Shisumo's Treacherous Terrain (ST01)

[GM-Edonichi]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

Not sure, I'm a bit lost as to where we are at the moment, did we find tracks or not?

Spoiler:

Nagatsuna found some scraps of cloth, but no indication of where the missing Kakita may have gone, or what happened to him.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Then I will go ahead and use commune.

Spoiler:

can't roll right now so if you can roll it please.

[Utaku Yukari]

GM, Megumi, Daichi, Nagatsuna

Spoiler:

Spotting her companions, Yukari sets a brisk pace across the remaining ground before halting Arashi a few paces away from them. Glancing back to make sure Nagatsuna is close, Yukari then turns to address the others.

"We were able to follow Umasu's trail to the river, where he seemed to disappear. We then found the clothes he was wearing discarded on the river bank..

Kuni-san and Matsu-san are continuing the search at the river. We thought we should return to warn you in case he doubled back again to find you - so far his actions have seemed strange enough that we should be cautious."

The Unicorn then looks to Nagatsuna, as if waiting to see if he has more to add.

[GM-Edonichi]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

Then I will go ahead and use commune.

Heihachi:

Spoiler:

Did you want to call additional raises for questions or clarity?

[Kakita Megumi]

Edonichi, Daichi, Nagatsuna, Yukari

Spoiler:

With a look of puzzlement that only grows as the Unicorn shares her findings Megumi seems lost for words. After a few moments it seems as if she wants to add something but her face falls before it can come out. Finally the Crane manages to let a few words escape quietly.

"His, clothes? What... Why would Kakita-san leave them?"

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Edonichi, Daichi, Megumi, Yukari:

Spoiler:

Nagatsuna stops just short of Megumi, "The time for wishful thinking is over. Either this clansmen has taken the Shadowlands into his heart or more likely it was never a clansmen of yours to begin with. The creature most likely shed its disguise to enter the river in its true form. Here are the Crane clothes it was wearing and some other unusual cloth. Can you tell me anything more about them Megumi-san?" The Hida rolls out the bundle revealing the Crane clothes and the swatch of blach cloth.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Spoiler:

I'll make 1 raise for clarity and spend a void point.

[GM-Edonichi]

Hida Nagatsuna, Daichi, Megumi, Yukari:

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.Anyone examining the cloth can make an Awareness/Courtier roll to try and determine its origin.

[Kakita Megumi]

Edonichi, Daichi, Nagatsuna, Yukari

Spoiler:

"It would appear so Hida-san," The Crane's voice showing obvious signs of restraint with a hint of trepidation. "If I may?"

She holds out her hand but keeps her eyes shut for a long while. The small swatch lacked in weight but still the samurai-ko's arms seemed barely able to handle it. Slowly Megumi opened her eyes to inspect the cloth taking some time to take in all the details.

Awareness/Courtier roll: 6k3=16

[GM-Edonichi]

Heihachi, Ume:

Spoiler:

Commune(Water)w/2 Raises (TN 25)= 3k2 + Void =4k3=36. Nice!
Elemental Imbalance (TN 20)= 2k2 =2d10.open(10)=14. awww.. heh.
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.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Ume/GM

Spoiler:

" I need to know where a fleeing fugitive went..."I then give a description of him.

[Matsu Ume]

Spoiler:

Ume's hands rested on her blades. While she hadn't practiced the quick-draw since the tournament, she still remembered how to do it, and she wouldn't want to insult the spirit - but it made her hair stand on edge, and she wanted to give it no opening.

[GM-Edonichi]

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. Both of you may make an Int/Lore:Shadowlands or Int/Lore:Lion Clan roll, in addition to making a Perception/Investigation (Notice) roll.

[GM-Edonichi]

GM-Edonichi wrote:

Heihachi, Ume:** spoiler omitted **

Heihachi, Ume (again):

Spoiler:

You may roll Int/Lore:History, instead of the Lion or Shadowlands, if you choose.

[Mirumoto Daichi]

Sorry for not posting sooner been busy with a new work schedule!

Nagatsuna, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi

Spoiler:

Daichi contemplates the evidence that Nagatsuna brings in the clothing and stares at them intently as they change hands.

