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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Black Omega" data-source="post: 404437" data-attributes="member: 79">You are Hiruma Toshiro, Samurai of the Crab Clan.  As confused as your thoughts are, you know this for a fact.  But the last you remember you were at the grove with the rest of the group.  But now you are in a tunnel, a hallway built from heavy stone, the only light from the flickering of torches.  From the shadows around you emerge Bakemono, goblins like you fought at the temple in Shinomen Forest.  But these look different, more twisted, and their attacks come faster.  You strike around you with your sword, slicing down monster after monster but some get through and by the time you reach the entrance of the tunnel you are wounded and tired.  A last stroke of your katana slices a goblin in half and you step into the sunlight.You’ve been here before…in a vision.  It’s the Great Wall of the Crab.  Looking out from it’s height it’s so like a vision you had when you prayed to your sword…swarming hordes of Shadowland creatures covering the landscape, angry reddish arcs of Bloodspeaker spells arcing up from the masses here and there.  Looking over the wall though, instead of the Crab Samurai you saw in your previous vision, there are dead bodies, samurai killed in some great battle, their parts gruesomely strewn over the wall.  And Shadowlands demons…Oni.  In particular, one stands ten feet tall and twice as broad as a man, it’s bulk seething with an aura of fear.  The demons attack and you fight, the sword striking deadly blows all around you but with each slash at the greatest demon, the wounds simply heal and the fear grows, like ice in your blood.  A great blow sends you to the ground, your katana splintering and broken.  And as the hideous creatures loom over you…-------------------------------Toshiro awoke with a startled cry, his body drenched in sweat.  The Shugenja he knew from the Temple in Mimura was chanting over him, the room smelling strongly of incense, and a burning pain where the tainted arrow had pierced his shoulder.  The Shugenja smiled, snuffing out the incense burning by the bed “You will recover, Hiruma Toshiro-san.  It was a near thing.  I’ve been chanting over you all day.  An old lady brought you in this morning.  It’s my understanding your friends are facing Madame Sadoka’s group this very night…”In a flash Toshiro was up, then staggering as the room swam before his eyes “I have to go find them then!”The Shugenja helped Toshiro into his armor and offered directions to the burning sake works, though it would have been sufficient to say “Follow the glow.”Toshiro’s strength returned quickly once he was up and around, and he trotted quickly to the scene of the battle, in true samurai fashion, chin up, back straight, hand on his katana.  By the time he arrived, however, all he found was carnage.  Bloody and body parts.  And his friends.  Mindra had expended all his influence over the spirits while healing Kaz, Verick and Yukiyo.  Now healed, Yukiyo was busy with Volar searching the bodies, pulling off sandles, ripping bloody kimonos off mutilated bodies, all on the off chance the warriors from either side were carrying loose cash to the battle.  Verick simply collected one important thing, a bulge at the back of Sadoka’s heavy kimono revealed a book and collection of notes.  Her ledger, which Lord Shinjo Jyaku had previously asked them to be sure and find.With that important item tucked away and Yukiyo and Volar satisfied they’d found every bit of gold the group moved on to Kome’s warehouse.  The scene there was chaos, the few fleeing survivors of the battle sure Sadoka’s men were hot on their trail.  The group was able to restore order, to a degree at least.  The jittery guards calmed by the Samurai’s steely confidence.  Volar drew two guards off to the side to ask about Kome’s residence.  It was Gyo who spoke up finally “Hey, where’s Mir-san?”“She’s ok,” Verick waved the concern off “She was carried off by the huge, masked guy.”“But…”  the driver sputtered “She’s part of your group!?  Shouldn’t we be searching for her before something awful happens?”“Eh, don’t worry so much.”  Verick commented, “Whatever happens, she’s probably enjoying…”  the edge in his voice simply adding to Gyo’s confusion before the pragmatic driver decided there was clearly more to Verick and Mir than meets the eye.--------------------------------------------------The massive, barbaric figure carried Mir off into the night, his berserk fueled rage lasting longer than Mir would have expected.  Finally he slowed, panting raggedly, several turns through twisted alleyways likely losing any pursuit.  Then he brought her to a small, plain looking house.  The interior was plain but serviceable.  And in the peaceful aftermath of the bloodbath at the Sake house, the massive man settled down to carefully clean off his sword, as much ritual as practical since the flames burn away most blood before it touches the metal.  “Call me Viktor.”  He said after a moment.  And finally he removed the black metal mask, almost hesitantly.  