IsleOfJade/SessionFourteen

The Cave Continued

(4) Yeled: Across the well, three quick stairs drop you in what appears to be a large room. Four pillars are employed to hold up the ceiling, which is decorated as a sky with stars. The pillars themselves show the same images on each of their four sides. Each of the four walls has a scene, and an opening centrally located on the far wall reveals another room beyond this one. In the center of this room is an exquisite chariot. Or what appears to be a chariot.

(4) Yeled: The chariot is large enough for one or maybe two people. It’s made of solid Orichalcum and decorated with large pieces of jade and molded feathers. Only those parts of its wheel mechanism are separate pieces. It is in perfect condition, and has leopards depicted on either side. But it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Most notably there doesn’t appear to be a place to attach an animal capable of drawing it. Also, you’re not sure how the wheels spin, or if they spin at all. And there is some sort of panel on the front with easy access for the driver. You have no idea what it might do.

Sook stops short as soon as he enters the room, clearly stunned by the 'chariots' appearance

Kaimi raises her eyebrows "Huh. Wonder how they thought they were going to get that up these stairs."

Mou-Shendu gazes at the chariot for a moment from across the room. He then remembers caution and scans the rest of the room.

Sook: "i have never before seen...or heard of...such a thing"

Kaimi: "Well maybe that’s because its hundreds of years old. They probably don't make them anymore. Let's check it out!"

(4) Yeled: ((Go ahead and roll Per + Awareness if you want to scan the room.)) Mou-Shendu: [7d10.vs(7)] => [3,8,9,7,7,8,8] = (6) Kaimi: [6d10.vs(7)] => [10,1,5,8,5,2] = (2) Sook: [6d10] => [2,1,2,9,5,3] = (22)

Mou-Shendu: "Don't be too hasty, though. Such a treasure may be protected with wards."

Sook snaps to, "wait....be careful...", he looks around finally

(4) Yeled: You're reasonably certain there is nothing in the room beyond what I described.

Kaimi: "I'm not moving yet am I?" Kaimi says sardonically. "Are you all satisfied yet?"

Ayame: "I don't see why you're all so afraid of this old junk"

Sook: "i don’t fear this old junk...i fear the paranoia of an ancient...and oppressive...religious regime"

Kaimi: "Why did they booby trap the place? I mean we had the key. No one could get in without it and not even then unless the sun was out or if it was me. They wasted their time!"

Ayame: "Maybe they're just meanies."

Mou-Shendu: "Give me a moment," Mou replies. "It's not the chariot itself I'm concerned about." Mou-Shendu studies the murals on the wall, looking for warnings, or anything, really...

Kaimi studies the room while she fidgets

(4) Yeled: On the wall that separates this room from the dark well are a sequence of two images. The first, on the left, shows a figure that must be the Sun Tyrant, as it clearly looks like him. But he is not shown with his normal trappings or symbols. The red sun does not appear over his heart, and there is no sign of the leopard or the falcon. Indeed, the sun does not shine on him at all, as it often does. He instead is wearing full plate armor of a dull steel color and leading a group of men brandishing swords against deformed men and strange monsters.

Kaimi starts tapping her foot lightly and points to the sun tyrant. "Think he's fallen from grace in this one? Or is this depicting his early days?"

(4) Yeled: The second image, divided from the first by the door, shows the same figure in the same dress. All his men are dead and laying on the ground, slain by the monsters and men from the first image. These now hover at the edges of the scene. In this scene the sun has reappeared in the sky and its light is shining on the figure. Faint, translucent images of the leopard and the falcon are literally superimposed over the figure of the Sun Tyrant, giving them a ghostly quality. The red sun that normally appears over the Sun Tyrant’s heart is instead floating above his head in this scene. His eyes are rolled back in his head and a golden aura surrounds him.

Sook thinks this mural depicts something vaguely familiar. “huh"

Mou-Shendu: "His early days, would be my first guess... What is it, Sook?"

Sook: "this looks familiar....not entirely....but I have seen drawings of murals depicting the changes of some of our more famous cousins....similar...but not entirely the same"

Kaimi: "Do you mean your exalted ancestors?"

Mou-Shendu: "What kind of changes do you mean?"

