Looking across at her kinsmen and allies, Oriana's gaze met Ryu Tadamasa's. "The Lady Anevia has requested the arrows and I wish to grant them to her. They will be put to good use."
Ryu continues to glance at the other more lackadaisical members of the crew, wondering why they don’t seem that interested in items of rare quality that are given freely as gifts.
"Do not worry that I will cut myself; I have been around blades since I was a young child. Thank you, Ryu Tadamasa."
His eyebrow quirks up at her comment and he turns back from them to look back at her.
”You don’t got to tell me twice! The way you waded in there with your blade was damn fine,” he says, pausing to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand from the remaining crumbs, his eyes traveling over her appraisingly, but not lecherously.
”Meantime, your legs may be built for Ooh-la-la – but your hands there just now? Gods damn, little Angel – they’re strong enough to crush coal into diamonds, not to mention the rest of you, savvy? Hell, you got the bushi-heart, you know? The Heart of the Warrior!”
”Way I reckon, you got no need for some man to be swinging in to save your ass, ‘cause you’re too gods damned busy running into to save theirs like you did just a little while ago, neh?”
He nods his head in wolfish appreciation at her skill and courage.
”I got a hunch any basterd that pushes you wrong is likely to piss blood at least… once you’re done schooling them on good manners,” he adds with laugh.
”Good times!”
Looking across at her kinsmen and allies, Oriana's gaze met Ryu Tadamasa's. "The Lady Anevia has requested the arrows and I wish to grant them to her. They will be put to good use."
He waves his hand carelessly.
"Sure, sure, Angel. So long as the lady there helps out, she's free to take a cut of the loot any time," he says with a shrug.
Turning to the lady, he bows politely to her.
"Hell, no worries, ma'am; it's all good, I'm always happy to help," he says straightening up again.
Then he crosses his arms over his chest and absently picks his teeth while he waits for the other folk to figure out what their plan is going to be.
Since no one else claimed to carry it, Maelchar picks up the other potion bottle as well and tucks it in his belt pouch, and then nods to Oriana and Anevia. "The arrows will be put to good use it sounds like. I agree they will be best distributed to the Lady Anevia."
He looks back to the other passage that had been choked with dust and sighs. "Seems like we have to go the other way after all. If we're ready to move on... shall we?"
So'rien listens to the banter back and forth, uncharacteristically quiet as he thinks about their current predicament. Shaking himself out of his reverie he nods for Mr. Shin to continue scouting the way.
Mr. Shin nods as well and hops forward into the darkness.
Pakak passes on a share, "There is not a thing in the backpack that could not be better served, or serve better in someone else's hands than mine I think."
Pakak passes on a share, "There is not a thing in the backpack that could not be better served, or serve better in someone else's hands than mine I think."
"Hey, no worries, boss. But if you change your mind on a meal - we got 'em safe and sound in the bag for you," he adds with a casual shrug.
Glancing at So'rien he notices the young Aasimar is being uncharacteristically quiet.
"Hey - Sori-san - what's eating you?" he says to the Summoner.
"I'd ask if the cat's got your tongue, but I reckon Master Shin would likely beat the ever-living piss out of any cat trying to boost your tongue," he adds, laughing loudly, clapping the quiet Summoner on the shoulder.
"Now buck up, 'cause Mal's got point and he wants us to shake a leg; so come on - isogu, you grim basterd," he adds with a grin, pushing the Summoner forward after the redoubtable Mister Shin and jogs up after the rabbit quickly himself.
Hurrying past Malchaer he passes him with a with a wave.
"Come on Mal - follow the White Rabbit - his luck's ichi-ban, savvy?" he adds as he moves closer to follow Mister Shin.
Proceeding onward for a short distance, 30 ft, Mr Shin makes it to the opening of the area he saw earlier. The dust in the room is still lingering in the air from the tremors above ground and the rent in the earth from the demons. Every so often a fresh bit of dust settles through the cracks in the ceiling to ad tot he haze. Even though he does not see anything, Mr. Shin is fairly certain he heard a rustling in what would be the northern portion of the cavern.
Pakak grunts in offer of food. He is not yet hungry. As they move on, he takes out Shieldback, his turtle, and rests it on his shoulder. Somehow the leathery reptile finds purchase.
