[OA/FR] Rokugan - Updated 12/13/03

[Black Omega]

Nezu watched the group preparing with a growing sense of dread. Volar pulled out a spy glass from his backpack, even though it was far to long to have really fit inside there. Looking toward the battle ahead the elf said “Eight guards, half armed with bows. One looks like a leader type. And that huge, warped beast. I have a plan that will rescue O-Hisa, but we need to engage as many of the guards as possible.”

“I think I can help.” Mindra said quietly. Nezu watched a the monkey summoned a large wolf, then a black bear. The more targets the better, as far as the rat faced man was concerned. He’d seen that half-orc half-ogre carrying the banner and wanted no part of it.

When the Hordelanders arrived to join the battle, Nezu looked up to Toshiro, ready to call off the dangerous assault right now. Surely it was time to regroup… But Toshiro’s gaze was fixed on the center of battle and his fiancé. A fast wipe of a cloth cleaned blood from Toshiro’s katana then he nodded “Ok, let’s go.”

The group moved closer as stealthily as they could. Mindra directed his animals to sneak around to attack two of the bowmen. Verick assisted Kaz, so that heavy, noisy armor would not give the group away. And despite his many protests that he could not be stealthy if his life depended on it, once again Hiruma Toshiro blended in perfect with the light overgrowth as he moved.

Nezu readied his scimitar and waited for the command to charge. And through it all he kept telling himself “I owe Toshiro for this. I can do this. Rodrigo’s just a man and his children and just mortal. I don’t want to face them again…but I must.” The thin man had only just gathered his courage when the group charged. Bear and wolf charged archers as the samurai and Nezu ran forward to engage the others.

The half-orc guards managed to get one volley of arrows off, then it was hand to hand fighting, with their leader wading in to block the path to O-Hisa while ordering the last couple of unengaged guards to shoot anyone who got past. A chance they never got, since Mir uncharacteristically ran to the front, Naga following and acting as a bodyguard. A few words from the young Aasimar brought a thick fog of white over the battlefield. And the curses from in the mist were not simply half-orcs.

‘Why the hell did she do that!” Verick growled. “I can’t see a thing.”

But Volar could. The crude banner stood twenty feet, so he could just make out the top of the banner. And beside it the curved pole arm the monstrous guard wielded. Soaring higher, Volar took a good look over the mist before diving down into it. A powerful slash of the naginata pierced his magical protection, drawing a thick flow of blood. But Volar focused past it and grabbed for O-Hisa. For a dangerous second he almost lost her in the mist before his hands found the bound Unicorn samurai. The massive orgre-ish monster lifted his naginata for another blow but as it fell Volar and O-Hisa disappeared from view and the blade simply lopped off the top of the wooden pole O-Hisa had been bound to.

In the thick mist, Verick cut down one of the guards, then teamed up with Toshiro to kill another. Just as well, Nezu reasoned they would need someone to guard their backs so no one snuck up on them. So there he waited at the edge of the mist, keeping watch over them. Then a thundering roar came from inside the mists. And the sound of something tearing, the sickening crunch of bones breaking or shifting. Nezu heard Volar yell “I’ve got her!” the voice trailing away, a hint at how quickly the elf was flying away when he yelled it. Then towering out of the mist Nezu saw something, a figure over twenty feet tall and almost as wide, it’s skin a diseased green-black. A massive naginata was held in one hand as if it was a toy. It’s eyes burned with a black fire as it looked over the mist at some target. And all that courage Nezu had been building up melted away in seconds.

[GM Note: I’d been using a fairly generic ogre figure to make the position this creature was using. When the creature changed and emerged from the Obscuring Mist I substituted it for a figure I’d painted for the occasion, an Ogre Mage figure that was almost twice as tall as the other figures on the battle, and three times as broad. The work put into it was well worth the reaction it got.]

Nezu looked to Toshiro, who had drawn back to the edge of the mist as well, to watch. Dreading the order to attack, Nezu held his scimitar ready and prayed. Then to his amazement, Toshiro swore under his breath then yelled “Retreat!”

The rampaging creature stalked out of the mist, smashing one of his own guards as he moved. And brokew into a run, chasing Volar. A roar from the oni engulfed Volar and O-Hisa in a cloud of oily blackness and Volar faltered, nearly crashing to the ground before he righted himself. Unable to take another such attack, Volar paused in his flight to cast a spell, one more stone wall growing up from the ground, blocking the path between himself and the monster.

The rest of the party scattered as quickly as they could, knowing the creatures attention would return to them once it was sure Volar had escaped. Even Verick decided discretion was the better part of valor and used the mist to cover his retreat. As they fled Nezu was impressed by a one thing. Toshiro could really move fast in that heavy armor when he needed to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group assembled back at the stone tower Volar had created while trying to trap the wizard earlier, and Mindra went to work healing O-Hisa. The others climbed to the top of the tower to watch how the battle was going. To their surprise and relief, the Hordelander charge was revealed to be disguised Unicorn cavalry under the personal banner of Lord Shinjo Jyaku. With their Bloodspeaker allies busy, the followers of Cyric and Stavros had already started to break. Attacked from front and disheartened by the loss of their banner, the center started to give way within minutes.

As the battle turned, areas of thick, tangled plants started to grow, blocking the easy escape routes of the retreating bandits and Yabanjin. And the slaughter was on. Only on the right flank did things hold together, Viktor’s fiery great sword striking down any samurai who came near as he and his followers made a orderly withdrawal.

And back in the distance, a thick plume of smoke rose in the air from the direction of Kuzo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That evening torches flickered over the battlefield as peasants searched for survivors, samurai guards making sure valuable items of important enemies were collected to be destroyed and no peasants tried hiding away a little something for themselves. The barbarian Inu had disappeared once the battle was finished, leaving no trace.

There was no question that Rodrigo was dead. Lord Jyaku had already decreed the legendary bandit leader’s katana would be broken and melted down to make farm implements. A fitting end for such a notorious weapon. Viktor’s group had fought free and escaped, though it had been costly. Volar was certain Stavros had escaped, knowing quite well how difficult it truly was to trap a wizard. The Bloodspeakers had escaped as well, though with losses. It would be days before all the isolated, wandering zombies were finally tracked down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group was ready to return to Bugaisha to rest and recover. And for the samurai, several days of prayer and purification awaited them as well. But first Toshiro had a meeting to keep.

The day after the battle, as the ruins of Kuzo still burned, Toshiro rode southward to the village where this whole adventure began. Mindra and Verick accompanied him, just to make sure there wasn’t a trap waiting for him there.

Toshiro rode to the center of the village and looked around. He hoped Dmitrios had escaped, but there had been so many dead in the battle… Finally he yelled out “Dmitrios! It’s Mongo!” And then his eye caught movement, a hide clad Yabanjin coming out from hiding. Toshiro’s friend held his axe ready as he walked up to the samurai, suspiciously looking over the fine, red armor of the Crab clan samurai.

“Really, it’s me!” Toshiro said quickly “Mongo! We agreed to meet here after the battle.”

Even then it took a moment for the Yabanjin to recognize his friend, though when he did, he greeted Mongo with a hug “My friend! Why are you in this armor? Did you look it from one of those damned samurai? Well done!”

A little sheepishly, Toshiro shook his head “No, it’s hard to explain. I wasn’t being totally truthful with you. Mongo was just a made up name. I’m really Hiruma Toshiro, a samurai in the service of Lord Jyaku.”

Dmitrios’ face grew red as he listened and his hand tightened on the battleaxe. But Toshiro said quickly “I’m sorry for lying to you. But I had no choice. I had orders I had to obey from my Lord”

With that, Dmitrios’ eyes lit up and he nodded sagely “Ah, my friend. I understand now. That is why you want to see Dmitrios later. Do not worry, my friend. I will help you.”

Toshiro’s worried expression turned to surprise (while Mindra and Verick watched from under cover, trying not to give themselves away by laughing). “You will help me with what?”

“You are compelled to obey the orders of this terrible man. This Jyaku. I will free you of his vile control.” Dmitrios’ hand thumped Toshiro on the shoulder “You do not worry, I will kill him for you and then we go back to my village.”

Toshiro waved his hand quickly “No, no! That’s not it at all! I don’t –have- to obey his orders. Well, really I do, but I want to! It’s like you following one of your chieftains.”

Dmitrios nodded grimly “Ah! And you need support to stand up to this Chieftain Jyaku? Yes, that is wise. I can gather some of my village and we will stand with you when you challenge him. You kill him and then we will rule his village!”

Toshiro signed in frustration “No, I’m not going to fight him! Look, I wanted to speak to you because your people are great hunters. I’m sure you’ve enjoy a challenge. And so the south there is a place where terrible creatures exist in great numbers, you’d never run out of things to hunt.”

Toshiro kept trying to explain to Dmitrios how things would work in the Emerald Empire if he went down to hunt the Shadowlands creatures. But the cultural clash was simply too much. The wild Yabanjin simply wasn’t getting how things worked in the Empire, and everytime he redefined it to his own culture Toshiro could only see more fighting between the Yabanjin and whatever samurai they met. Finally Toshiro was sadly forced to conclude this had been a very bad idea.

Dmitrios seemed to understand his friends feelings a little though. “Look, we lose this battle. But now we return to our villages. And someday there is another battle. Before then, you go straight north of Kuzo for two days. Then east. You will find my village there. You come visit sometime and I show you the hospitality of the Yabanjin!”

