Session Start: Mon Apr 04 15:13:08 2011
Session Ident: #L5Rgame
02[15:13] * Disconnected
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03[15:13] * Topic is 'Legend of the Five(ish) Ronin! | Episode 2: Crossing the Spine | Monday night 8pm EST | +16xp, +3 Glory'
03[15:13] * Set by KingGheedorah on Tue Mar 29 02:32:36
03[15:13] * UboaServ sets mode: +q KingGheedorah
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01[20:09] <~KingGheedorah> 6LAST TIME ON: LEGEND OF THE FIVE(ish) RONIN
01[20:09] <~KingGheedorah> 6"Is everyone alright?  Did everyone make it to shore?" "Welcome back to the world of the living." "I . . . . got a bad feeling about this." "Hello, young one." "I think I can guess the answer to that question... Snake-san." "Isawa Chuda was a brilliant man, who accomplished great things. Some of them terrible, yes. But very great." "Jun, something on your mind?" "We don't get many visitors here." "The night is dark and full of terrors." "A girl must have her secrets. Isn't that right?" "I think I'm... too scared to move from this spot..." "Time to go."
01[20:10] <~KingGheedorah> 6The last of the monks falls, incinerated by a blast of fire from Jun. The hallway is silent save for your breathing.
[20:11] <Hiroshi> "Ginko!  Are you alright?"
01[20:11] <~KingGheedorah> 6There is a heavy grate on the north wall, where your attackers entered from. The hallway continues to the west, where you first arrived from. To the east lies the room where you were first ambushed from.
06[20:11] * Ginko lays on the ground, making very, very weak sounds.
[20:12] <Hiroshi> (as I move past her to cover the hallway:) "Imako, can you help her out?"
06[20:13] * Sanji advances to the grate and peers through cautionsly
06[20:14] * Isamu keeps his katana out in front as he watches the group's rear. "We must hurry. I doubt that everyone here is that heavy a sleeper."
06[20:14] * Imako runs over putter her hands on Ginko "Just a minute.. I'll have you as good as new." looking up "Watch my back"
[20:14] <Ginko> "Guh."
01[20:15] <~KingGheedorah> 6The north room is square and looks to be about 15x15'. There are three doors: one in the northwest corner, and two on the east wall.
[20:15] <Hiroshi> "Yeah, but I'd rather we all be moving at full speed, rather than having to drag someone along.  Once Ginko's on her feet we'll move again."
01[20:16] <~KingGheedorah> 6There is a large altar in the center of the room that draws the eye; it is 5' tall and stone, shaped in the form of a twisting serpent. The eyes glitter red. A second glance reveals them as rubies as large as a woman's fist.
06[20:16] * Imako silently whispers a prayer for aid to the kami, surging their power through her hands into ginko
06[20:17] * Sanji sheathes his blade, resting his hand on it lightly in preparation to draw and steps into the room looking to his right quickly
06[20:19] * Ginko makes an appreciative grunt as she feels the power flow through her. "Oh, that was unpleasant. Thanks." She unsteadily pushes herself up to her feet, and approaches the monks, deciding to appropriate a naginata for herself.
[20:19] <Ginko> "He won't be needing this anymore."
[20:20] <Hiroshi> "Alright, time to move again.  Let's go; no sense in getting lost, let's just go out the way we came in."
01[20:21] <~KingGheedorah> 6The room is empty save for the idol and yourself. What little light is present comes from a wall-mounted torch in each corner.
[20:21] <Isamu> "Ah a wise choice." Isamu comments at Ginko. "Agreed, Hiroshi. I will watch our rear and follow since you know which path we are taking."
06[20:22] * Imako pulls her hands off ginko, snatching up the bow and quiver off of the other monk, giving it a test pull "Definitely doesn't need this anymore."
[20:22] <Hiroshi> "Let's go.  Sanji, join me in the front as we move."
06[20:22] * Hiroshi starts walking again, down the hallway
01[20:23] <~KingGheedorah> 6The west hallway twists and turns until you reach a set of stairs leading down.
06[20:23] * Sanji grunts and joins Hiroshi decideing to leave the alter unmolested
06[20:23] * Ginko leans her weight on the shaft, feeling the magic knit her body back together. She manages a smile at Imako, and then nods, continuing to use the shaft as a walking stick, though every step is lighter than the last.
