Chapter 1: Into the Shadowlands

[TetNak]

Heroes from across Rokugan have heard the Regent's call. The Crab fight an endless battle against the Shadowlands, but now, finally they have begun to fight back the evil of Jigoku. It has been a month, at least, since anyone has been heard from with the Crab retaking Shiro Hiruma. And thus, the Crab wish to find out the status of the war being waged. For reasons, some not obvious, the Regent of the Empire has personally become involved, asking numerous clans for support.

Amongst there heroes is Kuni Nakastume, the defacto leader of the group, and Kuni Witch-Hunter. His yojimbo, Hida Itagi, and Hida Ryuji, a stalwart Crab samurai, also shall be present. The distant clans are represented by Matsu Kunori, a large and powerful woman of the Lion Clan, and Hitomi Suru, and contemplative ise zumi of the Dragon Clan. Even the masterless samurai are represented, including a man called Uyko, joining the others as hired help. These six will certainly be put to the ultimate test where evil is the master and honor has no reward.

The previous day has been spent getting ready for the trip into the Shadowlands. Armor has been fitted and given to those in need, jade has been rounded up, and food as well as other supplies have been gathered and prepared. Tsunke, the Crab Magistrate, waits at the local Magistrate's office for the warriors to arrive.

[Vardaen]

Kuni Nakastume is already at the Magsitrates, arriving first, before dawn even arrives so that he can sit and watch the dawn come over the city. He wears a set of garish Crab Clan armor. The slate gray armor is accented with black ribbing, and strange shoulder spikes. The armor almost appears like a black and gray crab where the armor's ribs and spikes match that of a crabs. He wears no helm with the armor, his wild red hair, and black and white painted face as frightening as any mempo, more so for most. His no-dachi is on his back and a scroll scatchel on his side.

He is sitting, deep in prayer to the Earth Kami awaiting the arrival of the others.

[eldritchknight]

Matsu Kunori arrives, one of the last, and she is blurry eyed, and stumbling slightly, for as this was her last day in the Empire, and possibly her last day on the mortal plane, she spent the night getting royally drunk in one of the local taverns, and ataining the services of a male geisha.

And thus the dawn arouse upon the Lion woman bent over her sleeping mat, puking her guts out, getting dressed, and leaving the tavern for this grand adventure to recover her honor and her pride.

[Bitom]

Itagi is up early, and at Nakatsume's house. He is not, however, early enough to catch his charge before he leaves, and so begins his duty as a yojimbo, chasing his ward around like a mother chasing a toddler. He next thinks to go to the magistrates, and there he finds the man he's looking for. He does not chide his superior, or even speak at all.

His armor is almost identical to Nakatsume's, although it displays the Hida mon along with the Kuni one, as is Itagi's tradition. Both are under the a larger Crab one, showing the root of both of the man's seemingly conflicting loyalties. Unlike his charge, Itagi does wear a helm, covering the fact that he does not wear the face paint common among his new family.

[Wayloss]

Uyko enters shortly after watching Itagi looking everywhere for his charge and giving up to find him in the magistrates office. He too has been provided with replacement armor, It is not nearly as good as his set that was taken from him. this set was not crafted for him and pinches him in some spots while chaffing in others, It will take him some days to place the armor just right. He enters the office quietly as is his way among the proud Samurai of this land. His armor is plain and un-adorned, he dare not place any device and is quickly marked as Ronin for that, nearly Ashigaru save the Daisho at his belt.

He nearly laughs when he sees the lion enter looking more like a wet cub then a mighty warrior in the grip of saki's revenge.

GM

I don't suppose they would be willing to part with a bow and some cheap arrows? Or perhaps I will have to borrow one later.

[TetNak]

Tsunke and Ryuji await everyone. The large Crab samurai is currently setting different weapons and items on a rack outside the magistrate's office. It is apparant that the Crab expect battle to embrace the group and wishes to make sure they are well prepared.

The monk also arrives, and everyone has finally come in preperations for their jaunt into the Shadowlands.

"Konichiwa, everyone," Tsunke says, "I have gathered some supplies and weapons for you in case they are needed." He motions to the rack of different weapons, including yari, tantos, hankyu and arrows, etc.

"Please, take what you wish, I also have something very important for each of you." He takes out a piece of cloth and sets it upon the ground. "Jade," he says, which each of you will surely need. "I have enough for three pieces of Jade per person."

GM

Just tell me if there is any additional weapons, etc, that you want, and within reason, you will received

[Bitom]

Itagi takes only a Tanto, so as to accept the offer without depleting the rack of useful weapons that he doesn't need. Besides, a new knife is always useful. The jade, he takes, although he has some already. As usual, he remains silent.

[Vardaen]

Nakastume takes the Jade, and makes sure that everyone else does as well. "The Jade will keep you from becoming tainted while in the Shadowlands. Keep it close to you, in a pouch close to your chest, or some samurai prefer to place the finger under their tongue as they travel. We should have enough to reach Hirruma Castle with this amount. The Jade will begin to become black and oily, as it becomes courrpted, and you do not." The Tsukai-Sagasu watches and notices who takes what. He doesn't bother taking any weapon, but does collect ten arrows from the rack, flesh cutters, and adds them to his gear.

From MadVlat

I spoke to MadVlat about this and Tet and will post for Suru.

Hitomi Suru arrives right on time, not late, not early, but perfectly on time. He is silent listening to the conversations. The Ise Zumi does not accept the use of any gear (beyond food), bowing graciously and with thanks to the Crab Magistrate for the offer. He does however take the Jade and scoops up a small similarly shaped stone from the road. "They say the Shadowlands beasts can not tollerate the touch of jade." He strikes a katta pose, the rock in his hand, sticking out between figures. "The purity of the stone causes their twisted souls pain." He shifts his stance snapping his right arm forward, his legs apart. "To gift the Shadowlands with such an offering..." he strikes out moving in the katta forward again. "...will surely be an intresting event." He then gives a air piercing Kiai shout as he slams the rock into an unseen foe with a pleased satisfaction.

[eldritchknight]

Matsu Kunori winces at the monks loud shout, and grumbles something under her breath.

But still, she moves forward to accept the jade, and as Itagi did before her, accepts a tanto from the weapons, and somehow finds a place for the weapon amonst her arsenal.

[Wayloss]

Uyko looks warrily at the Dragon Monk, strange the man is as his clan is known to be. He looks over the weapons, his gear so depleted he replenishes himself, mainly though he selects a Hankyu, and a variety of arrows. He takes the jade gratefully and stands ready to acompany this strange group od Samurai into the shadowlands.