Rokugan In the Shadows - Islands of the Mantis

[~Corvus~]

The warrior breathes steady, and takes the hits and lets the monk's own attacks work against him--at least for now. He breathes in and shouts as Yrashnal ends his strikes, this time bringing the spear low and cuts up from the hip in a brutal sweep.

Spoiler: Round 4

Show

Swift action: Burning Blade, adding (1d6+7)[11] to his hits.

Standard: Overwhelming Mountain Strike (DC 19 Fort or lose Move Action; Yrashnal saves with 30)
Attack: (1d20+14)[16] --> See Lightning Recovery
Damage: (1d10+10)[13] & (2d6+4)[9] & Burning Blade
Move: Downgrade to Swift for Lightning Recovery & result: 32

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Thankfully this warrior does not seem to have the sheer staying power Yhrashnal possesses; his attacks are already slowing, even this early into the battle. Yhrashnal spares the man of only his newest, and most vicious, attack as he lays palm strike upon palm strike into this unfortunate man.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

The attack hits dealing 22->17 (hardness 5) damage. Burning Blade deals an additional 11->6 (hardness 5) damage for a total of [23*1.3=30 damage]
Current HP: 90 (106 +9 Mad Hunger -30 total damage +5FH)
--
AC: 22
--
Rage duration remaining: 5 rounds.
Ghostly CD remaining: 3 rounds
*Mad Hunger Duration remaining: 2 rounds
--
Swift action: Hexblade Curse. Will save DC 15 negates -2 to all rolls, and opponents gain +2 to all rolls vs this target. Does not count as used on opponent making successful save.
Aura of Despair: will save DC 16 negates -2 penalty to all rolls (as per crushing despair)
-
Full Attack
-
Attack 1: (1d20+16)[29] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[15] (+1 rage)

Attack 2: (1d20+16)[30] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[14] (+1 rage)

Attack 3: (1d20+16)[27] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[16] (+1 rage)

Attack 4: (1d20+16)[18] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[17] (+1 rage)

[~Corvus~]

The warrior feels some of his confidence slip away; something with a sense of unluck invades his mind. Still, he reacts accordingly. With a meditative calm, he lets go his spear with one hand and almost in the same movement, jabs his spear jab into his opponent with several quick thrusts that could produce painful wounds if they hit.

Spoiler: Round 5!

Show

Move: Iron Heart Surge (remove Hexblade Curse, attack gets a +2)
Standard: Flesh Ripper (applies attack/AC penalty)
Attack1: (1d20+15)[17]
Damage1: (1d8+8)[13]

His attack misses, perhaps due to the rather substantial unluck forced against him--who knows?

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal
The Monk continues his steady assault with a wild abandon upon seeing his opponent losing himself, even momentarily, to the unnatural hex of the magic Yhrashnal has lost. The steady palm thursts and accurate finger strikes are a thing of the past; Yhrashnal stance cannot even be called pugilistic as the 'Monk' swings with his entire body and seeks to bring his opponent to the ground with each sting of his fists. The rage burns brighter and brighter within him and his face is forced into the facsimile of a smile by the excitement he tries to express in this human form.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Current HP: 104/116 (90 +5FH +9 Mad Hunger)
--
AC: 22
--
Rage duration remaining: 4 rounds.
Ghostly CD remaining: 2 rounds
*Mad Hunger Duration remaining: 1 rounds
--
Swift action: Hexblade Curse. Will save DC 15 negates -2 to all rolls, and opponents gain +2 to all rolls vs this target. Does not count as used on opponent making successful save.
Aura of Despair: will save DC 16 negates -2 penalty to all rolls (as per crushing despair)
-
Full Attack & Power attacking for 5
-
Attack 1: (1d20+11)[24] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage, -5 Power attack)
Damage : (1d4+18)[21] (+1 rage, +5 PA)

Attack 2: (1d20+11)[30] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage, -5 PA)
Damage : (1d4+18)[22] (+1 rage, +5 PA)

Attack 3: (1d20+11)[24] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage, -5PA)
Damage : (1d4+18)[22] (+1 rage, +5 PA)

Attack 4: (1d20+11)[27] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage, -5PA)
Damage : (1d4+18)[19] (+1 rage, +5 PA)

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Parade Grounds

The warrior parries the first attack, but he grunts as the other powerful blows break through his guard. He mis-steps, and forced to change his stance, he shakes his head as he unleashes his own flurry of attacks.

