Rokugan D20: The Winds of Blood (Chapter 1)

[Douane]

"Too bad, Tadashi-san, it looks like the duty to get entertained for the three of us now rests squarely on your shoulders. However, I'm sure this a burden you will bear with confidence and honor. May Hotei smile on you."

"I will now take my leave to meet the Gunso-Sensei in time. If you want to join me in meditation to contemplate the future, I would be more than willing to oblige you."

"No? I had thought so."


Kyuzo will time his meditation to make sure to arrive in time for the meeting, so that the Gunso-Sensei will have no cause for complaint (theoretically).

 

[Tokiwong]

Kyuzo will time his meditation to make sure to arrive in time for the meeting, so that the Gunso-Sensei will have no cause for complaint (theoretically).

Gunso-Sensei Basho looks to Kyuzo, "Bout time, Kyuzo-san, though I will say you are not late, not by much. Lord Hiruma-sama has need of our service with a simple matter that even you two cannot bungle."

Gunso-Sensei Basho starts walking, "Follow me," he leads the two to the Audience Chamber where the others are already gathered.

Basho glares at the two visitors and the Unicorn shugenja, he bows first to Kaiji, "Welcome, Gemmei-sama speaks highly of you, Kaiji-san. Hopefully you do not make me regret bringing you along."

He then looks to Fan, "A Toritaka, you will do monk, I am sure Shinsei blesses your travel and all that," he glances to Michiba, "And a Mantis bushi, your family speaks highly of your gemmpuku Michiba-san. Hmmph, we shall see how much praise is truly warranted."

Basho motions for all to sit, and takes a seat himslef pouring some sake for himself, "Hiruma-sama has charged me to investigate an incident involving the dissapearance of one of his tax collectors in the vicinity of Black Stone Village. I suspect simple bandits may have made the mistake to strike at our Lord's levies. I will be in charge, and you will all report to me, I beleive we should have this matter solved quickly."

Basho looks to the visitors, "It looks as if your arrival was quite timely, the Fortunes favor you, that you should work in the service of Hiruma-sama, and in so doing serve the Jade Throne."

 

[Lichtenhart]

Basho glares at the two visitors and the Unicorn shugenja, he bows first to Kaiji, "Welcome, Gemmei-sama speaks highly of you, Kaiji-san. Hopefully you do not make me regret bringing you along."

"I hope so too, Gunso-Sensei. I am pleased to meet you all, my name is Iuchi Kaiji and I'm here to offer you the assistance of the kami in your mission. I hope we will become friends during this mission. A true friend is a blessing to the soul." says Kaiji with a simple smile and the strange Unicorn accent."

 

[Yellow Sign]

Bowing towards Gunso-Sensei Basho and then the group. Michiba says "Praise is a empty thing with out the glory of battle. I am Tsuruchi Michiba of the Wasp Clan and any service I might give to Lord Hiruma-sama I will give to the best of my ability."

 

[GWolf]

Fan can already feel his usual cold emotions warming up to this fellow, but as he is about to react, The commander walks in.

"Yes. I hope I will do well to serve the family." Fan isnt particually fond of this man, and examines him intently.

 

[Tokiwong]

Gunso-Sensei Basho listens to the younger samurai speak before replying, "A man of few words, Toritaka-san, I like that. Men waste too much time speaking, and not enough time acting."

He looks around the room, "We leave tommorow morning, the journey is not long, perhaps a better day's walk for the journey, you younger Crab should be able to stomach it, if you have a horse then ride, but I shall walk, I have never been too fond of horses. Are there any questions?"

 

[Douane]

While he of course bowed towards the new arrivals, Kyuzo knows better than to interrupt the Gunso-Sensei‘s speech.


Afterwards he ponders on the opportunity the Kami had offered and the compatriots they provided.

Gunso-Sensei Basho: While he understood the need for a veteran leader under such circumstances, the choice of a Shadowlands veteran and training-master seemed somehow inappropriate.

Kaiu Takane: Like himself, this young samurai appeared to be somewhat atypical for the Crab Clan, as he relied much on his agility and less on „brute force". He also had eschewed the standard weapons taught within the Clan in favour of a naginata; a weapon, though, which was well suited to his style of fighting.

Toritaka Fan: The addition of the monk led to many questions. As a member of the Toritaka Familiy, whose expertise on spirit activity was without question, he seemed a rather strange choice for such a mundane task like a missing tax-collector. Also, while the fighting prowess of monks was not to be denied, Kyuzo could not deny an inkling of the feeling that a traditional Crab samurai would have proven a better companion, unless of course he possessed some abilites especially suited to this assignment. A possibility well worth of further study.

Iuchi Kaiji: The Unicorn Shugenja‘s arrival did not cause much surprise in Kyuzo‘s mind, for he knew that those of the Kuni were fully occupied with their work against the Shadowlands. He would prove to be an interesting companion on the journey, especially if the promise of his accent held true and he knew some tales of the barbarians.

Tsuruchi Michiba: A samurai of the Mantis Clan, Michiba would surely turn out to be an archer of considerable skill, if his stance and the strength of his center told the truth. Since the Art of the Bow was not highly regarded within his own Clan, he would certainly be of use to the task at hand. The fact that he still referred to himself as a member of Clan Wasp also told much about his state of mind.


The worth of his conclusions concerning these five would soon show.

 

[GWolf]

Fan stands up, folds his hands and bows.

"No questions sir. May I be dismissed?" Fan asks carefully as not to offend his new master.

 

[Tokiwong]

Fan stands up, folds his hands and bows.

"No questions sir. May I be dismissed?" Fan asks carefully as not to offend his new master.

Gunso-Sensei Basho nods, "Hai, you may leave Toritaka-san. Report here tommorow, at the hour of the Hare, the servants have prepared you a room in the guest wing. Do not be late."

 

[Douane]

Gunso-Sensei Basho [...] looks around the room, "[...] Are there any questions?"

"Iie, Gunso-Sensei Basho," replied Kyuzo spirited. While he would have been content to serve the rest of his life on the training round, if duty demanded it, the chance to step forward on the path of enlightenment by means of actually applying and testing his knowledge and abilites outside of the training routines had no small affect on Kyuzo.
Luckily even this excitement could barely touch his natural aura of calm and detachment. Still, he did his best to keep up the proper appearance.

"I surmise that we are excused now to begin our preparations, Gunso-Sensei?"