"That sounds familiar. Thank you Edge-san."
I try to relax as I wait for the food.
Eli Can Tell You Ninjas Don't Exist
(377 posts) (4 voices)-
Yeah, it sounded familiar to me, too--somewhere between Robin Hood and Leverage. But hey, it's a good plot.
Food comes, dried rice cakes with honey; then everyone gets as comfortable as possible on the forest floor.
You are rousted from sleep in near total darkness, a hand over your mouth. Edge speaks: "Quiet! they are searching the woods; we must move quickly and quietly."
I believe you have your stick; that's the only gear you brought.
--M. J. Young
Thu Sep 2 2010 2:40 am # -
You move clumsily through the forest; fortunately, the searchers are making so much noise themselves that they are unaware of your movement in the dark.
Your path at one point has you wading in the cold waters of a mountain stream, and through some difficult thickets, but also over some open rocky ground before you settle, perhaps two hours later as dawn approaches.
"Again, rest," Edge says.
--M. J. Young
Sat Sep 4 2010 1:45 am # -
The ground is not so soft as the forest glade in which you last rested, and you feel the ache of the wounds administered by your opponents, but you manage to sleep fitfully and awaken in daylight.
When you awaken, it is just you and edge; the others are gone.
"We must move as soon as you are able," he says. "The bushi still seek us."
--M. J. Young
Sun Sep 5 2010 7:39 pm # -
"If we cannot return you to your own people," he says, "you will join us. We will see what you know and teach what you need to know."
You no longer have the herbalist traveling with you; he apparently is with one of the others. You spend another night in the forest, but Edge says that it is not really so far to the village, but necessary for the bushi to think that you went a different direction.
--M. J. Young
Wed Sep 8 2010 2:44 am # -
You arrive at a village late the next day, similar to the one from which you left months ago, although perhaps a bit larger. It, too, is surrounded by rice paddies, and most of the population works in them.
Edge says, "I go no further with you now, friend. Ninja do not exist. From that cottage closest to us, count three more straight in and ask for Domei. Tell him you are wounded and were told you could receive care and assistance from him; tell him, too, that you were apprenticed to an herbalist, but he was taken in the night and you do not know where he is. All of that is true enough, and Domei will not ask questions you cannot answer.
"Someone will contact you soon."
--M. J. Young
Thu Sep 9 2010 2:10 am # -
Domei is younger than the herbalist you knew, but older than you. He apparently learned his craft from your teacher, and is the healer in this village.
Examining you, he notes that you will need a great deal of care. "You are fortunate to be alive," he says. "Hopefully we can treat your injuries well enough that you can continue to be fortunate."
He has a hut similar to the one in which you previously stayed, but a second smaller building behind it outfitted as a sort of guest bedroom. He says that you can stay there, and that he and his wife welcome you into their home, but please announce when you are entering.
His wife is at the moment out getting food.
--M. J. Young
Fri Sep 10 2010 12:31 am # -
"Your job for the moment is to become well. Rest now; there will be food in a couple hours."
You fall asleep on the mat, and are awakened a bit later by Domei, who has rice with bits of fish, and fresh hot green tea.
--M. J. Young
Sat Sep 11 2010 1:18 am # -
"You will need to rest and recuperate for two to three weeks, at least," he answers. "We will do our best to shorten the time."
He asks about your time with your mentor, and what you learned from him.
--M. J. Young
Sun Sep 12 2010 7:51 pm # -
He listens, nodding. "You could start your own practice, with what you've learned," he says; "but I think if you work with me you can learn more--that is, if you wish to do so. I do not know what you plan to do, and there is not that much work in a village so small as this, but with your master no longer in the mountain pass, we may get more."
He gives you different teas and broths during the day, some which he says will dull pain, some which will help healing, and some which will help you sleep. Most are already familiar to you, but he has a few that you had not known.
The bruising and other injuries go deep, and some of them do not show on the surface for a couple days after the fight. Gradually, though, you are restored to full strength. There comes a day when he tells you that you can resume your normal activities. As he promised, it has been about three weeks.
--M. J. Young
Tue Sep 14 2010 1:49 am # -
You work with him for several weeks. Summer is drawing to an end.
After dark one cool night you are wakened with a hand over your mouth.
"Be still, Eli; it is Edge."
He waits for you to calm then moves a step away in the darkness.
