Turushno keeps close to Jun, playing the masquerade of a guardian or guide of sorts. Does Ikari, the beast within the boy, require any such guide? Even the Bakemono sense this entity's existence and are repulsed by it.
And two things happen right now that, in combination, leave Turushno speechless.
The first is from Meiji. The heir apparent to the Ishiguro name and title has morphed in the face of challenge and adversity, and become something resembling that lofty status rather than just another angry samurai looking for a cause to die for.
The second was Jun - no, Ikari now, surely - reaching for the Bakemono and imploring more answers out of the servant creature. It is Ikari's eloquence and presence, but Jun's empathy. How closely entwined are these two. They seemed separate, almost competing forced within the one body at times, but is there a point fast approaching, or already encountered, where the two will truly become indistinguishable from each other?
Meiji had spoken. Turushno had missed his opportunity to respond, the samurai having moved on before receiving any reply. The old Mae-Nichi shakes his head to no one, and feels the tension in his shoulders and lower back. He's tired. With any hope, their worst fears won't come to pass here.
Nothing of substance to add here. T's just keeping with the crowd, trying not to let his exhaustion get the better of him just yet.
Flurry of Blows: Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action; Patient Defense: You can spend 1 ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn; Step of the Wind: You can spend 1 ki point to take the Disengage or Dash action as a bonus action on your turn, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.Ki Points
The sentry shares a look with his compatriots that is difficult to read. Then he shakes his head, and shakes off Ikari's hand.
"Come then. Follow."
The three bakemono lead the way up into the hills.
The path is narrow and winding, difficult to follow in the darkness. Meiji finds his horsemanship put to the test on some of the steeper inclines... but every now and then the way widens, passing by a tumbledown shrine or roadside rest stop, on one occasion even through a small village. All untended, uninhabited, unloved. Abandoned. How much of Tenka has met the same fate in the past ten years? How many hidden things have come slinking from the shadows to reclaim the land that once was theirs, before humans dared leave the safety of the circle of light about their campfires?
Usui's devilish mask turns constantly, and though she starts once or twice she always recollects herself, glancing at Turushno and shaking her head. No sign of the oni; and if the other bakemono are following, they are keeping their distance.
At one point the sword-wearers stop to argue over a near-imperceptible fork in the path, and Ikari finds himself suddenly face-to-face with the sentry once more. "Ito Ikari," he says, abruptly, "I am Kofun. Now you know the name of the warrior who will defeat you!" He glances over his shoulder at his comrades, then comes closer to angrily hiss: "Do not pretend sympathy for my people! We are no different than you dragon-lovers. We serve the greatest monster that will have us, so that we can live a little longer before we are devoured. And we pay the price we must."
With a final withering glare, Kofun stamps back to his kinsfolk. His vote is the deciding one, and the route is chosen; and an hour or more passes, and you reach your destination.
The path broadens as it passes through a final, meagre village - little more than a cluster of shacks around a weed-choked fountain - then climbs through rice paddies to the foot of a steep escarpment. The mountains proper lie beyond, perhaps, though it is difficult to get your bearings after your long climb through darkness.
The bakemono lead you out of the tiny village, and as the final farmhouse beyond it comes into view Usui inhales sharply. "There!" she hisses. "There are four of them!"
Your guides step aside, and as you approach the dwelling before you three misshapen shadows detach themselves from it and make welcoming gestures, bowing ironically.
"Ishiguro Meiji. The daimyō will see you... alone."
Ishiguro Meiji! For your lordly conduct, take Advantage on the next Persuasion or Intimidation roll you make. Everyone else! There's a map below, but I haven't added you to it. You can assume you're all together near the main house there, but if you want to be somewhere else (like back in Onokoro, under a bed tatami) you should feel free to describe what you've done on the approach here. Good luck!
Going so far back as when they had crossed the waterfall bridge, the entire journey up to this point had seen Meiji occupied by a deep, contemplative silence that was so very, very unlike him; uncharacteristic, undoubtedly, and, perhaps, a bit unsettling given how stern his idle expression had become.
