| game,character,aliases,num_appearances,total_scenes,scene_ids,example_0,example_1,example_2,example_3,example_4,valid | |
| ninja,Kenta-san,"['Kenta-san', 'Kenta']",474,2847,"graduationtest_2160,graduationtest_2166,graduationtest_2171,graduationtest_2175,graduationtest_2180,graduationtest_2189,graduationtest_2193,graduationtest_2201,graduationtest_2227,teachingchallenge_2,teachingchallenge_14,teachingchallenge_14,teachingchallenge_22,teachingchallenge_181,teachingchallenge_102,teachingchallenge_236,teachingchallenge_27,teachingchallenge_110,teachingchallenge_187,teachingchallenge_244,teachingchallenge_114,teachingchallenge_147,teachingchallenge_277,teachingchallenge_91,teachingchallenge_119,teachingchallenge_127,teachingchallenge_136,teachingchallenge_151,teachingchallenge_173,teachingchallenge_250,teachingchallenge_280,teachingchallenge_313,teachingchallenge_154,teachingchallenge_162,teachingchallenge_256,teachingchallenge_262,teachingchallenge_268,teachingchallenge_284,teachingchallenge_297,architectbeta_0,architectbeta_7,architectbeta_25,architectbeta_28,architectbeta_33,architectbeta_20,architectbeta_36,architectbeta_86,architectbeta_89,architectbeta_42,architectbeta_98,architectbeta_102,architectbeta_95,architectbeta_47,architectbeta_72,architectbeta_288,architectbeta_69,architectbeta_106,architectbeta_285,architectbeta_296,architectbeta_55,architectbeta_59,architectbeta_66,architectbeta_81,architectbeta_83,architectbeta_303,architectbeta_307,architectbeta_313,architectbeta_318,architectbeta_397,architectbeta_400,architectbeta_412,architectbeta_321,architectbeta_378,architectbeta_407,architectbeta_338,architectbeta_374,architectbeta_382,architectbeta_391,architectbeta_542,architectbeta_847,architectbeta_850,architectbeta_330,architectbeta_341,architectbeta_353,architectbeta_366,architectbeta_420,architectbeta_488,architectbeta_720,architectbeta_788,architectbeta_346,architectbeta_350,architectbeta_462,architectbeta_490,architectbeta_550,architectbeta_724,architectbeta_793,architectbeta_812,architectbeta_817,architectbeta_840,architectbeta_843,architectbeta_364,architectbeta_428,architectbeta_459,architectbeta_464,architectbeta_482,architectbeta_583,architectbeta_728,architectbeta_752,architectbeta_773,architectbeta_828,architectbeta_832,architectbeta_837,architectbeta_479,architectbeta_498,architectbeta_595,architectbeta_745,architectbeta_749,architectbeta_779,architectbeta_785,architectbeta_798,architectbeta_802,architectbeta_806,architectbeta_470,architectbeta_475,architectbeta_562,architectbeta_571,architectbeta_610,architectbeta_733,architectbeta_737,architectbeta_742,architectbeta_759,architectbeta_763,architectbeta_767,architectbeta_865,architectbeta_870,architectbeta_438,architectbeta_442,architectbeta_510,architectbeta_515,architectbeta_520,architectbeta_525,architectbeta_531,architectbeta_535,architectbeta_875,architectbeta_605,architectbeta_694,architectbeta_854,architectbeta_859,architectbeta_1124,architectbeta_646,architectbeta_881,architectbeta_972,architectbeta_1134,architectbeta_618,architectbeta_649,architectbeta_702,architectbeta_978,architectbeta_631,architectbeta_669,architectbeta_664,architectbeta_703,architectbeta_708,architectbeta_894,architectbeta_896,architectbeta_985,architectbeta_1117,architectbeta_897,architectbeta_676,architectbeta_685,architectbeta_903,architectbeta_908,architectbeta_911,architectbeta_920,architectbeta_924,architectbeta_1014,architectbeta_934,architectbeta_947,architectbeta_968,architectbeta_1019,architectbeta_1021,architectbeta_952,architectbeta_956,architectbeta_959,architectbeta_962,architectbeta_940,architectbeta_943,architectbeta_964,architectbeta_1022,architectbeta_1082,architectbeta_1056,architectbeta_1087,architectbeta_1095,architectbeta_1109,architectbeta_1140,architectbeta_1059,death_traitor_0,castleplan_16,castleplan_95,castleplan_21,castleplan_104,castleplan_107,castleplan_113,castleplan_37,castleplan_45,castleplan_120,castleplan_127,castleplan_134,castleplan_142,castleplan_165,castleplan_278,castleplan_474,castleplan_282,castleplan_435,castleplan_457,castleplan_460,castleplan_173,castleplan_287,castleplan_356,castleplan_208,castleplan_335,castleplan_358,castleplan_399,castleplan_443,castleplan_447,castleplan_213,castleplan_395,castleplan_367,castleplan_425,castleplan_228,castleplan_274,castleplan_329,castleplan_374,castleplan_811,castleplan_258,castleplan_262,castleplan_266,castleplan_805,castleplan_824,castleplan_488,castleplan_500,castleplan_506,castleplan_872,castleplan_511,castleplan_517,castleplan_521,castleplan_528,castleplan_952,castleplan_962,castleplan_970,castleplan_535,castleplan_934,castleplan_576,castleplan_570,castleplan_913,castleplan_771,castleplan_797,castleplan_997,castleplan_788,castleplan_1095,castleplan_761,castleplan_1432,castleplan_1435,castleplan_697,castleplan_1019,castleplan_1023,castleplan_1026,castleplan_1053,castleplan_1062,castleplan_1067,castleplan_1071,castleplan_1075,castleplan_1079,castleplan_1100,castleplan_1426,castleplan_708,castleplan_714,castleplan_1327,castleplan_1427,castleplan_726,castleplan_729,castleplan_1038,castleplan_1041,castleplan_1045,castleplan_1049,castleplan_1116,castleplan_1193,castleplan_1250,castleplan_1329,castleplan_1380,castleplan_1119,castleplan_1138,castleplan_1199,castleplan_1252,castleplan_1383,castleplan_1413,castleplan_1422,castleplan_748,castleplan_1126,castleplan_1133,castleplan_1148,castleplan_1153,castleplan_1213,castleplan_1220,castleplan_1239,castleplan_1247,castleplan_1268,castleplan_1314,castleplan_1335,castleplan_1345,castleplan_1357,castleplan_1388,castleplan_1396,castleplan_1405,castleplan_740,castleplan_1167,castleplan_1178,castleplan_1185,castleplan_1261,castleplan_1265,castleplan_1284,castleplan_1370,jailbreak_0,castleplan_1322,castleplan_1230,castleplan_1234,jailbreak_284,jailbreak_571,jailbreak_1250,jailbreak_1266,jailbreak_1271,jailbreak_451,jailbreak_1274,jailbreak_89,jailbreak_455,jailbreak_650,jailbreak_742,jailbreak_1257,jailbreak_1261,jailbreak_1281,jailbreak_1289,jailbreak_1297,jailbreak_95,jailbreak_109,jailbreak_111,jailbreak_189,jailbreak_343,bigbad_0,bigbad_8,jailbreak_53,jailbreak_55,jailbreak_114,jailbreak_119,jailbreak_125,jailbreak_169,jailbreak_195,jailbreak_436,jailbreak_780,jailbreak_864,jailbreak_1034,jailbreak_344,jailbreak_58,jailbreak_63,jailbreak_69,jailbreak_623,jailbreak_912,jailbreak_939,jailbreak_676,bigbad_15,jailbreak_1222,jailbreak_946,jailbreak_954,jailbreak_963,jailbreak_701,bigbad_31,jailbreak_1205,bigbad_32,jailbreak_1122,jailbreak_1158,bigbad_82,bigbad_76,bigbad_191,bigbad_43,bigbad_73,bigbad_198,bigbad_207,bigbad_55,bigbad_67,bigbad_49,bigbad_60,bigbad_146,bigbad_180,bigbad_222,bigbad_154,bigbad_103,bigbad_235,bigbad_237,bigbad_244,bigbad_250,bigbad_255,bigbad_269,bigbad_257,bigbad_261,bigbad_275,bigbad_287,bigbad_295,bigbad_304,bigbad_482,bigbad_498,bigbad_312,bigbad_316,bigbad_492,bigbad_495,bigbad_501,bigbad_505,bigbad_319,bigbad_509,bigbad_881,bigbad_895,bigbad_322,bigbad_421,bigbad_884,bigbad_323,bigbad_388,bigbad_426,bigbad_393,bigbad_417,bigbad_428,bigbad_430,bigbad_449,bigbad_332,bigbad_394,bigbad_455,bigbad_439,bigbad_442,bigbad_614,bigbad_334,bigbad_379,bigbad_400,bigbad_403,bigbad_335,bigbad_380,bigbad_384,bigbad_414,bigbad_877,bigbad_338,bigbad_372,bigbad_376,bigbad_407,bigbad_471,bigbad_342,bigbad_361,bigbad_364,bigbad_475,bigbad_344,bigbad_347,bigbad_353,aftermath_98,aftermath_105,aftermath_113,aftermath_121,aftermath_129,bigbad_898,bigbad_907,aftermath_145,aftermath_220,bigbad_747,bigbad_914,bigbad_754,bigbad_757,aftermath_186,bigbad_787,aftermath_163,bigbad_794,bigbad_797","Signing your name into the record means that you're really a ninja now. You join your fellow students for a celebration. | |
| It appears that only about half of the students passed the exam, and at the end of the table, you quickly spy Kenta and Maki, two of the students who you consider to be something approaching friends. Kenta waves at you, a wide smile on his face. ""Emiko! You did it!"" | |
| Kenta and Maki are an odd study in contrasts. Where Maki is tall and thin, Kenta is a bit shorter and heavier, but his martial arts skills are always praised by teachers and students alike and he moves with a graceful fluidity that many of them envy. Maki, on the other hand, often slouches, trying to hide the ugly scar on the bridge of her nose, but her stealth and magic skills are well known among the students. You've even heard the rumor that she's not quite human—after all, a younger student once reasoned, only something supernatural could be that still and quiet. The two of them work together at every opportunity, and you've known them ever since you arrived in Kochi a year ago. You've opened up to them a little bit about your past, although you've taken care not to reveal too much. | |
| Maki motions for you to come and sit with them. ""I'm glad you made it, Emiko, although I didn't have much doubt that you would pass."" | |
| For the first while, all you feel like doing is eating—passing that test was hard work! Everyone around you feels the same, and thankfully, there aren't any long, dull speeches to sit through. But eventually, your hunger is sated, and the atmosphere in the room gets louder and rowdier. You're not the only student who's in the mood to party now, and it's more than clear that some of the teachers have been looking forward to this celebration all year (if their drunken singing is to be believed, or tolerated).","Kenta passes you one of the plates of sweets that's going around the table. ""So, Emiko, what are you planning to do now that you're a ninja?"" | |
| ""That's an awfully nosey question,"" Maki remarks, setting her cup of sake down on the table. | |
| ""I didn't mean it like that,"" Kenta says. ""I meant, now that you're a full-fledged ninja, you'll have access to more information, better tools, that sort of thing. I want to master the ninjato—not just the bamboo blade we practice with, I mean the real thing. What do you want to do?""","I tell him that I plan to find out as much information as I can about my parents. | |
| Kenta nods at your answer. ""That's an excellent idea. You never know who might be able to help you."" He turns to Maki. ""What about you, what's your plan?""","I reply that I want to master magic, spin illusions that fool even my toughest rivals. | |
| Maki smiles, and her tone is gently teasing as she replies, ""That's a noble idea, but it'll probably take a lot of work."" | |
| ""You have such a wonderful rapport with people, making friends everywhere you go."" Kenta mock-sighs and turns the question on Maki, ""What about you, what's your plan?""","Honestly, I want to become famous, for anything, so any enemies I make will fear my name. | |
| Maki smiles in reply, and Kenta laughs aloud. ""An excellent idea! Let's drink to that!"" | |
| The three of you toast, and then Kenta turns to Maki, ""So, what about you? What amazing plans do you have up your sleeve?""", | |
| ninja,Maki-san,"['Maki', 'Maki-san']",371,2847,"graduationtest_2160,graduationtest_2166,graduationtest_2171,graduationtest_2175,graduationtest_2180,graduationtest_2185,graduationtest_2189,graduationtest_2193,graduationtest_2201,graduationtest_2227,sanorescue_0,sanorescue_24,sanorescue_27,sanorescue_33,sanorescue_36,sanorescue_43,sanorescue_58,sanorescue_75,sanorescue_54,sanorescue_61,sanorescue_68,sanorescue_81,sanorescue_84,sanorescue_94,sanorescue_91,sanorescue_132,sanorescue_136,sanorescue_101,sanorescue_118,sanorescue_176,sanorescue_143,sanorescue_160,sanorescue_1195,sanorescue_1446,sanorescue_180,sanorescue_593,sanorescue_1727,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_1732,sanorescue_1770,sanorescue_1526,sanorescue_1540,sanorescue_365,sanorescue_374,sanorescue_1674,sanorescue_1742,sanorescue_1871,sanorescue_1824,sanorescue_1680,sanorescue_1720,sanorescue_1737,sanorescue_1756,sanorescue_1763,sanorescue_2049,sanorescue_1830,sanorescue_1864,sanorescue_1691,sanorescue_1054,sanorescue_1915,sanorescue_1918,sanorescue_1980,sanorescue_1836,sanorescue_1685,sanorescue_1706,sanorescue_1713,sanorescue_1049,sanorescue_1061,sanorescue_1067,sanorescue_1073,sanorescue_1086,sanorescue_1092,sanorescue_1098,sanorescue_1880,sanorescue_1910,sanorescue_1922,sanorescue_1928,sanorescue_1932,sanorescue_1983,sanorescue_1850,sanorescue_1857,sanorescue_1777,sanorescue_1883,sanorescue_1937,sanorescue_1986,sanorescue_2036,sanorescue_785,sanorescue_796,sanorescue_808,sanorescue_1783,sanorescue_1817,sanorescue_1888,sanorescue_1894,sanorescue_1898,sanorescue_1941,sanorescue_1991,sanorescue_1997,sanorescue_1789,sanorescue_1903,sanorescue_1803,sanorescue_1810,sanorescue_1953,sanorescue_1960,sanorescue_2016,sanorescue_2025,sanorescue_2053,sanorescue_1966,sanorescue_1969,ladysanobargain_0,ladysanobargain_10,ladysanobargain_14,ladysanobargain_24,ladysanobargain_112,ladysanobargain_116,ladysanobargain_158,ladysanobargain_188,ladysanobargain_162,ladysanobargain_183,ladysanobargain_173,ladysanobargain_129,ladysanobargain_141,ladysanobargain_169,ladysanobargain_145,ladysanobargain_148,ladysanobargain_151,architectbeta_42,architectbeta_62,architectbeta_83,castleplan_16,castleplan_95,castleplan_21,castleplan_107,castleplan_111,castleplan_113,castleplan_37,castleplan_45,castleplan_120,castleplan_127,castleplan_134,castleplan_142,castleplan_149,castleplan_155,castleplan_165,castleplan_278,castleplan_474,castleplan_282,castleplan_435,castleplan_457,castleplan_460,castleplan_173,castleplan_208,castleplan_335,castleplan_443,castleplan_447,castleplan_213,castleplan_249,castleplan_218,castleplan_223,castleplan_228,castleplan_274,castleplan_329,castleplan_370,castleplan_374,castleplan_811,castleplan_253,castleplan_848,castleplan_258,castleplan_262,castleplan_480,castleplan_488,castleplan_856,castleplan_992,castleplan_500,castleplan_506,castleplan_872,castleplan_511,castleplan_517,castleplan_521,castleplan_952,castleplan_970,castleplan_981,castleplan_535,castleplan_934,castleplan_946,castleplan_544,castleplan_576,castleplan_764,castleplan_570,castleplan_564,castleplan_771,castleplan_797,castleplan_997,castleplan_558,castleplan_788,castleplan_1095,castleplan_761,castleplan_1435,castleplan_697,castleplan_1019,castleplan_1023,castleplan_1026,castleplan_1062,castleplan_1067,castleplan_1071,castleplan_1075,castleplan_1100,castleplan_1426,castleplan_708,castleplan_714,castleplan_1327,castleplan_1427,castleplan_722,castleplan_726,castleplan_729,castleplan_1038,castleplan_1041,castleplan_1045,castleplan_1049,castleplan_1116,castleplan_1193,castleplan_1250,castleplan_1329,castleplan_1380,castleplan_1119,castleplan_1138,castleplan_1199,castleplan_1204,castleplan_1252,castleplan_1413,castleplan_1422,castleplan_1126,castleplan_1133,castleplan_1148,castleplan_1153,castleplan_1213,castleplan_1220,castleplan_1239,castleplan_1247,castleplan_1268,castleplan_1296,castleplan_1305,castleplan_1314,castleplan_1335,castleplan_1345,castleplan_1357,castleplan_1388,castleplan_1396,castleplan_1405,castleplan_1415,castleplan_740,castleplan_1167,castleplan_1178,castleplan_1185,castleplan_1261,castleplan_1284,castleplan_1370,jailbreak_0,castleplan_1322,castleplan_1230,castleplan_1234,jailbreak_284,jailbreak_571,jailbreak_1250,jailbreak_1266,jailbreak_1271,jailbreak_451,jailbreak_1274,jailbreak_427,jailbreak_650,jailbreak_742,jailbreak_787,jailbreak_1257,jailbreak_1261,jailbreak_1281,jailbreak_1289,jailbreak_1297,jailbreak_162,jailbreak_343,bigbad_0,bigbad_8,jailbreak_119,jailbreak_169,jailbreak_175,jailbreak_180,jailbreak_864,jailbreak_1034,jailbreak_344,jailbreak_63,jailbreak_623,jailbreak_912,jailbreak_939,jailbreak_667,jailbreak_676,jailbreak_842,bigbad_15,bigbad_23,jailbreak_1222,jailbreak_946,jailbreak_954,jailbreak_963,jailbreak_701,bigbad_31,jailbreak_1205,bigbad_32,jailbreak_729,jailbreak_1122,bigbad_82,jailbreak_1063,bigbad_76,bigbad_191,jailbreak_1102,bigbad_43,bigbad_73,bigbad_198,bigbad_207,bigbad_55,bigbad_67,bigbad_49,bigbad_60,bigbad_63,bigbad_146,bigbad_180,bigbad_222,bigbad_103,bigbad_234,bigbad_235,bigbad_237,bigbad_244,bigbad_250,bigbad_255,bigbad_269,bigbad_273,bigbad_257,bigbad_261,bigbad_275,bigbad_287,bigbad_291,bigbad_295,bigbad_304,bigbad_482,bigbad_498,bigbad_312,bigbad_316,bigbad_492,bigbad_501,bigbad_505,bigbad_319,bigbad_895,bigbad_884,bigbad_890,bigbad_428,bigbad_614,bigbad_463,bigbad_877,bigbad_472,aftermath_98,aftermath_105,aftermath_113,aftermath_121,aftermath_129,bigbad_898,bigbad_907,aftermath_145,aftermath_220,bigbad_747,bigbad_914,bigbad_754,bigbad_757,aftermath_186,bigbad_787,bigbad_794,bigbad_797","Signing your name into the record means that you're really a ninja now. You join your fellow students for a celebration. | |
| It appears that only about half of the students passed the exam, and at the end of the table, you quickly spy Kenta and Maki, two of the students who you consider to be something approaching friends. Kenta waves at you, a wide smile on his face. ""Emiko! You did it!"" | |
| Kenta and Maki are an odd study in contrasts. Where Maki is tall and thin, Kenta is a bit shorter and heavier, but his martial arts skills are always praised by teachers and students alike and he moves with a graceful fluidity that many of them envy. Maki, on the other hand, often slouches, trying to hide the ugly scar on the bridge of her nose, but her stealth and magic skills are well known among the students. You've even heard the rumor that she's not quite human—after all, a younger student once reasoned, only something supernatural could be that still and quiet. The two of them work together at every opportunity, and you've known them ever since you arrived in Kochi a year ago. You've opened up to them a little bit about your past, although you've taken care not to reveal too much. | |
| Maki motions for you to come and sit with them. ""I'm glad you made it, Emiko, although I didn't have much doubt that you would pass."" | |
| For the first while, all you feel like doing is eating—passing that test was hard work! Everyone around you feels the same, and thankfully, there aren't any long, dull speeches to sit through. But eventually, your hunger is sated, and the atmosphere in the room gets louder and rowdier. You're not the only student who's in the mood to party now, and it's more than clear that some of the teachers have been looking forward to this celebration all year (if their drunken singing is to be believed, or tolerated).","Kenta passes you one of the plates of sweets that's going around the table. ""So, Emiko, what are you planning to do now that you're a ninja?"" | |
| ""That's an awfully nosey question,"" Maki remarks, setting her cup of sake down on the table. | |
| ""I didn't mean it like that,"" Kenta says. ""I meant, now that you're a full-fledged ninja, you'll have access to more information, better tools, that sort of thing. I want to master the ninjato—not just the bamboo blade we practice with, I mean the real thing. What do you want to do?""","I tell him that I plan to find out as much information as I can about my parents. | |
| Kenta nods at your answer. ""That's an excellent idea. You never know who might be able to help you."" He turns to Maki. ""What about you, what's your plan?""","I reply that I want to master magic, spin illusions that fool even my toughest rivals. | |
| Maki smiles, and her tone is gently teasing as she replies, ""That's a noble idea, but it'll probably take a lot of work."" | |
| ""You have such a wonderful rapport with people, making friends everywhere you go."" Kenta mock-sighs and turns the question on Maki, ""What about you, what's your plan?""","Honestly, I want to become famous, for anything, so any enemies I make will fear my name. | |
| Maki smiles in reply, and Kenta laughs aloud. ""An excellent idea! Let's drink to that!"" | |
| The three of you toast, and then Kenta turns to Maki, ""So, what about you? What amazing plans do you have up your sleeve?""", | |
| ninja,Lord Matsuya,"['Lord Matsuya', 'Matsuya']",314,2847,"documentbeta_21,documentbeta_68,documentbeta_77,documentbeta_545,documentbeta_505,documentbeta_509,documentbeta_527,documentbeta_534,documentbeta_175,documentbeta_303,documentbeta_398,documentbeta_415,documentbeta_563,documentbeta_283,sanorescue_24,sanorescue_33,sanorescue_36,sanorescue_1261,sanorescue_1282,sanorescue_1305,sanorescue_199,sanorescue_346,sanorescue_346,sanorescue_1226,sanorescue_1283,sanorescue_1400,sanorescue_1421,sanorescue_1727,sanorescue_364,sanorescue_373,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_919,sanorescue_1330,sanorescue_1374,sanorescue_1425,sanorescue_1430,sanorescue_1770,sanorescue_1464,sanorescue_1581,sanorescue_1591,sanorescue_1591,sanorescue_1600,sanorescue_1600,sanorescue_1626,sanorescue_355,sanorescue_365,sanorescue_374,sanorescue_1674,sanorescue_1674,sanorescue_579,sanorescue_1435,sanorescue_1735,sanorescue_1742,sanorescue_1508,sanorescue_1824,sanorescue_1612,sanorescue_1612,sanorescue_1720,sanorescue_517,sanorescue_551,sanorescue_559,sanorescue_559,sanorescue_1737,sanorescue_1491,sanorescue_1864,sanorescue_1691,sanorescue_418,sanorescue_1833,sanorescue_1836,sanorescue_336,sanorescue_1685,sanorescue_424,sanorescue_424,sanorescue_429,sanorescue_429,sanorescue_434,sanorescue_434,sanorescue_299,sanorescue_631,sanorescue_1777,sanorescue_643,sanorescue_808,sanorescue_860,sanorescue_870,sanorescue_898,sanorescue_908,sanorescue_1817,sanorescue_701,sanorescue_1789,ladysanobargain_0,ladysanobargain_80,ladysanobargain_141,teachingchallenge_313,architectbeta_0,architectbeta_28,architectbeta_47,architectbeta_76,architectbeta_131,architectbeta_148,architectbeta_140,architectbeta_140,architectbeta_152,architectbeta_155,architectbeta_155,architectbeta_245,architectbeta_159,architectbeta_251,architectbeta_165,architectbeta_165,architectbeta_263,architectbeta_276,architectbeta_211,architectbeta_338,architectbeta_374,architectbeta_542,architectbeta_779,architectbeta_694,architectbeta_881,architectbeta_897,architectbeta_1022,architectbeta_1026,architectbeta_1027,architectbeta_1027,architectbeta_1037,architectbeta_1042,architectbeta_1042,architectbeta_1059,architectbeta_1068,architectbeta_1068,architectbeta_1078,castleplan_11,castleplan_66,castleplan_76,castleplan_56,castleplan_56,castleplan_113,castleplan_149,castleplan_155,castleplan_155,castleplan_460,castleplan_173,castleplan_356,castleplan_294,castleplan_811,castleplan_253,castleplan_593,castleplan_634,castleplan_687,castleplan_604,castleplan_640,castleplan_649,castleplan_653,castleplan_1015,castleplan_1056,castleplan_1432,castleplan_609,castleplan_697,castleplan_1026,castleplan_1062,castleplan_1071,castleplan_1075,castleplan_1031,castleplan_619,castleplan_623,castleplan_627,castleplan_708,castleplan_714,castleplan_1108,castleplan_1427,castleplan_1041,castleplan_1045,castleplan_1049,castleplan_1143,castleplan_1199,castleplan_1252,castleplan_1332,castleplan_1213,castleplan_1239,castleplan_1268,castleplan_1296,castleplan_1305,castleplan_1335,castleplan_1345,castleplan_1357,castleplan_1388,castleplan_1396,castleplan_1405,castleplan_1415,castleplan_740,castleplan_1167,castleplan_1270,castleplan_1291,castleplan_1284,castleplan_1370,castleplan_1370,jailbreak_0,castleplan_1322,castleplan_1281,jailbreak_5,jailbreak_9,jailbreak_241,jailbreak_262,jailbreak_247,jailbreak_566,jailbreak_566,jailbreak_571,jailbreak_302,jailbreak_563,jailbreak_1021,jailbreak_23,jailbreak_581,jailbreak_1266,jailbreak_156,jailbreak_220,jailbreak_229,jailbreak_886,jailbreak_324,jailbreak_202,jailbreak_234,jailbreak_455,jailbreak_1281,jailbreak_1289,jailbreak_1297,jailbreak_605,jailbreak_1174,jailbreak_1174,bigbad_0,jailbreak_125,jailbreak_169,jailbreak_924,jailbreak_936,jailbreak_436,jailbreak_344,jailbreak_69,jailbreak_930,jailbreak_939,jailbreak_1185,bigbad_15,bigbad_23,bigbad_32,bigbad_207,bigbad_94,bigbad_170,bigbad_161,bigbad_267,bigbad_261,bigbad_283,bigbad_295,bigbad_300,bigbad_501,bigbad_514,bigbad_545,bigbad_579,bigbad_519,bigbad_554,bigbad_588,bigbad_624,bigbad_463,bigbad_463,bigbad_521,bigbad_590,bigbad_877,bigbad_524,bigbad_559,bigbad_564,bigbad_564,bigbad_568,bigbad_593,bigbad_593,bigbad_596,bigbad_661,bigbad_531,bigbad_531,bigbad_646,bigbad_670,bigbad_693,bigbad_665,bigbad_855,bigbad_855,bigbad_860,bigbad_863,bigbad_863,bigbad_872,bigbad_688,bigbad_675,bigbad_697,bigbad_836,bigbad_817,aftermath_105,aftermath_113,aftermath_121,aftermath_129,aftermath_129,bigbad_681,bigbad_683,bigbad_840,bigbad_842,bigbad_844,bigbad_844,bigbad_849,bigbad_849,bigbad_821,bigbad_823,bigbad_832,bigbad_724,bigbad_898,bigbad_762,bigbad_774,bigbad_807,bigbad_830,bigbad_751,bigbad_914,bigbad_801,bigbad_791","""Excuse me, Hatsumi-sensei, but how could someone steal documents from Lord Sano?"" It seems strange that someone with so many servants and guardians could be robbed. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei stares at you for a moment, his expression vacillating between surprise and anger. ""You should never question your patron, Emiko."" For a moment, you think he's going to yell at you, but then his expression changes and he sighs. | |
