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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
[OA/FR] Rokugan - Updated 12/13/03
- Thread starter Black Omega
- Start date
Black Omega
First Post
And so do I....doh!
I have added stuff for Japanese character sets both on my computer in general and in Word 2000. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. In any case, I've edited the boxes out of the messages (hopefully).
Thanks for the comments, always nice to know someone is reading.
Coming up soon, the group has some time off and then...Temple Raiding!
I have added stuff for Japanese character sets both on my computer in general and in Word 2000. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. In any case, I've edited the boxes out of the messages (hopefully).
Thanks for the comments, always nice to know someone is reading.
Coming up soon, the group has some time off and then...Temple Raiding!
Last edited:
Brown Jenkin
First Post
Note from Mir
Just a few clarifications if I might. Toshiro might be learning how to ride but he has not learned mounted tactics yet. While the Samurai and other fighters were rushing forward on foot to engage, the non-fighters, including myself were left behind. Since horses move allot faster than those on foot, soon what had happened was that all the fighters were far from us while the mounted ronin were engaged with Volar, Yukiyo and myself. Mostly Volar and myself as Yukiyo was held motionless by the Shugenja. Fortunately we were able to hold them off for a few rounds while our friends returned.
I must also take exception to the implication that I shot at the Shugenja's horse. As a child of the gods, and the Oak Father in particular, I would not intentionally harm an innocent animal. I did however continue firing at the Shugenja, since I easily had the willpower to disregard his attempt to protect himself.
Just a few clarifications if I might. Toshiro might be learning how to ride but he has not learned mounted tactics yet. While the Samurai and other fighters were rushing forward on foot to engage, the non-fighters, including myself were left behind. Since horses move allot faster than those on foot, soon what had happened was that all the fighters were far from us while the mounted ronin were engaged with Volar, Yukiyo and myself. Mostly Volar and myself as Yukiyo was held motionless by the Shugenja. Fortunately we were able to hold them off for a few rounds while our friends returned.
I must also take exception to the implication that I shot at the Shugenja's horse. As a child of the gods, and the Oak Father in particular, I would not intentionally harm an innocent animal. I did however continue firing at the Shugenja, since I easily had the willpower to disregard his attempt to protect himself.
Black Omega
First Post
The 9th Day of the Rooster - Bugaisha
The group arrived in Bugaisha and the bound form of Malthorn and his hired ronin shugenja were both turned over to for imprisonment. Yukiyo disappeared off to do whatever she does in her off times [i.e. player was absent]. The various goods left over from capturing the merchant were sold off and the gold split up evenly, with the samurai's portion simply send to his home as a present. [DM Note: Since Samurai don't fight for gold or loot bodies, he's not been getting a share so far in the campaign. The group finally worked out a way around that by sending the money to his house, where the little old lady (Oba-san) in charge could handle it.]
Over the next month
Malthorn turned up a few days later, buried up to his neck outside the gate leading into the Barbarian section. A banner overhead proclaimed his crimes as well as the sentence that he remain buried there until his death. Samurai were posted to make sure no one tried to rescue him, but otherwise people were free to taunt or throw stuff at him.
After mooching off Toshiro's hospitality for a while, Sho presented Oba-san with a substantial gift of koku while apologizing for his denseness in not thinking of it sooner. The old lady graciously accepted and offered to start making Sho some ginko tea, after all, it's never too soon to start taking care of your mind as well as your body. Sho also hooked up with a Ronin brotherhood known as the White Fan. After checking around on them and finding out they had a good reputation as trustworthy guards and yojimbo he agreed to join. Though in typical chaotic fashion, he made sure he could remove their symbol from his armor easily.
Mindra also presented the old woman some koku, with was happily accepted. Oba-san took that chance to also ask Mindra about his armor, politely pointing out that leather smelled badly and she'd been looking around and found several good examples of fine Rokugani armor that should protect him just as well. And of course, it could be properly disposed of by burning then. Taken off guard, Mindra admitted his armor was blessed by the spirits and must remain in his family. Oba-san jumped in with a pleased "so, then we just need to send it back to your family?" Mindra finally allowed that if she could find armor that would protect him as well, he could agree.
