As the final grains fall, and the cheers wither into silence, the moment of their union passes. Itami sighs. And so the time has come for me to lay my heart bare once more. Rising, he clears his throat to speak.
"Onna. Hiiragi," he begins, his voice straining to be strong. "You are among the only people who know of my old life, of the burden I foolishly placed upon my soul. And yet, you still chose to accept me. I bore my sins, my unforgivable and wretched sins, to you and you met me with warmth, with love. His voice breaks clearly now, but he powers through. "That was the first time I'd ever felt it, the empowerment of living beyond a tool fit for purpose, but simply as a being, as Itami. It was in that moment I finally allowed myself to believe that the strength I've wrought from pain could be used to help instead of hurt and that I was worth something despite what I'd done. You lightened my load in the name of love, as I paid with my flesh to return the favor for Onna's rebirth." He quiets down for a moment, a hand absent-mindedly reaching for his leg. "In the name of love."
"As you join your love together today before the grace of your Deities, the unyielding support of your family, the presence of Oppara, I know you shall achieve greatness together. Whether it is in the fields of wheat or on the fields of battle, whatever you choose to grow in your field, it shall forever be yours and none will have the strength to take it, for there is nothing your love cannot overcome."
With a cup of sake in hand, he raises it, his attention now on the other guests. "To Onna and Hiiragi!"
________
Y'all, we had some dark times in the game Onna died, holy hell. Going back through that just now was a trip and a half!
"You choose to not have hands, why?!" he whispers severely at the "dog." Tempering his ire, he turns his attention to the rings. Filthy, just filthy. Scooping up the first ring, he sends soft waves of magic over it, restoring it to like-new shine. If nobody takes command over the second, he does the same.
Despite his gut, he returns the ring to Phidöe. He wouldn't have had them if he wasn't chosen to... Where is Kenta when you need him? Never met a more loyal companion!
Itami skulks towards Toshiko, weaving between guests and scooping up a jug of sake as he goes.
"Figured out how to throw those daggers of yours straight yet?" he asks from behind while he tops off her cup.
Edit "We can try to catch up later," he says, taking Toshiko by the elbow and guiding her to the "Onna" side of the aisle when the bride begins to speak.
Near a side entrance to the gardens, delicate flowers gently sway as though from an errant breeze and the faintest puffs of dirt rhythmically pop along the well-maintained dirt path. This... this is about what I expected.
By the largest group of people, a hooded, elderly man coalesces. Who else is here? None of the skulk would miss it willingly, but there are likely newcomers as well.
I just wanted to say thank you for the great times/memories and that I'll reach out when/if I start doing PbP again in the future. I don't think I've done this yet, so I'll be PMing each of you my email address if you ever find yourself in London and/or the wedding happens!
On the potential new players front, I'd like to nominate Noral. Iirc, they're into Kitsunes too and would likely enjoy this sort of game quite a bit :) I can also vouch for them as a player, we've been in a couple games together and it was fun!
@Itami, You prolly mentioned it, but I can’t remember … How are you getting a day job of 150gp without a roll? Is it a take 10 with a BIG modifier, or something else?
"We have the books safely reunited. I think the most prudent thing to do would be to return to the Society posthaste," Itami suggests. Once Kenta has secured a line down to the bottom, he waits his turn and carefully descends.
"Does anyone need healing?"Infernal for anyone feeling lucky!
"Kenta, you are the best equipped to bear the mantle of this responsibility," Itami says, gesturing towards the book. With a nod, he jogs out of the room.
"What's happening?" he asks Onna. "Kenta has rejoined the texts and all is well within."
________
Double move!
Itami throws his hands up with frustration as the doors close and Kenta can't seem to open them.
Through sheer anger, his hearing manages to pick up Kenta's words. Running to the other side, he tries closing the book. Regardless of his success, he gestures for Kenta's book and points to the top of the book on the table.
Perception, DC 15:
Spoiler:
"Put the books together!"
________
Perception (Kenta), DC 15:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21 Move to the other side of the altar, standard to close the book! Or try to, at least.
His finely aged lungs simply not cut out for extended yelling, Itami points urgently at the door. Scrambling out of his Disk Dinghy and onto the stairs, he rushes into the room next to Toshiko. He wedges his head between a hand and his shoulder. One hand remains trained on the door.