"Come," he says. "You must not use your name tonight; you will be Mantis. Tell no one that you are Mantis when you are Eli; tell no one that you are Eli when you are Mantis. Only I and one other will know that Mantis is Eli.
"I have clothes for you, but it would be better if you do not change here."
He waits for you by the door.
--M. J. Young
Tue Sep 14 2010 6:10 pm # -
Magnus
MemberI will follow Edge while trying to be quiet.
When Edge indicates that I am far enough away to change,
I do so and ask a few questions quietly."What are we doing tonight?"
"Why was Mantis chosen for my name?"
"Have you heard any rumors concerning my fight?"OOC:Here are my thoughts on it.
If the bushi say anything about it, they would probably say that I was some sort of Oni(Ogre/Demon).
That is one of the few things in there worldview that can kill ten men and cripple a horse with it's bare hands.NOTE:This is just a suggestion. You can freely ignore it if it doesn't fit in the story.
Wed Sep 15 2010 12:38 am # -
"What are we doing tonight?"
"You will be introduced to some of the other ninja in this area, and begin your training."
"Why was Mantis chosen for my name?"
"I saw you fight. I saw you hide. You are clearly a better fighter than hider. You need a fighter name, and the way you fight reminds me of a preying mantis. Besides, no one I know has that name, so it will not be confused with anyone else."
"Have you heard any rumors concerning my fight?"
"I'm sure that there have been stories told among the nobles, at least the bushi if not the kuge. I am not a noble; I would not hear such stories."
Any more questions?
--M. J. Young
Thu Sep 16 2010 6:03 am # -
The clothes you don include a mask which covers most of your face; they are dark green, and you realize that Edge's clothes are not quite black but very dark blue.
In about half an hour you arrive at a clearing in what might be a forest, where there are perhaps a score of similarly dressed young men (you would assume them all to be men; there are none who are evidently women but the costumes would disguise at least some distinguishing features). There are also a few older men who are also disguised, but not as thoroughly.
You are introduced briefly as Mantis; a flurry of names go past, all of them obviously pseudonyms evocative of fighting or stealth or sometimes both.
A tale is told which captures some of the details of your recent adventure, that the herbalist of the West Pass was accused of harboring a Ninja, and that Edge and a few others formed an extraction team to rescue him and you, the Ninja; that you fought bravely and killed several before the team could rescue you, and that the herbalist has been relocated to a save village some distance from here, although it is regrettable that the sick will not find him in that pass anymore. It appears that you suffered an injury which has taken your memory of your training but not your respectable combat skills, but either you have lost your stealth skills or never were very good with them, and you do not have much experience with weapons.
Someone named Tiger reports that he took a few to assist him in a raid on a koku caravan, delivering the koku to a particular village where the villagers will see that it is properly distributed to those from whom it was taken.
After that, the group breaks up, each of the old men calling the names of several of the younger, apparently to train and practice in particular skill areas. One of them calls only you.
"You can call me 'sensei'," he says, "which is what you can call all of us who now teach instead of do. I cannot think of a reason you would need to identify me more specifically than that."
He picks up a wooden sword and faces you.
"They say you are good. Show me what you can do."
--M. J. Young
Sun Sep 19 2010 10:58 pm # -
You fall into your stance easily and impressively; you see the rise of one eyebrow. You don't manage the defensive martial dodging, but you move into the run to close the distance.
I don't have "Side Kick" listed; is this the Roundhouse, or is that something else?
--M. J. Young
Tue Sep 21 2010 1:44 am # -
You come in fast on the run and go for the kick, and catch him off-guard sufficiently that he barely avoids the blow.
"Hold!" he calls.
Assuming you do, he catches his breath. "You are indeed very good," he says. "Do you do anything with a weapon?"
--M. J. Young
Tue Sep 21 2010 10:20 pm # -
Magnus
MemberI stop when he says "Hold".
"The weapon that I have had the most practice with is the bo staff. I've practice with the tonfa a bit.
But, I'm not very good with them. I would be happy to learn anything you teach. I would really like to learn how to use a tetsubo or a zanbato (horse-slaying-sword)."Wed Sep 22 2010 1:54 am # -
He smiles perhaps finding humor in your suggestion.
