Session Report: 16 July 2021

The Insidious Venom

General Summary

In this session of Tsuwamono, the following events transpired:

The Second Spar

1559年11月16日 11:00 (Morning)

Sūhai Sanctum

Historical Entry: The Second Spar

In the secret sanctum beneath the Mōri Clan arena in Shimonoseki, Fubuki prepared to spar against a new opponent. After their brief battle with a Hound of Tindalos, Ankokuji Ekei had retired to tend his wounds. The results of their fight were still frozen nearby. Fubuki, however, did not yet feel ready to face Honda Tadakatsu the coming day. So, after being magically conjured a magical weapon, Watsurara-dōnyo was pleased enough to be the other oni's sparring partner.
They agreed, first, upon certain allowances for the upcoming battle. Fubuki was no doubt the more powerful of the two, so Watsurara asked that the cold-eyed stranger stay her* hand before delivering a killing blow. For her* part, the Black Blade required no such assurances. Watsurara would come at her* with her full strength.
As the two squared up and began to measure each other, it quickly became apparent that Fubuki was the faster fighter. She* was not here to hone her* already keen offensive, instincts, however. So it was that the cold-eyed oni allowed her* opponent to make the first move. Watsurara did not neglect the opportunity. As she approached, Fubuki sensed the humming energy of ki gathering in the air.
A quick motion of Watsurara's blade drew blood not from her opponent, but from the pale oni's own hand. That red ichor flowed down the katana, freezing in an instant as it mixed with its wielder's ki. What once had been a fine but unassuming weapon was now edged with a wicked, frozen red line. For how slow Watsurara was to act, Fubuki was almost caught off-guard by the speed and power of the attack which came next. Bloody ice shattered on impact, then cut through Fubuki's armor and drove into her* hard oni skin. The blow was not quite enough to pierce flesh. Still, a distressing numbness was spreading outward from where it had landed.
Fubuki concentrated, but could feel her* own flesh and blood freezing beneath the skin in spite of her* efforts. Moving that arm was a slow and painful process, and the effect was still spreading. This would perhaps not be as simple a fight as it first seemed. The Black Blade was not known for her* acceptance of things as they were, however. A simple spell allowed Fubuki to seize control over the liquid within her* own body. Moving it like that was was painful; excruciating, even. The agony would no doubt affect her* fighting ability, but Fubuki was at least able to act with something approaching her* previous celerity.
None of this was apparent to an observer. At least, any observer not well-schooled in the occultic arts. It seemed that Watsurara was not, for the pale oni soon jumped back confidently from Fubuki and created some distance between them. Normally, such an act would have invited reprisal, but the Black Blade did not take the opportunity. Now standing on a rocky shelf above the training area, Watsurara gathered her ki once again.
This time, the life energy took on a physical form. It froze in an instant around Watsurara's outstretched arm, twisting and chiseling itself into something like an arbalest made of ice. The contraption was large and unwieldy, but no doubt powerful, as evidenced by the heavy post of ice anchoring it to the floor. While apparently now capable of attacking from a range, Watsurara was also effectively immobilized by her own technique.
A sound of brittle frost filled the room as a ki-fused arrow materialized within the arbalest's chamber. Without hesitation, Watsurara fired. Imagine her shock when, after tearing through the air with a violent whistle, the projectile fell away in two clean halves. Fubuki lowered her* sword as the other tried to hide her surprise. No one with their body half-frozen beneath the skin should be able to move so quickly.
