LOG START
[17:31:02] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 10
An audience with the tutelary deity of the Datei has given you food for thought—the Stars of Vaneha are perhaps not as isolated as many take for granted, and the old court seems to be stirring, if only in an attempt to drag its conquerors down with it after all these centuries.
Meanwhile, things seem to grow impatient. The morning after your chat with Nazubi, an update arrives from Nathir: the city-state holds for now, but things look grim. Details are muddy, but it seems there’s been a betrayal from within. At the same time, the palace is asking for results in apprehending the suspected bandits near the capital: it seems rumors of Raizo the Urchin Prince’s own presence near Jibei have reached the Sword Prince Emeritus’ ears, though curiously, no such sightings within the city seem to be known.
Creation moves, and yours is the power to steer it. But where?
[17:44:32] Raizo
Raizo has taken a gamble on trying some decoction from further east called “coffee” rather than a local tea to accompany his morning repast. It’s too bitter for his liking, but maybe it’s an acquired taste. “I didn’t sleep very well thinking over where to go. The idea of intercepting the prince is enticing, but… probably too ambitious for right now. I think the more productive and viable idea is finding out who, if anyone, is using my name and teaching them the consequences for impersonation.”
[17:44:57] Raizo
”Maybe they’ll join me, maybe I’ll kill them and their men will join me, it’s a good solution to the I-don’t-have-a-lot-of-soldiers problem.”
[17:45:59] Datei ma Kagemori
”The longer it takes, the longer they can defame your name. It is reasonable to clamp down on that.”
[17:53:19] River Snake
”I can see why you would want to protect your reputation”
[17:58:00] Raizo
”People need to know I stand for the little folks in the land and I’m not just trying to rob them, after all.”
[18:02:35] Master of Games
Information’s sparse, but what there is seems to mix some of Raizo’s actual movements of late, though farther on the outskirts than he’s been, with someone else’s accomplishments. Where asked, folks do recognize his recent exploits, but also seem to think him involved in river banditry he hasn’t made a habit of engaging in.
This last seems to be the key: While the real Band of the Canopy has been lying low within Jibei, attacks along the river leading down from Agate Lake have been more frequent, and more vessels have entered port bearing the same banner Nosy Fao falsely thought would protect the Datei vessel against Raizo’s bandits.
[18:12:35] Raizo
”Anyone up for a day on the river?”
[18:13:15] Datei ma Kagemori
”Do we simply want to go into their territory looking ripe to be robbed, or approach a different way?”
[18:14:19] River Snake
”The less violent method would probably involve whatever contact your subordinate used to pay them in the first place”
[18:21:45] Raizo
”That was my idea, at least. If anyone has something that sounds more cunning, I’m all ears.”
[18:23:28] Datei ma Kagemori
”My underling has evidently had some at least distant contact with them, so we could follow up that way. But they might be more wary with such an approach, compared to thinking they are in their element. It is up to you. I can look like a vulnerable target if desired.”
[18:25:59] Raizo
”You sure can.”
[18:27:01] River Snake
”Might be easier to get information of them if we dont come looking like a mark or an enemy, but I’m not sure how to do that aside from try and get in touch with their flag vendor and make some kind of business proposal”
[18:28:52] River Snake
”I’m not sure what we’d propose to pirates running protection. I never got involved in this kind of thing”
[18:30:23] Raizo
”Well, I know what I was planning to offer them, but it isn’t very diplomatic.”
[18:31:12] River Snake
”Sword to the face?”
[18:31:15] Datei ma Kagemori
”We could pretend to want to join up, as well.”
[18:31:42] Raizo
”Sword to the face.” Raizo nods, tapping his scabbard.
[18:32:29] River Snake
”Pretending to join might get us a good shot at their leader. Or proposing an alliance, after all, we have another band of pirates here”
[18:33:08] Datei ma Kagemori
”I think the advantage to the boat approach is that we can easily bring the rest of the Band to bear more easily. If we’re meeting at a dark inn or such, that may or may not be doable. But in the hold of a ship? Easy.”