After Dmitrios had left, Mindra and Verick rejoined Toshiro, restraining chuckles as the three headed back to link up with the party. The rest of the group would certainly be hearing all the details of this meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a three days march back to Bugaisha for the Unicorn army. Tired from battle and with so many wounded the Shugenja were not able to heal everyone up fully for another couple of days. As they approached Bugaisha it was quickly obvious something was wrong. The wooden palisade that protected the Barbarian sector was broken down and thin trails of smoke still rose for a couple of spots inside.

 

[Black Omega]

The battle had been over for several days and the clean up was going well. Based on confused reports, the barbarian compound had been attacked in the night by undead and creatures of shadow of a type the Rokugani were unfamiliar with. Even an old cleric from the west who had survived the battle was not sure of the shadow creatures, but agreed they could be the same Shadows the party saw in the Battle of Kuzo. The attack never reached Bugaisha proper, instead focusing on killing as many gaijin as possible while destroying merchant houses. To the surprise of no one in the party, the Red Wizards had survived with minimal losses but even they were very close mouthed on what had attacked.

Kaz and Toshiro returned to recognition of their heroic role in defeating the bandits. Both were promoted to Gunso and put over twenty samurai. And as a personal gift from Lord Shinjo Jyaku, the group received Bansho Kishu badges. Each would be enchanted with a minor spell of the group’s choosing. Mindra and Verick both choose Invisibility, though for very different reasons. Mir choose Detect Taint. Volar was very mysterious with his own choice, making sure no one else in the group knew he was picking…Speak with Animals? Kaz and Toshiro were in perfect agreement for their own badges, Swift Advance. Though why the Western Kingdoms insisted on calling the spell Expeditious Retreat was beyond them.

Verick was quite relieved to be back from Kuzo. He had a week upcoming in the temple for purification. But it was good to be home. He was greeted by Akiko’s smiling face, the young lady who had gone from running the smuggler Kome’s house in Mimura now handling his own home. “Welcome home, sir. Here’s your itinerary for the coming week. You are scheduled for a tour of the sake works later today. I’ve allotted a little free time this evening before a meeting with a Unicorn merchant seeking a letter of recommendation. I’ve listed the upcoming social events here, with notations for which you must go to, which are option, and which you can safely miss. News on the Lion/Phoenix war on the Dragon clan has arrived. And there are two reports for you to fill out and send back to Lion lands.” You know…Kuzo really hadn’t been that bad, Verick reflected.

For Kaz and Toshiro the news was more grim. The Crab Clan had indeed been defeated by the Crane, as they had heard in Kuzo. Their clan champion killed. In a show of support, the Unicorn have sent the smallest of their three armies to assist the Crab. Perhaps spurred on by this, it was not long before Toshiro heard his father and Lord Jyaku had finally come to an agreement over his marriage to Shinjo O-Hisa. The ceremony was set to happen in two and a half months.

But first would come another great change. With the devastation of the barbarian quarter, Bugaisha would take a year or more to recover it’s trade. Under the command of Shinjo Yuji, since the order commanding Lord Jyaku to take over Ryoko Owari had come through at last.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even so, there was much to do in Bugaisha still. Naga from Kuzo was finally freed of Volar’s domination. As with the agreement, his life was spared and a job offered. Verick had this idea for setting up a tavern in barbarian quarter while it was being rebuilt and a tough bartender who spoke common would be required. Burly and bald, Naga fit the bill perfectly.

Not long after this Volar heard from his chief student, Chen. Apparently some ashigaru had developed a taste for the fiery Yabanjin alcohol captured after the battle. With his master’s permission, Chen planned to set up a still in the area of the tower set aside for alchemy. Volar graciously gave permission, with the unspoken caveat that Chen had better not get in trouble with the magistrates.

A punishment for her recklessness, O-Hisa going to be training as a courtier. Forced to learn at least the basics of culture and diplomacy. And because O-Hisa was compelled to attend cultural events, Toshiro had to as well, though he was not nearly as unhappy about it as his fiancé.

Out at her grove, Mir had a meeting with her old friend Yoenki. The ‘Unicorn’ girl’s robes were a bit bloody still and there was some sign some of the blood had been Yoenki’s own. But she was well enough now and simply wanted to let Mir know she’d be in other parts of the empire and might not see Mir for a while. Yoenki also cheerfully confirmed she had sent the shadow at Kuzo.

“You did a great job creating Chaos. It was against my side, of course. And I was little miffed over that once I noticed you were close around. But you did really well and it made the battle more fun. And now look how it’s all turning out…Lord Jyaku gone to Ryoko Owari. Rodrigo dead. Mom going elsewhere. We’re left with a bunch of smaller factions fighting to fill the void. It’s really very exciting!” Yoenki stated happily.

Nezu was left in charge of Toshiro’s home in Bugaisha, Mir reluctantly left Cracked Nut in charge of her grove, though her cleric in training was going to take that over once she got a little experience. Volar left Chen in charge of the tower, the wily elf pretty sure he’d not be able to build a second wizard tower in Ryoko Owari.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trip to Ryoko Owari was fairly uneventful. The arrival of Lord Jyaku in Ryoko Owari was a great spectacle, though the formal hand over of power was conducted with proper ceremony in the Governor’s mansion. As was the command from the Khan of the Unicorn clan that the former Governor, Shinjo Osemu, be allowed to pass onward honorably.

A polite euphemism, the gaijin of the party discovered, for him simply slitting his belly in honorable suicide. Toshiro, Verick and Kaz were in attendance for this final act of the former Governor to atone for his failure of his clan and lord. While the others in the party simply wondered how the Rokugani could call –them- barbarians.

While Toshiro and Kaz were assigned as officers in the Thunderguard of Ryoko Owari, Verick had a different destiny. He had been promoted to serve at the Akodo Estates outside Ryoko Owari, as a diplomat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The party barely had time to settle in before Toshiro was allowed a gift before his coming marriage. A chance to visit his home, the lands of the Crab Clan. He was allowed to bring along the rest of Bansho Kishu to Shiro Kaiu to meet his father and family there. After all that had happened, perhaps it was time things were looking up for the Crab Clan.


[GM Note: This is a little sketchy, I'm picking up the pace to try and catch the story hour up a little more with the game. Rest assured, there's plenty of action on the way.]

 

[Black Omega]

The party took a week and a half to travel down to Shiro Kaiu and it wasn’t the pleasant trip they had hoped for. Almost the moment they crossed the border into the lands of the Crab Clan they were attacked by bandits. And to the party’s annoyance, the bandits appeared to have no clue who they were attacking. The battle was over swiftly and interrogating a couple of prisoners revealed the aftermath of the Crab Clan’s defeat had stripped away samurai from areas in less danger. A vacuum that had drawn bands of petty bandits.

In this case, the bandits had a little help. Half the bandits were showing up as tainted to Mir and under more intense questioning the bandits revealed his gang used dogs for their raids at night. Dogs that had seemingly found them and simply started helping, though the bandit could not easily explain why they had so easily accepted the animals.

The terrified bandit was pressed into service guiding the group back to his lair. Just to make sure the bandits didn’t try escaping into the darkening twilight, they were both tied by ropes to Kaz, who warned them direly if they tried to run away he’s kill them. With the coming of darkness, however, the group heard howls from up ahead and the bandits grew increasingly nervous.

The first warning of the attack was when Mindra suddenly started casting a spell. Volar recognized the spell as Shield of Faith and called out to the others “Ambush!” And then six void black beasts were upon them. Their eerie howls spread fear over the group, though only Yukiyo and one of the bandits were shaken enough to try and flee. Kaz’s first slash at one of the dogs was thrown off by the one of the bandit’s suddenly trying to flee, pulling at the rope. Then a fight broke out as the other terrified bandit tried to stop his partner.

A slash of claws gutted Mindra’s horse and though the monkey landed on his feet, to of the dogs were one him, one tripping him, then both biting into him and starting to pull in opposite directions, like two dogs with one bone. The lucky monkey was able to vanish from their grasp, appearing just 100 feet away and ready to fight.

The early confusion was the low point for the group. Once they recovered from the surprise, the dogs were no match for the samurai’s flashing blades, Mir and Yukiyo’s arrows and Volar’s magic missiles. Only one of the dogs survived to flee back into the night.

A search of the bandit camp revealed little, a few coins and the food they had stolen from local peasants. The two captive bandits were turned over to local authorities for execution before the group moved on. Though Toshiro was more than a little disturbed by how deeply tainted creatures had infiltrated into his homeland.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group arrived in Shiro Kaiu on the 27th day of the Goat. The large castle was heavily guarded and Volar could see the aura of protective spells along the walls. The group were required to present their papers are three check points before they were finally allowed in the castle. But once inside they were quickly greeted by Toshiro’s father, Hiruma Tetsuo. A tall, burly man with bushy sideburns, Toshiro’s father greeted him enthusiastically, ready to hear all about his son’s adventures.

Toshiro was more than happy to discuss the battle at Kuzo, and with more reluctance even mentioned his encounter with the Yabanjin afterwards. To Toshiro’s relief, his dad just nodded as he listened then said “It sounds like you did the best you could. Life just gets complicated like that sometimes. You have a good idea, but when you try to go with it, it gets more difficult. And you stubbornly press on, trying to make it work, only to finally decide it wasn’t such a good idea after all. I have two pieces of advice for you, son. First, fight as much as you can. Life is never simpler than when you are fighting off an Oni trying to tear your heart out. Two, I know you are marrying a strong willed lady, but don’t let her walk all over you. Remember to let her know who’s in charge.”

