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

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

The shock and distress in Koga's eyes is in stark contrast to Kenta's gentle calmness only moments before. It threatens to overwhelm Aiko but she does her best to be strong for her brother. She doesn't want him to break on her account.

"K... Koga... i... it''s...okay... I'm... okay," she soothes, still shivering with shock and cold but reaching up with her right hand towards his face to reassure him. Through the pain, she can't seem to move her left.

She's not sure yet whether her words are true or not, Is she okay? Will she be? But she knows it is what Koga needs to hear right now. Tears continue to leak from the corners of her eyes but she does her best to smile and put on a brave face for him.

Underneath, suppressed somewhere deep inside, a voice is screaming, My arm! My arm! I can't move my arm. It's really bad isn't it!?

[Rex]

Not sure if Kenta working on her prevents you from trying, but may not be the best decision anyways since Kenta is at least a bit skilled in such things and Koga has no skill at all in it.

[SanguineAngel]

ah! Do you know I thought I had seen the medicine skill on his sheet when I first read it but I must have also looked at your sheet. I think it definitely worthwhile creating my own version of the sheet just so I am better familiar before I accidentally get someone killed! hah

[Starbeard]

While the rulebook doesn't give any indication on how often you can use Medicine (or how long each use takes), my ruling on the intent is that it's a one-time use per wound, unless perhaps someone with a higher skill rank tried.



High up on the northern shoulders of the Spine of the World Mountians, the party of travellers rest in the snow while the wounded are triaged and restored.

After completing his healing ritual with Aiko, the burly monk Kenta quietly moves over to Senichi and sits before him. He repeats his small ceremony, crushing herbs with exact precision and technique, carefully binding the wound in elaborate stages, and occasionally bringing out a little bell to jingle over Senichi's body, all the time chanting his esoteric mantras of healing.

Medicine roll of 20 beats TN 18 (Senichi's wound severity), so Senichi is healed 2 hits to Wound Rank -4;0 and restores hits twice as fast while resting.

ffilz: if Senichi wishes to try magical healing, at this point he would be rolling at 4k3, but with -4k0 that brings it down to 1k1; however, The Path to Inner Peace only has a TN of 5, so even with just 1k1 you've still got a 60% chance to heal one wound rank, and you still have all 3 water spell slots available for today.



Each of the monk's healing rituals takes the better part of an hour, and it is now well into the afternoon. You easily make your way back to the road after gathering Senichi's horse from nearby (the mares of the Unicorn Clan are highly prized for their absolute obedience, and it is said that a lost Unicorn thoroughbred can find its way home from anywhere in the Empire).

Back upon the high road, a single glance up and down the mountain pass tells you that you certainly won't make it to your final destination tonight, even with the wounded riding atop Senichi's mount. Encountering no other living souls besides a few small woodland creatures preparing for hibernation, you slowly climb your way up the wending paths of Beiden Pass.

After the sun has already dipped below the towering western peaks you come to a small hamlet, no more than five large buildings and a few smaller ones, nestled cozily into the tree line off to the left of the road. All of the buildings are wooden A-frames with thatched roofs, with inviting smoke raising out of the chimneys and light pouring out between the slats in the windows.

It is a simple matter to find the village headman, a simple looking fellow, mature but not old, who seems to have the habit of speaking in metaphors and repeating himself as he talks. He gives off an air of someone who communes with samurai frequently, and knows exactly the proper etiquette when dealing with social superiors. He informs you that you have entered Soft Wind Village, a humble stead of only twenty souls (he doesn't include the lower caste eta and hinin, who must be living somewhere outside of the village nearby, but you do not see where those buildings might be). You don't see anyone else, though you hear the telltale sounds of craftsmen working away in the largest building.

Eventually you determine through his roundabout words that he is offering you full use of his hall for the night—the second largest of the buildings—and when examining it you can see that the accommodations are rustically simple but surprisingly comfortable and of good quality. The headman shyly attributes this to the village's pride and main source of income: the production of fanciful kites and dolls made from the bark and wood of enchanted trees, though he seems reluctant to say too much about the trees themselves ("Well… the stork in Kussho's fable does not betray how it was given long legs; which is to say, if you prefer the words of Shinsei, 'The rays of the sun shine more beauteously when cast through clouds'").

