Black Omega
First Post
Never enough. But we're slowly growing. This week I'll stop by your SH for a look. I'm always borrowing new ideas for my game.ForceUser said:Always nice to read another OA story hour. There aren't enough of us!
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NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
[OA/FR] Rokugan - Updated 12/13/03
- Thread starter Black Omega
- Start date
Black Omega
First Post
Meanwhile, at Yasuki Kome's home. Hiruma Toshiro, Toritaka Kazuyuki, Volar and Mir were greeted with the traditional tea and conversation, though in proper Crab Clan fashion, sake was substituted for tea. Shocked and stunned indeed was the devious Crab to hear about Madame Sadoka's reward for the group that led to the assault from Ide Naoya. Certainly, if he had known of it, he assured, he would have sent word immediately. Sadly, with Madame Sadoka trying to collection 'protection' from every business in town, he and other honest businessmen have had their hands full dealing with her thugs.
"I can't imagine where she got those brutes." Kome sighed "Certainly from beyond the empire. Their massive size. The almost grayish skin tone. The barbarian weapons. Their Rokugani is terrible. I've been hiring help but so far I've not found anyone who can deal with these masked animals. It does my heart good to be joined here by two strong Crab Samurai. Working together, we can rid Mimura of this hideous woman!"
Kome mistook the group's grimness with assent on the seriousness of the situation. And when Toshiro assured "We have every intention of cleaning Sadoka's filth from this town. Starting with her bar and working our way back to her." he was overjoyed, though stoically he didn't show it. And if perhaps Toshiro's voice was a little too hard. His gaze at the smuggler less than friendly, well, these were dangerous times. They could be allies and clan mates without being friends.
Kome assigned some men to accompany the group to the Silver Okasan, to assist in 'cleaning the place up'. The men didn't carry much in the way of weapons, but did have some lumber, hammers and jars of oil. No doubting there what the nature of their help would be.
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Over outside the Blessings of the New Year Inn a couple scruffy ronin waited, leaning casually on their spears as they waited in the midday sun. Now and then one would mutter out of the corner of his mouth to his friend "Are you sure they'll be here? It's too hot out here and I'd kill for a drink about now."
"They always come into town and stop by this inn. They'll be here. They always stop by here to stable their horses and get rooms. They'll never expect an ambush so soon after entering town." His friend muttered back.
"Shut up!" a guttural voice snarled from the covered wagon behind the men. "Focus on the job at hand." And silently the two ronin waited. Their prey would be here soon…
------------------------------------------------
A good ways down the street and one block over, the group had come back together. Verick, Mindra and Kaz related the information they had gained checking out the bar. Decisively, they decided to wait no time and strike now before the bar was reinforced. All save Mir. The young cleric/bard had been feeling there was something wrong…something she was missing for some time. Finally, the feeling was driving her crazy. "I need to go commune with the Oak Father." She murmured "There's something wrong, but I can't put my finger on it…" Kaz was assigned to guard her while she went off to her meditations. She had been spending a lot of time in town lately…
[DM Note: This set the trend for the adventure from hell. Mir and Kas's players couldn't make it for this session. Next time it would be Volar and Mindra missing. And the adventure in Mimura stretched out as I made adjustments for all the people missing sessions.]
Walking down the street openly, the group headed to the bar, pausing once it was in sight as they prepared. "Remember, charge up to the door if you can. If we can block them at the door they can't use their numbers against us." The samurai drew their weapons as Volar readied his mage armor and Mindra began buffing Toshiro and Verick up with spells to enhance their strength. Then Verick noticed a look out suddenly run into the Silver Okasan, clearing having spotted the group's preparations. The group waited until the spells were set, though, Volar adding a shield spell for additional protection before they started against toward the seedy bar.
The delay had been enough, though, and ronin boiled out from the bar, the massive figure with the iron-studded club leading the way. The samurai yelled their battle cries, matched by the barbarian roar of the masked figure and a resounding "Show us the money!" from the mercenary ronin as the groups came together. And almost immediately the group missed Kaz's presence in the frontline.
Toshiro came face to face...well…face to chest with the barbaric masked warrior and almost instantly found himself in trouble as the barbarian batted his katana aside with that iron studded club before bringing it around to bash into his arm with bone breaking force. Even worse, one of the ronin scored a critically placed hit to a weak point in Toshiro's armor, drawing a heavy flow of blood. Verick found himself face to face with two ronin, and he twirled his double sword before leaping to the attack.
A web from Volar failed to catch most of the ronin and one who was caught turned out to be a shugenja, his magic calling the Kami's blessings on his side as Mindra healed Toshiro and a magic missile from Volar thudded into the barbarian's chest. "Get the elf!" The masked figure roared, then traded heavy blows with Toshiro as the ronin charged on. Another dangerous his found a chink in Verick's armor but he returned the strike with interest, gaining the upper hand.
Mindra ducked back from a ronin's strike as Volar cast mirror image and suddenly there were five elves casting. Oh wait, four now as a sword found one Volar and it turned out to be an illusion. The bloody battle between Toshiro and the masked figure continued almost evenly, with Mindra healing the samurai as the Shugenja tried to keep the barbaric creature in the fight with his own spells.
Verick's double sword slashed out with lightning speed, driving his opponent back as two ronin surrounded Mindra and for the first time the monkey was in for some serious hurt, blood and fur flying as both drew blood with sweeping, two handed strikes. Another image flicked out as the ronin pressed his attack on the elf and the three remaining Volar's chanted in unison, a triple Scintillating Sphere called down, crackling brightly and striking down one ronin and hurting the masked figure badly.
The masked monster began to tremble, muscles twitching then bulging as he went berserk, his club sweeping down powerfully toward Toshiro. Only to be stopped cold as the Crab samurai parried, muscles straining, then Toshiro swept his katana back around and down, a ferocious critical strike that caught the barbarian on the forehead, splitting the top part of his mask and covering it with blood. The masked figure staggered back, lifting a hand to his mask…then slowly fell onto his face, unmoving.
Shocked for a moment, the Shugenja went to heal him, but was caught by a triplicate magic missile from the Volar's and though it only did the damage of one, which was enough to finish him for the fight.
Verick finished his own man quickly, a sweeping strike from low to high nearly sending his opponent's weapon flying, then the other blade slashing back to catch him in the throat, leaving him in a bloody pool on the street. The last ronin took a swing at the wildly dodging monkey, but then slowly became aware he was the last man standing from his side. With a wild yell he took off running for his life.
Quick healing was done as Volar checked on the masked figure. He had been speculating earlier that these mysterious men could be Orcs. Or perhaps hobgoblins. He turned out to be a Half-Orc, with slightly Rokugani features but more heavily favoring the Orc side. In other words, butt ugly. Volar turned to looting the corpses as the others chased the lasts ronin dregs out of the bar, the smoke filled back room emptying into the street behind through the backdoor as Kome's men finally took action, piling oil soaked wood against the bar.
