Rokugan In the Shadows - Islands of the Mantis

[~Corvus~]

Secret Cove, Tenshukaku

Donovan reaches the ramp in a massive cove. Nearby are the winch-controls of the gate; the rope disappears into stone. Above him, two tiers of railing trail a massive and well-lit treasure cove. Large magical fire brackets provide light, and there's even a steady flow of wind from further down the area, but beyond Donovan's ability to see. The cove has treasure organized by displays, and many of them are exotic weapons he wouldn't even guess the name of. There's magical armours, rods and swords, bows, sets of fantastic arrows in quivers, and even wardrobes that tell of magnificent clothing. However though he remains unnoticed at this time, he notes three guards.

Each of the three guards wear pale green chain and cloth armour with helmets that have forward-curving horns. Their demeanours are tough and hardened, and though each has a set of wicked kama at their hips, they also hold compound bows with the ease of experience. None of them seem perturbed by the rainy night and neither do they seem particularly strained by the time of evening. Two of the men are on the upper balconies; one is on the first. They all manage to rotate between the areas, even relieving each other of the upper and lower parts on occasion. Worst, there is little pattern to their movements; they will about-face at random times, or complete only 3/4 of a circuit before turning back. Without a doubt, Donovan has found a particularly well-hidden storeroom of the Mantis.

[Anachronity]

Donovan

Seeing nothing to gain here that wouldn't be better gained another night, Donovan silently sinks back into the water at the base of the ramp. His caution as he'd intruded was his caution as he left, though this time he committed to memory the location of those deadly barriers as best he could determine them. He leaves the door as he'd found it, and ventures back to the surface to inform his tentative allies of his findings...

[Anachronity]

Donovan

(...)

Though he's not sure what he'd really expected, it seemed worth a try. Now he is left with the task of gaining such an item despite first needing one to do so. Likely this would need to wait until the others returned from the castle.

In his time among a ship's crew, and on the night he'd disembarked, the drowned had at least had the flimsy excuse of being drenched by the constant rain. But facing the prospect of venturing out into broad daylight, it seems prudent to verify that this disguise the Voice provided would pass muster. He finds an Eta and requests hot tea, noting carefully the servant's demeanor and searching for any sign that they find him peculiar or frightening.

No such signs...

While waiting for the tea, he changes into the clean clothing left for him. When the Eta returns he presents the ragged, sea-worn, and quite old garments he had just been wearing to them, and then rapidly downs the hot tea with an inhuman disregard for pain in plain view of the Eta, again looking for any telltale sign of confusion or realization. It would be best to learn the limits of the deception here, where it might reasonably be explained away.

Failing that, he asks that the old clothing be disposed of and proceeds out into the city. The gates should be open now, and it would be best to learn what he may of the rest of the city...

[~Corvus~]

A few of the Eta start at seeing Donovan down the tea and they, too, take a furtive interest in how he handles it, but their attention comes as momentary and can be forgotten quickly. A few of them strike up subdued conversation about relatives that enjoy their tea, too, only if it's piping hot. As Donovan observes them, they, too, realize that he's more interested in them, and they almost seem to relax at this. The Eta look at the abused clothing and agree with Donovan that, indeed, his worn-down clothes would be more useful as fertilizer. Several of them laugh, and they carry on outside of Donovan's room, in the hallway between his room and the next. There, they join others in a spare room that's being used to stage and fold clothes. After a quick exchange, several Eta join in discussing the local merchants.

They first discuss Donovan whom is widely regarded by the other Eta that have seen him as distinctively modest. "He manages to convey the idea that he's not important, but he arrived with two Emerald Magistrates, one an accomplished Shugenja who managed to disappear--no charter or anything--and a Legionaire!" Many make sounds of admiration but the conversation quickly steers away.

Hamara, a cloth merchant, makes excellent clothes and for high-stationed dignitaries, and is also (apparently) hiring others for work.
Kobugo, a steel forger, is the only weapon-smith on the island, and constantly busy.
There are several restaurants, and the one closest to the docks is very popular with the Mantis samurai (that are also seamen), popular with sailors and those who entertain them all; There's another two further in the city, and a third, Kumakogon, is very high-class and apparently the food there is just as appealing as its looks.
There are fletchers, there's even another Dojo--something about wasps-- for archers...
There's a few tanneries that exist on the city outskirts, but apparently they do exceptional work.

