Here goeth all the chatting and planning and Character Creation malarkey.

Books you might find useful:

Dragon Warriors Core. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/p...0926/Dragon-Warriors
Cadaver Draconis. https://www.drivethrurpg.com/p...243/Cadaver-Draconis
Thousand Islands. https://docs.google.com/docume...OeY/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks, just got the linked books.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 1):

Here we goeth indeed.

I'm quite happy to play an indigenous Thousand Islander.

Are we starting at the heady heights of rank 1?

Indeedy.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 4):

Good stuff. A Bobohizan for me.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:03, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

Thanks for the add!

Character generation method?

Any prohibited classes?

Cheers
N

Straight rolls....if you get two stats below 9 can reroll.

No prohibited classes.....so far.....though I'm biased against Warlocks. ;)

This message was deleted by the player at 17:56, Sat 01 May 2021.

This is what I have so far. A simple Knight, as I am new to the game system.

BACKGROUND: Karash the Exile was trained in the ways of the warriors in Clyster.
He is a fine swordsman, but his greed and proclivity for cavorting and seeking
the attentions of the fairer sex often got him into trouble.
Eventually, he was caught in compromising circumstances in the private chambers
of a certain coveted concubine, in the palace of a high ranking Baron.
Although he managed to escape in a rather undignified manner,
the Baron used his influence on the Palace to issue a kingdom-wide manhunt
putting a hefty reward on Karash's handsome head.
Gathering his few possessions and disguising himself in a hooded cloak,
Karash secured passage on the first ship out of Clyster,
in search of quieter waters.
His many peregrinations eventually brought him to the Thousand Islands,
a strange exotic land where he is unknown.

Nice! I was pondering playing an outsider in this exotic setting too. GM & Karash what do u both think about my character being a fiend or relation of Karash who accompanied him to these strange lands?

Sure, works for me. They could have met during the journey to the Islands, or travelled together. Or one could have followed the other.

Works for me...Karash has travelled a hell of a long way...possibly the furthest anyone in Legend has ever travelled so you could be from anywhere really. From Ellesland through to Coradia to Ta'ashim lands...Minj...Batuban...


Also...lets reduce our use of the word exotic it just feels kinda a weird way to refer to the place half my family is from in RL. :)

Apologies!!! Will do. I meant it in a most respectful and curious way.

No worries. :) All good.

Happy to change the land Karash escaped from to something closer/more believable. I am coming at this without any real knowledge of the lore and topography of the setting.
Didn't realise the locations had a RL correlation, either? Thought they were purely fictional.

Well the name Karash seems to be a Polish or Hungarian Jewish name....which would point to somewhere around Hudristania or Molisaria....a variant spelling points to Ta'ashim or Minji possibilities.

Most of Legends countries have real world approximates.  Ellesland/UK, Chaubrette/France, Mercania/Norway-Sweden, Asmuly/Italy etc.

You tell me, happy for his land to be any of the above.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:09, Sun 02 May 2021.

:)

Hope I'm not stepping on any toes...I know tone is hard with text.....but I think it'd be interesting if he was Ta'ashim ( Opalaran, Zheniri etc.) or Minji...if thats within your comfort zone.

I was actually contemplating a Ta’ ashim Assassin or perhaps some sort of mystic so that would work for me. Rolled pretty crap stats so was not quite sure what profession to pick as I usually let the dice lead me and then try to come up with a concept...

Cool.  There are 'knights' ( Zheniri Faris for example) in Ta'ashim lands as well if you wanted to stick with your current Profession.

:)

No toes were injured in the making of this game.
So, I can see the section on Ta'ashim (that seems like a Caliphate reminiscent of an Arabic country) on the reprinted DW rules PDF, but no mention of the Minji? Where do I have to look to get some background on that, to inform my choice?

Disregard last message -- I have found the Minji, info on their civilization was in the Thousand Islands document.
I think Karash will be a fugitive Knight from Ta'ashim, then - I prefer him to be a newcomer to the Islands. Will adjust background accordingly.