Spending a void point for a rank in Courtier.
4d10.takeHighest(3).open(10)=17

[Kakita Megumi]

Bump, just letting you know I'm still around just wanting for something to add at the moment.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

I am waiting to see if anything else interesting comes out of the inspections of the cloth before I continue.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Heihachi is a bit clueless currently

Raw Int: 3d10=9

[GM-Edonichi]

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, you can roll Intelligence/Lore: Shadowlands, instead, if you like? That would give you 5k3.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:

Spoiler:

A scowl crosses the Hida's face, "Hai, what you say is true. However, Heihachi-san and Ume-san should be here shortly. Ten minutes we can spare. If by then they have not arrived than we shall set out immediately. It is obviously Ryoko that they seek and we could well run into another ambush. It's better to know our pursuers so that the predator becomes the prey. Heihachi-san knows the Shadowlands well and his council will be invaluable."

[Kuni Heihachi]

Huh, my post never showed up and I didn't notice yesterday...

GM:

Spoiler:

Lost the roll since it was yesterday, it was either a 33 [10,6],8,9

[GM-Edonichi]

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.

[Mirumoto Daichi]

Nagatsuna, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:

Spoiler:

"You also should know, Hida-san. That the document that Ryoko-san was carrying has been lost. We searched the area but it does not appear to be present." Daichi says in an absentminded manner after Nagatsuna speaks to the ashigaru.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:

Spoiler:

What document she was carrying? I knew there was a document the now captured Tonbo kept trying to give her as a marriage proposal or somesuch. Is that the one you mean? and if not, what the heck happened to that one anyway?

[GM-Edonichi]

Hida Nagatsuna wrote:

Things

Hida-san, et all

Spoiler:

You were escorting the Phoenix back to her daimyo, so that she could deliver her uncle's report on bloodspeaker activity. Apparently, this report vanished from her keeping at some point during the fight on the bridge. As for the Tonbo's letter, it is bloodied and torn, still clutched in the unconscious man's hand.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:

Spoiler:

The Hida scowls, "They do not like what Ryoko knows and was carrying. More reason to get her there safely."

[Kakita Megumi]

Daichi, Edonichi, oh you guys know who you are :P

Spoiler:

A surprisingly quiet Megumi watches patiently for the arrival of her Kuni and Matsu companions. Taking a few steps away from the rest of the group the Crane gazes into nothing for a time. After a few minutes pass she returns to the larger group.

"Perhaps Matsu and Kuni-san ran into trouble? Could we retrace your steps for a short while Hida-san? Perhaps we will encounter them part way. I do not like this waiting out in the open."

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Daichi, Megumi, Yukari, Edonichi:

Spoiler:

Nagatsuna looks down at the Kakita for a long moment before responding, "It is always better to allow your enemy to break themselves on your walls than to shoot into the darkness." He considers for another moment, "However, in this case time is of the essence and we are not surrounded by walls. Let's go get them and get to the fortress swiftly." She notices a glimpse of a faint smile as he turns to head back the way he came to find Ume and Heihachi.

[GM-Edonichi]

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.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Sorry life's been really busy...

GM

Spoiler:

OK, so the Kansen is showing what the Kakita did? Like an illusion?

[Kakita Megumi]

Daichi, Nagatsuna, Yukari, Edonichi

Spoiler:

The Kakita waits for the larger Crab to turn and begin walking before following on her own. After a few steps she hustles to catch up and walk beside the Hida.

"Thank you Hida-san," She begins peering toward the Crab's face. "This has been my first experience with, well, things of such a vile nature. The mysterious disappearance of my cousin... Or whatever he was- has taxed me. The walls of the fortress and a comfortable bed will help me relax, so you have my appreciation for agreeing to continue."

[Utaku Yukari]

DM, Megumi, Nagatsuna and Daichi

Spoiler:

Yukari had remained silent for a while as Nagatsuna and Megumi talked, a little frustrated with herself that they had seemingly managed to allow the other 'Kakita' to escape. As a decision was made to meet up with the others, the Unicorn nods somewhat curtly and signals Arashi to move out again.

[GM-Edonichi]

Sorry life's been really busy...
No worries.

Spoiler:

Essentially, yes.

