieces from everyone. As he signs, Fugen makes sure that his hands are clearly visible to the minister and his aid, on the off chance that one of them understood the sign language and could give him instructions that would free his tongue.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:37 A Message for Fugen

The Acting Minister sits frowning through this chorus of voices. Or is he frowning? It is hard to judge in a face that is so saggy and wrinkled.

He squints even more intently towards Fugen.

"Messenger! I have a message for you to deliver. I want you to deliver me a message that explains what the hell is going on."

[trendel]

Taking his cue from Fugen, Gizerak quiets the others and tries to relay the story as the operatives ( :P ) of the now missing wizard know it.

He speaks of the research that Golock was working on, specifically in regards to the texts that the group had retrieved. Also, he weaves the tale of the evidence from the tower of Mikon and what they found there. Continuing the narrative, he lays out the conclusions that Golock had come to regarding Clan Aikou's role in the haunting of the palace. Finally, he tells of the new found information that Angara Mainu has reared his evil head, and has followers aiding in the haunting.

With the back story out of the way, the halfling cleric lays out the problem before them. He shows the Acting Minister the copy of the ritual text, saying how it appears that this scroll contains that steps for restoring the peace in the Imperial province, as well as sending Angara Mainu back to his imprisonment beyond this world. He asks for help in translating the scroll that the group can possibly understand their role in what is to come.

As a side note, Gizerak asks if there is anyone who can come back to the tower to possibly aid them in freeing Termix from the amber prison in which he is encased.

[Linklegacy77]

At that last, Nimdor has to stifle a laugh, as he almost bursts out in hysterics.

"Lord Minister, it appears that we greatly require your assistance, if you will permit me to explain. From what we know so far, it would seem that there is an ancient ritual that only the Emporer can perform, in order to banish the evil spirits, which appear to be the minions of an evil god. For some reason, the Emperor had not performed this ritual, and this is why the spirits arrived. I believe we need to find the Emporer, and allow him to perform the ritual. We are in need of other assistance as well, however. A good friend of ours, and the grandson of Golock, is in some kind of frozen state. We were wondering if the ministry could aid us in bringing him out of it."

[Black Plauge]

Chagrined by the minister practically reading his mind, Fugen hesitates and finds himself taking a back seat to Gizerak's explanation and Nimdor's comments.

I've seen such orders given before, but never thought that I'd be on the receiving end of one, or that I'd even have wished for it.

Once Gizerak and Nimdor are finished, Fugen is compelled by his sense of duty to deliver the message he has been instructed to deliver, even though the matter has been rendered largely obsolete by Gizerak's rather complete explination.

"M...Minister," Fugen begins, speaking for the first time that any of the other henchmen can remember, "th...those of us gathered before you, as well as a few others who have left along the way for various reasons, have been working in the employ of Golock the wizard. We've been running errands for him as he has researched how to end the haunting of Dian province. Those errands have included various tasks, some related directly to the haunting and some not. While we were out on our most recent task, the notes we found in Golock's laboratory would seem to indicate, as my collegue Gizerak has indicated, that Golock was able to figure out a way to end the haunting."

As he speaks, Fugen's voice grows more confident, the slight stammer that he exhibited at first vanishing as his confidence in his ability to speak, a skill he rarely practices, returns.

Hoping at this point to be released from the obligation of repeating everything that Gizerak just said, Fugen pauses to clear his throat before continuing.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:38 First Order of Business

Acting Minister Gao Ling nods as Fugen provides his summary.

"Enough. Hmm..." there is a long pause while the Acting Minister ponders. Just as they begin to wonder if he has fallen asleep (or died of old age) he calls out "To Golock's tower!"

His aide summons four stout footmen. They lift the sedan chair gently and proceed out of the inn. The Acting Minister's entourage scrambles to accompany him. In addition to his footmen and the aide, the crowd includes secretaries, several priests, and some apprentices. They are able to catch up since the footmen carry the sedan chair slowly to be gentle to its occupant.

Eventually they get back to the Dreaded Tower, and the footmen set the sedan chair down in Golock's lab.