So'rien moves forward after reporting the rustling noise Mr. Shin hears and does the same tactic as last time, this time though a beautiful golden eagle appears and flies over in the direction of the noises, Mr. Shin keeping a watchful eye from the shadows.
The celestial eagle pops into existence in the room surrounded by a haze of dust. Turning to the north to discover what is over there, it barely has to turn its head before it screeches a shrill warning.
Ryu
Maelchar
Pakak
So'rien
Oriana
Sir Garith
snakes
Good guys up first.
You can all tell the eagle wants to head to the north. Once past Ryu you will know where the snakes are.
As Ryu hurries after Mister Shin, he glances back at Pakak and almost drops his sword at the sight of the turtle.
”Gods damn, son – that turtle’s all right!” he says eagerly, tacking his course back to get a peak at him.
Peering at the turtle as Pakak marches along, Ryu gives a low, toneless whistle.
”Hey boss, what’s the little guy’s name? I mean, he’s got one, neh? Just saying if he needs a good one, I got plenty of good turtle names,” he says with complete assurance.
Suspecting nothing but a possible gruff response, he glances ahead at Mister Shin and turns back to Pakak.
”So who’d you put coin on if Master Shin raced with your buddy there? I’d pry bet on Master Shin – but then, you never know… your boy could be as fast as a poxing ninja!”
He tosses a backward glance at So’rien.
His expression is alive, but his eyes seem to communicate an entire sentence to the young Aasimar. It is as if his somber gaze seems to be saying That’s right – I did indeed suggest that the Turtle may be some sort of Ninja – what, you got a problem with that?
Clearly Ryu is more capable of communicating succinctly with a single gaze than a tome of verse.
Turning a bit, he punches So’rien playfully in the arm, then charges back up until the trouble starts.
Turning the corner he looks forward into the dim lighting of the cave to see strange serpents.
”Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes…” he says darkly, then flashes a triumphant glance at So’rien for some inexplicable reason, winking furiously as if he stated something of great wit.
”Come on you slithering basterds, I got nothing to do but make you bleed!”
”Hey boss, what’s the little guy’s name? I mean, he’s got one, neh? Just saying if he needs a good one, I got plenty of good turtle names,” he says with complete assurance.
"His name is Shieldback," Pakak says, "Though it's kind of you to offer."
The eagle screeches and swoops down at the snake attempting to bite it in half.
Maelchar moves forward as far as he can and fumbles out his dagger.
"His name is Shieldback," Pakak says.
Ryu's eyes widen in admiration.
"Shieldback, eh? Damn, boss, that's a biching name for a turtle," he says with true sincerity.
"Though it's kind of you to offer."
He flashes Pakak another grin.
"Well hell, chief, that's just the kind of son of a bich that I am," he says with a bark of laughter.
As he moves along with Pakak, he thinks a moment.
"Still, there's so many sugoi names for a turtle... makes my gods damned head spin...."
He thinks a moment longer.
"I kind of like the "Mean Green Fighting Construct" - on account of the fact that it nearly rhymes," he adds with gusto.
"But Shieldback - that's damn zuiichi," he says sincerely, patting the turtle gently on his shell.
Pakak moves forward , encouraging the others to do likewise. The dwarf intones and marks the air before him, and then it seems to expand all around.
Protective Ward (Su): As a standard action, you can create a 10-foot-radius field of protective magic centered on you that lasts for a number of rounds equal to your Intelligence modifier. All allies in this area (including you) receive a +1 deflection bonus to their AC. This bonus increases by +1 for every five wizard levels you possess. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.
Seeing that her kinsmen had already filled the tight corridor, Oriana remained in her position (holding for now), ready to protect the three citizens until she could move forward to aid.
miss chance from haze hit
The companions file forwards with Ryu moving quickly into the cavern. Sir Gartih takes a defensive position while Pakak intones an incantation protecting everyone with a protective force. So'rien continues to rely on his summoned creatures to fight ofr him and the eagle rips into the snake. In retaliation the pair of albino cave vipers slither forward to strike at the eagle.
attacks +2 each
damage -1 each
miss chance
The snake that was damaged by the eagle lunges forwards and misses horribly due to the haze in the room. The other snake is more accurate and manages to pierce the eagle on the wing for 1 damage. The snakes quick strike still allows it to inject its powerful poison into the bird trying to still its beating heart.
