Swordhunters (IC)

[Zaydos]

The sun rose red in the east this morning as you set forth on the final leg of your journey home after many years to once more see your master, and old companions. Now the sun bears down, its light harsh in the pre-noon hours.

Ahead of yourselves you see your companions and allies from years of yore, also returning from their personal quests to obtain mastery of their chosen schools of swordplay.

((you see each other)).

[Torgarn]

An excited burst of clicking noises burst from Tak-Lok, he regains his compsure and says in common Is very nice see you again, I have been wandering world trying master the Sublime Way. He shifts constantly while speaking, eager and happy to see his old friends.

[Lateral]

Tensung waves in greeting to his old friends. "Hey, Tak-Lok! Sang! I haven't seen you two in years, old friends, how are you?"

[JollyChris]

Sang looks up from checking his mount. "Tak-Lok, Tensung its good to see you again. I hope your journeys were as productive as mine" Sang gestures towards the griffin at his side "This is Haneul my new mount. I picked him up on my journey and he has served my well"

[JollyChris]

"Shall we go see Master Takuan? I hope he's fared well these past few years."

[Torgarn]

Any other reason returning, he will happy see us. Tak-Lok spits out energetically.

[Lateral]

Excellent! Let's go.

[JollyChris]

Sang enters the buiding and calls out"Master Takuan, its Sang Iseul i've returned and so have Tak-Lok and Tensung."

[Zaydos]

You walk into the town, and are greated by familiar sights. Buildings that you remember from years in the past, and streets that your feet know oh so well.

When you approach the building. Make Listen checks.

[Lateral]

[roll0]
Cool, we're starting. :smallbiggrin:

[Torgarn]

Listen [roll0]

[JollyChris]

Listen check:[roll0]

[Zaydos]

The sounds of the street fill your ears as you approach the weathered facade that is the school's main entrance. The two heavy metal doors are, as normal, closed shut and the school's plaque is proudly displayed beside them stating the name of both the school and its head, as well as the style taught, and listing various accomplishments of its practicioners. Vines grow over the front of the building, and four stone steps lead to the front door. The windows, simple wooden shutters, are closed against the world.

@JollyChris:
You don't hear anything particularly notable, but you do not hear something that's absence is noteworthy. Normally at this time of day you would have heard the kiai shouts of students practicing, or the sounds of their practice at least, but today you hear no such activity within.

[Torgarn]

Good be home. Tak-lok remarks, approaching the doors and pushing them open.

[Zaydos]

The doors are heavy, not intended to be simply moved. There is a pulley system to open them situated within, but with sufficient strength they can be opened from outside. Make a Strength check.

[Torgarn]

Strength Check [roll0] Can I take 20 though?

[Zaydos]

((taking 20 would take some time and make noise))

The door swings inward as you push, showing you an unlit entrance hall. The scent of incense hangs heavy in the air.

[JollyChris]

"Hmm thats strange i can't hear anyone practising, i wonder whats going on?"

[Zaydos]

A servant approaches you as you stand in the open entry hall. Her hair is in a bun on the back of her head and she wears a traditional kimono tied closed with an obi.

Who may I say is calling?

[Torgarn]

Kriiikik, Tak-lok, Sang and Tensung all return from journey.

[JollyChris]

"If you don't mind me asking, why is no one practising yet? When we were studying here Master Takuan would have started training by now."

[Torgarn]

Kurik, new students must not be very diligent Tak-lok lets out trilling laugh.

[Lateral]

Tensung looks around, worried. "No, it must be more than that. Did you see the vines on the way in? Something's not... right here. Something's wrong." He turns to the servant. "What's happened here?"

[Zaydos]

((the vines are fairly typical, same reason we sometimes let ivy grow on buildings))

She opens her mouth as if to say something then closes it again, I will inform the master you are here she finally says.

