[004] A Call to Retribution

[Marullus]

If you are related to a deceased character, you received an anonymous summons to come at this time. It was in perfect, neat writing of a Buke that you assess to be a female's hand, and requested you attend to "receive information about the fate" of your related character, by name. It is also, however, unsigned and while sealed professionally did not bear a clan symbol.

If you are not related to a deceased character, then you are here at the request of one of the two Satake characters, and are associated with and have worked for them before. Choose either the elder Satake Motoyuki, bushi in-service to the Daimyo, or Satake Taka, mysterious Shugenja rising in prominence as your previous tie-in.

Tea House.png (459.06 KiB) Viewed 1486 times

You stand with a letter in-hand, contemplating the front of a tidy yet modest tea house. It is early in Uzuki, the month when the deutzia blooms before the coming of summer. Roughly two weeks had past since you last heard from you relation, saying only something cryptic about an opportunity in the nearby Hida-Sanmyaki Mountains, when you received the letter. Fine paper, an impeccable script, an anonymous writer with information on "the fate" of your relation... Directing you here, this night.

The sun has set and the last of twilight is fading as it approaches Sho-Ino-no-Toki, the Lesser Hour of the Dog (7:00pm). Lanterns are lit on the front of each establishment and the light spilling from open windows illuminates the street, casting many shadows. When you step into the Tea House, the proprietor notes your arrival and directs you to a private room with polite courtesy.

There is a palpable tension on the streets of the city. As winter has faded and summer comes, the fires of discontent among the heimin grow hotter as well. Not enough food and goods have come through the winter from neighboring Etchu province and deprivation has been keenly felt. The taxes of the Washima have been too much, say the mutterings over sake, and at the finer tables the samurai worry of a peasant uprising. It has been ten years since strife has ravaged the province, since Washima Fuhito rose to be the daimyo over the coalition of families. The rarest whispers speak of his failing health, and though none can confirm it, it fans the discontent.

The city of Takayama is the capital of Hido province and the principal seat of power for the Washima clan. The Daimyo rules from his castle here, brisk trade flowing in and out of the city as the powerful clans all come here to sit in their councils. With almost 12,000 residents, its crowded streets teem with activity and it is easy to move about with anonymity for those who choose it. The tea house is located on the opposite side of the city from the Sho-gawa river and its multitude of fisheries, from which the city derives most of its income. Besides the citadel, you see the red, upturned roofs of Kogyoku-o-tara, The Jade Temple, and Majime-na-hoshii-o-tara, The Temple of Earnest Desires for Enlightenment, rising serenely above the din of the streets on high ground, across the city from each other. Each temple is large enough to qualify as a village itself, but is dwarfed by city around them.
(Class D city, Level 4 Citadel)


Hida Province:

Hida Province Map.png (300.35 KiB) Viewed 1486 times

Go ahead and place yourself in the scene and describe your character. Do they arrive early or late? Do you take any precautions?

[ffilz]

Satake Motoyuki will be appropriately early to receive those summoned. He is wearing his good samurai garb.

What arms are appropriate for him to wear in this situation? Dai-sho or just wakizashi?

Keiso, with his merchant background is well aware that promptness is a virtue and will arrive just a bit early, not early enough to seem over eager, but enough early to be respectful. He is wearing his Buddhist robes and leaves his geta by the door. He carries his staff and otherwise none of his possessions.

[Marullus]

What arms are appropriate for him to wear in this situation? Dai-sho or just wakizashi?

The modest innkeepers say nothing of it, only showing deference to you as a landed noble in service to the Daimyo himself. What you choose to wear and display in the meeting, then, is a statement by you. None are in the room except those invited, and you only noted polite merchants having conversations in the main room, none of them armed as samurai. The room you are in is separated from the main room by the kitchens, so you have an uncommon amount of privacy.

[ffilz]

What arms are appropriate for him to wear in this situation? Dai-sho or just wakizashi?

The modest innkeepers say nothing of it, only showing deference to you as a landed noble in service to the Daimyo himself. What you choose to wear and display in the meeting, then, is a statement by you. None are in the room except those invited, and you only noted polite merchants having conversations in the main room, none of them armed as samurai. The room you are in is separated from the main room by the kitchens, so you have an uncommon amount of privacy.

OK, I think it makes sense for Motoyuki to wear the dai-sho, this is a very serious matter after all.

