Gwinch received the news about Irak's capture with tempered concern. Far from resenting Ginjo, he provided five sohei, all veterans of battles during the years of strife within Pasar, with orders to accompany Ginjo in his hunt to locate their missing comrade.
While Sukh had some business to attend to in Pasar, Ginjo was anxious to return to the caves and rescue Irak. He found a sage to teach him some useful phrases in the bakemono language and some scrolls to study to better understand its grammar. Dank-Sum, a mercurial wondering warrior from the Northern Empire, volunteered to join them, asking only that he would share in all major decisions in leading the group.
During the days in Pasar, Ginjo had reflected on the loss of his friend Gunjar and also puzzled over the odd statue and collection of objects at their old camp. Based on a hunch, when it came time to return to the caves, Ginjo suggested that the group return to the old camp once more. Dank-Sum questioned how this detour would serve their goal, but went along.
The shrine at their old campsite had seen several improvements, including a garland of leaves and flowers around the statue. And upon closer inspection of the crude statue, Ginjo noted several uncanny details that made him nearly sure that it was intended to represent his fallen friend Gunjar! While Ginjo puzzled over what this could mean, Dank-Sum heard the sound of someone approaching. The party scrambled to find cover.
While Sukh had some business to attend to in Pasar, Ginjo was anxious to return to the caves and rescue Irak. He found a sage to teach him some useful phrases in the bakemono language and some scrolls to study to better understand its grammar. Dank-Sum, a mercurial wondering warrior from the Northern Empire, volunteered to join them, asking only that he would share in all major decisions in leading the group.
During the days in Pasar, Ginjo had reflected on the loss of his friend Gunjar and also puzzled over the odd statue and collection of objects at their old camp. Based on a hunch, when it came time to return to the caves, Ginjo suggested that the group return to the old camp once more. Dank-Sum questioned how this detour would serve their goal, but went along.
The shrine at their old campsite had seen several improvements, including a garland of leaves and flowers around the statue. And upon closer inspection of the crude statue, Ginjo noted several uncanny details that made him nearly sure that it was intended to represent his fallen friend Gunjar! While Ginjo puzzled over what this could mean, Dank-Sum heard the sound of someone approaching. The party scrambled to find cover.
A few minutes later, four pig-faced bakemono arrived at the campsite, chanting gibberish. They offered a bowl of rice to Gunjar's statute and sat, looking at it. The bakemono seemed to have dressed to resembled Gunjar, complete with staff, rough robes, and fake beards. When Ginjo emerged from the bushes, the bakemono were visibly alarmed, but did not flee. Ginjo was friendly and make good use of his bakemono greetings. The bakemono explained that Gunjar had spared their lives while many other bakemono had been punished for their wickedness. While most of the other pig-faced bakemono had fled the Caves of Discord, they had remained, united by a vow to spend the rest of their days living peacefully and never doing harm to humans ever again.
Sum-Dank was charmed by the bakemono's testimony, but wanted facts about the Caves of Discord. The four bakemono had much to share. They drew a picture in the dirt, describing the different bakemono who lived in the caves. Most had been "punished for their wickedness" and killed or driven away. Those who remained were the most fearsome and most wicked of the bakemono who kidnapped people and sold them to the bull-man for eating. Or sometimes just ate them. And then there were the evil men who lived in the red and black caves, even more wicked than any bakemono. Based on it the description of the bad men, Ginjo and Dank-Sum concluded that Pana the odd foreign priest from Pasar was actually affiliated with these men.
And so they saw out the black and red cave high up at the end of the canyon and ventured inside. Immediately, the party knew that they were not dealing with bakemono. Instead of the reek of rotten food and unwashed bodies, there was the cool stench of death mixed with acrid odor of strange incense. Instead of chattering and growling in the distance, there was distant moaning, shrill piping, and the alarming echo of their own footsteps. And there were zombies.
And so they saw out the black and red cave high up at the end of the canyon and ventured inside. Immediately, the party knew that they were not dealing with bakemono. Instead of the reek of rotten food and unwashed bodies, there was the cool stench of death mixed with acrid odor of strange incense. Instead of chattering and growling in the distance, there was distant moaning, shrill piping, and the alarming echo of their own footsteps. And there were zombies.
Bakemonos, once killed by spear thrusts or the slash of fine sword, ambled along the corridor, and attacked with stupid fearlessness, The party encountered a large group of zombies and animated skeletons in an ornate audience chamber, dominated by a ebonywood throne on a marble dais. After destroying the undead, the party discussed what to do next. Ginjo acknowledged that in dealing with such strange enemies, he would like to be fighting side by side with Sukh, his friend from the north. Dank-Sum, for his part, announced that he would simply return to Pasar and enjoy a life of ease. Together, they pried four large gems out of the throne and returned to civilization.
