The Harvest Moon Consortium

[Winterhawk99]

Drasta stares at the young man deeply. He says, “Umm hello. My name is Nori.”

Khzuro Shuffles a bit closer but tries to not crowd them too much. And figures the two of them being incredibly shy and awkward makes them perfect for each other. Maybe? Sei is mostly just observing Khzuro’s attempt at matchmaking.

Nori uncomfortably says, “Umm, so an elven, a kami and a noblewoman? it is a strange group."

Drasta gets up and goes to Sei and Yoshie giving a bow to Yoshie gesturing to an empty seat. Sei returns the bow to Drasta. Yoshie recognizes her. Nori sees Drasta get up and leave. “I guess she doesn’t associate with artisans. its common.”

Khzuro shrugs, “Suppose it depends on one's definition of strange." He looks between Nori and Haruki.

Drasta, now at the other table takes a seat and watches Haruki and Khzuro intensely. “Why do we hide what we speak of in the time we have?”

Yoshie smiles, "That is a noblewoman’s way of life. To hide what they think. to take pleasure in what they can. And to promote their husbands as best they can."

“Perhaps I be more direct What is it you wish to hide from Furi.”

Yoshie says, "It’s all in the open now. It will depend upon negotiations. We've prepared Sei as much as we can."

Drasta keeps her eyes trained again on Haruki.

Nori tells Khzuro and Haruki, “There are many elven in the city not enough to make their own quarter but a good many but not many Kami. and Shinto rarely comes here."

Haruki says, "Our branch of the family has been thrown to the winds I'm afraid. all daughters. Our father died recently."

Drasta judges the distance between the two tables. It’s about 40 ft. She stands. “Excuse me a moment.” With a bow listen and gets about 10 feet from the other table. Yoshie also takes some interest in what the other table is doing. Khzuro seems to try to let Nori and Haruki just talk with one another. Though keeps within head pats distance of course.

The young man says, "I'm sorry for your loss lady Shinto." She nods. He then looks at Drasta queerly and whispers to the others at the table, “What’s she doing?”

Haruki stares at her and whispers back, "She is besshikime what do you think she is doing?"

Nori says, “Oh, yes of course. I sometimes forget the grave things of the nobility even being in the imperial city. My life is mostly rooted in books and finding truth from fantasy. within the pages of course. not in life." Khzuro nods aside to that. He then tries to measure Haruki’s mood trying to see if her chat with Nori is helping keep her calmer. She does seem a bit calmer. He seems to be more nervous.

Nori says, "My apologies if I’m not great company. I am used to being alone."

Haruki returns, "it is ok I too am used to being alone."

Drasta looks to Khzuro and speaks very quietly in draconic. “You have her protection, yes?”

He looks to Drasta, seeming a bit annoyed at the intrusion. But it quickly fades, he motions elsewhere and beckons Drasta to follow, giving Haruki and Nori some space. She nods and follows, patting his head on the way. Khzuro does make sure to give enough distance to hopefully help Haruki and Nori get more comfortable. And does enjoy the head pats Then a look to Drasta, speaking quietly in turn "Am sure you're interested in something so... what is it?"

Haruki and Nori talk, Yoshie pays some attention to that, she turns to Kinu and Sei. "That reminds me Haruki if married to a peasant or artisan we will not insist on a bride price for her. Kyo and I agree that she should be happy whichever way she goes. so even though a noble Haruki will be like any peasant in this regard." She turns her attention to Sei. "Have the two of you decided how you will work your child's welfare out? We have considered this in Sei's appointment."

Sei bobs his head slightly. “We were still working that out, it does seem that you have provided well with your appointment though."

"You have been a good and loyal huntsman to our family Sei and Kinu is learning quickly by your hand. It is well deserved. If you go out with Khzuro on his great adventure, come back to us alive. I will not let Kinu go with you with such danger to the whole of the world at stake as I understand it. She will go back home with me."

Drasta whispers to Khzuro. “She has more value than an artisan’s wife.”

Looks up to Drasta "Value? To whom? And who would make her happiest? Or maybe she just needs friends."
“I would agree she would need time to have friends and then ultimately find a mate...this is something both our kind have agreeance on.... These ones put a lot of pressure on the young women though.”

Khzuro lets out a heavy breath and considers at some length of time. "This.... whole thing... the way humans and... possibly your people handle finding mates... is very different than how it is done among this one's people. Am finding this whole thing... alien."

She nods to Khzuro. “In my land I have a woman I chose for myself...No one asked this of me.
She also chose me.”

He looks up at her, craning his head, then a nod "I see... am hoping that worked well for you both."

“In times yes though there is a lot that comes with it.”

Nori and Haruki get up and leave. Drasta looks away from Khzuro and watches Haruki. Khzuro still in the conversation asks, “Well, do you have any recommendations, then?" While glancing at the two he tried to set up to see if there is any change in their demeanor. The couple are simply talking to each other as the leave the ballroom. It looks like they are going for the outside exit.

Drasta looks to the small kobold and motions to follow them quietly. As she turns around to follow them out the hallway she trips, knocks over a vase and crashes face first on the ground.

Khzuro just shakes his head. “Think they probably want space, and some time to feel free. They felt pressured before when they were being stared at. And this one doesn't think more pressure will help Haruki." He then muzzle paws and helps Drasta back up.

Nori and Haruki start to walk around the palace grounds and eventually to the exit of the palace itself. Haruki returns alone in an hour.

Drasta shakes an empty bottle. “It seems I have had too much.”

Khzuro sighs, nodding. “Well, okay then. Um... maybe you and Samo could compare how much you had." Chuckles at that. "At um, any rate, ah... did you have anything else you wished to ask this one?"

They both turn around to find the party is winding down. When Haruki does come back, Khzuro checks in with her. Mostly to see if she is happier after her chat with Nori. He notices she is not so dower. He feels his mission is accomplished.

The party finally ends when no one is left but a few of the Barasume clan. They go to their places that are set up for them to sleep. Drasta wanders off to Furi’s private apartments. Khzuro is in the same room as Samo being the two seem to have a good comradeship.

[Winterhawk99]

The day of the mages meeting arrives. Everyone goes to the throne room. They are checked for weapons before entering. The samurai guards are very good at finding them. The only ones allowed to keep their weapons are the samurai that may carry their dashio and only their dashio and the Onna-bugeisha their kaikens. Furi tells Drasta to dress without her weapons on.

Sei seems unbothered by the commands and goes completely unarmed. Drasta pulls every hidden weapon she has putting them in her bag. She then dresses the way she is suppose too. The lawyers check her and give her nods of approval.

Furi, however, has all her usual weapons on her along with a fancy naginata. She is not checked when she goes into the throne room and waits for Drasta to be checked. After Drasta is checked Furi goes to her place in court and directs Drasta to stand behind her mat and look like a lady. The rest of the companions are seated in the back. Ogano, Katsue, Aimai, Khzuro and Sei all sit together. Furi is up front and to the left side.

There are five times the number of wizards and sorcerers here than anyone has ever seen for a long time in Kozakura’s history. For everyone but Drasta they recognize mons from not only all over the main island but also from just about every other island in the empire. Drasta recognizes about 1 out of 3 mons. Though she is somewhat unfamiliar with what regions they come from. There are almost 500 people here. 400 of them readily recognizable as wu-jen in some form.

There is a procession in the back. The doors open. The guard come in walking slowly with the young 20yr old emperor in the center. The guard peel off in front then to the sides. The emperor stands and faces everyone. All stand and bow to him after all he is the embodiment of a god. These bows are deep religious bows. After he recognizes them, he sits on his chair. Everyone else sits on their mats.

The emperor speaks. “There is a disruption in the empire. A disruption not only in our nation but all friendly nations that have relations with the land of the setting sun. Wu-jen from all over Kura-tur have felt the ripples in time.

This meeting is happening today to discuss the meanings of these things and what may be done to spot the chaos in the arcane world that it is causing.” He looks to his chief wu-jen who stands and takes the floor.

He bows to everyone. “Time has been stopping for minutes and starting again. The time is always 2 minutes but there is no sequence between these stops and restarts. We do not know much. That is why all of you are here. You are the smartest men and women in the empire. We need ideas about how and why this is happening… and how to stop it.”

Khzuro sits at attention trying to hear every word and inflex. He suddenly stands and raises his hand frantically to get the wu-jen’s attention. “This one has some information on this. Have passed it around to some others as well. But can summarize. There is a demon that has an artifact. An hourglass. This artifact is how the demon is able to stop time.

From this one’s hypothesis, the artifact is incredibly powerful but… difficult to use. The demon does not have full control of it. The time stops, or skips, are more of an accident as this demon attempts to assert control over it.”

The head wu-jen says, “Come up here please. It seems you know much about this kobold?” Khzuro gives him a nod and approaches the front. When he gets there the wizard looks down at him. The floor is yours. Speak what you know.”

He looks up at the wu-jen with a nod. “Very well then.” Khzuro then turns to the crowd.

“During each of these temporal pauses, the demon has appeared as an image to this one, and only this one. The demon seems to have marked this one as an adversary. Why? This one isn’t certain. But there were a few things this one could tell from the taunts that were given this one’s way.

Their appearance, the artifact, and their messages, of note, it was deduced that the messages this one was sent was in backward order. Backwards the demon says.:

Hello Khzuro, we meet again.
You are my adversary.
You don’t always win against me.
We fight time after time.
It’s always different.
Why is that?
Is it a split in reality?
Is reality just a myth?
Only she knows.
Only she truly understood.
Too bad she has been dead almost 4,000 years.
Yet she lives.
How can this be?
Does it really matter at all?
Bear in mind I already know your plans.
I have the advantage, Khzuro
After all, is not life only a struggle for power over others?
I await our confrontation.
I’ll endeavor to make it interesting.

As for the artifact in question. It was something that was the work of an elven mage four thousand years ago. Am not certain how the demon got their artifact, but a current hypothesis is that their tomb was plundered.

Regardless, unfortunately this one does not know what it is the demon is going to do. Only that the demon seems convinced that a confrontation with this one is inevitable.

Should say though, if we do find this artifact, its magic is too strong, too dangerous, to be left to be wielded. Suggest it either be destroyed or if it cannot be, locked away forever where no one will find it.

Should the demon fully master the artifact’s powers, this one figures the damage would be immense.”

There are murmurs from the crowd. A woman stands, “How can we trust that what this demon says is even true or if this really is a demon. It may be an illusion of an enemy of yours is enspelling in your mind. Has anyone else seen this demon?"

Most say no but Ogano stands. "I have seen the demon on more than one occasion in the presence of Khzuro the kobold."

Khzuro also answers her. "This one has considered such a possibility. It is indeed possible that the taunts are intended as a feinting move. A bluff to make this one go in its intended destination. But this one's ancillary research done suggests that what this one has stated is the most likely scenario." He gives a nod of thanks to Ogano.

Another wu-jen stands. "What does this demon look like?”