| ""We never question our patron, no matter how easily someone breaks into his home or steals his important documents. Suffice it to say that this will be not happening again, if I have anything to say about it. In the meantime, I know I can count on you to do this job right. Beware of Lord Matsuya's men—his forces are dangerous.""","I ask them about the politics of the places they've been to. | |
| The answer's very complicated: some manner of war is brewing, but the monks don't know when or where it will take place, and they're not even certain who will make the first move. Lord Matsuya is mentioned several times, and eventually, you steer the talk towards him, hoping to find out what sort of an enemy he is, or who his allies are. The monks can't seem to settle on a single answer, but they do seem to be in agreement that he's a dangerous, cruel person who you don't want as an enemy. | |
| All too soon, you're at the point where you have to split off. The monks wish you good fortune as you turn to go.","I don't ask any specific questions; I just want to see what they come up with on their own. | |
| Like a sea sponge, you passively absorb as much information as you can. There's some exaggeration in the stories—you're fairly certain that they did not fight off an army of kappa bent on stealing an entire prefecture's worth of cucumbers—but most of what they have to say is useful and interesting. You learn that Lord Sano, although he's well-respected, has very little money to his name, and has made a large number of political enemies. You also learn that Lord Sano's wife is highly respected and loved by the citizens. There are also ominous recurring rumors about Lord Matsuya's schemes, but no one seems to know precisely what they are. | |
| All too soon, you realize you're going to have to leave, and bid farewell to the monks.","I don't want to ask questions. Instead, I drop little hints here and there and wait to see if useful information emerges. Better to hide my motives than speak aloud and give anything away. | |
| You certainly don't give anything away, but getting the monks to focus on one detail without asking questions is incredibly difficult. It's as if the conversation is a game, and the man who speaks the longest wins. Whether or not that longest talk is useful to you, though, is of no consequence to them. You do eventually learn that Lord Sano's fortunes are declining as he is locked in political turmoil with a higher ranking Shogun, Lord Matsuya. You also hear the rumor that Lord Sano's wife is a force to reckoned with.","I ask for more information about the castle. | |
| ""What, Lord Sano's castle?"" Ippei seems surprised at your question. ""Not as grand as some I've visited. Not like the Shogun, Lord Matsuya's, with its nightingale floor. No, Lord Sano's castle is in a terrible state of disrepair. There are holes in some of the floors that haven't been repaired in months. I feel sorry for the people who live there."" | |
| Listening to Ippei's words, it becomes much clearer how someone could have stolen documents from Lord Sano; in fact, you start to suspect it would be easy to steal just about anything from him, as Ippei gives further details of unguarded rooms and unattended entrances. You're about to ask another question when the other monks start to chime in with stories of their own, and before you know it, you've lost the thread of the conversation altogether.", | |
| ninja,Lord Sano,"['Lord Sano', 'Sano']",201,2847,"documentbeta_0,documentbeta_11,documentbeta_30,documentbeta_34,documentbeta_21,documentbeta_25,documentbeta_38,documentbeta_61,documentbeta_72,documentbeta_77,documentbeta_500,documentbeta_516,documentbeta_530,documentbeta_545,documentbeta_505,documentbeta_509,documentbeta_527,documentbeta_538,documentbeta_341,documentbeta_563,documentbeta_322,documentbeta_337,sanorescue_0,sanorescue_24,sanorescue_30,sanorescue_36,sanorescue_128,sanorescue_155,sanorescue_346,sanorescue_1283,sanorescue_1421,sanorescue_1727,sanorescue_354,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_1425,sanorescue_1430,sanorescue_1430,sanorescue_1526,sanorescue_1600,sanorescue_1626,sanorescue_355,sanorescue_374,sanorescue_1674,sanorescue_555,sanorescue_579,sanorescue_1031,sanorescue_1508,sanorescue_1824,sanorescue_1824,sanorescue_517,sanorescue_548,sanorescue_551,sanorescue_559,sanorescue_559,sanorescue_1756,sanorescue_1763,sanorescue_1491,sanorescue_536,sanorescue_825,sanorescue_1080,sanorescue_1706,sanorescue_1713,sanorescue_424,sanorescue_429,sanorescue_434,sanorescue_1850,sanorescue_1857,sanorescue_686,sanorescue_1777,sanorescue_887,sanorescue_1991,sanorescue_1991,sanorescue_1997,sanorescue_723,sanorescue_1803,sanorescue_1810,sanorescue_1953,sanorescue_1960,sanorescue_1964,sanorescue_2025,sanorescue_2053,sanorescue_2057,sanorescue_1969,ladysanobargain_0,ladysanobargain_10,ladysanobargain_14,ladysanobargain_23,ladysanobargain_116,ladysanobargain_158,ladysanobargain_188,ladysanobargain_162,ladysanobargain_122,ladysanobargain_148,teachingchallenge_313,teachingchallenge_313,architectbeta_47,architectbeta_72,architectbeta_76,architectbeta_55,architectbeta_59,architectbeta_83,architectbeta_148,architectbeta_151,architectbeta_140,architectbeta_152,architectbeta_155,architectbeta_159,architectbeta_165,architectbeta_263,architectbeta_880,architectbeta_881,architectbeta_972,architectbeta_1130,architectbeta_1134,architectbeta_978,architectbeta_985,architectbeta_897,castleplan_76,castleplan_56,castleplan_113,castleplan_127,castleplan_149,castleplan_155,castleplan_169,castleplan_460,castleplan_470,castleplan_223,castleplan_811,castleplan_816,castleplan_831,castleplan_862,castleplan_992,castleplan_868,castleplan_872,castleplan_962,castleplan_970,castleplan_981,castleplan_879,castleplan_931,castleplan_938,castleplan_946,castleplan_886,castleplan_892,castleplan_903,castleplan_925,castleplan_997,castleplan_1009,castleplan_623,castleplan_1108,castleplan_1327,castleplan_1427,castleplan_1045,castleplan_1329,castleplan_1252,castleplan_1413,castleplan_1422,castleplan_1305,castleplan_1314,castleplan_1335,castleplan_1357,castleplan_1388,castleplan_1396,castleplan_1405,castleplan_1415,castleplan_740,castleplan_1273,castleplan_1284,castleplan_1370,castleplan_1370,castleplan_1322,castleplan_1281,jailbreak_257,jailbreak_571,jailbreak_302,jailbreak_455,jailbreak_169,jailbreak_175,jailbreak_436,jailbreak_930,jailbreak_939,bigbad_295,bigbad_300,bigbad_304,bigbad_487,bigbad_492,bigbad_609,bigbad_473,bigbad_559,bigbad_646,aftermath_98,bigbad_817,aftermath_105,aftermath_113,aftermath_121,aftermath_129,bigbad_906,aftermath_220,bigbad_908,bigbad_914,aftermath_265,aftermath_179","In the few weeks that have passed since your graduation exam, you've been able to rest and enjoy your new title. But basking in your victory is getting a little dull, so you're especially pleased when you receive word that you've been chosen for your first mission. You eagerly make your way to Hatsumi-sensei's office and knock on the doorframe. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei looks up. ""Ah, Emiko. Please come in and shut the door behind you."" | |
| ""Lord Sano, our village's patron, is looking for a ninja who can complete a dangerous mission quickly and discreetly."" Hatsumi-sensei lays his ink brush on some spare paper and looks you in the eye. ""Are you up to the task?"" How do you respond?","He reaches for a small pile of papers on his desk and leafs through it until he finds the paper he's looking for. Next to a complicated-looking red seal, you catch a glimpse of Lord Sano's family crest: three ginkgo leaves, tied together at the center in a stylized knot. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei clears his throat. ""Lord Sano has managed to gather intelligence that certain documents that had been stolen from him will be in transit on a particular road at a certain time, a few days from now. It is of the utmost importance that these papers be recovered with as few problems as possible. You are to travel to the specified location and immediately bring the documents back. Any questions?""","""How could someone steal documents from Lord Sano?"" After all, he's a powerful lord with a small force of guards and soldiers to protect himself and his property. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei scowls in annoyance. ""We don't question our patron, no matter what the mission is."" For a moment, you think he's about to yell at you, but then his expression softens. | |
| ""We don't question our patron, no matter how easily someone breaks into his home or steals his important documents. Rest assured that if I have my way, this shall not happen again."" He rolls his eyes a little, as if merely thinking about the circumstances is painful. ""You'd better hurry up. The meeting is in two days' time, at the joining of the paths between Ino and Wakayama villages. That's about a day's ride from here, so you shouldn't waste any more time on questions.""","""Will I be alone on this mission?"" | |
| ""A reasonable question. I would have preferred for you to work with at least one other ninja from our village, but Lord Sano has specified that you should work alone. I hardly need add that if you are caught, all of us will disavow any knowledge of your existence."" | |
| Hatsumi-sensei looks at you appraisingly. ""I'm sure you're up to the challenge. The meeting is in two days' time, at the joining of the paths between Ino and Wakayama villages. That's about a day's ride from here, so you shouldn't waste any more time on questions.""","""Excuse me, Hatsumi-sensei, but how could someone steal documents from Lord Sano?"" It seems strange that someone with so many servants and guardians could be robbed. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei stares at you for a moment, his expression vacillating between surprise and anger. ""You should never question your patron, Emiko."" For a moment, you think he's going to yell at you, but then his expression changes and he sighs. | |
| ""We never question our patron, no matter how easily someone breaks into his home or steals his important documents. Suffice it to say that this will be not happening again, if I have anything to say about it. In the meantime, I know I can count on you to do this job right. Beware of Lord Matsuya's men—his forces are dangerous.""", | |
| ninja,Emiko-san,"['Emiko-san', 'Emiko']",149,2847,"graduationtest_1994,graduationtest_2160,graduationtest_2166,graduationtest_2227,documentbeta_0,documentbeta_21,sanorescue_16,sanorescue_1756,sanorescue_1763,sanorescue_1706,sanorescue_1713,sanorescue_1932,sanorescue_1850,sanorescue_1857,sanorescue_1898,sanorescue_1803,sanorescue_1810,ladysanobargain_29,ladysanobargain_80,ladysanobargain_112,teachingchallenge_2,teachingchallenge_14,teachingchallenge_80,architectbeta_7,architectbeta_115,architectbeta_281,architectbeta_129,architectbeta_136,architectbeta_267,architectbeta_197,architectbeta_219,architectbeta_303,architectbeta_208,architectbeta_341,architectbeta_346,architectbeta_350,architectbeta_498,architectbeta_806,architectbeta_470,architectbeta_767,architectbeta_438,architectbeta_510,architectbeta_515,architectbeta_520,architectbeta_531,architectbeta_535,architectbeta_703,architectbeta_676,architectbeta_685,architectbeta_903,architectbeta_911,architectbeta_1022,architectbeta_1082,architectbeta_1095,architectbeta_1102,architectbeta_1109,architectbeta_1027,architectbeta_1037,architectbeta_1042,architectbeta_1052,architectbeta_1059,architectbeta_1063,architectbeta_1068,architectbeta_1078,castleplan_16,castleplan_76,castleplan_86,castleplan_95,castleplan_113,castleplan_37,castleplan_127,castleplan_134,castleplan_460,castleplan_362,castleplan_249,castleplan_848,castleplan_824,castleplan_488,castleplan_528,castleplan_886,castleplan_558,castleplan_1432,castleplan_722,castleplan_1116,castleplan_1157,castleplan_1220,castleplan_1345,castleplan_1178,castleplan_1234,jailbreak_1250,jailbreak_89,jailbreak_455,jailbreak_787,jailbreak_109,jailbreak_162,jailbreak_189,jailbreak_53,jailbreak_119,jailbreak_125,jailbreak_175,jailbreak_180,jailbreak_436,jailbreak_780,jailbreak_63,jailbreak_69,jailbreak_912,jailbreak_667,jailbreak_676,jailbreak_842,jailbreak_701,jailbreak_1205,jailbreak_729,jailbreak_1122,jailbreak_1158,jailbreak_1063,bigbad_76,jailbreak_1102,bigbad_43,bigbad_222,bigbad_267,bigbad_269,bigbad_261,bigbad_275,bigbad_291,bigbad_300,bigbad_482,bigbad_890,bigbad_323,bigbad_463,bigbad_475,bigbad_353,aftermath_98,bigbad_898,aftermath_33,aftermath_18,aftermath_37,aftermath_46,aftermath_145,aftermath_226,bigbad_914,aftermath_153,aftermath_186,aftermath_157,aftermath_179,aftermath_208,aftermath_163,aftermath_193,aftermath_172,aftermath_199",Emiko,"Signing your name into the record means that you're really a ninja now. You join your fellow students for a celebration. | |
| It appears that only about half of the students passed the exam, and at the end of the table, you quickly spy Kenta and Maki, two of the students who you consider to be something approaching friends. Kenta waves at you, a wide smile on his face. ""Emiko! You did it!"" | |
| Kenta and Maki are an odd study in contrasts. Where Maki is tall and thin, Kenta is a bit shorter and heavier, but his martial arts skills are always praised by teachers and students alike and he moves with a graceful fluidity that many of them envy. Maki, on the other hand, often slouches, trying to hide the ugly scar on the bridge of her nose, but her stealth and magic skills are well known among the students. You've even heard the rumor that she's not quite human—after all, a younger student once reasoned, only something supernatural could be that still and quiet. The two of them work together at every opportunity, and you've known them ever since you arrived in Kochi a year ago. You've opened up to them a little bit about your past, although you've taken care not to reveal too much. | |
| Maki motions for you to come and sit with them. ""I'm glad you made it, Emiko, although I didn't have much doubt that you would pass."" | |
| For the first while, all you feel like doing is eating—passing that test was hard work! Everyone around you feels the same, and thankfully, there aren't any long, dull speeches to sit through. But eventually, your hunger is sated, and the atmosphere in the room gets louder and rowdier. You're not the only student who's in the mood to party now, and it's more than clear that some of the teachers have been looking forward to this celebration all year (if their drunken singing is to be believed, or tolerated).","Kenta passes you one of the plates of sweets that's going around the table. ""So, Emiko, what are you planning to do now that you're a ninja?"" | |
| ""That's an awfully nosey question,"" Maki remarks, setting her cup of sake down on the table. | |
| ""I didn't mean it like that,"" Kenta says. ""I meant, now that you're a full-fledged ninja, you'll have access to more information, better tools, that sort of thing. I want to master the ninjato—not just the bamboo blade we practice with, I mean the real thing. What do you want to do?""","You're cast around as you try to find a proper answer to the question. Surprisingly, it's Maki who gets the conversation back on track. ""Never mind that, Emiko. Have you tried these azuki buns? I heard Morimoto-sensei made them herself, and they're very good."" Kenta looks at her gratefully, murmuring words of apology in your direction. | |
| Fortunately, at that moment, one of the teachers stands up and begins to make a speech about how proud the village is to welcome its new members, and you're relieved that the time for awkward conversation is done. After all, this means you're one step closer to starting your missions, and it's that possibility, rather than any of the problems or concerns from your past that you decide to focus on.","In the few weeks that have passed since your graduation exam, you've been able to rest and enjoy your new title. But basking in your victory is getting a little dull, so you're especially pleased when you receive word that you've been chosen for your first mission. You eagerly make your way to Hatsumi-sensei's office and knock on the doorframe. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei looks up. ""Ah, Emiko. Please come in and shut the door behind you."" | |
| ""Lord Sano, our village's patron, is looking for a ninja who can complete a dangerous mission quickly and discreetly."" Hatsumi-sensei lays his ink brush on some spare paper and looks you in the eye. ""Are you up to the task?"" How do you respond?", | |
| ninja,Kaoru,['Kaoru'],136,2847,"graduationtest_2201,architectbeta_115,architectbeta_118,architectbeta_278,architectbeta_281,architectbeta_120,architectbeta_123,architectbeta_126,architectbeta_129,architectbeta_136,architectbeta_145,architectbeta_151,architectbeta_140,architectbeta_152,architectbeta_155,architectbeta_245,architectbeta_251,architectbeta_174,architectbeta_162,architectbeta_165,architectbeta_168,architectbeta_256,architectbeta_178,architectbeta_186,architectbeta_189,architectbeta_200,architectbeta_214,architectbeta_267,architectbeta_197,architectbeta_219,architectbeta_208,architectbeta_318,architectbeta_361,architectbeta_1157,castleplan_597,castleplan_604,castleplan_608,castleplan_640,castleplan_649,castleplan_653,castleplan_1019,castleplan_1026,castleplan_1030,castleplan_1062,castleplan_1071,castleplan_1075,castleplan_613,castleplan_619,castleplan_627,castleplan_1035,castleplan_1041,castleplan_1049,jailbreak_257,bigbad_237,bigbad_242,bigbad_244,bigbad_248,bigbad_250,bigbad_267,bigbad_265,bigbad_269,bigbad_275,bigbad_283,bigbad_287,bigbad_291,bigbad_295,bigbad_300,bigbad_304,bigbad_482,bigbad_312,bigbad_316,bigbad_501,bigbad_505,bigbad_319,bigbad_509,bigbad_881,bigbad_387,bigbad_323,bigbad_388,bigbad_393,bigbad_417,bigbad_430,bigbad_449,bigbad_332,bigbad_394,bigbad_439,bigbad_614,bigbad_334,bigbad_368,bigbad_370,bigbad_379,bigbad_398,bigbad_400,bigbad_403,bigbad_414,bigbad_463,bigbad_372,bigbad_376,bigbad_407,bigbad_475,bigbad_693,bigbad_350,bigbad_353,aftermath_1,bigbad_691,bigbad_835,aftermath_7,aftermath_87,aftermath_93,bigbad_675,bigbad_836,aftermath_12,bigbad_681,bigbad_840,bigbad_842,bigbad_844,bigbad_823,bigbad_898,aftermath_33,aftermath_18,bigbad_905,aftermath_46,aftermath_64,aftermath_21,aftermath_23,bigbad_908,aftermath_40,aftermath_44,aftermath_58,aftermath_75,aftermath_77,aftermath_78,bigbad_914,aftermath_52,aftermath_70,aftermath_81","Maki pauses, aware that your end of the table has gotten very quiet. She clears her throat, an embarrassed expression on her face. ""I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so negative."" | |
| ""It's all right."" Kenta smiles in relief, ""Just keep the brooding to a minimum, please."" Then, in an obvious effort to get the conversation back on track, Kenta hastily turns to you. ""Are you going to let Kaoru know that you passed the exam?"" | |
| Kaoru. That name takes you back. In your last village, Kaoru was a fellow student who you spent a considerable amount of time with. In fact, you like to think that the two of you had a special connection. But Kaoru was a year ahead of you, and immediately after graduating, was sent off on a mission; you didn't even have time to say goodbye. You've received two letters, but it's not the same as the contact you had before—it feels hollow and sad. If you care to admit it, you would probably say that you deeply miss…","You're just about to implement your plan when you hear a rustling noise in the leaves next to you. You tense for an attack, but it doesn't come. Instead, you find yourself facing another black-clad ninja who's slowly making her (his?) way up through the tree past you. ""What do you want?"" you demand, preparing to fight your way out of this. | |
| ""Emiko? Is that you?"" The other ninja stops completely, and pulls the mask away from his (her?) face. You're surprised to recognize Kaoru, your friend from several years ago. How do you respond?","I'm very happy to see her, and I say as much. | |
| Kaoru smiles slowly. ""I'm happy to see you, too. Can we please talk like equals, maybe without the masks?""","This is a little too good to be true. I'll pretend to welcome her with open arms, but I won't trust what she has to say right away. | |
| Kaoru puts the dagger away. ""I assure you I'm not here to hurt you. Can we please talk like equals, without masks?""","After the way she appeared, there's no way that I trust her. I'll keep my guard up. | |
