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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Black Omega" data-source="post: 41310" data-attributes="member: 79">The 9th Day of the Month of the DogEarly that morning Mir met up with Iuchi Yoenki again at the Dancing Ferret Inn.  Nothing important for testing this time, Yoenki explained, it would take a little while before she could use Mir in a test again.  But she wanted to thank her properly for her help so far.  The thanks took the form of a jade amulet with intricate carvings.  A cheerfully smiling Yoenki explained jade was a weapon against the Shadowlands and it's creatures.  Very softly, she also asked that Mir wear it under her clothing and not show anyone.  Protections like this are considered clan secrets...some people might get annoyed if they saw someone they considered a barbarian wearing it.  Mir agreed to keep it hidden and they parted, Yoenki promising to have some test ready by the time Mir was back from her trip.Before the group left on the trip Lord Shinjo Jyaku was there for one last instruction.  The group's trip into Shinomen forest would be under the cover of a hunting trip.  Once they were back, tell everyone about the Temple.  But tell no one of the Obi.  The more people who know, the more dangerous the trip back might be.  I've given the letter so Utaku Shiko, she knows the way to the castle, so she'll be guiding you.  We've still never found the others that were on her patrol.  Good luck!The journey of 14 days begins.  After a few days the foreign members of the party started to have to make adjustments as they reached inns no longer used to seeing barbarians.  No more soft pillows, sleeping quarters were mats on floors with a slightly padded block of wood for the pillow.  Volar at least was prepared, an overstuffed pillow carried in his Handy Haversack.  Aside from that adjustment, the group was treated to miles and miles of clear, warm autumn weather, peasants out working in the fields harvesting, and periodic waystations used by the Unicorn patrols keeping things orderly.The 21st Day of the Month of the DogThat evening the group stopped over at an Inn, but this time Toshiro paused at the entrance for a moment, a growl escaping his lips.  Inside the Inn another group of five samurai were relaxing, all dressed in pale blue kimonos trimmed in white and marked with the mon of the Crane.  The hair of three of them was dyed white.  Two of the group was playing a game of Go, the player winning fanning himself with a fan also marked with the symbol of the Crane.The Crane fanning himself was the first to take note of the group, a whispered comment to one of his friends before he called out "Greetings!  I didn't expect to see a Crab Samurai in these lands.  Would you care to join us for a game?  Go is based on warfare after all, we'd be delighted for you to demonstrate your skill at war."Toshiro frowned, glaring for a moment before he shook his head "It's been a long day and we're tired.  I don't have time for this foolishness."The Crane just smiled "I'd always heard the Crab were always ready to fight, I'm surprised.  This is just a fight in other terms.  Surely you can't be worried you would lose?"At this point Verick chimed in, giving the Cranes a glower of his own "Toshiro is far beyond your meager skills.  You'd just be embarrassing yourselves going up against him."Fanning himself, the Crane considered this then grinned "Delightful!  Crab, we'd be honored if you would give us a display of your truly awesome prowess at this game.  Surely I would lose the match but the experience would be invaluable."The Crab looked trapped for a moment before finally just giving a shrug and a shake of his head "We're warriors.  We don't have time for mere games.  We save our energy for important matters!  Games are for children!"  Then he stomped on past toward his room.  The others followed save Mir who lingered, the young lady accepting an offer of lessons in the game while the young Crane nobles seemed just as pleased to be enjoying the company of a beautiful woman.  When the group left the next morning, Toshiro was still in a bad mood.The 23rd Day of the DogThe group arrived in Shiro Ide early in the evening, the letter delivered by Shiko as the others were shown to their quarters.  The group briefly encountered a Scorpion playing a bamboo flute in the gardens while being a tour.  Then later that evening the group was treated to a Noh Theatre play, slow, stately, musical.  The Crab and Ronin watching impatiently, the barbarians more bemused and puzzled over the odd play.The 24th Day of the DogEarly that morning the group set out under pretense of a hunting trip, traveling south into Shinomen Forest.  Along the way they passed a group of peasants working on a new waystation.  Traveling deeper into the forest, the group began to notice marks on the trees, like claws scarring the wood deeply.  Watching out alertly as they approached the veil, Verick spotted a hunched over creature watching from high up in a tree.    A shot from far off wounded the creature and it raised a wail that echoed through the forest.  In answer, far off, the group heard a drum start booming.  Preparing to resist the assault, the group formed up, spells cast to turn Mindra invisible to play unseen healer.  Mindra cast Bull Strength on Toshiro and Volar invoked an invisible shield for protection.  Meanwhile it was fighters to the front, Toshiro and Sho side by side and Shiko taking up position by Verick.Just minutes later, through the trees, the creatures came bounding toward the group.  Bakemono, the crab samurai realized, goblins of the Shadowlands.  Leaping from tree to tree, then scampering to the group, eleven of the creatures attacked.  The battle was short and ugly, the goblin's pitting tooth and claw against the Samurai's steel.  Volar cast a Sleep Spell, sending a few of the creatures into slumber as Toshiro, Sho, Shiko and Verick met the goblins head on, though the goblins proved tougher than expected.  Bites ripped into Sho and Verick particularly, Mindra's services needed to heal quickly before the fighters were overwhelmed.  Bolstered by the Crab War Chants Mir had learned recently as a Bardic song, Toshiro slashed through his ancestral enemies like they were butter and soon the last couple of goblins were left to flee in terror as the group healed.[Edited to remove Infernal Boxes, Problem Finally Solved.]</blockquote>

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