The Mami Show

Discussing Tabletop RPG Topics, games and Events That Matter

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Session 6 Summary: “Where are the Bakenomo?”

Continuing from the ruins of Shiro Hiruma.  We begin the game with Suzume being the only person with a bakenomo to battle.  She quickly dispatched the creature and the party decided to carefully explore more of the ruins.  They began hearing horns not shortly after their Sparrow samuari-ko killed the last goblin.  No long afterwards the party could hear chanting going on as multiple creatures appeared to be singing or cheering.  The echoing of sound through the old castle made it difficult to pinpoint exactly where the sounds where originating from.  Some members at this time decided to take one of several lanterns that was scarred in the areas they were in. ​ ​Nearing half and hour past the last beasts death, the party discovered what appeared to be a couple dozen goblins.  They were in some sort of open chamber with plenty of lighting.  The creatures must have spotted our adventurers because they moved about as the party decided to search a few corridors to ensure no one else could sneak up on them.  When they decided to confront those in that let chamber. ​ ​The team did not find anyone one else in the corridors they explored thus far and turned their attention back to those goblin in the large room.  Some members kept there weapons drawn, others help aloft the lanterns they had acquired.  The party realized as they got closer to the bakenomo that their were males, females and smaller goblins within the chamber.  The could no longer see the large nest of Shadowlands creatures.  Some of the party put down or extinguished the light sources they had gather, a small few kept theirs and they continued getting closer to the enemy. ​ ​Another round of horns sound from within the chamber, some bushi of the party ran in to combat the force before them, while the others stayed back to guard the non-combatant members or to stay away from the fighting as the party has done so often thus far, as they have been together.   ​ ​Daidoji, Matsu, and Suzume all ran into the chamber, Kitsuki still holding a lantern,ran to protect Shiba once again.  Isawa held a somewhat rear guard with Shiba and Mesuno who had tried to stay out of the light found themselves in the light of Isawa's touch or Kitsuki's lantern.  And then the goblins came running from all over the chamber.  Some moved up to meet the advance party of our heroes the others ran beyond them in force!  Nearly everyone found themselves confronted by at least one enemy, most had at least two or more. ​ ​Where was Hiruma?  He was near the opening of the chamber, but it appeared the "scout" fell short of entering the room, thus he was not in the rear or the front, and still found himself nearly surrounded in seconds of his fellow members who passed him going in the room! ​ ​The party begin to fight in a fight that quickly has become a fight for their lives.  Inside the chamber Matsu confronted the bakenomo's war monger  a larger goblin who appears to be the about the size of the average man, and he is wearing armor that has been put to together by many sources, while it looked haphazard Matsu has discovered it works quite well, this was found out when Matsu inflicted a serious blow to the war monger, and the war monger easily took the blow! ​ ​The party have been killing quite a few goblins during this new melee, although they have been being hurt themselves, some members seriously.  Shiba killed a goblin, and even her servant has killed two goblins her self with her martial art bare handed.  Isawa tried to cast a spell, which failed to work.  He like the rest of his party ended up combating multiple goblins, he using his knife. ​ ​Everyone in the party is fighting their own battles within a larger battle that they seem to have been about to turn the tide.  We leave our party just after witnessing Matsu fall to the floor, is he dead or alive?  No one can tell, and frankly only Suzume and Daidoji have seen the bushi drop. ​In the hall way, Hiruma tried to maneuver closer to the non-combatants, only to be viciously attacked by the goblins he had retreated from that pursued!  Where once the party thought the goblins where just going to be a walk in the park, now they realize the dangers they present when in numbers. ​ ​Come back next session to see the conclusion of a battle where more goblin heads will roll, or maybe even the entire party will ad their skulls to the front gate!

[thismami100-blog]

The Lotus Session 5 Summary “A Lion in the Mist”

