01: Arrival at Tsuma

Right, Kashita is sitting on her horse, ready for the city. Forget the tea, let's just retcon ignore that whole thing.

Last edited March 14, 2019 5:24 pm

Matsu Suteko

Lux001 Inactive forever!

Mar 14, 2019 8:27 pm

All things dealt with, Suteko walks in front of the group — In front of the cart as well, assuming that it's not faster than her. Her vigilant eyes rest on the road, while she moves with imposing grace.

Mar 15, 2019 9:37 pm

As Ryo leads the cart along he keeps his eyes downcast. With some of you ahead of him and some following the cart (and one sitting on the back) the peasant looks distinctly uncomfortable as he tries to respond to Yoshi's question "I am sure whatever Sama has heard is correct.".

OOC:

The social divide in Rokugan is wide and insurmountable. For someone of the Ryu's caste to even hint that they are talking disrespectfully of a Samurai is often a swift route to the afterlife. He would normally have expected to have waited at the side of the road for you all to pass, even though he apparently served a very high ranked individual mixing directly with his superiors in this manner is definitely far outside his normal experience.

Yeah probably for the best to retcon that little segment (can happen from time to time on a PbP game). I'm also going to move things along to the next scene as you've gotten just about as much out of Ryu as you can

The rest of your journey takes but a few hours. Ryu begins to get increasingly uncomfortable at any questions directed to him, keeping his answers short and respectful but ultimately unenlightening and you all decide it best to leave him to his duties as you finally come into sight of Tsuma.
The village buzzes with activity today, as peasants and samurai move along the street on their business. The peasants all bow and wait for you to pass, while the samurai rush by you without a second glance. Streamers are affixed to trees, paper lanterns in the colors of the Great Clans hang from posts, carp kites fly in the air, and glass chimes sing in the breeze, all welcoming contestants, observers, and other visitors to this year's Topaz Championship.
You part from Ryu who prostrates himself once more as you leave him and quickly make your way to the town magistrate’s estate to formally register for the tournament. Once done you are directed to the House of the Laughing Carp, the tea house and inn housing the contestants. As you step into the courtyard of the inn, a loud voice catches your attention.
"This is unacceptable!" bellows a lean, tall young man, still dusty from the road. His sea green attire and unfamiliar family crest mark him as a samurai of a Minor Clan. The samurai is in mid-argument with the innkeeper, an utterly implacable peasant woman.
"Forgive me, honored samurai," she says, very dryly. "All my rooms are spoken for. If I should give you a room, I must displace another samurai, one who made these arrangements in advance. Perhaps you could try another boarding house in the village?"
"They are all full," the samurai hisses, struggling to regain his composure. The innkeeper notices your arrival, and quickly turns to you and bows.
"Honored guests," she says, apparently recognizing you by your clan mon. "Your rooms are waiting."

Matsu Suteko

Lux001 Inactive forever!

Mar 16, 2019 2:34 am

Suteko's posture visibly relax once the group gets in the village, her wrist casually resting on the tip of her katana's handle. A soft, nostalgic smile appears on her face as they make their way to the House of the Laughing Carp, taking in the picturesqueness of Tsuma with a mudded glee: Her cruel, piercing gaze creating an elegant contrast. At some point, she even slows down and closes her eyes, listening carefully to the chimes.

She only shoots a glance to the rōjin as he goes on his way. Once he's relatively far away, the gaijin sighs, a tired and annoyed frown creeping in. "Aren't we an honorable troupe of Samurai?" There's a small hint of cynicism in her words as if being honorable isn't one of the most important virtues of the Bushido. She doesn't give much room for interrogation, however, cocking her head to her companion's side. "Let's go to the Laughing Carp."

Eventually finding themselves stepping into the Tea House, Suteko makes sure to be the first to do so. She overhears the Samurai screaming at the innkeeper, causing her to raise an eyebrow in annoyance, her rested wristed playing with the tip of her katana as she unconsciously swirls it around.

Her eyes narrow on the innkeeper when the man repeats what she just heard: That there are no rooms left. Of course, that is untrue to us. Pft, as if we were going to arrive without making reservations. She starts to approach the woman, her chin raised as always when she stops at the samurai's side. She only offers him the smallest of nods, not even turning to face the man. When she's about to keep walking, she stops, again. Suteko sighs, this time fully shooting her typical angry glare at the man. "Don't be loud like a peasant." With that, she finally decides to move on to the innkeeper.

