Iuchi Li-Hsu was an impish, skinny and wild looking young lady, who refuses to wear fancy women's kimonos and rather go around with bared arms. Thus she was considered a barbarian, something the members of the Unicorn Clan were all used to, but, to her dishonor, she was now and then confused with a prostitute by those without the knowledge of heraldry and samurai insignia.
She rode her gaijin steed a fast as she could, only stopping to rest when absolutely necessary, galloping hard to reach the Ojatara Valleys to meet with Isawa Hideyori, another member of her team of Magistrates. But also in Ojatara waited Shosuro Naoko, her half-sister and the only person in the world whose approval Li-Hsu desired. She needed to get to her destination as fast as possible, the information she carried with her was of the direst importance to Hideyori, her sister and everyone else in her team.
About a week ago she had met with Isawa Hideyori in Kyden Ashinagabachi. He has requested of her, to go to Kyuden Hida and meet with certain people and ask about a young Phoenix woman called Asako Shiori. Shiori, and a Scorpion named Bayushi Bijomaru, had met with someone there, and just weeks later Bijomaru had gone missing and just recently Shiori had killed herself with taint in her veins. Li-Hsu was determined to find out what had happened... What she found was a secret kept by the Kuni Witch Hunters for half a decade.
50 years ago Kyuden Hida had been plagued by deceit, politics and passionate revenge when, in winter court, it suffered an attack by Doji Nashiko, The Demon Bride of Fu-Leng, an enemy far more cunning, evil and just immensely powerful than anything Kyuden Hida had faced before.
She was stopped, however, by brave samurai that gave their own lives to protect Rokugan. And what was the price paid? Hida Kisada himself demanded that the named of those heroes be struck from history, so that future generation never knew of what had happened in winter court. Their bodies were cremated and put to rest in a secret tomb not far from Kyden Hida...
Now, after 50 years, someone had found and defiled that tomb and left a message written in blood on the walls... As soon as she read that, she ran to the cave entrance, got on her horse and rushed to The Castle of the Emerald Champion.
She had to warn her team.
She had to warn her half-sister.
____________________________________
Author's Note:
- Gaijin
- Kuni With Hunters
- Kyuden Hida
- Hida Kisada
Showing posts with label Rokugan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rokugan. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Interesting Times - Chapter 4: Revelations II
3 weeks have passed since Asako Shiori had the vision in which she killed Bayushi Bijomaru.
Moto Yoshihiro, an expert horse rider from the Unicorn Clan, was now 27 years old, ten years older than what he was when he participated in the Tournament of The Topaz Champion. He was sent to Kyuden Ashinagabachi, the palace of the Tsuruchi family of the Mantis Clan. The finest archers in all of Rokugan and some of the best magistrates were trained in this lands; his orders came from his superior, Doji Himeko, and it was a simple task: Gather Isawa Hideyori, a powerful shugenja of the Phoenix Clan who had recently joined the ranks of the Asako Inquisitors, and Shiba Shinamori, his Yojimbo, and return to the castle of the Emerald Champion with them.
Yoshihiro met the people he was sent to gather at the aforementioned Tournament where they also met Bayushi Bijomaru and other individuals with whom they had work in the past 10 years.
Moto Yoshihiro met with Isawa Hideyori, not in his residence, but in the residence of another contestant from 10 years ago, Tsuruchi Kanjiro. However, Yoshihiro didn't just come inside a residence, it was a crime scene. He found Isawa wounded but alive, unlike Shiba Shinamori - he had been thrown like a thing in the floor.
Shinamori had his chest pierced by two arrows and had wounds that seem made by a clawed beast while Hideyori, whose arm was cut deep, was giving orders to a male servant.
"Isawa-san, what have happened here?". The answer was simple "Go into next room, Moto-san, and you will see"
He did as he was told. When he walk into what was an ordinary room like any other in Rokugan he saw the body of a man, sitting in the floor with his back against a wall, his left hand a bit disfigured as his fingers did not end in nails but in black claws... the man was most burnt and a wakizashi had been trusted into his chest. From the wound blood as black as night still poured down.
In awe Yoshihiro turned to his friend "What is this? Seem like this room belongs not here but in Jigoku! Who is that man lying there?"
"That my friend..." said Hideyori " ...would be Tsuruchi Kanjiro, you remember him right? Doji-Sama sent me here to track down a rumor about workers of Maho, turns out that our old friend was it. When Shiba-San and I confronted him he fought, he killed my yojimbo and he nearly kills me. I pinned him down with my wakizashi, which was all that kept me free from taint, and then burned him where he stood. I've healed myself and I've already made arrangements to have him and Shiba-san cremated before sunset".
"This is madness, I knew this man, I would have never suspected that he worked maho".
The shugenja smiled and said "You're a bushi friend, a good one, and a good samurai too, but some busyness are better left in the hands of other people" "Meaning?" Said Yoshihiro
"Meaning, friend, that you clearly outmatch my skill with the sword, but when it comes to gathering info... I have a little help from the kami".
There was silence for a moment.
Then the Phoenix spoke "There was another death, besides Shiba-san and Tsuruchi Kanjiro, another one of my clan died. Asako Shiori, remember her?"
The eyes of Yoshihiro widened "Yes, she was barely 20 winters"
"She was also an Inquisitor, it appears that she got the taint from Tsuruchi Kanjoro. She took her own life this morning, yet her body looks as if it had been decomposing for weeks. What foul things can the taint cause on a human body".
The horseman came close to the Phoenix "It is most unfortunate, Isawa-San, however we must return at once to the castle of The Emerald Champion, Doji Himeko-Sama has sent me to summon you... It's a shame that Shiba-San wont be joining us".
