The RPG Duelling League
RPGDL Games => Forum Games => Topic started by: AndrewRogue on October 06, 2016, 06:56:53 AM
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Dawn on another cloudy day along the Yellow River.
The early risers get up and out to begin their business, while those who carried on long into the night last night perhaps sleep a few extra hours. It was a good party. The people responded well to the newcomers, as well as a night of revelry. Although, in the light of the new dawn, there is some regret. Mostly from those who reveled a little too long and hard.
Tora is among the early risers, making sure everything is set and checking that everyone from the boat is, eventually, accounted for and that nothing problematic happened during the night.
((OOC: Khun, you may arrive at your leisure this morning, provided your plan was more or less to head straight back. Rishi, you've got a bit of hiking today. If you end up wanting to chat with the samurai, you're free too, otherwise I'll just key you when you're relevant. Hang tight!))
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Lee manages to rise with the sun, a custom she finds herself regretting on this particular morning. But the proper life does require certain things to be ritualized; fulcrums around which a day can be organized are invaluable, particularly when on the road or the river to an uncertain future.
Even if not everyone attends her morning address, they'll certainly remember that they missed it; half the battle, really. She has a glass of water and a light breakfast- not much more than rice and a side of dried fish- before she leaves her makeshift housing and walks among her folk to ask some quiet questions.
"How did you find last night? What do you think of the locals? Any new friends? Any trouble?" and the like. She has to tune into their joys and concerns, and find ways to accentuate the former whilst alleviating the latter in the near future.
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Like any good soldier, Akeha rises with the dawn whether she wants to or not. Still feeling the prior night's effects, she's a bit snippy as she checks with the duty squad to make sure no major disorder followed the party, before retreating to the mess hall.
Recovering with soup, rice, pickles and fish, she soaks in the mutterings and gossip of her troops. While she doesn't join any of the knots of men and women having morning conversation, she is available to be approached, and tries to listen closely to anything audible.
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Vol is, of course, also up at dawn. Except he is ready for the day, not having any ill effects from the night before. His morning report for Lady Hakuhi is primed and ready for the usual post-breakfast timeslot. Having heard rumors of her hangover, he knows he has a few extra minutes, so he steps into his office to talk to the men he asked to check on the night's festivities for him.
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As the sun rises over the horizon, Khun kneels upon his cloud, genuflecting towards the distant orb.
Oh hallowed one, unconquered one. I beseech thee.
I beseech thee, Flame of Life, for the wisdom to stave off the hand of death.
I beseech thee, Flame of Light, for the knowledge to illuminate the gloom of ignorance.
I beseech thee, Flame of Victory, for the power to best those who would oppose me.
I beseech thee, Flame of Retribution, for the will to end those who would rend what should be.
As your light brings forth a new day, let my light bring forth new hope.
He frowned, still the prayer didn't feel quite right. Perhaps some kind of insense, a draping of morning glories, or candles made from pressed sundrops? Perhaps a certain ritual in the patterns of the prayers? Though, in many ways, the simple form felt right. The little he knew of the Sun suggested that it wasn't one for elaborate ceremonies. The Unconquored Sun simply Was, and the rites to it should be the same, shouldn't they. And, something in the back of his mind told him there was something of a forming ritual in this. In forming a proper devotion to the source of one's exaltation.
Looking out over the river, he set those thoughts aside. He could see the town of Inaba ahead, and until he could speak with the Lady of the Keep, there might be a few awkward moments. After all, it was doubtful that they very often had a visitor arrive on a cloud bearing the dead body of one of their own. Getting up, he looked at the castle as he approached, a measured closing on the parapets seemed best. That way he could be seen and no one would feel the need to do anything rash. As well, by approaching from above, he could mention he was there to see their mistress, that she would be quite happy to see him, and he could disclose the presence of the corpse, and why he had her, before someone could see her and draw their own conclusions. Hasty conclusions were often bad, hasty conclusions by people with weapons even worse.
And so it was that shortly after dawn broke, he found himself approaching the walls of the keep of Inaba, towards the most senior and reasonable looking of the wall guards, hands clearly visible and crossed across his chest, stating.
Oathman of the Tetsuzuru, I am the Sage, Zhao Khun of the Rin Tor. Tidings I bring for your keepmistress, of the Nine Rivers, and of loss.
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Lee
Your people are quite cheerful and seem to have enjoyed themselves quite extensively last night. The locals rank near the top of the villages they've visited, being generous and appreciative of the finer arts. Or at least the fine arts when filtered through a few glasses of rice wine and taken down a little. The men and women in uniform are a little tenser though, and seemed to just be waiting for trouble. No fights were picked and nothing went wrong, but some think it is pretty inevitable some of the more outgoing people in your troupe are going to end up either causing trouble or just getting smacked because someone is bored.
They're also amused that a few people they interacted with were pretty clearly part of Akeha's group, since they were doing their best to feel them out. It didn't seem hostile, but it was certainly better organized then anywhere else they've been.
Vol
Your bureaucrats don't have a lot to report. The visitors were polite and well behaved, for the most part. There was a little tension as the night wore on, but nothing unexpected.
They do report that, when things got personal, the people tended to be evasive, but who knows what to make of that. They could all be criminals, they could just reasonably be protecting their privacy as they enter a new place.
Akeha
Conversation is fairly normal, and the warriors seem to be in high spirits, though a few seem distrusting and or annoyed about the newcomers. On the whole, the reception is positive, if wary. And the celebration seems to have taken at least a little edge off the boredom for them.
Most of the conversation seems to actually come back to the half-squad sent out, with regards to both jealousy and wondering if they ran into any ~scary demons~ or anything.
Khun
The woman is alert and immediately wary upon notice of the body. She gestures for a less important guard and nods, "Go fetch Tetsuzuru-san. Immediately." The guard nods and departs with haste, while the woman stands her ground, hand on hilt of blade but still calm. "Rin," she says. Then, to you, "Where is the sellsword? And the rest of the unit?" Her language is clipped and direct.
Akeha, part deux
The guard shall arrive with some haste, and bows low as he presents himself. "Tetsuzuru-san. The outsider returned with the body of one of our own."
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Satisfied that nothing untoward occured the previous night, Lee bids her people gather together across the lot they seem to have been assigned. She has a couple of them assembly a hasty pulpit, composed of a few wooden planks piled up into a solid rectangle upon which she can stand and address her folk.
"It looks like you all had a lot of fun last night!" she calls out, cutting through the chatter and bringing them to attention. Her gold-threaded robes look well enough in the morning light, glittering a little and casting away nearby shadows. As is her custom, she switches to the old tongue when it is time to give a public address- a sermon, to remind them all of an important point of faith. "Perhaps a bit too much? But it was a grand day of meeting, and of unrestrained bonding. This morning, we must give thanks. To our gracious hosts, who hath been prepared for this very day, to take weary travellers to their breast and offer them succour and protection. We have sailed towards the dawn and found a warmth unknown to us previous.
"So let us thank the honourable Lady Hakuhi Tetsuzuru for her great generosity and kindness, and thank The Unconquered Sun for guiding us by his light down the shining path to such a grand reception! You will note that the castle yonder stands in alignment with the sun. Thus to offer worship to one is to thank the other. Let us begin the day by bowing our heads and meditating for a few moments on the rewards of perseverance and the blessings bestowed upon us."
True faith lies in displays of submission to higher powers. Some men put their faith into their lords or the little gods, but Lee and her people put it all into the sun that shines down upon their lowered heads. For a minute, all is silent save the hubbub of the nearby townsfolk.
"Our journey is not over, and never will be until the time comes to consign ourselves to heaven," Lee continues, eventually raising her head and spreading her arms. "We must always be preparing ourselves for new trials. Listen well, my friends. The true tests begin now. For I have decided that here- is a place where we can truly earn a new home for ourselves.
"Today, I want to speak of humility. The essence of humility lies in serving without regard for one's own self or glamour. Put aside your confidence in the songs that have fed us up until today. The Unconquered Sun will hear your voice but it is your actions and your morals that he will watch over and judge.
"We are nothing if we do not serve others. So, though many of you will be here, working on our new abode, I encourage you all to go forth today at least once, and seek out people in need; offer your kindness and pay back threefold that has been offered us. Virtue is not a statue to be admired, but a trail which must be walked time and time again, until it is beaten out by the tread of many feet into a firm and level road. Go, doctors, and tell the sick and injured you have arrived to help them in their time of need; go, carpenters, and offer your hammers and muscle to the broken walls and the trembling stilts. Traders, go to the docks and tell the merchants of news from the west; offer no charge for your advice today, for we must give before we receive. Even in this town there may well be beggars and the infirm, desperate for a future- open your hearts to them. We have little but they have less, yet all things turn about in time. Remember, true wealth is shown through generosity, not miserliness.
"Remember that this is a foreign land to us and we have much to learn. When corrected, listen. Ask for guidance from the new friends and companions you have made; ask them what needs to be done, and whether it is turn one's hand to the plow or forage in the woodlands, do not turn it down today. Seek to speak the tongues of this place, the Dragon-Tongue and the River-Tongue, for to live here will be to make them our own. When conflict arises, when our ways might clash, do not stand against it all, but ask why things are the way they are. A misunderstanding actualized is not a tool of evil, but human nature. Turn your side to the blows of the uncautious, for they know not what they do, and allow them to reveal their folly to their observant fellows.
"It cannot be stressed enough that we must learn; we are the students here, not the teachers. These are a people who pay little heed to the small and petty gods that plague mankind, and in this they are most wise and we are most fortunate, but we will not prove to them the rightness of our faith to them with words, only with deeds.
"We now reside in a land ruled by the Dragon-Blooded from a distant capital. Should you encounter one, bow your heads anew, for they are Exalted and are wroth if denied respect. Though they may be misguided, that is not yet for us to judge unless visible and outrageous wrongdoing compels us to commit our bodies and lives themselves to the pursuit of the right.
"Now, let us sing to the Unconquered Sun, so he might hear our hymn and be most pleased and enlightened by our respect for his great munificence!"
((OOC: GM-san, Lee is attempting to start a Project - Integrate Followers into Inaban Society. I ultimate hope for her to gain an additional point of Influence that represents her being an influential local spiritual leader as well as a famous performer up and down the Yellow River.))
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He does not let anything show on his face as the guard responds. Instead he simply says, "Two oathmen were found, one injured. Danger's gaze no longer rests upon that one. The operative stands with them, as they seek the two who are missing, and they return, treading upon the firmament of creation."
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Akeha is up and sweeping out of the mess hall with a grim expression. She swiftly reaches where Zhao Khun is being held up by her guards, sheathed sword in hand, arriving just in time to catch his explanation.
"And of Nine Rivers? How fares our neighbors to the south? Was this dark turn an event of chance or dark creatures?"
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He looks at Akeha as she approaches and shrugs. "The Sisters save what can be saved. But, as you leave behind the Yellow, there are no people, no animals, no spirits. Only the unclean below-beasts from beyond All-That-Is roam, seeking to savage and unmake all that lives. Be wary in approaching, for the Sisters care only for their own, willing to harm even your own oathmen.
As for why, nothing more has been learned. Save that the below-beasts venture far from the unravellings in All-That-Is."
And, with Akeha here and the situation mostly under control, he happily lowers the cloud to where the soldier whose body he brought back, and the small pile of her personal possessions he had collected can easily be reached by the locals.
"Here lay the fallen bloom of Suzaisho and what seemed most dear of that which she carried. I humbly return her, that she may know the peace of her home, and be led upon the path of her ancestors to safely find her next life."
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"That is troubling news," Aleha agrees, sighing. "Please, avail yourself of what I can offer for hospitality. Returning our own so that she may be honored in full for serving our security and peace demands I see to your recuperation. Hopefully, Rishi will see to the return of the others. For now we must prepare... please, rest and eat, we will have much to discuss with Lady Aaeiko this afternoon," she insists, gesturing for her guards to see to Rin's remains, and for Zhao to follow her.
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Lee
((OOC: Your project is possible and may be undertaken. Failure Conditions may arise in the near future.))
Your people follow your example with full enthusiasm, joining you in your hymn to the Unconquered Sun. You are quite confident that they will do as you have asked.
Khun/Akeha
The guard obeys swiftly.
((OOC: Looks like we want to skip to the arrival of Rishi? In which case, let us skip to the afternoon. You may set Scene 2, May.))
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((OOC: So uh Rat mentioned wanting to have an IRC planning session rather than scening this out here. He mentioned 'evenings' but if he meant evening Australia time that's about 5am EST to 8am EST. Which discounts everyone but Soppy until the weekend, I think. When are people actually around?))
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((OOC: Whoops. I did mean US evenings in this case, since they are when y'all seem to be aroundish day to day. We could just start a scene in the forum as well and IRC it if a chance comes up.))
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((OOC: Well uh, since we don't seem to be groupable for at least 2-3 days I think I'll just get things rolling))
When Rishi returns later that day, it isn't very necessary for the samurai accompanying him to convey a message to Akeha - she's waiting for him by the time their boat makes it to the dock. Escorted back to her house in Inaba, the five of them meet around a low table, with a map set out that covers the northern reaches of Nine Rivers and Inaba's environs.
"Master Zhao explained a little bit, that The Sisters are preserving themselves as best they can... but what else is going on down there? Back behind the coastline?"
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<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> Khun looks at the map, considering
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "I've only seen bits and pieces of it, but well," he takes out some markers and lays them out on the table marking off chunks of territory. "These areas are dead zones, didn't see anything living there but, let's call 'em hobs."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "And that includes spirits, from the basics that you find everywhere to lesser dieties."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> He then takes some other pieces, these ones in a different colour, and places them in a few areas. These seem to be far more scattered, but deal with confluences in the rivers, and other places of interest, including the capitol city of the Nine Rivers.
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Now, these places are confluences of power. I've only been to this one, but they should be places where the Sisters are the strongest, with the source of the rivers," he gestures at the capitol, "where they'll be the strongest. In good times, the Sisters could scoot through the rivers with ease, but those lines of communication may be sketchy now."
<+Magey> Rishi nods to Akeha as she greets him at the docks, making sure that the remaining bodies are hidden enough not to cause a commotion as they arrive. As he rushes along with her to her usual meeting room, he only stops to briefly send a messenger to Subaki to get the entire group together for a briefing later that night.
<+Magey> "It seems that even the zaniest of the rumours should be given consideration. There are man-beasts roaming the Nine Rivers and attacking even your samurai. They went down to fulfill your mission, and were only met with two savage assaults. The first assault was the one Zhao and I had found, and I believe he brought back the remains of that fight. The second was after they had arrived at the village of Bajun. There they found survivors and were recuperating, only to be set upon by a large-scale assault. That much can be confirmed by quite a few."
<+Magey> Rishi takes a moment to close his eyes and center his breathing, hoping to remain composed long enough to get through the full report. "The part that we might want to get ahead of, however, is the mists. Apparently they rolled in after the creatures appeared, and then began slicing them apart. After that, they commanded that the survivors follow, and your warriors quite wisely declined. They believe they saw a beast inside of the mists, and given what I've seen down in the Nine Rivers...
<+Magey> Well, I asked a few of the ones who entered the mists about it. They said the mists were taking them deeper into the forests and not towards any kind of civilization they knew of. What's worse, the mists were wrong, according to them. Apparently the Goddess San wears the mists instead of hiding in them..."
<+Magey> He makes sudden and very direct eye contact with Akeha, his face grimmer than she has ever seen. "I didn't think anything of it at the time, but I think that my fight eight months ago might have been the start of something very bad. The creature I killed died... differently... than the rest. It ceased existing entirely when I defeated it, while these creatures leave corpses. I think... I know I might only be a simple mercenary, but I think there's something very bad and very coordinated happening down there. I think that these... things... are coordinating their efforts, such that they attack a town, drive it into desperation, then trick the survivors into following them so they can do something with them."
<+Magey> He drops himself fully prostrate in front of Akeha. "Please, I humbly request assistance in dealing with this. I would like to go and investigate the matter, beginning with the town I helped eight months ago. However, it is fairly deep into the forests, and I am not confident I would be able to handle this fully by myself. I would also like to save anybody I can." Rishi lifts himself up, sitting respectfully in front of the other four and looking at each of them in turn, tears slowly trickling down his face.
<+Magey> "I do not know enough about these creatures to accurately assess the best way to save these people or to stop this invasion, nor do I possess the martial might to singlehandedly repel them. If need be, I will go on my own, but I cannot abide the suffering of innocents, and any aid that can be offered would be very much appreciated."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> Khun frowns at this. "You know something about the start of this? One of the Sisters seemed utterly convinced it was mortal work, and refused to say anything more."
<May> Akeha raises an eyebrow, insistently pushing Rishi upwards. "Forbetter or naught, we are in some regards equals here, so please do away with this sort of address. It's only going to get in our way."
<+Magey> "I may have an idea of the start. Like I said, I had fought a man-beast before." Rishi wipes away his tears as he speaks. "I went to fight some slavers, and rescue the citizens captured by them. The slavers were led by a man with a twisted blade who would kill his own men and women for laughs, and he had horns. In every way he seemed... wrong... and when I fought him is when I got my Mark. I burnt him to a crisp with my inner fire, except when I landed the fatal blow he merely looked bored."
<+Magey> "This alone seemed strange, but like nothing compared to the feeling of gaining my Mark. The fact that there seems to be more than one intelligent beast, combined with the way the rescued citizens were acting when I freed them is what is giving me pause."
<Euphemia_> "Can you tell us more about this beast-man? There are many kinds of being- deities, fair ones, demons- that seem to be people with the traits of animals, and alas, there is a vast gulf between them in terms of temperament and ability," Lee says, from her position standing behind Zhao. "If we can identify the man's nature, we may be a step closer to knowing
<Euphemia_> what we are dealing with. Master Khun has already spoken to me of pockets of Wyld within that region, so I have my suspicions as is."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Truth. I was looking out for more signs of Creation being thin when I returned, but I didn't see any. But if you saw a ringleader of some kind, and if they've had months to do this. Then... that'd actually make too much damned sense."
<+Magey> "Well, like I said, he was tall and had antlers. His blade was like a twisted piece of metal, and he desired to hunt me. I started our interaction by pinning him with an arrow that would have felled a normal human, and he treated it like I was some tiny stinging insect. I think he called me a wasp? I don't remember clearly, I just remember that he moved unnaturally fast, and it took everything I had to evade him as he was even more skilled in melee combat than I was. He only desired to hunt me, however. He kept rambling on and on about the fun of hunting me down."
<+Magey> "Oh! And he was able to make me see something that didn't exist. He tried to make me see a scene of me mass-murdering a village and enjoying it, and that just sort of... happened... as his blade got too close and he spoke. Reality felt like it was twisted around his blade. That's the best explanation I can offer."
<Euphemia_> "What about the people you mentioned? A number of captured individuals, who acted strangely after you rescued them?"
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> Khun frowns, but watches as Lee questions Rishi.
<+Magey> "When I rescued them, not a single one spoke a word, but they all listened and obeyed every single word spoken to them. I thought it was merely shock from witnessing the twisted mind of that creature at work and thought that, with time at home, they would eventually recover and be happy again. However, I'm starting to have second thoughts on the matter..."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "People too heavily effected by the Wyld are permanently changed," Khun's voice is heavy with sorrow. "You said that you saw the mist lulling people to follow the Horned Hunter back then?"
<Euphemia_> Lee sighs. "The Wyld, yes, but- well, it is more or less as we thought. You describe the work of the Fair Ones. They are beautiful, poetic creatures that feed on the souls and passions of mankind; teasing them out through seduction, threats, stories- anything to elicit an emotional reaction from their victims. After they completely drain their victims, they
<Euphemia_> become little more than docile slaves, fit for simple manual labour and nothing more." Her face falls, and she shakes her head. "Slavers, indeed. It is a process through which perfectly obedient slaves can be created. There are... people, out there, who will sell their follows to the fair folk, then buy them back and resell them later to unscrupulous
<Euphemia_> organizations. A perfect cycle of villainy."
<+Magey> "No, the mist demanding it be followed was only a few days ago, when the samurai were under attack. The Horned Hunter took a band of people and kidnapped his captives."
<+Magey> "However, the man with the injured arm confided in me that he saw a beast smaller than a man hidden in the mists that the survivors followed, and that cut the man-beasts--the Hobs. That sounded, to me, similar enough to what I had dealt with eight months ago to warrant investigation."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Fair, I'll admit, I didn't see anything too Wyld like about the mist, but I didn't look too hard at it."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Either way, the next scouting team should probably follow it, it'll either lead to these beasties, or to the Lady San. Either would be good to find."
<May> "I'm not sure a scouting party of soldiers is the best idea, given all that's been said," Akeha suggests.
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Who said anything about soldiers? Given the nature of the threat, it's almost certain to be some or all of us."
<Euphemia_> "I agree. We should attempt to contact the river goddesses a second time," suggests Lee. "If we demonstrate to them that we are the chosen prophets of the Unconquered Sun, they should clearly recognise our authority and our desire to push back the forces of chaos to the formless masses from whence they came. Who would know the region better than they? From<Euphemia_> what you have said, our other options would see us stumbling around in the mists for clues, waiting to be seized upon by who-knows-what."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Lee? Diplomatic trip to the capitol."
<May> "And by trip we mean armed incursion," Akeha laughs.
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "I like to think aggressive honour guard."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Some of the Nine are touchy, if you call it an incursion, they'll probably choose death over help," Khun deadpans this while shaking his head softly.
<May> "Well then... a... cautious visitation."
<Euphemia_> "There would be serious difficulty in keeping a body of troops stocked and fed in the region without the support of the locals," muses Lee. "Can you afford to leave Inaba for a length of time?"
<May> "For a a couple of weeks, yes. Any longer and it might be troublesome," Akeha admits.
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Well, if we beeline for the capitol and back, that should do the trick. If we get bogged down, I can get you back here in a couple of days from almost anywhere in the Nine Rivers, but that does mean it will just be you and me. I can only carry two."
<May> Akeha nods. "I think that will be precaution enough."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Right then, I took the liberty of preparing a list of ingredients," he pulls out a piece of parchment and hands it to Vol. "That's the scale I need to make a dose a day of anti-Wyld potion for one person for a week. Get me what I need for however many people you want to bring, and a large scale room I can work in, and I'll make some for everyone you intend to bring."
<~AndrewRogue> (I have to doublecheck this, but the capital will probably take a week for the roundtrip on the cirrus. Maybe a bit less.)
<Euphemia_> "I shall certainly accompany you on this trek. Consider me level to task of persuading precarious positioned deities. Tora shall see the affairs of my folk here in my absence," Lee declares. "Ah, Master Khun, I am not familiar with the local divinities, but if you have time I feel we could together compose an appropriate prelude for our discussions; we must
<Euphemia_> avoid a unseemly display of rudeness at all costs, do you not agree?"
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> Oh, then ground folks will never make it in time
<~AndrewRogue> (Let me double check my terrible map)
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Heh. I certainly agree. Let's get you prepared to put forward your best face to the Nine."
<+Magey> "Thank you! Thank you all so much!"
<Euphemia_> Lee smiles, and then turns her eyes to Rishi. "We will, together, put right what is wrong or perish in the attempt. It is what we are chosen to do. Your courageous work shall be rewarded by the most high, if not through mortal adulation," she insists.
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "No need to thank us, 3Operative1. This is some heavy wrongness, and precious few could've known how bad it was just from your first brush."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "Hellfire, I'm impressed Lee knew as much as she did. I may have to spend some of my time later brushing up on my Wyldlore with her."
<Euphemia_> Lee winces, and turns her face slightly aside. "That is more or less the extent of my knowledge on the topic, Master Khun... acquired through bitter experience rather than focused study. Please, do not embarrass me before our honourable peers."