The group had no part in this, ignoring the arson and just walking away after finishing clearing the area. Toshiro was feeling good. The first battle had gone as smoothly as he could have hoped. He was confident. He was assured. He could deal with anything. Except the four disheveled girls who got in his way. Fresh from the Silver Okasan's back room and with nothing more to their names than the scanty kimono they wore, they pleaded with Toshiro to protect them from the wicked Madame Sadoka. Sadoka owned their contracts and even after Toshiro explained they were free to go, they whimpered they were afraid Sadoka would find them again, and she had legal claim on them. Confronted with four cute girls with big, tear-filled eyes and quivering lips, Toshiro never had a chance. And maybe the old lady running his house could use a little help…
--------------------------------------
Back at the Blessings of the New Year Inn. One scruffy ronin looked up into the afternoon sky in puzzlement, then elbowed the other "Hey, were we planning another strike today? That's a pretty big smoke cloud…"
The two gazed up into the sky at the black cloud then jumped in surprise as the covering of the wagon was suddenly tossed aside, a massive figure with a toothy mask of black iron towering over them as he gazed upwards as well. "Shimatta! Back to the bar, now!"
[DM note: Whatever you might have heard, Merriam-Webster's Japanese-English dictionary reliably assures me 'Shimatta!' actually means 'Gosh!'
]
"I can't imagine where she got those brutes." Kome sighed "Certainly from beyond the empire. Their massive size. The almost grayish skin tone. The barbarian weapons. Their Rokugani is terrible. I've been hiring help but so far I've not found anyone who can deal with these masked animals. It does my heart good to be joined here by two strong Crab Samurai. Working together, we can rid Mimura of this hideous woman!"
Kome mistook the group's grimness with assent on the seriousness of the situation. And when Toshiro assured "We have every intention of cleaning Sadoka's filth from this town. Starting with her bar and working our way back to her." he was overjoyed, though stoically he didn't show it. And if perhaps Toshiro's voice was a little too hard. His gaze at the smuggler less than friendly, well, these were dangerous times. They could be allies and clan mates without being friends.
Kome assigned some men to accompany the group to the Silver Okasan, to assist in 'cleaning the place up'. The men didn't carry much in the way of weapons, but did have some lumber, hammers and jars of oil. No doubting there what the nature of their help would be.
------------------------------------------------
Over outside the Blessings of the New Year Inn a couple scruffy ronin waited, leaning casually on their spears as they waited in the midday sun. Now and then one would mutter out of the corner of his mouth to his friend "Are you sure they'll be here? It's too hot out here and I'd kill for a drink about now."
"They always come into town and stop by this inn. They'll be here. They always stop by here to stable their horses and get rooms. They'll never expect an ambush so soon after entering town." His friend muttered back.
"Shut up!" a guttural voice snarled from the covered wagon behind the men. "Focus on the job at hand." And silently the two ronin waited. Their prey would be here soon…
------------------------------------------------
A good ways down the street and one block over, the group had come back together. Verick, Mindra and Kaz related the information they had gained checking out the bar. Decisively, they decided to wait no time and strike now before the bar was reinforced. All save Mir. The young cleric/bard had been feeling there was something wrong…something she was missing for some time. Finally, the feeling was driving her crazy. "I need to go commune with the Oak Father." She murmured "There's something wrong, but I can't put my finger on it…" Kaz was assigned to guard her while she went off to her meditations. She had been spending a lot of time in town lately…
[DM Note: This set the trend for the adventure from hell.
Mir and Kas's players couldn't make it for this session. Next time it would be Volar and Mindra missing. And the adventure in Mimura stretched out as I made adjustments for all the people missing sessions.]Walking down the street openly, the group headed to the bar, pausing once it was in sight as they prepared. "Remember, charge up to the door if you can. If we can block them at the door they can't use their numbers against us." The samurai drew their weapons as Volar readied his mage armor and Mindra began buffing Toshiro and Verick up with spells to enhance their strength. Then Verick noticed a look out suddenly run into the Silver Okasan, clearing having spotted the group's preparations. The group waited until the spells were set, though, Volar adding a shield spell for additional protection before they started against toward the seedy bar.
The delay had been enough, though, and ronin boiled out from the bar, the massive figure with the iron-studded club leading the way. The samurai yelled their battle cries, matched by the barbarian roar of the masked figure and a resounding "Show us the money!" from the mercenary ronin as the groups came together. And almost immediately the group missed Kaz's presence in the frontline.
Toshiro came face to face...well…face to chest with the barbaric masked warrior and almost instantly found himself in trouble as the barbarian batted his katana aside with that iron studded club before bringing it around to bash into his arm with bone breaking force. Even worse, one of the ronin scored a critically placed hit to a weak point in Toshiro's armor, drawing a heavy flow of blood. Verick found himself face to face with two ronin, and he twirled his double sword before leaping to the attack.
A web from Volar failed to catch most of the ronin and one who was caught turned out to be a shugenja, his magic calling the Kami's blessings on his side as Mindra healed Toshiro and a magic missile from Volar thudded into the barbarian's chest. "Get the elf!" The masked figure roared, then traded heavy blows with Toshiro as the ronin charged on. Another dangerous his found a chink in Verick's armor but he returned the strike with interest, gaining the upper hand.
Mindra ducked back from a ronin's strike as Volar cast mirror image and suddenly there were five elves casting. Oh wait, four now as a sword found one Volar and it turned out to be an illusion. The bloody battle between Toshiro and the masked figure continued almost evenly, with Mindra healing the samurai as the Shugenja tried to keep the barbaric creature in the fight with his own spells.
Verick's double sword slashed out with lightning speed, driving his opponent back as two ronin surrounded Mindra and for the first time the monkey was in for some serious hurt, blood and fur flying as both drew blood with sweeping, two handed strikes. Another image flicked out as the ronin pressed his attack on the elf and the three remaining Volar's chanted in unison, a triple Scintillating Sphere called down, crackling brightly and striking down one ronin and hurting the masked figure badly.
The masked monster began to tremble, muscles twitching then bulging as he went berserk, his club sweeping down powerfully toward Toshiro. Only to be stopped cold as the Crab samurai parried, muscles straining, then Toshiro swept his katana back around and down, a ferocious critical strike that caught the barbarian on the forehead, splitting the top part of his mask and covering it with blood. The masked figure staggered back, lifting a hand to his mask…then slowly fell onto his face, unmoving.
Shocked for a moment, the Shugenja went to heal him, but was caught by a triplicate magic missile from the Volar's and though it only did the damage of one, which was enough to finish him for the fight.
Verick finished his own man quickly, a sweeping strike from low to high nearly sending his opponent's weapon flying, then the other blade slashing back to catch him in the throat, leaving him in a bloody pool on the street. The last ronin took a swing at the wildly dodging monkey, but then slowly became aware he was the last man standing from his side. With a wild yell he took off running for his life.
Quick healing was done as Volar checked on the masked figure. He had been speculating earlier that these mysterious men could be Orcs. Or perhaps hobgoblins. He turned out to be a Half-Orc, with slightly Rokugani features but more heavily favoring the Orc side. In other words, butt ugly. Volar turned to looting the corpses as the others chased the lasts ronin dregs out of the bar, the smoke filled back room emptying into the street behind through the backdoor as Kome's men finally took action, piling oil soaked wood against the bar.
