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 In the years after Bayushi Shoju became Shoju I, Emperor of Rokugan, many things changed, and many remained the same. The Clans were reordered and reorganized, and while there was peace between Great Clans, the commoners knew the depredations of bandits, ronin, and other, worse threats. Shoju I, with his Bloodsword, Ambition, by his side, became paranoid, and formed a force of secret informants and spies to monitor his Empire for traitors, conspirators, and malcontents. I, Miya Shouko, witnessed with my own eyes the suffering of the people during this period, for it was during this time that I came of age and travelled the land as one of the Miya Heralds. … While there were many who felt that, on a fundamental level, Shoju I had no right to sit the throne, the tenets of Bushido were clear that loyalty to the Emperor is required of all true samurai, and—difficult though it may have been to reconcile for some—there were many samurai who served him loyally, and even with great honor. In the year 1133, a group of these loyal servants of Shoju were assembled—samurai of little standing and minor fame at best, at least at the time—and sent on a tour of inspection, to ensure that the Empire was running as smoothly as reported. Their names would soon be known to all as examples of the finest and most loyal of samurai… -Excerpts from the introduction of The Scorpion Emperor: A History, by Miya Shouko. Late Summer, 1133 – Otosan Uchi, (One Month Ago) It’s not lightly that one turns down an invitation from a figure so important as Bayushi Hirosato, and so, despite the distance from your homes, each of you has travelled to the Imperial City to meet with the man, an important figure in Shoju I’s government. The invitation was, like his exact position, notoriously nebulous, as are the positions of many in the current regime associated with ensuring the loyalty and smooth operation of the Empire. He is at least officially not directly associated with the Inquisition, being more of an open, friendly face. Well… At least a masked one. But not one hidden in the shadows to snatch up those who have been disloyal. Though each of you knows you are not guilty of treason, it’s still not without some trepidation that you arrive in his office at the appointed hour, to see a group of other samurai of similar station to yourself, samurai who would soon become your travelling companions and allies. Hirosato finally emerged from his small office to greet all of you in person. Your initial impression of him was that he was a tall man, but after a few moments you realized that he was actually of average height, no more—he simply projected himself well, making him seem more imposing. His hair was neatly trimmed, graying at the temples, and his mask, a richly embroidered cloth of deep red, hid the lower half of his face from view. His eyes betrayed nothing. In short, this was not a man to be trifled with. “Thank you for accepting my invitation and arriving in such a timely fashion. I’m certain all of you are wondering why you’ve been summoned here today in such an enigmatic fashion. I assure you, you are in no trouble; the summons were worded so vaguely to ensure your own safety. One cannot be too careful, as I’m sure you know, in these…troubled times.” He paused, and his mask shifted slightly—was he smiling beneath it? “Each of you has been selected for your loyalty and your history of service to the Empire. I hereby appoint each of you to the rank of magistrate, under my direct authority. It is, you will find, by no means as prestigious as being an Emerald Magistrate, but it does come with certain benefits. “ As he spoke, an attendant handed each of you a sheaf of documents. “These documents detail your first assignment, as well as your rights and duties as magistrates under my command. You will also find the details of your salary and other such trivial matters within. Please peruse them at your leisure. To make it clear to you now, however, I am sending the group of you south to the Kaiu Wall, where you will perform an inspection tour and see to it that the Crane and Lion clans are holding to their duties to the satisfaction of the Crab. You report directly to me, and only to me. Birds will be available to you for transmitting your reports upon your arrival. You will not be detained or in any way interfered with, but in all other respects you are to be respectful to the local daimyo and those of higher rank. Your orders include details on how to verify any changes to your instructions I may send—you are to memorize these and destroy them.” Hirosato turned away from you all, a sign of supreme confidence. “I trust there are no questions?” From his tone, you knew you had been dismissed. . . . It has been a month since then, a month spent in preparation and travel. The documents you received indicated that you are to be given a modest salary, and are responsible for overseeing loyalty and morale within the Empire. Your actual magisterial powers are few—you may avail yourselves of the hospitality of any lord for lodgings and food, and other such minor things, but you may not call upon the services of the Imperial Legions or any other military force except in cases of open, armed rebellion. You can be assured of safe travel anywhere within the empire, unimpeded—at least by those who recognize the authority of Shoju I. Thankfully, your journey was pleasant enough, and while the scenery has become progressively less pleasant as you’ve drawn nearer the wall, you have finally arrived at your destination, the first point on your inspection tour. It is a relatively small keep, at a watchtower along the Wall, known only by the prosaic and somewhat uninspiring name of Watchpoint Sixty-Three. Your briefing indicates that since the successful assaults of the combined forces now manning the Wall, Watchpoint Sixty Three has become less of a guard post and more of a staging area for forays into the Shadowlands. Your orders are to report to the commander of the Watchpoint, one Hiruma Koichi, at once upon arrival, with no delays. It is evening when you reach the Watchpoint, and as you make your way through the camp, you see a group of samurai engaged in what seems at first to be a training exercise—a small Matsu woman seems to be sparring with a hulking woman bearing the Hida mon on her armor, surrounded by a group of other samurai of both clans. A flash of steel in the torchlight, however, tells you with no uncertainty whatsoever that this is no sparring match, but rather a duel, or worse—a brawl. (Also, please post your character sheets in this thread to help keep me sane) MollyMetroid fucked around with this message at 03:54 on Jun 23, 2013 |
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Jan 27, 2013 02:27
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Loud yells of insults, bets, and jeers fill the air around the combatants, and between that and the lack of a visible judge it is quickly evident that this is no duel, but a brawl. Mayumi, you find it difficult to get any of the samurai present to pay attention to you over the pair of unruly samurai, but one brawny man in Lion colors pays attention to you long enough to notice that you're an armed bushi of his own Clan. Apparently assuming you're just late to the party, he leans over and starts to explain. "The Hida cow made claims she couldn't back up about Sayako-kun's battle prowess, but Sayako-kun told her how things stood--the Crab may be big, but they didn't drive back the Shadowlands till they got our help! Well didn't that just piss in Hida's rice--" It's then that Ginzo's shouted order cuts through the night air. Despite the clear disorder of moments before, all present are far too well trained in battlefield discipline to continue in the face of such a commanding tone, and even the two brawlers--Matsu Sayako and the Hida woman who insulted her--stand at attention, red-faced in shame. It does speak well of them that neither bothers to stammer excuses, though. Well spotted about the formal status--I don't know how I missed mentioning it. Yes, you have all been elevated to a Status of 3. However, your promotions are so recent that you may find yourselves obligated to present your papers to people before they'll recognize your authority. In this case, military discipline has conditioned an immediate response to the tone of command, whether or not they recognize you.
