[Closed] 3, On the Road: Arriving at Beiden Pass

[Rex]

Kenta

Kenta already engaged it.

[Starbeard]

I have Aiko and Kenta taking the surprise round to rush into melee. At 60' away they'd normally just make it and attack in one round, but with the rough ground I'll give them an athletics check to do that, otherwise they take the surprise round getting halfway, and then make their attacks the first full round.

Koga will absolutely follow his sister in, so he's doing the same. Saburo is looking to his master to see what to do, but his resolve is holding.

So what will it be? Evil Ward or Biting Steel (or both)? I'll assume that the general charge happens after you make your spell check, since L5R is a different from usual in that most spells take a while to cast. Evil Ward takes 5 rounds to prepare and Biting Steel takes 2 rounds. Since everyone's encouraging magic, I figure they'd all know how long it would take to get the magic off the ground and time the attack accordingly.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

Athletics 4k3 (no raises): [1d10] = 9, [1d10] = 6, [1d10] = 6, [1d10] = 1

So that's 21 for Aiko's Athletics roll.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru sorry i don't recall the correct rolls for attacking as my macros are all just variations of d10 rolls with nothing explaining them so here is my attempt of an "attack roll"

Iaijutsu [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 9

[ffilz]

Ok, since we're charging in, Evil Ward won't really work (too far away), so Biting Steel it is:

Biting Steel [4d10k3] = 19 vs TN 5

(which works even if you wanted to bump the TN to 10 or even 15)

[Rex]

Kenta

Agility 5k4 [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 1

Total 16

[Captain Kinkajou]

Osaru sorry i don't recall the correct rolls for attacking as my macros are all just variations of d10 rolls with nothing explaining them so here is my attempt of an "attack roll"

Iaijutsu [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 9

You probably hit just with what you rolled there but I believe your attack roll is 6k3 (i.e. roll 6 dice and total the best 3), hence I think you're a couple of dice short.

Also, you probably need an Athletics roll to close with the oni, which I think would be 5k3 for Osaru.

[Starbeard]

Osaru sorry i don't recall the correct rolls for attacking as my macros are all just variations of d10 rolls with nothing explaining them so here is my attempt of an "attack roll"

Iaijutsu [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 9

You probably hit just with what you rolled there but I believe your attack roll is 6k3 (i.e. roll 6 dice and total the best 3), hence I think you're a couple of dice short.

Also, you probably need an Athletics roll to close with the oni, which I think would be 5k3 for Osaru.

Yep, Osaru has 6k3 for iaijutsu (reflexes 3 + iaijutsu 3). After the first round, you'll have to revert to using kenjutsu, since iaijutsu is only for the initial draw (Crane bushi get a technique where they can use iaijutsu for everything—one of the reasons I always liked playing Cranes back in the day).

Not that it really matters for Osaru, though, since he still gets 6k3 using kenjutsu anyway (agility 3 + kenjutsu 3).

The athletics rolls will use Agility+Athletics.

[Starbeard]

Athletics and/or attack checks for Osaru, Senichi, & Koga

Osaru (5k3): [1d10] = 4, [1d10] = 2, [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 6, [1d10] = 1
Total 12, failed

Senichi (3k3): [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 5, [1d10] = 5
Total 18, passed

Koga (4k3): [1d10] = 10, [1d10] = 7, [1d10] = 7, [1d10] = 2
10's reroll: [1d10] = 10
10's reroll: [1d10] = 8
Total 42, passed

Koga's kenjutsu roll (6k3): [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 5, [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 3, [1d10] = 10, [1d10] = 10
10's reroll: [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 8
Total 37

Surprise Round
Senichi retrieves his scroll containing the Mandala of Biting Steel, and quickly enacts the ritual to awaken the fire spirit within his own wakizashi.
Frank: For the next 4 rounds, Senichi's damage against the oni will now be normal. I'm assuming you're targeting yourself, but if you intended to target someone else's weapon just let me know. Senichi also passed his athletics roll, and will be able to run up to the oni and attack/cast in the next round, if you like.

