PaulHaynek — Roleplayer Guild

Kishi Grasslands

~ @Hammerman ~

“I am simply more interested in her than the others,”Lunatea Vern Farnsworth

"Yurine-san? What do you want with her?" Kikyo asked.

But the answer came from Takeshi. "There were warriors, powerful people, that weren't with us in Sanjo Beach, you included. I'm trying to gather all of them so that we can mount a rescue to save my father. The taskforce Lunatea is a part of is looking for the others."

"Still, Lunatea-san. Are you sure you wanna go after her immediately?" Takeshi asked, surprised that Lunatea wanted to move out again despite the long day they've had. "Don't you wanna take a break first? Like, catch your breath back in Terauchi Temple? 'Cause I sure do, especially after our fight in that Varjan war camp. Ugh, my shoulder's still sore from that."

"I won't stop you if you really want to." Takeshi added. "But you will have to go at it alone, since I need to escort Kikyo to the temple."

"And I also need a place for my forces to stay for time being until they are needed. It is inefficient to drag them to everywhere I go." Kikyo piped in. "Speaking of the temple, I'm impressed you've managed to establish a base of operations this quickly. It truly speaks to your natural leadership skills, Takeshi-sama."

"Uhh, yeah, about that..."

Unknown Inn

Sorae, Gentle Heart

~ @AzureKnight (ATS & HIN), @Restalaan (SKA) ~

Skarsneek had made for the inn, probably to capture the woman. This left with eight Shizuyaman swordsmen and spearmen against the Hangai sisters.

But the Jiangshi was already fighting them, taking two down with her bo staff and some well-placed kicks to the head. Now, six remain and four surrounded Hinami; two with swords and two with spears. One of the swordsmen began whispering at his blade, likely an enchantment while the spearmen began thrusting their weapons at the Jiangshi, hoping to score something with their range while the remaining swordsman watched out for any openings Hinami might make.

Two spearmen made for Atsuha. "...I hate spiders." One of them muttered before attacking the Jurou-gomo. But the spider yokai already had a spell ready, pink petals fluttering from the plant on her back were launched at the spearmen at quick speeds and the warriors were pelted to unconsciousness. The other spell she casted with the talisman also came into effect, protecting herself, her sister Hinami and her lover Skarsneek.

And just in time too, as arrows from the archers on the windows bounced off of Atsuha's body, feeling more like pebbles hurled at her than painful projectiles. Although, her monstrous physiology likely would have protected her anyway. The archers nocked more arrows, but then shifted their attention to something inside the inn.

Skarsneek had burst into the inn in search of the woman conspirator, finding himself in a large room with weapon racks, boxes and crates and a ladder that led into the second floor. The two archers had loosed a couple of arrows at his allies outside but switched targets when the Goblin appeared. Skarsneek managed to take down the first one but a sword-wielding warrior interrupted him, which allowed the remaining archer to shoot a couple of arrows at the Goblin before a knife from outside the window hit him square in the head. Demon Realm Silver, of course, so the archers was not dead.

The woman was also here, and she got herself a sword from the weapon racks to join the fight. 

~ @Enkryption, @The Irish Tree ~

Alice and Liliana both arrived at Otomo Port in the island of Akamagaseki at the middle of the day, as per Lady Kyouko's instructions... save for the fact that they were supposed to arrive much earlier. The port was busy and the two saw many warrior monsters mobilizing and preparing supplies. It very much looked like they were getting ready for a battle.

A weary Lady Kyouko ran up to the newcomers. "Ah, you two! It's good that you're here. A little late, but that's alright." She greeted them with a quick bow. "I'm afraid we don't have much time. Varjo has officially invaded Shizuyama and is overrunning the island as we speak. Their fleet is currently encircling Shizuyama too so I can't send anymore boats to ferry you to the island. I will have to teleport you two to Terauchi Temple."

"Come. Quickly now." The fox monster led Liliana and Alice to her estate on the hill, heading to the wide and spacious backyard where a figure in an obscuring cloak was also waiting. Liliana and Alice could sense tremendous power from this individual, and could tell she was a monster herself. "Using a teleport spell like this typically consumes a lot of the caster's energy. Fortunately, my friend here offered to help the cause, uhh, pretty recently and so, we can share our energies on the spell."

"Anyway, I'm teleporting you to Terauchi Temple in Shizuyama. It's the base of my human spies on the island and they'll help you where they can. The rest of the taskforce are, I believe, also there so rendezvous with them too."

Those were Lady Kyouko's last words before she and the cloaked figure clasped their hands together which began glowing. Liliana's and Alice's visions quickly became white.

