Rokugan in the Shadows Ch 1: Gathering Dark

[~Corvus~]

The sweeps of the sword are just awkward and unrefined enough that the shadow shies away before it takes more than cursory damage; more shadows creep back up the ship, stymieing the soldiers' efforts. Still, Yrashnal prevents it from encroaching further on the ship, at least for now, as it's had to shy away. There is about 15' worth of the ship's deck now occupied by the shadow. Almost free, one of the soldiers mentions this, and as they encourage you to push forward and threaten the shadow, several disengage from the melee to control the ship and bring it closer to yet another vessel.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Seeing the light of the "swordman's" sword drive back the shadows gives him an idea. Reaching deep into my drow heritage- increased by my demon blood I activate my innate magical ability.

4 lights wink into existence and with a flick of a wrist they focus into spiders and a second gesture sends the 4 spider lights to the rail of the boat, through as much of the shadow is possible while staying within a 10ft radius of their collectiveness.

[~Corvus~]

Strangely enough, these (dancing) light-made spiders...work! Very soon, the ship's deck is clear and the men look over the side of the ship facing outwards. "The...the shadow's retreated! Our boat is safe!" Several of the soldiers nod in appreciation, and look with reverence at all of Yrashnal, Swami and especially Kyorlin, who had expedited the process of clearing away the shadows. The men shout to the other ships to use...well, torches, but the response back is rather jarring: Apparently, this had already been tried and it didn't work; commander Hakamoto nods, noting: "It makes sense, now, why those monster we destroyed first killed our Shugenja. Please, recruits, you need to help us."

Hakamoto seems more serious now, and gathers the 3 of you (Specimen is, of course, invisible) to his side. "I welcome your aid. Had I known you were Shugenja and Sohei* I might not have been so flippant. I believe we should attempt to free the other ships from the shadow's entanglements; normally, we wouldn't be touched by the Sea of Shadows, but our supplies of jade* ran low earlier, and for some reason the Shadow can abnormally extend itself beyond that cursed part of the ocean."

Snich has been ignored and is instead watched with suspicion by the other soldiers, who state their belief that he is nothing more than an "opportunistic Nezumi." Hakamoto does not say this outright, but likely doesn't regard Snich as anything more than an oddity and a nuisance.

Spoiler: OOC notes

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Remember that Rokugan has few spellcasters that don't work with anything but the Elemental magics. Shugenja command elements; It's believed, then, that Jade is an Earth Shugenja (Acid waves?), and that both Kyorlin and Yrashnal are somewhat spell-inclined warriors, which would indicate a Sohei, which blends monk and divine casting.

Jade is used in Rokugan to push back and even damage the Shadow's creatures, such as Oni. It will also prevent other humans from being Tainted. This is VERY common knowledge, even to peasants.

All things being equal, they'd believe this based on, again, your human-appearances and your unique style of ship denoting you as Emerald Magistrates.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade looks out at the fighting in the bay...

"Is there any order in which we should proceed? The next closest ships, or is there a target more important than the rest?"

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Disinterested in this minor character in a tale of ancient evils, the False Swordsman pulls away from this discussion to snatch a torch from the deck. After sheathing his sword for a moment he performs his magic trick once more, imbuing the mundane item with supernatural light. Yhrashnal thrusts the lit, but cold, torch at the somewhat familiar soldier. "Arm one of your men with this, then bring us to the next ship. Whichever the darkness is closest to overwhelming. Preferably before night falls."

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

With a gesture sends the dancing spider lights across to the next ship into as much of the shadow stuff as they can.

Until our ship returns can only move along each ship in their current formation. Shall we mark this ship as safe for the villagers to let these people disembark once they dock? I was thinking of the characters they used for your name on the sail would be an obvious choice, my good swordsman.

Shifting 1 essentia from his pauldrons of health to his land shark boots he ties a rope around himself and the other end around this ships rail.

Incase I fail also so that rest of us can cross.

With that he runs and leaps towards the next ship where his lights are waiting.

Spoiler: rolls

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use rope check on self(1d20+12)[18] use rope check on rail(1d20+12)[26] running jump(1d20+17)[18]

[Tjallen]

Entirely unconcerned with the fate of the ships, Snich focuses his attention on the only person he recognizes: Jade before speaking rapidly, the words almost blending into each other: "Kept him-it safe, good-fine, new-more orders, must-must prepare, your ship-boat?"
As he talks he shoots an arrow imbued with pale blue light at the darkness, before returning his attention to Jade.

