In reply to Chiisai Tori (msg # 1):

I really don't think it was you who influenced them. I do think that it was more us. They seemed very intent at getting a commitment from us and the more they pushed the more I was determined that it was not the right fit for us. I think when they felt they could not sway us they decided not to waste more time.

We will listen to the caravan's offer. We are very firmly Shinto, but even the Shinto know that while all kami should be respected, some kami should be left alone and appeased only when necessary. The caravan seemed to have some extreme ideas and I would know if their reasons merit it before giving my loyalty.

What I find more concerning, is the horns of war I hear blowing. An isolated kami attack in a small town does not seem to be the end of the world those three seem to think it is. Yes they did tell us, but I had heard most of the story before. I suppose if you combine a dire warning with meeting more of them in the wild may lead one to believe the Kami are becoming more active, possibly hostile.

The priests nods in understanding of your concerns.

Your thoughts do you merit.  Shinto is the essence of Nippon and Nippon is the center of the world and the seat of all that is divine.  We are truly blessed to be Nipponese when so many men born in this world have no real spark in them - no essence of the spirit that is the heritage of our nation.

And you are correct that spirits can be good or evil and a wise man decides which to venerate and which to avoid.

But think about that for a moment.  Your soul knows the core truth of that sentiment.  That it is we humans who have wisdom and can choose between good and evil – even when it comes to the Million Kami.

I’m not certain what the caravan will offer you.  I do know, though, that the Kami, both Good and Evil, are growing more and more restless.  Shikoku has ever been their wild place and I suspect they think they are losing it.

Theories are everywhere as to why among the Clergy.  Some think it is the waku.  Some think is is the mainlands attempts to tame this island with sending their samurai and their daimyo to rule these wilds the last few decades.  Some believe that the increase in activity was exactly when the Singon Buddhist monetary was established.  And still others say that Kami on the big island have largely been either tamed or pushed aside, and they do not want the same to happen her, where the Kami have their last bastion of wildness, and therefore, power.

Personally, I think it is all of these things although I couldn’t say in what proportion.

This caravan master, he is more than a merchant as you have likely guessed.  He goes from temple to temple, conferring with priests, documenting events, and working with each Shrine to decide what might be best to make preparations for that places future with the knowledge that the Kami are restless and sometimes even based on what the Shrine thinks the reason may be.

The Master, in addition to bringing us the things we need to prepare for whatever might be coming, believes that upheaval is coming.  And that we Shinto will suffer if we do not prepare for it.  Preparation is the key to success even if you’re not completely certain of what’s coming.

So when the Master makes his offer to you, consider it in that context.  While you may not understand exactly what he’s doing at all times, what I can promise you is that he’s doing everything.  Everything he can think of to prepare for everything that could possibly happen.  This is a monumental task and lending your brain, tongue, and muscle to such an endeavor cannot be anything but Good.

In reply to Kitari (msg # 3):

Hiro thinks for a moment, then looks questioningly at Kitari. "Why not bring those other three into this? Could they not have a place to help. They have proven themselves blessed and wise to have seen kami twice and survived."

The priest smiles at the thought.  That was the first thing I did when they arrived: asked a few questions about their purpose in life and beliefs in the world.  What we do is based in spirit-felt Shinto beliefs.  All three of the men, to one degree or another, would rather hunt Kami such as the one that afflicted Badu, than understand them.

No.  My guess is those three would never accept a job strengthening the faith and preparing it for the future.  Not out of malice, just due to their hearts being elsewhere.

A sound from outside the Shrine is heard.  It is a small sound - of wood and rock - but Kitari's head tilts to the side listening more.

He looks at Hiro, but although you also heard the sound, you've given no indication that you have.

Sounds like our caravan has arrived.

You head out to the front with him and the Gakusho, woman, and the other scout you traveled with are driving up with the two wagons.  The wagons are empty and the other guards that you traveled with are nowhere to be seen.

Yoshi-san!, Kitari calls out to his fellow priest.  As is normal for you lately, your journey sounds like it was entertaining.  Come, rest, eat, and bathe if you like.  Water will be heated immediately.

Yoshi grunts, thanks Kitari, and motions his men to park and eat.  He looks at Hiro-matsu and nods as well.  You look well rested.  Good.  I hope your sister and you have enjoyed the Shrines hospitality.  He looks around and adds, Am I to assume the three bandits who were headed this way are already gone?

In reply to Kitari (msg # 5):

(Question if all of the guards are gone what men does he motion too park and eat?)

Hiro cocks his head towards Kitari, but then speaks anyways, "Yes they seemed eager to continue their mission. When they could not get us to tell them anything useful about your caravan or commit to their mission they departed. The shrine offered them assistance, I'm sure Kitari can fill you in on that. But please as Kitari suggests, rest so that we may speak of our future soon."

