- The reality of Amber Diceless or LoG&S is that players end up GMing themselves from time to time. That's just the way the game works. Grant headed off on his own quest, and hence Ethan (my character) ended up having his own adventure. This is what happened in Grant's absence, however, I ended up asking David to share Grant's stats as I needed to know whether Ethan was Dominant Rank or 2nd Rank in some areas…….
Realm 1 - The Middle Kingdom
- Under the cover of darkness, Grant heads east with ten Shang loyalists, leaving Ethan behind at the temple to guard their exit. Ethan remains on watch with a single sentry while the other soldiers rest, but there is no sign that Grant is discovered. When dawn breaks, all is as it was.
- The first morning passes uneventfully. Ethan spends some time talking to his newfound comrades, learning more about the geography of the place and the recent historical events. He learns that General Xia is a relative newcomer. The Shang dynasty is in decline - the current Emperor Shang Zhou is old and some say he is mad. General Xia was one of the Emperor's greatest warlords, but turned against him. When Ethan asks further about this, it seems that the General was justifiably disloyal, but since his rebellion, more provinces have rallied against the 'mad Emperor'. The Shang loyalists have been allied with the Shang bloodline for generations - they are the most devout and would never betray the Emperor, no matter what his failings.
- Ethan tests his strength against one of the Shang loyalists and confirms that he is much stronger. He becomes concerned that the hardness of his Versais sabre may be inferior to that of the native swords. Each of the Shang loyalists carries an ancestral blade which appears to be of high quality. Ethan horrifies the Shang loyalists when he suggests 'looting' the corpses on the battlefield for a suitable weapon, and instead one of the men (Han Wu) offers him a blade should he need it. Ethan refuses.
The First Duel
- After a time, a group of Xia riders takes to the field and comes within bow-range to fire a few shots, and observe the Shang defences at closer range. The Shang return fire but it is difficult to hit a moving target. Ethan borrows a bow, and his first arrow fells a horse. The second arrow he fires takes a man's head clean off. At that point, the Xia withdraw and the Shang congratulate him. Ethan sends a few men into the battlefield to retrieve more arrows, and has two men climb onto the roof to collect the arrows embedded there.
- As the day wears on, Ethan becomes concerned that his marksmanship may have attracted the wrong type of attention. He sits down to meditate and ponder.
- The next day, a group of riders approach. They carry the red Xia banner and the leader of the group declares himself as Shu Lai and he declares a duel of honour against Zhao Wei, a warrior of Shang. Ethan is a little confused by this until he is advised by his comrades that Zhao Wei died in the last assault. Shu Lai has unknowingly challenged a dead man. Ethan seizes upon the opportunity, and overruling the protests of his allies, he is taken to the body and seizes the dead man's weapon and armour. With his face concealed by a war-mask, Ethan marches on to the battlefield as Zhao Wei, and confronts Shu Lai on foot. Ethan's skill with the blade and sheer strength results in a quick victory, and Shu Lai asks for death. Ignorant of the customs, Ethan refuses and instead orders Shu Lai back to his lines. Shu Lai stoically refuses to leave from the spot, and insists upon death. His companions lower their banner and Ethan realises that he has misjudged the situation. He kills the man, and the Xai return sadly to their lines. Ethan ponders what he has done.
- Hours later, another group from the Xia lines approach - a strange mix of three odd individuals who are not soldiers. They halt nearby the temple, and they proclaim their service to Zhao Wei, their new Lord. Ethan is astonished to find that he has just acquired Shu Lai's property, including these three retainers, plus a certain quantity of rice, one small fortress, and two wives. Ethan asks some of the Shang about this, and he learns that Shu Lai's vassals will be after revenge against Zhao Wei, but what was owned by him is now technically Ethan's. The three retainers and two wives are effectively owned property. Strangely enough, Shu Lai had a son, Shu Ba who will also be after vengeance and is not considered property.
Being Zhao Wei
- Ethan asks many questions about the culture and practices of the Middle Kingdom, and finds out a great deal more about the composition of the Xia army. The next morning, he rides out to meet the Xia army, and issues one formal challenge after another. Over the course of the next two hours, Ethan fights five duels and kills five men before General Xia himself intercedes and puts a stop to this practice. Archers are deployed to prevent Ethan from leaving and General Xia talks with him from a distance. The General realises that this is not Zhao Wei as he speaks with the wrong accent. He asks Ethan who he is, but Ethan declines to answer. At this point, General Xia withdraws and a white samurai, his face hidden by an elaborate war-mask, takes the field.
