Hisui now too drew his katana. "This is a troubling development. Maybe we can find some more clues as to what did this in another part of the village?"
Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 Untrained Knowledge(Local):1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11if I'm remembering correctly, you can make DC 10 knowledge checks untrained.
"I don't know, but it seems they're not hiding in their homes like the ones in the main village were doing.", Hisui whispered back while scanning his surroundings.
"The only way we can defeat Sho and his men if every person in the area stands united against them. And if you stand with us now, we will make certain your voice will be heard. Not only now, but in the future as well."
Diplomacy aid another:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
[edit:]Aid another, THE moment you want to have a natural 20 right ;)[/edit]
@TarkXT, the Only War thing sounds interesting. Especially since you plan on not making it a long lasting campaign right now.
Only problem I have is that I don't have access to the rulebook. I do have some knowledge about the system itself (as the basics are the same for most warhammer & warhammer 40k related rpgs that came out in recent times) and I played a one shot adventure once. Not sure which book it was, but we were working for an NPC inquisitor.
Hisui looked around and was quite certain they were in no immediate danger. He walked towards the fishermen.
"Hail and well met. How was the catch today?"
Hisui paused and bowed before continuing.
"Where are my manners. I am Hisui no Hane, cleric of Tsukiyo. I am uncertain if you have heard of me or my allies, but we have come to take a stand against Sho and his bandits. As we speak, defenses are being build and weapons are being made. We come to you today to ask if any of you are willing to join this worthy cause."
Diplomacy if relevant:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
If not mistaken Masamune should be with us as well (as he was not doing anything in the village right now). Hoping his presence/reputation will make a difference :) I'm also assuming we're going to combine this visit with the lake cache? So we can get to some actual adventuring? ^_^
I thought the first part of our plan was to go the 2 outlying farms in the east to try and convince them to join our cause ...
the plan:
In the village, the first 7 days
- Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], supervised by Orochi : 2 days & 8 villagers
- Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], unsupervised : 3 days & 8 villagers
- Digging Pit traps, unsupervised : 7 days & 5 villagers x4 (one set in each cardinal direction)
- Building a suitable dry moat, supervised by Himaya Ameiko : 7 days & 24 villagers
I have used more than the minimal required work force in all the projects, just to be on the safe side.
This would mean that the first 2 days no training will happen. starting from the 3rd day, we have 8 villagers free again and from the 4th day there will be 16 villagers free in total. Was thinking of putting those on making weapons/ammunition for a few days, also depending on our success in the outlying farms. @TarkXT, the weapon making only states things like spears & arrows, but can they also make crude bows or crossbows? Seeing as we only have 2 of those.
On the road, the first x days?
Traveling to the outlying farms in this order :
the two in the east, the one down the road, the one at the lake and the one near the forest to the south.
The last 2 could possibly be combined with the cache in the lake & the kitsune clan.
What to do with Masamune?
Seeing as the first 2 days no training will happen due to no available villagers, it might be handy to take Masamune along to do some recruiting. Maybe even to one or 2 adventures depending on how fast we can travel to the farms.
Starting from day 8 on I think I would put him in charge of training all available villagers.
Of course, if the people of the village said they needed extra fish for their food supplies, I don't mind going to the lake first. :)
I've got an idea on how the first 7 days will be planned for tasks in the village (barring setbacks and such of course), I'm wondering how long it would take to visit all the outlying farms and trying to convince them to come to the main village and help. Travel times are fairly simple. Our slowest speed is 30 ft (unless masamune comes along, then it's 20 ft), which means our walking speed is 3 (or 2) miles per hour. So I think taking into account the time needed to convince the people we can do 2 farms (maybe 3) max per day. I also assume that the 2 you stated were to the south are actually to the east (as per your original post about them)? Otherwise we would have 3 in the south, with one being near the forest to the south ...
the current plan:
In the village, the first 7 days
- Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], supervised by Orochi : 2 days & 8 villagers
- Building 2 watch towers [to be erected later], unsupervised : 3 days & 8 villagers
- Digging Pit traps, unsupervised : 7 days & 5 villagers x4 (one set in each cardinal direction)
- Building a suitable dry moat, supervised by Himaya Ameiko : 7 days & 24 villagers
I have used more than the minimal required work force in all the projects, just to be on the safe side.
This would mean that the first 2 days no training will happen. starting from the 3rd day, we have 8 villagers free again and from the 4th day there will be 16 villagers free in total. Was thinking of putting those on making weapons/ammunition for a few days, also depending on our success in the outlying farms. @TarkXT, the weapon making only states things like spears & arrows, but can they also make crude bows or crossbows? Seeing as we only have 2 of those.
