Jhal leaps to his feet and pulls back his mighty bow just as Master Wen strikes the floor. Over the laughter of the looming Oni the whistle of a single arrow breaks the silence as it buries itself into the Assassin's shoulder. Pushed to his knees by the force of the blow, the assassin quickly recovers. Then, all three disappear as a swift action.
Suddenly, as the Master attempts to rise he seems to be pummeled from both sides by fists and is swept off his feet. He now lies, stunned, of the ground between the two Rat Ninjas.
Jhal, you feel a force wrap around your legs and try to pull you down.
Flat-footed Touch attack from invisible attacker
Opposed Dex check Jhal
Assassin dec check
You are forcefully ripped off your feet and into the air before suddenly being thrown back into Ikari. You both take damage and end up prone though Ikari you get a Reflex save for half damage and to stay standing.
On the Oni's turn it spits a ball of molten copper onto T.K. from just behind him.
Ranged Touch attack
Damage
It is now turn 2, Ikari, whenever he gets on. I'd also like to clarify that the assassin battling Ikari and Jhal is using a strange weapon (Ikari recognizes it as a weapon from the Isle of Tears) that appears to be a long chain with a sickle attached to one end (a Kusari-gama). The other two who are assaulting the master appear unarmed other then another two shuriken strapped to their chest.
Ikari rolls to attack the Rat Ninja closest to him, he tumbles (5ft move) and makes an over head strike to the Rat Ninja.
Then, makes an attack at the knee area...
Then, takes a (non-movement) step back for another overhead strike...
The Ninja ducks quickly to the left and the falling spade breaks off the arrow still in his arm. "So slow, you not have Nik's speed, Nik gonna knock you DEAD!" His voice whines and squeaks out in a deranged glee. His joy is cut short by the mighty second strike across his skull. While obviously very injured he seems to have a good bit of fight left in him and his moves (prior to the head slash) are all still very fluid.
Jugo moves swiftly over to his masters side before bringing his staff in a sweeping motion into the Ninja's side while he sends out a battle cry, "Gods and spirits GUIDE MY BLOWS!"
damage
Tetsushinzo you gain two hit points from Martial spirit.
Jugo gains
"Your ambitions end here, oni."
As the molten copper melts down his back, T.K. will turn and charge the oni, thrusting his battlefist forward with a Mountain Hammer strike.
Your fist strikes out with fervor and rips the skin from his side. The massive Oni howls in pain, echoing through the hall like Thunder. "Foolish monk, none strike Orochi no Oni without reprimand, I, the ten headed viper will rip you to shreds!"
Master Wen recovers from being stunned on his turn, Jhal is up.
Jhal yells as he is thrown, tumbling into a heap as the wind is knocked out of him. He pants heavily as he gets up again, steadfastly notching another arrow and loosing it at the Kusari-gama-wielding assassin.
To-hit:
The assassin quickly drops to one side to avoid the arrow and will then take a five foot step back before making several wide swings with his Sickle. As the Kusari-gama swirls around him he suddenly becomes enveloped in flames. He then makes an attack at Ikari.
Damage
His blade swings wide and you deftly avoid it.
The two ninja attack in concert, the first striking out at Jugo first with a sweeping leg strike.
Touch
Opposed check ninja
Jugo check
Imp. Trip attack
Damage
As his fist strikes down upon Jugo the sound of Metal chains slamming into the floor becomes audible throughout the room.
He then strikes the Master. His companion then turns invisible and strikes the Master twice more, once seeming to miss.
Finally the Oni raises his club and strikes to hit T.K.
Damage
Ikari using the lower hand of the monk blade hold, he brings it up and across the Rat Ninja's upper body...
ShIAA!
Then brings back the now pulled back hand back across, striking at the Rat Ninja upper body.
ShAAAA!
Then Ikari stabs, SeAAA!
The Assassin is incredibly quick, he dodges back to avoid your first strike, ducks your long swing and sidesteps your stab. It is now Saika's turn followed by Tetsushinzo
Jugo leaps to his feet after being brought low. This provokes an attack of opportunity
Damage
Jugo then brings his staff down in a grand stroke, it's clear to any trained warriors (so all of you) that this Staff is not his preferred weapon but he's obviously holding out okay.
