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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 19:33:21 GMT -7
With a great yawn and a hand rubbing his eye, Kenji stirred from his slumber. With his uncovered eye, he stared up at the mid-morning sky through the foliage of the tree he'd taken refuge under the night before, the sun peeking through the leaves. It was looking to be a cozy day so far, a thought that made him chuckle to himself as he reached across his face to rub his other eye.
That's when he saw it.
Affixed to his finger was a jade ring, well-crafted, almost flawless in design. No inlaid stone. More importantly, this item most certainly wasn't on his finger, let alone his person the night before. Kenji blinked a couple times to make sure he wasn't seeing things, but sure enough, the ring was still on his finger. It felt somewhat tight, not as if it were suffocating his finger, but tight enough to be irremovable. He sat up and scooted back against the tree's trunk, examining it carefully in the light. Upon closer inspection, the merc detected a small inscription that he hadn't seen before. It read, "A Promise to Kaede." Kenji had to do a double take to make sure he was reading that right. He only knew of one Kaede, and her unmentionables were still folded up in a small satchel under his sash.
"When did she...?" he started, then paused, thinking back to the night before.
The shugyosha had had a long trek the previous day, and in general since he left the center of the country in his bid to return home to Dewa. He'd spent a fair amount of time at the nearby Date-affiliated village's local watering hole, and while he hadn't become drunk, he was certainly tipsy by the time the night was finished. Instead of fetching and riding Aozaki through the night, he wisely decided to let her remain in the stables and excuse himself from the village for the night, setting up his bedroll under a tree and storing his armor away in a sack. That wasn't the problem: the problem came when Kenji had been woken up during the night by a curious noise. When his look around the immediate area gave away no particular source, he'd put his head back down to sleep.
That noise, he now deduced, had to have been Kaede. Why the hell had she followed him all the way out here though, and without just meeting him in person?
Then, after another glance at the ring, it hit him: this was a promise ring, a Western tradition that Kenji had overheard discussed a few times during his travels. One of his European friends even mentioned knowing someone who tried to give her a promise ring, though she politely declined. It signified that one was bound to another, 'promised' as it were, but not yet engaged or married. In short, it marked you as monogamous and taken.
"...Well, this is awkward. How do I explain this? I'm not even looking for a relationship," Kenji mused, scratching his head. Shrugging and deciding to put it out of his mind, he broke 'camp,' equipping his armor, though storing his gauntlets in a pack that he'd purchased in back west, along with the sack which would be rolled up with the bedroll and stashed in said pack. He felt the need to leave his hands uncovered in case he thought of a means by which to remove the ring.
With that, the mostly intrepid mercenary hoofed it back toward the Date village, planning on looking for a jeweler... Or Kaede. Either or.
If only his luck was so great.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 16:23:42 GMT -7
Selling:
Souls of the Damned: These earrings are embedded with the Mon of Numa Castle. +6 Dex - ¥600 x .8 = ¥480
Gem of Numa: This necklace bears the Mon of the Numa. +6 Wis - ¥600 x .8 = ¥480
Wanderer's Gloves: These help your grip! +1 Str - ¥100 x .8 = ¥80
¥1,040 + ¥5,208 (in wallet) = ¥6,248
-----------------------
Upgrading:
Yawarakai-Te: +4 Str, +5 Spr
Cost: ¥800
¥6,248 - ¥800 = ¥5,448
-----------------------
Fusing:
Mask of Damned: This mask is blank and dark, making any who look at it feel empty and lost. +3 Str +3 Dex
with
Ring of the Damned: It seems the souls of all who were slain by your hand are held within this ring. +3 Str +3 Con
To Create:
Purified Ring: The souls who once haunted this ring have been put to rest, and the dark aura from the mask has become one of light. +6 Str, +3 Dex, +3 Con
¥5,448 - ¥800 = ¥4,648
-----------------------
Fusing:
Purified Ring: The souls who once haunted this ring have been put to rest, and the dark aura from the mask has become one of light. +6 Str, +3 Dex, +3 Con
with
Dark Warrior's Chestplate: This chestplate offers maximum protection for the wearer's torso. It fits very snugly, and is not overly large, however, offering mobility as well. +3 Con +3 Dex
Power: Elemental resist. No elemental attacks can harm the wearer's torso. (Light and Dark elements not included.)
