Session 13 Log For 1-5-03

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the log for the January 5th, 2003 session.

(2) DM Arkhandus: Okay, recapping last session, the party had finished battling the bakemonos and talked briefly with the halfling and the human samurai who had been fighting the bakemonos, and the halfling returned to his home afterwards, while the human samurai took the daisho of their fallen comrades back to their village, as Satoru cremated the corpses of the samurai, bakemonos, and oni, performing some short rites for the fallen samurai. Then Mai returned to the party with the bakemono Masato had earlier knocked unconscious, and Mai had bound the critter up to keep it from escaping. Mai and Masato, learned in the language of the Bakemonos, interrogated the little creature after Kiran used a minor healing spell to awaken the critter.
(2) DM Arkhandus: The bakemono wasn't very helpful or informative, but had told the party that it had been led by the 'nasty oni' whom the village samurai had defeated at the cost of many lives, and that the 'nasty oni' had led the bakemono and its fellows away from the site of the Emperor's demise after the oni, bakemono, and others had attacked and killed the Emperor and his entourage. The bakemonos, led by the small oni commanding their squad, had apparently been raiding some Scorpion Clan villages after they aided other bands of oni and bakemono defeat the Emperor and his entourage.
(2) DM Arkhandus: After getting this out of the little creature, the bakemono managed to struggle free of its bonds and tried to flee, but Masato's katana swiftly cut the creature down again, and it bled to death. The party discussed briefly what to do, and then agreed to follow the vague map given by the Soshi priests to reach the battle site where Emperor Toturi had fallen.
** (3) Masato cleans the remains of the bakemono from his blade before resheathing it. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: The party eventually found the battle site where the Emperor fell, and it was in shambles. Horse, samurai, and bakemono corpses littered the area in various states of wholeness, and the Emperor's palanquin or coach lay broken in many pieces. Numerous bakemono tracks led all over the place, and mostly obscured by those were the tracks of large oni or ogres.
(7) Korishi: "I'm surprised there is as much here left after the time that's passed."
(7) Korishi: "Has no one previously visited the site to at least bury the dead?"
** (3) Masato puts his sleeve across his mouth against the stench. **
(3) Masato: "It would appear not..."
(2) DM Arkhandus: The party briefly inspected the area, finding out little, except for Shinjo Kiro's observation that the oni and bakemono forces must have ambushed the Emperor's entourage, and probably came from the south initially. Then, a small monkey dropped from the trees and transformed into a human-like shape, very much resembling a Vanara like Kiran, only a little more human-like.....
(2) DM Arkhandus: The human-like monkey greeted the party and introduced herself as an actress and scholar, and Nerfereti returned the greeting. We left off there, before Aka could fully introduce herself......
** (9) Mai pulls her veil up over her face a bit more to avoid the stench as she looks to Aka, waiting for her to decide on her offer **
** (10) Kai Lyn bows her head for the desecration of the dead **
(4) Aka: ::Aka...that more human like monkeyish being in question, bows to all the geathered of the this groups who came to see such devastation::I am Aka, and seems I am not the only one who found this site....ill things indeed happened here....
(2) DM Arkhandus: Kiran peers curiously at Aka, who looks so very much like a fellow Vanara, yet more human, and even had transformed from an animal state.......
** (10) Kai Lyn studies this new arrival with a sense of curiousity **
** (7) Korishi is rather curious about this new creature as well. **
** (9) Mai nods to Aka, occasionally sniffing her curiously** (Hengeyoki) "This work belongs to the Bakemono." **
** (10) Kai Lyn says in (Hengeyokai) "I am Kai Lyn pleased to meet you." **
** (4) Aka looks at Mia with a wimsical smile and replies in hengeyoki::"I know that..bokamono, 2 ogres probably, maybe some small and one big oni from looks of it..all came forth to amubush who ever all the dead unlucky humans are. **
(3) Masato: "Wait, don't get too close. We don't know what this creature is."
(7) Korishi: "Can you understand it?" he looks to Masato, though obviously some of the others are conversing easily enough.
(4) Aka: ::looks to Masato and chuckles::Worry not..I do not bite.
(3) Masato: "No, and I don't trust it. Many oni are shapechangers."
** (10) Kai Lyn says something to Silver Streak then both chuckle "We don't bite." **
** (9) Mai looks to Masato ** "So you believe all shapechangers are Oni?" **
** (7) Korishi looks surprised as the creature speaks a more common tongue. **
(3) Masato: "No, but many oni are shapechangers. I am not so easily taken by something that appears to be friendly in the Shinomen."
