[Closed] 3, On the Road: Arriving at Beiden Pass

[Rex]

Kenta

"Thank you Osaru, I am in your debt."

Kenta will try and stand.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

When Osaru brings the skirmish to an end, Aiko rushes over to Kenta with great concern. She does her best to help the gentle monk but has no skill to heal him and, with only one good arm, is of little use. All but helpless to do anything, she is hugely relieved when Kenta manages to chant the Diamond Sutra and stem the flow of blood from his own wounds.

As Osaru helps Kenta to his feet, Aiko stands and turns back to the scarred woman who Koga has restrained. Her face flush with anger, she marches purposefully over and backhand slaps the woman across the face.

"Speak up, witch," she spits threateningly. "Unburden your soul. Tell us all. What evil have you and your kin wrought here?"

[Starbeard]

Eta Compound near Soft Wind Village, Beiden Pass [map]
Early Afternoon (Hour of the Horse)
"Evening Day" in High Week, 3rd of Long Month [calendar]
Weather is mostly pleasant and clear


The village and yard around you feels hollow as you count the dead and confirm the living.

Mirumoto Aiko unceremoniously smacks the witch into submission, demanding answers.

"Vile girl! Spawn of a contemptible slime!" The woman barks, all pretense toward heavenly manners thrown. "Death follows you and makes your blood stink!" But restrained, and too weak to do more than howl her black curses and insults, she resigns herself to fate and boastfully confesses all, taking perverse pleasure in the sordid quality of her tale…

Her father Yiki was indeed the slave of a wicked magician in his youth, who stole his freedom by turning the terrible secret scrolls of his master against him, enslaving the oni Gekido to devour his former master.

His long life since was spent quietly in this village, with no true knowledge of the black arts of Fu Leng (the very utterance of the name offends the ears, which tickles her)—just enough to maintain his hold on the demon, who would surely destroy him once it was free. Over the years, he brought into his little private conclave his new wife and eldest daughter (the woman), who in turn apprenticed her two sons; the rest were spared this indignity, and knew only the general nature of their awful hidden activities.

Gekido made himself useful, by showing them where enchanted trees could be found in the forest and by warning them of dangers and lurking spirits. From this they were able to supply the wondrous commodity that gave Soft Wind Village its moderate prosperity, who in return supplied the eta with comparatively comfortable lives themselves. One way or another the headman of the village, Hachiro, had discovered or guessed at the truth of the matter, but of course the lure of comfort and wealth allowed eyes to be turned the other way.

Over recent years, the power of their little cabal was growing stronger, and they noticed dark things awakening in the dark and creeping into Beiden Pass. Gekido spun them rumors of other villages succumbing to the power of the dark arts, of the Shadowlands spilling out into the deep recesses of the mountains from the poisoned dreams of sleeping dragon spirits, and of the Strange Howling haunting the countryside restlessly. Though she seems oblivious of it in her telling, you can clearly see that the sly Gekido played on their desire to tap into these greater powers to drive them increasingly insane.

The tale ends at yesterday, when Yiki's final descent into madness allowed Gekido to break free of his bondage, tormenting his crazed master through the woods until growing bored of that game and destroying him. The oni was mysteriously slain at that very moment—by your party, they learned last night during the weekly deliveries—thus ending all protection and prosperity the eta could hope for in these darkening times.

"I loathe every one of you asinine samurai for what you have done to me, and curse you to a dozen lives in Jigoku when you die! May your skin crack under the icy breath of the Dark Lord, Fu Leng!" She once again attempts to commit violence weakly, before slumping over and chanting offensive prayers in the hateful speech of the Shadowlands while tugging at her wounds.

(She is clearly attempting to cast a spell, but it is obvious that she hasn't the strength to do so, and will quite likely kill herself in the attempt).


Actions?


Rolls etc…

Aiko's Awareness+Sincerity vs witch's Willpower x 5, with 2 raises for stubborness:

[1d10] = 10, [1d10] = 10, [1d10] = 5, [1d10] = 5, [1d10] = 2
10's reroll: [1d10] = 10 [1d10] = 1
10's reroll: [1d10] = 3
Total 39, success!

登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) Down;0 (stabilized) | Void Pts 2/2
• Kitsune Shōe, Fox shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 5k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 2;5, Wnds (4) -0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spells: F2 - A2 - W2 - E2
• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), Init +2, daisho 2k2/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;6, Wnds (4) -2;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (crippled left arm; double heal rate)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru tries to act before the witch can cast the spell slicing at her with his sword.

Iaijutsu [1d10] = 8 [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 6 [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 8

[Starbeard]

That's definitely enough to hit. The petty sorceress is cut down for good, doomed to haunt whichever plane of torment she is destined for.