(Answer: The teamster, the woman shugenja, and the other scout are driving/stowing the wagons and eating.  The others are nowhere to be seen)

Yoshi, the priest you traveled here with, motions for you and Ayare to follow as well.  While we refresh, I would hear your thoughts, now that you've had a few days to think about it, of joining us.  We essentiallly work for the Kami themselves and our mission is to prepare those who are Shinto for the turbulent times which always seem to be in our future.

He walks to the kitchens, having been there before, and listens to Kitari give him a synopsis of the last day or two.  It seems, based on their behavior, that Kitari is junior to Yoshi.

After they exchange basic news, he turns to Ayare.  So, young lady, has Kitari blessed your quest for a good marriage?  Or are you not ready to part with your independent ways?

Hiro-matsu's 'sister' tries to look demure.  I, of course, will do whatever my older brother says.  He has always had my best interest in his heart.

And if I offer to dice for your future?  I win and you marry The Cause and have a life of adventure and more independence than you'd have otherwise.  You win, and your brother can helpfully guide you where he thinks you belong.

Yoshi doesn't even glance at Hiro-matsu.  He's completelly focused on Ayare.

For her part, Ayare leans forward and the prospect of rolling dice for such high stakes.  Her confidence in her abilities have her immediately thinking of the game, and the rules, for such a contest.

If no action Hiro, I'll have Ayare respond.

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 9):

Hiro looks for a second seems ready to protest and then stops. Looking at Yoshi he says "You say you work for the Kami directly? I will not stop this if it is what you want Ayare. Let the Kami decide your future. I would request that if you choose to do this that you both use all of your skill, truly let the kami decide.

That being said "The Cause" is not known yet and I think both of us are unwilling to do that which we feel would violate the basic affirmations. I don't doubt your intentions but as I stated to Kitari while all kami deserve respect not all should be followed. Even if these should, the fire does not agree with the water, the earth does not agree with the air. I may not have the wisdom to mediate such matters. "
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Thu 07 Feb 2019.

True young man.  True.  The Cause is simple enough.  We have no plans to harm any, but neither are we willing to be harmed.  Our mission is simple.  Travel from Shrine to Shrine, learning what they need if trouble came to their door, and getting it for them.

This Shrine, for example, is isolated but self-sufficient.  It could hold out for some time against people trying to get through the mountains but only if someone knew the threat was coming.

So they asked for two things.  One, a carrier pigeon with the town on the other side of the mountains so that if trouble comes, they can be met in the passes.  Two, enough men and training to dissuade the size force likely to come after this small Shrine if met in the mountains.


I brought them weapons, two teachers, and two men to add to their number.  That puts them at around 12 men when most would assume they would only have 3-4 poorly trained ones.  If trouble comes, and they manage to meet it so that the mountains give them advantage, those 12 could hold off at least 20 or more.  And there is no reason anyone would consider this Shrine worth expending more than 20 men unless they simply are coming here to harm the Kami themselves. And if that's the case, they will all simply flee.  Including the Kami.

We have a Cause, but it is not nefarious.  Our next Shrine, we bring barrels of seed.  They are not self-sufficient but can defend themselves.  We will dig them two new wells, and store the barrels and some weapons underground in case the future is not kind to them.

This is what you'd be signing up for.  Making certain that every Shinto on this island can defend themselves if attacked and survive if over-run.

Yoshi watches your eyes.  Whatever he sees there makes him add, And as far as Badu is concerned, there was a Buddhist monk in that town named Yasashi.  He is there actively subverting the mayor.  Badu chose possession so that Yasashi could be countered.  The man was a powerful gakusho for the Buddhists and that town would have fallen were it not for Badu and the Kami.  Badu had lived there all his life.  Yasashi waltzed in and attempted to rot it.  What man would not defend, by any means, what he had built with his own hands all his life.

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 11):

Hiro looks at Yoshi, "Hmm so you think it was not a noble samurai who flew in on the wings of a kami and saved the whole town from the evil Kami, smitten by the daughter, married for love? A second coming of the Baado Piiparu?" Hiro chuckles. "Admittedly these stories tend to be exaggerated. I say that "The Cause" sounds noble, and if not noble at least fair. What would you ask of us? I do enjoy my freedom. Would we be instructed where to go? Or would be given the freedom to go where ever and asked to do something where ever we were?"

Well, I haven't learned all of your situation yet.  You came here with your sister to beg a blessing for her marital prospects.  I assume you have some job or role within the family back home?

I ask, because dicing with your sister, I intend to have her run several tasks for me at first.  If she loses, she would be, in a way, in my debt due to the loss.  So, I would give her work and expect her to carry it out.  I would also give her what resources and people she needed to carry out the task.

