Y
Yasou Wakayama
Guest
The Changes Within
Isoroko had returned to his stone fortress in the icy tundra valley that the Yamamoto’s had claimed for their own. Only the necromancer Obake still kept a home near Umbra, but that was more of a necessity as it allowed their group to watch the comings and goings of friends and foes … Umbra was for all it’s darkness and shadows … a fairly busy place.
Obake was awaiting Isoroko … and Kumui as always sat off in the shadows. The deathtalker motioned for Isoroko to join him at the table where tea was set before them … Obake muttered a spell and his skin turned from the white of the dead to a normal healthy shade. The Admiral grimaced, necromancers were creepy he preferred those that were dead to stay dead but he could not tell this to his brother.
“Some strange things are happening with our brethren in the Wakayama Clan Iso … the high priestess was not pleased with a discussion regarding an arranged marriage and through trickery and magic has changed the focus of her Clan.”
Isoroko raised an eyebrow in perplexed amazement. “Please go on brother.”
“It seems a charm was used on at least one member of the Clan as Takeshi spoke not of a dowry and to who the priestess was to be married but instead an elaborate plan to expand the empire and the influence of the Wakayama Clan. As he spoke the Shogun and those in attendance sat in amazed silence at the sheer possibilities of such a plan. Clearly, while the priestess’s intent may have been to change the course of the conversation, this diatribe was not what she expected.” The deathtalker stopped speaking and smiled at the Admiral.
“Brother can this be the plan that we discussed nary three months ago … the one that would stretch the capabilities of their clan and strengthen our influence within it?” Isoroko asked.
Obake smiled broadly … “You have no idea how great our influence will soon be my brother.”
Kumui leaned from out of the shadows … “It took me these three months to spread the idea amoung the rank and file. Some opposed, but the ones we needed to bite have done so. You will be amazed what the promises of power and glory do to some people.”
Kumui continued, “I had first planted the idea with one of the newer members of the Clan … a young elf maiden named Ariana. She had been spending some time with the warlord Hugibear learning the ways of combat. I used her to plant the idea to the warlord – the one who always wants more combat then the Shogun is willing to allow. Hugibear convinced the wizard Wakka and man-at-arms Weinan that this idea viable and promised them combat. And it seems that after Takeshi spoke his diatribe the word reached the three who immediately requested a meeting of the Clan.”
… Flash Back to several hours earlier …
Wakka, Weinan, and Hugibear are joined in council by the Shogun, Ibichi, Shabba, Squid, Takeshi, Athena, Squid and several others. There is clearly tension on the faces of most assembled.
Hugibear rises … “Shogun … myself and the other members of the Clan have been informed of the speech that was made by Takeshi but a few hours ago. Many of us believe that this is what we have been waiting for – the one true recognition that will make our city and our kingdom known and feared …”
The Shogun raised his hand cutting him off as he rose. “My warlord, you have served this clan well with the power of weaponry and presence on the battlefield, but is recognition and FEAR what we aspire to?”
The assembled mumble – some in agreement – some clearly not.
“I will agree that what was proposed this morning is both ambitious and potentially extremely satisfying. I only question at what cost will glory come? We have had uneasy peace with many of the established towns now, a move of this nature could end what little peace remains. Those who had shown us support before may turn their backs forever … this is a big and unforgiving step.” The Shogun looked at those assembled … and then to the High Priestess.
“Your priestess has already foreseen the outcome of this meeting. So we have sent our two emissaries … one to small group from the north that calls itself the Strong Arm Steady gang … they are brigands but have pledged their force to the cause we may be undertaking now as well. Bruener has gone to speak with their leader and should return shortly.” The Shogun again looked over the faces of those assembled. “I have also sent Kisho Wakadaichi to the Castle of Lord British to speak to the royal emissary.” About a third of those assembled stomp and howl in approval. “I have given Kisho the authority to reassemble the ancient order – the Wakadaichi Sect on the condition that Ibichi be his seer.” There is some applause and stomping again from about a third of those assembled.
Shabba stood slowly with a concerned look on his face, “Shogun with all due respect … if your seer, the priestess, is with the Wakadaichi sect and away from your side who will give you counsel? And what will become of our current allies if they do not agree with our path?”