Toshiro barely had time to nod in agreement before his father got a worried look “I’d better be going. My wife and I are going to be visiting to Kaiu Wall together, to find the spot we first met. And she gets pissed if I’m late.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The party was shown to the rooms set aside for them, while the guide gave them instructions for while they were in the castle. “You see up there? We use watch fires to communicate quickly along the wall. Different colors are used to warn about the strength of the attack. If you see red, it’s very bad. This castle is the fallback point for this area. Wounded are brought back here and this is the staging area for any counter attack needed. Best thing to do if you see any smoke there is just wait in your rooms until the danger passes. No offense intended, noble samurai. But you are under the protection of the Kaiu and we take that very seriously.”

Once the party had settled in, then split up. Kaz had some private business to take care of now that he was back in the lands of the Crab. Volar studied in his room while sending his rat out to explore the back passages of Shiro Kaiu. Mir attended to her prayers. Toshiro, Mindra and Yukiyo went out looking for the weapon smith, eventually finding their way down to an area under the castle where a grimy Kaiu worked polishing a katana.

“I’m sorry to disturb your duties, but I have a request.” Toshiro began “I’m not sure of the normal procedure for this, but my Lion friend has been looking for a way to gain a crystal wakizashi.” Toshiro glanced to Yukiyo, who urged him on “and we need some jade arrows as well.”

The Kaiu smith came over to look over the group, wiping the sweat from his face before speaking “What do you need these weapons for? Jade is in short supply right now so we’re being especially stingy with it.”

Toshiro thought quickly and nodded “I understand. My friends have never been to the Crab lands before. I was hoping they could leave with gifts of their journey.”

Calmly, the Kaiu smith shook his ahead “I believe you misunderstand, Toshiro-san. A small, detailed stone carving of Shiro Kaiu is a gift. A decorative kimono with kanji that reads ‘My vassal went to the Kaiu wall and all I got was this lousy kimono.’ Is a gift. Weapons crafted by the foremost weapon smiths in the world, out materials that are rare and in short supply, are not ‘gifts’.”

Walking away from the forge, Toshiro shook his head but also smiled a little “I like him, blunt and to the point.”

Yukiyo growled “But we still don’t have the arrows.”

“I have an idea for that.” Toshiro grinned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mindra was distracted from the group when he spotted an old friend. Excusing himself, he walked over to a shadowy area and called out softly “Sitha? What are you doing here.”

From the shadows, the Monkey clan magistrate stepped into view. Only Mindra’s spirit sight could see the young woman was truly a monkey spirit in physical form. “Several of us have been assigned to the area north of here. There’s a bandit problem starting and we’re ordered to clean it up.”

“We took care of some bandits up there. Be careful, the band we fought had Shadowlands dogs as well. It might not be as easy as it sounds.” Mindra warned worriedly.

“It’s ok, we’ll be ready. Oh…I’ve been thinking about what your suggestion from last time. I have an idea. Stop by and visit Verick bright and early, maybe bring a friend. You’ll enjoy the result.” The monkey said playfully.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That evening the group was entertained at Shiro Kaiu by Toshiro’s father. Stories of battles on the Kaiu Wall were exchanged, Mir was allowed to tell the story of the Battle of Kuzo, and the group had a chance to relax a little.

Toshiro had a busy time, first taken aside by his father for a talk. “I’m pleased to hear you and O-Hisa are so close. I wasn’t in a hurry for you to be married, but since our defeat by the damned Crane, we’ve been in a difficult situation. Daily attacks on Hiruma castle, and the standoff with the Crane in the east. If the attacks on the great Wall had not tapered off, we’d be in even more trouble. I’m not sure I’ll be able to be there for the wedding so I have a gift for you now. Tomorrow morning, you and your friends will be given a tour of the Kaiu Wall and the chance to help cleaning out some bakemono that are causing trouble in one of the lower levels. “

Toshiro was almost floating on air as he related the news to the rest of the party. Volar didn’t voice his concerns out loud but later commented to Verick “You know why this is happening. Now they can say Toshiro fought on the wall, and he’ll be in the least danger possible.”

Next, Toshiro tracked down the Kaiu smith he had spoken to earlier. In more informal settings, the man was more relaxed. And a gift of vodka Toshiro still had from meeting with the Yabanjin was met with enthusiasm. And it just so happened the smith had some jade arrows that could be spared…

Toshiro returned to dinner with a bounce in his step. The night was going very well, for once. Just as he was arriving, he was met by Kaz and another Crab samurai, both looking serious and somber.

‘Toshiro, we need your help with something. There have been some troubles around the castle lately. We’ve tracked down who is causing the trouble. But...we need some help going after them. I thought of you and Kaz because you both have been stationed far away, so I know you could not have been compromised by these people.” The Crab warrior said solemnly.

Toshiro was agreeable, a fight was a great way to finish off the night. And the three made their wqay out of the castle to the town outside. To a large house, though it was late enough no lights were showing in the place. Creeping in stealthily, the three went to a large room. Where lights are suddenly unveiled to reveal just exactly what Kaz had been up to all day. Toshiro’s bachelor party.

[GM Note: And a fun scene leading up to that, as Toshiro’s player had no idea just what was coming, until it was finally revealed. Out of respect to Eric’s Grandmother, we fast forward to the next day.]
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Bright and early, Verick had a visitor. Kaiu Mitsuhara, a representative of the Kaiu forge.

“You understand, Verick-san, that crystal is very rare and difficult to work with. And we have had cases of agents of the Nothing trying to steal them. They can use crystal as well, and with the fall of the Lying Darkness, they are no longer a unified as they once were. Please excuse our caution, this is a requirement of my lord and I’m sure you’ll understand I must do this. Place this crystal mask on your face. Please tell me right away if it starts to feel hot.” The young Kaiu said, politely offering the crystal mask.

Verick tried on the mask and instantly felt the heat start, growing hotter by the second. He quickly removed the mask and spoke of the heat. But Kaiu Mitsuhara simply nodded “Again I apologize. A trick for the agents of Nothing. They would surely lie, taking the test at face value. I leave now to bring this news to my lord.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Toshiro awakened more slowly this morning. It had been a long long night. And now he had a adventure on the wall awaiting him. He washed up quickly and then got into his armor, but was surprised to find a small note tucked away inside his gauntlet.

A Rose In Darkness
Crimson Snow Over The Wall
You Cannot Forget

Toshiro had no doubt who must have left the note, and it was not a good thing. If his ‘girlfriend’ consumed by the Lying Darkness was around, then something bad was happening, or about to happen.

Toshiro didn’t have time to reflect on this, or how the note got into armor, though. Mindra was knocking at his door, the monkey in an unusually happy mood “Let’s go visit Verick, he’s up already. Just trust me, you’ll like this.”

At Mindra’s mysterious request, he went with the Vanara to visit Verick. But Toshiro didn’t have to wait long to find out the nature of the visit. Verick’s face was marked with black. A black triangle cat nose over his own, and little catwhisker black lines over his cheeks. While Mindra tried not to giggle and was silent, Toshiro blurted out “What’s wrong with your face, Verick?”

Surprised, Verick brought out a mirror and looked. And his face turned a dangerous shade of red, his temper rising quickly. Glaring at Mindra he snarled “Ok, what did you have to do with this?”

Mindra was taken aback by the sheer anger and shook his head quickly “Nothing.” Nothing directly at least… ‘We were just coming to visit. Maybe a spirit did it?” he suggested, worriedly.
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More would have happened if not for the arrival of a servant announcing it was time for the group to visit the Kaiu Wall. Their guide was going to be Kaiu Hanshi. But before leaving Verick wrote off a fast note to the Daimyo of the Kaiu, angrily informing him of the ‘Kaiu’ who had played this trick on him and suggested Mindra may perhaps be a minion of the Lying Darkness or the Shadowlands.

This task done, Verick joined the others in the shot walk up to the Great Wall.

 

[Black Omega]

On the wall again
I just can’t wait to be on the wall again
Going out and killing goblins with my friends
I can’t wait to be on the wall again


On top of the wall, the heat was oppressive, only made tolerable by a strong wind blowing from the Shadowlands side of the wall. Kaiu Hanshi was a tough looking young man in heavy armor. As the group ascended the stairways to the top of the wall he explained “We have to do this sometimes. When a wave of Shadowlands creatures attack, sometimes they overflow the area temporarily. Many of them go inside the wall, into the passages there. That’s why we don’t keep barracks or aid stations there, though that was the 0riginal plan when the wall was first built a thousand years ago. The wall is a hundred feet high and extends down well past ground level, covering the entire border the Crab Clan has with the Shadowlands. Up on those towers are the signal fires we use for fast warning of an attack. There are traps down inside the wall for the creatures that get inside. Don’t worry about them though, I’ll guide you past them.”

As impressive as the wall was, the sight that lay beyond it was even more so. A sluggish black river that lead on to a twisted landscape. Here and there a tree dead looking trees and other plant life. The land shimmering with the morning heat. Toshiro had seen this before, in his dreams. The fights against hordes of tainted creatures. And now here he was for real. He was really looking forward to this…

Kaz was not. He’d been stationed on the wall before, he knew exactly how dangerous it could get up here. He’d done his duty but if he had never seen the wall again, he’d have been happy. And now here he was again…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaiu Hanshi led the group down into the wall, guiding the group past several traps only he and Verick could see. “Keep in mind bakemono are fierce but not brave. When they state losing, they’ll flee and the battle can turn into a chase. Just remember, don’t go off alone.”

It was easy to believe the wall had been here a thousand years. There was a sense of age to it, and signs of the constant repairing, and rebuilding that had to go on to keep it in proper shape. Patches over damaged areas, and to Volar’s magical sight, the aura of magic from old spells not quite faded.