You now stand seemingly alone in the central yard of the compound.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru cleans his blade and puts away his weapon. "I am sorry, but that needed to be done. We were getting nowhere with the witch. She was trying to be sneaky again. I felt there was little option left but to end it." he says with a bow to the others.

[Starbeard]

Bump


Eta Compound near Soft Wind Village, Beiden Pass [map]
Early Afternoon (Hour of the Horse)
"Evening Day" in High Week, 3rd of Long Month [calendar]
Weather is mostly pleasant and clear


You have discovered the story of Yiki and his family, and Osaru has taken the initiative and ended the threat of the maho witch. The remaining eta villagers have run off to hide away—you hear some moving about in the cottages, but some may have run off into the woods. If the witch's testimony was true, then all of the maho cultists are accounted for, their bodies strewn across the yard: of the others, their only crime has been harboring maho-tsukai. By Rokugani law, this is a capital offense (though you would take no honor penalties for turning a blind eye, after hearing the story).

Then there is Hachiro, the industrious headman of Soft Wind Village. His complicity with a coven of maho-tsukai is also a terrible crime. If you divulge the details of your heroics then you can rest assured that the daimyo will reward you plentifully (5 Glory Points), but you also have no doubt that the arm of justice would be swift and merciless: the eta village would be destroyed, Hachiro would be beheaded, and an inquisition would take place in Soft Wind Village to determine who else held onto the secret. If you stay silent out of compassion for the villagers, they will of course be eternally grateful (4 Honor Points for Dragons, 3 for Foxes, 2 for Monks and Ronin) but if the truth is ever revealed then you will stand to lose plenty of Honor and Glory, or even be sentenced to seppuku.

Is there anything else you would like to do in the eta village before returning back up to Soft Wind Village and await the return of Senichi with his escort?




登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) Down;0 (stabilized) | Void Pts 2/2
• Kitsune Shōe, Fox shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 5k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 2;5, Wnds (4) -0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spells: F2 - A2 - W2 - E2
• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), Init +2, daisho 2k2/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;6, Wnds (4) -2;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (crippled left arm; double heal rate)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

"Your apology is unnecessary, Master Osaru," Aiko assures her respected travelling companion. "The Maho Witch had told us all she was going to and was beyond saving.She deserved to die."

Aiko looks around at the bodies, the four cultists and Yiki's son, and then up towards the mountains. "I fear there is something terribly wrong here," she comments slightly distantly. "A darkness spreads from somewhere deep within the pass. It has tainted this village and wrought its evil amongst the weak."

She pauses, staring off into the distance for a few moments and then continues. "Come, let us confront Hachiro with what we have learned. These remaining Eta are guilty of little more than being too afraid to act. I cannot really blame them for that."

OOC: Aiko feels some compassion for the remaining villagers and would want to do what she can to mitigate their punishment, whilst not concealing things that would cast dishonour on her or her companions if they were found out. I'm thinking that if we confront Hachiro to find out who else, if anyone, knew and execute the perpertrators ourselves or take them to the Daimyo for execution (I'm not sure culturally which is more appropriate), we could basically reveal all to the Daimyo but present the situation as resolved and that the remaining villagers and Eta were either unwitting or too cowardly to act against the Maho, which is not unexpected for simple peasants. They are not samurai after all. Hence, hopefully reducing the likelihood of additional justice being dispensed / retribution. Happy for you to spin that whatever way is most appropriate and, obviously, that's just Aiko's view.

[Rex]

Kenta

"Agreed, we did what had to be done and I feel we must further investigate in the pass."

Not sure Kenta is in shape for travel.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru nods his head "Yes something further warrants investigating here. How could so many here be so tainted by evil? We should see if we can help."

[Starbeard]

Soft Wind Village, Beiden Pass [map]
Mid Afternoon (Hour of the Goat)
"Evening Day" in High Week, 3rd of Long Month [calendar]
Weather is mostly pleasant and clear


With nothing more to do here, you turn and head back to Soft Wind Village. You can see the eta villagers slowly coming out of their hovels and hiding places as you go. As you slip back into the trees, a man you had questioned earlier relative of the man you questioned earlier, not far from him in age, shockingly calls out to you, running up. "Noble lords and lady! Respectable priests! Wait!"

He drops to his knees and bows low. In his hands are a pair of scrolls made of bamboo slats, and with one look you can tell that they are evil. Strange characters—much like the scarred and branded markings on the maho-tsukai's bodies—are burnt into the wood, and the etchings seem to be filled with a netherworldly glow. "These are Father Yiki's demonic secrets. He kept them hidden in a hole under his bed. Please take them, we would destroy them ourselves but know not how. Some of his children tried to burn them once long ago, and it did nothing but land us lashes from our angry father's cane." From the customary language he uses, you get the impression that he is not a blood relative, but married into the family.