Sook: "here...."he points to the first one, “he appears mortal, in all ways.....a mortal leader....then here...", he points to the other side,"....he appears to have gained in his loss.....at the moment of defeat, he gained....power." Sook turns to mou, "When one of the blooded exalts, it is often depicted in similar ways." Sook turns back,"similar.....yet different."

Kaimi: "Well that just doesn't look like a fun process. Look at him. His eyes are all rolled back. Who would want that?"

Sook: "but then, if the cave is named correctly, then that would make him anaethema....which i imagine would be...different"

Mou-Shendu nods. "This could be an Exaltation... or a coming into favor with the Unconquered Sun. I think it is something along those lines."

Sook: "after all....this is the cave of the anathema…”

Mou-Shendu: "The Cave of the Anathema is a new name. I haven't found any such title given to this place in older texts."

Sook: "yes....but being new doesn’t make it wrong."

(4) Yeled: ((the Sun Tyrant is sometimes called anathema, though...hence the name. no one other than the students even know this cave is here))

Sook: "unless you have something better to...you know...suggest….and isn’t exalting for us coming into favor with the dragons?"

Kaimi: "So.... can we go in yet? ‘Cuz you know its rude to linger in doorways.”

Sook turns to kaimi, "I merely said....be careful" Sook strides slowly into the room

Mou-Shendu: "One moment," Mou replies, as he turns his attention back to the pillars.

(4) Yeled: On the side facing the well room, the pillars show the Sun Tyrant in his armor, a winged helmet on his head, and a leopard pelt draped over his shoulder. The red sun appears over his heart and a sun burst appears on his forehead. You can't see the other sides from the doorway.

Kaimi grins and follows Sook, shaking her head.

Mou-Shendu: "It is important, when in a strange place, to understand where you are. We'd still be pondering over that pit back there without understanding."

Kaimi: "Well sure. I'm not touching anything am I?" Kaimi is standing a few feet away from the chariot, leaning forward with her hands on her hips, staring at it. Kaimi cocks her head at it and it looks as if she is just itching to mess around with it

(4) Yeled: ((go ahead and roll per + larceny, Kaimi)) Kaimi: [2d10.vs(7)] => [9,3] = (1)

(4) Yeled: Kaimi doesn't see anything she can identify as a trap.

Mou-Shendu: "You may not have to..." Mou-Shendu stops to make sure that Sook is at Kaimi's side before walking the perimeter of the room, studying the history recorded here.

Sook is standing by kaimi, trying to adjust to the lesser light, checking out the entire room and ceiling

(4) Yeled: As soon as you leave the doorway the light from the well room is swallowed up in darkness once again.

Mou-Shendu moves around the room in the direction of what currently appears to be chronological order.

(4) Yeled: The Sun Tyrant is shown on the right wall slaying a group of deformed men, which had been attacking people that look like peasants. Once again he is in full armor, but now it has returned to its normal golden color. He wears his winged helmet and leopard pelt, and the red sun and sunburst appear on his breast and forehead respectively. He is riding the chariot from the center of the room. It is pulled by a ball of light. The wheels do not touch the ground, but are actually parallel to it. Somehow the chariot is hovering over the ground. In his left hand he holds three severed heads by the hair, and he brandishes a spear against another group of the same men. They are further being harried by a hawk with moon markings on its wings. Fighting alongside the Sun Tyrant are 13 other figures. Two of them are represented in blue armor, three in white, two in red, three in black, and three in green. Each bears a different insignia that floats above his or her head.

Mou-Shendu studies the insignias over the warriors’ heads.

(4) Yeled: The insignia's are the same as those that appear on the door to the cave.

Mou-Shendu moves on to the pillars again, and then the next mural.

Kaimi sends a sideways glace toward Sook then steps up onto the chariot and reaches out a hand to touch it.

Sook: "wait...there is no reason to touch it"

Ayame: "Don't be such a scardy cat" Ayame sticks out a hand and pokes the chariot as well.

(4) Yeled: As Kaimi steps onto the chariot and Ayame reaches out to touch it...she gets the exhilarating feeling of standing on and/or touching an ancient chariot. The chariot is actually warm to the touch.