To Create:
Light Warrior's Chestplate: Reforged with the essence of the purified ring, this chestplate retains is very snug fit, mobility, fair size and maximized protection in one. The wearer feels empowered by its purity. +6 Str, +6 Dex, +6 Con
Power: Elemental resist. No elemental attacks can harm the wearer's torso. (Light and Dark elements not included.)
¥4,648 - ¥1,100 = ¥3,548
-----------------------
Fusing:
Yawarakai-Te: Its name translating into "Tender Hands," this splendid steel katana, with its refined iron handguard and hilt wrapped in silken cloth cord, was created by a descendant of Masamune, inspired by a legend of his ancestor and Muramasa. Muramasa forged a sword that cut everything in its path, even the very wind, being heralded as an evil weapon. In response, Masamune crafted a sword that did not cut that which was innocent or undeserving, only harming those whom deserved to be. This blade, curiously lightweight and durable, is intended as the latter. +4 Str when attacking, +1 Spr
Power: Drawing on the good virtues and willpower of the wielder, this holy sword deals additional light damage with each strike dependent on the wielder's Spirit stat.
with
Masterwork Iron Katana: Reforged and refined by a master smith, this is a truly splendid sword in craft, appearance, and cutting power. +6 Str when attacking
To Create:
Yawarakai-Te II: Its name translating into "Tender Hands," this splendid steel katana, with its refined iron handguard and hilt wrapped in silken cloth cord, was created by a descendant of Masamune, inspired by a legend of his ancestor and Muramasa. Muramasa forged a sword that cut everything in its path, even the very wind, being heralded as an evil weapon. In response, Masamune crafted a sword that did not cut that which was innocent or undeserving, only harming those whom deserved to be. This blade, curiously lightweight and durable, is intended as the latter. +4 Str when attacking, +1 Spr
Power: Drawing on the good virtues and willpower of the wielder, this holy sword deals additional light damage with each strike dependent on the wielder's Spirit stat.
with
¥3,548 - ¥1,100 = ¥2,448
¥2,448 remains in my wallet... For now. Have to see what else I need once this post clears.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 13:15:31 GMT -7
Though Kenji was pretty pleased with his luck on the way over, he avoided letting it get to his head. He put the nodachi on his back, hoisted up the chest, and turned to sprint all the way back over, taking the exact same path he ran over on. Maybe it would treat him well again?
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 13:08:18 GMT -7
You're welcome to do Kenji. I know I'd be interested in the result.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 13:07:19 GMT -7
"Well, shit... This should be a lot of fun, Kenji mused internally as he realized nothing was coming up. Shouldering his nodachi again, leaving one arm free at his side, he stepped back and settled low in a starting position, before taking off at a dead sprint down the hall, hoping to cut through or avoid anything that might pop out at him.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 12:25:00 GMT -7
The Hero: Miyamoto Kenji. Is it narcissistic to put myself here? Because I'm looking at my/his quest, and I feel that saving a miko and a handful of women from some sick bastards, as well as earning the affection of a (stalker-ish) local lady, and not asking for a reward at any point (and partying with the happy townspeople afterward) is fairly heroic.
The Sidekick: Morei Haji. He's the popular pick for hero and sidekick, and I kinda see why.
The Villain: Wakeshima Shoji, only because the Super Sakkaku Bros have yet to be truly villainous.
The Sidevillain: Saito Reina has potential, depending on how she develops. Again though, the Super Sakkaku Bros must work for their places in this list.
The Nice One: Miyamoto Kenji. I promise this will be the only other time I put my name down this month. >_>
The Meanie: Kuroshi Maki. Bit of an ass, that one, though still entertaining to read about.
