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<blockquote data-quote="Vanifae" data-source="post: 5281311" data-attributes="member: 58765"><p><strong>Session 3: Flowers, Puppies, and Swords – Part 2</strong></p><p></p><p><em>3rd of the Serpent, 1172 IC, Sweet Plum Castle</em></p><p></p><p>The last few days were a whirlwind for the young samurai, Hana adapted quite quickly to her new surroundings while also trying to avoid the clumsy romantic advances of Nobutada. Mayako tried to avoid Kakita Toshoe while spending time with her sisters and friends, and Shiatari stayed out of sight mostly and most people gave her a wide berth due to her clan and her rumored skills. Mayako was sad to see her sister leave for North Border Village and begin her new post as the village magistrate. She was happy that her meddling had ended with Yoko and Jin finding love at Yuuka’s expense. Her younger sisters had left the castle as well for school, Keiko leaving to learn the arts of the shugenja and Sukime off to train as a bushi.</p><p></p><p>After the Crane delegation left Kosuke-sama gave the young samurai a task of great importance. With the threat of war looming the Dragon had sent a delegation to talk peace, but the delegation never arrived and the Phoenix daimyo suspected foul play was involved. He commanded his daughter and allies to escort the Imperial delegation of Otomo Hokaru from South Border Village to Sweet Plum Castle. Kosuke-sama was worried about what continued problems and conflict would spell for the province and his clan. It was the reason he sent his youngest daughters to train far away from any battle lines. Battle and bloodshed sadden his heart but he is no coward, he was preparing hi forces for war if it came to that. A reluctance that sadly was not echoed by many samurai warriors, all too eager in his eyes to kill or be killed.</p><p></p><p>Now the four young samurai were heading south to meet the delegation, the day was hot but not overbearing. Two days on the road, thankfully it had not rained and the group was in good spirits. Nobutada turned to Hana trying to impress her with his skill in battle and his affluence. Mayako ignored him turning her focus to the road, anxious to be done with this task. It was then that she noticed a figure approaching in the distance, a stumbling traveler. The man was dressed poorly and clutched a package collapsing at the feet of the mounted samurai.</p><p></p><p>Nobutada frowned, “Stupid peasants.”</p><p></p><p>Mayako glanced at him with a scowl, “How can you be so cold?”</p><p></p><p>“Cold? It is just a peasant, ignore it and move on we have more important concerns, cousin,” Nobutada shrugged looking for support from Shiatari or Hana.</p><p></p><p>Hana dismounted, “We should check to see if he is okay before we move on.”</p><p></p><p>Mayako nodded checking the bruised and battered peasant over. He was suffering from thirst and starvation, “He should be fine with some food and water.”</p><p></p><p><em><span style="color: green"><strong>[I had her roll an Intelligence + Medicine roll TN 10, and she rolled a 30+ so she was easily able to determine that the man suffered from no permanent damage. – GM’s note]</strong></span></em></p><p></p><p>Shiatari focused on the package, unwrapping it carefully revealing the chop of Otomo Hokaru and a crude letter written by Green Cap Bandit leader named Mutogi. The letter was brief but was insistent that 400 koku be delivered to the gang in exchange for the Otomo noble by the fifth of the Serpent or they would behead him. She read the letter out loud and then tucked the chop away. The group noticed smoke in the distance; Mayako knew that it was in the direction of the small village Kanto. The group quickly devised a plan and gave the peasant Mayako’s horse for reinforcements while they checked out the source of the smoke.</p><p></p><p>They moved through the woods and came to the edge of the village; hearing sounds of fighting and witnessing a Phoenix bushi get cut down by two Green Cap bandits. The group dismounted and tried to sneak upon the bandits but Hana was too focused on doing it perfectly to realize that she was spotted by the two bandits. Nobutada seeing his ‘love’ in danger leapt to her defense while Mayako and Shiatari stayed hidden.