<May> Akeha smiles, "Regardless, I hope to learn more from the both of you in the coming week about the... Wyld, which from the description I think we would call Monsters that Can Not Be?" she hums. "A witch hunter would know better, and we are better off without them."
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> "No doubt. Well, let me know when you're planning to leave, and how many people will be going, and then I can get a schedule of where I hope to be when to you. Barring time at the clinic, I'll be happy to tutor you on anything you want to know about Wyldlore."
<Euphemia_> "We will need about a dozen sailors to crew the ship at a minimum, and I really think about twice that would be suitable in case of mishap," warns Lee.
<May> "We can find some off work rivermen locally to supplement," Akeha nods.
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((OOC:
Roadtrip upkeep! Let's deal with some issues before you all leave.
Akeha/Vol: How many people are looking to spare for this little expedition, and what sorts?
Lee: Your project continues with minimal lumps. Your people are good at working with others. I would advise a brief pow-wow with Tora, Vol and Aiko to make sure they can carry on in your stead should something untoward happen while you all are gone.
Rishi: Things go smooth for you, mate. Assassin life is easy.
Excal: Five Dif 2 Craft/Intellect checks. 3 Silver XP for each one completed. We'll call that sufficient to innoculate the whole crew for the expected length of the trip and then some.))
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((OOC: Should we play that pow-wow out?))
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((OOC: 10 samurai, we don't want to carry too much. A dozen rivermen to complement Lee's dozen. The latter I will pay out of my own fortune to get good sailors from the docks for a little run at above normal pay rates.))
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14:49:22 <Euphemia_> Flanked by Tora and her personal attendants, Lee walks purposefully through Inaba's docks. With repairs to the Sound-From-Fire organized and underway, there's not much left keeping her here save a desire to speak with local travellers- and, of course, a pre-arranged meeting at a harbourside teashop with the ever-helpful bureaucrat, Vol Kikure.
14:52:46 <Soppy> Vol is, of course, already waiting for her when the posse arrives at the tea shop. He seems to be making notes in some kind of book, which he sets aside upon sensing them enter. He stands and smiles to greet them, his usual green garb stunning in its drabness. "Lady Aaeiko, Sir Tora. Welcome." he gestures to his table for them all to sit. He must have some sort of system, because there's exactly enough chairs for everyone, including
14:52:49 <Soppy> Lee's attendants
15:01:01 <Euphemia_> "Good day anew, my friend," Lee says, whilst her party begins seating itself. "I was hoping to discuss some particulars with you, regarding how my folk shall occupy themselves for the next few weeks whilst we're away on expedition."
15:04:13 <Soppy> "Expedition?" he raises an eyebrow, coming to full attention. "I was aware that some excitement had proceeded Rishi and Khun's return, but an expedition? So soon? What brought this about?"
15:08:48 <Euphemia_> "Well, yes," replies Lee. "Lady Hakuki, Master Rishi, Master Khun and myself shall be departing for Nine Rivers within a week in order to offer our wholehearted support to the local deities when it comes to dealing with their Wyld-Forged nemeses. I expect it will take some time, you see, leaving the administrative affairs of Inaba in your kind and capable
15:08:48 <Euphemia_> hands."
15:09:33 <@AndrewRogue> Tora makes a sound but has no overall comment, sipping at his tea.
15:12:52 <Soppy> "... in my hands you say?" he seems fairly surprise, the first time you've seen anything approaching it on his face since you met him. "Well. I certainly have a Conversation to have with Lady Hakuhi." there's a bit of amusement in the voice, but it warbles ever so slightly. "I can imagine several scenarios that would bring this about, considering recent events, but do catch me up to speed Lady Aaeiko, if you would."
15:15:12 <Euphemia_> "It appears the entire region is undergoing a kind of invasion by the Fair Ones. Mobs of hobgoblins, abandoned villages, murderous mists drawing people towards the capital- and, of course, Master Khun has told me first-hand of areas taken over by the Wyld's terrible energy during his brief visits- burned libraries and so on. It's easy to see how, left
15:15:12 <Euphemia_> unchecked, such a menace could come to plague Inaba, but even more than that those creatures an affront to everything the values order and the right. As the Chosen, we have a duty and a power to intervene- don't you agree?"
15:16:30 <Euphemia_> *everything that
15:18:49 <Soppy> "I would indeed." he nods, sipping at the tea he had ordered. Tea is also brought out for everyone at this point. "It would be the best use of my abilities to leave me here to tend to business. Lady Hakuhi's decisionmaking is correct there... though I wonder what her troops will say."
15:19:41 <@AndrewRogue> "One would hope that they would heed the decision of their mistress."
15:22:28 <Soppy> "Oh one can heed such decisions to the letter. It is the spirit, Sir Tora, that makes all the difference." he chuckles. "I may have a few weeks of feet-dragging and grumbling ahead of me. No matter," he shrugs, "It will be good practice for my skills."
15:25:14 <@AndrewRogue> "It is the sad duty of the second to bear such things, Master Vol." Tira nods. "Behind every great leader stand a dozen beaurecrats who are despised and derided for their necessary talents."
15:26:10 <Euphemia_> Lee reaches for her cup and takes a brief sip. "My, the tea seems bitter," she remarks. "A unique blend?"
15:27:44 <Soppy> He chuckles and nods to Tora, turning to Lee. "One from my home, the Nexus. The tea of Suizasho tends on the more mild side, so I encouraged a little variety in the important. This one seems to have taken off at least." he nods.
15:27:53 <Soppy> in the import
15:31:06 <Euphemia_> "Ah, and having heard of Nexus I thought it would be best to have nothing to do with it. Proven wrong twice in one moment," replies Lee, swirling the cup a little. "Now, we had best discuss practical matters. How can my people best employ themselves in Inaba?" she asks. "In the short term, of course, your generosity ensures our survival, but it cannot last.
15:31:06 <Euphemia_> To thrive, we must find a niche unfilled."
15:33:44 <@AndrewRogue> "Idle hands are a dangerous tool and, while out people are talented in their art, I suspect you and yours have little need of quite this many performers and musicians at this time. We wish to make Inaba our home, so we must bend and find a way to help."
15:34:46 <Euphemia_> "Though I can't say that performers don't have their practical uses outside the simple enjoyment of the finer things. Distracting bored, heavily-armed individuals from getting up to mischief, for example, is a time-honoured pastime..."
15:35:49 <Soppy> "I would say, being from there... our goods and trade are top notch, but the city itself can be avoided." he smiles softly. "And yes, a short-term plan is more necessary with the coming mission." He looks to Tora to listen then back to Lee. "While admittedly 90 of you is a little much, it can still be immediately helpful. Our docks are rather spare, as you've noticed. We are a minor stop on what is a multi-leg trade route. They stop, but
15:40:18 <Soppy> they do not stay, and they do not spend. A burgeoning art hall, strategically placed by the waterfront, would be an excellent start to leverage more coin out of the traffic wouldn't you say?" he smiles. "We would of course work out the details, and we will have to wait for the building materials to be replenished upon finishing your residences. Tell me, do you have any crafters in your midst? There is a niche to fill in finely made pottery
15:40:48 <Soppy> and dishware, rugs, and other such high end goods."
15:46:07 <@AndrewRogue> Tora clears his throat and casts a glance at his mother. "We do have a multitude of talents among our own, though I am less familiar with them than my mother."
15:48:01 <Euphemia_> "Darling, you are too modest. But still, a concert hall and a temple are one and the same, so I cannot object to that," muses Lee. "As for craftsmanship, why, woodwork for the most part. Our skills in that regard were put to use creating ornaments and furniture for temples- and instruments, of course, but the same kind of work goes into making things like,
15:48:01 <Euphemia_> oh, bowls, bows, and so on. Perhaps it would be most wonderful if we could reserve a large workshop for our use in that regard."
15:51:06 <Soppy> "Excellent. There are some more regional forms that are in demand inland, of which we have a few artisans to teach your people. Perhaps we can create a demand either inland or for export for your particular goods." he nods, having another sip. "It may perhaps be best to integrate the workshop into the housing plans, for efficiency."
15:53:09 <@AndrewRogue> "Not to be crass, but I must ask before we go further: what are the intents to repay the debt for the land and materials we will be using?"
15:53:20 <@AndrewRogue> *methods, not intents
15:57:19 <Soppy> "As I said before, long term loans with low rates of interest can be arranged for much of it. Taxes will be levied, of course, at a variable rate depending on your income once you get up and running. I can have someone to assist you with the books to ensure everything is tracked correctly, or I would be willing to do it myself if needed. Once we know the final bill, we can talk of that more though."
15:59:36 <@AndrewRogue> Tora takes a drink of his tea. "We will have to check those numbers before we can begin anything, of course."
16:00:01 <Soppy> "Of course."
16:01:48 <@AndrewRogue> "Will we able to do that in absence of your Lady?"
16:05:09 <Soppy> "I don't see why not. You've already begun situating yourselves here. The inertia of your arrival will keep you going far longer than you suspect. I don't think the locals or the Lady's troops are so undisciplined to move to kick you out so quickly."
16:05:35 <Euphemia_> "I see! Then, may I ask something?" asks Lee, answering her own question. "The Sound-From-Fire, our ship, will be used during the upcoming Inaban expedition to Nine Rivers... as well as a number of my people acting as sailors, along with the contributions of my own person to the diplomatic effort, of course. Although I, how to say it, struggle quite heavily
16:05:35 <Euphemia_> to put a value on my presence, I feel that negotiating with spirits and godlings is a speciality of sorts of mine worthy of compensation.
16:05:35 <Euphemia_> "I do not need much in the way of money for myself, and it pains me to make such a request, but I would hope our efforts in that regard might contribute to offset the overall fiscal burden placed upon my people."
16:07:57 <Soppy> "I can account for fair value of the services, yes. Would you like payment in advance, or subtracted from the final bill for construction materials?"
16:12:03 <Euphemia_> "Oh, whatever Tora wants, I don't need to hold the silver in my palm to know it was used properly, though," replies Lee, finding the topic of money rather boring and doing little to hide it. "I am quite sure you will come to a fair and equitable arrangement regarding funding." She cups her chin. "I do hope I can continue to contribute directly to the
16:12:03 <Euphemia_> well-being of Inaba. Ah, that reminds me," she adds, thoughtfully. "I heard there was a disused shrine in the region?"
16:17:55 <@AndrewRogue> Tora clears his throat. "We can, of course, discuss how that will factor in as well, yes."
16:18:50 <Soppy> He smiles to Lee, trying to boost her out of boredom. "I am sure you will, Lady Aaeiko." he chuckles, sipping again, "For the shrine I've heard of the same, but Lady Hakuhi would be the one to ask about that. Or the local shrine near the northern exit."
16:21:31 <Euphemia_> "Certainly. We'll see that it's done," muses Lee. "Ah, now, there's something else I wanted to ask! I wish to find instruction in the local language," she tells Vol. "Of course, I'll be with Lady Hakuhi for the forseeable future, and Master Khun as well, so I'm sure I'll get plenty of opportunities. I don't suppose you could help us with some formal
16:21:31 <Euphemia_> education in the matter, though? We're going to need to be able to talk to one another to blend in... and without knowledge of the Tongue of Dragons, we will have some difficulty securing the patronage and respect of the learned folk."
16:23:21 <Soppy> "Ha. Of course, Lady Aaeiko. I myself am going through the same process. I will refer you to my own tutor, recommended by Lady Hakuhi. She is quite skilled, if strict. We can see about bringing in more tutors from inland as well."
16:26:05 <Euphemia_> "Strict, hmm?" Lee lowers her eyes for a moment. "Of course. That's what you want out of any teacher. I expect it will be a humbling experience, starting from the beginning in a new topic," she muses. "Do you know, most people never learn anything new after they reach adulthood? It's a truly shocking thing, when you consider it properly."
16:27:00 <Soppy> "Yes, I have heard that. It surprises me immensely, when you consider the amount of truly fascinating things out in the world."
16:28:12 <@AndrewRogue> "Thankfully our people are not as most others and will no doubt take to the challenges of learning the Tongue of Dragons."
16:30:14 <Euphemia_> Lee reaches to sip her tea again. "Bluntly stated, true, and yet..." she muses. "Most people are not educated as we are to begin with. You can't learn if you haven't been given the tools to learn, and you certainly can't acquire the tools to learn when your masters refuse to bestow them upon you."
16:31:29 <@AndrewRogue> Tora looks suitably abashed. "No offense was intended, of course. We were a... blessed people given many opportunities."
16:32:53 <Euphemia_> "We certainly aren't intending to compare ourselves to Suizash..ans? Suizashoans?"
16:34:16 <Soppy> Vol's expression eases watching the family interplay, quietly sipping his tea so as not to interrupt. He studies the expressions of Lee's silent attendants in the meantime
16:35:32 <@AndrewRogue> The three of them seem suitably bored by the the discussion of the nonsense that Tora is generally left to handle.
16:35:59 <@AndrewRogue> They are mostly focused on the tea.
16:36:40 <Soppy> "Is the tea to your liking?" he asks, prodding them into conversation
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[17:51] <May> At their regular afternoon meeting, Vol finds Akeha perusing a three page letter written in Riverspeak, and a copy of it in Dragontongue. "Is there anything particularly important on our agenda today?" she asks directly as he enters the room, not even bothering with any kind of greeting formalities.
[17:53] <Soppy> He seems almost immediately ready to answer that. "Other than, apparantly, that I am to run the town in your absence soon? No." he smiles to her in being one step ahead as usual.
[18:01] <May> "Good, I have a revised contract of responsbility here, and a copy you won't have to explain to Aiko," Akeha counters, narrowing her eyes at Vol. "I'm leaving you in administrative control of the docks and the enforcement of civil order. If any threats are deemed existential, Aiko will have command of the town," she explains, pushing the Riverspeak copy across the table. "Assuming you're amiable to this."
[18:01] * Joins: Euphemia_
[18:13] <Soppy> "I am. If quite surprised." he sets upon reading it, "For the sake of Lady Aaeiko and her group, I would specifically include issues that arise with them under one of those two aegises. A misunderstanding where Aiko claims jursdiction with them could be... messy."
[18:15] * Quits: Aziraphale (Ping timeout: 182 seconds)
[18:21] * Joins: Aziraphale
[18:25] <May> "Short of an open conflict involving scores of their people, disputes or other issues pertaining to our guests will be under your authority," Akeha agrees, drawing out two sheets of paper and beginning to write an additional command in both tongues. "Aiko is loyal and competent beyond doubt, but not especially diplomatic. I will try to impress on her the necessity of leaving diplomacy to you for the time being."
[18:37] <Soppy> "Indeed." he agrees, continuing to read. "I am glad you remembered to note my placement at the head of the bureaucracy would stay. I do serve at your pleasure, but not in your absence, one might argue. Keeping that clear is a good catch." he nods, finishing up. "Everything seems to be in order. Except my jaw, which I will pick up off the ground shortly."
[18:47] <May> "Who did you think I would trust with administering the town?" Akeha wonders curiously, her voice a bit wry as she finished and then stamped the additional orders. "Will this be an issue with your firm? I can request your continued stay and provide further payment if needed to convince them."
[18:50] <Soppy> "Well, Hana has proven competent, if still somewhat set in the old ways. As a figurehead for the bureaucracy, she would have done. Aiko as well, in a similar regard for your troops." he lets the issue pass without further comment though, brushing it away with a gesture. "It should not. My assignment was rather open-ended. For them too, I serve at your pleasure."
Sysreset Updater: There are 4 new updates for SysReset available. Please check the Update Manager to list the changes.
[19:00] <May> "I trust you won't try to directly order my samurai around except in purely civil enforcement contexts," Akeha laughs. "Or that you will persuade Aiko to issue your proscriptions as orders. I will ask her to maintain discipline and order within the company... I certainly don't expect you to weild much influence with them beyond civil administration."
[19:01] <Soppy> "Of course not, Lady Hakuhi. I have some semblence of self-preservation." he laughs with her.
[19:09] <May> "So, how much do you want?" Akeha asks baldly.
[19:13] <Soppy> "Hmm." he ponders that, "A bonus, of course. Perhaps a more permenant residence in with the rest of the bureaucrats. The hotel accomodations are adequate, but it appears they will be necessary for others in the future. No need to hog such a room for my ownsome."
[19:23] <May> "Very well... I'll expect a number by the time I return," Akeha nods. "Any other concerns?"
[19:28] <Soppy> "Not particularly. The rest are personal. I will probably draw one of the lot to serve as my assistant. Have you, umm... broken the news to Aiko?"
[19:35] <May> "No, but I don't foresee it being particularly problematic."
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((OOC: Per Andy's Approval, 5 XP and 2 Solar XP shall be spent on upgrading Rishi's Dodge from 4 to 5))
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((OOC: Still need roll on from Excal. That said, you all are free to start the boat trip. But for that to begin, I need to know what your intentions are.
Planning on just heading for the capital city of Nine Rivers without stopping, planning out a trip with various places you can hit, going to attempt to make contact with various goddesses or spirits along the way, etc? Let me know what the base objective of the trip is!))
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OOC: I propose we chart a route to the capital that will take us past some known temples or shrines, where we might be able to announce our coming to local divinities and get a better assessment of the situation. If we come across a Wyld Gate or similar static disturbance in our path, we should naturally destroy it, but let's not take any significant detours until we can reach an agreement with local rulers.
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OOC: I second the motion.
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((OOC: Okay. You've got three choices for main path. Using the Wu River - Khun had a chat with her once, using the Si River, or using the San River - the one with the supposedly dead goddess. Wu is the shortest and fastest, Si is the second, and San is the slowest. San has more more small shrines/temples along it, while Wu and Si have less.))
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OOC: Let's take the Si River.
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<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Heroic_Pudding_Excal rolled :1,0 9#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Heroic_Pudding_Excal rolled :1,0 9#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Heroic_Pudding_Excal rolled :1,0 9#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Heroic_Pudding_Excal rolled :1,0 9#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}
<Heroic_Pudding_Excal> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Heroic_Pudding_Excal rolled :1,0 9#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}
Roll 1 - 5 suc Succeed!
Roll 2 - 7 suc Succeed!
Roll 3 - 5 suc Succeed!
Roll 4 - 1 suc Fail...
Roll 5 - 1 suc Fail...
"I agree, going along the Si seems to offer the best chance of success. Wu is wary and hostile, while the San is barren."
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[19:26] <May> Half a day up the Si river, Akeha approaches Lee on the prow of the ship. "Have you ever done anything... even remotely like this?" she asks, curious and yet hesitant in her blue yukata and white hair swept up in a ponytail. "Sweep into a foreign nation like demi-gods, seeking an audience with their pantheon as if we have any such worth?" she asks, her voice tilting nervously.
01[19:38] <@AndrewRogue> The samurai stand at alert at various posts on the ship, while the boatsmen are far more relaxed and at ease. Though a few watch the waters and shores nervously, as if the beasts could leap out at any moment.
[19:45] <Euphemia> "Something like it? Why, yes! Just the other day in Inaba," replies Lee, swirling about to face Akeha. The singer has returned to wearing her more relaxed brown skirts, with the addition of a heavy padded jacket that hangs loosely from her shoulders and looks just a touch too big for her. "Feudal lords, deities of the land, the general feeling is similar, don't you think?"
03[19:46] * Euphemia_ (uid75559@192.184.10.9) has joined #DLExalted
[19:51] <May> "Just the other day? In Inaba?" Akeha chuckles softly. "That's an interesting perspective, though I hardly think we qualify as anything such as this," she gestures at the river. "I guess I understand your reference, though. But truly... what does one say to a God?"
[20:07] <Euphemia_> "It might sound trite, but it depends on the god," replies Lee. "Gods desire homage. Worship. Respect for their dominions, contributions to their aspect. We must begin by making it clear we recognize the Nine Sisters and their sway over the rivers of the land, and though I am not familiar with whatever ritual prayer the locals engage in, Master Khun and I
[20:07] <Euphemia_> have worked on developing appropriate paeans to their generosity to mankind.
[20:07] <Euphemia_> "After all, rivers give us their bounty of fresh water, fish, and easy movement, all vital thinks for the prosperity of mankind. It's important to show we understand that."
[20:21] <May> "Mmmm... it's like praying in person?" Akeha wonders, glancing out at the river, one hand resting on the pommel of her sword. "Interesting...is it always like thid? Have you ever spoken to Gods otherwise?" she wonders, staring towards the glow of the sun through the fog.
[20:21] <Euphemia_> "Not since we left home," replies Lee, turning aside slightly.
[20:30] <May> "And at home?" Akeha wonders quietly, not pushing Lee any closer with her gaze. "I was raised to revere the Dragon-Blooded, and now I find myself their anathema... how do you abandon the Gods you were raised with?"
[20:36] <Euphemia_> "We didn't abandon him. He abandoned us," replies Lee, refocusing on Akeha. "It would be foolish to maintain our fealty to a delusional murderer, which is all he turned out to be."
[20:44] <May> Akeha pauses, her eyes carefully measuring Lee. "You worshipped a single God? And rebelled against him?" she wonders, leaning on the railing of the ship.
[20:52] <Euphemia_> "That's right," replies Lee. "Not the kind of reputation a ruling lady would want in those she takes in, I imagine! But my daughter was killed over crossing a minor theological dictum, and in the dying threw into stark relief the insanity of our former temple. When you know evil, there's no righteous choice but to turn on it. Even if you've served it your
[20:52] <Euphemia_> whole life." She lowers her eyes. "We haven't met, but I think I will admire your father. I wasn't able to prevent Mia's death. Maybe I could have done something, but it's all the past now... But he was able to prevent yours! I think that is a marvellous thing."
[21:08] <May> "It's more a matter of interest than of repulsion," Akeha suggests carefully. "Your..." Akeha shudders visibly, shaking her head. "I'm sorry for probing, I didn't know that..." she struggles, just sighing deeply again. "We were merely fortunate enough that this all occured far from most prying eyes, and my father could control the steps taken..."
[21:14] <Euphemia_> Lee shakes her head. "Don't be sorry, please. I meant to talk about it sooner or later, and I do not mind sharing the story, just... it isn't the kind of thing you just tell someone out of the blue," she admits. "Certainly not during the first few times you talk to someone."
[21:14] <Euphemia_> She clasps her hands. "What do you suppose you shall do?" she wonders. "It would be difficult for things to remain at the status quo for long. There are many Chosen in this part of the world, so sooner or later our talents will be required and there will be no hiding anything..."
[21:25] <May> Akeha laughs bitterly. "We don't know," she admits, shaking her head. "In a time of peace I would have confidence... in Lord Uetsuru's value of my father and myself, of the skills of our Hikoutsur and Kawazuru cousins... but we are at ware with the Lion, and they will stop it nothing to destroy or disgrace us and take the northern hinterlands and their rich fields," she sighs, claspign her
[21:25] <May> hands in unconscious mimicry of Lee. "In Inaba and beyond, perhaps, there might be hope of hiding what I am. It is when things become too tumultuous within Suizasho that I worry the most. If I am called back to repel the Lion, there will be no hiding what I am. And we will have to answer for that to the priests."
[21:31] <Euphemia> "You believe that war is inevitable?"
[21:35] <May> "Wars of one sort or another between the Crane and the Lion have been inevitable for a few centuries now," Akeha muses. "Too many grudges, too many territories changing hands every few decades. The Dragon-Blooded that rules us live long enough to remember the last two, three wars? It felt as natural as tying an obi for us all, to move from skirmishes to bloody and bitter warfare, though the
[21:35] <May> deaths of our friends certainly did not..."
[21:40] <Euphemia> "Perhaps you were Chosen to settle the conflict once and for all?" suggests Lee. "One way or the other."
