Alt-Onin: From Haishi to Ozu

 A priest from Koseki-Ji was in attendance when one of the Kono councilors (Lord Kono Akemasu) suggested capturing the PC’s and delivering them to Yamana Sozen as a way to get into his good graces. He warned Brother Hofuku, who was able to gently slide out the side door and evacuate. They have taken passage on a boat bound for Ozu, the next stop for the PC’s, fortunately outside Kono lands. The PC’s signed management of the estate over to the Koseki-Ji, and the monks helped the PC’s escape through the backcountry. Hopefully, the accountant, porters, and other ronin will be waiting for the PC's. 

Escape

Escape involved a five-mile trip through the mountains. The party walked their horses through the mountains and ran into a bandit gang demanding a toll for safe passage. The PC's eventually reached the nearby Daihoji Temple, another Shingon temple favorably inclined towards Yamabushi and servants of the Kuge, run by Abbot Soken. Here, stop #44 on the pilgrimage trail, they obtained disguises and blended in with pilgrim traffic for the thirty-five-mile road to Ozu. Kono troops and spies were expected to be on their trail, so they moved quickly. 

Eventually, the group encountered a Kono tax barrier with three samurai and twelve ashigaru near the confluence of the Oda and Tawatari Rivers. This consisted of a wooden palisade blocking the road and a building staffed with ample archers and spearmen, flanked on both sides by nearly vertical cliffs and hillsides. On the other side of the river was Utsunomiya land. The river was not significantly wide, but the sides were steep and rocky, and the water flowed quickly. Fortunately, the PC's were able to bluff their way through, as the guards had apparently not yet received a warning about the PC's and their escape attempt. 

Ozu 

In Ozu, the Kono have no influence. Relations between the Kono and the Iyo-Utsunomiya Clan are cordial enough on the surface, but they guard their independence ferociously.  The valley along the Hijikawa River largely belongs to the Iyo-Utsunoimiya Clan, based in Ozu Castle. They hate the Mongols and find common cause with the Yamana but do not trust them. Ozu is the domain of Daimyo Utsunomiya Gyakuhari, and while he will embezzle the prince’s money, he will not allow the Kono on his lands. His six vassals and their men are all experienced from years of fighting the Kono and the Mongols, and the Kono will not take them on lightly. Because the Utsunomiya are on friendly terms with the Yamana, it would be wise for the PC's to maintain a low profile when in the city; and not overstay their welcome. 

Prince Akihiro's Estates in Ozu

The Prince's two estates in the area are in relatively good shape, like most of Ozu. They are both located north of Ozu, along the Hijikawa River. Taxes are likely being hoarded by local jito agents, as the Utsunomiya are not directly involved with taxation except as a way to transport wealth from Iyo Province to Kyoto. 

The southern estate is called "Tada." It is just north of Ozu, a medium-sized manor sprawling along the wooded south shore, somewhat less than a square mile in size. The jito is Lord Ishii Tsuneaki. Little is known about him, and there is little lore about the estate, which is apparently primarily forests and mountainsides rather than farmland. This makes it relatively large but has low productivity and low population. Because it is so close to the castle town of Ozu, you'd expect it to be pretty quiet and unremarkable.

The northern estate is at "Shirataki." It is a large village on both sides of the river, with a valuable mulberry crop for silkworms. Shirataki is about three miles inland from the mouth of the Hijikawa River, accessible by small riverboats. It is about five miles from Ozu Castle. The Jito is Lord Sasaki Kansuzo; once again, little is known about him, though the estate is large enough to support a force of several dozen troops of various sorts. As it is close to the sea and accessible to raiders, it is likely better defended.