Men rarely get to choose their place and time of death. Most wake up and go through their entire day unknowing of the lady of graves stalking their back sides. Some may choose to accept death deluding themselves into believe they have chosen that place.
But then there are notices, like the one on the notice board in the town square.
Required: Capable warriors for defense of village upon outskirts of the Empire from marauding bandits expected at end of this years harvest. Pay will be little. Success will be slim. True reward will be in the saving of innocents and the elimination of wickedness.
~Masamune Kokoyomo
The note itself would appear to be written by a trickster, a fool, or a drunk. But the name strikes your curiosity. In his hay day Masamune was a well renowned samurai with few equals in the sword and fewer still that could match his mercy.
Though years of unjust rule wore down heavily upon the faithful warrior of Shizuru he was a beacon of light in an age of opression. In this age of the new empress he stands as a beacon to some and a reminder of bad times to others. That such a figure would leave a note like this is curious.
Following the notes leads to a small hut on the outside wall of the town you are passing through. The door is open and sitting crosslegged in the middle of the room is a wizened old man in weathered and beaten O-Yoroi armor. His sheathed katana is set neatly next to him and before him is a full tea set with a steaming pot set invitingly as if for you.
When he sees you on the street turning towards him he smiles serenely and beckons you within.
"Ah, but you must be Lord Masamune, am I right?" He walks toward the hut but stops about halfway to the door. "I don't mean to seem ungrateful before such a noted samurai, but it seems you are missing a setting; or will it just be us, after all?" His grip on his sack loosens slightly as he asks this.
He walks forward towards the door as he speaks, shifting his sack so his left hand grasps it around the handle. He turns suddenly upon entering, striking out at the swordsman in the doorway with his free hand and his beak.
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"Looks like you have your guest already, uncle. No need for me to become part of a morbid ikebana. What's the deal? You Masamune?"
"Good! Good! Please sit. My disciple can pick himself up."
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20 + 0
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 7** spoiler omitted **
Beckoning you in again as a sheepish young man with a black eye appears in the doorway and bows deeply as he sheathes his blade the old man continues. "Please have a seat, we'll drink some tea and discuss why you are here."
"Masamune, eh? A legend. A tale. A myth. All in the flesh. Well met."
He slyly looks over his tea at Orochi...
"Never mind son, you'll improve. It was the merest fraction of a moment I saw you in. Next time, don't breathe."
He presses his palms together in front of him and bows his head in appreciation of the meeting and the tea. "It is nice to meet you, Lord Masamune."
"I have come a long ways to see with my own eyes if this note was truly left by the famed Masamune Kokoyomo--and to punish those who would diminish a great man's name should they be fraudulent. You bear his likeness to be sure, but for your sake, I hope that you are he."
Oblivious to the shadow or the few signs signaling the tense expectation in Masamune's face, Daren crosses the threshold bearing not an inkling, but a staff and a piece of parchment instead.
Riding on the very peak of the almost overly stuffed cart, pulled diligently by a stubbornly oblivious mule, Skales pulled up to the little hut and yanked the creature to a halt. Peering inside, Skales could see the old man was certainly very inviting and open... too open, as the sight of some silly human at the ready with a sword was apparent to his little yellow eyes.
"Does Masamune have enough tea and treats for his other guest? I cannot possibly sit by and consume while another goes hungry. If not, I have plenty in my cart!" And indeed, it looked like he had quite a bit of food to spare... though it was sitting worryingly close to those kegs labled gunpowder. Skales pulled out his pocket watch, staring at it closely as a slight dribble of saliva peeked out his jowls. "Skalezaar must have his answer. Seconds hang in the balance. Skalezaar shan't lose his seconds."
Is it alright if I just say he's digging something out of his cart and subtract the necessary cost from his total? Kinda like spell components only... more mundane?
[ooc]The dice have decided. This is going to be an ugly game for Daren. >_<
As he finishes his sentence Daren feels a sharp blow on the back of his head that sends him reeling.
Attack
Confirm
Nonlethal
"First, I wish to fight alongside a great samurai to strengthen my abilities. Second, I think I can teach the villagers how to defend themselves and maybe find a student of my own that will join me on my travels to become stronger."
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"Then I am in the presence of the right Masamune. The one I have heard of would never claim such a title unrightfully. My apologies for the slight deception on my part, but I had to be certain."
Hisui bowed apologetically and when his head was coming back up and his eyes met those of Masamune he continued "But I guess I am not the only one who needs to apologize for their deception, as the darkness holds little secrets for me"
Hisui uttered a divine incantation lighting up the swordsman hidden in the shadows. Hisui then set one step forward swiftly drawing out his katana and brandishing it in a defensive posture.
