The Journey of a Thousand Miles (Jade Regent AP)

Game Master Sensen

Ritti gets animated by the idea, clapping Atsuko on the shoulder, "Yeah! But if it's real slick, maybe I don't need my hands at all! You rope me up and control my fall as I slide down like sh.." She glances at Yuto and rethinks her phrasing, "...stuff through a goose. I keep my hands in front of me so they don't get greasy. I grab the katana, maybe tie it off for good measure, and you guys haul me out like a fish." She may not enjoy drool in her hair, but the young thief seems to really like the idea of getting coated with grease and squeezing down a tight tunnel to recover a valuable item.

Yuto's eyes open wide as the katana ignites "Oh dear! I-I think it might be the blade we are looking for! Did you see that fiery ra-radiance? I-it is almost like it is trying to call us"

The young man listens to all of Ritti and Atsuko valid ideas, he retrieves the climber's kit and sets a rope to descend the well "Th-this might be very dangerous. I-I cannot ask anyone else to take the risk. I-it is my liege's family sword I think. I will take the risk myself..."

Once the rope is well bound, he will attempt the descend.
Climb: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Using Honor in all Things for a +4 if necessary

Ritti looks skeptical as the well-muscled, full-sized man, in armor, makes ready to climb down into the tiny well.

She stays silent and quietly thanks her martial arts instructor yet again for the lessons on culture. She understood this was a matter of particular honor for Yuto, so he had to try. And she had to stay silent until he had made the effort.

Talk about shoving a square peg into a round hole...

Atsuko feels no compunction about speaking up.

"But wait! If you try descending without going head-first, your legs will reach it before your hands. You could easily kick it free to fall with your feet before you could reach it. In any case you won't have enough space to bend. You'd need to drop almost past the sword to get it in hand."

Ritti leans into Atsuko and whispers, "I've got a gold piece that says he can't get his hips past the lip of that hole. Wanna wager?" She holds out the coin, hoping Atsuko takes the bet. Ritti could double her fortune in seconds!

Yes, squeezing is possible, though it's DC 30 to do so. I don't think Yuto can make that, especially with ACP. You could also use some rope and a hook or something, if you've got access to that.

True to the women's suspicions, Yuto cannot shove himself into the narrow shaft of the well.

Loving that challenging DC! Assuming Yuto accepts, I'll be posting Ritti's prep work, teaming up with Atsuko for assistance, and the attempt.

Ritti offers Yuto a way to save face, ”Yuto-san, I have little money and I need a way to get out of town quietly and fast. The best way I see to do that is if your Daimyo lets me hide in your caravan. If you allow me to get that katana for you… maybe your liege will see my value and help me. So, really, you are doing me a favor if you let me get that sword. OK?” Navigating the vagaries of male pride and the Tian honor system was more of a challenge than going down the well.

Atsuko snorts at Ritti's offer of to bet against what she is certain will happen. She snorts again when Yuto clearly demonstrates that her prediction is spot on.

She starts helping Ritti get ready, but when taking off her pack she realizes she's an idiot. Opening the pack up, she pulls out a small grappling hook along with plenty of quality silk rope.

"Oh, um, I have a grappling hook" she says, holding it up for all to see.

”Yeah, I’ve got one of those too. There isn’t much to ‘catch’ on a katana. And if we dislodge it and don’t catch it… It’s probably gone for good. That’s a big risk. Trust me, I can do this... with your help.” Her voice switches from girlish to business. ”Atsuko, I’m thinking you grease me, not the well. That’ll keep my hands dry, makes the whole trip slick, and reduces the chance of any part of me catching on something. Can you do that spell on a person?”

