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02:56, 30th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 6 - Loose Threads.

Posted by Kaze no KageFor group archive 0
Moto Gyatso
player, 65 posts
Wed 25 Feb 2009
at 15:12
  • msg #19

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Midly surprised at the arrival of the Scorpion and the sudden hasty preparations for combat Gyatso switched his gaze from Skaura to the newcomer in turn. "And who do you intend to be fighting then? You say the "enemy" comes, can you clarify who they are?" And have the same opinion of his own importance if so. was his second thought. Her earlier claims about being targeted by the enemy for being able to discover them seemed true but Sakura still had not explained how they knew this. Not bothering to pick up a weapon he looked to the heavens in momentary aggravation. It truly did look like today would be a somewhat energetic experience.
Kedo
player, 214 posts
Would you stand
upon the mountain?
Wed 25 Feb 2009
at 15:19
  • msg #20

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads


 Now that's something of a relief, and it doesn't take more than a moment for Kedo to think and make the rapid decision to suggest, "Close quarters somewhere well built, with limited access." - neatly providing for the ability of a few skilled swordsmen to stand off many more well-armed warriors, hopefully without the creation of impromptu doors by a little brute force and, more importantly preventing their attackers from just sneaking around behind them.

 With that in mind, Kedo starts to look around the area (and where the hell are we anyway? ^_^) to try and pick somewhere out - preferably a private dwelling or business rather than an official structure, to minimise the chance of their being an additional way in.

 Of course, he's still spattered with dried blood from the last life or death struggle he was in without a chance to clean up - and there's a really nasty spreading bruise on his temple that must be troubling him, but hey - at least he's dressed this time.
Kakita Ichiro
player, 9 posts
Thats most interesting,
do you play Shogi?
Wed 25 Feb 2009
at 16:23
  • msg #21

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Ichiro had been in a daze these last few moments.  The revelations, if they were to be believed of the duplicitous nature of some of the most high standing members of the Crane Clan in this city had left the young samurai with too much to consider and he had unfortunately completely failed to see his friend and part time training rival Bayushi Kenshin when they all first assembled.

Ichiro had barely gotten out a polite bow to his friend when news of potential combat snapped his body and mind to attention.  Quickly his eyes scoured the surroundings for trouble even as he moved closer to Moto Gyatso.

[Private to GM: 11:22, Today: Kakita Ichiro rolled 18 using 5d10+3, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 8,7,5,2,2. Perception/Investigation(Notice). ]
Bayushi Kenji
player, 46 posts
Thu 26 Feb 2009
at 04:38
  • msg #22

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

"There is no time to explain.  I am known to Daidoji-sama," Kenji replies, locking eyes with Gyatso but for a mere moment then scanning back the way he came.  "If I had come meaning violence, there would already be blood."
He nods at Kedo's suggestion, seemingly content to follow Sakura's ronin.
Kaze no Kage
GM, 416 posts
Fri 27 Feb 2009
at 04:31
  • msg #23

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

The prisons are located beneath the Tsume Palace, but inaccessible from the palace itself.  There is a guard house behind the palace proper, occupying a small courtyard--it is through that guard house that you entered and exited the prisons, and through that courtyard which you are passing to reach the buildings of the courtier district.

The buildings of the courtier district are large and opulent but packed tightly together--two of normal size might be able to walk side by side, if they were friendly with one another--and none of them have entrances which face the palace.

OOC:  it will take you one combat round to reach the nearest alleyway; it will take the old woman two
returning to the guard house will take 2 combat rounds; three for the old woman


[Private to Kedo: from the corner of your eye, you see two figures with bows stepping out from the shadows of the guard house and take aim; you get to act in the surprise round]
Kedo
player, 215 posts
Would you stand
upon the mountain?
Fri 27 Feb 2009
at 04:54
  • msg #24

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads


 "Apologies."

