Dramatis Personae

• He Bohai aka Eleven (NPC): TBA. Tagline: TBA.
• He Donghai aka Twelve (NPC): TBA. Tagline: TBA.
• Ko Lenfan aka Four (NPC): TBA. Tagline: TBA.
• Laoshu aka Mouse aka Three (NPC): TBA. Tagline: TBA.
• Meiyou Ren aka Six (NPC): TBA. Tagline: TBA.
• Rang Baozhai aka Ten (NPC): TBA. Tagline: TBA.

Previously . . .

It’s been two years since the incident in the city. They’re being reevaluated by several of the higher-ups in the order, most of them were trained by their masters (excepting one). They’ve had to live on the far side of the valley where it’s quite cold because Pai Mei doesn’t believe in proper HVAC. Zhiyu remains his star pupil while Nongmin is considered competent. They’re still forced to do lots and lots of steps as Pai Mei disapproves of the fact that his star pupil is female. Ting, on the other hand, since his last real teacher was shoved down the stairs, spent all of his spare time doing work. Pai Mei comments that some people have spent their time poorly (coughTingcough) and some have spent their time wisely (coughZhiyucough).

No More Stairs, Master! Wu is Getting to Big!

Jian Wu, Jiao Ting, Liang Jing Min, Nongmin Chushi, Sheng Yi, and Zhiyu Zhige
Pai Mei’ Abode
Ninth Month 15th day, 1006 Zao Dynasty, 6th hour
Shidao Province

The group is doing their usual duties, Wu is running up and down the stairs, Sheng Yi is practicing wall running and shooting, Zhiyu is doing her dodging practice on the stairs, Jing Min gets rapped on the hands for heading straight for the stairs. Pai Mei hauls them in front of him and hurls insults for a solid ten minutes at the group and praises Zhiyu, and thanks to Pavlovian responses Ting immediately starts towards the stairs. After a few runs on the stairs, he calls them back in and tells them that they’re being transferred to the Inquisitiors for a good long time. Zhiyu asks if he’ll be alright while they’re gone and he lashes out.

The Inquisition is meant to be hunting down heretics and demons and aren’t seemingly well regarded by most of the creche considering the previous events. They’re getting transferred out to a city where they’re being put on a working internship. They’re told to pack their gear and get out. Ting is the only person not beat by Pai Mei as he bowed respectfully to their master and got a nod in return. They head towards the Order’s citadel and they’re treated a bit respectfully, at least differently from how Pai Mei treated them. They’re ushered through the gate room and go through a gate for the capital.

A New City

Jian Wu, Jiao Ting, Liang Jing Min, Nongmin Chushi, Sheng Yi, and Zhiyu Zhige
The Order’s Inquisitorial Office
Ninth Month 15th day, 1006 Zao Dynasty, 9th hour
Jiangzihua, Ketuso Province

Most haven’t seen the Capital, Jiangzihua, before, it’s a large sprawling city with towers and landmarks and temperate climate. A lot the architecture is reliant on magic to an alarming degree, large amounts of towers and palaces are literally floating on air, especially in the uppercrust portion of the city. They’re greeted by Ni Tu upon arrival, she’s in charge of the local branch of the order. Ting immediately politely bows to Ni Tu and the others immediately follow suit to try to make their own good impressions. She immediately warns them not to say anything and that there are people watching and listening everywhere making most of the creche wonder if she’s paranoid while she stares at them with a pupilless eye unnerving most. They’re brought outside the gate room where they’re immediately in a high traffic area. The portals aren’t just for the use of the Order, it’s more akin to trying to get into an army base and people need a good reason to use them. Though there’s more public access portals which are available everywhere and at any time.

They are given a small overview of the city, shown the lower crusts and middle class while there’s high society areas on plateaus and mountains, there’s even small neighborhoods on the side of cliffs. It’s a fairly large and very active city with a huge amount of ships going in and out of the harbor at any time, possibly the largest city on the continent.

The inquisitorial unit headquarters is fairly well defended with magic, people, Fu Dog statues that come alive when they get close. Nongmin is excited to see them and tries to get close when Zhiyu grabs him and keeps him under control. They argue about whether or not he should try to talk to them or see if they have some spirits while Sheng Yi cases the place and determines that it’s fairly well defended place, otherwise set up like a standard manor. It’s unusual in that it’s three floors, as most manors are only a single floor, and the guard walls are tall enough to reach the second floor. They’re brought to a room in the open area and Ni Tu sits and pours herself some tea while gesturing for them to sit down.

Her first comment is not exactly praise and Nongmin tells her that Pai Mei sends his regards which causes her to laugh as she knows that Pai Mei doesn’t give a damn about anyone. She comments about the stairs being hell while she was training. They’re informed they’d be staying there for awhile as their success two years ago got the Inquisition’s attention and they’re being voluntold for use. She speaks about Wu being the worst inquisitor they’d have as he’d be easily picked out from any crowd he’d try to hide in. For the night they’re released on their own liberty after being led to a bunk room. The bunks are still fairly opulent which Ting immediately looks to see how comfortable the floors are.

A Night Out

Jian Wu, Jiao Ting, Liang Jing Min, Nongmin Chushi, Sheng Yi, and Zhiyu Zhige
Various
Ninth Month 15th day, 1006 Zao Dynasty, 9th hour
Jiangzihua, Ketuso Province

The group looks around, Sheng Yi moving to investigate the general location while Jing Min moves to investigate the entertainments, maybe not the most opulent but something nice and fun. Ren drags Zhiyu off to buy a new dress after what happened with her gown during the previous adventure, getting a nice silk gown with an enchantment that repairs it. Nongmin wanders the town, investigating everything while trying to dodge people following him, talking to everyone and scoping out people and environment to get a solid idea, and nothing strange happens. Ting gets hauled out by Rang to have a nice meal and “date” with her, grabbing him by his arm. He stares at Rang, then at the arm being grabbed, then back at Rang, then back at the arm and fails to recall this being any part of his past training as he gets dragged out. Wu, getting the hint, invites Mouse out for dinner which she deigns to accept.

Jing Min has a decent time watching his entertainment while Zhiyu and Ren go visit market stalls while Ren spoils her. Nongmin keeps wandering around while Sheng Yi shadows him to keep him out of trouble. A horrible date is had between Rang and Ting, silently sitting in the tea house, silently sitting in the restaurant, accidently stomping on her feet while dancing, walking through the street staring at each other with her trying to get Ting’s attention and Ting trying to see if there’s something that catches her eye. When getting back to the bunkhouse, Ting holds a “conversation” with Zhiyu for advice with him silently pantomiming and gesticulating and Zhiyu trying to convince him that he’s being a fool.

Aftermath

In the morning they get woken by a gong and get called to breakfast with a huge spread that Wu decimates and Ting tries to find the plainest items that he’s used to. Ni Tu informs them that the perks of living out there is that they sleep well and eat well to really. They’re informed their mission is to find and root out evil. Cultists are drawn to the city due to its large nature and possibility for corruption. They’re also trying to root out warlocks, they’ve got a healthy supply of night speakers there and every time they take one down another two take their place. When Jing Min asks what relationship they have with the city, they’re informed that they’re the Order and the city will do what they tell them. When Jing Min explains that he’s speaking about the creche, she simply repeats herself and hands out uniforms to everyone which troubles Ting slightly.

After Action Report (GM)

A really fun game that didn’t have any combat or any plot that needed to move forward. I just let the PCs do what they wanted to do and it ended up as a “day in the life” of game. Those are ALWAYS fun. Not much more to say really.

Other Notes

Bonus report here.

Soundtrack

None.