Akemi is torn between ending the threat of the oni, and between the rather blunt method of despatching them. She settles her concerns and quietly agrees to the plan.

The heroes find themselves about to scout quick locations from which to attack the creatures described by the more-than-simple farmer. Bengoshi thankfully accepts the food offerings, but points to his weapons hidden within his clothing and quickly re-hides the defensive tools.

Placing the offered, but silently declined, uchi-ne back into waistline of his hakama, Kouji then sees to opening up his kitsune component stored inside of a bound paper packet within his outer robe.

"I recommend clogging the dam, which requires us to take care of these six guards first. But we need to make sure they don't alert others..." Pointed Takeshi with his arms crossed.

"Aha! How about this?" Said the Ranger with a snap of his finger, "The costumes of these guards are not extravagant. If we can quietly subdue one of them, then I or Akemi can disguise as the enemy. We then lure the rest of the guards near the grove of trees designated as the ambush spot, from which Kouji can hit the group with a sleep spell. The rest of us can spring from our hiding spots and quickly take care of the ones still awake. What do you guys think?"

Turning to Bengoshi and pointing to an area on the drawing, upstream from the dam, "I assume there are rocks large enough to clog the dam?"

Bengoshi nods that the rocks would indeed be large enough to congest the riverflow.

So uh...what what do you guys think of our game plan? I notice that the msg board has been silent for a while...

Involved in too many games! Yes, it sounds good to me :)

Takeshi is going to figure out the patrol pattern by 1) asking Bengoshi (he's been watching the camp the longest and was ready to assault it, maybe he already figured out a pattern) and 2) watching the patrols himself. He specifically tries to see if there is any isolated guards that he can pick out with his arrows. If there is, he will proceed to assassinate the long guard, hopefully with Bengoshi and Akemi ready to spring into action in case he misses. Once the guard is down, they will quickly drag the body back into cover.

"If we are successful in getting that loner, do you want to wear the disguise?" The ranger asks Akemi as they lay on their stomachs near the ambush site, watching the patrols, "I figured if Kouji's sleep spell fails to subdue all the guards, I could follow up with arrows to nail whoever is still standing."

"Very well," the sohei agrees, "Nature teaches us that a little subterfuge goes a long way."

So uh...what what do you guys think of our game plan? I notice that the msg board has been silent for a while...

Involved in too many games! Yes, it sounds good to me :)

Takeshi is going to figure out the patrol pattern by 1) asking Bengoshi (he's been watching the camp the longest and was ready to assault it, maybe he already figured out a pattern) and 2) watching the patrols himself. He specifically tries to see if there is any isolated guards that he can pick out with his arrows. If there is, he will proceed to assassinate the long guard, hopefully with Bengoshi and Akemi ready to spring into action in case he misses. Once the guard is down, they will quickly drag the body back into cover.

"If we are successful in getting that loner, do you want to wear the disguise?" The ranger asks Akemi as they lay on their stomachs near the ambush site, watching the patrols, "I figured if Kouji's sleep spell fails to subdue all the guards, I could follow up with arrows to nail whoever is still standing."

"Very well," the sohei agrees, "Nature teaches us that a little subterfuge goes a long way."

Okay, I guess I spoke too soon about "not veering into tasteless territory part". ;)

Bengoshi gathers his simple belongings and makes off speddily towards the dam, looking sleek and vengeful. He stops, only to glance back at the heroes. As he snakes along the hillside, he holds up a finger to indicate that he is in position to strike, but await your signal.

Okay, I think we all have been busy lately, but I'm ready to rejoin play! How about some rousing combat? I need someone to roll a d6 for initiate, and add +2 to the result due to the stealthy planning. Also, I'd like to have all heroes roll a d20 and compare the result to their DEX score...is it over the score? Under? Please report. Thanks!

init = 5 + 2 = 7, Dex roll = 7 (under 12). Would it actually be 8 since 12 gives you a +1 or since you're rolling against the score you don't apply the modifier?

Usually, one is trying to roll under the ability score in older D&D versions. I got 15. My Dex is 14. Oops.

