L5R Storytime thread: Mr Stonewall goes to Toshi Ranbo edition

>So that means when we go to leave, and use the trident to clear out the mist so we can get past the rocks, we'll have to deal with him too?
>yes, but I'm sure if we just give him the trident he'll let us go.
>Okay then. Let's go get our new boat.
>Mantis-san looked over at me.
>We'll have to swim there.
>Hida Bushi train wearing full armor.
>In fact, our first lessons are constant drilling with the equipment we will use for the rest of our lives.
>As such, know how to use heavier weapons in ways other samurai never will, and we become so used to the weight and bulk of our armor it no longer hampers us.
>It is still difficult to be silent when you're wearing 50 llbs of lacquered metal.
>which would be even heavier when waterlogged.
>I sighed.
>Naomi, give me a hand here?
>Naomi helped me out of my armor.
>Looks like I was going to have to fight in my fundoshi.
>We were going to be down a bushi, and Naomi had used up nearly all her magic.
>Toshiro, can you swim with that leg?
>Pretty sure. Yeah.
>Gonna try anyway.
>I kissed Naomi on the forehead.
>Wait for me, I'll be back for you. I promise.
>She looked me up and down.
>Slowly.
>I will be waiting.
>She smiled at me.
>There was a promise in that smile.
>We went to edge of the water and began to swim.
>Toshiro struggled a bit, but he kept up with us.
>We neared the boat, the mist and the the current making waves lap at it's sides conspiring to aid us in our approach.
>The sea had washed Toshiro's face paint off.
>So he montioned that he wished to go first.
>I held on the rope of the ships anchor as he climbed up.
>I went after, then Mantis-san.
>Kitsuki-san brought up the rear.
>Toshiro slopped wetly onto the deck.
>A pirate turned to see what that was,
>and saw a waterlogged monster with a ruined face wielding a tetsubo come out of the mist, hellbent on consuming his very soul.
>Toshiro gave him enough time to scream before smashing him in the face, cutting it off with a loud crunch.

>The noise brought more pirates to investigate.
>They saw their comrades body, twitching and bleeding on the deck, sans face.
>They saw the creature that had killed him.
>And then, while their minds were still reeling with shock, only just turning to fear, a hulking wall of muscle wearing only a loincloth slammed into their ranks.
>we may have been badly outnumbered, but we had struck a decisive blow against their spirit before the even knew they were in a fight.
>they fell back away from me in terror, shocked into inaction.
>Mantis-san and Kitsuki-san charged in, harrying them, giving them no time to breath much less think
>The decks ran red with blood, and I thrilled at the heat of battle being upon me.
>Mantis-san let out a cry of triumph
>even Kitsuki-san was laughing
>Toshiro had left his scroll satchel behind, unwilling to even risk it's precious contents being damaged or destroyed during our swim.
>But he waded in right alongside us, swinging his tetsubo with abandon.
>And then the mist parted.
>Kenzan appeared on the deck
>he did not have the trident
>What are you idiots DOING?!
>It's just four of them! Get up, get in there!
>He restored order to them, gave them back their spirit.
>Ordinarily, this is when I would seek to cover myself, to fight with caution.
>Allowing my enemies to exhaust themselves and strike when they were weak.
>Instead I chose to double down and try to maintain our momentum.
>I lashed out, killing one and sending another over the side.
>My friends followed suit, cutting and smashing any they could reach.
>At first, it seemed we may keep our momentum after all.
>But then the pirates finally countered.
>Stars exploded in my eyse as a tonfa smashed into my temple.
>A kama sliced open my side.
>My vision cleared just enough to see the others all receive wounds of their own.
>I smashed in the kneecap of one pirate mencaing Mantis-san, clearing him a path to Kenzan
>GO! Finish him!

>Mantis-san ran at Kenzan, threw himself into a dive and rolled through Kenzan's legs.
>As Kenzan tried to rise, Mantis-san struck him with his kama, biting deep into Kenzan's shoulder.
>Kitsuki-san, despite his wounds, threw himself at another pirate.
>He landed on the pirates tanto
>But took the pirates head.
>Three others surrounded Toshiro and attacked, wounding him heavily.
>he sagged to his knees, tetsubo clattering to the deck.
>I lunged in, felling one.
>I missed the other.
>Only to be stabbed in the back.
>Several more pirates were advancing to help their leader, ready to kill Mantis-san.
>I realized that some of them still wore green.
>the ones who had tried to attack Naomi, and had run off.
>So they had joined Kenzan's crew?
>I struck one in the back.
>And then a jo slammed across the backs of my knees, and I went down, kneeling.
>A blade followed up, the point driven into my chest, and I toppled over, unable to stand.
>The pirates loomed over me, raised weapons to finish me off.
>And then a cry arose.
>I could just crane my neck enough to see.
>Kenzan's body hit the deck.
>And then his head did.
>It rolled off somewhere
>ah shit.
>we're gonna need go find that fuckers head.
>can't have that damn thing just rolling around wherever it pleases.
>what if naomi sees it
>something was odd with my thoughts but I couldn't tell what
>my head was cloudy, I couldn't focus at all.
>I rolled onto my back, arms outstreched, and looked up at the blue sky.
>There was still a pirate standing over me
>sunlight glinted off his upraised kama
>a trident stabbed him in the chest
>he clutched at the haft as the wielder ran past, carrying him over the side of boat.
>I thought the man with trident looked familiar, but it was hard to see.
>I was tired.
>so I closed my eyes.

Question on the out of character stuff, did the previous DM become toshiro when Naomi took over? Or did you get an entire new person

Totally new guy. Previous GM had irl issues and ended up dropping off the radar.

bump

No wonder you use crabs for OP images. These threads are fucking jade text walls.

I sorta enjoy how the text walls give him the weeb speak diction pace though

Where in the story did the switch happen?
Maybe I am not reading close enough to see it.

Around the time of the first baby if I'm remembering right.

>that pic
mantis > unicorn > crab > scorpion > the other trash
am I right or am I right?

