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The Tian-Min samurai inches her katana out of its saya with her thumb. She sidesteps the raider's lunge, simultaneously drawing her blade and slashing at the man. The enchanted adamantine katana passes through the man's armor and deep into his side, leaving him to crumble to the ground in a heap. Kiyoko completes the kata with a chiburui slash that clears her blade of the man's blood, and looks toward the riverboat to see how her companions fare.
This man fought as Yomi did, she thinks, recalling a childhood sparring partner at her old dojo as she moves along the shore toward the boat. Impetuously.
Kiyoko's confidence is well placed, as she leaves her foe on the beach in her wake.
** Round 4 **
Kiyoko (-11)
-> Sakura (-5)
-> Elemenar (-3)
-> Toto (-4)
-> Ki Chin (-10)
Red Leader
Sakura, Elemenar, Toto, and Ki Chin are all up with one foe in the way!
Elemenar's acid splashes on the bandit's face, but Sakura's swing is too slow!
Toto and Ki Chin are up!
Thanks to Toto's feint he is able to land the blow, finishing off the leader.
Combat over
Getting the boat moving again is straightforward with a DC 20 strength check which I assume someone will take 20 on.
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Sakura is clearly not amused.
“These are aggressive thugs. But we should not let them die! To-to, can you potentially stabilize them?!“ she asks.
She starts searching all the riders and will ensure that they are all laid down in the shore and that their horses are bound near them.
“Let us go!!“ she says and together they start moving again.
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Kiyoko vaults over the side of the riverboat just in time to see To-to cut down the raiders' leader. With a quick look around to see that no other enemies remain standing, she resheathes her katana.
The Tian-Min sword saint raises a brow at Sakura as she speaks. "They attacked us. If they survive, they will no doubt attack other travelers they come across."
With that, she hops back down over the side of the riverboat and gives it a mighty heave. Let Sakura do as she pleases with the men, but I will not be a party to aiding bandits and pirates.
A second heave, and she manages to get the riverboat off of the sandbar, then scrambles back into the boat. Still soaking wet, she goes looking for a (relatively) secluded spot on the riverboat to sunbath and dry off.
Up to the healer (Toto) if the raiders get healing. At least one of them is dead-dead after kiyoko cut him in half on the beach.
If you have any other healing for yourselves or one another please do post, but otherwise...
** NEW SCENE **
It's a half day farther down the river from where you fought the Mutabi-qi raiders. Elemenar and the crew have had no more trouble navigating the waters outside the pressure and chaos of that attack as you continue down the river. You come across something like a camp or settlement.
Several horses and goats contentedly graze about the wide grassy plain on either side of the river, but the fields look as though they have been recently flooded. A half-dozen yurts, drenched from a recent storm, dot the northern shoreline, smoke curling from their rounded roofs. Two small shrines sits a few yards east of the camp, surrounded by wildflowers.
A short, middle-aged Tian-La man with graying hair and a scraggly beard sees your ship approach from around a bend in the river and waves for you to come ashore on the northern bank of the Tuunma. This looks like the tribe you have been sent to pick up the herbs from. He waits for you at a small shrine a short distance away from the camp so it looks like you can discuss important matters in private.
Should you choose to disembark to speak with him, you can put yourself on the new map for slide #5. He does then introduce himself as Ogokai (see NPC Slide) of the Jhemulit tribe, and offers the hospitality of the tribe to put you up for the night and is able to answer your questions, though he does not immediately act to hand over any herbs even though he does seem to be expecting you.
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Kiyoko spends the remainder of the day sunbathing and drying out her sodden kimono and armor. As they arrive at the nomads’ settlement, she quickly dresses and arms herself again, then joins the others on the shore at Ogokai’s invitation.
“You honor us with your hospitality, Ogokai-san,” she says by way of greeting, bowing respectfully. “I am Tamahi Kiyoko of Minkai. I understand our mutual friend Amara Li has been in touch with you.”
The old man is warm and welcoming, and again invites you to stay the night, they will provide food and lodging. Amara Li mentioned their hospitality.
