Shisumo's Treacherous Terrain (ST01)

[Utaku Yukari]

"I'm fine, but I didn't see what happened!" Yukari calls back in response to Megumi.

Spoiler:

Yukari turns Arashi and makes her way carefully back the way she came, hoping that the others have not strayed far from where she saw them last. After retracing a few of her steps, the Unicorn can just make out Ryoko through the thick fog. Both thankful that she has not completely lost the others and worried about what is going on, Yukari keeps her blade ready.

"Are you alright, Asako-san?" she asks Ryoko, before slipping back into a wary, defensive posture once again.

One round for a 5 foot movement south and another in full defence for Yukari. I've moved her next to Ryoko just now, but if the fog is confusing enough to cause her to lose track of which direction is which, I can randomly roll to see where she goes if you like. :)

Initiative: 4k3=21

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Initiative: 3d10.open(10).takeHighest(2)=14

Shisumo:

Spoiler:

Further actions depend on whether I get next to Ryoko or not.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Initiative: 3d10.takeHighest(2).open(10)=11

Spoiler:

from outside the fog, since I'm on the riverbank, do I see anything/anyone? After I summon my armor of earth, I will look around while I draw my blade.

[Kakita Megumi]

Initiative: 5k3+6=27 Since I am so fast (curse those Crane) I'll wait until after Nagatsuna.

Shisumo, Nagatsuna

Spoiler:

The Kakita heeds the words of Nagatsuna and follows closely behind, her hand floating just above her katana. With eyes carefully measuring each step the samurai-ko cautiously proceeds.

[Arcmagik]

Initiative: 3d10.takeHighest(2)=13 Do 10s explode on Initiative, I can't remember.

Intelligence/Spellcraft: 4d10.open(10).takeHighest(3)=19

DM Shisumo

Spoiler:

Daichi draws his blades and awaits word of an engagement before moving forward to find the opponents. He doesn't bother talking with anyone else at the moment of the fog rolls in and Heihachi declares it magic. He just silently prepares for battle and waits patiencely for the signs of conflict.

Draw. And holding until I hear other people in combat then moving forward until I can identify an opponent and strike at them.

[Kakita Megumi]

Bump; Nagatsuna, I'm guessing I can also look under your spoiler? I should have asked earlier but somehow it slipped my mind.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Kakita Megumi wrote:

Bump; Nagatsuna, I'm guessing I can also look under your spoiler? I should have asked earlier but somehow it slipped my mind.

That's fine just wasn't important to anything. Just asking for clarification.

[Matsu Ume]

Initiative: 5k3 - 8, 8, 4, 3, 2 - 20

Ume slowly moved off from the center of the circle, measuring each step carefully. She retained her guarded stance, ready to defend against a suddent assault - and then retaliate against any ambushers.

[DM Shisumo]

My apologies to all of your for evaporating over the last few days. I got my butt kicked by an end-of-the-semester paper, and I’ve basically just been sleeping for the last couple days to make up for the all-nighters. All should be well now, however.

Initiatives:
Megumi 27
The shugenja 26
Umasu 23
Yukari 21
Ume 20
Daichi 16
Nagatsuna 14
Heihachi 11

Nagatsuna:

Spoiler:

You easily make it to her side. Go ahead and post the rest of your actions.

Yukari reappears out of the fog, having brought herself and her horse back to Ryoko’s side. “All you all right, Asako-san?” she asks Ryoko.

Yukari and Nagatsuna:

Spoiler:

Ryoko nods uncertainly. The courtier seems slightly nervous, but she eases her wakizashi from its saya and prepares herself.

Megumi:

Spoiler:

You dimly see the large shape of Yukari on her horse in the fog in front of Ryoko. She asks the young Inquisitor if she is all right, but you don’t catch any response.

Heihachi:

Spoiler:

The fog is wrapped unnaturally close to the bridge along its entire length.

I need two separate rolls, one a Raw Perception roll, TN 30, and the other a Perception/Investigation (Notice) roll, TN 20.

