The End of an Era Part 1

[Auranghzeb]

Ahalya

As the attackers approach you, you notice their eyes show no fear, but pure rage, two charge the summoned lion. and another goes straight after you.
[Spolier]If a 16 hits the lion then it takes 7 damage the other two botched their attacks hard. [/SPOILER]

Mirumoto
There are five more engaged with the samurai. One of them swings his mace two handed to try and crush a young samurai. But Mirumoto parries the attack.

Onka
The ninja on the right rooftop (Onka's) charge agains the dancer.

Spoiler

Show

2 Wolf fang strikes they flank you with their Island of blades. Attack rolls are 16 (6 damage), 17(7 damage), 9, and 14 (7 damage).

Leylek

Leylek's surviving ninja rolls back and then takes a mighty jump with a downward kick.

Spoiler

Show

Sudden leap + claw of the moon jump check 19, attack 14 (damage 12).

[BelGareth]

Shimura weaved and slid out of the way of one strike, while palming another with the flat of his blade, directing around and back to the attacker, as he did so, he bought back his sword in a two handed swipe swinging behind his head and bringing it back around with force, much like a simple aikido chop, it finished his kata, and moved smoothly to the next one, simple chops and sweeps to his foe to put them on the defensive, allowing him to position them for a finishing move.

He was almost smiling, if it weren't for the famous stoicism of the samurai, he may have split a smile. Instead, he continued the dance, manipulating arms, blades, and weapons alike, like a gardener in harvest season.

Spoiler

Show

Attack the closest one:
Attack 1 - (1d20+11)[30]
Damage - (1d10+7)[16]

Attack 2 - (1d20+6)[22]
Damage - (1d10+7)[17]

Spoiler: crits

Show

Attack 1 crit confirm - (1d20+11)[18]
Crit Extra Damage - (1d10+7)[9]

Attack 2 crit confirm - (1d20+6)[8]
Crit Extra Damage - (1d10+7)[17]

Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 51/51, Speed 30
AC 18 Touch 14 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [3/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 0/1 essentia invested

[Metastachydium]

Humbled, as it were, by his inability to land a blow, and, accordingly, quite furious with himself as well now, Leylek can feel the red mist on his mind lower for long enough to let him weave out of the kick aimed at his head with fluid ease and, at the same time, sense an opening as the terrible nuisance of a ninja he battles bends forward from the momentum of his own downward motion. Not wasting the time on further boasting or taunts, the bird's long neck arcs forward to peck at the base of the man's neck, twice.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Flurry of the beak: (1d20+6)[23] for (1d8+6)[11] and
(1d20+6)[8] for (1d8+6)[10]

[Alhallor]

Onka, seeing himself confronted with a hail of attacks, repeats the section of the Dance of the Iron Fist, lovingly called "Thousand spears don't find they're way". His leight body weaves away from attacks, like the reed in a harsh storm and the last possible hit he simply swats away with one of his Iron-coated fists.

He delivers another brutal scythe-kick with his right foot to the newly arrived foe and hammers his left hand on the shoulder of the other one, still keeping his momentum.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Sharpness of Deadly Beauty: Turn 3 of 4.
Attack 1: (1d20+8)[26] Against the newly charged foe.
Damage 1: (1d8+9)[14]
Attack 2: (1d20+8)[27]
Damage 2: (1d8+9)[11]

Did I get another one of the attackers and another joined the frey? I was not sure from the description.

[Auranghzeb]

Onka

You move through the enemies snaping their necks with furious fists and kicks while softly, barely, grazing the rooftops. You end up the section of the dance with a spin an a gentle arabesque. while the two ninjas roll down the rooftop.


Leylek

You finally land a deadly blow to the ninja's neck and the taste of blood is intoxicating.

Shimura

Your first attack cuts the enemy down as if he were made of bamboo, the cut so fast across chest and right shoulder that the bone separates cleanly and the very shock end the man's life.

Then you move into the other with the same momentum and pierce his liver with a lunging stab as the poor guy tried to parry your two handed overhead swing. He drops, bleeding and pale.

The samurai next to you move a one and eliminate the threat.

The only few left are engaged with a lion! and a large wolf! about 30 feet up the street.

[Cygnia]

The lion roared in anger and in pain as its attacker cut into it and lashed out with a pointy-ended paw in response...

(1d20+7)[22] (attack of opportunity, claw)
(1d4+5)[8] (Dmg if hit)

...meanwhile, Ahalyā glared at the other attackers. "SKREE! May a thousand fleas bite at all your crotches!" Then the shaman attempted to strike at the madman who (thankfully) missed her. Raksha, meanwhile, attempted to bite the same attacker's calf, hoping to drag the fool down....