The Shiba's player left irl before the session we got the letter to bring Monkey to his wedding. That's why I only mentioned the Shiba in passing during that ensemble romcom scene in the garden.

I didn't really adress the Shiba's char leaving in the story until later because I wasn't sure how I was going to write him out yet. There are three kinds of Veeky Forums greentext: a) wacky hijinks at the table b) unique and therfore interesting chars/sessions/situations c)the story of the adventure told through the eyes of the chars present.

This is the last one, told through Ishigaki's eyes. So like I admited earlier, I'm taking some artistic liberty at times. Sometimes because it's been years and I really don't remember all the little details of each session, and sometimes because I want these stories to be as in character as possible.

But we had a lot of great moments in this campaign, so I thought I'd start sharing some. Like the time Ishigaki figured out the shushi death by staring at a peice of sushi. That was a real table moment. We'd gotten some Japanese take out. YOU TAINTED BASTARD was another one I don't think I'll ever forget. When a bunch of anons started screencaping and tossing (you)'s at me asking for more, I figured I'd keep going till everyone told me to stop.

>Many times in stories when Samurai are near death, they speak of seeing their ancestors.
>Often the receive some bit of wisdom before being told to go back.
>Other times the Samurai realizes what is happening, and states they have some task they must complete first.
>Neither of these things happened to me.
>or, if they did, I do not remember them.
>I do not know if I am disappointed that nothing happened, or relived that I avoided such a cliche.
>It matters very little.
>I awoke to Naomi's tear streaked face.
>Thank the fortunes! Ishigaki-kun!
>She hugged me fiercely, but without the spine shattering strength from before.
>The next thing I noticed was there was no mist.
>I then realized that, while you would not question your actions while under the curse, you would see them for what they were once you were no longer being influenced.
>...
>We were going to end spending the next month and a half apologizing to one another.
>Naomi, ever sensitive to my thoughts and emotions, flushed red as she realized I was remembering what we did on that island.
>I had never seen her blush so deeply before.
>She looked like nothing so much as... well... a boiled crab.
>the rocking sensation, and the sound of lapping water, told me we were on a ship.
>Toshiro's face, freshly painted came into view.
>he had a tightness in the set of his jaw that let me know we were not out of the woods just yet.
>You done patching him up yet, Naomi?
>good.
>The Monkey's voice sounded very strange.
>Toshiro whispered to me
>We really should have known better than to fuck around with a cursed Nemurani.
>C'mon Ishigaki.
>get up.
>I did so.
>Monkey was sitting there on the deck.
>the trident was slung over his shoulder.
>Around me sailors, some the pirates, others the survivors of the Mantis crew, went about the work of the ship, and tried very hard not to look at any of this.
>We're clear of the rocks, Ishigaki
>He stared into my eyes
>It's after
>He kicked my tetsubo across the deck to me

>I glanced down at Toshiro.
>he was bandaged heavily.
>Naomi had just used up her last spell healing me, unless I had been out for a very long time.
>Mantis-san? Kitsuki-san?
>Don't worry about them Ishigaki. they're not dead or anything.
>Just to messed up to move.
>Looks like you guys really needed me to save your sorry asses.
>Toshiro spoke up.
>The curse, Ishigaki-san. We were a little mad with bloodlust, fought recklessly.
>I nodded
>Yeah, you keep talking about the damn curse, but you guys were treating me like shit long before we ever got here.
>It's the tirdent, Ishigaki-san. Get it away from him.
>Got it.
>Whisper all you want, it's not going to save you Ishigaki.
>Monkey hopped up, twirling the trident.
>You know, your lucky I'm such an honorable guy.
>I could have killed you while you were out.
>I stared at Monkey.
>It's not honor. You just need to know the truth.
>he chuckled.
>Yeah. your right. I do.
>He lunged.
>I twisted to the side, pushing his thrusts past me with my tetsubo.
>You really are an annoying little shit, you know that Monkey?
>And your bad luck.
>So, quite frankly, I think you should be grateful we keep you around at all.
>I didn't mean any of that, of course. I was free of the curse now.
>But I wanted to goad Monkey, make him angry. Angry, reckless and stupid.
>I was only going to get one chance.
>Of course, in the grip of the curse as he was, Monkey walked right into my bait.
>He hadn't taken complete leave of his senses though.
>He tried to rile me up right back
>Once I kill you I'm taking Naomi for my own!
>Well.
>maybe he had taken complete leave of his senses.
>I bit down on my anger.
>Monkey was not himself
>I prepared myself.
>He thrust the trident straight for my heart with all his might.
>I pushed it down just enough that it missed my lungs
>grabbed his lead wrist.
>And slammed the pommel of my tetsubo into the bridge of his nose, breaking it.

>He lost his balance, falling to the deck.
>and released his grip on the trident.
>Toshiro and several sailors jumped on him, pinning him to the deck.
>I moved to kick the accursed trident over the side, but Naomi shouted to forestall me
>Ishigaki-kun, stop!
>We must give it back to the Orochi when he comes for it!
>I nodded.
>Fine. Nobody touch that damn thing till the snake gets here.
>I placed a full barrel of fresh water on top of the trident to keep it from sliding off the deck.
>shouldn't the mist be seeping from this thing now that no one is holding it?
>Toshiro came over.
>I glanced back. Two sailors were still holding Monkey's arms, but he was not struggling at all.
>Give me a moment Toshiro said.
>He knelt next to the trident, and began to pray.
>What's he doing Naomi?
>Asking the Kami for their favor.
>I can see that.
>No, you do not understand.
>All magic is the work of the Kami.
>We use scrolls to help us focus our minds properly, and because the prayer so transcribed is pleasing to the Kami whose favor we seek.
>It is possible to recite the prayer from memory, to get the motions, and even your emotional state just right, so that you do not need a scroll.
>It is also possible to simply entreat the Kami directly for intervention you do not know how to properly ask for.
>I am exhausted, but there is a very simple water spell that will reveal the properties of a Nemurani.
>Toshiro knows it possible for the kami to do this, but he does not know the proper way to ask. So he is entreating them in a less formal way.
>It takes much longer, this way.
>that's why we rely on our scrolls.
>Uh. Okay.
>I understood maybe one word in three of that.
>Magic was something I would never trully grasp, as I could not hear the kami as Naomi and Toshiro could.
>I think she just said it's possible for a shugenja to cast a spell they didn't know, by asking really nicely for a long time.
>I think.

