L5R - Cartographers - Crane Lands, Ezura Province

[Rain Yupa]

Without further discussion, the shopkeep would go out to secure Rakurai for the evening.

The night would pass without incident, and the next day would begin. As a reminder, anyone hurt recovers 2x Stamina + Insight wound levels.

Explorers, where are you off to?  

[Rain Yupa]

Rain Yupa

Without further discussion, the shopkeep would go out to secure Rakurai for the evening.

The night would pass without incident, and the next day would begin. As a reminder, anyone hurt recovers 2x Stamina + Insight wound levels.

Explorers, where are you off to?

 

[Paidi tou Selini]

Exhausted from her impromptu duel and supernatural ordeal, Ayame went straight to bed this time, and slept through the night, waking up early and refreshed, ready to take on the new day! She nibbled away lightly at her breakfast for a good hour as she considered her maps, trying to hard to justify going straight back to Kyuden Doji, but her OCD simply wouldn't allow it. The map would be entirely too uneven, and the opportunity to fix that on their way back by altering the route just a little was simply too hard to resist. A decision she wasted little time announcing once they'd all gathered in the main room.

"Okay. Get your things together, folks, we have a long day ahead of us today. I decided we'll go a little bit out of the way in order to cover a huge section of unmapped land on our way back to the castle, which means ideally we'll be aiming to stay at Efude village tonight before making the final trek back to the castle tomorrow. Barring any more unexpected interruptions and a hold to any further inclement weather, but if such things do come up it shouldn't be too terribly hard to make our way back here." she overviewed, bags already in hand ready to be reattached to her faithful steed upon confirmation or objection, ready to lead the group up to 4, and steer west along the river (before crossing the bridge >>; ) into 3 if nobody else had something to say on the matter.


[Vitals
Void Points: 2/2
Wounds: 0/10 (Healthy)
Attack Stance, ATN 20]  

[Rain Yupa]

"Miya-sama," the shopkeep would say when you and the Crane prepare to leave, bowing deeply before continuing. "I have made some rice balls for all of you to take with you on your expedition, on behalf of the Crane." He would present a box wrapped in cloth in both hands to her, if she were to accept. "I wish you safe journeys."

Traveling along the river, which takes you off the beaten path. It's not difficult to walk, per se, but the area is forested so it's hard to gauge what's ahead of you, if anything. The river helps you keep your bearings, and perhaps you stare longingly at the more open terrain on the other side, along with a road you cannot reach from here calling to you.

However, being early spring, the trees have not regained their foliage yet, so it makes it a little easier to see one thing ahead of you (Contested Raw Perception rolls to see who notices it first!): The upper floors & roof of a building above the treetops. Perhaps a castle? You're still a ways away, but it does seem to be on your side of the river at least. Good call on that decision! It is due west, so continuing through the forest will get you there.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"Oh! How thoughtful! You do your clan great honor." she responded, gratefully accepting the travel snacks. From there it was off to the wilderness, safe on her pony and not looking terribly bothered by the lack of proper road along her route. Her efforts focused mostly upon memorizing the immediate landscape, but whether or not she noticed the castle first waaaasss... very unlikely.

[Raw Perception 2k2 vs. Contested
Roll: 2, 4 = 6

[Vitals
Void Points: 2/2
Wounds: 0/10 (Healthy)
Attack Stance, ATN 20]  

[Psychofish]

Tsuyoshi was early to rise, and quickly ready to go by the time they were prepared to have breakfast and mount on their way out. Excitement, restlessness, and a need to prove himself. However his thanks to the innkeeper for his gift were no less sincere for it, and he made sure to give his own good word after the Imperial had spoken.

On foot, he kept an eager pace, happy to try his best to keep just a little ahead of the horse as he had.

[3k3 Perception: 1+9+7=17]  

[Rain Yupa]

NPC Chiharu

Quote:

Raw Perception = 7

Chiharu also wakes early, taking time to do her morning prayers to ancestors and kami alike. With renewed spiritual vigor, she is ready to face the day. She offers a blessing to the innkeeper before departing for his thoughtful gift.

Relieved that Ayame chose not to ride up to that bridge again, Chiharu keeps pace with the group. She goes to point out the castle she spots to Ayame, but notices that Tsuyoshi is already staring at it.  

[Rain Yupa]

Chiharu, Tsuyoshi, you are likely a little taken aback by the presence of this castle. You don't recall hearing of such a structure so close to Kyuden Doji. If you want, you can give me some Lore: Crane or Lore: History rolls to see if you might have heard about it before.

