Things have been mostly resolved (in a positive manner, no less).
Assuming folks are ready and willing to press forward on this I should be ready on my end.
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Posting in all games (again). Thank you for all the prayers, thoughts, wishes, and good vibes. Things are... improving... between me and my wife. (Not through the woods yet, but I have a lot more hope that we will get through than when I posted last.) I am not quite ready to catch up and post again, but I am hopeful that I can be soonish. I will keep you posted as I can. Again, thank you for your understanding and patience.
Hey, posting this in all my games... I am going to need to take a hiatus for a while. Marital problems of the serious variety (ie: probably headed toward divorce) are consuming most of my time. I will try to check back in once things have stabilized, but I really don't have a timetable for that. I am deeply sorry.
Everyone ok?
Ibuki bows and takes a bit of bread and stores it within his sleeve to eat later. "We just ate, but I will try some later tonight for dinner. Thank you." He nods at Ngozi's statement. "Yes. All other... parental contacts... for this group thought that the alchemist's son was the leader. Do you think your daughter could be the brains behind whatever scheme they are seemingly trying to pull off while he the voice?"
Ibuki nods. "Thank you, that would be appreciated. If nothing else you should be able to spot if something was out of place, given we are outsiders. You also might be better at recognizing something of theirs, should they have left anything behind. Not that we are asking to inconvenience your time, mind you... we mostly want you to know we will be respectful in the graveyard." The ifrit looks at Eisith and rolls his eyes. "Well, as respectful as possible."
Posting in all my games. Last few days have had some personal issues that I have had to deal with. Hope to be able to catch up and post sometime tomorrow. I apologize for the inconvenience.
I am here... my work is mostly having me socially isolate, though I do have to come in every so often for the bits that can't be done remotely. (They are being smart, though, and staggering us doing this... decreases likelyhood of spread I suppose.)
Ibuki bows to the priest but does not shake his hand. "Yes, we are indeed. In fact, that is why we are here. It seems that your missing young people would occasionally meet up at, what they thought, was a secret spot somewhere in the graveyard. We were about to investigate further but felt it... prudent... to advise you of this. No sense in you thinking we were nefarious people with ill intent toward the dead." Ibuki's face grows thoughtful as he speaks. "Although, I suppose that it also would not hurt to ask you if you happen to know where they might think would be a hidden spot. These yards are in your care, after all... I cannot imagine that you would not have noticed if a section of them looked more lived in than it aught to."
Ibuki shakes his head. "Cleric first, then graveyard, then orchard. Orchard is likely better inspected closer to dusk." Giving the bartender a bow, he follows the drunken halfling out.
Haha... well, I had bowed out for similar reasons prior for that one, so its all good. ;) Maybe next time.
Ibuki nods thoughtfully as he finally finishes his meal. With a look of satisfaction he claps his hands together. Minkaian:
"Thank you for the meal!" Seeing the look of confusion, he smiles. "Sorry, old habits from my homeland. When finishing a meal as good as this it is a customary courtesy to say thanks to the gods and the cook." He rises from the table and gives her a polite bow. "Well, it sounds like this graveyard might be a good place to search. Probably best to talk to the clergyman first, to avoid him thinking we are there to disturb the dead."
"Ibuki?" "Present!"
Ibuki savors the food as he eats it, taking refined sips of his drink as he does. "The food is well paired with the brew. Thank you, again, for both." He thinks a moment before answering the question posed by the woman. "You would not be the only one to think so, but we have not yet found any evidence to support the thought. This note you provided is the first evidence of anything premeditated at all behind their unexcused absences." He takes the note from the drunken halfling and rereads it. "Do you know what this 'usual place' the author references was? Perhaps we can search there for more clues."
Ibuki nods at the man as he returns to his seat wordlessly, walking back to the table with the others. Upon hearing that his drink and meal would be free, he breaks into a warm smile. "My thanks. We understand that you are busy and will try not to take up too much of your time with questions." He notes the dwarf with some amusement. "Well, I know little of your 'Father' beyond having seen a few blades with his emblem carved into their flats, but well met regardless. I am Ibuki Minamoto, honored sword of the Minamoto clan. I am... not sure that the word 'hero' applies to me. 'Warrior' would be a closer word, I think."
Ibuki is about to object on the grounds that he had not ordered the drink when the shouting starts.
Great. Just what I needed. Rolling his eyes, Ibuki walks over and grabs the man with the knife's shoulder, giving a firm grip and a small shake as he turns him to face the samurai. "You. You are holding that knife like a child about to kill his first chicken. Look how it shakes in your hand, wobbling under the weight." Drawing his wakizashi, he holds it out steadily. The fact that the point just happens to be at an angle that could be rammed back into the man is almost accidental. "Compare. THIS is how you hold a blade. Note the steady hand. The firm purpose. Its will is my will, and it will only go where I will it." He lets the man go and slowly draws the blade across his other hand, letting it take a bit of blood before resheathing it. "Now. Sit down and play once more. Or settle up your bill and leave. Do either quietly and you will not have problems with me."