>Naomi dressed my wound as she wasted her breath trying to explain the finer points of shugenjaing to me.
>I didn't stop her, because I was so glad to hear her speaking normally again.
>When she finished, I laid back, putting my head to rest in her lap.
>the full weight of ordeal that was the isle of mists came down upon me.
>seeing my friends turned into something they were not.
>My wife.
>my own thoughts and actions disgusted me.
>And worst of all was the way I did not even think to question them at the time.
>How far did the curse change a person?
>did it make you into something you simply were not?
>Or did it only bring to the surface what was truly inside you?
>I didn't want to know, not about myself, or the others.
>But I couldn't stop turning it over in my mind.
>I suspected the others were the same.
>Or would be, when they woke up.
>a sob broke the silence.
>It wasn't Naomi.
>I looked over.
>Monkey jerked his arms free of the sailors holding him
>He looked at us, tears in his eyes.
>I'm sorry!
>Ishigaki-san! I tried to kill you! twice!
>Naomi-sama, Toshiro-sama!
>He yanked off his do.
>Oh shit Monkey what are you doing
>I got up
>he pulled out his wakizashi
>Monkey
>STOP
>Naomi yelled it before I could finish thinking it.
>And with such force everyone on deck came to an abrupt halt.
>I recovered first, ran over and slapped the blade from Monkey's hands.
>Then I hugged him
>Just forget it Monkey.
>But, but I...
>We all did Monkey.
>Ishigaki-kun is right. We all did terrible things on that island. No one is to blame for any of it.
>You will NOT take your own life over it, do you understand me?
>Monkey nodded, wide eyed at the vehemence in Naomi's voice.
>Besides Monkey, if you did that then we would all have to.
>You'd be killing us all, you really want that?
>N-no. I don't.
>Okay then.
>Okay.
>...
>Um
>Ishigaki-san?
>You can stop hugging me now.
>I let go of Monkey, more than a little embarrassed.
>Naomi tittered behind her sleeve.

Shounen protagonism intensifies.

Bumping for collective sudoku.

Damn it.
I didn't see this had started and posted the screencaps in another thread.
Get 'em while they're hot!

>Tales Of Hida ISHYGDDT

Thanks user, you da best.

just make a PDF by god

Libraian-user is working on one. Ikoma-user preserves the work in this way, and does a fine job of it.

Good news on this front. As I type this ForeverGM is in the chair across from me drawfagging away. He'll be using the scanner at his work on monday, so by monday night at the latest we'll have char art uploaded.

>After some time Toshiro finished his chat with the Kami
>he stood up, and came over to us.
>The trident was a Nemurani before they tried to seal the curse inside it.
>Origianly, when placed upon it's alter, it would cause mist to seep out over a wide area, concealing it.
>When held, it's wielder could summon a much smaller area of mist around themselves.
>Ah. And then the curse became rooted in the mist?
>Yes, Naomi-san. It's just as you say.
>It was then that the Orochi finnaly made it's presence known.
>It came up, hissing furiously
>OI! Hold on a minute!
>I waved my arms at it, Monkey did likewise
>To my relife, it stopped hissing. Closed it's mouth. And stared at us.
>Kenzan, the guy who took the trident, is dead!
>We just want to get away from the curse!
>So here, have it back!
>It leaned in, opened it's maw.
>with a quick kick monkey sent the trident into the things mouth.
>It closed it's mouth on the trident, holding it.
>And then vanished beneath the waves without a word.
>Monkey looked over at me.
>Not very talkative, was he?
>What, you were hoping to have some polite teatime conversation with a giant snake?
>Yeah, actually.
>I mean, he's lived for ever!
>Before men walked in Ningen-do!
>He must know a lot, must have seen a lot!
>Monkey.
>Huh?
>He's been protecting a tribe of crazed Ningyo all this time. All he knows about is fish, more fish, and what crazy fish people do with their free time.
>Oh. Yeah, I suppose your right.
>While I wanted to rest, I could not. There were not enough surviving Mantis to crew the boat, so we had no choice but to use pirates as well
>Several of us were on guard at all times, to keep them from getting any funny ideas
>Toshiro promised them that since he was a Jade, and not Emerald magistrate, he would blame their crimes entirely on the mist and let them go once we reached port
>Toshiro is filthy liar
>These men and been in and out of the mist several times
>They needed no curse to make them bloodthirsty criminals

>we reached the Isles of Spice and Silk in two days, as predicted.
>Everyone was fully recovered from their psychical injuries and fatigue, thanks to Naomi.
>The mental injuries would take longer to heal.
>In the end, we did a tea ceremony together and agreed that we would simply never speak of the things that happened on that island again.
>Unlike Toshiro, I am not a filthy liar.
>I never said I wouldn't write about them.
>Not like I expect anyone would ever read these journals anyway.
>I'm getting sidetracked.
>While we were handling all the matters of docking, Monkey slipped quietly away and got the magistrate.
>And several dozen well armed Yoriki.
>So while the pirates cried and protested and insulted Toshiro, there was little they could do but be carted off.
>A drowning man will grab anything to try and save himself, even if he knows his weight will pull it down with him.
>These pirates were no different. Given the choice between immediate death at the hands of the Yoriki, or death via execution that was at some point in the future, they chose to live just a little bit longer.
>We got a chance to meet Mantis-san's wife.
>She greeted her husband traditionally, dozega and asking whether he wished for dinner or a bath first.
>We chose bath.
>The time at sea, and the island, had given us little time to clean properly, and we all stank to Tengoku.
>Mantis-san's house was quite large, and had two baths, so Naomi and Tatsuki got cleaned up at the same time we did.
>Tatsuki was clever girl.
>She hid in an empty barrel inside the ship as soon as she saw people getting weird.
>So.
>Mantis-san.
>He poured a bucket of water over his head, washing all the soap off.
>yeah?
>How do you think your wife is going to take to Tatsuki?
>The same way she takes to our baby making sessions. Cold indifference.
>I told you before, we have a normal marriage.
>She runs the house, managing my stipend and business.
>When I come home sometimes we fuck, sometimes we don't.

