Chapter 1: Lotus Rises from Water

The Guong Estate

Battle Music!

The crab-brute stumbles when Wu Meng's second stone hits it in the face. The two smaller crab-men scuttle back and forth in front of the gate in a dance of death, each one locked in the other's powerful pincers.

Wary of hidden foes, Wu Meng looks about but doesn't see anything hidden un the shadows. The other patrol will be along any moment now - he can hear the call and answer of their warning whistles.Zhao Xun must have located the scroll by now, unless he's been caught. What do you do, Wu Meng and Rong Hua?

The Mumin Ghetto

In a raspy voice the corpse speaks a name, "Fan. Fan Zexian." The head of the Fan clan, bitterest rivals of the Guong. Not the two most powerful families in Qing'lai, but powerful enough to cause ripples. If they are moving against each other, more dead bodies will turn up soon enough.

The yellowish growths continue to spread. Now the cockroach bodies begin to swell. Yellow branches burst from the talking mumin corpse as well.

Last question, Iko.

The Guong Estate

Battle Music!

Wu Meng's last stone strikes true, and the crab-brute finally falls. Rong Hua is free! Outside the gate, one crab-man has slain the other, and the bloodied victor attacks the lone human, who frantically blows on his whistle once more. The patrol rounds the east corner: three humans and two crab-men.

What do you do?

The Mumin Ghetto

"Kill Fan Zexian," the corpse replies before it falls silent and the yellow mold sprouts from its mouth and eyes. It's too obvious an answer, and probably not the one you were hoping for. Contrary to what the evidence before you suggests, the Fan aren't generally known as villainous, corrupt, or cruel. Their money is made from trading in silk and spices, and Zexian sits on the city's ruling council. The Guong clan is much the same, though their money is in opium, and the head, Guong Ming, has a reputation as a ruthless businessman, and corrupt council member. But this yellow mold seems too diabolical for either of them.

The rest of the mumin are returning to the yard and looking on from a safe distance - the deaths, and the strange yellow growths have them spooked.

Fearfully, the mumin do as Feng says, handing her a torch and shoveling the dung onto the rapidly growing mold. The clan chief has others bring straw. These are simple, uneducated folk, but they understand what needs to be done here to protect the rest of the herd and their community.

Iko
Kunchong, the chief of the Xiaohuo Cockroach Clan, approaches you. It was he that asked for your help when the cockroaches began behaving strangely yesterday. Few in the Opal City have accepted the teachings of the Sorrowsworn, even among these downtrodden folk. This clan chief is one example, driven by ambition, holding onto what meager power and possessions there are to be had among the mumin. But perhaps now, after what has happened here, he will change his ways. "We are in your debt. We don't have much, but if there is ever anything the Xiaohuo can do for you, you need only ask."

Zhang Wei
You know a someone (give him a name) an expert apothecary, who might know more about this aberrant strain of the Yellow Zombie Mold. You know where to find his shop in town.

You dash into the house, and it's utter chaos. Panicked servants are rushing about while the chief steward attempts to maintain order. You head for the south wing where you saw Zhao Xun disappear but when you turn a corner you runs right into half a dozen heavily-armed house guards!

What do you do?