06[20:24] * Hiroshi checks back just to make sure, then descends the stairs
[20:24] <Sanji> "There was an altar in there...a serpent with eyes of rubies"
01[20:25] <~KingGheedorah> 6Down the stairs takes you around a corner and to a familar foyer, where you first entered the monastery. To the south is a long rectangular chamber where you spotted a dozen or more monks heading. The door is open. To the west is a corridor leading to the front entrance. The front door is sealed shut.
[20:25] <Hiroshi> "And they're probably cursed."
06[20:25] * Isamu follows the group, keeping his front facing the direction the had just come from. Only turning and running to catch up when the others moved ahead.
[20:26] <Sanji> "Be careful..."
01[20:28] <~KingGheedorah> 6The south chamber is nearly 30' long and ringed with tall pillars throughout. There is another door on the far south wall adjascent to you, closed. The light within the chamber is dim, and the shadows flicker most unnaturally among the pillars.
06[20:29] * Hiroshi walks cautiously towards the front door
06[20:30] * Sanji nods to Hiroshi and then enters the room, moving counterclockwise
01[20:30] <~KingGheedorah> 6The large west door - the exit - is closed shut and appears to be locked. There is a slot for a key in the center. The door looks much more fortified on the inside than it did on the outside, banded and reinforced with numerous steel bars.
06[20:33] * Imako nods to the door "looks like someone really wanted out" nocking an arrow in to the bow, just to be safe
06[20:34] * Isamu walks closer to the door. "Or perhaps some... thing? Cannot imagine a person hitting a door like this, thinking it would open."
[20:34] <Hiroshi> "Damn it, we're gonna have to find another way out.  Maybe there's a back entrance somewhere."
06[20:34] * Ginko blinks at the state of the door, and finally hefts the naginata off the ground. "Looks like. Joy."
01[20:35] <~KingGheedorah> 6Sanji, you spot a heavy iron grate on the east wall of the long chamber, about nine feet ahead of you.
[20:35] <Imako> Wait.
[20:37] <Hiroshi> "It's either the room to the south, or we go back upstairs, and unless you want to try jumping out, the room to the south is the safer bet."
[20:37] <Sanji> "I found something " Sanji says, moving towards the grate
[20:37] <Hiroshi> "Though we could try that, of course."
06[20:39] * Imako closes her eyes, whispering to the air kami around her "Let me check if it's safe, first."
01[20:41] <~KingGheedorah> 6Sanji, the grate is chained shut. Behind it you can see a darkened room.
01[20:41] <~KingGheedorah> 6Imako, your prayer-sight reveals no death-traps or hidden doors at this time.
[20:43] <Sanji> "Bah, It's chained shut"
06[20:44] * Hiroshi moves into the south room
06[20:45] * Imako migrates with the rest "Nothing hidden in there."
[20:45] <Hiroshi> "Good.  Unless anyone has a way to open that grate, let's keep moving."
[20:46] <Ginko> "Yes.  Before they start realizing that they've got five dead people."
[20:47] <Hiroshi> "And seven missing guests."
06[20:47] * Sanji begins moving towards teh far  south door
06[20:48] * Hiroshi moves over to the door
01[20:48] <~KingGheedorah> 6The door to the south is closed shut.
[20:49] <Isamu> "Hmm, how many monks do you figure call this place home?" Isamu keeps to his rearguard duty. Keeping his blade at the ready.
[20:49] <Ginko> "Enough to make our day miserable."
06[20:50] * Hiroshi goes up to the door and puts his head to it, motioning to the others to quiet down.
06[20:52] * Hiroshi holds a finger up to his lips, then waves the others back towards the front entrance/stairs area
[20:53] <Hiroshi> (and starts walking back there himself)
06[20:53] * Ginko frowns, but follows.
06[20:53] * Sanji follows
06[20:55] * Imako shrugs, walking along behind the others
[20:56] <Hiroshi> (as soon as everyone's out of the long room, I close the door behind us.)  "Alright, time to look for another exit."
[20:56] <Ginko> "What now?"
[20:56] <Sanji> "What?"
[20:58] <Hiroshi> "There were other ways we didn't check upstairs, that's our best bet."