>But it's only for children.
>We don't love each other.
>But we do both love our kids.
>Monkey was soaking, a cloth over his eyes.
>Without moving he asked Mantis-san how many children he had.
>Two so far.
>Boys. Ichiro and Nichi.
>He got in to soak beside us.
>I know, not very original.
>But they're going to choose their own names when they complete their Gempuku anyway.
>Mantis-san was right. Children's names were often bland. Adding in numbers relating to their birth order was a common thing.
>For precicely the reason he said so. A person chooses their adult name upon completing their Gempuku.
>And takes a new name upon retiring.
>Some even receive a fourth name upon their death.
>Needless to say, keeping track of who is who in official records can be a challenge.
>I shook my head. Mantis-san was telling the truth when he said his marriage was normal.
>But I couldn't fathom it.
>Not making love to someone you had no feelings for, nor arranging a marriage that would put your own children is such a position.
>Then again, I was a Crab. It was the custom of our Clan to allow Samurai to choose their own spouses.
>You had until 25, then a spouse would be found for you.
>We did it this way because we were in a never ending war.
>Our clan suffered losses almost daily.
>And a couple in love would make love more often then a couple that could not stand one another.
>Which meant more babies.
>Which meant more Crabs to replace the ones who fall.
>I wondered if I was no better than those who condemned their children to a loveless marriage.
>After all, I was condemning mine to life on the Wall.
>Damn that island.
>I got out and dried myself off.
>I was far to introspective for my own good at the moment.
>Judging by the silence in the bath behind me, we all were.
>An evening of drinking was in order.

>Gloomy thoughts would intrude on even the most stalwart veteran after a long time standing a post on the Wall.
>It's why Crabs were so rowdy once off duty. Chasing those dark thoughts away to keep hold of your sanity.
>Toshiro joined me as I finished dressing.
>looked at me.
>Nodded in agreement.
>We came out and a servant lead us to a room.
>Manits-san's wife was there talking with Naomi.
>Tatsuki was pouring tea for them and fidgeting.
>Ishigaki-kun! Kaori-san was just asking about you
>Oh?
>She sipped her tea.
>My husband's letters are terse, I fear.
>He has told me precious little about you all.
>In his defense, there isn't much to tell about me at all.
>I'm just a simple Crab, killing oni where I find them.
>She smiled
>such work is hardly simple though.
>True. But it's also not a topic for polite discussion.
>Also true.
>She nodded, and turned to Toshiro.
>He had already reaplied his face paint.
>You must be Kuni Toshiro-sama.
>May I ask why you paint your face?
>I know it is a custom of your family, but I thought it war paint?
>For many it is. Others will wear it when going about official duties or in public for one reason or another.
>It is a personal choice, just as the pattern of the paint is.
>I see. That is very interesting.
>What is your reason then?
>My leg is not the only thing wounded in battle with the shadowlands.
>Oh. I see. Forgive me for prying.
>Toshiro waved the apology away.
>It is fine. Everyone is curious about it when we first meet.
>Well.
>this sure is an exciting conversation.
>I was relived when the others came in.
>You recived my letter, Husband?
>I did.
>Kenzan has taken to targeting our ships, personally.
>I know because he sent one sailor back alive to tell me.
>Mantis-san nodded.
>Kenzan has already been dealt with.
>She looked shocked, then quickly hid it behind a sip of tea.
>Mantis-san continued.
>It was pure chance, but he attacked the very ship we were coming here on.
>How unfortunate for him.
>She smiled again

>Is the damage to our business severe?
>We lost three ships, crew and cargo all.
>But I believe we can recover.
>Though we will have to be tight with the purse strings for a time.
>No frivolous expenses.
>Kaori-san didn't look at Tatsuki, but Tatsuki squirmed all the same.
>Mantis-san sighed.
>You've already guessed then?
>Kaori-san sipped her tea.
>He produced Tatsuki's contract.
>His wife's eyes widened again as she looked at it
>How did you get this? I haven't given you nearly enough money to buy a Geisha's contract!
>I got a great price form the Bog Hag that owned it previously to have it.
>The one-two combination of shocks was enough to finnaly shake Kaori-san's face.
>She stared at Mantis-san.
>Opened her mouth. Then closed it, unable to find words.
>This repeated several times.
>There was a bog hag wearing the skin of the madame of a Geisha house.
>It had a coven, and several of the Geisha were also Hags.
>No, Kaori, Tatsuki here knew nothing about it. She was a victim of the hags as well.
>And no, she is not tainted.
>Mantis-san gestured towards Toshiro and me.
>I promised I would keep no secrets from you. But Tatsuki is perfectly safe.
>And I will keep her.
>Kaori-san managed to regain her composure.
>Looked at Tatsuki.
>Very well then.
>Stop squirming so. Did you not learn proper manners durring your training?
>I... I was still in training when Mantis-sama acquired my contract.
>Kaori narrowed her eyes.
>Sighed.
>very well.
>I suppose I can teach you what you need to know if your going to be part of this household now.
>With that last bit of business out of the way I elbowed Mantis-san.
>You must know where there is a good place to get some drinks around here.
>I do.
>Well lets go then.
>Mantis-san, Kitsuki-san, Monkey, Toshiro and I all went out for the evening.
>We got blind stinking drunk.
>And we lurched back to Mantis-san's house singing at the top of our lungs.
>We were all singing a different song.
>I sounded like a dying frog.

Oh shit, don't tell me the Mantis' wife was in league with the trident dude and maybe still is part of the conspiracy.

Nah I'd say its likely kenzan got directed to the Trident by THEM but I doubt mantis-sans wife has anything to do with THEM

So far, who could be connected to them that is still alive? There is Naomi-san brother, possibly the Lion general, who else?