[tweaked character background]

Karash the Exile was trained in the ways of the warriors in Demkhor, the Holy City of Ta’ashim.
He is a fine swordsman, but his greed and proclivity for cavorting and seeking
the attentions of the fairer sex often got him into trouble.
Eventually, he was caught in compromising circumstances in the private chambers
of a certain coveted concubine, in the palace of a high ranking Dignitary of the Caliph.
Although he managed to escape in a rather undignified manner,
the dignitary used his influence on the Caliphate to issue a kingdom-wide manhunt
putting a hefty reward on Karash's handsome head.
Gathering his few possessions and disguising himself in a hooded cloak,
Karash secured passage on the first ship out of Demkhor,
in search of quieter waters.
His many peregrinations eventually brought him to the Thousand Islands,
a strange exotic land where he is unknown.

Works for me.

Ok so we have Karash and Made.  Hows our third member coming along?

Both of you do your Background and Language rolls and once we have the results we'll do some cut and paste to localise them.

:)

rolled 11 on 1d100 for Background - Karash's parents were Nobility.

rolled 17 on 1d20 (-2 for Nobility) for Languages = Karash knows no additional language. I guess his native language is Ta'ashim ?

In reply to Karash (msg # 25):

18 - no additional languages.

Re background - elementalist rolls regionally, shall I jump to a different profession's table?

In reply to Made (msg # 26):

Any tweaking to spell lists, o illustrious GM?

He was in Zhenir so thats Nascerine.

Then 9-12 months on a ship....so lets give him some basic Opalarian and some basic Garudan ( Largest Empire in the Thouand Islands), Khitan ( Khitai) and Sanskriti ( Minji) that he learned learned from sailors on the long voyage.

His Kutami will be very limited to begin with but I'm sure Made can teach him.

Made is local to Nusa Kutam?  Or elsewhere in the Thousand Islands. If elsewhere he can roll on the table and we'll just geo-shift the results.

If from Nusa Kutam just use the Mystic table.

In terms of spells....I think they can mostly stay as is with just some FX differences that I'll leave to you.  But feel free to swap out for any PG spells you like the look of.

OK, updated character sheet.

So Karash had all the privileges of the Noble class back home, facilities and the best teachers, but he didn't learn any extra language (no doubt, to his family's great disappointment).
But in his travels he picked up the basics of 4 languages from sailors :D Love it !
This message was last edited by the player at 12:04, Fri 07 May 2021.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 29):

Lucky number 40.

Argh. Where are my attribute rolls? Can u still see them in the dice roll log? (They weren't great from memory!)

Think I'll go with a kind of street urchin/roguey/footpad and general ne'er do well type...

Haven't tried to build an "assassin" profession yet using the much more flexible rules compared to the original books.

Will that work?

14:08, Sun 02 May: TBA rolled 9 using 3d6.  Rolling attributes .

14:08, Sun 02 May: TBA rolled 13 using 3d6.  Rolling attributes .

14:08, Sun 02 May: TBA rolled 9 using 3d6.  Rolling attributes .

14:08, Sun 02 May: TBA rolled 5 using 3d6.  Rolling attributes.

14:07, Sun 02 May: TBA rolled 11 using 3d6.  Rolling attributes.

Works for me.

*bit rough - please edit as needed for fit with the campaign.  I assume he's not literate but may have picked up some spoken languages from the melting pot of Crescentium*  You'll see from his character sheet I have departed slightly (downwards) from the starting equipment as it doesn't really fit my concept or his backstory to have a crossbow (he would have sold it anyway).

Nafu the Urchin

Nafu has no idea who his parents were and grew up begging, stealing and fighting on the cruel streets of Crescentium.

He has dark hair and eyes and a prominent nose. Nafu is short, thin and generally physically unimpressive - a legacy of poor diet and conditions in his childhood. Learning soon that he had best run, jump and hide rather than stand and fight to survive he has developed some skill in climbing and acrobatics, scampering like a monkey around the crowded shops. His insolent tongue has gotten him in just as much trouble as his thievery.  He doesn't see stealing (or at least his act of stealing) as wrong.  God and the Prophet must smile upon those starving children who help themselves surely?