[20:58] <Isamu> "Maybe there's a window or something that will let us get over the wall up there."
06[20:58] * Ginko bites her lip, but nods. "Let's get moving, but while we are, tell us what you heard."
06[20:58] * Imako nods in agreement with ginko
[20:59] <Hiroshi> "Or at least let us climb down."  (to Ginko:) "How badly do you want to find out what can leave marks like the ones on the front door?"
[21:00] <Hiroshi> "I can leave here without knowing for now, myself."
[21:01] <Sanji> "I see"
[21:02] <Ginko> "...ah." She makes a face.  "I think I'll pass as well."
[21:02] <Imako> "Can't say I do either."
[21:02] <Hiroshi> "Then, we should keep going."
06[21:02] * Hiroshi starts back up the stairs
06[21:02] * Sanji nods and follows
01[21:03] <~KingGheedorah> 6After a short walk you find yourself back in the long east-west stretching hallway of the second floor. The gate on the north wall is still open.
01[21:04] <~KingGheedorah> 6The bodies of the monks, however, are missing.
[21:05] <Imako> "Please tell me the monks weren't zombies."
[21:05] <Hiroshi> (speaking softly:) "In this place?  It would only half-surprise me.  Stay ready, we're not alone in any event."
[21:05] <Imako> "though seeing as the alternative is their friends finding and moving them.. Zombies might be the better option."
06[21:06] * Sanji breathes in deeply and quickly steps forward towards the altar room
06[21:06] * Hiroshi continues down the hallway. As he gets close to the gate, he sticks close to the wall, poking his head around when he reaches it
[21:07] <Isamu> "I prefer the people moving them option. At least the opponents can still bleed." Isamu says from the rear. After he takes a careful listen to their surroundings, trying to focus enough to hear anything out of place.
01[21:07] <~KingGheedorah> 6The altar room is pitch black, save for the ruby eyes of the snake statue. They are glowing blood-red.
06[21:09] * Sanji steps back from the room, turning his eyes away from the statue
[21:09] <Sanji> "This place is cursed. Come quikly, I do not wish to spend even one more moment in this wreched place"
[21:10] <Imako> "I second that notion."
06[21:10] * Sanji signals to the others and begins moving down the hallway back to where they came from
06[21:11] * Hiroshi sheathes his wakizashi, grabs a torch from the hallway, then uses it to illuminate the altar room
[21:13] <Isamu> "Look at the size of those jewels. Worth a fortune I bet." Isamu eyes the rubies greedily for a moment.
[21:13] <Ginko> "Do you really want to risk it?"
[21:13] <Imako> "And probably cursed by whatever being that statue represents."
[21:13] <Hiroshi> "They're probably cursed, Isamu; like probably just about everything else here."
01[21:14] <~KingGheedorah> 6On the floor of the altar room you spot the three bodies of the monks you slew earlier. They are arranged in a circular pattern around the altar.
[21:14] <Imako> ".. I don't like the sight of htat."
[21:14] <Hiroshi> "Neither do I.  Hold on a second."
[21:14] <Ginko> "Please tell me we're not helping them."
06[21:15] * Isamu sighs at the sight of the bodies and their arrangement. "Well that's a pretty could sign you guys are right. But, still..."
06[21:15] * Imako holds up the bow "Should I test and see if they're still.. moving?"
06[21:16] * Sanji stops when he notices noone following
[21:16] <Sanji> "What's wrong?"
06[21:16] * Imako nods to the bodies
06[21:17] * Hiroshi signals for Sanji to come over to the room. "I don't know what they're up to, but I don't like it. Either way, shouldn't leave them to their own devices.  Cover my back."
06[21:17] * Hiroshi enters the room, checking for standing opponents as he does so
01[21:17] <~KingGheedorah> 6There is no-one else in the room.
06[21:17] * Sanji returns to the group, moving towards Hiroshi
06[21:18] * Imako keeps an arrow nocked, following hiroshi with her bow, eyes darting around the room for something to shoot
06[21:20] * Ginko steps in after Sanji and Hiroshi, keeping her eyes open as well.
06[21:23] * Hiroshi takes the torch and holds the burning end of it to one of the monk's clothes
01[21:23] <~KingGheedorah> 6The monk's kimono catches fire after a few seconds, and the corpse begins to burn.
