Out will work for me better too, since I mostly left Paizo forums - I only play the games I'm already in and won't apply in any new ones, at least in the foreseeable future.
Thanks for the game, it was fun it lasted.
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Having dealt with the immediate danger of burning alive, Inoue rushes to Senno and Hojo, helping them with the fallen timber.
"I will do what I can! Inoue reaches to his scroll satchel and unfolds the necessary praying scroll, starting to appease raging fire Kami.
Inoue coughs briefly, but leaves the matter to Hikonaga, at least for now.
That's good to hear. Get better!
"The more the merrier. Especially in these troubled times."
Inoue sighs and it seems like he want to say something to the Daidoki samurais, but changes his mind. "I think maybe it might be time for us to leave. It won't be long before those drunks begin boasting their status. And what better target than some ronins? You know how it usually ends."
Inoue chuckles.
"Yes, the rain is awful. Reminds me the night at that temple." Inoue takes off his hat and looks for a spot to sit. "Hot tea would be nice."
Yeah, I'm starting to understand that it's better to get a few skills as max as possible, and defaulting for the rest.
I don't mind railroading. Especially in this case - I wasn't sure what the Spirit wanted.
"We are honored that you chose us for this task. We will not fail you." Inoue bows to the spirit. The shugenja turns he head at Hikonaga. "I guess we have to return there. It seems we will be entangled in the Clans' intrigues after all."
Inoue frowns.
Inoue keeps silent for a moment, puzzled by the grim vision. "Is the reason for this year's bad harvest unnatural? Or it is natural, but we can appease Kami?"
"Do you wish us to do something, o spirit?" asked Inoue, bowing to the stag.
Struggling with nausea and trying to keep the food inside hos stomach, Inoue immediately turns away. "This bear might have been more than just a beast - do not forget what happened with the temple. I feel this is not just an ordinary forest. Do you wish to examine the cave further, or to look for something else outside, Hikonaga-san?"
"That's horrible." Inoue examines the bodies up close - he didn't studied animals much, but maybe he can get a general idea of what killed the bears.
"So that's probably why the bear went rampage." Inoue steps outside the cave to collect branches and makes fire. "Let's hope that's enough."
Inoue shakes his head. "Only one way to find out, I guess."
"I am afraid spirits are not in the mood for talking. Let's go deeper into the woods then."
Inoue attempts to ask the Kami what it knows about the green substance.
"Something is consuming the bodies. This is most definitely not natural. I can consult with the spirits, while you search for any other tracks."
Inoue gives the bodies a more attentive look, trying to figure out how natural is all this.
"Mhm, that sounds most reasonable."
To be honest, I'm not sure what to do next. Any ideas?
Looks like we did.
"That sounds like a noble aspiration. It is always nice to be recognized for your abilities, not your ancestry." Inoue smiles gently. "But it will not be an easy task. Most of the time Clans value their blood too much to notice any outsiders." "Takishiro-san, Ryuk-san, what about you, if you don't mind me asking?"
Inoue is the first to break the silence on their way back to the forest. "Hikonaga-san, Senno-san, if I may ask, how did you end up here, in this forest? Were you traveling somewhere in particular?"
"It does normally," the shugenja nods. "We can at least see to it, that there are no other maddened beasts threatening the settlement."
"Or they do intend to deal with the situation, and we will interfere," counters Inoue and shakes his head, but continues. "But if you still want to take the matters in your own hands Hikonaga-san, I will help you. This might be a spiritual problem."
"It's best not to involve ourselves into Clans' matters, it might end badly for us ronin." "On that cheerful note, what should we do next? I, personally, do not have any particular destination in mind and might accompany you in your travels."
"I only have one more thing to add to what Hikonaga-san have said. The air spirits in the camp did say that an angry and hungry bear attacked them."
Inoue sits near a wall, relaxing after a travel and waiting patiently.
Inoue follows the nikutai inside the castle.
The shugenja bows and continues.
"The woman was a emerald magistrate yoriki, here is her badge," Inoue nods to his companions to show the belongings of the Cranes. "We brought what we could, in hope that it could help the local authorities to find out what happened."
Inoue approaches the bushi. "We are sorry to disturb you, samurai-sama, but we bring grave news of an incident in the woods."
"If we notify them - we have a chance they don't blame us. If we don't - they will definitely blame us. I'd like to take the chance."
"The Lions didn't know about them. That is never good." Inoue whispers to his companions.
Inoue repeats his question. "Is this castle where the authorities reside? We have important news to deliver."
"This brick castle is probably our destination." Inoue looks around and asks one of heimins. "Oi! Is this castle where the authorities reside?"
"I think we should go to the village." Shugenja quickly grabs his pack.
"Huh?" Only after Hikonaga's question Inoue notices that the shrine is gone.
"Were you talking with someone?" Inoue looks around but sees no one except the familiar faces.
"Help is always welcome. Let's immobilize his leg for now and move him to the temple."
"What's an eta doing here? Is he even alive?" Inoue comes closer, checking if eta is alive and if he is, how much time he has.
"Hikonaga-san, I found some footprints. It seems someone might have survived the slaughter."
"Thank you for your answers, spirit." Inoue bows to the small wind and joins Hikonaga in his investigation.
Inoue speaks the customary greetings and prepares himself to be even more patient than usual - after all, air kami are tricky to deal with. "Do you know what killed these people? Do you know what were they doing here? Can you say where did they come from?"
"By Fortunes... That's awful." Inoue slowly walks among corpses, careful not to step on them or their possessions. "Common wild animals are rarely this savage. If that was the yesterday's bear..." The shugenja recites the prayer to sense any Air kami around him he can speak with.
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