Spoiler: Round 6!

Show

Swift action: Changes to Punishing Stance (AC now 20; attacks deal +1d6 damage)

FRA: Attacks!

Attack1: (1d20+15)[27] (-2 to hit)
Damage1: (1d8+10)[13] + (1d6)[2] (-2 to dmg)

Attack2: (1d20+11)[12] (-2 to hit)
Damage 2: (1d8+10)[13] + (1d6)[2] (-2 to dmg)

Attack3: (1d20+15)[30] (-2 to hit)
Damage3: (1d8+10)[11] + (1d6)[6] (-2 to dmg)

AC: 20 (19 +1 buckler)

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Seeing his opponent take a more defensive approach to their fight somewhat soothes the fury that threatens to overwhelm Yhrashnal and he relaxes the pace of his attacks; there will be time to crush the foe later, but there is no need to court humiliation against someone on their last legs

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Previous HP: 116/116 (104 +16 Mad Hunger)
Current HP: 99/116 (116-15 damage+5 Hardness-17 damage +5 hardness+5FH
--
AC: 22
--
Rage duration remaining: 3 rounds.
Ghostly CD remaining: 1 rounds
*Mad Hunger ends. (although Yama still heals upon damaging an enemy.
--
Aura of Despair: will save DC 16 negates -2 penalty to all rolls (as per crushing despair). Failure refreshes the 1 round duration.
-
Full Attack
-
Attack 1: (1d20+16)[21] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[15] (+1 rage)

Attack 2: (1d20+16)[24] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[16] (+1 rage)

[~Corvus~]

The warrior roars in defiance over the end facing him. He steps to the side, each foot following the next, and he whirls the spear about. Instead of connecting with the spear's head, as he swings it about, he uses his other hand to lever a powerful blow with the butt of the spear against the monk's chest.

Spoiler: Round 7! Are we getting close?!?

Show

Swift: Moment of Perfect Mind vs. DC 16 Aura (1d20+14)[17]
Move action: 5' step backwards & gain 5' reach
Standard: Bonesplitting Strike, adding Int to damage
Attack: (1d20+17)[21] & reroll here
2 +4 = 6 Constitution damage!

Free action: let go 2-H grip, return to 1-H style.

AC: 21

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The potency of this attack, and the extend to which it damages his internal 'organs', catches Yhrashnal by surprise more than nearly anything else has thus far; this fight has abruptly become one Yhrashnal cannot allow to continue, something that is immediately reflected in his viciousness with which he attacks. Earlier the Monk decided to forgo the use of his newest weapon, but an opponent who has dared to harm Yhrashnal's core strength can not be allowed to walk away without proper punishment.

"Slaughter." Yhrashnal whispers as he draws his new sword and attacks like a man possessed.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Previous HP: 110/116 (99 +5FH +6Hunger)
Current HP: 92/98 (CUrrent and Max HP reduced by 18 by the 6 con damage Yhrashnal has taken) *This is not accounting for the base damage dealt by the enemy's attack that I think you forgot to include in your post. I'll update once we get those rolls up.*
Current HP: 78/98 (92-19 Damage +5 Hardness). *Hunger from the damage dealt this round will apply going into Next round.
--
AC: 19 (-1 from Rage, -3 from Con damage)
--
Rage duration remaining: 2 rounds.
Ghostly CD is ready again.
-
Swift action(?) to activate the poison feature of Uncrowned Slaughter. Poison save DC 15, weapon is envenomed for 10 rounds.
-
Aura of Despair: will save DC 16 negates -2 penalty to all rolls (as per crushing despair). Failure refreshes the 1 round duration.
-
Full attack: Yhrashnal full attacks with Slaughter.

