Rotting, faded banners hang from the walls of this hall, depicting a stylized castle sitting on a seaside cliff. Thick stone pillars support the ceiling, while at the far end of the hall sits an old wooden throne, its back carved to resemble the Teitoku seal. A Tian man with a bristly goatee, deep red skin, and a prodigious nose sits on it as he watches four more of the creatures just slain attempt to act out a play. He idly toys with a kusarigama and cackles in delight as he sees the group, "Come, come join my masterpiece!" he points to Onitora as the dire corbies' attention is drawn towards the group.
Makiko looks down at the ground, "My apologies, your... Mai-sama. I got carried away and startled by their waking."
The party continues forward into the barren courtyard of hard-packed earth containing clumps of tough-looking weeds, furrows in the ground as if made by taloned feet, and chalky white mounds of dung the size of human heads.
Valeska pulls the bow and releases the arrow which flies at the bandit that was wounded by Arasmes but is still not engaged in close combat. Unaware of the arrow as it tumbles through the air and strikes home through his leather armor and drops him from the fight.
The last bandit engaged by Grendolynn noticing the sudden lost of his companions loses his courage and drops his weapon before throwing himself to his knees. Grendolynn almost gives a bestial growl and for a moment you think she will run him through as she did the last bandit that surrendered but she manages to flip the spear and send the bandit into unconsciousness with the end of it.
Map isn't really accurate anymore. Valeska was roughly 150 feet away from where Teyran, Morley, Thad, and Grendolynn just ambushed five bandits. There is one bandit that Valeska can shoot that isn't engaged on this round.
Thad turns suddenly and uppercuts the bandit that has been chasing him this entire time, lifting him off his feet and sending him into unconsciousness.
Morley manages to take down one of the bandits, but alert the entire forest of your presence and position. While Teyran cuts down another one bandit. Grendolynn engages another one, but the bandit manages to stay off the pointy end of her spear.
Arasmes manages to wound the non-engaged bandit with a crossbow bolt but doesn't kill him.
The boom from Morley's musket however is sure to draw the attention of the other bandits...
LoTae:
You hear an explosion from off to the left of the bandit camp behind you. The bandits chasing you pull up in confusion and began to head that way.
Mai Seori moves forward as they approach the sleeping creatures, as she moves to draw her blade. It comes free from her sheath with a loud noise which startles the two bird-like creatures, but the pair of Mamoru and Makiko react quickly. One creature is felled by an arrow before he can react, and Mamoru takes out of the other one with his spear.
Teyran and Antha can act. The bandits are ontop of you now. You surprised them. You don't have to pull any double moves etc, etc. You are in the thick of it now.
Tad may (or may not) be surprised to find that Teyran, Grendolynn, and Morley have deviated from the plan by breaking rank and approaching closer. The bandits begin to give chase only to pull up short in surprise when they come face to face with Teyran, Grendolynn, and Morley...
From the forest Valeska and them can make out the shapes coming together, and the shouts of surprise.
Five bandits pursued Tad into the forest, and waste their actions with that. Teyran, Grendolynn, Morley, and then Tad can act again. The others can move forward so they can start making out the shapes and use ranged weapons if they want to break their positions. Followed by the bandits if any of them remain...
Some of the family didn't take it all that well, so it has been a rough week helping them out. I tried to get an update in but my network went whack-o again. I finally got the time to fix it today and it seems to have settled down. I am going to make a post to get things moving again (and doing it now as not to delay any damn more), and then I am going to go host my son's 4th birthday party. Thanks for the patience these months.
The guardian fell silent and bowed to you before you departed. Uta leads you through the ruined village again as you approach the ruined gates of the Teitoku palace. Two hideous creatures looking like muscular humanoids with ravenlike heads and covered with black feathers, the minions of the yamabushi, are sleeping. They did not notice your approach...
Alright. It has been a rough week with everything, and now that I got my computer working... again. It seems to be settled down again... I am going to make some posts to get things moving again (as not to delay any damn more), and then go host my son's 4th birthday party. Thanks for staying!
Trying to catch a break. We had a death in the family on Tuesday. Tomorrow is the viewing and family stuff, Saturday is the funeral. I will be back on Sunday, best I can do now. It is something new every week and it is getting old fast so I know you guys must be frustrated.
Yeah, still trying to catch a break. We had a death in the family on Tuesday. Tomorrow is the viewing and family stuff, Saturday is the funeral. I will be back on Sunday, best I can do now. It is something new every week and it is getting old fast so I know you guys must be frustrated.
Need to unpack my computer with the modules on it again and hook it up. Are you guys headed straight for the palace or do you want to do anything first?
Tad landed a solid blow to the bandit which made him shake his head a few times, but did not take him down. He retaliates while his buddies try to move into position to flank Tad.