[jemmus]

Saizo arrived at the appointment neither early nor late. A lifetime of life at the bottom rank of the eta caste had taught him not to draw attention and displeasure by doing anything in variation of what's expected. Prior to entering the inn, he discretely stashed his furoshiki containing his possessions. His ninja suit, his straight, single-edged ninja-to sword, his 3-yard long manrikigusari, and other essential things. The bundle isn't far away, only a few strides, a leap, and a quick run. He brings into the inn only five coppers in his sleeve and six two-pointed shuriken under his sash. He wears the threadbare clothing of a poor, but clean, peasant. People expect eta to smell, either of uncleanliness, or of the game they eat in violation of the Buddha's law, or of the leather they tan, or of the dead they bury. Saizo plays the part of the well-scrubbed eta trying not to offend. And eats deer, hare, boar and sparrows, to give him a hint of the expected scent. But he carries the air of an eta who has trained in the bugei of the budoka. He knows his place. But still, he appears unafraid, if not proud.


He wonders why his employer Satake Taka has summoned him to this appointment. He has made inquiries among his colleagues in the Kiri (Mists) clan. All that is known is that she take a side road from the main road some time ago, headed into the mountains.

Saizo's char sheet is complete. Toshizo's sohei warrior-priest brother Kamine no Zenrin's isn't yet. GM, should I go ahead and introduce him into this scene, so we can move forward? After building Toshizo and some NPCs from the other game (and with the good bushi Character Sheet), I can put Zenrin together pretty quickly. I've got the idea for the PC ready.

[Marullus]

Go ahead and introduce him.

[Marullus]

*bump*

[jemmus]

At his little Buddhist temple, sohei Zenrin received a letter from his mother. Among other more mundane reports of family news, it said, Toshizo has been gone for weeks, and we haven't gotten a letter from him since he received the horse in Hida. He's a good and dutiful boy, it's not like him to leave his family wondering about him. The next dayr, he received a letter from his father. After a greeting of good wishes, it simply said, Your mother is worried about Toshizo. But he's a boy on his first adventure out in the world. And he's a bushi. A young bushi in his position does not constantly think of home. He thinks of the next step, and how to constantly improve his skill, his mind, and his spirit. We will hear from him only when things get dull and boring. That might be a long time from now.

But then, his father's letter said, As you know, Toshizo went to Hida. I wrote to the man who owed us the horse, and he said Toshizo headed south along the Nakasendo toward Hida's capital of Takayama. If you can find him, it would be good. If he has died in battle, please give him a simple, quiet funeral and honor the body and the spirit with disappearance by flames. Zenrin's brow furrowed. Brave Father thinks little brother Toshizo may be gone? But then his deep-thinking face became still, placid, and resolved. He cleared his mind with zazen meditation. Then wrote, I will do my best, Father. And I will let you know what I find. He then wrote a letter to his mother, assuring her that he was well, that he was presently engaged in pressing temple business, and that he would write again soon. He posted the letter to his mother first, and waited a day. Then posted the letter to his father. It wouldn't do for two letters to arrive home the same day. His mother would know of the letter to his father, and want to read her letter and his letter too. Such is the brave and good way of mothers with children away from home, and anxious for every word of news of what's going on in their lives.

The head priest of the temple, who had given him the Buddhist monk's name Kamine no Zenrin ("Zen Forest of the Kamine") summoned the ronin temple monk-soldier. The temple has an association with the Satake samurai family. An elder of the clan, Satake Motoyuki, has received an invitation to a mysterious meeting. As have we. The distance is rather far, and the way is rather dangerous. Go, represent the temple, and report back in person. Or if you are delayed, by letter. But be wary. A soul with an honest and untroubled mind, who knows that the other person has the same, does not think about concealing its intentions. Be aware, do not be deceived. And always be calm. You're good at that, Forest of Zen. He smiles a fatherly smile.

But Zenrin isn't so sure about all of the confidence placed in him. He arrives at the teahouse a few minutes late, watches and listens. Ambushers get impatient, fidget, overthink things, and reveal themselves and their intentions. He stands in the road outside the teahouse, the edge of his naginata a finger's breadth above the dust, opens and re-reads the already memorized letter. Then enters the teahouse and the meeting room, bows, lays his long and heavy polearm on the floor, and takes a seat. The warrior monk's dai-sho in his sash stand. He says in a quiet and humble voice, I am late. I am very sorry. He lowers his gaze and remains quiet and motionless.

[Marullus]

As the head priest commissions Zenrin, the sohei is surprised to see Kwanran placidly sitting at the side of the room. The old man has been good for conversation and Zenrin has been fond of times with him in the garden. Clearly a bushi by his carriage, the old man has relinquished his old life to find new purpose in his new Buddhist name as a Gakusho.