Question: Where's Mantis-san's concubine while all of this is happening?

Hiding in a barrel to avoid being raped/killed/both, apparently. As for where at Mantis's house, she was just mentioned serving tea and trying to not squirm In front of Mantis's wife

I'm calling it:
-Kenzan was given info on where to find the trident by the conspirators
-Mantis' wife is in the pockets of the conspirators
-Kenzan and Mantis' wife worked in team, she fed him informations on their shipments.
-And they were lovers.
-Something something contract void, geisha is no longer geisha and marries Mantis, living happily ever after.

Didn't the lion general commit suicide by ikagashi? In respect to who might be connected to THEM I'd say the rest of the Maho coven which the crane traitor from that incident was apart of is prob something to do with THEM

okay yeah, just caught up reading.

>Mantis' wife is in the pockets of the conspirators
You guys are being ridiculous. The only argument to suggest she's allied with the conspiracy is her surprise that Mantis had already dealt with something that he was being called back to deal with. This is a perfectly rational thing to be surprised about.
In fact, if she were part of the conspiracy, it'd make more sense for her NOT to be so surprised at Kenzan's death, since she' be trying to hide her reaction out of fear.

Im not seeing it if she were working with kenzan it would make more sense to help him usurp the mantises business rather than destroying the business which she herself runs

You guys are not paranoid enough.

Maybe but all I'm saying is she seems like a practical woman. Why downgrade from being a samurais wife with a profitable shipping business to being the wife of a pirate. If she wanted to betray mantis the best way to do it would be to siphon off funds to kenzan so he can buy himself back into the clan while also cucking mantis with kenzan to make sure that the one thing he loves his children aren't even his as the ultimate betrayal

I'm plenty paranoid! That's how I know Naomi's brother is part of THEM

>Didn't the lion general commit suicide by ikagashi
I mean, the lord of said Lion, the one he was following the orders. The one who would have allowed the crane traitor to pass the edicts giving the maho coven advantages.

I got the impression that the lions lord just told him to capture the town and the general made the deal with the crane not realising he was a maho

She may be a bog hag blood witch, in league with those one, and manipulated the trident guy in order to screw with the mantis.

*in league with those from the geisha house

Maybe but all the ones in the geisha house died and it hasnt actually been that long since they killed all of them. It would take a while to supplant mantis wife lead kenzan to the trident have him take out two ships and then the time for the letter to travel to reach mantis

Last bit of exagerated paranoia:
-they all knew where the other hags were, and maybe it's not always the same that acts as Mantis' wife, she could be recently arrived and recognized the geisha.
(it's all in jest though, I'm keeping my paranoia at its natural level, I think it will go like this, no bog hags needed)

bump

Shame we can't get enough conversation going for a real /l5rg/.

>I awoke with a taiko drummer in my head.
>There was a rack with a kimono hanging over it shading me, so at least there wasn't sunlight searing my eyes.
>I guessed that Naomi was feeling more merciful since I didn't get into another brawl.
>I lurched to my feet and, after bracing myself, staggered outside to get the poison out.
>I found Naomi waiting with a cup of water when I finished that bit of business.
>As I gulped it down, she looked up at me.
>Why do you do this to yourself?
>Too much sake is sometimes a good thing.
>You have said that before. I still do not understand.
>Sometimes a person gets into a foul mood, and cannot shake off dark thoughts. You know this?
>Yes, It happens. You are saying sake helps with that?
>Yeah, it does. Too much sake and you can loose your sense, do things you should not, say things you should not.
>Sometimes doing or saying what you shouldn't is a good way to release those dark thoughts.
>And since everyone accepts too much sake as an apology there's little real harm in just cutting lose, and tossing aside your face and all the pressure that comes with it.
>Naomi cocked her head.
>But what about the brawls that accompany such diversion?
>They don't always end in fights Naomi.
>No. They do not. They should not.
>She handed me another cup.
>It has been said that Crabs are masters of intimidation. That we can scare someone with little more than an arched eyebrow.
>Naomi was not a born a Crab, but she was certainly living up to the reputation now.
>Alright, I understand.
>I promise I will never start another brawl.
>We spent a few days resting at Mantis-sans home.
>We had begun to discuss returning to the mainland Monkey mentioned that he wished to see his wife and child again, and Kitsuki-san said he felt it time to return to his sensei for more instruction.
>You as well, Ishigaki-san. I can see your progress. I'm sure your sensei will find you ready as well.
>So we agreed to go our separate ways for the time being.

>Naomi, Toshiro and I returned to my home in the Crab lands.
>Toshiro only stayed for a day, saying he needed to see his Sensei as well.
>Plus the goblin is probably dead.
>I'll need to get a new one.
>Naomi could not cover her surprise.
>Goblin? What goblin?
>I keep a goblin in a cage at my home. I poke it with a stick at times.
>For research.
>He waved and began thumpdraggin his way home.
>He... he was joking wasn't he Ishigaki?
>Probably.
>Oh go... Probably?!
>I grinned at her.
>Oh! YOU!
>She gave my shoulder a light punch.
>Papa! Play!
>Daiko wasn't quite up to full sentences yet, but she did understand verbs as well as nouns now.
>Tetsute was close behind her. His babling was sounding more and more like real words every day.
>So I decided I would take a few days to enjoy my family, see if I could catch Tetsute's first words before heading off to see sensei.
>So I roughhoused with my children.
>Somewhere along the way, Tetsutei had added biting into his arsenal.
>I was still lenient, allowing them victories over me when they did well.
>There would be time enough for stern instruction later on.
>For now I wanted to hear their triumphant laughter, see their smiles as they toppled me.
>I did have to scold them a bit when they tried to play with Naomi the same way, though.
>But they both understood.
>Naomi played word games with them instead. Naming body parts and then tickling them was one of their favorites.
>Daiko returned the favor to her mother
>Foot!
>Naomi toppled over in peals of laughter, which became mock cries for help from me when Tetsute clumsily joined in on her other foot.
>Then he bit her toe.
>OH! You little RASCAL!
>Naomi scooped Tetsute up and hugged him into submission.
>Then it was more roughhousing with dad until they finally wore themselves out.
>I just laid there on the floor.
>They had fallen asleep on top of me, and I didn't have the heart to risk waking them.