Spoiler: Attack roll

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Arrow + Ray of Frost : (1d20+11)[26] for (1d8+9)[17] + (1d3)[3] +4 if sneak attack applies.

[~Corvus~]

The activity on the ship seems well underway in a flurry of action. Jade's question needs little acknowledgement from Commander Hakamoto, but leads to action. "Helmsman!"
<<Sir!>>
"Bring our Port side to the next ship on our side!"
Orders go out and the haggard soldiers gain excitement to keep the vessel moving. Hope, it seems, drives them forward.

Until our ship returns can only move along each ship in their current formation. Shall we mark this ship as safe for the villagers to let these people disembark once they dock? I was thinking of the characters they used for your name on the sail would be an obvious choice, my good swordsman.

"This is an excellent idea," responds Commander Hakamoto. He calls over a sergeant. "Have one of your soldiers designate our ship as a safe zone for others to bring their peasants here."
The sergeant, in manly acknowledgement shouts **Ho!** Soon, extra sailcloth has been procured along with paint, and within a few minutes they have an excellent banner to fly from their bow. While the boat sails forwards, Kyorlin's advancement of the Dancing Light spiders ensure that seeking tendrils of darkness do not grasp hold the ship.

Not a moment too soon, Yrashnal comes with a suggestion, too.

"Arm one of your men with this, then bring us to the next ship. Whichever the darkness is closest to overwhelming. Preferably before night falls."

The captain's eyes glimmer with renewed hope. "Could you imbue several other items, or are you limited in your lights' supply?" He points to several spears and poles. "If we could have some for our soldiers here and use them to board, it would be most excellent." He does as Yrashnal requests, and if given many items, thanks him profusely.


The ships sail forwards, but Kyorlin doesn't want to wait. He jumps ahead, and falls straight into the water. Tendrils of Darkness slither towards him, and although his Dancing Lights are able to fend off some of them, they soon threaten to envelop his person not just from the water's surface but also from its bottom.

Spoiler: Skill checks time!

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Please make 5 Swimming checks, DCs 15, 17, 19, 22 and 25.
If you fail any of them, please make a Will save DC 13+Margin of Failure.

Soon your ship runs parallel and your Port (left) side abuts their Starboard (right) side. This ship, too, is a barge, and the fight here is pitched. Several soldiers and eta (peasants), wounded, have cuts that seem to pulse with darkness. They've been moved away from the conflict and a conerned-looking medic is explaining to their division commander, "...Won't heal with our medicines. We'll have to wait to get them to a Healer who can tend their wounds."

They look up and Hakamoto and the commander exchange what can only be seen as mutually respectful and greetings. "Commander Ahami Jin, at your service," the new one says to three newcomers, on learning that you are of the "Emerald Council" and warriors, too. They waste little time on formalities, and Hakamoto tells you all that you'll convey commands to Commander Ahami on his ship, and that he (Hakamoto) will be serving as just another division officer; otherwise, they'll give you their full cooperation.

Here the Darkness has covered almost half the ship Bow to Stern (lengthwise front tip to bottom), and the soldiers are (again) having trouble retaking ground as the Darkness is able to re-grow itself quickly.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The False Swordsman does not particularly want to contribution his meager magic but he begrudgingly imbues any items presented to him with the same extremely basic spell; it costs him little more than a moment of concentration and his pride, after all, and he would not sabotage his own war-efforts for the sake of saving face in ways only his kin would understand.

He 'enchants' weapons and tools ceaselessly, even through sighting those tainted by raw darkness, up until he becomes aware that one of his own has gone overboard. "Throw him a rope! I will not lose him to darkness so easily!" His orders are like a tiger's roar, leaving none to doubt that there will be consequences if his Voice-Called is not saved immediately. Disregarding the other armaments that need his magic, Yhrashnal holds a Light spell ready to be applied to the end of the rope in hopes of increasing the drowblooded creature's odds of surviving this situation.

[Tjallen]

As anyone of import seems to be busy doing other things, Snich switches his focus to the incarnum using human and motions for him to come closer: "Human-thing, you come to me now-quick, is time to go-fly, much-much haste-quick, no time for delay-waste, time is short-low"

[~Corvus~]

Commander Ahami shouts out, "Lieutenant! Assign each of these magistrates three bushi each. They are to assist with tasks as needed!"

The Lietenant nods, and three plain-looking spearmen, each now equipped with spears that have a light at their end, join Yrashnal, and three more go to the side of the barge.