06[21:24] * Hiroshi does it to the other two bodies, then backs into the hallway.
[21:25] <Ginko> "Okay.  Time to get moving, I guess?"
06[21:25] * Sanji steps awya from the burning bodies
[21:25] <Isamu> "Well that should certainly keep some attention off of us for a bit. Good thinking."
[21:25] <Sanji> "What about the altar?"
[21:25] <Hiroshi> "Lets.  Leave the altar."
06[21:25] * Hiroshi moves down the hallway, into the adjoining room between it and the room we were otherwise going to sleep in
01[21:27] <~KingGheedorah> 6The room is unchanged from before; a 9x9' square room with a few cots along the wall, a door to the north, a door in the northwest corner heading west, and a rumpled black kimono in the center of the floor, still smelling faintly of perfume.
[21:27] <Hiroshi> "Ginko, did you ever go through or see what's through that door?"
[21:28] <Hiroshi> (indicating the northwest door)
06[21:32] * Ginko frowns at the sight, but shakes her head. "No, we, ah, stopped here."
[21:33] <Hiroshi> "Alright, let's check it then." (I put my ear to the door as I did downstairs, before trying to open it.)
06[21:38] * Hiroshi finishes studying the door, then indicates to the long room. As he steps into the large room, he points to the north door. "Lets try that one."
[21:40] <Ginko> "More bad things?"
06[21:41] * Ginko frowns, following after Hiroshi.
[21:41] <Hiroshi> (I cross the room to the northern door.)  "Can't tell, but probably just a connector room to the altar room.
[21:41] <Hiroshi> "Probably wouldn't lead anywhere."
[21:42] <Isamu> "The sooner we pick a door, the sooner we leave this place." Isamu grunts as he keeps at the rear, checking behind the group as they move.
06[21:43] * Sanji follows Hiroshi
06[21:47] * Hiroshi decides that moving carefully is taking too long
[21:47] <Hiroshi> (and decides to kick the door in to the next room)
01[21:48] <~KingGheedorah> 6The door makes a loud noise, but fails to be kicked open.
06[21:49] * Hiroshi decides to not try that again since it felt like a pretty decent kick, and just tries opening the door.
01[21:50] <~KingGheedorah> 6The door swings open outwards at your pull.
06[21:50] * Isamu gives a Hiroshi a look with a raised eyebrow and then cracks a smile. "They always say do something twice for good measure. Or something like that."
[21:51] <Ginko> "Apparently we're done with the subtlety."
[21:51] <Sanji> "About time
01[21:51] <~KingGheedorah> 6Behind is a short hallway, terminating in a corner around 20' down. You catch a glimpse of bare stone before Sanji, trying to be helpful, kicks the door closed. There is a loud bang as the door slams closed.
06[21:51] * Ginko winces at the loud sound.
06[21:51] * Hiroshi shoots Sanji a glance, then reopens the door and steps through
[21:51] <Ginko> "Well, if we weren't done before, we really are now."
[21:51] <Sanji> "Ah...sorry"
[21:52] <Ginko> "Time to move."
06[21:52] * Hiroshi walks down, then peeks around the corner.
06[21:52] * Imako lowers her head and shakes it "Lets get out of here before they come to investigate.
01[21:53] <~KingGheedorah> 6The corner turns west. Immediately around the corner is a door.
[21:53] <Hiroshi> (I'll just try opening this one.)
[21:53] <Isamu> "You'd think that burning smell might be enough." Isamu comments as he follows.
06[21:55] * Ginko puts her hand out. "Wait."
06[21:55] * Sanji stops
06[21:55] * Imako joins Ginko, pointing to the hole in front of the door handle
[21:55] <Imako> (behind, rather)
06[21:55] * Ginko lowers her voice. "You don't want to just grab the handle."
06[21:56] * Imako fervently points to assist in making ginko's point
[21:56] <Hiroshi> "A trap?  Good eyes."
06[21:57] * Ginko steps forward, standing out of the way of the hole, and uses her tessen to catch the handle.
06[21:59] * Imako pulls her bow aiming at the hole, nodding to ginko
06[22:00] * Ginko uses her free hand to count down to the others before she pulls the door open, assuming nothing happens.
