[center][h3]Sawmill[/h3][/center] [center][b]THE HEADMAN[/b][/center] [center]~ [@Hammerman], [@AzureKnight] (ATS & HIN) ~[/center] [quote=Lunatea Vern Farnsworth]"Miss, please, do not fear. We have to intention to harm you or your husband. We simply wish to have a chat with him."[/quote] Sorae released Kana from her grip and allowed [u]Lunatea[/u] to try her hand at extracting information. Alas, even the Wererabbit's unflinching gaze and soft touch were not enough to open the wife's secrets. "[color=00a99d]I-I really don't know. I don't know what I can do or say to convince you of that.[/color]" "[color=mediumslateblue]We can't take too long here. Reinforcements, or Varjans, might come.[/color]" Sorae interrupted the interrogation. With a sigh, she gave her orders. "[color=mediumslateblue]Take her to Terauchi Temple, where it's safe, and continue questioning her there. I'll stay here and look around some more. Don't worry, I'll be long gone before anyone else gets here.[/color]" "[color=mediumslateblue]I'm entrusting her safety to you, yokai. Don't disappoint..[/color]" And with that, this mission was over. The trio should probably escort Kana back to the temple, and take measures to make sure she does not escape. Or, the taskforce could go somewhere else if they want. They will just need to keep an eye on Kana in the meanwhile. [hr] [center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@Enkryption] ~[/center] (Currently in collab) [hr] [center][h3]Homestead[/h3][/center] [center][b]HONEY TRAP[/b][/center] [center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL) ~[/center] [hider=Consuming the crushed remains of the glass swords...] While the origins of the smithing technique is lost to history, the technique itself is known far and wide across the world albeit incredibly unpopular or even outright banned, especially in monster territories. Still, any amateur blacksmith with basic magic or enchanting skills can forge a Glass Sword. The forging of a Glass Sword employs simple arcane techniques that fuse glass with steel, creating exquisitely deadly blades. They inevitably shatter on impact, but a single brutal stroke may slice an armored man's torso in half. A feat comparable only to legendary and mythical weapons, or the claws and talons of very powerful monsters. Despite its effectiveness, the reason it is unpopular is because the shattering of the weapon typically kills the wielder with the numerous glass shards flying from its usage. Still, a skilled or lucky individual can survive the shattering of a Glass Sword. [/hider] [u]Shizuka[/u] had spotted the tracks of the bandits that fled the scene and suggested to chase them at once, but [u]Eula[/u] might have other ideas for now. Perhaps even take a moment to enlighten the azure swordsman about the powerful weapon wielded by a lowly bandit. Or maybe it was a good idea to simply take a breather first. The footprints weren't going anywhere, after all. [hr] [center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center] [center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (LIL), [@Crowvette], [@Restalaan] (SKA & GRI), [@Rezod92], [@Nakushita] ~[/center] [u]Yuki[/u] and [u]Kerry[/u] opted to take a break by soaking in the warm waters in the nearby hot springs. After their talk with [u]Gringor[/u], they would find the warm pool in a secluded area just outside Terauchi Temple. They passed by two villager women on the way, however: "[color=f49ac2]If I was his son, I'd let him rot with the Varjans.[/color]" "[color=bc8dbf]Mei Mei! How could you?![/color]" "[color=f49ac2]Think about it, the only thing in the way of Lord Takeshi becoming Lord of the island is his father![/color]" "[color=bc8dbf]And the Varjans...[/color]" "[color=f49ac2]All Lord Takeshi has to do is stay alive long enough for the other islands to come help Shizuyama repel the Varjans.[/color]" "[color=bc8dbf]You're too cynical.[/color]" "[color=f49ac2]That's how they think! They're not like us, they want to conquer the heavens and make the earth tremble.[/color]" "[color=bc8dbf]I just want my family to live through this...[/color]" --- Meanwhile, the other taskforce members continued to converse with one another. [hr] [hr] [hr] [center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center] [hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade] "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." -Takeshi Oja [/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." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center] [hider=Teacher And Student] "Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately." -Takeshi Oja [/hider] [center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center] [center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center] [hider=Empty Baskets] A villager woman sitting near a bonfire was muttering to herself when the taskforce member approached. "Poor Honoka, she'll likely starve soon. Oh, I didn't see you there. Err, Honoka's a widow, living alone in the outskirts of Yabo. Please, if it's not too much of a bother, do you mind checking in on her?" [/hider] [hider=Whispers In The Woods] A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by. "You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood." "People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..." [/hider] [hider=Lost At Sea] A villager woman was sitting beside a bonfire as the taskforce member approached. "There's a man, yokai, swinging his sword... slashing the air on the beaches of Hama island. I'm not sure if he is a survivor of Sanjo Beach, or a mere bandit. But I'm fairly sure he was crying." "Hama island is just off the southern coasts, but you'll definitely need a boat or something to reach it." [/hider] [center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center]