"The temple has an association with the Satake samurai family...."
Kwanran looks down to conceal his concern and Zenrin's memory is jogged. It was rumored that the Clan Head of the Satake, Satake Takuan, caused a great amount of intrigue when he went to a shrine. Could the tired old man Kwanran be the same person? That places even greater expectations...

(That makes Kwanran relevant as Taka's father and Motoyuki's brother. Neither has seen him since he went Buddhist about a year ago.)

[Marullus]

Looking for Turleton with Daitaro and Taka.

[Samwell Turleton]

Daitaro Amano

Daitaro traced a finger over the kanji for Souta's name on the letter he received. His little sister had no part in his reason for leaving home. He had worried, at the time, that she would be upset by his abrupt departure. He thought of her often and carried that worry with him. He thought of the games they played running through the thick forests near their home, hiding behind trees, and darting away until they eventually reached the river. Subayai he would call out as they raced through the grasses, a nickname for her quickness. She had always been his match in a short race and quickly became the faster of the two of them. He was eager to see her again.

The letter arrived with news concerning the fate of Souta Amano. Daitaro felt an obligation to respond and arrived early to the teahouse before the light faded. He walked around outside as it grew darker and then entered the building where he was directed to a special room. He places his dai-sho carefully on the floor and kneels near the chabudai. Daitaro is served a fragrant green tea and he admires the rich color and the steam swirling up from it. He waits to see what comes from this visit.

[Samwell Turleton]

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.

[jemmus]

The sohei Zenrin thinks, "Tozisho, dead. Father was correct in his guess. Little innocent Toshizo, killed while unwittingly working for a yakuza. I must send a letter to Father and Mother before starting any dangerous undertaking." Zenrin is not by nature vengeful, and his Buddhist faith has made him even less so. But he will do what he can to help end this Shoshen Makoto's career. To know the enemy's strength and not reveal it to one's own warriors is the way a callous man indeed. Preferable not to have to kill him, if there is another way. "Alas, in Nippon, this floating world of non-seeing and mistaken belief, often there is no other way."

He hasn't forgotten his promise to his father about Toshizo's remains. He turns Taka and quietly says, Satake-san, excuse me, but do you know where the bodies of your companions lie? Or I should instead say, do you know the place where they were killed? I would like to retrieve the body of my brother Kamine no Toshizo. And of the others as well. But you mentioned "the bakemono of the mountain." He stops, looks around at the others in the room who may be kinsmen of the dead, and composes his words. It is terrible to say, but if the killers were bakemono... there may not be any remains to be retrieved. I would like to ask your thoughts on that, if I may.

[Samwell Turleton]

Taka Satake

Taka remains seated and addresses Zenrin, Ah - the brother of Kamine no Toshizo, you must be Zenrin. I am so very sorry for your loss. I share your concern for providing your kin with the proper burial rituals. I do not know what has become of their remains but I also fear the worst. It is for that reason I think it is important to strike first at Shosen Makoto. I will then be able to contribute the gold needed to redirect the bushi he is recruiting to help us in recovering your kin once their employer has been eliminated.

Taka takes a sip of her tea, a sad look in her eyes, as she speaks of your lost family member.

[Samwell Turleton]

Daitaro Amano

On hearing the news of Souta, Daitaro's heart sinks. He bows his head low and recites a poem:

Flower petals wilt
and fall into blowing winds.
Carried to rivers
Past the dim glow of houses.
Lanterns, like fireflies
flicker gently, and go out.
Last year I spent
Wandering the woods.
In autumn, I returned home
to find you had gone.
A poem hung on a post
is how I remember you:

Tsuki brings red crowns
Cranes dancing in moonlit pools
Fly into the sun

[jemmus]

Zenrin listens to the words of Daitaro's poem. He gazes at the humble green tea calmly resting in his teacup. A powder of deep green leaves have settled at the bottom. He takes up the theme, haiku renku style.

Lanterns, like fireflies,
Flicker and gently go out.

The sun slowly fades
And one by one, the stars glimmer.
The sun rises, and one by one,
The stars fade away.
For just a very short time,
The sun and stars can be together in the sky.

[Marullus]

*Bump*
Poetry is cool, but continue with the scene until you all resolve to what course of action you'll take.

[Samwell Turleton]

Are there still some characters being worked out?

[Marullus]

Possibly Enoch, I talked to him today. I haven't heard from Mac in weeks, unfortunately.

Most folks haven't reacted to the offer yet (understandably, mourning is first) so there's more RP to be done here in any case.

[jemmus]

Zenrin quietly says, I appreciate your sentiment, Satake-san. I will assist with your endeavor.