Session Report: 16 October 2020
Dawn and a Dead Crow
General Summary
In this session of Tsuwamono, the following events transpired:
Departing Demon Lord (Part 1)11/15/1559: 05:00 (Night)
Owari Castle
Historical Entry: Departing Demon Lord (Part 1)
Now that Seki Hajime was made welcome in the Matsumoto Black Galleon's Mirror Palace and the preparations for the morning's tournament completed, Fubuki had one last piece of business to attend to. First, she* sent her sheele, Kōyō to Owari Castle to collect some correspondence from the generals there. Then, she* flitted off the ship's deck and into Wakigami Castle below, making directly for the quarters of famed general Oda Nobunaga. Upon arriving at the erstwhile Oda Daimyō's rooms, however, Fubuki found them empty. Not only that, but the floor had been swept, the kettle and futon stored, and no weapons or personal effects betrayed any recent residence. Considering this, Fubuki decided to reach out to Nobunaga mentally. Rewarded with an immediate response and dire news, Fubuki's mind raced as Nobunaga explained how she and her husband were currently voyaging away from Japan. To hear her tell it, they had no intention of returning in the near future. Indeed, Nobunaga expected that they would be reaching the limits of Shigeaki Fujino's telepathic network shortly. When faced with this news, Fubuki had no choice but to divulge her* true intentions. When at Owari Castle the previous night, she* had offered to deliver any messages the generals there might have for their former leader. Having had the night to compose their missives, Azai Nagamasa no doubt had a parcel ready for delivery. It was this which Fubuki had sent Kōyō questing for. To such news, Nobunaga could only express her regret. She would not be returning soon, and so if Fubuki could somehow deliver the messages to her, she would appreciate it. Otherwise, she only hoped that the other could convey honor and hope for the future to her former clanmates. This required direct action. Fubuki engaged the services of a frazzled Fujino to take her* to Owari Castle, where she* was led inside without delay. After a brief period of waiting within the entry hall, Azai Nagamasa himself descended to meet her*, Kōyō by his side. His face turned grave as Fubuki explained the situation, and he handed over a parcel full of loose messages intended for Oda Nobunaga. Just as Fubuki was about to leave, however, he stopped her* for one last question. The generals of the Oda were greatly indebted to her* for this act, and he wanted to know what, if anything, they could do in return. Fubuki considered the question, and joked about asking to be Daimyō, before simply stating it as an act of good will without any other real reason behind it. When Fubuki rushed into a clandestine copse of trees near Owari Castle and summoned her* Sable Fox, the sun was already beginning to peek over the eastern horizon. She* was billed for the first match of the morning in the Mōri Martial Arts Tournament, and a quick spell told her* that Nobunaga's ship was a good four hundred miles for shore. Fubuki couldn't make it in time, but the mystic fox could. Patting it and hoping for the best, Fubuki sent the creature speeding off toward where she'd* pinged the ship, then called up Fujino once again for a ride to the tournament.11/15/1559: 05:00 (Night)
Ago Manor
Historical Entry: Maxim Expresses Doubt
Dawn threatened to break in the eastern sky, so Maxim bid farewell to his Warden friend and descended Mount Ōe's misty slopes. He didn't have to look for for Haures, who appeared to be waiting for him. She seemed to have avoided getting sauce on her sleeves this time and was engaged in tearing the last chunks of meat from a bone of near-comical proportions. Maxim recalled seeing a swarthy, burly oni man approaching her as he left, but judging by Haures' sly comments and a scorched patch of ground, he wouldn't be a problem. Without subtlety, the lioness suggested that Maxim should be a the tournament at dawn, since both Honda Tadakatsu and Mōri Motonari would be present as well. He agreed, but opted to first return to Ago Manor and gather a few more allies, just in case. Alice of Spades, Ishinomori Naho, Kashirin, Kiban, Kitsuno, Tarō, and Urashima Tarō all opted to join the festivities and made ready for transportation to Shimonoseki. While he awaited his companions, Maxim called upon wizard and fellow Albionite, Mary Lyn to quell a curiosity that had been building in his mind over the past day. First, Maxim tested the waters by asking Mary if she'd met Bedivere. The other answered in the affirmative, and was happy to paint Bedivere as a jolly, rambunctious woman with a loud voice and a love of music. That certainly matched the knight Maxim had met in the arena. Mary and Bedivere didn't always get along, but that was simply because the latter's presence always disrupted the former's focus. Still, Maxim refused to believe that a Knights of the Siege Perilous could have put