Archive for the 'Story' Category
Protected: Letter to Hemakshi
Chapter 9: Meeting the Masters
The party arrives in the antechamber, having been summoned by the Elemental Council, each of them at least a little nervous. There are only two ways into the antechamber: the doorway they just came through, and through a large door flanked by enormous Phoenix banners. Four Shiba guardsmen, each in full armor and armed with naginatas in addition to their katanas, stand at each corner. Another two stand by each doorway. The youngest of them looks to be in his mid-30’s, and each proudly displays a mon of two crossed flaming swords, with the kanji for “void” between the blades. The armor on their arms has been designed to resemble wings.
Chapter 8: New Blood
After bringing the wounded Shiba Tsukune to the monk, Otaku Hemakshi and Shiba Yomitsu returned to their inn. Mirumoto Saburo was outside Otomo Kambei’s room. The Unicorn and Phoenix wished to report immediately to Kambei. After giving him some time to compose himself, they were brought before him. Yomitsu gave a retelling of their encounter with the Bloodspeakers, leaving out a few specifics, but not blatantly hiding anything.
Chapter 7: Sacrifice
After a few days of rest, Shiba Tsukune, on orders from Isawa Tadaka, leads Otaku Hemakshi and Shiba Yomitsu after the source of the oni. Otomo Kambei keeps Mirumoto Saburo with him for some protection, just in case, as well as to let Saburo heal up a little more, since Kimura’s prayers seem to do little to help him. Kambei also sends Soshi Kimura onward to Kyuden Isawa, to announce and explain the party’s dealy.
Chapter 6: Fishing for Oni
Stopping for the night at Ocean’s Fall Village, Shiba Yomitsu encourages Mirumoto Saburo to trek down to a nearby beach to fish. Saburo had been carrying a fishing pole with him, and looking for the opportunity. So Yomitsu and Saburo headed out, with Otaku Hemakshi and Soshi Kimura accompanying them.
Chapter 5: A Friendly Game of Go
While Otomo Kambei works for days in the castle’s library, the rest of the group are left to pass the days as they will. Taking in a kabuki play one night, Yomitsu spots two Lion samurai in the audience. He convinces the rest of the group to follow the Lions after the show.
Chapter 4: To Shiro Shiba
Saburo and Hemakshi load Yomitsu’s unconscious body over Hemakshi’s horse. Saburo takes the Egg, and they set out to leave the city. They wander for hours before they find their way out and can make their way back to the inn.
Inside, they find Kimura sitting and reading a scroll. When Yomitsu is brought in, Kimura gives a brief prayer to the kami and tells them to bring Yomitsu to his bed. He’ll be fine, but needs rest. With Yomitsu taken care of, Kimura asks about what happened. The tale is told, but any mention of the Egg is left out.
Chapter 3: Morikage Toshi
The innkeeper is pleased to have guests, claiming his new guests are his first since the snows began to melt.
After dinner, Otomo Kambei regales his retainers with the story of Morikage Toshi. He tells of the Phoenix who convinced his lord to let him marry his love, rather than the Agasha to whom he was betrothed. The jilted Agasha laid a curse upon the entire city, that even the Elemental Council of the Phoenix has been unable to remove. The nearby forest grew into and over the city, taking over and driving the inhabitants out.
