[X] Try waking up Grandmother.
Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)
- Status
So where's the new update gman?
Well, I hit a bit of a snag in that trying to write to the next scene without making it boring is proving more difficult than I'd like....so looking over the previous lore vote, it seems the Unicorn Clan won second place, so that will be what I post today with a proper update tomorrow
The Unicorn Clan, was the first to face the Yodotai in battle. It is unsurprising then that even above that of the Lion they took the most losses of any Great Clan, for not only do they have to train a new generation of warriors, their fantastical steeds have also been seriously depleted to the point where there is some talk that Shinjo no kami will return a third time to revitalize the herds as Moto Naleesh did in the dying days of Iweko I.
Moto Kublai; Khan of the Unicorn, descendent of Shinjo and Moto Gaheris, considers those people, quitters. Taking the reins of a shattered clan after his beloved mother died of war wounds fifteen years ago, he has poured a seemingly relentless amount of energy into rebuilding the Unicorn, revitalizing it by brazenly absorbing the Yobanjin of the North into his ranks. While this caused some tension with the Lion. Iweko VII's proclamation that they have souls, and the spectacular triumph of Moto Sen-toa in the Topaz championship (A Yobanjin born but Unicorn raised samurai) Has left the Lion and the Crane with little choice but to accept it. The Unicorn have yet to fully recover, but many agree that it will recover, something in doubt a mere generation ago.
In spite of Kublai's enthusiastic support of the Throne and drive, not all is well with the Unicorn, while his grandmother and grandfather united the Shinjo and Moto ruling lines ending that long argument. The Utaku have seemingly taken the Shinjo's place in challenging the authority of the Moto. The only family to categorically refuse to accept Yobanjin into their ranks, while paradoxically also the one who needs it moth. The Utaku along with the the Battue family (Who earned their way to their own land two centuries ago) look with some askance at the grand reformation taking place all along them. While the Ide and the Iuchi are willing to stay out of this argument, they too wonder about Kublai's actions. Dark whispers of 'Chagatai reborn' float through the plains.
Thus the Unicorn Clan stands divided as it always has between that of outsider and Rokugani, even if the lines have changed. Kublai hopes that betrothing his son to Utaku Ninami, heir to Utaku Tomoe, daimyo of the Utaku, will sooth the restless warrior women, but even he is unsure if his boundless optimism has finally seen him push too far in these matters.
Well, I hit a bit of a snag in that trying to write to the next scene without making it boring is proving more difficult than I'd like....so looking over the previous lore vote, it seems the Unicorn Clan won second place, so that will be what I post today with a proper update tomorrow
The Unicorn Clan, was the first to face the Yodotai in battle. It is unsurprising then that even above that of the Lion they took the most losses of any Great Clan, for not only do they have to train a new generation of warriors, their fantastical steeds have also been seriously depleted to the point where there is some talk that Shinjo no kami will return a third time to revitalize the herds as Moto Naleesh did in the dying days of Iweko I.
Moto Kublai; Khan of the Unicorn, descendent of Shinjo and Moto Gaheris, considers those people, quitters. Taking the reins of a shattered clan after his beloved mother died of war wounds fifteen years ago, he has poured a seemingly relentless amount of energy into rebuilding the Unicorn, revitalizing it by brazenly absorbing the Yobanjin of the North into his ranks. While this caused some tension with the Lion. Iweko VII's proclamation that they have souls, and the spectacular triumph of Moto Sen-toa in the Topaz championship (A Yobanjin born but Unicorn raised samurai) Has left the Lion and the Crane with little choice but to accept it. The Unicorn have yet to fully recover, but many agree that it will recover, something in doubt a mere generation ago.
