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

[volar]

Notes from Volar

1/2 orc, 1/2 elf. What a discusting concept. Volart wanted to go visit Kazu to set things straight.

The rice and saki was the best loot. Lots of food at Toshiro's place (growing regularly, but I am getting ahead of the story.)

Poor toshiro, we do everything possible to build his household with women.

 

[volar]

I can't wait for more. This is far enough behind that some of the details have been forgotten by me.

Keep 'em coming

 

[Black Omega]

The PC’s ‘caravan’ made it’s slow way to Bugaisha, arriving a couple of hours after the winter sun had set. The guards checked them in immediately, but Lord Shinjo Jyaku’s assistant, Shinjo Yuji regretfully informed the group they would have to see him in the morning. Jyaku-sama was indisposed. He did collect the ledgers Lord Jyaku had asked for, after allowing the group to satisfy their suspicions by asking him a few questions about past meetings. Can’t be too careful...

The formidable old lady running Toshiro’s home was more than a little surprised to meet the seven girls Toshiro had brought home with him. Certainly it would make her job running the home easier in some ways. But she would have some work training the former courtesans that a kimono was not a ‘off the shoulder’ garment. It would have strained the resources of the household if not for the years supply of rice and sake also brought from Mimura.

[DM note: Toshiro's household is indeed growing. Seven servant girls, more or less. One old lady. One massive apprentice for Volar. And Seven PC's. It's no wonder the old lady will be expanding the house.]

Bright and early the next morning the group was shown in to meet Lord Jyaku. Though he was his usual immaculate self, dark shadows were under his eyes. He had the look of a man who had not slept in days. He greeted the group politely and they traded pleasantries over tea before he thanked them for recovering the ledgers for him. Even then he seemed distant, almost distracted. Only when Mir stated she has decided on what favor she would wish did his attention focus fully on the conversation.

“The Oak Father gifted me with a revelation while we were visiting Mimura.” Mir murmured politely “I do not know what would be considered appropriate for the Empire. But I would like a site to dedicate to the Oak Father. Preferably a grove, something in the country.”

Lord Shinjo Jyaku mmmmed, giving this some thought before he finally nodded “We live in the land of a million gods. I can’t see why one more would be a problem. I have a grove in mind to the east of Bugaisha, about an hours ride. It has many oak trees, I trust it will be sufficient. I’ll have Yuji arrange for you to be shown the grove later today.”

With that the smile disappeared from Jyaku-sama’s face as suddenly as it appeared “I have other news, I’m afraid. There was a skirmish between Unicorn and Lion forces. Moto Subatai of the White Guard lead a ‘patrol’ of a hundred men into Lion lands. A common Lion tactic in past years was to attempt to sent a patrol into the lands of other clans, to test defenses. The Moto tried the same and there was a sharp battle with a Lion clan patrol. The Unicorn got the better of it. As you can imagine this raises the level of tension between us and the Lion clan. Even so…I’ve been in contact with the Lion Clan ambassador at Shiro Moto, Verick. I trust this will be helpful to you.”

With that, he respectfully presented a letter to Verick from Akodo Tatsumi. “Again, thank you for your help in this matter. I’m pleased you have resolved the matter with this Sadoka woman so decisively. Toshiro! Kazuyuki! You are back on duty tomorrow.” And with that, the group was dismissed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Verick kept the letter tucked away safely until he got home to Toshiro’s place, taking a deep breath before opening it to read

Akodo Verick,

I have just been reading over your interesting history, thanks to notes forwarded to me from Magistrate Ikoma Ichiro. A most fascinating story, it’s no wonder the Ikoma enjoyed it so. And now I’ve received a letter from Lord Shinjo Jyaku. I confess there is still a great deal I do not know about you, but at the least seeking to reclaim a place with the Lion in honor of your father is a most Lion thing to do. Samurai children are traditionally given their gempukku between the ages of 13 and 21, in the Spring. I am presently staying a Shiro Moto, the capital of the Unicorn. When the Spring comes I expect to see you here, ready to undergo your gempukku. I have made arrangements with Lord Shinjo Jyaku for you to be allowed to train as a Samurai in Bugaisha. More importantly, a letter has also been sent to Setei-sensei, formerly Akodo Setei. He is an old and honored Akodo who became a monk with his retirement and went to the Temple at Bugaisha. He will make sure you know what is it important for an Akodo to know. You have the winter to prepare. I look forward to finally meeting you in the spring.

Akodo Tatsumi
Ambassador to the Unicorn
At last Verick’s goal was in sight….

Toshiro and Kaz returned to their duties as samurai, Volar had built a hut in back where he could train his new apprentice, Chen. Yukiyo disappeared, as usual. Verick made arrangements with Echigoya for Gyo to go to work for the merchant as a driver. Mir found the grove very much to her satisfaction and started making plans for creating a shrine there. As well as a letter from her Crane admirer:

My dearest Mir,

I trust the journey back from Shiro Ide was smooth and uneventful. I’ve heard a few rumors that would suggest otherwise, but I can only hope they are untrue, rumors being such an unreliable source of information. We leave soon for Shiro Moto and the Winter Court, all the ambassadors will be there as well as the major Daimyo’s from all the families of the Unicorn. It should be most interesting, plots are already beginning to form. I hope you have a chance to visit, I’ve thought of you often lately.

Drinking morning tea
Eyes that see naught but each other
The chrysanthemum blooms

Warmest regards, Doji Shiima

Toshiro also received a letter from his father, talking about the constant fighting against the Shadowlands, as well as news about the death of the Daimyo of the Yasuki family of the Crab Clan. His heir had died just weeks previously and now there is no clear line of succession. But records were being checked to determine who the Lordship of the Yasuki would pass to. Toshiro’s father had no doubt someone was in for a surprise.

For Toritaka Kazuyuki came a letter as well, though from closer to Bugaisha:

Dear Toritaka Kazuyuki,

Interesting. Very interesting. It is perhaps possible after all these years there is a crack in the Bloodspeakers. It seems this group is not seeking to free Iuchiban as others have been. This bears further investigation. I can confirm Shahai, most evil of all the Bloodspeakers, is in the area. Once I learn more I’ll be in touch and be writing more letters to others in the Empire who should know if this threat is so grave as I suspect. Nezu has arranged one more meeting for this evening. Sharpen your blades, Kazuyuki, and be ready.

Kuni Noriaki
Jade Magistrate and Witchhunter

Iuchiban was known throughout Rokugan for his two attempts to conquer the Empire, as well as his elaborate tomb, designed as much to keep him in as other’s out. Shahai was another matter, a former Unicorn who had betrayed the Iuchi some 30 years ago, she was reputed to have killed a hundred Witchhunters. If she was in the area, Kaz knew there was bound to be trouble.

It was with some trepidation Akodo Verick reported to meet his sensei at the Temple. He was shown into the presence of a ancient Rokugani, the man’s skin like parchment, his head shaved bald in the fashion of a monk, but a long white goatee and moustache gave him an almost Fu Manchu look. He was dressed in simple robes of golden brown, his hands resting on a sturdy walking stick. After exchanging bows with Verick, the inscrutable man said “You have come into the care of Setei, Master Sensei of the Akodo. It will be my task to train you for your gempukku in the Spring. You will be reassured to know that I have never had a student make it to his gempukku and then fail. You have much work ahead of you, Verick-san. You lack the pure blood of Rokugan. You have been spending time with dung smelling Unicorns and rock headed Crabs. They might be good fighters, but that is not enough. The Emerald Empire contains the greatest fighters in the world. The Lion clan is blessed with the more formidable samurai in the Empire. Those samurai look to the Akodo for leadership. We have much to do, Verick-san, and little time. Let us begin!”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiro received a visitor a few days later. Shinjo O-Hisa, heavy hammer in hand and toting a lacquered box, a present for Toshiro. Opening the box revealed the head of the goblin warlord who had been the sole survivor of the battle that killed Toshiro’s friend, Sho. The head was somewhat bashed in, but there was no doubt it was him. Formally, O-Hisa bowed and thanked Toshiro for trusting the completion of his vengeance to her. Then she broke into a grin and admitted “It was a great battle, I’ll tell you all about it!” The talk went late into the evening, O-Hisa relating her tale about the clearing of the Shrine to the Sun, then Toshiro talking about the battle against the mysterious masked men in Mimura.

