LOG START
[18:09:59] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 3
Servants of the Sword
The traditional Vanehan home is fashioned after the sacred mountain in structure: a stone foundation, a hearth set into the ground, an open-air inner patio, water running into and off the premises, and a garden around the whole. The city’s building code is quite specific, and so most houses in Jibei adhere to the concept to some degree. Of course there are differences in execution, especially among the larger estates of the noble and wealthy, but having seen Datei ma Kuromi’s residence, River Snake—or Shadow Edge in this case, perhaps—finds the layout of other mansions legible enough to start planning and prowling.
[18:11:22] Master of Games
To be sure, Jibei is not short on the rich and powerful. Just about any family in the upper city can be said to have grown fat on the labors of their lessers, and they are all splendid pickings. Choices, choices. Three stand out, perhaps, from the bried introductions given by the Datei:
[18:14:27] Master of Games
The Anori clan are apparently known to produce Vaneha’s finest geomancers, a highly respected vocation in this land. As such, they’re staunch allies of the Sword, fabulously wealthy, and arguably the literal architects of the current order.
[18:16:23] Master of Games
The Uema export fine weapons bearing their emblem across the River Province and beyond, or did until recently. Nowadays their products almost entirely go to the Vanehan army, and heaps of silver go into their pockets on the back of those youths who are not in the harbor but off besieging Nathir.
[18:19:05] Master of Games
There is the Iachi clan: wealthy from the produce of their vineyards and pro-war, to be sure, though River Snake may suspect their dastardliness has been played up by his hosts, who have been in a legendary feud with them for centuries. But then, they are his hosts’ sworn enemies.
[18:20:07] Master of Games
Each of them a worthy target, to be sure. River Snake’s gut tells him they are all hiding something, though perhaps, up here, everyone is.
[18:24:48] River Snake
Snake walks the streets of the wealthy district, assuming the guise of yet another forgettable tradesman on his way to one place or another, as he takes a look at his three primary targets, keeping his ears open for who has the most impressive stealables. The kind of thing that their owner takes pride in owning, that will certainly cause outrage if it goes missing.
[18:30:53] Master of Games
The Iachi are perhaps the least invested in particular treasures of the three—their pride is wine and the bounties of nature, though it would certainly be a coup to throw open their larders for the poor of the city to partake.
[18:31:14] Master of Games
The Anori, then, are perhaps the most obvious victim. Even just their garden may as well be a museum, and there’s sure to be some sorcerous secret or another, perhaps more than one, hidden in that estate. As he lurks about, River Snake catches whiffs of disquiet from the inhabitants: someone, or multiple someones, who is expected to be here isn’t, or has gone and not returned.\
[18:32:39] Master of Games
Most Uema weapon production doesn’t happen on their estate, but in workshops back in their home province, or elsewhere in Jibei for artisanal commission pieces. There is what seems to be a small smithy, though, and busy activity. Perhaps they’re forging something truly special there.
[18:36:06] River Snake
The first hit is looking to be the obvious one, the Anori have lots of high profile valuables. More importantly, this missing person or people warrants some looking into.
[18:46:22] Master of Games
As River Snake observes, he becomes more convinced that there’s more than one thing going on. The guards at the gate are inflexible and humorless, but an estate like this has servants coming and going all the time, and these are chatty. He gathers that a geomancer sent to investigate some disturbance has yet to return, but not what the exact issue is. Considering the location and subject matter, perhaps there’s a problem with the Sword Prince’s dragon-backed manse, or some connection to the paucity of activity around Agate Lake this morning?
[18:50:52] River Snake
Having gotten a good look at everything, now is the time to break back to his room and formulate a plan. Maybe inside will also have clues about whatever is happening with the missing geomancer as well. But for now, off to prepare. Go over the layout of the mansion, get some servants clothes, have tea.