Damage
As his strike lands Ikari gains two hit points, seeing his bravery boosts your resolve and lets you know you can win this fight
Your fist strikes the Oni again, he looks down and gives you a grin of evil delight.
On Master Wen's turn he stands and casts a spell on the defensive. Suddenly a hole opens in the floor beneath him and he disappears through it. Both Ninja's look rather perplexed as they claw at the air where he used to stand.
From behind him, Jhal hears, "Master Kim, lend me your bow once you've killed one of those assassins. I can pick it up without difficulty." As he turns his head Master Wen stands behind him, a similar hole in the air between them.
Jhal's expression is angry and concentrated, but there's still panic in his eyes, trying to keep it hidden. Nods to Master Wen, yak-bits still in his beard, despite his tumble, and notches another arrow.
To-Hit:
Damage:
The assassin's hand darts out to catch the arrow, but too late. As the arrow plunges into his heart he staggers for a moment, then collapses before Ikari.
As the head assassin falls, the two remaining ninja have a sudden look of terror fill their eyes. One cries out, "Master Nik!!" Before howling in rage. Suddenly both disappear again.
Ikari, one makes a stunning fist strike at you while invisible.
Damage
Fort Save against Stunning fist
You manage to bear the blow and shake off the consequences, quickly regaining your stance as your opponent appears.
The second appears beside Jhal as he attempts to trip and strike him.
Opposed Check
Opposed check for Jhal
Jhal manages to avoid being tripped. The rat is now next to you
Finally the Oni will activate a spell-like ability causing you to take with a Fort save for half, Tetsushinzo. if you fail the save you are deafened for rounds, though I can't recall if that affects you. The Oni will then provoke an attack as he floats above you and positions himself 15 feet from Ikari and ten feet in the air.
Humpfff ... Ikari attacks again with furry ...
Ikari starts the set with a reverse stab ...
ShAAA!!!
And then a double strike....
AhShAAA!!!
ICEEE!!!
The Ninja that struck you in the throat is obviously not as well trained as the one you've been fighting. Your reverse stab strikes home against his shoulder and as you send out your second strike he falls to the floor in a puddle of blood.
Jugo rushes toward the remaining ninja, now flanking with Jhal over a diagonal. He raises his staff and makes a single mighty strike, "We've beaten them now, don't let up yet!"
Damage
As he makes another broad sweeping strike, Ikari and Tetsushinzo both feel some of your injuries lose their drain and gain renewed vigor.
Ikari spins around looking for the next target.
For reference the Oni is flying fifteen feet away from you, about ten feet up. The remaining ninja, now injured by Jugo, stands in-between Jugo and Jhal and appears to be about five feet behind you.
Master Wen looks out to the Oni and raises his voice as he lifts the bow off the floor, "Your Master may think this a simply task, killing an old man. But I shall prove to him that I am still the greatest monk in this land when I present him your head!" As the bow comes to it's full height a burst of green energy coalesces in the form of an arm from his right shoulder. From within the energy an arrow emerges and the Master pulls it back and takes aim.
Jhal it's your turn.
Jhal's sweat-drenched barrel-arm hacks the battleaxe downward at the assassin between him and Saika, his face red with exertion.
To-Hit:
Damage:
To-Hit:
Damage:
SneakAttack:
SneakAttack:
As your axe chops down at the remaining assassin he nimbly dodges from side to side, ducking swipes and sidestepping each attack by the skin of his teeth.
From above you all the Oni speaks up, "Well, this has proven interesting to say the least. The Demon King Taishin sends his regards, and I see now he was correct to test your strength. Trust me when I say that when next we meet I shall devour you all whole." Suddenly he casts another spell, and a chariot of clouds forms around his feet. As the railing comes up before him and reins form in his hands you see two massive weasels bound to him. He lashes them once and then disappears in a blur and orange and white, sailing out and quickly miles away as he flies above the stairs.
