Summoner Part #18 - The Jade Temple

Part 18: The Jade Temple

On our way back to Wolong we try and locate the catte and Ahlang. There are a ton of rohkuls.

Death: A present for me? Ah, how enticing! *The cat says as he sniffs at it. He begins to chew the bark eagerly.*

Ahlang: So if I give a piece of tree bark to the cat, he will chew it, and that will give me time to run away? Clever idea, but the tree grows in Liangshan, you said. That forest is haunted. All things considered, I'm safer with the cat.

Give him the tree bark.

Ahlang: Ah! I knew I could count on you! So all I need to do is give this bark to the cat, and he will chew it? How clever! A talking cat is a spooky thing. Thank you for your help, friend!

Soundtrack - Wolong

Nandi: *Nandi takes the plants you gathered and grinds them up with a mortar and pestle. From her robes, she produces a vial of dark, reddish liquid that looks like blood. She mixes the ingredients together, singing a song that reminds you of the tune that Sizhe sang to heal you. At last, she pours the mixture into a vial and gives it to you.* This is for you, One-Hand.

It's just a regen potion. Oh well, we've seen even less impressive rewards before.

Fangyin: Because of your kindness, the spirits of my sons will find rest. I can only begin to repay your generosity.

I found your ~~wizard~~ hat.

Longyue: *Longyue begins to weep.* You bear the terrible burden of prophecy, yet you risked all to save an old coward! You are a generous soul indeed.

I decide to buy Jekhar some new plate, because looking cool is really the most important thing at this point.

Jade Temple Priest: The Nhuvasarim were born in the second Araenugeth, when Laharah brought chaos and discord to the people of this world.

What happened to Murod?

Jade Temple Priest: Seduced by their magic, Murod declared himself a god and the heir of Urath, Emperor of Heaven.

Chaos and discord?

Jade Temple Priest: In the despair and suffering of others, the Nhuvasarim found the source of all their power. Their influence in this world is growing.

Their influence is growing?

Jade Temple Priest: Disciples of the Nhuvasarim rule in Medeva as well, under the reign of Sornehan and Galienne.

Soundtrack - Wolong Caverns

Returning to the caverns, there is a new, uhhh, face isn't quite the right word.

Jade Temple Ghost: The villagers believed it would appease the dragon. For a long time, they did not understand that the dragon was sad, not angry. He needed music and laughter to cheer him.

*Throw the box into the pit. You watch as the box vanishes silently into the darkness.*

Jade Temple Ghost: Who gave you the box? *The ghost asks, staring into the abyss.*

*The ghost listens as you explain how you met Piaobo in the forest of Liangshan, and how she told you of her childhood.*

Jade Temple Ghost: The girl named Piaobo left Wolong many years ago. Eight hundred years, if the stories are true.

That's a really old little kid.

Azha the archlich: Ah, how quickly these worms grow weary of life! I shall end your suffering.

Now, remember Azha the "Invincible"?

Balis the demilich: Azha will not burn. Neither stone nor sword nor stick will make him weep. Cold will not hurt him. Nor will Azha die by lightning. But kill Azha and bring his bone and Balis will show you.

Well, I don't see poison on that list!

Or lever activated floor spikes!

Or the water dragon!

Or the dragon of the four winds!

And there is one other way, ironically, the Death spell. Though, I did not have enough points in Dark on any characters at this point.

He drops his femur and a nice robe for Rosalind.

When it rains it pours new robes for Rosalind.

Balis the demilich: Azha is dead! You have made Balis happy, and Balis will show you now. Yes! Yes! Follow, and do not wander.

Would have been nice to have way back when. Fun fact: I still got lost trying to get back out of the caverns.

Deep in the caverns we also found the final pieces of the statue. How Murod's soldiers got past us and deep, deep into the caverns and Liangshan, I will never know.

Caishi the sculptor: All I need to do is find the missing pieces!

I found the statue pieces.

