The Descent

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Canary
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The Descent

Post by Canary » Fri Jun 12, 2020 9:32 am

The shield, using Noriaki no Yamadono as its anchor and containing the other four, descends into the unsettle mouth of Jigoku. As soon as the team enters, they feel the pressure around the shield, strange and terrible monsters slamming against the barrier, trying to break it and get at those within. You don't see Fu Leng yet, but you do see Reiko's beacon descending into the smoke and haze... Though even with that, it will be a challenge to tell whether you're coming or going.

The tasks Shinsei set each person to within will prove even more vital that you might have believed.

Location: Jigoku

Participants: Seppun Dawei, Ch'chit T'kkiri, Jiyo Sora, Noriaki no Yamadono, Hantei

Time: Early Evening

Rules:

Certain characters will need to make rolls during each part, in line with the roles Shinsei chose them for. Time will be counted in rounds, each of which represents 10 minutes. Two roles remain unchanged throughout the event:

First, Ch'Chit T'kkiri. He may target any one of his companions during each round. Doing so will grant them a +5 bonus to their rolls, or may heal them up to ten Wounds.

Second, Noriaki no Yamadono. The shield around the group has 10 points of integrity, and because of the assault of the Shadowlands, it will take 1 point of damage each round. Yamadono may roll Willpower TN 15 and take 3 Wounds to refill 1 point of shield integrity. These are not bleeding wounds, but rather a sacrifice of some of his vitality and life force to keep the shield going.

Ch'chit T'kkiri and Yamadono must make note each round whether they are using one of the stated abilities above or holding off for now.

Part 1: Navigating Jigoku
Jigoku is incredibly disorienting, putting even the location in Ningen-do around it to shame. It will be a challenge to navigate.

Navigating Jigoku takes 6 rounds. The active character during Part 1 is Seppun Dawei. Dawei must make a Hunting (Tracking)/Perception roll at TN 20 each round. If Reiko ever loses concentration, the beacon fades to a barely-visible line, and the TN rises to 30. Each failed roll is time lost, meaning another round is added to the time it takes to reach Fu Leng.

Part 2: Breaking the Illusion
At the end of of the beacon, you find a location with multiple apparent copies of Fu Leng, showing the past tortures Jigoku inflicted on him, from his chest being opened and heart revealed to black ice crawling through his skin, to every bone in his limbs being broken. The location is thick with debris, as well. It's up to one who can see the truth to find the real one.

Breaking the Illusion takes 1 round, and must be reattempted if failed. Each attempt takes an additional round. The active character during Part 2 is Jiyo Sora. Sora must make a Lore: Spirit Realms/Willpower roll at TN 30 to see through the illusions that Jigoku has created to hide Fu Leng. Fukurokujin's Blessing applies to this roll.

Part 3: Retrieving Fu Leng
Fu Leng must be retrieved, but it will take someone who can alter the barrier to get it around Fu Leng and bring him inside. Hantei is the only one who can do so.

This part of the event is narrative.

Successfully completing all steps allows the characters to be quickly pulled back to the surface, a narrative and roleplaying section leading into the final event in the late evening.
GM + Bird + Glorious Plumage + Experienced

"Is the dark side stronger?"
"No, no, no. Quicker. Easier. More seductive."

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Ch’chit T’kkiri
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Re: The Descent

Post by Ch’chit T’kkiri » Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:16 am

Ch’chit tapped Dawei on the shoulder.

“It time. Let’s go.”


————

Giving +5 to the active roller each round until I mention otherwise.
Ratling | Never Lost | Disturbing Countenance | Painful Bite | Fearless | Favorite Pup
Niche: 4.5 | Chieftain Class
Description
Possessions: Spiked Big Stick (Tetsubo), Yumi, Sturdy Clothes, Light Armor, Traveling Pack

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Seppun Dawei
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Re: The Descent

Post by Seppun Dawei » Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:48 am

"So it is" replies the hunter, and he stalks off, crouching low, darting from what seems an outcropping to what might be shade to some other structure. The beacon shows forth clearly to him, especially at first, and it gives him strong bearings as he proceeds, stopping at regular intervals to be sure that those following him are, in fact, doing so.

Glances back reassure him, not only of his company, but of home remaining at the end of the journey.

