Yin-Tuan

Yin-Tuan was captain of one of the great war junks of the Cathayan fleet ca 1690 IC. His ship was blown off course by a typhoon that scattered the fleet shortly after it put to sea, and he and his crew crossed Lustria and the Southlands trying to reach the rest of the Grand Imperial Army. He was the only survivor of the whole expedition and Dragon Emperor Wu named him commander of the Palace Guard. Years later as an aged sage living in retirement in the monastery of Mount Li, he wrote down an account of the adventure which survived as a classic of Cathayan literature.

Yin-Tuan's voyage
Yin-Tuan was captain of one of the great war junks of the ill-fated invasion fleet despatched by Dragon Emperor Wu of Cathay to conquer and colonise the Southlands. Emperor Wu's invasion was intended to secure the spice trade, motivated by intense rivalry with Araby. Long before the rest of the fleet sailed to its ultimate doom however, Yin-Tuan's war junk was blown off course by the typhoon that scattered the fleet shortly after it put to sea.

His crew sighted land again after almost ten months at sea. For two months they had fed on nothing but poisonous fish and half the crew were dead and the rest were ill. Yin-Tuan made sail for the land straight away, and his men made camp on the shores of the strange Lustrian coast and feasted upon its tropical fruits until all were well and strong. During this time the Cathayans saw none of the inhabitants and had no idea where they were. A party of men ventured inland and returned several days later, having found a huge statue carved in the shape of a Lizardman. Yin-Tuan ordered everyone to stay near the camp - then at length he gathered the soldiers and the sailors, numbering 123 men in all, and discussed what to do. Yin-Tuan told the men what he had calculated from his charts and astronomical observations - that they were on the other side of the world sphere from Cathay. Many shook their heads in despair. No-one was willing to attempt the journey back the way they had come and endure the same perils all over again. Their spirits were raised when he mentioned that because it was known that the Southlands were inhabited by Lizardmen (known vaguely in Cathay as 'lizard-daemons'), the statue was proof that they had reached there. If they marched overland, they believed they would meet up with the fleet, which should by now have landed on the eastern side, and that they would encounter little opposition because the army of the Lizardmen would have gone eastwards to fight with the invaders.

After marching for several days, cutting their way through dense jungle and hungrily feeding on wild rice and tree frogs, the expeditioners encountered more Lizardmen statues. Soon afterwards they entered a wide clearing and were stunned to see three huge stone structures rising up in a stepped formation. These were completely overgrown with vegetation and carved in the likeness of countless heads of the Lizardmen. They made camp on the platform at the top of the highest edifice for safety. At sunrise on the next day they were suddenly awoken by a strange sound. The entire jungle seemed to be moving and quivering around them. When the jungle mist cleared they looked down upon a sea of Lizardmen filling the entire clearing. They were the colour of jade, with yellow crests and were marching in unison. None of them had noticed the Cathayans on their vantage point. Tzu-Kwo, a soldier with very keen eyesight, pointed out where they were coming from - a huge square-shaped lake like a vast paddy field on the edge of the clearing. They were making rasping noises, droning like Cathayan chanting monks. There were at least ten thousand of them. Fearing for their safety the expeditioners hid on top of the platform for the whole day until the sun set. The next day, the clearing was empty. The lizard-horde had moved through the jungle without flattening the vegetation, but it was possible to see which way they had gone, so Yin-Tuan avoided going the same way. His men marched on eastwards for several days. That was until Lin-Po, a good and courageous soldier, reported that they were being followed.

Nothing happened until they were clear of dense jungle and had begun wading through a shallow mangrove swamp. As soon as they were in the open, several men at the rear of the column were slain by arrows and javelins thrown by unseen enemies lurking among the tangled mangrove roots. I immediately gave the order to make a defensive formation. Suddenly, hundreds of jade coloured Skinks emerged from the undergrowth armed with vicious weapons. This time, luckily, their arrows fell harmlessly upon their lacquered tiger-shields. The Cathayans replied with their crossbows, slaying several of them before they scurried back into the trees. The jungle fell silent. Then a flock of birds suddenly scattered out from the trees and close on their heels a Kroxigor armed with a huge bronze axe charged towards us. It crashed through the shields and began chopping to left and right. It took 23 crossbow bolts to fell this mighty lizard warrior because the thick scales which covered its carcass provided better protection than even the lacquered scale armour worn by the Emperor's bodyguard. In the end, they lost many men, because even those who had only been slightly wounded by the enemy's arrows had quickly died since the arrows were tipped with poison.