"Can show with an illusory image, if you'd like. Will try to reconstruct to the best of his ability." Khzuro casts silent image, depicting the demon with the hourglass from all those little taunts he’s received. His spell shows a spitting image of the demon. He holds his concentration to show the silent image to the crowd of mages. Several open books. He maintains the image as long as he can for them to study.

A woman that looks like a middle-aged dotting grandmother says, “I have it!” She stands.
“If I am right. This demon's common name is Chrome. He rules the 225th layer of the abyss. A place of an unending mechanical city, where machine enhanced demons live and roam torturing souls by using them for fuel or making them into living machine like creatures. The result is they are neither machine nor flesh but something of both.” She sits back down, and an older gentleman stands up.

“I too have information… perhaps. I am not sure if it is related.”

Khzuro gives him a nod unsure if he should sit down but waits for them to speak, or for him to answer other questions.

“I live in the north most province of the main island Tenmet under the Tenmet clan. Deep within our mountains a portal has opened about a month and a half-ago. It cannot seem to be turned off. On the day it opened strange crystals rained down upon the ground in the mountains.

We are not sure how many. So far we have recovered about a dozen."

He turns to his assistant who hands him two cloth wrapped tubes the size of bread boxes. As he unwinds them, he holds them up. They are crystals. One is translucent white the other a deep black. The white one shines with an inner light. The black one is hard to see as it sucks up all surrounding energy including light. He goes on, "It isn’t a good idea to touch the crystals together. Several of my colleagues died in the explosion when they did. The library they were in disintegrated before our eyes."

The emperor stands. “Guards! Please take up those crystals and remove them from the throne room!" the guards hastily do as commanded. The old man gives rewraps and hands them over with a bow.

Khzuro lets out a breath of relief out because he didn’t have to cast any spells to stop the room from exploding. The old man bows. “My apologies. These crystals are powerful and may have been important. I am not sure, so I brought them.”

Khzuro gives a look to Sei, then a look to the image, remembering the white and black crystals from the hourglass. Sei stands. “Aye, the crystals seem to be connected to opposing magics, light and dark. I have seen them appear in dreams. Connected to an elven mage, it seems."

The head wu-jen stands. “Tell us of these dreams huntsman.”

"The figure in the dreams was...in the mountains. I also received a vision of a snow leopard hunting and tracking prey in a similar environment…..." There is a commotion in the back. The great doors of the throne hall swing open. and several samurai guard suddenly seem paralyzed. Everyone turns their heads, to see an old elven gentleman in a navy uniform at the opening. He walks with a cane and with each step his boots make clicking noises on the floor from the deck cleats sewn into his officer boots. He slowly makes his way up the central path.

[Winterhawk99]

Khzuro looks to the elven figure. The emperor stands and several samurai and Onna-bugeishia run and stand to defend him. Khzuro sees that it’s the same elf he has seen before.

As the elf sees what’s going on he waves his hand and in a loud commanding voice he says, “STOP! NO NEED FOR THAT! I AM BUT AN OLD ELF. NO THREAT TO YOU!”

Khzuro speaks. “This one has spoken with that one before. This one thinks letting him speak could help.”

As he slowly makes his way up to the throne he says, "SHE HAS BROWN SKIN, BLACK HAIR, IS ABOUT 5FT 8 inches 5/10 WITH HER OFFICERS BOOTS ON AND HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF COPPER EYES! LAURILLA SITHMORE WAS HER NAME. AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE LINK YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WITHOUT ME AID!” As he reaches where Khzuro is. He continues by putting his hand in his pocket and drawing out a gnomish pocket watch. "THIS WATCH SHE MAGICED TO MAKE ME IMMUNED TO HER MAGIC. I CAN'T BE AFFECTED BY A TIME STOP OR ANY MAGIC THAT MANIPULATES TIME. SHE WAS MY FRIEND, MY CAPTAIN, AND I LOVED HER DEEPLY."

Khzuro looks up to the elf as he approaches. He walks up to the kobold and looks down. “I know you be hav'in questions. So have at it, son. Oh! excuse me. I would bow to you mighty emperor, but age comes to everyone and that is a luxury I can no longer afford." He slowly bobs his head to the emperor.

The emperor isn’t sure what to do so just nods to him. Drasta just watches the entire exchange throughout.
The old elf waits for Khzuro to say something, “Wind catch yer tongue lad?”

"Right, main one's what can we do about this to stop this? Am assuming you know about the demon who has Lauriella’s magic artifact. How do we stop the demon from causing problems with it?"

"Nay I do not know of this demon. but I know of the magic he uses. It’s her magic and it is potent so potent she stayed behind to hide it all while the rest of us went home we did."

"Well, a demon's managed to get their hands on her magic. And am aware of her attempts to try to hide it all. Seems it didn't take. So, what should we expect?"

“What he does with her magic? The demon can go back and forth through time and manipulate it any way he wants. He can change the past, the present or the future. He can manipulate outcomes of wars, peace treaties, anything to seek whatever ending he wants. Perhaps even go back in time and kill the women who bore the great heroes of every age. She warned me about this she did. Problem is I’m too old now to put a stop to it."

Khzuro gives a slow nod listening. “Right. How do we stop it then? Before this demon figures out how to fully control this magic."

"Most her magic work with Stallix and Iodium. They metals that can be turned into crystals. Only mined in Netheril during the age of discovery bout......3,800 years ago. Lauriella, bless her heart, was an engineer and learned how to get the crystals to work together........combined with a Mythallar it makes all kinds of things. The most important being perpetual energy. All her chronomantic spells use these crystals.” Khzuro gives him another nod listening to the explanation.

He turns to the crowd and takes a pipe out of his pocket. He puts a mixture of hemp and tobacco in it and lights it up. “Let me tell you all the story of the Moonflower and her crew.

The Moonflower was the brainchild of my captain. Her pride and joy the most modern ship even now to sail the sea of fallen stars. She was a wu-jen like you and an engineer. She was a white necromancer that studied the positive and negative planes.

"Back 100 years ago some pirates from Westgate made a run for her ship near the pirate islands. I was on that ship an’ at the wheel when they were spotted. Woke her up I did, and she took the wheel. She steered us to an island where ships seem to disappear, time to time. Name of it is Lurath. she sailed into the mist and the mist transported ship and crew to Netheril about 400 years after the Chronomancer died. Lauriella, well she was bound and determined to get everyone back home. We spent 8 years on the narrow sea while she went to college and researched chronomancy. Lauriella well she was bound and determined to get everyone back home. We spend 8 years on the narrow sea while she went to college and researched chronomancy.

She completed much of the Chronomancer’s unfinished works in that time. and after 8 years she got us back home. But she and the moonflower stayed. She had her own name stricken from most records she could. She knew she was dying by that time from an accident when she was a younger lass. So, she sent everyone home and a young human woman. Don’t know why maybe had to be the right number come back. She made a machine and spells and sent us back, she did. She only missed the mark by 200 years. That is too early.

I spent two hundred years wandering the land and, on the day, she went into the mist I returned and helped her wife and husband run the company. Thought there would be no more problems till I felt time stop. I pinpointed it here in this land.” He points to Khzuro. “That’s your epicenter.”

"I'm guessin someone found her ship and is playing around with all those devices she made."
He looks Down at Khzuro. "Any more questions, Lad? Any more questions from anyone?”

Khzuro asks, “Three. First, do you have any idea who could have found her ship and started working with her devices? Second, where was the ship when it was compromised by outside factors? Three, do you have any idea why this one is the epicenter of this, as it were? Why the demon marked this one as their adversary?"

"My thinking would be this demon you talk about. Ah, the ship. Last we saw her the moonflower was at the north end of the narrow sea in Netheril. Would be a glacier now. Monsters living underground dried up the sea trying to fight against the arcanist of Netheril far as I know. I don't know why it’s you lad. I just know that when time stops the hands on my watch point to you.

Got everyone here a warning too. The captain she was born in Evermeet: an island full of elves. But she lived most her life in Mulhorand. Mulans they funny about taking treasure from grave sites. and if I know Lauri, she would be buried on that ship of hers. You take anything from there. You be having hell to pay from her spirit. I be giv'in you fair warning now."

"Would figure if someone did plunder her ship, they would have moved the artifact or whatever it is they took elsewhere." A pause "Do you have any way of discerning where they could have taken it?"

The old captain shakes his head. “No way if someone started using her things they could go far from it. It’s the magic of Netheril lad. means you have to have a Mythallar near for the magic to work. I would say finding one of those crystals with any power now days to be slim to none."

Khzuro nods… "So, if they took it... they can't have gone far."

“Aye. You have the right of it.”

"Or improbably found another functioning Mythallar. Am hoping it's not that."

The old elf looks around at all the samurai. “I know I made an entrance. You all probably pissed off and heard a lot of stories ‘bout you empire. So, if you wait'in there to take me head. I would think twice.” He quickly casts a clerical spell. A beam of light comes through the window and a Ki’rin appears out of nowhere. He frowns. “Was supposed to be an elven servant but magic, it do not work right in the east.”

"Ssskh, didn't think anyone was going to take your head. You're trying to /help/ us." Assuming he doesn't intend any treachery.

"Guess the next step is relatively simple. Find this location, shut down whomever is abusing her magic.... One other question though. Am assuming any magical artifacts she may have left behind are dangerous. Do you suggest having them destroyed or locked away? This kind of magic is dangerous in the wrong hands."

The samurai are all suddenly nervous but hold their ground waiting for the emperor to say something. The emperor stands. "Priest. You obviously command the heavens from whatever goddess you serve. I decree you will not be harmed until such time as you harm another."

The captain looks at Khzuro. "Some of them probably can’t be destroyed easily and I know she made traps. I would bury them. bury them deep with any paperwork she may have left behind. Bury the whole of the ship too by any means so no one can find it again."

If anything, Khzuro seems to be in awe of the Ki’rin, but manages to keep composed and focused. The elf drops the pocket watch in his hands. "You now be the caretaker of the Moonflower. best of luck lad." He takes the pipe out of his mouth and looks at it. "Don’t mind if I keep the pipe. it ain’t magic but it was hers. Only thing left I can remember her by."

Khzuro blinks, then looks up to the old elf, but then looks with concern. "Wait, but.... if you lose this watch, then...?" He seems to imply that he knows that the old elf might drop dead of old age without its magic protecting him.

The elf chuckles. “What did I tell you lad. Yes, I was there 3800 years ago but I went there from here then came back after 8 years. Me age is natural. I'll live another 50-150 years with luck."

Drasta almost smirks but holds her composure at that. Khzuro give him a slow nod… “I see..." A breath of relief, then considers "One... other thing... this one thought that the artifact might have to be destroyed to forever keep it out of the hands of those who would abuse it. Is... that something that you think should be done with the Moonflower or... other dangerous magic that might be there? Or... do you have another suggestion? Is not sure what else is there that... could be a problem."

“You try to destroy that ship and her spirit will fight with everything she has to stop you. You have to find another way..........That is if it is her grave. When we left, she was having seizures about once every two weeks. They said when the seizures became daily, she would be at her end."