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Jan 27, 2013 06:23
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It's not actually much further to reach Hiruma Koichi--apparently drawn by the commotion, he has emerged from his office in order to deal with the situation, and observed Ginzo and Mayumi dressing down the brawling pair. He is small for a Crab, though with a certain amount of command in his presence, and wears a greying beard and a weary expression.  Hiruma Koichi "A very fine speech, Matsu-san. And Kaiu-san, as well. My own soldiers would do well to set aside their differences and learn from your examples to work together." He punctuates this with a tired glance at the brawlers, one that seems to have more effect on the pair than if they had been slapped. "The two of you will be sharing duties together for the next month; see to it that your duty officers are informed of this." He turns his attention to the six of you, now. "You must be the magistrates I was told to expect. Please, come into my office. This is clearly not the place to discuss your business here." He gestures for you to enter a small, squat building nearby.
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Jan 27, 2013 07:31
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Koichi regards you silently for a long moment before responding with a weary sigh. "You've been away from the wall for some time, then, Kaiu-san? The days of this kind of behavior being a rare occurrence are long gone. If anything, we've been too successful--the Shadowlands forces have been driven back and are holed up in their warrens. If I didn't know better...well, they're not making the kind of incursion they used to, at any rate. Which leaves the three clans on the Wall plenty of time to step on each other's toes." As he speaks he takes out a small tobacco pipe and lights it. "I'm looking forward to retirement. Hah! Imagine, a good Crab soldier expecting to retire peacefully instead of dying in glorious battle. Things have changed, Kaiu-san, and the Wall isn't what it once was...but that's just one old soldier's grumbling." He turns to regard Hayuma in particular now. "As I said just now, you'll find tensions high all along the Wall. We've not enough to do, and it's wearing on us. Boredom can be fatal, and these little brawls alleviate it, so standing orders from above are to turn a blind eye, within reason, at least unless they're actually going to kill each other. Had you not arrived when you did I'd have broken that one up shortly, of course. Still, the iron discipline of the Crab of ten years ago isn't vanished quite yet, but...well, again, if I didn't know better..." He shakes his head, trailing off for a moment. "At any rate, I'm to give you full run of the Watchpoint. We've shifted several officers into the regular barracks for the duration of your stay. You're free to inspect at your discretion, but in matters of security or orders to the forces here, you're to relay all orders through me, and I have discretion to refuse orders I feel will be detrimental, within reason, to security or morale, since I know the troops better than you will be able to within the duration of your stay here. Once your inspection of this Watchpoint is complete, I will assign you an escort to your next stop on the inspection tour. Are there any questions or clarifications on how this is going to work?"
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Jan 28, 2013 02:10
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"Put your proposals in writing, and I'll look them over. As far as going on the offensive goes--that's more or less what we've done to get us into this issue as it stands. If there's nothing else you need from me right now, though, I'm afraid I've much to do. I can have someone show you to your quarters, if you'd like, or if you'd rather take a preliminary look around first, I can have someone accompany you until you're ready to retire."
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Jan 28, 2013 04:23
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Koichi has an attendant summoned to act as your guide around the camp. The heimin attendant, Tarou, explains to you that each of the three clans maintains their own barracks, but the mess hall is communal and hosts meals in intervals of roughly three hours, night or day, to accommodate duty shifts. The stables, such as they are, are also communal, but each clan also maintains their own training grounds for drills and practice. The tower itself can be accessed both internally or externally, with the narrow internal stairway being made of stone and the much larger external stair being constructed of wooden scaffolding--sturdy but ready to be torn down on short notice should it become necessary. The Wall itself is still patrolled despite the lack of immediate Shadowlands presence, if only to prevent small groups of infiltrators from gaining entry to the Empire. The patrols have not been reduced in number, though with the large number of samurai now available it is viewed as a punishment duty by many. Though the sun has set, there is still activity in the camp; samurai are coming and going to and from the barracks, the mess hall, and of course the wall is being patrolled. For the most part those who are off-duty are engaged in games of chance or skill near the barracks, though you are informed by your attendant (with some amount of pride) that even now, no Crab permits alcohol to be consumed while assigned to the Wall. Tarou mentions that there is also one squadron preparing to put on a draw-lot play, as Watchpoint tradition has that each squadron takes a turn in a rotation to produce these plays. Some of the Lion clan have been willing to join in, he tells you, but the Crane have to a man refused to participate, though they flock to the performances same as anyone else. Tarou is willing (and indeed, under orders) to accompany you anywhere you wish to go within the camp. Your own quarters are in the Crab officers barracks, and he can direct you there as well when you choose to retire. He has a small group of eta he can send with anyone who wants to go off on their own, but--for tonight at least--he suggests, as humbly and in as roundabout way as he can--that it might be best for the group of you to be seen together, 'so as the men can get to see what all of yous look like at the same time, and can know who you are for later on if you decides to go a-wandering.'