In spite of Kublai's enthusiastic support of the Throne and drive, not all is well with the Unicorn, while his grandmother and grandfather united the Shinjo and Moto ruling lines ending that long argument. The Utaku have seemingly taken the Shinjo's place in challenging the authority of the Moto. The only family to categorically refuse to accept Yobanjin into their ranks, while paradoxically also the one who needs it moth. The Utaku along with the the Battue family (Who earned their way to their own land two centuries ago) look with some askance at the grand reformation taking place all along them. While the Ide and the Iuchi are willing to stay out of this argument, they too wonder about Kublai's actions. Dark whispers of 'Chagatai reborn' float through the plains.
Thus the Unicorn Clan stands divided as it always has between that of outsider and Rokugani, even if the lines have changed. Kublai hopes that betrothing his son to Utaku Ninami, heir to Utaku Tomoe, daimyo of the Utaku, will sooth the restless warrior women, but even he is unsure if his boundless optimism has finally seen him push too far in these matters.
Arc III: On the Mountain tops
---Stay quiet and take in the scenery.
In the end, you decide yet again to let the two lovers spend time with each other, though they seem to stay relatively quiet. They do still talk, but not as much as you would expect...and you get the feeling neither is that extroverted.
Ignoring that, you look around, seeing the world for what feels like the first time. The gray stone paints pictures of a thousand faces with snow above you. Bird calls ring in your ears in a new melody you never really noticed before. It's strange this awareness of yours, not quite what you expect, but you can't complain about it either, not when it's showing you a wild and savage land that's still beautiful in its own ugly way. Hmm, maybe this is why Dragon stay up in their mountains and slowly go crazy...wait, no that was the Isawa...was it both?
While you consider the arguments for which mountain-born clan produces crazier people, Dragon or Phoenix, the ground steadily rises beneath you, and you find yourself standing on top of a small, for the Spine mountain at least, overlooking a fairly verdant valley. The land below is covered in hardy pine trees and the promise of fresh water, game (eeew) and probably fruit? Well, at least you hope there's fruit... Beside you, a lonely stone cairn rises up, an ancient road marker it looks like...or possibly a tomb...you prefer the first option.
"Alright, this is where we're stopping for today," Sora calls out.
You stop, and look up. At what point did the sun start setting? Had you really been that distracted?
No, couldn't be, Lord Sun is messing with people….yeah, that's it.
The faint snickering from grandmother is ignored because well, that's what you're supposed to do.
Yukiko walks over to the cairn and touches it with her hand. Quietly, she begins to pray.
Sora stands beside you and subtly gestures for you to make camp while Yukiko does her thing.
Setting up the tents isn't too hard. You wonder why there are only two, but only for only a moment. You shake your head. Ah, young love. They must be trying to get as much time together before reaching the city. While you aren't too sure of their marital status, they're probably married, Scorpion marry young, and well shugenja babies are way too important to delay on.
Not for the first or last time, you wonder why Benten doesn't make most marriages like Toshiro's and Reika's, filled with love and affection.
You shake your head and place the last stone around the fire pit. The whims of the Fortunes are as far beyond your ken as a sword is above an eta's. Best to just keep going and do your best, even if you can feel a growing pain in your heart as you remember your own lover.
"I love you..." he had only said those words once to you, but you had never doubted that Katsuie-kun meant them with every fiber of his being. It had been but one night, one night when you had felt whole, loved, and loving. One precious---
"Megumi-san?" Yukiko calls out.
You start for a moment. You had known on some level she was there, but you had dismissed her as not a threat...which she wasn't, but still it was embarrassing.
"Iuchi-sama," you reply with more calm than you feel.
"Are you alright?" she asks.
What had she...? Never mind...you are Crane at heart, whatever your problems you will not be a burden to others nor let your on fall.
"...I'm fine," you answer.
Yukiko gives a questioning look before nodding. "Well the ritual is done. If that...creature is still hunting us, this is holy ground and it cannot enter. That doesn't mean we won't take watches or anything though."
"Is that why we stopped here?" you ask.
