LOG START
[17:13:17] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 15
You leave the surviving (for given definitions of “surviving”) sorcerers of the House of Thirty Seals behind, having won valuable knowledge and an understanding with the future thorn in the side of Clan Maon. Next it remains to reunite with the Band of the Canopy and make for the Vanehan base camp just outside the city, where Gensuji’s army secures its supplies and retreats to rest between grueling assaults on the inner city.
Raizo’s gang has tales both heroic and unsettling to share. Under Sagacious Wen’s deputy command, they’ve liberated some supplies that were bound for Gensuji’s camp out of the city to give out to the Nathirian poor, roughed up several soldiers having their way with the defenseless populace, and made a wide berth around a strange mass of long arms shrouded in mist that seemed to be pulling the bones out of a soldier’s body one by one and laying them out on the ground. They’re not sure if the soldier was still alive.
[17:22:07] Master of Games
Gensuji’s camp is hard to miss—it’s a fairly sized tent-town flying the banners of all the clans of Vaneha next to the centipede and tiger. It’s lightly guarded, with much of the forces dedicated to taking the city, but nevertheless active with noncombatants. Kagemori knows most of the clan heads are not in personal attendance, but two clans’ deities are—of the Maon, who have taken charge of the river blockade and are set to take command of the city, and the Otaya, a young clan born with ties to the Guild during the civil war.
The camp lookouts have sharp eyes, but as head of a clan, Kagemori and his comrades are within their rights to be here and add themselves to the war effort. How will you approach the camp?
[17:31:54] Raizo
Raizo is currently lacking clothing fit for meeting a prince, both because he is a bandit lord experiencing financial obstacles and, really, he wouldn’t care even if he weren’t. But a man in shabby armor isn’t anything unusual in an army’s camp, even if approaching the prince. “Any reason to not walk in honestly?” he asks, because there’s no reason not to cover all the angles just in case.
[17:33:26] Moriarty
”No, I think the simple route is the wisest here. Raise the banner.”
[17:34:27] Master of Games
Sagacious Wen checks, just in case: “Yours, not the ‘Death to Tyrants’ one, yes?”
[17:35:27] Moriarty
”Yes, the one they should recognize and say, ‘ah one of ours.’ Unless you have some rather different plans for the next hour than I have in mind.”
[17:35:48] Raizo
”No, not at present.”
[17:38:53] Master of Games
”We’ll save that one for a rainy day.” The order is given, and the troops gather behind the Datei banner with a discipline belying their outward appearance—by any outward measure, they’re rabble, but they likely march more neatly than most of Gensuji’s conscripts.
[17:48:10] Raizo
Raizo allows himself a bit of pride at how well they can form up, especially compared to the rest of the army around them.
[17:57:26] Master of Games
A rider exits the camp to confront your party and confirm that you’re reinforcements, then leads you into camp with a somewhat nonplussed look at the seeming quality of your troops and a glance at Kagemori. Perhaps what’s going through their head is something like “is this what’s left of the Datei?”
The unexpected new arrivals enter camp, and the soldiers directed to a resting place with skeptical looks while Lord Datei and anyone he names his entourage is escorted to the commander’s tent. The atmosphere at camp is a mix of gloom and hope. The grinding battle to take the city is wearing on the soldiers, but at least the end is in sight. The only question is how many will have to be ground up before the others can go home.
[18:04:00] Master of Games
Just inside the main tent, with an open flap and a good vantage point overlooking the city, you’re introduced to Gensuji’s deputy, Ordus ma Tokutori. He’s an old hand, not lord of his Clan, but perhaps its most seasoned field commander, and likely meant to mentor Gensuji on his first true campaign of conquest. Polite surprise is plain on his bearded face as he greets Kagemori with a bow. “I confess, we weren’t expecting Datei reinforcements. News of your succession barely even reached us out here.”
[18:06:06] Raizo
Raizo, meanwhile, settles in to what is maybe the best and worst part of the job: just standing there, resisting the urge to pick his nose. Playing the attentive bannerman for his betters isn’t glamorous, but it is pretty easy compared to mortal combat.
