Katsu Shintaro's page

Day job playing the Shamisen: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Katsu will move up, drawing his bow as he does, and fire off an arrow at the last Tengu

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
damage if hit: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Katsu five foot steps to flank with the long spear of Angela and continues punching non-lethally
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 kinda sorta flanking?
attack + sneak attack?: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 1 = 8

Sorry I've been inactive guys, been quarantined because of possible Covid (test came back negative and I am vaccinated) but I just kinda fell into a funk and forgot to check my PbP games.

GM: did you take into account that I hit orange with a bit of non-leathal on the first round? Only should have been like, 5 damage, but he might not be bleeding to death?

Katsu will run up to Yellow (not provoking but not getting into flanking), and punch non-lethally once. Then he will five-foot step into flanking and punch again for his second turn.

Attack w/o flanking: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
damage if hit: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

attack w/ flanking: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage if hit: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (2) + 1 = 6

Given that Dawn is technically armed and threatening again (even if she is on the ground) Katsu has flanking again. How if he could just roll worth a damn he might be able to help her out.

Katsu continues to attack Orange, hoping to down at least one foe.
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
damage if hit with sneak attack: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + (4) + 1 = 7

Katsu continues non-lethal punches on orange
attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
damage if hit with sneak attack: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 1 = 5

"You fools!" Golthwur cries out to his allies as they rush forward into the fight, apparently unwilling to consider the radius of the spell that he had contemplated casting.

The wizard follows the others into the room, then casts glitter dust upon a trio of the foes.

10-ft. radius centered on purple dot, catching blue, green, and red. A cloud of golden particles covers everyone and everything in the area, causing creatures to become blinded and visibly outlining invisible things for the duration of the spell. All within the area are covered by the dust, which cannot be removed and continues to sparkle until it fades. Each round at the end of their turn blinded creatures may attempt new saving throws to end the blindness effect. Will save (DC 17) negates.

Golthwur then realizes glitterdust would likely little affect the BLIND MAN

Swift action-enter blinded blade style.
Move action- move up to Orange
Standard Action-Attack with nonlethal punches, they are flat footed because they haven't acted yet.

attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage if hit with sneak attack: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (3) + 1 = 7

Gonna assume we stop to heal those injured.

"What is this artifact beyond mortal reasoning you are talking about?"

I could use a magic shortsword, my sword cane isn't magical yet and I don't have weapon focus in it or anything.

Katsu makes a circuit of the room occasionally tapping things with his swordcane.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15+1 against traps

”Truely, the statue is defiles and stabbed in the back? That would be a grave dishonor indeed”

"Lead On."

”Ah, a trap. How clumsy of me not to see it before, apologies. Please, everyone, stand back.”

Katsu will remove his armor and take out his masterwork thieves tools.

GM note-Because of trait/feat shenanigans, I suffer no penalty to perception/disable device checks despite being blind.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

After he disabled the trap he will ask for some help re-doning his armor.

As Katsu moves along he taps the floor with his swordcane and listens intently.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 +1 for traps

Kn: Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

”I am unfamiliar with Hei Fei rituals. For maximum effectiveness, I would suggest finding the central holy site for him. At best it wouldn’t hurt our chances, and at worst it may be necessary.”

After Katsu un-paralizes he will walk up to Hayden Greyrun.

"Thank you for keeping me alive sir. I am . . . shamed that my body cannot take as many scars as my godess. If you need more magical healing, I have this wand. I can only activate it some of the time, but I have a feeling you might be able to use it with more regularity."

Katsu offers use of his wand of CLW to Greyrun should he need it in the future.

”mmm gining ta hut dis hulace” Katsu says through clenched teeth.

Fort Save+raging song: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
Hurrah, another failed save means I'm out of the fight.

”Ladies, Gentlemen, let us table the discussion until we are not threatened by a massive paralyzing acidic ooze!”

Katsu will accept the rage into his heart from the skald for a +1 to damage
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 = 27
damage if hit: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4

Swift action, enter blinded blade stance
Katsu cocks his head to the side.
”That doesn’t sound like a normal living thing. I can hear no beating heart. It may be hard to sneak attack.”

Katsu moves forward to the blob while drawing his sword cane, then attacks.

Attack with bless: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Damage if hit: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Katsu again Tumbles forward (this time 10 feet) to get into flank with Red
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

He then attacks red with his sword again.

Attack Red with flanking: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
damage if hit: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (6) = 13

Swift action-Enter blinded blade stance
Move action, move to flank boar, attempting to tumble through threatened square to not provoke, drawing weapon sword cane from sheath as I move.
acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Sneak attack
attack roll vs. flanked enemy(Green): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
damage if hit: 1d6 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (4) = 11

Everyone is so caught up with eye contact. Katsu has never found it useful himself.

Katsu will follow the group.

will save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Katsu will run off wildly screaming in the opposite direction.

