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"Hai, Ikoma-sama." "Good. I will see to the Tonbo's confession, and arrangements will be made for the morning, one way or the other. Those of you who wish to be witnesses are welcome to do so, but for tonight I suggest you find yourselves an inn and get some rest. Regardless of the prisoner's involvement, you all have rid the empire of at least one blasphemous fool, and certainly deserve some sleep. Good Night, samurai-sans." With that, Ikoma Soaryu leaves the room, leaving the seven of you with his yoriki. "If I may make a suggestion," Ryoko offers quietly, "my uncle made arrangements for us to stay at the Koi's Pearl Inn, if it suits you?"
Yukari's account of the assault does not differ much from those that came before, and once she finishes speaking, Ikoma Soaryu stands and begins pacing in front of you, arms clasped behind his back. "Clearly, your testimony proves that Tonbo Ukiyo attempted an assault on Asako Ryoko, which the rest of you were able to fend off. Were this the only crime commited, I would gladly hand him over to the Dragon to determine his fate," he says, nodding at Daichi grudgingly. "What makes this case less clear is whether or not he had plotted with the cultists that slaughtered my guards and made off with the report that Asako-san was carrying. Normally, I would have him... questioned ...until he confessed to the full extent of his involvement with the blasphemers, but given the sensitive relations between our three clans, and Asako-san's personal testimony of the man, I will give him an opportunity to make the proper choice and reclaim his honor." "I trust this meets your approval, Mirumoto-san?" he finishes with a growl.
Soaryu listens intently, his gaze shifting to each speaker in turn. He bristles slightly when Daichi states that this is a matter for the Tonbo's master, but allows the argument to continue. "Enough! The man you brought with you is Samurai, though your testimony brings his worthiness of the title into question. Regardless of his clan, he has assaulted an ally of the Lion in our own territory, and WE will be the ones to decide his fate. The only question is whether he will be allowed to die as a samurai or hung as a traitor." His steely gaze turns to the young Phoenix. "You have not spoken, yet you seem to be at the heart of this matter. I would have your testimony, Asako-san." Asako Ryoko, her eyes reddening with the tears she is struggling to hold back, raises her eyes to meet the Ikoma's. "F..Forgive me for my silence, Ikoma-sama. I have known Tonbo Ukiyo for more than a year, and I cannot bring myself to believe that he has allied himself with those fiends. To do so would mean that he was able to elude the years of experience belonging to my uncle. I know that the timing of the attacks is suspicious, and I do not fault my companions for reaching their conclusion. Whatever your decision, Ikoma-sama, I know that Ukiyo-san has brought it upon himself." "Thank you, Asaka-san. While your testimony sheds some small amount of doubt on the prisoner's involvement with the cultists, it does not outweigh the testimony of your companions." Soaryu says before turning to Utaku Yukari,"What say you, Utaku-san?"
"There's no telling what levels that man might have stooped to to get his way." "It is your testimony, then, that Tonbo Ukiyo willfully conspired with members of a blasphemous cult to kidnap Asako Ryoko? Does anyone have any further testimony to add?" Ikoma Soaryu looks at the rest of you expectantly. as one of his yoriki waits to carefully write down your testimony, should you have any.
It is just after dark when you arrive at the village of Toi Koku, which lies in the middle of broad, heavily-cultivated plains. The town is obviously prosperous, sprawling up and down the roads, spreading like mold along the arteries of trade. As you draw closer, you can see a large open-air marketplace on the edge of the town, with a dozen or more merchant caravans parked there, the tents closed until tomorrow, when the mingling and haggling will once again commence. On the far side of the town, a sturdy five-story castle rises from a low hill, flying the Lion colors. The guard that has accompanied you with your prisoner leads you towards the castle, and the office of the local magistrate, Ikoma Soaryu. He then takes the Tonbo away to the holding cells. Looking your group over, Soaryu's gaze settles on Matsu Ume. "Your prisoner, the Dragon - What is his crime? The ashigaru's report mentioned an attack by Bloodspeakers."
"Let us get to our destination quickly."
After meeting up with Heihachi and Ume, the 9 of you (the party + Ryoko, the Guard, and the disgraced Tonbo) begin the trek to Toi Koku, in order to deliver your captive for interrogation and make arrangements for the final part of your journey. Tonbo Ukiyo has been making plaintive apologies since regaining consciousness, and any inference that he was working with the Blood Speaker are met with frightened denials.
"Before we leave, what are you known by Kansen?" Heihachi, Ume Spoiler: The sinister kami gives you a quizzical look before responding, "This river is mine, human, if that is what you mean..." Then, so sudden that it seems to take a moment for Ningen-do to notice, the spirit is gone, leaving only a faint iridescence on the river's surface.
