2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
How do the other bushi feel about crossing the ravine? Hiroshi is up for the challenge (his climb BCS is 10, and if that fails, he checks 1d20 <= the margin of failure, and if that happens, he then gets a BCS 8 Deftness save - I rate that out as a less than 10% chance of a fall...). Crossing the ravine would give us the best chance of completely eluding the village bushi.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
The samurai bushi think Hiroshi's suggestion is reasonable. Going north will get us closer to Shinano, Matsumoto no Ryusuke says. Yukinori says, I should free myself of some weight before this climb. He removes the chest flaps and shin guards from his heavy o-yoroi and discards them.Ryusuke does the same.
Ryusuke starts the descent down the sleep, rocky snow- covered slope. He loses his footing and slips bouncing from rock to rock. He manages to catch himself a couple of yards from the bottom. He stands up and briefly inspects his injuries. But it's obvious the the samurai is in some pain.
Yukinori begins his descent, but for the moment can't find a safe pathway down.
Hiroshi is up.
Ryusuke starts the descent down the sleep, rocky snow- covered slope. He loses his footing and slips bouncing from rock to rock. He manages to catch himself a couple of yards from the bottom. He stands up and briefly inspects his injuries. But it's obvious the the samurai is in some pain.
Yukinori begins his descent, but for the moment can't find a safe pathway down.
Hiroshi is up.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hiroshi is also having trouble:
But he doesn't fall:
2nd attempt:
He falls, but saves himself:
But he doesn't fall:
2nd attempt:
He falls, but saves himself:
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hiroshi slips on the steep slope, but manages to regain his balance and not fall. Ryusuke continues down the slope and finds the going up the other side easier. He reaches the top of the other side of the ravine. He adjusts his dai-sho in his sash to his preferred angles. But it seems that his usual samurai upright military bearing is not as strong or pronounced.
Despite his weakened condition, it seems that Yukinori finds the perfect routes down the slope, and up the other one. The teenaged samurai stands at the crest and looks to the north, east and west, apparently assessing what's next to come.
The dogs' barking continues to recede into the distance, downward and toward the back and left. The sound through the mountain air is muffled by tens of thousands of pine needles and deciduous leaves. The sound of a shouting human voice comes from the same direction, but the words are indistinct. It is answered by replies that are little more than indistinct murmurs.
Hiroshi wonders what has become of Kentaro. Did he win his duel? But from the sound of the voices, it seems that the Imagawa pursuers are on the mountain, and not near the village mobbing him en force.
Minamoto no Yukinori had a critical success and traveled twice the usual distance for the Steep Climbs. It's around 5:00 in the evening, it will be dark in the shaded parts of the forest (i.e., almost all of it) in half a Western hour. The bushi haven't eaten since yesterday morning before the battle, and they slept last night in the rough, in their armor. in Hiroshi is up again. Please include a Health + Will ST for the night in your post. Fail = 1d6 temporary loss to Health score, and related loss to temporary HP. You have the option of searching for something to eat or hunting game. But either will require time spent not traveling.
Please also state the direction of travel after the ravine. East - upward and over the mountains, probably for over 10 miles as the crow flies. South - travel along the ridge, back toward the battle site and the Satta Pass to Kai. West - Down the mountain, likely to a place north of the Imagawa village and closer to sanctuary in Shinano. North - Along the ridge toward southern Shinano, home of the friendly Matsumoto. You can propose other directions too, of course (NE, SW, etc.)
Despite his weakened condition, it seems that Yukinori finds the perfect routes down the slope, and up the other one. The teenaged samurai stands at the crest and looks to the north, east and west, apparently assessing what's next to come.
The dogs' barking continues to recede into the distance, downward and toward the back and left. The sound through the mountain air is muffled by tens of thousands of pine needles and deciduous leaves. The sound of a shouting human voice comes from the same direction, but the words are indistinct. It is answered by replies that are little more than indistinct murmurs.