The shugenja looked in the eyes of the one sent to summon him, that look made Yoshihiro uncomfortable
"Is there something wrong, Isawa-San" "Tsuruchi Kanjiro said something that puzzles me, he didn't called me or Shiba-San by our names" "What do you mean" Asked the Unicorn.
"He called us Isawa Hoken and Matsu Kei"
"The ravings of a madman perhaps?"
"Perhaps, but I shall look into it later"
______________________________________
In case you're wondering:
- Asako Inquisitors
- Tournament of The Topaz Champion
- Emerald Champion
Moto Yoshihiro, an expert horse rider from the Unicorn Clan, was now 27 years old, ten years older than what he was when he participated in the Tournament of The Topaz Champion. He was sent to Kyuden Ashinagabachi, the palace of the Tsuruchi family of the Mantis Clan. The finest archers in all of Rokugan and some of the best magistrates were trained in this lands; his orders came from his superior, Doji Himeko, and it was a simple task: Gather Isawa Hideyori, a powerful shugenja of the Phoenix Clan who had recently joined the ranks of the Asako Inquisitors, and Shiba Shinamori, his Yojimbo, and return to the castle of the Emerald Champion with them.
Yoshihiro met the people he was sent to gather at the aforementioned Tournament where they also met Bayushi Bijomaru and other individuals with whom they had work in the past 10 years.
Moto Yoshihiro met with Isawa Hideyori, not in his residence, but in the residence of another contestant from 10 years ago, Tsuruchi Kanjiro. However, Yoshihiro didn't just come inside a residence, it was a crime scene. He found Isawa wounded but alive, unlike Shiba Shinamori - he had been thrown like a thing in the floor.
Shinamori had his chest pierced by two arrows and had wounds that seem made by a clawed beast while Hideyori, whose arm was cut deep, was giving orders to a male servant.
"Isawa-san, what have happened here?". The answer was simple "Go into next room, Moto-san, and you will see"
He did as he was told. When he walk into what was an ordinary room like any other in Rokugan he saw the body of a man, sitting in the floor with his back against a wall, his left hand a bit disfigured as his fingers did not end in nails but in black claws... the man was most burnt and a wakizashi had been trusted into his chest. From the wound blood as black as night still poured down.
In awe Yoshihiro turned to his friend "What is this? Seem like this room belongs not here but in Jigoku! Who is that man lying there?"
"That my friend..." said Hideyori " ...would be Tsuruchi Kanjiro, you remember him right? Doji-Sama sent me here to track down a rumor about workers of Maho, turns out that our old friend was it. When Shiba-San and I confronted him he fought, he killed my yojimbo and he nearly kills me. I pinned him down with my wakizashi, which was all that kept me free from taint, and then burned him where he stood. I've healed myself and I've already made arrangements to have him and Shiba-san cremated before sunset".
"This is madness, I knew this man, I would have never suspected that he worked maho".
The shugenja smiled and said "You're a bushi friend, a good one, and a good samurai too, but some busyness are better left in the hands of other people" "Meaning?" Said Yoshihiro
"Meaning, friend, that you clearly outmatch my skill with the sword, but when it comes to gathering info... I have a little help from the kami".
There was silence for a moment.
Then the Phoenix spoke "There was another death, besides Shiba-san and Tsuruchi Kanjiro, another one of my clan died. Asako Shiori, remember her?"
The eyes of Yoshihiro widened "Yes, she was barely 20 winters"
"She was also an Inquisitor, it appears that she got the taint from Tsuruchi Kanjoro. She took her own life this morning, yet her body looks as if it had been decomposing for weeks. What foul things can the taint cause on a human body".
The horseman came close to the Phoenix "It is most unfortunate, Isawa-San, however we must return at once to the castle of The Emerald Champion, Doji Himeko-Sama has sent me to summon you... It's a shame that Shiba-San wont be joining us".
The shugenja looked in the eyes of the one sent to summon him, that look made Yoshihiro uncomfortable
"Is there something wrong, Isawa-San" "Tsuruchi Kanjiro said something that puzzles me, he didn't called me or Shiba-San by our names" "What do you mean" Asked the Unicorn.
"He called us Isawa Hoken and Matsu Kei"
"The ravings of a madman perhaps?"
"Perhaps, but I shall look into it later"
______________________________________
In case you're wondering:
- Asako Inquisitors
- Tournament of The Topaz Champion
- Emerald Champion
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Interesting Times - Chapter 3: Revelations I
It had been days since Shiori had that dream in which she killed her host. She had left Kyuden Toketsu on her way to Kyuden Hida some days ago and Bijomaru insisted on traveling with her claiming that he knew someone in Kyden Hida that might help on her research - It seemed suspicious, but perhaps he could actually help, in fact, he had been of great help with Tenkai's poisoning so maybe, just maybe, he was being sincere. In truth Bijomaru was actually trying to gain some favors with her and take credit for any discovery she might make, those were his ways, but nothing he could do would make Shiori disgusted enough as to send him away.
Now in Kyuden Hida, she knew she was on the right track when she found herself surrounded by walls made of stone bricks and wooden doors, for those exact same things she had seen in her first vision. For Shiori time went by like the wind when she was reading scrolls and, after 3 days of reading she decided to go for a walk and clear her mind. Her investigations had revealed nothing, her trip was for naught. She felt frustrated.
Bijomaru saw her and walked to her. He knew how to read people and how to take advantage of them - seeing her frustration he thought the time was right to stung her, not with his tail but with something deadlier still: his tongue.
