For the Empire IC

[13_CBS]

Glory to the Empire
The Two Emperors be praised
Glory to the Empire
May her enemies fall before her
Glory to the Empire
My heart, my soul, my blood for the Empire
Glory to the Empire
All for the Empire

-Oath of Imperial Allegiance

The Golden Library is known throughout the world for its splendid courtyards, towering pagoda residences, and most of all, the Library itself. The streets are lined with yellow sandstone mined from the nearby quarry, while the buildings are often made with pure white bamboo; sturdy, beautiful, and plentiful. Highly skilled dancers, singers, and other minstrels sometimes prance about the street; often these performers are dressed as richly as the citizens themselves. Small children laugh and chase one another through the busy streets, stopping occasionally to chat with the candy man or the circus performer dancing on a sleeping bear. And of course, there is the Library, that Imperial academy without peer, where the best and the brightest take mind-crushing exams to learn from some of the most learned scholars and skilled engineers in the entire world. The Library looks something like a cross between a temple and a palace, and every inch of the outer layers is covered with a thin layer of gold.

But perhaps the Golden Library deserves a different name; the Gilded Library, for that is what it is. The gilded state of the library itself not withstanding, the Outer parts of the city is much more...normal. Mediocre. Worn out. Dirty. The outskirts feature filthy slums and filthier beggars, dirty business and dirtier thugs conducting business, middle class and lower class homes...children still do laugh in the streets and dart through the crowds, but they often do so because a disgruntled citizen had his wallet stolen by those urchins. The place is certainly tolerable, but compared to the great wealth that lies within the Inner walls...

And here, here in this Golden city, our tale begins. In the street cries a herald, something about an important dwarven Professor of Engineering found dead in his office, and a great treasure stolen from the Archives...

[Seribro]

Mongo was glad. Glad that he was wearing his rice-paper had that is. He took it of and wept the dirty food spoils from it. He looked up to the window from which they had came but the perp was already out of sight. He shook his head and placed the flat cone-shaped had back on top of his head. He had seen dirty towns before, but rarely did the dirt quite literally fall from the sky. But he had reached the main road now and it was high time to move on to the city that lied beyond the second gate.

As the river of people steadily flows towards the second gate, it takes up the far majority of his attention to ensure himself no child robs his purse or nimblefinger takes out the equipment his horse is carrying. But the closer he gets to the gate, the thinner the crowd gets in the main street. It doesn't take to long before he reaches the gate and notices the guards that watch it. Yet beyond he can already see the white buildings and colourful decorations.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

The effeminate boy walks the streets of the high city. Pretty beyond what is right for a boy, some may easily think he is a girl pretending to be a man. But if one takes the time to look deep within his eyes, their core will be burnt by a fire that speaks of no simple past or of a soul seeking to fool others. With katana at his side and traveling pack on his shoulder, he heads toward the library with another attempt at gaining the knowledge held within for his people.

The emmisary's note he carried from the Yamato Monastery should have gotten him entrance into the more private reaches of the library, but the boy learned early in his stay here that if one was not of obvious Empire of Knowledge blood, no matter what title they held, they would be considered second-class or lower. His only hope would be to find someone of enough power within this country to offer such access as payment for a deed the boy performed in their name. Reaching up to resecure his headband, he allows his eyes to wander and pull in all the sights the day offers.

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

Somewhere between the 'Barbarian' at the gates and the 'Samurai' at the library, a woman walks beside her companion. She is young woman of average height, and of a lean and flexible build. Her hair is raven black, cut short, and held behind a blue headband that bares the taoist symbol of the Yin and Yang. She wears a layered monk's traveling outfit, consisting of a white shirt under a blue and black coat, a pair of blue pants, white wraps, and black slippers. More taoist symbols cover each of this articles of clothing, including the blue metal back-fist guards that are tied to the white wrappings that bound each of her hands and forearms. Around her waist, is a black silk sash that holds a magnificent sheathed jian, which has a hilt made of a blue-jade metal and was made to look like a dragonfly. In the small of her back, also bound to the silk sash, is a tightly rolled traveler's bundle.

Her sapphire blue eyes gaze around the city of the Golden Library, each finely analyzed sight bringing back a rush of half-forgotten memories of a different time. A time when she was more younger, more rash, and more innocent...she missed those times despite the reprocautions they eventually led too.

Speaking of reprocautions.... She thinks as she looks up to the Gilded Library itself, and the guards who stand by it's gates and doors. ...maybe it was not the best idea to come here...no matter how dry the leads or vague the rumours were becoming.

Wu-feng hid her growing sigh beneath a small smile and turned to her traveling companion. "Tiang...how do you feel? Have you been in this large of an imperial city before?" She seems emphasize on the world imperial...there is a chance after all, that her companion has been in much more magnificent and...lofty...cities then this in the past.

[The_Snark]

Tiang

In contrast to her companion, the young woman walking alongside carries very little. Or is she young? Her face is fair and unwrinkled, and does not bear any marks of the passage of time—but she holds herself with an aloof dignity that strikes onlookers before they notice her apparent age and simple, unadorned clothing, and her light blue eyes seem to hold more years than her face. Long brown hair cascades unrestrained over her shoulders, reaching midway down her back. She wears a simple wool tunic with short sleeves, colored an undyed brown, and a light skirt of the same material and colour; the sort of garments that would not look out of place on a farmer coming to town, or on a down-on-his-luck craftsman. Two pieces of jewelry—a plain ring on her finger and what looks like a lacquered blue piece around her neck—complete the impression of a peasant wearing her best on her way to market; or they would if it were not for her demeanor. Her hands are clasped austerely at her waist, giving her a look of aesceticism rather than poverty.

"I have not," she answers, her voice a calm, precise sound. "I do not make it a habit to travel abroad very often." She surveys the scene ahead of them serenely, unimpressed at the street stretching out ahead of them, before turning her head to look at her travelling companion. "Why? You have been here before, have you not? Are we lost?" She doesn't sound worried about the possibility; it would be a minor annoyance, and nothing more. More difficult would be if Wu did not know where she wanted to go. Finding where a place was was much more difficult than finding what a place was.

[13_CBS]

Seribro:
One of the guards spots Mongo and strides purposefully towards the Tungusk. "Hey, you don't look like you're around from these parts...you're not a northern barbarian are you?" The guard is quickly joined by another one, this one gripping his spear quite tightly. The first guard sneers, "If you ARE a barbarian, then it looks like we'll have to send you back to the filthy wastelands that you're from. People like you aren't allowed in these parts, you see."

Grymm:
The gates of the Golden Library, though not as large as the Outer and Inner city gates, are rumored to be the most beautiful in the world...and now you see why they say so. The doors seem to be made of solid gold, with colored glass carved into the shape of gems studded into the doorway. The entire gate is about twenty feet tall.

Over to the side you see two young women...well, more like a young woman and a woman who looks like she's about the same age. They seem to be citygazing, but for the moment their eyes seem to be pointing towards the Golden Library gates.

