GMLian
GM, 457 posts Sat 21 Feb 2015 at 17:56 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillRiver order goes as per normal, meaning you can't Flow and then Float in the same roll. So those 5s are wasted D:
Disciple Fei Lian lets this hit at Minor difficulty.
Disciple Fei Lian raises a mighty eyebrow. "Don't be a slow one, Wude. Why WOULD I kill you? I've outright have told you what they asked me to do, and we've both agreed that the eunuchs are unwise. If anything, I should thank you. Your little barbarian friends are interesting enough to spare." He stands up, "As for the eunuchs, they did let me go, after all, even if they kept me longer than was promised. I won't be killing them either. I would love for your rebellion to grow and prosper, but not necessarily to win! The important thing is that you keep fighting.
But, in the interest of fair play... I suppose I shouldn't let you leave without a scratch and something to work towards."
"Teacher," Arnulf hefts his axe in his good hand, "I'm convinced this one is mad."
"He's fiendishly strong," Wigbrand swears, "But he got me by surprise last time!"
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Xin Wude
player, 264 posts Sat 21 Feb 2015 at 18:55 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill"I ... well." Wude can't quite hide his surprise, but it's a grateful surprise.
His feet slide out to a ready position, and he draws his sword in one quick, fluid motion. "The rest of you, stay out of this," he says in both his native and the barbarian tongues (unfortunately having to do so one at a time; what a neat trick the Disciple knows!).
And to the red-eyed giant, "I await your instruction, Champion of Chaos"
Initiative R1 |
---|
10, 7, 7, 7, 7, 4 & 4 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Float Dice | 7/7 | River 7/7 | Sword Mindset | 5 chi | Sword-Heaven & 1 lvl 2 tech free when acting in accord w/Pass or Insp; increased Block & Strike bonus for Sword | Sword Heaven | free w/Sword Mindset | Sword-Flexible | Initiative | 10 + 5 (Speed) + 10 (AB) | 25 | Focus on Breath | 27 + 15 (Confidence/Spec) + 10 (AB) | 52, recover 2 additional chi at the end of the round | Analyze Style Qualities | 24 + 15 (Tactics/Spec) + 10 (AB) | 49 |
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Sat 21 Feb 2015.
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GMLian
GM, 458 posts Sat 21 Feb 2015 at 19:32 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Initiative R1 |
---|
9, 8, 7, 6, 6, 5, 4, 4 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Impassive Existence | 3 Chi | Reduce all penalties by 5 | Dreaming World Rearrangement | 2 Chi | +15 to Shaping Wave | Mighty Among Dreamers | 5 Chi | Make reality-warping Shaping Wave | Shaping Wave: Reality Warping | 26 + Wu Wei 20 + AB 10 - Penalty 5 + IKF 15 | 66 | Hide Style | 24 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 | 54, Hides Style | Focus on Breath | 18 + Skill 25 + AB 10 | 53, recover 2 Chi at end of round | Initiative | 17 + Speed 10 + AB 10 | 37 |
Attack R1 |
---|
10, 10, 10, 7, 6, 5, 3, 3 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Float | 0-0-0 | River 0-0-0-X | Attack | 23 + Strike 15 + AB 10 | 48 |
Arnulf and Wigbrand are quick to back off.
"Good!" The Champion of Chaos throws off his cloak, revealing an extra pair of small arms sprouting just under the first half. "It's time we talked of weapons!"
He takes a deep breath and the world around them ripples. Wude is surrounded by the feeling that everything around him is somehow wrong, though he isn't quite sure why. The lazy punch that the Disciple throws his way is easily avoided, contemptuous.
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Xin Wude
player, 265 posts Sat 21 Feb 2015 at 20:40 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillThe Sword Eccentric parries the punch with ease---far too much ease, Wude realizes, to take anything like confidence from the exchange. The unsteadiness of the world itself only reinforces that caution.
But caution doesn't appear in his response. "To call me your junior would be an unearned honor; but you needn't insult me with such half-hearted attacks. If you'd find entertainment, strike!" His words are designed to induce the giant toward neglect of his defenses; if Wude's to make a good showing for himself, the Disciple must make errors.
The boldness of his words is exceeded by the fury of his assault: his sword is a blur of whipping, whirling attacks, probing every angle of the giant's defenses and stabbing at every possible route of evasion.
