(OOC: It is also a spell, in the healing college of spells.  Yes, it is passive.  Hence, why I am doing nothing but a passive defense at the moment.)

(OOC: If the GM decides that I am incorrect, I reserve the right to retcon my move.)

In reply to Ales Konstantin (msg # 1005):

The archers are three seconds out from returning fire, and are having breathing issues, as well as vision problems.  THe last swordsman is advancing  on Chou,  although he is coughing.

Iskander remains hidden where he is in the room, waiting for the spells effects to end.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Tue 08 Nov 2016.

Airis tries to stab the swordsman moving at Chou.  [Private to GM: 18:02, Today: Airis Moonshadow rolled 16 using 3d6.  1st sword strike.18:02, Today: Airis Moonshadow rolled 10 using 3d6.  second sw strike
18:04, Today: Airis Moonshadow rolled 10 using 2d6+1.  dam.  Missed with the first strike, hit with the 2nd strike by 4.  Where are the archers in relation to me and the swordsman?]






.

Glaring at the oncoming swordsman and switching his queue, Chou-Zhen lashes his lightning whip from his lotus seat position, striking the coughing man.

"You're supposed to breathe and die.  Get on with it!"

[Private to GM: 18:11, Today: Chou-Zhen Mou rolled 5 using 3d6.  Lightning Whip, roll to hit.  Even with -2 for posture, that's good enough.
18:13, Today: Chou-Zhen Mou rolled 9 using 3d6.  Hit Location.
18:14, Today: Chou-Zhen Mou rolled 3 using 1d6.  Lightning Whip, Damage.
NB: it's -2 to target Chou-Zhen because of his posture, also (B551).]

OOC: There are "holes" in the cloud where each party member was when Chou-Zhen cast; if you stay still, there's no problem breathing (at least until or unless a breeze moves the cloud).  And the cloud is visible (yellowish), but not obscuring, so you can see where it is and isn't -- at least if you aren't in it.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Mon 07 Nov 2016.

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 1009):

The swordsman stiffens as Chou-Zhen zaps him, and hthen he grows a sword point in his chest, and collapses, blood pouring  out of him.

From within the cloud, you can hear the coughing of the archers.

Finally on his feet, Jin peers around the corner of the doorway at the cloud, listens to the archers, and waits, because there really isn't anything else he can do.

Remaining where he is for the moment, Ales continues to let the mana in the area do its job.
"Chou, I was wondering, you know, so that I don't have a repeat of the incident with the door.... is this ambient smoke you have given us, flameable?"  Ales had an idea that it was, but wanted to be sure.




[Private to GM: Would the archers and the sword ninjas left be considered native if I cast Mystic Mist?  Under what conditions would they become non-native for purposes of the spell?]

OOC: it's air magic, it's not combustables.

"So far as I know, Ales, it is not; its smell is very similar to what one would obtain by burning sulfur, and the product of that burning does not itself burn -- but as a magical creation, I cannot be certain of its composition.  In any case, it will last only five minutes.  Just long enough for resting to be gainful, if you have learned the knack of gathering mana."

Without moving his body as a whole, Chou-Zhen looks around to check the condition of the archers.

"I hope we can rest here a little longer than that, perhaps with benefit of some of Kho Khilana's cakes to improve our recovery once the cloud dissipates.  I would very much like to regain some of the mana I have spent before we move forward.  Another ten minutes, enhanced by her blessing, seems a good compromise between rest and haste."

Airis quickly looks over the female mage for any valuables or interesting items.

Iskander makes note to invest in a bandoleer of throwing knives, next time out.

"Our foes are not yet defeated, and they may decide to hold their breath and seek you out in the cloud," Jin cautioned. "They are ninja, after all. Ninja carry gadgets."

"If they come, we will deal with them.  If they do not, I must rest."

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 1018):

The ninja appear to be moving, judging by the sounds of their coughing. at least two seem to
be making for the remains of the burning mage, others seem to be heading toward the rear exit
 of the room.


[Private to Ales Konstantine: Manyone in the area of effect when cast is considered native. the idea is to protect a campsite, not create an attack like this cloud.]

[Private to Airis Moonshadow: the woman has a fine looking battle fan, a hungamunga stuck in her chest, a collection of shuriken, and two small vials tucked into a potion belt. hshe has badly damaged thieves mail and ruined fine clothing]

OOC: which way are the ninja headed? are the ones going for the exit, headed my way, where i'm hiding?

With a heavy sigh, Chou-Zhen looks in the direction of the coughing from the approaching ninja.  "No rest for the weary, it seems.  Airis, Ales, beware their approach.  There must be something on the man that they want."

Unfolding his legs, he begins to rise from his resting position.

OOC: We're past 1000 posts in this thread.

She grabs a few things and heads towards the burning mage.

[Private to GM: She takes the fine looking battle fan, the collection of shuriken (how many?), and two small vials tucked into a potion belt.]

Ales sighs.  "I guess the saying from my homeland is true, 'No rest for the wicked'."  He shakes his head, realizing that was not what he meant to say.  "I don't think it translated right."

He continues to rest, but keeps a vigalence in case he has to defend himself or Chou.

(OOC: Passed Perception (13) with a roll of 12.  Just keeping a look out for those nasty ninjas.)

"In my homeland there is another saying. 'Stillness is the greatest revelation.' It means that knowing when not to act is as important as knowing what to do." Jin's tone had none of its usual mockery, instead, for once, being thoughtful. "Patience is not the easiest of thing for me. But I try. Perhaps it would be best for you, too, to let go of the need to constantly be doing something. Know when not to act."

Ales was very surprised by this side of Jin and decided not to provoke him.  "Perhaps there is still much to learn, after all..."

"Allowing for translation, I believe your saying and mine began as the same -- one in Sahudese, for I learned it from my mother, and the other in whatever your native tongue might be."  Finishing his rise to a standing position, facing the burning body of the mage, Chou-Zhen remains otherwise still, his lightning whip and leather whip both hanging and his queue quiescent as well.

"Beware, all, the fire may move the stench as it stirs the airs."

He watches the area around the flames, sure a black-clad ninja will stand out against the firelit murk.

Iskander remains still, and hidden within the room, watching from the depths of his hood.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 1027):

Resume in The Ninjas lair

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1028):

Bump