________
Readied Magic Missile vs Octoman:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8 It looked like the disk was adjacent to the stones, so I counted it as 5ft. He'll do whatever it takes to get onto solid land though, so whatever it needs to be to get away from Mr. Tentacles! Also, assuming the ink doesn't block vision of the stairs... He'd still risk it, but let's hope it isn't our feeble Grandpa who ends up in the drink next!
"NO, NO, NO, NO!" Itami shouts as Hiiragi takes a dip in the drink. As fast as he can, he graces her with more swimming magic from his wand.
________
Touch of the Sea on Hiiragi! Hiiragi, if you'd rather the Air Bubble scroll, he could easily do that instead. My thinking was that breath holding in PF is crazy long for combat purposes, so a swim speed to maneuver after you escape the tenta-hug was your best bet. Does anyone know how water interacts with spells like Magic Missile and Ray of Enfeeblement, where there is an effect that travels to the target?
Itami just about jumps out of his Dinghy Disk when the octoman ensnares Hiiragi.
Perception, DC 15:
"WHAT THE HELL!? WHY DIDN'T YOU CLOSE THE DOOR LIKE I SAID?!"
Despite his fluster, he manages to fire off a pair of arcane bolts at the writhing mass of tentacles.
________
10% Sadness?:1d100 ⇒ 52:D Magic Missile vs Green:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6 If Hiiragi can get out of the grapple, Itami will start pelting it with Rays of Enfeeblement and see what sticks!
With Hiiragi on solid ground, the Ferryman paddles to get a jump on refreshing Onna's swimability. "What a racket! Must we open the door? Maybe what it really needs is to be firmly closed," he suggests.
Itami paddles his Dinghy Disk over to Kenta and Ikari, refreshing their magical abilities to swim.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, blame your shortcomings on the magic!" he gripes back at Hiiragi."If you'd rather not, let me know! Arcane power doesn't grow on trees, you know?!" There is a bit of an edge to his voice, but, through experience, Hiiragi probably knows that the old man is just stressed and tired.
Itami swims around with Kenta, leaping on the burly Fox's back when he goes to pull each of the chains. Only once does he mess up the timing and awkwardly smush against his waist.
"This is not how I imagined this water business to go!" he grumbles, wiping his face.
________
Strength (Aid) vs Kenta:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13 Strength (Aid) vs Kenta:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5 Strength (Aid) vs Kenta:1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11 The idea here is that with buoyancy pushing up on Kenta, he'd need to exit the water to pull the chains down with his weight, so Itami is trying to add his weight to the pull. I THINK the spell has one round left on Kenta after these three, so his following six rounds will be spent refreshing the spell on each party member.
EDIT: Looks like we've used the charges on the wand, so I think Itami will just continue spending time keeping the spell up on people!
REDIT: Oh, I see now. I declared the purchase of two scroll boxes this post, but it never made it onto my sheet... GM, if you're cool with me adding it in, I'll do so. If not, he'll cast his Floating Disk and toss them all in there or ride the dinghy disk! :) If both are options, Rule of Cool demands the dinghy disk!
Itami holds his breath as long as he can while the water fills the room and continues to do so, even though he can still stand. "I don't know if that was good or bad," he confesses, tapping Kenta with his wand of swim-better.
________
If it matters, Itami will tap in this order: Kenta, Ikari, Hiiragi, Onna, Toshiko, Itami. PULL THE LEVER, KRUNK KENTA!
Itami pulls out his new wand and one of the scrolls. "If water begins flooding the chamber, I'll prioritize the armored first."
________
I see at least two ways to make the number 30 by adding the numbers (all but the sun, or the sun and the equal and heart symbols). I say we pull one (trying Onna's suggestion first!) and go from there.
"Consistent and admirable role models," is all Itami has to say in explanation of his behavior, before being led away. Foolhardy and young as well, but these old bones do what they can.
