Hantei Dave: so where was the next destination for you?
Hantei Dave: down the Kawa no Kin (River of Gold)
KibagamiKuno: yes, that would be next.
KibagamiKuno: but i planned to pick up my armor along the way.
Hantei Dave: a boat might be a problem
KibagamiKuno: If we stop by kyuden ikoma, that might not be as much of a
problem
Hantei Dave: but it would also save time
Hantei Dave: ok...well, you begin your travel back down
KibagamiKuno: down is always harder than up...
Hantei Dave: yah. definitly. But at least you know what to expect
KibagamiKuno: was there a second way down, btw?
Hantei Dave: there is a harder way without stairs, the way with stairs, and
the easy way down
Hantei Dave: Nabiko would rather not the easy way
KibagamiKuno: I agree, and we've already seen the way with stairs...
KibagamiKuno: but which side does the other bring us to?
Hantei Dave: i mean the jumping off the side = easy way
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: any other way is the hard way
Hantei Dave: REAL mountain climbing
KibagamiKuno: hmm, however we must be realistic. There is much we have yet to
do, personal glory cannot factor in.
Hantei Dave: Nabiko would rather take the stairs
KibagamiKuno: Right, so down the stairs (if ony we had a cafeteria tray...)
Hantei Dave: its a long way back but your spiritual journey left you both a
bit rejuvinated
KibagamiKuno: Is the way down warmer, then?
Hantei Dave: make 3 climbing rolls (so will Nabiko ). It's a bit warmer as
you decend but winter is right around the corner now
KibagamiKuno: 22
KibagamiKuno: 19
KibagamiKuno: 21
Hantei Dave: 13, 17, 21
Hantei Dave: Only the last day was easier
Hantei Dave: it took you 2.5 days to reach the bottom
Hantei Dave: you both will also need to rest at Kyuden Ikoma
KibagamiKuno: "Heh - this time i had to climb, maybe you need the hairier arms"
Hantei Dave: she gives a labered smile
Hantei Dave: the Ikoma again give you resting quarters
KibagamiKuno: "You can't imagine how much warmer this would be with leather
armor - i think spiritual journeys are required to be too cold or too hot, however"
KibagamiKuno: (Domo)
Hantei Dave: She ponders that one silently the way there
KibagamiKuno: We probably won't need more than an extra day
KibagamiKuno: "And up, somehow they are almost always up. Unless it's a river,
then it's down..."
KibagamiKuno: "we need a boat..."
Hantei Dave: The Daimyo can't meet you this time (and no, he is not listed
in the book for some reason)
KibagamiKuno: it's ok, i would not seek him out.
Hantei Dave: His courier meets you instead
Hantei Dave: He is reluctant to give you a raft
KibagamiKuno: good - we need a boat ^_^
Hantei Dave: (boats in Rokugan are not very advanced)
KibagamiKuno: hmm, what is the best way to make it down the river?
KibagamiKuno: (i grew up near one, so i hopefully know what went on them, if
anything)
Hantei Dave: He tells you that people do not travel down the river that
way...but those that do, use a raft and long pole for manuaverability
KibagamiKuno: (btw - there is no swimming skill, can we apply athletics instead?)
Hantei Dave: swimming....suie-jutsu
Hantei Dave: :P
KibagamiKuno: suemi-jutsu?
Hantei Dave: see skill list...its there ^_^
KibagamiKuno: (swimmy-justsu is on the list?)
Hantei Dave: it is called "swimming"
Hantei Dave: (see martial section)
KibagamiKuno: ah - that would be why i couldn't find it...
Hantei Dave: you are prob right...I should move it up...but its still there ^_^
Hantei Dave: I'll let you try to apply athletics to stay afloat ^_^
KibagamiKuno: (yah, couldn't find it when i went looking for things to spend
points on)
KibagamiKuno: perhaps a lesson in swimming before we get into the pass...
KibagamiKuno: Does nabiko know?
Hantei Dave: the courier says he will reluctantly find you a raft at the village
(at your own cost...it will effectivly use up most the money they gave you)
Hantei Dave: she does not know swimming either
KibagamiKuno: can we stay in this palace/city a day or so longer?
Hantei Dave: Hai
Hantei Dave: as long as you want
KibagamiKuno: i'd like to offer to teach a few classes at the local school, if they
would have me as a guest.
KibagamiKuno: (fee based)
Hantei Dave: He declines. A ronin is not permitted
Hantei Dave: it would appear bad
KibagamiKuno: is not permitted to teach at the school?
Hantei Dave: He explains it would not be proper
KibagamiKuno: no no, i didn't mean to question the properness of teaching at the
school, but rather if he meant "only at the school"
KibagamiKuno: i.e. i could hang around in that field nearby and students who
might be interested in a lesson or two would wander down.
Hantei Dave: He explains that the schools are the lifeblood of this area.
Right now it is too controversial to have a former Akodo teaching. Many
would protest and they may be forced to act.
KibagamiKuno: understood - well in that case, no point in hanging around.
KibagamiKuno: off to the river...
Hantei Dave: going rafting? ^_-
Hantei Dave: weeeee
KibagamiKuno: i guess so, i get some extra rope and sacks before i go
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: a villiger rides the boat down to Kyuden Ikoma for you
Hantei Dave: the river is slow and calm here
KibagamiKuno: in particular, i need to ensure that the tanto is securely fastened to
me, and that I can be securely fastened (with a bit of rope) to Nabiko.