>I overheard our nanny asking Naomi if it would be possible to hire a few more servants
>Given the terror twins almost boundless energy, I could see why she wanted that.
>Naomi, to my surprise, assented.
>I didn't think our stipends were sufficient to do so.
>Some of the herbs in her medicine were a bit expensive.
>And stipends were paid out yearly. Once gone, it was gone.
>I asked her about it that eveneing, when we were all bathing togother.
>Oh, you overheard?
>Yeah.
>Tetsute squirmed in my hands as Naomi washed his hair.
>Daiko was splashing away in the tub, waiting for the rest of us.
>About that, I was not going to say anything until I was certain about things, but...
>I have been exchanging correspondence with both Mantis-san and Monkey's wives for a while now.
>They have both been doing well in their buisiness, and since we need more servants to keep up the house, keep up with the children...
>And a few Ji-samurai, or at least Ashigaru couldn't hurt, all things considered.
>Yes Ishigaki-kun, you are right about that as well.
>So. They have been advising me on ways I might afford all this on our stipend.
>Oh really?
>Hai. I am going to attempt to rebuild Ishigaki Mura.
>My eyebrows jumped up. So far up they almost punched a hole in the ceiling.
>I thought at first, a sake works would be in order. Crab sake is renowned thought the empire, and Karoi-san assures me she knows several places it will sell quite well.
>But where are you planning on getting the workers, the master?
>The Yasuki who procures the herbs for my medicine said he could arrange that.
>I blinked. While I wasn't looking, my wife had been studying the fine points of becoming a merchant patron.
>we rinsed Tetsute off and got in the bath
>Is there anything I can do to help out?
>yes. Continue to refine your technique. Be the wall that gaurds this family, and always come home, my love.
>My heat melted.
>Daiko splashed us both and giggled.

>I splashed back.
>Then Naomi cheated and dumped the whole bath on the lot of us.
>Never get into a splash fight with a water tensai.
>In the morning I set off, making my way to the Dojo.
>I entered and saw Kojiro-sensei immediately.
>He was practicing basic overhead strikes.
>But he was doing so with a truly massive kanabo.
>Rather than a single peice of Iron, a Kanabo is mostly wood with metal studs.
>I guessed the one he was swinging must weigh something like 20 llbs.
>it was too large to be used as a real weapon.
>But the strain showing in his muscles left no doubt as to it's effectiveness as a training tool.
>I knelt before my sensei and waited for him to finish his training.
>Half an hour later, he returned to a nuetral stance, put up his kanabo and spoke.
>I was wondering how long you were planning on keeping me waiting.
>He strectched and shook out his joints.
>Then tossed me a tetsubo.
>We fought again.
>Sensei fought diferently this time.
>He was never were I though he would be, he defied my every expectation.
>Of course. Sensei knew exactly how I had been trained to fight. He was a graduate of Sunda Mizu, just as I was. He was a teacher to those who would become the elite of our clan.
>He knew exactly what I would do in battle.
>Now he was turning my own training against me.
>I tried to adapt, but reflexes so deeply ingrained for so long were not so easily altered.
>In the end, all I could do was undure as best as possible.
>Given sensei's strength, that wasn't very long at all.
>Yosh. You did well, Ishigaki-san.
>Did I?
>I dragged myself back to my feet.
>You saw the point of my lesson right away.
>Not many catch on that quickly.
>He gave me an appraising stare for a time.
>Nodded.
>You are ready.
>You will sometimes face enemies that know your style well, or who you are ill suited to defeat.
>And as you have just learned, it is difficult to change one's style in the middle of battle.
>At these times, you must endure.

>I nodded along with sensei.
>he was not telling me anything I did not know before today, but one must respect the words of sensei.
>he would come to a point eventually.
>You have already learned when to conserve your strength, and when to unleash your fury.
>Now you have seen the limits of your endurance.
>I will teach you to break through those limits.
>Sensei's instruction built upon the earlier lessons.
>First, the Hida bushi learns to take a crushing blow and pass it's force through them and into the earth.
>Then, the Defender of the Wall learns to attack the taint in a foe with the purity of their own earth when they are struck.
>My next lesson would be to disrupt any attacker, by lashing out with my earth even as I passed the attack through me.
>By combining active and passive defense, sensei said, I would make my body harder than any suit of armor.
>Once again, this was a far more spritual technique
>And once again, the only way to master it would be getting beaten night and day until I got it right.
>I took a breath and resolved myself to accept this pain.
>Enduring these harsh lessons now would help me to keep my promise to my wife and children.
>We began.
>Sense used his training kanabo.
>He did not stop until I could no longer stand.
>A Kuni made sure I was fresh and ready each morning, and evening.
>I now understood fully this dojo's motto.
>The Shadowlands is not Hell.
>After a month, Sensei declared I was doing it right.
>We fought one more time.
>I did not win, but I was able to push through one of his attacks to land a hit of my own.
>He nodded in satisfaction.
>Continue training, Ishigaki-san.
>I have high hopes for you.
>Hai, sensei!
>I returned home, with a few new scars.
>And found my mother in law had come for a visit.

Last one for the evening. Later.

...

I finally caught up!
Just in time to not cap anything for a couple days.
I'll be watching, though.

>And found my mother in law had come for a visit.

Oh shit.