The city is Donovan's to explore.

[Anachronity]

Donovan's concerns are eased somewhat, though he is still not entirely trusting that this Voice won't withdraw its blessing on a whim. So it is with some reservation that he ventures out into the daylight. After a brief moment admiring the sun's glint upon the harbor waters, his first order of business is to explore the city beyond the gate.

[~Corvus~]

There's a gate that--now understandably--he had missed the previous wet evening. It has been pulled back, and as he looks to examine it, the gate has a rectangle shaped lattice that fits right in to the brick-and-mortar wall, and a sailcloth, still pinned to its front, makes it obvious why he may not have registered it the previous blustery evening.

The city here sports many well-dressed people: Merchants, off-duty Bushi and servants all wear comfortable-looking clothes in greens, blues, purples, and yellows. The nobles are easy to spot, and there's quite a lot of them: They're either Samurai or they wear gold-and-silver lined silk garments, and they go about their business with determination.

To Donovan's left, he notices a great number of store fronts, all selling goods from imported farm foods, to fishing shops for the nobles's servants to buy, there's even an armoursmith, and also a leatherworker's (although it doesn't smell foul, as many tanneries do). At the end is a ramp that leads to a striking and extremely large building, rivaling even that of Tenshukaku, and it sports the name

天
の
銀
行
(Heaven's Bank)
Its gleaming white structure looks exactly like a mountain from far away, and perhaps it's designed to, as it's clearly a structure made with exacting precision. Its marble walls are seamlessly put together to form enormous panels; it slopes and curves gradually with shifting colors. It leaves little doubt in his mind: only a a team of the greatest stonemason and artisans in the world could have made a feat of architecture this magnificent yet natural-looking.

The bank has its own security guards, and what seemed to be (nicely-dressed) servants are actually couriers. If Donovan approaches the bank or even dares explore inside, he'll be confronted with a wall of noise and activity, with people crowding around various tables, where people buy and sell commodities in such rapid fashion he even has trouble understanding what many are saying. Still, the activity is clear: People are buying what seems to be "representations" of items, for lords or ladies across the kingdoms, and there's even a few tables for what's likely contraband items around.

Spoiler: It's up to Donovan to decide if he wants to explore a shop or an area further.

Show

Let me know specific places Donovan goes to visit and I'll flesh them out more.

To the right, there's an area of parade grounds that's closed off, and further NW from that area, there's a second harbour where a massive fleet of merchant and military vessels make their safe anchorage in a second bay. This is likely where the under-water passage led.

[Anachronity]

The secret cove he'd found was far and away the most unusual thing Donovan had seen thus far on the island, and so the most worth investigating by his estimation. He moves towards the second harbor, trying to remain inconspicuous while more precisely determining where the other entrance might be, as well as any other peculiarities in the area.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

heads to the temple of fire and thunder, believing he can make it. He has many things to do and would have like to have someone familiar with the area to assist him but that will have to wait.

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - North
Donovan makes his way to the harbour, and he spots the underflow almost immediately. It has easy access from the harbor, but with the clothes he wears would bog any creature down for the means of underwater travel.

He notices, too, what promises to be a series of coves along the edge of the coast, perhaps a mile Eastwards from the harbor. There are a number of fisheries set-up on this end of the harbour, and each of them has their own signs denoting their expertise, whether crab-pots or "school" of fishing, and people going in and out of them,

Finally, he notices Kyorlin, too, has exited the walls of the city and is proceeding on the precarious path that leads above the docks to the shrine he'd seen upon his arrival. The rocks are

Kyuden Gotei - Path of Thunder

Kyorlin sets off through the city. Citizens give him berth, and it's not a tough walk to exit the city or get to the North-Eastern harbour; however, once there, the path West is readily difficult. First, as the harbour ends it turns into rocks worn by use over the years, but at least reasonably flat. As he's larger, this part of the journey isn't too difficult, but he does slip on his way there. His way back up isn't actually too difficult, and soon he manages to find his way past the obstacles he'd been facing.

he Path of Thunder is actually a long jetty, but it's tiered and the sheer faces of its switchbacks render climbing it impractical. As he reaches the top of the second switchback, a gust of wind slams him into the ground.

