So there it is: Jinyang
This is the first large urban area we encounter. Tons of people to talk to, stuff to buy and skill scrolls to find but not much to do in the questing department. Could be because I actually confuse Jinyang with Jiuyuan and therefore try to enter the district office, only to get booted by the guards time and time again.
Might as well look around for useful things to do. There is a merchant who crosses our path.
: One moment, girl. You are not from around here, right?
: We come from Eastern Baiyue.
: You got the looks of a warrior... I could already tell from first sight that your fighting skills must be impressive.
: Looks good, sounds good.
: I have an incredible sword. If you want it, I would like to... ah... but the price...
: Let me see.
: I left the sword at the inn. If you want to take a look, go there and ask for me – my name is Gao.
: Splendid. Until then!
Little does he know that the conversation has been observed by a curious fellow.
: The old man is muttering to himself. “A mystic sword? Sounds intriguing. I should go and take a look.”
: <Examine this person>
: The old man is wearing the coat of a simple farmer. He is small and skinny, and has a piercing stare, that makes you worried the longer he looks at you. When the man realizes your anxiety, he turns away from you and leaves.
: <Thinks> He looked oddly familiar. Have I've seen him before?
Getting a bad feeling in the gut, we enter the inn to continue the bargain.
: Did take you a while to get here. Come, have a look at this. It is a sword that was passed through my family from generation to generation. Do you like it? It can be yours for 50.000 gold pieces. What do you say?
: That's a hefty sum. It seems to be a fine weapon but there is no sword in the eighteen hells of the underworld that can be worth so much.
: What a pity. Very well. Even if we didn't make a deal, we still should depart as friends. Farewell.
: We came here for nothing.
The innkeeper makes us aware that someone sneaked past us on our way out. We go back to investigate and find a familiar scene.
: The man looks frightened. He leans shivering against the wall and mutters: “A thief. Damn. He stole my sword!”
: Tell me who did this and I shall catch him!
He loses consciousness. Not much to go with but the criminal couldn't have come far.
: Is that sword of yours the one from master Gao?
: “So, you found me”, he says scornful. “It appears that I've found my adversary for today.”
: You're bold, to attack me during broad daylight – I will teach you a lesson. Surrender!
: Try me, girl.
: This is your downfall!
The thief is quick to realize that he should have better stick to the shadows.
: You may be good. But that doesn't mean that you can defeat me. As you will soon realize.
: What are you talking about?
: I'm Han Xing, master of disguise! I will take on a new identity with a wink of my hand and disappear in the crowd, hahaha!
: Han Xing? I know that name!
Han Xing throws a smoke bomb and again slips through our fingers. At least he left us some skill upgrades this time around. We continue to look around, finding the stables and a nearby fortune teller.
Qi Buzi: Men make plans, gods make decisions, and it is difficult to know, what the future holds. You want your fortune told? I haven't opened my shop today and I'm offering you a low price. How about 100 gold coins per divination?
:
1. Predict the future of Lan Wei.
2. Predict the future of Yan Hong.
3. Predict the future of Liang Hu.
4. Predict the future of Cai Xin.
5. Predict the future of Gai Nie.
→ 6. Who are you, that you may claim 100 gold pieces for a simple divination?
Qi Buzi: My name is Qi Buzi, I'm a disciple of the Bloodmoon. Palmistry is my speciality. May I say this? Yes, I can – I'm the greatest fortune teller of the world. The other so called fortune tellers are nothing better than fakirs and charlatans compared to me. My prices are also the best... pitiful 100 coins for one session.
Sounds good enough. Let's give it a shot.
[Lan Wei]
Qi Buzi: Although I was born into a rich family, I don't have many relatives. My parents are both dead. If you insist on doing everything yourself, you'll lose your best friend.
: <Best friend? Could that be Yan Hong>
: If the destiny of person can really be foretold, then everything must be predestined. How could you then change anything? No, I don't believe this garbage.
Qi Buzi: A person actually can change his fate, although it is impossible to change the actions you've already taken, if they are significant.
[Liang Hu]
Qi Buzi: Your life was filled with suffering..., you had to leave your birthplace when you were young... although you will return home, your fate is unavoidable.
: …
Qi Buzi: …
: Your prophecies don't scare me.
Qi Buzi: Good for you.
