2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Alright, the daily tracking chart has been updated with 72 On. No budo or On were gained during the mountain crossing.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Over a meal Sawaguchi says, Yukinori-san, you think you will have no way to know this, but your kinsman Minamoto no Yoritomo survived Okitsu. He took shelter in the castle in Kofu, then went on to your provinces in the east. This war is not over, I don't think. Yoritomo is a bushi with a strong spirit. He won't stop with this defeat, the same as he didn't stop after the Ishibashiyama defeat.
He listens to Buruusu's story. We have of course heard of what happened in Kanbara, but you are the first witness to visit this little village. What the Imagawa did in Kanbara was terrible, and craven as well. They claim that it was in retaliation for when the Taira retreated in Yamato province, and the Minamoto turned their women, children, and parents out of their houses and onto the road. But everyone knows it was because they were shamed by missing the two battles. They were slow to assemble, and missed the humiliation of being routed with the Taira by ducks and loons. Then they missed both days of Okitsu. They already had a reputation as wealthy and soft “taxes and tea” samurai, not “horse and dai-kyu” bushi. When they finally got an army together, they wanted to use it and fight to repair their reputation. But all they did was kill farmers and a few Takeda village bushi.
The Imagawa have a reputation for being greedy for land and taxes. And they and the Takeda have hated each other for a generation. Kanbara is on the Suruga border, so it was the closest and easiest target. Everyone sees how the Imagawa stopped there, and didn't advance further. They fear the Takeda garrison in Kofu, of course. And in time the Takeda will take Kanbara back.
He listens to Buruusu's story. We have of course heard of what happened in Kanbara, but you are the first witness to visit this little village. What the Imagawa did in Kanbara was terrible, and craven as well. They claim that it was in retaliation for when the Taira retreated in Yamato province, and the Minamoto turned their women, children, and parents out of their houses and onto the road. But everyone knows it was because they were shamed by missing the two battles. They were slow to assemble, and missed the humiliation of being routed with the Taira by ducks and loons. Then they missed both days of Okitsu. They already had a reputation as wealthy and soft “taxes and tea” samurai, not “horse and dai-kyu” bushi. When they finally got an army together, they wanted to use it and fight to repair their reputation. But all they did was kill farmers and a few Takeda village bushi.
The Imagawa have a reputation for being greedy for land and taxes. And they and the Takeda have hated each other for a generation. Kanbara is on the Suruga border, so it was the closest and easiest target. Everyone sees how the Imagawa stopped there, and didn't advance further. They fear the Takeda garrison in Kofu, of course. And in time the Takeda will take Kanbara back.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
The wounded bushi receive treatment from a physician from the bigger town of Hokuto, which Hiroshi stayed in three months ago, and Buru a day ago. After two days Hiroshi and Matsumoto no Ryusuke completely healed up. Sawaguchi asks Hiroshi and Buru to stay another day until Minamoto no Yukinori should be healed and travel with him to Kofu, or beyond to the Minamoto provinces.
On the third day, Yukinori's wounds have healed enough for travel. Sawaguchi's plan is that Yukinori, Hiroshi, and Buru will travel south along the highway toward Kofu.. Ryusuke will travel with Sawaguchi himself north toward his home in Shinano. Leaving the village abandoned of all samurai defense or peasants management. It shames me to say this, but when you are well enough to travel, please be careful. The Takeda are strong enough to defend Kai from the Imagawa. But there aren't as many bushi for patroling the roads and highways as before. Bandits will see that, and become bolder. And the various kinds of yohkai probably will too.
He bows to the samurai veterans and gives each a patterned cloth pouch. It's obvious to all that the contents are flat metal coins. Thank you for your hard work, please accept these few things to helps with your expenses until you get home. Please arrive there safely. Please give the our regards and well wishes to your families. Minamoto-san no Yukinori-san, Matsumoto no Ryusuke-san.... He bows. He doesn't bow to the ronin Hiroshi. But he looks him in the eye and bows his head in acknowledgement.