But still... the bakemono had successfully guided them through all the sharp and winding paths, through eerie, vacant villages — which brought to the Lordling's mind terrible thoughts of his own neglected domain; thoughts which he was quick to quell, lest they unnerve him any further and steal his focus for encounter to come — and, finally (fatefully), to the doorstep of the Demon Daimyo, whereupon an unholy coterie beckoned him within.
Meiji took a moment to simply stare, to find in his body and spirit the necessary will and determination to proceed, before wheeling a leg over saddle and dismounting proper.
"Take care of her," he bid of Jun, handing over the horse's reins before then pressing something else into boy's palm, subtly. "And stay vigilant, translation: boku no göshi (bo-ku no gö-se); my lowborn samurai (lit: my village / country samurai)ぼく の郷士. If ever there was a time to test your mettle..." The words trailed off, but only for a second, enough so that the young daimyo-to-be could meet eyes with Tsuyui and Sophie, to then continue with, "... or prove yourself a true Tenkan. It is now."
Meiji grabbed the odachi stuck comfortably between saddle and steed before turning to face the ominous lot of shadowy oni that awaited him. Another long moment passes. An evening breeze rolls in. And then he proceeds forward, resolute.
Yet, halfway there, something caused him to stop and peer back at the rest of the party — nay, at Turushno in particular, had to be!
translation: osewa ni narimashita (ose-wa ni na-ri-ma-shi-ta); a thank you with gratitude to the point of implying a debt (lit: thank you for helping me.)"お世話になりました."
Meiji disappeared after that, making his way into the demon's lair.
Lack of sleep and walking through an entire day and into a dark night had little affect on the Mountain Man but being constantly on guard and expecting some manner of bakemono trickery was beginning to take its toll as they finally crossed the abandoned rice patties and made their way to the home in the mountains the oni daimyo had chosen for his 'palace'. Tsuyui Kokoro had little knowledge of what was transpiring between Meiji and this daimyo or what the ronin's former title meant to any of it but the barbarian bristled when they were told that Meiji alone would see this demon ruler but the warrior would not step out of line and question the wisdom of the others. If they were accepting of the status quo, he would not interfere but he did take the axe from his back and rest it upon his shoulder as his eyes darted about in the dark.
At the first sign of aggression they would all realize how foolish it was to let a lion such as himself into their house.
Weapons:+5 to attack, 1d12+3, S, heavy, two-handedGreat Axe, +5 to attack, 1d6+3, S, light, thrown, 20/60Hand Axe, +5 to attack, 1d6+3, P, thrown, 30/120Javelin
Features:You have proficiency in the Athletics skill.Natural Athlete, You can focus yourself to occasionally shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier to the number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. After you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.Stone's Endurance, You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.Powerful Build, You’re acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You’re also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.Mountain Born, Light Armor, Medium Armor, ShieldsArmor Prof., Simple Weapons, MartialWeapon Prof., In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On Your Turn, you can enter a rage as a Bonus Action.
While raging, you gain the following benefits if you aren't wearing heavy armor:
• You have advantage on Strength Checks and Strength Saving Throws.
• When you make a melee weapon Attack using Strength, you gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll. This bonus increases as you level.
• You have Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
If you are able to cast Spells, you can't cast them or concentrate on them while raging.
Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked Unconscious or if Your Turn ends and you haven't attacked a Hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage since then. You can also end your rage on Your Turn as a Bonus Action.
Once you have raged the maximum number of times for your Barbarian level, you must finish a Long Rest before you can rage again. You may rage 2 times at 1st Level, 3 at 3rd, 4 at 6th, 5 at 12th, and 6 at 17th.Rage, While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier. You can use a Shield and still gain this benefit.Unarmored Defense, A gladiator as more an entertainer background 5e like any minstrel or else the circus performer trained to make the arts of combat into the spectacle the crowd able to enjoy. Like this type of flashy combat is your 5e entertainer routine. though you may have some skills like the tumbler or actor.
