Session 1 The City in Ruins
Set in Shattered Sky City, the ruins of a once great population centre, our Brave Heroes find themselves in The Dam; one of the two outposts of civilisation bordering the City, the other being The Docks. Within their Tavern of choice Aramil Bumps into an old acquaintance, Serallen, an Eladrin College Buddy who was last heard to have joined a Religious order (cult) and then disappeared.
“Hey Aramil is your sister here? Brilliant I was sent to find some adventurers and you have a load of erm... friends here, maybe you can help."
Anscar the human Barbarian looking chap speaks up at this "Listen Monstarr, these here monstars are my Army, we’re going to kill monstarrs and earn glory"
"Oh well I can take you to monsters" offers Serallen "ladies” he said offering his arm to Valanae, Ragron and Torment, who roll their eyes and decline his efforts.
Heading into the northern part of the ruins, our party is set upon by a bevy of unliving. Falling for the age old “Healer Cricket” trap of some dead, but freshly animated, adventurers lying on the road while their new master, a Wight and his flaming skeleton minions lurk nearby, the Heroes are set upon.
Successfully dispatching their foes and looting the dead adventurers of their magic Flaming Scimitar and healing potions our brave heroes continue on to the Headquarters of the Eladrin Cult of Naenaris (ahem Religious order).
What Serallen actually leads them to is a ruined shack. However, handing out a series of small amulets, he clears a small patch on the floor and taking the hands of Ragron and Torment vanishes!
"Oi," barks Anscar at Aramil "I thought you knew him, why is he nickin’ our wimin'?"
" I am down here" Serallen’s Voice Floats up from below.
Looking through the boards in the floor the party can just make out Serallen, Torment and Ragron standing in a Hidden Cellar. Taking the hands of the remaining party members, Aramil and Valanae Fey step into the concealed cellar and from there they are led into the rather well appointed headquarters of the Cult of Naenaris.
Ruenethra, leader of the cult in the city and an attractive Eladrin lady greets the party in her luxurious meeting room. Cushions and Chez Longue abound and the party are soon comfortably sat listening to her explain the cult’s (religious order’s) plight.
The cult is looking for the lost City of the Eladrin, also known as the dreaming city, once said to have rested beneath the ruins of this very metropolis. The cult have been given a Magical Dagger by one of their contacts within the city, but their divinations have revealed that it is possessed by some manner of Devil! In order to destroy it, the cult needs Anscar’s Army to retrieve The Crucible of Flame. It currently resides with a clan of Rat men known as the Bile Spider Clan, whose leader is using the powers of the Crucible to create horrific Alchemical mutations in the sewers.
So they set off through the tunnels beneath the city and begin looking for the Bile spider clan’s lair. Asking around about rumours and trying to track rat men patrols through the southern ruins eventually leads the Army to a small band of Bile spiders who descend upon them looking to harvest their organs. Euuwww!
A vicious struggle ensues, but dispatching their whiskered foes and having relived them of a small bag of organs and sky rock, the party find their way to the sewers leading to the Rat men's Lair.
The narrow sewer tunnel proved to have a ledge running beside the almost dry sewage channel leading to a slightly raised area. Some crude palisades, a balcony with a small wooden door and a larger stone door set level with the ledge were the only signs of habitation. A bridge had clearly once connected the ledge to the raised at the end of the tunnel on which the party found themselves. The bridge had long since sagged and dropped into the shallow filth beneath it leaving the crossing difficult to traverse.
Aramil led the way, spotting and dispatching a Rat man hiding in the filth of one of the side passages. As more rat men burst from their filthy hiding places in the muck or behind the primitive barricades (Rob) Rangor charged forward only to be blinded by the Rat man Hexer prancing on the Balcony. The dancing Rat magician then followed by releasing a sack of hideous mutant rat bats with razor sharp teeth which fell upon the blinded Dragonborn fighter. Aramil and Valanae almost desperate to avoid the filth Fey stepped between the platforms and unleashed arrow and spell at the two Rat men Snipers who in return were cranking the handles of their automatic crossbows.
In the aftermath a strange hum could be heard.
Saturday 1 November 2008
Thursday 28 February 2008
session 2
We played the 2nd session last night finishing the Topaz Championship. Here is Dave's recounting.
Suzume Tomo-sama e
Autumn clutches leaf,
Jade turns to bronze upon the
breeze, Tree sheds its gold.
Father, I have news of much import, after the second days activities of the Topaz championship had drawn to a close, my friends and I were returning to the sleeping quarters, when we came across Bayushi Denbe standing over the bodies of 3 ninja and Doji Wakao of the Crane. Doji-san was dead when we got there, and Bayushi was lightly injured. They had been rumoured to be arguing over a lady they had a mutual interest in, but I am unaware of the precise details, and do not wish to cast aspersions based upon court rumours.