up such a poor showing in combat, and voiced this to Mary. That didn't seem to surprise her. Mary recalled that Bedivere was always the most boastful of the knights, and didn't always have the strength to back her claims up. What's more, she wondered if Maxim hadn't misunderstood something about the Knights. King Arthur Pendragon hadn't chosen his closest allies for their strength, but for their nobility and kindness, both of which Bedivere had in spades. That wasn't to say that the Siege Perilous was surrounded by weaklings. Many Knights were strong enough to match anyone Mary had met in Japan, but power wasn't the only thing that Arthur considered. Maxim accepted this explanation, but something about it still seemed to bother him. Still, he thanked Mary for sharing the knowledge, then made ready with his allies to journey to the tournament.11/15/1559: 05:00 (Night)
Nijō Castle
Historical Entry: Sanosuke Plots a Grand Heist
Ryūzaki Sanosuke might have picked up an unexpected follower on his way out of The Tanuki's Secret, but he didn't let that interfere with his remaining plans for the morning. First, he casually mentioned something about Umbriel to gauge Bemolle's response. It wasn't promising. Bemolle expressed that Umbriel was horrid company, her constant songs and rhythms unbearable for any amount of time. She didn't like the idea of even being in the same castle as the other Daughter of Avatea, but accepted the situation as an unavoidable sacrifice in her pursuit of coolness. Sanosuke at least agreed to have their living quarters as separated as possible. As promised, Shigeaki Fujino was waiting patiently in the alley outside the Secret. She took Sanosuke's new companion in stride; such things were hardly uncommon. With a quick mental report to Hashinara Yoshitakatomo over the details of his meeting with the Hōjō, he was ready to go. It seemed that Ishikawa Goemon was waiting in the dungeons of Nijō Castle with her apprehended thief, but Sanosuke first opted to return to the castle's courtyards. Here, he made a room available for Bemolle and invited her to use it as she saw fit. Fujino would be by later, he promised, to welcome her formally. Sanosuke told the psychic to induct Bemolle into the mental network at that time as well, then descended to the dungeons to meet his other visitor. Katō Danzō was laid out in an open cell not far from the stairs. She appeared to be asleep with her hands tightly bound, but someone had at least found a futon and pillow to put in between her and the stony floor. That someone was probably Munegumi Kokoro, whose buxom presence filled the cell alongside Ishikawa Goemon. Both welcomed Sanosuke, and Kokoro revealed that it was indeed she who had cast a spell to send Danzō to sleep. It was that, or allow Goemon to fetter her in chains. It had been some time since Sanosuke had last interacted with the notorious phantom thief, so he wasn't quite sure what her disposition toward him would be. Before proceeding, he first checked in with Hori Hidemasa, who was able to confirm that her psychic influence making Danzō friendly with him was still maintained. Armed with this knowledge, Sanosuke requested that Kokoro undo the spell keeping their prisoner asleep. Katō Danzō awoke blearily at first, then sat straight up in shock, looking around the cell. Sanosuke attempted to calm her down, but it turned out not to be necessary. Danzō had already gone straight from sleeping to gloating, claiming that Sanosuke was her friend and so her nemesis, apparently Goemon, had failed. At her request, Sanosuke leaned in to cut Danzō's bindings from her arms, eliciting a huffish, doubting exchange with Goemon. It seemed like these two were to be natural rivals, a situation Danzō likened to Holmes and Moriarty, although that reference was lost on everyone else in the room. Once the heroine of justice was duly placated, Sanosuke moved forward with his real reason for Danzō's capture and subsequent presence at Nijō. He needed someone to liberate a valuable store of metal from the Hōjō, something they called Tamahagane but he knew better as Absodium. Ever the consummate thief, Danzō was up for the challenge, but with conditions of her own. Friendship was well and good, but this was Odawara Castle. There might not be a more secure location in all of Japan. She wanted a reward, a cut of the loot at least. Eventually, they came to the decision that Danzō would provide a price once she'd determined just what she was up against. That proved to be the crux of the problem. Until she'd written a letter of challenge, Danzō had no supernatural abilities to call on. Therefore, she needed a way into the castle to scout out the treasure room and an escape route before she could commit to the burglary. Sanosuke decided to solve this problem with an introduction to Ōtomo Sōrin, whom he knew to be an expert at disguise and illusion. The Vassal-Daimyō of Kokura Castle Town was willing to help, but she couldn't come up with a disguise for infiltrating a specific castle whole cloth. So it was that Sanosuke sent a group composed of Katō Danzō, Ōtomo Sōrin, Shigeaki Fujino, and Shibai to Odawara Castle's outskirts. There, they were to observe the guards and develop a disguise, while the Samurai Detective would serve to keep them as discreet as possible. Expecting to hear word in the afternoon, Sanosuke answered the creeping tendrils of dawn with a journey to Shimonoseki. The tournament was about the begin.11/15/1559: 06:00 (Morning)