| Seeing your hesitation, Kaoru smiles. ""You've not changed at all, Emiko. You always were thinking a few steps ahead. I can assure you that I'm not here to hurt you at all. I only want to speak with you. Can we please talk like equals, without the masks?""", | |
| ninja,Hatsumi-sensei,"['Hatsumi-sensei', 'Hatsumi', 'sensei']",124,2847,"graduationtest_5,graduationtest_25,graduationtest_49,graduationtest_67,graduationtest_67,graduationtest_762,graduationtest_1739,graduationtest_1980,graduationtest_1822,graduationtest_1570,graduationtest_1749,graduationtest_1831,graduationtest_1947,graduationtest_401,graduationtest_1843,graduationtest_1850,documentbeta_0,documentbeta_5,documentbeta_7,documentbeta_9,documentbeta_11,documentbeta_15,documentbeta_30,documentbeta_34,documentbeta_21,documentbeta_25,documentbeta_38,documentbeta_558,documentbeta_570,documentbeta_575,sanorescue_0,sanorescue_27,sanorescue_30,sanorescue_33,sanorescue_36,sanorescue_43,sanorescue_53,sanorescue_58,sanorescue_75,sanorescue_54,sanorescue_1573,sanorescue_2049,teachingchallenge_0,teachingchallenge_2,ladysanobargain_155,teachingchallenge_14,teachingchallenge_310,teachingchallenge_313,architectbeta_378,architectbeta_685,architectbeta_1010,architectbeta_1014,architectbeta_1022,architectbeta_1082,architectbeta_1056,architectbeta_1087,architectbeta_1095,architectbeta_1102,architectbeta_1109,architectbeta_1027,architectbeta_1037,architectbeta_1042,architectbeta_1052,architectbeta_1059,architectbeta_1063,architectbeta_1144,death_traitor_0,architectbeta_1068,architectbeta_1078,castleplan_16,castleplan_95,castleplan_102,castleplan_104,castleplan_107,castleplan_109,castleplan_111,castleplan_113,castleplan_37,castleplan_120,castleplan_127,castleplan_134,castleplan_142,castleplan_149,castleplan_155,castleplan_474,castleplan_169,castleplan_282,castleplan_469,castleplan_443,castleplan_447,castleplan_470,castleplan_342,castleplan_346,castleplan_350,castleplan_237,castleplan_242,castleplan_408,castleplan_412,castleplan_416,castleplan_223,castleplan_329,castleplan_381,castleplan_385,castleplan_756,castleplan_697,castleplan_697,castleplan_1345,jailbreak_720,aftermath_142,aftermath_151,aftermath_220,aftermath_226,aftermath_153,aftermath_186,aftermath_265,aftermath_157,aftermath_179,aftermath_203,aftermath_208,aftermath_258,aftermath_163,aftermath_190,aftermath_193,aftermath_172","Outside of the classrooms where you've spent far more time than you care to consider, Hatsumi-sensei stands in front of you and the small crowd of your classmates. Although he's old and frail-looking, you know better than to underestimate him: you've seen him take on a group of ten older, experienced ninja and not break a sweat as he defeated each of them, one by one. | |
| In his typically brusque manner, he says, ""Today is a bright day for our village; that is, it will be if any of you fools can finish the final exam. I've hidden 10 valuable coins somewhere in the training grounds behind the school. Your task is to find the coin and then return it to this bowl—"" he motions to a large grey piece of pottery on the table behind him, ""unseen. Those who complete both parts of this test will almost certainly graduate. You should try to use all the skills you've learned so far; a good ninja uses a mixture of magic and martial arts tricks to win a fight or complete a mission. Those of you who don't end up with a coin, or who can't return it without being caught, will be evaluated by your teacher to see if you're fit to continue your studies. You have twelve hours to complete your test. We will begin in a few moments."" | |
| As you chew over these words, you count the number of students around you. Including yourself, there are twenty students waiting to take the exam.","There's an excited buzz from the other students. You catch a few conversations about temporary alliances, and not a little bragging. Nearby, one of your classmates whispers to another, ""What if we fail?"" | |
| ""I don't know,"" the other answers, ""I guess you're stuck here doing farm work or cooking for the others."" | |
| That doesn't sound pleasant at all, particularly considering how much time and effort you've put into your studies! Dismissing your nerves, you try to focus on the task at hand. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei takes his place in front of the restless crowd and clears his throat. | |
| ""You're limited to the training grounds behind the school. All of you should remember what the boundaries of those are by now. Any student found wandering through the village before the exam is declared over will be disqualified. You're also not allowed to use weapons; the results of this test will depend on your wits and your own martial arts skills. I'll be observing your progress along with your other teachers. Good luck to all. The test begins now."" | |
| He's hardly finished speaking when most of the students take off in the direction of the school grounds and the main training area. What do you do?","You stop to consider your options. First of all, what's the most likely place for the teachers to hide these coins? You think back over your lessons for a moment, and something that Hatsumi-sensei once said pops into your mind: ""The best hiding place is that which is in plain sight but still hidden. Ninja can master the art of disguise for themselves, but disguising objects can be just as useful."" Aha! Perhaps the coin is hidden in plain sight somewhere nearby! You look around the training area: there's the fighting ring, the classrooms, and the small patch of forest. | |
| Where will you go to investigate?","You easily find a hiding place behind one of many screens and listen carefully. It's two of the teachers, Mori-sensei and Sasaki-sensei. | |
| ""I hope none of the students try to hoard more coins than they need."" Mori-sensei says thoughtfully. ""That was an awful debacle last year, to have only four students pass out of eighteen."" | |
| ""Some of them are going to try it. I just hope they don't hurt each other too badly. The no-weapons rule is a good addition, but knowing this group, there will be some broken bones at the very least,"" Sasaki-sensei replies. | |
| ""As long as they don't bust up the classrooms, I'm happy. Good thing Hatsumi-sensei didn't ask us to hide anything here,"" Mori-sensei says, and laughs. They walk away, and you finally allow yourself to exhale. It's good that you found that information out, but frustrating that you just wasted a bit of your precious time. Where do you want to go now?","You easily find a hiding place behind one of many screens and listen carefully. It's two of the teachers, Mori-sensei and Sasaki-sensei. | |
| ""I hope none of the students try to hoard more coins than they need."" Mori-sensei says thoughtfully. ""That was an awful debacle last year, to have only four students pass out of eighteen."" | |
| ""Some of them are going to try it. I just hope they don't hurt each other too badly. The no-weapons rule is a good addition, but knowing this group, there will be some broken bones at the very least,"" Sasaki-sensei replies. | |
| ""As long as they don't bust up the classrooms, I'm happy. Good thing Hatsumi-sensei didn't ask us to hide anything here,"" Mori-sensei says, and laughs. They walk away, and you finally allow yourself to exhale. It's good that you found that information out, but frustrating that you just wasted a bit of your precious time. Where do you want to go now?", | |
| ninja,Yuka-san,"['Yuka', 'Yuka-san']",99,2847,"graduationtest_904,graduationtest_910,graduationtest_925,graduationtest_183,graduationtest_941,graduationtest_944,graduationtest_217,graduationtest_947,graduationtest_938,graduationtest_1046,graduationtest_257,graduationtest_271,graduationtest_200,graduationtest_203,graduationtest_206,graduationtest_955,graduationtest_1053,graduationtest_1067,graduationtest_224,graduationtest_229,graduationtest_214,graduationtest_961,graduationtest_990,graduationtest_1122,graduationtest_282,graduationtest_288,graduationtest_267,graduationtest_1125,graduationtest_1170,graduationtest_1119,graduationtest_1093,graduationtest_1082,graduationtest_292,graduationtest_319,graduationtest_324,graduationtest_359,graduationtest_365,graduationtest_371,graduationtest_423,graduationtest_437,graduationtest_1020,graduationtest_1043,graduationtest_987,graduationtest_1017,graduationtest_1178,graduationtest_1129,graduationtest_1152,graduationtest_297,graduationtest_302,graduationtest_306,graduationtest_337,graduationtest_417,graduationtest_420,graduationtest_427,graduationtest_441,graduationtest_1022,graduationtest_1181,graduationtest_1186,graduationtest_1204,graduationtest_1149,graduationtest_1113,graduationtest_1116,graduationtest_1155,graduationtest_1160,graduationtest_1165,graduationtest_345,graduationtest_351,graduationtest_377,graduationtest_382,graduationtest_451,graduationtest_1026,graduationtest_1031,graduationtest_1036,graduationtest_1189,graduationtest_1194,graduationtest_1199,graduationtest_1209,graduationtest_1224,graduationtest_1233,graduationtest_1143,graduationtest_1146,graduationtest_1107,graduationtest_1110,graduationtest_386,graduationtest_391,graduationtest_396,graduationtest_1212,graduationtest_1218,graduationtest_1272,graduationtest_1287,graduationtest_401,graduationtest_1241,graduationtest_1256,graduationtest_1275,graduationtest_1292,graduationtest_1300,graduationtest_1307,graduationtest_1244,graduationtest_1260","You glance around and make eye contact with one of your classmates, Yuka. She's a short, athletic young woman with cropped hair; in your classes, she was easily one of the best students in quite a few subjects. She eyes you a little suspiciously and says, ""Hello. Are you thinking that we should team up?"" How do you answer her?","Yuka is still suspicious and frowns. ""I think it doesn't make sense to work in a team of two people for one thing. What are we going to do if there's only one coin left?""","Yuka nods. ""I guess we can work together, but we've wasted a lot of time talking. We need to get started.""","I walk over and investigate it right away! | |
| As you walk through the clearing, you trip on a thin, almost invisible wire. Cursing your luck, you rush to the knothole and reach inside. There is a coin, but just as you put your hand on it, you hear the sound of someone behind you and whirl around to see your classmate, Yuka. She already has a coin in one hand and is looking at you appraisingly.","I say, ""Let's go to the forest."" | |
| Yuka replies, ""All right.""", | |
| ninja,Lord Kage,"['Lord Kage', 'Kage']",76,2847,"sanorescue_36,sanorescue_43,sanorescue_593,sanorescue_1305,sanorescue_488,sanorescue_1226,sanorescue_1215,sanorescue_1321,sanorescue_1369,sanorescue_1400,sanorescue_1414,sanorescue_203,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_495,sanorescue_564,sanorescue_588,sanorescue_1330,sanorescue_1337,sanorescue_1342,sanorescue_1356,sanorescue_1361,sanorescue_1374,sanorescue_1381,sanorescue_1385,sanorescue_1408,sanorescue_1415,sanorescue_1526,sanorescue_1626,sanorescue_1674,sanorescue_411,sanorescue_579,sanorescue_1824,sanorescue_276,sanorescue_1720,sanorescue_517,sanorescue_544,sanorescue_291,sanorescue_331,sanorescue_677,sanorescue_1047,sanorescue_1119,sanorescue_1144,sanorescue_1152,sanorescue_1163,sanorescue_336,sanorescue_1685,sanorescue_686,sanorescue_716,sanorescue_957,sanorescue_1777,sanorescue_721,sanorescue_785,sanorescue_796,sanorescue_808,sanorescue_849,sanorescue_860,sanorescue_870,sanorescue_887,sanorescue_898,sanorescue_908,sanorescue_1002,sanorescue_1817,sanorescue_314,sanorescue_1019,sanorescue_1026,sanorescue_986,sanorescue_2025,sanorescue_1969,ladysanobargain_10,ladysanobargain_14,ladysanobargain_158,architectbeta_72,architectbeta_618,architectbeta_628,architectbeta_924","Once inside, you note that his collection of papers has only gotten bigger since you were last here, and you can't help wondering how he keeps track of everything. | |
| ""I've called you both here today because there's a mission that I think you two are perfect for. It will require finesse and careful application of all your skills. Lord Sano's son has been kidnapped and is being held hostage in Lord Kage's fortress, several territories away from us. The two of you will go there and rescue our patron's son."" | |
| Maki's eyes widen. ""This is a dangerous job!"" she says. ""Forgive me for being rude, but isn't this something that more experienced ninja should be taking care of?"" | |
| ""Ordinarily, yes,"" Hatsumi-sensei acquiesces, ""but in this case, the situation is very delicate, and almost all of our forces are currently in the field dealing with Lord Matsuya's encroachments on the territories of Lord Sano and his allies. I hardly need add that there can be absolutely no chance of this mission's origin or purpose being discovered, and, above all, there can be no violent action. This is an extraction job, not an assault. The two of you should be able to handle it."" | |
| Maki glances over at you, trying to read your opinion, before she asks carefully, ""Do we have anything we can use to our advantage in this situation?"" | |
| ""As a matter of fact, you do."" Hatsumi-sensei turns toward the nearest pile of papers and shows you two official documents, each one with various official-looking seals and signatures.","""These are traveling papers for either two wealthy merchants, or two farmers on their way to the weekly market at Lord Kage's castle. Either gives you the means to enter the castle. Once you're in, you'll be able to move around undetected and do your jobs, just like we taught you to."" | |
| ""Either disguise would be effective. I'm leaving the decision to you two: which do you want to use?"" he asks. | |
| Maki shrugs and says, ""Either is fine with me."" | |
| Looks like it's your decision. You think about the advantages of each disguise: wealthy merchants would likely be accepted more quickly into the castle, but once inside, you reason that they'd have to perform a lot of formal introductions and niceties‚ complicated social rituals that you're not sure you can pull off. Farmers, on the other hand, would be mostly ignored, but getting into the castle would be much harder, a challenge with two people. If you just can't make a decision, Hatsumi-sensei could do it, since he knows your abilities fairly well. So which one do you want to do?","As Maki beings to deal with the castle officials, you slip away into the crowd, unnoticed. The market is bustling with people; farmers and merchants alike are selling to the residents of the nearby village and to people who live in Lord Kage's palace. You even spot a puppeteer entertaining a few local children. Despite your fine clothes, no one gives you a second glance. | |
| You quickly assess the location of the palace guards. The market is taking place between the two major wings of the palace. To the west, there are fewer guards, and you notice that most of the servants hurry towards one door, presumably one that leads to their quarters and workspaces. The east wing of the palace is more well guarded, and even though the guards there looked relaxed, there are more of them. Which way do you want to go?","I want to know if they know anyone in the palace. | |
| It turns out that the tangerine farmer does. ""My niece is a maid here. Job doesn't pay that well, but she has a roof over her head and a safe place from any invading force, so it evens out."" | |
| ""Does she have any crazy stories about the palace?"" you ask. | |
| ""Does she ever!"" the farmer laughs. ""Let's just say Lord Kage has gotten in good with Lord Matsuya by becoming his lap dog. Lord Matsuya says 'jump'—"" | |
| ""—and Lord Kage says 'how high?'"" another farmer finishes for him. | |
| The conversation veers into increasingly vulgar territory after that, making you despair about getting more useful information. You notice that the old man is still in the same place as before, and you figure that speaking to him can't hurt.","Your booth seems to be doing fairly well; the cloth that the Kochi village instructors provided to you really is of very high quality. | |
| One of the customers is another lord; or at least, he acts like one, ordering his servant to bring him various samples. When he discovers that you don't have a servant of your own, he looks very suspiciously down his nose at you. | |
| You make some excuse about good help being hard to find, and he laughs. He's easily distracted by another roll of fabric, and you find that once you compliment his fine robes and good taste, he loosens up a bit. ""My name is Yamato. Haven't seen you here before."" | |
| You make a noncommittal statement about business taking up a lot of your time, and he quickly nods. ""Of course. If you don't take proper care of your own affairs, there's no telling what might happen. Why, I was just telling Lord Kage the same thing the other day!"" | |
| He looks expectantly at you as he mentions the name. Clearly, you're meant to ask him something here. But what?", | |
| ninja,General Araki,"['General Araki', 'Araki']",73,2847,"documentbeta_563,sanorescue_1770,sanorescue_1770,sanorescue_1498,sanorescue_1498,sanorescue_938,sanorescue_938,sanorescue_1742,sanorescue_1470,sanorescue_1470,sanorescue_1508,sanorescue_1824,sanorescue_1720,sanorescue_1737,sanorescue_1737,sanorescue_1491,sanorescue_1483,sanorescue_1864,sanorescue_1864,sanorescue_1691,sanorescue_1836,sanorescue_336,sanorescue_336,sanorescue_1685,sanorescue_299,sanorescue_320,sanorescue_320,sanorescue_1817,sanorescue_309,sanorescue_314,sanorescue_314,sanorescue_1789,architectbeta_152,architectbeta_251,castleplan_11,castleplan_66,castleplan_76,castleplan_56,castleplan_56,castleplan_356,castleplan_253,castleplan_714,castleplan_732,castleplan_740,bigbad_15,bigbad_23,bigbad_267,bigbad_501,bigbad_319,bigbad_514,bigbad_545,bigbad_579,bigbad_609,bigbad_622,bigbad_519,bigbad_554,bigbad_588,bigbad_615,bigbad_624,bigbad_624,bigbad_463,bigbad_475,bigbad_475,aftermath_1,aftermath_1,aftermath_4,bigbad_898,bigbad_898,aftermath_64,bigbad_908,bigbad_914,aftermath_265,aftermath_265","Yes, I'm going to see what it says. It can't hurt, right? | |
| Carefully, you work to untie the delicate, colored strands. Sure enough, the knot comes undone easily, and the document unfurls in your hands. | |
| At first, the information is dull: taxation records, the number of crops grown in several villages, and similar matters. You start to wonder why you were employed to retrieve this at all. But then, at the end, there's a record that catches your eye: ""Lord Matsuya's troops were dispatched to deal with an uprising in the Ito township, where they slaughtered much of the adult population in the dead of night. Although the Ito township is part of Lord Sano's domain, the leader of Lord Matsuya's forces, one General Araki, contended that they were first to arrive, and therefore responsible for settling the conflict. Many of the orphaned children were placed in the village of Kochi for schooling and care."" | |
| You roll the scroll back up, thinking frantically. This means that one or more of your classmates would have a legitimate grudge against Lord Matsuya and his men; this also means that Lord Matsuya and Lord Sano's feud goes back more years than you first assumed. The stakes must be very high. You'll keep this information in mind for later.","No, I don't. It's her business, not mine. | |
| You don't press the matter. Instead, you fill her in on the number of guards you observed, and the two of you are about to start forming a plan when another passing farmer asks if you'll be joining the others for dinner. The two of you acquiesce, and set off together to the gathering. | |
| The farmer's gathering is at once interesting and offputting: interesting because you know that the people there have a lot of information to impart, and they're more likely to talk when they're drinking; offputting, on the other hand, because you're expected to drink as well, and you have to be careful how much information you disclose yourself. You catch a glimpse of Maki pouring her drink out near the fire and follow suit, managing to not get too drunk as the evening progresses. | |
| The information you do manage to gather has to do with the consequences of the struggles between the two lords and the destruction of land and crops. There's a persistent rumor that General Araki, the leader of Lord Matsuya's forces, relies on magic to do some of his work, and not just any magic; one of the farmers is convinced that General Araki is in league with magical creatures, given his power and capacity for destruction. Some of the farmers agree with the story, but other make fun of it. In the din that follows, you catch a glimpse of Maki's face, set in a determined, angry line as people repeat Araki's name. But before you can digest that information any further, an impromptu dance breaks out, and the two of you are expected to participate. By the time it's over, your feet ache, and you're looking forward to completing your mission. | |
| Finally, several hours later, you make your way to a quiet spot to plan what you'll do next.","No, I don't. It's her business, not mine. | |
| You don't press the matter. Instead, you fill her in on the number of guards you observed, and the two of you are about to start forming a plan when another passing farmer asks if you'll be joining the others for dinner. The two of you acquiesce, and set off together to the gathering. | |
| The farmer's gathering is at once interesting and offputting: interesting because you know that the people there have a lot of information to impart, and they're more likely to talk when they're drinking; offputting, on the other hand, because you're expected to drink as well, and you have to be careful how much information you disclose yourself. You catch a glimpse of Maki pouring her drink out near the fire and follow suit, managing to not get too drunk as the evening progresses. | |
| The information you do manage to gather has to do with the consequences of the struggles between the two lords and the destruction of land and crops. There's a persistent rumor that General Araki, the leader of Lord Matsuya's forces, relies on magic to do some of his work, and not just any magic; one of the farmers is convinced that General Araki is in league with magical creatures, given his power and capacity for destruction. Some of the farmers agree with the story, but other make fun of it. In the din that follows, you catch a glimpse of Maki's face, set in a determined, angry line as people repeat Araki's name. But before you can digest that information any further, an impromptu dance breaks out, and the two of you are expected to participate. By the time it's over, your feet ache, and you're looking forward to completing your mission. | |
