LOG START
[17:26:51] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 16
Gensuji’s return to camp has the air of a ritual that has just started to become routine. Perhaps a week ago, there was the expectation in the air that any night now the Sword Prince would declare Nathir’s total conquest, but tonight everyone at camp understands that the work is not done. Some grumble, but only until the just-returned Gensuji addresses the camp, Imperial Daiklave unsheathed and held high.
To his credit, Gensuji’s speech is short but passionate, showing no sign of fatigue. He matter-of-factly states today’s progress in the city and how many blocks still remain to bring under the Vanehan army’s control. He calls for a moment of remembrance for those fallen today, and acknowledges the berserk demons remaining in the city but doesn’t further dwell on them. He closes by reminding everyone that victory is in sight—the army must now no longer be as a rushing tide, but as a patient artisan sculpting away at their stone.
Then, the ruler of Vaneha needs rest, and Kagemori gets his opportunity to meet him in person at dinner in the commanders’ tent, with the high-ranking officers. Gensuji has been informed of the Datei Lord’s arrival and offered him the seat of honor for tonight. He is called on to introduce himself formally to his liege and the others present, and asked the reason for his sudden but certainly welcome reinforcement.
Meanwhile, River Snake has found his trail again and spots the supposed officer, now in plain soldier’s garb, tailing Raizo and about to intercept him as he makes to follow Kagemori into the commanders’ tent. Does she just want to talk, or something else?
[17:33:40] River Snake
Snake smirks to himself at the chain of tails, as he obscures his presence and closes the distance, close enough to interfere with any kind of potential stabbing attempts, but not close enough to be obvious in the mill of camp. Essence trickery helps obviously. But either Raizo seems to be her target so he waits for her to play her hand.
[17:37:18] Raizo
Raizo, meanwhile, is certainly bait right now.
[17:37:47] Master of Games
Raizo hears a voice to his side, quiet enough to be meant only for him, but not whispered enough to be suspicious. “Are you Sengal’s friend Raizo?”
[17:40:37] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori arrives in style, donning a robe that is too simple for court but appropriate for appearances in the tent-government at the front. Still, he does not look like a warrior, bearing no weapons. Kagemori bows the expected amount, not too low but but too little, to indicate he is Gensuji’s vassal, but a powerful lord none the less. “My lord, I understand your apprehension. I was not able to assist the great efforts of our forcers earlier, as I was tied up in matters private to my family and the Throne in the capital. But as soon as I was free, I hurried over. What little my forces can contribute, they shall. If that is at the front, we shall serve at the front. If you would like me to focus on ensuring you have no distractions, I can also work a bit more independently.”
[17:48:59] Raizo
Raizo perks up and somewhat inclines his head in the direction of the whisper. Enough to show he heard it, but hopefully not obvious to onlookers. “Who’s asking?” he whispers back.
[18:04:14] Master of Games
Gensuji is young, not much older than Kagemori himself, and seems to appreciate the presence of someone his age in a room full of veterans. Many clans have sent forces headed by strategists who cut their teeth in the tail’s end of the civil war decades ago, like Tokutori, or delegated command of their forces to such commanders from allied clans. Kagemori sees Zao Sweet and Bright watching him and the Sword Prince with interest, as well as a quiet figure at the edges, an older woman with sigils tatooed across her face he’s not familiar with, and who doesn’t appear Vanehan.
”My father’s written about you,” Gensuji says, “He finds you promising, and Tokutori just earlier told me the same about your forces. He thinks they’d be well suited operating as a unit slightly apart.”
[18:05:46] Master of Games
Outside, Raizo’s new acquaintance answers. “Also a friend of his. I hear you sent him a letter a week ago. Do you have his reply?”
[18:09:23] Raizo
”Do you want the letter or its contents? It’s not on me right now.”
[18:14:29] Master of Games
”The contents will do. What’s my name?” River Snake sees the woman go for her bag to retrieve something.
[18:15:40] Datei ma Kagemori
Once he is seated, Kagemori takes a moment to examine each of the vassals present. Many he does not recognize, but handily most have mons or other iconography. Most are commanders or majordomo rather than lords themselves, he figures. “I appreciate your father’s kind words. I aim to serve. So I will ensure nothing distracts you from your work, and knowing what is coming. Is there anything that concerns you presently? I’ve heard there are still many demons in the city. Have they been an impediment?”
[18:15:49] Raizo
”Sesus Mene, I presume?”
[18:16:13] River Snake
Snake makes use of his currently unknown presence to…intercept the contents of her bag. This probably isnt anything, but caution is never bad.