[DM Note: There's been alot of joking about who is really in charge of the Samurai's house, with general agreement it's the old woman. Toshiro's player has joked he'll face ogre's but not her.
]
'Akodo' Verick encountered an Imperial Magistrate, a Lion named Ikoma Ichiro. Questioned over his claim to the Akodo name, Verick went back into detail about who his father was, where he had gone after the Scorpion Coup and the banning of the Akodo. Ichiro listened politely, asking questions now and then. Then requested Verick write down a detailed account of his father's travels as well as his own return to the Emerald Empire. Verick spent the next few weeks working on this project to be as complete as possible. Impressed and somewhat surprised by the boy's detailed account, Ikoma Ichiro promised to pass on along the history to the Lion clan. The Ikoma keep the histories and hate blank spots.
Mir spent a lot of time around town; meeting people and getting to learn the culture by experience as well as through the language lessons she was receiving from the Temple of the Seven Fortunes, as well as flirting and teasing her way to free drinks and meals. She was found in the barbarian sector by the ever-cheerful Iuchi Yoenki, who had finished preparations for that 'test' of Mir's ability to Repel Undead. A short ride brought them to the foothills north of Bugaisha, and a zombie Yoenki had captured. Sealed in a cage that only allowed one way out, the zombie snarled and snapped at anything near the cage. Though still very uncertain, Mir agreed to the test. After making sure if anything went wrong, Yoenki would help.
Yoenki first prepared a spell to observe, then opened the cage and the undead thing charged at Mir. Well, as much as anything that shambles slowly can charge. Mir summoned the positive energy of The Oak Father but it was too weak and the zombie kept coming. Another try...and another before Mir began to scramble back away to escape the bites and clawing of the zombie. Cheerfully, Yoenki called out to ask if Mir needed any help yet. Despite a raking slash from zombie claws that came within inches of her face, Mir shook her head and finally on her fifth try the young bard managed to repel the zombie, sending it fleeing slowly away.
Pleased and puzzled in equal measure Yoenki asked about the 'turning', after all, it had not taken nearly so long from what she had heard of the other times. Mir conceded that it usually worked better, but that summoning the energies of her God was not always reliable. Mir also commented off hand that perhaps it had not worked as well since she was not in true danger and The Oak Father didn't consider it important. With a giggle, Yoenki offered "We can add true danger next time." But Mir saw that offer coming and quickly shook her head firmly "Not a chance!" Looking rather pleased despite all the trouble the test had, Yoenki thanked Mir for her help and said she'd be in touch later when she was ready for the next test.
Volar was visited in the barbarian quarter as well. A rare site indeed, a Rokugani, six feet tall, dressed in deep red robes, his face covered with a mask carved from jade. The man introduced himself through a translator as Kuni Noriaki, a Witch Hunter in the service of the Jade Champion. He explained that the Jade Champion was responsible for determining what was lawful and unlawful magic and that for far too long outland magic like wizardry had remained unclassified. Volar was more than happy to explain the elvish form of magic and patiently answered question after question on the details. Was there magic that used blood as a focus, what did elvish magic have to do with necromancy, etc etc. The grim, towering Witch Hunter also visited Mindra and Mir, but his main interest was in the curious, arcane skills of the Moon elf.
Upon his return to Bugaisha, Toshiro spent the next two days in Temple, praying over his family katana. As the finish of his vigil approached, he had a vision of himself standing on the great wall of the Crab. A raging river below, dying away from tsunami back to it's gently flowing natural state. Beyond the river, a horde of bakemono, ogres, and oni, so thick Toshiro could not see the ground. As the flood died away the creatures came flooding across the river and started to bound up the wall, the battle joined with great ferocity on both sides. Toshiro was right in the middle of it, slicing through several goblins at a time with each swing of his katana. As the vision faded, Toshiro could feel the difference in his sword, now blessed by his ancestors.
