IsleOfJade/SessionFive
I Couldn’t Stop Them
(1) Yeled: Yukio, Mou-Shendu, and Sparrow trudge through the insect-infested marshlands toward the Tam farm. The dirt road is narrow and not well maintained. It sinks every now and then into the marsh itself, reappearing after several hundred wet footfalls later. Bird calls, frog croaks, and the whine of a thousand biting marsh flies fill the uninhabited landscape. As they walk a pillar of black smoke comes into view. It is not the Tam farm. Its too close. You’re only half a mile out. You've still got another mile to go.
(1) Yeled: ((Make Perception + Awareness checks)) Mou-Shendu: [7d10.vs(7)] => [4,5,10,4,3,4,6] = (1) (1) Yeled: [6d10.vs(7)] -> [9,8,3,3,10,1] = (3) Yukio: [7d10.vs(7)] => [4,6,5,4,2,3,9] = (1)
Sparrow comes to a halt as she scans uncomfortably along the horizon.
(1) Sparrow: "Two...no three more of them."
Mou-Shendu follows her gaze.
(1) Yeled: Further off in the distance a faint column of dark rises from the ground, barely visible through the haze of the marsh.
(1) Yeled: Its in the right place to originate at the Tam farm.
Mou-Shendu: "This is certainly not the work of someone who is trying to remain discreet."
Yukio: "Shall I scout ahead then?"
Mou-Shendu stares ahead, frowning slightly. "This may be the work of brigands."
Sparrow shrugs. "Who needs to be discrete out here?"
Yukio grins..."We can only hope that it will be such an easy slaughter Mou-Shendu..."
Mou-Shendu does not reply.
Sparrow looks uncomfortably at Yukio. "Its likely the farmers are the ones who've been slaughtered. If they haven't been taken as slaves. Whoever did this hit multiple farms. There may be a number of them."
Yukio is past the point of excitement. He walks off silently towards the farm...
Mou-Shendu: "Yes. I fear we may be too late to catch the culprits, and if so, this is really a place for Tetsuko's skill."
(1) Sparrow: "I guess we'll find out. Does he want us to follow?"
(1) Sparrow: "Or should we investigate another?"
Mou-Shendu frowns after Yukio. "We'd better check this one out. I'm not sure he'll help the wounded."
Mou-Shendu gives Yukio a short lead, then follows along.
(1) Sparrow: "Your friend is quite the...I don't even know what he is," says Sparrow, as she moves to keep pace with Mou-Shendu and follow.
Mou-Shendu: "Are you versed in the art of healing?", Mou-Shendu asks, ignoring her comment.
(1) Sparrow: "Not well versed. I have some small skill, but probably not enough. You?"
Mou-Shendu: "That's probably more than I can offer."
Mou-Shendu frowns again. "I should have taken Tam Bo. Then I'd be where I'm needed, and Tetsuko would be here."
Mou-Shendu: "But it's time to move past regrets. They have taught me what I needed, and this is what it is."
(1) Yeled: A bright, smoky inferno is consuming the small thatched hut of the Vai farm. Its short stilts still keep it resting a few feet above the marsh, but probably not for much longer. The surrounding rice fields have been treaded on and squashed by what must have been a decent size force of invaders. The roar of the fire, and the stench of burning wood and flesh, fill the air. A few domesticated water fowl swim free in the marsh, staying close to the farm but far from the fire. Larger animals like marsh ox -- usually a common site on these farms as they help the farmers with the fields -- are no where to be seen. There's no sign of who ever did this.
Yukio proceeds towards the farm, keeping whatever cover he can, while looking for any signs of people.
(1) Yeled: ((Yukio, Roll Perception + Awareness)) Yukio: [7d10.vs(7)] => [9,7,4,4,7,5,1] = (3)
(1) Yeled: There is no sign of any people here now. Not living anyway. What Yukio does see when he draws closer is a single human arm--probably male--protruding from the hut's one small window. Its charred and crispy, a small flicker of flame still dancing playfully on the blackened flesh.
Yukio proceeds towards the windows, to see what (if anything) the arm is connected to.
(1) Yeled: The arm is connected to, as one might expect, a body that is even more burned than the arm. Its leaning against the window, and a broken spear shaft is protruding from its shoulder.
