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Fateful Decisions
Enemy Perspective
An account of some of the events occuring at Castle Song on the night of the Festival of the Dead, Year of the Dragon, 17th year of the reign of Han Mato.
The young lord of house Chung walks slowly though the courtyard of Castle Song, the yard is lit by burning buildings, the light of which reveals the yard is filled with neatly arrayed bodies under blood stained sheets of the purest white silk. As Xu stops by each body a servant sweeps back the sheet to reveal each corpses face. A light misty rain begins to fall and beads on the lords brightly colored armor as he pauses by several still small forms, standing at his back is the hulking Kato, his samurai bodyguard, dressed in all black armor. The bodyguard's face still bears the marks left by his battle with Sweeping Ling. Xu's emotionless soft voice easily carrys thoughout the courtyard
"I had given orders for the children not to be harmed".
All eyes save those of the ever watchful Kato turn away rather than meet those of their lord, Xu had made clear his plan to have younger members of the house adopted into other houses rather than slain. The loss of thier family names could have satisfied the Oath of Vendetta. From the darkest shadows stepped forth Lady Yoko, spymaster to the House.
"Forgiveness great lord, my clansmen were but over dedicated to your needs, had they not been, more than one might have escaped."
As she finishes speaking Yoko raises one brow in rebuke to the Lords gesture of mercy that had allowed even one child to live.
With a sudden motion Xu sweep the covering away from the body of a youth, revealing the mark on the wrist showing that the pale form's hands had been bound.
"If your clansmen had not taken the time to bind them before slaying them, perhaps the heir would not have escaped."
For a moment the two simply stared at each other across the yard, the lady Yoka was a lady of high standing in her clan, in her time she had slain priests and princes while Xu was but a youth of 17 who had only been allowed to rule as lord for the last week, but it is Yoko who lowers her eyes first.
"Get out of my sight" Xu whispered turning and gently covering the body of the Song youth. Xu calls to standing array of witnesses, "Wei."
Stepping into view comes a somewhat chubby youth dressed in the armor of the Violet rider, one of the seven champions of house Chung. Xu turns to him.
"Song Kami takes up holy orders in two days, until then she is still a member of her house. Go to Tai Mien and guard her, see that she lives to take her vows, but also see that she does not leave that city still bearing her name."
The violet rider bows,"Hai".
At the entrance to castle Song the handmaiden Yoko pauses by the Red Rider, Chung Sun, next in line to Xu for the title of house Chung.
"I took the blame for you slaughter of the prisoners, you now are in my debt."
Sun turns eyes filled with hate upon the handmaiden, "I owe no one. But I will remember your kindness," the last with a bitter smile.
Acu the shapeshifter gathers himself together upon the watchtower of Castle Song. Giggling to himself with delight as he watches the bodies being carried out of the inner halls in trails of blood, he laughs out load at the sight of the childrens bodies being argued over, and he nearly falls off the tower with the thought that he would soon be free to tear the castle apart in search of Ito's puzzel box. Acu grin grew even wider as the sound of fluttering wings.
"Cawt, cawt, cawt, I have, Information" says the raven.
Player Perspective
Mirumoto Long was not happy. His home was under attack by rabble, but there were too many of them. He and his father were both Samurai and this was a great dishonor. He set about the work of dispatching the peasant scum with grim efficiency, secure in the knowledge that they were no match for his noble household.
Unfortunately, the leader of the rabble was completely without honor. He took The Haughy Noble's* younger brother hostage and ordered a cessation of hostility. Reluctantly, Mirumoto Long and his father put down their swords and were forced to watch as the rabble departed, doubtless heading to House Song.
Mirumoto Long, at his father's request, headed to House Song to warn them but arrived too late. He was told by an old monk that he should go to the Shrine of Kackarat if he wished to help the house and so he set off on the trail to Flower Fruit Mountain and beyond.