[19:02:06] Master of Games
On the Sword’s Edge
Datei ma Kanano, Smoking Dragon, claims ownership over several properties in the outer city and the countryside beyond. One of these, she says, has been occupied by riffraff who’ve gotten it into their heads that they’re the rightful owners. She neglected to mention that the property in question is fairly large, and the ruffians in question outnumber Raizo’s band two or three to one.
[19:05:54] Master of Games
The house looks like a larger version of the theater in Raizo’s hometown, three stories, an entrance hall, likely a fairly-sized stage, and backrooms for the staff. The fellows occupying it strike him as urban malcontents: young folk in gaudy but cheap clothing, many of them likely draft-dodgers, perhaps some disaffected children of decent families, ready for a brawl but unlikely to be particularly trained.
[19:15:56] Raizo
Raizo orders his band to slip around the back and dispatch, as quietly, and ideally nonlethally, as they can, any sentries around the other side while he goes in the front. And approach the front he does with a casual swagger, his arm resting on his sword belt, a long blade of grass he picked from the roadside hanging in his mouth. “I’m here to see your leader.” He says matter-of-factly in a tone that expects to be obeyed. He doesn’t really expect it to work, but maybe it will.
[19:19:39] Master of Games
”And I’m here to see my favorite actor’s ass, but he’s out.” A young man answers Raizo without taking the pipe out of his mouth. The quip is answered by chuckles from the assembled youth.
[19:32:17] Master of Games
Raizo senses eyes on him from the upper story windows, and it strikes him that for shiftless layabouts, these putative ruffians are rather well distributed as they have their fun—almost as if they’ve been arranged such that they’ll casually have the street in their field of view even as they play games and drink.
[19:33:37] Raizo
”If you’d prefer, I can just kill you, but I’d genuinely rather we all get to go home tonight.” His hand moves to his sword and flicks the blade loose. With this gesture and the set of his brow, a palpable aura of menace radiates from him, a touch of that ancient power which laid low those who called themselves titans. “Last chance, princess. Show me in.”
[19:40:16] Master of Games
The laughter stops abruptly. That pipe clatters to the floor. The assembled malcontents look at each other and part to let Raizo in, and the fellow who talked back to him stumble-runs ahead to fetch someone. Raizo hears whispers around him: “What’s going on?” “Who the hell is that?”
[19:43:10] Raizo
Raizo keeps his casual swagger as he steps inside and sweeps his gaze over the goons in the foyer, both to note their number and positions, and to let them know he sees them. “Any of you feeling brave, go ahead and try it. Any of you feeling smart, stay right there.”
[19:51:10] Master of Games
Raizo’s challenge is answered with silence, until he hears an amused voice from upstairs: “Well now, this is interesting.” A tall fellow strolls into view from what would be the actors’ quarters, wearing a robe associated with feminine leading roles in theater and wearing it well. He’s not from here, but it’s hard to tell where he might be from: his skin and features both might as well belong to a marble statue. His accent suggests he’s not a native to the East at all. He leans on the railing and studies Raizo from above. “Who do I have the honor with, and what do I owe it to?”
[19:54:28] Raizo
”Raizo of Great Bough Hill. I’m in need of lodgings no one will miss and I simply won’t take no for an answer.”
[19:54:59] Raizo
”You have two choices that let you keep your heads. Leave, or join me.”
[19:59:44] Master of Games
The leader of the theater group chuckles. “All right, all right. A bold sales pitch if I’ve ever heard one. Join you in what exactly, Raizo?”
[20:09:58] Raizo
”I offer you a future brighter than finger-fucking each other in the dark until your assholes are sucking buttermilk. My oath to anyone who follows me is the promise of a tomorrow free from hunger, from want, from theft by those who’d call themselves better than you.” A hard bite sets in Raizo’s tone, his chest swells, his eyes gleam. This is what he lives for. “I will make you strong. I will make you steel. I will make you soldiers. You may not all live to see the tomorrow I bring, I cannot promise you that, but I can promise you this: in the Vaneha we forge, all under heaven will be brothers, and our brotherhood forges will live forever. That means you will live forever. Join me in eternity, or die ignominy.”