Using by popular demand feature you have capability to find a place which is helped to perform in any place that features combat for entertainment-perhaps a gladiator either arena or secret pit fighting club. You can easily replace the your wishing musical instrument in your equipment package with an inexpensive but unusual weapon like a trident or net.By Popular Demand, At 2nd level, you gain an uncanny sense of when things nearby aren't as they should be, giving you an edge when you dodge away from danger. You have advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that you can see, such as traps and spells. To gain this benefit, you can't be blinded, deafened, or incapacitated.Danger Sense, Starting at 2nd level, you can throw aside all concern for defense to attack with fierce desperation. When you make your first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls using Strength during this turn, but attack rolls against you have advantage until your next turn.Reckless Attack, When you choose this path at 3rd level, as an action, you can open your awareness to the presence of concentrated magic. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any spell or magic item within 60 feet of you that isn’t behind total cover. When you sense a spell, you learn which school of magic it belongs to.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.Magic Awareness, Also at 3rd level, the magical energy roiling inside you sometimes erupts from you. When you enter your rage, roll on the Wild Magic table to determine the magical effect produced.
If the effect requires a saving throw, the DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier.
1
Each creature of your choice that you can see within 30 feet of you must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 1d12 necrotic damage. You also gain temporary hit points equal to 1d12 plus your barbarian level.
2
You teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. Until your rage ends, you can use this effect again on each of your turns as a bonus action.
3
An intangible spirit, which looks like a flumph or a pixie (your choice), appears within 5 feet of one creature of your choice that you can see within 30 feet of you. At the end of the current turn, the spirit explodes, and each creature within 5 feet of it must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 force damage. Until your rage ends, you can use this effect again, summoning another spirit, on each of your turns as a bonus action.
4
Magic infuses one weapon of your choice that you are holding. Until your rage ends, the weapon's damage type changes to force, and it gains the light and thrown properties, with a normal range of 20 feet and a long range of 60 feet. If the weapon leaves your hand, the weapon reappears in your hand at the end of the current turn.
5
Whenever a creature hits you with an attack roll before your rage ends, that creature takes 1d6 force damage, as magic lashes out in retribution.
6
Until your rage ends, you are surrounded by multicolored, protective lights; you gain a +1 bonus to AC, and while within 10 feet of you, your allies gain the same bonus.
7
Flowers and vines temporarily grow around you; until your rage ends, the ground within 15 feet of you is difficult terrain for your enemies.
8
A bolt of light shoots from your chest. Another creature of your choice that you can see within 30 feet of you rust succeed on a Constitution Saving throw or take 1d6 radiant damage and be blinded until the start of your next turn. Until your rage ends, you can use this effect again on each of your turns as a bonus action.
Usui is on constant lookout. At one stage he puts a reassuring hand around her forearm, but he's worried as well. He's not at his best, and they're firmly in enemy territory now. Meiji's bluster has gotten them this far, and this group has already proven itself formidable in defending itself from infernal threats. And yet, his newfound boost in optimism has been shaken as they spiral further into a strip of Tenka akin to a deadened scar.
He knew Tenka was in hard times, But how could whole swathes of land fall to occupation like this in the heartland of old Tenka? Is this why those soldiers had imposed the blockade? That was a guard post and little more. They weren't there to liberate the land and restore it to health. They were there to keep others away and stop any advance of the oni. Perhaps Tenka no longer has the strength to engage such threats. Perhaps threats such as this factor into Nagamasa's plans.
"There! There are four of them!" Usui growls under her breath as they approach their destination.
Turushno sees three, and suspects the shadowy daimyo overseeing this little splinter kingdom is the fourth, out of sight to him but unmistakable under the eyes of Usui's mask. "We can see them well enough. Keep an eye around us," Turushno says softly, "in case there's more lying in wait."