"I... see" a slow nod "Will try to find another way. At the very least though, will have to find some way to ensure this hourglass is never again misused."

He nods. "I'll be on me way now. I want to go home. Thats a lot of sailing even with the Ava. Copy of the Moonflower. She left the plans in her safe at the shipping company.

Khzuro dips his head. “May the Eight Million be with you and thank you."

“May Moonbows night guide you little one.” He walks down to the ki’rin and bends down slightly looking between its legs. "Ah you’re a boy. Come on boy let me show you The Ava and her secrets for yer good service." He slowly clicks out of the throne room clicking his heels and cane as he goes. The Ki’rin dutifully follows.

Khzuro watches the Ki’rin and elf as they leave, then Khzuro looks to the pocket watch he was given, almost as if studying it intently. He realizes it makes him completely immune to any chronomancy spells including time-stop and its hands will point to any major chronomantic spell on toril not including time-stop because it is used so much. It also keeps time to 1/10 of a second according to star layout. There is an engraving of an anchor surrounded by a laurel reef in the back and the words Moonflower II around the rim.

He takes a breath out, then looks over to the emperor, and the gathering of magi... "Well..." It seems to take the kobold a while to just process everything as he looks around. Many of the wu-jen are writing furiously in their books. A few look skeptical. A few look terrified of the implications. Khzuro decides to give the others time to process and/or freak out about these new revelations. and also looks to see if there's anyone in head pats distance.

The emperors wu-jen steps up beside Khzuro. "So, what do we do?"

Another stands. "We now know the crystals are connected to this and most likely the portal too."

Khzuro lets out a heavy breath, considering. “If what this one has seen of the hourglass is correct, the artifact relies on these crystals to function. A fuel source. But it seems like we may need to send a force to wherever the Moonflower is and deal with whomever is plundering that magic, tampering with time. Then... find a way to ensure no one else can utilize that magic ever again. it's too dangerous."

The emperor who has been listening the whole time clears his throat. Everyone looks at him including Khzuro quieting down. He stands. “It seems you have been chosen to lead. The celestial court does not make mistakes, nor the 8 million. Choose your team carefully Khzuro the kobold and solve this problem in the name of the 8 million."

He bows to the emperor. “It shall be done.”

The divine emperor looks out to everyone else. “The name of this woman and the words of this proceeding should be stricken from all of your notes and records. It never happened. This magic is too dangerous for mortals, and no one should know of it. This woman, whoever she was, was wise to the dealing of mortals and took her responsibility serious. She failed. We will not." He looks then at Khzuro. The kobold stares back. The emperor rubs his eyes uncharacteristically with the weight of the problem at hand. “You are all dismissed to the task of helping Khzuro figure this out."

Furi turns her head. “You are dismissed for the night to help your friend.” Drasta nods.

Everyone bows as the emperor leaves, Khzuro starts mentally assembling a team, but he does motion Sei and Drasta over to himself. Many of the wizards when leaving the throne room flee the hallway but many also still linger.

[Winterhawk99]

Khzuro looks to see if Ogano still lingers in the hall outside the throne room. He notices that all of Barasume are there. Drasta heads over to Khzuro, so does Ogano, Katsu, Aimai, and Kazuko. He looks up at Drasta. “Sssk, you up for shooting a time-travelling demon?" He then looks at Sei. “You've been getting dreams about this too, tangentially related, but still connected. Think you should come with too?"

Drasta replies, “Do you have to ask?”

Khzuro thinks out loud. “"Will also need to figure out who else to bring with us. Think Samo would be helpful. Think we're going to need at least one of the more studied magi with us though. There's likely to be magic there this one will not be able to easily handle."

Katsu says, “We'll probably need an engineer, a specialist necromancer of the planes, and someone that knows of this ancient empire Netheril.”

He gives Katsu a nod, “Is good thinking. How soon can we get the needed specialists?"

Ogano says, "An engineer will be the easiest. The second hard but we still may find is an expert on Netheril. a specialist on the positive and negative planes. that one will be hardest, we might not find one."

Katsu agrees, “These are all rare magics.”

Khzuro rubs the side of his snout, “We may have to make do with the best we have, then. We'll likely need a boat to get to where we need, unless any of us are capable of teleporting to the proper location... but am not sure we should rely on teleportation magic. They may have defenses against that. Should assume that our foe knows what we're doing in advance. If they can peer through time or are moving backwards through it. Means we need a plan that they have no means of counteracting."

Drasta asks, “I assume this will be a long journey?”

Katsu says, "I would think that portal up north is there for a reason. it probably opens up close to the ship."

Khzuro looks at Sei and Drasta. “It's quite likely." A breath out "If the demon knows we're coming in advance they'll probably set up ambushes for us. If we teleport it likely will set up defenses in advance for that..."
Considers, ... "Do you have any recommendations for other allies who we should bring? Should be those that can be trusted and capable." A nod to Katsu "Is quite likely. How far away is it?"

Sei comments, “Hm. This may...not be a journey I can join on, unfortunately."

Katsu makes some quick figuring, “I would say 800 miles.”

Khzuro gives Sei a look, raising and eye ridge. “Given your dreams this one thought you were tied to this already, but..." A sigh "Won't force you if you wish not to be further involved in this. Will have to find..." A pause, considering.

Aiami says. We will need a ranger and fighting men most likely.

Samo grunts, "I have new armor."

Khzuro focuses on Katsu a second. “And good ones too. It's likely this demon is not going to be an easy foe. It knows we're coming in advance; it will know whatever it is we're planning."

Haru affirms, “I’m in.”

Khzuro turns to Samo. "Well, it's probably going to be put to good use soon. Welcome to the team, Samo" A grin, then a nod to Haru "Thank you. Should probably have a priest or priestess with us too..."

Kei and Ume both say that they need to protect Yoshie and cannot go. Hideo looks down a moment, "I'll go if you will have me?"

Samo just shakes his head. "You are the heir, and this is too dangerous. Some will not make it most likely."
Khzuro looks to Hideo, noting the change in demeanor, he seems to be seriously considering something then looks to Samo. “How has his martial training gone so far...?"

"Hideo is fair now. Not what I would like but the samurai of Barasume have managed to yank that silver chopstick out from his ass. He does know he’s a mortal man now to become one and to one’s potential is a different story. You can thank Furi for that."

A nod, then looks to Hideo "This one is honored by your willingness to aid. However, this is... possibly going to be one of the most dangerous missions of the age. Given what is at stake here..."

Hideo nods and looks down, “OK.”

Aiami says, "I'll look for an engineer but an engineer of what?"

Katsu says." I'll go to the library and look for an expert of this empire."

Khzuro considers, “The elf seemed to be one who involved both magic and machinery into devices, someone skilled in those fields, I would think."

Aiami says, “OK.”

A small female of about 4ft 11 comes up to the group. Khzuro looks her over. "Umm hello. My name is Masako. I study the quasi-elemental planes........which include the positive and negative planes.........well more on how they all interact with each other.... I don’t know but maybe I can help."

She goes on, "I felt the power of the crystals as soon as they were unwrapped. They aren’t something to be toyed with. They hold a lot of energy from the planes. It made my skin tingle."

Khzuro gives her a nod. “Positive energy, negative energy, if put in direct contact it is dangerous, yes?"

"I could umm make my services available if I could study the part of whatever this wu-jen did...........not the time stuff........just the crystal stuff.

He gives her a toothy smile. " Welcome to the crew, Masako.”

[Winterhawk99]

Two days later, after Drasta has healed and is up and around. Sei gets tidied up all nice and neat to head to the palace. Furi gets Drasta up and watches her apply her own makeup. She does fine this time. It looks like she’s got the routine down. Khzuro checks in with Haruki first making sure she is ok then heads to the imperial courtroom. Yoshie meets Sei and Khzuro at the palace. Soon enough Drasta and Furi meet them. There is a bit of tension between the two groups now. Ume and Kei stare at Drasta and then one touches her cheek and whispers to the other. Drasta ignores the insights.

After proper honorifics, Yoshie says, “I think I have an idea.”

Khzuro looks up at her, “As the agreement states……. As of now……. Miwa Gozen will transfer from Barasume clan to Hojo clan for the rest of her life being that she will be married to a foreigner. Correct?

The kobold just blinks confusedly, then quiets down. Sei nods, “Indeed.”

"So, the emperor is trying to steal one of our best fighting women for a very cheap price. This puts Barasume at a disadvantage on a political and fighting front. However, what if any trade contract she signs as ambassador to the west must go through Renkyu? We would lose fighting strength and her political value but gain much in trade contracts would we not?"

Khzuro lets her pat his head. He considers but gives a nod to that "Apologies this one doesn't have much advice to dispense on this particular matter."

She nods, “Lets then go to the emperor and fight for our clan.” That said, the kobold remains quiet after that. Perhaps they don't like it? Or just don't see themselves as involved? Either way, they keep a level expression regardless.

Two lawyers come to meet them. Furi checks Drasta for weapons without her disrobing and the lawyers also check her just to make sure Furi didn’t miss anything. They appraise Drasta’s appearance carefully. When satisfied Furi asks, “Are you ready for this?”

Drasta replies, “As much perhaps as one can be.”

Furi looks at her with a completely passive face. “I know she is your friend. Do not take this personally and do not react. Your job is to guard me. This is the highest court in the nation. It is not your place to get emotional or speak out of turn.”

“I will do my best.”

“Good.”

Ume and Kei again start to whisper. Yoshie turns around and gives them a dirty look. They stop immediately and their faces also take on a passive, unemotional state.

The Doors to the court open. Furi steps up with Drasta and one of the lawyers behind. The other lawyer goes to Yoshie’s side. Yoshie and her group must wait. Everyone is checked, Furi's kaiken is on a leather sting around her neck. They especially check Drasta’s had fan, hair sticks and any known place that a besshikime may have hidden weapons carefully.

Drasta had followed orders and had no weapons on her. Furi’s group is let through the doorway. The throne is currently empty. Furi goes to the left and sits on a mat along with the lawyer. There is no mat for Drasta. Drasta takes up position slightly behind and to the other side of her from the lawyer and patiently stands still as a statue. Furi looks back and gives her a nod. The group is now in position.

Next Yoshie’s group is motioned to be checked for any weapons. Sei steps on up to be checked unconcerned. He is let through just behind Yoshie. As he does, he notices that Yoshie does not have a kaiken around her neck which means even though she is the first wife of a shogun and a noblewoman she is not Onna-bugeisha. Khzuro also notices this.

Khzuro does have some weapons on him. He surrenders them to the guards. They take the weapons and place them on a table at the back side of the court where he will not be able to reach them but can see them in the back by turning his head.

Once everyone gets through Yoshie’s party is able to approach the throne. Her party is to the right she sits on left mat and motions Sei to her right. She then looks at attendants who place a mat to the left of her Where she directs Khzuro to sit. Kie and Ume take their places and stand behind Yoshie.

Khzuro goes where directed, but seems quite silent about this whole affair, just observing for now. and taking any head pats available of course. Sie seats himself on Yoshie’s right.

