Session II - Assessing the situation

-13th of Hare, 1157-

Two Shiba samurai are present, guarding the gate. Asako Izuna is who they say is in charge, will take us to her. Says she's holding court today, and introduces us before the court. Izuna is sitting close to the governor's empty seat; longest serving courtier in the palace. Screens with landscapes, as well as mythical creatures storied to be found in the river at various times. Show her the proclamation. She asks what they can do to assist. We note that we'll need assistance lodging Miya-sama's entourage and the legion. That we'll need help getting the proclamation spread across the province to villages of 200 people and over (everything on the map). The Crane and Scorpion are maneuvering around Tosho no Naisho, and the Lion were in and around Suuju Mura. Ask about other clans operating, tells of the Mantis acting as mercenaries.



Top floor of the palace is for the governor. 63 guest rooms in the palace for samurai (can easily support married couples). 2 others occupied by Asako Izuna and Shiba Yamiko. No servants quarters in the governor's palace; they all live in the heimin's district. The district the barracks can hold 2 companies (a legion is 7), a little over 300. Two other barracks that can hold a squadron, 21 each, 42 in total. The samurai district has 197 homes and estates of varying sizes, 160 are unoccupied, some might need minor repairs (all would need to be aired out). There are two inns in the samurai district that can potentially hold 24, 48 in total. Four inns in the merchant district; could hold 18 each, or 72 total. When Sou asks about why so many abandoned houses; she said that those were built over 500 years ago. Carpenters in the province are famously skilled. 2 squads in the main barracks. Izuna does ask about disposition of the real estate and existing Phoenix; Genjiro says we will do our best to honor existing conditions.



The closest flat land to setup a military camp is several hours outside the heimin quarter. Izuna says that there is more room in Koso Mura. Phoenix have about 80 in the city, and 3 companies (450 soldiers) at Koso Mura. 70 to 75 representatives showing up to lobby for their clans, with probably 150 guards / followers along with servants. Haundo asks about the grain stores, and Izuna presents the figures, can easily absorb the arrival of the armies. Current population is 90 to 95 thousand before the arrivals. Last census on Panchu Mura was 248 citizens, and just shows farming. Ask about the mural on the screens; artist is Kakita Maliko, and claimed they could see things in the rivers others could not. Kazue and Sou recognize several of the spirits, as well as some of the kami represented; kappa and ningyo. It was painted about 500 years ago. Chiyoko asks about how the Phoenix have taken the armies arrivals; Izuna says unfortunately, they have received no response back to their repeated attempts to contact the Phoenix about this situation. None of their messengers have returned; 4 different messengers dispatched over the course of 7 months. First was a single messenger (18th of Dragon 1156 - day after Hiromoto's death), sent south along the river. Expected to get a reply by Goat, 3 months later. When no response, 21st of Goat 1156, dispatched a pair of samurai north via Dragon lands with travel papers. Expected to hear back faster; dispatched third messenger 17th of Dog 1156, also a single messenger, south along the river. Independently, Shiba Gaijitsu dispatched a squad of 10 soldiers via the Dragon route on the 23rd of Dog. Says the Crane arrived near the end of the month of Dog, a few days after the third messenger left. The Lion arrived shortly after, still in Dog, and the Scorpion didn't arrive until Boar. She first became aware of the Mantis in Boar also. Kakita Seisho arrived in Toshi no Naishou the 23rd day Goat 1156, just after the second messengers were dispatched. He is the one attributed to reporting the lack of governor in the province. His Daidoji was dispatched a few days after with the message to the Crane. Emperor announced on 16th day of Ox, 1156.



All 3 armies did announce their arrivals by sending a squad to the palace and reassure that they had no intention of battling the city or damaging the infrastructure of the province. All suggested given the relative inequality of troop strength that the Phoenix not attempt to stop them. Each army suggested that when they dealt with the security situation, they were going to claim Toshi no Naishou and Koso Mura. Sou asks about governance philosophy used by the Phoenix; while rich in resources, its isolation means not rich trade. Kazue asks about the other clan samurai in town when the old governor died; 2 dragon, 1 lion, a mantis, a crane, several phoenix visiting Toshi no Naishou when the old governor died. All but the Mantis and the Phoenix were passing through, paying respect, but going to a monestary. Mantis was here for business, was successful, purchased some timber, rare plants, dried flowers, herbs, swamp plants.



Chiyoko asks about any issues she has concerns with, and Izuna is concerned about sending isolated samurai to remote areas for things like census taking, with concerns arising from the assumed fate of the failed messengers. Says the native three tribes are unlikely to intermingle; more likely to reach out to their same tribe then send word to the capital. A lot more common among the villages in the mountains. Kazue asks about Koso Maru - 10,000 pop, where Toshi No Naisho is 35,000 pop. Koso Maru is Shensai or daoist, and consider its a strenght to intermingle between the tribes and others. Recommends the covered market place. Giajitsu was named governor of there a few months after Hiromoto became governor. Get names of the Taisa of the Clan armies - Doji Ayumi, Bayushi Itaru, Matsu Tadanobu. Get to pick rooms themed after the fortunes: Iaimiko, Junko - Bishoman; Sou and Yukika, Taka - Benten; Daisuke - Jurojin; Haundo, Musashi, Genjiro - Hotei; Chiyoko, Kazue - Fukurokujin; Akemi - Jurojin.



To try and hit the armies, different groups will need to head out. Sou, Yukika, Haundo, Taka heading northwest to find the Lion, then head back to the border. If they make great time, maybe check out Shizu Mura or Inari Seido. Kazue and Daisuke head north to Koso Mura, then return. Iaimiko, Akemi, and Masashi head west to find the Scorpion, possibly the Crane. Chiyoko, Genjiro, and Junko remain in Toshi no Naishou.





-14th of Hare, 1157-

Group splits up.



Chiyoko and Genjiro go north and south of the town to read the proclamation. Izuna recommends both merchant quarters, both docks, the Three Winds Inn, parks in the samurai district. Genjiro also works on logistics for laborers, lumber, materials for housing. Airing out the existing housing.



Late in the day, Kazue and Daisuke arrive in Koso Mura. Get in no problem, are escorted to meet Shiba Gaijitsu. He takes the news, but is angry. He asks how the emperor found out about the situation. Kazue says we do not know, nor the fate of his men who were dispatched. She asks for a chance to read the proclamation to the city, and he agrees. He gives a report on Koso Mura to take back to Miya Ansho, as well as some pointers on local flavor. Recommends a meal at the Water Upon the Stones, mentions the covered market.





-15th of Hare, 1157-

That morning, Sou, Yukika, Haundo, Taka meet a Lion patrol. Hail them, ask to meet the Taisa to deliver the proclamation to Matsu Tadanobu. Get to Sujuu Mura, and find it well fortified by the Lion. New wall built. Escorted in, get to meet with Tadanobu, read out the proclamation. When Tadanobu asks about further orders, Sou requests that an envoy be send to Toshi no Naishou, where Miya Ansho will be setup by the 21st. Sou politely declines the invite for hospitality to head back south to meet up at the border. Head out south, to skirt the forest on the way back to meet up with Miya Ansho.