Session 3.

Continuing from last fortnight's interrupted episode, the four adventurers, with a minimum of planning, charged straight into the dénouement. Unexpectedly they decided to split their forces and make a frontal assault under cover of daylight through the Gemsmith's shop under the suspicious gaze of the Gemsmith and his Yakuza assistant. The weakest fighter (Koei) took part in the assault with Sugiyama; the strongest fighter (Kimori) stood near the side gate with Mariko to listen for sounds of struggle. They didn't have to wait long. Having seen the Gemsmith's poor stock of gems, Sugiyama grabbed the Gemsmith and his assistant and banged their heads together twice, whereupon they fell to the floor with a scream. Sugiyama gathered up the gems while Koei was busy examining a hidden door that they had spotted earlier. Amazingly, she was surprised when two Yakuza leapt out and attacked her with swords. She was struck twice and managed a fireflash spell only at the end, after Sugiyama had leapt in and despatched the hapless thieves.

Meanwhile, Mariko was helped over the wall in the compound to let Kimori in through the gate. Kimori smashed the (open) back door in and charged through the house, right behind another Yakuza who was about the attack Sugiyama from behind. Kimori challenged him and then felled him in three swift blows. Sugiyama bound the unconscious Yakuza, then they searched the house. Mariko came in, having been down to the workshop and found it locked and too strong to be forced. The four trouble-shooters found the key, but little else.

In the workshop the adventurers found some jewellery being worked on, including some obviously stolen, a large bronze statue like one Mariko had seen at the Shrine of Shizari, an empty strong box with a silver symbol of the Lord of Imabari, a locked strong box and a locked store cupboard. There was also a door leading towards the Blacksmiths, but another door blocked the way through. With a little noise, Kimori forced open the strongbox to find a gold ring with a setting for a large stone, some more jewellery and some ingots of precious metals. Kimori then forced open the gem store and found three precious gems and the missing diamond. Now pressed for time, the trouble-shooters decided to take the diamond and precious gems, to make it look like an ordinary robbery, and the Lord of Imabari's strongbox. Sugiyama also took (surreptitiously) some metal offcuts.

The four heroes made their way back to Masaki, via the original gem smith's to drop off the diamond, the Shrine of Shizari to leave the precious gems and a note saying where the statue was, and (Sugiyama only) via another jeweller's to sell some of the ill-gotten gains. Back at Masaki, Lord Chozo was very pleased and gave them a month's salary bonus. He was also pleased that his friend, the Lord of Imabari's chest had been returned. A strange tale later emerged from the Shrine of Shizari in Matsuyama talking of a mysterious donation of gemstones worth a small fortune and a note saying where their stolen statue was; the priests of the shrine were hoping that whoever left the note would be kind enough to bring the statue next time they passed through the Yakuza stronghold!

The Ring

Having recovered from the fight at the Gemsmith's, the four trouble-shooters, Kimori (Tony Hummerston), Koei (Andy Allen), Mariko (Paul Burton) and Sugiyama (Dave Weaver) are spending a week training. One day a rider is seen passing through Masaki very quickly, heading towards Matsuyama. Three of the four are going to Matsuyama to train, though only Mariko and Sugiyama are curious enough to investigate as well as train. Through various chance meetings, social encounters and gossip-mongering, they hear that the rider came from Hyuga province on Kyushu (island) bringing important news, and went to the Daimyo’s castle in Matsuyama. The Daimyo of Hyuga province is friendly with the Daimyo (of Iyo province), and he has asked for help with something that has happened in (neighbouring) Osumi province: it seems that an army of bandits has formed and has devastated Osumi province.

Towards the end of the week they are called to see Lord Chozo. He tells them that his son, always rather headstrong, went off on his own accord and disappeared into Matsuyama. Information gained recently, including some provided by the four heroes, has confirmed his suspicions that his son has joined a Yakuza gang - The Serpents. Evidently it was through him that the gang got the information about the stone.

The trouble-shooters are to find the son and bring him back, voluntarily if he can be persuaded, or forcibly if he cannot. He is not to be harmed. Information held by Lord Chozo indicates that his son is staying or being held in a Serpent hideout somewhere in Matsuyama, and is probably receiving training and indoctrination.

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