KibagamiKuno: I practice swimming.
Hantei Dave: you paddle around a little hoping noone sees you
KibagamiKuno: i should hope so, one doesn't wear much while swimming, it would
get all wet.
KibagamiKuno: Anyway, i practice when we have some time.
Hantei Dave: are you bringing armor?
Hantei Dave: wearing armor?
KibagamiKuno: screw it, no. Leave it at ikoma
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: good choice
KibagamiKuno: it'll just fall off the raft anyway
KibagamiKuno: and this is a spiritual journey, that requires spiritual armor.
Hantei Dave: You and Nabiko get poles to guide you along
Hantei Dave: she securly fastens her weapons as well
Hantei Dave: and you begin your rafting off
Hantei Dave: it is good practice at first
KibagamiKuno: "should we tie ourselves to the raft?"
Hantei Dave: thats your choice
KibagamiKuno: (that was a question to see what nabiko thought)
Hantei Dave: the raft is some straw mats fastened on logs
Hantei Dave: Nabiko thinks a moment about it
Hantei Dave: "I think my martial skills will be very well tested this trip. A
log would only slow me"
KibagamiKuno: actually, probably better that we're not
KibagamiKuno: if the raft goes down the river, i don't necessarily want to go with it.
Hantei Dave: anyway, you are both feeling a bit confident since its an easy
ride right now
KibagamiKuno: independent thinking and all that
KibagamiKuno: heh we'll regret that later
KibagamiKuno: (can i get a point for practicing swimming?)
Hantei Dave: until the man fishing with his son off to the side shake their
heads as you pass
KibagamiKuno: "To the fish, the worm looks safe."
Hantei Dave: ok...1 for swimming...but it will cut into your total later
Hantei Dave: same for her
KibagamiKuno: (i would have spent it on that, anyway, so np)
Hantei Dave: k
Hantei Dave: you pass the mountain you climbed
Hantei Dave: it is quite pretty from here and you can't see the top
KibagamiKuno: "That place is still obscured by the clouds - rokugan cannot see it,
and it cannot see rokugan"
Hantei Dave: it will take about 3 days to get to the temple...most of it will
be after the mountain range...assuming you stay on the river
Hantei Dave: you feel the bumps begin
KibagamiKuno: i crouch a little lower
Hantei Dave: the water slowly begins picking up
Hantei Dave: you see 1st hand the danger of this river now. The walls are
strait and smooth
Hantei Dave: a river that has long attacked a mountain
Hantei Dave: roll perception
Hantei Dave: sight
KibagamiKuno: 23
Hantei Dave: 22 for Nabiko
Hantei Dave: you both hear a screach high above you
KibagamiKuno: (glance up)
KibagamiKuno: (wait, we heard a screech? Isn't that hearing?)
Hantei Dave: one of those oni that attacked the group is following you. He
is high up. There is no mistaking his wings and dangling legs
Hantei Dave: yes hearing...whatever...you made it
KibagamiKuno: "Oni - the friend of my enemy, if being an oni weren't enough"
Hantei Dave: taking any actions?
Hantei Dave: it is WAY out of firing range
KibagamiKuno: Is there any way to slow the boat?
KibagamiKuno: (before we go much faster?)
Hantei Dave: you can try making a boating roll? Don't got that? -4
Hantei Dave: Nabiko drags her pole along the rocks but it just bounces off
Hantei Dave: and turns the raft slightly
KibagamiKuno: a boating roll? Would that be a mystic art or a martial art?
Hantei Dave: should be here somewhere
Hantei Dave: sailing
KibagamiKuno: heheh - you say that like i didn't look at the list
KibagamiKuno: that requires sails.
KibagamiKuno: guess we're not stopping heh.
KibagamiKuno: would boating be int, str, dex, or ref?
Hantei Dave: good point. But still a little appropriate...
Hantei Dave: TECH ^_-
KibagamiKuno: :P
KibagamiKuno: (i might as well jump in now!)
Hantei Dave: hehehe
KibagamiKuno: 14-4.
Hantei Dave: the raft does not slow
Hantei Dave: but just shifts
Hantei Dave: make an athletics roll
KibagamiKuno: (i can't believe rokugan hasn't discovered a friggin paddle...)
KibagamiKuno: 28
Hantei Dave: Nabiko rolls a 24
Hantei Dave: you are both fine right now
Hantei Dave: the oni follows along high up
Hantei Dave: its hard to concentrate on him and the raft
KibagamiKuno: it's waiting for a better opportunity. We might as well wait till he
gets one.
KibagamiKuno: concentrate on the river in the meantime.
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: she does the same but keeps her ears open
KibagamiKuno: yah
Hantei Dave: (should have taken danger sense)
Hantei Dave: :P
Hantei Dave: (regret regret regret)
KibagamiKuno: perhaps, but we can't take everything
KibagamiKuno: i have poetry instead.
Hantei Dave: the river picks up...luckely the rocks start becoming more rare
except for a few very large ones that fell from the mountains
KibagamiKuno: can we steer at all?
Hantei Dave: it takes both of you to navigate through with your poles
KibagamiKuno: (must... invent... paddle...)
Hantei Dave: but the river floor is also becoming deeper
KibagamiKuno: that is good.
Hantei Dave: excpet that it is hard to get a pole-hold
Hantei Dave: soon you will need to pole in front of you
KibagamiKuno: when we steer away from rocks, a rock is present. the deeper the
water, the fewer the rocks...
