Jumps in a pot of cold water, then shakes him self off, and casts Presdiditaion to dry and clean.
"We fey don't eat meat, so rice and nuts sound nice"
Jumps in a pot of cold water, then shakes him self off, and casts Presdiditaion to dry and clean.
"We fey don't eat meat, so rice and nuts sound nice"
Giggling and seemingly somewhat enchanted by the Little Lord, the innkeeper hurries off to find some peanuts and rice, which she crushes and boils together, making a hardy and delicious peanut butter rice dish, custom made for Perpireen, Lord Protector of the Worldly Gate...
I hope this is acceptable, my lord... says the innkeeper as she sets a steaming, sprite-sized bowl (teacup) of the custom dish before him...
A blind masseur with a cane wanders into the Jade Dragon Inn and, tapping with his cane to find his way, sits down not far from the adventurers. Bowing, he greets the others in the common room: Kon'nichiwa. He then orders some tea and noodles.
Having eaten, and quenched his thirst for tea, he sets up shop in the common room, unrolling a reed mat on the floor out of the way of the innkeeper and other inn workers.
Japanese: One silver tael per minute! I can fix aching muscles, dislocations, blocked ki, soreness, and over-worked bodies! He sets out a cup for coins...
He takes a bite and seems very happy.
Takes a gem out of his magic pouch.
And puts it on the table
"For our food and drink also the old mans over there, he looks like he needs a good meal, and for you the change, because you made a Lord of the Fey such a nice broth"
Once he has eaten he flies over to the old man, dropping 2 gold coins in the bowl.
"I will take you up on that back rub, but I warn you, you had better have nimble fingers. I may be smaller then you are use to"
Before taking his top off and settling on the mat face down.
He takes a bite and seems very happy.
Takes a gem out of his magic pouch.
And puts it on the table"For my food, and the old mans over there, he looks like he needs a good meal, and for you the change, because you made a Lord of the Fey such a nice meal"
Once he has eaten he flies over to the old man, dropping 2 gold coins in the bowl.
"I will take you up on that back rub, but I warn you, you had better have nimble fingers. I may be smaller then you are use to"
Before taking his top off and settling on the mat face down.
Well pleased by the sumptuous feast the Little Lord's gem buys for him, and better fed than he's been in weeks, the blind masseur smiles and bows before, going to work on the tiny sprite.
I promise to use the utmost care, McGibel Daimyo. You are the smallest client I have ever worked on!
After Lord Perpireen springs up from his mat feeling more limber and agile than ever, the blind masseur calls out in Japanese: Good day, Little Daimyo! ... Who's next?
The Fox feels very much drawn by the promise of fixing blocked ki, though he isn't quite sure why .
"If you wouldn't mind, sir--after you have finished with the Bear." he says in Japanese.
"OH! OH! ME ME! WAIT, THOUGH...."
Johann transforms into a bear first, and then lies down on the floor next to the the blind man.
Zatoichi must use his entire body--elbows, knees, hands and feet--to get deep into Bear's muscles.
When he finishes, all of Bear's sore muscles, aches and pains from the last three weeks of adventuring are gone!
The Fox feels very much drawn by the promise of fixing blocked ki, though he isn't quite sure why .
"If you wouldn't mind, sir--after you have finished with the Bear." he says in Japanese.
Zatoichi San puts his miraculous massage skills to work on Ogon Fox, further conditioning and limbering his sinews, and removing the aches and pains that he accumulated during his harrowing in the Ghost Tower...
Toshiro will likewise avail himself of the man's talents.
"Thank you very much! You are truly a master of your craft!" he marvels after feeling the results.
Afterward, feeling refreshed, he visits the Fox.
"If you would like, Fox-san, I can attempt to remove teh foul magic that has seeped into your cloak. At least long enough for it to be removed."
"Well, I AM knotted up from all that time as a maid. If it's not too much trouble, I would love a massage as well, after I bathe."
