Osamu leads you into the mountains, following trails that sometimes require those mounted to dismount and lead their horses.
Mid morning as the trail leads into a small clearing, a small pack (4) of boars are rooting around in the clearing. The largest looks up and snorts and starts scuffing the ground in challenge.
[002] Into the Mountains
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
Eiji smiles benevolently at the swine. "Peace, friend. We mean you no harm." Nonetheless, he kicks out the crescent end of his spade, holding it in a nonthreatening but ready stance.
Shadrach, Demon-Hunter - Dust to Dust
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
(We lost our Yakuza, so we still have two Bushi, a Shugenja, and a Gakusha, right?)
Taka pays the staff of the boarding house and requests their assistance in carrying her strongbox to her horse, where it is secured and sways along on the beast's rump. She opens the box and reverently arranges her court clothes, winter clothes, a suit of samurai armor that appears too large for her, and the familial dai-sho blades within before she closes and locks it once more. She perches in the saddle, simple good-quality samurai travelling clothes, a pouch at her waist. She reverently examines the red folded steel of her exquisite tanto knife - her family crest emblazoned on the hilt - and sheaths it in the sash of her kimono as well. She rides exceptionally well, clearly experienced in the saddle, but does not shie away from dismounting and walking when she must.
She rides her horse as they come upon the clearing, bringing up the rear. She watches the warriors carefully as the boars come into view. As the boars begin pawing the ground and threatening, she whispers a few words and moves her hands in what appears to be a slow kata. "Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting," she quotes aloud, then calls ahead to Toshizo and Sami: "Continue around on the left path, perhaps we can avoid them."
Freshwater springs begin seeping amidst the boars' grasses, the ground beginning to get sloppy and muddy moment by moment.
Taka pays the staff of the boarding house and requests their assistance in carrying her strongbox to her horse, where it is secured and sways along on the beast's rump. She opens the box and reverently arranges her court clothes, winter clothes, a suit of samurai armor that appears too large for her, and the familial dai-sho blades within before she closes and locks it once more. She perches in the saddle, simple good-quality samurai travelling clothes, a pouch at her waist. She reverently examines the red folded steel of her exquisite tanto knife - her family crest emblazoned on the hilt - and sheaths it in the sash of her kimono as well. She rides exceptionally well, clearly experienced in the saddle, but does not shie away from dismounting and walking when she must.
She rides her horse as they come upon the clearing, bringing up the rear. She watches the warriors carefully as the boars come into view. As the boars begin pawing the ground and threatening, she whispers a few words and moves her hands in what appears to be a slow kata. "Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting," she quotes aloud, then calls ahead to Toshizo and Sami: "Continue around on the left path, perhaps we can avoid them."
Last edited by Marullus on Fri Apr 23, 2021 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
The boars are confused by the mud and start floundering, unable to gain traction. The small party, led by Osamu skirts the clearing neatly avoiding the boars.
I'll pause a moment in case someone had another response to the boars.
I'll pause a moment in case someone had another response to the boars.
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
When the boar began to show anger, Toshizo quickly dismounted from his horse and stood in front of it. I have full armor, but Jiro has none, he thought. A boar will attack a horse the same as a man.
His eyes widen when Taka casts her spell and water springs from the earth, turning it to mud. The samurai lady is a shugenja! He had seen men who were said to be shugenja. But he had never seen one cast a spell-- and he had never seen one that was a fine lady, and wearing samurai dai-sho. And I thought we would protect her. Toshizo, you are not only just a kid, but you're also a foolish one. You've once again ignored Father's advice about a bushi never assuming anything. He mounted Jiro and joined the others skirting the clearing.
His eyes widen when Taka casts her spell and water springs from the earth, turning it to mud. The samurai lady is a shugenja! He had seen men who were said to be shugenja. But he had never seen one cast a spell-- and he had never seen one that was a fine lady, and wearing samurai dai-sho. And I thought we would protect her. Toshizo, you are not only just a kid, but you're also a foolish one. You've once again ignored Father's advice about a bushi never assuming anything. He mounted Jiro and joined the others skirting the clearing.
Last edited by jemmus on Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCs
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
As the boar flounders in the mud, its anger seemingly dissipated, Eiji favors it with a serene smile. "Go in peace, brother." He, too, follows the rest of the group down the left-hand trail, but his grip does not loosen on his spade until it's clear the beast is no longer a threat.
Shadrach, Demon-Hunter - Dust to Dust
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
Ha casts a sceptical eye in Taka's direction.
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
*bump*
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
Osamu continues to lead you into the mountains. The next day Osamu suggests you are getting near where he thinks the camp might be. Midday, you hear the sounds of a patrol marching on the trail ahead, approaching.
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
Satake no Taka sits atop her black gelding at the rear of the group and reigns him to a stop. She checks her hair with a quick fastidious pass of her fingers, then folds her hands on her lap and waits, letting the armored Bushi make the greeting when the patrol appears, her imperious gaze waiting to support them.
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
Kamine no Toshizo rides his bay stallion to a position in the front, beside Ha, but not in front of him. He believes he's higher rank within the ronin caste, but Ha is older than he is. He is in full armor, but his bow and dai-sho are sheathed. He waits for the bushi to approach.
PCs
Re: [002] Into the Mountains
Ha awaits the approaching group, hands away from his katana, but hovering near.