EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the log for the November 17th session.

(1) DM Arkhandus: Alright, when we left off last session, the party travelled to Kyakuchu village and argued a little with some Lion samurai who tried to stop the party from entering the Lion village.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Also, before reaching the village, the party had encountered a rather pushy kappa by the river, whom they had spent much time bartering with before finally giving the turtle-man some sake, food, and koku to leave them alone.
(1) DM Arkhandus: After leaving Kyakuchu village, the party travelled past the Lion fort Kenson Gakka, and on towards Kyuden Ikoma, approaching the Great Crater where they can pass through the mountains to reach the Scorpion lands
(1) DM Arkhandus: On the way to Kenson Gakka, Masato and Satoru find and easily slew a pair of hungry, monstrous centipedes, the only notable encounter the party had on the road since bargaining with the kappa several days prior.
(1) DM Arkhandus: We left off last session in the foothills of the Sekitsu Sano Tama No Oi, the Spine of the World Mountains
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party camped out in the shadow of a hill, somewhere along the road from Kenson Gakka to Kyuden Ikoma.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Now the party arises again at dawn to continue their journey, expecting to reach and pass Kyuden Ikoma within the next two days or so, according to Shujo.
(10) Kiran: " Saigetsu hito o matazu. Do you think we will make it?" he asks no one in particular
(10) Kiran: (*Time and tide wait for no man.)
(2) Satoru: "Of course we will."
(1) DM Arkhandus: (you're still within Lion-controlled lands, and you are quite certain that the Lion samurai you ran into in Kyakuchu village are following you while you're in their lands)
(6) Kai Lyn: (so I stay in weasel form until I can shift safely)
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((though no one sees the Lions nearby, so they are likely far enough from the camp for you to shift to human form without them noticing, unless they later ride more closely to the group)
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "All we have to do is ride on past Kyuden Ikoma and another town or two, then we should be upon the Kyodai Na Ana, and we can pass through the mountains then into the lands of my Clan."
(7) Masato: "The sooner, the better."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party prepares for another day of riding, saddles up, and heads out, riding for most of the day without any trouble, though occasionally a group member can spot a small band on horseback far behind them, likely the Lion samurai who had warned the group that they would keep an eye on them.
(1) DM Arkhandus: As dusk falls and draws near night, the party starts to look around for a good spot to make camp, and they find an old man setting up camp near the roadside.
(1) DM Arkhandus: An old mule is tethered to a tree nearby, munching on some feed while the old man works on making a fire.
** (6) Kai Lyn is riding in her saddlebag watching this goings on studying her companions **
** (2) Satoru more or less sticks to his usual routine **
(1) DM Arkhandus: You going to just make camp somewhere, or go talk to the old man?
(1) DM Arkhandus: Or hurl insults at the wrinkled old peasant? :)
(2) Satoru: "I suggest making camp somewhere"
(7) Masato: ((He's a peasant. I see no reason to disturb him.))
(1) DM Arkhandus: Alright, the group ignores the old man and finds a nice spot to camp, under a slight overhang from a small hill.
** (10) Kiran sets his companion to guarding the camp **
** (6) Kai Lyn gets out of the saddlebag with SS and scampers around the camp stretching little used muscles then gets into a wrestling match with SS for the heck of it **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The servants set up the camp and prepare an evening meal for the party.
** (6) Kai Lyn heads over to the meal area and eats a small dinner **
(1) DM Arkhandus: After the party has eaten, they hear something approaching the camp. The old man trots his mule over to the camp, then dismounts and bows slowly to the group.
** (10) Kiran pets his companion to keep the wolf calm **
** (7) Masato stands and examines the man. **
** (6) Kai Lyn climbs onto a small rise to watch this person **
** (2) Satoru pauses in his katas and lowers his swords **
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Konnichiwa young travellers, I hope I have not disturbed your meal. I am Lokan, an old physician, medicine peddler, and soothsayer. I know it is not my place to be disturbing you honorable samurai, but I was wondering if you might be able to spare a small morsel of food for an old man on the road.