"We teach the ninja-to. We also teach shurikens, metsubishi, needles, and grappling hooks. But apart from the ninja-to, what we teach is the use of whatever you can find as a weapon of resort. But first we teach you Ninja-do, and then the ninja-to, and some other useful skills. You have a good start, though; it should be relatively easy for you to learn the basics, at least."
He then instructs you in the base stance for ninja-do. It is clearly more defensive than your style, even without a sword allowing you to block and dodge incoming attacks more easily. It would not hit as hard as your style, but it is probably just as fast--or would be were you as good with it as you are with yours.
"I do not say that you must use this style; your style has significant advantages. However, a samurai would cut you to bits with your style, and would have more trouble doing so if you learn to defend yourself better."
You learn the basic style without the blade, and then he hands you what looks almost to be a fancy cane.
"You will have your own, eventually; but you will not take it home, because to be found with one of these is to be executed as a ninja. For the moment, you can use this one."
The blade easily draws from the wooden scabbard, which evidently is more than merely a blade case.
"It is not so fine nor so heavy a sword as the samurai's katana; but you will be fast with it, and it is light and easily concealed, and if you are forced to lose it it will not be so difficult to replace."
He shows you the basic way of holding the sword, which can be wielded either one-handed or two. Usually, he explains, you will be striking once with the sword and once with your other hand. You pick this up more easily, finding similarities with your tonfa training.
"Very good," he says. "I will leave you to practice a bit, and there are other skills you will have to learn tonight that others will teach you."
--M. J. Young
Mon Sep 27 2010 2:56 am # -
After some time practicing, you are interrupted by another elderly man, who is quite abruptly in front of you.
"You can call me sensei," he says. "I am here to teach you in stealth techniques."
The stealth techniques he teaches can be loosely divided into three categories, which you might call stalking, sneaking, and hiding. Hiding refers to being able to be unseen by remaining motionless in a dark or partly occluded location. Sneaking means the ability to move through an area without making noise and taking advantage of cover and occlusion to be unseen. Stalking applies those concepts to the task of following someone or something, and getting close to them. Although they are all closely similar, there are sufficient differences that eventually you might be better at one or another. Thus who are burglars tend to be best at hiding; raiders at sneaking; assassins at stalking.
You already have stealth skill, and it will take time and practice for it to improve and it won't split to individual skills until level 2, so there's nothing else to roll here and no marks to make on your sheet.
After you have had time to practice what he has instructed, a third sensei approaches. He looks quite muscular yet trim for a man his age. Again he says, "You can call me sensei; I will teach you acrobatics."
There are a number of skills here that you might have but which are not listed on your sheet, so I'm going to ask whether any of these ought to be listed, or ought to be noted in some way:
- Crawl at Walking Speeds--this is faster than most people crawl, so the question is whether you have particular skill at crawling fast.
- Bars & Ropes B6@2--walking on or swinging from narrow bars (e.g., parallel bars, unevens, high bar), climbing ropes
- Tightrope Walking
- Bars & Ropes Contact --being able to do stunts on bars or ropes that retain contact with the bar(s) or rope(s) at all times
- Bars & Ropes Non-contact--stunts that disconnect from the bar or rope
- Tightrope Contact--stunts performed on a tightrope without breaking contact
- Rope/Trapeze Transfer--moving from one to another through the air
- Flips
- Tightrope Non-contact--leaving the tightrope and returning to it
- Tightrope Speed--running or otherwise speed-traveling on a tightrope
--M. J. Young
Tue Sep 28 2010 2:54 am # -
You are shown how to crawl. This obviously is something you have done before, but the sensei gets you to think about crawling in ways that will enable you to move faster, or be lower to the ground, or do so more quietly, as desired. It will take practice, but you will improve.
He spends most of the rest of his time with you showing you how to climb--ropes, poles, trees, a stone wall. There is a lot of crossover of technique, and he is beginning the process without using any equipment to help, but promises that you will also learn to use equipment once you've got the basics.
My oversight--I didn't ask your skill at "climbing", which includes all the aforementioned types. I rolled for it as a new skill, but it seems likely to me that you probably already have some skill at this and we should push it up to a higher SAL--if you think so.
--M. J. Young
Wed Sep 29 2010 1:08 am # -
It is still dark, but you've been here for what would be a long day when one of the senseis says to everyone, "Dawn nears. We will see you again in three nights."
Someone collects the swords, and the other ninja vanish into the woods but for Edge.
