You say, "Log on"
GM says, "so, the three -- or perhaps four -- of you are members of the Wulin, the elite society of those in Shen Zhou who have learned to master their Chi and command the powers of mystic kung fu this allows"
GM says, ""society" is used pretty loosely here, but at least it means that other members of the Wulin know your name and your mighty deeds"
Liang says, "as they should"
GM says, "the particular deed you're after at this point is to retrieve an object of power from Only Six Devils, the city that has everything for sale"
[Crows-Nest] Feng says, "The trick, of course, being that we're not looking to pay."
GM says, "its mercenaries are for hire across the land, and when they battle, they loot, and what they loot, they bring back to Only Six Devils for sale in one of its many marketplaces, and perhaps even to the most exotic marketplace at the heart of the city, the Ninefold Prosperity Pavilion"
Patience says, "such shameful immoderacy"
GM says, "but, yes, the bad news is you can't afford the item you seek -- nor can any but the richest merchants"
GM says, "the further bad news is that the Ninefold Prosperity Pavilion is located inside Prosperous Devil District, the area of the city to which only the richest and their guests are admitted"
GM asks, "the good news is occasionally the people there are looking for guests, and who better to wangle an invitation than a band of the Wulin?"
Fang arrives, looking for booty.
[rpg] Fang says, "hi"
[rpg] GM says, "excellent timing"
GM says, "our scene opens just outside the gates of Prosperous Devil District, on the border of Unruly Devil District"
GM says, "whereas Prosperous Devil District is lush and calm and beautiful, Unruly Devil District is dusty and noisy and crazy"
GM says, "jewellers sit side-by-side with fishmongers which border whorehouses which border fried-dough salesmen which border small temples to the gods in which you can purchase incense to burn for your luck"
GM says, "crowds rush everywhere, buying, selling, thieving, and arguing over who did what to whom"
GM says, "the four of you have emerged from the crowd to see three great silk tents sitting outside the gates, marked with the flags that means sponsors have emerged from Prosperous Devil District to find assistance"
GM says, "three sponsors, all arguing"
Feng looks from tent to tent, pondering which sponsor would bring the most glory.
Xiao-Li tries to listen in on the argument.
Patience chuckles to himself at the foolishness of anger
Liang listens to some of the arguing, a faint smile on his lips.
GM says, "Ironhand Nan, master of the Sheathed-Blade Empty-Hand Prosperity Society, glares at Red Lotus Ling, Headmistress of the Blossoming-Towards-Crimson Academy, who is looking daggers (appropriately) at Razoreyes Gongsun, head of the Guild of Gentleman Appraisers"
GM says, "but the three look up as you approach, and their faces brighten"
GM says, ""At last!" says Ironhand Nan. "Xiao-Li Pai and Feng Guo!""
GM says, ""At last!" says Red Lotus Ling. "Liang Shui!""
GM says, ""At last!" says Razoreyes Gongsun. "Patience Meng!""
[rpg] Liang says, "ha ha ha"
Patience makes the most minimal kowtow permissible
Liang bows at the honorable sponsors.
Xiao-Li bows.
GM says, ""Clearly a competition is in order," Red Lotus Ling says, and the other two nod."
Feng is visibly amused, and makes a rusty country bow.
GM says, "She gestures, and you notice for the first time two other bands of the Wulin standing by the edge of the crowd"
GM says, ""A demonstration of skill is in order," snaps Razoreyes."
Liang says, "My goodness."
[rpg] Liang says, "this is where we learn that the X button focuses our chi and the triangle lets us store up a more powerful attack"
[rpg] GM says, "totally"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "heh"
[rpg] Feng says, "R1 ftw!"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "left left right right up down up down"
GM says, "Ironhand Nan claps his hands, and four of his men come out, lugging an enormous hammer, which they drop on the ground before Feng."
GM says, ""Throw this to me!" he commands."
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so"
[rpg] GM says, "this is going to be a railroady intro section where we learn about making skill rolls"
[rpg] Feng says, "hm, I see Lift 3 [throwing 1] on the sheet"
[rpg] GM says, "Feng is up first"
[rpg] GM says, "right"
Patience glowers at the senseless whims of the high-and-mighty. "The superior man does not exert himself thus."
[rpg] GM says, "so, for a skill check, you roll your skill (3), add any specialization that applies (1), and in addition you get a bonus of 1 from your attribute (Might) being equal or higher to that number"
[rpg] Feng says, "which I'm guessing means 3 dice, plus one more for the specialty, and another one from the Atribute -- timing"
[rpg] GM says, "this last bonus applies to every skill except for the few where it specifically notes that you don't get it"
[rpg] GM says, "so yeah, exactly, you'll be rolling 5 dice"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 8 1 3 1| 15
[rpg] GM says, "when you roll, you're looking for sets"
[rpg] GM says, "like the 2 1s"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, I've got a 21"
[rpg] GM says, "right"
Ghogg arrives, looking for booty.
[rpg] GM says, "if you had no sets, you'd have an 18 for the 1 8, and if you had 3 2s you'd have 32"
[rpg] Liang says, "aha"
[rpg] GM says, "the difficulty for this task is 18, so you succeed"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to gm), "How does dice rolling work here? I haven't been in this room before"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "so go ahead and narrate throwing it back to him in an awesome way"
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao-Li), "you type 'roll 5d10' or whatever"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "ok"
Feng grasps the hammer in his hands, licks his lips, and in one prodigious motion hurls the hammer back to Ironhand Nan.
GM says, "Ironhand Nan catches the hammer, staggering back a step and sinking an inch or two into the earth."
GM says, ""Excellent!" he says."
Feng bows an inch or so more deeply than before.
Liang murmurs, "Well done."
[rpg] Iain says, "It's worth noting that when you roll a 10 that counts as 0."
GM says, "He claps his hands again, and soldiers rush forth, each holding a razor-sharp spear, which they plant tips-up in the ground."
GM says, ""Xiao-Li!" he says. "Leap these spears!""
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 6 10 7 8| 33
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao-Li), "ok, so your turn -- this is an athletics/leaping skill, so you roll five dice again"
[rpg] GM says, "exactly"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so no pairs this time, but you got an 8, so 1 8 = 18, so you succeed, albeit barely"
[rpg] GM says, "so, again, narrate something awesome"
Xiao-Li skips gently over the spears, barely missing them.
Patience hums an irreverent, 700-year-old ditty
Xiao-Li regains her composure, and bows.
GM says, "Red Lotus Ling makes a small smile as she steps forward. "This soldiery business is all very well, but I would rather see refinement," she says, handing Liang a fine calligraphy pen. "Write the character for 'beauty' on each of these petals, and when they fall, they must land to form the character 'wisdom'.""
GM says, "She hurls a handful of rose petals into the air."
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so this is a slightly different kind of roll"
[rpg] GM says, "the first rule about skill checks is you only roll one time for an action"
Patience sighs deeply. "Beautiful words are not true, true words not beautiful."
[rpg] GM says, "so even though you're doing a two-level thing (writing on each of the petals, which is difficulty 18, and arranging the petals as they fall, which is difficulty 25) you roll once, and we compare that result to both to see how you do"
[rpg] Liang says, "hunh"
[rpg] GM says, "in addition, there are some modifiers on the roll -- the petals are constantly moving, which is -5, but it's a fine pen, which is +5"
[rpg] GM says, "er, +10"
[rpg] GM says, "so a net +5"
[rpg] GM says, "this is applied to the total after you roll"
[rpg] Liang says, "woo"
[rpg] Patience says, "pen? brush, surely"
[rpg] GM says, "so ok, go ahead and roll a Learning (Calligraphy) check"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "whoops, yes"
Liang rolls 5 10-sided dice: 9 10 8 1 7| 35
[rpg] GM says, "(it is right in the module, I must say)"
[rpg] Liang says, "so yes to the writing, but no to the arranging"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so you get a 19 + 5 = 24, which is enough to do the first -- right"
[rpg] GM says, "so narrate something for that"
Liang's hand blurs as he deftly inscribes 'beauty' on every petal. The petals drift and tumble, landing in a pattern reminiscent of 'wisdom' and yet not.
[rpg] InnocentBystander asks, "what, 24 *again*?"
[rpg] InnocentBystander says, "this looks like "Tea Ceremony in Spring""
Patience nods approvingly at the obvious symbolism
Liang bows as he returns the brush. "I fear the fault is with the artist and not the tool."
GM says, "Red Lotus examines the petals as they fall, and smirks slightly. "You appear to favor beauty over wisdom -- a courteous choice.""
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Ouch."
Liang smiles. "It is ever thus."
GM says, "now Razoreyes Gongsun steps forward. "I perceive that a number of those soldiers have foolishly injured themselves putting the spears in place. Clearly what we need is a demonstration of physician's wisdom.""
GM says, ""Clever Li-Li and Patience Meng, let us see who has the better advice.""
[Crows-Nest] Paulie asks, "WOuld it have been impossible to succeed at arranging the petals, but not at writing on them?"
GM says, "Clever Li-Li, grown on a farm but wise in the ways of learning, steps forward to examine the patient."
[Crows-Nest] GM says, "in this case, yes, although obviously it's theoretically possible to have that work"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so this is a contested check"
Patience says, "This one undeserving of consideration shall do his humble best, notwithstanding that the fame of Clever Li-Li assuredly guarantees my abasement."
[rpg] GM says, "so, you're doing medicine + advice + bonus, so rolling 5 dice"
[rpg] GM says, "here's her roll:"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 6 3 8 8| 25
[rpg] GM says, "so she gets a 28"
[rpg] Patience says, "well, shoot"
[Crows-Nest] dfan says, "Uh oh"
Patience rolls 5 10-sided dice: 4 2 3 8 8| 25
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha, nice"
[rpg] Liang says, "woo"
[rpg] Patience asks, "on the nose! so what happens now?"
GM says, "Clever Li-Li pronounces her diagnosis at exactly the same time as Patience, and it is the same in every particular"
GM says, "She looks a little flustered."
GM says, ""Another patient!" says Razoreyes Gongsun. "This one who has foolishly strained his back by not bending his knees when lifting the hammer!""
[rpg] GM says, "(we will roll again)"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 1 9 1 7| 18
Patience rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 1 5 7 6| 21
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so Li-Li gets a 21, you get a 17, so she wins .. THIS TIME"
GM says, "Clever Li-Li bows obediently, and gives a learned diagnosis, and if the patient seems slightly more convinced by her advice, well, it may just be because her appearance is more pleasing to his eyes"
GM says, ""And now the final test of Chi mastery!" calls Ironhand Nan. "On the field of battle!""
Patience says (to Li-Li), "Your magnificence overwhelms my meagre talent as the sun penetrates the mist."
GM says, "He blows a whistle hanging around his neck, and four squadrons of soldiers emerge from the tents, one headed for each of you"
Feng looks as if he is about to say something, but then thinks better of it.
