Moon 7 - (8/26)

The weather is pleasant, though there's still a bite to the wind blowing in from the North. Clouds scud high across the sky, promising rain in the next day or so. The sky clears for a few hours in the afternoon, before night falls and the temperatures drops. By evening, the clouds return to provide cover for the Moon making its way across the night sky.

The Half Moon will set sail the next day. For now, the new recruits are allowed a day to settle in.

Moon 8 - (8/27)

A good wind in the morning allows the ship to tack out of the harbor. Once free of the island, the Half Moon practically flys across the water and thanks is given to the kaze-no-kami. Clouds thicken on the horizon and by the afternoon, the Sun is hidden behind their cover. A light rain starts to fall in the evening and a few rain catches are set out. It's a wet, drippy night upon the sea.

Those with the nose for such things can sense that this is just the edge of more bad weather to come.

Moon 9 - (8/28)

The Sun rises on yet another beautiful day in the Capital.

Here, on the Half Moon, the dawn is realized in a swath of gray. The new recruits wake to noise and bustle as every hand is called to secure the ship. The sails are taken down and storm sails put in their place, everything that can be tied down or shut is. The work is done by noon and the less hardy of the crew are sent below decks as the waves grow in height. It isn't soon after that the sky opens up to pour its wealth upon the deck. Uminushi himself is seen at the helm, ignoring the rain and grinning ferociously as he guides his boat through the storm with a steady hand.

The Half Moon clears the storm in the wee hours of the night.

+5 TN to those doing the sealegs test.

Moon 10 - (8/29)

Dawn opens on a placid sea with the winds continue at a steady pace. The storm of the night before is nothing more than a memory for those who didn't spend it hanging over the rail. It's beautiful out with just a few clouds in the sky and it seems the Half Moon is making good headway. Thanks to either the Captain's lunacy or luck, there's only minor damage to the ship. The things that can be seen to, are, and the crew appear to be in good humor.

For the dedicated fisherman, the waters teem with an abundance of fish brought out by the passing storm.

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General Facts of Learning

• Yoritomo Soyoko is not and never has been the first mate of the Half Moon
• Moshi Kaimenko really does loathe everything... except the ship
• The maproom is not a tourist attraction and is, actually, a part of the Captain's rooms
• Isawa O-washi has been hit by lighting at least three times
• The armory is not the best place to 'fish'

Giggle, snort, whisper

• A few seasons ago, there was this one new recruit that Suitengu hated so much, she drowned in the tub. True facts.
• A certain Unicorn will cuddle up to anything that has two legs and a heartbeat
• Remember that time Sensuifu snatched up Kazuko? Yeah, he's not with us anymore.
• There's something about that one Hida, yeah. That one. He's... exactly.

Training
Group A - Moshi Kaimenko. Morning, Aftdeck.
Group B - Isawa O-Washi, Afternoon, Aftdeck.

Moon 11 - (8/30)

The Sun rises on another day upon the Half Moon. The skies are clear and there is nothing to see by the great expanse of the sea and the other three ships in the small 'fleet'. The winds remain strong, though there's a slight chill to them as the blow from the north. Despite the bright weather, the crew seems more subdued than the day before and by evening an unnamed tension grips the ship.

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Training
Group B - Moshi Kaimenko. Morning, Aftdeck.
Group A - Isawa O-Washi, Afternoon, Aftdeck.

Moon 12 - (8/31)

Their sixth morning at sea brings with it banks of rolling fog. There's an unseasonable chill to the air, though the fog burns away by mid-morning. The sunlight that falls upon the ship feels weak and watered as if it were coming from a long way away. The crew is subdued, casting nervous glances towards the west even as the winds and the currents carry them further south. Even the officers are sharp and alert, as if they expected some danger to suddenly appear on the empty sea.

Pressies!
The clothes fairy seems to have visited all the new recruits. Neat bundles of cloth consisting of two pairs of trousers, one sleeveless shirt and a short-sleeved shirt have been left on their chests. Unsurprisingly, they're made of cotton, dyed in blues, grays or greens. Each is tied with cord and bears the name of the receiver with the words "Courtesy of the Ninth Imperial Legion".

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General Facts of Learning

• The Captain is a married man and has four children
• O-washi is friends with the giant eagle
• Kaimenko only sleeps two (rokugani) hours a day
• The ship will be sailing through the Sea of Shadows

Giggle, snort, whisper

• Dageki is an amazing master of the spear! He's given two samurai a run for their koku in the past two days of training. Who knew he was that good?
• Did you see Kitten try to charm her way out of lessons yesterday? That certainly didn't work for her.
• That one Hida? Smart like ox. AHAHAHAHA.
• Has anyone figured out why that one berth is covered with ofuda...?
• There was certainly a lot of shouting on the Orochi's Wake yesterday. I'm sure glad I'm not assigned there.