"I am not skilled in poetry milady, but, were I skilled in it, I'd sure dedicate a haiku to you right now" "Why would you trouble yourself to that point for someone you barely know? I hope you're not courting me Bayushi-San" said Shiori
"Nothing of the sort milady, I just thought I might cheer you up. You might not have found anything yet, but I can assure you will find a clue when you least expect it"
Shiori eyed Bijomaru for a moment and said "I must apologize to you Bayushi-San. All I do is question your motives".
Bijomaru gave the slightest of bows to Shiori "My reputation precedes me, however, as a token of my good will, I have set up a meeting with someone you might like to a have a little talk to. You see I know someone that owes me a favor, this man, Tsuruchi Kanjiro is the descendant of someone in the Crab Clan that might shed light in your investigation... You must know that all of the Clans have it's secrets, but secrets can be bought"
Shiori didn't approved of Bijomaru's ways, however she believed that this secrets might help save the lives of thousands, and so she bowed to Bijomaru and said 4 words that, in the presence of Bijomaru, she had learned to say repeatedly... "I'd be honored to"
Now in Kyuden Hida, she knew she was on the right track when she found herself surrounded by walls made of stone bricks and wooden doors, for those exact same things she had seen in her first vision. For Shiori time went by like the wind when she was reading scrolls and, after 3 days of reading she decided to go for a walk and clear her mind. Her investigations had revealed nothing, her trip was for naught. She felt frustrated.
Bijomaru saw her and walked to her. He knew how to read people and how to take advantage of them - seeing her frustration he thought the time was right to stung her, not with his tail but with something deadlier still: his tongue.
"I am not skilled in poetry milady, but, were I skilled in it, I'd sure dedicate a haiku to you right now" "Why would you trouble yourself to that point for someone you barely know? I hope you're not courting me Bayushi-San" said Shiori
"Nothing of the sort milady, I just thought I might cheer you up. You might not have found anything yet, but I can assure you will find a clue when you least expect it"
Shiori eyed Bijomaru for a moment and said "I must apologize to you Bayushi-San. All I do is question your motives".
Bijomaru gave the slightest of bows to Shiori "My reputation precedes me, however, as a token of my good will, I have set up a meeting with someone you might like to a have a little talk to. You see I know someone that owes me a favor, this man, Tsuruchi Kanjiro is the descendant of someone in the Crab Clan that might shed light in your investigation... You must know that all of the Clans have it's secrets, but secrets can be bought"
Shiori didn't approved of Bijomaru's ways, however she believed that this secrets might help save the lives of thousands, and so she bowed to Bijomaru and said 4 words that, in the presence of Bijomaru, she had learned to say repeatedly... "I'd be honored to"
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Interesting Times - Chapter 2: Shadows from The Past
Asako Shiori opened her eyes and found herself in another unfamiliar place. This time her meditation had taken her to a dark place, a place underground. Alone in this cave Asako Shiori begun to walk aimlessly knowing that the Kami have sent her this vision for a reason. It was almost pitch black, she placed her hand against a wall, it was moist, and resumed her walk. She saw a light ahead, it seemed a like torchlight, so she quickened up her pace. After a few seconds it was bright enough to see her handmaid, Yuriko, lying on the floor with one hand pressed against her face, as if weeping.
Shiori came to her; she knew that she could not talk to Yuriko, however she wanted to find out why was it that Yuriko was crying. When she came close enough she realized it was because of the pain. The skin from her face had been peeled off, all of it, including the eyelids; in shock Shiori gave two steps back and stood there for a moment saw in awe how Yuriko's face lied on the floor next to her. Shiori, horrified, started walking towards the light again and on her way she found that her Yojimbo's corpse lied mutilated on the floor; it seemed as if Shiba Tenkai had been blow apart somehow. Shiori was now running, her heart pounding in fear and disgust, when she heard Bayushi Bijomaru's voice in the distance...
"Monster?! How is it that I am the monster when it was YOU who did this?", there was anger in his voice.
Then a second voice answered in a very relaxed tone "You and your friends did this to yourselves when you first met me 40 years ago". It was a woman speaking
"40 years ago? What is that supposed to mean? First of all I'm not that old and you are barely 20 winters old!"
In that moment Asako Shiori came close enough to see Bijomaru; and saw him standing next to a woman of the Phoenix's Clan Asako family.
"I am much older than that" said the woman as she lunged forward. Her speed was unbelievable and Bijomaru was not able to evade the blow; the woman's hand had pierced his chest.
"I've finally got my vengeance on you, and now it is time for me to go forth and kill again, Seppun Ichihiro" said the woman, removing her hand from Bijomaru's chest and, as he fell to the floor, Shiori could see clearly now the face of that woman.
Her eyes widened, and she let out a scream, when she was found face to face with herself.
Asako Shiori opened her eyes again, and she was inside her room in Kyuden Toketsu.
Shiori came to her; she knew that she could not talk to Yuriko, however she wanted to find out why was it that Yuriko was crying. When she came close enough she realized it was because of the pain. The skin from her face had been peeled off, all of it, including the eyelids; in shock Shiori gave two steps back and stood there for a moment saw in awe how Yuriko's face lied on the floor next to her. Shiori, horrified, started walking towards the light again and on her way she found that her Yojimbo's corpse lied mutilated on the floor; it seemed as if Shiba Tenkai had been blow apart somehow. Shiori was now running, her heart pounding in fear and disgust, when she heard Bayushi Bijomaru's voice in the distance...
"Monster?! How is it that I am the monster when it was YOU who did this?", there was anger in his voice.
Then a second voice answered in a very relaxed tone "You and your friends did this to yourselves when you first met me 40 years ago". It was a woman speaking
"40 years ago? What is that supposed to mean? First of all I'm not that old and you are barely 20 winters old!"
In that moment Asako Shiori came close enough to see Bijomaru; and saw him standing next to a woman of the Phoenix's Clan Asako family.