When the two women explain Yuto he will not fit in the well and the relevant size difference between the Imperial system units in comparison with the metric system, the young man just nods surprised "Y-you think so? W-well, in that case please take this burden for me"

Yuto tries to help secure the rope, tying it and still trying to hold it strong "Just in case"

With Yuto’s agreement secured, Ritti puts on her ‘game face’. ”OK, boys, you might want to look elsewhere.” With an economy of movement, the thief strips down to her mamillare (bra) and knickers, kicking her clothes into a pile near the wall. If Andy had any lingering doubts about Ritti’s gender, those are gone. If she is bothered by being nearly naked in front of strangers and/or men, it doesn’t show. Her voice is all business. She puts her boots back on and ties multiple tight knots around her ankle, leaving a 5’ tail of rope dangling off the end. She holds the extra bight of rope, ”Plan is you folks hold the rope and lower me down. I’ll tell you when to stop. I tie the katana with this bit of rope here and hold it. When I tell you to pull, you drag me up slow. If I yell, that means pull me up FAST because something nasty is coming with me… so be ready. Any questions?”

With everyone prepared, Ritti looks to Atsuko, stretches her arms away from her body and says, ”Grease me.” then clamps her eyes and mouth shut, trying not to breathe. She has no idea how the spell works. Does like goo rain down all over me or what? Does my skin become like a toad’s?

After Atsuko finishes her spell, Ritti cracks open an eye speculatively, expecting the grease to sting her eyes. When it doesn’t, she smiles and looks at herself. “Neat! OK, let’s do this, cuz it's cold in here.” She grabs the extra rope and stretches it the length of her body to hold it between her teeth. She nods to the team before spidering cautiously headfirst into the well. Whatever else could be said about the young girl, she is remarkably flexible and – with Atsuko’s magic – she slides like an eel into the narrow shaft. The rope pays out in Yuto's hands.

Escape Artist vs DC30: 1d20 + 13 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 10 + 1 = 32 Grease +10 circumstantial, Guidance +1

After her careful preparations, Ritti disappears down the hole. Even with the magical grease easing her way, going down is a narrow and unpleasant fit. However, she manages, and reaches out to grasp the weapon. It flares briefly, and as she lays a hand on it, she feels a momentary surge of weakness - the very sword seems to reject her touch.

First rule of Rappan Athuk – “Don’t go down the well.” LOL

Ritti raises her voice so her allies can hear her. ”OK. We’re ready here. Bring us up, slow.”

Escape Artist vs DC30+: 1d20 + 13 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 10 - 1 = 42 Grease +10 circumstantial, spoilered -1

Yuto blushes when he sees Ritti taking off her clothes, and he shyly turns away his face even while talking the details with her "O-ok, pull twice and strong if y-you need fast"

Only when she is into the well, he stops averting his eyes, and pulls up strong when she states to be ready "Go-going up!"
Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Assuming she makes it up safely, he admires the radiant weapon "Is it? Is it Suishen? Ha-have we found it?" he looks at Ritti, blushes again looking down to the ground, but offers his hands to examine the sword "Th-thanks a lot Ritti San, you did an incredible job there"
K. history: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

Torra breathes out in relief as Ritti makes it out of the well again, offering her handkerchief to the girl to wipe down some of the grease. "Yes, incredible. It looked impossible from here, but you did it! Thank you."

Ritti unties and offers the blade to Yuto ritualistically, the katana resting horizontally on her flat palms.

Job done, she grins at their thanks. "You're very welcome."

She gives Torra a profound thank you look for the handkerchief. She moves to the wall, turns to face it giving herself some privacy, and begins to quickly wipe the grease and dirt from the well off herself. She casts a scolding look at the blade over her shoulder, saying, "Did you hear that? That's what gratitude looks like."

Atsuko had never been asked to grease up a person before, but she can't see any reason why it wouldn't work so she does. It turns out to work wonderfully. Once Ritti is back out, Atsuko fixes her up without all the work of getting clean by dismissing the spell and using Prestidigitation on her.

Then, she crowds in with the others to get a look at the katana, trying to see what is so special about it.

One minute she's wiping futilely at her greasy belly... and the next Ritti is oil-free and cleaner than she's been in days. "That's amazing. Thanks!"

I might need to learn spellslingin'. It comes in handy.

She quickly dresses and throws on an extra layer of clothes until she warms up.