She ignores the fact that you blatantly had changed the subject and answers. "Among other things, according to their stories, an enlightened monk by the name of Xuaninji walked this path and erected these stone monuments at every spot he meditated and learned a new truth. It's also the only waymarkers we have outside of the main roads."
Well that explains that at least. You consider asking some other things from her, but as the fire starts and Sora returns with...food...no, you are not getting over that, it's still...meat.
Ugh.
Sora explains that you and her will be eating meat so that Yukiko can remain ritually pure and thus able to invoke the protection of the monuments. You decide not to make a fuss and keep quiet.
The keeping the shugenja pure makes sense to you, even if you don't like it what it means for you. The three of you have a quiet dinner. Yukiko and Sora again talk about something you studiously ignore. (Seriously though, 'Your hair is like silk'? Step up your game Bayushi-san...)
Eventually after cleaning yourself and your utensils as best you can, Sora speaks up again.
"Alright, so we're going to do two watches for tonight. Our priestess needs a full night to replenish her spiritual energy, so…Megumi-san, first or second watch?"
[] First Watch
[] Second Watch
In the end, you decide yet again to let the two lovers spend time with each other, though they seem to stay relatively quiet. They do still talk, but not as much as you would expect...and you get the feeling neither is that extroverted.
Ignoring that, you look around, seeing the world for what feels like the first time. The gray stone paints pictures of a thousand faces with snow above you. Bird calls ring in your ears in a new melody you never really noticed before. It's strange this awareness of yours, not quite what you expect, but you can't complain about it either, not when it's showing you a wild and savage land that's still beautiful in its own ugly way. Hmm, maybe this is why Dragon stay up in their mountains and slowly go crazy...wait, no that was the Isawa...was it both?
While you consider the arguments for which mountain-born clan produces crazier people, Dragon or Phoenix, the ground steadily rises beneath you, and you find yourself standing on top of a small, for the Spine mountain at least, overlooking a fairly verdant valley. The land below is covered in hardy pine trees and the promise of fresh water, game (eeew) and probably fruit? Well, at least you hope there's fruit... Beside you, a lonely stone cairn rises up, an ancient road marker it looks like...or possibly a tomb...you prefer the first option.
"Alright, this is where we're stopping for today," Sora calls out.
You stop, and look up. At what point did the sun start setting? Had you really been that distracted?
No, couldn't be, Lord Sun is messing with people….yeah, that's it.
The faint snickering from grandmother is ignored because well, that's what you're supposed to do.
Yukiko walks over to the cairn and touches it with her hand. Quietly, she begins to pray.
Sora stands beside you and subtly gestures for you to make camp while Yukiko does her thing.
Setting up the tents isn't too hard. You wonder why there are only two, but only for only a moment. You shake your head. Ah, young love. They must be trying to get as much time together before reaching the city. While you aren't too sure of their marital status, they're probably married, Scorpion marry young, and well shugenja babies are way too important to delay on.
Not for the first or last time, you wonder why Benten doesn't make most marriages like Toshiro's and Reika's, filled with love and affection.
You shake your head and place the last stone around the fire pit. The whims of the Fortunes are as far beyond your ken as a sword is above an eta's. Best to just keep going and do your best, even if you can feel a growing pain in your heart as you remember your own lover.
"I love you..." he had only said those words once to you, but you had never doubted that Katsuie-kun meant them with every fiber of his being. It had been but one night, one night when you had felt whole, loved, and loving. One precious---
"Megumi-san?" Yukiko calls out.
You start for a moment. You had known on some level she was there, but you had dismissed her as not a threat...which she wasn't, but still it was embarrassing.
"Iuchi-sama," you reply with more calm than you feel.
"Are you alright?" she asks.
What had she...? Never mind...you are Crane at heart, whatever your problems you will not be a burden to others nor let your on fall.
"...I'm fine," you answer.
Yukiko gives a questioning look before nodding. "Well the ritual is done. If that...creature is still hunting us, this is holy ground and it cannot enter. That doesn't mean we won't take watches or anything though."
