Hantei Dave: He and some of his personal
retainers listen to your full story
Hantei Dave: He says, "You now have two
blades?"
Hida Oku: I do, lord Hida... The Crane
and the Crab Tanto
Hantei Dave: "HA!"
Hida Oku: I wrested it from a ninja in the
service of the dark one
Hantei Dave: "Give me the Crane Blade."
Hida Oku: I hand it over, but a little
apprehensive
Hantei Dave: "I will give this to the Daimyo
of the Yasuki Crab Family. Let the Crane
know who is to hold it."
Hantei Dave: "You have done very well."
Hantei Dave: "You family is honored among
the Clan."
Hida Oku: hai, Kisada-sama
Hida Oku: thank you
Hida Oku: but may I make a request?
Hantei Dave: "Ask."
Hida Oku: might I hold onto the crane
blade? I feel that it must remain with
the other tanto, so that when we
reunite them, we can call upon the
power of all of them together
Hida Oku: many men have died for and
with this blade, and I would not see
bad fortune fall on any other than
myself
Hantei Dave: "It will stay with the others. I
will tell the Yasuki to give it to their finest
choice and HE will join your group."
Hida Oku: Hai, Kisada-sama
Hantei Dave: "Let the blade find it OWN
master and that is the chose we and the
Crane must live with. Do not forget that."
Hantei Dave: choice
Hida Oku: hai
Hantei Dave: "As you requested you may
meet with Yakamo on The Wall"
Hida Oku: thank you, Kisada-sama
Hida Oku: <prostrate>
Hantei Dave: He nods
Hantei Dave: (going to wall now I assume)
Hida Oku: yes
Hida Oku: time to look out at the
darkness
Hida Oku: woohoo. Finally I feel at home
Hantei Dave: You arrive at Yakamo's
location....he is close to Kyuden Hida
Hantei Dave: The Shadowlands are quiet
Hida Oku: <prostrate before him when I
go to see him>
Hantei Dave: roll roll your general
knowledge
Hida Oku: 21
Hantei Dave: you know what a quiet like this
means
Hantei Dave: its TOO quiet
Hida Oku: that's bad, right?
Hantei Dave: usually before a failrly large
attack
Hida Oku: an attack will happen soon
Hida Oku: ah
Hida Oku: hmmm.... no screams
tonight.... that worries me
Hantei Dave: All the others look restless as
well
Hantei Dave: few speak
Hantei Dave: even the Hiruma Samurai
walking about seem edgy
Hida Oku: I wont say anything to them....
I'm not a leader
Hida Oku: just general
acknowledgement
Hantei Dave: You see Yakamo peering over
the wall, both hands planted like roots on
the side
Hantei Dave: He is scanning the
Shadowlands watching a Hiruma patrol
return
Hida Oku: I will prestrate before him
Hida Oku: prostrate
Hida Oku: and request to speak with him
Hida Oku: here is fine.... appropriate,
actually
Hantei Dave: His eyes glance to the side.
"Oku...."
Hantei Dave: "I do not envy you."
Hantei Dave: He doesn't move
Hida Oku: We must all follow our fate,
Yakamo-sama
Hida Oku: And I do not envy you, for I
have news for you
Hantei Dave: "hrmmmmmm"
Hida Oku: I stand next to him, and look
out towards the shadowlands
Hantei Dave: He says nothing
Hida Oku: I am now the bearer of the
Crab Tanto. I have leaned much. I
have learned that you are one of the
seven thunders, though I do not know
which.
Hida Oku: I learned that to save the
empire, we must unite the clans, and
the thunders must lead the way
Hantei Dave: He smiles from one side
Hida Oku: we, the tanto bearers are
merely the bringers of profecy... the
tools of fate
Hantei Dave: "And who am I to unite with?"
Hida Oku: you are the leaders of the
realm, and those who will deliver us
Hida Oku: staring out over the wall, I list
the names (and prepare to defend
myself)
Hida Oku: actually no
Hida Oku: if he hits me, I will take it
Hantei Dave: "HA!!!!! Your sources are
wrong!!!! A Crane weakling! A dishnored
Lion! Even a whiney little Dragon child?!