Then Toshiro returned to training, the experience in riding from the last several days helping make his teacher's rigorous training a little easier to handle. As much as he lagged behind in riding, the burly Crab Samurai made up for it in weapons practice, wielding his katana with a deft skill not always associated with the Crab.
Toshiro also decided to get Shinjo O-Hisa, his riding teacher, a suitable gift of thanks. Not quite sure what to get, he asked advice from Oba-san. The old lady was more than happy to help. Help seemingly meaning she took Toshiro to a suitable shop and let him stand by the door while she looked over things, then asked leading questions like "This probably wouldn't do, no? No, not at all." Finally a mirror was settled on as reasonable for Toshiro's purpose of offering a gift more respectful than romantic. Much to Toshiro's chagrin, O-Hisa seemed quite taken with the gift, more so than he had planned on.
The 7th Day of the Month of the Dog
Lord Jyaku approached Toshiro after a practice session, a quiet command to come for a meeting in the morning and to bring those he trusts with him.
The 8th Day of the Month of the Dog
The next morning Toshiro went to the meeting, accompanied by Sho, Mindra, Volar, Mir and Verick. Tea was served to go with some polite conversation before Lord Jyaku got to the point of the meeting. He had received information on the location of a temple lost to living memory some two hundred or more years ago. A temple to Amaterasu, the original Sun. The temple is hidden away by a veil of spirits, far to the south in Shinomen Forest. According to his sources, the temple should also contain an artifact, the Obi of Lady Sun, a item of great importance and power. Lord Jyaku admitted to concern that others, predominately the Scorpion, would discover the location of the temple soon as well. He wished Toshiro and his friends to get to the temple first and recover the Obi.
Lord Jyaku had his own plans to distract whoever might be watching from the group. They would be accompanied by the samurai-ko they had previously saved, Utaku Shiko, and be under the cover of delivering a letter to Lord Tadaji, Daimyo of the Ide. He's also known to have an interest in meeting barbarians to find out news out the world outside the Emerald Empire. The temple would be secured for the Unicorn but the Obi was to be returned to him, as secretly as possible. With only a few questions on how to find the temple and how to break the veil, the group agreed.
[Edited to eliminated the Infernal Boxes.]
The group arrived in Bugaisha and the bound form of Malthorn and his hired ronin shugenja were both turned over to for imprisonment. Yukiyo disappeared off to do whatever she does in her off times [i.e. player was absent]. The various goods left over from capturing the merchant were sold off and the gold split up evenly, with the samurai's portion simply send to his home as a present. [DM Note: Since Samurai don't fight for gold or loot bodies, he's not been getting a share so far in the campaign. The group finally worked out a way around that by sending the money to his house, where the little old lady (Oba-san) in charge could handle it.]
Over the next month
Malthorn turned up a few days later, buried up to his neck outside the gate leading into the Barbarian section. A banner overhead proclaimed his crimes as well as the sentence that he remain buried there until his death. Samurai were posted to make sure no one tried to rescue him, but otherwise people were free to taunt or throw stuff at him.
After mooching off Toshiro's hospitality for a while, Sho presented Oba-san with a substantial gift of koku while apologizing for his denseness in not thinking of it sooner. The old lady graciously accepted and offered to start making Sho some ginko tea, after all, it's never too soon to start taking care of your mind as well as your body. Sho also hooked up with a Ronin brotherhood known as the White Fan. After checking around on them and finding out they had a good reputation as trustworthy guards and yojimbo he agreed to join. Though in typical chaotic fashion, he made sure he could remove their symbol from his armor easily.
Mindra also presented the old woman some koku, with was happily accepted. Oba-san took that chance to also ask Mindra about his armor, politely pointing out that leather smelled badly and she'd been looking around and found several good examples of fine Rokugani armor that should protect him just as well. And of course, it could be properly disposed of by burning then. Taken off guard, Mindra admitted his armor was blessed by the spirits and must remain in his family. Oba-san jumped in with a pleased "so, then we just need to send it back to your family?" Mindra finally allowed that if she could find armor that would protect him as well, he could agree.
