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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Black Omega" data-source="post: 648925" data-attributes="member: 79">A month passes, and winter starts to give way to spring. Volar has expanded the little building behind Toshiro’s house into more of a wizard’s school, thanks in part to the ‘gifts’ of gold from his students.  Where they might have picked up the gold…well…that’s not important.  What’s important is that the lessons are going well.  Kokuro of the White Fan ronin brotherhood is fitting in well, but the gambler’s student, Kaosu, was more troublesome, always asking questions.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For Kaz life has returned to normal.  Despite the promotion, he remains very much one of the boys.  The occasional duels coming his way simply served to reinforce his ‘tough guy’ rep.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Mindra too was promoted, after a fashion.  The Bugaisha Carpenter’s Guild has promoted him to journeyman, raising his monthly wages to around eight gold.  He’s continued to study the pearl as well, sometimes persuading the pearl to show him something he wanted to know.  Other times the pearl sweeps him away and shows him something it thinks he needs to know.  The most disturbing comes just days after the battle against Nagatori.  A peaceful woodland glen illuminated by starlight.  Then the sudden push of a hand up from the ground.  Frantic pulling and pushing at the dirt soon show a gaunt figure pulling himself up from the earth.  Nagatori. The formerly dead Shugenja was looking very unwell, his face pale, almost waxy.  Before he is even finished pulling himself up though, his head is suddenly rocked by the slam of a club, then another and another, sickening thuds that continue until Nagatori is no longer moving.  Then the vision showed a hulking figure pulling Nagatori from the ground, the mysterious man’s face hidden behind an iron mask like Mindra saw the bandits from Kuzo wearing.  Whatever the vision meant, nothing more was heard of Nagatori over the next month.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For Mir the next month was encouraging.  Thanks to saving a number of people at the burning Inn, Mir’s shrine was finally have visitors and even a few offerings were made.  Mir had requested offerings be in the form of a wood carving, and a few carved in the form of animals had finally turned up.  Even better, Kuroiyuki was actually learning the ways of the Oak Father well.  Renamed Ware Natto (Cracked Nut) for a variety of reasons, he had thrown himself energetically into the study of the Oak Father.  As well as coming up with a few ideas of his own, like Hakutenpu-tai, the great Oak Group.  He had even developed a pose for it, standing straight, right hand held before his chest in a position of reverence and prayer, his left hand lifted out and upwards, mimicking a tree branch, but with the palm open in a show of generosity.  Once you culled out the goofiness, Cracked Nut did have some good ideas…Cracked Nut did take Volar’s advice to heart, but in this area the young man’s nerve failed him.  And as the month passed his fumbling, too shy attempts to draw her attention were barely even noticed.  Probably for the best.  Finally by the end of the month, he consulted Volar again and followed the elf’s advice, doing some work finding an old song, then serenading Mir with it one night.  It was a good try but Mir’s rather obvious lack of enthusiasm for his interest did solve that ‘problem’.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Toshiro’s moment in the sun has passed quickly.  He continued his winter training with the endlessly cheerful Shinjo Fujinami, while trying to keep improving his relationship with O-Hisa.  Well, half of that was going well.  Despite his dread over O-Hisa’s reaction over his confession about his infidelity with the white haired, shape shifting ninja, she took that well.  After all, he had thought it was her, so it was ok.  Toshiro was so thrilled to be off the hook he didn’t take the hint, and his relationship with O-Hisa continued to be a comedy of miscommunication and tension.At least one thing went well for Toshiro, a letter arriving from his Crane friend.Hiruma Toshiro-san,I’ve just arrived in Crane lands and decided to take a short detour to the lands of your Clan to Visit Friendly Traveler village.  It is said they produce the finest sake in the entire Empire.  Please accept this humble gift of a bottle of their finest Plum Brandy in repayment for your generosity in Mimura.  Hopefully this will reach you before winter sets in.  I’m sure our paths will cross again soon.Daidoji Hachi, Gunso of the Crane ClanEven this was spoiled by a letter arriving from home just a few days later, though.Dear son,It’s been a long winter, and I fear the spring will be equally grim.  