Today the party finally crosses the drawbridge and approach the entrance of the ruins of Shiro Hiruma (Hee-roo-mah).  When the finally got close to the front gate, they realized it was a huge gate that could not be opened by a man, it may need some sort of other manner to open.  On the gate was strapped two humanoid skulls.  Both had symbols painted on them, they actually looked kind of garish or mocking in nature.  The symbols that stood out the most was the one on the right most skull that had some sort of pincer drawn on the forehead, the left skull had some sort of paw print painted between the eyes. The party had no idea that another samurai had joined them using the cover of the night to hide their presence until danger reared it's ugly head with the goblins attacking.  When Daidoji walked within a side opening of the wall he made to effort to "sneak" in.  His movement was detected by bakenomo on guard.  They quickly rushed at the Crane, who backed back out of the corridor, telling his fellow members, that he thought he had been detected and that a falling back tactfully may well be the best way to deal with the situation.  Daidoji continued to back up, thinking that his fellow adventures would do the same thing. What ended up happening is Suzume, plungged forward meeting the bakenomo guards head on, while the other party members stood there ground.  Above them the goblins opened up trap floors so they could drop boulders on the intruders.  While none of the rocks landed on any party member, some dead manage to fall near Hiruma, who had moved into the cover of darkness standing against the wall.  Matsu the unknown samurai following the party moved in closer to the party when he heard Shadowland creatures yelling and laughing and attempting to engage with his fellow humans.  He ended up tripping into the shugenja Isawa who was near a tree, within complete darkness himself.  The both ended up falling as they got tangled with each other's limbs. Meanwhile Suzume, began systematically slicing through goblins, as she plugged up the corridor of the eastern hole within the outer walls of Shiro Hiruma.  Hiruma tried to run into the fight, but ended up getting into fights with non-sentient boulders he seemed to keep tripping over for a bit.  Daidoji, seeing no one else backing up, and none of the bakemono getting through the body of Suzume moved back forward, to help combat the goblins in the corridor. Shiba, kept trying to get a good vantage point to observe what was going on without getting in the way of the others, and also not drawing any attention to herself. Unfortunately for her, Kitsuki contined to try and protect Shiba, in case anyone tried to attack her.  He had taken over handling the groups only sourse of light from Hiruma, who wanted to get into the front and help combat the enemy.  Shiba, who realized that the light could possbily draw more attention to her, told Kitsuki to take the light away from her, she decided to back away from the light carrying investigator, who for a little while longer tried to maintain nearness to the Phoenix courtier for her on protection.  After moving closer to Shiba, and her continued negative reaction and words, Kitsuki eventually decided to protect another party member, who was less combat oriented than the bushi of the team, and not bothered by being near light.  The result being he protected the other Phoenix of the team, Isawa. Matsu, who had finally gotten back to his feet and away from Isawa, moved to the front of the battle to engage the bakenomo with the other warriors of the team.  He even took a little time to introduce himself.   Hiruma also eventually overcame his difficulties with the two bolders and made it to the front lines to help push back the goblins, that out numbered his fellow bushi.  In no time with the combined efforts of member from the Crane, Sparrow, Crab and Lion, the party pushed through killing any bakenomo who was foolish enough to  confront them. The goblins on the wall, stopped dropping bolders down the trap floors of the second level of the wall, suddenly.  A goblin from the wall as well as half or so of one of his compatriots wound up falling out from out of the 2nd floor trap doors, they were screaming before they fell, and no one is sure who or what may have been the cause of the wall guards deaths and resulting end to the dropping of boulders. A little while later Isawa and Shiba noticed something or someone leaping from one section of the wall to the other.  Is there another samurai who has also joined the team like the Lion bushi? We, left our adventures at the top of a new round, the bushi are chasing and killing goblins who have decided to run.  The non-combatants of the team are slowly bringing up the rear.  What will happen next week as the party continues to pursue these creatures of the Shadowlands who are now running deeper within the ruins? See you all next week!

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The Lotus Session 4 Summary “Two Ogres are Better Than One; or Simply Death by Bolder!”

