Rokugan in the Shadows Ch 1: Gathering Dark

[~Corvus~]

The Docks

The Samurai flinches in surprise as Yrashnal leaps away.

Spoiler: Rolls

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(1d20+4)[13]Will vs DC 14
(1d20+5)[15]Sense Motive vs 10 Bluff (-2 if failed Will Save against Curse)

The Samurai laughs into Yrashnal's face. "Not only is this oni trying to flee death, but it thinks I'd be afraid of the Taint? I have not chosen the path of a warrior for fear of dying." He laughs again, and though he bleeds and limps ever so slightly on the leg he's been injured on, he advances on Yrashnal 60 feet, with his hands on the hilt and scabbard of his sword. "It's comforting to an aging man to know that he's still got fight left in him. Now I ask you, are you ready to meet your maker, Oni?"

The junction contains a pathway further along cliffs to a ship filled with (if hearsay is to believed) roughly 80 soldiers. However, the ship is partially-obscured and there's a good deal of conversation from there. The junction also leads to steps up to the town above, which was where he saw Specimen go last.

--

Specimen's trek up the steps leads it straight to the panting Samurai. Now that it's had the chance to notice, the man appears middle-aged. What were once young muscles are older and less-well defined. Weaker. Whatever humans it's tasted before this one, the scents Specimen gains imply this one is both comfortably-fed and is well-balanced. The man's sweat speaks to the creature of tea and sweets, of yams, leafy greens, and fine game.

--

Above the town, on the cliffs, a cloaked figure rises into the air, albeit briefly.

[Ellowryn]

Specimen

Its pulse racing in anticipation Specimen finishes climbing the stairs after its prey. While the human tries to recover from its rigorous activity it will only pause for a moment before launching a viscous attack from behind on the unsuspecting human, the only sound being made is the tearing of soft flesh and spilling of fresh blood on the ground.

Spoiler: Sneak Attack!

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Moving into position behind the Samurai, then making a full round attack which cancels Invisibility.
All attacks hitting flat footed AC.
Bite (1d20+7)[25], if a crit (1d20+9)[23], damage (3d6+6)[18] poison DC 15 fort save (1d4)[3] Str damage
Spikes (1d20+5)[25], if a crit (1d20+7)[21], damage (1d8+4)[5]
Tail (1d20+5)[21], if a crit (1d20+7)[10], damage (1d6+4)[10] poison DC 15 fort save (1d4)[4] Str damage
Claw (1d20+5)[12], if a crit (1d20+7)[27], damage (1d8+4)[6]
Claw (1d20+5)[18], if a crit (1d20+7)[11], damage (1d8+4)[12]

[~Corvus~]

In a single pounce, the Kython unleashes its deadly attack. Wordlessly, he tries to spin around. Upon reaching for his sword, Specimen's tail strikes his side, and the Samurai's hand stretches to get at it, but instead he falls towards the wall. One claw misses and the other rips at the man's leg. "kkhhhhhhssshhhhhhhh" With what seems to be a herculean effort, he stumbles backwards into the wall and, bleeding profusely, he looks as he's going to draw his sword. He doesn't. He waits for Specimen has come closer.

Spoiler: actions

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5-foot "step" back to the wall.
(appears to) Ready actions.

He breathes in and out with gasps and groans, "****! How does a goat....how...?"

[Ellowryn]

Specimen

Perhaps it is because it is enthralled in the hunt, or that it is still too inexperienced, but Specimen will keep up its relentless attack regardless of what the older man may try and do. Stepping forward to finish the kill Specimen lets out a long low hiss as its jaws close in on the humans throat.

Spoiler: FATALITY!!!!! Maybe....

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5ft step forward, which probably triggers the Samurai's readied actions, and making a full attack.
Bite (1d20+7)[18], if a crit (1d20+9)[12], damage (3d6+6)[18] poison DC 15 fort save (1d4)[4] Str damage
Spikes (1d20+5)[6], if a crit (1d20+7)[27], damage (1d8+4)[6]
Tail (1d20+5)[25], if a crit (1d20+7)[8], damage (1d6+4)[9] poison DC 15 fort save (1d4)[4] Str damage
Claw (1d20+5)[10], if a crit (1d20+7)[8], damage (1d8+4)[11]
Claw (1d20+5)[24], if a crit (1d20+7)[9], damage (1d8+4)[10]

AC 21, HP 33

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Turns his anger towards the closest samurai, lighting him up with faerie fire he is consumed by blue flames. Shifts essentia from his crown chakra to his shroud. Reaching back he pulls out his handcrossbow.