[20:23:30] Master of Games
The man listens with interest, and his goons are rapt. After Raizo’s impromptu speech is over, he claps, not mockingly but seemingly genuinely impressed. “You’ve put me on the spot, good sir! The question of joining you isn’t a decision that’s mine alone to make, alas. If you absolutely need me to leave, fine, but I’d much rather this not be the last we see of each other. I think we want very similar things. Why not drink to a fortuitous meeting?”
[20:23:41] Master of Games
”And let that brawl out back be bygones, while we’re at it?”
[20:27:31] Raizo
Raizo chuckles. “Happily. As for the matter of leaving, well, you’re more agreeable than I was expecting so maybe we can figure something out. Maybe with whoever you have to ask about joining me?”
[20:28:14] Raizo
”I find it’s best to know who all the players in the game are, after all.”
[20:31:45] Master of Games
”It sure is! Come on up, I’ve got some bottles… Your people make excellent wine. I have some friends who’ve been in contact with elements of the middle and upper classes that are unhappy, shall we say, with the Sword Prince’s current policies. And you strike me as someone who can really inspire the common man.”
[20:32:49] Master of Games
”But I’m being rude! V’neef Sengal of the Blessed Isle, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. V’neef’s the clan name, so to speak, we don’t put any particles in between as you do here.”
[20:34:48] Raizo
”Well met, then, Sengal. I have no clan name myself. I burned it for my brothers. They’re my clan now.”
[20:53:20] Master of Games
The Sword
The buildings in the imperial quarter are the oldest in the city—even when Jibei has burned in the past, any warlord would think twice before razing this sacred precinct.
The Sword Prince normally holds court in a banquet hall in the dragon-backed manse, but for a smaller, private meeting, Datei ma Kagemori has been summoned to a shrine-annex on the western side of the quarter, where the newly appointed Datei heir is to have tea with Gensuji’s inner circle on a balcony overlooking Agate Lake. Poems have been written about this specific vista.
Kuromi insisted on coaching Kagemori, at least briefly: He would most likely meet at least Gensuji’s sister and their father, they would apprise him of duties they expect the clan to handle, and they would try to gauge Kagemori’s loyalty to the Sword.
[21:02:29] Master of Games
True to his sister’s expectations, Kagemori meets Zeaki, high priestess of the First and Hundredth, and Heimonji, Sword Prince Emeritus on the balcony and tea is served.
Kagemori has heard that both imperial siblings are taller than their father, and at least for Zeaki this is true. She has a boyish cast to her features that accentuates the familial resemblance with her father and wears a tiger pelt around her upper body above a priest’s robes. Heimonji has always been the civic mastermind of the state more than an active wielder of the Imperial Daiklave, and sits in a civilian silk kimono, his face just beginning to be marked by middle age.
[21:02:43] Moriarty
Kagemori accepts the coaching without complaint. His posture is straightened and he adjusts his robe as he approaches the shrine. He has received the education in etiquette that a noble might expect, but education is not the same as actual practice. Still, it seems he took to his lessons well, as his Essence infuses his movements and points out small movements in others to him. “I will not let us all down, sister.”
[21:05:59] Master of Games
Kagemori’s hosts seem pleased with his conduct—he’s off to a good start.
[21:06:24] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori bows to the priestess and prince emeritus as they are seated. “I hope I have not left my hosts waiting.”
[21:12:12] Master of Games
Heimonji is the first to speak. “Your arrival is as it should be expected of your station. Continue in that manner and you’ll serve Vaneha well.” His approval has the tone of a patriarch who is sparse with compliments, though Kagemori would have heard he was a doting father to his actual flesh and blood.
[21:12:51] Master of Games
”Speaking of your station—the announcement came as a surprise to many, including us.”
[21:18:59] Datei ma Kagemori
”I suppose that is expected. I am young, and have little to my name. The elders and notables tell me I have a great destiny, and have put their hopes and expectations upon me. If Heaven deigns give me the strength to carry those hopes, it can give me nothing else and I will be satisfied.”