01[22:02] <~KingGheedorah> 6As the ring is lifted, there is a mechanical click and a six-inch spike snaps forward from the coin-sized hole.
06[22:03] * Ginko grimaces, then nods, and does the count-down before opening door thing.
[22:03] <Isamu> "Hmph, guess they're expecting trouble to come this way."
01[22:04] <~KingGheedorah> 6The door swings open outward without complaint.
01[22:07] <~KingGheedorah> 6The darkened room behind is square, 15x15', with a door in the far southwest corner. A dozen or so headless statues litter the room. Immediately upon opening the door you are assailed with the musty smell of death and decay, and the steady buzzing of hissing. The floor is covered in many pits of an unknown depth, with short catwalks of bamboo bridging the gaps. From your flickering torchlight you can make out a sinister writhing within the pits.
[22:07] <Ginko> "Uh."
[22:09] <Isamu> "Is that sound what I think it is?" Isamu questions from the rear.
06[22:09] * Sanji 's face pales
[22:10] <Imako> "Fitting. Given the location."
[22:10] <Ginko> "I do not want to go in there."
06[22:11] * Imako closes her eyes, taking a deep breath taking a step forward, testing the ground with each step "Enemies lie behind us, we either go forward, or we face them.. Your choice."
01[22:12] <~KingGheedorah> 6The catwalks feel sturdy but are narrow, so that only one may cross at a time.
06[22:13] * Imako takes another deep breath "Anyone have rope?"
[22:13] <Hiroshi> "I got some.  Don't think it'll be to helpful here though."
[22:14] <Isamu> "Imako's got a point. Best we make of it, yes?" Isamu tries a smile at Ginko.
06[22:14] * Ginko frowns, but nods.
[22:14] <Imako> "Not for the pits, for us.. tie ourselves together, that way if one falls the rest of us can support them"
[22:14] <Hiroshi> "Or we all get pulled in... Worth a try I suppose."
[22:15] <Imako> "Unless you wish to hope all of us can cross pits filled with snakes without anyone falling in."
06[22:15] * Hiroshi gets out his rope, handing it to the next person, before stepping out, heading towards the south-west door
[22:15] <Imako> "Well the hope is that hte rst of us will react quick enough to steady outselves before they fall.."
[22:16] <Isamu> "Well, either we all move forward. Or we all go down together. What's the worst that could happen."
06[22:17] * Ginko stops short. "Actually, uh."
[22:18] <Imako> "No uh, the more you think about it the more the fear will take hold of you.. Just move and don't think about it."
06[22:19] * Ginko makes a face as she ties the rope around herself.
[22:21] <Isamu> "Imako's got the idea. The more you think, the more it grips you. Onward." Isamu grins broadly.
06[22:22] * Hiroshi continues onward, testing the bamboo as we move, eventually reaching the southwest door.
[22:22] <Hiroshi> (I open it and enter, if possible.)
01[22:24] <~KingGheedorah> 6After mastering your fear of the snake pits, you manage to navigate the narrow bamboo catwalks across them and reach the door on the far wall. It swings open outward at your push. Behind is a longish hallway stretching west, and turning north at the far end.
06[22:25] * Hiroshi steps through, giving some guidance on the rope and pulling the others into the hallway before going down the hallway and peeking around the corner.
06[22:25] * Ginko releases a held breath, untying the rope and slipping out. "I hope they don't have more rooms like that."
01[22:26] <~KingGheedorah> 6Around the corner is... another corner, this one heading east.
[22:26] <Hiroshi> (Gathering the rope and signalling to follow, I head down to the next corner and peek once more.
06[22:26] * Imako lets out a long sigh as she follows them "I agree, Ginko."
06[22:27] * Ginko readies the naginata again, putting her gameface on as her heart settles down.
06[22:28] * Isamu creeps along with the others. "What do you bet these tunnels are meant to mimic their much adored snakes."
01[22:29] <~KingGheedorah> 6Around this corner is another long hallway heading back east. At the far end is a corner turning north.
[22:29] <Sanji> "Hopefully not made by one...."
[22:30] <Isamu> "But wouldn't that be something..." Isamu pauses in thought of just what a snake the size of this hallway would be.
[22:32] <Ginko> "Let's keep moving.  Maybe a few of them will fall in looking for us."