These ambushes occurred every time they broke from the cover provided by the trees and had to cross expanses of open marsh. Every day Yin-Tuan lost more men. The Lizardmen were experts in concealing themselves among the marsh plants and were able to approach dangerously close by keeping most of their bodies underwater. Only their eyes and nostrils were visible, just like crocodiles. Then at close range, they would emerge and shoot a hail of well aimed poisoned arrows. After one skirmish Yin-Tuan noticed a warrior taking something from a fallen comrade and hiding it in his clothing. Seeing the glint of gold, the captain ordered him to show it to him. It was a flat plaque inscribed with the symbols of the Lizardmen. Yin-Tuan made him confess that seven soldiers had taken them from a chamber in one of the buildings in the ruined city. Furious that these men had deceived him and brought misfortune upon his company, Yin-Tuan beheaded the remaining six himself. Then he had the golden plaques left beside the executed men and the column marched on. This pacified their assailants, who were only intent on recovering their sacred objects. There were no further ambushes.



I was surprised when we reached the sea after only 17 days. I had thought it not possible to cross the Southlands in so short a time. Then I realised that it was not the same ocean that divides the Southlands from Cathay - it was a different ocean of which our sages knew nothing about. Everyone was in great despair, so I decided to start work on building a new vessel immediately. It was difficult without bamboo, but the trees on the shore made excellent timber and it took us only two weeks to make a very fine and large sampan with a good outrigger and three sails of woven reeds. We also made a raft and filled it with fruit and gourds full of fresh water and then put to sea in one boat and towed the raft behind us.

[Historian's note: Yin-Tuan must have crossed the isthmus of Lustria which is the narrow stretch of land which joins the continents of Lustria and Naggaroth. His party would have passed perhaps as close as within one or two hundred miles of the Norse colony of Skeggi and even closer to the Lizardmen city of Pahuax. Yin-Tuan of course had no idea that these places existed.]

We maintained course towards the rising sun and were at sea for several weeks. We had almost eaten all the fruit, which was now rotten, before we once again sighted land. I was sure that this time it must be the Southlands. We all hoped that the entire land was by now conquered by the Emperor's invincible invasion fleet!

[HN: The prevailing winds and currents would have carried Yin-Tuan far to the south of Ulthuan, and blown him towards the coast of the Southlands.]

I now had only 73 soldiers and sailors remaining in my command. We marched inland once again. The landscape was similar in many ways to our first landfall. I calculated that we were now two thirds of the way towards Cathay. After hacking our way through dense jungle, we emerged in a vast area of parched ground covered with tall clumps of grass with razor-sharp leaves.

In the middle of this expanse the sharp eyed Tzu-Kwo spotted a creature flying high above us. It swooped down lower to take a closer look at us and to our amazement it was a flying lizard, carrying two of the lizard warriors on its back. These were not jade like those we had already encountered, but a sort of yellowish brown colour with red crests. The flying creature let out a mournful cry when it saw us, which filled the men with dread and foreboding. I ordered them to shoot at it with their crossbows to bring it down before the riders could fly off and warn their leader of our whereabouts. Unfortunately we did not hit it, but it immediately flew away. I knew this was only the start of further troubles. The enemy was certain to come for us again.

The enemy attacked at dusk. They took us by surprise as we could not see to shoot our crossbows. The creatures which attacked us were much bigger than those we had encountered before, but not as big as the huge lizard creature which had slain so many of us with his axe. These lizard warriors came at us in ranks, armed with spears and shields. They fought savagely, thrusting with their hefty bronze and volcanic glass tipped spears. My soldiers could not stand against them. I was struck heavily with a mace from behind and fell to the floor unconscious.

