The spearman's strike was good, though not quite perfect. It was good enough to make Kenshin feel it, however ... almost -- but not quite -- good enough to put him down.

Almost.

Kenshin's second strike was not quite so perfect, but it was none-the-less one that the Sensei at the Kakita Academy would approve of. He had been taught to fight through the pain, and did so once again.

This time, though, it was for real.

Kenshin focused through the pain, and looked at the spearman who had penetrated his defenses so easily. Today, one of them would succeed.

The other would die.

"There is no failure ..." he said, slicing through his assailant.

Kenshin knew that there was one more to take care of. One more that, given the skill level of these warriors, would probably seal his fate.

'... only success or death.'

[Hit, Damage 47.

Called one raise on the strike; already have 5 free. +15 injury modifier; 10 taken care of by skill level. (Not that it actually mattered). Modified TNtbH is 35 (1 raise, +5 injurty). Hit. Using raises to add 3k3 to damage. Damage: 47. Free raises by excess roll (rolled 56, needed a 30) will be taken on style once again.

10:45, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 47 using 8d10+10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+5)15,6,2,3,4,7,5,4. Damage (6 raises).
10:43, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 56 using 10d10+10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,9,(10+4)14,2,5,(10+4)14,4,3,9,4. To Hit, calling one raise.

If Kenshin is hit, he will use a Void to lighten the blow (-10 damage).]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Sat 28 Mar 2009.

With more enemies once more making their presence felt Gyatso continued toards the others, producing another scroll from his case as he advanced. This time sending his prayer up to the water kami with even more force than usual he brough forth a stave of water with some difficulty, the drain of invoking the kami's attention almost beyond him. However the prayer worked, and now armed he joined the others in an advance on the spearmen.

[Private to GM: OC - Bo of Water with Mastery. Actually forgot my affinity so should have rolled more dice but I made it anyway. 16:53, Today: Moto Gyatso rolled 32 using 6d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 7,8,7,(10+7)17,5,3. Bo of water. ]

(This would be my turn to move in. For initiative...
10:43, Today: Daidoji Sayuri rolled 40 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,8,9,8,2,(10+5)15,6.)

There was a battle going on out in the district, that was clear, and Saiyuri carefully looked through the crowd of too-tall people to see what was happening. What was happening, apparently, was a general gang-attack by charging spearmen. Several charging spearmen, without any visible mon, attacking a band including a very lovely young woman of Sayuri's own family.

Sayuri looked to Kanisai. "We must help them, Doji-san!" she exclaimed. The voice of her tutors echoed in her mind, counseling her not to become involved in violence...and she promptly ignored it. Shugenja or not, she was Daidoji first and foremost, and Daidoji did not simply let their kin be attacked.

She quickly fumbled for a scroll. Pulling it out, she began to recite a prayer to the kami of Air, to soothe and weaken the minds of the five foes. She smiled as the kami answered; hopefully, those who had not yet engaged in combat would not be physically active enough, yet, to resist her siren call. If not, they would still be lulled and weakened.

(Void point spent for Asahina technique.
11:08, Today: Daidoji Sayuri rolled 42 using 9d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,8,5,6,(10+2)12,1,8,8. Wind-Borne Slumbers, three Raises, TN 30.

Taking one free raise to add an additional target.

Five thugs, including Kenshin's flanker, affected. All roll -2 dice if currently involved in taxing physical activity; if not, they keel over and take a nap.)

The attackers knew him personally? Well, Ru-Fang was hardly vein enough for that to not surprise him to some degree. Granted, he had done dealings with both the highest and the lowest in Rokugan and often served as a liason between two such groups, but he could not help but think that he did not recognize the agency from which these men hailed.

"Of course not!" he exclaimed somewhat defensively, as though the idea that he'd rush into battle thoughtlessly was somewhat offensive. "I must confess, I would not be certain on whose behalf I would intervene even if I were to do so."

However, this battle was not going well, too many sacrifices had been made already staining the floor and the reputation of the courtier district. Being too meddlesome to simply leave well enough alone he could not help but advise gently, "Would it not be better to identify yourselves rather than letting arrows and spears speak for you? Perhaps you would find others more cooperative and sympathetic to your cause."

That was a few more people than she was expecting, even with the knowledge that they were there. But, then again, even one was too many for the sneaky shugenja.

