My immediate thoughts look something like this.
Where did they learn the idea of making a republic?... only a outside influence would...
I check the sriff vectors. How many do I feel?
I'll sit quietly and listen to what they say.
((as you know from the chapter on scriff, but your character may not necessarily know, whether or not you feel a verser's scriff vector is contingent on several factors, including the distance between you.)) You still only feel the two familiar vectors for your equipment. The samurai laugh at your masterms expense several times, one of them tells him his tea tastes like urine, and dumps it out on the table, and they all ungraciously take their leave. The master good-naturedly cleans the spilled tea, and tells you, "A good host is a good host, regardless of the company."
I say "That's true" as I help clean up the mess.
He takes them outside to the nearby freshwater source, and begins washing them. "What is your impression of the revolution, rurouni?" (He frequently calls you Eli in general conversation; it is only rurouni when he is training you in martial arts.)
"I would need to know more about them to form a proper impression.
But, my gut says that the only way it can be good is if they set up a government that doesn't tax its people into starvation."
Your master nods, clearly in thought again, and apparently chooses to change the subject. "We are beginning to lack in food, and our clothing has grown threadbare. I will require you to travel into town in the morning; I will provide you with a map and a bag to take some weapons to a shop and bring the rice and clothing back. The trip into town is an eight hour walk. I would recommend that you sleep out of sight near the path, but it is possible to make the entire trip without sleep; possible, yet undesirable."
"Yes,Sensei"
I will perform the preparations that I can do tonight.
Do I have a sheath for my practice katana?
How else would you have learned a couple of your skills? Yes, you have a practice sheath; it is also heavier than a normal sheath. In the morning, too early, your master wakes you and presents you with a katana; he tells you that it will be yours from this point forward. It is exceptional. (Lethal +6 damage mod) You make the eight hour journey to the town; it is bustling and the sun high in the sky. You have no trouble finding the correct shop; the man asks you to wait while he deals with another customer. They seem to be in a heated debate about the current uprising.
OOC: Niiicceee!!!
I listen in on their conversation.
It apparently is an argument. The customer's opinion is that the current system is flawed, and the shop owner feels that the Emperor is a god and shouldn't/can't be deposed for that very reason. The argument ends with the shopkeep banning the customer from the store. He finally deals with you, providing you several large bags of rice in exchange for the weapons. Now all you need to do is find a clothing stall and buy some new clothing and you'll be on your way.
As you're searching for a clothing stall, you pass a man who stands out to some degree; his clothing seems different, for some reason you can't quite place. The two of you pass each other, and after you walk about another five feet, you realize that there is a scriff vector coming from him.
I stop and turn to the man and say in English while smiling.
"Does the word 'verser' mean anything to you?"
He has also stopped, and it looking back at you. "Indeed it does," he responds. You realize that his clothes are definitely different; jeans, a white t shirt, sunglasses, and a hat; also, he has a european sword at his hip. "May I ask your name, sir?"
"My name is Eli. Lets sit down somewhere and talk."
When we sit down.
If he didn't give me his name
"What's you name"
"How long have you been here?"
"How many worlds have you visited?"
"Are you a part of that revolution they're talking about?"
He answers, "My name is Kaiser Sozei."
"I got here a few days ago. You?"
"I've been through so many worlds, I gave up keeping count long ago."
"I AM the revolution everyone's been talking about. I'll make this world a democracy, then seize the democracy and make myself monarch of this world. I'd recommend that if you don't want to help me, you keep out of my way."
He seems extremely personable and definitely leaderly. You get the distnct impression that this is not the first time he's done this.
"I've been here about a year and a half"
"Have you gotten any magic to work here?"
After he answers I take me leave and go back to my errand.
He responds, "Magic doesn't seem to work very well here." Your errand continues withouy incident. Are you intending to sleep on the return trip?
Yes, I will do as Honda-sensei instructed.
Your night also passes without incident, and in the morning you arrive back at the master's. He welcomes you back and asks how your trip was.
"I had one incident, I talked to the leader or the revolution that those two samurai where talking about. He's power-hungry man who's using his revolution to eventually replace the Emperor. I'm guessing that he is highly skilled combatant.I think he need to be stopped."