"Perhaps something of the second, related to the third. Being a samurai you know the value of a man's honor, and the store set by a man's name, rank, family. Well, this blade [pats his naginata] was carried by my ancestor, an honored and honorable man, who shares my father's name. Toda Asawa. Perhaps you have heard of him? "
Tahei looks to each of the men at the table with an open, honest face before returning to his story.
"A noble samurai. A brave and steadfast warrior. He held the breach at the battle of Onomisa before being cut down - his retainers cut off his head and brought it and this weapon home to his loyal wife. Who sold it, and fled to the western lands. It took me many years to trace my family's honored weapon and track it down. I would restore my family name. And the story of this weapon.
He scratches himself inside his shirt, and then reaches out to scratch his stubble while smiling ruefully, then takes a sip from the tea held in his other hand. He smiles wolfishly.
"If bare-arsed peasants need a palgue of bandits eradicated, seems as good a place as any to start. I just hope they have a decent inn, a chess house and some comely daughters..."
"Treachery!"
Once he is able to act, Daren responds in kind, using a swift action to activate his crane stance, then he attacks defensively while casting shield upon himself.
"I seek the one named Masamune. I understand he has a greatly dangerous task ahead of him; a village in need of protection from bandits. One should not face such odds alone-" Skales pulled out his pocket watch again, muttering to himself in the 3rd person once more before pocketing it again, then picking up as if he'd never skipped a beat.
"-As a kobold who is proud to call himself such, I should know. However, I also think this would be good practice." Picking up his tea, Skales nodded his noggin and sipped it politely, even holding out a little clawed pinkie. "I was banished from my tribe, so I hope to build one of my own some day. But I must get stronger, and more capable of protecting others before I can do so. I wish to test myself; this seems the proper proving ground." Skales' maw stretched into a fanged little smile as he finished. " Not to mention, gratitude is a far greater gift than anything I have currently in my cart."
The young swordsman you strike curses as you strike him and he backs away holding a hand up in submission as he favors his nose again. The old man laughs. "Treachery? Or self defense? You did simply enter my temporary home uninvited and accused me of lying. But, please, stop beating on my disciple and sit. I am Masamune, for better or worse. What brings you here?"
Stuffy old soldier. If the peasants had more chess houses and worthwhile inns their lives might improve. As long as the aristocrats keep fighting one another in endless petty wars and chewing up the future sons of the earth nothing will change.
Tahei ambles up the rough road, picking a chrysanthemum as he passes and placing the stem between his teeth as he ruminates further. He smiles to himself.
Still, they may have more need of comely daughters than Masamune is willing to give them credit for. Stuffy old soldier.
…
"In answer to your question...most gracious host."
Mott hands Masmune the torn flyer.
He takes another sip of tea, savoring a flavor he has long been denied.
"I will await you by the bridge" I wonder who else will answer this call?
With nothing else to occupy his time, Shogure heads straight towards the edge of town, ready to search for this sakura bridge.
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"It is wise of you to test the skills of those who are willing to join you in defending the village, but let me assure you that I am neither blind nor a fool." He takes a sip of tea before continuing, "What do you know about these bandits? Their numbers? Strengths? Weaknesses? Have others volunteered for this cause or am I alone in this? Do you have supplies to aid the village? If not, I have some coin to spare to get some." Hisui waits patiently to give Masamune some time to answer the questions he has posed.
Skales pulled out his watch again, muttering once more about a loss of minutes, but still procuring his deserved seconds, before putting it away and continuing. "The fact remains; this Masamune wishes to protect his tribe against terrible odds. His posters-" Skales reached into his cloak and pulled out the paper calling for services. "-tell the tale of an old warrior who faces seemingly insurmountable odds. Be it man, woman, dragon, god or kobold, I should think he would be grateful for any aid offered. Besides, my kind are famous for our ability to make even simple items into effective traps; we are proud of this resourcefulness. More than any volunteer, I would hope he seeks make aid above all."
"Determining your identity is merely a personal curiosity. It is not related to my coming to help a poor village overcome its bandit problem. That, I have come to do regardless of the outcome of our meeting here today. People in need should be helped. Desire does not enter into it, just as I have no desire to punish fraudulent men. It is a matter of honor, not desire."
"You still have not sated my curiosity. How do I know you are who you say you are?"
Rubbing his head, he turns toward the disciple and adds: "That one can walk ahead of me as well."
The old man laughs. His disciple looks a little smug.
"To watch our backs eh?"
