12th Day of the Boar - Bugaisha
The group was escorted from the gates of Bugaisha, straight to see Lord Shinjo Jyaku. The Lord of the Heigen Yuki was waiting on them, calmly finishing finishing a poem as they entered, bowed, and took their places. Thew case carrying the obi was handed over to him and he made a slight, respectful bow to it before opening it up, the golden glow of the cloth lighting up his face. Satisfied, he secured the case and set it aside, looking over the samurai and their friends before nodding solemnly.
"My thanks to you all. You've suffered greatly on this quest, moreso than I had anticipated. I regret such an unexpectedly heavy burden was placed on you. You have done a hard thing. And it is appreciated. Hiruma Toshiro-san!"
"Hai, tono!" Toshiro barked out.
"You are raised to full status here. In addition to your training you will now be sent out on patrols. I understand you are also supporting some guests at your home. Though Sho was a ronin, he died in my service. So I am raising your stipend to enough to support yourself and two others."
Toshiro bowed as Lord Jyaku turned to look over the others, thoughtful for a moment. "It is a small thing, I know. But for those of you not of the Emerald Empire I have made the necessary arrangements for you to remain in the Empire legally." Papers were passed out to each of them, stamped with the seal of an Emerald Magistrate. "These give you legal status in the Empire. And last for a year before they need to be renewed. Keep them with you at all times. I will also grant you one favor. I understand you do not know our culture well here, if you ask to much I will not be offended, though I will let you know the request is too much. You may take as much time as you before making your request."
Mindra, Mir, and Verick were in no rush to decide what to do with this opportunity. But others knew exactly what they wanted. Toritaka Kazuyuki requested permission to swear himself to Lord Jyaku's service. After a moment of thought, Lord Jyaku agreed. Volar requested permission to buy some land outside the barbarian section of town, which was granted.
[DM Note: Technically, a samurai leaving one lord to serve another could be considered disloyal. In this case I fudged a little, since it made it a little easier to keep the group together. The reason why Magistrate campaigns are so common in L5R games is otherwise it's always a struggle to have samurai from different clans together in the same group.]
Finally, Lord Jyaku settled back to consider the group for a moment before going on "I'm quite sure you wish to repay Madame Sadoka's interest in you. You have permission to travel to Mimura and settle matters with Sadoka once and for all. I only ask that you also be very sure to find any books or records she keeps of who is paid what. It may be very well hidden, and no doubt will be kept very close to her. But it would be very interesting to see who she might be dealing with here in Bugaisha. Or elsewhere."
The group was happy to agree to this and after some final, polite conversation they were dismissed. All save for Toshiro. Lord Jyaku asked him to remain before for a moment of 'unvarnished advice'. "Toshiro-san, you've traveled quite some ways now with the elf, Volar, haven't you. What is your opinion of him? Is he good in a fight? Is he honorable?"
Toshiro considered the question a moment before nodding "He's very capable. His spells have played a vital role in many of our fights. I'd not call him honorable, though."
Jyaku-sama nodded in thought "and the Red Wizards? Does he ever speak of them? What does he think of them?"
"I'm not really sure…" Toshiro admitted "He's not really spoken of them."
Lord Jyaku mmmmed, frowning a little "Keep a close eye on that one then. The elf could be valuable for the future. I've learned in the past it's often best to fight a wizard with a wizard."
"My lord?" Toshiro asked questioningly.
"The Red Wizards." Lord Jyaku said with a growl "Have asked for ten acres of land outside the barbarian quarter, for an enclave. A place for them to build, live, create and sell their magic items. But more than that," Jyaku growled "Those red robed bastards would have their land be under their own laws and customs. I refused, of course. And they took it well. Very well, in fact. I traveled the Golden Way in my youth. I know a little of these dung eating Red Wizards. If they take a refusal well, they are up to something. My spies on their building have reported two additional Red Wizards are now staying there who did not come in by caravan. I hope we will not have trouble with them, but I'm preparing, just in case. Sound out Volar…find out what he thinks of the Red Wizards."
Toshiro bowed and then was dismissed to join the group.
[DM Note: It was also revealed at about this time that Toshiro had accomplished something he had been trying to avoid. His Honor had risen to 3, sufficient for people to consider him Honorable. As much as the player had mentioned wanting to stay around Honor 2, he'd consistently behaved in an honorable fashion, even when given the chance to do otherwise. This seems to be very much a case where the player's initial idea for the character has steadily changed through RP.]