(Rolls here: https://orokos.com/roll/815030
All rolls at TN 20, presumably; bonus from Black Moonset included.
Rd. 1- 40
Rd. 2- 28
Rd. 3- 30
Rd. 4- 27
Rd. 5- 25
Rd. 6- 29)
Seppun Dawei
Stag Clan * Bushi * Quiet * O-Iemoto * Experienced
Status 2.0, Glory 2.0, Reputation 4.5
In village: wears sturdy clothes; carries bronze sword, knife, often a piece of wood he's carving, finger of jade (2 as of LM15)
Out of village: wears ashigaru armor; carries bronze sword, yumi, quiver of arrows, traveling pack, finger of jade (2 as of LM15)
"Speaking" * Thinking
Description from Dawn 1 * Current Description
Player based in Kerrville, Texas

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Noriaki no Yamadono
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Re: The Descent

Post by Noriaki no Yamadono » Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:56 am

During the Descent, the great mountain of a man stood in the middle of the group. His stance was powerful, legs spread slightly. He could feel the energy of the Earth moving through him, channeled by the shugenja above. His hands were formed into fists, clutched tightly as he maintained concentration. His teeth gritted as he felt it flowing through him, the energy sapping some of his life force with every passing moment as they delved deeper and deeper into hell itself.

Bishamon. Grant me your strength, now, more than ever. Not for personal glory, but to bear the weight of duty on my shoulders. Earth spirits, I know I have been blessed by you. See me through this challenge, help me protect those who dare rescue the fallen star of Heaven. He silently prayed as sweat beaded on on his brow.

Feeling the energy surge through him, he crouched slightly, a low growl in his voice. Building up his own chi, focused on maintaining, being the anchor for the shield.

The demons of hell assaulting the shield rattled in his mind as he worked to push them out. A great exclamation as he felt the energy break down, before pushing back out again.

"Hnnngh... hnnngh... aaa... aaagh.... AAAAAAAAAAAGH!" He yelled in a great kiah, maintaining!

EE16 - The Descent - I Kaioken Get It Done! Maintain the Shield! (Willpower 4, TN 15, 3 wounds per roll): 6#4d10o10 23 20 14 27 34 36 5/6 rolls passed in first 6 rounds, only lost 1 point of Shield Integrity

Shield Integrity: 9/10 After 6 rounds
Wounds:
18/24 Healthy
Spider Clan | Bushi | Large AF | Blessed by Bishamon and Earth
Reputation: Scary | Glory 2.0 | Status: 1.0
Carries: Bronze Tetsubo | Fur lined hat and cloak | Bronze Sword | Travelling Pack | Shakuhachi
Accompanied by: Matsu

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Ch’chit T’kkiri
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Re: The Descent

Post by Ch’chit T’kkiri » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:04 am

Seeing the illusions in front of them after the nightmarish journey through the twisted streets of his childhood Ch’chit paused and turned to Sora, “Look not with eye... Look with deep eye.”


—————

Boost shifted to Sora.
Ratling | Never Lost | Disturbing Countenance | Painful Bite | Fearless | Favorite Pup
Niche: 4.5 | Chieftain Class
Description
Possessions: Spiked Big Stick (Tetsubo), Yumi, Sturdy Clothes, Light Armor, Traveling Pack

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Canary
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Re: The Descent

Post by Canary » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:04 am

They arrive at where the beacon ends, but it seems almost to diffuse, as if confused. Where there are, suspended in various ways, is certainly among the most beautiful people any of them had ever seen aside from Doji. A Young man, enormously tall like the other Kami, and like them, looking no more than 20. He shines with a holy light even in the darkness of Jigoku, piercing the haze and smoke. However, each image of him bears signs of horrendous torture, and it's impossible to tell with the naked eye which one is which.

[Part 2, Jiyo Sora. Yama must continue to maintain the shield.]
GM + Bird + Glorious Plumage + Experienced

"Is the dark side stronger?"
"No, no, no. Quicker. Easier. More seductive."

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Noriaki no Yamadono
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Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 12:47 am

Re: The Descent

Post by Noriaki no Yamadono » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:08 am

Slowly standing as he continues channeling, Yamadono raised his hands to the heavens, feeling the energy of the Earth move through him into the shield surrounding the group.

"AaaaaaAAAAAAAAH!"

EE16 - The Descent - I Kaioken Get It Done! Maintain the Shield! (Willpower 4, TN 15, 3 wounds per roll): 4d10o10 24

Shield Integrity 9/10
Wounds: 21/24 Healthy
Spider Clan | Bushi | Large AF | Blessed by Bishamon and Earth
Reputation: Scary | Glory 2.0 | Status: 1.0
Carries: Bronze Tetsubo | Fur lined hat and cloak | Bronze Sword | Travelling Pack | Shakuhachi
Accompanied by: Matsu

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Jiyo Sora
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2020 10:03 am

Re: The Descent

Post by Jiyo Sora » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:37 am

Sora closed his eyes. For some reason, he felt both of the nicknames on the sides of his face grow pleasantly cool .