Spoiler: Actions

Show

(1d20+7)[8] (Ahalyā, unarmed strike +2 from Knowledge Devotion added in)
(1d6+1)[6] (Dmg if hit, +2 from KD added in)
(1d20+4)[14] (Raksha, bite)
(1d6+2)[3] (Dmg if hit)
(1d20+1)[10] (Free Trip attempt if Bite connected)
(1d20+2)[19] (Lion, bite)
(1d8+1)[2] (Dmg if hit)
(1d20+12)[27] (Free Grapple attempt if Bite connected)

[BelGareth]

Shimura stood looking down at his felled opponents, he bought up his blade and quickly brought it down with his wrist, flicking off the blood to the ground. Looking up, he views the scene before him, and with a flash of insight Miromoto Niten is standing next him, his ghostly visage translucent like the twilight light of a graveyard, "Focus, and fight them" he said simply, with a snap back to reality, the dragon shaped birthmark on his left shoulder burst into golden light. Nodding at the sage wisdom, he grunted and ran towards the others that were fighting the great beasts.

Spoiler

Show

Standard to invest essentia Then move 30ft towards animals fighting the remaining ninjas.

Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 51/51, Speed 30
AC 18 Touch 14 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [3/3], Anklets of Translocation [3/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (50% fortification)

[Alhallor]

Well the fight was far from over and Onka still had some fight in him, even when the wounds were slowly catching up to him. He honed in on the next target and ran towards it, trying to hit it with a good jumping kick.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

If there is another enemy on Leylek Onka charges that one. If they are still others the samurai fight against he'll charge them, not bothering to jump from a great height and suffering fall damage, though he may try to mitigate that with a Tumble against 15 (which currently I don't even have to roll. Man that Skill Focus: Tumble is really great when you have it.
Attack: (1d20+12)[18]
Damage: (1d8+9)[14] and (1d12)[10] charge bonus damage
4/4 rounds for SOtDD
33/47HP
19 AC

[Metastachydium]

Leylek himself shifts, his pupils dilating and his own blood rushing faster beneath his feathery hide, to get the last of his three between himself and the surprise ally sailing through the air the same way he would, were their respective positions exchanged (the iron-man had good masters, it seems) to slash and peck at the cornered ninja, the taste of the previous and, indeed, the taste of victory, still in his beak and on his tongue.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Yeah, I'm pretty sure there were three and the bird downed only two. Moving to flank with Onka and flurry: (1d20+8)[24] (assumes flanking) for (1d8+6)[8]; and
(1d20+8)[20] (as above) for (1d8+6)[7]

[Auranghzeb]

Ahalya's attacks are not fruitful, only the summoned lion pounces one of the men and rips his throat out.


Genji shouts "Capture one! we need to interrogate them"


Onka sommersaults from the roof and wheels his way across the street, jumping and tumbling his way up to the other row of houses where a strange blood covered bird applies the finishing attack to the last Ninja standing.


Genji's men surround two of the men but amidst the chaos, one thing is certain: these men won't be captured alive. They all bring one hand to their mouths and bite hard on something. White foam fills their mouth as their necks bulge and their eyes start bleeding. It is over in a second, all of them collapse in shock.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

All attackers have bit on a pill of deadly poison, they are dying. What do you do?

[Alhallor]

Onka, seeing the last ninja fall from the attacks of the bird, gives him a slap of camaraderie on a unhurt place. "Good fight, friend."

When the other assailants are collapsing he can't really do much instead he get's towards the edge of the roof and takes a look around, perhaps there is still someone fleeing the scene.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Perception: (1d20+9)[13]

Should he be called down by Genji or someone else, he somersaults down to ground level.

(1d20+16)[35]

[BelGareth]

Shimura sheathes his sword with a fluid motion only a practiced master could perform, he moves to the closest assassin and places his hands upon them, activating his belt in the hopes it would heal the man.

Spoiler

Show

activate belt, hopefully the poison inflicted hitpoint damage

Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 51/51, Speed 30
AC 18 Touch 14 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [2/3], Anklets of Translocation [3/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (50% fortification)

[Metastachydium]

And an honour. the blooded bird, his face still oddly angry, replies, crossing his wings before his chest to give Onka a quick bow, before turning to yell down a hasty The one I felled first may yet live! to the samurai, pointing a taloned feet towards where he saw the ninja fell, his legs crushed – and with that, he springs into the air to look around from higher that.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

At any rate, he never saw that guy die. Anyway, move 10' up and Perception: (1d20+7)[17] (the modifier assumes human ninjas to spot; result is 2 lower against non-humans)

[Cygnia]

Ahalyā spat out a curse. She was not strong enough to be blessed with the ability to neutralize poison. Nor had she thought to take the blessing to try to at least delay it this day. Quickly, she prayed to the spirits in order to guide her hand into treating the poison the old fashioned way on the nearest attacker.

(1d20+10)[14] Heal (treat poison)

"Maybe you talk to their corpses tomorrow?" suggested the wolf, a touch of snark in her tone.