Yukio checks the body for anything of value, or perhaps a clue on who they were.
Mou-Shendu begins checking the wounded around the perimeter, but also tries to ascertain the direction the attackers left toward as he goes.
(1) Yeled: Mou-Shendu sees no sign of any wounded around the perimeter.
(1) Yeled: ((Mou, roll Perception + Investigation)) Mou-Shendu: [7d10.vs(7)] => [10,8,1,9,3,6,2] = (3)
(1) Yeled: Its fairly obvious that the group came out of the rice fields and probably retreated the same way they came from. This farm is relatively close to the village. It is certainly the closest one to the village that you saw that was hit like this, and you saw no signs of anyone or any group closer still. It looks like they may have taken the marsh ox.
Mou-Shendu joins Yukio at the house. He looks down at the body, an tries to keep himself distant and serene. He remembers the flow of essence and the eternal cycle of life.
(1) Yeled: The body is in the middle of an inferno.
(1) Yeled: Be my guest if you want to get it out.
Yukio grabs the charred arm, it does not phase him, and attempts to pull the body out...
Mou-Shendu: "Yukio. Let him be", he says softly, but firmly.
(1) Yeled: The arm is crispy and the outer skin flakes away from the bone as you grasp it. Even so, the still burning body pulls from the hut. It lands in the spongy marsh with a splash and a sizzle, and steam rises into the air. A resounding crack from the fiery hut warns of its impending collapse.
Yukio backs up quickly from the shack...
Mou-Shendu backs away, giving the burning structure it's space for its final return to the soil.
(1) Yeled: It remains standing for now.
(1) Sparrow: "There's nothing here." Mou-Shendu: "No". Let's check out the Tam farm."
(1) Sparrow: "Its strange that they burnt the bodies, though," says Sparrow as she turns to leave. "There's a lot of money in the slave trade."
Mou-Shendu: ((Tell us a bit about the Brigands. Is this unusual for them? How often do they raid farms. Do they usually capture and sell the farmers?)) (1) Sparrow: ((Bandits are common in the Golden Delta, but they don't usually do this much damage nor strike this close to the village. They are more likely to hit travelers, but farms are targeted as well if they are far outside the beaten trail. And yes, the most lucrative thing they can do is capture and sell their victims, although not all of them do that. But this scale and level of violence is certainly not normal.))
(1) Yeled: Almost immediately after Sparrow's words, a large explosion erupts in the direction of the road. A plume of black smoke rises into the air, perhaps a half mile past it.
Mou-Shendu: "Come on."
(1) Yeled: Its not in the direction that you think the raiders of the Vai farm went.
(1) Yeled: You reach the road quickly and cross over it into the marsh beyond.
Mou-Shendu hurries toward the explosion. "Let's put a stop to this!"
(1) Yeled: ((Roll Perception + Awareness everyone...-2 dice)) Mou-Shendu: [5d10.vs(7)] => [10,2,9,3,7] = (3) (1) Yeled: [4d10.vs(7)] -> [3,4,5,4] = (0) Yukio: [5d10.vs(7)] => [2,9,7,7,6] = (3)
(1) Yeled: As you rush past the road toward what can only be the Jun farm, Mou-Shendu notices something caught in the reeds at the road's edge. Something half buried in the marsh...something fairly large.
Mou-Shendu slows and looks at it.
(1) Yeled: Yukio sees it as well. It’s a human body, facedown in the wet earth. And its wearing the grey practice robes of the Two Rivers School!
Mou-Shendu stops. He drops down and rolls the body.
Yukio also kneels for a closer look
(1) Yeled: Aspirant Zan is dead. His face is blue and blood is spilling from what must be a significant wound on his side.
Mou-Shendu: "Zan, what did you do? This is not the vengence you sought."
Mou-Shendu resumes his run toward the pillar of smoke.
Aspirant Zan falls back into the water as Mou-Shendu moves toward the farm. After two steps, though, you hear violent coughing behind you.
Mou-Shendu stops suddenly again, and spins as he does.
(1) Aspirant Zan: Perhaps your judgment that he is dead was made a bit hastily. His body is convulsing and each cough dumps endless swamp water from his lungs.
Mou-Shendu lunges to grab the body, and pull him from the water.