[Elfstone]

Rushing up behind the others, appears a breathless Raptoran, Hēng tè jiàn. He welcomes them with a greeting "Hey, you didn't forget about me right? Sorry Im late, had some business to attend to." " What happened to the school?" he adds as an after thought.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok prefer wait indoors if don't mind he says pushing past the woman and marching into the hall.

[Zaydos]

As you wish she says bowing deeply. You remember her from five years ago, Lin Taigyu, a relative (cousin twice removed) of your former master's, Please wait in the entry hall while I inform him you are here, so that he can prepare to meet you.

[Zaydos]

(I'm assuming nobody is stopping her)

A minute or two passes and she returns. The master is ready to greet you now, please follow me she says bowing slightly and leading you towards a door leading from the room. Your memory serves to tell you it leads to the main chamber of the school.

[Torgarn]

All ready? Been long. Tak-lok follows after Lin.

[JollyChris]

"Good im looking forward to seeing master Takuan again"

[Zaydos]

Lin leads you to the main hall, both reception area and indoor practice room. You can see Master Takuan dressed in a lavish yellow garment embroidered with phoenixes, seated on a cushion on the raised area intended for viewing practice. Four cushions, each with a small desk in front of them, have been prepared for you in front of them. Lin seats you from left to right in order of most senior (student) to least senior, and then moves to the side of the room.

Several students line the wall.

The tea Takuan says.

M-master one of the students says.

The tea Takuan repeats raising a hand.

As the student approaches, pouring Master Takuan tea and then each of you, again in order of seniority within the school, tea, Master Takuan looks at you all and says, Tell me of your journeys

Spot DC 20:
There seems to be a dark red stain, as if from blood, just left from center on Takuan's chest

Knowledge (Royalty or Local) 10 (5 for humans)
Master Takuan is dressed in the funeral clothes of a wealthy Kangetsun. Clothes normally only worn by a corpse.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok traveled far. He has met many strange peoples and learned to harness their strengths in his own swordsmanship. This one has learned to use his rage to empower his swordsmanship. This one is concerned for you though master, why are you dressed so strangely, it causes this one distress seeing you dressed like a dead man.

[Lateral]

"Master Takuan?" Tensung smiles. "It is good to see you again. If I may ask, why are you dressed in funeral clothes?"

[Zaydos]

We can talk of such matters later, first I would like to hear of your journeys and what you have learned Master Takuan says calmly.

Master one of the students gasps out but Takuan raises a single hand in a sign for silence.

[JollyChris]

"Master Takuan its good to see you again, my travels went well i have learned many new things and honed my skills." Sang glances around the hall remembering all the years he spent here. "Its good to be back i really missed this place. Master why haven't the students began training yet is somethng wrong?

[Zaydos]

Nothing that you should worry about at the moment, it is more important for now to greet old friends who have finally returned.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok has already said all he is comfortable sharing, the ones who have taught this one to harness his rage prefer their secrecy.

[Lateral]

Tensung grins. "Since leaving, I have trained further and developed my skills; I have also studied the way of the crusader from watching Sang fight." He bows to Sang and to Master Takuan.

[JollyChris]

"Well i've gained a griffin for a mount and found that the horseback manuevers you taught me work just as well when im flying." Sang smiles "Would anyone like me to show you?"

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok perks up, This one agrees, demonstration, perhaps through mock combat, would perhaps be the best way to show Master our skills.

[Zaydos]

I am afraid we may not have time for a good demonstration, Master Takuan says, Tak-lok, your secrecy worries me; I hope you have not gone on a path that will lead you into a darkness from which you cannot escape. It is time for me to answer your questions, though.

[Elfstone]

"I have learned to use my mind most effectively with my martial prowess, but perhaps we should demonstrate at a later time. First, why are there no student?" Jian questions.

[Zaydos]

He gestures at the students that have spoken up on occasion, I presume you mean no students practicing. That is because today is a day of mourning. Do you remember Kurogin Matsuou?

Kurogin Matsuou was one of your juniors in the school 5 years ago.

