Ito looks from Arashi to Takeshi.  Despite the rapport the brothers must have, Ito still wanted to be useful.

It is possible, only if the Kami are willing, for me to decipher the intent of this text - if not a perfect translation.  One moment, please.

Ito closes his eyes again and enters a trance.  This time, the Kami smile upon him.

OOC: GM, I have successfully entered a Gnana-yoga trance.  While it is often used for discerning traps and such, it "Also gives general ideas as to the nature of mysterious items or texts...A text in an unknown language might be analysed as a laundry list, spell croll, or whatever best describes its contents."


10:04, Today: Ito rolled 14 using 1d20.  Attempt to decipher writing with Trance (BCS bonus invoked)  BCS: 23.
10:04, Today: Ito rolled 13 using 1d20.  Attempt to decipher writing with Trance (BCS bonus invoked)  BCS: 14.

Ito clears his mind and allows the natural structures of life to weave meaning into the scribblings that Takeshi has written on the ground but the flows found no organization in it.

He ponders the meaning in this result and re-visits the temple to look at the scribblings that he saw. They are different. Why?

He writes the symbols he found next to the symbols Takeshi scribbled on the ground and while still writing, both he and Takeshi see the truth.

Ito begins writing the two sets of scribbling on top of each other and words start taking shape.

I am Gorshu, Kami of Silence. There is danger here that my nature keeps in check. If you understand this and would risk unleashing such danger for a purpose, break the wood and prepare yourself.

As a reminder, there is a large piece of wood on the alter held up on either end with carved stone. The wood is perhaps 8 inches square and 3 feet long. It would be difficult to break it.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:58, Mon 07 June 2021.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 109):

Arashi looks at his party and asks them:

"Are we ready to break wood?"

I'll be ready in the morning.  Anyone seeking a blessing before we begin, just let me know which one.

Also, from what I understand, the lady Sasumi-sama and the servants will be far away from the shrine?  It sounds like when the wood breaks, the guardian appears.  We have no idea what the range is, so, perhaps anyone not wanting a double stay in the village?

In reply to Ito (msg # 111):

Since I will be attacking (starting with Takeshi double first) I would think that +5BCS would be most helpful for me.
Is the plan still to strike some kind of deal with the Kami first then exercise the gaurdian?
I will let the rest of you talk to the Kami, I've had enough discussions with them to last me a lifetime.


Totsu is ready with all weapons (as well as his rubber fishing gloves in case he has to fight another electric kami).

Before we head into the shrine Totsu will help Ito with my complete light samuri armor (ac 6).

In the morning, Ito is ready to go.

He prays for a Karma Yoga blessing (+6 to BCS's for 3d3 detailed turns - and is activated by the person blessed) for himself and Totsu.  (He can get one more into this blessing for free)

He will pray again for a Hatha Yoga blessing (+6 to Health).  (Two more may get this for free if they want it, and don't have one already).

Ito dons Totsu's cumbersome armor with his thanks.

Just before Arashi-sama breaks the wood, I will extend a shield against magic to anyone within 15 yards of me.  Stay within that range if you wish to retain the shields protection.

He nods that he is ready to Arashi-sama.

Please let me know where each character is when Totsu attempts to break the wood. You cannot stand in the squares where the circles are, they are 1 foot diameter posts holding the roof of the temple.
Remember, the sides are open. The roof is the standard roof of japenese design, not easily walked on. It is about 10 ft off the ground.

Totsu, this wood is VERY thick. It will not be easily broken. Tell me how you plan to break it.
You will probably need to stand in M8 or M10.




OOC: Paul, Hiro is welcome to join the fray to be involved and enjoy some combat.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:11, Wed 09 June 2021.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 114):

Totsu will put on his rubber fisherman gloves and pull out his yawara-chain
When putting on his gloves you will hear him mutter
I don't trust any kami based on past experiences

Then I will move to M10 and look at the rest of the group and say
position yourself where you want to be and let me know when you are all where you want to be and I will start bashing on this piece of wood.


when everyone tells me they are where they want to be and signals me they are ready I will start punching the piece of wood.
Punch yawara with atemi-waza is bcs 18 damage 1d10 + 8(subdual damage)
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:11, Wed 09 June 2021.

Totsu, you do not think using your fist will punch through this piece of wood, it is too thick. The yawara adds subdual damage so will not help the effectiveness of your punches.


OCC: Please go to the "Game Map" link at the top to the right of the dice roller link.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:10, Wed 09 June 2021.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 116):

Arashi attempts to focus Ki for Swift Arm.