One of the Emperor's samurai, arriving in town to answer his Lord's summons, stops by the Jade Dragon Inn, and after a tense exchange between samurai and blind masseur, Zatoichi swiftly slays the arrogant samurai in a duel!
Without making a fuss, he pays the innkeeper out of his massage earnings so far for damages and clean-up (a ricepaper wall is destroyed when the samurai's body flies through it, and there is a pool of blood to mop up afterward), and then resumes offering his services to patrons at the inn!
Toshiro will likewise avail himself of the man's talents.
"Thank you very much! You are truly a master of your craft!" he marvels after feeling the results.
Afterward, feeling refreshed, he visits the Fox.
"If you would like, Fox-san, I can attempt to remove teh foul magic that has seeped into your cloak. At least long enough for it to be removed."
Zatoichi is honored to massage the young Shinto priest he has been hearing of!
Ihrin looks at the Blind Masseur."A Massage would be nice, but I'd rather seek the knowledge you possess of the blade?" Ihrin says keeper of two of the Katanas.
Mwikali smiles at seeing the Massages and speaks."That seems incredibly relaxing, especially after seeing your single-handedly defeat such a swordsman. I prefer more of the pepper them with spells but still.Too each there own"
Ihrin looks at the Blind Masseur."A Massage would be nice, but I'd rather seek the knowledge you possess of the blade?" Ihrin says keeper of two of the Katanas.
The blind masseur smiles and bows to Ihrin and replies: Then let us go to the innyard for a sword lesson, my lady... and then I will give your sore muscles a nice massage...
Zatoichi trains Ihrin in Japanese swordfighting for about an hour, giving her a grueling workout. Then they return inside, and he gives the Dragon's Daughter an excellent, limbering massage.
Mwikali smiles at seeing the Massages and speaks."That seems incredibly relaxing, especially after seeing your single-handedly defeat such a swordsman. I prefer more of the pepper them with spells but still.Too each there own"
Zatoichi smiles at Mwikali and bows, saying: Hai, my lady... There are many ways to achieve victory over one's enemies... Would you also like a massage?
It is about 2:30 in the afternoon when Zatoichi finishes massaging the party of adventurers and, collecting his pay with a smile, tips the innkeeper generously for her hospitality, gives her a massage as well, and then rolls up his mat and bows deeply to all in the common room before departing on his way...
By 2:30 PM, Wednesday 23rd January, Kyoto City is crawling with samurai, sohei, and hired Iga clan ninjas summoned to the Imperial Palace to protect the Emperor from whomever invaded the Ghost Tower of Flower Palace and caused the "death or disappearance" of Ashikaga Yoshinori Shogun, and to investigate this disturbance...
Kyoto City is becoming an increasingly hostile environment for the "gaijin" adventurers to remain in...
As they are debating their next move, a squadron of twelve sohei inquisitors swagger imperiously into the common room of the Jade Dragon Inn, and seating themselves, order the finest food and drink, "on the house, of course, since we are on imperial business!" They then begin to interrogate the innkeeper and others in the common room...
Japanese: Where were you last night, between the hours of 10 o'clock and midnight!? What were you doing during those hours!? Where have you been since!? Are you aware that the Shogun is dead, or missing!? Have you seen any strangers in town lately!? (Here, the inquisitors glare at the adventurers...) Turning from the innkeeper to Abe no Toshiro: Say! Aren't you that young anarchist, Abe no Toshiro, who's always preaching revolt against the Emperor, and stirring up discontent among the people!? Yes... You are he! What are YOU doing here in Kyoto, the very day after the Shogun is assassinated... or disappears!? Surely, this is no coincidence! Answer, boy!
Answering the rapid-fire questions quickly and honestly, the innkeeper seems distraught when asked about strangers, and slowly points out the adventurers, face lowered in shame. She then quickly bows to the sohei before scurrying off to the kitchen to make their food and pour their drinks...
Noticing the seven gaijin that seem to be Toshiro's companions, the captain of the sohei whispers something to one of the other sohei...
... who gets up and hustles out of the inn...
