September 17, 1865. If your count is correct, that is today’s date. The days blend together aboard a ship. Especially when there is no land in sight, just flat, blue water, and cloudless skies. Now, however, land is in sight again. Mountains rise in the distance, with what you assume to be little villages dotting the coastline. This is it: Japan. You have waited thirty-two days (nearly four times that if you count the trip from New York to San Francisco) to see it, now here you are. Leaning against the railing, looking out at the land you’ve read about, you are certainly anxious to get off this old tub. In the distance, a side-wheel steamship churns through the water, a long trail of smoke belching from its twin funnels. You fish your ticket from your coat pocket, looking at the crudely-printed strip of paper. Daniel Stockton, passenger, third-class, 2 articles of tagged luggage.

Looking around, you see the other passengers, as well as crewmen, ambling about the decks. A lady in a pink dress stands up by the pilot house, twirling a parasol on her shoulder. Two bearded men in fancy suits talk energetically to each other by the bowsprit, puffing on their pipes between sentences. A cabin boy leans against the mast, reading a small book.

You sigh, turning your attention back out to sea. The vessel you’ve been aboard for over a month is an old tea clipper, with sun-bleached decks and rust marring the white paint on the hull. From what you have read in the papers, the age of these clippers is nearing its end. This one has been converted to carry passengers and cargo, but no sailing vessel can compete with the reliability of steam. New technology is replacing the old ways nearly everywhere, you think. At sea, in the home, on the battlefield. To a horrific extent on the battlefield. You shake the thought from your mind, taking a deep breath of sea breeze.

You are brought away from your thoughts by a tap on your shoulder. Turning around, you see a gentleman in a blue jacket and hat, a crewman. “S’cuse me sir,” he says with an Irish accent. “Captain told us to notify the passengers that we’ll be entering port soon. Probably best to gather your things and be ready.”

“Ah, thank you.” You nod, and the man tips his hat before heading toward another group of passengers. Without a word, you begin walking toward the hatch leading below decks. You pass several people in the narrow corridor, finally coming to your stateroom. Perhaps it is disingenuous to call it “your” stateroom, however, as you share it with three others. Opening the door, you are glad to see that the other passengers have already left. You take your luggage from the shelf above your bunk, then make your way back above decks.

File: On deck.jpg (87 KB, 800x600)

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There are more people up here now, and you can see a larger city in the distance. You sigh, leaning against the railing as you try to remember the name of the city without looking at the letter that brought you here in the first place.

>Edo, a city only recently opened to Western ships. Home of the mighty Shogun.
>Kyoto, the capital of Japan, if you remember correctly.
>Kagoshima, a long-time trading port from when the rest of the country was closed off.

>>2788969
>>Kyoto, the capital of Japan, if you remember correctly.

>>2788964
>>Edo, a city only recently opened to Western ships. Home of the mighty Shogun.

Seems interesting enough.

>>2788969
>>Kyoto, the capital of Japan, if you remember correctly.
is this a nippon stronk quest

>>2788969
>Kagoshima, a long-time trading port from when the rest of the country was closed off.

SATSUMA BOYS

>>2788969
>>Kyoto, the capital of Japan, if you remember correctly.

>>2788981
Nah Its a Shogun quest.

>>2788969
>>Edo, a city only recently opened to Western ships. Home of the mighty Shogun.
we're going straight down the republic of ezo route boys

>>2788969
>Kagoshima, a long-time trading port from when the rest of the country was closed off.
Interesting, but why a yank?

>>2788969
>>Kagoshima, a long-time trading port from when the rest of the country was closed off.

>>2788969
>Kyoto, the capital of Japan, if you remember correctly.

We should help the Emperor

>>2788969
>>Edo, a city only recently opened to Western ships. Home of the mighty Shogun.

Historically the Emperor win, we should help the Shogun

>>2789004
>but why a yank?
Mainly because I'm an American and it's easier to write. But also because the US wasn't as heavily involved with Japan during this period as other Western powers. Also, testing testing.

>>2789029
>>2789032
We should fight for whoever pays us the most in money or adventure

>>2788969
>Edo, a city only recently opened to Western ships. Home of the mighty Shogun.
I like the shogun

>>2788969
>Edo, a city only recently opened to Western ships. Home of the mighty Shogun.

So why did we come to Japan anons? I think coming over to get some inspiration for an adventure novel would be an interesting motivation, at least more so than money or pussy.

>>2789074
Japan has no niggers, that's why we came.


>>2788969
>Kyoto

>>2789074
We're Captain Thomas Cruise, an American military officer hired by the Emperor of Japan to train the country's first army in the art of modern warfare. As the government attempts to eradicate the ancient Samurai warrior class in preparation for more Westernized and trade-friendly policies, we'll find ourselves unexpectedly affected by our encounters with the Samurai, which places us at the center of a struggle between two eras and two worlds.

I personally want us to go Kagoshima route and ifluence Saigo early that a republic is needed for the old ways to continue, but i don't think we have the votes now

>>2789086
Tom Cruise The Last Samurai

Looks like we're tied between Kyoto and Edo. I'll wait five minutes before rolling a d2.

>>2789102
>>2788985
I'll change my vote to Edo, if only to make things interesting.

File: Edo.jpg (25 KB, 411x330)

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Edo. You remember reading that this city is the old home of the Japanese Shoguns. As the ship gets closer, the first thing that hits you is the architecture. All of the buildings are wooden, with oddly-shaped roofs. Small boats meander about the harbor, some laden with freshly-caught fish, others carrying wooden crates with the logos of European trading companies. The city itself is beautiful, if crowded, with many buildings practically on top of each other. The streets, however, are far wider that you are used to. The atmosphere of this place is pleasant, less like the home of a military governor and more like a pleasure garden, if you are being honest.

You open your haversack and fish out the letter that started this journey. Unfolding it, you look down at the yellowed paper, re-reading the sloppy handwriting.

My friend,

I understand if this letter is un-needed. Many men have been perfectly able to find work at home after the War. However, you’ll be surprised to find American and European soldiers are in high demand in the country of Japan. There is plenty of gainful work here, as the nation is attempting to ‘westernize’ in many aspects. I run a security operation for foreign visitors in Edo, this nation’s capital. Feel free to find me here if you ever need work.

Bill Harp

You fold the letter back up as the ship pulls into the docks. It isn’t long before the gangplank is dropped, and passengers begin disembarking. Once you touch dry ground, a strange feeling hits you, as if the entire world is moving. You shake your head, struggling to keep from looking like a drunken sailor.

So this is Edo. You look around, noticing that some of the buildings have signs in both English and Japanese. Most of the people walking around are Japanese, wearing the pajama-like clothes you’ve seen in drawings. There are a few Westerners around though, some wearing fancy clothes, some wearing military uniforms similar to the blues worn by the Union Army.

As you walk up the street, along the docks, you see some severe-looking Japanese men wearing black and blue robes, and carrying swords at their sides. They walk past you without a word, heading down the street. You raise an eyebrow at their odd hair styles, but otherwise keep walking. How are you even going to find Harp? You’ve thought of a couple ideas. Surely one of the Westerners around has heard of him, especially if he runs a security operation for traders. Of course, you could also try asking one of the locals, though you doubt any of them speak your language.

>Search for the nearest tavern. That’s where Harp will be, if he’s anything like he was when you last spoke.
>Approach one of the well-dressed Westerners and ask about Harp.
>Ask one of the uniformed soldiers if they know about Harp.
>Attempt to communicate with one of the locals.
>Write-in.

>>2789074
We're American and it's shortly after the civil war. If we aren't going full on Thomas Cruise war veteran, I think a novelist/writer following wars and conflicts sounds cool.

>>2788969
kagoshima btw

>>2789115
>Approach one of the well-dressed Westerners and ask about Harp.

>>2789115
>>Approach one of the well-dressed Westerners and ask about Harp.
They speak our language, and if he does work for foreigners, they should at least be aware of him.

>>2789115
>>Ask one of the uniformed soldiers if they know about Harp.
Most likely people to be involved with the security company.

