[001] Dawn and departures

[jmacatty]

Ha listens carefully to the gamblers. It seems there is something to kill in the area.

[ffilz]

Ha listens carefully to the gamblers. It seems there is something to kill in the area.

You hear a bit more about the danger in the mountains:

In the mountains is the stronghold of a great bakemono who has such power that demons come to his call and all the creatures of the mountains pay him homage.

It seems there are two things going on in the mountains, someone is secretly gathering for war, and there is some hidden valley where things are not right.

How do you want to proceed?

[jmacatty]

Ha, after quietly listening says, I prefer investigating the potential warcamp, as open combat appeals to me.

[jemmus]

And I will be honest, Toshizo says. I don't think I'm skillful enough to kill even one demon. I think we should try to avoid the great bakemono and its demons and go to the camp. Osamu, please guide us on a route avoiding the area of the bakemono. He's in his armor, he has his horse Jiro, and he's ready to set out.

[Marullus]

At the inn in Takayama, the others rise for breakfast, finding two other travelers already at the long communal table. A proper lady sits with a round basket of steamed buns, eating delicately as she converses with a young man in Buddhist monk robes and Osamu the guide. It being the first week of Mutsuki, she wears her winter kimono, the symbol of her Clan embroidered discretely but intentionally upon the lapel (above). She wears a dai-sho, the blade of the katana turned to the ground and clearly visible from beside the table. About 20 years old, she is old enough to have been married but without the signs of such. She is tall but of willowy build, her hair up in a tight bun, her clothing of high quality and neatly arrayed, otherwise dressed as one who expects a day of travel ahead with a sturdy lockbox for valuables nearby. As the bushi join them in the hall, she bows her head and motions an invitation to join them at table.

"Morning greetings to you, Bushi-san," she says in greeting as they approach, her eyes taking in their own appearances. "I am Satake na Taka, travelling towards the mountain. This is my companion, Eiji of the Temple."

She motions to Osamu and then generally to their hosts and wait-staff, "They indicate you are travelling much the same direction, perhaps soon." She motions to the delicate steamed dumplings. "Would you join us? Would you like some of the same?" Osamu smiles broadly and eats a steamed bun.

[Enoch]

The young priest rises from his place on the bench, hurriedly stuffing the last of a steamed bun into his mouth and swallowing. "Good morning, Bushi-sama. Please do join us; the buns are quite delicious, as Satake-sama says."

He grins nervously and runs his hand over his shaved pate. "Sumimasen, but did I hear you mention bakemono?"

[jemmus]

Toshizo is 16 years old is always hungry. And he's down to his last few coins, having spent his travel money on foolishly purchasing a better set of dai-sho. The young ronin intentionally avoids looking at the buns as he approaches the young lady, the priest and the guide at the table. Although he's ronin and grew up poor, his parents were formerly samurai and they trained in samurai pride self-discipline. From her clothing, way of dining, and dai-sho, Toshizo assumes the lady is samurai. The priest is, well... a priest of unknown status.

He bows and says formally, I am Kamine no Toshizo, I ask for your favor in the future. Then to the guide, Osamu, good morning. He shifts the dai-sho at his belt and formally kneels on a cushion beside the low table. Yes, we have heard that there is great bakemono in the mountains. It is so powerful that demons come to serve it at its dwelling. We've asked Osamu to help ups avoid it. After some time of conversing with the new acquaintances, he says, Thank you, I shall partake. He casually takes a steamed bun and eats it bit by bit, as if he had already eaten and was already full.

[Marullus]

Satake no Taka nods slightly, showing neither surprise nor alarm. "A bakemono is a dangerous foe," she concurs with the young Bushi, taking up her next bun and quoting, "Though we know ourselves, but know not our enemy, for every victory gained we also know a defeat." She signals a servant, ordering another wicker basket of steamed buns, ensuring there is plenty for the table.

[ffilz]

After everyone has had their breakfast (what do they call that in Japan?), Osamu assembles the group. He suggests those with horses will want to consider if they want to stable them here, or in a village but likely at some point you may be following trails too rugged for horses.

[Marullus]

Taka quirks one eyebrow. "What is the purpose of arriving at an encampment if we do so without our mounts? Perhaps we must consider other trails."

What's her bill for feeding them with steamed buns?

[ffilz]

Taka quirks one eyebrow. "What is the purpose of arriving at an encampment if we do so without our mounts? Perhaps we must consider other trails."

What's her bill for feeding them with steamed buns?

1 copper per person, so 6 coppers if feeding Osamu and all the PCs.

[jmacatty]

Ha grunts to Taka Again, we hired a guide; let him do his job.

[Marullus]

She counts out eight coppers, a demonstration of largesse, and pays them with gratuity.

[jemmus]

Toshizo is as full as he has been since he left his home in Shinano a couple of weeks ago. After a little indecision about whether to call Taka -san or -sama, he decides on -san. She's obviously wealthy and higher rank, but she's not very old. And they might be traveling together for a while. Too much formality might get old before lone. He says his sincere and courteous thanks to Taka. Taka-san, thank you, it was a feast.

To Sumi, Farewell, Sumi. I hope you enjoy this town. Perhaps we'll meet again.

Outside the inn, Agreed, I don't want to leave my horse behind either. He doesn't have a choice in the matter. He can't pay for stabling it in this big town.

Sumi was faanku's character. Sumi, Ha and Toshizo had become friendly traveling together from a village to this city.

[Enoch]

Eiji nods gravely. "A bakemono would be a truly fearsome foe. It is said that some priests can drive off the weaker ones, but that is not a test I would like to face!"

[ffilz]

Starting a new thread [002] into the mountains.

[Marullus]

Does Osamu agree to modify the route to allow the horses, or must we triage all our belongings and stabling here before we set out on the mountain thread?

[ffilz]

Does Osamu agree to modify the route to allow the horses, or must we triage all our belongings and stabling here before we set out on the mountain thread?

See the new thread. Yes, he will take you on a route amenable to horses.