(4) Aka: I assure you I am no oni..I beleive some of you know that other language I just spoke and to what people it belongs too..for I am one of those people.
(9) Mai: "Masato, for a human, I have seen you show incredible patience, wisdom and calm. Do no despoil that image now. Would you not recognize a Clan warrior when you saw one, even though his armor may be smudged some?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: Kiran looks at Aka with even deeper curiousity, trying to see if she has any little horns, cloven feet, tiny bat-like wings, or other common oni-like features.....
(3) Masato: "I don't mean to offend anyone. I am merely being cautious."
(4) Aka: ::looks at Kiran and MAsato::Not to worry..the curiousity is alright, I've been one to have the same.
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru furrows his brow briefly as he peers at Aka, and says "Well, the only way I can think of to tell whether or not she is oni, is to see how she responds to the touch of the jade arrowheads we purchased around a week or two ago........"
(9) Mai: "Your caution is appreciated, but you do not travel with humans alone. Let the knowledge of others aid you in this."
(3) Masato: "The jade then."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru looks at Aka for confirmation.
(7) Korishi: "You vouch for him Mai?"
(4) Aka: ::she looks at Sat with a raised eye::Hopefully the jade head will not be coming at me by way of a bow. If not then I do not mind the test.
** (10) Kai Lyn says "I will vouch for him also." **
(9) Mai: "You have seen humans who say they live in these woods. And yet you did not subject them to these tests when you met them"
(7) Korishi: "They did not transform from something else when they made their appearence."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru takes out one of the jade-arrowhead-tipped arrows he had purchased in town some time ago, and holds in it one hand, walking over to Aka cautiously, holding the arrow sideways to touch the side of the jade arrowhead against her arm.
(4) Aka: ::holds out her arm to allow the touch::
(2) DM Arkhandus: No shriek of pain, smoke, or other such effect occurs. The cool jade does nothing to her skin.
(3) Masato: "Easily enough handled. My apologies, Aka. We bid you welcome."
** (9) Mai begins to get quite annoyed at the double standard** "Do not make me begin to doubt the faith I placed in you all that you had risen above such prejudices. Humans are far from the wisest creatures in existence." **
** (10) Kai Lyn chuckles at her comment **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru withdraws the arrow and bows briefly to Aka. "I am sorry, Aka, but what Masato said of oni is true, many of them do change shape to fool humans...... And this is an unusual place to find a friendly shapechanger......"
(7) Korishi: "Forgive me Mai. Before traveling beyond the walls of my home, I had only read of both oni and Hengoyokai. I have little practical experience.
** (10) Kai Lyn says "We are a small race that continues to shrink because of feelings like that." **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru returns the arrow to the saddlebag it had been carried in.
(3) Masato: "If I have offended anyone, then I am sorry. But we simply can't afford to take the chance of being decieved."
(4) Aka: Now...see..nothing mean to fear from me....::she smiles to Masato::That is alright...apology accepted, in the scene we have about us right now it is understanding..I happened upon it quite by accedent and as you had curiosity of me I had it of this area so I stayed about, taking my animal form for both the inconspicuousness....and of course to keep above the stench.
(9) Mai: "Then why do you trust what the samurai said at the clearing?" **She turns and stars back towards the carts, Chaouji running between her legs trying to calm her down**
(3) Masato: "I don't."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "Well, now that Masato's and Satoru's trust issue is resolved, we must continue to investigate the area, and maybe try following the many bakemono tracks around here, to see if we can find where the creatures came from, or where they may have went since. I do not relish the thought of more oni and bakemono raiding parties within the lands of my Clan."
** (3) Masato calls the servants forth to begin cleaning the mess, burying the bodies, and recovering anything salvagable from the wreckage. **
(7) Korishi: "It seems unusual to have such a huge party of bakemono and oni working together, does it not?" he says, unsure of the statement himself.
(3) Masato: "Bakemono are weak willed. They follow the strongest. An oni is no exception."
(7) Korishi: "But this is a lot more then one oni."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Kiro replies "Well, Aka did say that some large oni or ogres may have been a part of the group, and I did find large tracks in the area. Some oni and ogres are rather good at intimidating and leading other Shadowlands creatures......"
(4) Aka: Oh...there are more about..then don't mind if I keep with your group...I did come here alone to study nature..and hopefully to find inspiration...but not to have to face wicked creatures.::she cocks her head::
** (3) Masato looks for the Emperor's body, unsure of what exactly he is looking for. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti smiles at Aka. "Of course."