Spoiler: Nonlethal damage

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(2d6)[8]

The wind here is vicious and as cold as it is cutting. Every step he takes is an effort, now, as the wind that whips about him blows him away from the shrine. As he walks forth, the wind gets more and more forceful, making it hard to see. Still, he trudges forward and it fades somewhat as he reaches the Shrine's walls. He manages to find a door, and as he opens it, the wind picks up and makes it nearly impossible to close. With a surge of strength, he's able to wrest it closed again.

Three concerned faces approach him and ask him his purpose for being here. The area is bigger than one might imagine, and it has a large courtyard, full of simply-dressed meditating humans. The area brings about a very powerful sense of peace and contentment. He notices his wooden beads begin emitting a faint hum. They look with silent interest, but otherwise wait for his answer.

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Secret Areas
Yrashnal, unimpeded by the constraints of physical barriers, soon finds the scents of what he's looking for.

The dignitary quarters themselves are prone to visit by a great deal of people, and a few rooms on the ground floor have odd markings to them. One such room has a false-bottomed marble floor panel and what would be tough to move is immaterial to the wolf. Its small passageway is easy to lope along too, and as he travels, the air soon chills. Eventually he reaches a wall of rough stone, but as he passes through it he finds himself in a room underneath the great Bank of Heaven, itself worked into the hill-slope of the mountains nearby.

The room he enters is looks like a storage closet full of equipment; however, upon close inspection, there's very little dust on anything in there. Tables, chairs, wooden boxes...it has many things. All normal. The underground area of the Bank of Heaven proves to be a massive maze of rooms and corridors and takes him more than an hour to explore. It does, however, have a plethora of items out of place.

He comes across several rooms for employees accounding for goods with ledgers and balance sheets, but one of these rooms feels ripe and tense as opposed to the businesslike calm that he finds in the others. The workers here are quiet and quick, and the guards here are grim and stoic. Paper stacks do not go upstairs, but instead they go by corridors to a centralized office; If Yrashnal hadn't had the means to pass through walls, he would have been so lucky to find them. The vast majority of the halls down here lead to storage areas of various kinds, and many of these have either stairs going up or pulley-systems for heavy items. The central areas of the bank's maze begin to feel as if he's intruding in on important people of the serious kind; he glimpses the piercing gaze of a magic-user, who looks right at him with wide eyes, and he flees before anyone else can see.

Yrashnal's journey of escape leads him to a room where they make the fine parchment in a factory-like office in the back corner of the bank. Here, he spots many pipes that let fluids escape and such, but his scent for concealment is well-honed, so he follows the pipes and finds an adjoining cellar, which also has pipes leading up and outwards, and it cleverly links pipes into the walls--likely to mix with the other escaping fumes anyways--but this time, he finds the scents of magics and concealment about him. This room is a chemistry room, and they not only mix chemicals that can be used for making paper--which are brought upstairs by fit-looking servants--but they are making poisons of many kinds. He observes that these cellars are under the ocean, and have many crates, even, marked by strange symbols, from which they'll gather various fangs or glands, all preserved, and extract them through various means.

He can continue searching or perhaps find another of his companions to continue the hunt.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Notices the reaction of his necklace. I'm here looking for a comrade, Jade. I was told she may have come this way by a palace eta, also looking for power, magic, and items.

For strengthening Rokugan of course. he decides to only wave around his ring hand as he talks as he doesn't wish to use the signet ring as a crutch but an last opportunity.

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Shrine to Osano-Wo

The monk looks curiously at both the beads and the ring, and says, "Please, come in Magistrate. It's...rare we have anyone of your station here. We have not had anyone of such an unusual name visit us recently, but you are welcome, as always."

There are perhaps a hundred people meditating or performing precise motions in the grass areas nearby, and some of them have orbs of light or darkness about them. Each of them wears their own color of robe from with many varying shades and tones. The area curves and he sees others sparring with each other. They do not look up, but Kyorlin recognizes many of the complex moves they make as ones with which he's familiar. The other difference to normal combat seems to be that the weapons they wield bruise instead of cut.