Daichi:

Spoiler:

Yes, 10s explode on init. I’ve rerolled yours (it was a 3) and added it into your initiative.

Next to you, Fuguki starts giggling, then laughing outright. “Now none of me can see,” he says, “but only one of me refuses to,” and starts laughing again.

Ume:

Spoiler:

I went ahead and placed you on the map on the basis of your statement. Correct if you wish.

Ume can faintly see the large shape of Yukari on her horse in the fog to her left, and she hears the battle maiden ask Ryoko if the Inquisitor is well. If there’s an answer, however, Ume can’t hear it.

[Kakita Megumi]

Best of luck on that paper Shisumo! Side-note: 'The shugenja' sounds so ominous.

Shisumo

Spoiler:

Megumi looks around quickly becoming increasingly frustrated by the fog. She decides it's best to stick with companions and moves to join the Phoenix and Unicorn being careful to announce her presence as makes her way through the mist.

[Kuni Heihachi]

I need two separate rolls, one a Raw Perception roll, TN 30 (impossible)

Perception/Investigation (Notice) roll, TN 20. 2d10=15

[DM Shisumo]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

I need two separate rolls, one a Raw Perception roll, TN 30 (impossible)

10s explode on Raw Trait rolls.

[Kuni Heihachi]

DM Shisumo wrote:

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

I need two separate rolls, one a Raw Perception roll, TN 30 (impossible)

10s explode on Raw Trait rolls.

Okay....I'll try to get a few 10s then....

2d10.open(10)=15

well I got one, not three heh....impossible!! well 1 in 500 chance.

[Matsu Ume]

GM

Spoiler:

With her bearings in regards to Yukari settled, Ume called out to her "I'm good, no sign of enemies over here" while maintaining her careful stance.

Whoever this was, he probably was hoping to catch one of them unprepared. A perimeter with regular reports to each others status was her first idea to counter this strategy. It might just work

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Megumi, Yukari, and Shisumo:

Spoiler:

Having Ryoko, Megumi, and Yukari next to him he turns his attention to the situation around them, "We should attempt to free ourselves from this fog. It serves the purposes of our enemies."

[DM Shisumo]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

2d10.open(10)=15

well I got one, not three heh....impossible!! well 1 in 500 chance.

Heihachi:

Spoiler:

You can see nothing through the thick fog, and nothing outside of it seems out of the ordinary.

[DM Shisumo]

Yukari, Nagatsuna, Megumi:

Spoiler:

Abruptly, Ryoko slumps to the ground, unconscious.

Nagatsuna, I need a Raw Earth roll, TN 21. As previously established, 10s explode here.

[Kakita Megumi]

Shisumo, Nagatsuna, Yukari

Spoiler:

"That is certainly prudent Hida-san however-" Megumi's voice trails off as the Phoenix falls to the ground. Concern crosses her face and she moves next to the fallen Ryoko to gauge the condition of the Inquisitor.

You can count this as my actions for next round Shisumo. Not sure what roll could be used, if any. Something tells me Void will be involved :P

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari:

Spoiler:

Spending void point for roll.
Raw Earth roll: 3d10.open(10)=31 Ha ha! Nice! Ok, what does it mean?

[Matsu Ume]

What about me?

[Mirumoto Daichi]

DM

Spoiler:

Daichi turns to the sound of Fuguki's voice and listens for a moment, "Fuguki-sama, I am going forward to see if the combat has begun." Daichi slowly moves forward and strains to hear any signs of battle.

[DM Shisumo]

Nagatsuna:

Spoiler:

You feel an intense wave of fatigue sweep over you, and your eyelids flutter for a moment, as sleep tries to drag you down. With an intense effort, you fight off the desire to sleep, but you can still feel exhaustion clutching at your every movement.

You have a +10 TN to all actions.

[DM Shisumo]

Ume:

Spoiler:

The fog around you is still and quiet for now.

I suspect that is about to change however.

