The session started with the group touring the small city of Ordu-Aganhei. The group was able to shop and make some deals to upgrade their equipment and supplies.While they wandered the city Darsus suggested that they visit a temple of Cayden Calilean to try and get more information on the way south. They find the temple in a tavern and Darsus offers to give a sermon to the other followers. Danicia, Seoni and Sheliak decide to sit at the bar to see what information womanly wiles might be able to gather. Darsus, Cendrine and Sandru hold a service for the other followers of Cayden.
The service is well received, with many toasts and sampling of the brews of the tavern. After the service, Darsus, Cendrine and Sandru mix with the attendees and casually ask about the Forest of Spirits that they have heard of.After more toasts and other talk, they three learn that the Forest of Spirits is reported to be haunted and the forest has existed since the beginning of time. There is only one safe way to travel in the area, by the Spirit Road which follows the outside of the forest. However, one of the Cayden followers says the forest is the home of kami and it is their birthplace. The kami help to protect objects and creatures in the natural world.
At the same time Seoni, Danicia and Sheliak are sitting by the bar when a man approached Seoni and Danicia and offers to buy them a drink. They agree and talk to him to try and draw him out a bit. After a conversation about various things, they ask about the way south and if it is safe. They learn the Spirit Road is the safe way south and it is guarded by samurai who are loyal to the throne of Minkai. They patrol to keep it safe.
While they are listening, another bar customer leans over and disagrees. She says there is more danger from the samurai and travelers are as likely to be robbed by the patrols as protected by them. As the conversation continues and Darsus and the others join the group, another man casually walks up to the three. He looks around and says there are rumors of rebellion and civil war in Minkai. The emperor has not been seen in years and the viceroy, the Jade Regent is hated by most people. Looking around nervously, he says there are many who would work together if a leader was found for the rebels. As the groups join together, the man slips out of the tavern, unnoticed as Seoni and Danicia perform together. The tavern owner is pleased with the performance and extra business and pays Seoni and Danicia.
The group leaves and slowly make their way back to the Palace. They attend the Feast of the Ancients and enjoy the puppet theater performance by the royal actors. The prince asks the group if they would like to perform. Working together, with Seoni and Danicia leading the play the group is able to use the pi ying xi (shadow puppet theater) and the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) to entertain the prince and his guests. The prince is pleased with the performance and presents the group with a gift of a mastework morin khuur.After the feast, the group goes back to their rooms and rests for the night.
The next day the group continues their shopping and preparation for their trip. They are unable to find any additional information about the forest or way south. In the evening they attend the Feast of Fire and are entertained by “The Taming of Kirin”, an exhibition of daring with fire breathing and sword play. The prince asks the group if they can perform similiar acts and the group is able to perform a combination of dance, acrobatics and intimidation that impresses the prince and his guests. The prince gives the group six elixirs of fire breath for their performance.
On the fourth day of feasting, the Feast of Honored Visitors, the group splits into two, with one group supervising preparation of a feast for 300 and the other preparing for a grand performance. After spending the day in preparation a grand feast of food from their native land is presented to the guests. The work of Darsus, Cendrine and Sheliak is well received and provides a grand opening for the entertainment. Seoni and Danicia perform in a play with assistance from Sandru. The play is received well and there is some applause from the guests and the prince. For the final performance, Sandru and Danicia stand threatening Seoni while she prepares a spell of Dragon’s breath. With wings spread out, she blasts the two with flames that are very hot and dangerous. However, Sandru and Danicia twist and turn and walk out unharmed from the great flames. The guests and the prince stand and give a standing ovation for the evenings final entertainment. The prince gifts a +1 scimitar with an opal encrusted scabbard for their skilled work for the evening. He announces that the final day of feasting, the Feast of the Dragon, will be for all of the people in the city. All shops and goods will be on display and the group is free to wonder around the city to see everything they have to offer.
The group wanders the city and uses part of the time to sell the scimitar and scabbard after checking to see if this would be an insult to the prince. With some haggling they are able to get a higher price for the scimitar. As Sandru haggles with the merchant, others of the group are walking through the crowds as bright paper dragons are walked through by groups of people. Sandru notices once of these paper dragons looks a bit odd as it moves closer to them. Danicia starts to move closer when the paper dragon is thrown off and eight ninjas attack the group. They are able to damage Danicia with poison and Darsus with physical damage while everyone moves to the attack. The group’s attacks have problems connecting as the ninjas shift in and out. Only some of the attacks connect for damage. The market square rapidly clears of the other people as they run from the danger of the attackers.
Seoni sees this and flies closer. She casts faerie fire on two of the ninja and the are outlined by a purple light that cancels out their shifting. Meanwhile, Sheliak and Cendrine are moving closer while Ulric stays back to guard Sophia. Sheliak calls on a spiritual ally using his terra cotta figurine while Cendrine stands hre ground attacking. The group is assisted by a prayer from Darsus and a haste from Seoni. They use both to good advantage and slowly hurt the attackers.
After about 20 seconds, a young peasant woman runs up with a weapon in hand. She positions herself to give Sandru a flank which he takes advantage of. The group continues to attack and eventually kill the ninjas. The young woman’s help with flanks and attacks helps to shorten the fight for the group. When the fight is over, she cautiously looks around and introduces herself. She is Miyaro, an emissary of the kami who has been sent to find the group. The kami know of the threat of the Five Storms oni who want to wipe out the last true heir to the throne. The kami are bound by ancient agreements with the oni so they can’t interfere directly. Miyaro works with them and she has been sent to help guide the group safely to Minkai. She says the Spirit Road is unsafe for them and she can guide them through the forest and avoid the road. Once they are in the forest she can introduce them to her allies, the kami and find out what help they might be able to give.
When the group checked the ninjas for possible revival for questioning they found their tongues had been cut out. They also found that all of them had died of their wounds so could not be healed back to consciousness.They also found weapons, armor, poison and healing potions that they could claim from their battle. The group was able to sell the weapons and armor before they retired for the evening.
As news of the attack spread through Ordu-Aganhei, the prince was displeased and concerned that the Jade Regent and the Five Storms might retaliate against him. Because of this, the prince refuses to see the group again and instead gifts them with saddles and Hongal horses with pleasant wishes for a pleasant journey away from Ordu-Aganhei. When they exit the palace, guards surround it and refuse to let them back in. The group is able to find a buyer for the saddles and horses but the merchant looks nervous and says he won’t be able to do more business with them. While walking through the town, shops close as they walk by and people turn away. Miyaro says it is time to go, the Five storms might send another group of ninjas to attack them if they stay. The session ended here.