Taking aim he releases a bolt towards this engulfed samurai

Spoiler: attack

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1st attempt(1d20+7)[22] 2nd attempt(1d20+7)[13] Crit confirm(1d20+7)[26] add +1 profane bonus if within 10ft. Damage (1d4)[4] crit extra damage(1d4)[2] add +1 profane bonus if within 10ft.
E

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade tries to work the anchor free. If it doesn't come loose, as a last resort she'll use acid to break away the part of the anchor that is still dug in...

[~Corvus~]

Jade pushes the rock to try to break the anchor free.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Strength (1d20+3)[13]

Although the rock doesn't budge in the slightest, Jade notices that her acidic nature starts dissolving the rock far faster than it can dissolve the metal. With a focused effort, she manages to shove the rock, dissolving the bits that have trapped the anchor, and it eventually jerks free.

[~Corvus~]

The steps

The Samurai shifts instead of attacking outright. Although he's only bought himself a few seconds, it's all he needs.

Spoiler: rolls

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he uses Improved Feint
BLUFF (1d20+13)[15]
Vs
Sense Motive (1d20-1)[5] 14 (this should be 9 higher - SM +8)

(Iaijutsu Focus adds extra d6 damage when opponent is flat-footed)
Baseline is 15 for +1 & +1 die per 5 above 15. If higher than a 21 (Specimen's AC), attack hits & replaces initiative & attack roll.
(1d20+16)[24] Iai, replacing attack: 8 ranks, +3 focus, +3 Cha, +2 (item)
Katana (1d10+11)[15] +2 sword, +4 str, PA +5 dmg (take -4 from value here)
(1d6+3)[7] adds Cha per d6 Iaijutsu die
(1d6+3)[4]
(1d6+3)[8]
(1d6+3)[4]
(1d6+3)[5]

22 damage
--
Otherwise,
(1d20)[13] attack & (1d10+5)[6] PA

Although he deals an overpowering blow to the creature, Specimen does not drop; instead his flurry of attacks hit and, after the first blow, he drops. Blood spatters all over the steps as the man turns from corpse to well-tendered meal.

[~Corvus~]

Docks

The Samurai adjusts his stance deliberately. It seems he's positioned himself that he barely needs to move to attack Yrashnal, even from his distance away; he gets a spectral glow around him. The Smurai's sword and sheath gain an orange-hot glow, and Yrashnal can feel the air between himself and the Samurai shimmer and move. The man moves to draw his sword, and almost too late, it appears that he might even reach a ten-foot gap with a strike; a bolt pierces through his neck and thuds into the stone behind the barghest. The samurai drops his hands before he can move and falls over. The glow on his hilt fades, although the delicate wooden casing has smoke that rises from it; clearly, it's been burnt. Although he breathes still, it is weak. "Traitors...You oni shall not prevail..."

Just then a shout comes from the top of the cliffs. A man stands near the cinch-crane and proclaims to the (erstwhile occupied) soldiers on the ship By order of Emerald Lord Yodai, all soldiers stationed here are to be sent with Regent Lord Hida! You are to join him at the top of the town, where you will depart shortly!

The men on the ship, mostly obscured from the mist, chorus a loud and affirmative response. Yrashnal can see them leaving their tasks while officers contain their respective groups. Neither he nor Specimen have much time until their kills are discovered...by roughly 80 soldiers!

[Ellowryn]

Specimen

Pain. Once again there is pain, thrill too at the victory at had, but that is all overwhelmed by the pain. But before it can take any time to savior the kill there is another smell in the air. Desperation and blood from its ally. It turns in that direction and charges not even bothering to conceal itself, only stopping once it reaches the source with claw and fang bared.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade climbs back aboard.

"The anchor is free now, but it could still drag and get stuck again. There should be some kind of device around here for drawing in the anchor rope..."