R1 Defense |
---|
9, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Block Fei Lian's Strike | 19 + 10 (Block) + 10 (Sword) + 10 (AB) | 49, blocked |
R1 Attack |
---|
10, 7, 5, 5, 3, 3 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Snake in the Grass | free w/Sword Mindset | +5 Strike, attack inflicts a ripple on miss of 5 or less | Blade of Infinity Strokes | 3 chi | Secondary Strike | Flow Dice | River 7/7 | Add 7,7 from River to Lake | Primary Strike | 37 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 10 (AB) | 72; -5 to block w/Soft-Sliding Silk; better blocked, -10 to Dodge w/Flexible | Secondary Strike | 25 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 5 (SitG) + 10 (AB) | 65; SitG effects; -5 to block w/Soft-Sliding Silk; better blocked, -10 to Dodge w/Flexible | Disrupt Block | 23 + 10 (Inspire) + 5 (Laughs, building off Ennui condition) + 10 (AB) | 48 |
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GMLian
GM, 459 posts Mon 23 Feb 2015 at 02:32 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Attack R1 |
---|
10, 9, 8, 6, 5, 4, 2, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
All-Seeing Eye of God | 2 Chi | Replace Footwork with Wu Wei | Transcending The Opponent | 4 Chi | Replace Dice With Shaping Wave Result, take Ripple (1) | Flowed Defense vs Primary | 40 + Footwork 25 + AB 10 - Better Blocked 5 | 70 vs 72, takes Ripple (2) | Defense vs Secondary | 66 | 66 vs 65, takes Ripple (3) | Defense vs Disrupt | 22 + Confidence 20 + AB 10 | 52 vs 48 |
Initiative R2 |
---|
9, 8, 8, 7, 5, 3, 3, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Float | 8-8 | River 8-8 | Analyze Style Fears | 23 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 | 53 | FoB | 17 + Breath Skill 25 + AB 10 | 52, 2 Chi at end of round | Initiative | 19 + Speed 10 + AB 10 | 39 |
Fei Lian completely neglects his defenses, by the looks of it; he steps forward into Wude's strike, taking a half step past the first series of strikes as if by accident. The wrought iron weapons at Wude's feet spring into life and interpose themselves with Wude's blade a second later, sending up a shower of sparks as the giant just strides towards him. If Wude has managed to find a real chink in his defenses he can't tell.
"It's meant to insult," The Disciple yawns as all four hands flex, "Always the emphasis on the sword instead of the hand that wields it. How sad for the spear, the saber, the staff; all equals, ignored for no reason."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:33, Mon 23 Feb 2015.
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Xin Wude
player, 266 posts Mon 23 Feb 2015 at 23:15 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillEnd of Round | Ripples | River | Chi Spent | Chi Recovered | Total Chi | Adverse Conditions |
---|
1 | 0 | -/- | 8 | 6 | 10 | None |
Wude lets a hint of a wry smile curl the side of his mouth; that attack would've been decisive against most opponents, and Fei Lian's barely inconvenienced. Well, a disciple of Dugu? Anything less would be a disappointment!
"On this, Champion, we agree." There's no reason not to make a good showing of himself, at least, so the Sword Eccentric readies for another exchange. "The sword is only the outward manifestation of the spirit's struggle for excellence."
R2 Init |
---|
10, 10, 9, 9, 8, 7 & 4 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Extend Sword-Mindset | 1 chi | Sword-Mindset effects extended | Switch to Sword/Unarmed | N/A | N/A | Float dice | 9,9 | River 9/9 | Initiative | 18 + 10 (Speed/Unarmed) + 10 (AB) | 38 | Focus on Breath | 17 + 15 (Confidence/spec) + 10 (AB) | 42, recover 2 additional chi | Analyze FL's Style (Qualities) | 20 + 15 (Tactics/spec) + 10 (AB) | 45 |
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GMLian
GM, 464 posts Tue 24 Feb 2015 at 21:32 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillDifficulty vs Rank 2 opponent: 40. Qualities: Destructive, old, relentless.