"Is that why we stopped here?" you ask.
She ignores the fact that you blatantly had changed the subject and answers. "Among other things, according to their stories, an enlightened monk by the name of Xuaninji walked this path and erected these stone monuments at every spot he meditated and learned a new truth. It's also the only waymarkers we have outside of the main roads."
Well that explains that at least. You consider asking some other things from her, but as the fire starts and Sora returns with...food...no, you are not getting over that, it's still...meat.
Ugh.
Sora explains that you and her will be eating meat so that Yukiko can remain ritually pure and thus able to invoke the protection of the monuments. You decide not to make a fuss and keep quiet.
The keeping the shugenja pure makes sense to you, even if you don't like it what it means for you. The three of you have a quiet dinner. Yukiko and Sora again talk about something you studiously ignore. (Seriously though, 'Your hair is like silk'? Step up your game Bayushi-san...)
Eventually after cleaning yourself and your utensils as best you can, Sora speaks up again.
"Alright, so we're going to do two watches for tonight. Our priestess needs a full night to replenish her spiritual energy, so…Megumi-san, first or second watch?"
[] First Watch
[] Second Watch
- Location
- Telmar
[X] First Watch
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] Second Watch
Its the harder one of the two, normally. And we have the nifty ability that we can not be ambushed. So yay.
Its the harder one of the two, normally. And we have the nifty ability that we can not be ambushed. So yay.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[X] Second Watch
Artanis Prime
Knight of the Fallen Dream
- Location
- Matrix of Leadership
[X] Second Watch
- Location
- Leeds
[X] Second Watch
Arc III: On Bad Dreams
--Second Watch
After mulling it over for all of five seconds, you decide to take the second watch.
"I volunteer for the second watch, Bayushi-sama."
Sora nods, her mask hiding what you think is a small relieved smile. You can't be sure though... stupid Scorpions cheating with their masks.
"Well if that's the case, then you should try to get some sleep then Megumi-san, the Hour of the Rat isn't that far away," Sora says.
Let's see if it's the hour of Rooster now...then yes it's only 2, 2 and a half hours of sleep. With that in mind, you go into your tent and settle into your bedroll, wishing once again that you could find a bath.
As the light fades fully, and you let your inner center take over, the sensation of going to Yume-do flows through you.
The castle gates open as you walk inside, into the courtyard. You glance around seeing that the emblems of your clan, of your family are all covered. The grave-like air hangs on you like a thick cloak. Yet, still you walk through the empty castle, footsteps echoing as they break the silence.
Finally the throne room is open for you, and you see your daimyo and her husband...your lover. They look and see nothing. You don't exist to them, you can't. You aren't...you aren't that woman anymore. Not Kakita Sakura, just...Megumi the ronin...for all grandmother insists on calling you by the name you chose at your gempukku. The fact is that you are a ronin, dead in the eyes of the world, reborn as someone lesser, weaker.
You bow, hiding the lump in your throat, as you try to speak. Nothing happens, they don't speak or acknowledge you...wait, that is what you have to do, but what's that sound?
Fabric shifting and moving in your ears, the sound of skin on skin. A scent you know floats in the air, and still you don't rise.
A moan echoes through the air, a deep throaty moan, the moan of a woman being touched just right to send all her senses alight...only then do you dare look up and see your nightmare.
Katsuie, your lover, your man, is in passionate embrace with his wife, his mouth gently moving along her skin as strong hands stroke her thighs...touches you know from experience bring sheer ecstasy.
No words come; you can't speak, can't move, can't even breathe as you watch, watch as she gives everything...and takes everything. His eyes, the ones that burned with love and ardor for you, look at her look at...Kakita Ayame-dono, his wife, with the same passion, the same need, but greater somehow.
You want that, you need that, you need to be loved by him, you need him to stop doing that with her, why won't he….why won't he stop making love to her?
The answer flits through your mind, a poisoned dart that can't miss.