The first people to appear are three of the emperor’s 30 or 40 wives along with a dozen besshikime that line up behind them. They sit and several lawyers and scribes come out and stand on the other side of the throne. The last to appear is the seneschal and court herald. They go and stand between the throne and the two parties of Furi and Yoshie. After some time, the herald speaks. “The god protector of the Kozakuran nation Emperor Hojo Kawabuko."

Everyone rises and bows deeply. The emperor himself comes in with a set of files. Everyone waits in their position. He gets to the throne turns and faces everyone, recognizing the. He then sits and those with mats sit down as he is seated.

The emperor opens a folder and reads, "This court is set to determine the fate of Ambassador Mayonaka Sakuya in marriage if she passes testing to affirm, she is one with her sword.

Her dossier says an expert horsewoman and deadly Onna-musha/bugeisha with an imperial appointment. Age 25. Married once. No children. Her known head count is over 750..................." He blinks. "Who would like to start this negotiation?"

Furi speaks, “She is also a lawyer and former judge my emperor.” He nods to her.

Sei rises "I know this is an... unusual proposal, but I wish to float the idea of having her marry a foreigner, as an extension of her ambassadorial work. In return for offering her into the Empire's service: House Barasume wishes to reserve the right to intervene if a potential marriage partner would be seen as unsuitable, and Renkyu wants right of first refusal to the trade-contracts negotiated with her counterparty."

Furi looks over to Sei. "Trade was not in the contract we negotiated. Please explain yourself Sei Lei of Shou Lung?"

Yoshie shoots Furi a dirty look at that comment. It is very specific and means, “You bitch!’ The emperor takes note of it but does not comment.

Sei also remains calm and answers her. “The idea regarding the trade-contracts was a recent addition, yes, but I think it not unreasonable for what we are giving."

The emperor turns to his lead lawyer. "Cho what would be a relative bride price for this individual?"
The lawyer walks over and whispers in his ear. The emperor shakes his head.

Drasta carefully listens and watches. The emperor asks, “Furi please explain these pre-negotiations?”

Furi stands. "It was negotiated that she would be married to a foreign noble possibly of Wa or from another noble of a lucrative nation in the west. She would come under your personal clan for the rest of her life. Thus, she would be Hojo. In return The Barasume can deny any suitor not to their liking.

My emperor we have spoken of the rise of the Barasume clan before.............."

Sei, Drasta and most of the rest of the court (except for Khzuro) See a man in Shinobi garb suddenly appear from the shadows to the far-right side of the courtroom. He already has a short bow drawn and lets loose aiming at Furi!

Furi tracks the arrow coming at her but stays still as a statue. Drasta, seeing this she immediately takes a defensive stance in between the two attempting to catch or block it. Sei lest out a snarl as he catches eye and wind of the ninja. The samurai guard go into action.

Sei joins the samurai in springing into action, taking a route somewhat offset from where the shinobi is so he can out flank him while picking up his scent. He is the first to get to the man. He ties the criminal up with the samurai hot on his heels.

Khzuro, completely surprised, can only stare for a few seconds. Sei shouts out, “Not sure what was going through this ninja's head, but it certainly wasn't smart." as he offers the ninja up to the samurai to be dealt with appropriately. The shinobi struggles and is able to break free of Sei’s grasp but it's too late for him. A sword comes down on his neck and rolls to Sei’s feet.

Everyone looks at Furi and Drasta. The arrow has punctured Drasta’s back the head settling into her liver. Thick dark blood if flooding from her wound. She’s gritting her teeth looking down pissed. Furi grabs her by the shoulders. “Stay calm. Help is on the way. Keep your eyes on me.”

With the ninja delt with, Sei sprints back towards where Furi, Drasta and the others are. Khzuro also rushes over to Drasta and casts a heroism spell on her to help her in case the arrow is poisoned.

Drasta huffs a bit more slowly staring into the eyes of Furi. Furi commands Khzuro. “Push the arrow from your side through her body.”

Drasta shows a bit of pain, but she sucks it up standing there grimacing as if doing her best not to curse the entire universe. Sei seeing the arrow sticking Drasta’s back at a spot that'd indicate that it has mortally wounded her, he runs to Drasta, readying everything he has for healing magic to bring it to bear on her not that it's much, but it could very well be enough to let Drasta see another day at least.

Khzuro tries to follow the instructions but seems unsure of how exactly to proceed… not having much doctor skill but seems to trust Furi. Drasta feels her guts explode in extreme pain. He then pushes the shaft through her back. As the head appears in her front. Furi tears her sleeve off, wraps it in her hand. She grabs the head and pulls. There's where Drasta feels the most pain as the rest of the shaft goes through her body until it’s out. Sei comes upon them.

Khzuro blinks, looking to Furi like, ‘What the hell?’ then looks to Drasta, trying in vain to mend the wound not having any spells to help with this situation. Sei, seeing Furi pulling the arrow’s head free immediately dumps all of the readied healing magic into Drasta to try to stem the bleeding and stabilize her.

Drasta screams a few curse words in sylvan with a small tear down her cheek as she is ready to collapse from it. Khzuro comments. “Hsskh, should check to see if it was poisoned..."

Sei answers, “Aye, but first things first, poison doesn't matter until the bleed's stopped."

“Right.” Khzuro is about to step back to let the other healers handle things but stops and casts water breathing on Drasta to make sure she doesn’t choke on her own blood. As he does, he can see Sei’s efforts are working. He can see the wounds closing and the bleeding stop. Drasta throws up about a cup of dark blood. She’s on her knees almost blacking out at this point.

Sei puts an arm around Drasta's shoulder and offers his other hand to very gently help her up, offering her a waterskin to gulp from given just how much fluids went out with that blood. After which she is bandaged. When that is done Furi asks, “My emperor. Apologies. I ask my Besshikime be able to lay on my knee."

Furi then looks to Sei and shakes her head. Sei nods slowly going back to his place. Khzuro huffs in frustration, he doesn’t seem to be pleased about the political nonsense causing a disruption like this right now, but keeps quiet, more focused on Drasta.

The emperor stands and states, “A brave soul. You may proceed.”

Sei responds, “I believe Furi had the floor when we were so rudely interrupted.”

Furi has Drasta positioned so that her neck is on her knee. Furi strokes Drasta’s hair. The meeting continues.

Khzuro stays close to Drasta, but keeps quiet for now..., but far more guarded after that.

The emperor looks to Sei and calmly says. "You may proceed."

Drasta keeps herself still breathing carefully, even still listening and watching whatever she can hear and see.

Sei responds. “Alright. I would not be opposed to a counterproposal regarding the trade contracts as long as the rest of the deal remains intact" Sei looks between the emperor and Furi "Unless the initial proposal is considered acceptable by the emperor?"

Khzuro also casts a see invisibility on himself as he keeps a watch for more Ninja.

Furi looks up to the emperor then to Sei. She continues. "The line of the emperor’s clan goes back 2,000 years. If the Barasume clan gains ever more power, it could challenge the whole of the shogunate bringing many to their banner. They seek to gain advantage to this end so that the Barasume clan can claim the throne itself. We all worry of Barasume's meteoric rise and the consequences of the current situation.

If Miwa Gozen were to be married within Kozakura it would disrupt the balance of clans due to her bride price. The consequences will only favor the Barasumes and make them powerful enough through alliance that they may challenge the emperor’s clan themselves." She keeps stroking Drasta’s hair while she is making her statement.

The emperor turns to Sei. “Your response?”

"Indeed, that is one of the concerns that led me to my proposal. Being able to develop talent is good and necessary but it cannot come at the expense of the balance of this land."

Yoshie whispers to Sei. “What are you doing? You’re seeding our position.”

Sei whispers back to her. “This way, we can make the strength of Barasume something that makes the Empire stronger, not weaker"

"I see now your point Sei. still let us try to get a major percentage of trade from the west. I will sooth Kyo to it." Sei nods in response to her whisper.

Furi smiles and looks to Sei. Taking the cue the emperor looks to him. She then puts all her concentration on Drasta. She takes a small canteen and tries to give her some water. Drasta open her mouth and accepts it. Sei looks at her. “Do you have a counteroffer in mind to the trade portion of the deal, or is that acceptable to you?"

Furi looks up. "Having Barasume and the city of Renkyu get all trade deals from the ambassador's negotiations in the west is offensive. It will give the Barasume clan wealth beyond our wildest dreams. There needs to be limits and opportunities for other major ports of the nation in trade with these contracts." She then looks at Sei to respond.

“I reckon that we could get some portion of them then. Even the right of first refusal on a quarter of them would be more than plenty."

The emperor stands. "This is a complex negotiation. Barasume owns an asset that has much value. This asset could be put to the greater good of the empire or work against it to make an imbalance. The contract will be as stands however I as emperor know that if the contract stands as is the Barasume clan will be shorted. Therefore, it is my decree that this addendum is added to the contract.

Any trade negotiation that the ambassador makes will be split. 60% will go directly to the city of Renkyu. The other 40% will go to other ports and cities along our coast. Is this agreeable to both parties?"

"That would be a workable solution" Sei nods.

The emperor looks to Drasta. "Is she well enough to speak?"

Drasta looks to him and nudges Furi a bit knowing she wasn’t supposed to speak. Furi Says, “She needs rest my emperor.”

Then she shall listen and remember. "Drasta of the Barasume clan. I charge you to find any suitable husband for Ambassador Mayonaka Sakura and send them to the Barasume clan for inspection. I assume that the Barasume clan will look far and wide for a suitable husband in the east. Her bride price is 5 million ryo. Any noble that cannot pay will be rejected by the Barasumes. Do you accept this assignment?"

Furi looks down at her "either shake your head or nod." Drasta nods slightly. Furi looks up at the emperor. "She agrees to the assignment."

The emperor nods and stands, "Let all amendments negotiated here be put into record and contract. Sei Lei of the Barasume clan, approach the throne." Sei stands and steps forward.

The emperor stands. "Sei Lei of Shou Lung, you have exhibited bravery over and above that of a peasant and thus I raise your status to minor noble and all your house. I further bequeath 50,000 ryo for you and your descendants for your bravery seen by all in court this day."

Sei bows deeply to the emperor.

Khzuro keeps a close eye for more ninja but does seem quite… confused by the whole procession. He also looks to see what the samurai did with the ninja’s body.

The emperor recognizes him with a small smile. He then looks around and says, "This court is adjourned. The contract will be sent with notes on the proceedings here for all to see. be at peace."

Everyone stands except for Furi and Drasta. As the emperor moves to leave all bow until he is out of the courtroom."

Yoshie does come up to Sei. "I think Kyo will be pleased. I thank you Sei."

"Thank you. I am glad we were able to come to an agreeable conclusion in this matter"

After Khzuro bows to the emperor he goes to see what the samurai did with the beheaded ninja. He sees they have taken the head and put it in a box. Then a servant takes it away.

Drasta slowly sits up. Furi helps her by wrapping her hands around her in a hug-like, almost guarded fashion. Drasta exclaims, “I am sure that will not be the last time I take a wound.” chuckles lightly.