Your master thinks on your words for a moment, then slowly and deliberately fills his pipe with dried herbs. He takes a few moments to light the pipe, takes a long draw, and then asks, "And how do you propose that is to be done, Eli?"
"My best bet would be a surprise attack when he is sleeps.
It's not honorable but, it's better that I stain my honor so that he is stopped, than to let his schemes prosper."
He sucks on his pipe and speaks, smoke coming from his mouth and tendriling from his nostrils. "Times change and ages come and go, rurouni. I do not see how it is any man's duty to stand in the way of a war. However, if you would still choose to join the Emperor's men, by all means, you know the way from here to town."
"I will wait then. Maybe the Emperor's men will take care of it."
"Win or lose, some will prosper and others will suffer. Such is the price of life. You have slept?... Come, let us continue your training."
"Yes, Sensei"
Your training continues. When you reach professional level with Honda's Ninja-do, you realize rather suddenly from the extent to which he begins pushing you at work that it has been a martial art that you have been learning.
I continue training.
1@1 Ryu Tsui Sho Sen (Dragon Mallet Rising Flash) base weapon +DC +lethal damage rider +lethal damage rider. Only effective from below target when it is in mid-air falling.
1@1 Kagarashi Tsumuji Arashi base weapon +dangerous damage rider +dangerous damage rider, success = RS/5'.
1@1 Ku Zu Ryu Sen (Nine Headed Dragon Flash) base weapon +DC +20 damage mod.
The master tells you that this concludes the skills you will learn in your training, and that now he will help you to perfect them. He coughs, a normal occurrence for a smoker such as himself; the smattering of blood you see on his palm is not.
bump
"Sensei, before I came to you, I was the apprentice to a herbalist. May I examine you?"
Let's see what I can do with 2@2 Medical Diagnosis (herbalism) T6@0 and 2@1 Medical Treatment (herbalism) T6@1
From the diagnosis, you garner that he is dying; from experience before you became a verser, you'd say probably emphysema and lung disease. You can prolong his life, but then he'll probably only live around three months as opposed to one.
I ask him if he wants me to do the treatment.
((Do you want him to want it or no?))
I would like him to take the treatment so I can have longer to train with him.
He agrees to follow your course of treatment; he does not agree to stop smoking, so unfortunately, you might buy him a couple weeks, at best.
§
During this time, he instructs you on how to make katana, wakazashi, and zanba-to (they're at a professional level under the smithing tech bias you have; your 1@ skills have advanced 1 intensity); unfortunately, his time draws to an end much too quickly. He is on his deathbed, and he tells you, "There is one more technique in Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu; Ama Kakeru Ryu No Hirameki, Soaring Dragon Flash of Heaven." He explains the secret to the technique, then adds, "Your life must be in grave danger to use this technique, and you must possess a strong desire to survive." ((You do not learn the technique, but when faced with the correct circumstance will receive an example bonus (+13) from having had it explained to you.))
((Any last words for your sensei?))
"Good bye, Sensei. I'll teach your style to some one who is worthy of learning it."
After he dies, I dig a grave that's 5 or 6 feet and bury him with a katana he made.
I will set of a tomb stone that reads "Here lies Honda Hiko Seijuro"
OOC: How far did I advance with the stats and skills Honda was training?
The basic style, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, is 3@1.
The initial skills of the style, Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu, are 2@10.
The second set of skills of the style are 2@5.
The third set are 2@1.
Was there a fourth set?
Your weaponsmithing has begun to branch out, and you are 1@10 smithing generally and 2@1 smithing katana, wakazashi, and zanba-to; definitely good enough to make sellable items, but nowhere near the level of your master.
Honda's Ninja-do is 3@1.
The attributes you were working were Strength, Stamina, Agility, Hand/Eye, Intuition, and Will Power. Boost each of these stats 16 intensities from where they are (that's 4 intensities for 2@ attributes, 1 (+7) for 3@ (which I don't think you've gotten, unless you're just getting one now)).
Boost intellect one intensity.
So my attributes are now like this?