The Comedian: Morei Hidenori. If I could pick two, I'd also pick Noel for their dungeon thread, because that was ridiculous.
The Smart One: Amakusa Takehiro has this one in the bag for now.
The Just Plain Clueless One: Sanada Yukimura. OYAKATA-SAMA! I call Yukimura dumb, but I really enjoy his character.
The Pretty Boy: Sanada Yukimura again, because look at the jacket he got from the 150 Votes reward. He is the pretty boy.
The Hot Babe: Kyoya Naotora, just to throw a monkey wrench out there.
Couple of the Month: HajiXKatsumi for being a cute damn couple... And because frankly, they're the only one I really know of.
The Shake n’ Bake: Noel & Hidenori. Again, that dungeon thread...
Member of the Month: Eric. The guy had to deal with some serious GMing this month on top of computer problems and a trip elsewhere, but he still rocks the boat.
Newbie of the Month: Haruna "Rin"/sweets. Why? She may have picked one of the best silly items.
Roleplayer of the Month: Ke-- nah, I'm kidding. My vote goes to Shou for the same reasons at Katsumi.
Character of the Month: Sanada Yukimura. Will he cease to be entertaining, whether he's in a comical or serious situation? I don't know.
Thread of the Month: Thieves' Town turned out a hell of a lot differently than I expected. It's a very interesting outcome that may yet have an effect on the overall plot.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 12:02:30 GMT -7
(( Edit: Almost forgot to re-lock stats as asked. Str: 19 (29) | Dex: 19 (31) | Con: 15 (30) | Wis: 20 (25) | Spr: 20 (26) ))
Kenji was getting used to being yanked around by invisible forces. He was almost unfazed as he emerged on the other side, on his feet with the nodachi against his shoulder. He noted the width, length and emptiness of the hallway ahead of him, as well as the last Daimyo's chest waiting at the tail end. It was too easy.
There was a catch. Either traps, or monsters that had yet to appear, were in store for the shugyosha if he blindly charged in. If that wasn't the case, he'd eat those earrings from the previous wing of Numa Castle.
Jewelry consumption aside, Kenji was going to take this very cautiously. He had his wits, his senses, and a long all-cutting sword, and he planned to use them all. Advancing with caution and remaining aware, he investigated the area ahead and around him for possible trap triggers or the traps themselves, and if he found anything, he would either carefully walk around or over it, or cleave it with his nodachi.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 25, 2014 0:06:50 GMT -7
Kenji took a breather at the junction, partly because he needed a little rest, and partly because he had the misfortune of being beaten on the way out. He assessed the gear that he'd acquired, deciding to strap the Rider's Greaves on over his hakama (Dex total is 31), acknowleding the Mark of Numa now embedded under his left breast (Wis total is 25, Spr total is 26), and stash the rest of the gear, determining that he'd give a full appraisal after he finished up in Numa Castle.
Now, only the final path remained... Summoning his energy reserves and his will, Kenji advanced toward the left path, ready to finish.
(( New stats locked in. ))
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 23:48:51 GMT -7
After carefully removing the hooks from his body, Kenji stood up and reclaimed his weapons, not especially happy that his flesh got ripped in the Rider's death throes. It did make him wonder if the gauntlets he'd acquired from the Rider previously had that same function, though. Still, the Daimyo's chest was right there, ripe for the picking. Deciding not to wait for any more eager foes to show their monstrous forms, he looted his fallen enemy's greaves, heaved the chest and hauled ass back out of the maze, retracing his steps back through the most recent vortex and to the beginning.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 23:10:11 GMT -7
Kenji reflected on his apparent bad habit of getting his face punched in by creatures and humanoids in this dungeon. What grudge did they have against his face, anyway? It was almost worth taking the time to contemplate further, and had he not been getting pummeled at the moment, he would have. For the time, he'd put this thought aside, gritting his teeth and attempting to pull his arms out from under the Rider's knees. If successful, he'd then see to picking up Yawarakai-Te in his free hand and stabbing it up at the Rider's skull, since the two-handed nodachi would not be an option again until he could get his enemy off of his body.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 23:03:15 GMT -7
As he lay on his side, Kenji couldn't help but bite his tongue to suppress his verbal discomfort as he was whipped. Thank god for the chestplate on his chest, but that only protected one part of his body... By some merciful fragment of luck, he looked over through the hail of whipping and saw the hilt of his nodachi, just within reach. He was currently holding onto his holy blade, though, and if he reached for the other weapon, he might find his wrist snatched, or worse.
