Rokugan in the Shadows Ch 1: Gathering Dark

[~Corvus~]

You become aware you've been out of consciousness. That's right; you were pulled from a task, or from a place of suffering. Mercifully, it will only be a memory. You're instructed by a voice in the void that you've been pulled into.

I have answered your call of suffering. I offer you a path to vengeance and power. I have gathered you in a city under siege by twist of fate. Make sure they do not reclaim control of the city, at any cost.

We will talk again.

The Void begins to fade. Screams of terror surround you; they are mirrored by satisfied groans and messy eating. As the darkness fades, you see you're surrounded by large and simple earthen buildings. The ground beneath you feels soft; earth softened by gore and blood. What could be a fairly-organized area is instead in chaos. Masses of people try to flee larger masses of zombies that descend upon them. What little resistance they offer does not hold up to their sheer numbers. To the south and south-east, many pockets of leather-and-stone clad soldiers, circled up, offer resistance to the hordes. They wield wicked clubs and smash the oncoming zombies as the hordes approach them. In a few areas, lines of battle surge to good-spirited cheers where groups of soldiers devastate the somewhat fragile undead. Further off, you can see robust stone buildings assaulted by huge...towering zombies made of blood and bones. They pick up soldiers and peasants alike, glutting themselves on the general populace. Even further on, you can see a wall. Though it is far away, it is similarly clear that soldiers struggle against the hordes of creatures.

A pack of roughly twenty zombies, followed by three larger, stronger-looking zombies covered in the armor of the guards, feast on a group of hapless peasants. The chaos around you seems to offer you decent protection for the moment. What do you do?

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

The great beast looked around in confusion. Had he been somewhere else? He wasn't sure, and the voice spoke too many words, some he didn't recognize. But there was something that made sense to him. He could hear eating.

His stomach growled. Tokazou followed suit and his nostrils flared. He loped towards where the undead were eating the peasants. The dead men smelled awful, but the ones they were eating smelled like fresh meat.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijen

After listening to the voice from the void, wondering if it is one that he recognizes, he shall enjoy the feeling of the Void. As that feeling slips away, and the clamor of battle surrounds him, he shall draw his bow and ready an arrow, awaiting to see what shall happen between the living, dead, and the monsters.

[WarHunter]

Kaorin Naereth

Peers around while staying out of the slaughter to get his bearings, thirsting to join in but hesitant on sharing his fun with the undead but only for a moment as he waits to see if their are more allies to help guarantee a rout. Wonders if he can control the undead with verbal commands or would they follow his lead once jumps into the fray, it matters not as he would just do whatever he wanted to enjoy this feast. Having Rageclaw and Thunderstep boots was a good choice for today's festivities.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade

She stumbles, trying to regain her bearings and taking in the violence around her. She has long since lost any scruples about punishing those who deserve it, but she has no idea what these people have done to merit such a fate. She gets close to a wall, trying for the moment to avoid the attention of soldiers and zombies...

[~Corvus~]

A large black-scaled lizard jumps into the group of feasting zombies, heedless of their numbers. His motion splatters a few of their (apparently) fragile bodies, and he grabs a partially-chewed corpse away from the creatures. They dully turn their attention towards the lizard that's deprived them of food, and lash out at Tokazu.

For the sake of this page, please describe what your characters look like to us!

4 zombies lash out at tokazu
Attack:
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

damage:
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]

8 more zombies shamble around him, attempting to find purchase on his flesh.
(you're welcome to take AoOs for their movement)


Kyorlin and Jade, catching their bearings, see the lizard swarmed after his charge. He has attracted the nearest attention at the moment. To their right, about seventy feet away, a group of panicked villagers run away from more of the creatures, who fell many more hapless humans and glut on the unfortunate victims. In front of them, roughly thirty feet away, another long house looms, and a large crab--still disoriented, it seems-- blocks what could be a doorway.

Niku spots many choice targets. The closest to him, about 45 feet away, are a pack of roughly 18 zombies swarming a black-scaled lizard that attempted to steal their lunch. Two of the 18 appear to be zombified guards, and they move sluggishly--they seem to be weighed down by their armour.

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

The massive black scaled lizard straightened to his full twelve foot height and glared down at the flailing zombies with meat still hanging out of his mouth. He swatted at them like flies before hunching down to grab another bite.

full attack
Claw attack at the two closest zombies 1/each

Claw 1
To-hit [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

Claw 2
To-hit [roll2]
Damage [roll3]

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi made as close to a frown as a crab could as he felt himself being pulled out of one instance and into another. But I'm huuuungry... the crab said as he felt himself pulled away from his pursuit of a delicious-looking adventurer. Said adventurer had also stuck him with a large trident several times, though, so perhaps it was for the best: he looked as though he would try to devour his delicious crab meat and take his courage. He was quite the specimen, after all: his body was six feet wide and stood about six feet off the ground, covered in an exoskeleton that slowly changed to match his surroundings, though not fast enough to act as camouflage. Right now, it was a pleasant bluish grey. He was large, though there was an unassuming and confused look upon his "face" that made him seem somehow less monstrous.

The voices which filled his head confused and frightened the crab. But it was okay; he was a big crab, and these voices were small. Perhaps whatever the sound was coming from could be eaten. Crabs were scavengers, and could therefore eat almost anything organic. Kanishi liked things that didn't run fast and didn't put up too much of a fight; it mostly tasted the same to them. Speaking of which, there were some rotty-looking humans trying to eat some less rotty-looking ones. Humans fought each other all the time. Kanishi didn't really understand that, but he supposed that the rotty ones were trying to get something that the clean ones had and take it. They all looked tasty, but the rotty ones seemed slower, if less clean. The clean humans also rewarded not eating them with fish and sacrifices and not attacking with tridents, so eating them tended to be a mixed proposition.

Of greater interest was the twelve-foot-tall lizard currently locked in combat with the rotty ones. Crabs were scavengers: they ate whatever was left behind. Logically, that meant anything left behind by lizards eating humans, whether they were rotty or clean. He wanted to gauge the reptilian's aggressiveness, but at the same time knew that if he did not try to get a slice of the delicious meat, it might be all gone.

His thought process was cut off, though, by a crowd of clean humans, running away from many rotty ones and seemingly towards him. They were close-by. He would go after the strong rotty ones: their meat would make him braver than the clean fleeing ones. Without so much as a word, Kanishi began to walk forward, claws clacking and legs stepping from side-to-side so as to intimidate his soon-to-be foes. He wasn't any taller than these folks, even if he was wider, but he was still confident he could eat at least a few of them. "Hello humanfolk. I want meat." He lunges forward at the rotty men, his mouth beginning to water. He makes no effort to block the humans from entering the door, relishing the tide of rottymen to nourish him. He could use the clean ones as bait for the rottymen, and eat them all! I am a very smart crab. I am like a fisherman. But a crab. And with humans as bait. I am the best and strongest crab.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Attack 2: [roll1]
Damage 1: [roll2]
Damage 2: [roll3]
Grapple 1: [roll4]
Grapple 2: [roll5]

[~Corvus~]

Kanishi, overcoming his temporary nausea, becomes aware of the attention granted him by other humans around him. A large group of them, with their legs, hands, stomachs being ripped and apart by the ravenous creatures, look up to Kanishi with pleading eyes. "THE SPIRIT OF OUR CLAAAAAGGHH
HE WILL SA----AAAAGGHHH
SAVE UAAAGGGGH~
YOU CAN'T LEEAAAAA-- US HERE HEEEEAARKK--
HELP MEEEAAAHHH"

The pleading eyes and hands reach for him amist the crowds of feasting critters, and when he speaks to them, they flail in both terror and hope. He clatters over to several zombies and reaches for them, but their mindless shuffling and gore-slimed bodies make them harder to grasp than Kanishi would think. His claws slide amongst their number, but since they offer very little resistance to his attempts to grab them, he knocks a few away from a man but remains empty-clawed. His intestines, yanked with the zombies knocked away, slither over the ground, and more ravenous rotty-men mercilessly descend upon him.

Five zombies approach Kanishi and attempt to bite his legs; perhaps they can sense the flesh just below his chitinous exterior.

[roll0] crit [roll1]
[roll2] crit [roll3]
[roll4] crit [roll5]
[roll6] crit [roll7]
[roll8] crit [roll9]

[roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12] damage dealt
[roll13]
[roll14]

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijen

The dark haired humanoid in red robes, with piercing yellow eyes, narrows his vision, as he sees both the lizard and the crab start wading into the shambling horde.

Weighing his options, and the thoughts of all the materials he may gain from this occasion, he will try to get atop one of the buildings, and use his bow to put down some of the remaining humans, as the voice said to keep the town from not falling.


Climb:[roll0]
Attack:[roll1]
Crit:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]
Crit:[roll4]

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade

There appear to be only a few creatures out there (not including the fleeing civilians) who don't want her dead. She's no good to eat, but the zombies likely wouldn't find that out until they'd already torn her apart. She'll have to take what allies she can find. She gulps down a potion as she plans her next move...

She appears as a very small woman dressed in plain robes with a hooded cloak. A close look at her face reveals that her skin is an odd pale green.

Drink potion of Mage Armor
Move to get lined up properly on a clump of zombies so she can use Form of the Wave next round without hitting an ally or (too many) civilians.

[WarHunter]

Kaorin

Well that's a lot of new potential allies, best to stay away from them until the fighting is over, stealthy gets closer to a group of humans. I like their armor. Gazes down on his dark skinned form covered by his chain shirt, looks down at his four sleeves and scanning down to his claws. urg those armors aren't going to fit me(snarling) with a red glow from with in his goggles he surveys the battle to find an easy outlet of his fury. Spotting a small group cut from the rest by zombies he rush in to attack.

Stealth check total 27
Charge attack roll total 15

[~Corvus~]

Tokazu lashes out at several of the zombies, felling them in brutal strokes. The creatures manage to fully surround him now, and many, somehow understanding that he will be tough to bite, instead reach ineffectually for the humans dangled above him.


Attacks (no hits)
[roll0] [roll1] [roll2]
[roll3] [roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7] [roll8]
[roll9] [roll10] [roll11]
[roll12] [roll13] [roll14]
[roll15] [roll16] [roll17]
[roll18] [roll19] [roll20]
[roll21] [roll22] [roll23]


Niku has some trouble climbing on top of a house. However, close to Kanishi there are a number of humans--suffering horribly--that he sees a chance to kill. Several of them are prone and easy targets, and he dispatches one with a casual shot from his bow.

Jade lines herself up along the alleyway. She finds a great group of zombies near Kanishi the crab that will all fall prey to her well-aimed attacks.

Kyorlin travels south of the alley-way towards where samurai hold greater resistance. They instruct what appears to be slaves to pile the limp bodies in place to make a makeshift wall.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade lets go of her humanoid form for a moment and flows through a clump of zombies as a stream of pale green liquid, melting dead flesh in her path...

Form of the Wave through zombies, avoiding the crab and trying to end at a spot that won't be surrounded (line up to 90').
Damage [roll0] +acid [roll1] Reflex Save for half, DC 15
Recharge [roll2]

[Lightning Fast]

Though Kanishi's assault was unsuccessful, it seemed as though the zombies weren't particularly successful in theirs either. Most of their attacks bounced harmlessly off Kanishi's hard exoskeleton, with only one managing to bite through his shell... though not hard enough for the crab to take serious concern. He had plenty of delicious crab meat, and crabs were adept at regenerating their body-parts overtime.

Kanishi's pincers clack and click with surprise as a gush of green, acidic liquid blows through the area, eating away at the rottymen's flesh. "I was going to eat those!" he bellows, his back fins flailing in confusion and annoyance. Thankfully, there were still a few rottymen remaining, and they looked as though they'd be much easier to chew now. Once again, Kanishi reaches forwards with his claws, hoping to grasp the now-injured rottymen that are attempting to bite him. "Stop fighting me, dinner!"


Attack 1: [roll0]
Attack 2: [roll1]
Damage 1: [roll2]
Damage 2: [roll3]
Grapple 1: [roll4]
Grapple 2: [roll5]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin-
The sight of the defenses gives the draegloth pause. Having never seen a wall of limp bodies, he approaches while in his child of Shadow stance. He crouches down on the outer side of this wall to investigate the integrity of it.see next post for roll

[WarHunter]

Child of Shadow stance[roll0]

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Niku will loose his next arrow at the humans close to the Crab.


Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

[~Corvus~]

Tokazu continues to lash out against the horde of zombies near him, eating away at the humans he has. Each attack sends several of the zombies flying away, where they smash against a wall or end up sprawling, whereupon their brittle bodies break apart in the tumult.

Jade flows south along the corridor between the living quarters, and passes Kanishi halfway into her stride. His complaints, however, do not stop her, though. She passes by a shadowy creature in strange, skin-like armor who shoots arrows into the hapless humans to the south. Jade's motion washes past them all, bringing acidic death to human and zombie alike. At the end of her stride, she has cleared the entire corridor of the foul creatures, and managed to pass through a final clump near an otherwise-deserted building. The wave of acid flows through the barricaded doors, and shouts of surprise come from the other side.

Kanishi, engaged in the gathering of delicious corpses, finds himself stymied as five prime targets to his East dissolve. He must step into the living quarters for the last four "rotty men". He gathers two of them successfully, and devours them whole. The remaining two haplessly crunch at his shell but don't get through.

Niku, about ready to fire upon the same group of dying humans, barely misses being passed by the Acid-water creature flowing as a wave Southward. In its wake, there are only a few humans left, screaming in pain from wounds both acidic and bestial. He casually puts an arrow through the head of one within easy firing distance. The strange-furred creature and the Acidic one have gone south; the crab, occupied in the building to his West, seems to have a handle on the creatures. To his left, at the corner junction of several other barracks, the tall lizard stands and takes on a veritable horde of zombies that, to his credit, don't seem to faze him. There are at least fifty swarming him, all clamoring for the juicy and humans he holds aloft in his hands.

