Summary of the above
The regulars merchants in the Sho-Chiku-Bai discuss the news of the day. Minamoto no Yoritomo, one of the Minamoto's two main war leaders, was defeated in a battle at Hakone Pass around 20 ri to the southeast. He was only able to gather 300 troops on his march toward the capital, but the Taira regent Kiyomori sent 3,000 against him. Yoritomo escaped with his life, but no army. The Taira army is in Suruga bordering Kai just to the south. (Please remember that the Nippon provinces are around the size of U.S. counties, but with travel among them quite difficult and restricted by roads and mountain passes). The merchants wonder what the Takeda and Taira cadet clan Imagawa of Suruga, long-term rivals, will do next. The Takeda want Suruga's wealth and seaports. The Imagawa want the Takeda done with and gone for good.
2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - Days 1 - 90
Kentaro checks at the post office near the inn every few days. On the 21st day there is a small parcel for him. Inside are a letter and a smaller parcel. Kentaro reads the katakana:
To Togakushi no Kentaro,
The parcel addressed to you was delivered to Chiyoda village.
Sawaguchi no Takeshi
Lieutenant Ninyo, Chiyoda Village
Kentaro opens the parcel within a parcel. Inside are 32 silver "month" coins and a letter. It is also in katakana. Apparently this writer doesn't think much of Kentaro's literacy skills either.
To Togakushi no Kentaro,
Matsumoto no Niko-sama has chosen to trust in your honesty. He will accept that the head shown to the ninyo in Kai was indeed that of the thief Haru. Your payment of 32 months is enclosed. You may report to the lord for further assignments.
Jono no Takeshi
Assistant Administrator, 3rd Rank, Matsumoto Clan
To Togakushi no Kentaro,
The parcel addressed to you was delivered to Chiyoda village.
Sawaguchi no Takeshi
Lieutenant Ninyo, Chiyoda Village
Kentaro opens the parcel within a parcel. Inside are 32 silver "month" coins and a letter. It is also in katakana. Apparently this writer doesn't think much of Kentaro's literacy skills either.
To Togakushi no Kentaro,
Matsumoto no Niko-sama has chosen to trust in your honesty. He will accept that the head shown to the ninyo in Kai was indeed that of the thief Haru. Your payment of 32 months is enclosed. You may report to the lord for further assignments.
Jono no Takeshi
Assistant Administrator, 3rd Rank, Matsumoto Clan
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Kentaro open the small parcel and counts the coins with some relief. It is only then that he realizes how little faith he had in Matsumoto no Niko... he honestly never trusted him to send the coins. He reads and re-reads the derisive tone of the administrator and finds it sticks in his pride. He feels his grandfather's anger, the dishonor to him and continuing through generations to Kentaro. Where Kentaro had felt trapped within his circumstance before, his eyes are opened by his time in the Kofu Ryu gentleman's dojo. His seed of resentment grows into the red bloom of a hot pepper plant. The neglect and distain the Matsumoto continued to show towards Togakushi reflects upon the Minamoto, who didn't even deign to acknowledge Togakushi as a proper fief. Now the Minamoto move against the emperor, the Kuge, hiding upon the road is on their heads, too. As the days go by his resolve forms. What he can do against the Minamoto rights the wrongs to his grandfather, and he must bring himself to do it. For Togakushi.
Kentaro is pleased that Akemi continues to arrive for dinner with him. His heart warms at as her fears abate and their relationship grows more comfortable... even if it is just the sharing of food and small talk. It is the most he has ever dared in courtship, and he is flushed with emotion when she allows the touch on his hand to linger. He thinks of it every day thereafter; it gives him strength.
...
Sitting at the table for Buke, Haruto sips his sake and lingers, listening to the cluster of heimin merchants speak of the events of war. He glances down at his sunken, narrow chest and stifles a cough from his scarred lungs by adjusting his kimono and jacket around him, making sure his clan crest is visible. He has listened, day by day. He has listened to his father's voice, trying to learn truer things from his counsels than these merchants hear. He thinks upon the many lessons he has studied on the nature of war. Then the niggling of his step-mother comes again, like a wasp in his ear.
