[Closed] 2: On the Road (Aiko, Koga, Osaru)

[Starbeard]

Good point, and the answer to that is yes! You only get to keep 3 dice, but you choose which three to keep. Obviously 99% of the time, you're rolling because you want to roll well, but here's a case where you would want to pick the low rolls and intentionally fail, something that I might even say gives you the chance of gaining Honor.

More tomorrow.

[Starbeard]

(Aiko rolls 7, 4, 4 = 15 and misses. I'll make a second, secret roll of her Agility + Iaijutsu vs his Perception + Iajutsu to see if he can tell that she's pulling her punch; she beats him by 1 point, and he doesn't notice)

Aiko's stick ripostes against Harada's and glides toward his face through the air, but at the last minute she purposely keeps herself from lunging forward far enough, so that her weapon fails to make contact. Both combatants pass each other harmlessly, swinging about to face each other in guarded poses.

The duel continues now as a regular skirmish, using Kenjutsu instead of Iaijutsu.
Harada & Aiko roll initiative: Initiative (1k1 + Air): [1d10] = 7 vs [1d10] = 4
Harada wins. He attacks against TN 20, since Aiko isn't using her daisho technique. He rolls 25 and hits. The bamboo weapon does "Strength k 1" damage, he chooses the lowest roll and deals 4 hits.

Harada is quicker to collect himself and readjust to the shift in combat. He pivots and brings his weapon up to a high stance, dropping it low again as he comes in, under Aiko's guard, and slashes her across the ribs with an intense force that knocks the wind out of her lungs. That will leave a bruise! (Aiko takes 4 hits, taking her down one wound rank to a -1k1 penalty on all actions, healing 2 hits a day.)


"Oh! I'm so sorry, Lady Mirumoto! I am afraid we Matsu stock cannot always control the strength of our blows."

The two continue to spar, although a little less forcefully after Aiko's small wound, and Harada excitedly goes over concepts Aiko is aware are already beneath her. His iaijutsu technique is impressive, but she feels certain that if she could only have gotten the initiative on him, her kenjutsu technique would have matched his stroke for stroke.

Osaru can tell that Harada is trying as hard to intimidate him as he is to impress Aiko, showing off by namedropping the impressive list of famous swordmasters he's studied under with his privileged status as an Imperial magistrate in Otosan Uchi.



登場人物

• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 2;7, Wounds (4) -1;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

Aiko winces a little at the pain in her ribs but does her best to shrug it off and appear unharmed. Part of her wishes she had taken her opportunity and not allowed Harada to gain the advantage but she is pretty sure that it was the right thing to do. As the sparring and training continues, she pretends to listen with interest as Harada mentors her in things she already knows.

When Harada begins namedropping and showing off she will say, "I am truly honoured to benefit from the advice of one who has had such esteemed tutors, Magistrate Harada. Ineed, I feel I have already learned a great deal from our single sparring session. I will contemplate the wisdom I have gained and maybe we could have another bout tomorrow. Master Osaru, you have remained quiet. Would you offer me any wisdom also?"

[Starbeard]

I'll move things forward here.



Assistant Harada Shino seems pleased with the lesson, and continues to act braggart in front of Osaru for the rest of the day. "Perhaps tomorrow I could impart the benefits of my fortunate teaching to you and Koga, as well."

I'll rule that Aiko's action was a display of Sincerity (the ability to appear honest), and Face (putting respectful courtesy above truth or desire). In the first edition GM Guide, it says that Dragon characters can gain 1-4 Honor points from such actions, so I'll award Aiko 1 Honor point. If it is later revealed that she effectively lied to Harada, then it will cause a loss of face for both, which would cause a Dragon character to lose 2-4 points.



It isn't until nightfall that you come to your first stop, The Village of the First Emperor. You had such a late start in the morning that you find you'll have to hustle if you are to make it to Kakita Castle in time for the Star Festival.

Everyone please make a simple Earth roll vs TN 15, to avoid growing fatigued from your long travel hours.



Map of The Village of the First Emperor…

It isn't a very large village, but The Road of the First Emperor cuts straight through it, allowing for all of the traffic that comes and goes from the capital in this direction. Because of this, the village limits are blocked by an elaborate and sturdy wooden gate and watchtower, guarded day and night. It is late at night, and the gate is closed; you might have had to bribe the guard to open it, but Assistant Harada announces his magisterial status and they hurry you through a tiny side door. Your papers are quickly scanned by candlelight, approved, and you are allowed to pass into the tiny settlement.

Inside the inn (building 4) you find the owner, a scarred old peasant named Sada, at his wits end trying to keep the place in order. A group of more than twenty boisterous Lion soldiers have descended on the village for some reason and are partying it up, clearly showing no signs of wanting to stop until it is dawn and they've all passed out. The village headman is present, trying his best to entertain a man who is obviously a samurai and the leader of the party.

As usual, feel free to engage with semi-random and timed encounters or not, as you choose. We'll spend as much time as you have invested interest, then move things along.

Actions?



