Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)

Heh. I know people are having some amusement with this, but it wasn't Mataru who Sosuke punched. Mataru would remember that scuffle. No, this is just something Mataru heard offhand when he was young and it tweaked his memory.

Sorry to rain on the parade. Still, I'm glad you all had some fun with that little bit. :D
 
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So he merely heard about a scorpion getting punched by a crab. Of course, wonder if we do end up meeting the recipient of the punch.
 
[x] Write-in: Since we don't know where the baths are located in Kyuden Bayushi, and would not wish to inadvertently wander into an area we aren't supposed to, request that Asami escort us to the baths; on the way, we can discuss whatever information she's discovered. If the baths are the sort where people on the men's and women's sides can easily talk to each other, continue discussing matters there; if not, bathe quickly and then resume the discussion on the way to grab something quick and nourishing for breakfast (riceballs, most likely).
 
[x] gman.
[x] make the obvious preparations for the day before going (armor, weapons, etc) but do so with alacrity.
[x] complement the servant on her good judgement vis-a-vis waking us from outside the room.

It is implied that the servant will escort us to the bathrooms. About the collected information, what would a servant know about it?

EDIT: Added Sirrocco's vote.
 
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[x] gman.

It is implied that the servant will escort us to the bathrooms. About the collected information, what would a servant know about it?
We're asking the servant to ask Asami to escort us, with the intent of talking to Asami in the process. Basically, trying to thread the needle of "she wants us to see her post-haste but we also need to look presentable" in such a way as to accomplish both things at once without seeming to give offense by requesting her to personally lead us to the baths.

Food is less problematic, because if needs be we can grab some rice balls and eat them on the way.
 
You want Asami, a magistrate, to escort us, a low-rank bushi? :o

To the baths?

That won't end well, mind you. I even think is unrespectful to imply a higher rank samurai to escort us.

I'm fine with the rice balls, though.
 
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[x] gman
[x] make the obvious preparations for the day before going (armor, weapons, etc) but do so with alacrity.
[x] complement the servant on her good judgement vis-a-vis waking us from outside the room.
 
What is the less shameful action?

To present us unwashed and without having eated or to have her wait for us?
Can I get a dice roll?
 
Etiquette Roll: 6k3=26

As best as you can tell just from the servant's words, Asami likely wants as you as soon as you are presentable and to not take too long. "At your convenience" is basically code for "I'm giving you a bit of time, but don't dawdle."
 
[x] gman
[x] make the obvious preparations for the day before going (armor, weapons, etc) but do so with alacrity.
[x] complement the servant on her good judgement vis-a-vis waking us from outside the room.
 
[x] gman
[x] make the obvious preparations for the day before going (armor, weapons, etc) but do so with alacrity.
[x] complement the servant on her good judgement vis-a-vis waking us from outside the room.
 
2.57
[x] gman

Shadowlands Lore Roll: 3k2=14


"I will take a quick bath," you say, putting on a robe. "And then I will go see Bayushi Asami-sama. Lead on."

The servant takes you to a communal bathing area, mostly vacant at this hour. You quickly scrub down and let yourself soak in the large tub, mindful of your still bandaged arm. The servant takes the time to change the wrapping after carefully cleaning the wound, but from the look of it you're mostly healed. That sleep last night did you a world of good.

You swiftly clean your hair and ensure that you at least don't reek of sweat and blood. While as a member of the Crab you care less about such things as personal grooming than the other Clans, you at least want to ensure you're hygienic. It would be a sad way to die, falling to some disease just because you weren't careful.

That finished, you head back to the room and change into some proper clothing. You swiftly look over your armor for any issues and, finding none, garb yourself in your mother's gift. Then, with weapons all in their proper places, you turn to the servant.

"I am ready to meet with the Magistrate," you tell her.

"Very good, my Lord," the servant says. "I will take you to her."

The servant leads you down the stairs to the first floor, and then down a narrow passage off to the side. Unlike the rest of the castle, this hallway is unadorned. Everything is just simple wood, and there are only a few small storage places set into the walls. It is a stark contrast to the opulence you've seen everywhere else during your stay.

At the end is another set of stairs going underneath the castle and into plateau itself. The servant takes out a small lantern to light the way, and you slowly walk down the stairs into the darkness beneath Kyuden Bayushi.

Those steps wind around and around, making the whole process seem longer than it actually is. You lose track of time a bit as you go beneath the earth. It's actually a little disorienting, and once again you wonder about Scorpion building design.

Eventually you reach the bottom. At the foot of the stairwell is a large room made of stone, half man made and half natural cavern. There are torches at regular intervals, actually providing a surprising amount of light. There is more illumination than in the castle above, at any rate.

Set into the walls are several cells that look like caves, with thick wooden bars across the openings. That marks this place as the dungeon, and from the look of it there is enough room to hold over a hundred prisoners easily. In the center of the room is a long table with many instruments on them, some of which you recognize as hammers and knives.