[Yan Hong]
Qi Buzi: You lost your parents at a very young age... you had no home... your fine manners only hide the heart of a murderer... no, I can't read your future... there is too much treachery and desire for vengeance.
: Don't pay attention to him, Yan Hong. You are a good man. You never did anything wrong.
That is mostly because no one gave you a chance I would reckon.
Qi Buzi: A spectator merely sees the results of the chess game; only a player can see the moves until their end. When the time comes, look back and tell me, who you were.
[Cai Xin]
Qi Buzi: Your mother died when you were young... your father is shrouded in darkness, you don't know, where he could be... you're searching for him and his love...
: Will I ever find him?
Qi Buzi: That is not certain... the window of possibilities closes fast. Don't linger when you could do something, girl.
[Gai Nie]
Qi Buzi: This man seems awe-inspiringly righteous, but that only covers up for his blood stained hands. He walks on the path of vengeance, if I'm not mistaken. Let me give you an advise... don't act rash or overly emotional.
: You have good senses. I will remember that advise.
Qi Buzi: That's all that I can see... the rest lies in the hands of the gods. Be careful in the future.
After this rather depressing waste of 500 coins, we enter the market place to see if we can get rid of some more when we meet an odd couple.
: The woman stares on her feet, deep in thought. She doesn't notice anyone.
:
→ 1. <Examine her>
2. <Leave her to her thoughts>
: The girls seems to be about eighteen years old. She has a pale, sickly face, her eyebrows show signs of a grief that you can't even imagine.
: You're very ill.
: She looks up and says “Yes. It's my fate, I think. Don't talk about it in his presence, please. He always becomes very sad when he's reminded of my condition.” Giving the man a hazy gaze, her expression becomes tender and is filled with love.
: Judging by his pale, troubled expression, you can tell that this man has gone through a lot of misery. His back is hunched and he is thin, as well as weak. But he is also showing clear signs of endurance – his eyebrows cross when he closes his eyes. Something seems to bother him, a problem perhaps.
: Is that patient your wife?
: He looks up in anger. But when he sees such a young woman standing in front of him he calms down again. “Don't say such things. She... is not my wife. She is just my patient.”
: You seem to be a very faithful doctor.
: He examines you for a moment. “Faithful? Hm. You could say that. I've taken care of her for three years. But 'faithful' is not the same as 'experienced'. Tian Mei condition has worsened ever since that time. I'm not a good doctor, I'm a fool.”
: Three years? She's really been sick for three years?
: He shakes his head and sights. “I've been a doctor in Jiuyuan for many years. Not many diseases were outside of my capabilities. But Tian Mei... she is a very unique case. I wasn't able to find anything about her sickness in classic literature or scrolls. I brew many kinds of medication for her, some with better results than others, but nothing that could fully cure her. I talked with many colleagues during these three years everywhere in the Central Plains, but it was hopeless. Nevertheless,
[The dialogue is cut off again. Some ginseng is mentioned that might ease her suffering]
: You didn't get the ginseng yet?
: “When we arrived at Jinyang, we found out that the Thousand Year Ginseng had already been sold to the tyrant Peng Wudi. I visited his house and wanted to buy it from him but he refused. Now Tian Mei is becoming weaker and weaker. She doesn't want me to be worried so much and pretends to be better... but I know that it's hopeless. There is nothing I can do!” Tears are running down his cheeks.
: You really care about her, don't you? Is there anything we can do?
: You're a good soul, Cai Xin,… but now that you've offered them our help we will give it to them.
Yeah, Cai Xin, thank you for wasting our time.
: He refused to sell it to me. How do you know is going to change his mind for you?
: Who said that we were going to “buy it”. We'll just take it from him. Wait here for us. We'll soon be back – with the ginseng, I promise.
Luckily enough it turns out that Peng Wudi's son has been struck by a severe illness, giving Lan Wei the right idea to force an entrance.
Servant: Who are you and what are you doing on the property of the Peng-Family? Come out. Don't risk the wrath of master Peng or he might kill you!
: Does your master require someone to cure his son?
Servant: You're a doctor? Please come in. The entire household is worried sick.
: On my way! What's the matter with you?!
That was easier than expected. The estate consists of four parts, next to the entrance area. The central plaza,
the training hall to the east,
servant quarters to the west,
and the kitchen to the north.
