Arc 4, Session 22, L5R

 Private Records of [ILLEGIBLE], April ^8th, 1119

Oh, curses. It seems that somehow, one of my shikigami must have been stolen & used. No matter.

 

The bulk of the Crane clan's forces have begun an exodus. It seems Kakita Maru was convinced that it would be safest to limit potential casualties- a sentiment I believe to be correct. The visitors spent most of the day preparing for their sojourn into the Mantis tunnel.

 

When evening arrived, they marshaled together. Another puzzle door sealed the chamber from entry. This one depicted a distraught fisherman riding a raft on tumultuous waves. Around him were several fortunes to which he could pray for deliverance. Making an offering to the correct one would allow entry and...how strange. One of the incorrect choices was scratched out. 

 

Two false guesses inflicted a form of magical intoxication on the Lion & Unicorn. A prayer made to the fortune of Earthquakes saw them able to enter a room full of warm, bubbling pools. A muggy haze limited vision inside the cavern, making it hard for the samurai to see. Unfortunately, the creature lying in wait had no need for eyes.

 

Writhing tendrils surged forth from the water to lash at the intruders. They were limber muscle, but lacked the suction cups signature to the great tentacled beasts of the seas. Thankfully, the Crab has much experience in wrangling unruly beasts such as Fureheshu Garou. With his brute strength, he was able to reel one of the beasts to the surface.

 

An Onamazu. A hideous catfish, adapted to life in the total absence of light. The grasping limbs, monstrously strong barbels. More of the whips grew from the fleshy sockets were eyes may have once lived. Though the creatures were imbued with unnatural strength, they could not stand against those in service to the Emperor. May the coming fights prove so easy.

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 Private Records of [ILLEGIBLE], April ^9th, 1119

 

By now, the prison is now all but empty. Only one samurai each from the various clan- two, in the Lion's case- & the ronin. The Crab busied himself with building defenses in the remaining tunnel, while the Lion teacher sought inner peace. (And certainly not a balm for any hangovers.) 
 

The Unicorn checked on Monsho no Shizuko: the Mantis fledgling had evidently placed herself at some risk while fighting the Onamazu. I am still uncertain as to the nature of their relationship. It is clear that the Unicorn worries for her. Likewise, the Mantis has a high opinion of the Bushi. Perhaps the Unicorn clan has begun building contact with our seafaring kin. Something to look into.

 

Strangely, the Tortoise spent a large chunk of the day exploring the dead end near the Onikuma's den. I would guess he was speaking with the Tengu or Zokujin. To what end? The reptilians are much diminished from what they once were. I can think of no way they may be useful.

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Only one tunnel lay unexplored. From their speech, it seems the samurai somehow either suspected or knew what enemy lay before them. More wisdom from their plumed friend, no doubt. A frail Zokujin accompanied them as they set out, staying close to the Scorpion & Tortoise.

 

Whatever once lay behind the seal of Void was long since dead. In its place were hundreds of goblins, led by a handful of ogres. The fiends were busy crafting arms & armor at the command of their mistress. This allowed the samurai a measure of time to prepare the terrain to their advantage. 

 

The Crab levered a large log into a rock wall before moving into position alongside the Lion. Waiting for the signal, the Unicorn prepared to collapse the wall to block an escape route. The other samurai readied themselves for the coming comb...where is the Scorpion?

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Of course! Zokujin are said to be imbued with much Earth magic- even these pale remnants of the once-great race must have retained a small measure of this ability. Once again, the Tortoise proves there is more at work in his mind than just maps.

 

At the same moment that the rock wall was destroyed, a thunderous smash rang out from deeper within the cavern. The Scorpion, using her clan's famed stealth prowess, snuck the Zokujin to the ogre captain's quarters. Even the hardiest of tainted beings would be hard-pressed to withstand a massive boulder falling upon them- but the samurai crushed him with three, to be safe.

 

From there, the remaining battle was a rout. Several of the goblin huts were collapsed with the monsters still inside, while many blades drank their fill. The jade in the Crab's tetsubo proved effective against the ogre's, even this far from the Shadowlands.

 

Between the valorous samurai & sheer terror, those bakemono that were not felled fled through hidden boltholes. I would go as far as to say that it took longer to burn the vermin's corpses than to actually kill them.

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 Private Records of [ILLEGIBLE], April ^10th, 1119

 

What has happened? I woke, not with Lady Amaterasu rising, but the faint smell of death. Isawa Jun'ai must have gathered more power than I had surmised. Even without the learnings of a shugenja, I can feel the lingering foulness in the air. Some life draining spell. To reach me even at this distance...

 

Proximity may have made the dark magic stronger in the cave itself: all of the remaining peasants had been reduced to dried husks, along with the two ronin. Only the samurai still lived, though they had fallen under the same pall as myself.

 

It was difficult summoning my full senses while I recovered. I was able to ascertain that there was an argument amongst the remaining samurai, though I know not about what. At length, the Scorpion led the way to a spot near the far end of the cave, just before the tunnels branched off. Here, the elder Lion sliced into his palm. As his blood hit the floor, another hidden door began to recede, revealing a descending stair.

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I have only one scrying scroll left, but I do not regret spending the rest. Our fears have come to fruition.

 

Isawa Jun'ai walks again.

 

The ward keeping her from leaving still lingers, though her recent show of strength leaves me no doubt that she can push through it. I have prepared the Earth shikigami along the entrance. If the coming fight leans in her favor, I will do what I must for the good of the Empire. Still, I find myself hoping the interlopers succeed, despite the overwhelming odds.

 

As all evils do, the sorceress has consolidated her might in her lair. She is guarded by a familiar host of horrors, echoes of the trials undertaken thus far. Only death can stop her- but it is that same implacable foe that now stands before the remaining samurai. 

 

May the steel in their souls prove too strong for the flames of her crucible.