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--- We encountered some associates of Suzin, members of the Baitang, who aided us in escaping and finding our other cellmates who escaped - Saza, Sergei, and Chikoh. Our combined party reached a safehouse operated by the Baitang, and we were asked to participate in a supply raid on the ship of collaborationists from the State of Chenbao. I had not realized that their merchants were now openly supporting the logistics of the Fire Nation invasion. Perhaps they justified it since these supplies may have nominally been for the relief of the (Fire Nation friendly, no doubt) population. In any case, the raid went smoothly and there was no apparent resistance. Saza did not participate, apparently on account of cowardice, though she waited for us with the intent of continuing to travel together for safety in numbers. Having secured supplies for traveling, our goal is the town of Seshi, further West on the Third Sister Bay, where the Astringent River empties into the bay. I'm not sure how far the river is navigable. Perhaps we can find a local gazetteer, though I should not be surprised if it is badly out of date. There continues to be some skepticism by my erstwhile cellmates about Toma's identity as the Avatar. I have offered to repeat the geomantic divinations and seek spiritual guidance with the group. Hopefully, an appropriate location can be found. There was, at least at some time, a Yonggan holy site on the Chief Peak, not too far from the Ba Sing Se highway. Certainly it would be suitable, if it still exists and nowhere else is more convenient. --- We took a (very wet) Baitang smuggling tunnel out of the Dockyards district, and proceeded out of the city through a poorly-secured waterway. We traveled a ways, making our way toward Seshi, before making camp for the night. I built us an ukdun (poorly) but it was better than sleeping outside, at least. The Avatar hunted squirrel-toads and we shared some preserved badgermole cheese I found in my pack. I am very much looking forward to making it to Seshi, for a bath, a proper meal, a soft bed... In the morning we were woken by rabaroos. === Yongwu 20, 09/28 === The Avatar went hunting a moose lion. Unfortunately, it was not a success, as after being wounded the animal fled and, the matter of the moose lion hunt having arisen rather suddenly, we did not pursue. Arriving in Seshi, we headed to a bathhouse. There were some officers of the Fire Nation there, "inspectors" of some sort, and a local Shuizu girl attacked the bathhouse with red dye, staining the Fire Nation inspectors but also some of us. Suzin and I gave pursuit, but I lost track of her, and, with a clear objective, returned to the bath; Suzin ran off into the city but also did not find her, obtaining only a name "Arbay." Some of the party members seem to have sympathizes for this ineffectual rebel (apparently she has colleagues who are engaged in various pranks against the Fire Nation). We ought to find her and make the group aware that they need to either quit while they are ahead, or get serious; I overheard the Fire Nation inspectors talking about making a "permanent" end of the pranks, and given their penchant for disproportionate retribution and collective punishment, I do not think we should ignore this matter. === Yongwu 20, 09/29 === After resting at an inn, we busied ourselves with various economic and practical activities and tried to find more information about the youths who attacked us. I obtained a gazetteer for the region (a little out of date, but with the state of the realm, it can't be helped...) and, at Sang's suggestion, have added earth handcuffs to my list of new techniques to practice, along with earth armor. Chikoh, while visiting the yamen, overheard some mention of rebels being suppressed in the city, which might or might not be related to the dye attack. The Avatar sold some handmade crafts at the market; he is very industrious. Unfortunately, it seems that the Fire Nation is aware of our absence and is going to start posting illustrated wanted posters tomorrow morning. I had hoped to leave tomorrow anyway, but the circumstances are not ideal; hopefully we will keep ahead of them. It shouldn't be too hard in the interior, but given the cowardice of Hao-Ting officialdom, I cannot rule out that a lone Fire Nation scout might successfully coerce the help of the local authorities in apprehending us. We may have better luck with the villages under indigenous tributary rule, as I doubt the aboriginals will be as easily cowed. Suzin, investigating the group that attacked the bathhouse, located their hideout. Prudently, she returned to get help. We set off to confront them, although Saza did not come because she was busy with her work. (In fairness, we could not explain to her in public the details of what we were doing, though I don't know if it would have mattered.) We gathered Amirluq at the docks and went to the hideout, which was poorly constructed underground. The wannabe rebels were in the process of collecting loud insects for another one of their pranks, which unfortunately were making a rather noticeable amount of noise outside. As we discussed the unfortunate position the rebels were in, two Fire Nation officers and some local guards appeared, conducting their own investigation. We feigned an accident and