She always knew, of course, that her job had its hazards. That was one of the reasons that she had Kedo hired in the first place. Sakura decided that this was the perfect place, and the perfect time ... for a little deception.

"You see, Kedo-Kun" she said, just a touch too loud, "the traitors fell into our trap ..."

[Hold action. If any of the assailants get past Kedo et al, she'll do something.]

Kanisai nearly swore.  He wasn't expecting this sort of resistance, though he did look forward to the rush of battle.  Lion assassins?!  There was going to be some serious talks from the governor to the lack of security here.  Drawing his sword, he held to his task of escorting Daidoji Sayuri by positioning himself between her and the assailants.


23:04, Today: Doji Kanisai rolled 31 using 6d10+3, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(10+2)12,2,7,7,7. Inish.  Holding action until an assailant moves to attack Sayuri.

 The numbers are growing more reasonable now, with the arrival of a force of spearmen to prevent the groups escape, but even so, the appearance of the foe as Ashigaru-armed warriors is... wrong somehow.

 Not more than a few hours ago, Kedo himself rose naked and unarmed from a bathtub to kill three well-armed and well-trained assassins, wound a fourth and capture a fifth in something like ten to twelve seconds of bloody carnage. Some of his companions have demonstrated similar own skills (if not quite so spectacularly) in their own fields... Were he to seek the death of one stood amongst them, the only prudent course would be to drown them in bodies.

 This thought trails through his mind as his body moves smoothly to face each new threat, rotating around Sakura the moment she's out of the direct line of fire of the archers in order to intercept her share of whatever spear-armed foe heads towards her, though he makes no effort to charge them down.

 ---

 I go after the Ashigaru because of a low Initiative roll, but there are all kinds of heroes with high dice pools to go first. Let me know what comes through the mincing machine to stab me and if I survive, I'll thump it. ^_^

Kenshin's second attack is as effective as his first, and his second enemy falls in a shower of blood.

The spearmen moving to attack the armed samurai stumble for a moment, as if the ashigaru armor that they are wearing under their blue yukata is suddenly too heavy for them.  Reconsidering their rash action, the armored spear wielding soldiers slow their advance and take a defensive stance.

The one threatening Lin Ru-Fang exhales heavily mid-sentence and collapses into unconsciousness.

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
Bayushi Kenshin 58 attack posture
Kakita Ichiro 42 attack posture
Daidoji Sayuri 40 attack posture
Doji Kanisai 31 attack posture
Moto Gyatso 30 attack posture
Doji Sotan 24 attack posture
Enemy 18 action taken (full defense)
Kedo 17 attack posture

Enemy TNtbH:  31/64

You all act first (except for Kedo ^_^) so you get to hit them before they manage to put up their defenses.  All 6 of the enemies are within striking distance.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:21, Fri 03 Apr 2009.

Well, to be completely honest this wasn't the first time a Rokugani had fallen asleep on him in the middle of one of his talks-- although his suggestions had hardly seemed long or dull enough to have caused this effect. And what was it with the uncanny Rokugani ability to fall asleep in the strangest of places? On floors, sitting at tables, standing at court, in the streets, in booths at the manga store, on the train... wait, scratch those last two. The point is-- the guard was just being rude.

Well, not being one to fail to seize the advantage when it presented itself, Ru-Fang bent down as though checking on the ashigaru for injuries. At least he did his absolute best to look concerned and trying his best to help, but really his goal was to get that spear out of the man's reach while checking him over for identification or other clues as to who he is or who he might be working for. Again, he doesn't do this blatantly or lightly, having no intention of harming or disturbing the man more than necessary-- should the man awaken it should appear as though he is just being checked out to see why he suddenly collapsed.

[What happened with Kenshin's KtS: Harrier roll? Did the one on him strike last turn? Or did he do something else?]

PM[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: whoops, I forgot to post the resolution to Kenshin's attack--I'll fix that momentarily--but as for the KtS check, you do recognize them as harriers, and the guy coming up behind you thought better of attacking (he's on full defense)]

"Well" Sakura said to no one in particular, "We'll be able to take one of them alive anyway."

Otherwise, Sakura did her best to stay out of everyone's way. Battle was not her forte', but if she couldn't even walk the cities without getting attacked then she was going to have to change that ...

