S09 - A Way In, A Way Out Report

General Summary

The following morning, Reiji, Akira, Jugen, Murasaki, and Mizuki rush out of Iwasaki towards Saigomoriku-mura while Kyo, Jiko, Sana, and Yamami elect to stay and help defend the farmstead.

The departing party members soon encounter the Sekawa river. Dead fish line the banks of its murky, stagnant waters and the onikiri detect that it is Tainted. The party tries to investigate upstream but find nothing of note. Once they encountered a bridge to cross through, they decided to push on ahead to Saigomura. As they got closer to the village, it became apparent that there is also a massive source of Taint coming from within. Mizuki sends in her ermine familiar, Fuyumi, to be her eyes. Inside, the village is deserted and has seen battle. Snow had started piling on the ransacked houses and there were no signs of bodies. Venturing deeper into the village, Mizuki beholds a chilling sight as numerous Kotsujin could be seen patrolling the square.

Since riding out from Iwasaki only took an hour, Mizuki and Jugen vote to go back and fetch the rest of the party to deal with the Kotsu. Reiji decides to stay behind and investigate the Sekawa river.

Meanwhile back at Iwasaki, Kyo is greeted by an unfamiliar woman wearing his mino. He tries to get it back from her but she thanks him for lending it to her the previous night. Confused, he asks around and the farmers confirm that Masumi is a local and that he was seen talking with her last night. He then recalls that his hakama had mud tracks as he woke up earlier in the day., so he confides in Jiko that he might be possessed. They seek out Yamami’s help, but the shrine maiden could not find anything wrong with him.

Sana then notices a rider approaching the central barricade. The figureーa womanーcuts down the two farmers stationed there and shouts out a challenge, calling for anyone who could fight her. A crowd gathers at the barricade but before anyone could react, Sana lobs a fireball at her. A battle breaks out between the ronin woman and the party. She moved like Jugen and possessed similar glowing tattoos. She was intrigued by Kyo and Yamami’s abilities and seemed to take a dark delight in fighting and bloodshed. In the middle of the melee, she proudly introduces herself as Minami no Mitsuru, leader of the Kokuen ronin. After injuring Kyo, Jiko and Yamami, she abruptly sheaths her katana and tells them that they were not ready to face her. She then proffered a deal: the Kokuen clan will leave Otorii Mutsu provided that Kokuen no Akira, heir of the Kokuen clan, will be delivered to her. Seeing that the boy was not present, she starts to go, but not before leaving a parting giftーa monstrous/flaming Kijo explodes out of a house in the middle of the village, clutching an unconscious farmer.

Session report provided by souly

Campaign

JottO: Shadows over Otorii

Protagonists