You are Megumi the Ronin, and you aren't worth his time.
You aren't worth anyone's time
Just a ronin. No name, no master, your closest friend is…
Well, you don't have any do you?
Grandmother maybe?
No, even she just sees you as a disappointment.
You desired, desire so much, but are you anywhere close to achieving it?
No you are more than that, you might be a ronin, but that doesn't mean nothing, you are a Samurai, an honorable Samurai!
A voice asks, "Are you?"
And just like that, the castle falls away, the couple fades into a mist. You see a man of vaguely Rokugani features walk through the mist. Closer he seems to be a monk, his staff jangling in the night. With a look, he points the staff at you, and then abruptly swings it downward.
Behind you, a great tiger head erupts out of the ground, it's roar shaking the world, even as it's mouth envelopes you entirely, cactus flowers, clothes and all.
You wake up with a start, your hand going to your neck as you recall the fangs...what in the name of Fukurokujin-no-kami was that?
Laying back down, you turn to the side and look at your hands...maybe it was because earlier?
Truth was that you didn't...like to dwell over much on what you lost, or on the idea that Katsuie-kun was with another woman. It wasn't really...reasonable of you, but you still loved him, even if you had no problems with looking at other men too. But what was that monk about and the tiger?
A deep sigh as you turn and try to go back to sleep, only for the flap to your tent to open and Sora to poke her head in.
"Your turn for the watch, Megumi-san...fair warning, we have a prisoner now"
"Wait what?" you ask sitting up.
"You were completely lost in Yume-do when he showed up, stumbled over our camp. I captured him, but haven't had the chance to interrogate him yet. Maybe you can do that while I'm sleeping."
"Is he Rokugani?"
You climb out of the tent and look around your eyes adjusting to the bright moon.
"No, but he speaks some of our language, at least I think he does," Sora answers.
Finally, by the remains of the fire pit, you see him. A somewhat short, but muscled man wrapped in rope. The dim light makes it hard to make out a lot, but you see his curly black hair, and generally angular features and realize that this man is a Yodotai. A filthy, barely covered Yodotai with massive whip scars on his arms and legs who desperately doesn't want to be here. Although you can't blame him on that...
"A Yodotai…and we haven't killed him?"
"There's not supposed to be any Yodotai in this part of the world, not the least because they're all killing each other out east."
"Ah…"
"Don't lose him, and if you can get information out of him be my guest. I'm going to bed," Sora orders.
You nod, and sit down by the Yodotai, but not too close. They are after all the monsters that nearly killed everything worth having in the world. Even if they have souls.
Sora goes to bed leaving you alone, with your thoughts on that dream and a Yodotai prisoner.
The order to get information out of him if you can, is a welcome distraction from said dream, but how are you going to do that?
You look at his eyes to get some clue as to what he's thinking. In the small light of night, they seem dark, furtive and...terrified....a deer running away from a wolf. That's what his eyes remind you of. He's scared, but not of you, and given how he's not shy about looking at the tent Sora went into, probably not her...something else...but what?
[] Write in: (Get the Yodotai to talk)
AN: Rokugani hours are actually twice as long as ours, so Megumi got about four hours of sleep.
After mulling it over for all of five seconds, you decide to take the second watch.
"I volunteer for the second watch, Bayushi-sama."
Sora nods, her mask hiding what you think is a small relieved smile. You can't be sure though... stupid Scorpions cheating with their masks.
"Well if that's the case, then you should try to get some sleep then Megumi-san, the Hour of the Rat isn't that far away," Sora says.
Let's see if it's the hour of Rooster now...then yes it's only 2, 2 and a half hours of sleep. With that in mind, you go into your tent and settle into your bedroll, wishing once again that you could find a bath.
As the light fades fully, and you let your inner center take over, the sensation of going to Yume-do flows through you.
The castle gates open as you walk inside, into the courtyard. You glance around seeing that the emblems of your clan, of your family are all covered. The grave-like air hangs on you like a thick cloak. Yet, still you walk through the empty castle, footsteps echoing as they break the silence.