The Shadowlands have continued to be relatively quiet.  The raids are constant, but nothing we have not been able to handle.  But the news from the imperial city is bad.  I told you the Daimyo of the Yasuki family of the Crab had died without an heir.  One was found.  A dung eating Crane samurai named Daidoji Hachi.  The Emperor has confirmed he is to become the Yasuki Daimyo and the Crane are now claiming not only the title but the lands and wealth of the Yasuki.  Lands that have been a part of the Crab Clan for centuries.  Bastards!  There will be a war over this, mark my words.  The Crane have their political wiles but it’s nothing a few blows from a club won’t handle.  Let Jyaku-sama know about this as well.  Our allies in the Mantis should be enough to keep the Crane Clan in check, but you never know.                            Hiruma Tetsuo Toshiro could tell it was going to be a long spring.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For Verick the last month of winter was a whirlwind of activity.  Akodo Setei pushed him to his limits every day.  Physical fitness, learning the techniques of the Lion clan, tactics, calligraphy, heraldry…the study was endless.  The only break was Verick’s occasional visits with his advocate and the slow progress toward starting up his sake works.Finally with Spring only a few days away, Akodo-sensei took Verick aside.  The old man was positively beaming, and reverently he unrolled a scroll onto the table.“Verick, excellent news!  When the training first began I wrote to the Lion Clan Champion, Matsu Nimuro to make a humble request.  Each spring an event called the Topaz Championship is held.  It is the most prestigious gempukku ceremony in the empire, and the truest test of what it takes to be a samurai.  Most gempukku ceremonies you are simply trying to fulfill a few set goals.  Tests of your basic skills and character.  But the Topaz Championship is that much tougher!  Ten entrants.  Ten rounds.  Each round will have a random draw, and the prospective samurai will be pitted against each other.  Whoever finishes the Championship with five or more wins goes on to the final round.  But more importantly, they will be made samurai by the Emperor himself!”Surprised, Verick simply listened as Akodo-sensei went on, “There has not been time to train you for every event.  But I have great confidence you have the skill and character to win at LEAST five events.  You will be reassured to know I’ve never had a student survive training then fail his gempukku.” Verick nodded, he had an all too good idea what probably happened to those students before they ever got far enough to dishonor the clan with failure.“You are not officially a Lion, yet.  So even if you did fail, you would not be required commit seppuku.”  Akodo-sensei ‘reassured’ him.[DM Note:  Other players kept tossing ‘But no pressure.’ in OOCly during this conversation.  “You’ll be competing before the Emperor himself” (But no pressure).  ‘It’s tradition for true Lion to commit seppuku if they fail this’ (But no pressure).  Verick’s player took it well, though.]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finally, with the end of the month, came the New Year, spring, and the return of Lord Shinjo Jyaku.  Riding in from the Unicorn Winter Court at Shiro Moto, Jyaku-sama had quite a lot to catch up on.  After a couple days of reading reports the group was summoned to meet with him.Lord Jyaku’s usual stern look never wavered as he invited the group to sit.  He shared tea with them a short time, chatting about minor things before he finally got to the point of the meeting.“My profoundest thanks to you all.  It’s been a long, hard winter and you have done very well.  You saved my daughter and very likely Bugaisha itself.  You did very well, my friends.  Such bravery and wisdom deserves to be rewarded.”“Toshiro!  You are promoted to Nikutai, you will now be helping lead patrols.  Kaz! Please accept this daikyu, it’s a fine bow and has served me well for many years.  Volar, I had previously given you permission for building in Bugaisha.  I understand you have been starting a small school for teaching spell casting, and have a few students.  It would be appropriate, I think, for you to have an actual school building as well.  Details can be worked out later.”Lord Jyaku paused for a moment, looking over the others before continuing ‘Verick, it has reached my attention you are gathering money for a sake works.  A costly endeavor and one being kept fairly quiet, yes?  It will be my pleasure to expedite the situation a little with a contribution of cash.  Yes..yes, I can imagine what you are thinking, don’t worry.  