Sook grumbles and turns to ayame, "easy for you to say, immortal"

(4) Yeled: On the side of the pillar facing the well room, the pillars show the Sun Tyrant in his armor, a winged helmet on his head, and a leopard pelt draped over his shoulder. The red sun appears over his heart and a sun burst appears on his forehead. The right sides depict a leopard in a stalking pose. The red sun that usually appears over the heart of the Sun Tyrant is now hovering over the leopard and shining down upon it. The left sides show the falcon in flight, clutching the red sun in its talons. And the back, facing away from the well, portrays a god crowned by a much larger representation of the red sun. He too is in full battle armor and wields a large spear that is also a sun ray.

(4) Yeled: The rear wall is made of two images, divided by an opening in the wall. They do not seem to be related to one another. To the right of the opening are the figures of the Sun Tyrant and the Queen of the Moon standing before a series of five terrestrial gods, exchanging gifts. The sun in the sky shines its light down on the Tyrant. The red sun appears at his heart. The Moon Queen has her silver moon markings. Neither have weapons or armor in this scene. The leopard is curled at the Tyrant’s feet and the falcon and hawk rest on the Tyrant’s and Queen’s shoulders, respectively. The gods shown are a fox-headed woman with two bushy tails extending from her backside, who brings a crown of leaves and twigs as well as a selection of fruit; an industrious looking wise man in long robes and a large wrench-like object on his back carries a strange machine of gears, levers, and smoke; a long and exquisitely detailed blue dragon leading the rains and rivers; a great bird that seems to be of the stuff of clouds, which bears a great bolt of lightning; and a woman with wide-brimmed hat and a basket full of rice. Each of the gods depicted is slightly lower than the Sun Tyrant and the Queen of the Moon in the image.

Kaimi: "Nothing’s happening Sook. Nothing at all. C'mon up! It’s fun up here!"

Sook: "no....i think you should get down...."

Kaimi: "Hey Ayame look at that Dragon! Do think that’s the one my mom was priestess to?"

(4) Yeled: ((roll Int + Occ, Mou)) Mou-Shendu: [7d10.vs(7)] => [7,5,6,4,7,3,8] = (3)

Kaimi hops down from her perch and moves toward the wall for a better look

Ayame takes a closer look at the dragon

Mou-Shendu: "Yes. I'd say it represents the water court in ancient times"

Ayame: "It looks like her, but this stuff is really old"

Kaimi: "Neat! Our heritage right on a wall."

Mou-Shendu: "The mural depict the rise of the Sun Tyrant. They show him leading the 13 houses of the Jade Isle, and now, with his Queen, he has made allegiances with the five terrestrial courts that once were here."

Kaimi: "Hmmm. Good times."

Ayame: "It's just a wall though." Ayame crosses her arms over her chest "hmph"

Kaimi quirks an eyebrow in Ayame direction "You ok?"

Ayame: "There are enough ghosts on this island without all these" she motions at the walls

Sook strides forward and peeks into the next room.

(4) Yeled: It is hard to see into the next room because it’s so dark. Raising his fmall paper lantern, he finds that it is roughly the same size as the one he is now in. There appears to be only a simple image on the walls...a large, black dragon made of water. The floor of this room is full of shinning objects of varying sizes that reflect Sook's lantern back at him. To the far right, against the wall, is a massive box of some kind with a large statue depicting a sleeping beast on its top. Sook will have to enter the room to get a better look, though.

Mou-Shendu: "Sook, if Kaimi is somehow connected to this place, then the history it holds may be imperative to her destiny. It may serve her well if she, and perhaps you, are familiar with it."

Sook turns back from peeking, "im sure this is all quasi religious kowtowing"

Kaimi: "Yah I guess we don't need a museum when we've got Echo around! Whats in there Sook?" Kaimi walks over eagerly.

Sook: "it looks similar to the bug room.....but different. Shiny...not dull. But i get the feeling it...you know...more than it looks....it is odd"

Mou-Shendu: "Perhaps it is religious kowtowing. But someone went to great trouble to record this here, and Kaimi is the link between this place, and the troubles the Isle now faces."