The groundskeeper Niwatori (who'd probably been listening to everything all along) comes running up to Hiroshi with a similar pouch. He whispers in his ear. It's 30 silver. Silver! He backs away, beaming, with smiles. Then he runs to Buruushu with a similar bag. He nudges the fellow peasant and winks. It's 30 copper! Sorry, I was curious and took a little peak. And there's a bonus silver one in there as well! He beams again, then his face drops. Sorry for your loss. The wife and me will light incense sticks at the temple for them. She's a good person, she won't scrimp for that. He goes back to deliberately sweeping the yard, glancing up and down once in a while, obviously keenly listening to the latest news of the village and the world.
The travelers rise and leave the Sawaguchi's, his wife's, and their young daughters' house and reach the highway.
Sawaguchi says in to Hiroshi, in a low voice, but loud enough for others to hear his words as well: Hiroshi, when I saw you last, you and a big ronin bushi named Togakushi no Kentaro left this village to escort the Fujiwara kuge to Kofu. Kentaro seemed an honorable bushi. If he was at Okitsu and is no longer present I and my wife will burn incense for him at the temple for his respose in Heaven.
Yokai - monster
Healing rate – Health/5. In comfort, +2. Physician care, +1 For the NPCs, 8 HP healed per day. Seems like a really quick rate to me.
I didn't do the Social game mechanics Sawaguchi's request for Hiroshi to travel with Yukinori. If Hiroshi doesn't want to honor that request, we can do the mechanics.
Hiroshi and Buruusu are fully ready for travel and whatever's next. They can go south toward Kofu with the Minamoto, north toward Shinano with the Matsumoto, or any other direction. Or just stay in Chiyoda, and see what happens here and around the neighboring mountains.
On the third day, Yukinori's wounds have healed enough for travel. Sawaguchi's plan is that Yukinori, Hiroshi, and Buru will travel south along the highway toward Kofu.. Ryusuke will travel with Sawaguchi himself north toward his home in Shinano. Leaving the village abandoned of all samurai defense or peasants management. It shames me to say this, but when you are well enough to travel, please be careful. The Takeda are strong enough to defend Kai from the Imagawa. But there aren't as many bushi for patroling the roads and highways as before. Bandits will see that, and become bolder. And the various kinds of yohkai probably will too.
He bows to the samurai veterans and gives each a patterned cloth pouch. It's obvious to all that the contents are flat metal coins. Thank you for your hard work, please accept these few things to helps with your expenses until you get home. Please arrive there safely. Please give the our regards and well wishes to your families. Minamoto-san no Yukinori-san, Matsumoto no Ryusuke-san.... He bows. He doesn't bow to the ronin Hiroshi. But he looks him in the eye and bows his head in acknowledgement.
The groundskeeper Niwatori (who'd probably been listening to everything all along) comes running up to Hiroshi with a similar pouch. He whispers in his ear. It's 30 silver. Silver! He backs away, beaming, with smiles. Then he runs to Buruushu with a similar bag. He nudges the fellow peasant and winks. It's 30 copper! Sorry, I was curious and took a little peak. And there's a bonus silver one in there as well! He beams again, then his face drops. Sorry for your loss. The wife and me will light incense sticks at the temple for them. She's a good person, she won't scrimp for that. He goes back to deliberately sweeping the yard, glancing up and down once in a while, obviously keenly listening to the latest news of the village and the world.
The travelers rise and leave the Sawaguchi's, his wife's, and their young daughters' house and reach the highway.
Sawaguchi says in to Hiroshi, in a low voice, but loud enough for others to hear his words as well: Hiroshi, when I saw you last, you and a big ronin bushi named Togakushi no Kentaro left this village to escort the Fujiwara kuge to Kofu. Kentaro seemed an honorable bushi. If he was at Okitsu and is no longer present I and my wife will burn incense for him at the temple for his respose in Heaven.
