The Wedding

[Noriaki no Yamadono]

The mountain of a man was prepared to descend into hell. Dressed as a Bandit King once more, his torso vare save for the armor and the necklace with jade, scars and the musculature of someone blessed by the Fortune of Strength himself on display.

Beside him, Matsu stood. Turning to her, he knelt.

"Stay with Ryoko. If things go wrong. Get her and Phi to safety, my Thunder." He spoke to her softly, before giving her a warm embrace.

As they parted, the daughter handed her father his club, and gave him a determined nod.

The great warrior equipped himself, before standing where dictated.

[Canary]

[Part 2 has begun. Shugenja not concentrating already, please make your rolls. You may make both rolls A and B in the same post.]

[Jin]

Jin nods to Sora and the others, "It's time. We'll do what we can here but be swift. Bring him back and the rest of you with him."

That said he offers his best attempt at a reassuring smile, despite the distant sound of battle, to his student before he settles into a sitting position and calls upon the spirits of earth.

Though Earth was not as close to him as the healing power of Water it was still an element he could easily manipulate


(Success - +5 to final casting)

[Seppun Chisei]

Chisei bowed his head, closing his eyes even as he drew his ritual dagger. A little cut was all it took, letting the blood flow. He spoke in a whisper as he sought the aid of the kami.

There was a moment of stillness as he connected with them, and then his chanting continued, his brow furrowing gently with concentration.

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Wedding, 2A, Commune lvl 1, starting spell 1k0, +5 Reiko, TN10: 6d10o10k3+5 47
Wedding, 2B, Spellcraft/int, +5 Reiko, vp 1k1, TN30: 7d10o10k4+5 37
success

[Hanzou]

Hanzou made his cut and cast offered his blood to the earth with a low rumbling whisper. The spirits answered his call. He had connected with the spirits as the others had. Unfortunately, he was as able to sway them. Even so, the connection was there.

He reached out to Miuna as he concentrated.

- - -
Commune: Success
Spellcrsft: Fail

[Togashi Nadare]

Nadare closed his eyes and drew his knife. A small offering to his old friends the Earth spirits. They came as bidden. He had always enjoyed talking to the Earth. It was slow. Primal. His tattoo began to spin as if fixed to a wheel.

Having given their consent he felt the edges of the spell in his mind. He focused, concentrating on the energy, eyes opening slowly as he made sense of the gift. A benevolent smile graced his features.

---

D16. EE. The Wedding. 2A. Commune with Earth (ML 1). Base TN 10 -7 from Balance Tattoo, Final TN3. +5 from Reiko.: 6d10o10k3+5 34

Commune, success.

D16. EE. The Wedding. 2B. Importune Spell, Earth (ML 3). Base TN 30 -7 from Balance Tattoo, Final TN23. +5 from Reiko. Void for +1k1: 7d10o10k4+5 36

Spellcraft, success. +5 to final roll.

[Shinjo Miuna]

There pressure in the atmosphere weighed on them all. The wind was harsh and black, viscous oil rained down on them, clinging to everything. Miuna took in Jin's half-hearted smile and returned to him a look of fierce determination. She was scared witless, but she'd been given purpose, and she would do what must be done. She could just make out the inner circle of defense. She spotted Ayumu's long limbs, Kinsen's golden hair, and of course, the unmistakable silhouette of her goddess. "You are very strong...I'm happy you're at my side...trust your instincts." Shinjo's words from their morning in the forest drifted back to her. Gingerly, she reached up, touching the edges of the coiled braid she had made Aono bind her hair into that morning, fingering the simple black strip of cloth. She drew in a breath, exhaling heavily. Her knife flashed across her palm as she fed the kami she called to. Her incantation barely above a whisper, Miuna called upon the spirits of the earth to aid them, and her pleas were heard. She took hold of Hanzou's outstretched hand and squeezed, focusing on concentrating.