Very soon a thick rope finds its way towards Kyorlin in the waters.

Spoiler: Roll for square.

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1 2 3
4 Ky 5
6 7 8
(1d20+7)[19] vs 10 AC touch. Easy hit!
(1d8)[7]

Three others go towards Jade and inform her of their request to join the battle against the Shadow.

During this action, the incarnum man looks over his shoulder as he's about to board the other ship, and sighs. I did give my word to you that I'd come. Very well, Ratling one, let's be off. Without any show of resistance, the man (with some help from Snich climbs aboard the bat.

[Tjallen]

Looking at the human in brief confusion at him not putting up even a token of resistance, Snich shrugs and guides him up on the invisible abomination, before ordering Skree to take off.
'This idiot just followed me without a fight, actually, NO humans have put up a fight, must have more in common with cattle than just their teeth.
Pondering further upon the similarities between cattle and humans, 'Both do spend much time in fields' he scouts around for a nice secluded area to turn the newly 'acquired' offering to the silver-eyed monster currently threatening-slash-bribing him to do it's bidding.

Spoiler: Rolls!

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(1d20+10)[12] Knowledge geography to help find a nice secluded area not easily reachable by foot
(1d20+10)[24] Perception to actually find said spot.

[Swami Monsoon]

As soon as the two ships are close enough, Jade launches herself into the nearest clump of shadow...

Spoiler

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Using Form of the Wave against nearest clear targets (avoiding friendlies)
(3d6)[6]

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The False swordsman leaves nothing to chance; he and his assigned assistants stand ready to haul the Drow-fiend aboard at a moment's notice, rope coiled around one arm and his sword ready in his 'off' hand. It's fortunate that Yhrashnal is a mediocre swimmer else he would have long joined his companion directly.

Spoiler: OoC

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Nothing big happening. Ready with the Ruined Sword drawn; here's a Strength check for when it becomes relevant: (1d20+6)[15]

[~Corvus~]

Jade surges against the darkness, pushing it back in the aft (back) section of the barge she'd boarded. With three soldiers to back her up, her wide sweep ends up pushing back some of the clinging Darkness to the side of the ship. The wide swathe of darkness before her surges at some of its retreat, but with the torch-lights on the spears procured by Yrashnall, the Darkness is hardly a challenge or a threat, even. The soldiers on the Mantis ship surge forward, halting every advance aboard the ship they can see.


Kyorlin clings to his own rope, but soon feels a tendril grasp his leg and slither up his body. In that moment of being touched, the vibrant world he's known turns to a colorless landscape. The wet ocean, the pulse of blood in his heart, the wetness in his maw, all burn away and turn to ash. He is truly weightless, and far away in the great distance, beyond the tendrils grasping him, a negative sun burns and turns all it touches to a dry, parched and flowing ash. In this moment, what he knows undoes itself, and what this vast being of darkness is the truth. The cord lashing him to the ship shifts and easily undoes itself. Gravity, the pulse of the earth, starts to undo itself and Kyorlin fees himself drifting towards the bleak dark void in the great distance.

A rope lands next to Kyorlin, between him and the ship. Water sloshes over his (relaxed) face and the truth of not being able to breathe, even for a moment, rushes into him.
"Oi!! Hold the rope! We'll pull you in!!" Six men, lorded over by Yrashnal, encourage Kyorlin to grab the rope thrown to him. Though he can feel other tendrils gripping and pulling at him, he manages to writhe and keep hold of the rope as he's hauled onto the ship. Three others cut apart the dark tendrils gripping the Draegloth, and Kyorlin finds himself, wet, in the part-demon, part-drow form of a true Draegloth.

Spoiler: Consequences for Kyorlin

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Kyorlin is forced out of his Humanoid (Elf/Spirit Folk) disguise. He may resume this disguise as normal.
Kyorlin is Level-drained 1 level and loses 5 HP, loses access to 2 maneuvers not readied, and takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for the remainder of this encounter. (He does not lose any Essentia or readied maneuvers at this time.)

Though Yrashnal had readied a swipe with his sword, it's evident what's necessary for his ally is a disengagement from a large tendril of Darkness that grasps his companion but the other spearmen dare not stab into. With a mighty 1-handed pull, he tears away the darkness, revealing the Draegloth in his true glory.

An invisible buffet of wind accompanies this revelation. Interestingly, the darkness does not get tossed back in this short wind storm, but the blowback from the giant bat's wings makes the men that had saved Kyorlin steady their feet against the sudden wind. A few take a forward knee, but no men lose their footing. A few wingbeats later, the recent tutor to Kyorlin has vanished from the deck along with the ratling that ushered his departure.