Kyorlin, facing south-east, takes use of his shadow-encased form to examine the area around him. The wall spans from the NE corner of what looks to be strong structure--an armory perhaps--and the wall continues to the Northwest, through a few ruined buildings and beyond his sight. It reaches seven feet high at most places. The few armored soldiers are on this side of the wall are intent upon filling a gap, and through it he can see what appears to be a fine cobblestone area, where many Samurai--nearly a hundred--assemble and wait patiently. Nearby, to his right, an acid-creature sweeps through the zombies and eliminates them; it stops just north of the Armory. About a hundred feet beyond her--to the West--a small group of armored humans and peasants face off against a large mass of zombies. Although the peasants die slowly, they are well-led in resistance by a few stalwart samurai that yell encouragement to boost their morale.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Heads along the wall to the pocket of resistance beyond the armory.
[roll0][roll1][roll2]

[~Corvus~]

Kyorlin moves fourty feet Northwest to where three Samurai drag bodies from a nearby destroyed building to a 10-foot gap in the corpse wall. Their task keeps one of them busy enough to not notice him; however, one of them points you out to the other two.

"An oni! It must be helping them reanimate our dead! Kill it!" Although one of them is too far away to attack him this round, the other two rush over to attack Kyorlin. One samurai stares him down, daring you to face him first; the other moves nearly into a flanking position, drops his club, takes a 5-foot step to flank, and puts his hand on a shortsword on his hip.

Samurai 1 Initiates a Duel of Wills (ToB 27; Opposed Intimidate checks (or Concentration if you have Unnerving Calm). If you submit, take -1 atk for combat; if you ignore the challenge, Sam 1 gains a +1 to atk vs. you; if you participate and win, Sam 1 gets -1 atk & you get +1 atk; same in reverse.)
Intimidate: [roll0] vs Kyorlin's 22. Result: Sam 1 gains +1 atk vs. Kyorlin; he takes -1 atk vs. Sam 1
Attack: [roll1] (crit) [roll2]
Damage (heavy mace): [roll3]

Samurai 2 moves 30' and takes a 5' step, drops his heavy mace, and readies himself for a Iaijutsu Focus attack (OA pg 58-59).

The first Samurai, surprised by Kyorlin's appearance, misjudges his attack and misses. The third Samurai has dropped his corpse and rushes towards the gap in the wall; he could potentially call over many more guards!

[Samurai 3 is 70' away from the gap in the wall]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Returns the samurai's glare with a fiery one of his own that promised a fate worst the becoming one of the undead.
He prepares to drops Darkness at his feet as soon as the 2nd Samurai prepares to strike.
[roll0]

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi feasts upon the corpses of the rottymen, chomping off their heads in a single bite and them swiftly swallowing large pieces of them whole. It doesn't take long for the crab to get his fill: after all, he's not much larger than the rottymen themselves. Crunching upon the bones, he ponders how they will make his exoskeleton strong and shiny. He seems completely oblivious to their taste and simply enjoying his scavenging. He wonders, briefly, where the humans have gone. Perhaps if they believe I am their ancestral beast, I can get them to bring me fish like the villagers back home...

He doesn't hesitate in dispatching the rest of his attackers, though: they have tried to chomp upon his delicious crab-meat, and had to pay the price for it. "I SHALL DESTROY ALL ROTTYMEN!" he screams out.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Attack 2: [roll1]
Damage 1: [roll2]
Damage 2: [roll3]
Grapple 1: [roll4]
Grapple 2: [roll5]

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade re-assembles herself and takes another look at her surroundings. She frowns as she realizes that she's hit several of the civilians as she traveled... but from the looks of things they'd only had moments to live. And... the crab can talk? She sees several other odd... people... fighting, some against the zombies, some against the humans... She swats at a still thrashing zombie and calls out to them.

"Does anyone here know whats going on? Were you all told to fight as well? And if we're lucky, one of you was told who we're supposed to fight?"

Attack nearest zombie (if any are still alive near her)
[roll0]
Damage [roll1] [roll2]

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

With the edge taken off his hunger Tokazou takes a moment to figure out his surroundings. The zombies are relentless however, constantly reaching for the remaining scraps of flesh he holds above his head in one hand. It took a moment before it sank in that they weren't really attack him at all anymore. Instead they really just seemed to want the meat he was holding. This he could sympathize with. He also liked meat. He watches them while moving the meat around, testing to see if they'll follow it.

Can I... can I train them? I will lead the hordes into battle! Until they get distracted.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Hearing the green watery woman calling out, Niku decides to respond.

"The voice I heard before being placed here, said that we should keep them from reclaiming this city. I believe it has more to do with the armored men, then it does with the undead that are running around.

With that said, he will call out to both the lizard and the crab, as he cannot tell where the fourth one has disappeared off to.

"Crab and Lizard, you should head towards the ones that have armor and weapons on them, as it seems that the dead cannot harm you, the men are to the south, they will be a better feast."

With that said, he will try to pick off another of the few survivors, and try to move on the rooftops to a better vantage point.


All said in High Rokugani

Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

[Avatar_Image]

???
From the top of the armory overseeing the Carnage, a small figure smiles. It is a good day to be in Rokugan.

[~Corvus~]

Kanishi's cry goes out to the fallen people around him. In its silence, he notices the relative silence around: there are no people, only mangled hands, entrails, spatters of blood and a ground awash with bloody mud and rotted flesh. In the building he's in, a few zombies contentedly feast on ripped-off arms and hands. The few near him, convinced he is not edible--or at least not appetizing enough--lose interest and shamble outside, where many other of the beasts shuffle to the South.

Tokazou finds that, indeed, as long as the creatures around him see the meat he holds, he has the interest of those zombies around him. In fact, to his South, he spots a few recently-dead humans currently only being eaten by a few zombies. However, with the disappearance of the bodies he held, the interest of those zombies around him quickly fade to apathy. Many of them mill south, picking up speed when they sense the fresh corpses.

A red-robed...man? in armor calls out:

"Crab and Lizard, you should head towards the ones that have armor and weapons on them, as it seems that the dead cannot harm you, the men are to the south, they will be a better feast."
He then turns and puts an arrow through the last thrashing form of dying humans in the corridor in which they appeared.

With the call of Niku near them, the three Samurai re-assess their situation. Samurai 1 says, "Hakao, Seijin! These meddlers are with the oni! Do not let them escape!" With that, he turns to Kyorlin. He seems to focus, his gaze concentrated and menacing, and strikes.

Samurai 3 looks at Samurai 2, then turns to Niku. He drops the body he carries and hefts is club menacingly.

Samurai 2 looks at Jade, and rushes over to attack her.

Jade looks near her surroundings and sees many zombies far off, to the East, and many to the North, shambling away from Tokazu. Nearer her, however, are two Samurai that turn towards her and Niku.
Would you like to have Jade attack the samurai?

Samurai 1 seems to focus more upon the Draegloth. He attacks with a powerful strike that leaves himself a little more vulnerable
Attack [roll0] Crit [roll1]; Kyorlin gets +1 (4-1-2) to hit him
Damage [roll2]

Samurai 3 He drops the body he carries and, as he strides towards him, hefts his club menacingly.

Samurai 2 Charges at Jade! For this attack, he draws his short longsword for an Iaijutsu Attack!
Attack [roll3] Crit [roll4]; Jade can make an AoO if she has one
Iaijutsi Check [roll5]
Damage [roll6]
Potential Iaijutsu dice [roll7] [roll8] [roll9] [roll10]
Damage

[Swami Monsoon]

From her experience, Jade knows that samurai are as predatory as any zombie... a fact that she is being reminded of painfully at the moment. She swipes at her attacker and then steps back and summons a cloud of mist to conceal herself...

AoO [roll0]
Damage [roll1] [roll]1d6]/roll]
Then take 5' step straight back from enemy, cast Breath of the Night (Fog Cloud) at his location.

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi glances at the acid elemental who dissolved his dinner-to-be earlier and shrugs as best he can with claws. "I will have to pull off their shiny shells to get at the meat inside. But it shall be worth it!" And with that, he skitters southwards with considerable speed, claws snapping and clacking as he does so. He scans the area for the armoured zombies as his skittering brings him closer to the lizard-creature.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
The draegloth strikes with its hatred a shadow technique coating one claw strike, taking a step away from the first Samurai. Shadow blade technique [roll0][roll1]

[WarHunter]

Aiming with the illusionary claw[roll0]

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

Glee quickly faded as the zombies found new things to distract them. Tokazou pushed his way to the front of the horde while waving the last uneaten bit of carcass at them shambling idiots. Perhaps they preferred fresher meat, or living meat? He went south to grab the fresh bodies so he could continue playing this new game.

Move south, bullrush zombie away from corpse, obtain meat

[roll0] (i'm assuming i win >.>)


He pushed the zombie away and lifted the meat aloft. "Food here! Follow! Follow!"

[Avatar_Image]

????
From the top of the bastion, a man throws a corpse onto the now massive wall of corpses. A warning resounds over the fighting.

"GET CLEAR!"

A torch is thrown. The entire wall is ablaze in moments, to tall and too hot for even the dead to traverse.

The still living defenders begin an orderly fighting retreat to the only opening between the roaring flames.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing is how his call to arms is bringing a target to him, Niku will oblige the fool with an arrow his direction.


Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

THWACK!!!!

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Looks at the gap and tries to fool the mere humans feeble minds. Using his innate drow magic he makes the gap burst into "flames".
bluff[roll0]

[~Corvus~]

Kanishi walks out of the building. South are others in combat, but no zombies he can see. North, zombies pack together around against Tokazu, and indeed, there are a few armored ones among the pack.

The black lizard bulldozes through many zombies with his charge South, past the building entrance, and flings away zombies that had been feasting on fresh bodies; One has an open and bleeding chest cavity, and the other with a fleshy but well-eaten arm. As Tokazu brandishes them toward the milling crowd, a few organs plop onto the ground; The zombies turn towards him, arms outstretched, clearly eager for the bloody feast awaiting them.

Niku fires an arrow through a gap in the Samurai's durable armor. They little time to respond, however, as two zombies come flying through the air at them.
"Bull rush" Z1 @ Jade: [roll0]
Z2: [roll1] S3: [roll2]
(failure means knocked prone but undamaged)


A body - whose clothes are lit on fire - plummets from the top of the armory. It lands upon the wall of corpses, and it bursts into flames. They burn furiously hot, although the flames do not jump between the gap immediately.

The several Samurai look around in shock. "They weren't supposed to light it yet!" "What are those farmhands doing in that armory?"

Jade manages an attack to ward the samurai off and places a fog cloud. "Kyaa! This oni can--Is this water magic?" The warrior makes a sound as if suddenly embarrassed by his outburst, and swings his sword through the mist at her. However, in the haze, he misjudges his attack and hits the hard stone of the armory to their immediate South. Where the fog nears the burning wall, it fades rapidly.

Kyorlin causes the gap to emit a pale red-orange glow. Although it's not a perfect disguise, no one tries to slip through the gap. The samurai attacks again, swinging his club in an attempt to escape being pinned between the now-burning wall and the draegloth.
[roll3] fire damage to Samurai
Concentration vs. Kaorin's AC: [roll4] Extra damage if succeed: [roll5]
Samurai Power Attacks for 1
Attack [roll6] Crit [roll7]
[roll8]

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade retreats into the fog until she reaches the armory wall. Then she starts up the wall, trying to get out of reach of the enemies...

Using Spiderwalk (24 hour duration, refreshed daily) which should still be up unless the teleportation somehow dispelled it.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
After narrowly escaping the cudgel, he sense the samurai's trepidation of being between him and the fire like being between the spider and it's web Kyorlin smirks as he reached out with his claw.[roll0]If weapon focus claw apply to melee touch attacks with claw[roll1]throws at the wall

[~Corvus~]

Jade realizes that she's there already; she can climb the wall immediately, and the Samurai who had his bearings swings into the mist where she just was. As she ascends, the melee below turns to a blanket of fog contrasted by the raging, flaming wall of corpses to her West. She can see brief peeks of everyone, but their position in the gloom is not assured.
http://i.imgur.com/rrPONy1.jpg?2

Upon the ramparts, she catches sight of another figure, the one from before.

Please describe what your character looks like.

Kyorlin thrusts his hand forward and through the stomach of the hapless samurai. Warm blood pools over Kyo's hand as he clenches the man's spine and tosses him onto the wall. His brief scream of pain soon fades as his thrashing form dies quickly.

Shouts and the sounds of pounding feet follow behind the wall; apparently, there is much going on the other side of the wall.

To the North of Kyo and Northwest of Niku, a building that the corpse wall abuts begins to catch fire.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seigin

Advancing on the rooftops if able, he will head to the northwest. If any more samurai get in his way, he will shoot an arrow at them.


Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade

First things first... she hunkers down on the roof out of sight and drinks a potion.

Use potion of Cure Light Wounds [roll0]

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi, ever-curious, follows the lizard and his posse of rottymen, picking up loose bits of meat and stuffing them in his mouth as he goes. He doesn't seem to care if they're rotted.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
One down, need more
Scanning for enemies around him he charges off at his next victimclaw[roll0]crit[roll1]damage[roll2]+sonic damage[roll3]critical damage[roll4]+sonic damage[roll5]

[~Corvus~]

The Fog Cloud provides a general atmosphere of confusion. It blankets the battlefield around Jade, Niku and Kyorlin
This is a 20' x 20' square, and it provides total concealment for anyone in its area. If you are adjacent to someone, you & others only have partial concealment (20% miss chance.)

Niku struggles at first to get a foothold on the building - he realizes that it's shifting because its eastern half has caught fire. However, he has an excellent vantage point on where the others are.
http://i.imgur.com/rrPONy1.jpg?2

Jade easily gulps down her potion, well out of reach from others.

Kyorlin spots a Samurai in the Fog, and charges. 1, 2: auto-miss. 3-10: attack will proceed with attack roll.
[roll0] He might have missed the warrior. Mists swirl ominously with his attack; the draegloth crashes into the Samurai with the fury of a thundercloud; a loud crack disperses some of the gloom around him, and the Samurai tumbles out of the cloud about thirty feet West. Niku and Jade watch the body tumble, entirely limp, into another crowd of hungry zombies that descend upon the just-deceased man, tearing at his armor and trying to find purchase past its rocky protection.