[DM Note: There's been alot of joking about who is really in charge of the Samurai's house, with general agreement it's the old woman. Toshiro's player has joked he'll face ogre's but not her.
]'Akodo' Verick encountered an Imperial Magistrate, a Lion named Ikoma Ichiro. Questioned over his claim to the Akodo name, Verick went back into detail about who his father was, where he had gone after the Scorpion Coup and the banning of the Akodo. Ichiro listened politely, asking questions now and then. Then requested Verick write down a detailed account of his father's travels as well as his own return to the Emerald Empire. Verick spent the next few weeks working on this project to be as complete as possible. Impressed and somewhat surprised by the boy's detailed account, Ikoma Ichiro promised to pass on along the history to the Lion clan. The Ikoma keep the histories and hate blank spots.
Mir spent a lot of time around town; meeting people and getting to learn the culture by experience as well as through the language lessons she was receiving from the Temple of the Seven Fortunes, as well as flirting and teasing her way to free drinks and meals. She was found in the barbarian sector by the ever-cheerful Iuchi Yoenki, who had finished preparations for that 'test' of Mir's ability to Repel Undead. A short ride brought them to the foothills north of Bugaisha, and a zombie Yoenki had captured. Sealed in a cage that only allowed one way out, the zombie snarled and snapped at anything near the cage. Though still very uncertain, Mir agreed to the test. After making sure if anything went wrong, Yoenki would help.
Yoenki first prepared a spell to observe, then opened the cage and the undead thing charged at Mir. Well, as much as anything that shambles slowly can charge. Mir summoned the positive energy of The Oak Father but it was too weak and the zombie kept coming. Another try...and another before Mir began to scramble back away to escape the bites and clawing of the zombie. Cheerfully, Yoenki called out to ask if Mir needed any help yet. Despite a raking slash from zombie claws that came within inches of her face, Mir shook her head and finally on her fifth try the young bard managed to repel the zombie, sending it fleeing slowly away.
Pleased and puzzled in equal measure Yoenki asked about the 'turning', after all, it had not taken nearly so long from what she had heard of the other times. Mir conceded that it usually worked better, but that summoning the energies of her God was not always reliable. Mir also commented off hand that perhaps it had not worked as well since she was not in true danger and The Oak Father didn't consider it important. With a giggle, Yoenki offered "We can add true danger next time." But Mir saw that offer coming and quickly shook her head firmly "Not a chance!" Looking rather pleased despite all the trouble the test had, Yoenki thanked Mir for her help and said she'd be in touch later when she was ready for the next test.
Volar was visited in the barbarian quarter as well. A rare site indeed, a Rokugani, six feet tall, dressed in deep red robes, his face covered with a mask carved from jade. The man introduced himself through a translator as Kuni Noriaki, a Witch Hunter in the service of the Jade Champion. He explained that the Jade Champion was responsible for determining what was lawful and unlawful magic and that for far too long outland magic like wizardry had remained unclassified. Volar was more than happy to explain the elvish form of magic and patiently answered question after question on the details. Was there magic that used blood as a focus, what did elvish magic have to do with necromancy, etc etc. The grim, towering Witch Hunter also visited Mindra and Mir, but his main interest was in the curious, arcane skills of the Moon elf.
Upon his return to Bugaisha, Toshiro spent the next two days in Temple, praying over his family katana. As the finish of his vigil approached, he had a vision of himself standing on the great wall of the Crab. A raging river below, dying away from tsunami back to it's gently flowing natural state. Beyond the river, a horde of bakemono, ogres, and oni, so thick Toshiro could not see the ground. As the flood died away the creatures came flooding across the river and started to bound up the wall, the battle joined with great ferocity on both sides. Toshiro was right in the middle of it, slicing through several goblins at a time with each swing of his katana. As the vision faded, Toshiro could feel the difference in his sword, now blessed by his ancestors.