Ah good, one failed will save completely turns off characters. I do NOT miss that about first edition.

Katsu enters blinded blade stance, then dashes off across the battlefield, then strikes at a tengu with an elbow
Provoke from blue and maybe orange if he wants to as a confused enemy.
Nonlethal Unarmed attack vs flanked AC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Sneak attack nonlethal damage if hit: 1d4 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (3) + 1 = 7

Katsu will join Angela on stage.

"Please everyone, calm yourselves and listen!"

diplomacy aid another Angela: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
”Okay, this ends now!”
Katsu steps forward

”My fellow sentient creatures! This profane ritual is not of Hei Feng. Religion comes not from what others tell you but from how your god touches you. Surely you can feel that this ritual is wrong! Would the patron protector-god of all Tengu require ritual torture in such a way? Has he ever asked this of you before? He has not! Because this is not his ritual. Now it might not be too late to save these poor souls if we act quickly!”

Hoping Angela can step in with an actual diplomacy check, she’s much better skill wise than me.

"If what the wizard says is true, it aligns with this subtle corruption of Hei Feng that we have seen so far. Killing chosen and throwing them in wells, the variant holy symbol, etc. Question, is: How do we stop a mob of religious fanatics from declaring false prayers? Anyone a particularly good orator? I mean, can anyone do it and not piss off the mob, so not Golthwar?"

"I . . . what is going on? I smell a storm gathering. And that chanting sounds . . . otherworldly."

No abyssal from me.

"Please understand, I mean no disrespect to the tengu nor Hei Feng. I am sure he is a fine patron deity of your race. I just notice the oddity. After all I follow Vildeis and pray to her, but if a priest of hers were to . . . say . . . preach about proper moneylending procedures I would be taken aback. Such is not in her portfolio. Please, tell us if you have noticed other oddities in the area. We have heard of a blight and heavenly guardians chased off, do you know of other . . . issues?"

"There are often two or more sides to any divine being. Vildeis, for example, is equal measures zelous lust to stamp out evil and drive to champion worthy causes such as aiding the poor an infirm. However, I was mentioning to my friends that I thought it odd a Storm God would be particularly interested in protection rituals. I was not aware Hei Feng dabbled in such things. I mean, shaping a storm is one thing, but guarding against a scar of evil is . . . well not to put too fine a point on it, something I though outside his godly purview."

Using my knowledge-Religion check from earlier.

I don’t have my binder on me, and I don’t know how much money we are getting from this scenario so I’ll get back to you on what I’m buying.

Hayden's eyes go wide. "He killed one of the Chosen?" He turns to the others as the man flees. "We need to watch this man closely. If we can be picked for the Chosen, I think that would be best."

”I doubt that is possible. We have already made it known we do not worship their storm god, becoming one of his chosen seems. . . unlikely. Still, this prophet is with looking into. He shows up as a blight does, then murders one of his own chosen and hides the body? If he’s the Storm God’s actual prophet I’ll eat my Shamisen.”

Katsu whispers ‘Thank You,’ to Angela then steps forward and addresses the crowd, but particularly the orator, in Tien

”I applaud you for teaching to be wary of the scourge of bandits. However I am reminded of a parable I learned as a child. You see there once was a bright young man, wise beyond his years and charismatic, who lived with his father. Everyone assumes that this child would grow up to be the village’s next priest. Then, one day, an unforeseeable accident blinded him. The father wished to protect his son, and so, fearing that his son would get swindled and be ashamed, first forbade him from going to market.

“And so nothing ever became of the child. He rotted away, body, mind, and soul. He had no friends, nothing to occupy his mind, no stimulation whatsoever. And so by, in his mind, saving his child’s life, he had doomed it. He had let fear of the future rob his village of a splendid priest and a great man.”

Diplomacy or bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damnit, I can’t let that good story go to waste, use my reroll with 5 stars
Diplomacy or bluff: 1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 5 = 24

Katsu’s brow furrows.

Knowledge-Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

He switches to common and addresses the party. ”I am not that knowledgeable about religious doctrines outside of my own religion, but it seems odd that a STORM god would be overly interested in protection rituals. Are storm gods not more on the . . . destructive end of things?”

Angela and Sir Hayden use their language skills to overcome any barriers and find a tengu who quietly and fearfully informs them that his sister went out to the shrine to try to join the ranks of the Chosen 3 weeks ago and has not yet returned.

He fears that the storm swallowed her for daring to rush in where she was not invited. When he is seen by another Tengu he retreats immediately.

* *

You decide to follow the mayor's advice and locate the hunter Yakuri.

She is at her stand, prepping her wares for the day. You notice that she is not a Tengu, rather a human female.

As you approach, she offers you a slight smile.

"It has been a while since I have seen my own kind around here. What can I do for you?