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D16 EE Wedding, 2A Commune +5 Reiko TN10: 4d10o10k3+5 28

D16 EE Wedding, 2B Spellcraft +5 Reiko, VP for +1k1 TN30: 5d10o10k4+5 41

(Success +5 to final casting)

[Kyosei of the Isawa]

As the one on the end of the line of shugenja, but one that needn't bleed, at least for this, Kyosei took a deep breath, and knelt down, laying his hands on the ground. It was simple, with the Earth kami awakened, to get their attention. Once he did, he joined the others in attempting to convince the kami to raise the ward. Sadly, the kami seemed distracted, and try though he might, he could not convince them in the effort.

He shook the dirt and dust from his hands, and rose to stand. His mind turned to trying to hold the spell effect up, as he felt the others doing the same.

[Canary]

[Part A and B are finished. The ritual leader must now roll for part C.]

[Togashi Nadare]

This was why Togashi had sent him here. He could feel it. The power flowed through them all like the pulse of the world. His whole being resonated with it.

Blood called to blood.

Calmly the knife did its work as he made his request. His human blood held power, that had always been true. Its offering was well received by the kami. And so did that which Togashi had gifted to him...

Nadare's eyes blazed with the power of a god made mortal. A pure light. Golden.

"It begins..."

Togashi's voice echoed from the Tattooed man as the golden colour became a stream that flowed, bursting forward. It enveloped the rescue team in a golden prismatic bubble, reflecting the light like crystal.

"Go. Now."

---

D16. EE. The Wedding. 2C. Leading the Ritual casting, Earth. Base TN 30 -7 from Balance Tattoo, Final TN23. +5 from Reiko. +20 from successful castings.: 5d10o10k3+25 33

[Canary]

[Success. The Descent may now begin.]

[Togashi Saruko]

Saruko turned with surprise, as she heard the voice. She'd recognize that voice anywhere. She felt her heart swell, with hope, joy, followed by the reminder of how terribly she had been missing him.

Her hand clasped over her necklace as she closed her eyes.

The family will be united... they're now working together.

[Jin]

Though Jin continues to focus on his concentration it is second nature enough by now that he can still give a respectful, and proud, nod to Miuna.

He watches the rescue team begin their descent before he returns his attention fully to maintaining the spell. Ignoring the sounds of battle as much as he wishes to aid those who must be injured.

Have faith in those that defend us as those we defend have faith in us.

[Hanzou]

As the ogres appear, Hanzou gives Miuna's hand a reassuring squeeze and continues concentrating on the ritual.

[Togashi Saruko]

Strengthened by having heard the voice of her beloved, Saruko was not afraid as she heard the sound of battle going on further away from the innermost circle.

Silently, she stood watch near the banner, her bronze sword drawn.

Seeing Miuna and Hanzo finding strength in eachother, she signed somewhat clumsily to them, but what her signing couldn't convey fully was shown in her warm smile and the gentle light of Tengoku around her like a halo, now visible here at the heart of darkness. Brave. No. Scared.

[Doji Kaze]

Emerging from the shadows to the edge of the wedding was the Crane, covered from the knees down in green blood. He came to stand by Saruko, leaning on his spear, and dropped the heavy sack he was dragging. A goblin's head rolled out into the dust. He said nothing, just stared coldly in the direction that Dawei had gone.

[Togashi Saruko]

Saruko nodded to Kaze as they waited together.

Darkness and battle cries drew closer, and she held firm still. Though the loud and terrifying roar of a great beast shaked her resolve and she found herself gripping the sword tighter.

The shugenja stopped focusing on the protective spell along with Reiko and began the process of closing the pit. And she held firm, somewhat, still... if there were still enemies coming, she was resolved to slow them down.

As the world around them changed and shifted in response to the powerful magic, she understood. They had been successful.

[Kyosei of the Isawa]

Kyosei took off running, heading in the direction of the pit, as the energies around them surged...

/exit.