</p><p></p><p><em><strong><span style="color: green">[Hana has the disadvantage of Consumed by Perfection and thus must make at least one raise on all rolls. It is pretty brutal at times but one I will have to make sure I remember from here on out. – GM’s note]</span></strong></em></p><p></p><p>The bandits charged towards Nobutada and Hana, but Shiatari was the first strike a blow striking from the shadows her blade was swift and nearly killed the first bandit outright. Her ancestors smiled at her lethal stroke as Nobutada’s blade slices deep into the second bandit both going all out in their respective attacks! Mayako called upon the air kami and threw both bandits to the ground with great force while Hana summoned the water kami to grant great fortune upon Nobutada!</p><p></p><p><em><strong><span style="color: green">[Hana used Reversal of Fortune on Nobutada, which would save his life in a moment and Mayako used Tempest of Air. I tried to play up stances more this combat, the Bandits were surprised this round and did not act. – GM’s note]</span></strong></em></p><p></p><p>The bandits retaliated quickly landing a blow that looked for a moment to be mortal against Nobutada but was thankfully less gruesome than it appeared. The water kami blessing turning fate to his favor. Shiatari easily cut down her opponent and the remaining bandit submits.</p><p></p><p>Nobutada raised his blade to the bandit’s throat, “I say we kill him for even daring to strike a samurai.”</p><p></p><p>Mayako refused, “We need information, cousin. Let’s take him into the woods for now.”</p><p></p><p>“We could just torture the brute,” Shiatari adds.</p><p></p><p>Hana followed unnerved by the casual brutality of her allies. The bandit cried, “Please great samurai think of my children… I… will never do anything like this again!”</p><p></p><p>Mayako responded, “Who leads this group?”</p><p></p><p>“Mutogi… he is our leader, I swear it, I would never lie!” the bandit pleaded.</p><p></p><p>“How many are in your group?” Shiatari asked.</p><p></p><p>“Twenty, maybe twenty-five?” the wretched man groveled.</p><p></p><p>“So few?” Shiatari questioned. She turned to Mayako, “I say he is lying. Torture him to be sure.”</p><p></p><p>“I swear… I…” the bandit looked for an opening and tried to flee but Nobutada cut him down without another thought. He cleaned his blade and sheathed his ancestral katana.</p><p></p><p>“That was pointless,” Mayako groaned.</p><p></p><p>“What did you expect from a low-born criminal,” Nobutada replied. The group turned to the village and saw two more bandits investigating around the area where their fallen comrade still lie. The samurai once again tried to sneak into the village unseen but the bandits easily see Nobutada and Hana approaching and move to attack. </p><p></p><p>The battle was quick and very one-sided although it was at this moment that Mayako decided to utilize her blowgun from a hidden vantage point and display another shameful skill. Where the young Phoenix shugenja learned such distasteful arts is unknown but her ancestors must weep at her reliance on them.</p><p></p><p><em><strong><span style="color: green">[Mayako utilized Ninjitsu, I will need to remember to give her the Dark Secret disadvantage for such nasty training and I winged the poison damage. I will be more thorough in the future but I seem some interesting stories down the road. – GM’s note]</span></strong></em></p><p></p><p>The bandits saw their fortunes turning retreat and the village went silent. The samurai were ready for more when the village defenders arrived; a sun haired samurai, a Shiba bushi, and eight peasants brave enough to use what weapons they had to fight. Mayako smiled instantly recognizing her friend from the Tournament of Samurai, Takeshi. Takeshi’s shirt was torn and bloody bandages covered his wounded side and an arrow was still stuck in his shoulder. A shocked smile spread across his face as he approached surprised at seeing his friends.</p><p></p><p>“Mayako, Shiatari; you are both a sight for sore eyes, what are you doing way out here?” Takeshi replied sheathing his blade. He glanced at his ‘forces, “I wish it was under better circumstances, but I’m happy to see you.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah me too, are you okay, do you need healing?” Mayako responded offering her skills.</p><p></p><p>“Don’t worry about me, there are others that need your help more then I. Yobata-san take two of the men and make sure none of the bandits are about. Kando-san see to your people and the defenses. They will be back,” the Sparrow clan bushi commanded.</p><p></p><p>The young Shiba bushi and the eldest peasant warrior both nodded and responded with, “Hai!” in near unison. Takeshi had garnered much respect from these simple folks. The Sparrow warrior turned to his friends, “I had no idea that Kosuke-dono sent us reinforcements or even knew what was going on.”