[21:45] <May> "The only way I can think of to settle it would be to destroy the Lion," Akeha admits, looking closely at Lee. "That would be a remarkable tumult for us... almost unthinkable."
[21:56] <Euphemia> "I wonder if it is that simple." Lee ponders this for a moment. "Might I ask who benefits from this conflict between your clans?"
[21:59] <May> "The Lion do, gaining access to farmlands they never had a right to..." Akeha muses. "The Imperial Families, as it keeps all four clans focused on one another more than them."
[22:07] <Euphemia> Lee nods for a moment. "So, if the Crane were to hypothetically uproot the Lion, it is not beyond the pale that the Imperial Families might well contrive other dangers to keep your clan distracted, if they could not prevent the balance tilting that far altogether?"
[22:11] <May> "At least, those Imperial Families without deep ties to us, yes," Akeha nods. "Most likely they would want to see us occupied by something or other on our rear flank, not just hte outside world that we can turn to our advantage."
[22:21] <Euphemia> "It's an unfortunate state of affairs, where your nation is kept in this constant state of turmoil," Lee replies, sympathetically. "The Lion are your immediate danger, of course. But the root concerns are deeper and more difficult to address, in a way," she muses. "Suizasho is a little too well defended. By geology, the Dragon-Blooded, and so on. Tora was telling me about it, actually. Most
[22:21] <Euphemia> of the Hundred Kingdoms to the west are faced with rivals at every corner, and as such the successful amongst them have very strong hegemons, but because Suizasho doesn't have to deal with that so much, internal conflict is inevitable.
[22:21] <Euphemia> "As well as that, you mentioned the Dragon-Blooded themselves are long-lived and carry old grudges, and are also revered as demigods by the ordinary people, giving them an unquestionable divine mein. Their concerns become holy concerns, their wars holy wars, of a sort. These two factors, I think, will ensure continued strife for some time. A kind of endless civil war which will never have
[22:21] <Euphemia> a victor. To me," she admits. "It seems quite a terrible situation. But perhaps it's not as bad as I'm making it sound?"
[16:49] <May> "It's not quite so terrible when a major conflict isn't in progress," Akeha offers wryly. "For much of my life thus far there have only been small skirmishes, minor quarrels about the terms of our peace... as a matter of national supply, the Lion can only field their regiments in times of plenty, or when the Crane do not stockpile rice at Kawazuru for fear of a Lion siege. But for us to
[16:49] <May> starve them so comes at great financial and political costs with the rest of the Clans and most Imperial Families. So we have been for decades," Akeha lifts and lowers her hands in opposite directions, a balancing act gesture. "Except when our Daimyo insult each other, and only Imperial intervention kept them from blows. Now irregardless of the harvest or costs we must be at war for the sake
[16:49] <May> of honor. There has been a pause with my exile, as courtiers maneuver for favor and try to play the sacrifice my father has made or the rumors of my status as a Forsaken against each other... I fear conflict will resume all too quickly though."
[17:09] <Euphemia> Lee inclines her head. "I can only assume they have the perfect religious excuse to recommence an assault. Calling you 'Forsaken', what rot..." She sighs. "I want to change that stigma. Perhaps by doing so, we can create new opportunities for you, and for your people? But I'd hope to avoid a war for as long as possible, for no matter the outcome it would only feed into the worst suspicions
[17:09] <Euphemia> of our religious detractors."
[17:23] <May> "If they could prove what happened," Akeha agrees, shaking her head. "For now it is only rumor, the tales of Lion soldiers that fled in fear... and among the Lion Clan, that paints you as quite an unreliable figure. And their Captain fled first... and accusation from Matsu Kita will be viewed with skepticism by the Lions and the other Clans, so until they can find some other proof than her
[17:23] <May> word..." Akeha smiles coldly. "We are at a standstill. The stigma... that will be hard to scrub away, certainly. We are proud descendants of the Shogunate that overthrew the Celestial Rule... I have some trouble reconciling myself with my own status..." she admits.
[17:30] <Euphemia> "Perhaps it would be a good time to discuss your doubts?" suggests Lee. "Why do you feel troubled still, in this regard?"
[17:34] <May> "Are we not the Celestial Harbingers of Tyranny that ruled Creation with iron fists, and were driven mad by the crimes of our creators in the Old Realm?" Akeha asks, the characterization of history flowing off her tongue with the ease of lacking any other belief.
[17:35] <Euphemia> "Are we?"
[17:38] <May> "I have never heard otherwise."
[17:42] <Euphemia> "But do you feel compelled to conquer your foes? To rule like a tyrant?" challenges Lee. "Certainly you are a warrior and will one day chase victory through bloodshed, but so what? You're in good company throughout the Hundred Kingdoms, a land filled with would-be conquered and warlords. And as for ruling with an iron fist, I've heard much of the Realm to the west and how it ruthlessly
[17:42] <Euphemia> subjugates states throughout the threshold. They talk a lot about Anathema as well, but have a poor sense of irony, to my reckoning..."
[17:42] <Euphemia> *conquerers
[17:51] <May> "I feel as I ever have, I think... my place is at the head of an army, seeing to the perpetuity and prosperity of the Crane Clan and Tetsuzuru family," Akeha shrugs. "Even if none of us have yet gone mad... don't the legends say we are bound to? That it's a perpetual curse on the Celestial orders?" She sighs, leaning onto the ship's railing. "More, I think, I just don't know what I am. Before
[17:51] <May> I was a mortal destined and foreshadowed to Exalt one day under the Dragon of Air, as my father did. I would be the champion of the clan, the eldest Exalted child. And now... now I have been granted yet greater power, but feel helpless to fulfill everything we could have hoped for. I have no purpose but to lead armies, that I still feel. But now which armies?"
[18:00] <Euphemia> "Is that what your legends say?" wonders Lee. "The ones I have heard say we are demons in human skin! Possessing the bodies of unfortunate mortals and plotting to bring darkness to all Creation!" She laughs, shaking her head. "All nonsense. Dragon-Blooded propaganda. I won't say I know the past, but I know those must be lies."
[18:00] <Euphemia> She frowns, though, and paces across the deck. "What is worth fighting for? We have our people to protect, to make proud, so that's obvious. But if we were alone in the world, I still think we would strive to achieve some purpose, some ideal."
[18:08] <May> "The standards of honor and civility taught to me as a Crane Samurai?" Akeha suggests wryly. "I have little else for purpose in the world... to be a guardian for my charges and see their lives administered with decency, to be a sagacious or at least competent sovereign or aid my sovereign in achieving such..." she sighs a bit. "In some ways that is a relief. I would make a poor family Daimyo,
[18:08] <May> and this insures one of my brothers will take the mantle instead. They are much better suited to court and administration."
[18:14] <Euphemia> "You feel that you would make a poor leader?" wonders Lee. "Inaba does not seem such a bad place, you know. And here we are, boldly striking out to deal with a threat before it can injure your people. A sound decision." She leans on the railing next to Akeha, turning her head to her with an encouraging smile.
03[18:25] * Euphemia is now known as Kallen
[18:28] <May> "Inaba offers a comparatively simple arena, and has handed me competent aids I can trust," Akeha admits. "Not the least of which is another Solar with a penchant for bureaucracy in Vol, who has few other loyalties to concern me," she shakes her head. "I wonder how well I would do with the more intricate politics of Imperial Court, or even just the Crane families. And I am happy to see my
[18:28] <May> brothers attend to that over myself. I still worry that something... some aspect of what we are now will be detrimental to what I hope to be, with all the tales of curses and madness... but what can I do?"
[18:37] <Magey> As Rishi's shift in the crows' nest ends, he drops down and notices Akeha and Lee talking to each other entirely separate from the rest of the crew, and wanders to stand with them, catching the last of what Akeha mentioned. "Sorry for intruding, but when it comes to curses and madness? You can keep your head up and do your damn best, and that's all anyone can ask for."
[18:39] <Kallen> "Exactly right. Besides, it's a blessing, not a curse. What else can you call it, when it affords us such power and skill?"
03[18:42] * Pluck (uid75559@tooting.irccloud.com) has joined #DLExalted
[18:43] <Magey> "Oh, no, it's still a curse for sure, but that doesn't mean it's not also a blessing. We are blessed with power and skill limited solely by our imaginations, but we are also cursed to suffer the fate of a Destined, and that is either a gruesome one or a lonesome one. We will be bound to fight great foes and undertake epic tasks, such as this, but that also means greater risks, no?"
[18:46] <Pluck> "It is in no way a curse," Lee replies. "Our fates aren't set in stone. And how can we be lonesome? Why, we had one another to confide in, do we not?"
[18:49] <Magey> "I apologize, I am... not very good with my words. I meant that the ending to our tales will be such. We shall either be slain in a horrific fashion, driven to madness, or we shall die alone and forgotten in a dark corner somewhere. I fear that last one shall be mine, if my dreams are any indication."
[18:51] <Magey> "However! Regardless of what fate we shall see, we must keep moving forward, keep trying, keep aiming to do right no matter the obstacle. We are only Forsaken if we give in and let the innocent suffer, if we let evil reign."
[18:51] <Pluck> "Why do you say this will be our fate?" asks Lee, looking slightly shocked.
[18:51] <Pluck> M
[18:53] <May> Akeha just raises her eyebrows at the back and forth. "Clearly, in spite of our shared attribute, our myriad origins are on full display today," she laughs.
[18:56] <Magey> Rishi sighs audibly as he thinks to himself. "Dreams, stories, tales that I was told were mere myths and have proven true." He laughs with Akeha a small bit, then looks at both of them quizically. "Have neither of you been having strange dreams since the change? I sleep, and it feels like I am living another life, like it is more than just a dream, but I am lucky if I ever remember more than
[18:56] <Magey> the tiniest of slivers, such as a certain smell or a name I do not know."
[18:59] <Pluck> "Not as such," replies Lee. "I have received a command from the unconquered sun to make the world a righteous place, not prophetic visions."
[19:01] <May> "I receive none of this. Merely the confidence of power, the same urging of battle and victory in a new and soaring power commensurate with the blessing of the Unconquered Sun," Akeha adds, shrugging a little. "Were it not for being considered Anathema, I would have hardly changed perspectives."
[19:02] <Pluck> "Had I not been chosen, I would have died. It's hard to see it as a curse in that light."
[19:04] <Magey> "Hmm..." Rishi turns and looks over the landscape ahead. "I suppose it is more like this feeling that my life is not my own, that I am part of something more. Though I can't put a finger on why or how, so I suppose it is pointless to discuss. Especially as Khun would probably have a proper answer to why we all feel and experience our change so differently," he chuckles
[19:08] <Pluck> "There's no need for a special answer. We're not the same person, of course we will see things differently." Lee gestures to the ship, turning to lean her back against the railing. "But I can understand your feelings. We've been guided together by an invisible hand, have we not? And that's a blessing for certain. Let's look to the gifts we've received,
[19:08] <Pluck> rather than an imaginary dire fate."
-
Boat Folks
As the afternoon of your first day travelling down the Si wears on, you arrive at the first destination on your somewhat long journey: one of the many shrines dedicated to Si. This is a particularly large one and, according to the local boatsmen you brought, very well maintained. And indeed, that assessment seems accurate. The shrine is well maintained, an altar seemingly built into the weeping trees that line the riverbank, a scant few feet from the river. Incense burns en masse, and a few people kneel before it.
The man at the boat's helm, Jinhao, a former Nine Rivers boatsman who came to settle in Inaba over a decade ago, grunts. "Odd. Don't get people at these shrines much."
-
People often find their faith in times of crisis, Lee muses.
"We'll stop here," she says, instead. "Patroklia! Please go and fetch us some of the wine. We'll need to make an offering as well," she suggests, glancing at one of her handmaidens.
-
Boat Crew
Patroklia bows. "Of course, sensei. Will we also be offering a hymn for the mistress of this lovely river?"
Jinhao grunts, casting a brief look at Akeha for approval before he begins barking orders and directing the boat towards the small dock/tie near the shrine.
-
"Of course, just as we've practiced. Please tell the others to begin when we pour the wine," Lee instructs her.
-
Akeha nods her approval to Jinhao, eyeing the crowd curiously. She tries to gauge the group for what kind of persons have come to the shrine - peasant refugees, defeated soldiers, fleeing priesthood?
-
As the boat begins nearing the crowd at the shrine, Rishi wanders over to find Khun. "Hey, is everything okay with the spirits around here?" He keeps his eyes focused on the surrounding area as they speak.
-
The samurai none-too-subtly take up defensive positions as the boat is brought up for mooring.
The people praying look up for a moment at the disturbance, but relax after a moment and return to their prayers. At a glance, they appear to be just simple locals, although one of them is dressed in the fine robes that you might expect a priest to wear.
-
Lee dismounts the ship once it arrives on the dock, taking slow and measured steps in the hopes of maintaining a respectful demeanour. Whether the god is worthy or not is unknown, to be sure.
"I see you, petitioners," she says, though her words are directed to the priest. "Might we make an offering to the goddess Si in our own style?" she continues, deciding that it never hurts to ask permission and it is a good chance to size them up besides.
Read Intentions, 3 motes spent on an excellency. I want to determine what kind of intimacies this group seems to hold towards Si- true belief, desperation, frustration, and so on. Pool sits at nine after normal stunt bonus.
9: [1: 1, 3: 2, 5: 1, 6: 2, 7: 2, 8: 1] - 3 Successes
-
The handful of people are again briefly disturbed by the interruption, but most of them, with the exception of the priestly looking fellow, return to their prayers. From what you can hear and see in their plaintive voices and hunched bodies, their prayers seem earnest.
The priest himself smiles, though it is a tired look. "Of course you may. Any who travel the rivers are welcome and encouraged to pay their respects to Tranquil Si. She is no stranger to strange offerings, for she welcomes all who would travel her domain in peace, even in these trying times."
((OOC: The four general petitioners all have a Minor intimacy of Faith (Si), while the individual you are speaking to has a Major intimacy of Devotion (Si).))
-
<AndrewRogue> We shall pick up on the same day as Lady Akeha's departure. Are there any particular orders of the day you have to make sure of in your normal beauracratic affairs, Vol?
<Soppy> He has his routine, morning at the docks, afternoon in the office, visit the refugees, merchant district before dinner, office again at night. He won't really go out of his way to do anything special yet, and will use this to test his apparatus as it stands to see if it holds under the stress.
<Soppy> Not having to meet Akeha for her morning and nightly report frees up some time, but he will probably use the night slot for a joint meeting with Aiko and Hana.
<AndrewRogue> Then let us go a bit through the day. In the morning, the docks bustle as normal, fishers prepping for their days, merchants beginning the loading and unloading of goods.
<Soppy> Excellent! So far, so good!
<AndrewRogue> The faint fingers of fog burn off as the day progresses. All reports indicate that things are about as busy as expected.
<AndrewRogue> So apparently the rumors of Nine Rivers being a monster infested hell on Creation are vastly overrated.
<Soppy> Woo
<AndrewRogue> To the office. Your subordinates/compatriots/paper pushers are busy looking over various legal documents, crunching numbers, doing all that sort of stuff.
<AndrewRogue> However, one of the younger staff members will call for your attention. He's a plain boy, a little hard to remember. Hiroe, maybe?
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol? May I have a moment of your time?"
<Soppy> "Yes, Hiroe?" he looks to him, name coming to mind immediately. It's not a huge office. "What's on your mind?"
<AndrewRogue> "I apologize for taking your time, but I wished to speak with you regarding the... refugees."
<Soppy> "That's alright. What is the issue?"
<AndrewRogue> "While I do not wish to question Tetsuzuru-san's civic mindedness or your own expertise, Master Vol, I fear the impact that this sudden influx of people is going to have on our economic safety. The contract you have established with them is quite generous, and we will be funneling a great deal of resources to them to help them establish themselves."
<AndrewRogue> "We are essentially bringing on beggars with the hope that they will both be able to repay an immense kindness through, again, our efforts. We must shelter them and carve out a niche for them in the same strokes."
<AndrewRogue> "What if the rumors of the trouble in Nine Rivers are true and trade dries? What if our coming harvests are disasterous? What if a dragon should swallow the fish in our river?"
<AndrewRogue> "There are a hundred curses that could befall us, and we leave ourselves all the more vulnerable now."
<Soppy> "It's a fair point to make, Hiroe. A calculated risk, admittedly. However, it is just the kind of kickstart the Inaban economy needs. The only drought we've suffered recently is in terms of population, if the figures I've seen can be trusted. Trade stagnated either on purpose, due to Suizasho's policy, or the indolence or ineptness of previous administrations. An influx of population can both benefit our town's economy once they get
<Soppy> on their feet, as well as assist in making our town a more desirable stop for trade traffic. The use of the long stored materials already creates a demand for replacement material the town can fill. The food is a concern, as always, but we've been tracking alternate suppliers from trade prices in case it becomes necessary to import food. A plan for the new worst case scenario is being developed, but let's not give in to our panic
<Soppy> so soon, shall we, Hiroe?" he smiles reassuringly to him
<Soppy> roll 11#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 11#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}
<AndrewRogue> The young man looks askance for a moment before bowing. "I suppose that is reasonable, Master Vol. I still have my concerns, but I shall defer to your expertise for the time being."
<AndrewRogue> "Thank you for your time. I shall have the sales reports ready by this evening."
<Soppy> "Of course. Do keep vigilant on the numbers, though. If you have specific concerns in the future, don't hesitate to inform me."
<AndrewRogue> "Of course, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> Everything else seems reasonably in order at the office. Onto the refugees?
<Soppy> Sure
<AndrewRogue> Tora is having a conversation with a red-headed woman at the time of your arrival, but he breaks it off with a polite nod as he catches your approach. "Ah, the master of the contract arrives!" He says with a smile.
<Soppy> He smiles in greeting to them both as he approaches, noting the red head's presence again at Tora's side. "Greetings, Master Tora. And who is this lovely lady?"
<AndrewRogue> She bows ever so slightly. "Subaki, Master Vol. One of Rishi's readers."
<AndrewRogue> Her Forest-Tongue is heavily accented, but not too difficult to understand.
<Soppy> "Ah yes. I recall him speaking of you. It is good to meet you finally." he bows back. "So it sounds like you have something for me already, Tora?"
<AndrewRogue> She smiles brightly and excuses herself.
<AndrewRogue> "Hm? Ah. Yes. I have been involve in interminable discussions with the others determining our particular needs and how they might be best met. While I would have rather discussed our housing arrangements, artists will be artists and they are most eager to get back to work."
<AndrewRogue> "And I must say, I now have at least 6 different concepts for an ampitheatre near the docks. I suspect this open air concept will best serve both our purposes. For what little I know of architecture, at least."
<Soppy> "Yes! I recall that. As I promised, I have discussed the issue with the local inns and craftsmen, and have a list prepared. It is a shorter list than I had hoped, but it should help to bring some money into your coffers. Particularly if they can be flexible." he fishes a piece of paper out of his robe and hands it over with the ten or so requests for singers, painters, and other trades
<Soppy> "I see. You have architects in your midst too? I should have suspected as much. Surely we can whittle down the numerous plans to something workable though." he nods
<AndrewRogue> He shall trade you a sheet with some rough concepts to be delivered to your local builders as well you and Lady Akeha. "Dilletantes, at least. I suspect we can defer to the grand expertise of your people." He scans the paper you delivered him. "I can see to it that we cover all this work satisfactory. I shall put out the call tonight."
<Soppy> "Excellent. Hopefully the limited number of slots won't cause infighting amongst you for the time being. But I suspect if you perform as well as your reputation has preceeded you, more work will come."
<AndrewRogue> "Ah, which reminds me." He fishes and delivers another piece of paper to you. "I believe you requested a list of those among us who might be able to imitate your local crafts?"
<Soppy> "Indeed." he takes it and scans it quickly, chuckling. "Nothing by halves, I suppose."
<AndrewRogue> "They should all be capable of doing the work, though they would need time to study it and make their final assessments, of course."
<Soppy> "So if I am to understand the meaning of this poem, you have no one availible?"
<Soppy> He speaks at almost the same time as Tora, and is a little caught off-guard.
<AndrewRogue> Tora blinks. "What?"
<Soppy> "Oh. You may have handed me the wrong piece of paper." he smiles gently and hands it back to him
<AndrewRogue> Tora takes it back and looks it over, frowning. "...ah. I do appear to have done that." He shall riffle back through the mess in the crux of his arms and makes a face as he jams the paper back into it. "I... will deliver the list to you later. My apologies."
<Soppy> He chuckles. "It is okay, Tora. It is admirable you follow in your mother's footsteps as much as you have walked down the martial path. Suizasho actually has a tradition of warrior poets. I would highly recommend you check the local bookstore for their works."
<AndrewRogue> He offers a somewhat lopsided smile. "Perhaps when we are better settled I shall have the time to investigate the works of Suizasho, but other matters are more important right now."
<Soppy> "Of course. Our masters have both so irresponsibly left town in this important time, and thusly goes our leisure time." he chuckles. "Was that poem for the lady, perchance?"
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol, a poet writes a poem for the sake of the art. It belongs to no individual." He offers a more genuine smile. "Besides, did that read as a poem intended for something like courtship?"
<AndrewRogue> "It was merely an exercise to take my mind off our current difficulties that, unfortunately, was written at the self-same desk on which I have been conducting business. An apt metaphor for the trials of attempting to mix work and pleasure, perhaps?"
<Soppy> "From a certain point of view. But I'll digress. If you should require a change of scenery, I would not mind hosting you at the office and introducing you to the local bureaucracy. To help build bonds of trust, of course."
<AndrewRogue> He bows. "I appreciate the offer, Master Vol. Is there anything else I might assist you with at this time?"
<Soppy> "Not at the moment. Everything going well with your people this day? Projects moving along?"
<AndrewRogue> "As well as can be expected. We are quite eager to make friends here in Inaba, which distracts many, but my mother's students are consummate professionals and still accomplish their tasks."
<Soppy> "Excellent. Both will be necessary tasks for the future of your people, I believe. So don't be TOO hard on them." he smiles. "If that is all, I will continue my walk. Don't hesistate to contact me if you need anything, Master Tora."
<AndrewRogue> "Of course, Master Vol. The same unto you."
<AndrewRogue> To the merchant district?
<Soppy> Of course. He'll motion his twin set of bodyguards, which were a concession to Akeha in his time as administrator, to follow
<AndrewRogue> Onward and upward! You are unbothered in the merchant district. It is busy and peaceful.
<Soppy> Woo
<AndrewRogue> Nightly meeting with Hana and Aiko?
<Soppy> Which brings us to the first of our nightly meetings?
<Soppy> Yup
<AndrewRogue> The old and young woman are waiting for you and, unfortunately, neither of them looks particularly happy.
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol." Hana says with a bow. "Vol." Aiko offers.
<Soppy> He expected this, of course. He smiles diplomatically to them and greets them formally. "Hana. Aiko. My greetings. Thank you for agreeing to these meetings. Lady Hakuhi and I meet quite often during the day to discuss things, but I figured it would be more manageable to gather you both once in the interm."
<AndrewRogue> Hana nods. "Of course. It is my pleasure, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko just makes a noise.
<Soppy> "So. It appears you have issues to bring to my attention, or at least opinions to voice. Aiko, why don't you start?"
<AndrewRogue> "There is a problem, and Lady Hana made a report that made it worse. There are items reported missing from the barracks. Not much, but enough for it to be unlikely the fools simply misplaced their belongings. Lady Hana reported to me this evening that some items from one of the warehouses may have also been spirited away, though she is quite unsure as to when it may have happened."
<AndrewRogue> The old woman takes it in stride. "My apologies Master Vol, but it was only discovered in the most recent inventory."
<Soppy> "Alright then. This would not be unusual under the old administration, but it does fly in the face of the strides we've made. May I ask what was taken?"