Xiao-Li pats Patience on the back. "May you find better fortune another day."
GM says, "(plus various others headed for other people on the field)"
Patience bows rather more deeply to Li-Li than he did to any of the faction heads.
[rpg] GM says, "anyway, the main thing to note here is that single skill checks are actually kind of hard, and there's a mechanism for making them easier which we'll get to in a sec"
[rpg] GM says, "right now we're going to do a single round of combat"
[rpg] GM says, "combat consists of everyone saying what they're going to do, and then we'll roll initiative to see the order we do it in, and then we'll do it in that order"
[rpg] Feng asks, "is this a time when we'd want to use our techniques?"
[rpg] Feng asks, "or save that for later?"
[rpg] GM says, "since this is just one round of combat, Liang and Patience should probably stick to just beating on people, not using their special techniques, but yeah, everyone will want to use kung fu"
[rpg] GM says, "also, since these are squadrons of no-name minions, you fight the group of 5 as if it were a single perso"
[rpg] GM says, "n"
[rpg] Patience says, "I hope they charge at us in an appropriately-choreographed manner"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "naturally!"
[rpg] GM says, "I assume everyone's noted they have a strategy section at the bottom of their sheet"
[rpg] Liang says, "mmhmm"
[rpg] Liang asks, "the one that says 'It's quite dangerous for him to be in close combat'?"
[rpg] GM says, "exactly"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "How does chi work?"
[rpg] Feng says, "myself, I'm wondering exactly how spending chi works"
[rpg] GM says, "oh, yeah"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, the scoop is you have a pool of chi for each attribute and of each color"
[rpg] GM says, "which is the size of your attribute"
[rpg] Rob_2 says, "you take two scoops of each flavor"
[rpg] GM says, "so Liang has Might/Jade 4, so he has a pool of 4 Jade Chi"
[rpg] GM says, "at the end of each round, you get back one of each color Chi"
[rpg] GM says, "so if you only spend Chi of a single color, you never run out"
[rpg] GM says, "er, if you only spend a single Chi of each color, that is"
[rpg] GM says, "(but since this is just one round and then the scene ends, how much Chi you spend doesn't matter much)"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Can your chi go above the starting value?"
[rpg] GM says, "no"
[rpg] GM says, "oh, and the other rule is you can use multiple kung fu powers on a single round, but you can only use each one once a round"
[rpg] GM asks (of Xiao-Li), "ok, so how about if you go first? what kung fu would you like to use?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I'd like to use Brutal: Speed blade, since that's what my strategy guide tells me to use"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "an excellent plan!"
[rpg] GM says, "want to use anything else/"
[rpg] GM asks, "?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "How many other powers can I use?"
[rpg] GM says, "as many as you want and can afford, just no repeating"
[rpg] GM says, "well, ok, that's not quite true - there are some rules about not stacking"
[rpg] GM says, "you can only get the benefit of one bonus to your strike"
[rpg] GM says, "so, eg, flash of steel and ambition: soaring blade both give +10 to strike, so those only combine to +10, not +20"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I'll use Ambition: soaring blade, since its bonuses fill in what Brutal hasn't"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, sounds good"
[rpg] GM says, "so speed blade says it adds +10 to your weapon speed"
[rpg] GM says, "and you see that in your kung fu and extraordinary techniques section that your sword, Pleasant Duty, rolls 4d with a +5 bonus for initiative"
[rpg] GM says, "so with this +10 bonus, you'll roll 4d and then add 15"
[rpg] GM says, "so go ahead and do that"
Xiao-Li rolls 4 10 -sided dice: 6957| 27 + 15 = 42
[rpg] GM says, "er, sorry, yeah, there's a weirdness on the dice bag -- don't type "roll 4d10 + <something>" or it'll freak, just type "roll 4d10""
Xiao-Li rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 7 10 4| 24
[rpg] GM asks, "ok, so that's a 17, +15 = 32 initiative?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "looks like it"
[rpg] GM asks (of Feng), "ok, how about you?"
[rpg] GM says, "your standard thing would be Living Weapon, and Quick Rip if you can afford it"
[rpg] Feng says, "okay, so I'm gonna want to use Hardness of the Bell to make myself less vulnerable, and I think use Fist of Iron: Living Weapon, yeah."
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
[rpg] Feng asks, "thing is, can I put these guys out without maiming them?"
[rpg] Feng says, "after all, it's not like we have any real enmity"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, you never kill people in this game unless you say you do"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh, okay"
[rpg] GM says, "otherwise they fly dramatically into a wall and collapse unconscious or whatever"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "heh"
[rpg] Feng says, "well, then I'll add the Quick Rip, too"
[rpg] GM says, "so you have Living Weapon listed on your sheet already -- it says to roll 5d + 15 for initiative"
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 5 5 8 10 3| 31
[rpg] GM says, "nice"
[rpg] GM asks, "so 25 + 15 = 40?"
[rpg] Feng says, "woot, a 40"
[rpg] GM asks (of Liang), "ok, you?"
[rpg] Liang says, "clearly I should play my threnody of torment"
[rpg] GM says, "alrighty -- I should warn you that because it's only rolling 5d with no bonus, it doesn't have a great chance of success"
[rpg] Liang says, "oh, hrm"
[rpg] GM says, "I guess, ok, looking at your sheet, your best bet is probably to use Anger Inspiring Technique to keep the guards off you"
[rpg] Liang says, "I guess that leaves me with a palm attack with phantom of the clouds"
[rpg] GM says, "or that would be fine too"
[rpg] Liang says, "although anger inspiring technique would help everyone else as well, so: that, then"
[rpg] GM says, "well, it's just on one target, but still, it'll be helpful"
[rpg] Patience says, "strike, strike, strike the hapless minions"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so you don't have Initiative as a skill, so you just roll one die"
Liang rolls 1 10-sided die: 4| 4
[rpg] Liang says, "hey, I got a set of 4s"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so 14"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] GM asks (of Patience), "ok, you?"
[rpg] Patience says, "Since we're only fighting for one round, I may as well empty my Silver pool with Firm Flexible Fence and Rolling Wave Attack"
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
[rpg] GM says, "so that uses your staff, so roll 3 dice"
Patience rolls 3 10-sided dice: 10 1 7| 18
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so 17"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks (of GM), "What do comments like '(artful)' mean on my listinf of techniques?"
GM says, "the guards are lame and go on 12"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "*listing"
[rpg] GM says, "artful means it can be used with sharp weapons, and brutal means it can be used with blunt weapons"
[rpg] GM says, "in most cases this doesn't matter for these characters, since they're designed around one kind of weapon"
GM says, "ok, so, Feng is first"
[rpg] Feng asks, "right, so now I have to actually roll my attacks?"
[rpg] GM says, "you were I believe using Living Weapon, which your sheet lists as 5d +5, and then adding Quick Rip for a bonus +10"
[rpg] GM says, "right"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 4 7 8 9 7| 35
[rpg] GM exclaims, "nice!"
[rpg] Feng says, "27+5+10 = 42"
[rpg] GM says, "ok"
[rpg] GM says, "now here's the guards defending with 3d + 8:"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 1 9 6| 16
[rpg] GM says, "27"
[rpg] GM says, "so you beat their score by 15 points"
[rpg] GM says, "this is 3 full increments of 5, so for damage you'd roll 1 base die, plus 3 dice for those three full increments, plus 1 die from using Quick Rip"
[rpg] Feng says, "and then describe it in a cool manner"
[rpg] GM says, "which would be 5 dice, but these guys are just minions, so instead of rolling, you take out one guy per die rolled"
[rpg] GM says, "which happens to be all 5 guys in the squad"
[rpg] Patience exclaims, "hey, we wanted to play too!"
[rpg] Feng says, "you have your own squad"
[rpg] GM exclaims (at Patience), "there are three other squads!"
[rpg] Patience says, "splendid"
Feng strides towards the guards, unstoppable, palms striking like the swift attacks of eagles, sending them scattering.
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "so yeah, please describe"
[rpg] GM says, "awesome"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Xiao next"
[rpg] GM says, "so I guess you are doing 5d +15 normally with your sword, +10 from soaring blade"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "So I'm on 5d+15+10?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Do I need to worry about drawing my sword etc?"
[rpg] GM says, "nah"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 10 4 1 1 3| 19
[rpg] Patience says, "beat 'em up with the scabbard just to rub the point in"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[Crows-Nest] olethros asks, "mm, what's up?"
[rpg] GM asks, "ok, so 21+25 = 46?"
[rpg] GM says, "and here's their defense:"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 7 8 8| 23
[rpg] GM says, "28 + 8 = 36"
[rpg] GM says, "so you beat them by 2 full increments of 5, plus get one base die, so you do three dice and take out three guys"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "I have a secondary attack, right?"
[rpg] GM says, "(against non-minions you would also get to add your other damage benefit)"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, normally you'd get that at the end of the round, but let's roll it now"
[rpg] GM says, "note that soaring blade only applies to your first attack, though"
[rpg] Patience says, "(hmm, remembering the no-stacking rule there is really no point in using both Fierce Flexible Fence and Rolling Wave Attack)"
[rpg] GM says, "so this second one is 5d +15"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 4 2 8 5| 21
[rpg] Patience says, "(unless people are shooting arrows at you)"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "yeah, not really"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "37?"
[rpg] GM asks, "ok, so 22 + 15 = 37?"
[rpg] Alex says (to Xiao-Li), "Awwwk! Word on the street is that 37 is In a row."
[rpg] GM says, "and their block"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 8 8 7| 23
[rpg] GM says, "man, they're getting totally luck"
[rpg] GM says, "28+8 = 36"
[rpg] GM says, "so that's not a full 5 increment above them, so you get 1 die total and take out the fourth guy, leaving one guy standing"
[rpg] GM says, "in Wulin parlance this is a spare"
[rpg] Liang says, "hah"
[rpg] GM says, "(so narrate something for that)"
Xiao-Li charges into her squadron, an in a flicker of a scabbarded blade, four fall. One man remains, trembling.
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "ok, your turn"
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 9 2 3| 17
[rpg] GM asks, "so 23+25 = 48?"
[rpg] Patience says, "that's 48"
[rpg] GM says, "and because you're using sliding strike, they'll roll 3d10 -2 instead of +8"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 10 9 3| 22
[rpg] GM says, "a mere 17"
[rpg] GM says, "so you beat them by, uh, 31, which is enough to take out the entire squad and have room for another guy or two"
[rpg] Liang says, "feel free to beat on mine as well"
[rpg] Feng says, "haha"
Patience stands in the middle of the guards, side-stepping occasionally with an attitude of boredom and allowing them to charge headfirst into his staff
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "ok, your turn"
[rpg] Liang says, "so I will spend 2 gold chi to give me a +5 on my angrification"
Liang rolls 5 10-sided dice: 6 7 3 5 6| 27
[rpg] Liang says, "woo, 31."
[rpg] GM says, "excellent"
[rpg] Liang asks, "so they oppose it, right?"