In today's session our team of hopeful magistrates continue through the Shadowlands.  We returned to the scene where the team had witness a goblin run from behind a tall patch of grass.  The party gave chase, but it appeared that no one was fast enough to catch the swift creature.  Kitsuki thought he might shot the critter down with his bow, but the lack of arrows made that an unfortunate impossibility.  Strangest thing, Hiruma who had appeared so swift when the party encountered the ogre attacking the Hare Clan heir, just didn't appear to be as fast this time.  Either way, the end result was a goblin who ran and leaped on to its pony like creature and ran off.  It disappeared as Suzume tried a last ditch effort to hit it with a sling stone.  It goblin ended up being well out of range. The party then continued to travel throughout the day.  As the sun was beginning to set the team decided to camp for the night.  They pitched up tents, at least the three that had them and created a camp fire.  After a group discussion the party came up with a guard shift order.  When night came, the land was so dark that one couldn't even see their hands before their faces.  The sky lacked any stars and the lord moon was no where present.  Just at the second shift changed with Suzume and Kitsuki on duty, the woke up the final shift guards Isawa and Daidoji.  Just as they waited for the newly awaken samurai to get out of bed to take their post, some heard what sounded like pebbles or rocks scrapping rapidly on the ground, and Kuro began to bark.  The four samurai who were now up prepared for battle,as some who were sleeping began to stir and wake up. Out of nowhere a large bolder came whistling out of the darkness and smashed into a yelping Kuro who was killed instantly!  Behind the bolder came an Ogre who attacked Isawa, knocking him through the air backwards landing on a portion of Hiruma's tent where Shiba lay sleeping.  Daidoji concentrated on his nearby opponent as another ogre came crashing through some bushes.  Suzume slashed with her katana wounding the newly arriving ogre so severely it dropped to its knees releasing the tree is wielded as a club!  Others, in the group began to get out of their tents as Daidoji struck the first ogre slicing diagonally through its upper torso separating the creature into two.  It died instantly! The kneeling ogre got up from its knees grabbing its weapon and slamming it into Suzume who turned her body with  the blow.  She then back swung her blade removing the last ogre's head from it's shoulders!  The fight was nearly over as fast as it had began.  Yet, the first ogre who entered the light of the campfire had smashed Daidoji's tent, while the dog of Kitsuki no longer lived.  The team decided to find another area to camp for the remainder of the night, to avoid any other enemies that might show up.  Shiba used her medical skills on the wounded members.  Isawa still needed to use his own medicine skill as Shiba was unable to tend his wounds as well as she would have liked. The next day (day three in the Shadowlands), the party ate and cleaned up their camp sight.  Daidodi wrote a warning at the spot of the combat they had fought earlier.  It seemed he deemed it appropriate to let all know, it has only began.  They then all moved out.  Just past 1pm they found the twin ruined moat towers of Shiro Hiruma!  They spent the remainder of the day, setting up a decoy, discussing some tactics as to how best to approach the ruins and did some last minute scouting.  Armed with the knoweldge that the moat was dry and the gate towers on both sides of the moat appeared empty the party headed out to Shiro Hiruma right around the time the sky became pitch black, as the sun once again departed from the sky. We leave out team standing in pitch black darkness, right before what they all believe to be near the beginning of the draw bridge.  At the moment who knows if the team will be walking or diving!  Tune in for next week.

[thismami100-blog]

The Lotus Session 3 Summary “The Courtier and Magistrate”

In prepartions of living for the Shadowlands the players finish purchasing needed items for the trip.  Kitsuki was able to get a bow (before leaving the lands of the Hare) although he has no arrows!  The bow was gifted to him by someone within the castle.  Kitsuki then requested for Hiruma who was still resting from his added injuries he recieved from the duel with Daidoji.  They met in the garden and discussed a few topics.  The next day the team waited to receive the bow and took off heading first to Kudo for a river boat to Yasuki Yasuki. They made it to Yasuki Yasuki with out any further incidents.  There some replenished the food they had ate since leaving Shiro Usagi. Some even purchased other items.  Kitsuki and Hiruma practiced a dishonered duel, where Kitsuki winded up besting Hiruma with a wakizashi (against Hiruma's Katana).  After the duel, Hiruma had to take a bath as well as get his kimono repaired.  The time had passed for them to make the last ship out to Kyuden Hida, so they had to stay at an inn over night. Early the next morning the crew caught the first ship to set sail and made it to the port of Kyuden  Hida.  After careful consideration they decided to talk to a Crab Clan Magistrate in regards to getting authorization to enter the Shadowlands.  Only Shiba was able to speak with the magistrate.  After about an hour she returned having succeeding in not only getting authorization for the party but also procuring three additional jade fingers.   The party continued there travels the next morning.  Four days later they were crossing through the gate at san higashi ge-to (3 east gate).  There Hiruma met up with an old comrade while waiting for their papers to be authinthacated.  After which the party walked through the gate into the Shadowlands.  While walking through the gate, a Crab clan samurai counted each character as one less member of the appropriate clan.  The large gate doors where closed and the team officially stood on Shadowlands ground. Hiruma used his survival skills to ensure that Shiba, Kitsuki and himself where packed right and they headed off crossing into the river.  They sleep on a small island within the river.  That night they all realized that they were not all prepared.  Even Hiruma had left a few important items on the other side of the wall (they just didn't think to purchase or get certain items).  The most shocking thing that first cold night, was witnessing the shallow illumination of their camp fire which was a florecient green. The second day since entering the Shadowlands the party continued moving towards the direction of Shiro Hiruma.  Just prior to known Kitsuki and Hiruma noticed bushes rustling south east of the party. They all began pulling out weapons.   Further south the party noticed what looked to be a four-legged animal grazing on the ground.  The hind quarters look to be that of either a horse or pony.  No one is sure at the moment.  A minute or two later they all witnessed a bakemono running out form a tall section of grass! And this is where we ended this games session.

