Re: [004] A Call to Retribution
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 7:51 pm
Shoshen Kogataro was on his way to seek counsel from Hidetoke Kiyomaru, the reclusive old wizard and the small village which has sprung up to support those that seek him. Because this is also the mentor of Taka, you knew the route well enough to plan upon it.
You do not know if he was going onward to the war camp or returning through Takayama first, but the heavily-laden wagon seems to be more appopriate for the war camp than for the wizard. Also, the fact that nothing in the cargo was bouyant and everything sank precipitously to the river bottom indicates it was not mere sacks of rice or bundles of silk.
Because Taka was in the first party, she knows of the war camp and may be able to find it without the aid of the guide Osama (who was later treating with Kogataro, anyway). But the group never succeeded against the bandits and foul hag, so did not gain admittance or introduction to know more about the war camp than the Gunsō at its entrance.
It is, after all, not the first time that Taka has met Shoshen Kogataro, as he is the self-same 'merchant' who personally sent the previous group to their deaths at the hand of the Hag, trying to reclaim a stolen box of great value to his father Shoshen Makoto. The defiant words of the 'bandit' bushi claiming that your group were the ones working for criminals comes back to her ears.
Edit:
Also, a refresh on what Taka told you IC:
You do not know if he was going onward to the war camp or returning through Takayama first, but the heavily-laden wagon seems to be more appopriate for the war camp than for the wizard. Also, the fact that nothing in the cargo was bouyant and everything sank precipitously to the river bottom indicates it was not mere sacks of rice or bundles of silk.
Because Taka was in the first party, she knows of the war camp and may be able to find it without the aid of the guide Osama (who was later treating with Kogataro, anyway). But the group never succeeded against the bandits and foul hag, so did not gain admittance or introduction to know more about the war camp than the Gunsō at its entrance.
It is, after all, not the first time that Taka has met Shoshen Kogataro, as he is the self-same 'merchant' who personally sent the previous group to their deaths at the hand of the Hag, trying to reclaim a stolen box of great value to his father Shoshen Makoto. The defiant words of the 'bandit' bushi claiming that your group were the ones working for criminals comes back to her ears.
Edit:
Also, a refresh on what Taka told you IC:
Samwell Turleton wrote: ↑Sun Mar 06, 2022 9:14 pm Taka Satake
Taka sees the last of her expected guests arrive to the tea house. She smooths the fabric of her kimono sleeves with her palms and stands up. The soft blue silk of her kimono, patterned with billowing silvery clouds, rustles gently and she begins to address the group, I have written each of you a letter and asked you to come here today to hear news of your families. The paper lanterns, shining their soft light in the room, sway gently in a soft breeze blowing in through the open screen. " I was a companion of them and I regret to tell you they are all, each one, dead, a result of treachery."
Taka pauses for a moment to let the information she just shared sink in, then continues.
"There is a scheme, one that was secret but which I have unearthed and share with you who have been wronged. I say this in trust to you, as you will see there is great risk in knowing it, but you deserve truth regarding the fate of your loved ones. Shoshen Makoto presents himself as an upstanding businessman of good repute in this city, even rising onto the respected council of businessmen. He is actually Oyabun of the Yakuza. He has not made his fortune by honesty dealing, and your loved ones fell into his plans. He, through his son, offered them generous reward if they risked themselves against bandits in the mountains to retrieve an object he desires, but sent along a guide to ensure they were all murdered and never returned to be paid for their bravery. He hid what he knew of the bakemono of the mountain, sending them against far greater odds than they could have expected and resulting in them all being killed. This is no great loss to Shoshen Makoto, of course, who is now seeking another company to go and finish the task. He interviews more Bushi who have need of his gold even today."
"For these wrongs, I would hire you to put an end to Shosen Makoto, who betrayed your families.
I have coin to offer should this be done, but it would not be easy. He is crafty and secretive. He never allows himself to be alone and stays within his mansion here in Takayama, letting others go and do his bidding as often as he is able. He grasps for ever greater power and influence and even dares to oppose the Daimyo.
Only death is a suitable punishment."
She quietly returns to a kneeling position at her own chabudai and lets the group mull over what they have heard.