[LP] The Way of the Tiger. (Complete)

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 11:44 am

Join them, they'll probably be more trustworthy than Foxglove, at least.

Also, if they run into the evil trio without us, they'll probably get slaughtered.

angelfromanotherpin · Wed Mar 30, 2016 12:40 pm

The adventurers are heading towards the fourth tier. It is a long way between the third and fourth tiers and it takes some time for you to find a way down. Evidently there are few connecting tunnels and stairways so that the deeps are easily defensible against the attacks of the Sunlanders in the unlikely event that an invasion of the twilit realms be attempted. You see no further sign of any trouble and skilfully evade detection until at last you find a way that leads down to the fourth tier. By this point, it is unlikely that disguise will do you further good; cross off any note about disguise from your Character Sheet.

(Foxglove is not with you.)

The tunnel you are in leads to a balcony above a great open underground plaza. In the plaza are rows of guruka trees, a cross between trees and mushrooms which flourish in large spaces underground, nourished by the bacteria and guano of bats and other creatures. They are like great still beasts, contorted into grotesque shapes and entwining as if they had been writhing together when the sun suddenly went out and they were robbed of movement. The plaza is lit so brightly by furnaces and blazing fires that your eyes, long accustomed only to torchlight, are dazzled.

The plaza is busy. This is the main route from the third to the fourth tier, down the Fire Giants' Stair. There are no guards to be seen, just a steady bustle of people coming and going. At the far side of the plaza the largest tunnel and stairway you have ever seen lead down out of sight.

• Attempt to cross the plaza?
• Attempt to find a back stairway down to the fourth tier?

This section is one of my favorites, flavor-wise. We get a little of the distinctive ecology of the depths, as well as an almost metropolitan presentation of the population. The Rift had previously been presented as kind of a simple big hole full of evil, so it's nice to see some actual thought put into the environment and organization that would actually be required to make it a functional place.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 12:53 pm

Hmmm....now that we have some companions, I'm not sure how well our disguise will still work, so I vote avoid attention and find a back stair.

Mr Shine · Post by **Mr Shine** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 2:40 pm

Sounds good, use the back door.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Wed Mar 30, 2016 7:16 pm

Definitely back door.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 2:11 am

It takes more than a day to find an alternative to the Fire Giants' Stair. Meanwhile you eat food that you steal from the wicked denizens of the Rift, for the adventurers are out of supplies as well, and take what sleep you can. In the end, only by covertly watching the thieves of the twilit world, mainly Elves and Orcs who have their own thieves' cant – unlike any language you have heard – do you discover a secret door in the rock-face. It takes a little while to discover how the mechanism works, but at last you swing the rock aside and begin the descent.

The twisting turning tunnel soon branches into myriad other tunnels and caves. Mercifully, this means you may avoid encountering the thieves of the twilit world. A sinister shadow moving on a nearby wall makes you start, but when you look again it is gone. You halt the group and listen, but all you can hear is the soft susurration of your own breathing.

Passing a small alcove, the magician Eris' keen eyes catch sight of a strange samovar encrusted with large sapphires. It is about sixty centimeters tall and made of solid gold. He picks it up and examines it, marveling at its beauty, but he can find no magic in it. It is passed from hand to hand, and you are invited to hold the priceless object.

• Decline and pass on by?
• Take a look?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 2:27 am

This seems like a trap. Isn't Eris the one who might troll us with an exploding ring for the lawlz? Decline.

Mr Shine · Post by **Mr Shine** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 7:32 am

Yeah, doesn't look like anything good is likely to happen if we touch it.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 11:46 am

Yeah, they can keep the shiny.

angelfromanotherpin · Thu Mar 31, 2016 12:18 pm

At last the stairs stop in a great dimly lit hallway of dressed stone. A magnificent and sinister sight greets you. Away to the left is a huge archway, and beyond it a succession of carven thrones with statues of the former rulers of this part of the Bowels of Orb. In the shadows you can glimpse apparitions, the sight of which would freeze the blood of ordinary folk. To the right is a tall but very narrow tunnel, so narrow that it will admit only one abreast. Of the four adventurers, the one called Vespers the swordsman wishes to enter the Way of Thrones, and Eris the magician is already walking towards the archway.

• Advise them against this and persuade them to take the narrow way?
• Walk with them through the archway?

Mr Shine · Post by **Mr Shine** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 1:40 pm

Cassandra wrote:When you reach the fourth tier, take the narrow way. The Way of Thrones has been baited as a trap for you, Avenger, a trap that even you cannot hope to survive

I'm going to believe Cassandra here.