Hantei Dave: "I may be your Champion and
Thunder but you are wrong....they are too
weak to compare to me."
Hantei Dave: "He laughs loud
Hida Oku: I reveal my "sources," and tell
him that we must be the strength in the
group. I don't know what part the
others play, but like Hida before us,
we must lead the charge on the
battlefield against the Dark one
Hida Oku: Even Hida had his
weaknesses
Hida Oku: and he leaned that learning of
his own weaknesses was a strength
Hantei Dave: "Do not let Dragon poems and
Crane rumers decieve you. You are being
used as a tool. Charging the Shadowlands
is not that easy. You should know that
Hida."
Hida Oku: I do not mean "invade." I
mean to lead the other clans on the
battlefield... Who knows more about
combatting the ways of the evil? Who
is more compatant the you to lead the
armies of the land?
Hantei Dave: "My father and your Lord."
Hida Oku: we can attain the greatest
honor in the land, and the weak will fall,
but if we do not unite, we will all fall
Hida Oku: Your father is great, but you
are the Thunder
Hida Oku: I have told him this
Hantei Dave: "Wait...."
Hantei Dave: He looks over the side
Hantei Dave: completely oblivious to your
message
Hida Oku: I look where he is looking
Hantei Dave: About a half mile down the
wall you here a hooting
Hida Oku: orcs?
Hantei Dave: An armorless samurai is
waving his sword and skipping on top of the
wall.
Hantei Dave: Yakamo says, "Amoro feels it
too. SOund the alarm. They are coming."
Hida Oku: hai... I do so
Hantei Dave: all along the wall the alarm
raises....bells are struck
Hantei Dave: as a black wave of Oni and
bakemono (goblins) approaches
Hida Oku: ah, real enemies
Hantei Dave: They walk up but stay outside
of weapon ranges
Hantei Dave: they assemble there for amost
15 minutes...a long time for these creatures
Hantei Dave: some minor oni start munching
on a goblin or 2
Hantei Dave: Above them all stands their
commander
Hantei Dave: He is 9 feet tall with ropey
tendrils of a body
Hantei Dave: as if a body with no skin
Hantei Dave: The Crab are aligned on the
wall waiting
Hantei Dave: you are there too
Hida Oku: I go to get a bow
Hida Oku: if there is one nearby
Hantei Dave: ok...you run down into the
closest armory of The Wall and pick a bow
Hantei Dave: The army of the Shadowlands
charge
Hida Oku: heh
Hida Oku: let's get it on
Hantei Dave: it starts off easy enough
Hantei Dave: picking the goblin off at a
distance
Hantei Dave: once the oni attack, is when
the action really begins
Hantei Dave: only 5 minutes later, the flying
oni swoop down
Hantei Dave: none come too close to you
Hantei Dave: the goblins start putting up their
ladders and also climb the WALL
Hida Oku: uh oh
Hida Oku: time to slice some ladders,
ropes
Hantei Dave: 10 are climbing near you. 6 on
one ladder and 4 by wall
Hantei Dave: ladders are too far for you to
reach
Hida Oku: ok, slice some goblins, then
Hantei Dave: they don't touch the top (they
aren't that stupid) heheheh
Hantei Dave: you can fire a few shots
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: about 30 more below them
Hantei Dave: now
Hantei Dave: fire away
Hantei Dave: roll
Hantei Dave: 2 shots
Hida Oku: 24
Hida Oku: 19
Hantei Dave: both hit
Hida Oku: I don't know the damage
Hantei Dave: damage is 4d6 on each
Hantei Dave: i mean 2d6 sorry
Hida Oku: doh
Hida Oku: 9 and 10
Hantei Dave: one falls the other just stops a
moment as his comrads climb over him
slwoly
Hantei Dave: The Kai engineers in the wall
below jut pikes to stop the goblins and tip
the ladders over
Hida Oku: ah! Real combat! How I
missed it
Hantei Dave: the same happens on the wall
on both sides of you
Hantei Dave: you see the armorless samurai
Amoro getting eager
Hantei Dave: he is hopping with
pleasure...his men keep a distance
Hantei Dave: you see something odd running
up to the wall
Hantei Dave: goblins wearing thick robes
Hantei Dave: not like their shamens
Hantei Dave: you hear Yakamo
growling...shoot down those
bakemono!!!!!"