"Bloody fools. Get that guy. We will go after the elf." A female voice sounds out from deep in the camp. As the bandits from the camp start to stream after LoTae. Leaving the sentries and the other remaining bandits to deal with
"No Mountain just springs from the Earth. Uta-kun is right. You must go a step at a time. This palace is not watched closely by the Jade Regent any longer. It is far from where the Empress should be. It is the start of your journey as written in the heavens."
That did not work out according to planned. I ended up flying to AZ, and didn't have internet access. I didn't post anything because I was suppose to have it. I will be posting now whoever is still with us here.
That did not work out according to planned. I ended up flying to AZ, and didn't have internet access. I didn't post anything because I was suppose to have it. I will be posting now whoever is still with us here.
Well I am starting to recover even though I still have a cough, and it turned into an ear infection (I think/hope because otherwise my ear is hurting very painfully for another reason) today which sucks. I should get things back in order and be able to post tonight or tomorrow. I am on my week of vacation from work as well starting tomorrow.
Well I am starting to recover even though I still have a cough, and it turned into an ear infection (I think/hope because otherwise my ear is hurting very painfully for another reason) today which sucks. I should get things back in order and be able to post tonight or tomorrow. I am on my week of vacation from work as well starting tomorrow.
“Many people in the history of your kind have become great leaders without teaching. They only knew something had to be protected or some justice had to be served. The Jade Regent chokes the life from the people and they only need a person to believe in to rise against his tyranny. Your will is your proof, your honor is your strength. Reveal yourself to the people and they will follow you. It will help that you have reclaimed the ancestral homeland of the Teikoku family and wield their imperial seal.”
The ground beneath your feet tremble softly as he speaks.
"As for the other question... Uta-kun have you not explained to them where they have come to be? I can only imagine the Seal transported you a great distance to protect the daughter of heaven and itself as even from this distance I felt it when it was revealed as if I was standing before it. I have no doubt that the Jade Regent felt it from his palace."
I just came on to say I am sick right now. Like been to the hospital, haven't been out of bed in four days sick. I am not sure when it will break so I can't give you a day that I will definitely be back. Anywhere from a day to a week.
Thanks for your patience. I will try to make it worthwhile when I am no longer having fevered delusions.
I just came on to say I am still sick. Like been to the hospital, haven't been out of bed in four days sick. I am not sure when it will break so I can't give you a day that I will definitely be back. Anywhere from a day to a week.
I don't blame Grendolynn for losing patience since it has been a really slow three months. Good luck with your other games.
Everyone else, thanks for your patience I will try to make it worthwhile and reward it as soon as I am no longer having fevered delusions.
Movement draws your eyes to the side of a single crypt as the stone comes alive and detaches itself. A small humanoid, with a rounded belly and a stone sedge hat stands in place now and begins to move towards you. His face looks like someone etched it on there, his eyes move from one person to the other.
"Konnichiwa Teikoku-san. I am the guardian of this place, the Earth Kami, Hogasha. I have guarded your ancestors for in their rest since the fall of the Teikoku palace to the Oni. You have questions." He states. His voice fills you like the rumble of the earth under your feet.
Several minutes pass with no response. "Why is the Oni here, Uta-san. Are you aware of him plaguing your Teikoku princess? Maybe you can not see or sense him. I shall reveal him to you." Suddenly a pale green glow surrounds and outlines Onitora.
"Uta-san." A voice drifts through the graveyard like the echo of Mai, a moment passes as you wonder if it was a strange echo, but the voice returns again. "What have you done bringing that here?"
Because as much of a hard-ass that Thadeusz seems; he still stopped the moment to try to save the woman being set upon by bandits. Now he is in threat range and the woman is still in danger... so bluff until help arrives is the new plan?
The rock flies wide into the trees without coming close to anything, though it has the same effect as the sentry shouting does. It draws some attention towards Thadeuzs...
The two sentries that have Thadeuzs within range fires their longbows at him from their perch.
Bandit #1 makes a rushed action as he draws his short sword to move in on Thadeusz threatening him if he tries to escape back into the forest. "Surrender all your belongs to us and you may escape with your life. I am afraid the woman though will probably go south."
Bandit #5 tries to get his hands on LoTae with a grab to restrain her. 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Bandits #4 & #6 move in on her as well with their weapons and wicked smiles. "Don't cut her up to badly the boss won't like that."
Bandit #4; Bandit #6:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 121d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16 Once of them manages to draw a cut cross LoTae's arm. 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
I haven't a clue. You guys set the plan so the distance is up to you. There was talk about 100 feet, then 300 feet, I just assumed the 300 feet was the decided one. I assume that is the back of the U. So Teyran and whoever else opposite of him would be closer with the back of the U at the distance planned.
I left the rest of the group off since they are outside of the purview of this map. Only the bandits, Thad, and LoTae were added.
As soon Thadeuzs breaks forest cover on the bandit camp near one of the tree sentries he notices that something has changed. A group of three gnarly looking men with weapons drawn appear to be approaching this woman. The central one appears to be talking to her, but even Thadeuzs can tell their intentions are not wholesome.