Upon our return to the main hall with Bayushi-san, we were met by the Emerald Champion no less, he was an impressive man, with an inspiring aura about him. He analysed the situation and was about to adjudicate when Usagi Kamahime of the Hare Clan accused him of murdering the Crane. Bayushi-san instantly responded by challenging her to a duel the next morn, which she accepted. I awoke early to observe the duel, and I must admit that I hoped that Usagi-san won, as I had enjoyed a few conversations with her, and she seemed short-tempered, but interesting. Alas it was not to be, and the suns first rays caught the hare’s last moments. Kuni Shinechi of the Crab, was not happy about this, but contained her anger at the duel. She strikes me as unusual for a Crab, which is no bad thing! She is gruff, but very kind-souled, and rescued me from carousing Crabs, which is no mean feat, but an amusing alliteration, as the old Sparrow saying goes. It is all as Grandmother used to say “those who look out over a wall had better pay attention to the state of their kimono.” I still do not fully understand the meaning, but I believe I am on my way to finding out.
The next day I won in the first round of Iaijutsu duels against the Phoenix Shiba Takoko, but was bested by Bayushi Denbe of the Scorpion clan in the next round. It was a tightly fought affair, but Bayushi-san was my better upon this occasion. My cousin, Daidoji Hoshi lost against Miromoto Otakan of the Dragon Clan. I was very surprised at first, but upon observing Miromoto-san’s stance in the final I realised that he has great skill.
After all contests Miromoto-san was announced as the Topaz Champion, justifiably so as there was only one contest that he failed. He is a tribute to the Dragon clan. There is a Dragon monk who attended the tournament, Togashi Nagasaki, who I found intriguing. The Dragon truly are as you described, answering in riddles on one hand, and winning contests on the other.
I did the Sparrow proud, finishing joint second with Hoshi-chan. Bayushi-san finished third, so once more the Sparrow clan have held off the Scorpions! I decided not to mention the irony to him. Once the presentation was complete, Hoshi-chan and myself were approached by the Emerald Champion himself, and he offered us the positions of Emerald Magistrate, to travel to the area of Ryoko Owari in the Scorpion lands! I was therefore very glad that I had not mentioned the irony to the Scorpion.
I am honoured that the Emerald Champion himself would offer me a position as a magistrate and I swore an oath to uphold the respect the position holds. I intend to fully research the position and its responsibilities and become the best magistrate there is. I believe coming from the Sparrow Clan will aid me in this task as I have no ties to major clans and can act impartially. I will enjoy working in this task alongside Hoshi-chan, as he is one of the best swordsmen I have ever seen, even if he is loath to boast of his prowess. Kuni Shinechi of the Crab, Shosuro Sakura of the Scorpion, and Togashi Nagasaki of the Dragon were selected to assist us. I feel unworthy of their assistance, as they each have skills beyond my own. Shosuro is an unknown quantity at the moment, but her help will be invaluable as she is of the Clan whose lands we shall be in. Working with a Dragon Monk is an honour all of itself, and I am hope to return home soon to inform you further of our progress. How is Grandfather getting along? The Crab clan samurai very much enjoyed one of his stories which I recounted at the drinking party, so much so that 4 of them even closed their eyes to enable them to fully envision the scene. I was very impressed by their dedication to the story, and afterwards inquired after their names, and I have sent them the written transcripts so that they may be able to recount the tales to their fellows.
Well father, I must get on, but here is a poem I wrote in honour of my appointment.
Yo, check this shit out,
Sparrow Clan did kill this man,
Haiku funk you fool.
(Actually scratch that last one, it hardly seems fitting…)
Neutral as the sun,
Justice shines on all who breathe,
Emperor sees all.
(I prefer the first one)
Suzume Dirojiro, Emerald Magistrate.
(Destroyer of Worlds, e.t.c)
Suzume Tomo-sama e
Autumn clutches leaf,
Jade turns to bronze upon the
breeze, Tree sheds its gold.
Father, I have news of much import, after the second days activities of the Topaz championship had drawn to a close, my friends and I were returning to the sleeping quarters, when we came across Bayushi Denbe standing over the bodies of 3 ninja and Doji Wakao of the Crane. Doji-san was dead when we got there, and Bayushi was lightly injured. They had been rumoured to be arguing over a lady they had a mutual interest in, but I am unaware of the precise details, and do not wish to cast aspersions based upon court rumours.
Upon our return to the main hall with Bayushi-san, we were met by the Emerald Champion no less, he was an impressive man, with an inspiring aura about him. He analysed the situation and was about to adjudicate when Usagi Kamahime of the Hare Clan accused him of murdering the Crane. Bayushi-san instantly responded by challenging her to a duel the next morn, which she accepted. I awoke early to observe the duel, and I must admit that I hoped that Usagi-san won, as I had enjoyed a few conversations with her, and she seemed short-tempered, but interesting. Alas it was not to be, and the suns first rays caught the hare’s last moments. Kuni Shinechi of the Crab, was not happy about this, but contained her anger at the duel. She strikes me as unusual for a Crab, which is no bad thing! She is gruff, but very kind-souled, and rescued me from carousing Crabs, which is no mean feat, but an amusing alliteration, as the old Sparrow saying goes. It is all as Grandmother used to say “those who look out over a wall had better pay attention to the state of their kimono.” I still do not fully understand the meaning, but I believe I am on my way to finding out.
