Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 17, 2011 1:04:33 GMT -5
As the air grew heavier, Sojiro reached into his bag and pulled out the obi from the Kimono he was wearing earlier, and tied it around his nose and mouth to keep some of the fumes out. Tucking the loose ends underneath the back of his haori, he continued down the cavern with Chad.
As the clicking and cracking grew louder, a sense of unease began to fill Sojiro. And suddenly, he knew why. Staring back at him as they entered a larger area of the cavern was a.... a..... something.
A really big, scary something.
As the creature bellowed out it's single word question, Sojiro was struck by how huge it was. Fear began to flow through him, something he was not used to. He fidgeting with the jade ring on his finger, and in that moment he felt the presence of the void kami that sat in the back of his mind when he dueled come flooding through him.
[glow=red,2,300]center[/glow]
In the time it took for Sojiro to get the unruly emotion of fear under control, Chad had struck and moved. Sojiro saw his opening as the creature howled in pain and turned it's attention to follow the crab.
"IAI!!!"
He used that moment to strike. sliding forward, he lashed out with an iaijitsu strike at the creature's exposed side, following it up with a draw strike from his wakizashi. As the void kami centered him and allowed him to flow, the wind kami (the only other kami he could make contact with) came to assist him, speeding up his strikes as they left the sheath and struck grey flesh.
It was time to see whether his Ha No Arashi style would work against all enemies, or just human ones.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 17, 2011 1:44:12 GMT -5
Having been among most of the clans for some time, Ozora has known many horrors and seen too much of battle, though not for some time. It is like that red maiden, looking at him with a knowing smile. Coming upon the monstrosity was not the shock, it was the word it SPOKE when it came into view. Things here just arn't what they always appear to be...
As Chad charged and Sojiro readied himself for his strike, Ozora unleashed his readied arrow in a straight flight at the center of the beast, not even pausing to pay attention to its flight, Ozora's training kicks into gear.
Having been out and about the empire, going from Clan to Clan, this is not something he had been expected to do often. This time though, be it this place, everything just clicked into place and for Ozora, it was just as simple as mounting his horse.
The arrow's path forgotten, Ozora has already slung the bow over his shoulder and reached for his satchel subconciously. His active mind was already reaching out to the kami, particarlly the Air Kami, one who though he did not speak with often, was as an old a friend as any he ever knew.
The scroll furls open as soon as it is pulled out, the correct scroll of course being pulled by his experienced hand. Kami of the air, capricious and free. Hear my plea and accept my tribute. Let myself and my partners assist in this dark and stale place. Let us stir you from your slumber and propel you around us. Protect us. Keep the air free of taint and push it out away.
His prayer done, Ozora waves his hand through the air in front of him, propelling and swirling, creating a moving current that only continues to grow and becomes self-sustaining. The movement of the others does the work for them, and the effect expands to each in turn.
Ozora though is spent, and for a moment he slumps down to a knee, the exertion and will needed for that was nearly overwhelming.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 17, 2011 2:09:27 GMT -5
The blow from Chad had landed and the creature did rear up; but not in pain, the blow from the tetsubo seemingly had no effect on him. However, some of the jade powder had rubbed off on the things hand and where it had there was a sizzling beginning. As the creature reached it's full height it bellowed again: "WHY CAN'T I GET OUT OF HERE!?" The sound reverberated off the cavern walls causing the ears of the assembled group to ring in pain; and it was that moment that the arrow landed square in it's chest and buried itself slightly. And, as if planned to be simultaneous; Sojiro's chain of strikes at it's side landed cutting a hole in the creature's side.
From the cut a thick black viscous goo began to ooze. The stench of poison was stronger from the blood and surely it was obvious that no one would want to touch that material.
The cuts or arrow one had clearly caught it's attention and the gusts of the wind were only aided as the creature swiveled around in a circle revealing a tail that no one had noticed before due to the poor lighting conditions. It would reveal itself right into Chad's chest, launching him backwards with the force of it. If he had not been enhancing his speed with technique, Sojiro would have caught him and been thrown to the ground. However, he was able to dodge in time and it was Ozora who collided with Chad. The cavern wall that they hit with force was very unforgiving.
As it came back around to face the group it slashed out with it's claws at Sojiro. The quickness of his parry was amazing and ALMOST stopped it, however that dreaded pinky claw made it through and caught him in the chest, not deeply, but enough that he knew what the creature was about.