Hiroshi wonders what has become of Kentaro. Did he win his duel? But from the sound of the voices, it seems that the Imagawa pursuers are on the mountain, and not near the village mobbing him en force.
Minamoto no Yukinori had a critical success and traveled twice the usual distance for the Steep Climbs. It's around 5:00 in the evening, it will be dark in the shaded parts of the forest (i.e., almost all of it) in half a Western hour. The bushi haven't eaten since yesterday morning before the battle, and they slept last night in the rough, in their armor. in Hiroshi is up again. Please include a Health + Will ST for the night in your post. Fail = 1d6 temporary loss to Health score, and related loss to temporary HP. You have the option of searching for something to eat or hunting game. But either will require time spent not traveling.
Please also state the direction of travel after the ravine. East - upward and over the mountains, probably for over 10 miles as the crow flies. South - travel along the ridge, back toward the battle site and the Satta Pass to Kai. West - Down the mountain, likely to a place north of the Imagawa village and closer to sanctuary in Shinano. North - Along the ridge toward southern Shinano, home of the friendly Matsumoto. You can propose other directions too, of course (NE, SW, etc.)
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
I was writing my post above as you posted.
The slope down is treacherous to the feet. Especially to those wearing heavy box-like armor. The weight sits on the shoulders and head. It was meant for mounted bushi with the weight carried by strong horses. Not mountaineers. The slope down is sleep, and slippery fallen leaves are concealed by light icy snow. The samurai on the other side of the ravine stand and observe expectantly, having just faced the same challenge themselves. Hiroshi can see their frosty breaths in the air as the stand, waiting and lending their thoughts and good will for his success.
Falls are 1d6 damage per 10 ft or portion thereof. Hiroshi is still up, of course.
The slope down is treacherous to the feet. Especially to those wearing heavy box-like armor. The weight sits on the shoulders and head. It was meant for mounted bushi with the weight carried by strong horses. Not mountaineers. The slope down is sleep, and slippery fallen leaves are concealed by light icy snow. The samurai on the other side of the ravine stand and observe expectantly, having just faced the same challenge themselves. Hiroshi can see their frosty breaths in the air as the stand, waiting and lending their thoughts and good will for his success.
Falls are 1d6 damage per 10 ft or portion thereof. Hiroshi is still up, of course.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hiroshi needs successful rolls to climb down and up 40 ft total.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hmm, 3 or 4 rolls with 25 STR?
25' progress
Don't fall
50' total progress
Don't fall
75' total progress
And a 4th roll for good measure:
100' total progress
Wow, if we're going to do a lot of climbing we may want to think about some alternate rules. Old school climbing of make rolls until you fall to your death is tedious...
I've started to contemplate more modern things like Burning Wheel's "Let it Ride" to avoid this, but I'm also fine if we want to stick with old school goodness here...
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Yes, that was kind of tedious. But I wanted us to check out the rule. And it did affect the game,
because a char lost HP.
East to Kai or north to Shinano? Yukinori asks. Shinano is my home, but I think Kai is closer, Ryusuke replies. But I don't really know where we are, of course.
Hiroshi is up.
because a char lost HP.
East to Kai or north to Shinano? Yukinori asks. Shinano is my home, but I think Kai is closer, Ryusuke replies. But I don't really know where we are, of course.
Hiroshi is up.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Oh, definitely worth trying RAW before hacking...
I think we want to go North East to make sure we hit Kai province and go around Fuji-san, but our direction is going to be forced based on the terrain... I think we're in pretty rough terrain.
I think we want to go North East to make sure we hit Kai province and go around Fuji-san, but our direction is going to be forced based on the terrain... I think we're in pretty rough terrain.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Yes, very rough terrain. The Japan Alps are just a few ri away in Shinano. This part of a waterfall isn't far from Kofu.
The bushi travel on northeast for another half hour. At this altitude any standing water has a crust of ice on it. The sun begins to set. Yukinori says, I think we must build a fire, though we would risk drawing the attention of predators. Otherwise we will freeze to death in our sleep. Ryusuke says, I'll take the first watch.