Attributes ---+16 marks--->
Persuasion 1@5
Charisma 1@8
Animal Magnetism 1@5
Strength 2@1 ---> 2@5
Stamina 1@7 ---> 2@3
Resistance 2@1
Density 1@2 ---> 1@3 due to stamina becoming 2@
Flexibility 2@1
Agility 1@4 ---> 2@2
Hand/Eye 2@1 ---> 2@5
Intellect 2@3 ---> 2@3 not enough marks
Intuition 1@10 ---> 2@4
Education Level 2@1
Will Power 1@7 ---> 2@3
Should I post my full character sheet?
Please, full sheet would be excellent.
The book says that you need Martial Arts Weapon skills to use weapon dependent styles.
I would assume that the katana skill is at 3@1.
How far did I get with the wakazashi, nodachi and and zanba-to?
Name Eli Ray Bumbalough
a.k.a. Eli
Magnus: Online handle
Mantis to the Ninja of Dark Honor Alpha
Attributes
Persuasion 1@5
Charisma 1@8
Animal Magnetism 1@5
Strength 2@5
Stamina 2@3
Resistance 2@1
Density 1@3
Flexibility 2@1
Agility 2@2
Hand/Eye 2@5
Intellect 2@3
Intuition 2@4
Education Level 2@1
Will Power 2@3
Averaged Attributes
Ranged Strike Value 2@5
Martial Strike Value 2@5
Target Value 1@10
Damage Value 1@10
Best Relevant Attributes
Tech 2@4
Psi 2@4
Mag 2@4
Bod 2@5
Bias
Tech 11@5
Psi 1@8
Mag 0@0
Bod 7@9
Weaknesses
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 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
1@10 smithing
2@1 katana smithing
2@1 wakazashi smithing
2@1 zanba-to smithing
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@0
Psi
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@0
Bod
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
3@1 Honda's Ninja-do B7@1, slow defensive, rf1, weapon-adverse, -20 defensive SM,-20 defensive DM
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 minute
1@1 Active Evasion B7@4 success = -10/-20/-30 def. damage mod., Uses two attacks
3@1 Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu B7@1(Flying Heaven Honorable sword style), weapon-dependent, slow defensive, 15 defensive sm, +30 damage mod
3@1 katana B7@1
2@10 Ryu Sui Sen (Dragon Mallet Flash) B7@3 base weapon +DC
2@10 Ryu Kan Sen (Dragon Wind-up Flash) B7@3 base weapon RS/2'
2@10 Ryu Sou Sen B7@3 base weapon, lethal damage rider
2@10 Do Ryu San (Ground Dragon Flash) B7@9 base annoying area attack 3':6':9':12':+20/1
2@5 Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji (Dragon Wind-up Flash Gyrate) base weapon -10 damage mod RS=3' B7@3
2@5 Ryu Sho Sen (Dragon Rising Flash) base weapon, on success enemy falls incapacitated for RS=5 minutes, make a will power check to resist, RS=s/d/n B7@7
2@5 Ryu Tsui San Zan base weapon +20 damage mod -10SM B7@3
2@5 Hi-Ryu Sen (Flying Dragon Slash) base weapon, on success enemy falls unconscious from pain, make a stamina check to resist, RS=s/d/n, requires sword in off hand B7@7
2@5 Ryu Sou Ryu Sen (Paired Dragon Flash) base weapon damaging damage rider, damage rider is +30SM, requires sheath B7@3
2@5 Ryu Kan Sen Arashi (Dragon Wind-up Flash Storm) base weapon +DC RS=1' B7@3
2@5 Zantetsu base weapon, success deals triple damage when used vs hard metals, B7@3
2@5 Shihara Dori catch enemy sword, RS vs. opponent attack, B7@5
2@5 Ryu Mei San disrupts intensified hearing, RS vs. opponent skill check, B7@7
2@5 Madoshi Giri base weapon, cut not apparent until RS = minutes or target is used or moves, B7@7
2@1 Ryu Tsui Sho Sen (Dragon Mallet Rising Flash) base weapon +DC +lethal damage rider +lethal damage rider. Only effective from below target when it is in mid-air falling.
2@1 Kagarashi Tsumuji Arashi base weapon +dangerous damage rider +dangerous damage rider, success = RS/5'.
2@1 Ku Zu Ryu Sen (Nine Headed Dragon Flash) base weapon +DC +20 damage mod.
Equipment
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
Glasses
Taken 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 eyes
Received from Honda
katana lethal +6
Stage 1
Nagaworld