[18:08:11] River Snake
Snake similarly puts on his best face and falls into the roll of an advisor behind Datei
[18:09:09] Master of Games
With Tokutori are several aides, and a handsome figure in a kimono who Kagemori suspects, though he’s never met them in person, to be the tutelary deity of Clan Otaya, Zao Sweet and Bright. Unlike Gensuji’s deputy, they don’t seem surprised to see you, and regard the exchange with a quiet smile, stroking the hair of a young boy who seems to be missing an eye—someone’s child, perhaps.
[18:10:28] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori gives the slight bow appropriate to this interaction, greeting a lower ranked but experienced vassal to Kagemori’s lord. “I apologize for not bringing more. It is just my personal retinue. Much of my clan’s other resources are called for elsewhere. Our forces will need to be built up, of course, to better serve our lord in the next war.”
[18:18:11] Master of Games
”I see. Well, all help is appreciated at this stage. Every day sooner we can finish taking this city is lives saved. And it’s no small matter for a clan’s lord to come out here personally. Maybe we should have a play about your clan put on tonight, to boost morale. This is your troops’ commander?” The old general takes a guess based on Raizo’s armor and looks him up and down. He seems pensive, about the quality of Datei’s troops, or perhaps about the situation as a whole.
While the big shots talk, one of Ordus’ aides catches River Snake’s eye. She’s paying more attention to them than the others, and the quality of attention seems different.
[18:20:03] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori nods. “A dauntless leader of men.”
[18:20:13] Raizo
Raizo bows his head respectfully as he’s being appraised.
[18:20:34] Datei ma Kagemori
”He goes by Raizo.”
[18:21:18] River Snake
Snake keeps watch on the aide out of the corner of his eye, that one seems unusually focused. Maybe she’s a fellow undergrounder, maybe she’s something else. Maybe she just wants a date. Either way, he pays attention for a better tell
[18:28:09] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori’s focus remains on the commander. Sometimes, experienced commanders chafe under young princes, while others might view it as an opportunity to cultivate talent for a future generation. Notably, Tokutori is here and not with the prince. Someone has to remain here, of course, but why has that fallen to this man specifically? What does Tokutori think of his situation and the prince? He watches his small movements, his expressions, to get a sense of how he’s felt during this long siege.
[18:34:28] River Snake
Snake unable to make heads or tails of what the aide is thinking, decides to have a little fun and shoot her a quick smile when its seems nobody else is paying attention as he slips into the guise of an easy mark.
[18:39:29] Master of Games
River Snake finds the aide difficult to read, but her gaze settles on Raizo when he’s introduced—until she glances Snake’s way. Seems she’s noticed him looking. “Very good. If you will, let us look at your troops and work out how to integrate them into our strategy later today, Datei ma Raizo.” Tokutori seems tired. Kagemori gets the feeling he’s less than entirely satisfied with the Prince’s decisions, but he speaks with a measure of respect when he mentions Gensuji leading from the front, and doesn’t seem too worried for the Prince’s safety. Tokutori seems an honorable, by-the-book commander. Perhaps he approves of Gensuji’s bravery but not his methods?
[18:50:15] Datei ma Kagemori
”What is your assessment of the front? Are we making good progress?” While waiting for Tokutori to respond, Kagemori shifts his attention to Zao. Zao knew they would be here, it seems, but was it by divine providence…or the child, who could very well be the sorcerer’s child. Unconfirmed, there is likely to be more than one one-eyed child in a warzone, but a distinct possibility. The child seems to not be focused on this at least.
[19:04:10] Master of Games
Zao Sweet and Bright is a god of… candy, if Kagemori remembers right? Easy to imagine such a spirit might be good with children. They look eminently human, but for their eyes with colored pupils and oddly-patterned irises, inscrutable as they watch the Datei party… but not for Kagemori. Zao’s eyes are those of someone looking for an advantage. They’ve been forewarned of the circle’s arrival, he’s sure now, but are still trying to work out what the Solars want, and what that means for them. And… there’s the twinkle of someone having a little fun at someone else’s expense.