[rpg] GM says, "oh, whoops, sorry"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, they get 2 dice"
GM rolls 2 10-sided dice: 1 5| 6
[rpg] GM says, "...and do not manage to do so"
[rpg] GM says, "and this is an example of the only-roll-once rule: you have to beat both 20 and their roll"
[rpg] GM says, "which you do, so there you go"
Liang holds his hands up, palms forward. "It is true I do not charge as you do, but as the sage has said: Only the wisest and most foolish run headlong into action. You do not appear to be the wisest, I fear.
GM says, "One of the guards goes purple in the face. "Why you smart-mouthed no good!" He and his buddies charge towards to"
GM says, "er, towards Liang."
[rpg] GM says, "and just to demonstrate defense, we will have these guys attack Liang"
Patience nods approvingly. "I would rather retreat a foot than advance an inch."
[rpg] GM says, "So they roll 5d10 + 8, but they've got a -10 from the anger and (I believe) a -10 from moon covered by clouds"
[rpg] Liang says, "so sad for them"
[rpg] Liang says, "I probably should have thrown in run like a deer, given my general approach to combat"
[rpg] GM says, "so you can dodge with your skill (4 dice), or block with 5 dice with your palms"
[rpg] GM says, "here is their attack:"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 8 5 9 3 7| 32
[rpg] GM says, "hrm, I guess technically anger and the moon covered by clouds don't stack"
[rpg] GM says, "but that still means they get a 9"
[rpg] GM says, "which is not looking good for them"
[rpg] Liang says, "since I didn't throw in run, I'll block with my palms"
Liang rolls 5 10-sided dice: 3 3 8 7 7| 28
dfan was up to his irresistably broad shoulders in trouble.
[rpg] GM says, "nice"
[rpg] Liang asks, "so now I narrate?"
[rpg] GM says, "go for it"
[rpg] Feng asks, "this is a chance to float into his river, right?"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "yeah, it would be, but I've been skipping the river for now"
[rpg] GM says, "(I'll cover it when this combat is over)"
[rpg] Feng says, "ah. curses upon me for reading ahead in the 'quick reference' pdf"
Liang's eyes twinkle as he gently slaps aside all of his opponents' blows with his palms.
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to Liang), "Take it to #TMI"
GM says, "Ironhand Nan blows his whistle. "We have seen enough! There is no need to humiliate my soldiers further!""
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so, this is the end of the scene"
[rpg] GM says, "now we need to nail down some things"
Patience says, "I humiliated nobody. They did a perfectly adequate job of it on their own."
[rpg] GM says, "if everyone can take a look at http://www.drizzle.com/~dans/rpg/wotg/loresheet.html"
Liang nods in agreement to Patience.
[rpg] GM says, "each person needs to decide on a (different) item they are seeking at the Ninefold Prosperity Pavilion, and a motivation for getting it"
Xiao-Li says, "They did well enough. There is no dishonor in losing fairly."
[rpg] GM says, "you have 5 destiny to spend, and each item and motivation has an associated cost"
[rpg] GM says, "the more expensive items are easier to get; the more expensive motivations give bonuses for getting the items"
[rpg] GM says, "but feel free to choose based on flavor -- it doesn't matter hugely"
Feng chuckles, and wishes his opponents a speedy recuperation.
[rpg] GM says, "destiny you don't spend can be used on stuff listed at the bottom of the sheet"
[rpg] GM says, "in addition, as a group you need to decide which of the three sponsors to pick"
[rpg] Feng says, "i kinda think I'd go for the Porcelain Maid and the Jade motivation, which uses all my destiny"
[rpg] Patience says, "I was thinking of the Wind Monkey and a Jade motivation"
[rpg] Liang says, "aw, I was going to rescue the porcelian maid"
[rpg] Liang says, "but I can choose something else"
[rpg] Feng says, "well, so can I"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I guess the wedding dress is tailor made for me."
[rpg] Feng says, "you take the maid, I'll take the Catalogues"
[rpg] Liang says, "hah, the inappropriate censor could be fun"
[rpg] Liang says (to Feng), "if you're okay with that, then sure"
[rpg] Feng says, "woot."
[rpg] Liang says, "and I'll take the jade destiny, with the claim that the someone whose need is greater is the maid herself"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, Catelogues, and Jade motivation, and I'm kinda inclined towards Red Lotus as a sponsor, but I can be persuaded otherwise"
[rpg] Liang says, "I too like Red Lotus as a sponsor"
[rpg] Patience says, "I need the monkey for some district governor who, without the monkey's battlefield prowess, will be forced to exert punitive taxes on his hapless peasants in order to fend off bandits"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Liang says, "yay"
[rpg] Patience says, "also because he has poured scorn on my argument about winning battles by not fighting them"
[rpg] GM asks, "ok, so you're decided on Red Lotus?"
[rpg] Patience says, "I have no objections"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I'd prefer Nan, really. But I'll go along with the rest of the group"
[rpg] Patience asks, "what about Rivalry, Love and Luck? Do we just choose those when we think it'd work with the story?"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "right, you can spend a point for that during play if/when you want it"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so two more mechanical concepts"
[rpg] GM says, "one is joss"
[rpg] Patience says, "I am very tempted to get you all entangled with Red Lotus students, and have it turn out badly"
[rpg] GM says, "there are two kinds of joss, Xia Joss and Corrupt Joss"
[rpg] GM says, "you spend Xia Joss at any time to add a die to a roll"
[rpg] Liang says, "Patience, where women are concerned, it cannot turn out badly"
[rpg] GM says, "you spend Corrupt Joss before someone rolls to take away a die from their roll"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "eyes Liang angrily"
[rpg] GM says, "you all get a Xia Joss for finishing the first scene, and I can toss them out occasionally in play"
[rpg] Patience asks (of Liang), "okay, how about I spend an extra point and get you *married*?"
[rpg] Patience cackles wickedly into his beard
[rpg] GM says, "and, in addition, any time you get a set of 0s from your roll, you get a point of joss -- Xia Joss if you won the roll, Corrupt Joss if you didn't"
[rpg] Liang says, "that is not necessarily *bad*, merely *limiting*"
[rpg] GM says, "so this is one way of improving your rolls"
[rpg] GM says, "the other way is the River"
[rpg] Liang says, "oh, cool"
[rpg] GM says, "you have a River of size 2, which means it can hold two dice"
[rpg] GM says, "any time you make a roll that has a set of 2 or more, you can choose to move one or all of those dice into the river"
[rpg] GM says, "later on you can take those dice out to add to a roll"
[rpg] Liang says, "ah"
[rpg] GM says, "so if you roll 3 3 5 5 now, you can put a 3 into the river, and if you later roll 1 2 3 4, you can take the 3 out, and then you have a 23"
[rpg] GM says, "this is the main way to build up effective rolls in this game"
[rpg] GM says, "and it leads to characters doing better as a combat goes along"
[rpg] Patience asks, "does a River ever get cleared? At the end of each scene?"
[Crows-Nest] Feng says, "River gets cleared when we go to Miranda."
[rpg] GM says, "so for your techniques that roll, like, 5d with no bonus (like Liang's music of war technique) having a river improves your odds noticeably"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "yeah"
[rpg] Liang says, "excellent"
[rpg] Liang says, "I will be bravely in the back, urging the rest of you on in your exploits"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Feng says, "Steal, steal the lovely porcelain maid."
[rpg] GM says, "anyway, so having finished the first scene, you get a point of joss, and your Chi pools are restored to max"
[rpg] Patience says (to Liang), "it does say that *I'm* meant to be the weakest toe-to-toe fighter, despite appearances"
[rpg] GM says, "and on to Red Lotus's place"
GM says, "Red Lotus escorts you to the gates of Prosperous Devil District, they swing wide and step inside, and it's like going into a new world"
Xiao-Li whistles at the splendours within.
GM says, "the noise and heat and crowds of Unruly Devil District go away, to be replaced by wide lines and green grass and rivers and trees"
GM says, "men with brooms hurry to sweep the dust of Unruly Devil District back through the gates, and then slam the gates shut before the crowds on the other side got more than a glimpse"
GM says, ""Well!" says Red Lotus, after you've walked for some time. "Welcome to my Academy.""
Patience says, "This undeserving scholar is deeply honoured by your benevolence."
GM says, "The place is full of white- and pink-dressed girls, studying calligraphy, music, art, song, history, and so on, all the skills necessary to be a rich family's daughter or perhaps at a position in court"
Feng looks at it with appreciation. It could be because he's impressed, or it could be because he's never seen an Academy of this kind before.
Liang says, "We are honored by your hospitality."
[rpg] Liang says (to Patience), "heh"
Xiao-Li declines comment, finding this all rather familiar.
GM says, "They seem to find reason to congregate in your general area as you walk through the Academy towards Red Lotus's residence, though few are bold enough to look at you directly"
GM says, "(though there are a suspicious number of giggles)"
Feng says, "May Heaven smile upon your endeavors."
GM says, "Finally you reach her place, and Red Lotus's servants put down cushions for you to rest on and fine food to eat"
GM says, ""I have heard that there are things you wish to find in the Ninefold Prosperity Pavilion," she says"
Patience,not being one of those stuck-up Buddhist monks, snacks appreciatively
GM says, ""I would be delighted to assist you in this task -- my girls are often headed there with their families, and I am sure you could blend inconspicuously with their retinue if that was your desire""
GM says, "She shrugs eloquently. "And however you obtain the items after that, it is no concern of mine.""
Patience says, "The Man of Virtue does not seek great treasures; in this I confess I fall somewhat short of perfect virtue."
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] Liang says, "hee hee"
Liang says, "Your offer is most generous, as befits your reputation."
[rpg] Feng asks, "does everyone actually know what we're after, or does Red Lotus just have good spies?"
Xiao-Li asks (of Ling), "And what's in it for you?"
Patience exclaims (at Xiao-Li), "Hush!"
GM says, "She smiles at Xiao. "Ah, so direct, as befits a warrior. Well, in fact, there is a small matter I had hoped you could give some assistance to me with.""
Patience says (to Red_Lotus), "You are the most gracious of hosts, yet in the universe all things must find balance, and for your munificence some small service is surely... ahem."
[Crows-Nest] Liang says, "I like how Rebecca Borgstrom has gone from diceless to whoa-fuck-lots-of-dice"
GM says, ""As you may have noticed, Ironhand Nan is brutish and lewd, and his men are worse. Doing their supposed job as protectors of this district, they find every excuse to sneak around my grounds and spy on my girls.""
[Crows-Nest] Patience says, "diceless doesn't work too well with heavy-combat systems"
GM says, ""As you can imagine, this interferes terribly with their studies.""
[rpg] Patience asks, "so why did she invite Liang in here, again?"
[rpg] (from Xiao-Li) Liang exclaims, "That's our job!"
GM says, ""It happens that the Governor of this district, Sapphire Miang, holds court in her Water Palace today -- I thought perhaps you could go and request that she ban Ironhand Nan's men from the area around this Academy.""