| Finally, several hours later, you make your way to a quiet spot to plan what you'll do next.","I'll try to find out who the authoritative voice belongs to. | |
| You distance yourself from the stablehands, and it's a good thing that you do; you're barely three steps away when you hear ""What are you speaking about so loudly?"" It's the authoritative voice from before, and you see now that it belongs to a taller, much better dressed man, wearing two samurai swords, finely tailored clothing, and a fearsome scowl. All the fine clothing cannot disguise the fact that this man is dangerous. He's like a barely domesticated dog, and around you, people are acting like he might snap at any moment. | |
| The two men bow low, their heads almost touching the dirt. ""General Araki! We meant no disrespect!"" | |
| The entire area around you has become very quiet. Even though Araki lowers his voice, his words carry across the distance. ""I will not have my operation here compromised by two idiots who can't keep their mouths shut. You're both fired. If I ever see either of you again, I'll cut your tongues out myself."" | |
| The two stablehands hurriedly leave, bowing as much as possible, although from the tremor in their voices, the gesture has nothing to do with politeness. The crowd around you hastily gets back to work, and the General calls two of his soldiers over. You catch the words ""second floor,"" ""east wing,"" and ""Sano kid,"" but the rest of the conversation is drowned out by the chatter around you. What do you want to do?","I'll try to find out who the authoritative voice belongs to. | |
| You distance yourself from the stablehands, and it's a good thing that you do; you're barely three steps away when you hear ""What are you speaking about so loudly?"" It's the authoritative voice from before, and you see now that it belongs to a taller, much better dressed man, wearing two samurai swords, finely tailored clothing, and a fearsome scowl. All the fine clothing cannot disguise the fact that this man is dangerous. He's like a barely domesticated dog, and around you, people are acting like he might snap at any moment. | |
| The two men bow low, their heads almost touching the dirt. ""General Araki! We meant no disrespect!"" | |
| The entire area around you has become very quiet. Even though Araki lowers his voice, his words carry across the distance. ""I will not have my operation here compromised by two idiots who can't keep their mouths shut. You're both fired. If I ever see either of you again, I'll cut your tongues out myself."" | |
| The two stablehands hurriedly leave, bowing as much as possible, although from the tremor in their voices, the gesture has nothing to do with politeness. The crowd around you hastily gets back to work, and the General calls two of his soldiers over. You catch the words ""second floor,"" ""east wing,"" and ""Sano kid,"" but the rest of the conversation is drowned out by the chatter around you. What do you want to do?", | |
| ninja,Lady Sano,['Lady Sano'],66,2847,"documentbeta_516,documentbeta_520,documentbeta_538,sanorescue_355,ladysanobargain_10,ladysanobargain_24,ladysanobargain_29,ladysanobargain_35,ladysanobargain_49,ladysanobargain_107,ladysanobargain_36,ladysanobargain_43,ladysanobargain_50,ladysanobargain_55,ladysanobargain_58,ladysanobargain_93,ladysanobargain_100,ladysanobargain_64,ladysanobargain_75,ladysanobargain_80,ladysanobargain_90,ladysanobargain_158,ladysanobargain_162,ladysanobargain_183,ladysanobargain_135,teachingchallenge_0,ladysanobargain_132,ladysanobargain_177,ladysanobargain_151,architectbeta_7,architectbeta_55,castleplan_113,castleplan_149,castleplan_155,castleplan_173,castleplan_177,castleplan_181,castleplan_185,castleplan_189,castleplan_192,castleplan_197,castleplan_294,castleplan_298,castleplan_302,castleplan_306,castleplan_310,castleplan_313,castleplan_318,castleplan_609,castleplan_1031,jailbreak_314,jailbreak_319,jailbreak_593,jailbreak_598,aftermath_226,aftermath_153,aftermath_231,aftermath_157,aftermath_179,aftermath_234,aftermath_258,aftermath_163,aftermath_172,aftermath_237,aftermath_240,aftermath_244","""Did you meet Lord Sano? What kind of a man is he?"" | |
| The monks exchange glances and a few of them roll their eyes. One of them speaks slowly, in a tone of careful deliberation: ""With all due respect to Lord Sano, who was nothing but kind and generous to us during our stay, his reputation is waning. Many of his court say that if you want to get something done, you must speak to his wife, Lady Sano."" | |
| How do you respond?","I ask more about Lady Sano. | |
| ""Beautiful,"" says one of the younger monks, a man called Taro, with a faraway look in his eyes. ""She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."" | |
| ""She's the only woman you've ever seen!"" one of the others points out, loudly, and as laughter breaks out and the talk switches to another topic, you realize you've lost control of the conversation.","I ask about what kind of a man Lord Sano is. | |
| The monks exchange glances and a few of them roll their eyes. One of them speaks slowly, in a tone of careful deliberation: ""With all due respect to Lord Sano, who was nothing but kind and generous to us during our stay, his reputation is in trouble. Many of his court say that if you want to get something done, you must speak to his wife, Lady Sano."" | |
| You try to steer the conversation towards finding out more, but the monks seem reluctant to talk after that, and eventually, you're all traveling in silence.","The three of them stare at you in disbelief, and then Kasumi bites back a laugh. ""You've never heard of him?"" | |
| ""Or his wife?"" Ishida adds, causing the other two to laugh—albeit in a quiet, ladylike way. | |
| You start making some comments about how you've been focused on your business and have fallen a bit behind on controversial news items, and Ohren comes to your defense. ""To his credit, though I'm sure he's a good man, Lord Sano doesn't make much of a first impression. We're laughing because his wife is much younger than he, and more vivacious. You would definitely remember her if you met her."" | |
| ""It's a shame that Lord Matsuya has made him an enemy,"" Kasumi remarks, more soberly than before. ""And it's terrible that Lord Matsuya kidnapped Lord and Lady Sano's son as a hostage."" | |
| The other two nod sadly, and for a moment, you're surprised that they're not more angry or distressed. But then you remember one of your lessons on government: Mori-sensei taught you about how standard it was for children or even whole families to be held hostage in return for good behavior on the part of the lord. It's definitely a sobering prospect. | |
| ""So, tell us how your business is doing!"" Ohren says, evidently trying to lighten the mood. In the time that it takes you to bluff your way through that conversation, the sun starts to set, and before you know it, it's time for dinner.","Lord Sano waves away your response, distracted by his son, who's embarked on a long tale about how brave you and Maki were, and how he wants to be a ninja when he grows up. When there's finally a break in the conversation, Maki bows very low and you follow suit. ""It's an honor to serve you, Lord Sano,"" she says. | |
| ""It's an honor to be served by you,"" he quietly replies. ""Please, stand up. You'll stay the night here. I owe you both at least that much."" | |
| He calls a servant over and whispers some orders. As you wait, you survey the courtyard around you; Yama prefecture is a beautiful place, but it's a poor territory and the signs of poverty are everywhere. The servants are dressed in ragged clothing, and the castle, well, to call it that is too kind. It's a building with two wings, but the many cracked and broken places in the structure prevent it from looking grand and imposing, the way Lord Kage's castle did. | |
| As you're surveying the landscape, you catch a glimpse of Lady Sano and her son. In contrast to the dingy courtyard with its few scraggly trees, she's stunning. Her vibrantly colored kimono makes her stand out like a red cardinal against the winter snow, and when she speaks to her attendants, grace and beauty are evident in her elegant motions. Her kind words to her servants make them eager and quick to obey. She looks back over her shoulder and for a moment, your gazes meet. Smiling pleasantly, she nods at you and then turns to speak to her husband. Her expression is an odd mixture of relief and anger, but she quickly works to hide the anger, and the three of them disappear inside.", | |
| ninja,Sae,['Sae'],64,2847,"graduationtest_116,graduationtest_120,graduationtest_124,graduationtest_166,graduationtest_497,graduationtest_129,graduationtest_460,graduationtest_465,graduationtest_481,graduationtest_507,graduationtest_132,graduationtest_137,graduationtest_742,graduationtest_747,graduationtest_515,graduationtest_766,graduationtest_844,graduationtest_863,graduationtest_518,graduationtest_827,graduationtest_771,graduationtest_797,graduationtest_723,graduationtest_720,graduationtest_961,graduationtest_990,graduationtest_848,graduationtest_853,graduationtest_858,graduationtest_869,graduationtest_836,graduationtest_787,graduationtest_976,graduationtest_997,graduationtest_1006,graduationtest_872,graduationtest_877,graduationtest_894,graduationtest_899,graduationtest_1020,graduationtest_1043,graduationtest_987,graduationtest_1017,graduationtest_546,graduationtest_583,graduationtest_639,graduationtest_549,graduationtest_554,graduationtest_559,graduationtest_590,graduationtest_594,graduationtest_660,graduationtest_682,graduationtest_701,graduationtest_569,graduationtest_604,graduationtest_664,graduationtest_669,graduationtest_685,graduationtest_697,graduationtest_712,graduationtest_716,graduationtest_572,graduationtest_607","Make myself invisible! | |
| You mutter the necessary incantations, and invisibility settles over you like a soft eggshell. | |
| You make your way through the forest, listening to the sounds of fighting and scuffles around you. Soon, you come to the edge of a clearing, where you can see two of your classmates in battle. Kazuki and Sae are two of the best students in your group, and it's no surprise that they seem pretty well matched. Just as you're admiring their technique, though, you feel the invisibility drain away from you—making yourself stay invisible for a long time is a skill that you haven't had time to fully practice yet. You realize you'll have to decide what you want to do—and quickly—because they'll soon catch sight of you. You step behind a tree to observe more closely.","Create a smokescreen to baffle my opponents. | |
| You're not the only student to have this idea, and as you head into the forest, you catch glimpses of other mysterious patches of dense fog that have sprung up. | |
| You make your way through the forest, listening to the sounds of fighting and scuffles around you. Soon, you come to the edge of a clearing, where you can see two of your classmates in battle. Kazuki and Sae are two of the best students in your group, and it's no surprise that they seem pretty well-matched. Just as you're admiring their technique, though, you feel the fog dissipate—getting this particular spell to work for a long time is a skill that you haven't had time to fully practice yet. You realize you'll have to decide what you want to do—and quickly—because they'll soon catch sight of you. You step behind a tree to observe more closely.","Create a double of myself and send it ahead. | |
| Crafting a double of yourself takes work, but you're able to put together an appropriate copy of yourself and send it on ahead. | |
| Puppeting a copy so that it appears to be real is a difficult task. Even though it's basically a copy of you, you have to make sure it moves and reacts the way you do. You're so busy making sure that it's perfect that you almost don't notice you've stumbled across a fight over a coin. | |
| In the clearing ahead of you, two of the best students from your class, Kazuki and Sae, are fighting. They've not seen you (or your copy) yet, but when they do, you'll have to decide how you want to proceed. You could give up the magic and fight them without that drain on you, or you could send your double in to do the work. You could also retreat and find slightly less intimidating opponents.","You head in as fast as you can, throwing caution to the wind. The sooner you find a coin, the more time you'll have to decide what you want to do next, and how to get back to the teachers so they can declare you a winner! | |
| You rush into a clearing to find two of your classmates fighting over a coin: Kazuki and Sae are the top two students in the class, and now they're pausing mid-fight to stare at you. You remember that they're skilled at both martial arts and magic tricks, and if they were to team up against you, it could be really bad news. What do you want to do?","You watch the fight unfold between Kazuki and Sae. Sure enough, they're just as good as you remember—Kazuki is an excellent hand-to-hand fighter, but Sae counters with variations on tricks that you didn't think were possible. In the end, she manages to defeat him by creating a double of herself at exactly the right moment: while the copy keeps him occupied, she's able to sneak up behind him and knock him out. The copy vanishes, and with a triumphant smile, Sae stands up, brushing off her hands and looking very satisfied as she takes the coin from his pocket. | |
| What do you want to do now?", | |
| ninja,Haruki,"['Haruki', 'Haru']",42,2847,"graduationtest_39,graduationtest_43,graduationtest_47,graduationtest_1315,graduationtest_1332,graduationtest_1347,graduationtest_1466,graduationtest_1477,graduationtest_1046,graduationtest_1360,graduationtest_1490,graduationtest_1493,graduationtest_1496,graduationtest_1053,graduationtest_1511,graduationtest_1363,graduationtest_1377,graduationtest_1519,graduationtest_1122,graduationtest_1071,graduationtest_1088,graduationtest_1383,graduationtest_1452,graduationtest_1170,graduationtest_1119,graduationtest_1499,graduationtest_1178,graduationtest_1129,graduationtest_1152,graduationtest_1502,graduationtest_1505,graduationtest_1508,graduationtest_1149,graduationtest_1113,graduationtest_1116,graduationtest_1404,graduationtest_1418,graduationtest_1107,graduationtest_1110,teachingchallenge_119,teachingchallenge_127,teachingchallenge_136","You catch sight of your classmates Haruki and Miyuki battling over a coin in the middle of the training area, a wide, flat space that's filled with smooth sand. You've practiced there many times in the past. | |
| You see that Miyuki's fighting hard, but her ninjitsu is no match for Haruki's martial arts skills. He moves so fast that you can barely see his fists. In a second, he'll defeat Miyuki. What are you going to do?","I'll fight Haruki for the coin myself. He may be a good fighter, but I'm confident in my own abilities!","Look around for an ally to fight Haruki. After all, this is a cutthroat competition and having someone on my side certainly wouldn't hurt!","Sure enough, Miyuki staggers away from the ring, clutching her head and groaning. Haruki swiftly pockets the coin and stares at you. ""You think you can beat me?"" | |
| You can see that Haruki is winded from the fight with Miyuki; he's breathing heavily, and there's a thin sheen of sweat on his face. You remember from your classes together that Haruki favors martial arts. His magic isn't as strong as he'd like it to be, so he relies on fast and aggressive moves to intimidate his opponents. You reason there's a good chance you can beat him, but you'll have to think fast to do it. | |
| Haruki takes a deep breath and makes a fist. He's going to make his first move any moment. What are you going to do?","Haruki rushes at you, ready to strike. You easily dodge, and find yourself with a momentary opening. If you knock him down, you have a chance to end the fight swiftly, but fighting hand-to-hand on the ground is very risky. If you use some magical trickery, you might be able to stay out of the fight long enough to have a more decisive victory. You could even try to combine the two, but dividing your energy is difficult. What do you do?", | |
| ninja,Blue Crane and,"['Blue Crane', 'Blue Crane and']",38,2847,"documentbeta_103,documentbeta_428,documentbeta_431,documentbeta_436,documentbeta_112,documentbeta_112,documentbeta_115,documentbeta_130,documentbeta_230,documentbeta_398,documentbeta_450,documentbeta_457,documentbeta_410,documentbeta_424,documentbeta_118,documentbeta_123,documentbeta_138,documentbeta_144,documentbeta_149,documentbeta_156,documentbeta_161,documentbeta_166,documentbeta_182,documentbeta_211,documentbeta_264,documentbeta_373,documentbeta_186,documentbeta_214,documentbeta_315,documentbeta_330,documentbeta_190,documentbeta_276,documentbeta_297,documentbeta_361,documentbeta_383,documentbeta_390,documentbeta_283,documentbeta_292","You set to work digging a trap, improvising a shovel from a large, flat rock you find off to the side of the road. It's hard, slow work, but at last your efforts pay off and you've created a fairly wide, shallow pit that should at least disable an enemy—provided they stumble into your trap. | |
| Several laborious hours later, your trap is hidden beneath leaves and branches from the nearby trees, with some sand spread across everything to make the road appear undisturbed. Now all you have to do is settle in and wait. You climb into one of the trees and disguise your presence as carefully as you can. | |
| Eventually, you hear the sound of two horses approaching. You angle your body so that you have a good view of the two paths. It seems that the messengers will arrive at almost exactly the same time, and if it works, your trap should disable both of them. | |
| One of the messengers stops just short of the copse of trees. You catch sight of a crane crest on his blue robes. He's making some sort of signal to the other messenger, who is about to reach your trap. Blue Crane isn't waving his hands, exactly, but the motion looks to you like ""stop!"" He may have discovered your trap, but you're not certain. What do you want to do?","You rush forward and attack Blue Crane, who seems unprepared for your ferocity. Pine Crest hastily dismounts and prepares to face you.","From Blue Crane's trembling grip on his sword, you can tell that he's afraid of you, and you press your advantage. Sure enough, he swings wide and leaves himself completely open to your attack. You manage to strike his temple and he sinks to the ground. | |
| Pine Crest hurries to attack you, but you're prepared for him and parry his strike easily. As the two of you trade blows, you quickly understand that even though Pine Crest is better armed, you're more skilled at martial arts. You're able to turn the momentum of his attack against him, catching his shoulder as he rushes towards you and throwing him to the ground. From there, it's relatively simple to get him in a choke hold, and he slumps into unconsciousness.","Blue Crane is definitely nervous, but he holds on to his sword and fights you for everything he's worth. You're about evenly matched when it comes to your fighting skills, but you're less distracted: Pine Crest begins to yell words of advice or encouragement, and in that moment, you're able to knock Blue Crane down with a blow to the head. | |
| Pine Crest attacks you next, but you easily evade him. He's not the best swordsman, not by a long shot, and you quickly discover that he always leaves his left side open. It's a simple matter to feint to the right and then attack him on his left. He collapses to the ground in a pool of blood and quickly lapses into unconsciousness.","You were right to wait—Pine Crest doesn't slow in time, and falls right into your trap! Blue Crane immediately dismounts to help him, and in the chaos, Blue Crane and Pine Crest's horses run away. You're in the perfect position to attack…or you could wait even more, to see what happens. What do you do?", | |
| ninja,Kazuki,['Kazuki'],36,2847,"graduationtest_116,graduationtest_120,graduationtest_124,graduationtest_166,graduationtest_497,graduationtest_129,graduationtest_460,graduationtest_465,graduationtest_481,graduationtest_132,graduationtest_137,graduationtest_742,graduationtest_747,graduationtest_840,graduationtest_766,graduationtest_844,graduationtest_782,graduationtest_797,graduationtest_723,graduationtest_720,graduationtest_961,graduationtest_990,graduationtest_869,graduationtest_976,graduationtest_997,graduationtest_1006,graduationtest_877,graduationtest_546,graduationtest_583,graduationtest_639,graduationtest_880,graduationtest_660,graduationtest_682,graduationtest_701,graduationtest_664,graduationtest_669","Make myself invisible! | |
| You mutter the necessary incantations, and invisibility settles over you like a soft eggshell. | |
| You make your way through the forest, listening to the sounds of fighting and scuffles around you. Soon, you come to the edge of a clearing, where you can see two of your classmates in battle. Kazuki and Sae are two of the best students in your group, and it's no surprise that they seem pretty well matched. Just as you're admiring their technique, though, you feel the invisibility drain away from you—making yourself stay invisible for a long time is a skill that you haven't had time to fully practice yet. You realize you'll have to decide what you want to do—and quickly—because they'll soon catch sight of you. You step behind a tree to observe more closely.","Create a smokescreen to baffle my opponents. | |
| You're not the only student to have this idea, and as you head into the forest, you catch glimpses of other mysterious patches of dense fog that have sprung up. | |
| You make your way through the forest, listening to the sounds of fighting and scuffles around you. Soon, you come to the edge of a clearing, where you can see two of your classmates in battle. Kazuki and Sae are two of the best students in your group, and it's no surprise that they seem pretty well-matched. Just as you're admiring their technique, though, you feel the fog dissipate—getting this particular spell to work for a long time is a skill that you haven't had time to fully practice yet. You realize you'll have to decide what you want to do—and quickly—because they'll soon catch sight of you. You step behind a tree to observe more closely.","Create a double of myself and send it ahead. | |
| Crafting a double of yourself takes work, but you're able to put together an appropriate copy of yourself and send it on ahead. | |
