There are springs and streams on the mountain for doing the etiquette work. One thing Nippon has plenty of is water. Sometimes way too much of it.
Everyone is reporting to the samurai. I'll post about that soon.
1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles - 1st - 3rd Days
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Last edited by jemmus on Thu Jun 17, 2021 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCs
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
The priest leads the way along the path down the mountain to the highway. The group-- old Shinto priest, proud samurai bushi, a humbler and earthier ronin one, a cooking and fighting Shinto gakusho, and an apparent budoka-- reach the foot of Neno-san. They emerge onto the Kohshu-kaidoh minor highway running southeast from Shinano through Kai province and beyond. It lies in the flat earth-filled valleys between the steep mountainsides. As soon as they all emerge into the highway’s clearing, a mounted and fully armored samurai gallops past, headed north toward Shinano. He appears to be a courier. The sashimoto banner on his back bears the four diamonds emblem of the Minamamoto Takeda clan, rulers of Kai. The rider leans in the saddle and peers back at the group with interest and continues his fast ride up the road.
The group walks and rides southeast along the highway. Rice fields lie on both sides of the road, and peasant men and women with kama are harvesting the autumn rice.
After around half a ri of traveling, the group approaches a small village. Here only women and children are in the fields harvesting. Chiyoda, the old priest says. The men are searching for the missing farmers. The group passes through thatch-roofed peasants' houses on each side of the highway. Beyond them, on a slight rise at the side of forested mountain, a walled manor house is seen. The branches of plum and persimmon trees rise above the walls. It has a tiled roof, and beyond it are other tiled-roof houses, also with fruit trees. Samurai residences.
The priest lead the way to the manor. The walls around it are a little higher than a man's arms can reach. There two wide wooden doors at the entrance and they are closed. Inset into one of them is a hinged man-sized wooden door, also closed. Inset into this door at head height is a square wooden window, also hinged and closed. The old kamunushi calls out, Excuse me! We have come to report something! We request to meet with the ninyo-sama! Soon the window in the thick door opens and the thin, wizened face of middle-aged peasant appears. His mouth drops at the sight of the mixed group, which includes mounted and armored bushi. Waa! Yanushi-san! What's going on?
Niwatori, ‘morning. Why are the doors closed?
Kanushi-san, it’s war! A Takeda messenger rode up in a hurry last night. Taira Kiyomori retired the Emperor and put a Taira baby on the throne. A Fujiwara prince and a Minamoto lord rebelled. The Taira caught them and executed them. He eyes the strangers suspiciously, then in a loud whisper says, For the kuge it was this. His eyes widen, he leans his thin face forward, stares at the priest, and with the side of his hand chops at the side of his neck. But for the Minamoto it was this. He makes a gesture of slitting his belly and screws up his face in feigned agony. He’s actually a pretty convincing actor, if a little hammy and comical. The Takeda and other Minamoto clans are gathering for war.
The old priest said in his calm and rather quavery old man’s voice, Hm. You shouldn’t eavesdrop on samurai’s discussions, Niwatori. Someday you’ll hear something you shouldn’t have. You have to be responsible, you have a wife and kids.
The peasant hung his head. I was right there when they started talking, and after that I regrettably couldn't stop listening from a distance. But he immediately and enthusiastically raised his head again, as well as a triumphant forefinger. This news will spread faster than a wildfire. Faster than that bushi there on his horse! We’re the first to know it, kanushi-san! He seemed quite satisfied with himself.
War. This is not good. Well, in any event... we found Shiro and Yasaku. They are no longer alive. The bodies are on the side of Neno-san. Yes, very regrettable. Please ask the o-ninyo-sama for an audience for us.
The peasant's eyes again widen and his jaw drops. Waa... Please wait a moment, kanushi-san. The window in the door within a door slams shut and there is the sound of feet in wooden clogs scurrying over stone paving. Soon a peasant boy around 12 years old opens the inset door and runs toward the samurai houses. In around 10 minutes five bushi carrying dai-kyu and in full armor approach on foot, the boy behind them. They have rough hands and they're sunburnt like peasants. The oldest looking one nods to the priest, then roughly demands, looking at Ito, Omi and Kentaro.Who are you? Why are you wearing armor and carrying dai-kyu?
