Rowche Rumble

Pasar has been quiet.  By the time the investigators returned to the Black Flower hideout in the Blue Water Wine Hall, it was found to be deserted.  While there was clear evidence of their recent presence, none of it implicated specific individuals, none of it elucidated a motive to the murder, and none of it suggested what activities they might pursue next.

Ginjo: "Black flower is not openly in the city and we met the farmers because we started a drug store."

The "drug" Ginjob referred to is "Rowche," a mild stimulant, popular among Pasari originals and in throughout the area.  The best Rowche was grown in the Rowche Valley, about half a day's journey from Pasar.

Ginjo: "The farmers asked us to get their jade leaf statue back from the bakemono. And we agreed to help them so the Rowche would keep coming so we could sell it."

According to the farmers, the bakemono were wicked creatures that had long harassed them, and stealing their livestock.  The farmers had long tolerated this behavior, but recently the bakemono had made a larger raid, and stolen the jade leaf statue which, the farmers believed, brought the blessings of warm rains and gentle sunshine to their valley.  A large group had stolen it and were now encamped in the abandoned temple on the ridge above the village.

In fact, Ginjo agreed to help the farmers, but his friend Sukh refused.  Making inquiries, he met Gunjar, a wandering shaman from the steppes.  Gunjar had little interest in Rowche, but he was outraged at the desecration of the temple.

So, Ginjo and Gunjar traveled to the village and Rowche.  They were quietly celebrated.  Early the next morning, Ginjo and Gunjar, together with seven farmers, made their way up the mist-shrouded ridge.  By noon, they reached the top of the ridge and were passing through a forest.  The mists had cleared, and the peaked roof of the dlipadated temple was visible above the treetops.  

As the heroes reached the edge of the forest, they heard noise and in the clearing beyond saw about a dozen creatures, all vaguely humanoid, none remotely human.  Some were horned, others were winged, many, but not all had tails.  Their ears and noses were generally large and pointed.  Their skin colors were blue and green and purple.  Two were blind-folded and beating each other senseless with sticks while the others cheered them on.

Gunjar asked that the largest of these creatures be transfixed; his prayer was granted.  Ginjo led the farmers into battle and the remaining bakemono were killed.  The heroes bound the transfixed bakemono and carried them into the forests.

Inside the temple, there were more bakemono.  Again, the heroes surprised them, and killed many.  But there were so many of them, and the undisciplined farmers, armed with short spears, suffered the most.  Three were killed and others ran away.  The bakemono were also undisciplined and pursued the fleeing farmers while the survivors accompanied Gunjar and Ginjo up to the top floor.  These bakemono were larger, better armed and fully prepared for an attack.  Or so they thought.  Gunjar issued a blistering sermon, condemning the bakemono for their violent ways, and most were struck dead by his words, so true in their harshness.  Ginjo killed the leader inone-on-one combar and the farmers reclaimed their jade leaf. There was a subdued celebration.  Only two of the seven farmers returned with minor wounds.  These were Howzaa who had fled the large battle in the lower floor of the temple, but nevertheless managed to kill a pursuing bakemono and claim his bakemono.  The other was Liu Po who stayed close to Ginjo when the battle was fiercest.  In that day he learned to fight with courage.