Stilt Town - Strange Reports

[Hon]

Stilt town was a quaint yet slightly impoverished town that sat on the mouth of a river which connected to the open waters of the vast oceans around the Land of Water. The wooden houses were all raised from the water's surface on wooden stilts, with thatch roofs and basic wooden walls without window glass. Each house was connected by small wooden bridges that would eventually re connect back to the shore line.

While the town looked like something and nothing, the sound of laughter would normally fill the air while kids played in the water splashing each other and having a good time. Recently though there had been no sound of laughter, no kids were allowed to play in the water or allowed to leave the houses un supervised.

A faint and eerie singing from the ocean replaced the laughter and terrified everyone within the village. The sound would be the first thing noticed by anyone approaching.

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Strange Reports
Rank: D
IIC Length: 24 Hours
Difficulty: Easy
Description:
Objective: Gather information on the missing items in the land of water's seaside towns.
Reward: 6,250 Ryo

Wolfe had started out early that day, well before the crack of dawn. He was on his way to perform his new mission what was going to take him to out of the village to a town elsewhere on the island called Stilt Town. In the darkness of the morning Wolfe had gotten up and gotten dress with his normal attire of his boots (greaves), pants, shirt, vest, and his jacket. On the way out he had put on his goggles and gloves(gauntlet), and made sure to grab his other stuff as per the routine for any mission that took him outside the Village. So now prepped with his Katana, Kodachi, Disk, and his ninja tools such as his kunai, Bo Shurikens, and Explosive Tags he felt he was prepped enough to take on anything he might come across on this mission in the worst case scenario. However, the mission seemed pretty simple and straight forward, but then again Wolfe new better as anything that looked too good or easy, never was.

Wolfe had made his way out of the village and to the main river to catch a boat down the river to the town. It seemed that items had come up missing and the mission was to gather any and all information he could find on the missing items. However, Wolfe had that gut feeling this was not going to be as simple as it seemed, and he was prepped. He would rather be ready and wrong then the other way around.

It didn’t take too long before dawn broke and shortly afterwards Wolfe’s boat made it to the village. Wolfe thanked the boatman and made his way onto the dock and instantly Wolfe felt uneasy. The village almost seemed dead, with an eerie ghost like feel to it. The only sound Wolfe could really make out besides little noises here and there was this light and eerie singing that seemed to come from the ocean itself. There was something uneasy and unnatural about it, but Wolfe couldn’t put his finger on it. He hoped that while he was here he might find some information on that as well.

Wolfe made his way to the first place that made sense to check, the local shop. As he made with way around the village he saw a person here and there, but they seemed scared and distant and that feeling in the pit of his stomach was growing stronger by the minute. After a short walk Wolfe finally found himself entering the shop. He made his way to the counter to talk to whoever was there, making sure to say hello.

[Hon]

The eerie sounds heard (Link) were beautiful yet unsettling, but since the sun rose the noise would have died down but still be audible. Where as normally with the sunrise the sound of laughter and children playing would begin to fill this little town there was nought but hush and the occasional sound of a door closing or creaking wood.

Upon coming to the shop, Wolfe would find a closed sign on the front. The sign itself was dusty and looked like it hadn't been turned in a while. It was then that the voice of a spunky old man would be heard. "Hello Stranger. What brings you to Stilt town?" He wore a simple garb of red, a straw hat showing some white hair with some whisps of facial hair (Link). "Long shot I know, but are you here from the village? We've been having ourselves a few issues you see."

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

Wolfe was less than impressed with what he saw about this closed down shop, and in truth he was almost a little worried with what he saw. This combined with the overall eerie atmosphere and lack of decent human presence did nothing about Wolfe sense of uneasiness. However, more than anything Wolfe couldn't take his mind off the eerie sound that was coming from the ocean. It was hauntingly beautiful, but it was just that point that worried him.

Wolfe's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an old man's voice. Wolfe turned to face the old man "Hello sir. I am Wolfe, and i came here to find the shop owner to hae a few words with him. I was hoping to find out some information from him hopefully." Wolfe took a second to look the old man up and down. He seemed like a pretty nice looking guy, so Wolfe hoped he might be able to get some information from him if nothing else. However, it seemed he beat Wolfe to the punch a little based on his question to Wolfe "As a matter of fact, yes i am from the Mit village. It seemed there was a mission involving coming out here to look into missing items or something. I am assuming that might be related to these "issues" you talking about. If so, if you don't mind filling me in, i am here to see what i can do." Wolfe hoped this guy could fill him in on what was going on. It seemed he at least had some idea about both some kind of issue, and the obviously the request for a shinobi from the village to come out here and look into stuff.

[Hon]

The water in the river was eeriely still and along with the creepy singing, the occasional sound of the water breaking and a fin hitting the water could be heard. The noise of the flipper would visibly affect the old mans body. It stiffened in fear but his hands shook with rage. "I..I'm the shop keep." He used all of his strength to physically move his body away from the water's edge to open up his shop.