The sheer size of the place can become a little annoying since this quest will have us run around a lot. Thank god for Cai Xin run-like-hell aura. Speaking of quests, we finally meet the beloved tyrant himself.
: Are you the girl that came here to treat my son?
: Yes. Every Baiyun is powerful in the arts of healing. Treating this illness is no problem for the likes of us.
I don't think that dead people count as healthy around these parts though.
: “A Baiyun?”, Peng Wudi asks. “Let's give it a try. I already asked every doctor, that I know, but none of them could tell what's wrong with my son.”
: Bring me to your son, please. I want to examine him.
: Peng Wudi sighs. “Very well, I will bring you to him. He's resting in the kitchen at the back of this estate.”
: Let's go.
Of course, despite his words we still have to go all the way ourselves.
Peng Wudi's Son: Peng Wudi's son is moaning in pain and his body is shaken by fits of coughing.
: The signs are the same as the ones when we were tricked by that trader at the tigerfish cave, don't you think?
: This is a case of tigerfish poisoning or I'm the uncle of a pig.
: How is he? Will he survive?
: Judging by the symptoms, it is obvious that your son has been poisoned by a tigerfish.
: Tigerfish posion?
: I think your son has touched one of them.
: Yes, tigerfish are a problem around here. My son and I are the only ones capable of killing them. The simple folk lack the skills for such a task.
: The tigerfish is a vicious creature. It emits a dangerous poison. The poison itself spreads through the entire body and once activated from the outside, it becomes lethal.
: But how can the poison be activated?
: Someone wants to kill you and your son. We should work on a cure at once.
: How can you neutralize the poison? What ingredients do you require? I must be swift and make the necessary preparations.
: Cook a tigerfish loin, a Wolfberry, and snake skin together and give the result to your patient. That will cure the poison.
In case you're wondering, Lan Wei will still know how to create a cure even when she never entered the tigerfish cave so no long term rewards here.
: Yi Fei, go to Jinyang and buy a Wolfberry and a snake skin.
: There are tigerfish nearby. Let's go and get the loin.
We loot the kitchen for the ginseng we were looking for and find it together with an old scroll.
Chi You... the people of Baiyue... controls all sorts of animals... white bones... the Yellow Emperor... no hope of victory.
Anyway, it's dungeon time!
Pretty much like the other tigerfish infected caves we visited before. At least we don't get instantly poisoned for just walking around. A cure is created shortly thereafter and we're in for a nice reward.
: The life of my son was saved by your hands. Here are 3.000 gold. I hope that you'll accept.
:
→ 1. Master Peng is so generous that I couldn't possibly refuse.
2. Thank you, master Peng. I'm just doing my duty. I don't need money.
: Someone wanted to poison my son. I was hoping that you would help me to catch the assassin.
: I'm indebted to you by your generosity. I'll do my best to find the ones responsible.
: Then I shall look after my son first. If you need anything go and ask Yi Fei. He will assist you as good as possible.
: Many thanks.
We ignored his entrusted bodyguard until now so it seems fair to ask him about the situation.
: Did you find something about the poisoning? If you want to know anything about the Peng family, please, ask!
:
1. What people are part of the family?
2. Can you tell me anything about the enemies of master Peng?
3. Is there someone who has skills in herbalism?
[Family]
: Other than the old and young Peng, there are only the servants and maids, and a drunk, useless cook living in this estate. Peng's wife died some time ago.
[Enemies]
: Peng is a kind and generous man. He doesn't have enemies.
[Herbalism]
: We don't have anyone here who knows the arts of alchemy and herbalism.
: Were there any strangers visiting you lately?
: No, we didn't have any visitors for a while.
Quick & pointless. Maybe the chef that Yi Fei mentioned has some better gossip to throw around.
Cook: I'm the cook of the Peng family.
:
1. Are you cooking your whole day for the family?
2. Have you noticed any strangers or odd things in the estate recently?
3. What did the young master eat before he was poisoned?
[Strangers]
Cook: Strangers? Not that I know of. On the other hand there's always work in the kitchen, so I don't get out much.
[Cooking]
Cook: I'm cooking for master Peng for twenty years now. Sometimes the servants help me but you're the first stranger that enters my kitchen.