Hantei Dave: wanna take another roll?
Hantei Dave: there are 20 of them running up
wearing robes
Hida Oku: what is it?
Hantei Dave: you'll have to ignore the ones
climbing though
Hida Oku: agh.. lag
Hantei Dave: you aren't sure
Hantei Dave: ah
Hantei Dave: better?
Hida Oku: yeah
Hida Oku: a roll for what?
Hida Oku: to shoot?
Hantei Dave: shooting the robes goblins or
the climbing ones
Hantei Dave: robed
Hida Oku: well, if the robed are on the
wall, I will go for them
Hantei Dave: they aren't yet
Hida Oku: oh....
Hida Oku: wait
Hantei Dave: wait?
Hida Oku: if yakamo said to shoot
downthe ones climbing... I'll do that
Hantei Dave: he meant the robed ones
Hida Oku: then I'll shoot them
Hantei Dave: fire...one shot
Hida Oku: sweet... 24
Hida Oku: oops, 23
Hantei Dave: a volley fires over the side as
the first goblin makes a biting motion and
scoots over the side to the top
Hantei Dave: you missed the robed guy
Hantei Dave: hard shot
Hantei Dave: too many other goblin blocking
Hida Oku: is he close?
Hantei Dave: the one that made it over is
pummeled with bushi
Hantei Dave: he has no chance
Hida Oku: ah, good
Hantei Dave: 4 robed goblins are hit
Hantei Dave: by others
Hida Oku: where are the oni?
Hantei Dave: but as their robes open,
spidery oni are revealed huggin the goblins
bodies....they detach and 20 oni quickly
assend
Hantei Dave: roll perception
Hida Oku: uh oh
Hida Oku: 21
Hantei Dave: made it...a winged oni is
attacking you...you do not get the full dodge
bonus....no evade added
Hantei Dave: roll dodge
Hantei Dave: 19 to attack
Hida Oku: there's no way I can beat
itwithout my dodge
Hida Oku: the max I can roll on the dice
is an 18
Hantei Dave: should have taken the danger
sense talent ^_- you still get to add your
DEX
Hantei Dave: with danger sense I'd let you
have known that was coming
Hida Oku: HA! 19!
Hantei Dave: 19 hits sir
Hida Oku: uh... shit
Hantei Dave: heheh
Hantei Dave: 10 points damage..you are
knocked to the side
Hantei Dave: he claws shredded your
shoulder
Hantei Dave: don'y forget to subtract armor
Hida Oku: I apply my stun defense, right?
Hida Oku: I don't wear armour
Hida Oku: ever
Hantei Dave: stun defense ONLY to your
stun damage
Hantei Dave: you take damage in both
Hida Oku: ok
Hida Oku: ouch
Hida Oku: hmm.... I think I need some
kind of armor
Hantei Dave: you are knocked to the side,
your back hitting the WALL, you see bushi
and Yakamo rushing and attacking the
winged oni and the new goblins rushing over
the side
Hida Oku: Blade out
Hantei Dave: you know what is coming
next...only a few goblin made it over...the
spider oni will be up next round
Hida Oku: I'm half dead already
Hantei Dave: then the REAL oni ^_-
Hantei Dave: keep fighting Crab
Hida Oku: hells yeah
Hantei Dave: you can attack a goblin this
round...or prepare for the oni
Hida Oku: prepare for the oni
Hida Oku: defend until then
Hantei Dave: ok....weapon?
Hida Oku: Ninja-to
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: you guard
Hantei Dave: you hear them coming....3
bushi stand next to you
Hantei Dave: then the oni turn the corner at
the top at 90 degree angles
Hantei Dave: one lunges for you
Hantei Dave: you attack
Hida Oku: HA! DIEEEEEE!!!
Hida Oku: 26
Hantei Dave: 20 to dodge
Hantei Dave: you hit
Hantei Dave: damage
Hida Oku: !!!!!
Hida Oku: 24
Hantei Dave: hyou stab him through his
abdomen
Hantei Dave: his legs curl up around your
ninjato
Hantei Dave: it is dead
Hida Oku: is my ninja-to usable?