As if to drive the point home, Fubuki leaped forward. In a few short, but agonizing and crackly strides, she* had arrived on the same rocky shelf. Susuki Masamune raised high, then came down in a deadly arc. Immobilized as she was, Watsurara presented a perfect target for a killing blow. Instead, Fubuki slashed down upon the arbalest itself. Whether from the strike itself or from the pulse of ki Fubuki released through her* weapon, the construct cracked and then shattered into pieces.
As she pulled away, Watsurara's cold expression dropped away. She was clearly impressed. And, it seemed, the pale oni was no fool. That was clearly a killing blow, had Fubuki chosen to take it. By that measure, Watsurara had certainly lost their first bout. She offered, however, that they continue with the winner claiming two out of three victories. Fubuki agreed.
Without much delay, Watsurara's icy mask was back in place and she was gathering up ki for a big attack. Surely Fubuki could have struck again there, but the Black Blade instead disengaged and moved a few feet away where she* adopted a defensive stance. The point of this exercise, after all, was to explore a more reserved style of combat. Plus, she* was more than a little curious about what manner of exotic technique Watsurara would release next.
It took some waiting. Fubuki could perhaps have attacked three times over in the time it took Watsurara to gather enough energy for whatever she was planning next. Then, the pale-white oni leaned over the ledge upon which she stood. Gathering up all the ki in her sword, Watsurara dropped it onto the floor below. In a mirror of what had happened to the Hound of Tindalos before, the blade didn't connect with the ground beneath it. Rather, it passed through like it had been dropped into a still lake. Fubuki had only an instant to react to what happened next.
Perhaps it was an instinct, perhaps experience, or perhaps the reward of having seen this technique once before. Whatever it was screamed at Fubuki from within to jump. The Black Blade did so, and just in time. Liquid ice spread out with blinding speed from the point where Watsurara's blade had dipped into the ground. Even though her* feet were no longer on the floor, it seemed to reach up, grasping onto the sole of Fubuki's foot. Again that terrible numbness anchored itself beneath her* skin, this time yet stronger than before. With one last effort of will, pushing her* mystical flight to its limits, Fubuki broke away. She* could guess that, had she* remained there even a moment longer, the Black Blade would have ended up like the Hound before: frozen and helpless within a great shard of ice.
For her part, Watsurara was even then stepping down from her perch above. Her mask had slipped away again, revealing an encouraging sort of giddiness. From what Watsurara had seen in the tournament, Fubuki had improved a lot, to be able to dodge an attack such as that. It was a clear mark of growth. More than that, Watsurara was now weaponless again. That technique seemed to consume whatever blade she wielded at the time. So, the second victory went to Fubuki again.
That left the Black Blade as the winner and their sparring session drew to a close. Watsurara was right about one thing, at least. Fubuki did feel stronger. Between exercising caution in the fight with Ekei and then the pale-white oni, she* seemed to have picked up just a bit of wisdom. Were these the Teachings of Rinzai that the monk had spoke of before? Hopefully the insight gained therein would be of use in the coming battle with Honda Tadakatsu.