</p><p></p><p>“No one knows,” Shiatari responded, “it was pure chance that we just happened to be in the area.”</p><p></p><p>“Well not yet, but we sent a messenger, my father will send warriors but it will take a few days,” Mayako added. She blushed slightly remembering an odd she received when she first returned to the castle from Lady Shion’s estate. It was a simple haiku that read:</p><p></p><p><em>“Midnight hour comes,</em></p><p><em>Gentle steps, sweet voices rise,</em></p><p><em>Dawn please never come.”</em></p><p></p><p>Nobutada gave Takeshi a dismissive glance, “I am impressed that a mere Sparrow clan bushi could hold off so many bandits. Your clan is not known for their fighting skill.”</p><p></p><p>“We get by, though you are correct Seppun-san, we are not as great or as skilled the Greater Clans or the Imperial families for that matter. You honor me with your kind words,” Takeshi responded gracefully. He paused for a moment then added, “Perhaps we can join forces?”</p><p></p><p>Shiatari declined, “We have our own task Takeshi-san. But it may help you out anyway we need to find the lair of the bandits and find Otomo Hokaru and deliver him to Kosuke-dono.”</p><p></p><p>Hana agreed, “I would love to help as much as I can though.”</p><p></p><p>Mayako blurted out, “Takeshi did you write me this poem?” She held up the note with the haiku neatly written on it.</p><p></p><p>All the samurai turned their eyes to the letter and then to the Sparrow bushi. He grinned nervously, “Umm... well… I mean. Well I didn’t want to make it a big deal but yes, yes I did. I hope you enjoyed it?”</p><p></p><p>Mayako smiled, “I did very much so.”</p><p></p><p>Nobutada frowned, “We should get going I can follow their tracks easy enough.”</p><p></p><p>Takeshi smiled, “Good luck my friends, Fortunes be with you.”</p><p></p><p>The samurai follow the tracks and after an hour or so of tracking come upon an old traveler’s inn along some forgotten trail. Upwards of twenty Green Cap Gang bandits milled about outside licking their wounds, drinking, and generally being loud undisciplined miscreants. The samurai kept to the shadows of the trees and the orange pink glow of the setting sun. Six horses were tied to a post outside the forgotten inn and seemed restless.</p><p></p><p>Mayako turned to her allies, “I am going to sneak around and see if I can find out where Otomo-sama is. Wait here I should be back shortly.”</p><p></p><p>“Are you sure about this,” Shiatari responded dubiously.</p><p></p><p>“What could go wrong?” Mayako joked.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t like this idea, cousin,” Nobutada added.</p><p></p><p>“It seems rather crazy,” Hana agreed quite bluntly.</p><p></p><p>Mayako shrugged and crept towards the rear of the inn. She had thankfully avoided the undisciplined sentries and was about to slide the rear door open when it opened of it’s own accord. Standing in the doorway was a large rough-looking ronin with wild fiery red hair, a green bandanna about his head, and a big toothy grin on his face. Over his shoulder was a sheathed no-dachi.</p><p></p><p><em><strong><span style="color: green">[Mayako failed her Stealth + Agility rolled by 1 and so I had Mutogi catch her at the door. It made for a humorous scene overall. – GM’s note]</span></strong></em></p><p></p><p>The red haired ronin laughed upon seeing the Phoenix shugenja, “Seems like entertainment has arrived!”</p><p></p><p>Mayako gulped, “Umm, hi?”</p><p></p><p>“Well little girl, since you came all this way, why not share a drink with me,” his grin grew as he glared down at her.</p><p></p><p>“Sure,” Mayako agreed and followed the ronin inside.</p><p></p><p>The interior of the inn was in a poor state and the bandits had done little to improve the deteriorating structure. She followed the ronin towards the back and passed by an open door, inside was a bound and gagged samurai, the wayward Otomo delegate. Two bandits sat outside his room as guards. At the end of the hall was the room this ronin had taken for himself, a crude table stood with a jug of sake and some cheap cups sitting upon it.</p><p></p><p>The ronin sat, “have a seat, what’s your name pretty one?”</p><p></p><p>Mayako thought quickly and replied, “Chizuku, yours?”</p><p></p><p>“Mutogi, now have a drink with me Chizuku,” he grinned.</p><p></p><p>“I would love to,” Mayako raised a cup and took a solid draught.