Sorry for the delay, folks.

The weapon flares to life in her hands as Yuto and the others pull her free from the claustrophobic interior of the well.

The weapon flares to life at Yuto's question. "Heirs to the Amatatsu." The weapon vibrates a voice. "It is good to finally hear from you. I had nearly given up hope when the damned ones stole me from the old man's home, but it is well."

"Deliver me unto one of the three." It says to Ritti. After a moment, it speaks again. "Apologies for my abruptness. It has been some decades since I last held a conversation."

Atsuko Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"The... three." Torra puzzles over the sword's words, trying to set aside the fact that this was a sword that was talking. The dwarf looks at Yuto, unsure how much should be said within the hearing of the two girls they had just met.

"There is one more thing that we need to do here, someone we are looking for. But after that is done we will take you to them." Torra frowns, mulling over something. "But... how did you end up in the well?"

The sword's words put to rest any doubts Atsuko might have had about the purpose claimed by the group she and Ritti have joined up with, searching for a katana of great age and power, as well as for whom they are doing it perhaps.

K History (Amatatsu): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

"What are you talking about?" Suishen asks Torra. "You are one of them. You and the two men."

I think there may be a little confusion. I already presented the katana to Yuto here. Happy to post it again.

Ritti unties and offers the blade to Yuto ritualistically, the katana resting horizontally on her flat palms.

Yuto steps back unsure when the katana starts to speak aloud, but he finally accepts to take it once Atsuko states there is no imminent magical danger "Wha-what are you? How can you just talk like that?"

The Tian feels Torra's hesitation and he softly nods "I-I guess it has to do with the fact Ameiko choose us for this mission..."

"In-indeed, we have promised to find a man by the name of Ulf Gormundr. I-Is that ok Suishen?" he looks at the sword and at his companions a bit of clueless.

"But... how did you end up in the well?"

”I’ve got a guess. One of those ninjas or whoever tried to wield him. If you aren’t worthy to do that... it’s very painful. I was tempted to chuck him down the well when it happened to me.” She nods to the sword, ”No offense meant.”

Oops. This is what I get for not reading carefully. xD Disregard its last comment, then.

"I am Suishen, Ancestral Sword of the Amatatsu family." The katana replies. "You have been marked as honorary heirs to their bloodline by the Seal that bears that privilege, thus..." It considers.

"I was thrown into the well by the oni, when she could not wield me effectively." It says in answer to Torra's question. "She had no means of destroying me, I believe, and thus was with no other options."

OK, I read Yuto's spoiler, shame on me. But I have to say that when a katana tells you to 'loosen up', you should probably re-evaluate your life choices. XD

Finally warm enough, Ritti puts away the extra clothing so she is back in her 'mischief' outfit. She stays limber and waits for the team to finish speaking with the sword and are ready to move on.

Not trying to hurry the RP, just putting Ritti on standby as she has nothing to contribute to the convo at this point.

"Oh..." is Torra's somewhat nonplussed reaction to Seishen's revelation that she was one of the heirs. Surely Ameiko was the heir, and her sisters after her! Torra was, she was... a follower. She spends a few moments having a small existential crisis before the katana's words snag her attention again.

"The oni? Do you know where she is now? She is a danger to, to..." The dwarf turns to the others, but mostly to Yuto. "What was that Tien word for the person who is your leader? No, not leader - liege."

"The... the... Seal... y-yeah th-that has sense" Yuto looks at the others, but mostly at Ritti and Atsuko, he tries to pierce on them how the news about their liege, the seal and the Amatatsu are falling on them.

"Re-relax?" the Tian seems confused about hearing the voice in his head and how to talk back "W-well, you shall not worry, for my priority is all for the goodness of our liege"

The young man admires the beautifully made weapon, and only soothes the metal revering the ancient and powerful manufacture "E-even covered in the well's mud and filth, I-I can appreciate your exceptional craft Suishen"

Holding the weapon up while the group waits for the katana to answer Torra's question, this one sprouts into flames, lighting the area "Wooow!"