Far from the more orc than man figures the group had seen previously, Viktor’s face was most curious, a strong jaw and slighter fangs clear signs of the halforc side.  But his facial features and pointed ears also seemed to draw heavily on some elven lineage.---------------------------------------------------Back at the warehouse, the party split up.  Toshiro and Kaz were returning to the Inn to check on things, and to make sure the girl’s were ok.  Volar, Verick and Mindra were joining two of the guards from the warehouse in checking out Kome’s residence.  The guards admitted Kome was very careful with who he had allowed to even know where his home was, let alone visit it.  And as for what treasures he kept there…they had no idea.The home was set back into a copse of trees, rather plain and easy to overlook.  The girl who answered the door was quite calm, all things considered.  Perhaps reassured by the sight of the two Kome guards with the elf, talking monkey, and barbarian.  She was joined by three other servant girls, all eager for news of the battle.  They took the shock of Kome’s death quite well, all things considered.  It was Volar who asked “So, do you have any idea what you are going to do after this?”The girl’s frowned a little, a touch anxious perhaps, though the girl who answered the door assured “We’ll find something.”“Hiruma Toshiro leads our group.”  Volar lied smoothly “He could use a few more servant girls.  He’s staying at the Inn of the Blessings of the New Year.  You might go talk to him about it.  But before you go…did Kome have any special place he hid things?”Kome’s lack of loyalty to his followers was repaid again as the girl’s pointed out ‘The room no one is allowed into’.  Then left to collect their belongings…and perhaps a few extra keepsakes.  Once the girl’s were gone, the guards were sent to check over the rest of the house as the three looked over ‘The room no one is allowed in’.  There were several boxes inside, high bulk low value items.  But Volar, Mindra and Verick weren’t fooled by that and after an hour of searching Verick found a hidden compartment.  Carefully, he looked it over as Volar and Mindra slipped out of the room, to give him space.  No traps, Verick decided, setting to work gimmicking the lock.  A few minutes work and with a pop the door was open.  And a greenish gas billowed from the compartment.  Verick’s gasp of surprise drew the gas into his lungs and within seconds the young man had slumped down, snoozing peacefully.  Listening at the door Volar and Mindra heard the hissing of gas and the thump of Verick’s fall.  Mindra was ready to go instead but Volar shook his head “give the gas a minute to disperse.  I’ve not lived 150 years by rushing into the unknown…”----------------------------------------------Toshiro and Kaz arrived at the Inn and were greeted by the innkeeper at the door.  Smiling, he seemed very pleased the two samurai had survived the great battle so well.  But before he allowed the two Crab Samurai inside he whispered “I have a Crane samurai visiting.  No real idea who he is but I know how the Crane and Crab get along.  Maybe Sadoka sent for him or something.  Just thought you should know.”Then bowing repeatedly, the innkeeper allowed them inside.  Volar’s new apprentice, Chen, was seated in the common area, staring at the Crane samurai.  Unlike the Crane the group had met in the past, this one did not bleach his hair white.  In fact, he had a warlike, almost fierce look about him.  He nodded pleasantly to the two Crabs but otherwise gave them little notice.  Tea was served as the innkeeper assured Kaz and Toshiro the girl’s were fine.  There had been no trouble, Chen had been standing guard over the inn that evening.Finally, the Crane seemed to take notice of Toshiro and Kaz, bowing slightly.  “Sorry to disturb you.  But would you know anything of a…Yasuki Kome?  I understand his sake works are burning even as we speak.  I came a long way to purchase some of his special torinaga brandy.  Speaking to the innkeeper here, it seems I’m out of luck.”“Kome’s dead, I’m afraid.”  Toshiro coolly responded “He was involved in a gang war and came out the worst for it.”“Ah, a shame.”  The Crane murmured.I came from afarSeeking the finest brandyBut found only ashThe Crane waxed poetic, smiling “I was intending the brandy as a gift for my Lord.  I’m Daidoji Hachi.”The two Crabs politely introduced themselves, Hachi’s eyes brightening a little “Hiruma Toshiro?  I’ve heard of you…the Honorable Crab.  I’ve been recalled home from Shiro Ide where I was a fencing instructor and responsible for security.  There are some who speak well of you there, Toshiro-san.”Both Kaz and Toshiro were a little surprised by this, their own disdain for the Ide rather obvious.  Even so, they chatted with Daidoji Hachi for a time before the girl’s from Kome’s residence finally arrived.  With one girl acting very obviously as leader they homed in on Toshiro, sniffling a little, looking terribly upset.  “Toshiro, we’ve come to you for help.  You understand, with Kome dead we have no place to go.”  The lead girl pouted pitifully, acting on Volar’s suggestions.“But...I already have an old lady running my home.  