The group had no part in this, ignoring the arson and just walking away after finishing clearing the area. Toshiro was feeling good. The first battle had gone as smoothly as he could have hoped. He was confident. He was assured. He could deal with anything. Except the four disheveled girls who got in his way. Fresh from the Silver Okasan's back room and with nothing more to their names than the scanty kimono they wore, they pleaded with Toshiro to protect them from the wicked Madame Sadoka. Sadoka owned their contracts and even after Toshiro explained they were free to go, they whimpered they were afraid Sadoka would find them again, and she had legal claim on them. Confronted with four cute girls with big, tear-filled eyes and quivering lips, Toshiro never had a chance. And maybe the old lady running his house could use a little help…
--------------------------------------
Back at the Blessings of the New Year Inn. One scruffy ronin looked up into the afternoon sky in puzzlement, then elbowed the other "Hey, were we planning another strike today? That's a pretty big smoke cloud…"
The two gazed up into the sky at the black cloud then jumped in surprise as the covering of the wagon was suddenly tossed aside, a massive figure with a toothy mask of black iron towering over them as he gazed upwards as well. "Shimatta! Back to the bar, now!"
[DM note: Whatever you might have heard, Merriam-Webster's Japanese-English dictionary reliably assures me 'Shimatta!' actually means 'Gosh!'
]
Draken Korin
First Post
Rokugan tactics
Player Comment:
Actually... I think that the tactical mistake on the part of the bad guys was partly due to the fact that we, as we often do, screwed up the DM's plans by doing something he didn't really expect.
We seem to be really good at that.
Well, not me. Verick is the very model of Law and Order.
Hee.
Draken
Player Comment:
Actually... I think that the tactical mistake on the part of the bad guys was partly due to the fact that we, as we often do, screwed up the DM's plans by doing something he didn't really expect.
We seem to be really good at that.
Well, not me. Verick is the very model of Law and Order.
Hee.
Draken
Black Omega
First Post
Re: Rokugan tactics
There are times I do want them to go certain directions, but most of the time I try to give them enough rope to hang...um...to give them a little leeway.
In this case, the group had typically stopped by the inn in Mimura before causing trouble. The Sadoka knew this, so they planned on it. And the group picked a good time to change their usual pattern. No worries, the group has some tougher fights ahead, and not all of it goes smoothly for them.
As you often do? Damned right, and a good thing. If my players only did what I expected I may as well be writing a novel.Draken Korin said:
There are times I do want them to go certain directions, but most of the time I try to give them enough rope to hang...um...to give them a little leeway.In this case, the group had typically stopped by the inn in Mimura before causing trouble. The Sadoka knew this, so they planned on it. And the group picked a good time to change their usual pattern. No worries, the group has some tougher fights ahead, and not all of it goes smoothly for them.
Well, it's not long before something happens that changes Verick's approach just a little bit. In fact, think I'll work on that now.
Black Omega
First Post
As the ambushers ran back toward the bar the group returned to Yasuki Kome's to report, the four ex-courtesans in two. And only then did they move on to the Blessings of the New Year Inn. As always, the décor had a unusual spider-oriented theme but the innkeeper was more than happy to see them again, waving off any attempt to pay for rooms with a cheerful "No matter, no matter. It's free again. Welcome back!"
The group settled in for dinner, Kaz opting for sake while the rest played it safe and stayed with tea. In the corner a massive, hulking figure watched. One the group remembered well. Chen, the mountainous monk they had fought when they first visited the Inn. The tense silence lingered as Chen finished his own meal, then lifting his staff, the metal rings jangling, he started over toward their table.
Looming over them, the 6'5", burly monk glared from face to face before surprisingly bowing to Volar. "I thought you would return here. I've been looking forward to seeing you again, Volar-sama. Thank you for the lesson in our last meeting. Before I left the temple, my master said I must seek enlightenment in darkness and understanding in weakness. I was strong enough to nearly pound a samurai's head through the floorboards here." He rumbled, offering a bow in Toshiro's direction "But was helpless before you. I believe I understand a little better now. I owe you a favor."
The monk was just moving to return to his seat when spontaneously Volar said "Would you care to become my student?" Surprised, the monk looked back to him. "I don't have any right now and I'm sure I have more I can teach you. There are forms of enlightenment other than found in the Empire."
The massive monk took a moment to consider before bowing once again "I accept. Where do we start, sensei?"
In truth, Volar had doubts about the intelligence of the monk, but it's always nice to have someone to order around. He might come in handy. Volar took Chen back to his room and started him on the very basics of Wizardry "This is a scroll. You'll be making many of these for me…"
While Volar got busy teaching his new student Mindra retired to his room as well. His thoughts had often been on the pearl recovered from that city. A Naga pearl, he had discovered recently. But still, he knew little of what that really meant. Taking the large pearl out, he studied the intricate carvings over the lustrous white surface.
He had communed with the spirits of many other objects…why not this? How dangerous could it be? Softly chanting, the peaceful monkey sent his thoughts drifting…reaching out to the spirit of the pearl. With a sudden, surprisingly wrench contact was made and he lost all awareness of his surroundings.
Down in the main area, Verick and Toshiro welcomed back Kaz and Mir. Mir's own communing had gone well and she come to a decision. When they got back to Bugaisha she would ask Lord Jyaku for an area where she could set up a shrine to the Oak Father. What harm could it be to ask…
While the four plotted, one of the girl's 'rescued' earlier came by, her hips showing a well-practiced wiggle. "Toshiro-sama…" she murmured, "We were talking back in our room and we might have some information you can use. "One of us was 'talking' with a guard for that akujo Sadoka last night. She has a shipment of sake and other 'supplies' arriving in the morning. Some people are sent out to meet with them and bring the wagon into town themselves." Real venom in the girl's voice now as she hisses "If you stopped that, it would -really- piss the boke-baba off!"
The group brightened up at this, Verick the first to start asking questions "Hey, have you seen the big, masked guys with Sadoka? What can you tell us about them?"
The girl winced "They are huge! Massive! And -not- very nice. It's freaky how they keep the masks on through -everything-. They speak really bad Rokugani, I'm sure they are barbarians and just hiding it with the masks. I'm sure one of them will be at the meeting, it's really important. Sadoka won't go, herself. But she'll only send a few guys she trusts."
Toshiro nodded, then hhmmed "And where does Sadoka keep you girls? She must have a place to stash you away."
The girl nodded sorrowfully "It's a real dive. A warehouse she keeps sake and other stuff at. We have little locked rooms."
The girl confirmed where the warehouse was as well as the time the delivery should be coming, and where exactly, a grove of trees just outside town. Then Toshiro thanked the girl and sent her back to her room.
Toshiro was restless, as was Verick and the two who had missed the fight at the bar. In the end they decided to make a raid that night, before even worrying about the shipment. Volar was invited as well, but declined. He was enjoying having a student so teach. Mindra…well, the magic monkey was staring intently into his pearl and didn't answer.
So it turned out to be Toshiro, Verick, Kaz and Mir.
[DM note: Volar's player as gone this week, as was Mindra's.]