<AndrewRogue> "We lost weapons." Aiko snaps.
<Soppy> He nods, looking to Hana. "And in the warehouse?"
<AndrewRogue> "We appear to be short 3 sacks of rice, 2 of dried fish, a jar of pickled radishes, and both the crates of textiles we impounded from the merchant Aris Jor last month."
<AndrewRogue> "I currently have the inventory being redone, but I am confident that the first assessment was correct."
<Soppy> "The impound is located in a different warehouse than the food. So that would make three separate break-ins, correct?"
<AndrewRogue> "Yes." "Yes." They answer simultaneously.
<Soppy> "Are we sure the food is not due to a miscommunication from Lady Akeha's party taking them for their mission?"
<AndrewRogue> "It is not an impossibility, Master Vol. The manifests are accounted for, but if something extra were taken, it would certainly explain the matter."
<Soppy> "Well, we'll put that lower on the list of possibilities until the investigation concludes. The weapons are concerning. What exactly was taken, Aiko?"
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<AndrewRogue> "2 spears, 4 chopping swords, and 2 buff jackets are unaccounted for."
<AndrewRogue> She looks away. "They had been improperly stored after a training session."
<Soppy> "Hmm. The buff jackets may be hard to track, but the others are a little more difficult to conceal if one intends to use them. Still. Were were they improperly stored?"
<Soppy> Where were
<AndrewRogue> "The training yard. The individuals responsible were during cleanup. I have been unable to find out whether they simply forgot the items or they were taken from the unlocked training armory." She is unhappy and quite annoyed.
<Soppy> "I see. A mini-crime spree, as it were." he looks back to Hana. "Tell me about Aris Jor. Was he on the list of names Rishi provided to us that came to him regarding targeting the new administration?"
<AndrewRogue> Hana shakes her head. "Not to my knowledge. He was simply a petty cheat who had been avoiding taxes on goods up and down the Yellow River."
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<Soppy> "I suppose the value of the goods were also of no import? And no contraband was found in the shipment upon inspection?"
<AndrewRogue> "They were poor imitations of fashions from Nexus. Virtually worthless. If I recall the incident correctly, that could be said of most of what he carried and what he failed to disclose. I can, of course, have the report brought to you at your earliest convenience."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko taps her foot impatiently.
<Soppy> "Well, petty crime is a worry of cities everywhere. As are thefts of opportunity. Hana, if you can arrange some surprise inspections this week to search for the weapons, I would appreciate it. Aiko, impress upon your people the importance of properly putting things back in place?" he prods in jest
<AndrewRogue> Hana nods. "Of course, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko is far less amused. "They will not make that same mistake twice. However, Vol, you should understand that this is -exactly- the wrong time for a rash of thefts to occur."
<AndrewRogue> "I will make sure that among the White Fire none jump to conclusions that would shame Tetsuzuru-san, but I worry if this is not indeed the result of a mistake by the paper pushers in organizing Inaba's goods, we shall have a problem."
<Soppy> "I am aware. But if you'll remember, crimes such as these occurred at a much higher rate before Lady Hakuhi and I arrived, if they were even noticed at all. But your concern is noted." he sighs, considering things. "Yes. We will double-check things on our end, but as per our agreement we left the tracking of troop inventory to you after our original audit. But allow us let calm heads prevail, and investigate these things as they should be."
<AndrewRogue> "I will, of course, bow to your expertise in managing numbers and storage." Aiko says with a cool politeness. "And we will not rush into anything. I simply wish to make sure you understand the gravity of this. Should this spread beyond us, the trouble will be obvious."
<Soppy> "I am curious, what you think the trouble will be and how quickly it will spiral out of control?"
<AndrewRogue> "Should word get out and such incidents continue, blame will undoubtedly fall to Inaba's newest arrivals, no matter how foolish an idea it is."
<Soppy> "Of course. And we should work to prevent anyone with an agenda from hampering the process." he looks to Hana. "Ensure that no one makes counts alone on the follow-up inventories. We might catch something that way."
<AndrewRogue> That one actually catches Hana a little by surprise, but the old woman nods. "Of course."
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<Soppy> He shrugs, "Perhaps an excess of initiative, I'll admit."
<AndrewRogue> "No. My apologies, Master Vol. It is a wise choice that I regretfully did not consider myself."
<Soppy> He looks to Aiko. "I will leave it to your discretion to ensure this doesn't happen again on your end as well."
<AndrewRogue> "It will not." She says.
<Soppy> "I'll take you at your word on that, Lady Aiko." he gives her the first look that might be considered stern
<AndrewRogue> "You already have it."
<AndrewRogue> The pair have nothing else of note to report!
<Soppy> roll 4#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 4#d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}
<Soppy> 2 successes
<Soppy> Or 3
<Soppy> 3 successes
<Soppy> roll 1#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 1#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Soppy> 4 successes
<AndrewRogue> 10#d10
<AndrewRogue> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Soppy> So close
<AndrewRogue> To what? You enjoy a pleasant walk home.
<Soppy> I see
<AndrewRogue> Sleep tight, Vol.
<Soppy> Heh
<Soppy> And no one ate dinner that night
-
Lee smiles, advancing to remove the stopped from the blue-tinted bottle of wine, such that she may respectfully pour it upon the altar and allow it to drink into the river. With a raise hand, she signals her crew to begin a gentle song that evokes a simpler, peaceful time- a comforting melody that is an entire world apart from the much more impassioned compositions those present may have heard in the past.
As the strings and peaceful flute merge with the land and transform their surroundings, Lee adds her voice to the fray- long notes, individual words that rise and fall slowly over time, encapsulating a world of emotion within the breath.
Praise for the deepest rivers
Running still, a mirror to the world
Showing to us our depths through yours
Oh! Gleaming with the sun's carress, you coyly hide your face
But we feel through the smoothness of your surface
Your blessings as we float on by
Never forgetting us
For the depths remember all
Through mists and fog
Rock and beast
Guide us with your love
And your tranquil, quiet strength
For the world and time are rivers too,
And as their trials are unending
Gentle Si, teach us to step through danger
Towards the shining lands beyond the hill
OOC: Inspire attempt, using performance+charisma to try and inspire hope in everyone present, attempting to play off intimacies to Si. Using Masterful Performance Exercise,Perfect Harmony Technique, and 2m of performance excellency on the roll (cost reduced to 1 by HPM). Total pool inclusive stunt will be 11(perf+cha+speciality) + 3 (harmonious presence meditation) + 2 (excellency) + 2 (stunt), with +1 success, rerolled 1s, and double 9s, costing 3 motes. phew.)
('Everyone' includes the actual goddess if metaphysically possible, since this hymn is also a form of prayer...)
[19:42] <Kallen> .ex 18 d9
[19:42] <Luna> Kallen: 18 d9: [1: 1, 2: 2, 3: 3, 4: 3, 6: 2, 9: 4, 10: 3] - 14 Successes
[19:42] <Kallen> .ex 1
[19:42] <Luna> Kallen: 1: [10: 1] - 2 Successes
17 successes total.
-
The performers lapse into a peaceful, smiling silence. Patroklia will step up to reclaim the wine from you.
Although the petitioners do not look up from their prayers, the observant can see their shoulders occasionally shake with gently restrained sobs.
Even the priest wipes at his eyes. "A beautiful tribute to a kind goddess. These ears feel unworthy to have heard it."
"Warm and wise words should be heard by all," comes from a voice by the riverside. Standing at the edge of the river is a tall woman, her ebony hair cascading down her shoulders and over the azure robes that seem to ripple and flow. She smiles faintly at all in attendance.
The priest kneels and the petitioners, having turned, also kneel.
"It has been some time since I have heard such beautiful words uttered in my name. I welcome you and yours to my domain."
-
Lee turns to the approach goddess, offering her a bow rather than genuflecting; never again, she suspects, will she go so low for a terrestrial deity. But there's nothing wrong with being polite.
"We brave and lucky few are pleased to greet you, Tranquil Si," she says. "I am Lee Aaeiko, Priestess of the Unconquered Sun. Forever may he illuminate the sky and chase away darkness, in and out our hearts. My compatriots and I have heard of dire news from these lands, and now, from places near and far, we have come to see for ourselves, to lend our hands and shoulders if need be. For there are things in the world that must be protected, never besmirched."
-
"I am Akeha Tetsuzuru, daughter of Iron Crane on the banks of the Silver River." Akeha bows more deeply than Lee had, but likewise treats Si more as a revered elder than as an overwhelmingly superior being.
"As the Unconquered Sun does shine all the same on my home river and your tranquil demesne, so I feel compelled to offer my arm in aid to our neighbors upon the news that foul unbeings had inflicted themselves on the noble Nine Rivers. Please accept our presence in the spirit of charitable concern, for our waters flow closely together."
-
She looks at you curiously, and then adjusts her tone. "It is my pleasure, Priestess Aaeiko. The Land of Nine Rivers is one that wishes to welcome visitors, even in these troubled times." As she advances, it is possible to see that the surface of her robes really do seem to move, with lilies floating over them and perhaps even the dark wisps of fish within their depths. "You speak brave words, though you know not the truth of the ill that poisons our land. The rot of the Wyld seeps through our land, and though we wish to wash it away, we must bide our time, for the one who sang us such lovely songs and won our treasures is the one who now welcomes the taint that poisons our source."
She offers Akeha a smile. "Welcome, child of the Proud Silver. Your promise of aid is welcome, but think carefully about such things before you say them. To rush into things often delivers one to their end faster."
-
Rishi is immediately distracted from his question as Lee begins her song, enraptured by the melody despite being unable to understand the lyrics. He tears up a little, and wipes away the tear as he quietly applauds.
As the strange figure appears and begins conversing in two separate languages, one with Lee and one with Akeha, Rishi moves to be with the two of them and follows their lead in bowing, though he remains silent so as not to interrupt their conversations.
-
"Trouble comes whether we wish it or not, and without action is like a weed. The Wyld more so," replies Lee, drifting a step closer to the goddess. "Tell of this one, this singer who charmed you so. For to use song for perfidy and the spreading of epitomized disaster is a terrible event that strikes directly to my core, beyond even ordinary devotion."
-
"He came to our home long ago, with a clear and pure voice that charmed all those who heard it. The fools who ruled the land were won over by his gentle words and soft smile, and we the same. He hid it well, but we could see the glimmers of the shining light of the Unconquered Sun burning within him. But we welcomed him and his warm voice and simple promises. We entrusted our lands to him, and, eventually, our sacred treasures. So kind, he was. Too kind, perhaps."
"The things he could not change ate at him, and he began to lose himself in worldly pleasures, unable to see beyond each moment's joy. When the fae came, they offered him new joys, and filled his ears with whispers and promises, and he has traded his lands and his people to have them fulfilled. I once hoped his senses might return, but fear little remains of the kind man who ruled Nine Rivers remains. He barters the lives of those on the edges of our land and opens the door to the lands beyond Creation wider by the day."
"But impetuous action has already cost the lives of two of my sisters, one lost for fury, one lost for love. I, Patient Si, bide my time and wait and for that my own banks are spared that my people might live longer and see the day when his madness is ended and the Fae banished."
-
"It cannot be so!" declares Lee, with an uncharacteristic hint of anger. "The Unconquered Sun does not bestow his gifts on those who would turn them to the service of chaos!"
-
"As filth can be washed away and reveal unknown beauty, so too can the purest river be choked with mud and weeds." Si meets Lee's eyes levelly.
-
"I cannot accept this! Where can I find this ruler?" demands Lee, becoming agitated; her words reverberate through the air, causing reeds to stir and the waters to ripple. "I will uncover the truth! I will destroy someone presumptuous enough to wield the Unconquered Sun's holy name in inequity!"
-
The people, once enraptured by the conversation now seem nervous, but Si is unperturbed.
"You seek Fang Deshi, the one granted title of Lord of Nine Rivers by those he has now betrayed. But you would be wise to temper your fury. Of course, I shall not stop you from whatever course you choose. The heart pf Nine Rivers is in the mountains to the south, and there the hedonistic lord waits."
-
Lee brushes a string of hair out of her eyes. "You may be assured that we shall determine the truth," Lee replies. "Do not think our fury will blind us. A calm heart can endure gross injustice and see stand watch through the night to see the dawn. But only rage can cleanse monstrosity. My thanks for your news, Tranquil One."
-
"May the waters of myself and my sisters carry you safely to whatsoever destination you seek." She smiles, though there is a trace of sadness in it.
She turns to the people who have been less involved in the onversation. "Be well, daughter of the Proud Silver and my devout people. Walk carefully and bear what weight you must for now, for river's flow is unending. No pain is eternal." Assuming no interjections she shall step back towards the river, her form seeming to melt as she strides deeper into it until there is nary but the ripples of water left.
-
Lee turns and talks back towards the ship. "She says that the Lord of Nine Rivers is touched by the Unconquered Sun and possesses a compelling tongue, yet she claims he has given into base urges to such an extent that he now trades souls with the Fair Folk in return for new pleasures," she tells her companions. "I intend to go to this man and find out the truth."
-
"Another of the Sunborn?" Akeha wonders aloud, frowning. "He must have gone mad."
"I agree completely, we should seek fallen cousin of ours, and determine his state... and if necessary, deliver him from whatever curse befalls him, however we can," she adds grimly. "And to do so with the holy blessing of Si's tranquil waters, at her ascent to our possibly violent interdiction of such horrors."
-
"He must have been enraptured by the Fair Folk, or perhaps he is some other kind of entity," Lee insists. "At the heart of all this is a lie, I am certain!"
-
Akeha glances sideways at Lee. "Are you sure? Isn't this precisely what the tales say can happen to our kind?" she muses, shaking her head. "I hardly think we are immutable forces more pure than the Gods themselves."
-
"There are tales for everything!" Lee exclaims. "Typically used to frighten children or as an excuse for a corrupt hegemony! Such stories are always turned to the use of local powers and grow far beyond the bounds of truth in time. I should know. I used to tell them.
"But I do believe this, with all my heart. Lady Hakuhi, we must have been Chosen for a higher purpose. The Unconquered Sun is sacrosanct- a god of gods, if you will, pure in a way most gods no longer even strive to achieve."
"I can accept many possibilities, even that one of us could be somehow misled or ensorcelled. But that we are all set on a path to abject failure, or worse, evil, is not one to consider. Otherwise, what is the point of us? If our achievements will inevitably turn to blood-soaked dust, there is no reason for us to be here!
"I cannot believe that. We must be different to this Lord of the Nine Rivers, and by meeting him we will be able to draw a clear line between us, and the legends of the Anathema. It's something, I think, we all need to witness."
-
Rishi shrugs along with the conversation,. "I don't really care if this guy is a Solar, a Dragon-blooded, a god, a spirit, demon, Fair Folk, whatever. All I care about is if he is truly bargaining off innocent civilians. If he is, I'm doing my job and that's that." Rishi grips his sword's hilt tight as he walks back onto the boat.
-
"Perhaps not inevitable, but perhaps whatever the Anathema curse was remains a threat," she shrugs. "What is the point of our power if we are so easily deceived and ensorcelled by chaos? I think you have abandoned one dogma for another, and I think we fall short of yet proving worthy of dogma," Akeha laughs bitterly. "Explore the Light of the Unconquered Sun with me, Lady Aaeiko, but I beg you - do not project hope borne of despair in the Gods onto ourselves yet."
-
"People need to believe in righteousness," insists Lee, stepping back onto the boat. "But abstract principles are not enough for the common man. They must be embodied by people- or gods, and shown through demonstrative acts. If not by us, then who?"
"Let me assure you of one thing. When tyranny is in evidence, me and mine will not balk from confronting it. So. We will see, and pray."
-
"We certainly will," Akeha agrees, stepping back onto the boat with everyone else, and signalling the samurai to follow suit if any had gotten off. At least they had an objective now.
-
((OOC: Boat folks, could you all give me Awareness? Sight specialties apply. Our airborne scouts may have +2 dice. This is about a day and some change after the previous scene.))
-
[23:33] <May> roll 6#d10
[23:33] <Tarubot> May rolled : 6#d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
Now more concerned than ewver with their safety, Akeha is often found near the front of the boat, watching the waves and shore slide past with her blue jadesteal tipped spear leaning against her shoulder. She seemed a touch sullen about the task ahead of them, but none the less determined to see it through after talking to the river's goddess.
-
Seated on the railing of the ship, Lee strums her sanxian to while away the time of their passage. The voice is not coming today, but even so she can still produce a slow tune laden with pregnant serenity.
[15:36] <Pluck> Roll 6#1d10
[15:36] <Tarubot> Pluck rolled : 6#1d10 --> [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}
-
After mention of a need for his special services, Rishi is constantly alert and scanning the area from above for any signs of trouble, his eyes darting around and his awakened senses working at full capacity to process every minute detail in mere fractions of seconds.
OOC: Activating Sensory Acuity Prana from Personal pool every hour, so it is effectively committed constantly.
<Magey> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Magey rolled :1,0 9#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}
4 Successes. Also, Difficulty 2-3 checks made without need for a roll, will get +2 dice to notice hidden persons or devices, and the Difficulty of seeing in poor visibility conditions is dropped by 1.
-
Those on the Boat
A few thin plumes of thick black smoke rise a ways in from the river, beyond the thick, drooping willows that line the banks.
Rishi
Obviously you catch that as well, but your vantage gives you a little more information. It appears to be coming from a small village a bit inland. A building or two on the edge of it smolders. People appear to be gathered in the center, though from here it is difficult to tell what they are doing. Not rioting or fighting, at least?
-
A discordant note stirs Lee from her focus, and she stands up to stare at fire's offerings.
"Aerial masters!" she calls, projecting her voice towards the sky. "From what source comes the flame?"
-
As Rishi spots the embers, he requests Khun temporarily lower the cloud.
As they get within talking distance of those on the boat, Rishi pipes up. "There's a small village a little inland. The people are gathered at the center, but they do not fight or riot. Despite that, however, a couple of buildings on the edge of the city are the source of the smoke. Perhaps Akeha, you and I should swap places and you and Khun go investigate? They don't seem violent, and you are the figurehead of this whole operation. Would probably look better if you went than I?" Rishi's voice gets noticeably uncertain with that last sentence.
-
"That's a good idea," Lee says, glancing at Akeha. "We can head over to join you on foot shortly."
-
"It's a plan," Akeha agrees, hefting her spear over her shoulder and trading places with Rishi to float through the sky on towards the signs of destruction.
-
Cloud Riders
As you close the distance, the group of people doesn't appear to be a mob, so much as an organized crowd, facing a pair of people. Even from a distance their garb seems strange, looking a bit like cloaks made of leaves and flowers. How're you gonna keep coming up?
Boat Riders
The boatsmen put to work immediately, searching for a suitable place to dock while the samurai set about arming themselves.
Patroklia approaches Lee. "Shall we all go, sensei?"
-
"Please, bring us closer, Master Zhao, wqe need hear what they say," Akeha insists quietly, gripping her spear a little more tightly.
-
Cloud Riders
He nods and will bring the cloud low and wide, trying to use the coverage of some of the trees to get near without being obvious.
((OOC: Gimme Awareness + Perception, Hearing. You want 2 to get some safe distance hearing. Less and you'll need to put yourself in a riskier position to listen in.))
-
((OOC:
[22:58] <May> roll 6#d10
[22:58] <Tarubot> May rolled : 6#d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
3 Successes))
-
"No," replies Lee, shaking her head. "We can't leave the Sound-From-Fire unattended in potentially treacherous waters. You will come with Rishi and I, however," she muses. "Hail, armsmen!" she calls out, in Forest-Tongue. "Could one of your number please accompany us on foot towards the embers?"
-
Cloud Riders
Though it is difficult to hear from the somewhat distant vantage, your effort is helped both by the fact that your senses are much sharper than average, as well as the fact that the strangely dressed figures enunciate quite well over the silent crowd.
"...line up to be checked. Yes, yes, each and every one of you shall be checked until we find the last of the vermin. Fear not, for your brave lord guarantees your safety. Provided, at least, you do not harbor the rat we seek. Now, come, line up. That is what we want them to do, yes?" The green does not limit itself to their clothes, instead coloring the skin as well.
"Yes, that is how you check a crowd like this. They form a line, any who fail to do such become our food, yes." The other replies.
The crowd begins to shuffle and line up with minimal fussing.
Boat Folks
Patroklia bows deeply. Thank you, sensei I shall not fail you."
The samurai converse among themselves for a moment before one steps forward. "I am Kaneo Yozo, and among those gathered here, I am the strongest with the sword. I shall guard you in Tetsuzuru-san's stead." The tall man, with his black hair neatly trimmed, bows deeply.
-
"Support me with whatever sorcery you can, Master Zhao," Akeha asks, before dropping and flipping off the cloud, gathering essence from her inner soul to lighten her steps, and bound through the branches with no more weight and encumbrance than a squirrel. Closing the distance to the crowd and their captors, Akeha leaps from the trees to the ground, the massive spear Chidori rests across her shoulders, blue jadesteel shimmering in the sun in spite of the oily smoke.
"I'm afraid that to find vermin, you'll have to look more closely at yourselves," she pronounces, standing tall with white hair flowing in the wind. "And for food, you'll have naught but steel fed through your bellies in a decidedly unpleasant fashion."
-
Cloud Folks
The two exchange an odd look at you.
"Is she the vermin?" the first speaker asks?
"No, for the vermin hides in the skin of others to avoid fighting us. It would not so openly challenge us."
The first speaker nods and then waves a dismissive hand in Akeha's direction. "Could you please hold your nonsense for a time? We would so hate to lose the vermin."
The peasants, of course, are quite startled and shocked and nigh panicked by your arrival. But, surprisingly, they do not bolt.
-
"I am reassured and honoured," replies Lee, bowing in turn to the heroic swordsman. "Come, let us move with alacrity, for who knows what bloodshed smoke can harbour? Golden fires ever guide me, but red fires speak of death."
So saying, she disembarks and sets out at a brisk pace. "Master Rishi. I have considered our earlier discussion," she says. "I wish to question you more deeply on what you consider to be righteous action, for if we're to stride through Creation together we had best be in accord."
-
"No."
In a blur of motion, the spear is tilted off her shoulders and into her hands, Akeha moving impossibly fast as the three bladed spear lunges out for the nearest of the two creatures that spoke of consuming the villagers. The thrust is direct, unhesitating and driven like a blue bolt of lightining chased by a white tail towards the enemy.
((OOC: +3 Excellency to JB
[23:10] <May> roll 11#d10 join battle
[23:10] <Tarubot> May rolled : 11#d10 join battle --> [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
9 successes + 3 = Init 12))
-
Rishi follows along with Lee, making sure to keep exactly to her pace. "There are many ways to interpret 'righteous action.' What kind were you hoping to discuss?"
-
"That's exactly the point, all have a different view," replies Lee.
"What is worth killing for? And what is worth dying for? And are they the same thing?
"To answer these questions is at the root of what we call righteousness. Because righteousness, justice and law grow from one another and become the bedrock of a society, a nation. In short, what you will kill, you say everyone may kill for. What you would die for, you say everyone should die for. I," she adds, "Hold two tenets above all else.
"First, that people should be free to speak and sing words and songs however they wish, and those who try to stop them from doing so must be thwarted. If the parent demands silence, speak; if the ruler denies talk of a better life, talk of it anyway, as loudly as one can. It's silence that's the ally of tyranny- and that brings me to my second place.
"Second, those who rule capriciously- who seek to use the people as their indoctrinated slaves to engineer their own personal vices, whether material or otherwise in nature- are the worst of all rulers and must be confronted in word and deed. Only one who is prepared to die in order to do so can hope to topple such a ruler, though they may not live to see it... such is my theory. What is truly sad is that here, even the slaves may need to be fought, for they are blind and cannot see their own chains.