Slaughter Attack 1: (1d20+17)[27] (+1 Rage)
Slaughter damage 1: (1d10+20)[22] (+1 rage) & Poison Effect. Fortitude save DC 15 or suffer initial effect of (3d4)[7] Strength damage, secondary effect with another save 1 minute later of (3d4)[8] strength damage.

Slaughter Attack 2: (1d20+12)[30] (+1 Rage) & Poison Effect. Fortitude save DC 15 or suffer initial effect of (3d4)[10] Strength damage, secondary effect with another save 1 minute later of (3d4)[10] strength damage.
Slaughter Damage 2: (1d20+20)[28]

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Shrine to Osano-Wo

Kyorlin

Hmm so this is the temple of fire and thunder because the Mantis is thunder or because their spellcasters cast thunder & Lightning and fire because the Mantis isles burned down?

Humans write the grandest tales even when the story is how they fell from their greatest heights. Is a common event in human stories. How long ago were these events? Are these sea spiders something one can still encounter?

"The shrine is dedicated to Osano-Wo, who was moved by the spirit of these mortals and descended from Tengoku, the divine realm, to bless these islands and our people. He gave life to the winds that ease our travels among these islands, and the Path of Thunder is so-named after his divine powers over wind, rain and thunder.

The exact time of the events are uncertain, but it's well known to us now that these events occurred. As for the spiders, I believe they are more of a sailor's embellishment on giant Octopus."


Kyuden Gotei - Parade grounds
The man looks incredulous that Yrashnal slipped past his guard, and even so as he feels his strength waning. For a few moments after the last flurry of attacks lands, he looks like he's unfit to wear any of his equipment. He breathes calmly, and circles the monk, and stakes his spear into the ground.
"Your endurance is incredible! I am not quite prepared enough to face you."

The judges frown at Yrashnal; something at how the man appears weakened from the sword's strike seems to have worried them. They don't talk with him, however, and the matches continue.

The "second" bracket is for those that have only lost once (As two losses count for an exit from the match), and the ones with a fresh loss are rotated into the bracket. In this way, anyone who has a singular loss actually has an extra round of bouts to fight in. Several people fight there, including the woman who had lost the previous round to Yrashnal. She, too, falls a few bouts later to another kama-wielder who seems just a bit more skilled.

It's not too long until Yrashnal's opponent is ready. This one wields a Kusarigama, or a kama with a long chain and a ball at its end. He's had little time to observe this monk, but looks with interest at a monk with a sword.

He grins as they bow to each other, and he soon has the ball-and-chain in motion.

Spoiler: Match 4! - Round 1!

Show

Enters the match in "Thicket of Blades" stance - all movement in his threatened area provokes, even 5' steps.
Initiative: best of (1d20+3)[11] & (1d20+3)[23]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

SighsHumans and their embellishments, it calls into question the whole scroll, also since the temple wasn't named of fire and thunder because of that but Osano-Wo which wasn't mentioned in the scroll... then why did you bring me that scroll and not the scroll that talks of Osano-Wo? So you don't have any trials here that involve fire or thunder?

[~Corvus~]

Shrine to Osano-Wo

The monk sighs, "You asked of the history of our clan and of why it's here! I would have given you another few scrolls, but an Inkyo is actually copying it at this time

Ah, you've been to Heaven's Wisdom temple, in Anshin Province?"

This is an ancient temple of the Crane Clan, blessed by the Fortunes themselves at the dawn of the Empire. The Libraries here are respositories for both Astral records and Prophecies

"The Inkyo are here to make sure records are accurate. Actually...if you wouldn't mind, I'll have a word with her about this one..."
He takes the scroll back into the small library they have, and can be seen descending down the stairs.

The other monk shakes his head, smiling. "Many people that follow history will avoid saying anything they don't know is solid fact. Please understand."

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Prehaps I will be back when when the copy is done. I will take my leave then, thank you for time. bowing he takes his leave, lingering on the monks bouts. But he has a mission to do and would rather not make these people his victims.