This day is just a barrel of surprises. Perhaps not as shocked as might be expected when asked such a spontaneous question, he feigns surprise. "So you're the farmer that proposed! I was worried for a moment, didn't know how I'd defend a farmer from that flail of yours."Though this IS a predicament. Maybe I could walk them both down one at a time?"You humble me with your request, yet Onna has asked me first! I can make it work and figure out how it will be done, if that suits your vision of the moment. And forgive me for not congratulating you earlier, I'm not entirely certain how public the information is."
Giving Hiiragi space to think, he retreats back to the group. "I've a wand and scrolls to collect, but then I'll be ready."
________
2pp for a wand of Touch of the Sea, and 50gp for two scrolls of Air Bubble.
Itami isn't threatening with anything, "feeble old man" is the way he tries to be perceived! Not that he has to try too hard these days...
Stepping back to make room for someone sturdier, Itami puts a protective arm between the Gillwoman and the Hellhound. "Leave your things and RUN!" he urges, firing off another salvo.
________
Magic Missile vs Red:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6
I'll still be gaming, I just cannot justify the daily time I want to devote to this aspect of the hobby anymore (opportunity costs and what not).
I'm phasing out my games, with the goal of hitting natural stopping points since I'm opting out as opposed to life forcing me to cancel immediately, so if the wedding happens after this scenario (no pressure), I'm in! I also don't mind waiting for an email if y'all want to push it back further and logging in to be part of it :) At the conclusion of this scenario, I will be PMing my email to y'all anyways, if you ever find yourself in London/UK feel free to hit me up!
I ran Grotto of the Deluged God and was not amused with that part of the scenario either. IIRC, the party ended up failing their way out of the negative part of that part of the chronicle sheet.
Itami looks at the Hellhound and then the Gillwoman. Swallowing hard, he steps between them and fires arcane bolts at the beast. I don't know how Kenta and the others do this, but I must be strong for them!
________
Magic Missile vs Red:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 = 5
I've already played through the Daughters of Fury (it was great fun!), but, on a related note, I've recently made the decision to stop PbP.
It isn't urgent, however, so I'll be playing through this scenario with y'all before bowing out. Sorry to tell y'all this way, but it didn't seem right to chime in on future plans without being upfront about this.
Itami frowns and shakes his head. "We seem to have done our best to evade water, but it is likely unavoidable now. Time is of the essence, yet we'd be fools to press on unprepared. Fortunately..." he says, gesturing at the marketplace around them.
________
What do we think we need for a brief underwater expedition? Maybe a wand of Touch of the Sea (Itami's happy to burn 2pp for that) and more scrolls with Air Bubble? Piercing weapons for the melee characters? If you have Air Bubble up, do you still have to make concentration checks for casting underwater?
"Of course, here's your fee with the discount," Itami responds, shaking the man's hand while leaving two gold pieces in it.
________
Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33 I'm assuming that casting a spell (Charm Person) in the middle of a public market would cause panic so Diplomacy check it is!
Itami pushes Yargos Gill to the front. "He said that he sent an assistant, Nicola, to deliver the book to you," he explains. "Now is the time to start talking." He prods him firmly in the back with a wrinkled finger.
Economics is the last lecture Kenta needs to attend. The financial inequality alone is likely enough for him to call a crusade on the entire economic model of capitalism. Let alone the assumptions that underpin the whole thing. Yikes. Sorry, starving peasants, we had to burn the whole field of crops because the price at market wasn't high enough! Itami chuckles to himself at the thought of Kenta smiting textbooks. AH! THE BOOKS!
"Yes, we just saved Yargos here from his untimely demise," he begins. Assuming we absolve him of his direct role in creating the situation."at the hands of a Devil that sprang forth from a book. The book, in our possession, has an Infernal Legion in it. Another book, not in our possession, is what maintained the seal on this Legion. We seek to reunite the books," he explains.
________
IIRC, Ollysta is the one who took the other half of the set? If so, he'll mention that too.
"He stabbed me and we're just going to let him get away?!" Itami asks in disbelief. Pointing his finger guns at the fleeing ruffian, he looks like he is about to send a salvo chasing after him before relenting. A shot in the back isn't the same. That's not my way anymore. I could kill him, but I've got to try to be the better person here, like the others.
He sighs deeply, covering his body with an opaque field of force that eventually fades from view.
________
Mage Armor! Assuming healing is coming, but Itami will ask for it if it doesn't.
