Arc 4, Session 20, L5R
Private Records of [ILLEGIBLE], April 4th,
1119
In the weeks I have been stationed here in Yama no Kuyami to
supervise Orakamono no rōgoku, there has been mercifully little to report. The
work is tedious, but must be done to ensure the realm’s safety. As samurai, I
live to serve. The remote scrying scrolls have been useful, but must be used
sparingly. A few coins to various peasants & ronin have helped fill in the
gaps.
Multiple clans have staked claims to mine for metal &
gems: Badger, Centipede, Crane, Lion, & Mantis. None of them appear to have
any knowledge of the prison’s true purpose. I am most confused at the presence
of the Centipede, or lack thereof. It seems their group is only a single
samurai with a few retainers- I have yet to see any evidence they are even
mining. Strange, but hopefully benign. The others have been lured by promises
of future wealth. Shiba willing, they may live to spend it.
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Around mid-day, there was a small commotion at the cane
entrance. A new group has arrived. They wear the colors of many clans,
including the Lion. While their retainers are setting up a camp- placed
deliberately to avoid association with any of the already existing groups- the
samurai separated to introduce themselves. Here is what I’ve been told.
The Unicorn, first to leave, visited the Badger. I swear, I
can hear the fool’s booming voice echo even here. How anyone can stand to be in
his proximity, I do not know. Also, he smells terrible. Aftershave of sake,
perhaps. At any rate, he seems to be claiming a strange ronin has been
harassing his workers. What is he hiding?
The Tortoise spoke with the Centipede at some length. The
two pored over their own self-made maps in comradery of a shared hobby. It is
often the case that those of the Minor Clans bond more easily amongst
themselves than with the Great Clans. As long as we all serve the Emperor, this
is acceptable.
The Crab, Lion, & Scorpion approached the ronin from the
Yotsu family. Some discussion was had as to the presence of monstrous beings
within the depths. The fact that the ronin have claimed a head from one of the [ILLEGIBLE]
is most worrisome. How did they escape past their seal? Is [ILLEGIBLE]
growing stronger, or is another hand at play here? If they should all die…
The Mantis & the Unicorn have some prior history, &
seemed joyous at their reunion. My sources were unable to overhear anything regarding
their connection: perhaps a teacher & student?
A visit to the Lion encampment led to some excitement. Their
leader, Ikoma Haru, is related to the Crab through his sister. I do not know
the exact words exchanged, but some slights against his kin led to the Crab
challenging him to a duel to defend his wife’s honor. Both had the sense not to
do so to the death- though only the Crab had the sense to wear armor. This
ended in a predictable fashion.
Speaking with the Crane did not seem to cause any trouble. A
wonder, given Kakita Maru is in charge. Perhaps she has cooled these past
months. Not something I’d like to test.
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The interlopers dined with the Lion clan. This would
normally appear to be flagrant favoritism, given two of this clan are among
their number. Given Ikoma Haru’s earlier beating, I suspect this was more akin
to salt in the wound.
All involved rested until close to midnight. The
interlopers, as well as one representative from each of the other groups,
ventured into the tunnel claimed by the Badger. The remainder of this information
is second-hand, & therefore may not be entirely the truth.
Upon the cavern floor, a strangely-colored stone was found.
Closer examination revealed it to be the Seal of Earth used to keep the [ILLEGIBLE]
in. Some keen blade had sliced it in two, freeing them. Their former residence
had attracted new owners in their absence. A pair of bears- Onikuma, if the source
is to be believed- which had been feeding on the peasantry.
The group removed a boulder the beasts had used to plug up
the doorway. Battle was short, & resulted in no human casualties. After
resolving this issue, the samurai explored the remainder of the tunnel where
the Badger crew had expanded upon it. I am told they found something strange in
the dead end, but know not what. Whatever it was, it seemed to set Fureheshu
Garou to poor spirits. He drank himself to sleep, the louse.
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Private Records of [ILLEGIBLE], April 5th,
1119
This day saw the interlopers visit each of the other groups
once more. The Scorpion trod the Centipede’s claim alongside her. The Unicorn
spent some more time speaking with the Mantis. The Crab & Tortoise prepared
for another night-time venture, while the Lion visited Ikoma Haru once more.
When the group reconvened at their campsite, an argument
ensued. Thankfully, this was loud enough that I had no difficulties in finding
someone who overheard it. In order to secure permission to examine the tunnel
claimed by Ikoma Haru, the Lion promised him that no Crane would be allowed on
the excursion.
This, after having already secured the Crane’s permission to
explore their tunnel for the coming night, hinged on the idea that all groups
would be present during each other’s expeditions. Most of the group was
displeased by this arrangement made between family members, & left it to
the Lion to inform Kakita Maru. The Unicorn accompanied him, that he not take
such risk alone.
The duelist was somehow convinced away from murderous rage-
a feat I can confirm would have once been impossible- by manner unknown. Some new
promise or another, I would wager.
I had hoped that these interlopers might leave after finding
the lock in the first tunnel, but they seem inclined to stay. Their
investigative digging is proving much more dangerous than any of its literal
kin. By some chance, the [ILLEGIBLE] must still be alive for the moment. If one
of the locks should be broken, however…
Duty decrees that I not intervene directly. My lord’s hope
is that the greedy will reach the end of their operation, & leave without
waking what sleeps below. I am forbidden to intervene directly unless things
reach a dire pitch. May the kami prevent that outcome, for my people’s sake.
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Cursed interlopers. Whatever wind blew them here was an ill
one. What we feared has come to pass.
If the Badger can be counted on for anything, it is his
boasting. For that, I suppose I owe him some small measure of thanks. These
words come from those attending to his injuries, though they are needless at
this stage: I felt the first lock breaking in my spirit. The die has been cast
& now we can only pray the fool can be put down.
Come midnight, the motley assortment of samurai explored the
tunnel of the Crane. The protective ward still worked despite its age. Before
they could choke to death on the gas, the group managed to open the Seal of
Fire. Within, they encountered an Ōmukade.
The creature had many advantages at its disposal. Size,
speed, might, & venom. It availed the beast not. Word is that it split into
several smaller segments upon its initial defeat, but even this change of numbers
could not levy the battlefield. And so, using his great & useless bulk, Fureheshu
Garou crushed the final segment to death. Of course it would be him, the
bastard. Didn’t even have the good sense to die for the trouble.
Now that the binding chains have broken, there is no time to
arrange for them to be rebuilt. The only way out is through. [ILLEGIBLE] may
breathe once more, but the barrier surrounding the cave’s entry will still
hold. For at least some small time.
If the fortunes deem it so, perhaps the interlopers may be
able to kill [ILLEGIBLE]. If they cannot, I still have the scroll of Earth
given to me. I will continue to monitor the situation. I will continue not to
intervene, though those orders now chafe.
And if our shame should near its freedom…I will collapse the tunnels on all of their heads. Please. Do not let it come to that.
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