Kenshin charges towards the courtier district just behind the fleeing Ru-Fang.  Meanwhile, Kedo once again intercepts the arrows launched in your direction--this time joined by Kakita Ichiro.  Yet another volley of arrows is fired.

OOC:  really?  none of you want to start inching your way to the courtier district?  or towards the attacking enemy?

Initiative Order and current attack postures (feel free to post in whatever order you wish and correct any errors in my assumptions)
Daidoji Sakura 70 no action taken
Bayushi Kenshin 58 full attack posture (running towards courtier district)
Kakita Ichiro 42 full attack posture (intended use of Yadomejutsu)
Moto Gyatso 30 full defense
Doji Sotan 24 full defense
Enemy 18 action taken
Kedo 17 full attack posture (intended use of Yadomejutsu)

Arrow Cutting TN:  30
Bow Strength:  1
If you are on full defense, you may move half your speed (Water Ring x10')
[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: make a perception/investigation roll, the notice emphasis applies, raw perception if you don't have the skill]
[Private to Doji Kanisai: make a perception/investigation roll, the notice emphasis applies, raw perception if you don't have the skill]
[Private to Lin Ru-Fang: as you approach the Courtier District, you catch sight of a spearhead behind a corner--it seems that there is an ambush waiting in the Courtier District as well]

[Private to Daidoji Sakura: The air kami reveal hundreds of hidden things, most of them very small and a few very large; but only about ten of them are roughly human sized--in a city, expect lots of things to be deliberately hidden (coin, weapons, trysts, etc.)--nine of them are scattered around the most likely points of entry to the Courtier district; some of the them are likely totally unrelated to this situation]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:14, Thu 19 Mar 2009.

[I kinda need to know the results of the spell before I do anything ...]

PM


[Private to Kaze no Kage: Apparently I should have blown on the dice roller ... 25. And that was with a void point ...

09:31, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 25 using 5d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 9,7,5,4,1. Per/Inv + Void.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:47, Thu 19 Mar 2009.

OC - If I can move on full defense then will start doing so. However this round (and next unfortunately since I was nowhere near the raises needed) I'm casting. Since you can't cast and defend that's my action.

PM
[Private to Kaze no Kage: A whole whopping 8.  Kanisai's just effing brilliant. *Snark*]

"There are a handful of people hidden at the entrances to the Courtier district" Sakura said, "but only a few are going to be interested in us."

"But" she said turning around, "I think the Scorpion has the right idea ... it'll be easier to handle a known enemy in close -- that doesn't know we know is there -- than one that can keep firing until it finally kills someone."

Sakura headed towards the Courtier district, knowing that Kedo would be right behind her.

He could be annoying at times -- but he was always efficient.

[ ;p ]

[To be clear: Kenshin will switch to standard posture when (the round that) he approaches the ambushers by the courtier gates. Even if he can't see them, he knows they're there (that's why he charged that way) ... and the last thing he needs right now are more free raises -- especially at the expense of his TNtbH.]

Frustrated by their lack of success in piercing Kedo's veritable curtain of steel, the ambushing archers take more careful aim at their retreating targets.

OOC:  I'm assuming that you're all following Sakura at whatever rate your full defense will allow--except for Moto Gyatso who's casting and Kakita Ichiro who's keeping him safe--please let me know if I'm wrong ^_^

Full Defense does, in fact, allow you to move at half your normal rate of speed--unless you're a Shosuro Shinobi in which case it doesn't affect your speed at all ^_^

As Kenshin approaches one of the gaps between buildings of the Courtier district, he catches sight of two spearheads just before two bushi spring out to attack him.

Lin-Ru Fang also finds his way barred by a spear wielding bushi, though he's not immediately threatening.

Initiative Order and current attack postures (feel free to post in whatever order you wish and correct any errors in my assumptions)
Daidoji Sakura 70 attack posture (running towards courtier district)
Bayushi Kenshin 58 attack posture
Kakita Ichiro 42 full attack posture (intended use of Yadomejutsu)
Moto Gyatso 30 casting
Doji Sotan 24 full defense (moving towards Courtier District)
Enemy 18 action taken (focusing for ranged attack/sneak attacking Kenshin)
Kedo 17 full attack posture (intended use of Yadomejutsu/moving towards Courtier district)

Enemy TNtbH:  31

[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: they've revealed themselves, but you get to act first]
[Private to Doji Kanisai: you're looking for one Daidoji Sayuri, a court shugenja recently arrived in Toshi Ranbo; Doji Kasarugi wants to talk to her regarding the harriers--she's a new PC, but I expect the two of you will arrive in time to help out the other PCs in fighting off the ambush ^_^]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:49, Sun 22 Mar 2009.