Attack R2 |
---|
9, 8, 7, 6, 3, 3, 2, 2 & 1 | 4 Chi: Reroll 9, 6, 6, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3 & 2 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Desecration of Flesh | 5 Chi | Disrupt 3 enemy stats | Strike Wude | 43 + Strike 15 + AB 10 | 68, Better Dodged so Block -5, Wude Block/Dodge -5 from EKF | Mega-Disrupt Wude Strike, Block, Toughness | 26 + Rank Bonus 20 + AB 10 + IKF 10 | 66, Disrupts all 3 if hits |
"A reasonable member of the Heavenly Swords? Now I am getting interested." The Disciple raises craggy eyebrows, "Usually I hear the same old mantra."
His attack is just a lazy as it was before- but this time it's much harder for Wude to avoid, each punch he delivers from his multiple hands like a hammerblow that threatens to break right through his guard. But the burning, sizzling scent of corrupt chi in the air is enough to let Wude know that the Disciple isn't playing it as laid back as before.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:32, Tue 24 Feb 2015.
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Xin Wude
player, 267 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 02:33 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill"My sifu thought it best that I strike out on my own quickly." A wall of his sword's after-images surrounds Wude; it turns aside the brunt of Fei Lian's assault, which, for all the Disciple's evident skill, is still the kind of straightforward and brute force attack against which his style thrives. "Perhaps this has turned me more eccentric than usual."
R2 Defense |
---|
10, 7, 6, 3, 3, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Tenfold Steel Guard | 4 chi | +15 Block, +10 Toughness, round-long when acting in accord w/Passion or Inspiration | Defend Strike | 17 + 10 (Block) + 10 (Sword) + 15 (TFSG) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs at Brutal styles) - 5 (Better Dodged) | 63, 1 Ripple | Defend Mega-Disrupt | 23 + 10 (Block) + 10 (Sword) + 15 (TFSG) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs at Brutal styles) - 5 (Better Defended w/skill) | 68, mega-disrupt avoided, thank the Jade Emperor | Victory in Surrender | Flood 9 | Reply; River now 9/- |
"In any case, I agree," Wude replies as the wall of steel that had safeguarded him fades. "It is the hand that matters most of all." Using his sword to feint a thrust that closes off the giant's best side-step, the Eccentric's free hand, sharp with sword chi, wends its way through the giant's forest of arms.
R2 Attack |
---|
7, 5, 4, 3, 1, 1 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Strike | 31 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 5 (SitG) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) | 81, Better Blocked, -5 Penalty to Block w/SSS, inflicts Ripple on miss of 5 or less | Snake in the Grass | free w/Sword Mindset | +5 Strike, inflict Ripple on miss of 5 or less |
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GMLian
GM, 466 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 16:06 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
RR on Wude | 13 + Damage 15 - Toughness 10 - Chi Aura 13 | 5, a Trivial wound: Bloodied Nose, Breath Penalty; as per EKF, this Trivial starts with a Breath penalty at -1. |
Defense R2 |
---|
10, 9, 8, 8, 8, 5, 5, 4 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
All-Seeing Eye of God | 2 Chi | Replace Dodge with Wu Wei | Defend vs Attack | Flowed 58 + Footwork 25 + AB 10 - Better Blocked 5 | 88, dodges |
Wude's turn for init. Fei Lian has 4 ripples.
The giant's fist breaks through Wude's sword-wall, smashing into his nose and sending him spinning. Scarlet blood drips from the tip, and though he scratches Fei Lian the giant proves difficult to pin down. He steps into the feint, allowing Wude's sword-heart thrust to catch only what remains of his cloak.
"Who is your sifu?" The Disciple asks, "Most baby or coddle their charges nowadays. Few follow the path of my teacher. It is worrisome."
He grips Wude's sword-hand in one of his four, pulling him off the ground and pushing him back playfully.
"You have unique opportunities, Xin Wude!"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Wed 25 Feb 2015.
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Xin Wude
player, 268 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 16:36 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Round | Ripples | River | Chi Spent | Chi Recovered | Total Chi | Adverse Conditions |
---|
End of 2 | 1 | 9/- | 6 | 5 (2 + 2 + 2 - 1) | 9 | Bloody Nose (Trivial Injury/Breath Penalty, Rec 5) |
The young swordsman wipes his nose with his hand to feel the blood that drips from it; with an abbreviated bow, he responds to the giant: "I am honored to be called the student of Sword Mistress Qiushui; any opportunities that are open to me, I owe to my sifu's perceptive nature and benevolent spirit."
