Excellent.

He hands out the scroll to Arashi.  It is sealed.

He claps his hand and a man comes into the room immediately.  He looks peasant class, although his drab garb is of the highest quality material.  It is simply made to look poor.

Jizai nods to Arashi and the peasant presents him with two strings of gold in a plain cloth belt pouch.

Yojoba is waiting at his home.  Tuskki will guide you.  He was willing to go to Cawti alone but I'm sure will be glad for both the company and security of traveling with comrades.  Jizai makes no attempt to make that sound like the truth.

Let me know any actions before going to Yojoba's.  Ayare will ask for a half hour, at least, before meeting the samurai to 'tie up some loose ends'.

In reply to Jizai Michizane (msg # 53):

Totsu will look to talk in private to Hiro and Takeshi away from others about the combat they had.
See the earlier post for questions and reasons he wanted to talk to them

OOC: Takeshi brought Totsu up to speed on the events at the temple.
Arashi and I have also taken care of a couple purchases and are now ready to Yojoba's house when the rest of the group has concluded any business.

Yojoba does not bring the group members into his home, as would be expected, when they arrive.

Instead, they are brought refreshments outside and told that the Lord is already ready to travel and be with them shortly to head out.

Apparently, 'ready' is a relative term.  After 30 minutes, Yojoba, on his horse, comes out of a side entrance of the house.

He looks at the group, noting none of them are Jizai's men, none are samurai, and most aren't even Buke, and nods to Arashi curtly.

Tell your servants that I will lead this expedition and they are to do exactly what I say, when I say.

He turns his horse, as if that were a foregone conclusion, and starts it walking down the road.

He is in heavy samurai armor, a naginata is hooked to his horse.  He wears diasho and daikyu.  His horse looks well supplied and his tack and equipment are spotless.

As is proper, Takeshi does not make eye contact with the samurai and bows low as is his station.

Takeshi realizes that he has purchase a riding horse for himself but it would not be appropriate for himself to ride while Totsu and Arashi were walking.
Neither does he believe that the group members would want to take his horse as it is a riding horse, not a war horse. In fact, he has seen neither of them ride and is not sure they can. Offering it to them and possibly forcing them to decline could bring dishonor to them.

After Yojoba turns his horse Takeshi inconspicuously offers the reins of his horse to Arashi then Totsu if they wish to ride.

In reply to Takeshi Oshiro (msg # 57):

Arashi considers the situation his party finds himself in.  This Yojoba of the Chosokabe appeared to be sincere in his profession of innocence but maybe he is just a good kabuki player.  We will have to be wise as a serpent while appearing harmless as a dove to let this trap be sprung.

Arashi bows respectfully to Yojoba-san and says, "Yojoba-san, Hai, You lead and we will follow."

We will follow until its time to not follow, that is...

As the group winds its way out of town, Yojoba seems to ignore the world around him.  His horse slowly steps down the street, and the samurai does not even notice if people are slow to get out of his way - which they are not.

There are guards at the exit to town, which he stops for and presents his papers to them.  This is usually only done in war-time, and usually only for Samurai.  It is a mild surprise that both he offered before he was asked, and that he had the papers in the first place.  Either the Michizane have made some changes, or Yojoba himself is required to be tracked at all times.

Your group was not given papers although your names might be on Yojoba's.

The papers are reviews, the chop verified, and your group is passed through.

As the town gets smaller behind you, Yojoba finally speaks again.

Arashi.  Tell me.  You bring several peasants.  Of what use are they so that I know what to expect from them for the mission success or if attacked.

It is possible he doesn't know Totsu is Ronin, but unlikely.  This would be a dig on him.

In reply to Yojoba Chosokabe (msg # 59):

"Yojoba-san, that is very wise to know the capabilities of your traveling companions.  I can tell you that Tot-su-san is a badoka of exceptional skill.  Hiro-matsu is a superior scout and, well, Takeshi is my younger half brother. He handles my finances and you would be had pressed to find a better drinking companion. But here, let Totsu-san regale you with a tale of his martial prowess, so you have a clear understanding of his abilities; he is Bushi after all."

Takeshi, with his gaze low to avoid any conflict with Yojoba, thinks back to the battle between Totsu and the flying pig Kami and a smile crosses his face.

In reply to Arashi Fukushu (msg # 60):

If Yojoba shows genuine interest I will give a detailed blow by blow detail of the fight. As soon as he shows signs of not being interested I would quickly break the fight into using jujitsu to counterattack and hold off a Yakuza who is very skilled in jujitsu until he finally got a grip on my arm then a used Atemi Waza to knock him out then proceeded to fight 2 Budoka at the same time using Atemi Waza until both of them were unconscious.

If he seems interested in the fight and the details after I finish I would ask if he could honor us with some of his battles.

I try to remember if I have heard at all of this man or any mention of his involvement in any battles.