[DM Note: Ah, a man, a woman and a severed head. Samurai love.]

So the group settled into their routine for a week. Volar working with his massive student. Toshiro on duty and trying to spend time with Shinjo O-Hisa in his off time, even asking help from the old lady running his home in picking a present. Kaz was equally focused on his duty but he also made sure he took time for carousing. He, and to a lesser extent Verick, availed themselves of the services of the ex-courtesans at Toshiro’s house. The Oba-san running the house was equally determined to make the girl’s proper, and so many nights were a cat and mouse game between her and the two warriors.

Mindra was left the most alone of the group. The Oba-san took him out to show him various types of armor she had found, but he saw nothing was suitable for replacing his tattered leather scale armor. The old lady assured him she would find something for him soon, though. Aside from that, he was a monkey in a strange land of humans. Even using the amulet that allowed him to look Rokugani, people could tell there was something not right about him and still shunned him. A little bored, he spent some time watching Toshiro during the Crab’s training, and then slipped over to spy on Verick’s training. Finding the home of Akodo-sensei, his attention was immediately drawn by the sound of wood striking flesh and a high pitched “Aaiii! You call that a Kaeshi waza?! Clearly the insidious influence of the Western Kingdoms and the Unicorn has done it’s evil work. Surely no Akodo ever taught you such sloppy technique! No..no, not a word, Verick-san. Look, listen, learn! You are not some brute of a Crab or dung smelling Unicorn. They can get away with sloppy technique. But you are Akodo! The most exalted family of samurai to ever grace the Emerald Empire with their presence! The Splendid Emperor himself was once an Akodo. It’s not enough for your technique to be ‘good’. It must be flawless! NEVER bend your elbow on the follow through! Now, we begin again.” Mindra moved on, reflecting that perhaps there were worse things than being bored…

[DM Note: Creating Akodo Setei-sensei was fun. He started as a basic, honorable, traditional Akodo Samurai. But I wanted something more to make him distinctive. Then that week I was channel surfing and ran into Swimming with Sharks, featuring Kevin Spacey as the Boss from Hell! And that was it. I borrowed elements of Kevin Spacey’s character and added also some from Chuin, Master of Sinanju from the Destroyer series. It worked pretty well.]

The group’s routine was finally broken by the arrival of another letter. Toshiro accepted the letter and dismissed the messenger who brought it. The letter read:

Dear Toshiro,

Excellent news. I’ve gotten the break I need in this case. I already made arrangements with Lord Jyaku, so leave at once, just leave a note you are coming to meet me and will be gone a few days. Bring everything I’ve sent you, no one else can be trusted to guard it but you and your friend. There is a small Inn a hours ride north of Bugaisha, I shall await you there.

Kuni Noriaki

Good news after a fashion, but something about the letter wasn’t quite right. Toshiro got everyone else together and showed the letter around. Kaz read it and frowned “Bring everything? He just sent me a couple of letters. Did he leave you anything, Toshiro?”

Toshiro shook his head “This is the first time he’s even sent me a letter.”

Volar agreed “This looks very suspicious. Let’s go take a look!”

The group was pretty sure it must be a trap, but even that would be a welcome break from routine. Toshiro went to see Lord Jyaku, who was once again indisposed. So he left word with Shinjo Yuji instead. Yuji looked over the letter and nodded “Go ahead, I’ll make the arrangements. Yes, it’s very worrying. Lord Jyaku has been this way since before you got back. The Winter Court is coming up soon, all important Lords of the Unicorn are invited to it. Lord Jyaku’s invitation has not...arrived yet. An oversight I’m sure.”

That evening the group set out to the Inn, arriving close by at the appointed time. The Inn was quiet, it’s lights the only illumination in the area. Stopping short of the Inn, something happened to the group they had never encountered before. Verick held up his hand and said “Hey, before we go charging in, let’s make a plan.”

Drawing on lessons learned from Setei-sensei, Verick drew out a plan where he and Volar would circle behind the inn to scout, Mindra and Mir would cover the front. And the two Crab would go inside for the meeting. If there –was- trouble, the group would be in a good position to help.

As the group got into position, Mir was the only one to hear a child-like giggle in the darkness. But there was nothing to be seen. Unusual, but perhaps not important. Toshiro and Kaz led the way, boldly striding into the Inn. There was a group of workers messily eating at a table off to the side and in a shadowed corner, the tall, imposing figure of Kuni Noriaki.

The two Crab samurai went to sit with him and from inside the Jade mask rumbled “Did you bring everything, Toshiro-san? Even my book?”

“Book, you didn’t send us a book…” Toshiro frowned, glancing to Kaz who shook his head as well.

“Of course I did!” the Witchhunter’s raspy voice hissed “Give it to me!”

That was all it took, Toshiro started to rise, drawing his katana. But in a flash the Witchhunter reached over the table and grabbed Toshiro by the throat, chill fingers digging into warm flesh and for a moment Toshiro felt his body stiffening before he fought it off. Silently, the Innkeeper and the slobs gobbling down food to the side rose and moved to attack as well.

Meanwhile, Verick had picked the lock of the back door and snuck inside. When the battle began he rushed in to help while calling out for Mir and Mindra. As the three samurai hacked at their enemies, it was Volar who first was suspicious. The elven illusionist glanced into the Inn and focused and after a few seconds the illusions covering the inn faded. The Witchhunter and the Innkeeper were revealed as ghouls. The others as zombies, their meal what was left of the previous inhabitants of the Inn.

From above, a ghostly figure in armor floated through the floor, his sword slicing unerringly through Toshiro’s armor. The armor wasn’t even touched but beneath it the flesh slice and bled from the sword’s strike. Toshiro, Verick and Kaz wuld surely have been overwhelmed if not for Mindra scampering forward. Calling upon the power of the spirits, he sent a wave of energy outward into the Inn. And the worker/zombies were all repelled, huddling against the back wall of the inn.

That left the ghouls and the ghostly figure. And the fighters quickly found half the time their katana simply sliced through empty air when they cut at him. It was Volar who started to make a difference, his magic missiles hammering steadily at the armored figure.

Mir added her own energies to turning the undead, from the outside. But as Mindra entered the inn she was left alone out there. So focused was she on the battle that she failed to hear another giggle behind her. Then moments later she felt small arms grab her around the waist as a cheerful voice called out “Hug!” And talons from the hands stabbed into her sides, chilling her blood.

Twisting away, she freed herself of the fiendish grasp, only to find herself facing what looked like a six year old boy. He sniffled and said “Hug?” then went after her again, arms outstretched. Inside the Inn Kaz was raked by a ghoul’s claws and felt his body stiffen, freezing in place. Chilled to the bone, and the ghoul looked ready to start feeding…

With a yell Toshiro charged in, however, taking a slash from the ghostly warrior as he did so, before he pushed himself between Kaz and the ghoul. Another Hug attack on Mir drew a lot more blood and for a moment the young woman slumped to the ground. As Mir’s thoughts drifted away, the glory of the Oak Father filled her, healing the much of the most recent wound and reviving the young woman.

Fighting frantically, Toshiro cut down one ghoul, then Verick dispatched the other. Volar gestured and a crackling ball of lightning blazed over the ghostly warrior, finding him at just the right moment and after a few seconds, the figure flickers from view, with a last, unearthly howl. That left the six year olf boy against Toshiro and for a moment the two locked eyes. And Toshiyo felt a terrible force flipping through his mind as if it was a book. Then the boy giggled and took off into the darkness, pausing to peek around the corner at the group before darting out of sight. Mir, Verick and Toshiro took off in hot pursuit of the boy, chasing him around the corner. Mir paused when she didn’t see him, her sharp Aasimar eyes unable to pick out his figure in the night. But Verick and Toshiro charged on, determined he must be around here someplace. The child popped up from cover right beside Verick, fingers extending into glassy, black claws and scoring blood before he ran away deeper into the darkness, happily calling out “Seek me!”