(1) Sparrow: "Get him on to the road, quickly!"
Mou-Shendu pulls him to firm ground and rests him there.
Mou-Shendu: "Can you help him?" he asks hurriedly, backing away to give Sparrow space .
Aspirant Zan continues to cough up swamp water as Sparrow moves over him. She pulls his robes open to examine the wound
. (1) Sparrow: "I don't think so," she says with a frown. "Its too deep. I'm not even sure I can stop the bleeding. And it needs to be cleaned."
Aspirant Zan has stopped coughing, and his eyes flicker open. They fall upon Mou-Shendu and Yukio, passing from one to the next. "Big Brothers," he says, "I couldn't stop them."
Sparring Session
(1) Yeled: Three quarters of the way up the Hill is a natural spring that bubbles out of a small rock wall. The waters spill down into a deep, natural well, and which overflows into a wide but shallow pool. Finally, a small creek spills out from there and flows down the hill where it eventually travels under the Bamboo Bridge and down to the River Xi. (1) Yeled: The students call this area the Wading Pool and the Wishing Well. The trees and shrubs are perfectly manicured here, and for those who can feel it the Essence flows just a little better. Secluded from the main training areas, it is used as an area of quiet contemplation, meditation and relaxation. And every once in a while a water fight or other tomfoolery breaks out.
(1) Yeled: Ayame and Kaimi were set upon sparring, as Master Li instructed. Kaimi is completely unused to the sensation of feeling her breath move into and out of her body, and the warm energy that it carries move from her torso to each of her extremities. She is not sure what this heightened awareness of her own body's energies will mean in terms of fighting, and whether or not it will be distracting. Kaimi and Ayame stand in a small clearing on the hill, facing each other in its middle.
Ayame reaches over her shoulder and takes the shield from it's place on her back, tossing it aside for the time being, leaving her only in the simple toga-like outfit she always wears
Ayame wiggles her bare toes against the ground "Well?"
Kaimi grins. "Anytime."
Ayame: "Are you going to be using your swords?"
Kaimi: (( She doesn't have her swords. she just went for a swim. They are at the site but not on her))
Kaimi: "You aren't using a weapon, are you?"
Ayame crosses her arms "I don't need weapons"
Kaimi: "I'll go without for now. We can always try this again later."
Ayame puts one foot backwards, the other forward slightly, knee bent, both arms stretched outward, palms facing the girl before her (Victorious Concession Form)
Kaimi stands ready with her hands held up in front on her her feet spread out, one behind the other
Ayame sticks her tongue out at Kaimi as she stands in her pose
Kaimi: "gonna stand there all days making faces or are you going to fight me?"
Ayame: "I figure I'd let you get the first swing before you end up on your butt"
Kaimi laughs then rushes in and spins around Ayame to get behind her. She let’s fly with a punch to Ayame’s side.
(1) Yeled: ((ok, we'll assume that's just a simple punch action...roll your accuracy in dice for a punch)) Kaimi: [11d10.vs(7)] => [3,4,4,4,9,2,5,2,4,3,3] = (1)
(1) Yeled: The strange sensation brought about by her awareness of this strange essence flowing through her body proves distracting, making your attack clumsy and easily defended against.
Ayame slips easily away from the punch and leaps at Kaimi
Ayame: [12d10] => [9,4,9,7,8,3,1,4,7,5,8,7] = (72)
Ayame leaps against Kaimi and wraps her arms around her torso, her legs squeezing around her lower back as she restrains her arms and squeezes
(1) Yeled: ((are you doing crushing damage?)) Ayame: (Yeah) Ayame: [3d10] => [8,3,3] = (14) (1) Yeled: ((btw, Kaimi...you've taken 1 health level of stun damage)) Ayame: (The main benefit is it heals twice as fast as bashing)
Kaimi puts her hands into a praying position and pushes them up between herself and Ayame, then against Amaye’s arms, pushing them out and away
(1) Yeled: ((so you both roll Dex + MA)) Ayame: [10d10] => [9,2,7,7,4,6,9,10,4,9] = (67) Kaimi: [10d10.vs(7)] => [6,7,7,10,4,6,6,1,8,1] = (4)
Ayame grabs onto one of Kaimi's arms, crawling over her body as she releases her hold, and jumps behind her, still grasping the arm as she uses it to hurl Kaimi a couple yards, sending her skidding across the ground on her butt
(1) Yeled: ((so yeah, go ahead and roll dex + ath to see if you can roll to your feet)) Kaimi: [9d10.vs(7)] => [1,6,10,5,6,5,4,1,6] = (1)
Sook wanders up the hill, after having settled tam bo, curious about the noises coming from the pond...who is sparring now? Sook rounds the natural wall created by the strata, and sees that it is ayame and kaimi, sparring...he leans against the wall and crosses his arms.....ayame outpowers kaimi for sure...but kaimi is never without her surprises...should be fun to watch
Kaimi rolls over backward almost before she hits the ground. she comes up in a crouched stance, shoots forward a few steps then leaps into the air spinning and bring her leg around to strike Ayame in the face.
