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Player Characters:
Shen Chun/Crazed Raksha
Little Bai
Silent Dagger
Ong Lao
Min (Feiyan)
Disciples of the Sect:
Red Eagle (Little Bai)
Mount Dao/Biggest Sister (Little Bai)
Filial Cricket (Little Bai)
Dim-Witted Chen (Shen Chun)
Sects:
The Righteous Outlaws
Calamity Star
Ou Jinghzhu
Tea Master Houzhou
Stone Palace Sect (Also called Golden Way)
A gambling hall and criminal network in Yun Hu. Currently under control of party, with Weeping Lotus managing it. They've absorbed many other sects into this organization including Crocodile Sect, Blades of the Weeping Lotus, Temple of the Jade Mercies, Relentless Corpse Sect and more. Recently they joined with Relentless Corpse again when Shen Chun arranged a marriage with their leader Da Mei Mei.
Members:
Shen Chun (King)
Da Mei Mei (Queen)
Weeping Lotus (Right Vanguard)
Silent Dagger
Feng (Accountant)
Gu (Head Chef)
Little Bai
Min
Scholar Shen (a scholar who has been writing a story about Little Bai's life)
Dancing Scorpions
Criminal network in Yun Hu
Relentless Corpse Sect
Da Mei Mei
Temple of the Jade Mercies (see Stone Palace)
Abbot Wei Zhao
Abbess Bao-Yu
Yao Tu-On
Yao Chun
Yao Ba
Southern Hill Sect
Yellow Mantis
White Chysanthemum
Green Mantis (Dead but important)
Twin-Fisted Eagle Sect
Twin Fisted Eagle
Jade Fist
Bone Breaking Sect
Destroyed and taken over by Drunken Hero Kang
Glorious Death Cult
Led by Supreme Master Tung, who says he is a god of death
Silent Dagger learned about the massacre of the Bao men and sought an immediate audience with Crazed Raksha (Shen Chun) and the rest of the Golden Way. He sent out a message summoning everyone to a meeting.
Min continued her negotiations with the craftsmen for her Cherry infused hook swords. She questioned the 6,000 spade price and closely examined his existing wares. She was pleased with the make and accepted the price once she realized degree of quality*.
Everyone returned to the Hall of Golden Heroes. Crazed Raksha explained recent events to Silent Dagger. After they discussed matters, Silent Dagger, sensing some were troubled by the dangers of Dee, asked if there were any concerns. He also explained that they had made a deal with the Hua Pi and the purpose of being in Dee was to give them an area to control in Hai'an.
One said "The sooner we leave Dee the better, but I will stay until we complete our task".
Silent Dagger sensed that Xiaomin, his disciple, rolled her eyes and pressed her on the matter.
Reluctantly Xiaomin, Silent Dagger's disciple, explained that she still hadn't found her father's identity (though most of the group had a good idea who the man was) and felt the matter hadn't been given enough priority.
Silent Dagger said he would make it his priority once they finished their efforts in Dee. But he said he wanted to present when she met him, and that she wasn't to act without his orders.
The party then went to the Gambling District to feel out the Vermillion Sword Sect (as Thundering Guan had given them permission to war with them). Silent Dagger managed to secure a meeting at Vermillion Hall to meet with Vermillion Sword. It was explained to him that all men were equal inside Vermillion Hall, that no formalities would be observed, and that the shedding of blood was strictly forbidden.
The men of Vermillion Hall were dressed in red and never bowed. They asked for his weapons and led him into a central reception hall. Inside Silent Dagger met Vermillion Sword.
Vermillion Sword stood before him on a dais, dressed in red robes. His face was tattooed and terribly scarred. His body was hefty and skin appeared to have been burned in a fire.
"I don't want to waste a lot of your time," Said Silent Dagger. "I represent the Golden Way; are you familiar with our organization?"
"Is your leader's name Shen Chun?"
"Yes"
"I understand we have had a bad interaction with your allies the Golden Heroes," said Silent Dagger.
"Yes, I predicted this would happen the moment you entered the city."
"How?"
"I foresaw it."
"You have the power to see the future?" Silent Dagger asked.