Spoiler: Consequences for Snich

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Migrate to Deals in the Dark

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Shocked speechless from his ordeal and his teacher flying away Kyorlin walks across to the next ship, being extra careful. Walks towards Jade mumbles Healing... drops to his knees looking up at the stormy sky through his goggles So bright... dispassionately he waves his dancing spider lights through much of the remaining darkness on the deck.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The False Swordsman spares the drow-fiend a second and then third glance before momentarily disregarding the being's current situation; it can still take it's place in the fight, after all, and that is all he needs of it for now. "Two of you protect him. The rest move over to the next boat. We will deal with his form later." He announces to the section of warriors that have amassed around him.

With this alone he considers the matter resolved and so, without any further consultation with the mortals, Yhrashnal's hands perform that same flurry of incantation seals that are slowly becoming more familiar to those around him. Now though he reaches over the side of the ship to apply his spell to the hull, lightly warding an area against further encroachment.

[~Corvus~]

The three Bushi that had been assigned to Kyorlin stammer in confusion. They were about to protest, when the third, coiling back a rope, says, "Do what he asks! Clearly he's been tainted by the Shadow, but if he can still fight..."

The two other men obey, and gingerly approach Kyorlin. "Are you OK?"
"Can we...lend you a hand?"


Elsewhere on the ship, the darkness begins to coalesce into a large, hulking object on the deck.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

...I am in need of healing... Do any of you have a health potion?

As he gets back up to his feet he enters child of the shadow stance and walks back the way he came to retrieve his rope from the rail, which is quicker with 4 hands. After that is safely back in his haver sack he sends his dancing lights to clear off the rest of the darkness from the second ship that he can see.

[~Corvus~]

One of the soldiers looks at Kyorlin and mutters, "He is already becoming mad. Healing brews are only made by Nezumi sorcerors..." and he spits away from him.

[Ellowryn]

Specimen

Having taken its time observing this shadow Specimen is now convinced that this was a fight it was ill prepared to face. It breaks apart when attacked like clay only to reform moments later, the only thing seeming to be effective is light magic which it did not possess and even that may only be keeping it at bay. No, without getting to the source of this darkness it new it was only going to as effective as they scared pathetic prey running around waving sticks. Moving to rejoin the group while staying invisible it says low but audible to its allies, The shadows are reforming into something big behind us, probably in reaction to your recent attacks. If we don't find a way to cut off the source we will be stuck fighting here for days, indicating in the direction of the Draegloth, or worse.

[~Corvus~]

On your decks, the spidery lights conjured by Kyorlin zip all hundred and ten feet to the bow, cleanly cutting away the shadow from its grasp on your ship.

The shadows are reforming into something big behind us, probably in reaction to your recent attacks. If we don't find a way to cut off the source we will be stuck fighting here for days...or worse.

And indeed, in the distance beyond the Draegloth, two ships on the other side of your semicircle begin to have blackness ascend their masts. The archers aboard the central barge dip many arrows in their bonfire and launch them at the ships that seem nearly doomed. The men on the ships, abandoning their attacks, instead fish out what seems to be flasks from the sides of the ship and crash them onto the decks. Some of the arrows reach the ships and they burst into flame where the arrows hit the pools of what are ostensibly broken flasks of alcohol. Although the darkness shies away from the flame for a moment, the flames instead recede into a grey stillness. The men on the ships are then pierced by myriad spears of black, and the ships crack and break.

The sounds echo across the crescent, and many soldiers look back to see the poor lost souls being dragged back into a deeper darkness. Some of the shadow draws back, and other of it circles around the shorter crescent to try and cut the other ships off.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade pulls out the healing kit and tries to tend to Kyorlin. She then hands him a potion... "This my last one."

Spoiler

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Wisdom check (1d20)[4]
Gives Kyorlin potion of Cure Light Wounds

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Upon receiving healing and taking the potion he commences with changing back into a spiritfolk like he was before. How much do I owe you now?

[~Corvus~]

The sweeps of the boats are simple with your magics, and you soon find yourselves on the deck of a might mantis warship. The other side of the crescent-shaped ships have not exactly fared well, but with the abudance of spears from Yrashnal, some progress is made to prevent every ship from collapsing.