Kanishi manages to push past Tokazu, and ingests several zombies that are more intent on the (relatively) fresh corpses he dangles from his tall vantage point.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
ROAR, IS MINE.using Sudden Leap he tries to soar over the zombies while avoiding them. Tapping into his innate drow powers he casts dancing lights in the shape of a guardian near the fallen Samurai.[roll0]tumble[roll1]

[~Corvus~]

Kyorlin roars and startles the last remaining Samurai. As he leaps, he soars directly over the charging man, and he manages to land and tumble 15 feet away from the man. He swings his sword, and with the fog as it is, the Lights present themselves as a swirling mass.

The samurai laughs in triumph. "Hahaha!! Begone, foul oni! You may have vanquished my companions, but you shall not triumph here!"

He looks around for others...Spot (perception) [roll0]
...but he seems fairly distracted by the mists. In the distance, he sees the towering Tokazu to the North and hefts his mace, making his intent clear that he means to charge the great lizard.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Takes a few seconds to calm his blood thirst and recall a tactic he used earlier. He commands the dancing lights to follow the samurai.

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

The towering lizard snarls at the crab eating his toys, "These are mine! Don't eat them!" WIth that he ignored the crab and went back to what he was doing, leading the undead South. He locks eyes with the samurai, understanding this challenge on an instinctual level. He hurls the dead body he used to lead the zombies at the samurai.

Move south, throw body! Definitely an improvised weapon.
Ranged attack (-4) [roll0]
No idea how much damage a body would do if it hits ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[~Corvus~]

Tokazu hurls both corpses clumsily, and one of each hits the wall of the buildings along the corridor, a little past the Samurai. The Zombies surge southward, and pass by both Kanishi and Tokazu, now that three delicious specimens are present.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade propels a blob of acid at the one samurai she can see through the mist...

Eldritch Blast at S3
Ranged touch [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing the intent of a samurai to charge the Lizard from behind, Niku will (if his perch is safe for the round) try to put an arrow into the unsuspecting fool.


Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi was startled by the lizard's commands. Who was this scaly thing to order him around like this? Well, it was bigger than him, so perhaps it wasn't the best idea to try and mess with it. Nonetheless, he rose his pincers above his head and clacked them aggressively, as if to ward off any potential attacks from this creature.

As he clacks and clicks his pincers, he sidesteps back and forth while trying to make himself look as big as possible. Slowly but surely, he also follows behind the gaggle of zombies, curious as to what they're going to do next. "What is it you are trying to do, large lizard-man?"

[~Corvus~]

An arrow deflects off the Samurai's armor and the Acid Jade throws fizzles on its surface. The Samurak laughs in satisfaction. "Hahaha!! Perish to the void!" He then charges at Tokazu, mace raised to ward of a swipe as he enters the Tokazu's range.
Battle Leader's Charge - no AoO provoked; -2 A.C. next round
[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2]

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

The massive lizard eyed the crab with a degree of suspicion, still expecting him to eat his toys, but shrugged in response. "Not Lizard-man, Tokazou. To-Ka-Zou." He turned back to see the samurai charging at him and just barely deflected the blow. He roared in response and retaliated with tooth and claw.

Full attack vs samurai; bite, claw, claw.
Bite
To-hit:[roll0] Damage:[roll1]
Crit:[roll2] Damage:[roll3]
Claw 1
To-hit:[roll4] Damage:[roll5]
Crit:[roll6] Damage:[roll7]
Claw 2
To-hit:[roll8] Damage:[roll9]
Crit:[roll10] Damage:[roll11]

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade sends another streak of acid at the samurai

Eldritch blast at S3
[roll0] (Minus whatever penalties for target in melee/cover)
Damage [roll1]

[~Corvus~]

Jade's attack soaks through the Samurai's armor this time. He flinches, prepared for Tokazou's attack. He takes a hit from the lizard's claws, deflects the second -- barely batting away the body clenched in the lizards hand -- and fails to see the tail sweep into his side, though it seems his armor shielded him a bit better.

Bloodied, the Samurai seems unprepared for the Zombies that surge past Tokazou towards him and the mangled corpse like a wave of thrusting mouths and hands. In the back of the group, several of the mindless creatures appraise Kanishi with renewed interest.

[Avatar_Image]

???
When jade gets a clear look at the figure on top of the armory she sees what looks like a a lean militia man. Wearing scored armor and looking increasingly worried about what he sees to the southeast past the now burning wall.

Jade sees him frantically getting a hold of a signal flag desperately trying to get the rest of the men beyond the corpse wall to retreat.

The message should any of the party be able to understand it simply says "another wave is coming, fall back to the secondary line"

A second message "

We are sealing the last opening, Hurry!"

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Fearing his prey is about to meet his end at the claws of another, he rush into the fray, his stance still active though making no means to hide his deadly assault. The dancing lights helping his aim he wishes to be done with this task quickly.
The soulmeld is hungering for materials that must be gathered by spilling their lifeblood.attack[roll0]crit[roll1]if first attack missed eternal hatred[roll2]damage[roll3]critdamage[roll4]sonic damage2e[roll5]

[~Corvus~]

Kyorlin plunges is claws into a few gaps in the Samurai's armor. Blood dribbles down his hands and arms as the Samurai twitches and wildly flails in front of him. He mangles the bodies of five zombies before they descend on him, ready to tear at him and eat what they can. They pull off his helm in a clumsy wave of hands, and he begins to scream as they tear out his eyes, his skin, and soon his screams become lost to the sounds of teeth breaking on stone and a body being ripped apart.

The rush of hunger for new corpses seems to energize the zombies. Several on the fringes turn to Kyorlin, Kanishi and Tokazou.

Kyorlin
[roll0][roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3][roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6][roll7]
[roll8]
[roll9][roll10]
[roll11]
[roll12][roll13]
[roll14]

Kanishi
[roll15][roll16]
[roll17]
[roll18][roll19]
[roll20]
[roll21][roll22]
[roll23]

Tokazou
[roll24][roll25]
[roll26]
[roll27][roll28]
[roll29]
[roll30][roll31]
[roll32]
[roll33][roll34]
[roll35]


While most don't get through, a singular bite of the shambling creatures gets through each of your hides.

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi, starting to feel the pain from the bites of his rotting foes, begins retaliating in kind with a series of devastating claw attacks. YOU WILL NOT EAT MY MEAT! I WILL EAT YOURS INSTEAD! He flails around menacingly as he lets out his feral battlecry.

Attack 1: [roll0]
Attack 2: [roll1]
Damage 1: [roll2]
Damage 2: [roll3]
Grapple 1: [roll4]
Grapple 2: [roll5]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
STAY BACK YOU MINDLESS FILTH repulsed by the rotting human waste he strikes out with his claws, how many bodies will it take to gain an advantage on this terrian he wonders, switching his stance to step of the wind.
claw1crit1[roll1]ehatred on claw1[roll2]claw2[roll3]crit2[1d20+6claw1dmg[roll4]claw2dmg[roll5]critdmg1[roll6]critdmg2[roll7]

[Swami Monsoon]

Seeing no clear targets at the moment, Jade ducks down and keeps out of sight of the other person on the roof. If he wants to order a retreat, that's more than fine. Less people on the street who want her and the others dead... She takes a moment to drink another potion.

Use potion of Cure Light Wounds [roll0]

[~Corvus~]

Kanishi, with a brutal snap, cleaves one zombie in two. The others lose interest, seeming to desire instead an easier target. The flailings of each of Tokazou and Kyorlin seem to ward away many zombies, many of whom wander into the fog cloud. Several end up walking into the burning wall, and their hollow screeches merely attract attention to its unappealing nature.

Jade ducks behind a crate, preferring to avoid the human that has not taken interest in her.


To the west, Jade sees the battle against the zombies led by the peasant-and-samurai forces at a tipping point. Although the humans are outnumbered nearly three-to-one, they have formed several neat spear walls and are picking the zombies off as they come.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Draws a crossbow and sets a bolt with lower arms, meditating on the leap to the roof tops.
To large lizard would you mind giving me a hand, I promise you the meat from my kills this day if you succeed gestures towards the roof

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

The massive lizard seems confused, but nods agreement. He reaches down and rips the hand and forearm off a body and holds it up to Kyorlin.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Tilting his head to the side, his face cracking into smile, I'm going to enjoy your company my reptilian friend, my name is Kyorlin. Do you think you could throw me on to the roof? with that he can no longer hold back his laughter.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Niku will move from rooftop to rooftop towards where more of the heavier fighting is happening.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade works her way back down the wall. She knows of only a few possible allies. It's time to join up with them...

She will probably use Form of the Wave to get through the zombies and get closer to the others next round.

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi clicks and clacks in an attempt to intimidate the zombies. "Yeah, you'd better run!" He doesn't seem to fully understand what's going on.

[~Corvus~]

Niku cannot cross a 10-foot gap in rooftop without help or wiithout jumping. However, west he can see... peasants wield only sharpened stakes but, under the direction of Samurai ,
Hold off an advance of many zombies. They cover each other in a slow, controlled retreat.

South, the burning corpse wall produces voluminous amounts of grey smoke. However, in a gap through the burning, Niku can spot samurai fighting among what looks pitch- black, armor-clad giants with wild hair.

As Jade leaves the wall, the Zombies instinctively avoid her. She is able to proceed unmolested.

Meanwhile, a zombie that gets close to Kanishi tries to bite his claw; However, it is largely ineffective and loses interest when it appears to be chitin and not flesh.

[Avatar_Image]

???
From out of nowhere a somewhat petulant voice pops into your heads.

"You lot are late. I go too all the trouble of setting up this stage for you and you take your sweet time. No matter.

While you are amusing yourselves with the living and the dead, I have a schedule to keep. Make your way to the plaza, you can't miss it. It's directly behind the giant pile of burning mortals.

Should you require aid, one of my servants will be waiting for you there. You will know him by his eyes.

You might want to get moving or your going to miss the show. Or you can get caught up in next wave and die. Either or."

The condescending message ends there.

[~Corvus~]

From the North, Niku and Tokazou have sight of the source for a sound that, until now, has been soft and distant. Past the immediate buildings, thousands of zombies shamble South towards your area. As they move, the centre mass rises over buildings, which then collapse from the bodies' weight. Nearly 300 feet away, several longhouses crack; the bamboo structures give way and the tide fluctuates. Spurts of rancid blood and bones fly into the air. Unperturbed, the mass seems to travel south with purpose, as if they can sense something worthwhile nearby.
From the North, you all can hear a muted mass of groans, clacking teeth, and an occasional loud crackle and crunch that punctuates these sounds.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade leaves the fog and approaches the others in the street...

"Are you all hearing that voice too? I think that guy might have a point. There are a lot of zombies out there."

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Climbing down from his perch, Niku will head towards the others.

"There is a mass of undead heading our way, and they are devouring everything, I do not think even we can stand against them and come out unscathed. Breaking through the flaming mass of bodies may be our best chance as the voice said."

With that said Niku will head that way, seeing what he can do to try and break through or around the flaming barrier.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
There is gap in the wall I filled with faerie fire, though I'm not sure the plaza is through that part of the wall- it's harmless I promise gestures to the spot with both hands on the side near the wall.

[~Corvus~]

The house that Niku had been perched upon earlier has caught on fire and its east edge begins to collapse. Near the NE edge of the thick mist, the wall of grease-covered bodies burns and spits. Here, the fog actually seems to be fighting a losing battle against the intense heat. Jade, especially, feels uncomfortable; even 10 feet away from the wall, she can feel it.

However, true to Kyorlin's claim, there is an odd gap in the heat. Though it's tough to see at first among the shimmer and swirl of grease, fire, smoke and fog, it can be barely felt.

From the top of the stone guard tower, another torch comes down from the top. The wall on the other side of the tower sprouts flames; the massive wall erupts with an even more violent burst than how this wall started.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Hearing that, and trusting in the voice that brought them here/together/whatever, Niku will hop off of the building he is perched upon, and head into the gab, trusting in his abilities and symbiot to keep him safe.

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi is going to entirely ignore the zombies, and instead skitter towards the mysterious voice that's trying to guide him... while taking small bites of zombie at every chance he gets. The flesh tastes tainted, but Kanishi does not seem to care.

"... I do not want to go into the flames. The humans cook crabs to eat them. And I do not want to be eaten! I am a large crab, and I AM THE ONE WHO EATS!" He flails his claws about to project his dominance to the rest of the group.

If the rest of the group have any crablike tendencies, they will definitely be awed. And perhaps eager to lay eggs for him to fertilize.

Good job, Kanishi.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Whispers to his reptilian friend Should I cast faerie fire on him? Part of me want to see him react-hopeful thinking he is being cooked, though I just want to fool him into thinking he is fire proof.

[~Corvus~]

Niku no Seijin makes it through the gap in the burning wall, though the intense heat and flame deals [roll0] fire damage to his host-body.

The other side is a scene of carnage and destruction. Here, the ground is awash with blood, arrows, bodies and rubble. Building, burnt or broken, lie in swathes. To the Northwest, a castle is swarmed with more zombies. Walls on its Western edge have broken, and horrid rotten corpses lie broken upon its stones.

In front of you, what could be a gathering or ceremonial plaza is strewn with the mangled corpses of nearly two hundred Samurai. More bodies of what look to be dark-skinned giants are around. Directly south of niku, near the closed doors of the gatehouse, two of these dark-skinned giants confers with a single odd-looking man; another slays the last armor-clad spearman nearby in a brutal sweep of its crescent weapon.
https://i.imgur.com/uYNRkiQ.jpg
We know of your kind, Varoot. You are spies and knowledge-collectors. We would gladly bargain with you for some knowledge of these.
There are others of us nearby, although these rock-shelled humans fight with great ferocity. We can... the second, though wounded, turns a menacing, large-eyed grin to Niku. We can spare your friend, Varoot, if you agree to help us.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade watches Niku pass through the gap...

"That looks like it hurt. Does anyone have a way to widen the gap or damp down the flames?"

[Avatar_Image]

???
The odd looking man turns. And begins to speak.
"Such tactics are unnecessary great one. You will have what wish. Should you and your cadre survive the fury of the Crab's return my master will see to your needs. We can bargain when my task is finished however. I will tell you this though, as you have done a considerable service for my master this day, once that gate is breached things will become quite entertaining. I suggest you focus your efforts on that. By your leave."

With a slight bow to the hulking monster the odd man makes his way towards Niku.