>>2789115
>Ask one of the uniformed soldiers if they know about Harp.

The soldiery are like to know.

>>2789115
>>Ask one of the uniformed soldiers if they know about Harp.

File: Like this but without ran(...).jpg (989 KB, 1556x2100)

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You approach a small group of soldiers. Their uniforms are blue, with red trim and caps. You notice immediately that they wear no shoulder boards or chevrons, and have no insignia whatsoever. One of the men, obviously an officer if the red sash is any indication, sees you walking up and meets you halfway.

“Good afternoon, sir,” he speaks with an accent you can’t quite place. Definitely not American. “Is there something I can help you with?”

You nod. “I’m looking for a man named Bill Harper. I’ve heard he runs a security operation here.”

The man raises an eyebrow. “The Major?” He then looks to one of his men, and they both chuckle. “Yes, he is nearby. Check that tavern over there.” He points to a building down the street that you never would have assumed to be a tavern in the first place. He chuckles again. “Be aware though, he is not in the mood to give a commission to any old sod.” The other soldier laughs, then the officer does as well. You frown, turning and walking toward the tavern.

Major? Seems he’s promoted himself since he got over here. You walk up to the building and enter through the open door. It is dark inside, and you can hear conversations in a few different languages. As your eyes adjust, you see that it is the spitting image of a bar back home, with tables and chairs, a bar counter with stools, and a gruff-looking man behind the counter.

“Bonjour,” he greets you.

You walk up to the bar, getting the barkeep’s attention. “I’m an American.” You pull the letter from your pocket. “Looking for Major Harp, I was told he’s in here.”

“Ah, monsieur Harp,” the barkeep nods vigorously. “He is over there, at the table in the corner.”

You look over to see a man slumped at the table in question, with a large, half-empty bottle in one hand and a tobacco pipe, still smoldering, in the other. There is an empty glass not far from the bottle, dangerously close to the edge of the table.

You walk up to the table, frowning as you see Harp snore loudly. It seems he’s fallen even deeper into the bottle since you two last met.

>”Sir?”
>Kick his leg to wake him up.
>Sit at the table and pour yourself a drink.
>Write-in.

>>2789280
No wonder the Shogun lost.

>Write-in
>Pour a glass and wave it by his nose, don't drink his swill if we can help it.

>>2789280
>Sit at the table and pour yourself a drink.
>Take the time to add some quick notes to your journal about your first impressions of the city while their still fresh in your mind, after all flowery descriptions of places are all the rage in modern literature

>>2789280
>Sit at the table and pour yourself a drink.
>Kick his leg to wake him up.

>>2789280
>>2789299
this

>>2789115
>similar to the blues worn by the Union Army.
Oh shit nigga, were we a Johnny Reb?
I see potential for TWO interesting character angles here, especially if we stick around long enough for the Satsuma Rebellion.

>>2789280
>>2789299
second

File: Major Harp.jpg (100 KB, 850x664)

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A glass of swill under Harp’s nose might be just the thing to wake him up. You grab the bottle, but as you go to tug it from his hand he starts awake.

“Ah! Unhand me, ruffian!” He sits up instantly pulling the bottle from your grasp and blinking twice, it seems to take him a couple seconds to get his bearings. Then, he sits back, and a grin creeps across his face. “Well I’ll be dammed. Sergeant Stockton.” He chuckles, sitting the bottle back down.

“Major Harp,” you nod. “Been a while.”

“That it has. Haven’t seen you since April.” He crosses his arms, nodding as he looks you up and down. “You just arrive?”

“Less than half an hour ago,” you reply. “I figured I’d come here and look for work.”

He smiles, filling the glass in front of you. “Here, have a drink.” He then sips straight from the bottle. You take the glass, sipping gently to see what exactly is in it. Whiskey, by the taste of it, not particularly good whiskey though. You down the glass as quickly as possible to avoid tasting too much of it. Harp raises an eyebrow. “You’re looking healthier. Put most of the weight back on?”

“As much as I could,” you nod. “Probably lost a few pounds on the voyage over though.” You both chuckle.

“Yes, the food on those damn clippers is worse than hard tack.” He takes another sip from the bottle. “So, you’re looking for work…”

“Yes sir.”

Harp yawns. “Well, there’s plenty to do here in Edo. Bodyguard work, arms trading, journalism if you’re into that sort of thing…” He trails off. “And, but this is just rumors, I’ve heard that the major clans are beginning to take sides. Looking for Westerners to train their men, supply them, things like that.” He shrugs. “It looks like the modern world is finally coming to the land of the Rising Sun.” He takes a long drink from the bottle. “Which means plenty of opportunity to get rich.”

>”You said that you have a security operation. Are your men the ones in blue and red uniforms?”
>"Clans taking sides? Over what?"
>”You’ve been here longer than me, sir. Could you give me the grand tour?”
>”You were a Captain last time we spoke, sir.”
>Pour yourself another glass.
>Write-in.

>>2789465
>>”You were a Captain last time we spoke, sir.”
>>"Clans taking sides? Over what?"

>>2789481
+1

>>2789465
>"Clans taking sides? Over what?"
>”You’ve been here longer than me, sir. Could you give me the grand tour?”
while walking
>>”You were a Captain last time we spoke, sir.”

>>2789465
>"Clans taking sides? Over what?"

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“Why are the clans taking sides?” You raise an eyebrow.

Harp takes another swig from the bottle, followed by a quick puff of his pipe. “Over who should be in charge.” He leans forward. “See, the clans are a bit like states. At least, that’s the way I like to think of them. And the Daimyos are a bit like governors.” He takes a long series of puffs on his pipe. “Some of the Daimyos think that the Shogun isn’t fit to lead Japan anymore.”

You frown. “Why is that?”

Harp chuckles darkly, shaking his head. “Because he let foreigners into the country. Of course, he had to, we had a fleet ready to blow his coastal cities off the map if he refused, but the Daimyos didn’t care.” He crosses his arms. “They want the Emperor to take power. ‘Expel the Foreigners’ is their slogan.” He laughs loudly, drunkenly. “Clearly they don’t have a very good sense of irony since they’re trying to get the British to help them. Dumb Jappos.”

You frown. “States making their own armies. Trying to fight other states.” You shake your head. “Sounds familiar.”

“That it does, my boy.” Harp nods solemnly, then hiccups. “It’s looking like a full-scale civil war could erupt in this country. There have already been armed clashes between some of the factions here, small scale, but bloody all the same.” He coughs, then spits on the floor next to him. “It’d be a short war though. The Shogun’s men still use spears, swords and matchlocks. If the British supplied the competition with modern weapons, it’d be the end for the Shogun and his people.” He takes another gulp from the bottle. “Of course, all the Daimyos are trying to prevent war, but all it takes is one company with itchy trigger fingers to start a war.”

“That’s true, sir.” You nod. The two of you sit there for a few minutes, not saying much. Some patrons enter, some leave, and eventually you decide to bring up something that’s been eating at you. “Major, I’ve got a question.”

“Ask away, Sergeant.” Harp rubs his beard tiredly.

“You were a Captain when we last spoke. What happened between then and now?”

Harp raises an eyebrow, then chuckles. “Well, I resigned my commission when I left the States, so I’m technically nothing now.” He shrugs. “But… The rank of Major sounds good in conversation, and around here nobody’s going to ask for proof of rank. Being a senior officer opens a lot of doors.” He claps a hand on your shoulder. “You should consider it too. Just imagine: Captain Stockton. Has a nice ring to it, yeah?”

>”Do you know of any places where I can find lodgings? I’d like to not be lugging my things around with me all day.”
>”Suppose I could get the Grand Tour, sir?”
>”I saw some men in uniform on the way here. Blue with red trim and hats. Your men?”
>Write-in.

>>2789605
>”Do you know of any places where I can find lodgings? I’d like to not be lugging my things around with me all day.”

>>2789605
>>”I saw some men in uniform on the way here. Blue with red trim and hats. Your men?”
>”Do you know of any places where I can find lodgings? I’d like to not be lugging my things around with me all day.”