Before you can do or say anything else, one of the guards spots you. "Excuse me, but foreigners are forbidden from this area." The arrogant look in his eyes hint that he knows he's lying through his teeth.


Snark and Evil:

To Wu-Feng, the city had changed very little since she had last come here. The streets are much of the same; quite clean, with happy (if somewhat carefree or snobbish) people walking about, chatting about daily life, business, the barbarians in the north...
As for the dragon, the subtle stench of city life is more noticeable than anything. This so-called Golden Library is nothing like the quiet, honest farms along the river banks of your home.

Off to the side, a young Yaman-looking gentleman seems to be talking to one of the Library guards, and though it's difficult to hear the exact words due to the city noises, it's clear that the conversation isn't exactly friendly, and it's not due to any fault of the young man.

A passing noblewoman spots Tiang's relatively shabby-looking appearance and comments, "Ha! To think that a filthy slave like yourself would be allowed in here." She turns to Wu-Feng. "At least you've got yourself a healthy one. May I ask what brings your business here is, madam? It is frowned upon to cart about slaves so openly in the city, and more so to have them speak to you as an equal." And then she notices Wu-Feng's majestic Jian. "...but considering that you dirty yourself with inane things like combat, perhaps this is expected."

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn turns to the guard and pauses a second. After listening to the guard speak to him in Low Imperial and make such a preposterous claim, he answers in fluent High Imperial

"I was here just last week, so unless you are seriously mistaken, I have a right to be here."

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The sword monk stifled an aggressive twitch and quelled the growing anger inside of her...all beings regardless of race, age, nation, gender, or ability..and that included this insulting woman...

...besides...she had seen what happened to those who showed open dishonour in front of Tiang before and she really did not want to attract a crowd with displays of jade-coloured flames.

"My dear lady..." She began in slightly accented high imperial, her face now forcing the smile that remained upon it. "...my companion is no slave, no peice of dirt, no object to gawk at and insult openly and without forethought. She is valued, respected, and honourable friend...and while you may insult me in whatever manner you wish, I can not allow you to verbally assult my friend's honour, integrity, and strength of character. If you refuse to offer a sincere appology to her and persist in your attacks of words and speech, I will offer a free and intensive of display of my own so called 'inane and dirty form of combat' as a measure to defend and protect her from further abuse. That is the Way of things as they stand now...how will you walk your path today?"

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Tsuki and Umi

Two figures glide through a gilded street.
The motion is too deliberate, too inhuman in execution to be a mere graceful stride; too ghostly in the way it fades through crowds of laughing children- who fall silent- and chattering adults- who feel a chill.
Tsuki and Umi glide through the crowd.

They are identical, these two; hair dark and shining like the wings of a crow, skin pale as bone. Their clothing, too, is mirrored. Each wears a sleeveless, elegant jacket embroidered painstakingly in silver thread; the designs are abstract, but as they draw the eye, one sees faces, eyes, teeth bared in a grimace...then, a blink, and they are abstractions again, strange half-symbols in the Mahayana style.
Beneath this disconcerting garment both are robed and shrouded and sandaled like a lady of Yama, with the broad cloth belts that are still the fashion in its more archaic regions.

All in all, both figures are eccentric, but not so greatly so as to arouse comment, nor so greatly so as to cause the silence they cause; the blame for that must lie not in their foreign nature, nor in their staring, black-on-black eyes.
The silence is produced by their hands.

In the left hand of Tsuki, the right hand of Umi, as they walk side-by-side, there is a shield. On both, the snarling, bull-horned face of a demon stares outward, rendered so perfectly its gaze transfixes the wearer, breeds shame, despair, and pain.
In the right hand of Tsuki, the left hand of Umi, as they stand together, there is a weapon. It is forged of iron, perhaps, or steel, or even stone- its surface is so deeply black that it could be of any metal, or none.
Its form is that of a head.
Each hair is carved, each pore; the quirk of avaricious lips, the gleam of lecherous eyes, is transmitted by the artist who forged it. The figure bears the tonsure of a monk, and where the head joins the haft, the shapes of beads have been replicated. If the subject matter were not so terrible, it would be exquisite. But it is terrible; and as they walk, the heads of their great clubs, their war-maces, seem to move under the eye- carved lips seem to smack and wet themselves, eager for the taste of blood.

And so, the silence, and so, the twins; and one turns to the other and speaks.
"And so, sister, we come to the house of knowledge."
The other nods and lets loose a dismissive laugh, letting the words, in flawless high imperial, echo to one and all.
"So, and so; but what profit to learn if you do not know the purposes of knowledge?"
And both speak as one.
"To deal a death-blow to all iniquities, and to destroy the dishonorable; to draw out the breath from the fool and the villain alike. That is the purpose to which knowledge may be turned."

So saying, they stride toward the gate, and the bickering there....

[13_CBS]

Grymm:

Before the guard can respond to your "insolence", another one steps over. You remember this new guard from last week; he was quite amiable and respectful.

"Ah! Tai Jyn-san, you honor us with your presence again. Is something the matter?"

Evil and Snark:



The woman at first panics as though a thug had come to accost her. She then remembers where she is, and with a smile all but dripping with nervousness and terror she manages out, "Y-you would dare threaten m-me like some common thug? Don't you know who I am? I'm the Juggernaut, b*tch'm Lady Zhen of house Fu! I-I have connections to the governor of this city!"
Her eyes dart back at forth to the two of you and a burly looking man gripping a huge spear. A bodyguard, it seems.

A curious passerby or two are starting to give the three of you odd glances.


Shiny:

The wake of silence the two twins leave swiftly becomes a wake of confusion. What happened? Who were those two women? And what in all the hells were the carrying?

The guard accosting a huge horseman at the Inner City gates stops badgering the man and abruptly turns to the two of you.
"Excuse me madams, bu-what the...is that...what the hell is that?!

...

Oh, err, my apologies, madams. But, uh, please leave your, uh..."fineries" at the station over there, w-weapons are not allowed in the Inner City..." Despite his agitated state, the foolish guard seems to be hinting at a bribe...

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Tsuki/Umi

"You are, of course, quite correct. However, observe-"
Both hoist their weapons and display the hafts; both are composed of prayer wheels emblazoned with holy symbols, clacking along even as they grip the weapons.
"These are not simple weapons, but instruments of religious practice. Surely you would not wish to interfere with the work of those who seek enlightenment and virtue?"

Tsuki, meanwhile, is unlatching a small wooden box carried at her side. It appears to have several very sturdy latches, in fact.


[roll0] Diplomacy.

[The_Snark]

Tiang

Tiang turns slowly to regard the woman as she speaks, allowing Wu-feng to take the lead, her face completely impassive as she examines the woman from head to toe with narrowed blue eyes. Offering violence? Too quick. The woman's offense merits a verbal thrashing, not a physical one. I will have to speak with Wu about that. But later.

She gives a small bow of greeting; smaller than a peasant's bow to a noble would be by far, but more than the woman had bothered to give to her or to Wu-feng. In the process, she steps forward slightly, not quite interposing herself between the noblewoman and Wu. "Honored to meet you, Lady Zhen," she says levelly. "I would be more honored if you did not, apparently, make it a habit to go about accosting strangers in order to insult them. One would think that a lady, especially a well-connected one, would have other things to do with her time; do you not? Or do you enjoy these walks enough to neglect what duties you have?"