At the final curve of the area, he sees the thick-walled stone temple. Kyorlin can see what would be normal patterned rocks actually are several incredible cuts of stone that fuse together; the grouting in between forms incredible dragon-shapes and clouds. "Of course, you are welcome to familiarize yourself with whatever you desire while you're here. Is there anything else we could help you with?"

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Would you have any one here that would be able to tell me what magic my items have?

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

The discovery of an alchemical laboratory hidden within the bank is an exceptional success; more so than he expected, even considering that he has allowed a mage to spot him. Although he does not have much experience with these tools surely one of the other Voice Called would be able to make good use of them should he decide to redistribute the resources here.

That, however, is a matter for another time. The laboratory will not go anywhere if he takes his eyes off it for a short while, but the people who operate it might make his work slightly interesting if he does not attend to them correctly. Yhrashnal takes a few moments to torment himself with some of the most potent, foul smelling substances within the laboratory before taking time of sniff things that give off a more subtle odor. Each smell is explored delicately and slowly; without knowledge of alchemy or a chance to identify each of these substances in their natural form The Hound is not willing to risk his life bringing his nose too close to substances that might be more toxic to him than they are to mortals until he has slowly teased his way over to each substance. Only after a considerable amount of time has passed, with lengthy periods of time devoted to savoring and remembering every scent, does he depart looking for more; be that a mortal who carries these scents or another location where these smell exist.

His caution towards nobility and their mages is still considerable, but he is willing to stray into a problematic domain should the trail offer no other leads.

Spoiler: OoC

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Mostly a repeat of the previous OoC.
---
Wolf Form: +3 to hide checks, Pass without Traits, movement speed of 50.
---
Passive/Continuously reapplied/applied as necessary:
* Hecatoncheires: Nondetection (vs Divination spells)
*Invisibility: 1 minute duration (Savage Traits)
*Ghostly (Savage trait) to pass through people/objects as needed
---
*Search check: (1d20-4)[8]
*Survival check: (1d20+9)[14]
*Hide check: (1d20+31)[50] with a +20 bonus from being invisible, and a +3 bonus from wolf form. Somehow I forgot it last time, despite listing it first among the passive bonuses in OoC.
*Move Silently: (1d20+8)[18] moving at an unhurried pace for the most part.
---
--
-
The target has now shifted to finding the Alchemist and/or their assistants, OR finding other locations that have those particular scents. Should he get a choice he'll lock on to those with a less varied bouquet of chemicals first, but he's not especially picky.

[~Corvus~]

Shrine to Osano-Wo

Kyorlin
Would you have any one here that would be able to tell me what magic my items have?

"Certainly! We would be honored to help!" The attendant calls over a monk whom is resting between combat bouts. He nods to Kyorlin's request and replies, "It will take me several minutes to understand each item. Your patience is welcomed."


Yrashnal - Hidden Areas
The Beast manages to track a few of the couriers of the poison, but as they proceed into the streets, the mix and jumble of many scents causes him to lose all but one trail. He follows the courier into a back-alley that leads to one kitchen (closer to the docks where he'd entered). The courier goes into a stockroom and uses a false door. Their furtive entrance leads to a cellar with more than 30 large barrels of alcohols. There, other servants attend the barrels and place and make orders, fill smaller barrels, and yet others take items from other couriers and hide them in secret compartments adjacent to the barrels themselves. The courier goes to a servant and whispers of the order; the servant in turn stashes the poison kit (disguised in an innocent-looking box) among many other crates tucked into a sudden corner. This cleverly-designed place looks more-intended to keep its alcohol in a stable, dry environment where there's little sound. Few would think to check the place thoroughly, and it's this aura of secrecy that lends itself to a particularly delicious scent of non-belonging.

The other many kitchens and dining halls service a great number of both soldiers and sailors, and he runs the course of them, exploring their edges. With the one exception, he finds no other scents out of place at this time. Even the gambling done in a few of the dining halls is deemed okay, and is done in full view of everyone. While it's not accompanied by a sense of perfect ease, it is accompanied by a sense of alcohol-fueled release and relaxation.

[Anachronity]

Donovan first sets to the task of obtaining more utilitarian clothing, preferring the practicality and relative discretion of a sailor's garb. It seemed Kyorlin at least had finished with his business at the castle, and it would be best to stay appraised of any new threats learnt of there. But he was off at the shrine now, and there was no saying how long that might be the case.