"I am much older than that" said the woman as she lunged forward. Her speed was unbelievable and Bijomaru was not able to evade the blow; the woman's hand had pierced his chest.
"I've finally got my vengeance on you, and now it is time for me to go forth and kill again, Seppun Ichihiro" said the woman, removing her hand from Bijomaru's chest and, as he fell to the floor, Shiori could see clearly now the face of that woman.
Her eyes widened, and she let out a scream, when she was found face to face with herself.
Asako Shiori opened her eyes again, and she was inside her room in Kyuden Toketsu.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Diaries, Part I
How to bring down a Gaijin barbarian, by Bayushi Dokusatsu.
It have fallen into my duties to see that a certain Moto meet his demise.
The Unicorn have their leaders in the Moto Family, and this family have 2 mayor characteristics and are well know by them:
1.- They are brash, hot headed people, even to Matsu standards.
2.- The Moto, more than any other family on the Unicorn Clan, have a reputation of being Gaijin Barbarians.
How do you bring down the Unicorn? The same way you bring down everyone else: Through their flaws.
My plans involve the use of Shinobi and my new friend: The Lady Doji. I need the Lady Doji to bring me a gift of poruvora from the ranks of the Daidoji Iron Warriors, then the Shinobi will plant it inside the Gaijin fortress.
This seems simple, but simple plans are the kind of plans that are simple to crack, so it will take a little more planing, a little more time and a little more action.
Finding a Shinobi friend would have been a little more difficult, however, my masters decided to provide me with one of my own. I made him play the part of an Emerald Magistrate and commandeer half of the ronin that I have captured in town and order them to attack a heimin village not far from here under the impression that the heimin are workers of Maho; their reward would be freedom AND payment. The next day my Shinobi servant will come to Kenson Jakka playing the part of an injured hemin escaping from the ronin that are slaughtering the heimin village. I then would take comand of the troops that serve under that barbarian and take them to the heimin village to make an attack on the ronin along with Akodo-Gunso, one of my companions. None is to be left alive.
Now with the fortress empty my Shinobi friend will infiltrate it and plant the poruvora, while at the same time Isawa-San and Mirumoto-San, my other 2 companions, will, by my order, perform a search on the fortress acompanied by the rest of the ronin in Kenson Jakka.
When Isawa-San and Mirumoto-San find the poruvora with MY warrant order I will take all the credit and I will be able to take everyone down without the word "Gozoku" ever being spoken in public.
Genius.
_____________________________________________
Author's Note:
1.- Poruvora, or Gaijin Pepper, is gun powder; an illegal substance in Rokugan.
2.- Shinobi are NOT ninja, the work out of loyalty for the Clan, not money.
3.- Gunso is a military rank roughly equivalent of Sargent.
4.- Kenson Jakka (Humility Lesson) is the town in wich this story develops.
5.- Gozoku is a criminal organization.
5.- Gozoku is a criminal organization.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Interesting Times - Chapter 1: The Host
A Little north of the Kaiu Kabe, the Great Wall of the Crab Clan, stood a state that once belonged to a merchant named Yasuki Toketsu. Kyuden Toketsu became the home of many people following the death of the merchant some 400 years ago, but now it was a home to a very dangerous person that has made too many enemies for his short life.
Bayushi Bijomaru, a member of the Scorpion clan and Topaz Champion on the year 1167, was sent there as a sort of punishment but also for protection. A lot of people sought retribution and he was not always clever enough to fool everyone; he was just a young scorpion, but avarice had led him to seek greater things with risks he was not prepared to take.
That morning he went to tend to his personal garden. No one was allowed to even speak of that place in Kyuden Kotetsu, only he could take care of his precious plants that were grown for "medicinal" purposes; and as he walked he saw a piece of paper laying in the wooden floor of the outdoor halls he walked to get to that place of secrecy. He picked up the piece of paper smiling under the veil he was wearing. Upon entering his private garden he opened the paper and it was blank, then he took a petal from a strange looking flower and rubbed it against the paper and, slowly, the message was revealed. In a writing style that he and very few others could understood were written very good news for him.
Asako Shiori, a Shugenja of the Phoenix Clan, was coming to Kyuden Toketsu to conduct an investigation regarding Maho-Tsukai. He was not to be informed; however, the Scorpion Clan has it's ways. His guest would arrive Kyden Toketsu tomorrow, so he thought to himself -I've been stuck here far too long, time for me to break free of this place-. He smiled to himself, rose to his feet and went to his room; about and hour later he came back out, still smiling and leaving piece of blank paper on the table of his writing kit.
The next morning he sat to drink tea, waiting. Around noon on of his servants came in the room
- Bayushi-sama there is a Lady of the Phoenix Clan's Asako family by the name Shiori that is requesting an audience with you.
- Interesting... - The sarcasm was unbelievable - ... is she alone?.
- No, she has come with his Yojimbo and a handmaid. Apparently her Yojimbo is wounded.
- I will go to them now.
He stood up, changed his veil for a wooden menpo and went to his audience room to meet with these "unexpected" visitors. He opened the screen paper door and let everyone in the room see him enter, unusual for a Scorpion. He looked at his guest. the Lady Asako was young and beautiful, and so was her handmaid; flawless, he thought, but then he saw her Yojimbo and he was sweating profusely. Finally he spoke
- The Kami ARE wise after all. I thought my stay here was for nothing, but they have given me the change to aid the needy. My name is Bayushi Bijomaru, at your service - and he bowed to his guest
The Lady Asako answered after bowing lower - Thank you for receiving me, Bayushi-san, I am honored - Yes she was honored, but she was also disgusted - My name is Asako Shiori; these people are my Yojimbo, Shiba Tenkai and my handmaid Asako Yuriko.