the collapse of the hideout, and escaped by another exit. The help of the rebels was enlisted in a plan to steal a steam launch from the Fire Nation and take it up the Astringent River. Only, the rebels, true to form, want us to make it ''funny'' somehow, as well... I hope an idea comes to us. We returned to the inn and informed Saza, who was of course having none of this, we talked past each other for a while but she eventually convinced herself that we were going to do it anyway and that she would be considered guilty by association anyway. Changchang, one of the members of this rebel group, ("ROCK," they call it) came to talk to us. She was the one responsible for some of the pranks the group performed involving fake paperwork and so forth, and she came up with an idea for the mandatory "funny" aspect of it, which seemed passably humorous. We set out for the docks to steal one or more steam launches. The two Fire Nation guards were defeated easily, but not before one could signal for help. Some earthbending guards arrived, and with effort, we repelled their attacks as well. The Fire Nation inspector, Hata, attacked us, propelling herself to us with the ingenious use of her firebending, but she was also repelled and made good our escape. We had something of a heated discussion about the merits of restoring the Avatar and resisting the Fire Nation. Mainly with Saza. Amirluq seems the most irritated by the exchange. I tried to be diplomatic but I guess I'm not very good at it and Saza seems upset still. Around midnight, we decided to split the time until day into watches to allow us to all get some sleep. === Yongwu 20, 09/30 === Working together, Amirluq and I were able to clean the shoals obstructing the boat near Lushi. The river seems to be running low, which is probably usual for Autumn. Sergei steered the boat while we were occupied with bending. I was asleep at the time as I was off watch, but reportedly we also recovered a lost canoe for some Beituzhu, before coming to the river chain of Baicun, mentioned in the gazetteer I purchased in Seishi. |
Yongwu 20, 09/27
After weeks in the prison ship, I finally escaped with the Avatar and three of my cellmates, Suzin, Sang and Amirluq. I am not sure what became of our other cellmates, Chikoh, Sergei and Saza. They went out of the ship before us, and when we escaped, they were nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, we were able to reunite with my loyal Shu, who appears unharmed. Current plan is to seek out Suzin's local contacts for help escaping Beigang, which remains under Fire Nation Blockade. Also overheard some soldiers discussing a plan to attack Ba Sing Se with a giant metal automaton in the form of the Fire Lord, Azulon. This seems very unlikely...
The acrobat Saza has remarkably good aim. I saw her strike one of our guards with a very precise strike with a thrown bolt. Amirluq has also been revealed as a talented waterbender, and able to work well in concert with me. Hopefully, we will at least find some free time and safety for her to teach Avatar Toma the rudiments of waterbending. Since we do know if Fire is truly the Avatar's native element, it is difficult to implement the traditional order in his training. What can we do but try?
---
We encountered some associates of Suzin, members of the Baitang, who aided us in escaping and finding our other cellmates who escaped - Saza, Sergei, and Chikoh. Our combined party reached a safehouse operated by the Baitang, and we were asked to participate in a supply raid on the ship of collaborationists from the State of Chenbao. I had not realized that their merchants were now openly supporting the logistics of the Fire Nation invasion. Perhaps they justified it since these supplies may have nominally been for the relief of the (Fire Nation friendly, no doubt) population. In any case, the raid went smoothly and there was no apparent resistance. Saza did not participate, apparently on account of cowardice, though she waited for us with the intent of continuing to travel together for safety in numbers. Having secured supplies for traveling, our goal is the town of Seshi, further West on the Third Sister Bay, where the Astringent River empties into the bay. I'm not sure how far the river is navigable. Perhaps we can find a local gazetteer, though I should not be surprised if it is badly out of date.
There continues to be some skepticism by my erstwhile cellmates about Toma's identity as the Avatar. I have offered to repeat the geomantic divinations and seek spiritual guidance with the group. Hopefully, an appropriate location can be found. There was, at least at some time, a Yonggan holy site on the Chief Peak, not too far from the Ba Sing Se highway. Certainly it would be suitable, if it still exists and nowhere else is more convenient.
---
We took a (very wet) Baitang smuggling tunnel out of the Dockyards district, and proceeded out of the city through a poorly-secured waterway. We traveled a ways, making our way toward Seshi, before making camp for the night. I built us an ukdun (poorly) but it was better than sleeping outside, at least. The Avatar hunted squirrel-toads and we shared some preserved badgermole cheese I found in my pack. I am very much looking forward to making it to Seshi, for a bath, a proper meal, a soft bed... In the morning we were woken by rabaroos.