Furi says to Drasta. "A priest is sent for. You will be ready to assume your duties in a day or two."

Khzuro sees the body is still there. A blood pool has developed around the neck. He looks aside to Drasta and Furi, as if wondering who would send a ninja to attack them here of all places. But remains quiet. He just can’t put his finger on it.

Drasta watches his curiosity, somewhat perplexed as the kobold clicks his tong at something, then looks closely at Furi, considering. Drasta mentions, “Odd is it not that there would be only one of them here?”

Khzuro responds, “Definitely.”

Drasta senses that something may be up, but she can’t put her finger on what. A lone shinobi is bound to get caught. She remembers that Furi stayed like a statue and waited for Drasta to react. Something is up but try as she might Drasta isn’t exactly sure what is going on. A priest eventually comes and fixes what Sei could not. It will take her a day to recover.

Drasta now being able to stand and walk. Both groups stand. They bow to the throne, and all walk out of the room. Another day has gone. A new one is about to start.

[Winterhawk99]

Drasta finds herself within the imperial city with some free time on her hands. The city itself has a population of a ¼ million people and is the biggest hub of trade for the country with goods coming from all over the world, though some goods are sparce from the west.

The first thing she does is tour the city. She walks around the first ward straight off. It is dominated by the imperial palace and court buildings. Most buildings have striking red tiled roofs. It also serves as a residence for hundreds of nobles and their samurai along with the few retired emperors left alone from the clan wars. The shops in the district are few but they carry the highest quality of goods in all of Kozakura.

Second ward is the administrative nucleus of the city, there are government buildings along with residences of high officials and low nobility. The shops here are more plentiful and have good quality goods. Occasionally you will find a very high-quality artisan here that makes products for both ward 1 and ward 2.

The third ward is home to a blend of Samurai and other retainers of the court nobles, this ward has a blend of military and aristocratic presence. Here is where the best armor and weapons shops are along with high level teahouses and many of the churches to various gods of the 8 million and a church of the enlightened path.

Fourth ward is the commercial district. With merchants looking to sell enough to by a shop in the other wards. It’s a hectic place every day with merchants selling from dawn to dusk and the teahouses open all night.

Access to the Inner City was exclusive to two main gateways: the Sunrise Gate facing east and the Sunset Gate facing west. These gates, notable for their size, stone construction, and elaborate decorations, was also the inspiration for the name of the Two Gates yakuza gang.

Just downriver from the Sunrise gate is the warehouse district. The area has hundreds of buildings, many of which show signs of disrepair and neglect. It has a nightlife all to its own and becomes a place of shadow and yakuza gangs.

Surrounding the guard towers of the Inner city, the outer city is comprised of three wards. These areas supply the support for the inn city to accommodate the ever-growing demands of the capital. The are additional services, shops and the common people live here. The districts have many warehouses, tanners, silk dyers, and sake brewers.

Drasta goes to the 4th ward to look for a good potion shop. Most are of low quality to down-right charlatans. They do key in oh her however seeing the mon of the imperial court on her shoulder and are somewhat persistent in trying to convince her their wares are top notch. But she easily sees through them and glares at all of them irritated with a, ‘Are you serious,” look. Many trail her to the third ward until they finally give up.

As she works her way to the third ward she starts to see better quality shops. They are not the best but most have the normal affair of potions and philters. She starts to ask around for restoration type potions and high-quality bandage kits along with finding some high-quality alcohol. She finds a shop run by a Tu-lung girl by the name of Na-Yin.

She finds shelves with restoration, and bandage kits along with a section for alcohol. As she peruses the booze section she notices several clay jugs.

She asks the shop keeper, “What’s inside these?”

The girl smiles, “New import. It’s very good.”

Drasta picks one of the jugs up and looks at it.

On the jug is a picture of two large samurai holding up little man in a Gi. The samurai have sake bowls in their other hand raising it up. There's a smile on their faces. The little guy in the middle is holding a sake bow in both hands with a smile. The bottle reads in High Shou. ‘The Golden Drink of the celestial court distilled with pepper and cinnamon for a bite you'll remember and aged in Mango then coconut barrels 25 years for that slightly sweet clearing after taste. Have a Jug of SHASTA. The golden drink of the heavens. Product of Renkyu.

Drasta raises and eyebrow and looks at the shop keep again. The girl looks up again and changes her language to high shou. “250 ryu for each jug.”

Drasta chuckles, “It seems quite familiar. Have you tasted it yourself?”

She nods, “It’s very expensive so I didn’t buy a jug, but taste tested a bowl before i put it in my shop. on a scale of 100 I would say about 77.”

“Perhaps they added a bit to the recipe then.”

“She looks at Drasta curiously the just shrugs. “I am only a shop keeper.”

Drasta nods and sets 2 bottles on the counter with coin. “Fill these bottles and enjoy the rest for yourself.”
The shop owner smiles, “You are gracious. 8 million smile on you.”

Drasta also has 25 restoration potions and healing kits. The shop owner after she finishes filling the order says, “That will be 3,650 ryu.”

Drasta counts out that amount in platinum coins and puts them on the counter. The young woman smiles and collects up the coin.

As she walks through the 3rd ward some people give her a wide berth and some of the untouchables bow to her others walk right by her. She looks at them a bit curiously but keeps to herself not sure what to make of it. She does deduce that those in the peasant or samurai class pay her no mind at all.

She finds a bar to have a couple of drinks. As she does, she also finds a messenger boy and gives him a gold coin after penning a letter to Fury and Khzuro about where she is.

As she drinks, she listens in on the local gossip. The first rumor she hears is that the Two Gates Yakuza gang within the city seems to be stepping up their operations recently. She also hears of tensions between various shogunates in general with the emperor and a small faction of mages called the iridescent peacock society.

She also hears about the emperor being generally frustrated at the shogunates and wishes to change things but the true power in Kozakura is the shogunates. He's trying to make reforms but is hitting a brick wall. All the while she patiently sits in the corner sipping her glass and listening to all the stories.

Samo and Haru finally show up. They order Sake and make themselves welcome at her table. She dips her head in respect to both and places a bottle each on the table as a gift to them of what she bought.

Samo looks at it strangely, "Never seen this before and from Renkyu?" Haru shrugs and just pours.

Drasta smirks, “It seems that way. It’s cinnamon and pepper. They added mango though, quite odd.”

Haru says. "Khzuro is running around with the mages like a ferret that lost his toys."

Drasta comments, “He does seem to do that often, no?” She then waves to the bar maid to order some food of varying types.

Samo smiles, holds up his bowl and says, "HAI!" He takes a drink, swishes it around his mouth and smiles. "Oh, that is good!" Haru sips it lightly without comment. Then says, “He does. I think he looks to get his head rubbed everywhere he goes."

Drasta sets her sake bowl down and nods, “I believe the same.” She chuckles.

Haru holds up her letter and looks at Drasta. “I could barely read this.”

“Apologies...It is not as simple as my own languages.” Then she smirks a bit. “Perhaps I should have drawn the sign instead.”

"Drasta, you have to practice your kanji."

Drasta bows her head. “I practice when time permits perhaps, I should look for more time.”

Samo frowns. "I worry about this one. Facing something so.........Ummm."

Haru smirks, "Samo you are samurai. There's nothing better than dying for your country."

Samo smiles, "Speak for yourself Haru."

Haru smiles, "Tsk, Tsk! What would Kyo say."

Samo laughs, "He'll say I’m the smartest Samurai he ever retained and give me a promotion." Drasta lightly chuckles. Haru snickers.

Drasta reminisces, “Some of my kind believe a death in battle lets you live another life proud of who you were once.”

Samo umphs and thinks. "The path of enlightenment says anyone even trained to kill another is bound for hell. The 8 million have a different opinion. They think a samurai who dies in battle honorably immediately go to heaven. Needless to say, most samurai follow the 8 million."

Drasta replies, “Perhaps a wise choice then.”

Haru also gets philosophical, "Most follow both religions in one sense or another. They are not opposed in many of their views. Mostly they compliment."

It's Samos turn to smirk, "Still better to be a warrior in garden then a gardener in a war."

Haru looks at him, "How is your bonsai forest doing, Samo? I haven't seen it in a few years." Drasta raises and eyebrow and looks at Samo.

"It has become a lovely place to rest, Haru."

Haru winks at Drasta, "Most wouldn’t think of it, but Samo here has been growing a bonsai forest in his back yard for some 12 years now."

Drasta thinks for a moment. “I have heard of stranger hobbies to keep.”

Samo gets a bit of a blush. "It’s nothing really. We all need hobbies."

Drasta side eyes Samo. “Though would it not be easy to trip or fall on one since they do not grow so large.”

Samo laughs, “Well I'm not gardening in armor after all."

She chuckles a bit, “Perhaps this helps you train and be delighted all at once.” pours some drink and sips politely.

Haru teases, "I think he likes to garden naked."

Samo retorts to her. “I do not. I like to wear a woman's kimono."

Drasta says, “I hear that is dangerous, at times you may get a stick in your ass.” Haru laughs. Drasta holds in a loud laugh with a big smile covering her face with a hand. “Apologies Samo it is all in light fun.”

He waves it off and stands. "I better walk this off and see what the young heir is doing. Hopefully not any trouble."

Drasta comments, “Perhaps send him back so we can see what his hobbies may be.” She then smirks.

Haru also smirks. "Well, it’s not any longer women. Furi threatened, beat and battered him out of the occupation."

“Indeed, it does seem that way at this time. I do hope he has learned much in his training.”

"I hope so too. Our clan for now depends upon him. Unless Eri does her job and produces another potential heir. Kyo is getting older. Well, I must go too. Duty calls. Good job with the shinobi. It was noticed."

Drasta nods to her. Haru stands up and looks at her. “The kanji represent more ideas. Not sounds like western people’s language. Thats the way you have to approach it, Drasta."

“I see perhaps that will help then.” Haru saunters off to the palace.

Alone again, Drasta spends some time listening and practicing her writing. While she lingers a samurai and a peasant get into an argument. At one point the samurai draws his sword and beheads the peasant. The barmaids clean up the body and the samurai leaves the tavern with the man's head. Things get back to normal in about 10 minutes. She watches a moment taking a note then goes back to studying and writing. She doesn’t know the mon on the samurai’s shoulder.

[Winterhawk99]

The Barasume clan packs up and starts down the road. All except Ogano, Haru, Samo, Drasta, and Khzuro. Aiami, Katsu and Masako are with them. Khzuro keeps quiet for now, probably thinking about who to take with him on that mission. He turns and looks back at the city thinking there are ¼ million people here. He must be able to recruit some for this dangerous mission.

Drasta looks amongst her fellows judging and studying them. Samo and Haru she knows well enough. And trusts. Masako is young a small woman that looks slight and small. Ogano, Kyo’s personal court mage a general practitioner of some power. She studies Aiami a woman that looks rather odd and has large, rounded ears too big for her face and walks slightly funny. She is a professor of Horticulture at the university in Renkyu and a vegetarian. Drasta chuckles to herself. ‘She eats her subjects.’ Finally, there is Katsu, a professor of noble heritage and history. After gauging each of them through her golden eyes she looks back to Khzuro. “I believe we may be missing someone with healing abilities.”