</p><p></p><p>Mutogi chortled heartily, “I love a woman that can take her drink. Now as much as I enjoy prompt delivery, you were supposed to deliver the money to the crossroads. With that said, where is my money?”</p><p></p><p>Mayako gulped, “Well we have it of course, but we wanted to make sure that Otomo Hokaru-sama was still alive.”</p><p></p><p>“He lives for now,” Mutogi replied, “without the money I can’t guarantee he will stay that way.”</p><p></p><p>“Why does such a tough man like yourself even need so much money?” Mayako asked.</p><p></p><p>“I don’t have a fancy name or clan to back me, money is what a man needs to get the things he needs to make himself more powerful in this world. I can buy more weapons to kill more of my enemies, it’s certainly nothing personal,” Mutogi responded confidently.</p><p></p><p>“Oh, how shallow. Violence is such a simple goal, don’t you have higher aspirations?” Mayako inquired.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile sitting in a rafter above the chamber was Shiatari. The stealthy bushi had snuck in after Mayako got ‘captured’ and taken a position above the room listening to much of the conversation hidden from view. Outside the inn Hana invoked the water kami to grant Nobutada great fortune and then the Seppun bushi took aim with his bow and tried an impressive if daring shot to cut all the ropes holding the bandit’s horses in one shot. Guided by his ancestors and the water kami the arrow struck true and freed the beasts causing them to bolt in several directions. The bandits scrambled to chase down the steeds raising an alarm all through the inn.</p><p></p><p>Mutogi stood and growled, “I knew I should have just killed you!” He started to draw his blade when Shiatari dropped down on the unsuspecting ronin and severed his arm clean off at the shoulder. Mutogi screamed, clutching at what used to be his limb collapsing to the ground and dying in short order. The ancestors of the Bayushi bushi were pleased by the swiftness and deadliness of her blade.</p><p></p><p>Guards rushed the room but seeing their leader dead and the Bayushi demon standing over his still warm corpse their resolve folded. The bandits were routed; none were willing to further risk their lives for nothing.</p><p></p><p><em><strong><span style="color: green">[Fun victory for them; there was good role playing, good rolls and impressive skill demonstrated by the group. Nobutada barely pulled off his shot thankfully Hana used Reversal of Fortune once more on him and he rolled a 30+ succeeding at his shot. Shiatari rolled excellently pretty much on all her rolls and spent a void point on the damage doing upwards of 50+ damage on her attack, her dice exploded very well. It was a solid victory for them! This was probably the most combat we have had in a single session. – GM’s note]</span></strong></em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Vanifae, post: 5281311, member: 58765"] [b]Session 3: Flowers, Puppies, and Swords – Part 2[/b] [i]3rd of the Serpent, 1172 IC, Sweet Plum Castle[/i] The last few days were a whirlwind for the young samurai, Hana adapted quite quickly to her new surroundings while also trying to avoid the clumsy romantic advances of Nobutada. Mayako tried to avoid Kakita Toshoe while spending time with her sisters and friends, and Shiatari stayed out of sight mostly and most people gave her a wide berth due to her clan and her rumored skills. Mayako was sad to see her sister leave for North Border Village and begin her new post as the village magistrate. She was happy that her meddling had ended with Yoko and Jin finding love at Yuuka’s expense. Her younger sisters had left the castle as well for school, Keiko leaving to learn the arts of the shugenja and Sukime off to train as a bushi. After the Crane delegation left Kosuke-sama gave the young samurai a task of great importance. With the threat of war looming the Dragon had sent a delegation to talk peace, but the delegation never arrived and the Phoenix daimyo suspected foul play was involved. He commanded his daughter and allies to escort the Imperial delegation of Otomo Hokaru from South Border Village to Sweet Plum Castle. Kosuke-sama was worried about what continued problems and conflict would spell for the province and his clan. It was the reason he sent his youngest daughters to train far away from any battle lines. Battle and bloodshed sadden his heart but he is no coward, he was preparing hi forces for war if it came to that. A reluctance that sadly was not echoed by many samurai warriors, all too eager in his eyes to kill