Session 35: All Things Miniature, Monstrous, and Mystical
General Summary
After the samurai falls, it becomes obvious the centipede woman was the real problem. They quickly deal with her, with Sikander and Wibbles spinning until she is obliterated.
Gathering together, a red lantern floats toward them and the voice of Matsukado, the guardian of Edo, echoes from it. Matsukado informs them the Cherry Blossoms have become a scurge on Edo, seeking to return the God Eaters and setting free various dangerous Yokai. Since the samurai was destroyed, he claims a debt owed and charges them with exterminating the four remaining Yokai the Cherries had set free. They will be know by the darkness that surrounds them and their proximity to evil, expecially around the generals and leaders of the Cherries, all the way up to the court of the emporer in his divine court.
After more conversation, the spirit leaves and a small paper falls, or an Ofuda, with writing on it as if in a prayer in Yamatan/Njango writing "You owe a debt".
Returning to the hotel they are brought sake and food, but before they are able to dig in, a massive earthquake is felt. Looking wearliy back out, an enourmous creature rises out of the water. Going outside, Anya shifts into a bronze dragon wyrmling to fly Sikander and Silas (and Tal despite her insistance he remain) out toward the monster, while Offa flew alongside them.
While flying out, Silas and Offa become inconoslably terrified, sending Offa turning back to town, while Silas cowered on Anya's back. She managed to get a small attack before quickly realizing they would need to try a different way to deal with the gargantuan dragon-like monster. As she turned back, the creature responded with its lightning breath at them. Tal, in a supreme act of protection, managed to blink himself, Sikander, AND Silas to safety, while Anya was hit. She managed to save herself from the fall by catching herself, then changing into a small bird and flying back to the hotel.
Tendo, the hotel owner, greets them all, and ensures his wife Yukio brings them food and rest on their return. The next morning, the group prepares to head out for the Embassey of the Twin Crowns. Before they leave, Silas finally shares with them about Sense. To help, Silas tells a story and Sense accents it with various smells - bacon, seaweed, and lavender. Sense then gives them all the smell of something from their childhood - a flower from Anya's home, a specific writing charcoal Sikander's sister A'flora used, buring ghoul wax candles for Offa, and smell of carpentry workshop with a scent of Samyra, like baby powder/talcum, for Silas. Anya casts message and has chat with Sense, finally agreeing that they don't mean each other harm and can be trusted to help.
Finally leaving, they pass odd magical machines and everyone stops to take a closer look. The first one has a variety of drinks available. They try a couple different drinks while Silas speaks with a passing Yokai that helps clean the streets near the stables, finding it very filling. He wanders off while Sikander finds a slip of paper saying he has won a free luxury bath at Baba's Bathhouse in Madam's Spirit and Human Bathhouse. Vlad ends up with a Giant Golum Crush and Anya's (called Peace Between the Worlds) is ram's blood, which she saves for Silas's new Yokai acquatinance.
Shifting futher down, they watch a young girl turn the gears to receive a small egg with a treature inside. She shows them the piece of the golem, gives it Sikander, then runs off. Excited, the guys spend several minutes taking over the machine and find:
When they get to the Twin Empress Embassy, the young woman greets them and after some conversation agrees to bging them to an office. (Anya recognizes she is wildshaped to appear human and is really a Fox Yokai). While they wait, Silas notices the filing cabinet is locked and initially sits back. Anya surprises him, commenting that sometimes the rules need to be broken. In a quick search, he manages to find a paper granting permission to enter the imperial court that cannot be questioned or rescinded, stamped and ready to use, as well as a form to apply for a license to run a ricksha.
A small, serious gnome enters the room, introducing himself as Nobin, a lower functionary on serving his majesty. Anya attempts using the medallion and their connection to Ret. Admiral Ollderdan as a means to gain their passes, but struggles (as apparently no one here is fond of him either). Silas manages to persuade Nobin, first commending his beautiful sword (that Sikander is aware is a fake) then sharing they are friends with Haka-ho and that he could mention Nobin and his priceless katana to him. This works, and while he is agreeing to their passes, Nobin makes additional boasts and comments directed at Sikander, finally pushing him over the edge. Sikander smashes a clock, causing Nobin to insist he will not allow him passage to the mainland.
It is during this that Nobin finally recognizes Sikander from the Yamato play - Sakandaer. He signs the pamphlet for the play and gives them all passes, along with a warning to be careful while seeking transit. Most are safe except for parts of Oppai and various criminal areas.
As they head for the barge, Anya is given a note from the Fox Yokai asking for help.