(2) Satoru: "Of course."
** (2) Satoru gestures to one of the servants **
(1) DM Arkhandus: "You see, I have been on the road for some time now, and I find I have run out of provisions, and I business is poor for me these days."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Lokan bows slowly again to the group, his back obviously a bit troublesome due to his age.
(7) Masato: "Feel free to sit and share our fire."
(10) Kiran: nods approvingly to himself at Saturo's gesture
(1) DM Arkhandus: The servant Satoru gestured to asks quietly how much he should get.
** (6) Kai Lyn gets all excited and approaches the gentleman again with a gentle "Squeak." **
(10) Kiran: smiles at this, in his Vanaran fashion.
(2) Satoru: "A full meal worth for now. Provide enough extra for several days later."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The servant bows quickly and scurries off to fulfill the samurai's order.
(1) DM Arkhandus: When the servant returns and sets a small table for the old man, Lokan eats somewhat quickly, but tries not to make his hunger too apparent.
** (2) Satoru gestures for the servant to bring another portion **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The servant does so, and brings a little more food for Lokan. The old man continues to eat until his belly is full for now, and then bows to the group once more.
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Thank you noble samurai, for helping an old man on the road. I really should give you something, but I am only a poor old heimin........hmm, maybe....." Lokan fishes around in his pockets for a minute.
(1) DM Arkhandus: He takes out a few small vials, bottles, and flasks. "Would you please accept these humble gifts, samurai? They are curative potions and salves I have made and carried with me for some time."
(2) Satoru: "Yes." Satoru retrieves the items himself
(7) Masato: "We appreciate your gifts."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Lokan hands the small cluster of potions and salves to Satoru, and bows again. "May they help you in your future battles samurai, as you have helped me." Lokan smiles and hobbles back over to his old mule, struggles onto its back, and prods it back into a slow gait towards his own camp.
** (2) Satoru sends one of the servants after him with a week or so worth of provisions then goes back to his katas **
** (6) Kai Lyn gets the idea that the old human doesn't like weasels and runs off to SS again squeaking **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The group sleeps for the night and then awakens the next morning to ride onward.
** (10) Kiran wakes up **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party rides again for another two days, and approaches Kyuden Ikoma. Shujo advises the group to veer off the road a mile or two and go around the Lion palace.
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((BTW, from Lokan you recieved 2 vials of green fluid, 1 bottle of effervescent blue-green liquid, and two small, squat flasks.))
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((you may be able to learn what kinds of potions they are anyway by paying a local soothsayer in some nearby town, also........))
(1) DM Arkhandus: The group camps a ways outside of Kyuden Ikoma and away from the road, to hopefully avoid annoying Lion patrols, and has no problems. They set out again the next day and ride around Kyuden Ikoma, keeping the palace in sight as they ride around it until reaching the other side of the road, and then the party gets back on the road and rides onward towards the city of Shiranai, according to Shujo, which should only be a day's ride away.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party manages to reach Shiranai without running into any Lion patrols, and Shujo asks the group if they should rest in the city or remain outside on the plains.
(2) Satoru: "Outside."
(7) Masato: "Satoru and I will remain outside."
(13) Kiran: "My companion and I are fine outside the city."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo guides the group out to a good camping spot a ways from the city, and the group makes camp for the night, not bothering to make a fire so as not to draw any attention from more pushy Lion samurai like last time.
** (6) Kai Lyn gets out of her home and runs and scampers very happy to be able to do such **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The next morning, Shujo asks the party if they want to ride on to the Unicorn city of Toshi No Aida Ni Kawa, and then south to the Kita Toge (northern pass), or just ride straight on to the Kita Toge.
(13) Kiran: "Are we in need of further supplies?"
(2) Satoru: "I think we should stop for a day or so. The city sounds like a good idea."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "If we just head straight for the pass, it will likely take us around a week to reach Shiro Soshi or the town of Pokau."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo then says "Detouring to stop at the city will only cost us a day or two, and will allow us to refresh our supplies and sleep in decent beds at least...."