The next day I won in the first round of Iaijutsu duels against the Phoenix Shiba Takoko, but was bested by Bayushi Denbe of the Scorpion clan in the next round. It was a tightly fought affair, but Bayushi-san was my better upon this occasion. My cousin, Daidoji Hoshi lost against Miromoto Otakan of the Dragon Clan. I was very surprised at first, but upon observing Miromoto-san’s stance in the final I realised that he has great skill.
After all contests Miromoto-san was announced as the Topaz Champion, justifiably so as there was only one contest that he failed. He is a tribute to the Dragon clan. There is a Dragon monk who attended the tournament, Togashi Nagasaki, who I found intriguing. The Dragon truly are as you described, answering in riddles on one hand, and winning contests on the other.
I did the Sparrow proud, finishing joint second with Hoshi-chan. Bayushi-san finished third, so once more the Sparrow clan have held off the Scorpions! I decided not to mention the irony to him. Once the presentation was complete, Hoshi-chan and myself were approached by the Emerald Champion himself, and he offered us the positions of Emerald Magistrate, to travel to the area of Ryoko Owari in the Scorpion lands! I was therefore very glad that I had not mentioned the irony to the Scorpion.
I am honoured that the Emerald Champion himself would offer me a position as a magistrate and I swore an oath to uphold the respect the position holds. I intend to fully research the position and its responsibilities and become the best magistrate there is. I believe coming from the Sparrow Clan will aid me in this task as I have no ties to major clans and can act impartially. I will enjoy working in this task alongside Hoshi-chan, as he is one of the best swordsmen I have ever seen, even if he is loath to boast of his prowess. Kuni Shinechi of the Crab, Shosuro Sakura of the Scorpion, and Togashi Nagasaki of the Dragon were selected to assist us. I feel unworthy of their assistance, as they each have skills beyond my own. Shosuro is an unknown quantity at the moment, but her help will be invaluable as she is of the Clan whose lands we shall be in. Working with a Dragon Monk is an honour all of itself, and I am hope to return home soon to inform you further of our progress. How is Grandfather getting along? The Crab clan samurai very much enjoyed one of his stories which I recounted at the drinking party, so much so that 4 of them even closed their eyes to enable them to fully envision the scene. I was very impressed by their dedication to the story, and afterwards inquired after their names, and I have sent them the written transcripts so that they may be able to recount the tales to their fellows.
Well father, I must get on, but here is a poem I wrote in honour of my appointment.
Yo, check this shit out,
Sparrow Clan did kill this man,
Haiku funk you fool.
(Actually scratch that last one, it hardly seems fitting…)
Neutral as the sun,
Justice shines on all who breathe,
Emperor sees all.
(I prefer the first one)
Suzume Dirojiro, Emerald Magistrate.
(Destroyer of Worlds, e.t.c)
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Suzume Daiojiro journal
Not to be outdone here is Dave's;
1128-16-5
Suzume Tomo-sama e
私によってはあなたの病気が退いたことが祈る。ここの天候は冷たく育ち、夜は身長で育つ。冬は私達に偽りなくある。
私の手紙の理由はトパーズ選手権の私の進歩の言うべきである。私はを達成する十分なポイントをあなたが私に教えたレッスンのためのあなたに私の感謝を表現したかった今有し。他の武士は主に主要な一族であり、このでき事ですずめの一族を表すためにそれは自尊心で私を満たす。私はこれらの尊重された個人と競うために名誉を与えられる。
私は私達の一族を記念して詩を構成し、あなたにそれを表現するために書いている。
高いすずめの飛行
次の茶色の地球に
分散させた石、私の中心
探求のコンテストの間に、武士の1 グループは狂暴なクレーンによって攻撃されたが、私のグループはそれらを容易に回転する。私は無事だったが、コンテストのクレーン武士の1 つは殺された。攻撃者はコンテストに不名誉を持って来ることを試みて、私は恐れている成功したことを。私はリーダー、気高いドラゴンの武士の後ろの2 ポイントであるが、たった1 日が残ある、従って私は彼をつかまえてなくないかもしれない。
5 月木の取得からの花落ちる長い時間。
Keigu, Suzume Daiojiro
and the translation:
I pray that your illness has receded. The weather here grows cold, and the nights grow in stature. Winter is truly upon us.
The reason for my letter is to tell you of my progress in the topaz championship. I have enough points now to achieve gempukku and wished to express my gratitude to you for the lessons that you have taught me. The other samurai are mainly major clans, and it fills me with pride to represent the Sparrow Clan at this event. I am honoured to even compete against these esteemed individuals.
I composed a poem in honour of our clan and I am writing to express it to you.
“Sparrow flying high,
Over the brown earth below,
scattered rock, my heart.”
During the hunting contest, one group of samurai were attacked by rogue crane, but my group slew them easily. I was unharmed but one of the crane samurai in the contest was killed. The attackers were trying to bring dishonour to the contest, and i fear they have succeeded. I am two points behind the leader, a noble dragon samurai, but there is only one day left, so i may be unable to catch him.
May the blossom from the tree take a long time to fall.
My regards, Suzume Daiojiro.