[Last Meal]
Cook: Do you imply that I've poisoned the young master? I've worked here for more than two decades in the name of the Peng family! How dare you to suspect me?
:
1. I don't suspect you. I'm only searching for information. I have another question: did you notice any strangers in Peng's estate?
2. I don't suspect you. I'm only searching for information. If I will need more I'll ask you again.
→ 3. I don't suspect you. I'm only searching for information. I have another question: what are you doing in your spare time?
Cook: Spare time? I don't have much of that, but then, I drink and sing.
: Have you maybe drunk too much lately?
Cook: Well, I was with those two craftsmen recently. These boys drank me under the table, I must confess.
: Craftsmen? What craftsmen?
Cook: Those who made the folding screen. Have been here for about a month. Didn't Yi Fei tell you about them?
: I'll have to ask him.
But before that we examine the folding screen back at Peng Wudi's manor where we first met him.
: This screen is new. There is a harvest moon painted on it... and it smells familiar... yes, of course...
That is enough of a clue for this investigation.
: Where are the craftsmen who created the folding screen? They must be the ones that poisoned Peng Wudi's son!
: Those two are in the servant quarters, west of the estate.
: Report to master Peng. I will catch those two.
: Are you one of the craftsmen who made the folding screen in master Peng's living room?
Craftsman: Yeah? What business is it to you?
: You are the fiends who poisoned the son of Peng Wudi! It's time you meet your end!
One down, one more to go.
: Yi Fei? Why are you here?
: We're too late. The craftsman has already fled. The windows are open.
: He escaped? I must report back to master Peng.
Another sprint back to the manor, hopefully for the last time.
: Master Peng, we found the assassin. There are two actually: the craftsmen who made your folding screen.
: How can you be certain it was them?
: There was more to them than meets the eye. Apparently, they are experienced herbalists, and knew about the slumbering poison within you and your son. All they had to do was to find a catalyst to activate it. A cunning plan.
More cunning than that
last thing they came up with, that's for sure.
: What's the catalyst?
: They hid an incense in the folding screen when they were building it up. That was the catalyst which activated the poison. The brilliant part of the plan was that they didn't even needed to be here to work. No one would have ever suspected them.
: Very subtle. I think I want to have a word with these men.
: Yi Fei and I have caught one of them but the other was able to escape.
: You're a formidable young lady. If you stay and become a servant of my house then, together with Yi Fei, the Peng family will become the most powerful family in the province!
: Thank you for your kindness but I have urgent business to attend to. I can't stay for long.
: Then I can't force you to stay. I hope that you'll return and stay by my side in the future.
: Thank you but I really must go.
The odd couple waits for its ginseng but there is another interception in our way.
Young Man: Are you the one who tricked her way into the house of the Peng family?
: Haha, that is the first sign that you're dealing with a master.
Young Man: Really? I've heard that your Kung Fu is rather good. Care for a friendly match, hmm?
: As you wish. A contest... but nothing more than that!
Like anyone is going to believe that. The chap goes for the kill but gets a fist in the face.
Young Man: Since you've won, you may decide my fate.
: We agreed on a friendly match. Why did you try to kill me?
Young Man: You murdered my brother. If I can't avenge his death then my life is worthless.
: I killed him? Not likely, I don't even know who he was.
Young Man: My brother was the craftsman of the house of Peng Wudi.
: What?
Young Man: We two planned this mission to get rid of Peng Wudi, that tyrant. But you and Yi Fei prevented it. You have killed my brother and left Jinyang in a state of oppression.
: Peng Wudi is the tyrant of Jinyang?
Young Man: Peng Wudi is the horror of every citizen here. His son was attracted to my sister, but my parents refused, and so Peng Wudi made plans to have them killed. What is exactly what he did. Luckily my brother was able to save me. For five years we worked towards our vengeance. But now, thanks to you, it will not be possible anymore.
: It was your plan to weave the poison into the “Harvest Moon”, wasn't it?
Young Man: My brother and some of his friends, who too have suffered under Peng Wudi, devised the plan.
: Why did you do it?
Young Man: We can't defeat him. And he gets help from Yi Fei.
: Why does Yi Fei support him?
Young Man: We asked for his help a few years ago. He infiltrated Peng's household but he became his blood brother over time. Together, they harass the little people whenever they see the opportunity. Since he betrayed us, we had to find more subtle ways. We planed to poison him and then attack Yi Fei with our swords. But now we don't even have that option.