Actions please. If your bushi PC isn't wearing armor today, please say.
The group walks and rides southeast along the highway. Rice fields lie on both sides of the road, and peasant men and women with kama are harvesting the autumn rice.
After around half a ri of traveling, the group approaches a small village. Here only women and children are in the fields harvesting. Chiyoda, the old priest says. The men are searching for the missing farmers. The group passes through thatch-roofed peasants' houses on each side of the highway. Beyond them, on a slight rise at the side of forested mountain, a walled manor house is seen. The branches of plum and persimmon trees rise above the walls. It has a tiled roof, and beyond it are other tiled-roof houses, also with fruit trees. Samurai residences.
The priest lead the way to the manor. The walls around it are a little higher than a man's arms can reach. There two wide wooden doors at the entrance and they are closed. Inset into one of them is a hinged man-sized wooden door, also closed. Inset into this door at head height is a square wooden window, also hinged and closed. The old kamunushi calls out, Excuse me! We have come to report something! We request to meet with the ninyo-sama! Soon the window in the thick door opens and the thin, wizened face of middle-aged peasant appears. His mouth drops at the sight of the mixed group, which includes mounted and armored bushi. Waa! Yanushi-san! What's going on?
Niwatori, ‘morning. Why are the doors closed?
Kanushi-san, it’s war! A Takeda messenger rode up in a hurry last night. Taira Kiyomori retired the Emperor and put a Taira baby on the throne. A Fujiwara prince and a Minamoto lord rebelled. The Taira caught them and executed them. He eyes the strangers suspiciously, then in a loud whisper says, For the kuge it was this. His eyes widen, he leans his thin face forward, stares at the priest, and with the side of his hand chops at the side of his neck. But for the Minamoto it was this. He makes a gesture of slitting his belly and screws up his face in feigned agony. He’s actually a pretty convincing actor, if a little hammy and comical. The Takeda and other Minamoto clans are gathering for war.
The old priest said in his calm and rather quavery old man’s voice, Hm. You shouldn’t eavesdrop on samurai’s discussions, Niwatori. Someday you’ll hear something you shouldn’t have. You have to be responsible, you have a wife and kids.
The peasant hung his head. I was right there when they started talking, and after that I regrettably couldn't stop listening from a distance. But he immediately and enthusiastically raised his head again, as well as a triumphant forefinger. This news will spread faster than a wildfire. Faster than that bushi there on his horse! We’re the first to know it, kanushi-san! He seemed quite satisfied with himself.
War. This is not good. Well, in any event... we found Shiro and Yasaku. They are no longer alive. The bodies are on the side of Neno-san. Yes, very regrettable. Please ask the o-ninyo-sama for an audience for us.
The peasant's eyes again widen and his jaw drops. Waa... Please wait a moment, kanushi-san. The window in the door within a door slams shut and there is the sound of feet in wooden clogs scurrying over stone paving. Soon a peasant boy around 12 years old opens the inset door and runs toward the samurai houses. In around 10 minutes five bushi carrying dai-kyu and in full armor approach on foot, the boy behind them. They have rough hands and they're sunburnt like peasants. The oldest looking one nods to the priest, then roughly demands, looking at Ito, Omi and Kentaro.Who are you? Why are you wearing armor and carrying dai-kyu?
Actions please. If your bushi PC isn't wearing armor today, please say.
Last edited by jemmus on Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCs
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
As a rule, Omi only wears AC3 when traveling, which is the highest AC one can wear without raising suspicions. Hence, he is wearing AC3 today. If my understanding of travel AC is incorrect, please let me know, so I can alter this description.
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Noted, thanks. I'll revise the post after we hear about Ito's dress today. Kentaro is wearing full armor.
PCs
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Isn't it quite provocative to wear armor into the presence of a Daimyo? We can't carry weapons into his presence, why would armor be acceptable?
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Will post tonight.
