This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.
Altaïr and his companions must rest before leaving the Temple at the crack of dawn, carrying the Sword with them. Unfortunately, they don't know that several of the monks are secretly spying for Genghis Khan.
It's been a long and exhausting ride. You were sure that you spotted the Khan's horsemen behind you a few times, but you're confident you lost them before you reached the sanctuary of the temple. You are gathered in a warm hut at the foot of the towering pagoda, enjoying a flower-scented tea at the end of a humble but invigorating meal. The monks were more than hospitable, and you've been chatting amiably with Shengtong, the beautiful Assassin who appears to be running the kitchen. You told her all about what happened in Xingqing, but now fatigue begins to weigh upon your eyelids. As the sky darkens and the birds stop singing, you all fall asleep, one by one.
Shengtong plans to capture Altaïr and his companions and hand them over to General Tolui Khan—along with the Sword of Eden. She has drugged their tea, but other monks come to their aid.
Something is wrong. The nearby voices are muffled, and your eyelids weigh like lead. All images are but blurs. The monks' robes move before you, leaving long and indefinite trails behind them, like strokes of a too-damp watercolor brush. Two monks splash your faces with cold water, shaking you and shouting in alarm, but you struggle to recover. Shengtong has taken the Sword of Eden from you and entered the Pagoda, and sent her traitorous monks back to deal with you.
Challenges
Assassin Monks: Traitorous monks have been sent to deal with the Witnesses.
Poison: Shengtong drugged the Witnesses with a natural sedative. All Witnesses start the Sequence with their Action Approach Snagged. The Witnesses can examine the kitchen to find out what herbs they've been drugged with and prepare a common antidote. In this case, the characters must make a Wits check with 1 Raise.
Weaknesses
Eagle Vision (minor): A Witness can activate their Eagle Vision Skill to enhance their chances of preparing an antidote. In this case, the Witness' Wits check to overcome the Poison Challenge requires no Raise.
Eagle Sense (minor): A Witness that defeats a monk can activate their Eagle Sense Skill to have a vision of that monk preparing the poison with Shengtong. In this case, the Witness immediately acquires all the knowledge needed to overcome the Poison Challenge.
Shengtong has taken the Sword of Eden and is climbing to the top of the pagoda to light a large beacon. Troops loyal to the Khans are waiting nearby for a sign. The pagoda is guarded by a group of traitorous monks trained in the arts of the Brotherhood, making them deadly opponents.
The pale moon shines in a clear sky, illuminating the temple entrance, where a few traitorous monks stand guard. A dim orange glow from Shengtong's torch can be seen climbing further up the tower. You might still have time to stop her from lighting the beacon on the top floor, but you must hurry.
Challenges
More Assassin Monks: Monks armed with shaolin spades stand ready to engage anybody who tries to enter the temple.
Climbing the Pagoda: In order to climb the pagoda's walls before Shengtong lights up the brazier, a Witness must make an Action check with 2 Raises.
Weaknesses
Surprising Shengtong (minor): If the Witnesses succeed in remaining undetected until they reach the top of the Temple, Shengtong has no reason to hurry. In this case, a Witness can make a Stealth check with 1 Raise to overcome the Climbing the Pagoda Challenge.
The Witnesses might reach the top of the pagoda before or after Shengtong has lit the beacon. As soon as Shengtong notices them, she sets the entire top floor ablaze, before escaping through a window with a Leap of Faith.
The wind blows harder on the top floors of the pagoda and howls as it passes from one window to another. Time is of the essence, as you do not know how many of the Khan's troops could be stationed in the surrounding territories.
Special
Thanks to the Sword's powers, Shengtong can hurl beams of energy and teleport a short distance at will. Thanks to this last power, any Action check made to hurt her in combat requires 1 additional Raise or the joint effort of 2 or more Witnesses.
Challenges
Fire Trap: When Shengtong sees the Witnesses, she uses the strength granted her by the Sword to overturn the beacon and set the whole floor ablaze. This hinders the Witnesses' pursuit.
Leap of Faith: In order to pursue Shengtong, a Witness must follow her by making a Leap of Faith with a successful Action check with 1 Raise.
Fight Shengtong: Shengtong is a formidable opponent and even more so with the Sword of Eden #2 in her hand.
Weaknesses
No Safe Landing (minor): If the Witnesses notice the large straw pile on the opposite side of the pagoda, they can move it, preventing Shengtong from escaping the tower with a Leap of Faith.
Deadly Landing (major): The Witnesses may decide to sabotage the straw pile. In this case, when Shengtong performs her Leap of Faith, she falls badly, possibly even killing herself in the attempt (based on how devious the Witnesses were in sabotaging it).
Shengtong is a beautiful, middle-aged woman with long, dark hair, a deep scar under her left eye, and a missing ring finger that reveals her former affiliation to the Brotherhood. She was once a formidable Assassin, but was driven to the edge of insanity when the Brotherhood prevented her from avenging her partner's death to serve a higher purpose. She was sent to Chengtian Pagoda to train and learn from a former Assassin, a wise man named Wu. Shengtong's implacable thirst for vengeance soon turned to resentment. When the war came, she allied with the Khanate. Wu discovered her betrayal but before he could warn the Brotherhood she ruthlessly cut him down. Shengtong has been secretly training other monks in the ways of the Assassins for General Tolui Khan.
Known Owners: Genghis Khan, Hülegü Khan Current Status: Unknown
Forged by the skilled hands of Hephaistos, this Sword of Eden crafted in the shape of a saber emerged as a formidable weapon during the War of Unification. The sword found its way into the hands of renowned leaders such as Genghis Khan and his successors. Like its counterparts, this Sword of Eden granted extraordinary powers to its wielder, while also enhancing their innate charisma and leadership qualities.
While wielding the Sword of Eden #2, you gain the ability to hurl beams of energy and teleport a short distance at will. Also, whenever you make a Social check while wielding the Sword you have 1 additional Raise.