Back inside the inn Volar and Mindra took a look at the still paralysis Kaz. Then to the 8 zombies still huddling against the wall. Volar looked to Mindra and asked “How much longer are they held for…”

Mindra’s monkey brow wrinkled in thought then his eyes got wide “Not long...10...20 seconds?”

“Kaz will be frozen much longer than that…come on, give me a hand!” and very slowly the two spell casters started to drag Kaz from the inn. It was hard going, neither were even remotely strong. But finally they had him past the door. Hastily, they let Kaz fall to the dirt path as the door was slammed closed and nailed shut, Volar keeping all sorts of useful items in his handy haversack. Then they set fire to the inn before dragging Kaz safely beyond reach of the rapidly spreading flames.

Meanwhile, deep in the night Verick and Toshiro had decided the fiendish boy must be able to see in the dark. Since they could not, it was decided to retreat back to the inn. The last of the undead were destroyed in the flames, though Volar sighed a little at the waste. If there was any loot to be found here..it must surely be in the inn.

A search of the areas revealed more dead bodies in the stable but little more. And the group returned to Bugaisha, puzzled and concerned. What book had the creature been asking about? And what had become of the Witchhunter? Clearly, they had much to do.

[DM Note: The child yelling 'HUG!' can be blamed on current L5R head writer Rich Wulf. In his fine Rokugan 90210 he introduced a comedic pekkle no oni who looked like a child and just wanted hugs. I borrowed that for my own creature. Oh, did my PC's want it dead...]

 

[Black Omega]

The group reported in what happened at the inn as soon as they arrived back in Bugaisha. The next morning they reported in to follow up, but Lord Jyaku was still not taking visitors. Instead a concerned looking Shinjo Yuji took their account of the battle and relayed it to Lord Jyaku. He returned shortly after, shaking his head. ‘Shinjo Jyaku-sama regrets his illness has left him unable to meet with you.” Yuji murmured, “This is clearly a matter of great concern. You have official permission to pursue this matter. Hiruma Toshiro, there is a matter you should see to first. You are being assigned to a patrol out into the western wastes. Once that is finished you may rejoin your companions.” And with that the group was dismissed to make preparations.

First of all, Verick stopped by the blacksmith. He had left his ancestral katana there before the trip to Mimura to be repaired. And at long last it was done. The ancestral blade of his father was reforged at last. And just in time, since his double sword was no doubt somewhere up in Kuzo by now.

Volar took his hulking apprentice aside ‘We’ll be gone for a few days at least. In the meantime do me a favor and keep an eye on the Red Wizards over in the barbarian sector. They are up to something. I’m just not sure what yet.” Chen smiled and bowed low. He was a slow student when it came to magic, but an old hand at shadier matters.

Akodo Verick gave a report of the battle to his sensei, who simply shook his head “What type of soft headed plan was that? Typical Crab thinking. We go in and then make it up as we go along!? Remember, Verick, brilliance is simply the art of planning ahead. So plan contingencies. If everything goes to Jigoku have a place to regroup. You know it’s an ambush, so plan for the ambush being inside the building. And coming from the outside. And beneath. Look, listen, learn! Trust me, Verick. Do exactly as I say. My students don’t simply go on to become samurai. They become –great- samurai. They win battles, duels and bring glory to our Clan.” Frustrated but determined, Verick nodded and went on with training.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Out at her grove, Mir was laying the groundwork for the shrine that was to follow. After the workmen had left, another visitor arrived. Iuchi Yoenki’s cheerful smile brightening the grove. For once, she had nothing to ask of Mir, she was simply stopping in to keep in touch. She’d been doing well indeed, though things had been difficult lately. When Mir asked her about no one at the temple knowing of her, Yoenki waved it off. Dealing with foreign magic and the undead was considered suspect by everyone, except a small few willing to take that risk. Yoenki was terribly curious about the battle at the Inn, though. She was pretty sure the child creature was a Pekkle no Oni, a twisted spirit of mischief who could assume nearly any form. Excellent spies.

As always, Yoenki evaded all questions about whom she was really working with. But she admitted to having met the Witchhunter and ‘worked’ with him. Though she remained vague on details. At Mir’s request for a way to contact her, Yoenki simply smiled and said “Talk to Iuchi Shokai, he’s the head of the Temple in Bugaisha. It’ll get back to me. But meet me alone. I’d hate for something memorable and unfortunate to happen to one of your friends…”
------------------------------------------------------------------
At Verick’s request, Toritaka Kazuyuki went to speak to Setei-sensei about Verick traveling with them on the trip, just so it is official. Akodo Setei politely listened to Kaz’s words, his wrinkled hands resting on his walking stick as he sighed dramatically. “I understand the need for this, but I would make a request as well. Verick-san is still learning. Please watch him when you get into battle. Make sure he doesn’t bend his elbow on the follow through…”

Kaz simply smiled and nodded his agreement. Akodo-sensei smiled as well “Domo Arigato, Kazuyuki-san. I understand you are a decent swordsman. Truly you are a credit to your clan.”

Kaz bowed and said simply “Thank you.” Then turned to return home and finish his own preparations for the trip. He was halfway down the street before he paused and thoughts to himself “Wait a minute…”
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiro had his own mission to handle. Every winter week long patrols were sent into the Hordelands, to check on where the nomads of that land were located and to make sure there was no immediate threat from them. Even in the icy winter now falling over the Heigen Yuki, the Hordeland nomads sometimes launched raids on caravans or outlaying villages. Hiruma Toshiro was assigned to one such patrol, along with Shinjo O-Hisa. Certainly it would be a good chance for Toshiro to prove his bravery. As well as indulge in some socially acceptable snuggling with his Unicorn girlfriend…for warmth, of course!

[DM Note: Toshiro’s player was going to be missing the next couple of sessions and I wasn’t sure at what point in the story he’d be back, so I created the patrol as an excuse to remove him from the picture for a bit. When ever he was back, the patrol would finish.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
With their preparations complete, winder clothing bundled away and an extra pack horse, just in case, the group set off into the frozen north of the Snow Plains. At that same moment a exhausted rider was just arriving in Shiro Ide with a letter for the most exalted Ide Tadaji-sama, Lord of the Ide and Chief Adviser to the Unicorn clam Champion.

Ide Tadaji-san,

Greetings, it has been far too long since we talked last.

[A page of pleasantries is snipped]

I deeply regret the situation that developed with my samurai, Toshiro, and those traveling with him and your samurai, Ide Naoya. I’m sure you can understand, the insult to Toshiro’s honor was too great to bear and he and his companions felt the need to vengeance on this Sadoka woman. This vengeance is complete, but in the course of this a ledger was recovered. It listed many of those Sadoka did business with. Though I feel very confident your own investigations have already dealt with this matter, I have enclosed a list of Ide samurai apparently involved in these illegal activities. I fully understand if you wish to see this ledger for yourself, I would myself were I in your sandals. However, I’m sure you can understand such a ledger could not simply be sent by messenger. Were an accident to happen and it end up in the wrong hands, certain people could so easily misunderstand how the names of some Ide lords could have ended up in it. Should you wish to view the document during the Winter Court, I would be more than happy to accommodate you.
Warmest regards,
Shinjo Jyaku
Lord of the Heigen Yuki

Lord Shinjo Jyaku’s invitation to the Winter Court departed belatedly that same day.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The group traveled north and immediately found trouble in the first village they stopped at. Finding a magical illness spreading among the peasants, the group tracked it back to the trees in a certain area. Tainted and twisted when looked at with the proper magic. Verick verified the trees were tainted by burning one with a touch of his jade katana. Tendrils suddenly shoot out from the ground, the trees attacking viciously. Everyone cut their way loose except for Mir. Only Volar’s quick thinking in using his new rat familiar to get to Mir and cast gaseous form on her saved the young one was possible death. Once the trees were revealed for what they were, it was relatively easy for the group to dispose of them.