And three other girls coming to serve her.”  Toshiro answered, waving the girls away.The lead girl was not so easily put off, however.  “But, where could we go?  We’ve run the household of a Crab samurai for years now.  How could we possibly serve anything less than another Samurai and where would we find another Crab here…”Faced with this logic, Toshiro had no answer.  And finally he nodded, accepting the girl’s into his service.“Oh, and Lord Toshiro.  I almost forgot.  A man was waiting outside, he asked us to give you this note.”  The girl bows deeply, offering the message to her new Lord.The note was simple and to the point.  “Toshiro, you coward.  You missed the fight at the Sake Works, but I’ve not forgotten you.  I don’t care if you are still weak with illness or not.  Come out and face me, if you are a man.  Taka”Toshiro showed the note to Kaz then without a word he rose and drew out his katana, Hachi looking on with some interest as Toshiro boldly strode out the front door into the darkness and yelled out “Here I am!”  A moment later an arrow pierced deep into his arm, fire from someplace across the street in the shadows.-------------------------------------------------Viktor carefully finished cleaning his sword before he offered Mir tea and a little food.  From the look in his eyes and the brush of fingers through Mir’s hair once, it’s obvious Viktor would not mind other forms of companionship.  But Mir skillfully puts off her charmed friend and gets on with the business at hand.  Gathering information.Amid Mir’s many questions Viktor revealed he was from a village named Kuzo, north and west of Bugaisha, beyond the Empire.  He never met his mother but was told she was elven.  His father is Rodrigo.  A name he pronounces as if that explains everything.  He was ordered by his father to lead some of his brothers to Mimura to forge a link with the Empire’s shadow world.  But the Old Man had running things had died and conflict had broken out between Kome and Sadoka.  He himself had learned fighting from his father and had gotten plenty of experience in Kuzo, where his features were considered ‘weak’.“Why did you go to work for Sadoka?  Will you take over for her?  She’s dead now and you did kill Kome.”  Mir asked attentively."We met with both Kome and Sadoka.  Kome feared us, I could see it in his eyes.  You can't work with someone who fears you, sooner or later he'll turn on you out of that fear.  Sadoka wasn't afraid of us.  And I think she was wise enough to see our alliance was so beneficial she would not have turned on us for more practical reasons."  Viktor murmured, his voice far smoother and elven when he wasn’t putting on a show with the mask.  “Kome and Sadoka were the two who were vying for power after the death of the Old Man.  Another will take over though.  Someone always steps in to fill the void.  Unfortunately, Sadoka hated Kome so much, she wanted to see him die.  She was a bitch, but brave and I can respect that.  Perhaps I could take over…But I'm a warrior.  I fight.  The only power I seek is found in the sword.”  Viktor finished, frowning a little in thought.  He knew he was missing something…why was he sitting here chatting with Mir?  But that stray thought faded with her next questions.  “What if Kome’s men catch us?  Is there a place we can hide, preferably with more of your people around?  Could we get to Kuzo quickly if needed?”  Mir asked, all wide eyed.Viktor’s doubts vanished and he smirked “Don't go to Kuzo.  Someone so beautiful would find trouble there and you do not seem a warrior, no offense.  With Sadoka dead, I have alot left to decide.  My brothers are dead, the war was a draw, with both sides ending up destroyed.  I'm not confident I can trust any of Sadoka's remaining people.  I and Taka are the only one's left from my group.  And he was just to deliver supplies.  If they come, I will kill them."  He promises, an intense look in his eyes "The war is over but if they wish to fight still I will not back down.  My only regret is that I did not get to fight Toshiro; I have heard alot about him.  He is a strong fighter.  A fight with Verick or Kaz would not have been the same, They were both already badly wounded.  If Sadoka had won I would have made sure Toshiro was left alone to heal so we could have fought when he was recovered.  It would have been a glorious battle."Under further questioning Viktor revealed Taka was the one who had taken the double sword.  That the black arrows came from Bloodspeaker contacts Rodrigo had.  But Viktor’s description, Kuzo was a village of bandits who raided the caravans, where Rodrigo’s word was law.  From the tone of his voice, it was apparent Viktor didn’t think much of most of the people in Kuzo.  He did give her a good idea of where to find it, though.  As well as repeating his warning for her to stay away.  It was a village where the strong made the rules.  And he had no desire to see someone so lovely come to harm there.Finally, the tea was done.  When Viktor excused himself to take a bath and rid himself of the blood of the day, Mir used that as an excuse to slip away.  There were perhaps 15 minutes left on her spell and the silver haired woman wanted to be far far away by the time the spell wore off.