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[Pancaek]

Well, I suppose it might be niche. I tend to forget not everyone is into samurai stories with supernatural elements.

[crazyabe]

PTW

[Pancaek]

Does Hideki know any poison shops in the city, if so, go there, after selling katana.

Turn 8

Niigata, back alleys

Having sold the assassin's katana and adding some very reassuring weight to his money pouch, Hideki sets off away from the market. He makes his way through the mass of people and slowly but surely trades in the lively market for the more drab and dreary back alleys. A street urchin runs towards Hideki, but an angry glare makes sure the kid just passes by instead of trying anything cute like stealing his money pouch.

Hideki hasn't been to Niigata before, but he knows from experience that poison shops and other underworld ventures are fairly easy to spot when you know how to look for the signs. After some wandering about in the back streets of Niigata harbour, Hideki finds what he's looking for. A small shop, called "Maeda Tea Pavilion". Though most people wouldn't pay any attention to it, Hideki recognizes some symbols on the colourful lanters hanging outside. One is the sign of the Mantis clan, hidden between floral patterns, signalling that the shop stocks more than mere teas and herbal remedies. The other symbol, also hidden in the floral patterns, signals that shop does business with the local Yakuza. Satisfied that he'll find what he wants here, Hideki steps inside.

The inside of the shop is a fairly normal place, if a bit cramped. There is a counter where the transactions take place, and every other nook and cranny seems to be filled with all kinds of teas and herbal mixtures. A large brutish looking man is standing at the counter, waiting for something. Hideki supposes he is yakuza, from the way he stands and from the tattoo on his neck that pokes out from inside his kimono. The man and Hideki make eye contact. Both give the other a silent, courteous nod, birds of a feather in these kind of underworld places.

A young lady comes out from behind a curtain and hands the man a small package. The man thanks her and quickly makes his way out of the shop. The young lady then adresses Hideki.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?"

"I'm looking for something a bit more potent than these herbal remedies. The symbols outside lead me to believe you can supply those."

At the mention of the symbols, the girl stiffens somewhat.

"May I ask who you are?"

As she asks this, a very old lady in a navy blue kimono and a green apron comes from behind the curtain.

"Now now, Minako. That's no way to start a transaction. Hello stranger. My name is Maeda Retsuko, of the Mantis clan. This is my granddaughter, Maeda Minako. Who might you be?"

The mention of her being Mantis clans comes as quite a relief to Hideki.

"Nagayoshi Hideki, of the Scorpion clan."

"Ah! A valued ally from the Scorpion clan. Welcome, welcome. Do come in the back so we might discuss what you need."

Hideki follows the old woman behind the counter, happy too see that the young woman is once again relaxed now that her grandmother is taking the reins. The back of the shop is an alchemist's workshop. The shelves all along the walls are filled with all manner of strange and exotic ingredients. For a second, Hideki could swear he saw one of the dead animals in one of the jars blink at him.

"Now tell me, Nagayoshi-san, what can this humble alchemist help you with?"

"I am in need of poisons for my mission."

"I can make you all manner of poisons, no problem. Poisons that kill quickly and one sthat kill slowly. Poisons that merely paralyze or poisons that rob their target of their mind. What specific poison can I cook up for you? I'll even throw in a special discount for our valued Scorpion clan customer."

Spoiler: note (click to show/hide)

The reason Hideki trusts the alchemist so much is because she's scorpion clan. The two clans have been partners for generations. Recently, the bonds got even stronger since the scorpion clan daimyo married the sister of the Mantis clan leader. The scorpion clan leader has since passed, but his wife is now the de-facto leader of the clan. THis means both clans are lead by one of the sisters. The Mantis and Scorpion clans lthead by the Courtesan of e Night and the Courtesan of Death, respectively.

[Wolfhunter107]

I'm thinking that we'd want a few fast acting lethal ones and a few ones that knock people out. Maybe one or two paralyzing ones, too, in case we really want to send someone a message. Antidotes would be good, too.

[vishdafish]

Yeah, good idea wolf.

"May I have two vials of poison that paralyzes, four vials of poison that kill quickly and ten doses of poison which will cause the victim to die in excruciating pain if ingested and activated by an external factor? Also how long will the coating last after the initial application to a weapon?