Heihachi, Ume:
Spoiler:
Spoiler: Essentially, yes.
Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Nagatsuna:
Spoiler: As Nagatsuna guesses at the motives of your assailants, Asako Ryoko loses any hope she had that the big man knew what happened to the reports that she had been tasked to deliver. She quickly regains her composure, and follows the rest of you as you head back towards the path down to the water's edge.
Things Hida-san, et all Spoiler:
Heihachi, Ume:
Spoiler: For centuries, there have been stories concerning the disappearance of those poor souls who have been unfortunate enough to fall into the depths of the Drowned Merchant River. Some survivors of shipwrecks report having broken free from the grasp of undead fingers trying to draw them under. Most of these reports are dismissed as fear-wrought imaginings, but the Kuni know different, and now, so do you. The spirit before you is an immensely powerful water kansen. The Kuni petitioned long ago to be allowed to banish the evil spirit, but were denied, as their ritual would have turned a large part of the Empire into a dusty wasteland, similar to the Kuni Wastes or the plains that once surrounded Otosan Uchi.
Even though this spirit is a mockery of nature, there is no reason to believe it is lying, however.
Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Nagatsuna:
Spoiler:
The Dragon's investigation of the cloth yields no further information. Quietly clearing his throat, the ashigaru guard respectfully gets your attention. "Forgive my intrusion, Samurai-samas, but if we wish to make it to Toi Koku before dark, we should be on our way shortly," he informs you, speaking with his head bowed as is proper. Heihachi, Ume:
Spoiler:
Heihachi, Ume:** spoiler omitted ** Heihachi, Ume (again): Spoiler:
Heihachi, Ume: Spoiler: "Ah.. I know the one of which you speak," says the voice, and the swirling column suddenly falls, revealing a figure of Kakita Umasu made of murky water. As you watch, the figure begins hurriedly disrobing, revealing an outfit of inky black cloth underneath his kimono. Umasu then hides the discarded robes in the mud and reeds, dives into the river and vanishes. From the rippling wake of Umasu's departure, the swirling column rises again.
Heihachi, Ume:
Spoiler:
Heihachi begins his prayer to the kami of the river, and the curious spirits immediately begin to swarm around him, only to quickly vanish. There is another presence here, something darker and immensely powerful. The muddy water begins to swirl, and takes on an oily iridescence. Swirling faster, the eddy begins to grow into a column of water roughly 6'ft tall. A cold and slickly seductive voice from inside the water-spout asks, "What can I do for you, Kuni Heihachi?" Everyone Else:
Spoiler: There doesn't appear to be anything special about the cloth, which appears to be black-dyed linen. That may be the stangest part, since most Clans use silk or cotton for their clothing, with the exception of the Unicorn and some Scorpion.
Spoiler: The kimono is soaked with mud but looks to be complete, showing no signs of cutting or tearing. Nagatsuna's other find, the black cloth, appears to be torn from a well-crafted garment.
Not sure, I'm a bit lost as to where we are at the moment, did we find tracks or not? Spoiler:
Heihachi, Ume:
Spoiler:
Megumi, Daichi:
Spoiler:
The hoof-beats draw nearer, and as the rider becomes visible you can clearly make out Yukari followed shortly by the massive form of Nagatsuna. They seem to be approaching with some urgency.
Yukari, Nagatsuna:
Spoiler: Taking a quick look behind her, Yukari sees Nagatsuna following closely behind. Were he born Utaku instead of Hida, he would have made a fine Infantryman. As you come around a small copse of trees, you see Kakita Ume, Agasha Ryoko and Mirumoto Daichi, accompanied by one of the ashigaru guards. Behind them, a pair of eta carry the still-unconscious form of the disgraced Tonbo on a make-shift stretcher.
Yukari, Nagatsuna, Ume, Heihachi:
Spoiler:
As Yukari collects Arashi, she is pelted by a handful of small pebbles from a nearby tree. Sitting astride a low branch, Hitomi Fuguki looks down, and in a disturbingly deep and mocking voice says, "Even Fuguki knows you can't catch a fish with a horse!" With that, he swings out of the tree, and begins strolling leisurely up the road towards the village of Toi Koku. Leading her steed to a quick trot, Yukari sets out, with the large Crab following behind at a steady, if slightly slower, pace. Daichi, Megumi:
Spoiler: With one of the guards as escort, the three of you and your prisoner head off of the bridge and towards Toi Koku. Shortly after you set out, each of you hear hoof-beats rapidly approaching from ahead of you.
Megumi, Daichi: Spoiler: Ryoko sighs. "I do not believe there was anything of importance in my Uncle's report concerning the Bloodspeakers - he would have been much more reluctant to have me deliver them in his stead. I imagine this.. creature ..was merely seeking revenge on my Uncle with my death."