[Anachronity]

Donovan watches the spectacle with interest, careful to applaud or gasp as appropriate. With each of Yhrashnal's matches that he observes he grows more certain that he is nowhere near the creature's equal in this sort of combat. That they would presumably be working together seemed either very promising or very dangerous...

But of no less interest are the matches between the mortal warriors. Donovan had ever needed to be cautious in these lands, where one might frequently encounter those far more adept in combat, and in strange and unexpected ways, than what he'd known from his past life. It seemed wise to take the opportunity to test himself here where, if he was cautious not to give away his nature, there would be few consequences for failure.

After a brief inquiry about the rules between rounds, it seems that Yhrashnal's latest bout may have left him an opening to participate as well. He seeks out the defeated spear-wielder during the following match in order to make his proposal.

[~Corvus~]

Kyoden Gotei - Shrine to Osano-wo

The monk bows to Kyorlin and lets him go. As he leaves, he feels...lighter. More buoyant. Almost.

Kyoden Gotei - Parade Grounds

By the time Donovan finds the warrior, the man is in a fit of stupor. Barely able to move, his breathing is laboured and a monk and a Shugenja attend him. "Poison," the shugenja spits. "And a nasty kind. What dirty tricks!" The warrior almost manages a smile, showing that he does have some lights on. It's not too much effort for Donovan to convince them that he'll champion the spear-warrior. The attending monk says he's a friend, and offers Donovan the breastplate to borrow, seeing as he lacks one of his own.

Spoiler: Details

Show

+1 Breastplate of Resistance (All Elements 5/-)

It's not long until Donovan, too, is offered a match. This one is a Kama-wielder, and looks just as fierce--if a little less experienced--than the Admiral, and a bit younger to boot. He wears hard leather armor, which blends into his outfit with his boots.

Spoiler: Details + rules

Show

Initiative matters here! We first roll for initiative, then whomever wins initiates combat as they will.

(#8) Kama's Initiative: (1d20+7)[12]

--

The man with Whirling chain sees little advantage to moving further from his spot. Yrashnal feels the air near him warm up and before he knows it, he feels a searing heat headed towards him!

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Move: none
Standard: Fan the Flames!
Ranged TOUCH: (1d20+12)[27]
(8d6)[36] Fire
Swift: saved

Current AC: 25

[Anachronity]

"Beautiful though it is, I fear I am unaccustomed to such armor. This and my ardor will need to suffice."
Donovan taps the chain shirt worn beneath his clothing, such that it clinks tellingly.
"I will, however, be wary of that one's tricks."

The flowery words are somewhat stilted. For they were not Donovan's, but those of a scoundrel who'd long ago drowned. They do not match his unassuming attire, but are meant to inspire confidence that he is more than he appears and may indeed do justice to the incapacitated warrior's skill.

half a minute prior to the match, he focuses in on the serenity's presence within him and releases it into real and tangible effect, protecting his body and sharpening his offensive awareness.

As the sea-bound undead then enters the arena and squares off against his foe, he notes to his fortune that his opponent's style is the same one he'd been so curious about. He locks eyes with the human warrior, expressionless and motionless save for a slow, even sway...

Spoiler: Mechanics

Show

Manifest Force Screen with 1 pp and Offensive Precognition with 2 pp and a wild surge. Using concentration to suppress their displays (surge roll and Concentration roll in OOC, since this is an edit)

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The short break between fights does little to help Yhrashnal shake off the insidious nature of the warrior's final attack and he enters his fourth battle while still suffering the side effects. Even if his 'magic' allows him to partially alleviate the symptoms he is not willing to waste that last bit of power. Not yet. Not so easily. Not before he faces an opponent he cannot defeat without it.

Yhrashnal walks through the gout of flames without hesitation and he suffers greatly because of it...but that does little but encourage him to try something new.