KibagamiKuno: (oh, thought we were already stuck doing that)
Hantei Dave: "I've never moved so fast Kuno!" she yells above the rushing
water
KibagamiKuno: "that's because you didn't take the easy way down the mountain!"
Hantei Dave: (before you could actually touch the ground w the poles)
Hantei Dave: You get a glance up again...the oni is slightly lower
KibagamiKuno: "stay low and hang onto the ropes of the raft..."
Hantei Dave: roll boating....if you both fail, roll athletics
KibagamiKuno: (i get my wakazashi loose enough to react.)
KibagamiKuno: err, after the boating rolls
Hantei Dave: 12 for Nabiko
Hantei Dave: on boating
KibagamiKuno: 8
Hantei Dave: roll athletics
KibagamiKuno: 26
Hantei Dave: 22
Hantei Dave: still ok
Hantei Dave: you are making great time
KibagamiKuno: [pause]
Hantei Dave: (dave rolls prob. for rocks)
KibagamiKuno: back when i said i tied a rope from me to nabiko, she didn't make a
fuss about that did she? (that was different from when i asked about tying us to the
boat)
Hantei Dave: no...you are both going to die together ^_-
KibagamiKuno: good, just checking. I loosen that wakazashi now.
Hantei Dave: don't loose that...a wakazashi and its owner are one
KibagamiKuno: you would be happier the samurai lost his katana?
Hantei Dave: You gave Nabiko and idea
KibagamiKuno: (yay! we needed one of those)
Hantei Dave: She opens her steal fans and wedges them into the bck of the
raft (like a low fence)
Hantei Dave: but she needs a roll to do it
Hantei Dave: 23...she gets her fans into the logs
Hantei Dave: THUCK THUCK
Hantei Dave: "They aren't in there strong Kuno! Be careful!!"
KibagamiKuno: "what will they do?"
Hantei Dave: you yell
Hantei Dave: "In case you lose footing they will give you something to press
against!"
KibagamiKuno: "Hundreds of years of rivers, and this is only realized now?"
Hantei Dave: The oni is slowly decending...might be in arrow range now
KibagamiKuno: ah, arrow range. Good for arrows.
Hantei Dave: a large rock come close to the raft
Hantei Dave: you missed it though
KibagamiKuno: i check on our oni
Hantei Dave: the raft is flying now
KibagamiKuno: (and he's keeping up? The bum!)
Hantei Dave: roll boating skills again (he is keeping up)
Hantei Dave: 18!! Don't have to roll athletics
KibagamiKuno: 14
Hantei Dave: The oni screaches
KibagamiKuno: where's he at?
Hantei Dave: still flying along
Hantei Dave: no lower yet
KibagamiKuno: ok, it's time...
Hantei Dave: time?
KibagamiKuno: "Woooooohoooooooooo!"
Hantei Dave: you are about half way through now...
KibagamiKuno: ^_^ time to woohoo
Hantei Dave: its been almost 3 hours
Hantei Dave: 1 since the speed picked up
Hantei Dave: and since your friend has been flying along
KibagamiKuno: "Nabiko, i've fought many fast battles, but this is by far the
fastest!"
Hantei Dave: getting lucky with rocks (dave is still rolling)
KibagamiKuno: "It puts the unicorn to shame..."
Hantei Dave: any new actions before rolling boatining again? This time you
both need to make your boating rolls ^_-
Hantei Dave: and pass
KibagamiKuno: i wedge my foot in amongst the roaps and mats and such for better
footing.
Hantei Dave: She does the same
KibagamiKuno: then a little "concentration"
Hantei Dave: -1 to boating for that (not that it matters)
Hantei Dave: 9 for her roll
Hantei Dave: i mean 8
KibagamiKuno: 10
KibagamiKuno: (total)
KibagamiKuno: (we're both at -5 by now)
Hantei Dave: athletic rolls (+1 for foot rope)
KibagamiKuno: 28
Hantei Dave: 22
Hantei Dave: now dodge rolls for the shurikens Kuno
Hantei Dave: ^_^
Hantei Dave: 2 dodge rolls at -1 for rope and -2 for boat
KibagamiKuno: i thought he was in arrow range a moment before, now he's in
shiruken range?
Hantei Dave: yep...he is lower. I gave you the chance to look up...lol
KibagamiKuno: 17 total.
KibagamiKuno: and 18.
Hantei Dave: He rolls:
Hantei Dave: 17 and 17
Hantei Dave: first one hit
KibagamiKuno: what were his minuses for an erratic moving target?
Hantei Dave: he had -4's to both rolls
KibagamiKuno: k
KibagamiKuno: (just making sure those were in there)
Hantei Dave: 7 hits damage
KibagamiKuno: ouch - nothing soaks that right?
KibagamiKuno: (other than armor)
Hantei Dave: right...and make a new athletics roll
KibagamiKuno: 29+1 (foot roap)
KibagamiKuno: err, rope
KibagamiKuno: (i've been typing roap all night)
Hantei Dave: he took you by suprise but you quickly fall to one knee to
regain balance
Hantei Dave: a shuriken got you in the back
Hantei Dave: Nabiko yells at it
Hantei Dave: roll inits
Hantei Dave: 19 for both nabiko and oni
KibagamiKuno: 30
Hantei Dave: The oni plans to swoop back up
KibagamiKuno: how close is the oni?
KibagamiKuno: where is his other shiruken?