The sake works is yours and you’ll run it as you see fit.  The details can be worked out later.”Lord Jyaku was less sure what to give the others, who were given time it think it over.  Mir didn’t require any time at all, however.  She was interested in pursuing becoming a part of the Shinjo.  Not right away, but she wanted to know how it might work, what would be required of her.Lord Jyaku agreed to discuss the matter later and went on to say ‘Now, I have another task for you.  I know Verick will be going to Lion Lands for his gempukku.  Travel papers have already been made out.  From here to Shiro Moto and then on to Lion lands and Shiro Matsu.  However,  it would seem the Red Wizards have been very busy lately.  During my stay at the Winter Court, Moto Chagatai, heir to the Championship of the clan, to bring one of the Red Wizards to Shiro Moto.  He wished to speak to them.  Those red robed bastards have not been as idle as they seemed.  I am allowing one Red Wizard, one yojimbo, and one servant to travel to Shiro Moto.  No doubt the servant will be a spy as well.  Fah!  You are assigned to escort them to Shiro Moto.  Keep an eye on them, make sure they don’t get into trouble.  Once you are to the capital of the Unicorn clan, they are no longer your problem.”With that distasteful news out of the way, Lord Jyaku allowed himself a slight smile “The travel papers are set to take you to Lion lands and then back on a detour to Ryoko Owari.  It will add a week to the trip, but Ryoko Owari is one of the great cities of the Empire.  I’m confident you’ll enjoy the visit.”With the rest of the group dismissed, Lord Jyaku turned to Kaz and Toshiro, a serious look on his face.  “And now, one last thing.  It is certain now I’ll be appointed governor to Ryoko Owari.  I put it off for a few months because the Emperor is visiting that area and I did not wish to deny the honor of that visit to Shinjo Yoshifusa, the lord governing there now.  But once that is settled the announcement will be made.  At present the Unicorn legally control the city but the Scorpion clan is working hard to subvert our rule.  And now I’ll be sent to a war of intrigue and secrets with the Masters of Secrets.  You can imagine my unbridled joy at this prospect.”“As you might have guessed, the trip through Ryoko Owari is not for sightseeing.  Take this scroll and keep it safe.  Guard it with your lives.  When you get to Ryoko Owari open it, go to the address given and give the password provided to the owner there.  He is a man who collects certain information for me.    You are to bring what he gives you here.  I will need every bit of information I can get before taking over Ryoko Owari.  Look over the city while you are there, let me know your impressions.  And a reminder.  The scroll is secret.  If anyone other than the two of you look at it, I expect it will be over your dead bodies, and in a final act of defiance your blood will make the words unreadable.  Have a pleasant trip.”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The last bit of news was given to Toshiro privately.  It was now agreed that Hiruma Toshiro would be married to Shinjo O-Hisa.  There would be a period where Lord Jyaku would be negotiating with Hiruma Tetsuo, Toshiro’s father, over the details.  But now it was simply a matter of when, where, and who would take the other’s name.As the news sank in Toshiro had to ask.  ‘Have you already talked to O-Hisa?  What did she say?”Seriously, Lord Jyaku nodded “I’ve spoken to her.  She will do her duty, of course.”Not really the answer Toshiro had been hoping for.Once he was dismissed, Toshiro walked straight over to O-Hisa’s home and the two of them had a heart to heart conversation.  Toshiro admitted he felt on some level like O-Hisa would like him being more cultured.  O-Hisa put it bluntly, she fostered with the Crab clan and she likes their ways.  Finally the two worked out their differences and found more common ground.  Especially riding, which O-Hisa loved and Toshiro was getting more comfortable with. The next day the two went for a ride together out onto the western plains.  And if a two hour ride somehow ended up taking them the whole day, that was nobodies business but their own, really.[DM Notes:  Toshiro’s player got a lot of teasing over his promotion, since it sounded like he got promoted for marrying the boss’s daughter.  Toshiro’s at his best when he doesn’t think to hard on things but reacts with emotion.  He’s at his most honorable when he’s not even thinking about trying to be honorable.  He leads best when he simply decides ‘this needs to be done’. And he’s at his best with O-Hisa when he’s not thinking to hard about how to be what she wants.]</blockquote>

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