| Puppeting a copy so that it appears to be real is a difficult task. Even though it's basically a copy of you, you have to make sure it moves and reacts the way you do. You're so busy making sure that it's perfect that you almost don't notice you've stumbled across a fight over a coin. | |
| In the clearing ahead of you, two of the best students from your class, Kazuki and Sae, are fighting. They've not seen you (or your copy) yet, but when they do, you'll have to decide how you want to proceed. You could give up the magic and fight them without that drain on you, or you could send your double in to do the work. You could also retreat and find slightly less intimidating opponents.","You head in as fast as you can, throwing caution to the wind. The sooner you find a coin, the more time you'll have to decide what you want to do next, and how to get back to the teachers so they can declare you a winner! | |
| You rush into a clearing to find two of your classmates fighting over a coin: Kazuki and Sae are the top two students in the class, and now they're pausing mid-fight to stare at you. You remember that they're skilled at both martial arts and magic tricks, and if they were to team up against you, it could be really bad news. What do you want to do?","You watch the fight unfold between Kazuki and Sae. Sure enough, they're just as good as you remember—Kazuki is an excellent hand-to-hand fighter, but Sae counters with variations on tricks that you didn't think were possible. In the end, she manages to defeat him by creating a double of herself at exactly the right moment: while the copy keeps him occupied, she's able to sneak up behind him and knock him out. The copy vanishes, and with a triumphant smile, Sae stands up, brushing off her hands and looking very satisfied as she takes the coin from his pocket. | |
| What do you want to do now?", | |
| ninja,Togawa-san,"['Togawa', 'Togawa-san']",36,2847,"castleplan_811,castleplan_831,castleplan_856,castleplan_862,castleplan_992,castleplan_879,castleplan_934,castleplan_886,castleplan_909,castleplan_897,castleplan_903,castleplan_913,castleplan_925,castleplan_1095,castleplan_1380,castleplan_1332,castleplan_1157,castleplan_1213,castleplan_1220,castleplan_1239,castleplan_1296,castleplan_1305,castleplan_1335,castleplan_1345,castleplan_1357,castleplan_1366,castleplan_1388,castleplan_1396,castleplan_1273,castleplan_1167,castleplan_1178,castleplan_1185,castleplan_1270,castleplan_1291,castleplan_1370,castleplan_1281","Lord Sano greets you politely and introduces you to the leader of his samurai, Togawa. He looks at you a little warily, but he's cordial enough. | |
| ""We'll be escorting Lord Sano back to his home, and then departing with him for Lord Matsuya's castle in a few weeks. I'll be able to train you to blend in fairly well,"" he explains. | |
| There are several other samurai traveling with Lord Sano as well, and they give you the same attitude, gruff but eventually welcoming. As you travel along the road, Kenta strikes up a conversation with Togawa, while Maki walks along silently beside you. You could talk to one of the other samurai, or Maki, if you want to.","I give a noncommital answer and let him do the rest of the talking. Maybe I'll learn something useful. | |
| ""It's a nice place,"" you hedge, ""but not as nice as Lord Sano's castle."" | |
| Eikichi seems satisfied with your answer and starts to spin a tale he's heard from a friend's cousin's husband's aunt about a ninja from Kochi village who could fly like a hawk, and who killed three samurai without even looking at them. He's just getting to the part of the story where the ninja warrior dons a clever disguise to fool an evil fox spirit when Togawa interrupts, admonishing him to be quiet and do his job.","Yes; it is strange, although I might be over-reacting. I'll mention it to Maki, since she's closest to me. | |
| ""I heard that, too,"" she replies. ""I was just about to mention it to Togawa-san…"" | |
| Maki is interrupted by rustling in the trees up ahead. These aren't the sounds of a small animal; as the samurai around you draw their weapons, you quickly ascertain that you're about to face an enemy.","Yes. It's odd that it's so noticeable. I'll mention it directly to Togawa. | |
| You catch up with Togawa, who's at the front of the group. He looks around grimly and nods. ""We need to be ready for anything. Lord Sano, please stay in the center of the group."" | |
| Just then, there are rustling sounds in the trees around you. Looks like you're about to face an enemy!","No, it's probably just my imagination. I'll keep it to myself. | |
| You look around nervously, but can see nothing to back up your claim. Trying to ignore the lingering feeling that something is wrong, you press on with the rest of the group. | |
| Maki turns to you after a few more minutes, and it looks like she's about to say something, but she's interrupted as the bird calls are replaced with rustling sounds, signifying a large group of people. The samurai around you draw their swords and Togawa barks at Lord Sano to stay at the center of the group. Looks like you're going to have to fight!", | |
| ninja,Junpei,['Junpei'],33,2847,"jailbreak_284,jailbreak_566,jailbreak_879,jailbreak_886,jailbreak_893,jailbreak_807,jailbreak_817,jailbreak_974,jailbreak_427,jailbreak_787,jailbreak_162,jailbreak_598,jailbreak_1004,jailbreak_421,jailbreak_1174,jailbreak_780,jailbreak_1137,jailbreak_1197,jailbreak_912,jailbreak_842,jailbreak_1185,jailbreak_1192,jailbreak_1232,jailbreak_1247,jailbreak_1222,jailbreak_946,jailbreak_1238,jailbreak_535,jailbreak_1205,jailbreak_1151,jailbreak_1122,jailbreak_1158,jailbreak_530","You inspect the cell that holds you. It's filthy, with a tiny window at the top that is barely wide enough to put a hand through. Escaping that way probably isn't an option, at least in the current circumstance. | |
| The other three prisoners don't present much of an immediate threat, or at least they don't act as if they do. Any one of them could be a spy for Matsuya's guards, however, so you keep an eye on them all. Two of them, a man and a woman, are alert enough to stare at you fearfully, but the third one, a man, lies in an apparent drunken stupor off to one side of the cell. It's hard to guess which one of them makes the likeliest spy. | |
| From their worried talk, you quickly understand that Mei is the woman and Junpei is the man. The third one doesn't have a name—at least, the other two don't know it. | |
| Looking inward, you marshal your resources and knowledge. Although nothing around you is immediately usable as a weapon, that doesn't mean you can't construct one. You could also try listening to the guards and learning if Kenta and Maki are anywhere nearby; or you could try planning an escape yourself. What do you want to do?","After a moment of whispers, they nod to one another. The man gets to his feet, and bows shortly to you. ""Welcome to the legion of your fellow damned, then. We all are victims of Lord Matsuya's cruelty."" | |
| They introduce themselves. The man who bowed to you is Junpei, a rice merchant who is supposedly behind on his taxes, although he swears this is an excuse Matsuya's men concocted after he refused to pay them more than what he owed. Mei also is in prison for supposedly owing Lord Matsuya money (which she denies as well), and the man who doesn't rise to greet you is Ichinosuke, jailed for public inebriation. He doesn't move at all, even at his name, and Mei shakes her head. ""He's useless, that one."" | |
| Mei and Junpei have been imprisoned for about a week, and they ask longingly about what's happening on the outside. You invent some vague tales of life continuing as normal, and their expressions brighten considerably. | |
| ""I just want to get back to my family."" Mei doesn't cry, but her voice trembles with emotion. ""I don't know when that will happen.""","""Have you been here a week, too?"" you ask Mei. | |
| ""Yes. Not in this cell, and not with Junpei the whole time, but for about a week. At least, I think so. They move us around quite a bit, and I may have lost track of time."" | |
| ""I'm fairly certain it's been a week,"" Junpei adds. ""I've been trying to keep track of the sun, and seven days seems about right. Of course, Mei's right about our recent meeting. We were moved here just his morning, and this fellow—"" he points at the sleeping drunk, ""—was already here. Woke up just long enough to tell us his name, and to leave him alone.""","I'll pretend that I'm ignoring him just like the other two, but give some false information to see what happens. | |
| A very sneaky, ninja-like choice! | |
| You pitch your voice just a little louder than normal as you ask Junpei and Mei if they'd like to get out of the jail any time soon. They respond ecstatically, and you begin to talk about the friends who are going to break you out at any moment. | |
| Mei looks incredulously at you. ""Are you sure? How will they get out of here? Lord Matsuya's guards are very strong, and there are so many of them."" | |
| ""Don't worry about that,"" you pretend to brag. ""We have a secret weapon."" | |
| ""It had better be a pretty amazing secret weapon."" Junpei rolls his eyes. ""There are a lot of guards."" | |
| The man hasn't stirred yet, but his breathing has gotten quieter, and you're sure you're on the right track. You clear your throat and whisper, ""Lord Matsuya doesn't know that his palace has already been infiltrated by ninja, ninja more skillful than any of his guards. I have friends among them, and they're going to be here to rescue me at any moment. Just wait.""","Mei and Junpei look suitably impressed; as they pepper you with questions, you watch the sleeping man carefully. Sure enough, he starts to rise to his feet and pounds on the wall three times. | |
| You know a signal when you hear one. There's no time to cast a spell; you rush towards him, ready to attack! | |
| You recognize instantly that this is a man with formal fighting training. You can tell that he's not fighting seriously at first, instead trying to read your skill level and your actions; from his scarred face and torn ear, you realize this is a man who's been in many fights before. You could attack hard now, trying not to give him any opening, or you could hold yourself back and see what you can learn about his skills, in turn. Quick, which do you want to do?", | |
| ninja,Mei,['Mei'],33,2847,"jailbreak_284,jailbreak_566,jailbreak_879,jailbreak_886,jailbreak_893,jailbreak_807,jailbreak_817,jailbreak_974,jailbreak_427,jailbreak_787,jailbreak_162,jailbreak_598,jailbreak_1004,jailbreak_421,jailbreak_1174,jailbreak_780,jailbreak_1137,jailbreak_1197,jailbreak_912,jailbreak_842,jailbreak_1185,jailbreak_1192,jailbreak_1232,jailbreak_1247,jailbreak_1222,jailbreak_946,jailbreak_1238,jailbreak_535,jailbreak_1205,jailbreak_1151,jailbreak_1122,jailbreak_1158,jailbreak_530","You inspect the cell that holds you. It's filthy, with a tiny window at the top that is barely wide enough to put a hand through. Escaping that way probably isn't an option, at least in the current circumstance. | |
| The other three prisoners don't present much of an immediate threat, or at least they don't act as if they do. Any one of them could be a spy for Matsuya's guards, however, so you keep an eye on them all. Two of them, a man and a woman, are alert enough to stare at you fearfully, but the third one, a man, lies in an apparent drunken stupor off to one side of the cell. It's hard to guess which one of them makes the likeliest spy. | |
| From their worried talk, you quickly understand that Mei is the woman and Junpei is the man. The third one doesn't have a name—at least, the other two don't know it. | |
| Looking inward, you marshal your resources and knowledge. Although nothing around you is immediately usable as a weapon, that doesn't mean you can't construct one. You could also try listening to the guards and learning if Kenta and Maki are anywhere nearby; or you could try planning an escape yourself. What do you want to do?","After a moment of whispers, they nod to one another. The man gets to his feet, and bows shortly to you. ""Welcome to the legion of your fellow damned, then. We all are victims of Lord Matsuya's cruelty."" | |
| They introduce themselves. The man who bowed to you is Junpei, a rice merchant who is supposedly behind on his taxes, although he swears this is an excuse Matsuya's men concocted after he refused to pay them more than what he owed. Mei also is in prison for supposedly owing Lord Matsuya money (which she denies as well), and the man who doesn't rise to greet you is Ichinosuke, jailed for public inebriation. He doesn't move at all, even at his name, and Mei shakes her head. ""He's useless, that one."" | |
| Mei and Junpei have been imprisoned for about a week, and they ask longingly about what's happening on the outside. You invent some vague tales of life continuing as normal, and their expressions brighten considerably. | |
| ""I just want to get back to my family."" Mei doesn't cry, but her voice trembles with emotion. ""I don't know when that will happen.""","""Have you been here a week, too?"" you ask Mei. | |
| ""Yes. Not in this cell, and not with Junpei the whole time, but for about a week. At least, I think so. They move us around quite a bit, and I may have lost track of time."" | |
| ""I'm fairly certain it's been a week,"" Junpei adds. ""I've been trying to keep track of the sun, and seven days seems about right. Of course, Mei's right about our recent meeting. We were moved here just his morning, and this fellow—"" he points at the sleeping drunk, ""—was already here. Woke up just long enough to tell us his name, and to leave him alone.""","I'll pretend that I'm ignoring him just like the other two, but give some false information to see what happens. | |
| A very sneaky, ninja-like choice! | |
| You pitch your voice just a little louder than normal as you ask Junpei and Mei if they'd like to get out of the jail any time soon. They respond ecstatically, and you begin to talk about the friends who are going to break you out at any moment. | |
| Mei looks incredulously at you. ""Are you sure? How will they get out of here? Lord Matsuya's guards are very strong, and there are so many of them."" | |
| ""Don't worry about that,"" you pretend to brag. ""We have a secret weapon."" | |
| ""It had better be a pretty amazing secret weapon."" Junpei rolls his eyes. ""There are a lot of guards."" | |
| The man hasn't stirred yet, but his breathing has gotten quieter, and you're sure you're on the right track. You clear your throat and whisper, ""Lord Matsuya doesn't know that his palace has already been infiltrated by ninja, ninja more skillful than any of his guards. I have friends among them, and they're going to be here to rescue me at any moment. Just wait.""","Mei and Junpei look suitably impressed; as they pepper you with questions, you watch the sleeping man carefully. Sure enough, he starts to rise to his feet and pounds on the wall three times. | |
| You know a signal when you hear one. There's no time to cast a spell; you rush towards him, ready to attack! | |
| You recognize instantly that this is a man with formal fighting training. You can tell that he's not fighting seriously at first, instead trying to read your skill level and your actions; from his scarred face and torn ear, you realize this is a man who's been in many fights before. You could attack hard now, trying not to give him any opening, or you could hold yourself back and see what you can learn about his skills, in turn. Quick, which do you want to do?", | |
| ninja,Shinya,['Shinya'],26,2847,"castleplan_1015,castleplan_1056,castleplan_1108,castleplan_1116,castleplan_1143,castleplan_1199,castleplan_1208,castleplan_1252,castleplan_1126,castleplan_1148,castleplan_1153,castleplan_1157,castleplan_1213,castleplan_1220,castleplan_1239,castleplan_1290,castleplan_1296,castleplan_1305,castleplan_1273,castleplan_1167,castleplan_1178,castleplan_1185,castleplan_1227,castleplan_1270,castleplan_1291,castleplan_1234","The message reads, """"Well done! You handled the situation with the architect incredibly skillfully. The next leg of your journey will bring you to Lord Matsuya's castle. When you arrive there, do nothing, no matter how dire the situation seems. You won't be harmed, and you'll be contacted by myself or another follower about how to proceed from the inside. Along the way, if you encounter a man named Shinya, do nothing to hinder his work. Of course, Lord Matsuya's safety is paramount and you cannot complete your mission as you've been ordered. I'm also aware that you're probably wondering about the information regarding your parents. When we next meet—which will be soon—I'll share the information with you. This isn't a trick; it's something that I must share with you face-to-face rather than by writing due to its serious nature. I look forward to seeing you again. —Kaoru"" | |
| You idly roll the paper around in your hands as you think about what you just read.","The text inside is short: | |
| [i]You failed in your mission to kill the architect. Lord Matsuya is very dubious of your ability to operate functionally, and if you want to continue down this path, you had better show a sign of your good faith and competence, and quickly. When you arrive at Lord Matsuya's castle, do nothing, no matter how dire the circumstances seem. If you encounter a man called Shinya, do nothing to hinder his actions. You'll be contacted later with further instructions.[/i] | |
| [i]—Kaoru[/i] | |
| You twist the paper around in your hands as you think about what you just read.","After some discussion, the three of you come to an agreement. You'll all deliberately spread the same misinformation about your itinerary to Lord Matsuya's castle in a few weeks, and hope that this will trick the spy into making a mistake. | |
| It seems like a good plan, and you're all easily able to implement it. During the next few weeks, all three of you find yourselves with ample to time to talk to Lord Sano's men while you're helping fix the castle. Most of them are fairly receptive to your conversation about where you'll be in the convoy of troops, and even the ones who don't reply to your chatter are listening. | |
| By the time you depart, you're certain that the spy has heard of your plans, likely several times and from several sources. You're hopeful as the morning of the first day of the journey dawns. | |
| The journey is uneventful compared to the previous one; there are no gangs of bandits, and even Togawa appears to relax a little. The road to Lord Matsuya's palace is well-guarded, too, which helps everyone's sense of calm. | |
| During a break, you notice that one of the men, Shinya, is gone for an abnormally long time. You catch a glimpse of him speaking to one of the road guards. | |
| This is definitely suspicious behavior. Could he be the spy? What do you want to do about it?","I don't mention it to Maki and Kenta, and hope they haven't noticed him at all. | |
| Neither of them have, although they can't shake their suspicions that something's wrong. You pretend to commiserate with them, all the while keeping an eye on Shinya. He's not exactly stealthy or subtle, and sure enough, Maki and Kenta soon notice his behavior. | |
| ""You didn't notice him, Emiko?"" Kenta says in some consternation. ""I thought you were more observant than that.""","When Shinya returns to the rest of the group, you take him aside and ask what was happening. | |
| He looks at you suspiciously. ""My brother-in-law works for Lord Matsuya. I was just inquiring about his health. Is there some rule against that I didn't know about?"" | |
| How do you handle this response?", | |
| ninja,Mori-sensei,"['Mori-sensei', 'Mori']",23,2847,"graduationtest_89,graduationtest_67,graduationtest_67,graduationtest_1739,graduationtest_1980,graduationtest_1855,graduationtest_1858,graduationtest_1744,graduationtest_1746,graduationtest_1870,graduationtest_1882,graduationtest_1272,sanorescue_58,sanorescue_61,sanorescue_68,sanorescue_355,sanorescue_1109,architectbeta_812,architectbeta_817,architectbeta_754,castleplan_480,jailbreak_822,jailbreak_657","I'll ambush whoever it is. The element of surprise is on my side! | |
| You prepare yourself for an attack, but when you catch sight of the speakers, you pull back just in time: it's Mori-sensei and Sasaki-sensei, two of your toughest instructors! | |
| ""What are you doing here?"" Mori-sensei seems a bit surprised to see you, but you can tell from the small smile on her face that you've pleased her. ""You're the first student to try this area. Unfortunately, you're out of luck. No coins here."" | |
| ""Now, we're not supposed to help them too much."" Sasaki-sensei says, throwing his hands up in frustration. | |
| ""Sometimes, you get a break."" Mori-sensei says, shrugging off Sasaki-sensei's concern. ""Good luck."" | |
| You thank Mori-sensei and hurriedly leave the classrooms. It's great that she was so kind as to give you that information, but you've wasted precious time in the exam. What are you going to do now?","You easily find a hiding place behind one of many screens and listen carefully. It's two of the teachers, Mori-sensei and Sasaki-sensei. | |
| ""I hope none of the students try to hoard more coins than they need."" Mori-sensei says thoughtfully. ""That was an awful debacle last year, to have only four students pass out of eighteen."" | |
| ""Some of them are going to try it. I just hope they don't hurt each other too badly. The no-weapons rule is a good addition, but knowing this group, there will be some broken bones at the very least,"" Sasaki-sensei replies. | |
| ""As long as they don't bust up the classrooms, I'm happy. Good thing Hatsumi-sensei didn't ask us to hide anything here,"" Mori-sensei says, and laughs. They walk away, and you finally allow yourself to exhale. It's good that you found that information out, but frustrating that you just wasted a bit of your precious time. Where do you want to go now?","You easily find a hiding place behind one of many screens and listen carefully. It's two of the teachers, Mori-sensei and Sasaki-sensei. | |
| ""I hope none of the students try to hoard more coins than they need."" Mori-sensei says thoughtfully. ""That was an awful debacle last year, to have only four students pass out of eighteen."" | |
| ""Some of them are going to try it. I just hope they don't hurt each other too badly. The no-weapons rule is a good addition, but knowing this group, there will be some broken bones at the very least,"" Sasaki-sensei replies. | |
| ""As long as they don't bust up the classrooms, I'm happy. Good thing Hatsumi-sensei didn't ask us to hide anything here,"" Mori-sensei says, and laughs. They walk away, and you finally allow yourself to exhale. It's good that you found that information out, but frustrating that you just wasted a bit of your precious time. Where do you want to go now?","I'll pretend that I'm not actually taking the test, just on an errand for another teacher. | |