** (10) Kai Lyn says "I would be happy to have you join us." **
(7) Korishi: "It just...worries me, I suppose. If such a force of oni could be mustered under the leadership of one.... it's dark indeed."
(3) Masato: "You are free to join, but I caution you, we intend to find these creatures."
(2) DM Arkhandus: No trace of the Emperor's corpse is found in the area........it must have been devoured by oni, or carried off.......
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo nods to Masato and says "Aye. I will not stand to allow more of these creatures roam about hidden in the Shinomen, only to raid and kill more of my people."
(3) Masato: "Yes, but we are now in an awkward position. We have seen what has become of the Emperor. He is most certainly dead or corrupted by now. If we press further, the oni and bakemono will likely be too great to handle. Should we fall, there will be no one left to report to Lord Akodo."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo then poses the question, "Well, what should we do then? Try and find the remaining oni and bakemonos to slay them, or try and find what happened to the Emperor Toturi's corpse, or turn back to report to Lord Akodo now?"
** (10) Kai Lyn says "I would think finding out about the Emperor would be more important." **
(4) Aka: ::Aka nods and quickly scurries off saying she will return shortly..when shes not to much out of sit when she returns with a horse, carrying her things::
** (7) Korishi stares around the scene, nodding, "I agree with Kai Lyn. We should find the Emperor or what remains of him." **
(3) Masato: "We are all in agreement then?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo fumes for a few moments, wanting to seek out and slay the remaining oni and bakemono raiding parties that may be attacking other Scorpion towns like the other raiding party that was found, but then says "How will we find the Emperor's corpse then? Follow the tracks of the largest creature or something?"
** (10) Kai Lyn goes to her horse and places Silver Streak in her bag promising her a romp after dinner **
** (3) Masato nods. "It appears to be our only option." **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Kiro, Shujo, and Satoru look around the area to find more of the large tracks.
(7) Korishi: "If this was organized, it is likely the largest oni who is responsible, and would take the greatest prize."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru Wilderness Lore check [1d20+4] -> [1,4] = (5) and Shujo Wilderness Lore check [1d20+3] -> [14,3] = (17) and Kiro Search check [1d20+2] -> [11,2] = (13)
** (3) Masato looks for anything salvagable that might be useful. Jade weapons, supplies, and other items of utility. **
(7) Korishi: [1d20+2] -> [20,2] = (22) Search
>(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru second Wilderness Lore check [1d20+4] -> [19,4] = (23) and Shujo second Wilderness Lore check [1d20+3] -> [13,3] = (16) and Kiro second Search check [1d20+2] -> [19,2] = (21)
(9) Mai: Ability Rolls: Intelligence Test: [1d20.dc((?),4)] -> [19,4] = (23) vs DC 0 Success!
(3) Masato: Search: [1d20+2] -> [12,2] = (14)
(9) Mai: Ability Rolls: Wisdom Test: [1d20.dc((?),1)] -> [7,1] = (8) vs DC 0 Success!
(4) Aka: Search [1d20+4] -> [5,4] = (9)
(10) Kai Lyn: Wisdom test [1d20-2] -> [17,-2] vs 0 result of (1) int [1d20+2] -> [9,2] vs 0 result of (2)
(2) DM Arkhandus: Korishi, Mai, Satoru, and Kiro each find some of the large tracks. Satoru and Kiro find the same tracks, while Mai and Korishi each find different sets of large tracks.
** (4) Aka listens to the samurai's conversation, about what they came to seek and as they bend down to search for who knows what amongst the grounds and remains she joins in, but stays near Mia, speaking in Hengeyoki::How you get in with such a group? **
(7) Korishi: "The number of larger oni involved is just as staggering... How many came through here do you think?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo goes to look at the tracks Kiro and Satoru found, and tries to figure out what may have made the tracks.
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo Knowledge-Shadowlands check [1d20+4] -> [5,4] = (9)
(7) Korishi: "Masato, can you come take a look at this?"
** (3) Masato wanders over to look at the tracks. **
(3) Masato: "Found something?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo shakes his head in defeat, lacking sufficient knowledge of oni feet, ogre feet, troll feet, and so on to tell what kind of creature it may have been.
(7) Korishi: "Large tracks, but I don't know what from."
(3) Masato: Knowledge - Shadowlands: [1d20+5] -> [12,5] = (17)
(3) Masato: "Those are not ogre or troll. It's definitely an oni..."