1128-16-5
Suzume Tomo-sama e
私によってはあなたの病気が退いたことが祈る。ここの天候は冷たく育ち、夜は身長で育つ。冬は私達に偽りなくある。
私の手紙の理由はトパーズ選手権の私の進歩の言うべきである。私はを達成する十分なポイントをあなたが私に教えたレッスンのためのあなたに私の感謝を表現したかった今有し。他の武士は主に主要な一族であり、このでき事ですずめの一族を表すためにそれは自尊心で私を満たす。私はこれらの尊重された個人と競うために名誉を与えられる。
私は私達の一族を記念して詩を構成し、あなたにそれを表現するために書いている。
高いすずめの飛行
次の茶色の地球に
分散させた石、私の中心
探求のコンテストの間に、武士の1 グループは狂暴なクレーンによって攻撃されたが、私のグループはそれらを容易に回転する。私は無事だったが、コンテストのクレーン武士の1 つは殺された。攻撃者はコンテストに不名誉を持って来ることを試みて、私は恐れている成功したことを。私はリーダー、気高いドラゴンの武士の後ろの2 ポイントであるが、たった1 日が残ある、従って私は彼をつかまえてなくないかもしれない。
5 月木の取得からの花落ちる長い時間。
Keigu, Suzume Daiojiro
and the translation:
I pray that your illness has receded. The weather here grows cold, and the nights grow in stature. Winter is truly upon us.
The reason for my letter is to tell you of my progress in the topaz championship. I have enough points now to achieve gempukku and wished to express my gratitude to you for the lessons that you have taught me. The other samurai are mainly major clans, and it fills me with pride to represent the Sparrow Clan at this event. I am honoured to even compete against these esteemed individuals.
I composed a poem in honour of our clan and I am writing to express it to you.
“Sparrow flying high,
Over the brown earth below,
scattered rock, my heart.”
During the hunting contest, one group of samurai were attacked by rogue crane, but my group slew them easily. I was unharmed but one of the crane samurai in the contest was killed. The attackers were trying to bring dishonour to the contest, and i fear they have succeeded. I am two points behind the leader, a noble dragon samurai, but there is only one day left, so i may be unable to catch him.
May the blossom from the tree take a long time to fall.
My regards, Suzume Daiojiro.
Session 1 The Topaz Championship
My L5R Campaign is set pre Clan War and This is Rob's Character's Journal Written as a series of letters to his lord and sensei Kakita Toshimoko.
Greetings Toshimoko-sama,
I hope that this missive finds you well. The honour you do me and my family with a position at the Topaz Championship cannot yet be repaid. I will do all that I can to bring honour to you and your teachings.
I understand that Shino-san has also been chosen to attend. His skill is an equal to my own and a credit to your tutelage. I hope the steel of his ability is not engulfed by the flame of his ambition.
I remain your most humble of servants.
Daidoji Hoshi
Toshimoko-sama,
I am pleased to report the first two days of competition went well, despite a few disturbing events. My cousin Sezume Daijiro-chan of the Sparrow was also chosen to attend the championship, sponsored by our clan. I am sure that you must have had a hand in his selection and I thank you for extending this opportunity to my noble cousin. I am once more in your debt.
In the sumei I drew Hiruma Do of the Crab, a most worthy if exuberant opponent. I was able to direct him from the circle but I fear if he had caught hold of me he would have over powered me.
I fear I did not do you as much honour as you deserve in the test of my knowledge of heraldry. I must devote more time to my studies of the coats of arms of our celestial emperor’s honoured servants.
The following next event was the race. I drew against Shiba Takako of the Phoenix and Agasha Gojinka of the Dragon. Takako-san was more than my equal in swiftness and easily took the lead. Despite a hard fought pursuit I was finally able to see of Gojinka-san and took a worthy second place.
Honoured sensei, I must report that I believe someone is trying to sabotage the competition and cause harm to its worthy competitors. I do not wish to speak it out loud to Miya Shoin-sama or the other arbiters as I am sure this will drive the cowardly saboteurs further into their dark burrows. If you command it I will of course tell them everything but I would beg your indulgence in conducting my own exploration of the events.
During the Kenjitsu competition, I was drawn against the most praiseworthy Yuriko of the Mantis. She fought ferociously and struck me a tremendous blow but in doing so left herself over extended and exposed. I could have struck and ended the fight but I noticed that the padding on her Yumi had come loose and the gleam of metal was clearly seen below. I paused and called for the arbiters who called an end to our bout and ordered the other weapons checked.
That very evening, Kakita Shino-san was arguing with Mirumoto Otakan of the Dragon. I thought Shino-san was acting foolishly and trying to goad Otakan into a duel in order to shame him, but now I think he may have known something I did not.
Either way, the Dragon did not rise to his challenge and both retired to bed shortly after.
I dreamt that night of a great dragon of shadow clad in gleaming Topaz armour, coiled around Tsuma. Where ever The Dragon’s body touched, scorpions could be seen scurrying into the darkest shadows. I have spoken to no Shugenga of this but this omen cannot be good for this competition or our clan.