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Jan 28, 2013 06:00
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Ginzu The Wall and other defensive structures seem to be extremely well kept--it's not like they're hurting for labor. Previously there'd be a certain number of peasant soldiers reinforcing the Wall, but with the large number of samurai, they've been reassigned to less dangerous duties, like labor, and everything is as a result well maintained. (This is also going to be the main argument against using construction projects to keep people busy--manual labor is for peasants, not samurai, unless there's something very, very desperate about the situation. Everyone Tarou leads the lot of you through the camp to an open area currently not being used for training purposes. A small number of samurai are present, apparently rehearsing, though many are just watching the proceedings. The most noticeable group are a trio--a Lion woman wearing an Ikoma mon, a Hida bushi, and--of all things--a ratling in a feminine pink kimono. A male ratling. "O Teiki, my brother, my rival!" declaims the Ikoma woman, melodramatically and with obvious pleasure--she's apparently loving this. "I cannot allow this continue! Himeko is and always has been the woman I love, and I can stand by idly no more while you pursue her hand!" The Hida coughs, clearing his throat. "Uh, O Hiro, my rival, my brother...what was it...oh! Your love is unworthy of...uh...such a beautiful samurai-ko as Himeko! Behold, for she loves...uh..." He looks at the nezumi. "Ch'krikri not-not going to kiss you." The ratling appears utterly nonplussed by the whole situation. The Ikoma throws up her hands. "It's just a play, Ch'krikri. You don't actually kiss him, just, pretend. Act." "Stupid-stupid play..."
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Jan 29, 2013 03:14
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Mayumi At your question, the trio stop their conversation and look over at you. Upon seeing that you are of her clan, the Ikoma's face breaks into a broad, genuine smile. "Ah, Matsu-san, are you freshly arrived here on the Wall? Allow me to introduce myself and my companions. I am Ikoma Serika, and this is Hida Gonzaemon and Ch'krikri No-Tribe. Of course we don't have such things back home, so it doesn't surprise me that you've never heard of the draw-lot play. Let me explain." "Ch'krikri not understand play-play either, nobody explains to him," complains the nezumi. Serika ignores him. Gonzaemon sighs in a long-suffering fashion, and quietly begins to speak to the ratling with the practiced patience of one who has in fact explained several times already a concept to a particularly thick child. Serika continues, unabashed. "The basic idea of the draw-lot play is that the roles are selected at random from a kabuto. You--well, the commander of the squad, really--writes the names of the roles on scraps of paper, then mixes them with enough blanks to make up for everyone in the squad, and everyone draws one scrap. If it has a role on it, that's the role they have to play. Doesn't matter if you don't look anything like the role, or are even the wrong sex--that's all part of the fun." "Ch'krikri not-not think this is fun," protests the ratling. Serika continues as if he hadn't spoken. "There's only two other rules, aside from the roles being pulled from a kabuto. One, there has to be at least one scripted fight. Two, there can't be any Shadowlands characters in the play. We face that filth every day here, we don't want to think about it while we're relaxing. Other than that, anything goes. It's something truly wonderful, and when my duties here are concluded I fully intend to bring the art form back home, at least, if not to the Empire at large!" Hida Gonzaemon speaks up. "What Ikoma-san has said is largely accurate. Not everyone is as enthusiastic about it as she is, though. It's good fun, but sometimes, well..." He looks pointedly at the ratling, who is trying without success to adjust the pink kimono to a more comfortable position. "Not all the participants are thrilled about their roles. Honestly, I'm not sure if including Ch'krikri in the drawing is going to end up working for us, but he's part of the squad, and it makes him feel like part of a tribe again." The ratling nods eagerly at that last. "Yes-yes! Ch'krikri had no tribe, was sad-sad, but Crab-crab and other samurai-sans have taken Ch'krikri into their tribe! Strong-strong! But sometimes," he adds, thoughtfully picking at the pink kimono again, "strange-strange." MollyMetroid fucked around with this message at 05:52 on Jan 29, 2013 |
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Jan 29, 2013 04:54
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Hayuma Ch'krikri shrugs. "Say Ch'krikri is crazy-crazy, think he care more for Crab than for tribe. Say, Ch'krikri, you crazy-crazy, you go join Crab if you like-like them so much." Mayumi Serika and Gonzaemon both begin to protest simultaneously. "Oh, the play isn't ready yet--you shouldn't spoil it by watching us practice like this." Tarou interjects. "If I may, samurai-sama, the rehearsal of the play is likely to go on for some time--far be it from me to presume, of course. Whatever you decide, I can have these eta guide anyone who wishes to remain with the performers."
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Jan 29, 2013 19:14
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Ginzo You're actually familiar with the specific play they're performing, having seen it before. It's pretentiously entitled simply Love, and tells the tale of Hiro and Teiki, a pair of bushi who begin as sworn brothers and end up bitter rivals for the affections of Himeko, a beautiful geisha. The play was written in such a way to allow for the characters to bear the family names appropriate to whichever clan's province it was being performed in, since, in the words of the Doji playwright who penned it, "Love is universal." An amusing anecdote, since the playwright himself was murdered by a group of no fewer than four of his mistresses who'd each discovered the others and united in their anger at the man. Ikoma Serika is clearly quite familiar with the material, but neither Ch'krikri nor Gonzaemon seem to know much about it, and are eager to hear your advice. Several of the samurai playing minor roles gather round to listen as well. Ch'krikri in particular seems less resistant, seemingly accepting your explanation to him of the ritual nature of the event. Tarou instructs an eta to remain with you to attend to your guidance and continues on with the others. Roll came out well, have at it with some advice for them on your own recognizance. There's just this one play being rehearsed at the moment, though the bit actors are practicing their scenes separately. Hayuma, Masami, Mayumi, and anyone else not staying with the performers Tarou, anticipating your desire to visit the areas where people are likely to be congregating, leads you next to the mess hall. You're somewhat surprised to find that, instead of the spartan and utilitarian furnishings one would expect from the Crab, the mess hall feels more like a teahouse. "The Crane didn't especially care for the starkness of the old mess hall," Tarou explains, "so they had their artisans come down and make it more comfortable. There was originally some rumbling from the Crab samurai about it making them soft, but they stopped once they had some of the Crane chef's cooking." He smiles. There are groups of samurai from all three of the Great Clans who are assigned to the wall here. Mostly, each Clan seems to be keeping themselves to themselves, but you do see a few tables with smaller mixed groups as well.
