Hisui no Hane |
understood :)
TarkXT |
I still haven't sat down to actually crunch the numbers but the show must go on as ravingdork is falling into despair. And we can't have that.
As you set plans in motion you begin the 4 hour trek further west towards the lake where a few of the villagers keep homes in order to supplement the villages stock of cabbage, rice, and millet with lake fish and, if the monster hanging from one of the poles is real, freshwater reefclaws.
It's late afternoon going into evening and as you near the small set of three homes lining the lake you see about a dozen people unloading boats of equipment and catch. Several tables have already been set up where the various fish can be quickly gutted, cleaned, and preserved in the preffered state.
As of the now it doesn't appear as they have noticed you.
Hisui no Hane |
I thought the first part of our plan was to go the 2 outlying farms in the east to try and convince them to join our cause ...
In the village, the first 7 days
- Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], supervised by Orochi : 2 days & 8 villagers
- Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], unsupervised : 3 days & 8 villagers
- Digging Pit traps, unsupervised : 7 days & 5 villagers x4 (one set in each cardinal direction)
- Building a suitable dry moat, supervised by Himaya Ameiko : 7 days & 24 villagers
I have used more than the minimal required work force in all the projects, just to be on the safe side.
This would mean that the first 2 days no training will happen. starting from the 3rd day, we have 8 villagers free again and from the 4th day there will be 16 villagers free in total. Was thinking of putting those on making weapons/ammunition for a few days, also depending on our success in the outlying farms. @TarkXT, the weapon making only states things like spears & arrows, but can they also make crude bows or crossbows? Seeing as we only have 2 of those.
On the road, the first x days?
Traveling to the outlying farms in this order :
the two in the east, the one down the road, the one at the lake and the one near the forest to the south.
The last 2 could possibly be combined with the cache in the lake & the kitsune clan.
What to do with Masamune?
Seeing as the first 2 days no training will happen due to no available villagers, it might be handy to take Masamune along to do some recruiting. Maybe even to one or 2 adventures depending on how fast we can travel to the farms.
Starting from day 8 on I think I would put him in charge of training all available villagers.
Of course, if the people of the village said they needed extra fish for their food supplies, I don't mind going to the lake first. :)
Daren Mott |
I still haven't sat down to actually crunch the numbers but the show must go on as ravingdork is falling into despair. And we can't have that.
That's kind of a dramatic way to put it. If you're not ready, take your time and crunch those numbers (especially if it will make the encounters more fun). Nobody gets into PvP with the expectations that things will go quickly. Just be sure to pipe in every once in a while to let us know the game hasn't evaporated. Though we don't expect speed, we do hope for regular stability. Sorry if I caused any confusion.
TarkXT |
Alrighty then. Week 1, start.
Day 1:
Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], supervised by Orochi : 2 days & 8 villagers
Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], unsupervised : 3 days & 8 villagers
Digging Pit traps, unsupervised : 7 days & 5 villagers x4 (one set in each cardinal direction)
Building a suitable dry moat, supervised by Himaya Ameiko : 7 days & 24 villagers
Manpower Used: 60
Incident Roll1 1d100 ⇒ 38
Incident Roll2 1d100 ⇒ 71
Incident Roll3 1d100 ⇒ 42
Nothing significant happens. Morale is still fairly neutral. Cynicism runs deep but people are hopeful.
Liu Quon |
Not too bad a start. Im now thinking that the lake houses are a good idea: bringing back a few more able bodies and a decent amount of additional food should help keep morale going.....
Once the lake and homes come into view, Liu trots a few steps ahead of the group to take a look at the undisturbed path ahead of them.
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 any sign of recent activity that might mean the bandits were here, en masse or even just a thug or two.
After reporting his findings to the others, the scout moves off the western path and begins moving south, taking a circuitous path toward the homes away from the rest of the group. He keeps checking the ground since his primary purpose is more recon of the village, all the while being mindful that if the bandits are already aware of the group's presence there could be a trap waiting here as well.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 trying to stay out of view of the villagers.
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 checking for tracks or unusual activity along the way.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19 constant vigilance!
Yes, he's a little paranoid. But hey, an archer in a decent sniping position is never a bad thing is it?
Tahei Asawa |
Tahei walks nonchalantly, chewing on [appropriate apple like fruit, perhaps an…apple?] and singing a tuneless ditty relating to pleasant thoughts of a girl he once wooed without success in a nameless town.