And if I lose, well, I'll still offer you a job, but it'll be more on your terms as far as freedom of direction.  I would want to know where you were going and what you were doing from month to month, and if I saw an opportunity for you to get a message to a friend, or a package, or if I had questions about a place you'd been or a person you'd met, that you'd do those types of things for me as part of the job.  I'd pay reasonable rates.

And then there's a third option.  We are a fairly large group.  We answer to superiors in the organization and the longer we serve, and the better we serve, we climb the rungs of the organizations ladders so that we can do even more good for the cause.  We are Shinto priest and laymen.  If you aim at that, and eschew the coils of the world to try to walk that path and learn enough to know, in a couple years, if you're willing to be a religious personage, well, I know how to put your feet on that path as well.  And the end of that road is varied my friend.  Some become priests, some become yamabushi.  Some become counselors to daimyo and some become politicians.  And some, I would have you understand, serve the Kami by be agents of information.  As many positions as there are in the mundane world, you will find almost as many within ours.

But that is getting ahead of myself.  That third path is something you discover you desire rather than a map to get you from point A to point B. But, nevertheless, the religious orders have space for almost all.

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 13):

Hiro frowns a bit at the turn in conversation."Hmmm, well I will inherit nothing from home, I am not the first son nor the second. My only task is to get Ayare married respectably. This gives me a great bit of freedom. But also locks me in.

I may not have been forth coming as I should have been. Even if I were to permit it, Ayare can not gamble away her familial duties. I could see giving way to suspending them, for if the Kami wanted her to marry today would they not have provided a suitor? No! instead they throw adventure in our path. Maybe the suitor will be found down that road. Eh but to just go and do what I'm told, well I can get that at home.

Uh and really in times of strife family is what should be defended, not running off to adventure. My first duty should be to see Ayare married and safe, Right? Two Roads, Uh I was hoping the Kami would show me the best path, but here I still sit undecided."

Looking totally miserable at the two choices he has in front of him Hiro looks around as if the answer will jump out from the shrine itself.

Brother.  Until we find a husband that is a decent match for me, we have to make decisions based on the moment, neh?  I agree that dicing my life away, perhaps, lacks a certain wisdom though.

Ayare is just beginning to be wary of the fact that none of these men diced on the travel here, and likely would be bone-numbingly boring if she hitched her wagon to them.

Turning to Yoshi, she essentially says exactly that.  Yoshi, your offer is generous to a woman who has no marriage prospects and a reputation for wilder ways than most wives are allowed.  I'm certain to settle down at some point, but, well, your men's company isn't any better a fit than some man wishing a wife to pliantly and quietly stay home and run a household.  And not embarrass them drinking and dicing.

I hate to put it so bluntly, but it is just we few here, and nothing you all haven't thought already.

She looks at the men around, and says, Perhaps a match for me would be among those you train rather than those devoutly tied to the Shrine.  You must know their personalities.  Are there any that my brother could evaluate from a distance, so as not to insult them if no negotiations are started?

The priest laughs aloud.  Well, I'm not really in the business of negotiating marriages dear one.  I will leave that to your brother.

He considers what he would be willing to offer, and what he is not willing to.  Their training base was off limits to anyone not already committed.  Taking them there was out of the question.

I will say this: Go about your lives.  Beseech the Kami here for his blessing in your endeavors.  My offers still stand, but this is not a pressured offer.

Hiro-matsu, if you can't decide, stay on the safe route.  Spend some time trying to find a husband for her.

Just keep us in mind.  If things do not work out for you or her, or if you find yourself in need of direction in life, come back to this Shrine and speak to Kitari.  He will send you on to me and I will hold true to my offer.

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 16):

Hiro frowns for a second and then smiles. "Ah maybe I have a solution. Maybe a trial. We could wander in a direction and do some favors for you. As long as there was the possibility of a match for Ayare in that direction who's to say. What do you think? Is there a direction you would like us to go and a small task or two once we get there? if that works out maybe we could do more?"

That may be Hiro-matsu.

I will need to let Kitari know the news from other Shrines tonight, and we will discuss what needs happening in the short term.  If we can find an errand for you, I'll let you know in the morning.

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 18):

Hiro will relax the rest of the day he will try and position himself so that when Yoshi goes to talk with Kitari he can stealth and over hear the conversation. Lots of if's so let me know what rolls I need.

Make Ninjutsu and Perception rolls.  Also climbing.

In reply to Chiisai Tori (msg # 20):


12:25, Today: Hiro-matsu rolled 9 using 1d20.  climb.

12:25, Today: Hiro-matsu rolled 18 using 1d20.  perception.

12:25, Today: Hiro-matsu rolled 10 using 1d20.  Ninjitsu.


skills:
Ninjutsi         15
Perception:      9 (see dark/lvl)
Climbing:        19
This message was last edited by the player at 17:29, Wed 13 Feb 2019.