The old man gets up with a couple of painful grunts and Daren wonders how much of the pops and cracks he is hearing is actuall coming from the mans armor.
"And a poor listener as well, since I had no desire to go to the bridge mself until sunset as I requested of everyone." Standing up in his armor the old man seems to fill the room and for a briefest moment you catch a glimpse of a man thirty years younger. "Let's go."
If you are shopping please make note of what you buy. You can find pretty much any mundane item here but magical stuff will have to be rolled for based on being a small sized town.
Shogure, finding very little else to do with his time, leaves what little gold he had acquired at a random doorstep and wanders toward the cherry blossom-covered bridge eager to learn more about the others who will arrive to help.
Approaching the bridge, Tahei notices the tengu waiting. He makes no attempt at stealth, but says as the sounds of his geta ring out on the time-polished boards. Leaning on the curved rail, Tahei quietly watches the carp swim by on their own aquatic business. An occasional eel disturbs the weeds and cherry blossoms float gently in the breeze to land on the water.
The falling sun's light dapples on the water, lighting Tahei's face. Without taking his gaze from the water he speaks.
"Asawa Tahei, honoured sir. A bladesman on Lord Masamune's quest. I imagine you are here on the same errand?"
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During the rest of the day Hisui visited several merchants and craftsman in town buying supplies for the trip.
15 GP for a cart
8 GP for a mule to pull the cart.
Lamellar cuirass 15 GP & 8 lbs / armor x 5 = 75 GP & 40 lbs
Leather armor 10 GP & 15 lbs / armor x 5 = 50 GP & 75 lbs
longspear 5 GP & 9 lbs / weapon x 6 = 30 GP & 54 lbs
spear 2 GP & 6 lbs / weapon x 2 = 4 GP & 12 lbs
light crossbow 35 GP & 4 lbs / weapon x 2 = 70 GP & 8 lbs
crossbow bolts (10) 1 GP & 1 lbs / set x 6 = 6 GP & 6 lbs
105 lbs worth of potatoes, flour, beans and cheese = 2 GP 1 SP
bag of Feed 5 cp 10 lbs / day x 8 = 4 SP & 80 lbs (stuffed in handy haversack)
total : 300 lbs of 300 lbs on cart & 80 lbs in handy haversack | 1 SP left
After making certain all the items were secured on the cart, Hisui directed his mule towards the meeting place, curious which people answered Masamune's call for action.
Shogure watches silently and with some curiosity as the warrior approaches and stares into the water. He finds the the introduction odd and his reply shows this with obvious transparency.
"I think this is the first time I've been called 'honored sir' and I did not expect it to come from a human. I am a simple devotee of Hei Feng, whose wind has carried me here. I suppose I am now one of Masamune's men, as well, though."
Tahei smiles. He idly watches the carp. Perhaps the tengu really hadn't had a decent introduction…nor had he provided his name.
"Feathered or foul, we all have the propensity for honor. And you have the look of an honest adept. Forgive me if I have offended, perceptions can be misleading..."
"Oh, quite the opposite. My kind is not very widely accepted. I apologize for my rudeness. My name is Shogure. I'm curious what you think of this 'errand'." Shogure quietly analyzes Tahei as he speaks, his hand firmly around the hilt of his sword, very curious about this new 'ally'.
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At this point in the conversation you hear a cart being pulled by a mule roll up from the village road. It is neatly packed with an assortment of items covered with a tarp. The driver is a black-feathered Tengu wearing an outfit made out of various shades of green which is partly covered by the mountain pattern armour he is wearing.
He nods to the man and the Tengu who are conversing near the bridge, making certain not to hit any of them while he directs his mule towards a patch of grass under the cherry blossoms. There he takes a length of rope from his backpack and ties the mule to one of the trees and takes the cart's harness of its back so it can graze more freely.
After he completed this task, he takes a sip from his canteen and sits down under the cherry blossom.
So there's three of us. I wonder if more will show up, he ponders while observing the others who had arrived before him.
Tahei leans a little closer to the handrail and flexes his back like a cat, tearing to work out an old kink and the usual complaints of his body from his recent campaigns and sleeping rough.
"We-ell, I guess I don't think much of it yet. Or rather, there's too little to think about it yet, friend Shogure." Tahei is interrupted by the arrival of the cart steered by yet another tengu. Tahei's eyes widen momentarily, and he reaches toward his naginata before seeing the friendly nod and the businesslike demeanor of the priest.
If they want to rob me, I'm sure they will make their move. Besides, this one is friendly enough.