Verick went ahead to scout the warehouse, finding two guards posted out front, disguised as bums. The side alley had a door with a guard as well. Returning to the group they started to hatch an idea. But they needed a distraction. Something to fix attention on the front of the warehouse. Their first thought was using a wagon borrowed from the old man at the Blessings of the New Year inn. That was discarded quickly since he'd been nice to them and they expected the wagon to get destroyed.
Then they hit on borrowing a wagon and driver from Kome. He was a smuggler; he was bound to have a few. In fact, Yasuki Kome was happy to help with the plan and offered the services of Gyo, his best wagon 'driver'. Gyo was a cheerful man with a big man and the smell of someone who spent a lot of time working with horses. He listened seriously to the group's plan, then finally nodded "Riding in front of the warehouse is a little risky, but no trouble. I'm used to creating distractions for town guards; this isn't all that different. Don't expect me to help much in the fighting, but I'll be a great distraction!" He promised cheerfully.
As stealthily as they could the group got into position, waiting on Gyo. It wasn't long before a drunken wagon driver came driving along, singing an improbably song about a wagon driver and a female samurai, in a loud, off key voice. The two guards in front slide their hands to their swords, clearly suspicious. One looked around as the other was drawn into an argument with the drunken driver.
The clamor was enough for the group's limited stealth to get them to the far end of the alley. Carefully, they took aim with their bows at the two guards there. The guards made an easy target, both looking toward the front of the warehouse as well. They let fly, Mir and Toshiro bringing down their guard with expertly placed arrows. The other guard was shocked to see two arrows thunk into the wood of the warehouse just beyond his face. He glanced back quickly and was about to give a yell as the second volley of arrows put an end to him.
[DM Note: Sneak attack round, Verick and Kaz both rolled nat 1's. Good thing they won init. ]
As the argument grew more comical out front the group rushed to the door, Verick picking the lock quickly. Then he yanked open the door just as someone was whispering, "Hey, could it be trapped?"
A loud clatter from inside was the answer and the fight was on. Toshiro and Kaz rushed to the front, attacking the guards there as Kaz and Mir ran inside, into a volley of arrows from guards inside. The battle of the warehouse was short and sweet. Kaz took a number of arrows before closing with the archers, Mir providing cover fire and healing as needed. Outside, Verick and Toshiro drove the guards back with a flurry of slashes. On guard bumped into the wager and in a flash, Gyo pulled a tanto from a sheath dangling from a cord inside his tattered kimono, pulled the guard's head back by his helmet and slashed his throat before tucking the weapon away again just as fast. One guard down and Toshiro and Kaz quickly finished off the other.
Joining the battle inside, the group finished off the archers easily and paused to take inventory. Barrels of sake, bags of rice, and in smaller packets what was clearly some type of drug. Kome was on the scene quickly as well, once it was safe. Toshiro and Verick were clear a lot of the sake and rice should go to the Innkeeper at their inn, but Kome could have the rest. Except for the drugs, they would have to be destroyed.
Maintaining his reputable facade, Kome agreed grudgingly. Even without the drugs, he stood to make a handsome profit from it all and that put him in a truly expansive mood. Profit was his life. While everything was getting worked on, he took Toshiro and Verick aside "I'm thankful for all the help you've been with this. I don't want to make a big deal of this, but please accept these gifts." Each of the four was given gold as well as a lacquered box of torinaga rice brandy for the group. The finest in the land, a secret recipe only he and a few others know.
As the group walked back to their inn they were silent, until finally Verick looked over to Toshiro and admitted "Kome's been fair to us, even if he's a criminal. I think we should give him a chance to leave town instead of just attacking him when we're done with Sadoka." Toshiro and the others agreed after only a brief discussion.
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Meanwhile, Mindra's meditations were running away with him. In his first attempt to commune with the pearl, the item has proved even more powerful than suspected. The gentle monkey's mind was drawn into a vision that seemed, smelled, even felt totally real. First an image of the Orc-like creature he'd helped fought outside the bar. Then an image of three more, all in masks still. One holds a great black foreign looking two-handed sword and as you watch flames spread along the blade. Another is not clad in armor and lightning crackles around him. Then the scene turns hazier...as if you can see through the figures…and behind them another figure, much much larger…he too is wearing a demon mask, a truly hideous thing with a great toothy mouth and as you watch the mask seems to change and shift as if it were alive. Around the figure is dark village, a secluded place of great darkness tucked away somewhere in the hills.
Then with a high pitched screech the monkey snapped out of the vision, leaping up high to the roof overhead, hanging by his tail as he looked around in confusion, panting for breath. Just a vision…just a vision…
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The group slept, though only a little while for some, it was late when they got back from the raid. And in the early morning hours before they were to be awakened, Verick heard a tapping at his window. Double sword at ready he peeked out and found Gyo hiding close by the window. Beyond him there was a glow beyond the buildings that could almost be dawn, except it was a little early. Gyo hissed softly "There was a raid on the sake works just after you hit the warehouse! That's where the hiretsukan were! It's burning now…"
[DM Note: This was really a one off session. We had to play in a different place and with a good number of people missing. Gyo is an example of a character I hadn't even planned on making, but the group needed a driver. A few people turned out to like him. So I had to gave him a name. Gyo is just the first kanji of Gyosha, a Japanese word for driver, and means 'driving a horse'. A handy mnemonic to remember him by. And now, off to Gencon. I'll post more once I'm back.]
The group settled in for dinner, Kaz opting for sake while the rest played it safe and stayed with tea. In the corner a massive, hulking figure watched. One the group remembered well. Chen, the mountainous monk they had fought when they first visited the Inn. The tense silence lingered as Chen finished his own meal, then lifting his staff, the metal rings jangling, he started over toward their table.
Looming over them, the 6'5", burly monk glared from face to face before surprisingly bowing to Volar. "I thought you would return here. I've been looking forward to seeing you again, Volar-sama. Thank you for the lesson in our last meeting. Before I left the temple, my master said I must seek enlightenment in darkness and understanding in weakness. I was strong enough to nearly pound a samurai's head through the floorboards here." He rumbled, offering a bow in Toshiro's direction "But was helpless before you. I believe I understand a little better now. I owe you a favor."
The monk was just moving to return to his seat when spontaneously Volar said "Would you care to become my student?" Surprised, the monk looked back to him. "I don't have any right now and I'm sure I have more I can teach you. There are forms of enlightenment other than found in the Empire."
The massive monk took a moment to consider before bowing once again "I accept. Where do we start, sensei?"
In truth, Volar had doubts about the intelligence of the monk, but it's always nice to have someone to order around. He might come in handy. Volar took Chen back to his room and started him on the very basics of Wizardry "This is a scroll. You'll be making many of these for me…"
While Volar got busy teaching his new student Mindra retired to his room as well. His thoughts had often been on the pearl recovered from that city. A Naga pearl, he had discovered recently. But still, he knew little of what that really meant. Taking the large pearl out, he studied the intricate carvings over the lustrous white surface.