The Battle with the White Samurai
- Ethan realises that he has misjudged the situation yet again. He can tell that the White Samurai is no normal man just by his presence. His senses scream that this fight is not like the others and the danger is very real.
* Note - photo taken from the upcoming movie 47 Ronin…..
- The White Samurai does not identify himself. He says nothing as he takes the field. The two of them assess each other for some time, with the entire Xia army watching. Finally the White Samurai charges in and there is the clash of steel. Sparks fly. Ethan realises that his opponent is supernaturally strong, and unusually skilled. Ethan takes a cautious approach and deflects every blow that the White Samurai throws at him, gradually assessing what it will take to defeat him. He cannot see eyes behind the war-mask of his enemy but he can feel the black anger there nonetheless.
- Just as Ethan thinks he has the measure of the White Samurai, his enemy increases the fury of his blows, and lands a blow which tears through the armour on his upper left arm. The White Samurai backs off, leaving Ethan bleeding badly. GM's note - the White Samurai has the superior Warfare and a Hardened Blade (1pt weapon) The White Samurai follows up, cleaving at him again and again, and Ethan deflects each blow with only one arm. Then suddenly the Samurai pauses, and focusses. Ethan readies himself for another attack. Issuing a Word of Power, the White Samurai cleaves through Ethan's blade, leaving him only half a sword and wounding him again on the other arm (although this time it is only a shallow wound). GM's note - the White Samurai has the Cantrip Fatisco (Fracture) At the same moment that Ethan's blade is shattered, Ethan grabs the samurai's sword arm with his left hand and he uses his entire Strength to pull the samurai off his feet. GM's note - Ethan has ranked Strength, whereas the White Samurai only has Paragon level. It's a significant differential, much greater than the difference in Warfare. The White Samurai is ripped off his feet and slammed into the ground. Ethan breaks his arm and tears the White Samurai's blade from his grip. Before the Samurai can recover his senses, Ethan cleaves down and takes his opponent's arm off. The Samurai says but one word "Wait" and he begins reaching for something at his waist. Ethan beheads him before he can speak again.
- The entire battle has lasted only 15 minutes but it is the first real battle that Ethan has experienced and he is bleeding badly. GM's note - Ethan has ranked Strength and is dominant ranked Endurance - he does not feel light headed at this time but he is unused to being wounded and if he lingers he would be at a disadvantage. Ethan glares at the General and his army, and successfully intimidates them such that they do not fire GM's note - Ethan has Dominant rank in Psyche The General is strong willed enough to ask Ethan to identify himself, even though his voice has lost some of its command.
- Ethan asks who the White Samurai is, and the General tells him that the individual's background is a mystery to him, but that the samurai was the greatest warrior he had ever seen. He only joined the Xia cause little over a month ago. Ethan realises that the timing correlates to when he and Grant first opened the Red Door to the Middle Kingdom. Ethan bows respectfully to the General, and announces that he will retire from the field of battle but says that he would like to talk with the General on the next day. The General repeats his request for Ethan to identify himself, and Ethan says that he will share his name on the next day. He briefly looks over the White Samurai's body, and finds a strange black token at his waist, which he retrieves. He is allowed to return to the Shang temple.
Grant Returns
- The wound on Ethan's left upper arm is deep and there has been significant blood loss. Nevertheless, he remains in good spirits and he binds the wounds with simple cloth. He considers returning to Shadow Earth to receive proper medical treatment but decides to 'make do'. The Shang loyalists attempt to celebrate his victory, but Ethan does not want to join in. Instead he is somber and mulls over his victory on the steps of the temple.
- As the sun begins to set on the third day, this is the earlier time that Grant could return ….. (but that adventure has not yet been run)….
GM's note: If anyone wants an idea as to how strong the White Samurai was, here are his stats. He is a 7 point character. I invented this guy to fight Grant, not Ethan. I didn't expect Grant to 'slip away' to recover the Emperor, even though of course it makes perfect sense that he do so.
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