When I regained my senses, I found myself to be bound hand and foot to a long pole. It was being carried by several of the same lizard-warriors who had overwhelmed us. Ahead of me I could see the faithful Tzu-Kwo, also tied to a carrying pole. I shouted out to him. He replied that everyone else was dead. This shouting provoked one of the smaller lizard creatures who seemed to be in charge of the column. This officer was magnificently bedecked in gold bangles and exotic feathers. He brandished his spear and began speaking in an unintelligible tongue. I decided to remain quiet.

We endured a terrible journey for several days. Occasionally water was poured into my mouth from a gourd. And what little food I got consisted of bitter-tasting dried grubs, but amazingly they staved off my hunger. Eventually we passed along a paved road, between rows of crouching lizard-daemon statues and entered a broad open plaza. There were ruins here like in the first lizard-daemon city - great edifices rising up in steps. These though were far bigger and in better repair.

All around there was noise and activity from the gangs of smaller lizard-creatures scurrying about on various tasks. Massive blocks of carved stone were being dragged up a vast ramp on one side of a tall stepped building. Huge creatures were bearing the strain of the ropes, while the smaller ones directed the work. In other places, groups of small lizardmen were engaged in heated debates accompanied by rows of seated scribes writing on clay plaques. Tzu-Kwo and I were taken out of the bright daylight and manacled to the wall of a dank and dark vault guarded by two of the big lizard warriors.

The next day we were led out and taken up countless steps until we emerged into the dazling sunlight. We were goaded out onto a platform which was half-way up the side of one of the huge stepped structures. There were guards and dignitaries of the lizard creatures on all sides. On the steps above and below us were ranks of the lesser lizard creatures beating huge drums in unison. Far below, the plaza was full of a dense mass of lizardmen of all types, arranged it seemed in regiments. The steps of the other great buildings were also covered in rank upon rank of lizardmen.

All the lizardmen around us suddenly turned and began making obeisance towards the top of the great edifice. High up on the top platform, a palanquin emerged from the darkness of an ornate doorway. On top sat a creature of a kind which I had not seen before. It resembled a large, bloated toad. The gold and jade ornaments it was wearing glinted like jewels in the sun.

By the great respect being shown by all the lizardmen, I took this being to be the high priest or ruler of the city. This great one made a gesture and the lizardmen ceased their obeisance and began their rasping incantations.

Before us was a deep pit from which rose a foul stench. Tzu-Kwo and I were prodded towards its edge. It was obvious we were going to be sacrificed to the foul lizard-daemons which they worshipped. Tzu-Kwo bravely stood to attention, preparing to meet his ancestors like a true soldier of the Emperor. He kept his composure even as he was hurled into the pit. I knew that it would soon be my turn to make peace with my own gods and face whatever laid in wait for me down there like a true noble Cathayan.

The lizardman warriors gripped me ready to throw me into the pit to meet the same fate as my brave comrade. As they did this, my silk tunic, which was worn and drenched with blood and sweat, ripped open. At that moment the lesser lizardmen who had been presiding over our execution became very agitated and put a stop to the proceedings. They examined my bared back with great interest, swaying from side to side and debating amongst themselves in their strange language. I realised that the cause of their consternation was the tattoo of the Imperial dragon which had been put on my back many years ago in the opium house of Fu-Chow. It was a very fine tattoo and now it had saved me from death. My captors had taken it as some kind of omen.

[Historian's note: The Imperial dragon as depicted in Cathayan art of the period of the Wu dynasty could be mistaken for an archaic image of the god Sotek. This no doubt gave the Skinks and their Slann master a problem to ponder and delayed the sacrifice of Yin-Tuan.]

I was dragged up the steps towards the toad-creature and was displayed before him. He examined my back for a long time and then uttered one word and gestured once more. The lesser lizardmen repeated the word and gesture and the ritual was brought to an end. The assembled began to disperse as the drums continued to beat. There was now agitated debate among the lesser lizardmen, while the larger guards looked on motionless. The august being on the palanquin blinked and was taken back into his shadowy doorway. I was led back down to the vault whilst they decided what to do.

