Session 8 (7 XP)

Stocking Up:

The party stopped at Kyuden Moshi to stock up for the trip to the Ivory Kingdoms. Here they found that Giovanni Braesco had made jars of Green Jade Paste which had no protective benefits, but when opened would be good for 1 hour, during which time a weapon coated can be treated as having the jade quality for damaging shadowlands creatures.

Ghost Ship

The party happened upon a ghost ship on the way, floating about the seas with an undead mantis crew. The ledger aboard detailed the mantis' illegal trading with the ivory kingdoms, and how a strange mist in the country was killing people and turning them into metal monsters. The captain and crew escaped, but were all killed by an insane Orochi.

The party obtained some trade treasure inside, as well as a special Crysteel Katana and an Ivory Box.

Insane Orochi

A few miles from shore an Orochi attacked the ship, driven mad with taint. The cannons and crew (and PCs) did manage to kill it, but the ship was destroyed, Captain Isabella was eaten, and they party was adrift on flotsam. They landed on the shores of the ivory kingdom.

The Ruined Kingdoms

The party climbed a nearby cliff to see their destination was in ruins, and in the distance an army of four armed metal men was camped. They got to the city and found it completely sacked- though they did find some food and jade statuettes. A small boy (Nirav) explained that the Cult of Ruhmal had sacrificed people to turn them into metal monsters. The boy directed them to a guru who lived alone atop a nearby mountain for more info.

The Mountain
Climbing the mountain the party saw a destroyer (metal man) on his way up to attack the guru. They bypassed it and got to the top of the mountain where they met Mahatma Suresh, a wise guru.

Suresh told them that Kali-ma was resurrected by the Cult, and using the magic of 5 Sankaha stones they are managing their army of destroyers. It is estimated that 90% of the ivory kingdoms population was killed to make the army of destroyers and free Kali-ma. The destroyers are very strong against weapons, but are vulnerable in cold climates where they lose all carapace.

He also knew of Raksasha. He said it sounds like they are up against the First Raksasha- almost a kami in his own right.

• They hate religion, and will seek to destroy it, because they felt betrayed by the other gods. As such, strong faith or blessings of gods may empower you against him.
• They eat rotten meat, and can possess people if they are drunk or otherwise debauched. They have strong control over anger and fear- love and optimism are unknown to them, and strong positive feelings can help break his magical controls or illusions.
• He is all but immune to magic, except for maho- which he is weak to due to his betrayal by Fu Leng. 
• He can regenerate all weapon damage, but a weapon of pure brass may be able to defeat him. As such, he has been destoying all sources of copper and zinc (the components of brass) to make the metal hard to come by. 
• His followers and those he kills (followers includes those he possesses) are removed from celestial order when they die and instead live in his Deadlights- a realm of horror and sickly green light where his spiritual form resides. 

He also warned of Kali-ma, whose troops would be marching through the shadowlands and upon Rokugan. Kali-ma is the dark form of Shiva, the one who threw the first Raksasha from heaven. They would have no love for each other, but Rokugan would likely be the battleground between the two forces. Kali-ma wants to become the champion of Jigoku, removing Fu Leng. It is unknown if the Oni in the shadowlands will stand with her, flee, or stand against her.

He mentioned that he has been in mental communication with Isawa Kisho- and the PCs should seek him out. 

The Party determined they need to hurry back to Rokugan to gain the blessings of the remaining gods, and to organize a defense against the destroyers and defeat the Raksasha. The quickest way back was through the shadowlands and into crab territory, as they have no ships. 

Sen decided to sacrifice herself to slow down the destroyer troops. Using her high level monk techniques she would go into the Temple of Ruhmal and steal a sankahra stone, then disappearing with it using her teleportation kiho. Eventually Kali-ma herself would come and retrieve the stone, killing Sen, but this should buy the party a few days head start. 

Dave was given a Rank 4 air scroll: Casting the spell will give the target an immediate willpower save against the Raksasha's illusion. For every raise he makes on the spell, they get a raise on their willpower check. It is implied feelings of love or optimisim can make the illusions easier to resist.