Lee pauses. "The other ills that plague a society, I feel, can only continue to do so as long as people are silent and as long as people are cowards. Poor organisation that leads to famine. Ruinous taxation. Criminal activity. Corruption. Wars of conquest. Rampant execution, religious persecution..."
-
"Hmm..." Rishi ponders Lee's words for a bit before responding.
"To answer your questions, I feel like I should expand upon your understanding of silence."
"I have been to quite a few lands in my time, and many things hold true across them all. Silence is never truly silence. If a populace is happy, and singing, and never speaks beyond the superficial, that is real silence. But if a populace is silent and won't speak, won't look each other in the eye? That speaks volumes."
"As for what that leads to, well, it leads to a desire to understand if the people are truly suffering. If they suffer, the cause of it must fall. If they don't, and it just happens to be a bad day or week, then there is no problem."
"And what is worth dying for? I say nothing. Death leads only to grief. If I were to attempt to free a people and I died before or while accomplishing it, I could no longer help free other people. It is better to retreat, regroup, and try again another time. Though, no, I don't think slaves need be fought. Fended off, perhaps, but not fought. There is a reason I have taken up the profession I'm in, and that is so that I can topple the unjust rulers and thugs with minimal bloodshed. A single arrow can accomplish the same as an entire war, is my personal belief."
-
Cloud Riders
<@AndrewRogue> roll 11#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 11#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}
<@AndrewRogue> roll 11#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 11#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}
Initiative
Akeha: 12
Thing 2: 11
Thing 1: 10
-
"People wear all kinds of masks," Lee allows. "And speak the same tune their fellows do. In truth, that kind of life means subordinating your own thoughts to those of group. Certainly, people want to live in harmony and that should be applauded. But it can mask deeper concerns...
She sighs. "As for the causes of suffering, well. Few people truly rule alone. Even the most heinous monarch has an army of servants and minions who do his bidding and make his will manifest. Kill him, and who's to say another won't take his place. Purging the lot of them is an option, but one had better know them well, to be sure they're not in error." Lee shakes her head.
"Besides, who's to say that those who he's enraptured won't see his death as a grievous terrible event that demands vengeance? As you say, 'death only leads to grief'. That's why it's not enough to kill, but one needs to speak, to talk, to force the evil to announce their ways and, in turn, repudiate them. I have decided that I am willing to die to speak those words to power, to tell them why they are mistaken and more important to tell the people they rule how they've been misled, and how they can be put right. And to try and destroy them, if it is clear that none can be convinced. Because, you know- in any performance, the timing and the stage are key. A good chance to reach people's hearts shouldn't be turned down just because it's dangerous.
"I think that your ways are correct in the case where there are many who would bless that arrow's flight. But I fear that when we reach this capital, we'll not see a city of people crying out for help, but of dupes and perhaps fanatics. Every society in the world holds loyalty unto death as a strong virtue, and I'm sure this one is no different. The songs of the fair ones can twist hearts as well as mine can stir them, and who knows what this Lord of Nine Rivers can do. If we simply kill him, we could invite a terrible outcome within moments. And even if we cow the populace with our gifts and might, it is us who must become the tyrants in turn."
-
Elated that she's caught them by some measure of surprise, Akeha thrusts her spear straight into one of the creatures, throwing herself and her Essence into the attack with a sudden flaring of her anima. A blue tipped commet of white-gold fire roars through the still air of the village, aimed squarely for the fastest moving of the creatures that had threatened to eat the villagers!
((OOC: Piercing Withering attack so -4 to their Soak, -1 to my defense, cost 1 init; Excellent Strike (3 motes, +1 success, reroll 1s), Full Melee Excellency (9 motes), and Fire and Stone Strike for damage (3 motes).
[18:23] <Tarubot> May rolled : 20#d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9},
[18:23] <Tarubot> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
[18:23] <May> roll 4#d10
[18:23] <Tarubot> May rolled : 4#d10 --> [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
[18:24] <May> roll 1#d10
[18:24] <Tarubot> May rolled : 1#d10 --> [ 1d10=6 ]{6}
[18:26] <May> roll 1#d10
[18:26] <Tarubot> May rolled : 1#d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
(last one is a forgotten stunt die)
18 successes to hit. Dmg is 14+Str 3 +3 for charm + threshold dice -Soak (which is -4)))
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Cloud Riders
((OOC: 21 Dice for damage))
-
((OOC:
[18:49] <May> .ex 21
[18:49] <Luna> May: 21: [2: 2, 3: 4, 4: 2, 5: 3, 6: 3, 8: 2, 9: 2, 10: 3] - 10 Successes))
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Cloud Riders
Initiative
Akeha: 23
Thing 1: 10
Thing 2: 1
The brilliant glow catches both of the things off-guard, and it is only by superhuman movement that the second thing manages to interpose it's twisted blade between itself and instant death. "What?"
The first reacts quickly, stepping forward, it's own blade arcing to remove your head. "I didn't think another of the sunborn lived in these lands! Interesting, interesting!"
((OOC: 16 Dice coming your way. No charms. Stunt away if you want too.))
In the meantime, the crowd is FREAKED at this point, and full blown panic has fallen upon them as they decide maybe bailing IS the correct answer.
-
Whirling her spear crossways, Akeha's hands slide across the leather wrapped orichalcum haft, thrusting the three bladed head out to catch and shove away the impending blade as she backpedals from her initial assault!
((OOC: Dipping Swallow Defense, 2m, to remove any penalties to my defense))
-
"I can understand where you are coming from, and I wish I could see things in so many shades. Sadly, I have lost that ability a while ago, and now I only see in black and white. You are either harmful to the masses, in which case you must be eliminated, or you are not harmful to the masses, in which case fate may do as it will."
He spends a few seconds pondering how best to word his next few sentences. "Let's take this Awakened ruler, for an example. If he has sold his people for his own desires, he must be eliminated and I will eliminate him, no doubt. And if we get to his capital, and the residents there all heartily agree with his ways and even partake in them as well, then they are just as evil, just as rotten, and just as worthy of elimination. I take this on a person-by-person basis, however."
"Just because one reaps the rewards of an evil undertaking does not necessarily make them evil, and certainly there may be corruption or stains on one's soul that do not merit death, but instead merit atonement. My employees back in Inaba are one such case, where they atone for their past misdeeds through hard labour and making the world a better place." Rishi smiles as he thinks of the happy citizens his work has brought him face to face with. "There is evil, or there is no evil. If they are not evil, then I typically don't tend to care overly much about them, except that evil does not rule them. Does that make any sense? I know I can ramble..." Rishi scratches the back of his head with a nervous smile.
-
"But what if that is truly the case?" presses Lee. "What if an entire society holds and partakes openly in inequitable behaviour? What if the ruling monarch engages in an unjust act- the murder of an innocent, for example- and the people praise that act rather than condemn it, cheer it on and curse the name of the deceased?
"Killing the ruler would invite chaos, and the people would be hurt in the ensuing succession. Would you strike against this bloodstained king and prompt a tumult, or would you spare him for the sake of order? Of course, such a ruler is not about to admit to fault or seek atonement for his deeds, for a king knows he cannot submit to a foreigner's justice or he will soon lose his crown."
-
Cloud Riders
<@AndrewRogue> .ex 16
<Luna> AndrewRogue: 16: [1: 1, 2: 3, 3: 2, 4: 1, 5: 2, 6: 1, 7: 3, 8: 3] - 6 Successes
<@AndrewRogue> .ex 16
<Luna> AndrewRogue: 16: [1: 2, 2: 3, 3: 1, 4: 3, 5: 1, 6: 1, 7: 1, 8: 2, 10: 2] - 7 Successes
<@AndrewRogue> .ex 8
<Luna> AndrewRogue: 8: [1: 2, 2: 1, 4: 1, 5: 1, 6: 2, 8: 1] - 1 Success
(2 total damage)
Initiative
Akeha: 22
Thing 1: 12
Thing 2: 1
To the thing's surprise, you are far swifter than anticipated. Still, the strength behind the swipe is unexpected and you are pushed back ever so slightly, forced to give an inch of ground.
The other creature, recovered from its surprise, launches a similar strike, aiming low where it's companion aimed high. "We shall take it's head, yes?"
((OOC: 16 more dice coming at you. No charms. You are currently at -1 Onslaught. There was minimal use for it last round if you hadn't actually wanted to use it.))
-
Akeha's direlance is a blur of motion as she weaves a defense against the two creatures, waves of white fire edged with blue warding off attacks in sweeping arcs. Keeping her distance, she uses the tip of her spear to catch their attacks well before they can threaten her directly.
((OOC: Dipping Swallow Defense again, 2m to cancel penalties.))
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Cloud Riders
Initiative
Akeha: 23
Thing 1: 12
Thing 2: 1
Your direlance is like a shield, easily catching the blade and slipping it aside.
-
One opponent clearly off balance and the other a more obvious threat, Akeha turns her attention to the beast that had pushed her back, her aura flaring in white gold fire that twisted around Chidori like a whirlwind as she thrust it straight for the creature's throat!
((OOC: Excellent Strike (3m), 6m Excellency, Fire and Stone Strike 3m to transfer up to 3 extra sucesses from to hit to damage))
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Cloud Riders
Initiative
Akeha: 3
Thing 1: 12; 14 Damage
Thing 2: 1
The blade digs deep into green flesh, but too late you realize that the creature had shifted its weight just enough to avoid a fatal blow, even as ichor oozes from it. "Impossible!" is gurgles, clasping a free hand to the open wound.
The thing attempts to leap backwards and open the distance between you and it, but it's movements are slowed by the wound.
((OOC: Disengage attempt. Athletics + Dex to oppose
<Tarubot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 6#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}
2 Successes.))
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(Former) Boat Riders
Patroklia hums cheerily as she walks, listening in to the conversation. "One man's butcher is another man's hero, Master Rishi. And one man's hero is another man's butcher. To see the world in black and white is strange to me, for each action we take stretches beyond our perception, rippling infinitely outward. If you kill a bad man and his family starves, do you not bear responsibility for their lives? You would be a hero to some indeed, but I think the mother of a mewling babe now destined to starve might curse you as a devil."
Yozo merely shakes his head a little, his hand resting on his sword hilt as he keeps his focus on the path ahead.
-
Rishi attempts an innocent smile as he turns to speak to Patroklia. "I suppose you may be right, though philosophy still has little to do with me. My skills are not useful for swaying hearts, and I am okay with that. I do not need to be heeded as a hero to believe in the good I do." He eyes Yozo a little as he speaks his next words, smiling halfheartedly. "I may be called a monster, a sellsword, a demon, a necessary evil, a foreigner... However, what I am called does not change what I am, who I am, what I have done, nor what my skills are."
As they begin getting closer, Rishi notices some of the landmarks somewhat near to the village. "We seem to be getting closer. If we are to continue talking, we should do so quietly."
-
Akeha grins with the elation of combat, letting the creature step out of her range and orienting closer to the far more off balance one in spite of the deep wound. She was a bit overextended, and eyed both of them warily. Filled with the power of the Unconquered Sun, she is surrounded in a blazing aura of flame, white hair aglow and ichor dripping from her spear. "I will end your taint on Creation, Un-beasts," she hisses.
-
Cloud Riders
Initiative
Akeha: 3
Thing 1: 10; 14 Damage
Thing 2: 1
The other thing will also attempt to pull back from the encounter, making to spring quickly after its ally.
((OOC: Disengage attempt. I'm assuming the roll in chat was your counter? As such, he fails.))
<@AndrewRogue> .ex 8
<Luna> AndrewRogue: 8: [2: 4, 4: 1, 5: 1, 6: 1, 8: 1] - 1 Success
<May> .ex 8
<Luna> May: 8: [1: 2, 2: 1, 4: 2, 6: 1, 7: 1, 10: 1] - 3 Successes
Initiative
Thing 1: 10; 14 Damage; Short Range
Akeha: 8
Thing 2: -6
Thing 1 will continue to bail as fast as possible, his leaves rustling with the speed of his departure.
The crowd is doing its best to scatter still.
Former Boat Riders
At about this point, what with Rishi having murder hearing, I believeyou guys will get the first inklings of trouble, what with distant shouting and all.
-
As the group presses on, through the silence Rishi is able to make out the sounds of the villagers, their voices faintly drifting to him through the wind. He turns sharply to the others, "Trouble!" and snaps his hands to his bow, pulling it out and stringing it as he leaps into the trees, bounding from branch to branch, climbing ever higher with his newly heightened athletic abilities until he's able to get high and close enough to have a clear view of the village with his sharpened senses, one arrow already knocked and ready to be drawn.
-
Lee puts aside her disquieting considerations; considering that they are rushing into trouble, she wastes no-time unleashing a battle-cry as she rushes in Rishi's wake!
-
((OOC: At full go, let's say... 3 rounds will land you at the village proper. We'll adjust if the battle moves towards you.))
-
<AndrewRogue> We shall pick up on the same day as Lady Akeha's departure. Are there any particular orders of the day you have to make sure of in your normal beauracratic affairs, Vol?
<Soppy> He has his routine, morning at the docks, afternoon in the office, visit the refugees, merchant district before dinner, office again at night. He won't really go out of his way to do anything special yet, and will use this to test his apparatus as it stands to see if it holds under the stress.
<Soppy> Not having to meet Akeha for her morning and nightly report frees up some time, but he will probably use the night slot for a joint meeting with Aiko and Hana.
<AndrewRogue> Then let us go a bit through the day. In the morning, the docks bustle as normal, fishers prepping for their days, merchants beginning the loading and unloading of goods.
<Soppy> Excellent! So far, so good!
<AndrewRogue> The faint fingers of fog burn off as the day progresses. All reports indicate that things are about as busy as expected.
<AndrewRogue> So apparently the rumors of Nine Rivers being a monster infested hell on Creation are vastly overrated.
<Soppy> Woo
<AndrewRogue> To the office. Your subordinates/compatriots/paper pushers are busy looking over various legal documents, crunching numbers, doing all that sort of stuff.
<AndrewRogue> However, one of the younger staff members will call for your attention. He's a plain boy, a little hard to remember. Hiroe, maybe?
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol? May I have a moment of your time?"
<Soppy> "Yes, Hiroe?" he looks to him, name coming to mind immediately. It's not a huge office. "What's on your mind?"
<AndrewRogue> "I apologize for taking your time, but I wished to speak with you regarding the... refugees."
<Soppy> "That's alright. What is the issue?"
<AndrewRogue> "While I do not wish to question Tetsuzuru-san's civic mindedness or your own expertise, Master Vol, I fear the impact that this sudden influx of people is going to have on our economic safety. The contract you have established with them is quite generous, and we will be funneling a great deal of resources to them to help them establish themselves."
<AndrewRogue> "We are essentially bringing on beggars with the hope that they will both be able to repay an immense kindness through, again, our efforts. We must shelter them and carve out a niche for them in the same strokes."
<AndrewRogue> "What if the rumors of the trouble in Nine Rivers are true and trade dries? What if our coming harvests are disasterous? What if a dragon should swallow the fish in our river?"
<AndrewRogue> "There are a hundred curses that could befall us, and we leave ourselves all the more vulnerable now."
<Soppy> "It's a fair point to make, Hiroe. A calculated risk, admittedly. However, it is just the kind of kickstart the Inaban economy needs. The only drought we've suffered recently is in terms of population, if the figures I've seen can be trusted. Trade stagnated either on purpose, due to Suizasho's policy, or the indolence or ineptness of previous administrations. An influx of population can both benefit our town's economy once they get
<Soppy> on their feet, as well as assist in making our town a more desirable stop for trade traffic. The use of the long stored materials already creates a demand for replacement material the town can fill. The food is a concern, as always, but we've been tracking alternate suppliers from trade prices in case it becomes necessary to import food. A plan for the new worst case scenario is being developed, but let's not give in to our panic
<Soppy> so soon, shall we, Hiroe?" he smiles reassuringly to him
<Soppy> roll 11#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 11#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}
<AndrewRogue> The young man looks askance for a moment before bowing. "I suppose that is reasonable, Master Vol. I still have my concerns, but I shall defer to your expertise for the time being."
<AndrewRogue> "Thank you for your time. I shall have the sales reports ready by this evening."
<Soppy> "Of course. Do keep vigilant on the numbers, though. If you have specific concerns in the future, don't hesitate to inform me."
<AndrewRogue> "Of course, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> Everything else seems reasonably in order at the office. Onto the refugees?
<Soppy> Sure
<AndrewRogue> Tora is having a conversation with a red-headed woman at the time of your arrival, but he breaks it off with a polite nod as he catches your approach. "Ah, the master of the contract arrives!" He says with a smile.
<Soppy> He smiles in greeting to them both as he approaches, noting the red head's presence again at Tora's side. "Greetings, Master Tora. And who is this lovely lady?"
<AndrewRogue> She bows ever so slightly. "Subaki, Master Vol. One of Rishi's readers."
<AndrewRogue> Her Forest-Tongue is heavily accented, but not too difficult to understand.
<Soppy> "Ah yes. I recall him speaking of you. It is good to meet you finally." he bows back. "So it sounds like you have something for me already, Tora?"
<AndrewRogue> She smiles brightly and excuses herself.
<AndrewRogue> "Hm? Ah. Yes. I have been involve in interminable discussions with the others determining our particular needs and how they might be best met. While I would have rather discussed our housing arrangements, artists will be artists and they are most eager to get back to work."
<AndrewRogue> "And I must say, I now have at least 6 different concepts for an ampitheatre near the docks. I suspect this open air concept will best serve both our purposes. For what little I know of architecture, at least."
<Soppy> "Yes! I recall that. As I promised, I have discussed the issue with the local inns and craftsmen, and have a list prepared. It is a shorter list than I had hoped, but it should help to bring some money into your coffers. Particularly if they can be flexible." he fishes a piece of paper out of his robe and hands it over with the ten or so requests for singers, painters, and other trades
<Soppy> "I see. You have architects in your midst too? I should have suspected as much. Surely we can whittle down the numerous plans to something workable though." he nods
<AndrewRogue> He shall trade you a sheet with some rough concepts to be delivered to your local builders as well you and Lady Akeha. "Dilletantes, at least. I suspect we can defer to the grand expertise of your people." He scans the paper you delivered him. "I can see to it that we cover all this work satisfactory. I shall put out the call tonight."
<Soppy> "Excellent. Hopefully the limited number of slots won't cause infighting amongst you for the time being. But I suspect if you perform as well as your reputation has preceeded you, more work will come."
<AndrewRogue> "Ah, which reminds me." He fishes and delivers another piece of paper to you. "I believe you requested a list of those among us who might be able to imitate your local crafts?"
<Soppy> "Indeed." he takes it and scans it quickly, chuckling. "Nothing by halves, I suppose."
<AndrewRogue> "They should all be capable of doing the work, though they would need time to study it and make their final assessments, of course."
<Soppy> "So if I am to understand the meaning of this poem, you have no one availible?"
<Soppy> He speaks at almost the same time as Tora, and is a little caught off-guard.
<AndrewRogue> Tora blinks. "What?"
<Soppy> "Oh. You may have handed me the wrong piece of paper." he smiles gently and hands it back to him
<AndrewRogue> Tora takes it back and looks it over, frowning. "...ah. I do appear to have done that." He shall riffle back through the mess in the crux of his arms and makes a face as he jams the paper back into it. "I... will deliver the list to you later. My apologies."
<Soppy> He chuckles. "It is okay, Tora. It is admirable you follow in your mother's footsteps as much as you have walked down the martial path. Suizasho actually has a tradition of warrior poets. I would highly recommend you check the local bookstore for their works."
<AndrewRogue> He offers a somewhat lopsided smile. "Perhaps when we are better settled I shall have the time to investigate the works of Suizasho, but other matters are more important right now."
<Soppy> "Of course. Our masters have both so irresponsibly left town in this important time, and thusly goes our leisure time." he chuckles. "Was that poem for the lady, perchance?"
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol, a poet writes a poem for the sake of the art. It belongs to no individual." He offers a more genuine smile. "Besides, did that read as a poem intended for something like courtship?"
<AndrewRogue> "It was merely an exercise to take my mind off our current difficulties that, unfortunately, was written at the self-same desk on which I have been conducting business. An apt metaphor for the trials of attempting to mix work and pleasure, perhaps?"
<Soppy> "From a certain point of view. But I'll digress. If you should require a change of scenery, I would not mind hosting you at the office and introducing you to the local bureaucracy. To help build bonds of trust, of course."
<AndrewRogue> He bows. "I appreciate the offer, Master Vol. Is there anything else I might assist you with at this time?"
<Soppy> "Not at the moment. Everything going well with your people this day? Projects moving along?"
<AndrewRogue> "As well as can be expected. We are quite eager to make friends here in Inaba, which distracts many, but my mother's students are consummate professionals and still accomplish their tasks."
<Soppy> "Excellent. Both will be necessary tasks for the future of your people, I believe. So don't be TOO hard on them." he smiles. "If that is all, I will continue my walk. Don't hesistate to contact me if you need anything, Master Tora."
<AndrewRogue> "Of course, Master Vol. The same unto you."
<AndrewRogue> To the merchant district?
<Soppy> Of course. He'll motion his twin set of bodyguards, which were a concession to Akeha in his time as administrator, to follow
<AndrewRogue> Onward and upward! You are unbothered in the merchant district. It is busy and peaceful.
<Soppy> Woo
<AndrewRogue> Nightly meeting with Hana and Aiko?
<Soppy> Which brings us to the first of our nightly meetings?
<Soppy> Yup
<AndrewRogue> The old and young woman are waiting for you and, unfortunately, neither of them looks particularly happy.
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol." Hana says with a bow. "Vol." Aiko offers.
<Soppy> He expected this, of course. He smiles diplomatically to them and greets them formally. "Hana. Aiko. My greetings. Thank you for agreeing to these meetings. Lady Hakuhi and I meet quite often during the day to discuss things, but I figured it would be more manageable to gather you both once in the interm."
<AndrewRogue> Hana nods. "Of course. It is my pleasure, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko just makes a noise.
<Soppy> "So. It appears you have issues to bring to my attention, or at least opinions to voice. Aiko, why don't you start?"
<AndrewRogue> "There is a problem, and Lady Hana made a report that made it worse. There are items reported missing from the barracks. Not much, but enough for it to be unlikely the fools simply misplaced their belongings. Lady Hana reported to me this evening that some items from one of the warehouses may have also been spirited away, though she is quite unsure as to when it may have happened."
<AndrewRogue> The old woman takes it in stride. "My apologies Master Vol, but it was only discovered in the most recent inventory."
<Soppy> "Alright then. This would not be unusual under the old administration, but it does fly in the face of the strides we've made. May I ask what was taken?"
<AndrewRogue> "We lost weapons." Aiko snaps.
<Soppy> He nods, looking to Hana. "And in the warehouse?"
<AndrewRogue> "We appear to be short 3 sacks of rice, 2 of dried fish, a jar of pickled radishes, and both the crates of textiles we impounded from the merchant Aris Jor last month."
<AndrewRogue> "I currently have the inventory being redone, but I am confident that the first assessment was correct."
<Soppy> "The impound is located in a different warehouse than the food. So that would make three separate break-ins, correct?"
<AndrewRogue> "Yes." "Yes." They answer simultaneously.
<Soppy> "Are we sure the food is not due to a miscommunication from Lady Akeha's party taking them for their mission?"
<AndrewRogue> "It is not an impossibility, Master Vol. The manifests are accounted for, but if something extra were taken, it would certainly explain the matter."
<Soppy> "Well, we'll put that lower on the list of possibilities until the investigation concludes. The weapons are concerning. What exactly was taken, Aiko?"