Saionji Naoshige Nagamatsu greets you, and with a nod acknowledges your efforts. "Couldn't have arrived at a better time," he says cordially. "Normally our ships are like the land of Rokugan itself; blessed and impenetrable by shadowlands creatures. But something is empowering the Sea of Shadows; it has reached further than we've ever known it to span. These are dark times; perhaps you are moved by the spirit-hands of the Kami and can--"

Darkness coalesces on deck, cutting his chatter short. A large, animalistic biped, crafted of greys and shadow appears on deck.

Another appears, then two, then fifteen appear on deck, all formed of shadow.

There are ten other samurai left on the great ship (along with many crew), and without further explanation Saionji orders an attack; the two forces clash together on deck, and in the initial attack many Samurai find themselves on their backs.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The False Swordsman almost smiles at being presented normal foes he can oppose without bringing humiliation upon himself. Almost. It's a very close thing, but actions speak louded than words and his actions prove very well how happy he is to face these foes.

"You." He growls while pointing to one of the slightly more impressive samurai with his free hand, his Ruined Sword held ready in the other. "...And you." He singles out another who he considers almost worthy of battling beside him. "Stand. Fight!" Magic ripples in the air between him and these two warriors, rolling over their bodies and filling them with the fleeting strength of a savage.

Yhrashnal takes the initiative to lead their second charge, positioning himself at what should be the center of their offensive formation as his brings his sword down upon the first of many unlucky shadow creatures who dared offend him.

Spoiler: OoC

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Passive effects: Light cantrip on his Sword
--
Swift Action: Yhrashnal using his Quickened Rage Barghest SLA (0 uses remaining) on himself and two promising looking samurai. +2 Moral bonus to Strength & Constitution, -2 AC, +1 will saves.
--
Standard/Move action: Charges the Shadow-being standing front and center of the enemy group.
Sword attack: (1d20+12)[29] (9 base, +1 from Rage, +2 from Charging)
Sword Damage: (1d10+10)[14] (9 base, +1 from Rage)
--
Current AC: 18 (21 base, +1 from Rage spell's con increase, -2 from rage spell, -2 from Charging)

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin-
Gets moving towards the shadow beings, goes into step of the wind and wraps himself in his dancing spiders lights. One in each hand, one atop his green helm, and one below his heart. He stops 25 ft from the battle.

[~Corvus~]

The men Yrashnal targets with his spell yell and in a combined rush knock one of the horned creatures down, too. The battle on deck is not going well; without the involvement of Specimen and Jade, two samurai are being attacked by two of the creatures, and are forced to make fighting retreats. A man drops, an axe cleaving him in a grisly angle, and blood drips to the deck. As he falls over, a pool of blood makes another few Saumrai lose footing, though they remain alive--for now.

The Oni that Yrashnal charges grins wide and viciously. It has been somewhat distracted--it doesn't seem to have the time to attack him--but it does swing once as the false swordsman attacks it.

Spoiler: Attack!

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Vs. Yrashnal
(1d20+9)[12] (1d12+6)[9]

Kyorlin notices an Oni is about to approach him, but shies away, instead favoring a target to flank. With a wicked swing, it cleaves the Samurai's head clean from his shoulders, and it bellows triumph. All the creatures roar in acknowledgement, and it seems that they collectively have a sense of greater strength and stamina. Two more Samurai fall, making four that die to the creatures' wicked cleavers, before 20 men with spears lit like torches approach the battle and charge in.

The melee lines become a mess; shadow-beast and men commingle, but the beasts seem less happy to face the spears than the men without them.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Finding a commander Bare with me, this may sound like a dumb question but how do you increase the power or purity of your jade...even why it is weaker than before?

[~Corvus~]

The commander nods to Kyorlin's question. "We don't usually carry much jade unless we are going near the Shadowlands or the Shadow Sea. We were going to sail north after a supply run to the peninsula, but we saw the trouble around Kyuden Hida; the refugees in boats found us before we saw the smoke, but...soon after we picked up their barges, we found ourselves under attack by creatures nearly sixty miles from the Seas of Shadows. All our jade was corrupted within a few hours, and soon after that we lost a few barges. We've been outrunning the shadow since, and--"

The man's explanation is cut short by an axe slicing through his helm, spilling his brains all over Kyorlin. Another beast joins it, stepping into the Draegloth's reach just carefully enough that he can't hit it before it makes a cursory swing. This one's attack is less forceful than the one against the commander; it's as if the creature knows it can't sacrifice accuracy to hit Kyorlin.

Spoiler: Attack!

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(1d20+14)[20]Edit: +2 Flanking (1d12+9)[11]