- I am honored to meet you. Would you like some tea, Asako-san?.
- No, thank you, there are more urgent matters.
- Perhaps your companions would like some...?.
- No thanks, and forgive my rudeness, but there really are more urgent matters to discus.
Taking a seat Bijomaru answered - I am all ears.
- This morning on our way here we were attacked by some bandits. Tenkai-san protected us, but he has suffered wounds that are beyond my powers to restore
Bijoumaru looked at Tenkai for a moment and said - It is most likely that he has been poisoned, many of the bandits in the area like to use such tactics on their victims, it is easier to fight an ill opponent.
- The growth and use of poison is illegal, do you haven any idea where they might be getting it? - said the Yojimbo
- I am afraid not - replayed his host, smiling under his menpo.
The lady Asako said to her Yojimbo - We will deal with that later Tenkai-san, now we must make haste for Kyden Hida so they can treat you.
- Asako-san, if I may - said Bijomaru - Kyuden Hida is far from here, Tenkai-san might not have that long, and I just happen to have experience dealing with such poison; perhaps you'd like to rest here in Kyden Toketsu for today while we treat Shiba-san's condition.
The Lady Asako stood quiet, thinking for a while about what she should do. The people of the Scorpion Clan had a notorious reputation of being manipulative snakes that twisted things so they could get away with their plans. Maybe Bijomaru was planing something, but the Lady had no choice, if Tenkai was indeed poisoned then he would need treatment quickly... so she said the most logical thing to say - I would be honored to be your guest for today.
Bijomaru, smiling again, replied while bowing - Then I will order the servants to prepare your rooms immediately.
_________________________________________________________
Author's Note:
For all those who aren't familiar with the setting:
- A Yojimbo is a warrior assigned to protect someone that has not practiced the way of the sword, such as Shugenjas and Courtiers
- A menpo is a mask. Usually it only covers the lower portion of the face, from the nose down, but some times a full face menpo is used.
Bayushi Bijomaru, a member of the Scorpion clan and Topaz Champion on the year 1167, was sent there as a sort of punishment but also for protection. A lot of people sought retribution and he was not always clever enough to fool everyone; he was just a young scorpion, but avarice had led him to seek greater things with risks he was not prepared to take.
That morning he went to tend to his personal garden. No one was allowed to even speak of that place in Kyuden Kotetsu, only he could take care of his precious plants that were grown for "medicinal" purposes; and as he walked he saw a piece of paper laying in the wooden floor of the outdoor halls he walked to get to that place of secrecy. He picked up the piece of paper smiling under the veil he was wearing. Upon entering his private garden he opened the paper and it was blank, then he took a petal from a strange looking flower and rubbed it against the paper and, slowly, the message was revealed. In a writing style that he and very few others could understood were written very good news for him.
Asako Shiori, a Shugenja of the Phoenix Clan, was coming to Kyuden Toketsu to conduct an investigation regarding Maho-Tsukai. He was not to be informed; however, the Scorpion Clan has it's ways. His guest would arrive Kyden Toketsu tomorrow, so he thought to himself -I've been stuck here far too long, time for me to break free of this place-. He smiled to himself, rose to his feet and went to his room; about and hour later he came back out, still smiling and leaving piece of blank paper on the table of his writing kit.
The next morning he sat to drink tea, waiting. Around noon on of his servants came in the room
- Bayushi-sama there is a Lady of the Phoenix Clan's Asako family by the name Shiori that is requesting an audience with you.
- Interesting... - The sarcasm was unbelievable - ... is she alone?.
- No, she has come with his Yojimbo and a handmaid. Apparently her Yojimbo is wounded.
- I will go to them now.
He stood up, changed his veil for a wooden menpo and went to his audience room to meet with these "unexpected" visitors. He opened the screen paper door and let everyone in the room see him enter, unusual for a Scorpion. He looked at his guest. the Lady Asako was young and beautiful, and so was her handmaid; flawless, he thought, but then he saw her Yojimbo and he was sweating profusely. Finally he spoke
- The Kami ARE wise after all. I thought my stay here was for nothing, but they have given me the change to aid the needy. My name is Bayushi Bijomaru, at your service - and he bowed to his guest
The Lady Asako answered after bowing lower - Thank you for receiving me, Bayushi-san, I am honored - Yes she was honored, but she was also disgusted - My name is Asako Shiori; these people are my Yojimbo, Shiba Tenkai and my handmaid Asako Yuriko.
- I am honored to meet you. Would you like some tea, Asako-san?.
- No, thank you, there are more urgent matters.
- Perhaps your companions would like some...?.
- No thanks, and forgive my rudeness, but there really are more urgent matters to discus.
Taking a seat Bijomaru answered - I am all ears.
- This morning on our way here we were attacked by some bandits. Tenkai-san protected us, but he has suffered wounds that are beyond my powers to restore
Bijoumaru looked at Tenkai for a moment and said - It is most likely that he has been poisoned, many of the bandits in the area like to use such tactics on their victims, it is easier to fight an ill opponent.
- The growth and use of poison is illegal, do you haven any idea where they might be getting it? - said the Yojimbo
- I am afraid not - replayed his host, smiling under his menpo.
The lady Asako said to her Yojimbo - We will deal with that later Tenkai-san, now we must make haste for Kyden Hida so they can treat you.
- Asako-san, if I may - said Bijomaru - Kyuden Hida is far from here, Tenkai-san might not have that long, and I just happen to have experience dealing with such poison; perhaps you'd like to rest here in Kyden Toketsu for today while we treat Shiba-san's condition.