In Grünerraver's cavern lair in the Black Forest, that very moment:
The Antichrist's proposal is too diabolically tempting for the greedy and rapacious Grünerraver to pass up. The Green Wyrm of the Black Forest accepts Nero's offer.
Draconic: So, while Wormwood burns Rome, I am to gas the City of Lights... and I get to keep half of all the treasure plundered from the city by your minions? queries the wyrm as it licks the devil ichor from its fingers and tosses a barbazu skeleton aside...
In Grünerraver's cavern lair in the Black Forest, that very moment:
The Antichrist's proposal is too diabolically tempting for the greedy and rapacious Grünerraver to pass up. The Green Wyrm of the Black Forest accepts Nero's offer.
Draconic: So, while Wormwood burns Rome, I am to gas the City of Lights... and I get to keep half of all the treasure plundered from the city by your minions? queries the wyrm as it licks the devil ichor from its fingers and tosses a barbazu skeleton aside...
Draconic: That is the deal, Meister Grünerraver... Do you accept?
Draconic: That is the deal, Meister Grünerraver... Do you accept?In Grünerraver's cavern lair in the Black Forest, that very moment:
The Antichrist's proposal is too diabolically tempting for the greedy and rapacious Grünerraver to pass up. The Green Wyrm of the Black Forest accepts Nero's offer.
Draconic: So, while Wormwood burns Rome, I am to gas the City of Lights... and I get to keep half of all the treasure plundered from the city by your minions? queries the wyrm as it licks the devil ichor from its fingers and tosses a barbazu skeleton aside...
Draconic: Ja, ja, whatever... But why not think even bigger with this Saint Valentine's Day Holocaust... Why not get the other ancient chromatic wyrms to attack other great cities of men?
Draconic: Ja, ja, whatever... But why not think even bigger with this Saint Valentine's Day Holocaust... Why not get the other ancient chromatic wyrms to attack other great cities of men?Draconic: That is the deal, Meister Grünerraver... Do you accept?In Grünerraver's cavern lair in the Black Forest, that very moment:
The Antichrist's proposal is too diabolically tempting for the greedy and rapacious Grünerraver to pass up. The Green Wyrm of the Black Forest accepts Nero's offer.
Draconic: So, while Wormwood burns Rome, I am to gas the City of Lights... and I get to keep half of all the treasure plundered from the city by your minions? queries the wyrm as it licks the devil ichor from its fingers and tosses a barbazu skeleton aside...
Draconic: One step ahead of you, Meister Grünerraver! Hahahahaha! One step ahead of you...
Say! Aren't you that young anarchist, Abe no Toshiro, who's always preaching revolt against the Emperor, and stirring up discontent among the people!? Yes... You are he! What are YOU doing here in Kyoto, the very day after the Shogun is assassinated... or disappears!? Surely, this is no coincidence! Answer, boy!
Toshiro stands up and stares up at the sohei.
"The Shogun was a traitor to his people; a bully and thug without honor! I marched into the palace with the intent of slaying him with my own hands, with the blessing of the spirits!" he shouts defiantly.
"The Shogun was revealed to have been replaced by a powerful oni, which my new companions and I slew, sending it back to Jigoku! But I do not think he was always an oni; his cruel tendencies were well known for years! I would strike him down again were he the real shogun!"
Say! Aren't you that young anarchist, Abe no Toshiro, who's always preaching revolt against the Emperor, and stirring up discontent among the people!? Yes... You are he! What are YOU doing here in Kyoto, the very day after the Shogun is assassinated... or disappears!? Surely, this is no coincidence! Answer, boy!Toshiro stands up and stares up at the sohei.
"The Shogun was a traitor to his people; a bully and thug without honor! I marched into the palace with the intent of slaying him with my own hands, with the blessing of the spirits!" he shouts defiantly.
"The Shogun was revealed to have been replaced by a powerful oni, which my new companions and I slew, sending it back to Jigoku! But I do not think he was always an oni; his cruel tendencies were well known for years! I would strike him down again were he the real shogun!"