Yongwu 20, 09/28
The Avatar went hunting a moose lion. Unfortunately, it was not a success, as after being wounded the animal fled and, the matter of the moose lion hunt having arisen rather suddenly, we did not pursue. Arriving in Seshi, we headed to a bathhouse. There were some officers of the Fire Nation there, "inspectors" of some sort, and a local Shuizu girl attacked the bathhouse with red dye, staining the Fire Nation inspectors but also some of us. Suzin and I gave pursuit, but I lost track of her, and, with a clear objective, returned to the bath; Suzin ran off into the city but also did not find her, obtaining only a name "Arbay." Some of the party members seem to have sympathizes for this ineffectual rebel (apparently she has colleagues who are engaged in various pranks against the Fire Nation). We ought to find her and make the group aware that they need to either quit while they are ahead, or get serious; I overheard the Fire Nation inspectors talking about making a "permanent" end of the pranks, and given their penchant for disproportionate retribution and collective punishment, I do not think we should ignore this matter.
Yongwu 20, 09/29
After resting at an inn, we busied ourselves with various economic and practical activities and tried to find more information about the youths who attacked us. I obtained a gazetteer for the region (a little out of date, but with the state of the realm, it can't be helped...) and, at Sang's suggestion, have added earth handcuffs to my list of new techniques to practice, along with earth armor. Chikoh, while visiting the yamen, overheard some mention of rebels being suppressed in the city, which might or might not be related to the dye attack. The Avatar sold some handmade crafts at the market; he is very industrious.
Unfortunately, it seems that the Fire Nation is aware of our absence and is going to start posting illustrated wanted posters tomorrow morning. I had hoped to leave tomorrow anyway, but the circumstances are not ideal; hopefully we will keep ahead of them. It shouldn't be too hard in the interior, but given the cowardice of Hao-Ting officialdom, I cannot rule out that a lone Fire Nation scout might successfully coerce the help of the local authorities in apprehending us. We may have better luck with the villages under indigenous tributary rule, as I doubt the aboriginals will be as easily cowed.
Suzin, investigating the group that attacked the bathhouse, located their hideout. Prudently, she returned to get help. We set off to confront them, although Saza did not come because she was busy with her work. (In fairness, we could not explain to her in public the details of what we were doing, though I don't know if it would have mattered.) We gathered Amirluq at the docks and went to the hideout, which was poorly constructed underground. The wannabe rebels were in the process of collecting loud insects for another one of their pranks, which unfortunately were making a rather noticeable amount of noise outside. As we discussed the unfortunate position the rebels were in, two Fire Nation officers and some local guards appeared, conducting their own investigation. We feigned an accident and the collapse of the hideout, and escaped by another exit. The help of the rebels was enlisted in a plan to steal a steam launch from the Fire Nation and take it up the Astringent River. Only, the rebels, true to form, want us to make it funny somehow, as well... I hope an idea comes to us.
We returned to the inn and informed Saza, who was of course having none of this, we talked past each other for a while but she eventually convinced herself that we were going to do it anyway and that she would be considered guilty by association anyway. Changchang, one of the members of this rebel group, ("ROCK," they call it) came to talk to us. She was the one responsible for some of the pranks the group performed involving fake paperwork and so forth, and she came up with an idea for the mandatory "funny" aspect of it, which seemed passably humorous. We set out for the docks to steal one or more steam launches.
The two Fire Nation guards were defeated easily, but not before one could signal for help. Some earthbending guards arrived, and with effort, we repelled their attacks as well. The Fire Nation inspector, Hata, attacked us, propelling herself to us with the ingenious use of her firebending, but she was also repelled and made good our escape.
We had something of a heated discussion about the merits of restoring the Avatar and resisting the Fire Nation. Mainly with Saza. Amirluq seems the most irritated by the exchange. I tried to be diplomatic but I guess I'm not very good at it and Saza seems upset still. Around midnight, we decided to split the time until day into watches to allow us to all get some sleep.
Yongwu 20, 09/30
Working together, Amirluq and I were able to clean the shoals obstructing the boat near Lushi. The river seems to be running low, which is probably usual for Autumn. Sergei steered the boat while we were occupied with bending. I was asleep at the time as I was off watch, but reportedly we also recovered a lost canoe for some Beituzhu, before coming to the river chain of Baicun, mentioned in the gazetteer I purchased in Seishi.