Int DC 10:
Kurogin Matsuou showed promising talent although he was just beginning his training. His family was a fairly big name in the region.

Int DC 15:
Kurogin Matsuou was proud, not only of his talent but his heritage. He talked little to other students, prefering to diligently study. He spent most of his time silent, and rather alone. His family was, distantly, related to the Mikado's line (tying him weakly to the religious leader of the country and meaning theoretically he's descended from the Empire's patron goddess).

Knowledge (Nob & Roy) DC 25:
His family is, distantly, related to the Mikado's line (tying him weakly to the religious leader of the country and meaning theoretically he's descended from the Empire's patron goddess).

[Elfstone]

[roll0]
"I do Master. What of him? Has some misfortune befallen him?"

[Lateral]

"As do I. What has become of him?"

[JollyChris]

Sang frowns "Kurogin Matsuou, i can't remember the name was he a student hear, or one of the townsfolk?"

[Torgarn]

This one does not not remember much of this student, this one devoted most of his time here to his studies.

[Zaydos]

He was a very promising young student, and because of that I turned a blind eye to signs of a darkness within his heart. That seems to have been a mortal error.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok's antennae twitch nervously Was someone killed Master? he asks confused.

[Zaydos]

He left the school, not on the best of terms, two weeks ago. I thought that was the last we'd see of him. I was wrong. He attacked last night, during the hour of the tiger. I tried to fight him off, but he was not himself. No, he was more than himself. Something more powerful was within his body. He took what he wanted and left me for dead.

[JollyChris]

"Master i'm confused, if no one was killed why are you wearing funeral robes and having a day of mourning?"

[Lateral]

Tensung frowns and stands up. "Indeed. Why are you wearing the vestments of the dead? Such clothes are normally reserved for those who have departed already."

[Zaydos]

Have you heard the old legends of sorcerers who removed their hearts and replaced them with jade simulcrums? Whose hearts still beat, though not within their bodies, and who are immortal as long as their heart still beats?

[Torgarn]

This one had not heard of such a thing until this moment.

[JollyChris]

No Master i've never heard these stories, how are they relevant? Is that the darkness you spoke of in Kurogin Matsuou?

[Zaydos]

I believe that such an act is his goal, but I also believe he has yet to obtain the necessary arts to perform it. As of now he seems to be practicing the first stage of such a transformation.

[Torgarn]

How would this one stop him master?

[Zaydos]

I fear that the only way to stop him now is to kill him, before he makes himself immortal.

[Torgarn]

Do you have his location master, this one will hunt him down.

[Zaydos]

I do not know where he fled to. I was rather incapacitated when he left.

[Lateral]

Tensung smiles broadly. "I'm sure we can track him down, teacher."

[Elfstone]

Jian grins "As you wish master. We will do our best. Do you have any other information about him? A detailed description would be of great value."

[JollyChris]

"Don't worry master we'll track him down. However you still haven't explained why you're in funeral robes and having a day of mourning."

[Zaydos]

If one is learning how to remove a heart, one does not begin by testing on themselves, now do they?

[Lateral]

Tensung frowns. The light of comprehension dawns on his face as he stands up and angrily shouts. "He tested this magik on you, didn't he?! That odiferous, carrion-dwelling maggot-pie!"

[Zaydos]

You are correct. It should have killed me, it is only force of will and the magic of priests keeping me alive now. Were he to destroy my heart even those could not maintain me.

[JollyChris]

Sang looks concerned "Is there anyway to heal you master?"

[Zaydos]

To my knowledge no. If there is, it would almost certainly require us to have my heart with us.

[JollyChris]

"Then we must find him as soon as possible. Which direction did he go after he left the school?"

[Zaydos]

I was rather inwardly focused at that moment, and did not see where he went when he left, only that he leapt onto the courtyard's roof.

[Lateral]

"Well, then that's where we'll start, shall we not? I promise, the fiend will taste our steel for this travesty!"

[JollyChris]

"Did Lin or any of the students see where he went?"