In reply to Totsu (msg # 62):

Just as a note Hiro keeps his head down and says very little unless asked. He will not play at night stops unless requested. Always stating that he is sure his skills are not suitable for someone and important as Yojoba-san.

If pressed about his skills he will state he has some meager skill in jujutso and has trained with the Singon monks.

Yojoba listens to both Arashi and then Totsu with very little reaction.  He does not show impatience but neither is he engaged.

Once the account is done, he says, Arashi.  Am I to understand, by this description of your groups skills, that you are Buke who've become excellent at alley fighting with thieves?

He opens his mouth to say more, but closes it again.  His face is a cross between judgement and amazement.

Let's move.  He turns his horse back down the road and lets walk at a walkers clip.

He is not likely to be a good traveling companion.

The witch lives 'off the beaten path' you might say.  Quickly after leaving the city, the group is forced up into deer trails in the hillside.  Shortly after that, they start making a climb up into some mountains via a rangers pass (a treacherous, switchback trail which often has sheer drops to one side.  It is at this point that Yojoba leads his horse rather than riding it.  He also moves a certain portion of his supplied to his own backpack rather than the saddle bags.

A fair bit of your travel will be along such routes.  Are there any precautions the group makes due to it?

In reply to Chiisai Tori (msg # 65):

I request to Takeshi (quietly hoping Yojoba doesn’t hear) if I can use his horse to carry some of my supplies to lighten my load so I am free to not be hindered while traveling and will be ready to fight without having to drop any weight.

Assuming he says ok I secure a Furoslki sack to his horse.

OOC:  I hope we get attacked and they kill this a hole we are traveling with.

As far as Totsu is concerned this guy is still considered the enemy until proven otherwise.  I’m totally suspicious of him and if he makes any moves for a weapon I will make sure he does attack anyone in our group or I will kill him.

Takeshi bows to Totsu's request and begins helping load his horse but finds it odd that Totsu is doing just the opposite of Yojoba. Realizing a heavy load on the side saddle of a horse may make the horse fall off the cliff, and thinking Yojoba is the more experienced horseman, Takeshi helps Totsu by taking the light bulky items that can be positioned on the center of the horse and attempts to get most of the items back on Totsu's back.


"Please allow me Totsu-san..." Takeshi begins taking items from Totsu and begins placing them on the horse. He turns Totsu around to remove items from him and starts placing items on and off to accomplish his final goal of little being added to his horse.


06:40, Today: Takeshi Oshiro rolled 8 using 1d20.  Will/Dft BCS 9 to move things back onto Totsu without him realizing it.



Takeshi takes no other precautions.

In reply to Takeshi Oshiro (msg # 67):

Hiro snickers a little at Totsu and Takeashi playing a game of who is the pack horse. It helped relieve the tensions that Yojoba-san was adding to the mix. Working with Samurai could be infuriating. They believed they were superior and therefor nothing would dare attack them, and if something was dumb enough to attack they would just squash it.

Hiro tried to focus on what he could do here. Yojoba-san had really already set the plan. He will stand there as a target and anything foolish enough to attack he would crush. It wasn't that bad a plan only the truly desperate would choose to go after a well armed party.

Still, Hiro did not need to take the switchback trail. He could climb as easily as walk. Where it makes sense Hiro will climb straight up the mountain side to get head of the party. Where the path is obviously going one way and it would be faster for him to climb. He will be on look out for good ambush spots or where people could drop rocks and such down on the people below. He will try to not get so far ahead he can no longer see the party but will keep going as longs as the path goes up.

In reply to Totsu (msg # 66):

"Yojoba-san, perhaps we should direct Hiro-matsu to scout ahead for any dangers and report back if he finds anything?"

In reply to Takeshi Oshiro (msg # 67):

I hand Takeshi the sack ( contains basically about 6 pounds of clothes and a few arrows I cannot fit into my quiver) he can pack it however he wants. If he tries to give any of it back he will receive a confused and not happy look from Totsu.

The slowest member, Takeshi, sets the pace.  Yojoba seems to have no issues with not being able to move faster.  After moving too fast once or twice as the lead, he settles into a pace that works for the entire group.

Hiro-matsu is not often seen as he bushwhacks over the mountains.  Despite the difficult terrain, he seems to have no problem keeping ahead of the group and scouting a bit.

Hiro, you find many good ambush sites as your group travels.  This trail almost seems carved in the mountain specifically to create them.  Luckily, so far, you've found no ambushers.

Every once in awhile, Yojoba takes out a maps and studies it as the group travels.  This is odd, since you are on a single trail, on horse wide, and there have been no branches as you travel up into the mountains.  There is, seemingly, only one way to go.

After a day of difficult travel, the group finds a small overhang (not quite a cave but enough to keep everyone dry if it rains, and far enough away from the cliff edge to be safe).

Yojoba chose the place and begins making a place to sleep for himself closest to the trail.

Arashi, have your servants make a fire there, he points, and I want Totsu sleeping there, you sleeping here, and your servants sleeping in the back.