Yokai - monster
Healing rate – Health/5. In comfort, +2. Physician care, +1 For the NPCs, 8 HP healed per day. Seems like a really quick rate to me.
I didn't do the Social game mechanics Sawaguchi's request for Hiroshi to travel with Yukinori. If Hiroshi doesn't want to honor that request, we can do the mechanics.
Hiroshi and Buruusu are fully ready for travel and whatever's next. They can go south toward Kofu with the Minamoto, north toward Shinano with the Matsumoto, or any other direction. Or just stay in Chiyoda, and see what happens here and around the neighboring mountains.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Buru bows humbly and gratefully accepts the pouch of traveling money.
"I thank you for telling me of the Imagawa and i am glad their treachery is widely known." He turns to Hiroshi and the samurai companions, "I will gladly aid with what skills i possess if given the opportunityto oppose them."
Actual direction is up to Hiroshi.
"I thank you for telling me of the Imagawa and i am glad their treachery is widely known." He turns to Hiroshi and the samurai companions, "I will gladly aid with what skills i possess if given the opportunityto oppose them."
Actual direction is up to Hiroshi.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
My preference as a player would be to do something that gets our characters back together and not continue to fight battles, but "world wise" what obviously makes sense is to hook back up with an army and fight more battles. So I'm rather torn as to how top proceed.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
As far as Hiroshi knows, Akemi, Ito, and Omi are in Kofu. He does know that the inn there is the current meet up spot for the characters.
He also knows that the wars in Nippon proceed pretty slowly. Usually after a battle, the armies go home, mostly disband, and the individual samurai go home to take care of business. Then when one side has accumulated enough surplus in money, food, supplies and morale, it forms another army and goes on the offense. It might be a few months before that happens. Especially because real winter and heavier snow are coming soon.
And just as a note, the Minamoto and Taira war isn't really about capturing territory. It's about who gets to put an Emperor on the throne and dominate Nippon through him.
He also knows that the wars in Nippon proceed pretty slowly. Usually after a battle, the armies go home, mostly disband, and the individual samurai go home to take care of business. Then when one side has accumulated enough surplus in money, food, supplies and morale, it forms another army and goes on the offense. It might be a few months before that happens. Especially because real winter and heavier snow are coming soon.
And just as a note, the Minamoto and Taira war isn't really about capturing territory. It's about who gets to put an Emperor on the throne and dominate Nippon through him.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
OK, after resting up, it definitely makes sense to make our way back to Kofu.
BTW. Hiroshi is BCS 8 with Igaku (Physician) so he can help with the mending (hmm, does Bushido have any rules for helping with skills?)
BTW. Hiroshi is BCS 8 with Igaku (Physician) so he can help with the mending (hmm, does Bushido have any rules for helping with skills?)
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
I haven't seen any rules about characters helping each other. But that doesn't mean they aren't there.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
The travelers depart Chiyoda-cho for Kofu. Ryusuke says, Yukinori-san, it has been good traveling with you. You and your family are always welcome at my home in Shinano.
Perhaps we will meet again when the Minamoto and Matsumoto go against the Taira again. Yukinori replies, Yes, we are nakama now, Ryusuke-san. You and your kin are of course always welcome in my home in Musashi. I feel that we will meet again. They bow.
Then Ryusuke says to Hiroshi, Hiroshi-san, thank you for your help in crossing the mountains. You are a true bushi. You and your family are also welcome in my home in Shinano. If may ever be of assistance, please only ask. He bows. Hiroshi is surprised that the samurai addressed him, a ronin, as san. Buruusu, travel safe. Well then, farewell, or until next time. He turns and starts walking up the highway, dai-kyu in hand, toward Shinano.
