In reply to Ito (msg # 80):

"Arashi-san. I believe Ito is correct that I should not be in battle, that is not my strength as all know. I do, however, think Hiro may be more of an asset than he lets on. You, of course, know him better than I do.

If we assume they have the same protections and planning as we do, we only have one advantage so it is what we center our plan around... ITO.

If Evil Ito can not affect us but good Ito can affect them greatly, then that is where we focus our strategy... there is no other option before we hit a wall of circular logic, meaning the more we plan for offense and defense, the more they also benefit from it.

So, Give good Ito our best defenses. Give him our best magics, our best armor... even if that means your samurai armor. (This is a major issue with social protocol that a non-samurai would wear samurai armor. If seen, such a person would be immediately killed by those in power.) The group targets Evil Takeshi first. After that, follow Arashi's commands based on melee vs ranged and enemy proximity.

Other opinions?"

In reply to Sasumi Michizane (msg # 83):

If we think our best option is to protect Ito and load him up then I can loan him my armor.

I was going to suggest that if we send in Takeshi without his armor it would make evil Takeshi easier to take out, but do we think they will be equipped exactly as we are or do we think they will have all the options available to them as we do?

Like I mentioned before I think it might be best to have people who are not in the building to be within ear shout so they could enter if we think they may be needed.  Do we think we can assume that if they our people do not enter then there evil twins will not enter?

Ito does not look surprised by this, but frowns.  It is predicated on the idea that the Guardian is otherworldly.  While this is most likely the case, since it is not human, it could be a clever shugenja - which is human.  Still, it is tactically sound advice since Evil-Ito would be a bug to swat by these men.



Ito does not seem surprised by this either.  He is a man of the world, and has never seen a campaign launched without scouts.  Likely, the man was Ashigaru of humble birth.



Now, Ito looks surprised.  It is a massive breach of protocol; not to mention putting his life at risk for the rest of his days should any of these people mention what happened, or should a samurai ask him directly.  His life would be forfeit; his honor worthless.

But with a flash, Ito schools his features.  He has read enough of the histories to know that such things happen in moments of intensity on the battle field.  Yes, he would be risking his life, but so were these others who'd go in.  The difference is that he'd be risking his honor.  And he was a Shinto Gakusho.  Certainly not without honor, but also not the same honor as the Buke.  It would be shaming him, but what priest would not live with shame if his duty to the Kami, and the Michizane clan whom saved him, were fulfilled?



Unfortunately Totsu-sama, we have no way of knowing until we do this.  I agree with you, that others should be within earshot in case they have a skill we need in battle.  I suspect the circular logic Sasumi-sama mentioned is at play here.  If we all went in without armor or weapons, it would simply be a longer battle, neh?


He looks over the group, and then bows a little lower to Arashi-sama (since Lady Sasumi-sama made it quite clear that he was in charge).  The Lady Sasumi-sama's wisdom, like herself, is without flaw.

In reply to Sasumi Michizane (msg # 83):

Hiro Smiles and bows to Sasumi, thinking about how he killed that Samurai Lord in front of the group without them even knowing and how he took out the bandits before they were even able to attack him. "Thank you Sasumi-san but in a group, I might be as big a hinderance as an asset, If an other version of me was spawned."

Ito raises his eyebrow slightly, but then tries to close the loop and present Arashi with a base plan.

So, perhaps we rest for the night Arashi-sama.

Arashi-sama, Totsu-sama, Takeshi-san, and myself will enter in the morning.

Consider what arms and armor you wish to bring in with you, since you will also have to face those things I believe.

Consider, in the same vein, if you wish a blessing since you will likely face your double with the same blessing.  I can increase STs, hps, any attribute, or BCS's, but only one of those.  Let me know and I will ask in the morning.

Lastly, I will certainly be willing to wear Totsu-sama's generously offered armor.

In reply to Ito (msg # 87):

Ito can you provide a layout with approximate dimensions of the shrine as well as walls and entrances/exits.
I think we could get a better idea of what weapons might come into play as well as where we should enter and possibly where we might have someone waiting outside (Hiro?) in case?
Also do you have any idea how long it may take you to perform an exorcism?  (are we talking 6 seconds? 60 seconds? minutes?)
I'm trying to determine if we need to totally take people out or just delay them.

As far as what to improve it might depend on the plan.  I would think bonus to BCS or ST would be the most beneficial.
Would the same be on you?  If so which would benefit you the most since the plan depends heavily on you?

Apologies Totsu-sama, but we can't get to the guardian area until we get past the Kami of Silence.  I have not been in the area we will be fighting.

For the exorcism, I can be a little clearer, but the variables do make it difficult to be specific.  Every 6 seconds, I get a chance to affect a Kami.  The power of the Kami determines how difficult it is for me, as well as how much I can affect it.  The more powerful the harder it is and the less influence I have in a round.  It is like a task.  I chip a little away on them each round.  Weak Kami's I might be able to do with a single action.

Since I'm going to assume this is a powerful Kami, and I'm also worried that if it splits in 4, one doppelganager for each of us, then I'd have to exorcise each one?  Or are they still a single Kami.  I do not know the answer to that question.

So the answer to YOUR question is: anywhere from 6 seconds to several minutes.



The same will likely not be on me.  I'm able to do more when I am the only target of the blessing.  So if you want one, it can be anything you like.

Turning to Takeshi, Ito adds Does that Images spell work on you only?  If I were them I would target me first.  Any physical defenses that could be augmented would be appreciated.

Looking to the rest of the group, he adds, And anyone skilled at grappling might be a boon if the goal is to limit their ability to do us harm.  Time, if I can exorcise them, is our ally.