[Seribro]

Seribro:
One of the guards spots Mongo and strides purposefully towards the Tungusk. "Hey, you don't look like you're around from these parts...you're not a northern barbarian are you?" The guard is quickly joined by another one, this one gripping his spear quite tightly. The first guard sneers, "If you ARE a barbarian, then it looks like we'll have to send you back to the filthy wastelands that you're from. People like you aren't allowed in these parts, you see."
Mongo raises an eyebrow and looks from one guard to the other.
"First of all, A barbarian is an uncivilized being that couldn't tell Guan Dao From a greatspear even if he fell on it. Let alone be able to create first class scale armor that rivals that of an imperial officer. Second, the very fact that I travelled this far into the Empire of Knowledge all by my self should be a sign that pillage and onslaught are not the reason of my visit. Third if your going to start about what is allowed an what isn't, I think I will have to report to your superiors that you tried to deny an adversary of a neighbouring country access to a public area on terms of his looks. That is not only illegal by your laws, it is also reason for dishonourable forced retirement. Are you willing to risk such a disgrace?"
Mongo looks aside when two ladies with rather... peculiar 'holy symbols' are getting halted as well by another guard. They how ever seem not to be having as much trouble by entering, but rather with carrying along their belongings. Which could very well prove interesting.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn turns from the first guard to address the new one, "Just a simple misunderstanding it seems. I have returned to try again at obtaining passage into the private areas of the Library. I was told last time to come back, and I would possibly be allowed inside to begin my research. It is paramount for my land," he replies.

Tai-Jyn worries that the people of this land would enjoy keeping his homeland subjected to the evils of the Akuma, that is why he did not mention that aspect of things. As many of his order worry, the Shogunate would just turn their energy from fighting the Akuma to re-conquering outside lands. Whereas it is the hopes of the monastery to free the burden of death that holds yoke over their people and allow greater prosperity not conquest.

[13_CBS]

Shiny and Seribro:


"A walking stick? You could beat horses to death with that-oh gods, is it moving? Please don't tell me it's moving.

...

Ok, fine! G-go on through, just get away from me!"

The guard then turns to the horseman. "As for you...fine. Go on in. And take your stupid weapon with you. But we'll be watching you...scum." The rest of the city guards give Mongo death glares as he rides by.

Seribro:

As you enter the inner city, a man dressed in typical Imperial finery approaches you. "Hmm...quite impressive how you dealt with those guards. Far too many of our countrymen would have simply picked a fight, but you...you're as skilled with words as you are with your Guan Dao, yes?"

This human seems a bit...odd. His dress indicates that he is an Imperial citizen of good stature, but his face looks very much like that of a clean shaven, well groomed Tungusk.


Evil and Snark:

The woman's face contorts with embarrassment and fury at Tiang's stinging words.

"H-how DARE you insult...! Ugh!

Come along Miao Chan! Let's not waste any more time with these fools." The woman leaves with a huff, dragging her burly bodyguard with her.

The noblewoman's grating presence had been hiding a quite magnificient-looking noodle shop called Chiao's Finest Noodles. The entire store sign seems to be made of expensive colored glass, and the shop itself is two stories tall. It seems to be somewhat crowded at the moment.

The nearby squabble at the Golden Library gates seems to have come to an end.

Grymm:

"Ah, so business as usual, then, sir? Go on ahead." The second, more courteous guard ignores the flustered first one and opens the gates for you.

"I should warn you, sir, that due to, uh...recent events, some sections of the library have been locked away to all people except the most senior University staff."

[Seribro]

Mongo smiles with a warm broad smirk across his face as the human approaches him.
"Well, not really to be honest. Its a trick I learned from a dwarven diplomat with whom I travelled for a while. I saved him from some bandits so he owed me one. When he saw how I got treated in an elven town we visited later on, he thought me a thing or two about imperial laws and and how to use them to ones advantage. By the way, my name is Mongo Naichuk. Would you by any chance know of a respectable inn or similar place of stay? My visit here is not arranged yet I would like to stay for a few days to see more of the city before I travel further."

[Grymmheart]

"If I may be so forward, what recent events are you speaking of? May chance I be of assistance."

Tai-Jyn hopes that this could be a chance for him to gain the trust of these people. He ignores the first guard completely, while waiting for an answer.

[13_CBS]

Seribro:

"Intriguing...

Ah, an inn. The Noble's Rest inn lies just ahead. You can get lunch there, or at the many different shops in the Inner City. I personally recommend Chiao's Finest Noodles, especially the beef noodles; Imperial chefs can make strands of noodles out of meat! Nothing like that in our steppes up north, eh, brother?

Oh! Forgive my manners. I am Ogdai Kulan, an attendant to our Empire's diplomat here. And our Council has need of you, Mongo Naichuk..."

Grymm:


The guard walks alongside you as you enter the Library's familiar courtyard. He scratches his head as he tries to answer your question; "Eh, I apologize sir, but you'll have to talk to the Minister of Archives. I'm just a guard, so they don't tell me much, but judging from the fact that they've been trying to keep everything hush-hush, it's something big and nasty.

Here, I'll take you to his office."

As the two of you walk by, scores of young students wearing expensive apprentices' robes walk by, talking about their daily lives or the latest examination. Some students are exercising outside; two of them are fighting with wooden Yaman swords, and to Tai Jyn's trained eye, they're not very adept at using them.

You reach the Minister's office, which is surprisingly spartan. All the furniture and walls are well made, of course, but there is nothing gaudy or wealth-flaunting like many of the other rooms are. The Minister notices you at his door and smiles, looking less like a stodgy old official and more like a kindly, sage-like grandfather.

"Ah! Tai Jyn-san, welcome back. I apologize, but the section of library that you were in last week has been closed off today.

Is there anything else I can do for you?"

[Seribro]

For a moment Mongo looks surprised and as he looks over his fellow country member, an eery feeling creeps up his spine. Likely it would be best to decline for they would either use him as a message boy or to do some dirty work that they do not wish to remain clear of. But then again, no harm in checking it out. He shrugs and says
"Lead the way, my brother"

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

With a friendly bow, Tai-Jyn returns pleasantries to the Minister, before replying "I had hoped that the information that I seek would be open to myself as an emissary of my Monastery. But I see that still is not the case. I hope whatever has locked the areas to further study is dealt with quickly." He begins to turn to leave, before returning his focus on the Minister, "If there is something a lowly foreigner can do to help in the situation, I would be more than happy to offer my services as I have free time."

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Tsuki and Umi

The twins scent the city, having passed through her gates, into her skin, her heart; they move along her veins and arteries.

They have heard whispers; infection. Wound.
There is blood, somewhere, in the city, murder, death.
Rumors. Tales. Stories.

The twins scent the city, weaving in and out. Gliding once again. They near the library, reach its door, if they can...and are gone.