| ""Oh, Sugimoto-sensei, you scared me!"" You don't have to fake this emotion at all, but you make sure to keep your eyes wide and innocent as you continue, ""I'm not taking the test. Mori-sensei just asked me to deliver a message to Hatsumi-sensei."" | |
| ""Really?"" Sugimoto-sensei looks at you skeptically. ""What was the message?""","Hatsumi-sensei congratulates you himself, and then asks you to wait in the classrooms with the other students who've passed. As the minutes turn to hours, all of you get more and more anxious. It's a relief when one of the teachers appears and announces that the party will begin soon. A cheer goes up from the other students who have crowded around you. You're hoping that you'll be able to celebrate right away, but one of the teachers stops the students who've passed the test. ""Sorry, everyone, but there's some paperwork to be done. Girls, follow Mori-sensei to the left. Boys, follow Sasaki-sensei to the right."" Which way do you go?", | |
| ninja,Toshihiro Sonoda,"['Toshihiro Sonoda', 'Sonoda']",22,2847,"architectbeta_0,architectbeta_0,architectbeta_98,architectbeta_288,architectbeta_272,architectbeta_887,architectbeta_887,architectbeta_897,architectbeta_903,architectbeta_924,architectbeta_934,architectbeta_937,architectbeta_947,architectbeta_968,architectbeta_938,architectbeta_952,architectbeta_956,architectbeta_962,architectbeta_940,architectbeta_1082,architectbeta_1137,aftermath_157","As you're packing, Kenta knocks at your door. | |
| ""I have some more details about the mission. Apparently, our unstable architect is one Toshihiro Sonoda, who lives in Tanigawa territory."" | |
| ""That's a little more than a day's journey from here,"" you point out, remembering your geography. ""We should be able to arrive by nightfall tomorrow, if we leave now."" | |
| ""Yes. Unfortunately, I think the journey is going to be the easiest part. It seems that after he designed Lord Matsuya's castle, Sonoda was blacklisted from all government jobs."" Kenta continues, ""In fact, he was almost executed for his troubles. There were rumors spread about an assassination plot against Lord Matsuya, but Sonoda maintained his innocence, and was finally exiled in disgrace. He lives on a mountaintop in Tanigawa, and he's gained quite a reputation for trying to kill anyone and anything that comes near him. Hmm…perhaps I'd better bring extra shuriken. I'll be right back."" He hurries away. | |
| This is certainly interesting news. You've never gone on a mission like this before.","As you're packing, Kenta knocks at your door. | |
| ""I have some more details about the mission. Apparently, our unstable architect is one Toshihiro Sonoda, who lives in Tanigawa territory."" | |
| ""That's a little more than a day's journey from here,"" you point out, remembering your geography. ""We should be able to arrive by nightfall tomorrow, if we leave now."" | |
| ""Yes. Unfortunately, I think the journey is going to be the easiest part. It seems that after he designed Lord Matsuya's castle, Sonoda was blacklisted from all government jobs."" Kenta continues, ""In fact, he was almost executed for his troubles. There were rumors spread about an assassination plot against Lord Matsuya, but Sonoda maintained his innocence, and was finally exiled in disgrace. He lives on a mountaintop in Tanigawa, and he's gained quite a reputation for trying to kill anyone and anything that comes near him. Hmm…perhaps I'd better bring extra shuriken. I'll be right back."" He hurries away. | |
| This is certainly interesting news. You've never gone on a mission like this before.","By traveling all night and into the morning, you and Kenta finally arrive at your destination, a valley in the center of Tanigawa prefecture. Reaching it involves a steep climb over some inhospitable rocks, and when you cross over to the other side, you're rewarded with a beautiful sight of a steep valley covered in pine and gingko trees, with a river flowing steadily through the lowest point. If you weren't on a mission, you'd be tempted to admire the scenery around you; it reminds you of some of the artwork inside the teachers' rooms back in Kochi. But there's work to be done, and you admonish yourself to pay attention. | |
| You and Kenta find a hidden vantage point in the trees, and Kenta motions at a barely visible building on the other side of the valley. ""That has to be it. I have to hand it to him: crazy or not, the man knows how to build a house with a good defense. Sneaking up on it will be very difficult."" | |
| It's true—Sonoda's house almost blends in perfectly with the surrounding landscape, and it's built against a high hill, so that, effectively, there's no way to sneak in through a back entrance. It's as if the occupant of the house has arranged the view so that he always has his back to the wall.","I'm not sure. Let's plan some more before we make a decision. | |
| ""See, I think we'll be able to plan better when we know the lay of the land,"" Kenta explains. ""I'm positive there are other people here who are interested in Sonoda, and we need to find out how many of them there are instead of running blindly towards the danger. You're a good scout, right? You take the west, and I'll take the east. We'll split up and reconnect when we know more.""","""I'll do as you ask, but if I don't receive the information you were speaking about…"" | |
| ""Of course. When I see Sonoda's body, I'll arrange to have the information delivered to you as quickly as possible. You have my word."" | |
| ""Then we can proceed,"" you answer.", | |
| ninja,Lady Yuno,"['Lady Yuno', 'Yuno']",16,2847,"documentbeta_72,documentbeta_513,documentbeta_524,documentbeta_542,castleplan_329,castleplan_478,castleplan_480,castleplan_805,castleplan_500,castleplan_580,castleplan_687,castleplan_756,castleplan_761,castleplan_714,castleplan_732,castleplan_745","I want to know what famous people they've met. | |
| Apparently, quite a few: they've seen a performance by Lady Yuno's kabuki troupe (you have no idea who this is, but you smile and nod, hoping you're playing along correctly), dined at the Shirobeko restaurant (again, it's a first for you, but you act as if you're jealous and the monks look incredibly pleased with themselves), and visited Lord Sano's territory. | |
| At the mention of Lord Sano's name, your ears perk up. You ask what sort of person he is, and the monks quickly lay out a detailed impression: he's a kind, honorable person whose prefecture is desperately in need of money. Lord Sano means well, but he's not equipped to deal with all of the challenges he's facing. | |
| Before you can ask more questions, though, the time comes for you to go your own way. The monks wish you good fortune as you leave.","All this political talk is depressing. I want to know if they've met famous people or gone anywhere interesting during their travels. | |
| Apparently, it's been quite a journey: they've seen a performance by Lady Yuno's kabuki troupe—you have no idea who this is, but you smile and nod, hoping you're playing along correctly; dined at the Shirobeko restaurant—again, it's a first for you, but you act as if you're jealous and the monks look incredibly pleased with themselves; and visited shrine to Inari-sama—where they had excellent rice. The talk devolves into travel adventures, and becomes significantly less useful to you.","I change the subject; I want to know if they've met famous people or gone anywhere interesting during their travels. | |
| Apparently, it's been quite a journey: they've seen a performance by Lady Yuno's kabuki troupe—you have no idea who this is, but you smile and nod, hoping you're playing along correctly; dined at the Shirobeko restaurant—again, it's a first for you, but you act as if you're jealous and the monks look incredibly pleased with themselves; and visited shrine to Inari-sama—where they had excellent rice. The talk devolves into travel adventures, and becomes significantly less useful to you.","All this political talk is depressing. I want to know if they've met famous people or gone anywhere interesting during their travels. | |
| Apparently, it's been quite a journey: they've seen a performance by Lady Yuno's kabuki troupe—you have no idea who this is, but you smile and nod, hoping you're playing along correctly; dined at the Shirobeko restaurant—again, it's a first for you, but you act as if you're jealous and the monks look incredibly pleased with themselves; and visited shrine to Inari-sama—where they had excellent rice. The talk devolves into travel adventures, and becomes significantly less useful to you.","You hastily gather your weapons and join Kenta and Maki at the edge of the village near the road, where Hatsumi-sensei is waiting. Beside your teacher is a much older woman who stands imperious and tall. Her fine kimono and elaborately coiffed hair suggest that she's a person of wealth and means. | |
| ""Really, Hatsumi-san, this is what you give me to work with?"" She stares at the three of you, barely concealing a look of disgust. | |
| ""I assure you, Yuno-dono, these three are some of my best recruits,"" Hatsumi-sensei says. ""I trust you'll be able to find places for all of them?"" | |
| ""If I must,"" Lady Yuno replies. ""Come with me."" She gestures towards a caravan in the far distance. You're not sure how she manages to do it, but Yuno-dono walks quickly and confidently despite her elegant kimono. Hatsumi-sensei nods at you, and you realize this might be the last time you see your village. Then Kenta calls to you, and you rush to catch up.", | |
| ninja,Emiko-sensei,['Emiko-sensei'],15,2847,"teachingchallenge_2,teachingchallenge_27,teachingchallenge_32,teachingchallenge_67,teachingchallenge_114,teachingchallenge_191,teachingchallenge_70,teachingchallenge_91,teachingchallenge_136,teachingchallenge_215,teachingchallenge_228,teachingchallenge_280,teachingchallenge_262,teachingchallenge_268,architectbeta_7","The morning after you return, you find yourself standing in the middle of one of the training fields, surrounded by a bunch of sleepy-looking students and a few equally exhausted teachers. | |
| ""Hey, Emiko!"" someone calls. You turn around to see one of your classmates, Kenta, joining you on the field. ""Heard you were back in one piece!"" | |
| You shake his hand and find yourself smiling in return at the sight of a familiar companion. Kenta was one of the most popular people in the school, and for good reason: his easygoing manner put everyone in a good mood, no matter how serious or dull the lesson. It also helped that he was a good student, and very proficient in martial arts. You never once saw him act arrogantly, though, and he often went out of his way to help those at risk of falling behind. Working with him should have its advantages. | |
| Hatsumi-sensei arrives moments later, before Kenta can ask you to relate your adventures so far. The murmuring around you stops, too, as students snap to attention and the teachers put down their cups of tea. | |
| ""It's good to see so many of you here,"" Hatsumi-sensei smiles kindly, ""and it's especially good that today we have two ninja who can give us their unique perspective, since they've both returned from successful missions in the field. These two are fine examples of ninja who use their skills well and carefully. Thanks to their efforts, there's more renown for Kochi Village than ever. Kenta-sensei and Emiko-sensei, please step forward."" | |
| There's a loud round of applause. Kenta smiles and nods, but you… well, how do you feel about it?","You step up to the front of the group, surveying your charges. The students regard you expectantly, although there are some in the back who are making a lot of noise. Kenta starts to make his way over and the noise subsides. You clear your throat and begin to speak. | |
| ""Creating doubles is easy if you're able to concentrate on the thing or person you want to duplicate. The trick with a human double is to puppet it well. You have to divide your energy between yourself and however many doubles you've managed to produce."" The teachers who are standing at the back of the ground look pleased with your explanation. As you pause for a moment, Kenta stands up to join you. | |
| He says, ""Emiko-sensei is right. It just takes practice. Everyone, create a copy of yourself and try making it move."" | |
| General chaos follows. The students have varying levels of skill, and you find yourself moving from group to group, trying to help those who are falling behind. One of the groups stops and stares at you and you hear someone whisper, ""Hey, it's Emiko-sensei!""","The students are clearly in awe of you. One, a boy with spiky hair and mismatched tabi socks, asks, ""Emiko-sensei, is it true you killed three enemies in one fight, and not one of them heard you coming?""","If you didn't know better, you'd swear the students are a little scared of you. A few of them hang back, muttering and whispering, and finally, they push one boy forward. He nervously says, ""Emiko-sensei, I heard you slit four targets' throats while they slept. Did you really do that?""","I'll make my way towards the back, hoping that my presence is enough to diffuse the situation. | |
| Mostly, it is; the rowdy kids quiet down and pay attention to what Kenta's saying, although there are still some bored whispers. There's one kid in the back, a forlorn-looking girl, who stands apart from the group. When it's time to create a double, she looks plaintively at you. ""Emiko-sensei, I don't understand."" | |
| ""Concentrate on the thing you want to make a double of,"" you suggest. ""The key to success with doubles is being familiar with them. That's why it's easier to create a double of yourself than someone else—you know yourself better than another person does."" | |
| The student frowns and closes her eyes. In front of her, a wobbly-looking copy of herself appears, but it's missing its arms. One of the other students sees what's happening and says loudly, ""Always-fail Haru-chan fumbles again!"" The little girl's illusion vanishes and you can see her eyes filling with tears. Quick, do something!", | |
| ninja,Morimoto-sensei,"['Morimoto-sensei', 'Morimoto']",12,2847,"graduationtest_188,graduationtest_734,graduationtest_1895,graduationtest_1899,graduationtest_1900,graduationtest_1909,graduationtest_1912,graduationtest_1905,graduationtest_2227,documentbeta_171,castleplan_76,castleplan_76","That depends—what did I learn in class about this particular scenario? | |
| Good thinking! You recall Morimoto-sensei always urging you as students to be cautious. ""The best ninja are those who don't rush heedlessly towards the danger.""","Hhmm. What would my teachers do in this situation? | |
| Good thinking. You recall Morimoto-sensei urging caution in any situation. ""The best ninja are those who are never seen.""","You start to make your way through the village to the clearing where your goal is. You're just settling into your stride when another teacher, Morimoto-sensei, catches up with you. ""Good afternoon, Kato-sensei. Are you well?"" | |
| Quick, how do you respond?",I don't say anything. Maybe Morimoto-sensei will hold up her end of the conversation without me?,"Morimoto-sensei is silent for a moment, and walks along with you. You're getting closer and closer to your goal; you can see the table where the pottery bowl is now. | |
| ""Are you certain you're feeling like yourself, Kato-sensei? You're acting strangely, and it looks like you dressed in the dark."" Morimoto-sensei's voice is light and amused, but there's a note of serious concern behind it. What are you going to do?", | |
| ninja,Miyuki,['Miyuki'],11,2847,"graduationtest_39,graduationtest_1315,graduationtest_1046,graduationtest_1053,graduationtest_1122,graduationtest_1057,graduationtest_1071,graduationtest_1088,graduationtest_1074,graduationtest_1414,graduationtest_1436","You catch sight of your classmates Haruki and Miyuki battling over a coin in the middle of the training area, a wide, flat space that's filled with smooth sand. You've practiced there many times in the past. | |
| You see that Miyuki's fighting hard, but her ninjitsu is no match for Haruki's martial arts skills. He moves so fast that you can barely see his fists. In a second, he'll defeat Miyuki. What are you going to do?","Sure enough, Miyuki staggers away from the ring, clutching her head and groaning. Haruki swiftly pockets the coin and stares at you. ""You think you can beat me?"" | |
| You can see that Haruki is winded from the fight with Miyuki; he's breathing heavily, and there's a thin sheen of sweat on his face. You remember from your classes together that Haruki favors martial arts. His magic isn't as strong as he'd like it to be, so he relies on fast and aggressive moves to intimidate his opponents. You reason there's a good chance you can beat him, but you'll have to think fast to do it. | |
| Haruki takes a deep breath and makes a fist. He's going to make his first move any moment. What are you going to do?","You and Yuka cautiously approach the training ring. You can see that a fight is in progress, and you recognize the two combatants: they're Haruki and Miyuki. From what you remember, Haruki is one of the toughest to beat in martial arts practice during classes, and it's clear that he's a clever opponent. You can also see that he's tucked a coin into his back pocket. Neither of them appears to notice the two of you approaching. Yuka glances at you and whispers, ""It would probably be better if we separate and try to take advantage of our numbers."" How do you answer her?","I tell her to sneak around while I enter the fight. | |
| You've barely finished speaking when you notice that Yuka's already gone. She's left no trace behind, a skill that many of the other students envy. | |
| In the meantime, Haruki has handily won the fight and is watching Miyuki stagger away from the ring, ignoring the invectives that she mutters at him. You have just enough time to either work some magic or attack him head-on. Which do you want to do?","You double back on your path and circle around to approach the training ring from another angle. You hear Miyuki leaving the ring and her muttered curses at Haruki reveal that she has lost, and she's not happy about it. On the other side of the training ring, there's a small grove of trees, and you hide there, waiting to see what Yuka decides to do. Or you could make the first move yourself.", | |
| ninja,Lady Hidenuma,"['Hidenuma', 'Lady Hidenuma']",10,2847,"sanorescue_180,sanorescue_186,sanorescue_189,sanorescue_199,sanorescue_203,sanorescue_237,sanorescue_1330,sanorescue_1374,sanorescue_723,sanorescue_1019","The guards at the gates barely glance at the papers you hold out to them; they make you wait while they call an official to deal with you. Some time later (the horses have gotten quite restless, and you have to admit you're feeling rather restless yourself), a harried-looking man appears and introduces himself. | |
| ""Sorry to keep you waiting. We've been quite busy around here lately, and not enough people to do all the work; my apologies. My name is Hidenuma. Let me have someone attend to your horses."" He barks a command at a passing stable hand, who nods and runs off. | |
| When Hidenuma turns to face you again, you make your introductions—using assumed names, of course. Hidenuma nods politely and makes a perfunctory check of your papers, but you can tell his concentration is elsewhere, and the moment you stop speaking, he's already talking to someone else, giving orders to another palace worker who scurries off to carry them out. Maki makes the slightest nod to you and glides away, presumably to find out as much information as she can. | |
| Now you're in a quandary: you need to talk to other people, but the question is, who? Hidenuma is on the verge of departing, but you could stop him to ask questions. Nearby, you also spot another group of well-dressed people standing next to carts full of supplies. You could also speak to a passing servant—if you can make one of them stop long enough. You spot a servant at a nearby booth selling paper, as well as a woman with a water jar making her way through the crowd. What are you going to do?","I'll talk to Hidenuma before he leaves. | |
| You catch up with him just as he finishes ordering another servant to a task. He stares at you, distracted. ""Yes, what is it?"" You only have a moment to speak. What are you going to ask?","""Might I be able to speak with the lord of this palace? I have an important question for him."" | |
| Hidenuma blinks in surprise at your question. ""My Lord is extremely busy at this time. However, if you are able to stay for the evening meal, he might be able to speak with you then."" | |
| Before you can ask any further questions, he's gone. Unfortunately, now you're back at square one. Who do you want to talk to now?","""Have you seen any of Lord Matsuya's men in the area lately?"" | |
| Hidenuma seems thrown off by your question. ""We see a lot of troops in this area. I'm sure Lord Matsuya's men have been among them, but I cannot tell you any specifics. Now, if you'll excuse me…"" He hurries off before you can ask any other questions. | |
| That seemed very suspicious. You could follow him, but you'll have to hurry if you want to do that. The alternative is to try talking with the other people in the courtyard. What do you want to do?","I'll follow him. | |
| You follow Hidenuma as surreptitiously as you can. It's a little difficult in your hakama; you do stand out like a sore thumb when you go to areas where there are no other merchants. However, you do discover that Hidenuma doesn't appear to be engaging in any plotting or sneaking. Instead, his time is taken up coordinating plans with various servants and merchants. The talk you overhear is mostly very dull and mundane, like the plans for dinner, or Lord Kage's preferences for who should sit near him. | |
| You start to wonder if you should try something else. What do you want to do?", | |
| ninja,Yamato,['Yamato'],9,2847,"sanorescue_488,sanorescue_526,sanorescue_564,sanorescue_588,sanorescue_567,sanorescue_573,sanorescue_499,sanorescue_505,sanorescue_511","Your booth seems to be doing fairly well; the cloth that the Kochi village instructors provided to you really is of very high quality. | |
| One of the customers is another lord; or at least, he acts like one, ordering his servant to bring him various samples. When he discovers that you don't have a servant of your own, he looks very suspiciously down his nose at you. | |