[22:32] <Hiroshi> "Gah, more hallways upon hallways..."
06[22:32] * Hiroshi continues on. "I would like to think so, but I'm not holding my breath."
01[22:34] <~KingGheedorah> 6Around this corner is yet another corner, leading back around again to the west.
[22:34] <Imako> ".. that's a good idea actually, we could probably have dislodged one of the catwalks and prevented them from following us.. but.. I suppose that'd live us with no way back either."
01[22:35] <~KingGheedorah> 6This in turn leads to a long westward. At the end of the hallway there is a heavy metal grate lying half-open.
01[22:37] <~KingGheedorah> 6There is a faint light flickering behind the grate.
03[22:48] * Sanji_ (chatzilla@sux-84210EA6.cwjamaica.com) has joined #L5Rgame
02[22:48] * Sanji (chatzilla@sux-84210EA6.cwjamaica.com) Quit (Connection reset by peer)
03[22:49] * Sanji_ is now known as Sanji
[23:05] <Ginko> "So, who wants to be the first to go through that."
06[23:05] * Hiroshi shrugs and steps forward, opening up the grate wide enough to step through
01[23:06] <~KingGheedorah> 6The grate swings open with a rusty creak.
06[23:08] * Sanji follows
06[23:08] * Imako nods following.
06[23:09] * Ginko sighs and follows.
06[23:10] * Isamu grins as he follows the others. "Into the unknown."
01[23:11] <~KingGheedorah> 6The room behind is longer than it is wide. Numerous pillars line the chamber, and all along the walls are small, darkened alcoves. In the center of the room, a large fire burns in a charred pit. The sound of chanting assails you as you approach, and upon entering you spot the source immediately. It is the old man whom you met upon the road leading up to the monastery. He kneels praying before the flame, head bowed.1 "Hello, younglings."
[23:13] <Hiroshi> "Ah, you again.  You wouldn't happen to have the key to the front door would you?"
[23:13] <Ginko> "..." Ginko schools her face into impassivity.
06[23:13] * Sanji however fails to do so
[23:14] <Sanji> "Tell me why I shouldn't cut you down right now old man."
01[23:14] <~KingGheedorah> 6He sighs regretfully.1 "You cannot leave. None of us can. Not anymore."
[23:15] <Sanji> "Your friends here" Sanji says, grimacing "Were less than hospitable"
[23:16] <Hiroshi> "No, that's not how this is going.  We're going to get the key for the door, and then we're going to leave."
[23:17] <Imako> "We're really bad at listening when told we cannot do things."
01[23:18] <~KingGheedorah> "You are welcome to try. Many have. None have succeeded."
06[23:18] * Isamu sighs resting his blade on his shoulder. "Well, I don't think you really want to be answering us like that. We have a habit of making things go wrong for people."
[23:19] <Hiroshi> "Well, would you happen to have the key?  That's a good place to start.  And you didn't exactly answer my question."
01[23:19] <~KingGheedorah> "Things cannot go more wrong for us than they already have."
[23:20] <Sanji> "Seize your Gibbering and speak clearly"
01[23:20] <~KingGheedorah> "To answer your question; no. I do not have the key."
06[23:20] * Sanji draws closer
[23:20] <Hiroshi> "Who does have it, then?"
01[23:21] <~KingGheedorah> 6He sighs.1 "My daughter, more than likely. I believe you have met her."
[23:21] <Ginko> "...Mitsuko."
01[23:22] <~KingGheedorah> "Yes."
[23:22] <Ginko> "Yes, that is going to go over well.  Last time we conversed, she tried to kill me.  Which leads me to my question.  Why did you direct us here?"
[23:22] <Hiroshi> "Gah, damn.  Where'd she slink off to?"
01[23:23] <~KingGheedorah> "I had no choice."6 He turns and looks at you from under his straw hat.1 "Would you believe that I am sorry?
[23:23] <Sanji> "Hardly"
06[23:23] * Imako nods to ginko "This time I think we'll be talking with our clothes on, should go a bit better."
[23:23] <Ginko> "I'm not in any hurry to start taking you at your word after the events of the evening."
06[23:23] * Ginko flushes deep red.
[23:24] <Hiroshi> "Maybe.  But that's not really a concern of mine at this point.  We just need to find Mitsuko right now."