[rpg] Liang says, "note the brutish and lewd. I do not force my attention on women"
GM says, ""I would judge it a great kindness.""
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"
Xiao-Li asks, "Could you not do it yourself?"
[rpg] Patience says, "you sneak it up upon them instead"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "heh"
GM says, "Red Lotus sighs. "Unfortunately, due to past .. incidents of conflict .. the Governor has forbidden us to petition her directly about disagreements between landowners here.""
Feng says, "It seems a reasonable request."
Xiao-Li asks, "And I assume Nan himself has been unwilling to listen to reasonable appeal?"
GM says, ""Naturally, I have tried repeatedly to come to terms with him, and he persists in his thick-headedness.""
[rpg] GM says, "ok, anyone want to ask anything else or do any prep for this? otherwise we are cutting to the Water Palace"
Liang says, "Such a pity, that he cannot truly appreciate the beauty of what you are doing here."
[rpg] Patience says, "I should probably plan a Tactical Scheme"
Liang looks around to appreciate the beauty.
Xiao-Li elbows Liang in the ribs.
[rpg] Feng says, "well, I did have that one question"
[rpg] GM says, "always good"
[rpg] Liang says (to Patience), "that seems like a good diea."
[rpg] Feng says, "about if everyone KNOWS we're here to liberate treasure, or if she just has good spies"
[rpg] GM says, "oh, I see"
[rpg] GM says, "no, she just has good spies"
[rpg] GM says, "she's the head Courtier of the area, after all"
[rpg] Patience reads the rules for Secret Art of Genius
[rpg] Feng says, "ah, good, that's what I was hoping to hear"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "And I assume Liang has been blabbering to every female he meets."
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "basically, just suggest a rough approach and roll, and you'll get some appropriate skill check bonus"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Patience says, "okay, I will concoct a sneaky plan involving flattery, circuitous argument and prominent use of Liang"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha ha"
[rpg] GM says, "that is a good plan"
[rpg] Liang says, "excellent"
Rob_2 has disconnected.
Rob_2 vooms himself somewhere else.
[rpg] Liang exclaims (at Xiao-Li), "A good courtier knows how to be discreet!"
[rpg] GM says, "I guess that would be a Grace roll"
[rpg] Patience asks, "so that's Grace, right? 3d + 5, moderate?"
Xiao-Li sighs. "It seems that we have no choice but to accept."
[rpg] Patience says, "this is actually kind of hard"
[rpg] GM says, "4 dice, actually, since you have [advice 1]"
[rpg] Patience says, "excellent"
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 6 2 9 7| 24
[rpg] GM says, "but no big deal fi you don't hit it, you just don't get a bonus later"
[rpg] GM says, "good work"
[rpg] Patience exclaims, "24. good fortune!"
[rpg] Liang says, "the ancestors smile on our efforts"
[rpg] Patience says, "so I spend a point of Joss"
GM says, "due to Patience's planning and Liang's speaking, you find yourselves with a scheduled audience with the Governor at the prime time of the afternoon, just when the Governor is calm and contented after lunch and willing to grant any request"
[rpg] Patience says, "and we all get a +5 modifier to appropriate rolls"
GM says, "The Water Palace, when you arrive, is clearly worth of the name -- built on an enormous lake, those not of the Wulin must take boats to get there"
GM says, "but with your mastery of Lightfoot technique, you are able to glide across the surface of the water as if it were land"
[rpg] Patience says, "Wirework of the Gods"
GM says, "and you make your way into the great hall, where the Governor sits on a throne on an island at one edge of the water, surrounded by candles drifting on tiny rafts"
[rpg] GM says, "totally"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, let's all make Grace rolls to see what kind of entrance you make"
Liang strides serenely towards the palace, comfortable with what is to come next.
[rpg] GM says, "target is 18, but you get a +5 bonus from Patience's plan"
Patience rolls 3 10-sided dice: 8 3 4| 15
[rpg] Liang says, "oh, look, I have a bonus for city grace"
[rpg] Patience says, "23"
Liang rolls 5 10-sided dice: 10 1 4 3 6| 24
[rpg] GM says, "(I believe Feng is the only one without Grace, and must just roll one die)"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Governor is male, right?"
[rpg] Feng says, "I don't seem to have the grace skill, yeah"
[rpg] GM says, "female"
[rpg] Liang says, "ah, even better"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Patience says, "The Man of Calling works for the body's needs, not for the eye's."
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Damn."
Feng rolls 1 10-sided die: 7| 7
[rpg] Liang asks, "oh, do I get a +5 for my good looks bonus?"
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "oh, yes"
[rpg] Liang says, "if so, that'd push me to 26"
[rpg] GM says, "hey, even Feng makes it"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, 22, then, woot."
Xiao-Li rolls 3 10-sided dice: 5 9 1| 15
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "oh wait"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Do I get the city bonus?"
GM says, "The Governor smiles in a pleased manner as you all glide in gracefully and come to a stop at the base of her throne, standing on one of the scattered foot-sized dry islands that stick above the surface of the water (that covers the floor of the room)"
[rpg] josh_g asks, "hey, I should be watching this while I can. which room are you in?"
[rpg] GM says, "yep"
[rpg] Patience says, "7th Sea"
[rpg] GM says (to josh_g), "'plank'"
josh_g arrives, looking for booty.
[rpg] josh_g says, "thanks"
Feng manages to not embarrass himself and his companions.
GM says, ""Well?" she says. "You have caught me in a fortuitous mood -- what is your request?""
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "so what am I rolling? 4d + 5?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
Patience stands at the back and smiles enigmatically
Xiao-Li rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 7 9 9| 28
[rpg] GM says, "actually, you have good looks too, so you get a +10, not that it matters"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Can I move the 29 into my river, since I don't need it?"
[rpg] GM says, "you certainly can"
[rpg] Liang asks, "am I allowed to use my instant inspiration tchnique when it comes time to convince her?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, but make your request and then I'll tell you how we'll do the rolling"
Xiao-Li enters gracefully, bowing before her host.
Liang too bows in respect for the Governor.
[rpg] Liang asks, "shall I?"
[rpg] GM says, "please"
Liang says, "You honor us with your gifts of time and attention, and we shall strive not to squander either."
Liang says, "Your humble servants have learned of a disagreement between Ironhand Nan and Red Lotus Ling, a disagreement that neither has been able to untangle."
GM says, ""Really?" she says, lifting an eyebrow. "And what might that be?""
Liang says, "Ironhand Nan's warriors, fierce in battle and swift of blade, have been less than courteous to the women of the Blossoming-Towards-Crimson Academy."
Liang says, "This one believes that, while understandable, such behavior is wearing upon those in the Academy and its headmistress"
GM says, "The Governor frowns. "That does not sound like appropriate behavior.""
GM says, ""And what would you suggest that I do about it?""
Liang asks, "As the master has said, 'Is it not pleasant to learn with fervor and constant application?' And how can the students truly apply themselves if they are fending off the advances of Ironhand Nan's men?"
[rpg] Iain says, "Hee hee."
[rpg] GM says, "awesome"
[rpg] Feng says, "woot"
Patience says, "It is regrettable to be steeped in ignorance."
Liang says, "We do not presume to tell you what must be done, but we would suggest that removing Ironhand Nan's men from around the Academy could allow time for both sides to regain levelheadedness."
GM says, "The Governor nods thoughtfully. "Well, seeing as there is no other--""
[rpg] Liang says, "DUHN DUHN DUHN"
[rpg] Patience says, "heh heh heh"
GM exclaims, "Just then, the light above darkens -- looking up, you realize that dropping down from the skylights are a horde of soldiers, and at their heads, two of the Wulin from earlier today!"
GM says, ""A request!" one of the Wulin says -- it is Tan Dong, the soldier-bureaucrat."
GM says, ""A request from Ironhand Nan!""
Xiao-Li smiles. Just time for some refreshing exercise.
GM says, "The Governor frowns. "Would this be in relation to Red Lotus's Academy?" she inquires."
GM says, ""It would indeed, my lady," says Tan. "Word has reached us that she intends to bar the soldiers of Ironhand Nan from the grounds of her Academy, making it impossible for Ironhand Nan to guarantee the safety of the district.""
GM says, ""Ah," says the Governor, "a debate!""
[rpg] Patience exclaims, "Surely dropping down from the skylights constitutes an unfathomable breach of etiquette!"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "they'll pay for it later!"
[rpg] Feng asks, "what's the ettiquete here? can I directly address the soldiers, or do we all just address the Governor?"
GM says, "She claps her hands, and her servants bring forth a long sheet of paper, bearing the signs of the five elements"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Can't we just beat them up?"
GM says, ""I will hear one argument for each element!" she declares. "Begin with Wood and finish with Water! When I have heard all the arguments, I will make my decision!""
GM says, ""I have an argument of my own!" declares Emerald Zilong, the other Wulin, gesturing with his spear. "Get them!""
Liang asks, "That would be your argument of Wood, then?"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so, lemme give you a rundown and then we can do initiative"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "well, as I said."
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "ha"
Patience asks (of Zilong), "You speak of security and yet strive to break the peace in the Governor's very presence?"
[rpg] GM says, "everyone gets one full action (to do an attack, usually) and two free actions (to move or speak) in a round"
Patience exclaims, "This is surely not the Rightly Guided Way!"
Xiao-Li exclaims, "It seems words would not suffice for these fools. Let them taste my argument of steel!"
[rpg] GM says, "Liang needs to use one free action a round to do a Persuade roll to make an argument, which Tan will oppose"
[rpg] GM says, "if someone else wants to make a Persuade roll to try and give him a bonus, they can do that too"
[rpg] GM says, "all your other actions can be spent beating people up or running around or whatever"
[rpg] GM says, "ok? so let's roll initiative"
Feng says, "I may be from a humble town, but even I know when enough is enough."
[rpg] Liang says, "so it seems that I should spend my actions arguing and possibly bumping up my arguing"
[rpg] GM says, "sure, if you want"
[rpg] Patience says, "hmm. seems I don't have Persuade"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Well, it would be easy to win the argument if we annihilate the skilled debaters firs"
[rpg] GM says, "well, you could use Great Benison of Fire"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "*first"
[rpg] Patience says, "can I use a - right"
[rpg] Feng asks, "I note that I have the Inspire skill. Can I do something cool with that?"
[rpg] Patience says, "Great Benison of Fire for Liang, then, and I shall use my"
[rpg] Patience says, "er, I shall use my Lightfoot hopping about to avoid being directly attacked"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "if you want to try to scare somebody off you can, yeah, but you might be better off just beating on people"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "How big is a horde of enemies?"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh, I thought I could use that to inspire Liang to greater heights of oratory or something."
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "ok, so roll initiative -- you roll 4 dice, since this is advice (more or less)"
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 3 9 8| 23
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "well, you can try, but you realize you're playing the big burly fighter guy here"
[rpg] Liang asks, "what do we roll initative with? Whatever we're doing for the round?"
