The Caves of Inharmonious Discord Part 4

Now a battle-hardened group of nine, the party returned to the ground they'd claimed near the Caves, a small clearing serviced by a stream. They were surprised to find a statue of a man or humanoid, made of clay and stones, with a long braid of grass for hair. The statue was about two feet tall, and held the shaft of an arrow as a staff. The statue was placed on a low mound and surrounded by small offerings including a jar of beer and a stack of coins. Chilled to think that this was no coincidence but evidence that someone had tracked them to their base, the party set out to find a new place to bivouac. The place they found seemed satisfactory, but an hour after sunset, the sound of drumming rose to discourage restful sleep for anyone. It sounded like it was coming from a swampy area to the south. Half-expecting an imminent attack, the party listened until the drumming became monotonous, and then ate quick meals of rations while devising a schedule for sleep and watch. Sukh and Ginjo decided that the foreign priests would not be called upon to keep watch. Instead, they would share this duty with Irak and Sid, Sheng and Shek. The drumming ebbed and flow but did not cease until nearly dawn.

In the morning, the group decided to seek out yet another camping spot, and moved a couple miles away from any of the danger spots they'd identified-- the swamp, the "shrine" at their old campsite, and the Caves themselves. They found a decent spot, well-sheltered and with water nearby, and then set out for the caves. They decided to return to one of the caves on the northern wall of the cavern that Sukh had previously raided with Sentra. They found the familiar row of skulls and severed heads. They found a large hall, quiet, and with a cold fireplace. Hearing footsteps, they turned to meet the approach of a badly-injured bakemono, his pig-like nose having been crushed into his face. The bakemono's movements were slow and jerky and its eyes did not register the intruders. Pana, the foreign priest, pulled an amulet form under his robes and ordered the unsettling creature to begone. Without making any clear response to this gesture, the bakemono zombie passed through the room without attacking.

The party concluded that this cave had been deserted and decided to leave it themselves. They returned to their new camp.

That night passed peacefully. In fact, Sukh and Ginjo slept so well that they did not wake up until mid-morning and discovered that half the party was missing, including Shek and Irak (who had been on final watch together), plus the foreign priests. Ginjo found tracks that seemed to suggest that at least some of the missing people had gone in the direction of the caves.

On the canyon floor, they discovered the dead body of the one of the acolytes, as well as those of two dog-lizard bakemono. Reading this as a clue, they entered the low cavern on the northern wall from which Sukh had previously seen this same type of bakemono. They charged into the cave and Ginjo and Sid stumbled into a hidden pit. At the same time, a pack of giant rats attacked, followed by javelin-wielding bakemono. Sukh and Sheng fought off the rats, but Sheng received a nearly lethal wound from a javelin. Sukh helped him leave the caven and found him a place to hide. When he returned to the fight, he found four bakemono gathered around the edge of the pit, cheering and jeering while pushing the rats into it.

Two well-placed arrows from Sukh sent the bakemonos to flight. Down in the pit, Sid and Ginjo were harassed by vicious rats from all sides, but without the threat of additional rats raining down on their heads, their sharp swords soon obliterated the vermin. Sukh let down a rope and rescued his companions.

Based on this experience, Sukh and Ginjo concluded that a stronger group of bakemono had taken their friends. And also that they had little hope of prevailing in any battle against stronger foes. They took the injured Sheng back to Pasar and gave Gwinch the bad news that Irak had been captured.

The Caves of Inharmonious Discord Part 3

The adventurers spent a few days resting and discussing their next move. Gino and Gunjar decided that if they made a trip to Pasar to recuperate or find supplies, some of their companions might not want to return to the caves. There were at least two more dens of bakemono.

So, the next morning, they made another assault, investigating one of the highest caves on the south side of the canyon. The bakemono here had a strange aspect, being generally lean, almost skeletal, with faces like canny dogs or mangy cats. They were powerful, but lackadaisical warriors. The heroes surprised a group at their dinner and, thanks to Gunjar's call for divine assistance, swiftly incapacitated them, binding them and depriving them off their long, wickedly-barbed spears..