[Zaydos]

No, it was the middle of the night and none of us would have been awake except that I had a longing to gaze upon the moon.

[JollyChris]

"Hmm i wonder if his family might know where he is?"

[Zaydos]

It may be possible.

[Elfstone]

Jian says "I think we should not waste time, so I will investigate the roof and see if any traces were left. You all may want to ask more questions, so I suggest we meet back here by nightfall."

[JollyChris]

"Alright i'll ask Lin and the students to see if anyone saw anything and find out what they know about Kurogin."

[Lateral]

"Agreed. I am skilled with people, so I shall accompany Sang."

[Torgarn]

This one will help you Jian.

[Zaydos]

Jian:
You land on the roof but can find no obvious signs left behind. There are some tiles that have fallen off or are loose, possibly due to being walked on, but they are sporadically placed and may simply be due to weather and age.

[Lateral]

Tensung walks over to the oldest of the students on the wall. "What is your name, young warrior?"

[Elfstone]

Jian inspects the places missing tiles to see if any might be near an easy entrance or exit to the compound.
[roll0]

[Zaydos]

@Lateral:
I am called Jinou Litsu, he says bowing.

@Elfstone: Along the south and eastern edges the courtyard wall also doubles as the outer wall and there are many places he could have leapt down from there. If he could fight the master than such a short fall (12-ft) would be nothing to him.

[Elfstone]

Gliding down, Jian examines each of the places in turn, then returns to the roof and this time is more in depth.

*headsmack* Takes 20 on everything for a 25.

[Lateral]

Tensung smiles. "Well, Litsu-kun, what do you know about Kurogin Matsuo? Do you know anywhere we could start our search?"
Diplomacy: [roll0]
Sense Motive: [roll1]

[Zaydos]

@Lateral: Not the most. He didn't talk to us much. He liked spending time alone in the woods, though. I think Saryo-san followed him once, but Saryo is attending to his father in Tokoku-machi.

Tokoku-machi: is the next town to the east.

@Elfstone: If you just investigate the East and South that will take about an hour; so going to wait for the others a bit on that.

[JollyChris]

Sang approaches Lin to question her "Hello Lin its good to see you again. I hope you've been doing for well for yourself. I wanted to find out your version of what happened here and find out more about Kurogin.

[Zaydos]

I was asleep when it happened, she says, And didn't find out till shortly before the sun rose when I found uncle sitting on his chair, obviously in pain.

[Torgarn]

Let this one assist you Jian. Tak-Lok says, climbing to the roof and helping him search.

Aid another to add 2 to his check.

[Zaydos]

@Elfstone and Torgarn:
It would seem he simply leapt over the eastern wall and into the alley which enters the street.

[Elfstone]

Jian continues to search, and follows the tracks as far as possible.

Take twenty, as we arn't in a hurry.

[Zaydos]

It's hard dirt/stone ground on the other side, nothing to leave any signs except to a highly trained eye.

OOC: DC much higher than 20 check to track which needs Survival and a feat.

[JollyChris]

"Lin why is Master Takuan in a funeral robe?"

[Zaydos]

Didn't you listen? He's, he's dying, she sobs.

[JollyChris]

"Lin what do you know about Kurogin Matsou?"

[Zaydos]

He never got along well with the others. He was always somewhat, she pauses, thuggish. He was a promising student, excellent in sparring, but he never could comprehend that the way of the warrior was not the same as simply being strong enough to take what you wanted.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok hops down off of the roof. Landing on the ground he walks back to his master. This one would like to get a look at Kurogin Matsou's living quarters.

[Zaydos]

Takuan orders one of the students to show you the way, and retires to his own bed-chambers. He leans upon a student as he walks.

The room is rather bare, a bed, a desk, a few books and manuscripts.

This was Kurogin's room till he left a fortnight, past. We don't know where he was staying since then, possibly it was with his family.

[JollyChris]

Were there any students who would hang around him? He must of had at least one friend.