I composed myself as best as I could for the Haiku challenge. I earned a point form the arbiter but I do not believe mine to be the best effort. I must spend more time at court.
Myself and Daijori-san were drawn together for the tests of our knowledge of Bushido. My cousin did well and told a...detailed story to prove his knowledge of our guiding principals but I was able to argue a subtle point of honour to emerge victorious. Perhaps my lack of court attendance will not be as much of a hinderance as I had first thought.
Our task for the hunt was to retrieve eggs from a fish that is found in the forest lakes around Tsuma. Myself and my cousin were again selected together, along with Kuni Shinichi of the Crab, Togashi Nagasaki of the Dragon, and Shosuro Sakura of the Scorpion.
We travelled into the forest and kuni-san proved her worth. She clearly has a strong connection to The Ring of Earth as she summoned an earth spirit which easily allowed us to collect the eggs we required. Mere minutes after starting our search we were heading back to claim our victory when we heard sounds of battle from deep into the woods.
We ran quickly and came upon another band of competitors, including Shino-san, under attack from 3 dishonourable Ronin. Their leader wore a crude mempo and was fighting with great skill and a feeling of familiarity nagged at me. As we drew closer, the leader drew back his blade and cut Kakita Shino-san down in one slice, and with a back swing carved into Xuren of the Unicorn, dropping him to the ground. As our tattoed companion from the Dragon unleashed a blast of flame at him, I charged into to challenge him.
Forgive me Toshimoko-sama, but I do not fully understand what happened next. The leader called out to refuse my challenge but the voice that came from his lips was that of my father. He attacked me with great energy and skill and I was barley able to fend him off. He cut into my side with a flick of his Katana but I was able to counter attack. His blade flew to stop mine but fuelled by my rage I was able to move past his defence and cut him down. Fearing the taint of the Shadowlands I used a finger of jade on the corpse before Shinichi-san turned her powerful abilities on his body to remove any chance of the taint. The blast caught me as well and I am pleased to report that it revealed no taint on either me or the corpse.
Whatever dark force allowed the voice of my father to issue from the lips of this despicable ronin must be sought out and destroyed. I humbly ask that I be allowed to pursue this course.
Tomorrow sees a new dawn and the Iajitsu competition, which I have high hopes of doing well in. I will ensure that I do not shame you and will do my best to bring glory to you and your school.
I will entrust this letter to a trusted servant and I trust it reaches you swiftly.
May the blessings of the Kami fall upon you.
Daidojo Hoshi
Greetings Toshimoko-sama,
I hope that this missive finds you well. The honour you do me and my family with a position at the Topaz Championship cannot yet be repaid. I will do all that I can to bring honour to you and your teachings.
I understand that Shino-san has also been chosen to attend. His skill is an equal to my own and a credit to your tutelage. I hope the steel of his ability is not engulfed by the flame of his ambition.
I remain your most humble of servants.
Daidoji Hoshi
Toshimoko-sama,
I am pleased to report the first two days of competition went well, despite a few disturbing events. My cousin Sezume Daijiro-chan of the Sparrow was also chosen to attend the championship, sponsored by our clan. I am sure that you must have had a hand in his selection and I thank you for extending this opportunity to my noble cousin. I am once more in your debt.
In the sumei I drew Hiruma Do of the Crab, a most worthy if exuberant opponent. I was able to direct him from the circle but I fear if he had caught hold of me he would have over powered me.
I fear I did not do you as much honour as you deserve in the test of my knowledge of heraldry. I must devote more time to my studies of the coats of arms of our celestial emperor’s honoured servants.
The following next event was the race. I drew against Shiba Takako of the Phoenix and Agasha Gojinka of the Dragon. Takako-san was more than my equal in swiftness and easily took the lead. Despite a hard fought pursuit I was finally able to see of Gojinka-san and took a worthy second place.
Honoured sensei, I must report that I believe someone is trying to sabotage the competition and cause harm to its worthy competitors. I do not wish to speak it out loud to Miya Shoin-sama or the other arbiters as I am sure this will drive the cowardly saboteurs further into their dark burrows. If you command it I will of course tell them everything but I would beg your indulgence in conducting my own exploration of the events.
During the Kenjitsu competition, I was drawn against the most praiseworthy Yuriko of the Mantis. She fought ferociously and struck me a tremendous blow but in doing so left herself over extended and exposed. I could have struck and ended the fight but I noticed that the padding on her Yumi had come loose and the gleam of metal was clearly seen below. I paused and called for the arbiters who called an end to our bout and ordered the other weapons checked.
That very evening, Kakita Shino-san was arguing with Mirumoto Otakan of the Dragon. I thought Shino-san was acting foolishly and trying to goad Otakan into a duel in order to shame him, but now I think he may have known something I did not.
Either way, the Dragon did not rise to his challenge and both retired to bed shortly after.
I dreamt that night of a great dragon of shadow clad in gleaming Topaz armour, coiled around Tsuma. Where ever The Dragon’s body touched, scorpions could be seen scurrying into the darkest shadows. I have spoken to no Shugenga of this but this omen cannot be good for this competition or our clan.
I composed myself as best as I could for the Haiku challenge. I earned a point form the arbiter but I do not believe mine to be the best effort. I must spend more time at court.