"Do you need help finding your way home? I know you are a stranger here, so you might not know the landmarks."
--M. J. Young
Thu Sep 30 2010 4:27 am # -
Would you have your glasses with you, or would they have been left behind?
Your equipment has split into two directions--one of them upward, and thus probably in the mountain pass, the other more on your level and at a different angle.
I am assuming you left nothing at your new location; you didn't have that much to leave, and things acquired in this world will not have scriff vectors until the next world.
Edge brings you back to the place where you changed and waits for you to return to your civies, then brings you within sight of the herbalist's guest house. When you turn to thank him, he has already disappeared into the woods.
--M. J. Young
Sat Oct 2 2010 9:40 pm # -
In that case, I have you in a loose white T-shirt, pair of pants, loose olive drab (don't interfere with kicks), extra pocket on each leg, pair of boxer briefs, pair of socks, pair of work boots, and glasses; everything else has been left behind.
You now also have the ninja garb Edge gave you--dark long-sleeved long-waisted shirt with low pockets, dark gloves with open fingertips, dark loose-fitting pants with several pockets and string ties at the waist and both ankles, dark knit socks with leather inside soles, and a dark cloth which wraps around head, hair, and neck to hide all but your eyes. (Ninja outfits were not actually black, which was hard to obtain, but either dark navy blue or a similar shade of green. I'm not that picky which yours are, but they might be mixed pieces, so tell me what you'd prefer and I'll determine whether that's what you got.)
You have no trouble getting into the guest house unnoticed, and are soon asleep.
No one bothers you in the morning, so you sleep late.
--M. J. Young
Sun Oct 3 2010 9:09 pm # -
What color do you prefer for the ninja garb? (ge: 16) The ninja don't come again tonight; but then, they did say they wouldn't be back for three nights. Was there anything else you had intended to do before then? Are you spending your nights without them sleeping?
Tue Oct 5 2010 1:44 am # -
Here is Eli's sheet, notes below
- Name Eli Ray Bumbalough
a.k.a. Eli
Magnus: Online handle
Mantis: Ninja identityAttributes
Persuasion 1@5
Charisma 1@8
Animal Magnetism 1@5
Strength 2@1
Stamina 1@7
Resistance 2@1
Density 1@2
Flexibility 2@1
Agility 1@4
Hand/Eye 2@1
Intellect 2@3
Intuition 1@10
Education Level 2@1
Will Power 1@7Averaged Attributes
Ranged Strike Value
Martial Strike Value 2@1
Target Value 1@5
Damage Value 1@7Best Relevant Attributes
Tech 2@3
Psi 1@10
Mag 2@3
Bod 2@1Bias
Tech
Psi
Mag
BodWeaknesses
extremely allergic to bees and wasps. Extremely nearsighted, I have to wear glasses to read and drive, Although I can fight without them on.
Description
21 yrs, 6’1”, 240#, Hair Dark brown, Eyes Brown, face is round not ugly but it's attractive, would probably look better if I grew a beard and mustache. Skin Pale… until it sees some sunlight then it turns bronze. Limbs Long and muscular, Torso Muscular with a thin layer of fat.Skills
Tech
1@5 Ambush T0@3
1@5 Cook T1@3
1@10 Use Garden Tools T3@X
1@5 Whittling/Carving T3@3
2@2 Medical Diagnosis (herbalism) T6@0
2@1 Medical Treatment (herbalism) T6@1
2@3 Operate Computer T11@0
1@4 Read and Write Computer Program T11@1 (Visual Basic, C++, Java)
1@4 Build Computer T11@5
1@8 Artificial Intelligence Theory T13@0Psi
1@1 German Language P0@0
2@1 Japanese Language P0@0
1@1 Teaching P0@1
1@2 Zen State P1@0 10:00 TF requires relaxation, focuses the mind for +RS/10 bonus to next mental skill, +43SM
1@3 Operate Telepathic Device P1@3 with eyes closed, envisioning silver thread connection between self and device (Psi Computer, Data Access Device, Telepathic Vacation) +5SM
1@1 Operate Force Generative Psionic Device P1@8 (psi drill)
1@2 Gather Chi P5@0 success allows (second if first is included) will power check against pain or other physical weakeners, 1:00 TF
1@6 Kiai P8@0 shout to intimidate gives -10 sit-mod to opponent skills for one minute.Mag
1@4 Singing M0@0
1@5 Linguistics M0@0Bod
2@1 Manipulate Chopsticks B0@1
1@5 Stealth B0@6
1@4 Climbing B1@3
1@2 Crawl at Walking Speeds 3mph B1@4
1@8 Aggressive Running Frontal Power Boost B3@10 uses one attack RS=+DC to next forward kick-based attack (Power Front Kick), on failure fall for damaging damage
1@8 Aggressive Running Side Slide B3@10 uses one attack +RS=SM to next side-arc kick-based attack (Side Kick, Flip Kick)
2@4 Eli's Style B7@1 Fast Aggressive Weapon-utilizing style, kick- and punch-based, RF2, +10 Att SM +10 Att Dam Mod.
