[D3 LA] Who let the horse out

[Isawa Nonin]

"Iuchi-san, I am sure your interest is entirely born of curiosity but such questions could quickly get you into trouble with the Jade Office, the Kuni Witch Hunters or ever," he failed to suppress a shudder, "the Inquisitors. Blood magic is banned as its use opens the door for evil and corruption. To learn about the horrors it caused, talk to the Hare storyteller, her clan was founded out of defiance of the Boodspeakers, a cult of blood magic users."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Is that so? Why is the topic such a... taboo? Surely if such things present a threat to the Empire... they should be studied so that we would know how to counter them?" He tried to argue. Who were these jade-jerks to tell people what to study anyway.

"Witch Hunters? I am not a witch." Dong-Ha added, huffing. "Oh... so. but it is not like understanding blood magic will doom someone, is it? One of my kinswomen here carries a blade crafted with blood magic, a potent artifact that can cut anything... she seems to be doing quite well." Well, besides being tormented by undead birds. "Is she in trouble?"

[Isawa Nonin]

"Oh my," said Nonin. "Such an artifact is likely to attract the attention of dark powers. Yes, the study of such is allowed, but one must be careful, the ability of the Dark to insinuate and corrupt is subtle and dangerous. We must remain vigilant at all times against the spread of the Dark. Jade is recommended as protection." His knowledge on the matter is scattershot but he is quite earnest.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

Ha... now to figure how to make her give up on the sword... It seemed like his premonition had been correct. Now he just needed to find time to walk with Saksaha. "I have been told that Jade protects against such things... now by multiple people. That doesn't answer the question... how one acquires such mineral?"

[Isawa Nonin]

"Well, it is available just in short supply," says Nonin. "What with the destruction in the Lion lands and the Crab bid to relcaim the ancestral lands of the Hiruma . . .

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"I guess we'll have to let the traders know we are buying." Fortunately for Dong-Ha, he had no idea what increased demand would do to the prices. "Which clans are known for mining it?"

[Isawa Nonin]

"Well, all Clans do when they find a source," says Nonin, trying to remember.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"Yet is sounds incredibly rare and valuable material..." he paused for a moment. "Can't shugenja just call it into being? Some of meishodo priests can call forth stones with their words, so..." Dong-Ha left the thought hanging in the air.

[Isawa Nonin]

"No, jade is . . . sacred, a blessing from Amaterasu-no-kami. It must be found," replies Nonin.

"The majority of the active jade mines are in the lands held by the Crab."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

Well that's bloody convenient... It looked like the spirits... and gods of this land didn't really look after their own.

"And I'd guess that Crab are rather reluctant to part from it?"

[Isawa Nonin]

"As they are the literal front line against the threat of the Dark, they hold it quite dear," replies Nonin.

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"That makes sense..." But it didn't help the Unicorn. As they had chatted, they had walked around the field a couple of times. Looking up to the sky, Dong-Ha tried to figure what the time it was. "I think I ought to take Poppy back... I have somewhere I need to be sooner than later."

[Isawa Nonin]

"There are simple prayers and paper wards, ofuda, that provide a minimal protection against the Dark and evil spirits, Iuchi-san," says Nonin. "Those can be taught but they are not as effective as jade."

[Iuchi Dong-Ha]

"That.. is something I'd like to look at, then. Perhaps Isawa-san or Moshi-san can show me the basics tomorrow after the experiment?"

[Isawa Nonin]

"I will be happy to show you, Moshi-san still must be convinced to join us," he said with a wry smile.