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Jan 30, 2013 05:01
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Ginzo They listen to your advice raptly, and you get the sense that they are picking up a lot. Morale seems to be fairly high, at least among these soldiers. You can't tell whether that carries over to other groups. Regardless, they resume their rehearsal with gusto. Doesn't matter that you don't know from acting, that advice was awesome. And draw-lot plays are the absolute best kind of drama in Rokugan. Natsumi Nobody seems to notice you in any sort of untowards way. You do get some curious glances, and you hear some conversations shift to wondering who you are.
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Jan 30, 2013 06:21
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It is growing quite late by now, and you are all pretty tired from your travels. Tarou, seeing this, gently suggests that it may be a good time to consider taking a rest, and advises you all that he will be at your disposal as soon as you awake in the morning as well. The rehearsals end up finishing around the same time as this is going on, too. If anyone has anything they want to do immediately please advise, otherwise, I propose moving to the next morning.
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Jan 31, 2013 06:36
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Masami Your nocturnal perambulations do not reveal anything especially unexpected. There's a small amount of activity from the night watch but you manage not to encounter anyone directly. As far as you can tell from a cursory once-over, everything is in order. Natsumi Unfortunately, this part of the Wall is in an area that has had to be forcibly purified by Kuni shugenja to cleanse it of the taint, leading to its near-total abandonment by the kami. You are unable to contact any local kami. Everyone Morning comes, and the bustle of activity as the greater part of the force attached to the Watchpoint awakens makes it nearly impossible to oversleep. Tarou is ready and waiting for you, though he has a somber expression on his face. "I regret to inform you that Hida Yoshimi--whom you met last night under less than ideal circumstances--was found dead this morning."
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Feb 1, 2013 05:00
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Tarou's expression sinks into further disquiet. "As the commander of this watchpoint, of course Hiruma-chui has been advised of this situation. As for Sayako-san...no one has been able to find her this morning, though she was seen in bed last night. Her daisho remain, as well..." He trails off, uncertain how that news will be taken, then takes a deep breath and continues. "The--Hida-san was found by the morning patrol. The state of the body was...I am told...quite shameful. It is this way." He leads you towards the Crab's practice grounds.
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Feb 1, 2013 07:34
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You are led to the practice grounds, where the body was found. A shugenja is present, wearing the traditional Kuni facepaint, making him almost frightening. A number of guards have been posted, and a few eta are about to assist the Kuni in his gruesome work. One is currently examining the body of Hida Yoshimi. A cloak has been set up, tent-like, to conceal her body and provide some small dignity in death. The body is otherwise naked, and has been smudged with dirt--the lack of clothes anywhere in sight indicates that she was found this way. From what you can see, there are no obvious wounds on the body and no obvious cause of death. This being a practice yard, the ground is heavily churned, and you cannot tell from that alone whether there was a struggle. There are no obvious traces of the corpse having been dragged here. The number of guards, eta, and others in the area have also likely obliterated many of what traces would have remained. Remember, evidence isn't really a Thing in Rokugan, so preserving the crime scene isn't always a prime concern, especially in a case with such an obvious culprit. Tarou has sent one of his crew of eta to inquire at the stables, and upon that man's return you are informed that there are no signs of Sayako having taken a mount. He also advises you that apparently she left more than her daisho--her personal effects are all untouched, with nothing missing at all. If anything, it's as though she had stepped out. He has also taken the initiative of sending another of his eta to check in at the kitchens and provisions stores, to see if anything has gone unaccounted for, though the nature of the request means that that eta will take some time to return. Tarou seems to desire to anticipate your needs as much as possible.
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Feb 2, 2013 06:33
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The Kuni looks at you for a moment. "You must be the magistrates Hiruma-chui advised me of. Very well, I shall share what I can." He beckons you over to the body. His eta servants, familiar with his needs, stand ready to move the body or indicate points. "Hida-san was not murdered with a weapon. As you can see, there are no injuries on the front of her body...and on the back, the only damage is to her heels, scrapes and abrasions as though she were dragged. The lack of blood indicates that these scrapes were caused after her death." He nods to the eta, who return the body to its previous position after lifting and turning it to show you the scrapes he is referring to. "Now, there are numerous poisons which could have caused her to die, though we have found none of the telltale signs of any of them. There are also no signs that she was engaged in any sort of struggle, nor of internal injury. By all indications...it appears to be a death caused by suffocation." The Kuni looks up, straightening. "I am informed that, when the body was discovered, it had been arranged in a...compromising position. When I arrived I found that to be the case. I had my servants re-arrange her to be less shamefully posed. I have no idea where her clothes are, nor why anyone would do such a thing." As an afterthought, he adds, "I would wager that this occurred no more than a few hours before dawn." Natsumi Tarou advises you that on this side of the wall, there is nowhere good to hide within the distance that could be covered on foot in the few hours since the occurrence, nor even within ready riding distance. Over the wall is another story, however--though the majority of the forces of Jigoku have been driven back, there are still stragglers, scouts, and infiltrators found on a regular basis, and someone with no supplies and no weapons would be in extreme danger. Masami From what you know of poisons, the Kuni's assessment is correct.