And then, it roared, again.
[OOC]Thrak rolled last in initiative. Give him a turn, please.[/OOC]
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Nov 17, 2011 9:19:57 GMT -5
{OOC: It's ok, my Air ring is my worst one. } Jade burns it. It's blood is poisonous. It has long black hair. Thrakhath was making mental notes in the seconds of the battle's beginning, trying to decide if he'd seen something like this before. He'd seen his share of oni, even fought alongside one or two of them, but it didn't take long for him to decide that this thing was something new. There's something more to this than just another oni that needs to be put down, he thought. At the risk of appearing sympathetic to a Shadowlands creature, Thrakhath straightened from his combat stance. "You, creature," he said, pointing his weapon at the monster and putting every ounce of command into his voice that he could muster. "How did you get here?" Inwardly he wondered if Sojiro would wait for the beast to speak again before attacking, and he hoped he would at least get an answer before the Crab recovered himself.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 17, 2011 9:46:32 GMT -5
Ozora groans from the attack and rolls away from the wall some. Owww......
Still not fully recovered from his previous endeavor, the best he can do is roll over and assume a fully bent kneeling position as he waits for his strength to return. A wave of nausea passes through his body, most likely brought on by the hard stop at the end of his flight.
Ozora's eyes stay on the creature though as Thrakhath attempts to communicate, wondering himself as well if perhaps force is not the total answer to this situation.
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Kakita Sojiro
Crane Clan Global Mod
When you die, will you be remembered, or will you be just another strand in the tapestry?
Posts: 900
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Post by Kakita Sojiro on Nov 17, 2011 17:17:49 GMT -5
Sojiro skipped backwards, out of range of those vicious claws as his chest began to burn where it was sliced.
I have got to be the worst samurai Rokugan has ever seen. I can't even get into a fight in my mind without bleeding somehow.
bringing his blades up into a defensive position, he prepared to be a distraction and buy time for Chad and Ozora when Thrakhath pointed to the creature and started talking to it. Sojiro did nothing, more than happy for a moment to get the fire in his ribs under control.
It's blood is toxic. I'm hoping it's claws are not.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 17, 2011 18:02:22 GMT -5
The thunderous roar died off just as Thrakhath asked his question. It shifted it's position so that it was looking at Thrakhath with it's arms arrayed around it in such a way that there wasn't anywhere in front of it that it would not be able to strike immediately. The final two arms sprouted giving it a total of eight and another two eyes sprouted out further towards the pointy ears so that it would have more vision. The horns that had just barely poked through the mass of tangled hair were now monstrously huge, easily as big as a man; and gleamed in the torchlight with a wicked sharpness.
It's booming voice broke silence: "I'VE BEEN BOUNCED AROUND SPIRIT REALMS FOR AN ETERNITY! I WAS CONFRONTED BY A GREEN DRAGON AND WE FOUGHT A VICIOUS BATTLE AND THEN MY METHOD OF SUMMONING WAS GONE! AND I WAS BANISHED YET AGAIN! AND NOW I CAN'T HEAR MY MASTER, MY NAME IS GONE!"
It reared up in frustration and pounded the roof of the cave that you were in. This caused a sort of earthquake and a few stalactites fell. Not endangering anyone, but they fell. The Oni roared again: "LET ME OUT!!"
It occurred to you all, that at the very least, it was distracted. But the conversation could continue as it was clearly very intelligent.
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Nov 17, 2011 18:41:48 GMT -5
Chad rolls to his feet and tries to catch his breath. It looked like no oni he'd ever seen, possibly it was a forgotten Oni Lord. He moved near Sojiro pausing to see if the Ronin's attempt at parley bore any fruit, or at least goaded the beast into lowering it's guard.
The begining of a plan was forming in his mind...
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Nov 17, 2011 19:15:37 GMT -5
That was all the answer Thrakhath needed. Under different circumstances he might have tried to bend this creature to his will, but such a thing was exceedingly dangerous even under the best conditions, and with a Crab nearby it was even more out of the question. Despite having made up his mind to put an end to this monster, there was still one question he wanted answered. He lowered his scimitar and held it at his side. "Who is your master, oni?"
