Strangely enough for such a prominent figure in Crane history, the Shrine to Lady Doji within the Tsume Palace is small and understated but elegant.  Little more than an alcove, the shrine is beginning to overflow with prayers and incense due to the approaching emergency.  It is here that Satoru waits to hear about further investigative developments; and it is here that Moto Gyatso has come to await his audience with Doji Kasarugi.

Recently washed and attired about as neatly as his means could manage Gyatso stood uncomfortably waiting for his meeting. As he stood in the hallway for a brief moment his eye fell upon the shrine to Lady Doji, and he inclined his head in silent respect for the kami, waiting in the posture until his contact arrived.

Satoru finished his meditations but decided to stay nearby. His eyes fell upon the Unicorn. "Greetings, Moto-san." Satoru said with a bow. "May the blessings of Fortune be upon you. How do you fair this morning?"

[Private to Kaze no Kage; Moto Gyatso: Assuming that A.) You are wearing your families mon somehwere, and B.) I recognize the Mon. If not I will ammend my post.]

[Private to Satoru: oc - Aye he is wearing his mon in view.]

"Blessings upon yourself also sir." Inclining his head politely enough but seeming to stumble over the polite words Gyatso rose from the bow before continuing. "The morning is well indeed so far. And yourself?"

"I have been blessed with good health this morning," but my mind is still cluttered from yesterday. Satoru finished his sentence in his own head rather than burden the samurai. "Why do the Fortunes bless Lady Doji's shrine with a Unicorn's presence this fine morning?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Wed 13 Aug 2008.

"Truth be told I feel that I am the one blessed to  here." Smiling slightly Gyatso gestured towards the shrine. "It is my first time ever beholding this site. Seeing it I feel maybe I understand slightly more about why the Lady Doji and Shinjo cared for each other. It is beautiful"

"I am in fact here to meet a representative from the Crane. I chose to arrive early rather than risking offending. So, if I may ask, what is you name good sir?" Still gritting his teeth to maintain the good manners Gyatso nevertheless found this person at least easy to talk to. Hopefully it would be as easy to speak with whoever he was supposed to meet. Unless this man maybe...?

"I am Satoru, an advisor to the Lords of this city, Moto-san. Perchance tell me who is it you are to meet, I more than likely know them." Satoru said pleasantly.

"I am here to meet Doji Kasarugi. Although it is also a pleasure to meet you."

"Satoru-san," the Daidoji guard approaches, "I have your information, but must first escort Moto Gyatso-dono to Doji Kasarugi-sama.  If you will both follow me?"

make a Perception/Investigation (notice) or raw Perception check TN 30

[Private to GM: OC - close on the raw perception but still only 25.]

"Of course."

Satoru bowed to the guard in acquiessence.

[Private to GM: 10:09, Today: Satoru rolled 26 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(10+2)12,2,1,4,3,6. invest/percep check.
Ugh what an Average roll...]

As you enter Doji Kasarugi's spacious study, the Daimyo of Toshi Ranbo looks up in surprise.  "Daidoji Macchi, what is the meaning of this?" he snaps, "why have you brought Satoru-san and Moto Gyatso-san here?  Daidoji Mari, Daidoji Kanna, escort these three to the proper waiting area!" he orders his two Daidoji guards.

"I'm afraid we can't do that, Kasarugi-sama," one of the guards replies as they both bow.  As they rise from their bow their hands flick out in a quick snapping motion and two throwing knives flash out towards Satoru and Moto Gyatso.

Doji Kasarugi rises and reaches for his katana, the killing intent in his eyes reserved for the attacking Daidoji.  Unpeturbed, the Daidoji draw Unicorn-style scimitars as their weapons of choice.

13:33, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 16 using 5d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,7,1,9,5. Enemy Initiative.
13:32, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 5 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5. dmg 2.
13:32, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 1 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1. dmg 1.
13:27, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 22 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,7,2,6,9. surprise attack 2.
13:27, Today: Kaze no Kage rolled 29 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4,2,7,9,(10+3)13. surprise attack 1.

Satoru takes 1 wound
Moto Gyatso takes 5 wounds
roll initiative (reflexes/school rank; 6k3 for Satoru; 6k3 for Moto Gyatso)
Enemy Initiative 16
TN to be Hit 20
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:47, Thu 14 Aug 2008.

Satoru had already meditated today, to calm his spirits He has spent a great deal of time putting behind him the violent life of the warrior, but with the last syllable the Daidoji muttered, all his training and calm fled him as the revulsion at these traitors took control of him.

He WOULD NOT lose another Lord to those so far beneath his Lord's status.

[Private to GM: 16:52, Today: Satoru rolled 29 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,3,(10+5)15,3,7. initiative.

I actually do not remember if Init dice explode so it may be a 24 I rolled.

