Seeking Brass
The party was able to find a brass Bagk-nakh. Most of the town was scavenged by someone, but the party was unable to track them. They located a map in town to show them the direction to the shadowlands, which would be through the Haunted Jungles and past Mowgli's Gorge.
Jungles
The party got lost in the jungles, but were eventually able to find their way out (12 days into a 5 day journey). They avoided falling into quicksand and fought their way past a giant flytrap that tried to eat them.
Gorge
The gorge was guarded by an Ogre. The ogre recognized them as Rokugani and questioned how they were able to get on the other side of the gorge without paying his toll (a living human to eat). They tricked him into thinking they crossed by mistake and he let them back over. They then crossed a pass into the shadowlands.
Dark Moto
They came upon Fallen Chrysanthemum Lake where the Thundering Tide Keep was. They approached and were met by Moto Notu who questioned them as to their purpose. They warned him that Kali-Ma was coming with an army of destroyers, with very thick carapace. They informed them the army was weak in cold climates. They also told them of the First Raksasha who was in Rokugan and warned them about fighting a war on two fronts. They let the party go, but stole the Black Katana, as it was ridiculously valuable, especially against the Destroyers.
Amaratsu's Forge
The party came upon a volcano where a Troll was hiding from a Goju Blood Mage and his undead. They fought the mage to a stalemate, where he agreed to leave them be if they would let him go. They agreed and he left. They spoke to Ignatious, the last true troll, who told them that this place was holy, blessed by the sun to be untainted in the Shadowlands. It's also the Shrine of Fire, so the party would be able to train with him (once healed up) and take the tests of Fire.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Monday, May 25, 2020
Session 8 (7 XP)
Stocking Up:
The party stopped at Kyuden Moshi to stock up for the trip to the Ivory Kingdoms. Here they found that Giovanni Braesco had made jars of Green Jade Paste which had no protective benefits, but when opened would be good for 1 hour, during which time a weapon coated can be treated as having the jade quality for damaging shadowlands creatures.
Ghost Ship
The party happened upon a ghost ship on the way, floating about the seas with an undead mantis crew. The ledger aboard detailed the mantis' illegal trading with the ivory kingdoms, and how a strange mist in the country was killing people and turning them into metal monsters. The captain and crew escaped, but were all killed by an insane Orochi.
The party obtained some trade treasure inside, as well as a special Crysteel Katana and an Ivory Box.
Insane Orochi
A few miles from shore an Orochi attacked the ship, driven mad with taint. The cannons and crew (and PCs) did manage to kill it, but the ship was destroyed, Captain Isabella was eaten, and they party was adrift on flotsam. They landed on the shores of the ivory kingdom.
The Ruined Kingdoms
The party climbed a nearby cliff to see their destination was in ruins, and in the distance an army of four armed metal men was camped. They got to the city and found it completely sacked- though they did find some food and jade statuettes. A small boy (Nirav) explained that the Cult of Ruhmal had sacrificed people to turn them into metal monsters. The boy directed them to a guru who lived alone atop a nearby mountain for more info.
The Mountain
Climbing the mountain the party saw a destroyer (metal man) on his way up to attack the guru. They bypassed it and got to the top of the mountain where they met Mahatma Suresh, a wise guru.
Suresh told them that Kali-ma was resurrected by the Cult, and using the magic of 5 Sankaha stones they are managing their army of destroyers. It is estimated that 90% of the ivory kingdoms population was killed to make the army of destroyers and free Kali-ma. The destroyers are very strong against weapons, but are vulnerable in cold climates where they lose all carapace.
He also knew of Raksasha. He said it sounds like they are up against the First Raksasha- almost a kami in his own right.
Dave was given a Rank 4 air scroll: Casting the spell will give the target an immediate willpower save against the Raksasha's illusion. For every raise he makes on the spell, they get a raise on their willpower check. It is implied feelings of love or optimisim can make the illusions easier to resist.
The party stopped at Kyuden Moshi to stock up for the trip to the Ivory Kingdoms. Here they found that Giovanni Braesco had made jars of Green Jade Paste which had no protective benefits, but when opened would be good for 1 hour, during which time a weapon coated can be treated as having the jade quality for damaging shadowlands creatures.