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 4:14 pm

Yeah, that's too specific a hint to ignore.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 6:08 pm

The narrow way continues in a straight line for many hundreds of meters without opening out or offering any openings. Towards its end it climbs slightly, and when you are half way up the incline, the floor tilts suddenly and pitches you all forwards on to your face in a small well-lit room hung with lush tapestries. When you stand and look around you receive something of a shock.

Man, it's too bad we don't have a skill of Detecting and Disarming Traps...

You have fallen straight into the arms of a reception committee. Arranged in a semicircle about you are three people you recognize only too well. Directly opposite you is a tall wiry man whose frame is draped in a black cloak. The only hint of color is his very curly hair, which is died bright corn yellow. He hefts a bastard sword almost negligently in one hand. On his right is a man in flowing grey robes covered with runes. He sports a large golden earring and has a look of devious intelligence and a smile of anticipation. On the other side is Cassandra, sword drawn, looking as haughty as ever, her bristling hair as disheveled as her patchwork armor appears to be. The other two are her friends and your deadly enemies, Tyutchev, a thief and a blademaster, and Thaum, master of illusion and potent mage.

They have done well to penetrate so deeply into the Bowels of Orb, for surely the Black Widow would kill them out of hand should she get the chance. Tyutchev likely found the secret stairway and, knowing that you could not descend the Fire Giants' Stair, they have lain in wait for you here.

I feel like this moment is worth a menacing illustration, but I have not been obliged.

The chaos-bringers are ready for you but not for the four adventurers. The look of glee on their faces fades to one of uncertainty, while the four adventurers struggle hastily to their feet with looks of plain fear in their eyes, a fear that is quickly turned to hatred as Tyutchev speaks.

'I wonder that you dare to challenge us, or even that you survived this far. Unlike that zealous Paladin, you have not the power. Both Cassandra and I are more dangerous fighters than you, and you, fickle Eris, cannot rival Thaum's witchcraft.'

Taflwr begins to chant a blessing in the name of Illustra.

'So, that still rankles, does it?' asks Thaum, trying to break his concentration.

Cassandra says: 'The High Priestess is dead. What is done cannot be undone. We have no vendetta against the followers of the Goddess of Life.'

You who revere Anarchil cannot keep an idea in your head for longer than a minute at a time,' says Thybault imperiously, 'but we do have a vendetta – against all who revere the insane god Anarchil.'

They are not even addressing you. The rivalry of these people must be deep-set.

Tyutchev says to Eris: 'Come, Eris. You worship a Chaos god. Stand with us again. Cross over to the other side as you did once before. Otherwise your life is ruin, for you cannot stand against us.'

(Foxglove is not with you.)
(Foxglove is not Cassandra's prisoner.)

Thaum's fingers are making the strangest patterns in the air, and Cassandra and Tyutchev are looking away to a tapestry hung on the side of the hall.

• Look at the tapestry too?
• Keep your eyes on Thaum?

Dr_Noface · Post by **Dr_Noface** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:48 pm

Look at the tapestry, I bet they're looking at it to avoid some kind of dumb illusion.

Omegonthesane · Post by **Omegonthesane** » Thu Mar 31, 2016 9:55 pm

Tapestry seems sensible. There's like four other pairs of eyes that can see what Thaum is doing if it's important.

angelfromanotherpin · Fri Apr 01, 2016 12:32 am

You follow their gaze, and there is an eruption of coruscating light so bright it almost stuns you into immobility. You blink and realize that Cassandra and Tyutchev has expected it. They were not interested in the tapestry, merely anticipating the numbing flash that is the result of Thaum's sorcery. They are darting to the attack already.

Tyutchev's black cloak seems to deepen the darkness around him. Cassandra, as ever, moves with the grace and speed of a panther. The four adventurers have not all been as lucky as you. Vespers reacted quickly enough to shield his eyes and Thybault too has not been stunned, but Eris the magician and Taflwr are reeling back in a state of shock.

• Use a shuriken against Thaum, who is beginning another spell? (If you have one.)
• Move to put Cassandra and Tyutchev between you and the master of illusion?

Was that a Color Spray?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 5:40 am

Move between Cassandra and Tyutchev. Disrupting Team Olvar's teamwork has always been key to defeating them in their various appearances.

SGamerz · Post by **SGamerz** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:41 am

I think we should take out the spellcaster quick. Shuriken.