Then Toshiro returned to training, the experience in riding from the last several days helping make his teacher's rigorous training a little easier to handle. As much as he lagged behind in riding, the burly Crab Samurai made up for it in weapons practice, wielding his katana with a deft skill not always associated with the Crab.
Toshiro also decided to get Shinjo O-Hisa, his riding teacher, a suitable gift of thanks. Not quite sure what to get, he asked advice from Oba-san. The old lady was more than happy to help. Help seemingly meaning she took Toshiro to a suitable shop and let him stand by the door while she looked over things, then asked leading questions like "This probably wouldn't do, no? No, not at all." Finally a mirror was settled on as reasonable for Toshiro's purpose of offering a gift more respectful than romantic. Much to Toshiro's chagrin, O-Hisa seemed quite taken with the gift, more so than he had planned on.
The 7th Day of the Month of the Dog
Lord Jyaku approached Toshiro after a practice session, a quiet command to come for a meeting in the morning and to bring those he trusts with him.
The 8th Day of the Month of the Dog
The next morning Toshiro went to the meeting, accompanied by Sho, Mindra, Volar, Mir and Verick. Tea was served to go with some polite conversation before Lord Jyaku got to the point of the meeting. He had received information on the location of a temple lost to living memory some two hundred or more years ago. A temple to Amaterasu, the original Sun. The temple is hidden away by a veil of spirits, far to the south in Shinomen Forest. According to his sources, the temple should also contain an artifact, the Obi of Lady Sun, a item of great importance and power. Lord Jyaku admitted to concern that others, predominately the Scorpion, would discover the location of the temple soon as well. He wished Toshiro and his friends to get to the temple first and recover the Obi.
Lord Jyaku had his own plans to distract whoever might be watching from the group. They would be accompanied by the samurai-ko they had previously saved, Utaku Shiko, and be under the cover of delivering a letter to Lord Tadaji, Daimyo of the Ide. He's also known to have an interest in meeting barbarians to find out news out the world outside the Emerald Empire. The temple would be secured for the Unicorn but the Obi was to be returned to him, as secretly as possible. With only a few questions on how to find the temple and how to break the veil, the group agreed.
[Edited to eliminated the Infernal Boxes.]
Last edited:
Black Omega
First Post
Re: Awesome Story
Thanks, i'm just catching up with the sessions now. I still have three sessions to post and we game this Friday. I've teased Toshiro twice about hoe arranged marriages are very common in Rokugan, I think he's a little worried over that. We'll see if he's ready for a Unicorn... And the story of Verick is progressing, building toward a boiling point. Safe to say there is a trip toward the Lion lands in his near future.
Well, it was a tough battle and the Ronin had a good battle plan that they stuck to. The desperate battle at the wagons was one of the best parts of the combat.
That said, the group is slowly devloping standard tactics that use their strengths better. Now to just keep one samurai froimn charging ahead of the rest...
Innocent animal? You have no idea how depraved that horse was! But this sort of thing is why I take notes on battles now, consider the scene updated.
Tokiwong said:
Thanks, i'm just catching up with the sessions now. I still have three sessions to post and we game this Friday. I've teased Toshiro twice about hoe arranged marriages are very common in Rokugan, I think he's a little worried over that. We'll see if he's ready for a Unicorn... And the story of Verick is progressing, building toward a boiling point. Safe to say there is a trip toward the Lion lands in his near future.
Well, it was a tough battle and the Ronin had a good battle plan that they stuck to. The desperate battle at the wagons was one of the best parts of the combat.
That said, the group is slowly devloping standard tactics that use their strengths better. Now to just keep one samurai froimn charging ahead of the rest...
Innocent animal? You have no idea how depraved that horse was!
But this sort of thing is why I take notes on battles now, consider the scene updated.