 The word has barely left Kedo's lips when the nearly subliminal sound of steel whispering from its sheath breaths a silken accompaniement to it, two separate and distinct tones marking the arrival in-hand of both Katana and Wakizashi as the humbly dressed Ronin rotates his body about that of Sakura, giving her a firm wall-wards butt-bump on the way, to put him between the Shugenja and one end of the guard house before either sword has completely left its scabbard.

 It seems as though he feels something is afoot.

[Private to GM:  This is an incredibly bad idea for a man in no armour, but I'm going to 'take one for the team' between the archers and Sakura whilst remaining close enough to her to interdict the likely other assailants who might use this as a distraction to get in close. The bump will hopefully make that easier as it puts her up against a wall.
 This would probably be a good time to ask about arrow cutting, since of my TN 33 to be hit, only about 9 points comes from sword skill, the rest is defence (dodge) or reflexes (dodge), earth ring (evasion technique) and I don't think I can claim it if I'm deliberately using myself as cover for someone. ^_^
]

[Private to Daidoji Sakura:  You my girl, are being arse-barged into a wall - unless you'd like to roll dice, just go with it. Suffice to say that Kedo seems to be making like the secret service.]
Lin Ru-Fang
player, 15 posts
Traveling Merchant
I'll buy and sell you!
Fri 27 Feb 2009
at 08:41
  • msg #25

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

The long mustached merchant had gone fairly silent since leaving the location of the prison. No doubt just happy to get away from the cells and the ghosts. Of course, perhaps he also took too many drags off of that pipe of his.

Whatever, the reason, his exhubriant mannerisms and strange 'other worldness' seems to fade just a bit and he falls into the backdrop, as likely to be taken as a random servant or attendant as he is a ronin or anything else. Although he was beginning to wonder if he was going to have any opportunity to make some koku following the two shugenja and the arrogant samurai retainers around. But then, it's not like his merchant caravan can exactly leave the city at the time being, so there is no real harm in sticking around to find out what he can about the dangers threatening the Daidoji, one of his most favorite trading partners right behind the Yasuki and the Yoritomo.

He lets Sakura continue her investigation, simply listening and waiting to hear anything interesting. Unfortunately, he is better at dispensing information than picking it up and so he doesn't hear anything particularly interest-- well, that is until the Scorpion approaches.

He is alarmed at hearing that the group is being targetted and soon to be attacked and stumbles a bit in sheer shock of this revealation. That this warning is dispensed by one the Crane clan's most prominent rivals is more or less lost on him (as is the motley and disjoined Clan membership within this particular group) as he's never quite gotten used to the strict delinations.

"Well..." he stutters nervously, as he quickly looks around for the quickest means of escape and tries to make sure to put the well-trained swordsmen between himself and the direction the Scorpion came from, "Never been attacked in the middle of a city like this before... at least they were kind enough to send warning."

No one would seriously expect the portly merchant to fight, would they? Yes, he does have a sword, but it isn't a katana and one might image is primarily a trophy or decoration!

OOC: Damn, this game started moving! I need to check in more often.
I also now realize I had no description. :( I have one now though!

Daidoji Sakura
player, 355 posts
Crane Clan Shugenja
Beautiful and Seductive
Fri 27 Feb 2009
at 14:51
  • msg #26

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Sakura followed suit, going where Kedo pushed her. There were many ways that Sakura described the erstwhile ronin -- "too efficient", "too honorable", "too perceptive" -- and all of them led her to trust his instincts in this instance.

There were people trying to kill her, after all ...
Bayushi Kenshin
player, 11 posts
Scorpion Junshin
Kakita Bushi Academy
Fri 27 Feb 2009
at 14:52
  • msg #27

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Kenshin noticed the Ronin's actions and placed himself similarly between Satoru and where the Ronin seemed to indicate that the danger was coming from. He did not draw his sword, but then again he didn't need to.

The Draw and the Strike are one ...
Kaze no Kage
GM, 418 posts
Fri 6 Mar 2009
at 04:10
  • msg #28

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Four arrows come whistling through the air from the direction of the recently exited guard house.  Only Kedo has the where-with-all to intercept the incoming missiles--apparently intending to do so with his own body if his blades fail.