>>2789605
>”Do you know of any places where I can find lodgings? I’d like to not be lugging my things around with me all day.”
>”I saw some men in uniform on the way here. Blue with red trim and hats. Your men?”

>>2789605
>”Do you know of any places where I can find lodgings? I’d like to not be lugging my things around with me all day.”

>>2789605
>Do you know of any places where I can find lodgings? I’d like to not be lugging my things around with me all day

File: Iron Frame Henry.jpg (31 KB, 1024x291)

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“Do you know anywhere that I can stay?” You gesture to the haversack and suitcase on the floor next to you. “I’d like to have a place to stow my things.”

Harp nods. “Lodging, yes. I’ve got a place, there’s a hotel just down the street.” He stands up, saying something to the barkeep in French as the two of you leave the saloon.

It isn’t long before you arrive at the hotel in question. It is a traditionally-styled building, like all the ones in Edo, and it is staffed by English-speaking Japanese workers. Harp introduces you to the manager, a short man named Takashi. You have some money with you, mostly leftover army wages from the War’s end, and you decide to rent the cheapest room they have available. It is on the second floor, at the corner of the building. The room itself is small, with a bed roll and a short table, but not much else. You thank Takashi, then begin unpacking after he leaves.

First is your haversack. In it you have your spare clothes, your Kepi cap (though it is too threadbare to be wearable now), a knife, your old Colt Dragoon, a holster for the Dragoon, a bag of nitrate-paper .44 cartridges, percussion caps, a pocket watch, and a kettle for making coffee. You put most of the items back in the haversack. You keep the Dragoon on your person, however, putting the holster on in a way that your jacket hides it. Then you move on to the suitcase.

In it you have a pillow, thick wool blanket, and a smaller box containing a disassembled Henry Repeater. You open the box and reassemble the rifle as quickly as possible, taking care with the somewhat delicate mechanism. It’s an iron frame rifle, which you’ve heard is relatively uncommon. You acquired it on the way home after the War ended. Though you have a box of cartridges, there’s only enough for two full magazine tubes. You sit the rifle in the corner of the room, then stand up and stretch.

Harp said he’d meet you back at the tavern once you were done here, so you leave the room, locking the door behind you, and head back toward where you had come from. As you walk down the street, you see more of the Japanese men in the black and blue robes. They storm past you and enter a shop nearby. You shrug, they certainly seem stern. Perhaps they’re the local police force?

You arrive at the saloon to see Harp sitting at the same table. He waves you over. “So, what did you think of the hotel?”

“It’s a nice place,” you say. “Small, but comfortable.”

“I agree,” Harp says. “Anyway, do you want more whiskey? I know I do.”

>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”
>”No thanks. Just wanted to stop by before going to look for work.” (leave on your own)
>”Sure.”
>”Do you think you should be drinking so much? What about your security business?”
>Write-in.

Also this is the last post tonight. Will resume tomorrow at around the same time.

>>2789853
>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”
I like the journalist idea.

>>2789853
>>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”
>>2789875
We could be Hemingway before Hemingway

>>2789853
>>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”
Let's get our bearings. We're a long way from home in a very different land.

>>2789853
>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”

>>2789853
>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”

>>2789853
>Show me around town

>>2789853
>"Show me around Cap'n."

>>2789853
>We're not playing a hitokiri
Quest dropped.

>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”

>>2789853
>>”No thanks. Just wanted to stop by before going to look for work.” (leave on your own

>>2789853
>>”Actually, do you think you could show me around town? I’d like to know the important areas.”

File: p02ls7ym.jpg (149 KB, 1280x640)

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You shake your head. “I’d actually like to be shown around the city, if you could.”

Harp nods solemnly. “That’s fair. Probably best to get your bearings here as soon as possible.” He stands up, stretching. “Follow me.”

He leads you out of the tavern and down the street on which it resides. This part of town is the foreign trade district, he explains, and is the most likely place to find Westerners. Though many of the Japanese in this district speak some English and French, Harp tells you that it will likely be difficult to strike up a meaningful conversation with one.

Next the two of you head deeper into the city proper. As it would turn out, Edo is basically a tightly-packed series of small islands, connected by bridges. The further away from the harbor you get, he says, the less Westerners you’ll find. Eventually, the two of you pass a large, walled complex that he explains is the Shogunal Palace. You notice some more of the men in black and blue robes, who Harp says are a sort of police force made up of samurai.

You and Harp arrive in what he describes as the ‘pleasure town.’ It is almost dark now, and the streets are illuminated by paper lanterns hanging across the street from ropes. Harp explains that the pleasure district is made up of bath houses, theatres, whorehouses, inns, gambling parlors, and other such establishments. Interestingly enough, he explains that few westerners go here, as the venues are more suited to the Japanese palate. You see a group of some women in red robes, wearing white makeup and elaborate hair styles. Some men here openly carry swords, despite not wearing the uniforms of the samurai police. You ask Harp about them, and he hurriedly changes the subject back to the gambling halls.

By the time the two of you return to the trade district, it is dark out. Harp leads you back to the tavern, and the two of you sit down for more drinks. “So what do you think of Edo?” He speaks between sips of liquor.

“It’s a beautiful city.” You pour yourself a drink. “I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I came here, but it wasn’t this.” You think about cities back in the US, places like New York and San Francisco. They’re so much more cluttered, more fast-paced. Dirtier.

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Your attention is redirected when you overhear a part of a conversation. “Yes, we were fighting against tyrants!” Looking over, you see a man wearing a pristine Confederate officer’s uniform, two of them actually, talking to some Japanese men at another table. “We were trying to preserve the old order, an honorable way of life.” He nods to one of the Japanese men. “Just as y’all are doing here.”

You grimace, taking a large gulp of liquor. You’d seen Southern honor up close. Young boys and old men conscripted to fight, pointless bayonet charges into walls of repeating rifles, Negroes with backs covered in scars, thousands of men dead of starvation and disease, plus the walking skeletons of those whom death had refused to take... Your grip on the glass tightens.

>”Honorable men don’t start a war against their own people over a lost election.”
>”Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?”
>Ignore them. It’s none of your business.
>Write-in.

>>2791011
>"Honorable men dont start a war against their own people over a lost election."

>>2791011
>”Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?”
We can make a fren.

>>2791011
>>Ignore them. It’s none of your business.
We haven't even been off the boat a day yet, let's not rush to make enemies.

>>2791011
>”Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?”

>>2791011
>>”Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?”

>>2791011
>"Honorable men dont start a war against their own people over a lost election."

>>2791011
>"Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?"

>>2791011
>>”Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?”

It's 1865 for chist's sake. Did they even stand with Lee when it counted?

>>2791011
What month is it?

>>2791011
>>”Honorable men don’t start a war against their own people over a lost election.”

>>2791213
september. by op's count, it takes 4 months to get to japan, so they could have made if they blitzed straight there.

>>2791011
>”Those are some nice uniforms. You boys been in Japan a while?”

You sigh, pouring yourself another drink. “Those are some nice uniforms.” You then down the glass in a single go. “Been in Japan a while?”

The man who was just talking turns to look at you, raising an eyebrow. “Well, didn’t expect to see a Yankee here.” He strokes his mustache, grinning. “Me and my staff officer were dispatched to England just before Mobile fell, back in ’64.” He takes a drag of his cigar, puffing a cloud of smoke in your direction. “When the writing was really on the wall, after Savannah was burned…” He sighs, shaking his head. “I decided to come here.” He takes the cigar out of his mouth, waving it around. “Thought maybe I could keep some semblance of the Southern cause alive abroad.”

“So you’ve not surrendered?” You raise an eyebrow.

“No, and I never shall.” The man stands a little bit taller, puffing his chest out. A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I take it you fought in the War?”

“That I did.” You pour another glass. “140th New York.”

As you drink from the glass, the Confederate nods, whistling. “New York boy, eh? What battles did you see?”

You grimace, finishing your glass. “Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg… And the Wilderness.” You look directly at the man, pausing to pour yet another glass. “And you?”

