In reply to Rokugan (msg # 49):

Setsuko bows respectfully as she receives the offered parchment and displays the image
to her clan sister. Just as she was about to ask a question of their hooded guest
Zokiro's query issued from her lips.

Bowing to Set and Zok, the man nods his head."Qing Shan." His hands rest upon his sides. He lowers his hood revealing himself to be some sort of elf. His hair is more of a blond color and his eyes are more of a grey which is odd. He seems to be more built then that of a elf but not much.

"Then, Brother Qing, let us gather what is needed for our journey so we may begin our path swiftly. Can you shed light on anything particular we would need for our journey?  I have traveled to get to the temple, but those were on Imperial roads.  I expect this journey will be more difficult," Zokiro asks.  There was more she wanted to ask about the flower and Qing, but such things could be learned when they were already on the road.  A young life waited for their quest to be successful.

In turn, Setsuko bowed respectfully to the unique looking stranger, her training causing her to repress the questions she had of this one who calls himself Qing Shan and speaks so easily before the Master.

“Forgive me, I ask you to understand that I am a simple monk and unlike my clan sister I know not how to properly address you. Please enlighten this humble woman so that she may speak with you properly without cause of offense” Setsuko bowed again while making her request of their elven looking guest.

"Just Quig or Shan. I am no brother to anyone." The man nods his head."We will depart come morning. Please go to sleep. I will find you." He bows his head to the monk in charge."I will find it. Do not worry."

The monk nods his head and is gathered up by two sohei.

"As you wish Mister Shan. Thank you for your aid in our quest,
I look forward to beginning upon the dawn tomorrow morning."
The young female monk bows again to the elf before turning her attention
to the Master. "With your permission Master, my clan sister and
myself will go to our rooms and prepare for the journey before us."

Zokiro will bow to the Master and Qing, and await the Master's permission to withdraw.  Once that is given, she will head to her room to pack up everything that could be of use in the quest.  She visited her horse, Nori, to make certain the mare was ready for the journey (as well as obtaining feed for her), and went to the kitchens to request traveling food.  When all was arranged and ready to be take to the stables at a moment's notice, she spent the rest of the day performing her physical drills, studying her magical notes, meditating, and seeking out anything in the temple library that may enlighten her as to the geography, roads, legends, flora, and fauna of the northern mountains so that she would be prepared.

As she is about to check out where the books are (there is no libary-its a small temple) she is stopped by the ranger. He is kneeling down, two odd blades out at his side and his eyes are closed. He lowers himself to kiss the ground and raises himself up sitting crosslegged. His eyes are closed.

Zokiro pauses and bows briefly to the ranger.  "Qing, what may I do for you?"

Some time after receiving her assignment from the Master, Setsuko was trying to find herself outside in the temple garden. Now that the thing she most desired was to soon become real,she again began to doubt the wisdom of leaving the sanctuary that she'd known for her whole life.

Than again, she also knew to the depths of her soul that while she could still many important and quite valuable things here, that she needed that thing called experience if she were to honestly grow and develop into the person she was meant to be.

Her meditation was suddenly disturbed by one of the younger monks. He bowed before speaking, "Setsuko, Brother Minoru wishes for you to join his class for martial practice. Come now please."

She rose from her seated full lotus in one smooth motion, flowing like water into a horse stance. Looking at the younger monk she relaxed her stance and asked, "Douku have you yet mastered the forward stance?"

"No, Setsuko not yet." he replied, slightly annoyed as they started towards the training chamber.

"You will. Just remember that no one here was born knowing all the techniques. We all had to learn them." her smile of encouragement as evident in her expression and her voice as she tousled  his dark hair.

Taking up his blades and sheathing them on his hip, he gets up and nods his head."We are to leave and soon. Come." He bows his head again and starts to head towards the stables. The man tilts his head as she is stopped before entering the temple libary."I know what it is, do not fret. We need to move quickly. Where is your ally?" He almost runs into her and bows his head."I am sorry. We met just for a moment. You know my name. What are yours if I may ask?" His eyes dart to Set and Zok.