Actions?
(and as usual, feel free to turn back the clock if you would like to do something at any point of this update)



登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Matsumoto Senichi, Unicorn shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 4k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;1, Wnds (4) -4;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spell Slots: F2/3 - A2 - W3 - E2 (double heal rate)
  • Saburo: 3E/3W/1F/1A/1V | TN5, Init +1, DR 1k1 | Hn 2;7 - 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) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;6, Wnds (4) -4;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (crippled left arm; double heal rate)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[ffilz]

Sure, I'll do the Path to Inner Peace to heal others (it looks like I can't use it on myself) if anyone would benefit.

[Rex]

Kenta

Once at the hall, Kenta will thank the headsman and then check around before making everyone comfortable.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru unsure of where a ronin such as he will be allowed waits outside...

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

As the small company wends its way onward, up through Beiden pass, Aiko rocks painfully behind Senichi on the back of the shugenja's thoroughbred mare. Her world has closed in around her, the sights and sounds distant in comparison to the pain in her ruined arm and shoulder.

Though she is grateful of the ride, every step the animal takes judders excruciatingly through the bone and sinew of her crippled limb. She is numb and exhausted, still shivering from a mixture of shock and cold.

Aiko looks down at the tattered and blood-stained left sleeve of her kimono as it flaps in the chill breeze that comes down off the mountain. The sensation seems remote to her, like the sleeve and the shredded arm inside it belong to someone else.

When they reach the small hamlet, she is only dimly aware of her surroundings, in desperate need of rest and time to recover.

[Starbeard]

Sure, I'll do the Path to Inner Peace to heal others (it looks like I can't use it on myself) if anyone would benefit.

You're right, from the description I think it's pretty clear that you can only heal others. The quirks of healing in L5R are starting to come back to me now. The spell is pretty powerful for what it is, but it's also quite limited.

I'll assume no raises on your part, so straight TN 5:
1k1 for Aiko: [1d10] = 8 — success, so Aiko is healed one Wound Rank, to Rank -3.



The chill mountain air slowly begins to bite more deeply as night draws near.

You thank the headman—who is so proper with his etiquette that you still don't know his name—and finalize your arrangements for the night. You will be sleeping in his own quarters and the guest rooms, while he and his family will remove themselves to the big workshop building, which has family rooms all along the upper floor. Two servants will sleep in the kitchen to see to your needs during the night. Seeing Aiko's and Senichi's severe wounds, the headman asks quite tactfully, "Will my lords be staying long? We have nothing to aid you but fresh water and a warm beds. The lord's manor is a day's walk from here, and Lord Nasu will surely have all of the facilities to ease your recovery…"

Kenta, perhaps feeling a bit claustrophobic in the cramped quarters of the mountain lodge, exits for some fresh air and a look around. Osaru the taciturn ronin is already outside, and the pair take a short walk around the vicinity. The tiny hamlet seems appreciably rustic and peaceful. You don't see any of these "enchanted trees," though you do see two lines of smoke rising up maybe three hundred yards behind the forest edge—probably the evening fires from the eta ghetto attached to the village. As twilight sets in, you notice that none of the villagers are leaving the large workshop lodge; instead, they remain inside and simply shutter and bar the doors and windows. Soon the whole village is dead quiet, and the only lights you can see are coming from the headman's lodge and the upper floor of the workshop.

Back inside the headman's lodge, the others are brought rice, salted fruit and sake from the storeroom. The headman bids you all goodnight. "I must see to my duties for the evening. The servants will see to your every need, but please send for me if I can be of any assistance." He bows deeply and makes to depart.

Actions?



登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Matsumoto Senichi, Unicorn shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 4k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;1, Wnds (4) -4;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spell Slots: F2/3 - A2 - W3 - E2 (double heal rate)
  • Saburo: 3E/3W/1F/1A/1V | TN5, Init +1, DR 1k1 | Hn 2;7 - 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) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;6, Wnds (4) -3;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (crippled left arm; double heal rate)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[SanguineAngel]

Koga
"Thank you for your generosity, even so. We will leave at first light tomorrow, it is imperative we seek medical aid."