| You make some excuse about good help being hard to find, and he laughs. He's easily distracted by another roll of fabric, and you find that once you compliment his fine robes and good taste, he loosens up a bit. ""My name is Yamato. Haven't seen you here before."" | |
| You make a noncommittal statement about business taking up a lot of your time, and he quickly nods. ""Of course. If you don't take proper care of your own affairs, there's no telling what might happen. Why, I was just telling Lord Kage the same thing the other day!"" | |
| He looks expectantly at you as he mentions the name. Clearly, you're meant to ask him something here. But what?","""It must be nice to have such influential friends."" | |
| Yamato looks very pleased with your response. ""Well, it's just a matter of being smart about who you associate with, and making the right choices. Going against the wrong player could get you into a sticky situation. I just observe the political game, I try to stay out of it."" How do you respond?","""What line of business are you in that you know so many important people?"" | |
| Yamato smiles in pleasure at your flattery. ""I do a lot of things. Mostly helping out friends when there's trouble. Lord Kage and I have known each other for quite some time."" There's something strange about your interaction with Yamato, but you can't quite put your finger on it.","I nod, but I don't ask him anything. Pointless flattery doesn't really matter to me. | |
| The silence quickly grows awkward and Yamato seems frustrated. ""Well, you'll no doubt meet my good friend Lord Kage at dinner. The food here is excellent. Just don't wander off during the meal. Lord Kage is very secretive about this castle, and he doesn't take kindly to newcomers trying to sneak around."" | |
| He leaves without buying anything, although that doesn't really matter. | |
| A few more people come by the booth, but none of them have anything especially helpful or interesting to say. You're beginning to doubt your choice when you notice a group of rich-looking merchants nearby. It looks like they're eager to talk.","I think he's lying about who he really is. He might even be another ninja on a mission, like me! | |
| ""The political game is a tricky one,"" Yamato opines. ""It's good to have connections, even when those connections are engaging in wars for the leadership of the country. But that's of no consequence, right? I'm sure we'll meet again soon."" | |
| He walks away, barking at his servant to follow him. It's hard to tell what he really meant.", | |
| ninja,Sato-sensei,['Sato-sensei'],8,2847,"graduationtest_1822,graduationtest_1858,graduationtest_1870,graduationtest_1831,graduationtest_1864,graduationtest_1877,graduationtest_1843,graduationtest_1850","Hatsumi-sensei! After all, he's in charge of the test and can come and go when he likes. | |
| Concentrating furiously, you start with Hatsumi-sensei's uniform, which is a dark gray like all the other teachers', but with a blue sash instead of a green one. Then you mimic his face as best as possible, starting with his lined forehead and moving down to his slightly crooked nose. By the time you're done, you're fairly sure you could be his double. | |
| Once your disguise is in place, you set off down the main pathway towards the exam area. Right away, people start to notice you, and call out greetings. | |
| One of the teachers catches up to you. ""Hatsumi-sensei, I thought you were helping do the final sweep of the forest!"" | |
| You recognize him as Sato-sensei, one of the first-year teachers. He's looking at you expectantly. How do you answer him?","Disguise in place, you start to walk through the buildings towards the clearing where the final part of the test is. People pass by you, but no one seems to notice anything out of the ordinary about you. It looks like your magic is working. | |
| You come to the edge of the buildings to see a large clearing in front of the classrooms and banquet area. There are a group of teachers standing around next to the table with the pottery bowl, so you'll have to get through them no matter what. You're about to take a step in that direction when you hear someone coming up behind you. You turn to see Sato-sensei, one of the first-year teachers. ""Oh, hello, Mori-sensei. I didn't expect to see you here."" | |
| Uh oh. Now is the time when your skills are really being tested. How do you respond?","I do my best imitation of Mori-sensei and answer him. | |
| ""I'm fine, thank you,"" you reply, hoping that your voice doesn't sound too strange. | |
| Sato-sensei looks at you in concern. ""Mori-sensei, did you catch a cold? You sound awful."" | |
| Now what?","Sato-sensei looks at you curiously. ""Forgive me, Hatsumi-sensei, but are you well? Your voice sounds…you don't sound like yourself."" | |
| That's not good. Maybe he's seen through your disguise and you should get away from him quickly! Or maybe you should try to bluff your way through any confusion. What do you want to do?","You rush forwards, ignoring Sato-sensei's question. Behind him, you hear a surprised yell, and some of the teachers look up from their talk to stare at you. | |
| But there's no time to reconsider what you're doing, and on sheer speed alone, you reach the table and drop your coin into the pottery bowl, where it lands with a very satisfying plinking noise. Success! | |
| The other teachers catch up with you as you drop your disguise and murmur words of congratulations. Sato-sensei comes to join you and shake your hand. ""A little rough around the edges, but you improvised, and that's what's important."" Coming from him, this is high praise. Well done!", | |
| ninja,Eikichi,['Eikichi'],7,2847,"castleplan_816,castleplan_821,castleplan_824,castleplan_831,castleplan_838,castleplan_842,castleplan_1126","I'll talk to one of the other samurai. | |
| The samurai nearest you, Eikichi, is eager to talk. He's younger than the others, and he doesn't seem to understand the hierarchy around him yet. | |
| ""What sort of a place is Kochi village?"" he asks, adding, ""I've only been to Lord Sano's castle. My parents live nearby, and since my father retired, I've taken his place in Lord Sano's guard."" | |
| How do you answer this question?","I realize that instead of gossiping, we should be listening to what's happening around us. I mention this gently, without reprimanding him. | |
| ""My apologies."" Eikichi looks chagrined. ""I had just heard that Kochi Village was the most famous, I mean, um, famous for some strange things.""","I boast of the village's renown, hinting at my true identity. After all, if he's easily impressed, maybe I can get him to do things for me. | |
| ""Kochi is famous for good reason,"" you boldly reply. ""The best ninja are trained there."" | |
| ""Really?"" Eikichi stares at you worshipfully. | |
| Just then, Kenta catches up to you and grabs your arm. ""Emiko-san, what are you thinking?!"" he whispers. ""Are you deliberately trying to blow our cover? Just do your job and don't spread gossip and rumors!"" | |
| You're about to protest that part of your job is spreading gossip and rumors, but Kenta moves on before you can finish the conversation.","I give a noncommital answer and let him do the rest of the talking. Maybe I'll learn something useful. | |
| ""It's a nice place,"" you hedge, ""but not as nice as Lord Sano's castle."" | |
| Eikichi seems satisfied with your answer and starts to spin a tale he's heard from a friend's cousin's husband's aunt about a ninja from Kochi village who could fly like a hawk, and who killed three samurai without even looking at them. He's just getting to the part of the story where the ninja warrior dons a clever disguise to fool an evil fox spirit when Togawa interrupts, admonishing him to be quiet and do his job.","Yes, yes I am. | |
| ""Oh. Oh!"" For a second, Eikichi looks as young as you suspect he really is, barely old enough to handle the swords he carries. He stares at you, awestruck, and you start to feel uncomfortable. | |
| ""Better get back to watching the road around us, hm?"" you say, and he nods enthusiastically.", | |
| ninja,Kato-sensei,['Kato-sensei'],7,2847,"graduationtest_1892,graduationtest_1895,graduationtest_1915,graduationtest_1918,graduationtest_1900,graduationtest_1912,castleplan_86","I'm really worried about getting caught. Perhaps one of the teachers who's on a mission right now? | |
| Thinking quickly, you remember that Kato-sensei, the grammar and etiquette teacher, isn't in town today, on a short trip to pick up writing supplies in the next village over. As long as you can think of a convincing excuse as to why ""she"" has returned, there's no risk of running into your opposite number. | |
| Carefully, you build your illusion from the ground up. You change from the gray teacher's uniform, because Kato-sensei always wears fine kimonos, which makes her stand out from the rest of the teachers. You try to create a pattern that's elegant but not too bright. After some work, you're fairly sure that you've mimicked her sharp facial features, too. Now, there's only one way to find out.","You start to make your way through the village to the clearing where your goal is. You're just settling into your stride when another teacher, Morimoto-sensei, catches up with you. ""Good afternoon, Kato-sensei. Are you well?"" | |
| Quick, how do you respond?","I pretend I didn't hear what she said and ask a question instead, about the test. | |
| ""How's the test going? Any promising recruits?"" you ask, in what you hope is Kato-sensei's voice.","I'll simply answer her question and hope for the best. | |
| ""I'm well, thank you,"" you reply, in the most polite tones that you can manage, hoping that you've mimicked Kato-sensei's voice properly.","Morimoto-sensei is silent for a moment, and walks along with you. You're getting closer and closer to your goal; you can see the table where the pottery bowl is now. | |
| ""Are you certain you're feeling like yourself, Kato-sensei? You're acting strangely, and it looks like you dressed in the dark."" Morimoto-sensei's voice is light and amused, but there's a note of serious concern behind it. What are you going to do?", | |
| ninja,Lady Murasaki,"['Lady Murasaki', 'Murasaki']",7,2847,"sanorescue_961,sanorescue_1002,sanorescue_723,sanorescue_1013,sanorescue_1019,sanorescue_1026,sanorescue_981","You're just about to open the closest sliding door when an older, haughty-looking woman steps out and fixes you with an appraising glance. You're just about to come up with a reason you're there when she interrupts your thoughts and says, ""You'll do."" | |
| ""Lady Murasaki has been waiting for her new lady-in-waiting all morning long,"" the woman continues. ""Go and help her. We'll ignore your tardiness this time."" | |
| You realize that this is the moment to correct her if you don't want to be thought of as just another lady-in-waiting. On the one hand, you could try getting information from this woman, but on the other, you might learn something if you go along with her mistaken assumption. What do you want to do?","I'll go along with the mistake and see what I can find out. | |
| ""I apologize for my lateness,"" you murmur, bowing politely. ""I got lost. This castle is confusing."" | |
| The woman looks down her nose at you. ""See that it doesn't happen again. Lady Murasaki is in the music room at the end of the hall."" She motions in the direction you're clearly meant to go, and hurries back towards the exit. | |
| As you make your way through the passage, you can't help but notice the opulence of your surroundings. There's a pleasant smell of sandalwood in the air, and it almost masks the smell of new wood. The paint on the beautiful screens and wall hangings is brand new, too. It seems that Lord Kage really has refurbished the palace buildings recently. | |
| Down the hall, you hear the twanging sounds of something that barely sounds like music coming from the end of the hall. As you approach the screen, it's suddenly opened by a tired-looking woman. She bows low and slides the screen shut behind her. Seeing you, she whispers, ""That girl is unteachable!"" and scurries away. | |
| You take a deep breath and slide the screen open, thanking your lucky stars that your kunoichi lessons included some kind of etiquette, so that you know how low to bow. The young woman inside the room is evidently of noble birth, as her fine kimono and elaborately styled hair suggest, but she doesn't act like a noblewoman. The source of the sour notes is immediately clear as you spy a koto, its strings rather loose, shoved to one side of the room. The woman is playing with a small black and white kitten, and when she sees you, she looks puzzled. | |
| ""Who are you? Is it more lessons? I'm so tired of them!"" | |
| ""No more lessons,"" you smile reassuringly. ""I'm only here to keep you company."" | |
| ""Oh, good!"" She brightens up. ""I know I'm supposed to become skilled at manners and music and things, but I'm no good at any of them. And the lessons are so boring! I wish I had never had to come here!"" | |
| For a moment, her eyes fill with tears, but then she wipes them away and distracts herself with the kitten. You have a chance to ask a question now, but you know you're going to have to be careful what you ask—if she starts to cry, it might be hard to make her stop.","Just then, a servant runs up to the man you're speaking with and whispers something in his ear. The chef sighs. ""Tell Lady Hidenuma that I'm unable to make the chestnut rice our young guest requests, but that I can make almost anything else his heart desires. And while you're headed back to the east wing, please take the sweets that Lady Murasaki asked for."" | |
| You think quickly; you know that chestnut rice is a specialty of Lord Sano's territory, and you're certain you're on the right track. You're just about to ask another question when the servant stammers, ""But I don't know which room to go to!"" | |
| ""East wing, second floor, overlooking the courtyard,"" the chef patiently answers. | |
| The chef turns his attention back to you as the servant hurriedly departs. ""Now, what was it you wanted?"" | |
| You hastily concoct an excuse about being hungry and end up with some freshly made rice paste cakes as a snack. Heading back to your merchant's booth in the market, you congratulate yourself on your success.","I'll ask her when she came here. | |
| ""A few months ago."" She looks wistfully out the window. ""I didn't want to go, but my parents made it clear that I had no choice."" | |
| She looks away for a moment and then she starts to weep in earnest. Too late, you realize you've set her off. All the soothing words you have don't work, and a moment later, you hear hurried footsteps coming to the door. | |
| The haughty-looking woman from earlier is furious, even though she bows politely before she enters. ""Lady Murasaki, what on earth is the matter?"" | |
| Between the two of you, you're finally able to calm the young woman down, but it certainly takes a while. The haughty-looking woman finally sends you away to find some sort of sweet snack, and you can tell from her expression that if you were actually an employee, you ought to be a little afraid for your future. Luckily, you have no intention of returning to face her, and now you have the chance to explore the other side of the second floor.","I'll ask her what she'd rather be doing instead. | |
| ""Anything!"" she exclaims. ""I'd like to go outside and see the market! Or talk to someone else besides teachers and servants. I'd even play with that little boy, Ryousei, again."" | |
| Trying not to sound too eager, you ask about Ryousei. ""He came here about a week ago,"" she says. ""He was very scared. We realized that the same thing had happened to us. I tried to cheer him up, but I haven't seen him again since. Lady Hidenuma says he's staying near Lord Kage's quarters, and that nice young ladies like me shouldn't waste time with children when there are lessons to be learned."" | |
| ""It sounds like you were very kind to him,"" you say, keeping your excitement to yourself. This is the most concrete information you've gotten so far. | |
| ""I can't stand to a see a little boy cry. It makes me think of my younger brother."" She suddenly looks curiously at you. ""They've never sent anyone to just keep me company before. Are you really just here for that?"" | |
| You assure her that's all you're meant to do, while you frantically think of an excuse to leave, so that you can use the information you've just gotten. After a few more minutes of chatter, Murasaki announces that she's hungry, and you're dispatched to find a snack that you have no intention of delivering. You head towards the other side of the second floor.", | |
| ninja,Ryousei,['Ryousei'],7,2847,"sanorescue_101,sanorescue_118,sanorescue_143,sanorescue_160,sanorescue_1991,sanorescue_1019,aftermath_226","""That's fine,"" Maki says. ""I'll do the scouting while you give me cover. We're trying to discover where in the castle they're hiding Ryousei. I'll see if I can pinpoint the location, and we'll meet up again when the market is over at the end of the day."" | |
| You nod in agreement and then Maki has to concentrate on convincing the horses not to run the cart off the road such that all your cabbages roll over the sides (again). But, of course, you're really planning what you'll do when you're at the castle. What are you thinking about the most?","""That's a good plan,"" Maki agrees. ""We're trying to find out where they're keeping Ryousei, so I'll try to get as much information from the staff as I can. We'll meet up again when the market is over."" | |
| You nod in agreement and a peaceful silence settles around you, broken only by the thumping of the cabbages in the back of the cart. Selling these vegetables is part of your disguise, but that's only one of the plans you need to make for your arrival. What are you concentrating on most of all?","""We can make this work,"" Maki nods. ""We're trying to find any evidence of Ryousei's whereabouts in the castle. I'll try to find out what I can from the servants, maybe strike out on my own, if the opportunity arises. We'll meet up during dinner—they're bound to invite us to stay."" | |
| You acquiesce, and silence settles down around you as you draw nearer to your goal. In your mind, you're rehearsing how the dialogue will go when you arrive. What are you focusing on?","""All right,"" Maki says, squaring her shoulders, ""I always did fairly well with the etiquette portion of classes; I should be fine. Remember, we're trying to find out where Ryousei is in the castle. We'll meet up at dinner, since they're almost certain to invite us to stay."" | |
| This makes sense, and you begin to plan your course of action for when you arrive at the castle. What are you going to focus your efforts on?","You silently make your way up the wall, hearing a few of the guards talking just as you clear the sill. Success! | |
| Inside the room, Maki is whispering to a little boy. She jumps to her feet at your arrival, but calms down when she sees it's you. ""This is Lord Sano's son,"" she says quietly. ""Don't be scared, Ryousei. We're going to help you get out of here."" | |
| The second sentence is obviously more for his benefit than yours, and the little boy's face lights up. You glance out of the window the way you came, only to see that a group of five guards has congregated there. Looks like you'll have to leave another way. | |
| Maki motions that she'll keep Sano's son close to her. If you're stealthy, this shouldn't be too difficult.", | |
| ninja,Sugimoto-sensei,['Sugimoto-sensei'],7,2847,"graduationtest_1735,graduationtest_1739,graduationtest_1781,graduationtest_1786,graduationtest_1747,graduationtest_1794,architectbeta_330","You're just about to take your next step when you feel a hand fall on your shoulder. It takes all your willpower not to scream aloud in surprise, but you manage to keep your composure and leap away from the person who touched you. As you turn, you see that it's Sugimoto-sensei, one of your martial arts teachers. She shakes her head. ""So easy getting the drop on you. I'm convinced we're turning out poorer and poorer students every year."" | |
| It's tempting to argue with her, but a small voice in your head counsels you to hold back. There's a good chance that you might be able to bluff or trick your way out of this, and for all you know, she's been placed there to test you on precisely that skill. How do you want to react to her?","I'll pretend that I'm not actually taking the test, just on an errand for another teacher. | |
| ""Oh, Sugimoto-sensei, you scared me!"" You don't have to fake this emotion at all, but you make sure to keep your eyes wide and innocent as you continue, ""I'm not taking the test. Mori-sensei just asked me to deliver a message to Hatsumi-sensei."" | |
| ""Really?"" Sugimoto-sensei looks at you skeptically. ""What was the message?""","I'll use magic to confuse her and escape. | |
| You start to plan a spell, but Sugimoto-sensei waves you away. ""Be off with you. Just don't make a total fool of yourself on the final portion of the test."" | |
| Without another word, she's gone. You don't waste any time setting off again. | |
| By this time, you're right at the edge of the clearing and you can see the table with the pottery bowl on it. There are several teachers clustered around it, talking together. They're not actively guarding the bowl, but they're not leaving it alone, either.","I'll pretend to argue with her, and when she's distracted, I'll disappear. | |
| ""We are [i]not[/i] getting poorer each year!"" you retort. ""Your teaching is just getting worse."" | |
| Sugimoto-sensei draws herself up to her full height and stares at you with unhidden loathing. She's older than most of your other teachers, but she's just as capable as the rest of them, and you've heard rumors that she was a very competent and dangerous ninja back in the day. ""I don't take kindly to being talked back to by an incompetent student who I just caught in the middle of an exam. You'd better have a good reason why I shouldn't fail you right here and now."" | |
| She hasn't taken her eyes off you since you began speaking to her. She may not be easy to distract after all. What are you going to do?","Sugimoto-sensei stares at you, clearly thinking over what you've said. ""You're sure?"" | |
| You nod, hoping that your bluff is working.", | |