Yukinori, Hiroshi and Buru head south. The bushi make good time, and pass through the village of Fujimi-cho with plenty of daylight left to reach the town of Hokuto-cho. They stay in the inn where Hiroshi stayed three months before. In the morning they rise and continue toward Kofu, expecting to reach it before sundown. There is little traffic on the highway. Not like when Hiroshi came this way before, when there were Takeda and Matsumoto bushi riding up and down the roads.
In the afternoon they see a pack of 14 wolves standing in the woods off the road. The wolves don't attack, but neither do they run away. The travelers find it odd that wolves would appear in the daylight so close to the city. Perhaps what Sawaguchi said about wild things being emboldened is coming true.
Hiroshi remembers the incident at the checkpoint at the entrance to Kofu. Full o-yoroi may not be worn, and kyu must be unstrung. Yukinori asks Hiroshi to help unstring his 2-man dai-kyu and removes most of his o-yoroi.
nakama - inner circle friend
5 silver for Hiroshi and 5 copper for Buru for lodging.
The wolves were a random encounter.
Actions please
Perhaps we will meet again when the Minamoto and Matsumoto go against the Taira again. Yukinori replies, Yes, we are nakama now, Ryusuke-san. You and your kin are of course always welcome in my home in Musashi. I feel that we will meet again. They bow.
Then Ryusuke says to Hiroshi, Hiroshi-san, thank you for your help in crossing the mountains. You are a true bushi. You and your family are also welcome in my home in Shinano. If may ever be of assistance, please only ask. He bows. Hiroshi is surprised that the samurai addressed him, a ronin, as san. Buruusu, travel safe. Well then, farewell, or until next time. He turns and starts walking up the highway, dai-kyu in hand, toward Shinano.
Yukinori, Hiroshi and Buru head south. The bushi make good time, and pass through the village of Fujimi-cho with plenty of daylight left to reach the town of Hokuto-cho. They stay in the inn where Hiroshi stayed three months before. In the morning they rise and continue toward Kofu, expecting to reach it before sundown. There is little traffic on the highway. Not like when Hiroshi came this way before, when there were Takeda and Matsumoto bushi riding up and down the roads.
In the afternoon they see a pack of 14 wolves standing in the woods off the road. The wolves don't attack, but neither do they run away. The travelers find it odd that wolves would appear in the daylight so close to the city. Perhaps what Sawaguchi said about wild things being emboldened is coming true.
Hiroshi remembers the incident at the checkpoint at the entrance to Kofu. Full o-yoroi may not be worn, and kyu must be unstrung. Yukinori asks Hiroshi to help unstring his 2-man dai-kyu and removes most of his o-yoroi.
nakama - inner circle friend
5 silver for Hiroshi and 5 copper for Buru for lodging.
The wolves were a random encounter.
Actions please
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hiroshi will be honored to help Yukinori with his bow and armor. Hiroshi will also unstring his own bow and divest himself of his armor.
A slight rewind, anticipating the need to divest of armor before entering Kofu, Hiroshi will want to secure at least a pack frame to strap his armor to. Also he probably should acquire replacements for some f his lost possessions.
A slight rewind, anticipating the need to divest of armor before entering Kofu, Hiroshi will want to secure at least a pack frame to strap his armor to. Also he probably should acquire replacements for some f his lost possessions.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Buru is pensive on the southerly return journey. "Yukinori-san, how soon do you think we will have opportunity to act against the Imagawa? How moght we do so?"
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Good idea about the packframe. As we saw with the charcoal burners, those are a common way for carrying things in Nippon. The bushi in the game need a way to port things around. An equivalent of D&D's backpack, belt pouch, sm sack and lg sack. 15 cp, 1 weight. Nippon people are also clever about the thing carrying heavy things not also adding much weight itself. Figures added to the first house rules post, the non-standard items section.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
The travelers pace along the highway. Minamoto no Yukinori, only 16 or 17 years old and recently near death in probably his first battle, seems to think. I don't know, Ri Buruusu. We lost. Bad. So Taira no Kiyomori is still in Kyoto, laughing. His baby grandson or nephew or whatever is still the "Emperor." I know that the Minamoto will never back down and accept the Taira's lying skillfulness in the capital. They don't play by the rules, and now Kiyomori has gone too far. He and the Taira, outrageously too far. Nippon won't stand for the outrage to the Emperor, I don't think.