The Confederate puffs on his cigar some more. “Well, I was present when we routed you Yankees at the first and second Manassas.” He grins, suppressing a chuckle. “After a musket ball nearly took my leg, I was assigned to staff duties in Alabama.”

“So you were assigned a desk job, then sent overseas,” Harp speaks up. You see his eyes narrow at the Grayback. “Sounds like you were fortunate.”

“Perhaps.” The Confederate frowns. “It is certainly good that I did not have to witness your General Sherman burning my home state to the ground.” He looks at you again. “No people should have to suffer their homes being burned by a tyrannical aggressor, after all.”

>”I don’t think I like your tone, Parlor-Soldier.”
>”The War’s over, gentlemen, let’s not try restarting it here.”
>Walk up and punch the Grayback across the jaw.
>Get Major Harp and leave.
>Write-in.

>>2791011
Op?When is you going to be here?

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Sorry for the long delay posting. Dinner took longer than expected to get.

>>2791371
>"Wars over, gentlemen, let's not restart it here."

>>2791371
"A strong people woould't have let it happen."

>>2791378
Ditto

>>2791371
>”The War’s over, gentlemen, let’s not try restarting it here.”

>>2791371
>>”The War’s over, gentlemen, let’s not try restarting it here.”

>>2791371
>>”The War’s over, gentlemen, let’s not try restarting it here.”

>>2791371
>"The war's over, gentleman, let's not try restarting it here."

>>2791371
>”The War’s over, gentlemen, let’s not try restarting it here.”

>>2791371
>”The War’s over, gentlemen, let’s not try restarting it here.”

>>2791371
>>Walk up and punch the Grayback across the jaw.
>>Write-in.
Toast with our glass. "To lost brothers."

“A tyrannical aggressor? That’s funny.” Harp scowls openly at the Confederate officer. “I seem to remember your ilk firing the first shots of the War.”

You frown. “Gentlemen…”

Your attempt to get everyone’s attention falls on deaf ears. The Confederate and his buddy both turn toward your table. The officer takes a couple steps toward you. “Maybe if you boot-licking Yankees hadn’t tried to take our liberty away, there wouldn’t have been a need for violence.”

You see Harp’s right hand go below the table, certainly to a revolver on his hip. “You made the decision to murder your countrymen. Don’t try to act like there was any honor in it.” You see the Confederate’s hand go closer to the saber on his belt as he takes another step. Your hand reflexively drifts to the handle of your Dragoon.

“GENTLEMEN!” You shout openly, then pull the hammer back on your revolver for emphasis. “The War is over.” You look to Harp, then back to the Confederate. “Let’s not try and restart it here, yeah?”

The Confederate looks around at the shocked patrons, as well as his Japanese guests, who look horrified. He sighs angrily, moving his hand away from the saber and stepping back. You ease the hammer back down as everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief. The Confederate exchanges some hushed words with his staff officer, then he clears his throat. “If you will excuse me and my compatriot, we must retire for the evening.” He bows to his Japanese friends, then he and the staff officer leave the saloon, blowing clouds of tobacco smoke as they go.

“Well that was exciting,” Harp says sarcastically. He pours himself another glass, drinking it immediately. “I wasn’t aware you had a revolver on you. Still using that old horse pistol?”

“You know it, sir.” You reply with a weary smirk. “Still have your Remington?”

He nods. “I do.” He then opens his jacket, showing the revolver strapped to his hip. “Never leaves my side.” He drinks from the bottle quickly. “Wasn’t expecting to see Graybacks here, at least not uniformed ones.”

You shrug. “It seems this place attracts all sorts.”

“Indeed.” He shakes his head. “We may want to clear out of here, in case they just left to bring some friends.”

>”I think they’re gone for the night, sir.”
>”Perhaps you’re right.”
>Write-in.

>>2791485
>>”Perhaps you’re right.”

>>2791485
>>”Perhaps you’re right.”

>>2791485
>>”Perhaps you’re right.”
We've no real reason to hang around anyway.

>>2791485
>”Perhaps you’re right.”

>>2791485
>”I think they’re gone for the night, sir.”

>>2791485
>”Perhaps you’re right.”
>"I should get some rest anyways."

>>2791485
>”I think they’re gone for the night, sir.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” you say as both of you stand up.

“Of course I am.” Harp grins. “My intuition’s brought me this far, after all.” The two of you immediately head for the door, with Harp leaving some money at the bar counter. You both make your way back to the hotel without incident, and go your separate ways at the lobby. You agree to meet up with Harp tomorrow morning to discuss business opportunities at a local tea house. He explains that it is a good place to meet English-speaking Japanese who might be looking for Westerners to hire.

You unroll the futon mat on the floor, next to the small table. The room is lit by two oil lamps, the first of which you extinguish after you’ve set your bedding up. You lay the woolen blanket and pillow on top of the bedroll, then remove your holster and lay down. It has been a long, exhausting day, and you’re keen on getting some good rest before you do anything more in this city. You can’t help but notice how quiet it is tonight, far more so than in any American city. It should be calming, but you cannot help but feel just a little disturbed by it. You’ve read that the Japanese value respect and politeness though, so that is probably the reason for the lack of noise.

That encounter with the Confederates though, it definitely got your blood pumping. Hopefully you won’t have to see them ever again. You lay the Dragoon next to your pillow, in easy reach, then pull out a small, tattered journal you keep in your pocket. The cover is practically gone, the inside of the cover has been scratched out with a knife, and some of the pages have had to be glued back into place, but you fully intend to keep it. The thing stayed in your breast pocket through the entire War, you aren’t about to give up something that lucky. You decide to write down the day’s events, as well as descriptions of the city and its people. You are about to close the journal, but decide to flip back to the beginning. Twelve days after your unit was called to muster. You’d had no idea that the War would turn out the way it did. You shake your head, closing the little book and laying it next to your pistol.

Looking out through the window in the corner of the room, you see the moon, half-covered by clouds. This new land is strange. Perhaps it was a mistake to come here, you think. Perhaps you should have tried harder to make things work back home. But then again, here you can leave all that behind you.

You lay your old kepi over your eyes, just like you did during campaigns, and you try to sleep. You start awake a few times over the next hour or so, as you have for a couple years now, and then you finally fall asleep.

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And that's all for tonight. I may run a session this Friday, but if not the next one will be next Monday at around the same time as usual. Feel free to ask any questions, I'll be online off and on for the next hour or so before bed.

>>2791609
Is it still possible to join the emperials, or are we just stuck with the shogunate?

>>2791609
Thanks for running. Glad to see you running regularly again.

>>2791621
Meijifag get out

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>>2791621
My ancestors are smiling on me Imperial. Can you say the same?

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>>2791621
Nothing is set in stone at the moment, Anon. It'll be harder to connect with the Imperials, but certainly not impossible. Or you could always go full-Kurtz and make your own faction later on.

>>2791637
>>2791660
>anons who foolishly believe that the shogunate can still survive

>>2791684
>Anon wanting to go the easy route
Why play a quest if there is no risk of losing

>>2791696
I just want to see a more glorious Japanese empire.

>>2791675
>That spoiler
>Yes please

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>>2791675
I have the perfect location to establish a micro-nation of disaffected ronin, burakumin, hinin and waifus.

>Itams a historical quest
Yes
>In Boshin Japan
YES
>WHERE WE CAN SIDE WITH ANY FACTION

YEEEEEEEEEEEES

>>2792057
Ezo was always screwed bcause no people lol.

A breakaway, ostensibly, would only work if the rest of Japan wasn't united behind a single figure with a mandate to own all of Japan. As such, such a plan would probably need multiple destabilizing influences that would, at minimum, result in Japan breaking into three parts, with the condition that one could not subject one of the others and gain the upper hand in reconquering the land.

Such a condition could likely only come about by either heavy foreign inflence or a great deal of individual community autonomy (a la Warlord Era) that I just don't think the Japanese psyche can rise to. I mean, even just having some foreign backing wasn't eough to keep Ezo alive, because no one was willing to start an actual war over an internal Japan dispute.