Yes, Ayame, I know you have ranks in those skills too. I guess you can roll as well. stare

And if you intend to keep approaching the castle, let me know!  

[Psychofish]

They were out to explore- unless the Miya expressed different plans, Tsuyoshi would continue directly on their path toward the strange castle, looking at it curiously and trying to recall when he must have heard of another structure so close by.

[Lore Crane Clan: 8+7=15]  

[Rain Yupa]

NPC Chiharu

Chiharu would give a skeptical look in the direction of the castle as she walked alongside Miya Ayame and her horse.

—I do not know this place. Tsuyoshi-san, do you know what this castle is?

Tsuyoshi still seemed content on leading the way there, so Chiharu would continue to follow.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

The tiny Imperial perks up at her companions' attention shift, blinking and finally taking notice of the approaching castle, puffing her chest pridefully at the correct decision to explore on this side of the river. Though she quirked a curious brow at their confusion. A castle that two Doji didn't know about, in a Doji province. Curious indeed. And just within her realm of expertise!


[Void point spent for Way of the Land: Ezura Province to reduce TN and/or increase details.]

[Intelligence/Lore: History (Cartography) 5k4 vs. TN ?? for name and appended/index details as they exist on any archived maps.
Roll: 1 10+3, 7, 5, 1 9, 10+5 = 44]

[Intelligence/Lore: Crane 5k4 vs. TN ?? for local/colloquial info on its function and inhabitants.
Roll: 10+6, 7, 2, 2, 10+1 = 36]

[Vitals
Void Points: 1/2
Wounds: 0/10 (Healthy)
Attack Stance, ATN 20]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Chiharu and Tsuyoshi:

Neither of you are familiar with this castle. (TN 20)

@ Ayame:

I hope you're proud of yourself. mad

History result, per "name and appended/index details as they exist on any archived maps"

You're pretty sure this is Shiro Hitusei. You recall seeing this on some older maps, but not newer ones. Though when you Precise Memory that sucker, you seem to be a little bit confused. You recall seeing this on some maps of Lion lands, and this same castle on Crane maps too.

Lore: Crane result, per "local/colloquial info on its function and inhabitants"

Nnnot so much on its function and inhabitants, per se. Technically, you're barking up a tree on the opposite end of the spectrum. This castle is, as far as you can recall hearing, completely abandoned. And rumored to be cursed! Not one of those "step foot inside and your soul becomes trapped for eternity oooooooooo" curses or anything.

If you namedrop, the Crane players may attempt an Intelligence/Battle vs TN 20 roll to tell them more. Non-Crane (and technically, a few non-not-in-this-party Clans) can also attempt the roll, but at a higher TN of 25.  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"Well this is... peculiar. There is a castle here on old maps. Shiro Hitusei. But it's gone on newer maps. Or... moved...? Now that I think about it, I've seen the same castle on Lion and Crane maps in other regions. Rumor is it's cursed, but I've never heard exactly how. I guess moving around is a pretty solid how. First a ghost bridge guardian, now a ghost castle. Have these lands always been so... haunted?" Ayame pondered aloud as she tried to recall anything extra she might have heard about this place, still riding leisurely towards it.


[Intelligence/Lore: Battle 5k4 vs. TN 25
Roll: 5, 7, 7, 5, 7 = 26]

[Vitals
Void Points: 1/2
Wounds: 0/10 (Healthy)
Attack Stance, ATN 20]  

[Psychofish]

Tsuyoshi looked at the very well learned duel master leading them, and smiled broadly, nodding appreciatively to the bits of knowledge, before catching on a thoughtful look as she inquired about the quantity of ghost.

"We have a... historied, culturally rich land?" he offered to that thought, glancing ahead at the cursed castle with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity. "Did you intend to look inside, Miya-sama?"

He wasn't really sure how one wrestled a curse, but if she thought going in was important to making her map, he supposed he'd have to begin pondering that.  

[Rain Yupa]

NPC Chiharu

Quote:

22 Intelligence/Lore: Battle vs TN 20

Chiharu, who had been walking on the other side of Rakurai, would stop dead in her tracks. It wasn't until the others had pulled ahead that she spoke.

—Did Miya-sama say 'Shiro Hitusei'? I thought it didn't exist anymore. We... Miya-sama, we should be careful if we tread there, it holds bad memories for the Crane.