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "right"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Who can I attack?"
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao-Li), "the Wulin warrior, plus he's commanding six squads of five guys each (ie, the same guys you fought earlier today)"
[rpg] Feng says (to GM), "point. I just saw that on the sheet, is all."
[rpg] GM says, "I *think* it's mostly there for resisting attempts to change your mind"
[rpg] Liang asks, "so like if I'm arguing and also doing moon covered by clouds, then it's just 1d?"
[rpg] Patience says, "23 initiative"
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "yeah"
Liang rolls 1 10-sided die: 10| 10
[rpg] Liang says, "grf"
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "on the bright side, you get a point of corrupt joss"
[rpg] Liang says, "oh, yeah, thanks for reminding me"
[rpg] GM says, "here are Emerald and Tan:"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 3 5 10 6 9| 33
[rpg] GM says, "(29)"
GM rolls 1 10-sided die: 2| 2
[rpg] Feng says, "uh, okay, so. I propose that Xaio-Li takes on the leader, while I keep all the minions busy."
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Ok, I want to do Ambition: Soaring Blade, plus Submission to the Earth"
[rpg] Feng asks, "is that feasible?"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "you can probably smash a bunch of them, yeah"
[rpg] GM says, "you probably can't keep them all busy"
[rpg] Feng says, "well, as many as I can."
[rpg] GM says, "but if you want to use a free action to Inspire them to get their attention on you, sure"
[rpg] Feng says, "ooh, okay"
[rpg] GM asks (of Xiao), "ok, so roll it -- I guess that's 4d + 5?"
Xiao-Li rolls 4 -sided dice: 1 1 1 1| 4
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "but if you're primarily punching, roll initiative like you're doing that"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "!!"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "46, nice."
[rpg] GM says, "I guess, uh, you would be going first"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 1 2 7 4| 16
[rpg] Liang says, "good googly"
[rpg] Feng says, "22+15=37"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "the guards are going on 15, so if you would rather put those 2s into your river, you can"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh? okay"
[rpg] GM says, "(Emerald is going on 29, but I guess Xiao is taking him)"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, I'll take the 17+15=32, and toss the 2s into the river"
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Xiao first"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "hmm"
[rpg] GM asks, "so you roll 5d + 15, +10 from soaring blade, right?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I might as well take on Emerald"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to GM), "Right."
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 2 4 2 4| 14
[rpg] GM says, "cripes"
[rpg] GM says, "here's his defense (+5)"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 5 5 3 6| 21
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "57 yeay."
[rpg] GM says, "30"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so you're 27 over his defense, which is 5 (!) full fives, plus 1 base die, plus 2 dice from submission to the earth, +5+10 from sword base and soaring blade"
[rpg] GM says, "so, uh, 8d +15, I think"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "wohoo"
Xiao-Li rolls 8 10-sided dice: 2 4 10 3 2 6 4 5| 36
[rpg] Patience says, "I hope you're going to clean up the mess, young lady"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "39?"
[rpg] GM asks, "24+15 = 39?"
[rpg] GM says, "ok"
[rpg] GM says, "so he's going to use his last-ditch defense, which is to spend Chi Aura points"
[rpg] GM says, "everyone has 2 of those, and they refresh every round"
[rpg] GM says, "you can spend them either to soak damage, or to add to Dodge (if a Warrior), Confidence (if a courtier), or Awareness (if a scholr)"
GM rolls 2 10-sided dice: 9 2| 11
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so he still takes 20, which takes him down a health level"
[rpg] GM says, "which means he loses his chi regaining in a color of his choice (gold, say) and has some minor movement penalties"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "How many health levels does he have?"
[rpg] GM says, "5, one for each color of chi"
[rpg] GM says, "and each health level is 15"
[rpg] Liang says, "if you look over his head, you'll see one empty heart and four full hearts hovering"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "hee"
[rpg] GM says, "so you and the Wulin guys have 75 points before being taken completely out, but after a few health levels you'll be hurting bad"
[rpg] GM asks, "anyway, Feng?"
[rpg] Feng says, "right."
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Does being knocked down mean anything?"
[rpg] Feng asks, "so, uh. should I inspire them to come after me before or after I attack?"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "oh, yes!"
[rpg] GM says, "he is also sprawled on the ground, and suffers -5 to most attacks and stuff until he stands up"
[rpg] GM says, "people can use a free action and a Tactics skill roll to prevent him from standing up, otherwise he can use a free action to do so"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "either way"
[rpg] Feng says, "I'll do it after"
[rpg] Feng says, "okay, I want to use Hardness of the Bell again, and my Rainbow Stunning Strike with Quick Rip"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Also, I should narrate, right?"
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao), "yeah, please do"
[rpg] Feng asks, "which should be, I think, 5d+20 for attack?"
[rpg] GM says, "that sounds right"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh, also I want to do the Flashing Talons for a Secondary Attack, but I'm not sure how Secondary Attacks work"
[rpg] Feng says, "unless that would prevent me from doing the Inspire thing"
[rpg] GM says, "you get a second attack at the end of the round after everyone else has gone"
[rpg] GM says, "no, it's separate from that"
Xiao-Li charges forward, Pleasant Duty leaping into her hand. A slash across the legs, and Emerald falls to the ground in agony.
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao), "nice!@"
[rpg] Feng says, "right, hm, let's save that, for later, maybe."
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 6 9 5 9 2| 31
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 7 10 4| 21
[rpg] Feng asks, "so, 49?"
[rpg] GM says, "vs their 25"
[rpg] GM says, "so you are, uh, 4 5's over, plus the base die, so that's five, which is enough to take out the entire group"
[rpg] GM says, "so feel free to narrate that"
Feng wades into the mass of soldiers, hands flying this way and that, as the soldiers fall around him.
[rpg] GM says, "(unfortunately, any dice beyond that to take out a single group is just wasted, so secondary attacks are probably more useful against these guys)"
[rpg] GM asks (of Feng), "ok, want to make a free action roll to get their attention?"
[rpg] Feng says, "yeah"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, roll it"
[rpg] Feng asks, "5d, right?"
[rpg] GM says, "I'll oppose with two dice"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 7 4 2 10 9| 32
[rpg] Feng asks, "can I bring out one of my dice from the river?"
[rpg] GM says, "sure"
[rpg] GM says, "here is their resistance:"
[rpg] Feng says, "I'll get a double two, then, for 22"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 8 4 4| 16
[rpg] Feng says, "hrm"
[rpg] GM says, "whoops -- want to burn a joss? otherwise, no biggie, you can try again later"
[rpg] Feng says, "I still have a third two in the river"
[rpg] Feng asks, "or is it too late to bring that out?"
[rpg] GM says, "I think it's too late, yeah"
[rpg] Feng says, "I'll burn the joss, then"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, roll another die"
Feng rolls 1 10-sided die: 7| 7
[rpg] GM says, "there you go"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, narrate them running at you or somethingm"
[rpg] Patience says (to inky), "also, you said you'd oppose with 2 dice and then rolled 3"
[rpg] GM says, "whoops"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "oh, well, I dunno, have your joss back, then"
[rpg] Patience says, "this is why it's useful to have a Scholar along"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
Feng calls out "Hey, you mercenary cowards, come over here and I'll show you how we settle arguments where I come from!" as the minions rush towards him.
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Fate cheats."
[rpg] Feng sticks his Joss back in his pocket.
GM says, "Emerald rolls to one side, leaping to his feat, and calls "You are no match for my Dragon Sword/Waves Like Water technique!" as he stabs at Xiao."
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "oh noes."
[rpg] Patience exclaims, "oppose it! oppose it! knock him back down!"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 6 8 5 2 1| 22
[rpg] GM says, "LAME"
[rpg] GM says, "he gets a 23, but at least his kung fu penalizes you 1d and -10"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "so I'm 4d -10? or +5?"
[rpg] GM says, "4d +5, yeah"
Xiao-Li rolls 4 10-sided dice: 1 8 1 5| 15
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so I guess you parry, curse you"
[rpg] Liang says, "our kung fu is too strong"
Xiao-Li parries him easily, smiling as she does.
GM says, "Emerald spends his last free action to give a mighty leap, ten yards onto the wall to grab onto a convenient rope and spin himself up onto the perch"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Patience"
Patience rolls 5 10-sided dice: 3 1 4 6 1| 15
[rpg] Patience says, "21 - that's a pass"
[rpg] Patience says, "barely"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so narrate something"
Patience leaps backwards, his staff throwing up a great gout of water as he retreats from the guards, his fingers wiggling furiously. To the Wulin-attuned, an aura of flame seems to briefly crackle over Liang.
[rpg] GM says, "nice"
[rpg] Liang says, "ooo"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, now there is some punching from the guards"
[rpg] Patience says (to Liang), "enjoy your +10 bonus"
[rpg] Liang exclaims, "I will!"
GM says, "three of the five squads of guards remaining charge at Feng; the two remaining attack Patience and Liang"
GM says, "here are three rolls for Feng's guards:"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 8 5 2| 15
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 4 10 6| 20
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 10 4 4| 18
[rpg] GM says, "so 18+8=26, 16+8=24, 24+8 = 32"
[rpg] Feng asks, "okay, so I can block with the same roll as my attack roll, or what?"
[Crows-Nest] Liang says, "were we to play this again, I'd cocde up a dice bag to do WotG rolls"
[rpg] GM asks (of Feng), "did you/want to use golden bell?"
[rpg] Feng says, "I had used Hardness of the Bell, yes, for the +10 modifier"
[rpg] Feng says, "to armor"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so that's 16, 14, 22, effectively"
[rpg] GM says, "make one roll, the same as you'd make to attack"
[rpg] Feng says, "(and my sheet says I normally have 5 points of armor, if that counts for anything)"
[rpg] GM says, "(so you get the living weapon bonus, which is for the round, but not quick rip, since you already used it once)"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 10 1 9 9 2| 31
[rpg] Feng says, "ooh, 39"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I've, maybe stupidly, been ignoring the intrinsic armor"
[rpg] GM says, "crikey, well, I guess it doesn't matter then"
[rpg] Feng asks, "I parry all their blows?"
[rpg] GM says, "yep"
[rpg] Feng narrates something then
Feng has a look of fierce joy on his face has he blocks every one of the soldiers' attacks. And with each block, a playful verbal jab. "Come on! You can do better than that! Aren't you supposed to be the elite guards of the Pavilion?"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Patience next:"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 3 5 5| 13
[rpg] GM says, "25 + 8 = 33"
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 1 6 6 8| 21
[rpg] Patience says, "26+15 = 41"
[rpg] GM says, "nice"
[rpg] Liang asks, "what's the +15 from?"
[rpg] GM says, "his staff, I think"
[rpg] Liang says, "aha"
Patience dances away from his guards, trapping each of their blows against the water. "Why is this so? Because he has no mortal spot!"