Japanese: Then you claim the Shogun had been replaced by an oni in disguise!? The sohei captain flinches... Is this true!? Have the people been deceived by an ogre mage oni!? For we found such a creature in the Shogun's bedchamber in Flower Palace... apparently dead from seppuku... You say this monster was masquerading as the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori!? A look of disbelief slowly changes to a look of horror...
The sohei lieutenant, in Japanese: Then where is the real Ashikaga Yoshinori!? What has the oni done with him!?
"Excuse me, but I suspect he is either in the tower somewhere or was slain."She says looking at the armored women.
[Dice=Perception]1d20+18
"Excuse me, but I suspect he is either in the tower somewhere or was slain."She says looking at the armored women.
But every inch of Flower Palace has been searched... The underworld imperial dragon that guards the Shogun's door is nowhere to be found... His servants all tell the same story... You gaijin banished the underworld imperial dragon to the fairy realm! Then, you killed or intimidated your way through the Shogun's other minions, until the Shogun--the oni masquerading as the Shogun--committed seppuku in the master bedchamber! How long has this monstrous deception gone on!? When did it begin?? The expressions on the sohei's faces tell of a maddening realisation threatening to tear apart their world view, society, and sanity...
But every inch of Flower Palace has been searched... The underworld imperial dragon that guards the Shogun's door is nowhere to be found... His servants all tell the same story... You gaijin banished the underworld imperial dragon to the fairy realm! Then, you killed or intimidated your way through the Shogun's other minions, until the Shogun--the oni masquerading as the Shogun--committed seppuku in the master bedchamber! How long has this monstrous deception gone on!? When did it begin?? The expressions on the sohei's faces tell of a maddening realisation threatening to tear apart their world view, society, and sanity...[Dice=Perception]1d20+18
"Excuse me, but I suspect he is either in the tower somewhere or was slain."She says looking at the armored women.
And is the real Ashikaga Yoshinori Shogun still alive somewhere!?
And is the real Ashikaga Yoshinori Shogun still alive somewhere!?
He is alive somewhere... In the legendary Thirty Six Chambers of the Shao-Lin Temple in China...
Here, he was spirited by his oni abductors to be tempered in the crucible of the infamous Thirty Six Chambers of Shao-Lin. If he mastered the Five Animal Styles of kung fu, and survived the Thirty Six Chambers, then he would come out of the ordeal a greater, more powerful, more worthy mortal. This was the oni's plan. Sink or swim, consumed in the fire or tempered like steel...
Yoshinori had mastered the Five Animal Styles--tiger, snake, eagle, monkey, and dragon... He now faced his final test, a test of life or death, in the lethal Thirty Six Chambers!
As he creeps into the twenty-third chamber, a gauntlet of spinning, swinging circular saws the size of heavy shields cuts through the air, presenting yet another deadly test of agility and reflexes...
Tumbling and cartwheeling with expert precision, Yoshinori navigates the dangerous gauntlet without injury...
And is the real Ashikaga Yoshinori Shogun still alive somewhere!?
Toshiro shakes his head and frowns.
"If he is alive, I know not where he is. I could ask the spirits for such knowledge, given time, but I did not request such powers this day. It would have to wait."
And is the real Ashikaga Yoshinori Shogun still alive somewhere!?Toshiro shakes his head and frowns.
"If he is alive, I know not where he is. I could ask the spirits for such knowledge, given time, but I did not request such powers this day. It would have to wait."
A look of understanding and resolve crosses the faces of the sohei...
Hai... Divinations will reveal the truth! We must go to the temple and consult the oracles!
The sohei rise without waiting for their food or drinks, and rush out of the common room at their captain's command!
To the Temple of Hachiman, to consult the oracles!
The sohei leave the Jade Dragon Inn immediately, and the innkeeper returns from the kitchen, having heard them leave. Confirming this with her eyes, she calls back to the kitchen: Cancel that large order! Cancel it! ... Hai, hai, they left...