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 17, 2011 19:54:31 GMT -5
It was hard to determine based on the alien nature of the face, but the creature looked surprised. It stared down at Thrakhath.
"KNOW YOU NOT THAT I AM THE FIRST!? KNOW YOU NOT THAT I BEAR THE TRUE NAME OF THE NINTH KAMI!? WHY THEN DO YOU SEEK ME!?"
He continued to stare, but his guard was up again. And a though crossed his mind and face.
"HOW DID YOU ENTER!? HOW WILL YOU LEAVE!? TELL ME HOW TO ESCAPE!! I MUST GO BACK!!"
Every word was a boom against the walls. Unfortunately just due to the size and force of the speaker, rather than his intent. But those last few questions, were forceful; his eyes (6 of them) looked hungry and demanding. And his mouth was filled with what looked like razor sharp teeth and they were clenched and snarling.
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Daigotsu Thrakhath
Spider Clan
Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken
Posts: 600
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Post by Daigotsu Thrakhath on Nov 17, 2011 20:49:35 GMT -5
Thrakhath's eyes widened, a look of blatant shock on his face. It lies! he told himself, though he knew in his bones that the creature was telling the truth. He could no more destroy it than he could sever his own hand. The urge to fall to his knees and beg the monster's forgiveness came on him, but he dared not do so in front of the other samurai. Instead he merely stood there, unable to move or speak, paralyzed with indecision, staring in horror at the closest thing to the avatar of the god he worshiped he'd ever encountered.
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Nov 17, 2011 21:31:21 GMT -5
Yasuki Chad thought he saw his opening. When the First Oni stared at Thrakhath in surprise he rushed forward and buried his spiked tetsubo into the wound Sojiro had cut.
(Attempting blow past the outer layer of skin and hook some of it's insides on the Spikes, then pull as much of it out as I can. I am ready to leave the weapon partialy impaled if it looks like I need to move or be smushed.)
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on Nov 17, 2011 22:14:08 GMT -5
The Oni Lord roared in pain. Since he had been expecting it, Chad was able to roll out of the way before the two fists smashed down into the ground where he had so recently been. The tetsubo was thouroughly buried into the side of the Oni; and the Jade powder was doing some of the work as the entire wound started to sizzle.
"UURRGH! FU LENG WILL ROAST YOU IN THE PITS OF JIGOKU WHEN I AM DONE SAMURAI!!"
The First took a couple of steps back into the darkness and sniffed the air twice.
"ONE OF YOU BEARS THE TAINT. IF WE WORK TOGETHER WE COULD DESTROY THEM. AND THE REWARDS COULD BE GREAT."
He stood up to his full height so as to remove the threat of the tetsubo for a moment; barring some supernatural jumping skills, that is.
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Post by Iuchi Ozora on Nov 17, 2011 23:03:25 GMT -5
Finally rising to his feet, Ozora smiles viciously at the oni before him as he pulls another scroll out, this scroll is tattered, well worn and has a Crab Clan mon visible on its back when unfurled. As Ozora reads from it, motes of green light begin to waft through the still swirling air, slowly coalescing around Ozora, forming a ball before him.
Purity personified, here my call. Not only do you protect, you are the very anathema for the corruption before me now. Strike at this threat. One of the greatest threats ever to stride the Empire. Strike to cleanse this place. Strike a blow for the honor and purity of all samurai!
Ozora swipes a hand at the ball, sending it up towards the creature, aiming right at the tetsubo already embedded deeply in the Oni Lord.
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Yasuki Chad
Crane Clan
Crab Clan
*Crab Clan Courtier *Experienced *Samurai *Daimyo *Hero *Experienced *Commander
Posts: 476
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Post by Yasuki Chad on Nov 17, 2011 23:21:43 GMT -5
"That won't work twice, Sojiro-san. And while I have jade my katana likely won't hurt it." He draws his katana anyway, taking some reassurence from its feel. In his other hand he holds two fingers of jade.
The Oni's offer of working with the tainted one brought a concern to him though. He was almost certain that Sprinkles used maho to free the Hantei, it would not be too far fetched to think some other dreamers were servents of the Dark Kami as well. But whether the Ronin or the Unicorn....or a lie he could not guess.
Still, the statement forced him to keep half of his awareness on his companions.
(Shadowlands score of 52. In case it ever matters.)
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