Shimonoseki
Historical Entry: The Mōri Tournament: Day 3
Dawn rose on the third day of the Mōri Aspirant Tournament, with the matches beginning at their characteristically punctual break of dawn. Mostly familiar faces dotted the crowd, with some missing and a few newcomers present. Of particular interest was a sour-faced, dour woman in reddish robes sharing the box right beside Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki who hadn't been there on days previous. A fair number of other events occurred simultaneously with the matches, but for details on each battle that took place, see: Mōri Matches: Day 3 As the first battle began, Ryūzaki Sanosuke found his attention distracted by the harried approach of Ryūzōji Matashichirō. The nekomata's face showed concern as she wormed her way through the press of bodies that surrounded the Silver General in his section of the box. After many trials, she managed to reach his side and asked if he'd seen Ryūzōji Takanobu that day. Sanosuke admitted that he hadn't. The worried look on Matashichirō's face painted a subtle picture of what must have happened as she pressed a folded piece of parchment into his hand. Indeed, the note read: "Gone to get stronger. Don't worry. Don't look for me." While the script was far too fine to be Takanobu's handwriting, the wording was without a doubt. Sanosuke expressed his frustrations; this must be because she'd been pulled at the last minute from the Ryūzōji/Silver Meteor Storm clan match the previous day. Matashichirō took that moment to explain why she didn't think it to be a full-blown emergency yet. Takanobu may be small and immature, but she was a fighter powerful enough that traveling alone posed little danger. Sanosuke agreed, and suggested that they should respect her wishes for now. He did take a moment to put some clandestine works in motion, just in case. Matashichirō assented, though she still appeared restless, and the two settled in to watch the morning's matches together.Tournament Day 3: Independent Match 1 (Morning)
Shimonoseki
Historical Entry: Fubuki vs. Mōri Takamoto
The third day of the ill-fated Mōri Martial Arts Tournament began with a continuation of matches from the independent bracket. As such, Mōri Takamoto took to the field, followed shortly after by Fubuki, who arrived not a moment too late. Kikkawa no Myōkyū handled introductions, as Mōri Motonari still seemed weak and unable or unwilling to manage announcements for the day. With that, the match began. Takamoto began by cautiously approaching her opponent. It was traditional of many oni to rush in with abandon, but the Mōri often displayed a more tempered, even approach to the art of battle. By the same token, Takamoto seemed intent on feeling her opponent out before committing to a melee. Fubuki, however, did not answer her approach in turn. Instead, the cold-eyed oni swung a massive hatchet around her in a circle, kicking up a storm of white flowers that still littered the arena floor, courtesy of Hashinara Yoshitakatomo's magic. Though some knew the flowers to be illusory, they still obscured vision well enough. For a few moments, at least, both fighters were partially obscured from the other. That weapon, too, was beginning to draw some comment from the oni-packed stands to the north. After considering her opponent's move, Takamoto took a moment to ask a question that seemed to have been gnawing at her for some time. Why all the secrecy? Fubuki had joined the tournament unaffiliated, with no family name and no description of her* past or goals. The enigma in question did answer the question, but only mouthed her* reply. Obscured by the flowering storm, Takamoto wasn't able to discern what words had been intended. Fortunately, with her* mouth so obscured, Fubuki was able to speak freely. This time, she* only stated that, like everyone, she* was allowed her secrets. Takamoto seemed unsatisfied with such a vague response, but did not pursue it any further. Instead, she stepped forward and engaged the warrior within the whirling petals. The crash of their blades brought forth a rippling sound that spread out through the entire stadium. To the west, in the Hashinara stands, Umbriel let out an eightfold exclamation of surprise. The Seven-Branched Sword, entrusted to her by Ryūzaki Sanosuke, had reacted to the sound of metal striking metal, and apparently reforged itself. It was tougher now, more solid than the materials of its make could account for. Pleased with