"Hai. Speculating upon the minds of the Takeda?" he chides with a clucking of his tongue. "What you hear is not often true, and when it is true, it is often not wise. If Tanaka wishes to know something wise, that is a different conversation..." He positions himself as one knowledgeable, he puts on a pretense of being above such things before allowing them to draw him out and speak. He gives what he believes to be wise counsel of what a good commander would do and waits for them to be impressed before he drops his name. Perhaps my father will hear and call for me, he thinks to himself.
Haruto Strategy bugei [1d20]=11
...
Haruto sits with his matronly mentor over a cup of tea a few days later. While they talk of theory and the rules of nature's workings, they talk of many other things, too. He pauses a long moment.
"Tell me... what do you think of war? The winds of Fujiin brought omens to the city, then news of battles won and lost. They say I am destined for a time of change... do you think this war is it? I... I am no Bushi," he hangs his head and pauses before recovering, the tea helping his sickly body not quiver. "But there are many ways I can make my father proud. I have studied much of strategies as well as of Fujiin's path," his tone has a defensive edge, then he casts his eyes down in apology.
Kentaro is pleased that Akemi continues to arrive for dinner with him. His heart warms at as her fears abate and their relationship grows more comfortable... even if it is just the sharing of food and small talk. It is the most he has ever dared in courtship, and he is flushed with emotion when she allows the touch on his hand to linger. He thinks of it every day thereafter; it gives him strength.
...
Sitting at the table for Buke, Haruto sips his sake and lingers, listening to the cluster of heimin merchants speak of the events of war. He glances down at his sunken, narrow chest and stifles a cough from his scarred lungs by adjusting his kimono and jacket around him, making sure his clan crest is visible. He has listened, day by day. He has listened to his father's voice, trying to learn truer things from his counsels than these merchants hear. He thinks upon the many lessons he has studied on the nature of war. Then the niggling of his step-mother comes again, like a wasp in his ear.
"Hai. Speculating upon the minds of the Takeda?" he chides with a clucking of his tongue. "What you hear is not often true, and when it is true, it is often not wise. If Tanaka wishes to know something wise, that is a different conversation..." He positions himself as one knowledgeable, he puts on a pretense of being above such things before allowing them to draw him out and speak. He gives what he believes to be wise counsel of what a good commander would do and waits for them to be impressed before he drops his name. Perhaps my father will hear and call for me, he thinks to himself.
Haruto Strategy bugei [1d20]=11
...
Haruto sits with his matronly mentor over a cup of tea a few days later. While they talk of theory and the rules of nature's workings, they talk of many other things, too. He pauses a long moment.
"Tell me... what do you think of war? The winds of Fujiin brought omens to the city, then news of battles won and lost. They say I am destined for a time of change... do you think this war is it? I... I am no Bushi," he hangs his head and pauses before recovering, the tea helping his sickly body not quiver. "But there are many ways I can make my father proud. I have studied much of strategies as well as of Fujiin's path," his tone has a defensive edge, then he casts his eyes down in apology.
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Kentaro feels slighted by the letter received from his bounty hunter employer in Shinano. Perhaps it's because he has learned at the school the ways of gentlemen expect respect as a matter of course. Perhaps its because he has fought in real combat against foes both human and monstrous, and safely taken a kuge nobleman from a wild mountain to civilization and safety. Or is it because he's receiving training and comradeship from the Takeda, cousins of the Minamoto Matsumoto clan that disrespects and lords over his family in Shinano? Or is it perhaps because he's earned the trust, friendship, and maybe even affection of the oiran/ninja Akemi, and he wants to make her feel proud of him? For whatever reason, the two letters received written katakana disturb the equanimity of his spirit.