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2:30 PM on Wednesday, 23rd January, in the desert that was not yet called Arizona:
AAA-WWWOOOOOOGGGAAAAAHHH!!! GRUFF!! GRUFF!! HHAAA-WWWOOOOOOOOGGGAAAAAAHHH!!!
The massive, spiky-shelled, ankylosaur-like kaiju charges toward Gojira with feet that trample the arid dunes and shake boulders loose from the canyons! It launches its impossibly colossal body toward Gojira, curled up in an armored ball, like a massive, spiky armadillo! *KRAKA-DOOOOOOOSSSHHH!!!*
Anguirus bowls into Gojira, piercing the King of Kaiju's scaly hide, and invoking his ire!!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
2:30 PM on Wednesday, 23rd January, in the desert that was not yet called Arizona:
AAA-WWWOOOOOOGGGAAAAAHHH!!! GRUFF!! GRUFF!! HHAAA-WWWOOOOOOOOGGGAAAAAAHHH!!!
** spoiler omitted **
The massive, spiky-shelled, ankylosaur-like kaiju charges toward Gojira with feet that trample the arid dunes and shake boulders loose from the canyons! It launches its impossibly colossal body toward Gojira, curled up in an armored ball, like a massive, spiky armadillo! *KRAKA-DOOOOOOOSSSHHH!!!*
Anguirus bowls into Gojira, piercing the King of Kaiju's scaly hide, and invoking his ire!!
HHHOOOOONNNKKK!!!! BRRREEEAAAAAAAARRRRKKKK!!!
Gojira tries correcting his playmate's antisocial behavior with a blast of his atomic breath... *BBBZZZZAAAAAAAPPP!!!
2:30 PM on Wednesday, 23rd January, in the desert that was not yet called Arizona:
AAA-WWWOOOOOOGGGAAAAAHHH!!! GRUFF!! GRUFF!! HHAAA-WWWOOOOOOOOGGGAAAAAAHHH!!!
** spoiler omitted **
The massive, spiky-shelled, ankylosaur-like kaiju charges toward Gojira with feet that trample the arid dunes and shake boulders loose from the canyons! It launches its impossibly colossal body toward Gojira, curled up in an armored ball, like a massive, spiky armadillo! *KRAKA-DOOOOOOOSSSHHH!!!*
Anguirus bowls into Gojira, piercing the King of Kaiju's scaly hide, and invoking his ire!!
HHHOOOOONNNKKK!!!! BRRREEEAAAAAAAARRRRKKKK!!!
** spoiler omitted **
Gojira tries correcting his playmate's antisocial behavior with a blast of his atomic breath... *BBBZZZZAAAAAAAPPP!!!
Buzzing by overhead in the blue Great Plains Sky, Mosura tries to warn Anguirus of Gojira's atomic fire, but is too late! She can only watch helplessly, and zap Gojira with her lightning, as the King of Kaiju roasts the spiky ankylosaur!
*BBBZZZAAAAAAPPPPP!!* BZZZZZTT!! BBBZZZZZTT!! *BBBZZZAAAAPPPP!!*
And is the real Ashikaga Yoshinori Shogun still alive somewhere!?Toshiro shakes his head and frowns.
"If he is alive, I know not where he is. I could ask the spirits for such knowledge, given time, but I did not request such powers this day. It would have to wait."
A look of understanding and resolve crosses the faces of the sohei...
Hai... Divinations will reveal the truth! We must go to the temple and consult the oracles!
The sohei rise without waiting for their food or drinks, and rush out of the common room at their captain's command!
To the Temple of Hachiman, to consult the oracles!
Habiba comes close to offering her own services as a diviner, but shakes her head and thinks better of it.
Not my problem, and the communion may be more helpful to us on our grander mission in any case.
"So where to now" She asks pulling out silver and tapping the table for more of that alcohol they have.
"Also Tosh, care to come with us? I mean we are trying to free a land for hostile oppressive slavers, and defeat someone called..the Anti-Christ form releasing hell on earth"mwikali says with a smile.