So understanding all that, we would probably need to create a Crimson Skies scenario, wherein many small and roughly comparable power structures emerge, essentially reverting Japan to pre-Shogun times while keeping the Emperor at most a figurehead, and preventing any sort of restoration to his power of rule.

The thing about the Crimson Skies plan, however, is that it largely has to play off cultural and geographic separations that Japan is somewhat lacking, especially bcause it's already a kind of tiny place. Suppose then we focus on the divides that already exist: Kyushu and Shikoku might very well fall nicely into independence under the Satsuma and the Tosa, while the Choshu might be willing to lord over southern Honshu. Trouble is, they're all staunchly Imperial and it would take smething pretty drastic to shake that. You can make the same argument for Hokkaido doing it's own thing, with the north being split between Sendai, Aizu, or any of the other major Shogun supporters. But again, so lies the problem of keeping them from uniting and then forcing the banner of on to the fore.

So, to do this, we would honestly need something utterly destructive to the Japanese psyche, that it divides the people in ways that they can't possibly unite behind one banner.

With this in mind, it is my recommendation that we create anime and begin the Waifu Wars.

>>2792389
>>2792057
>>2791746
>anons disloyal to the supreme power of the shogun

>>2792389
>begin the Waifu Wars.
Oh please no. We haven't even met any women yet.
>inb4 men
no, those are husbandos.

>>2792741
Husbando Wars then

>>2792865
Joking aside, it probably would take something utterly ridiculous to break the Emperor v Shogun dichotomy. The closest thing was probably the ruling council idea some of the Daimyos had come up with, but the Restoration kaiboshed that quick.

Honestly, any remnant would have better luck setting up shop in Formosa, rather than trying to start a new republic on Japanese land with an all powerful Shogun or Emperor able to consolidate power.

>>2792885
Neo-Sengoku Period.

Also the Ryukyus and Korea if some expansionism is required.

>>2793580
Except, they can't really be warring, otherwise the same thing happens and one guy gets the wild hair and power to enforce a new shogunate or Emperor restoration. Ryukyus are a touch too close, and would probably get Ezo'd when the main island gets its shit together.

As a remnant, land war with the Qing (or even Russians, depending) over Korea is always going to end poorly for us until way late in the century.

So if I have this right

>Imperials are basically end game but a solid choice and boring
>Shoguns are basically hard mode unless serious reforms to army doctrine and military thinking are made
>Republic is basically a pipe dream

Tough c in pieces all round

>>2793826
Jesus what even happened to this post

*Tough choices all round

>>2793826
Just go for the Shoguns, make them be on equal footing with the Imperials. Have them kill each other and weaken themselves that we can form a republic under there noses.

>>2793861
+1

>>2793861
I mean I could see it, that WOULD require the conflict between Shogun and Empreor to destabilise the nation and a sufficient Republican movement to allow this to happen, I'm no expert on this period of history so I'm not sure how possible this could be but in any case getting the backing of a foreign power could be crucial

Shogun all the way baby, the only way to do alternate history is to change it, not against changing to rep too though.

Also, those confed assholes are gonna do something. We may have to shoot them first this time around

>>2794037
>minor antagonist becomes a nemesis of the MC

oh God its Blaise all over again

please someone get this jokeI miss you HF

>>2794050
holy shit Blaise!

damn, chiri still best girl,hate you guys for what you did to her before I came aboard

>>2794062
Muh nigga

>hating playerbase for basically protecting chiri as best we could while giving her what she wanted (religious freedom and Wilhelm)

U w0t m8?

>>2793826
Oh, don't get my ruminating wrong. This is /qst/, anything is possible to a degree (based on the qm). And, honestly, there's a wonderful fun in playing on the losing side sometimes, so long as it's an interesting end. Like all those games about being Zeon.

Since we're coming off the Civil War, we probably have a few different main strategies to fighting in mind, things like the advantages of tactical defensive and use of entrenchments to endure (and return with great effectiveness) rifle fire or the nascent use of cavalry in the role of recon and deep raiding.

>>2794050
Fuckn Blaise

>>2794065
>Samurai Carbine cavalry
>Samurai Cuirassiers
>Have to constantly clash with traditionalists in the shogunate
>rural japan is perfect for Jager/skirmishers
>know we can win if THEY WOULD JUST LISTEN

Fuck it lets do this

>>2794064
nah men, when the guys crushed her carefree attitude and garantee we would never see the other side of her by punishing and scolding her by stupid shit

>>2794114
When the alternative is her being abused/lynched/raped/killed while we were a essentially a spoonyknight for hire the choice was more sound and safer in telling her we could protect her better if she played diligent slave.

Damn HF for that quality turnabout regarding it though I can only hope time tempered Chiri's relationship with Wil

>>2794127
maybe, still disagree and would like to try the other way around though, it felt like a shitty, overreacted and gratuitous move, it felt like people were afraid of her becoming main girl and wanted to drop her a notch, but yeah, HF did a good job if we still talk/theorize about it

Mathilde best girl

>>2794150
I can see where you are coming from but it's not like we hit her, from memory especially after genuine love for Wilhelm was established she was basically de facto main girl until Iovetta was introduced as a genuine princess he did start taking a backseat particularly when Iovetta was introduced but it really just came with who Wilhelm was and what he was trying to become and a HEATHEN concubine in the HOLY LAND really didn't play to the whole pr thing we were trying to accomplish.

I honestly wish HF had kept up on the quest in the long term even if it would have been sporadic in the extreme just to see how these characters would have aged and matured.

[Spoiler]shit just give me another HF quest[/spoiler]

>>2793861
>>2793938
+1

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Been reading the discussion on my phone at work the last couple days. It puts a smile on my face seeing it. Also a quick status update: I work tomorrow so no session then. We're still on for Monday afternoon/evening though.

>based on the last samurai

fucking meh

>>2799626
Except we haven't established MC as having anything close to respect for these sandal wearing savages yet.

personally I never hope we do

>>2795828
Where the fuck are you?

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>>2804335
I just woke up for the day, Anon. Session will be in two hours. Working third shift fucking sucks, man.

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“Of course, sir. It’s perfectly safe here in Edo.” You walk beside the trader, leading him toward the tavern. “Our people are the best in Japan.” You give him the regular spiel as you arrive at the building. However, you don’t enter the tavern itself, instead going up a set of stairs leading to the second floor.

“Well if it is so safe here, why would I require private security in the first place?” The man harrumphs at you, puffing on a meerschaum pipe. He is a tea exporter from Prussia named Zorn, who just arrived a couple of days ago.

You arrive at the top of the stairs, opening the door to the second-floor room serving as you and Harp’s office. “Well, there are no tea plantations in Edo. If you are to conduct business here I am sure you will need the support of our company.” You direct him into the office. “After you, sir.”

The tea exporter enters the office and you stand outside, leaning against the wall. You’ve been here five days now, you you’ve spent them working with Harp. “Working” is maybe a stretch to describe what you two do, as it would turn out, Harp’s security operation fell apart not long after he sent you the letter. A Dutch mercenary company ran him out of business, they were the men in the blue and red uniforms. You and Harp decided that you would offer to set people up with independent mercenaries, kind of like a middle-man. However, most potential clients haven't been too impressed, you've lost four potential contracts since you got here. It is maybe ten minutes before the Prussian exits the office, tipping his hat to you before descending the stairs and walking down the street.

You enter the office and see Harp standing over the desk, frowning as he looks out through the window.

“I take it the meeting didn’t go well?” You raise an eyebrow. Harp looks at you, then sighs.

He pulls out his pipe and lights it. “Quite the opposite actually. “I’ve secured us a job accompanying Zorn and his associates.” He shakes his head. “They’re here to buy tea shipments in bulk.” He takes several puffs of his pipe. “They’re going to be conducting the sale tomorrow, and he wants bodyguards.”

Your stomach sinks. “Tomorrow? That’s not enough time for us to find and recruit a team.”