Hantei Dave: the 2 to your right kill off
another
Hantei Dave: yes...but more will be coming
...you hear them
Hida Oku: prepare for them, too
Hantei Dave: flick the oni off ^_-
Hida Oku: oh yeah... that too
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: here comes attack 2
Hantei Dave: 4 more turn the corner
Hantei Dave: 1 attacks again
Hantei Dave: you roll first
Hida Oku: 25
Hantei Dave: 17 to dodge
Hantei Dave: hit again
Hantei Dave: damage
Hida Oku: heheh.... 24
Hantei Dave: you slice that one in half
Hida Oku: <flick!>
Hantei Dave: lemme see how the others are
doing
Hantei Dave: one bit the samurai directly to
your left
Hantei Dave: the one on your right is in a
mellee (none hit)
Hantei Dave: roll init
Hida Oku: 22
Hantei Dave: you go second
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: oooh...
Hida Oku: wha?
Hantei Dave: the bushi to your left lost a
chunk of his neck....the oni is clinging on
Hantei Dave: you go
Hantei Dave: you'll have to take off his head
unless you are a good shot
Hantei Dave: +4 difficulty
Hida Oku: question.....
Hantei Dave: or attack the one on your right
Hantei Dave: that oni is still on the ground
Hida Oku: will bushi killed on the wall rise
again?
Hantei Dave: yes, but they are burned first
Hida Oku: and does it look like he has a
chance of surviving?
Hantei Dave: ummm...not always do they
rise though
Hantei Dave: he might...he is bleeding badly
Hantei Dave: but you took a good shot too
Hida Oku: ok, I'll go for the one on his
neck....
Hida Oku: common dice!
Hantei Dave: +4 dif unless you don't care
Hida Oku: don't care... help my
comerade
Hida Oku: 23
Hantei Dave: k
Hida Oku: with the -4
Hantei Dave: 22 to dodge anyway....roll
damage
Hida Oku: 20
Hantei Dave: it is also dead
Hida Oku: <kisses dice>
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hantei Dave: the one on your right killed his
as well
Hida Oku: nice
Hantei Dave: the left bushi seems down for
the count...his friend helps him down below
Hantei Dave: now only 2 left ^_-
Hida Oku: Time to kill them!
Hantei Dave: I hand reaches over the side
Hantei Dave: a big clawed purple hand
Hida Oku: uh oh
Hantei Dave: roll init
Hida Oku: 24
Hantei Dave: other bushi 22
Hantei Dave: oni: 23
Hantei Dave: the other bushi declares his
charge
Hantei Dave: the Oni tries to lift himself over
the side and swipe at the bushi with his free
hand
Hantei Dave: you go
Hida Oku: if I slice his hand off, will he
fall?
Hantei Dave: looks like it
Hantei Dave: called shot?
Hida Oku: I'll do that
Hida Oku: yes
Hida Oku: -4?
Hantei Dave: yep
Hantei Dave: 27 to dodge
Hantei Dave: ^_^
Hida Oku: hahahahahaha! 24
Hida Oku: doh
Hida Oku: doh
Hida Oku: doh
Hida Oku: THAT DAMN -4!!!!!!
Hantei Dave: he lifts up and swipes
Hantei Dave: OUCH!
Hantei Dave: attacks at 27
Hantei Dave: bushi dodges with a 23
Hida Oku: oh boy
Hantei Dave: time for damage
Hida Oku: buh-bye-bushi
Hantei Dave: 24 points damage - 10 with
armor = 14....that guy is down!
Hantei Dave: big time
Hantei Dave: roll inits
Hida Oku: init
Hida Oku: 25
Hida Oku: doing well tonight
Hantei Dave: 23 for oni
Hantei Dave: He is a headless oni with a
mouth pointing strait up from his neck
Hida Oku: ok.... ninjustu kick him right off
the wall
Hantei Dave: He declares to litterally dive at
you trying to bite you in two
Hida Oku: he's on the edge, right?