He nods in turn to her. “Agreed. Company of a priest or priestess on this mission would be most welcome." He pauses a moment and continues. “Any come to mind? Sskh, probably should have looked around more at the Temple of the Earth Dragon..."

Drasta nods, “There are hundreds of temples and shrines here. Perhaps one specialized in protection as well as keeping any who need it alive.”

Khzuro replies, “One who's familiar with combat too." A slow nod, considering. “Any others you can think of who would be most helpful?"

Masako says, “There's also the other major religion The enlightened path to which the celestial court comes from.”

Drasta asks Haru, “Any thoughts on this?”

Haru considers. " Amaterasu is the major goddess of healing and the sun, Ama Kurisuki is also a healing goddess. The eagle goddess covers both healing and combat but is weaker than others that concentrate on one particular path." She adds. “If you wish a combat priest either a priest of Fire Baby or Nagikami are both strong in that.”

Samo adds, “Both are warrior gods along with the Sacred Tiger."

Khzuro uses his gathering information techniques, looking for where he might find a skilled, strong, dependable priest or priestess. Hopefully one that has seen battle and/or adventure before as he listens. "Good places to check, but for this, well, we'll want someone who can handle themselves in dangerous and unusual circumstances."

Ogano muses, “Priests of Nagikami tend to be individualistic in nature, he is a storm god. and his priests tend to not be good though some are not evil. The priests of fire baby seem to be the opposite very orderly and not of evil nature though not of good nature either. The priests of the sacred tiger do not take any major slant they are pure combat priests and are known for their ferociousness in battle.

Priests of the eagle seem to be better natured and use combat offensively more the defensively though are known to be not as strong as the other three. Which temple would you like to try first?”

Khzuro looks at Drasta. There are many choices, and he is not sure where to go first. "Ssskh, what do you think? Nagikami... not sure they can be relied on for something like what we need."

“That I am unsure on. Perhaps we should speak to one from the tiger or fire first.”

Khzuro agrees, “That's what this was thinking. Heard Priests of the eagle are not as apt for what we need. Fire Baby and Sacred Tiger seem most promising. Could always recruit one from each, unless the two are rivals or something? ssskh...." There's a pause, considering, "Not like we need limit our group to just six or something." Perhaps then those are our best choices unless any of our group has a better thought. I would not be opposed to more than one healer trained in different arts.” The two of them look to see if their companions have any recommendations between Fire Baby and Sacred Tiger, or any insights. And ask if the two faiths happen to get along or not.

Samo says, "The ambassador has always held both in high regards. Her father was a fervent worshipper of the Tiger god. Both Shinto and the path often work together and mostly complement each other so have had a long peace.”

Haru says, "Perhaps the great temple of the path for a healer they are known for this too."

Khzuro makes his decision. “Let’s try the priest of the Tiger God first. A healer is going to be helpful but... am thinking for this, we need someone who can handle themselves in dangerous and unusual circumstances. Though could visit more than one temple, of course." He pauses, looking to Haru "Great Temple? Larger congregation, would assume?"

Haru says, "It is the biggest path temple in Kozakura and rivals Namipami's temple"

Khzuro pauses, considering, “We could check that, for now, this one thinks we should try for a follower of the Tiger God, first."

The group goes to the Tora temple in the imperial city. It is a huge fortress like temple the courtyard has many ledges and a large garden filled with mountain jungle plants. The monk guards do stop everyone at the gates.

Khzuro steps up and bows to them. “Greetings honorable members of the Tora temple.”

They recognize him and the lead guard asks, “State your business with the great tiger. You do not look like a group that would visit us. (Referring to the skinny elf and multiple mages.)

"This one has been charged with a mission of great danger and importance. Was hoping to recruit a priest or priestess who knows war, battle, healing, and can handle themselves in dangerous and unusual circumstances. Have heard that those who follow the way of the Tiger God are among the best in those regards."

He signs to his partner who goes into the gate. then turns to you, "Wait here." An older monk comes out somewhere in his early 50s and leads you into the temple proper. there is an older priest and monk waiting for you. the monk takes his place beside the other and the priest speaks.

The priest asks, "What is this important and dangerous mission that Barasume works with the imperial court on?"

Khzuro explains, “"There is a demon out there that this one has been charged with hunting down. While it lives, all the empire is in peril. It is an important enough matter that politics takes a back burner, as well it should. Am going to hunt down this demon."

"Does this Yokai have a name?" Khzuro nods in affirmation. The priest blinks. “What is its name? And what has led you down this path that you must fight. before I must have enough information that this mission of yours is worthy enough for the glory of the temple."

Khzuro r Remembers that the emperor himself said that there should be no record of that meeting, meaning he shouldn't talk about the details, they're too dangerous. He pauses a moment, considering how to phrase this.

Drasta stands behind a bit concerned but watches the sun through the windows. Khzuro says, “The Demon has already marked this one as an adversary. It as well as this one know a confrontation is inevitable. As for the demon's name, reciting it would be dangerous. Will not recite it in these sacred halls." Though he wonders if he is allowed to say the emperor himself charged him with this mission.

"As for the glory of the mission, can say that prior to this undertaking, this one was part of a group that was charged with a mission to calm angry lake gods. This one he is currently on is of even greater importance than that one was. Some of the details, I'll only be allowed to share with one who comes on the mission, but if there's more specifics you wish to ask, I'll do my best to answer within the confines of my oath of secrecy on the matter."

The priests and monk step back and confer. Drasta tries to listen in on the conversation focusing on them. She hears them discussing the lake god incident and trying to deem if it would be worthy to send on of theirs on an undefined mission and if so who to send. Khzuro waits patiently for their answer.

The priest sends one of the monks off. The group waits a 1/2 hour. Three people show up at the altar. one is a large male in a simple Gi. He stands at about 5,10. Tall for a Kozakurian. He is barrel chested about 35 years old. One is male in heavy armor and has a spear. The last is a small 5ft 1 woman of about 40. She’s smoking a large steel pipe. They all bow to the alter then the high priest.

Khzuro watches them but gives them their space. He does watch the three there and tries to gauge how strong and experienced each of them is. The high priest says, “This is Shishou Hiro Mayatoho, Tora Shishou Kobisako, and Mika Ayako Toratomi.” He then looks down at Khzuro. “You wish to test them?”

Drasta stares at them deeply, each on individually. Hiro is obviously a monk and obviously has a brick of a body, Kobisako is a priest and looks to be quite comfortable with his spear. Ayako looks smallish and weak. Koisako is in heavy armor, so you really can’t see his physic well. The three wait for Khzuro since he seems to be the leader. She quietly asks Haru, “How would one want to test any of these?”

Haru whispers, "It would depend on what you want from them. all should be very good at combat."

Khzuro pauses, thinking, then looks to the priests, perhaps starting with some questions "Will need to ask a few questions first." He clicks his tongue "Am assuming you are all capable of casting spells the gods have granted you. What is the greatest one you are capable of casting?" Looks to the three, one by one, expecting answers from each.

The war priest and the woman both take a step forward. The priest says. “We are the only two that can cast divine magic.” Drasta shifts her eyes to Ayako.

Khzuro looks between the two. “I see. The greatest spell you are capable of casting, then?"

The woman is the first to speak. “I am Miko Ayako Toratormi The tiger god gives me favor to cast wind walk.” Khzuro dips his head and looks at Kabisako.

Kobisako nods, “The tiger god gives me favor to cast Compel.”

Khzuro gives him a nod, taking note seemingly quite impressed with both, before looking them over. “What field experience do you both have? Any in regard to fighting demons?"

They look at each other since Kobisako is the male he speaks. "We have both fought Yokai before. Though I have more experience in this regard. Ayako has more experience with aberrations of nature."

Drasta looks between the two with a half smirk and some curiosity.

Khzuro goes to his next question. “I see. Have either of you come across strange magic before, one which you had no comprehension of? And if so, how have you handled it?"

Kobisako says, "Wu-jen are always on the battlefields it is few times that they get through counterspells however I believe we both have felt their influence a time or two." He looks at Ayako and she nods.

Khzuro considers the two of them carefully studying. It seems he is satisfied with them. Though he tries to read the situation to see if he’ll be able to take both of them or be forced to settle with just one. He looks to the priests, and they shake their heads. He looks at his group. “Can tell they're both good candidates. Recommendations?"

Samo shrugs. Haru whispers, “It’s too hard to tell.”

Drasta says, “Ayako seems to have more defensive capabilities though without knowing everything they are capable of it does seem the choice would be similar.”

Khzuro looks over indecisively considering if there is anything else he should ask them. Though he’s trying to gage how both would seem at that prospect of joining the mission. (Excited? Uneasy? Something?) They are typical Kozakurians reluctant to show emotion. Drasta whispers to him. “Perhaps you mention the fact they may not return.”

He snaps his fingers. "This mission is going to be highly dangerous. It's entirely possible it may be our last one. What are your thoughts on that?"

They look at each other. Kobisako steps back. Ayako finally addresses you in a quiet voice. "Kobisako has a large family. I have none. If you are to take someone, take me or Hiro.” Drasta nods to Khzuro.

He looks as Kabisako steps back, that seems to have made up the kobold's mind, then a nod "Very well then, welcome to the team Ayako. This one is honored to have you with us." She bows and leaves to get her gear. She comes back without armor or weapons. Only her pipe. Haru informs Drasta the pipe is a weapon called a 'Kiseru'.
Khzuro is familiar with the weapons though he did expect possibly to see some ofudas, but maybe the pipe is one. He then wonders if he should make her swear an oath of silence on this, but then again, the Tiger God shrine did want glory on this mission. How to handle this...?

After they set out, he looks to Ayako "There are a few more details I should go over with you. But should also say, there's aspects to this mission which will need to remain between you and your god. The dangerous magic wasn't fully hypothetical. We will come across some, magic that is of the like that the gods have forbidden for thousands of years and should never be seen on heaven or earth ever again." Drasta smirks a little watching and listening as they walk. Ayako takes it in and silently nods.

Khzuro does also notice that the horse Ayako is riding seems somehow terrified of her presence and the other horses shy away from her. He raises an eye ridge seeming to take note. Ayako does seem to keep in control of her horse but is not an experienced rider. The horse obeys her out of sheer terror. Aiami looks back at Ayako and snickers. Ayako just stares at her and runs her tongue over her lip. Aiami immediately becomes uncomfortable.

He looks over to Ayako, raising and eye ridge. “Have... never seen horses react that way..."

Drasta chides, “Perhaps she ate their siblings.” Then she chuckles.

Ayako nods, “Horses do not like me, but I can control them."

Khzuro replies, “that’s fair.” Though a look aside to Drasta, then gets that it's a joke. His tail manages to sway a bit. “Anyways, off to their next destination, then... there's going to be one rough mission ahead.”