(7) Korishi: "Big one I'd guess?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: The tracks Korishi found lead southward, and Masato inspects them briefly. It looks like multiple creatures walked this path, but the tracks are obscured by the many bakemono tracks and the tracks of a much larger creature.
(3) Masato: "Yes. Quite large."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo, Satoru, and Kiro slowly inspect and follow another trail of large footprints leading eastward.
** (7) Korishi nods, standing up. "So do we follow?" **
(2) DM Arkhandus: The three return after a few minutes, Satoru saying "The tracks we found don't look quite as large as the ones Masato and Korishi found, and the tracks we found led eastward. The bakemono tracks leading that way aren't quite as numerous as the tracks here, so it was probably a small band of bakemono with an ogre or large oni, heading into Scorpion lands I think."
(7) Korishi: "These head south, and it looks like a whole lot. Masato has identified the tracks as definitely oni."
(7) Korishi: "With a whole lot of Bakemono."
(3) Masato: "If there is a leader, this is likely the direction he took. But I must be honest, I don't know if we can bring down such a creature."
(7) Korishi: "If this is the same creature that took my master's life, then I doubt I would standa chance either. However, we do need to find the emperor's remains..."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru says "Those tracks are probably from the original force that came here to attack the Emperor. They've probably turned around and headed back to the Shadowlands afterwards......."
(3) Masato: "True, the Shadowlands do lie to the South. We cannot enter without jade..."
(7) Korishi: "That I do not have..." he frowns.
(2) DM Arkhandus: "We should track down the other oni and bakemono then," Shujo says, "those that had not returned to the Shadowlands afterwards, but which had moved on into Scorpion lands to pillage my people. We can report to Lord Akodo and return with a larger force or something, to head southward and try to find the Emperor's corpse and the oni....."
(3) Masato: "Nor do we. Not enough to protect us all at any rate."
(7) Korishi: "I guess we can only do so much." he says, looking southward.
(3) Masato: "We will do what we can here, and follow the other tracks east then."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo bows graciously to Masato.
** (3) Masato turns to the servants. "Stack the bodies and wreckage and burn them." **
** (7) Korishi heads back to the wagon, a worried look still on his face. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru gathers the daisho of a few samurai corpses he finds, and stores them with the rest of the party's supplies, determined to return them to their families later when the party returns to Otosan Uchi, where the Seppun and Miya will be to accept their ancestral daisho.
(2) DM Arkhandus: The party's eta servants gather up the corpses as ordered and pile them to be cremated.
** (3) Masato tries to find some sign of the Emperor. His weapons, a piece of armor, or something to bring to Lord Akodo to indicate they did in fact find the location of the Emperor's defeat. **
(4) Aka: ::Aka stays near Mai throguhout this preparation for the dead, not wanting to interfere with the samurai's doings::
(2) DM Arkhandus: All Masato finds is the shattered pieces of Toturi's palanquin or coach. There are some pieces of Imperial heraldry upon the wreckage however, that Masato could bring back. Some of the samurai corpses also bear signet rings and such indicating their noble families.
** (10) Kai Lyn asks "Is there any absolute proof that the emperor is dead?" **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Kiran performs a brief little rite of his own for the souls of the dead.
(3) Masato: "Nothing absolute, but I do not think they would have left him alive unless to torment and corrupt."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "No, and that is the worst of it. As far as we know, he could be held and captured, or tainted and turned into a pawn of the oni. But it is best not to think of such things, and to hope that he is merely dead and has passed on to Jigoku....."
** (10) Kai Lyn says "I believe he is alive. He is extremely valuable alive." **
** (7) Korishi walks over to the pile of corpses himself, just staring at it for a moment. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: "Not as valuable as he would be leading an army of the undead, Kai Lyn......" Shujo says. "The Emperor was a mighty samurai."
(3) Masato: "Shujo is right. Whatever his fate, there is little more we can do for him now."
(2) DM Arkhandus: "And a keen tactician and strategist." He adds.
(2) DM Arkhandus: "It has been too many weeks for us to save him at this point even if he were still alive......" Shujo says sadly.
** (10) Kai Lyn offers a small prayer to the spirits for the souls of these good people who have passed on **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru cremates the corpses of the fallen samurai and performs his rites, and the others wait solemnly.