[Auranghzeb]

The fireworks still crack and explode above you, lightning the dark sky with colors as you scamper finding any live assailant to no success. The shugenja and shamans tend to the wounded samurai and citizens. Genji and the Regent take stock of the situation and acknowledge your service and aid.

There's no identification on the men, their weapons are clean of any symbols.

The chaos recedes. The bodies of the fallen samurai and regent's men are silently collected by the temple sohei while the streets are cleared of people.

But as calm comes back, two things happen:

From the temple a sohei and a sorcerer come rushing down towards the perimeter, they exchange words with the guards and are let through to Genji.

They bow, repentant, with their foreheads almost grazing the lower hem of the regent's kimono.

what do you mean it's lost? asks the regent in a dry voice

at that very moment, a sohei looks up and points toward the lighted sky.

There you see it, the fireworks form it clearly: the constellation of the Crab.

[Metastachydium]

Leylek drops back down on the rooftop, his circuit complete, and looks up himself. It's not a coincidence, then. It's a message. A declaration, of war. Good.

He spreads his wings once more to glide down to street level and bows before the regent and the prince. My lord. he says; albeit not even he is quite sure which one he's even addressing. What are your orders?

[Alhallor]

Onka was still a bit fidgety from the excitement though he bowed towards Lord Genji, something so ingrained, it was hard to resist, even for him. The fireworks and the implicitness in the way the mighty crane warrior adressed the lord flabbergasted him a bit and he blurted out.

What? What was lost?

He was just a peasant and adressing a noble casually may have dire repercussions but he was still very much posessed by the spirit of his ancestors.

[BelGareth]

Shimura hides his dissatisfaction at his inability to revive the felled warrior before him, his forehead dips to touch the body in a small show of frustration. Calming himself, he stands, looking around, and then up to the fireworks.

"Interesting, I am surprised at the Crabs subtlety, they are usually forthcoming and direct, is this perhaps a ruse to blame them and stoke the embers of war?"

Spoiler

Show

Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 51/51, Speed 30
AC 18 Touch 14 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [2/3], Anklets of Translocation [3/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (50% fortification)

[Cygnia]

"Is anyone still hurt?" asked the shaman as she scampered into the gathering. Her head bobbed low in a sign of respect for the regent.

Raksha's suggestion about talking to the dead tomorrow might be valid. The dead were (usually) incapable of lying. However, getting a proper answer could be difficult. And it was distasteful to use such magicks (at least in Ahalyā's mind it was).

[Auranghzeb]

Genji looks at his surviving Samurai, Shimura included with a proud gaze. His sword master had been particularly brave and swift. Genji sheated his legendary Katana that never tarnished.

The regent’s men, and birds, including Leylek received orders to scan the town for any strangers and order a curfew of the population.

The citadel had been breached.

To onka’s question there’s no answer.

The regent wants to dismiss the shaman and the dancer, but Genji raises his voice.

you fought bravely, without your skill more of us would have fallen to poisoned darts.
Who are you?

[Metastachydium]

Leylek wordlessly repeats his bow, stepping back to turn around and take it to the sky once more, intent on cruising low above the rooftops, keeping an eye and earhole out. Given the apparent urgency, taking the healing offered barely crosses his mind.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Perception: (1d20+7)[14] (assumes Humanoid (humans); subtract 2 for other races)

[BelGareth]

Shimura stands with his hands resting on his daisho, as he regards the new comer.

"In the realm of the dao, where honor is the beacon and treachery the venomous fog, the poison finds solace among the honorless."

Spoiler

Show

Miromoto Shimura
M LG Human (dragon) Samurai Level 5, Init 3, HP 51/51, Speed 30
AC 18 Touch 14 Flat-footed 15
Fort +7 Ref +4 Will +4
Abilities Str 18, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 15
Condition None
Special Law devotion [1/1], Belt of Healing [2/3], Anklets of Translocation [3/3]
Boon Mirumoto Niten dragonmark 2/2 essentia invested (50% fortification)

[Alhallor]

That the regent didn't wanted Onka's head pressed into the dust for speaking out of order made him totally alright in his book and he was especially happy to introduce himself.

Onka goes flourishly at one knee, exagerrating every possible move. Onka. tentatively at your service.

And if it was his still lingering ancestor or his own pride he had to counter the samurais words.

And if the beacon becomes... But he shuts himself up before he would sully the conversation with his rash words.

[Cygnia]

"I am Ahalyā, from the forests of Odisha," said Ahalyā with another, lower, bow (this one after seeing the celestial lion dismissed with her thanks).

Raksha took advantage of the fact that wolves were not expected to bow to just look upon the scene impassively. Humans could be very entitled at times.