In reply to Ito (msg # 89):

"I propose we leave our range weapons behind so they will not be able to fire on Ito and Takeshi. I will wear my armor and bring Katana. Maybe the quality of their replicants items wont be superior in nature."

OCC- Hiro would be a better grappler if we want to go that route.  Maybe Arashi could support from range?  I guess if you do not go in you can not help from range or could Arashi? That question has not been answered.

In reply to Arashi Fukushu (msg # 90):

"Arashi, thank you for thinking of my safety but if we leave all our range weapons behind to protect me, we will also not be able to attack evil Takeshi...our first target.
Remember that I can fly and I have a chance at deflecting arrows.
Also, when flying I can move much quicker (BMA goes from 5 to 15)."

In reply to Takeshi Oshiro (msg # 91):

Range is dependent on which weapons we take.  Is it possible for someone to go into the shrine and get dimensions on the height of the ceiling as well as the layout of the different rooms and where the walls are and exits/entrances, without having to engage Kami or Guardian?

If Evil Takeshi is so high up in the air that the only way we can affect him is with range weapons then we will want to bring them.  If the distance to Takeshi is so short that we can cover it within 6 seconds then range weapons probably are not needed.
Can we at least approximate the dimensions of the area we think we will be in by going into all the surrounding rooms and walls to come up with which entrance we want to use and then we can pick where we want to head as soon as we get into the room?


Hiro, you have been on the outside of the Shrine can you provide us the dimensions from the outside.
Ito, you have been inside the shrine can you give us what you have seen as far as the ceiling heights and all the different walls.

In reply to Totsu (msg # 92):

The shrine is an open building, no walls.
At its 4 corners are large logs holding up a solid roof.
There is a small alter, it is believed the kami of silence would be there.
The shrine is about 10 foot square and at the top of a small rise in the land.
The trees are cleared out for perhaps 20 feet, after that there is light forest.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 93):

 So Arashi could shoot into the Shrine from outside.  The question becomes what triggers a doppelganger? Is it entering the Shrine or outside proximity?

We must get past the Kami of silence first.  It is in the shrine.

Then we go up the path, where nobody has gone, where we do not know the dimensions of anything, and where, once we go, it is likely we run into the guardian at some point.

If we send someone up ahead to scout, after getting past the Kami of Silence, then THAT person will trigger the guardian and his scouting will be moot.

I do not believe it is possible to know the terrain of the eventual fight with the guardian.

In reply to Ito (msg # 95):

Ito thinks that you will need to strike a deal with the kami of silence, it is somehow stopping the evil spirit. Once the kami of silence bows out of the way anything could happen.
Does the evil spirit attack right then with an army of dopplegangers?
If somebody comes from outside the area to join the battle are they duplicated?
Does its evil army spring forth in another location ready to confront you?
Is the evil spirit up the path and those that travel it are duplicated?
Is a deal struck between the evil spirit and the group, dictating terms of who will fight and who will not before commencing?

There is no way to know at this point. Perhaps the kami of silence will have more information for your challenge... perhaps not.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 96):

Arashi is taking all his equipment with Dai-kyu at the ready with bowl-raker nocked.  Ready to go in when everyone else weighs in.

Ito will have more power to work with in the morning, since he has burned some for today already.

In reply to Ito (msg # 98):

Sounds like we know all we can about the location so it sounds like it is time to go.
Totsu will bring all his weapons.
Totsu is ready to go.

Does Takeshi wear any armor?  If so Totsu should wear his armor since it will make evil Takeshi easier to take out?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Sat 22 May 2021.

I will get a map up in the next day or two so we can start this thing, I have to figure out how to do it, been a long time and it is complicated.


Takeshi wears clothing, AC2

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 100):

Hiro waits to see if Arashi thinks it's wise to bring a stealth assassin into the temple.

In reply to Ito (msg # 77):

"Hiro-san, nobody know your skills better than you.  I leave it for you to decide if you will join us in doppleganger land or not as you deem best."

OOC: or what ever you find the most fun thing to do.

In reply to Hiro-matsu (msg # 101):

Hiro, if you like we can create a code word(s) with plan(s) for you to enter?

OOC: Ron mentioned the use of roll20 software online for battle, I think this has some merit but would require us to all have accounts and know the basics of the software.

Please, everybody sound off. Do you want to do this battle with Roll20? If everybody is in we can set a night, maybe next Tues/Wed/or Thur. If in, please give me any nights you CANNOT game online.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 104):

I think it would be cool to try it, but I've never used the software so if someone wants to do a practice session before it would definitely help me out and also help things go smoothly when we all get together.
As far as next week, I could definitely do Tuesday and/or Thursday as of now.
Wednesday is a maybe.  I could probably make it work if that is the only night that works for everyone else.

The group heads to the temple, still working out the plan details to ensure they covered the possibilities.

Takeshi : "Arashi, as I have done once in the past, I shall look into the spirit realm to see what is there before the group approaches. Please watch over my body while my spirit is away."

Takeshi lays down on the grass a short distance from the temple and goes into a trance.
15 Minutes go by before he begins to stir again.

"I journeyed through the temple area and found a few things.
The first - I am confident the silence kami is here, his spirit inhabiting the piece of wood on the alter.
Second - I sense a malevolent spirit though I cannot see its form. It was like when you sense the rain is falling outside without actually seeing or hearing it. A shiver went through me and my hair stood on end. There is definitely something else there.
Third - I found some scribbling at the base of the alter though it does not look like any written symbols that I know."

Takeshi scribbles down some marks on the ground. The marks are well defined, they were intended to look as they are, but they are very short strokes unlike any of the written languages.

Ito also remembers strange markings at the base of the alter but does not think they looked as Takeshi has written down.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 106):


Arashi guards Takeshi's body as his spirit travels the spirit realm.

"Can any of you read or interpret these markings Takeshi found?"