[Kakita Megumi]

Not sure what to write but we're on page 2 so: Edonichi, Yukari, Nagatsuna, Daichi

Spoiler:

Though she maintained the quiet air of the journey it was not hard to notice that moving again had cheered Megumi up, if only marginally. She looked around for the Kuni and Utaku companions she had travelled this far with bearing no sign of the worry from just a few minutes ago. Instead the samurai-ko appeared to have a sense of wonder about her peering at her surroundings with a renewed vigour.

[GM-Edonichi]

Heihachi, Ume:

Spoiler:

Is there anything else you want to do/ask the river kami before meeting up with the others?

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Megumi:

Spoiler:

Sorry, was waiting to hear from Edonichi.

Meeting Megumi's gaze, "As much as we Crab are raised to face the Shadowlands from birth it is always, even for us, challenging to not be caught off-guard the first time....or any other time for that matter. The most valuable lesson you can take away from this is that, once light chases away the shadows of their deceptions strike true, strike hard, and strike fast. For within hesitation lies death or...worse." His stony feature soften slightly, "Now lets go find Ume-san and Heihachi-san so we can get to our destination quickly. Hrrmph....and wipe such thoughts of comfortable beds and relaxation from your mind. They will not serve you well until the enemy is defeated...." His eyes harden to flint again, "...and the enemy is never completely defeated."

[Kuni Heihachi]

"Before we leave, what are you known by Kansen?"

[GM-Edonichi]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

"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.

[GM-Edonichi]

I was waiting to see if there was going to be any reaction to my last post before moving on, but I'm going ahead and proceeding.

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.

Please take this opportunity to share any information that you wish

[Kuni Heihachi]

GM-Edonichi wrote:

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

"Before we leave, what are you known by Kansen?"

Heihachi, Ume

** spoiler omitted **

Heihachi doesn't dare slander the evil spirit in its hunting ground. After they're away, "Damn them for not allowing the Kuni to rid us of those foul things."

[Hida Nagatsuna]

The Hida raises a questioning eyebrow slightly at Heihachi when he rejoins the group but does not press him further. To the rest he simply say, "Let us get to our destination quickly." He begins to set a forced march pace....

[GM-Edonichi]

Hida Nagatsuna wrote:

"Let us get to our destination quickly."

Before we continue, I would like to take a moment to do a quick roll-call and see who is still with us. I know this adventure has been a little drawn out, but we are in the home-stretch and should be able to wrap things up in 2-3 weeks, schedules permitting. In addition, I assume there will be a general info-dump on the road, so feel free to go back and read some of the spoilers if you wish.

[Kakita Megumi]

GM-Edonichi wrote:

Before we continue, I would like to take a moment to do a quick roll-call and see who is still with us. I know this adventure has been a little drawn out, but we are in the home-stretch and should be able to wrap things up in 2-3 weeks, schedules permitting. In addition, I assume there will be a general info-dump on the road, so feel free to go back and read some of the spoilers if you wish.

I just saw this today :o, got kind of confused for a bit but I'm all updated now (I hope). It's been more difficult of late to keep in-character for me but I'll try getting something out for you guys.

A light smile graces the young Crane's face as the two groups meet up again and continue toward their destination. She nods to the Kuni and Matsu then moves to talk quietly with them.

"Did the two of you find anything of interest?" Her voice is warm with a tinge of tenseness in it. "Hopefully there isn't any more bad news."

[Matsu Ume]

Ume's stony face hadn't moved much since departing, and she just wordlessly pointed towards the Crab to explain everything.

I must admit to tuning out for a while, things just... got in the way. I'll try to get back up to speed, and contribute better in the future

[Mirumoto Daichi]

I keep reading but I've been having a hard time keeping with the character.

[Utaku Yukari]

I'm still around - apologies for not being active with posting lately. Will try to get an IC post in today.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Still here, that was just rough on the group since we were all split up and such. Tough on a live group...'orrible on a PbP Group.

[GM-Edonichi]

I think that if it had been just the fight being foggy, it would have been ok, but with the aftermath being all split as well, things went wonky. I will get a IC post up by tomorrow evening.

[GM-Edonichi]

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."

[Matsu Ume]

Sorry for holding everything up, I am properly ashamed. I still need to read up, so expect a reply by tomorrow night