Tahei returns the nod continues to make small talk with Shogure. He reaches into his shirt and pulls out a bunch of colorful lacquered sticks, laying them on the handrail for Shogure to examine.
"So, you know how to play Emperor's Blind?…"
As Tahei makes his request Masamune is seen just cresting over the horizon of the bridge. Trailing behind him is a slightly bruised Orochi and another man who looks of a more sout disposition as he keeps both eyes on the men before him.
Masamune looks around and frowns. "Only six. Either our 7th is late or he has changed his mind. We can wait for a little time and rest our feet before we travel for a bit into the night."
Pulling up close behind Masamune and Orochi is a man in blue robes with white trim. His gaunt face, thick beard, and large nose grant emphasize the depth of his eyes, granting his countenance a hard look that suggests he has seen his fair share of trouble. If not for his tall, lanky frame, one might have mistaken him for a dwarf.
To the trained eyes of a warrior, the stance in which he carries himself and the scarring on his knuckles suggests he is a trained brawler accustomed to close-quarters combat. His robes and staff, on the other hand, suggest that he might be a pilgrim or a mage. Whether he is a soldier, priest, or wizard, only one thing is known for certain, the condition of his clothes and torn footwear mark him as a man who has seen a great deal of travel on foot.
Daren wastes no time with introductions. "So this is Masamune's army," he says loudly with a scowl, "two birds and a savage?"
Leaning towards Masamune, he whispers "We best pray the bandits don't bring a stone, lest we lose 2/3 of this 'mighty' force standing before us."
Without turning, Tahei smiles, drops his head between his arms as they restonthe handrail and addresses Masamune. "Oho uncle, you have brought a cockerel to the party. That makes only one bird that I can hear, and none that I can see."
Tahei turns and rises, his accustomed slouch disappears, his russet lamellar armor, well kept clothes, carefully tied hair and pristine if old fashioned naginata at variance to his open face and pleasant, easy going demeanour.
"Easy on yourself, honoured grandfather," he says to Daren with a chuckle. "there is no need for further insult." Tahei's eyes move to Daren's hands and he becomes more serious. "And please, easy on me - my head does not yearn for your ministrations. Let us save that for the bandits..."
He bows. "Asawa, Tahei".
"You may call me 'Daren,' Or 'Master Mott,' if you wish to be formal...and I'm not that old."
Despite his earlier comments, Daren bows in respectful greeting as well.
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Upon noticing Masamune arriving, Hisui no Hane stands up.
"I can assure you Daren Mott that bandits will need more than a mere stone to fell this 'bird' as you so 'graciously' put it. And from what I have been able to observe, it seems that the only 'brute' in our presence is you. If only for your choice of words in this conversation." In his tone you notice his annoyance towards the behavior Daren had shown up to this point.
He then walks closer to the group and continues to talk. "Hisui no Hane, faithful servant of Tsukiyo." and bows. "If any of you are hungry or thirsty, I can provide us with food and water while we wait for the 7th."
"Perhaps it will be just us six. To those who have just arrived, well met. I am Shogure, a simple follower of Hei Feng and student of the sword."
Shogure is clothed in a simple robe and sandals, the hilt of his unseen sword sticking out as a handle to the bag he carries over his shoulder. His feathers are an unremarkable sandy brown and are thicker at his arms than most Tengu.
"Masamune-sama, perhaps you could tell us a little more about both village and bandits while we wait?"
"Hmmmm perhaps the little one will not show. That is a shame, but not entirely unexpected. We will see what Shizuru provides on the road."The old man leans over the bridge and stares into the water for a moment before looking on into the setting sun as the cherry blossoms sway with the breeze. He brushes some errant petals into the water and takes a moment to watch the ripples form in the slow moving but steady creek below you.
"But I am glad that those of you have who are coming have arrived. I will tell you more tonight when we have settled to eat and sleep. For now, simply understand that where we go the law is not what are used to. The wisdom of Shizuru has not been felt by these people for a long time. Fear, doubt, and uncertainty have replaced peace and joy in these peoples lives. For many we will seem as no better than the bandits that terrorize them. For now, let us go. If it does not displease you I will ride in the cart for now. I need to meditate on the ordeal before us. We will ride a mile or two outside of town and make camp at a shrine I know of. Perhaps the gods will smile on our journey and provide."
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"There is not much room left in the cart, due to the supplies I bought, but I can manoeuvre the mule while walking next to the cart. In this manner the driver's seat is free for you to meditate."
With this said, Hisui puts the cart's harness back on the mule and ensures that everything is fastened properly for the journey.
"I prefer to walk anyways. Good for the heart, mind, and spirit."