----------------------------------------------At Kome’s residence, Volar and Mindra finally judged it safe to check out the room.  They found Verick dozing, slumped over by the opened compartment.  Inside the compartment was a book and a large sum of gold.  Mindra started to reach in to collect the items but Volar stopped the monkey once again, frowning “Kome was almost paranoid.  If he trapped the compartment, there may be more traps.  We’ll wait for Verick to wake up and handle them.”  He decided.An hour after the trap went off, Verick finally startled into wakefulness.  His disorientation passed quickly, as did his annoyance over falling victim to the trap.  The items were not trapped in the compartment and the gold was quickly hidden away.  The book was another matter.  Verick checked it over carefully, finding another poison gas trap worked into the binding.  After disarming that, he nervously checked once again, just to be sure.  He was only half surprised to find another trap, a poison needle that he quickly disabled.  Finally able to read the book, they found something much like Sadoka’s book, a ledger of bribes, friends, people owed favors, etc.  And one more thing, the recipe for torinaga brandy, hidden among the many pages of the ledger.  Instantly a gleam appeared in Verick’s eyes, an idea forming, and he tucked the page away.--------------------------------------------------After taking the arrow, Toshiro pulled quickly back inside the Inn, his lips curled in a sneer “The little coward is sniping from shadows!”  Kaz bravely agreed to help Toshiro handle the slippery bowman.  Even Daidoji Hachi offered his own assistance, though Toshiro declined the Crane’s aid.Wound bound, bows at ready, Toshiro and Kaz burst from the inn, their keen eyes catching the glint of metal across the street.  As one their arrows flew.  And there was silence, no answering fire from that dark alley.  Slowly they stepped out into the street toward the alley, and Toshiro yelled in pain as an arrow fired from the roof of the inn now lodged itself into his shoulder.As Kaz and Toshiro whirled to watch the roof, Taka was nowhere to be seen.  Their bows at ready they waited…then they heard the creek off wood off to one side of the inn.  They rushed around the corner, arrows pointed at the roof.  And tripped the gas trap set there.  The white gas fooshed up around them, effecting Kaz more than Toshiro.Disoriented by the immediate effect of the gas, they heard a running along the roof to the opposite side.  Taking off instantly in stubborn pursuit, another arrow flew out of the darkness, deflecting off Toshiro’s arrow.  But as the samurai rushed forward in the darkness another tripwire was sprung, a number of darts sticking into the two men.  And from the darkness another arrow scored a hit through a seem in the side of Toshiro’s armor.That was it for Toshiro and Kaz.  They retreated back into the Inn, to force Taka to come after them.  And just in time, seconds after entering the Inn the effects of the gas caught up with Kaz and he slumped into unconsciousness.  Left to the care of the girl’s now serving Toshiro, he no doubt had pleasant dreams.  But bloodied and dizzy still from the poison he had overcome, Toshiro was furious.  “That coward!  He would not face us even for a moment!  Hiding in the darkness, setting traps, then running away!”  Toshiro fumed.Daidoji Hachi simply nodded “A coward’s way of fighting.”  He agreed, “You have to force them to fight where you want them, that was a good plan.  In fact, I handled some security for Crane diplomats.  If you like, I could rig up some sound making traps for your ‘friend’.  To give you warning if he tries to sneak up on you tonight.”Toshiro agreed to this and he and Hachi spent some time chatting, developing a certain respect as they found in matters of honor and battle they had much in common.  When Verick, Volar and Mindra finally arrived and Toshiro introduced them to “My friend, the Crane.”  you could have heard a pin drop.Nothing more happened that night and the group slept in late.  As a gift, Toshiro presented Daidoji Hachi with one of the bottles of torinaga brandy given the group by Kome.  Though Volar regretted not being able to try and sell it to the Crane, Hachi was impressed by the gift and promised to return the favor later.Using the Sadoka ledger, the group figured out where her safe houses had been, but found someone had already stripped them of any gold the night before.  Taka or Viktor perhaps.  There was no sign of either man in the village anymore.With seven servant girls, a substantial quantity of gold, and the two ledgers, the group finally set off to return to Bugaisha.[DM Note:  Thus ended the Adventure from Hell.  With all the people missing various sessions it was a challenge, but a fun one.  I'd intended to pace it more like a Hong Kong action movie and that seemed to work well.  Toshiro and Kaz had some truly bad rolls in that ambush from Taka, though.  and my dice were rolling well<img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />]</blockquote>

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