Kaimi Stops and turns around to face Mou. "You know, I've been thinking about that. All Master Li really said was that I have to come in here and that doing so has something to do with the bad stuff going on in the isle. But what does that mean? Maybe I just have to come in here and that will set things on their course. Or maybe it could go either way, you know? What if coming hear causes something bad to happen?"

Mou-Shendu: "Will you walk with me?", Mou-Shendu asks Kaimi. "This knowledge may be the key you need".

Kaimi walks toward Mou. "Maybe all this fuss is just premature." Kaimi give Mou a pointed look and the pulls a face in Sooks direction.

Mou-Shendu: "I don't know what fate has in store for you, and neither did the Master. But Master Li saw it fit to prepare you as best he could, and I would like to do the same. I believe that this knowledge is meant above all others for you."

Kaimi sighs then grumbles. "Then why did they set all these stupid traps? Fine! Show me.”

Mou-Shendu walks over to the next mural.

(4) Yeled: The scene on the rear left wall is constructed differently than all the others. It’s divided into three horizontal registers. The middle register depicts a ziggurat of five levels, behind which there is a sun partially obscured by the horizon. On top of the ziggurat are the Sun Tyrant and Moon Queen. They are arranged on their backsides. The moon tattoos and red sun are positioned as always. Halfway down the Ziggurat are thirteen figures; two of them are represented in blue, three in white, two in red, three in black, and three in green. Each bears a different insignia that floats above his or her head. They are depicted on their knees and with tears in their eyes. To the left of the ziggurat is a fox-headed woman with two bushy tails extending from her backside and a great bird that seems to be of the stuff of clouds. They are shown with tears. To the right an industrious looking wise man carrying gears, levers, and a wrench-like instrument and a woman with wide-brimmed hat and a basket full of rice shed tears as well. The upper register shows a series of gods that have shown up in earlier images. They do not have tears, but they seem to bow their heads out of respect. The lowest register of the image contains masses of people, who prostrate themselves and are shown with tears. The lowest register also contains, in golden script, a long verse of mourning to dedicated to Jia Bouyu. There are also wards placed in this register. This image seems to have sustained some damage over the years, as a long crack travels vertically from its center and even onto the floor in front of it.

Kaimi follows him. "So what great knowledge does this one impart?"

Sook steps into the next room as they talk

Kaimi: "Hey Sook! get back here! If I can't go on without you, you can't go on without me! That’s the rule."

Mou-Shendu: "This one appears to depict a tomb for the Sun Tyrant and Moon Queen. The 13 houses, the five terrestrial courts, the celestial gods and the masses all mourn their passing." Mou-Shendu studies the writing in the lower register.

(4) Yeled: It is a simple song of mourning. You've even heard it used today, although in altered form.

Mou-Shendu heads for the next mural.

(4) Yeled: Mou quickly realizes he looked at this one and the other out of order. The most dominant feature of this scene is a massive golden ziggurat of five levels. The sun appears in the sky at its zenith and shines down on the Sun Tyrant, who stands atop the ziggurat. One step below him is the Queen of the Moon. Both the Sun Tyrant and the Queen of the Moon appear much as they did on the door, with all the usual trappings, and there is tenderness between them that seems out of character. Thirteen figures stand halfway down the Ziggurat. Two of them are represented in blue armor, three in white, two in red, three in black, and three in green. Each bears a different insignia that floats above his or her head. Each is on bended knee, and seems to be honoring the Sun Tyrant and the Moon Queen. At the foot of the ziggurat are masses of people, who are posed identically to the thirteen as if honoring those at the top. On the far left side of the image is a large bonfire, and you can make out deformed men who are being burned inside.

Mou-Shendu: "This one must have come before the one we just looked at. The Sun Tyrant, Jia Bouyu, and his queen still live, they are being praised by the houses and masses of the isle, and their enemies burn in the fire."

Kaimi: "You know, I think I get this. The Sun Tyrant and the Moon Queen are considered most important, then the other gods, then these noble houses, and then the commoners. Who life always sucks for. What I don't get is who their enemies were. Pretty funny looking weren't they?" Kaimi taps her foot impatiently and keeps glancing at the doorway through which Sook disappeared. "So tell me that and then lets join Sook. I mean I know you guys are worried about me but shouldn't we look after him just a little bit too?"