[Winterhawk99]

Khzuro stops for a moment and goes to consult with Ogano. “"Do we have a boat or other means of transportation with us to reach our destination? Our new recruit can cast Wind Walk but am not sure that will suffice alone." A sigh "Also wondering if we're going to need more forces for this..."

Ogano thinks, “I would bring one or two more people.”

Khzuro replies, “Probably a good idea. Any recommendations?"

Drasta cuts in. “To the other temple then to see our prospects?”

Khzuro responds, “"Not a bad idea," A look aside to Ogano.”

Organo nods, "whoever it is one with supreme engineering skill"

"Right, we do need that." Pauses, thinking, then tries gathering some information as to where they might be able to find an engineer who has experience in tinkering with crazy magic gadgets. There’s a lot of possibilities that come up to Khzuro's mind. First and foremost, anyone good with numbers. clock makers, thieves, mages, shipwrights. architects. artificers, and the like.

Khzuro focuses on artificers, given Lauriella did magical engineering, it seems like a logical step, and they already have a mage. Though they will need a shipwright to get to their destination, and presumably a crew, that can come later. Then he remembered that the emperor is providing a ship; thus, that is taken care of. “Thinking maybe we should visit an artificer; you know of any who are potentially the best in their field?"

"And another priest or warrior I think will round it out." Ogano says to him.

"Sounds good to this one. Artificer first, then will look for another war-priest or samurai. Probably war-priest. Well, we're right nearby the temple of the Fire Baby, could stop there then look for an artificer."

Ogano rubs his chin, “Shin Mahiko. An odd fellow but very good.” As he says that they reach the temple of Fire Baby.

"Shin Mahiko," A nod, considering "Where could we find them?"

“2nd ward. He is well known for his antics as well as his work.”

Khzuro says, “Eccentricity is... probably not a desirable trait, but if they're good despite it, they may still be helpful. Are the temples or the 2nd ward closer?”

Haru smirks, “The temples are closer.”

Khzuro is still undecided on whether to go to the great path temple or the temple of Fire Baby and what would be the best priest for the group. He ultimately decides to go to Fire Baby’s temple being that they are almost right beside it. They reach the temple. The guards question the group, but a priest comes out and stops them.

Khzuro bows to the priest. “Greetings.” He then goes into a similar pitch as he did at the temple of the Tiger god.

The priest responds, “If this mission is important, I will let you in. However, will Fire baby approve? we shall see."

Khzuro gives him a nod. “Am hoping he would. A mission to strike a powerful demon threatening us all would be a worthy one, would think."

He lets everyone into the courtyard. The main altar is outside in the back of the courtyard on a flat-topped step pyramid about 20ft high. before it is a cinder pit that stretches out 100 ft. The priest leads the group to the edge of the pit. and says a prayer. 8 fire elementals rise out of the pit. The pit itself starts to glow red hot. The tips of the charcoal within take on a white edge. He turns to Khzuro. "You simply have to walk to the altar..........in bare feet and without magical protections."

Drasta smirks at the request thinking of the past. Khzuro looks around the pit and nods. “I see, a test of faith. Very well. it can be done."

Khzuro thinks about his religious knowledge. He knows that the mountain clans use incense, prayer and meditate while walking their pits. the spine of Kozakura has many volcanos and that is where the worship of the earth dragon and Fire Baby outnumber all other gods, but that’s all he knows. He gets the impression that stepping in as he is now would be a rather precarious thing to do. The priest did say no magical protections. He tries to think of some kind of prayer of ceremony he’s supposed to do beforehand.

Drasta chuckles watching Khzuro seem uncertain. He glances over to Masako but realizes that magical protection would break the rules as set. As would his own casting of Overland Flight and then flying over the coals. He looks over to Drasta. "Sskh, is there any sort of ritual I should be doing before stepping in?" A quiet aside.

“I have seen my lady do one before walking across lava at one time.”

He makes a toothy grin, “Ah?”

Drasta’s knowledge of high shou at the time was spotty. She thinks hard. “I remember incense but...not what she said, nor the type I am sorry.”

Masako speaks up, "Cinnamon and fireweed. The prayer would be her own."

Khzuro gives Masako a nod of appreciation. “If you could instruct this one on the specifics, would appreciate it." He prepares a prayer.

She walks up and gives him the incense. "I cannot guide you on the prayer. it should be your own from your heart." The priest watches all of this carefully not saying anything.

He nods. “Very well then.” He then takes the incense, cinnamon and fireweed, and attempts to make the prayer. It's probably something unusual to humans, more something akin to kobold rites to please their dragon-gods, but he does try to give dedication to the Fire Baby with his prayer... As he does this, he notices the pit is most likely as hot as molten lava. He says his prayer at the edge of the cinder pit, incense in hand.

Khzuro steps into the pit the incense filling his nose. He walks the first 20 feet. He feels nothing and none of his cloths burn. He walks another 20 feet the priest walking right beside him again he feels nothing from the heat of the fires and his clothing doesn’t even singe. On the next 20 feet the priest becomes unconcerned and stops watching the small kobold turning his eyes on the shrine: The destination Khzuro seeks. As he hits 35 feet the skin on the soles of his feet begin to blister. The priest says, “Do not lose faith.”

He makes it to the edge of the shrine and steps out of the pit. His feet are blistered, and he has multiple 1rst degree burns. He limps up the pyramid and to the altar. There is an incense block there. He places the incense he has been holding into the block.

The priest says, “You have humbled yourself as a leader and consulted your companions. That shows teamwork and a leader without arrogance. Your task must also be important to the realm we live in. Fire Baby is pleased. Still, you lost some faith past the halfway point. You lost your meditation on him. You have some impatience and need to improve. We accept your request Khzuro. I will send a good priest."

He turns and signals a priest who goes to the temple behind the alter.

He then motions to the fire elementals. They slowly sink into the pit. the glow of the area subsides.

Khzuro bows and dips his head. “Thank you for your insight and assistance.”

He nods. “I will leave you now. Your priest will come in a few minutes.” Khzuro dips his head. “You may go back to your group.” The priest recognizes Khzuro and leaves himself.

After waiting awhile another priest comes out. He is 5ft 4inches and has the facial features of a Kozakurian but has jet black skin, bright red hair and orange eyes. He walks up to Khzuro and bows. “Greetings, I am Iwao.”
Khzuro gives a bow. "Greetings, Iwao. Am trusting that you have heard of the request we have put to the temple?"

"Only what you told the high priest."

Khzuro gives him a nod. “Am leading what is likely to be a very dangerous mission, going to hunt down a demon that wields forbidden magics. Was hoping to acquire another priest that knows healing and warfare also has experience in handling dangerous and unusual circumstances."

He smiles, "I have been known to handle dangerous circumstances. I can heal and make war, if need be, for the right cause." Drasta chuckles lightly at that. He stops a moment and looks at the strange creature then continues. “If this cause is just and without prejudice then I will follow."

Khzuro replies, “The demon this one hunts is one that is, if not tended to, enough to threaten the empire entirely. It must be stopped before it springs into action."

"May I ask what trouble this demon causes to the empire? What exactly is his threat to us?" Drasta makes sure they are alone before Khzuro speaks.

Khzuro considers. He's still under orders by the emperor not to give details. He does indeed, make sure he's alone. Of course, he also must phrase this in a way that gives the priest something to work with. "The trouble he's caused has been seen by a few so far. This demon has already appeared to this one, has marked them as an adversary. As for what harm they can do, they've discovered some ancient, forbidden magics. The demon hasn't fully mastered them yet. Once they do? They will use them to cause chaos and suffering. This one dreads thinking of what it might do." There is a shudder, then looks up to Iwao. "The specifics are bad enough that this one is sworn to secrecy on this matter. There are going to be details on this mission that this one will have to ask you must remain between you and the gods. Such is our duty to them."

“Ah, a secret mission. Does the emperor know of this?”

Khzuro briefly nods, , perhaps affirming who he is sworn to secrecy by, at least hinting to it
"Everyone who comes with will be bound by this decree as well. That is acceptable to you, this one hopes?"

He rubs his triangular beard and looks at the rest of the group. "Who is the bat eared girl?"

"That is Besshikime Drasta, a very capable archer." She raises and eyebrow a bit oddly to the bat ear part.

"I see you also have a samurai and several wizardry looking people. and a priestess of Tora too. Hello Ayako. Ok, but I reserve the right to break off if I feel there is something wrong with what you are doing." Ayako waves to him.

Khzuro nods, “Of course, this one understands. Will not ask you to break your sacred oaths. Be assured, the intent of this group is to stop the demon before it wreaks untold harm upon the empire and its people."

Iwao nods, “Then, I feel I am your man.”

Drasta responds first. “Try not to die.”

Khzuro dips his head, “Welcome to the team then, Iwao.” Khzuro makes brief introductions between the group, while trying to help Iwao feel welcome among the group. Once that's done, he goes to consult with Ogano. He then says, “Right then, we'll find Shin Mahiko, next, then be off to the boat then?"

Iwao suddenly looks up........."did you say boat?" His hand shakes slightly in nervousness.

Khzuro looks over. “We will need it to get to where we need to go. Is... that going to be an issue?"
.............. He swallows hard, "Ummm.............No, no issue." Ayako thinks that quiet funny and almost purrs with delight watching Iwao. Drasta also chuckles looking him over.

Khzuro cranes his head, looking Iwao over, perhaps wondering if he really is as capable as he seems to be. He didn't ask what level of magic he can cast... but this place does have a good reputation at least... As he thinks of it, Khzuro looks over Iwao's gear to see what he's got equipped. He sees that the priest has Num chucks, spear and shield with him, along with several ofudas "Well, do let this one know if there will be a problem, can try to have it resolved sooner then."

Iwao responds, “It's just that water isn’t my favorite thing. and being Ummm surrounded by it........it is frightening but I will brave the beast."

Khzuro nods, “Of course." He didn't think the followers of the Fire Baby were that opposed to water, but time will tell.

Drasta comes up and whispers to him, “Psst…. He’s a fire genasi.”

Khzuro’s reply is, “Do let him know if there's anything this one can do to help. Regardless, should see to the engineer next."

[Winterhawk99]

The group set off to Shin’s Workshop in ward 2. Ayako rides right behind Aiami. The tall woman turns back and states angerly, “Not so close!”

Ayako replies, “But you smell so delicious.” The rest of the conversation breaks down into a language only the two of them know. Khzuro looks over to Ayako and Aiami, raising and eye ridge. Also remembering how horses don't seem to like Ayako. He looks at his ring and shakes his head. Aiami rides forward to ride beside Ogano. and Ayako stops teasing her. They arrive at Shins.

Khzuro looks around for Shin Mahiko, though tries to keep Ogano close, presuming Ogano and Mahiko know one another. Drasta meanwhile is laughing a bit listening to Ayako and Aiami start up again in their language.