"Yes come with us"
Add Lord P
"You will see new things"
He adds hopefully
|
"BACK TO ROME!" In a quieter voice, he says, "Let's be honest. The Cardinal was right about the dangers of the Pyramid. I would like to see him and tell him so... Uh... as a added bonus... I have 20,000 gold pieces to spend in Rome stores. Ummm... Don't tell the Cardinal that. I'm planning on eating his food."
Chuckles
"Yes he was right, we should go see him again, and help him with his table"
"So where to now" She asks pulling out silver and tapping the table for more of that alcohol they have.
"Also Tosh, care to come with us? I mean we are trying to free a land for hostile oppressive slavers, and defeat someone called..the Anti-Christ form releasing hell on earth"mwikali says with a smile.
"Tosh? Please do not shorten the name my mother gave me. I am no longer a child, to cling to such pet names." he says, but soon after the rest of her words sink in.
"Hell on Earth?" he asks, mulling it over.
"I do not understand. What is Hell?"
Assuming someone explains the general concept, his eyes widen.
"Oh! Yes, that is very bad. It sounds much like Naraka, though the kami would not allow it to intrude here. But my people..." he says, looking around at the bustling inn. He shakes his head.
"No. They can take care of themselves now in my absence. I hope. Maybe this is even what the spirits sent me to do? The Shogun was evil, but his reach so small. Yes, that must be it."
"Yes, we should go to this Rome and slay the...Anti-Christ? Do I understand correctly?"
He has asked the spirits for the gift of Tongues at this point, but a literal translation of words only gets so far.
"Anti is 'opposite', yes? Where is the Christ to this Anti-Christ? Why do they not fight their counterpart?"
"Its in a book, Besides the Fox can better help you or Johann. Maybe Ihrin, they all are Christians. Its a weird religion with a God and his son, as well a Satan, or Great Evil. I worship the Spirits of Africa." She says smiling.
"As for Nicknames you never get to pick them. They are picked for you. Think of it as an honored named among friends or warriors" She looks to Fox and then Johann."That is Bear and that is Fox"
"Also We are going to see the Cardinal. Why?" she says a little disappointed in having to sit through the piety that was Rome once, now she would have to do it again. Christians were weird.
"I Toshiro am no nun..er...Priestess, but Christ would be the manifestation of our benevolent God. He was born on earth to a virgin, his works influenced and empowered his people to change from the old covenant to the new. He fought without throwing a punch or insight violence. A man of selflessness who gave his life to save all of us. He was Noble despite his humble beginnings." She paused and spoke a bit more.
"As for the Anti-Christ, well he is the progeny of Lucifer, Gods once right hand and most trusted Angel or Servant Spirit. He was Cast out of Heaven or Our Glorious afterlife, to a dark hole that became his prison, or Hell, and is filled with Devils, or for you, I think Oni is the closest word. The Anti-Christ was born through nefarious acts and risen to cause the end of times. If we can defeat him then we can stop Lucifer from getting free and destroying the world."She finished and nods.
"I hope that helps you somewhat Toshiro. I am not a holy or pious follower but I do read and am educated. I do know if you come to Rome you can ask the Cardinal as he is a very influential priest and probably can expand more on your queries. Also if you come, I might have you look at some markings as I am not sure what they say or mean." She says with the last part she leaned in to speak softly, still trying to unravel the mystery of her strange post resurrection tattoos.
The adventurers decide to return to Rome, and Toshiro decides to accept their invitation to join them.
As neither of those capable of using the greater teleport scroll have ever been to Rome yet before, an accurate arrival via teleportation is not guaranteed, and Toshiro or Mwikali will need to study maps showing the location of the Eternal City in Italy, and perhaps illustrations of the Palazzo D'Borja drawn by those who have been there, to increase the chance of arriving at the intended destination. (Otherwise, the party might end up in a similar but different great city, perhaps Paris or London, instead!)