Nagatsuna, Yukari, Heihachi, Ume: Spoiler:
Nagatsuna, Yukari, Heihachi, Ume: Spoiler: Working together, Yukari and Nagatsune are able to find a recent trail of broken reeds leading to the water's edge and disappearing.
"Yip! yip! yip!" you hear from behind as Heihachi's little dog Kanbe bounds out from a stand of bamboo. Once he has someone's attention, he quickly leads your eyes to a crumpled pile of mud-soaked blue and white silk. Turning back to the trail, Nagatsuna picks out a piece of torn black fabric caught in a particularly dense patch of reeds.
Daichi, Megumi: Spoiler: Ryoko squares her shoulders and turns back towards you. "Ukiyo was after me, not the letter. If we find it on his person, I will be relieved at the kami's intervention."
Under the watchful eye of the Lion ashigaru, one of the eta enables you to search the Tonbo. Sadly, the report is not on him, nor can you tell if it has fallen the 75-80ft to the river below.
Ume, Nagatsuna, Heihachi, Yukari: Spoiler: Climbing down from her steed, Yukari spots a set of faint sandal impressions leading down an animal trail towards the river. The reeds and brush make moving along this path uncomfortable, especially for Nagatsuna, but not difficult. The trail leads right to the river, and stops just before the muddy bank descends to the water.
Megumi, Daichi: Spoiler: The young Phoenix fidgets with the sleeve of her kimono, and looks around her, avoiding your gaze. "My unc.. the report.. it's gone. I thought it was in my pack, but it must have.. in the commotion, I.." She stops speaking and turns away from you, hiding her face in her hands.
Daichi, Megumi: Spoiler:
"I will be accompanying the Tonbo to the magistrate." "I trust that trip won't delay you too much Mirumoto-san? Should you require company I might be able to join you." The guard bows, "Hai, Samurai-Samas. The closest magistrate is in Toi Koku, a half-day's journey along the road." This is, incidentally, where you were headed before the ambush took place. Megumi: Spoiler: Whatever she is searching for, you can be reasonably certain that it is not anywhere on the bridge.
Yukari, Ume, Nagatsune, Heihachi:
Spoiler:
With Yukari leading the way, you begin following the trail left by the Kakita's pony. After about half of a mile, the tracks break off from the main road, heading down a much narrower path that doubles back towards the Drowning merchant River. The path opens a short time later into a small clearing where you find Umasu's pony, but no ready sign of Umasu. Megumi, Daichi:
Spoiler:
"Miromoto-san," Ryoko calls after Daichi. "I would speak to you both." With a sigh, and a glance towards the arriving eta, the Asako continues. "Ukiyo may be a fool, but I do not believe he is a traitor. I will testify to that on his behalf, and I believe he should be sent to his own daimyo for proper punishment, whatever that may be."
Walking towards and kneeling at the body of the fallen bloodspeaker, she calls for one of the eta to follow her. After having the body turned face up, she nods to herself and stands. "This man matches the description of a cultist who escaped a raid that my Uncle lead several years ago." Megumi:
Spoiler: Even as she is speaking to you, you notice that Ryoko keeps scanning the wooden planks of the bridge, as though searching for something.
One of the guards looks to Matsu Ume for a moment, and then turns to Megumi. "We shall send for eta to deal with the bodies, and ensure that the blasphemer is dealt with as he deserves," he says, motioning to the other guard to do just that. "Would you have the eta take the Tonbo's body after you deal with him, or shall he be brought before the magistrate to give his confession, Samurai-sans?" Hitomi Fuguki is following after the two Crab at a slow walk, but Asako Ryoko's focus seems to be divided between her sandals and the muscular physique of Hida Nagatsuna as he departs.
"His fate is all but sealed, he should be brought before a magistrate."
...Arashi was the only horse on the bridge earlier...
You are easily able to spot a recent set of hoof tracks leading away from the bridge.
...he takes a closer look at the Tonbo and bloodspeaker bodies, being careful not to actually touch either. The Tonbo is alive, but only barely.
"We shall see." Striding over to the Dragon, "Hitomi-san, do you know where the Kakita has gone? He said he was going to help you last he was seen." Slowly standing, Fuguki places a hand to either side of his head, as if to steady it. With a sudden jerk, his neck pops and he smiles with visible relief. "I am not sure she knows where he has gone, brother," Fuguki says, and points to the fallen Tonbo, "but he is still here." "... Where is a tracker when we need one?"
