In reply to Iskander (msg # 782):

It takes a few moments, then the tree's limbs retract, and begin to take form...the form of a man! The the branch the staff was leaning against takes the form of a hand and grasps it. As some  of you rub your eyes, a man stands where the tree was, looking as if you had disturbed his sleep.

He grunts, looks at the crowd, and then calms his dog. Taking up his pack, he releases the dog, but tells him, in Sahudese, to stay.

"到处走走，打扰好人，这是什么意思？"
What is the meaning of this, going around the woods and disturbing good folk?

The language is Sahudese, and the staff is clearly recognizable as a symbol of a local god, Hou Ji. Narrator, would any of the group recognize the symbol?
This message was last edited by the player at 09:26, Thu 21 May 2020.

(OOC Due to the nature of our culture and superstitions, up the literal yin-yang...
Sahudese get -4 to their IQ's instead of the -6, other races default to, in their own cultures. So, time to rock and most importantly, roll!)
07:03, Today: Chye Isuel rolled 8 using 3d6.  IQ ~ 12-4 (8 or less) .
Chye recognizes the symbol and the particular Kami, it represents.
He lowers his polearm, and parleys:
"Priest of Hou Ji! We're from the village yonder, and it's been under control of the wicked baron's men who make free with our women, and extort our people. We represent the Omo Sakemoko, back in Northport, and we're supporting the uprising! Two dozen men attacked the village, but we drove them off, captured their leader, and they fled into these wood. We're tracking them now, and plan to capture or kill the lot of them to buy us more time. Do you know these wood, can you help us? Am Chye Iseul. 蔡 이슬 *Mountain Dew*
Chye's great grandfather is the dragon "Chye Cháyè" 蔡 茶葉*Mountain Tea Leaf*, the grandson of the half-dragon,
Chye Wu 蔡 武 *Mountain Warrior*,
and the son of Master Chye Xiāo 蔡 霄 *Mountain Cloud*
Chye is a Youxia, and we are known as the Lóng Hòuyì." 龍後裔 *Dragon Descended* +1
(+2 with dragonkind, and associated groups)
within the Jianghu.

*In the jianghu, martial artists are expected to be loyal to their master (sifu). This gives rise to the formation of several complex trees of master-apprentice relations as well as the various sects such as Shaolin and Wudang. If there are any disputes between fighters, they will choose the honorable way of settling their issues through fighting in duels, and tournaments.
A common aspect of the jianghu is that the courts of law are dysfunctional and that all disputes and differences (within the community) can only be resolved by members of the community, through the use of mediation, negotiation or force, predicating the need for the code of xia and acts of chivalry. Law and order within the jianghu are maintained by the various orthodox and righteous sects and heroes. Sometimes these sects may gather to form an alliance against a powerful evil organization in the jianghu.
The following description focuses more on the martial arts aspect of "jianghu", its well-established social norms, and its close relation with "wulin".
~
A leader, called the "wulin mengzhu" (武林盟主; lit. "master of the wulin alliance"), is elected from among the sects in order to lead them and ensure law and order within the jianghu. The leader is usually someone with a high level of mastery in martial arts and a great reputation for righteousness who is often involved in some conspiracy and/or killed. In some stories, the leader may not be the greatest martial artist in the jianghu; in other stories, the position of the leader is hereditary. The leader is an arbiter who presides and adjudicates over all inequities and disputes. The leader is a de jure chief justice of the affairs of the jianghu.*
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Thu 21 May 2020.

"I am called, Iskander.
Well met, Priest. I am a gaijin, in the employ of Sakemoko's house."

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 784):

"这不是第一次。我是旅行的牧师，帮助萨满与他们打交道，但是今天，当他们袭击时，我正去另一个村庄。我的Aralaise很穷，但我知道Omo"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
(It is not the first time. I am the travelling priest who helps the Shaman deal with them, but this day I was visiting another village when they attacked. My Aralaise is poor, but I know of Omo.)

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He frowns.

"因此，您正在支持起义……您是否打算继续帮助解决这种影响"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

(So you are supporting the uprising...do you intend on staying to help with the repercussions as well?)

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This message was last edited by the player at 19:49, Thu 21 May 2020.

"We have to get back to the city with the cargo of rice we've been entrusted to bring back. When we return, Chye expect mercenaries and house men will come, because of the importance of this news."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:20, Fri 22 May 2020.