Inside the shop was dark and dusty. The only light came from the window once the curtains were drawn. There was little to no stock inside the shop, the only really items left in a sellable condition was that of a couple lanterns. Everything else looked ransacked or broken. "My shop was the first thing hit and hit a couple of times at that. After the shop was hit, houses were being raided in the middle of the night. Items from outside like some basic wind chimes, we found out over the last few months that the first things taken were the shiniest. Then slowly getting duller and duller until they just took anything."

The man looked down with a tear in his eye. "We tried to lay a trap with what ever we had left, but they knew. They did something to the trap and disappeared into the water not emerging anywhere. We have skilled trackers and fishermen in this village. They literally just vanished into the sea."

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

Wolfe could hear the sound of the fin breaking the water's surface and took a quick glance at it. As Wolfe turned back to look at the old man he could see the fear in him and his shaking hands along with his attempt to make as much distance between himself and water was beginning to worry Wolfe even more. Every minute that went by this was starting to feel more more wrong and at his core Wolfe had that bad feeling.

Wolfe walked in and looked around as the shop keeper talked and explained everything that had happened. As he spoke there was something that stuck out to him, the part about going after the shiniest stuff first. Wolfe took a mental note of that as he continued to listen. As the old man started to cry it was obvious that whatever this was that was happening, it had destroyed this man and his shop, and was wrecking this town. Wolfe also didn't like what he heard about the trackers and fishermen. Wolfe walked over to the window and activated his Ryuugan and looked out over the water as he spoke "Dont worry, I was sent here to find information about the missing items only, but if there is something i can do i will. To help out, can you give me any other information? Like for example, has anyone seen what they look like? Have they spoken to anyone? That is if they can speak at all. or any other important information you can pass on will help, and also, can i see this trap if you still have it?" Wolfe needed to try and fit as many pieces together as he could if he wanted to figure this out.

As he stared out the window with his Ryuugan trying to see if he could see anything interesting he spoke up again "Also, has anyone been hurt by them? if so i need to see them, maybe the wounds will give me some clues, and also, a list of the first things taken will help, and one last thing. When did they hit? during the night?" Wolfe felt like this mission was going to be a pain in his ass for sure.

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((OOC: When Wolfe looked at the fin, and listen tot he flipper, as well as when he was looking out the window he was trying to use his Lore to figure out what he saw and heard. As well as piled with any information he has been given plus any extra he will be given.))

SPOILER: Click to show

Lore, Monster (Coastal)
Rank: "E"
Skill: Skill
Effect: Players with this skill have accumulated a great deal of knowledge regarding the myriad of foul creatures that prowl the world.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Whether acquired from the "fairy tales" of youth, "tall tales" related in various ale houses, weird stories told by travelers or knowledge gained from books, the character has devoured any information he could regarding monsters and their habitats strengths, and weaknesses. If a character makes their skill check, the user will know all information pertaining to that creature. This roll should be made secretly for if the character fails by less than 20, a Game Master should relate false (and preferably dangerously misleading) information. If the Character fails by 20 or more, they cannot recall anything about the subject. Identifying a Creature is dependent on the Difficulty check found in each creature. Each time learned user gets 5 die roll to increase the skill.
Limit: --
Current Rank: Advanced (68)

Home Sweet Home
Rank: "B"
Skill: Regional Trait
Effect: The user is far more powerful when they're in familiar lands.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: When the user is located in the country they were born in, they feel at ease. The advantage of being in one's home is immense for this character. Whenever the user is located in the country of their birth, they get a +20 circumstance bonus to striking damage, +2 circumstance bonus to Will saves, +20 circumstance bonus to skill checks, and +1 movement. This trait replaces 2 Freebies.
Limit: Must start with Character; replaces 2 Freebies

[Hon]

As Wolfe turned to see the splashing noise, only the ripples on the calm waters would be seen with an odd glisten momentarily under the water. Under the water a murky shadow would be spotted not far from the ripples before disappearing into the depths once more. What ever it was would vanish though, not reappearing in eye sight or ear shot.

"Things are coming from the water, three different types. Some with the body like us but fish like appearance. Some with beauty all over, a fish tail but human body. Then there are the disgusting ones. They look like mutated fish but with human arms and legs, running around like an ape on all fours."

Talking about the three creatures each had it's own effect on the old man, he sounded almost smitten by beauty, repulsed and scared of the mutated fish and curious about the fishy humans.

"Our worries lie mostly with the mutants, it is the mutants we see the most around the time things go missing and it was a mutant we captured. The scales were slimy and didn't feel like fish scales anymore but even still... it was clear that they were fish scales, atleast at some point."

