Group You have been selected by your Daimyo to investigate local rumors of potential war.  Your travels have brought you to the lands of Lord Kunemura.  As you follow the road you come into a rather large village.

Gather Information: DC 15

The Yamada family had served Lord Kunemura from time out of mind, and although they had proven reliable and loyal, they had never distinguished themselves to a degree that would cause them to rise in station.

Goro was young in his service as a Bushi, and had been selected for this task as his had few responsibilities and was free to undertake such an extended journey without much warning or preparation.

He walked, being too poor to afford a horse, although he was armed in the manner of a Samurai and conducted himself as such.

He had not been particularly talkative during the journey, and now he set to work at once, going door to door with an official air and asking direct questions with the tone of a young man who was used to some degree of authority.

In this case it seemed to have worked I. His favor...

09:31, Today: Yamada Goro rolled 19 using 1d20.  Gather Information.

"So... you are reunited" Bayushi Kanpeki said. Yes, the last time he saw the three of them was when they were just children. Ryu didn't speak. It was not expected from him.

"It is time to see what you have learnt." He added and then delivered the mission. Visit Konemura's lands and speak to whoever is to get information about any danger to the unity of the Empire.

Of course... Ryu was not one who had an easy way with people. He will have to trust his friends for that.


OOC 20:37, Today: Soshi Ryu rolled 5 using 1d20.  Diplomacy to Gather Information.

Shosuro Akira didn't mind the walking. He minded the heat. Or at least, the not so frozen lands he had grown unaccoustomed to. When it was his turn to speak, his luck wasn't better than Ryu's.

OOC: 20:14, Today: Shosuro rolled 8 using 1d20.  Diplomacy - Gather Information.

I they ever had a hope to meet the Scorpion Daimyo herself, Bayushi Kanihime, it was crushed when Sakura's father appeared in her behalf. The Bayushi Champion surely was too busy to meet them directly.

Her father didn't treat her any different than the otherss. It was to be expected from him. And Sakura also knew that he was not acting at all.

Sakura had a job to do and she focused on it. Due to her training and her abilities, she was able to find something.

OOC:
21:23, Today: Bayushi Sakura rolled 22 using 1d20+10.  Diplomacy - Gather Information.
21:24, Today: Bayushi Sakura rolled 3 using 1d4.  Hours to Gather Information.

Group From your inquiries around the village you are able to gather some information about the area:

Both Kunemura and Shotokami are widely regarded as strong, stubborn and doggedly persistant in pursuit of their goals.  The village and surrounding country side have been mobilized for war.

Lord Kunermra has five children: three sons and two daughters.  The eldest son Kunetachi is heir to the lord's estate and title.  He is 21 years old and resides in the caste with his father as a gunso (commander).  The middle son, Akashi was sent away to be trained and educated.  The youngest Tsumitoshi, is seven years old and lives with his parents in the castle.  The two daughters Mariko and Hatsuko are 5 and 8 years old.

Lord Kunerma's wife name is Midoke.  The villagers adore her for her beauty, kindness and culture a necessary softening of Kunemura's rough edges.

As night approaches you find yourself in the only inn in town.  The Golden Dragon.  This inn is two stories high and well built out of stone and timber.  Once inside you can see a few people sitting at tables eating and drinking.  A waitress just inside tells you.  "Sit where ever you would like someone will be with you shortly."

After seating yourself a young woman about 16 or so approaches your table.  "What would you like to have?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:27, Sun 30 Jan 2022.

Ryu smiles to the young woman. "I will take some fish and rice... also tea, please."
He sits with the others and keeps silence, watching and counting the numbers of troops and the direction they are taking.

OOC:

DM:

Lord Kunermra has seven children: three sons and two daughters.

Five or seven?

OOC: It's five.  Typo.

Sakura also smiles to the woman. "I'll have the same, please." She looks through the window. "There is a lot of people going in and out of the town, don't you think? I hope it will be good for the business." Her voice is sweet, trying to get into the girl's good side.

OOC:
YES!
21:03, Today: Bayushi Sakura rolled 28 using 1d20+10.  Diplomacy.

Akira also orders the same and waits or the girl's reply, trying to see if her answer is honest or not.

OOC
07:14, Today: Shosuro rolled 19 using 1d20+8.  Sense Motive.

The girl takes your orders and before departing states.  "Yes there is quite a bit of travel today.  The weather is very nice and we are a major travel destination, many people come here to rest before moving on to their next destination.  It's about 2 days to the next sizeable village.  Your food will be served shortly"  With that the waitress leaves.

OOC: You don't feel any deception from her.

After a few minutes pass the waitress returns with your food and drinks.  She places them down on the table before each of you and steps back before bowing to the group and departing.

About 30 minutes go by while you are enjoying your meal and the front door opens and a well dressed man enters.  The owner of the restaurant hurries over and speaks with the man.  After a short conversation the man approaches your table. "Good evening. I hope that you find our humble village to your liking."  The man reaches into his robe and produces a scroll.  He then proceeds to place it on the table before you.  "Your presence is requested at the castle tomorrow morning.  Please present this at the front gate and all will be explained at that time."  After his short statement the man turns and leaves the restaurant.

Once you have finished your meal the waitress approaches your table to begins to clean away your dishes.

Actions

"We will need rooms." Sakura says to the waitress when she approaches to clean away the dishes. "We will stay the night." The smile on her lips is evident.

But she is not happy. At all. When the servant girl goes away, she opens the scroll and reads it. "It seems Lord Kunemura knows of our presence. And I am sure he is not the only one."

Shosuro Akira nods. "I we ever wanted this to be a secret mission, we have been blown away." His voice is low, so only those around him can hear him. "What does the scroll say? Kill anyone who carries this scroll?"

Ryu just shrugs. "Well, if our cover as simple travellers has been blown away, then there is no point in trying to keep it. Let's rest and be presentable for tomorrow morning. Shall we order one room to protect ourselves and a watch order between us four? Or different rooms for our modesty?"

Group The waitress tell you that it will be 2 cp for both the food and a room each.  She then leaves the table with the dishes so that you can be alone with the scroll.

Bayushi You open the scroll which reads: "Please come to the castle tomorrow morning and meet with me.  I am in need of your assistance on an important matter."  It is signed Tsuyokaze.  There is no other identifying marks as to who this person might be.

Group After a few minutes the waitress returns with several keys.  "If you would please follow me"  She leads you to the stairwell which is located near the back of the inn.  She proceeds up a set of stairs to the second floor which contains a wrap around balcony looking down into the main seating area.  Each door is a plain wooden door with a simple lock.  She states "You can each have a room for yourself if you would like or you can share."

Actions

After Sakura tell everyone what is in the scroll and who signs it, she thinks or a while. "My vote is to just sleep together. It will be safer for this night."

Ryu nods. The Soshi also thinks that precaution is best. "That is also my vote. I will have the first watch."

Akira sums his vote. "Before we know for real who is against us, we must watch our back. Tomorrow it will be another day."

Everyone Roll a d4

OOC:
17:18, Today: Soshi Ryu rolled 4 using 1d4.

OOC: 20:20, Today: Shosuro rolled 2 using 1d4.  Roll.

OOC:
09:36, Today: Bayushi Sakura rolled 3 using 1d4.

Group Your night proceeds quietly and you wake up refreshed the next morning.  There is plenty of time for breakfast and more exploring of the area before your appointment at the castle.

Actions