The heroes crept past a cave filled with sleeping bakemono and then burst into the room occupied by the chief of this group of bakemono. After a difficult battle punctuated by the bakemonos' whooping and maniacal laughter, the chief was killed and the others had surrendered. The heroes bound the surviving bakemono. In the meantime, they heard noise outside, and a few bakemono knocked on the door. Gunjar wanted to meditate and heal his wounded companions, but they kept returning. They were supplicant, but loud. Ginjo and Gunjar decided they would turn them away once more, then wait for silence and make a break for it.

They followed this plan, but on their way up the hallway, then a group of bakemono with bows and crossbows jumped out and started firing arrows at the party. A larger group of bakemono, armed with spears came at them from a side room. Ginjo and Gunjar realized all of their companions were in grave danger. Ginjo charged at the bowman while Gunjar tried to hold the spearmen in the sideroom. Both were largely success full, but enough bakemono slipped through to attack the rest of the party.

Just when all seemed lost, Sentra and Sukh arrived and surprised the bow-wielding bakemono from behind. They killed one and distracted the others long enough for Ginjo to direct his companions to the safety of the outside world.

Sid was the last of the monks and he was gored by a spear and fell to the ground. Gunjar drove away the attacking bakemono with his staff and then knelt to revive his dying friend. He succeeded, pulled Sid to his feet and pushed up the hallway toward safety. But, three bakemono took this opportunity to attack Gunjar with axes and spears. They knocked him to the floor and stabbed him over and over. Ginjo fought past the bakemono at the top of the hallway and led the others out of the cavern.

Down on the cavern floor, they regrouped. Gunjar, Ginjo had received several minor wounds and some of the others were hurt quite badly. The mysterious Sentra had disappeared into the wilderness, but Sukh stepped up to a role of leadership, muttering an apology for his long-time resentment of Gunjar. "I just thought he was odd, but he never hurt anyone. Now he's gone, Anyway, let's get back to camp."

This was easier said than done. Gunjar knew the way best. Sukh thought he knew the way, but ended up in a swamp. They retraced their way and found themselves in a thick forest, just as the sun was setting. The part stumbled on, using their swords and parangs to cut through the vines that hung thickly from every branch. Arif, one of the monks, got his sword caught in what looked like a thick shiny vine, but proved to be strangley elastic and sticky. He caught his other arm trying to break his sword free, and then two strange, hairy creatures dropped on him-- spiders, about the size of cats. Arif's friends from the monastery rushed to his aid, killing one spider and and driving the other away. But it was too late for Arif. He died of the spiders poison.

Rather than find "home camp," the party decided to just find an open place, far from the trees and wait out the night. Those who were exhausted slept. Those who couldn't sleep kept watch. The next day the group returned to Pasar via the Rowche Valley. Howzaa, the last of the farmers, announced that he was ready for a quiet life. He would defend his village from Bakemono attacks, but he would not go looking for death in the Caves of Discord. The party's courage would be remembred anf they were welcome in his home any time.

Back in Pasar, the monks Bagus and Cahya were less apologetic. They did not have confidence in Ginjo's ability to lead and saw that he was more motivated by a hunt for personal glory than any deeper calling.

Sid, another monk, formed a friendship with Sukh, mourning Gunjar. He could not explain how fighting bakmono served the goals of the Two-Fold Path, but he trusted that Gunjar had seen some purpose in it and if Sukh wanted to return, so would we.

Likewise, Irak admitted to Ginjo that she believed in him even if her fellow monks did not. There was a deeper evil, a darker threat to Pasar. The Two-Fold Path had taught her to look for allies in all places.

Sheng and Shek, the mercenary guards whom the party had rescued were thoroughly committed to Ginjo, plus they were getting paid by the Silk Guild. Attacking bakemono was ten times more profitable than escorting caravan and waiting to get ambushed.

Sukh and Ginjo felt confident felt confident I their ability to lead the other four, but still felt the lack of Gunjar's wisdom and knowledge of the healing arts. They needed a holy man, and not anouther warrior monk, but a true mystic. They met Pana, a foreigner from the lands to the west. He was not an adherent of One Law, but promised that he and his two silent acolytes had access to secret wisdom. And he was enthusiastic about killing bakemono.