Harp shakes his head. “No it isn’t.” He sighs. “The pay was too good to say no.”

You grimace. “Well what are we going to do?”

The Major rubs his face tiredly. “I’m still trying to think of something.”

>”You could send me as a bodyguard. Tell him that I’m your most skilled man and he might be alright with only having one bodyguard along.”
>”What if we both go out and look for mercenaries to hire? We might be able to scrape together a team in time that way.”
>”I think you should cancel the contract, sir. Tell him that we just didn’t have enough men to spare.”
>Write-in.

>>2804584
>Harp’s security operation fell apart not long after he sent you the letter. A Dutch mercenary company ran him out of business
That is going to cause us trouble long term. If we figure out what they specialize in, we could try and pick another niche.

>”You could send me as a bodyguard. Tell him that I’m your most skilled man and he might be alright with only having one bodyguard along.”
Some randoms we scrape up are likely not going to make a good impression. If we want to build a team later, better that we find competent people.

>>2804584
>you could send me as a bodyguard.

>>2804584
>>”You could send me as a bodyguard. Tell him that I’m your most skilled man and he might be alright with only having one bodyguard along.”

You grimace. This isn’t good. “Well, sir. You could send me as a bodyguard.”

Harp raises an eyebrow. “Okay, that’s still one man.”

“Tell him I’m your best.” You cross your arms. “That I’m good enough to be worth a team of normal guys.”

“You think it’d work, Sergeant?”

You shrug. “It’s worth a shot. Better than trying to recruit guys we haven’t had time to get trained and vetted.”

Harp frowns, puffing on his pipe some more. “That’s true…” He stands up straight, putting his hands in his pockets. “You’ve still got a rifle?”

“Yes sir.”

“Make sure you bring it.” He grimaces. “Traders have been attacked and killed in this country before, so you’ll need to be prepared for multiple enemies.”

You nod. “Got it. Anything else?”

“For now, no. Go and get your weapons, be back here as soon as possible.”

You nod again, making your way downstairs and heading for the hotel. You get there and greet the manager quickly, then head to your room. You get your rifle, cartridges, extra revolver ammunition, and your knife. You sling the rifle over your shoulder and head back to the office, catching glances from several passers-by as you walk.

“I’m back,” you announce as you enter the office. Harp nods at you, puffing on his pipe some more.

“Iron frame,” he nods at your rifle. “Good choice.”

“Thanks.” You sit the rifle against the wall. “When do I meet up with Zorn?”

Harp crosses his arms. “We’ll meet him at the Hotel Pacific at 7:00 PM.” He points out through the window. “It’s a more upscale merchants’ hotel near the waterfront. That one.” He points to a tall building with a more European-style roof. “In the meantime, feel free to do whatever you like.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m going to get a drink or three downstairs.” He stands up and heads for the door, not saying anything else as he heads downstairs. You’ve got almost three hours until you have to be there. You try to think of ways to occupy your time.

>Walk around Edo for a little bit. Perhaps leave the rifle up here though.
>Go down and drink with Harp. May as well calm your nerves before work.
>Head back to your hotel room and rest up.
>Clean your weapons once more while you’re here. You don’t want any misfires.
>Write-in.

>>2804718
>Clean your weapons once more while you’re here. You don’t want any misfires.

Good habit

>>2804718
>>Clean your weapons once more while you’re here. You don’t want any misfires.

>>2804718
>clean your weapons once more
>walk around edo
Cleaning weapons doesn’t take 3 hours right?

Roll me some 1d20s

>>2804796
Nah, you'll get to do some other stuff too.

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>2804822
Ere yo go boss

>>2804822
Dice+1d20

>>2804834
I’m retarded sorry

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2804822
Git good fags

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>2804822

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>2804822
Come on dice.

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13, no problems during cleaning.

You decide to clean your weapons, seeing as you don’t want a misfire or anything. You lay the Henry on the desk, sitting down and unloading it. Once you’ve cleared it, you begin taking it apart. The mechanism is delicate, that’s the only issue you have with the rifle, so you take special care with it. You clean and oil every moving part, then get the rifle back together and work the action a couple times to judge for smoothness, then you load it back up and set it aside.

Next you take your Colt Dragoon out. The cylinder is loaded, so you can’t do anything to unload it. You remove the barrel and cylinder, oiling everything that you can before you put it back together. You used to have two of these revolvers, but the second one was destroyed at Chancellorsville. You have a couple spare cylinders, so you take the time to load them up too, that way you can reload quickly if needed. You’ve only got a few nitrate paper cartridges, so you decide to save them and use loose powder and balls for now.

You re-holster your Dragoon and put the extra cylinders in your pocket, then take out your knife. It is a large bowie-type, with a D-guard, that you got on the battlefield at Gettysburg. One of your men said it was a Confederate knife, but you aren’t so sure, since you never found its former owner. You put some oil on the blade and take out a whetstone, taking care to make the blade as sharp as possible. It takes maybe ten minutes, since it’s been a while, but you get it sharp enough to shave the hair from your arm.

Putting the knife away, you lay the rifle back against the wall and leave the office, heading downstairs. Taking a quick glance at your pocket watch, you see that it took about half an hour to clean your weapons. You’ve still got a little over two hours until you have to be at the hotel.

>Wander around town for a bit.
>Drink for a bit in the saloon.
>Head over to the waterfront. Scope out the Hotel Pacific before you meet Zorn there.
>Write-in.

>>2804896
>>Wander around town for a bit.
Make sure to take notes about the area in our journal, including any interesting people we meet.

>>2804896
>Head over to the waterfront. Scope out the Hotel Pacific before you meet Zorn there.

>>2804896
>Drink for a bit in the saloon.

Waiting 10 minutes then rolling a d3 to break the tie.

>>2804896
>Wander around town for a bit.

You start walking down the street. Though you’ve been here for five days, you still don’t know the city of Edo very well. Your endeavors have mostly been confined to the merchant district. Perhaps it’d be better to get a look at the places you’ve left less-traveled.

You keep to familiar roads initially, but soon find yourself crossing the bridge into the less-Westernized part of the city. As you walk about, alone, you notice a couple of glares from the locals, though they avert their eyes as soon as you realize they’re staring. It would seem this is some sort of marketplace, and you decide to make your way to a different location instead of trying to mingle with the people there. You end up in an unfamiliar neighborhood, reminiscent of the pleasure district you encountered when you first arrived. There aren’t a lot of people around, but you notice small gatherings in the alleyways between buildings as you pass.

Eventually, you decide to turn around, before you end up getting lost in this maze of a town. When you turn around, however, you are greeted with a hand grabbing your arm hard. You turn to see one of the blue-robed Japanese, constables of some sort if you remember correctly. He glares openly at you. “American or French?” His English is almost flawless. You cannot help but notice the finely-decorated sword on his belt. One of his hands is on the hilt of it.

You try to move your arm to your holstered pistol, but the short man is far stronger than he looks. He starts to ask again, but you cut him off. “American.”

He grimaces, looking around. “You should not be here. Come with me.”

He begins dragging you by the arm, not saying another word. After a while, he lets go, and you see that you are back in a normal-looking part of town. The swordsman’s hand has not left his weapon, and he frowns at you. Some of the locals look your way, before immediately going back to what they were doing.

The swordsman points down a street, in a different direction from where you were dragged. “You should stay in your part of town, Foreigner.” His scowl deepens as his hand leaves the hilt of his sword. “Go.”

>Leave before he decides to draw that sword.
>”You speak good English. Who are you?”
>”Why am I not allowed to be where you found me?”
>Write-in.

>>2805072
>”You speak good English. Who are you?”
>”Why am I not allowed to be where you found me?”

>>2805121
This

Hey, we could use some local muscle for the job

>>2805072
>>”You speak good English. Who are you?”
>>”Why am I not allowed to be where you found me?”

“You speak good English,” you remark. “Who are you?”

“Shinsengumi,” he replies simply. “We enforce the Shogun’s will.”