[19:14:37] Raizo
Raizo, incidentally, accorded the prior remark with another respectful but silent gesture. Best to shut up while the nobles are talking, any good peasant will agree. He glances around at everyone else, catching the end of Snake’s smile to the woman watching them, and takes note of the deity and woman in turn. Motley assembly.
[19:14:53] Master of Games
The aide River Snake noticed, meanwhile, murmurs something to the others and quietly slips out of the tent.
[19:40:58] Master of Games
Tokutori’s attention is called away elsewhere in the camp for some time. His first impression of Raizo’s troops was another surprised one: no one can deny that they look like common mercenaries, but Ordus clearly has a good eye and noticed that they make much better fighters than they look. There’s still some time before Gensuji’s unit is expected to make it back, so the Circle has an opportunity to stretch, have a more private conversation with the Otaya god, or find the suspicious aide. There’s no shortage of things going on at camp.
[19:43:15] Raizo
Raizo gives the troop the go-ahead to politely mingle. Play some dice, lose a few games to get the locals friendly, make nice, maybe pick up something interesting. Otherwise he sticks with Kagemori to play the dutiful man-at-arms.
[19:43:53] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori looks for the Otaya’s section of the camp, to seek out Zao Sweet and Bright and/or the unnamed child.
[19:51:30] River Snake
Snake moves out to look for the aide, grabbing a cloak or something from someplace on the way to make him less obvious.
[19:57:50] Master of Games
Zao is found easily enough. They seem to enjoy material form, and have a tent of their own, where you find them together with the one-eyed boy. A young man displaying the same strange eyes as the god is just leaving and nods respectfully as you pass him. “I had a feeling I might get visitors. That was my son, Yano, just now.” God-blooded children aren’t unheard of, but much rarer in Vaneha than among its southern neighbors, who deliberately intermarry with spirits. Perhaps an unconventionality owed to the Otaya’s relative newcomer status. “Please, do come in. Candy?” Zao closes one empty hand and then opens it to reveal two round pieces of multicolored candy, cut from a rod to make a translucent disk with a flower’s likeness at its center—and this is what Zao’s eyes remind of.
[20:03:23] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori feels it is sometimes unwise to accept gifts from spirits, but it is impolite to deny a gift from another clan’s tutelary god. He accepts the candy and takes a seat. “My thanks. I admit, a warzone does not seem to befit you. But I suppose the soldiers must love having you around. How has the camp-life been?”
[20:04:06] Raizo
Raizo picks up one of the pieces and appraises it. On the one hand, divine gifts can have unforeseen consequences. On the other hand, Raizo has an incurable sweet tooth. He pops it in his mouth.
[20:09:53] Master of Games
River Snake begins a cat-and-mouse game… only to find that this supposed military aide is better at slipping away than you might expect of a regular soldier, and seemingly doesn’t wish the be found just now. But there’s ways and ways. Perhaps he can ask around, or… she seemed to pay attention when Raizo’s name was introduced.
[20:14:34] River Snake
Snake decides to shift approaches and go find whatever gathering area is most likely to be housing the slightly seedier end of the camp’s residents, grabbing a drink and a meal and looking receptive, seeing if anyone useful will say hello. Crooks and spies aren’t that far apart, assuming they arent already working together anyways
[20:25:17] Master of Games
Raizo’s candy is sweet, but not overwhelmingly so, and carries a note of citrus fruit. The one Kagemori received is instead flavored like blueberries. Zao watches Raizo eat the candy with an expression like they’re learning something very interesting. “Depressing, to tell you the truth. I don’t like to watch people leave and see fewer come back, so I’ve taken to napping in the morning and evening. And you? What made you decide to bring reinforcements now?”
It doesn’t take long for Snake to assemble a small group of ne’er-do-wells around himself. There aren’t few of them at camp, since conscription came for many of them, even with many of the worst ruffians out there fighting. A couple of Raizo’s people are among them as well. The mysterious aide doesn’t seem to be among them, which tells him she isn’t this type of fellow, but he does start hearing rumors soon. This or that fellow dropped dead. It’s not directly related, but it does get one thinking: perhaps we don’t have a spy so much as an assassin.