[rpg] GM says, "now Xiao"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 5 6 4| 15
[rpg] GM says, "16+8 = 24"
[rpg] Liang says, "I thought they were attacking me rather than Xiao"
[rpg] Liang says, "not that I'll argue too hard"
[rpg] GM says, "whoops, sorry, meant to type Xiao there"
[rpg] GM says, "THIS ROUND"
InnocentBystander has disconnected.
[rpg] Patience says (to Liang), "do not question the caprices of the universe"
[rpg] Patience says, "grasshopper"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh, Great Will of the Macrocosm!"
[rpg] Patience says, "for lo, that is my job"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Erm, so I'm rolling defense... just straight 5d + 15?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, unless you want to use some technique"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 4 3 5 3 6| 21
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "easy peasy."
Xiao-Li parries their attacks. She cries up to Emerald, "Such a coward, sending your miserable minions to do work you dare not do yourself."
GM says, "meanwhile, Tan is talking"
GM says, ""An argument from Wood!" he declares. "The young girls of the Academy grow like young saplings -- a certain amount of pruning by experienced hands is desirable for proper growth!""
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 9 10 4| 26
[rpg] GM says, "(a mere 19)"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "ewww"
[rpg] Patience says, "possibly not the best argument for a female governor"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Liang says, "I'd like to use anger inspiring technique on Tan as part of my argument."
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
[rpg] Feng says, "ooh, excellent"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "hehe"
[rpg] Liang says, "two white chi for +5 to it"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, it'll kick in next round"
Liang shakes his head sadly as fighting whirls around him. "Before us stands a man who inverts the teachings of Meng Tzu, that when a man has faults, he should not fear to prune them from his character."
Liang rolls 5 10-sided dice: 6 5 3 9 4| 27
[rpg] Liang says, "19+5=24"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, here's his resistance:"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 10 4 9 7| 30
[rpg] Liang says, "good thing I spent the chi"
GM says, ""Why you!" Tan struggles to control himself."
[rpg] GM says, "ok, now persuade for your argument"
[rpg] GM says, "(which you get the +10 for)"
Liang says, "My argument for wood is made plain by their actions: while the wooden staff is needed to correct wrong action in others, the men of the Sheathed-Blade Empty-Hand Prosperity Society use might as the first, last and only response. So have they done to the women of the Blossoming-Towards-Crimson Academy, and done so needlessly."
Liang rolls 4 10-sided dice: 1 6 4 8| 19
[rpg] Liang says, "(note the clever wood reference in my taunt)"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Liang asks, "do I get the +5 from eithr the good planning or the good looking?"
[rpg] GM says, "you get +5 from good looking, but it's overridden by the +10 from Patience's bonus"
[rpg] Liang says, "all righty, so 28"
[rpg] GM says, "(but, so, he only had a 19)"
[rpg] Liang says, "true"
GM says, "The Governor nods thoughtfully. "Your Chi is strong and your words are powerful." With a decisive motion of her hand, she inscribes Red Lotus's name under the element of Wood."
Liang bows.
[rpg] GM says, "ok, end of round"
[rpg] Patience says, "whoo-PAH"
[rpg] GM says, "unless I am forgetting about a secondary attack"
[rpg] Feng says, "nope, I put that off until later"
[rpg] GM says, "everyone roll initiative again, and get a point of chi back in each color"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 4 2 1 10 6| 23
Liang rolls 1 -sided die: 1| 1
[rpg] GM says, "we are down to five squadrons of guards, Emerald has lightfooted his way up the wall and has been stabbed for 20, Tan is angry"
Patience rolls 3 10-sided dice: 1 1 6| 8
[rpg] GM says, "and the good guys are up by one argument and a gracious entrance"
[rpg] Feng says, "31"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "I'll use Brutal: Speed blade this round, so 5d + 25?"
[rpg] Patience says, "21"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 9 2 7 10 4| 32
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao-Li), "sounds right"
[rpg] GM says, "Emerald and Tan:"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 3 2 10 8 7| 30
[rpg] GM says, "(28)"
GM rolls 1 10-sided die: 9| 9
[rpg] Patience says (to Liang), "think you can take this guy without help this round? I have some guards who need attention"
[rpg] GM says, "actually, I think Tan is going to attack Liang with his spear, because what the hell"
[rpg] GM says, "so 19"
[rpg] Liang says (to Patience), "I think so"
[rpg] Liang says, "as a note, I'm switching to run like a deer for dodge"
[rpg] Patience says, "...unless he attacks you outright"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "well, Tan is also a weenie courtier, not a warrior"
[rpg] GM says, "and he's got the -10"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Do I need to do a flying leap to reach Emerald?"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "but he does have a spear!"
[rpg] Patience says, "okay, I'll hold off on the Terrible Rising Water Technique, then"
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao), "yeah"
[rpg] Liang says, "the technique names are awesome"
[rpg] Feng says, "yes"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "heh. Or do you guys want me to get rid of some guards?"
[rpg] GM asks (of Liang), "did you roll?"
[rpg] Liang says, "yeah, I rolled a 1 for init"
[rpg] Feng says (to Xiao-Li), "I think I can handle them."
[rpg] GM says, "ok then, Xiao first"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I'll do a headlong flying leap at Emerald, using 1 jade, 1 earth and one water chi"
[rpg] GM says, "good deal"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "So that's a 5d, difficulty 18?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 -sided dice: 1 1 1 1 1| 5
[rpg] Liang says, "yow"
[rpg] Feng says, "holy shit"
[rpg] GM says, "buh"
[rpg] GM says, "oh, I'm afraid that is a misroll"
[rpg] Liang says, "see you when you're finished leaping around the world"
[rpg] Liang says, "oh"
[rpg] GM says, "I'm not sure what you typed, but it should have printed 10-sided"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "oh yeah"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 10 5 5 10 3| 33
[rpg] GM says, "hey, better for you"
[rpg] Liang says, "wow"
[rpg] Feng says, "ooh, you can get some joss and some 5s into your river"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "yay, a joss"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I've got a full river already, though"
[rpg] GM asks, "ok, so you leap up there, and then what?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li whack whack whack
[rpg] Patience says (to Feng), "10s count as 0, remember"
[rpg] Feng says (to patience), "yeah"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, but 2 0 = 20, and he only needs 18"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 5 4 2 1 3| 15
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "I'll use my river?"
[rpg] GM says, "sure"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "so 29 + 15.."
[rpg] GM says, "ok, here's his defense (he'll use Fierce Flexible Fence)"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 6 6 7 3 7| 29
[rpg] GM says, "27+10 = 37, and 6 6 into his river"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "oh he's got a river too, hmm"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, he's a Wulin guy, so he does"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so you roll 2d, plus whatever damage bonus"
Xiao-Li rolls 2 10-sided dice: 6 1| 7
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "16 + 5"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, he'll soak that with this chi aura again"
GM rolls 2 10-sided dice: 9 6| 15
[rpg] GM says, "so 2 points of damage"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "aww"
[rpg] GM asks, "doing anything with your last free action?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Hmm, I have a secondary attack"
[rpg] GM says, "(well, if you don't use kung fu to add damage, you're not going to do much damage against him)"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, we'll do it at the end of the round"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I don't want to waste it if he leaps away"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "your turn"
[rpg] Feng says, "woot"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, I'll let you take the free action then to follow him"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "ok"
[rpg] GM says, "(also, he can't use his chi again this round, so your secondary attack will do better for that reason too)"
[rpg] Feng says, "okay, I'm gonna do Hardness of the Bell again, and Fist of Iron:Living Weapon with Quick Rip, and this time I'll do Flashing Talons for a secondary attack"
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
[rpg] GM says, "expensive, but good"
[rpg] Feng says, "heh"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, my attack is 5d+5"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 4 8 7 7 7| 33
[rpg] Feng says, "yow, 42"
[rpg] GM says, "+10 from quick rip, I believe"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh, yeah, so 52."
[rpg] GM says, "here is their defense"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 5 1 9| 15
[rpg] GM says, "19+8 = 27"
[rpg] GM says, "so you are once again knocking them all over"
[rpg] Patience says, "it ain't easy being a minion"
[rpg] Feng says, "nifty"
Feng strides towards a second group of soldiers, sending them falling like so many upset spears with swift blows and swifter laughter.
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Oh yeah, I need to narrate."
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao), "ok, let's hear it"
Xiao-Li leaps after Emerald. Before he could turn, she strikes, leaving a small cut.
[rpg] GM says, "Emerald's turn"
GM says, ""Sliding Strike! Flash of Steel!" he declares, leaping past Xiao and stabbing at her with his spear."
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 8 5 6 7 6| 32
[rpg] GM says, "26 + 5 = 31, and you have a -10 to defense"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "damn"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 4 8 9 7 8| 36
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "28+5=33?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah, I guess you barely block"
[rpg] GM says, "(here is him jumping to another perch, with a -5 because he's hurt)"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 6 8 10 2| 26
[rpg] GM says, "whoops"
Xiao-Li raises her sword just in time, letting the point of the spear slide harmlessly past her ear.
[rpg] josh_g asks, "what's the 28+5 mean? best 3 of the dice rolls or something?"
[rpg] josh_g asks, "plus a bonus?"
GM says, "Emerland flips past Xiao, rebuffed by her defense, and then drops to the floor"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to josh_g), "We count sets"
[rpg] Patience says, "the watery floor"
[rpg] GM says, "(spending a chi to land smoothly)"
[rpg] Feng says (to josh_g), "dice go in sets. she got two 8's, so 28."
[rpg] Storme says (to josh), "a set of 2 8s"
[rpg] Patience says, "splish"
(From GM) Emerald SPLOOSH
[rpg] josh_g says, "oh, that's wacky"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "you're up"
[rpg] Patience says, "I'm just going to be boring and attack my guards with Sliding Strike"
[rpg] GM says, "sensible enough"
[rpg] Patience says, "so -10 to their defence"
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 4 8 6 9| 27
[rpg] GM says, "they have a net -2 to this:"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 2 8 6| 16
[rpg] Patience says, "enh. 19+15 = 34"
[rpg] GM says, "so 16 for them"
[rpg] GM says, "so you have 3 full 5s over them, plus one base, so you knock down four of the five"
Patience ducks low and spins his staff around, taking out the legs of four opponents and dumping them into the water
[rpg] GM says, "ha"
GM says, ""An argument from Fire!" Tan declares. "See me smite this impious youth with the fury of my blows, and thus prove the value of my words!""
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "ok, our opponents are now very wet."
[rpg] GM says, "(this isn't much fo an argument, but c'mon, -10)"
[rpg] Patience says, "ha ha ha ha"
[rpg] Liang says, "hee hee"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 4 1 10 7| 22
[rpg] GM says, "uh, I guess he gets a 7, so he doesn't persuade her even if you roll lower"
[rpg] GM exclaims, "now he attacks Liang with his spear!!"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 6 10 5| 24
[rpg] GM says, "16, with a net -5, so 11"
[rpg] Iain says, "Wow, this is just embarrassing."
