Session 34: Welcome to Dejima
General Summary
As the journey continues, the group peppers Haka-Ho with questions about Edo, gaining passes, learning how to become a Sumo and a Samurai, the influence and corruption occurring due to the Cherry Blossoms, who and what Yokai are, and encouraging them to climb the great volcanic mountain, Okyama for New Years.
Haka-ho tells them about Akira Ozawa, an ally who could help them that lives near the small Tazo Shrine. He also invites them to his home in Juri whenever they are near (to properly honor them) and to meet his wife, Michiko.
Further conversations include the warning to be wary of the foods eaten, that magic does flow differently, the massive whale gorilla that lives in the bay, the various spirits that wander the woods leading to the summit of Okyama, and the warning to be in at night as there are monsters and ghosts that wander the streets. (At some point, Offa offers to assist Haka-ho in toweling off the sweat in his numerous folds)
Before parting, he gives each of them a small stone, stamped with his hanko to prove their connection to the great Yokazuna. Haka-ho is grateful of the gift presented by Silas and advises to them all to be cautious with their gift giving – that too much or too little could be of equal insult to those they are attempting to honor.
As they exit the train, a tiny homunculus is spotted carrying Haka-ho’s luggage. Heading out, they are greeted with the foreigner’s island, known as Dejima.
Continuing, Silas checks in with Scent, who helps translate and fill in some of the knowledge gaps (including that Yokai are not evil, but of the other world - some monsters, spirits, demigods and that a truce was created 150 years ago) as they move out of Dajima Station. Everywhere are gnomes of all kinds, as well as spirits and radish people. Along the walls are magical signs for Yakatori (Scent translates as food places). Heading up the spiral staircase, they enter a street lit with lanterns and the smells of sea and sweet flora. Flutes and some strumming instrument are heard in the distance as they walk along a mix of buildings that seem traditional to the region and others that would fit along any in Waterdeep.
All kinds of beings pass them – gnome and various Yokai alike, including a small child with a clam head who drops into the ground ahead of them, and then back out just behind.
Eventually they hear someone shouting "Chicken on sale" in common and find a rat person, Kura Nezumi, who welcomes them into his Shichijuuichi and shows off his ware – including deep cold chests, various foods, clothing, packaged meals, drinks, and lots of rice cakes. On learning they needed to pay in Yuon, Kura tells them to meet with his nephew, Namu. Inside the come across Tonga first, a young mouse person sweeping, then find Namu.
After getting a lesson in local economy and politics, they learn 1 gold piece is worth 100 yuon. Namu is willing and able to exchange (which would be faster and cheaper than traditional money changers), so Silas changes 400gp over to the paper yuon, in addition to the 5% commission due to Namu. He then tells them a few ways to acquire the necessary passes to cross into Edo, including the Imperial office (ask for The Correct Relations Between Spirit and Humans office), a semiofficial option was proof of citizenship of the Twin Courts, and then counterfeits from the Seamen Bar. When asked about places to stay, Namu suggests the Hezikai hotel, which is just around the corner.
As Sikander and Offa are especially hungry, Namu offers them suggestions, including sushi for sale there in the Shichijuuichi.
Offa and Silas get sushi with octopus, salmon like shrimp, Hake, Tuna, and a spicy one. (Silas is only eating the ones that he has seen Offa eat out of extreme caution.) Sikander, meanwhile, gets six different ones, including one that moves under its own volition and another with Wasabi. Intrigued, he asks Namu for ones that he would enjoy, so he is given one with black dots in the middle that fights against being swallowed. He manages to down it and finds it reasonably satisfying.
Anya declines the sushi, and instead asks about procuring a her own hanko, woodcarving, and kintsugi, which Namu advises there are all kinds of artisans for them to find down the street. He also warns they should plan to be in before too late as spirits of the dead, such as the wandering samurai, are known common and not to be trifled with.
Sikander, still hungry and ready for a challenge, downs another platinum roll – this one leaving him feeling light and buoyant. As he gets it down, an odd sensation overtakes him and his head spins 180°. Tickled and impressed, as those rolls were ones that only Yokai should eat, Namu sends them on their way. As they leave, Silas presents Nezami with a piece of malachite as a gift of thanks and a bow.
Out on the street, the group awkwardly heads to the hotel, while being told to leave the street for their safety. Upon entering, they find an older woman who helps them to their room with a pile of yokata. They are taken to a large, empty room, with a low table and large window looking out over the city. Anya is especially taken with the setup as it brings to mind her yantare Bry’s dojo back in the Feywild.
They begin to settle when there is strange moaning heard in the hall. Checking, Anya blushes to find to men enjoying each other’s company, but find there is still an odd moaning even after they leave. Offa send Vlad out and spots a samurai ghost moving to attack a possible ghost or living woman. Anya, compelled by her oath as a Sentinel, immediately heads outside, ignoring the older woman’s concerns. Offa follows close behind, with Silas leading Sikander, whose head is still backwards.
The party is quickly surrounded by floating masks, and Anya places herself between the samurai and the woman on the ground. Throughout the fight, the samurai remains focused on the woman while the masks attack the party. Scent and Silas manage to convince the samurai to stand down briefly, but he and Anya have “duties” that are at odds, and she continues to attack him.
Offa shines as he banishes and avoids the masked creatures, while Sikander (the dwarven tornado) swings Wibbles wildly and manages quite a bit of damage in his odd state, including a couple divinely enhanced hits. Near the end, Anya sends Tal to move Silas away from the fight given his injured state as she turns back to the samurai. The thunder from the harness destroys the samurai, and as it does, Anya turns to see an ash white centipede woman coming straight for her. They quickly realize the samurai had good reason for going after the woman….