As he approached Niku catches a glimpse of the mans eyes. They are clear with no pupils and reflect all caught within them. When he finally stops he's close enough for Niku to see himself.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin
Welp better getting going,
Chuul/Umber Hulk hybrid no is going to eat you if you go and eat them first. There is many to eat over in the plaza and that's where all the meat is heading.Kyorlin jumps over the gap in the wall[roll0]

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Getting through the flames, and finding that the heat still hurt, Niku will offer a prayer up to his brothers for health.

Upon hearing the large beings, and "Varoot" as he hears them call him converse, Niku will still, and see what happens with the others, and this being.

As he approaches, Niku will talk to him


"So are you the one the voice in the void sent to us, or sent us to. It seems as though those others have a better control of the situation then what we have had. Can you explain what is going on here, and why the voice chose us to come into this conflict?"



Niku will cast Lesser Vigor upon himself (1/hp a round for 12 rounds)

[Lightning Fast]

Panicking, Kanishi jumps after Kyorlin, using his many powerful legs to launch himself over the flames and towards the voice that had been commanding them. "I WILL NOT BE DEVOURED!"

... He has no idea what is going on, but feels as though accompanying these other odd-looking individuals will help him to find out.

[~Corvus~]

Kanishi and Kyorlin launch themselves through the gap in the wall. The searing heat seems to chase after them; a spurt of burning grease passes just before and after Kanishi's incredible leap.

Jade and Tokazou can see the large wall of zombies approaching at a steady pace. Nearly two hundred feet away, they are visible beyond the fog cloud.

[Swami Monsoon]

The zombies weren't waiting for anyone... Jade concentrates and once more becomes a flowing stream, aiming herself at the gap in the burning barricade...

Using form of the wave to shoot the gap, coming to a stop ~40 feet past it.

[Avatar_Image]

???

The strange man regards Niku for a moment and then bows to him and says "it is good to finally meet you my lord. I am called Tun, fogive me but I will explain what I can when the rest of your companions arrive."

Saying such the now revealed Tun straightens and waits.

[~Corvus~]

Jade makes it through the gap without too much issue. Despite her form, her body objects to being so close to a raging fire. [roll0] Fire damage.

It seems that Tokazou has forsaken the rendezvous, at least for now.

The horde advances closer. Perhaps Tokazou 's having too much fun bashing random zombies together; perhaps it's because he's mesmerized by the horde. About 150 feet away, Tokazou can see the great horde approach. It does have an end; however, it's impossible to judge the sheer number of its masses with his young brain.

The Wang-Liang seem to have finished conferring and have traveled South-east in the time it takes Tun to gather you all.

[Avatar_Image]

Tun

The strange man looks upon the now reunited, if somewhat singed, group with a calm face. He seemed to be waiting for something. He tiltes his head to see if any others would be arriving. None do.

He began too speak "How odd. I was told there would be more." He seemed slightly disturbed by this, though for what reason he did not say.

"Very well." He seemed to collect himself and with a deep bow he spoke. "Welcome, my Lords, to Rokugan. I must apologize about your rough arrival. You were supposed to enter this plane three days ago. But I suppose with how contested this world is this is the best we could expect."

He righted himself. "You may call me Tun, at your service." He began to move away and gestured for them to follow. "If you would follow me, we have much to discuss."

The being makes his way towards the bastion and motions them inside. Once inside they come across another scene of carnage. The dead miltia and samurai alike are strewn about in in ones and twos, a desperate struggle for survival happened here.

But something was strange. There were only human corpses. No undead, no giants, nothing.

The man takes the scene in. He seems sad, but quickly moves on and turns back to the group.

"Now we will have a little privacy. The Wang-liang are excellent killers and make fine mercenaries but will do anything to gain an advantage. Now, I believe you had questions?"

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Knowing that his "brothers" like playing long running schemes on him, he thinks that they may have a hand in the shift to this plane.

"The Voice had said that we needed to prevent "them" from reclaiming the city before we first arrived here, if you could, clarify what faction the "them" stands for. And if possible why this city is so important to the plan(s) of this magnitude. Also, if the Wang-Laing are such good mercenaries, why go through the effort of pulling us from where we came from? I have more questions, but I'll allow the others to bring forth their concerns before asking an more."

[Avatar_Image]

Tun

"In reverse order, the wang-liang are honorable creatures and forthright to a fault but are some of the worst opportunists. This city is important becuase it is one of the focal points on Kai's wall. As to what the voice told you I have no idea. I am not privy to whatever was shared. Only that I am to aid you however and wherever I can."

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade

"So there are two armies out there, both of which will try to kill us on sight. Are you and the, uh, wang liang supporting one of those sides or a third party? My new companions are quite impressive, but how are we going to make a difference against armies? And who's Kai?"

[Avatar_Image]

Tun

"Kai's wall refers to Kaiu, the man who designed and made the wall out there possible in the face of nonstop assualts from Jigoku, the forces of darkness."

Tun pauses, and the says "One of those armies may not necessarily be a problem. I may be of assistance there."

He reaches into a satchel on his person and presents a number of items.

A regal looking signet ring and letter, an ornate box with a symbol of healing, a necklace of smooth wooden spheres shining with light, a flask with rainbow liquid within, and a talisman the shape of a crab's claw.

"These items may be of use to you. "

"As for your use on this plane, that is entirely up too you. Just know the more you act in accordance to your summoning, the greater and more expedient your rewards. Enough so, that with time, armies will matter little. "

With that he waits.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

I don't really have any questions, I mean beyond the usual ones- where to get more power, wine, a room, and some rothe would be nice but that may be me getting home sick. he casts his eyes down remembering the only place he has ever been before.

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

After significant distraction swatting zombies, Tokazou made it through the burning wall and looked at the rest of the group. He was naked and his black scaled were spattered in gore, especially around his forearms and mouth.

"Trinkets? Games?" He squats down and turns the crab claw talisman over. "You bring food?"

[~Corvus~]

Around inside perimeter of this twenty-foot tower a staircase rises then branches towards the centre of the building near its ceiling. The austere stone walls have no decorations, although two walls have simple hooks that hang thick, long clubs lined with metal. A few are missing, and you see many of them on the corpse-littered ground. Though there are a few broken tables and chairs, further evidence of whatever killed the guards is missing.

Outside, you hear the muted crunch of buildings resonate among the dull shambling of the undead crowd. A rush of voices greet the closed doors, and two of the large-sized Wang-liang enter.

One of the dark-furred giants says, "Tun, as agreed, we're ready to dismantle the wall." The other nods in respect to the silver-eyed agent, but he also grimaces. "We must consider the castle garrison. Archers are gathering there; if they assemble in good numbers, and from the castle'ss fortifications, our strength will be meaningless amongst their numbers."

"Okay...A few of us were going to secure the docks. There's barely any guards left, and if we clear them out, perhaps we can ship in more allies." Both of them them turn their predatory gazes to the party.

"Say...we could use a hand there, so we can secure the castle."
"Yeah. We would be glad if you'd all help secure the docks. What do you say?"

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi glances jealously at the crab claw talisman. ""Shiny..." He reaches forward with a claw, frustrated when the large lizard-man yoinks it away. "That matches my hands, and would look very nice embedded in my shell. Riiiight..." he points to the back of his shell, a specific bump with a small crevice upon it. "Here."

Upon the mention of the other army, Kanishi seems genuinely confused. "Funny, the humans here did not seem to attack or fear me... he says, rubbing his eye with his mandible in contemplation, "... and why are there so many crab-things about?" Kanishi seems genuinely confused. This level of crustacean iconography was unheard of, even near the fishing community near his cave that loved the sea so much.

"Fisherman are at docks. And fishermen have fish." Kanishi glances around, skittering from side to side. "I am ready! Let us proceed towards the dock, so they can give me tribute!" He pauses. "Unless they have spears. If they attack is with spears, I shall destroy them. It is a 50/50 chance, in my experience."

[Avatar_Image]

Tun

Tun nods at the entering giants. "The armies of Rokugan are tenacious, however when that gate is breached they will have larger more dangerous foes to battle. Great enough to escape their retribution this day."

He turns to Kanishi and tells him that the humans in this city worship the Crab as one their guardian spirits. All crabs of Rokugan are considered the great crabs children and are honored as such. Which brings them into contention with the other clans who only see them as food.

"If there are no other questions then my current task is complete." He turns to the wang -liang. "My services are now available for a fair price."

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade has few concerns about the fate of the samurai. She knows from experience that they are as much predators as any zombie. But there were others in this city who might not deserve what's happening to them. A few, at least...

"What do you plan on doing with this city when it's taken? Who will rule here?"

[~Corvus~]

One of the Wang-Liang says to Jade, "WE will rule here. This was originally our home; we will take it back and brook no Humans that diminish our return. The Crab" it emphasizes with a menacing growl, "may be more honorable amongst others of its kind, but they actively supported its acquisition instead of dealing with us. For thousands of years we've looked forward to this invasion; until we have back homeland, we will not make promises about the future."

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi's tiny crab brain struggles a bit. He can't understand why these folks are doing this to humans that worship crabs. If they worshiped crabs, then...

"... If these are the lands of the crab, does that mean I am king?" Kanishi perks up. "These humans will not attack me with spears, then..." The idea fascinated Kanishi. Some of the men near his cave would sometimes bring him fish in hopes of appeasing a wrath he had no interest in bringing down on them. In truth, he only wanted to be left alone, or at least be safe from their nasty harpoons and fishing spears.

... But perhaps if he made friends with these crab-worshipers, they would bear their spears for him instead of against him? "... These particular men do not sound so bad. They recognize the inherent superiority of the great crustaceans of the sea, after all!"

[zabbarot]

Tokazou

The great lizard stared at the claw trinket for a moment before licking one side and sticking it to Kanishi's shell. He made an attempt to follow the conversation but was more than a little confused.

"Do crab people taste like crab or people?"

[~Corvus~]

The Wang-liang snickers at the musings of Kanishi. "They revere Oo-aka-no-hida, the Great Red One. I would be surprised if the people of this city kept to their traditions of old."

The other Wang-liang turns to Tun. "Perhaps we can talk above. We have arrangements we would like to arrange for but..." it looks to the five of you. "But it's a private matter."

A flutter of wings comes from above. A raven, larger than most, flies into the tower from above. A letter, sealed with wax dangles by string in its beak; it expertly flies to Tun. Once it deposits the letter in his hands it flies away.

All you can read without opening it are the following:

"silver-eyed Tun"
Hidago City, The Wall, South Rokugan
http://i.imgur.com/V0rh123t.jpg
Delivered by Raven's Guild of Couriers: Excellent service. No questions asked.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

As I don't have enough crossbow bolts to take on a wall of archers I will be going towards the docks, now how are we spitting up the goods our friends here are providing us.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

"First off perhaps an explaination of the items you are providing us is in order, so we can figure out who to give them to. Then we can head to the docks in a show of good faith for the future."

Awaiting and hearing Tun's description of the items, and then figuring out how to divide them.

"Also what would be the best way to get to the docks, avoiding the army of the dead out there, as we are not from the country."

[~Corvus~]

"Also what would be the best way to get to the docks, avoiding the army of the dead out there, as we are not from the country."

The Wang-Liang answer this one. "You'll need to make your way around the north side of the castle. Follow the corpse-wall on this side; you'll pass through the market square, and see a wide paved road. Follow that to the docks. Only problem is, you'll need to be sneaky.

No small task, especially with..." he looks at Tokazu "Y'know, he might actually be better-used in our assault on the castle. Plenty of guards to eat. They will taste better than the peasant rabble by the docks. And you..." he appraises Kanishi.

After a few moments of sombre contemplation it speaks. "You know, they abuse their people; take the peasants' best grains. The same ones they let get turned to Zombies, they steal the women they want, have their way with them. Really, we're doing the peasants a favour by taking this city; it has been a place of oppression and evil even we would not stoop to. If you're to aspire to be a savior of this city, a king, you'd help us take these bad soldiers down. They deserve to suffer."

[Avatar_Image]

Tun
As he reads the message Tun's face twists for a moment and says "All is as expected then." He rerolls the letter and places it in his satchel.

He turns to Niku and replies. "The items are somewhat tailored for your use. The letter is just a letter, it says that your party are Imperial agents and work for the good of Rokugan. It should give some leeway for the Clans. The signet ring is a magical ring, it shows that the bearer is a respected meember of the shugenja and allows greater diplomacy with all fair people of this land."

He gestures to the box "This box is a magical healing kit, it differs feom the norm as it can heal wounds to a person, the more skilled the more restoration occurs. You will find that sources of healing are hard to come by on this plane, this box will aid you until you can find a suitable replacement."

His hand drifts to the flask. Almost tenderly. "This flask is just glass, the liquid within however are tears freely given from a being of great knowledge. Should one imbibe these tears great knowledge will come to them. But be warned though this flask will refill itself, it does so at her whim. It is best if used sparingly."

He points at he talisman Tokazu and Kanishi are fighting over. "That talisman is a piece of an old story. It represents the Great Red One's early days where it needed to Hide to survive. Should you find the other pieces of his story, greater abilites will be unlocked."

And finally his hand rests on the glowing beaded necklace. "If you are to walk amongst this land, Kyorlin would be murdered on sight. However, this necklace will allow the Rokugani to believe he is bound. You must be judicious in your wrath, for if you are they will not suspect. It's center piece is imbued with the light of a holy being. Given his status as creature of darkness, this may cause discomfort, but it will be worth the price"

He turns to kyorlin. "Given your circumstances I know this must grate horribly, however there is an upside to wearing this. Lolths grip on this plane is tenuous at best and the magic wrought by her worshipers all the weaker for it. Should you wear this necklace for long enough, it may be able to return you your old self again."

He turns to the party at large. "I had other items but most were destroyed during the uprising. It will take me some time to renew my stock, untill then all I can provide is what I know. For a fair price."

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi seems pleased once the talisman has been given to him. "If this is from the Great Red One, then I believe this belongs to me! ... His... son? Grandson? I am not good at religion; I did not even know that we crabs had a god. But seeing as I am the largest crab, it only makes sense that I am his heir!"

"Hmm... that flask looks familiar..." Kanishi mutters. There was something about that liquid and its knowledge-enhancing properties that seemed... apt to his backstory. He didn't entirely remember what, though.

Kanishi ponders the statements made by this Wang-Liang about the oppression of the samurai.