Fort save at DC: 13 or the eagle takes 1 con damage.
Oriana, using her darkvision, scans the walls, shadows, dark corners for any hidden threats since she is in charge of protecting the citizens.
Ryu continues to glance at the other more lackadaisical members of the crew, wondering why they don’t seem that interested in items of rare quality that are given freely as gifts.
"Do not worry that I will cut myself; I have been around blades since I was a young child. Thank you, Ryu Tadamasa."His eyebrow quirks up at her comment and he turns back from them to look back at her.
”You don’t got to tell me twice! The way you waded in there with your blade was damn fine,” he says, pausing to wipe his mouth with the back of his hand from the remaining crumbs, his eyes traveling over her appraisingly, but not lecherously.
”Meantime, your legs may be built for Ooh-la-la – but your hands there just now? Gods damn, little Angel – they’re strong enough to crush coal into diamonds, not to mention the rest of you, savvy? Hell, you got the bushi-heart, you know? The Heart of the Warrior!”
”Way I reckon, you got no need for some man to be swinging in to save your ass, ‘cause you’re too gods damned busy running into to save theirs like you did just a little while ago, neh?”
He nods his head in wolfish appreciation at her skill and courage.
”I got a hunch any basterd that pushes you wrong is likely to piss blood at least… once you’re done schooling them on good manners,” he adds with laugh.
”Good times!”
Oriana cocked an ebony brow and almost laughed aloud at the man's frank remarks. She was not used to one as talkative as he, especially when silence was probably the wiser option in an underground cavern filled with threat and foe. If it had been another time, she may have struck him across the face for his remark about her legs, but this was not the place to school him on good manners, so she let it go.
"You talk much, Ryu Tadamasa. You are correct in that I do not need a man to come to my defence. My longsword sways adversaries readily enough. However, my brothers enjoy protecting their sister, for I am the youngest Zeru. I will not begrudge them such entertainment." Even though there is no visible smile on her face, her golden eyes are shining.
GM, I think you may have made an error on your math, but I may be wrong.
You rolled a 3+2 and the first attack was 5.
You rolled a 10+2 and the second attack was 12.
An eagle has a touch AC of 13 and a base AC of 14.
what it looks like is that somehow you rolled 2d20 and just added that together - in short, 3+10 = 13. Then you took the total of 13 and added +2 to 13 to get a 15 to hit.
I may be wrong, though.
"You talk much, Ryu Tadamasa.
”Who me? Well, I always heard a got a talented tongue,” he says with a bawdy wink, then grins good-naturedly.
“You are correct in that I do not need a man to come to my defence. My longsword sways adversaries readily enough.
”You got that right, sister. Hells bells, you handle that blade better than a poxing samurai with a hard-on for battle,” he adds with an easy laugh at his own joke, but his tone is very sincere.
”However, my brothers enjoy protecting their sister, for I am the youngest Zeru. I will not begrudge them such entertainment.”
”Well, damn – I knew that right from the start, Angel,” he says with a wave of his hand.
”I figured that if you don’t let them wiggle their figures and have some magic beastie come flying out to do their knife work they’d feel downright bored, so you give them a chance to shine a little on account of the fact that you’re all generous like that,” he says with a grin.
”Then, when the going’s tough and the chips are down, you draw steel and charge in like forty-seven bleeding ronnin looking for the best Inn to sit around and plot revenge in,” he adds with a laugh.
He stretches a little, feeling comfortable.
”The way I see it, it’s good to have you on my flank, but if you’d rather be in front of me when the fighting starts, I’ll just tough it out.”
He nods his head a bit.
”Hell, if I was behind you in a fight I reckon I’d have nothing to do anyhow but enjoy the view,” he says, leaving the double entendre hang cheerfully as he does not make clear what view he refers to – the view of Oriana slicing into her enemies like a great warrior proven in battle and honor; bringing death to evil and standing victorious on the field like a Valkyrie of legend filled with righteous wrath; or the more pedestrian suggestion that he wouldn’t have any concern about staring at her backside.