Hantei Dave: he is STANDING on the edge
Hantei Dave: hehehe
Hida Oku: yeah.... flying mantis kick his
ass
Hida Oku: or head.... or whatever is in
front of me
Hantei Dave: roll
Hida Oku: omg
Hida Oku: 29
Hida Oku: my best attack roll ever
Hida Oku: PLEASE LET THIS HIT!
Hantei Dave: 25 to dodge
Hantei Dave: you hit!
Hida Oku: MUAHAHAHAHA
Hantei Dave: damage first
Hida Oku: what is it again?
Hantei Dave: damage is 1d6 + strngth
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: on a kick
Hantei Dave: then roll a stregth test
Hida Oku: 10
Hantei Dave: ok
Hida Oku: 3d6+strength?
Hantei Dave: yah
Hida Oku: 19
Hantei Dave: 21 on his..he is still up
Hida Oku: shit shit shit
Hantei Dave: and angry
Hantei Dave: he lunges with a big bite
Hantei Dave: roll dodge
Hida Oku: 26 to dodge
Hantei Dave: heh...i rolled a 4
Hantei Dave: he missed
Hida Oku: PHEW
Hantei Dave: but is now offthe ledge
Hantei Dave: inits
Hida Oku: 23 init
Hantei Dave: only 18
Hantei Dave: he tries to bite and hug you...in
that order...you go 1st
Hida Oku: slash, and jump over him
Hida Oku: in that order
Hantei Dave: karumi jutsu?
Hida Oku: yes
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: roll attack
Hida Oku: 22
Hantei Dave: 18 to dodge
Hantei Dave: you hit
Hantei Dave: damage
Hida Oku: 23 dam
Hantei Dave: ouch!
Hantei Dave: that hurt him
Hantei Dave: a little ^_-
Hida Oku: over his head
Hantei Dave: roll a dex check
Hantei Dave: DEX + 3d6 + 4 (for that
okuden)
Hida Oku: 29
Hida Oku: oops
Hantei Dave: hehehe...ok
Hida Oku: 33 then
Hantei Dave: what did you roll?
Hida Oku: (using athletics)
Hantei Dave: ah...oops...sorry..you are
right...no +4
Hantei Dave: you sitll made it by a long shot
Hida Oku: 29
Hantei Dave: you are behind him
Hida Oku: rolled an 18
Hantei Dave: NICE!
Hantei Dave: 3 bushi charge the oni from 3
sides
Hantei Dave: 2 hit
Hida Oku: it's killin' time
Hida Oku: backstab!
Hantei Dave: it slumps over missing teeth
and an arm
Hantei Dave: you finish the kill (no roll
neccessary)
Hida Oku: die, foul thing
Hida Oku: how goes the battle?
Hantei Dave: you turn to your side and see
Hida Kisada himself lunging his sword deep
into the oni general's head
Hida Oku: and how big was that oni?
Hantei Dave: He hold on as the ropey
demon swings from side to side
Hantei Dave: 9 feet ^_-...Kisada got him as
he climbed up over the side
Hida Oku: I mean the one I killed (with
help)
Hantei Dave: Yakamo is fighting another 2
Oni like yours
Hantei Dave: yours was man sized
Hantei Dave: maybe a bit bigger
Hida Oku: ok... can I go to help Yakamo?
Hantei Dave: Kisada gets thrown to the side
as the general oni jumps back over the
WALL...sword still in his head
Hantei Dave: Yakamo and his bushi finish off
the two oni there
Hantei Dave: as you look down the wall you
see Amoro surrounded by bodies of goblins
and friends. He is hacking at dead bodies
left and right...noone left to kill for him
Hida Oku: I keep a safe distance from
him
Hantei Dave: you are far away
Hida Oku: he's probably foaming at the
mouth
Hantei Dave: you are safe...he is on the next
watchtower far away
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: Kisada growls
Hantei Dave: "Assemble a team! I want my
sword back..."
Hida Oku: He says to me?
Hantei Dave: within an hour...200 bushi are
assembled...you are invited to join by
Yakamo
Hida Oku: I join with honor?
Hida Oku: do we get any potion?
Hida Oku: oops.... no question mark
Hantei Dave: potion?
Hida Oku: healing
Hida Oku: it exists, right?