or be killed. Now the four young samurai were heading south to meet the delegation, the day was hot but not overbearing. Two days on the road, thankfully it had not rained and the group was in good spirits. Nobutada turned to Hana trying to impress her with his skill in battle and his affluence. Mayako ignored him turning her focus to the road, anxious to be done with this task. It was then that she noticed a figure approaching in the distance, a stumbling traveler. The man was dressed poorly and clutched a package collapsing at the feet of the mounted samurai. Nobutada frowned, “Stupid peasants.” Mayako glanced at him with a scowl, “How can you be so cold?” “Cold? It is just a peasant, ignore it and move on we have more important concerns, cousin,” Nobutada shrugged looking for support from Shiatari or Hana. Hana dismounted, “We should check to see if he is okay before we move on.” Mayako nodded checking the bruised and battered peasant over. He was suffering from thirst and starvation, “He should be fine with some food and water.” [i][color=green][b][I had her roll an Intelligence + Medicine roll TN 10, and she rolled a 30+ so she was easily able to determine that the man suffered from no permanent damage. – GM’s note][/b][/color][/i][color=green][b][/b][/color][b][/b] Shiatari focused on the package, unwrapping it carefully revealing the chop of Otomo Hokaru and a crude letter written by Green Cap Bandit leader named Mutogi. The letter was brief but was insistent that 400 koku be delivered to the gang in exchange for the Otomo noble by the fifth of the Serpent or they would behead him. She read the letter out loud and then tucked the chop away. The group noticed smoke in the distance; Mayako knew that it was in the direction of the small village Kanto. The group quickly devised a plan and gave the peasant Mayako’s horse for reinforcements while they checked out the source of the smoke. They moved through the woods and came to the edge of the village; hearing sounds of fighting and witnessing a Phoenix bushi get cut down by two Green Cap bandits. The group dismounted and tried to sneak upon the bandits but Hana was too focused on doing it perfectly to realize that she was spotted by the two bandits. Nobutada seeing his ‘love’ in danger leapt to her defense while Mayako and Shiatari stayed hidden. [i][b][color=green][Hana has the disadvantage of Consumed by Perfection and thus must make at least one raise on all rolls. It is pretty brutal at times but one I will have to make sure I remember from here on out. – GM’s note][/color][/b][/i][b][color=green][/color][/b] The bandits charged towards Nobutada and Hana, but Shiatari was the first strike a blow striking from the shadows her blade was swift and nearly killed the first bandit outright. Her ancestors smiled at her lethal stroke as Nobutada’s blade slices deep into the second bandit both going all out in their respective attacks! Mayako called upon the air kami and threw both bandits to the ground with great force while Hana summoned the water kami to grant great fortune upon Nobutada! [i][b][color=green][Hana used Reversal of Fortune on Nobutada, which would save his life in a moment and Mayako used Tempest of Air. I tried to play up stances more this combat, the Bandits were surprised this round and did not act. – GM’s note][/color][/b][/i][b][color=green][/color][/b][color=green][/color] The bandits retaliated quickly landing a blow that looked for a moment to be mortal against Nobutada but was thankfully less gruesome than it appeared. The water kami blessing turning fate to his favor. Shiatari easily cut down her opponent and the remaining bandit submits. Nobutada raised his blade to the bandit’s throat, “I say we kill him for even daring to strike a samurai.” Mayako refused, “We need information, cousin. Let’s take him into the woods for now.” “We could just torture the brute,” Shiatari adds. Hana followed unnerved by the casual brutality of her allies. The bandit cried, “Please great samurai think of my children… I… will never do anything like this again!” Mayako responded, “Who leads this group?” “Mutogi… he is our leader, I swear it, I would never lie!” the bandit pleaded. “How many are in your group?” Shiatari asked. “Twenty, maybe twenty-five?” the wretched man groveled. “So few?” Shiatari questioned. She turned to Mayako, “I say he is lying. Torture him to be sure.” “I swear… I…” the bandit looked for an opening and tried to flee but Nobutada cut him down without another thought. He cleaned his blade and sheathed