Hantei Dave: Nabiko watches the raft
Hantei Dave: his other shuriken is by your foot
Hantei Dave: your move
KibagamiKuno: (how close is the oni?) can i pick up the shiruken and throw it at
him?
Hantei Dave: you can get one shot before he tries to swoop away but you
will need another athletics roll
KibagamiKuno: close. how close.
Hantei Dave: just in range
KibagamiKuno: of my wakazashi? Great, i cut off his head.
Hantei Dave: hehehe...for shuriken
KibagamiKuno: that's why i've been asking.
KibagamiKuno: i've also got a pole available.
Hantei Dave: sorry...didn't understand
KibagamiKuno: but i pick up the shuriken and throw it at him.
Hantei Dave: you can throw it but it would never reach a swing
Hantei Dave: ok...roll attack...then athletics
Hantei Dave: 23 on dodge
KibagamiKuno: 17
KibagamiKuno: drat. well on his way back up i void the bugger.
Hantei Dave: he swoops out of the way and back up out of range, the
shuriken falling into the river
Hantei Dave: "LOOKS CLEAR SO FAR KUNO!!!"
Hantei Dave: "GOOD THING THE EXCITMENT IS KEEPING US
FROM GETTING TOO CHILLY!"
KibagamiKuno: 29 to void
Hantei Dave: roll concentration first
KibagamiKuno: ooh, and i owe you an athletics roll
KibagamiKuno: ok, one sec.
KibagamiKuno: 26+1 athletics
Hantei Dave: k
KibagamiKuno: 18 concentration
Hantei Dave: ok.... (no iaijutsu ability on him)
KibagamiKuno: (this time)
Hantei Dave: you will lose the void if your go back to the boat
Hantei Dave: he is high up again anyway
KibagamiKuno: oh oh, i thought you meant i couldn't use my iaijutsu abil on him.
Hantei Dave: you can....if you can keep the concentration on it and he is
low enough
Hantei Dave: for the attack
KibagamiKuno: hrm, well, i'll have to go back to the boat. But he isn't likely to be
fighting much differently next time around.
KibagamiKuno: ok
Hantei Dave: "ROCK!" she yells!
KibagamiKuno: "I THINK WE NEED BOTH HANDS FOR... "
Hantei Dave: both of you make tech rolls to push off the rock
Hantei Dave: (to feel the raft move)
KibagamiKuno: 8
KibagamiKuno: boating or tech?
Hantei Dave: boating
KibagamiKuno: 8
Hantei Dave: boating is a tech roll ^_-
KibagamiKuno: :P
Hantei Dave: anyway...she rolled a 15
Hantei Dave: BUMP!!!!
KibagamiKuno: yeah, but my boating is -4, my tech is -0.
Hantei Dave: roll a 20 on athletics
KibagamiKuno: lol, 21
Hantei Dave: 23
Hantei Dave: whew
KibagamiKuno: any rocks immediately ahead?
Hantei Dave: no
KibagamiKuno: where's the oni?
Hantei Dave: good thing she was watching
Hantei Dave: oni is high up
Hantei Dave: neither of you have time sense
Hantei Dave: you lose track of far you've traveled
Hantei Dave: and the sun can't be seen beind the mountain
KibagamiKuno: Does it matter? We travel till there are no more mountains and the
river lets us stop
Hantei Dave: "I suggest a new plan!"
KibagamiKuno: I try to take care of the shuriken in me...
KibagamiKuno: "Any plan is good..."
Hantei Dave: "One of us should watch the enemy! One should watch the
river!"
KibagamiKuno: "Hai - i'll watch the oni, then, you steer better anyway"
Hantei Dave: the oni screaches high up
Hantei Dave: "OK! Have a seat!"
KibagamiKuno: I kneel
Hantei Dave: She wedges her foot into your thigh
KibagamiKuno: I hook my arm around her leg, just in case.
KibagamiKuno: (not grabbing, just hooked, at the elbow)
Hantei Dave: you travel a bit...no rocks. The oni is keeping his distance
Hantei Dave: "I've got good news!" Nabiko yells. "We are begining to
slow. I've also got bad news."
KibagamiKuno: "WHEN THERE ARE ROCKS, HE'LL BE BACK"
KibagamiKuno: "WATERFALL?"
Hantei Dave: "You guessed it! More rocks." SHe laughs at your waterfall
Hantei Dave: (I'm not that evil....yet)
Hantei Dave: stop giving me ideas josh
KibagamiKuno: (I throw a shuriken at the punchline)
Hantei Dave: She digs her heel into you as she prepares a rock bounce
Hantei Dave: 16...
KibagamiKuno: I can still help maneuver if necessary
Hantei Dave: the raft bounces to the side
KibagamiKuno: I have a pole and can use it to push us off things
KibagamiKuno: the oni may descend, but not THAT fast.
Hantei Dave: she made her athletics too
Hantei Dave: and switches position to face the new front of the raft
KibagamiKuno: (I hang onto her a little tighter there, just to be safe)
Hantei Dave: "don't bother....I'm ambidexterous." She takes the other pole
from you
KibagamiKuno: "Showoff!"
KibagamiKuno: I resecure the wakazashi and loosen the Jin instead.
Hantei Dave: ^_^
KibagamiKuno: how's our oni?
Hantei Dave: still acting like a coward apparently
Hantei Dave: He flies off to the side away from you into the distance
Hantei Dave: "We are coming to safer waters Kuno"
KibagamiKuno: "Should we find a way to stop and rest?"