((Freakin' forum roller won't let me correct my tags grumblemumblesnark. Insert a hide check here. If any of the guards can beat a +29 modifier, I'll eat my mace.))

[13_CBS]

Seribro:


The diplomat smiles and says in a voice tinged with comfortable Imperial living, "Ah, I thought you would understand, Brother.

Now, as you know, our great Empire's expansion has ground to a halt, mostly since we simply cannot continue to press into Imperial lands; we lack the manpower. This is common knowledge. What most do NOT know is that, were the Empire of Knowledge to attack our Empire of Gold, they could very well retake the lands that we fought so hard to take. They do not do this since, until now, they have feared our might and our wrath.

But...if our spies' information is correct, Imperial troops have been mustering around our borders. As I have said before, we cannot fight them, even with our new fortifications; we are, after all, a nation of horsemen, not a nation of wall-defenders. We have lately been trying to placate the Imperials, but it has been difficult to do so while trying to maintain a strong appearance; we cannot beg, but nor has it been easy to coerce. " He then gives you a wide grin, a grin full of trained charisma and opportunism.

"This is where you come in.

Since you have only recently arrived, I am assuming that you are unaware of what has happened in the Golden Library? Last night, a team of assassins somehow infiltrated the University, assassinated the headmaster, and attempted to steal a certain scroll. The headmaster is now dead, of course, while the scroll remains under heavy guard. Likely, the Imperials will need extra muscle to investigate this matter, for the assassins were from a cult known for its powerful warriors, both living and dead; this they know from the remains of one of the assassins.

If you could somehow assist these Imperials with their little problem, no doubt that the relations between our two nations will be healed; at the same time, we can also show off what one of our warriors can do in battle."

Grymm:
The minister gives Tai Jyn a long, hard look.

"Hmm...perhaps. Normally, no foreigner, or even most common Imperial citizens, would be privy to the information I am about to tell you...but you, sir, I feel as though I can trust. Though there may have been many opportunities that you could have exploited to steal our knowledge for your own gain, or sabotage our great archives, you have never done so. But take heed; what I tell you now must not escape from this room.

Last night, a group of cultists of the Blood Cult infiltrated our sacred academy and assassinated our headmaster. The destruction in the wake of our honored headmaster's death...oh..." The old minister looks hard at one of the ornaments on his desk, taking a moment to collect his thoughts.

"Our headmaster was killed, and they took his head with them. They also tried to steal a certain scroll that we have been attempting to translate, but our guards managed to drive them off before they could. We are worried that they may return.

We need powerful sword-arms to investigate this matter. We would send our own men, if we could, but at the moment we are trying to keep the whole incident away from the eyes and ears of the public; thus, many members of our ruling council have voted to hire either freelancers or foreigners to travel South to the Mahayana Empire and see what they can find out about the Blood Cult.

If you would help us, then I will take you to the headmaster's private chambers and to the scroll room. You should watch your step in there; the assassins left behind small disks inscribed with strange runes; we are afraid that they will unleash whatever they contain should someone touch them.

Please, noble Yaman...help us. We must find out why the Blood Cult tried to steal a particular scroll from one of our Empire's greatest cities, and we can hardly spare any men; our warriors lack subtlety, and our spies lack muscle. If you assist us, we can give you full, unrestricted access to whatever you desire in our archives."

Shiny:
The guards seem fairly on edge lately, but that is no matter for Umi and Tsuki. The hustle and bustle of the throngs of students makes it difficult to move around without being detected, but fortunately for the twins, everyone seems distracted by something.

As you pass by a certain office containing an old man and a Yaman-looking warrior, you over hear something:

""Our headmaster was killed, and they took his head with them. They also tried to steal a certain scroll that we have been attempting to translate, but our guards managed to drive them off before they could. We are worried that they may return..."

Looks like something's happened in the Golden Library.

[The_Snark]

Tiang

"That one flees her failings rather than confront them," Tiang says disapprovingly, staring after the woman. Clearly, she is not satisfied with the woman simply departing to avoid bothering them, and would have preferred to have managed to make an impact on the woman. Perhaps it would have been better not to insult her pride so blatantly. She will hardly agree to learn from someone who offends her, however injust her offense was.

But there is nothing to be done for it, and so Tiang turns back to Wu, putting the noblewoman out of her thoughts. "Where shall we go first, then?" she asks, as if nothing had happened. She still wasn't sure that Wu knew what she wanted here, and if that was the case, Wu should admit it to herself as soon as possible. Made to admit it to herself, if need be—they could hardly decide where to go next before they realized they needed to make that decision.

[EvilWalks]

Evil and Snark:

The woman's face contorts with embarrassment and fury at Tiang's stinging words.

"H-how DARE you insult...! Ugh!

Come along Miao Chan! Let's not waste any more time with these fools." The woman leaves with a huff, dragging her burly bodyguard with her.

The noblewoman's grating presence had been hiding a quite magnificient-looking noodle shop called Chiao's Finest Noodles. The entire store sign seems to be made of expensive colored glass, and the shop itself is two stories tall. It seems to be somewhat crowded at the moment.

The nearby squabble at the Golden Library gates seems to have come to an end.
Wu-feng the Dragonfly

As the incident comes to an end, Wu-feng breaths a sigh of relief. Tiang's usual draconic crass often hid the heart and tongue of the diplomat that she possessed...something that Wu-feng needed the occasional reminder of...she could defend herself, despite the appearance that she usually assumed.

"Are we lost, you asked...I wish it where so. The Golden City can seem rather...tarnished at times. I was hoping we could have avoided that part until after we enjoyed the more gleaming parts of the city." She gestures to the noodlehouse in front of them. "Like this establishment which I had planned to visit before the Library...unfortunately, it seems our river has taken another bend right around that rather rude woman's bosom, and straight towards the gates of the Library. We have attracted attention, and that woman did not seem like the 'live and let live' type...I would long to avoid anymore incidents with her..." Wu-feng pauses for a moment in contemplative thought, before looking back to the 'young peasant woman'. "What do you belief we should do?"

[13_CBS]

2 things I forgot to tell you:

1) NO ONE knows the true story of how the world was created, not even the oldest of dragons (except perhaps Zu Long). This great Lie, agreed upon by the four out-bound factions, prevents mortals and earth-bound supernaturals from knowing the Truth, that the world was made by fiends. Upper level earth-bound creatures know that mortals were made by devils; mortals have all but forgotten this little fact. Lesser dragons such as Tiang do not know the latter fact, but greater dragons such as Li Long and Oh-Oni such as Spirit of Carnage know this.

2) This game is going on at the same time as Team 2's game :smallamused:


Grymm:

As the old minister waits for your answer, a loud rumble and then a huge CRASHing noise shakes the whole office.

"By the gods, what's going-"

Terrified shrieks of students and angry, nervous shouts of guards can barely be heard over a chorus foul, disgusting voices, all of them sounding excited. You can hear a cry for a volley of spears, some clattering noises following immediately afterwards, and then a series of horrific screams of anguish and tearing flesh. When the screams die out, you can hear the sound of what seems like large animals gorging upon meat.