Finally the throne room is open for you, and you see your daimyo and her husband...your lover. They look and see nothing. You don't exist to them, you can't. You aren't...you aren't that woman anymore. Not Kakita Sakura, just...Megumi the ronin...for all grandmother insists on calling you by the name you chose at your gempukku. The fact is that you are a ronin, dead in the eyes of the world, reborn as someone lesser, weaker.
You bow, hiding the lump in your throat, as you try to speak. Nothing happens, they don't speak or acknowledge you...wait, that is what you have to do, but what's that sound?
Fabric shifting and moving in your ears, the sound of skin on skin. A scent you know floats in the air, and still you don't rise.
A moan echoes through the air, a deep throaty moan, the moan of a woman being touched just right to send all her senses alight...only then do you dare look up and see your nightmare.
Katsuie, your lover, your man, is in passionate embrace with his wife, his mouth gently moving along her skin as strong hands stroke her thighs...touches you know from experience bring sheer ecstasy.
No words come; you can't speak, can't move, can't even breathe as you watch, watch as she gives everything...and takes everything. His eyes, the ones that burned with love and ardor for you, look at her look at...Kakita Ayame-dono, his wife, with the same passion, the same need, but greater somehow.
You want that, you need that, you need to be loved by him, you need him to stop doing that with her, why won't he….why won't he stop making love to her?
The answer flits through your mind, a poisoned dart that can't miss.
You are Megumi the Ronin, and you aren't worth his time.
You aren't worth anyone's time
Just a ronin. No name, no master, your closest friend is…
Well, you don't have any do you?
Grandmother maybe?
No, even she just sees you as a disappointment.
You desired, desire so much, but are you anywhere close to achieving it?
No you are more than that, you might be a ronin, but that doesn't mean nothing, you are a Samurai, an honorable Samurai!
A voice asks, "Are you?"
And just like that, the castle falls away, the couple fades into a mist. You see a man of vaguely Rokugani features walk through the mist. Closer he seems to be a monk, his staff jangling in the night. With a look, he points the staff at you, and then abruptly swings it downward.
Behind you, a great tiger head erupts out of the ground, it's roar shaking the world, even as it's mouth envelopes you entirely, cactus flowers, clothes and all.
You wake up with a start, your hand going to your neck as you recall the fangs...what in the name of Fukurokujin-no-kami was that?
Laying back down, you turn to the side and look at your hands...maybe it was because earlier?
Truth was that you didn't...like to dwell over much on what you lost, or on the idea that Katsuie-kun was with another woman. It wasn't really...reasonable of you, but you still loved him, even if you had no problems with looking at other men too. But what was that monk about and the tiger?
A deep sigh as you turn and try to go back to sleep, only for the flap to your tent to open and Sora to poke her head in.
"Your turn for the watch, Megumi-san...fair warning, we have a prisoner now"
"Wait what?" you ask sitting up.
"You were completely lost in Yume-do when he showed up, stumbled over our camp. I captured him, but haven't had the chance to interrogate him yet. Maybe you can do that while I'm sleeping."
"Is he Rokugani?"
You climb out of the tent and look around your eyes adjusting to the bright moon.
"No, but he speaks some of our language, at least I think he does," Sora answers.
Finally, by the remains of the fire pit, you see him. A somewhat short, but muscled man wrapped in rope. The dim light makes it hard to make out a lot, but you see his curly black hair, and generally angular features and realize that this man is a Yodotai. A filthy, barely covered Yodotai with massive whip scars on his arms and legs who desperately doesn't want to be here. Although you can't blame him on that...
"A Yodotai…and we haven't killed him?"
"There's not supposed to be any Yodotai in this part of the world, not the least because they're all killing each other out east."
"Ah…"
"Don't lose him, and if you can get information out of him be my guest. I'm going to bed," Sora orders.