Ordinarily, Koga would delight in the Headman's precise etiquette and poetic turns of phrase but this evening his attentions are entirely devoted to ensuring Aiko is comfortable. He offers his sister every assistance but is careful to keep his eyes averted from hers. His discomfort is evident.

When the time comes for sleep, Koga's dreams are troubled - nightmare visions of Aiko runnining headlong into the maws of danger again and again wake him in a cold sweat.

Unwilling to return to sleep, he also ventures out into the evening air. If a torch is availble, he would take it. Perhaps to take his mind off matters, or looking blindly for a spiritual anchor, Koga feels a mischievous desire to seek out these enchanted trees. This seems more like Aiko than me... he thinks, before pushing the thought aside.

He considers going back and asking the servants in the kitchen for guidance but decides that if the spirits wish him to find the trees, then he will do so. He sets out for the treeline to take a walk, with a mind that he would naturally recognise an enchanted tree if he sees it.

OOC: I have in mind that it'd be appropriate to use an investigation (perception) check here? I've rolled as such for convenience but of course, let me know if that's not right.
Investigation: [1d10] = 8[1d10] = 5[1d10] = 5[1d10] = 10[1d10] = 4
Investigation: Re-Roll 10 [1d10] = 4
10(+4)+8+5
Total: 27

If he has a torch, then I presume that Kenta and Osaru would see him moving about. I am unsure if they are also visible to Koga. But I am making no effort to hide.

[Captain Kinkajou]

Aiko

At the hamlet, in the headman's lodge, Aiko is troubled at Senichi's selfless insistence to call upon his magics to heal her when he himself is equally badly injured. She feels he should be saving his energy and not taxing himself for her benefit. However, the shugenja is quietly resolute and she is not really in any condition to put up much of a refusal.

After Senichi has performed his magic, Aiko is most grateful that it has brought her some measure of peace. The pain in her arm has lessened considerably and some of the colour has finally returned to her cheeks. She thanks Senichi for his kindness and insists he rests and takes care of himself now.

Kenta inspects the damage to her arm again. Through his and Senichi's skills, much of the external trauma is already healed but inside, her limb remains broken and useless. It is beyond their power to heal. Kenta rewraps it as Koga hovers over them, watching her with brotherly concern, though never quite meeting her gaze.

After eating, Aiko rests and drifts off to sleep.

[Rex]

Kenta

Kenta keeps an eye on Aiko to make sure no infection is taking hold and gets a bit of rest. To Osaru and Koga, "Perhaps one of us should be up at all times, something seems a bit off here."

[ffilz]

After using his healing magic, Senichi will rest. His rest is troubled due to the severity of his injuries, but he calls on his meditative practices to calm his body and slip into sleep.

[GreyWolfVT]

Kenta

Kenta keeps an eye on Aiko to make sure no infection is taking hold and gets a bit of rest. To Osaru and Koga, "Perhaps one of us should be up at all times, something seems a bit off here."

Osaru nods in agreement "Yes I think that is a wise choice. I will do my best to stay awake we could take shifts watching if that is agreeable. But I do agree something feels off here."

[Rex]

Kenta

"I don't mind taking a shift, I am uninjured."

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru "Well then let's you and I split a shift. I know I am disciplined but I fear the way things have gone lately I may end up falling to sleep if I were to try and stay awake the entire night."

[Starbeard]

OOC: I have in mind that it'd be appropriate to use an investigation (perception) check here? I've rolled as such for convenience but of course, let me know if that's not right.
Investigation: [1d10] = 8[1d10] = 5[1d10] = 5[1d10] = 10[1d10] = 4
Investigation: Re-Roll 10 [1d10] = 4
10(+4)+8+5
Total: 27[/color]

Reading through the skills, I think either Investigation or Hunting would do in this case, so sure, I'll take that roll.



Kenta and Osaru organize a rotation of short night shifts between themselves, and the injured do their best to rest up for the night.

Koga is noticeably restless, and takes his leave for a stroll. By the door he finds a wooden lantern hanging on the end of a pole, which he lights with a nearby oil lamp and brings with him as a sort of illuminating walking stick.