Students flee like a maddened herd of buffalo away from what seems to be the late headmaster's chambers.

Seribro:

Ogdai patiently waits for your response when a strange creature bursts through the roof of the Golden Library. It is twenty feet tall, hairy, has a huge, gaping mouth, and looks something like a demonic bear. Despite its tiny wings, it flies with great agility. The thing swoops down on one of the young students in the courtyard and greedily swallows him whole, completely ignoring the volley of arrows launched by the panicked guards.

Ogdai looks at the scene with horror. "What?! That...that's a demon! Those Blood Cultists couldn't have..."

Evil and snark:

The two of you are pondering upon where to go next when a strange creature bursts through the roof of the Golden Library. It is twenty feet tall, hairy, has a huge, gaping mouth, and looks something like a demonic bear. Despite its tiny wings, it flies with great agility. The thing swoops down on one of the young students in the courtyard and greedily swallows him whole, completely ignoring the volley of arrows launched by the panicked guards.

Shiny:

Before you can continue sneaking about, you hear a loud rumble and then a huge CRASHing noise shakes the whole hallway.

Sienna"By the gods, what's going-"[/COLOR]

Terrified shrieks of students and angry, nervous shouts of guards can barely be heard over a chorus foul, disgusting voices, all of them sounding excited. You can hear a cry for a volley of spears, some clattering noises following immediately afterwards, and then a series of horrific screams of anguish and tearing flesh. When the screams die out, you can hear the sound of what seems like large animals gorging upon meat.

Students flee like a maddened herd of buffalo towards the academy exits. Some of them bump into you, but none stop to see what they bumped into and instead charge on ahead to an exit.

[Seribro]

Mongo reaches back to his horses pack and rips out a stylish guan dao.
"You wish to see me in battle? Here's your chance!"
With the Guan Dao firmly in his hands, Mongo darts of with incredible inhuman speed
[roll0]initiative
What is the approaximite distance between Mongo and the demon? What obstacels are on his path? (stairs, doors, people, trees etcetera)
And incredible speed be: 50 ft
I know by far not the greatest speed, but incredible none the less. The others just happen to have inhuman speed...

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn Demonsbane

'Free access to the library,' thinks Tai-Jyn as the minister offers his proposal. Before he can reply, a large crash breaks the relative calm of the situation.

"By the Masters," exclaims Tai-Jyn as he moves toward the sounds of battle leaving his sword sheathed at his side.

enters the absolute steel stance to gain slightly better than mere mortal speed (40') but not inhuman.

[The_Snark]

Tiang

"If she is wrongheaded enough to try to do anything, we will correct her," Tiang answers firmly, but any reccomendations she has on what they should do next are drowned out by the sound of screams and splintering wood.

The dragon in human form twists about to stare at the demonic beast, striding towards it and raising her hands to her mouth. She breathes a thin wisp of mist, which gathers in her hands, and then releases it, dropping her hands once more. The streamers of mist waft across to the courtyard, abruptly thickening into a thick fog as they reach the demon until nothing but the thing's feet can be seen.

Initiative: [roll0]
Tiang uses Chilling Fog. If there are still people within 20 feet of the thing, she'll target high up enough that the fog wouldn't affect human-sized creatures. (That would also mean that the thing's legs would be visible.) She also moves 30 feet towards it. Cold damage to those within the fog: [roll1]

Why is it that the only one of us who moves at a normal mortal speed is also the only one who isn't actually a mortal?

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The screams and splintering wood shake Wu's ears. "What is that?" She asks in suprise as she looks to the cause.

A demonic beast in the Golden Library, the largest city of the Empire...why? Why is it here, among so many innoncents? She thinks, her own experience with demonic entities flying through her mind's eye....the demonically enhanced bandit hordes at the battle of Baichuxai...the Shadow Mercenary Leader...the sorcerous cult...

She can't help but for a moment, feel like she attracts these attentions...like her path would always be a bloody long line of battles against influences from beyond...

With a breath, she forces those thoughts out of her mind. She needs clarity of purpose and mind for the task ahead...stopping the waves of disharmony this beast was creating. She draws her sword, it's blued metal edges and intricate dragonfly and lily patterns that are etched into the flat of the blade gleam in the sunlight, and runs forward at an incredible speed towards the beast.

When Wu-feng nears the demon, she leaps up for an airial strike.


Initiative: [roll0]
Knowledge Checks to see if Wu-feng can recognize the type of demonic beast: Religion [roll1], History [roll2]
Draws blade, charges towards Demon (base speed 90ft), makes free Jump check (DC 25) and attacks with an Eagle's Swoop manuver (Raptor School feat)
Jump: [roll3]
Attack: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]

I hope that's how Eagle Swoop works...It's actually my first time using a Tactical Feat

[13_CBS]

Seribro, Evil, Snark:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/empire1.jpg

Brown squares = building floors
Gold squares = street floors
black lines = walls
white lines = doors/gates
Green squares = courtyard

Big red thing = creature

I will rule that Wu Feng is close enough to reach the creature with her sword, so Evil can place Wu Feng anywhere adjacent to the red circle. The rest of you may place your characters anywhere reasonable, as long as it's not within 3 squares of the red circle.

As for combat order...

Wu Feng's attack connects, while Taing's Fog Cloud envelops the creature fully. Since the thing's distracted by the sudden appearance of the two fighting females, Mongo gets one surprise round to act after Seribro places him somewhere on the map. Afterwards, the creature's initiative will be rolled and combat will resume normally.

Evil:
You recall from your studies that this...thing is most certainly a demon, and not some kind of ogre or somesuch. You're not quite sure precisely what kind of demon it is, but you know that it prefers to close into melee with its enemies, and that it can fly quite quickly.


Grymm:

You dash down to where the sounds of battle were, but all you find are torn human bodies, rubble, and a few faded jade disks inscribed with strange glyphs. The creatures seem to have fled elsewhere.

"By the Bureaucracy...our Library...

Please, Tai Jyn, we must hurry to where the scroll is kept; I have a feeling that the intruders are heading for the scroll."

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn slows his gait to match the head minister, surprised somewhat at the old historians fleetness of foot. Nodding in agreement, he follows the man to protect the scrolls.

"Lead on."


uses swift action to shift to blood in the water stance, to slow speed to match minister.

[roll0]

[13_CBS]

Evil, Seribro, Snark:



Tactical Map after this surprise round's events:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/empire2.jpg

Tan: Mongo
Blue: Wu Feng
Light Blue: Tiang
Red: Big creature
White speckles: Fog cloud (it is above the head of even Mongo on his horse, so unless somebody jumps really high, it won't impede anyone except for the demon)

Initiative Order:
Mongo (17)
Wu Feng (16)
Creature (14)
Tiang (10)


You guys must now post your normal actions.

[13_CBS]

Grymm:



A trail of dead and dying guards, students, and scholars marks the path to the storeroom where the scroll is kept. Inside the room, which is a large, spacious and richly decorated place now splattered with blood, is a huge insectoid creature. It has eight limbs, four of which have just finished beheading a guard, and four bulbous eyes. Its movements and appearance suggests that it is a living creature, but is artificial. It has not noticed your presence yet.