On their way back toward the village, they were shocked by the ambush of a group of undead and a fire shugenja who was using blood magic. Mir and Mindra rather easily dealt with the undead but the fire shugenja layed down a fireball on the group, then another quickly as the group clustered together to heal. Verick charged the shugenja as Mir ran from horse to horse to save as many as possible. And Volar cried out “My Rat!!” The poor creature burned to a near crisp by the waves of fire. Only Mindra’s fast healing saved the poor creature. When Verick got close enough, the evil shugenja called upon the fire spirits for one final spell, fire’s consuming his own body even as they did the same to the young Lion-wannabe. But Verick’s agility and some fast healing spells saved him, while the shugenja was reduced to nothing more the smoldering ash.

The return trip to the village was cut short again as Yukiyo spotted a hawk circling over them. On impulse she shot it with an arrow and watched as it took off to the north. An hour later the group noticed a figure to the north, closing in. Most of the group hid, leaving Toritaka Kazuyuki to greet what turned out to be a weathered man dressed in animal hides and furs. “Who are you? Identify yourself!” Kaz demanded in a loud voice.

The grizzled man looked over the samurai and answered promptly “Eh? Vas ist los? Wer sind Sie?”

Kaz had no idea what the man was saying but Mir, Verick and Volar recognized Common instantly.

[DM Note: When characters didn’t speak Rokugani yet, I tended to use Japanese instead of saying “You don’t know what they said.” So in this case I just used German as the equivalent for Common. Not that I know much of it, but it was enough to get the point across. If the group ever gets far enough north to run into the Yabanjin I plan to finally use that Russian they made me take in University ]

However, the rest of the group remained cautious of another ambush, bloodied and out of spells as they were, so they remained hidden, and it was left up to the weathered man to finally cast a spell, hiss words magically reforming into Rokugani, ‘I said, what’s wrong? Who are you? And for that matter, who shot my damn bird?” Indeed, the hawk was flying overhead once again, looking down over the meeting.

“You need papers to travel these lands. I am Toritaka Kazuyuki, samurai of Lord Shinjo Jyaku. If you want to stay in this area, you’ll have to report to Bugaisha, just south of here, and get permission.” Kaz announced, resting his hand calmly on his katana’s hilt.

The grizzled man introduced himself as Brakkus, a traveler from the Western Kingdoms and recent guest of the Yabanjin to the north. Among mutter muttering to himself about “Awful lot of damn rules.” He was revealed to be a priest of nature in all it’s various forms and deities. A druid. And the hawk the group shot was Screech, his familiar.

“But druids don’t have familiars…” Volar commented suspiciously to his friends. But at last the rest of the group came out to meet Brakkus. Brakkus even offered to heal the group’s horses, still suffering from the burns from the previous battle. If he didn’t offer to heal their own wounds, well, no one complained. Verick was more like a Unicorn in seeing his horse as a brother and it’s healing got the druid on his good side.

The group returned to the village for an overnight to recover spells and healing. Kaz was very clear with Brakkus that had must get the proper papers if he wished to remain in the empire. He also wrote out a ‘temporary’ pass to show to any patrols along the way. Brakkus and Mir spent a lot of time in conversation over nature, and discovered the weathered old fellow was a Mystic Wanderer, a select breed of spell caster who traveled all over the Forgotten Realms and beyond. This interested Mir quite a bit and by the time the group was ready to move on, Brakkus had promised to visit Mir’s grove near Bugaisha and show her more about Mystic Wanderers. At the same time, conflict within the group was growing. Verick had decided Yukiyo should apologize to Brakkus for shooting his hawk. Yukiyo was just as determined not to. Yukiyo was sworn to Toshiro, she revealed. And Verick was still months away from being a samurai himself. So while much was said, Verick could not budge Yukiyo from her stubborn stand. But he would remember, oh yes he would.

The next day the group moved on, traveling up to the village they had visited months ago and saved from the attack of the undead. The Witchhunter had mentioned using Nezu, so that seemed the place to start in their search. It took a couple more days of travel in icy cold temperatures, but they arrived at the village and found it much as it had been when they left. A trail of smoke billowing into the sky from the burned out remains of a home.

The home had belonged to Nezu, now missing. There had been another attack of undead the night before, but focused on Nezu’s home. Several of the zombies had been destroyed in the fire and the peasants hoped he had escaped. He’d done pretty well for the village since Toshiro ordered him to protect it. Further questioning revealed Nezu had seemed nervous the last few days. He’d even sent his wife and son to stay at another house. The Witchhunter had not stopped by the village for days now, and it was obvious the peasants were perfectly happy to keep it that way. A search of Nezu’s home revealed little. Some of his personal effects had survived, but little more.

The group was just considering how they could possibly find when Mindra spoke up “My dog could probably track him by scent…he left some clothing behind…”

Dog?? Well, there had been a mutt following Mindra around but he’d never done anything useful. Until now. Finding a scrap of clothing not smelling too badly of smoke, Mindra let his dog get the scent and off the group went. The animal tracked Nezu up into the foothills north of the village and after a day the group came to a small mountain of black rock, ash and sulfur. Steam rose from the summit and the area was warm enough no snow had built up on the ashy slope. But for the dog the trail ended here, the sulfur scent destroying any chance of following Nezu’s path up the slope.

It was left to Yukiyo to search up the slope, the sneaky young woman finding a spoke where you could climb and avoid the black soot. And higher up the slope she found a cave with a faint glow of fire some inside. A night began to fall, dark clouds became darker and a light snowfall began. Sneaking up the slope to the cave, the group found the familiar form of Nezu, asleep with his bow cradled in his arms, the embers of a fire still flickering.

And outside, unseen, someone else had also determined this was where Nezu had holed up…

[DM Note: Like all those TNT movies, I'm time compressing things at this point and skimming certain parts. Otherwise, there's no chance I'll be catching up to where the group is currently. I'm sure my players will remind me if I miss anything important. ]

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Quill and parchment is much better, I am removing this duplication so everyone need only read my ramblings once. Now read on.

Mir

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Notes from Mir

Since the narrator is moving so fast with this story, I guess it is my job as the Bard to flesh out some the areas and times that were glossed over above.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Perhaps Verick could get his Sensei to teach all of us about tactics. Either that or his Sensei doesn’t know us to well. Of all my travels, I have never before been associated with such a chaotic group of lawful people. The incident at the Inn was no different than almost all other encounters. It seems our current tactics seems to consist of little to no advanced planning, which doesn’t much matter as one or more of the samurai rush strait into to enemy. Mindra and I then spend our time running around healing them after they are surrounded by overwhelming numbers. Fortunately we have Volar on our side as well, because I am loosing count of the number of times his magic has bailed us out. If I were not so sure that the Oak Father was looking out for me, I would be much more worried about my survival. Hopefully Verick will bring some of his Sensei’s wisdom with him so such disasters do not happen again.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
That was pretty much my encounter with Iuchi Yoenki, although I am not so sure about her threatening my friends. I didn’t hear that parting remark or it never happened, I guess I cannot be sure, but if I had heard it it certainly would change my image of her. So far Yoenki has been nothing but kind and friendly to me. Yes she is quite secretive and evasive, but I am taking that as part of her nature. The question I have had, and still have where that nature is coming from. I am not sure whether she is a Witchhunter who is trying to provide covert help and learn from me, or a Bloodspeaker trying to remain hidden from the authorities. Either way I am not worried about it yet. If she is a Witchhunter then there is no problem with our association and she could prove a valuable ally in the future. If she is Bloodspeaker, then I have a contact on the inside for possible use in the future. Either way I am learning more about what is going on, and as my mother taught me it is always good to keep your options open as everything is not black and white, and that sometimes subtly can be the more effective tool. Now I just need to keep up the questioning until I figure out where her loyalties lie. So far I am more than happy to keep our association secret as she wishes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Toshiro has always treated me with respect, so I was glad to help when he came to me asking for advice on how to woo his riding instructor. I have given him help in what women like, and have even helped him by providing him some poetry to give her. Fortunately my experience with Rokugani poetry is still quite limited, so Toshiro should have no problem passing off what I gave him as his own if he wishes. I was quite pleased when he came back one day saying he was to go on a long patrol with O-Hisa and that if all went well that they would have a chance to get to know each other much better during all those cold nights they would spend together.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having always traveled with Toshiro as my primary protector and leader, it came as something of a surprise when Kaz came one day to Volar and myself saying that if we wished we could travel with him on a mission he was setting out on. He was going looking for some Witchhunter who he was apparently doing some buisness with (as it turned out it was the same one we had walked into the ambush at the Inn trying to meet). Since Volar and Myself had proved worthy traveling companions he would be glad to have us accompany him. Apparently he had already managed to get Verick away from his Sensei, and Mindra and Yukio would be along as well since they are not allowed out on patrol with Toshiro.