Meiji trots forward, and pauses to turn back and ... oh. He's thanking his travelling companions in a manner that implies the knowledge they're all denying themselves - that this might be a foolhardy end for Meiji at least, and all of them at worst. Meiji and Turushno lock eyes for a brief moment. Turushno knows then that he'll defend this young man, even if he'll risk annihilation for it. The seed that is Meiji fell to stony ground by being the scion of someone such as Lord Ishiguro, but it may find root and flower yet. He only hopes that Meiji is savvy enough in his private audience to know when to cut and run, so that they may have the opportunity to come to the aid of their 'lord'.
He tries to scrutinise their surrounds in the gloom, and despite his good eyesight in the dark, he struggles to interpret anything of note. If it comes to a battle, it may be a desperate affair. He closes his eyes, breathes in deep, and feels the rippling water of the rice paddies. Water is not as patient or hardy as earth, but it endures nonetheless.
5 on Investigation to appraise the area around the farmhouse in a more measured way than quick perception (which I assume Usui has covered).
Flurry of Blows: Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action; Patient Defense: You can spend 1 ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn; Step of the Wind: You can spend 1 ki point to take the Disengage or Dash action as a bonus action on your turn, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.Ki Points
There was no sadness in Ikari’s eyes when he heard the bakemono sentry reject his suggestion to fight alongside the group in order to overthrow his cruel master. No anger and no wonder too. Only understanding. How could a few words, easily said and even more easily forgotten, overcome fear, hope and habit? It would take more than that to allow the bakemono to follow a different path. It would take action… and blood.
"You have made your decision, Kofun-san. You will not be given another chance, but your brothers and your children might. I will not enjoy your death, though I will not shy away from it either."
Having said all that needed to be said, Ikari silently followed the three guards through the darkness of the night and the even greater darkness of wanton destruction, disrespect and abandonment. Jun would have openly wept at the sight, watering the earth with his tears to offer her solace. He would have knelt before the silent shrines and offered rice to convince the kami to return and watch over this land once more. He would have tried to repair what could be repaired and build anew what could not. Ikari did none of these things. He walked ahead with a gaze of steel and fire in his heart. He had to be strong, now more than ever. For Tenka and the Celestial Dragon Emperor. For himself!
Meiji’s words and more than words, the fact that he entrusted him with his greatest treasure, moved and inspired Ikari like little had until this moment. And it pleased the dragon. This one was a true son of Tenka and worthy of his blessing.
The man nodded in agreement, his eyes full of determination to prove worthy of the samurai‘s trust, but it was the dragon that spoke.
"You walk into darkness, young lord, but you carry the breath of the Tenryuu inside you. Be steadfast and strong. Go with my father’s blessing and the fire of heavens inside your heart."
Lightly touching Meiji’s forehead and chest with the index and middle fingers of his right hand, Ikari gently blew and conferred some of the power residing within him to the young daimyō.
Leading Meiji‘s horse to the others, Ikari placed his hand upon the steed‘s head and whispered in the animal‘s ear.
"At the first sign of trouble, you must be ready to go to your master. As will we all."