You also see one more creature: this one has the guise of a woman with unearthly beauty, with such a presence that she practically swallows your attention whole. She gives you a lustful, yet contemptuous smirk and disappears in a flash.

Tactical map:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/empirescrollroom.jpg

Red: insectoid thing
Purple: Tai Jyn
Indigo: Minister

Orange lines: Bookshelves
Orange speckles: scattered books, difficult terrain

Tai Jyn has 1 surprise round to act.

[Shiny, Bearer of the Pokystick]

Tsuki and Umi

Each of the twins turns to the other; with a simultaneous nod, they fade from sight and move toward the sounds of baneful feasting.


[roll0]
[roll1]

Stealth; H/MS.

[Seribro]

((Edit: I changed the story I was going to put up, read spoiler for explanation))

With Sù Jié shivering with anticipation in his hands, Mongo leaps forward as he cries out to the ancestors for strength. "zhàn shì lì!"
The ring around his finger answers the call and as the Tunguskian warrior closes in with the demon, his body begins to expand to about twice its former size. The Guan Dao lengthens along and the eager blade is lifted up into the air, preparing to Dance with the Devil.


((Edit: forget the first half of the spoiler and skip to the second half))
activate dance, move to D9-E10
power attack 5
attack1 [roll0]
damage1 [roll1]
move to C9-D10
attack2 [roll2]
damage2 [roll3]
move to C10-D11
attack3 [roll4]
damage3 [roll5]
move to C11-D12
auto succes tumble
swift action short haft feat
attack4 [roll6]
damage4 [roll7]

Edit: I forgot, all four the attacks get an extra +2 on the attack roll thanks to the flanking. If this is a standard Nelfashnee we are talking about, that is four hits for a total of 151-40(DR)=111 hp damage... that would mean it has already been almost put down... Okay thats way to fast, I'm going to cut my own fingers here by pointing out that the ring needs a standard action to activate so although I appreciate the DM's generosity, I couldn't have attacked just yet. Instead, I use a standard action to activate the ring and a move to reach D9-E10

Edit2: Wait, did you just state "on his horse"? Okay, now your starting to confuse me. When did I mount my horse? :smalleek: I have been walking in front of it all this time.... Didn't I? *goes to reread his former posts*

Oh.... Oh crap... I now see that my description could indeed be very well be interpreted either way. And so you never did assume I had my ring activated, you just thought I was on my horse... Oh crap indeed... Well, then it all quiet works out I guess :smallbiggrin: I am walking, needed a standard action to activate the ring and simply could not attack this round I am now large and at D9-E10 and have ended my turn. My horse is still with the diplomat of the Empire of Gold.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn


Tai-Jyn passes all of the death and destruction. Deep down he knows the cuts and deep bites look to be caused by the creatures he seeks to free his land of. Looking through the doorway, he is repulsed by the sight of the beautiful vanishing woman, and the beast that remains. Eyeing the books and bookcases in the room, Tai-Jyn quickly calculates the best avenue of approach. Clicking his heels together, he gains a burst of speed before taking off.

With magic enhanced speed, Tai-Jyn moves across the book laden floor towards the evil creature. He suddenly leaps towards the beast before moving on. He remains focused for any attack the beast may throw at him.




I forgot to label manuevers. I only have 6 to choose 4 from. My plan was to have the pure melee ones readied in cities, and the 2 saving throw buff ones when on adventure/etc. I would love to have the saving throw ones active now, but since not my plan, I will stick with the other 4. (Razor, disarm, heart surge, sudden leap).

sudden leap jump is swift action, so no time spent in jump, WoTC FAQ says movement during jump does not count against total movement in round.
[roll0]

SO moves 30' in through difficult terrain. Makes swift jump of distance above, If makes it to beasts side he will draw and attack as below, otherwise finish his move unthreatened to the beasts side


[roll1]

[roll2]
[roll3] crit on 17-20
[roll4]
[roll5]
[roll6]
[roll7]take number of die depending on iaijutsu roll,
10-14 1die, 15-19 2 die, 20-24 3 die and so on to 40-44 7die.

[13_CBS]

Shiny:

The two of you easily go undetected through the bloodied school. Bodies of young students, scholars, and guards litter the area, with the occasional demon corpse peppered throughout the carnage.

Eventually you reach one of the professors' lounges, a large office-like room filled with comfortable cushions and a mechanical snack dispenser. Two dead teachers are sprawled over these cushions, while a third one cowers in a corner, begging for mercy. Two demons, each wearing the guise of beautiful but deadly women, seem to be toying with the poor female scholar.

Tactical map:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/demontsukiumi.jpg

Red = demons
Lavender = scholar

Tsuki/Umi may start anywhere where they have line of sight with the two demons and the professor in the corner. You have a surprise round to act.


Grymm:

You land with perfect grace in front of the demon and perform an iaijutsu cut, slicing open the demon's chassis.

Tactical map:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/empirescrollroom-1.jpg

Tai Jyn has moved from his starting position to I17 and has dealt 19 damage (Normal attack + Anti-outsider damage + Iaijutsu)

Combat round start

Initiative order:
Tai Jyn (19)
Demon (17)

[Seribro]

Do not read until Mongo's initiative comes up. Or until your curiosity gets the better of you. Which ever comes first. I wont be able to be here when its my turn (unless the battle is going by the speed of a turtle in hibernation) so to keep you all from waiting, here's what happens at that point. (unless something bizarre happens before that time, killing of the demon or scaring it away)
((I already lost track of initiative so I'll just make my post now and you can take it into acount once it is actually my turn okay?))

As Mongo reaches the monstrosity his body begins to move as if it hears music that only he can hear. As he closes in the last few steps, he leaps into the air a couple feat and lashes out with the guan dao as if it were an extension of his own arms. A quick sidestep while using the momentum of his last swing to initiate another. A step forward while taking in some of the poles reach for a quick cut under the waist. A roll to the left, dugging beneath a swinging claw and ripping through the abdomen and he backflips out of reach again, blood spats covering his grinning face as well as half the garden around him.


step into D10-E11
powerattack 5
attack 1 [roll0]
damage [roll1]
side step to C10-D11, auto success tumble, activates acrobatic strike
attack 2 [roll2]
damage [roll3]
step foreword C11-D12, activate short haft, auto success tumble, activates acrobatic strike
attack 3 [roll4]
damage [roll5]
side step to D11-E12, auto success tumble, activates acrobatic strike
attack 1 [roll6]
damage [roll7]
auto success tumble back to D9-E10 (Still short haft so I am not threatening the demon at the moment)

Edit: forgot the flanking again... Oh well, looks like 4 hits anyway.
146 damage -40 DR =106 damage

[The_Snark]

Tiang

Tiang glances impatiently about the street. I cannot see anything from here. Danger was no reason to throw away her guise, not when she had perfectly good reasons for maintaining it; she wouldn't let the appearance of a demon rule her behavior. At the same time, risk to her was no reason to abandon Wu, should she need help.