Drasta follows Khzuro and Ogano into the shop. It’s a large building. There are many wonders here..........you may not want to touch them. iron teddy bears with the skins not fully on yet, mechanical contraptions of all sorts. Khzuro does refrain from touching them. Though also wonders if his travelling companions are refraining from giving him head pats lately. Drasta is a couple of steps behind them being careful. Ogano calls out. “Shin! It’s Ogano!”

A Korobokuru comes out from the back. He has several glasses on his head lined up and is wearing one pair. "Ogano...........Mie, how you've gained weight!"

Organo patiently says, "Wrong glasses, Shin!" Khzuro manages to refrain from snickering, somehow. Drasta thinks this is hilarious with a smirk. Seeing Drasta, Khzuro ultimately fails and snickers.

Shin walks around the corner. He looks 40yish for a human with a scraggly thin beard. On his left hand looks like some kind of brace that stretches over the back of his hand like an exoskeleton. He changes his glasses and looks at the three of you and keys in on Drasta, "How unusual."

She stares blankly at him. He walks up and grabs her arm with his left hand. The metal piece on him gives her a small shock. "Oh...........My apologies...........". let’s her arm go. "Could you bend down so I may see those marvelous ears of yours, young lady?"

She glares at him a bit and slowly gets lower. Khzuro looks to Ogano, “Perhaps wondering if they’re always like this?”

Shin takes a lens out and puts his eye against it and nearly against her ear hole. "Ah ha, ah ha. what wonderful complexity. I must map this."

Ogano says, "Shin She’s not a subject to be prodded she’s a besshikime."

Khzuro looks over to Drasta. “Does this happen to you often?”

“No… Normally when it happens, I take fingers.”

"Good to know that there are limits to the strangeness we end up seeing."Looks over to Ogano, a nod for him to go ahead.

The dwarf backs up. "Oh. Again apologies. What may an inventor do for you today?"

Organo says, "This is Khzuro the kobold. He is our leader being he has visions or visits from an unusual intruder." Shin is about 4 ft even so just a little taller Khzuro.

"Ah adventurers. What can I do for you? portable fire sticks? detonation traps something else? ah a mechanical horse perhaps that breaths lightning?" In a few weeks I will make a mechanical ear that can listen to whispers from 100 meters. I just discovered a way to do it. Drasta stares him down at that. He drones on. "Yes, yes now Ummm I'll need a coil of mithril wire 'he gets lost in his own mind.'

Organo again says, "Shin............invent later we have pressing business please listen to Khzuro here."

"Ummm.........Oh yes. Now what would your illustrious group like to buy?"

Khzuro takes over. "Greetings, Shin Mahiko. Have heard of your prowess with mechanical devices. As it is, this one did want to ask for assistance on a mission of ours. Are likely to come across some very... elaborate, and potentially dangerous devices that we will need your assistance with."

His eyes light up..........."what kind of mechanical devices?"

Drasta listens to the conversation but looks and walks around the shop at all the items he has present. There are devices here from the practical to the zany. There seem to be several mousetraps built around the walls. some say a better mousetrap. some quite large. mechanical teddy bears. snaphaunces, clocks of varying sizes. things with pipes sticking out. small pieces of jewelry in a glass counter.

Khzuro looks up to Ogano, perhaps a bit cautious of how much he can reveal here, given the emperor’s silence order. Organo looks down. He winces. "You can tell him some of the story especially about the ship owned by a mechanical engineer."

Drasta picks up a snaphaunce pistol and looks it over. Shin shouts out, "MECHANICAL ENGINEER! Where do we go!"

Drasta quietly looks over the pistol. Khzuro gives Ogano a nod then looks back to Mahiko. “We have a boat ready to take us there. However, you should be aware that there's a demon who's also interested in these devices. So, there will be danger."

Shin retorts. “Danger is my middle, middle name young kobold.... Lead the way! He stumbles and almost falls then says Wait I must get supplies.”

Khzuro nods, “Of course. Should make sure you’re ready.” Shin runs in the back. Everyone waits.

Drasta looks at the trigger to the snaphaunce and gets the idea that’s the one thing she should not touch. She doesn’t understand the full function of what she is holding, however she seems to think it is built very well and is very detailed. She looks for something to point it at that is safe.

Shin comes back with a backpack almost as big as he is and is holding a blunderbuss twice almost twice as tall as himself. Drasta suddenly becomes more interested. in the bigger thing he is carrying and looks directly to him still holding the machine.

Shin complains, “Getting too old to carry a workshop on my back but I shrunk it." He looks over at Drasta, “It shoots magic missiles.” She raises her eyebrow curiously.

Khzuro pauses, looking over, wondering if it might be an improvement on his hand crossbows, but then again…

Shin smiles and totes his big blunderbuss. “This one shoots Issac’s greater missile storm. takes longer to recharge though.”

She asks, “How does it work?”

He smiles again, “Raw magic my dear. Raw magic.”

She tosses it to Khzuro. “Figure it out.”

Shin taps his chest. “I’m an artificer. It’s how I tap into the weave. You just pull the trigger but not in here.”

Khzuro looks it over. "Ah heh, yes, sort of like a self-recharging wand, in that sense?"

“Exactly!” Shin explains. “You must have some arcane in you, Khzuro.”

Khzuro still examining the pistol says, “Am a sorcerer, yes.”

Drasta takes a longer one and straps it to her back and she will study it later. Shin looks up. “Oh, that’s a good one.”

She shrugs, “Perhaps you will tell me how it functions along our journey.”

“Oh, that’s easy it shoots a teleporting bolt that randomly teleports a creature within a 100-meter circle from where it is hit.” He puts up his finger, "quite disorienting."

“I would say useful.”

“It’s only 300,000 ryu.”

She raises and eyebrow, “I only wish to borrow it for the time you are present with us.”

“................oh, a rental....Ummm let me calculate. say 1000 Ryo a week.”

“Perhaps you should let me use it since I let you look at my ear....”

He gets an idea and raises his index finger. “How about a trade?”

Drasta glares at him. He continues. “I want to map your ear. I map the ear you get the device. Might require some sound testing.”

“You will get fifteen minutes of study time. That is all.”

“So, you borrow it for 15 minutes of mapping and testing?”

“You, young dwarf are a difficult one.” Khzuro looks up at Ogano, still wondering if this is normal. Ogano winces and nods. Drasta continues. “If we make it through this then I will allow you some study time does that sound better?”

Shin sighs, “Why are elves so difficult! It’s not like I’m going to cut your ear off to study it. .................though if you die.......that is a thought."

She chuckles loudly, “I do not think your tests would have the same results. I thought your kind liked to gamble with such things.”

"Oh, no, no. I would not be evasive. just a special glass to see the bone while i make sounds and see how they vibrate.”

“Perhaps we will be good friends then. places a hand on his shoulder We will discuss this over drinks more then.”

"And you have the biggest ears of any elf I have ever seen. exceptional really."

Shin checks his pockets, “Seems I have lost my keys again.”

Ogano goes to the door and pulls them out. He walks up to Shin and gives him them. They all go out of the shop. Shin locks it and then Drasta goes at it with her kit. She puts a surprise in the lock since the shop will be closed for an extended period. She shows him how to disarm it and the whole of the group heads to the dock ward.

[Winterhawk99]

The day comes to depart and the whole of the group goes down to the docks. The closer they get the more agitated Iwao becomes. They find the ship easily. It has the imperial flag flying along with the emperor’s personal mon flag. Khzuro looks over to Iwao a moment worriedly then checks the ship from the docks. The captain bows to the mon on his shoulder. “You cannot take your steeds. They do not do well on a trip this long.”

A nod "This one figured as much. Am presuming arrangements were made to care for them while we are gone?"

The captain bows. “The emperor has arranged everything."

"Of course. Think we are all prepared. Are we all set to depart then?"

Drasta looks at Iwao. “Would you like to take your mind off of it?”

He looks very scared. "How can I do that though?" He’s visibly shaking.

Ayako walks up to the two of you. "I can handle this if you like."

Drasta calmly says, “I can clear your mind if you would like.”

Iwao looks around at all the water. “".... how?"

Ayako tells Drasta. “I have a more old-fashioned way.”

“A spell that makes one think more clearly.” Drasta patiently explains.

Khzuro looks over to Iwao and Ayako, and Drasta. Though wondering if offering snuggles, and nose rubs would help.
Samo comes up and rubs Khzuro's head. "Let the women handle this one."

Iwao nods to Drasta, while Khzuro Enjoys the head pats and just focuses on that for now. A nod aside to Samo "Of course."

The captain says, “He better not start a fire on my ship."

Drasta taps her necklace of black crystal and points a hand to Iwao casting clairvoyance/clairaudience on him. His thoughts become clearer. Ayako says now keep your eyes on me Iwao She leads him across the gang plank and down the stairs of the boat to midships. Samo says, "Now she will mate with him until he’s too exhausted to keep his eyes open."

The captain shakes his head and says, "All aboard." Khzuro blinks confusedly but goes aboard. Drasta steps aboard the ship watching the situation and following them down below to keep an eye on the fire genasi. Most stay on the deck to give Ayako and Iwao their time.

Khzuro comes alongside the captain. "How long will it take for us to reach our destination, do you expect?"
“It’s a 3-to-5-day trip depending on the weather and wind.”

"Then let us hope that the wind gods are kind to us."

The captain nods, "Aye. I be a bit nervous with a fire genasi on my ship."

"Am sure that he can maintain decorum and control. And should have some magic in case of accidents."

As Drasta follows them down She sees Ayako looking for a room that’s more private. When she does, she takes Iwao into it and starts to undress him. Drasta sits outside the door listening and occasionally peeking meditating some for any danger or issues.

Ayako then pushes him gently she removes her trousers and gently tops him working a bit she starts to rhythmically move her body. Even after he moans, she keeps at it until he closes his eyes in sleep. When he does, she dismounts him. She then wipes herself off and leaves the room. Looking into a dark corner she smiles. “You could have joined us. It’s your turn when he wakes."

Drasta curtly says, “Men are not my type dear... I am here to make sure he does not burn the ship down.” Ayako walks out on deck with a smile on her face, her skin a deeper shade of peach.

Khzuro isn't anywhere nearby, thankfully for his kobold brain. He's off consulting with the mage types about plans. Or something. and possibly seeking head pats from the crew. The imperial city being more to the south there are many southern sailors on the ship. Khzuro gets lots of head pats.

After everyone is acquainted with the ship and they are out of the bay Khzuro comes to Ogano and asks if it’s Ok to let the two clerics know more so they might be able to be better prepared. Ogano thinks about it, "We are into it now. It’s best we prepare everyone for the mission at hand now we are northbound. Though I get that Iwao will be indisposed for some time."

A sigh, nodding "Am hoping he'll be okay once we touch ground. Have counted the possibility of them setting an ambush for us out at sea. He might have trouble in that case." Seems entirely oblivious to what he's really been doing this whole time. "But you are right. This one was... evasive with the details before. But we do need everyone at their best for this to work."

Ogano gathers up everyone except Iwao on the forward deck of the large junk you are on. Everyone looks at you except Ayako who seems rather disinterested in the whole affair, but she is there. They all look at Khzuro.