Kaimi: [10d10.vs(7)] => [1,10,1,6,5,9,8,2,2,3] = (3)
Ayame backsteps slightly and grabs at Kaimi's foot as it sails in front of her
Ayame: (clinching again) Ayame: [10d10] => [8,7,3,8,2,6,2,1,3,7] = (47)
Kaimi pulls her leg back just in time to avoid Kaimi’s grab, then comes in low punching upward to catch her under the chin. Finally she sweeps her leg behind Ayame’s legs and pulls them out from under her.
(1) Yeled: (ah ha! a flurry)) Kaimi: [8d10.vs(7)] => [3,8,3,7,9,10,4,1,5] = (4) Kaimi: [6d10.vs(7)] => [4,5,8,9,5,4] = (2)
Ayame leans back away from the first strike, then leaps into the air over her sweep, doing a flip in the air before landing on her feet Ayame takes advantage of the opening and unleashes a series of three flat palm strikes against Kaimi's tummy
Ayame: [10d10] => [3,10,9,9,2,2,10,7,9,7] = (68) Ayame: [9d10] => [8,3,4,7,6,10,7,8,5] = (58) Ayame: [8d10] => [2,2,5,9,2,1,3,5] = (29)
(1) Yeled: ((sorry, hit for 5 on the first attack and 3 on the second)) Ayame: [7d10] => [5,1,4,6,1,5,8] = (30) Ayame: [5d10] => [3,8,7,9,7] = (34)
Sook winces at the three fast blows smack into the girl with painful sounding thumps
(1) Yeled: ((kaimi...roll dex + ath -8)) Kaimi: [1d10] => [3] = (3)
(1) Yeled: Kaimi reels from the force of the three strikes to her midsection, and she stumbles backward and into the wading pool with a spalsh.
Ayame hurries forward to fish her out
Sook stares for a moment, then gasps, loping over to the pool to pull her out. Sook helps ayame get the girl on dry land, then gives her a once over to make sure she isnt really hurt
Sook: "that was a bit harsh" Sook removes his belt and robe, rolling it for use as a pillow, and places it under kaimi’s head
Ayame touches Kaimi's cheek apoplectically "She left herself open, I'm sorry"
Sook: "many people would be upset if she were seriously hurt"
Ayame: "Oh relax, my fighting style is incapable of permanent harm"
Sook checks her abdomen, and, while red and swollen, he can tell its superficial, "as it is, she will be fine in no time"
Sook sits back
Kaimi: " coulda fooled me" Kaimi groans
Sook: "i am sorry, sister ayame...i merely worry for kaimi"
Sook stands, and does an impressive (for someone his size), bend to touch his toes, stretching
Sook kneels at the pool, and washes his hands, arms and face....he had washed off the blood before, but had not done a good rinse...plus the cool feels nice, its been a long day
Kaimi: "Sook, What happened?! You're not hurt are you?" Kaimi tries to sit up
Sook dunks his head in the pool after this question, coming up with his long white locks flying wetly over the back of his head, the water on the jade half of his face glimmering in the sun, and he turns his uneven stare to kaimi
Sook: "tam bo was attacked...he collapsed at the gate....i helped...you know...bandage him"
Kaimi eyes widen
Ayame sits down cross-legged beside Kaimi "Such violence in these parts lately"
Sook turns and stares at ayame for a moment, then nods
Kaimi: "Is he alright then?
