C-Rank said:
The city of Raiden no Me was the nation's grand capital. It had been the historic home of every Daimyo since the warring clans had first agreed to create a first-among-equals government to rule over the lands of the Kaminarijin. As such, the capital was a place well-steeped in the blood and intrigues of the noble and wealthy classes, and had centuries of feudal politics as its foundation.
That legacy only served to make the city more beautiful. The old and the modern jostled together here, concrete towers butting up against proud stone fortresses, apartment blocs shouldering in among family compounds, gleaming markets mixed in with blue-tiled pagodas. This glistening jewel of civilization was the prize of Kaminari no Kuni, one which had never been claimed by an outsider's army, nor had even been beseiged in living memory until the civil war.
As the team made their way into the heart of their homeland, they observed the dispositions of the Bakufuu and mercenary forces currently in standby around the capital. The declaration of the Shogun Shiranai had, at least for now, warded off an all-out confrontation over the capital. The two armies had stood down, but rumor had it that more troops were still being mustered by the Bakufuu. In time, the Ryuu-backed mercenary forces would be forced to disperse or be crushed. While such an action would, in the short term, reduce Ryuu's military might, the action would only give him cause to renew his political and military resistance to the Chancellor's regime.
Neither the PMC forces nor the Bakufuu had been taking it easy during the sudden peace. The chaos in the countryside had resulted in thousands of refugees streaming toward the capital and worse--droves of the desperate and the criminal now openly assaulted travelers and swept up the dispossessed in frenzied mobs called the Penitents. These peasants were led by monks moved by a religious fervor and not only professed poverty but also enforced it upon communities in the unprotected outer precincts of Raiden no Me.
Do's team found evidence of riots and rebellions as they entered the city. The capital guard were out in force in the wealthier areas, as well as private mercenaries and household guards. No one with money went anywhere alone these days. Commerce in the street remained muffled and furtive. Roaming gangs were taking advantage of the chaos in the poorer and even middle-class districts with frequent, flagrant burglaries and assaults, even during the day. Disaffected political groups and the widely disenfranchised held near daily demonstrations against the feudal system which had for so long been the country's backbone.
Fortunately, the ninjas' map appeared accurate. With very little effort, they were able to affirm the location of the clan compound and the routines of its external guards. Plenty of excellent vantage points from nearby buildings afforded the opportunity to get a good view at what went on behind the security walls.
The Situation said:Please join this topic after you have left the village.
Please describe what means you are all taking to comply with your orders about remaining incognito. You all can take up some residence at an inn, wayhouse, or an abandoned property if you want to hash out your plans and scout more. The more specific you are with your requests and preparation, the better off you will be. PM me with any questions you have.
The clan compound you are targeting is in a wealthier district of the city, so there is much less lawless rabble in the area. The guards here are very alert, but they appear to all be civilians. Nevertheless, they are not stupid, and they are much too afraid and tense to be lazy.
There are multiple buildings around which you can use as strategic viewpoints for spying on the compound.