The Lady Asako stood quiet, thinking for a while about what she should do. The people of the Scorpion Clan had a notorious reputation of being manipulative snakes that twisted things so they could get away with their plans. Maybe Bijomaru was planing something, but the Lady had no choice, if Tenkai was indeed poisoned then he would need treatment quickly... so she said the most logical thing to say - I would be honored to be your guest for today.
Bijomaru, smiling again, replied while bowing - Then I will order the servants to prepare your rooms immediately.
_________________________________________________________
Author's Note:
For all those who aren't familiar with the setting:
- A Yojimbo is a warrior assigned to protect someone that has not practiced the way of the sword, such as Shugenjas and Courtiers
- A menpo is a mask. Usually it only covers the lower portion of the face, from the nose down, but some times a full face menpo is used.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Interesting Times - Prologue
Asako Shiori opened her eyes and found herself in a place she has never seen before. The walls were made of stone, there were no sliding paper screen but wooden doors, and in front of her stood a young lady no older than 20 winters. The girl had her knees tied together and a knife in her hands; it was obvious that she was about to commit jigai, a form of suicide often committed by the females of the samurai caste in which they cut the jugular vein to archive a certain and fast death. The knees were tied together to ensure that she would be found in a dignified pose.
Shiori could not recognize the girl, but from her clothing she knew that she belonged to the Isawa Family of the Phoenix Clan. The girl lifted the knife and placed it against her neck, and when she made the cut Shiori's eyes widened to see the blood that came out, for it was black as night. This could only mean one thing, the girl carried The Taint of The Shadowlands within her. The reason of her suicide was clear to Asako Shiori, who closed her eyes.
When she opened her eyes again, Shiori was meditating in her house; she was a Shugenja. In Rokugan, those belonging to the Samurai caste went to dojos to be rained in different things; those trained in the art of courtship and diplomacy became Courtiers, those trained in the art of war and the way of the sword became Bushi, and those trained in the art of the kami and magic became Shugenja. They are the priest and scribes of the samurai caste; they can also cast powerful spells by offering prayers to the kami. The word "kami" have 2 meanings. If capitalized, the Kami are the sons and daughters of The Sun and The Moon: Akodo: Founder of the Lion Clan, Bayushi: Founder of the Scorpion Clan, Doji: Founder of the Crane Clan, Fu Leng: Master of the Shadowlands, Hantei: The first Emperor of Rokugan, Hida: Founder of the Crab Clan, Ryoshun: Protector of the Spirit Realms, Shiba: Founder of the Phoenix Clan, Shinjo: Founder of the Unicorn Clan and Togashi: Founder of the Dragon Clan.
If not capitalized, the kami are the spirits of the elements present in every thing on the land.
From the smallest pebble to the biggest mountain, from the tiniest creek to the great sea, every sword, every plant, within everything that is made of at least one element resides a kami; and they sometimes interact with people, more frequently with those willing to listen, like the Shugenja.
Following the steps of her honorable father, Shiori became part of an order dedicated to the hunt of Maho-Tsukai, workers of tainted black magic which draws power, not from the kami, but from the blood of living beings. Because of that she travels a lot and she is rarely home, so she tried to enjoy herself as much as she could, but this time it would not be so, for in her meditation she had a terrible vision of a tainted member of her Clan commit Jigai. She was convinced that it meant something, so she made arrangements to leave town and go to Kyuden Isawa, the capitol of the Phoenix Clan lands. There, she would find answers, or so she believed.
____________________________________________________
PD: For more information about Rokugan go here
Shiori could not recognize the girl, but from her clothing she knew that she belonged to the Isawa Family of the Phoenix Clan. The girl lifted the knife and placed it against her neck, and when she made the cut Shiori's eyes widened to see the blood that came out, for it was black as night. This could only mean one thing, the girl carried The Taint of The Shadowlands within her. The reason of her suicide was clear to Asako Shiori, who closed her eyes.
When she opened her eyes again, Shiori was meditating in her house; she was a Shugenja. In Rokugan, those belonging to the Samurai caste went to dojos to be rained in different things; those trained in the art of courtship and diplomacy became Courtiers, those trained in the art of war and the way of the sword became Bushi, and those trained in the art of the kami and magic became Shugenja. They are the priest and scribes of the samurai caste; they can also cast powerful spells by offering prayers to the kami. The word "kami" have 2 meanings. If capitalized, the Kami are the sons and daughters of The Sun and The Moon: Akodo: Founder of the Lion Clan, Bayushi: Founder of the Scorpion Clan, Doji: Founder of the Crane Clan, Fu Leng: Master of the Shadowlands, Hantei: The first Emperor of Rokugan, Hida: Founder of the Crab Clan, Ryoshun: Protector of the Spirit Realms, Shiba: Founder of the Phoenix Clan, Shinjo: Founder of the Unicorn Clan and Togashi: Founder of the Dragon Clan.
If not capitalized, the kami are the spirits of the elements present in every thing on the land.
From the smallest pebble to the biggest mountain, from the tiniest creek to the great sea, every sword, every plant, within everything that is made of at least one element resides a kami; and they sometimes interact with people, more frequently with those willing to listen, like the Shugenja.
Following the steps of her honorable father, Shiori became part of an order dedicated to the hunt of Maho-Tsukai, workers of tainted black magic which draws power, not from the kami, but from the blood of living beings. Because of that she travels a lot and she is rarely home, so she tried to enjoy herself as much as she could, but this time it would not be so, for in her meditation she had a terrible vision of a tainted member of her Clan commit Jigai. She was convinced that it meant something, so she made arrangements to leave town and go to Kyuden Isawa, the capitol of the Phoenix Clan lands. There, she would find answers, or so she believed.