Sook: "yukio and mou shendu went to investigate"
Kaimi: "Investigate? Investigate what?"
Kaimi: "where did they go? And how did you know he was hurt? Do you know who hurt him?"
Sook nods,"he will be fine, by the blessings of sextes jylis and pasiap...he is in the masters quarters"
Sook: "i do not know what hurt him...it was a weapon....and they went to investigate the...you know...farm"
Sook places a hand on kaimis shoulder, "relax...mou shendu and yukio are capable of finding answers"
Sook stands, and squeezes the water from his hair, shaking it out
Kaimi does not have much choice but to do as Sook advises, but she does not look happy about it
Sook: Sook turns to ayame "it appears you have lost a sparring partner"
Ayame: "I suppose so"
Ayame looks down at Kaimi
Kaimi: " I'll be up soon enough" Kaimi says grouchily from below
Ayame: "Next time, use the swords"
Sook: "be careful,ayame...she is very good with them"
Ayame: (There are wooden sparring swords that do non-lethal damage at the school for the record)
Sook grins, knowing ayame knows this...he is jes teasing her
Kaimi: "Next time Ayame. Next Time"
Sook: "well,if you are in need of a sparring partner,i am avaliable"
Kaimi grins evilly
Sook: "so long as you promise to...you know...not kill me"
Ayame smirks at Sook "If you wish it"
Sook makes a ball of his right fist, and put it inside his left hand, in front of him, puts his heels together, and bows at ayame
Sook: ((going to activate strength of stone technique))
Ayame walks over to the wading pool and immerses herself in it
Ayame closes her eyes "One moment"
Sook nods
Ayame floats in the waters of the pool, and as she does, her body glows slightly, sending weak, aquamarine coloured light up to the surface of the water
Ayame: (It's a friendly sparring match, activate your charms whenever it's dramatically best, I Figure :P)
Sook plants his feet on the ground, a good distance apart, and holds his arms above his head...he appears to stiffen, his skin rudding to a brownishness, and you hear the flutter of leaves....the grass seems to seek his feet, caressing them, enveloping them, and he looks mighty tree like (grandfather oak form). Sook then pulls his hands down in front of him, each still brooked in a position not unlike branches, and he stands there, stiff and stalwart, a greenish glow in his eyes. Ayame eventually reopens her eyes and re-emerges from the pool, dragging a trail of water behind her that begins to spin, picking up speed as it wraps around her body, like a whirlpool of raindrops. Ayame wedges her foot under her shield as it lies on the ground and flicks it up, catching it
Ayame: [7d10] => [7,3,8,6,6,4,9] = (43) (Wits+awareness)
Sook focuses more, and spectral roots appear to sprout from his ankles and feet, digging into the ground, and roping up his legs. Sook has an anima of spectral leaves, very faded, swirling about him mildly
Sook: [4d10] => [10,4,3,2] = (19)
Sook stands at the ready, awaiting ayame’s attack
Ayame acts a bit quicker than the large man and skips forward, sending a palm strike flat against his chest
Ayame: [13d10] => [2,9,4,3,3,1,6,10,7,8,2,3,10] = (68)
Sook lets her attack him, attempting to have her arm miss his chest and go under his arm.
(1) Yeled: ((hit for 3)) Ayame: (5 damage right?) Ayame: [5d10] => [5,3,5,9,6] = (28)
Sook takes the hit to the ribs with a slight woof, and uses her nearness against her, entangling his arms around her outstretched arm in an impossible looking, almost vine like way, holding her fast(activating entangling roots method)
Sook: ((so 9 dice +1 auto success)) Sook: [9d10] => [2,4,5,7,4,8,8,2,9] = (49)
Ayame swings her shield up to deflect his grasping arms and prepares another strike
Sook chuckles...he doesn’t appear to be hurt (healing the 1b)
Ayame bounces forward once more and slams her palm into his chest again
Ayame: [13d10] => [3,7,4,9,10,8,7,4,3,4,8,10,1] = (78) Ayame: (I count 6) Ayame: [8d10] => [10,2,5,6,9,5,9,2] = (48)
Sook turns and takes the blow to the side, reaching around backhand with his left arm to grab her around the back of the neck, again his arms twisting in ways not natural to humans
(1) Yeled: ((str + ma + spec - 2) + 1 auto success Sook: [7d10] => [9,4,5,5,8,2,10] = (43) (also healing).
