[Exalted-China] Story Two: Episode One : Journey to the Kingdoms of Chu

[Lev Lafayette]

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Story Two: Episode One : Journey to the Kingdoms of Chu
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Scene One: The Court of the Crimson King
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Once again the four heroes, now with a mortal compaion, are welcomed to
the court of Prince Wang Shenzhi in Changle, where their story is told.
The Priest Ren Yanwen has researched the scrolls and derived a map from
the many cryptic clues contained within. The path to Khotan is through
dangerous lands frought with demons, barbarians, and worse. In order to
succeed the scrolls also refer to artefacts located in the Invisible
Fortress near the Tianmen Mountain; the Merchants cloak for diplomacy, the
Eyes of the Dog for navigation, and the Golden soldiers for protection.

Fortunately Prince Wang has estbalished relations with Ma Yin, King of
Chu; a favoured nephew has been married to one of Ma Yin's younger
daughters. However Prince Wang has not heard from them and wishes to know
what has happened. Ma Yin paid a bride price of a village called Wa'an
near the border of the Kingdoms of Chu, Southern Han, and Wu. The
estimated time of the journey is 300 hours all told; some 200 hours to
reach the village plus a further week to Tianmen mountain.

With Hěn's skills of accounts and preparedness once again called for, the
party gathers supplies and equipment for the quest to the Invisible
Fortress.

Scene Two: A Muddy Journey
==========================

Initially following a similar route to their last story, the Exalted find
themselves in sparsely populated lands in a few days. It is then that the
rains begin to fall heavily, and they Exalted take shelter in a small
hamlet, using their gifts (such as healing and adjudication) in various
degrees of success for rest and lodging.

A great debate between Hěn and Qian breaks out after overhearing a
conversation about a merchant caravan; Hěn argues that that the merchants
are one day ahead, whereas Qian is sure he heard that they are one day
behind. Qian wins the debate and the Exalted wait for another day as the
rainfall is even heavier; he starts to be concerned that they are late and
waits another day. When they do not arrive then he wonders perhaps the
caravan has broken down and considers going back to find them.

By this stage the Exalted have become convinced that Hěn is correct and so
they hurry to the next village, only to discover that the merchant caravan
is now two days ahead. Qian makes use of his magisterial powers to
overcome a debate of a stolen pig and unpaid firewood with a piglet-based
solution.

Leaving the village the party follows the muddy path to a point where
there is a deep valley, river, and a thin bridge. This is, of course, the
perfetc place for an ambush, but fortunately some helpful bridge-keepers
are present who demand a hefty fee for crossing. The difference between a
landlord and a bandit is indeed one of legality, and if these bandits were
the legal owner of the bridge perhaps they would have recourse to the
magistrate. As they were not they engaged in combat, and the combat
between mortals and Exalted is almost invaribly short and one-sided.

Shí for story two, episode one = 4
Hěn for story two, episode one = 4
Qian for story two, episode one = 5
Xiǎo for story two, episode one = 4



-- 
Lev Lafayette, BA (Hons), GradCertTerAdEd (Murdoch), GradCertPM, MBA (Tech
Mngmnt) (Chifley)
mobile:  0432 255 208
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