his ancestral katana. “That was pointless,” Mayako groaned. “What did you expect from a low-born criminal,” Nobutada replied. The group turned to the village and saw two more bandits investigating around the area where their fallen comrade still lie. The samurai once again tried to sneak into the village unseen but the bandits easily see Nobutada and Hana approaching and move to attack. The battle was quick and very one-sided although it was at this moment that Mayako decided to utilize her blowgun from a hidden vantage point and display another shameful skill. Where the young Phoenix shugenja learned such distasteful arts is unknown but her ancestors must weep at her reliance on them. [i][b][color=green][Mayako utilized Ninjitsu, I will need to remember to give her the Dark Secret disadvantage for such nasty training and I winged the poison damage. I will be more thorough in the future but I seem some interesting stories down the road. – GM’s note][/color][/b][/i][b][color=green][/color][/b][color=green][/color] The bandits saw their fortunes turning retreat and the village went silent. The samurai were ready for more when the village defenders arrived; a sun haired samurai, a Shiba bushi, and eight peasants brave enough to use what weapons they had to fight. Mayako smiled instantly recognizing her friend from the Tournament of Samurai, Takeshi. Takeshi’s shirt was torn and bloody bandages covered his wounded side and an arrow was still stuck in his shoulder. A shocked smile spread across his face as he approached surprised at seeing his friends. “Mayako, Shiatari; you are both a sight for sore eyes, what are you doing way out here?” Takeshi replied sheathing his blade. He glanced at his ‘forces, “I wish it was under better circumstances, but I’m happy to see you.” “Yeah me too, are you okay, do you need healing?” Mayako responded offering her skills. “Don’t worry about me, there are others that need your help more then I. Yobata-san take two of the men and make sure none of the bandits are about. Kando-san see to your people and the defenses. They will be back,” the Sparrow clan bushi commanded. The young Shiba bushi and the eldest peasant warrior both nodded and responded with, “Hai!” in near unison. Takeshi had garnered much respect from these simple folks. The Sparrow warrior turned to his friends, “I had no idea that Kosuke-dono sent us reinforcements or even knew what was going on.” “No one knows,” Shiatari responded, “it was pure chance that we just happened to be in the area.” “Well not yet, but we sent a messenger, my father will send warriors but it will take a few days,” Mayako added. She blushed slightly remembering an odd she received when she first returned to the castle from Lady Shion’s estate. It was a simple haiku that read: [i]“Midnight hour comes, Gentle steps, sweet voices rise, Dawn please never come.”[/i] Nobutada gave Takeshi a dismissive glance, “I am impressed that a mere Sparrow clan bushi could hold off so many bandits. Your clan is not known for their fighting skill.” “We get by, though you are correct Seppun-san, we are not as great or as skilled the Greater Clans or the Imperial families for that matter. You honor me with your kind words,” Takeshi responded gracefully. He paused for a moment then added, “Perhaps we can join forces?” Shiatari declined, “We have our own task Takeshi-san. But it may help you out anyway we need to find the lair of the bandits and find Otomo Hokaru and deliver him to Kosuke-dono.” Hana agreed, “I would love to help as much as I can though.” Mayako blurted out, “Takeshi did you write me this poem?” She held up the note with the haiku neatly written on it. All the samurai turned their eyes to the letter and then to the Sparrow bushi. He grinned nervously, “Umm... well… I mean. Well I didn’t want to make it a big deal but yes, yes I did. I hope you enjoyed it?” Mayako smiled, “I did very much so.” Nobutada frowned, “We should get going I can follow their tracks easy enough.” Takeshi smiled, “Good luck my friends, Fortunes be with you.” The samurai follow the tracks and after an hour or so of tracking come upon an old traveler’s inn along some forgotten trail. Upwards of twenty Green Cap Gang bandits milled about outside licking their wounds, drinking, and generally being loud undisciplined miscreants. The samurai kept to the shadows of the trees and the orange pink glow of the setting sun. Six horses were tied to a post outside the forgotten inn and seemed restless. Mayako turned to her allies, “I am going to sneak around and