Scene 5: Shadow Harbor

Age of Succession, 7217 IC 
Month of The Cherry Blossom
First Day of Spring
Fourth hour of the afternoon
Clear & mild, but with a chill west wind on the rise

Once the preparations are made, Morimoto, Takeru, Hojo, and Gakusei are provided horses and accompanied out of the temple gates by a pair of sohei. Megumi -- though eager to explore more of the city outside the compound -- is directed to continue her research, particularly on the subject of kitsune shapeshifting magic. She returns to the archives as the others thunder out of the west gate and towards the harbor on the Xidao Gulf. 

Fortunately, the area that Morimoto suggests the group focus on is not far from the temple. With the sohei leading the way and clearing a path, the journey covers lots of ground very rapidly. This is a good thing indeed for there are only about three hours until the sun will set. Already the Empress of Heaven is beginning her descent towards the western horizon. The adventurers must work quickly, but at least they will arrive at the docks within mere minutes. When the riders are within several blocks of the slummy district that is huddled on the lapping shore of the Xidao Gulf, Morimoto calls for the group to stop. He would prefer the investigators approach on foot and without temple guards with them. The better to blend in, one would suppose.

The four companions make any final preparations, and then watch the sohei gallop off to return to the temple. In a few minutes, they are traveling northwest along a poorly patrolled & maintained road. To their right is a thickly overgrown wooded border that surrounds the Kourin Pagoda grounds (a place that is strictly avoided by the locals due to its haunted reputation). To their left are various storehouses, shops, and residences that grow more ramshackle and dingy as they continue down the road. People they pass traveling the same way are moving slowly and looking about with furtive glances. Those heading the opposite way are hurrying along. 

Beyond the row of buildings on the right rises the enormous Iron Regent. It is a monument depicting a fearsome armored figure with a frightful learing mask and raised sword. The monstrosity rises over one-hundred feet high, its legs straddling the narrow channel between Inu Island to the south and the mainland to the north. Black birds appear to circle about its head squawking noisily. Rumor has it, the statue was to be plated in sheets of pure jade, but the evil despot was overthrown before the work could be completed. So it has been left in its dark gray state, which if anything, seems more menacing.

Before long, the group arrives at a crossroads. A long, busy street leads straight north & south. The docks themselves to the west of it and a shadowy overgrown wood on the east. Several larger boats are tied up currently with uncountable smaller craft scattered about. The long, wooden piers are interspersed with wooden buidlings, canvas tents, booths, and wagons. The larger structures are further north.

OOC: If anyone is trying to appear as something they are not, please describe what you are attempting and how you are attempting it. I will need Disguise checks for those individuals.

Unless you cause trouble immediately, this will be a skill-heavy endeavor. Some pertinent skills might include Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, Knowledge (various), Perception, Sense Motive, and Stealth. In fact, each of you might as well give me Perception checks right away.

Scene 4: The Imperial Palace

Age of Succession, 7217 IC 
Month of The Cherry Blossom
First Day of Spring
About half-past the sixth hour of the morning
Chilly but sunny with clearing skies

Morimoto finally reaches the outer walls of the imperial estate. The closer he traveled to the heart of the city, the more its citizens seemed to be in a chaotic clamor. Most people actually seem to be overwhelmed with disbelief, but other groups (fewer in number, yet ten times as loud) seem to be stirring up unrest and panic in a variety of ways. Some seem to be religious or political rabble-rousers who are visibly shaken by yesterday's tragic events. Some are even spreading stories of the Jade Regent returning to power. Others believe that Minkai itself will soon fall since the line of emperors is now spent with the death of the last Amatatsu. 

The gates leading into the imperial grounds are closed off as tightly as they would be during a siege. Kondo's imperial guardsmen stationed outside the gates and along the walls. They are ready for anything, but try to project the appearance of being assembled in a display honoring the empress' passing. They stand as still as statues, but are not arrayed in ceremonial armor & weapons. In front of them, closer to the chaos in the streets, are Osawa's city guard. The governor employs them as a police force of sorts. They are much more active, trying to keep some semblance of order so close to the palace.

Shortly after his arrival, Morimoto sees a group of horsemen trying to wind their way through the throngs. It is more of the provincial police along with Osawa Shunjei himself. The governor is also surrounded by several members of his own household guard. He is doing his best to part the masses of people so he may reach the gates. He tries to exude an air of quiet yet commanding authority, but it is not difficult to see that he is a tad overwhelmed by the whole situation.

He and his entourage are about to ride right past Morimoto... 

Maps - Part 1

City Map of Kasai

Scene 3: Dancing Kappa Teahouse

Age of Succession, 7217 IC
Month of the Cherry Blossom
First Day of Spring
Third Hour of the Morning
Chilly with Clearing Skies (everything is damp from last night's rain)

Finally, the New Year's celebrations are dying away in the streets outside. Occasionally, a loud crack of fireworks will echo through the city, or there will be a group of drunken revelers that will pass by -- probably on their way to collapse somewhere -- but mostly, Kasai has decided that there has been enough revelry for one night. More and more of the citizens are falling off to sleep after an exhausting festival.

Gakusei sits at his usual table, nursing his drink for nearly its fourth hour. It was cold long ago. He has found he must make the simple things in life last longer than he once did. But that is wise, and it has taught him something of temperance. He has enjoyed watching the celebration from his lonely corner. There was a time, only a few short years ago, that such an event would be forbidden by the strict curfews set down by the Jade Regent. When the Amatatsu Empress threw him down off the throne, that was a blessed day.

So, the people of Kasai are free to drink and sing and debauch all they wish, particularly here in The Reeds, where there is plentiful debauchery on any night. And there is little to worry about of trouble. Years ago, there was no crime because the Jade Regent controlled the city with an iron fist. Under the new regime, there is little need for much policing on the outskirts. The Hitsugi Gumi keep things running smoothly, because trouble is bad for business. All is pretty much as it should be.

But, as soon as the old man thinks this to himself, there is loud, obnoxious laughter heard outside. There is a sound of breaking glass, and the front door to the teahouse swings violently open. Three men stumble into the teahouse, clearly drunk. From the size of them, they look to be common laborers of some kind -- their manners are too brutish to be bred from the warrior caste.

One of them flops back first onto the nearest table, laughing uncontrollably. The second has an oversized mask of red-painted papier mache -- probably pulled off of some festival decoration. He hangs it on his head where it tips at a ridiculous angle due to it being so huge. It depicts an outlandish demonic face grimacing in a frightful leer. It is difficult to find it intimidating, however, when the man wearing it is such an inebriated clown. He tries to pour a bottle of alcohol into the mask's mouth, but the drink just spills out all over the floor. This makes the first man laugh harder.

The third fellow immediately begins bellowing and slamming his fist down on the polished counter. He is calling for a paramour, presumably. The proprietor's daughter, no doubt. A pretty thing, but much too young for this idiot.