The Hidden Serpent (Seven Zhounese Brothers Epilogue)

After resting in the statue room a while longer, the party continued to explore the underground labyrinth and in time found themselves in the open air, on the backside of the hill.  Thinking that they might find Bunko waiting for them, Bangqiu lurked behind the rest of the party waiting for the right moment to reveal himself. Sure enough, Bunko did appear, and Bangqiu revealed himself by transfixing Bunko in place before he could even begin asking people to be his good friend.

Bunko could not have been surprised to find yet another group of friends turn on him. Despite some sadistic brainstorming, they did not kill him or harm him, but merely strip-looted him. Bangqiu claimed a plan gold ring and put it on his own finger. Everyone agreed that it really suited him. It was almost uncanny the way it made everything about him seem more interesting, charming, and handsome. Bo Jing got a big bag of gold. Batzorig, the barbarian, destroyed a potion.

The rescuers did return to the hideout once more and found two of the "Zhounese Brothers" who had been held captive for some time, and were surprisingly improved by the experience-- or at least more lucid. The party found them locked in a jail cell, laughing bitterly at the many times they'd been ill-used by their "good friend." On the way back to town, they shared the story of how they'd met Bunko-- and each other! They were neither Zhounese nor brothers.

Clearly, it was about time to leave Pasar. Although Bunko had seemingly been deprived of his power, he might use anything he had left to exact his revenge. Bangqiu was eager to see if his ship was ready and the Imperial caravan was ready to head north.

NOTE: The "Black Flowers hideout" is QUAZKYTON, the B1-inspired of stronghold Zeglin and Rogar from the Hidden Serpent by Faster Monkey. Bryce Lynch writes a decent summary  though I think he's a little stingy with his praise. It hits the right balance between plot and sandbox. It provides a steady backbeat for a creative DM to improvise over.  For instance, although written for a standard fantasy setting, I had no problem running it in my Oriental Adventures campaign, using my own town as a home base.  The Bunko/Seven Zhounese Brothers plot-line was also my own, and it fit nicely with the rightfully classic hooks of "rescue prisoners/find a treasure" supplied by the module as written.   The relatively small size is much appreciated.  The upper level "makes sense" as a bad guy hideout and the lower levels brings some funhouse elements without taking it too far.  But enough, it's available free so see for yourself . . .