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
The Initial Attitude Table (which is for optional use) says "PCs wearing heavier armor than is allowed -15." That's on a d100 roll, so not a huge penalty. But the section on armor also says:
In Japan, armor was only worn during wartime and while on military duty. At least that was the case for law-abiding citizens. In strife-torn Nippon, the rule is somewhat more lax. Any Armor Class up to 3 may be worn publicly. Wearing heavier armor without legitimate cause (and legal right) will bring suspicion of banditry or other evil intent upon the character. Armor in purely social situations is considered both suspicious and rude.
I'm going to say it's situational. Here's what the PCs, as residents of Nippon, know about AC above 3.
-If someone is outside of a civilized area, wearing armor is understandable. For example, the Neno-san mountain the PCs just slept on. It's an uninhabited mountain, and as we saw, dangerous inhuman things frequent such places. But people will probably first assume that the person is a bandit, until convinced otherwise.
-If on a small, less-traveled roads away from towns, the same. Villagers will be frightened and suspicious. Note that Nippon is not very big, provinces are around the size of U.S. counties. It's pretty well settled and well-populated, except in the far northeast.
-People in armor over AC3 will never be admitted to an inn (voluntarily, at least).
-Wearing armor over AC3 in towns and cities is generally forbidden (except for soldiers on duty, of course). The same applies for carrying weapons other than dai-sho. Bows should be unstrung, yari and naginata should have sheaths over the blades (securely tied down with lanyards), tanto and aiguchi should be carried in furoshiki, etc. The idea is the person is temporarily transporting the item to a destination, not carrying it as a weapon.
-The rules about leaving dai-sho at the door when meeting with a lord apply to armor also. Even friendly samurai in service can only wear armor if the lord is also wearing armor. That applies to the samurai's guards as well.
Nippon is more settled and densely populated than most other RPG settings. (Making a separate post about that in the Campaign Setting thread). But at the same time, there are many supernatural entities and dangerous inhuman beings thrive. Being armored or not armored makes a big difference in combat. So bushi always have some tough decisions to make.
In Japan, armor was only worn during wartime and while on military duty. At least that was the case for law-abiding citizens. In strife-torn Nippon, the rule is somewhat more lax. Any Armor Class up to 3 may be worn publicly. Wearing heavier armor without legitimate cause (and legal right) will bring suspicion of banditry or other evil intent upon the character. Armor in purely social situations is considered both suspicious and rude.
I'm going to say it's situational. Here's what the PCs, as residents of Nippon, know about AC above 3.
-If someone is outside of a civilized area, wearing armor is understandable. For example, the Neno-san mountain the PCs just slept on. It's an uninhabited mountain, and as we saw, dangerous inhuman things frequent such places. But people will probably first assume that the person is a bandit, until convinced otherwise.
-If on a small, less-traveled roads away from towns, the same. Villagers will be frightened and suspicious. Note that Nippon is not very big, provinces are around the size of U.S. counties. It's pretty well settled and well-populated, except in the far northeast.
-People in armor over AC3 will never be admitted to an inn (voluntarily, at least).
-Wearing armor over AC3 in towns and cities is generally forbidden (except for soldiers on duty, of course). The same applies for carrying weapons other than dai-sho. Bows should be unstrung, yari and naginata should have sheaths over the blades (securely tied down with lanyards), tanto and aiguchi should be carried in furoshiki, etc. The idea is the person is temporarily transporting the item to a destination, not carrying it as a weapon.
-The rules about leaving dai-sho at the door when meeting with a lord apply to armor also. Even friendly samurai in service can only wear armor if the lord is also wearing armor. That applies to the samurai's guards as well.
Nippon is more settled and densely populated than most other RPG settings. (Making a separate post about that in the Campaign Setting thread). But at the same time, there are many supernatural entities and dangerous inhuman beings thrive. Being armored or not armored makes a big difference in combat. So bushi always have some tough decisions to make.
PCs
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Sorry, was driving all day. First chance to reply. 
