[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]
[center][b]THE CODE OF SHIZUYAMA[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Rune_Alchemist], [@AzureKnight] (KIR) ~[/center]

[quote=N'ylaatothk][color=a187be]"That said, if you'll indulge me my lord...do you have a favorite food?"[/color][/quote]

"A favorite food? Interesting question..." Takeshi pondered at the Shoggoth's question for a moment. "I've always had a fondness for fish, but I wouldn't call it my favorite since I've been also eating it all my life." The young lord then shook his head. "That's not true. If I had to pick something to eat, it'll be some nice, roasted tuna with a side of stir-fried vegetables."

The trio continued to travel until they happened a wood-walled encampment. The sight surprised Takeshi and he immediately took [u]Nyla[/u] and [u]Kirei[/u] behind a low rock near the encampment. "Since that is not a Shizuyaman encampment, I think it's safe to assume it's a Varjan one." The young lord peeked at the encampment again, noticing some rocks that could allow one to jump inside as well as some gaps in the walls that were large enough for a person to slip into.

"We're no doubt outnumbered, and Nyla dislikes direct confrontations, so we'll have to do this quietly." Takeshi told the two taskforce members. "We can also circle around but we might run into their patrols and alert this camp, forcing us to face them anyway. What do you two think?"

[hr]
[center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (VRA), [@The Irish Tree] (VIV), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[quote=Vivian][color=7bcdc8][b]"I imagine you have your reasons for not being at the beach, and won't pry into that matter. But I would like to know whether we walked out here to find a comrade, or a future enemy."[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=indianred]I'm afraid it is my duty as a Shizuyaman not to be comrades with a yokai. And I very much doubt you want me as a future enemy.[/color]" Kazenosuke replied, his hand still on the sword-hilt despite [u]Vivian[/u] assuming a vulnerable position by sitting on a fallen log.

"[color=indianred]And again I say, there's absolutely no way that Takeshi would willingly work with yokai. Have you captured him? Holding him in Terauchi Temple?[/color]" The dancing swordsman jumped to conclusions. "[color=indianred]Perhaps I should slay you two here and mount a rescue. Then the [i]real[/i] counterattack against the Varjan invasion can begin.[/color]"

Kazenosuke was unwilling to believe [u]Vivian's[/u] words. Not surprising as he was a man raised to suspect and be cautious of yokai at all times. However, both [u]Vivian[/u] and [u]Varã[/u] remembered Takeshi's phrase that can make the dancing, stubborn swordsman listen to them.

An invisible [u]Zeka[/u] shortly arrived to the scene as well. Likely confused or surprised that other monsters, presumably other taskforce members, have already beaten her here.

[hr]
[center][h3]Ayane Sake Brewery[/h3][/center]
[center][b]BOTTOMS UP[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption] (UMI & RCD) ~[/center]

(Currently in collab)

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (MAT) ~[/center]

[quote=Matsuri Okita][color=fdc68a][b]"Sooo, what should I do?"[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=limegreen]Well, Lord Takeshi gave the taskforce a mission to recruit a select group of people who can help mount a counterattack against the Varjan invasion.[/color]" Ayu helpfully answered. "[color=limegreen]Let me recount to you Lord Takeshi's exact words as best I can...[/color]"

After listing the people that Takeshi Oja wanted recruited, Ayu continued. "[color=limegreen]As you already probably know, this island is, at best, suspicious of yokai like you. However, we do need their trust if we are to help them fully. So I also recommend going around this temple and helping out any refugee that needs it to boost the yokai's image. Sure, they may not trust you but I wager that they're desperate enough to accept aid from you.[/color]"

[quote=Matsuri Okita][color=fdc68a][b]"...Oh and, I guess I have a fox's nose now,"[/b][/color][/quote]

"[color=limegreen]Huh? Are you formerly human?[/color]" Ayu noticed before pinching her temples. "[color=limegreen]Well that could be a huge problem with some of the people here. Best keep that a secret, alright?[/color]"

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Nobutada, Unwavering Will]
"There's a monastery east of here called Fung Temple.

There's a monk there named Nobutada. He's one of the most sturdiest people I know, able to weather blows that could shatter boulders. When my father called for the monks of Fung Temple, I didn't see Nobutada among them. If he's still alive, he'll be in the monastery and he can lend us his aid."
[/hider]

[hider=Sorae, Gentle Protector]
"Sorae's skill with the naginata is fearsome and second to none. She and her clan was summoned to Sanjo Beach, but never appeared. We should head to their estate in the west and find out what happened to them and, if possible, recruit them to our cause."
[/hider]

[hider=Takamori, Blessed Sight (ONGOING)]
"Takamori is a warrior whose eyes allow him to predict his opponent's next moves. An ability we could have used in Sanjo Beach if he showed up... but maybe it was good that he didn't or else we might have lost him too.

He has an archery dojo to the southwest. We can start looking for him there. We can certainly need his unique ability."
[/hider]

[hider=Kageho, Innocent Shadow]
"Kageho is a shinobi who was supposed to attempt to sneak through the Varjan blockade alongside others. The last wave of shinobi that we could send. I... ordered them not to go anymore, behind my father's back, since it would have been a waste and the Varjans were upon us. It was too late to call for reinforcements from the other islands.

Still, I expected her to show up in Sanjo Beach with the other shinobi. But they didn't. Anyway, their hideout should be around here somewhere. Try looking for any suspicious clearings in the forests around here. We can use their help."
[/hider]

[hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade (ONGOING)]
"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.

Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."
[/hider]

[hider=Yurine, Death Keeper]
"Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries.

She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us."
[/hider]

[hider=Kikyo, Ever Faithful (ONGOING)]
"My childhood friend Kikyo was on an anti-yokai mission before all of this. I... was kind of glad she couldn't be on the beach and hoped that maybe she'll find a way to escape and live a full life elsewhere. But I know she would never do that.

If she's coming back, she would definitely head for Port Wadatsumi in the southeast. We should find her before she does anything... drastic."
[/hider]

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[hider=Honey Trap]
There was a villager woman, crying alone near a large tree within Terauchi Temple.

"Yokai, could I speak with you? A group of bandits is terrorizing Sanjo. They slaughtered my whole family, like animals!

They were killed at our home, near a river. I am Saki, please avenge my family and stop those bandits."
[/hider]

[hider=No Place Like Home]
An upset woman noticed the taskforce member approaching.

"As if losing our homes wasn't bad enough, we have to see Varjans in them as well.

They took a home nearby a few days ago. The man who lived there won't leave the area. He keeps begging for help."
[/hider]

[hider=Bottoms Up (ONGOING)]
A peasant man warming his hands on a bonfire noticed the taskforce member passing by.

"Yokai, you must do something! It's Ayane's sake brewery in Imahama. That brewery is the pride of Shizuyama, but soon there will be none left. The Varjans are taking it by force."
[/hider]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. 

"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by a shrine priestess who wasn't present in Sanjo Beach."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not properly trained."
[/hider]