____________________________________________________
PD: For more information about Rokugan go here
Monday, December 08, 2008
Tales of The Scorpion
I was reading some books last night and I found these tales on The Way of The Scorpion.
I hope you find some meaning to all this nonsense... I did
The Ki-Rin and The Scorpion
One day Ki-Rin was playing in a field. Her sister Phoenix had told her to look out for The Scorpion, but she was too busy playing and looking at all the new things that she only half-heard her sister's warning.
While she was playing, a creature climbed upon a rock to watch. The Ki-Rin saw the creature and said "I have seen Flower, I have seen Tree, I have seen rock, I have seen Horse, but I have not seen you. Who are you?. The creature said "I am truth"
The Ki-Rin smiled "I am very pleased to meet you friend Truth. Have you seen The Scorpion? My sister told me to look out for him, but I do not know what he looks like".
"Yes, I know Scorpion" Said Truth
"Can you tell me what he looks like?"
"Yes, in fact lets us go to look for him now. If you carry me on your back, we will go much faster than if we both walk"
"Good idea!" said The Ki-Rin"Clim on my back, friend, and we will be off"
Truth climbed on The Ki-Rin's back and together they went looking for scorpion
"So" asked The Ki-Rin"What does The Scorpion look like?"
"He has 2 sharp Pincers" Said Truth
The Ki-Rin looked at Truth's 2 sharp pincers and said "Ah, I see"
"And he has many legs"
The Ki-Rin looked at Truth's many legs and said "Ah, I see"
"And he has a tail that drip deadly poison"
The Ki-Rin looked at Truth tail and said "Why Truth, he looks just like you!"
Truth smiled and said "Yes, yes he does"
The Ki-Rin laughed "Isn't it fortunate that I met you before I met him?
Then Truth nodded "Yes, it is"
And The Ki-Rin had nothing more to say
The Lion and The Scorpion
Once there was a Lion sleeping in a sunny field. A Scorpion came to him and said "Lion, you are so large. I suppose you are the largest creature in the lands". The lion replied "Yes, I believe that I am"
"And" said The Scorpion "you must be the strongest and bravest creature as well"
"That's what they say" said The Lion
"My only advantage is my poison tail" The Scorpion said "and I suppose you could smash me underfoot before I could sting you even once"
"I could quite easily" said The Lion rising and stretching
"In fact, if I stung you, I doubt you would even notice"
The lion looked down at The Scorpion curiously "Perhaps. But I believe that I will step upon you now, tiny one, and you will never have a chance"
"Oh but great Lion" The Scorpion said smiling "I stung you 5 minutes ago"
And The lion had nothing more to say
The Crane and The Scorpion
One there was a Crane and a Scorpion, sitting by the edge of a river. The Crane said "Isn't it funny how the Fortunes distributed their blessings among the creatures?
The Scorpion eyed the Crane suspiciously "What do you mean?"
The Crane smiled and said "Look at me. Look at my beautiful wings and feathers, I can fly and I can swim; look at my perfect neck and my shining eyes, I am the envy of all the creatures in the world". And then The crane looked at The Scorpion and said "Look at you, all you have is your tail"
"Ah" said The Scorpion "but that means you have nothing to gain, and I have nothing to lose. When you are old and have lost your feathers you will no longer be able to fly, and when you are fat and half blind you will no longer be able to swim. Then, when you are counting everything you that have lost, I will be counting everything I have gained"
And The crane had nothing more to say
The Crab and The Scorpion
Once, long ago, The Scorpion was walking on a beach with his brother The Crab
"Ah Scorpion" said The Crab "You have tricked Lion and you have tricked Crane, but you shall not best me. For I am safe withing my armored house, and not even your poison sting can reach me here"
The Scorpion eyed Crab's metal plating and nodded wisely. "that is true my friend. But how sad for you that you are trapped in such a unwieldy prison"
"What?" said The Crab "This is not a prison, this is my home"
"Of course" smiled The Scorpion "And that is what everyone tells you. But if it were not a prison you would be able to take it off. I have heard that you were cursed, condemned to spend the rest of your life carrying your own prison in your back"
The Crab said "I can take it off whenever I want to!"
The Scorpion nodded sadly and said "I'll be sure to tell everyone that"
The Crab stomped on the sand "I can take my shell whenever I want!"
The Scorpion said "Have you even tried?"
The Crab stomped and took his house off his back and threw it in the ground
The Scorpion smiled as they looked at each other
And The crab had nothing else to say
The Phoenix and The Scorpion
One day The Scorpion came to Phoenix in his mountains and said "I have a gift for you"
Phoenix backed away "Oh no, I know all about you. I don't want your gift"
"Oh really?" said The Scorpion"I will leave it here" and put the gift on the ground "and if you don't want it, someone else certainly will" Then The Scorpion walked away.
Phoenix looked at the gift an thought "If I take the gift and it's a trap, than I have been tricked. But if I leave it and it's not a trap, then I have been tricked. What shall I do?"
All day long Phoenix sat and looked at the gift pondering it. "What does he have in mind? He tricked the Crab with anger and the Lion with Pride. He tricked the Ki-Rin with her ignorance and the Crane with flattery. How does he mean to trick me?"
Soon the sun had crossed the sky and the moon had made it's nightly progress, but Phoenix had not moved a single footstep; he was rooted to the spot, pondering The Scorpion's gift. When he looked up the next morning he saw The Scorpion watching and laughing.
And Phoenix had nothing more to say
The Dragon and The Scorpion
One day The Dragon came to The Scorpion and said "I saw how you tricked Ki-Rin"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "I saw how you tricked Lion"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "I watched you trick Crane"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "I was there when you tricked Crab"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "And I knew what you would do to Phoenix"
And The Scorpion said "And you stood by and did nothing"
And Dragon had nothing more to say
I hope you find some meaning to all this nonsense... I did
The Ki-Rin and The Scorpion
One day Ki-Rin was playing in a field. Her sister Phoenix had told her to look out for The Scorpion, but she was too busy playing and looking at all the new things that she only half-heard her sister's warning.