When Wolfe asked about if any injuries or wounds were made by the creatures, the old man turned his back and leant against the wall with tears in his eyes. "No, no wounds. They just grab you and drag you to the bottom of the water. Sometimes a body returns, but not once has someone come back to tell the tale"

The natural distress of the man was apparent. There was no way this could be faked. There were clearly issues here beyond just items.

---

OOC - I didn't do a roll as they arent in the creature index. but with your learning levels i double checked what you could know with heero.

I will be happy for Wolfe to assume/guess that they are varieties of Merfolk - mermaids etc.

No specific details though. That would take the fun out of the plot

[/b][/justify][/font]

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

Wolfe stood and continued to look outside the window as he looked and listened to anything he could see or hear. He continued to listen to the old man as he began to explain about the creatures and how they looked and acted, or at least how the villagers had seen them act. With each new piece of information the old man was giving him along with his basic knowledge of coastal creatures his mind kept coming back to mermaids or at least some variant thereof. Wolfe gave it a moment as he pondered the next move and course of action. After a moment he turned to look at the old man ”Do you guys still have the captured creature? If so I want to see it, and know any information you all have gather on it since it was captured.” Wolfe then walked over to the counter and looked around for a second. He then turned back to the old man ”In the meantime I need something really quick. Do you have messenger pigeons here in the village? If so I need a piece of paper and something to write with. The mission was only to gather info, but I don’t think that is going to be enough. I need to get a little more hands on, but I need the village to know.” Wolfe thought about what he needed to let the village know.

As he noted what he would write in the letter he asked another question ”Also, when did the creatures strike? In the middle of the night? Also, I need you to do me a favor and see if you can clean this super well, and maybe give it like a light oil coat to make it super shiny. I Think I have a plan.” Wolfe reached and pulled out a kunai and placed it on the counter. Depending on what the village said, if that was an option to get the letter to them, or if he needed to make the call himself, he was starting to put together a plan.

[Hon]

The old man looked at wolfe and shook his head. "Pay attention son, I just told you it got away but it didn't get away alone... These are dangerous creatures. A single one can drown a full grown man." the man's tone was very sad mixed with anger, very disgruntled. "and we have no pigeons at the moment, they all got away in the fight we had against this sea mutant, quite frankly we were trying to keep our own alive rather than care about the birds so if you need a message delivered I'm afraid you will have to do it yourself. All of our able bodied young men have gone fishing for now."

The old man turned, His eyes were slightly watery but not a tear rolled down from the old mans face. "These are very dangerous creatures, you want me to polish this up for you to try trap it? I say now, you will need more than just one ninja for this. They almost never come alone and work in a pack. It injured a lot of able bodied men before disappearing into the water with one of them." A clenched fist along with his attitude discussing the matter would reveal to any competent shinobi that the person who disappeared was very close to the old man.

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

Wolfe listened tot he man as he spoke, and it seemed Wolfe had no way to get a message back to the village unless he went back himself. That was going to be a set back. As the old man went one it seemed like he was really against Wolfe trying to take these things on by himself. To be honest he wanted to try and help, but he figured the old man had to know what he was talking about. So reluctantly Wolfe decided he was better heading back tot he village and passing on what he had found out.

Wolfe poke up to the old man "I am sorry for your loss. I wish i could help more at this moment but you do have a point. I should be able to take one, maybe two, but if there are more than that i should have more shinobi with me. Try to keep things together as long as you can here. I will return to pass on what you have told me and come back as soon as i can with backup. In the meantime, is there anything else i can do before i head back?" Wolfe would see if there was anything else he could do, if not then he would head back now and pass on his knowledge so something else could be done about this as soon as possible.

[Hon]

"For now there isn't much you can do, but if you really wish you can help carry some boxes. We are all starting to move out of our homes and into tents on the dry land until this is sorted. We can't offer you any more money for it as we are too poor at the moment." the old man turned holding his emotions in check. "Then if you want to go to the village and return the report feel free. Just make sure this gets sorted before it spreads."

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

Wolfe nodded as he walked over and patted the old man on his shoulder to reassure him a little. He then proceeded to do as the old man mentioned and spent most of the day helping anyone that he could with moving boxes, setting up tents, and anything else he could assist with. One of the last thing he did was activate his Ryuugan and gave them a forecast for the next 24 hours so they could work around anything that was coming in weather wise, and also to help set up a perimeter and some guarding instructions to help keep them safe in their temp homes.

Wolfe then made his way from their camp and back towards the villages. He needed to get the information back to the Mizukage asap so some kind of plan of action could be devised and put into action.

[Exit]

[Renji "Wolfe" Arashi]

[Enter]

Wolfe entered the makeshift villages the villagers made just inland from their actual village. The area was a sea of tents with people going from tent to tent interacting with other. Wolfe sought out the old man he had helped when he was her before he had left. After finding him, he explained the situation and then the two of them passed on the message. Wolfe Then began to help anyone that needed it and when everything was done he helped to lead the villagers of Stilt Town to the Mist Village and to an area where they could stay.

[Exit]