But no goblins, not as of yet. But as they walked along, Volar did notice something unusual. Looking down a hallway, there was a strong, fresh aura. An illusion. Asking Hanshi about spell casting Bakemono simply surprised the young man, he had never heard of such a thing. But still, as the group went down the hallway, there was a sound in the blank area that looked so safe. Then a charge, 20 goblins coming into view. The fight was short and swift, the Bakemono no match for Bansho Kishu. Mindra, Mir and Volar even got into the act, with mace, staff and Elven long sword. It was the first time Volar had ever bothered to draw his long sword for a fight.

And still the Bakemono fought on, expressions going from bloodthirsty to frightened, but they did not retreat. And the fight only ended when the last goblin was dead. Going down the hallway to investigate, the group found two old rooms that seemed to have been taken over by the goblins. The stench was unpleasant, and that as just the leftovers from the goblins food. The bedding was even worse.

Hanshi had to admit, he’d not seen bakemono act like this before in the wall, it was very puzzling. The group divided to check both rooms and it was soon obvious the goblins had been here for about a week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was some discussion in the rooms over what they should do now, when a light began to glow in the hallway. A greenish aura that flickered and swirled and as they peeked out, they saw what looked like a gate forming at the end of the hallway, until it covered the entire wall.

Toshiro, Kaz, Hanshi and Verick readied their weapons while the others waited. Mir sent her thrush down to the opposite end of the hallway to keep track of what was going there. The poor thrush could not see a thing there in the darkness but it could hear without trouble.

After perhaps a minute something came through the gateway. Goblins. A wave of goblins..30…40…50…then an ogre…then a type of oni…then more and more goblins. Toshiro picked his moment, waiting until the ogre was passing by, then attacked from the room and the battler began all over again. Two ogres cut half the group off in that room as an oni faced the other room, tainted claws clashing with Verick’s katana there. One of the gores swung his massive club, hitting Hanshi on the top of the helmet, sending the Crab samurai down in a boneless heap. The other hit Toshiro, but now Kaz stepped up to close the gap, protesting Volar and Mindra. Verick’s jade sword did terrible damage to the oni, but it took Mir’s magic to keep Verick going. And as that fight raged, the bakemono kept pouring past, over a hundred now and still coming.

Mindra’s magic was too late to save Hanshi, but Toshiro and Kaz took revenge on the ogres, cutting both down, though it was a tough fight and both were bloodied and tired by the end. Verick had fared better against the Oni thanks to his jade katana. But over two hundred goblins had won past and the gateway was still there. Volar quickly send off a sending to Hiruma Tetsuo, Toshiro’s dad’ to let him know about the goblins and the gateway. And then he joined the others in the hallway. No one was keen to try stepping through the portal and the few seconds they had to try passed quickly and another figure emerged from the gateway. Nine feet tall, clad in a flowing robe decorated with mystic symbols even Volar did not recognize. Horns curled out from it’s head, but it was no minotaur, Volar was sure of that. After another second, two more of the creatures joined in the first, both heavily armored and carrying huge, curved swords.

Volar acted quickly, casting a wall of force across the hallway, then waving “Back this way! We have time to heal and get ready! It will last several minutes!” As the creatures found the invisible wall, the party retreated down the hallway. Though the goblins had already chased Mir’s thrush deeper into the wall and she no longer had any good idea where Thrush was, except lost. While trying to guide her familiar back, she joined Mindra and healing up the group as fast as they could. But then from the darkness the three creatures strode into view, ready for the fight. And from the robe clad creature came a challenge in hissing Rokugani “We challenge the samurai to single combat! Especially the Lion!”

Mindra and Mir got off a last round of healing as Volar cast Grease across the hallway in front of Kaz, Toshiro and Verick to make it difficult for the massive creatures to approach closer, the challenge silently refused. Shadowlands creatures knew nothing of honor, why bother with a duel? At the sight of the grease, the creatures snorted, what seemed to be a laugh for them. And Mindra recognized each of them calling upon the spirits, a hiss wail in the hallway as the three samurai in front were struck by Ancestral Vengeance spells like Mindra used now and then. And that was not the end, the spirits struck over and over as the creatures simply stood there, seeing no point to crossing the grease when they could strike down the samurai from here. Kaz, Toshiro, and especially Verick started to get impatient as they tried to outlast the spells, Mindra and Mir having to cast healing as fast as they could to try and keep up.

Finally Verick growled, “I don’t think they are going to stop. We can’t cross the grease to attack them, damn it!” The robe-clad creature lifted his arms, a new attack, calling upon the spirits again to Castigate the party. And this time Volar and Mindra suffered the worst, the Monkey shaman knowing the spell struck worst against the one’s whose temperament as most opposed to the caster. So if the honorable party members suffered the least…perhaps the creatures did know something of honor?

Another couple of volleys buffeted the party with no chance of return fire. Mindra just looked to Volar, who shook his head “I expected a battle against goblins, I didn’t prepare spells for something like this.”

Finally Verick shouted “Retreat back the way we came!” And the group fled down the hallway, hoping to outdistance the creatures while the horned things were busy crossing the grease. And from behind that hissing snort of a laugh again before it was swallowed in the darkness.

At first Toshiro took the lead as they tried to make their way back to the top of the wall. It said something about the twisting passages that even Volar had gotten lost in all the turns and stairs while Hanshi had guided the group. After Toshiro narrowing avoided a trap he had not even seen until the pit opened up, Verick took the lead, guiding the party past the remaining traps. They had one basic strategy...keep going up. Sooner or later they’d end up on top of the wall again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group passed some dead samurai, and even more dead goblins before they finally came to a ladder leading upward. Quite a few goblins laying dead at the bottom of the ladder. Warily, Verick climbed to the top of the ladder and pushed on the hatch there. It took a few strong pushes before something seemed to roll off the door and Verick would open it a crack to see a fierce battle. Samurai fighting undead, Bakemono, at least one Maho-tsukai, casting blood spells. Quickly Verick ducked back down and slide down the ladder to rejoin the group, worriedly “It doesn’t look good…”

[GM Note: Hanshi was just another example of me having fun with Japanese. It can mean half-dead. I knew the odds were slight he'd ever survive the first big battle.]

 

[Black Omega]

Verick ducked back down to rejoin the party, shaking his head “At least in this area there’s a heavy attack. This is our best route out of the wall, though.” There was a brief conference with all except Mir, who was still trying to guide her thrush out of the wall and back to the group, though the terrified thrush was having to fly slowly to avoid constantly running into walls in the pitch darkness.

The party decided to charge into the battle, Toshiro leading the way up the ladder. The situation on the wall had only gotten worse while they debated. To the left a group of Crab samurai were finishing off goblins, but starting to be surrounded by their now undead former comrades. An oni with the blubbery look of an octopus was slithering up over the edge of the wall into view, while a Bloodspeaker was running from corpse to corpse, raising the dead defenders of the wall and adding them to the Shadowlands army.

Toshiro’s target was obvious and as soon as he was up he was charging the Bloodspeaker, joined in a few seconds by Kaz, while Verick rushed toward the Oni. Mindra and Mir were left to handle the undead hordes, which Mindra got a good start un, calling upon his connection to his ancestors, the energy so powerful several zombies simply crumbled away into nothing.

Toshiro hacked into the Bloodspeaker savagely and Kaz was trying to move to cut the maho-tsukai off, but the man was too fast. He took a step back, crying out “My life and blood is offered belongs to the Dark Lord, you may not have it!” Blood dripped from his fingertips as he gestured and the skeletons of the still dead began to twist and reform, ripping free of the bodies to create a wall of bone between him and the Crab samurai.

Verick’s jade katana flashed as it hacked away a tentacle from the blob like oni and he dodged a lash of the tendrils before slashing into the creature savagely again. Volar cast a Fly spell and flew closer, effortlessly casting a Magic Missile, only to watch the creature absorb the magic without any sign of harm. In fact, the wounds of the creature seemed to heal a little.

Mir was surrounded by the zombies but the creatures were too slow to catch the young Aasimar and she dodged their attacks as she retreated to help Verick. Mindra took a few hits from the zombies but another blast of his ancestral energy shriveled more of the zombies into dust.

In frustration at the wall, Toshiro and Kaz both took a few seconds to try and hack through, but failed and the sharp edged bones injured them both. Noticing Verick struggling with the Oni, Toshiro ran over to help while Kaz grimly continued to hack away on the wall, while the maho-tsukai went to work again raising corpses. Kaz was not left alone long, however. Two goblins riding gaunt, pony like creatures with claws instead of hooves surrounded him. Kaz swiftly cut down the goblins and went to work on the wall of bones again, surprised when one of the gaunt creatures whispered “Yes..yes..ignore us..we are harmless..don’t mind us…” thenh both tore into him with sharp claws, samurai blood flying as the creatures disproved their words.

Verick’s blade was slashing through the blubbery demon effortlessly, the wounds burning the creature. But it was massive, it’s tendrils lashing out at anyone who got close and sending them flying. Save Verick, who was trapped as a tentacle wrapped around his body. Toshiro’s charge saved the Lion warrior, his honorable katana slicing through the tentacle at the base and freeing Verick. But that only lasted a moment, as Toshiro was swiftly entrapped by another writhing tentacle, armor creaking as it squeezed tightly. Mir paused out of reach of the tendrils, ready to rush in to heal when she got the chance.

