Wisdom Learned, Secrets Kept
| Wisdom Learned, Secrets Kept | |||||||||
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| Factions Involved | |||||||||
| ShadowHaven | Mad Mage and Fire Spirits | ||||||||
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Wayfarer Drifter Oracle |
Mad Oni Mage Two Fire Spirits | ||||||||
Summary
Eager to find a mentor spirit, Wayfarer asks Drifter, Oracle, and his aunt for assistance. This leads them to performing a task for Asahiro Kunitoshi.
Background
Asahiro Kunitoshi received information that a shrine in Puyallup holds an artifact in the shape of an amulet. Not wanting to spend extra resources to collect it, he instead seeks a group of runners to do it for him. Luckily for Asahiro, three runners, one of which is looking for a mentor spirit, are willing to do this in the hopes it would set them on the path to gaining one.
The Meet
Wayfarer, an adept, has been contemplating how one goes about acquiring a mentor spirit. Knowing his sister, Drifter, has one, he deigns to ask her, who explains she has little idea either. Knowing their aunt Kotomi is more experienced, having taught them all they know, the two elected to walk the short way over and inquire from her. In the meantime, Oracle, married to said aunt, managed to cook a meal without burning it or the house down - a true victory for the blind mage. Knocking on the door and being allowed in, Wayfarer and Drifter joined them at the dinner table as he explained his quest. It takes a bit of convincing for Kotomi to allow Oracle to come along (on the grounds that she doesn't know he's a runner), but they manage to do so. While the three runners discuss how they might go around doing this task, Kotomi calls up a few people and finds a job that may be able to assist in said spirit quest. An individual by the name of Asahiro Kunitoshi is looking for runners regarding a Shinto shrine and an amulet hidden inside. After ensuring the three knew to be cautious with the man and making it very clear he is not a good individual, they make their way over to meet up with him.
Meeting with Asahiro, they discuss the parameters of the run as well as payment. The shrine is in Puyallup, far off the beaten path and on the edge between 'civilization' and the wilderness. A spirit is likely inhabiting the area, but the level of strength is unknown. The group is to collect an artifact in the shape of an amulet inside the confines of the shrine and make it back.
The Plan
The plan is rather simple. Discuss with the few stragglers nearby for details of the shrine as well as any odd occurrences, investigate the shrine itself, and then deal with any threats and collect the amulet.
The Run
Once in the general area of an ashen-covered series of ruined buildings, the group looks around for landmarks where people might live. Drifter notes that she had been here in the past, and likely the Bass Pro Shop is the place where anyone would hold up if any were still here. Seeing that as the most likely case, they make their way there where they notice four individuals. Assensing the homeless, Wayfarer notices that one of them has cyberware, but otherwise all are mundane. Oracle approaches openly while the two oni sneaked around. While initially the homeless intended to hound him for all he was worth, Oracle managed to get them to hold. Seeing that the group had their hands in their jackets, likely holding onto firearms, Wayfarer creeped closer, with the leader of this small, merry band barely managing to avoid noticing him. Identifying himself as "The Raccoon," he chose to talk shop with Oracle in exchange for 1,800 nuyen.
The information given was as such: For the past three or so years the woods near the shrine haven't been safe. Not all who enter emerge, and those who are find themselves burned, sharing stories of some cryptid creature roaming around if they get too close to said shrine. It seems likely that this is the cause of a mage performing black magic. Paying the Raccoon, Oracle thanks him for his service and asks for the possibility of meeting another time if the cards play out right. With that, the runners make their way out and head toward the shrine, seeing no other path but forward. Hiking into the woods, Oracle senses a wrong vibe the deeper they head in. He says it carries a tinge of madness in the air, and that he sees a flicker of life on the Astral when he looks toward the shrine.
Summoning a spirit of beast, he sends it in to scout out the place ahead of time. Soon after it returns, and informs the three that it was spotted. Element of surprise gone, they make their way up, though are ambushed by two fire spirits and what appears to be a crazed oni. Combat breaks out, with Drifter and Oracle managing to rather swiftly take out one of the fire spirits while Wayfarer and the beast spirit deal with the enemy oni. Each time they strike the oni, it burns them, and in the end Wayfarer falls unconscious when his last strike collides with the oni, also rendering them unconscious.
As he went unconscious, he seemed to awaken into a dream. It was the shrine, but distinctly from an earlier time period where the stars were more visible and all the urban projects of the current year were not built yet. A voice echoed within and around him, calling Wayfarer a yokai. It asks him a few questions, sussing out the runner's personality and morals. Androgynous in form, the spirit states that it doesn't know its own name, and asks if Wayfarer has issue with this, to which he replies he doesn't so long as it is honorable. Ultimately it seemed to be pleased with the answers, before it informed him that his compatriots were attempting to call wake him up.
Waking up, Wayfarer is initially disoriented, but quickly recovers. Following a newly emerged gut feeling, he leads his sister and uncle over to a smaller shed behind the building, which after opening it reveals the amulet. Praying to the shrine, he is able to take the amulet with no issue, and from there they leave with both the artifact and a prisoner in tow.
Aftermath
Calling their employer, they bring him up to speed and set up a meeting point. Asahiro thanks them for their service, wishes them their best, and states that he may call upon them in the future if he deigns to.
Heading home, the three get their story straight to downplay the events and Oracle's involvement in the shadows. Ultimately, his wife Kotomi grows suspicious of Oracle, but is unable to tell for certain if it involves running in specificity. Seeking to escape the awkward hellhole that is a husband and wife's back-and-forth, Drifter and Wayfarer head back to their abode where the voice from his dream speaks to him. With newfound mentorship, power and wisdom seem to flow into Wayfarer as he begins to ready himself for bed.
Rewards
Run Rewards for "Wisdom Learned, Secrets Kept"
8k nuyen (4 RVP)
4k nuyen (Oni returned alive, another addition to Asahiro's collection.)
20k in gear rates for magical foci/reagents up to avail 16. Remainder can be taken in liquid nuyen. (5 RVP)
10 karma (10 RVP)
10 CDP (5 RVP)
2 base CDP
Counts as initiation for anyone involved
OPTIONAL REWARDS
Asahiro Kunitoshi at loyalty 2 (C6/L2) (7 RVP or 13 CDP)
The Raccoon at Loyalty 2 (C3/L2) (4 RVP or 7 CDP)
OPTIONAL REWARDS
Mentor Spirit for Wayfarer (5 RVP)
Tough as Nails: Physical/Stun for Drifter (5 RVP Per rank)
Toughness for Drifter (9 RVP)
Run Consequences
Asahiro Kunitoshi has possession over a necklace he may divine. And once divined, the location of another sword piece is revealed.
Asahiro Kunitoshi now has in his "care" a maddened magic 7 oni who can channel spirits into their body. Perhaps they can be... reformed.
Player After Action Reports (AARs)
Wayfarer - I am gladdened to have gone on this 'spirit quest.' The stars were a lot prettier back then. Hopefully I see that dream again...
Drifter - Well I almost got burnt to a crisp, but I'm glad we pulled through!