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"Well, we are trying to get a slice of the action here, hopefully work something out with you guys. Thundering Guan actually suggested we take your territory, but we are tired of bloodshed. This isn't the way of the world. I think we can work something out."
"I have been pondering this a long time and think this can be resolved without bloodshed," said Vermillion Sword.
They continued to talk and worked to arrange a meeting with Crazed Raksha at Vermillion Hall but Silent Dagger was reluctant, thinking it might be a trap.
"If it would re-assure him, tell Shen Chun that we have a mutual benefactor," Said Vermillion Sword.
"Who would that be?"
"I will be happy to explain in more detail to Shen Chun personally."
It was finally agreed that Silent Dagger would bring his retinue, but Vermillion Sword stated anyone who spilled blood in the hall would be cursed by Heaven.
The group returned to Vermillion Hall. Crazed Raksha asked one of the disciples why no one bowed or observed formalities in Vermillion Hall.
"Our leader does not believe in bowing. He thinks all men are equals."
They went to the reception hall and Vermillion Sword said he had been expecting Shen Chun for some time.
"I suggest we unite the entire city, so Thundering Guan has no choice but to do what we wish."
"Who is the mutual benefactor," asked Silent Dagger.
"The same person who saved you at Stone Throne Bridge."
"Hidden Arrow?"
Vermillion Sword nodded.
Silent Dagger whispered to Crazed Raksha "But didn't Hidden Arrow's men deliver the fatal blow to Bao Yang?"
Crazed Raksha spoke "So Hidden Arrow has his sights set on Dee?"
"Hidden Arrow has been laying the foundations here for some time," said Vermillion Sword.
"How much of the city would we need to unite?"
"I think if we can get everyone united, that Thundering Guan would feel threaten, and we'd be free to do as we please."
"Even the Fire Stick gang?"
"Yes, we'd need them as well," said Vermillion Sword.
"You do know we killed their Fire Crow King?" Said Silent Dagger.
"Crazy as they are, they are still losing men," Said Vermillion Sword. "But even without them I think we can form an alliance that will pressure Thundering Guan to allow us to configure the city to our liking. Perhaps we will unite the sects, destroy the Fire Stick Gang, then divide the territory between us."
"I like that plan," Said Ong.
They discussed the details of how the city might be divided. They decided to make it about the Kushen district to unite the gangs. Once Thundering Guan stopped interfering, they would begin waging war against one another again and the city would reach a different balance.
They nearly agreed but asked Vermillion Sword's relationship with Hidden Arrow. He said he had once pledged loyalty to him. And that he would be liberated from the agreement by coming to Dee at the appointed time.
Silent Dagger pressed aggressively for more information.
"I can tell you that Hidden Arrow has had his eye on Dee for some time, and sent me here to take this district and await the arrival of Shen Chun," said Vermillion Sword.
"What does Hidden Arrow ultimately want?"
"He wants me to rebalance the powers of the city. And he wants something that is under the city."
"A'zhu?"
"No, he doesn't want A'zhu."
They agreed that they would work to formalize the alliances and then make their move. The Golden Heroes would work to smooth over the relationship between Five Ghost Society and Vermillion Sword Sect.
Silent Dagger decided to go meet with Thundering Guan, while Crazed Raksha, Min and Ong would work out things with speak with Murder of the Five Ghost Society.
Crazed Raksha met with Murder in his reception hall.
"Crazed Raksha, what do you have to say?" Murder asked.
"We are looking to unite everyone, except for the Fire Stick Gang," Said Crazed Raksha. "I understand you have grievances with Vermillion Sword. Can we smooth that over?"
"Yes, I still have a grudge with them."
"What are they willing to give me?"
"There is much to be gained from an alliance."
"What will I have that I don't have now if I agree?" Murder asked.
"You won't have Thundering Guan preventing you from attacking people," Said Ong.
"Who should I attack first Crazed Raksha?"
"We will attack the Fire Stick Gang," Said Crazed Raksha.
"I have no desire for their territory.....but very well I will agree to this provided you do not interfere when I make use of my new found freedom," said Murder.
"The alliance will give us freedom, but we should consider how badly we weaken others, because the only reason Thundering Guan will stay her hand is because there are so many of us."