Do you build a fire? If not, you'll need (Health+Will)/2 STs to avoid 1d6 temporary reduction to Health.
The bushi travel on northeast for another half hour. At this altitude any standing water has a crust of ice on it. The sun begins to set. Yukinori says, I think we must build a fire, though we would risk drawing the attention of predators. Otherwise we will freeze to death in our sleep. Ryusuke says, I'll take the first watch.
Do you build a fire? If not, you'll need (Health+Will)/2 STs to avoid 1d6 temporary reduction to Health.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Building a fire sounds like a good idea. Does anyone have flint and steel? Hiroshi had that but it may have been among t try to things abandoned back in camp unless he could have kept it with his coin pouch.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
A 10-sided kami says that Hiroshi very fortunately brought his flint and steel.
The bushi build a fire and stand watches through the night. The mountains are quiet, save for the hoot of an owl. They rise at dawn, cold, wounded, and very hungry. They continue northeast through the rugged mountains. In the afternoon they come across a gang of monkeys.
The leader male bares his teeth at the men, threatening to drive them from his territory. Ryusuke shoots him through with an arrow and the rest of the gang flees. The samurai guts the animal and slings the body over his shoulder. The bushi continue on, and by nightfall it seems that they are descending the northeast side of the range. The again build a fire, and this time they have food. The samurai avoid each others' eyes as they gnaw the tough meat from the bones. Everyone in Nippon knows that only eta eat red meat, defying the law of the Buddha. But it is the first food since before the second day of battle, three days ago. They need the nourishment to continue the harsh trekking in heavy o-yoroi. The bushi stand watches through another cold but quiet night.
The samurai lost 10 On each for eating red meat. Ronin Hiroshi would lose 5 On. Or he can roll the same Wit+Health/2 ST to avoid temporarily losing 1d6+1 Health.
The bushi build a fire and stand watches through the night. The mountains are quiet, save for the hoot of an owl. They rise at dawn, cold, wounded, and very hungry. They continue northeast through the rugged mountains. In the afternoon they come across a gang of monkeys.
The leader male bares his teeth at the men, threatening to drive them from his territory. Ryusuke shoots him through with an arrow and the rest of the gang flees. The samurai guts the animal and slings the body over his shoulder. The bushi continue on, and by nightfall it seems that they are descending the northeast side of the range. The again build a fire, and this time they have food. The samurai avoid each others' eyes as they gnaw the tough meat from the bones. Everyone in Nippon knows that only eta eat red meat, defying the law of the Buddha. But it is the first food since before the second day of battle, three days ago. They need the nourishment to continue the harsh trekking in heavy o-yoroi. The bushi stand watches through another cold but quiet night.
The samurai lost 10 On each for eating red meat. Ronin Hiroshi would lose 5 On. Or he can roll the same Wit+Health/2 ST to avoid temporarily losing 1d6+1 Health.
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hiroshi is a practical man. He has likely had to resort to game before.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
That makes sense. -5 On, not a huge loss.
At dawn the bushi again rise and continue northeast, with deviations necessitated by impassable terrain. They find that they are generally descending in altitude. It begins to snow.
By the afternoon they are getting close to valley level. The walk along a stream flowing down the mountain, and find themselves standing on slope overlooking a wide, well-traveled road. Hiroshi recognizes it as the Koshu-Kaido highway. Across the road and a ways to the northeast is a mountain he knows: Neno-san, home of the Fuujin shrine. They have made it from Okitsu, through much of Suruga, and to Kai.
Hiroshi leads the samurai south on the highway toward Chiyoda, the village where he met Kentaro, the kuge, and the others in the early autumn. On the highway the bloodied, bedraggled, and exhausted bushi meet a traveler going north. He appears to be of peasant farmer stock. But he moves lithely and he is very fit. He is courteous, but his face shows kind of grim determination. As if both angry and forlorn, as if he has experienced a recent hardship or tragedy. He regards the tired bushi in their bloody armor and says, Greetings, bushi-san. I am called Ri Buruusu, of Kanbara village to the south. If you don't object, I'll turn and travel with you to the nearest village. I'm sure you can defend yourselves well enough. But this highway is dangerous. All of Kai is now dangerous. It's best to travel with as many healthy fighters as possible. He turns and starts walking, slowing his quick pace to match that of the bushi. Snow continues to fall.