The Shogun smiled, “Good questions both … as you know there is no one else among our Clan with the gift of foresight, yet there is one close to our clan who has this ability and I will call on him to aid me while we pursue this crusade.” As the assembled looked at each other perplexed the Shogun continued. “You will notice our ninja’s are absence from this conclave … they are delivering messages and summoning others to our city. Akane has ventured to the tundra wastes where the Yamamoto Clan dwell … Obake will be my seer in the absence of the Priestess.”
Angry shouts rose up … no one assembled looked happy at this news. Xavier stood with a look of sheer displeasure on his face. “Shogun that man is a deathtalker, he is also been known to do unspeakable acts to those that have fallen before him,” Xavier shook his head as he sat down.
The Shogun waved for silence … “My selection of seer is non-negotiable.” His eyes met Ibichis. Kanaye has gone to find our allies DR … they have the ability to stand on their own and carve out their own niche. It will be their choice as to how their future will play out but our future does not include being a crutch for our friends in DR while we focus n greater tasks.”
Most assembled nodded in agreement.
“I expect a number of you will take the oath of the Wakadaichi sect. Remember in doing so you pledge to server two lords, two kingdoms. In doing so you pledge to enforce a set of laws which may be met with opposition … from friends and potentially former friends, and foes.” The Shogun said all of this while looking at Hugibear.
“While I can not sit in council with Lord British himself, by our oath to assist his knights in True Brits, I have made a pact, a treaty which should strengthen our sovereign kingdom and grow our influence. Know that those that due not recognize his authority will now be our enemies … the Silver Serpent Knights of Mithras … the denizens of Wispwood Shire … and all those that openly defy Lord British will be faced with our wrath. This is the oath we must pursue, there has been no taxation for too long and the TB coffers run low – we pledge to seek the usurpers in the lost lands and exact taxes for their lawlessness … and to annihilate all who support one of the opposing factions be it Minax, Shadowlords, or Council of Mages. Lastly the horde of vampires that run unopposed in the Islands of Tokuno and the lands of Ilshinar will be snuffed for their murder of innocents and for sheltering the helpers of Minax.” The Shogun appeared to be radiating from within …
Yasou raised his right arm to the heavens and looking upwards yelled “SAKAE!!!”
And all assembled sprang to their feet, some drawing their weapons and shouted the same … all but one whose eyes were cast downward and teary eyed …
Isoroko had returned to his stone fortress in the icy tundra valley that the Yamamoto’s had claimed for their own. Only the necromancer Obake still kept a home near Umbra, but that was more of a necessity as it allowed their group to watch the comings and goings of friends and foes … Umbra was for all it’s darkness and shadows … a fairly busy place.
Obake was awaiting Isoroko … and Kumui as always sat off in the shadows. The deathtalker motioned for Isoroko to join him at the table where tea was set before them … Obake muttered a spell and his skin turned from the white of the dead to a normal healthy shade. The Admiral grimaced, necromancers were creepy he preferred those that were dead to stay dead but he could not tell this to his brother.
“Some strange things are happening with our brethren in the Wakayama Clan Iso … the high priestess was not pleased with a discussion regarding an arranged marriage and through trickery and magic has changed the focus of her Clan.”
Isoroko raised an eyebrow in perplexed amazement. “Please go on brother.”
“It seems a charm was used on at least one member of the Clan as Takeshi spoke not of a dowry and to who the priestess was to be married but instead an elaborate plan to expand the empire and the influence of the Wakayama Clan. As he spoke the Shogun and those in attendance sat in amazed silence at the sheer possibilities of such a plan. Clearly, while the priestess’s intent may have been to change the course of the conversation, this diatribe was not what she expected.” The deathtalker stopped speaking and smiled at the Admiral.
“Brother can this be the plan that we discussed nary three months ago … the one that would stretch the capabilities of their clan and strengthen our influence within it?” Isoroko asked.
Obake smiled broadly … “You have no idea how great our influence will soon be my brother.”
Kumui leaned from out of the shadows … “It took me these three months to spread the idea amoung the rank and file. Some opposed, but the ones we needed to bite have done so. You will be amazed what the promises of power and glory do to some people.”
Kumui continued, “I had first planted the idea with one of the newer members of the Clan … a young elf maiden named Ariana. She had been spending some time with the warlord Hugibear learning the ways of combat. I used her to plant the idea to the warlord – the one who always wants more combat then the Shogun is willing to allow. Hugibear convinced the wizard Wakka and man-at-arms Weinan that this idea viable and promised them combat. And it seems that after Takeshi spoke his diatribe the word reached the three who immediately requested a meeting of the Clan.”