The night is shrouded by a modest cover of clouds, and the moon is still new, but between his lantern and the brilliant white snow Koga is able to see better than he expected. The village seems utterly deserted, except for the thin light coming from your own quarters, shining through the high window of the headman's lodge. From inside the building, Osaru watches Koga wander past the community workshop building, past the small lightless huts beyond, and into the trees.



Koga wanders several hundred yards into the woods along the mountain slope, well beyond sight of the village. The trees are all beautiful, living up to the reputation of Beiden Pass, but none seem particularly out of the ordinary. Up ahead are pinpoints of flickering light, which must be the eta village.

Heading that way, the young Dragon stops suddenly in his tracks. This is not the eta village at all—not more than forty yards ahead of him, all gathered around a tiny stream, is a convocation of creatures like he has never seen. Naked children with strange conical hats and the rough, shelled bodies of turtles engage in horseplay around the water; foxes are gathered around the banks and watch the proceedings with distant interest; scattered throughout the whole scene are a number of breathtakingly beautiful women, some of them holding paper lanterns that seem to glow with moonlight, some of them with fox heads. The trees surrounding them seem absolutely refulgent in the lantern light, their leaves sparkling golden-green instead of the deep fall colors they should be. Fireflies hover over everything.

He finds himself staring in awe at the scene, too afraid to step forward and too homesick to turn away. He watches as a hideous man suddenly comes out of the darkness, hunched but facile in his movements, naked and covered in long hair, and with the grotesque face and tail of a rat. The turtle children splash at him and hiss, but are rebuked by the foxwives and sent to sit on rocks and sulk. The rat-man chitters chaotically, stamping his feet into the snow and waving his arms around in an almost ceremonial fashion, and his audience seems afraid of whatever it is he is saying.

In the middle of his speech the night grows darker and deathly cold, and the wind begins to rise menacingly. The creatures all freeze in motion and look about in fear. Koga's lantern flickers, and suddenly all eyes are on him! The violent turtle children hiss at the intruder and seem to disappear right into the little rivulet, and the foxwives spin themselves back into foxes and scamper away, their lanterns evanescing out of existence and turning the trees back to normal.

Left in the darkness with nothing but his own flickering lantern, Koga's spine shivers at the almost imperceptible sound of a deathly moan riding on the wind.



Kenta and Osaru are sharing a watch. Koga has been gone for over an hour now. The wind outside has been picking up steadily, to the point now that the window shutters are gently rattling. It might be your ears playing tricks on you, but it almost sounds like a wailing voice is being carried on the back on the wind—mountain pass winds will often whistle like that.

Senichi and Aiko are both wakened by an irrational feeling of dread. Downstairs you hear the servants bar the doors and windows.

Actions?



登場人物

• Kenta, monk: TN10, Init +2, naginata 7k4 (DR 6k3) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (6) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Matsumoto Senichi, Unicorn shugenja: TN10, Init +2, wakizashi 4k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;1, Wnds (4) -4;0 | Void Pts 2/2 | Spell Slots: F2/3 - A2 - W3 - E2 (double heal rate)
  • Saburo: 3E/3W/1F/1A/1V | TN5, Init +1, DR 1k1 | Hn 2;7 - 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) | Hnr 2;7, Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2
• Mirumoto Aiko, Dragon bushi: no armor (TN20/5), Init +3, daisho 5k4/6k3 (DR 4k2) | Hnr 3;6, Wnds (4) -3;0 | Void Pts 0/2 (crippled left arm; double heal rate)
• Yoshida Osaru, ronin: no armor (TN15), Init +3, katana 6k3/6k3 (DR 5k2) | Hnr 2;7 Wnds (4) 0;0 | Void Pts 2/2

[Starbeard]

Suddenly a loud rapping comes on the door from outside. A man's deep voice asks to be let in out of the cold. Peering through the slats in the window with your lights, you can barely make out that the man is very tall, and dressed in the traveling robes of a shugenja priest.

[GreyWolfVT]

Osaru reports to Kenta that he saw Koga wander past the community workshop building, past the small lightless huts beyond, and into the trees. "He's been gone a while and it was odd to see him wander off like that into the trees. We should probably go check on Koga. But perhaps one of us should stay here? What do you think Kenta?"

[Rex]

Kenta

Just to clarify, the priest is knocking at the door where Kenta and Osaru are?