登場人物

• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 2;8, Wounds (4) -1;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

By the time they reach the Village of the First Emperor, Aiko is feeling weary from the long hours of travel. She is determined to reach Kakita Castle in time for the Star Festival but her bruised ribs are still painful and giving her discomfort.

Earth Roll (EARTH 2): [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 5

ooc: That's correct for a Simple Trait roll isn't it?

Aiko will spend some time having a meal with her travelling companions and doing her best to gently deflect Harada from being a braggart about the lesson. Perhaps, she will ask him of his magisterial duties, his experiences and knowledge of the province, or for more details on his home town.

After a while, she will propose "We should retire and get some rest. We will need to leave early and make good time tomorrow to make it to Kakita Castle in time for the Star Festival. I would so hate to miss any of it."

ooc: I'm not sure what 'getting there in time' entails but, weary or not, Aiko will do her best to ensure the group is on a schedule that will see them arrive in time for the festival.

[Starbeard]

Aiko

Earth Roll (EARTH 2): [1d10] = 8, [1d10] = 5

ooc: That's correct for a Simple Trait roll isn't it?

Yep!

ooc: I'm not sure what 'getting there in time' entails but, weary or not, Aiko will do her best to ensure the group is on a schedule that will see them arrive in time for the festival.

A quick question to the guards reveals that Kakita Castle is the better part of a day's journey from the village. The Star Festival takes place during the evening, so we'll assume that so long as you are not waylaid significantly along the way, you'll make it time.

[Starbeard]

During the trip into the village, Harada continues to boast about his sword training on no uncertain terms, convinced that you are all simultaneously awed and jealous of his prestige and achievements.
I'll make Aiko's gentle nudgings an Etiquette roll (3k2) against TN 20 (Harada's Honor x 5). After all, being a Lion he finds boastfulness more honorable than most.

Etiquette [1d10] = 4 [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 1 (that's a miss)



At the village's inn, Harada is excited to see his clansmen and runs over to join them in revelry. Still in a boastful mood, he immediately dives into talking about your party's travels, but soon gets the better of himself and changes the subject before he does something foolish like bragging about how much better his skill is than all of you.
Honor [1d10] = 8 [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 5 [1d10] = 10 — Honor reroll [1d10] = 2 (passed, rolled 30)

Aiko opts for a quiet meal, and hopes to retire immediately so that the party can get started as soon as possible tomorrow. Does anyone else have preferences or actions they'd like to make this evening?



登場人物

• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 2;8, Wounds (4) -1;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru has no problem with the quiet meal and retiring early as it could well mean an early start on the road the next morning.

[Starbeard]

Thanks for being patient.

I'll make Earth rolls for Koga and Osaru to keep things moving along (TN 15):
Koga Earth roll: [1d10] = 1 [1d10] = 8 (fail)
Osaru Earth roll: [1d10] = 2 [1d10] = 9 (fail)

All three of you are fatigued, and will travel at half rate until you stop to rest for a full day.


Falling Leaf Month, 25th (Morning Day, Low Week)


You get an early night, while Harada parties it up with his comrades. You suspect this means that he will be very late in rising again, but the next morning he is up and ready to travel with you, much to your surprise. His eyes are heavy with lack of sleep, but he stands gruffly at attention, carefully tying up his traveling pack while pontificating on the nature of honor and its role in sticking to traveling plans.
(He needed a simple Void check to avoid sleeping in, but rolled 11 and failed. He then chose to make an Honor Test save, by rolling again but this time using his Honor rank; he rolled 17 and past, thus succeeding the test after all, and even gaining an Honor Point in the process.)

Rested but still very sore in the legs, you continue on down the Way of the First Emperor, toward Kakita Castle. At your slow pace, it will take you most of the day to get to the Castle, though conversation with an old man gives you the impression that even at your slower pace you should reach the gates by dusk.

You continue your walk along the road, unable to resist having your spirits lifted by the beautiful autumn day. Several hours in you come across a small caravan of five merchants resting on the side of the road beside an item-laden cart. They look startled to see you and eye you suspiciously, hands clearly poised to reach weapons.



Actions?



登場人物

• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 2;8, Wounds (4) -1;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

"What a beautiful Autumn day it is. Do you not agree?" Aiko says with a polite smile to the merchants. It's quite an effort given the pain in her ribs and how weary she feels from their travelling, but one must keep up appearances. "Have you travelled far? Do you have far to go? Which direction are you heading? Do you have any news?" she continues brightly.

As is her way, Aiko engages them in light conversation, questioning them with no particular objective other than to defuse the initial tension.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru merely gives a silent polite bow to the merchants and allows Aiko to chat them up.

[Starbeard]

The merchants look Aiko up and down without hiding their contempt for having to make conversation. One of them speaks sharply, "What do you want?" A gangly merchant hanging in the back suddenly burst into an uncontrollable cackle, and the one speaking turns to slap him on the head and bark at him to be quiet. He turns his back to you and responds to Aiko's questions. "Why do you care where we came from? Go away!"