Hantei Dave: The boat goes over a little water cliff and slows alot
Hantei Dave: She falls back and takes some deep breaths
Hantei Dave: "that....wasn't...too bad."
KibagamiKuno: "Hah! That's cause you didn't have to sit through it!"
Hantei Dave: You can manuever to a little shell-ly cove
Hantei Dave: ...and then the cold kicked in
KibagamiKuno: can we stop the raft?
Hantei Dave: yes
Hantei Dave: nothing to light on fire here
KibagamiKuno: "It's ok"
Hantei Dave: you can keep going tonight...slow enough...or rest
Hantei Dave: either way will be wet and uncofortable
KibagamiKuno: We'll do better in the light, too much risk of an accident in the dark,
or falling off an becoming lost.
Hantei Dave: ok....you both need to huddle this time
KibagamiKuno: Can we get off the water or just float here?
KibagamiKuno: (That was the premature "It's OK" before)
Hantei Dave: you can make it to the shell area
Hantei Dave: and stop
KibagamiKuno: I'm trying to figure out if i need to haul the raft onto land or
something.
Hantei Dave: besides being winter, it gets darker very quick with the high
mountains. You can haul the raft up. It will be more cofortable sleeping on it
anyway
Hantei Dave: no place to tie it anyway
KibagamiKuno: We need to sleep on it (just in case) but we can stop it from
rocking then.
KibagamiKuno: Shall we take shifts to watch for our friend?
Hantei Dave: You will both need to rest...too cold to take watch for both of
you
Hantei Dave: your clothes are soaked
KibagamiKuno: How windy is it?
Hantei Dave: its well protected from wind here...but the passage does
create a wind tunnel
Hantei Dave: it was the biting cold water that was the worst
KibagamiKuno: heh, figures, can't even blowdry my clothes.
KibagamiKuno: "Would you... mind?"
Hantei Dave: don;t make me force you to roll humor when you are freezing
^_-
Hantei Dave: it is understood you can't sleep in clothes
Hantei Dave: only a loin cloth
Hantei Dave: women don't wear loin cloths
KibagamiKuno: "Ah, err... hmm... not quite as modest as i would, umm...
blindfolds?" (oh right, no humor)
Hantei Dave: you are too cold for any naughtiness
Hantei Dave: any special instructions tonight?
KibagamiKuno: (Lol - too cold to rise for the occassion?)
Hantei Dave: MAKE YOUR ROLL!!! j/k
Hantei Dave: damn inapropriate humor
KibagamiKuno: Yes, a few, lets tie the clothes to one of the poles so they can hang
a bit to dry
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: she lets you do the work
KibagamiKuno: Not sure how to position us so that we have minimal surface area
while sleeping
Hantei Dave: you figure it out...
Hantei Dave: anything else?
KibagamiKuno: I'll place my weapons under me, her fans too, so that we know
where they are.
KibagamiKuno: we're sleeping on our sides i assume.
Hantei Dave: yes
KibagamiKuno: ok, so we'll both know right where those weapons are.
Hantei Dave: at any rate....it is another quiet night... :P
Hantei Dave: you can't see the sun rise and it is a gray day
KibagamiKuno: (less glare off the water...?)
Hantei Dave: your clothes are as dry as clothes can get next to a rushing
river
KibagamiKuno: I get Nabiko her clothes.
Hantei Dave: She dresses without any humor
Hantei Dave: This is the quietist she has been. The cold may be getting to
her
Hantei Dave: You puch the raft off the shells and continue down the only
way you can go
Hantei Dave: push
Hantei Dave: She sits in the middle this time
KibagamiKuno: "We will make it through this, even if we must burn that oni for
heat"
Hantei Dave: you travel for another few hours. The river has slowed alot.
Not much talking occured.
Hantei Dave: roll perception Kuno (sight)
KibagamiKuno: 25
Hantei Dave: something is floating in the water. It looks like a body face
down
KibagamiKuno: "To survive, one cannot focus solely on survival"
Hantei Dave: you can pole over if you want
KibagamiKuno: "Nabuki, look..."
Hantei Dave: the body is following you along the river at an angle
Hantei Dave: by water currents
KibagamiKuno: "Is it moving on it's own?
Hantei Dave: doesn't seem to be
Hantei Dave: "We are in the former Scorpion Lands now" She says
Hantei Dave: "I should still be suprised"
KibagamiKuno: (I look up)
Hantei Dave: no oni
KibagamiKuno: No samurai tossing people in, either?
Hantei Dave: no...but not long after you see more bodies...some face up
Hantei Dave: about 4 all together
KibagamiKuno: killed recently?
KibagamiKuno: fighters?
Hantei Dave: you wouldn't know...they are blue from the cold water. Look
more like peasants
KibagamiKuno: "saw-a-ghost" expressions?
Hantei Dave: definitly
KibagamiKuno: they're wearing peasant clothes?
Hantei Dave: yes
KibagamiKuno: "gifts from our friend, no doubt."
Hantei Dave: "Perhaps...."
KibagamiKuno: i keep us clear of them
Hantei Dave: ok
KibagamiKuno: there are reasons it is bad luck to touch the dead, sometimes they
hang on.
Hantei Dave: you finally reach open lands about when you noticed the
bodies
Hantei Dave: you can either walk from here or continue
Hantei Dave: roll CON test
KibagamiKuno: 16
Hantei Dave: you are ok. Nabiko is getting a fever
KibagamiKuno: "We should stop and warm up for real."