So out into the winter snow we left heading north, into to cold wind itself. Everyone but me was unhappy about traveling in such weather, bundled up tightly against the cold. I on the other hand find such weather to be invigorating, my ancestor’s blood protecting me from the cold. I find this time of year to be quite relaxing, with the snow dampening the sound and most people staying indoors, I get the chance to commune with the Oak Father with far fewer distractions.

Eventually we made it to a small village, which was in desperate need of help. Many of the townsfolk were suffering from disease and the local shugenja healer was nowhere to be found. Mindra and I tended to the villagers as best we could, even healing a couple with our magic. This seamed to confirm we were on the right track since this seamed to have the ring of bloodspeakers to it. The following day we set off to where many of the villages had been out collecting wood before they fell ill. We eventually noticed some trees that appeared to be suffering from some form of disease as well.

Once more our lack of planning got us in trouble again. As several of us were up close looking at the trees, Verick stated, “If this is taint my Katana should tell us”. Just then he touched his sword to one of the diseased spots on a tree. Immediately the trees awoke and started attacking us. Unfortunately for me I was the closest to center and was immediately and completely entangled by them. The others were able to get away with little or no help. Unable to get near me the others began firing arrows at the trees. This only seamed to anger them as they started to squeeze me tighter. If only I had been one of those that were free this would have been much easier, as the Oak Temple had trained me in not only channeling our God’s power against the undead but also how to use this power as well to control all of the Oak Fathers plants as well, but this was not an option that day. Finally I heard Volar state, “Wait I have an idea” He then started chanting some spell. Nothing seamed to happen though, so I figured it must not have worked. A few seconds later, I noticed his rat sneaking through the roots, too small to be effectively entangled. When the rat got to me he touched me with his nose. All of a sudden I felt the pressure ease. I finally figured out what Volar’s plan was. He had cast a spell I had previously only heard of, and I was now part of the air itself, much like a morning fog. In this new form I was able to quickly get out of the area, as the rat also retreated. From outside of the trees’ range we quickly put an end to their existence with some simple arrow fire.

An idea was then put forward by someone that we should destroy the remains so that others would not accidentally come in contact with the taint. We realized this might be a mistake after black clouds of smoke came off the burning trees. Oh well there was nothing we could do at this point but let them burn so we set back for the village.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A minor correction on our trip back. The hawk was first spotted before we ran into the shugenja, but no-one fired at it that time.

Yes, after the battle we were exhausted, and weak. Mindra and I had used up all of our spells for the day, barely leaving us enough strength to travel. We were definitely not ready for another attack. When we saw the hawk again there was much nervousness, as we were afraid of another battle. I tried stopping Yukiyo from firing at the hawk but it was too late, this was not good. If it was just a plain innocent hawk then I was upset about needlessly killing it. If it belonged to a friend then we had just burned a bridge before coming to it. Lastly if it belonged to an enemy then he now knew where to find us.

Being in no condition to fight when the stranger approached most of us figured hiding might be the best choice. But good fortune was smiling on us today, and I was relieved at what seamed to be a fellow child of the Oak Father approaching. After he identified himself I stepped forward to talk as well since I believed he was no threat. A short conversation later I was convinced. Several others, Volar, Verick and Yukiyo especially were not convinced, and thought I was nuts for trusting him. Eventually they came around after he offered to heal our horses. We apologized in general for the unfortunate incident with his hawk, but unfortunately Yukiyo was unwilling to show both courage and humility by apologizing herself.

We convinced him to travel to the village with us, which I was glad of for it had been a long time since I had the chance to speak with someone who had so many shared beliefs. We spoke long into the night about all sorts of matters. I am unsure of what exactly this Mystic Wanderer is that has been spoken of. Brakkus explained that he knew of the way to maintain contact with the gods without having to follow all the rituals exactly. I was also curious about the hawk, since Volar was right, a druid should not have a familiar, and that is what the hawk certainly seamed to be. I finally got him to begin to explain that there were more similarities between Arcane and Divine magic than most people thought. He did eventually agree to teach me more about this and meet me back at my new grove when we were done with our quest.

The following day we parted company, Brakkus headed south to Bugiasha, while we continued north in search of the Witchhunter. We wished the village luck and promised them we would inform lord Jyaku of their predicament of being without a local priest anymore. This last part was because we had the unfortunate duty of informing them the night before that their shugenja who had returned after we left the previous day and had then set out looking for us was in fact the same one who had attacked us and had been a bloodspeaker. Brakkus however informed Kaz that he would not head strait to Bugiasha, instead that he would make a quick detour to where the tainted trees were to make sure that all these abominations had been taken care of, and that our burning of the trees had not caused greater harm. He promised to head strait to the city after that though, and Kaz eventually agreed to this plan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I having nothing else to add until the very end, as we approached the ash covered hillside. Somewhere along the line we were spotted by Nezu, or Yukiyo had awaked him, but I definitely recall the conversation we had up the hillside. Nezu had demanded to know who we were. When we identified ourselves, he at first demanded to talk to Toshiro who he had previously agreed to help in exchange for his life. When he was informed that Toshiro was not with us he next asked to speak with Sho. Unfortunately we had to inform him that Sho had been lost to a shadowlands creature. It then fell on me to convince him of our good intent, since he did not trust Verick who had threatened to kill him if not for Toshiro’s intervention nor Kaz who he had never met. Of the three barbarians, I was the one he trusted most. Using my natural gifts for diplomacy I eventually talked him into letting us join him peacefully.
--
I hope I have filled in so blanks and weak spots for everyone. It is now up to our narrator to continue on. Fear not, some more interesting things are still yet to come. We all knew this to be case as something had driven Nezu here, and we were sure that whatever it was would soon be discovered.

Mir

 

[Draken Korin]

Verick: Out of Character Comment

It's interesting to read the story and some of the follow up comment to see how the perspective and view changes over time.

The episode with Brakkus being a prime example. It was, in fact, Verick who began the talks with Brakkus, since they shared a common language, Rashemani, as he and Kaz moved out to confront him.

I even recall getting flak from Volar over accepting him as easily as I had. It was also Verick who tried to force Yukiyo to apologize for shooting at his hawk, and as Black Omega said, the refusal will not be forgotten by the tempestuous young lion cub.

Verick is very un-Lion in his care of his horse, almost more Unicorn, since his family had made a name for itself with horsemanship, warhorse breeding, and the training of soldiers in the northeast of Rasheman after Verick's father left Rokugan. He was not withdrawn from Brakkus at all, but indeed was the first to agree to his offer of assistance with his horse.

Anyway. On with the story.

Rob

 

[Brown Jenkin]

Notes from Mir

I appologize to Verick for missremembering the events with Brakkus. It has been a while. We both agree though that there were some who did not trust Brakkus, and that Volar and Yukiyo were quite vocal about it. And yes, you took the lead in trying to get Yukiyo to appologize, I don't believe I contradicted that but if it reads that way I am sorry.

 

[Black Omega]

The group found the cave Nezu had holed up in was rather comfortable. There was a pit where the fire had burned low, food and water for a number of people laid back. There was even a stable at the back of the cave with room and fodder for several horses. Obviously a hide out of some sort.

Nezu’s lean features were damp with sweat despite the chill of the evening as he gazed anxiously at the group. Their questions were blunt and to the point. “What happened to the Witchhunter? Where is he?!”

“I did everything he asked!” Nezu protested quickly. “He visited me late at night and just started asking questions. Then he told me I’d be his guide, what could I do??”

