"Sugimatu is good, we have that ancestral weapon with us, too right? May be worth carrying it in."
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Harlan grins, bolstered by their first success.
"Parity's got a good question though, what if we only find demons for one of the families? Guess we'll try our other options first."
Ameiko nods and leads the way to the Sugimatu tomb on the south side of the quad. As before, she bows respectfully before a shrine and collection of urns. "Emperor Sugimatu Kobashi , I am Ameiko Kaijitsu, er... Amatatsu Ameiko. I have traveled thousands of miles, over the Crown of the World, to aid Minkai in this time of great need. I beseech you for your noble family's blessing, so that the Jade Throne again serves Minkai, and not its treacherous usurpers." She steps back, seemingly quite pleased with her call out.
Musical tones and a whiff of stale wine precede the appearance of the Sugimatu spirit. Kobashi appears before you, his long mustache nearly as profound as his immense girth. He eyes Ameiko hungrily, the avarice clear on his face. "Ah, a performer like myself... Good! This dour country needs some life back in its ruling class!" He barks a laugh, then looks around at each of you in turn, his smile slowly fading. "What? Please tell me someone brought me a drink?"
Malnival smiles and unslings his wine skin from around his waist and holds it out towards the spirit. "I have run out of wine that people of my race prefer but this may do for now."
Kobashi's eyes widen and he takes the offered skin. Greedily, he pops the stopper and gulps down Malnival's wine. The liquid falls through his spectral body and splashes all over the urns and ground. "Oh, yes. You have no idea how thirsty I was! Feels like a century since I last had a drink. Descendants of my family would stop by on occasion to pay their respects -- keen ones would bring a flask of sake or two -- but those lazy wretches haven't even bothered in years." He grunts and takes another long pull from the skin, further expanding the mess.
Malnival slightly shakes his head and glances at each of his friends as he steps back into the group.
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Heng speaks up. "I am not surprised that you have had no visitors lately. The impostor and usurper Amieko Amatatsu mentions has hidden this island and opened a demon gate to the north. The Amatatsu scion would see the false regent brought to justice and a true Empress restored. We have come seeking a blessing from the Sugimatu family."
Kobashi sighs and rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes... duty, honor and all that. Must needs make sure the empire is kept intact." He takes another messy swig, frowning profoundly when he realizes the skin is now empty. He tosses it back to Malnival. "Grim stuff, no doubt. I do not envy you, but then, I was never cut out for such 'adventures'."
He turns back to Ameiko, smiling with a wink. "You and yours have already pleased me greatly with that drink. I'll grant the Sugimatu family blessing, but you must promise me one thing -- when you take the Jade Throne back, you will give Minkai a grand celebration. None of this fireworks and fake dragon parade nonsense, but an extraordinary party, coast to coast, for all classes, high to low. Give them a spectacle not seen since I was alive!"
"Deal?"
Half-grin on her lips, Ameiko looks ready to accept, but then she holds up and looks to the group. "Any objections? 'Predilections' and all things considered, it sounds like a fair offer."
Kiyomi smiles and bows. "It will be a celebration to remember!"
"Lets win before we start planning the party, " Parity growls.
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Harlan nods along.
"I'll cook the finest meal any of you has ever had! After we win of course. Until then...we have more shrines to visit. Any help you can provide us with the next blessings noble spirit?"
Malnival catches the wine bag and places it ba k in its coutomary location. "But of course!"
Kobashi's smile widens, eyes aglitter. "Very good! I look forward to it!" Subtly, sou sense the blessing of the Sugimatu emperor has been bestowed.
"Any help you can provide us with the next blessings noble spirit?"
Kobashi shakes his head, frowning. "Were that I could, but this isle is tainted. Higashiyama Shigure's murder tilted the place out of balance. Most of the good-natured ancestor spirits have been driven away, if not locked out. The corruption in the Well of Demons spreads, further shifting the balance. It is only a matter of time before it consumes all and those fiends have free reign of the place."
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Heng nods along after the group takes their leave of kind-spirited Kobashi. 'Well," he notes to the others. "That was likely to be the easiest blessing earned. I do look forward to meeting Setsuna Shojinawa though. She sounds like an honorable and learned soul. Let us make our way to her cenotaph next."