[18:17:39] River Snake
His hand coming out with a…letter? Which he drops at her feet in a way that will almost surely make noise.
[18:20:27] Master of Games
”That’s me. Sengal was…” Sesus Mene rummages in her bag and pauses, not finding what she’s looking for. The sound of the missive dropping to the ground gets her attention, and a frown.
[18:20:57] Master of Games
She clears her throat and picks it up to show it to Raizo—written in the same hand, though less rushed, as the letter he got.
[18:21:40] Raizo
”Butter fingers catch us all sometimes.”
[18:25:30] Master of Games
In the tent, Gensuji leans back with a frown at the mention of the demons. Seemingly subconsciously, his hand strokes the sheath of the daiklave he keeps on his person even at the table. “You can be sure they have. They’re like a disaster that befalls us and the defenders alike, and then they feast on the blood of the fallen and make sure we see it.” He shoots a brief glare down the table, at the unknown woman, before studying Kagemori. “Are you proposing your troops can face them?”
[18:29:22] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori watches carefully to see who Gensuji glances towards - and who he does not spare a glance for. Given Nathir’s history, his view of the representative of house Maon, a liasion more than a commander Kagemori figures, is most relevant he thinks.
[18:37:20] Master of Games
Sesus Mene puts the letter away after Raizo’s had a chance to convince himself that each of them is in fact who the other thinks they are and tries to change the topic. “Sengal was well flustered. I’ve rarely seen him write like this. I take it you’re looking to seize opportunities here?”
[18:41:10] Master of Games
The Maon representative is a woman who could be Kagemori’s mother, dressed in patterned linen and accessories visibly made from stone and fish bones—a liaison more than a soldier, as Kagemori presumes. She’s seated near the Sword Prince, a mark of regard, and Gensuji frequently has off-handed praise for her family when the subject of the river comes up. The Maon blockade is perhaps the one part of the Nathir campaign that’s gone according to plan the entire time.
[18:41:33] Raizo
”Make hay while the sun shines and all. I figured he would have something going on here. If our designs align, maybe we can join fronts, or at least not step on toes.”
[18:42:22] Master of Games
Mene looks around before answering. “Well, it’s a dangerous battlefield, isn’t it?”
[18:44:16] Datei ma Kagemori
”Oh, I would not be so bold as to say that. Perhaps one, if we can catch it alone, but that requires both luck and skill. But even what I could not fight, I can lead away. My understanding is that many of the demons deployed are unbound, and those still bound are focused on tasks born of personal rivalry among the House of 30 Seals. The two problems must be analyzed and dealt with separately. One group are powerful beasts and bandits. The other assassins. Different problems require different tools.”
[18:44:31] Raizo
”Quite so. Anything specific you’re looking for, or did you just want to introduce yourself?”
[18:48:59] Master of Games
”There wasn’t much time to strategize, so Sengal said to find out what you had in mind and coordinate. But there’s one suggestion from him:” The air temperature suddenly seems to drop ever so slightly, and the breeze that was gracing the camp stops. The sounds around Raizo and Mene are muted, speech unintelligible. River Snake would not have heard what Sesus Meene says next, if he weren’t sticking close and unnoticed by her. Her suggestion is just for the three of them. “What if you carried the Imperial Daiklave back to Jibei instead of Gensuji?”
[18:51:56] Master of Games
Gensuji regards Kagemori with his full attention, and the leaders near them stop talking and listen. “True enough. You already know something about them that I didn’t, which I suppose is to be expected of your house. What do you propose?”
[18:55:31] Raizo
”Well first I’d say convincing him to let me hold it might be hard. But that was one of my ideas. Really I’m here to see where the Prince stands. I want to take his measure before I do something I can’t take back.”
[19:00:36] Datei ma Kagemori
”The ones that seem to be as swirling mists are looking for the sorcerer called Hoarhound. They should be avoided, but as long as they are not interfered with and Hoarhound not present, they should remain passive. We should try to keep an awareness of where they are, but I think we can conquer the city without fighting them directly. The others, the demon apes, are I believe unbound, serving only their own instincts and bloodthirsty desires. They should be viewed as bandits. Avoid if possible, but they will need to be slain sooner or later. I will consult with the commander of my forces to see if we can determine a strategy for them.”
