Jun 24, 2019 2:15 pm
Chapter 1: Lotus Rises from Water
Jun 24, 2019 7:08 pm
The Upper City: Wu Meng & Zhuang Rong Hua
From your rooftop perch you watch the opulent house across the street. The gate opens, and a palanquin heads past a lamplighter busy at his work, and out into the city flanked by four armed guards. By your count that leaves a detail of three human guards, and two crab-man brutes, not counting the other detail patrolling the perimeter.
The man who hired you said that the Archive has had a valuable text stolen. They believe the Guong clan responsible, and that the scroll is currently being held somewhere here on the family estate. Your employers want it stolen back and brought to them.
Rong Hua, you've heard rumors that someone else wants possession of this text. Who?
Wu Meng, why couldn't the archivists just report the theft to the authorities?
The Mumin Ghetto: Zhang Wei, Xian Feng, & Iko
You're in the poorest part of the city, where the cockroach herders live. Steam rises from the bare earth after a brief downpour, accentuating the stink of this place. There's something wrong with this particular herd, and the headman is worried.
"Nobody here's seen the like. They're normally docile creatures. But now..." the man trails off and gestures. The giant cockroaches in the pen, each one bigger than a shield, are unnaturally agitated, crawling all over each other, antennae lashing about like whips, mandibles gnashing.
The man is the opposite - judging by the slurred speech and dilated pupils, he's high on opium. Opium that he shouldn't be able to afford. Either he's smoking the highly dangerous cheap counterfeit, or someone with some means is supplying him the real stuff. But why?
Iko, these people are the poorest of the poor, and yet Dai'shan would frown upon them. Why?
Xian Feng, the headman can't be trusted. Why not?
Zhang Wei, why are you here instead of watching over Rong Hua, whom you have sworn to protect?
Jun 24, 2019 10:59 pm
Feng stares at the intoxicated man with annoyance, her burning eyes jumping back and forth between him and the riled up roaches, starting to wish she wasn't on this job. She stretches her unnaturally pale arms and comes to the following conclusion:
With the headman higher then a kite and the group having no other leads to go on she quickly becomes suspicious. This man is likely hiding his own involvement, or in his current state of mind has forgotton what it is altogether. Confident he can't understand she speaks in a low whisper to her companions "Idiot is keeping secrets. We need to be on guard, or should I press the matter?"
With the headman higher then a kite and the group having no other leads to go on she quickly becomes suspicious. This man is likely hiding his own involvement, or in his current state of mind has forgotton what it is altogether. Confident he can't understand she speaks in a low whisper to her companions "Idiot is keeping secrets. We need to be on guard, or should I press the matter?"
Jun 25, 2019 12:22 am
Wei smiles and almost laughs as he hears Feng whisper. "Press the matter, it's obvious someone is supplying him with quality product. No way could he have afforded it on his own."
Wei finds his thoughts drifting to Hua and the job she is on. Smiling to himself, Wei remembers the look she gave him when he asked if Hua needed protection. The look on her face spoke volumes, and yet while he did vow to protect her, Wei was smart enough to know when to pick his battles.
Wei finds his thoughts drifting to Hua and the job she is on. Smiling to himself, Wei remembers the look she gave him when he asked if Hua needed protection. The look on her face spoke volumes, and yet while he did vow to protect her, Wei was smart enough to know when to pick his battles.
Jun 25, 2019 12:43 am
Iko looked sadly at the headman. He was poor, yes, and suffering tremendously in these conditions. But from the look on his face, he was hiding from the pain that might lead to his salvation. The opium hid him from the truth. "I agree." He whispers back hoarsely, in the same monotone as always. "The man hides behind his drugs, but there is obviously a problem with these." He continues, looking back to the thrashing roaches.
Jun 25, 2019 1:50 am
Are you ready...?
The female asks as she gently pulls her hair back, tying it.
If you wish, I can always... distract them.
She smiled slyly at her companion.
The female asks as she gently pulls her hair back, tying it.
If you wish, I can always... distract them.
She smiled slyly at her companion.
Jun 25, 2019 2:06 am
Seeing Wei act so carefree only adds to Feng's growing list of small irritations, but she'll have to endure it for now, knowing how unhinged she can get.
Speaking of... "How about you sober up for two minutes and tell us something we don't know? What's really happening?" She takes a commanding step towards the man, channeling these negative thoughts at him.
Speaking of... "How about you sober up for two minutes and tell us something we don't know? What's really happening?" She takes a commanding step towards the man, channeling these negative thoughts at him.
OOC:
Okay hopefully this roll is correct.Rolls
Talking - (2d6+2)
(63) + 2 = 11
Jun 25, 2019 2:53 am
Meng perched atop one of the rooftop peaks, adjacent to Rong Hua, surveying the Guong compound below them. "You're the expert in this area, lead the way, I shall be right behind. Meng made ready to move."I'd like to find out why they didn't go to the authorities with the theft. Something is suspicious here, we ought to find out more as well."
Rolls
Discern Realities (ways to enter, where the scroll might be kept) - (2d6+1)
(23) + 1 = 6
Jun 25, 2019 3:17 am
Hmmm... I’ll survey the area for traps first, wait for me.
The female winked before she silently snuck off.
The female winked before she silently snuck off.