* Luna has joined #DLExalted
<AndrewRogue> "2 spears, 4 chopping swords, and 2 buff jackets are unaccounted for."
<AndrewRogue> She looks away. "They had been improperly stored after a training session."
<Soppy> "Hmm. The buff jackets may be hard to track, but the others are a little more difficult to conceal if one intends to use them. Still. Were were they improperly stored?"
<Soppy> Where were
<AndrewRogue> "The training yard. The individuals responsible were during cleanup. I have been unable to find out whether they simply forgot the items or they were taken from the unlocked training armory." She is unhappy and quite annoyed.
<Soppy> "I see. A mini-crime spree, as it were." he looks back to Hana. "Tell me about Aris Jor. Was he on the list of names Rishi provided to us that came to him regarding targeting the new administration?"
<AndrewRogue> Hana shakes her head. "Not to my knowledge. He was simply a petty cheat who had been avoiding taxes on goods up and down the Yellow River."
* Luna has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
<Soppy> "I suppose the value of the goods were also of no import? And no contraband was found in the shipment upon inspection?"
<AndrewRogue> "They were poor imitations of fashions from Nexus. Virtually worthless. If I recall the incident correctly, that could be said of most of what he carried and what he failed to disclose. I can, of course, have the report brought to you at your earliest convenience."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko taps her foot impatiently.
<Soppy> "Well, petty crime is a worry of cities everywhere. As are thefts of opportunity. Hana, if you can arrange some surprise inspections this week to search for the weapons, I would appreciate it. Aiko, impress upon your people the importance of properly putting things back in place?" he prods in jest
<AndrewRogue> Hana nods. "Of course, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko is far less amused. "They will not make that same mistake twice. However, Vol, you should understand that this is -exactly- the wrong time for a rash of thefts to occur."
<AndrewRogue> "I will make sure that among the White Fire none jump to conclusions that would shame Tetsuzuru-san, but I worry if this is not indeed the result of a mistake by the paper pushers in organizing Inaba's goods, we shall have a problem."
<Soppy> "I am aware. But if you'll remember, crimes such as these occurred at a much higher rate before Lady Hakuhi and I arrived, if they were even noticed at all. But your concern is noted." he sighs, considering things. "Yes. We will double-check things on our end, but as per our agreement we left the tracking of troop inventory to you after our original audit. But allow us let calm heads prevail, and investigate these things as they should be."
<AndrewRogue> "I will, of course, bow to your expertise in managing numbers and storage." Aiko says with a cool politeness. "And we will not rush into anything. I simply wish to make sure you understand the gravity of this. Should this spread beyond us, the trouble will be obvious."
<Soppy> "I am curious, what you think the trouble will be and how quickly it will spiral out of control?"
<AndrewRogue> "Should word get out and such incidents continue, blame will undoubtedly fall to Inaba's newest arrivals, no matter how foolish an idea it is."
<Soppy> "Of course. And we should work to prevent anyone with an agenda from hampering the process." he looks to Hana. "Ensure that no one makes counts alone on the follow-up inventories. We might catch something that way."
<AndrewRogue> That one actually catches Hana a little by surprise, but the old woman nods. "Of course."
<Soppy> He shrugs, "Perhaps an excess of initiative, I'll admit."
<AndrewRogue> "No. My apologies, Master Vol. It is a wise choice that I regretfully did not consider myself."
<Soppy> He looks to Aiko. "I will leave it to your discretion to ensure this doesn't happen again on your end as well."
<AndrewRogue> "It will not." She says.
<Soppy> "I'll take you at your word on that, Lady Aiko." he gives her the first look that might be considered stern
<AndrewRogue> "You already have it."
<AndrewRogue> The pair have nothing else of note to report!
<Soppy> roll 4#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 4#d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}
<Soppy> 2 successes
<Soppy> Or 3
<Soppy> 3 successes
<Soppy> roll 1#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 1#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Soppy> 4 successes
<AndrewRogue> 10#d10
<AndrewRogue> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Soppy> So close
<AndrewRogue> To what? You enjoy a pleasant walk home.
<Soppy> I see
<AndrewRogue> Sleep tight, Vol.
<Soppy> Heh
<Soppy> And no one ate dinner that night
<AndrewRogue> I believe when we last left Vol, he was walking back to his place to sleep for the night?
<Soppy> Aye. Can't get enough of that Sugar Crisp!
<AndrewRogue> Unfortunate.
<AndrewRogue> Since you're out.
<AndrewRogue> Seriously though. You sleep through the night perfectly well.
<AndrewRogue> Another misty morning rises on Inaba. What's the plan today, Vol?
<Soppy> To the office!
<AndrewRogue> The office! There are people there! The kind who do work!
<Soppy> Awesome! He has the bestest staff!
<AndrewRogue> Hana is notably absent.
<Soppy> "Good morning everyone." he chimes happily, seeing people in hard at work. He gives the daily call, "Anything to report today?"
<AndrewRogue> But Hiroe is quick to intercept you. "Good morning, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> "Hana wished me to report that she would be late this morning, as she personally oversaw the audit of both the warehouse and impounds." He casts a sidelong glance at some very tired looking beauracrats, before handing over a stack of papers.
<AndrewRogue> "She asks for your forgiveness, but, and I quote, 'this old soul can't do these late nights so well anymore.'"
<Soppy> Vol looks to the man with a raised eyebrow. "Did she now?" he looks the man square in the eyes. While he figured there would be a chance Hana would be late this morning, this direct quotation seems slightly off. He takes the papers, but keeps his eye on the man.
<Soppy> Motive Discerning Technique
<Soppy> Substituting Wits for Perception
<Soppy> roll 8#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 8#d10 --> [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<Soppy> Ew
<Soppy> 2 Successes, since Double 9's
<AndrewRogue> Stunt 1, so +2 Dice.
<Soppy> 2#d10
<AndrewRogue> (Lemme give you Stunt Dice, bro)
<Soppy> roll 2#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 2#d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
<Soppy> NO
<Soppy> Don't give me stunt dice bro
<AndrewRogue> Perhaps the sleep is still fuzzing up your head a little, but you have more trouble than expected reading past Hiroe's smile.
<Soppy> He'll break off smoothly, flipping through the papers and speed reading. "Just have her meet me when I return from the docks this afternoon then."
<AndrewRogue> He bows. "Of course, Master Vol."
<Soppy> So what's the report say?
<AndrewRogue> The papers themselves will confirm that the previously discussed items are indeed unaccounted for. In addition, she discovered that a missing box of dried fruits and two sacks of cloth were missed in the initial inspection.
<AndrewRogue> A note states that the items were stored improperly, which is part of why it hadn't been noticed previously despite the warehouse organization.
<Soppy> In Hana's handwriting?\
<AndrewRogue> Hm... yes. You are 99% sure that it is indeed hers.
<Soppy> He'll cross-reference it with another report of her's to be sure. If that checks out, he'll continue as normal
<AndrewRogue> Cross-reference will definitely get you that last 1%.
<AndrewRogue> Normal takes you next to the docks?
<Soppy> He'll shrug off the bit of paranoia with a sigh, stretching out before finishing his work there and heading to the docks
<AndrewRogue> Another bustling, busy day at the docks, but there does seem to be a little bit of tension in the air today? A few people from boats that've been in Inaba for a couple days are talking quietly and in hushed tones. A few look pretty stormy.
<Soppy> He'll go to one he's reasonably familiar and has had positive dealings with. "Greetings, Rastlin. How fares the Yarovan Trade Company this morning?"
<Pluck> Jb
<AndrewRogue> "Ah, Master Vol." He bows half-heartedly, just enough to be polite. "Worse than they could be. It appears one of my idiot apprentices misplaced some of our goods." The larger man shoots a dark look at a pair of young traders in training.
<Soppy> "Misplaced?" he looks at the apprentices, then at the tension of the crowd. "This bout of greenhorn inattention seems to be catching. What, perchance, was misplaced?"
<AndrewRogue> He eyes you levelly. "You trying to get an edge on me, paper pusher?" After a moment though, he laughs and slaps you on the back. "Just one of the pots of Azarel Eels I had. Slimy buggers, but folks down in Nine Rivers love 'em."
<Soppy> "Mm." he smiles graciously for the information, "I shall keep my eyes open for it. I do keep my minions properly driven on inventory. If it turns up, I will have it forwarded to you." he nods. "Tense morning, is it not?'
<AndrewRogue> He shrugs. "I guess? I mean, losing wares certainly..." he considers his words and rephrases slightly, "Annoys me. Don't really have time for other folks problems when you've got a payday coming, though."
<Soppy> "Mm. Well. Don't let me keep you. Safe travels and good bargaining." he nods to the man, patting him on the back in return and moving onto the next to get a sense. He'll visit two or three more in total, to get a sense of what's the matter.
<AndrewRogue> Hm. Give me a Socialize or Presence + Charisma. People are being a little catty about it, so you'll need to talk folks around to get answers.
<AndrewRogue> (Target # 1)
<Soppy> roll 8#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 8#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
<Soppy> 3 successes
<AndrewRogue> From what you can gather, a couple of things. The troubles in Nine Rivers are, of course, on a LOT of traders minds right now since the rumors have been escalating recently. It also sounds like one or two merchants are claiming they've been robbed, and are looking the way of Inaba's recent acquirees as a cause.
<Soppy> He'll seek those merchants out in particular to assure them that the missing items will be searched for and found. I suppose roll to instill a Minor Intimacy of trust in either Vol or Inaba's bureaucracy or law enforcement?<G>
<AndrewRogue> If you would like to try and do such! Target # 2 we'll say.
<Soppy> Socialize, Charisma, Specialize in Diplomacy, I guess?
<Soppy> roll 9#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 9#d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<Soppy> 7 successes
<AndrewRogue> Whoops, should have given you a thing. Yes amd yes. You are successful and those individuals, hwile unhappy, are temporarily mollified.
<Soppy> Well. This seems to be spinning out of control quite fast with thievery. I suppose heading back to see Hana is in order
<AndrewRogue> Back to the office?
<Soppy> Yep
<AndrewRogue> Upon arrival you will discover that Hana has indeed arrived.
<AndrewRogue> "Good afternoon, Master Vol. I apologize for my lateness." She says with a polite bow.
<Soppy> "It is alright, Hana. You did good work last night." he bows in return. "The plot thickens, as they say. Several ships are reporting wares missing."
<AndrewRogue> She rubs her eyes. "I suppose it would be too much to hope that they are simply staffed by incompetents?"
<Soppy> "Ordinarily, I would chalk it up to that. But it's a rather sharp increase, either in theft or incompetence. So either way, it needs to be gotten to the bottom of."
<AndrewRogue> "Of course, Master Vol. We at your disposal. Though would this not be more an issue for Lady Akiko and the samurai?"
<Soppy> "Yes, I do intend to pass this to them. We did what we could in our second pass of inventory, so I'll do what I can with Aiko now. Take a long lunch today, get your bearings back, and be ready for the meeting tonight, okay?" he smiles to her
<AndrewRogue> She bows again. "Of course, Master Vol. Is there any particular information you would like me to prepare?"
<Soppy> He considers this a moment. "No. Prepare your regular report. Keeping your ear open for anything else unusual, of course."
<AndrewRogue> She nods
<Soppy> Instead of heading to the refugee quarters, he will seek out Aiko instead
<AndrewRogue> Aiko is easily found at Akeha's offices, though she looks quite unhappy to see it. "What is it now?" she asks before you can get a word out.
<Soppy> The office or me?<G>
<AndrewRogue> *you
<Soppy> "It appears our problem has spread to the docks. Several merchants are reporting missing or stolen goods."
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<AndrewRogue> "I've got ears. I've been trying to figure out if it's true."
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<Soppy> "Mm. What do you have so far?" he asks curiously, in clear deference to her abilities/knowledge
<AndrewRogue> She throws up her hands. "That someone is making a very big mistake by crossing Tetsuzuru-san's White Fire. But the claims do appear to be legitimate. Of course, there are no witnesses. The night fogs have been bad lately, so it is easy enough to sneak around if someone wanted."
<AndrewRogue> "It took some doing, but it sounds like things were left out, so just easy targets of opportunity."
<AndrewRogue> "Am a little surprised nothing actually valuable has been taken during this apparent crime spree, though."
<Soppy> "Possibly testing, possibly coincidence, possibly just a thief hoping that these are innocuous enough not to be missed..."
<AndrewRogue> "What would you even do with all this junk?"
<Soppy> "Well, it is mostly food and clothing. So one suspect would immediately jump to mind, of course. The amount is getting hard to conceal though... I wouldn't doubt they'll be found soon if someone's dumb enough to hide it all in the same place. Also would work as a bang-up frame-job."
<AndrewRogue> She sighs in irritation. "I will have to put extra eyes on our guests. It can't be avoided at this point."
<Soppy> "I reluctantly agree. If it is them, they deserve to be caught. If not, the extra eyes may spy someone attempting to plant evidence." he sighs. "I will attempt to wander as I can through the camp today, see if I turn up anything."
<AndrewRogue> She nods. "I will also double the active watch on the dock as well. We can't be everywhere at once, but I will be damned if I let a thief run wild in Inaba."
<Soppy> "Well, we know where they've been. They've hit the town's warehouses and the dock's. As far as we know they haven't hit businesses in the town proper, or the warehouse the refugees have been drawing their material from. Night patrols, with irregular timing. Hopefully the fog won't interfere too much..."
<AndrewRogue> That gets a laugh out of her. "You leave your office late, don't you? The last week has been bad enough that you can barely see your own hands in front of you."
<Soppy> He laughs easily with her. "Yes, I know. But dumb luck and bad timing has played a part in many moments in history." he concedes the point, but not the issue
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<Soppy> "By the way, can you lend me someone? I'm about to head to meet with Tora, set him about poking around and see if it's been planted. Having someone with him to keep him honest would be reassuring to many folk, and is probably a better idea before we set more guards out."
<Soppy> "So someone who knows how to investigate those kind of things."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko rubs her eyes. "Yes, probably. Hira Hideki has sharp eyes, and I should be able to excuse him from the remainder of his duties."
<Soppy> "Thank you." he nods graciously. "Please await his initial report before setting the extra guards out. I will meet near the construction zone."
<AndrewRogue> "Yes, I know how to do my job." Aiko growls.
<AndrewRogue> (To the interlop- guests?)
<Soppy> "Of course." he says passively, sliding smoothly into the next moment. "If there's nothing you have for me, I'll see you tonight."
<AndrewRogue> "Yes, yes."
<Soppy> Vol will exheunt, moving towards the immigrant district now. "Hmmm. Really need to work on what we call that. Branding will be important for that. Eh, I'll toss it to Tora. They're the creative types..." he murmurs in self-thought.
<AndrewRogue> ("Filthy Magic Gypsyville")
<AndrewRogue> Do you intend to wait for Hideki, or just expect him to find you?
<Soppy> Whoops. Sorry. Room didn't flash
<Soppy> I'll seek out Tora at first, probably lead him to a public place to talk so Hideki can find him.
<AndrewRogue> Tora is easily located, flanked by a few of his own people, walking briskly about. He'll wave you over the moment he notices you. "Ah, Master Vol. Just the man I wanted to see."
<AndrewRogue> He'll snag a pile of papers from a woman, and then dismiss the whole lot of them. He looks quite tired, to be honest.
<Soppy> "Aha. Such concern, Master Tora. What can I help you with?"
<May> .ex 15
<Luna> May: 15: [1: 1, 3: 3, 4: 3, 5: 1, 6: 1, 7: 1, 8: 2, 9: 2, 10: 1] - 7 Successes
<May> .ex 3
<Luna> May: 3: [1: 1, 5: 1, 10: 1] - 2 Successes
<May> (7 successes total, I forgot stunt dice)
<AndrewRogue> "We appear to be short on some of the goods we've purchased as part of the loan. Nothing much, a bag of rice or two and the such, but someone must have miscounted when things were delivered. But it is another thing that apparently I have to sort."
<May> .ex 23
<Luna> May: 23: [2: 4, 3: 2, 4: 1, 6: 2, 7: 2, 8: 4, 9: 5, 10: 3] - 17 Successes
<May> (14 health levels of damage)
<AndrewRogue> "I truly do not understand the mind a beauracrat. No offense, of course, Master Vol. You are and admirable sort, but these forms and figures are quite maddening."
<Soppy> "I see. I can add you onto the list of apparant victims then." he sighs, hmming. "Quite a few other people have been reporting missing items. Are those the papers there?"
<AndrewRogue> He tilts his head. "Ah. That would explain the rumors I've heard as of late. And possibly some of the dirty looks." The papers are shaken in your general direction. "Yes. As well as the artisan list."
<Soppy> "Thank you. I'll make use of the latter." he scans the documents.
<Soppy> Is there a name of Vol's employee that handled it?
<AndrewRogue> Why yes. Hiroe oversaw that one, and his signature is on the form authorizing the sale of goods and the quantities.
<Soppy> He'll note that. Anything else seem odd?
<AndrewRogue> Everything seems on the up and up, near as you can tell. Hiroe followed your instructions regarding sales on the loan to the letter.
<AndrewRogue> You'll also have about 24 folks of varying craftskills, with Tora's impressions of their skills noted. He doesn't seem to have listed anyone that he considered less than competent, though
<Soppy> "Alright then. I'll look into this. It's too widespread to be simple incompetence. Everyone seems to be steamed about something today, and the mood is different than the kind of larceny that used to go on here before I arrived." He sighs. "Eyes are turning towards you, yes. I do want to head it off though. You haven't noticed any... extra items appearing in your possession? I'm worried people might try using you guys as a patsy."
<AndrewRogue> Tora shakes his head. "I can ask around, of course."
<AndrewRogue> "Honestly, not many people from Inaba have come this way, outside of a small few who have come... invited."
<AndrewRogue> "Then again, it isn't as if we can see much the last few nights."
<Soppy> "Exactly. That's where my worry lies, really. Crimes of opportunity, at best? Or conspiracy of opportunity at worst. I have to conclude someone is doing this, so if I can cross out some possible motives, all the better."
<AndrewRogue> "Well, to be frank, none of us have had anything particularly ill to say of Inaba's citizens. All told, your town has been among the most welcoming we've encountered."
<AndrewRogue> "A few odd stares here and there, but certainly that would suggest a systematic conspiracy to drive us out."
<AndrewRogue> *nothing that would
<Soppy> "Mm. There were those that disagreed with our stance towards you. Higher on the list are those who would use you to discredit the current administration, of which there are several that come to mind. But as of yet, the theory is as vapor as the night fog. Hard evidence is what I am searching for. Unfortunately, it does mean an increased guard presence around town."
<AndrewRogue> Tora nods. "Of course. We will watch ourselves and make extra sure that we cause no problems. And, if there is anything we can do to assist you and yours, please ask."
<AndrewRogue> "It would be a poor return of gratitude if our presence were used as a weapon against Lady Tetsuzuru."
<AndrewRogue> *Hakuhi
<AndrewRogue> At about this point, Hideki shall arrive and bow. "Master Vol, I have come as asked."
<Soppy> "We are going to have investigators poking around checking for signs of break-in. In your case, the man assigned will also be checking for the possibility of planted evidence. I am assured he is professional and diligent, though I have never met the man myself. Ah, here he is."
<Soppy> "Tora Aaeiko, Hira Hideki." he introduces the two
<AndrewRogue> The two men bow towards each other, exchanging greetings.
<Soppy> "Aiko briefed you on your duty?" he asks Hideki
<AndrewRogue> Tora nods. "I am to determine whether any of the stolen goods can be found here and determine how they arrived here."
<AndrewRogue> "I am to operate discreetly, as these people are the trusted guests of Tersuzuru-san."
<Soppy> "Excellent. Don't let me keep you then." he nods to the both of them, heading off to the office with the papers
<AndrewRogue> Did you have any particular questions/inquiries for the evening report? Neither Hana nor Aiko will have new discoveries at this time.
<Soppy> No, but at the office he will look up the companies from the dock can recall making theft claims and their latest paperwork on file, checking to see who was in charge of them.
<AndrewRogue> Let us see.
<AndrewRogue> Jarik Toir from Nexus claims a loss of 10 dresses and suits (a popular new style). Hana estimated his claim to be in excess of the actual value of the goods.
<Soppy> That ol' chestnut that started it all. Alright. Next.
<AndrewRogue> Biyu Ji cites a loss of a crate of oranges. She's a regular along the Yellow River who generally deals in fruits.
<Soppy> Less looking at the loss claims, more the paperwork and who filed it originally.
<AndrewRogue> Ah.
<AndrewRogue> (Pupper walk required. So going to do that now)
<Soppy> For those that HAVE actual manifests, who accepted the original claims and checked them as cleared?
<AndrewRogue> Hana and Hiroe, case depending.
<Soppy> Hmm. And there are several other employees that do this job that don't have these kind of claims?
<AndrewRogue> Yep. Not to say Hana and Hiroe's names don't show up on some of those as well.
<AndrewRogue> But the other four who deal with manifests have not had hands on the problem cases.
<AndrewRogue> (Now foot soak. BRB again)
<Soppy> So Hiroe and Hana are responsible for the original manifest claims that are being checked against for the loss claims. They also handled the loss claims. It's a pattern for sure, but is it important.
<Soppy> Hmm. It wouldn't give them opportunity, and if there are no irregularities to try and fudge numbers and grab the excess inventory... the numbers on both the original cargo manifests filled out by the companies and the loss claim counts done by us are all kosher, right?
<Soppy> Nor does it tip hand at motive. Mrf.
<Soppy> Dead end here, probably?
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<AndrewRogue> (Back)
<AndrewRogue> Hm. Hm. Hm.
<AndrewRogue> Yes. The paperwork is kosher.
<AndrewRogue> At this point, the thefts do seem to be legitimate thefts, not paper thefts.
<Soppy> Well, it's something at least. He'll scamper to his meeting then
<AndrewRogue> (If you are truly stuck at some point, feel free to make Wits + Investigation to get some additional feedback on possibilities)
<AndrewRogue> Hana and Aiko are both there and their reports will mesh with the information you have discovered thus far.
<AndrewRogue> Aiko is still waiting to hear back from Hideki, who is apparently being -quite- thorough in his work.
<Soppy> Better to be thorough.
<Soppy> "So what to you make of that pattern, Hana? I mean, I know you and Hiroe do the bulk of those checks, but it is a coincidence."
<AndrewRogue> "Well, it is, of course, impossible to deny that it could be coincidence. If we are truly dealing with thieves, then it is not impossible for them to have only hit things that my or Hiroe's paperwork would be associated with."
<Soppy> "You know the docks better than I do. Is there a physical proximity to those berths?"
<AndrewRogue> "While I would not suspect either of us would be stupid enough to be so obvious as to manipulate our own paperwork, framing, is, of course, a possibility. Either I him, he I, or either of us a third party."
<AndrewRogue> The old woman pauses, lost in thought. "Though I suppose a double bluff would be..." she shakes her head. "My apologies. The berths..."
<AndrewRogue> "Yes. They were near each other, I believe."
<Soppy> "It would be hard to pull off. The cargo manifests are written out by the crews, and don't appear to be altered. The handwriting shares no consistencies with each other either." he unfurls a handy map of the docks, a slapdash one made for planning, but helpful. "Can you mark it?"
<AndrewRogue> Marks are made, designating the far eastern berths.
<Soppy> He also marks down the immigrant warehouse where Tora's goods were supposed to be stored after they were claimed. Close?
<AndrewRogue> A bit deeper into town since they were being kept seperate, but yes, in fact, also on the far east side of Inaba.
<Soppy> "Hm. Well, I'm sure Hideki will come back and tell us this as well. But it does start to jump out. And we know where to focus the guards."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko nods.