Hantei Dave: Kuni Yori, Daimyo of Yori,
and great Shugenga also joins
Hantei Dave: no potions...you are given a
finger of jade
Hantei Dave: and armor if you want it
Hida Oku: I already have 2
Hantei Dave: (take the extra)
Hida Oku: is there an armour type made
for people like me?
Hida Oku: I'll take the extra
Hida Oku: a light armour that wont affect
my jumping, and such?
Hantei Dave: you can get the level of
protection you want...a +2 won't really
hinder you too much
Hida Oku: I'll take that
Hantei Dave: ok...
Hantei Dave: good
Hantei Dave: that absorbs all damage first
Hantei Dave: 2 min break
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: phone
Hida Oku: back
Hida Oku: Kuno is here?
Hantei Dave: back
Hantei Dave: hmmm....don't invite him in...its
JOSH! Hehehe...wait until he reads the
script
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: anyway, you all walk into the
shadowlands...you are directly behind
Yakamo
Hantei Dave: Hiruma scouts have no trouble
tracking the path
Hantei Dave: the Oni general and a portion
of his army await the attack of the Crab
Hantei Dave: still here?
Hida Oku: yes
Hida Oku: my blade, though partially
concealled, it ready
Hantei Dave: both armies rush each
other...the oni general and Kisada making a
strait line towards each other
Hantei Dave: you are directly behind
Hantei Dave: roll inits for everyone involved
in this portion of battle
Hida Oku: I will run with him.... as
Yakamo engages, I will make a jump,
and attempt to grap the Katana
Hantei Dave: you too
Hida Oku: 25
Hantei Dave: ok...I'm just gonna count those
above and below you
Hantei Dave: 10 good guys above you
Hantei Dave: 10 below
Hantei Dave: i mean 13 above
Hantei Dave: 14 badguys above ....9 below
Hantei Dave: you are pretty much in the
middle
Hantei Dave: as you predicted...Yakamo
and Kisada make their attacks first
Hantei Dave: along with the big Oni
Hantei Dave: Kuni Yori as begins chanting
Hantei Dave: and spreading powder in a
circle...
Hantei Dave: one goblin attacks you with his
rusted sword
Hantei Dave: roll dodge
Hida Oku: 26
Hida Oku: hello?
Hida Oku: lag?
Hantei Dave: 17 to attack
Hantei Dave: no..just stupid
Hantei Dave: you ignore him and charge the
big oni
Hantei Dave: make your attack
Hida Oku: ok... the jump
Hida Oku: 25
Hantei Dave: roll
Hantei Dave: ok
Hantei Dave: now the grab
Hida Oku: the grab
Hantei Dave: -4
Hida Oku: also athletics?
Hantei Dave: yes
Hida Oku: 20, with the -4
Hantei Dave: 23 to dodge
Hantei Dave: he rolled low
Hantei Dave: you missed
Hida Oku: that damn -4 aggain
Hantei Dave: make another dex roll
Hantei Dave: add athletics
Hida Oku: 25 again
Hantei Dave: you ok from that miss
Hantei Dave: landed i mean
Hida Oku: good
Hantei Dave: The oni makes a huge
sweeping attack with two hands
Hantei Dave: roll dodge
Hantei Dave: 27 attack to you
Hantei Dave: damn low rolls ^_-
Hida Oku: shit
Hantei Dave: dodge?
Hida Oku: 26
Hida Oku: bye bye oku
Hantei Dave: 10 points damage as you are
flung to the side (another dex roll please)
Hida Oku: 23
Hida Oku: I have 2 left
Hantei Dave: ok....only stun damage on that
one
Hida Oku: THANKS TO THE ARMOR!
Hida Oku: sweet
Hantei Dave: he slapped you
Hantei Dave: and others....about 5 bushi
went flying
Hida Oku: like Sauron
Hantei Dave: you lie on your back as other
bushi take guarding positions around their
fallen comrads
Hantei Dave: you can only see between
peoples legs
Hida Oku: I fell?