Actions: Ikari casts the 2nd level spell Dragon’s Breath. Meiji can use an action to exhale energy of the chosen type in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d6 damage of the chosen type on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Reaction:
Bonus:
Move:
Effects:
Concentration:
Ito Jun / „Ikari“ | Aasimar (Scourge) | Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) 3 Armor Class: 15 | Hit Points: 23/23 | Speed: 30 ft Melee Attack: +2 / 1d6 (quarterstaff) or +4 / 1d4+2 (dagger) Str 10 (+0) | Dex 14 (+2) | Con 14 (+2) | Int 10 (+0) | Wis 12 (+1) | Cha 16 (+3) Saving throws: Str +0 | Dex +2 | Con +4 | Int +0 | Wis +1 | Cha +5 Skills: Animal Handling +3 | *Persuasion +5 | Religion +2 | Survival +3 | Cook‘s utensils | Vehicles (Water) Passive Perception: 11 Initiative: +2 | Hit Dice: 3d6 Darkvision: 60 feet | Celestial resistances: radiant and necrotic damage Dragon Ancestry (gold) | Healing Hands: 3/3 HP/LR Radiant Consumption (1 min) 1/LR: level/2 (up) radiant damage within 10 feet, + level radiant damage/attack Flexible casting | Font of Magic: 3/3 Sorcery points Metamagic: Empower Spell (1), Extended Spell (1) Spells: 1st level – 3/4, 2nd level - 1/2 DC 13 Spells known: Light (0), Control Flames (0), Fire Bolt (0), Mending (0), Thunderclap (0), Magic Missile (1), Shield (1), Sleep (1), Dragon‘s Breath (2) Languages: Common | Celestial | Draconic Items:Kabi - 5 ft bright light/5 ft dim light, resistance to fire and cold, control flame as action or reaction, affects normal as well as magical flame.
The three looming shadows part before Ishiguro Meiji, bowing with perhaps a little less ironic exaggeration than before. He enters their master's stronghold - its gates ordinary paper shōji, but no less fearsome for all that - and they close ranks behind him. They turn their tusked faces on the rest of you, expressions unreadable, great spiked maces all but invisible in the gloom.
The demon's lair is black as ink. Outside, the moon strives to dispel the darkness, but what little filters in through the paper walls of the room reveals little to Meiji. There is a faint crunching sound coming from the depths of the shadows pooled before him.
His foot clanks against something; something glints weakly in the moonlight. Meiji strains to see, slowly discerns the familiar outlines of a weapon lying at his feet. A short length of Tenkan steel, like that wielded by Kofun's comrades. Shapes swim grayly in the murk, arranging themselves into forms Meiji can decipher: more katana, heaped by the doors. Fragments of armour. Helmets, breasplates... and...
The crunching noise sputters out, terminating in a quiet - almost polite - slurp. There is a faint sigh, as of satisfaction, and a low raw voice purrs throughout the room.
"Ishiguro Meiji - welcome. I am Shu Ten, ruler of this place. A domain more humble than Ochima, I acknowledge."
There is movement at the back of the room, and the deepest pool of shadow seems to Meiji now to have the shape of a great dark figure, sitting cross-legged as if at ease. Or as if... at dinner. The figure leans forward, just a little, and Meiji thinks he can hear the familiar rustle and clink of armour.
"I am a great admirer of your lord father, Ishiguro-kun. I hope to one day rule a realm that bears comparison with your own. But... you are a long way from home. Meiji."
"Tell me what brings you to my lands."
Phew. He seems like a nice guy. Lucky break!
Those of you not in the room, do feel free to keep strategizing; sorry T's Investigation check was so low HotsuSama, all that gets you is what you already noted in-character, i.e., there is water here. The map is reproduced below for your reference (is it too dark? I have daylight versions too if some of the details are tricky to discern / uninspiring).
All that said, I will if possible update the conversation with Meiji as fast as real life and other commitments permit, instead of waiting for Wednesday
For all of Meiji's bluster, there still sat within his heart a seed of doubt when it came to this whole... demon ordeal; however, given the circumstances, and the queer references made by the oni — and now the Demon Daimyo himself — about Lord Ishiguro's legacy, there simply was no other option than to see this through (to the bitter end, if need be).
Once within Shu Ten's throne room, behind that miserably thin paper wall for which nothing would be kept secret, the stand-in-Ishiguro bowed his head, to begrudgingly acknowledge the creature's status, as was customary, before inevitably dropping down on both knees there across from him, idle.