But when asked about the herbs, Ogokai looks stern and yet apologetic. “We have mixed the incense, but I am afraid we cannot give it to you. As soon as we placed the herbs in the crates the Gokan woman left, a terrible storm fell upon us. Many of our horses and goats were scared away by the thunder, and one man was struck by lightning. It is clear—the Sky Spirits are displeased we would give the sacred gifts of the land to outsiders. You may take back the hides the Gokan woman traded us, but you may not take the incense.”
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Elemenar takes the necessary precautions to secure the boat so that it won't float away then joins the group as they approach the village spokesperson. He stands in the back of the group and is content to let the others handle the negotiations.
“We have mixed the incense, but I am afraid we cannot give it to you. As soon as we placed the herbs in the crates the Gokan woman left, a terrible storm fell upon us. Many of our horses and goats were scared away by the thunder, and one man was struck by lightning. It is clear—the Sky Spirits are displeased we would give the sacred gifts of the land to outsiders. You may take back the hides the Gokan woman traded us, but you may not take the incense.”
Elemenar rolls his eyes at this information. "Sounds like a wasted trip," he mutters under his breath.
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Sakura bows.
“I completely understand your traditions! And I also understand that you have your omens that you need to add her to … these are your rules! Please know that we traveled far and that we will do everything that you believe is necessary so that you can give us the incense! Can we in anyway assist you or aid you so that this sign that you received can somehow be averted?“ the aphorite with metallic skin asks.
Sakura's words are very convincing, and the elder looks like he wants to help. "I assure you, we do not hold these herbs hostage for our own benefit, trade has already been agreed and paid. It is the will of the Sky Spirits that holds us back."
Ogokai sighs... "But sometimes the signs can be misinterpreted, or their will may change just as the winds blow warm from the south one day, only to turn cold from the north on the next. If you stay the night, I will look to divine a new sign from them. It is the best I can do for you."
Ogokai seems less concerned about the loss of horses, some of which had been recovered, and more concerned about it being a sign of the Sky Spirits' displeasure. "We have recovered what animals we could, thank you for your concern."
You all avail yourself of the tribe's hospitality. You are given a comfortable place to sleep in a yurt of your own, as well as all the food and drink you wish. In the evening, Ogokai and his tribesfolk set up a fire in the center of the encampment and offer to share stories with the you.
Ogokai seems distracted at times, and you suspect he is looking for signs from the Sky Spirits. The night goes calm and quiet however, and you all get a nice long rest to recover your spells and such.
In the morning, Ogokai greets you happily. "Good morning to you. The peaceful night and the signs i saw have convinced me that the Sky Spirits have no complaint about us trading these sacred herbs, so you may take them with our blessing."
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Kiyoko nods again. "Mmn." It seems that exchange exhausted her reserves of conversation.
She seems mildly curious about the yurt they are given for the night, looking around and running her hand over the furs that make up its walls and roof. She removes her armor and leaves it behind, though she keeps her daisho at her hip as she joins the tribesfolk at their fire. As Ogokai offers to share stories, she nods gratefully, but again, that is the extent of any conversation from her for the night.
The sword-saint rises early and busies herself with meditation and kata with her katana. She then slips off to bathe in the river, but returns shortly thereafter, sighing quietly to herself about missing the warmth of an onsen.
As Ogokai gives them the good news, she bows respectfully again, and says simply, "We are grateful for their blessing--and yours."
After successfully collecting the required herbs, you get back on the river and a few days later come across an obstacle.
Clumps of green lichen cling to the links of an iron chain that spans the river a few inches above the water, the chain holding several vertical, bobbing logs in place. On the north shore, the chain is bolted to a squat stone block half-buried in the ground. To the south, the chain attaches to a large metal crank handle mounted to a ruined stone wall. A short wooden dock stretches from the front of the stone wall out to the middle of the slow-flowing river.
A flag of Lingshen flies over the camp near the dock, and 4 uniformed soldiers begin to march down the dock. One of them who looks like the leader introduces himself and demands you dock for a search of your ship. "Pull up to the dock, and we will inspect your cargo. Certain items might be subject to tariffs here in Lingshen territory."
Map slide #6. Recommend you review what briefing told you about Lingshen. The chain across the river definitely will stop your ship with massive damage. The soldiers probably need to either lower the chain, or you need to somehow do that yourself or destroy the chain.
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“Mmn.” Kiyoko grunts. “Seems they think the river is their territory. There are only four of them, and they may want the relic for themselves.”