She begins some form of hand gesture, and fades completely from sight as the quick motion is completed, beginning to rise off the ground out of the sight of mortal eyes.

Walk Unseen, followed by flying up to about where the top of the wall is.

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

Wu-feng falls into a defensive stance, ready to dodge away from any counter-attacks that the demon might do...though the demon seemed still a little stunned from her initial blow, so perhaps it would be better to keep it from ever landing a strike.

She followed her initial attack with flurry of stabbing blows that ended with a single slash...Frantic Tiger at the River's Edge the maneuver was called, for the movements of a starved tiger trying to catch a fish.


Declare Dodge on demon
AC 25
Flurry of Blows!

Attack 1: [roll0]
Damage 1: [roll1]
In Case of Critical Hit (17-20/x2)
Threat Roll: [roll2]
Damage Roll: [roll3]

Attack 2: [roll4]
Damage 2: [roll5]
In Case of Critical Hit (17-20/x2)
Threat Roll: [roll6]
Damage Roll: [roll7]

Attack 3: [roll8]
Damage 3: [roll9]
In Case of Critical Hit (17-20/x2)
Threat Roll: [roll10]
Damage Roll: [roll11]

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn eagerly awaits the destruction of this vile outsider. Focusing on his own protection, he moves his blade in a defensive fashion. Calling on the power of his ring and the training he obtained at the Yamato Monastery, Tai-Jyn concentrates on finding the one opening in his foes defenses that will cause the most damage.



Still an attack vs a flat-footed foe

[roll0]
[roll1] crit on 17-20

[roll2] times two for greater insightful strike
[roll3]

[roll4] Get to use wall of blades for my AC on an attack by the beast after I know if the attack would hit, so saving for the first attack that would hit AC 26 (used combat expertise to increase AC)

WOOHOO nice 156 dmg hit, base hit 76, crit for 152 and 4 for starmetal, unless his AC greater than 38

[13_CBS]

Grymm:

The many armed demon at first ignores your blow and raises its four arms...

...which fall off one by one, followed by the rest of the demon's body. It collapses into ruin and fades out of sight.

The Minister comes out from his hiding spot and walks about the room as if in a daze. His search grows more and more desperate as he begins ripping the room apart with his bare hands.

"No....no, no no! NO!

They've....they've taken it..." He clutches his head in his hands and begins weeping bitterly.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn pauses for a second waiting for something more to occur. When it seems that the demon is truly gone, he looks for a destroyed shred of paper to wipe the demon gore of his blade before returning it to its home, not caring if his act upsets the minister.

Hearing the minister come from hiding and the distraught sound to his voice at finding IT missing, Tai-Jyn turns to him and asks, "Your welcome...........And what is missing to cause such a stir in you center?"

[13_CBS]

Evil, Snark, Seribro:



Tactical map of the round's events:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/empire3.jpg

Mongo grows larger and moves closer to the demon.

Wu Feng aims several blows at the demon, but only one of them hit; and that one merely scratches the demon. It does not seemed to be harmed.

The demon snarls and suddenly disappears. It reappears about 70 ft. above the air, well above the cloud, and mocks you.

Tiang turns invisible and flies over to the wall.


ROUND OVER, post your next actions.



Grymm:


The Minister seems to snap out of something at your words. He quickly dusts himself off, and regains his composure.

"Oh! I-I apologize for my lack of manners, sir. On behalf of our university, I am forever grateful for your efforts in fighting off these demons." He bows low as he says this.

"The scroll that the succubus-demon took was a highly treasured scroll that we had only recently acquired by paying a substantial sum. That scroll was the Ultimate Pathway, said to be written by Lao Tzu himself.

We were in the process of translating it, but since much of it was written in a Celestial code, it took quite a bit of time. The scroll was locked away when the headmaster was assassinated, for we feared that the intruders may have been after the scroll...and it appears that we were correct." The Minister still looks devastated by the loss of the scroll.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

"Yes, unfortunately it does appear your fears were correctly warranted. Any clue where this scroll may have been taken? Or who may be behind the theft?" he asks the minister as he moves to check on the bodies of the fallen he passed. "Before we worry more about the scroll, is there anyone that can offer assistance to the fallen, while I go check for other intruders?"

Tai-Jyn does not await an official answer, but begins to move back into the halls moving towards any new source of combat.

shifting stances to bump speed to 40'

[Seribro]

((ooc: Okay... that pretty much screws up the tango I had planned... I do however get an AoO as it uses a spell-like ability

power attack 8, but haven't been able to activate dance yet so no dervish boni
[roll0]
[roll1]

When the monster begins to use some unnatural power, Mongo quickly manages to get a cut of him, but can't prevent it from dissapearing. When thin air remains , Mongo looks around for a moment to see where it went. But when the vile mockery sounds from above, he realizes he is going to have a problem. Swiftly he hurries back to his horse, planting the Guan Dao in the grass as he moves over. From the pack of his horse he retrieves a length of rope with a grappling hook attached to it.

[The_Snark]

Tiang

Still unseen, the young woman that is Tiang ascends, her humanlike form falling away like scales off a serpent as she moves sinuously upwards.

Dismiss change shape, move up; still invisible. Should be about thirty feet up at the moment, I believe.

[13_CBS]

Ok, if Evil does not post by this evening, Wu Feng will just sit there and do nothing.

If Shiny does not post by tomorrow, he will be removed from the game. Gotta post, folks...

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The Taoist Swordmonk curses as the demon appears out of the range of her blade

It's times like these that I wish I had learned how to use a bow, She thinks as she looks around her environment. Perhaps if there is a building tall enough, one she can reach by walking the rooftops, she can nail the demon with a decisive aerial strike, or lure it back closer to the ground...though she isn't looking forward to the possibility of falling 70ft straight to the earth...

Wu looks around for a way to gain some elevation (spot [roll0] ). If she finds any, she runs, leaps, and tumbles her way to the highest point, and readies a strike.

If there isn't, she watches the demon intently, with her blade ready for an attack (starts a Hawk's Eye maneuver), but her feet ready to shift her position if she needs to move (Total Defense, Full +5 Combat Expertise)

Sorry for the delay...March Break is Madness where I am

[13_CBS]

Evil, Snark, Seribro:


Tactical map:
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/empire4.jpg

Yellow: Mongo's horse

In the previous round: Mongo's glaive manages to cut the torso badly, but it grunts and teleports into the sky.

This round's events:

Mongo moves over to his horse and fetches a rope and grappling tool.

Wu Feng sees a school supply shop near the Library entrance and hops up over the big fence and onto the rooftop.

The demon laughs at Tiang. "Little fool! You thought your invisibility tricks could get you past these eyes? Ha!" It moves so that it is about 40 ft. above Tiang's position and casts a spell, surrounding itself in a dark aura. (Spellcraft check to identify the effect).

Tiang flies upwards closer to the demon.