Nafu carries a brace of knives, hidden about his person, and has become skilled at throwing them. He sleeps with a blade and a stout cudgel in hand, surviving in an uncaring and hostile world filled with those who are stronger and more skilled than he only by cunning, caution and a streak of ruthless survival instinct.

Cyncial and realistic generally, he does still dream of a better life and is occasionally sentimental and gullible for a hardened street urchin.

Nafu stole a distinctive and fine scimitar from a sleeping guard captain in revenge for a savage beating and the guard vowed to hang him for the embarrasment and shame brought upon the captain for loss of his weapon. The ensuing vendetta made it impossible for Nafu to remain in the city and he gathered his few secretly hoarded coins and took ship to far away lands. Not even sure where he was going, just desperate to flee Crescentium to avoid the deadly weight of the law.

Nafu met the charismatic Karash on the journey to the Thousand Islands and decided to align himself with the warrior as some measure of protection in a dangerous new world.  Nafu is an opportunist and a survivor. Shaped by hard circumstance he has a grit and self-reliance which more than compensates for his lack of physical prowess.

We like Nafu!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Sun 09 May 2021.

Feel free to roll for languages for Nafu.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 36):

Any issues if I do a thread for ' points of interest' on Nafu and Karashs voyage?

not here, please do.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 07:09, Thu 13 May 2021.

fantastic intro, Damian!

Looking good, Mr. May. I'll finito Made tomorrow. When do you anticipate an in?

I'm thinking of doing a seperate intro thread for Made....hopefully with some others but no other nibbles yet while fishing for players.

No worries, it actually suits me a little to have a delay, kinda busy.

In reply to Made (msg # 42):

Nafu?

Hello to you all. :)

With the stats I just rolled (They're on the log, boss!) I'd say she's a natural for a sorcerer.

Now I just need to fill in the other bits, and find a name for her Trepang trading family and she's set.

Hello lady sorcerer!

And, Nafu, are you still there?

Howdy. Apologies yes Nafu is still skulking around. His real life alter ego has just been fighting off many metaphorical monsters in a strange realm called Ors Strayla... he will be back imminently ;-)

Question, as I don't remember how to do it on this site:
How do I change the Character Name? Haven't found the right bit of the settings menu yet...

I'll need to do that after work. :)

In reply to Damian May (msg # 48):

Fair enough.

I assume she would speak Tsutsuneng and know Khitai Pictograms as the script for it, but I'm not sure what others she would know at this point.

Almost certainly but make the rolls that you normally would and we'll just geographically shift the results.

The Language of Yamato is Jodai. Even if the dice aren't kind she'll have a chance to pick up others in the 'pre-game' IC Local thread.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 50):

Thank you, I couldn't remember what it was off hand myself, and I'm in uncharted waters here linguistically despite checking the languages sections in the pdfs.

Not that that's a problem, as being in uncharted waters is part of the fun for me. :)

Just as well there'll be an opportunity to pick up other languages early on then, as sadly, the dice do not believe in Hanako's multilingual ambitions.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:35, Mon 31 May 2021.

In reply to Hanako (msg # 51):

IC thread for Made, Hanako and possibly one other is going up tomorrow.  Lets finalise some backgrounds etc.

One question then for Hanako:
Where would a Yamato trader set up a home away from home in this setting? Stay with their vessel, or rent/buy a house on shore?

If its a permanent posting ( which considering the 'Warring States" nature of Yamato that Dave Morris noted is probably the smart thing to do if you want to keep your family safe.) then it can be in the town outside the palace or down at the docks.

Can likely get some funding to assist with building from the young king, Dharmmodayana Warmadewa,  as trepang will bring in some big money for the island.

So we'll have Hanako already on the island.

Made, I'll do a generic intro for as they haven't got back to me in a while.

Datuk Tan Cheng Leng I'll have as a recentish arrival.

Ok I am ready to roll! Just one question boss
Do I get the gold equivalent for the chainmail to buy other things?

Yes.