In the inn, Haruto overhears another day's discussion of news, gossip, and speculation among the four merchants. Who couldn't, as loud as they always are in this mostly quiet place? The thin young man adjusts his haori jacket bearing the Takeda family emblem and speaks. The victorious Taira army is in Suruga, at Kai's southern border. Suruga is Taira land ruled by the Imagawa clan. But the general of the army isn't an Imagawa. That indicates that the majority of the bushi aren't Imagawa either. Because the lord who supplies the most troops has the right to lead the army. Therefore, most of the bushi are away from home and living on supplies they brought with them.
So, my guess is Takeda will take an army to Kai's border with Suruga. The Takeda and the Imagawa of Suruga have always hated each other. The Takeda's army presence will threaten Suruga's security. So the Taira general will have two choices: take his troops home, and leave the Imagawa to their own defenses; or, stay in Suruga to defend, and make the Imagawa feed his army. Army's are very expensive to maintain, you know. So if the general chooses this option, the Takeda benefit by draining their rivals' wealth. If the general instead chooses to leave, then his army is gone and no longer a threat to Kai. The Takeda can then deal with the Imagawa on their own terms.
A few days later, his shugenja mentor Noriko replies to his question. If this war continues and is as fierce as everyone thinks it will be, it will probably change all of Nippon. We are seeing now samurai naming the Emperor, and samurai fighting other samurai for power, instead of serving as the Emperor's servants and soldiers. If it continues this way, it will certainly be a time of great change. But I pray to the gods and the Buddha that it won't.
In the inn, Haruto overhears another day's discussion of news, gossip, and speculation among the four merchants. Who couldn't, as loud as they always are in this mostly quiet place? The thin young man adjusts his haori jacket bearing the Takeda family emblem and speaks. The victorious Taira army is in Suruga, at Kai's southern border. Suruga is Taira land ruled by the Imagawa clan. But the general of the army isn't an Imagawa. That indicates that the majority of the bushi aren't Imagawa either. Because the lord who supplies the most troops has the right to lead the army. Therefore, most of the bushi are away from home and living on supplies they brought with them.
So, my guess is Takeda will take an army to Kai's border with Suruga. The Takeda and the Imagawa of Suruga have always hated each other. The Takeda's army presence will threaten Suruga's security. So the Taira general will have two choices: take his troops home, and leave the Imagawa to their own defenses; or, stay in Suruga to defend, and make the Imagawa feed his army. Army's are very expensive to maintain, you know. So if the general chooses this option, the Takeda benefit by draining their rivals' wealth. If the general instead chooses to leave, then his army is gone and no longer a threat to Kai. The Takeda can then deal with the Imagawa on their own terms.
A few days later, his shugenja mentor Noriko replies to his question. If this war continues and is as fierce as everyone thinks it will be, it will probably change all of Nippon. We are seeing now samurai naming the Emperor, and samurai fighting other samurai for power, instead of serving as the Emperor's servants and soldiers. If it continues this way, it will certainly be a time of great change. But I pray to the gods and the Buddha that it won't.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
During the last week of their studying in Kofu, the travelers and the townsmen Takeda bushi are in a frenzy of activity. It is said that, after being defeated and nearly killed at the Battle of Ishibashi-yama in September, the Minamoto general Yoritomo fled east to the heart of Minamoto lands. The rumors say that he has recruited an army of some thousands and is approaching the area of Kofu. Meanwhile, the Taira army to the south, in neighboring Suruga, has remained. Whether it is gathering forces to attack Yoritomo in the east, or to attack the Takeda in Kai, is a matter of speculation. All anyone knows for sure is that the Takeda bushi are on a war footing and mobilizing for action.
Taisho considers his planned pilgrimage to Fuji-san. It lies directly between Kofu and the Taira army. He knows that some pilgrims in Kofu plan to continue as planned. But more decide to wait in the city and see what happens. Getting caught in a battle, or the approaches to a battle, could be dangerous indeed. The bushi have no apparent interest in harming pilgrims. But in the chaos of battle, any kind of thing might happen. As one pilgrim said, "There's no use being nearby when people are carrying, swinging, and shooting thousands and thousands of razor sharp things."