Ghost Ship
The party happened upon a ghost ship on the way, floating about the seas with an undead mantis crew. The ledger aboard detailed the mantis' illegal trading with the ivory kingdoms, and how a strange mist in the country was killing people and turning them into metal monsters. The captain and crew escaped, but were all killed by an insane Orochi.
The party obtained some trade treasure inside, as well as a special Crysteel Katana and an Ivory Box.
Insane Orochi
A few miles from shore an Orochi attacked the ship, driven mad with taint. The cannons and crew (and PCs) did manage to kill it, but the ship was destroyed, Captain Isabella was eaten, and they party was adrift on flotsam. They landed on the shores of the ivory kingdom.
The Ruined Kingdoms
The party climbed a nearby cliff to see their destination was in ruins, and in the distance an army of four armed metal men was camped. They got to the city and found it completely sacked- though they did find some food and jade statuettes. A small boy (Nirav) explained that the Cult of Ruhmal had sacrificed people to turn them into metal monsters. The boy directed them to a guru who lived alone atop a nearby mountain for more info.
The Mountain
Climbing the mountain the party saw a destroyer (metal man) on his way up to attack the guru. They bypassed it and got to the top of the mountain where they met Mahatma Suresh, a wise guru.
Suresh told them that Kali-ma was resurrected by the Cult, and using the magic of 5 Sankaha stones they are managing their army of destroyers. It is estimated that 90% of the ivory kingdoms population was killed to make the army of destroyers and free Kali-ma. The destroyers are very strong against weapons, but are vulnerable in cold climates where they lose all carapace.
He also knew of Raksasha. He said it sounds like they are up against the First Raksasha- almost a kami in his own right.
- They hate religion, and will seek to destroy it, because they felt betrayed by the other gods. As such, strong faith or blessings of gods may empower you against him.
- They eat rotten meat, and can possess people if they are drunk or otherwise debauched. They have strong control over anger and fear- love and optimism are unknown to them, and strong positive feelings can help break his magical controls or illusions.
- He is all but immune to magic, except for maho- which he is weak to due to his betrayal by Fu Leng.
- He can regenerate all weapon damage, but a weapon of pure brass may be able to defeat him. As such, he has been destoying all sources of copper and zinc (the components of brass) to make the metal hard to come by.
- His followers and those he kills (followers includes those he possesses) are removed from celestial order when they die and instead live in his Deadlights- a realm of horror and sickly green light where his spiritual form resides.
He also warned of Kali-ma, whose troops would be marching through the shadowlands and upon Rokugan. Kali-ma is the dark form of Shiva, the one who threw the first Raksasha from heaven. They would have no love for each other, but Rokugan would likely be the battleground between the two forces. Kali-ma wants to become the champion of Jigoku, removing Fu Leng. It is unknown if the Oni in the shadowlands will stand with her, flee, or stand against her.
He mentioned that he has been in mental communication with Isawa Kisho- and the PCs should seek him out.
He mentioned that he has been in mental communication with Isawa Kisho- and the PCs should seek him out.
The Party determined they need to hurry back to Rokugan to gain the blessings of the remaining gods, and to organize a defense against the destroyers and defeat the Raksasha. The quickest way back was through the shadowlands and into crab territory, as they have no ships.
Sen decided to sacrifice herself to slow down the destroyer troops. Using her high level monk techniques she would go into the Temple of Ruhmal and steal a sankahra stone, then disappearing with it using her teleportation kiho. Eventually Kali-ma herself would come and retrieve the stone, killing Sen, but this should buy the party a few days head start.
Dave was given a Rank 4 air scroll: Casting the spell will give the target an immediate willpower save against the Raksasha's illusion. For every raise he makes on the spell, they get a raise on their willpower check. It is implied feelings of love or optimisim can make the illusions easier to resist.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Session 7 (7 XP)
Kyuden Ashinagabachi
The party made it to the Castle of the Wasp where they found sensei to train with. While there they met a disillusioned tiger samurai, and ronin who was trying to get into the Tsuruchi family, and a Yorimoto ship captain, Isabella. They found that Giovanni had created blue jade which can help replenish or replace void points. They also met Yogo James' sister, here spying on the lion clan.