Grymm:

You leave the Minister behind and follow the now diminishing sounds of battle. You now hear demonic screams of pain and terror much more often than that of frightened students; it sounds as if the Library's elite guards have gotten into the fray.

There seems to be some commotion outside the library, however, in the courtyard.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn

Tai-Jyn contiues to run, letting the sounds of battle lead his feet.

Still moving 40' speed or 160' as run. Haste was only used 1 rd for the jump to the demons side.

[13_CBS]

Why do I get the feeling that this game is pretty much dead? :smallfrown:

[The_Snark]

I've been kinda trying to post in initiative order, but oh well, I guess. Evil, where are you?

Ch'i Ling Tiangnang

The dragon ignores the demon's foolery, and abruptly reappears in the sky, open to see. The dragon is serpentine, near twelve feet long from nose to tail, with short limbs tucked against its body. Its scales are a pearly blue-white, and it has no horns. She twists sinuously upwards through the air, mouth open in a silent snarl, and the air above her ripples with a faint blue tinge, as if it were turning to water.

Spellcraft [roll0]. Also, Knowledge (the planes) to see what Tiang knows about this type of demon.: [roll1]

Tiang halts 30 feet down from the demon and uses Slow Breath; the demon must make a DC 27 Fortitude save or be slowed (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/slow.htm) for 2 rounds. On a successful save, it's slowed for only 1 round. The demon is also entangled (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/conditionSummary.htm#entangled) for [roll2] rounds, due to Entangling Exhalation.

[Grymmheart]

After all your work in building a world/history/etc, I would hate to see it die. Even if just 2 or 3 of us work it.

[EvilWalks]

It's not dead...it's just March Break ;) Have no fear, it's almost over!

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The Swordmonk continues her search for higher ground...it didn't help that the Demon was continuing to elevate...almost made her wish that it would follow the battle patterns she had read about in Lishun-wa's old scrolls...attack hard in melee.

Unfortutently, she'll have to hold out for that...there was no way to take the fight to the demon...the rooftop she stands on is the highest in the area.

With a breath, she lowers her stance into an all defensive position. She would make herself ready for an attack...and if the demon decided to move to the large barbarian in the court, then at least she was at an elevation to make a devastating aerial attack.


Third times the charm!

Total Defense, Combat Expertise, the works. Begins watching the demons every move, and setting up for a Hawk's Eye Strike. Round 1, 2 Damage. Round 2, 4 Damage, to a max of 3 rounds studying that results in the next attack dealing an extra 6 damage.

Removed rolls do to change of action

[13_CBS]

Thanks for the heads up folks. No need to post in strict initiative order, random post order is fine.

If Seribro does not post by later tonight, Mongo will sit there and do nothing.

Also, Shiny has requested to be removed from the game.

Edit: Evil, considering the fact that the demon is about 100 ft. up in the air, you may wish the redo your actions.

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn continues on running..................

[13_CBS]

Sorry about the short one; an update for the rest of you will come soon.

Gyrmm:



As you run through the rubble, you hear the sound of a woman whimpering and begging for mercy, punctuated by the occasional yelp of pain.

"Oh, don't cry mortal," says a lustful voice. "We won't kill you."

"N-no, please...oh gods, not-AUUGH!"

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn
Tai-Jyn remains in his absolute steel stance and cautiously moves toward the sound. His hand casually on his sheathed weapon hilt.

moves toward sounds. Assume this is same encounter, so sudden leap remains spent.

[13_CBS]

Grymm:


http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh314/13cbs/demontsukiumi-1.jpg

Lavender: female scholar
Red: demons

You approach what appears to be a professor's lounge, a small room filled with rich, comfortable silk couches and drink dispensers. In the far corner, you see two beautiful-looking demons "playing" with a ravaged female scholar, a young woman in her twenties. She whimpers for mercy and yelps every time one of the two demons dig their claws a little too deep into her flesh.

As you approach, the demons turn towards you and whisper with lustful voices,

"Oh, another mortal's come."
"Come play with us, young man..."
"We'll show you..."
"The greatest time..."
"Of your life..."

(Tai Jyn must start somewhere near the door and within line of sight of the two demons. Roll for initiative. This combat encounter counts as a new encounter.

Demon initiative: [roll0]


Snark, Evil, Seribro:



The positions have not changed, so a tactical map is unneccesary.

Mongo seems to zone out for a moment; he does nothing as he stands by his horse.

Wu Feng looks about for higher ground, but sees nothing.

The demon lets out a bright flash of unholy light, bathing Tiang in the grim glow. (Tiang must make a DC 22 Will Save or be dazed for [roll1] rounds. If she makes the save, the demon will get entangled and will crash to the floor from 100 ft up.)

[Grymmheart]

Tai-Jyn just smiles at the demon before moving into action. He quickly leaps over the coaches to land near the wall (J-11) and reaches for Jiro. With utter conviction he accesses his internal fire and his strength increases significantly before performing an expert slice to avoid any defenses the demon may muster.

sudden leap to J-11, need DC 20 which is autosucces with current speed jump bonus. Activate kensai power surge as move action to gain +8 strength for 2 rds, autosuccess Concentration DC 15. Emerald razor attack for melee touch attack, gain iaijutsu if win initiative

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2] crit on 17-20
[roll3]
[roll4]

[roll5]
10-14 1die, 15-19 2 die, 20-24 3 die and so on to 40-44 7die
[roll6]

CRIT if AC 45 hits, 19x2=38+5=43 dmg,
iaijutsu since won initiative, by messly 1, 6 die used=23dmg

Total 66dmg

[The_Snark]

Will save [roll0]

Yowch. That'd leave me still invisible, then, and either hovering in the air or falling to the ground; Tiang has the maneuverability to hover, but whether or not her flight works while she can't take actions is up to you.

[13_CBS]

Snark, Evil, Seribro:

Since Tiang is, well, a dragon (and is quite accustomed to flying), and since her maneuverability is Good, I'll rule that it'll make sense for Tiang to stay aloft, but she still will be dazed.

...a shame too, that Entangling breath could have pretty much ended the fight right there :smallfrown:

Anyhow, round over.

Grymm:

The first demoness's initial expression of lust and dark interest turns into horror as her demonic companion seems to spontaneously split in half.

"D-damn it!" She summons magical energy to herself.

(Tai Jyn gets an AoO since the demon is using a Spell-like ability.)

[Grymmheart]

"Damn you," cries Tai-Jyn as he swings his green blade at the remaining demon. Somehow the normally precise Tai-Jyn feels his blade fumble within his grasp, throwing his strike wide.



[roll0]
[roll1] on roll 46 and above
[roll2]

HAHAH two 1's and a 10 rolled, guess I missed

[EvilWalks]

Wu-feng the Dragonfly

The swordmonk continues her preparation stance, as her eyes continue to study the intricices of the demon's anatomy and fighting style...despite these actions, she can't help but feel useless...her friend and companion was up there in an aerial battle, and she could do nothing to help...nothing but watch and wait for the battle to draw closer to the ground...

[13_CBS]

(At last! I thought this game died or something.)

[Grymmheart]

(Any new developments for Tai-Jyn?)