Demonology of a Desperate Shogun

1559年11月16日 11:00 (Morning)

Shimonoseki

Historical Entry: Demonology of a Desperate Shogun

With the other Cardinal Generals scattered across Japan and beyond, Ryūzaki Sanosuke was among the few remaining at the arena in Shimonoseki. This was no object. Shigeaki Fujino's mental network made it quite possible to accomplish all of his duties remotely, from within a cluster of his beautiful allies.
It was to the Silver General's surprise, then, when a man's voice called out to him from beyond the gorgeous wall. It was Matsunaga Hisahide, whose arrival rarely heralded anything good. This time, the eccentric Daimyō claimed to have some information which would be of great interest to Sanosuke. If they'd retire to somewhere more private, such as an underground chamber the Mōri Clan had provided for Hisahide's use, they could discuss it in more detail.
As was his wont, Sanosuke first departed with a crowded entourage of his allies. Hisahide chided him for it. Their meeting was going to cover some very sensitive matters. A single bodyguard, whom Sanosuke trusted implicitly, would be enough. After all, Hisahide himself would be bringing at least the same by his side.
So it was that Ryūzaki Sanosuke and Fujibayashi Nagato ended up in a small, spartan meeting room beneath the Shimonoseki arena. A single table, a brazier, a couple of cushions, and an unnervingly-staring Hannya mask were the only furniture provided. It was, at least, private.
Following his responsibility as the man who'd called this meeting, Matsunaga Hisahide spoke first. He began by implying that Sanosuke might have some interest in a certain assassination which may have occurred several years ago. Perhaps something to do with an aging Hashinara Daimyō and his daughter.
Sanosuke was no stranger to veiled words himself. He stated only that there were many matters which the Silver General investigated on behalf of the clan. This assassination may well be one of them, if Hisahide had information to provide.
He did. It seemed that Hisahide's silence on the matter had been most profitable until recently. Now, the Ashikaga Shogunate was preparing to make some moves he did not quite agree with. Moves which would make it quite difficult for him to continue his business throughout the country. It was not any secret, after all, that the Ashikaga Family was at its lowest in terms of political power. Most major clans did as they wished, paying no heed nor homage to the Shogun who should be above them. In such a situation, it was no surprise that Ashikaga Yoshiaki, a weaker leader than any of her brothers, had grown desperate. She was now taking steps to assert power and dominate, rather than to aid those under her command.
As for any further specifics, well, Matsunaga Hisahide was a businessman. He traded not in coin, but in favors. If Sanosuke was willing to perform one of those favors for him, then he'd happily pay up front with the rest of this little story. Nagato sent a mental warning to Sanosuke, but it wasn't necessary. The Silver General was already on his guard. Hisahide might not be nearly as physically powerful as Sanosuke, but his political influence ran deep enough to make him an equal to any crimelord or spymaster in Japan. He would not be a wise enemy to make.
Still, this information was of great value to Sanosuke. With a Daimyō who seemed more absent than not, aloof or literally in another world, it often fell to the Silver General to manage the clan's affairs within the earthly realm. He would, at least, hear the favor that Hisahide demanded.
The other's request was simple: obtain a full pardon for a certain Toyotomi Hideyoshi. With the Shogunate's power waning, such a pardon would have to come from someone both powerful and close to the deeds which Hideyoshi had committed. Someone like Aotsuki Tsukamoto. There was certainly a lot of bad blood there, but such a task should be simple for one such as the Silver General.
Sanosuke was of a similar mind. He felt himself capable of accomplishing that favor one way or another, and so agreed. Whatever mysterious benefactor had asked for the pardon in the first place would no doubt be pleased. With a sly smile, Hisahide followed through on his end of the deal. He would provide the information now in return for services rendered later. And, if Sanosuke failed to accomplish the task, he would simply owe Hisahide a favor. As Nagato mentally suggested, that would not be an enviable situation to be in.
After a moment of consideration, Hisahide continued his explanation. As he'd mentioned before, Ashikaga Yoshiaki was a weak and ineffective leader. Such individuals often attracted those who are more intelligent than they, drawn to the power which might be claimed by association and manipulation. Sanosuke had surely noticed a new face in the Shogunate's box. A pale woman, with long black hair.
He had, although hadn't thought much of it at the time. New faces were common at the tournament, with many individuals attending for some matches and not others. Following Hisahide's implication, however, Sanosuke gathered that this pale woman must be the one pulling the Shogun's strings.
Indeed, Hisahide agreed that it would not be incorrect to say that. At the same time, such a claim did not quite paint the full picture. The woman's name was Chitosemaru. An alias, obviously. Even Matsunaga Hisahide had not been able to determine her original name. He had his doubts, even, that this fair countenance was even her original appearance. Such tactics were often employed by masters of magic who wished, for whatever reason, to remain incognito. Sanosuke knew that better than most, as his own lord's metamorphosis came to mind.

The Ravenous Mire

1559年11月16日 11:00 (Morning)