EDIT: Subtract 3 from the roll as well forgot about the wound pnealty. So either 26 if Init explodes & 21 if it does not.
My TN to be hit is 26 normally, 23 with the wound penalty.]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Fri 15 Aug 2008.

Now this seemed highly foolish. Why would they be attacked her rather than somewhere quieter? Were these folk maybe trying to pin the blame on the Crane themselves? Shaking off the questions for later Gyatso sealed himself, feeling the kami around him respond as he stood firm, already shaking off the injury he had suffered.

[Private to GM: OC - 28 initiative]

OOC:  you guys beat their initiative, so it's your action ^_^;;;

Bowing his head Gyatso cleared his mind whispering a simple prayer to the kami. With a gesture he brought into a being a bo formed of water, sweeping it in front of him in a simple defensive gesture. Glaring at the attackers Gyatso's eyes took on an unnatural glow as he smiled slightly. This was liable to be interesting.

[Private to GM: OC - Casting Bo of Water with one raise. With 39 on the roll I think I've hammered the TN so that'll be a 4K3 staff. If I can I'll also use Death's Sight with one raise to look for magical effects and Shadowlands taint. 21 for that.]

Satoru swings his right hand around in a wide arc and rises up on the balls of his feet, letting the air kami swirl around and thru him with an exhale he feels himself grow lighter as the air gains dominance over his being. As calm coursed thru him he awaited his opponents next offensive manuver.

[Private to GM: Spending a Void Point to initiate my 'Soul of the Four Winds' kiho, adding Air+ insight+ Def rank(+9)  to my TN to be Hit.
New TNtBH 35, 32 with Wound Penalties]

Doji Kasarugi's blade flicks out in a perfect iaijutsu strike.  Daidoji Mari, armed with the knowledge of his capabilities, deflects his strike while Daidoji Kanna steps in with a coordinated attack, forcing the Doji governor to see to his own defense.

Meanwhile, Daidoji Macchi moves to interpose herself between you and the governor, her weapon moving in a complex defensive pattern, to prevent you from going to his aid.

Enemy Initiative 16 action taken
Daidoji Mari TNtbH 43 (full defense)
Daidoji Macchi TNtbH 56 (full defense)
Daidoji Kanna TNtbH 20 (full attack)

Stepping into the reach of the nearest opponent Gyatso swung a vicious backhand at the target, grinning with satisfaction as he impacted.

[Private to GM: OC - 23 On the attack roll, 34 on the damage. Currently in the attack posture. Did Death's Sight find anything?]

Satoru tried to get past Macchi's defenses but had to pull back a bit less he lose another limb. Cursing his foe, Satoru attempts to manuver around the Daidoji and protect his Lord's flank.

Daidoji Macchi grunts with effort as she deflects both Satoru's and Gyatso's attacks--the room is just too small to get around Macchi's defensive stance.  Meanwhile, Daidoji Kanna and Daidoji Mari both attack Doji Kasarugi more cautiously while the governor must be completely defensive to hold them both off.

Enemy Initiative 16 action taken
Daidoji Mari TNtbH 10 (full attack)
Daidoji Macchi TNtbH 54 (full defense)
Daidoji Kanna TNtbH 10 (full attack)
[Private to Moto Gyatso: whoops, forgot about Death's Sight; yes, they're definitely marked by the Lying Darkness]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:56, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

"Wait a moment. I will attempt to slow this one before you stirke." Gesturing to Satoru the Moto shugenja bowed his head quickly to invoke the spirits of Earth. Attempting to weaken the one defending their way Gyatso cast a spell designed to weigh him down and weaken his defenses.

[Private to GM: OC - 21 To cast Stagnation of Earth, reducing Daidoji Macchi's reflexes and agility by 1.]

Satoru could not wait, he cursed aloud, cursing the traitors, cursing Fortune, cursing his broken frame. He let his kiho slip loose and dropped into an aggressive stance. He planted his left foot and sent his right at the Daidoji's head, he knew they second he swung that it would more than likely miss, but his emotions told him not to care.

[Private to GM: 14:50, Today: Satoru rolled 35 using 7d10+10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1,9,2,9,4,1. Unrmd atk+ void+fullatk raises.
2 Void Points sent.]

Daidoji Mari and Daidoji Kanna continue to batter on Doji Kasarugi's, admittedly formidable, defenses with some success; as Daidoji Mari's blade nicks Doji Kasarugi's left leg as he deflects Daidoji Kanna's scimitar attempting to bisect his skull.  The wound is not serious, but it slows the governor just that fraction more.

Though Satoru's attack is unsuccessful he can tell that Moto Gyato's spell is affecting his target in a significant way.

Enemy Initiative 16 action taken
Daidoji Mari TNtbH 10 (full attack)
Daidoji Macchi TNtbH 29 (full defense)
Daidoji Kanna TNtbH 10 (full attack)