There are no words or incantations. No grand movements or elaborate hand seals. There is only the focus in Yhrashnal's mind and the hatred send to wash over his opponent to make him less for daring to stand before Yhrashnal.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Current HP: 66/92 (-36 fire damage +5 Hardness +5 Fast Healing).
--
AC: 20 (-3 from Con damage)
-
Swift action: Hexblade Curse. Will save DC 15 or subject takes -2 to most rolls and grants +2 to enemies rolling against him. Does not count as expended if enemy makes his save.
-
Standard Action: Yhrashnal uses his Aura of Despair's active effect, a Crushing Despair SLA. Will save DC 16 Negates taking -2 to rolls and checks as per the spell.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

With his extreme amount of dexterity and a lightened feeling he goes back they way he came.

He heads back to the palace and begins brewing his poisons from scraps of this and that, adding in the poisonous flower he got earliar that day.

Spoiler: ooc

Show

balance check(1d20+16)[22]

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Path of Thunder
Kyorlin makes it across half of the stones without difficulty. The wind picks up, adding another measure of peril to his attempts at finishing his return trip.

Kyuden Gotei - Parade Grounds

Donovan faces down the man, ready to manifest powers. His opponent enters a strong stance, one useful for powerful maneuver, and he rushes forward so quickly he leaves no room to attack him back.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Free Action: Shifting: +2 Str, +1d4 on melee attacks with Tiger Claw wpns; Dur: 4 rounds
Swift: Enters [stance]
Full-round Action: [maneuver] & No AoO for movement, or for Bull Rush attempt.
(opposed) Strength check! (1d20+8)[23]
If successful, Damage & push

AC: 18 (20-2 Charge)

--

The chain-wielder, seeing no attempts made to attack him, advances 5 feet towards Yrashnal. He adjusts his weapon, and deliberately cuts into his forearm with the kama-part of the weapon, although he seems to draw no blood--at least not yet--and in the same motion launches the ballp-end of the chain towards his opponent. It does not reach Yrashnal--the chain resumes its threatening orbit around the armored man--but the shadow cast by his oncoming chain diverges from its trajectory, and the chain's shadow itself tries to attack the monk.

Spoiler: Actions

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Saves against effects
Free Action: Activate weapon to take 10 damage & gain a +2 to attack this turn.
(class feature) Steely Resolve - Delay 10 damage until end of next turn.
(class feature) Furious Counterstrike: with 10 in Delayed Damage pool, gain +2 atk & damage
Move: 5-foot step towards Yrashnal
Standard: Shadow Garrote - RANGED TOUCH (1d20+13)[22]
If hit: (5d6+2)[15] damage (untyped) & Fort save DC 18 or Flat-footed until end of next turn.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Attempts to cross the rest of the way

Spoiler: 2nd half

Show

balance check(1d20+16)[26]

If he falls he make a reflex save to catch himself(in OOC)if he succeeds he will travel into town.

upon returning he heads to the village. He heads back to the palace and begins brewing his poisons from scraps of this and that, adding in the poisonous flower he got earliar that day.

Spoiler: details

Show

poisons will be listed in OOC

After completing that Kyorlin heads towards popular locations for the upper class to socialize, drink and let their guard down. He has a mission to accomplish after all.

[Anachronity]

Profoundly patient, the sea's dance presses against stone.

The rush catches Donovan off-guard, though it is relatively ineffectual given the arena's sanctification. But the drowned man did not want to betray his nature and, as this was a training exercise of sorts, he notes the blow as a light hit.

He retaliates by circling around for a jab into the warrior's side. As he does so he allows the disorienting psychic presence of the serenity to bleed out into the air - or at least, the barest semblance of its truth he is able to muster. To the mantis warrior it would seem that the world around him begins to stagger and sway, ever in time with Donovan and with the harbor's waves.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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80 hp, 9 'damage' over 1 turn
AC 25/25f/13t

5' around the warrior, in whichever direction the local ocean currents rotate.

Standard: Slam attack; (1d20+9)[21] to-hit for (1d8+4)[10] damage
On hit, DC 16 Fort save or sickened for (1d4)[2] rounds.

Swift: activate Chilling Aura; enemies-only (presumably not the crowd) within 30' must make a DC 16 Will save at the start of each turn (even if they succeed an earlier save)
On failure, shaken for (1d4)[1] rounds.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The Monk weathers this attack just as he has all of the others, enduring the pain without a single sign of fear as the mystical attack brings him a step closer to defeat and a step closer to humiliation. He can tolerate much more than a mortal, but this cannot be allowed to continue much longer. It is time to test another ability.