Once he'd returned to the dignitary quarters to change, the undead instead focuses on humanizing himself. Though it was hardly something he missed, the entertainer he'd long ago been had known the value of words. Years of solitude and opportunistic murder had worn away at those skills, and the past month had made him aware that he'd become a poor conversationalist.

He returns to the area near the parade grounds, making small talk with the vendors and passing citizenry as seemed prudent. It was helpful to remember what things were important to the living. All the while he keeps an eye out for Kyorlin or Yrashnal. If they were too long absent it may be that he would need to journey to the shrine himself.

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - City Grounds

One of the merchants of a clothing shop, upon realizing Donovan was stationed at the dignitary quarters, directs him there. "There's a tailor there for anyone who's a visitor." When he returns and requests simpler clothes, they provide it but look at him as if he's even more impressively modest than before. When he even rejects monk's robes, instead insisting on a simple sailor's outfit, they comply, and within ten minutes' time, he has the gear: tight-fitting sail-cloth-like material, good if one goes overboard, and enduring.

People of the city are congenial and kind, if not a little bemused that a sailor could speak so well, and walked with only a slight sway instead of a severe one. Yrashnal, it seems, is nowhere, and when he asks about the other visiting person, Kyorlin, they tell him that the giant of a man was seen traveling to the Path of Thunder, and his intent was unknown.

Spoiler: OOC

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Is there anything in particular Donovan wants to find out?

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Having found where poison is made, where it is stored, and some of the people who attend to or transport it, Yhrashnal considers his work here complete for the moment and finally loses interest in finishing the excursion. The loot he has located is of no value to him, the tools around it are just the same, and the place all of these things are hidden in has mages he is not completely certain he can overpower on his own should he end up facing them in a pitched battle. If necessary he knows hwere to find a sample of the finished product and by dint of his abilities he has the means to locate those who created and mobilized that product. All of this is very interested, and certainly worthy of being reported to the lesser Void Called for their use, but something far more interesting calls to the monster: the barracks for this domain are only a short job away.

Following the scent of sweat and metal, Yhrashnal takes on the form of the the Monk and allows the Invisibility trick he has been using thus far to fall along the way. Perhaps he could challenge a mortal to battle. Perhaps he can challenge all of the mortals to battle. Or he might get a chance to eat his fill of warriors that won't be missed, or to taste defeat in honorable combat, or...

All in all this should be a rare opportunity to test his techniques and gauge the strength of these mortal warriors before he and the other Void Called must fight for their lives.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Observing the monk in his bouts, he takes off his voided ally's gloves and Cape, and the jewelry that Tun had provided (the signet ring and wood bead necklace). Having folded the larger items and carefully placing the ring and beads beside them, he waits.

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden gotei - Barracks

The buildings' outside is of cherry wood, and its craftsmanship looks unrivaled. There are many muffled sounds of training inside, and if the wind shifts just right, he can even scent delicious ones from what must be their upstairs and personal kitchen; tea, fresh rice, excellent fish, and vegetables to boot. Mostly, however, the high windows let out the characteristic scents of sweat and focus.

There are several guards at the south entrance of the barracks. There's an intensity of their focus, as if it's both on remaining dispassionately attached to what's in front of them, and paying just enough attention to the world that they can detect threats coming their way. For the time being, they ignore Yrashnal, although they size him up and determine that he is, at least, not a threat at this current time.

Finally, after roughly a half hour of waiting, a soldier walks through the nearby city gate. "Greetings citizen. This dojo is reserved for the elite of the Mantis Guard of the city. Why do you linger here?"


Kuyden Gotei - Shrine Grounds
"These gloves are very interesting. They allow the wielder to activate ofuda and scrolls as if they're a spellcaster of that type.

"This is a very nice cape. The fabric is a fine-spun wool. It will be a little more comfortable in the cold, but will not be oppressively warm in the heat either, as the layers will expand and allow more space. It may even keep you warm when wet, as the layers will compact but will contain heat better than other fabrics.

"These beads contain a most unusual light. It's likely enchanted with a permanent Light spell, and the Light was altered to be a soft golden color.... huh...." the monk pauses to rotate the item again. "No, on second thought, it couldn't be. There's only a hint of magic about it. Hmm..."