Rolls
2d6+3
(31) + 3 = 7
Jun 25, 2019 4:04 am
Meng nodded at the impetuous thief. "Let's first figure out where to search for the scroll, and you can check for traps there."
Last edited June 25, 2019 4:04 am
Jun 25, 2019 5:43 am
The female pouted.
Ok fine... I would say his bed chambers. Nobles love to place their secrets and trinkets there.
She smirked.
Ok fine... I would say his bed chambers. Nobles love to place their secrets and trinkets there.
She smirked.
Jun 25, 2019 5:58 am
"Come, let's figure out the best way in." Meng watched the perimeter patrol and counted the guards.
Jun 25, 2019 1:26 pm
The Guong Estate
Wu Meng: As you crane your neck to survey the perimeter, one of the human guards spots you. "You there! On the roof! What're you doing up there?" They don't seem to have spotted Rong Hua. What do you do, both of you?
Wu Meng: As you crane your neck to survey the perimeter, one of the human guards spots you. "You there! On the roof! What're you doing up there?" They don't seem to have spotted Rong Hua. What do you do, both of you?
OOC:
Mark 1 XP, for the failed Discern Realities roll, Wu Meng.Jun 25, 2019 1:28 pm
The Cockroach Pens
Feng: it's as if you can see right into the man's soul. This man is secretly on a rival clan's payroll, and he's sabotaged this herd with the spores of a mold that will eventually kill them, but not before they go completely crazy.
Just then, the cockroaches break out of their pen and come rushing at you! What do you do?
Battle Music!
Feng: it's as if you can see right into the man's soul. This man is secretly on a rival clan's payroll, and he's sabotaged this herd with the spores of a mold that will eventually kill them, but not before they go completely crazy.
Just then, the cockroaches break out of their pen and come rushing at you! What do you do?
Battle Music!
Jun 25, 2019 3:32 pm
"Go!" Meng whispered to Rong Hua, "I'll distract them."
Poking his head out further, "Merely inspecting the roof of my building, as you are your own." Meng bowed to the guard opposite.
1 ki left.
2 XP marked so far.
Poking his head out further, "Merely inspecting the roof of my building, as you are your own." Meng bowed to the guard opposite.
OOC:
2 moves. First is to Aid Another, attempting to prevent Rong Hua from being noticed by the guards. Will spend 1 ki to roll+WIS. Second is to Parley, speaking the obvious, roll+WIS. Both cases -1 ongoing from GM's complication to Meng's meditation roll. 1 ki left.
2 XP marked so far.
Rolls
Aid Another - (2d6)
(52) = 7
Parley - (2d6)
(12) = 3
Jun 25, 2019 4:32 pm
OOC:
A 7 on the Aid results in success with complications. Rong Hua takes +1 on Roll+DEX to remain undetected and slip away, but Mu Weng now has all the five guards' attention, and they're not buying his story. Mark another XP for the failed Parley, Mu Weng.What do you do?
Jun 25, 2019 4:57 pm
Iko, who had been watching the roaches with an unfazed expression, takes his staff in both hands and whirls it around to bring it down on the head of the skittering bug rushing him.
Rolls
Staff Attack - (2d6-1)
(33) - 1 = 5
Jun 25, 2019 5:19 pm
Iko mis-times his attack as the cockroach rears up and bites him just under his ribcage, drawing blood!
Because this is our first combat I'm going to give you the monster's stats to explain how armor, weapon tags, and such work.
Horde, small.
Bite (d6 damage, 1 piercing); 3 HP; 2 ArmorMonsters do not roll to hit. This cockroach's counter-attack is the consequence of Iko's missed
Hack & Slash roll.
This bug's bite does d6 damage and is 1 piercing, meaning it ignores 1 armor.
Its carapace is 2 Armor, meaning it ignores the first 2 points of damage (deal 3 damage against it, it only takes 1).
There are many other equipment and weapon tags that change how they affect and are affected by creatures and the environment. You'll find them all here.
OOC:
Mark 1 XP and take 1 damage, Iko.Because this is our first combat I'm going to give you the monster's stats to explain how armor, weapon tags, and such work.
Quote:
Giant CockroachHorde, small.
Bite (d6 damage, 1 piercing); 3 HP; 2 Armor
Hack & Slash roll.
This bug's bite does d6 damage and is 1 piercing, meaning it ignores 1 armor.
Its carapace is 2 Armor, meaning it ignores the first 2 points of damage (deal 3 damage against it, it only takes 1).
There are many other equipment and weapon tags that change how they affect and are affected by creatures and the environment. You'll find them all here.
Rolls
Bite vs. Iko - (1d6)
(1) = 1
Jun 25, 2019 5:46 pm
Wei drops into a battle stance as he sees the roaches break free from their corral. Seeing that one was rushing Iko, Wei was moving to assist when he saw a roach rushing his way.
Drawing Kun Wu, Wei swung down in a simple strike hoping to end the fight quickly.
Drawing Kun Wu, Wei swung down in a simple strike hoping to end the fight quickly.
Last edited June 25, 2019 5:47 pm
Rolls
Attack - (2d6+2)
(25) + 2 = 9
Jun 25, 2019 5:56 pm
OOC:
Roll your damage, Wei. As a Fighter, that is d10. Kun Wu has the following tags: +2 piercing (will ignore all of the cockroach's armor!) and +1 damage.load next