He looks up at the giant with an uncomplicated smile. "It would be an insult to her not to seize them."
R3 Init |
---|
10, 6, 6, 6, 5, 5 & 3 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Extend Sword-Mindset | 2 chi | Extend effects | Sword-Heaven | free w/Sword Mindset | Sword-Massive this round | Initiative | 13 + 5 (Speed) + 10 (AB) | 28 | Analyze Style (Fears) | 36 + 15 (Tactics/spec) + 10 (AB) | 61 | Focus on Breath | 25 + 15 (Confidence/spec) + 10 (AB) | 50 |
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GMLian
GM, 468 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 17:57 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Initiative R3 |
---|
9, 8, 8, 8, 7, 5, 4, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Float | 8-8-8 | River 8-8-8 | Initiative | 17 + Speed 10 + AB 10 | 37d |
Fears: The simplest tools; his own lack of defense.
Attack R3 |
---|
10, 8, 7, 5, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1 | 4 Chi, Reroll: 10, 10, 10, 7, 6, 3, 2, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Muscular Focus | 1 Chi | Damage +5 | Continuation of Motion | 2 Chi | Replace Strike with Wu Wei/Awareness | Clarity in Openness | 3 Chi | +10 Wu Wei | Attack Wude | 30 + Wu Wei 25 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 + IKF 10 = 80, Better Dodged: Block -5, EKF: Block/Dodge -5, Damage +5 | 37d | Disrupt Block | 22 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 | 57 |
"I will have to find your Sword Mistress Quishui and pay her my respects." He announces, recovering his stance; then he drives forward, bunching two fists up and driving one for Wude's face and the other for his stomach. To Wude's surprise the so-far guileless Disciple has driven him into a pile of discarded weapons which threaten to foul the perfect stance necessary to keep up the Ten-Fold Steel Guard!
"But again I find myself growing bored. The Jade Spirit Sword is strong but brittle. It is the least amusing to face in combat, above even the Boundless Prosperity Manual."
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Xin Wude
player, 269 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 19:44 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
R3 Defense |
---|
10, 6, 6, 5, 1, 1 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Tenfold Steel Guard | 4 chi | Round-long +15 Block, +10 Toughness | Defend vs Strike | 31 + 10 (Block) + 10 (Sword) + 15 (TFSG) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) - 5 (Better Dodged) - 5 (Oppo EKF) | 71; 1 Ripple, no roll | Defend vs Disrupt | 26 + 10 (Block) + 10 (Sword) + 15 (TFSG) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) - 5/10 (Better Defended w/Skill) | 71/66, very blocked either way | Victory in Surrender | Flood 9 | Reply for 1 Ripple |
Wude's flashing steel guard preserves him ... barely. The flurry of fists gets turned aside, the pile of weapons pushed aside, and even a final, impudent reply appended, but if the giant puts any more effort into his attacks, the Sword Eccentric will surely suffer for it. Perhaps his lack of interest in his style is a good thing.
So why then does he go all-out, unleashing a flurry of sword-strikes that land like hammer blows? Why does he draw as deeply from his reserves as he's capable, even if it means the next strike from the giant will surely tell? Why does being thought 'boring' repulse him more than the possibility of grievous injury? Whatever the answer, it does repulse him, and the attack he unleashes does his talking for him. The attacks are, by the standards of his style, simple, but what they give up in subtlety they gather in force.
R3 Attack |
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8, 4, 2, 2, 2, 1 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Blade of Infinity Strokes | 3 chi | Secondary Strike | Snake in the Grass | free w/Sword Mindset | +5 Strike, inflict Ripple on miss of 9 or less | Main Strike | 32 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 5 (SitG) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) | 77, -5 block from SSS, -10 block from Better Dodged w/Massive, ripple on miss of 9 or less | Secondary Strike | 21 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) | 61, -5 block from SSS, -10 block from Better Dodged w/Massive |
Round | Ripples | River | Chi Spent | Chi Recovered | Total Chi | Adverse Conditions |
---|
End of R3 | 2 | -/- | 9 | 5 | 5 | Bloody Nose (Trivial Injury/Breath Penalty, Rec 5) |
This message was last edited by the player at 20:11, Wed 25 Feb 2015.