"Will you show it to us, then?" She asks the woman, her eyes respectfully softening on her.

Last edited March 16, 2019 2:39 am

Utaku Kashita

Qralloq

Mar 16, 2019 2:54 pm

Kashita rides to the Laughing Carp with the others, bringing up the rear. She watches them, attempting to understand who they really were, and what providence had brought them together for this journey. "The Kami are at odds with the Fortunes, and we are but toys in their game," her grandmother once told her. She tilts her head sideways, and her her eyes flick to the Lion. Don't focus too much on her, she thinks, lest you fail to see the bigger picture. She schools her face into serenity, starting blankly as her mind pieces it together, but it is incomplete.

They did not acknowledge my sacrifice for courtesy to them. Perhaps they aren't as sophisticated as I expected.

At the inn, she hears the minor bushi fail to berate a peasant. Like a smaller dog, he could be dangerous, a backbiter, seeking advantage in a game only he cares about. The Lion's words... I would not have used that tack. Still, if he is a threat, best reveal that now; perhaps she seeks to probe him for a false sense of vengeance. She nods imperceptibly, grudgingly. She is one to watch.

Sliding off her horse, she ties her yari to the saddle with swift fingers, and rubs her fetlock, checking for any sign of the road. Satisfied, she signals for her to stay, and moves to watch the minor samurai for signs of hotheadedness. She signals to the peasant innkeeper. "Do you have a stable hand?"

Mar 16, 2019 6:41 pm

As Yoshi walks into Tsuma, he quickly notices all the people crowding the city and all the colors of the kites and lanterns. He stops briefly, taking him the clear contrast between classes, so obvious in this town: even though he was invisible for the other samurai, he was unreachably superior to all the peasants. Sensei says these are the struggles of the Kharmic Wheel. I wonder.... He has obviously seem it all before, but the scale of it all... that was new. How can one be at peace in such a place! he thinks to himself, focusing on some memory from the tranquility found in the High House of Light. He unconsciously followed the others to the tournament registry. He never really understood why Togashi Yokuni, the Champion of the Dragon Clan, would bother personally asking him to join this gempuku... this is not something the Ise Zumi care about... Is this another punishment because of Togashi Kaie he wondered.

He walks in silence to the House of the Laughing Carp, following the group. In fact he did not say a work (or shared any of his insights) the whole time he was in Tsuma. He simply looked around, patiently taking in this reality so different to his own. His thoughts were disturbed by someone's shouting when he entered the inn. He was distracted, so he did not understand the words. Taking his time to access the situation he calmly approaches the inn keeper. That lion is indeed a raging fire. May it would be wise to approach her as if of water he thinks as Matsu shoots her angry glare at the other samurai. The other's indifference to this man is somewhat socking to him. "Thank you for the rooms my good woman. What seems to be the problem here?". Yoshi looks at the samurai, not recognizing his clan. Most honorable sir, I beg your pardon, but I fail to recognize your family mon. Where would you hail from, may I ask?

Last edited March 16, 2019 6:54 pm

Isawa Aki

bowlofspinach

Mar 17, 2019 10:51 am

Aki spends the journey deep in thought about the encounter at the river. Had she really communicated with the spirit of the deceased Emerald Champion? And what was the purpose of the message the spirit had given to her? She would have to find a way to talk to Kakita Toshimoko about this.
She barely acknowledges when the group arrives at the village, only giving the barest farewell to the peasant as they part ways.
Only during the registration to the tournament does Aki wake from her thoughts

When the group enters the Laughing Carp and the described situation plays out, Aki walks up to the enraged samurai. She greets him politely and then says calmly: "I see that you are forced to deal with an unfortunate situation caused by insufficient foreplanning." Her voice is soothing and polite, despite the criticism in her words. "If you were to compose yourself, I am certain an adequate solution would come to you. There is no need to act in such an unbecoming manner. I am going to meditate for a while. There are things I need to comtemplate. If you wish, you can join me."

Mar 18, 2019 2:54 pm

The young man stiffens noticably at Suteko's comment as the innkeeper bows to you all "Of course Sama, it will be just a moment" she says in response to Suteko and Kashita before turning to Yoshi "As I have explained to the honoured samurai all of my rooms are spoken for, if I was to give up one of my rooms for him I must displace another samurai which is not possible for me to do". For the moment the samurai seems too emotional, almost on the verge of some sort of breakdown, and does not respond to Yoshi.