Yoshi and Kitari excuse themselves and go for a walk around the grounds rather than to any buildings.  The constant movement makes it far more difficult to eavesdrop, but not impossible.

The scout has attempted to follow Hiro-matsu, but the two stealth men are better sneakers than spotters.  Within moments, Hiro manages to nonchalantly move through the kitchen, chatting with monk cooking there, before moving out of the room by the back door and losing the scout.  The two men do not see each other again.

Strolling the grounds himself, Hiro-matsu attempts to position himself ahead of them as they slowly stroll the grounds - behind a shrine soji panel here, one the other side of some hedges there, etc.  He tries to make it so if he gets caught, he'd have no reason not to simply say he was getting his exercise after the meal.

After the two pass one position, he moves to another position he thinks they might pass by.  Sometimes he is correct, and sometimes he is not.  Sometimes he is close enough to hear them talk quietly to themselves, sometimes he is not.

It is clear that Yoshi is keeping an eye out for others as they walk, although Kitari seems to be more focused on Yoshi himself.  Neither men seem to notice Hiro-matsu.

Yoshi is blue, Kitari is periwinkle

I understand your concerns, but I must reiterate, you are in no real danger at this point.  Those training in the caves are removed from both civilization, as well as your Shrine.  All you must do is trade out men from time to time, and once they are trained, get word to me and I'll bring them to their next assignment

I do not like that you brought others this time.  I do not recruit.  I have no skill at it.  You should have left them behind and recruited them away from the Shrine

Sometimes, my friend, I don't get to structure the world as I'd like.  While your Shrine is isolated, you'll have to develop stories for those whom trek here.  And signal those training not to come to the Shrine when others are about.

What if the Chosokabe... and they are out of range.


Sugawara might know what we do, but he has clearly not made his plans public.  Otherwise his clan wouldn't be curious of ...



Kitari, I need you to do one more thing for me.  I want you to establish a couple of your monks living in XXXX village.  When the shit hits the fan, we will need people there who have established themselves that can direct the flow of information.  Take your smoothest two monks and tell them...


Hiro-matsu and Ayare should be taken with you.  I see you plan to train them here, but I will not risk it.  They're loyalty is untested and it is an extreme risk.  If you want them for the fight, take them.  But leave me out of it.

Hrmph...

And after that, the two men go and sit in an area that has almost no cover to use to get close enough to them.  They talk perhaps 30 more minutes and come back to the Shrine.

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 22):

I will double back and wait till Yoshi or Kitari come to see me.

At dinner that night, most of the Shrine is eating together except two guards whom are on watch outside.

So, Ayare and Hiro-matsu, I hope the trek out here has been worth the effort.  Pressing through the mountains, even with a caravan to stick with, is more than most would do.

I have given much thought to our conversation this morning, and two things occur to me; First, your indecision likely makes you an ill fit to our caravan.  There is space for you if you like, but if you approached me for advice, I would tell you that if your heart and mind did not tug you down the path, then perhaps that is not the path you should force yourself on.


However, second, if your village does not have prospects for Ayare's marital bliss and security, then perhaps you should at least travel with us to a different village.  I have no immediate tasks for you to perform, but I know the headman of a village not to far from here.  If I tell him your plight, I'm certain he might be able to give you some gossip about the men in his village and perhaps make a pleasant match.  This, at least, gives the effort you've put in at this shrine to beseach the Kami's a chance to work their will.


And, you never know, perhaps in that self same village, the headman will have information for me that might actually create a task or two I could use you and your sister on.

Then, you could return to your home village a success and get on with your life.

What do you think?  Travel with us a couple more weeks with almost nothing to lose?

In reply to Yoshi (msg # 24):

"Thank you Yoshi, let me discuss this with my sister and we will let you know."

Hiro will take Ayare to the same spot that Hiro found it so difficult to over hear. Look around carfully


08:57, Today: Hiro-matsu rolled 3 using 1d20.  perception.

And if no one is there talk with Ayare.

"Ok I'm not sure there is much more to do here. We pretty much know everything we can other than the location of the cave they are training in. At this point I think it would make the most sense to group back up and see if we can find the cave.

Maybe you can ask what town? Make a frown face and say you think your prospects are better where we came from? So at least we know were he is heading. I think we can play the Hiro really doesn't want to get you married any more than you do and really is just after excitement on the road and the place we came from offers more excitement than a small village.

What do you think?"

The yakuza girl is able to get the name of their next town, as well as use acting to convincingly seem plausible to not be interested.

Hiro, you are free to go back to the Rabbit thread.  It is the first day since they left and, if desired, you could get to them after sun down.  Or wait until morning and meet them early.