Ibuki holds up his hand and shakes his head. "No ale for me, unless someone else is picking up the tab." He gives an apologetic smile to the angry bartender. "My friend here has the right of it, we are mainly here," he gives Elsith an elbow as he says this, "on official business to look into your missing apprentice. Normally I would hand you the letter from your good mayor but you strike me as... someone who does not have time for printed words in the moment. What can you tell us about him and how long has he been missing?"
Ibuki nods absently to Dhom as he departs, not bothered by his companions arriving or leaving. As the woman smiles at the group he gives her a polite bow before opening the door for himself and walking into the tavern. "Never did understand why people think witches require burning to get rid of. I have yet to find a foe that a strong punch or a swift strike with my blade could not dispatch."
Squirrel had somewhat of a busy weekend... hopefully he should be ready soon. @Squirrel: here is some inspiration: Diggy Diggy Cleric
Welcome welcome, glad to have you. Ibuki can either brawl (he gets improved unarmed instead of a mount) or attack with a sword in melee. His challenge (samurai are, at their core, a reflavoring of cavaliers) allows him to face progressively stacked against odds by fighting foe after foe. Most of his relevant details are on the page under class skills. I would say that arcane is useful. But ranged combat might be useful too if that is more your fancy (the person who dropped was playing a hunter).
Who do you have in mind?No word from Dhom. You guys okay with moving forward with just the 3 of you? I have not asked this person yet, mind you, so its possible the answer would be no... but I was thinking of asking The Squirrel Ninja if they would want to join. He (she?) is a decent DM who was looking to play a bit more. Here is an example of their work: Reign of Winter
No word from Dhom. You guys okay with moving forward with just the 3 of you? Hm.... I am ok with the prospect, although I am sad that Dhom isn't back... but I also would be ok with either opening a quick recruitment or having someone come in via invitation. If via invite I even have a person in mind to ask, but I will hold off on saying who in case the majority is for just pressing on as is.
Welcome back, GM Chapel. I am sorry to hear of your troubles (I always worry when someone falls off the grid suddenly... it is rarely a good sign, after all) and I am glad that you are healing. I hope the same can be said for your son (I myself have a 3 month old and a 3 year old... it is never easy, is it) and that the rest of your family is well too. I am interested in continuing (I stand by my previous statements of having fun and not wanting the game to die out) but that said... I am not 100% sure everyone is still here, so to speak. If we need to do a rerecruitment I am ok with it, though I think we should give Dhom and Eisith at least a week to check in first. (Personal take, mind you... will roll with the majority on this one if you and Ngozi want to start up again sooner.)
Honestly I almost feel like we should do a roll call at this point... given you and I have been the only ones to even post here in the discussion thread for months, Ngozi.
So I had sent him a PM a few weeks ago myself... no response. Anything on your end Ngozi? Hate to ask this, but would folks be willing to look for a new GM if we don't hear back? I liked the dynamic we had going and wouldn't want the game to just end... but I understand and respect if folks would rather just wait indefinitely or allow the game to die.
Once again, posting in all my games: Baby boy was born yesterday afternoon! 7 lbs 4 ozs. Mom and baby are doing fine, but won't be ready to come home until tomorrow. Thanks for all the well wishes!
Posting in all my games: my wife will be induced sometime tomorrow if she has not gone into labor by herself by then. Second kid, kinda know roughly what to expect, but I will probably be a bit silent for a few days after that starts. Bot me as needed.
Ibuki merely shrugs. "If the prices are reasonable I might buy a bowl of stew. Shall we go?"
Ibuki nods to the old baker politely. "Thank you for your time. If we find your apprentice we shall send her back to you." He walks out with the others and considers for a moment. "Perhaps, or perhaps the apprentices noticed what was causing it and decided to try and solve it themselves. Either way, the timing of both is a bit too convenient to be a mere coincidence. That said, we should keep it to ourselves for now." Pulling out the list of apprentices, he glances over it. "Next is the one at the Tavern... this Morvinarr, correct?"
"I see. Do you remember roughly when these... pranks.... started occurring? Was it before Miss Noemi stopped coming to work or after?" The ifrit smiles, but inside he is concerned. So these insects are congregating in areas no longer populated, and not eating the food there... this could be bad, depending on what they are.
Ibuki nods, putting away the document. "As I said, we aren't here to take more of your time than necessary. One of your apprentices went missing recently, along with many others around the same age group. Granted you do not seem to be too impacted by the loss," hearing the crash, the samurai almost winces, "well, mostly. Still, do you remember when you notice this one's absence? And did you notice anything unusual going on with Niomi prior to his... her... his.... absence?"
Ibuki shrugs and takes the stone, feeling the ooze as he does. The ifrit has a mild look of annoyance over the feeling but it fades like a dying ember into ash as the man walks into the store. "Good evening, sir. Do you have a moment to speak with us? I realize you are busy, but we will attempt to be brief." So saying, he offers the man his copy of the letter from the mayor as way of explanation.