Thinking carefully, Kenji released his katana and rolled onto his front, bringing his good arm under his chest and digging around in his belongings for his other stashed onigiri. When he found it, he withdrew it from his person, under the cover of his body, and ducked his head down to consume it safely. Feeling the restorative effects healing his battered body, he then acted quickly, his good arm shooting out from under him and to the hilt of his nodachi. Kenji then rolled as hard as he could onto his back, at the same time swinging his long sword at the Rider's active whips with intent to sunder them in one blow. If successful, he'd rise to his feet and advance on his accursed enemy with intent to take his head off; if he failed, he would nonetheless stand and wait for a new opportunity to sunder the whip-swords, or counter one of the Rider's attacks.
(( OOC: +5 Con again for five posts and all wounds healed, including that nasty wrecked shoulder. Con total is now 35 once again. ))
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 22:43:39 GMT -7
Talk about a ridiculous wound. Kenji instinctively dropped his nodachi as his shoulder was impaled, catching sight of the Daimyo's chest once he came to a stop. He quickly realized two things, processing the information even as he was being taken to the wall by his throat: he had one good arm left, and he was at point blank range with the dreaded Rider. Mouthing a silent prayer to Amaterasu even as his throat was held, Kenji reached down to draw Yawarakai-Te, slashing from the sheath upward, intending to slice through either the Rider's arm or his skull in one vertical swing.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 16:51:33 GMT -7
At this rate, the Rider would continue to pursue him throughout the rest of this maze. Kenji decided to stop running and rid himself of this persistent foe, settling into a combat stance with his all-cutting nodachi. He had a plan in mind, now that he wasn't being ran down... He waved the Rider over, egging it on, then waited to see its next action.
If the Rider's response was to spur his chariot onward, Kenji would roll out of the horses' way and execute a rising slash on his way back to his feet, aiming not for the steeds, but for the chariot and its master. Should the Rider instead produce one or two whip-swords, the merc would carve through them as they came to render them useless. Finally, if the Rider did not move or make to attack, Kenji would take the offensive and advance within his nodachi's range of the horses to behead the both of them.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 16:33:17 GMT -7
The aggressive Rider bearing down on him from one end, and another vortex leading to god knows where on the other... Kenji was trapped, and his next choice could impact his health. Deciding that discretion was still the better part of valor, as was leaping into the unknown to escape a hell-bent skeletal cavalier, he dove through the vortex, ready to fight if it came down to it.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 16:25:08 GMT -7
Success! Kenji pumped his fist, having ran boldly away from the Rider. But for how long, indeed? Deciding not to think about it too much, and maintain his guard, the shugyosha took the right turn once again, hoping to stay away from the beginning this time.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 16:16:42 GMT -7
Uh-uh. Kenji wasn't dealing with that bastard again. Not when he didn't have the opening advantage, at least. He took a split second to make his choice, turning and hightailing it down the right path as fast as he could, nodachi still ready to strike if anything pops out in front of him.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:55:52 GMT -7
(( OOC: Can do. Including the chest I'm about to loot, my count is at six. Seven if you include the Middle Path's Daimyo's chest. ))
Kenji avoided mentally reflecting on his luck like the plague, for it seemed to bring bad times. He looted the newest chest and, returning to his original location, headed down the forward path, maintaining his guard as he weaved down the left turn and straight down the following hallway.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:43:35 GMT -7
Kenji tensed at hearing the wicked cackling bouncing off of the maze walls... That Rider was back, and somewhere in this array of aimless halls. He kept both hands on his nodachi and readied himself to strike any hostile entity that came for him, direction regardless, as he advanced down the left path.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:37:27 GMT -7
Kenji rubbed his neck before retrieving his fallen nodachi and sheathing his holy sword. That had been a short, but oddly refreshing fight, since he didn't get bludgeoned or stabbed much. Resuming his trek through the maze, he would head straight down the hall to the next branching path.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:24:34 GMT -7
The Imagawa soldiers were already beginning to flee, all but stumbling over eachother to get away. Kenji realized, very quickly, that if they managed to make it back to their lord, this battle could end much sooner and far differently than how Oda Nobunaga intended for it to. He determined that he had two options: give chase and cut down every soldier he came within striking distance of, or leave the bulk of the fleeing army to those with ranged weapons and mounts, and instead focus on taking the armory.