[Auranghzeb]

Interlude

Leylek:
You fly over the town, now silent without the firework. You even take the time to got over where you saw the men lay the firework crate. But you don't see anything, there's the empty crate with some of the firework still, but no trace of the men who set them.
You take a look around and help other guards look at the perimeter.

The night turns darker, more silent. Unnaturally darker.

Shimura

"Snake poison is life to the snake, but death to man"

Why would the crab be so open? You ask Genji as the samurai and the regent moved hurriedly towards the temple.

"They wouldn't. Unless they know we are unprotected by the kami. Unless they think they can take over the citadel in one sweep. "

Uncharacteristically, the regent interrupts Genji

"Unless they have taken the scriptures."

A dark silence follows a gasp from the sohei. as you finally enter the temple. There you see it: surrounded by the mangled bodies of sohei and sorcerers, a dark hole burrowed through the stone of the temple. The hole goes a few yards in and then becomes solid stone.

A sohei speaks fast and stuttering.

"We did not see it coming whatever it was it was lost in the noise of the fireworks. When we realize it it was too late. They took the scripture."

A dark cloud lourds over Genji's brow.

"The divine scripture... The citadel is no longer a haven."

Everyone:

It is dark and silent in the citadel as the clouds obscure the night sky with the menace of a storm. You have been gathered in the stair of the temple. Genji and the Regent precede a committee.

Genji is the first one to speak

"The seal is broken and the sacred scriptures that protect the citadel are gone.
We are now fair game for an attack and I fear it won't be too long before it comes.
Why? That is beyond my understanding.
The regent and some of my men will start evacuating the city this very night towards the fort and its tunnels. The regent must not fall. But we need to understand what's going on."

The regent looks at Ahalya and Onka with mistrust.

"These newcomers shouldn't be here."

Genji interrupts with a wave of his hand and patting the pommel of his legendary sword, he adds.
"This is not the time. My daimyo tells me there's no coincidence in their arrival tonight. And the shaman's have confirmed it.
Two groups will leave tonight,

My swordmaster will lead one to the west, to the land of the Crane. Their are the sworn enemies of the Crab and the closest allies we have.

Another, led by Shimura and Leylek, will travel east right into Crab lands. I ask of you, Vanara, and of you Onka, to be part of that group.

Your mission is twofold: find out what their plans are and report back to us."

[BelGareth]

Shimura nods at the wise words spoken, but otherwise remains neutral and impassive, trying to drink in the words, and understand what is going on.

His face wracks in disgust at the thought of the holy scriptures being stolen, but only for a moment.

At the command to go investigate into the Crab clan lands and find out what is going on, he bows low to the pair of respected elders before him.

"It would be an honor to perform such a mission my lords," he kneels before both of them slowly, "I pledge myself to this mission and all of my abilities, and even my life if need be." he says solemnly, head down, with his hands on the floor, forehead touching the back of his hands.

Once they accept his vow, he stands back up "Are we to go as official representatives?" he asks, hoping to clarify the mission.

[Auranghzeb]

Genji nods and accepts your vow with a gentle bow.

"Shimura San, you are Dragon, an a descendant of the greatest one, you can travel with your identity in the open in Crab lands, but not as an emissary of the Citadel or my personal guard, that must remain a secret. It will in fact be easier for you to travel openly as a Dragon clan samurai.

As for the others, you'll have to come up with a story of why are you together.

However, time is of the essence. The Wu-Jen have dissolved the stone wall that collapsed the tunnel. It is long and ends at river bank almost two miles away from the temple, where it meets a horse trail. They have advantage. You will part with the first light.

We have made some arrangements.

The sohei approach you and handle each of you a sack with provisions: There's dozes of antidote for poisons, a few potions and wards, and some gems for expenses.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

What do you do?

[Cygnia]

Ahalyā once more bowed low, hoping it would hide the worry now on her face. "It shall be done, Your Eminence."

If war broke out out among the lands, no wonder the spirits were now concerned!

[Metastachydium]

My lord. Leylek half-bows once more I am not worthy to lead. But your orders are my will. This shall be done. he thinks to himself for a moment, before adding a quick question with a subtle scowl. Do we have your leave to kill, if need be?

[Alhallor]

Onka felt increasingly unsure and was fidgeting around. When the gifts came out, the dam broke.

Onka flowed down to one knee and basicall rammed his head down to the ground. Without any flourishes at all.

This serf is really glad that you trust him that much, most reverend lord, but this serf feels he has to be open with you.

Please know that I did as today, I simply righted a wrong I observed.
As I'm sure you're aware the Lord Okzawa enka Liu Hoein that was appointed to Haruna the mountain village, was killed.

Onka breathed in heavily.

I killed the Lord. I won't explain my actions as I'm sure you're aware of his doings. Though this serf would gladly serve you this serf feels inclined to ask if you could pardon his actions if he serves you faithfully on this occasion?