Kentaro boldly insisted on his armor when he swore to guard the priest safely to the temple. But that was going up Mt. Fuji where we had already been attacked twice and where wild things are assured. With that journey being quiet and the priest now declaring a visit to explicitly see the ruling Samurai of this region, Kentaro would not intentionally risk such offense.
After ritual cleansing at the shrine and then also ablution following beheading the bakemono bodies, Kentaro packs away his armor on his horse and does his best to be presentable in a Samurai's home. His garb is average. He does his best to comb his hair. This is not his comfort zone... they might think him a yokel. It is easier tying up bandits.
He doesn't normally carry a Dai-kyu; it is on his horse with his grandfather's dai-sho and he carries his no-dachi.
For this occasion (walking into the home of a samurai) he carries only his grandfather's dai-sho so he can turn over his katana properly... and it makes him feel less ronin.
Kentaro boldly insisted on his armor when he swore to guard the priest safely to the temple. But that was going up Mt. Fuji where we had already been attacked twice and where wild things are assured. With that journey being quiet and the priest now declaring a visit to explicitly see the ruling Samurai of this region, Kentaro would not intentionally risk such offense.
After ritual cleansing at the shrine and then also ablution following beheading the bakemono bodies, Kentaro packs away his armor on his horse and does his best to be presentable in a Samurai's home. His garb is average. He does his best to comb his hair. This is not his comfort zone... they might think him a yokel. It is easier tying up bandits.
He doesn't normally carry a Dai-kyu; it is on his horse with his grandfather's dai-sho and he carries his no-dachi.
For this occasion (walking into the home of a samurai) he carries only his grandfather's dai-sho so he can turn over his katana properly... and it makes him feel less ronin.
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spanningtree
- Rider of Rohan
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Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
No, Ito understands this type of society well and removes his armor on the outskirts of town. His swords remain at his waist though. His dai-kyu is slung for travel, not rapid deployment, unstrung if that is an option.
Responding to the bushi in front of the group Ito gives a solid bow: My name is Ito Namagatchi.
Responding to the bushi in front of the group Ito gives a solid bow: My name is Ito Namagatchi.
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
The post above is revised, as below.
The peasant's eyes again widen and his jaw drops. Waa... Please wait a moment, kanushi-san. The window in the door within a door slams shut and there is the sound of feet in wooden clogs scurrying over stone paving. Soon a peasant boy around 12 years old opens the inset door and runs toward the samurai houses. In around 10 minutes five bushi carrying dai-kyu and in full armor approach on foot, the boy behind them. They have rough hands and they're sunburnt like peasants. Takakura, come with me, he says. He and the samurai go through the door within the door. The other three stand before it facing the group, in the posture of guards.
Around five minutes later, the door opens and Takakura says, Come inside. The ninyo-sama will meet you. The group follow him into a garden and courtyard in front of a house.
A bushi of perhaps 50 years of age, in full, high quality armor, sits on a camp stool at the center if its raised veranda. He is holding a folded folding fan. Ito, Kentaro and Omi are a little surprised about the stool. They are commanders' chairs used on battlefields. The older bushi and Takura stand on the ground to either side of the ninyo and the three others join them. It's obvious that the audience is to be outdoors, with the visitors standing. The bushi do not take the travelers' dai-sho away.
The priest and travelers move forward to around seven paces from the ninyo and with a nod of his head the older bushi indicates they should stop. They and the priest all bow respectfully.
The ninyo speaks in the deep, rough, almost growling voice of a senior samurai. Kamunushi, the gardener told me why you're here. Tell me what you saw.
The old priest speaks in a loud clear voice, as if addressing a group, rather than in his usual quiet voice. He indicates Katsumi. O-ninyo-sama, this person said he killed the farmers. He did not hesitate to admit it. He explained that the farmers were going to report these travelers to... mountain criminals. From the tone of his voice it seems that "mountain criminals" is a sensitive subject. The ninyo grunts. The old man gazes straight ahead, without moving.
What were the wounds on the bodies?
For the body of Shiro, cutting wounds on the chest and neck, lord. For the body of Yasaku, no wounds.