this new revelation, the Daughter of Avatea did not hesitate in delivering the news to Sanosuke. Back in the arena, the flowers around Fubuki were beginning to settle from their frenzied twirl. She* threw the axe into the air, allowing it (with a bit of magical assistance) to sail over Takamoto's head and bury in the ground beyond. As expected, the learned oni samurai did not discount the now-unwielded weapon as a threat. Forced to ward herself from attacks on her front and to be wary of the blade at her back, her defenses became that much less effective. Fubuki punched, scoring a light hit that was summarily absorbed by Takamoto's armor. Following up on the strike, she* recalled Kintoki's Hatchet from beyond her opponent, twirling it blade-first through Takamoto and into her* grip once more. That, too, produced only a glancing slice. While most oni's resilient skin would not yield to such a blow, however, Takamoto came away with a telling wound. Kintoki's Hatchet, it seemed, would not be turned away from its purpose of slaying her kind. The battle was not yet done. Takamoto had purposefully stayed her attack and now took advantage of her superior speed to unleash a relentless barrage of attacks. Fubuki managed to block the first three, but a trio more came in their wake. With these strikes, Takamoto's blade burst into crackling electricity, an elemental assault which bypassed most of her opponent's defenses. Once, twice, and three times, Fubuki was struck. The third would have been fatal against any creature not so twisted by the Matsumoto's dark magicks. With her * leg severed at the thigh and blood oozing from a further pair of deep wounds, Fubuki seemed done for. Calmly, somehow without losing her balance, she* reached down and picked up the severed leg from the ground. As she* placed it to the severed stump, Takamoto could only watch in horrified awe as the flesh around the wound sealed itself instantly. Fubuki's other wounds continued to gush blood as they too healed, albeit at a slower pace. To hasten things along, she* produced a Convalescence Custard, baked for her* by a certain magical patisserie chef. A bitten-off chunk of the dessert was enough to close those cuts and, with a telling blow that showed little of the debilitation she'd* suffered just moments before, Fubuki cut Takamoto down with the giant hatchet. The crowd exploded as the Mōri Clan's eldest daughter hit the dusty floor. Some bones were broken, but it was the pain from a collection of deadly axe wounds that had truly knocked the light out of her eyes. Kikkawa no Myōkyū called an end to the match and summoned a pair of priestesses to take her adoptive daughter's body to the infirmary. Before they could arrive, however, Fubuki unceremoniously stuffed the rest of the custard into her* fallen opponent's mouth. An uncomfortable sound was clearly audible in the ensuing silence as Takamoto's bones righted themselves. Now fully healed by the pastry's magical properties, she was able to stagger to her feet, accepting an offered hand from Fubuki. Takamoto could only express her frustrations that she hadn't quite been able to end it, but put great respect in her opponent's skill. She asked Fubuki to consider a rematch sometime in the future, when the daughter of Mōri had more time to improve herself. Fubuki nodded and bowed in turn, then the two split on friendly terms, each returning to their customary seats in the stands.Tournament Day 3: Independent Match 2 (Morning)
Shimonoseki
Historical Entry: Hachisuka Masakatsu vs. Randi Carter
Those ephemeral white flowers dancing upon the floor of the arena had already been stained red by the violence of the previous match. Treading upon the illusory field now came Hachisuka Masakatsu of the Hashinara and Randi Carter from Celephaïs in the Dreamlands for the second independent match of the day. Randi had proven herself an able combatant with a few Dreamer-specific tricks up her sleeve. Masakatsu, however, was a veteran of many battles with a number of kills already under her belt and the advantage of a ranged weapon. The winner of this particular match would be difficult to judge. Kikkawa no Myōkyū, standing in for her ill wife, marked the beginning of the round. Randi Carter always carried with her a large, two-handed sword strapped upon her back. Just now, she did not unsheathe it. Without the weight of that mighty weapon, she was able to dash across the arena before her opponent could react. Masakatsu wasn't quite caught by surprise by the little dreamer's speed, and was able to easily sidestep a clumsy attempt by Randi to grab her and hold her in place. Both had already realized what was obvious to the audience as well: Randi had the obvious advantage in melee, and the battle would be decided by whether Masakatsu was able to keep her range and mobility. Fortunately for her, the former Oda danced out of Randi's grip and twisted acrobatically to disengage without giving the other any opportunity at reprisal. She