The rest of the party scrambles forward in the snow, making peace with their mortal fates and the inevitability of future lives. Aiko and Kenta lead the way, with Koga immediately behind. Osaru stumbles over a tree root in a deceptive patch of snow and takes a few critical seconds circling around the trees to avoid further missteps.
Everyone but Osaru can make it in to attack this round; Osaru's attack will come in next round during normal initiative order.

Attacks
Kenta's naginata sings through the air and bounces off the prickly hide of the beast!
(46 to hit succeeds, for the minimum of 3 damage due to invulnerability)

Aiko feels heat and pain course through Harada's blade. "Vengeance!" it cries out through her own voice. "Retribution!" The sword sinks into a twisted, segmented leg, spilling thick black bile out onto the ground.
(17 to hit succeeds, for 16 damage)

Koga, swords trembling in his sweaty palms, follows his sister in and lashes out at a nearby leg, shocked to see his blade bounce back with a singing clang as sparks fly back at him.
(37 to hit succeeds, for the minimum of 2 damage due to invulnerability)

The cumulative onslaught causes the oni to throw its morbid toy away and spin its head toward the disruption. Spinning around with a bitter howl, you see its front two legs rear up, each terminating in a hideous human hand with palms facing backward and long fingers that are as sharp as razors. The oni elicits a terrific growl and the forest becomes a swirl of snowy wind around its body!
(-2k0 to all attacks due to obscured vision)

Oni currently has taken 21 hits and is suffering minor wounds (+5 to its TNs).

Actions for the first full round of combat?

Senichi and Saburo are the only two not in combat, though Senichi at least will be able to charge into melee contact next round. Frank, I think you could move up to just within range of your Evil Ward spell and start casting in the same round—but remember it takes 5 actions to cast, though you can reduce that by 1 action per raise. Saburo is looking terrified but inspired, and will follow Senichi unto death.



登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;5, Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Matsumoto Senichi, Unicorn shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 4k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 2;6, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spell Slots: F2/3 - A2 - W3 - E2 (Biting Steel 4 rounds)
  • Saburo: 3E/3W/1F/1A/1V | TN5, DR 1k1 | Hn 2;5 - Gl 0;0 - Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 1/1
• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 2k2/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 (Afraid FR2)
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 3;2, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (Haunted / Afraid FR2)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;4 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Starbeard]

I was going to let GreyWolfVT decide whether he'll make any raises for his attack that will land this round, before rolling his rest of the dice, but then I realized a quirk of the invulnerability rules that make it pointless to use raises if you're using a normal weapon.

The extra damage dice you would get from making a raise to your attack is +1k0, so you roll it but don't keep it—and since the creature is invulnerable to normal weapons, then all kept dice are treated as 1's. So it doesn't matter how many extra damage dice you roll—if you only keep 2 dice then you'll always do exactly 2 damage, no more, no less.

[ffilz]

Remind me of the options for getting extra dice and stuff? If I can boost my casting rating it might be worth casting the Evil Ward with some raises to reduce the number of actions down to 2. Otherwise I should attack. Perhaps I should have cast Biting Steel on Koga. Actually that would be an option, if I can take a raise to reduce it to one action, that's just TN 10 which on 4k3 is still almost automatic.

[GreyWolfVT]

Athletics I think [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 1

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

Aiko strikes at the oni again but the snow swirls into her eyes like a living thing, making it hard to see. She struggles to manage the pain and anguish that howls through Harada's blade. It has a will of its own and she is not sure whether to try to control it or fight against it.

Kenjutsu 6k3-2k0, 0 raises: [1d10] = 4, [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 6

ooc: That's only 11 to hit. I assume that's a miss but will roll damage on the off chance.