When I'd had the time to calm my nerves after this terrifying ordeal, it occurred to me that they might flay me alive and use my skin as a decoration for their temple. I began to wish I had died with Tzu-Kwo, although I expect his fate had been equally unfortunate. I looked around for a means of escape. The vault was lit by a shaft of sunlight. As the night fell, this changed to moonlight. The vault became very dark.

I had noticed that the guards stood motionless at the door at the door and reacted slowly to my movements. It occurred to me that the reactions of these reptiles were not as good during the coolness of night. Summoning all the energy I had left I performed a single somersault in the way I had been trained at the school of Master Po. Although I was only a poor disciple of the martial arts I succeeded in catching hold of the carvings on the edge of the light shaft. I moved so fast that the Lizard guards were not able to stop me, and could only growl below me, jabbing upwards with their spears. I hauled myself out of the shaft and found myself out in the open, on the lowest step of the temple. I did not waste any time and ran as fast as I could towards the jungle with the bronze manacles still attached to my hands and legs.

I kept on going throughout the night, without stopping to rest until I was exhausted. I could hear the war drums of the Lizardmen beating the alarm in the distance and knew that they would be following me. I suddenly came out of the jungle onto the banks of a river. I stumbled along the bank tugging at logs among the mangrove roots and debris of fallen trees until I managed to move one. I dragged it into the water and lay on top of it. Soon I was drifting with the current. It was good fortune that the river was flowing in the direction of the rising sun, I thought as I slowly drifted off to sleep.

Suddenly I awoke, my feet were in the water and in excruciating pain. As I pulled them clear of the water I saw that carnivorous fish had attached themselves to my feet, which were lacerated with their razor sharp teeth. I had been fortunate to wake up as soon as I was bitten. Somehow I managed to stay on top of the log, keeping myself awake until the sun had risen. The river had widened greatly. All day I drifted with the current under the burning sun. I had escaped the Lizardmen at last, but it seemed certain that I would die anyway and be eaten by the fish. At length the log was washed up on a vast sand bank. I dragged myself ashore and slept. The next day I began to walk across the sand bank until I had reached the far side. The water was a different colour, the colour of the ocean. It tasted salty but I didn't care as I rejoiced at finally reaching the great Eastern Ocean at last. I could tell from the sun that I was on the northern bank of the river mouth, and so began to walk northwards. I reasoned that sooner or later I would reach the invincible fleet of the Emperor anchored off the coast and be rescued.

I walked slowly for days, eating shellfish and birds' eggs. I managed to break free of the manacles on my wrists and ankles by using big pebbles. As time wore on I began to see ships' timbers scattered on the sand which had drifted in on the tides. As I proceeded further northwards I saw the shattered hulks of ships. Soon I recognised them as the war junks of Imperial Cathay. At first I thought that these were other junks which had been scattered and shipwrecked in the typhoon. I found no survivors, only a few bleached bones which had been picked clean by the birds.

I sat down in despair. Before me was a terrible sight. The whole beach was full of wrecked junks and strewn with countless bones. It was all that remained of the mighty invincible fleet of Imperial Cathay, over a thousand war junks and a hundred thousand men. I wandered among the wrecks for hours and found no sign of any survivors. The misfortune that befell the fleet had occurred too long ago.

I camped on the beach for several days before I saw the sails of a junk out at sea. I lit a fire of old tarred driftwood to signal to it. Soon the junk approached close to the shore. It was a trading junk, on the spice route to Araby, flying the banner of the Tei-Pings, who were well known spice traders. They sent out a sampan for me as I waved and shouted from the beach.

The crew were surprised to see mee and very anxious to be gone from that place as quickly as possible. From them I learned that the Emperor's fleet had been wrecked while at anchor by a second terrible typhoon. The survivors had marched inland and disappeared. The Emperor had therefore ordered all traders to keep watch on the coasts for any sign of their banners. I was the only survivor of that mighty expedition to be found alive. I returned to Cathay and was received into the presence of the Emperor himself to give my account. The Emperor ordered that it should be recorded for posterity and rewarded me with command of the Palace Guard.