On the road, the first x days?
Traveling to the outlying farms in this order :
the two in the east, the one down the road, the one at the lake and the one near the forest to the south.
The last 2 could possibly be combined with the cache in the lake & the kitsune clan.
What to do with Masamune?
Seeing as the first 2 days no training will happen due to no available villagers, it might be handy to take Masamune along to do some recruiting. Maybe even to one or 2 adventures depending on how fast we can travel to the farms.
Starting from day 8 on I think I would put him in charge of training all available villagers.
The plan can change according to setbacks/positive events & how long it takes us to convince the outlying farms to join us.
Wanted to do some number crunching, to see how to divide the time and workers available, but I was wondering something digging pit traps takes 4 people & 7 days. How many pit traps does that give us? This might be relevant :)
Don't think there was a consensus on actions yet, but this is what I have gathered: (personal opinion in italics
From the group adventures, we seem to be looking mostly at the outlying farms, kitsune clan, cache under the lake. My preference goes out to Outlying farms --> Cache under the lake --> Kitsune clan in that order.
With the starting of tasks, it seems to me the primary idea was to get 4 watchtowers (possibly building them early, but erecting them later, not to rise suspicion from possible enemy scouts), building pit traps, recon, weapon making & training. My preference goes out to the building of the pit traps, some recon, building the watchtowers (only if we can erect them later) & make the rest focus on weapon making/training until the pit traps/towers are finished, then looking at some of the big works like the dry moat and/or barricade.
Only thing said about using leadership was orochi for speeding up the tower building. My personal opinion on the leaders. Using Himaya Ameiko on the projects that normally require the most manpower. Orochi on the things we want to have done fast. Masamune I suggest to use for training or taking on trips with us.
"I think it would be best to first convince those in the outlying farms to join us in the defense of the main village. With added support, we would be able to achieve much more in the little time we have."
Sounds like an interesting idea Tahei :). I'm thinking that one of the other actions I could be busy with when we're not out and about is trying to talk with those who are not yet willing to join the cause, maybe figure out what we need to do to earn their trust. I am looking over the different things we can do and I have no idea where to start with those, so I'll just follow the suggestions I think are best. Only thought I currently have is the following : I second the motion that the traps are best done early, maybe in conjunction with us scouting for possible enemy scouts.
@Tark, love the mechanics you got going there. Job well done :)
No real questions, just wanted to add that I had mentioned this.
Hisui no Hane wrote:
We also want to train them with the few weapons and armours I brought. 6 longspears, 2 spears, 2 crossbows, 5 sets of leather armor and 5 sets of lamellar cuirass. That's about it I think.
So training as many people as possible with the (long)spears was part of the plan, combined with training as many as we can in using those 10 armors. We can also use the spears as reference to build copies (probably more like a sharpened pole, but would serve the same purpose).
The system looks interesting. Looking forward to the rest of the info.
someone suggested training them in unarmed combat. We also want to train them with the few weapons and armours I brought. 6 longspears, 2 spears, 2 crossbows, 5 sets of leather armor and 5 sets of lamellar cuirass. That's about it I think.
Hisui may be a talker, but he doesn't know much about what is needed currently in the sense of group tactics, defenses & training. Those with a more militaristic background might want to pipe up now :) Might be a repeat of what some of you said earlier though, but this time they want specifics, like "start making a list of all the villagers and their physical fitness/other capabilities/..."
"I have brought with me 10 sets of armor, 8 spears & 2 crossbows, it was all I could transport. I think it would be best we get to training your people in using these. It may not be much, but it's a start."
Hisui looked at his compatriots for the rest of the plan.
"The first part of our plan is simple. We have a small number of weapons and armor with us. Those that wish to defend their homes will be taught how to use them. The second part would be to make some form of defenses so the town can't be easily overrun. The third part entails us figuring out what we're exactly up against. These things can mostly be done simultaneously. After that it will mostly come down to preparing for the inevitable attack from Sho." Hisui said matter-of-factly.
@ the 7 swordsman, what was our plan again?
- arm the villagers with the weapons/armor I have with me on the cart.
- train them in the use of that equipment
- build up defenses (if possible)
- ...?
Hisui stepped forward slowly stopping when he stood next to Liu.
He started speaking calmly, "Heed the words of those that spoke before me, for within lies much wisdom." Hisui paused for a moment, pondering what to say next.
He continued, his voice slowly gaining volume towards the end of his speech. "As the others have clearly demonstrated is that we plan to stand and fight with any of you willing to oppose the darkness that is Sho's menace. I may be but a mere servant of Tsukiyo, but I will stand beside you and in his name I will be the light that pierces the darkness!"