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Feb 2, 2013 07:10
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Ginzo The Kuni--who you suddenly realize is quite young--clears his throat, awkwardly. "Her position was...suggestive of...certain..." He shakes his head. "It was compromising." Tarou, slightly amused in spite of the situation at the obvious discomfort of the shugenja, nods to your request and sets about sending off his eta to make the necessary inquiries. As far as you can tell, the dirt is just dirt. One of the Crab guards leans over as you're standing up. "If you want my opinion," he says in a conspiratorial tone, "this is the work of some new kind of Shadowlands creature. Matsu Sayako was a tough fighter, but no way could she have done this." He nods, as the Kuni glares daggers at him. An eta rushes up to Tarou, and whispers in his ear. The heimin nods, and turns to you. "My men report that no supplies have been taken from the stores."
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Feb 3, 2013 01:29
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Tarou shrugs. "Such things were beyond me, of course, as a mere heimin. If anything you would need to discuss that with her fellows and those who roomed near her in the barracks. As for ensuring heightened patrols, I imagine Hiruma-chui has already seen to such things, but again, you would have to check with him on that, I'm afraid."
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Feb 3, 2013 01:48
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Kaori The Kuni shakes his head in answer to your question. "News travels quick in a camp like this. Word's already out about it, especially with the rush of activity the investigation is causing. By lunchtime I'd expect half the camp to know." Hayami Tarou nods and leads you to the Lion barracks. At this hour, it's mostly empty, with only the night watch around, and they're doing their best to sleep. Tarou speaks for a few moments to the door guard, who examines you then nods. "We can go inside," Tarou tells you, "but we're to be accompanied by one of the Lion. Propriety, and such, since this is the female barracks. She can show us to Sayako-san's quarters and help to answer questions." The Lion guard has sent a runner off, who returns momentarily with a female Lion dressed in light armor, who grins when she sees you. "Ahh, an admirer of the arts, come to pay me a visit when I'm on duty?" You recognize her as the Ikoma you saw rehearsing last night, Ikoma Serika. Who is going with Hayami, and who wishes to follow a different lead?
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Feb 3, 2013 05:57
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Hayama, Masami, Ginzo Serika grins at your flattery, but her expression turns serious as you bring up the murder. "I had heard that, yes. I was not especially familiar with Matsu-san or Hida-san, but I know which room belonged to Matsu and can show you there. As for where she might be...well, I don't guess she's gone far, especially since she didn't take her daisho or any of her weapons or armor, from what I've heard. I'd expect her to be hiding out somewhere. As I'm sure Kaiu-san could tell you, beneath the Wall is a network of tunnels. She may have risked hiding down there, though there's a lot of traps and dead ends, and without a guide she'd risk becoming hopelessly lost. It's the only place I can think of for a samurai in Lion colors to go unnoticed though." She leads you to Matsu Sayako's quarters. Everything seems in order, from all appearances as if the owner had just stepped out for a moment expecting to come back any time, with the sole exception of the presence of the daisho which no samurai would be without under normal circumstances. "Her neighbors didn't report any unusual sound last night," Serika adds. "I can have them sent for if you need to question them. I'm afraid I don't know who else she might have associated with who could tell you more." Ginzo, as far as you're aware, no Shadowlands creature would bother with that sort of thing. It's really not their style, and even the Lost would be inclined to more horrific mutilation than sexual positioning. It's entirely possible that the positioning of the body was intended to cause shock and further delay any pursuit. Mayumi Those soldiers on the night watch can largely be found at the mess hall at this hour, according to your eta guide. He accompanies you there. Within there are several tired looking samurai, an even mix of the three Clans currently serving on the Wall. Unlike the earlier visit, where the groups were largely by clan, these samurai seem to be intermingled fairly evenly, and their conversations are inclusive, though subdued. They don't really spare you a second glance as you enter. How would you like to approach this?
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Feb 4, 2013 06:12
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Going to start posting by location when appropriate The Lion Barracks Serika nods, turns to one of the peasants cleaning the barracks, and sends the woman off to have Sayako's neighbors fetched. To Ginzo, she says apologetically, "I can have someone sent for who knows their way around the tunnels, but they're mostly Kaiu or Hiruma and not permitted inside these barracks. If you don't mind, they will be available when you conclude your business here?" Per/Investigation! At first glance, it seems the only noteworthy items in Sayako's quarters are a couple of mildly salacious pillow books, but you're pretty familiar with this particular style of barrack, having spent your fair share of time here. You remember there being a small niche for storing small items by the bed, which seems to be covered by a hanging scroll, and as you shift it aside, you discover that Sayako has used it to conceal a small amount of what appears to be opium. The residents of the neighboring rooms have arrived by now, a tall, pinch-faced Kitsu and an athletic Akodo with her arm in a sling. They stand respectfully, waiting to be questioned. Practice Yard As if summoned by Kaori's declaration, Hiruma Koichi arrives. "Utaku-san, I have just dispatched a scouting party to do exactly that. You would be welcome to join them if you choose, though I would urge you to reconsider. It is my duty to investigate this crime and see the culprit brought to justice, and while I do welcome any assistance you and your fellow magistrates can offer, I feel obligated to remind you that your duties do not strictly include such activities." He shrugs. "I can't order you not to do so, though, and I'd be a fool to turn down a pair of skilled scouts in the field. If you wish to join the scouting group, they're gathering by the stables." I assume you were planning on keeping your ride on the non-Shadowlands side of the wall? Mess Hall The assorted samurai answer in a general chorus that they didn't really see anything out of the ordinary, though most of their attention is focused on the Shadowlands side of things. Those who were patrolling the camp itself mention that there was the usual light traffic, but nothing that struck them as extraordinary.