The travelers reach the rice fields of Chiyoda village bordering the highway. Two peasant men are carrying bundles firewood on their backs. They see the travelers and speak with each other. One drops his bundle and runs across the fields to the village. As the travelers reach the road into Chiyoda, they see a mounted bushi and three on foot run into the village's street. All are fully armored. Hiroshi sees that the mounted one is Sawaguchi, the lieutenant ninyo of the village. His and the ronin's meet. He rides forward, examining the other bushi and the budoka. Ryusuke wearily tries to square himself and calls out, Samurai of Kai! I am Matsumoto no Ryusuke. We come from Okitsu. Young Yukinori has hardly the strength to talk. He simply says, I am Minamoto no Yukinori.
Sawaguchi dismounts and solemnly greets the survivors of the Battle of Okitsu. His face shows a mixture of gratitude and shame. Gratitude and pride in the fellow bushi, that they have fought for the Minamoto cause. And shame that he wasn't there, while they are bloody and wounded. And the shame that they all feel, every Minamoto samurai, because they were defeated. He takes the Minamoto, the Matsumoto, and the ronin into his own house for eating, bathing, doctoring. And sleep.
To the budoka, he says, Arigato, traveler-san. We saw you going north earlier today, and now you've come back south with these bushi. You will be taken care of while you stay in this village.
It seems kind of contrived that Hiroshi and the bushi ended up around Neno-san and Chiyoda. But that's where their northeastern path from the Imagawa village put them.
FYI, every encounter or no encounter from the battle to now was determined by the RAW and the dice. Except for the steep climb, the monkeys, and Ri Buruusu "Buru."
Hiroshi can just stay here until he heals up. Or until all of the bushi heal up. Or he can do something else.
I'll say that Hiroshi believes that he has made two fast friends among the samurai of the Minamoto in the eastern provinces and the Matsumoto in southern Shinano. But they're young samurai, not influential elders.
Buru can also hang around, or do something else.
Actions?
At dawn the bushi again rise and continue northeast, with deviations necessitated by impassable terrain. They find that they are generally descending in altitude. It begins to snow.
By the afternoon they are getting close to valley level. The walk along a stream flowing down the mountain, and find themselves standing on slope overlooking a wide, well-traveled road. Hiroshi recognizes it as the Koshu-Kaido highway. Across the road and a ways to the northeast is a mountain he knows: Neno-san, home of the Fuujin shrine. They have made it from Okitsu, through much of Suruga, and to Kai.
Hiroshi leads the samurai south on the highway toward Chiyoda, the village where he met Kentaro, the kuge, and the others in the early autumn. On the highway the bloodied, bedraggled, and exhausted bushi meet a traveler going north. He appears to be of peasant farmer stock. But he moves lithely and he is very fit. He is courteous, but his face shows kind of grim determination. As if both angry and forlorn, as if he has experienced a recent hardship or tragedy. He regards the tired bushi in their bloody armor and says, Greetings, bushi-san. I am called Ri Buruusu, of Kanbara village to the south. If you don't object, I'll turn and travel with you to the nearest village. I'm sure you can defend yourselves well enough. But this highway is dangerous. All of Kai is now dangerous. It's best to travel with as many healthy fighters as possible. He turns and starts walking, slowing his quick pace to match that of the bushi. Snow continues to fall.
