Dark Edge Village

OOC: Just going to get right to it, you can assume you were here to hear this announcement or what have you.

Khulun is astride Oguro as the horse paces back and forth in front of the meeting tree, as if he can feel the tension coursing through his rider. She looks at the gathered Unicorn and speaks, “I am Moto Khulun, many of you know me! Fellow Unicorn I bring news. A messenger from the Onyx Champion has reached out to us and wishes to ally with our families in three days time.”

“The Onyx Champion claims to serve the ninth kami, the fallen brother. I was shocked as well but this Onyx Champion says that we have a mutual enemy and wishes words with us. The Onyx Champion will meet with myself and one member of the Iuchi, Ide and Shinjo families; if we so choose to do so.”

“I fear not this Onyx Champion, but it is your choice if you wish to join me. The Onyx Champion will only meet with one from each family… the Otaku choose no. It is their right. I will return to this place in two days time and if you wish to see the truth of this then join me,” she says.

She produces the ivory trinket and says, “This relic is key to understanding this message, but I know not the wisdom to see the meaning. We must understand it.”

OOC: Khulun will offer the trinket for Lore rolls but she will not hand it over, she will get it back but if you want to try then go for it, it is a Lore History/Intellect roll of TN 25.

Amaya fans herself against the heat of the sun, but already clouds can be seen on the horizon, and she hopes they will bring cooler temperatures with them. She watches, not Khulun, but Oguro as the great handsome steed paces, the sunlight rippling on its gleaming hide.

Her stomach had been tight from the moment she'd been notified of the meeting, but at the mention of the ninth Kami, her stomach lurches and she suddenly feels sick. She's making tiny shaking motions of her head as if she could deny the very words that thundered in her ears and made her heart race with fear.

She looks at the trinket, committing its shape to memory. Her thoughts seem frozen and she doesn't know how to respond.

Monkhbaatar was present for the meeting mentioned. He listens intently to Khulun's words looking at her with curiosity. He didn't really know what the Onyx champion was. But Shinjo had tried to sway her lost brother and if there is truly a threat that endangers both good and evil it wasn't something that could just be ignored.

"I hear you Moto Khulun. This Onyx champion may be setting a trap or may have true news of a danger to the empire. Either way it is best to proceed with caution. If none more capable than myself from the Shinjo would volunteer then I will be there to have your back. Whether this servant of darkness has anything of value to say, whether they intend to try and corrupt my brothers and sisters, whether they simply seek to kill a few of our number, you have at least one Shinjo prepared to stand by your side for good or ill."

Khulun nods and says, “I welcome your aid, and I am pleased that you see threat as clearly as I!”

Chi-Pu listens to Khulun and looks her directly in the eye when the woman finishes, as if there was something she wanted to say. After a moment, the Otaku Nikutai looks to the ground and then turns to face those gathered.

"For those who do not know me, I am Otaku Chi-Pu, Nikutai for the Otaku. Kitakuhime-sama has given her stance and council on this matter, but know that the Shiotome hold no grudges for any who wish to meet this Onyx Champion."

She frowns visibly and looks as if she has more to say, but the woman simply turns back to face Khulun, observing and listening to those addressing the Moto.

Khulun adds, “I would be happier to have our honored sisters there at my side, but we all must choose our own path. She has made her choice and her kin have followed.”

A scorpion heard of the gathering.

A scorpion was very concerned, given what he suspected might be possible.

That scorpion now made his way through the gathering to the Moto he had bandaged, and stated, simply. "I have a great deal to speak with you about, I fear, Moto-san, but first I will examine this trinket, if you don't mind."

It was familiar to him, he had read of it before.

The Moto frowns briefly but nods and allows the Scorpion to see the trinket, “You have aided the Unicorn, have at it.”

She allows him to see it.

Saksaha is here, listening with arms crossed. She doesn't like the sound of any of this. And she doesn't like that she's going to have to take Taira's word on whatever that creepy bauble is, either. Nothing personal, but he's not Unicorn.

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D2 LA--probably redundant History roll, TN 25: 4d10o10k3 22

Taira examined it in silence, and then said, simply. "It looks much like the legend describes a gift, worn by lady Shinjo-no-kami, the first gift given her by her sister Doji-no-kami. She claimed she would never remove it."

That opened many disturbing possibilities.

"Are you certain?" she says reaching out for the trinket.

Taira nodded.

"The design is correct. It could be a fake, possibly, but if so, they knew their legends well."

A soft sigh. "Only an artisan could confirm that... but I can say the design matches."

Hearing that, Monkhbaatar looked intensely at the piece. "Perhaps we should have a priest attempt to identify it. Such an old relic would undoubtedly carry importance that they might be able to identify."

"Possibly."

Taira glanced at the assembled Unicorn.

"Understand, however, that this creature is incapable of honor, is formed of treachery, corruption, and sin. It is not only blasphemous to deal with, but extremely dangerous. If you do press on with this meeting, I... request... that you carry a signal with you. I, and many others, likely, should be nearby to help if things go amiss, as they most likely will."

He tucked his hands into his sleeves.

"I do not doubt your abilities, but this is a monster, not a man, and it is incapable of co-operation. It is cut from the same cloth as the beast you slew, Moto-Khulun-san. Only far, far, deadlier."

Chi-Pu listens intently as the Scorpion gives his assessment and advice. She does not speak, but closes her eyes and thinks to herself, placing a finger on the corner of her lips and tapping.