Of course, there can only really be one real answer to that suggestion.
Obviously, it’s clear that he must be referring to nothing but her battle prowess. To suggest otherwise would make his manner of speech seem outright… barbaric.
And Ryu Tadamasa is nothing if not the quintessential gentleman.
Ryu glances at Garith’s hit.
”Garith, you magnificent basterd – Banzai!,” he yells out with glee.
Ryu moves up with Garith and will attack one of the serpents.
”Who me? Well, I always heard a got a talented tongue,” he says with a bawdy wink, then grins good-naturedly.”You got that right, sister. Hells bells, you handle that blade better than a poxing samurai with a hard-on for battle,” he adds with an easy laugh at his own joke, but his tone is very sincere.
”Well, damn – I knew that right from the start, Angel,” he says with a wave of his hand.
”I figured that if you don’t let them wiggle their figures and have some magic beastie come flying out to do their knife work they’d feel downright bored, so you give them a chance to shine a little on account of the fact that you’re all generous like that,” he says with a grin.
”Then, when the going’s tough and the chips are down, you draw steel and charge in like forty-seven bleeding ronnin looking for the best Inn to sit around and plot revenge in,” he adds with a laugh.
He stretches a little, feeling comfortable.
”The way I see it, it’s good to have you on my flank, but if you’d rather be in front of me when the fighting starts, I’ll just tough it out.”
He nods his head a bit.
”Hell, if I was behind you in a fight I reckon I’d have nothing to do anyhow but enjoy the view,” he says, leaving the double entendre hang cheerfully as he does not make clear what view he refers to – the view of Oriana slicing into her enemies like a great warrior proven in battle and honor; bringing death to evil and standing victorious on the field like a Valkyrie of legend filled with righteous wrath; or the more pedestrian suggestion that he wouldn’t have any concern about staring at her backside.
Of course, there can only really be one real answer to that suggestion.
Obviously, it’s clear that he must be referring to nothing but her battle prowess. To suggest otherwise would make his manner of speech seem outright… barbaric.
And Ryu Tadamasa is nothing if not the quintessential gentleman.
"I bid thee caution, Ryu Tadamasa. You are loose with your words. If my brothers and cousin were to hear you speak thusly, they would likely challenge you in the name of our family and honour. I should lift my sword to you now for making light of my brothers' strengths. They are honourable men and deserve respect."
There is a golden glint in her eye and she watches you, unblinkingly, like a hawk.
The tall human was unrestrained, with the wicked gleam in his eye and shameless talk. She wondered what So'rien had made of him or Maelchar, for they had yet to speak more than a word or two to him. Ryu amused her and he bemused her with his endless chatter. He did not mean harm; Oriana was certain the man was an unabashed rascal and was enjoyed plying her with compliments. Not that they were not warranted, for Oriana was obvious to her talents and strengths. Yet in the middle of such an event was no time for banter.
"And I will fight beside you or flank with you, Ryu Tadamasa. If you take point, I shall complement and when I am in front, I would expect you to have my back and not stare at my backside. Do we have an understanding?"
His endless, cheerful disposition was hard to manoeuvre around. She was not angered by his words for she had heard worse over the years, only dismayed by the attention.
"Now, I suggest you get back into line and allow me to do the same. We have talked more than we should. We must find our way back to the surface."
** spoiler omitted **...
”I bid thee caution, Ryu Tadamasa. You are loose with your words. If my brothers and cousin were to hear you speak thusly, they would likely challenge you in the name of our family and honour. I should lift my sword to you now for making light of my brothers' strengths. They are honourable men and deserve respect."
”Hey, you don’t got to tell me, mamma-san, I’m all honor and respect, savvy? I mean, your brother’s one of my boys, you know? We’re like a blood on account of all the action we had together, savvy?” he says miming some sword thrusts casually in the air.
”And I hear you, family’s got to be first! You got to die for your family, and your honor – believe me, that's crystal to me.”
He glances at her hand, noting that she suggested lifting her blade to him.
”What? Lift to your blade to little ol’ me? Iye!"
"Come on, Angel, I’m not that bad, neh?” and he feigns stumbling back under the threat of her blade.
