Thread: Of Shoguns and Samurai! (Major Mario x Iridium248)

And when Saeko eventually set off, why, all of feudal Japan was her playground. Especially in the Tkaid region, or at least near the castle and surrounding villages, the kunoichi had free reign to do as she pleased, so long as it didn't piss off the Shogun or create too much trouble. It wasn't a privilege exclusive to her as many other warriors and samurai tended to get their way in the world. In times like these all it took for a man to get what they want is a low growl and a flash of cold steel against the throat of their enemy, be they friend or foe. For others they had to turn to politics, trade or barter to get their way and even then a fair return wasn't expected. But for women, especially the well-endowed, all it took was a tempting smile, a few sultry words and if need be, a simple flash of leg here and there. But there was a mission to embark on! Adventures to be had! Locations to discover and fun to indulge in! The area surrounding Tkaid castle was a large village with two main roads meeting up in an intersection just outside the castle gates. The village was a trading hub, as were many other villages that had the privilege of being established on the main trade routes. Merchants and craftsmen hawked their wares to any passerby from the comfort of their shops while inns and taverns tended to weary travelers. Should one look hard enough, one would be able to find a few less-than-reputable places to sin in such as opium dens and cockfighting rings, though the Shogun was cracking down on those operations. The residential districts were fair, if not lacking in regality, and placed out of sight from travelers and tourists. Most of the people who lived here were, again, craftsmen and merchants but also farmers and herders who had their crops and cattle nestled safely in the shadows of the village. With guard towers keeping watch over the roads and nearby forest passageways, Tkaid castle's village was unlikely to be attacked. Beyond the village to the south would be the main trade route where merchants and travelers frequented. The odds of finding new and interesting people were great on the trade routes, provided one had the money or status to attract and keep a merchant's attention. Gentle, rolling plains dominated either side of the southern road for miles. Where there wasn't grass there was rock and hillside, and even then it was very easy to see for a long ways. It was a safe road to travel on, but only during the day. By nightfall the road would be infested with all manner of beasts, bandits and highwaymen all looking for various things. And if that wasn't worrisome enough, there were tales of burrowing creatures in the plains that were reported to harass caravans with fresh potholes and suck unsuspecting travelers into the ground before they realized that the earth was coming up on them. And to say nothing of the forests that started right where the Shogun's influence began to fade. Once away from the sprawling plains there was a large forest teeming with exotic fauna and medicinal herbs. The main trade route had long since been moved to go around the forest, but many merchants stressed for time liked to brave the wilderness and go right through the thick of it. It was faster, yes, but also fraught with danger.