They worked with Isabella to go to the Ningyo islands to ask the Ningyo about the gaijin demons, but found the Ningyo hunted. They tracked the hunters to an island where they were feeding Ningyo to a man who was horribly cursed, and they were taking a goo he excreted to convert to an age-removing water.
They defeated the operation and killed the man, breaking the spell and cursing anyone who had drank his extract (including Yogo James' mother).
They went back to Sarasha, queen of the Ningyo, who told them that the creature that has cursed the Emperor sounds like a Raksasha- and a particularly powerful one. She suggested that the party train in her water tests, then head towards the Ivory Kingdom to see what knowledge they have there of Raksashas.
The party made it to the Castle of the Wasp where they found sensei to train with. While there they met a disillusioned tiger samurai, and ronin who was trying to get into the Tsuruchi family, and a Yorimoto ship captain, Isabella. They found that Giovanni had created blue jade which can help replenish or replace void points. They also met Yogo James' sister, here spying on the lion clan.
They worked with Isabella to go to the Ningyo islands to ask the Ningyo about the gaijin demons, but found the Ningyo hunted. They tracked the hunters to an island where they were feeding Ningyo to a man who was horribly cursed, and they were taking a goo he excreted to convert to an age-removing water.
They defeated the operation and killed the man, breaking the spell and cursing anyone who had drank his extract (including Yogo James' mother).
They went back to Sarasha, queen of the Ningyo, who told them that the creature that has cursed the Emperor sounds like a Raksasha- and a particularly powerful one. She suggested that the party train in her water tests, then head towards the Ivory Kingdom to see what knowledge they have there of Raksashas.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Session 6 (5XP)
Dave was contacted by Seppun Izu, who told him some news:
- The false emperor has issued a bounty for a serial killer known as the Brass Monkey.
- The tiger destroyed a shrine to the dark fortunes stating that there is no quarter for the followers of Fu Leng.
The party reached Toku Torid-e, where Emerald Magistrate Kitsuki Hanso had taken over investigations here looking for the Brass Monkey. They learned that he is manipulatable, and that Ide Kafu had manipulated him. Ide had received a bad crop of wheat, and has accused Taku Koin of having sabotaged it in attempts to get a trade deal for the Rin Men. The party learned that the "poison" was actually a naturally occurring fungus with mind altering properties, that they were able to turn into a drug to increase their understanding of the Void. They sent Yogo James in to negotiate with Ide Kafu into dropping the case because his wheat was valuable. Instead Yogo James manipulated Ide Kafu into selling the grain to the scorpion clan, improving his own standing with the clan. This got a ronin girl executed for the crime of poisoning the wheat instead.
As they left, two ronin assoicates of the dead girl attacked the party in their sleep. They were defeated.
The party then climbed the mountains to avoid the tiger clan forces watching the road, and came upon a hidden kenku village. The kenkus helped them have a vision where they learned the origins of the kami's fall to earth, instigated by a tiger headed kami creature who was instigated and betrayed by Fu Leng. They took several tests from the Kenku to train their minds and bodies for the upcoming conflict, and they were advised to seek out the blessings of the remaining five fortunes to empower them to defeat the demon.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Session 5 (4 XP)
Downtime
While the party practiced studying their martial techniques, they learned that they were accused of attempting to murder the Emperor, and that his sons were killed. The crane was vouched for by the Doji Family Champion, saying that there must be an identity mistake, as she was with him assisting with a personal matter during this time. The scorpion cousins were informed that they had confessed, been killed, and their bodies sent to the capital. They were informed that their identity had been stolen by three other Samurai, and that they should "be more careful." The Tsuruchi brought back the bounty hunters that had targeted the group earlier, but swapped out the bounty, so it looks like the hunters were the assassins, and the PC was collecting the reward.