(2) Satoru: "Exactly my point. Plus we have been moving rather quickly."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo nods. He, Nerfereti, Giadan, and the servants prepare to ride on to Toshi No Aida Ni Kawa.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party rides on towards the city, and by nightfall they are just a few miles away from the city, near the river. Shujo asks if they should ride on to the city or camp here and go to the city in the morning.
(2) Satoru: "In the city. I'm not planning on camping out this close to the city."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo agrees, and the party rides on for a little longer, entering the city sometime around midnight.
** (13) Kiran ensures his wolf companion is in his cart before approaching the city proper... **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party arrives at the walls of the city, and some Unicorn samurai ask their business and inspect the party, wondering what half dozen samurai and others are doing here.
** (6) Kai Lyn is riding in her saddlebag hopefully this bumpy ride is soon over **
** (2) Satoru smiles politely and informs them that the group is on royal business, producing papers to that effect **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The guard checks the papers, and hands them back to Satoru. He talks quietly with the guards who had inspected the group's carts and such.
** (2) Satoru waits patiently with his hands folded over the front of his saddle **
(1) DM Arkhandus: After a minute or so of the guards conversing, the one who had asked your business and inspected your papers finally says "Alright, you can pass. We don't see many groups of samurai and heimin such as yourselves entering our city, so we will of course be keeping an eye on you while you visit our city. Just don't cause any trouble here, and move on when you finish your business in town. Proceed."
** (2) Satoru nods politely, collects the papers back, then nudges his horse into motion **
(7) Masato: "Not to worry."
(1) DM Arkhandus: A few of the other guards open the gates and allow you to enter Toshi No Aida Ni Kawa.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party proceeds into the town, and finds few lights still on at this hour. A handful of inns, shops, and other buildings still have torches burning outside and within, but most of the houses and shops are closed up.
** (2) Satoru selects an inn and points to it. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party dismounts and enters the inn, as the servants take the horses and such to a nearby stable.
** (6) Kai Lyn goes in with the humans not sleeping in the stables **
** (2) Satoru adjusts his swords before going inside and getting a room for the night **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The innkeep asks how many rooms the party needs, and then tells a servant which rooms to prepare.
** (2) Satoru rattles off the correct number **
** (7) Masato waits patiently while the rooms are prepared. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The innkeep explains that the cooks have already retired for the night, and asks if the party has already eaten.
(2) Satoru: "Please bring up whatever you have prepared."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party retires to their rooms, and servants bring up whatever food they were able to scrounge up from the kitchen that was still of reasonable quality and such.
** (6) Kai Lyn shifts to her human form with a sigh of relief **
** (2) Satoru decides that a bath and such can wait until tomorrow **
** (13) Kiran sets his wolf to resting in a corner **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The next morning, the party arises, and eats a morning meal in the common room of the inn.
** (6) Kai Lyn joins them and enjoys being able to converse in so long a time **
** (7) Masato eats and speaks to the others. "So what will we do today?" **
(2) Satoru: "I have a few errands I'd like to attend to today."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says "If we can, we should see about learning what kind of potions we recieved from that old man on the road. They might be helpful later."
(2) Satoru: "That was one of them, yes."
** (2) Satoru adjusts his signet ring before rising with a murmured excuse then leaves the room. **
(6) Kai Lyn: "I wouild like to go with you to stretch my legs again."
(13) Kiran: "Beyond mere rations, I am fine. Though some bones for my wolf would be welcome. Perhaps the kitchen has some...
(7) Masato: "Yes. I have a few matters to attend to as well. The ronin's swords as well."
** (6) Kai Lyn hurries after him **
** (2) Satoru heads to the stables, retrieves his Ofuda, then begins looking around for ((an alchemist shop?)) **
** (7) Masato wraps the blades of the elven ronin in a sheet of cloth and sets out to seek a herald. **
(13) Kiran: "Also, I am skilled in healing. Perhaps a healing kit would be available?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((any sort of herbalist, apothecary, or alchemist might be an adept, sorcerer, wu jen, or whatever who might be able to identify the potions.))