But Volar had another idea to put before the group just outside. Despite all the time spent traveling and fighting together, half the group was still paying to live in the barbarian section of town, at the Dancing Ferret inn. Volar very politely put out the idea of others in the group also moving in to stay with Toshiro. Toshiro at first wasn't so sure, but barbarian's are more accepted in Bugaisha than in other parts of the Empire. His home would need to be expanded but that would add prestige to his name. Toshiro agreed to ask the Oba-san running his home about this possibility.
The Oba-san was quite pleased with the idea. In fact, she knew someone who could start working on this project immediately. And had ideas for the addition of a tea house to the Toshiro compound. And maybe adding on a little land and a wall around… Luckily, the money made by Toshiro and Kazuyuki on the trip was presented to her, ensuring there would be enough money for this grand project.
Mindra also had a little money to give to the old lady. Though he once again had to fend off her suggestions for new armor for him. She had several ideas that might prove suitable but Mindra was able to put it off.
Mir checked in at the temple, renewing her attempts to make friends with the Shugenja and monks serving there. Casually asking about her friend Iuchi Yoenki she was greeted with blank stares and "I'm sorry, we don't have a shugenja by that name here." Thinking back carefully…Mir realized she had always been found by Yoenki in the barbarian sector. There and outside the town that one time she was asked to turn the zombie. She'd never seen her in the temple. In fact, asking around a little, there was no paperwork on any such shugenja in the Heigen Yuki. The more she asked, the less comfortable she was with the situation. Even so, she kept much of her meetings with the cheerful girl secret. She had much to think about.
On his way to meet with Lord Jyaku, Verick ran into the groups old patron, Echigoya. Life was good for the old merchant. More and more Dragons were pouring into Phoenix lands around the Ki-Rin Temple, plenty of opportunity for profit. The mysterious eruptions and earthquakes in the mountains of the Dragon Clan had evidently been worse than originally thought.
In a brief meeting with Lord Shinjo Jyaku, Verick revealed he had decided on what favor he wished.
"My wish is to return to the Akodo as a samurai. To serve as my father served before the family was disbanded. I wish to become a samurai." The sixteen year old said, very seriously.
Lord Jyaku considered this request somberly then gave a nod "I can promise little. But a I know a few people in court. The Lion Ambassador will be at Shiro Moto preparing for the Winter Court there. I will make inquiries for you and let you know what I can be done."
At the same time another meeting was taking place. Kuni Noriaki, the Witchhunter who had previously interviewed the group's spell casters, visited Toshiro's home. Though Toshiro was gone on patrol, he was perfectly content to meet with the other Crab, Toritaka Kazuyuki. Even kneeling and sipping tea, the six foot tall shugenja towered over Kaz, his red robes and jade mask giving him an unmistakable air of menace, even when he wasn't trying to be menacing. The Witchhunter revealed he had received permission from Lord Jyaku to call upon Kaz and Toshiro should he need help. His investigations had revealed there were Bloodspeakers active in the area, shugenja working the darkest magic. And he trusted no one else to help him so much as he would trust two fellow Crabs. He would keep in touch and let them know when their help was needed.
Toshiro did briefly sound Volar out on the Red Wizards and found the elf did not think much of them at all. In fact, he would not mind a fight with them..there had to be alot of loot in their base...
15th Day of the Boar - Bugaisha
After three days, the group was ready to move on Sadoka. Volar had created more scrolls. Kaz had just been through the ceremony where he sworn allegiance to Lord Jyaku. Toshiro, Verick, Mindra and Mir were spoiling for vengeance. Rested and prepared, the group set off riding. It took a day to reach Mimura and as they approached the gate instead of the usual two guards there was only a single ashigaru, his arm bloody and bandaged. Just beyond the gate there was a smoldering building. In accordance with the previous orders, the guard simply noted the group's return in his book and didn't ask to see their papers. Reining in their horses, Toshiro called out "What happened here?"
Tired, the guard looked to them "Trouble. A war between criminal gangs. The smugglers have brought in more ronin and the vice queen on the other side has new allies. Huge men in black iron masks. There was a big fight today and our Yoriki was badly injured. She's at the Temple now hovering between life and death. Then this house, belonging to the foreman at the saki works, was burned to the ground with the whole family trapped inside. It's been very bad…"
Next...Mysterious men in masks...Smugglers revealed...And the group goes for a drink!