The travelers reach the rice fields of Chiyoda village bordering the highway. Two peasant men are carrying bundles firewood on their backs. They see the travelers and speak with each other. One drops his bundle and runs across the fields to the village. As the travelers reach the road into Chiyoda, they see a mounted bushi and three on foot run into the village's street. All are fully armored. Hiroshi sees that the mounted one is Sawaguchi, the lieutenant ninyo of the village. His and the ronin's meet. He rides forward, examining the other bushi and the budoka. Ryusuke wearily tries to square himself and calls out, Samurai of Kai! I am Matsumoto no Ryusuke. We come from Okitsu. Young Yukinori has hardly the strength to talk. He simply says, I am Minamoto no Yukinori.
Sawaguchi dismounts and solemnly greets the survivors of the Battle of Okitsu. His face shows a mixture of gratitude and shame. Gratitude and pride in the fellow bushi, that they have fought for the Minamoto cause. And shame that he wasn't there, while they are bloody and wounded. And the shame that they all feel, every Minamoto samurai, because they were defeated. He takes the Minamoto, the Matsumoto, and the ronin into his own house for eating, bathing, doctoring. And sleep.
To the budoka, he says, Arigato, traveler-san. We saw you going north earlier today, and now you've come back south with these bushi. You will be taken care of while you stay in this village.
It seems kind of contrived that Hiroshi and the bushi ended up around Neno-san and Chiyoda. But that's where their northeastern path from the Imagawa village put them.
FYI, every encounter or no encounter from the battle to now was determined by the RAW and the dice. Except for the steep climb, the monkeys, and Ri Buruusu "Buru."
Hiroshi can just stay here until he heals up. Or until all of the bushi heal up. Or he can do something else.
I'll say that Hiroshi believes that he has made two fast friends among the samurai of the Minamoto in the eastern provinces and the Matsumoto in southern Shinano. But they're young samurai, not influential elders.
Buru can also hang around, or do something else.
Actions?
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Hiroshi is actually not all that bunged up but he will welcome some respite. Soon he would like to see if he can reconnect with the pilgrims. He will need to see to replacing his lost possessions having only the clothes he was wearing and his weapons and armor.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Buruusu is grateful for his inclusion and spends what time he can with the bushi who are allowing his presence. "I am from Kanbara village to the south, and speak truth of the Taira's ways," he offers one night as he eats his bowl of rice. "My family, we were content to farm.
The Daimyo fight, and the Daimyos change, but for a farmer, little changes. But the Taira, they did not do this." He looks down at his bowl. "They came with blade and torch. They burned our homes and slaughtered... women and children." A lump forms his his throat and he falls silent for a long moment.
"My father, and his father... they were wise, and learned from long years to heed the past. My father always said there would come again a time where an unjust ruler would again harm the heimin. Our memories are short, though, and many did not believe them." He looks up, his own eyes determined. "But I learned the ways of the Ri, to defend oneself with hands and feet and simple tools, to stand for a fair ruler or against an unjust one. I will do what I can to aid you if you go again against the Taira."
He's joining up with whatever Hiroshi decides.
The Daimyo fight, and the Daimyos change, but for a farmer, little changes. But the Taira, they did not do this." He looks down at his bowl. "They came with blade and torch. They burned our homes and slaughtered... women and children." A lump forms his his throat and he falls silent for a long moment.
"My father, and his father... they were wise, and learned from long years to heed the past. My father always said there would come again a time where an unjust ruler would again harm the heimin. Our memories are short, though, and many did not believe them." He looks up, his own eyes determined. "But I learned the ways of the Ri, to defend oneself with hands and feet and simple tools, to stand for a fair ruler or against an unjust one. I will do what I can to aid you if you go again against the Taira."
He's joining up with whatever Hiroshi decides.
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
What Budo do we get? For On, I have 100 - 5 for Hiroshi, any On from the battle other than the 100 On for the escape? And Hiroshi was starting from 0 Budo and 10 from Low Ronin
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
I have that he had 26 On after escorting the kuge, -5 for taking money to the battle = 21, +1 for killing two rabble = 22, +45 for the escape = 67. Sound about right?
PCs
Re: 2nd Scroll - Flight from Okitsu
Oh, yes, sorry somehow I was remembering +100, but looking back it's +45. And then another -5 for eating red meat. Added to the original 10 is 72.