"Thank you for seeing us lady. It seems that there are some strange things going on in this village. Guardians protecting against a great evil abandoning their post, strange ceremonies to choose their replacements. The balance of good and evil seem . . . precarious. Some powers outside your village mean to make sure that everything remains on the side of good. Could you perhaps enlighten us with what you have observed?"

Diplomacy gather info: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Or not *sight*

”Katsu Shintaro. I’m from all over really. I grew up with a sect of traveling Vieldeis monks. They, and by extension I, wondered from place to place bringing Veildeis’s teachings to the blind.”

Katsu raises an eyebrow, then leans to angel and speaks quietly in common.

”I heard. No markets, no businesses hawking their wares, no children at play. I was told most Tengu are quite gregarious. Have I been misinformed?”

He will ask as they walk along.

Katsu will shake his head slightly at Zepha's words and follow the rest of the group out, sweeping his wooden stick in front of him to make sure he doesn't stumble.

Lol! The way you play Golthwur Strath, I would assume he had a wisdom of seven! ‘S great.

Also, great use of the old a-hole debate standby: If you can’t argue the point, pick apart some minor tangential tidbit and claim you won!

Katsu rises from his seat and grabs his walking stick, and also slings a bow over his shoulder. "Mighty wizard, it might just me by blindness talking, but this seems like the most sensible option. Send us there to check it out, and if something has gone amiss, do something about it. Besides, if the villagers or temple monks have been corrupted, I doubt a simple missive, magical or otherwise, would be able to detect that. I fact, if the villagers or monks are compromised they could lie and give us the false sense of security. Sending living, thinking beings to assess all possibilities seems the most . . . practical. I have no further questions."

"How can you not know how you got into Society? Sothkoro had to sign name on paper.

”I suspect you will find the answer in the tales of Kien’emon, the clever.”

Bluff to send secret message: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

”However, if you are asking how a blind man signed his name. . . “ he pulls out a small stamp. ”I used my personal seal.”

Katsu Shintaro wrote:

”Thank you for expertly repeating what I said. I hope that the singular trait I possess of being blind does not overly hinder your greatness.”

"It poses no hinderance at all, sir. None at all." Golthwur replies in earnest, oblivious to having brought on offense.

I just realized that not all of you have had this PC at the table before, so allow me to give the general caveats. As you may have gathered, Golthwur is arrogant, petty, offensive, bigoted, and a slew of other negative treats. He is a loathsome human being and you should feel free to treat him as such. My intent is to play Golthwur as a character worthy of ridicule and jest and not to offend. He is much like the Archie Bunker of wizards. If, at any time, you feel that the character or his antics may be acting as a source of unwanted discomfort or offense, please let me know either on the boards or via PM and I will tone the character down or alter his personality all together.

Dawn Verda wrote:

"Thank you. I'll let most of you do the talking. Unless anyone up there knows Sylvan."

"Of course, I know Sylvan!" The bearded blowhard responds with clear indignation. "I am Golthwur Strath, Lord of Linguistics and Emperor of Eloquence!"

No problem, I have a few characters that are a-holes myself.

He studies Katsu for a few moments, then waves a hand slowly in front of the man's face. "If you pardon the question, sir, were you born blind or did this come to you later in life? The Dawnflower can heal many things, but there are also some that we must learn to live with." He adjusts his own leg, knowing it stiffens when left folded too long.

He answers Greyrun ”I am told I was sighted as a young child, a toddler, but contracted a high fever. I survived it at the cost of my sight. I thank you for your concern, but I have come to accept my blindness as a gift from Veildais. They say the eyes are the window to one’s soul. If so, than I like to think my soul more secure from invaders.”

He then waves his hand in front of Greyrun’s face. ”Besides, just because I am blind doesn’t mean I can’t hear the wind off your hand, or feel it’s presence on my face.”

Katsu’s eyebrow twitches; skighty annoyed at the pompous wizard. Katsu retorts. ”Thank you for expertly repeating what I said. I hope that the singular trait I possess of being blind does not overly hinder your greatness. How I got into the society I shall never know.”

Kn-Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
”I’ve journeyed all over Tien, but I’ve not made my way to Kwanlai before. I wonder if the Tengu there will be welcoming there.”

In Common, Katsu speaks up. ”As much as I would love to aid you, perhaps I best not. I would not wish to make the place. . . untidy.

“I joined the society as a means of furthering Valdeis’s work. The society give me a chance to find great evil and combat it. I do this not only because it needs to be done, but also in gratitude for all that Valdeis has given me throughout the years. It is. . . to honor her.”

The old man nods towards the way of the Nagaji.

”Ah, yes. Apologies. I did not introduce myself. My name is Katsu Shintaro. Follower of Veildaies, and occasional pathfinder when circumstances allow. Sadly, my faith is not strong enough to cast spells, but I make do with the lessons she has taught me about swordplay and perceiving the wider world around me.”