That's what I get for not remembering to cast Mage Armor!
"AH!" Itami shouts as he is abruptly thrust back into consciousness.
"AH!" he shouts, louder, with a crazed murderer holding a bloody weapon over him. When he isn't immediately stabbed again and the others apparently ignoring this crazed lunatic, he slowly stands up.
He fires off a pair of spiraling bolts at the furthest foe. "What's the matter with this one? Is he the one who stabbed me?!"
________
Magic Missile vs Red:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1) + 2 = 5
"WHAT?!" Itami snaps. "We've no time to lose then, how long before the next Devil springs from the tome?! Where is Zadrian now? We must reunite the books!"
He worries at his walking stick and quickly stows his wand when Kenta notices a certain kind of stink. "We must patch Hiiragi up quickly and get moving, what can I do to help?"
I like the older ones more than the newer ones, but I still enjoy them a lot :) So many great characters and dialogues. The combat is a lot of fun too :)
Itami fires his signature finger-guns at the creature, causing a pair of cutting bolts of force to whistle around his allies and strike it!
________
Magic Missle vs Green:2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9 SR?:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12Ha, doubt it! Magic Missile and a 5ft step North!
Itami's eyes widen as Hiiragi takes a serious blow to the side. "Crush it!" he says as he slides around the wall and tries to close some of her wounds.
________
Infernal Healing vs Hiiragi from a wand! Not sure how Fast Healing works with some of the metaknowledge I have, but that's what he's got :)
Earlier
Itami's confident step falters for a moment as he processes Onna's request and the purpose for it. I- ME?! Thankfully, she gives him an out and they separate. Here I was thinking they would all out grow me, toss me to the gutter like spent bathwater.
Now
With the crowd parting, he sticks to following the group towards the estate. "Pile in while we've seized the moment," he urges, pointing at the open door. Can't give the rubes a moment to doubt their preconceptions!
________
Lol Pelagos would indeed be rather excited by this :P
Itami rests a hand on Onna's shoulder. "Perhaps it would be best if we are on our way, discussing polarized methods and philosophies at a more appropriate time." he suggests, giving a gentle squeeze.
"Thank you for your hospitality, but I think we'll be on our way now. Infernal Legion and what not," he concludes with a small chuckle.
Whenever we get into the hallway...
He leans into Onna and whispers in her ear. "Forgiveness is often easier than permission, especially when you're the only side available to speak."Don't I know it...
He quickly picks up the pace, hopefully before Hiiragi jealously gracefully dives between them. ;)
Toshiko, you've already been suckered into the meeting :P
"Sounds like an enchantment! Incredible! How does your magic work? Arcane? Divine? Another matter entirely?" Itami asks, a little proud when Kenta mentions a rather useful effect. "Let's see the scrolls then, I have some we can look at too!"
But before they can begin in earnest, some manner of beast (that turns out to be named Eadie) assails them, followed by a briefing.
"I agree with Kenta, sounds like we haven't a moment to lose," he states. With a sigh, he rises. Grabbing a pair of bowls, he shovels rice and more chicken thighs into one until he has a pile heaped high, then covers it with the second bowl and ties it shut.
________
Lol, I've another arcane character who has serious beef with Yargos Gill and his negligent use of the arcane, especially in heavily populate areas!
Itami clears his throat as he passes the threshold of the room, dragging Toshiko along. A long stick fixed to her back dangles a bottle of liquor just out of arms reach. "She's heavier than she looks, but this way she gets to hear the briefing before we're under way. And not just the bits we remember. Don't tell her it's just water!"
"What's this I hear about magic, Kenta? You decide to join the rest of us and learn something useful?" he jabs, piling a plate high with egg rice and a pair of chicken thighs. Taking a seat, he sighs with relief and digs in, thighs first.
Late to the party, but posting anyways about Itami's name!
His name means "pain," as far as Google Translate's understanding of Japanese is concerned. He has learned what it means to be a Kitsune due to the others. Before then, he was raised in Nidal where he was an agent for the state (in his Kitsune form). Tl;Dr, he had a crisis of faith and is now a fugitive from the Nidalese state. He still sort of worships Zon Kuthon.