06[23:24] * Imako looks to the man "Perhaps when this is all over, you can tell us why.. We can decide how sorry you are then."
[23:24] <Isamu> "Maybe. Time will tell." Says to the old man. "Now I'm interested in just why you seal yourselves away like this."
[23:25] <Ginko> "As interested as I am in figuring all of this out...Hiroshi is right.  This can wait until we have the key."
01[23:26] <~KingGheedorah> "It is a long story."6 He gestures to the floor near him.1 "I will tell if you wish to hear."
[23:26] <Hiroshi> "If you can follow us out of here, you can tell us outside.  For now we don't really have time to spare.  Unless you're right, in which case we're not going anywhere and you can tell us all about it."
01[23:28] <~KingGheedorah> "I am naught but an old, tired man. I will neither help nor stop you. Do as you like."6 He shrugs his shoulders and turns back to the fire, resuming his chanting.
[23:28] <Hiroshi> "Would you happen to know where Mitsuko would slink off to?"
01[23:31] <~KingGheedorah> "I have not known my daughter's mind in a long, long time."
[23:32] <Imako> "My guess would be the room we avoided."
[23:32] <Hiroshi> "Probably, though there's a few we haven't checked.  Keep in mind, someone moved those bodies."
[23:33] <Imako> "In a room that was connected to the room we avoided."
[23:33] <Hiroshi> "There's a few rooms we avoided; a couple on this floor and the one on the first."
[23:34] <Hiroshi> "I suppose we'll just have to keep searching as we were."
[23:35] <Ginko> "No telling how capable she is of avoiding us either.  She managed to run away pretty quickly earlier.
[23:35] <Ginko> "
[23:35] <Hiroshi> "I have a feeling she's sticking around somewhere; if she isn't, we have no way to get out in any event."
01[23:35] <~KingGheedorah> "She cannot leave any more than you or I can."
06[23:36] * Sanji steps forward, seeming to have calmed somewhat since the mans last statement. "Speak"
[23:36] <Hiroshi> "You know that's rather nonsensical right?  We saw several of you outside the monastery, not to mention you."
01[23:38] <~KingGheedorah> 6He chuckles.1 "And yet, we return, every night, before Lady Moon shows her face."
01[23:38] <~KingGheedorah> "No matter how many years pass..."
01[23:38] <~KingGheedorah> "You will understand, later. They all do."
[23:39] <Hiroshi> "Well, if we can get out of this damned monastery we'll see for ourselves.  For now, we should be going."
[23:39] <Isamu> "Hmph, you sure Hiroshi. Old man seems to know a bit more about this. Maybe hearing him out will give us insight."
06[23:40] * Imako glances at the old man once more, letting the will of her ancestors flow through her as she looks him over
[23:40] <Sanji> "...Tell me old man. What keeps you here? Why come back every night? If you are as sorry as you say, why lead us here in the first place?"
06[23:48] * Imako holds up her hand to the rest "Don't get too close."
01[23:48] <~KingGheedorah> 6He sighs.1 "A few among you remember the Snake clan, before it was a name to be feared and reviled."
[23:49] <Hiroshi> "I wasn't exactly planning on it."
06[23:51] * Imako glances into the old man's eyes "While I can do nothing for the stains on your soul, I will ease the burden of your ancestors.. Answer our questions with what little time you have."
01[23:51] <~KingGheedorah> "Isawa Chuda led us against the forces of the Great Dark, and for many years we did our duty with honor and integrity. But the Taint..."6 He glances toward the fire.1 "The Taint corrupts, /consumes/, from within, and no matter how hard or how long one fights, it will win in the end. It always does."
01[23:53] <~KingGheedorah> "We were betrayed, and scattered, and the Phoenix sought to crush us during the Five Nights of Shame. But some of us... some of us hid, rather than being destroyed or fleeing into the Shadowlands. Some of us trued to carry on the fight."
01[23:53] <~KingGheedorah> "What fools we were,"6 he says bitterly.
01[23:55] <~KingGheedorah> "A great power lies within these walls, and we were charged with guarding it to the end of us. A charge that would consume us, consume all of us. For it was not from without we needed fear. Not Oni, not Maho-Tsukai, not even the Phoenix. What destroyed us was the very thing we were set to guard, twisting our duty until it became everything we were, and stripping away everything else."