| ninja,Lady Ohren,"['Ohren', 'Lady Ohren']",6,2847,"sanorescue_346,sanorescue_464,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_355,sanorescue_365,sanorescue_374","One of the other merchants sees you making your way over and bows politely to you. She's wearing a plain blue kimono that you quickly realize is made of finely textured silk. ""It's nice to meet you. My name is Ohren."" Even though she lowers her voice and looks demurely at the ground, you can tell that she's sizing you up, and you're suddenly glad that your hakama looks new and fine. | |
| You give her your assumed name as politely as you know how, and apparently, you pass her test. She introduces you to a couple of associates, Ishida and Kasumi. One of Ohren's servants hands you a cup of tea and motions towards a shaded area with a bench, clearly set up for seclusion from the general populace. | |
| Ohren and the other merchants are all rice dealers, but rather than talk about business, you quickly discover they're more interested in exchanging gossip. | |
| ""It seems that Lord Sano has rather fallen from grace,"" the man called Ishida remarks. He's tall and thin, and judging from the number of rings on his fingers, he certainly has a lot of money at his disposal. The others nod and you make a noncommittal noise of assent. | |
| ""I heard""—Ohren dramatically lowers her voice—""that Lord Sano had a win recently, however. Some of his documents were recovered from Lord Matsuya's men. Matsuya's denying it all, of course, but it seems that Lord Sano has someone on his side—someone powerful enough to hire several ninja."" | |
| For a moment, the conversation dies down and everyone pauses to sip their tea. Now's your chance to ask a question…but what do you want to ask?","I'll ask her who to speak to in the marketplace. | |
| ""Oh! You should speak to Lady Ohren. She's right over there. She and her friends know everything that happens here. Excuse me, but I must be getting back to work."" She scurries away.","""What's Lord Kage's connection to Lord Matsuya?"" | |
| ""Well, they're allies,"" Kasumi explains, peering at you in surprise. ""I thought everyone knew that!"" | |
| You quickly make an excuse about attending carefully to your business and being otherwise occupied recently. Ishida nods in sympathy. ""There's so much to keep track of. Don't feel guilty for not knowing the latest gossip."" | |
| He motions for the three of you to lean in close and whispers, ""Everyone knows that Lord Kage is doing Lord Matsuya's dirty work, like killing enemies and imprisoning hostages."" | |
| Aha! This is information you need! You feign outrage, hoping to get them to give more details. ""Hostages?! How despicable!"" | |
| ""Despicable but true,"" Ohren says. ""I've heard that Lords Matsuya and Kage have even taken a hostage from Lord Sano's family to keep him in line."" | |
| Ishida and Kasumi shake their heads and mutter about the terrors of the life of a government official. You press on: ""You mean, Lord Kage might have a hostage here, right now?"" | |
| ""It's entirely possible,"" Ohren concedes, glancing around and looking worried. | |
| ""Oh, this conversation is so depressing!"" Kasumi exclaims. ""Can we please talk about something more cheerful, or play an incense game?"" | |
| The other two agree, and the talk wends its way towards the latest fashions in poetry and courtly dress. You make a few interested noises and occasionally express surprise over some detail—sky blue is back in favor with the Shogun's wife!—but it's mostly quite dull, and you find yourself looking forward to meeting up with Maki again.","The three of them stare at you in disbelief, and then Kasumi bites back a laugh. ""You've never heard of him?"" | |
| ""Or his wife?"" Ishida adds, causing the other two to laugh—albeit in a quiet, ladylike way. | |
| You start making some comments about how you've been focused on your business and have fallen a bit behind on controversial news items, and Ohren comes to your defense. ""To his credit, though I'm sure he's a good man, Lord Sano doesn't make much of a first impression. We're laughing because his wife is much younger than he, and more vivacious. You would definitely remember her if you met her."" | |
| ""It's a shame that Lord Matsuya has made him an enemy,"" Kasumi remarks, more soberly than before. ""And it's terrible that Lord Matsuya kidnapped Lord and Lady Sano's son as a hostage."" | |
| The other two nod sadly, and for a moment, you're surprised that they're not more angry or distressed. But then you remember one of your lessons on government: Mori-sensei taught you about how standard it was for children or even whole families to be held hostage in return for good behavior on the part of the lord. It's definitely a sobering prospect. | |
| ""So, tell us how your business is doing!"" Ohren says, evidently trying to lighten the mood. In the time that it takes you to bluff your way through that conversation, the sun starts to set, and before you know it, it's time for dinner.","""I wouldn't want him as an enemy,"" Ohren says. A decidedly unladylike look of disgust crosses her face, although it's quickly gone. | |
| ""Nor his retainers,"" Ishida agrees. ""I prefer a gentler approach to getting people to reach an agreement over an issue; but as for Lord Matsuya's methods…he's a bit more divisive than he needs to be."" | |
| ""I've never met him,"" Kasumi says in the ensuing silence, ""but he and his army have a reputation. And he's been growing that army for quite some time now. I'd venture that anyone who opposes him would be in grave danger. I've heard that he's been keeping quite a few hostages to keep his rivals quiet. | |
| ""I've heard that his general had an entire village destroyed because someone looked at him the wrong way."" Ohren shakes her head. ""My, this is such depressing talk. Has anyone heard about the new fashions in the capital?"" | |
| The conversations wends its way towards colors and seasons and poems and you manage to appear interested. However, as the sun starts to set, you're hoping that Maki was able to find out something a little more immediately helpful.", | |
| ninja,Ishida,['Ishida'],5,2847,"sanorescue_346,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_355,sanorescue_365,sanorescue_374","One of the other merchants sees you making your way over and bows politely to you. She's wearing a plain blue kimono that you quickly realize is made of finely textured silk. ""It's nice to meet you. My name is Ohren."" Even though she lowers her voice and looks demurely at the ground, you can tell that she's sizing you up, and you're suddenly glad that your hakama looks new and fine. | |
| You give her your assumed name as politely as you know how, and apparently, you pass her test. She introduces you to a couple of associates, Ishida and Kasumi. One of Ohren's servants hands you a cup of tea and motions towards a shaded area with a bench, clearly set up for seclusion from the general populace. | |
| Ohren and the other merchants are all rice dealers, but rather than talk about business, you quickly discover they're more interested in exchanging gossip. | |
| ""It seems that Lord Sano has rather fallen from grace,"" the man called Ishida remarks. He's tall and thin, and judging from the number of rings on his fingers, he certainly has a lot of money at his disposal. The others nod and you make a noncommittal noise of assent. | |
| ""I heard""—Ohren dramatically lowers her voice—""that Lord Sano had a win recently, however. Some of his documents were recovered from Lord Matsuya's men. Matsuya's denying it all, of course, but it seems that Lord Sano has someone on his side—someone powerful enough to hire several ninja."" | |
| For a moment, the conversation dies down and everyone pauses to sip their tea. Now's your chance to ask a question…but what do you want to ask?","""What's Lord Kage's connection to Lord Matsuya?"" | |
| ""Well, they're allies,"" Kasumi explains, peering at you in surprise. ""I thought everyone knew that!"" | |
| You quickly make an excuse about attending carefully to your business and being otherwise occupied recently. Ishida nods in sympathy. ""There's so much to keep track of. Don't feel guilty for not knowing the latest gossip."" | |
| He motions for the three of you to lean in close and whispers, ""Everyone knows that Lord Kage is doing Lord Matsuya's dirty work, like killing enemies and imprisoning hostages."" | |
| Aha! This is information you need! You feign outrage, hoping to get them to give more details. ""Hostages?! How despicable!"" | |
| ""Despicable but true,"" Ohren says. ""I've heard that Lords Matsuya and Kage have even taken a hostage from Lord Sano's family to keep him in line."" | |
| Ishida and Kasumi shake their heads and mutter about the terrors of the life of a government official. You press on: ""You mean, Lord Kage might have a hostage here, right now?"" | |
| ""It's entirely possible,"" Ohren concedes, glancing around and looking worried. | |
| ""Oh, this conversation is so depressing!"" Kasumi exclaims. ""Can we please talk about something more cheerful, or play an incense game?"" | |
| The other two agree, and the talk wends its way towards the latest fashions in poetry and courtly dress. You make a few interested noises and occasionally express surprise over some detail—sky blue is back in favor with the Shogun's wife!—but it's mostly quite dull, and you find yourself looking forward to meeting up with Maki again.","The three of them stare at you in disbelief, and then Kasumi bites back a laugh. ""You've never heard of him?"" | |
| ""Or his wife?"" Ishida adds, causing the other two to laugh—albeit in a quiet, ladylike way. | |
| You start making some comments about how you've been focused on your business and have fallen a bit behind on controversial news items, and Ohren comes to your defense. ""To his credit, though I'm sure he's a good man, Lord Sano doesn't make much of a first impression. We're laughing because his wife is much younger than he, and more vivacious. You would definitely remember her if you met her."" | |
| ""It's a shame that Lord Matsuya has made him an enemy,"" Kasumi remarks, more soberly than before. ""And it's terrible that Lord Matsuya kidnapped Lord and Lady Sano's son as a hostage."" | |
| The other two nod sadly, and for a moment, you're surprised that they're not more angry or distressed. But then you remember one of your lessons on government: Mori-sensei taught you about how standard it was for children or even whole families to be held hostage in return for good behavior on the part of the lord. It's definitely a sobering prospect. | |
| ""So, tell us how your business is doing!"" Ohren says, evidently trying to lighten the mood. In the time that it takes you to bluff your way through that conversation, the sun starts to set, and before you know it, it's time for dinner.","""I wouldn't want him as an enemy,"" Ohren says. A decidedly unladylike look of disgust crosses her face, although it's quickly gone. | |
| ""Nor his retainers,"" Ishida agrees. ""I prefer a gentler approach to getting people to reach an agreement over an issue; but as for Lord Matsuya's methods…he's a bit more divisive than he needs to be."" | |
| ""I've never met him,"" Kasumi says in the ensuing silence, ""but he and his army have a reputation. And he's been growing that army for quite some time now. I'd venture that anyone who opposes him would be in grave danger. I've heard that he's been keeping quite a few hostages to keep his rivals quiet. | |
| ""I've heard that his general had an entire village destroyed because someone looked at him the wrong way."" Ohren shakes her head. ""My, this is such depressing talk. Has anyone heard about the new fashions in the capital?"" | |
| The conversations wends its way towards colors and seasons and poems and you manage to appear interested. However, as the sun starts to set, you're hoping that Maki was able to find out something a little more immediately helpful.","Ishida looks at you suspiciously. ""Where have you been living for the past few years?"" | |
| ""Now, now,"" Ohren says, ""not everyone is as interested in petty squabbles between two lords as we are. I'm sure there's been far more pressing business on your mind. Am I right?"" | |
| You nod. Time to make up a convincing story! ""Indeed. I keep a firm hand on all parts of my business, and I admit that I've not been as attentive to the goings-on in government as I'd like to be. What can you tell me about the current situation?"" | |
| ""Well,"" Kasumi leans forward with the air of a person who enjoys being the center of attention, ""recently, the Shogun's supporters have been backing away from him, always supposedly over some minor breach of etiquette or slight to their families. However, the word is that Lord Matsuya has been recruiting more followers, planning to make his move."" | |
| ""And Lord Sano is one of the few who's standing against him,"" Ishida adds. ""Unfortunately, he's losing supporters right and left. The man just doesn't know how to handle his money and connections correctly."" | |
| Before you can ask another question, the conversation devolves into a discussion of finances and who ought to handle the money in a business. Although you're pleased to find that you really don't even need to participate in the conversation, just make interested noises from time to time, you're a little annoyed that you can't gain any more information, especially about the task at hand. Hopefully, Maki has done her work!", | |
| ninja,Kasumi,['Kasumi'],5,2847,"sanorescue_346,sanorescue_383,sanorescue_355,sanorescue_365,sanorescue_374","One of the other merchants sees you making your way over and bows politely to you. She's wearing a plain blue kimono that you quickly realize is made of finely textured silk. ""It's nice to meet you. My name is Ohren."" Even though she lowers her voice and looks demurely at the ground, you can tell that she's sizing you up, and you're suddenly glad that your hakama looks new and fine. | |
| You give her your assumed name as politely as you know how, and apparently, you pass her test. She introduces you to a couple of associates, Ishida and Kasumi. One of Ohren's servants hands you a cup of tea and motions towards a shaded area with a bench, clearly set up for seclusion from the general populace. | |
| Ohren and the other merchants are all rice dealers, but rather than talk about business, you quickly discover they're more interested in exchanging gossip. | |
| ""It seems that Lord Sano has rather fallen from grace,"" the man called Ishida remarks. He's tall and thin, and judging from the number of rings on his fingers, he certainly has a lot of money at his disposal. The others nod and you make a noncommittal noise of assent. | |
| ""I heard""—Ohren dramatically lowers her voice—""that Lord Sano had a win recently, however. Some of his documents were recovered from Lord Matsuya's men. Matsuya's denying it all, of course, but it seems that Lord Sano has someone on his side—someone powerful enough to hire several ninja."" | |
| For a moment, the conversation dies down and everyone pauses to sip their tea. Now's your chance to ask a question…but what do you want to ask?","""What's Lord Kage's connection to Lord Matsuya?"" | |
| ""Well, they're allies,"" Kasumi explains, peering at you in surprise. ""I thought everyone knew that!"" | |
| You quickly make an excuse about attending carefully to your business and being otherwise occupied recently. Ishida nods in sympathy. ""There's so much to keep track of. Don't feel guilty for not knowing the latest gossip."" | |
| He motions for the three of you to lean in close and whispers, ""Everyone knows that Lord Kage is doing Lord Matsuya's dirty work, like killing enemies and imprisoning hostages."" | |
| Aha! This is information you need! You feign outrage, hoping to get them to give more details. ""Hostages?! How despicable!"" | |
| ""Despicable but true,"" Ohren says. ""I've heard that Lords Matsuya and Kage have even taken a hostage from Lord Sano's family to keep him in line."" | |
| Ishida and Kasumi shake their heads and mutter about the terrors of the life of a government official. You press on: ""You mean, Lord Kage might have a hostage here, right now?"" | |
| ""It's entirely possible,"" Ohren concedes, glancing around and looking worried. | |
| ""Oh, this conversation is so depressing!"" Kasumi exclaims. ""Can we please talk about something more cheerful, or play an incense game?"" | |
| The other two agree, and the talk wends its way towards the latest fashions in poetry and courtly dress. You make a few interested noises and occasionally express surprise over some detail—sky blue is back in favor with the Shogun's wife!—but it's mostly quite dull, and you find yourself looking forward to meeting up with Maki again.","The three of them stare at you in disbelief, and then Kasumi bites back a laugh. ""You've never heard of him?"" | |
| ""Or his wife?"" Ishida adds, causing the other two to laugh—albeit in a quiet, ladylike way. | |
| You start making some comments about how you've been focused on your business and have fallen a bit behind on controversial news items, and Ohren comes to your defense. ""To his credit, though I'm sure he's a good man, Lord Sano doesn't make much of a first impression. We're laughing because his wife is much younger than he, and more vivacious. You would definitely remember her if you met her."" | |
| ""It's a shame that Lord Matsuya has made him an enemy,"" Kasumi remarks, more soberly than before. ""And it's terrible that Lord Matsuya kidnapped Lord and Lady Sano's son as a hostage."" | |
| The other two nod sadly, and for a moment, you're surprised that they're not more angry or distressed. But then you remember one of your lessons on government: Mori-sensei taught you about how standard it was for children or even whole families to be held hostage in return for good behavior on the part of the lord. It's definitely a sobering prospect. | |
| ""So, tell us how your business is doing!"" Ohren says, evidently trying to lighten the mood. In the time that it takes you to bluff your way through that conversation, the sun starts to set, and before you know it, it's time for dinner.","""I wouldn't want him as an enemy,"" Ohren says. A decidedly unladylike look of disgust crosses her face, although it's quickly gone. | |
| ""Nor his retainers,"" Ishida agrees. ""I prefer a gentler approach to getting people to reach an agreement over an issue; but as for Lord Matsuya's methods…he's a bit more divisive than he needs to be."" | |
| ""I've never met him,"" Kasumi says in the ensuing silence, ""but he and his army have a reputation. And he's been growing that army for quite some time now. I'd venture that anyone who opposes him would be in grave danger. I've heard that he's been keeping quite a few hostages to keep his rivals quiet. | |
| ""I've heard that his general had an entire village destroyed because someone looked at him the wrong way."" Ohren shakes her head. ""My, this is such depressing talk. Has anyone heard about the new fashions in the capital?"" | |
| The conversations wends its way towards colors and seasons and poems and you manage to appear interested. However, as the sun starts to set, you're hoping that Maki was able to find out something a little more immediately helpful.","Ishida looks at you suspiciously. ""Where have you been living for the past few years?"" | |
| ""Now, now,"" Ohren says, ""not everyone is as interested in petty squabbles between two lords as we are. I'm sure there's been far more pressing business on your mind. Am I right?"" | |
| You nod. Time to make up a convincing story! ""Indeed. I keep a firm hand on all parts of my business, and I admit that I've not been as attentive to the goings-on in government as I'd like to be. What can you tell me about the current situation?"" | |
| ""Well,"" Kasumi leans forward with the air of a person who enjoys being the center of attention, ""recently, the Shogun's supporters have been backing away from him, always supposedly over some minor breach of etiquette or slight to their families. However, the word is that Lord Matsuya has been recruiting more followers, planning to make his move."" | |
| ""And Lord Sano is one of the few who's standing against him,"" Ishida adds. ""Unfortunately, he's losing supporters right and left. The man just doesn't know how to handle his money and connections correctly."" | |
| Before you can ask another question, the conversation devolves into a discussion of finances and who ought to handle the money in a business. Although you're pleased to find that you really don't even need to participate in the conversation, just make interested noises from time to time, you're a little annoyed that you can't gain any more information, especially about the task at hand. Hopefully, Maki has done her work!", | |
| ninja,Pine Crest,['Pine Crest'],5,2847,"documentbeta_130,documentbeta_450,documentbeta_214,documentbeta_383,documentbeta_390","I want to wait and see what's happening. | |
| Blue Crane stands up, yelling at his horse, which only runs away faster. Then he wades into the pit to try to drag an unconscious Pine Crest out. | |
| You could easily disable Blue Crane if you were to attack now—you definitely have the advantage. Are you going to rush head on into the fight, try some magic, or use stealth to disable him?","For some reason—you're too distracted, or nervous, perhaps—the spell doesn't take, and a visible, albeit watery, outline still surrounds you. No matter—you attack Pine Crest, who's closest to you. He manages to warn Blue Crane, but you quickly catch him in a chokehold and he slumps to the ground, unconscious. | |
| Blue Crane tries to sneak up on you, but you're ready for that. You easily dodge his attack and land a blow on his head that sends him tumbling to the ground. Success!","I'll continue with the bluff and reply: ""I'm from Wakayama Village, on my way to Ino City."" | |
| Blue Crane looks back at Pine Crest, who nods and says, ""Just wanted to be sure."" Blue Crane adds, ""We were warned that there might be trouble on this road. Don't come any closer."" | |
| The two men stare at you pointedly, not saying anything else. It seems you'll have to attack them directly, or trick them somehow.","Blue Crane glances at Pine Crest, who shrugs. ""Well, it wouldn't be the first time something like this has happened."" | |
| Blue Crane hands you a small rolled scroll, and the two of them ride away in the directions whence they came. You're left standing with the scroll in your hands, marveling at your success.","Blue Crane and Pine Crest exchange a glance, and then they both pull out their swords. | |
| ""We've heard lies like this before!"" Blue Crane yells. Looks like you'll have to fight!", | |
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