[Full Defense, Unskilled. I'll roll if anyone actually gets close enough to try ... not likely, though, with Kedo around ... ;D]

"Be wary, Ichiro-Kun!" Kenshin said, turning to face his sole remaining attacker. "These are not Ashigaru -- they are Samurai, trained among the Elite Daidoji Irregulars*!"

The blood was still flowing from his wound, but even with his injuries he would not allow himself to accidentally insult his friends clan. He did not say that these were Crane.

He would let another make that announcement.

Blood still flowing from his wound, Kenshin struck at his final attacker.

[Or however one would say "Harriers".

The strike is blind, so I didn't know where to assign the raises (5 free). Because I didn't know where to assign the raises, I couldn't roll damage.

He has a +5 penalty for wounds; if, by some miracle, he gets more raises based on his roll they'll be assigned to style. Whatever of his "normal" raises he doesn't use to hit he'll use on damage.

20:47, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 45 using 10d10+10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,2,3,3,3,(10+4)14,5,3,6,7. To Hit (Blind). ]

Launching himself at the nearest opponent swiftly and without restraint Gyatso swung the bo he'd created crosswise at the nearest enemy, relying on force more than anything else to make his point as it lashed out at the man. Pulling the blow back sharply as quickly as he'd first struck the shugenja kept the weapon moving, flecks of water flying free as he spun the staff in his hands.

[Private to GM: OC - Full attack psoture using the raises for more accuracy. Attack roll was 26 +15 for the raises so should hit.
...wow. Now that roll is just made of failure. 7 damage. I thought the attack roll was bad:)]

(Waiting for Ichi-kun. One more day...)

Sayuri stowed her scroll back in its satchel and waited, keeping an eye out for whatever might happen.

Going on Full Defense and otherwise hiding behind the big yojimbo.

Kenshin turns and strikes the approaching enemy even as he staggers under the weight of Daidoji Sayuri's spell...[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: waiting on the resolution to this until after you roll damage ^_^]

Lin Ru-Fang removes the spear from the unconscious bushi's immediate grasp and begins a thorough search of the man.  He finds several knives--a few balanced for throwing--a whetstone, and...[Private to Lin Ru-Fang: make a perception/investigation check, the notice emphasis applies]

Meanwhile, the two groups of bushi face each other--neither side willing to make the first move.  The tableau is broken, however, when Moto Gyatso lashes out with the bo offered to him by the kami.  The watery staff strikes the lead spear wielder square in the face, breaking his nose and knocking him back a few paces.  Silence reigns for a moment as the bushi raises his hand disbelieving to his now bleeding nose.  Eyes narrowing, he looks at Moto Gyatso.  "Kill them," he commands, and then the battle begins in earnest.


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 full defense
Bayushi Kenshin 58 attack posture [Private to Bayushi Kenshin: remember to roll damage for your last attack and whatever actions you're performing this round]
Kakita Ichiro 42 attack posture
Daidoji Sayuri 40 full defense
Doji Kanisai 31 attack posture
Moto Gyatso 30 attack posture
Doji Sotan 24 attack posture
Enemy 18 action taken (attack)
Kedo 17 attack posture

Enemy TNtbH:  31

Once again, you're all acting before they do.  One each is moving to engage Ichiro, Gyatso, Kedo and Sakura, leaving Kanisai, Sayuri, and Gyatso free to  attack whomever they wish.  Bayushi Kenshin's opponent may or may not be down, pending the results of his damage roll.

[Private to Kaze no Kage: Damage on the first strike was only 27 ... the second, though, should be fine ... ;D]

Kenshin's strike wasn't quite perfect, but it was satisfying.

'A perfect strike that misses is not perfect, Bayushi-San; an imperfect strike that works is not imperfect.'

[Hit ... barely. Damage: 69.

15:06, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 69 using 8d10+10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of (10+10+7)27,8,2,6,1,2,9,9. Damage (6 raises).
15:04, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 47 using 10d10+10, dropping the 6 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,8,9,(10+2)12,5,7,2,7,8. To Hit, calling one raise.
14:58, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 27 using 8d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,9,2,8,5,3,3. Damage vs. Harrier.]

Allowing himself a tight smile at the man's surprise Gyatso continued with the attack, holding himself in a slightly more restrained manner as he struck this time. Bringing the bo around in a fresh swing he grinned widert as he felt it connect, droplets from the impact flying back into his own face as he pulled away again. A slightly better strike this time.