Very well, kamunushi-san. You may go.
The priest clears his throat. I am in no hurry this morning, lord. The miko-san are already tending to shrine and the kami-sama.
The ninyo considers for a moment. Alright, kamunushi. You may stay and listen. He snaps his folded fan down on his thigh. But no gossiping and loose talk among the farmers! Understand?
Yes, lord, he announces. I will not speak.
The ninyo addresses the travelers. State your names, your occupations, and your clan affiliation. Whether your clan is affiliated with the Minamoto or the Taira. Also state why you are traveling, and your destination.
The peasant's eyes again widen and his jaw drops. Waa... Please wait a moment, kanushi-san. The window in the door within a door slams shut and there is the sound of feet in wooden clogs scurrying over stone paving. Soon a peasant boy around 12 years old opens the inset door and runs toward the samurai houses. In around 10 minutes five bushi carrying dai-kyu and in full armor approach on foot, the boy behind them. They have rough hands and they're sunburnt like peasants. Takakura, come with me, he says. He and the samurai go through the door within the door. The other three stand before it facing the group, in the posture of guards.
Around five minutes later, the door opens and Takakura says, Come inside. The ninyo-sama will meet you. The group follow him into a garden and courtyard in front of a house.
A bushi of perhaps 50 years of age, in full, high quality armor, sits on a camp stool at the center if its raised veranda. He is holding a folded folding fan. Ito, Kentaro and Omi are a little surprised about the stool. They are commanders' chairs used on battlefields. The older bushi and Takura stand on the ground to either side of the ninyo and the three others join them. It's obvious that the audience is to be outdoors, with the visitors standing. The bushi do not take the travelers' dai-sho away.
The priest and travelers move forward to around seven paces from the ninyo and with a nod of his head the older bushi indicates they should stop. They and the priest all bow respectfully.
The ninyo speaks in the deep, rough, almost growling voice of a senior samurai. Kamunushi, the gardener told me why you're here. Tell me what you saw.
The old priest speaks in a loud clear voice, as if addressing a group, rather than in his usual quiet voice. He indicates Katsumi. O-ninyo-sama, this person said he killed the farmers. He did not hesitate to admit it. He explained that the farmers were going to report these travelers to... mountain criminals. From the tone of his voice it seems that "mountain criminals" is a sensitive subject. The ninyo grunts. The old man gazes straight ahead, without moving.
What were the wounds on the bodies?
For the body of Shiro, cutting wounds on the chest and neck, lord. For the body of Yasaku, no wounds.
Very well, kamunushi-san. You may go.
The priest clears his throat. I am in no hurry this morning, lord. The miko-san are already tending to shrine and the kami-sama.
The ninyo considers for a moment. Alright, kamunushi. You may stay and listen. He snaps his folded fan down on his thigh. But no gossiping and loose talk among the farmers! Understand?
Yes, lord, he announces. I will not speak.
The ninyo addresses the travelers. State your names, your occupations, and your clan affiliation. Whether your clan is affiliated with the Minamoto or the Taira. Also state why you are traveling, and your destination.
Last edited by jemmus on Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
PCs
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spanningtree
- Rider of Rohan
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Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Ito takes a short step forward, engages in a deep bow and:
My name is Ito Namagachi, I am affiliated with the Matsuamagatchi clan, a smaller clan to the east. We are affiliated with the Minamoto. My service was samurai, but I have been granted time to stretch my legs in search of personal skill development. I am on my way to mount Fuji.
Ito then stands erect and takes a step back to where he was.
My name is Ito Namagachi, I am affiliated with the Matsuamagatchi clan, a smaller clan to the east. We are affiliated with the Minamoto. My service was samurai, but I have been granted time to stretch my legs in search of personal skill development. I am on my way to mount Fuji.
Ito then stands erect and takes a step back to where he was.
Anall nathrack uthos bethos doss yell yenva. -Merlin
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
"Honored O-Ninyo-sama," says Kentaro with an excessive bow held long and extra honorifics, "I am Togakushi no Kentaro, grandson of Togakushi no Daisuke who was honored samurai guardian of Mount Togakushi before the coming of the Minamoto to the province, and son of the honorable Togakushi no Katashi known throughout the Hida Mountains for his service in arms."