The remaining Assassin watches his master flee and drops his guard. He kneels before you all and quietly awaits his demise. "Master Nik has fallen, and so has Kawaii. "
Combat is over, all combatants are defeated or surrendered and initiative order no longer applies.
Master Wen speaks up, "Do not harm the creature. He is no demon and has surrendered peacefully, I shall decide his fate later, though if you have opinions I would be happy to hear them." As he speaks his magical arm disappears and is absorbed back into his skin. He hands Jhal back his bow, "You have the makings of a hero yet, my boy. You proved quite capable, all of you. I owe you a debt of gratitude."
Panting heavily and wiping his brow, Jhal hooks the axe back on his belt and accepts his bow. He then limps over and plops down on one of the many abandoned chairs, the wood protesting with a creak. The first mug Jhal grabs is empty, and he tosses it aside with a clatter before finding a full mug and chugging it, most of the contents cascading down his beard. He looks at the kneeling assassin with contempt before emptying another nearby mug and belching.
"Thank you, comrades. If you had not been here I fear my father may have... it does not bear thinking. Here, let me tend to your wounds as best I can."
Jhal you receive hit points back
Ikari you receive x1.5=21 hit points Followed by another
Finally he'll walk over to his father, "I seem to have been poisoned, Master, but I cannot remedy it."
Jugo himself is healed by Master Wen, who after casting several spells on Jugo and removing the remaining poison from Ikari (he actually hands you a potion) will then walk over to T.K. "I know you cannot be healed by most magics effectively, but I think I have something that should work for you."
He then casts Heal on you for 150/2=75 HP
Aw no parting shot from my gun. Poop.
"I thank you for your mending, Master."
"Not at all my son, you have saved my life and it is the least I could do. Please, Jugo, go out and try to collect the monks once more. The oni's presence will perverse this place no longer and I must finish Master Kikai's blessing." Following this Jugo disappears out one of the side doors and fetches as many of the monks as he can find.
"Master Kikai, Master Kim, can you remove these corpses from our temple? They are hardly a fitting sight in a holy place and it is a shame blood must have been split here. Master Chanbara, can you help me clean the bloodstains from the floor. We must retain order before we can continue the ceremony and judge this ninja. To think, an assassination attempt before breakfast." Master Wen frowns as he hands out chores and at the end of it all his voice drops to barely audible, as if speaking to himself. He'll then hand Ikari a mop, shortly afterwards Chen appears with a bucket of water that you brought up early (there's still another one to drink from).
T.K. nods and starts to heft bodies out of the temple at once, taking them to wherever makes sense based on the customs that govern the disposition of mortal remains.
Ikari sees the last Rat Ninja get on his knees and he points his Monk Spade leveled with the Rat Ninja's left eye until someone retrieves him. As he is carried off, Ikari allows his Monk Spade to dissipate and places his arms back into his robes. He bows to Grandmaster Wen, "As you wish grandmaster, his life is spared. Thank you for your faith in us." ... As the cooling sensation of healing powers flows through him ... He takes in a large breath, exhales, and bows in respect to Saika "Thank you Brother for your powers of healing. I most humbly accept them." ... Ikari waits for acknowledgement from Saika, then turns his attention back to Grandmaster Wen.
After receiving his chore to mop, he bows. Then he bows as he accepts the mop from Grandmaster Wen. Once the water is brought Ikari begins to mob and gives it his all, all 110%+, to clean up the blood which includes his somewhere mixed in.
"You are welcome, Brother." He says brother with hesitation and then excitement, smiling as he does. He then walks out of the room and comes back with a few monks, one of whom is Chen, having fled when the combat began.
Another monk begins to lead Tetsushinzo to a graveyard they have set up at the foot of the Thousand Steps, walking down the steps takes much less time and doesn't seem to encumber or impeed you in any of the ways walking up the steps does, and as you begin your trek back up you feel almost relaxed. When you arrive at the top of the stairs each of the monks has assembled again and the temple looks almost undisrupted. They eagerly await your blessing so that they may begin breakfast.
Once Ikari is finished and happy with his work, he hands his mop to Chen to take care of it and turns to Grandmaster Wen, then bows, "Anything else Grandmaster?"