The Caves of Inharmonious Discord Part 2

From the vantage point of the large  purple-green bakemono, Gunjar and Ginjo had spotted a number of other caves higher and deeper in the canyon.  The chose one to explore, having found a broken shield outside, plus a handful of copper yuan.  Almost as soon as they entered, they felt disoriented and this feeling intensified as they explored further.  Gunjar, doing his best to map, was overcome by an urge to vomit.   They were attracted to a dim red light and horrified to find its source, a scuttle of dog-sized beetles with  glowing glands surrounding their scythe-like mandibles.  Ginjo, a true warrior, overcame his fear and drew his sword, and let the farmers and monks into battle against the disgusting foes.  The beetles were fierce and their shells hard like armor.  While Ginjo’s individual prowess was no match for the beetles, but his tactics failed to account for their strange qualities.  Two climbed up the walls to escape his flashing blade and then dropped down on the lightly-armored Liu-Po.  They tore him to bits. 

Gunjar and Ginjo rallied their companions and killed the beetle that had killed Liu-Po and chased away the others.  Shaken my the death of the valiant farmer, Gunjar proclaimed that they should exit the cave, and take Liu-Po's remains with them.  Ginjo led the way, bearing a lantern.  The twisting ways of the cavern seemed to take them deeper and deeper, but just when they had nearly given up, they saw the glow of daylight.  They walked toward the light and felt the outside air on their faces.  They carried Liu-Po's body back to their camp and decided to bury him there.  Gunjar presided over a short ceremony.

The Caves of Inharmonious Discord Part 1

A couple months later, a few farmers from Rowche visited Gunjar and Ginjo to ask for more help.  The village priest had led a procession to the abandoned temple with plans to reconsecrate it, and found it had been burnt to the ground.  All evidence-- including tracks, graffiti, and a couple pig-nosed humanoid bodies-- suggested that bakemono were responsible.  In the weeks that followed, bakemono had begun raiding the village, mainly to steal rice and livestock, but gleefully killing any villagers who tried to stop them.  Two of the farmers, at great risk to their own lives, Howzaa and Li Po, had followed the bakemono tracks to a slot canyon riddled with caves, perhaps once the refuge of a band of monks, but now thoroughly corrupted by the forces of disharmony, discord, and yes, chaos.

Gunjar and Ginjo recrutied a few of the monks from the Monastery of the Two-Fold Path and set out to destroy this wickedness at its source!

Gunjar and Ginjo noted a cavern entrance on the floor of the southern side of the canyon and entered there. Not far within, they encountered a half dozen of the blue-green, pointy eared bakemono that they’d fought at the temple above Rowche Valley. The heroes had the advantage in every way—numbers, tactics, and individual prowess. The bakemono were killed and the heroes pressed on. They reached a cramped chamber, pathetically styled as a throne room, where a slightly larger bakemono bloodthirstily ordered his underlings to attack. Gunjar uttered a blistering sermon condemning them for their wicked ways and the bakemono were struck dead.

The heroes pressed on, climbed a flight of stairs and and explored other caverns, other rooms.  They encountered larger, better armed bakemono, but thanks to Ginjo's courage and leadership, they continued to triumph in every battle, suffering only minor injuries, which were well-tended by the wise and capable Gunjar.  In the course of their adventures, the heroes came upon more proof of the bakemono's wickedness-- several  human prisoners. These included a wealthy silk merchant, his wife, and two of his guards.  The  merchant begged to be escorted back to Pasar.  The heroes agreed.  Ginjo received a generous reward from the Silk Guild.  The guards, named Shek and Sheng, were outfitted with armor and weapons and directed to accompany the heroes in any future assaults against the denziens of the Caves.  Shek and Sheng, having witness the prowess of Ginjo and Gunjar first hand were proud to join them.

In addition, Sentra and Sukh agreed to join the plans for future sorties against the bakemono.  Gwinch provided 5 more sohei.  All told, the expedition force included a dozen farmers, sohei, and caravaners, plus the four leaders.  They made a shared camp, but decided that they would split into two forces, with one group staying to guard camp while the other made a run against the Cave.  This would ensure that wounded adventurers would have a safe camp to return to.