Taisho knows that battles tend to be quick, one-day affairs. There is a sharp fight, then the armies separate, or flee or pursue from the scene. And he knows that there is no castle in the Fuji-san area that could be the subject of a long siege. The danger from a battle probably wouldn't last for many days.
He also knows that there is honor to be gained from visiting Fuji. And much more from climbing it to the snowline. And he knows that no human lives on Fuji-san. Its slopes are left to the wild things of Nippon. And Fuji-san's slopes have little soil, plant life, or sources of food and water. They're mostly just pumice stones of various sizes. So the wild things have little reason to be there-- unless they are specifically attracted to pilgrims.
Visit a Shinto shrine at the base of Fuji-san - 15 On. Climb to the snowline - 35 On. Climb to the snowline and view the sunrise from it - 60 On.
Taisho considers his planned pilgrimage to Fuji-san. It lies directly between Kofu and the Taira army. He knows that some pilgrims in Kofu plan to continue as planned. But more decide to wait in the city and see what happens. Getting caught in a battle, or the approaches to a battle, could be dangerous indeed. The bushi have no apparent interest in harming pilgrims. But in the chaos of battle, any kind of thing might happen. As one pilgrim said, "There's no use being nearby when people are carrying, swinging, and shooting thousands and thousands of razor sharp things."
Taisho knows that battles tend to be quick, one-day affairs. There is a sharp fight, then the armies separate, or flee or pursue from the scene. And he knows that there is no castle in the Fuji-san area that could be the subject of a long siege. The danger from a battle probably wouldn't last for many days.
He also knows that there is honor to be gained from visiting Fuji. And much more from climbing it to the snowline. And he knows that no human lives on Fuji-san. Its slopes are left to the wild things of Nippon. And Fuji-san's slopes have little soil, plant life, or sources of food and water. They're mostly just pumice stones of various sizes. So the wild things have little reason to be there-- unless they are specifically attracted to pilgrims.
Visit a Shinto shrine at the base of Fuji-san - 15 On. Climb to the snowline - 35 On. Climb to the snowline and view the sunrise from it - 60 On.
Last edited by jemmus on Mon Feb 07, 2022 7:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Are cities dangerous to be in during war?
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Cities can be dangerous in war, if attacked by an enemy army. Nippon's cities don't have walls, only the castles do. Everyone in Nippon knows that fires tend to break out in the city quarters when armies attack. And soldiers tend to attack anyone who isn't clearly a civilian.
I revised the post above a little (the paragraph about wild things on Fuji-san).
I revised the post above a little (the paragraph about wild things on Fuji-san).
Last edited by jemmus on Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
OK, I think it might be interesting for Taisho to have a side adventure and join a group of pilgrims taking pilgrimage to Fuji-san. It doesn't sound like it will take too many cycles and might develop the scenario more.
Hiroshi is somewhat torn. Battle is definitely an opportunity to improve his status, on the other hand, he owes Taisho for taking care of him. In the end, as a player, it makes sense to engage the Battle mechanics for Hiroshi so Taisho will encourage him to take this opportunity. Taisho will send Hiroshi and the other Bushi off with a blessing (which will have no mechanical effect since a blessing is only good for the day or night during which it's performed).
Hiroshi is somewhat torn. Battle is definitely an opportunity to improve his status, on the other hand, he owes Taisho for taking care of him. In the end, as a player, it makes sense to engage the Battle mechanics for Hiroshi so Taisho will encourage him to take this opportunity. Taisho will send Hiroshi and the other Bushi off with a blessing (which will have no mechanical effect since a blessing is only good for the day or night during which it's performed).