"And I will fight beside you or flank with you, Ryu Tadamasa. If you take point, I shall complement and when I am in front, I would expect you to have my back and not stare at my backside. Do we have an understanding?”
He looks completely abashed at her words and instantly straightens his back.
”Wakarimashita, Zeru-sama!” he then says with a bold and elaborate bow before her as if she was a noble lord, then he glances up and flashes her a grin.
”And who said I’d be staring at your backside?” he adds with a mortally wounded voice – as if to say Perish the thought!.
”Come on, Angel, that’s not the guy I am; staring at a lady’s backside in the middle of fight? Hmph! You got to keep your eyes on the fight, you know? Not to mention the fact that's damn rude, you know?” he says with a dark scowl at such impropriety.
”Besides,” he says, his tone becoming quickly serious and utterly respectful, mirroring her poise and honor perfectly - ”I’m really more of a leg man, myself,” and he flashes her another grin.
"Now, I suggest you get back into line and allow me to do the same. We have talked more than we should. We must find our way back to the surface."
He nods at her words.
”Damn straight, Angel. Though I got to say, I’m not minding the chit-chat much, neither,” he adds.
”Hey, that reminds me, what’s up with ol’ Sori-san? Someone ought to say something to that guy; between you and me I think your brother talks way too much.”
Pakak nods , his ally was right, they're bottle necking here to the point where they shall never be allowed to all fight together. Reluctantly, he backs up to allow his protective ward to shield their charges instead and hopes for the best.
Here's my miss chances cause I forgot them =P
[Dice=miss chance]1d100
[Dice=miss chance]1d100
Ryu watches with utter certainty the strokes of Sir Mordrand's blades slam home with sharp intensity.
"Whoo Hoo!! Take those slitherin' basterds down!" he says with a loud cheer, glad that his shout of Banzai was not misplaced.
Swinging with the short sword Sir Garith almost eviscerates the snake. Trying to finish it off Sir Garith advances with the shield. The shield bash missed though as the snake ducked its head down ready to retaliate. Before it could, Ryu stabs forward with his rapier bringing the snake down.
Pakak moves back to protect the group while Oriana keeps a sharp look out for any trouble from behind. She doesn't see anything and thinks that they are safe as they have cleared everything behind them.
The eagle begins to attack one of the snakes viciously.
In a fury of beak and claws the eagle shreds the last viper into oblivion. Sitting on a rock the eagle happily devours its meal looking at everyone with a glint in its eye. Searching amongst the rubble you find nothing of value. The cave complex continues on to the east but it looks like a long winding tunnel further than Mr shin can see.
"Everyone alright?" he calls to the group.
When he hears their response, he nods once.
"Kick ass," he says with a grunt, than follows Mister Shin down the tunnel.
Seeing the distance of the tunnel, Ryu quickly musters all of his subtlety and calls out -
"Ryu, please, be cautious. Sound carries and not always to friendly ears" Pakak actually sounds a bit nervous
Hearing Ryu Tadamasa's calling out loudly in the tunnel ahead makes Oriana shake her head at the man's lack of moderation. He makes ready target of himself and others. Iomedae gives him foresight to move with quiet grace.
Turning to her three charges, she addresses them quietly, "The vipers have been vanquished. We move forward now. Stay behind me, please."
After traveling the winding route for about 1,900 feet, taking about 25 minutes to navigate, you reach the tunnel's end at a junction. By now the torches have only 15-20 minutes left you estimate. To the north, a 10-foot wide opening in the wall leads into a cave filled with soft but nasty-looking green light-the tunnel itself continues south. For being trapped underground with people that don't know each other the morale is good for the most part. Anevia and Aravashinal have kept up with you fairly well considering their limitations. Even Horgus has been less obnoxious since you are all traveling even though he wants to hurry on and pick up the pace.
So'rien looks over at the cave filled with green light with curiosity and says What do you suppose is in there?
So'rien looks over at the cave filled with green light with curiosity and says What do you suppose is in there?
Ryu tosses So’rien a quick glance.
”That’s exactly what I was thinking, boss,” he says with a grim nod.
”Way I see it, we got two choices on figuring it out – you maybe magic-up something to go have a look; or one of us goes has a look.”