[20:31:50] Datei ma Kagemori
”All Creation moves in accordance to opportunity. I am no different. I wish to prove myself to the Sword Prince, which proves difficult without him present. At the same time, the city contains much I find curious or useful. I do not expect to get a very large share, but I want to be at the table when it is divvied up, so that I have a chance at what I want.”
[20:34:11] River Snake
Snake hangs around listening to the rumors and attempts to gather some info about the aide under the guise of someone interested in hitting on her. See if he can find out where the guys have seen her- as he buys drinks and slips them bribes.
[20:36:06] Raizo
”War is a nasty business,” Raizo says, rolling a shoulder. “Spend enough time around it and you’ll get used to it, though.”
[20:48:41] Master of Games
A picture starts emerging as River Snake asks around: the aide in question sticks close to power. Not surprising as such, for the deputy commander’s aide, but notable in its consistency. He guesses that her method is like a mirror image of his: make her presence near the camp’s leadership natural. Considering that she gave him the slip, perhaps she intends to slip away in the night with someone’s head.
”Oh, I’ve gotten used to many things over the centuries,” Zao says, stroking the boy’s head, who regards you with curiosity. “I have no doubt you can seize any opportunity you care to, now that we’ve met. As for me, it feels like I watch my family’s share dwindle with every house that catches fire. In the end, it’ll fall to us to smooth things over with unhappy merchants.”
[20:51:24] Datei ma Kagemori
”Well, if you would ever want any assistance with unhappy merchants, feel free to call. I think I can be quite the negotiator.” He smiles at the boy. “Who is this?”
[20:52:06] River Snake
Snake continues building up his network, though it sounds like he won’t find out much more about the aide here. He’ll have to fit himself in with the uppers of the camp later tonight.
[21:00:42] Master of Games
”His name seems to be Kimo. He’s been separated from his father.” A smile plays across Zao’s lips. “I believe one of your people found him in the city, actually.” That would be somewhat surprising. It would mean one of Raizo’s people broke off from the force without telling anyone to bring the boy to the camp, before the Circle reunited with the Band to march here.
[21:03:22] Raizo
”You believe, or you know?”
[21:07:27] Datei ma Kagemori
”Truly? Color me surprised. Well, this might be premature, but I think I know who the child’s father is. Old Garnet of the House of Thirty Seals.” He focuses on Kimo now. “Your father lives, child, though he was greatly wounded. I hope that is of some comfort to you.”
[21:12:38] Master of Games
”They told me they were with you, at any rate.” Zao nods at the explanation, and the boy, though tight-lipped, seems to recognize the name as well. “That would fit. The child is demon-blooded, so I doubt the mother is in the picture. If there is one in the first place. I’ll have word sent.”
[21:16:03] Raizo
”Those were not my orders, so color me surprised, too.”
[21:17:10] Datei ma Kagemori
”Word sent where?”
[21:17:53] Master of Games
”To the House, unless that’s not where the father is. I assume you’ve met him, since you know?”
[21:19:38] Datei ma Kagemori
”I was clarifying…Nevermind. Yes, Old Garnet is, I assume, still present. I was asked to find the boy, but not beyond that, so simply saying he is in camp and safe should be enough.”
[21:27:21] Master of Games
”Good, good. I have to say, I’m very curious to see you speak with the Prince—” As if on cue, activity in the camp begins to pick up. “Speak of the devil. No pun intended. The Prince’s unit must be on the way back.”
[21:27:48] Datei ma Kagemori
”I suppose you will have your chance.”
[21:32:17] Raizo
”Goody. I was falling asleep over here. The candy was very good, by the way, thank you.”
[21:33:50] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori thanks the god for the candy and gets up to leave.
[21:34:02] Master of Games
”I’m glad. There’s always more.”
[21:37:06] Raizo
”I’m sure I’ll be back for more before we leave.”