Sentra and Sukh led the next raid, together with a few sohei and farmers.  They first ventured toward a small tunnel, half-obscured by trees at the base of the northern side of the cavern.  As they drew closer, they were ambused by a half-dozen small, but vicious bakemono.  They dropped from the trees and stabbed Sid the sohei with their spears.  He was rescued by his companions, who chased the strange little bakemono-- whom some compared to rats, others to dogs, and others to lizards-- back into the underbrush.  Sheng was barely breathing.  Sentra was able to stablize him, but insisted that they return him to the relative safety of camp.

This was done and Sukh and Sentra returned to the caves, this time following a path up the northern wall of canyon and entering a wide cavern mouth, its entry way well-lit by the afternoon sun.  The sun's rays fell on the grisly site of about 50 skulls and severed heads, lined up in a series of niches.  Some were human, most were pointy-earred bakemono.  From the corner of his eye, Sentra noted a pig-nosed head that seemed to move.  He blinked and it was gone.  Closer inspection found a hole at the back of an empty niche.  Sentra threw his torch threw the hole and saw another hallway running parallel to the one they were in, behind the row of heads.  They had been seen!  Sentra and Sukh made some quick deductions and charged down the entry corridor, seeking a way to get to the watcher's hallway!  They didn't find him, but they found a group of four pig-headed bakemono.  The fight was quick.  The bakemono were killed and the heroes pressed on, reaching the lair of a bloated, bright red bakemono, with huge tusks sprouting from his procine face.  He was surrounded by bodyguards and what appeareed to be female bakemono.  The sohei and farmers squared off against the bodyguards while Sukh challenged the chief.  The chief was a powerful, but reckless warrior.  Sukh dodged and deflected a flurry of blows until the chief exhausted himself, whereupon Sukh swiftly dispatched him.  The death of the chief shocked the other bakemono; in their panic, they were swiftly dispatched.  The heroes of Pasar looted the chief's lair and then made their way out of his cave and returned to their camp.

Early the next morning, two groups compared notes and maps and Gunjar and Ginjob set out for the caves with a group of retainers.  They ventured into another cavern that was inhabited by pig-nosed bakemono.  Gunjar called on divine assitance in transfixing a large group of bakemono.  He would not allow Ginjob or any of the others to kill them, insisting that he was devoted to forgiveness and peace.  He would fight to save his life, but would one not harm a helpless prisoner.  When they encountered the chief of this group of bakemono, the combat was lethal.  Ginjob killed the chief and claimed his magical axe, and the heroes made their way out and returned to camp.

The next day, Sentra was too tired to leave camp and so Gunjar and Ginjob decided they would lead another sortie.  This time, rather than charge into new caves, they decided to make another visit to the pointy-eared bakemono who had been holding Sheng and Shek prisoner.  They surprised a group of about a dozen small blue and green bakemono, armed with crude spears and killed several of them.  The survivors threw down their spears and begged for mercy.  Gunjar ordered them to leave the caves and forswear their wicked behavior. Venturing once more into the upper caverns where they'd rescued Sheng and Shek.  They met larger, fiercer bakemono, with the same large pointed ears and colored deeper purple greens and purples.  These bakemono despite their individual prowess, were not numerous and were overwhelmed by sheer numbers.  The heroes located an extensive armory.  Farmers and sohei helped themselves to fine suits of mail, shields, and swords and bows.  The noted light from the outside and discovered an exit.  From higher up on the southern wall of the cavern, they were able to note several additional cavern entrances, on the northern side of the canyon and in its west end. It was late in the day.  Everyone in the party was tired and some were wounded.  While scanning for a way back down to the canyon floor, Ginjo noticed a large hairy creature armed with a huge club and surrounded by about a dozen bakemono.  They were communicating with it excitedly, exhorting it to enter their cave.  These were the same bakemono that Gunjar had agreed to spare.

When the hairy creature did enter the caverns by the lower exit, Gunjar and Ginjo made their  escape.  They followed a path that led both deeper into the canyon and higher up the cliff wall until they located a large and well-worked cavern entrance. Could this be a place to rest? No. Despite the impressive exterior, there was something unnerving about the place.  They heard a faint piping  from  within and a felt a chill draft that carried a foul odor.  Gunjar and Ginjo decided that it would be safest to return to camp.