as told by the cavalier Olmas Lurecia himself.

Wealday, 11 Sarenith

The pending battle with Sennaka, and the unfortunate coin has led to more talking and disagreement within our group than anything I can remember since we came together. At the very least, it required a frank conversation with Ameiko to discuss her dual role as both cargo and unknown national ruler. It was an awkward and uncomfortable conversation to have with a friend, but these are awkward and uncomfortable times. Kali sort of moderated.

For her part, Ameiko acknowledged that she cannot be part of every battle, because strategically speaking, some things need to happen to help her reach the throne, but she cannot be seen to have initiated them. And practically speaking, it is too risky for the presumptive heir to risk her life in every confrontation. While she (and we) are skilled, all it takes is one lucky blowdart, one lucky blow, one arrow with the right bane or the right poison, and the whole campaign would be for naught. (True, there are we scions, but using any of us loses the benefit of blood connection to the throne that I feel will truly galvanize the population eventually.)

This acknowledgment means a lot to me, because she is giving me permission to be her agent rather than simply her protector. Yes, of course, if she is in danger I will rush to her side as soon as possible, but I need not be tethered to her waiting for that moment. I feel like I am part of the group again, able to help with things that need to be done and not feeling guilty for leaving Ameiko “unprotected.” As our circle of supporters grow, more and more places will be safe for her, with more and more people able to help protect her.

She agreed to stay behind at the fort while we deal with Sennaka. There is no small risk staying here, either, but it gives her an opportunity to be a leader in front of a handful of “her people” and a couple of very important “others” (that is, Jiro and Hatsui). Ten years from now, perhaps these people will be telling how “I met the empress before she was empress”. Additionally, if we are successful in overthrowing Sennaka, the risk here at the fort may even fall to zero.

For his part, Zos is leaving his animated Gorgon and told it to obey Ameiko.
Dasi is leaving the magical samisen, on the possibility that Ameiko would need it to scry.
And Ivan is leaving three magic weapon scrolls, since if oni attacked, most of the archers and swordsmen would not have enchanted weapons and so would not be able to damage them at all.

Oathday, 12 Sarenith

I thought I saw Qatana briefly this morning, or maybe heard her voice but she’s nowhere around now. I asked Kali, who distractedly said Qatana will not be joining us at the resort. There’s more to this but we are on a schedule now and in a hurry to get back to the resort. Because Qatana’s not here, Kali will have to use teleports to get us back to the clearing we were at before.

Arriving there, Dasi and Kali, along with one of the Pawns, will tour the resort under the premise of being new workers, giving us yet another scouting of the rooms. I also learned that the Pawns speak Minkai or Tien; increasingly it seems I need to study the Minkai language as my increasing mastery of Tien seems insufficient. Sigh. Why can’t they all just speak Common like back home?

Sennaka is expected tonight or tomorrow. A quick trip by Nehali confirmed he was about where we expected, and strongly suggested his arrival would be tomorrow. We are discussing our strategy, which seems to simply be a frontal assault. We are trusting the army to be held back by the Pawns, leaving us to deal with Sennaka and the guards. There was some surprise at the concept that he would be offered the opportunity to surrender, but I feel from what I know of this culture’s code of Honor, it is a necessary thing to do. His almost certain refusal will provide us the moral and possibly legal right to kill him, should it ever be questioned closely.

Of course, if there are no survivors, that will be unnecessary. But best to have a plan B.

Fireday, 13 Sarenith

This should be the day.

At 7:30am we broke camp. We expect Sennaka to arrive around noon, and while we are out of sight, it seems prudent to be virtually invisible rather than simply out of sight. And this proved wise, as a couple of advance guards did arrive a bit before noon, and examined the very area we had camped. We watched silently from within the woods. Nehali reported that most of the artisans were gone. Seemed that Sennaka must be close.

It was around 2:30 when we observed a small group marching up the road towards us. About half looked like ordinary guards and half looked a bit more buff … personal guards or samurai probably. By agreement, the Pawns would wait for a sign from Nehali that we were beginning our attack before blocking the army, which was camping further away from the resort. It looked like we may have 10-15 warriors to defeat. Now just give them a chance to spread out a bit …

It was 5:30 when we used our last trick – an arcane eye to give us an up-to-date scouting report. Carefully noting where the guards were now located, we prepared: a magic circle against evil for me, and flame on. Zos and Kali went invisible. Word was sent to the Pawns. And the four of us – Radella, Ivan, Dasi, and myself – appeared in the room with Sennaka, his advisor Kazuo, and many guards.

We surprised them, but my count was off. It was more like 20-25 guards and samurai total, but fortunately they WERE still spread out over the resort. It took some of them 10-15 seconds to reach us. And by that time, frankly, we had been hasted, and the ones in the immediate room had encountered chain lightning, scorching rays, flurries of arrows, and some sharp swords. Almost all were wounded, and probably half were dead. As I worked my way steadily towards Sennaka I called out to him to surrender and he called back, with derision, that he challenged me to the death! I returned the favor.

And while around me guards, samurais, and advisors bled, fell, and were frozen in place, it took only 12 seconds and eight swings of Suishen to end a tyrant’s reign. And find that his advisor was, no surprise, an oni.

Immediately we turned to the samurai and demanded they now declare loyalty to the new ruler of the province. With contempt, one spat “You?”

“No,” I replied. “Sennaka’s brother Itsuru is the rightful heir. We do not take this office for ourselves. We represent the rightful heir to the throne, who opposes the injustice, the indiscriminate killing, and the collaboration with oni. A challenge was lawfully issued, accepted, and resolved. There is no additional conflict, and we understand that honor required you defend Sennaka. But he is dead now. We will heal your wounded and you may take control of the grounds as you wait for Itsuru’s arrival if you agree to cease fighting.” The remaining samurai hesitated, exchanged glances, and then agreed.

We spent time healing ourselves, the samurai, and eventually the Pawns as well. We took proof of Sennaka’s death to quell the army, as well, and the found it even easier to follow a new leader.

Although it’s unclear right now how much we can legitimately take and how much needs to pass to Itsuru, we did take inventory.

From Sennaka:
[715] darkwood box w/family sigil
[716] 2 potions of shield of faith
[717] 2 potions of bull strength
[718] potion of CMW
[719] potion of dark vision
[720] potion of lesser restoration
[721] armor (magic)
[722] +2 katana
[723] +1 composite longbow
[724] 20 arrows
[725] dagger
[726] MW wakazashi
[727] belt of mighty constitution +2
[728] cloak of resistance +2
[729] banner (magic)

From Kazuo:
[730] MW tetsubo
[731] composite longbow (large) +6 ST
[732] MW tatomodu armor
[733] 20 arrows

and from the other fallen:
[734] 6 leather armor
[735] 6 wakazashi
[736] 12 thunderstones
[737] 6 composite longbow +4 ST
[738] 120 arrows

Ivan did a quick sending to Ameiko, who sent back her congratulations and appreciation.

Kali again teleported us back to the fort.

Starday, 14 Sarenith

After a restful evening at the fort, we arose and travelled to Enkanoka. We needed to bring Itsuru up to date. We gave him the full story and told him there were samurais waiting for him. Dasi provided a compelling story with all the proper flourishes. In gratitude for our helping solve this problem, Itsuru provided us with

[739] ancestral longbow (magic)

10,000 gold pieces

We got permission to use Sennaka’s body to make treasure maps (ok, it wasn’t QUITE that forthcoming but we did make it clear we’d be using some of his skin and Itsuru did not object) and they revealed

stables from the resort
treasury in the palace
area of new excavation in the resort

We will not be touching the treasury, but the others we intend to go back and check out …