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The Lotus session 2 Summary “Shady Character!”

The last game has been really interesting.  The party was able to defeat the ogre, as Daidoji ended up slicing the creatures head off its body within the second round of today's session.  The samurai with the team, ended up being the heir to the Hare clan he ended up falling unconscious after the battle.  The ogre happened to have the saya of the Hare Clan's ancestral blade!  It disappeared soon after the battle had ended. The team then traveled to the Hare Castle where they met the sister to the heir as well as the Daimyo of the Hare Clan.  Before the heir had fell unconcious he pointed out and said to the party that the ogre's saya looked just like the clan's ancestral blade saya.  After they had cleaned themselves up and attended dinner, the heir inquired about the whereabouts of the saya.   When Daidoji excused himself from the table for a second, Hiruma muttered out "shady character!"  To the surprise of everyone that was gathered around.  Daidoji immediately challenged Hiruma to a duel to first blood that was sanctioned by the Hare Daimyo. Daidoji gave the Hare family the saya which he had wrapped in cloth for safe keeping just prior to the duel.  When the too members faced off with one another it became apparent that Hiruma was out of his element.  Hiruma proved to be inexperienced at Iaijustu and easily lost to Daidoji who nearly killed him. With honor regained.  The Usagi family told the players about the blade that was missing from its saya.  After the tale, they asked if the group had any suggestions as to trying to locate a clue to help them find the blade, now that the saya has returned.  With the help of an air kami, Isawa discovered that the blade was in the Shadowlands, within a castle that was ancient/ old, or the blade was ancient which he was unsure of which the kami meant.   Both Isawa and Hiruma deduced that the kami must have been talking about the Ruins of Hiruma.  The group ended up deciding to help and retrieve the family heirloom from the Shadowlands.  We left the game just after the party concluded that the entire team would go to the infested lands or "He whose name should not be spoken."  They also determined that it would be to dangerous for the team to take the dog beyond the protection of the Kaiu Wall.  The Hare daimyo has given the group 7 jade fingers for safe travels into the evil land.  Each person will need at least one finger to protect themselves from the taint.  Shiro Usagi is several hundred miles away from the the ruins of Shiro Hiruma.  Most of the party has no clue to the exact miles.  Here is to hoping that the party plans their trip into and out of the Shadowlands appropriately. Also:  In case you missed it, the players are each responsible for taking notes.  I will leave out names and certain details on purpose.  Please be sure to write notes for anything you think is important, do not rely on the gm, as I will not provide you with info you should have wrote down.  If you miss a game, try and contact a team member for notes.

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Prelude for the Lotus Campaign