"First order of business" declares Gao Ling. "Bring Golock's grandson here." The footmen return carrying the frozen Termix. Gao Ling gestures and recites a spell directed towards Termix. Nothing happens.

"Damn it. Damned Nakigara. Liches..." his murmured complaints taper off and he tries again. After his second attempt, the amber field around Termix disappears, and the young evoker returns to normal mobility.

[Black Plauge]

Thankful to be relieved of the responsibility of repeating what Gizerak had just said, Fugen bows his head and barely notices the Minister's pause.

The Minister's subsequent actions, however, are easy to follow, and it isn't long before Fugen finds himself back at Golock's tower watching Termix be re-animated (if that's the right term for this).

The lesser concern settled, Fugen wonders what the Minister would have to say about the greater one, and nudges Gizerak forward with the text of the ritual that Nimdor had copied earlier.

[Linklegacy77]

"Wait a second.... what is a lich?"

[Boomlaor]

Content for the moment to stand by and observe, Takeshi dismounts at Golock's tower, and idly scratches Daisuke behind the ears. They each snack on a bit of candied ginger.

[Exarzun]

Flarrgj seems particularly jumpy on the trip back to the tower, as if he expects any sort of monsters to jump out and attack the procesion... other then taht he remains quiet.

[Canter_shadow]

"What happened? Where am I?"

Termix looks around everywhere in disbelief.

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:39 Golock is Distintigrated

You are Golock’s grandson, eh?” asks the Acting Minister. “I am Gao Ling. You look just like Golock’s uncle Yuan, who was one of my favorite students. You need to be careful about those Sepia Snake Sigals from now on.”

Acting Minister Gao Ling casts a spell to detect magic on the scroll that harmed Termix, then declares it safe and hands it to his aide. The aide reads it aloud. It seems that Gao Ling has fallen fast asleep, but his comments after the message demonstrate that he was listening.

“I don’t see any reason to doubt Nakigara. What would Nakigara gain from holding Golock in secret? I’m afraid young Golock is distintigrated. What else can I do for you youngsters?”

[Canter_shadow]

"I should have known. Now not only is my Grandfather dead, he's still deeply dissapointed in me. We need to find, and kill this Nakigara."

[trendel]

Stepping forward, Gizerak again mentions the copied version of the ritual, as well as Golock's notes.

"If possible, could you take a look at this ritual text? Perhaps if we know what is needed for the ritual to bind Angara Mainu, we could find the Emporer and get him to perform the ritual and end the haunting."

[crueldespot]

JIANGU! Chapter 5, Scene 7:40 The Fate of the Empire Hangs in the Balance

The old man smiles toothlessly at Termix' bravado. "You aren't nearly ready to take on the Lich Nakigara. Maybe some day - after you save the Empire."

The Acting Minister's Aide holds Golock's journal inches from his great great grandfather's face and flips the pages for him. This seems to take forever. Finally, The Acting Minister nods, and the aide sets the book down.

"This part is in Celestial. It is what the Emperor needs to recite. It is written phonetically in the common alphabet so he can read it verbatim. It's a ritual to ban the servants of Angara Mainu from the mortal world. The other instructions for the ritual are here in the common language, below the Celestial part. It says 'Only emperor can do. Must be done in Court of Glory. Fragrant incense lamp lit. Everyone present kowtow between verses.' You can tell the end of the verses because they are seperate paragraphs."

He coughs faintly, then grumbles "I don't know why you need ME to explain it, though. Why, when I was a young adventurer, we all knew the Celestial tongue! There was this one time..."

"His Honor is getting cranky." interrupts the aide. "I'm afraid it is nap time. If you gentlemen will excuse us, I will take His Honor back to the Ministry. I will be praying for your success. The fate of the Empire hangs in the balance! May the spirits of all our ancestors watch over you." The aide bows.

The Acting Minister's entourage have been poking around Golock's workshop. Some were examining his alchemical laboratory. Others were studying the pages of Palace floor plans. As they realize the group is departing, they assemble and wish the henchmen luck.

[crueldespot]

The adventure continues HERE (http://http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8383)