Passive Perception rolls vs TN15…
Aiko (3k2, rolled 13 — failed)
Osaru (2k2, rolled 32 — succeed with 2 raises)
Koga (4k2, rolled 16 — succeeded)

Aiko seems blissfully unaware of any strangeness, but Koga and Osaru both feel an uneasiness in the air, beyond the visible social tension. A small gust of wind brings to Koga the faintest smell of sour flesh from the merchant nearest him, and he notices that the man's eyes are cloudy with cataracts.

Osaru has a strong suspicion. He's seen the Taint of the Shadowlands once before, in the city. A man had gone mad and ran through the streets, hacking down innocents for no reason until a cadre of shugenja and bushi were finally able to bring him down. He stank of rotted flesh and was wasting away with disease, but fought with an unholy and terrifying strength. The pale sickliness and agitated twitching in these men remind him almost immediately of that man he saw in Otosan Uchi so long ago.


Actions?



登場人物

• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 2;8, Wounds (4) -1;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru quietly updates Aiko to what he and Koga have determined from their keen perception of the merchants and their condition.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

Aiko scowls at the merchants' lack of manners. "There is no call for rudeness," she chastises them. "Your behaviour casts you and your brethren in a poor light. Good, honourable men would not be so discourteous."

Osaru subtly clears his throat to one side of her and she notices he is looking at her strangely. His eyes flick to the merchants and then back to hers, as though he is trying to tell her something. Now she thinks about it, there is something strange about these men. She stops talking and takes a moment to look at them again. Only then does she realise that something is very wrong with them.

[Starbeard]

The merchants continue to glare and scowl. "Peace as you go on your way, noble samurai!" His phrasing technically addresses you with the respect of your station, but his words drip with malice.

It is clear that the conversation is over. As you begin to move past them, you can feel them staring you down. Once there is about a 40 yard distance between you (I'm saying you can move 20 yards in a round, or 40 yards and take no actions), you look back out of the corner of your eye and see that they have pulled their cart into the road and have begun to follow you.

Actions?



登場人物

• Mirumoto Koga, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN15), daisho 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5, Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor+daisho (TN25), daisho 6k3 (DR 4k2) | Honor 2;8, Wounds (4) -1;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), katana 6k3 (DR 5k2) | Honor 2;5 Wounds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Starbeard]

Bump for actions. The five merchants, all of whom are quite possibly afflicted by the Taint of the Shadowlands, have started down the road again, following you at a close but safe distance. What do you do?

[GreyWolfVT]

ooc: no idea that is why i did not post anything my intent would be to keep moving i doubt us attacking them will sit well with others in the area.

[Captain Kinkajou]

ooc: Yes, sorry for the slowness in responding. Similar to Ed, I took a look at this situation, thought 'Err... what should I do? I'll leave it for a bit and see if somebody else wants to take the lead.' And then promptly got tied up in other things and didn't get back to it.

I have a couple of questions that might help me decide:

1. Is there some obligation on us, given that we know the merchants are Shadow-tainted? I mean, Shadow taint is like an abomination isn't it? Aren't they a threat to others (if not ourselves)? Should we be purging them rather than allowing them to roam the land or something?

2. I assume Harada has noticed this, or at minimum picked up on Osaru indicating to Aiko what they are? If so, does he have a view?

Thanks.

[Starbeard]

Looks like we're all getting tied up with the holiday season! Thanks for being patient:

1. No obligation. The taint of the Shadowlands is an abomination, but the society also stresses cleanliness and purity, so running away screaming is just as legitimate a response as murdering them with impunity. Anyone who is tainted is almost assuredly a threat to others, if not now then certainly later as it spreads.

2. As for Harada, he was not aware, but now that the PCs have given him an indication, I'll have him make a basic Honor+Willpower roll as a reaction/morale check… He succeeds, and is prepared to fight if it comes to it, but he is incredulous about any mention of the Taint. He's a naive urbanite, so in his mind Tainted people all have horns and scales and run around speaking in tongues, that sort of thing.

"I doubt the authenticity of these 'merchants'," whispers Harada. "We have heard rumors of ronin prowling the countryside and engaging in banditry. Be on your guards."

You carry on for another few hundred yards, and round a bend you come to a halt as another group of three merchants move out to the block the road, thirty yards ahead of you. Looking back, you see that the group from behind are continuing to move toward you.

Harada attempts to levy his authority as an urban magistrate. "Off the road! Official business coming through!" None of the merchants budge, and he seems unsure of what to do next.

You are now sandwiched between the two merchant carts, each 30 yards away, with three merchants ahead and five (quite possibly tainted) behind. Natural woods are to either side. One of the merchants in front of you steps forward, casually carrying a huge iron staff with sharp studs all over it, and calls out, "Greetings, travelers! We are but poor merchants who were robbed by bandits not long ago, and now we have no money to see us through the winter. Surely you will have pity us and give us some of yours so that we do not starve."

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru bows to the merchants slightly to some some form of respect "I am sorry to hear of your misfortune but we have a bit of a problem these men further behind us carry the taint we may be able to give you some coin if we can deal with the tainted ones first."