SENSE MOTIVE: [roll0]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Bound? he reaches out with an unclawed hand for the beaded necklace.What does that mean? How am I suppose to act while "bound"
Also you said the dock was mostly peasant rabble does that mean the castle assault will have more samurai?

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade is confused. They're being asked to fight. That makes sense, considering that most of this group appears to be brawlers of some sort. But the magical items suggest diplomacy and espionage. How is that going to happen in the middle of what looks like an all out war? She winces at the Wang-Liang's comments...

"How are the peasants going to be free if they end up eaten, which is where this appears to be going at the moment... You're seriously going to protect them and then fairly govern the city once the fighting's over? I find that hard to believe from what I've seen."

Sense motive [roll0]

[~Corvus~]

The Wang-Liang shake their heads and look at each other.

"I think you have the wrong idea about this land; only the brutal survive. Few people can live a life free from its clutches and say they can find peace. You fight for what you get. If it is not humans, the it is the naga; if not the naga, then other spirits clamor for dominion of your space. The humans fool themselves into saying they protect the land.

Many hundreds of years ago, the Samurai slew a guardian of this area and blamed the deed wrongly on us. They had sealed the land with magic, binding it away and forcing its life-essence to the bidding of their shugenja. Even far away, we felt its recent stirrings, so we returned. The last few days, this city has endured a rebinding ritual that went afoul; the Kami, in its fury at being bound, reached out and subverted the magics. Now, the humans taste the kind of power forced on the Kami.

These docks? This area of the city? From the tenacity of the samurai here, this is the last area that has not fallen to the Blighted Walkers. All their friends, their neighbors? They are dead. They may struggle, but you would be doing them a mercy compared to the wrath of the Kami; if you'd watched them turning to the Blight, then you'd know.

But we know the spirit well, and it knows us. We have an agreement. Our return will bring us both peace.

Jade sees many reasons to believe them.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

After hearing Tun's explaination of the items, and looking them over once more, Niku will turn to his companions.

"Is anyone skilled in the arts of healing besides myself? Also I feel as the one that looks the most like a human, I feel that I may be the best choice for trying to "talk" to the Clans, or at least get us an in, that the rest of us could exploit."

With his bit said, he will ponder what the Wang-Liang and Tun have said.

"Also Tun, before we part ways, is there an effective way to contact you should we require something specific that you could acquire for us? It seems horribly inefficient to just wait and hope that our paths cross at an opportune time."

[Avatar_Image]

Tun

Tun smiles. "Have no fear. Any item I have created can connect to me. Merely focus your thoughts upon an item within your possesion and I will hear."

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade looks down at the her torn clothes and the trickles of diluted acid leaking from her injured skin.

"Somebody here is trained to use that healing device? It appears several of us could benefit from that..."

Jade is currently down 10 HP

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi seems completely convinced by these nice gentlemen.

"In that case, let us go and... uhm... kill more things?" The crab seems confused. "... I believe that my shell will hold up fine against anything. Even if it is a bit dinged up."

((OOC: I've only taken like six points of damage, if I recall correctly.))

[~Corvus~]

The door bursts open again. A bearded Wang-Liang enters. "I just came back from the Docks through the Northeast Road. They're pulling back guards. We..." His eyes sweep over the assorted party. Another of his kind nods to him and he continues, "We should be making our plans and bargaining for his services. Every moment we waste is dangerous. Let's go upstairs. One who calls himself Tun? You are known to us. Yes, let's talk about services."

The three giants grab Tun away from the party and crowd him upstairs.

With those Wang-Liang gone, a series of options face you. You can...
A) Travel NE to the docks and see what's happening
B) Try to sabotage the command structure of the Wang-Liang
C) Escape the area and try to rescue others
D) anything else?

[~Corvus~]

Upstairs, you hear muted discussion. It seems to be carried out barely above a whisper.

[~Corvus~]

You all can hear the muted flames from both walls of corpses from the gatehouse. There is a milling sound from the zombies outside, and sounds of dead-like surprise. Likely some Zombies have wandered into the wall or been pushed into it.

[Lightning Fast]

"So... what now? The docks?" Kanishi suggests.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

We should go storm the castle,
Greater the risk greater the reward, if we assault the mainforces head on we would have less new "allies" that we would have to risk attacking us by mistake and less ways to split the spoils of the combat. turns towards the chuul/umber hulk hybridmy dear "crab"
friend I believe the giants were saying that they no longer hold the crab highest in there hearts even if they don't attack you now they may get orders from a different clan to remove you at best. You need to show them that you are mightier than their current deity named the great red one by lay them low if they don't bring you tribute as soon as possible.
Any that submits to your worship we shall spare even if they are samuraiKyorlin snarls at that.diplomacy[roll0]

[Swami Monsoon]

"We should be cautious... scout out both places and get more of an idea what's going on here. We're tough but we're not exactly an army."

What Jade doesn't say is that she wants some time to talk things over while their new hosts aren't listening in.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijun

"Jade if you'd like I'll try to use the healing kit."

After hearing everyone's imput.

"I can go either way, docks or castle, I'm not the sneakiest being, nor am I one for direct confrontations. Though the castle may have better loot, the docks will provide a possible way out from this town away from the horde of the undead."


Heal:[roll0]

[~Corvus~]

Jade feels her wounds closing, and in fact she's better than OK!

Healed for 16 HP; any leftover healing is granted as temporary HP for 1 hour.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

didn't Tun say you could make it so the undead don't attack us? looks over to the lizard and "chuul/umber hulk hybrid"might have to stop playing with like they are food, though. I can be stealthy as I move but I not a great observer.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing the effect on Jade, Niku will look at his other "companions".

"Could anyone else use a little healing before we decide and head out?"

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Look away and mumbles I am not used to asking for such things.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade thanks Niku.

"I'm ready to move out whenever you are."

She's more than ready to get away from their mysterious minders and get a better idea of what's going on.

[~Corvus~]

The discussion of which way to proceed grinds to a halt as Tokazou again becomes distracted; this time by all the sundry weapons arrayed on the wall.

Outside, a sound of zombies clamoring against the corpse wall makes a momentary din, before dying down; the sound waxes and wanes like waves of hungry flesh crashing into a burning shore.

The discussion between the Wang-Liang and Tun seems to have concluded. The giants tromp downstairs, and they give you all amused stares before wandering out the door. Tun must have disappeared; the tower remains quiet for a few seconds, and the smallest of creaks emanates from one of the open doors.

You notice that perched before you lies a simple choice. In the distance to the North looms the castle; the Wang-Liang are joining others of their kin that have already begin an assault of the fortress.

A meandering road to the Northeast leads down a lazy incline to the many buildings arrayed at the docks. Beyond, you can see the edges of a few ships peeking over the hill's crest.

To the South, the burning corpse wall curves into a residential area, and you can see the burning of houses that is still ongoing. Still, this could also be an option to explore.

Docks - Kanishi, Jade
Castle - Kyorlin
Either way - Niku
Comatose - Tokazou

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

"If you need the help, I am not afraid to offer it. It would be foolish to rush into a situation with injuries that could hamper oneself."

With that said if Kyorlin will allow it, Niku will use the kit on him as well.


Heal:[roll0]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Feels great, better than he has felt in weeks, he gives you a curt nod of what passes for appriasion amongst his people. Fine we go to the docks, now the question is do we go in with volleys of bolts pats his two hand crossbows in there hip holstersor do we try to get them to submit to their crab god here gestures to the thing that he is beginning to think is not a chuul/umber hulk hybrid but some sort of aquatic vermin like a wide scorpion minus the tail.

[~Corvus~]

As you all stand within the gatehouse, A horrible feeling of wrongness envelops the atmosphere. It is as if a billion particles cry out in terror and then become silent. A negative-light flash, a temporary darkness that dazzles your eyes, envelops Tokazou; the next moment he is gone.

The feeling passes. Muted sounds of battle and zombies hitting the burning walls still come. The world seems intact.

[WarHunter]

Ryorlin

Reaches out with his right hands toward where his reptilian friend was.Noooooo....clenches his extended hands into fists as he brings them back to his chest, blood starts to spill from his grimped claw[roll0]I will miss you my lizard friend, he chokes back a sob- I wanted us to have a great many battles together as talking mount and rider. I swear our enemies will taste our vengeance. uses his demonic blood as warpaint.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade hits the deck when Tokazou is vaporized in a flash... She looks around to see where the missile or spell came from. Nothing. She cautiously gets back to her feet, staying away from the windows.

"Who the hell is shooting at us... and with what? Docks or wherever, we need to get out of here."

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

You're right we need to get moving so as to exact revenge later. his goggles appear to be have a little pools of moisture in the bottom of the lens. before we get closer to our next opponents we should tell each other what we are roles in battle we are proficient in.

[~Corvus~]

You all make your way towards the docks. The buildings are arrayed on a strange grid along the gradual decline to the ocean. You reach a partially-burned and wrecked building with a centralized view of the area.

The docks make gentle curves from the Northeast of the city to the East. There is a tall tower arrayed at the seaside edge of the Eastern section, and moving towards the land, you can see a large shipyard for both construction and launching of vessels. Peasants and laborers bustle between it and up a hill to a lumberyard on flattened land across from your perch.

Most of the squat buildings that lead to the docks are devoid of evident occupation, save two: one is the shipyard (E); the other, a longhouse, is arrayed along the road that leads from your location towards the ocean. Outside the longhouse, a few spear-bearing soldiers guard its entrance with stiff posture. Behind this longhouse, he road splits and leads to each pier. Most of the piers are unoccupied; however, there are three ships docked and in the process of being loaded by lines of peasants to and from the shipyard.

Around the ships, groups of spear-bearers and broad-shouldered samurai lounge as they wait for their ships to be loaded.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Answering Kyorlin, "I'm more of an archer than a fighter, with the capability of using magics."

Upon their walk, and cresting of the hill, while surveying the scene, "While the shipyard will make a nice bartering chip to use, killing or capturing those samurai and peasants will be good for us."

With that said, Niku will wait for the others to respond before he starts raining death upon the humans.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Groans Normally I would eagerly commence a raid, causing wanton destruction but I promised our crab friend here that we would give them a chance to submit to worshipping him before we put them down. As it might make our approach more pleasant. wickedly grins.

[~Corvus~]

https://i.imgur.com/HkydTV5.jpg?3

A peasant can be seen running south along the north road to the castle. He carries a banner that reads
Lord Ogatai
2nd division

He clutches a scroll of some kind, and seems fixed on a location past yours. He puffs with effort, as if he's determined to get to his destination immediately.

Your characters notice that some in the lumber yard have already noticed the runner. They point to him and a few pause in their duties to await the runner's arrival.

[Doxkid]

A dog easily as large as a man approaches from the south along the same path the courier ran; in fact it seemed to wait until that man passed it and drew your gazes over its form before approaching, its pace steady and purposeful. A few dozen steps away it comes to a stop to allow its red eyes glaring out from a half-tamed mass of black fur.

"You answer the call of the voice? I smell the promise of power. The same as my own." Each word is spoken sharply disconnected from the others and it's deep voice may as well be a territorial growl, but still the words are clearly audible and clearly understandable.

"I am here to kill. To ruin. Are you?"

[~Corvus~]

The messenger reaches the Lumberyard, and many people scramble for the lower regions of the docks as the messenger sits down for a bit.

The runners proceed to the longhouse. Not even minute later, roughly twenty-five men in leather jerkins, five swordsmen, and two teams of men pushing carts laden with spears emerge and travel North towards the castle.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade watches the platoon depart.

"If we're going to take this place over, that is probably our opening."

[Doxkid]

"Good enough." Seeing as his fellow contractors under The Voice do not respond directly to him but do not show hostility either, he accept their presence as slightly suspicious objects. That one of them at least wishes to take over this place suggests they won't move to stop him, which is all he could ask for here.

"I will kill the runner. Clean out their nest. Chase them down. Play. Kill and eat, again and again.

You do as you must." Yhrashnal stalks toward the now empty longhouse, low against the ground and as focused as a hungry beast.

Yhrashnal will stick to his Wolf form. As per Change Shape special ability he takes on several wolf traits. Relevant info: +10 bonus on Disguise checks to pass as a Wolf, Loses his Claw attacks, changes his base Movement speed to 50 from 30, and can attempt to trip (at +4 modifier from strength mod) on a successful bite attack.

Will his movespeed of 60 (50 base, +10 from Savage Trait) he can hide/move silently and still move at 30ft per action.

Hide check: [roll0]
Move silently Check: [roll1]

He'll get as close to the runner as he can manage unless someone protests.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

To attack that Carvan of supplies for the castle or just the docks? What is that beast that was talking to us? Is it a demon or some magical surface beast?

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi is eager to see the crowd of peasants, and once the samurai are long-gone, scuttles out into full view, clacking his claws and prominently displaying his brand new Talisman of the Great Red One. "PUNY HUMANS!" he bellows. "I have come to return you to the fold of the Great Red One! Give up for false god and return to His Clawfulness!" The aggressive waving of his various appendages seemed to indicate he was quite excited at the prospect of doing his crab ancestors proud. He offers a silent plea to his new god: Great Red One, hear my prayers, give me a sign of your will so that I may spread it!

[~Corvus~]

The peasants look at Kanishi in shock. Several of them whisper to each other, and one of them runs forward to throw salt at the giant crab as he wields his claws in grandiose manner. They look intently at his form.

When Kanishi doesnt waver in his crustaceous majesty, they murmer amongst each other. Another peasant steps forward, his hair ragged. Bags under his eyes show his state of rest. "If you are truly a Kami, perhaps you can do something about our city being overrun. There are terrible Oni about, and the Corrupted Bodies of our dead that walk again. Go deal with them and we'll consider you a...a benefactor. This week has been a one of terrible death and misfortune. Set it right, or tell us what we must do. Until then, O crab, we have work to do."

The gaggle of workers stop their gathering and their jaws set. People go back to cutting or finishing woodwork; they go back to putting black and clear sticky fluids on boards, and the messenger, much recovered, sets down a waterskin and takes his scroll in hand.

The messenger sets off down the road, entirely unaware of the canine shadow that stalks towards him on his return path to the castle.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Slowly starts to grin and whispers My dear crab friend they don't seem to bow to your worship, They want you to work for them like some elected public servant. That one is even running away likely to get people to catch and cook you. We should kill him, all these worker, and their guards to teach them a lesson. I can shoot the messenger, two of us can shoot that messenger, you know....to keep you from becoming food.