 Step by step Kedo moves back with Sakura, the same sense of perception that allows his swords to be moving into the path of arrows that have not yet been loosed keeping him at a constant distance from his ward... The second volley of arrows meets the same fate as the first, perfectly aimed to pierce his flesh in order to slay the well-informed Shugenja, each faultless shaft is instead intercepted by swift-moving steel, the chiselled edge of blades over which he sweated and prayed in the forging meeting similarly swift-moving shafts and striking them from the air in a spray of wood fragments and feathers.

 But he can only keep it up for so long, can only move so fast as his attention remains unfocussed and responsive, and that lack of focus, that moment of perfect unity in which his spirit moves through the void and his body simply follows... a mortal soul can sustain it for only so long.

 But while it lasts it is so very beautiful...

 A man might grow to love his killers, for the insight they offer with their sincerity and skill.


 ---

 Assuming that I moved last round when Sakura did and do the same this round, that puts me one rounds (total) movement towards the courtier district, so if Kedo survives to the end of it, we should be free of further fire. For now.

22:53, Today: Kedo rolled 41 using 8d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,7,9,9,8,5,3,5. One last effort, with void... .

 Well, I might get one or two... but remember, I get no TN mods versus any that get through because I'm staying between the arrows and Sakura. Unless they're aiming at me now to get me out of the way, in which case I get my full defence. ^_^
This message was last edited by the player at 19:29, Sun 22 Mar 2009.

[Do I get the TNtbH or is this a blind TN?]

PM
[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: whoops, fixed it above, but just in case, their TNtbH is 31
oh, and reroll your Know the School check ^_^]
[Private to Kedo: ummm, they're not shooting, they're taking a round to focus for the free raise, so you get to keep your void, unless you want to keep that roll for whatever attack roll you've got to make next ^_^]

PM
[Private to Daidoji Sayuri; Doji Kanisai: Doji Kanisai arrives at Daidoji Sayuri's residence in the Courtier District.]

Finishing his casting Gyatso's skin flickered for a moment, seeming to take on the tone of solid stone before fading from view. His preperations complete he glanced at the Kakita still by his side and shook his head. This was why he hadn't wanted a yojimbo. Anything he did could get this person killed too. With a nod to the man he began his own retreat towards the courtier district, keenly aware of the enemies still targeting them with bows. Ahead he could already see more foes gathering, and they already were assaulting the Scorpion. But not, he noticed, the trader. Unusual.

Kanisai tries to hide his impatience as he arrives in the Courtier district.  Hurrying to the young shugenja's residence, he treid not to snap at the attendants that he was there.  It was his duty to carry this out, which kept his feelings in check.  Now it only led to waiting for the courtier to arrive so he could deliver the message, and the duty would be fulfilled.  He sighed; hopefully with more successful jobs, the governor would trust him enough to send him on more important jobs.

Sayuri was present at her residence, just finishing another hour-long meditative session. Today wasn't a fasting day either, so as she rose up, she reached for a sweet cake, only to hear one of her attendants inform her of the arrival of a samurai visitor.

"Show him in, show him in!" she exclaimed, moving to the sitting room off the foyer to receive Kanisai. It wasn't large, but it would do the job.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:25, Mon 23 Mar 2009.

Kenshin's swordplay was stylistic, but effective. "You should have chosen Seppuku" he said, firmly slicing into one of his opponents, "for where there is one Scorpion that knows a thing, there will always be another."

There were ears around, Kenshin was sure of that. It would do them good to realize that, sometimes, one could not win through victory.

[KtS: Harrier was 25. Hit (roll was 56), Damage was 58. Free raises were distributed as follows: 1 for to hit (bringing the TNtbH down to 26), 4 four damage (for +2k2).

Kenshin gets a total of five free raises in this case -- four for speed, one for skill. And that's without the Tides of Battle roll ...

If there are added raises for making it by way too much (not for combat, ne?), then put them towards "style". Hit location or that sort of thing.

Really, if he's still standing with that much damage, he deserves one more round.

17:38, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 58 using 7d10+10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,8,(10+8)18,8,9,3,3. Damage vs. Harrier.
17:36, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 56 using 10d10+10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,1,2,7,9,7,8,4,(10+2)12,(10+7)17. To Hit  (using one raise).
17:35, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 25 using 4d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 3,9,9,7. KtS: Daidoji Harrier.]

The Lin family may be known for many things in their homeland. Cleverness, style, taste, bargaining, resourcefulness, knowing how to throw a party... but let it never be said that bravery or quickness to engage in combat is one of them.