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GMLian
GM, 474 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 20:24 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Attack R3 |
---|
9, 9, 7, 7, 7, 6, 3, 2 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Transcending The Opponent | 4 Chi | Set Defense at 66, take 1 Ripple (6) | All-Seeing Eye of God | 2 Chi | Replace Footwork with Wu Wei | Dodge Defense vs Primary Strike | 37 + Wu Wei 25 + AB 10 | 72 vs 77, takes Ripple (7) | Defense vs Secondary Strike | 66 | 66 vs 61, Dodges |
Initiative R4 |
---|
7, 7, 6, 5, 5, 4, 3, 1 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Analyze Qualities | 27 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 | 57 | Shaping Wave: Ignore Wounds | 25 + Hardiness 20 + AB 10 | 55, if allowed to succeed will ignore 1 Ripple for rest of round for purposes of RR | Analyze Laughs | 21 + Tactics 20 + AB 10 | 51 | Initiative | 16 + Speed 10 + AB 10 | 36 | Focus on Breath | 14 + Hardiness 25 + AB 10 | 49, 2 Chi at end of round |
Wude nicks the bigger xia despite a prodigious expenditure of chi. Blood spurts from his wounds, giving Wude a clear look at a very happy smile. Fei Lian doesn't even try to avoid the other half: the cast iron weapons jump from the ground of their own accord, breaking to pieces when Wude's sword comes close.
"This is exactly why I won't kill you," The giant says with obvious glee, "I need this interesting strength, rampaging around the countryside! Overthrowing the Pillars! Making the Banes shake in their boots!"
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Xin Wude
player, 270 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 21:04 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillWude's breathing is rapid, thready; blood trickles steadily from his nose. "Senior gives me too much credit; he has already himself perceived the limits of my gongfu." This is no false humility---Wude has never unleashed such attacks to so little effect before, and the giant's indifference to their results is, in its own way, awesome.
He executes another quarter-bow before reestablishing his stance, readying himself for another exchange without contemplating the likely consequences of it. "But I shall endeavor to make myself worthy of the praise."
R4 Init |
---|
10, 7, 5, 5, 4, 3 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Float | 5,5 | River 5/5 | Extend Sword-Mindset | 3 chi | Effects extended | Switch to Sword/Unarmed | -- | Sword/Unarmed | Initiative | 14 + 10 (Speed/Unarmed) + 10 (AB) | 34 | Focus on Breath | 17 + 15 (Confidence/spec) + 10 (AB) | 42, recover 2 additional chi |
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GMLian
GM, 478 posts Wed 25 Feb 2015 at 21:23 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill
Attack R4 |
---|
7, 7, 6, 5, 5, 4, 3, 1 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Continuation of Motion | 2 Chi | Sub Strike for Awareness | Clarity in Openness | 3 Chi | Awareness +10 | Impassive Existence | 3 Chi | Reduce penalties by 5 | Strike | 27 + Awareness 20 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 + IKF 10 | 72, Better Dodged, Dodge/Block -5 due to EKF | Disrupt Strike | 25 + Awareness 20 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 | 60 | Disrupt Speed | 21 + Awareness 20 + AB 10 + Laughs 5 | 56 |
"A pity! It will be over too soon."
The red gem at the center of Fei Lian's forehead opens, revealing a third bloody eye. It focuses right on Wude, fixing him in place and cataloguing his every movement as the giant brings his topmost hands up to deliver a double-fisted hammerblow right for Wude's face.
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Xin Wude
player, 271 posts Thu 26 Feb 2015 at 18:50 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillWude stands completely exposed before the Disciple; lacking the energy to put up the wall of blades that has preserved him thus far, he can only mitigate, not avoid, the giant's powerful strike; and without the guile or the presence of mind to fool Fei Lian's inhuman perception, he's robbed of any capacity to surprise the superior fighter.
... but if he's to go down, he'll go down swinging. With his Sword Chi growing as brittle as Fei Lian diagnosed, he relies on sheer will---and the formidable lessons of Flying Red Silk---to unleash a fluttering volley of sword strikes against the giant, striking out at each of his arms, hoping to sap them of their strength, before finishing with a jumping thrust toward that damnable red eye.