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 787):

"I catch not all that. Not stay. Beat soldiers. Go leave villages to fend for themself. Know they?"

The switch to Aralaise slows his speech somewhat, but does nothing to hide his darkened demeanour.

"Maybe Gaijin return, rest stay and fight. Response surely come."

He is ready to travel remarkably quickly for a tree. He removes the cord from his dog's collar, but the dog stays dutifully beside him.

In reply to Saishi Jin (msg # 788):

"I am Tanaka Kojimaro, swordsman of the house of Sakemoko, and protector of this village. I will be staying here to deal with what comes as consequence."

In reply to Tanaka Kojimaru (msg # 789):

"啊，有些人确实很荣幸。然后，我将代代相传祖先的精神，并向侯集致意。其他人应该留下来，但至少在您的帮助下，我们有更好的机会。带领，我会跟着。"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Ah, so some do have honour. Then I will interceed to the spirits of our ancestors, and to Hou Ji on your behalf. Others should stay, but at least with your help we stand a better chance. Lead, and I will follow."

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He motions for you to lead the way, keeping his own dog beside him as the others have the scent.

"We need reinforcements, and we also need to find the baronet of Veroigne. A band of men prowl this area, whom are loyal to him, and is the rightful lord of these lands. We need also to bring these two groups together quickly. After we bring the baronet to the Omo, they can discuss their respective politics with one another, as these two are the pillars of this whole affair."
Chye says just above a whisper, in Sahudese.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Fri 22 May 2020.

19:13, Today: Iskander rolled 11 using 3d6.  tactics ~ 13.
Iskander tries to think of a tactical advantage over the men, and use it to their advantage, fighting in this particular woodland battleground. They have traps, which he is also skilled with, along with the hunters. They could perhaps set traps in strategic spots, using the terrain of the forest to their advantage, to flush their prey into various "kill zones" set up in the area...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Fri 22 May 2020.

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 791):

"确实需要加强。与Gaijin战斗Gaijin为我工作。也许我们应该找到他们扎营的地方，并确保他们不在战斗前就睡觉。"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Reinforcements are indeed needed. Gaijin to fight Gaijin works for me. Perhaps we should find where they are camped, and ensure they sleep not before the fight."

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In reply to Iskander (msg # 792):

Separating the hunter/dog teams would let you triangulate the soldiers,  and drive them into an ambush that would give a minor avantage to initial attacks.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 794):

"Swarm bugs, used to suggest path to gaijin us advantage give. Helpful?"

Iskander discusses his tactical plan, and triangulates.

"Akitsu-sama's blessing is with us. Let's take them!"

"Senyors, If we have snares with us, we could employ them here, to goodly effect."

In reply to Iskander (msg # 798):

Who is splitting up with each of the hunters/ staying to ambush?

In reply to Village hunters (msg # 799):

With a dog of his own, Saishi will go with the hunters...

Chye will stay to ambush with Iskander

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 801):

"I shall travel with the hunters"

In reply to Tanaka Kojimaru (msg # 802):

The hunters split up, although one grumbles about not having his own swordsman as bodyguard.

In reply to Village hunters (msg # 803):

Saishi, as a spiritual guide for the villages, rebukes him gently.

"就像其他所有人一样，选择一把剑并与自己搏斗！您不受这些Gaijin威胁的影响吗？你不是这个村庄的一部分吗？您希望每个人都为您奋斗吗？为你的村庄而战！为您的荣誉而战！"

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Pick a sword and fight yourself, just as everybody else does! Are you immune from the threat of these Gaijin? Are you not part of the village? You want everybody to do your fighting for you? Fight for your Village! Fight for your Honour!"

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Anem, l'home!
I picked a good spot for our ambush.
Iskander says, after surveying their area.
20:38, Today: Iskander rolled 9 using 3d6.  soldier ~ 13.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:47, Sun 31 May 2020.

Chye follows, trusting his gaijin comrade, as Iskander has proved reliable and tactful on the battlefield.
"Osu!"

In reply to Iskander (msg # 805):

You picked a spot. Tactical advantage remains to be seen. Remember, soldier represents basic training, not officer school or anything requiring training beyond infantry. You can perform maintainance armory, perform guard duty, strike and set a camp, get information, and otherwise do the job of a non specialist.