[rpg] Liang says, "and I shall dodge! with a +5 from my deer-like running"
Liang rolls 3 10-sided dice: 6 10 4| 20
[rpg] Liang says, "hey, joss"
[rpg] GM says, "good deal"
[rpg] Patience says (to Liang), "I think you should get a negative to your rhetoric for running like a girl"
[rpg] Feng says, "Don't let Xiao-Li hear you say that"
Liang slides aside, water fountaining up on either side, blinding Tan in the process. "And thus water douses the fire of your will-timed attack."
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "whacks Patience with her hammerspace hammer."
Liang says, "As fire consumes the forest when a carelessly-tended campfire is set, so has passion consumed the men of the Sheathed-Blade Empty-Hand Prosperity Society. As we would pull down trees to separate a town from the burning forest, so should the men of the society be separated from the Academy until the fire has burnt itself out."
GM says, ""I appreciate the vigor with which he makes his argument, at least," the Governor murmurs."
[rpg] GM says, "wow, nice"
[rpg] josh_g says (to Liang), "slick"
Liang rolls 4 10-sided dice: 2 6 10 10| 28
[rpg] Feng says, "nifty"
[rpg] Liang says, "(I've had time to compose these)"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "woo, joss."
[rpg] Patience says, "if the argument keeps going this way we may not need a fourth round"
[rpg] Liang says, "so it seems like I should stick the two tens in my river and take 16+5"
GM exclaims, "The Governor decisively writes Red Lotus's name up under Fire, as a group of soldiers charges up to attack Liang!"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 9 10 10| 29
[rpg] GM says, "so they get 28"
[rpg] Liang says, "ooftah"
[rpg] GM says, "you can use a kung fu technique if it'd help"
Liang rolls 3 10-sided dice: 9 5 10| 24
[rpg] Liang says, "I can throw in acrobatic leaping to get out of their way"
[rpg] Liang says, "which would give me 29"
[rpg] GM says, "good deal"
[rpg] Liang says, "and I've got the chi to burn, so"
Liang kneels and leaps away, turning a slow somersault over the heads of his attackers. The spray when he lands is notable.
GM says, "meanwhile, the only lone guy comes hesitantly at Patience, while the other two groups come at Feng (Xiao, of course, is out of reach)"
GM rolls 1 10-sided die: 9| 9
[rpg] GM says, "hey, the lone guy still gets a 17"
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 9 3 2| 17
[rpg] Liang says, "also, woo more joss"
[rpg] Feng says, "you're all Whedoned out."
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Huh? Joss why?"
[rpg] Patience takes the 9 to beat him easily, puts the 3s in river
[rpg] Feng says (to Xiao-Li), "Liang took a 10 on his roll"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "oh ok"
Patience slaps the ineffectual attack out of the way, not even bothering to use his staff.
[rpg] GM says, "and the other two groups against Feng:"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 2 6 9 5| 24
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 1 8 5 1 9| 24
[rpg] GM says, "22+8 = 30 and 21+8 = 29"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh my"
[rpg] GM says, "I guess -10 each for the bell kung fu"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 1 3 8 5 8| 25
[rpg] Feng says, "28+5=33"
[rpg] GM says, "BONG"
Feng parries the futile blows. "I grow tired of these minions. If this is the way you argue, it is no wonder you are losing favor," he calls over to Emerald.
[rpg] Patience says, "part of me can't help but wonder whether Ironhand Nan is keeping his real fighters in reserve"
[rpg] Feng says, "heh"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to Patience), "The guy's a lightweight, not a mastermind"
[rpg] Patience says, "or maybe they are all at the other end of the country, pillaging my benign governor's lands"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "Erm, am I acting now?"
[rpg] GM says, "yeah"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "1 jade chi for a surefoot, and then whack Emerald again"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 6 2 1 1| 12
[rpg] GM says, "here is his defense:"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 7 5 8 5 1| 26
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "22 + 15, and put the 1 1 into the river"
[rpg] GM says, "25 + 5 = 30"
[rpg] GM says, "so you do 2d + 5, I believe"
Xiao-Li rolls 2 10-sided dice: 2 1| 3
[rpg] GM says, "(and he can't absorb any of it, because he already used his Chi Aura)"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I'm taking out my river too"
[rpg] GM says, "crikey"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "so 31 + 5. Mwhaha"
[rpg] Feng says, "is this Secondary Actions time? or is Xiao acting for her first time? I can't remember"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, that knocks him all the way down to 58/75, so he is nearing his last legs"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "secondary action, yeah"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to Feng), "Yes, secondary attack time"
[rpg] GM says, "so you can take yours once Xiao narrates, if you have one"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh, I've got a secondary attack this round"
[rpg] Feng says, "so I can take out more minions"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] Feng asks, "same roll as last time, right?"
[rpg] Feng says, "except no quick rip"
Xiao-Li drops lightly down beside Emerald, and stabs him with all her strength, sending up a spray of blood.
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 6 8 9 4 1| 28
[rpg] GM says, "right"
[rpg] GM says, "their defense:"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 7 5 4| 16
[rpg] GM says, "17 + 8 = 25"
[rpg] Feng says, "19+5 = 24. meh."
[rpg] GM says, "enh, well, there's next round to finish them off"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, this is going to be the last combat round"
[rpg] GM says, "so if you want to do something cool, do it now"
[rpg] GM says, "(Liang still gets to make all his arguments, though)"
[rpg] Iain says, "I had the same problem with my secondary attack as Feng yesterday."
[rpg] GM says, "roll initiative"
Feng spots an opportunity, but is too slow to actually eliminate any soldiers. He scowls as they repel his attacks.
Patience rolls 3 10-sided dice: 8 7 7| 22
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 7 6 3 6 6| 28
[rpg] Patience says, "27"
[rpg] Feng says, "51"
[rpg] Feng says, "wait, hm."
[rpg] GM asks (of Feng), "do you want to put any in your river? or is your river full?"
Liang rolls 1 10-sided die: 8| 8
[rpg] Feng says, "let's move one of those 6's into thhe river, yes."
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "I'm using brutal speed blade again, so 5d + 15?"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, then, only 41"
[rpg] GM says, "alrighty"
[rpg] GM says, "Emerald and Tan:"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 9 6 4 2 8| 29
[rpg] GM says, "(Tan is going to calm himself down and then talk)"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 2 1 6 5 4| 18
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "34"
GM rolls 1 10-sided die: 8| 8
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Feng first"
[rpg] Patience says, "I am very very tempted to lay the smack down on Tan"
[rpg] Feng says, "meh."
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] GM says, "well, do whatever you like"
[rpg] Patience says, "since this sole remaining minion is not going to provide very much entertainment"
[rpg] Feng says, "I think I may have made an accounting error with my crimson chi."
[rpg] Feng corrects it to the best of his knowledge
[rpg] Patience says, "but at this stage it would be superfluous and out-of-character, since they've basically already lost"
[rpg] GM says, "close enough -- I'm not really tracking it myself"
[rpg] Feng says, "okay, Hardness of the Bell again, Quick Rip, and Rainbow Stunning Strike"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "well, there are still three groups of full minions, by my count"
[rpg] Feng says, "oh? hm. Living Weapon instead of RSS."
[rpg] GM says, "(but combat is ending after this round, so however you like)"
[rpg] GM says (to Feng), "ok, let's see the roll"
Feng rolls 5 10-sided dice: 1 10 4 4 3| 22
[Crows-Nest] Liang says, "RSS has sub-techniques like trackback ping and poorly-formed feed"
[rpg] GM says, "their defense:"
[rpg] Feng says, "24+15 = 39"
GM rolls 3 10-sided dice: 9 6 3| 18
[rpg] GM says, "19 + 8 = 27"
[rpg] GM says, "so you knock down, what, 2 guys for being 12 over, 1 guy for the base die, and 1 guy for quick rip"
Feng continues smacking the soldiers around, but the joy is gone from his face. "When will you learn? How much longer will you strive so foolishly?"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "heh"
[rpg] GM says, "Xiao"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Ok, submission to the earth on Emerald"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "plus flash of steel"
[rpg] GM says, "good deal"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 10 7 7 3 4| 31
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "27 + 25.."
[rpg] GM says, "defense:"
GM rolls 5 10-sided dice: 7 4 4 3 8| 26
[rpg] GM says, "24 + 5 = 29"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "52... Man, I'm overkilling now"
[rpg] GM says, "I guess he'll throw in Flexible Fence just to make it 39 instead"
[rpg] GM says, "but still, you roll, uh, 2 for being 13 over, +1 base, +2 submission to the earth, so 5d +5"
Xiao-Li rolls 5 10-sided dice: 3 8 5 5 8| 29
[rpg] GM says, "here is his soak:"
GM rolls 2 10-sided dice: 9 7| 16
[rpg] GM says, "which takes him to 72/75, so he is pretty much slumped on the ground"
[rpg] GM says, "Patience"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "I'm putting the 5s in my river, btw"
[rpg] Patience says, "(floating on the water?)"
[rpg] GM says, "two full groups of minions left and two singles, Tan still mad, Emerald on the ground"
[rpg] GM says (to Patience), "well, it's like a foot deep in here, since the minions don't have lightfoot"
[rpg] GM says, "I guess he just has his nose sticking above the waterline"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "heh"
[rpg] Patience says, "They're clearly defeated already, so I'm just going to do Fierce Flexible Fence and hold off on attacking"
[rpg] Patience says, "and use some free actions to spout aphorisms about how appropriate this is"
[rpg] GM says, "alrighty"
[rpg] GM asks, "Liang?"
[rpg] GM says, "(Earth argument)"
Patience asks, "Is there a folly more complete than to strive against an enemy already defeated?"
Liang says, "Earth: though the Wulin can fly through the air, they must come to ground. Let the men of the Sheathed-Blade Empty-Hand Prosperity Society come to ground apart from the women of the Blossoming-Towards-Crimson Academy."
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to Patience), "you have no concept of fun"
Liang rolls 4 10-sided dice: 7 3 10 4| 24
[rpg] Liang says, "hm, 17+5=22"
[rpg] Liang says, "I guess I could throw in one of the 10s from my river"
[rpg] GM says, "go for it -- the river's clearing at the end of the scene anyway"
[rpg] Liang exclaims, "then I do so!"
[rpg] Patience says (to Xiao-Li), "only robber-bandits with untrimmed beards take joy in slaughter. The Man of Tao acts because he must."
[rpg] josh_g says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks (of Patience), "Why not let us teach these fools a lesson they'll never forget?"
GM says, "Tan takes some deep breaths and throws a worried look at Emerald and the piles of unconscious minions before arguing: "An argument from Earth! All the earth inside the district is given to Ironhand Nan to patrol, the Academy is in the district, therefore he must patrol it""
[rpg] GM says, "(he has calmed down, but he gets a -5 due to all his friends being beaten up)"
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 4 9 10 3| 26
[rpg] GM says, "so 14"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Perhaps they'll learn to find a more peaceful occupation."