The monk excuses himself to a "library" and returns a few minutes later. "Ah, there we go. If I understand these descriptions correctly, these beads contain light captured in the Divine Realm. They seem capable of other binding feats...it resonates of Conjuration and Necromancy, but it isn't evil...hm. What exactly it can do is beyond me.

The monk accepts the items and looks over the signet ring last.
"This signet ring is an ancient symbol of the Crab Clan. It describes a clan that's believed deceased, nearly four hundred years ago. The clan Azsuma were Mountain Spirit Folk, allies of the Crab Clan, and they even have historians and advisors in many areas of our capitol. There are a few alive there, but the clan closed off their grounds from passage in or out of their domain, for fear of invasion from the Shadowlands. Before then, they had the only safe passage into the northern Shadowlands." The monk looks up. "I had believed you were from the Crab clan, but..." he looks askance at Kyorlin. "And it's said that you're a Magistrate? I never thought that anyone from the lost Azsuma clan was a Magistrate, but the capitol is quite different, isn't it?

...Well, you have very interesting items. I'm sure the story of how you've had them is interesting. Do you care to recount it?"

Spoiler: Mechanics

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Gloves of Use Magic Devices - These gloves allow the wielder to use the skill Use Magic Device as if they had 4 ranks in the skill.

Masterwork cloak.

Signet Ring of the Aszuma Clan - This ring has serious in-game and political powers. It will open doors and if seen by the shrewd observer, may lead to questions asked.

Beads of Angel Radiance - contains the light of a Divine Creature. Can produce light, if desired, as strong as a torch. Potentially has other "binding" powers, but beyond the scope of the Monk's identification.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
I will do the best I can, the gloves and cape are from the remains of a fallen ally, the beads were bestowed from a seemly immortal being of great mystery even to me. The ring is a more complicated story.

I have heard the beads could be used to bind Oni as guardians of sort, do you know anyone with knowledge of dealing with Oni? Seems all my experience with them leaves them dead. sneers.

With that he places his items back on.

Would you have anyone here that can enchant items or has enchanted items for sale?

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Yhrashnal lets his hands come together before himself as he approaches the soldier. "This one seeks to improve himself." The line is delivered with a flat tone and a grating voice, spoken softly and slowly besides. In the form of the Monk he locks the mortal in his gaze and, once within range, he strikes with power beyond the understanding of mortal men and power beyond magic and, finally, power befitting Yhrashnal.

"Bring me to inside and arrange for a sparring match. This will bring benefits to all involved."

Spoiler: OoC

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Yhrashnal puts his hands together in front of himself and approaches the soldier. Once the soldier is 5 feet away Yhrashnal applies his Aura of Despair. Will save DC 16, or the soldier takes a -2 to basically all rolls/checks as per the spell Crushing Despair.

Yhrashnal follows this with a Hexblade Curse as a Swift action. Will save DC 15 or the soldier suffers -2 to all dice rolls and those targeting the soldier gain +2 to all dice rolls. If the soldier saves successfully then the Curse use is not expended.

That is, in turn, followed by Yhrashnal using his Charm Person SLA as a Standard action. Will save DC 14 negates becoming friendly to Yhrashnal.

Finally, Yhrashnal attempts to Bluff/Lie to the soldier; if a Bluff check is allowed I put the roll below. If a Charisma check is needed, as per the suggestion in Charm Person if this sounds particularly sketchy, that's below too.
Bluff check: (1d20+12)[31]
Charisma check: (1d20+9)[17]

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Shrine to Osano-wo

The monk looks askance at Kyorlin. "We...we do, but it's a very expensive process!" He looks down and sweat beads on his skin. He speaks in a low voice: "If you have the items in mind, and the desired effects, of course, we can have the enchantments arranged for...for you...but wouldn't the Imerial City be a better place to do that?"


Kyuden Gotei - Barracks

It seems that the guard is neither moved nor upset by Yrashnal's magical maladies, but he nods his head to the proposal. "I would never have thought an Emerald Legionaire would seek improvement from the Mantis elite guardsmen, but shall talk with our head of Dojo and see what we can do. He disappears inside, and for a moment it seems like he's forgotten to lock the door in his haste, but the partner to the guard near the door levels a spear at Yrashnal.