R4 Defense |
---|
10, 7, 6, 6, 6, 5 & 1 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Soaring Phoenix | free w/Sword Mindset | +5 block, Reply on critical block when acting according to Passion or Inspiration. | Defend vs Strike | 36 + 10 (Block) + 10 (Sword) + 5 (SP) + 10 (AB) - 5 (Better Dodged) - 5 (Oppo EKF) | 61; 1 Ripple (3 total) and a roll. | Defend vs Disrupts | Not close on either. | Speed & Strike Disrupted | Victory in Surrender | Flood 5 | Reply, River 5/- |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Rippling Roll | 26 + 15 (Damage) - 16 (Chi Aura) | 25, a Minor Injury |
R4 Attack |
---|
9, 8, 8, 7, 5, 3 & 3 |
Action | Breakdown | Result |
---|
Strike | 28 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) - 5 (Disrupt) | 63, -5 to block w/SSS, better dodged. (Action pen. from Injury, if that's what it is, not included) | Flow | 5 | Add 5 to Lake, River -/- | Disrupt Strike | 25 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) - 5 (Disrupt) | 60 | Disrupt Damage | 23 + 15 (Strike) + 10 (Sword) + 10 (AB) + 5 (Laughs) - 5 (Disrupt) | 58 |
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GMLian
GM, 481 posts Thu 26 Feb 2015 at 19:21 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillFei Lian pops Transcending the Opponent again, takes another Ripple, and brings himself up to
The giant takes an EoB RR of 28 and doesn't contest. Wude can hit him with a Minor. Wude himself gets away with only his wounds and- since he's surrendering- a little condition...
Harbinger of Change, a minor Wood Influence, granting Wude bonus Cultivation whenever he specifically tries to bring about tumultuous change to the Rivers and Lakes. Recovery is set at 30, Duration 1, Interval 1 Session.
Fei Lian's hammer blow comes right down on Wude's chest. He can feel his sternum cracking from the force, bowling him over but not before he manages some final superficial cuts. He sees one more flash of cast iron spears crossing his path, keeping Fei Lian from even noticing he was attacked. The giant stands over Wude, extending a broad hand to the fighter.
"Get up. There's no shame in this loss," He rumbles as the illusory world fades around them, revealing a lot of stunned and fearful Bad Star Bandits. "My Master would approve of you."
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Xin Wude
player, 272 posts Fri 27 Feb 2015 at 23:37 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillWude grasps the giant's hand---or as much of it he can grasp---and allows himself to be hoisted back to his feet. Once he's steadied himself and caught some measure of his breath, he bows deeply to Disciple Fei Lian. "I am grateful for the lessons senior has seen fit to impart; I will not forget them."
It's a comfort to the Sword Eccentric see the Bad Star bandits reappear; because all his attention was required to last even the few exchanges he managed, he was less overwhelmed by the giant's fantastic sorcery than he is now that it dissipates. "Indeed, I've not only never faced such incredible gongfu as senior's, I've never even heard of such things."
Let's call it This One Has Promise!, a Wood/Worldliness Inspiration that grants Fei Lian an Entanglement Hyperactivity when he takes a positive interest in Wude's improvement. (Entanglement because his interest in Wude facilitates a re-engagement with the world at large).
And that Influence is enthusiastically accepted.
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GMLian
GM, 482 posts Sat 28 Feb 2015 at 17:48 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill"At least you won't in the time it takes for you to heal," The Disciple says as he stands, then bows back to Wude- much more shallowly, of course.
"Of course you haven't. Nobody tells fish what water is." He looks at the Bad Star Bandits, giving them a sardonic grin as he starts to walk away. They can hear his voice clearly even as he leaves. "Your leader has my approval! You could do far worse. Know this- I will do what I can to keep Xin Wude's path suitably rocky. That means battering down boulders when necessary or throwing a few more in the way if it gets too smooth. Go back to your Commander Tien Fong and let him know that I'm not the only one from the Imperial Prisons sent out to take his head. He'd best step carefully."
Noisy End rushes to Wude's side, throwing his arm over her shoulder. Since she's taller than him, this ends up a bit awkward. "You alright?" She murmurs to him.