2@4 Back Kick B7@1 basic attack on opponent directly behind.
1@6 Bo Stick B7@1 RF1 damaging two-handed
1@3 Tonfa B7@1 RF1 damaging
1@1 Steal Initiative Weaponless B7@1 in starting combat
1@1 Old Ninja-do B7@1 martial arts style fast defensive weapon-utilizing punch-based hand Att x2 +5 att SM -10 Def SM -10 Def dam mod
1@2 Ninja-to B7@1 martial arts weapon RF1 damaging
1@8 Elbow Strike B7@3 base dangerous attack at close range RF1 -10SM
2@1 Power Back Kick B7@3 base dangerous RF1 -10SM, +10 opponent attack SM
2@1 Power Front Kick B7@3 base damaging -10SM
1@8 Flying Side Kick B7@3 base dangerous RF1 -10SM, on failure lose balance and forfeit next attack
2@1 Roundhouse Kick B7@3 base damaging RF1 -10SM
1@1 Defensive Martial Dodging B7@4 RS=SM per minuteEquipment
Pair pants, loose Khaki (don't interfere with kicks), extra pocket on each leg.
Pair pants, loose olive drab (don't interfere with kicks), extra pocket on each leg.
Loose t-shirt, white
Loose t-shirt, navy blue
3 boxer-briefs (1)
3 pairs of socks (1)
Pair work boots
Australian Oilskin coat: looks like western duster coat. (Oilskin is cloth treated with oils and waxes to make it waterproof.)
Leather hat, looks like a cowboy hat except the brim is flat
Belt, plain leather
Backpack, military style canvas
Book on outdoor survival
Book on chi gung
Book on tai chi
Bowie Knife with brass blade catch and a leather sheath (RF1 damaging)
Maglite flashlight, 5 D-Cells, extra bulb in tailcap
Crowbar, 24"
Wallet with driver license and $40
GlassesTaken by Samurai
Book on chi gung
Book on tai chi
Bowie Knife with brass blade catch and a leather sheath (RF1 damaging)
Maglite flashlight, 5 D-Cells, extra bulb in tailcap
Crowbar, 24"Received from Ninja
Ninja outfit: dark long-sleeved long-waisted shirt with low pockets
Ninja outfit: dark gloves with open fingertips
Ninja outfit: dark loose-fitting pants with several pockets and string ties at the waist and both ankles
Ninja outfit: dark knit socks with leather inside soles
Ninja outfit: dark cloth which wraps around head, hair, and neck to hide all but your eyesStage 1
World List Tropical Island
Notes:
The bolded items are those which were on his person when he fled; they include one of the three sets of undergarments in each case. The other items in that list were left at the home of the herbalist in the pass, which is now abandoned.
The GE roll suggested that the samurai in charge took some of the more interesting objects from Eli's gear (probably along with some of the herbalist's gear), but that it will remain together in one place for the near-term future, and that the rest of his gear will also remain undisturbed at the herbalist's home for a reasonable time.
I believe I delivered a copy of this world to you. At a reasonable rate he will be introduced to the various skills in the martial arts style and to the acrobatics techniques listed as other ninja skills. "Stealth" will continue as a single skill until it hits professional level, at which point it should split according to the kinds of missions at which he excels. Since he already has an impressive combat ability, I anticipate him becoming either a Raider or an Assassin--his combat skills will always exceed his stealth skills.
I think Edge is probably an assassin, but I'm not sure I made that decision yet.
If I missed something or you've more questions, let me know.
--M. J. Young
Tue Oct 5 2010 4:17 am #
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