"I mean you respect, legionaire, so please understand that many incidents about the Empire make our security a top priority. If you will be patient..."

Twenty-seven minutes pass with nothing but the background bustle of every-day life at the capitol Mantis city. A set of other dignitaries, from both the Crane clan and the Phoenix clan, arrive, dressed in fine and colorful silks, pass by the barracks. With the phoenix dignitaries, a man dressed in emerald-green silks and high-ranking shoulder markings stops momentarily to look at Yrashnal but shakes his head and continues along with the rest of the group. Finally, the guard emerges again with a samurai who bows to Yrashnal, to the guard, and then to Yrashnal again.

"Your eminence, we managed to arrange a surprise practice tournament in your honor for today! We will conduct this instead of future practices today for those that expressed interest in participating. Please meet us by the Parade Grounds."

--

The parade grounds have been swept and cleared of others. Many people have stopped to watch, and haven't been pushed away by the soldiers. Bank staff taking a break from their duties, fishermen resting after their day's catch, courtiers, and a few of the dignitaries have gathered around for this small tournament.

Yrashnal is ushered into the area, and the rules are given as follows:

It's a 32-person win/loss bracket.
(32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1 --> losers' bracket have 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. At end, match between losers' top & winners' top for prize)
The area will be Sanctified so all damage is nonlethal only (so no one dies)
Weapons are to be Masterwork only.
300-GP buy-in (covers costs of the Sactifications and allows for some prize money)
Substitutes allowed only if a person can't be revived in time for their match.
3 minutes for each match; 10 minutes' recovery time allowed between each bout.
Hits given will be tallied and judged for the score of each match.

One of the bankers jokingly offers to put up the money for any travelers that wish to participate but don't have the funds. A murmer of laughs pass through the crowd and the man looks down and drags his foot through the ground as he looks down. He still looks sincere, but none of the Samurai take him up on his offer; they all prefer to save face and pay from their own pockets.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

You are correct of course, just wanted to get some items and wanted to know if this was a possible option.

So this is the temple of fire and thunder how did it come to earn such a name? Was also wondering if you knew where the entrance to the underground secure treasure tower is?

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden Gotei - Shrine to Osano-wo

The two monks near you--the one that did the appraisal and the one who led you to him--laugh at the question of a secret underground tunnel with treasures. They are hearty laughs, and plentiful, and finally one of them splutters, "There is... There is a tunnel but the only treasures are blessed earth and oni bones, long rotted away three centuries ago. It was made by Oni to tunnel to here, and we filled it in with a blessing from Osano-wo, a huge torrent of molten lava that filled in the tunnel and sealed it away from the Shadowlands."

When Kyorlin asks about the path and the shrine, however, the monk looks a little more serious. "Ah, I see. You are asking about the island's founding. Han, please fetch The Echoes of Thunder from our archives."

The monk who'd let you in goes into the shrine and down a ladder and returns a few minutes later with the scroll

Spoiler: It's rather large, and even contains excellent drawings to enjoy while reading.

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It is a long tale, indeed.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal


"I will accept your offer, benefactor. At this point I possess no material wealth. I have no need for it either. Should I win you may do as you wish with the money. My prize is to hone my strength in the wake of great indignity." It is a small matter, but Yhrashnal still studies the face of the banker who made this offer; although Yhrashnal is a horrid, soul eating fiend even he prefers to honor debts and distinguish friend from foe. This mortal has made an annoying matter much simpler and for that the man has earned himself a small favor later.

With this matter settled the Monk exhales slowly and deliberately, exercising patience with the mortals as they work out the details of the situation; that they cannot even enjoy a battle without jostling for social status or material wealth is simply infuriating. Even before the battles start the fires of rage are enkindled within his eyes.

[Anachronity]

Donovan had taken his time wandering here and there, observing and memorizing the friendly islanders' mannerisms. He is surprised when a few of his own old habits surface here or there. In the time since encountering the other Voice-called he had been hesitant in his deceptions and indifferent in his statements. But the trick, he now recalled, was always in confidence. Whether speaking truly or not, there could be no room for doubt in the mind of the audience; which meant that first there must be no doubt in your own.