Training
Group A - Moshi Kaimenko. Morning, Aftdeck.
Group B - Isawa O-Washi, Afternoon, Foredeck. (Crane here, Lion here, Mantis here, and Unicorn here)

Moon 13 - (9/01)

Just before dawn, the Half Moon pulls ahead of its sisters and leads the way in to the Sea of Shadows. The Captain is at the helm for the entire day, only taking breaks to relieve himself or to stretch out his muscles. Anyone with a lick of weather sense can tell that it should have been warmer and the Sun a bright light in a cloudless sky. Instead, the cloud hang low while the air is heavy and oppressive despite the brisk wind that carries the ship and its crew down a narrow corridor of 'normal' water. The sea on either side of this strip of normality, however, is choppy and threatening.

The Half Moon is now sailing down the only taint free route through the Sea of Shadows; Osaku's Route.

Those with a water or air affinity can hear muted voices moaning and screaming on the wind and see faces in the water. Everyone is advised not to stare too long at the waves in case they draw ill-luck to the fleet. No one is allowed time on a skiff and all shugenja are warned against calling the kami. At night, expensive, enclosed fog lamps are hung out to guide the ships behind the Half Moon. It seems a small, weak thing against the miasma.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Casting a spell may draw the attention of the kansen in the area. (1d10, with 1 getting a kansen)
• Anyone casting within sight of the Half Moon's crew will face consequences for their actions, the severity of which will vary from a situation to situation basis.
• Anyone seen intentionally pushing someone overboard will be flogged and stripped of their commission.

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Whisper

• It seems that even kittens don't like to have their nethers checked.
• Best not to bother O-washi-gunso in the next few days. Water tensai you know.

Training
Group B - Moshi Kaimenko. Morning, Aftdeck.
Group A - Isawa O-Washi, Afternoon, Foredeck. {Crab here, Dragon/MCA here, Phoenix here, Scorpion here}

Moon 14 - (9/02)

The day does not dawn. The surrounding sky and sea simply lightens as the encroaching darkness retreats from the route. It almost feels like winter and even the hardier members of the crew reach for their long-sleeved shirts and stay below decks as much as possible. The Captain, perversely, seems unaffected even when he begrudgingly accepts the coat Kaimenko brings him. He still stands at the wheel.

By late morning, the stifling atmosphere lightens as an island appears ahead of the Half Moon. It isn't long before the fleet is docked in the small harbor and Uminushi given time to rest and prepare for the remainder of the journey. A skiff from each boat is sent to give thanks at the plain shrine dedicated to Osano-wo. Here, the sun shines down like a blessing and the voices on the wind are silenced for a time. Nothing is removed from the island.

... but their reprieve is short. The Half Moon and its sisters set off again by late afternoon. Soon, the island is but a memory and the laughing night falls again.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Casting a spell may draw the attention of the kansen in the area. (1d10, with 1 getting a kansen)
• Anyone casting within sight of the Half Moon's crew may face consequences for their actions on a situation to situation basis.
• Anyone seen intentionally pushing someone overboard will be flogged and stripped of their commission.

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Whisper

• I'll bet you three zeni the Crane priests starts up again at sun down.
• Best not to bother O-washi-gunso in the next few days. Water tensai you know.
• Bad enough that the crane's losing his ever lovin' mind....but did he have to make sure poor Touhi-san joined him? That falling block of wood knocked 'er silly!
• Hehehe... elbow grease.
• Uminishi-sama has never lost a ship to the Sea of Shadows. He's sailed this route more times than a man has fingers and toes.
• Man, I've never seen the Budoka that pissed off... guess he does care about his little sister.

Training
Everyone - Kaimenko, Morning, Crew Quarters
EVERYONE - Isawa O-Washi, Afternoon, Crew Quarters

Visting the Shrine:
Yes, you may. Yes, there will be guards from one of the others ships making sure your character doesn't run amuck. They are both of the unsmiling Crab variety. Because of how the skiffs work, you will be limited to 4 people in any thread related to the shrine. All of these threads must be afternoon threads. Yes, a head count will be taken before the ships depart.

Moon 15 - (9/03) - Bonus Day!

For the third day, the darkness lightens upon the Half Moon and the surrounding sea. It seems the ship and its sisters will never escape the desolate, howling waters. Soft giggles and weeping laughter slither upon the steady wind that carries the boat and its crew down the passage of Osuka's Route. The Captain remains steady at his post, an odd smile twisting his face in to a mask of harsh determination.

The weather, if it could be called that, has not changed and night falls with a certain finality.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• Casting a spell may draw the attention of the kansen in the area. (1d10, with 1 getting a kansen)
• Anyone casting within sight of the Half Moon's crew may face consequences for their actions on a situation to situation basis.
• Anyone seen intentionally pushing someone overboard will be flogged and stripped of their commission.

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General Facts of Learning

• O-washi-sama's taken up the night watch. Best to avoid the Nest.
• Uminishi-sama has never lost a ship to the Sea of Shadows. He's sailed this route more times than a man has fingers and toes.

Giggle, Whisper, Snort

• Those kittens Spooks brought on? Ol' Cook's thinkin' of throwin' 'em in the drink! Hate ta think what the damned Sea'd make outta such innocent little things...
• Small wonder the Captain sails this route so steady...it's like his backyard! He was born on the blessed Isle, after all...