Nezu didn’t get any further than that before a noise was heard outside the cave. The sliding of soot down the slope and then movement close by. Someone coming closer and not being subtle about it. Katana were readied, spells prepared…and then Hiruma Toshiro walked into the cave and looked around “About time I found you….I’ve been just behind you for the last day it feels like.”

[DM Note: Toshiro’s player’s time away was finished. The group had lost a day or two at that first village resting to heal and recover spells. So I let Toshiro catch up to them at the cave. No doubt the guidance of his ancestors helping Toshiro along, since he’s nor exactly wildness skilled.]

There was little time for reacquaintances, though. Just minutes after Toshiro entered, there was the sound of movement outside once again. There was just time for katanas to be drawn again and the group to get into position before new visitors arrived. Zombies. A couple of the zombies were cute down quickly and a blast of positive energy from Mindra reduced more to piles of dust, while Mir forced the other zombies to flee with her own turning.

But the group heard chanting below and didn’t pursue, waiting for the next attack and forcing whoever it was to come to them. A couple of minutes pass before from above the cave came a rush of black rock and soot. And again. Someone starting to seal the group inside the cave. Verick peeked out and had just enough time to see the pale bony skeletons further down the slope before the undead fired their arrows at him and forced him back under cover. Another minute passed as the group debated what to do and the mound of volcanic dust grew higher at the mouth of the cave, up to waist level. Whoever was directing the undead seemed quite willing to wait, seal up the cave, then go in later after everyone had suffocated.

But that was not to be. Impulsively, Verick bulled through the mound of rock and soot, taking an arrow in the shoulder but clearing a path for the others. Mindra cast a spell to make he and Kaz invisible to undead, While Volar, Toshiro and Mir were brought under the protection of an Invisibility Sphere. Yukiyo peeked out to start taking shots at the skeletons, but to no effect against the bony forms.

Verick was struck by two more arrows as he charged, then a shugenja appeared in the darkness behind the skeleton archers. Languidly he gestured, blood splattering from his cut hand. And Verick felt his body weaken, strength draining away. Even so, he didn’t pause, charging right into the midst of the archers and bulling one out of the way so he could get in a slash to the shugenja. Kaz was right behind him, his invisibility to undead dispelled as he started hacking around him into the skeletons.

Yukiyo was the last out of the cave and as she exited, three skeletons from above the cave attacked with swords. But even more sinisterly…as Yukiyo fended off the skeletons she heard a gleeful cry from behind “Hug!” Yukiyo avoided the playful Pekkle no Oni, but just barely, his talons nearly catching on her leather armor.

Mir charged forward as well, lifting her oak staff high as she called upon the Oak Father to turn the skeletons around Verick and Kaz. The skeletons wavered a moment but then fought on, unaffected by the turning. But the attempt did draw the attention of others to Mir. From the darkness on the groups flank, three emaciated figures came into view, faded tattoos showing over their pallid flesh. Ghoulish monks. Two of them focused on Mir as they entered the fray and a Dragon Claw attack drew blood from the young woman. Worse yet, Mir felt her body stiffen, a curious paralysis taking over.

Mindra followed Kaz into the battle with the skeletons but veered off as he saw the ghouls. Calling upon the spirits, Mindra forced one ghoul and one skeleton to flee the battle. Toshiro found himself toe to toe with the other ghoul, matching his sword with the ghoul’s bizarrely agile martial arts. And Mir’s situation went from bad to worse…as the group was busy elsewhere with their battle, the ghoul who had paralyzed her drew in flow, and his clammy flesh started to flow over Mir’s body, ribs wrapping around her torso...his arms melding to her’s…

Hard pressed by the skeletons and playful Pekkle no Oni all at once, Yukiyo reached into her bag of tricks, a potion of levitation drank and quickly she lifted into the air, out of reach of the swords and talons. Once safe she started to relentlessly shoot arrows into the Pekkle no Oni as the little fellow stomped his foot on the sooty ground and cried “Not fair!”

With Kaz taking much of the pressure off, Verick was left to relentlessly pursue the shugenja, his katana soon drenched with the spell caster’s blood. But he had a few tricks of his own, a fast step back followed by a muttered spell and another splash of his own blood to complete the spell. And in helpless fury Verick watched as the shugenja lifted up into the air out of reach, a sinister grin spreading over the Shugenja’s face as he prepared his next spell. Then from out of nowhere Volar popped into view, hands held out as a lightning bolt crackled upward, engulfing the Shugenja. The Shugenja wavered in the air for a moment then fell, landing heavily, his body twisted and smoldering from the lightning’s blast.

Toshiro managed to cut down the ghoul opposing him but then he stopped short as he approached Mir, unsure how to attack the creature without striking his teammate. Then with a howling cry the ghoul forced Mir’s body into combat, a fast leap and a sweeping kick rocking Toshiro back. Meanwhile the Pekkle no Oni had escaped Yukiyo’s line of sight, the poor boy in rather poor shape from all the arrows. And then Verick popped up, jade etched katana at ready as he snarled “No way we’re letting you escape THIS time!” and with a violent sweep of the sword the miniature oni was cute down, disappearing in a flash of flame.

With no target left, Yukiyo took careful aim and let fly, an arrow sinking into the ghoul and into Mir, blood and ichor mingling around the wound. Badly wounded by now, Kaz was still working to finish off the skeletons, getting help from Volar’s magic missiles and Mindra’s turning. Thinking quickly, as the ghoul moved to attack Toshiro once more, Volar cast levitate on Mir and she lifted into the air, ghoul and all. With the Shugenja dead, the other ghouls gone or slain, and the skeletons turned, all that was left to save Mir, without killing her to kill the ghoul. Volar cast Grease on Mir but the undead was too firmly latched onto the silver haired woman. Mindra took the time to heal much of Kaz’s damage. Volar expended his last magic missile on the ghoul but still it and Mir thrashed in mid air as the group searched for ideas on how to hurt it. Mindra continued on healing, fixing up Verick then Yukiyo next.

Toshiro tried jabbing the ghoul/Mir with a torch but just got a foot to the face for his trouble. Mir tried to turn the creature surrounding her, but to no avail. The group could just not find a way to hurt it without hurting Mir as well. Mindra went on with his healing, fixing up Volar’s arrow wound next. Finally at Mir’s urging, Toshiro and Verick through caution to the winds and striking as precisely as they could, they killed the ghoul. Luckily, Mindra was right there to heal Mir quickly once the ghoul was taken care of.

[DM Note: I have a firm rule not to give the group ideas for tactics. I kept waiting for someone to suggest a Cure Wounds as a way of dealing with the ghoul without hurting Mir. But the group was so caught up in the moment, it never seemed to come to mind. It made things much tougher than I’d originally planned.]

With the battle over and snow falling in the night, the group retreated to the cave once more. Nezu was firmly tied up to be questioned in the morning, when multiple Zones of Truth could be put up to help Nezu with his memory. Then the group set up a watch in case trouble returned and then settled in to rest.

Well, that was the idea at least… An earlier discussion on searching for the Shugenja’s horse in case there was gold or other valuables there weighed heavily on Yukiyo’s mind. And finally she set off out of the cave and into the night, holding an arrow with an Ever Burning Flame cast upon it. Toshiro was the only one who noticed and he frowned, leaning out to watch as well as waking Mindra to let him know what was going on.

Yukiyo’s trip into the night was short, as she moved in among the trees at the base of the slope there was movement from up ahead. Her bow held at ready she creeped forward. Finally the flickering light brought into view a skeleton. But Yukiyo’s keen senses saved her, the young archer rolling to the side to escape the arrows that flew where she can been standing. Running back toward the slope, she heard the sounds of pursuit, growing closer quickly.

Toshiro held his watch at the mouth of the cave, his eyes training to pierce the veil of night as the flickering flame came back into view, bobbing up and down as the person ran. Then suddenly the flame fell and there was no more movement. Turning to Mindra, Toshiro sighed “Wake the others, I’ll try to help her.” Then he started down the slope as quickly as he could, pushing his pace faster as he saw movement near the light and heard a pained, hoarse moaning. But as he arrived at the tree the light lay beside, the ambush was sprung, a ghoulish monk leaping from the darkness t rake his claws into Toshiro’s back as a couple more arrows fly from the night, one scoring a blood hit through Toshiro’s armor.