And Mindra fought on against the undead. As Crab after Crab fell fighting the zombies, Mindra blasted the undead into dust and bone fragments, finally resorting to his mace to finish off the last few.

Kaz growled as the creatures tore into him and he left off his assault on the wall to fight back. He hacked off the paw of one of the creatures before sweeping his sword back to take it’s head off. The other creature howled loudly at the death of the other and plunged into the battle more fiercely, claws on Kaz’s shoulders, raking downward as the blood flowed.


Toshiro felt his body being crushed by the tentacle while the creature fended off Verick’s attempts to save him. Volar had a plan though, as always. Arcane energies forming around him as he chanted a spell and flew in close to grab Toshiro, then both disappeared in a flash. Reappearing on the other side of the bone wall, next to the shocked Bloodspeaker. Toshiro’s katana struck like lightning and in two savage strikes the bloody Maho-tsukai simply fell apart, dead before the pieces of his body struck the ground.

Kaz’s bloody battle with the gaunt creature went on, Kaz clearly winning. Until the bloody creature ran a few steps away and growled “I know your scent, and I’ll have revenge, yes I will…” then it dashed away, far faster than Kaz could follow.

The octopus demon had slithered fully onto the wall now, pulsing softly as it’s tentacles lashed out again, one buffeting Verick, another capturing Mir, who had wondered too close. A toss from another tentacle sent Verick up into the air and over the edge of the wall, stone scraping over metal as Verick grabbed for the edge then disappeared from view.

It was a nice view of the Shadowlands Horde, Verick reflected. Hanging by one hand just below the edge of the wall was not the best place for sight seeing. But there were a lot of creatures coming up the wall below him, not simply goblins but many other things. Oni, undead, and other creatures his mind could not quite focus on. Gathering himself, Verick focused deep inside for strength, then launched himself upward over the blob like demon, his katana flashing one final time, and as Verick landed beyond the creature, his katana held out to the side, the oni slowly fell apart into putrid ooze.

From there, cleaning up the undead and goblins were pretty easy, Mir’s staff and Mindra’s mace just as good for the task as the samurai’s katanas. But as they finished they looked around. On the towers to either side, strong gusts of wind kept the signal smoke from alerting anyone, while goblins tips over the burning braziers and danced in triumph. And another wave of the Shadowlands Horde was just starting to crawl over the edge of the Kaiu Wall.

Even with healing low, magic low, and everyone wounded. Toshiro was tempted to make a stand on the wall then and there. But as an Oni no Akuma came into view, flame dripping from the creatures three tongues, he knew it would be pointless. The group retreated quickly, leaving the wall to the Shadowlands.

 

[Black Omega]

And just a fast comment.

First up, this went rather well from my point of view. I have some players familiar with the L5R meta plot and I still managed to surprise them by putting them in the middle of the fall of half of the Kaiu Wall. They expected trouble but not that much trouble.

I generally stick close to Metaplot and try not to get the group to heavily involved with it. but since some players have expressed an interest in being more involved this might change.

Also at Gencon the main metaplot came to an end, thanks to the L5R World Championships. Now i now how the metaplot ends and I have to decide if I want to keep sticking close to it. I'm not fully happy with the Gencon results, but I can work with them. With some changes.

 

[Black Omega]

The party didn’t retreat far, however. They found the first defensible spot and then the samurai went to work rallying the Crab warriors retreating from the Kaiu Wall. Mir would have helped, but she was busy guiding her panicked thrush out of the wall. It flew from spot to spot in the utter darkness, now and then holding still as silent as creatures it could not see passed by. And then flying on again. Until finally the thrush spotted daylight and zoomed on, breaking through into the light of day at long last.

With some order restored, the group began to withdraw back toward Shiro Kaiu. Along the way they ran into a Kaiu samurai directing the traffic, who flagged down the party. “We’re reforming back at the castle for a counter attack, but the wounded won’t last the trip back there. Wounded are being sent along that path toward a grove where our healers are working. If Mindra and Mir have some healing spells left, their help in that area would be very appreciated.”

Mindra and Mir were willing to go heal the wounded as the others returned to the castle and the Kaiu samurai gave them directions before waving them on. Mindra and Mir joined the trail of wounded heading to the west while the others walked on northward. When the party had safely departed the Kaiu samurai murmured softly “Stay safe, Toshiro.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It wasn’t a long walk to the medical area but as theyn passed the couple of samurai on guard, Mindra started to get suspicious. There were tainted spirits around, too many to be a simple byproduct of the Shadowlands attack. Softly Mindra whispered this news to Mir before they went into the tent used for healing. Upon entering, they had a bare moment to see the healer wearing the Kaiu, his eyes glowing a flickering, sickly green in the dim light,, before he struck, a cloud of tainted fumes washing over the two. Mior’s hidden jade amulet grew hot beneath her clothing but Mindra was caught full on, his lingering wounds from the pervious battles blackening. The bodies of the ‘dead’ started to sit up, reaching out toward Mindra and Mir, only to have the two disappear as the monkey grabbed his friend and teleported away.

Though Mir’s link to the thrush, she sent it out looking to catch up with the others, something the thrush was only happy to do. The further away from that damned wall, the better. Meanwhile Mindra and Mir started working to stop the peasants carrying the wounded toward the grove. No easy task, in fact, since the loyal peasants were not inclined to take the orders of a foreigner and a talking monkey.

But Mir’s diplomatic skills convinced them to hold up long enough for Mindra to heal the Crab samurai they were carrying, and then she convinced him to stop the passage of the wounded into the grove.

Finding Toshiro, Verick and the others, Thrush relayed the news of the ambush in the medical grove. Grabbing horses, the others raced back, guided by the thrush to find Mir and Mindra. From there they proceeded to the grove, the battle against the demon surgeon and his undead guards was short and bloody. Bansho Kishu won, but there was no sign of the wounded already sent to the grove, though looking around did reveal tracks of wagons leading away.

There was no sign of the Kaiu samurai who had misdirected them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Returning to the castle, Mindra’s tainted wound was treated with heated jade, while the others waited, ready to join the counter attack they knew was planned.

Toshiro had a brief moment to visit with his father. The heavyset samurai wounded, but not seriously. He and his wife were returning to Shiro Hiruma. However bad it was here, the castle lay beyond the wall and would surely be the next target of attack. They had to get back and help their clan. And Toshiro had to return to Ryoko Owari and help seal the alliance between the clans with marriage.

Then the party was summoned to meet Kaiu Ryojiro, younger son of the daimyo of the Kaiu. As they entered, the young samurai waiting for them looked grim. Even a little angry. “My father has gone to lead the attack to retake the wall. The odds are not good, but we must make the effort before the Shadowlands dig in. I’m left here to take care of some matters that can’t be left undone. Your group is one of them. You will be leaving within the hour. If the attack fails, we’ll be besieged here and could no longer guarantee the safety of our guests. But first, Verick sent a letter to Lord Kaiu, mentioned he was attacked by some type of ‘spirit’ who played a trick on him. And that Mindra was either tainted or a creature of the Lying Darkness. Normally we would simply kill a pet or gaijin accused by a samurai of such a thing. But since Mindra is also a friend of Toshiro and Kaz, and since this would have a very negative impact on the reputation of Bansho Kishu, we will handle this more…delicately. Mindra, hold out your paw..um..hand.”

Mindra frowned suspiciously “Why?”

“Because we can test Verick’s accusation be poking some pins into your hand to see the reaction. Or by driving jade and crystal swords through your body, just to be sure. Your hand, please.” The samurai demanded implacably.

Mindra reluctantly held out his hand and winced as the jade and crystal needles pierced his flesh. But there was no reaction, other than healthy red blood.

Kaiu Ryojiro nodded “There, we’ve confirmed Mindra is not tainted or a minion of the Lying Darkness. In the letter, Verick, you said Mindra said a spirit played this joke on you. That would seem very likely. We have mujina here now and then. We catch them when we can, but they are very tricky. Either one of them played this trick. Or someone outside your group is trying to make you look bad. Or this is a fight within your group that we are being drawn into. Since I’m very sure a Lion and Bansho Kishiu would surely not need our help against someone. And you can surely solve your own problems. We will leave it at a spirit doing this. Mindra, you speak to spirits I am told. Can you see this doesn’t happen again?”

Mindra nodded silently and the audience was at an end.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just before leaving, Mindra met with his old friend Sitha again, the Monkey magistrate in a somber mood matched by Mindra’s own concern.

“Ok, we’ve played our joke on Verick. Let’s not do it again, please. He was –very- upset over it and I think next time it will turn violent. I did promise I’d talk to the spirit who did the trick and ask it not to do it again. Of course, I can’t control you.” Mindra added on carelessly.

Seeing the playful sparkle in Sitha’s eyes, Mindra caught himself “No, really! Don’t do this again!”

Reluctantly, Sitha agreed. She was being sent out to fight the bandits now anyway. And it was time for Mindra to go.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As the group rode northward away from the castle, smoke rose into the sky behind them. The counter attack on the wall had failed and the Kaiu were prepared for the assault on the castle itself. As the group rode onward, they were suddenly confronted by a curious create, dressed in furs and tattered robes, carrying a gnarled staff from which various talismans dangled. A Ratling, and well out of his normal territory.

The Nezumi cried out, “Hida Banuken, I’ve been waiting for you!”

 

[Black Omega]

Seeing the group’s confusion at his appearance and the name, the aged ratling lifted his staff, pointing it at Hiruma Toshiro “you may have a new name, but the soul never forgets. Yesterday you were Hida Banuken the great leader who defeated the Shadowlands when the great wall was built. Today you are Hiruma Toshiro, though that name doesn’t cling as tightly to your soul…not yet.”