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Alright. What day does the group plan set off for Fuji-san? Taisho finished training on December 5. The Takeda started rushing around to mobilize on December 4. At Taisho's and the Classic Man's BMA, it will take three days to reach the Fuji-san. There's an inn on the way in Yamana-cho, and other lodging on the path to the foot of the mountain. viewtopic.php?p=579034#p579034
Climbing to the snowline takes 10-11 hours. Descending takes 5-6 hours. So an overnight stay is involved. Does Taisho prepare for an overnight stay. The pilgrims know that normally Fuji-san hikers can hire yojimbo guards for protection again who knows what, or nothing. But no one knows whether the Takeda mobilizing for war will affect that.
Climbing to the snowline takes 10-11 hours. Descending takes 5-6 hours. So an overnight stay is involved. Does Taisho prepare for an overnight stay. The pilgrims know that normally Fuji-san hikers can hire yojimbo guards for protection again who knows what, or nothing. But no one knows whether the Takeda mobilizing for war will affect that.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
What would Taisho need for an overnight stay? Normally in this era, Japanese don't camp, at least that's my understanding.jemmus wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:47 pm Alright. What day does the group plan set off for Fuji-san? Taisho finished training on December 5. The Takeda started rushing around to mobilize on December 4. At Taisho's and the Classic Man's BMA, it will take three days to reach the Fuji-san. There's an inn on the way in Yamana-cho, and other lodging on the path to the foot of the mountain. viewtopic.php?p=579034#p579034
Climbing to the snowline takes 10-11 hours. Descending takes 5-6 hours. So an overnight stay is involved. Does Taisho prepare for an overnight stay. The pilgrims know that normally Fuji-san hikers can hire yojimbo guards for protection again who knows what, or nothing. But no one knows whether the Takeda mobilizing for war will affect that.
If we can hire a Yojimbo or two, that would be good. How many other pilgrims are interested in joining Taisho?
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Haruto will chose to go with his companion, Taisho. He remains uncertain about the battle and unclear about his role... he misses the shrines. Taisho's commitment to continuing to Fuji inspires him. He prepares for a camping trip to the snow line to greet the dawn.
Kentaro will prepare for battle. He will seek to use his connections at the school for a favorable placement as a mounted Bushi with the Takeda, and he will then try to share that benevolence with Ito, Omi, and Hiroshi so his friends can join him among the unmounted Bushi in the same unit.
Kentaro will prepare for battle. He will seek to use his connections at the school for a favorable placement as a mounted Bushi with the Takeda, and he will then try to share that benevolence with Ito, Omi, and Hiroshi so his friends can join him among the unmounted Bushi in the same unit.
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Fuji-san is a special situation. Viewing the sunrise from the mountain is a big deal. A huge amount of bragging rights are involved. Because:
-You had the self-discipline to set a difficult task for yourself;
-You had the fortitude to complete it;
-You purified yourself by doing it;
-You must have already been kind of noble and pure, to have succeeded; and
-You saw beautiful Nippon from its very top, higher even than even the heads of lords.
Since there are no structures on it (after a little unmanned shrine about an hour up the trail), pilgrims have to camp. In the summer many pilgrims just carry a bedroll and rough it, but this is December. There are merchants at the foot of the mountain who sell tiny one-person tents, bedrolls, and light provisions. 12 silver, and they'll buy returned items back at half price. If the pilgrim is just going to the foot of the mountain, these aren't needed, of course.
Mountain hiking pilgrims can expect to have to make some Health and/or Will STs. A string of successive failures could mean that the person has to take some subdual damage to move forward toward the top.
-You had the self-discipline to set a difficult task for yourself;
-You had the fortitude to complete it;
-You purified yourself by doing it;
-You must have already been kind of noble and pure, to have succeeded; and
-You saw beautiful Nippon from its very top, higher even than even the heads of lords.
Since there are no structures on it (after a little unmanned shrine about an hour up the trail), pilgrims have to camp. In the summer many pilgrims just carry a bedroll and rough it, but this is December. There are merchants at the foot of the mountain who sell tiny one-person tents, bedrolls, and light provisions. 12 silver, and they'll buy returned items back at half price. If the pilgrim is just going to the foot of the mountain, these aren't needed, of course.