Mr Shine · Post by **Mr Shine** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 10:29 am

Attack Thaum.

angelfromanotherpin · Fri Apr 01, 2016 11:50 am

Your shuriken flashes across the hall and wounds Thaum in the shoulder. (Thaum loses 1d6 – 6! – Endurance.) He is no longer performing his incantations, but Tyutchev and Cassandra close on you simultaneously. Thybault and Vespers step bravely into the breach. They are skilled fighters.

Thybault's flail whines as it whirls through the air and cracks as it smashes against Cassandra's armor. Her lightning riposte wounds the priest, but you are occupied with Tyutchev, who dares to attack both you and the swordsman Vespers together. Tyutchev parries the first swing from Vespers, but this causes him to leave an opening and immediately you seize upon it. You dive into a roll, passing to Tyutchev's side and coming up in front of Thaum, who barely has time to react. There are scant moments to cripple the spellcaster before one or more of the swordfighters are upon you.

• Tiger's Paw chop?
• Winged horse kick?
• Teeth of the Tiger throw?

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 12:25 pm

Punch him. We want something quick and safe because the other two are hot on our heels, and we rolled really well with the shuriken anyways.

Mr Shine · Post by **Mr Shine** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 1:14 pm

Darth Rabbitt wrote:Punch him. We want something quick and safe because the other two are hot on our heels, and we rolled really well with the shuriken anyways.

I'll second this.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:36 pm

Make a note of how many times you attack the mage. As a magical heat crackles around his fists, you chop your own down at his neck.

THAUM
Defense against Tiger's Paw Chop: 4
Endurance: 12 6
Damage: 1 Die - 1

• If you hit him and have the skill of Yubi-Jutsu or have reduced him to 2 Endurance or less...
• If this is your second attack and you have not defeated him...
Otherwise he strikes at you feebly, clearly out of his element. Your Defense against his burning fists is 9.

Two attempts to do a total of 4 damage against Defense 4? Cake. I like how even with his Burning Hands variant he deals 1d-1 damage, that's classic wizard-in-melee stuff.
(Avenger punches for 3, a miss! Guess I spoke too soon.)
(Thaum flails uselessly at us with a 6.)
With only one chance left before what is probably a game over, it's worth burning an Inner Force on this. I could also switch to a kick for extra damage, but TN 4 is hard to pass up when certainty is needed.
(Inner Force! Punch for 6, damage is 5x2!)

Thaum staggers back, clearly near death, but you sense movement at your back. Quickly you grab him in a Whirlpool throw and pitch him into Cassandra, who had been about to strike at your head. She scowls, regains her balance, and goes to tip a potion down Thaum's throat.

(You arrived here in the company of a band of adventurers.)

The battle has been going poorly for your companions. Thybault is wounded but is being tended by Taflwr, while Eris is still recovering from the blinding flash. Vespers struggles against Tyutchev, but the dark cloak he wears is imbued with a magic that makes it difficult to tell just how close he is. Vespers has not struck him once and will soon fall if you do not come to his aid.

In the second that your eyes are elsewhere, Cassandra produces a throwing knife and sends it flying towards your heart. It is only your quick reflexes that allow you to dodge the attack and rush to support Vespers. Tyutchev seems not to care that he now has to defend himself against both you and the swordsman Vespers; he seems more intent on killing you first.

• Cobra Strike punch?
• Leaping Tiger kick?
• Whirlpool throw?

Avenger I, Overlord of Irsmuncast-nigh-Edge, Grandmaster of the Five Winds
Modifiers: Kick +1, Throw +1, Fortune +1
Inner Force: 3/4
Endurance: 20/20
Techniques: Acrobatics, Climbing, Disable Device, Poison Needles, Kwon's Flail, ShinRen.
Shuriken: *****-*****-*****-****
Ninja Tools: Ninja Costume, Breathing Tube, Iron Sleeves, Garotte, Flash Powder, Flint & Tinder, Spiderfish, Blood of Nil.
Special Items: Opal Ring, Pouch with 34 Gold Pieces, Locket with Saint's Hair, Silver Shuriken, Statuette of Dama, Coronation Day Coin, Ruby Circlet, Scorpion Ring, several gems, Amulet of Nullaq, the Orb (in eye), the Sceptre.

Mr Shine · Post by **Mr Shine** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:59 pm

Throw him

MisterDee · Post by **MisterDee** » Fri Apr 01, 2016 4:26 pm

Throw him.