Myself and Daijori-san were drawn together for the tests of our knowledge of Bushido. My cousin did well and told a...detailed story to prove his knowledge of our guiding principals but I was able to argue a subtle point of honour to emerge victorious. Perhaps my lack of court attendance will not be as much of a hinderance as I had first thought.
Our task for the hunt was to retrieve eggs from a fish that is found in the forest lakes around Tsuma. Myself and my cousin were again selected together, along with Kuni Shinichi of the Crab, Togashi Nagasaki of the Dragon, and Shosuro Sakura of the Scorpion.
We travelled into the forest and kuni-san proved her worth. She clearly has a strong connection to The Ring of Earth as she summoned an earth spirit which easily allowed us to collect the eggs we required. Mere minutes after starting our search we were heading back to claim our victory when we heard sounds of battle from deep into the woods.
We ran quickly and came upon another band of competitors, including Shino-san, under attack from 3 dishonourable Ronin. Their leader wore a crude mempo and was fighting with great skill and a feeling of familiarity nagged at me. As we drew closer, the leader drew back his blade and cut Kakita Shino-san down in one slice, and with a back swing carved into Xuren of the Unicorn, dropping him to the ground. As our tattoed companion from the Dragon unleashed a blast of flame at him, I charged into to challenge him.
Forgive me Toshimoko-sama, but I do not fully understand what happened next. The leader called out to refuse my challenge but the voice that came from his lips was that of my father. He attacked me with great energy and skill and I was barley able to fend him off. He cut into my side with a flick of his Katana but I was able to counter attack. His blade flew to stop mine but fuelled by my rage I was able to move past his defence and cut him down. Fearing the taint of the Shadowlands I used a finger of jade on the corpse before Shinichi-san turned her powerful abilities on his body to remove any chance of the taint. The blast caught me as well and I am pleased to report that it revealed no taint on either me or the corpse.
Whatever dark force allowed the voice of my father to issue from the lips of this despicable ronin must be sought out and destroyed. I humbly ask that I be allowed to pursue this course.
Tomorrow sees a new dawn and the Iajitsu competition, which I have high hopes of doing well in. I will ensure that I do not shame you and will do my best to bring glory to you and your school.
I will entrust this letter to a trusted servant and I trust it reaches you swiftly.
May the blessings of the Kami fall upon you.
Daidojo Hoshi
2008 and L5R
Well This year has got off to a good start. Not for Blogging, but for other stuff it is going really well.
I have started a L5R Roleplaying Campaign and I expect this one to last longer than Deadlands.
Several of the Players are Writing IC journals so I will post them up here along with session write ups from me.
I have started a L5R Roleplaying Campaign and I expect this one to last longer than Deadlands.
Several of the Players are Writing IC journals so I will post them up here along with session write ups from me.
Thursday 8 November 2007
Episode 2 The Journal of Dr Wilder
We picked up a preacher in Tombstone, fingers doesn’t like him, just before we got chased out of town thanks to Tobias. He is Irish but has excellent bone structure.
Our Hasty departure prevented us from catching the Train we had booked, very frustrating, that combined with Sara’s insistence that we do something about Helstromme has us travelling north toward Utah and Colorado, I don’t want to go anywhere near Helstromme but I still think I am safer with these brave folks than on my own. Fingers Agrees.
We have been Travelling for almost a week now, most of us riding in miss McGanne’s so called Wagon, most uncomfortable. Perhaps some manner of suspension system using reanimated horses legs…hmmmmm, Ahhhhh a spider!
We are being attacked by Arachnids of unusual size, I am hidden under the running boards of the Wagon. Tobias seems to be shooting at us! Fingers was right! It was just a matter of time before he turned on us, we’ll show him, we’ll show them all!
It was a misunderstanding he was shooting at spiders, We might show him anyway. Reggie was quite badly bitten but I have patched him up, he really does have lovely hands, they would be perfect for… no, no The Arachnids seemed to be able to leap great distances and they bury themselves to facilitate Ambush. Fascinating, no one else seems to think so, they are all leaving… Wait for me.
This town is empty, what a hole, no rail station. Very well dressed Black man waved at me from by the church as we rode in though. Sheriff is boring also runs a store Failure of a man.
People have been going missing. How thrilling perhaps we will get to see more examples of the “Terrorantulas” as Tobias keeps calling them. A little girls family has been taken apparently pulled into the ground, fascinating perhaps their tunnelling abilities are for more than just ambushes!
A local group of Rascals may also be responsible for the missing people Tobias seems sure that his “Snake Oil Salesman” is responsible but that seems preposterous. We are going to see these Ruffians they are much more likely to be the cause of the local unrest.
HOLY MOTHERLOAD! That was the biggest Spider I have ever seen! If we could hcapture it then Helstromme could never stop us NEVER! Drat, upon its demise at the hands of a large quantity of TNT Wielded by Miss MCGanne it dissolved into thousands of smaller specimens. Perhaps I can Breed another gigantic one, I must try to get a sample.