We'll wait for our shugenja friend to post his athletic results...or I'll grant him an OVER his DEX Score by Wednesday night if he doesn't post by then, for continuity sake :)

We'll wait for our shugenja friend to post his athletic results...or I'll grant him an OVER his DEX Score by Wednesday night if he doesn't post by then, for continuity sake :)

Here's the results I got: 14. It's right on the dot for the reduced 14 dex from the poison effect.

Bengoshi gathers his simple belongings and makes off speddily towards the dam, looking sleek and vengeful. He stops, only to glance back at the heroes. As he snakes along the hillside, he holds up a finger to indicate that he is in position to strike, but await your signal.

Each male hero will get an opportunity to attack first. Our dedicated priestess will have slightly caught the attention of one of the guards...those two will re-roll initiative (they roll 2 on a d6). Go 'head and declare actions, all...

Rolled a 3 and 19 for 2 shot, dmg is 5 for the 2nd shot, if it hits.

Takeshi aims and fires off two shots, adjusting the angle slightly to compensate for various conditions on his second attempt. He believes he sees a satisfying jerk from his target, but is it enough for a kill? Already, the Ranger is reaching into his quiver for another arrow...

Are we ambushing a lone guard like the we had planned? Did we accidentally alerted the rest of the guard detail?

Each male hero will get an opportunity to attack first. Our dedicated priestess will have slightly caught the attention of one of the guards...those two will re-roll initiative (they roll 2 on a d6). Go 'head and declare actions, all...

Takeshi aims and fires off two shots, adjusting the angle slightly to compensate for various conditions on his second attempt. He believes he sees a satisfying jerk from his target, but is it enough for a kill? Already, the Ranger is reaching into his quiver for another arrow...

"With any luck, things'll go as smoothly as that fight with the oni-akas", Kouji thinks to himself as the arrows from Takeshi speeds towards their respective targets followed by the gently drifting cloud of fine sand, billowing at a relatively leisurely pace in comparison.

Throw shuriken. To hit 1d20+0 = 18. Damage 1d4 = 2. I don't have the book with me here, but am I able to throw more than one per round?

Akemi throws one of her shuriken in an attempt to silence the guard she has alerted.

Throw shuriken. To hit 1d20+0 = 18. Damage 1d4 = 2. I don't have the book with me here, but am I able to throw more than one per round?

Excellent! I think I should be +1 thanks to my Dex as well. :D I shall throw the others and then retrieve them from his body if they hit. So (all 1d20+1)- 2nd shot 8; 3rd 19 !; 4th 20 ! Yes! Damage (all 1d4) 3rd shot - 1; 4th shot 1. Ah well.

Desperate to remain undiscovered, Akemi unleashes the "Rain of Stars" technique!

Akemi throws one of her shuriken in an attempt to silence the guard she has alerted.

Desperate to remain undiscovered, Akemi unleashes the "Rain of Stars" technique!

So uh...action?

I hope I haven't dishonoured the Shaolin Temple... :D as Bruce Lee might say.

I hope I haven't dishonoured the Shaolin Temple... :D as Bruce Lee might say.

Sorry- real life pressures are kickin' my butt. Brother-in-law got married now, so this should allow me to re-post this weekend. Thanks for understanding!

No problem, I eagerly awaits the coming showdown!

Family's always important anyhow- we'll be here when you get back. ;)

So huh...when are we resuming this game?

Hope David is ok.

Hope David is ok.

does anyone want to talk about tentacled aberrations? ;)

Hey guys, we had a good run, but I think we all know where this game is going. I must admit that while it lasted, it was really fun. Hope David is doing well with his personal affairs and if you see me in another game, give me a holler!

My offer to you guys to take part in my Saltmarsh game is still open.

Sure Fabes, can you give me a link and some general ideas? I must have missed your initial offer.

Here we go:

>>>>HOUSE RULES THREAD<<<<

>>>>DISCUSSION THREAD<<<<
The current PCs are investigating a haunted house, but they could use some back-up!

GAME THREAD