Hantei Dave: she has been little help now
Hantei Dave: "I don't think I can make it past Ryoko Owari Toshi
(Journey's End City) Kuno."
Hantei Dave: SNIFF
Hantei Dave: "I'm very tired."
KibagamiKuno: I know from the maps there's a road nearby, perhaps we should
stop and see what's along the way.
Hantei Dave: "Hai."
Hantei Dave: You abandon the raft.
KibagamiKuno: woh, slow down
Hantei Dave: oops
KibagamiKuno: are there any villages, etc that we pass?
KibagamiKuno: farm fields, fishermen, etc?
Hantei Dave: ummm....sure. Why not. You are currently passing some of
the farming villiges
KibagamiKuno: great, we pull over there.
Hantei Dave: it is good farming area
Hantei Dave: but of course...not in season
KibagamiKuno: i haul the raft out of the water
Hantei Dave: ok. you abondon the raft ^_-
Hantei Dave: it is quiet
KibagamiKuno: umm, are there any dock like things to haul it to?
Hantei Dave: no work being done
Hantei Dave: no docks
KibagamiKuno: ok, haul it a ways onto the land to discourage it from wandering off
Hantei Dave: you need to pull it into reeds
KibagamiKuno: cover it up
Hantei Dave: ok
KibagamiKuno: how heavy is nabiko?
Hantei Dave: she can walk
KibagamiKuno: (oh, how well did we sleep last night?)
Hantei Dave: you both take tired steps
KibagamiKuno: (enough to gain any hits back?)
Hantei Dave: not well...but better than not sleeping and therefore it felt good
Hantei Dave: no hits back ^_^
KibagamiKuno: ok
Hantei Dave: you stopped bleeding
KibagamiKuno: we walk to a nice farm house (i did patch it up, so that's a good
sign)
Hantei Dave: all the houses have shut doors. Its cold out.
KibagamiKuno: I knock
Hantei Dave: noone answers
KibagamiKuno: I listen to the town for a moment. Are people here?
Hantei Dave: you don't hear any
KibagamiKuno: i open the door
KibagamiKuno: (kuno!=toldigoth)
Hantei Dave: you see a family of three in the corner. The man is holding a
pichfork tool in defence
Hantei Dave: they stay quiet and scared
KibagamiKuno: [bow]
Hantei Dave: "What do you want?" he says in a horse low voice
KibagamiKuno: "My name is Kibagami Kuno of the Lion clan. ...
Hantei Dave: He looks at his wife
KibagamiKuno: My companion caught a cold as we floated down from Kyuden
Ikoma...
KibagamiKuno: I am willing to do any labor you need around here if you would
provide us with food and a bed for her to get warm and well"
Hantei Dave: "Then you missed the signs on the road! If you have not
come to burn us then why would you stay? This is a plague village."
Hantei Dave: He doesn't let go of his weapon
KibagamiKuno: "You almost sound as if you would prefer i burned you. Where
would you suggest we go?"
Hantei Dave: "We have no food for you!"
KibagamiKuno: (dave, was their food left in the fields?)
Hantei Dave: no
KibagamiKuno: to Nabiko "stay here or go south?"
Hantei Dave: (you have the right to sleep here btw)
Hantei Dave: (samurai rights)
Hantei Dave: (no longer scorpion land)
Hantei Dave: Nabiko says, "I am not ready for the raft Kuno."
KibagamiKuno: (right, but what do i know about the plague? Is it worse than the
sniffles? Is it contagious?)
Hantei Dave: (it is said to be contageous...but you don't know too much
about it)
Hantei Dave: (it is relativly new)
KibagamiKuno: "Who has left this town, where is their house?"
Hantei Dave: "The only ones who have left their houses have been those
that died in them and thrown into the river by family members."
Hantei Dave: "If you stay, you stay at your risk."
KibagamiKuno: "None of you fought in the war?"
Hantei Dave: "What war? There is only war."
Hantei Dave: "Who should we fear? Even the bandits don't come here
anymore."
KibagamiKuno: (dave - i'm having a hard time believing with all the
chasing-out-of-houses and bloody-wars and such going on that everyone is home)
Hantei Dave: (keep asking)
KibagamiKuno: (do they have barns? Boat houses? etc?)
Hantei Dave: (kuno is in the dark)
Hantei Dave: thats what happens up on a mountain
KibagamiKuno: "I am going to stay right here until i find food and shelter. If you
want me out of your house, you'd better find me another one.
KibagamiKuno: "
KibagamiKuno: "And you can put down that pitchfork, it won't do you any good."
Hantei Dave: The man looks puzzled. "Suit yourself." He puts down the
weapon
Hantei Dave: Nabiko bows to the farmer "arigato kind sir."
Hantei Dave: She finds a place near the small embers and falls asleep fast.
KibagamiKuno: i go get firewood and stoke up the fire.
Hantei Dave: ok. You can feel your wound now also
KibagamiKuno: or anything not-animal to burn.
Hantei Dave: you find sticks easy enough
Hantei Dave: the fire feels really good
KibagamiKuno: sticks, logs, cloth, etc.
Hantei Dave: THe man says, "You must be blind. Are you new here?"
KibagamiKuno: "Here, yes."
KibagamiKuno: "And here i see a people who have given up and are waiting for a
big fire."
KibagamiKuno: "Well this is a little fire."
Hantei Dave: "There is no law here samurai. You are without a home.