Our Hasty departure prevented us from catching the Train we had booked, very frustrating, that combined with Sara’s insistence that we do something about Helstromme has us travelling north toward Utah and Colorado, I don’t want to go anywhere near Helstromme but I still think I am safer with these brave folks than on my own. Fingers Agrees.
We have been Travelling for almost a week now, most of us riding in miss McGanne’s so called Wagon, most uncomfortable. Perhaps some manner of suspension system using reanimated horses legs…hmmmmm, Ahhhhh a spider!
We are being attacked by Arachnids of unusual size, I am hidden under the running boards of the Wagon. Tobias seems to be shooting at us! Fingers was right! It was just a matter of time before he turned on us, we’ll show him, we’ll show them all!
It was a misunderstanding he was shooting at spiders, We might show him anyway. Reggie was quite badly bitten but I have patched him up, he really does have lovely hands, they would be perfect for… no, no The Arachnids seemed to be able to leap great distances and they bury themselves to facilitate Ambush. Fascinating, no one else seems to think so, they are all leaving… Wait for me.
This town is empty, what a hole, no rail station. Very well dressed Black man waved at me from by the church as we rode in though. Sheriff is boring also runs a store Failure of a man.
People have been going missing. How thrilling perhaps we will get to see more examples of the “Terrorantulas” as Tobias keeps calling them. A little girls family has been taken apparently pulled into the ground, fascinating perhaps their tunnelling abilities are for more than just ambushes!
A local group of Rascals may also be responsible for the missing people Tobias seems sure that his “Snake Oil Salesman” is responsible but that seems preposterous. We are going to see these Ruffians they are much more likely to be the cause of the local unrest.
HOLY MOTHERLOAD! That was the biggest Spider I have ever seen! If we could hcapture it then Helstromme could never stop us NEVER! Drat, upon its demise at the hands of a large quantity of TNT Wielded by Miss MCGanne it dissolved into thousands of smaller specimens. Perhaps I can Breed another gigantic one, I must try to get a sample.
Deadlands Reloaded
I have started a Deadlands Reloaded Campaign and in the interests of having the session logs online I am going to post them here.
Last Train Reloaded
On the last Train to Santa Cruse Our Heroes find themselves in interesting company, Two miners, a cowardly card sharp and a nervous doctor are all grilled by the friendly Lady on her way to meet her Husband in Tombstone. Jenny Lou’s enquiries meet similarly short responses when she starts to grill our Heroes.
Suddenly (power!) around midnight the chat (and the train) is brought to a screeching halt by the Barricade of some Brigands but when the party goes to investigate the Brigands are already Dead! Ripped apart by some seemingly unstoppable attackers! While they continue to investigate the nearby abandoned Railroad camp they hear shots from the passenger car.
Heading back to the rescue they find the carriage besieged by the walking dead tough and leathery like beef jerky the gruesome zombies still burn as Sara finds out after Zapping one that was trying to crawl through one of the windows breaking the nearby lamp and showering the capering cadaver with burning oil. Just as they seem to have saved the Day the wall is caved in and with an echoing cry of “BHAAAAB” The innocent Jenny is grabbed, pulled straight from the Train and absconded with into the darkness.
Fierce chase is given, as cries of “Bhab?” echo across the prairie, but the re-stitched creation knocks out Miss McGann and high-tails it into the night.
Returning to the Train for some much needed First Aid they find Dr Wilder’s Bag open on the floor of the Still burning Passenger car. The notes and Diagrams inside the Doctors bag reveal much:
Posing as the undertaker in the nearby town is the man Wilder was on his way visit. Professor Vinton Radcliffe. The Two had corresponded some years before
Before Radcliffe was chased out of the Maze, he met Edwin Wilder, another scientist interested in the reanimation of dead tissue. The two sometimes compared notes and even
collaborated on a few experiments. Wilder left the Great Maze a few years before Radcliffe to take a job with Hellstromme Industries—working in the company’s automaton division. Radcliffe corresponded with Wilder after his move to Salt Lake City. The two continued to share research information. Wilder occasionally sent Radcliffe secret Hellstromme Industries formulas and techniques—secrets that could cost him his job if it was discovered that he had divulged them.
Unfortunately for Wilder, a freak lab fire exposed his unwitting espionage. Investigators looking through the ruins of the lab discovered some of his letters from Radcliffe and called him in to answer some questions. Rather than show up for the interview, Wilder grabbed some lab samples and notes and headed out of town. Once he got inside the Confederacy, he sent Radcliffe a telegram informing him that he was on his way and boarded a Black River train to Little Rock. In Arkansas, he caught a boat down the Mississippi to New Orleans where he transferred to a Bayou Vermilion train to Santa Cruse.
Luckily for the Posse Tobias is a skilled Tracker and by the Ghost rock Lamps on the front of the McGann Mobile they manage to follow two sets of tracks into the night one of a horse and another of the love struck construct. After an hour of the slightly creepy feeling of being watched, Fingers the animate hand created by Wilder, reveals itself to the Posse and leads them to its master.
Finding a lathered horse drinking from a rock pool the posse follows the tracks to an old silver mine in the nearby hills. Heading into the darkness they overcome twisted mockeries of Coyotes with Huge slavering Mouths full of implanted Sharks Teeth.