His way barred by the spear wielding bushi, he draws back immediately, getting ready to dodge and run from the man should the man approach and try to attack him. However, it should be quite apparent that Ru-Fang is no real threat to the man and in order to engage the man's attention, Ru-Fang motions back towards Kenshin, Kedo and Ichiro-- the samurai who have not only drawn their swords, but are cutting down the ambushers at a rate that ought to startle anyone.

"You may wish to assist your friends," he suggests in his most friendly, corgeal and polite voice. He is quite certain that the battle-ready samurai would have no problem cutting down one more opponent between the three of them. In fact, he fully suspects that should the man before him have any sense of self-preservation, he'd run down rather than stick around and face certain death. Whichever the choice is, Ru-Fang puts up his friendliest front to be certain that attacking the outlandish merchant-ronin does not even enter the bushi's head as a valid option.

Kanisai is lead to the sitting room, with the scroll from Kasurugi in his hands.  Ducking to avoid some of the lower beams, he mutters to himself.  His grandfather's house was much larger in the beams to accommodate his Crab body size; it often made it difficult to transition to the traditional Crane size.  Avoiding hitting his head for now, he arrives in the sitting room.

With a bow to Daidoji Sayuri, Kanisai introduces himself.  "An apology for disturbing your day," he begins.  "I am Doji Kanisai, yojimbo for Doji Kasurugi.  He wishes your counsel on the use of the Daidoji harriers."  He offers the summons scroll to the shugenja.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:01, Mon 23 Mar 2009.

Not only the traditional Crane size, really. Daidoji Sayuri herself was small even by Rokugani standards, somewhat under five feet in height. She relaxed on her cushions as she received the summons, and looked at Doji Kanisai.

"The Harriers?" she asked blankly, before reading the scroll. "What could this have to do with me? I am a shugenja of the Asahina School, not a soldier."

Kanisai stays quiet for a second.  He was never much of an actor enough to hide how his thoughts would have an effect on his face; he seems to grind his teeth slightly at the thought that the governor would send him on a wild goose chase.  Taking in a breath to steady his voice, he shifts to a more diplomatic stance.

"I... make no interpretation of the governor's actions," he answers.  "If I could make a guess, it would be that he believes that as a Daidoji courtier, you may still have some insight to your family's tactics."

Sayuri rose to her feet, looking at Kanisai with a nod. "Well, I suppose I've been summoned, one way or another. Doji-san?" she asked, looking up at the large man. "Will you escort me to his presence?"

Kanisai bowed to Sayuri again.  "Of course, Daidoji-san," he replies.  At least escorting someone had some sort of danger to it; this could prove a test of his skills instead of being a simple courier.  Or at least it gave him someone to talk to instead of just grumbling to himself.  "When you have readied yourself."

Sayuri smiled, then disappeared briefly into the back room of her house.

When she was ready, Sayuri stepped out, a soft smile on her face, wearing a court kimono and a visible wakizashi, as well as her scroll satchel and a small furoshiki containing honeycakes. She gave another brief smile at Kanisai, then stepped out and began travelling towards the Court.

Giving an approving nod, Kanisai allowed the courtier ahead and took a defensive posture once they left her home, almost half-hoping to see something that would require his talents rather than simple escort.

The well ordered retreat led by Daidoji Sakura causes the archers to curse and fire hastily, but to no avail.  Their arrows, poorly aimed, fall far short of the the group's original position and even farther from their current path of retreat.  Unwilling to further expose themselves, the archers fade back into the shadows of the guard post.

Bayushi Kenshin's perfect strike cuts clean through the ambushing spearman, causing nearby civilians to take notice, scream, and flee, and providing a scant opening which the other spear wielder takes nearly immediate advantage.  The remaining ambusher takes a step back and stabs the Bayushi bushi even as he brings his weapon back into the guard position.

Doji Kanisai and Daidoji Sayuri immediately notice the increase in traffic coming from one of the palace courtyards, and it is only moment before they hear screams of "Murder!  Ninja!  Assassins!  Lion invasion!" ringing through the courtier district.

"You've been useful in the past, merchant," one of the ambushers blocking Lin Ru-fang snarls as his compatriot moves to attack the advancing samurai, "but do not interfere or you will find your usefulness at an end."

Five spear wielders emerge from the alleys of the courtier district.  One moves to flank Bayushi Kenshin, while the other four advance upon Daidoji Sakura, Doji Sotan, Kakita Ichiro, Moto Gyatso, Bayushi Kenji, and Kedo.

Bayushi Kenshin takes 23 wounds
Enemy Initiative 18
Enemy TNtbH 25
[Private to Bayushi Kenji: you do, in fact, recognize the ambushers as harriers]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:48, Mon 30 Mar 2009.