"I have come through the Hida mountains in pursuit of a thief who robbed Matsumoto no Niko, as a service to he who now has responsibility over my Togakushi mountain and was robbed." He gingerly places the first blood Stained straw sack upon the floor. "I have pursued him and fulfilled this duty, taking the head of the thief named Haru when he arrived here, and so was in your lands when I did so. This service has a promised reward from Matsumoto no Niko, and I entreat you to send him word that I have completed the service."
He then places down two additional sacks. "Setting camp before dusk with my companion Katsumi, we were joined at our fire by these other companions. We were then assaulted by this o-bakemono and this bakemono-sho, which we dispatched as service to your lands, and now present their heads. Takakura-san met us there in the morning and said you are alreadyacquainted with the crimes of these two bakemono."
He bows, then finishes with his head lowered. "I am a Bushi of the Hida mountains,
ensuringthe honor of my grandfather remains intact by protecting Mount Togakushi; I am in service to no one, nor was my father, since the Minamoto claimed all and placed it under the Matsumoto, who do little to see the duty performed. I have never met a Taira, that I know of it. I have traveled further from my home than intended, following the thief, Haru, and finding myself lookingupon Fuji-san, hoped only to visit the shrine before returning home."
He tries to shrink his wide and bulky frame to appear smaller before the lord, but it is a futile endeavor.
"I have come through the Hida mountains in pursuit of a thief who robbed Matsumoto no Niko, as a service to he who now has responsibility over my Togakushi mountain and was robbed." He gingerly places the first blood Stained straw sack upon the floor. "I have pursued him and fulfilled this duty, taking the head of the thief named Haru when he arrived here, and so was in your lands when I did so. This service has a promised reward from Matsumoto no Niko, and I entreat you to send him word that I have completed the service."
He then places down two additional sacks. "Setting camp before dusk with my companion Katsumi, we were joined at our fire by these other companions. We were then assaulted by this o-bakemono and this bakemono-sho, which we dispatched as service to your lands, and now present their heads. Takakura-san met us there in the morning and said you are alreadyacquainted with the crimes of these two bakemono."
He bows, then finishes with his head lowered. "I am a Bushi of the Hida mountains,
ensuringthe honor of my grandfather remains intact by protecting Mount Togakushi; I am in service to no one, nor was my father, since the Minamoto claimed all and placed it under the Matsumoto, who do little to see the duty performed. I have never met a Taira, that I know of it. I have traveled further from my home than intended, following the thief, Haru, and finding myself lookingupon Fuji-san, hoped only to visit the shrine before returning home."
He tries to shrink his wide and bulky frame to appear smaller before the lord, but it is a futile endeavor.
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Taisho makes an appropriate bow and address (sorry, I'm just not up on all the Nipponese customs.) and introduces himself as Taisho, simple Shinto priest on pilgrimage to Fuji-san. Taisho is quite humble and will downplay his own role in defeating the bakemono.
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Katsumi bows deeply and respectfully. "My name is Katsumi, O-Ninyo-sama. I accompanied Kentaro-san on his quest because I hoped to make the pilgrimage to Mount Fuji and pay my respects to the kami-sama there."
He clears his throat and speaks diffidently, his eyes cast on the floor before him. My humblest apologies, O-Ninyo-sama, but gossip does truly run faster than the wind.
There have been rumors of tensions for some time, and I had also hoped to offer my services as a warrior to the Takeda clan, with which my family has had some dealings.
The kamunushi-san speaks truly when he says I am the one who killed the farmers. They crept up to our camp like foxes approaching a henhouse, and fled when we spotted them. I followed and confronted them. They taunted me and told me that they were going to tell the mura no banjin of us. I told them that in my party were honorable samurai-" he gestures to his companions- "but they told me that everyone traveling this road must pay a tax. I told them that the honorable Minamoto would not do such a thing. They laughed and said that the weak also give up their arms and armor. Then the young one attacked me with a knife and the older one picked up a tree branch."