He rubs his jaw thoughtfully.
”Of course, if you were magicing up something, and it went up there, and then came back, then that’d just mean your magic’d buddy get the fun of seeing all there was to see.”
Glancing at the green light he cocks his head, as if considering other options.
”On the other hand, if someone got to go check it out in person, than that'd just mean they’d get to see things first hand – maybe get a little action and maybe even see something that no man saw since before the ancient days.”
”On the other hand we found evidence of another party between here and there,” he says with a backward jerk of his thumb behind them.
”Maybe that’s on account of stuff hitting lads before us on the way through, neh?”
”One might wonder at all the fun they had, but as no one’s been really paying attention to all the clues laying around, I reckon that’s on account that's because "clues" are saitei and it's not our job to give a crap about them. Besides, we’re not a poxing group of Tantei’s, right? We're lads trying to walk through tunnels and get people from here to there, and that's it."
Ready to move forward to the south tunnel and continue, he pauses.
"Still, all that aside, I got to ask myself What’s in the light, you know?”
He looks at it for a bit then shrugs.
”Well, like they say – ”Life fades, but balls are immortal” – yeah, I kind of paraphrased that, but you get the idea,” he adds with a grin.
He leans in carefully to So'rien -
"Oye, make sure if your sister watches my back, that's all she's watching, savvy?"
He winks at Oriana, as if sharing some private joke.
"Couldn't blame her if her eyes did stray, though... I mean, hell, I can't help being beautiful..." he mutters with a quick smile, then gives them a playful wink as he waves good-naturedly at Oriana.
Then Ryu pulls out his blade and moves down to explore the tunnel with the green light as his companions wait at the crossroads of the tunnels.
"Ryu, please, be cautious. Sound carries and not always to friendly ears" Pakak actually sounds a bit nervous
Ryu's eyes widen in surprise, and he seemed to consider Pakak's words.
"Relax, pop, just having some fun," he says answering the dwarf with a friendly tone.
"I mean, hell, you only live once, right?" he adds with a careless grin.
His eyes suddenly flick to the stern and somewhat paternal glance of the wizened Shieldback who is no doubt eyeing him very critically, and Ryu feels suddenly abashed.
"Oh yeah - no, I gotcha. It's all good," he says more quietly, offering the dwarf a sage nod.
Ryu realizes that clearly his hardened stonekin companion is not simply concerned about his own well-being, but obviously Pakak is acting as body-guard and protector to important charges which he swore to see safe.
Ryu surmises quickly that Pakak's life, his honor, and his duty demands that the goodly dwarf risk all to make sure that those under his protection do not die, or suffer any damage; if it could be helped in any way.
And you don't screw around with honor; that's for damn sure, son. You got to think about your poxing, duty, right? Hell, what'd you think your own father'd say if he saw you forget your duty? Gods damn, he'd be pissed!
Ryu mentally chastises himself for forgetting about the lives of those under his care, even for a moment.
Damn straight! Hell, you keep up the racket and you might put good ol' Sheldon and Master Shin in harm's way - and you've got a god's damned duty to make sure those two little guys stay alive! Hell, they're good people, even if they are only a tortoise and a hare...
Of course, Ryu is completely confident that his companions are able to take care of themselves in a pinch, but it is clear that he does not want either Shellback or Mister Shin to come to any harm.
Therefore, he elects to be a bit more cautious for their sake in the future...
** spoiler omitted **
Ryu nods in understanding and gives Pakak the "Thumbs Up" sign and bows politely to Shieldback, then grins at them both and moves on more quietly.
Oriana hears Ryu's clear, loud voice down the corridor, especially the part about only watching his back and she sighs inwardly. Trust her brothers at this time to remain silent and not put the man in his place, leaving her to calm or settle him. Least the three behind her, whom she was protecting, seemed to be in good enough spirits, even Gwerm who generally grumbled about everything.
There Ryu Tadamasa was winking and waving at her when he should be paying more attention ahead of him.
Calling mindfully (but not too loudly lest it draw attention) up to her brother, she asks, "What do you see, So'rien? Can Mr Shin give more detail? Or is drawing closer too dangerous?"
Oriana hears Ryu.