Hida Oku: I guess so
Hida Oku: heh
Hantei Dave: yes....but not so it hurt
Hantei Dave: you landed ok
Hantei Dave: Kisada and Yakamo surround
the oni from both sides as Yori continues his
chant
Hantei Dave: if your not stunned feel free to
get back up ^_- if you want
Hantei Dave: you are pretty wounded
Hida Oku: not really... stun defense and
armour helped a whole lot
Hida Oku: I'll et up
Hantei Dave: Kisada grabs the sword and
gets flung backwards as well
Hantei Dave: ...as a circle of light flies from
Kuni Yori's hands
Hantei Dave: the light surround the Oni and
extends into the sky
Hantei Dave: the Oni's arms are pinned to
his side...he cannot break free and the circle
closes from all sides
Hida Oku: nice.... binding spell
Hantei Dave: 2 bushi get crushed in the
prison as the Oni struggles
Hida Oku: damn... Yori is one bad mofo
Hantei Dave: After another 10 minutes of
struggling, the Shadowland armies are killed
off
Hantei Dave: only half the Crab in this unit
were lost
Hantei Dave: Yakamo orders their bodies
burned
Hantei Dave: THe general oni cannot move
as the bushi taunt him and cheer
Hida Oku: hah, excellent
Hantei Dave: He closes his eyes and sits in
the light
Hantei Dave: kneeled and scrunched unable
to move
Hantei Dave: Kisada says, "Let them see the
failure of their generals!!!!" Everyone
cheers
Hida Oku: <HAH!>
Hantei Dave: You all head back
Hantei Dave: Days later, you decide to visit
Kuni Yori at Shiro Kuni (Castle of the
Nation)
Hantei Dave: it is more like a large
tower...empty except for Yori himself...the
doors are closed
Hantei Dave: two guards are our front
Hida Oku: I will enter and bow low before
him
Hantei Dave: you enter....it is a hollow
tower...and dark
Hida Oku: oh
Hida Oku: ok
Hantei Dave: with a winding stair case
Hantei Dave: hanging from the blackness
above are long thick iron chains
Hantei Dave: you can see shackles on the
walls
Hantei Dave: and what appears to be some
hanging cages
Hantei Dave: iron cages
Hantei Dave: its smells of rotten death in
here
Hantei Dave: a voice from the
darkness..Yori's "Climb"
Hida Oku: I take a deep breath and
climb
Hantei Dave: you begin working your way
up the winding stairs
Hantei Dave: you can only see about 20 ft
up
Hantei Dave: you pass a large iron cage and
two deep black eyes staring back from
within
Hantei Dave: it is a goblin..and it isn't moving
Hida Oku: Blade out.
Hida Oku: don't move
Hida Oku: watch him
Hida Oku: react
Hantei Dave: It lunges and its neck is pulled
back by a chained collar
Hantei Dave: not that it could have broken
the cage
Hantei Dave: it has lost most of its teeth too
Hantei Dave: and is very scrawny
Hantei Dave: it breathes heavy
Hida Oku: blade back... keep going
Hida Oku: just in the first fold of my
clothes
Hantei Dave: as you ascend you now see the
bodies of oni and goblins hanging from
chains...these ones dead
Hantei Dave: ..some long dead
Hida Oku: upwards
Hantei Dave: as you reach the top, you find
some barely living goblins strapped to
devises you have never seen before
Hantei Dave: spikes and tables
Hantei Dave: chains and hooks
Hantei Dave: most are dead
Hantei Dave: you reach the top with only
torch light
Hantei Dave: Kuni Yori smiles through his
long hanging moustache
Hantei Dave: come into my chambers he
says pleasently
Hida Oku: enter
Hantei Dave: it is a quieter room...more like
a library
Hantei Dave: He closes the thick door
Hantei Dave: ...and walks to his table where
he wraps up a tooth in a cloth
Hantei Dave: yes Oku-san?
Hida Oku: I have to come to see you
Hantei Dave: "Tea?"
Hida Oku: <with a deep breath before>
Hida Oku: "yes"
Hida Oku: Oku is NOT relaxed
Hantei Dave: "He pours tea from a hanging
kettle"
Hantei Dave: He sits behind his desk
Hida Oku: is there a chair?
Hantei Dave: and blows his tea cool
Hantei Dave: yes
Hida Oku: I'll sit
Hantei Dave: "What is your questions? The
Crab Tanto bearer has my full attention"
Hida Oku: I'll take a deep breath, take
out my brush, lay it on the table, and
exhale "You have felt the darkness?"