Fong Fa Hong had little interest in the Feast of the Dead and instead spent his time secluded in a wooded glen practicing his martial techniques. He was assisted by an anonymous benefactor who eventually revealed himself as a Kenkyu. After an interminable training montage, Fong Fa Hong also headed to the Shrine of the Dragon.
Hansu and the other guards made their way to the mountain and were approaching the shrine when they heard a woman crying. Looking carefully, they saw an older woman crying over the body of a man dressed all in white. They were trying to make up their minds what to do when they spotted an armed and armored figure moving towards here.
Hansu pulled out his sword to attack the intruder, but Feng recognized the man as Mirumoto Long. They attracted his attention and then he and Hansu approached the grieving woman. The old man was the priest who guarded the shrine and she was his sister. Someone had killed him but she didn't know who or why. Mirumoto Long ordered Hansu to pick up the body and carry it back to the shrine.
Hansu complied. As the two started up the trail, with the woman in tow, they were joined by Prince of Sparrows*. He had spied out the shrine and told them what he had seen: an oni, cannons, and bakemono. He felt the group was there to kill the dragon's sister, who sometimes visited the shrine. The group resolved to move to the house and then to the cave under cover. The rest of Hansu's group was brought along, as was the old woman.
Fong Fa Hong arrived, whistling a jaunty tune as he came up the path, completely oblivious to all that was happening around him. His noise did not go unnoticed and an unnatural mist began to rise from the waters around the shrine. He entered the house to see what he could see. Mirumoto Long decided to find out who he was and Hansu moved to guard the narrow ledge which led from the house to the cave.
Mirumoto Long and Fong Fa Hong had heated words and a fight might have broken out had not the bakemono shown up about that time. Hansu cleaved one with his great nagamaki before a spell sent most of the group tumbling. Fong Fa Hong came up behind him, using the length of his spear to ensure he could attack while remaining protected by Hansu's bulk.
More spells followed from both sides and soon the bakemono were dead or fled. Prince of Sparrows* faced the enemy wizard and was joined by Fong Fa Hong. Mirumoto Long and Hansu were both in the water. Mirumoto Long swam ashore to join the battle against the wizard. Hansu dove to chase the Oni.
Hansu soon found himself laying flat on his back in the shallows with the Oni poised to kill him. Just when all seemed lost, a sudden bolt of lightning struck the Oni and Hansu was saved. The other three made quick work of the wizard and the day was won by the party.
They were still left with a choice about Kami and Wan which they have not yet made.
Experience
| Mirumoto Long | 4380 | |
| Virtue 3 (33) | ||
| Wuxia 3 (33) | Jumping about, treatening villian with icy stare. | |
| Honor 4 (34) | ||
| The Other Monk* | 3350 | On assignment |
| The Prince of Birds* | 7470 | |
| Virtue 4 (34) | Spyings, relaying info | |
| Wuxia 3 (33) | use of spells, flying about. | |
| Honor 2 (32) | ||
| Fong Fa Hong | 4050 | |
| Virtue 3 (33) | ||
| Wuxia 2 (32) | Concealed spear. | |
| Honor 3 (33) | ||
| Hansu | 3240 | |
| Virtue 9 (39) | Background, peasantrys, savy free roleplaying. | |
| Wuxia 4 (34) | Que, Duty to lord, diveing for Oni | |
| Honor 3 (33) |
- Virtue
- Participation by roleplaying and background, Hansu is much higher for this night secondary to written charater background and NPC contacts.
Wuxia- Actions and roleplaying that play to the setting.
Honor- Overall achievment for the night, killing stuff and meeting goals. Mike is always going to end up with a lower honor number because of his advancement being one level higher.
Treasure
| Big Brass Balls | Barking Dog (cannon) | |
| Spitting Viper (cannon) | 2 Barrels Fireworks powder | |
| Embalming fluid | Knife | |
| Clippers | Big Sword | |
| Big Belt | Parchment (scroll) | |
| Spell Belt | Gold Disks |
* Don't like your name? Fill out a character description...
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