Refugees? Interesting... Sho decided to remain hidden and observe them for a bit – both to learn more about them and to make sure they were not being followed. Once she was sure it was safe she approach them and recruit them – not like they had any better options available to them, anyway.
Spoiler: Stealth 45 +20 (against civilians) - success Sho quietly followed. It did not look like they were followed. The four people continued walking... well, dragging themselves forward. They did not speak. Sho suspected that they were completely lost. She decided that she would only waste time continuing this, so she decided to confront the four. She purposely made a noise as she approached them. The man spoons around with a stick at the ready. The woman - eldest looking one unsheathed her knife. The two others hid behind the elders. Father, mother and daughters... most probably - Sho decided.
“I mean you no harm,” Sho spoke to the two parents in a friendly tone of voice. If I meant you harm, you would have found out the hard way. “My name is Sho. May I know who you are and why you are here? You seem rather lost, if you don't mind me saying...” She asked as she stopped close to the family, just outside the attack range of the parents.
The two looked uncertainly at each other then back at Sho with suspicion. "Excuse me... are we intruding on your territory?" The woman asked.
Sho tilted her head to the side as she thought about it. “Hmm, I suppose you could say you are... sort of... but you had no way to know, so don't worry about it. Now, would you mind answering my question? If I meant you harm we would not be having this conversation, so you need not be so suspicious of me.” Sho finished with a friendly smile, trying to alleviate the pair's concerns.
"Says she." Sho could hear one of the women from the back mumble, only for the other to shush her. After some hesitation, the man spoke. "We are just simple travellers..." He said shortly. "Might you point us in the direction of the nearest town?" He asked after a moment.
Sho frowned. “I could... but why should I? I approached you as a friend and told you my name when I could have easily robbed you instead, yet you won't even tell me your names.” She paused and pretended to be in thought. “Actually, now that I think about it, how do I know you are what you appear? Maybe you're criminals trying to escape justice, and your appearance is just a ploy to fool people...” She paused and gave them a few moments to think. “So tell me, why should I help you?” As she repeated the question Sho remained alert and ready to react if any of the four were to try anything.
"It goes both ways... how do we know what you are?" The man frowned. "You also did not introduce yourself stranger - we have no bone with you..." "Perhaps... we should part ways..." The woman said uncertainly.
“I told you my name – was that not good enough for you? As for what I am, that should be obvious – I am a kunoichi.” Sho replied curtly. “As for parting ways – we could do that. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to avoid the giant bear that nearly killed two of my friends, as well as all the other dangers in the area... or you could stay and join us. Joining a new village that is just being established may not be the most tempting of ideas, but it is better than being lost and not knowing which way to go. I watched you for a bit earlier, and from what I saw you will either die from hunger before you find a village, or get captured and sold as slaves. Joining us is better than either option – and you get to stay free, too.” Sho tried persuading them, though no matter their answer she would not let them go – they would likely tell people about meeting her and that would attract unwanted attention.
At the declaration that Sho was a kunoichi, the refugees tensed. But her spiel about the bear made them hesitate. Spoiler: Persuation 22 + 10 (presented arguments) +10 (family's situation) - success They looked at each other, then slowly the eldest woman's eyes recovered some shine. "Really? You would take us in?" She asked hopefully.
“We would,” Sho nodded and smiled, “Life will probably still be difficult, at least at first, but it won't be as bad as now, and it will be a lot safer. And things will only get better with time.” She promised and felt certain that this was the truth. “Come, let us not waste time.” If the family had no more objections she would lead them to the village. (My writing here feels a bit off, but I hope I managed to get across what I was trying to say.)
The two contemplated the proposition for a moment, before finally nodding their heads. "Very well. If you have us, we shall join you." The man said. As Sho lead the refugees into the village. They were far more alive, than previously. They were all from the Zan Clan - father, Li Zan, mother Xi Zan and two daughters Lai Zan and Na Zan. The valley might not be impressive, but it gave them hope. Sho blinked, as she realised that she was slowly getting tired.
Who knew that persuading people to join us can be so tiring? Sho thought with amusement. After showing the family around – which did not take long due to the size of the village – she went to take some rest. The last thing she heard before sleep claimed her was Sana preparing to head out...
Sana shook her head as she saw Sho fall asleep. The woman was travelling through the mountains, and guarding four new villagers the entire way back - and she was surprised her body and mind were tired. Sana smiled as she prepared to move. The new recruits could be delegated to look after slaves and Kome. With that, the kunoichi should be able to move around easier...
Sana looked at Kiyoshi. “Let's leave Osa to watch and protect the village. We should go back to the forest and find a good spot to harvest building resources. Now that we have some civilians to take care of it is time we build some proper shelter. A few huts will do at first, then small houses.” She presented her plan of action. “Anything else we find will be a bonus.”
Kiyoshi hummed as she followed Sana to the forest. "I would prefer if we had some tools..." She said hesitating. "That would make things easier." The two entered the forest and could see what they would find... or encounter. They could either search the woods or go to town, village, bounty station - to seek missions.
“Tools, huh. You know what, that's not such a bad idea. Maybe we should go to a village and check the prices of tools – we do have a little bit of money... We could look for a good spot to harvest resources after we have tools.” Sana mused. “Alright, let's go to a village and see what we find.”
Kiyoshi nodded and the two started walking through the forest to the closest village they knew about. "So, it looks like we are slowly getting into straight." Kiyoshi said as the duo walked through the forest. Spoiler: Random encounter 3 Spoiler: Awerness 39 - success Suddenly the two stopped as they noticed something. "Well, well, well. Look who came here." A voice sang with amusement. A moment later, five female bandits walked out of the bushes. If Sana and Kiyoshi continued, they would walk straight into a trap. "Do be kind enough, sisters, drop your gold and be on your merry way!" One of the bandits called. Their clothes were nothing special, but they did have weapons...
Sana and Kiyoshi looked at each other and did not need words to understand that they were thinking the same thing. The bandits' ambush had failed, depriving them of nearly all of their advantages. They had numbers and weapons, and... that was it. We just need to lower their guard and then surprise them with a quick attack. “Please, do not hurt us! We're just innocent travelers!” Sana begged as she looked around, panicked, as if expecting more bandits to come out of the bushes (in reality trying to spot if there were more bandits hiding in the bushes, or if it was just those five). “Please, we have nothing of value! Let us go – we won't tell anyone about you!” She begged, pretending to be just a scared woman – and giving Kiyoshi a sign to do the same – while waiting for the bandits to lower their guard. Then the two kunoichi would make a quick attack against their unsuspecting opponents. At least, that was the plan...
Sana and Kiyoshi both put on a show Spoiler: Deception 36 - success and easily deceived. "Well, well!" One of them called mockingly. "Look what we have here!" "A fresh meat!" The other chuckled. They approached them nonchalantly, completely deceived Spoiler: Sana's Sneak attack 93 + 20 (against civilian) +20 (surprise element) - serious failure Spoiler: Kiyoshi's Sneak attack 87 + 20 (against civilian) +20 (surprise element) - success Sana and Kiyoshi attacked, but the reaction of bandits was fast. Not fast enough as Kiyoshi's chop landed on the bandit's neck, knocking her out. Sana's opponent dodged the attack by millimetres - but that was enough. She buried her fist in Sana's stomach, making her spit from the strength of the strike. A moment later another hit landed on her jaw, making her fall on the ground and roll. She quickly got on one knee and shook her head. Now, both she and Kiyoshi faced four bandits. Two for Kiyoshi and two for Sana.