[Matsu Ume]

GM

Spoiler:

"I am here!" Ume called out. "I am here!". The stiffling and numbing fog made it hard to even sense where her friends had gone. The thought of attracting an enemy had briefly crossed her mind, but at this time even that was preferrable to the sticky mess of white.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari:

Spoiler:

The giant Hida shakes his head several times as if to clear it or shake off some unseen annoying insect. He rumbles out in a slower and somewhat slurred voice, "Shu..genja. Trying to....knock...me out. We must....get out of this mist....so...we can see our enemies."

[Utaku Yukari]

Sorry for my lack of posting lately guys - had a busy few days. I'll have a new post up by tonight.

[Utaku Yukari]

Shisumo, Megumi, Nagatsuna:

Spoiler:

Yukari nods in agreement with Nagatsuna and Megumi just as Ryoko falls unconscious.

"Asako-san??" the Unicorn asks urgently. "Megumi-san, is she alright?"

With Nagatsuna's slow, tired-sounding response, Yukari realises that the shugenja has not just struck at one, but at two people. These tactics were certainly not honourable - it was a despicable way to attack.

"Yes, we need to get out of this now - go back the way we came" Yukari replies, the urgent note still in her voice. They couldn't safely go forward - at least going back they knew the way to go. And they had to get Ryoko out of there too.

Shisumo:

Spoiler:

Quick question about the Utaku steeds. I know that only Utaku may ride them, but if Yukari was to take Ryoko with her on horseback would this be violating either the Unicorn rules or Rokugani ettiquette? It's probably the easiest way to carry out somebody who is unconscious..

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari,

Spoiler:

Not much caring about etiquette at this point Nagatsuna hefts Ryoko unceremoniously over his shoulder and looks toward Yukari, "You lead and I'll follow."

[Kakita Megumi]

Shisumo, Nagatsuna, Yukari:

Spoiler:

Megumi kneels over Ryoko for a short while trying to discern the condition of the Phoenix. The Crane's eyes scan but finding little she glances at Yukari.

"Nothing that I can tell, although this mist makes it hard to ascertain." She sighs deeply and stands once again. "I hope we don't fall off the edge... Hida-san," She hastily blurts out after the Crab incredulously. "Is that proper!? I mean, well... I suppose the situation calls for it."

Another deep, resigned sigh escapes the samurai-ko as she follows closely behind the Crab and Unicorn.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Don't know if they can hear me inside or not, so

Spoiler:

"Are you under threat in there?" There's nothing going on out here!"

If they can hear me, then let them know they can read it, if they can't then let me know there's no response...

[DM Shisumo]

From within the white shroud of the fog, Ume calls out, “I am here! I am here!” from her position toward the front of the group.

Almost at the same time, Yukari calls out, “Asako-san? Megumi-san, is she all right?”

Megumi replies, “Nothing that I can tell, but this mist makes it hard to be certain.”

The Crane is answered by an oddly sluggish-sounding Nagatsuna, who rumbles, “Shu..genja. Trying to....knock...me out. We must....get out of this mist....so...we can see our enemies.”

“Yes, we need to get out of this now,” Yukari answers. “Back the way we came.”

With a grunt that sounds like great effort, Nagatsuna says, “You lead and I’ll follow.”

In seeming answer, Megumi says, “I hope we don't fall off the edge... Hida-san, is that proper!? I mean, well... I suppose the situation calls for it.”

From beyond the fog, Heihachi calls, “Are you under threat in there? There’s nothing going on out here!”

You can post speech outside spoilers, because you can all hear one another. Actions should remain hidden, however.

Nagatsuna, Megumi, Yukari, Daichi:

Spoiler:

Daichi approaches the group out of the fog, finding Nagatsuna carrying an unconscious Ryoko over his shoulder. Even as he does so, though, a form seems to materialize out of the fog from above the group, flying slowly through the mist. It swoops down and grabs ahold of Ryoko’s arm, trying to tear her from Nagatsuna’s grasp. It is Tombo Ukiya, and he is shouting as he wrestles with the Crab. See below for his words.