Osaka

Historical Entry: The Ravenous Mire

As Knight Commander Maxim followed his new friend through the streets of Osaka, he began to suspect that something was amiss. They were traveling through dirty alleys and squalid canals, leaving the wealthier parts of town behind. That in itself wasn't worrying. It was natural to expect that someone like their prey would be found in the slums. Rather, little Eru Darusu seemed to be taking them straight for the woods at the edge of town.
He still didn't rightly trust their guide, so Maxim voiced his discontent with this. The big knight's voice was so heavy in the air, holding such menace in the simple statement, that Eru Darusu immediately changed direction. She'd "forgotten" where they were going after all. Soon, Maxim's group was moving in more of a southward direction, down the gentle slope leading toward the port in the distance.
That port was not meant to be their final destination, however. Maxim's guide stopped his party about halfway down the slope, with the docks still a half mile away at least. Their destination lurked at the rear of a small plaza in what may have been the grubbiest part of Osaka. The building itself did not impress. Built of heavy, dark wood, it was obviously not well cared for. A sign over its entrance read "The Tanuki's Adoration Black Toad Inn." Whoever owned this place now hadn't even bothered to remove the old sign.
The new owner was, according to Eru Darusu, a man simply named Greasy Ii. Ii had purchased the tavern after its previous owner (a Tanuki of some wealth) had sold it off to follow the migration of wealth closer to Osaka Castle. Now it was a den of iniquity and the type of place ne'er-do-wells tended to congregate. Not that Greasy Ii himself was a bad fellow. He was always kind to the street kids, including young Eru Darusu. They'd even been paid to cross out the old sign and write the inn's new name in black paint. Maxim could believe it. The shoddy job on the sign did indeed look like the work of a bunch of children.
Apparently, if Maxim wanted to make a good impression with this "Greasy Ii" guy, he'd want to bring a snack for the man's bird, Kasha. The good Knight Commander was not in the habit of carrying snacks in his armor. A quick survey of his companions brought a ball of pink mochi to the fore. That would probably do. Haures was more or less right when she said that birds would eat anything. The venom in her mouth when she said it made Maxim think that the demoness was perhaps speaking of someone in particular. That didn't matter, however. He cautioned his allies to stay close to him if something happened, then told Haures not to act out.
That seemed rich to Haures, coming from Maxim. He'd been too tepid of late, she chided. Their Mistress would be pleased to see him act out quite a bit more, in fact. With a grimace at that reprisal, Maxim squared his shoulders. Mildly-cursed mochi in hand as an offering, he entered the Black Toad Inn.
In the darkness beyond the threshold, a big man with a red bird on his shoulder welcomed Maxim. Greasy Ii didn't look all that greasy. A bit swarthy, maybe. Perhaps the nickname referred instead to the kind of establishment he liked to keep. The whole room was covered in a thin patina of soot, or grease, or some mixture of the two. Behind a makeshift bar, Ii was scrubbing a glass with a dark brown rag. Maxim could only hope that brown was its original color. Beyond him, the bar only had one other patron. Sitting in the center of the squalor, white clothing standing in stark contrast to the filth around him, was a man with light hair covering his sharp features. This matched every description of "Crow" that Maxim had heard.
Ignoring the criminal for now, Maxim strode up to the bar and wondered aloud if the good fellow who ran the place might take a few of his coin. It was so very hard to get rid of. Now, Greasy Ii had never been offered money in as suspicious a way as that before, but he wasn't about to turn it down either. Before this scintillating conversation could develop further, however, both of their attention was drawn to Eru Darusu making her way across the black-streaked floor. She called out to the seated man by the name "Karasu," informing him that she'd brought Maxim here just as he'd wanted.
It seemed that Crow, or Karasu as he may be called, was already quite drunk off the black sake jar in his hand. He groggily paid Eru Darusu a few coins to conclude their agreement, then watched as the urchin traipsed back to Maxim and pointed an accusatory hand back. The realization dawned through a thick mist of liquor that Crow's minion was playing both sides. He stood, violence apparent in his body language, and began to lurch angrily at the urchin who'd made a fool of him. All it took to stop him was a quick whisper from Maxim to the shadows behind him.
A dozen black chains burst from the dark wood around Karasu and wrapped around him in an instant. The poor criminal, obviously not a fighter at the best of times, was immediately held helpless in their stygian grip. Struggle though he may, it was no use. Maxim strode over and told the man, in no uncertain terms, that his debts had come due. Crow didn't seem to know what he was talking about. Perhaps it was the drink, or just the sheer chaos of the situation which had suddenly descended upon him. All the criminal could babble about was posters of some sort.
Fortunately, it didn't really matter whether Karasu understood what was happening. Maxim gave him two options: either he came willingly or Maxim would knock him out and drag his body to justice. He was not so engrossed in the interrogation, however, that Maxim failed to notice Greasy Ii approaching with a heavy black club in his hand. The proprietor of this place had a reputation to keep up, and part of that was watching his customer's backs. Whatever business Maxim had with that patron in the ground in the weird black stuff, they could handle it somewhere else. Or, perhaps, Maxim could part with some coin.