She follows that rope, looking for the windlass.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

"Such is the fate of mortals..." The Hound moves forward while discorporeating into a rolling mass of flesh indistinguishable from charcoal that settles upon the Samurai. A few moments later the samurai melts away, leaving only the still recovering Hound.

Spoiler: OoC

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This should take 2 rounds, the first to move to the Samurai and the second to absorb him as per Hecantoncheires' Undefined Essence. Fast Healing brings Yhrashnal up to 29/47 HP from 27/47.

[~Corvus~]

The Boat

There is a windlass for this vessel, but it's actually a modular device; the rods to turn the crank are nowhere to be found. After several minutes of searching, you find excellent wooden rods with a stash of oars. After that, it's only a little while until you've managed to crank the anchor in, although it takes two of you to accomplish the task while the vessel is moving. An unexpected bonus of hauling the anchor while the craft is moving is that it points the vessel with the north-eastern curve of the river; soon you have left the town behind and are traveling north. The pale moon and stars offer the only light you'll get this evening, however, so it's up to those that can see the way ahead to help navigate.


The Docks
Specimen finds its ally assimilating the body of its victim. It doesnt have long to act, however, as soldiers are hustling off the large ship. They have organized and head into the fog-cloud tentatively so that they may walk the pier to the very steps youre on.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Seeing his tools being left behind he grabs a bolt and knotches it towards the end with his claw. Pulling out his rope he fastens one end to the side of the ship and the other end to the knotched bolt. Dragging the bolt's tip across his forearm a few drops of blood are drawn from the small wound. Having marked the bolt for the blind one he shoots it back to shore at where he dropped his last prey.

Spoiler: checks

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use rope check to the ship(1d20+7)[18]use rope check to the bolt(1d20+7)[11]attack roll 1st attempt(1d20+8)[11]2nd attempt(1d20+8)[24]crit confirm[roll]1d20 +8[/roll]damage(1d4+1)[2]crit extra damage(1d4)[3]

[Ellowryn]

Specimen

These humans are not like the others it thinks as the gashing wound in its chest slowly heals before turning its attention to the oncoming army. Any thoughts of a frenzied battle to the death is interrupted by a bolt landing nearby smelling of friendly blood and reminding the creature of the boat to safety. It races towards it, finding that there is rope attached, turning to its wounded ally Hurry they are upon us! as it snatches up the bolt.

[~Corvus~]

It's a difficult shot through the fog, and the bolt barely reaches. Still, Specimen and Yrashnal hear a soft thunk into the pier; a bolt with rope attached has appeared! Specimen manages to grab the bolt in its jaws, and somehow manages to not snap it. There is very little slack in the rope; soon, Specimen, too, will be pulled into the harbour.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal follows as his form warps into his simple goblinoid form; one hand he uses to anchor his companion and the other grasps the rope, ensuring that specimen will not fall unless he does first.

[~Corvus~]

With the pair being dragged into the bay, the soldiers round the corner without incredible incident. From so far away, it must look like a group of crab pots or whatnot that need to be hauled in.

Soon the wind picks up and you find yourselves being pulled about 120 feet a round, which puts a good deal of strain on anyone holding onto rope in the water!

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

I have a question, should we stop the boat and pull them in or not. The alternative is they may drown or worst be very mad. as he steps over to where the anchor is waiting for the go ahead to lower it.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade nods and sighs...

"I guess we'd better. Our patron seems to want our murder happy friends with us at all times."

She helps Kyorlin with the windlass.

[~Corvus~]

The incarnum-man splutters and says, "No, curse you! We don't want to damage the ship! Let's pull them in with the rope you shot! Quickly, now!"

He runs over to the rope that is hauling your other two companions and tugs the rope to bring them in. Although he could do it eventually, it's not so easy a task to bring in a goblin and a...well another creature in so easily.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
After stopping Jade from dropping the anchor goes to help the human bring in his toys that are being strung along like a fungi spider towes his enwebbed prey around in a child's bath.