...his deathlike grip on Ryoko continues even after he stops moving. Ryoko tenses as she becomes aware of the large Crab holding her, flushing pink as she presses a hand against his shoulder. "You may set me down, Hida-san. I can stand on my own." After a few minutes, the heaviness lifts from Nagatsuna's mind as the spells' effects end. All:
In addition, two Ashigaru wearing the colors of the Lion quickly approach from the other side of the bridge, breathing heavily and with spears lowered. Seeing the dead Tonbo and the remains of the other guards, they stop short. Bowing deeply to Matsu Ume, one of them steps forward. "What has happened here, Matsu-sama?"
"Unicorn let us Kill that bloodspeaker!" Megumi 31 Umasu 26Yukari 26 Ume 21 Nagatsuna 19 Daichi 16 Ryoko 15 Heihachi 12 BloodSpeaker 7 Megumi, Ume, Yukari, Heihachi:
Spoiler:
Megumi and Ume are finally able to find their way out of the fog, just in time to see the Battle Maiden deliver a vicious blow to what might once have been a man, but was now a bulging parody, covered in blood and gore. Another brilliant burst of green light erupts from a scroll held by Heihachi and slams into the bloodspeaker’s chest. Howling with pain and rage, the hulking beast thunders towards the Crab Shugenja, arms raised to deliver a crushing blow. After just a few steps, however, the monstrous bellows turn to wheezing coughs, and the bloodspeaker crashes to the ground at Heihachi’s feet. As you watch, the hulking form returns to that of a middle-aged merchant you vaguely remember having seen at an inn a few days ago. He exhales one final, gasping breath, and dies. If you turn to look, the fog has already begun to dissipate. Nagatsuna, Daichi:
Spoiler: Once again, the fog takes on a tinge of green as another spell is cast. There is a tremendous howl of pain and rage, but it is quickly silenced. The only sound you hear now is the panicked mutterings of the tattooed monk and the sound of hooves moving rapidly towards the far side of the bridge. As the fog clears, you see the monk curled up in a ball on the bridge, but there is no sign of the young Kakita that accompanied you prior to the attack.
Nagatsuna: Spoiler: Sorry.. Kakita Umasu, the young crane you picked up in the last town.
Initiatives, kept from before: Megumi 31Ukiyo 29 Umasu 26 Yukari 26 Ume 21 Nagatsuna 19 Daichi 16 Ryoko 15 Heihachi 12 For a split-second, the dense fog takes on a brilliant green hue that is followed by a sound that can best be described as some sort of creature cackling in pain. Using this light as a beacon, those of you on the bridge can determine which way to move. Megumi: Spoiler:
With the flash of light as guide, you are able to move at a less cautious pace. You are still in the fog this action, but you know where you are headed. Yukari: Spoiler:
Arashi, eager to be free of the fog, answers your urging with a burst of speed that has you quickly out of the mist. Once free, however, you are almost tossed from the saddle as the powerful warhorse comes to a rearing halt as the smell of blood fills your nostrils.
The scene before you is pure nightmare. Two ashigaru guards lie in a motionless heap on the ground, their heads ripped from their necks. Your eyes immediately move to find the monster responsible, passing over the remains of a third peasant – this one torn completely in half - and settle on the beastly form of a blood-soaked man. He stands just over 8 ft tall, muscles bulging impossibly, and his face is the image of insanity. You only have a moment to soak this in before the fiend is bombarded with a fountain of green light and shards of what appears to be jade. Advancing on the one responsible for his pain, the Bloodspeaker cackles in glee, even as smoke and the stench of charred flesh drifts from the wounds caused by Heihachi's spell. Ume: Spoiler:
Using the flash of light as a guide, you move towards the foot of the bridge. Based on the sounds made by the hooves of the Battle Maiden’s steed on the bridge, you can assume that you are pretty close to being out of the mist. Nagatsuna: Spoiler:
”Allow me, Hida-san” says Kakita Ukiyo as he takes the weight of the drowsy shugenja-ko from your shoulders. “Go see to your cousin, and I will make sure that nothing happens to either of the priests.” [ooc]Please make me a Perception/Investigation (Notice) roll.[/oop] Daichi: Spoiler:
Just as you come upon the place where the big Hitomi had been standing earlier, it takes a moment to locate him. Fuguki is curled up in a ball on the bridge, clutching his head and rocking softly. He whispers to himself so softly you can barely make out the words “blood madness fear soft math magic letter kill lust mother crush” being repeated over and over, along with other non-sense ramblings. Heihachi: Spoiler: You let loose a burst of green energy from your palms that coalesces into razor-sharp shards of pure jade that slam into the chest of the hulking mockery of a man. The blood speaker – clearly the merchant from the inn earlier – moves towards you as patches of his skin bubble and smoke. An evil laugh escapes his lips as he draws a fierce looking dagger from the remains of his belt and you can’t be sure, but it looks like he continues to grow larger with every step.
Fortunately, you see the Unicorn burst through the wall of fog, and more help is on the way by the sound of approaching footsteps from the bridge. |