[Doxkid]

The beast ignores everything else. The crab and it's preaching, the soldiers in the distance; all of this is insignificant compared to sinking its fangs into its chosen prey.

There is no warning. No roar or shout or howl. Only a sudden chill in the air, far far too late for it to matter. One moment there is nothing and, in the the next, there is Yhrashnal and his teeth closing that last bit of distance keeping him from his next meal.

Yhrashnal charges the poor guy, closing that last bit of distance, and bites 'em. Charging grants a +2 bonus to his attack roll and lowers his AC to [12]until the next round. Becoming adjacent to Yhrashnal inflicts his Aura of Despair upon the opponent. Will save DC 12 or it suffers -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.

Attack roll (with +2 from charging) [roll0]
Bite Damage: [roll1]

Because he is currently in Wolf form he gets a free Trip attempt on his bites. Trip attack strength check [roll2]

[~Corvus~]

As the messenger returns to the castle, he passes by the ruined house. One moment, the beast is waiting at the wall, watching the messenger, stalking for its angle. At a choice moment, it lunges for the man's throat. There is no time for surprise; his form goes to the cobblestones and bounces behind a nearby house. The man lies, dying, as blood pours from his neck.
He does not struggle; why should he try? The man finds release, his legs twitching as Yrashnal chews on the neck of his victim.

---

A few peasants look back to see the messenger gone. Kanishi, Jade, Niku and Kyorlin can hear one of them yell to the others, "The messenger!! He's disappeared! Where'd he go?"

The few peasants near Kanishi turn expectantly towards him. "Well, crab-benefactor? Are you going to make sure our messenger wasn't taken by oni? Or are you a pretender that is secretly in league with the oni?"

[Lightning Fast]

Kanishi gives as close to a nod as he can, then scuttles along after the messenger. "I have eaten many rotty-men and am full. This is not necessary..." he says quietly to Kyorlin. In truth, Kanishi was almost always hungry. Must have something to do with the growth.

Nonetheless, he continues, hoping to reverse his earlier misfortunes.

[~Corvus~]

Kanishi looks near the building where the man has fallen. His throat has been severed at the neck; bloodstains on the stones and on his shirt reveals his recent death beyond any shadow of a doubt; a dog, the same one that had talked to you just a few minutes ago, nearly 4 feet on it haunches, munches on the man's shoulder muscles. What fine shoulder muscles he has, too! They look nearly as appetizing as a fisherman's.

One peasant grabs a rudimentary spear and begins to walk down the path towards where they last saw him.

Clearly you'll have to think of something, and fast.

[Swami Monsoon]

"Wait here, we'll check on this."

Jade tries to reassure the crowd and then follows the crab in search of the missing messenger, but she's got a sinking feeling about what just went wrong.

[~Corvus~]

"Wha- What is--?" Upon seeing a woman of green-colored skin, the two peasants that have continued to pay attention startle and grab clubs. The other workers, content that the three watchers are OK, continue with their duties with due haste.

"What's happened to your skin?" These two look nervous, and they catch up to the third watcher. "Have Oni corrupted your skin?"

They move to within 10 feet of the ruined structure and have spotted neither Niku nor Kyorlin.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal spends a bit of time savoring his meal (mostly gnawing on bones until he gets bored and accidentally snaps them in half) until he notices another prey approaching. With a means to replenish his power secured in the form of the dead runner, he decides now would be the perfect time to test the limit of his magical abilities.

And Yhrashnal, in all his massive glory, trots toward the unsuspecting target and imposes his will upon it. "C'mere." He 'whispers' to it, his voice more tactile than audible.

Yhrashnal chains a few abilities on the unfortunate being approaching him. He walks up to it, bringing it into range of his Despair Aura, drops Hexblade Curse on it, and then uses his Charm Person SLA.

(Move action) walk up into melee range of the approaching person. with a 60 ft move range he'll probably reach this distance lickity split, so he takes his time and walks slowly.
(Automatic) Despair Aura: will Save DC 12 or suffer -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.
(Swift Action) Hexblade Curse [2/3 uses remaining if successful, 3/3 uses remaining if failed): Will save DC 12 or suffer a -2 penalty all dice rolls.
(standard Action) Barghest Charm SLA [0/1 uses remaining]: As per Charm Person. Threatened beings receive a +5 to this save. Lasts 2 hours.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Whispering to Kyorlin, "I have a feeling that the newcomer may bring more trouble with him."

Pulling out his bow, Niku will nock an arrow and wait and see.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade sighs and adjusts her hood.

"It's magical protection. I'm surprised you're more alarmed by that than by a giant crab."

[~Corvus~]

The closest of the three sentinels (to Yrashnal) turns left and says to his companions, "I think I just heard him; I doubt its any use if you come, too. You all might as well go talk with...them," and indicates Jade and the Crab.

He walks around the corner, sees the dog, the mess, and sighs. "Killed by a mysterious Oni. I doubt if its any use, but I don't suppose you'd know anything about this, dog?" He chuckles at himself and mutters, "he hasnt been dead a minute and poor dog is looking for a meal."


The other two nod, then approach Jade. "We have heard of magical protections, but that seems excessive. By the way...do you or your Crab...friend know what sort of Oni corrupt the spirits of our people into rotten flesh-eaters?

[~Corvus~]

The other sentinel looks at Jade and gasps. "Real jade magic...You must be rich!! I've heard of Shugenja that have wealth, but your magical protection is marvelous. You must have a rare patron indeed!"

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Bloodlust overcoming him he unholsters a crossbow and sets a bolt. trouble? The crab is trouble,
The green woman is trouble. I think he brings on the fun and carnage.
Do you want to pretend I am bound to you or just start shooting? he whispers back.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

"I think I can pass off as a human, you on the other hand are stricktly an oni to them, so worst case, I can "be your prey" to get close to them, if we need to and things go south with the crab, or if the wolf brings more samurai to them then they can handle. Niku will whisper to Kyorlin

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Whispering
if our giant allies are telling the truth, with this beaded necklace of light I will appear "bound", funny way to say takes. If this is common practice then these people have quite the hubris to think they can harness Oni in this way.

[Doxkid]

"~~...or if the wolf brings more samurai to them then they can handle.~~
A hounds ears are quite sensitive and he catches these whispers rather easily. Killing samurai? That should indeed be interesting; more so than killing the runner was, at least (even if he feels a rather warm sense of pride in having dropped his prey with a single attack) Difficult, but interesting. For the moment though the ships themselves should be unattended though, and the corpse he acquired shouldn't be going anywhere...

The hound sniffs around a bit before calmly meandering toward the shipyard; oddly enough he is not looking for unguarded ships, but instead for ships that only have one or two people defending them. More food can never hurt, after all, be that a sword or a pile of rations or a cooling body.

[~Corvus~]

The sentinel that had been talking to the dog turns to the other two that are fawning over Jade, and says, "I don't think we'll find the oni that did this. Are you satisfied here? We do have work that needs finishing. If Lord Ogatai hears that we aren't finished..." he flinches.

The other two look to Jade. "We have a messenger that was just attacked by oni. If you are indeed a shugenja, or are in the service of one, would you be willing to look into his death? We have...duties in the shipyard." They look for a sign of assent from Jade; if she agrees, they will return back to the lumberyard.

----

The wolf-creature that had talked to the four of you pads down the NORTH path to the docks. Just past the longhouse, three arrow-like ships wait in the water; their bodies are somewhat box-shaped with angled bows, and they sport a single mast with broad-sail rigging and a line that extends to the bow, with room for another front sail. They have space enough for a few hundred men each, they seem to be transports of some sort. Five soldiers guard each ship; four leather-clad spearmen and one with a naginata and studded leather.

The dock bends around the ships; on the SOUTH is the Shipyard. A fourth boat seems nearly complete. Its hull is being fitted with what seems to be the upper deck. Carpenters run back and forth with various tasks, and at the visible entrances, hawkish men with long clubs watch the docks for any more supicious activity.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Beast I merely wanted to converse with my ally here to coordinate a plan,
Mostly for the fun of it. If you help me find samurai and let me deliver the killing blow, the body is yours to devour. whispers

[Swami Monsoon]

"I will look into it. Be watchful."

Jade follows the path of the missing messenger, really looking for the rest of her party. She's pretty sure about what's happened to the man, but she's not so sure about what her new comrades are going to do next.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing the inquisitive guards retreat, Niku will put away his bow and arrow, have his robes become a little tattered and torn, and take out one of his prayer scrolls, and saunter towards the crab and Jade.

"I fear that I am one of the last survivors coming from the town before it was completely overrun by the living dead. I tried to give all the funerary rites that I could, but barely escaped with my life and meager belongings."

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

While not used to not being a key aspect in battle, Kyorlin relaxes while still being out of sight. He recalls his kills in this adventure and the fun he has had while he waits for his time for action.
readied action: shoot closest human with handcrossbow when they start to attack or defend themselves.

[~Corvus~]

Jade and Niku feel another sense of Wrongness; Kanishi's form shrinks into a single black dot that then dissipates from your senses. However, this sense hardly lasts for an appreciable time, and you make it to the NORTH road, then EAST to the longhouse. Kyorlin skulks nearby, talking to Yrashnal.

The 5 soldiers closest to you are 55' away; they play dice with their commander among barrels at the entrance to the pier upon which a box-ship is moored.


https://i.imgur.com/CWvV2Mq.jpg?1

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal considers the proposal for a few moments. While it is craven for the other creature (whatever it is) to ask for the glory of his kills, securing assistance bringing down this mortal domain is the entire reason he approached the others marked by The Voice's stench in the first place. Compromise is not all that tasty, but if his forefather could suffer the same burdens and grow powerful then by the Bleak Eternity so can Yhrashnal.

"I will try to leave at least three at death's door. We can speak about their possessions later. Kill the weak ones first." Yhrashnal slinks off to the North predatorily and then sets into a run directly at the one of the soldiers sitting beside the commander.

Yhrashnal hide/moves silently northward, then charges the group. Two rounds worth of actions, but there isn't much to say (and he'd need to do this anyway so long as the attack is going through) so I'll pre-emptively post the second round.

Round 1:
Yhrashnal Hides/Moves silently northward, until he is lined up as close to the shore as he can get.
Hide: [roll0] (in his he gains an additional +1 [HD/2=1] to hide checks. I didn't notice this earlier)
Move silently [roll1]

Round 2: Yhrashnal Charges one of the soldiers and bites him (assuming the a prey-animal's gender is a common example of Barghest-Privilege). Same deal as before, Charging grants a +2 bonus to his attack roll and lowers his AC to [12]until the next round. Becoming adjacent to Yhrashnal inflicts his Aura of Despair upon the opponent. Will save DC 12 or it suffers -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.

Attack roll (with +2 from charging) [roll2]
Bite Damage: [roll3]

Yet again, since he is currently in Wolf form he gets a free Trip attempt after he bites.
Trip attack strength check [roll4]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

That is very kind of you but I only request the kills of Samurai, guards do not matter to me. Since they are no longer unaware I shall join in the bloodshed. holstering hand crossbow,
While in child of Shadow stance dark charges nearest guard that doesn't involve getting in the beasts way[roll0]crit[roll1]damage[roll2]crit damage[roll3]thunder damage[roll4]

[~Corvus~]

Both Yrashnal and Kyorlin vanish into the shadows, only to spring upon an unfortunate spearman. He has little time to react; the Draegloth gets a claw's swipe upon him, putting him off-balance, and the wolf pulls him to the ground. The man's head cracks on a barrel; he goes limp. The other four quickly grab their spears (and one Naginata) but they are unprepared!

Won by the 4 of you! Surprise round passed; it is now turn for the 4 of you; guards are flat-footed.

FWIW, Kanishi has been claimed by the Void; he will no longer be of help.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal eyes are alight with passion and happy at the first chance he has ever been given to show off and he certainly won't stop now that the ball is rolling. A trace of his inherited magic ripples his sable fur as he lunges at another soldier, his strength even greater now that his magic and natural power are working in concert.

Who dares stand before this unstoppable beast?

Yhrashnal casts his Quickened Rage SLA. 0/1 uses remaining. Strength increases by 2(Morale), Constitution increases by 2(Morale), +1 Will saves (Morale), -2 penalty to AC(Morale) for 2 rounds. Natural armor increases by 1 as a consequence of this. Final AC is 1 lower than normal, at [13] from [14]. HP is temporarily [33] from [29]
Despair Aura: Enemies get to try saving against it again. Will save DC 12 or -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls. Successful save confers immunity for 24 hours.

Bite Attack: [roll0]
Bite Damage: [roll1]
Trip: [roll2]

[Swami Monsoon]

There appears to be nothing for it. At least they are facing armed men who are presumably in the employ of one predator or another...
Jade forms herself into a stream of liquid and propels herself at the guards who are not already engaged...

Use Form of the Wave to move past and hit as many guards as possible at the edge of group without hitting any allies, coming to a stop well out of melee range.
Damage
Recharge ]roll]1d4+1

[Swami Monsoon]

Re-rolling typo [roll0]

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing the guards grab their weapons, Niku will quickly launch an arrow at the naginata wielder.


Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]

Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Switches stance to step of the wind in case the area becomes difficult terrain. He grabs at a foe that hasn't been attacked yet and attempts to throw him at any other guard that also hasn't been attacked yet, taking careful aim to not throw him some where he could escape from.

melee touch attack[roll0]check[roll1]

[~Corvus~]

The guard Yrashnal bites looks as if he will catch himself, but he falls to the ground.

The Naginata-wielder takes the arrow from Niku, but she makes a gesture and he, too, feels a piercing pain in his side. She stammers out a cry to the other five guards several hundred feet away: "O-Oni!! Gather militia!" To the soldiers here, she says "S-stand by my side, spearmen! Hold our ground!"

Jade's acid washes to the remaining spearmen and burns through their boots, causing blood to pool and fizzle at their feet; however, they step into the long reach of the naginata wielder. Though Kyorlin had a successful attack earlier, his grasp misses the spearmen; instead, the three of them step backwards to the barrels stacked to the left side of the docks. The last soldier crawls out of the immediate reach of Yrashnal and Kyorlin carefully, spear ready to ward himself away.