<Soppy> "We know the warehouse, the docks, what else is in this part of town?"
<AndrewRogue> Aiko looks at the map. "Not much. That's part of why the warehouses were concentrated there. Rocky riverfront further east. The old shrine. Some of the unfortunates live out that way too. Our training fields are right up here."
<Soppy> "The training fields were the weapons were stolen... okay..." he marks those too. "That shrine, that's the one no one uses anymore, right?"
<AndrewRogue> "Correct."
<Soppy> "What did it pray to? Do either of you know? I'm having bad thoughts of this being connected to what Lady Hakuhi may be dealing with."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko shrugs. "Some old god of this land once. I believe it was last used to beseech whatever local spirits would accept the offerings taken there. But that was years ago. It's overgrown and unused now."
<Soppy> "Mm. With the spirits supposedly stirring all along the river, it will be something we'll have to check into if the goods don't turn up in our initial investigation." Is the shrine in a central location to all the other ones?
<AndrewRogue> Nope. Shrine actually sits a bit outside of Inaba.
<AndrewRogue> "You cannot honestly suspect this is the work of a spirit?"
<AndrewRogue> "What, the devil of petty theft seeks to ruin us?"
<Soppy> He makes a mental note to check the area out tomorrow during the day, after his inspection of the dock. He smiles to the speaker, Aiko I assume, "It's low on the list of probabilities., but given the nature of Lady Hakuhi's latest mission, worth keeping in mind should nothing more solid materialize. If nothing else, it presents an opportune place to stash stolen items."
<AndrewRogue> She frowns. "Shall I send someone to look?"
<Soppy> "Yes. Tomorrow morning. The fog's already set in."
<AndrewRogue> She nods. "Fine. Then I will double the patrols tonight and we shall have our thief."
<Soppy> "Mm. That'll do for tonight then. Anything else non theft-related?"
<AndrewRogue> Hana smiles. "No, that aside, things are going quite well."
<AndrewRogue> Aiko nods her curt agreement.
<Soppy> "Alright then. Send Hideki's report over to my office in the morning then. Meeting ajourned."
<AndrewRogue> Meeting adjourned!
<AndrewRogue> Donny work another late night and head out?
<Soppy> This is an awful lot of respect he's getting if he's Donny
<AndrewRogue> *Vol
<Soppy> He'll probably try, but head home slightly earlier than usual
<Soppy> Already distrupted the routine, lots of stuff floating around his head. Hard to concentrate
<AndrewRogue> Once more, give me an Awareness + Perception.
<Soppy> K. Plus a bonus for Danger Sense?
<AndrewRogue> Hm. The answer remains non.
<Soppy> Hm? You said yes last time. And Sensory Acuity Prana I guess. Dat fog
<AndrewRogue> Did I?
<AndrewRogue> I did not. You only got 4 dice.
<Soppy> Ah, I see. Awareness and Perception is 5 for me, I just accidentally rolled 4 and had to roll the last one
<Soppy> roll 5#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 5#d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}
<Soppy> 4 successes.
<AndrewRogue> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}
<AndrewRogue> That's some bad rolling
<Soppy> That's... a botch?
<AndrewRogue> Nah
<AndrewRogue> Both is no successes + 1
<AndrewRogue> *Botch
<Soppy> Ah. Thought it was 1's outnumbering successes
<AndrewRogue> Through the thick fog that seems to muffle even sound itself, you hear the faint noise of something shattering in the distance.
<Soppy> Vol, thankful of Aheka's insistence he at least wear his buff coat to and from work, can't help but stop and try to figure out the direction of the noise
<AndrewRogue> I think we will paus on that unexpected success, eh?
<Soppy> Heh
<AndrewRogue> roll 6#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 6#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}
<AndrewRogue> So. I believe when we last left off, Vol was dealing with a strange sound, a crash somewhere in the distance. What does he want to do with that?
<Soppy> What direction of town is it in?
<AndrewRogue> Why, it'd be towards the east. Over towards the warehouses and all that.
<Soppy> Off course! This is the way. He will head towards it, carefully. Also looking for any of the extra guards Aiko posted.
<AndrewRogue> The fog is like... I don't know, a really thick miso soup. It is quite terrible to see. If you are just looking for one, give me Perception + Awareness (Target 1)
<Soppy> SUCH IMAGERY
<AndrewRogue> Is miso a thick soup?
<AndrewRogue> I think it is, but I'm not sure
<Soppy> No, but it is cloudy
<AndrewRogue> Opaque
<AndrewRogue> Not thick
<Soppy> roll 5#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 5#d10 --> [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}
<Soppy> 2 successes
<AndrewRogue> You can stop yourself from running headlong into a man carrying a spear as he patrols, struggling to keep his eyes open.
<AndrewRogue> He on the other hand is almost entirely oblivious to you.
<Soppy> "At attention, sir." he snaps.
<AndrewRogue> The guard snaps to attention, his ponytail whipping through the air. "Ah. Master Vol!"
<Soppy> "I heard the sound of a window being smashed in the east district on my way home. Come with me."
<AndrewRogue> "Sir!" he whisper-shouts, aware that the fog gives you all an advantage.
<Soppy> He will continue on towards the sound, doing his best to ensure the guard follows.
<AndrewRogue> How will you be attempting to approach? Swiftly? Steathily?
<Soppy> Stealthily. Easily Overlooked Presence charm activate! 3 motes, down to 5/13 personal.
<Soppy> Better for crowds, but should work in thick fog.
<AndrewRogue> (Guard does not benefit as a heads up, so as you near what you think is the locale, you might want him to hang back)
<Soppy> (I figured)
<AndrewRogue> He is easily commanded to hang back, though just barely.
<AndrewRogue> Based on your recent examinations, you know you're coming up on one of hte warehouses.
<Soppy> Which one?
<AndrewRogue> Loaner one. Storage for traders, locals, and the like. One of the places that had not been hit yet.
<AndrewRogue> (Goods not belonging to or confiscated by Inaba)
<AndrewRogue> Not generally too full given you guys aren't Nexus or anything, but still good to have.
<Soppy> Mm. He'll go back and bring the guard over slowly, telling him to wait outside unless he gives a signal. Then he'll try to head inside
<AndrewRogue> roll 3#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 3#d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
<AndrewRogue> roll 6#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 6#d10 --> [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<AndrewRogue> The guard nods. "Be cautious, Master Vol. Thieves are gutless cowards, and a cornered coward is a dangerous one." He speaks in hushed tones.
<AndrewRogue> *and = but
<Soppy> "Right." he says quietly, moving on in.
<AndrewRogue> As you near the building, you will find the source of the noise: a large jar lay shattered on the road, liquid and round shapes spilled out
<AndrewRogue> The pungent scent of vinegar fills the air.
<Soppy> He wrinkles his nose. Damn. The thief probably knew someone would hear. Better to be cautious though. Are there footprints thanks to the liquid?
<AndrewRogue> Not that you can see. Some animal prints?
<Soppy> Animal prints? How big?
<AndrewRogue> Small. Fox or a cat or something
<Soppy> Mrf. Of course. Still calls for vigilance.
<Soppy> He'll go through the warehouse slowly,
<Soppy> -,
<AndrewRogue> You will notice once thing very quickly. The fog is in here too. And not like wispy tendrils. Like actual fog.
<Soppy> Woooonderful. That doesn't strike me as odd or anything. Nope
<Soppy> Can he determine how it got in?
<AndrewRogue> Not naturally would be your guess. You've never seen anything like this. You might as well be standing on the bank of the Yellow.
<Soppy> Nothing to be found in here?
<AndrewRogue> Right. Gimme Perception + Awareness Target 1. It isn't the biggest, but it is an issue with the fog.
<Soppy> roll 5#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 5#d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}
<Soppy> 3 successes, since Sensory Acuity Prana is still active
<AndrewRogue> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}
<Soppy> Whoof
<AndrewRogue> A little ways into the room you can catch the sight of a pale, slender, grey figure, another jar lifting into the air near it. You think it might be a trick of the eyes, as it looks like a part of the mist, but you can make out what is distinctly a robe and a broad, flat, wide brimmed hat.
<Soppy> Huh. Vol freezes a moment, unsure of whether to call the guard in or not, trying to make sense of what he's seeing. He takes a few steps nearer the figure, sticking close to the shelf and trying to blend into the shadow.
<AndrewRogue> You're ability to be a complete nobody seems to be functioning well as the jar simply floats near it as it turns and begins to head for the door. The fog seeming to wrap around it and trail like a cloak.
<Soppy> He sighs, finally calling out to the figure. "The market in pickled radishes isn't exactly a strong one. You might do better with other things here."
<Soppy> This should be loud enough for the guard to hear, if he's by the door
<AndrewRogue> A surprised sound escapes from the figure, as it turns. You can't see it's face, as the hat, even as it turns, covers it.
<AndrewRogue> The guard will indeed arrive a short second later at the door.
<Soppy> He'll motion for the guard to stay at the door, not wanting to fully panic the thief. "Will you come in quietly? I can assure you we will show leniency if you cooperate."
<AndrewRogue> The figure does not speak.
<AndrewRogue> Though you cannot see its face, it seems to look through you, instead simply continuing forward for the door.
<AndrewRogue> The guard will hold his spear at the ready.
<Soppy> Vol will activate Listener Swaying Argument. "Please, do not so readily run. If you are human, surely we can find you work that puts your skills to use. If you are... spirit or god. Please, allow us to rectify our misdeeds against your shrine or your realm. This does not require the theft of offering when we can change our ways."
<Soppy> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}
<Soppy> 6 successes, 7 with LSA
<AndrewRogue> It will pause. It will point at the guard who only barely shifts the spear nervously.
<AndrewRogue> It will flick it's hand in a dismissive manner.
<Soppy> He motions for the guard to lower his spear.
<AndrewRogue> With it stopped and the extra time to look at it, you can be rather sure that this is proooobably not a normal human, as it's body fades away into nigh impenetrable mist from the torso down. Almost like a robe, but most definitely not.
<AndrewRogue> The man will position himself let's say a half-step back as he lowers the weapon.
<AndrewRogue> The figure will then point at the remaining jars, and point towards the Yellow River.
<Soppy> How many jars?
<AndrewRogue> 4. Which makes 6 total counting the one suspended in the fog near it and the shattered one outside.
<Soppy> Vol calculates the cost and deems it managable. "We shall do as you ask. However, I ask that you cease your theft of your offering from this day on. In return, I will ensure that your offering is made as befitting a god of your stature. Is this agreeable to you?"
<AndrewRogue> Gimme a Perception + Awareness since you've actively paying attention. Have 2 bonus dice as well.
<Soppy> roll 7#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 7#d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<Soppy> 4 successes
<AndrewRogue> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<AndrewRogue> It points at the jars a second and third time.
<Soppy> He looks nervously at the guard, then sighs. He waves him over to help him, moving to pick up one of the jars.
<AndrewRogue> The guard offers you a defintie look of "You sure?"
<Soppy> "It's worth trying. At least we figured out what is causing it."
<Soppy> roll 8#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 8#d10 --> [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
<Soppy> ...
<Soppy> roll 3#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 3#d10 --> [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}
<AndrewRogue> It will point twice again at the jars even as you're moving to pick them up.
<Soppy> My line stands then
<AndrewRogue> "Of course, Master Vol."
<AndrewRogue> The guard will -very- carefully edge around the figure.
<AndrewRogue> And heft one jar, allowing himself to still keep the spear.
<Soppy> Vol will heft one, testing if he can do two
<AndrewRogue> You're a big tough solar. GRR
<AndrewRogue> You can do two.
<Soppy> Of all 1 STR<G>
<AndrewRogue> Oh. I thought you had at least 2
<AndrewRogue> Nevermind
<AndrewRogue> 1 jar for you
<AndrewRogue> The figure itself will set down it's own jar and drift to a nearby bag to lift.
<Soppy> Nearby bag of what?
<AndrewRogue> Sack of some sort with a few others. Might be rice or grain or something.
<Soppy> "Hey. Let's not be greedy, now."
<AndrewRogue> It points at the bags.
<AndrewRogue> Give me... Perception + Awareness Target 2
<Soppy> roll 5#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 5#d10 --> [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}
<Soppy> 2 successes
<AndrewRogue> The more you watch the thing, the more obvious it becomes that it doesn't... ever quite seem to move right. It's almost like a puppet in the way it moves. Very simple gestures and movement.
<Soppy> roll 6#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 6#d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}
<Soppy> Damn. 1
<AndrewRogue> Which I believe returns us to our previous action: asking for more.
<Soppy> He will indicate he can only carry so much.
<AndrewRogue> The bag will float behind it as it drifts towards the door.
<AndrewRogue> "Are you really sure about this, Master Vol?" The guard will ask very, very quietly.
<Soppy> "No. Not particularly. I'm going to ask you to stay at wherever we deliver this to, keep watch and see if anyone or anything comes to claim it."
<AndrewRogue> So, following it?
<Soppy> Yes
<AndrewRogue> It shall lead you eastwards.
<AndrewRogue> Unshockingly, towards the shrine.
<AndrewRogue> Give me one more Awareness + Perception
<Soppy> roll 5#d10
<Tarubot> Soppy rolled : 5#d10 --> [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}
<Soppy> 2
<AndrewRogue> roll 10#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 10#d10 --> [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}
<AndrewRogue> It shall point at the base of the stairs that lead up to the shrine. You will notice that the fog seems to follow you.
<Soppy> Will head up, I guess
<Soppy> Do we run into any other guards?
<AndrewRogue> Hm. That's... actually a fair consideration. Let's roll back a second.
<AndrewRogue> roll 6#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 6#d10 --> [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
<AndrewRogue> Are you following it obediently and not being like, particularly loud?
<Soppy> He's stopped trying to be quiet, at least.
<AndrewRogue> roll 4#d10
<Tarubot> AndrewRogue rolled : 4#d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}
<AndrewRogue> Nope. The thing does take a somewhat circuitous route, admittedly.
<AndrewRogue> But assuming cooperation, you avoid additional issues.
<AndrewRogue> And by issues, I mean other people.
<Soppy> Darn
<AndrewRogue> So. It was pointing at the stairs.
<AndrewRogue> The guard will place his own jar down next to the bag it set.
<Soppy> He puts his jar down.
<AndrewRogue> It shall point back towards the city.
<Soppy> He nods to the guard, beginning to walk back.
<AndrewRogue> (Guard is waiting there?)
<Soppy> That's what Vol asked him to do.
<AndrewRogue> Kk!
<AndrewRogue> Back towards Inaba. Interestingly you will find that the fog, while still kind of oppressive, does seem to have thinned a bit.
<Soppy> He wonders if that's a good sign or not. Hopefully it is.
<Soppy> Picking up another jar
<AndrewRogue> Jar acquired.
-
Akeha presses her advantage against the creature still close to her, launching a flurry of thrusts at its joints and center, her body rippling with Essence drawn from the world!
((OOC: Piercing Attack, Excellent Strike, 7 mote excellency in melee, 10 motes leaves me at 11
[20:28] <Tarubot> May rolled : 19#d10 --> [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=4 ]{4},
[20:29] <Tarubot> [ 1d10=4 ]{4}, [ 1d10=1 ]{1}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}
[20:29] <May> (12+1 successes before reroll 1s)
[20:29] <May> roll 3#d10
[20:29] <Tarubot> May rolled : 3#d10 --> [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
[20:30] <May> (15 successes)
Raw Damage is 17 + Threshhold Successes, their Soak is -4 from Piercing))
-
((OOC: 15 Dice for damage. Also corrected init above, as self-crashing drives your init even lower.))
-
((OOC:
WorkMay roll 15#d10
16:30 Tarubot WorkMay rolled : 15#d10 --> [ 1d10=8 ]{8} [ 1d10=3 ]{3} [ 1d10=8 ]{8} [ 1d10=10 ]{10} [ 1d10=1 ]{1} [ 1d10=1 ]{1} [ 1d10=8 ]{8} [ 1d10=1 ]{1} [ 1d10=6 ]{6} [ 1d10=5 ]{5} [ 1d10=5 ]{5} [ 1d10=5 ]{5} [ 1d10=8 ]{8} [ 1d10=9 ]{9} [ 1d10=9 ]{9}
16:30 WorkMay (8 successes)))
-
Former Cloud Riders
Initiative
Thing 1: 10; 14 Damage; Medium Range
Akeha: 17
Thing 2: -14
Thing2 barely manages to deflect the attack as it's feet slip on the dirt, your pressure seemingly inescapable.
"Fine. You wish to fight? Then we shall fight. Sun child, sun child, what do you see? How many enemies are waiting for thee?"
((OOC: Activating Marching Fever Dream Nightmare))
<@AndrewRogue> roll 12#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 12#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}
The ground around you erupts as strange creatures seemingly made of wood and grass pull themselves out of the ground, dozens of the things surrounding you.
((JB for the shambling hordes.))
<@AndrewRogue> roll 8#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 8#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}
Initiative
Thing 1: 10; 14 Damage; Medium Range (1 Success)
Akeha: 17
Shambling Hordes:
Thing 2: -14
Thing1 is in full retreat mode, apparently not worrying about the safety of it's companion.
((OOC: Withdraw.))
<@AndrewRogue> roll 6#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 6#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}
Initiative
Thing 1: -5; 14 Damage; Long Range (Withdraw: 1 Success)
Akeha: 17
Shambling Hordes:
Thing 2: -14
Former Boat Riders
You are now able to see the village in the distance... as well as people panicking and fleeing and hordes of shambling tree things stalking and marching. Oh, and the blaze of a solar's anima.
Yozo hisses and begins to run, his blade coming free of it's sheath.
-
OOC: If, as discussed in chat we're doing this join battle thing, Lee will use Inspiring Battle Cry (5m), and she'll slam 7 motes into the awareness excellency for her JB roll.
IBC allows herself + nearby allies to reroll 1s on their JB roll, furnishes them with +1 Resolve vs. fear, and if she gets more than any opponent does she gets +1 temp willpower for the scene.
[17:21] <Tarubot> Euphemia rolled : 16#d10 --> [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=2 ]{2}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}, [ 1d10=8 ]{8}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=3 ]{3}, [ 1d10=9 ]{9}, [ 1d10=10 ]{10}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=6 ]{6}, [ 1d10=5 ]{5}, [ 1d10=8
[17:21] <Tarubot> ]{8}, [ 1d10=7 ]{7}
10s, for a starting init of 13.
-
Using Blinding Battle Feint (3m) and 2 dice of Excellency (2m), all out of personal.
<Magey> roll 15#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Magey rolled :1,0 15#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=8 ]1,0{8}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=4 ]1,0{4}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}
<Magey> roll 2#d10
<Tarubot> 1,0Magey rolled :1,0 2#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}
The last 2d10 was for the re-roll 1s. That is 7 successes, so 10 initiative. Any enemy who starts at less than 11 initiative cannot see Rishi.
As he finally gains clear sight of the village, he can see the battle raging within and the creature running away, leaking something.
-
Initiative
Akeha: 17
Lee: 13
Rish: 10
Yozo: 7
Shambling Hordes: 6
Patroklia: 4
Thing 1: -5; 14 Damage; Long Range to Akeha, Medium to everyone else (Withdraw: 1 Success)
Thing 2: -14
-
<Soppy> Fast forwarding a bit... this will go on unless things change. Does it just ask to set the things at the base of the stairs to the shrine?
<AndrewRogue> Well, actually, on your first return... the guard will be looking put out and there will be a distinct lack of mist wraith
<Soppy> Are the goods still there?
<AndrewRogue> They are. "I took my eyes off the damned thing for just a second and it vanished!"
<Soppy> "It's okay." he places the jar down. "You did your job. The items are still here. Maybe, if it's an apparition being controlled by someone, it realized it would not be able to pick up the items and gave up." How is the fog right now?
<AndrewRogue> Sort of like Inaba. Still pretty heavy but... better.
<Soppy> How far away is the shrine?
<Soppy> I know we're at the base of the stairs, but how far up do they go?
<AndrewRogue> The shrine is... honestly a pretty small one. Barely more than a gazebo, really.
<AndrewRogue> So just a few steps.
<Soppy> "And yet... can you see the fog has lifted some? I worry..." he looks around. "What do you think...?"
<AndrewRogue> "I honestly don't know. It was like no devil I've ever seen." He wrinkles his nose. "And pickled radishes as an offering for a god?"
<Soppy> "Taking what it can get? Maybe we should take the opportunity to check the area for more of the stolen goods... Stay here with everything." he begins looking around the area
<Soppy> He stops suddenly
<AndrewRogue> "Master Vol?"
<Soppy> "Probably best to wait for Hideki, actually. Not disturb the scene."
<Soppy> He sighs. "Well. I suppose a little progress is progress none-the-less."
<AndrewRogue> "Shall we set up a guard here? While I am sure of my abilities, perhaps a little more than just I might be advised. Or did you intend to fetch Hideki now?"
<Soppy> "I will do both, actually. We have a few hours to daylight though. Do you have a way to alert others to you?"
<AndrewRogue> He gestures to a whistle around his neck. "Though I am unsure it would be heard easily from here. Perhaps, though."
<Soppy> "Do it. I'm sure explaining all this to everyone will be pretty entertaining."
<AndrewRogue> He shall take a deep breath as he raises it to his lips... and let's pause there.
<Soppy> Works for me
<AndrewRogue> And by pause, I mean I think that will be the end of -your- portion of session 2.
<AndrewRogue> ...hm. No. I need to keep the sessions time consistent.
<AndrewRogue> Strike that.
<Soppy> Fair enough
<Pluck> do you
<Pluck> It's probably not that important
<AndrewRogue> It's probably easiest for my sanity if don't desync you guys that much?
<AndrewRogue> But eh.
<AndrewRogue> You're proooobably right.
<AndrewRogue> Yeah. This is end of session 2 for Vol.
<AndrewRogue> Could you collect all this and post it at some point for me, sopkins?
-
Growing more confident as her allies join, Akeha flourishes her heavy spear at the beasts surrounding her. "RISHI! Take the retreating beast!" she barks, three headed spear whirling around her, stabbing and slashing at the shambling plants, using her three blades to cut through vine and root even with piercing thrusts!
((OOC: Piercing attack, Excellent strike, 7m Excellency, hey I'm at 1m~~~
[01:27] <May> .ex 18
[01:27] <Luna> May: 18: [2: 1, 3: 3, 4: 1, 5: 2, 6: 1, 7: 4, 8: 3, 9: 2, 10: 1] - 11 Successes
[01:30] <May> .ex 18
[01:30] <Luna> May: 18: [1: 2, 2: 1, 3: 1, 4: 4, 6: 2, 7: 2, 8: 2, 9: 4] - 8 Successes
8 damage to our shambler friends))
-
Initiative
Akeha: 18
Lee: 13
Rish: 10
Yozo: 7
Shambling Hordes: 6 (Size: 2, 8 Magnitude Damage)
Patroklia: 4
Thing 1: -5; 14 Damage; Long Range to Akeha, Medium to everyone else (Withdraw: 1 Success)
Thing 2: -14
Your blade carves through the things as if they were made of dreamstuff, dirt and plant spraying as your trinity of blades cuts and pierces, and, while the horde is large, the hole you've cut in it is significant.
-
"Creatures of chaos, we are the sun!" declares Lee, sweeping out of the forest in a gale of leaves. Her anima bursts into few; six golden lines that swirl from her brow and wrap around her like a scarf of shining threads. A song comes to mind; it has a physical force to it that reverberates across the battlefield in a steady, relentless beat that promises only certain victory to the chosen:
"Masters of true creation-
Champions of mortal hearts! Kneel to us-
For you walk on our territory! Sup on our people!
Beg and cry for mercy, as they do!"
The air ripples in the wake of her voice; heard by all, it nonetheless slams into the shambling horde!
