[003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Kakati is I. The dead ones, I fought one, I wounded it, but it did not bleed and die. Saw it's bones I did. The others tried to dishonorably attack me and so shamefully fled I did. Honorable bushi you are. Perhaps you can do something about the dead ones?
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Ezo
"Well, now you are speaking a little more understandably. It just so happens we both have the same goal. Which way did these deathless men come from? We will see if we can complete what you could not."
"Well, now you are speaking a little more understandably. It just so happens we both have the same goal. Which way did these deathless men come from? We will see if we can complete what you could not."
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Bankei flicks his finger, having removed it from his nose. He waits and listens, still dubious of the kenku despite his apparent earnestness.
"To be denied death is a most serious punishment. We must know all we can before we confront them, for their weakness is not in subcumbing to death."
"To be denied death is a most serious punishment. We must know all we can before we confront them, for their weakness is not in subcumbing to death."
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Kiyoshi is disappointed that the tengu didn't bite on his request to be taught a tengu kenjutsu technique. He was already imagining have the nickname "Tengu no Kiyoshi." But at least he can say he defeated a tengu, as well as helped kill an oni. He listens for how the birdman will reply to Ezo's question about the dead men's location.
PCs
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
The not dead men live in a castle in the lake. They terrorize the village and surrounding area. They have terrorized travelers. I know nothing more, but you brave souls can surely defeat the menace for you have bested Kakati.
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Bankei gives a perfunctory nod and begins ambling forward tugging the donkey by its rope (assuming we are still going the direction of the lake).
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Kakati and samurai are friends, yes? Kakati would accompany, maybe help?
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Kiyoshi shrugs. He looks at his companions, his facial expression saying, "What do you think? Yes?"
PCs
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Ezo crosses his arms with one hand at the chin. "…The creature does seem bound to its word, loud and vulgar though it is. And it can use a sword. Really, the only thing we have to lose is the element of surprise."
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Bankei pauses and looks backwards, leering with one eye for a long, considering moment. "The nattering bird must fulfill its own dharma; journeying with honorable warriors may help it learn honor." He turns and tugs the rope, resuming his ambling on the road. "or its aggravating chatter will drive the accursed samurai to rash action in which they slay us like the others, before we discern their weakness, which is not to the sword. Either way."
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
The group continues forward with Kakati chattering until shushed (probably by Bankei but perhaps by Kiyoshi). You enter a small cluster of homes, not the main village. The road is empty and all is quiet. The group notices that the residents are hiding in their homes, peering out through doors open a crack or though shuttered windows. As the PCs contemplate the fear that is present, they hear the sound of horses galloping up the road from the way they have come. Kakati squaks The not dead come riding up behind us!
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Not sure about this Kakati, Kiyoshi nevertheless turns his horse around and nocks an arrow to his dai-kyu. He peers to try to make out the riders' appearance. Not-dead men, ordinary men, or something else?
Last edited by jemmus on Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PCs
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Ezo also nocks an arrow and keeps it in a lowered ready position, scanning the path with one eye squinted. "Noisy, Kakati! And relax yourself. Do not attack or flee until we know who it is. Though, if it is the unkillable men, our arrows and sowrds wouldn't do much, anyway. Let's hope whoever it is just wants to talk."
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Reminder: Bankei is still maintaining the See Invisible spell.
Bankei also turns and looks back to see what approaches, observing before committing to action.
"Remember, the coman's warning is that we must meet, fight, and defeat three along this road. He likely did not know about Kakati," he says to the others, rolling the piece of hinoki wood in his fingers thoughtfully.
Bankei also turns and looks back to see what approaches, observing before committing to action.
"Remember, the coman's warning is that we must meet, fight, and defeat three along this road. He likely did not know about Kakati," he says to the others, rolling the piece of hinoki wood in his fingers thoughtfully.
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Oops, sorry...
I'm going to assume there was a bit more chatting with Kakati about the not dead men. They are not necessarily easily recognizable other than some having severe wounds that don't look quite right. It would be reasonable to assume that Kakati is calling them out from recognition of specific individuals rather than their appearance.
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Bankei could cast Detect Life and get some idea...
Re: [003] Bandits, unkillable men, and strange mists
Kakati? You have bird eyes, neh? What do you see? Not dead men riding horses? Sliced-up and mangled men riding men riding horses? Use your sharp eyes and tell us, Katati! Quick! Kiyoshi views the aspect of the approaching riders, and he hairs on the back of his neck raise in primordial fear. This was not what he's bargained for when he set out on the road to adventure and glory.
And with that, his horse "Twisting Wind" tries to wheel, rear, and bolt. It rears and stands on its hind legs,seeking to slide the young fully-armed and armored ronin off of its back. The young ronin attempts to regain control of the willful animal by force of will alone. And by using it's childhood name. "Cabbage, Eggs and Flour Pancake! You stop it! Now!"
The young ronin cuts hard eyes to the tengu's beady-eyes face, unspokenly saying, "You got us into this. You get us out. Anyway tengu are supposed to be swordmasters, isn't that right? Now's the time to see it. Tengu-san."
If a horsemanship roll for turning Twisting Wind's head is needed. [1d1000]=46 Oof.
And with that, his horse "Twisting Wind" tries to wheel, rear, and bolt. It rears and stands on its hind legs,seeking to slide the young fully-armed and armored ronin off of its back. The young ronin attempts to regain control of the willful animal by force of will alone. And by using it's childhood name. "Cabbage, Eggs and Flour Pancake! You stop it! Now!"
The young ronin cuts hard eyes to the tengu's beady-eyes face, unspokenly saying, "You got us into this. You get us out. Anyway tengu are supposed to be swordmasters, isn't that right? Now's the time to see it. Tengu-san."
If a horsemanship roll for turning Twisting Wind's head is needed. [1d1000]=46 Oof.
PCs