as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.
Wealday, 29 Desnus
It would be too much to ask, of course, for us to simply board the barge and head back to the mainland. These gods that Kari, Ivan, and Qatana speak of were clearly idle and bored this day.
It began typically enough. We had rescued the maiden and soundly defeated a dozen enemies. It was time to sail into the harbor, victorious amidst a cheering crowd. We boarded the boat and found, to MY surprise at least, that Dasi knew how to operate a boat! I mean, anyone can take up a pair of oars, but this was a bit more than that. He helped arranged rowers and watchers and flyers (Kali and Qatana do so like floating above the ground) and took the tiller.
Before we left, Kali announced we were being scried. Of course. She tried doing that thing where she gets a glimpse of the scryer. It worked, sort of. She got an image of what seemed to be a beggar, hunched over. Probably a disguise.
We were just far enough from shore to be in some of the deeper water, when Zos, He of Small Stature but Sharp Vision and positioned at the front of the boat, pointed at a wake heading for us from the right side. Defensive postures were struck.
I can now say I have met my first “dragon turtle”. It is not a dragon. It is not a turtle. It’s as if somebody took all the gracefulness of a turtle on land and combined it with all the social graces of a dragon missing 10 copper pieces. They were kind of ugly, and more than a little ornery. They could actually speak (Dragon, I’m told) and they claimed we were going the wrong way. And so we had to die.
They? Sorry, did I say they? Yeah, two more showed up seconds after the first. All of them tried to tip the boat. All of them could breathe scalding steam. And all of them did this, before all of them died.
Can we rest now? Zos reminded us there was some distinct advantage to resting right now, because he could do the old ‘make a treasure map out of their skin’ trick which sounds so disgusting but has proven useful more than once.
So we reached the dock safely, with the added weight of one turtle-dragon corpse. One hour later, Zos was able to announce that there was indeed “something valuable” (at least to a dragon turtle) underwater near one of the islands. Since we would want more spells available to us for that effort, we decided to go visit turtle-uncle Numataro-sama. There was much joy when he and O-sayumi saw each other again.
Oathday, 30 Desnus
This day was dedicated to finding out what is valuable to a dragon turtle. Thankfully, they value (or at least, these valued) the same things we do. In an underwater cave, aided by an air bubble spell, we found 3 piles of mixtures of pearls, precious shells, and gemstones … about 18000 gp worth.
I need to consider what item(s) might make more effective (or less defective.)
We will spend another night at the kappa’s place before windwalking back to town.
Fireday, 31 Desnus
There was another happy reunion when O-sayumi returned to the teahouse with us. True to her word, O-kohaku arranged meetings over the next several days with key merchants, nobles, and other contacts from the area. Each would arrive secretive and skeptical, and each needed to leave pleasantly surprised and hopeful. We need to have our presentation well polished. Suishen will undoubtedly be a part of many of these meetings as he offers concrete proof that the Amatatsu line survives.
In gratitude, O-sayumi offered the magical samisen. We declined it at first, but it seemed to only make her more determined. Both Dasi and Ameiko are able to play it so nit wouldn’t sit idle … in the end we accepted it. But then she gave us an even greater gift. As discussion turned to overthrowing the daimyo, she offered that she had connections to the general of his army .. his brother. She believed she could arrange a meeting with tsuru
We have the ninjas to get in our corner yet, but things are moving better than we might have expected.
We were again surprised when O-kohaku asked her servants to bring out a green box. She offered it as a gift, and when we opened it we found an exquisite tea set. (Ivan whispered that it radiated magic.) “It’s been at the tea house since before I was here. Those who perform the tea ceremony using this set, find it easier to recover from illnesses and consummate deals.”
[669] tea set decorated with willows and flowers
Starday, 1 Sarenith
Although I’ve been in this side of the world for months now, I am still amazed at the culture here. Between her wizardly skills, her musical skills, her social skills, and her attractive person, I find O-sayumi to be a most intriguing representation of that culture, and I asked her if she would like to enjoy a meal with me this evening. She has agreed.
Before then, though, she arranged the meeting with Itsuru. She believes that Jiro can expect substantial support from him once he understands the situation.
We were scryed upon again, and this time Kali detected a man in clerical robes within 10 miles of us.
Das tried a divination using our new samisen. “What can we do to improve our conversations with the ninjas?” The non-specific reply he got was “stop the scrying.”
Sunday, 2 Sarenith
We sent a message to Jiro today to arrange for him to meet with Itsuru. He was surprised and agreed, but warned he had intelligence that the fort was soon to be attacked. Consequently, he would come but Hatsui would remain to fortify their position. If it were not that Suishen will play an important role in the meetng, I would go to the fort to assist. Dasi tried a divination again – Does Jiro coming here put the fort at risk? The terse response was: fort will still be there if he’s not there. Cryptic, but we’ll take it as a positive sign.
So later in the day, the following people met in a large room in s private part of the teahouse:
Jiro
Ameiko
Qatana
Dasi
Itsuru
myself
Kali
Radella
and of course O-sayumi
Itsuru appeared confident and hesitant at the same time. He nodded politely to Jiro. He paled and looked doubtful though when O-sayumi introduced “the Amatatsu heirs”. This is why I was here, and I withdrew Suishen from his scabbard and bathed him in flame.
From that moment the meetng took on renewed energy. Itsuru offered that there may be a moment soon when the daiymo would be less guarded. He is leaving soon to his vacation retreat with minimal staff. There are nine other ronin who know of this as well, and together we may be able to overcome the staff and bodyguards .. and kill the daiymo. Family honor prevents Itsuru from doing this himself, but it does not prevent him from being conspicuously unsupportive of his brother.
We have opportunity.
Moonday, 3 Sarenith
Another day, another divinaton. Both Dasi and Ameiko used the samisen, and got related responses.
THERE IS A NINJA OF GREAT RENOWN FOLLWNG AMEIKO. and
NEUTRALIZE THE STALKER.
That’s getting pretty direct. The new Mask Clan of ninjas is rumored to have a superhuman ninja. The puzzle is coming together.
Toilday, 4 Sarenith
Itsuru returned briefly. In 10 days his brother will set out for his retreat. The 9 have infiltrated his staff and are ready to provide the necessary distraction which will separate him from most of his retinue.