Haka-ho tells them about Akira Ozawa, an ally who could help them that lives near the small Tazo Shrine. He also invites them to his home in Juri whenever they are near (to properly honor them) and to meet his wife, Michiko.
Further conversations include the warning to be wary of the foods eaten, that magic does flow differently, the massive whale gorilla that lives in the bay, the various spirits that wander the woods leading to the summit of Okyama, and the warning to be in at night as there are monsters and ghosts that wander the streets. (At some point, Offa offers to assist Haka-ho in toweling off the sweat in his numerous folds)
Before parting, he gives each of them a small stone, stamped with his hanko to prove their connection to the great Yokazuna. Haka-ho is grateful of the gift presented by Silas and advises to them all to be cautious with their gift giving – that too much or too little could be of equal insult to those they are attempting to honor.
As they exit the train, a tiny homunculus is spotted carrying Haka-ho’s luggage. Heading out, they are greeted with the foreigner’s island, known as Dejima.
Continuing, Silas checks in with Scent, who helps translate and fill in some of the knowledge gaps (including that Yokai are not evil, but of the other world - some monsters, spirits, demigods and that a truce was created 150 years ago) as they move out of Dajima Station. Everywhere are gnomes of all kinds, as well as spirits and radish people. Along the walls are magical signs for Yakatori (Scent translates as food places). Heading up the spiral staircase, they enter a street lit with lanterns and the smells of sea and sweet flora. Flutes and some strumming instrument are heard in the distance as they walk along a mix of buildings that seem traditional to the region and others that would fit along any in Waterdeep.
All kinds of beings pass them – gnome and various Yokai alike, including a small child with a clam head who drops into the ground ahead of them, and then back out just behind.
Eventually they hear someone shouting "Chicken on sale" in common and find a rat person, Kura Nezumi, who welcomes them into his Shichijuuichi and shows off his ware – including deep cold chests, various foods, clothing, packaged meals, drinks, and lots of rice cakes. On learning they needed to pay in Yuon, Kura tells them to meet with his nephew, Namu. Inside the come across Tonga first, a young mouse person sweeping, then find Namu.
After getting a lesson in local economy and politics, they learn 1 gold piece is worth 100 yuon. Namu is willing and able to exchange (which would be faster and cheaper than traditional money changers), so Silas changes 400gp over to the paper yuon, in addition to the 5% commission due to Namu. He then tells them a few ways to acquire the necessary passes to cross into Edo, including the Imperial office (ask for The Correct Relations Between Spirit and Humans office), a semiofficial option was proof of citizenship of the Twin Courts, and then counterfeits from the Seamen Bar. When asked about places to stay, Namu suggests the Hezikai hotel, which is just around the corner.
As Sikander and Offa are especially hungry, Namu offers them suggestions, including sushi for sale there in the Shichijuuichi.
Offa and Silas get sushi with octopus, salmon like shrimp, Hake, Tuna, and a spicy one. (Silas is only eating the ones that he has seen Offa eat out of extreme caution.) Sikander, meanwhile, gets six different ones, including one that moves under its own volition and another with Wasabi. Intrigued, he asks Namu for ones that he would enjoy, so he is given one with black dots in the middle that fights against being swallowed. He manages to down it and finds it reasonably satisfying.
Anya declines the sushi, and instead asks about procuring a her own hanko, woodcarving, and kintsugi, which Namu advises there are all kinds of artisans for them to find down the street. He also warns they should plan to be in before too late as spirits of the dead, such as the wandering samurai, are known common and not to be trifled with.
Sikander, still hungry and ready for a challenge, downs another platinum roll – this one leaving him feeling light and buoyant. As he gets it down, an odd sensation overtakes him and his head spins 180°. Tickled and impressed, as those rolls were ones that only Yokai should eat, Namu sends them on their way. As they leave, Silas presents Nezami with a piece of malachite as a gift of thanks and a bow.
Out on the street, the group awkwardly heads to the hotel, while being told to leave the street for their safety. Upon entering, they find an older woman who helps them to their room with a pile of yokata. They are taken to a large, empty room, with a low table and large window looking out over the city. Anya is especially taken with the setup as it brings to mind her yantare Bry’s dojo back in the Feywild.
They begin to settle when there is strange moaning heard in the hall. Checking, Anya blushes to find to men enjoying each other’s company, but find there is still an odd moaning even after they leave. Offa send Vlad out and spots a samurai ghost moving to attack a possible ghost or living woman. Anya, compelled by her oath as a Sentinel, immediately heads outside, ignoring the older woman’s concerns. Offa follows close behind, with Silas leading Sikander, whose head is still backwards.
The party is quickly surrounded by floating masks, and Anya places herself between the samurai and the woman on the ground. Throughout the fight, the samurai remains focused on the woman while the masks attack the party. Scent and Silas manage to convince the samurai to stand down briefly, but he and Anya have “duties” that are at odds, and she continues to attack him.
Offa shines as he banishes and avoids the masked creatures, while Sikander (the dwarven tornado) swings Wibbles wildly and manages quite a bit of damage in his odd state, including a couple divinely enhanced hits. Near the end, Anya sends Tal to move Silas away from the fight given his injured state as she turns back to the samurai. The thunder from the harness destroys the samurai, and as it does, Anya turns to see an ash white centipede woman coming straight for her. They quickly realize the samurai had good reason for going after the woman….
Report Date
04 Feb 2024
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