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Feb 5, 2013 06:23
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Mess Hall Masami finds nothing beyond what Ginzo has already located. Mayumi arrives around the same time as the neighboring room's occupants. The Kitsu shakes her head. "Sayako-san was never injured in the line of duty beyond a few simple bruises and scrapes, so far as I know. Certainly nothing that would involve ongoing medication. She'd been here a few weeks longer than me--I'm three months into my posting. I didn't spend a lot of time talking to her..." She hesitates, as if she wants to say more, but falls silent. The Akodo frowns disapprovingly, apparently not restrained by the same feelings as the Kitsu. "Sayako-san was never in any actual battles here. I'm on my second tour here and I never knew anyone to get put on punitive assignments as often as that woman. She brought shame to her family, and shame to our clan. I did not like her, and I did not like her friends. We have been given our orders, and it is not our place to question them or voice our complaints about them, so for her to do so openly..." You haven't asked if anyone's been detailed to search the heimin and eta quarters, but Hiruma Koichi has got his own investigation into these events underway as is his responsibility and duty.
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Feb 6, 2013 23:59
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Lion Barracks The Kitsu woman looks increasingly uncomfortable, and says nothing. The Akodo is more than willing to talk, however. "She wasn't against particular orders, for the most part. She was against being here at all. She insulted our honorable Crab allies every chance she got--this wasn't the first time that she and Hida-san had come to blows. I may not have liked Hida-san much, but I had a good deal of respect for her and having seen first-hand what the Crab have been up against since the dawn of the Empire, there's no question in my mind that their attitudes are justified, as much as it rankles to admit it. But that's nothing to do with Sayako-san." The Kitsu woman frowns. "Her friends were mostly other Matsu samurai. She didn't deign to speak to those she felt were inferior, which was just about everyone...But, most of those she knew were assigned to range beyond the Wall starting this morning, and won't be back for some time. Ah, if you're concerned she may have slipped out to join them, it's unlikely--she had been assigned to a different duty, and it was such a public display that everyone knew. Her joining them anyway would have been questioned and immediately noticed." Neither one admits to knowing anything about where she would have gone, though, nor do they report any particularly shameful acts, just a general picture of an unpleasant and insubordinate troublemaker.
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Feb 7, 2013 06:09
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Lion Barracks Serika tells you that Tarou can lead you to where the medics work. As far as Mayumi can tell, these two aren't lying or trying to hide anything, though the Kitsu is obviously more uncomfortable discussing the failings of another than the Akodo. "Hida Yoshimi?" the Akodo snorts. "She was just as bad as Sayako in her own way. Those two went at it any chance they got, like they had some kind of personal grudge. It started a few days after Sayako arrived on the wall and, well...anyway, if you want to know more about her, I'd suggest asking around her barracks. I only ever encountered her when she was at odds with Sayako." Courtyard Hiruma Koichi nods. "I won't stop able bodied scouts from assisting. At the very least, out there you won't be covering the same ground as the rest of my investigations here..." He speaks with typical Crab bluntness, though his tone is more weary than anything else. Also, everyone gain 10 experience, in honor of 100 posts!
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Feb 8, 2013 05:42
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Medics Ginzo, Hayama On the way to the Crab barracks, Tarou leads you to a small building. Inside, a young woman wearing a Kuni mon--though without the traditional war paint--is busy preparing bandages. She looks up, tired, as you enter. "Which one of you is injured?" she asks brusquely. "I'm not going out to patch up another idiot who got injured in a stupid duel," she adds on seeing that you're not visibly injured, "so if someone's got themselves hurt, they can drat well drag themselves in here or have you do it." Eta Commons Mayumi The eta are pretty terrified to see a samurai wandering around their camp. The headman is soon fetched and comes before you, bowing deeply and awaiting your orders. It's pretty much death for an eta to address a samurai without permission, so you'll have to make the first move in questioning the poor fellow. Practice Yard Masami Following directions given you by Sayako's neighbors, you head out of the Lion barracks and onto the adjacent practice field. A number of Lion samurai are sparring with bokken or wrestling, while others watch, talking amongst themselves. You can see the Matsu fellow who spoke to Mayumi on the night of your arrival, taking a break by the well--he's drenched, apparently having upended a bucket over himself to cool off. A few other Lion samurai are talking to him, and you hear raucous laughter from them. Stables Utaku Sisters The scouting party is just mounting up when you arrive, and greets you politely. It's mixed group--you see a Hiruma and a Toritaka in Crab colors, an Ikoma in Lion colors, and a pair of white-haired Daidoji who look like identical twin brothers. "One of the famous Utaku Battle Maidens?" asks the Ikoma, impressed. "Looks like we're going to have to work hard to keep up today, boys." The others seem pretty enthused. "Well, you have to work hard to keep up at the best of times, Goemon," one of the Daidoji comments. "Let's get a move on...if Matsu Sayako really did do this, we'd better make sure she's not getting away." The Toritaka shakes his head at this. "You're not going to say you don't think it was her, are you?" he asks the Daidoji. "Wait, don't tell me you think this was the ninja again--" "They're real, drat it!" Even the Daidoji's brother seems amused by the outburst. "Look--Let's ask these Utaku whether they've ever encountered them. They seem well traveled...Have you ever seen any evidence of the ninja?"
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Feb 9, 2013 03:11
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Eta Commons Mayumi The headman straightens slightly though still doesn't look you in the eye. "With utmost respect, Samurai-sama, we would never conceal a murderer in our midst. As we have reported to Hiruma-chui, there is no sign of any intruder in our humble village, and if we see any sign of them we will immediately report them." Infirmary Hayama, Ginzo The Kuni frowns. "Where did you get that? Nevermind, I don't want to know. No, nothing is missing, which means someone's been smuggling it. I've suspected as much, but I haven't had proof. You might want to hand that over to me, by the way...it could be trouble if you're caught with it." Practice Yard Masami The soaking Matsu straightens on seeing you. "Ah, Scorpion-san, if there is anything I can do to help I am of course at your disposal. With whom did you need to speak?" It may be your imagination, and it's hard to tell since he's heavily tanned from practicing in the sun, but he may be a bit paler than he was a few moments ago.