Thanks boss! I assume a set of rattan armour costs the same as leather armour?
I think I will buy a set of rattan armour

I was assuming she probably was born here, but is of Yamato ancestry, and Warring States is what I would call one of those 'Interesting times' that can be difficult to live through, so yes, that would be wise. :)

Dad must be in pretty good with the young king then. So house near patron in town, and a godown (Warehouse/office) at the docks sound good to you?

Still trying to make my mind up about the limitations of Hanako being a Hedge Wizard vs standard Sorcerer, or trying for Courtier Mage later instead.

There was a weather affecting power in the HW list somewhere that sounds like a really good idea for sea travel/fishing boat protection though...

*Goes off to read up on Hedge Wizards again and to make up her damn mind.*

Yep.

Sounds good.

I'm sure you'll make any option work.

We'll open up Paths at 2nd Rank ( and retro anything we need to), but its good to have a plan in mind.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:17, Sat 05 June 2021.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 61):

I'll be continuing the IC for our two sailors tonight as well, haven't forgotten you two. ;)

In reply to Damian May (msg # 60):

Made's life is getting horrendously busy. Juggling.

Are we sure this site can't do post notifications?

Don't think so.

But checking back every couple of days will almost certainly yield results. :)

IIRC, it's under the User Preferences menu accessible from the main page, and according to that page, it will send email notifications of new posts in the specific game thread/s the user has access to.

exciting to see the new characters taking their first steps, folks!

In reply to Hanako (msg # 65):

Thank you. 12 hours, and I should know whether that has worked.

Crossing fingers.

Adds it to the long list of ' things you learn after being on the site for 15 years...

In reply to Damian May (msg # 68):

I didn't know myself until day before yesterday.

In reply to Hanako (msg # 69):

IC update Wednesday....I did just under 200 smoke alarm battery replacements today and I'm not sure my necks gonna want screen time for a bit...getting old.

ow! So many in a day? What does ur job ntail? stay in a place replace batteries or have to go around to replace the battery?

Its a hotel. So one per room.  Today was testing and tagging...which is not quite so repetitive...but slower.

wah thats a lot of distance to walk

In reply to Damian May (msg # 72):

Each one is on the ceiling? I see why the neck aches.

Yup.....currently I'm cleaning out the sub-basement....so much old crap that we will never use but the owner doesn't want to donate/recycle/throw out 'just in case '.

Glad for the facemask....way too much dust...

Ah you guys also have to wear masks whenever you are outdoors?

Currently, yeah. I don't mind them myself....comfortable and keeps my face warm.

Most of my female coworkers love them, massive reduction in douche-bros telling them to 'smile more'.

Ah, so the Aussie government also passed laws to ensure people mask up?

Yeah I like wearin mask too, hides my Looks 6 face. but can get stuffy over here... and the students are constantly pulling their masks down.

You guys vaccinated against covid? i got mine a few months back...

Got my first shot three weeks ago, next is in Sept.

State governments here are doing a good to reasonable job, Federal is a clusterfuck.

In reply to Damian May (msg # 79):

Oh, before I forget if the Nusa Kutam crew want to give a general, somewhat vague, overview of how they spent the last twelve months there can be goodies coming your way.

Does your state gov have a lot of power? Most federal governments are crap- India, Malaysia to name a few

I love goodies hahahha

My past year quite shitty if u ask me.::
Dad passed away during lockdown when we were restricted to 10 pax at funeral.. can’t even bring the children along for long
Much time spent creating resources for students and preparing them for national exams
Our night life is shattered! No singing at all except at underground joints and most pubs pivoted to f&b. KindA boring if u ask me..
Dec holidays spent doing nothing except playing games and preparing to move house
We had another semi lock down in may this year just when we thought things were looking good.. so back to staying at home coz can’t dine out or gather in more than 2s. Tomorrow onwards we can gather in 5s but can’t dine out still..: haha

My condolences regarding your Dad, my parents are getting up there so I'm probably not too far away from that myself.
In all honesty I haven't missed going out at all; but then I was never the most social of people at the best of times....I think the last visitors we had at our place was....April of last year?