Ayame smacks his arms away again as she slams her palm forward, changing it just before it hits, into a knife strike
Ayame: [18d10] => [7,1,2,4,4,6,6,4,10,8,9,10,5,8,1,5,7,8] = (105) Ayame: (Hits for 8) Ayame: [9d10] => [2,8,9,10,7,2,1,1,7] = (47) Ayame: (That's going to leave a mark)
Ayame jabs her pointed fingers into a tender nerve cluster and twists
Sook backs off,and chuckles "you are too quick for me as always, sister", he bows.
Ayame bows as well
(1) Yeled: ((you get +1 XP for backing down, Bull))
Sook moves over to kaimi, and helps her up, so he can help her to her bunkhouse...then he will go wash his robes
Bandit Slaughter, Part I
(1) Aspirant Zan: "I couldn't stop them. They were too many."
Mou-Shendu drops quietly to his side, He says soothingly "You stood and tried, and that shows great valiance and courage. Who were they, brave Zan?"
(1) Aspirant Zan: "Bah, courage," spits Zan. "They're killing the adults, and rounding up the children!"
Mou-Shendu: "Are they bandits?"
(1) Aspirant Zan: "Yes, bandits. Slavers. But not from around here. I don't think..." he cringes in pain before continuing. "They don't speak in the Delta dialect."
Mou-Shendu turns briefly to the others, "Yukio, Sparrow, go on and help at the new fire".
(1) Sparrow: "I don't think the wound is mortal, if he gets immediate attention," says Sparrow, who has been examining the wound further.
Yukio quickly dashes off towards the next fire, silently as always.
Mou-Shendu nods. “Then Yukio and I should go.”
(1) Sparrow: "Wait, what? I told you I can't help him!"
Mou-Shendu: "I see." Mou-Shendu glances after Yukio. "Then we should get him back to the school. I assume you need my help."
(1) Sparrow: "I don't know that I can carry him myself, if that's what you're asking. But will you leave your friend to handle the bandits alone?”
Mou-Shendu takes a deep breath. "Zan. Could you tell if any of the slavers were anything but mortal?"
(1) Aspirant Zan: "I think they were. But there were a lot of them."
Sparrow rips off a large piece of Zan's wet robe and begins to wrap it around his torso to stop the bleeding. Its proving mostly unsuccessful, and the swamp water in the robe can't be good for the wound.
Mou-Shendu: "I'm not a healer, Sparrow, and I cannot be in two places at once. Yukio may be able to handle them, but I don't know if he'll help the wounded. And he may need help. You are probably the senior healer here, so using your best judgment, what do you feel we should do."
(1) Sparrow: "You must decide for yourself. I cannot tell you what decision to make."
Mou-Shendu: "Do you think he'll make it if I go?" Mou whispers.
(1) Sparrow: "I think he can hold out, but he must get attention soon."
Mou-Shendu: "Do what you can for him, Sparrow. Many others still need help this day."
Mou-Shendu hurries after Yukio.
Yukio: While the others talk, Yukio keeps making his way towards the next farm fire
(1) Sparrow: The other farm isn't far, and Yukio makes his way there quickly. ((roll Dex + Stealth))
Yukio: [9d10.vs(7)] => [2,4,5,10,2,8,5,10,6] = (3)
(1) Yeled: The farm is in many ways similar to the last one. A small hut on stilts being consumed in a smoky conflagration and the small livestock (mostly water fowl) in chaos and confusion. The difference between this one and that is that you seem to have come upon the tail end of the event, rather than having missed it entirely.
Yukio eyes dart around quickly to assess the situation, looking for approximately how many enemies are present...
(1) Yeled: A dozen and a half men of ill repute are busy rounding up a large marsh ox, gathering sacks of rice that have already been harvested, and using long spears to ensure that none of the screaming men and women in the hut are able to escape the deadly fire without suffering death. Across the farm, beyond the hut, you can two or three men dragging a couple of screaming children away.
Yukio looks for any men that are out side of the pack, a silent kill. Or perhaps, a man who appears to be the leader. He quickly makes his way to the men dragging the children. Doing his best to remain unnoticed by them, and any others around.