GM says, "Sapphire Miang nods to herself, and writes Red Lotus's names up under Earth."
GM says, ""I think the physical contest has been decisive," she says. "Let us hear the argument for Metal and Water, and then I will make my decision.""
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "aww."
[rpg] Patience exclaims, "Does a beaten tiger take up eating rice? How much less so may a mercenary change his Nature!"
[rpg] Liang says, "I haven't used my instant inspiration technique yet. I'll throw that in for water argument"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "If I break his arm, he'd have little choice."
[rpg] GM says, "cool"
[rpg] Patience asks, "shall I bother with benison of fire?"
[rpg] Liang says, "through my proper behavior and knowledge of philosophy, all will quail before my +5"
[rpg] Liang says (to Patience), "I think I'm good."
[rpg] Liang says, "(now watch me mess this up)"
Liang says, "'Fast water will carry away the unprepared.' So has the rushing torrent of their base instincts overflown the banks of reason and carried away the men of the Sheathed-Blade Empty-Hand Prosperity Society. Let their torrent run elsewhere than the Academy until their passions are once again channelled wisely."
Liang rolls 4 10-sided dice: 4 1 7 9| 21
[rpg] Feng asks, "er, weren't you supposed to do Metal first?"
[rpg] GM says, "enh, whichever"
[rpg] Liang says, "oh, was I? whoops"
[rpg] Xiao-Li asks, "And hey, is there EXP in this game?"
[rpg] Patience says, "oops. critical etiquette failure"
[rpg] Liang says, "eek"
[rpg] GM says, "you get destiny points"
[rpg] GM says, "ha ha"
[rpg] GM asks, "anyway, 19+5?"
[rpg] Liang says, "yeah"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to Liang), "Way too much innuendo, mate."
GM says, "Tan takes another deep breath. "Water washes away what it touches! Let the Governor wash away previous arguments and consider anew the facts of the case!""
GM rolls 4 10-sided dice: 3 4 7 1| 15
[rpg] GM says, "17 -5 = 12"
GM says, "The Governor shakes her head, and writes up Red Lotus's name under Water."
GM says, ""And Metal?""
Liang inclines his head. "The metal of the men of the Sheathed-Blade Empty-Hand Prosperity Society has turned from steel to quicksilver. If they cannot control themselves, then let others control them until their wisdom returns once more.
[rpg] Liang says, "this is where I wonder, 'can I get away with referencing quicksilver?'"
[rpg] Liang says, "pretend it's translated into something just as sensible"
Liang rolls 4 10-sided dice: 9 9 10 2| 30
[rpg] GM says, "I dunno, she probably stopped reading after cryptonomicon"
[rpg] Liang says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Liang says, "29, plus a joss"
GM says, "Tan shakes his head. "An argument from Metal! Er -- metal is .. that is to say .. if your Governorship will excuse us, I think we have business elsewhere.""
[rpg] josh_g says, "ha ha"
GM says, "He climbs down off the podium, splashes over to where Emerald lies on the ground, and he and his soldiers lug Emerald off."
Liang murmurs, "One is surprised they do not leave in the same manner that they arrived."
Xiao-Li sheaths Pleasant Duty, beaming triumphantly.
Feng glowers at the retreating soldiers, then straightens his clothes a bit.
GM says, "Sapphire Miang watches them go with a smirk. "In view of your gracious entrance, your valour in combat, and your well-spoken argument, I have no choice but to grant your request. Henceforth I declare that the soldiers of Ironhand Nan must stay no less than eighty yards away from the grounds of Red Lotus's Academy, on pain of my most severe displeasure!""
Liang bows deeply.
[rpg] GM says, "ok, so we're at 6pm, which is finishing time, so we're not going to play out the actual theft from the market"
[rpg] Xiao-Li ponders what her moderate displeasure would be like.
Xiao-Li bows.
[rpg] GM says, "the deal is, we'll go for each person, and make one skill roll based on the destiny cost of the item"
[rpg] GM says, "and then they can narrate how they succeeded or failed"
[rpg] GM says, "(this is the end of the scene, so everyone's river empties, but you do all get a joss)"
[rpg] Feng says, "okay..."
[rpg] GM says, "ok, Feng picked the Catalogues, which is difficulty 25"
[rpg] GM asks (of Feng), "what skill do you want to roll for this?"
[rpg] GM says, "you'll get a +5 bonus from the assistance of Red Lotus, whatever you pick, and your Jade destiny gives you 3 points of joss to throw in, in addition to the one you have from finishing this scene, and any other you have"
[rpg] Feng says, "hm... Athletics comes to mind, as does Confidence."
[rpg] GM says, "either one of those is fine by me, roll it and narrate appropriately"
[rpg] Feng asks, "I guess Athletics would be good for making the getaway, no?"
[rpg] Feng says, "so, wow, I have five points of Joss."
[rpg] GM says, "reasonable enough"
[rpg] GM says, "you can just add those directly to the roll, then"
[rpg] GM asks, "I guess that would be 9d +5?"
[rpg] Feng says, "okay!"
Feng rolls 9 10-sided dice: 3 4 4 8 4 4 4 8 6| 45
[rpg] GM says, "holy mackerel"
[rpg] Feng says, "I see a 54 in there, for 59"
[rpg] Liang exclaims, "could you get all of our things at the same time? Thanks!"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] Patience says, "you standing-press the relevant shop and walk off with it"
Feng, having been informed of the location of the Catalogues, puts on an impromptu demonstration of his Athletic abilities. During the distraction, he manages to get the Catalogues into his hands and start roof-running towards the gates with the merchant being none the wiser.
[rpg] Feng asks, "how's that?"
[rpg] GM says, "hee hee"
[rpg] GM says, "good deal"
[rpg] GM says (to Liang), "ok, you next -- the maid is difficulty 18"
Patience says (to GM), "well, I'm aiming to basically walk in there at a time when its owner is completely unable to deal with it, then take it off his hands with gratitude thrown in"
[rpg] Patience says, "ilaw, but anyway"
[rpg] Liang says, "all righty. I would like to persuade those holding her, using the appropriately big lies, that she is being summoned elsewhere, and must come now, until they are flummoxed enough that we can walk out and away."
[rpg] GM says, "sounds good"
[rpg] Liang says, "thro in the three joss and"
Liang rolls 8 10-sided dice: 6 6 8 4 1 4 2 8| 39
Liang frowns at those who are keeping the Maid. Explaining that the Iron Shadow Warlord himself has sent for the maid, and that none but you may accompany her to him, Lian departs, leaving behind a beautifully written note explaining that the Iron Shadow Warlord now has the maid, and will return her shortly.
Patience lays his plans
Patience rolls 4 10-sided dice: 9 4 5 3| 21
[rpg] Patience says, "well, splat"
[rpg] GM says, "you can add joss to that if you want"
[rpg] Liang asks, "did you throw in your three joss?"
[rpg] Patience says (to Liang), "this is my prepatory scheming, not my actual roll"
[rpg] GM says, "you can still add the joss, although you may prefer to save it, I dunno"
[rpg] Patience says, "I guess I'll save it"
[rpg] Patience says, "okay, so Awareness"
[rpg] Liang says, "oh ah"
[rpg] GM says, "ok, monkey is difficulty 35, though you get a bonus of +5 from Red Lotus's assistance"
[rpg] Patience says, "and 2 joss gives..."
[rpg] GM says, "if you have spare destiny, you can spend it to get a +5 if you tell me how"
[rpg] Patience says, "well, I have 1 remaining destiny, which I could spend to make the monkey extraordinarily fractious that particular day, hence driving its owner to utter distraction"
[rpg] Patience says, "and hopefully willing to hand it over"
[rpg] Patience asks, "so Awareness 3 + 2 joss = 5d + 10?"
Patience rolls 5 10-sided dice: 10 8 5 2 1| 26
[rpg] Patience says, "turds"
Patience returns from the market, dishevelled and with various burns about his person. "It would appear that I have more wisdom yet to gain before I can tame the thunderclouds."
[rpg] Liang says, "ha"
GM has disconnected.
GM has connected.
[rpg] GM says, "whoops sorry"
[rpg] GM says, "anyway, I meant to add that you get one more die on awareness"
[rpg] Patience says (to GM), "so, my roll, then"
[rpg] GM says, "3 skill + 1 from stat"
[rpg] Patience asks, "did you miss me rolling?"
[rpg] GM says, "sure, reroll if you want"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says (to Patience), "Lucky you"
[rpg] Patience says (to GM), "well, I'm pretty sure I tried and failed while you were gone, possibly in spite of not quite getting the rules on joss"
[rpg] GM says, "by my count, you should roll 4d for skill (3 awareness + 1 for stat), and 3d for joss from your jade destiny (you had 4, at least, and spent one on the plan)"
[rpg] Patience says, "hmm"
[rpg] GM says, "so add die to make up 7 dice, or reroll, I guess"
[rpg] Patience says, "okay, that gives me 2 extra dice"
Patience rolls 2 10-sided dice: 9 3| 12
[rpg] Patience says, "those dice make not a whit of difference, so I don't have to waste my description"
[rpg] GM says, "oh well"
[rpg] GM says, "that pesky monkey, you'll get him next time"
[rpg] GM says (to Xiao), "your turn"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Ok, rolling initiative"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "so 4d + 3d from joss"
[rpg] GM says, "difficulty 25, and you get a +5 bonus"
Xiao-Li rolls 7 10-sided dice: 5 6 2 4 6 5 5| 33
[rpg] GM says, "wow"
[rpg] Liang says, "man"
[rpg] Xiao-Li says, "Guess tgere's no point putting anything in the river now, then"
[rpg] GM says, "right"
josh_g disappears through an invisible gap in the MUD. You think you may have heard the sounds of chatting before the gap closed again.
Xiao-Li disturbs a gang of swarthy robbers, who it seemed were taking advantage of Patrol Leader Emerald's abscence. She easily defeats them, and taking the initiative, acquires the bridal dress she was after as 'payment'
GM says, "excellent"
GM says, "well, I believe that is a wrap"
Feng says, "hurrah"
GM says, "you emerge from Prosperous Devil District covered in glory, and possibly also in riches"
Patience says, "mostly ashes"
Xiao-Li says, "heh"
GM says, "the inhabitants of Unruly Devil District whistle and cheer as you emerge from the gate"
Xiao-Li says, "Better than being covered in monkies."
Xiao-Li says, "*monkeys"
[rpg] Patience says, "and then proceed to pick our pockets"
[rpg] GM says, "well, yeah, but that is a story for another time"
[rpg] GM says, "the story of OW LEGGO MY HAND"
[rpg] Feng avenges his fallen master by skillfully driving his enemies mad with the knowledge found in the Catalogues! or something.
GM says, "if this were a real ad