This ultimatum confused Maxim, and rightly so. He had, after all, plunked a few coins on the bar after walking into the place. Either Greasy Ii hadn't seen them or he didn't think it was enough. Regardless, the swarthy proprietor would not be dissuaded. He was about to make the deadly mistake of swinging that club at one of the most powerful men in Japan. Then, Maxim felt it. There was a heat in the air, and a familiar gust of magic that shot out through the air at Greasy Ii.
Dropping everything he'd been doing, Maxim was across the room in an instant. Shield raised, he barely managed to deflect Haures' spell so that it incinerated a patch of wood on the ceiling rather than Greasy Ii himself. It was at this very moment, to witness this act, that Aotsuki Tsukamoto and Saitō Dōsan teleported with Shigeaki Fujino into the room.
They'd been meant to meet for lunch, the limits of which were rapidly approaching as the morning advanced. Maxim had been busy, and apparently in trouble so, following a brief mental conversation, Aotsuki had thought to drop in. Now, he stood out in the grungy room like a gold tooth in the mouth of a beggar. Everyone stopped to regard the golden presence of the Champion of the Sun. Everyone except Maxim and Haures, who glowered at each other after their almost-hostile exchange. Neither seemed willing to budge.
Aotsuki explained to the proprietor that this was all a big misunderstanding, and Greasy Ii absolutely believed this god-boy clad in gold. It seemed as though another fight might erupt, however. While Saitō Dōsan took Crow away (and part of the floor with him), Aotsuki ushered the others outside. Soon, only Eru Darusu was left. She fiddled with something for a moment, then finally heeded the warnings to escape. When she left, Maxim's coins were gone from the counter.
As the young Daimyō took care of damage control, Maxim and Haures continued their standoff. It seemed that the demoness no longer felt she could trust her charge. After all, what had he done recently to advance their Mistress' goals? What did he care for some insignificant human in some back-alley inn? Haures had stoked her doubts on the foreign knight, and now they were raging in a fire of distrust. Maxim was too soft-hearted. He could not serve as an agent of their shared deity.
Of course, this wasn't entirely true. Maxim had not been idle. Just yesterday, he'd slain some of the Princess of Wrath's "competition" and received her blessing for it. At this declaration, spoken with the conviction of truth, Haures seemed to relax slightly. If what Maxim had said was true, then it was possible he was not quite a lost cause. After all, she herself was notorious in the circles of Wrath for taking a long and calculated route to vengeance.
As this discussion flowed, Aotsuki felt a familiar tug on his hakama. It was, of course, Kagami. She'd spotted something neither of them had. Some sort of insect crawling about on Haures' person. Just then, the demoness gasped. Something had bit her on the neck. As she twisted, a long red centipede spilled from her sleeve and skittered away into the floorboards.
As Maxim and Aotsuki both rushed forward, Haures slumped. The wound looked bad. Around it, the skin had turned black and seemed to be spreading. She was already unconscious and breathing raggedly. This, it was obvious, could be no ordinary poison. Earthly venoms were useless against Demonkind in any case, as Kagami supplied. Struck with the unfairness of the situation, to have his ally struck down just as he seemed to be getting through to her, Maxim did the first thing he could think of. Leaning down, he tried to suck the venom out of the wound.
It was quickly clear that Maxim was no doctor. His ministrations were sloppy and, while some of the venom did get in his mouth, the majority of it seemed to remain in the wound. Perhaps because of his more vital constitution or perhaps by way of Aotsuki's holy presence, the fell liquid had no effect on Maxim. Still, Aotsuki hesitated. He was a servant of Amaterasu and could cure any worldly affliction with a simple touch. Yet this was a demon. A creature of evil and darkness, whom he'd seen kill at a whim. Would the Goddess of Light truly wish for him to use his gifts to save one such as Haures?
A sharp rebuke from Tsurugi snapped Aotsuki out of his conflicted daze. If the goddess Amaterasu were here and now, did he really think she would stay her hand from saving the person ailing in front of her, even if that person was a demon? Aotsuki shook his head. She would not. Reaching forward, he brushed fingers glimmering with golden light across Haures' throat.
Immediately, the demoness began to breathe more steadily. The black tint on her pale skin, too, retreated until it was a mere blotch around the two puncture wounds where she'd been bitten. It did not, however, vanish entirely. Just as Kagami had suggested, this was not an earthly poison. Whatever imparted this was powerful enough that even the Goddess of the Sun could not burn it away completely. Maxim was starting to have some worrying thoughts on that point. After all, wasn't this centipede just like the one which had fallen out of his hand when he'd released Eru Darusu? It had almost slipped by in the chaos, but hadn't Kasha, Greasy Ii's bird, called that urchin by a different name? "Oyau"?
As if in response to the thought, Eru Darusu appeared in the doorway. Only, it wasn't quite the urchin who had led Maxim to this place. This was less a girl and more a woman, draped in a long red centipede which wormed through her ragged clothing. A hazy wave of humidity seemed to roll off her, as though Maxim and Aotsuki had just stepped into a swamp during the heat of summer. Now, the creature who had called herself Eru Darusu chuckled darkly and pointed to Haures' ailing form. If they'd just get out of her way, she'd finish what she'd started with that one.