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Feb 9, 2013 06:58
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Infirmary Ginzo, Hayama, Mayumi As Mayumi arrives and shares her findings with the others, the Kuni woman keeps working, preparing medical supplies. After the brief interruption, Ginzo's question is asked. For a time, she doesn't respond. Then the Kuni sighs, shaking her head, but doesn't look at you as she speaks, continuing to boil cloth for bandages. "Once I knew a man who had a treasure that he valued," she says. "He was so worried that some thief might sneak into his stronghouse and make away with it. So he bought a vicious dog, and trained it to attack anyone who tried to touch his treasure." She sets aside the bandages, and begins mixing up some herbs to prepare a poultice of some kind. "One day, the man felt the need to show his treasure to a friend, and so he went into the stronghouse to fetch it. The dog began to growl, and when the man picked up the treasure, the dog attacked him. He lost two fingers before he managed to get away. Obviously, he had the dog killed for turning on him." Finally, she looks you straight in the eye. "I learned long ago not to ask questions about the opium smuggling. I can tell you that I didn't issue any opium to Matsu Sayako, and I can tell you she did not steal it from my stores. Beyond that, I couldn't begin to tell you where the opium came from. I understand the poppies are grown and processed in Ryoko Owari, but how it got here is not my duty to discern." She is being anything but flippant, and in case it wasn't clear, is hinting at something pretty directly. As for intimidating her...you'd have to be more frightening to her than the alternative for that to work, which in this case, you just aren't. A moment later, a runner--a young samurai boy, just out of his gempukku, by the looks of it, in Hiruma colors, bursts into the infirmary, speaking to the three of you. "Forgive me, but Hiruma-chui requests your immediate presence!" Lion Practice Yard Masami The Matsu visibly relaxes. "You're looking for Sayako? I haven't seen her, and to be honest I don't buy at all that she had anything to do with the Hida cow's death." He lowers his voice somewhat, having said the previous loud enough for everyone in the practice yard to hear, but now speaking so that his words will not carry. "Look...things aren't the way they look here. I won't discuss this where others might overhe--" He cuts off, glancing behind you. A Hiruma runner, a grizzled veteran with one arm missing, clearly still serving the clan in whatever way he can, has come up behind you. "Begging your pardon, but Hiruma-chui's sent me to fetch you, Soshi-san. Said it was urgent."
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Feb 10, 2013 05:08
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Hiruma Koichi's Office Ginzo, Hayama, Masami, Mayumi You all meet up outside of Koichi's office, where he is standing waiting for you to arrive. After a few moments, a breathless Hida runs up and bows to Hiruma Koichi. "Sorry, Hiruma-chui, but I was unable to catch up to the scouting party before they left the camp..." Koichi waves his hand impatiently. "That's fine. We'll have to brief the Utaku after, is all." He turns to the lot of you. "Matsu Sayako has been located. She's currently within my office, waiting to be questioned. The men I sent into the tunnels to search for her located her in a dead end corridor, tightly bound and gagged, with signs of a head injury. Per my orders, nothing has yet been said to her. Since the lot of you seem so intent on inserting yourselves into this investigation, I think it's about time we start fully cooperating, despite this not actually being your job to take care of. Only a fool turns away good help, though." He gestures for all of you to follow him into his office. It's dim inside--you didn't notice when you were here before, because it was night outside, but there's very little in the way of light in this room. Matsu Sayako sits slumped in a chair like a puppet with its strings cut. Matted blood in her hair indicates the head wound Koichi mentioned--looks like someone hit her with something heavy. She doesn't look up at you as you enter. Outside the Fort Utaku Sisters The Daidoji who asked about ninjas frowns. "You've never seen one? Bah. You probably think I'm imagining them, too, then. But I've seen evidence of the existence of ninjas, and I only hope that when they strike, I'm not the only one prepared to face them." He is completely serious as he speaks. The others laugh at him. The Ikoma speaks up, then. "I knew Sayako, sure. She's loud, brash, opinionated, and just a bit too ready to resort to violence, but I think a lot of that's an act." His face falls. "Or...at least, I thought it was."
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Feb 11, 2013 05:07
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Hiruma Koichi's Office Masami, Mayumi, Ginzo, Hayama Sayako glances up at Masami in response to the question. "What happened? I was struck from behind, and when I awoke, I was bound and gagged in the tunnels. I did not see my attacker and do not know who it might have been. What am I suspected of? I have been told nothing and brought here to be questioned, so I must be suspected of something." Her voice is numb and emotionless, and she's clearly being evasive without outright refusing to answer. Outside Utaku Sisters The Daidoji who asked about ninjas--who by now you have learned is named Daidoji Juji--sighs. "I was traveling through the fields one night in my home province--which, as you know, any true Daidoji knows every nook and cranny of inside and out. Well, as I was walking, I came across a shadowy figure standing over the body of a slaughtered eta, and since it was in my own lands, I began to chase the culprit down. Somehow, though, the figure managed to evade me--me, a Daidoji, in my own lands! What's more, the figure seemed to blur and warp and change as I pursued it--one minute I would have sworn it to be a man, the next, I felt certain it was a woman I chased. The pursuit went on for hours, but by daybreak I was forced to accept that I had been outmatched and eluded." Juji's twin, Goji, laughs. "You left out the part where you were completely drunk on sake, brother." Juji scowls at him. "I know what I saw," he insists stubbornly, "drunk or otherwise."
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Feb 12, 2013 03:47
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Hiruma Koichi's Office Masami, Hayama, Mayumi, Ginzo On hearing that Hida Yoshimi was murdered, Sayako closes her eyes and lets out a long sigh. When she opens her eyes again, tears stream down her face. "I did not want to accept it, but that was really the only possibility, wasn't it? I wish I knew who it was, that I could carve vengeance upon them for killing her and doing this to me, but I don't. Yoshimi and I were...we were together, and whoever it was came upon us without me noticing."