"But Shen Chun, there is so much opportunity here, we can expand both of our territories well beyond our current state," Said Murder.
"I feel there would be nothing but bloodshed," Said Crazed Raksha.
"Someone would rise supreme....if you and I have a firm enough alliance, then we can become the masters of Dee," said Murder.
"So you will join?"
"Yes I will join, but we must remain firm sworn brothers" said Murder.
They then talked about the Iron Kings and smoothing over any issues they may have with Vermillion Sword.
"You speak to the Iron Kings, and I will speak to the Holy Killers," Said Crazed Raksha.
"Good, and we must speak soon to make our plans" Said Murder.
As this was occurring, Silent Dagger tried to secure a meeting with Thundering Guan. First he went to Ghashir Manor and a meeting that started friendly turned violent, when Ghashir Al-Anmar refused to take Silent Dagger directly to Thundering Guan.
Silent Dagger leapt across the room and put a blade to Ghashir's throat.
"Please, I meant no offense, I only worry for your well being, Thundering Guan is enormously powerful," Said Ghashir with a smile. "You merely need to go to the Government Palace and tell them I sent you. But you are courting death."
Silent Dagger spoke with two women dressed as scholars who refused him entry unless he left his weapons outside.
Silent Dagger demanded entrance and said he was too powerful for them. That he would kill them all if they didn't let him in.
"Give us a moment."
"One of you stay outside," Said Silent Dagger.
One of the women stayed behind, while the other went in.
"So, what is your name," He asked her.
As he asked the question hails of arrows darkened the sky and enveloped him. He used Iron Body and withstood the attack. Then thirty women dressed in scholarly robes leapt over the wall and attacked.
Silent Dagger flashed a smile and tried to charm them with a few sweet words but they descended into the street.
It was a chaotic battle. Silent Dagger evaded many and replied with strikes of his own. He wounded some of them, dropping one, but was struck with a jian. The blade sunk deeply into his flesh.
Things began to look pretty dire for Silent Dagger as they circled around him.
"Wait, I will surrender if you stop attacking me."
They agreed if he put his weapons down.
The women told him to leave.
"No, I want to talk to Thundering Guan."
"Only if we can bind you," they said.
Silent Dagger objected, and said he could kill them all if he really wanted to.
He let them tie his hands. They took all his weapons and vials.
"Sorry about that women I killed," he said.
They brought him into a hall before Thundering Guan. She was flanked by 60 people.
He bowed and said "I came here to bring you an offer, can you cut me loose first though."
"No."
"I am here to make a deal; are you interested?"
"Are you familiar with Hidden Arrow?"
"No."
"He is the leader of the Hidden Rakshas" said Silent Dagger. "He has his sights set on Dee and wants to remove you to achieve that. I am willing to help you out if we can reach some kind of arrangement. As you can see I am very powerful and could have killed your women scholars had I wanted to."
"I don't think you could have and there is no reason to point this out to me if you are trying to build an alliance," She said.
He then boasted that he would be destroying the House of Paper Shadows and suggested she should show him some gratitude.
"Look I will make it simple," Said Silent Dagger. "Let us take over the Fire Stick territory and in return I'll bring a big army here to help take care of any invasion. We'll back any moves you want to make."
"I could just kill you right here"
"Then cut my ties and let's fight," he said.
"I already spoke with your leader and thought we had an agreement," Said Thundering Guan.
"Now we can have a better agreement," Said Silent Dagger.
"You will remain here and I will negotiate with your leader," She said.
"I won't go along with that, so you'll have to kill me," he said. "Plus if anyone kills me here, I made arrangements so you will be cursed."
"Don't threaten me with curses," Said Thundering Guan.
"How many of these ladies do I have to kill before you start talking some sense," He said.
She motioned for her people to attack him. He was surrounded. He managed to deflect several attacks but the numbers were overwhelming. He punched one of them in the throat, but she seemed tougher than the women he faced outside.
Once again he surrendered and was bound. He tried to sweet talk the scholars but they led him to a cell below the halls.
*The swords do Muscle + 1d10 Damage (instead of Muscle + 0d10).
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