Frowning, Harlan continues to converse with Kobashi.
"Is there anything we can do to cleanse it and restore balance?"
"Perhaps," Kobashi replies, mirroring Harlan's frown. "Restoring the Higashiyama's body would help some. And if you happen to destroy some of the evil in that pit, it wouldn't hurt. Indeed, some of the benign ancestors would be pleased to see their twisted kin brought down."
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You traverse the cemetery, returning up the path you entered from, then heading towards the northeastern area. As before, the cemetary is quiet but for the wind rustling the leaves, and you still sense that you are being watched. But, unlike before, the demeanor is less sinister and now more curious in nature.
The jagged path ends in a wide cul-de-sac, at the center of which is a white marble cenotaph, at least twenty feet tall. It is marked with Minkaian calligraphy, the dark inks faded from years of exposure. The most prominent symbol is that of the Shojinawa family, and many of the surrounding tombs and markers share the same sigil.
As you enter the cul-de-sac, the ground trembles slightly. A woman in exquisite o-yoroi armor appears before you, beautiful and severe. Her katana remains sheathed, but she rests her hand upon the hilt.
"I sensed your approach. After so many years of silence, any visitors are immediately obvious. And one of royal blood, especially so," she nods, acknowledging Ameiko."As you no doubt already know, I am Empress Shojinawa Setsuna. You have come seeking my blessing in order to claim the Jade Throne." She raises an eye brow, stoically unimpressed.
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Heng bows low. "O Warrior Empress, you are correct, but we have not come only to seek your blessing. We have come to right a wrong. We have already defeated the treacherous serpent, Shiori, whose presence has defiled this holy place. And we have spoken to the murdered Emperor Shigure and sworn to recover his body and if we can, close this Well of Demons and remove the dishonorable blight upon this sacred island of ancestors. Then with your blessing, we will throw down the usurper and restore Minkai's rightful ruler."
Kiyomi bows as Heng does, keeping her eyes downcast. "Please oh great Empress, we beg your pardon and your blessing. Shall we display our prowess to prove our worth?"
Setsuna emits a weary groan and shakes her head. "Please, stop. I've seen enough of that simpering supplication to last several lifetimes. Stand, be proud. Minkai needs warriors -- it wouldn't be in such a sorry state if its leaders showed stiffer backbones and were less worried with personal pride and saving face."
"You wish my blessing, you will have to do me a favor: a duel, one-on-one combat, blade against blade, no magic or tricks. Prove to me your worthiness of arms and strength of integrity." She pats the hilt of her katana. "Who will face me?"
"I will fight you, but if it is to be fair, you must close your eyes, for I do not have any."
Parity brandishes Suishen and removes his blindfold to demonstrate his point.
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Malnival frowns at the rules and defers to his blind friend.
Setsuna offers Parity a wide smile. "You carry Suishen. This is Meiyosen, Honor of the Shojinawa," she says, patting the blade at her hip. "These blades are cousins, forged at the hand of the same weaponsmith."
She moves to stand a few paces in front of Parity and sketches a perfunctory bow. "I accept your challenge, though I warn you again: no magic or trickery."
"You can do it Parity!"
"No magic, no tricks. So be it," Parity dismisses all his spells and strips down, removing his boots, cloak, armor, gloves, belt, and ioun stones. He drops his shield and drives Suishen in to the ground. He then draws his practice blade, an old katana he has had for some time.
"You may be matchless, Empress, but I have been fighting in the pits as a slave since I was born. I am no man's better, yet no man is my better. I am Parity."
He holds his katana at the ready and inclines his head slightly.
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Kiyomi begins to sing, a song of battle and victory. It's not magical, but music has a magic of its own. She tries to pick a ballad that Empress Setsuna would remember.
Malnival silently groans as he watches his friend actually remove all items of use. This may be a slaughter.
Setsuna raises an eyebrow, but gives a conceding nod. "You may keep Suishen. It would be fitting for these blades to face each other." She sheds the heavy pieces of her armor until only her robe remains.
Kiyomi strikes up a rousing battle song as Setsuna and Parity face off. She unsheathes Meiyosen and sets a guard stance in one fluid motion. "Let us begin... fight!"