Meanwhile, Yukiyo was annoyed. As far as she was concerned the situation was under control and her dropped light had drawn the undead to her own ambush. Though in truth her arrows did little damage to the skeletons. As Toshiro retreated hastily up the slope Mindra roused the others. Out of spells, Volar used a scroll to cast an acid arrow at the ghoulish monk as he came into view. The skeletons chased as well, swords replacing the bows as they closed in on Toshiro. Clad only in his kimono, Verick heroically rushed out to join the melee, taking on the ghoul.

Mir, Volar and Mindra started shooting arrows from the cave as Verick kept the ghoul busy, the skeletons cutting Toshiro off from the cave as they surrounded him. Having trouble with the attacks from the cave, the ghoul moved to get out of the line of fire, suddenly cart wheeling past Verick, so suddenly the surprised young man had no time to swing at it. The monkish ghoul went into a forward leap then rolled to his feet, claws raking into Toshiro and the Crab felt his body freeze, the paralysis taking hold.

Verick wasted no time, however, throwing himself after the ghoul and knocking Toshiro out of the way of the attacks. As the group got their act together and finished off the fight Toshiro lay paralyzed on the freezing ground, the snow falling lightly over his unmoving face. And through it all he could not help but think “This was a really bad idea…”

The aftermath of the battle was filled with tension and frustration. Yukiyo insisted she had everything under control and the group had ruined her ambush. The others, especially Mir and Verick, more or less replied “Fine, next time we won’t help.”

Come the morning, Nezu’s time was up. Still bound, he was brought to the middle of the cave and two Circles of Truth were cast around him. Volar calmly explained, “These spells will ‘help’ you tell the truth. But if you lie, they will detect it instantly and kill you!”

A stone faced Toshiro added “Tell us the truth and you won’t be killed, Nezu.”

And faced with soulless foreign magic and certain death if he lies, Nezu’s meager courage crumbled. Under questioning from the group he revealed all he knew. And not only about the Witchhunter. He confirmed something many in the group had suspected, he had killed the one bandit he was guarding for Toshiro. The man had threatened to reveal Nezu himself had been a bandit, if Nezu did not free him. He had been blackmailed into joining the bandits attacking the gold caravans by the ronin, who had known Nezu had used to be one of Rodrigo’s men.

The Witchhunter had found him late one night and woken him from a deep sleep, asking him about the undead attack on the village, and had then pressed him into service as a guide while hunting down the Bloodspeakers. Then one night a woman had awakened him. He did not see her face, but the voice was unmistakably feminine. Her command had been simple and straightforward, lead the Witchhunter into a trap or something memorable and unpleasant would happen to Nezu’s family. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Nezu had agreed at first. Then switched sides again, warning the Witchhunter about the trap. Kuni Noriaki had decided to try to turn the trap around on his foes. When last Nezu saw him, the ground had erupted with undead attacking the Witchhunter while a woman laughed in the background. Nezu had not waited to see what happened, he had fled at once. Something the Witchhunter had been agreeable with, since it meant he did not have to bother worrying about protecting Nezu.

Nezu had later found the Witchhunter’s horse and saddlebags, but had not seen the Witchhunter since that fateful night. But he had feared he would be next in line, which was why he’d arrange for his wife and child to stay with someone else. He’d sent a message to Bugaisha, but somehow, it had never gotten through.

While the questioning was going on, Verick and Volar had started to search the cave. The saddlebags had revealed Kuni Noriaki’s belongings. Several surgical looking implements. And a journal in some cryptic code. The search also turned up a large amount of gold, which the group split among them as poor Nezu looked on in stunned despair. When he was asked if there was more gold, he had to admit they had found all of it.

After the questioning was done, Volar and Verick were quite ready to finish Nezu off but Toshiro looked the thin man over then growled “Now you work for us. You guide us. Do a good job and I’ll let you go after we are done. Betray us and you will die.”

Nezu managed a weak smile and a nods “Toshiro-sama, my dear good friend. Whatever you wish of me, I will do.”

“Good.” Toshiro answered “then take us to the spot where Kuni Noriaki was ambushed.”

[DM Note: The storyhour continues to be time compressed, like those annoying TBS movies where they cut stuff out for no apparent reason just to make it fit a time slot. I'm sure Verick and Mir's players at least will have a little to add to this.]

 

[Black Omega]

The trip to the location of the ambush took half a day over forested hills covered with snow. By the time they arrived, the snow had ceased to fall, leaving eight inches of snow on the ground, but the bitter cold remained. Only Mir with her Aasimar resistance to cold remained unaffected.

Though the area of the ambush was covered by snow the group searched it carefully. At strategic spots close to trees, pits were found where someone could hide. Though the snow and elements had obscured most other evidence, the group also found an area where the icy ground had been suddenly melted to mud and had refrozen. Footprints showed clearly, as did other marks, including where something had been dragged away. Things weren’t looking good for their friend the Witchhunter.

Nezu was very helpful using his tracking skills to look over the area, the thin, nervous fellow constantly glancing around as if an attack could come at any moment. But it was Mindra who’s monkey ears picked up the sound of someone riding their way. Fanning out, the group rode to meet this mysterious figure riding alone in the dead of winter.

He turned out to be a man named Funaki, Toshiro and Kaz had both heard of him, a former Crab Clan samurai with a strong reputation as a fighter. Though curiously, he carried no weapon. And typically Crab in his speech as well. A challenge from Kaz for his to produce his papers simply drew a snarling “Do you know who you are talking to, you little pissant?! I was killing Oni on the Kaiu Wall when your parents were still deciding if they really wanted another crying brat! And since when do Crab travel with…Elves.”, Funaki’s voice dripping with scorn.

The sheer venom of the ronin’s tone took the group aback and Toshiro’s rather imprecise way of describing Volar as a special friend simply made Funaki more furious. Volar contributed as well, adding in “Now, now…you need not fight over me…” using his best effeminate tone.

This was the straw that broke the camel’s back and Funaki slide off his horse, carefully adjusting his helmet before he charged. As he drew near to Kaz, Funaki reached over his back and then swung, shadows falling from a great, two handed battle axe that hacked into Kaz’s body. As Mir moved to heal Kaz, Toshiro charged in to attack, a powerful overhand strike landing on Funaki’s shoulder. The blade bit past the armor but then stopped, Funaki tensing his muscles, then flexing as he threw his arms wide and the blade was pushed back, no blood drawn.

Eyes blazing, Funaki looked over Toshiro and hissed ‘I will show you exactly what I think of your fighting skills.” Then he turned his back on Toshiro and attacked Kaz again, adding in a sidestep so he could also attack Mir when she went to heal Kaz.

After the initial furious charge, the group’s tactics got better, Volar summoning a celestrial badger and a thoqqua to help hem the ronin in as the others cycled in and out of the fight for healing. In the end, the group was too much for Funaki and he was finally struck down by Yukiyo’s arrows and the samurai’s katanas.

The fight over, the group healed their wounds while Volar checked out the body. He discovered an unusually heavy pouch that registered as magical. The ouch was discovered to be a bag of holding, and aside from the food and water carried inside, there were also six new chain mail shirts, six purple kimono carrying the mon of Lord Shinjo Jyaku, and a substantial amount of material for writing scrolls.

Also in the pouch was a note reading: “Pick up shipment and return as soon as possible. It seems the journal does exist. If you can grab it or keep them from getting it, do so. Otherwise it’s not that important.”

While Volar was checking this out, Verick wandered over to look over the ronin’s battle axe. He carelessly picked it up, then his body stiffened as he felt the sheer bloodlust of the weapon working into his mind. Verick was barely able to fight off the weapons influence and drop it back into the snow. “-That- we are destroying…” he decided and the rest of the group agreed.