BOO

09:18, Today: Arashi Fukushu rolled 20 using 1d20.  Focus Ki for Swift Arm dc 3.

In reply to Ito (msg # 113):

Takeshi will take the +6 BCS and the +6 Health from Ito if it makes sense.
He also offers +3 to BAP to himself and 2 others.


OCC: List which characters have spell bonuses. Is this good?
+6 BCS    :  1-Ito, 2-Arashi, 3-Takeshi
+6 health :  1-Ito, 2-Hiro, 3-Totsu
+3 BAP    :  1-Takeshi, 2-Arashi, 3-Totsu

Reminder, the plan is to take out Evil Takeshi first and Protect Good Ito
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:46, Wed 09 June 2021.

In reply to Takeshi Oshiro (msg # 118):

Arashi will accept Ito's +6 to BCS and +3BAP from Takeshi.

In reply to Arashi Fukushu (msg # 119):

I thought we had to deal with the Kami first?  Is the Kami the one who creates double or is this the Guardian?  I was assuming this is what the Guardian was going to do but since you are all preparing for combat immediately it makes me think that maybe this is what the Kami will do first?

As for the bonuses we need to do whatever would make Ito the most effective first.  For the bonuses for Totsu his plan is to charge Evil Takeshi and engage him in grapple or chain (leaning towards trying the chain thinking this will be harder for him to resist and won't be able to cast a spell if he is engaged with the chain.  Not really sure since Takeshi would not let Totsu engage in mock combat with him).  If Evil Takshi takes to the Air (assuming he is out of chain range) then Totsu would be forced to resort to using his bow.  For Totsu to succeed in either having bonuses in BCS would be the most helpful.  A net of 10 with a chain would immediately entangle Takeshi, forcing him to break out of the chains using his strength (which Totsu is assuming is very low).  I assume Totsu would go before Takeshi could finish his action so the BAP would help against other enimies but probably would not make a difference when engaging Takeshi.  Totsu was more concerned in Takeshi using some kind of spell against his mental attributes.  Takeshi knows best what kinds of spells Evil Takeshi could use on Totsu so he could better determine what would help or hurt Totsu in a battle with him so he will let Takeshi tell him what would be best for a battle against him.
Totsu will take whatever is given to him but would guess BCS (even stacked BCS) would be most helpful, second BAP, then last Health.

I'm not sure what Ito's range is but I think we want to make sure we take his range into account and make sure that if anyone comes after Ito they have to go through Takeshi and/or Arashi.

If everyone is ready and waiting on me then feel free to roll for me to attack the wood using Atemi-waza with my yawara.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Thu 10 June 2021.

Ito will cast a blessing on Totsu to give the +6 BCS for him.


+6 BCS for Arashi, Totus, Takeshi, Hiro, and Ito.
+6 health for Ito.

In reply to Ito (msg # 121):

Arashi asks Ayare to go into the village and find him the biggest and best Axe that can be found locally, sparing no expense and to bring it back to him. She can pay someone to carry it for her if need be.

Ayare heads to the town and in 15 minutes returns with an Ono (pole-axe). The best weapon for this task would have been the Masa-kari (great axe) but there were none in town. The ono is a bit unwieldy for this task but if you stand outside of the shrine when swinging it you will have enough room to get the job done.

Who wields it and where is everybody standing?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:18, Thu 10 June 2021.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 123):

"Totsu(M10), I think this Ono will cut wood better then your yawara, would you like to do the  honors while I stand over in the corner there (U2) with Takeshi(V1) and Ito(U1)?"

In reply to Arashi Fukushu (msg # 124):

"I am ready Arashi, let us combat this evil spirit and attain that which your lord requires. May the buddha enhance your spirit."

In reply to Arashi Fukushu (msg # 124):

Thanks Arashi, this is probably the better choice but it won't be as much fun.


Totsu will take some practice swings in making a V type chunk on some tree log outside the shrine with the pole axe before going inside to use it.  Trying to gage how big of a chunk each hit will take.
Once inside he will plan to use the pole axe to get the wood at what looks like 75 to 95% the way through in a V chunk and then if he thinks he can finish off the wood with one blow with the yawara he will do this.
This way he will already have his weapon handy when it breaks.

Not sure what I would role since I'm not proficient in pole axe and it is not a Budoka skill.
Feel free make whatever this roll is for me when time is appropriate.

Sorry, I misread the Takeshi post.  I thought Takeshi was offering up all those bonuses on top of what Ito was offering.  Would have been nice.  :)
Totsu has + 6 BCS and the + 3 BAP.
Aaahhh, Kami is in the wood.  Ok, I get it now.  Missed that part.
As far as locations, Obviously it would be best to have Ito's spell shield cover as many in our group as possible.  Is the range 15 hexes or 5 hexes?  If it's 5 I guess I'm on my own.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Fri 11 June 2021.