[Zaydos]

@JollyChris: To my knowledge he didn't talk to any of them in particular, but it is possible one was within his trust even if the others were not.

[JollyChris]

Thank you for your help Lin. I'd like to ask the students some questions can you tell me where to find them please.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok looks through the books and manuscripts.

[Zaydos]

@Jollychris: Most of the eldest are here. The younger students should be in their barracks.

@Torgarn: They're loosely bound paper, sewn together on one end and without proper bindings. Most of them seem to be manuals of combat techniques and stances such as one would expect from a training martial artist. They primarily show techniques from the Diamond Mind and Tiger Claw styles. None of them seem particularly out of place.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok loads the books ad scrolls into his pack. He then begins searching the room for anything hidden or let behind in haste.

Search Check: [roll0]

[Zaydos]

@Torgarn: You find another manual that had fallen between the simple desk and the wall. It focuses primarily on the Iron Heart discipline.

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok retrieves it and returns to the main hall, shifting from foot to foot as he waits for the others to return.

[JollyChris]

Sang addresses the elder students Hello i'd like to ask you all about Kurogin Matsou. I'd like to know what he was like as a student and who his friends were. We will need all the information we can get when we go after him.

[Zaydos]

@Jollychris: Arrogant, boastful, proud. He was the best warrior, there's no question of that, and his family's grants helped to maintain the school, but he didn't want any of us to be his friends. Spent most of his time alone, and when we'd try and befriend him he'd just say this is a place for perfecting one's skills not idle chatter. He was definitely focused and driven, but whatever lackeys he had were outside of the school. Maybe one of his family's servants would know who they were. One of the students answers.

[JollyChris]

Thank you for answering my questions. Do any of you where i could find some of his family servants?

[Zaydos]

@Jolly: His family has an estate at the western edge of town. A large place, over looking the rice fields. The Matsuou family is pretty powerful in this region. Not as powerful as the daimyo, of course, but still something.

[JollyChris]

"Thank you for all your help." Sang goes looking for the others and finds Tak-Lok waiting in the main hall. "So my friend what have you and Jian found?"

[Torgarn]

We found some small amount of tracks, though neither of us has the skill to follow them beyond the school.

[Lateral]

"Apparently, one of the students followed Kurogin into the woods once. He's off in Tokoku-Machi to the east, though. Did these tracks point east at all?"
At least, the small portion they saw should have been going in some direction. I wonder if we have the money to hire a tracker.

[Torgarn]

This one could not tell you. This one could not follow the tracks once they led to the stone of the grounds.

[JollyChris]

"We should find Jian and disscuss what to do next. Though we may want to find that student. What was his name Tensung?

[Lateral]

"Saryo. From what I can gather, he was a senior student."
I asked the highest-ranked student, and he referred to him as Saryo-san, so I assume he's more advanced than the most advanced student.

[Elfstone]

Jian informs the others of his findings, mainly that the assassin lept over the wall and fled on an untrackable surface.

[JollyChris]

"We should decide what to do next. We could try to find this Saryo to see if he saw anything, or we could discreetly question some of his family servants. Unless any of you has any other ideas?"

[Lateral]

"Well, his family's estate is closer, so perhaps we should go there and then see what we learn."

[Torgarn]

This one will go where his friends go.

[JollyChris]

"Hmm we could do both. I could fly there on Haneul in an hour question Saryo about what he saw and fly back while you guys go to the estate and find out what his family knows."

[Torgarn]

Tak-lok sets off on foot, heading the town.

[Zaydos]

@JollyChris: It takes you an hour to fly to the outer reaches of the village.

Make an Int, or Knowledge (Local) check.

@Torgarn and Lateral: You reach his family estate quickly enough. It's surrounded by 12-ft walls, and there is a, wooden, gate that is the only visible entrance or exit from the estates. You can see trees beyond the wall, and it is, for the town, very well to do.

[Lateral]

Tensung idly puts away his weapon and gestures to Tak-Lok and Jian. "Well? Shall we?"