"Prepare spears! Attack any that step in!" The Naiginata-wielder holds her weapon high; it looks ready to slam down in any number of directions.

Niku takes 2 Piercing damage almost as soon as the arrow is delivered.

Yrashnal takes 2 Acid damage from Jade's attack; he is in the reach area of her ability.

Soldiers take 5-foot steps backwards into REACH area of Naginata-wielder.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Where are your Samurai? he yells as he draws a bolt and hand crossbow with his lower arms and takes aim. if she refuses to answer or ignores him [roll0]crit[roll1]damage[roll2]crit damage[roll3]

[~Corvus~]

As the bolt from Kyorlin's crossbow finds its mark he, too, feels the pain of his attack in his side. The Naginata-wielder points to another of five soldiers approaching from the next ship over; this time, the naginata-wielder wears plate mail and has some sort of crest on his head.
5 soldiers from next ship approaching! They are 130' away, and moving about 60'/round.

Kyorlin takes 2 Piercing damage from his attack.

[Doxkid]

Considering how easily this group folded under pressure, Yhrashnal has no reaso to consider the approaching enemies a threat. Instead he decides to shore up his defences another way,
and hopefully prepare for a feast besides. "Do as you must." It isn't entirely clear who this is addressing, but he doesn't seem particularly concerned with the enemy gaining reinforcements.

Wisps of bleakness bleed away from his form to reveal something far closer to a lycanthrope than a wolf; Goblinoid facial features, limbs stretched and shifted to be just shy of bipedal ambulation, wicked sharp nails upon his forepaws and a thumb besides.

Yhrashnal returns to his natural form. He regains his claw attacks, loses the Wolf's bonus to movespeed, Loses the Wolf's bonus to stealth, loses Pass without Trace, and can now use his Feed ability.

[Swami Monsoon]

One group at a time is best... and, besides, the guy in all the armor looks pretty scary...

Jade pulls herself together (literally) and takes a few steps back from the scrum. She points at the approaching reinforcements and they are covered by a cloud of mist.

Move away from any soldiers who are close.
Breath of the Night (Fog Cloud) on new enemy group, leaving the ones the party is fighting unaffected.

[~Corvus~]

The soldiers look in surprise at Yrashnal's transformation, but it seems only to harden their resolve to survive. In the distance, you can hear shouts of surprise and confusion as the approaching soldiers are enveloped in fog. Further confusion erupts as you hear sounds of metallic scraping, as if someone had fallen down. A small plume of red, an explosion of blood, erupts from the middle of the fog.

It is your time for entrance.

[Ellowryn]

A strange, guttural, clicking sound can be gear coming out from the mist. Those who are close enough will notice a small dark shape on top of the downed soldier, it weaves back and forth as if searching for something. It quickly snaps its head in the direction of the next closest soldier and with a hissing shriek it lunges at the confused mans throat.

Blindsight means it can move about the fog no problem and also with no miss chance on attacks.
Attack [roll0] (if a crit [roll1] to confirm), damage [roll2] or [roll3] if target is humanoid (human) (+ [roll4] if it moved at least 10ft before attacking)

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Roars his frustration at this obstacle to his goal, while he fights the way he likes he may have to rely on his mother's teachings Lets do it her way. uses adaptive style to change tactics. Its time to take take the test again, but I rather die here then admit defeat. Beast if I die consume me and get stronger and kill all those that get in your way.

[~Corvus~]

One of the spearmen in the fog cloud goes down in a spray of blood; its companions call out to each other in the confusion. While the Experiment feeds, the three other spearmen group together in the fog and move towards the dock's edge, away from the fearsome beast that slew their Samurai commander.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal hefts one of the fresh corpses into the air and opens his mouth as if to scream into the dead flesh; the body disintegrates in his claws as a stream of smoke and ashes break free from it and frantically whirl into his mouth. Before the majesty of a Barghest this mortal is reduced to less than nothing; nothing remains of him other than his armament, which dangle from Yhrashnals hands for a few seconds before being discarded and a spark of power blossoming within the beast that consumed him.


Yhrashnal Feeds upon the first soldier who fell to his attack. Full round action to do so and he is invigorated based on how powerful the enemy was in comparison to himself. He should be gaining (at minimum) 1 HP and 2 uses of Racial SLAs (+1 Charm, +1 Rage)

Feed (Su): At 2nd level a barghest in its natural form can consume a dead creature as a full-round action. As long as it has been dead for 1 minute or less, the barghest regains hp equal to the HD of the victim (excess hp are gained as temporary hit points for 24 hours) and may gain additional benefits based on the victim's strength relative to his own.

Victim HDBenefit
Barghest HD-5 or lessNo additional benefit.
Barghest HD-4Regain a use of one of your racial SLAs.
Barghest HD-2Regain two uses of your racial SLAs, divided in any way you wish.
Barghest HDRecover double the normal hp.
Regain three uses of your racial SLAs, divided in any way you wish.

Barghest HD+2The barghest surges with power, gaining +2 Str/Con and the Powerful Build special quality for 1 hour.
Recover double the normal hp.
Regain four uses of your racial SLAs, divided in any way you wish.
Barghest HD+4 or moreThe barghest surges with power, gaining +2 Str/Con and the Powerful Build special quality for 1 hour.
The barghest projects a frightful aura for 1 hour; any enemy who comes within 60ft must make a Will save (DC = 10 + half your HD + your Cha modifier) or become frightened for 1 minute. Any creature who succeeds on their save against this effect is immune to it, but not to the auras of other barghests or auras generated by the barghest in future. The barghest may suppress this aura for 1 round as a free action. This is a supernatural ability.
Recover double the normal hp.
Regain all uses of your racial SLAs, as if 24 hours had passed.


Yhrashnal considers the bodies at his feet for a a long, sad moment (it would be so easy to stop and eat his fill. So very, very easy...) before he steels his resolve and rushes into into the group of soldiers.

"Another touched by the void? Come! We will feast upon mortals!"

A moment after his attack his body suddenly blurs, and his presences and visibility simply less than it had been before.

]Yhrashnal charges into the group of soldiers and gives the healthiest of the group a good bite.
Current AC: 12 (from 14)
% Roll against Fog Concealment: [/S][roll0] if they're still in the fog.
Attack roll: [roll1] (+2 from charging).
Damage roll: [roll2]

Immediately after doing this he activates his "Ghostly" Savage skill, becoming ethereal for [roll3] rounds.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing another new beast appear in the midst of the soldier, Niku really can't believe his luck, thinking to himself "My brothers must be giving me more toys to play with, hmm maybe once we get a moment, they will let me augment them."

Wanting to see the effectiveness of the new ones, Niku will wait and see what happens.


Held Action unless someone/thing makes a hostile action against him, in which case he will loose an arrow at them. If not he will simply observe what is happening.


Attack:[roll0]
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]
Crit:[roll3]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Wades into combat attacking the first spearman he is closest to. Takes a swing with his right claw that appears to create a shadowy copy.attack1attack2[roll]1d20d+7critconfirm[roll1]picks higher roll damage[roll2]critdamage[roll3]if both rolls are the same[roll4]cold damage

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade sends a stream of acid at one of the soldiers...

Eldritch Blast at whichever in the first group of soldiers she has the clearest shot at (no in-melee penalty)
[roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[~Corvus~]

Kyorlin darts in to attack one spearman; an icy chill rimes his chest and he staggers. Before the group can react, Jade's attack slams into him; the acid shatters the cold and his stomach falls out of his body. Screaming in pain, the man collapses.

The naginata wielder commands her two remaining spearmen, "Step in! Attack the oni in front! Leave the others until later!" One of the spearmen steps in over his felled companion, and the three of them attack together.
[roll0] c[roll1] dmg [roll2]
[roll3] c[roll4] dmg [roll5]
[roll6] c[roll7] dmg [roll8]


----

In the confusion of the fog, the three reinforcing spearmen move North and hurry around the prowling Kython.
Each moves 60,' provoking attacks, if any, from the Experiment. Once out of fog, will turn to face it.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Dodges two of the three spears taking only one hit, he grimaces as he expects to be bloody from such attack. He looks and feels fine, makes a mental note to buy Niku a drink.

He shifts his essentia from his boots lowering the thunder in his mind, to his gloves increasing his undying hatred in preparation of this challenge.

[Ellowryn]

Smelling the fear (among other things) of the soldiers, it lashes out at the soldier in the back of their group as they go past.

Attack [roll0], if a crit [roll1] to confirm, Damage [roll2], fort save DC 14 or take [roll3] Str damage.

Not one to let its prey escape, it then charges out of the cloud at the remainder of the soldiers with a screech.

Charge attack at the target of the AoO if the attack missed or failed to kill him, or the closest target if that one is already dead.
Attack [roll4], if a crit [roll5] to confirm, Damage [roll6] + skirmish damage [roll7] (not multiplied if a confirmed crit), fort save DC 14 or take [roll8] Str damage.

[~Corvus~]

Although the soldiers make it through the Fog unscathed, the Kython pounces out of the gloom and bites off the last spearman's head. Blood sprays onto the last two soldiers as they prepare to do an about-face.

[Doxkid]

"You should have run." Yhrashnal discards the scraps from his previous victim and steps forward with a flurry of attacks to turn another man into a mere meal. His teeth gnash, his claws split the air and at the end of his attack his tail slaps at the closest enemy; surely no common foot soldier will stand up this this assault.


5 foot step to get closer to 'his' cluster of enemies, which should put the all but the naginata wielder in melee range.

Despair Aura: Enemies get to try saving against it again. Will save DC 12 or -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls. A successful save confers immunity for 24 hours.
-Full attack-
Unarmed Strike Attack: [roll0]
Unarmed Strike Damage: [roll1]
-
Bite Attack: [roll2]
Bite Damage: [roll3] (used as a secondary weapon)
-
Claw 1 Attack:[roll4]
Claw 1 Damage: [roll5] (Barghests using claws as secondary weapons add the full strength modifier to damage, as per the monster class)
-
Claw 2 Attack:[roll6]
Claw 2 Damage: [roll7] (same)

[~Corvus~]

Although Yrashnal rains down several blows, his positioning seems off in the rush of the melee; he only lamds his first strike, leaving a spearman bleeding from the blow to his chest.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Eyeing the spearman that injured him he attacks the spearman he already attacked, thinking of what is the most strategic action to take. He sees the beast transform and start attacking with his claws and is inspired to follow suit.left claw[roll0]c[roll1]right claw[roll2]c[roll3]left damage[roll4]c[roll5]right damage[roll6]c[roll7]
If my initial target dies after 1st attack I will target the spearman that injured me.

[~Corvus~]

Kyorlin strikes out in front of him; hos left claw buries itself into the already-injured spearman, who goes limp. His right claw, however, evades the still-flinching spearman who had staggered back from Yrashnal's blow.

[Swami Monsoon]

"You heard him... run while you can!"

Jade launches another blob of acid...

Move back if any soldiers are getting too close.
Eldritch blast at clearest target
[roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[~Corvus~]

The already-injured spearman falls to the ground, his chest a hole. Guts spill out as he falls. The final spearman and Naginata wielder, though looking defeated, move in to attack Kyorlin yet again. They chorus together " We live for Rokugan; we doe for Rokugan. The difference is trivial."

[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3] [roll4]
[roll5]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

with such a warm reception they have given us so far it would be rude to ask them to leave. It would be disrespecting their honor,
They may not be samurai but surely they are staying to fight us because of this honor they foolishly cling to.

Don't you agree beast?
Lclaw1d20+7c1d20+7Rclaw1d20+7c1d20+7Ldamage1d6+6c2 d6+4Rdamage[1d6+5c2d6+4

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Lclaw[roll0]c[roll1]Rclaw[roll2]c[roll3]Ldamage[roll4]c[roll5]Rdamage[roll6]c[roll7]

[~Corvus~]

With the Naginata-wielder 10 feet away, Kyorlin can't unleash a flurry of blows on her; however, his swipes cut apart the spearman's arms before he can attack again or land a hit. Bleeding from both sides, he heaves heavily and vomits onto the ground, where he kneels, incapable of being a threat; however, his silence belies his refusal to suffer total defeat.

In the distance, at your visible edge of the Fog, the last several spearmen that had been reinforcements fall before the fearsome Kython. Their spears glance ineffectually off its hide. Further in the distance, however, you can spot many men from the construction yard; about thirty. They, along with four other spearmen and... and yes, a singular Samurai, line up to make an advance on your position.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Seeing the workers and warriors come from the boat yard, Niku will take time to study them carefully, readying his bow to fell some.


Knowledge (Local):[roll0]

[~Corvus~]

These men look like Militia; Niku does not, however, know much beyond this. Advancing from the construction yard, they are about 700 feet away, and wield long wooden clubs covered with dark metal spikes at the top region.

[Ellowryn]

Having dispatched its current prey, it stops and tilts its head left and right. Hearing the sounds of gurgling blood and gasping breaths it moves to finish off wounded prey.

Double move towards the "party", directly at the dying soldier.

[Doxkid]

All in all this battle has been a strangely easy affair. Other than the enjoyment he derived from surprising a few enemies and the chance to test out what meager magic he can freely work, Yhrashnal did not accomplish much. Perhaps this troop leader can direct him toward better opponents?

"Yhrashnal dealt with greater foes than I. Are you the best here? Where are the stronger ones?" His magic weighs down upon this last enemy. He will certainly kill her either way. This is simply a matter of whether or not he will need to wander around slaughtering imbeciles before he gets a chance to fight someone who can challenge him.

Yhrashnal uses his Hexblade Curse on the Naginata wielder. Will save DC 12 negates. On a failed save enemy suffers a -2 penalty on all dice rolls, while granting all enemies a +2 bonus on rolls against them.
{1/3 uses remaining of Hexblade Curse today. Swift Action.}

He will follow this up with Charm Person. Will save DC 12 negates (enemy gains +4 bonus to this roll when being threatened).
{0/1 uses of Charm Person remaining. Standard Action.}

[~Corvus~]

The Naginata-wielder looks at her four soldiers bleeding out and dying before her, and looks askew at the Barghest. [roll0] -2 from Hexblade Curse, +4 because it's definitely being threatened.