Last edited:
Black Omega
First Post
The 9th Day of the Month of the Dog
Early that morning Mir met up with Iuchi Yoenki again at the Dancing Ferret Inn. Nothing important for testing this time, Yoenki explained, it would take a little while before she could use Mir in a test again. But she wanted to thank her properly for her help so far. The thanks took the form of a jade amulet with intricate carvings. A cheerfully smiling Yoenki explained jade was a weapon against the Shadowlands and it's creatures. Very softly, she also asked that Mir wear it under her clothing and not show anyone. Protections like this are considered clan secrets...some people might get annoyed if they saw someone they considered a barbarian wearing it. Mir agreed to keep it hidden and they parted, Yoenki promising to have some test ready by the time Mir was back from her trip.
Before the group left on the trip Lord Shinjo Jyaku was there for one last instruction. The group's trip into Shinomen forest would be under the cover of a hunting trip. Once they were back, tell everyone about the Temple. But tell no one of the Obi. The more people who know, the more dangerous the trip back might be. I've given the letter so Utaku Shiko, she knows the way to the castle, so she'll be guiding you. We've still never found the others that were on her patrol. Good luck!
The journey of 14 days begins. After a few days the foreign members of the party started to have to make adjustments as they reached inns no longer used to seeing barbarians. No more soft pillows, sleeping quarters were mats on floors with a slightly padded block of wood for the pillow. Volar at least was prepared, an overstuffed pillow carried in his Handy Haversack. Aside from that adjustment, the group was treated to miles and miles of clear, warm autumn weather, peasants out working in the fields harvesting, and periodic waystations used by the Unicorn patrols keeping things orderly.
The 21st Day of the Month of the Dog
That evening the group stopped over at an Inn, but this time Toshiro paused at the entrance for a moment, a growl escaping his lips. Inside the Inn another group of five samurai were relaxing, all dressed in pale blue kimonos trimmed in white and marked with the mon of the Crane. The hair of three of them was dyed white. Two of the group was playing a game of Go, the player winning fanning himself with a fan also marked with the symbol of the Crane.
The Crane fanning himself was the first to take note of the group, a whispered comment to one of his friends before he called out "Greetings! I didn't expect to see a Crab Samurai in these lands. Would you care to join us for a game? Go is based on warfare after all, we'd be delighted for you to demonstrate your skill at war."
Toshiro frowned, glaring for a moment before he shook his head "It's been a long day and we're tired. I don't have time for this foolishness."
The Crane just smiled "I'd always heard the Crab were always ready to fight, I'm surprised. This is just a fight in other terms. Surely you can't be worried you would lose?"
At this point Verick chimed in, giving the Cranes a glower of his own "Toshiro is far beyond your meager skills. You'd just be embarrassing yourselves going up against him."
Fanning himself, the Crane considered this then grinned "Delightful! Crab, we'd be honored if you would give us a display of your truly awesome prowess at this game. Surely I would lose the match but the experience would be invaluable."
The Crab looked trapped for a moment before finally just giving a shrug and a shake of his head "We're warriors. We don't have time for mere games. We save our energy for important matters! Games are for children!" Then he stomped on past toward his room. The others followed save Mir who lingered, the young lady accepting an offer of lessons in the game while the young Crane nobles seemed just as pleased to be enjoying the company of a beautiful woman. When the group left the next morning, Toshiro was still in a bad mood.
The 23rd Day of the Dog
The group arrived in Shiro Ide early in the evening, the letter delivered by Shiko as the others were shown to their quarters. The group briefly encountered a Scorpion playing a bamboo flute in the gardens while being a tour. Then later that evening the group was treated to a Noh Theatre play, slow, stately, musical. The Crab and Ronin watching impatiently, the barbarians more bemused and puzzled over the odd play.