He had communed with the spirits of many other objects…why not this? How dangerous could it be? Softly chanting, the peaceful monkey sent his thoughts drifting…reaching out to the spirit of the pearl. With a sudden, surprisingly wrench contact was made and he lost all awareness of his surroundings.
Down in the main area, Verick and Toshiro welcomed back Kaz and Mir. Mir's own communing had gone well and she come to a decision. When they got back to Bugaisha she would ask Lord Jyaku for an area where she could set up a shrine to the Oak Father. What harm could it be to ask…
While the four plotted, one of the girl's 'rescued' earlier came by, her hips showing a well-practiced wiggle. "Toshiro-sama…" she murmured, "We were talking back in our room and we might have some information you can use. "One of us was 'talking' with a guard for that akujo Sadoka last night. She has a shipment of sake and other 'supplies' arriving in the morning. Some people are sent out to meet with them and bring the wagon into town themselves." Real venom in the girl's voice now as she hisses "If you stopped that, it would -really- piss the boke-baba off!"
The group brightened up at this, Verick the first to start asking questions "Hey, have you seen the big, masked guys with Sadoka? What can you tell us about them?"
The girl winced "They are huge! Massive! And -not- very nice. It's freaky how they keep the masks on through -everything-. They speak really bad Rokugani, I'm sure they are barbarians and just hiding it with the masks. I'm sure one of them will be at the meeting, it's really important. Sadoka won't go, herself. But she'll only send a few guys she trusts."
Toshiro nodded, then hhmmed "And where does Sadoka keep you girls? She must have a place to stash you away."
The girl nodded sorrowfully "It's a real dive. A warehouse she keeps sake and other stuff at. We have little locked rooms."
The girl confirmed where the warehouse was as well as the time the delivery should be coming, and where exactly, a grove of trees just outside town. Then Toshiro thanked the girl and sent her back to her room.
Toshiro was restless, as was Verick and the two who had missed the fight at the bar. In the end they decided to make a raid that night, before even worrying about the shipment. Volar was invited as well, but declined. He was enjoying having a student so teach. Mindra…well, the magic monkey was staring intently into his pearl and didn't answer.
So it turned out to be Toshiro, Verick, Kaz and Mir.
[DM note: Volar's player as gone this week, as was Mindra's.]
Verick went ahead to scout the warehouse, finding two guards posted out front, disguised as bums. The side alley had a door with a guard as well. Returning to the group they started to hatch an idea. But they needed a distraction. Something to fix attention on the front of the warehouse. Their first thought was using a wagon borrowed from the old man at the Blessings of the New Year inn. That was discarded quickly since he'd been nice to them and they expected the wagon to get destroyed.
Then they hit on borrowing a wagon and driver from Kome. He was a smuggler; he was bound to have a few. In fact, Yasuki Kome was happy to help with the plan and offered the services of Gyo, his best wagon 'driver'. Gyo was a cheerful man with a big man and the smell of someone who spent a lot of time working with horses. He listened seriously to the group's plan, then finally nodded "Riding in front of the warehouse is a little risky, but no trouble. I'm used to creating distractions for town guards; this isn't all that different. Don't expect me to help much in the fighting, but I'll be a great distraction!" He promised cheerfully.
As stealthily as they could the group got into position, waiting on Gyo. It wasn't long before a drunken wagon driver came driving along, singing an improbably song about a wagon driver and a female samurai, in a loud, off key voice. The two guards in front slide their hands to their swords, clearly suspicious. One looked around as the other was drawn into an argument with the drunken driver.
The clamor was enough for the group's limited stealth to get them to the far end of the alley. Carefully, they took aim with their bows at the two guards there. The guards made an easy target, both looking toward the front of the warehouse as well. They let fly, Mir and Toshiro bringing down their guard with expertly placed arrows. The other guard was shocked to see two arrows thunk into the wood of the warehouse just beyond his face. He glanced back quickly and was about to give a yell as the second volley of arrows put an end to him.
[DM Note: Sneak attack round, Verick and Kaz both rolled nat 1's. Good thing they won init.
]As the argument grew more comical out front the group rushed to the door, Verick picking the lock quickly. Then he yanked open the door just as someone was whispering, "Hey, could it be trapped?"
A loud clatter from inside was the answer and the fight was on. Toshiro and Kaz rushed to the front, attacking the guards there as Kaz and Mir ran inside, into a volley of arrows from guards inside. The battle of the warehouse was short and sweet. Kaz took a number of arrows before closing with the archers, Mir providing cover fire and healing as needed. Outside, Verick and Toshiro drove the guards back with a flurry of slashes. On guard bumped into the wager and in a flash, Gyo pulled a tanto from a sheath dangling from a cord inside his tattered kimono, pulled the guard's head back by his helmet and slashed his throat before tucking the weapon away again just as fast. One guard down and Toshiro and Kaz quickly finished off the other.
Joining the battle inside, the group finished off the archers easily and paused to take inventory. Barrels of sake, bags of rice, and in smaller packets what was clearly some type of drug. Kome was on the scene quickly as well, once it was safe. Toshiro and Verick were clear a lot of the sake and rice should go to the Innkeeper at their inn, but Kome could have the rest. Except for the drugs, they would have to be destroyed.
Maintaining his reputable facade, Kome agreed grudgingly. Even without the drugs, he stood to make a handsome profit from it all and that put him in a truly expansive mood. Profit was his life. While everything was getting worked on, he took Toshiro and Verick aside "I'm thankful for all the help you've been with this. I don't want to make a big deal of this, but please accept these gifts." Each of the four was given gold as well as a lacquered box of torinaga rice brandy for the group. The finest in the land, a secret recipe only he and a few others know.
As the group walked back to their inn they were silent, until finally Verick looked over to Toshiro and admitted "Kome's been fair to us, even if he's a criminal. I think we should give him a chance to leave town instead of just attacking him when we're done with Sadoka." Toshiro and the others agreed after only a brief discussion.
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Meanwhile, Mindra's meditations were running away with him. In his first attempt to commune with the pearl, the item has proved even more powerful than suspected. The gentle monkey's mind was drawn into a vision that seemed, smelled, even felt totally real. First an image of the Orc-like creature he'd helped fought outside the bar. Then an image of three more, all in masks still. One holds a great black foreign looking two-handed sword and as you watch flames spread along the blade. Another is not clad in armor and lightning crackles around him. Then the scene turns hazier...as if you can see through the figures…and behind them another figure, much much larger…he too is wearing a demon mask, a truly hideous thing with a great toothy mouth and as you watch the mask seems to change and shift as if it were alive. Around the figure is dark village, a secluded place of great darkness tucked away somewhere in the hills.
Then with a high pitched screech the monkey snapped out of the vision, leaping up high to the roof overhead, hanging by his tail as he looked around in confusion, panting for breath. Just a vision…just a vision…
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The group slept, though only a little while for some, it was late when they got back from the raid. And in the early morning hours before they were to be awakened, Verick heard a tapping at his window. Double sword at ready he peeked out and found Gyo hiding close by the window. Beyond him there was a glow beyond the buildings that could almost be dawn, except it was a little early. Gyo hissed softly "There was a raid on the sake works just after you hit the warehouse! That's where the hiretsukan were! It's burning now…"
[DM Note: This was really a one off session. We had to play in a different place and with a good number of people missing. Gyo is an example of a character I hadn't even planned on making, but the group needed a driver. A few people turned out to like him. So I had to gave him a name. Gyo is just the first kanji of Gyosha, a Japanese word for driver, and means 'driving a horse'. A handy mnemonic to remember him by. And now, off to Gencon. I'll post more once I'm back.]