Mou-Shendu: "I don't know who their enemies were back then," replies Mou.

Kaimi: "Oh well then. Let’s go!"

Mou-Shendu: "Kaimi, patience. Sook knows better than to wonder off. Wait."

Kaimi: "Knows better huh? Then how come he's not here?"

Mou-Shendu suddenly turns to the doorway, as if sensing something, an alarmed look on his face. “Let's go!"

Kaimi turns on her heal and moves toward the next room

The Guardian of the Tomb

(4) Yeled: Sook's first impression is that this room is some kind of treasure chamber. There are all kinds of valuable objects in here. Several golden stools, couches and even a throne, as well as other furniture of the highest craftsmanship. Two massive slabs of solid green jade. A wooden stand with two artful broadswords. A suit of armor. And lots of other things. It would take a while to account for everything. But Sook can't take his eyes off the large golden box at the back of the room. It’s at least 10 feet long, five feet high, and five feet wide. If he had to guess he’d say is some kind of sarcophagus. On its top is the sleeping statue, which resembles something between a huge mastiff and a maned lion. It’s carved from white jade and must weigh several tons.

Sook does a slow scan of each thing in the room. He does not, however, touch anything, or stray far into the room.

(4) Yeled: "What thieves are these now?" growls a low, guttural voice that sounds like stones grinding on stones. It’s fairly quiet, and only Sook hears it. "I won't suffer you to live. These treasures stay here."

Sook starts, somewhat, but being a generally calm person, he doesnt seem too visibly shaken. "i have no interest in your treasures"

(4) Yeled: The creature on the large golden box is no longer slumbering. In fact it stands on four thick legs. Its easily two meters high at the shoulders, which are immense. Glowing white eyes glare at Sook from beneath its think main, and it bears long, sharp teeth.

Sook looks up at it,steadily

Sook: "and what manner of being....are you...guardian?"

(4) Yeled: The thing lowers its white jade body to the ground and slowly moves closer, more quietly than Sook can imagine something so large doing. "The god of the tomb. These treasures are not for you. They will stay here."

Sook nods, "you are correct....they are not for me....i, myself, am just a guardian"

(4) Yeled: "Why have you come here? None but thieves enter this place. You must be one too."

Mou-Shendu hurries through the doorway up ahead.

Kaimi eyes widen and she hurries into the room.

Sook: "no...as i said...i am a guardian"

Kaimi: "Sook?!" Kaimi calls out worriedly as she rushes in.

(4) Yeled: You see the massive jade creature when you enter. It’s standing before Sook, its eyes almost level with his, and the large man seems so small next to it. It continues to bare its teeth, but hasn't moved to attack.

Sook: "i guard her...",he turns and points to kaimi as she barges into the room

Mou-Shendu slows to a stop beside Sook, studying the creature.

Sook turns calmly back to the statue

(4) Yeled: Seeing it more clearly now, you recognize the thing as a great lion dog. Statues depicting such creatures are common, but you've never seen or heard of one coming to life. Its mane is artistically curled in a manner reminiscent of whisps of smoke, but the rest of the creature is heavy and bespeaks nothing less than terrible power.

Kaimi jaw drops then she manages a strained grin. "I told you we need to look after him, Mou. Look what he's got himself into now!"

Kaimi: "Hey Ayame come meet Sook's new friend." Kaimi calls in a warning tone

(4) Yeled: "More of you come now. It has been years since thieves came. They are now deceased."

Sook: "we are not thieves"

Ayame pokes her head in "New friend?"

(4) Yeled: "Then why do you come? You seek the treasures found here. Surely this is so."

Kaimi: "Hey I was told I was supposed to be here but you know if you're gonna insult me, I'll just leave!"

Mou-Shendu: "He speaks the truth. We have not come for treasure."

Sook: "as i said,i guard her...",he motions to kaimi, "...and she is why we are here....she is the first person....in a long time....maybe 1000 years...who could open the door" Kaimi: "Seriously, though my master read the stars and said I had to come here. Go figure. Can you fill me on why that is, maybe?"

Mou-Shendu glances at Kaimi, but only very briefly, before returning his gaze to the great jade beast before them.