Meiji speaks whilst settling the position of his odachi. "I am sure that you are," he answered with a tell-tale smirk. "I have no doubt that the two of you might have been bitter rivals, or maybe even fast friends — perhaps both? — but, alas, his reign is no more."This is, essentially, a purposeful use of incorrect etiquette whereby Meiji is suggesting that he does not trust Shen Ten; that he could and might kill him, if too strongly interpreted.That long, hidden-away killing tool is settled on his left side, with blade edge facing out, in a not-so-subtle indication of his current disposition."And it is mine that the rest of Tenka must come to terms with."
Beyond the initial gesture, Meiji maintains all the learned poise and grace expected of one with such a lofty title, and in such a formal setting, yet his appearance does him no favors. All that armor — pierced, punctured, blood-stained, and heavy — paints instead a picture of a samurai from the vanguard; possessed by a lust for carnage; excused in excess by the Tenkan concept of bushido.
"I seek passage through your blockade. We are in route to the Great Shrine."
Saving that advantage on a persuasion / intimidation roll. Hopefully, it will be enough when I do use it. Worst case: I do have a few reserves! Anyway, just RPing for now.
"Oh?" came the voice in the darkness. "And yet your father is in Ochima - crushing disloyal peasants and the Dragon's lapdogs alike - while you... roam the countryside. Accosting my people."
The shadowy daimyō pronounces these words without rancour - almost, in fact, without interest - and neither does Meiji's deliberate break of etiquette seem to merit acknowledgement. Or... not spoken, at least; for as the young warrior sets him blade at Shu Ten, he senses an answering movement in the darkness, and catches the faintest hint of something gleaming in the moonlight. A naked blade?
...teeth?
Meiji's eyes are growing ever more accustomed to the cloying darkness, and he sees the deeper shadow shift as it leans forwards. He is almost sure it is armoured, now. The thought occurs to him that if the beasts outside are sōhei - worthy fighters, but loyal to their own philosophies rather than to the warrior's code - still this looming figure has named himself daimyō: by its own reckoning, then, a lord among samurai.
"Your request is granted," rasps the figure, "for the esteem in which I hold Ishiguro Kobu. Why you wish to visit that fortress is beyond me, but your people ever were... perplexing."
Shu Ten leans back again, seemingly satisfied with the interview. Meiji sees a languid movement in the shadows, as of a lord dismissing a servant with the lazy wave of a hand.
"Your followers will remain," the creature adds, almost as an afterthought.
"All this diplomacy has left me feeling... peckish..."
Meiji is struggling to contain the ire which he has built over the past few hours — those long, arduous spans of time wherein he could do naught but dwell upon the past and wince at the prospects of the future. So, it is inevitable that he try and find release for it somehow, someway, before it turns to out-and-out violence.
"I... really, mm, heh — very much wish that..." He spoke through grit teeth, a narrowed brow, a wrinkled nose, "... you and your kin would stop speaking as though my father were still among us." The lordling's angry countenance, which he had tried in vain to hide by ducking his head, only further accentuated his point: stop talking about it.
"Ishiguro Kobu is dead."
A moment of silence does pass, quiet and still, until Meiji sees fit to vent some of his frustration by punching the ground upon which he knelt.
"He's DEAD! Do you understand!? You will show me the respect I deserve! I am the daimyo! ME! Not some damn corpse!"
By this point Meiji stood upright, with sheathed blade once more held in an angry fist; however, his tone of voice had leveled out for the pressure-release valve had been sealed through a sharp scoff.
A piercing metallic sound, like the shrieking of a sword drawn jagged across metal, fills Shu Ten's lair. The half-hidden figure unfolds, following Meiji's lead and rising ponderously to its feet. Its head seems to graze the rafters of its stolen home.
Is that rattling hiss the sound of the daimyō unsheathing its sword, or... is it laughing at him?
"Foolish whelp. Corpse he may be, but Ishiguro Kobu has not yet dined at Yomi's hearth. Now, come!"
Ah - it was both. There is a rush of air, and the paper screens fronting the old farmhouse collapse in ruins, rent asunder by a single strike made at just above the height of Meiji's head. Ivory moonlight floods a slanted square of floorboards all about the would-be lord of Ochima, and in its light he can finally discern the scattered charnel fare of Shu Ten's table.