Hida Oku: One can not live such
<indicate towards the rest of the
tower> without feeling it
Hantei Dave: His expression changed
Hantei Dave: His face tightens some
Hida Oku: So does oku's
Hida Oku: and all his muscles
Hantei Dave: "Is that your question?"
Hida Oku: Do I only get one?
Hantei Dave: He smiles and relaxes again.
He takes the brush.
Hida Oku: I have painted two of the
greatest works in this land, and yet I
have payed for it with my soul
Hida Oku: I don't understand
Hantei Dave: "Yes. I have felt it. You will
understand soon."
Hantei Dave: (make a WILL roll)
Hantei Dave: he puts the brush into his
sleeve
Hantei Dave: df = 20
Hida Oku: umm... 20
Hida Oku: does that work?
Hantei Dave: ok...you made it
Hida Oku: can you please explain?
Hida Oku: I cannot understand my duty
Hantei Dave: "I won't need to explain. I will
show you instead. Good bye Oku." He
smiles wide
Hida Oku: all senses totally alert
Hantei Dave: and?
Hida Oku: do I detect anything?
Hantei Dave: no....he is waiting for you to
leave
Hida Oku: "WHY DID YOU GIVE ME
THAT BRUSH?!?!"
Hida Oku: Bang on his desk
Hida Oku: if he doesn't answer, I leave
Hantei Dave: "This brush?" He reveals it
again
Hida Oku: YES!
Hantei Dave: He takes out a scroll and
flamboyantly waves the brush
Hantei Dave: He writes "Oku" in
calligraphy....but badly. (make a WILL roll
df = 22)
Hida Oku: 18
Hantei Dave: you want the brush back
Hida Oku: yes! "Why did you do that?"
Hantei Dave: He is mocking the art
Hantei Dave: He smiles
Hantei Dave: He waves he brush like a clid
learning to write
Hantei Dave: child
Hantei Dave: "Should I try again?"
Hida Oku: can I make a grab for the
brush, and the paper at the same
time?
Hantei Dave: (you would rather he didn't
write your name)
Hida Oku: (Yes, I'd rather he didn't write
my name)
Hantei Dave: yes...roll at -4's (no ambidex)
Hantei Dave: he rolls dodges
Hantei Dave: 18 on the paper
Hida Oku: with what skill?
Hida Oku: ninjitsu?
Hantei Dave: sure
Hantei Dave: with -4's
Hida Oku: 20 on the brush
Hantei Dave: he allows you to grab the brush
Hida Oku: 20 on the paper
Hantei Dave: AND you get the paper
Hida Oku: I fold it up, and put it in my
robe
Hida Oku: and put the brush away at the
same time
Hida Oku: "I thought you could help me,
but I may have been wrong
Hantei Dave: "That is the darkness. Can't
you overcome it? Look at what I show
you...your own weakness."
Hida Oku: turn to leave
Hida Oku: turn back
Hida Oku: I look at the paper
Hantei Dave: He chants in one turn
Hida Oku: I look at him, too
Hantei Dave: He succeeds a spell
Hantei Dave: you are pinned to the
door...make a WILL roll
Hida Oku: 15
Hantei Dave: heh
Hantei Dave: you can't move
Hida Oku: I stop trying to
Hantei Dave: He waves his hands as the
door opens and your body slides around
it....not touching the ground
Hantei Dave: he slides you to the other side
as the door opens
Hantei Dave: the goblins are yelling
Hantei Dave: "You dare threaten me? DO
NOT SPEAK!"
Hida Oku: I don't
Hantei Dave: "I am a Daimyo."
Hantei Dave: He reaches for your tanto...do
you let him?
Hida Oku: I can't move, right?
Hantei Dave: roll WILL again if you want
Hida Oku: ok
Hida Oku: 19... but if I can move, I still let
him take the tanto
Hantei Dave: you can...you touch the
ground...he hesitates...and takes your tanto
Hantei Dave: the spell is broken
Hida Oku: I stand there
Hantei Dave: He flicks the tanto down the
center of the tower