Yuto is up to start moving towards the north corridor, while we finish the talk.

"The... the... Seal... y-yeah th-that has sense" Yuto looks at the others, but mostly at Ritti and Atsuko, he tries to pierce on them how the news about their liege, the seal and the Amatatsu are falling on them.

Ritti seems non-plussed by the news, mostly because she had pieced together much of the story already. Yuto spoke deferentially of this Ameiko woman and called her -sama. As a samurai, he wasn't likely to use that honorific except to his liege, whoever she serves (if anyone), or a greatly respected teacher. And given his nearly obsessive mission to find the sword, it had to be in service to his liege. What was eyebrow-raising was the power of the katana. The Amatatsu was no minor family from the Dragon Empire. She wasn't sure what that meant for her aside from a need to be careful.

"Kunshu" says Atsuko, trying to help Torra out. "It means monarch or sovereign."

Things are getting REALLY interesting now!

"I apologize for not realizing, but I should have gone down to retrieve the blade." Helgarval interjects, apparently just having realized it could do so.

It's totally not on the GM who forgot that it was still here and that the AP specifically tells you that Helgarval could do it. We'll chalk it up to him having relatively low Int.

"I do not know where she is, no." The sword replies to Torra. "If you have come this far and not fought her, then she is likely deeper in this underground complex." Suishen falls silent for a moment. "I could not seize control of her, even when she attempted to wield me. She is likely a formidable foe. I would see her slain."

"I apologize for not realizing, but I should have gone down to retrieve the blade." Helgarval interjects, apparently just having realized it could do so.

The thief smiles, "But then I would've missed all the fun." She adds with a note of astonishment, "Wait. You can pick stuff up?"

"Oni... She is likely a formidable foe. I would see her slain."

Ritti didn’t know a lot about monsters but she knew that there were all sorts of Oni. ”Happen to know what kind of Oni she is? What’d she look like?” Seeing where Yuto is heading, the thief is pretty sure he wants to go test the sword in a practical, bloody way. ”So what’s the plan, Chief? Want me to scout and see who those gate-guards are, or are you gonna stroll up there with a flaming sword into the teeth of an unknown enemy?”

Ritti sprints past him, leaps across the pool, and scoops up her pack.

Acrobatics (Jump) vs DC20: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32

"Eh? We-well, I-I just don't know... wha-at shall we do?" when Ritti offers herself to explore forward, Yuto follows along, trying to keep the light low.

While she scouts ahead, Yuto reflects on what he has read about oni.
K. Planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Ritti nods, saying quietly. ”Give me 20’. If I yell or you see trouble, come quick.” She catfoots up the right side of the hallway, senses strained for any sign of trouble. She leaps the small stream quietly and crouches on landing, hoping she hasn’t alerted the guards. If nothing seems amiss, she plasters herself to the right wall and slowly approaches the junction to take a quick peek towards the right-side room.

Stealth: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36 If Atsuko uses Vanish it’s another +20.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Acrobatics (Jump): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28 jump the stream
Stealth (on landing): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36 if needed

I'll hold off on moving everything forwards until everyone's posted at least a bit more.

"I do not know what exactly she is, no." The sword says. "She appears as a horned ogre, however, with crimson skin."

This is nothing that Yuto, Torra, and Andochtuir don't already know, though they haven't shared it with the others yet, I think.

Seeing that Ritti has gone to scout ahead, Torra follows a good distance behind, trying to be quiet while scanning the dark corridor ahead for any dangers.
Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

While Ritti goes ahead, Yuto shares with the others the details they know about the guild leader "I-indeed, we ha-a-ave been told Thorborg Silverskorr is a purple ogre, the oni we are talking about, I suspect. We also have heard she has connections to the Linnorn King herself. The guild is linked to the Minkai oni known as the Five Storms."

Since Ritti doesn't ask her directly for the spell to make her invisible, Atsuko doesn't cast it. To her way of thinking such uses of magic should presently be limited to emergencies. Unless one of the people they've met surprises her, none of them are capable of handling injuries, so she should keep a good reserve in case they get into a bad scrape where she needs to heal wounds.