Mountain hiking pilgrims can expect to have to make some Health and/or Will STs. A string of successive failures could mean that the person has to take some subdual damage to move forward toward the top.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Sounds interesting. I'm in. Taisho's Health save isn't great though... But not many characters have much better... I think most of the Bushi have opted to spend at most 5 points on Health...jemmus wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:53 pm Fuji-san is a special situation. Viewing the sunrise from the mountain is a big deal. A huge amount of bragging rights are involved. Because:
-You had the self-discipline to set a difficult task for yourself;
-You had the fortitude to complete it;
-You purified yourself by doing it;
-You must have already been kind of noble and pure, to have succeeded; and
-You saw beautiful Nippon from its very top, higher even than even the heads of lords.
Since there are no structures on it (after a little unmanned shrine about an hour up the trail), pilgrims have to camp. In the summer many pilgrims just carry a bedroll and rough it, but this is December. There are merchants at the foot of the mountain who sell tiny one-person tents, bedrolls, and light provisions. 12 silver, and they'll buy returned items back at half price. If the pilgrim is just going to the foot of the mountain, these aren't needed, of course.
Mountain hiking pilgrims can expect to have to make some Health and/or Will STs. A string of successive failures could mean that the person has to take some subdual damage to move forward toward the top.
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
I forgot to answer your question about how many pilgrims are in the group. Including Taisho and Haruto, 10 pilgrims. Three of them are only going to the shrine at the foot of the mountain, or a little ways up and back down before dark. Three more are trying to reach the snowline and descend the same day. That involves hiking by lamplight for a few hours during the descent. Two want to stay for the sunrise. From their hard muscles, smooth carriage, and calm demeanor, they appear to be budoka friends traveling together.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
One afternoon Akemi again invited Kentaro for a stroll outside the inn. She has her oblong cloth bag with it's unknown contents over her shoulder. Kentaro-san, you say that you are going to fight with the Takeda against the Taira. I'm going to the Special Duties Office to ask for a meeting with a Takeda commander. I will offer the Takeda my service as a ninja spying on the Taira, or whatever other duty they might assign.
There is some risk in making that request, because either the bugyo or the commander may order bushi to put this shinobi to death on the spot. Or if either reveal my presence to the Kumo clan, they will surely send their agents to make me non-present. And then there is the risk of being caught by the Taira themselves. But if the commander accepts me, I can do my part to help the Takeda and my friends fighting with them.
So, if I am accepted, I won't see you again until after the battle. I cannot ask a bushi to be careful, because that is not the way of your bushido. But I will ask you to remember that you are fighting not for your family or your clan, but in the army of an unrelated clan. I hope you will come back... victorious. Please endure and persevere.* She glances into Kentaro's eyes, and for just a second seems like just a young woman of 18 or so years. Then she bows, turns, and heads for the castle with the quick, smooth strides of a well-trained budoka.
That evening during dinner at the inn the travelers are again forced to overhear the merchant regulars' gossiping over food and sake.
You heard that around 500 mounted samurai, foot samurai, and ashigaru arrived on the highway from the north?
Yes, that's right. Those who know say they're wearing the kamon emblems of the Matsumoto clan in Shinano.
Kentaro's ears perk up and the mention of the Matsumoto. The Shinano clan who took Togakushi from his family's clan and made them ronin.
The portly merchant leans forward and says conspiratorially, but loud enough for the whole in to hear, as is his habit, Yes, I've heard it's the Matsumoto. And the daimyo is angry that they only brought 500.
The handsome but bald merchant Muneta leans back on his cushion and says smugly, Who can blame them? They left a Taira clan in northern Shinano with a knife at their backs.
Is it true that the Taira have 5,000 bushi to the Minamoto clan's 2,500? And that the Minamoto commander Yoritomo is a dunce? It seems that way from when he got caught with 300 vs. 3,000 at Ishibashi-yama.