(1) Sparrow: ((roll dex + stealth again (and relevant specialties), Yukio))
Yukio: [9d10.vs(7)] => [10,6,2,8,4,3,8,2,1] = (3)
(1) Yeled: The bandits are not wearing the garb of country folk or peasants. Instead they are dressed more like city dwellers who have acquired traveling clothes. It’s not of fine quality, though. Just not common for this area.
(1) Bandit: "Heh," says one bandit, who is carrying a small boy of maybe 4 or 5 years, "This would be the easiest job I've done if it weren't for this cursed swamp."
Yukio dashes up quickly, and prepares to strike
(1) Bandit: "Yeah," says another one. This one is carrying a girl. "They better pay us well for the swamp rats...or should I say the swamp brats! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa!"
(1) Bandit: The first bandit, who's sense of humor is just a tad more sophisticated than the second, only gives the second one a strange look."
Yukio sprints up behind the one that first spoke. About 2 meters before him, he jumps in the air, doing a front flip with his bladed tonfu out in front of him. As he lands, he drives the full force of the flip into the center of the bandit.
(1) Bandit: ((go ahead and roll...+1 die for the stunt)) Yukio: [11d10.vs(7)] => [8,3,9,9,6,8,7,6,2,7,1] = (6)
(1) Bandit: Yukio's blade cuts cleanly into the bandit's back, slicing from his shoulders all the way to his rear. He falls forward just as he was about to speak to his counterpart, spilling the young boy into the swamp.
(1) Bandit: [3d10.vs(7)] -> [8,3,10] = (2) (1) Bandit: [3d10.vs(7)] -> [4,6,3] = (0)
(1) Bandit: The bandit lies motionless in the water, and one of the other two--the one with the girl--is so surprised by your attack that he stumbles off his feet as well.
(1) Bandit: ((now, roll Wits + Awareness)) Yukio: [8d10.vs(7)] => [6,4,2,5,2,9,2,1] = (1) (1) Bandit: [4d10.vs(7)] -> [4,9,3,6] = (1)
Yukio quickly sprints to the one left standing, jumping up to do an inverted corkscrew with his blades out, as to decapitate him.
(1) Bandit: ((roll your attack + 1 for the stunt)) Yukio: [11d10.vs(7)] => [5,9,7,1,1,9,6,4,9,7,1] = (5)
(1) Bandit: The bandit reaches for his sword as you spin toward him. He draws it up toward you just as you reach him, and your blades slice into his neck. Although you don't decapitate him you do manage to gash it pretty good. His drawn sword drops harmlessly into the water and he drops to his knees before pitching forward with a splash into the swamp.
(1) Bandit: The last bandit, who has completely forgotten the girl, is still on the ground. He's scooting backward trying to escape.
Yukio quickly runs to the third one (presumably still on his butt?) and digs the tips of both of his blades into his eye sockets (with enough force to kill, not just damage his eyes)
(1) Bandit: [4d10.vs(7)] -> [9,9,2,7] = (3) Yukio: [10d10.vs(7)] => [1,9,9,1,1,5,5,5,3,3] = (2)
(1) Bandit: This bandit's evasive maneuvers pay off, and he manages to roll out of the way. He draws his sword and points it at you defensively.
(1) Bandit: "Stay back! The girl's free, ain't she? Let me go. I don't mean you no harm. I don't want no trouble."
Yukio chuckles at his mistake, and glares over to the bandit. "You think I care about the girl? I pray every day for a chance at scum like you..."
Yukio back double cartwheels around the enemy (an attempt to get behind him) before swinging his tonfu from the outside in (ie. scissors motion)
(1) Bandit: ((+1 stunt...roll)) Yukio: [11d10.vs(7)] => [3,9,8,8,2,9,3,4,10,10,7] = (7)
(1) Bandit: "No wait! I can make it worth your..." Yukio's blades severe the man's head from his shoulders before he finishes. Yukio isn't sure but he thinks the man's decapitated head manages to say the word "while" even as it falls into the swamp.
Yukio quickly searches the three corpses for anything worth while, even a little money.
(1) Bandit: They don't have much. Mostly trinkets they probably pilfered from the farm.
Yukio doesn't waste his time picking up their junk.