Parity
Male human vanguard 13
N Medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +24
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Defense
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AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (+3 deflection, +2 Dex)
hp 122 (13d8+34)
Fort +13 (+5 circumstance bonus vs. cold weather), Ref +9, Will +12
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee katana +10 (2d8+10/18-20) or
. . guardian of the amatatsu suishen +12 (2d8+12/15-20 plus 1d6 fire and 1d6 fire)
Special Attacks arcane smite, vanguard blast, vanguard's spell penetration, weapon channel
Vanguard Spell-Like Abilities (CL 13th; concentration +16)
. . 3/day—vanguard blast
. . —arcane smite
. . —vanguard's spell penetration
. . —weapon channel
Vanguard Spells Known (CL 13th; concentration +16)
. . 5th (1/day)—geniekind, siphon magic
. . 4th (3/day)—bestow curse (DC 17), greater invisibility, stoneskin, vitriolic mist[UM]
. . 3rd (5/day)—countless eyes[UM] (DC 16), force punch[UM] (DC 16), keen edge, vampiric touch
. . 2nd (6/day)—belker's claws, bull's strength, ghoul touch (DC 15), invisibility, mirror image
. . 1st (6/day)—chill touch (DC 14), corrosive touch[UM], feather fall, touch of gracelessness[APG] (DC 14), true strike
. . 0 (at will)—detect magic, mending, resistance, root[UM], touch of fatigue (DC 13), touch of lethargy (DC 13)
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Statistics
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Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 7, Wis 12, Cha 16
Base Atk +9; CMB +10; CMD 28
Feats - Custom Feat -, Accursed Critical[UM], Arcane Strike, Blind-fight, Combat Casting, Critical Focus, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (katana), Lunge, Power Attack, Shield Focus, Skill Focus (Perception), Step Up, Vital Strike
Traits childhood crush, killer
Skills Climb +8, Fly +6, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +18, Knowledge (arcana) +2, Knowledge (engineering) +2, Linguistics +2, Perception +24, Ride +6, Spellcraft +2, Stealth +14, Survival +5, Swim +8
Languages Common, Tien
SQ arcane bond weapon, arcane strike, enhance bond weapon, iron grip, spell maneuvers (advanced maneuvers, spell block, spell grapple, spell sunder), swift spell, vanguard's tactics
Combat Gear jingasa of the fortunate soldier[UE], potion of vanish, terra-cotta talisman, warrior, unfettered shirt[UE], bladeguard[APG], vermin repellent[UE] (2), water purification sponge[UE], weapon blanch (silver)[APG] (4); Other Gear +2 mithral chain shirt, +2 light fortification heavy steel shield, guardian of the amatatsu suishen[UC], katana[UC], belt of incredible dexterity +2, boots of striding and springing, chaincloth cloak, dusty rose prism ioun stone, glove of storing, headband of alluring charisma +2, necklace of adaptation, pink rhomboid ioun stone, portable hole, bear trap[APG] (2), cold weather outfit, flint and steel, masterwork backpack[APG], pesh (4), scarf[UE], silk rope (50 ft.), skates, skis and poles, snowshoes[APG], wandermeal[UE] (5), waterproof bag[UE], waterskin, winter blanket, platinum arm ring, 4,821 gp, 5 sp
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Special Abilities
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Accursed Critical Confirm a critical hit and cast a curse as part of the attack
Arcane Bond Weapon (Katana) (Ex) At 1st level, a vanguard forms a powerful bond with a specific weapon. Should the vanguard ever have to replace the weapon (see below), he must choose another weapon of the same kind (longsword, dagger, short bow, etc.).
This bond allows the vanguar
Arcane Smite (Swift Action) (Sp) Expend a spell slot to store raw magical energy in his bonded weapon as a swift action.
Arcane Strike At 1st level, a vanguard gains Arcane Strike as a bonus feat.
Arcane Strike As a swift action, add +1 damage, +1 per 5 caster levels and your weapons are treated as magic for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Blind-Fight Re-roll misses because of concealment, other benefits.
Combat Casting +4 to Concentration checks to cast while on the defensive.
Critical Focus +4 to confirm critical hits.