Probably not even Yoritomo or the Taira know, Muneta says. The only sure thing is dried kelp from the coast is selling at 13 moons per bushel, and I've got 100 of them. Don't even bother trying to buy them wholesale in Kofu, any of you. Empty cups!
*Ganbatte kudasai. "Please endure/fight hard and persevere." It's used like saying "good luck" in English. But the idea is more luck, "My support and wishes as your friend who is staying behind that you hang in there, do your best, and overcome whatever adversity."
The game has specific rules for ninja in battles. They cross-refence to the downtime jobs' Spy/Assassin rules. Results will be posted after the battle ends. Until then, general fog of war is in effect for all PCs. In other words, the PCs don't know what everyone is doing, other than a battle for some and a pilgrimage for some.
There is some risk in making that request, because either the bugyo or the commander may order bushi to put this shinobi to death on the spot. Or if either reveal my presence to the Kumo clan, they will surely send their agents to make me non-present. And then there is the risk of being caught by the Taira themselves. But if the commander accepts me, I can do my part to help the Takeda and my friends fighting with them.
So, if I am accepted, I won't see you again until after the battle. I cannot ask a bushi to be careful, because that is not the way of your bushido. But I will ask you to remember that you are fighting not for your family or your clan, but in the army of an unrelated clan. I hope you will come back... victorious. Please endure and persevere.* She glances into Kentaro's eyes, and for just a second seems like just a young woman of 18 or so years. Then she bows, turns, and heads for the castle with the quick, smooth strides of a well-trained budoka.
That evening during dinner at the inn the travelers are again forced to overhear the merchant regulars' gossiping over food and sake.
You heard that around 500 mounted samurai, foot samurai, and ashigaru arrived on the highway from the north?
Yes, that's right. Those who know say they're wearing the kamon emblems of the Matsumoto clan in Shinano.
Kentaro's ears perk up and the mention of the Matsumoto. The Shinano clan who took Togakushi from his family's clan and made them ronin.
The portly merchant leans forward and says conspiratorially, but loud enough for the whole in to hear, as is his habit, Yes, I've heard it's the Matsumoto. And the daimyo is angry that they only brought 500.
The handsome but bald merchant Muneta leans back on his cushion and says smugly, Who can blame them? They left a Taira clan in northern Shinano with a knife at their backs.
Is it true that the Taira have 5,000 bushi to the Minamoto clan's 2,500? And that the Minamoto commander Yoritomo is a dunce? It seems that way from when he got caught with 300 vs. 3,000 at Ishibashi-yama.
Probably not even Yoritomo or the Taira know, Muneta says. The only sure thing is dried kelp from the coast is selling at 13 moons per bushel, and I've got 100 of them. Don't even bother trying to buy them wholesale in Kofu, any of you. Empty cups!
*Ganbatte kudasai. "Please endure/fight hard and persevere." It's used like saying "good luck" in English. But the idea is more luck, "My support and wishes as your friend who is staying behind that you hang in there, do your best, and overcome whatever adversity."
The game has specific rules for ninja in battles. They cross-refence to the downtime jobs' Spy/Assassin rules. Results will be posted after the battle ends. Until then, general fog of war is in effect for all PCs. In other words, the PCs don't know what everyone is doing, other than a battle for some and a pilgrimage for some.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - The Lands of the Takeda - 1st - 90th Days
Kentaro raises his broad hand to her tiny face.
The wren
Earns his living
Noiselessly.
He pauses, trying out his newfound graces. After a pause, he just simply nods to her, his words sufficent, letting the emotions restrained in his eyes do the speaking for him.
...
In the inn, his attention is arrested by mention of the Matsumoto. Opportunity indeed.
The wren
Earns his living
Noiselessly.
He pauses, trying out his newfound graces. After a pause, he just simply nods to her, his words sufficent, letting the emotions restrained in his eyes do the speaking for him.
...
In the inn, his attention is arrested by mention of the Matsumoto. Opportunity indeed.