The 24th Day of the Dog
Early that morning the group set out under pretense of a hunting trip, traveling south into Shinomen Forest. Along the way they passed a group of peasants working on a new waystation. Traveling deeper into the forest, the group began to notice marks on the trees, like claws scarring the wood deeply. Watching out alertly as they approached the veil, Verick spotted a hunched over creature watching from high up in a tree. A shot from far off wounded the creature and it raised a wail that echoed through the forest. In answer, far off, the group heard a drum start booming. Preparing to resist the assault, the group formed up, spells cast to turn Mindra invisible to play unseen healer. Mindra cast Bull Strength on Toshiro and Volar invoked an invisible shield for protection. Meanwhile it was fighters to the front, Toshiro and Sho side by side and Shiko taking up position by Verick.
Just minutes later, through the trees, the creatures came bounding toward the group. Bakemono, the crab samurai realized, goblins of the Shadowlands. Leaping from tree to tree, then scampering to the group, eleven of the creatures attacked. The battle was short and ugly, the goblin's pitting tooth and claw against the Samurai's steel. Volar cast a Sleep Spell, sending a few of the creatures into slumber as Toshiro, Sho, Shiko and Verick met the goblins head on, though the goblins proved tougher than expected. Bites ripped into Sho and Verick particularly, Mindra's services needed to heal quickly before the fighters were overwhelmed. Bolstered by the Crab War Chants Mir had learned recently as a Bardic song, Toshiro slashed through his ancestral enemies like they were butter and soon the last couple of goblins were left to flee in terror as the group healed.
[Edited to remove Infernal Boxes, Problem Finally Solved.]
Early that morning Mir met up with Iuchi Yoenki again at the Dancing Ferret Inn. Nothing important for testing this time, Yoenki explained, it would take a little while before she could use Mir in a test again. But she wanted to thank her properly for her help so far. The thanks took the form of a jade amulet with intricate carvings. A cheerfully smiling Yoenki explained jade was a weapon against the Shadowlands and it's creatures. Very softly, she also asked that Mir wear it under her clothing and not show anyone. Protections like this are considered clan secrets...some people might get annoyed if they saw someone they considered a barbarian wearing it. Mir agreed to keep it hidden and they parted, Yoenki promising to have some test ready by the time Mir was back from her trip.
Before the group left on the trip Lord Shinjo Jyaku was there for one last instruction. The group's trip into Shinomen forest would be under the cover of a hunting trip. Once they were back, tell everyone about the Temple. But tell no one of the Obi. The more people who know, the more dangerous the trip back might be. I've given the letter so Utaku Shiko, she knows the way to the castle, so she'll be guiding you. We've still never found the others that were on her patrol. Good luck!
The journey of 14 days begins. After a few days the foreign members of the party started to have to make adjustments as they reached inns no longer used to seeing barbarians. No more soft pillows, sleeping quarters were mats on floors with a slightly padded block of wood for the pillow. Volar at least was prepared, an overstuffed pillow carried in his Handy Haversack. Aside from that adjustment, the group was treated to miles and miles of clear, warm autumn weather, peasants out working in the fields harvesting, and periodic waystations used by the Unicorn patrols keeping things orderly.
The 21st Day of the Month of the Dog
That evening the group stopped over at an Inn, but this time Toshiro paused at the entrance for a moment, a growl escaping his lips. Inside the Inn another group of five samurai were relaxing, all dressed in pale blue kimonos trimmed in white and marked with the mon of the Crane. The hair of three of them was dyed white. Two of the group was playing a game of Go, the player winning fanning himself with a fan also marked with the symbol of the Crane.
The Crane fanning himself was the first to take note of the group, a whispered comment to one of his friends before he called out "Greetings! I didn't expect to see a Crab Samurai in these lands. Would you care to join us for a game? Go is based on warfare after all, we'd be delighted for you to demonstrate your skill at war."
Toshiro frowned, glaring for a moment before he shook his head "It's been a long day and we're tired. I don't have time for this foolishness."
The Crane just smiled "I'd always heard the Crab were always ready to fight, I'm surprised. This is just a fight in other terms. Surely you can't be worried you would lose?"
At this point Verick chimed in, giving the Cranes a glower of his own "Toshiro is far beyond your meager skills. You'd just be embarrassing yourselves going up against him."