You frown. Shinsengumi isn’t a word you’ve heard before. You’ll have to ask your hotel’s manager what it means. “Why am I not supposed to be back there?” You point a thumb over your shoulder.

The Shinsengumi man’s eyebrow twitches, and his scowl deepens further. You wonder just how hard he can scowl. “That place is not safe, especially for you.” He points a finger angrily at you. “Now return from where you came.”

You lift a hand, motioning for him to calm down as you turn and walk back toward the merchant district. It’s about time for you to return anyway, seeing as you still need to get your things from the office before you head to the Hotel Pacific. “I’m going.”

“What is your name, Foreigner?” The Shinsengumi raises an eyebrow at you.

“Daniel Stockton.” You frown at him, then keep walking.

It isn’t long before you arrive back at the office. You see Harp stumble out of the saloon, but he quickly sobers up as he sees you. “Good, you’re back. Just in time too, let’s head upstairs.”

You both go up to the office and he runs you through the briefing once more as you ready your weapons. You sling the rifle over your shoulder.

“You shouldn’t have to leave the city today,” he begins. “From what Zorn has told me, the warehouse is on the waterfront, a few miles to the south.” He hands you a box. “Extra rounds for that Henry. Just in case.”

“You think I’ll be getting into a shootout?” You raise an eyebrow.

“Let’s just say that Zorn wouldn’t tell me who he’s buying the tea from.” Harp frowns deeply. “Could be something very fishy about this.”

You sigh. “So he’s working with smugglers of some sort?”

“Possibly,” he nods. “Could be the gangs, Yakuza, they call themselves.”

You pocket the box of ammunition. “I’ll just have to stay extra-sharp then.”

“Indeed,” Harp crosses his arms. “You ready?”

>”What should I do if things go wrong?”
>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”
>”Let’s go.”
>Write-in.

>>2805268
>>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”

>>2805268

>”What should I do if things go wrong?”
>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”

I was planning on posting a couple more updates tonight but something's come up. Calling the session here. We'll have another run tomorrow at around the same time.

>>2805287
+1

>>2805322
Thanks for running

>>2805268
>>”What should I do if things go wrong?”
>>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”

>>2804896
Eh? Colt Dragoon didn't have a removable cylinder.

>>2805268
>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”

>>2805287
+1

>>2805268
Letting you know OP, Spencer repeating rifle had more made than the Henry. So if we see people with repeating rifles most of them would have a Spencer. It holds less (7), fires slower, (Have to half-cock, then work the lever action), but it more durable/less delicate, and packs a bigger punch with it's .56-56 bullet compare to our .44 Henry.

I myself didn't know about the Spencer, until I research guns used in the civil war. Guess when people think of repeating they think Henry.

>>2805268
>>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”

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>>2805659
>Colt Dragoon didn't have a removable cylinder.
Technically speaking, none of the cap and ball revolvers did. From what I understand it was a somewhat common practice to carry a couple pre-loaded cylinders and partially disassemble the weapon so that they could replace the cylinder. It was slow, but still faster and easier than trying to reload with loose powder in a gunfight. They broke down similar to pic related.

>>2805667
Yep, the Spencers were overall a better rifle, hence why more were made and used. I just have a soft spot for the aesthetic of old Henry rifles, so that's the main reason Stockton has one. I'm actually a really into old black powder guns, especially early repeaters. I want to get a Uberti Trapdoor but they're just too expensive for me.

>>2805818
good taste

>>2805268
>”I ran into one of those people in the blue robes earlier.”

Session will be later than planned tonight. Going live in approx 2 hours.

“What should I do if things go wrong?” You grimace at the prospect.

“Well, you’re likely to be facing men armed with swords,” Harp says. “So as long as you’ve got ammunition, you’ll be at an advantage in a fight.” He crosses his arms, frowning. “But if the situation looks bad enough, clear out of there. A bunch of crates of tea aren’t worth dying over.”

“Right,” you nod. Harp opens the door to the office, and the two of you begin heading toward the Hotel Pacific. “I ran into one of those men in the blue robes.”

Harp raises an eyebrow at you. “And what happened?”

You shrug. “He told me to avoid a particular part of town. Said it was dangerous for foreigners.” You both turn a corner and head toward the waterfront, with the hotel now in view. “He called himself Shinsengumi.”

“Ah, I knew it was something like that. Some strange word.” Harp shakes his head. “They’re nothing to worry about as long as you stay out of their way.” The two of you cross the street, avoiding the rickshaws that mill about in this area.

You both walk up to the hotel, with Harp taking the lead as you enter the lobby. It is definitely a European-oriented hotel, with the lobby looking like something you’d expect to see in London. All of the people inside are Westerners, even the employees, and you spot several armed guards milling about in the corners of the lobby.

It doesn’t take long to spot Zorn, who is talking with a group of Europeans. He wears a heavy-looking wool coat and wide-brimmed hat. Large clouds of tobacco smoke puff from his pipe, as well as the cigars of his peers, making the atmosphere around them rather smoky.

Harp waits for a lull in the conversation before butting in. “Herr Zorn,” he greets the Prussian.

Zorn shakes his hand. “Major Harp. I assume the bodyguards are outside?” He looks curiously around the lobby. “I do not see them in here, after all.”

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“Actually, this gentleman is your bodyguard tonight.” Harp gestures to you, and you nod to Zorn and his compatriots. “He’s my best man, easily worth a team in ability alone.”

Zorn raises an eyebrow, drawing from his pipe before speaking. “And what is your name, my good man?”

“Stockton, sir.” You take a soldierly stance.

“Ah, Herr Stockton.” He shakes your hand, smiling. He then looks back to Harp. “Here is you pay, Major.” He hands Harp a large bag of coin. Then the Prussian looks back to you. “Now, Herr Stockton, shall we be off?”

“Of course, sir.” You bid farewell to Zorn’s friends, as well as to Harp, and the two of you leave the hotel. Zorn flags down a rickshaw almost immediately.

“Why walk when you can have someone else do it for you?” He chuckles as the two of you hop in the small cart. Zorn speaks snappily to the driver in French, and the man nods before taking off. The rickshaw moves at a walking pace, allowing you to take in the sights as it moves through the city.

It isn’t long before you leave the trade district entirely, and enter an area populated mainly by what you assume are storehouses. Zorn puffs calmly on his pipe, leaving on arm hanging over the side of the cart lazily. You see a few almost-identical rickshaws pass you, some carrying people, but most carrying crates of goods.

“Excuse me, Herr Stockton.” Zorn’s voice gets your attention. You turn to him as he points over your shoulder. “That is a Henry rifle, yes?”

“It is,” you reply.

“I am somewhat fascinated by repeating weapons. Tell me, is the Henry a good gun? In combat, I mean.”

>”One of the best. A dozen men with Henry rifles could defeat a company of men with rifle-muskets, easily.” (boast)
>”Well, the magazine holds a lot of ammunition, and the action can be cycled quickly, but it’s fragile, and you have to clean it frequently.” (honest/realistic)
>"The Spencer is better, actually." (disparaging)
>”It’s good enough.” (terse)
>Change the subject.
>Write-in.

>>2805818
Funnily enough, Henry rifles were all the rage in the Union Army. Troops bought them with their own money in large enough numbers that at least one or two regiments had Henrys at the Battle of Franklin.

>>2806842
>”One of the best. A dozen men with Henry rifles could defeat a company of men with rifle-muskets, easily.” (boast)

>>2806842
>”One of the best. A dozen men with Henry rifles could defeat a company of men with rifle-muskets, easily.” (boast)

Trying to make a good impression despite our lack of men. Asides, only assholes use spencers.

>>2806842
>”One of the best. A dozen men with Henry rifles could defeat a company of men with rifle-muskets, easily.” (boast)

Load it on Sunday. Fire it the rest of the week.

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You grin. “It’s one of the best. A dozen men with Henry rifles could defeat a company of rifle-muskets.” You shake your head. “I’ve seen it done, as a matter of fact.”