“And tomorrow?” Toshiro asked impulsively.

“No..no…we are all running from tomorrow. Tomorrow is chasing and when tomorrow catches you…very bad. We Nezumi know this. We are all running from Tomorrow. Someday last Nezumi caught by Tomorrow then great battle. Nezumi win, we gain great empire. Nezumi lose, we are forgotten into dream. Very sad…” the ratling said in his low, raspy voice.

“I have no idea what he’s talking about.” Toshiro whispered to the others.

“It makes sense to me…in a way.” Verick whispered back.

The aged Nezumi shook himself from his thoughts and lifted his staff again ‘You will return to the wall again, Toshiro! You have a destiny bound there, you cannot escape it. But this is not why Te'tik'kir is here. We have another matter to discuss. A name calls to me. Because of the attack today you cannot come meet Te'tik'kir so Te'tik'kir comes to meet you. You seek to save one who’s name is lost. To do so, you must bring three things to me. The lost one. The name. An item with a great connection to the lost one. With these, the name can be bound back to the person. Verrrry difficult task. Suitable for one’s with a great destiny.”

“You know what he’s talking about, don’t you Toshiro? We need the katana that we had until you told her how to get it back!” Verick growled, still irritated over that.

“When you have these things, you come find Te'tik'kir . Waiting, the Nezumi will be. Until then, pursue your destiny and may Tomorrow never catch you!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riding onward, someone in the group wondered aloud “Do all old masters carry staffs or sticks?”

Volar said thoughtfully “It was probably magical.”

Verick chimed in “It was probably used to hit the ratlings that annoyed him, if he’s anything like my master.”

By the end of the day, the group had found an inn to stay at. That night the set watches, wary of sleeping so close to the wall. A good thing to, on the second watch while Verick rested with his katana laid over his lap he heard a muttering outside the room the group slept in.

“Yes, this is the place. We smell him, yes we do.” A soft, hissing tone. Verick tossed something over at Toshiro to wake him then slowly edged up to peer out into the darkness, frowning. Nothing there he could see.

Another frown, Toshiro wasn’t getting up, either. Verick turned back to make sure Toshiro was ok, and almost jumped when he saw Toshiro standing right behind him, waiting. Again, despite his protests, Toshiro proved he could move in utter silence when needed.

[GM Note: And again, when he needed a move silently roll, Toshiro rolled a 20. A ort of running joke in the game since he’s put nothing into move silently, but his family is known for stealth.]

Verick was just starting to explain what he heard then a create crashed through the thin wood and paper wall, coming in from the hallway. Windows flew open and a gaunt, dog like creature leapt into the room, and on the sleeping Kaz…the creature from the wall still seeking revenge.

The last remaining doglike creatures the group had fought when they first entered the Crab lands joined in the assault. Last but not least, a Tsuno teleported into the room. Robes clad his powerful body, the creature’s horns sticking out in all directions. Red-Gold eyes glittered as the creature rumbled “It took a while to find you after you ran from us on the wall. And a lot of chasing.” The creature helt out his hand, an Ancestral Vengeance calling the fury of the Tsuno down upon Verick in the form of a sharp, physical blow.

Rousing himself from his sleep, Kaz snatched up his sword, facing off with the creature who was still muttering various curses on Kaz’s name.

Kaz slashed the creature once quickly then growled “What, you couldn’t take a joke?”

“A joke!? Yes, yes! A Crab dozes off on the great Wall. He was dead tired!” the creatures claws drawing more blood from Kaz’s unarmored body. “A Crab, Crane, and a Ratling walk into a teahouse. The tea master says ‘what is this, some kind of joke?’”

Toshiro confronted the largest of the creatures, his honorable katana having trouble damaging the creature, but Toshiro was determined. Mir and Mindra both woke up, surprised by the creatures biting and clawing at them, but quickly cast spells of protection and got into the battle.

While Verick took an attack to get in close enough to start hacking up the Tsuno, only to slowly start realizing his sword wasn’t doing as much damage as he expected.

The battle was short and sharp once the group had recovered from the surprise. Mindra and Mir hammered the dogs with their mace and staff before Mir ran between the oni and Tsuno, taking the attacks to heal Toshiro and then Verick. Slowly Toshiro hacked down the oni, who’s unfocused attacks rarely went after the same person moment to moment.

Even without his armor, Kaz was simply too tough for the gaunt, doglike creature and despite it’s jokes it was forced to flee again. The sinister Tsuno took hit after hit from Verick, while Mindra’s healing kept the young Lion fighting. Until finally the Tsuno was forced to take a step back, then he drew upon the spirits of the area, disappearing from that spot in the room and appearing back outside the room. Verick was not done with the creature and he broke into a run, diving through the window to chase after the Tsuno. The Tsuno paused, red-gold eyes glancing over Verick coldly. Then the creature disappeared for good.
[GM Note: Leaving a few questions unasked. Why this attack? What was this creature doing chasing the group so far beyond the wall?]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The rest of the trip back to Ryoko Owari was fairly peaceful. Back in the City of Green Walls, Toshiro and Kaz had time to settle in to their new posts, officers in the Thunderguard, the local magistrates who keep order in the city. Shinjo Toru, the Thunderguard who had nearly died last time while helping them against the Scorpion, as assigned to show them around. The prison to the north, used for holding prisoners before their punishment is decided. The Dragon Gate, where the Thunderguard headquarters is. Toshiro was being assigned the Fields of Gold, a more peaceful and prosperous merchant sector. Kaz was assigned an area much rougher and more violent known as The Loops. Aside from the rank and file Thunderguards, there were two special groups. The Lightning Squad was 50 horse man, mostly Unicorns, who could can be anywhere in the city in ten minutes, or so it is rumored. The Samurai Squad is assigned to handling the licensed district, set on an island in the middle of the River of Gold which cuts through Ryoko Owari. They are well used to dealing with rowdy samurai.

Toshiro met his assigned Thunderguards and made his speech about making sure the area was kept clean and orderly. Since he’d been given a wealthy area, free of crime, where even the local firemen were honest, this seemed like an easy task.

Toritaka Kaz’s assistant was an efficient young man named Kato, a commoner but an experienced Thunderguard. Kaz made a very different initial impression, first making it clear to his Thunderguards that he would not tolerate any corruption in the area. Then taking a tour of the streets and meeting the less reputable merchants, innkeepers, and businessmen in the area. And making it clear he wasn’t much worried about things like gambling, but theft and murder…that would only get them trouble. He also started keeping a close watch on his guards, trying to start picking out who were good guards, who were dirty, and which of those might be worth keeping and rehabilitating. It was going to be a very difficult task.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Verick returned to finish moving in to the Akodo estates, the enter of Lion activity in the area. A place established by Lord Akodo Ginawa to keep an eye on the Scorpions and Unicorn in Ryoko Owari. Though it was nice enough to be spending so much time in the company of his fellow Lion samurai, it also took some getting used to. He had never spend much time with the Lion clan, and was used to being almost on his own, save for his sensei. Now he was in an estate filled with Lions, serious men and woman totally dedicated to honor. It took some getting used to.

Once he was settled in, Verick was scheduled to meet with Akodo Jusho, former Emerald Magistrate and Lord of the Akodo estates. Jusho was a thin, wiry man with a neatly trimmed mustache and a very proper air about him.

“Thank you for your fine service so far, Verick-san.” Jusho began, smiling. “You’ve been placed in very difficult circumstances and you have done well. It’s been a very trying time for the Lion Clan, we’ve had to withdraw many troops from the Phoenix lands to deal with the attack of these Tsuno. I expect a report on your own contact with them in the morning. For now, you’ll be pleased to know your duties will no longer require so much contact with the barbarians you’ve been traveling around with. I’ve not doubt it’s been very trying but you have held up under it very well.”

“You do realize my mother was a ‘barbarian’.” Verick said softly, color rising to his face as his temper grew hotter.

“Your mother is the mother of a samurai. Nothing more or less. Since you were not traveling with her, you are safe in assuming I was speaking of the elf, the Vanara, and the human who worships that foreign spirit.” Jusho replied promptly “Don’t be so sensitive, Verick-san. This is a city of Scorpion, if they sense a weakness like temper, they will use it against you. “

Seeing Verick’s silent, angry nod, Jusho went smoothly on “And while we are on the subject of appearances. I understand you often fight with two weapons, katana and wakizashi. As you might know, this is a Dragon technique. And while I’m very sure your style has nothing to do with the Dragon clan, still…it would not be proper for a Lion to be walking around Ryoko Owari fighting like a Dragon. Give quite the wrong impression. So please refrain from doing so here in Ryoko Owari.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mindra was having trouble getting work in Ryoko Owari. No one would give a strange talking monkey a job, no matter how skilled he was. It took Toshiro visiting a local carpenter shop and ‘suggesting’ he would like his friend given a job before work was finally found for Mindra. The carpenter eager to find something for Mindra to do. At a good price. And really, Mindra didn’t even need to show up for work! As long as Toshiro was happy….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Verick went to the temple of Bayushi in the Temple District, known as Daikoku’s Shadow after the huge, gold plated temple to the fortune of Wealth that loomed over the area. He offered incense to the spirit of the Golden Scorpion while he plotted and considered. And then made arrangements for a party at the Akodo estates, with all the proper permission. A chance for his Bansho Kishu friends, as well as some Unicorns, to come visit and see good Lion entertainment.