Defeating the canine defenders they come across Radcliffe’s secret Lair. Miss Jenny Lou was chained to a Wall while Radcliffe glowered menacingly from under the brow of his ULM Device, Also chained but to a table rather than to the wall Dr Wilder was about to be implanted with one of the Shards of Ghost Rock found in the heads of all the desiccated Dead. Guarding this Tableau was the stitch work man Bahb! and another 6 of the beef jerky zombies.
Battle was joined and as Sara’s personality flipped back and forth like a light bulb Reggie’s hexes get the better of him time and time again as the Manitous he bargains with best him in their tests of will. The Battle Rages back and Forth and Professor Radcliffe is felled by a shotgun blast to the chest, With their controllers death the unliving Jerky turn on one another and the chained up Wilder who is defended by the plucky Fingers and the schizo Miss McGann. Bhaab enraged by the death of his creator takes a lot of effort to fell and is eventually felled by a lucky shot from Sara.
Last Train Reloaded
On the last Train to Santa Cruse Our Heroes find themselves in interesting company, Two miners, a cowardly card sharp and a nervous doctor are all grilled by the friendly Lady on her way to meet her Husband in Tombstone. Jenny Lou’s enquiries meet similarly short responses when she starts to grill our Heroes.
Suddenly (power!) around midnight the chat (and the train) is brought to a screeching halt by the Barricade of some Brigands but when the party goes to investigate the Brigands are already Dead! Ripped apart by some seemingly unstoppable attackers! While they continue to investigate the nearby abandoned Railroad camp they hear shots from the passenger car.
Heading back to the rescue they find the carriage besieged by the walking dead tough and leathery like beef jerky the gruesome zombies still burn as Sara finds out after Zapping one that was trying to crawl through one of the windows breaking the nearby lamp and showering the capering cadaver with burning oil. Just as they seem to have saved the Day the wall is caved in and with an echoing cry of “BHAAAAB” The innocent Jenny is grabbed, pulled straight from the Train and absconded with into the darkness.
Fierce chase is given, as cries of “Bhab?” echo across the prairie, but the re-stitched creation knocks out Miss McGann and high-tails it into the night.
Returning to the Train for some much needed First Aid they find Dr Wilder’s Bag open on the floor of the Still burning Passenger car. The notes and Diagrams inside the Doctors bag reveal much:
Posing as the undertaker in the nearby town is the man Wilder was on his way visit. Professor Vinton Radcliffe. The Two had corresponded some years before
Before Radcliffe was chased out of the Maze, he met Edwin Wilder, another scientist interested in the reanimation of dead tissue. The two sometimes compared notes and even
collaborated on a few experiments. Wilder left the Great Maze a few years before Radcliffe to take a job with Hellstromme Industries—working in the company’s automaton division. Radcliffe corresponded with Wilder after his move to Salt Lake City. The two continued to share research information. Wilder occasionally sent Radcliffe secret Hellstromme Industries formulas and techniques—secrets that could cost him his job if it was discovered that he had divulged them.
Unfortunately for Wilder, a freak lab fire exposed his unwitting espionage. Investigators looking through the ruins of the lab discovered some of his letters from Radcliffe and called him in to answer some questions. Rather than show up for the interview, Wilder grabbed some lab samples and notes and headed out of town. Once he got inside the Confederacy, he sent Radcliffe a telegram informing him that he was on his way and boarded a Black River train to Little Rock. In Arkansas, he caught a boat down the Mississippi to New Orleans where he transferred to a Bayou Vermilion train to Santa Cruse.
Luckily for the Posse Tobias is a skilled Tracker and by the Ghost rock Lamps on the front of the McGann Mobile they manage to follow two sets of tracks into the night one of a horse and another of the love struck construct. After an hour of the slightly creepy feeling of being watched, Fingers the animate hand created by Wilder, reveals itself to the Posse and leads them to its master.
Finding a lathered horse drinking from a rock pool the posse follows the tracks to an old silver mine in the nearby hills. Heading into the darkness they overcome twisted mockeries of Coyotes with Huge slavering Mouths full of implanted Sharks Teeth.
Defeating the canine defenders they come across Radcliffe’s secret Lair. Miss Jenny Lou was chained to a Wall while Radcliffe glowered menacingly from under the brow of his ULM Device, Also chained but to a table rather than to the wall Dr Wilder was about to be implanted with one of the Shards of Ghost Rock found in the heads of all the desiccated Dead. Guarding this Tableau was the stitch work man Bahb! and another 6 of the beef jerky zombies.
Battle was joined and as Sara’s personality flipped back and forth like a light bulb Reggie’s hexes get the better of him time and time again as the Manitous he bargains with best him in their tests of will. The Battle Rages back and Forth and Professor Radcliffe is felled by a shotgun blast to the chest, With their controllers death the unliving Jerky turn on one another and the chained up Wilder who is defended by the plucky Fingers and the schizo Miss McGann. Bhaab enraged by the death of his creator takes a lot of effort to fell and is eventually felled by a lucky shot from Sara.
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