(Actions?)

……………THEN…………

Climbing out of the small valley hiding the eta compound, you return to the Road and arrive peacefully at Soft Wind Village, taking it fairly slow for quiet Kenta's sake. It looks much as you left it, with soft chatter coming from the workshop building, a peasant or two busying themselves with chores, the occasional line of running children playing samurai games.

Actions?



登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) Down;0 (stabilized) | Void Pts 2/2
• Kitsune Shōe, Fox shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 5k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 2;5, Wnds (4) -0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spells: F2 - A2 - W2 - E2
• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), Init +2, daisho 2k2/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;6, Wnds (4) -2;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (crippled left arm; double heal rate)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Rex]

Kenta

Kenta takes it slowly. "I wish to be away from this place, but am not sure I will be able to travel very far."

[Starbeard]

Soft Wind Village, Beiden Pass [map]
Early Morning (Hour of the Hare)
"Death Day" in High Week, 4th of Long Month [calendar]
Weather is mostly pleasant and clear


It doesn't seem like anyone is set on confronting the villagers right now, so I will make a couple of rolls and push things forward to the next morning.


Retiring once again to the front chamber of Village Headman Hachiro's house, Kenta and Aiko stumble back to bed and rest. It is clear that something terrible happened, but any of the villagers who see you pretend not to notice Kenta's new wounds, not even Hachiro. He obsequiously tends to your needs as he bustles around the house, but steadfastly ignores asking about where you've been or what happened. He generally seems more nervous, more overtly respectful, and much less verbose and cryptic with his dialogue. If any of you attempt to catch him (or any of the villagers) eavesdropping on your conversations, you aren't able to outside of normal circumstances.

The evening comes, and an unexpected sight comes down the Road. The youthful, strapping silhouette of bold, quiet Saburo rides toward the village on a steed. His riding is fierce but poor, and he practically bypasses the entire village before he clumsily learns how to bring the horse to a stop. Throwing himself to the ground, he rushes up to the house. "Goblins! Goblins in the wood, leading zombie men!"

In between his heavy panting, the peasant youth describes the catastrophe. Senichi had met with Lord Nasu and was headed back with a powerful healer and two samurai retainers, when they were waylaid by a horde of living corpses blocking the road, and then ambushed by packs of goblins from all sides. The two escaped through the assault, and Senichi sent him down to bring help from the garrison at the bottom of the Pass while he attempted to make his way back to the castle.

Clearly exhausted, Saburo flops onto a bed to rest his blistered thighs and backside, and another runner is sent down the mountain. The daimyo's horse is kept at the village.

That night, Sakemono does not come to haunt the Pass, leaving only an eery silence that hangs in the trees.

(Kenta heals 6 hits, and Aiko heals 4)



You awaken at dawn, already to commotion. An entourage of fifteen mounted warriors are outside, all dressed for war but without their banners flying: seven are bushi, two are shugenja, and six are ashigaru soldiers. All wear the mon of the Nasu family on their armor, and the one with the most opulent gear is barking orders at Headman Hachiro, who is bowing prostrate in the snow.

The man is Lord Nasu himself, and these are his companions. With as little fanfare as necessary, Nasu explains that he is here hunting, and will escort your party back to the castle. Somewhat confused, Hachiro asks whether Senichi has not yet reached the castle with the news, and this sets Nasu's temper off. "What news? Goblins? Yaghh! Where is this boy, Saburo, and what has he said?!"

While the morning sun is still trying to rise above the eastern peaks, you gather your things and ready to leave. The two shugenja chant and studiously perform stilted dances around Kenta and Aiko while shaking purification wands drenched in water over them, calling upon the water spirits to heal their wounds.
(Both pass simple TN5 rolls, so Kenta and Aiko are eached healed 1 full wound rank)

You mount the ashigaru's horses. Those soldiers will walk back at their own pace with two samurai. The villagers are left with the statement that there were in fact no goblins, simply more of those damnable bandits who have been preying on the Road. Two more samurai are sent down to the garrison to settle matters there, and the rest of you ride on to Nasu Castle.



As the sun crests over the peaks and shines down onto the Pass, Aiko is reminded that over at Prosperous Plains Castle, down in the Crane lands, the whole town must be overrun with the countless mannequins that households for miles around have spent the past year crafting with care. Her wound aches and she wonders if she'll ever get to see that wondrous sight.
(Aiko missed the Mannequin Festival and loses 1 Honor Point)




登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) -3;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Kitsune Shōe, Fox shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 5k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 2;5, Wnds (4) -0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spells: F2 - A2 - W2 - E2
• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), Init +2, daisho 2k2/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;5, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 1/2 (crippled left arm)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2