>My first clue that there was something horribly wrong in my house was the child I didn't recognize, wearing a red kimono, playing with my children out front.
>He recognized me though.
>ONII-SAN!
>I didn't have a little brother who would wear red.
>Ah. This must be Ashitaka, Naomi's little brother.
>I wondered how many people I didn't want in my house were in my house right now.
>Just one,it turned out.
>I opened the front door perhaps a bit too forcefully and announced my return.
>Nanny came to greet me, and told me where Naomi was having tea with her mother.
>Just her and the boy?
>Hai, my lord.
>I grunted and went in.
>Naomi's mother had aged visibly since I saw her last.
>Streaks of grey were shooting through once raven black hair, and there were deep lines around her eyes.
>She looked tired.
>It didn't surpise me. Now that Naomi was out of reach and Hohiro the Master of Earth, it would be her or Ashitaka that served as Shoji's scapegoat now.
>the boy was far too happy to have seen that side of his father in earnest.
>Oka-san.
>Ishigaki-san.
>Naomi did not like the coolness in our greetings.
>She pretended not to notice though.
>Ishigaki-kun! How was your training?
>It went well. A few new scars, but I have advanced again.
>That is wonderfull, Ishigaki-kun!
>Naomi turned to her mother.
>Ishigaki-kun is a Defender of the Wall now.
>Mother-in-law blinked.
>I thought that's what all Crab were?
>Ah, no. You misheard. Defender.
>Naomi stressed the capitalization.
>it is a special school for the elite of the Crab Clan.
>The elite?
>Mommy dearest looked around my sparse home.
>The Crab Clan is far more concerned with merit than social status for things like that Mother.
>I see.
>I sat down next to Naomi, took off my kabuto and sat it down next to me.
>Nanny poured me some tea.
>I rested my chin on my closed fist and looked Naomi's mother in the eyes.
>Why are you here?
>Ishigaki!
>Mother held up her hand to forestall any further protest from Naomi.

>Your husband is right to be upset with me, Naomi-san.
>Mother looked at me evenly.
>Then bowed. Full dozega.
>I knew full well what Shoji was doing to Naomi was not right, yet I allowed it to continue.
>For this I apologize.
>Why are you apologizing to me, then?
>The one you wronged is over there.
>Yes. You are right.
>Mother bowed to her daughter
>Naomi-
>Mother! Please stop! You did nothing wrong! You could not go against father, I understand!
>Of cousre Naomi would leap at the chance to have a normal relationship with any of her family.
>I was certain that she would even forgive Shoji, should he ask for it.
>he never would, of course.
>And she would still seek to obey him, were he not shunning her outright.
>Because Naomi was an honorable woman, and honorable children obey their parents, even when their parents are complete assholes.
>Personally, I would just as soon have tossed the old bitch out in the mud and gone on pretending Naomi and I both had no family save each other.
>But as I had just pointed out, I was not the one who was wronged.
>So even though I thought Naomi forgave far too easily, I couldn't gainsay it.
>I looked aside politely while mother and daughter hugged one another and wept.
>Oka-san's tears seemed genuine to me.
>I gave them some time, then asked again, more gently than before.
>Why are you here, Oka-san?
>the two disentangled themselves, sniffled and wiped at watery eyes.
>I need your help.
>Naomi looked taken aback that her mother other reasons for her visit, aside from just seeing her daughter and grandchild.
>Are you asking for help from your family, from a Crab, or from a Jade Magistrate and her Yojimbo, Oka-san?
>All of them.
>I blew out a sigh. I would have said no to the first. I might have said no to the second. But the third was Naomi's choice.
>Yes, of course Mother. We are family, you need only ask!
>Bandits. It's bandits.
>Huh? Oka-san we are jade
>The bandits have Ogres with them.
>Oh.

>When your father heard there were Ogres among the bandits, he left to command the soldiers himself.
>Shoji was an ambitious man. As an Earth Tensai, he would be well suited to dealing with Ogres. A good chance to put his name back in people's mouths.
>Oka-san continued.
>But, something is wrong. It is taking far to long to deal with simple bandits, ogres or not.
>I fear for your father's safety.
>So, there we have it then.
>Oka-san was being so polite because she knew damn well how I would take a request to help Shoji.
>The man had once called for my execution. And for that of his own daughter.
>Of course Mother! Ogres bear the taint of Jigoku. As a Jade Magistrate it is my duty to see such taint purged from the Empire, and it also my duty as a Crab! I will help you.
>Thank you, my daughter. I do not know what I did to be so blessed with such a duitifull child.
>Neither did I.
>Naomi asked Nanny to fetch her some ink, paper and a brush.
>She wrote out quick letters to everyone else, explaining the situation and asking everyone to meet up at her father's castle.
>Then she went to go pack, leaving me alone with her mother.
>Were you really serious? About wanting Naomi's forgiveness?
>She looked at me, startled by my abruptness.
>Do you really think so little of me?
>Yes.
>She scowled at me.
>I am. I know Shoji can be a cruel man.
>So? Why did you do nothing then?
>I married him because his station would provide well for my children. They would have the finest things, the best education.
>Even Naomi was still taken as a Tensai.
>And I hopped he would soften to her one day.
>Naomi STILL hopes for that day, even now, you know.
>I do.
>And you do not tell her that day will never come.
>It was my turn to scowl.
>She would never believe that.
>No. She would not.
>I sighed and wondered if I would be able to give my all to save the life of the man I most despised in all the Empire.

>>When your father heard there were Ogres among the bandits, he left to command the soldiers himself.
>>Shoji was an ambitious man. As an Earth Tensai, he would be well suited to dealing with Ogres. A good chance to put his name back in people's mouths.
>>Oka-san continued.
>>But, something is wrong. It is taking far to long to deal with simple bandits, ogres or not.
>>I fear for your father's safety.

Hohiro getting rid of dad dearest? Why?

Possibly as a bait to lure the party in and finish them off?

Isn't he in line for inheritance, or does he have an older brother?

No, he's the eldest. It's Hohiro - Naomi- Ahsitaka.

Though, he's Master of The Earth now, he already has more than dad ever had, so going for inheritance now is not really necessary.

I very much doubt that a man like Hohiro knows the meaning to the words "I have enough."

It's not that he wouldn't want more, it's that dad by now is a used and discard asset.
Going for dad now is lowering the bar.

Exactly; its time to discard that asset, and cash it in for lands and wealth.

The main point is "lowering the bar". I'd think that he would go for a bigger goal rather than dad seeing how he already surpasses him in anything that counts.

Bump for dealing with in-laws.