I need a Strength/Athletics roll from Nagatsuna.

From within the fog, a familiar voice calls, “She is mine! Mine! I will have her, and I will let none of you stop me!” It is the voice of Tonbo Ukiya.

Battle Map again

[Kakita Megumi]

"Tonbo you will unhand Asako-san now!" Megumi cries out with fury etched in her words. "Unless you desire a taste of cold steel."

Daichi, Nagatsuna, Shisumo, Yukari

Spoiler:

While she speaks the Crane enters her battle stance, one hand poised over her sword as though offering a gift.

Is it possible to reach Ukiya given my current position with my sword? If not then ignore the following. If I can my attack roll: 6k3+3=27, and damage roll: 5k2=18

I'm guessing this all hinges on whether or not Nagatsuna wins the check.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Shisumo:

Spoiler:

I'm not sure whether it would effect this situation or not but if Nagatsuna goes berserk does that help him at all with the strength/athletics check or the negative modifier? It cancels out wound penalties so I am unsure. If it does, great, than he'll do it. If not, than he won't....yet.

Shisumo, Megumi, and Yukari:

Spoiler:

Tapping some inner reserve of energy the Crab's muscles bunch with the effort of holding onto the defenseless Ryoko and barks out in his deep voice, "Not today....or any other day......Tonbo. Megumi! Now is not the time for idle chatter.....STRIKE!"

Strength/Athletics with void point spent: 6d10.open(10).takeHighest(4)=34

[Kuni Heihachi]

Can I counterspell the fog?

Heihachi begins to feel Tonbo may be tainted and even if he's not a Jade Strike will at least make him feel shame for his actions...

Heihachi heads toward the bridge.

[Utaku Yukari]

"What are you doing!? This is madness, Tonbo!" Yukari shouts back at the Dragon.

Nagatsuna, Megumi, Shisumo

Spoiler:

Yukari's hand is on her blade as she realises that the shugenja is trying to pull Ryoko away from Nagatsuna. Arashi's hooves clatter on the wooden boards of the bridge as the Unicorn tries to direct him into a better position. With so many people so close, the battle maiden realises that attacking may be too risky to Nagatsuna or Ryoko - there is little she can do unless the shugenja manages to wrest the unconscious Phoenix away from the Hida (and she would guess that Nagatsuna probably had the advantage here..). Therefore, the battle maiden readies herself to strike should Ukiya manage to succeed in his attempt.

[Matsu Ume]

"Tonbo!?" Ume called out, swiftly turning around into the direction she heard the calls from.

"I'm coming back" She announced, and strode back towards the center.

[Kuni Heihachi]

well? Shisumo-sama?

[Shiba Utsuro]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

well? Shisumo-sama?

Everyone - Please see the discussion forum for an important announcement.

[Kakita Megumi]

Linky for discussion thread.

[GM-Edonichi]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

Can I counterspell the fog?

You can't, actually. Generally speaking, Counterspells can only be used while the target spell is being cast. Additionally, your earlier spellcraft check tells you that you probably wouldn't have been able to meet the Mastery Level to counter it anyway.

Heihachi:

Spoiler:

As you move towards the bridge, you see that a merchant and his wagon have been stopped by the guards as another man appears to be sorting through the contents of the wagon.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Spoiler:

So the guards are paying no attention to the fog on the bridge? and the Shouting Samurai?

[GM-Edonichi]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:

The two ashigaru appear to be busy arguing with the merchant, who is insisting that he be allowed to cross the bridge.

[GM-Edonichi]

"Tonbo, you will unhand Asako-san now!" Megumi's shout accompanies the sharp ring of a drawn blade. "Unless you desire a taste of cold steel!"

"Ah-hah! It seems the vaunted skills of the Crane are no match for our love, Ryoko-chan!" replies the almost coo-ing voice of the flying Dragon shugenja. "Unhand her, you beast!" he cries, using one hand to hold the young woman while attempting to pry her away from the Hida's grip.