Caishi the sculptor: Ah, yes! The right leg! Oft overlooked but essential nonetheless.

Caishi the sculptor: What luck! The flesh-and-blood Gaodi II stood tall and proud. If his statue leaned dangerously to one side, visitors to the temple would be imperiled!

Caishi the sculptor: Splendid that right arm shall wield the sword of justic and strike down the wicked in a vengeful fury! I cannot sing your praises loudly enough!

Caishi the sculptor: The gods be praised! That arm shall be held open to all who visit the Jade Temple and the court of his rightful heir. You have my eternal gratitude.

Caishi the sculptor: Wonderful! Emperor Gaodi will need his head! How else will he think? How else will he issue his decrees and injunctions? And you must admit, I did a fine job carving it!

How is the statue coming?

Caishi the sculptor: It will take me many days and not a little magic to restore Gaodi's statue. Now you must restore Gaodi's heir to the throne as the Jade Temple has foretold! For your kindness, please accept this gift. Take it with my deepest thanks!

Behind a building we see someone new in town.

She is looking pretty good for an 800 year old.

She gives us a pretty nice ring for Flece, too. Anything to increase the chance of a trip is gold.

And now, only one thing remains in Orenia, which is apparently just Wolong, a haunted forest, and a palace next to a huge tower of slaves.

Soundtrack - Jade Temple

Murod is mere steps away from us now. Only some soldiers to get through.

Though he does have some soldiers of quality left.

I'm pretty sure the riders are more intimidated at this point. Though being literally from hell, I'm not sure if they can be.

The snake rider alone was more of a challenge than both of these guys.

The ghost rider shows off his one cool trick. Jekhar is not impressed.

Unfortunately we don't have our ~~fart~~ mist elemental to completely dismantle the tiger rider.

Backstabs will just have to suffice for the both of them.

They leave some nice pieces.

Jekhar's equipment cool factor continues to rise.

The temple itself is quite nice, and shows that Murod did not always rule here.

Nor did he do the typical thing and redecorate to an evil motif after seizing power.

Hidden away to the side is an old Khosani artifact. Wonder how they are doing now, in Demon Land.

The Happiest Place on Earth!

Finally time for the prophetic confrontation.

After we search the room for items.

Eh, not bad. But it doesn't look cool enough for this battle.

Murod also has some ~~nerds~~ sorcerers hiding in the back. We take them out, so they won't interrupt us.

The Jade Temple

Murod: The Summoner has returned to Eleh.

Murod: No prophecy will deliver you from my wrath this time!

Murod: You will die here. Before the Jade Temple.

Murod: Before the very altar where the prophecy against me was uttered!

Murod: I shall prove to those meddlesome priests that Murod, third Emperor of Heaven, fears no man!

All you have done to silence the prophecy, Murod, has made it come true in the end.

By this hand, I will crush your tyranny!

The true heir of Orenia's throne has returned!

Murod: Muahahaha! The true heir of Orenia's throne?

Murod: The rightful head to wear this crown?

Murod: You see how pathetic you are?!

Murod: Orenia matters not. A wasteland of stone and dust. You can have your pitiful throne!

Murod: Your friend can wear her crown as she pleases!

Murod: But I shall become the lord of all creation!

Of course the first thing he does is teleport to where his sorcerer used to be. Let's introduce him to our new friend.

Dai, the dragon of the forest. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think this actually does any damage.

It does, however, give everyone the Empower enchantment. An Empowered Jekhar and Flece is far deadlier than any single dragon.

Case in point. But this isn't the end for Murod. He is an evil Nhuvasarim, after all.

That's more like it! Murod Oni puts up a pretty tough fight.

He can do a spin attack to hit everyone within range for a good chunk of damage.

His attacks are strong, fast, and relentless. He takes out Flece and Rosalind. Unlucky for Murod though as Jekhar is on point and drops him like a sack of dirt.

Death of a Tyrant