Terauchi Temple

~ @AzureKnight (SHI), @Rezod92, @Crowvette, @Restalaan (GRI), @Enkryption, @The Irish Tree ~

“Ayu-san, the miko I fought earlier mentioned something about how much the yōkai had taken from the people here. I was wondering about how much you know about the history of the relationship the people have had with the yōkai and why they fear them so vehemently.”Shizuka Kannazuki

"Ahh, that one's a little bit complicated, Shizuka-san." Ayu began. "As you know, Shizuyama was freed from the yokai when it was officially founded. The people of Shizuyama has fought the yokai ever since, even if the other islands in Zipangu either accepted the yokai or submitted to them. After The Great Change, Shizuyama still continued to fight the yokai."

"But now, instead of casualties being inflicted by death in battle, they are inflicted by Demonic Energy." Ayu continued. "The warriors of Shizuyama know of the... transformative effects of Demonic Energy and while it is fine in small, negligible amounts, they strictly do not tolerate those transformed by its effects. Anyone who has changed into a yokai or spent a long time with them are immediately either executed or banished, no matter who they were or what they did before."

"People are torn from their families and clans because of this. Of course, everyone blames the yokai instead of the rules."

“Also, I was also wondering why Kyouko-sama had decided to aid the island with a group of yōkai in spite of all that. I have my suspicions but I’d like to hear the most accurate answer first.”Shizuka Kannazuki

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't help with you that." Ayu slumped her shoulders, genuinely sad that she couldn't answer. "Even I don't know why Lady Kyouko does all this. But she has helped me before and she genuinely wants the safety of Shizuyama so I trust her."

-

Before any of the taskforce members could go off on their missions, a flash of bright light came from one of the pagodas; the one where Io also came out of. It appeared there were more where she came from. A monk opened the sliding door to let out Alice and Liliana, who would see the Terauchi Temple grounds for the first time. From their view, it looked like there had been a fight here recently what with the burn marks on the stone pavements and a bit of damaged architecture.

Ayu quickly went up to them. "Hello, hello! Are you two also part of Lady Kyouko's taskforce? If so, then welcome!" The snow-haired woman happily greeted them. "Err, don't mind the marks. There's been a small skirmish here with the, uhh... more stubborn locals but it's all fine now. It's all fine!" She then let out a sheepish chuckle. "You two are probably confused as to how all got here. I'm ready to answer any questions you have."

Alice and Liliana could notice the wary stared aimed at them by the refugee villagers. "Hey, listen. The taskforce is also currently trying to build trust with the people of Shizuyama. Why don't you two join them?"

-

~~ MAIN TALES ~~

"Kageho is a shinobi who was supposed to attempt to sneak through the Varjan blockade alongside others. The last wave of shinobi that we could send. I... ordered them not to go anymore, behind my father's back, since it would have been a waste and the Varjans were upon us. It was too late to call for reinforcements from the other islands.

Still, I expected her to show up in Sanjo Beach with the other shinobi. But they didn't. Anyway, their hideout should be around here somewhere. Try looking for any suspicious clearings in the forests around here. We can use their help."

-Takeshi Oja

"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.

Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."

-Takeshi Oja

"Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries.

She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us."

-Takeshi Oja

~~ SIDE TALES ~~

A villager woman with long, indigo hair has something to say to a taskforce member.

"Have you heard of the 'Heavenly Strike' technique? Many people claim it is simply a myth, but the musician Katsuhiro insists that it's real. Speaking of whom, I believe he is around here somewhere.

If it's as powerful as the story claims, let's hope you never face the technique in battle."

Caution: This is a long tale.

A villager man puts down his drink and approached the taskforce member.

"Yokai, the Varjans have taken the bridge leading to Terauchi Pass, the road that connects to here. Many people travel that bridge, especially now. Please, you have to do something."

A troubled woman stared at the ground listlessly, but her eyes widened upon seeing the taskforce member.

"I saw a terrible battle near Kuta Farmstead, yokai. Bandits and Varjans killing each other. I probably shouldn't worry about scum tearing each other apart, but their fighting might put someone in danger.

Please, can you take a look?"

A panicking man ran up to the taskforce member.

"Yokai, please hear me out. While I was on my way here, I had to hide from a patrol of Varjans. One of them was a strange black-clad warrior who stood out from all of them. I overheard him talking about 'very helpful substances' and how they can be used against our people.

I think they were going to the Yagata Shipyard west of here. And the Varjans called the warrior, 'Fatal Pulse'."
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