Hisui said an incantation in celestial, which made the jade moon on his head glow. He directed his gaze at a point away from the crowd when a pure white spear of light pierced the darkness and struck the ground where he was looking.
Cast Spear of Purity on a ground location away from the crowd. ranged touch attack:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 Damage:3d8 ⇒ (6, 3, 1) = 10divided by 2 as I believe the ground is neither good nor evil around these here parts ;)
Diplomacy check for the speech + showDiplomacy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
When Hisui wanted to react to Tahei's outburst, Liu Quon stepped forward and spoke for to the crowd. He listened to his words and waited for the crowds reaction, ready to intervene if necessary. I hope his words do not fall on deaf ears.
@Liu, you basically said something similar as what I was planning on posting today, although more eloquently than what was in my mind, so good job :) Let's see how the crowd reacts ...
"They might not be starving, but there's quite a difference between not starving and having the strength to stand up and fight. They'll be needing more food if we are to train them, otherwise they will be to exhausted to fight when needed. But let's hope indeed that our attempts do not go unnoticed." Hisui said to Masamune. Afterwards he went back to his quiet contemplation until sunset.
5 sets of Lamellar cuirass, 5 sets of Leather armor, 6 longspears, 2 spears, 2 light crossbows, 60 crossbow bolts (in sets of 10) and 105 lbs worth of potatoes, flour, beans and cheese.
As you can note, it's mostly equipment for those willing to assist in the defense. There will most likely also be some of the previously created food on there, which might be the best option, other than the cheese.
When he heard Daren offer some food to someone nearby, Hisui remembered he still had some divine power prepared to provide extra food for the people if it proved necessary.
As he had done before he created some food and water over the course of several minutes.
question about create food and water:
I'm not certain how many people there are in the village, but if I cast Create food and water twice, I have enough to feed 36 people for 24 hours. Not certain how many people there are in the village, but if we would provide it as a form of evening dinner (i.e. something that would feed them for approx. 8 hours) could it then be split up in such a way to be enough to feed 108 people? Or is it more something in the line of a single portion per person that when eaten will provide nourishment to the person for 24 hours?
Hisui will look for a place where he can let his mule graze and will sit down in the vicinity.
Here he will spend the hours till evening in quiet contemplation, unless one of the others comes to speak with him.
"Then what?", Hisui paused for a moment, seemingly pondering about what to say next. He straightened his posture before continuing "Then we will teach you how to defend yourselves and lead you in the defense of this village against Sho and his men. When they are dealt with, you should be capable of dealing with smaller bandit trouble on your own accord."
He then looked intently at the village elder with his beady tengu eyes, "What say you, are you ready to face this darkness head on and bring light once more to your village?"
Hisui stepped forward and spoke, "We wish to stop the menace that is Sho and his bandits. In order to do this, we will need to make the village defensible. In my opinion, the first thing to start doing is to build a palisade, so they won't be able to just walk in, similarly like we did today."
"We heard of the bandits plaguing this village and we have come here to offer aid in whichever way we can." Hisui said in a calm and collected manner, meanwhile pondering the situation. We've got a long road ahead of us before they will even consider fighting those bandits.
further diplomacy roll if necessary : Diplomacy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Hisui, now certain that they were being watched, moved a little bit forward so that he would be clearly visible from the few places he had seen movement from.
"Hear me people of this troubled village, excuse my fellow travelers, they are weary from a long journey. We have heard your woes from the young lad which you sent out in desperation. We have come here to aid you, so please come forth from your hiding places. We wish you no harm."
When he finished speaking his words, Hisui took his sheathed katana and laid it down in front of him.
Hmm, as warm a welcome as we had expected, Hisui pondered while driving the cart onward. Slowly making his way to the village center, he glanced at the empty windows and other places that might have someone hiding to see if anyone was trying to observe them.
Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21
"You are correct Daren, the trust will have to be mutual. But if they do proof as desperate as you say", Hisui paused for a moment, looking at the group and then continued, "I think this group should be capable of dissuading them to actually act upon that desperation."
"Albeit it not much, the supplies in my cart might show we come with good intentions, rather than to come and rob them of what little they have." Hisui said when they spoke of how to gain the villager's trust.
When Liu Quon voiced his concerns, Hisui replied.
"We may not know what force we face, but these bandits believe that they will face only villagers unwilling to oppose them, broken by years of oppression. We might be able to use this to our advantage."
@Tark, just as a reminder, my character started making(read:conjure) food & water, somewhere in the middle of Liu Quon's introduction. Didn't want it to get lost in the rest of the posts ;)
"If you wish to eat, you shall have to wait a few more minutes. The supplies on the wagon are for the village."
