Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Right to the point, hm? No introductions or anything?" the Crab would say, half-smirking as he leaned forward upon his desk, resting his elbow upon it and his chin upon his fist.

"Interesting. Not necessarily bad, but... interesting."

Placing his pipe onto a wooden holding tray to his side, he would listen to Miyako's tale.

"Well, if they got separated, they should still be able to make their way to the mountains if they are still able. You did the right thing by coming here, instead of waylaying the mission due to some bad directions. Though, the Watchtower of the East was the location that first noticed the strange happenings. Since the tournament, we have dispatched several Hiruma to investigate. They have confirmed the sightings, and have pinpointed a general location where you should center your search." Pausing, he would look around his office area. "Hmmm..."

Leaning over, he would grab at a punch of parchments, pulling them and spilling over a tiny wooden chest, its contents spilling out (if you wish to note them, let me know). Flipping through the large papers, he finally found the one he was looking for, moving the remainder to the floor to his side.

"Here." Placing the now-obvious map on the table, it showed a very detailed, high-quality layout of some mountainous terrain, and some X's marked across several places in it. Most of them were towards the southeastern direction of the map - presumably, towards the castle you're currently inside.

Anyone who wants to make sense of the map, give me a Perception or Intelligence/Battle roll, TN 20. Failing that, an Intelligence/Lore roll will also work; however, I won't tell you what Lores will be applicable, so make your choice wisely. Only one roll each.

Kojiro winced at the mention of introductions. There were only three Jade wardens left with them at this point. "We've had a bit on our minds lately. Forgive us. I am Bayushi Kojiro. The Crab without his lower armor is Kaiu Kagae and the Hare is Ujina Denbe. Finally, Shosuro Miyako is our Liaison with Kuni Raicho-sama."

Kojiro bowed during the apology introduction and then examined the map when he was directed to. Although Kaiu-san would be able to tell more at a glance, due to the Kaiu School's training, Kojiro had picked up a little during the War of the Spirits.

OOC:
Intelligence/ Battle: 4k3 w/2 dice to handle explosions
Results: 13

The Hare bowed when he was introduced, appropriately low... shrugging off a momentary urge to go extra low on account of his host's stature as he realized how rude that could be taken. Listening to the report, he tried to study the map, but looking up saw how focused and comprehending Kagae looked... and the Hare himself had no real experience with maps. He tried to apply his experience taking directions out in the wild to figure out how the map was laid out, but ultimately found himself more curiously glancing at the chest's contents,knowing he wouldn't be able to contribute too much to this part of the discussion.

[4k3 Intelligence/Hunting(Trailblazing?): 27(or 26 if hunting doesn't apply?) vs TN20]
[5k2 Perception/Investigation(Notice): 27]

To Kojiro, the map is just a map, and none of it looks particularly familiar to him.

To Denbe and Kagae, they do recognize the layout of the terrain represented here. They see landmarks that the recognize from Crab lands layouts: The Kamisori sano Yoake Shiro, where you currently were positioned, as well as Shiro Kaotsuki no Higashi and the Watchtower of the East as well. Based on these landmarks and the general terrain, you can tell you are looking at the northernmost tip of the Twilight mountains.

To Kagae's first raise, you can tell that, based on the orientation of the X's, the general "direction" of markings are in the direction of a location you know as Shiro Heichi - the former home to the long dead Boar Clan.

To Kagae's second raise, you can tell that the raise seems to be custom made, and relatively fresh - probably completed within the last two weeks. Odds are, someone here in the castle is a very skilled cartographer - this map is of Fine Quality... or would be, if it wasn't for all the markings on it.

@ Kojiro's and Denbe's being nosy: The contents of the chest, scattered on the table, seem to be the general's pipe-smoking supplies. Tobacco, balsa filters, cleaning brushes, the like.

The general's Raw Perception to notice you guys diverting your attention: 25 vs TN 10 (if you had raised to be subtle, it would have been against your roll instead).

As Kojiro would have his head turned towards the box, the general would take his pipe, lean forward and simply empty the smoldering contents on top of Kojiro's scalp (it is confirmed with the player that the helmet would be off). He would then turn and hurl his pipe at Denbe, missing him by a slender margin (22 vs TN 24). The pipe would *KLUNK* loudly against the wall just beside the Hare's head.

"CUT THE BULLSHIT," the general would command to the group. "This is a formal briefing, or had you not realized that? I have no time for your courtly roguery. Cut it out right now, or I'll see you both to the dungeon while the Kuni investigate the matter. Are we clear?"

For the record, the general did not sound ANGRY, but he did sound displeased. Kojiro and Denbe each lose 1 point of honor for a major breach of etiquette (insulting one's host).

While Kojiro is no doubt further cementing his image as an idiot and an all around buffoon, he tries to recall what little he may know of Shiro Heichi.

Intelligence/Lore:History
Roll: 3k3 No explosions
Results: 19

Kojiro, that raise for the non-flinging is superfluous. This isn't flubber, it's ash. Consider your roll a 17.

Both Kojiro (for some reason) and Kagae try to reflect upon the mysterious nonexistant Boar Clan, but neither of them have really had to deal with minor clans that haven't existed for nearly 800 years.

Kagae would give his analysis of the map, though second thoughts probably start to abound when the general responds, "Who?" Seemingly deciding on an answer without hearing any of yours, he goes on with his explanation. "No, these are the sightings of mysterious individuals the Hiruma scouts have noted lurking about. However, every time they get close, the individuals have pulled back, retreated, or otherwise vanished. Whomever they are, they are trying to avoid contact with us. What their motivations for being there are, we cannot ascertain. I believe this isn't an act of war, but rather, mystical mischief. That's likely why the Jade Magistrates sent you here, to confirm this. It wasn't at my request, but I endorse the mission."

As Kojiro and Denbe have dishonored themselves before the general by being nosey, and Miyako hasn't spoken up much since she arrived, he slid the map to Kagae. "You can take this with you. I can easily acquire another. Having a map of sites to investigate will be a boon to your search, I suspect."

AND SUDDENLY...

The door to the general's office flies open and an armored Crab soldier stumbles backwards and onto the ground, tetsubo rolling just out of his grasp. A slightly less armored Hida Noriyori rushes in after him, gesturing for him to rise. "Get up and fight, ya ugly b*****d!"