While she was playing, a creature climbed upon a rock to watch. The Ki-Rin saw the creature and said "I have seen Flower, I have seen Tree, I have seen rock, I have seen Horse, but I have not seen you. Who are you?. The creature said "I am truth"
The Ki-Rin smiled "I am very pleased to meet you friend Truth. Have you seen The Scorpion? My sister told me to look out for him, but I do not know what he looks like".
"Yes, I know Scorpion" Said Truth
"Can you tell me what he looks like?"
"Yes, in fact lets us go to look for him now. If you carry me on your back, we will go much faster than if we both walk"
"Good idea!" said The Ki-Rin"Clim on my back, friend, and we will be off"
Truth climbed on The Ki-Rin's back and together they went looking for scorpion
"So" asked The Ki-Rin"What does The Scorpion look like?"
"He has 2 sharp Pincers" Said Truth
The Ki-Rin looked at Truth's 2 sharp pincers and said "Ah, I see"
"And he has many legs"
The Ki-Rin looked at Truth's many legs and said "Ah, I see"
"And he has a tail that drip deadly poison"
The Ki-Rin looked at Truth tail and said "Why Truth, he looks just like you!"
Truth smiled and said "Yes, yes he does"
The Ki-Rin laughed "Isn't it fortunate that I met you before I met him?
Then Truth nodded "Yes, it is"
And The Ki-Rin had nothing more to say
The Lion and The Scorpion
Once there was a Lion sleeping in a sunny field. A Scorpion came to him and said "Lion, you are so large. I suppose you are the largest creature in the lands". The lion replied "Yes, I believe that I am"
"And" said The Scorpion "you must be the strongest and bravest creature as well"
"That's what they say" said The Lion
"My only advantage is my poison tail" The Scorpion said "and I suppose you could smash me underfoot before I could sting you even once"
"I could quite easily" said The Lion rising and stretching
"In fact, if I stung you, I doubt you would even notice"
The lion looked down at The Scorpion curiously "Perhaps. But I believe that I will step upon you now, tiny one, and you will never have a chance"
"Oh but great Lion" The Scorpion said smiling "I stung you 5 minutes ago"
And The lion had nothing more to say
The Crane and The Scorpion
One there was a Crane and a Scorpion, sitting by the edge of a river. The Crane said "Isn't it funny how the Fortunes distributed their blessings among the creatures?
The Scorpion eyed the Crane suspiciously "What do you mean?"
The Crane smiled and said "Look at me. Look at my beautiful wings and feathers, I can fly and I can swim; look at my perfect neck and my shining eyes, I am the envy of all the creatures in the world". And then The crane looked at The Scorpion and said "Look at you, all you have is your tail"
"Ah" said The Scorpion "but that means you have nothing to gain, and I have nothing to lose. When you are old and have lost your feathers you will no longer be able to fly, and when you are fat and half blind you will no longer be able to swim. Then, when you are counting everything you that have lost, I will be counting everything I have gained"
And The crane had nothing more to say
The Crab and The Scorpion
Once, long ago, The Scorpion was walking on a beach with his brother The Crab
"Ah Scorpion" said The Crab "You have tricked Lion and you have tricked Crane, but you shall not best me. For I am safe withing my armored house, and not even your poison sting can reach me here"
The Scorpion eyed Crab's metal plating and nodded wisely. "that is true my friend. But how sad for you that you are trapped in such a unwieldy prison"
"What?" said The Crab "This is not a prison, this is my home"
"Of course" smiled The Scorpion "And that is what everyone tells you. But if it were not a prison you would be able to take it off. I have heard that you were cursed, condemned to spend the rest of your life carrying your own prison in your back"
The Crab said "I can take it off whenever I want to!"
The Scorpion nodded sadly and said "I'll be sure to tell everyone that"
The Crab stomped on the sand "I can take my shell whenever I want!"
The Scorpion said "Have you even tried?"
The Crab stomped and took his house off his back and threw it in the ground
The Scorpion smiled as they looked at each other
And The crab had nothing else to say
The Phoenix and The Scorpion
One day The Scorpion came to Phoenix in his mountains and said "I have a gift for you"
Phoenix backed away "Oh no, I know all about you. I don't want your gift"
"Oh really?" said The Scorpion"I will leave it here" and put the gift on the ground "and if you don't want it, someone else certainly will" Then The Scorpion walked away.
Phoenix looked at the gift an thought "If I take the gift and it's a trap, than I have been tricked. But if I leave it and it's not a trap, then I have been tricked. What shall I do?"
All day long Phoenix sat and looked at the gift pondering it. "What does he have in mind? He tricked the Crab with anger and the Lion with Pride. He tricked the Ki-Rin with her ignorance and the Crane with flattery. How does he mean to trick me?"
Soon the sun had crossed the sky and the moon had made it's nightly progress, but Phoenix had not moved a single footstep; he was rooted to the spot, pondering The Scorpion's gift. When he looked up the next morning he saw The Scorpion watching and laughing.
And Phoenix had nothing more to say
The Dragon and The Scorpion
One day The Dragon came to The Scorpion and said "I saw how you tricked Ki-Rin"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "I saw how you tricked Lion"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "I watched you trick Crane"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "I was there when you tricked Crab"
And The Scorpion nodded
Dragon continued "And I knew what you would do to Phoenix"
And The Scorpion said "And you stood by and did nothing"
And Dragon had nothing more to say
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