The woman does not back down, but her hand strays to her her blade as well. This prompts the lead man to step forward to grab at her...
One of sentry also jumps to his feet and shouts as Thadeuzs breaks the forest cover drawing more attention from the bandits that aren't engaged. The bandit goes for a longbow sitting in the tree stand with him.
Amazingly enough, Thad has first action. People can act as they become aware during their initiative.
The journey through the ruins of the town was quick, only a few minutes, and Uta knew the route to keep out of sight of the ruined castle that overlooked the town. You slip into the burial grounds without raising the alarm. The grounds themselves consisted of a low hill containing nearly two dozen graves. A stone crypt sat atop the hill to the east. The entire graveyard looked unusually well tended-the grass appearing to be weeded and the grave markings are quite clean.
It has been several days since you got into the Narlmarches and have been making good time north towards Brevoy when you started to come upon the signs of a long-standing human settlement (refuse, trash, dead animals, marred trees) and it would have been shocking if you hadn't heard stories about the disrespect some humans had for the forest beforehand.
With no information about your family, and still following the mission from the Queen then it made sense to stop to see if you could gather information about them, get an idea how far from Brevoy you had come, and supplies for the rest of the journey.
You had just crossed the river that cut through the Narlmarches onto an obvious path which had been cut to the settlement when a warning shout had went out from above. Four menacing humans moved out of the trees around the path to block your way. They were smelled of human filth, were gnarly looking with dirty clothing, and poorly-kept equipment.
Three of the four had readied weapons while the other addressed you. "Hey now, what doin we have here? You lookin like one of them purdy fancy elfin girls from them stories." The man said in an excitably crude way.
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 111d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 151d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 221d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 191d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
You make your silence approach towards the bandit encampment and get a good look at the place. The encampment is relatively large, and well defended by a number of just barely hidden platforms placed in the trees, if Grendolynn hadn't been taking the time to look she may have missed them and their occupants that are on over-watch. The camp itself is about sixty feet from a river bank and the bandits have created a semi-permanent campsite by cutting themselves a small clearing. They seem to be using trunks and logs to serve as chairs, all centered about a stone-lined campfire. A number of folded tents are scattered about the clearing.
Other then the watch-posts and clearing itself, the only other thing of note is a set of logs that can be rolled onto a cleared forest path to create an obstruct or cover for the bandits attacks from the direction of the river or trading post. There is also an old, broken-down wagon sitting off to the side of the encampment near one of the west watch-post.
You count five watch-posts, and several more bandits moving about the camp. Almost a dozen bandits in total at this point and they seem on high alert, though you notice the bandits in the watch-post are being pretty lazy about their watch. You are convinced that you had gotten away free and clear without being seen when one of the bandits points towards the forest.
"Did anyone else see that?" Another bandit jumps up, "I saw something. It was green, and I think humanoid. Kressle!" He shouts towards one of the tents.
If I feel for some reason the current situation doesn't warrant a 'Take 10' then I will ask for a roll after someone tries to declare it. In this case as the situation hasn't gone south yet then a take "10" is fine.
On another note I want to do a sound off to get confirmed the number of people still here. Anyone that hasn't sounded off by Wednesday then I will seek to recruit replacement for them. Trying to get all my games flowing again now that I got myself on a good schedule again.
I think we may have lost Tampalasan, and Yumi at some point in my absence (understandably). I just want to confirm that everyone else is still active anyways, so let me hear some sound offs!
Mai Seori?
Mikiko?
Uta?
Mamoru?
Tampalasan?
Yumi Ken?
Anyone that hasn't sounded off by Wednesday then I will seek to recruit replacement for them. Trying to get all my games flowing again now that I got myself on a good schedule again. Some of these names may seem redundant because they have posted in the gameplay thread, but I just included everyone for sake of completion.
Uta would probably call him, "Hogosha" which is Japanese for "Guardian, Patron, Protector" when he didn't have a name and he would have adapted it as his new name. There are power in names!
The party sets off when the first rays of sunlight peirce the forest canopy. The Narlmarches provide cover as you explore for the bandit camp. You start to see noticable signs of people having lived in the area for sometime as you get closer to the camp. They have not had to worry about outsiders bothering them so they have not taken the time to hide their location. With the sun still high in the sky then you have to decide whether to attempt the camp now or wait to get some information about their routine.
Oh right. Mamoru... I overlooked that completely somehow.
Uta:
Given your history then you likely met another Mamoru. You would know the title. Sometime in the past the Teikoku dynasty entered into a pact with the race that the Mamoru come from. A Mamoru is sent to protect the heir of the Teikoku, and if one Mamoru survives then his duties are passed to the next heir. A new Mamoru appears sometime after another one has died to take up the duties. That is all you know about them.
