The Wandering Isles: Session 44
The group arrived in Saigo no Toshi under the guidance of Hatsu, finding themselves in a new environment rich in tradition and tension. As they crossed into the city, Amaedrianna asked how best to refer to Hatsu’s parents, and he calmly answered: Hashirama and Kokoro. A small but pointed reminder of the weight of lineage came soon after—when a tiny object hit Hatsu, he barely reacted before naming his sister, Asuka, who watched them from a rooftop across the street.
Introductions were made, and Ayame quietly took her leave. The group settled into Hatsu’s family estate, where they discovered rooms tailored to their individual comforts—each one complete with robes, crafted not just for style but with striking personal care. Slate inspected the grounds with magical scrutiny but found nothing amiss, just the quiet dignity of a household steeped in history.
Hatsu offered a glimpse into the city’s legacy, speaking briefly of the role his grandfather played in shaping it. To Eldrin, Hatsu handed a mysterious container, its contents unstated, but the trust it symbolised was clear.
The day continued with practical matters. Eos brought Duckie, her ever-loyal steed, to the Stormhoof Stables, where Eldrin showed his gentle side while keeping the container steady. Artes Mai, the stable’s caretaker, assured Eos of Duckie’s safety and mentioned that she would begin training with Masaki Kanzawa the next morning. Masaki’s reputation preceded him—a force of nature with a laugh that could shake foundations.
Their errands continued—bows at The Silent Arrow, bread and conversation at Moonrise Bakery, supplies from The Wayfarer’s Rest, and jerky from Sakura’s Harvest just for Slate. A stop at The Silent Quill gave Eos a chance to browse and breathe, while Amaedrianna took to the rooftops.
From above, she observed familiar faces and unfamiliar alliances. Two individuals bore the Toshitsugu clan emblem—one revealed to be Hatsu’s father, the other an older man with flowing hair and a commanding presence. But another figure stood out to Amaedrianna more personally: Worby Jane, a friend from Vurduar and the lively operator of The Spiv. Their reunion was marked by jest, subterfuge, and a few playful fingers on coin purses. Talk turned to home, to The Viper, and to Worby’s father—the elusive Archon—rumoured to be in the city as well.
Evening arrived, and so did the promised meal.
At the gathering hall, faces familiar and less so filled the room. The weight of legacy bore down on Hatsu, who recognised too many of them. Amaedrianna noted Remington hiding nearby—discreet but rattled. When he approached her for counsel, it was clear something larger loomed. The group soon discovered what.
Hatsu quietly took Eos aside to meet Masaki in person. The encounter was seismic. Masaki’s laugh alone nearly unseated her, but his approach was solid and honest: one week of training, gruelling and transformative. Hatsu reminded her that pain would be the passage—but on the other side, there would be something worth it.
He did the same for Eldrin, introducing him to Abbot Renji of the monastery, a path that would require deep discipline and no small measure of patience. Slate, too, was given his guide—Hatsu’s grandmother, Sakura Gohemon. She handed Slate a ring of gold and gemstone, acknowledging his musical gifts. Her expectations, however, were anything but gentle.
Soon after, the group spoke privately with Remington, who shielded them inside a silent magical bubble. Amaedrianna revealed that her father—the Archon—was indeed here in Saigo no Toshi. The news unsettled the group deeply. In response, Hatsu suggested they speak directly to his father for more insight. Though Amaedrianna hesitated, she agreed to follow Hatsu’s lead.
But as the bubble collapsed, so too did the relative calm of the evening.
The room had shifted. The presence of Ironclad was impossible to ignore—towering over nine feet, constructed mostly of steel, and emanating menace. He stood near Hashirama, leveraging violence without subtlety. If Hashirama did not agree to join him, Ironclad made it clear that everyone in the room would suffer.
And so, the table is set.
The city has welcomed them—but not without warning. Next week, their trials begin, and not just in the dojos, monasteries, and studies. Something darker stirs beneath Saigo no Toshi’s grace. The tension has been rising since their arrival.
Now it begins in earnest.
