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Daitaro Amano

After hearing from the others what they have learned from their reconnaissance, Daitaro reasons that the son - Shosen Kogataro - would be an easier subject of their attention. Knowing that Taka could direct them to the war camp in the mountains this group could time an ambush to intercept Shosen Kogataro on a business trip to the war camp in the mountains or to the reclusive wizard of the hills. Daitaro having some interest in learning more about Hidetoke Kiyomaru, the wizard, encourages the others to consider this option. Let us find out when Shosen Kogataro is planning a visit to his teacher and try to intercept him en route. Daitaro thinks a moment more and considers what Saizo shared, Saizo, I have heard a little of shinobi having knowledge of plants that can cause illness or kill. Could you infiltrate into the compound and obtain enough poison to contaminate the well in the compound?

Saizo considers that. I don't know if I could get enough poison for the whole well. But maybe enough to poison something else. A water container, a cask of sake, something like that. I could infiltrate and try to observe the compounds patterns of consuming things, whether liquid or food. I suppose we would want to disable as many people as possible. Specifically, guards. If we agree on this plan, I'll try.

Zenrin replies to Daitaro, I believe that is a good plan. The son Kogataro in the mountains is an easier target than the father Makoto in his stronghold. And we could perhaps learn the purpose of the secret war camp, and the son's and father's connection to it. If they are planning rebellion, the daimyo and his bushi could do our work for us. The daimyo would surely permanently eliminate the two.

Motoyuki concurs with this plan as does Keiso.

Motoyuki: I agree, we must take care with our resources. Following the steady trail of seeking for information is most auspicious.

Keiso: The teachings of the Buddha advise against rash action, I agree with this plan of seeking more information and leverage against Makato.

The sohei Zenrin says, It seems we are in agreement. Although Taka-san knows the way to the camp, if she simply leads us there, it may cause suspicion. Kogataro would probably remember her from the disaster of the first mission. So perhaps it is better to visit the father Makoto and accept the mission from him, as questers who are ignorant of his faithlessness would. He stands and retrieves his naginata and his furoshiki that he left with the inn staff, ready to visit the yakuza boss-merchant's compound without further delay.

Not trying to have mellow, reticent Zenrin make decisions for everyone, just want to move from talk to action as GM suggested. Low eta ninja Saizo wouldn't think of deciding on things for heimin, ronin, and samurai.

Edit never mind this..

Motoyuki: Zenrin speaks wisely. That shall be our plan.

I thought we were leaning towards intercepting the son Kogataro during either of the two errands he goes on.

Daitaro Amano
Daitaro gathers his belongings and quietly readies himself to leave the tea house thinking that their next steps are to try to learn the location of the wizard in the mountains that Kogataro would be visiting, when he goes on his visits, and come up with a plan for how best to follow or intercept him en route. Daitaro advises that the group should search for a spot that Kogataro would have to pass to reach the mountain recluse and prepare an ambush.

I am open to other options but had thought this was the direction the conversation had been moving in.

Samwell Turleton wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 11:01 am I thought we were leaning towards intercepting the son Kogataro during either of the two errands he goes on.

Daitaro Amano
Daitaro gathers his belongings and quietly readies himself to leave the tea house thinking that their next steps are to try to learn the location of the wizard in the mountains that Kogataro would be visiting, when he goes on his visits, and come up with a plan for how best to follow or intercept him en route. Daitaro advises that the group should search for a spot that Kogataro would have to pass to reach the mountain recluse and prepare an ambush.

I am open to other options but had thought this was the direction the conversation had been moving in.

Sorry yes. That was the direction we were going.

No, I haven't - I have been pretty busy. Sorry for the slow action!

Satake Taka
Taka remains poised as the group discusses what they had learned in their reconnaissance. I can't stress the importance enough that you must take Shosen Kogataro alive to get the information we need from him. I can lead you to Hidetoke Kiyomaru and along the way we can look for a suitable place to set up our ambush. While we are on the way we should discuss how we might conduct our questioning to get the information we need from Shosen. I want to know, what is the purpose of the war camp?

Saizo
I didn't realize that you know Hidetoke Kiyomaru's location, Taka-san. That makes everything much simpler. I believe we can take Kogataro alive. My humble self has a little training in how to do so.

Yes, knowing the purpose of the secret war camp, and the father's and son's connection to it, Zenrin says. Those are things the daimyo would be interested in knowing, I think. I have noted that we should not use lethal force on the son.

A plan decided, the party sets forth with grim determination on their task to subdue, kidnap, and question Shosen Kogataro on his way to seek advice from the wizard, Hidetoke Kiyomaru. The wizard resides on the lower slopes of the mountains, a pocket amidst the wild mountainside forest where the herbs and ingredients for teas and potions are prevelent. A small village has sprung up a respectful distance below his hut at the forest's edge, catering to those who come to consult the wizard and also selling the rarer herbs and ingredients foraged from the mountainside.