Now lets go with:

Tans family gifted him with a scarlet velvet pouch that he was not to open until he had been at sea for two days. He found within six gold coins from central Khitai ( 60 silver worth), a jade guan for his hair ( 10 silver) and a small packet of Mahogany seeds.

+10xp

A carton of a dozen flasks of lihing. ( 2 silver each)

Thanks… well mine both died rather young so I guess I might not have a long life.. haha I seldom go out except to drink and ktv which is popular here. But I don’t really like shopping at all and haven’t gone to downtown for a few years haha

Ah thanks now I am filthy rich lol
Oh mahogany seeds as in seeds to plant mahogany trees?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:15, Mon 14 June 2021.

Yup.

are they common in these parts of the land? I suppose mahogany should be valuable? Perhaps I could get a plot of land and farm mahogany trees for my retirement? I mean they take decades to grow right? In the meantime I guess I try to seek the lady in red! Her style of writing reminds me of another lady in another world

In reply to Datuk Tan Cheng Leng (msg # 85):

I have a long established fondness for playing sorcerers in DW, so you may well be correct in that conjecture.

Mahogany is a valuable hardwood, so while it may be a long term investment, the seeds themselves are still a fine gift.

Yeah w very detailed posts!!! And some similarity in the style ;)

I have a penchant for warlocks on games where they are allowed haha
Failing that I prefer hacking ;) hehe

Yeah in Uncharted waters mahogany ships are best but most expensive
Perhaps I can clear land and plant trees and build a battle fleet ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Tue 15 June 2021.

In reply to Datuk Tan Cheng Leng (msg # 87):

It is indeed a fine wood for shipbuilding, as it does not rot easily in water.
However, mahogany is also a tree that sings through drums and other percussion instruments and is a curative plant as well, as Hanako would know from her various studies.

Though I myself am only as wise in it's uses as a quick look in wiki can make me, it is a pretty interesting tree in itself.

In reply to Datuk Tan Cheng Leng (msg # 87):

At which point I realise who you are!

In reply to Made (msg # 89):

Not many warlock fanatics I guess? I had a friend who’s a warlock in a campaign and he got to the point of making cool stuff! I doubt I get to that kindA power

What Warlock fanatics there are make up for the lack of them by the sheer enthusiasm.

Thousand Island GM -- a note here to say that I won't be ready to play Made until August. Busy lad.

Not a problem. Thanks for the update.

I'm not even going to have real internet. Eek.

In reply to Made (msg # 93):

Ok. After GM dropped the ball, whose still here?

Tan and Hanako are.

Made are you up?

We still have Karash and Nafu?

Cos I'm good to go now. :)

I am ready for adventure too!!! Welcome back GM

Yep here and waiting! ;-)

Karash and his marmoset monkey Kirikou are here!

In reply to Karash (msg # 97):

To make sure no one has missed out.

Hanako has received from her family a delicately crafted ceramic Houhin with the family crest traced in gold across the side. ( Worth 20 gold), laquered gold traced kogai and kushi kanzashi ( worth 10 gold) a small pouch of pearls worth 60 gold)

+10xp

A scroll received from a servant back home who had been entrusted with knowledge of her studies.  It is said to have once belonged to a powerful kitsune-tsukai and contains a blessing within. ( CURE DISEASE Scroll)



Made received a large parcel of herbs and traditional remedies as a gift when he completed his training as a balian. ( Worth 10 gp and has gained the Herbalism skill.)

He also has a pouch of 15 gold, an opal worth 30 gp and a well made blakas ' handaxe' ( 5 gp)

15 xp.

I thank you for that, as a small teapot/teabowl is an interesting and pertinent heirloom for Hanako, and a practical one too for a traveler. :)

I guess I should be finishing up Hanako's Charsheet as well.
*Looks guilty and runs off to finish homework...*

In reply to Hanako (msg # 99):

We will be back to our regular schedule soon.

Question for GM:
What variety of local armour counts as as light armour, suitable for a sorcerer?