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((and any sort of historian, scribe, or other sagely sort in town might be able to identify the ronin's daisho.))
** (2) Satoru digs out the daisho and leaves them in plain sight so Masato can pick them up later **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Giadan  does a little bit of shopping and sightseeing in town, but for the most part remains in the inn studying his ofuda, meditating, and such.
** (13) Kiran asks whoever is going to apothecary to see about getting a healer kit as well **
** (7) Masato wraps the blades of the elven ronin in a sheet of cloth and sets out to seek a herald. **
** (2) Satoru promises to pick one up **
** (13) Kiran otherwise keeps he and his wolf out of sight... **
** (6) Kai Lyn is thoroughly enjoying her walk around the city.  To Satoru "You have no idea how confining that saddlebag is." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo and Nerfereti do likewise, remaining within the inn much of the day but also going out to buy some supplies and such, while Nerfereti also checks out a few herbalist shops and libraries and the like.
(2) Satoru: "Probably not, as I am not the size of my sword."
** (6) Kai Lyn grins "Yes I have bruises in spots I never knew I had." **
(2) Satoru: "It happens. If you prefer to ride up front, please let me know."
(2) Satoru: "I think my horse can manage the weight." Satoru gives her an amused look.
** (6) Kai Lyn says "I would like to but I don't trust horses. They are so big and I am so small. I am scared of them." **
(2) Satoru: "You just have to remind the horse that you are in charge."
** (6) Kai Lyn says "I know maybe when I get the nerve I will try." **
** (2) Satoru  nods. "It would be good for you to try." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato looks around town for a little while, and finds the house of a herald, where he can attempt to get the ronin daisho identified.
** (6) Kai Lyn says "I will maybe later on." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The herald tells him "Come in, come in noble samurai. May I ask what it is you wish of me?"
(2) Satoru: "Good."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru and Kai Lyn find an apothecary in town after a short time riding about, and enter the small shop.
** (2) Satoru locates the apothecary and goes over to him **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Many herbs, plants, bottles, and miscellaneous oddments adorn the shop.
(2) Satoru: "You are the apothecary?"
** (6) Kai Lyn looks about his shop sniffing the different scents **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary is grinding some herbs and such into powder upon a small table in one corner, and when she hears the two enter, she sets down her tools and stands, then bows. "Good morning to you. I am Utami, this city's resident apothecary, herbalist, and teller of fortunes. What services do you seek?"
** (2) Satoru produces the items the old man gave us. "I would like to know what these are. Also, I require a healer's kit." **
(7) Masato: "I wish to make an inquiry about the manufacture of a daisho. I was hoping you could tell me perhaps who forged it or to what family it belonged."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary nods and walks over to another corner, digging through a small chest of herbs, bandages, and other tools of physicians and herbalists.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary takes out a large bag with a strap upon it, filled with bandages, poultices, and such, and hands it to Satoru, then inspects the vials, bottles, and flasks Satoru set upon a table.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato, after you enter the herald's home and are seated, the herald says "Of course, sir. Let me retrieve some of my scrolls and tomes, and I will see if I can identify these fine swords for you."
** (2) Satoru lays the back on the table and waits **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary removes the stoppers upon the potions and salves, and sniffs at them briefly before replacing the stoppers.
** (7) Masato patiently waits while the sage fumbles about. **
** (6) Kai Lyn watches him very curiously **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary, after several minutes of sniffing the potions and dripping a few drops upon his tongue, then says "Well, these two vials here are minor healing potions, produced by a novice and not particularly potent. Still, they may be useful in battle or an emergency. The large bottle of bubbling green fluid here is a somewhat more potent brew, and should certainly be helpful to a warrior or healer. The two salves in flasks however, I do not recognize. Salves are just a little more difficult to identify, I'm afraid. I can, however, use magic to identify them, but it will take a day and I will have to charge an extra, oh, 240 koku to do so."