Gathering together, a red lantern floats toward them and the voice of Matsukado, the guardian of Edo, echoes from it. Matsukado informs them the Cherry Blossoms have become a scurge on Edo, seeking to return the God Eaters and setting free various dangerous Yokai. Since the samurai was destroyed, he claims a debt owed and charges them with exterminating the four remaining Yokai the Cherries had set free. They will be know by the darkness that surrounds them and their proximity to evil, expecially around the generals and leaders of the Cherries, all the way up to the court of the emporer in his divine court.
After more conversation, the spirit leaves and a small paper falls, or an Ofuda, with writing on it as if in a prayer in Yamatan/Njango writing "You owe a debt".
Returning to the hotel they are brought sake and food, but before they are able to dig in, a massive earthquake is felt. Looking wearliy back out, an enourmous creature rises out of the water. Going outside, Anya shifts into a bronze dragon wyrmling to fly Sikander and Silas (and Tal despite her insistance he remain) out toward the monster, while Offa flew alongside them.
While flying out, Silas and Offa become inconoslably terrified, sending Offa turning back to town, while Silas cowered on Anya's back. She managed to get a small attack before quickly realizing they would need to try a different way to deal with the gargantuan dragon-like monster. As she turned back, the creature responded with its lightning breath at them. Tal, in a supreme act of protection, managed to blink himself, Sikander, AND Silas to safety, while Anya was hit. She managed to save herself from the fall by catching herself, then changing into a small bird and flying back to the hotel.
Tendo, the hotel owner, greets them all, and ensures his wife Yukio brings them food and rest on their return. The next morning, the group prepares to head out for the Embassey of the Twin Crowns. Before they leave, Silas finally shares with them about Sense. To help, Silas tells a story and Sense accents it with various smells - bacon, seaweed, and lavender. Sense then gives them all the smell of something from their childhood - a flower from Anya's home, a specific writing charcoal Sikander's sister A'flora used, buring ghoul wax candles for Offa, and smell of carpentry workshop with a scent of Samyra, like baby powder/talcum, for Silas. Anya casts message and has chat with Sense, finally agreeing that they don't mean each other harm and can be trusted to help.
Finally leaving, they pass odd magical machines and everyone stops to take a closer look. The first one has a variety of drinks available. They try a couple different drinks while Silas speaks with a passing Yokai that helps clean the streets near the stables, finding it very filling. He wanders off while Sikander finds a slip of paper saying he has won a free luxury bath at Baba's Bathhouse in Madam's Spirit and Human Bathhouse. Vlad ends up with a Giant Golum Crush and Anya's (called Peace Between the Worlds) is ram's blood, which she saves for Silas's new Yokai acquatinance.
Shifting futher down, they watch a young girl turn the gears to receive a small egg with a treature inside. She shows them the piece of the golem, gives it Sikander, then runs off. Excited, the guys spend several minutes taking over the machine and find:
- Small woodblock print of mount Okiyama
- Small painted folded fan with picture of Kirin
- Origami paper set
- Tiny Samurai made of solid lead
- Scaled down katana (very sharp)
- A tiny kabuki mask
- A tiny toad netsuke
- Tiny Njango doll with some kind of gem inside
When they get to the Twin Empress Embassy, the young woman greets them and after some conversation agrees to bging them to an office. (Anya recognizes she is wildshaped to appear human and is really a Fox Yokai). While they wait, Silas notices the filing cabinet is locked and initially sits back. Anya surprises him, commenting that sometimes the rules need to be broken. In a quick search, he manages to find a paper granting permission to enter the imperial court that cannot be questioned or rescinded, stamped and ready to use, as well as a form to apply for a license to run a ricksha.
A small, serious gnome enters the room, introducing himself as Nobin, a lower functionary on serving his majesty. Anya attempts using the medallion and their connection to Ret. Admiral Ollderdan as a means to gain their passes, but struggles (as apparently no one here is fond of him either). Silas manages to persuade Nobin, first commending his beautiful sword (that Sikander is aware is a fake) then sharing they are friends with Haka-ho and that he could mention Nobin and his priceless katana to him. This works, and while he is agreeing to their passes, Nobin makes additional boasts and comments directed at Sikander, finally pushing him over the edge. Sikander smashes a clock, causing Nobin to insist he will not allow him passage to the mainland.
It is during this that Nobin finally recognizes Sikander from the Yamato play - Sakandaer. He signs the pamphlet for the play and gives them all passes, along with a warning to be careful while seeking transit. Most are safe except for parts of Oppai and various criminal areas.
As they head for the barge, Anya is given a note from the Fox Yokai asking for help.
Report Date
18 Feb 2024
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