[18:33:54] Datei ma Kagemori
”Similarly, if we’re approaching their hideout, we might not be able to conceal our numbers.”
[18:36:00] Raizo
”Quite so, and the value of concealment cannot be overstated. As I’m sure you’re both familiar with, now that I say that.”
[18:39:12] Datei ma Kagemori
”The simple approach then? Though, I think I have some questions to ask about these bandits before we leave.”
[18:39:55] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori goes to request information from Fao regarding the bandits he got the banner from. What do they call themselves and where was the contact made, primarily.
[18:46:14] Master of Games
Nosy Fao reports that he knows the gang roaming the upper reaches of the river as the Blue Legs, and the member he primarily negotiated with was a young woman called Wily Preta. They spoke aboard another boat that wasn’t either Datei’s or the Blue Legs but belonged to a third party. The Blue Legs, unusually for their class of racketeer, offer two banners: one is free, but contains written permission for any of the gang to peacefully board the vessel flying it at will. The other costs money but requires no hospitality. Fao purchased the latter.
[18:47:38] Master of Games
Wily Preta was clearly foreign, he recalls, perhaps from further down south.
[18:53:04] Datei ma Kagemori
”They make contact via a foreigner, though it is unclear if more of the gang is from the south. Perhaps we will find out soon.”
[18:59:16] Raizo
”Good to know. My men can play the part of servants. Big robes can hide armor and swords, and it reduces risk to your actual retinue.”
[18:59:52] Datei ma Kagemori
”Works for me. Anything else we should bring to this?”
[19:03:14] Raizo
”Our smiling faces and our river legs, I suppose. I can’t think of anything.”
[19:03:43] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori makes the arrangement for a boat that looks good to be robbed.
[19:13:03] Master of Games
After some back and forth during which Kagemori’s sister apparently gets wind of the planned excursion and resists the idea of sending the Clan’s best boats out on potentially dangerous business, a yacht is prepared and whimsically decorated with flowers, similarly to how Kuromi’s carriage was decked out previously, to suggest a fanciful party of decadent folk on a river cruise. And so off you go, three heroes of the Sun posing as wealthy dandies and the Band of the Canopy doing their best impression of non-heavily-armed servants and crew.
[19:16:11] Raizo
”Feels a bit familiar, doesn’t it?”
[19:17:34] River Snake
”Except you were on the riverbank last time. Drink?”
[19:18:47] Raizo
”If you’re offering. I’m sure they’re already watching us.”
[19:19:32] River Snake
”May as well look the part” Snake passes out cups of wine
[19:20:28] Datei ma Kagemori
”To a bountiful future.”
[19:32:10] Master of Games
You sail past the center of Agate Lake, where you see dredgers busily at work again on shore and gathering on the island that until recently was shrouded in fog. Several of them seem to stop briefly to gawk, then go back to minding their business.
[19:36:38] Raizo
Raizo sips his rancid grape juice in feigned disinterest, sweeping his gaze across the shores as they flow down the stream.
[19:38:05] River Snake
Snake is doing much the same as Razio, looking out over a different end of the ship. “Much busier than when we arrived”
[19:40:06] Raizo
”At least they can get back to work now.”
[19:48:17] Master of Games
Presently you are among the sedges that announce the lake’s marshy western reaches. Here reeds grow tall out of the water, and your boat winds its way along lanes between the plants. A rather odd place for a party of the wealthy, but then, the nobles do love to make poetry about nature and not think too hard about what might hide in the bushes.
[19:53:26] Raizo
Raizo takes a breathe, holds it for a moment for his Essence to bubble up, and releases it into his senses, sharpening them to a razor’s edge. He looks on his side of the boat, trusting Snake to do the same, looking for the most minute motion or sound to betray any ambushers.
[19:53:37] River Snake
Snake continues his watch, looking over the reeds for spots that look like good tufts to hide in, or just odd movements in them. A relaxing boat ride so far today.