01[23:55] <~KingGheedorah> "Where we once guarded, now we serve."
[23:56] <Hiroshi> "And you think we would be likewise compelled to return if we were to leave?"
01[23:57] <~KingGheedorah> "I... have tried to fight it, to end myself, to leave. By the light of Lady Moon, I return, each night."6 He shakes his head.1 "And worse, where I fought, the others simply gave in. I believe I am the only one who has yet to do so."
01[23:57] <~KingGheedorah> "My daughter... Mitsuko, leads them now. I abhor what we have become, but she revels in it."
[23:58] <Ginko> "So I noticed." She says dryly.
06[23:58] * Imako glances at the others "He's tainted, and haunted by his ancestors, but his mind remains intact as far as I can tell.. I would believe what he says."
[23:59] <Hiroshi> ("You think we wouldn't be able to stay away, even if we escaped?")
Session Time: Tue Apr 05 00:00:00 2011
06[00:01] * Imako nods leaning close to hiroshi "Whatever is binding them here is an evil spirit, a kansen perhaps? I honestly have no knowledge of this sort of thing outside of the crane tells the Ikoma used to tell me as a child.. Either way, I think it's safe to say whatever it is, we're going to either have to avoid it, or kill it."
[00:01] <Imako> "Of course, that's just a wild guess, he could just be off his rocker and weak willed."
[00:02] <Hiroshi> "Staying stuck in here is not an acceptable option.  There are only two real choices, and both of them involve finding Mitsuko."
[00:03] <Isamu> "Ah, again with our limited choices. Fortunes seem to have it in for us."
[00:03] <Imako> "There is a third.. but from the sounds of it.. it may not be a choice."
[00:04] <Hiroshi> "In any event, let's get moving.  We have a person to find."
06[00:04] * Ginko sighs. "We might as well get started with the search then. No telling where she's hidden herself."
[00:04] <Imako> "Whatever it is, it's not gained a hold on any of us yet -- we still wish to escape. We could simply evade capture until morning, from the sounds of it.. morning weakens it's hold and opens the doors.
01[00:05] <~KingGheedorah> "No,"6 he says vehemently.1 "If you are to have any hope of breaking this chain, it is to escape before Lady Moon hides her face once again."
[00:05] <Ginko> "...Okay, now we've got a time limit."
[00:05] <Hiroshi> "That settles that matter then.  Let's go."
[00:05] <Imako> "See? not an option, so.. I suppose we go back to the most obvious location."
06[00:05] * Hiroshi starts back into the winding hallway
[00:06] <Imako> "If she leads them in worship of this.. thing, perhaps she would be where it is."
06[00:06] * Ginko follows after Hiroshi, now moving at a jog.
[00:06] <Hiroshi> (as we start walking:) "The door near the entrance I think you mean?"
06[00:06] * Sanji hangs back staring at the man
[00:07] <Sanji> "If you like, I can free you from this burden" He says, glancing at his blade
06[00:07] * Hiroshi starts into a mid-paced jog
[00:08] <Hiroshi> <redacted>
[00:08] <Hiroshi> "Before we go, where does that door lead?"
01[00:08] <~KingGheedorah> 6He smiles.1 "You may try, young samurai. I have stood vigil here for eight hundred years."
[00:09] <Hiroshi> "...Sanji, drop it."
06[00:09] * Ginko pauses, and looks at the man in some surprise.
[00:09] <Isamu> "Now, now Sanji. Leave an old man to his peace. You wouldn't want young upstarts doin the same to you when you're 800."
[00:10] <Imako> "Plus, while we can do nothing for his taint, perhaps whatever curse holding him will be broken when we break this cycle.. he can find his own peace.'
01[00:10] <~KingGheedorah> "More chambers; more shrines. This was a house of prayer, after all. It still is, in a fashion."
[00:10] <Sanji> "...Very well"
[00:10] <Hiroshi> "Are they... still in use?"
06[00:11] * Sanji moves away
02[00:12] * Hakumei (Hakumei@sux-13EB3095.hsd1.mi.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: Hakumei)
03[00:15] * Easymode (chatzilla@sux-6C5F9F3F.hsd1.mi.comcast.net) has joined #L5Rgame