Mostly this is a cover for his own covert scan of his surroundings - he is watchful and alert - one hand is at the catch for his naginata.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Daren Mott |
Daren, noting the diligence of Liu Quon, stays low in the bushes trying to stay out of sight of any possible villagers or ambushers for the time being. There he awaits a signal from the others before taking any action. Takes 10 on Stealth for 21 total, plus whatever modifiers are appropriate for distance.
Hisui no Hane |
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27
Hisui looked around and was quite certain they were in no immediate danger. He walked towards the fishermen.
"Hail and well met. How was the catch today?"
Hisui paused and bowed before continuing.
"Where are my manners. I am Hisui no Hane, cleric of Tsukiyo. I am uncertain if you have heard of me or my allies, but we have come to take a stand against Sho and his bandits. As we speak, defenses are being build and weapons are being made. We come to you today to ask if any of you are willing to join this worthy cause."
Diplomacy if relevant: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
If not mistaken Masamune should be with us as well (as he was not doing anything in the village right now). Hoping his presence/reputation will make a difference :) I'm also assuming we're going to combine this visit with the lake cache? So we can get to some actual adventuring? ^_^
TarkXT |
While Daren and Liu Quon keep low Hisui and Tahei walk up to the fishermen whose eyes immediately dart to the weapons you're carrying. It is not until he identifies himself that the tension is relieved and much of the anxiety is replaced with curiosity.
One of the fisherman a huge barrel shaped like a man errantly wipes his hands and walks up to you with a broad smile. "You wish to stand against SHo do you? It is a shame for you to die agaisnt a horde of bandits. IF you wish you can take refuge with us in our boats when the bandits come. But, we will not die with the fools we seceded from a year ago."
Masamune looks confused. "How does a village...secede from itself?"
The barrel man harumphs. "By not having a voice in any matters from the start. We were not consulted bout the paying of tribute, the expansion of farms into the Kitsune's forest or even the gift of young girls every year to the bandit lord. Every year we encouraged the others to be wiser. Every year we were ignored, every year another young woman dragged off and never seen again."
Tahei Asawa |
Tahei nods with almost closed eyes and full jowls.
"It seems as though you have definitely been saddled with some oafish and craven neighbors. Were it another way - I would gladly defend you." He scratches himself within his shirt for good measure. Something occurs to him.
Seeing as you are now here, and quite alone and … seceded - how have you managed to avoid Sho's depredations? Just by being out on the lake when they come?"
Tahei Asawa |
Tahei nods and smiles, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Fair enough, fair enough. Still..." [here Tahei makes a point of looking around at thhe village and then out on to the lake and down the river] "it does seem a little....apocalyptic. A homeless lake life harried by bandits. Angry, irate. Frustrated. You know they won't like uppity peasants." [Tahei grins here - enters controlled rage as a free action]
"Looook. I know you've had your differences, and you feel marginalised by the...other... village. We're here to end Sho. Vanish him. Join us. We've made some strategic plans and put a few...strategies... in place to thwart the raiders. You can still stay here and help [indicates their village] , or you can elect to camp out in the village and add your strength, know-how and, most importantly, voice to theirs - make some strong cause. We could use your help."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 8 + (3) = 21 uses auspicious mark rage power as a swift action
Hisui no Hane |
"The only way we can defeat Sho and his men if every person in the area stands united against them. And if you stand with us now, we will make certain your voice will be heard. Not only now, but in the future as well."
Diplomacy aid another: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
[edit:]Aid another, THE moment you want to have a natural 20 right ;)[/edit]
Liu Quon |
Seeing Daren reveal himself, and his own sweep finished and uneventful, Liu also comes out of hiding.
"And let's be honest, your lake plan only works if you are aware they are coming. Don't let them catch you unawares: come back to the village with us and we will turn the tables on them, catching THEM by surprise!"
TarkXT |
The large man listens carefully and you can almost see the information being carefully parsed and processed in his mind.
"You speak well enough but words are empty without action. We shall see. Let us know when you plan to, heh, strategize and we'll send someoen to judge the veracity of your words. Their is time enough yet for us to abandon the fools."
Tahei Asawa |
Tahei shrugs and looks to his companions.
"Seems fair."