Akodo Jusho was happy to attend, he was curious to see these barbarians in the flesh. He was not the least bit offended by them. In fact, he questioned Mindra closely about his quaint and charming monkey customs. Jusho was quite accepting that people from outside the empire did strange and amusing things. His questioning went from Mindra to Volar then to Mir, annoying them all in various degrees, not with insults but with condescending amusement.

Verick had prepared for this, however. He knew Jusho had a loathing for Kabuki Theater and has arranged for a performance. If Akodo Jusho was really annoyed, he gave no show of it. But then a diplomat who made a habit of showing his emotions would not last long in a Scorpion city.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That night Mindra had a dream, he was back in the jungle, being chased by something. There were whispers in the jungle all around him, dark shapes moving and chasing…the danger looming around him before a monkey spirit offered to help him. With an ear piercing shriek Mindra woke in his bed, panting. The dream so real….and as he drifted off into that restless sleep he found himself in the jungle again…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day Verick was visited at his duties by Akodo Jusho, who was smiling slightly “Well done, Verick. I’ve not given you enough credit. At first I was annoyed you choose Kabuki for the party last night. But on second thought, it was an excellent and subtle choice. They won’t be familiar with more classic and traditional theater like Noh. So a performance would be wasted on them. Kabuki appeals to the lowest common denominator and so was more likely to be something they would understand. Good thinking, Verick! Keep up the good work!” and with that Jusho walked on as Verick glared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The group slowly settled into their routine. Only a week after they had arrived came the first of the great Ryoko Owari holidays. The Days of Generosity. Two days of gift giving, not only between friends but also strangers. Itoshi the torturer sent everyone in the group a small carving of Daikoku. Volar sent a scroll of spider climb to then Scorpion clan. Toshiro got his little old lady to help pick our gifts for Lord Jyaku and Toshiro’s fiancé. A sleepless and tired Mindra got a gift from his employer.

Mindra also got another surprise, however. While walking to work a young Crane lady approached him, her servants trailing along behind. Warmly smiling to Mindra, she asked “Do you have a moment?”

Warily Mindra nodded then was surprised as the servants pulled out sheets of silk and stood around the two, creating a makeshift ‘room’ there at the side of the street for a more private conversation. He has seen these before, but had not been sure why they were used.

“I’ve been thinking of getting a present for Toshiro but I’m not quite sure what he might like. I was thinking off…” the Crane lady murmured softly, but Mindra could not focus on her words…he was suddenly assaulted by physical blows from something unseen. His spells helped him weather the sudden assault ands Mindra quickly vanished from the silken room, reappearing a couple hundred feet down the street before taking off at a run in case they were still pursuing.

 

[Black Omega]

As Mindra fled from the site of the attack, Yukiyo was in another, less reputable part of town when she was approached by a shady looking figure. A young man who glanced around suspiciously to make sure no one was close enough to listen before saying “I understand you’ve been looking for poison. I know a way to get some. No...no...nothing I’m carrying now. It’s too dangerous. Meet me later at the Rusty Katana. Ask around, you can find it easily I’m sure. If you can’t, I don’t want to sell to you.”

Yukiyo agreed to the meeting, but was equally suspicious. Feeding Kaz a story about getting help with a criminal ‘sting’ she talked him into coming along to watch her back. Finding the Rusty Katana was easy enough and Kaz entered first, looking around before finding a spot to sit where he could see everyone. Even out of his Thunderguard armor, a number of the sake house patrons stared back at the rugged Crab suspiciously.

Yukiyo entered a few minutes later and immediately went over to speak to her ‘friend’ who was just finishing up a deal with someone else.

“You understand, this is very nasty stuff. And very illegal, you don’t want to get caught with this stuff or you’ll be executed, Bansho Kishu or no.” As the man droned on about his merchandise, Yukiyo got a itching at the back of neck...someone else. Just before the first, sudden, invisible attack came. Yukiyo’s lightning reflexes saved her from the worst of the attacks and she tumbled out of the line of attack, coming up with a blade in hand, looking to Kaz for help. But Kaz was slumped down in his chair, unmoving. Braving the next series of attacks, Yukiyo rushed over to grab Kaz and in a display of strength she could not explain later, she managed to drag him out of the sake house at the run.
[GM Note: It was late and I forgot encumbrance rules. So, it’s amazing what adrenaline can do.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contacting the others, Yukiyo gave her story, leaving out certain vital bits of information like exactly why she was in the sake house with Kaz. Mindra’s magic revealed that Kaz was under the influence of a drug and one Neutralize Poison monkey chant later, Kaz was recovering, and apologetic. He’d been drinking the sake and hadn’t thought about someone trying to poison him.

The group headed over to check out the Rusty Katana, in force this time. Verick snuck around behind invisibly to make sure no one escaped and to see what was going on in the rear of the sake house. Mir, Toshiro and Kaz marched in the front. And Volar started to sneak around invisibly as well.

The Thunderguards and Mir didn’t get much before the door before the sake house barkeeper was standing in the way, a heavy iron club topped by the crow symbol of Shinsei held in one hand, leaning against his shoulder. “What can I do for you gentlemen tonight?”

“Kaz was poisoned here! We’re investigating that!” Toshiro snarled, waiting for the bartender to back down.

He didn’t. “This is Shinjo Nihao’s area. I’m sorry your friend got poisoned but maybe it was just strong sake. We’ve got some pretty powerful stuff here and he’s pretty well known to drink a lot. Anyway, are you sure it was here? I’d know Kaz anywhere and he’s not been in all night.”

The conversation went downhill from there. Toshiro trying to rationally explain to the bartender why he should cooperate, and the burly peasant steady forcing Toshiro back with a mix of religious comments and practical sidesteps over to the two samurai being out of their areas.

Mir was growing impatient, wishing she could create some telepathic link to Toshiro to guide him through this. Kaz took the more direct approach. A swift, backhanded slap got the barkeep’s attention, then Kaz said in a slow, cold voice “I got poisoned here. We are going to catch who did it. And you are going to step out of the way and not say another damned word until I say you can speak. Do you understand?”

The bartender was about to say something but Kaz’s raised hand silenced him and silently the man stepped aside to let the group in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the back, Verick had already discovered a way in. The room was filled with gamblers tossing dice, a couple of men obviously on guard but in a very relaxed fashion, mostly just to deal with unruly gamblers.

Yukiyo kept watch outside, observing as one man left, running down the street and away.

Volar had been lurking in the area invisibly, silently cheering as Kaz took charge of the situation. Drifting from table to table he listened in on conversations, mostly speculation on why the Thunderguard were visiting and who they might be after. Until he got near a table in the corner. There one of them men silenced the others as he suddenly look around. After a moment he touched a amulet he wore. Then a nod straight to the unseen Volar before he returned to talking to his friends.

Kaz and Toshiro started questioning the nervous, shady men, while Verick picked his moment, waiting until the two guards were looking ready to rush into the front room, then just as they opened the door he surprised the men with a push the sent them off balance through the door, trapped between the three visible samurai now. The Red Lion had struck again, and the two guards were only to happy to simply lay down their weapons and wait their turn.

The men in the corner were the only one’s with useful information. The man selling the poison was Arisato. They knew of ‘rumors’ he sold poison and other banned substances, but had no proof. They had nothing to do with that business, so why care? They were just out for a drink and sometimes people here things. Where else might Arisato be found? He often hangs out at the Dead Rat, but that’s a pretty tough place. Not quite so easy to walk in and push people around. Unlike the others in the Rusty Katana, the three men were calm and unworried. Now and then a glance from the one man to Volar, just keeping track of where the hooded, invisible figure was.

Before the conversation could go on further, Shinjo Nihao and three of his Yoriki (assistants) showed up. Glaring over the room he nodded to Kaz and Toshiro “Speak with me outside, please.”

“Are you trying to insult me? Coming into my area…tossing people around. This place is owned by the vassel of a Unicorn. And he’s going to complain to his lord. Who will complain to Lord Jyaku. I’m waiting to hear what is going on. Please.” The Thunderguard’s eyes cold as he crossed his arms.

Toshiro and Kaz explained in brief. Nihao-san needed but also frowned “Kaz, what were you doing here with Yukiyo? I could have told you it’s a bad place to go alone, without telling anyone. It was Yukiyo’s idea? But you are not sure why she wanted to come here?” Nihao asked, that frown growing “I want to speak to her tomorrow then. An official questioning at Thunderguard HQ. I know you two would not lie to me on this, but there’s more to what’s going on. When you go into someone else’s territory though, you really should let them know. It’s a matter of respect. Now, please wait here while I find out what these men know.”

Shinjo Nihao’s questioning was more to the point than the other’s. He habitually carried a leather wrapped club made from some stout wood. And he wasn’t reluctant to smash someone with the club for nearly any reason. It was brutal but it certainly put the fear of him into most of the men in the room. Whyen he finally was done and allowed the men to go, most took the most direct route, going out through the windows before escaping into the night.

“Yukiyo was meeting with a poison seller, mm?” he said to Toshiro and Kaz “Yes, I’m definitely looking forward to speaking with her. Please send her around first thing in the morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day was busy, the second day of Generosity. Tomorrow the King of Generosity would be crowed, but for today there were plenty of events to celebrate the holiday. Kaz got his mistress a nice gift and now doubt received something nice back in return. Volar received a black spider carving from the Scorpion. And immediately grew worried what was meant by that. The scroll? Drow? It certainly could be a sign the Scorpion knew about dark elves…and he didn’t like that one bit.