Noone has time to burn houses."
Hantei Dave: "This disease is too fast. And who would do it anyway?"
Hantei Dave: "Scorpion? HA!"
KibagamiKuno: "You don't seem busy..."
Hantei Dave: He has anger in his eyes
Hantei Dave: "If you want to kill my family then don't keep us is suspense!"
KibagamiKuno: "If you aren't going to burn houses, you should be helping your
family, not huddling in the corner with a pitchfork."
Hantei Dave: "Harvest season is done. The bandits have left nothing! What
would you have me do?"
KibagamiKuno: "Fish."
KibagamiKuno: "Maybe sing them a nice song."
Hantei Dave: "Huh! Fish....What am I a fisherman? I can catch enough to
eat...or maybe a body floating by. The less contact I have with the others the
better!"
Hantei Dave: "Goto sleep samurai. And then leave."
KibagamiKuno: "You are hungry, if i remember correctly. Your whole town is
hungry. Catching enough to eat isn't enough. goodnight."
KibagamiKuno: I sleep lightly hehe.
Hantei Dave: NEXT MORNING!
Hantei Dave: Nabiko still has a cold but is ready to leave
KibagamiKuno: I check her forehead - still feverish?
Hantei Dave: I can make it to the temple Kuno. I think it is better to stay
on the river."
Hantei Dave: still warm
KibagamiKuno: "Hey you, how fast is the river down stream from here?"
Hantei Dave: "It used to be a trade route. It is calm."
KibagamiKuno: "Domo."
Hantei Dave: "Hey samurai!"
KibagamiKuno: "Kibagami Kuno, i gave you my name, remember?"
Hantei Dave: He throws you a dried fish. "For the girl."
Hantei Dave: "I prefer samurai."
KibagamiKuno: [bow] "Domo"
Hantei Dave: go back to the raft?
KibagamiKuno: yes, given the apathy around here let's hope it hasn't wandered off
Hantei Dave: you find your sturdy vessel
Hantei Dave: and both of you shove it back out from the reeds
KibagamiKuno: amazingly sturdy (hey, did i heal at all?)
Hantei Dave: yes...half recovery (round up)
KibagamiKuno: ah, better...
KibagamiKuno: Let's get going, and watch for the oni...
Hantei Dave: it is a fairly simple drift
Hantei Dave: some small rapids
Hantei Dave: nothing compared to b4
KibagamiKuno: i push us along a bit to keep us moving.
Hantei Dave: and no oni
KibagamiKuno: any sun?
Hantei Dave: you even see a few people here and there in small boats and
rafts
Hantei Dave: its gray again...with light snow flakes
Hantei Dave: on and off
KibagamiKuno: ugh...
Hantei Dave: you are done with mountains anyway
KibagamiKuno: I lean over close to nabiko "don't save any fish, you need your
strength back"
Hantei Dave: another half day and you reach your destination. The road to
Shinden Osano-Wo (Temple of Osano-Wo). You pass under the bridge
leading to Ryoko Owari Toshi (Journey's End City)
Hantei Dave: there is more boat traffic here
KibagamiKuno: Should we stop at the city, first?
KibagamiKuno: I've never been there...
Hantei Dave: "I am anxious to get to our destination. If we stop here, I
think I will stay"
Hantei Dave: The temple should only be an hour walk
KibagamiKuno: "Ha! On to a more austere bed, then..."
Hantei Dave: you will definitly lose the raft here
KibagamiKuno: i try to sell it.
Hantei Dave: Someone offers you a small amount for it
Hantei Dave: another boat man
KibagamiKuno: I tell them the history of the raft, how far it has come.
KibagamiKuno: "It is a very sturdy raft"
Hantei Dave: no business skill? lol
Hantei Dave: you will lose this battle ^_-
KibagamiKuno: this is the best i can do, i figure i can get it up a little, even if not as
much as i should get for it.
Hantei Dave: He offers you a bit more
Hantei Dave: a bit
KibagamiKuno: Domo.
Hantei Dave: "Domo"
KibagamiKuno: (ok, now we won't necessarily starve).
Hantei Dave: You have time to pick up some buns from a vendor on the
road
Hantei Dave: smells like the best buns ever!
KibagamiKuno: Can i also buy us a blanket before we start our little walk?
Hantei Dave: no place to
KibagamiKuno: ok
Hantei Dave: you walk a clear road to the temple. Its not too far
Hantei Dave: snow is picking up
KibagamiKuno: "No buns could compare, so cold a journey down to Owari Toshi"
Hantei Dave: eventually you see it. The Temple of Osani Wo, a great
champion of the Crab
Hantei Dave: as you would expect, the temple is a strong grey stone
Hantei Dave: people travel back and forth for praying...although not for too
much longer this season
KibagamiKuno: "let us start quietly like everyone else, nabiko"
KibagamiKuno: whipser "(It is odd to see such a temple so close to a town like
owari toshi)"
Hantei Dave: Nabiko says, "I will ask for rooms. Look for a man named
Toro. He can guide you to your goal."
Hantei Dave: 1 sec
Hantei Dave: (we may need a part 3) lol
KibagamiKuno: heh
KibagamiKuno: that's ok if we need it. it probably won't be long...
Hantei Dave: There are lots of monks here. Most appear to be ex-samurai
Hantei Dave: shaved heads...but still brawney
KibagamiKuno: heh
Hantei Dave: probably alot of Crab, Scorpion, and Unicorn
KibagamiKuno: a lot more monks recently, i bet.