[21:19:49] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori watches the patriarch as he listens. Is this meeting more about himself or the clan?
[21:28:46] Master of Games
Heimonji nods at something in Kagemori’s explanation. “It is good to respect the decisions of your elders, but remember that you are now the head of the clan. Just as it was my decision to abdicate in my son’s favor, but his hand now wields the Imperial Daiklave. I abdicated because I wanted this to be so.” The unspoken implication may as well be said out loud to Kagemori’s ear: whatever the clan may say, remember that your place is to be loyal to us, and the clan’s is to follow. The Prince Emeritus is now interested in securing Kagemori’s personal loyalty.
[21:46:38] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori nods. “It is true. I have been given great power, but now it is my turn to wield it.” He smirks to himself at the multiple meanings of that. “There is much that I have little talent for, or that I have little experience in, but the measure of a leader is their ability to delegate I believe. Let those who have tight grips grip the swords, let those with sharp eyes watch the gates.” He pauses, thinking on his words. “I intend to fulfill my oaths and the oaths sworn by those preceding me. I intend to honor those who honor me, to reward the worthy and chastise the wicked. I believe that is what the gods desire of me and us all. … My only worry is that this responsibility has come to me too quickly, that I am not yet ready.”
[21:47:10] Datei ma Kagemori
He feigns a slight surprise after a moment. “Ah, but I should not speak of the desires of the gods, when their representative is here with us.”
[21:57:29] Master of Games
The Prince Emeritus looks deeply pleased with this answer. Kagemori’s redirection comes just as Zeaki seems poised to cut in anyhow, and she answers with a placid expression. “Just the one. The other ninety-nine, through them.” Kuromi has told him that Zeaki can resemble a statue when she stands still during conferences, and many courtiers think she cuts an imposing figure. She’s a difficult one to read; as may be expected from the priestess of a god that habitually veils their countenance.
”What does this mean for the clan, then? Do you expect to replace your sister as our guest at court?”
[22:04:57] Datei ma Kagemori
”I believe my sister has done her duty to my satisfaction. I intend her to continue to represent me, if that suits the court. If I am to refine the clan, I believe I need to see its operations wherever they might be, to get the measure of my men and women where they are. If she has failed in her duties, I apologize for her behavior and will see it corrected.”
[22:10:09] Master of Games
”Not at all. In fact, she’s kept us well apprised of anti-war sentiment among the nobility, something that will continue to be important.” Heimonji nods. “Courtiers can talk all they want—but we can’t have them getting foolish ideas where nobody’s looking. Perhaps you will be ideally suited for casting a broader net.”
[22:12:19] Datei ma Kagemori
”I suppose I have just said I intend to travel the land far and wide. Is that what the throne and heaven desires of me, to know the hearts of men and report back?”
[22:13:03] Master of Games
Both nod. “Who better to know than a man’s shadow?”
[22:16:10] Datei ma Kagemori
”This can be arranged. I trust that my loyal service will be properly appreciated.”
[22:24:03] Master of Games
The high priestess appears satisfied at Kagemori’s answers regarding Datei’s situation. “Always. The fruits of Gensuji’s conquest are for the Vanehan people, and those who carried his sword will of course get their due.” Heimonji continues: “Closer to home: I’m sure you know that bandits and miscreants have been emboldened by my son’s absence. Now there are even reports near the capital, including of one Urchin Prince who fancies himself a revolutionary. Some of the common folk are talking about ruffians riding on crocodiles, absolute hogwash, but some of them find it inspiring. These sort of characters are your clan’s remit. I expect I don’t need to finish the thought.”
[22:33:02] Datei ma Kagemori
”I have heard the title whispered. I admit some curiosity in how one earns that title, but my understanding is that many urchins have yet to recognize that particular claim. It will be done. Perhaps next time you will see me, it is with crocodile in tow.”
[22:34:41] Master of Games
Zeaki answers this with a raised eyebrow and a sleeve raised over her mouth, while Heimonji chuckles. “Not in the court, please.”