As Ritti and Torra go towards the corner, they hear the rumble of voices in the distance, though they can't place the language.

Ritti is able to get to the stream before a green-skinned creature turns around the corner, and looks at both her and Torra, whose hiding spot behind the corner is evidently within clear sight.

It rumbles a question in Skald.

Nine Hells and thrice-cursed devils!

Ritti falls back on her oldest rule… When in doubt, bluff your way out!

She pulls herself to full height on the edge of the shore and barks at the big, scary, pee-inducing monster in Skald, looking as angry as she possibly can. ”Forlæng planken, mangelfuld! Vi har nyheder til Silverskorr, der ikke vil vente!”

Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Yuto remains a bit far away, and tries to pose no danger, but keeps the katana away from direct view, wielding the shield on the right for now.

A bit nervous, he swallows as he waits to see how events unfold.

Damn it, I really need to learn this language! thinks Torra in frustration, completely unsure of what is happening. The dwarf is unable to identify the creature, but it is clearly some sort of guard.

Sense motive Ritti: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

However, Ritti seems to have a plan which involves making the other think they are supposed to be here, so Torra puffs herself up as much as she can, nodding along at whatever it is that Ritti is saying.

Intimidate aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

I'm unclear, are the rest of us who did not go forward able to hear or see what's happening?

You can hear them, but unless you look around the corner, which would probably reveal you, you can't see them. Also, I assume that Ritti meant to roll Bluff rather than Intimidate? It's the same bonus, so it's no big deal, but Bluff definitely seems more appropriate.

The troll looks puzzled.

It (he?) rumbles a question, but goes to pick up the plank regardless.

He continues as he lays it across the river.

Sorry, yes! That should have been a Bluff roll. I was copy/pasting and typing faster than I was thinking.

Ritti is almost flabbergasted that worked. Unfortunately, it puts her delicate skin no further away from the slavering jaws and claws of this green reaver. It does give her a brief moment to wrack her brain for any knowledge of the beast before her. ”Jeg glemte den forbandede klokke, undskyld. Vi har en fange, Silverskorr vil stille spørgsmålstegn ved lige nu! Vil skide sig, når hun ser dig...”

She switches to Common, and barks more orders down the hall. ”Alright, boys! Bring that b!tch prisoner forward. She’s gonna s#@@ herself and spill her guts when trolls greet her. Hurry UP! Silverskorr is waiting!” With that, Ritti does the bravest and likely dumbest move of her entire life and strides across the bridge like she owns it. If the plan falls apart, the young thief has to slow down the troll long enough for the team to get across the bridge.

Pretty please, Irori, keep this lowly worshipper alive.

Knowledge: Local vs DC21: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Skin o’ teeth…

Some roll: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Yuto freezes on place, unable to react to the unexpected ball, he looks at his companions at the corner looking for someone to do something "Oh, uh? Who? What we do now?"

He looks desperately for Andochtuir hoping the seasoned half-elven soldier will do something, then to Torra, hoping she knows what needs to be done, finally to Atsuko "I-Is that you? A-are we bringing you t-to that giant thing?"

Atsuko has been listening, but what she hears doesn't really tell her much. She shrugs at Yuto's question and says in a very soft voice "I guess I'm as good as anyone for the part. Can't be you or Andochtuir."

She offers over her seax and shield to whoever can take it.

"It would probably look really strange if I had these."

The troll scratches his head as Ritti explains, but finishes pushing the bridge across.

"So-sorry... hope it does not pain..." Yuto takes both of Atsuko's arms and stretches them together at her back, shyly at first, but then finally firmly, holding them together as they walk out of the corner "H-here the prisoner"

He tries to pose as one of the many guards they have found so far, hoping the troll is not able to distinguish a Tian from an Ulfen.
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

And approaches walking slowly, with his eyes on the troll and his chest on Atsuko's back.