“Ah, I thought you may have been a soldier.” Zorn smiles, rubbing his beard. “It is good that the Henry is such an effective weapon, seeing as you are by bodyguard.” He points to a storehouse at the end of the road you are currently on. “Anyway, that is where my business deal will be taking place. I assume the Major informed you of the basics?”

You nod. “You’re buying a large shipment of tea, right?”

Zorn chuckles. “That is true.” The rickshaw comes to a stop in front of the storehouse and you both get off of the cart and head towards the front door. “You know, I did not realize that being a tea exporter would be so dangerous until I arrived in China.” He leans toward you, raising an eyebrow. “The dammed Englishmen tried to kill me at least three times. And the locals!” He shakes his head. “At least the Japanese seem more civilized than the Chinese.”

A Japanese man at the front door walks up to meet the two of you, frowning. “Are you Zorn?” His English is far less polished than the Shinsengumi from earlier.

“I am. Here to look at the tea.” He tips his hat to the guard, who opens the door and lets both of you in. Inside the warehouse, there are at least a hundred large crates placed about. Zorn walks ahead of you, running a hand along the lid of one of the crates.

“It is all here,” a voice calls out from behind a stack of crates. A Japanese man in red robes steps out. His hair is wild, and he carries a sword on his belt. He scowls at the two of you. “Feel free to check the contents of the crates.”

Without hesitation, Zorn pries the lid off of the nearest crate. It is full of dried brown and green leaves. The Prussian picks up a handful and smells them deeply. “Ah, there is a reason why my clients want Japanese tea.” He lets the leaves fall back into the crate.

“Now, let us discuss payment.” The swordsman steps toward the two of you.

“Right,” Zorn nods. “Let us walk out to the dock.” With that, the three of you exit the storehouse on the opposite side, where a small tramp steamer is pulled up to the dock. You notice four or five other swordsmen standing around, obviously looking out for any trouble. There is a long crate sitting near the edge of the pier, and you see more crates on the deck of the ship. The swordsman walks up to the crate and draws his sword, using it like a prybar to open the crate. He looks inside, then grins and closes the crate back up. “It is all there,” Zorn says with a smile.

>>2806842
>Honest/realistic
I'm guessing he already knows about guns

The swordsman sheathes his sword, crossing his arms. “One crate of mine for one of yours.”

Zorn shakes his head. “Unacceptable. Four of yours for one of mine.”

The swordsman takes a step towards Zorn, hand on the hilt of his weapon.

>Draw your dragoon.
>Let the negotiations play out.
>Write-in.

>>2806956
>>Let the negotiations play out.
Cards close to the chest. Unless he draws, we should stay out of it.

>>2806956
>Put a hand on the hilt of your dragoon

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You rest your hand on the handle of your Dragoon, glancing at Zorn and back to the swordsman. “Two of mine for one of yours.” The Swordsman’s glare never lets up.

Zorn crosses his arms, then smiles. “Very well, my Japanese friend. You have a deal.” You breathe a sigh of relief and let your hand fall to your side.

The swordsman raises an eyebrow, then nods. He shouts something in Japanese to his men, waving his arms as he does, and they begin moving the crates of tea to the dock. Zorn calls up to the crew on the ship, and a gangplank is lowered onto the pier. Crewmen then begin carrying the mystery crates down the gangplank and setting them on the dock.

Zorn puffs on his pipe happily, humming a tune as he runs a hand over the tea crates. “Another successful transaction.” He looks over at you. “That was good thinking, being ready with your pistol.” He points to the place where your holster rests hidden under your coat. “It was far better that you did not use it though. These are not men to be trifled with.”

“Is tea really that big of a commodity?” You frown. It’s just a drink, right?

The Prussian laughs heartily. “You would be surprised, Herr Stockton. The English have started wars over it.” He sighs. “Though, the English will start a war over anything, it seems.” He turns toward the crewmen moving crates. “Be careful with that, um Gotts Willen! Those are very valuable!” The crewmen mutter apologies, taking extra care with the long crates.

The swordsman in red walks up to the two of you, bowing slightly to Zorn. “My masters will be pleased with this transaction. I shall go to them.” He looks out at the crates being moved to and from the ship. “It should not take much longer to get your payment fully unloaded.”

“That is good,” Zorn replies. “May you have safe travels.” He tips his hat as the swordsman turns and walks away. Zorn then turns to you. “It should not be much longer until we can head back to the hotel. I just want to supervise the loading of the tea.”

>”What exactly was in the crates you traded to the Japanese?”
>”Understood.” (wait quietly until the job is completed)
>”Who are these people anyway? They don’t exactly seem above-the-board.”
>Write-in.

>>2807260
>>”Understood.” (wait quietly until the job is completed)

>>2807260
>>”Understood.” (wait quietly until the job is completed)
This whole thing is sketchy, but we can't risk hacking off a client at the moment.

“Understood.” You put your hands in your pockets, waiting for the crewmen to finish loading and unloading the various crates. It isn’t long before the piles of tea crates in the warehouse have virtually disappeared, having been replaced with Zorn’s mystery crates, with maybe a dozen being left to go. You notice the crewmen using large ink stamps to mark the crates as they are put aboard the ship.

“Almost time for us to leave,” Zorn says with a puff of pipe smoke. “This has gone smoother than expect-“ He is cut off by the sound of wood breaking somewhere in the warehouse. There is shouting, and the sounds of commotion.

You instinctively un-sling your Henry, shouldering it as you prepare for the worst. You hear a couple of loud gunshots, and see a great deal of smoke rise from near the front door.

“Oh dear.” Zorn sounds more disappointed than angry or afraid. “It would seem things are not going to go smoothly after all.” You see several men running about in the warehouse and pull Zorn behind a tea crate, crouching next to him and peering over it.

“Damn,” you swear to yourself. “Looks like there’s at least ten of them.” You see burning embers in the darkness. Matchlocks.

“I would avoid shooting anyone if I were you, Herr Stockton.” Zorn shrugs at you. “We may be able to pull a win from this without so much as firing a shot.”

You grimace as more gunshots reverberate in the warehouse, and duck quickly as six men in blue and black robes exit the warehouse brandishing swords. One of them, wearing a white robe rather than a blue one, takes point. You ready the Henry, taking aim at the point-man. A couple of the swordsmen pull out revolvers with their free hands, shouting at you in Japanese.

“Do not shoot,” Zorn steps out from behind the crate with his hands up. “We are American businessmen.” The Japanese, obviously Shinsengumi if their uniforms are any indication, look confusedly at each other. The point-man barks orders at them in their native language, and the men with revolvers put them away.

“What are you doing?” You glare at the Prussian, who gestures with his head for you to exit cover.

“Either you sit that rifle down and surrender with me, or we both go the way of Davy Crockett.” Zorn nods aggressively at you. “I do not want to die today, Herr Stockton.”

You swear to yourself. This isn’t how you’d pictured the night going. You reluctantly sit the rifle on the crate, then put your hands up and slowly step out from cover. Two of the swordsmen walk up to you quickly, putting their blades to your necks. You tense up, hoping the swordsman with his blade to your throat has steady hands.

The man in the white robe, the leader if you had to guess, walks up to the two of you. He frowns deeply, but makes no attempt to grab his own sword. He barks more orders at his men, and a couple of them hurry back into the warehouse. “You are Americans?” The apparent boss leans in to inspect the two of you. He looks directly at you, raising an eyebrow. “Well you are a long way from home, Yankee.”

That's all for tonight. Thankfully my schedule is opening up, so the next thread and session will be Saturday afternoon.

>>2807524
Thanks for running

>>2807517
Well crap. It looks like the client has some sort of plan at least.

Thanks for running

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Quick status update: My work schedule's changed yet again. Thread will be postponed to Sunday afternoon.

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>>2811898
That wasn't even the image I wanted to post.

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>>2811898

>>2811898
We will try to contain our 'fun' of waiting boss.

So it looks like my regular 8-hour shift today has turned into a 12-hour one. I won’t be back at my computer until at least 8PM Eastern, so I’m postponing the new thread until tomorrow afternoon. Sorry guys.