The Three Named Men

1559年11月16日 11:00?

Queen's Landing

Historical Entry: The Three Named Men

On the shores of Oriab, within the new castle which marked Queen's Landing on the map, Hashinara Yoshitakatomo paced back and forth. Her* pondering was interrupted, quite suddenly, by the approach of a young foot soldier. This ashigaru was almost indistinguishable from the other brave souls who had chosen to join the Hashinara on this side of the portal. And yet there was something different about this one.
The sharp cut of his jaw, the confidence which invigorated his bearing, and the flare in his eyes all spoke to this foot soldier being just a bit more than his peers. Perhaps he would even be worthy to have the Princess-Daimyō learn his name. So wrapped up in her* consideration of the man was Yoshitakatomo that she* almost didn't hear the news he'd come to deliver. The horses and procession had been prepared for their journey to Baharna.
Yoshitakatomo took a moment to think. Yes, she* had made a declaration of that sort, hadn't she*? These mortals were clearly too inexperienced with service under her* to know that the Princess-Daimyō rarely traveled anywhere by foot or horse. What's more, they would yet wait for those who might still join them on this side of the Veil of Dreams. Still, this earnest young man might provide some entertainment in the interim.
Beginning with his name, Yoshitakatomo teased a few life details out of the man. He was Sada, a young soldier who came through the portal seeking fortune to bestow to his thirteen children back on Earth. Truly, this was a vital man to have so many children so young. Yoshitakatomo guessed, from his enthusiasm, that he was associated with Hosokawa Gracia's squad, which Sada confirmed.
Turning from the man, Yoshitakatomo began a soliloquy. She* mused that many, like Sada, who wished to find a purpose in this new world, in the Dreamlands. Such a major change in one's life warranted a change in one's name as well. Such was tradition among the generals, retainers, family, and adopted members of the clans within the Empire. It would not be unfitting, in the face of his bravery, for Sada to receive a name himself.
So it was that Hashinara Yoshitakatomo, dread Princess of the Hashinara Clan, bestowed upon Sada the surname "Ganzo," that his thirteen children might pride themselves in its tones and follow in his steps to overcome what nightmares may. Sada, now Ganzo Sada, was overcome with emotion. He fell to his knees and thanked the Daimyō for such an honor granted to one as lowly as he. He would wear it with pride. So, too, would his children, once Tōdaisen Nobuhara informed his family in the Earthly realm.
Even after such a grand gesture as that, Yoshitakatomo was not finished. This room had a pair of guards stationed within it as a matter of course, and it was to them that the Princess-Daimyō turned her* attention next. To them, she* gave the names Sakigaki, the pioneer, and Maebure, the harbinger. The two men approached, prostrating themselves as Ganzo Sada had. Now, Ganzo Sada, Sakigaki Mukō, and Maebure Mitsumoto had been brought together by fate. They were humbled, and yet exalted. Together, they were the Three Named Men and their great acts would mark forever the face of the Dreamlands.
For Yoshitakatomo, it was an ordinary mid-morning.
With that business done, the Daimyō informed her* new retainers that she* would be leaving briefly for Baharna in order to retrieve a captain for their ship. In the meantime, the Named Men were to double check that everything was in order in the castle and to increase the supplies of food and water. The three accepted the task with great honor. Then, Yoshitakatomo simply stepped through a shadow and was gone.
This was not the first time the aged Daimyō had cast this spell. Normally, it was as simple as passing through one shadow and out another at one's desired destination. Such things could not be taken for granted in the Dreamlands, however. Perhaps the firmament, the very stuff of this world, was stretched a bit thinner than that of Yoshitakatomo's home. When passing through it, she* seemed to pass through, for a time, somewhere other.