"No, excellent work Master Chanbara. I think considering the situation you have deserved a meal, if you would like. Otherwise you can meditate until we work to finish the ceremony. Then I shall fill you all in on the task to come to avoid any confusion. You will set out tomorrow regardless, so by all means make yourself comfortable. We also have a stable water supply if you would like to bath yourself after your travels, and that applies to any of you." Grandmaster Wen smiles and as he looks toward Jhal Kim lets out a small chuckle. He'll then take his seat at the end of the hall and peacefully await the next step in the ceremony.
"As you wish Grandmaster, I humbly accept your hospitality and blessing." Ikari bows low and walks back to his place sitting with fluid grace and peace like nothing ever happened. He bows to Grandmaster Wen and then to the members of his place sitting before kneeling down himself awaiting for the next step in the ceremony. Ikari remains quiet and focused on Grandmaster Wen.
After a few moments Saika reenters the room and will take his place by his father. In this time he has cleaned off the staff and hands it back to the Grandmaster, bowing humbly as he does. The Grandmaster gestures out to the room and Saika comes and takes a seat by Ikari, head bowed and quietly contemplative.
"Master Chanbara, may I ask you a question? When you do battle.. do you feel fear? I know many fled from the Oni's mere presence, but that did not perturb me. I felt no fear of the Oni or the assassins. I felt fear as I took life from a master. Even though not one of them died by my hands I felt a thrill, a joy in my strokes. A joy in... possibly killing a man. How do I quell this joy?" Jugo looks down, ashamed, and the hesitation and unsettled voice that comes out doesn't seem like that of the same boy. He looks up expectantly at Ikari, fear full in his eyes and sweat running down his brow.
Ikari looks at Saika and bows at the neck to acknowledge him, focuses on Grandmaster Wen until Saika starts to ask him questions regarding fear and the joy of killing. He responds to the fear question first, "Sometimes I do feel fear Kohai, this time I was able to push it past me. The more you train or fight, the better you will become at pushing fear past you unless you lose your soul or have nothing to lose. Most living creatures have fear except those with no souls, or nothing to lose and everything to gain. In other words, they have no prize possession, they don't care about themselves such as their honor and/or life force, they don't care about others, and they rather see this world burn. While the opposite who feel fear have everything to lose including prized possessions, their life, those they care about, and rather make the world a serene beauty." ... Ikari contemplates the joy question, "Ask yourself, what were you actually having joy in? Were you actually having joy in taking a life or where having joy in protecting your master? Or was it the joy of trying to outsmart and out perform your opponent? Or was it a joy of mitigating your fears?" … Ikari looks attentively at Saika while waiting for a response.
"I suppose you are right. I felt joy at protecting Master Wen, at keeping my father alive. And I should not take shame in that. Fear does make us alive, Master Ikari, you are wise beyond your years to be sure." Jugo smiles and nods his head to you, then turns in thought, "I only hope that my fear and joy do not change on this journey, Tien Bae is a far away place and the capital holds many temptations I fear I have not known. Are you excited to meet the Prince tomorrow, Master Chanbara, Master Kim?" He turns to each of you and smiles broadly, his spirits lifted and his mind cleared.
Ikari bows at the neck in response to Saika's response and then speaks further, "Thank you for your kind words. Keep this in mind, you are mostly in charge of your destiny and what choices you make. The only influences you can not control such as the divine, natural, or mental powers can alter your destiny. As for the Prince, I am currently indifferent of him. I really do not know him nor is it my station to place labels on him. If I am directed to follow him, it is my duty unless he commits heinous acts against the Bureaucracy, the world, humanity, my order, or myself." ... Ikari bows at the neck once more.
Anyone who would like can make an untrained Knowledge check to see what you know about the Prince, though it would be rather limited since none of you have been to the capital city and to even the most basic knowledge you know the Princes never leave the city much
amulet
gloves
kusarigama
shuriken
odd that an amulet would have an evocation aura, but alas, i don't have the spare money to fully identify these things at the moment. I suppose they'll have to wait.