ran, jumped, and landed atop one of the low pillars on the northern corner of the arena, giving her a good five feet of extra height. A pair of arrows, loosed from Masakatsu's bow, didn't manage to find their mark on Randi's body. They did, however, pave the way for her true attack moments later. Channeling fiery ki into her bow, Masakatsu unleashed her unique technique, Snake Eyes. Three uncannily-accurate arrows shot out to seek their target with burning vigor. Randi managed to dodge the first, grazed past the second, but the third stuck into her shoulder with a solid "thunk!" It was a definitive hit and, while Randi wasn't felled by it, she was clearly wounded. The little dreamer gathered her energy to cast a quick Heal, closing most of her wound. Then, she dashed forward to the base of Masakatsu's pillar and called down that curious ability shared by all Dreamers. A cube of thick, cloudy stained glass, twenty feet to a side, formed from nothing around the two combatants. The nearly-opaque material seemed a solid barrier to most of the crowd, and few were able to follow what was truly happening inside. By the dancing shadows and muffled crash of blades, it was obvious that the battle still raged on within. After a short time more, the activity seemed to cease. A crack formed on the outside of the cube, then another, and finally Randi Carter chopped her way out of the crystal wall. She held her greatsword in one hand, dragging Masakatsu's unconscious body with the other. The unfortunate Empowered was clearly unconscious, a dark bruise coloring the skin on the side of her head, but alive. An unsheathed but bloodless katana left little mystery to what had happened. Although a samurai in her own right, Masakatsu was not able to contend in a cramped space with her overwhelming opponent. Randi waved to the cheering of the crowd, vocally admiring Masakatsu's stubbornness even as the other was carted off to the Mōri infirmary.Tournament Day 3: Independent Match 3 (Morning)
Shimonoseki
Historical Entry: Honda Tadakatsu vs. Kōtenbō
In addition to the crimson-stained petals of Hashinara Yoshitakatomo's illusory flower field, a large stained-glass cube now squatted in the northwestern corner of the arena, a relic from the previous match. The cube's southern side displayed an inviting chasm leading inside, but neither Honda Tadakatsu nor Kōtenbō showed any inclination to make use of the new facet as they took to the field. Tadakatsu commented that Kōtenbō had some skill, a rare compliment from the "Strongest Warrior in Japan." The other cryptically stated that his strength was only a byproduct of his training, not the goal of it. Many in the audience who had seen Tadakatsu in battle before knew what was to happen next. That strength was about to be broken. As Kikkawa no Myōkyū called out to begin the match, Kōtenbō dashed forward with lightning speed. The Daitengu's wings shot out as he skimmed over the ground faster than most eyes could follow, keeping his altitude low until he was face-to-face with Honda Tadakatsu. The Demon of the Tokugawa was not fast enough to so much raise her weapon before her opponent slammed an open palm into her chest with incredible speed and force. A ripple of dust shot out behind Tadakatsu, then an explosion as all the force from the strike found its outlet. Honda Tadakatsu did not so much as flinch. She stood there, expression showing only mild disappointment, without any sign of damage or wound on her powerful body. Raising Tonbōgiri, Tadakatsu struck with precision and force, slicing the weapon through @Kōtenbō's raised arms and into his face. The Daitengu's mask shattered, then his skull. Shards of white porcelain mixed with blood and bone as he fell to the ground, instantly slain by the single blow. As red seeped once again into the white flowers, the audience was silent. None cheered as Honda Tadakatsu muttered her annoyance and left the field. Soon, Kōtenbō's body was collected by the priestesses to the infirmary, and Kikkawa no Myōkyū haltingly announced the end of the match.Rewards Granted
- 18,389.66 kuma coins in total betting profit
- Various Elan bonuses and penalties
- Research on Blizzard Gear completed
- Enryaku-ji in Ōmi Province upgraded to Temple Level 3
- Kameyama-jinja in Ise Province upgraded to Temple Level 2
- Miwa Myōjin in Yamato Province upgraded to Temple Level 2
- Sakurai-jinja in Setsu Province upgraded to Temple Level 2
- Tsubaki Ōkami Yashirō in Iga Province upgraded to Temple Level 2
Character(s) interacted with
- Azai Nagamasa
- Bemolle
- Elyan
- Hachisuka Masakatsu
- Haures
- Honda Tadakatsu
- Hori Hidemasa
- Ishikawa Goemon
- Katō Danzō
- Kiban
- Kikkawa no Myōkyū
- Kōtenbō
- Kurogoke
- Mary Lyn
- Mori Hibiki
- Mōri Takamoto
- Munegumi Kokoro
- Oda Nobunaga
- Ōtomo Sōrin
- Randi Carter
- Ryūzōji Matashichirō
- Shigeaki Fujino
- Tanahase Muramatsu
- Umbriel
- Urashima Tarō
- Yagyū Munetoshi
Report Date
16 Oct 2020
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