It's less about 'lowering the bar', more about disposing of a expended asset and most importantly, regaining family honor. The father has brought great dishonor upon himself and his family, which can be partially alliviated through his death defending his clan and family against ogres.

I have been skimming along, not really reading the thread and just waiting on screencaps. Thanks for doing this.

However, I think these are mislabeled or something was missed. Last thread ended with screencap 12, while the earliest caps here start with 15. 13 and 14 are missing or mislabeled.

you can find links too the last two caps here

> Do you know the joke about the Bear Clan bushi and the drunken geisha?
>No. I must say, I never heard of this Clan before.
> that is, like this joke, it doesn't exist.

Rokugani jokes are the worst
>muh "I can swim"

A dead leaf
fall less abruptly
than this joke

Bump

Mist makes people dicks
Monkey is shonen protag
Hug gets pretty gay

Ishigaki tetsubo
steam of brutal blows
making sweet Crab poetry

bumping this for crabanon. I'm not even reading yet, just collecting screencaps for later.

Drinking from the jug
No time for formality
Hand me the sake

to make a haiku
use five then seven then five
you foolish anons

this user gets it
perfect form and a punchline
like pic related

my bad, I tought it was 7-5-7 instead of 5-7-5.

It would be something like:
Steam of brutal blow
Ishigaki tetsubo
sweet Crab poetry

Ideally, a proper Haiku is also, Ironic, I guess is the word I'm looking for. With the last line telling everyone what it's really about.

Old, silent forest
A leaf floats down the river
Steel flashes, red grass

Is about a duel, for example.

A grand empire
Ten thousand citizens live
In the largest town

Firstly thanks so much to Crab-Sama for telling these great stories, I've enjoyed reading them a lot. I am going to run an L5R game for my group (never played l5r and haven't gm'd in years) and your work is making me even more excited. Although none of the plot I've written so far really overlaps with your tale I am sure that the extra enthusiasm and setting familiarity I have gained from reading will improve things for my players.

Secondly I was wondering if someone could clear up a little bit of the 4th ed. system I'm having a little trouble with: as GM should I be telling players the TNs required for success? The book doesn't seem to say one way or the other which gives me the impression that the default is either to keep them secret or it is to GM preference... the thing is that the raise mechanic feels very risk/reward which makes me feel like making them public might work better, or even be what was intended. Could some people with experience in the system let me know which they feel works better and why? I'd also like to know which way the writers intended, but that is just for curiosity's sake as I'd rather run whichever works best than whichever was intended.

>Ishigaki-kun, I want to take Daiko and Tetsute with us.
>Um. I know their strong and all but I don't think they're quite ready for ogres yet. Gonna need a few more months at least.
>Ishigaki! I am serious.
>I... I want to show them my home. Where I came from. At least once in their lives.
>I hugged Naomi.
>I understand Naomi, but there is something you must understand as well.
>I have been outraged on your behalf at the way your father treats you. But, since my rage is on you behalf you have the right to hold me back.
>If he treats either of our children that way, nothing will hold me back.
>if he treats our children that way, I would not want you to hold back.
>I do not think he will though, Ishigaki. He is kind to Ashitaka.
>That surprised me, at first.
>Then I realized. Ashitaka was still young. He would be enrolled in a school soon enough, but he was still very much a blank scroll.
>A scroll Shoji no doubt intended to fill himself.
>I did not voice my suspicions to Naomi.
>But I resolved then and there that he would not have any such influence on my children.
>Evil is an easy thing to define.
>evil is the person who spills their blood as they whisper prayers to the Dark Brother.
>evil is the dead, defiled and walking, seeking the flesh of the living.
>evil is the mass of tentacles, and fangs, dripping with ichor, that was never meant to walk in Ningen-do.
>Good is much more difficult to define.
>Honorable was a bit more clear, but was it good?
>Was it right?
>Shoji, for all his faults, was an honorable man.
>One who acts without honor will quickly find themselves shunned by all right thinking people.
>This is true, even in my own Clan.
>While we Crabs do hold some tenants of Bushido higher than others, and will throw away everything to defeat the Shadowlands, we do not do so when we war with other clans.
>And so Shoji must behave honorably, if for nothing else then his own ambitions.

Crab the moral philosopher. Who would have thought?

>If it seems a man clinging to honor for the sake of his own gain seems contradictory, that's because it is.
>Courtesy and Compasion are tenants of Bushido, the code of conduct held by Samurai, whose entire existence is war.
>I said it before, did I not?
>There has never existed a Perfect Samurai.
>and so it is that Shoji, the bastard that he is, was still an honorable man.
>In the eyes of some Rokugani, he would be a proper father.
>In the eyes of many, he would be stern, but not unreasonable.
>Only a few, like me, would see him as a bastard.
>Despite everything he had done, Shoji was not evil.
>Many would say he was right, or at least, not wrong.
>So while I spoke of defying him, of defying the proper order of things, of defying Honorable behavior itself, I would need to keep a very tight leash on my anger.
>Satisfying though it may be to simply punch him until his face is an unrecognizable mess, there would be consequences for such action.
>I had learned the last time I interacted with him not to be hasty.
>As Sensei had hardened my body, so to must I harden my spirit. So that I would be ready to endure what I must.
>Until the time was right to make him pay.
>Naomi made arangments, securing a boat that would take us around the mountains that divided the Empire.
>Fall was closing in, the mountain passes would be treacherous soon enough.
>Toshiro arrived while she handled those details.
>He was just returning from his visit with his sensei, and was surprised to learn what was going on.
>Oka-san asked Toshiro to speak with Ashitaka a bit about Earth magic.
>The boys future had already been decided by Shoji. He would become an Earth Tensai, as the family custom dictated.
>After his conversation, Toshiro came to me first.
>Boy has a keen mind, in some ways.
>Some?
>Yeah. He makes connections that others would not see. It's a simple wisdom, but it runs deep. His soul is old indeed.
>I'm sensing a but.
>No talent for hearing the earth kami.

One of the reasons Naomi fell in love with Ishigaki was the fact that he thought about shit like this from time to time.

Welp. I guess boy's loving father just went out for a pack of smokes and is never coming back.