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Brown Jenkin
First Post
I've been wondering what to do about my century mark. The answer I came up with is to post here in hopes we might see more.
Black Omega
First Post
Ok..ok..
There are parts I might skim on. Otherwise we might never catch up. But the hint is taken, I'll quit being so lazy. Believe me, alot has happened since this last update.
There are parts I might skim on. Otherwise we might never catch up. But the hint is taken, I'll quit being so lazy. Believe me, alot has happened since this last update.
Black Omega
First Post
"I was sent over to let you know, the Sake Works was hit last night. And the Inn is being watched by Sadoka's men on all sides." Gyo whispered, looking around warily.
"How's Kome-san?" Verick asked "How bad many men were killed in the attack?"
Gyo shook his head "Kome-sama was out the door at the very first attack." He murmured, voice carefully neutral "He wasn't hurt. But several men were killed. It's getting pretty critical fast."
Verick nodded grimly "Let Kome know, we have a plan to hit Sadoka again this morning. I can't give out details. Just let him know we have a plan." Then Verick looked out past Gyo into the pre-dawn twilight "What about the guy watching this side of the Inn?"
"He was in a wagon accident." Gyo admitted matter of factly "I'll let Kome-sama know what's up."
"Sure. And for your trouble…" Verick tossed a koku to Gyo, the golden coin disappearing in a flash, followed by the driver himself blending into the twilight shadows.
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"You say the wagon just drove by at breakneck speed and ran him down?" The local magistrate asked dubiously, "I can't see why he didn't hear it coming and just get out of the way."
The two vegetable vendors both shook their heads "The driver was a madman, I was watching from the side. Old Ishida here barely got out of the way himself." The other peasant bobbing his head in eager agreement.
"And you didn't get a good look at the driver?" the magistrate asked in an incredulous tone.
"Oh no! I was too busy diving for cover at the time!" Ishida stated.
"And the wagon was already past by the time I looked out, I only saw his back. Probably some driver running late and trying to make up lost time to Bugaisha. I'd check a local Inn; you'll probably find some guy took off early." The other peasant helpfully suggested.
"I suppose…" the magistrate muttered suspiciously. Whatever further questions might have lingered in his mind, he didn't ask. The vegetable vendors certainly didn't say.
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The grove where the meeting was to take place was an hour's ride east of Mimura. The group left early to find a good spot for the ambush, enjoying a peaceful ride over the rolling grassy plains before arriving at the copse of trees. The slow approach of winter had turned the leaves a vivid array of brown, red and yellow but few enough leaves had fallen at this point, making stealth a little easier. Loaning Verick his spyglass so he could act as lookout, Volar outlined his plan. First a rope was tied around Mindra's waist, and then from that other ropes, each a precise length of five feet, were attached to the other party members. Mir's was just along enough for her to crawl up onto a branch over the party. Then as a wagon approached the grove, Verick rushed back, tied on his rope. And then Volar cast his spell, his hands weaving a pattern of exact symbols in the air, and slowly everyone faded from view, turning translucent then fading totally invisible. Volar explained quickly, his voice now coming from thin air "You can see yourself, but don't worry, no one else can. We'll wait here silently, listen in on them then strike. This spell only works until you attack or get more than 10 feet from the monkey."
"Vanara." Mindra's voice corrected.
"From Mindra." Volar settled on before falling silent, the wagon rattling up into the grove.
Two men acted as guards for the wagon, one driving. Both were armed with bow and katana, light armor fastened over plain tan kimonos. They had the scuffy look of men who had traveled far while avoiding villages. Impatiently they waited, until finally one said "you know, my brother in law loves places like this, he's a carpenter and…"
"Heard that story. A million times. Just shut up." The other cut in quickly before ignoring his partner again.
They were not left waiting long, the rumble of horsemen was soon heard, approaching fast from Mimura. The silent one took out a spyglass to watch then nodded to his more talkative partner "It's them."
The riders turned out to be three men in the stripped down heavy armored called partial armor. The fourth wore no armor at all. The largest of the new arrivals wore a black iron mask, a trolllike face with snarling teeth. As the new arrivals rode up, the masked man waved over to the wagon "Oi, Taka! Glad you made it. How are things at home?"
The less talkative of the bowmen shrugged casually "The same. How are things going here? Kome dead yet, Krall?"
The masked figure shook his head "He's got some new allies. Wooz says one must be a wizard. Another's a money who does spells. Sadoka says one is a samurai who gave her trouble in the past, a Crab named Toshiro. We'll get them taken care of though, will just take a little longer."
Taka nodded "Make sure you recover the wizards book after you kill him. Wooz will know what to look for. Check the monkey as well, maybe…he can't be a familiar, so maybe he's learning. If he has a book get it as well. Kill them all. Sadoka giving you any trouble?"
Krall snorts "She knows why she's winning the war. She'll do as she's told once we win."
Taka simply nodded and as a pouch of money was passed over to his partner, the talkative fellow started to chat over local gossip of home. The names meant little to the group but it was quickly obvious wherever they were from was not a very pleasant place.
At this point, a minor problem in the group's plan was becoming obvious. They were close enough to hear the men clearly. So they could be heard if they talked as well. And there was no prearranged signal to start the ambush. Mindra could feel tugs at the other ropes attached to him as people moved around. From one direction was heard the quiet rasp of a sword unsheathing. From another direction the creak of wood. And then just as the two groups were about to go their separate ways, Toshiro struck, flickering into view as his arrow flew, striking the guard the money was given to.
Neither side was really ready for that sudden attack, but recovered quickly. From somewhere came a Crab Clan warchant and the thrumming of drums. Kazuyuki sliced through the rope tied to him and charged forward, his invisibility falling away as he ran up to one of the mounted ronin, hacking the man with his katana. Verick gave a yell, his own bowshot also striking the guard with the gold. The ronin and guards quickly armed themselves, Krall drawing out two wickedly curved knives as he hopped off his horse. The ronin drawing their katana, the bowman readying their bows. And Taka spoke briefly "Kuroya." Black Arrow? The group only had a moment to ponder what he could mean before both men drew forth arrows the color of soot and fired. Both Toshiro and Verick were struck by the unerring bolts that seemed to ignore armor. Verick felt something wrong immediately, a chill that was just starting to creep into his bones as he yanked the arrow free. Toshiro was slower and by the time the arrow pulled from his shoulder, black blood ran from the wound and he felt a fever starting.