The characters get into position with spells cast, ready for the battle.

Totsu starts hacking at the wood. Even with his practice on a nearby tree, the large weapon seems to twist like a snake in his grasp.

After some time, he finally starts getting the hang of it but cannot judge the effectiveness of each blow, the last strike unexpectedly separating the wood into two pieces.

A great rush of wind can be heard as if being blown out of the log and a deep echoing voice that seems to come from all around you "Freedom!!!" followed by some words of powerful magic.

Soon following (Totsu has time to drop his Ono and take out his Yawara), shapes coalesce next to each of the characters (red hue on the map)

It is BAP (Base Action Phase) 15, DT (Detail Turn) 1

the Good Totsu is up followed by the evil Totsu...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Fri 11 June 2021.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 127):

The plan was to draw my Yawara-Chain.  I have a Yawara attached at the end of my 20 foot iron chain.  That was the weapon I planned to use.
As soon as I saw the wood break I would have activated all my bonuses and drew my weapon.

If I knew I was able to run to evil Takeshi and my double would not be able to engage me until after I had engaged with evil takeshi then I would run my full movement towards evil Takeshi.

Correct me if I'm interpreting the rules incorrectly but I'm assuming that if I ran on my bap that my double would be allowed to move up to me on his bap and then my double could engage me on his pap and he could continue to do this every round.

If I can run without having to worry about the possibility of being engaged by evil Totsu then I would run my full movement of 14.  I would move forward 4 to M9 then turn clockwise 45 degrees torwards N8 then move in the diagonal straight line to V0.  (I'm used to hexagons, can we run diagonally or are we only allowed to run in right angle directions?)

If I know that evil Totsu can engage me before I can engage evil Takeshi then I would attack Evil Totsu with my chain and attempt to entangle him.
My BCS with the chain is a 15 and I have + 6 to BCS.  If this is what ends up happening then could you roll and breakdown the bonuses of how to determine the effect numbers on my opponent.  It has been a while since I was in combat and I've forgotten a lot of it so a refresher would be very helpful.

In reply to Totsu (msg # 128):

OCC: Well Arashi finds himself engaged, and not in a good way.  So, as I understand it, I can no longer use my Dai-Kyu.  And if I move I can not use my Dai-kyu. So...

Plan B: I would like to drop Dai-kyu and Iajitsu draw superior Katana and attack evil Arashi. Can I do that on BAP or is it still an action to drop the bow?

All characters are engaged status currently.
Action definitions start on page 61

It is Totsu's action, he has his desired weapon out as stated and has started his BCS bonus.
Is it Totsu's desire to Turn and Flee as Totsu described earlier based on the turn and flee rule?

RULE: Turn and Flee Action in BAP
This Option allows the character to turn in place in preparation to
run for his cowardly life. It allows him to leave Engaged status. He
may not enter Engaged status with any other character on that
Detailed Turn. The turn in place occurs on that Action Phase in
which this Option is announced for the character. On the Action
Phase closest to halfway between the Phase of the turn and Action
Phase 1 the character will execute his run. This is a number of yards
equal to his Base Movement Allowance. He must move the total
distance unless blocked by a wall, foe, or some other barrier to his
progress.

In reply to GM KEN (msg # 130):

Totsu attempts to wrap up his evil twin with his chain.
BCS 15 +6 bless - AC (I'm wearing winter clothes so my AC is a 2, not sure what evil Totsu is wearing) - level 3? - range modifications of 0 - weapon quality bonus of 0 = Target BCS of 16?
I believe an exact hit is an effect of 1.
I rolled a 5 so that would be a 17 effect - defense.  If the effect is 10 or greater then opponent is subdued.  If the effect is less than 10 then he makes a speed saving through and if successful suffers that number of restrictions (not distractions, not sure how restrictions work with you or how they would stack up, can you please explain).  See page 63 for Entangle.

In reply to Totsu (msg # 131):

Arashi attempts an Iajitsu draw and strike with good katana on his doppleganger.

Iajitsu dc 14, bless +6, armor -6 for dc of 14.


22:31, Today: Arashi Fukushu rolled 3 using 1d20.  Iajitsu draw and strike dc 14 on Evil Arashi.

A hit for 1d6+2, +1 good katana, +3 strength bonus for 1d6+6

22:48, Today: Arashi Fukushu rolled 8 using 1d6+6.  Iajitsu damage.