While taking his time reminiscing, bandying words, and telling lies to the locals - small lies; only practice - Donovan could not help but notice a peculiar gathering near the barracks. Some event was transpiring, and it seemed to do with his fellow Voice-called.

His step ever in time with the ocean, Donovan Grolier nears the growing crowd of warriors and spectators.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

After finishing his reading of the scroll. 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? saying unsure of his assessment.

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?

[~Corvus~]

Kyuden gotei - Parade Grounds

The tournament is a long one, with a great deal of exciting warriors. At least half of the warriors there are kama-users either in medium armor or light armor. Several wield katana-and-Wakizashi, and one even sports a great-katana! There are a few Crab-clan warriors with Tetsubo, and a few with exotic-looking spears. One smokes a pipe, and otherwise appears unarmed, but looks none the less deadly.

Yrashnal faces the greatsword wielder first, and knocks the man out after several impressive flurries of attacks. The first round of matches are busy, and there's very much to watch, but they are soon over, and they are all given a little time to recover.

His second match, Yrashnal faces a Kama wielder, and though she manages to catch him off-guard for her first attack, but as she follows through with a second barrage of blows, he escapes it by vanishing into the air. The crowd makes its appreciation known at seeing this, and he just barely avoids a nasty flurry of blows. They exchange a few more hits, but after she misses what is likely to be an impressive second barrage of attacks, she takes a knee. Both she and Yrashnal give each other respect, and there's respectful clapping.

In Yrashnal's third match, he faces one of the men with exotic spears. He has an impressive breastplate and a buckler, and as the match enters, the Monk uses his powers to become ethereal, rendering him tough to detect. The man had entered the match in a powerful stance, but as his opponent vanishes, he changes his approach. The man steps away and does what can only be said as spreading out his senses. His skin shimmers with radiating heat and as Yrashnal continues to remain insisible, the man turns to face his still-invisible aggressor.

Spoiler: Round 3

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Yrashnal's actions: Remain invisible
Move Silently (23)
approach the man up to 15' away

(warrior 24)
Listen (32)
Swift: Sudden Leap (1d20+15)[18] & Skill Focus (1d20+15)[31]
-->needs 20 minimum to move 15 feet
--> no AoO
Full-round attack (flurry)
Attack 1: (1d20+14)[28] & (1d100)[92] & (1d20+14)[34] if missed
Damage: (1d10+10)[12]

Attack 2: (1d20+14)[21] & (1d100)[76] & (1d20+14)[31] if missed
Damage: (1d10+10)[13]

Attack 3: (1d20+14)[15] & (1d100)[73] & (1d20+14)[16] if missed
Damage: (1d10+10)[17]

AC: 21 & Imp. uncanny Dodge & Blind Fight

Although the man only hits with his first attack, that he hit Yrashnal, invisible as he was at all, is a feat unto its own.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal

Unbeknownst to the audience Yhrashnal applies the magic of friendship rage to himself with a quick burst of his inner power before springing forward, reappearing to the naked eye midway through his first punch out of a heated barrage of attacks. This mortal has successfully landed the first and the second attacks of this fight; it would best to end this battle before the warrior can press his advantage.

Spoiler: OoC

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HP: 100/110 (110-25+5 Fast Healing +5 Hardness on first attack+5 Hardness on second attack)
-
Swift Action: Mad Hunger (1st round)- +20 Movement speed, +2 attacks on full attack, Take additional 30% damage.
-
Free action: Quickened Rage SLA. Grants +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution, a +1 morale bonus on Will saves, and a -2 penalty to AC. AC penalty is offset by con bonus to a total of -1 AC. Lasts 6 rounds
--
New Current HP: 106/116
Current AC: 22 (-2 Rage, +1 Rage)
---
Full Attack
-
Attack 1: (1d20+16)[18] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage : (1d4+13)[15] (+1 rage)

Attack 2: (1d20+16)[27] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage 2: (1d4+13)[17] (+1 rage)

Attack 3: (1d20+16)[36] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage 3: (1d4+13)[15] (+1 rage)

Attack 4: (1d20+16)[19] (-2 TWF, +1 Rage)
Damage 4: (1d4+13)[14] (+1 rage)
---Yhrashnal heals 20% of all damage dealt.