Kaimi looks back at Mou and shrugs. "Somebody's got to know. So I might as well ask the only one actually in here from that time."

(4) Yeled: "Leaving would be best. You are not welcome in here. I must slay all thieves!"

Sook: "to be thieves, we would need to take something, no? We have taken nothing....your purpose is to slay thieves...not invaders...we have taken nothing...so we cannot be thieves""

Kaimi sighs "We're not thieves truly. You have some nice stuff here but you can keep it."

(4) Yeled: "That is the thieves' way. Taking things from my master. I will hunt all thieves."

Kaimi: "Who were the last thieves to come in here and when. How did they get in cuz its kinda tricky to do."

(4) The Lion Dog: "There have been no thieves. None have ever trespassed here. This tomb is secure."

Mou-Shendu: "We will leave. But we have come for a purpose. Knowledge, perhaps. May we speak with you a while?"

Sook: "you just said you killed the last thieves who entered...."

(4) The Lion Dog: "My...memory fades. Long years of nothing go by. All or none are dead."

Ayame: "I think this lion dog has got to be a little... well crazy... during his solitude."

Kaimi: "That's so sad. You must be very lonely."

Sook nods "i understand. As i have said...i am here as her guardian"

Mou-Shendu: "Who is your master? Is it Jia Bouyu?"

Sook: "as to why we are here....we do not entirely know....at this point, however, i would assume that it is to....see your master"

Kaimi gives Sook an odd look as he makes that connection (about being a guardian)

(4) The Lion Dog: "Jia Bouyu, yes. He is the master in here. I watch over him."

Sook: "may we see him?"

The Lion Dog sits down before Sook as he considers this question.

Mou-Shendu 's eyes go wide at this.

Kaimi gives Sook a very odd look as he requests to see a corpse. Then she shrugs. "We could pay our respects."

(4) The Lion Dog: "Do not disturb him. He sleeps for millennia. He is quiet now."

Kaimi: "....He wasn't quiet before?"

Sook nods to kaimi,and continues the nod to the lion dog, "we do not wish to disturb him, only to pay our respects"

(4) The Lion Dog: "You may do so here. To him is this place arranged. His soul will hear you."

Sook nods, steals a glance at kaimi, then turns back.

Sook: "you appear to have done well....you and i, as different as we are....we are of a kind...we both protect, because it is our...purpose" Sook bows.

Kaimi hesitates then whispers out of the corner of her mouth to Mou "ah. Just how do we do that then?"

Sook: "we will respect your purpose, as well as we can"

(4) The Lion Dog: "You would honor me? None have prayed to me for years. I am most grateful."

Kaimi: "Yeah. We will. Thankyou."

Mou-Shendu nods his head and closes his eyes. "And to your master... To the great Jia Bouyu, now at rest, who has blessed this isle with many a great deed. He who unified the houses of the isle and protected its peoples. He who earned the respect of the Gods themselves, and who honored them in kind. May his rest be as great as his life."

Kaimi quickly closes her eyes and bows her head as Mou starts this

(4) The Lion Dog: "Your words are quite kind. I do appreciate them. They honor my lord."

Mou-Shendu: "As do you, in your unwavering dedication to your duty."

(4) The Lion Dog: "Why have you come here? I will help you if I can. If you will pray more."

Mou-Shendu: "We will pray more, then."

Kaimi looks slighty aghast, then at a loss as she ponders whether to pray, or ask questions

(4) The Lion Dog: "There is one small thing. You must swear to take nothing. Leave with only yours."

Kaimi: "Don't worry. we plan to take nothing that is not our own."

Mou-Shendu: "We have come in search of something, but it was not our intention to take anything when we entered. We have come here because we seek to fulfill a destiny, but don't yet know how this must be done."

Kaimi: "Can't it just be camping here for 3 days?" Kaimi mutters under breath

(4) The Lion Dog: "To fulfill destiny? I do not understand you. Oh what does that mean?"

Kaimi: "My master read in the stars that it was my destiny to come here but we do not know why or what I am supposed to do here."

Mou-Shendu: "The world above has changed since your Master walked it and protected it. There is much turmoil. Many of those who praised Jia Bouyu are now gone, and the balance created by the primordials and looked after by the gods is damaged..."