"What are you doing!? This is madness, Tonbo!" Yukari shouts back at the Dragon.

"Not today....or any other day......Tonbo. Megumi! Now is not the time for idle chatter.....STRIKE!" bellows Nagatsuna, anger clearly striving to overcome the weariness that has settled in to his every muscle.

"Tonbo!? I'm coming back" came the voice of Ume, as she approached the area from where the voices echoed.

"Nnngghh..whe.. What are you doing, Crab-san!? Ukiyo!!?" The bleary voice of Asako Ryoko turns to a startled cry as she is pulled by the two men.
Nagatsuna

Spoiler:

I get to be the bad guy all around! While raging *would* protect you from TN pentalties due to wounds, it does not offer the same protection to spell effects like this one. I need another Strength/Athletics roll.

Everyone except Heihachi:

Spoiler:

Megumi's sword barely misses the Tonbo, as she carefully avoids hitting the drowsy Nagatsuna and barely-waking Ryoko.

The shugenja makes another attempt to wrest Ryoko away from Nagatsuna, just as Ume steps close enough to the fray to see what is going on.

Yukari can just barely make out the form of the Lion as she returns to the group.

While it is possible for an unmounted samurai to hit the flying Tonbo with a katana, he is just high enough that a pole-arm or spear of some kind would offer a better strike.

Everyone should make a Tides of Battle Roll. Updated Map Here.

[Hida Nagatsuna]

Everyone except Heihachi:

Spoiler:

"The mountain.....is....not....so easily....moved." The strain however is obvious to those around him.

Strength/Athletics roll: 5d10.open(10).takeHighest(3)=27 Does he have any free raises for having won the contest last round? He also has even more experience with Jiujutsu, does that help?

Ummmm, how do I make a Tides of Battle roll?

[GM-Edonichi]

GM-Edonichi wrote:

Everyone should make a Tides of Battle Roll.

I forgot that we didn't really have a combat in the other mod.

Tides of Battle: After each initiative round, each combatant that was not wounded in the previous round rolls 1d10 (non-exploding) and adds the result to their Initiative. If a combatant wounded an opponent during the previous round, they may choose to subtract their roll from that opponent's Initiative instead.

Nagatsuna:

Spoiler:

This isn't really a grapple test. In this situation, you are working against a set TN 20.

[Kakita Megumi]

Everyone except Heihachi. Poor guy is so excluded :P Tides of Battle is just 1d10 added to your initiative Nagatsuna (or subtracted from an opponent you injured), my Tides of Battle: 1d10=4

Spoiler:

Dang, I should have stolen a yari from the Daidoji! I'll trying striking again using Void for good measure, Attack Roll: 7k4+3=25 Bleh! Damage if needed: 5k2=13

Megumi's voice rings out through the fog once again. "There is no love here, only a madman trying to steal away an innocent samurai! Utaku-san do your best to strike him down!"

GM-Edonichi-sama

Spoiler:

I don't suppose there's any way I could leap up to reach him? Maybe using Arashi or something on the bridge? I know, it's a long-shot.

[Kuni Heihachi]

Hiehachi is used to being the outsider remember? almost the entire last module he excluded himself. Want me to roll one also? haven't really been involved in the actual battle...

[GM-Edonichi]

Kakita Megumi wrote:

GM-Edonichi-sama** spoiler omitted **

Megumi

Spoiler:

If the combat were happening closer to the edge of the bridge, there might be a support pole or something to leap off of. There is a fairly sturdy looking Crab here, though....

[GM-Edonichi]

Kuni Heihachi wrote:

Want me to roll one also? haven't really been involved in the actual battle...

Oh, but you are! Please roll.

[GM-Edonichi]

Daichi

Spoiler:

From somewhere behind you, Fuguki mumbles something just loud enough for you to hear. "Rogues and Assassins.. widows and orphans.. neither are friends to families..."