[~Corvus~]

It takes more time than expected, but soon everyone is in the boat. The Incarnum-man looks to you all and says, "Well, I expect you all have a reason to be traveling here. Before you say anything, don't worry about it. I figure you all are my best bet of staying alive. I'm a fugitive from those damn Rokugani too. Now...if it's not too much trouble, one of you will have to watch the boat and the shore. We don't want to drift too far from the center or hit someone. I doubt anyone else is dumb enough to travel a river by night. I'm going to do my best to teach this Drow one here the basics of Incarnum."

With that, he takes Kyorlin aside to instruct him.

Spoiler: everyone not Warhunter

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You'll need 4 Wisdom checks, as I doubt anyone has ranks in profession: Sailor.

Alternatively, you may make a Spot check to aid with each sailing check.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The Savage rest for some time, consolidating his experiences into his fighting style.

Things...have not gone well for him recently. He isn't nearly as powerful as he once was, but his emerging ancient bloodline is likely to be an even greater boon; his power is growing in a new direction and thus it is hard to gauge its growth other than...insufficient for his needs. That can be fixed though. He simply needs to use these new abilities over and over and over again, pushing himself to his limits and then pushing himself beyond even that.

Yhrashnal takes on the form of the fallen Samurai and now his repertoire expanded...except this time he preserves the armor and weapon; a proper disguise is a fine tool in these trying times and he would be a fool to deny himself more power over his opponents.

This form is unpleasant: the armor is not to his liking; the sword is unwieldy; his feet and hands hurt; he might be slightly nauseous from the motion of the ship upon water. That does not matter though.

Using a sword is not something he has experimented with before today but, unfortunately, it seems that being intertwined with his true essence has eroded and simplified the once exquisite blade into a crude imitation. The armor is no better, but at least he is able to use the blade competently unlike the Samurai's the armor which is now little more than his own flesh desperately sticking to an arrangement of plates of metal. To a casual observer he might merely seem uncomfortable and with careful work a person could probably even wretch it from his body...but it has already been ruined beyond repair to no benefit to the Beast.

Spoiler: OoC

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Savage prevents ownership of masterwork/magical items worth more than 10 GP that aren't a weapon. I'll erode any magic+Masterwork properties off the sword and, as per the Discord conversation, count the armor as "clothing with penalties and a fancy look" taking the penalties of the armor and gaining no benefits other than appearing to be armored.

Yhrashnal now has a sword. It begins.

[Ellowryn]

Specimen

The cool water felt good after the short but intense struggle it just had although it is not sure if it was quite comfortable with how it got on the boat. Brushing such useless thoughts from its mind it moves to the front of the ship where it lays down to rest and mend its body which felt like it had nearly been cleaved in two while lazily watching where they were headed. The way the human had struck it had been strange, and its instincts told it that the blow was far stronger than it should have been. Perhaps it was time to rethink their combat strategy. Turning its head to look at the group The samurai I killed was different then the rest I have ever fought, it struck strangely and almost bisected me. Have any of you noticed the difference and perhaps know what is causing it?

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Shifting essentia to his circlet, he walks over to examine the wound. I didn't see the attack, was busy dropping the other samurai- tell me everything about it.

Spoiler: checks

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heal check on the mending wound(1d20+4)[15]

[~Corvus~]

Specimen's wound is a single clean stroke; a blade cut it from its abdomen, cleaving into its back and cut deeply. There seems to be no disease or poisons in the wound.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade digs around in her pack and finds the healing kit...

"Remind me how this thing works again?"

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

I normally am not the one to ask but I'll see if I can help

Spoiler: aid other

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(1d20+4)[23]

He is still waiting for the creature's story.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The Beast continues his flurry of attacks, swinging the sword and doling out kicks and snapping viciously at an unseen foe, as he responds; "The Samurai are stronger. Each attack is light, deep, fast. Little Beast and I each faced one. He felled his foe and I received aid against mine.

A Samurai like this one," He states indicating his own current form, "could kill two of you with each attack. Two could slay me in a single bout. Perhaps three to fell little Beast in one clash."

Yhrashnal performs his attacks again, and again. The routine is unfamiliar, but he does not tire easily and the damage caused by his Samurai foe are mostly faded and smoothed over.

"A fine lessor for us, I think. Valuable. Leave little Beast's wounds for now. The pain helps us learn and he will heal on his own soon enough."

Spoiler: OoC

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Fast Healing should bring Yhrashnal back to full health sooner or later.