They tramp along for some more ri. Yukinori says, Buru. I have to be bare of armor and dai-kyu when on the road and in foreign towns. I can only have my kimono and dai-sho. Does that mean you budoka have advantages in in towns over bushi? You can tell me fighter to fighter. For when we next go against the Imagawa.
They tramp along for some more ri. Yukinori says, Buru. I have to be bare of armor and dai-kyu when on the road and in foreign towns. I can only have my kimono and dai-sho. Does that mean you budoka have advantages in in towns over bushi? You can tell me fighter to fighter. For when we next go against the Imagawa.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
The bushi and budoka near the city of Kofu. At a forested part of the highway, the see a pack of 14 wolves, adults and pups, loping by the road. They stop and look at the humans. They neither attack them nor run away from them. The travelers think it odd that wolves would be so close to rice fields and the city. Perhaps what Sawaguchi said about wild things grower bolder was true.
The bushi doff their armor and load it onto their packs. They reach a checkpoint manned by a dozen Takeda samurai and ashigaru. They state their names, where they are coming from, their business in the city, and where they will staying. When Hiroshi and Yukinori say they're coming from Okitsu via northern Suruga, the bushi bow to them. Their captain says, Thank you for your hard work. He says to Yukinori, Minamoto no Yukinori-san, please allow us to take you to the castle. The Takeda will surely want to show you their hospitality. Yukinori turns to Hiroshi and Buru. Well, this is farewell then. Hiroshi-san, take care and be safe. Perhaps we will fight alongside again. Buru, I think you will have a chance for vengeance for the Imagawa before long. Please fight hard and succeed. You are both welcome in my home in Musashi province. He bows. An ashigaru takes his pack, a horse is brought for him, and he departs with the captain and the armor bearer.
Hiroshi takes Buru to the inn where he stayed before. The innkeeper and his wife are happy to see him, but also grave. They don't ask about the other ronin who went off to battle with Hiroshi. After Okitsu, many similar questions go unasked.
In the evening Akemi arrives and is elated to see Hiroshi. She looks around for Kentaro and is about to speak, but stops. She looks very sad for a moment, but then uses her oiran courtesan skills to put on a smiling face. Hiroshi introduces her to Ri Buruusu. Akemi says, Hiroshi, I cannot tell you all of what I have been doing since we were last together, because that would be foolish of me. I know you and trust you, but for one's own safety, some knowledge is best not known.
When the battle of Okitsu ended and the Minamoto army fled to the east, I waited at Satta Pass. I found a point beside a narrow point of the road that was low enough that I could see below the brim of each bushi's kabuto. I watched for you and Kentaro to pass by. But I didn't see either of you. For a moment my foolish head thought to go to the Okitsu battlefield and try to find you and help bring you back if I could. But then I realized... there would be no wounded among the defeated on the field of Okitsu. And no way to recognize the dead. Because... the Taira would have taken trophies.
When neither of you passed through the Satta Pass, I returned to this inn in Kofu. I determined that I would wait a month, and if you didn't return by then, I'd leave a sealed message with the innkeeper, inviting all of us to meet at this inn on the first day of the month each month, if we could and each person wished to. And then I departed to do other things of which I won't say. Other than that they were only on behalf of the Takeda. Whom my friends Hiroshi and... Kentaro had sided with as hired bushi.
I am very happy to see you again, Hiroshi. She motions the waitress over. Please, tea, o-sake, rice and grilled fish for these gentlemen. Both have recently endured hardships, I believe.
The wolves were a random encounter, but they worked in well.