** (7) Korishi returns to the wagon once more after Satoru's rites, climbing into it and trying to find a good spot for some private meditation of his own. **
(4) Aka: ::Aka wrinkles her nose at the smell of the burning flesh but says nothing..she keeps good distance from the pyre and just waits for the samurai to be done with it all::
(2) DM Arkhandus: Others mount up afterwards, Shujo saying "Well, if we are going to follow the tracks eastward, we may as well leave now and see if we can find any oni and bakemono raiders, then defeat them swiftly and then go to report to Lord Akodo."
(3) Masato: "Agreed. Let us go."
** (3) Masato nudges his horse forward. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says before the party leaves, "Um, has anyone seen Mai......?"
(3) Masato: "Is she missing?"
** (10) Kai Lyn settles in on the horse then turns to follow the others **
** (7) Korishi pokes his head out of the wagon, "I was talking with her when Aka made her appearence, but then I went track hunting. Is she gone?? **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Mai is no where to be found in the area.
(4) Aka: ::looks about for a moment..thinking she was near her..but shrugs::
(3) Masato: "Did anyone see her wander off?"
(7) Korishi: "I didn't... I turned away after talking to here and don't know where she went."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Folks shake their heads 'no' to Masato's question.
(4) Aka: No...I didn't see her go off anywhere....::she looks around the area and calls out::Hello...Mai!? Where you go!?
(3) Masato: "Everyone spread out and look for her. That cat of hers can't be far from her."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo, Satoru, and Kiro look around for the tracks of Mai and her cat.
** (7) Korishi nods, climbing fully out of the wagon to join the search. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo Wilderness Lore [1d20+3] -> [2,3] = (5) and Satoru Wilderness Lore [1d20+4] -> [4,4] = (8) and Kiro Search [1d20+2] -> [8,2] = (10)
(7) Korishi: [1d20+2] -> [8,2] = (10) Search
(4) Aka: ::Aka fans out to look for any sign::
(2) DM Arkhandus: Folks look around for a while, but can't seem to find where Mai and her cat went.
(3) Masato: Search: [1d20+2] -> [3,2] = (5)
(4) Aka: search [1d20+4] -> [10,4] = (14)
(2) DM Arkhandus: The party looks around to no avail for around 5 minutes or so......
(2) DM Arkhandus: After a few minutes, the party finds some cat tracks leading away alongside some of the large oni or ogre tracks, northwesterly.
** (9) Mai and Chaouji trot back to their cart, hopping up into it as she squrims into her pack, dragging out a fish which they both split under the warm furs and covers **
(3) Masato: "Where did you go Mai?"
(7) Korishi: "Why did she go this way... and on her own?"
(7) Korishi: "And there she is..." as she just walks right by everyone looking for her.
** (9) Mai hearing Masato's question, takes the fish with her as she hops down out fo the cart and stands on one of the larger Oni tracks **
** (10) Kai Lyn asks her in Hengeyokai "Did you find anything to help us?" **
(4) Aka: Hmm..::notes the cat and Mai and smiles::What..no one here ever heard about curiosity and cats?
(9) Mai: ** Chaouji follows her quickly, tugging at the fish as she sits looking to the others **
(2) DM Arkhandus: You see some grasses and such slightly filling in some of the tracks heading northwesterly, Masato, and guess that Mai must've done it.
(3) Masato: "Very funny, Mai."
** (3) Masato mumbles something about feeding them both to Kiran's wolf next time as he gets back on his horse. **
** (9) Mai visibly shakes her head and starts back to the cart, hopping on the wheel then into the cart itself, sliding under the covers and continuing their meal **
** (7) Korishi finally climbs back into the wagon as well, not understanding Mai as well. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says briefly "More tracks leading northward. More bakemono and oni or ogres. Maybe heading into Naga or Unicorn territory......"
(2) DM Arkhandus: Others return to their horses and carts and get ready to go.
(7) Korishi: "We can't chase after all of them. We decided on west I believe."
(3) Masato: "So which do we follow? Do we trust the Naga and Unicorns to take care of themselves?"
(4) Aka: ::Gets ready to plead her horse::Well it is better then going south.
(3) Masato: "It's either that or east, back into the Scorpion lands."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "They should be able to handle any small force of oni, bakemono, and ogres......" obviously not much caring about it, wanting to get on with slaying any more bakemonos and such in his own Clan's land.
(3) Masato: "East then."
** (7) Korishi goes back to his meditation as best he can in the circumstances. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: The party begins to ride at a trot eastward, keeping eyes and ears out for Naga, bakemono, or oni.
(2) DM Arkhandus: The party rides eastward for a few hours, following the trail of the bakemonos and an oni or ogre. The party can see the forest thinning out a bit ahead.