"You are an enemy of the Jade Throne, an empire that's lasted many thousands of years. We will endure; and by enduring, grow stronger. I die here today, but soon your day will come."

She throws her Naginata at the Barghest, then draws a pair of daggers from behind her thighs, her stance ready for a monster to close with her.

Throw: [roll0] [roll1]
damage: [roll2]

Swift action to draw daggers from waist; takes move-equivalent action to Ready counterattack (free attacks against anything that comes within 5' reach)

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

As the last one standing just threw her large weapon at the beast to arm herself with knives Kyorlin rushes at he, with a slash or two from his claws to shut her up in this world permanently.

steps in to range if needed
Rclaw[roll0]c[roll1]Lclaw[roll2]c[roll3]Rdmg[roll4]c[roll5]Ldmg[roll6]c[roll7]

[~Corvus~]

As Kyorlin steps in, she makes several attacks while letting him bury his claw into her torso.

AoO: a[roll0] c[roll1] d[roll2]
a[roll3] c[roll4] d[roll5]

attacks:
a[roll6] c[roll7] d[roll8](Crit! 12 damage)
a[roll9] c[roll10] d[roll11]

[Swami Monsoon]

Do these... people... have a plan beyond 'kill everything that moves?'

As soon as Jade asks that question to herself she's all too sure of the answer... She mutters a curse under her breath and sends another blob of acid at the officer.

Eldritch blast (with in melee penalty) [roll0]
Damage [roll1]

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal snorts at the little human's defiance; she has drawn his blood, but with so many corpses strewn about the injury won't last long at all. Already his flesh is knitting itself back together; all this commander has done is damn herself and pique Yhrashnal's interest.

"So be it."

The fool has invited ruin upon her nation and a great beast's fangs upon her flesh. Yhrashnal obliges this warrior's foolishness by darting to her blind side and lunging forward with his fangs bared; He will make sure to eat a few extra civilians just for her in the future.

Yhrashnal takes a move action to reposition so he flanks her (eating the attack of opportunity if she has any left) with the other melee combatant (seeing as he probably has no idea whatKyorlin is) and then attacks.
Bite Attack roll:[roll0] (Counting an additional +2 for flanking her
Bite Damage: [roll1]

Fast Healer will heal 1 point of damage this round, bringing Yhrashnal up to 18 (from 17) if she had a magic weapon or 23(from 22) if she did not (forgot to ask about that for Yhrashnal's DR 5/Magic)

[~Corvus~]

Jade's attack flies wide; water in the docks fizzles as the acid makes contact with it. As Yrashnal repositions himself he, too, takes attacks from the daggered lady whom is still standing; she follows his motion and strikes at him as she fends off the terrible bite to her hips.

She does *not* have a Magic Weapon. She takes 2 AoOs against Yrashnal and another 2 more.
a[roll0] c[roll1] d[roll2]
a[roll3] c[roll4] d[roll5]

a[roll6] c[roll7] d[roll8]
a[roll9] c[roll10] d[roll11]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Stuborn human just die already,
Nothing you can accomplish will make any difference tomorrow as your people are so inferior that they have to cling to honor and numbers to make it this far and still can't go to to toe with someone raised in chaos and darkness.

a[roll0]c[roll1]a[roll2]c[roll3]d[roll4]c[roll5]d[roll6]c[roll7]

[Ellowryn]

As it approaches its prey it notices the presence of new things. They are not human, but they speak like humans and appear like humans too. But they are attacking humans, so it decides that investigating them will come later, first it must finish off its prey so with another hiss it lunges forward.

Will move into a position to attack the one standing human, if that human is dead before i act then it will instead move to attack one of the dying ones on the ground.
Attack [roll0], if a crit [roll1], Damage [roll2], if a confirmed crit [roll3], Skirmish [roll4], Fort save DC 14 or [roll5] Str damage.

[~Corvus~]

The knife-wielding soldier falls in a spray of blood, bone and gore. For next few minutes, at least, you have a reprive.

The militia gather along the edge of the longhouse; the thirty men or so point in your general direction. It will take them about two minutes to reach you.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Looks around the ship for weapons of war. Should we take the boat away from the docks or continue killing them intimately? remembering the strange attacks he suffered after he shot his crossbow he searches the recently dead soldier[roll0]

[~Corvus~]

The ship is wide, with a powerful mainsail and a guide-sail that extends to the mast. It has ropes for mooring and what looks like pig-skin bags to prevent the ship from damaging another during a quick dock. It has a few cutlasses and some grappling hooks, but seems otherwise bereft of claimable armaments. However, near the back sides of the ship there are large stacks of thick spears on each side.

Kyorlin notices that on each side of the ship, there are large crossbow-shapes covered by weatherproof protectors. Though not much, those thick shafts could likely be of use for an emergency defense.

Finally, the ship is tied into the dock by two rigging lines. The knots look expertly done and ready to pull away in case of an emergency.

[Swami Monsoon]

"I'm all for getting out of here... but do any of us know how to sail?"

Jade turns and gestures at the approaching militia. Another cloud of mist forms in front of them as the old one disperses...


Breath of the Night between approaching troops and party, as close to them as possible (range is 120')

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Takes as many large shafted spears to the port mounted crossbow as he can carry with his 4 arms and 36lbs till he is carrying his max medium load.Worrying about sailling later, I only suggested it so we can create greater distance between that mob and us.

[Ellowryn]

The newly found creature continues to eviscerate the bodies lying around, both to ensure death and because well its kinda hard to feed yourself when you have no hands and was only born a few moments ago. As it moves around you can see on the back of its head something like a tattoo stating "Specimen 627".

Unless otherwise engaged it will continue this until it is full or new targets show itself.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Rips the covers off the pressumed crossbows and tries to load one of the spears in place.This should be most amusing,
If it works.

[~Corvus~]

The large crossbow has a ratchet on one end to set the stock into firing position. The handholds are meant for two people to crank it; with Kyorlin's unusual strength, he manages to work the device. It takes about 20 seconds to set and load.

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal gorges himself while waiting for the enemy soldiers to arrive; every corpse he can get his claws on, regardless of how complete it is or how much of it the other feasting creature has consumed, is shredded into magic and dust. Starting the the freshly slain enemy commander. who dared to offend him, of course.

"If you cannot fight them then simply run." He states in between meals. It seems pretty obvious that outrunning the enemy troops, and picking off small squads is the best option if his fellow Voice Called beings are not confident in their combat ability. "They are only human. They are slow. I am not. I can hunt them later.

Thing!" he growls in the direction of the only other creature that had enough sense to feed and regain its strength while waiting. He is even decent enough to personally shred a human into chunks and flick both the liver and heart in its direction. "You fight almost as well as a Hound."

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Continues setting the crossbowCan someone look for some pitch? This would be more fun a flamed,
What do you think Niku? Would you like to take turns on the crossbow? still setting the crossbow.

[Ellowryn]

Upon being addressed Specimen 627 stops happily eating the choice bits being flung at it and turns its head at the source. Strange, it seems human like but is definitely not human, it ponders. Upon being compared to something called a hound it seems puzzled for a moment but given the tone and gestures of the source Specimen 627 concludes that this is a compliment, flicking some of the choice bits back to show its approval and thanks. And having fed to filling for the first time in its life it now turns it attention to the other not humans talking about the coming of other prey.

[~Corvus~]

The humans march up to the fog, and stop. They exchange words, and seem to march around it. They have granted you an extra minute or so

(2:40 until engagement). Niku or Kyorlin may want to act.

[Swami Monsoon]

Jade sizes up the new arrival, trying to count all the various legs, claws and pincers and wondering just what she's gotten herself into. Or what she's been gotten into. Whatever.

"If anyone has a plan I'd like to hear it. Preferably something more detailed than 'kill things and eat them.'"

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Can't wait any longer for pitch he hopes this crossbow can send these spears threw more than one human. Taking careful aim to take out his true target the samurai, Kyorlin wants to hit a few other of the milita. Fires the 1st spear[roll0]c[roll1]
Starts setting next spear

[Doxkid]

With his feast finished Yhrashnal has little to do other than revel in the destruction of human lives. Even this gets old after a while, so instead he sizes up his companions to see who looks to be particularly useful and who should be left behind if it comes to that.

Well, no...perhaps they have some other uses. Yhrashnal's companions had a variety of skills, as did Yhrashnal and Yhrashnal, so Yhrashnal's should be the same, right? He'll pick up the slowest of them when he flees; even when carrying around twice his own body-weight he should shame any of the warriors approaching.

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

Snapping out of his study of the approaching crowd, seeing the others take a challenge to them, Niku will fire into the crowd while they are still gathered.



Attack:
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll]1d8+1d6+2
Crit:2d8+2d6+4

[~Corvus~]

The bolt from the Ship-borne crossbow falls short of the Samurai; instead it hits four other militia men.

[roll0]


The four of them drop instantly, pierced through the chest by the spear. Another bolt, shot near the maximum range of Niku's crossbow, goes through the side of a militia man at the front.

4 dead
1 wounded

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Sets the 2nd spear, his four arms whirling the two person device unlike how it was engineered to be operated. Curse him to Loth I missed him. Still wanting that pitch or other flammable goo. takes aim at the samurai and the other milita as secondary targets and let's the spear flya[roll0]c[roll1]

Loading and setting third spear.

[~Corvus~]

It takes Kyorlin an entire round to both mount and reload the large crossbow.

You'll have to reroll the attack the next round.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

I'll take brandy, whiskey or bourbon -some of it will go on the spears *chuckles*. I just want to light the area on fire,
So hard to find good help these days.

[Swami Monsoon]

"No whiskey here, just this stuff." Jade drinks a potion as she waits for the enemy to get closer.

Use potion of Mage Armor

[Kashmir]

Niku

Niku will look over the others, if it seems they need some healing he will use the kit upon them if it is needed, if not, he will loose another arrow from his bow at the oncoming foes.


Heal:

Attack:[roll1]
Crit:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]+ [roll4]
Crit:[roll]2d8+2d6+4+ [roll5]

[~Corvus~]

Niku notices almost instantly that Kyorlin is close to bleeding into unconsciousness. The Daelkyr takes an opportunity to patch up several wounds on his chest; however, the Draegloth's motions makes it a little more difficult than it would if he hadn't been moving.

Kyorlin heals for 4 HP.

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Creature can you understand me? I have an idea, if you can hold on to one of these spears as I fire it you can kill those humans very quickly.[roll0]what is that creature and what is the best way to use it.

[~Corvus~]

Kyorlin has no idea what type of monster Specimen is, but looks real

[Doxkid]

"Trying to teach the young beast bad habits?" Yhrashnal snorts at the absurdity of a great beast so similar to himself wielding weapons like a lesser creature. The fact that he probably he isn't much older than this little creature doesn't come up. "Does it not do well simply slaying enemies with its own claws? We are strong. We can rend mortal flesh without such tools."

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Wield? No no. Don't be silly,
I want it to ride it! Then it can use its natural appendages to have fun. I was thinking of also sending it in a globe of darkness but I don't if the creature needs light to see.if Kyorlin is done setting the 2nd spear he take aim at the samurai as his main focus and the rest as bonus targets[roll0]c[roll1]
Frustratingly he begins setting the third spear in place

[Ellowryn]

At the talk of slaughtering more humans the specimen makes a happy little yip. And while it is not sure what it means to ride something, anything to get it closer to its prey is welcome, so it will hop on top of the spear launcher pausing only to turn in kyorlin's direction with a confused look when he mentions "seeing" and "darkness" after he has finished reloading.

Once perched it will motion for its new friend Yhrashnal to get on as well.

[~Corvus~]

this thick spear shaft flies poorly and overshoots the crowd of marching troops. 26 of them are left; they are not very far away!

The militiamen cheer in good spirits and encourage each other to spread out; the best Kyorlin will do with 1 launcher is hit any 2 of them!

With the Specimens help, the reloading is easier (if a little strange to be launching a creature) Fire at will!

[Kashmir]

Niku no Seijin

After healing Kyorlin, Niku will redraw his bow, and loose an arrow into the oncoming crowd of warriors, while wondering what in the void his brothers have left him to deal with.


Attack:
Crit:[roll1]
Damage:[roll2]+ [roll3]
Crit:[roll]2d8+2d6+4+ [roll4]

[WarHunter]

Kyorlin

Niku, I owe you another drinkKyorlin starts to have second thoughts about blanketing his area of fire with a globe of darkness with an ally in the mix, with such a lethal instrument of war.

[~Corvus~]

The soldiers advance. A minute, 20 seconds before they arrive! There's still time to cut the lines on the boat and shove off!

[Doxkid]

Yhrashnal lounges considering the situation.

Realistically he'll need to retreat at some point if the heavy artillery specialists his team apparently possesses do not somehow manage to thin the enemy numbers to roughly half, and even those odds are terribly against him.

On the other hand, the little beast might be launched to its death any moment now;only he can run to the landing point, fight off enough enemies to create an opening for it, run back with the little fiend-ling in tow, and escape in one way or another should things go pear-shaped.

"Interesting. Little Beast, what say you? If you battle I will do the same. If not we can leave." Of course opinions of the others take second place to the little murder-fiend who is so similar in disposition to himself.

Just in case, he slowly shifts to a more lupine form, greatly increasing his running speed; there is absolutely no way this will not come in handy.

Yhrashnal swaps to his Wolf form. Standard changes, the most important of which being that he loses his claw attacks and gains +20 to his movement speed.

[Swami Monsoon]

"My vote is for leaving. I don't have any score to settle with those guys. Killing them won't get me money, fame or anything else of value. And I'm not interested in killing just for the sake of killing. You people might be..." Jade coughs. "All right, you people are most definitelyinterested in that... but I'm sure you can find a time and a place to do it with better odds. Even if we get through that group there is plenty more where that came from. Or did our two newcomers somehow miss the hundreds of soldiers and thousands of zombies?"

[Doxkid]

"Those do not scream." Yhrashnal says this as if that would be the only point he needs to rebut the other argument. "The blood is stale, the flesh is wrong. They do not fear and they do not scream. The good prey is right here.

He considers the situation for a moment before adding in, "You misunderstand. I can always leave. I can always run. I am faster. The little beast...is still young. I will not leave it; it will grow and stand beside Yhrashnal. It fights well."