"There."

He pointed to one on his left.

"Fu Leng, words have power. "

[OOC: Copying links on this phone is a pain in the ass- 44.

https://orokos.com/roll/815177]
ImperialAssassin and Babysitter • Experienced • Bushi • Evil Eye • (The Worst) Sage (in Rokugan) Team Hikaru • Disturbing Countenance • Willow • Blessed by Fukurokujin

Wears: Either a very simple kimono in Imperial colors or light armor strapped on over Hikaru garb and facepaint.
Carries: An array of weaponry, some traveling rations, a couple of lightweight trade goods, and some dried flower petals.

As of Late Night, Day 7, has a servant- a young woman named Kinyôbi

Status: 4.0 Glory: 4.0 Reputation: 1.5

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Fu Leng
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Re: The Descent

Post by Fu Leng » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:44 am

The figure lifted his head, eyes going wide as he focused on the glowing sphere through the blood. "This is the most insane plan they could have possibly come up with..." he rasped out, staring at them both as if they were the best thing he had ever seen and as if they had utterly lost their mind. "It's not safe here... They knew someone would come, you can't stay..."
Kami | Dangerous Beauty | Dark Paragon | Prodigy |Sage | Wary | Voice

Honor: 6.0, Glory: 5.0, Status: 9.0

Played by GM Canary

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Jiyo Sora
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Re: The Descent

Post by Jiyo Sora » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:47 am

"Weren't planning on it. We were just leaving. With you."
ImperialAssassin and Babysitter • Experienced • Bushi • Evil Eye • (The Worst) Sage (in Rokugan) Team Hikaru • Disturbing Countenance • Willow • Blessed by Fukurokujin

Wears: Either a very simple kimono in Imperial colors or light armor strapped on over Hikaru garb and facepaint.
Carries: An array of weaponry, some traveling rations, a couple of lightweight trade goods, and some dried flower petals.

As of Late Night, Day 7, has a servant- a young woman named Kinyôbi

Status: 4.0 Glory: 4.0 Reputation: 1.5

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Hantei
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Re: The Descent

Post by Hantei » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:51 am

Then came the man to break the bonds, Hantei strode up facing his younger brother with a blank stoicism "Hello brother. Its been too long." Hantei shone brightly in this place even more brightly than on earth.

Despite his calm exterior a strain of uncertainty was upon his voice, uncertainty and a little sadness seeing his brother in such a state "By the light of mother sun what have they done......"
Kami | Paragon of Honor | Leadership | Virtuous | Irreproachable

Honor: 10.0, Status: 9.0, Glory: 10.0

Played by GM Tyrus

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Noriaki no Yamadono
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Re: The Descent

Post by Noriaki no Yamadono » Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:52 am

His nails were biting into his palms as he channeled the shield through himself. His feet dug into the floor as he withstood the assault.

"Less... talk... more... rescue!" He grunted out.
Spider Clan | Bushi | Large AF | Blessed by Bishamon and Earth
Reputation: Scary | Glory 2.0 | Status: 1.0
Carries: Bronze Tetsubo | Fur lined hat and cloak | Bronze Sword | Travelling Pack | Shakuhachi
Accompanied by: Matsu

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Fu Leng
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Re: The Descent

Post by Fu Leng » Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:07 pm

Fu Leng's limbs were shattered, and he was bound to a stone. "You were always too much talk, brother. We don't have time... If you're going to grab me, you need to hurry and do it. I can't move, though."

He chuckled dryly, but it was weak. "I will give you all the details you can stand once we leave."
Kami | Dangerous Beauty | Dark Paragon | Prodigy |Sage | Wary | Voice

Honor: 6.0, Glory: 5.0, Status: 9.0

Played by GM Canary

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Hantei
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Re: The Descent

Post by Hantei » Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:27 pm

Hantei nodded and strode from the protective bubble allowing the light of Lady Amaterasu to protect him from the twisted influence of this plane. He approached the the stone and in one swift move he unsheathed his sword the blade singing as it left the sheath a crystal clear song that rang prettily as it sliced the air and the bonds were shattered and cut. Like a flash the sword was returned home and Hantei's arms darted out to scoop his brother into his arms holding him and walking toward the shield "Let's get out of here."
Kami | Paragon of Honor | Leadership | Virtuous | Irreproachable