Katsumi bows again and holds it, awaiting the samurai's judgment.
He clears his throat and speaks diffidently, his eyes cast on the floor before him. My humblest apologies, O-Ninyo-sama, but gossip does truly run faster than the wind.
There have been rumors of tensions for some time, and I had also hoped to offer my services as a warrior to the Takeda clan, with which my family has had some dealings.
The kamunushi-san speaks truly when he says I am the one who killed the farmers. They crept up to our camp like foxes approaching a henhouse, and fled when we spotted them. I followed and confronted them. They taunted me and told me that they were going to tell the mura no banjin of us. I told them that in my party were honorable samurai-" he gestures to his companions- "but they told me that everyone traveling this road must pay a tax. I told them that the honorable Minamoto would not do such a thing. They laughed and said that the weak also give up their arms and armor. Then the young one attacked me with a knife and the older one picked up a tree branch."
Katsumi bows again and holds it, awaiting the samurai's judgment.
Morvith, Human Wizard, The Western Lands
Ekene Orjee, Xenologist and Imperial Agent, Shadow of the Storm (Traveller MgT2e)
Ekene Orjee, Xenologist and Imperial Agent, Shadow of the Storm (Traveller MgT2e)
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
Morvith, Human Wizard, The Western Lands
Ekene Orjee, Xenologist and Imperial Agent, Shadow of the Storm (Traveller MgT2e)
Ekene Orjee, Xenologist and Imperial Agent, Shadow of the Storm (Traveller MgT2e)
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
At the end of Ito's self-introduction, the o-ninyo merely grunts Hn. After Kentaro speaks, he gestures to the bushi Takakura, who collects the bags with the bake heads, lies them on the veranda, and opens them. He turns them so that the grisly faces are turned toward the seated samurai. Hn. To Ito, he says, I will reward you for these heads. Then to Kentaro, For your part in killing the monsters, I will have your message sent to the Matsumoto no Niko. The post fee will be deducted from the reward.
Taisho then speaks. The samurai doesn't bother with an hn for the gakusho. Katsumi introduces himself and tells his story. At the mention of mura no banjin, the travelers see his eyes flicker for an instant, then resume their inscrutable blandness. At the end of Katsumi's tale, the ninyo scrutinizes him and looks him up and down, head to foot, foot to head. Hn. Your story may contain some true things. But you have no proof. Do you have a wound to present from the fight? Where is the knife? Did you rob the bodies? And then, These "guardians of the village" robbers. Did the farmers say where they hide? I'm waiting for an answer to every question.
If Omi wants to post his self-introduction, for simplicity and to move things along smoothly we'll retcon it to after Taisho's and before Katsumi's.
Taisho then speaks. The samurai doesn't bother with an hn for the gakusho. Katsumi introduces himself and tells his story. At the mention of mura no banjin, the travelers see his eyes flicker for an instant, then resume their inscrutable blandness. At the end of Katsumi's tale, the ninyo scrutinizes him and looks him up and down, head to foot, foot to head. Hn. Your story may contain some true things. But you have no proof. Do you have a wound to present from the fight? Where is the knife? Did you rob the bodies? And then, These "guardians of the village" robbers. Did the farmers say where they hide? I'm waiting for an answer to every question.
If Omi wants to post his self-introduction, for simplicity and to move things along smoothly we'll retcon it to after Taisho's and before Katsumi's.
PCs
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
I am Uesigi Omi, Samurai of the clan [We have not fleshed the details out, so feel free to insert anything you want here]I have been sent out by my father to see the world and learn to rule the lesser classes.
Re: 1st Scroll - The Will of Nobles
The ninyo wants to know if your clan is affiliated with the Minamoto or the Taira. Most clans in this part of Nippon are affiliated with the Minamoto. The Takeda clan that administers Kai are Minamotor. You're just heard a rumor that the Minamoto are going to war with the Taira. If Omi's Uesigi clan is affiliated with the Taira, he would probably expect have trouble here in Minamoto lands.
PCs