Toshiro tossed the arrow aside in disgust and fired again, his arrow striking the guard from the wagon, the third arrow enough to kill him. From nothingness, chanting started and to the surprise of both sides, a squat creature appeared suddenly, it's large, blunt nose burning red hot. It charged Taka but failed to hit. Kaz stayed on the move, rushing the shugenja and slashing deeply into his body as Verick did the same to Krall, rushing in, twirling his double sword before striking true. As the shugenja retreated hastily, the two ronin surrounded Kaz, attacking as one and drawing blood. Taka calmly took a step back, an arrow catching the beast between the eyes, then burning up into a wisp of smoke. Krall flourished his won weapons, a fast bat of a knife knocking Verick's double sword just enough to the side for the two knives to get inside his guard, one drawing a gout of blood from his throat, the other digging deeply into his side at a weakspot where the armor protected least.
[DM Note: Two hits, two criticals confirmed. And my evil dice almost got another PC.]
Sweat already forming on his forehead from the growing fever, Toshiro dropped his bow and swept out his katana as he charged to Verick's aid. Carefully, Volar slipped mostly behind a tree before chanting, his outstretched hands calling down a Slow over the ronin, Krall, and Shugenja. And within seconds all but the Shugenja felt their body's slowing…as if they were moving in molasses. Furiously, the masked figure growled "Spells won't save you, punk. Face me like a man!"
The war chants went on as Mir waited for a chance to shoot the Shugenja in mid spell. A chance she never got to do, since Kaz ignored the ronin, charging after the Shugenja again, and one more slash of his katana sent the spellcaster's head tumbling to the ground. Verick's double sword struck, a point sliding past Krall's defenses and through his breastplate. But the powerful man's counter attack drew a line of blood along Verick's arm and the young man started to feel faint from loss of blood. Kaz paid for ignoring the two ronin as they flanked him again. He parried one, but the other's blade stabbed into his back. Calmly dodging another attack of the molten nosed creature, Taka stepped back and shot two arrows into it, and finally the creature later identified by Volar as a Thoqqua lay still.
Luckily for Verick, Toshiro arrived at his battle, the Crab Samurai's blade hacking into Krall. As Toshiro's vision blurred with the fever, the iron mask seemed to move, as if the face was real. Enranged beyond all measure, the massive man went bezerk, Krall lashing out with one knife stabbing into Toshiro this time as Verick slipped in from the side, double sword scoring a blood his to Krall's side. Still hiding behind his tree, Volar chanted again, hair standing up as if a static electric charge was building, then with a gesture a crackling ball of energy flew into the area of Kaz and the two ronin, zapping all three with electricity, leaving them smoldering. Though the ronin were in worse shape than the burly Crab.
A enraged Krall traded a last series of blows with Toshiro and Verick, losing ground steadily. Then Volar flicked a minor gesture, a rain of three energy bolts thudding into the masked man's body. Krall shuddered, then slowly slumped to the ground and Toshiro jumped in to cleave Krall's head from his body, the finishing stroke. Kaz twirled, katana flashing as he finished off one ronin then the other in short order. Seeing Taka ready to flee, a dizzy Verick stumbled forward, knowing he could never reach the man in time. So with a great sweeping move he threw his double sword at the man, the two glittering blades flashing in a circle…then one thudded into the ground at the surprised Taka's feet. Sneering, Taka snatched up the sword then yelled "Inbisibaru!" and vanished from sight. A last flurry of attacks on that spot failed to draw blood and Taka escaped.
Mindra and Mir were quick to work healing Verick and Kaz after Toshiro waved them off, saying "They need the healing a lot more than I." His voice strong...but his muscles slowly turning to water as the fever grew and the world swam before his eyes. Volar and Verick made a last sweep of the area to try and track Taka down, but with no luck. Finally Volar decided to go back and check on the dead bowman...and that heavy pouch he was given. Not so mysteriously, the pouch had also disappeared. Removing Krall's facemask revealed a truly ugly halforc…one ugly even by the standards of that race, and seemingly a little more orc than human.
Gathering back together the group reviewed their assets. Volar admitted he'd used almost all his spells. Mindra and Mir were both low as well. If they went back to town now and got into a fight, it could get very nasty. Volar looked over to Toshiro, asking "So, what do you think, Toshiro-san?"
Toshiro mumbled "I...I think...town…winter…" and then without another sound he fell over onto his face, unmoving.
"How's Kome-san?" Verick asked "How bad many men were killed in the attack?"
Gyo shook his head "Kome-sama was out the door at the very first attack." He murmured, voice carefully neutral "He wasn't hurt. But several men were killed. It's getting pretty critical fast."
Verick nodded grimly "Let Kome know, we have a plan to hit Sadoka again this morning. I can't give out details. Just let him know we have a plan." Then Verick looked out past Gyo into the pre-dawn twilight "What about the guy watching this side of the Inn?"
"He was in a wagon accident." Gyo admitted matter of factly "I'll let Kome-sama know what's up."
"Sure. And for your trouble…" Verick tossed a koku to Gyo, the golden coin disappearing in a flash, followed by the driver himself blending into the twilight shadows.
-------------------------------------------------------------
"You say the wagon just drove by at breakneck speed and ran him down?" The local magistrate asked dubiously, "I can't see why he didn't hear it coming and just get out of the way."
The two vegetable vendors both shook their heads "The driver was a madman, I was watching from the side. Old Ishida here barely got out of the way himself." The other peasant bobbing his head in eager agreement.
"And you didn't get a good look at the driver?" the magistrate asked in an incredulous tone.
"Oh no! I was too busy diving for cover at the time!" Ishida stated.
"And the wagon was already past by the time I looked out, I only saw his back. Probably some driver running late and trying to make up lost time to Bugaisha. I'd check a local Inn; you'll probably find some guy took off early." The other peasant helpfully suggested.
"I suppose…" the magistrate muttered suspiciously. Whatever further questions might have lingered in his mind, he didn't ask. The vegetable vendors certainly didn't say.
---------------------------------------------------------
The grove where the meeting was to take place was an hour's ride east of Mimura. The group left early to find a good spot for the ambush, enjoying a peaceful ride over the rolling grassy plains before arriving at the copse of trees. The slow approach of winter had turned the leaves a vivid array of brown, red and yellow but few enough leaves had fallen at this point, making stealth a little easier. Loaning Verick his spyglass so he could act as lookout, Volar outlined his plan. First a rope was tied around Mindra's waist, and then from that other ropes, each a precise length of five feet, were attached to the other party members. Mir's was just along enough for her to crawl up onto a branch over the party. Then as a wagon approached the grove, Verick rushed back, tied on his rope. And then Volar cast his spell, his hands weaving a pattern of exact symbols in the air, and slowly everyone faded from view, turning translucent then fading totally invisible. Volar explained quickly, his voice now coming from thin air "You can see yourself, but don't worry, no one else can. We'll wait here silently, listen in on them then strike. This spell only works until you attack or get more than 10 feet from the monkey."
"Vanara." Mindra's voice corrected.
"From Mindra." Volar settled on before falling silent, the wagon rattling up into the grove.
Two men acted as guards for the wagon, one driving. Both were armed with bow and katana, light armor fastened over plain tan kimonos. They had the scuffy look of men who had traveled far while avoiding villages. Impatiently they waited, until finally one said "you know, my brother in law loves places like this, he's a carpenter and…"
"Heard that story. A million times. Just shut up." The other cut in quickly before ignoring his partner again.