Enhance Bond Weapon (Su) As a standard action, a vanguard of 9th level or higher may enhance his bonded weapon by adding one of the following weapon qualities: defending, flaming, frost, ghost touch, shock or thundering. The vanguard may only have one such quality in effect
Iron Grip +6 (Ex) +6to his CMD when defending against opponents' attempts to disarm or sunder his bonded weapon
Lunge Can increase reach by 5 ft, but take -2 to AC for 1 rd.
Power Attack -3/+6 You can subtract from your attack roll to add to your damage.
Spell Block (3/day) (Sp) As an immediate action the vanguard can attempt to block certain spells with his arcane bond weapon. This is treated as though the vanguard was using a quickened dispel magic with the changes noted below.
The vanguard must make a dispel check (1d20
Spell Grapple (Sp) When the vanguard successfully uses his spell block ability, he stores the blocked spell in his bonded weapon. As a full round action, the vanguard can release the stored spell, making all decisions necessary to cast it and using his own caster level
Spell Sunder (Sp) The vanguard can attempt to dispel spell effects with his arcane bonded weapon. As a standard action the vanguard attacks one target with his bonded weapon. If the attack succeeds, the weapon deals normal damage and the vanguard makes a dispel check
Step Up When a foe makes a 5 ft step away from you, you can move 5 ft to follow them.
Swift Spell (3/day) (Su) +3 to hit, +13 to damage, +3 deflection bonus to AC when used.
Vanguard Blast +6d4 (3/day) (Sp) +6d4 damage as a standard action.
Vanguard's Spell Penetration +2 (Sp) Additional +2 bonus to caster level checks made to penetrate spell resistance.
Vanguard's Tactics (Ex) Beginning at 3rd level, as a full round action a vanguard may grant a circumstance bonus equal to his Int bonus to critical hit confirmation rolls, combat maneuver checks, Spellcraft checks, and initiative checks to all allies within 30 feet who can
Vital Strike Standard action: x2 weapon damage dice.
Weapon Channel (Save Spells) (Sp) Make a concentration check as if casting defensively (DC 15 + double the spell's level) in order to avoid losing the spell if the attack misses.
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Blindfolded and ear's perked, Setsuna hesitates for a half-second, as if surprised by Parity's slow reaction. She opens with a direct attack, putting all her strength into a single, devastating swing.
; ;
Parity retaliates with an up-down slashing combo, using his honed senses to take advantage of the blinded empress and land a telling cut of his own.
Setsuna makes an impressed noise and shifts tactics, dropping her power stance for a more fluid one. Heng notes how fluidly the empress changes styles, almost at the speed of her thoughts as she considers her next move.
Parity hears the empress intake air a split second before she comes in, Meiyosen slashing and stabbing from several sectors in quick succession.
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; ;
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Blinded, most of the strikes miss by an inch or two, but the one that connects, connects hard.
Parity grunts and licks at a stream of blood that appears from the edge of his mouth. He takes a step back and lunges forward showing his style and reach, shifting to a 2-handed grip since he has no shield. He slashes twice at the Empress's head looking for damaging blows to end this quickly since he won't survive another volley .
Parity counterattacks with two powerful slashes, but is foiled by his own handicap. Setsuna, although not as skilled at fighting blind, keeps moving her position just enough to be very elusive.
Setsuna moves in like a shark sensing blood in the water. She feints high, then reverses low but misses, then spins her weapon low and slices her blade along Parity's abdomen. Her control is exquisite, and though she could easily have disemboweled Parity with the strike, she leaves only a bloody line across his stomach.
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; ;
After Parity falls, Setsuna whips Meiyosen out and down and renders a bow and salute. Ameiko's and Harlan's healing quickly bring Parity back to consciousness.
Setsuna gives Parity a smile and her frank assessment. "Your skill with a blade is admirable, but you have a long way to go before you can call yourself a master. Were it not for the blindfolds, this duel would have ended much sooner. Perhaps an over-reliance on spells and magic tricks is slowing your advancement."
"Know that Soto Takahiro is a veteran samurai and exceptional swordsman. I fear if you face him in combat, the results will be much as they were just now. You will need more training, or ply some other advantages to your favor."
Harlan looks up at Setsuna after he has healed Parity.
"I don't think our plan was, strictly speaking, to fight 'fair'."
"Is Soto Takahiro an honorable man?" Kiyomi asks.