Fanning himself, the Crane considered this then grinned "Delightful! Crab, we'd be honored if you would give us a display of your truly awesome prowess at this game. Surely I would lose the match but the experience would be invaluable."
The Crab looked trapped for a moment before finally just giving a shrug and a shake of his head "We're warriors. We don't have time for mere games. We save our energy for important matters! Games are for children!" Then he stomped on past toward his room. The others followed save Mir who lingered, the young lady accepting an offer of lessons in the game while the young Crane nobles seemed just as pleased to be enjoying the company of a beautiful woman. When the group left the next morning, Toshiro was still in a bad mood.
The 23rd Day of the Dog
The group arrived in Shiro Ide early in the evening, the letter delivered by Shiko as the others were shown to their quarters. The group briefly encountered a Scorpion playing a bamboo flute in the gardens while being a tour. Then later that evening the group was treated to a Noh Theatre play, slow, stately, musical. The Crab and Ronin watching impatiently, the barbarians more bemused and puzzled over the odd play.
The 24th Day of the Dog
Early that morning the group set out under pretense of a hunting trip, traveling south into Shinomen Forest. Along the way they passed a group of peasants working on a new waystation. Traveling deeper into the forest, the group began to notice marks on the trees, like claws scarring the wood deeply. Watching out alertly as they approached the veil, Verick spotted a hunched over creature watching from high up in a tree. A shot from far off wounded the creature and it raised a wail that echoed through the forest. In answer, far off, the group heard a drum start booming. Preparing to resist the assault, the group formed up, spells cast to turn Mindra invisible to play unseen healer. Mindra cast Bull Strength on Toshiro and Volar invoked an invisible shield for protection. Meanwhile it was fighters to the front, Toshiro and Sho side by side and Shiko taking up position by Verick.
Just minutes later, through the trees, the creatures came bounding toward the group. Bakemono, the crab samurai realized, goblins of the Shadowlands. Leaping from tree to tree, then scampering to the group, eleven of the creatures attacked. The battle was short and ugly, the goblin's pitting tooth and claw against the Samurai's steel. Volar cast a Sleep Spell, sending a few of the creatures into slumber as Toshiro, Sho, Shiko and Verick met the goblins head on, though the goblins proved tougher than expected. Bites ripped into Sho and Verick particularly, Mindra's services needed to heal quickly before the fighters were overwhelmed. Bolstered by the Crab War Chants Mir had learned recently as a Bardic song, Toshiro slashed through his ancestral enemies like they were butter and soon the last couple of goblins were left to flee in terror as the group healed.
[Edited to remove Infernal Boxes, Problem Finally Solved.]
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Tokiwong
First Post
Awesome Story
I am loving it man... I like the mix... the exotic locales... the mixture of the Realms and the Emerald Empire is done quite well... and Bakemono rock the house... oooh I like... why not have a shadowlands ogre bushi lead some next time... give them a real scare... he he... I like the East meets West style... very interesting... keep it up... Toshiro is cool... very Crab he is... though I am a Crane fan myself... gotta be the hair
I am loving it man... I like the mix... the exotic locales... the mixture of the Realms and the Emerald Empire is done quite well... and Bakemono rock the house... oooh I like... why not have a shadowlands ogre bushi lead some next time... give them a real scare... he he... I like the East meets West style... very interesting... keep it up... Toshiro is cool... very Crab he is... though I am a Crane fan myself... gotta be the hair
Black Omega
First Post
Re: Awesome Story
A little editing was added to the post to adjust a couple of things I neglected. Thanks! The Bakemono were so inspired by seeing FotR, I admit. they attack with claws, so made them climb like the goblins in Moria. I just liked the visual.
As for a Shadowlands Ogre...interesting you should mention that...
Tokiwong said:
A little editing was added to the post to adjust a couple of things I neglected. Thanks! The Bakemono were so inspired by seeing FotR, I admit. they attack with claws, so made them climb like the goblins in Moria. I just liked the visual.
As for a Shadowlands Ogre...interesting you should mention that...
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