"I am known as Mirumoto Zokiro, shugenja of the tamori school," she says in reply to Qing's question.  "My supplies are in order, and I have a horse so that I may travel swiftly.  I was just going to see what might be learned about the northern mountains in whatever texts the temple possesses, but if you say you know what is needed, then I would wish to learn from you."

She bowed briefly, then met his gaze with her own as she stood upright. "I am Setsuko, a monk of this temple. I am also a clan sister to Lady Mirumoto. Please excuse me for a moment while I gather the last of the few things I will be allowed to bring with me."

Returning quickly with a bundle including riding gear, she joins the others as they head toward the stables.

The ranger gears up and starts to head towards the outskirts of the temple, and they are let out. He waits for them for a moment and looks up at the mountains nearbye. He starts to head towards the mountains, pausing at times. He looks off in the distance after about three hours. Qing gets off his horse and kneels down, putting his hand upon the ground."Something was here. Big most likely. Heading north."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:27, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

In reply to Qing Shan (msg # 64):

"Its true then that we must also go north if we are to find and retrieve the flower. Are we likely to have trouble with this big creature?" asked Setsuko while leaning forward in her saddle. One of her hands reached down to where her staff was secured and she pat it lightly.

Zokiro looks about at the surroundings from Nori's saddle, being as that is a far higher perspective than her own rather diminutive height.  "Something possibly hostile, Qing?  Did it pass here recently?" she asks.

"Could be nothing, could be something. Definatly not average. It has some weight to it. And...." Qing points at the ground."No wagon trails, no horse tracks. Keep looking around." The ranger gets up onto his horse.

Zokiro will keep her senses alert as they continue on.  "My training gives me the ability to sense strongly elementally-aligned creatures and objects.  If we think one is somewhat near, within 20 or so feet, I can attempt to find out where it is and what its nature is," she tells the others quietly.

OOC: 11:07, Today: Zokiro Mirumoto rolled 8 using 1d20+1.  Listen check.
11:07, Today: Zokiro Mirumoto rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Spot check.

In reply to Zokiro Mirumoto (msg # 68):

"That is truly interesting clan sister. I'm concerned that other benefits from your training could come into use
if such a creature comes to us." Setsuko said with some concern.

"My training encourages looking and listening, so I shall do both of these to contribute my humble part." she added.

Falling quiet, Setsuko focused on her senses.


Today: Setsuko Osagai rolled 15 using 1d20+8.  Spot check.
Today: Setsuko Osagai rolled 27 using 1d20+8.  Listen check.

The ranger looks around and climbs up on the horse. They travel for a few hours and come across a wagon that has been turned over with a dead humanoid lying under it. Two more humans look dead. Several arrows line the area. It looks like they were possibly jumped and attacked. Shaking his head, the ranger drops down.

Setsuko looks over the scene, a expression of confusion on her face.

"I have to guess that these people were the victims of robbers.
We should take care to protect ourselves lest the same robbers are still close by.
What do you think Lady Zokiro?"

She looked briefly to her clan sister, then to the area nearby.

Zokiro looks around the area before swinging down off of Nori.  Holding the horse's reins, she steps closer to the scene of carnage to see if she can recognize anything about the humanoid under the wagon, or who the two dead humans might have been (wearing rich or poor clothing, or any identifiable tools of a trade, like prayer beads, aprons, soldier's uniforms, etc.).

"Indeed, sister.  Be wary while I try to see who these poor souls might be..."

The ranger and the monk stop in their tracks and duck behind one of the downed wagons. About sixty feet away unaware to Zok.

https://image.shutterstock.com...260nw-1261915231.jpg

They seem to be moving away, at least three are visible.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:51, Sun 29 Sept 2019.

"Hmm... hard to say who these people could have been," Zokiro says, straightening up and examining the ground, hoping something would reveal itself.  "Did either of you see anything of note?"

Setsuko quietly reaches up and quickly pulls Zokiro down besides her and Qing Shan, pointing insistently at the creatures 60 feet away.

She whispers softly, "Please be silent, sister. There are unknown creatures there."