[20:06:47] Master of Games
As your boat winds its way along, you seem to have picked up an escort. Raizo spots them first: subtle shifts in the reeds, suggesting a fairly sized shape moving around close to the water’s surface or even underwater. Perhaps a one-person rowboat, but more likely someone swimming… though it would have to be a large someone, or an aquatic animal. River Snake has less luck on his side of the boat, as just about everywhere nearby makes for a reasonable hiding spot, but it’s likely you don’t have just one tail.
[20:06:53] Master of Games
The shapes in the reeds do not come closer but follow the boat, watching.
[20:06:59] Master of Games
Soon, you note another party approaching through the marsh in the direction you’re headed, these quite openly and loudly. They sound like they’re having fun.
[20:08:01] Datei ma Kagemori
”Ah, more partiers. Perhaps our festivities can unite.”
[20:09:17] Raizo
”Movement in the reeds over here. Probably their guarantee group if we don’t play nice.”
[20:10:09] River Snake
”Probably a party one way or another. I can’t make anything out in the grass on this side. Probably everywhere, though”
[20:10:19] Raizo
Raizo says this maintaining the composure of a disinterested nobleman. They’d have to be pretty close to hear him.
[20:17:30] Master of Games
The convoy meeting yours comes into sight, and it’s rather less highbrow, but not a group one would expect to meet in these parts: a bit over a half-dozen youths, all clad in crocodile-leather jackets and sporting blue body paint, aboard several low barges. They are not sailing or rowing, but apparently pulled along by crocodiles.
One, a woman with a shaven head sharing her barge with a man who might still count as a boy, raises a machete in what might be supposed to pass for a salute, grinning. “Hoy! Fancy boat, fellows!”
[20:19:52] Raizo
”Well, I’ll be. They’re riding crocodiles.”
[20:20:18] River Snake
”Croc-powered boats, thats something”
[20:20:38] Datei ma Kagemori
”Fancy creatures you have!”
[20:21:14] River Snake
”Did you train them to do that yourselves? Quite impressive”
[20:31:00] Master of Games
Your admiration elicits a round of laughter from the brigants. “We get that a lot!” “They really don’t have crocodiles here!” Indeed, all the youth here have the cast of folks from further west and south. Though there are crocodiles on the Yellow and Maruto Rivers, they must be rather far afield of where they come from.
”Sure did! We live with ‘em!” The young man at the front calls. The woman in front of him lets the chuckles subside, then talks to you. “You know, I can see you’re better off folks. Odd place for a party here, no? It’s dangerous here, we’ve found, real hard to see what hides in the reeds.”
[20:34:03] Datei ma Kagemori
”This is the shores of the capital. Nothing is dangerous so close to the throne and sword.”
[20:35:07] Master of Games
”I don’t know, boss, haven’t you heard? Awful lot of bandit attacks here on the river lately.”
[20:37:38] Raizo
”Usually in the other direction, though. Figured this way would be more clear.”
[20:40:43] River Snake
”Not like we have much to take but flowers. Would you like some?” He pulls a boquet-ish handful of flowers adorning the boat off and tosses it to the Machete-woman
[20:46:39] Master of Games
The two at the front seem briefly confused by Raizo’s statement, having no idea who he is. The woman catches the flowers and waves them around. “Hate to talk about the ugliness of the world to such nice folks, but there’s people out there who’ll just keep you and hold you for ransom. Fine people like you, probably worth a good silver coin to their families, eh? Tell you what though: You seem like such good folks, why don’t we keep all that off you while you have your fun here?”
[20:47:53] Raizo
”May I ask, who do we have the pleasure of addressing?”
[20:50:09] Master of Games
”I’m called Wily Preta, please to make your acquaintance. This’s Spear.” The young man next to her grins. “Spear That—” “Not in front of the fancy folk.”
[20:52:14] Datei ma Kagemori
”Oh, I suppose I have heard of some dangerous fellows. Something about an urchin prince or something?”