The Monk visibly centers himself; worded slightly more accurately it could be said that he aligns his body bringing about a great shift of his meridians, musculature, skeleton, and flesh as best he can with his inner organs bruised and his life force weakened. Two eyes close as he focuses to transform a human body from what he understands it to be into what he knows will work for this purpose...and three eyes open as he takes on a more powerful form: two additional arms ooze from his preexisting ones and immediately jostle for position upon the socket of the shoulder, four hands flex their fingers as he finds the rhythm of controlling this specific specific combination of body parts while his inner ki is so badly damaged. The new eye wanders and blinks just slightly out of pace with his other ones and beneath his skin many bizarre compromises are made to allow his body to function at all.

After a moment the Monk's face, stretched tight over a skull just ever so different from what it had been a moment before, glares with three eyes as he focuses his gaze focuses on the warrior who has granted Yhrashnal charred skin that is still cracking and weeping even in this new form. The fight is on.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Current HP: 56/92 (66 - 15 Damage +5 Fast Healing)
--
AC: 20 (-3 from Con damage)
---
Full Round Action: Yhrashnal takes on his third form: Open ajna 4 armed Monk. This form uses the base appearance of the Monk with the addition of two arms, which slightly slightly in position as they jostle for his shoulder socket, and an extra eye, which is positioned sideways just slightly above the glabella, from the False Swordsman. This as as per Pinned Message about Hecatoncheires in Discord and the Hecatoncheires monster class. The added eye grants +1 to spot and listen checks and the added arms are fully functional.

This provokes an Attack of Opportunity, but Yhrashnal has a solution for that.
---
(Prepared) Swift/Immediate action: Should the enemy attempt to attack Yhrashnal during or after the transformation Yhrashnal will immediately use Ghostly. Should the opponent attack normally on his own turn Yhrashnal will not use Ghostly.

Ghostly Cooldown if used: the ability will be usable after (1d4+1)[5] rounds if this ability is used to prevent an attack.

[~Corvus~]

Path of Thunder -> The Maiden's Tickle
Kyorlin manages to make his way across the perilous stone pillars, and soon finds himself back at the harbor. He makes good use of the citizens around him, and without much effort at all, he finds himself directed to The Maiden's Tickle, a place for geisha to...well, to put it another way, it's a place for the men to enjoy themselves with drink, food, and women. A woman at the front attempts to grope him--or at least ask for money--but she can do little against his considerable bulk. He settles in for observation, as it were.

A few women dressed in robes lead a song to which many other men, dressed in casual attire, drink and sing along to in the comon area. Other men grope and touch the women as if they are frequent lovers, and some women rebuff their advances, while other women solicit money before allowing their ministrations. Few seem entierly content to jsut sit, and will drag them off to rooms or get up, fix their clothes, and get more drinks for those in the common room.

Kyorlin can see a similarity in his former plight as a Drow house-noble with the women grown into this lifestyle. They seem to enjoy the attention; they seem to enjoy being passed around into various rooms with other men, and a few women seem to be genuinely satisfied with their lifestyle....But that is until Kyorlin watches one noble whose ego has been trod upon by one of the women there.

She is a geisha of what seems to be good reputation, by the way others have interacted with her...until now. "Stubborn wench! I told you, if you refused to do-- he raises a hand to smack her and she steps into his face and yells, "I won't be treated like this by you again!! I have--"
Whatever she was about to say vanishes as he backhands her full force. "I have status! I have money, and you won't take it?!? You know nothing! You are a common tramp, and if you know what's good for you, you'll take it! She spits on him, and the man goes from frustrated to angry. The music in the common room stops, as many others watch what unfolds next.

The man grabs a torch from the wall and swings it at her head; she blocks the blow with her forearms and falls the the ground. He starts kicking her chest, her torso, and when he has the chance, beats at her face with the smoldering torch. None of the men go to help, but they certainly watch, all frozen and tense. Some of the women go to help, to pull the man off of her, and by the time they wrestle him away from the geisha, she clutches her side, is sobbing and bleeding profusely from a battered face.