[19:13:25] Master of Games
Kagemori can see the wheels turning behind Gensuji’s eyes: the look of a man who’s trying to figure out an angle. Specifically, he’s most certainly weighing the merits and demerits of allowing Kagemori to put his troops where his mouth is, and what it would mean if the Datei Lord can actually back up his confidence. The older woman near the end of the table makes a noise, then brings herself to the attention of Gensuji. “Prince, may I?” “Speak.” She addresses Kagemori directly. “How do you know all this?” The woman is unfamiliar, but perhaps the circle’s seen some of the seals on her face before, in a place named for thirty of them.
[19:17:11] Master of Games
Sesus Mene studies Raizo, and he finally gets a good look at her as the breeze returns, and coherent sound with it. She’s a small, unremarkable woman, pale-skinned and pale-haired, but with at least some local blood to her cast. Easy to overlook in a melting pot of a city such as Nathir or Jibei. “I see that confidence Sengal’s so taken with. Well, I’ve been taking measures for a good month now, and where the Prince stands seems clear enough to me.”
[19:19:32] Raizo
”And what do you make of him?”
[19:20:49] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori smiles, as if he had been waiting for this. “On my way into the city, I was curious about the status of the House of Thirty Seals. If it was uninhabited I was going to see if I could find any interesting tomes among the ruins. But I found it still to still contain some survivors. I exchanged some information with the sorcerer Morn. I was not able to convince him to join our forces, but I think the knowledge alone will prove quite useful.”
[19:20:53] Master of Games
”He’s the kind of man who’d loose demons on a city and burn it to the ground just to call what’s left of it his own.”
[19:24:58] Raizo
”Wait, his hand was behind their rampage?”
[19:29:43] Master of Games
”No. But if I give you money to stab a man, am I now also a murderer? The demonologists’ betrayal was his plan.”
The woman considers for a moment, then nods and sits down. “Good to know, Lord. Thank you.” Gensuji gives her a glare. “To be clear, you and your pet puddle are with us until the city’s fallen. I won’t have you taking excursions, Hoarhound.” The woman—Hoarhound—clearly looks displeased, but doesn’t talk back.
[19:31:28] Datei ma Kagemori
”I am sure you have a better understanding of these demons, and how best to avoid them. But my understanding is that they seek you alone.”
[19:34:10] Master of Games
Hoarhound meets Kagemori’s gaze flatly. “Morn is if nothing else a man who can’t be bothered to dissemble.”
[19:37:57] Raizo
”And do you plan to give me money?”
[19:39:18] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori nods curtly. “He did not seem the sort to have a subtle bone in his body.”
[19:47:16] Master of Games
”Oh, I usually do my own work. I’m just not much of a sword-wielder. The Dynast clears her throat. “My feelings got the better of me there. All I’m saying is, there’s an opportunity. We’re open to other ideas. And we’re not alone back in the capital.”
Gensuji lays his sword across his lap, his meal momentarily forgotten. “What I hear you getting at, Lord Datei, is that any unit Hoarhound accompanies is at risk of attack from demons that would otherwise ignore it. That’s an issue, since her demon is phenomenal for our progress, and frankly I don’t trust it without her around.”
[19:48:35] Datei ma Kagemori
”I see. Perhaps that unit should receive an extra accompanyment of scouts to ensure that it can be deployed somewhere where the mist-demons aren’t.”
[19:50:03] Datei ma Kagemori
”I am unsure to what degree the mist-demons are sweeping the city or waiting for things to come to them, but we can plan for them in either case. I believe there are only a few of them, in any case. They cannot be everywhere.”
[19:52:28] Raizo
Raizo turns to face Mene fully, gaze matching hers. “I didn’t expect moral rectitude from the Blessed Isle, in all honesty.”
[19:55:12] Raizo
”I’m not opposed to working together, but I want us to be clear with one another. Obviously letting demons rampage across a city so you can rule the ruins is abhorrent. But don’t try to tell me you all care about Nathir or its people.”
[20:08:33] Master of Games
”A reasonable proposal. Either way, better to know than not. Tokutori, let’s discuss that after this.” Ordus ma Tokutori nods. “Hoarhound, you have my permission to use your sorcery on your own time to deal with your former colleagues if you can, as long as it’s outside the camp. Let more demons be a last resort.” “Understood.” Hoarhound looks less than entirely happy. “As for Clan Datei, since you seem confident, I’ll let you have the honor of routing the bandit demons.” Several voices start protesting, but the Prince cuts them off. “You may ask a second unit to join you, if any are eager to risk it. Or you can go it on your own if you believe you can.”
Outside, Mene inclines her head. “Fine, I won’t. I am not the person for ideas, or ideals. That said, as a matter of fact, my grandmother happens to be from the area.”