((The third poison is to ensure loyalty if we hire any thugs or something. Can anyone think of other posions we might need? Also im assuming the paralysis is temporary.))

[Wolfhunter107]

Yeah, good idea wolf.

"May I have two vials of poison that paralyzes, another two vials of poison that kill quickly and ten doses of poison which will cause the victim to die in excruciating pain if ingested and activated by an external factor? Also how long will the coating last after the initial application to a weapon?

((The third poison is to ensure loyalty if we hire any thugs or something. Can anyone think of other posions we might need? Also im assuming the paralysis is temporary.))

A more slow-acting poison might be useful for intimidation, now that I think about it. 10 doses does seem a bit much, would you mind if we cut that to six and added two more of the ones that kill quickly?

[vishdafish]

Well, 10 doses is for 10 people, and the dose is (im assuming) pretty small. So altogether 10 doses is like one vial, but I wanted to be sure that we have enough. Edited my post to add more lethal poison as, after all, it is the poison we are going to be using the most.

Edit: Slow-acting as in lethal slow-acting or painful slow-acting?

[Wolfhunter107]

Well, 10 doses is for 10 people, and the dose is (im assuming) pretty small. So altogether 10 doses is like one vial, but I wanted to be sure that we have enough. Edited my post to add more lethal poison as, after all, it is the poison we are going to be using the most.

Oh yeah, completely forgot about that. Sounds good, then.

[NRDL]

Well, 10 doses is for 10 people, and the dose is (im assuming) pretty small. So altogether 10 doses is like one vial, but I wanted to be sure that we have enough. Edited my post to add more lethal poison as, after all, it is the poison we are going to be using the most.

Oh yeah, completely forgot about that. Sounds good, then.

+1 to poison distribution

[Pancaek]

Yeah, good idea wolf.

"May I have two vials of poison that paralyzes, four vials of poison that kill quickly and ten doses of poison which will cause the victim to die in excruciating pain if ingested and activated by an external factor? Also how long will the coating last after the initial application to a weapon?

((The third poison is to ensure loyalty if we hire any thugs or something. Can anyone think of other posions we might need? Also im assuming the paralysis is temporary.))

Turn 9

Niigata, Maeda Tea Pavilion

"May I have two vials of poison that paralyzes, four vials of poison that kill quickly and ten doses of poison which will cause the victim to die in excruciating pain if ingested and activated by an external factor? Also how long will the coating last after the initial application to a weapon?, asks Hideki.

"You absolutely may not. However, you may buy it from for a reasonable rate. 10 silver pieces in all, and you will have the best quality poisons on this side of Honshu."

Hideki pays the woman, and she shuffles off to work. Hideki is familiar with the work of poison makers, knowing that the techniques and timing are as important as the ingredients, and goes to wait in the front. He sits down and Minako brings him a cup of green tea. It's a particular blend of green tea leaves and roasted rice grains, which gives the tea a nice mellow smoky taste.

After a few hours the woman comes in the front with his package. Two vials of poison marked paralyze, four marked with a skull and ten with a skull and an hourglass. She also gives him a small packet of powder.

"There, your order. The powder is the catalyst  for the last poison, just get them to ingest it or get in in their blood somehow. It was nice doing business with you, Scorpion Clan. The local Yakuza have such dreadfully boring needs, brewing up these kinds of potions make me feel 20 years younger again. Feel free to drop by any time if you're in the nieghbourhood."

Hideki leaves the tea pavilion, putting the vials and the pouch away. It is fast approaching evening and the sun is starting to set. A slight drizzle is coming down, making everything clammy and cold.

Hideki has aqcuired his poisons. Will he do something else in this port town, or will he look for a way to continue his journey to Nara?

[NRDL]

To Nara!

[vishdafish]

((Or we could jack (steal to those not familiar with slang) a horse or something (fantasy mount?) to speed up the journey.))

[Pancaek]

((Don't forget you're in a port city. So trade caravans and boats are also an option, if you want some company/want to go faster.))

[Wolfhunter107]

To Nara!

+1

[vishdafish]

((2 +1s tho, so guess horse/trade caravan aint an option.))

To Nara it is