You nod, and sit down by the Yodotai, but not too close. They are after all the monsters that nearly killed everything worth having in the world. Even if they have souls.
Sora goes to bed leaving you alone, with your thoughts on that dream and a Yodotai prisoner.
The order to get information out of him if you can, is a welcome distraction from said dream, but how are you going to do that?
You look at his eyes to get some clue as to what he's thinking. In the small light of night, they seem dark, furtive and...terrified....a deer running away from a wolf. That's what his eyes remind you of. He's scared, but not of you, and given how he's not shy about looking at the tent Sora went into, probably not her...something else...but what?
[] Write in: (Get the Yodotai to talk)
AN: Rokugani hours are actually twice as long as ours, so Megumi got about four hours of sleep.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
This man is obviously terrified of something. If we ask him what it is, we can almost certainly get him to tell us something. The trick is that it may or may not be the truth. He strongly does not wish to be here (probably wants to keep fleeing from whatever it is) and might be willing to tell us almost anything to get us to let him go. He may well have been enslaved by... something. Perhaps the Rakshasa used him as a toy for a time?
On one thought, we're *really* good at investigation.
[x] Plan leverage our strengths
-[x] Start by examining him thoroughly. Determine everything you can about him from simply looking (while not coming within reach).
-[x] Ask what he is afraid of - what he is running from. Attempt to sound sympathetic. Play good cop to Sora's bad cop. She's Scorpion, and you were Crane. It should come naturally. Possibly offer him some small kindness - a mouthful or two of water to drink or some such. He may be without a soul, but even animals can be soothed by speaking to their needs.
-[x] If you notice a place in which he is lying, let him dig himself a little deeper, then call him on it. Attempt to discern what you can of him from the pattern of his lies, and how he reacts to being called on them.
Basically, heavy on the Investigation (7k4) for picking up on details and spotting lies, with a lighter hand on trying to persuade him to talk with sympathy and kindness (5k3 - Courtier+Awareness and Benten's Blessing)
On one thought, we're *really* good at investigation.
[x] Plan leverage our strengths
-[x] Start by examining him thoroughly. Determine everything you can about him from simply looking (while not coming within reach).
-[x] Ask what he is afraid of - what he is running from. Attempt to sound sympathetic. Play good cop to Sora's bad cop. She's Scorpion, and you were Crane. It should come naturally. Possibly offer him some small kindness - a mouthful or two of water to drink or some such. He may be without a soul, but even animals can be soothed by speaking to their needs.
-[x] If you notice a place in which he is lying, let him dig himself a little deeper, then call him on it. Attempt to discern what you can of him from the pattern of his lies, and how he reacts to being called on them.
Basically, heavy on the Investigation (7k4) for picking up on details and spotting lies, with a lighter hand on trying to persuade him to talk with sympathy and kindness (5k3 - Courtier+Awareness and Benten's Blessing)
Talk about tigers? Anyone who knows what we're talking about would respond appropriately
- Location
- Leeds
Mention that this is holy ground and demons can not come here?
- Location
- Leeds
Under what circumstances do you know what the demon that is hunting you is, but not know that you shouldn't call it by name.
Seems to me thats Tiger Monster 101.
The other circumstance is that he doesn't know what it is and therefore doesn't know its name. In which case there is absolutely nothing to worry about.
You know, apart from the demon hunting us down.
Its in the local myths, so I prefer not to chance it
- Location
- Leeds
The guy is expressly not a local and as I said, knowing not to say its name is probably 101 when learning it.
- Location
- Telmar
A cynic might say that handing him an excuse in the form of the Rakshasa might get us untruths if he really is just an escaped slave. An optimist would hand him an excuse that we know is untrue in order to find out. Perhaps mention a lion demon?
- Location
- Leeds
What if he was too busy running and didn't get a clear look at the demon. Even if he thought it was a tiger he might agree it was a lion just assuming that we know what the hell we're talking about.
- Status