(2) DM Arkhandus: Then the party finds themselves facing a lake, which Shujo notes must be the Mizu-Umi Kiku Hanabira, or Chrysanthemum Petal Lake.
(2) DM Arkhandus: You find some evidence of what looks like lumber-harvesting here, as you find two tree trunks and some scattered pieces of chopped lumber. The trail ends here, and you can only guess that the creatures built themselves a small boat or something......
(7) Korishi: "Shujo, whats on the other side of the lake?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo replies "Eh, the Shiro Iuchi, home of the Unicorn Clan's Iuchi family, some hills and mountains, and some small Scorpion and Unicorn villages. Kyuden Miya and Meidochi village are also in that direction, and more of the Scorpion lands."
(7) Korishi: "Do oni often assault the lands from the lake?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: "Of course, the lake leads to the River of Gold, so if the creatures built a boat here, they could reach most corners of the Scorpion lands, and even some Unicorn, Crab, Crane and Lion lands perhaps........."
(7) Korishi: "Then they could be anywhere...."
(2) DM Arkhandus: "No," Shujo says, "Oni do not usually penetrate into the Shinomen, let alone reach the River of Gold or the Chrysanthemum Petal Lake......."
(4) Aka: So why would they take the lake anyway instead of going around it?
(7) Korishi: "Perhaps for that very reason, that it can take them anywhere along the River of Gold. They didn't have to cross the lake itself."
(2) DM Arkhandus: "To reach other corners of Scorpion lands, I suppose." Shujo says. "Or to reach Unicorn, Crab, or Crane lands perhaps. Maybe to sail to the Crane lands and bypass the Crab."
(7) Korishi: "Whoever is leading this group has obviously thought things through, to come here and make a boat."
(3) Masato: "Many oni are intelligent, even brilliant. They must have a particular destination in mind. But where?"
(2) DM Arkhandus: "Perhaps we should cease pursuit of these creatures then," Shujo says, "and instead follow the trail Mai found, or just go report to Lord Akodo now. We may be able to reach him quickly if we take to the river as well..."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo adds "I learned a little of sailing as a child, actually, though not much......."
(7) Korishi: "I was thinking the same, Shujo. As long as we are here, we should take the fastest route available, which would be the river."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo looks to others for confirmation.
(7) Korishi: "However, I don't have any idea how to build or use a boat."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "I can build a small sailing raft, I think....."
** (10) Kai Lyn shivers at the thought of water and crossing it in any form **
(4) Aka: Probably be good to check the other trail s..one that dosn't have such an untrackable area like a lake.
(7) Korishi: "Can you make rafts for the wagons?"
(4) Aka: But maybe it would be good to send warning to places along the lake to ask for any sitings of shadowland creatures on a boat?
(2) DM Arkhandus: "If not, " Shujo says, "we could always go around the lake and go back to Ginasutra or northward to Turo-Kojiri, and then leave, or at least find someone knowledgeable in boatmaking to build us a boat in those villages."
** (7) Korishi nods in response. **
(2) DM Arkhandus: "So what shall we do?" Shujo asks.
(7) Korishi: "I say we travel the lake, either from here or Turo-Kojiri. No sense returning to the forest at this point."
(7) Korishi: "You need to report back..."
(4) Aka: ::Said her piece so decides to tie her horse to onto the wagon and instead ride inside it, sitting next to Mai the cat.
** (10) Kai Lyn asks one of the servants to secure one of her horses then shifts to weasel form and joins SS in one of the wagons **
** (7) Korishi is only a monk and can not dictate the decision himself..... **
** (9) Mai turns and slinks back under the covers for a moment, tuggig a bit until she emerges with a banana for Aka **
(3) Masato: "I don't know if we could build a sturdy enough boat to carry our wagons and horses, but Lord Akodo does need to know about what has happened."
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru says "I suppose we should head north to Turo-Kojiri and figure out what to do once we're there and once we find out how long it would take to build or acquire a proper boat or two."
(4) Aka: Oooohhh...banana!::takes the banana and peels it::Thank you...::she grins and eats it::
(2) DM Arkhandus: Satoru says "At least from Turo-Kojiri, we could head through Unicorn lands northward and then eastward back towards Otosan Uchi, or we could choose then to take a boat along the river which may or may not be faster."
(7) Korishi: "I would think he would also be interested in knowing about the oni traversing the lake. Unusual as it is, it could represent a new tactic for them."
(3) Masato: "Turo-Kojiri sounds like a good choice."