The others, though… The others you could not begin to guess the purpose for. Save, perhaps, that they are all intended to inflict pain. Many of them are red with blood, showing they have been used recently.

"I'm glad you joined us so quickly, Hiruma Sosuke," Asami says at one end of the table. At her side is a small, dirty looking man in coarse clothing. Away, standing at some distance, is Shasa. "I wanted to speak with you and your fellow Yojimbo."

"About the prisoner?" you ask. "I'd heard that you had information."

"We have learned a few things," Asami says. "Approximately how many Spiders are left in the city, for one." She motions to Shasa. "Between the two of you, along with Mataru and the monk, you apparently killed a full fourth of their agents. Impressive work."

"It is no trouble to fight against the Tainted," Shasa says. "I hope this makes things easier for you."

"It definitely should," Asami says. "Especially now that we know where they meet." She grins. "They report at a longhouse in the Eta district on the edge of the city. It is there that we will break these Spiders of Bone."

"It sounds like you've everything you require, Bayushi Asami-sama," Shasa says. "If I may be so bold, why are we here?"

"Because I would like to ask you something." Asami says before motioning to the dirty looking man.

The small fellow walks to one of the cells, and within minutes wheels out your captured assailant. The Tainted individual is bound to a thick chair by heavy leather straps, and the chair itself appears to be on wheels. The assistant sets the chair within the middle of the room, and then locks the wheels before attaching short, hooked ropes set into the floor onto small rings embedded into the chair.

It's an ingenious little system, honestly. This way you can move prisoners and ensure there is as little chance for escape as possible. And, apparently, to move them where they are to be… interrogated. Though from the look of it, torture would be a more accurate assessment.

The Tainted fellow is wrapped up in bandages, many of which have been stained red with blood. Some of his fingers are missing, and half his face appears to have been burned. His head is lolling about, as if in a daze, but from within his open mouth you see that he is missing several teeth.

"Looking at this man," Asami asks. "Would you say he is so far gone into the Taint as to be nothing but a puppet of Jigoku?" she crosses her arms. "I wish to be sure of how much I can trust what we have learned. The last thing we need is to fall into a trap."

You step forward and get a better look at the man. As you saw the night before, his skin is discolored and sickly looking. You would think that would make it break easier, but instead it is like boiled leather. There is also a foul stench coming from him, like rotting meat. All signs that this person is deep within the grip of the Taint.

But the grip of Jigoku is not quite so deep yet. This man has time before it reaches that point. Time before he ceases to be an individual. Not much, by your reckoning, but as of right now this poor fool's soul is still his own.

"Like I said last night," you say after examining the man. "He is Tainted such that he is stronger and tougher than he should be, but no more. He will hear whispers, and feel urges, but it is still his choice on whether to act upon them. He is not yet truly Lost."

"I have to agree," Shasa says. "His mind should still be his own. If he is given a few more months he will cease to be a true individual, but as of yet he has not been overcome."

"Excellent," Asami says, though her face shows no trace of pleasure. "And all the more damning."

She picks up a bucket full of water from beneath the table and splashes it in the man's face. The Tainted man shudders and snaps to full attention, pulling against his bonds. But despite his strength, the leather does not give. There is no leverage for him to move, and the bindings are too thick. He is well and truly trapped.

"Please," he mumbles, his voice slurring somewhat from his missing teeth. "I've told you everything. Please… Don't hurt me any more…"

"You've told us much," Asami says, throwing the bucket aside. "Almost enough. But we need just a little bit more from you, Xanwu."

"There's nothing else," Xanwu says. "I swear there's nothing else." He looks up, tears forming in his eyes. "I can't… I can't give you any more."

"Oh," Asami says. "But I think you can." She walks around him, a knife drawn and lightly grazing across the man's skin. He whimpers pitifully, like a whipped dog. "Tell me who Tainted you. Tell me the name of your leader."

"He's not here any more," Xanwu quickly responds. "He left weeks ago, to spread the Taint elsewhere. You won't find him here."

"That," Asami says, digging the knife a little deeper as she completed her circuit around the man. "Is a lie."

"It's the truth!" Xanwu shouts. "He Tainted us without our knowing… Made us do things… I… He's not here! He's gone!"

"Then why did you attack the Yojimbo?" Asami asks, her voice soft like a blade being drawn. "On whose orders did you gather to assault him."

Xanwu looks at you, then back toward Asami. He swallows visibly, and shudders before closing his eyes. You can't help but be a little shocked by this. Your experience with the Tainted is as rabid monsters, ready to charge into battle and spill your blood. But this broken… creature is nothing like that. He has been shattered, his claws removed by agony and fear.

You have fought the Shadowlands your entire life, and even inflicted pain in order to gain information. But the calm, deliberate cruelty that has been inflicted upon this man is something else again. It is something entirely new to you, something foreign.