The demon daimyō takes a step forwards, great armoured bulk almost visible at last.
"Your lord father would not begrudge a small punishment - not when you have shown me such disrespect. Come, whelp of Ochima! Let me whet my appetite upon you, before disposing of your companions..."
We are not strictly in combat yet so no initiative is yet required; you all saw the screens get slashed open then, so everyone may act. If uninterrupted the oni will move forwards to mark out a little space before the house, and Shu Ten will take up a position there for a sort of sparring match with Meiji. This is more or less implied by his choice of language and his slow advance; your character(s) might not interpret the situation this way, though. Or they might just choose to not play along...
Shu Ten's menacing figure loomed high above the smoldering samurai.
Meiji's hubris had been foreshadowed by viscera, and highlighted elegantly thanks to the pale glow of peeking moonlight from above; worse, the disparity of strength between mortal and demon was increasingly emphasized by the hulking beast's all too ominous approach. He drew nearer by the second! Only a fool would dare stand —
"Disrespect," the youth sneered, "I haven't even begun, yet you dare approach me?" Just then, a wicked grin began to crack the stoic deadpan that comprised Meiji's visage. "Then allow me to share with you something much more scathing."
At that precise moment, as if on cue, a small plume of flame poured from the gap between the samurai's lips as he bore teeth to smile — how maniacal that smile, hark!
"Come closer, demon..."
Meiji had sunk down into a prepared stance, sheathed odachi balanced on his hip, ready to be unleashed, but... something was set to precede the flash of blood and steel.
"... and let the flames of Ochima purge you from this realm!"
Oh, how this mighty cone of flame, bestowed unto him by the twin-spirited Jun, had, finally, for but this one moment, allowed Meiji's fiery struggle to be manifest the way it had always felt within his heart — it was fire, yes; it was also anger and hatred made manifest!
Ikari waited, his eyes focused upon the farmhouse where Meiji was conversing with the yokāi daimyō. He waited for Tenka‘s champion to act as a true servant of the Tenryuu would. He waited for the dragon’s gift to be used. He waited for fire and steel.
He didn’t have to wait long.
Steel came first. A long blade of hard metal, bathed in the darkness of Yomi and the blood of men, parted the house‘s front screen with alarming ease, sending it crushing to the ground and inviting the kami of the moon to witness the prowess of its wielder.
Meiji responded with fire. Out of the lord samurai‘s mouth appeared an inferno of flames, surrounding the false daimyō and setting him and everything else in their path alight. The power and fury of the draconic fire was briefly reflected upon the blade of the champion‘s odachi before the fiery brilliance got covered by dark demonic blood.
Tenka would not surrender to those who sought to break and humiliate it. Not to pretenders like Nagamasa, not to the crude and unholy power of the gaijin invaders and not to the yokāi forces that escaped Yomi to bring suffering to the living. Some still kept order and tradition in their hearts and held honor above all. These men and women would fight for Tenka, now and forever. They would fight and either triumph or die in a pool of their own blood. Whatever the outcome, the kami would be proud of their actions.
The time for waiting had come to an end. Now was the time to act. It was time for the song of steel to fill the air and for fire to turn the deepest night to dawn.
Ikari was ready.
"For Tenka!", he cried out and as he held the kabi high in the air the flames inside the burning farmhouse control flamesresponded to his call. They seemed to grow and expand, get hotter and angrier and start devouring wood, metal and demonic flesh without distinction, almost as if they possessed a mind of their own and a hunger that could not be sated.
At the same time the man-dragon looked to the sky and saw the myriad stars that watched in turn with fascination as pure fire and shadowy darkness clashed to determine the fate of these lands. The dragon asked for their assistance and they gladly provided it, magic missilethree of them falling from the firmament to strike at the demon lord with all their heavenly fury, each blow much like the strike of a hammer.