[20:56:43] Master of Games
Wily Preta stops and thinks for a moment, and calls out to one of the bandits on the next barge. “Fennel, is that the—” A fellow who couldn’t be much older than the rest, but carries a truly impressive beard, hops foward, nods, and murmurs something to her. “Yes! Yes, wouldn’t want to run into that guy, right? I hear he’s real hot for the heads of the rich.”
[21:01:06] Datei ma Kagemori
”In fact, I think I heard he rode a crocodile. You didn’t sell him one, did you?”
[21:05:55] Master of Games
”Oh, no, our beasts aren’t for sale.” Preta blinks, hesitating, before she continues: “Actually, he stole one. But, you see, because that’s one of ours, it’ll recognize our banner. What do you say we sell you one—” Another of the bandits raises up a banner you recognize, white cloth with a large beast’s footprint in blue. “And his mount will refuse to come close to your boat.”
[21:12:48] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori narrows his eyes, listening to Preta talk. From Fao’s information he suspected she would be the middle woman between buyers and the leadership, and she is doing a similar role here, but is that it? Or could she be the leader in truth? Essence heightens his hearing, focusing on how each of the Blue Legs speak to each other, trying to deduce small changes in tone to indicate a hierarchy or respect.
[21:14:57] Raizo
As Kagemori gets up to his own devices, Raizo rests his arm on his swords.
[21:20:17] Master of Games
Kagemori’s attention is drawn by the comment of the one called Spear, who said they live with their crocodiles, and to tattoos and fetishes the members he can see share. It suggests a religious or cultural side to their community; they’re not just a ragtag group of bandits but share an origin. Crucially, while elements of their wear suggest they follow another figure, there’s not a hierarchy evident among the individuals he can see. Wily Preta is likely taking point because she’s the oldest of them and perhaps the best versed in the local language, but she’s likely a second-in-command or deputy rather than the leader. Whoever is normally in charge is not in evidence—perhaps hiding in the sedges.
[21:26:50] Datei ma Kagemori
”Oh, but you don’t understand. I am looking for the urchin prince. You see, I’ve been tasked with collecting his head.”
[21:29:27] Master of Games
Perhaps it dawns on Wily Preta that you are not simply bored aristocrats. Either way, she clearly didn’t expect that reply. She cocks her head to one side. “Huh?”
[21:30:09] Datei ma Kagemori
”If he has stolen your property, well, that makes us allies of convenience, does it not?”
[21:33:36] Master of Games
The Blue Legs look at you in silence for several moments. Preta and Spear look at each other. “Preta, let’s just do these shitheads.” “Yeah. I’m done with this.” As if on cue, the bandits draw bows and machetes. “Blue Legs, board to raid!”
[21:34:35] Datei ma Kagemori
”Sorry, folks, it looks like my attempt didn’t work out.”
[21:35:14] River Snake
”Half-expected.” He shrugs as he looses his direlash. “I suppose we should make sure to leave at least some alive, yeah?”
[21:35:34] Datei ma Kagemori
”We need to find their leadership still, so yeah.”
[21:41:11] Raizo
”Lousy conversation anyway. Great Bough Band, to arms!” Raizo draws his long and short as his men pull their own cruel instruments from their belts in their robes.
[21:42:30] Master of Games
The ambushers you spotted while approaching move to coordinate a pincer attack with the rest of the Blue Legs—but you didn’t spot all of them.
[21:44:19] Master of Games
There’s an ambusher on one side of the boat and another on the opposite side. But during the conversation, unseen, a third, large shadow slid up behind the boat.
[21:44:50] Master of Games
As all combatants draw their weapons, the real leader of the Blue Legs explodes forth from the water’s surface.
[21:47:30] Master of Games
The rider is a youth no older than any of his followers—handsome, if rough, grin, but as human as any. The mount, though, is the largest crocodile any of you has ever seen, large enough to bite a boat in two, a large axe blade stuck in its skull and broken off without penetrating.
[21:48:00] Datei ma Kagemori
”Why didn’t anyone tell me they grow that big?”