see if I can find out where Otomo-sama is. Wait here I should be back shortly.” “Are you sure about this,” Shiatari responded dubiously. “What could go wrong?” Mayako joked. “I don’t like this idea, cousin,” Nobutada added. “It seems rather crazy,” Hana agreed quite bluntly. Mayako shrugged and crept towards the rear of the inn. She had thankfully avoided the undisciplined sentries and was about to slide the rear door open when it opened of it’s own accord. Standing in the doorway was a large rough-looking ronin with wild fiery red hair, a green bandanna about his head, and a big toothy grin on his face. Over his shoulder was a sheathed no-dachi. [i][b][color=green][Mayako failed her Stealth + Agility rolled by 1 and so I had Mutogi catch her at the door. It made for a humorous scene overall. – GM’s note][/color][/b][/i][b][/b] The red haired ronin laughed upon seeing the Phoenix shugenja, “Seems like entertainment has arrived!” Mayako gulped, “Umm, hi?” “Well little girl, since you came all this way, why not share a drink with me,” his grin grew as he glared down at her. “Sure,” Mayako agreed and followed the ronin inside. The interior of the inn was in a poor state and the bandits had done little to improve the deteriorating structure. She followed the ronin towards the back and passed by an open door, inside was a bound and gagged samurai, the wayward Otomo delegate. Two bandits sat outside his room as guards. At the end of the hall was the room this ronin had taken for himself, a crude table stood with a jug of sake and some cheap cups sitting upon it. The ronin sat, “have a seat, what’s your name pretty one?” Mayako thought quickly and replied, “Chizuku, yours?” “Mutogi, now have a drink with me Chizuku,” he grinned. “I would love to,” Mayako raised a cup and took a solid draught. Mutogi chortled heartily, “I love a woman that can take her drink. Now as much as I enjoy prompt delivery, you were supposed to deliver the money to the crossroads. With that said, where is my money?” Mayako gulped, “Well we have it of course, but we wanted to make sure that Otomo Hokaru-sama was still alive.” “He lives for now,” Mutogi replied, “without the money I can’t guarantee he will stay that way.” “Why does such a tough man like yourself even need so much money?” Mayako asked. “I don’t have a fancy name or clan to back me, money is what a man needs to get the things he needs to make himself more powerful in this world. I can buy more weapons to kill more of my enemies, it’s certainly nothing personal,” Mutogi responded confidently. “Oh, how shallow. Violence is such a simple goal, don’t you have higher aspirations?” Mayako inquired. Meanwhile sitting in a rafter above the chamber was Shiatari. The stealthy bushi had snuck in after Mayako got ‘captured’ and taken a position above the room listening to much of the conversation hidden from view. Outside the inn Hana invoked the water kami to grant Nobutada great fortune and then the Seppun bushi took aim with his bow and tried an impressive if daring shot to cut all the ropes holding the bandit’s horses in one shot. Guided by his ancestors and the water kami the arrow struck true and freed the beasts causing them to bolt in several directions. The bandits scrambled to chase down the steeds raising an alarm all through the inn. Mutogi stood and growled, “I knew I should have just killed you!” He started to draw his blade when Shiatari dropped down on the unsuspecting ronin and severed his arm clean off at the shoulder. Mutogi screamed, clutching at what used to be his limb collapsing to the ground and dying in short order. The ancestors of the Bayushi bushi were pleased by the swiftness and deadliness of her blade. Guards rushed the room but seeing their leader dead and the Bayushi demon standing over his still warm corpse their resolve folded. The bandits were routed; none were willing to further risk their lives for nothing. [i][b][color=green][Fun victory for them; there was good role playing, good rolls and impressive skill demonstrated by the group. Nobutada barely pulled off his shot thankfully Hana used Reversal of Fortune once more on him and he rolled a 30+ succeeding at his shot. Shiatari rolled excellently pretty much on all her rolls and spent a void point on the damage doing upwards of 50+ damage on her attack, her dice exploded very well. It was a solid victory for them! This was probably the most combat we have had in a single session. – GM’s note][/color][/b][/i][b][/b] [/QUOTE]
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