Once, twice, three times, then four, faster than the untrained eye--and most trained ones--can follow, Kedo's blades flash, intercepting every one of the deadly points.

Now, plain to see, four blue-clad bushi, armed with bows and spears rise from their hiding places along the guard house.

Roll initiative and post your actions
you're still two full rounds of movement away from the guard house and one full round of movement away from the alleys of the Courtier District.
there are currently no enemies in melee range

OOC:  ...and now for something completely different...
damn you Kedo and your freakishly high rolls! ^_^
first, you out Daidoji the Daidoji with your crazy exploding 10s battle roll
then, you take out a third of my 'ninja assassins' in ONE round
now, you've completely foiled my ambush...

okay, enough mad ravings from your GM ("I'll get you next time Kedo, next time...") we return you to your regularly scheduled L5R game ^_^

Kedo
player, 218 posts
Would you stand
upon the mountain?
Fri 6 Mar 2009
at 04:24
  • msg #29

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads


 The draw and the strike are one... but sometimes, just sometimes it helps to have blades already in hand... so that the eye can drop out of focus and the soul calm itself until the world seems to recede into the background of perception, a dream-like play of shadows from which it is the simplest of all things to choose a single movement from many and no harder to choose another... then another... and another.

 For a moment it rains feathers, splinters and deadly metal points in an arc on either side of Kedo's stance, and then he surfaces from that meditative state once more, refreshed in spirit - and pleasantly surprised to find himself uninjured.

 He seems in no hurry to rush to meet his foes however, rather holding his position and calmly speaking to his companions in the humble fashion of a simple Ronin addressing honourable clan Samurai, "Only four? - may I humbly ask that eyes look in every direction as we seek cover?"

 ---

04:18, Today: Kedo rolled 17 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,6,7,2,1,4. Initiative.

 I assume the enemy have the bows in hands and the spears over their shoulders or grounded nearby?

 Either way, Kedo is moving with Sakura towards whatever protection she and the other Clanfolk decide upon, continuing to provide her with his own personal version of a goalkeeper defence system backed up by an ablative Bushi (get yours today kids!).
Bayushi Kenshin
player, 12 posts
Scorpion Junshin
Kakita Bushi Academy
Fri 6 Mar 2009
at 14:19
  • msg #30

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Kenshin looked at the four recently emerged Bushi. The Clan had always said that one could not strike at what they could not see. He understood that, of course, but it was only now that he could truly feel the essence of that wisdom.

Kenshin looked for signs of their training as he patiently awaited their approach.

'There is no failure, only success or death.'

[ Initiative is 58 (38 + 2x iai). Using KtS: Daidoji Harrier to confirm that that's what they are ... errr, what do I need to roll? Int or Per? Guess it doesn't really matter ... long as it's not awareness ...

Darn! Rolled a 17! Well, hopefully it'll be pretty obvious ...


09:17, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 17 using 4d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,8,6. KtS: Daidoji Harrier.

11:27, Today: Bayushi Kenshin rolled 38 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,8,6,2,(10+8)18,6. Init (Reflexes + Insight + 1 k Reflexes.]

This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Wed 11 Mar 2009.
Daidoji Sakura
player, 358 posts
Crane Clan Shugenja
Beautiful and Seductive
Fri 6 Mar 2009
at 14:26
  • msg #31

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

"Leave that to me" Sakura said, pulling a scroll from her pouch. The Kami might not have been allowed as evidence, but detecting ambushes were a different story.

Daidoji Sakura began to sing ...

[ Initiative is 70. "By the light of Lord Moon" to detect anything deliberately hidden ... such as traps or additional assailants. TN: 15. Rolled a 40. That means that she gets 2 raises by house rules, right? Or does that not apply to spellcasting? I can never remember ...

09:23, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 40 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,6,(10+8)18,7,2,4,5. By the Light of Lord Moon, straight.