Hisui turned to the newcomer and bowed. "Hisui no Hane, faithful servant of Tsukiyo. If you will excuse me now."
Hisui looked for a nice place to sit down and started chanting. Over the course of 10 minutes food and water appeared around him, enough to feed them for a few days if need be. There is food and water for 18 people
"Take what you need. That which is left, we can still eat tomorrow. After that I would have to call upon further blessings to preserve the food." He took some of the food and water and gave it to the mule. Finally, he took a few pieces for himself.
When Shogure asked his question, Hisui looked up at the sky as it was growing darker. He then looked back at Shogure glad to see such curiousity in his fellow Tengu.
"I can tell you of Tsukiyo, if you wish. But I am not one for lengthy tales." He paused for a moment before he continued pointing at the evening sky. "As we walk into the evening and the night, it will not be the light of Shizuru's sun that will light our way, but that of Tsukiyo's moon."
At this point in the conversation Hisui picked up a pebble and closed his hand around it into a fist. He uttered a few divine words and as he did this a few cracks of light seemed to peek through his fist. "He teaches us that even if darkness is all around you, you can always find light. If you know where to look for it."
He opened his hand revealing the pebble, which emanated a radiant light and offered it to Shogure.
In the light of the pebble Hisui's black feathers seemed to have a jade sheen flowing across them.
"There is not much room left in the cart, due to the supplies I bought, but I can manoeuvre the mule while walking next to the cart. In this manner the driver's seat is free for you to meditate."
With this said, Hisui puts the cart's harness back on the mule and ensures that everything is fastened properly for the journey.
Upon noticing Masamune arriving, Hisui no Hane stands up.
Perception (to notice the whispered words):1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27 "I can assure you Daren Mott that bandits will need more than a mere stone to fell this 'bird' as you so 'graciously' put it. And from what I have been able to observe, it seems that the only 'brute' in our presence is you. If only for your choice of words in this conversation." In his tone you notice his annoyance towards the behavior Daren had shown up to this point.
He then walks closer to the group and continues to talk. "Hisui no Hane, faithful servant of Tsukiyo." and bows. "If any of you are hungry or thirsty, I can provide us with food and water while we wait for the 7th."
At this point in the conversation you hear a cart being pulled by a mule roll up from the village road. It is neatly packed with an assortment of items covered with a tarp. The driver is a black-feathered Tengu wearing an outfit made out of various shades of green which is partly covered by the mountain pattern armour he is wearing.
He nods to the man and the Tengu who are conversing near the bridge, making certain not to hit any of them while he directs his mule towards a patch of grass under the cherry blossoms. There he takes a length of rope from his backpack and ties the mule to one of the trees and takes the cart's harness of its back so it can graze more freely.
After he completed this task, he takes a sip from his canteen and sits down under the cherry blossom.
So there's three of us. I wonder if more will show up, he ponders while observing the others who had arrived before him.
During the rest of the day Hisui visited several merchants and craftsman in town buying supplies for the trip.
Supplies for the village:
15 GP for a cart
8 GP for a mule to pull the cart.
Lamellar cuirass 15 GP & 8 lbs / armor x 5 = 75 GP & 40 lbs
Leather armor 10 GP & 15 lbs / armor x 5 = 50 GP & 75 lbs
longspear 5 GP & 9 lbs / weapon x 6 = 30 GP & 54 lbs
spear 2 GP & 6 lbs / weapon x 2 = 4 GP & 12 lbs
light crossbow 35 GP & 4 lbs / weapon x 2 = 70 GP & 8 lbs
crossbow bolts (10) 1 GP & 1 lbs / set x 6 = 6 GP & 6 lbs
105 lbs worth of potatoes, flour, beans and cheese = 2 GP 1 SP
bag of Feed 5 cp 10 lbs / day x 8 = 4 SP & 80 lbs (stuffed in handy haversack)
total : 300 lbs of 300 lbs on cart & 80 lbs in handy haversack | 1 SP left
After making certain all the items were secured on the cart, Hisui directed his mule towards the meeting place, curious which people answered Masamune's call for action.
Will post his arrival at the meeting place later. I reckon it will have taken him a while finding the different merchants/craftsmen from which he bought all of this stuff and getting it neatly packed on the cart.
@Tark, I think you didn't specifically mention to my character where the meeting point was, but from what I reckon from the open posts, it's at a bridge where there are cherry trees blossoming. I shall go from the assumption that Masamune mentioned that in response to my last question, as not to slow down the game.