Movement: Moving to short range from the shambling horde.
Voice of the Night Bird allows Lee to flurry performance actions and kiai attacks at no extra charge!
Action 1: Charisma+Performance Threaten Action vs. Thing 1, demanding immediate surrender! 16 dice. If he spends willpower to resist, Lee gets +3 initiative.
[19:23] <Luna> Euphemia: 16: [1: 2, 2: 1, 3: 1, 5: 2, 6: 2, 7: 4, 8: 3, 9: 1] - 8 Successes
Because this succeeds, will reflexively activate Silver-Voiced Nightingale Form for 8m.
Action 2: Withering Kiai Attack on the Shambling Horde! Base Damage: 16
[19:25] <Luna> Euphemia: 15: [1: 1, 2: 2, 3: 2, 4: 2, 5: 2, 6: 1, 7: 2, 9: 1, 10: 2] - 7 Successes
Beats Defense by 4, so +4 threshold successes on damage. Shambling Horde had 10 soak; total damage pool is 10.
[19:27] <Luna> Euphemia: 10: [1: 1, 2: 1, 3: 1, 5: 2, 6: 2, 8: 2, 9: 1] - 3 Successes
3 withering damage!
-
As Akeha's words reverberate through the air, followed quickly by the blazing poem of Lee, Rishi snaps his attention to the creature attempting to flee. With a fluid motion he pulls the arrow back, the fletching gently caressing his cheek as he prepares to loose the Sun's eternal rage upon His foes.
OOC: Taking an Aim action on Thing 1
-
Thing1 shall hesitate and sigh, tossing it's blade forward, the twisted metal cutting deeply in the ground. "Another? I suppose we are beaten by these invaders, then," it shouts, seating itself. "Yield, Aranrhod. We are defeated."
Aranrhod sighs and hops back from, also tossing it's blade, the remaining hordes dissipating into nothing as they also seat themselves.
Of course, the crowd is going to continue panic and flee as they have been doing. Monsters and glowing demon people are freaky.
Yozo shall rush to Akeha's side, blade drawn. "Tetsuzuru-san, are you okay?"
Patroklia shall advance much more cautiously, waiting for assurance that you are all indeed not going to get stabbed before she walks further forward.
((OOC: Init is over, unless you really want to attempt an execution right this second)).
-
"Patroklia, see if you might not calm the people," Lee declares, gesturing towards them with a wave of her hand. "Find out if anyone is injured and bring them to us."
She advances on the fair ones with a glare of contempt. "A wise decision. You have spared us all an exhausting chase," she tells them. "Be you in the service of Fang Deshi, so-called Lord of the Nine Rivers?"
-
Rishi keeps his bow and arrow ready and poised to strike the creatures if they attempt to flee, his ears open and listening to the conversations happening below.
-
Patroklia nods. "Of course, Sensei." She strides away confidently, but slowly, trying not to panic the remaining people as she approaches. "Be at ease, we come as your salvation, not your enemy."
It closes it's eyes for a moment. "We are warriors of Gwenllelian, one thrice-bound to Fang Deshi. Our actions are Gwenllelian's, and Gwenllelian are Fang Deshi's. Your assault on us is... what would it be called? An act of war against our Court and the land of Nine Rivers. It is our territory you walk on, sun child. We hunt the shapechangers that would seek the life of our master's master. I believe your kind would consider this a violation of the laws of your lands, yes? So it is quite rude to interrupt us in the execution of our duty with... what would it be be called... an unprovoked assault?" It casts a look at the gaping wound across its chest.
-
Akeha is panting with exertion, anima ablaze about her in golden-white fire that throbs with her very life force. "I'm fine, Yozo... a bit winded holding off these creatures by myself," she nods, spear on her shoulder. She watches and listens, trying to pick up what she could from the conversation in Old Realm. "Go on, watch over Lady Aaeiko's handmaid, make sure we suffer no other surprises."
-
Lee folds her hands behind her back, staring down at the Fair Folk as she might unruly children.
"In all the lands of Creation that I have traveled, there is no question that your presence is a crime in itself, an inimical wedge that blends reality with dreams to entrap the poor souls within. That is mortal law and that is the law of heaven, to be sure. We have heard of dead gods and of a consumption of mortal life about these rivers; your apparent aggression against these people warranted an intervention. Yet, I am now to consider that you have a legal remit to be here? Passed down by a Lawgiver, one of my own? I wish to deny it, but it seems I cannot easily do so. Very well, then, such is this broken land; we will give appropriate consideration to this situation. Such is demanded by your master's master's rank."
She shakes her head. "Dreamspun warriors, I am Lee Aaeiko, priestess of the Unconquered Sun. Tell us how this came to pass, this bond between Gwenllelian and Fang Deshi."
-
Yozo bows deeply. "Of course, Tetsuzuru-san," he says and moves to assist Patroklia.
"Creation itself is a crime, a place stolen from us," the fae snorts. "Gwenllelian's chosen feast only on the wicked and the willing, by decree and word of bond. So long as the mortals obey, they are spared. What happens beyond our reach is not our concern. This is the domain we have been granted, and we follow our word. If you wish for more, then you shall bind yourself to us, for if we are to perish, how is it said... then there is little point in us conversing further?"
-
Akeha glances at the other wounded fae creature. "So what kind of shapeshifter, mm? I'm still ready to kill you on theological grounds, but I'm curious..." she remarks, rather bluntly.
-
(OOC: Gonna assume you wanted rivertongue since you were using it earlier.)
Aranrhod smiles. "Perhaps we chose the wrong land to come to. Yours sounds much more exciting. Kill or be killed is exciting." It shift's it's weight, the leaves that make up it's skin rustling. "I speak of the bastard children of the Moon. The blood drinkers and heart takers."
-
"No, in my lands we consider your kind's very existence a blasphemy upon order, and all in the land are obligated to hunt and kill you," Akeha muses, shaking her head. "We would sooner die by the hand of a shapeshifter than survive on your assistance."
-
"You things of creation are always so unyielding and rigid." It sighs and shrugs. "The leader of this land is wise to see the weakness and faults of creation. To accept the gifts our nobles have granted is to grow strong."
((OOC: Rishi, could I get an awareness? Sight/Hearing applies.))
-
"Bind ourselves to you?" replies Lee.
"I will tell you what will happen. You will be in our custody forthwith and follow our instructions; you are not permitted to flee, and you shall truthfully answer our questions regarding your alliance, and regarding this land. You'll swear not to seek harm for us, nor to seduce us or consume humanity for any reason, for a year and a day. You're to accompany us to our ship when we depart, and you will not leave it without our permission. But we'll treat you as guests; you'll not come to harm by our hands unless you seek to harm another through words or deeds, or disobey our instructions. Your other duties are to be suspended. When we meet Fang Deshi, we'll release you, or earlier, if the whim strikes us. You will lead us to him at our pleasure."
-
OOC: Spending 5 motes from Personal to bump the Awareness check, making it 12d10 Double 9s, With difficulty of checks being reduced by one, and difficulty of anything relating to specialties being reduced to one.
<Magey> .ex 12
<Luna> Magey: 12: [1: 3, 2: 2, 3: 1, 4: 1, 6: 1, 7: 2, 8: 1, 10: 1] - 5 Successes
Despite all the conversations and noise going on, Rishi is able to properly divide his attention like he was taught to do when he first learned the bow. Of particular note is that Lee switched back to Forest Tongue in the middle of her conversation, but also... Something else seems to catch his attention.
-
The creature offers you a blank stare and a glance over at it's companion who shrugs.
"Perhaps in a language one of us knows?"
On repetition, it sighs. "Truly, an unequitable deal, no Arnanrhod? But I suppose we are left with little choice. It is the place of the invading Sun Children to make the rules. You terms are heard and agreed to. We shall obey them. And with this third promise, it is done."
The other one repeats the oath.
In the meanwhile, Patr and Yozo have managed to corral at least a large portion of the townspeople and reduce them to a minor panic.
Rishi
Out of the corner of your eye you can catch an older man creeping around the trees, watching the scene unfold. He seems quite interested in the scene.
-
"You are not wrong, Fair Ones," replies Lee, acknowledging the oath with a formal bow. "No doubt you are at our mercy. Our disagreements may be forever. Yet, were we to abuse the words spoken today beyond their clear purpose, it would not be long before all refused to bow to us, even if it meant their very lives."
-
Upon sighting the older man poorly attempting to stay hidden, Rishi silently drops down from his perch and makes his way toward the stranger. Winding through the trees out of the stranger's sight, and moving quickly while the main group talks, he stops behind the older man, his bow back over his shoulder and one hand gripping his katana's hilt.
"This has been quite a day, no?"
-
The thing shall push itself to it's feet. "I am Dafydd. My companion is Aranrhod. We are at your disposal, Sun Children." It offers a mock bow.
Rishi
The man starts ever so slightly. "Course it has. You saw those monsters and what they did. You'd be wise to get outta here." His voice is rough as he looks from you to the affairs happening in the town.
-
"Y'know, I feel like I actually have to ask here. Which ones are the monsters, and what exactly did they do?" Rishi tilts his head slightly as he asks, hand still gripping his katana and his eyes measuring up the man in front of him.
-
Rishi
"Gettin' hard to tell. Thought it was just those monsters from the capital, but you see them glowing folks?" He shakes his head. "This town's finished if you ask me."
-
Rishi shares an understanding look with the man before continuing. "Now, sir, I don't think that 'finished' is the right term. There's always hope, isn't there? I mean, eventually both the monsters and the glowing folk will have to leave, right?"
-
Lee inclines her head to the Fair Folk.
She turns to the villagers a moment later, however. "Who among you can speak for all?" she asks, in the stern tone of an instructor addressing her pupils for the first time.
-
Rishi
The man leans back against a tree. "Maybe. But that sort'll be back, so long as the mad lord rules this land, eh?"
Others
The folks mill a little uncomfortably, but, eventually, with a little extra coaxing from Patr, an older woman steps forward, her black hair kept in a tight bun. "I can do so," she says with imperfect Forest Tongue. It doesn't take a skill check to see she's nervous as hell.
The Fair Folk, having made their oaths, stand and regroup if allowed, moving a bit aside, offering annoyed glances Akeha's way.
-
"I wish to hear your voices, so that mine can be their echo in the capital," Lee replies, advancing towards the woman. "I wish to know your fears and troubles, so that I can see the way to cast them aside. What is your name?"
-
OOC: Attempting to Read Intentions on the man.
<Magey> roll 5#d10
<Exaltedbot> 1,0Magey rolled :1,0 5#d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=7 ]1,0{7}
<Magey> 3 Successes
-
Rishi
You can't quite get a clear read on the man.
Everyone Else
The woman bows nervously. "Yijun He, mistress. Loyal subject of Lord Fang Deshi."
-
"Let us go for a walk," Lee says, quickly perceiving that the woman is doubtless terrified of saying anything that others might remember.
-
Rishi chuckles lightly. "Well, I'm not sure how much can be done to fix that one, I'm afraid. Though if you're so frightened of being here, why not move? Start a new life elsewhere, somewhere safer?"
-
Everyone Else
Yijun He bows deeply, casting an uneasy eye at everyone that is basically not her. "I-if that is your wish, mistress."
Rishi
"Why ought good people be forced to leave their home 'cause of monsters? It's the monsters that should be going." The man scoffs. "You one of 'em too? You certainly don't seem worried."
-
Rishi keeps an eye on Lee as she begins walking away with one of the locals. "That is quite the leap to make, sir. I agree that monsters shouldn't stick around where innocents lives their lives, but I can assure you I am no monster. I am merely a wanderer who earns his keep by keeping monsters from running amok, though I was sadly late to arrive here it seems."
He eyes the man up and down rather noticeably. "However, you don't seem terribly worried, yourself. You may be hiding away from the action, but you're the only one here while the rest of the villagers have gone back. Furthermore, you seemed perfectly comfortable to begin discussing with me, a stranger, as soon as I approached. And even further, if I were a monster, you seem rather at ease accusing me of being one to my face, while I am visibly armed. Now, before you misunderstand me, I would like to point out that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and you are rather clearly not sided with the monsters out there, which makes you an ally in my books." Rishi extends his hand forward as he finishes speaking.
-
Lee leads Yijun on a short but leisurely route from the village that will take them to their boat, and most likely back.
"You may call me Lee," she tells Yijun, in the dimming light of her anima. "What you say to me I shall keep in confidence. We are the light; we have the power to change the world. You serve Fang Deshi today, but in times past the people of Nine Rivers lived under the rule of the Nine Goddesses. By way of his song, power has shifted to him. I, too, can sing, and perchance we all may scatter Fair Ones as they came. Cadences rise and fall, as empires turn and the sun flies from dusk to dawn. Believe in us, Yijun He, but first, believe what your own heart tells you."
OOC: Presence+Charisma, trying to instill an intimacy towards Lee (Powerful).
-
Rishi
"I simply call it as I see it. If you are, it don't really matter, if you aren't, it really don't matter." The man smiles but doesn't take your hand. "So what sort are you? You with the lord's crew or you with the others?"
Lee
((OOC: In temporary absence of bot, we can give you a success credit considering your pool.))
The woman is clearly still intimidated, but also obviously awed by you and yours. "The times have indeed changed, mistress, but we must serve loyally. Our lord is blessed and the company he keeps is... strong. Stronger than our goddesses." She hesitates. "I hear the capital is a place fully foreign to us now, where strange beasts like those here walk freely. And I also hear those taken there don't come back, or they come back changed. It... is not a time to question the righteousness of Lord Fang Deshi."
-
Rishi lowers his hand back onto his katana. "Well, that's pretty oversimplified. There are more than two sides here. There's Fang Deshi's monsters, the Nine Rivers people, the glowing ones, you, and I. That's five, by my count. Now, I believe this is long overdue, but why don't we have some introductions, hmm? I am known as the Crimson Mist Assassin, and I am a mercenary-slash-assassin that works to help the innocent, though usually it's by defeating entire bands of bandits. And who might you be?" He leans back slightly towards the end, keeping a close eye on the path Lee took, Akeha and the creatures, and the man in front of him.
-
Rishi
"Boy, you know how to pontificate. If you wanna talk that way, then I figure there's about 50 different sides over there right now, one for each soul. I'm Den, and right now I'm getting pretty nervous on account of being face to face with a bit of an enigma." The man edges back, eyeing you.
((OOC: Read intentions, technically I should've let you boost, but it don't matter here
<Exaltedbot> 1,0AndrewRogue rolled :1,0 11#1d10 --> 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=2 ]1,0{2}, 1,0[ 1d10=6 ]1,0{6}, 1,0[ 1d10=3 ]1,0{3}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=5 ]1,0{5}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}, 1,0[ 1d10=1 ]1,0{1}, 1,0[ 1d10=10 ]1,0{10}, 1,0[ 1d10=9 ]1,0{9}))
"Look, if you be expecting trust right now, maybe you ought be explaining what you're actually doing here, yeah?"
-
"I shall not ask you to question it," replies Lee. "What does Lord Fang Deshi have you do? How do you serve him?"
-
Lee
"Simply continue as we have, mistress. I am... was a trader who did business between the capital and the nearby towns and villages. I... do not visit the capital much anymore, and focus my business in the villages." She lapses into silence for a long moment. "Lord Fang Deshi's... guests, under his eyes and reach, obey his laws. But... their customs are... I... have seen what remains of those who indulge in their pleasures. And what remains of those who cross them. Empty eyes and empty souls. Men twisted into the shapes of beasts." She shudders. "Here, at least, their intrusions are rarer."
-
Rishi nods, a small smile lingering on his face. "I figure that's fair, Den. While I said it earlier, I'll say it again, but more plainly. If you'll allow me to be blunt, I am here to kill Fang Deshi and wrest these lands free from his control. I have no interest in governing, or determining the laws and customs. I just want to kill a foul evil and be on my way. Maybe a few more if those creatures stand in my way. How does that sound to you?"
-
Rishi
"It sounds like a real good way for a man to get himself killed, but maybe a decent way for a monster to live." The man glances back towards the village. "So you with them, or there just a sudden interest in this here little town?"
-
"I'm with them insofar as they continue to combat evil. Nobody can work alone forever, after all." Rishi glances over at the crowd in the village. "I think we should probably get back to the group. It looks like things have settled down and nobody's life is in peril anymore. Plus, your friends and family are probably nervous and trying to find you right now..." He motions the man towards the village.
-
"Have all fallen under his whim?" wonders Lee. "Are there those in the capital who yearn to reclaim their homeland? Is there anyone in all Nine Rivers that dares to speak against Fang Deshi?"
-
Rishi
Den hrms, but nods. "I would be most interested in talking to them indeed, I think."
Lee
Yijun He looks at the ground. "The goddesses are missed. But even they seem to fear Lord Fang Deshi and his... guests." She lapses into silence again.
-
"I see. Among the goddesses," asks Lee, "Which are the most ardent and warlike?"
-
Lee
"Yi, San, Wu, and Ba are known as the most skilled and fearsome warriors of the Nine Sisters. In the early days of our lands, it is said that they defeated entire armies with their combined might."
-
"Can you tell me where I can find their shrines and temples?"
-
Rishi walks along with Den, guiding him to Akeha. "Lady A... err, Lady Hakuhi, this is Den. Den, Lady Hakuhi. Den here is one of the villagers, I found him out in the trees."
-
Akeha turns to face the local, her massive flare of Essence now fading a little to a bright blaze of white fire befitting her name. She gave a small bow to Den as Rishi introduces him. "Tetsuzuru Hakuhi, Shugodai of Inaba under the Tetsuzuru Daimyo, your neighbor to the north," she introduces herself. "We had heard of an invasion of the uncreatures of chaos, and sought to aid your Goddesses."
-
Not Lee
"Greetings, Tetsuzuru Hakuhi. But you and your servant mistake me. I am not not one of these locals, and these fool goddesses aren't mine." He bows low. "My siblings and I came to cleanse these lands, but now only I remain. So, as one of Luna's children, I offer you my aid if your goal is indeed to end the reign of the Wyld here, child of the Unconquered Sun."
Lee
"I only know a couple, Wu has a shrine just west of here, but I've heard that she has not appeared in some time. There is a shrine to Ba in the east. San's main temple is to the north..."
-
Lee inclines her head. "Thank you. It's unfortunate that the goddesses were unwilling or unable to intervene against the Fair Folk," she confides in Yehan. "Tell me, do you have children here? A family?"
-
Lee
"I do not. At times I have regretted but right now... I think it is something to be thankful for." Yijun He offers a wan smile. "There are times where it is good to always be on the move."
-
Akeha's eyebrows shoot up at the pronouncement of his identity. "I had come here to investigate myself what was occuring on my southern border. But with our discoveries here in this village, and in our conversation with the Goddess Si, the destruction of the Wyld taint has become my endeavor," she agrees. "I can not speak for all of us - Lady Aaeiko, Rishi, and Master Zhao are their own agents. Nor have I been raised with any trust for your kind, the demons of the moon that prowl in the night. But my Shogunate upbringing has been facing many challenges of late," she laughs bitterly.
"Very well then, Master Den. For if there is one thing the Dragons, the Sun, and the Moon should agree on, it is that these uncreatures should not foul creation. Lady Aaeiko will demand we keep these two alive to more easily reach and confront Fang Deshi. Beyond that allowance, I am happy to accept your assistance."
-
"A bitter sort of fortune," Lee replies, though she offers Yijun a smile of her own. "Thank you for speaking with me, Yijun He. One way or the other, we will change this land. I would ask that you accompany us, and witness that change with your own eyes; better still, to lend us your voice within the city. For I assure you, nothing improves in this world until a firm will sets out to confront what is wrong with it."
-
Rishi coughs uncomfortably at being called a servant. "Well said. Do we have some sort of agreement with them, though? I wasn't quite able to make out what these two were discussing with you and Lady Aeiko. "
-
Not Lee
The creatures offer annoyed glances between each other, suspicious and possibly putting two and two together. But they make no move, like good little captives.
Den bows deeply again. "As a child of the Unconquered Sun you don't need to be fearing me, Tetsuzuru Hakuhi. I, for one, welcome your return. Though I will warn you, Nine Rivers is more dangerous than I was lead to believe. Four of us came, one remains." He looks regretfully at the pair. "I hope your friend has a way with words, then. We'll be carrying a pair of venomous snakes in our arms if we bring them."
Lee
"But fortune, nevertheless." She hesitates. "I... can accompany you to the city and introduce you to a few people I know who remained last I knew, but I am no hero, nor do I wish to spend the rest of my life as a soulless husk or a chickadee."
-
"Such was meant more to warn you of my ingrained prejudices, unfortunately," Akeha bows in response, a little deeper this time. "From what she had said, I believe she is aware... they will be bound only to the exact letter of their agreement with her and nothing more. I will not expect much of them."
-
Not Lee
"I figured as much," Den says with a toothy smile. "Don't worry, I'll take no offense so long as you don't fall prey to their wiles. I'd work with devils themselves to purge the Wyld from our lands. Not that I think any of you are devils."
-
"I wouldn't blame you," Akeha offers wryly. "I was raised to think everyone present are devils," she snorts bitterly. "So as a curiosity... what do you see yourself as? Lady Aaeiko is almost the definitive self-image of a Solar, proud and strong and unyielding in her faith. But I have never met a Moon Demon in all my education of them."
-
Not Lee
The toothy smile widens. "That's the magic of being a moon demon, Tetsuzuru Hakuhi: I'm whatever I wish to be. From a lowly snake creeping through the grass, to an old man hiding out from monsters. But I suppose beneath that I am one of the guardians that protects creation from things far worse than moon demons." He nods his head in the direction of the fae. "And, once, the loyal servants to the children of the Unconquered Sun."
-
"You can call me Hakuhi if you desire," Akeha allows, smiling a bit. "Curious... once? Have you survived since the First Age? Or do you speak of your own reincarnation?" she wonders, sounding even more than just curious, fascinated almost.
-
Not Lee
"Mine own reincarnation, Hakuhi, and what I know from my breatheren. I, unfortunately, am not quite so ancient. Quite young, in fact. I ascended, oh say a couple years ago I suspect? Enough time to gain strength, but not enough to rival my elders. There has been much talk lately of the return of the children of the Unconquered Sun, and much of whether our lives should change."
-
"I would be glad for your presence," Lee tells Yujin, warmly.
-
Hakuhi nods, curiosity piqued. "All of us here I believe have been chosen by the Unconquered Sun within the last half-year," she admits, pursing her lips. "Lady Aaeiko had made something of the coincidence of all our meeting, but I hadn't thought of it in purely chronological terms," she admits, frowning. "It becomes even more strange in that light. But regardless, I will introduce you to Lady Aaeiko - she is a priestess and a leader of her people, much as I am a general and commander of my samurai."
-
"If we've settled everything in the village, I saw her walking over this way." Rishi points to where he last saw Lee and the villager. "Shall we go meet with her, or wait here until she returns?"
-
"We will wait. I wouldn't want to leave our captives untended." Akeha shrugs.
-
Picking up the pace, Lee escorts Yijun He back the the village and instructs her to gather her belongings, for they shall soon depart. With that addressed, she rejoins Akeha and Rishi by the captives.
"We will question the Fair Folk further on board ship," she says, folding her arms behind her, though she spares a curiously glance for Den. "Another local will be joining us. I think we are otherwise finished here...?"
-
Akeha nods to lee. "Master Den here will also join us. We'll discuss it more on the ship," she agrees, setting her spear on her shoulder.
-
OOC: And let us call this the end of session 2.
As such, everyone earns 5 Experience! Grats. In addition, all of you get 2 Solar Experience as an Expression bonus!
Approximately 4 days will have elapsed by the start of next session.
I will post the next session shortly.