11:28, Today: Daidoji Sakura rolled 70 using 7d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(10+3)13,5,4,3,(10+10+9)29,(10+9)19. Init (Reflexes + Insight  k Reflexes).]

This message was last edited by the player at 15:29, Wed 11 Mar 2009.
Doji Sotan
player, 9 posts
Fri 6 Mar 2009
at 15:59
  • msg #32

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

The young tattooed monk stands calmly even as arrows are shredded in his vicinity. He looks to the guardhouse with a smile, taking note of the enemies at hand. He touches his right shoulder and the tattoo there begins to glow slightly.

"My skin will not suffer the dishonor of their arrows." he says lightly.

The young monk drops into a defensive stance, prepared to roll out of the way of any further attacks.


10:54, Today: Doji Sotan rolled 24 using 6d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3,1,8,7,9. Initiative.

Activating Crab Tattoo as a simple action

Shifting to Full defense, and spending a void to get the defense skill

10:58, Today: Doji Sotan rolled 17 using 4d10, keeping the 3 highest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2,6,6. Full Defense.

Moto Gyatso
player, 66 posts
Mon 9 Mar 2009
at 15:06
  • msg #33

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Looking about him in confusion for any sign of the so-called assailants Gyatso was thrown by the sudden rapid arrival of a number of arrows. Well they'd just removed any hesitance he might have had about this fight. Crouching low he looked towards the place the shots had come from whilst shifting slightly in prepration to move. For now he was reluctant to call on the kami without knowing what aid he would wish to ask of them.

[Private to GM: OC - 21 Initiative. 24 on my defence roll so that'll be added to me TN to be hit.]
Lin Ru-Fang
player, 17 posts
Traveling Merchant
I'll buy and sell you!
Tue 10 Mar 2009
at 00:33
  • msg #34

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

As he was hardly prepped for battle and the samurai seemed to be doing quite well at holding their own, Ru-Fang didn't see any reason to stick around into the field of fire. Instead he moved quickly to flee away from the arrows, into the courtier district, and duck into the crowds on the side of the road-- doing his best to try to disapear into the crowd of silk-garbed bodies despite his large size and unusual appearance.
Kakita Ichiro
player, 10 posts
Thats most interesting,
do you play Shogi?
Tue 10 Mar 2009
at 22:23
  • msg #35

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Taking a posture between the attackers and his charge Ichiro drew his blade while keeping his eyes on the surrounding situation as much as possible.  From his posture it is obvious the young Crane intends for any arrows shot at Moto Gyatso to go through him first.

[Private to GM: So I'm staying attack posture and holding action to attack any arrows that come my way or at the Moto.]
[Private to GM: 18:15, Today: Kakita Ichiro rolled 42 using 7d10+12, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2,9,4,(10+6)16,5,2. Initiative. ]
[Private to GM: 18:22, Today: Kakita Ichiro rolled 39 using 7d10+15, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 5,8,7,2,9,4,2. Defense. ]
Kaze no Kage
GM, 423 posts
Wed 11 Mar 2009
at 22:20
  • msg #36

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Undaunted by their previous lack of success, the enemy draws back their hankyu and fire another volley--fully intending this one to be more successful than the last.

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 casting
Bayushi Kenshin 58 full attack posture (intended use of Yadomejutsu)
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:  32
Bow Strength:  1
If you are on full defense, you may move half your speed (Water Ring x10')

[Private to Bayushi Kenshin: sorry, they haven't revealed enough of their technique for you to identify them]
[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.]
[Private to Lin Ru-Fang: make a perception/investigation roll, the notice emphasis applies]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:33, Wed 11 Mar 2009.
Bayushi Kenshin
player, 15 posts
Scorpion Junshin
Kakita Bushi Academy
Thu 12 Mar 2009
at 00:18
  • msg #37

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

"Ichiro-Kun was always better at strategy" Kenshin said, drawing his blade, "but it seems to me that they are trying to herd us into the Courtier district."

"Tell me, Ronin-San" he continued in the polite-informal, "do you think you can hold the arrows off of our charges long enough for Ichiro-Sempai and myself to charge our foe?"