Honor: 10.0, Status: 9.0, Glory: 10.0

Played by GM Tyrus

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Ch’chit T’kkiri
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Re: The Descent

Post by Ch’chit T’kkiri » Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:43 pm

Black Moonset looked around them once to make sure before they all set out back towards the portal home.
Ratling | Never Lost | Disturbing Countenance | Painful Bite | Fearless | Favorite Pup
Niche: 4.5 | Chieftain Class
Description
Possessions: Spiked Big Stick (Tetsubo), Yumi, Sturdy Clothes, Light Armor, Traveling Pack

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Canary
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Re: The Descent

Post by Canary » Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:05 pm

They're interrupted, a roar shaking the world around them and a massive clawed, scaled hand slamming down through the smoke, nearly hitting Hantei and Fu Leng and cracking the shield.
GM + Bird + Glorious Plumage + Experienced

"Is the dark side stronger?"
"No, no, no. Quicker. Easier. More seductive."

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Fu Leng
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Re: The Descent

Post by Fu Leng » Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:06 pm

Fu Leng shut his eyes against the blast of hot air, coughing. "I told you they were watching!"
Kami | Dangerous Beauty | Dark Paragon | Prodigy |Sage | Wary | Voice

Honor: 6.0, Glory: 5.0, Status: 9.0

Played by GM Canary

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Hantei
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Re: The Descent

Post by Hantei » Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:14 pm

Hantei throws his brother into the barrier drawing his divine blade and waiting to see what kind of monster the realm of hell mustered to stop him.
Kami | Paragon of Honor | Leadership | Virtuous | Irreproachable

Honor: 10.0, Status: 9.0, Glory: 10.0

Played by GM Tyrus

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Canary
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Re: The Descent

Post by Canary » Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:23 pm

A monstrous head emerges from the smoke with long horns jutting to the side and a strange, sharp tooth filled maw.

The_Maw.jpg
The_Maw.jpg (21.43 KiB) Viewed 3365 times

Another roar shook the world around them.

[Pausing here until combat resumes]
GM + Bird + Glorious Plumage + Experienced

"Is the dark side stronger?"
"No, no, no. Quicker. Easier. More seductive."

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Canary
Posts: 1260
Joined: Thu May 07, 2020 11:50 am

Re: The Descent

Post by Canary » Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:40 am

Cracks spread across the crystalline structure of the protective bubble. It wouldn't hold for very long; it was entirely compromised. Hantei swiped at the massive claw pressing on the sphere then touched it, concentrating hard. After a second the glow of Hantei brightened then dimmed until he no longer glowed with the light of Heaven. As Hantei's light died the cracks of the bubble sealed up until the sphere was whole once again and even looked a little stronger than before. Hantei whipped around and parried two more blows from the great beast, his breath was labored exhausted from repairing the bubble.

"Go! Run!" He cried out "I'll hold it off as long as I can." The man said with the certainty of one ready to face death. He parried a couple more blows and even scored a hit on the creatures leg but his strike lacked its usual power and merely hampered the monster. His fatigue caught up with him as he blocked one blow but wasn't fast enough to block the follow up.

“What are you doing?! You rash idiot!” His brother cried out.

The once shining God was flung against a wall next to the bubble his armor dented and crumple blood coming from multiple wounds. He tried to stand making it to one knee before the great beast swiped down trying to crush Hantei once and for all.

Then a faint whisper was heard coming from the broken god who leaned on the rat man for balance. Then the wall of the barrier closest to Hantei reshaped itself, forming a hand, mirroring the movements of Fu Leng's hand as it scooped up Hantei. He sank into it, the wall reshaping back into a crystalline globe once he was through. The massive claw destroyed the area where Hantei once was. Fu Leng crumpled from the exertion, but Hantei caught him, despite his own exhaustion. "Thank you brother." He said quietly as he picked Fu Leng up and looked to the others "Let's move!"

---

To escape the Shadowlands, the characters must make a sprint for the exit. They must each make three Athletics/Stamina rolls at TN 10, 15, and 20. Failing any of the rolls will result in a delay of one round and everyone having to retry that round's roll, since the group has to stay together within the barrier. The Maw will catch up and do 5 points of integrity damage to the barrier in 6 rounds. This will continue until all characters make all three rolls successfully.

Yamadono must continue maintaining the barrier during each round, and Ch'chit may continue using his bonus or healing.
GM + Bird + Glorious Plumage + Experienced

"Is the dark side stronger?"
"No, no, no. Quicker. Easier. More seductive."

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