[20:09:48] Datei ma Kagemori
”I will have to discuss with my commander, but understood.”
[20:14:18] Datei ma Kagemori
”I have a request to make, my prince, but I think it is best to wait on that until I return triumphant.”
[20:15:29] Master of Games
Gensuji looks curious. “Very well. Destroy the demons and I’ll hear you out.”
[20:15:34] Raizo
”Then I pray she made it out of the city. What can you tell me about the people around the Prince? Did anyone give him the idea to bring the sorcerers to his side, or was that one of his own? Does he have any close friends or dear people here with him?”
[20:20:26] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori lets the discussion move to other matters, as he tries to observe the other commanders more.
[20:26:21] Master of Games
”It was a decision of his inner circle, discussing how to get rid of the House’s support. Hard to say who raised it first; I wasn’t with the camp the whole time. It’s possible they already had the idea when they came here and only decided to go for it when the siege dragged on. The Prince was definitely in favor. He seems to like bold action, and several of the command were against. His closest confidant here is probably Ordus ma Tokutori. He taught the Prince strategy. He was also against the plan to subvert the sorcerers.”
Kagemori finds familiar crests across the room, including a commander of Clan Iachi who has been studiously pretending not to notice him while, presumably, listening carefully.
[20:31:45] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori focuses on trying to get abreast of the current situation on the ground, and how many forces are in play, as best he can without simply asking for a rundown.
[20:38:53] Raizo
”Not what I was hoping for, but good to know all the same. I will do what I can for the people of Nathir. And if I see an opportunity to take the sword, I’ll probably go for it. If you can make one for me, more the better. If not, I’m sure I can come up with something.”
[20:43:53] Datei ma Kagemori
As the discussion moves to more mundane matters, this block or that block to attack tomorrow and such, Kagemori’s eyes draw back towards the sorceress present. She was convinced to betray the house - or at least, that is Morn’s read of the situation - but what does she gain from it? Is she a prisioner currently?
[20:51:36] Master of Games
Hoarhound strikes him more as someone who isn’t getting the respect she expected—and who, judging from her attitude, knows it’s in part her own fault. Which doesn’t make her any happier. The Prince is keeping her on a short leash currently, but has the air of someone who’s being paid well enough to put up. Perhaps she was looking to take over the House of Thirty Seals, and still might if she can get rid of Morn and Old Garnet, or perhaps she’ll go her own way when she’s done with Nathir.
[20:55:44] Datei ma Kagemori
Later, Kagemori reconvenes with his circlemates. “Raizo, do you think we’re able to kill some demons?”
[20:58:25] Raizo
”Frankly, I’ve never fought one. But I think of it something like a tiger. How do you hunt them? One man out on his own is only going to shoot birds, maybe a deer. But a group of people working together? Tiger loses.”
[20:58:39] Raizo
”…In other words, probably.”
[21:00:20] Datei ma Kagemori
”I came across as too confident due to my knowledge from the sorcerers, and the Sword Prince has assigned me - and thus us - the duty of killing the demon apes. They are, as far as I know, unbound and currently doing as they please. Which means sating their taste for bloodshed, largely.”
[21:03:43] Raizo
”Well, if we can fight them one by one, but then we’re combing the city top to bottom for that.” Raizo rubs his chin in thought. “If we’re doing that, what else can we do at the same time that helps us…?” he says, as much to himself as the group.
[21:04:09] Raizo
”I don’t want to just be doing the prince a favor without thinking about how I’m going to use it, you know?”
[21:04:21] Datei ma Kagemori
”If it is needed, I can call upon some other soldiers. At a cost of some glory, of course.”
[21:04:56] Datei ma Kagemori
”Well, I imagine the locals probably don’t like the demons either. But a fair thought. Is there anything else we can leverage with this?”
[21:07:40] Raizo
”I should say, one of the Dynasts from the Isle all but asked me to kill Gensuji whenever I can.”
[21:07:46] River Snake
”We could probably double dip and get the other side to pay us for demon removal.”
[21:08:23] River Snake
”And I feel like a Dynast in charge is just one tyrant for another”
[21:08:24] Datei ma Kagemori
”…Surprising. What do they care about this matter? This is far from their lands, even their colonies.”
[21:08:49] Raizo
”I had given some thought to doing this, but I was thinking about it along the lines of making it look like an accident. A lucky sniper, or the demons nab him, or something like that. These seem, uh, tricky to arrange with what we have.”
[21:09:21] River Snake
”There ARE blood apes roaming about that could probably be herded”
[21:09:52] Raizo
”I tried to figure out their angle, but their woman here seemed to be more the blade than the hand that wields it, if you know what I mean. She also said her grandmother lived in Nathir.”