Some of you walk the roads, looking for the place to enact your plan. There are plenty of remote roads on the way between the city of Takayama and the remote village. The party finds a promising place - along an empty stretch of road far from where anyone would hear the commotion, hemmed in on one side by a stream which runs deep, too deep to ford, on its way to the Sho-Gawa River. There is a small bridge that provides a narrow choke point and a small clearing before a roadside shrine which is open enough to engage in battle. The Tenjin Shrine consists of a small dais and a solemn carved statue, untended and struggling against the overgrowth of vines. Small gifts of passing pilgrims, some fresh and new, some decaying in the elements, rest on the forward edge of the dais.

Those skilled in Theology know Tenjin is the kami of education, literature, and scholarship. A Theology roll against your BCS can tell you more.

Others in the group survail the mansion of Shoshen Makoto for the return of his son. It takes about two weeks before Shoshen Kogataro returns, reporting in to his father. There is a flurry of activity in the courtyards of the estate with wagons being loaded with goods - some by day and some under cover of night. As the wagons are finally mostly full, you find indication that Kogataro will go to consult the wizard on the next day, then return to accompany the wagons onward to their destination. You know you must execute your plan now or wait another month before an opportunity may occur again...

As weeks pass, the summer heat brings growing discontent in Takayama and throughout the Hido province. Normal grumbling about the coming harvest, the lack of rain, and the imposition of taxes has increased fervor, pervading the merchant classes and extending into the farmers and laborers who bring their grain to the city's markets. Dangerous talk about the need for change is no longer an anomaly - the mood of the city is tense. At the same time, the Daimyo is silent. Others speak on his behalf, but he has not done anything to quell the growing mood.
Set the scene using the above map. How are you laying the ambush? What are you doing before the scene begins?

Additionally:
* Is Satake Motoyuki going to be present at the kidnapping's execution (potentially exposing to dishonor), will he be absent, or will he be doing something else to secure an alibi?
* Does Satake Taka visit Hidetoke Kiyomaru or avoid him?
* I will not charge you housing costs for this downtime. You're pretty busy, though, but I'll allow one week's downtime interspersed if you want to post a "what else do you do over this period" for character growth.

I didn't get any notification emails - there has been a lot of action over the past few days! I really like the graphic of the map!

Satake Taka
Taka spends some time in the week leading up to the group's departure preparing suitable clothing and conducting some research into what would be available to forage.

Taka joins the group on their walk into the mountains. When the route is clear ahead, or at times of rest, she ducks off into the mountainside forest in search of any uncommon herbs, fungi, lichens, animals, or foods. When she rejoins the hike into the mountains she shares some of her findings, keeping secret anything unusual or unique. She saves those items for Hidetoke Kiyomaru who, once they have arrived at the stream crossing, she plans to pay a visit. As the group settles on the stream crossing as an ideal place to plan their ambush, Taka goes to the shrine and quietly claps to draw the attention of the spirit. She places a small piece of written on paper in the vines as both an offering and a personal request for wisdom on a personal matter.

Daitaro Amano
Daitaro spends the week in meditation, writing, and caring for his belongings. He makes sure he has a small length of extra braided cord prior to leaving for the mountain.

Daitaro enjoys the walk and finds the disappearance and reappearance of Taka strange and discomfiting until she shares some of her knowledge with them. He listens raptly, eager to learn. As they reach the stream crossing Daitaro kneels and looks quickly around to judge the slope of the ground around the stream and scouts the area that appears to be higher ground.

Saizo
During the two weeks of waiting, Saizo continues to surveil Makoto's compound. If wagons depart from it, he observes how they are protected-- how many guards, and their armor and equipment, and whether mounted or on foot. He also tries to find out more about Kogataro. Is he a trained fighter or other professional, or just a regular merchant? He also gathers information Takayama's ninja clan or clans. What faction do they belong to? Allies, foes, or neutral? If allies, he will decide whether it is worth the risk to objective to contact them for information about the things he is investigating.

I think it is very likely that the wagons will be escorted by guards. Probably more of them than our number. So we don't want them use their superior numbers to surround us. I would propose that all but myself conceal ourselves in the foliage on the west side of the bridge (A) or behind the shrine (B). Our three bushi can use arrows to shoot the guards as they approach the bridge. Or if they have more archers than us, stand at the end of the bridge (A) and fight the guards there. That would keep them from surrounding us. Perhaps the Taka-san has some magical way to collapse the bridge with them standing on it. No, then we would have no way to cross back over the river ourselves.

I would be on the other side of the river, behind the caravan (D) and concealed. When the fighting starts, I could kill or disable guards from behind with stealth. And prevent Kogataro from fleeing. I am trained in techniques for subduing and restraining without killing. Unless many things go wrong, I believe it is likely that I can subdue and restrain Kogataro.

Zenrin
Zenrin spends the two weeks in training in naginatajutsu. He doesn't call attention to himself in Takayama by studying on a dojo or with a teacher. He would prefer to practice at meditation, of which he is still a neophyte. But at this time, strength in the practical arts of bugei are needed.

It seems a good plan to me. But I will defer to everyone's thoughts. My uncertainty, though, is about dividing the group. The plan would leave Saizo alone, and solely responsible for preventing Makoto from fleeing. Perhaps one of the bushi should be with him on the other side. One can never fully anticipate what will happen in a combat. However, having another bushi on the other side leaves only two bushi to defend the west side. It has been said, "In war, there is never enough of anything." That is why hard decisions must be made.