Damage 4k2: [1d10] = 9, [1d10] = 6, [1d10] = 6, [1d10] = 1

[Starbeard]

Athletics I think [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 7 [1d10] = 1

Yep, that's exactly the roll you need (5k3, roll 5 dice and keep only 3 of them). Unfortunately that roll won't affect the action, since you got a total of 14, and the default TN is 15. That means Osaru still has to spend the full surprise round getting through the rough terrain, and then attack in Round 1.

Remind me of the options for getting extra dice and stuff? If I can boost my casting rating it might be worth casting the Evil Ward with some raises to reduce the number of actions down to 2. Otherwise I should attack. Perhaps I should have cast Biting Steel on Koga. Actually that would be an option, if I can take a raise to reduce it to one action, that's just TN 10 which on 4k3 is still almost automatic.

You can raise the TN +5 once for every Void rank you have. Senichi has Void 2, so he can raise up to twice for +10. The spell will usually tell you what you can use raises for. Evil Ward lets you spend raises on:

• +10 ft radius per raise (normally 30' radius)
• longer duration (normally 1 day, I'll say +1/2 day per raise)
• -1 action to casting time per raise (normally it takes 5 actions, and at this level you get only 1 action per round)
• +1k0 to damage per raise (normally DR 2 + School Rank 1 = 3k2)

You can also gain 1 free raise if you double the casting time, though you probably don't want to be sitting around for 10 rounds of combat.

[Rex]

Kenta

Kenta attacks again, trying to wear down the demon.

naginata [1d10] = 6 [1d10] = 3 [1d10] = 3 [1d10] = 8

naginata [1d10] = 8 [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 5

Total 27

[Starbeard]

Initiative Rolls

Osaru initiative: [1d10+3] = 10+3 = 13
Koga initiative: [1d10+2] = 9+2 = 11
Saburo initiative: [1d10+1] = 8+1 = 9
Aiko initiative: [1d10+3] = 5+3 = 8
Oni initiative: [1d10+3] = 3+3 = 6
Senichi initiative: [1d10+2] = 3+2 = 5
Kenta initiative: [1d10+2] = 2+2 = 4

Attack rolls

OSARU
(6k3 - 2k0): Total 20, hit!
Damage (5k2) = …but enemy's Invulnerability reduces all normal damage dice to 1, so 2 hits are dealt (total 23 taken)!

KOGA
(6k3 - 2k0): [1d10] = 4, [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 6
Total 11, miss!

SABURO
athletics check (3k1): [1d10] = 3, [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 10 …10's reroll: [1d10] = 10 …10's reroll: [1d10] = 5
Total 25, passed! — Saburo is able to attack this round.
Saburo attack (2k1 - 1k1): [1d10] = 8
Total 8, missed!

AIKO
(6k3 - 2k0): Total 11, missed!

Oni
Who to attack? (1-5 Aiko, 6-7 Kenta, 8 Saburo, 9-10 Osaru)… [1d10] = 3 = Aiko!
Attack vs Aiko (4k2): [1d10] = 5, [1d10] = 2, [1d10] = 2, [1d10] = 7
Total 12, missed!

SENICHI
(4k3 - 2k0): [1d10] = 10, [1d10] = 8
10's reroll: [1d10] = 2
Total 12 + 8 = 20, hit!
Damage (4k2): [1d10] = 7, [1d10] = 4, [1d10] = 4, [1d10] = 9
Total 16! (biting steel does full damage; oni has now taken 39 hits)

KENTA
(7k4 - 2k0): rolled 6, 3, 3, 8, 8, 5, 5
(for the -2k0, drop these rolls [1d7] = 5 + [1d6] = 1 …8 and 6 dropped)
Total 8+5+5 = 18, hit!
Damage (6k3) = …but enemy's Invulnerability reduces all normal damage dice to 1, so 3 hits are dealt (total 42 taken)!

Round 1
Osaru, at a full run, braces his foot against a fallen branch and uses it to pivot his weight, launching at the vile oni before it can react! His prized blade, worn but well loved, cuts through a tiny piece of the ephemeral flesh that binds the oni to this plane. The wound is tiny, doing little more than emitting tiny electric crackles through the air, but the oni nevertheless howls in pain.