Some of the men continue to stare at him until he challenges them, What?!? You saw her! She disrespected me! Kota, you did the same last week! Why are you staring?!

"I didn't beat her with a torch, Uga-san."

"The nerve! All of you know that they have to be shown their place or they won't pleasure us. I'm doing you all a favor, and you know it!

One of the geisha--Yukiashi--ushers "Uga" out of the place, insisting that he cool his head and returns tomorrow, and she tells several lewd and bawdy jokes. Soon, many of the men are laughing again and she goes over to the geisha, and speaks with them in hushed tones just soft enough to be heard by the intent listener. "Heiba will be fine. We've given her poultices and sent for the healer." A few women complain about Heiba:
"I don't know why she tries so hard to stand up to him!"
"Every time she takes a beating, it comes out of our pockets...."
"Yes, exactly! If she gives us a reputation for being a hard-ass, we won't get paid!"
"I just wish she'd enjoy them more..."

Uga, for his part, putters around outside and gives the call-women outside a "lost puppy" look but receives little sympathy. Soon he wanders off, muttering about the Kabuki, or the local theatre.

Soon the atmosphere is bustling once again, and the maidens coyly steer men into paying for whatever entertainment they desire. It seems a fairly profitable business, if a touchy one to manage. As Kyorlin studies it, he realizes that each man has a different ego-point, a different way of being handled, and Yukiashi interfaces between the younger geisha and the men where she sees need.

[~Corvus~]

Parade Grounds - Tournament

Donovan's opponent takes the hits and shrugs off the effects of the conditions with a bit of concentration. His tactic works, it seems, to reduce his opponent's efficiency if not dull his blade, so to speak. The man hops backwards in a flash of motion and changes his stance, adopting what looks to be like an insightful one. The man relaxes just a bit, and breathes deeply.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Swift: Spent on Concentration vs. Sickened.
Move: Jump check (auto-success) to move, no AoO.
Standard: downgrade to swift; stance-change.

Spoiler: two DC 11 Martial Lore/Bardic Knowledge (no untrained check)

Show

Move: Sudden Leap (Tiger Claw); move as Swift-Action Jump (aided by his current stance, it seems)
Standard: Switches to Hunter's Sense stance (Tiger Claw), gains Scent.

----


The warrior facing Yrashnal feels the situation for himself change slightly for the worse, at least for a few moments.. Uncertain of how to act, he instead re-focuses his mind and body, taking advantage of the opening he has.

Spoiler: Actions

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Unlucky this round.
Full-Round-Action: Use Adaptive Style, change & re-ready all maneuvers.
Swift: saved

[Anachronity]

Inexorable,
centripetal, this dread wave.
Woe to its cargo.

Though the warrior had backed away, the disorienting presence extends some distance from Donovan. It seems to swirl and gather erratically as he manifests the serenity's presence into something more tangible. The resulting attack is a pale ray, accompanied by the sound of ice upon ice as it glides swiftly through the air.

It is a conservative assault rather than a powerful one. Its intent is to prod his opponent closer; there was no safety in distance.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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80 hp, 9 'damage' over 2 turns
AC 25/25f/13t

Wild Surge for 2 pp; enervation on 10 or less: (1d100)[4]
Manifest Energy Ray for 3 pp total
Ray attack: (1d20+5)[9] for (3d6+3)[11] cold damage

DC 16 Will at the start of his next turn or shaken for (1d4)[2] rounds.

[WarHunter]

The Maiden's Tickle
Kyorlin

Walks up to the bar, putting 2 gold pieces on the counter one drink, I have business to discuss with Uga where may I find him now that he has left?

[~Corvus~]

The Maiden's Tickle

The Geisha running the bar looks at Kyorlin with half-interest and accepts the coin. She hands him a drink--a half-pint of beer--and says, "Buy me a drink and I'll let you know. Five gold for a stiff pint."