Originally posted in Roll20 on 1/12/18

“There is no death: There is no life Indeed The skies are cloudless And the river waters clear.” - Toshimoto The sun had disappeared for hours, yet the air around him was thick with humidity and the temperature still felt as if it was mid-day. He walked bow-legged, heading toward the back door of his home. In his hand was a sealed scroll. The Diamyo had been dreading to open, thinking what would she have to say. He pulled open the shoji and walked into his garden. Maybe the presence of the koi fish would help his anxiety. While he had confidence in what he planned to do about this subject, he still was unsure if he was going to proceed with his plan. Satsume put on his sandals and walked to have a good view of the fish as they swam in the pond. Doji Satsume pulled off his katana and saya and set the scabbard on the floor,just to the left of him. The Emerald Champion sat crossed leg. Near him mosquitoes could be heard from time to time, and off in the distance voices of people in conversations or laughter enjoying their evening. Not Satsume, a lord’s work is never done, if only his eldest son could get that though his thick skull. He started to slow his breathing, helping to release his anxiety. The blood red wax seal had the chop of the governor of Ryoko Owari, he broke the seal and unraveled the parchment. Satsume knew what the contents would hold. He was sure it was only a confirmation of what he had already known. A good samurai was dead, an Emerald Magistrate to say the least and now the governor of that “vipers-nest,” called a city, had sent a letter explaining what the governor knews, along with her sending the proper respect due the champion of the Emerald Magistrates. It began, “To the lord Doji Satsume-sama Emerald Champion of the Emperor of the Emerald Empire, Hantei the XXXVIII may his reign and his line last as long as we have land beneath our feet. The Clan Champion of the illustrious Clan of the Kami Lady Doji. The lord of the Emerald Magistrates, I hope your children are all in great health, I Know you must be so proud of your eldest. It is said that he is a strong minded lord that has been of great assistance with keeping your clan so strong. Who can also not know of the youngest son, I hear he is doing just as well south as he had done within the lands of the Lion. You are so wise lord, and if I might add it is said he is wise, like his father. May your beautiful daughter continue to marvel us all with her wit in the courts, I hear from great authority the actions your noble Emerald Magistrates are doing. We were so lucky to have had the grace of one of your best magistrates, Iori Osamu was doing such an excellent job with all the work he had done since his arrival a few years back. If only we all could be so lucky. I learned about the promotion of your cousin Doji Fujita Daiki who happens to share the name of my late husband. I heard he was one of your officers who helped scattered those bandits last year that had tried to disguise themselves as Lions. He must be a great tactician with artistic skill with his sword. for someone as lowly as my humble self to have been able to hear of his brilliance and bravery. If news be correct his wife is quite a rising star after her famous appearance at Kyuden Seppun last Winter Court. To the sad reason why this letter lies in your hand. Please understand that my liege Shosuro Hametsu-sama send our deepest apologies. I am so sorry to be the one to inform you about this tragic loss of life. It was very unexpected, so sorry. Iori-san was so loved. Iori-san’s body was found burned nearly to cinders in his carriage which had been burned, with no sign of the animals pulling the carriage or where they might have gone during this cowardly ambush. I was also told an assistant of his was found not to far away from the carriage. The assistants body looked as if it had taken a beating and it appears he was likely stabbed several times! It is unfortunate that we have been thus far unable to find the bandits perpetrators. Rest assured that we are doing our best to find the culprits and bring them to justice. I continued to loose sleep in my worry to quickly capture these rogues and bring them to justice. If there is anything that I can do to assist you and your magistrates, Doji-sama please do not hesitate to ask. You will have the complete support of our cities humble citizens, including myself.” May Shinsei’s wisdom guide us all, Shosuro Fukase Chiharu, Governor of our illustrious city Ryoko Owari Hantei the 9th 1019 IC Doji Satsume was amazed at how much information this governor of Ryoko Owari, in the lands of the Scorpion revealed. To even know of a distance cousin of his! She must have access to spies this far away from her. He never liked the Shosuro family Daimyo no more than any of the other lords of the Scorpion Clan. Satsume turned his head to the right and spit on the ground just thinking about the Scorpions. As if they were his only problem, he would have handled that clan some time ago. Yet, they are only one clan he stays concerned about. After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, he realized that it was likely she did not know all the information she revealed on the scroll., Her Daimyo had to have provided her with the information. Why? What is it they are truly saying? Does Hametsu know his true feelings concerning his sons and daughter? Satsume became more suspicious, why did Hametsu or Chiharu mentioned the wife of his cousin Doji Daiki. Did they know about Doji Moyako? Did the spies of the Scorpion already figured out who he was sending? Satsume began to rise, picking up his katana. He turned around and headed out the garden. As he got to the steps it suddenly came to him, they know about my decision to send Doji Moyako to the City of Lies. Ah, very good spies indeed, he nodded his head. I am going to need to make a few changes. “Genan,”spoke out Satsume. The back door to his home slid open and an elderly man can out onto the porch and immediately jumped down on his knees and placed his head on the floor. “Yes lord,” he quickly said. Satsume nodded his head in response to the servants prostration and said, “I need you to send for Lady Moyako.” The servant jumped up and heading back into the house. Satsume sat on his porch pulling off his sandals. His mind was coming up with a plan. Yes, he thought I am going to send Lady Moyako, but no longer alone. I will get to the bottom of this murder and that cesspool calling itself a city will be cleansed of its poison. The City of Lies will sing its truths…

[thismami100-blog]

Currently looking for Players for a new D&D 3.5 campaign of Dragonlance I have a game I will be running beginning in April on Sunday's from 2;30pm Pacific (GMT-7) using the Roll20 online Table-top gaming platform.  Characters are all beginning at 1st level with zero  experience points.   If you have never played a Table-top rpg (Role Playing Game) or are a veteran of gaming you may find great fun and entertainment with a group of like minded individuals.  Start day is 4/29/18 but the recruiting has begun now.  No experience is necessary, just a willingness to make the weekly gaming sessions on time matched with a willingness to learn is required.  Players need not have any experience or knowledge of the Dragonlance Chronicles or the world of Krynn either.

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The Lotus Campaign an L5R 4e game Sundays at 10am Pacific (GMT -7)

https://app.roll20.net/lfg/listing/99500/the-lotus