You're not entirely sure how it makes you feel.

"I can't…" he mumbles, almost like a prayer. "Please… I can't. Don't hurt me any more. I can't…"

"Haro," Asami says, stepping away. "Fetch me the powder and the water."

The dirty looking man pulls out a small plate from one end of the table. Within is a green powder, which you recognize as Jade. In his other hand is a clay cup full of water. He hands both to Asami, and then backs away with a bow.

The Magistrate moves the plate of powdered Jade beneath Xanwu's nose, and the man recoils with a shriek. The ropes creak, and the thick chair back almost bends. But both wood and rope holds firm, and all the man accomplishes is almost knocking his face back into the jade as he settles.

"Yes," Asami says. "It's Jade. You've felt its touch a few times this evening."

"I can't," Xanwu whispers. "Please don't… I can't."

"The name," Asami says. "Give it to me."

"You don't know what he'll do if he finds out I've talked," Xanwu says, terror suffusing his voice. "He'll hurt me. Kill me…"

"And you think we won't?" Asami asks. "Make no mistake, Xanwu. Your life is over. It is your decision whether you die with pain, or without."

"But… But I…"

Asami pours the jade into the water, and then with a wooden spoon stirs the mixture. Xanwu watches with wide eyes, and you see he has realized what Asami plans. You do too, and cannot help but marvel at the cunning behind it.

But even more, you cannot help but be amazed at the cruelty of what she intends.

"No! Noooooo!" he screams. "You can't! Not that! Anything but that!"

"I will make you drink this," Asami says softly, holding out the cup of now green water. "And you will die feeling like fire has replaced your world. Or you can give me a name, and your end will be painless." She leans forward. "It is your choice."

Xanwu's shoulders shake as he weeps, tears flowing freely down his face. He gives deep, hacking sobs. You would have expected curses and blasphemies instead, for this man to rage against his capture and to promise horrible retribution. But this is not the case. There is no dignity in him, no fearsome and terrifying strength you've come to associate with the Tainted.

There is only the shattered husk of what was once a human being, taken apart piece by bloody piece until there is nothing left.

"Hachi," Xanwu whispers between his crying, his head hanging low. "His name is Hachi."

"Very good, Xanwu," Asami says softly, as if to an animal that just did a clever trick. "You've done well."

She turns to you, her expression neutral. Casually, she sets the cup of jade water on the table as if she had not just promised the worst pain imaginable to the man behind her. You can't help but feel a little disturbed, seeing such coldness.

"If you've any questions for him, ask now," she says. "You won't get a chance later."

[] Write in.
 
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Asami wow... such nerves. This is clearly no job for any samurai...

As for thr questions, maybe the most direct (and the one that comes into my mind right now) is to ask him if he knows Kyosuke.

Also I can go for the pessist route and say that since he knows he's gonna die, maybe he won't answer questions...
 
[x] Write in
"Listen well Xanwu, you are done, and your life will end soon. There is a question I wish to ask, if you know it, how is this Hachi spreading the taint? You said he that he tainted you without your knowing. I don't really believe you, but sometimes how someone lies tells as much as the truth. So tell me how Hachi is spreading the Taint and how you were tainted...perhaps then you can have a small measure of peace for knowing you did some good in the world before your end. Unless you want us to do to your family and friends what was done to you?"
 
[x] Write in
"Listen well Xanwu, you are done, and your life will end soon. There is a question I wish to ask, if you know it, how is this Hachi spreading the taint? You said he that he tainted you without your knowing. I don't really believe you, but sometimes how someone lies tells as much as the truth. So tell me how Hachi is spreading the Taint and how you were tainted...perhaps then you can have a small measure of peace for knowing you did some good in the world before your end. Unless you want us to do to your family and friends what was done to you?"
 
[x] Write in
"Listen well Xanwu, you are done, and your life will end soon. There is a question I wish to ask, if you know it, how is this Hachi spreading the taint? You said he that he tainted you without your knowing. I don't really believe you, but sometimes how someone lies tells as much as the truth. So tell me how Hachi is spreading the Taint and how you were tainted...perhaps then you can have a small measure of peace for knowing you did some good in the world before your end. Unless you want us to do to your family and friends what was done to you?"
 
Depending on how tainted he is he might not care about his family or friends anymore, unless they are tainted as well.
 
[x] Write in
"Listen well Xanwu, you are done, and your life will end soon. There is a question I wish to ask, if you know it, how is this Hachi spreading the taint? You said he that he tainted you without your knowing. I don't really believe you, but sometimes how someone lies tells as much as the truth. So tell me how Hachi is spreading the Taint and how you were tainted...perhaps then you can have a small measure of peace for knowing you did some good in the world before your end. Unless you want us to do to your family and friends what was done to you?"

Brilliant.
 
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