Kaimi: "Can you help us perhaps?"

Mou-Shendu: "The water court, once an ally of your Master's has been defeated. The Water dragon, charged with carrying the souls of the dead to their next life can fill this function no more...The dead are forced into the underworld in increasing numbers, and walk creation all too often...It has been read in the stars that this one, Kaimi, can restore that balance, and that her journey must start here. But we do not know why, or what she must accomplish here." Mou-Shendu stops and waits patiently for a response.

The Lion Dog listens intently to your story, possibly the first news of the world he has heard in over 1,000 years. He cocks his head to one side, considering.

Kaimi looks Mou and shrugs. "It's as he says. I have no idea what I am supposed to do except to be here."

(4) The Lion Dog: "Perhaps I have clue. Jia Bouyu changed much fate. She is much like him."

Kaimi blinks and looks at the tomb. "......ah... ehm. To compare me to him. That honors me a great deal. I hope I can live up to his deeds."

Mou-Shendu nods at this and regards Kaimi.

(4) The Lion Dog: "I will make you pact. Your words make me think of much. But there will be risk."

Mou-Shendu: "Go on."

(4) The Lion Dog: "If you are liars. If you are thieves and raiders. All I do is lost."

(4) The Lion Dog: "I will hunt you down. If you are theives and raiders. For eternity."

Mou-Shendu: "Much of the knowledge of the age of your master is now lost. I do not think we would be a match for you. But our words are true and our intentions are pure."

(4) The Lion Dog: "You must swear again. You will take nothing not yours. The lord's things stay safe."

Kaimi: "our intentions in coming here have never been to steal from you."

(4) The Lion Dog: "You must swear it true. Your words bind your fate in stone. Deceit will be death."

Mou-Shendu: "I swear it. I will take nothing that is not my own from this place. I will not take the possessions of Jia Bouyu."

Kaimi looks at her companions , then she turns back to the lion dog. "I swear that I will not take the possessions of Jia Bouyu."

(4) The Lion Dog: "Now say this also. You will offer prayer to me. For one thousand days."

(4) The Lion Dog: "Each day you do it. Offer prayer in my honor. This I do desire."

Kaimi stifles a laugh. "I think I can do that. I swear that I will offer prayer in your honor for 1000 days."

Mou-Shendu: "Will you tell us your intentions, that we may know for what reason this oath is sworn?"

(4) The Lion Dog: "I will point the way. I will show that which you seek. I will help you now."

Kaimi gives Mou a sideways glance. "Oh now you voice concern!" she mutters to him. "Maybe he's just nostalgic."

Sook remains silent, having said his duty already

Mou-Shendu: "Very well, then I will trust you, as you must trust us. I swear to honor you daily, for 1000 days, as I am able. Will you tell us your name, that we may honor you properly?"

Kaimi: "Oh yeah. As I am able too. Can't do it if I end up unconscious again."

(4) The Lion Dog: "I am known as Fu. This is the name you honor. I thank you for it."

Mou-Shendu nods.

Kaimi: "You are honored now, Fu."

(4) Fu the Lion Dog: "This is very good. Your words remind me of things. You speak of dragons."

Kaimi: "Yes. The Water Dragon.'

(4) Fu the Lion Dog: "This tomb has secret. The water path is hidden. But it can be found."

(4) Fu the Lion Dog: "You must break the wall. The funerary mural. Beyond is the way."

Kaimi eyes widen and she whips her head around to exchange a look of excitement with Ayame

(4) Fu the Lion Dog: "There lies the dark path. In glorious light it starts. You must seek Bouyu."

Kaimi: "He is ... here?"

Sook looks at kaimi," it IS his tomb...after all...of course he is here"

Mou-Shendu: "Are we within the walls of the Ziggurat that is pictured in that mural?"

(4) Fu the Lion Dog: "There lies the prison. The beginning, the dark path. The Manse holds the key."

Mou-Shendu: "That path, why do you call it dark?" (4) Fu the Lion Dog: "Is it not dark now? To die is the walk in dark. But it starts in light."

Kaimi: "Yes but... I suppose he does not have to be alive to be sought. Oh Echo. Too bad you are not here."