Shinjo Nihao met with Yukiyo and emerged from the questioning even more sure the group was up to something suspicious. Even so, he tried to take Toshiro under his wing and show the honorable Thunderguard a little better way of handling thugs. “Here’s a club. Leather wrapped and made from oak, it’ll last you years. You should always carry it with you. A katana is scary but if you draw it there’s no time for talking with many people. They’ll either run or fight. You use your katana for killing. A club…isn’t quite so threatening. You can hurt the person without killing them. See, you hold it here, a third of the way up and snap the strike. No follow through, or you’ll hurt the guy badly. You just want them to feel pain. Now if you are serious, hold the club down here at the end and get maximum leverage. Respect is one thing, Toshiro. But when you are dealing with thugs, you want them to fear you.”

Each of the group received in turn a small bottle of fine sake from the bartender of the Rusty Katana, the burly man looking much the worse for wear after his ‘interview’ with Nihao. And very very sorry for the trouble he had caused them.

Toshiro was also approached by the man Mindra worked for, the nervous artisan requesting a letter of recommendation for him to get a contract fixing the roof of Thunderguard headquarters. It would be a great honor to be allowed to put Mindra to work on such a high profile contract.

Mindra went to work as usual. Holiday that is was, there was always work to be done and today it was a high roof. Mindra chatted with the spirits as he worked, hammering in the wooden shingles into place. His first warning something was wrong was when the spirits suddenly grew agitated. He second warning was when the hammer blows from invisible foes found him again. But this time they were joined by an ice blue beam that struck him, a spell the nimble monkey realized stopped his teleporting.

Mindra leapt high into the air and away, trying to buy the space to run while his substitution spell passed on some of the damage of the attacks to his iron monkey idol. The next attack was a Dispel magic that stripped him of his magical defenses and moments later the monkey was pummeled into unconsciousness. The only thing the workmen saw was Mindra suddenly jumping around, shaking, then he disappeared without warning.

 

[Black Omega]

Bansho Kishu was summoned to the scene quickly to investigate. What little there was to investigate. Some workmen with confused accounts of Mindra’s actions against some unseen foe. Assuming there was really an enemy and the monkey was not simply playing a joke. Verick found an invisible rope leading to the roof from the next house over. But no solid evidence of who had taken the monkey. And it simply got stranger from there.

While Verick and Volar were discussing where to go next, the panda that had been following Mindra around lately woke up and looked around, listening in before the creature said “Is something wrong with Mindra? He was supposed to wake me up…”

Verick’s hand fell to his katana instantly but Volar just shook his head “Don’t worry. I noticed the panda turn magical days ago. Probably Mindra using a spell to awaken the animal.”

“Yes.” The yawning panda agreed. But he had no luck picking up Mindra’s scent. Too many people had passed this way since the monkey was kidnapped.

Without any firm clues to follow up on, Bansho Kishu dispersed Verick had an idea he wanted to try. Mir and Volar were going to consult on spells that might help them locate Mindra. Yukiyo had her own ideas, though.

Disguising herself, Yukiyo went out to hit the streets alone and start asking about Mindra. Hopping from one bar to another. Until Yukiyo thought she was on the right track. A shady looking character who seemed to know something about someone who had a grudge against Mindra. But while they were talking, Yukiyo felt that strange feeling again, of being watched. Yukiyo barely had time to stand before the attacks came, only her roguish reflexes saving her. Without any clue where the attacks really were, Yukiyo tried a tumble through the crowded bar to send her out the door. A puddle of spilled safe foiled that plan and Yukiyo fell in an undignified thump before the follow up attacks sent her into darkness.

Later that night one of his Yoriki brought the news to Toshiro that someone had disappeared. A stranger close to the size and built of Yukiyo. The disappearance had occurred in exactly the same way Mindra had. A reaction to a sudden, unseen attack, though the only proof there were unseen attackers was that the unconscious body disappeared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day was the final day of Generosity. In a move he suspected was purely political, Toshiro had been elected King of Generosity. A position that required him in the Shosuro Gardens most of the day ‘holding court’ and giving out presents. Toshiro could not refuse the honor, so he had no choice but to play along. The very first visitor to Toshiro was a finely dressed Scorpion named Bayushi Kaukatsu.

“I understand you lost your pet monkey recently, Toshiro. Please accept this small gift as a replacement.” The gift was a small black monkey with a white face and short cut tail.

This was the theme of the day, in fact. Toshiro received two more monkeys as the days went on. And by the time the day was winding down he was firmly resolved to keep them all.

[GM Note: Toshiro’s player could not show up this week, and this was a convenient way to get Toshiro out of the way for a day.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Verick knelt in the Temple of Bayushi, lighting a stick of incense, another offering to the spirit of the Golden Scorpion, dead these many months ago. By the time he was done with his prayers and rose there was a Scorpion waiting behind him. Slim and clad in dark crimson kimono bearing the mon of the Scorpion and then Bayushi. But her mask Verick recognized from months ago. A white kabuki style mask of a beautiful girl, smiling. His old rival from the Topaz Championships, Bayushi Sakura.

“We received your letter. It was most flattering. You want to know what we know about who might kidnap the members of Bansho Kishu. You know you’ll owe us a favor for this.” The young lady murmured softly.

“Didn’t you get promoted to Emerald Magistrate for winning the tournament?” Verick asked “I’m surprised they would send you.”

“I’m here now as a Scorpion. Later I’ll be wearing green as a magistrate. As a magistrate I’m honor bound to be truthful. They thought perhaps you would trust someone you knew more than a stranger.” The girl said, her mask still smiling.

“Then let’s get to the point. What do you know? I’m sure the Scorpion know a little on everything going on in the city, I’m sure you know about this.” Verick commented with a growl.

The Scorpion knelt, a graceful offering of incense to the temple before she spoke “Mindra and Yukiyo were attacked twice. No one else in your group has been. This is not our doing, but they are suffering from their crimes against the Scorpion. When you first visited Ryoko Owari, you fought a group of Scorpion. You behaved as any good samurai would. Your friends did not. We cannot account for Mir and Volar at the end of the fight, so we do not know what they did. But Mindra and Yukiyo looted the bodies. We spoke to certain foolish fences. And to the spirits. There is no doubt in this matter.”

“But you said this was not a Scorpion attack?” Verick asked, that frown growing, with his suspicion.

“It is not. Our memory is long. And with the death of the emperor at that time, there were more important matters. If this was us, the first attack would have succeeded, and your friends would be dead as thieves. The brother of the shugenja whose body was looted took it personally, though. Soshi Ikio. He put his personal loyalty before his loyalty to the Scorpion. So he was released as a ronin. We acknowledge that there is some justice to his anger. But have no use for someone who is not loyal to the Scorpion first. Ikio has gathered like-minded people to help him. At this point, we do not care who wins. If Ikio dies then an unreliable ex-Scorpion is gone. If Mindra and Yukiyo die, we simply mark them off our list.” The smiling Scorpion lady murmured.

“And were can we find Ikio? The faster we find each other the faster one of both of your problems are taken care of.” Verick said quickly, intensely.

The smiling mask regarded him for a minute, green eyes sparkling “He has several spots around town, like any good ex-Scorpion. If you want to find your friends, though, you might check out the Dead Rat. It’s a sleazy bar. But a good place to do something secret.”

Verick nodded and rose to go before pausing. His thoughts raced for a moment before he finally shrugged and drew out the kusari-gama Mindra had given him after the battle against the Scorpion. “I believe this might have been one of the items that was looted. Can you check on this for me? If it’s looted just keep it. I have no use for something stolen.”

The advantage of wearing a mask, the Scorpion’s ‘face’ was completely impassive as she accepted the weapon. “Interesting. I’ll check into this and let you know what I find out. Hmm, I understand you enjoy Kabuki Theater. When this is all over, if you survive, would you care to accompany me to a performance?”

Verick nodded after only a moment’s thought. He owed the Scorpion a favor; staying on their good side wouldn’t hurt. However, he couldn’t help but think he was just getting in deeper and deeper with exactly the wrong people.

[GM Note: A tough decision for Verick as well, since the kusari-gama at the time was his most powerful magic weapon. A good honorable decision, though.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mindra slowly returned to awareness in a forest, a place that looked very much his ancestral jungles. Looking around he saw a cloaked figure drawing new. As the cowl was pushed back he recognized his old friend Shinjo Sanetama, the explorer who originally told him about the Emerald Empire.

“You are in trouble, Mindra. You’ve been kidnapped and these people do not look nice. I think they plan to kill you.” Sanetama said.

Mindra frowned a monkey frown ‘This isn’t real then. A dream? What’s going on out there?”

“You are drugged. And I believe they plan you harm. Serious serious harm. I can help you though, Mindra. If you let me. But you have to ask. I’m weak, you need to help me make the connection before I can reach out to help you.”

“You’ve been gone for so long. Are you a spirit now? Is that what happened?” Mindra asked ‘I’m just not sure…”

“I’m a spirit now…yes! Yes, I am. That last trip through Shinomen was my final one. But my spirit has not passed on. And I want to help you. But you must ask me to. You must ask me for the help or I can do nothing.” Sanetama said eagerly.

The eagerness just made Mindra more suspicious “Who has taken me? Where is my body then? What’s going on?”

Sanetama’s concerned look grew “Some dark room. It doesn’t look good Mindra, oh no. Not good. Knives and razors are being brought out! I think they mean to kill you! You must decide quickly, Mindra! I don’t think you have much time!”

Mindra didn’t trust the spirit...he didn’t like it’s need for him to ask for help. But he couldn’t feel his body...couldn’t wake up and he was getting scared. ‘Ok, please. Help me right now.”