To Mantis Lands
Otomo Toju had no protection, and his sister is in the capital city, removed from position. Yogo James convinced his brother to get new travel papers (They will travel as Scorpion bounty hunters), and to protect Otomo Toju and check on his sister.
They decided to go to Mantis lands to try to see if they could find more about gaijin demons from the clan that trades more with the gaijin. On the way, they saw a star fall from the sky some miles away.
The Fallen Star
The star crashed into a sealed-off zinc mine that was tainted several months ago. The collision opened the mine and goblins were coming out. Some ronin defended the city while the party went to investigate. At the bottom they found a powerful Oni and an Angel- some kind of celestial fallen kami. She cured all the taint from the mine (including severing the Oni's connection to Jigoku) and collapsed. They party took her back to town and told the townsfolk what happened. The townsfolk had already summoned the tiger clan to come help with the tainted mine, who was sending a small force. To protect the angel, the party rallied the peasants to fight off the tiger force.
The Angel (Yophiel) thanked the party, and blessed them all with a Blessings of the Oracles advantage. The town was happy to have their zinc mine back, and built statues to the party, overcoming their inability to gain glory for being to bland .
While the party practiced studying their martial techniques, they learned that they were accused of attempting to murder the Emperor, and that his sons were killed. The crane was vouched for by the Doji Family Champion, saying that there must be an identity mistake, as she was with him assisting with a personal matter during this time. The scorpion cousins were informed that they had confessed, been killed, and their bodies sent to the capital. They were informed that their identity had been stolen by three other Samurai, and that they should "be more careful." The Tsuruchi brought back the bounty hunters that had targeted the group earlier, but swapped out the bounty, so it looks like the hunters were the assassins, and the PC was collecting the reward.
To Mantis Lands
Otomo Toju had no protection, and his sister is in the capital city, removed from position. Yogo James convinced his brother to get new travel papers (They will travel as Scorpion bounty hunters), and to protect Otomo Toju and check on his sister.
They decided to go to Mantis lands to try to see if they could find more about gaijin demons from the clan that trades more with the gaijin. On the way, they saw a star fall from the sky some miles away.
The Fallen Star
The star crashed into a sealed-off zinc mine that was tainted several months ago. The collision opened the mine and goblins were coming out. Some ronin defended the city while the party went to investigate. At the bottom they found a powerful Oni and an Angel- some kind of celestial fallen kami. She cured all the taint from the mine (including severing the Oni's connection to Jigoku) and collapsed. They party took her back to town and told the townsfolk what happened. The townsfolk had already summoned the tiger clan to come help with the tainted mine, who was sending a small force. To protect the angel, the party rallied the peasants to fight off the tiger force.
The Angel (Yophiel) thanked the party, and blessed them all with a Blessings of the Oracles advantage. The town was happy to have their zinc mine back, and built statues to the party, overcoming their inability to gain glory for being to bland .
Friday, May 1, 2020
Session 4 (4 XP)
Seppun Izu took the Emperor to the Shrine of Seven Thunders, along with the golem scrolls, to try to devise a strategy to remove the curse. The Tengen Magicite was taken to allow the Emperor to communicate. The Crane was given a scroll to allow them to communicate together.
Frost Village
The party was sent to investigate Aki, a formerly scorpion ronin who returned from the burning sands with great wealth. It turned out he had found a bottle with a djinni bound to it, and was using the powers of the djinni to conjure wealth and impersonate a princess and a Senpet royal guard in hopes of buying his way back into the family, and killing the leadership of the various scorpion families who ousted him. The party was able to identify the djinni, and smash his bottle, freeing him, whereupon he attacked his former captor.
Frost Village
The party was sent to investigate Aki, a formerly scorpion ronin who returned from the burning sands with great wealth. It turned out he had found a bottle with a djinni bound to it, and was using the powers of the djinni to conjure wealth and impersonate a princess and a Senpet royal guard in hopes of buying his way back into the family, and killing the leadership of the various scorpion families who ousted him. The party was able to identify the djinni, and smash his bottle, freeing him, whereupon he attacked his former captor.
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