(2) Satoru: "Then do so. I will return in the morning for them." Satoru picks up the bag.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary asks a small fee for identifying the other potions and for the healer's kit, a handful of koku, and Satoru pays with some of the money the group was given by Akodo Kaneka.
** (2) Satoru goes back outside and begins exploring the immediate area around the inn, locating (preferably) a shrine, a tea house, and a bath house. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato, the herald returns a few minutes later with several books and scrolls in hand, and sets them down.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The herald says "Would you like some tea while you wait? This may take a little while, depending upon how notable the family is whom these daisho belong to."
** (6) Kai Lyn follows him enjoying the freedom **
(7) Masato: "I have all afternoon. Some tea would be nice."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The herald smiles and nods, then rises and fetches some recently-made tea for the samurai. He returns a few minuets later, hands the tea to Masato, and then sits down to try identifying the ronin's daisho.
** (7) Masato sips lightly at the tea as he waits and wanders quietly about the library, curiously looking around. ** 
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato, the herald spends around two hours scouring through his books and scrolls, scrutinizing the designs upon the daisho.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Finally, he answers "Alright, I think I may have found it. The patterns, colors, and design seem to be Phoenix, but from a minor noble family, one actually defunct now. According to my records, the family was slaughtered somehow and whoever remained of the family disappeared. (7) Masato: "What was the family's name?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: "They were descended from the Shiba, but long separated from the other Shiba."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "They apparently suffered several dishonors and then were destroyed by some rivals, though the records I have don't say whom."
(7) Masato: "Did they ever have any dealings with the Crane clan?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: "As I said, whoever was left of the family had disappeared and never appeared in any of the family histories and such that I keep."
(7) Masato: "Is there anyone else in the city who might know? It's a rather important matter."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Well, my records only contain a little knowledge of this minor noble family's history, and my records say that they had some feuds or other with the Kakita and the Ikoma, but that's all. There's nothing more specific than that in my histories."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "I'm afraid I am the only historian in the area with any records of Phoenix or Crane families. The Ikoma or Kitsu of the Lion Clan may have more complete histories of this family, or possibly someone in the Crane lands, but I wouldn't know."
(7) Masato: "The Kakita. I see. Well, you've been most helpful."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "This small part of the Shiba family never had any conflicts with the Unicorn, so there aren't likely too many other records of this family in the cities of my Clan."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The herald bows.
** (7) Masato sets down 20 koku. **
(7) Masato: "For you hospitality and troubles."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The herald thanks Masato, and rises to open the door for him.
** (16) Kiran pets his wolf companion, and the two continue to stay out of sight **
** (7) Masato steps out and continues on his way, inquiring about jade arrowheads along the way. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru returns to the apothecary's in the evening to inquire about the salves left behind, and the apothecary returns the three flasks to Satoru.
** (6) Kai Lyn tags along just enjoying herself **
(1) DM Arkhandus: "These two salves are similar to the small vials I identified earlier, but a little more potent. Still, they too are only salves of minor magical healing, but may be of some use to you."
** (6) Kai Lyn says "Thank you for your assistance." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary asks for his 240 koku for magically identifying the salves, then bids Satoru a good evening.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The apothecary bows briefly to Kai Lyn.
** (2) Satoru pays up and thanks him for his work **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato finds a weaponsmith in town who has some jade arrowheads, after a little while of searching.
** (7) Masato purchases a few dozen, or whatever is available. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The weaponsmith has two quivers of 20 arrows each, with jade arrowheads for smiting Shadowlands fiends, and he also has a few other weapons with jade inlays and such, but not many.
** (7) Masato decides that the two quivers should suffice. **
** (2) Satoru labels them for reference **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The weaponsmith charges you several thousand koku for the arrows with jade arrowheads, due to the rarity of jade and importance of it in Rokugan, and you present to him some writ by Akodo Kaneka to pay for the arrows. You recieve 40 masterwork jade arrows in return, in two quivers of 20 each.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party retires at the inn for the night after Satoru, Kai Lyn, and Masato return from their errands.
** (18) Satoru selects one of the jade arrow quivers and hands Masato the cure moderate potion **