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Feb 12, 2013 05:07
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Hiruma's Office Everyone but the Utaku Sayako manages a snort through her tears. "Many of my family have...strong opinions about fraternizing with the Crab. When I first arrived I was one of them, but then I met Yoshimi. We agreed that it would be trouble if we were seen together, trouble neither of us wanted, so we made a point of being seen arguing and insulting each other. It became a game, almost..." Sayako sighs, wistfully. "I suppose that I have nothing more to lose by admitting that making up afterwards was half the fun. It seems my dishonor is already known to all of you...and possibly everyone else in camp, if they do not believe I killed her. As for the opium, the Yasuki caravans bring it in--a few of the peasant laborers always have a supply. Never the Yasuki themselves, though for all I know they're just maintaining deniability. It gets hard to be judgmental about it when you're a customer." She shrugs. "We were never open about it, but there are a lot of people here who use it and you can kind of spot the signs of a fellow if you know what to look for." Outside the Fort Utaku Sisters Juji frowns. "I've never been able to figure that out, either. It's bothered me since--" The Hiruma leader holds up a hand suddenly, and the entire group immediately falls silent. For your benefit, he points ahead. In the distance, just cresting a hill, you can see them--a small group of goblins. "How do these little Jigoku-spawn keep getting past the wall?" mutters the Ikoma. "Take one alive," suggests the Hiruma. "Then we can see if he'll tell us." They all look to the two of you. "Are you ready to get your first real Shadowlands kills?" asks the Hiruma, eagerly.
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Feb 12, 2013 05:41
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Hiruma's Office If your family name is Utaku you aren't here. Sayako bows her head. "We were together...we had been hearing the dragons sing, then we...had been otherwise engaged. Yoshimi often fell into a doze after the act, especially when opium was involved. There's a spot behind the Crab barracks that's not generally patrolled, it's a tiny nook between the building and the wall. We would go there when we wished not to be seen." From what you can tell she's not hiding or holding back--though anyone doubting that at this point would have to be pretty suspicious, given the nature of what she's revealing. If you get a sense of anything, it is almost as if Sayako is mentally preparing herself for death and giving you anything she can to avenge her lover in her place.
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Feb 12, 2013 20:19
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Hiruma's Office Not the Utaku Sayako is overwhelmed by the barrage of questions. "No! Neither of us knew anything. I don't know who could have done it--I've told you everything. Leave me be...I must prepare myself."
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Feb 13, 2013 06:38
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Crab Barracks Still not the Utaku The Crab Barracks are actually pretty close to the Crab practice yard where Yoshimi's body was found. The body has been removed now, though the practice yard is still not in use; a few monks are performing a purification ritual on the area. The Crab barracks themselves are basically identical to the Lion barracks you visited earlier, and as Sayako said, very close to the Wall. Unlike at the Lion barracks, though, you're not forced to wait for an escort here, since Hiruma Koichi himself has accompanied you, having been apparently satisfied with your questioning of Matsu Sayako. Going by Masami's direction to go to Yoshimi's quarters first. Anyone wanting to check the nook behind the building can do so of course. Yoshimi's quarters are fairly spartan, containing very little aside from her clothes, daisho, and a few other personal effects at first glance.
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Feb 13, 2013 07:39
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Crab Barracks Ginzo, Mayumi, Masami, Hayama Unlike Matsu Sayako, Hida Yoshimi seems to have concealed any secrets she may have had somewhere outside of her personal quarters. However, as you search, you do notice a lean Hiruma woman across the hall eyeballing you as she tries to look like she's going about her own business. Outside Natsumi, Kaori The scouts take off quickly, their horses galloping towards the goblins at full speed. There's just over half a dozen of them, and you quickly find yourselves engaged with the foul creatures.
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Feb 14, 2013 17:59
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Crab Barracks The folks who aren't named Utaku The Hiruma woman frowns. "Why should I know anything about those two?" she asks. "Hida-san and Matsu-san hated each other, it's only natural Matsu-san would want to kill Yoshimi. What's left to investigate? You should be trying to track down Matsu Sayako, if you ask me..." Let's have some investigation/perception checks on this woman, shall we? Outside The folks who are named Utaku The goblins got an Initiative of 7. Kaori will go first, obviously, then Natsumi, then the goblins. Theoretically stances got picked before initiative but whatever. There's enough goblins for each of you to have one to face--there's a mass of them being handled by the others as well but I'm not going to roll to deal with that.
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Feb 15, 2013 18:13
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Barracks Ginzo "What, you mean last night? No, I was asleep when all that happened." She's sweating. She's pretty obviously lying.
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Feb 15, 2013 20:25
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Barracks "All the...smothering, and dragging." She waves a hand. "Everyone's talking about it, you're investigating it, you know more than I do about it, why are you asking me?"
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Feb 16, 2013 05:22
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Barracks Does that include yanking her katana free of its sheath and adopting an aggressive posture? Because that's what she does. "I'm not taking the fall for Hida Yoshimi having bad taste in lovers! She was already dead--or as good as. That Matsu bitch made her an opium eater, and Yoshimi didn't even see that there was someone in her own Clan who loved her! No, I'm not going to hang for murder...I'll take my death in battle!" Roll initiative!
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Feb 16, 2013 05:41
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Goblin Battle Utaku Sisters The jade energy smashes into the goblin and sends it flying like a ragdoll, instantly killing it and leaving a smoldering corpse behind. Kaori's shot flies wide, however, and her target charges at her, screaming and gibbering threats that only half make sense. "GOING TO LICK YOUR RIB CAGE WANT TO PEEL YOUR EYEBALLS!" It leaps and slashes at Kaori's leg with a wicked-looking jagged knife. quote:[00:41] skybot: Ridley: 22 (4d10=8, 8, 3, 3) The blade merely scrapes off of Kaori's armor, however, leaving her unscathed.
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Feb 16, 2013 06:44
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