Ibuki pockets the coin and shrugs at the outburst. "I am merely suggesting that she might have had an admirer that she admired. Normal stuff as long as both parties are willing, but sometimes things go awry." Seeing the man storm off, he shrugs. As if you could tell in this wreck of a shop. I could take three hats and add four in and you would never notice. Turning to the others, he shrugs. "Well, we know why one of them ran off at least. Shall we see about the others?"
Ibuki nods, thinking. The rhythm of his breath plays out in his hair like a small bellows. "About when do you think this happened? Or rather, when was the first day that you noticed her absence?" A frown crosses his face, like a thought just crossed his mind. "I suppose that her friends could be the culprits... but depending on how attractive she was, hormones could have as easily been a factor. Was there anyone that she mentioned being... enamored of?"
Ibuki looks around the shop as they enter, attempting to see if anything strikes him as odd or out of place.
The mess, however, renders any such search pointless. Everything is out of place. How can this man work like this? "Well, I was thinking of getting a straw hat made while we asked you questions." The samurai sniffs the air in a judgemental way. "But if you are not interested in helping us to help you find your apprentice than it is clear to me that you need no help from her. Or business from me." The ifrit takes out his solitary gold piece and flips it, catching it mid air.
Ibuki blushes lightly at the woman's attitude shift, but does not comment on it one way or another. "We will do our best to find where they are. When we learn more we will let you know." Giving her a bow again, he exits the shop. "No, nothing like that... though she did seemed focused on her ex husband being the interfering sort. Perhaps it was his way of spying on him, making him work harder or some such. Or perhaps it was for his sister, so they could see each other. I suppose we will just have to ask him once we find him." Shrugging, he sets off with the halfling and the others toward the haberdasher.
Glad that you are doing well, and no worries from this front. Will be posting something when I get home from work.
Ibuki just listens to the shoemaker's rant without expression. Finally, at the end of it all, he gives the woman a hug . "You have been through a lot. You have my sympathies on the troubles leading to this day, as well as any that come as a result." He lets her out of the embrace and gives her a bow. Listening to Ngozi's questions, he adds one of his own before she can begin answering. "Also, when did you notice his absence from his duties?"
Well, knocking on wood but it seems to have passed us with not too much damage. We got a decent amount of rain and the winds caused us to lose power for about 5 or 6 hours (not too bad restoral times under the circumstances) but we are back up and running again now. Thanks for the well wishes.
Dorian is approaching my way, estimated to be coming through tomorrow. Should not be an issue, I am not in a major flood zone, but if I am suddenly quiet for a bit that is possibly why. Not to jinx it, but I should be as prepared as I can be.
Ibuki's gaze initially narrows, feelings of slight rising and showing in the color of his hair burning brighter than before... until he takes a breath and observes the body motions, the verbal strain, the tiredness... the concern. This woman is just lashing out. Rude, but understandable in the West I suppose. Giving a loud cough to get the woman to turn around, he gives her a smile and a bow. "Perhaps you have the wrong impression from my words. I apologize." He bows formally and continues. "We are not here for tea or gossip. We are here to look into why you are having to do your work alone and whether the matter can be corrected." He pulls out the letter from the Mayor and offers it to her to read.
Ibuki keeps his ears open as they walk toward the cobblers, learning a few tidbits as they go. So they did know each other. Not surprising, really... still, it sounds like the idea of slavers or bandits tricking them into captivity might not be entirely out of the question. Upon reaching the cobblers, he looks at the wares with disinterest. "My sandals are relatively easy to maintain, as the straw that keeps my feet within them can be replaced relatively painlessly. We are actually hear on another matter."
Ibuki merely nods his head, his hand resting near his swords as always. "I see no problem with starting where your... 'spirits'... take us. I do see a problem with us staying on the streets for too long, as strange as we are. Let us go."
Ibuki just shrugs. "I can only hope that if it is slavers that they have a guard or two that are worthy opponents. Slavers themselves rarely are worth the ink required to write their names. Regardless, I care not where we start. I have neither potions nor money to purchase them, so unless this," he looks at the scroll sounding out the name non-verbally before attempting it again audibly, "Prick-net-tal," he looks to his companions for verification that he got close enough and continues, "is feeling generous, he is as useless to me as the haberdasher or the priest." Though the foreigner ifrit's words are blunt and almost harsh, his tone is conversational enough that no malice can be taken from them.
Take care man. Don't worry about us, we can bot you if need be or pause the game. Heck, I am up in southern VA, so this thing looking like it might graze the Carolinas ... worries me. Not in typical flood zone, thankfully, but still always concerns me.
Ibuki stands and bows to the mayor. "We shall look into it." With that, he strides with purpose out of the office and waits for his new companions to follow. This shall be amusing at least. Perhaps there will be something that is worth writing in my book... but I doubt it. Still, a wanderer has to eat, and eating just what I can hunt myself can be... challenging... sometimes.
I am patient. Especially given he just rogered up, heh. We could chalk his initial non-talkativeness to just not wanting to attract attention to himself or some such.
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