: This explains everything.
The man redirects us to Yi Fei's parents who confirm his story and wish for nothing better but the (preferably horrible) death of their son to restore the family honour. This should be fun.
: Why did you return? What do you want?
: Peng Wudi has done much ill. You helped him and supported him. You harassed the people of Jinyang together. How dare you to make me believe that Peng Wudi was a friendly and honest man?
: The truth is not what you thought it would be. You should better go now.
:
1. You can't deny that you're in league with him. Enough excuses, Yi Fei. Prepare to die!
→ 2. Peng Wudi wasn't only as treacherous as you, no, you were even worse! Because you knew all along what was right and good, but still offered him your sword! I'm ashamed for you, Yi Fei!
: You have been misinformed, my friends. There is something I have to tell you.
: A confession at the last minute? That seems like a little too late!
Yi Fei acts much like any other paladin in combat. The meanest thing he'll do at times is to use Dragon Rising to jump to one of your spellcasters and deal a few critical hits but with Cai Xin's damage output and Yan Hong's healing support, he goes down eventually. A few more slaughtered servants later, we come face to face with the muscle man.
: You've killed Yi Fei?
: I've rid Jinyang of a cancer. Prepare to die, Peng Wudi.
Peng Wudi can handle out a lot of pain and even use some kind of earthquake attack to stun nearby opponents. Best way to deal with him is to cast slow, take him on from a distance and keep your PCs in good shape until the final deathblow.
That's the official ending of this story. The more interesting stuff however happens if you actually lose the fight against Yi Fei, in which case he will throw you out. Lan Wei won't settle with defeat and go for another try in which case the following occurs.
: What happened here?
Servant: Our master... Yi Fei killed him.
: Yi Fei?
: We're glad that your son is getting better, Wudi.
: Thanks, brother.
Servant 1: May the gods protect him, master.
Servant 2: I wish him a quick recovery.
: Come. Let's drink.
: It's an honour to share a drink with you, brother.
: On your health!
Yi Fei suddenly stabs Peng Wudi in the back.
: Ah... Yi Fei, you...
: You're a tyrant, Wudi. The people of Jinyang can't take it any more. For their sake – you leave me no other choice...
: You know how things work, Yi Fei! I can't allow myself to show weakness, or my enemies will not hesitate to hunt me with their daggers.
: Heaven favours the righteous man, not the powerful.
: I... I'm not as evil as you think.
: You're right. You always have been kind to me, and I'm grateful for that. But in the name of Jinyang I must forget our friendship.
: Yi Fei, you're righteousness has touched my heart. You are a good friend. No one shall stop you if you want to leave.
: Brother.
: Don't speak any further. I wanted to hear the truth from someone close to me.
: Brother!
: My entire life I dreamed about becoming the hero of the people. I'm afraid it's too late for that now.
: Wudi, you're one of the finest men I've ever known. We could have done so much for Jinyang.
: I'm slowly starting to believe that this could be true. I've never thought that my best friend would be after my blood.
: There is an old saying: Loyalty and justice don't necessarily go hand in hand. I betrayed you for justice. Although my reasons are just, my deeds were not. I don't expect to leave this place alive, brother.
Yi Fei stabs himself dead.
: Yi Fei!
Peng Wudi succumbs to his wound, ending this little emotional play between the two.
We can now finally get the ginseng back to the couple. At least someone deserves a happy end in their story.
Skill Corner
Liang Hu
: 100 Stone Demons (Defensive)
Requires: Senior level of River of Life
Additional Effects: Repels negative status effects and curses +2% for every five points of
earth
Notes: Helps against the slow effect that most water based enemies love to use which can be devastating for a slow poke like Liang Hu
Cai Xin
: Breathing Tiger (Offensive)
Requires: Senior level of Merciless Heart
Additional Effects: Absorbs +%2 LP per strike for every five points of
wood
Notes: Cai Xin's only healing capability and considering her low armour value too slow to recover any significant loss
Gai Nie
: Strike Root (Offensive)
Requires: Senior level of Reaping the Thorns
Additional Effects: Absorbs +%2 LP per strike for every five points of
wood
Notes: Same story as with Cai Xin although Gai Nie comes with enough armour on him to make this useful