They were not left waiting long, the rumble of horsemen was soon heard, approaching fast from Mimura. The silent one took out a spyglass to watch then nodded to his more talkative partner "It's them."
The riders turned out to be three men in the stripped down heavy armored called partial armor. The fourth wore no armor at all. The largest of the new arrivals wore a black iron mask, a trolllike face with snarling teeth. As the new arrivals rode up, the masked man waved over to the wagon "Oi, Taka! Glad you made it. How are things at home?"
The less talkative of the bowmen shrugged casually "The same. How are things going here? Kome dead yet, Krall?"
The masked figure shook his head "He's got some new allies. Wooz says one must be a wizard. Another's a money who does spells. Sadoka says one is a samurai who gave her trouble in the past, a Crab named Toshiro. We'll get them taken care of though, will just take a little longer."
Taka nodded "Make sure you recover the wizards book after you kill him. Wooz will know what to look for. Check the monkey as well, maybe…he can't be a familiar, so maybe he's learning. If he has a book get it as well. Kill them all. Sadoka giving you any trouble?"
Krall snorts "She knows why she's winning the war. She'll do as she's told once we win."
Taka simply nodded and as a pouch of money was passed over to his partner, the talkative fellow started to chat over local gossip of home. The names meant little to the group but it was quickly obvious wherever they were from was not a very pleasant place.
At this point, a minor problem in the group's plan was becoming obvious. They were close enough to hear the men clearly. So they could be heard if they talked as well. And there was no prearranged signal to start the ambush. Mindra could feel tugs at the other ropes attached to him as people moved around. From one direction was heard the quiet rasp of a sword unsheathing. From another direction the creak of wood. And then just as the two groups were about to go their separate ways, Toshiro struck, flickering into view as his arrow flew, striking the guard the money was given to.
Neither side was really ready for that sudden attack, but recovered quickly. From somewhere came a Crab Clan warchant and the thrumming of drums. Kazuyuki sliced through the rope tied to him and charged forward, his invisibility falling away as he ran up to one of the mounted ronin, hacking the man with his katana. Verick gave a yell, his own bowshot also striking the guard with the gold. The ronin and guards quickly armed themselves, Krall drawing out two wickedly curved knives as he hopped off his horse. The ronin drawing their katana, the bowman readying their bows. And Taka spoke briefly "Kuroya." Black Arrow? The group only had a moment to ponder what he could mean before both men drew forth arrows the color of soot and fired. Both Toshiro and Verick were struck by the unerring bolts that seemed to ignore armor. Verick felt something wrong immediately, a chill that was just starting to creep into his bones as he yanked the arrow free. Toshiro was slower and by the time the arrow pulled from his shoulder, black blood ran from the wound and he felt a fever starting.
Toshiro tossed the arrow aside in disgust and fired again, his arrow striking the guard from the wagon, the third arrow enough to kill him. From nothingness, chanting started and to the surprise of both sides, a squat creature appeared suddenly, it's large, blunt nose burning red hot. It charged Taka but failed to hit. Kaz stayed on the move, rushing the shugenja and slashing deeply into his body as Verick did the same to Krall, rushing in, twirling his double sword before striking true. As the shugenja retreated hastily, the two ronin surrounded Kaz, attacking as one and drawing blood. Taka calmly took a step back, an arrow catching the beast between the eyes, then burning up into a wisp of smoke. Krall flourished his won weapons, a fast bat of a knife knocking Verick's double sword just enough to the side for the two knives to get inside his guard, one drawing a gout of blood from his throat, the other digging deeply into his side at a weakspot where the armor protected least.
[DM Note: Two hits, two criticals confirmed. And my evil dice almost got another PC.
]Sweat already forming on his forehead from the growing fever, Toshiro dropped his bow and swept out his katana as he charged to Verick's aid. Carefully, Volar slipped mostly behind a tree before chanting, his outstretched hands calling down a Slow over the ronin, Krall, and Shugenja. And within seconds all but the Shugenja felt their body's slowing…as if they were moving in molasses. Furiously, the masked figure growled "Spells won't save you, punk. Face me like a man!"
The war chants went on as Mir waited for a chance to shoot the Shugenja in mid spell. A chance she never got to do, since Kaz ignored the ronin, charging after the Shugenja again, and one more slash of his katana sent the spellcaster's head tumbling to the ground. Verick's double sword struck, a point sliding past Krall's defenses and through his breastplate. But the powerful man's counter attack drew a line of blood along Verick's arm and the young man started to feel faint from loss of blood. Kaz paid for ignoring the two ronin as they flanked him again. He parried one, but the other's blade stabbed into his back. Calmly dodging another attack of the molten nosed creature, Taka stepped back and shot two arrows into it, and finally the creature later identified by Volar as a Thoqqua lay still.
Luckily for Verick, Toshiro arrived at his battle, the Crab Samurai's blade hacking into Krall. As Toshiro's vision blurred with the fever, the iron mask seemed to move, as if the face was real. Enranged beyond all measure, the massive man went bezerk, Krall lashing out with one knife stabbing into Toshiro this time as Verick slipped in from the side, double sword scoring a blood his to Krall's side. Still hiding behind his tree, Volar chanted again, hair standing up as if a static electric charge was building, then with a gesture a crackling ball of energy flew into the area of Kaz and the two ronin, zapping all three with electricity, leaving them smoldering. Though the ronin were in worse shape than the burly Crab.
A enraged Krall traded a last series of blows with Toshiro and Verick, losing ground steadily. Then Volar flicked a minor gesture, a rain of three energy bolts thudding into the masked man's body. Krall shuddered, then slowly slumped to the ground and Toshiro jumped in to cleave Krall's head from his body, the finishing stroke. Kaz twirled, katana flashing as he finished off one ronin then the other in short order. Seeing Taka ready to flee, a dizzy Verick stumbled forward, knowing he could never reach the man in time. So with a great sweeping move he threw his double sword at the man, the two glittering blades flashing in a circle…then one thudded into the ground at the surprised Taka's feet. Sneering, Taka snatched up the sword then yelled "Inbisibaru!" and vanished from sight. A last flurry of attacks on that spot failed to draw blood and Taka escaped.
Mindra and Mir were quick to work healing Verick and Kaz after Toshiro waved them off, saying "They need the healing a lot more than I." His voice strong...but his muscles slowly turning to water as the fever grew and the world swam before his eyes. Volar and Verick made a last sweep of the area to try and track Taka down, but with no luck. Finally Volar decided to go back and check on the dead bowman...and that heavy pouch he was given. Not so mysteriously, the pouch had also disappeared. Removing Krall's facemask revealed a truly ugly halforc…one ugly even by the standards of that race, and seemingly a little more orc than human.
Gathering back together the group reviewed their assets. Volar admitted he'd used almost all his spells. Mindra and Mir were both low as well. If they went back to town now and got into a fight, it could get very nasty. Volar looked over to Toshiro, asking "So, what do you think, Toshiro-san?"
Toshiro mumbled "I...I think...town…winter…" and then without another sound he fell over onto his face, unmoving.
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