[Private to GM: OC Attack posture, attack roll of 39 hitting nicely for 18 damage]

"I have a message for your leaders ..." Sakura told her attackers, still doing her best to stay out of Kedo's way, "should you survive to tell it."

"Tell them that the corruption they embrace will destroy that they wish to save."

[Do I need to make an Oratory roll, or is this just a speech?]

Kanisai stood fast for the most part, protecting Sayuri... But he admitted that the battle seemed odd.  But he couldn't think about it too long, he had to be on the defense in case Sayuri was attacked, though he itched to get in there on the offensive.


Full Defense

Bayushi Kenshin's attacker falls in a fountain of blood.

[Private to Lin Ru-Fang: still waiting on that Perception/Investigation roll...]

Moto Gyatso's weapon slams neatly into his opponent's body, certainly breaking a few ribs.  But the ambusher is a bushi of the highest caliber and does not let the damage done to his body distract him from his purpose as he drives his spear home into Gyatso's body--much to Kakita Ichiro's chagrin.

Meanwhile Kedo's daisho weaves a veritable curtain of steel, stopping every thrust made against himself and his charge.

Daidoji Sayuri and Doji Kanisai both take defensive postures--which none of their enemies choose to test.


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 full defense
Bayushi Kenshin 58 attack posture
Kakita Ichiro 42 attack posture
Daidoji Sayuri 40 full defense
Doji Kanisai 31 full defense
Moto Gyatso 30 attack posture
Doji Sotan 24 attack posture
Enemy 18 action taken (attack)
Kedo 17 full defense

Enemy TNtbH:  31

Moto Gyatso takes 31 wounds

[How far is Kenshin away from Ichiro-Kun and Gyatso-San?]

 To someone raised to follow the disciplined and painstakingly formulated schools of the Crane it's easy to underestimate Kedo's stance, a relaxed posture with both swords held lightly in hands that are positioned at his sides, feet spread just enough for undemonstrative balance without compromising his ability move.

 And then at the moment of decision he's swaying to the side as the two 'Ashigaru' move towards him with perfectly coordinated technique, one attempting to engage his blade and prevent him from responding whilst the other lunges past to assault Sakura.

 Unfortunately, while their technique is perfect Kedo's is not, but rather is formulated in the moment, time becoming no-time in accordance with Miromoto's teachings as he moves. The spear-thrust of the first simply passes through empty air just under his left arm whilst the second is elegently deflected by an extension of his katana, lifting it up a hand-span or so at the midpoint of its journey in a way that generates just enough of a shift for the wickedly sharp point to pass through empty air just over Sakuras head.

 And then, without a change in the unearthly, centered calm of his expression he moves from defence to offence... Twice his katana moves as he rotates his body along the line of the spear aimed at himself, once coming in at neck-height from behind his foe, then spinning one in hand and lancing backwards and up towards the ribs in an unexpected thrust while his body continues to turn.

 Without a wasted motion or a loss of timing, Kedo draws the bloodied sword-tip from the flesh of the 'Crane' and sweeps it around in a powerful arc underneath the second warriors spear where it's deflected by a mere hand's-breadth as the more than merely competent opponent knocks it aside where it describes a short, exquisite arc and lashes across the warriors arm, no energy wasted as the simple, gray-clad Ronin substitutes fluidity for the sheer, uncompromising reflex speed of his Kakita-trained companions.

 And blood flows in response.

 ---

 Okay, going from 'Defence' to 'Attack' on my initiative, then taking two attacks on the guy who went for me. I put both free raises to offsetting an extra attack, leaving me needing to hit 41.

 I get a 53 and an 83, for 18 & 23 damage respectively on target 1.

 Two attacks on the second guy (the one who went for Sakura), same pattern. The dice give me a 40 and a 56, resulting in a miss (gasp!) plus one hit that does a mere 12 points

 If the first guy is taken down from his 42 damage, then I get an additional attack (go go Miromoto!) and that's (obviously) directed at dude #2. It hits (with raises for damage) on a 47 and does 48 points of damage. Man down at that point I think. I really hope I knocked out the first guy. ^_^

 Oh, and my TBHN drops like a rock from 63 to 38.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:35, Fri 24 Apr 2009.

In reply to Bayushi Kenshin (msg #91):

OOC:  about 20 yards, you can make it two rounds if you on full defense or 1 round of normal movement