… Flash Back to several hours earlier …
Wakka, Weinan, and Hugibear are joined in council by the Shogun, Ibichi, Shabba, Squid, Takeshi, Athena, Squid and several others. There is clearly tension on the faces of most assembled.
Hugibear rises … “Shogun … myself and the other members of the Clan have been informed of the speech that was made by Takeshi but a few hours ago. Many of us believe that this is what we have been waiting for – the one true recognition that will make our city and our kingdom known and feared …”
The Shogun raised his hand cutting him off as he rose. “My warlord, you have served this clan well with the power of weaponry and presence on the battlefield, but is recognition and FEAR what we aspire to?”
The assembled mumble – some in agreement – some clearly not.
“I will agree that what was proposed this morning is both ambitious and potentially extremely satisfying. I only question at what cost will glory come? We have had uneasy peace with many of the established towns now, a move of this nature could end what little peace remains. Those who had shown us support before may turn their backs forever … this is a big and unforgiving step.” The Shogun looked at those assembled … and then to the High Priestess.
“Your priestess has already foreseen the outcome of this meeting. So we have sent our two emissaries … one to small group from the north that calls itself the Strong Arm Steady gang … they are brigands but have pledged their force to the cause we may be undertaking now as well. Bruener has gone to speak with their leader and should return shortly.” The Shogun again looked over the faces of those assembled. “I have also sent Kisho Wakadaichi to the Castle of Lord British to speak to the royal emissary.” About a third of those assembled stomp and howl in approval. “I have given Kisho the authority to reassemble the ancient order – the Wakadaichi Sect on the condition that Ibichi be his seer.” There is some applause and stomping again from about a third of those assembled.
Shabba stood slowly with a concerned look on his face, “Shogun with all due respect … if your seer, the priestess, is with the Wakadaichi sect and away from your side who will give you counsel? And what will become of our current allies if they do not agree with our path?”
The Shogun smiled, “Good questions both … as you know there is no one else among our Clan with the gift of foresight, yet there is one close to our clan who has this ability and I will call on him to aid me while we pursue this crusade.” As the assembled looked at each other perplexed the Shogun continued. “You will notice our ninja’s are absence from this conclave … they are delivering messages and summoning others to our city. Akane has ventured to the tundra wastes where the Yamamoto Clan dwell … Obake will be my seer in the absence of the Priestess.”
Angry shouts rose up … no one assembled looked happy at this news. Xavier stood with a look of sheer displeasure on his face. “Shogun that man is a deathtalker, he is also been known to do unspeakable acts to those that have fallen before him,” Xavier shook his head as he sat down.
The Shogun waved for silence … “My selection of seer is non-negotiable.” His eyes met Ibichis. Kanaye has gone to find our allies DR … they have the ability to stand on their own and carve out their own niche. It will be their choice as to how their future will play out but our future does not include being a crutch for our friends in DR while we focus n greater tasks.”
Most assembled nodded in agreement.
“I expect a number of you will take the oath of the Wakadaichi sect. Remember in doing so you pledge to server two lords, two kingdoms. In doing so you pledge to enforce a set of laws which may be met with opposition … from friends and potentially former friends, and foes.” The Shogun said all of this while looking at Hugibear.
“While I can not sit in council with Lord British himself, by our oath to assist his knights in True Brits, I have made a pact, a treaty which should strengthen our sovereign kingdom and grow our influence. Know that those that due not recognize his authority will now be our enemies … the Silver Serpent Knights of Mithras … the denizens of Wispwood Shire … and all those that openly defy Lord British will be faced with our wrath. This is the oath we must pursue, there has been no taxation for too long and the TB coffers run low – we pledge to seek the usurpers in the lost lands and exact taxes for their lawlessness … and to annihilate all who support one of the opposing factions be it Minax, Shadowlords, or Council of Mages. Lastly the horde of vampires that run unopposed in the Islands of Tokuno and the lands of Ilshinar will be snuffed for their murder of innocents and for sheltering the helpers of Minax.” The Shogun appeared to be radiating from within …
Yasou raised his right arm to the heavens and looking upwards yelled “SAKAE!!!”
And all assembled sprang to their feet, some drawing their weapons and shouted the same … all but one whose eyes were cast downward and teary eyed …