It was a gut-shifting experience, to be one moment casting a familiar spell and the next tumbling through a bizarre otherworldly abyss. Yoshitakatomo seemed to have no control over herself*. She could only plummet into the endless space and watch as great celestial spheres congregated overhead. The orbs moved in complex patterns, passing between and through one another. The closer of them turned and affixed upon Yoshitakatomo's movement, seeming to regard her* in turn. An overwhelming sense of some great presence filled her* mind, until...
As her* foot struck the paving stones of Baharna at an odd angle, Yoshitakatomo almost stumbled. Gods do not, as a rule, trip. So it was that the auspices of the universe came to the Princess-Daimyō's aid and righted her* before anything undignified could occur. She* blinked. It would be important to remember, in the future, that teleporting in the Dreamlands was perhaps not as simple as it was back home. She* had come back this time, but what of next? It was a risk; an unknown.
Shaking the last sensations of that formless enormity from her* head, Yoshitakatomo headed for the docks. Endless void of celestial orbs or no, she* was here to find their captain. The city's Chieftan, Veasna the Elder, had offered a certain individual up for this purpose. The port seemed like the right place to start looking for him.
It was a fair day and the streets were not empty of passerby. Most of them paid Yoshitakatomo little mind. Many Dreamers came through this area on a regular basis, and the ones from Oonai especially were known for their eccentric taste in clothing. Compared to such exotic cuts, Yoshitakatomo's noble robes were hardly noteworthy.
When she* arrived at the dock, the Daimyō spotted her* target immediately. Few could hide from one such as her* in the realm of dreams. Phiruna the Navigator was far in the distance, on a jetty only accessibly by a wall-spanning path on the western side of the port area. He stood with his back to the port, looking out to the sea. It was a corny pose, but probably the only sort of entertainment a man like him could get around Baharna.
As Yoshitakatomo proceeded towards the captain, she* was surprised to spot another familiar face in the crowd. Sasaki Kojirō intercepted the aged Daimyō on the docks, or perhaps their paths had crossed merely by coincidence. Both seemed equally surprised to see the other. After all, Kojirō had thought that Yoshiyuki* had gone back through the portal to Earth, while Yoshitakatomo hardly remembered that they'd left Kojirō behind to train.
Still, now that they had come together again, Kojirō has a request. Hunting Night-gaunts was not cutting it any longer. They were becoming easy prey for a veteran kensei like Kojirō. From the librarian in town, however, she had learned about another type of beast sometimes encountered on Oriab. Called "Star Shamblers," these creatures were normally invisible and apparently quite dangerous. To cut something entirely invisible is what Kojirō would consider the ultimate achievement, one step closer to striking down her nemesis.
For once, Yoshitakatomo hadn't heard of the monster in question. Still, there may be ways to lure on in, using Kojirō as the bait. She* would do it just for the curiosity of encountering such a thing, if not also to keep the kensei from doing something foolish like challenging a Wamp. The two would return to the topic later. Yoshitakatomo told Kojirō of their new base near the portal, and then continued on her* way, set on retrieving that captain for her* vessel.

---

Character(s) interacted with

• Eru Darusu
• Fujibayashi Nagato
• Ganzo Sada
• Greasy Ii
• Haures
• Karasu
• Kashirin
• Kuroda Kanbei
• Maebure Mitsumoto
• Maggu
• Matsunaga Hisahide
• Saitō Dōsan
• Sakigake Mukō
• Sasaki Kojirō
• Shigeaki Fujino
• Sugihara Hidemitsu
• Tōdaisen Nobuhara
• Tsurōbō
• Watsurara-dōnyo

Report Date

16 Jul 2021

Primary Location

Osaka

Secondary Location

Shimonoseki

Related Plots

• Kamui: Native Gods
• Key to the Archives
• Secrets of the Buried Oni
• Shogun's Moldering Throne
• The Beautiful Spider Outshines Its Web

Related Historical Events

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  The Second Spar
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  Demonology of a Desperate Shogun
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  The Ravenous Mire