We will take watches, one person on watch only.  First is myself, then you Arashi, then Totsu, and lastly Takeshi.  I do not want Hiro taking a watch.

With that, he pulls some dried food out and sets it by where he said the fire should be, apparently expecting someone to cook it.

In reply to Yojoba Chosokabe (msg # 71):

Hiro will go search for firewood unless someone brought some or Yojoba tells him to stay close. He will not attempt any cooking though.

Though never being of prominent physical prowess I have little concern about slowing down the group as I do not know of an urgent timetable. I do my best to keep a decent pace and am glad for rest when the group stops.

Yojoba is a typical Samurai, that is his lot in life and I do not yet hold it against him. His history and viewpoints are unknown to us but it is not my place to approach him, I will listen if our bushi open any discussion and perhaps make comment if appropriate.

Meanwhile Yojoba's direction for me to take a watch is met with a low bow. I did not expect the honor of such a task.

Hiro takes off looking for fire wood and I fear the dinner for the group must fall to me as I am the "dead weight" when looked at from the outside. It would be expected that I perform such tasks.

I try to help Hiro start the fire and begin food preparations. I look at the food Yojoba has laid out along with the others in the group can provide. Amazingly, the ingredients before me exactly match that of a meal my mother used to prepare for Arashi and myself when we were younger. It is a type of Nabemono (stew) called Imoni and is heavy with vegetables and potatoes. While I have no skill in the art I believe the meal tastes appropriate and offer it to Yojoba first.



07:46, Today: Takeshi Oshiro rolled 4 using 1d20.  Cook BCS:?

In reply to Takeshi Oshiro (msg # 73):

Arashi nods in accent as much to Yojoba as to the rest of the party as he prepares his sleeping roll in the proscribed location.

"As you say Yojoba-san, May I ask, whom do you suspect of fomenting this conflict between the Buddhists and Shintos and their respective patrons?"

Yojoba sees to his horse first, and then lays out his own bedroll and sits to wait for dinner.

As Arashi does the same and opens conversation with the man, Yojoba does not ignore him.  It looks like he considers it for a moment, but then grows thoughtful.

Arashi-san, I do not know - I have only guesses.

I understand that, from what you'd reported, evidence points to my clan.  And, as the world knows, the mechanization's of the Buke certainly do not put that, or anything, out of the realm of possibility.

However, I have inside information.  I am a highly placed samurai of the Chosokabe clan.  I have been brought in on many many ideas and goals of the clan over the years.  Integral to all of them, you might say.  The idea that something so large and far reaching could be implemented without me, much less without me knowing, seems highly dubious.

Of course, you can have no such perspective.  But this is one of the many reasons, and there are many, I do not lay this at my fathers doorstep.  I suspect this is why Jizai-san does not either.

He looks at you, then at the others, and continues for a moment.

Were I in charge of the investigation, I would target the Kami themselves.  I am Buddhist, so that may cast doubt on my intentions - especially when evidence points to my clan being involved.  But it seems to me that what we see here is more Chaos than an organized strike.  Kami do not organize, do not get along, and do not fight wars.  However, they have likely seen themselves shoved aside on the mainland and wish to resist it here.

I have noticed that you, and my resources, have no reports of the Waku being involved.  If I lead a disorganized band of chaos, it would not be a bad tactic to send them to simply cause disorientation and strife among what I saw as enemies, while supporting what I saw of allies.  And, of course, I would take my strongest and strike early at my largest concern.  Which, clearly, would be Kukai.

If we want to find a man in charge of this, I think we will look forever.  Men are being used as tools in this from what I see.  No.  The Kami feel threatened with extiniction and are going to claim this island for themselves.  Exclusively.  That means anyone who is Buddhist is a target for them.

But, as I said, this is my gut impression with no evidence.  I will search for evidence after this mission is complete.

Having said his fill and shared his thoughts, he looks to your group again.  If you remove the possibility that my clan is directly responsible, what are your thoughts?

In reply to Yojoba Chosokabe (msg # 71):

I am suspicious of everything Yojoba does. Why does he keep looking at this map?  The first thing that comes to my mind is that he has some prearranged spot he is supposed to be at by a certain time.

Why only one on a watch?  Less likely to spot an attack coming?

Why does he not want Hiro to take a watch?  Hiro is most likely to see the attack coming or best prepared to handle the type of attack coming?

I wonder if the attack will occur on Yojoba watch?  He would still have on his armor while the rest of us would not and would presumably be sleeping.   If he wants to appear he is not part of the planned attack he might have them do it on Takeshi watch so that Arashi and myself would not be wearing armor?

I think to myself. What would be a good excuse to wake Hiro in the middle of the night to have him go look around?

In reply to Yojoba Chosokabe (msg # 75):

I do not offer up any possibilities. If he specifically ask me my thoughts my response would be

There are too many unknowns at this point. More investigation is required to come up with any educated guesses