Hantei Dave: it doesn't take you long to find Toro.
Hantei Dave: if you go looking ^_-
KibagamiKuno: hey
KibagamiKuno: do you want me to finish typing my request to find toro or not?
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: He appears! bing!
KibagamiKuno: "Pardon me, I have come a long way seeking wisdom and was told
a monk named Toro had the answers i sought"
Hantei Dave: "Yes my son?"
KibagamiKuno: (Ah, a christian monk, i didn't know lol)
KibagamiKuno: (is this toro?)
Hantei Dave: yes.
Hantei Dave: He bows
KibagamiKuno: [bow] "It is said that nearby there is...
Hantei Dave: He looks stern
KibagamiKuno: a great teacher in the way of the sword. I want to determine if I am
ready to meet that teacher, and if I am ready to learn what he or she has to teach"
Hantei Dave: He looks at the floor and grimices. "Hai. It was the other
path I was about to take before coming a monk. It is better to call it, "it"."
Hantei Dave: "I couldn't go through with it. It asked too much."
KibagamiKuno: "I was not sure if that term lacked the proper reverence,
KibagamiKuno: how will i know if I am ready to learn and give what it asks?"
Hantei Dave: "hmmm....I was like you once. I felt lost and I wanted
direction. And I thought I could find it with him."
Hantei Dave: "But when the moment came I turned away. I am a failed
champion-to-be. So I am a monk. And I have found my way."
KibagamiKuno: "I believe i know my direction or know where i may find it. A
togashi told me.
KibagamiKuno: but
Hantei Dave: "A Dragon knows limits on battle."
Hantei Dave: "One day you must stop fighting."
KibagamiKuno: that i do not know where that direction leads. It has lead a long
way down a great river, and had i not made it here, i might think i was not ready to go
on.
Hantei Dave: "His price is terrible...and I won't tell you what it is. I will say
what I felt."
KibagamiKuno: but I believe that unfortunately i must be a champion, and that i
must always go on fighting.
KibagamiKuno: Should i seek him and determine if the price is too great?
KibagamiKuno: "
Hantei Dave: "Its price will cost you your honor. You must abondon all
your ways to meet it. I will even bring you there."
KibagamiKuno: "Why does it cost one's armor to learn? Is it not honorable to learn
the lesson and use it honorably?"
KibagamiKuno: (err, honor, not armor0
KibagamiKuno: )
KibagamiKuno: (freudian?)
Hantei Dave: He smiles.
Hantei Dave: "We can leave in the morning. We must make one stop first
and bring food to a friend."
KibagamiKuno: "I too must bring food to a friend, and I will be ready in the
morning to travel with you. What should i bring, and what should i leave?"
Hantei Dave: "Bring your sword."
KibagamiKuno: "Hai."
Hantei Dave: Nabiko inturrupts
KibagamiKuno: "Domo, I will meet you in the morning then?"
Hantei Dave: "I have rooms. I will stay here this time Kuno."
Hantei Dave: "Have a good trip in the morning. Maybe next time I will tell
you I had fun."
Hantei Dave: "But I am too weary to believe it."
KibagamiKuno: "Let us talk together tonight, for I do not know when we will see
each other again"
Hantei Dave: She coughs.
Hantei Dave: "I have alot to say but not the energy to say it."
KibagamiKuno: "Heh, or maybe i'll just tell you stories until you fall asleep"
Hantei Dave: "I would like that. But in this temple, it would not be
allowed."
Hantei Dave: She points
Hantei Dave: Your room is on the other side
Hantei Dave: "
KibagamiKuno: (Is toro still around?)
Hantei Dave: yes
Hantei Dave: He is a big man...definitly a Crab now retired
KibagamiKuno: "Well then, let us at least take dinner before going to our separate
rooms"
Hantei Dave: She agrees
Hantei Dave: You unfortunatly missed dinner but food is given to you both
Hantei Dave: some rice...some plain veggies
KibagamiKuno: (well that's good)
Hantei Dave: you 2 kneel alone at a small table
Hantei Dave: You also have some tea
Hantei Dave: (Crab love tea)
KibagamiKuno: "It has been a long journey..."
Hantei Dave: "Hai"
KibagamiKuno: "...I have seen much of your strength,
KibagamiKuno: and your humor
Hantei Dave: "both are nearly empty" she smiles
KibagamiKuno: and your thoughts...
KibagamiKuno: which are surely not empty yet, you're still kicking...
Hantei Dave: sips some tea
KibagamiKuno: enough that an old man's heart like mine might forget the past...
Hantei Dave: She looks down
KibagamiKuno: I do not know if such a future is possible, should we both
KibagamiKuno: even wish it, nor if
Hantei Dave: "Kuno, before you say more..."
KibagamiKuno: fate offers me that,
KibagamiKuno: wait...
KibagamiKuno: let me say it all.
Hantei Dave: "...."
KibagamiKuno: when this is all over, let us think about it.
KibagamiKuno: our orders each bind us strictly to tenants,
KibagamiKuno: and even those may bind us too tightly, i do not know.
KibagamiKuno: I do not want to say goodbye, nabiko, but i must and i will be
asked to pay a price that i may not return from.
KibagamiKuno: So i wanted you to know this, before i left."
Hantei Dave: "Hai...."
Hantei Dave: "....it is too bad..." she starts while standing. "That you will
never know the wonders of Togashi."