Moving onward, the group decided to return to the cave they had seen on their first visit to this village, back months ago when Sho, Toshiro, Verick and Shiko had charged the zombies inside the cave. This time there were no zombies but there were traps. A devious fire trap clearly designed to fry the unwary. Verick and Yukiyo were up to the task of spotting the disarming the trap, though.

Inside the cave was found a set of black scrolls, non magical. Also found was a curved, black dagger covered with long dried blood. Mir took the scrolls into her possession for study later. Outside the cave the ground found themselves face to face with a group of riders. They had up to date travel papers and claimed they were out chasing the man the group had found and killed. Though suspicious, Mir was able to confirm to the group that at least the men were truthful about chasing the ronin.

However, Toshiro was apparently having trouble focusing on the conversation. He looked around with a surprised look on his face, then shook his head before blurting out “Who are you?! Why should I do this?” Toshiro remained confused, looking to the riders then around again “I have nothing against attacking Kuzo, but how do I know this is not a trap?” he asked into the air again. In whispers Toshiro passed along to the others someone he could not see was talking to him, a voice no one else could hear.

Then after a moment his face flushed and his eyes narrowed “It says the Witchhunter is dead, killed by Shahai. And that my gir…er…Shinjo O-Hisa will be hurt if I don’t agree to this??” this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Volar’s magic had revealed there was some form of illusionary magic on the leader of the riders. Whispering to Kaz “It must be him…stick close, we’ll work together and kill him.” The group prepared to attack.

The mysterious riders were prepared for this eventuality, dismounted archers suddenly appearing from hiding, arrows at ready. Even so, Toshiro and Kaz charged the lead, who slashed his own hand, a maho spell calling down Doom on Toshiro. Toshiro and Kaz also had to charge past other warriors with readied weapons, taking damage for their trouble. And then before they could even reach the maho-tsukai, the evil bloodmage, they were brought up short as Volar called down a Stinking Cloud over the area.

Despite the initial confusion, the group really had little trouble with the battle. Volar called down Scintillating Sphere after Scintillating Sphere, adding in Acid Arrows now and then. Toshiro fell prey to another fear spell, this time dropping his sword before running away to cower behind Nezu, who himself looked more than ready to run, but somehow he managed enough courage to stand his ground between Toshiro and the maho-tsukai.

Mir used her wand of magic missiles, Yukiyo launched arrow after arrow and Kaz and Verick got right into the thick of the battle and soon it was simply a matter of trying to capture someone before all their enemies ended up dead. One of the archers was hit with a Hold Person by Mir and the rest were killed quickly. Verick retrieved Toshiro’s ancestral sword and toyed with hiding it, but when Toshiro had recovered from the spell, Volar pointed him over to Verick to recover his sword.

Aside from some gold, the group recovered a couple of interesting items from the saddlebacks of the maho-tsukai. One was a magical lantern, dark green with golden dragons. Also found to be magical was a group of seven coins, each carrying the emblem of one of the seven great Fortunes. After some discussion the lantern was given to Mindra and the coins were split up. The coin of Jurojin, the Fortune of Contentment, was given to Mir. The coin of Hotei, Fortune of Happiness, was given to Yukiyo. Given how often he’d been at death’s door, it wasn’t surprising Verick got the coin of urokujin, Fortune of Longevity. The coin of Ebusi, Fortune of Honest Hard Work, was given to Mindra. The Fortune of Wealth, Daikoku’s coin as given to Volar. Appropriately enough, Kaz got the coin of Bishamon, Fortune of Strength. That left Hiruma Toshiro with the coin of Benten, the Fortune of Romantic Love. A result others in the group had planned ahead of time.

[DM Note: Given how many people in my group read comic books, the green lantern jokes were inevitable. Who knows, someday maybe they will find the ring that goes with that lantern. The decision to split up the coins rather surprised me. A detect magic had revealed divination magic on the items. It did lead to some interesting situations, though. And since Toshiro already had a girlfriend, he had no chance of escaping being given the coin of luv.]

The group camped out that night, preparing their set spells for interrogation. This was a unique experience for Nezu, who for once got to watch an interrogation instead of being the center of attention. When morning came the archer was stripped down to his loin cloth, left shivering in the freezing cold as Verick glared at him “Tell us what we want to know or I’ll kill you!”

The young man’s eyes positively lit up “Really?! Yes! Free my soul from my body! Iuchiban, I come to serve you at last!” Not quite the reaction the group was going for.

“We can also torture you…” Kaz warned, giving his best intimidating look.

“Yes, pain purifies the spirit! Make sure to spill a lot of blood as well, blood is the life!” the archer cried out happily.

The Zone of Truth at least proved the young man was sincere in his fanaticism. And a Charm Spell and carefully chosen questions from Mir revealed the man’s name was Hanzo, a former gambler recruited into the Bloodspeakers by his brother. He was part of a Bloodspeaker faction that remained loyal to the memory of the first Bloodpeaker, Iuchiban. Other’s had broken off from that faith and there was now conflict between the groups. Though it was not his group who killed the Witchhunter, Hanzo knew he was dead. Kuni Noriaki had been troubling both groups constantly until his sudden disappearance. Then during a battle with the false Bloodspeakers Shahai had boasted about killing him. As far as Hanzo was concerned, the Witchhunter was dead and the only thing left to do was find his journal. The leader of the group had some ideas on how to decipher the encryptions used by the Witchhunters.

The only other useful piece of information Hanzo had was that a spy had infiltrated his group. He didn’t know what information she got, but the man in charge was –very- upset over it. They had managed to cut her off from getting back to Bugaisha and she had reteated to the northern wastelands everyone knows to avoid. Hanzo’s brother, Sanzo, and one other were sent after to make sure she never made it back to Bugaisha.

A search of the maho-tsukai’s person revealed a roll of papers, notes taken on how to decipher certain codes. Verick took charge of these and with a little work he managed to decipher parts of the Witchhunter’s journal:

From the jounal of Kuni Noriaki, Witchunter and Jade Magistrate.

At last, the break I’ve been waiting on. But when I tracked down the Maho-tsukai, it turned out his ‘base’ was simply creating opium. How peculiar. A preliminary test revealed the drugs were not even tainted. How peculiar times two. Just one of the workers in the base were captured. He confirmed my darkest suspicion. Shahai herself is in the area. At last the killer of a hundred Witchhunters will meet her final fate! Curiously, he knew nothing of the Bloodspeaker base further to the north. He also said something about the Tetsu no Shukun…the Iron Lords. Clearly warriors of some sort, though I can only speculate this might be a new type of undead since the pitiful fool died before I was done questioning him. I definitely need more practice in this area. He did reveal one other thing before his death. The drugs were being sold for barely the price of making them. How peculiar times three. Clearly then it was not for the purpose of raising money. This then begs the question, what is it for? Under questioning, Nezu revealed they could be sent to Kuzo, evidently a hellhole of vice and crime. But he could not even guess why. Kuzo apparently already has a source for drugs.

I’m now left with a puzzle. Some of the Bloodspeakers working in this area are followed what Kuni Utagu has defined as their classic plan of operation. Disease, creating undead, a very sinister and subtle corruption to gain power, while remaining well hidden. Yet, other actions have been most atypical. The assault that captured four samurai. Encouraging rebellion in Reishiatsu. Apparent involvement in vice. (I shudder to think how much taint could be spread by a corrupt Geisha House). I can only suspect some of these actions are taken by a splinter group, perhaps maho-tsukai unrelated to the Bloodspeaker organization.

The meeting tonight should be interesting. Nezu revealed a woman promised a dire fate for him if he did not lead me into a trap this night. Wisely, he continues to me more afraid of me than any mere Bloodspeaker. He is going to guide me to the spot early so I can spring a trap. If I can capture this woman, then perhaps I can learn the answers I seek. And if it is Shahai…I am prepared. The witch has lived too long.

Many other passages were too difficult to decode and others seemed to use terminology that could not be figured out. Discussions of dissections of Oni leading to obscure references to things perhaps only Witchhunters know. In any case, much to Nezu’s dread, the decision was made by Toshiro to head up north and try and find this spy before the two send by the Bloodspeakers found her.