She calls to the leader, “I recall that the warriors of Lingshen are brave and skilled. Tariffs are the work of bureaucrats. Let us settle this as warriors, and prove whether a warrior of Minkai is a match for a warrior of Lingshen. Single combat for the right to move on the river unmolested.”
The leader does not accept the offer of a duel. "I would not dishonor my duty to fulfil some notion of a warrior's pride in its place. Bring your boat about or two swords will not be the only weapons drawn!"
If you think they are looking for the braid, you could try to hide it with a Sleight of Hand check. If you don't let them board and search, they will open fire soon. It's trained only, so I don't know if anyone has it. You can talk here or on discord.
You bring the boat to the dock and swiftly secure it as the guards begin to board. There is little secret now that a fight will break out and both sides are prepared for it.
The leader begins to recite some prose as a bardic performance.
Purple is the first to strike, at Kiyoko.
Or at least try to.
Red Leader casts a spell, also at Kiyoko.
But she saves.
** Round 1 **
Purp
Red Leader
-> Elemenar
Orange
Kiyoko
Toto
Sakura
Blue
Ki Chin
Elemenar is up!
Orange boards the ship as well, and takes a stab at Kiyoko who is holding down the entrance to the boat.
The soldier lands his blow, with a little bit of sneak attack for good measure (since Kiyoko has not acted yet)
** Round 1 **
Purp
Red Leader
Elemenar
Orange
-> Kiyoko (-7)
Toto
Sakura
Blue
Ki Chin
But now it's Kiyoko's turn!
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Kiyoko reaches for her katana Reitenseiya, thumbing it an inch out from its saya just as the second soldier charges in. Sidestepping the first soldier's thrust, the second soldier draws a line of blood from her tabi stockings just beneath her armored skirt.
He also draws her ire, and she wheels on him to draw Reitenseiya with the hiss of adamantine on wood. She strikes in an upward slash from his hip up across his chest.
Kiyoko downs her opponent in one swing.
** Round 1 **
Purp
Red Leader
Elemenar
Kiyoko (-7)
-> Toto
-> Sakura
Blue
Ki Chin
Toto and Sakura are up, dunno why i missed that in my last post!
Toto's sword misses the purple guard.
Sakura's leaping blow lands, and the soldier swings his sword back.
But he misses.
** Round 1 **
Purp
Red Leader
Elemenar
Kiyoko (-7)
Toto
Sakura
Blue (-13)
-> Ki Chin
Ki Chin is up
Ki Chin delays
Purple guard turns around and stabs at the tengu.
nope
The sword stabs into the cleric, but not too badly...
The leader casts another spell, at the samurai who has lept off the ship.
But Sakura is unaffected.
** Round 2 **
Purp
Red Leader
-> Ki Chin
-> Elemenar
-> Kiyoko (-7)
-> Toto (-4)
-> Sakura
Blue (-13)
Everybody is up!
Kiyoko and Ki Chin deliver brutal blows to the purple guard and together bring him down.
** Round 2 **
Red Leader
Ki Chin
-> Elemenar
Kiyoko (-7)
-> Toto (-4)
-> Sakura
Blue (-13)
Elemenar, Toto, Sakura are up!
Blue takes that attack of opportunity
His shortsword pierces Sakura in the back.
Sakura's strike then lands, severely injuring the leader.
Elemenar's acid splashes on the blue guard.
Toto's swing misses.
Blue 5 foot steps away from toto, and readies a strike against Sakura when she becomes flanked.
Red Leader does set up the attack with his own 5 foot step, allowing blue's attack to trigger:
The flanking maneuver is wasted.
Red Leader then slashes defensively with his own longsword.
The leader's long sword bites into Sakura as well, but her armor holds against a more devastating blow.
** Round 3 **
Red Leader
-> Ki Chin
-> Elemenar
-> Kiyoko (-7)
-> Toto (-4)
-> Sakura (-7)
Blue (-14)
entire party is up!
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Kiyoko performs a chiburui slash to clear her katana of her opponents’ blood. She then leaps/falls onto the dock, landing roughly and scrambling to her feet. She moves up behind the soldier and throws her weight into another two-handed swing. Catching the man in the back, her adamantine blade shears through his armor in another spray of blood.
Blue soldier drops, cut clean in half.