"If the demon master is destroyed, the servants will disperse!", cried out Ikari once more as he saw that the dark daimyō could indeed be wounded. "Let us send him back to Yomi where he belongs!"
Actions: Ikari casts the 1st level spell Magic Missile, dealing 7 points of force damage.
Reaction: Control flames (kabi) - I‘ll let the spell‘s actual effect be determined by you, Therru.
Bonus:
Move: Ikari moves to a position within 60 feet of the demon daimyō, but as far from the oni as possible.
Effects: Initiative 18
Concentration: Dragon’s Breath (Meiji)
Ito Jun / „Ikari“ | Aasimar (Scourge) | Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) 3 Armor Class: 15 | Hit Points: 23/23 | Speed: 30 ft Melee Attack: +2 / 1d6 (quarterstaff) or +4 / 1d4+2 (dagger) Str 10 (+0) | Dex 14 (+2) | Con 14 (+2) | Int 10 (+0) | Wis 12 (+1) | Cha 16 (+3) Saving throws: Str +0 | Dex +2 | Con +4 | Int +0 | Wis +1 | Cha +5 Skills: Animal Handling +3 | *Persuasion +5 | Religion +2 | Survival +3 | Cook‘s utensils | Vehicles (Water) Passive Perception: 11 Initiative: +2 | Hit Dice: 3d6 Darkvision: 60 feet | Celestial resistances: radiant and necrotic damage Dragon Ancestry (gold) | Healing Hands: 3/3 HP/LR Radiant Consumption (1 min) 1/LR: level/2 (up) radiant damage within 10 feet, + level radiant damage/attack Flexible casting | Font of Magic: 3/3 Sorcery points Metamagic: Empower Spell (1), Extended Spell (1) Spells: 1st level – 2/4, 2nd level - 1/2 DC 13 Spells known: Light (0), Control Flames (0), Fire Bolt (0), Mending (0), Thunderclap (0), Magic Missile (1), Shield (1), Sleep (1), Dragon‘s Breath (2) Languages: Common | Celestial | Draconic Items:Kabi - 5 ft bright light/5 ft dim light, resistance to fire and cold, control flame as action or reaction, affects normal as well as magical flame.
The time has come for Meiji's brand of diplomacy, it seems.
The farmhouse is wracked by assault, first in the form of Shu Ten's monstrous sword and then next in the fire and magic that blasts the structure in the wake of Meiji's stockpiled blessing and Ikari's furious reaction to the unfolding chaos.
Turushno is not unsurprised, but he had hoped things would end differently. He is not at his best. But there's no going back now.
With Meiji clashing against the daimyo and Ikari offering support, Turushno decides he needs to keep the oni from swarming in now that what may have become a duel has morphed into a melee. He picks out the oni most likely to threaten any charging points between their group and Meiji's position, and draws his mind away from the fire. Fire just burns. Other elements of nature provide their own bounty.
"Stay close to me," Tusuhno says to Usui in their native tongue, as he feels moisture from the flooded rice paddies behind him ripple in response to his plea. The water they provide is minute - a soft spray skimmed off the top of a whole body of potential. But across all these paddies, they are tiny grains of rice coming together to form a heavy toll. The spray coalesces, packs tighter, and Turushno runs his hands through the airborne pockets of moisture.
Then he looses it, forcing it forward with a rigid palm, and an appendage of water stretches across the small field, slamming into his selected oni. The water rushes around it, throwing its balance into disarray and trying to pull it to the ground.
Initiative: 5
Water whip on any specific oni that's directly in-between us and Shu Ten. It makes a Dex save: it takes 7 damage and goes prone if fails, or just 3 damage if it succeeds.
Flurry of Blows: Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action; Patient Defense: You can spend 1 ki point to take the Dodge action as a bonus action on your turn; Step of the Wind: You can spend 1 ki point to take the Disengage or Dash action as a bonus action on your turn, and your jump distance is doubled for the turn.Ki Points