Clearly he had a plan -- foolhardy or otherwise.

[So, trying to clarify things in my mind here -- Yadomejutsu in Full Attack posture is an attack roll, i.e. Agility/Kenjutsu, right?]
Kedo
player, 220 posts
Would you stand
upon the mountain?
Thu 12 Mar 2009
at 05:17
  • msg #38

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads


 If one were to interrupt Kedo to ask him his opinion of the archers, then he would probably disagree entirely with their assessment... After all, each of them sought to place their arrows in a course that would end with the deaths of those at whom they shot. Had they been less able, less accurate then he would not have been able to meet them as they sped through the air.

 It is their very success, their skill, their accuracy that lends itself to his own efforts.

 But then, Kedo is to say the least, a very strange young man - and one who once more lets the world fade into unfocussed shadows as that trance overtakes him, curved steel rising in each hand to whirl through a single fluid pattern of heart-stopping grace and speed.

 "Here I stand." Kedo's voice replies as though from a distance of a thousand miles, expressing the difficulty and simplicity of what he is doing with only a handful of words, "I may do no more."

 ---

 You rolled 47 using 8d10, dropping the 3 lowest rolls, rerolling max of 2, 5 & 5 ((5,5,(10+8)18,9,9,2,5,6)).
 *Kisses the RPol dice roller gently on the digital 'brow*
 I'm starting to run out of Void here folks...
Kaze no Kage
GM, 425 posts
Fri 13 Mar 2009
at 23:57
  • msg #39

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

In reply to Bayushi Kenshin (msg #37):

OOC:  nope, it's an Agility/Defense roll--though you'll still get the full attack free raises--because a) you could do it with any weapon (though a sword is the most apt) and b) it's a Defense Emphasis; I may decide different later on, but we'll keep it that way for now
Bayushi Kenshin
player, 18 posts
Scorpion Junshin
Kakita Bushi Academy
Mon 16 Mar 2009
at 13:22
  • msg #40

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

"Come, Ichiro-Kun! Please stay close, Satoru-San!"

And with that, Kenshin turned around and rushed towards the Courtier district -- Katana still in hand.

"Emergency! Everybody out of the way!" he shouted at the crowd, trusting that his friend as well as his charge would be right behind him.

Exactly what he had meant about charging the foe was a mystery ... for the moment.
Moto Gyatso
player, 68 posts
Mon 16 Mar 2009
at 19:51
  • msg #41

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Finally preparing to make a movement Gyatso jerked his head at Kedo and Sakura. "Go on. With this many of us we'll need someone to bring up the rear and they seem to be aiming at Sakura. If I'm behind you it'll give them a bit more of a problem shooting at her." Producing anohter scroll he quietly began to pray to the kami, retreating slowly and watching for more arrows as he did.
Kakita Ichiro
player, 11 posts
Thats most interesting,
do you play Shogi?
Mon 16 Mar 2009
at 21:09
  • msg #42

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Ichiro spared only a glance in Kenshin's direction as he charged the enemy sending a silent prayer his way as he stood between the archers and Moto Gyatso, please understand Kenshin-san, I have a duty to uphold and I cannot join you in your attack, Kami protect you friend

Refocused on the incoming attack the new samurai prepares for the incoming assault of arrows.

[Private to GM: You rolled 23 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max of 1, 4, 5 & 5 ((5,1,7,7,4,9,5)).]
Doji Kanisai
player, 9 posts
Crane fealty,
Crab heritage.
Thu 19 Mar 2009
at 05:24
  • msg #43

Re: Chapter 6 - Loose Threads

Elsewhere...

Kanisai muttered darkly to himself as he looked at the scroll in his hands.  He had to deliver a message from Doji Kasarugi to the Court from the Crane hierarchy.  This was the job of runners, or courtiers.  Not trained samurai.  He frowned.  This must be some sort of punishment, for all the havoc that had occured.  It was honorable to be yojimbo to the Governor... but this still left a taste in his mouth.
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