I admit to being slightly confused by the options available in the setting notes, but that's on me, not you, and it's the only thing I haven't dealt with on Hanako's charsheet.

Rattan armour and its variants are AF 2 and don't need to be stripped down for the heat.

Any other ( ie Core Book or Players Guide) AF 3-4 armour can be worn in a stripped down form giving an AF of 2. Or other AF 2 armour can be stripped down to AF 1.

Layered Silk armour is basically a gambeson and can be worn normally for AF 1.

Just to be sure the captain is from Yamato which is like Japan while I am from khitan which is like china right?

Initially I thought they were khitanese as Hanako typed in what I thought was Chinese

Correct, though originally from Yamato Captain Akari has traded all throughout Yamato, Khitai, Batuban, The Thousand Islands and other lands.  So he is fluent in many languages as are most of his household.

My apologies to all for the lack of replies on my part of late. :(

Dealing with family member unexpectedly in hospital and the resulting chaos from that, including going out to feed their cat daily has left me a bit short of time and wits to spare for game posting.

Am gathering wits and hope to have a bit of time soon to post IC, provided life doesn't throw any further surprises at me today.

Gentlemen, I am finding it increasingly difficult to follow Play by Forum games at the moment, and I am taking a break from the format, leaving the few current games I am in.
Perhaps the game pacing makes it hard for me to follow the story with real focus. It is not an issue with the game itself, more with the format of playing.
Thanks for the game so far, I enjoyed it greatly, and wish you a successful continuation!

No worries.

Totes on me.....a lot more distractions at the moment than I thought there would be.

Looks like things will be back to normal for me some way through December if anyone knows of any other potential players that would like to join.

I can ask a couple of people who might be interested in playing.
Not promising anything will come of it, but I can ask.

As a player I am in agreement with Nafu's suspicious assessment of Wayan's account, but let's see what state Wayan's head is in and what his next answers are before Hanako even considers poking any holes in either his story or his head.

However, "Speak softly but carry a big stick." is why Hanako carries a quarterstaff as a weapon.

Nobody bite any monkeys either, just in case whatever the local macaques may have contracted is contagious.

There's a lot of different sorts of macaques, so Hanako is making generalized statements based on the most common variety I know of IRL, and may not be true of the ones ingame.

In reply to Hanako (msg # 109):

Long tailed Macaques are the ones I had in mind. :)

In reply to Damian May (msg # 110):

That's good to know, and thank you for the knowing of it. :)

I apologize for not responding to this earlier, and am sorry to see you go. :(
I also hope you may one day return to the game, but I understand if you cannot.

If anyone in the party has any tracking skills, now would probably be the most useful time to mention it, or the lack of them, as the case may be.

If there's no trail to follow, then climbing a tree for a longer look around may be possible. As it seems increasingly likely that these are not the usual jungle inhabitants, I am hoping they are not as stealthy whilst carrying off their loot as is usual either.

If this is all a tall tale covering for a more mundane sort of banditry, then someone went to the bother of providing a bit of physical evidence in the form of rotten flesh to back up their story.

Sorry for slow posting. Just got struck w Covid ytd... will try my best wehn I feel awake. V tired and still gotta do work from home.
GM Please feel free to npc me...

Hanako is trying to work out just how many of these dead monkeys are potential foes, on the grounds that is a lot of dead monkeys, and the easiest way to hide a dead-but-still-dangerous-monkey is in a big group of dead monkeys.

That would be Datuk's task, to play the roaring tiger warrior so to speak, and draw down trouble to sweep it out the way with a weapon with long reach, but that's a risky one, so if Datuk's player would prefer another plan, I'm open to suggestions.

Lot of little opponents can be damn nasty in a fight, so it's a dangerous plan, given he's got to keep the woman distracted from her captive and keep a potentially large number of undead macaques off his back at the same time.

Which is where Nafu either freeing the captive, or playing stone throwing monkey at the woman from behind is handy, given he's also got to dodge dead monkeys if they go after him. Probably faster than they are, so climbing and running away to get back up are both options if brute force doesn't work.