We have a timeline quandary. Buru and Hiroshi are on Day 104 and Taisho and Haruto are on Day 93. I think we have to pause Buru and Hiroshi and let the other guys catch up.
(They might end up being present at this dinner.
)
The bushi doff their armor and load it onto their packs. They reach a checkpoint manned by a dozen Takeda samurai and ashigaru. They state their names, where they are coming from, their business in the city, and where they will staying. When Hiroshi and Yukinori say they're coming from Okitsu via northern Suruga, the bushi bow to them. Their captain says, Thank you for your hard work. He says to Yukinori, Minamoto no Yukinori-san, please allow us to take you to the castle. The Takeda will surely want to show you their hospitality. Yukinori turns to Hiroshi and Buru. Well, this is farewell then. Hiroshi-san, take care and be safe. Perhaps we will fight alongside again. Buru, I think you will have a chance for vengeance for the Imagawa before long. Please fight hard and succeed. You are both welcome in my home in Musashi province. He bows. An ashigaru takes his pack, a horse is brought for him, and he departs with the captain and the armor bearer.
Hiroshi takes Buru to the inn where he stayed before. The innkeeper and his wife are happy to see him, but also grave. They don't ask about the other ronin who went off to battle with Hiroshi. After Okitsu, many similar questions go unasked.
In the evening Akemi arrives and is elated to see Hiroshi. She looks around for Kentaro and is about to speak, but stops. She looks very sad for a moment, but then uses her oiran courtesan skills to put on a smiling face. Hiroshi introduces her to Ri Buruusu. Akemi says, Hiroshi, I cannot tell you all of what I have been doing since we were last together, because that would be foolish of me. I know you and trust you, but for one's own safety, some knowledge is best not known.
When the battle of Okitsu ended and the Minamoto army fled to the east, I waited at Satta Pass. I found a point beside a narrow point of the road that was low enough that I could see below the brim of each bushi's kabuto. I watched for you and Kentaro to pass by. But I didn't see either of you. For a moment my foolish head thought to go to the Okitsu battlefield and try to find you and help bring you back if I could. But then I realized... there would be no wounded among the defeated on the field of Okitsu. And no way to recognize the dead. Because... the Taira would have taken trophies.
When neither of you passed through the Satta Pass, I returned to this inn in Kofu. I determined that I would wait a month, and if you didn't return by then, I'd leave a sealed message with the innkeeper, inviting all of us to meet at this inn on the first day of the month each month, if we could and each person wished to. And then I departed to do other things of which I won't say. Other than that they were only on behalf of the Takeda. Whom my friends Hiroshi and... Kentaro had sided with as hired bushi.
I am very happy to see you again, Hiroshi. She motions the waitress over. Please, tea, o-sake, rice and grilled fish for these gentlemen. Both have recently endured hardships, I believe.
The wolves were a random encounter, but they worked in well.
We have a timeline quandary. Buru and Hiroshi are on Day 104 and Taisho and Haruto are on Day 93. I think we have to pause Buru and Hiroshi and let the other guys catch up.
(They might end up being present at this dinner.
)PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
For the Cold Iron campaign, I have pack frame at 1 silver, I think I got that from Land of the Rising Sun. 1lb weight. 15 copper or 1 silver, relatively minor cost either way.jemmus wrote: ↑Sun Apr 10, 2022 11:50 pm Good idea about the packframe. As we saw with the charcoal burners, those are a common way for carrying things in Nippon. The bushi in the game need a way to port things around. An equivalent of D&D's backpack, belt pouch, sm sack and lg sack. 15 cp, 1 weight. Nippon people are also clever about the thing carrying heavy things not also adding much weight itself. Figures added to the first house rules post, the non-standard items section.
And yes, let's pause to let Taisho and Haruto catch up.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Sounds good to me, glad to pause this thread and wait!
...though, Hiroshi should at least tell Akemi that Kentaro's last thoughts were of her.
...though, Hiroshi should at least tell Akemi that Kentaro's last thoughts were of her.