Realizing that he didn't wish to execute frightened men, even if they were this lax at their duty to begin with, and rationally concluding that the claiming of the armory would severely reduce the main Imagawa force's effectiveness, Kenji decided he would prioritize the objective given to this unit. Thus, he turned his attention purely on the armory, and while he would slay any fleeing troops who ran his way, his main goal would be cutting a path into the armory and laying claim to it.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:19:20 GMT -7
Kenji pondered his returned question over another cup of sake. It sounded like Takehiro had had some interesting times... Particularly if his notion of meeting gods was true, which it could very well be. As he finished off the cup, he began, "Well, there's this town almost dead on the border of Mino and Shinano that I passed through to get here. They have a temple to Amaterasu, and one of their miko was missing, along with a decent few of the locals. The girl in particular was beloved, I mean loved to bits by the townspeople; I couldn't go a block without hearing something about her. So, one of the local ladies and I took a look around..."
He paused, reflecting on the event as he munched on a bite of fish. "I'll spare you the less eventful part, but we deduced that they might be in this old, closed-down brothel. We dropped down through a trap door and found this group of thugs holding quite a few women in chains and, well... Let's say horrible condition, including the miko I was looking for. So the local, Kaede, and I put the men into the dirt and got the girls out of there."
Another pause as Kenji laughed jovially, recalling the joy of the events afterwards. "The celebration was worthy of song. They were overjoyed to have their precious miko and neighbors back safe and sound. It was enjoyable, and comforting to know that the problem had been resolved..." At this, the merc fell silent finally, going to pour himself a fresh cup of alcohol. He sighed contentedly, the cries of happiness lingering in his mind.
...And the thought of Kaede's 'gift', too. That was there.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:07:54 GMT -7
Kenji chuckled at the notion, scratching his neck as he made to stand. "I believe you're onto something, Morei-san. This is not the best conversation to have in the shadow of Odawara, is it?" He understood, at least on a base level, that what he discussed with Hideyasu was tantamount to helping a vassal desert his post, or at least offering to help. Rising to his feet, he nodded to Hideyasu, requesting, "Lead the way."
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 24, 2014 15:00:18 GMT -7
And back to the questionable turnouts... Kenji abstained from mentally or verbally commenting, instead releasing his nodachi as he dropped, then rolling away from the landing space of the Crawler intending to crush his throat. As he made it away from the stomping foot, he drew Yawarakai-Te and took a swift swing at the monster's leg. If successful, he'd go on to rise to his feet and aggressively pursue both remaining Crawlers.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 23, 2014 19:09:57 GMT -7
A fresh batch of monsters had finally shown up. Kenji subconsciously wondered why they'd taken so long. Pulling the nodachi from his back, he settled into defensive posture, waiting for the three Crawlers to come within its impressive striking range before cleaving the blade diagonally up, intending to cut through all three. If he failed, he'd back off and avoid their attacks while looking for opportunities to counter.
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Post by Miyamoto Kenji on Mar 23, 2014 13:46:53 GMT -7
Talk about some serious shift in luck... Once more, Kenji would loot the chests, packing away the goods before heading back down the path. He decided to proceed down what would've been the next right, maintaining his guard.
(( Basically, going down the right path now where I went straight before, if that makes sense. ))
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