04 The Dawnstep Bridge Assault and the Dawn of Willowshore's Liberation

The party determined it was time to reclaim the Dawnstep Bridge and relight the Eternal Lantern. They carefully made their way back to the bridge and devised a plan to overcome the buso guarding it. Hu presented the buso with a mug containing a mixture of beer and dreamtime tea. The buso readily drank the beverage, but soon began to succumb to the sleep poison, throwing the mug aside before losing consciousness.

While two of the accompanying Jinkins fled in fear, the remaining ones prepared to attack. After defeating the Jinkins, the buso awoke and engaged the party in combat. Hu then cast the command spell, ordering the buso to swim in the river, creating a distraction. The party used this opportunity to cross the bridge and quickly relight the Eternal Lantern using three blessed coins.

Having completed their task, the party returned to Matsuki to inform him of the lantern’s restoration. Matsuki then tasked them with liberating Downtown Willowshore.

Upon arriving in Downtown Willowshore, the party noticed the Governor’s House was inexplicably missing. They continued towards the Barracks, hearing the sound of metal clashing along the way. Outside the Barracks, they discovered a Noppa-Bo disguised as Zheng Peng, and a battle ensued. After defeating the Noppa-Bo and its Jinkins allies, the party found the real Zheng Peng and the other guards locked within the Barracks’ jail cells. They freed the guards and sent them to Granny Hu for assistance.

Further investigation revealed an outside jail cell containing four additional prisoners, who were also freed and sent to Granny Hu. The party also discovered the horses in the stables had been brutally killed.