Kenta uses the opportunity to slash away at the legs on his side, causing more caustic sparks to fly.

Harassed at both sides, the despicable demon is unable to protect against Aiko's wailing blade, or Senichi's enchanted wakizashi. Both weapons see clear into the spirit plane, where the oni's flesh is very real and mortal. Cut after cut go deep into the beast's torso and neck, spewing a black, heatless fire and cold spirit-ash!

The oni swings its canine head around on its long snakelike neck, smelling the spirit in her sword! The head lashes out with lightning speed, ready to clamp her in its bloody jaws—and with an undisciplined yell, young Saburo suddenly flies into view, flinging himself at the beast with flailing arms and club, and little finesse. "Die, beast, die! Honor and glory!" As ineffective as the foolish boy's assault is, the beast is distracted momentarily and its attack against Aiko is spoiled!

Taking note of its wounds, the oni scuttles into a defensive position and slithers its head in and out of the trees. "PITIFUL MORTALS," it says in your tongue, "WHO DARE TO ATTACK GEKIDO, 'WRATHFUL SPITE', MOST HATEFUL OF ALL ONI IN THE REALMS OF FU LENG:"

"I CALL A TRUCE. I HAVE NO DESIRE TO TOIL WITH YOU, FOR I HAVE JUST WON MY FREEDOM FROM MY FORMER MASTER." Gekido's segmented leg twitches to roll the half eaten corpse of the crazy old man in the snow. "IT WAS HE WHO NAMED ME, AND BY DOING SO ENSLAVED ME TO HIS WILL AND PURPOSE, FUELING ME WITH HIS OWN HATRED UNTIL IT DEVOURED HIM."

"I WISH ONLY TO RETURN TO THE DEMON REALMS, FROM WHENCE I WAS KIDNAPPED BY THE BLOOD MAGIC OF THIS DELUDED SORCERER, TO FULFIL HIS INSIGNIFICANT SCHEMES. THIS WORLD IS OF NO INTEREST TO ME. HELP ME TO RETURN, AT NO COST TO YOURSELVES, AND I WILL TELL YOU MANY SECRET THINGS ABOUT THIS PLACE. DARK THINGS PLAGUE THIS VALLEY, AND VAST TREASURES TO BE HAD IF YOU ACCEPT."


Actions?

(The swirling gusts of snow continue, making it difficult to hear or see clearly.)



登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;5, Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Matsumoto Senichi, Unicorn shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 4k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 2;6, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spell Slots: F2/3 - A2 - W3 - E2 (Biting Steel 3 rounds)
  • Saburo: 3E/3W/1F/1A/1V | TN5, Init +1, DR 1k1 | Hn 2;5 - Gl 0;0 - Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 1/1
• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), Init +2, daisho 2k2/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2 (Afraid FR3)
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 3;2, Wounds3(4) 0;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (Haunted / Afraid FR2)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;4 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Rex]

Kenta

Kenta attacks again, ignoring what it's saying completely. Attempting to injure it, but more importantly keep it distracted from those really hurting it.

naginata [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 7

naginata [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 8 [1d10] = 8

Total 28

[Captain Kinkajou]

ooc: @Starbeard From your comment about the swirling snow, I assume the -2k0 is still in effect?

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

Aiko is intrigued by the Oni's talk of dark things plaguing the valley but she knows better than to treat with demons and Harada's sword is hungry for the Oni's blood. The vile creature must be hurting if it chooses to try and bargain with them. She summons her courage and darts in to attack again.

Attack (6k3-2k0=4k3) no raises: [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 3

I think that's 17 to hit (The 3 being treated as a 1 due to fear). Hopefully that's good enough though.

Damage 4k2: [1d10] = 1, [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 3

16 damage.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru halts in his attack "A truce? How do we know you will honor the truce and that what you say is true?" the ronin holds up a hand but appears to be too late in trying to get the others to hold their attacks.