Scratching his chin Tahei wanders around casually looking at the little settlement. He looks at boats and nets if visible. And ponders.
Turning back to the villagers, Tahei jingles his money pouch.
"While we're here, how's the catch? I could murder some freshwater crabs. Got any smoked fish? Say 3 or 4 score?"
He smiles garrulously.
Liu Quon |
Liu watches quietly from the sidelines, trying to figure out if the warrior is working an angle to get the fisherman's trust or simply looking to fill his belly. The scout's ear for subtlety has never been that good, but his mouth tends to run off even worse.....
"Fair enough to share with those back in the main village? They are hard at work preparing to take a stand, the extra food would be greatly appreciated I'm sure. And if you come back with us, it would give you a chance to see that this time is going to be different."
TarkXT |
Any of bluff, diplomacy or intimidate will do.
The man scowls. "IF they're willing to pay for the food than theyre welcome to it. And we'll do as I said we would. You're just a mouthpiece boy. Don't think you're of one mind with the old bastards."
anything else or do we want to move on to the next village?
Tahei Asawa |
Tahei's gaze darkens at the impropriety of the villager. He haggles hard
Intimidate: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
to get a good deal for the main village.
Afterward he gives the villagers a steady look.
Look out for Sho's men. And if you hear, see, feel or think anything is out of the ordinary...by all the Celestials above and below - let us know."
With that, and his shoulder-burden of food, Tahei heads off down the road.
Ready to move on...
Hisui no Hane |
Also ready to move on to the next village.
TarkXT |
You end up camping out midway to the next village.
1d100 ⇒ 70
What you know of the village is that it was built only a decade ago. It was created as a way to take advantage of the expanded farmland to the north with the cutting of the forest. This new village was never very big and few would ever come from it as the village only held ten or so families at any given time.
You know you are beginning to approach it when the hilly landscape becomes dotted with the dried trunks of trees. The only places where they have been removed are where roads, fields, and ditches have been dug.
As you approach the village you see much of the same design philosophy as it was in the central village. Flat buildings made mostly of wood. You see no farm animals of any note. No pigs, goats, or chickens that you recognize.
As you enter the village proper you notice something much more eerie. No people.
Perception checks please as a way to make sure you're still with me and prevent bad things from happening.
Hisui no Hane |
Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Untrained Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 if I'm remembering correctly, you can make DC 10 knowledge checks untrained.
"I don't know, but it seems they're not hiding in their homes like the ones in the main village were doing.", Hisui whispered back while scanning his surroundings.
Liu Quon |
Survival: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
"It's more than that. These crops have not been tended for a while......" Liu Quon unshoulders his bow and again begins moving quietly off the road to the right of the main group.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Tahei Asawa |
Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Tahei smells more than sees the lack of habitation.
"No fires. Not a hearth, cookfire or….anything. There is nothing here that suggests folk are living here."
Frowning, the normally jovial warrior is tense and agitated by…something. He loosens the catch on his naginata, bringing it to bear. He edges closer to a hut and peers inside, careful to keep clear of actually entering a doorway.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
TarkXT |
Masamune says nothing but keeps a hand on the hilt of his sword as you march into town.
The village itself seems pretty much deserted All around you notice small signs of what might have been a struggle. Toppled pots, knocked over fences, in several cases it seems doors have been torn off homes.
"Stay on guard." MAsamune says. "We may have stumbled into the fist victims of Sho's depravity."
Liu Quon |
Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Once within the village itself Liu drops to one knee and examines the ground in front of him, then walks over to the nearest home to examine the doorway. He points to a mark on the jamb.
"Does Sho use monsters? That mark was made by claws not weapons. There's a blood trail too, but........" He moves back and forth, scanning the ground. "There's not enough to follow....."
The scout moves across the lane to the next hut and repeats the inspection again looking for more clues but finds only more of the same.
TarkXT |
"Why would he not? There are plenty of barbaric creatures willing to throw their lot in with wicked men." MAsamune says his sunken eyes flitting from shadow to shadow.
Tahei doesn't find anything. At least nothing he might not already expect. Signs of struggle, a home torn upside down, no food nor any objects considered useful or valuable missing.
Hisui no Hane |
Hisui now too drew his katana. "This is a troubling development. Maybe we can find some more clues as to what did this in another part of the village?"