When or if he does, she'll tell him:

Spoiler: OR another DC 12 Gather Information check - Cha DC 12 untrained for Uga's likely location

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"He's a patron of the local Kabuki; it's in the downstairs of the launderer; they're next to the Parade Grounds.

[WarHunter]

The Maiden's tickle
Kyorlin

Downs his beer, wipes his mouth with his sleave, and pushes 10 gold pieces across One for me as well. drinks the stiff drink with more respect then his last.Any chance you know an unused, private, and secluded room between here and there that has similar lighting to this fine establishment gesturing to the torches.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Taking advantage of the momentary lull in the fight the Monk springs forward with one hand outstretched. Mid lunge he forms a claw with the raised hand and...abruptly draws his Ruined Sword, slashing out with two hands upon the haft; in a quick maneuver like this he doesn't have time to remind himself of the proper form and stances h

Spoiler: OoC

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Current HP: 61/92 (56 +5 Fast Healing)
--
AC: 18 (-3 from Con damage, -2 Charge)
---
Swift action: Yhrashnal Hexes the mortal foe. Will save DC 15 Negates; on a failed save enemy suffers -2 penalty to rolls and those targeting hex'd being gain +2 to rolls.
---
Full round: Yhrashnal charges the opponent and grants this mortal a valuable lesson about friendship violence.

Attack: (1d20+18)[33] (+2 Charge)

Damage: (1d10+19)[25]

[~Corvus~]

The Maiden's Tickle
The geisha girl pockets the money quickly and promptly serves him a full pint of strong-smelling sake. It is both sweet, dry and smooth; well-balanced, it goes down without any lingering harshness. "You're a sweet one, unlike most of the men here. Okay." She leans in, giving Kyorlin a generous view of her not-so-modest chest and speaks softly. "There's a gambling den in the Cleaner's right next to the Kabuki; if you pause on the landing halway down to the Kamubi, there's a false door on the left side; they have torches there....But you didn't hear it from me, okay hun? Come back some time, hmm?" She gives Kyorlin a swift kiss on the cheek, gingerly takes his glass, and turns to another man to quench his thirst for alcohol and tease him about his other thirsts.

She giggles as he blushes at her comments and serves him a beer, and leans over to whisper into his ear, careful to cover her chest with a hand. They both laugh, and she turns to another man.

----

Parade Grounds

Donovan's opponent sees him hesitate slightly at the pause in his manifesting--something went wrong, it seems--and the kama-wielder whoops in triumph. He changes stances, his blades shimmer with heat, and he charges at the manifestor.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Swift: adds 1d6+5 fire to his attacks this round.
Attack: (1d20+13)[25] (+2 charge)
[roll]1d6+9/roll]14 Slash & (6d6+9)[32] Fire

-2 AC (19) this round due to Charge

--

Yrashnal's opponent commits his body into a full-force attack against Yrashnal as he charges in. The first opportune attack misses, so he whips the chain around himself and it speed up, double-time, and he jerks the chain as it strikes true. He yanks, tripping the monk before he can make his--likely painful--attack.

Spoiler: Actions

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Saves vs. Hex

[Swift](not Std; that was typo) has been used up for the Immediate-action Lightning Recovery (reroll missed attack @ +2)
25 on post 51 for a hit

Trip of 31(post 50) beats 25 from Yrashnal
AoO Damage: (1d8+4)[12]

Move: 5-foot step to Yrashnal

Standard: Comet Throw (ToB 71)
Melee Touch @+2 vs. Prone (already tripped): (1d20+15)[17]

On hit, Trip @+4 & +2 vs. Prone (already tripped): (1d20+26)[30]
Throws base 10' & for every 5 this trip succeeds over Yrashnal's opposed Str, Yara is thrown +5 feet further.
He will take (4d6)[18] damage (Ref DC 18 for half) & falls prone (again)

[WarHunter]

The Maiden's tickle
Kyorlin

A little disappointed in her not keeping her end of the deal but decides to stay and finish his sake, after finishing it he leaves a gold piece under the cup and takes his leave for the secret gambling Den to see if it currently unoccupied.