[21:11:23] Raizo
”I didn’t want to cause a scene by scrutinizing either claim so I left it at that. I’m not convinced this isn’t manipulation. She is a spy.”
[21:12:00] Raizo
”And if I wanted to dodge suspicion I’d probably say things like ‘I’m not the idea person’ or ‘my uncle lives here’. Hell, maybe she did live here and died a decade ago. I don’t know.”
[21:13:01] River Snake
”I can ask some friends to look into it but I don’t know if they’ll be able to turn anything up. But I also dont really know how much it matters”
[21:14:40] Raizo
”I don’t either, honestly. We don’t have to trust them to use them. I just wish I knew what their angle really was here. I still don’t know why the Realm cares, or if it even does; we don’t know if Sengal is here on his house’s orders or his own initiative.”
[21:15:03] Datei ma Kagemori
”Much to learn.”
[21:15:03] Raizo
”I’d like to fix that but I don’t think we can do that here. Unless one of you wants to talk to the mouse here.”
[21:19:36] Raizo
”Either way, getting Nathir out of this mess as soon as we can is my goal here. If that helps the Realm somehow, well, we have leverage. So, demons and how to kill them. Hm…” He rubs his chin more, going deeper into thought, and has a snap realization. “Are we certain we’re not being listened to right now?”
[21:22:15] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori steps outside the tent and circles it, looking for any prying ears. His senses are infused with Essence in case of a spying god or summoned demon.
[21:24:14] River Snake
Snake enhances his senses for the more mundane, seeing if he can pick up the sound of anyone closer than they should be, or spot anything that looks spylike, both inside and then outside the tent
[21:25:26] Raizo
Raizo looks around slowly and carefully at his surroundings, as well, slowing his breath to a steady exhale that wills Essence around him.
[21:28:00] Master of Games
The camp sleeps, and the coast seems clear here out on the edges. Kagemori catches a glimpse of something hanging in the air just outside the camp like a bad stench—Hoarhound’s bound demon, perhaps—but it appears petulantly disinterested.
[21:28:45] Datei ma Kagemori
”There is a spirit outside of camp, but I think we can speak freely for now.”
[21:30:21] Raizo
”Good to know. Well, considering our talents and with the help of the Blue Legs, I think the blood apes are doable. Maybe we can turn it into an ambush on Gensuji in the process, if he’ll be ranging into the city at the same time we’re prowling.”
[21:30:37] Raizo
”So I think we can leave the honor guard behind and go on our own.”
[21:32:36] Raizo
”Glory-hungry tagalongs might make good recruits, but they might just get in the way. Or… something. I might be overthinking how much to maximize every angle.”
[21:33:33] Datei ma Kagemori
”I am sure there will be chances for recruits elsewhere. Maybe among the Nathiri civilians if we can visibly save some from demons.”
[21:34:45] Raizo
”Yeah. And recruits shouldn’t be the priority. I can make soldiers out of anyone, I can’t find princes everywhere.”
[21:36:04] Raizo
”So, demon hunting. Honestly a good skill to have in reserve anyway. You never know, right?”
[21:36:23] Datei ma Kagemori
”Also, the sorceress Hoarhound is present, but I am not sure what her price was. Maybe she gets to control the House of 30 seals. Maybe she gets to open her own place wherever she wants later.”
[21:36:23] River Snake
”I’m glad you cant find princes everywhere, personally”
[21:38:42] Raizo
”Hoarhound… confounds me. On the one hand, I’d tell her to wash her neck on general principle, but on the other sorcerer business is one I’d rather leave well enough alone.”
[21:39:44] Raizo
”Weird people making weird bargains for weird powers, ya know?”
[21:41:57] Datei ma Kagemori
”Her bound demon is apparently powerful, but I don’t know much about it. The Sword Prince referred to it as a puddle so I assume it is a living liquid of some sort. …It is most likely the thing outside camp. But I agree, if we don’t have to deal with her, its for the best most likely.”
[21:43:33] Raizo
”A puddle? I’ll watch my step, then.”
[21:43:46] Master of Games
Kagemori would have picked up during dinner that Hoarhound’s demon is somehow capable of melting through stone walls, a great asset in the grinding street-to-street warfare when one can move directly from one house to another.
[21:44:20] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori relays that information. “I assume it is a demon-acid or something.”
[21:45:26] Raizo
”Gross.”
[21:49:47] River Snake
”That sounds…yeah awful”