Hanako can make the woman weaker in a fight with WEAKEN, assuming she fails the MA vs MD test, and she can heal Nafu and Datuk if she gets close enough, and provide some rock throwing support as well.

Does that make sense as a group plan?

Great! Killing here we go!!!!!! I love killing... even though I am a datuk

In reply to Datuk Tan Cheng Leng (msg # 116):

If I have understood the term correctly, in Tan's case, that would make him a Sir, the equivalent of a knight, not a ruler of a domain?

Hanako would prefer a live and captive old woman as well as a live and free Kodok, if that's who she has tied up there.

It is very difficult to ask questions of the dead, and get answers the questioner can rely on the veracity of in Dragon Warriors, so in this case, two witnesses to ask questions of is better than one, even if one witness could fairly be called a hostile one.

I guess more of his step father is the governor of the land of temasek and he somehow got a title from his dad?

Cuturally datukships have several levels and the lower level ones can be easily purchased. hehe

In reply to Datuk Tan Cheng Leng (msg # 118):

That's a fair reason for Tan's possession of the title Datuk, and Hanako is polite enough to use it in a formal situation.

Argh, it's that eyebleed inducing site colour scheme again!
*Checks date...*

Happy International Day of Fact Checking On The Internet to you all, and I shall attempt to choose the least foolish plan for Hanako regardless.

Damn, but it seems the PCs are now in Phase Two: Find Out.

As I said before that's a lot of monkeys, so cut and run maybe the best option, as in cut the captive free, and run. Uphill and through think undergrowth, but at least there's a trail marked by Hanako earlier, and the smoke of a campfire above the tree line.

Not betting that taking the old lady captive or if need be, killing her dead will stop the macaques, but that's the best alternate plan I can think of right now.

If anyone has any suggestions to make, please feel free to make them.

Then I shall charge in and engage the spawn of the devil!

Small technical correction: She's probably not 'the spawn of the devil'. Wrong theology for that, if I am right in my theory as a player.

The woman in question is probably possessed by a demon of some sort, given she's wearing the appropriate outfit for being a follower of the local Queen Of Demons.

So if anything, she'd be the minion of a demon, not a devil.

The darkened eyes may a symptom of an eye disease unknown to Hanako, but given the number of folktales told of encounters with strange black eyed people met in the wilder places of the world, that seems unlikely in this case.

It might also explain why the woman with the dagger is apparently not paying much attention to the pain of the wound she has been dealt, or the weakening effects of the spell Hanako threw at her before.

However, it doesn't mean that Hanako wants her dead. Possession by demonic forces is said to be more often a temporary state than a permanent one.

Kill her body and the demon may not stop possessing it. After all, there'd be nothing human in spirit left in a corpse to fight it off from fully controlling dead flesh.

Need to get that dagger off her, as it could possibly be the demon's focus to control her. Killing her is a last resort, and may make even make things worse if the party does so.

I could be utterly mistaken about all of this, and making a bunch of false assumptions about what's going on in game, but that's the information that Hanako would be going on IC.

Nafu, you still with us?
If so, then do you have any plans for next move?

Ooops sorry!

In reply to Nafu (msg # 125):

No worries, I'm just glad to see you. :)

I'll be back tomorrow to post IC, trying to figure out a workable plan from far too many options.

Player opinion: It is possible that the woman with the bronze knife is both possessed and on drugs, or possessed by an unknown entity, or as Datuk contends, simply drugged and impervious to pain.

Hanako is inclined towards the supernatural explanation partly due to her training as a Sorceress.

It does not mean she is correct in her assumption about what is going on, or that she is being particularly gracious to Datuk Tan Cheng Leng about his own theory of the woman's lack of reaction to physical harm.

Could be they're both right?
Could be they're both wrong, and there's an entirely different cause to the woman's seeming indifference to her wounds?

I eagerly await further developments as a player, despite Hanako's state of annoyance IC.

To be honest, it's probably better that she's more annoyed than afraid in the middle of an attempted rescue mission that has become more complicated than she had anticipated by the second. :)

In reply to Hanako (msg # 128):

Mea Culpa. I'll get on it. :)