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Xin Wude
player, 273 posts Sat 28 Feb 2015 at 19:45 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillThe Sword Eccentric extracts himself from Noisy End's 'assistance' by patting her on the shoulder in a comradely sort of way. "I'll be fine---but only because Disciple Fei Lian didn't wish it to be otherwise." As the giant's not-inconsiderable silhouette disappear, Wude muses on the encounter: "I suppose I ought to be worried, my friend, but in truth, I feel ... gratitude." He speaks as if the realization surprises even him. "It is meet that the guppy should be reminded, now and then, that he is not a shark. How else will he grow?"
"But we must rejoin the Commander as soon as possible. If the Eunuchs are willing to unleash one such as the one we just faced when he is surely beyond their capacity to control---or perhaps even to influence---then I wonder if there is anything they will not do to maintain their hold on power."
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GMLian
GM, 484 posts Sat 28 Feb 2015 at 22:01 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill"Fighting other guppies. I'd worry more about swords and whetstones. The stone doesn't get sharper than the sword. Look at the poor bastards we're standing around. Why'd they die with smiles on their faces?" She takes the brush-off magnanimously, "No offense, Wude, but I disagree. We've already sent a courier to him about this, our orders are to head forward after taking the position and move towards the meeting point."
Arnulf steps away from Wigbrand, moving to Wude and giving him a guileless smile. "I'm glad you're alright, teacher. I thought for sure the Jotun had taken you. You disappeared from sight!"
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Xin Wude
player, 274 posts Mon 2 Mar 2015 at 15:58 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillHe claps Arnulf by the shoulder and half-smiles. "We're fortunate that the 'Jotun' was merely bored, and that we are---whatever else we might be---ourselves not an uninteresting bunch." The Sword Eccentric's tone is almost that of an intoxicated man's, so impressed is he still by what he's seen. He turns to the bandit.
"Of course you're right; my head, I admit, is still spinning," Wude says to Noisy End. "We do have our orders." The tone of resignation with which he makes the admission leaves no doubt how he views them. After meeting Disciple Fei Lian, after catching a glimpse of the strange and dizzying heights to which a xia can ascend, of the magnificent paths down which cultivation can lead, how can he really care about something so, well, mundane as the fate of the Imperial Throne?
But being surrounded by corpses and rubble has a way of drawing one back down from the heights to the grim realities of war. Wude forces his attentions back to the scene at hand. "The looks on the soldiers' faces tell us that their minds were warped, somehow; some of these wounds appear self-inflicted. Given what I have just seen the Disciple do---creating a kind of dream-world---I wonder if that power, or something like it, wasn't at play."
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GMLian
GM, 485 posts Tue 3 Mar 2015 at 18:16 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill"Whatever the case I don't want to be here anymore," The bandit leader looks around at the brothers as they start to move, "Pile them up, we need to give them the proper rites. I'd rather their ghosts not follow us and follow that monster instead." Her men are quick to pick up some of the bigger, flatter weapons to sue as spades. None want to head into that mineshaft.
"He was bored? We were bored just standing here," Wigbrand replies with foolish bravado.
"Wude, I'm sorry I was useless." Arnulf looks off in the direction of the Disciple, disturbed beyond the reach of simple assurances. "I couldn't even see him until he had Wigbrand by the neck. And here we thought we'd prove our worth here... against ones like him, we have none."
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Xin Wude
player, 275 posts Wed 4 Mar 2015 at 17:32 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron Hill"There's no reason for shame, Arnulf. To achieve the kind of cultivation Disciple Fei Lian possesses is a lifetime's work---more than a lifetime's." Wude claps a friendly hand on the young barbarian's good shoulder. "If he is who he says he is, then his teacher is one of the great legends of the martial fraternity; and if he's not, he's bold enough to use the name of 'Dugu' and survive."
"You, however, will have to make do with a lesser teacher like me, for now. Come; let's help Noisy End and her men, and tonight when we make camp, we'll train in earnest."
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GMLian
GM, 488 posts Wed 4 Mar 2015 at 17:48 | Re: Arc 1, Session 4: Xin Wude and the Iron HillAnd here's a good point for Wude to stop. They'll pick up with the rendezvous with Tien Fong.
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