OOC:

Ok, there are several things happening here that may have an impact. I'll give a few suggestions with rolls based on the interactions so far and stuff mentioned in the adventure, in the event of a couple of things possibly conflicting I'll resolve things in the order of most to least kept successes.

If you are trying to tip the samurai over the edge into an outburst you need to make a TN 2 Command (Fire) check.
If you are trying to get the innkeeper to change their position make a TN 2 Courtesy (Water) check.
If you are trying to calm the samurai down then make a TN 2 Courtesy (Earth) check.

Feel free to suggest another course of action if you have something in mind and just make an appropriate roll (we can always re-roll things if what you pick doesn't really marry up with the roll)

Mar 18, 2019 2:59 pm

"To think of meditating in such a situation. Curious one this shugenja.. a bit like Kaie-sama used to be. But that won't help here". As the innkeeper prepares to show the rooms and stables to Otaku and Matsu, Yoshi quickly demands Good woman, would there be a monastery in this town? Could you spare a boy for a little errand?. He then turns to the minor samurai. "You must contain yourself. Let's sit down here and have a tea. Breath slowing. Now, let's start by telling me your name?". Knowing how Isawa appreciates a good tea, he adds Would the lady like to join us?.

OOC:

earth: 3; courtesy: 0... Roll 2 strives (man I feel stressed by the whole situation, one wrong move and this samurai blows up dishonorably!), 2 successes and an explosive. Add one opportunity. So that passed right? He is calm now? Can I use the opportunity to check if this samurai is an honorable and trustworthy person, maybe recalling something about his clan that let's me know this?

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Last edited March 18, 2019 3:23 pm

Rolls

Calm the samurai - (1d6, 1d6, 1d6)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (6) = 6

repeat explosive - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Isawa Aki

bowlofspinach

Mar 18, 2019 3:00 pm

RobbOgden93 Inactive forever!

OOC:

Rolling to calm down the samurai - using what I said in my previous post.

OOC:

Edit: 1 Explosive success with strife, one regular success
I'll use the explosive success with strife and roll one more die

Edit 2: So my end result: 2 successes, one strife

Last edited March 18, 2019 3:05 pm

Rolls

Courtesy - (1D12)

(9) = 9

Earth Ring - (1D6)

(6) = 6

Explosive success - (1D6)

(4) = 4

Mar 18, 2019 4:21 pm

OOC:

Hi all, my home internet was out all weekend, im sorry for not being here. Just assume Kyo was in the background napping on the cart

Mar 18, 2019 5:03 pm

RobbOgden93 Inactive forever!

RobbOgden93 says:

OOC:

Hi all, my home internet was out all weekend, im sorry for not being here. Just assume Kyo was in the background napping on the cart

OOC:

ah! that lazy samurai finally woke up. how can he sleep all the way with the road in such a state ;)

I was going to ask if it was a snow storm as a friend of mine had the same problem. but it wasn't in canada :(

Last edited March 18, 2019 6:05 pm

Mar 18, 2019 10:30 pm

CESN says:

RobbOgden93 says:

OOC:

Hi all, my home internet was out all weekend, im sorry for not being here. Just assume Kyo was in the background napping on the cart

OOC:

ah! that lazy samurai finally woke up. how can he sleep all the way with the road in such a state ;)

I was going to ask if it was a snow storm as a friend of mine had the same problem. but it wasn't in canada :(

OOC:

Not a snow storm, just terrible Service providers. Hopefully its fixed when i get home tonight. Roomates are home today so theyre waiting on the telus guy to show up. I think it could be the sudden thaw, we went from 11 below friday to 4 above on saturday. Celsius.

Matsu Suteko

Lux001 Inactive forever!

Mar 19, 2019 3:02 am

Suteko stares coldly at the Phoenix and the Dragon, her left eyebrow barely raising in disapproval of their actions. Not that she cares that the shungenja wants to waste her time meditating, but rather that they're either trying to spinelessly get him to calm down — As if a functional adult and a Samurai isn't expected to naturally do something about the problem he's facing rather than crying about it — or, worse, that they're actually taking pity on him.

She only shows her discontent by sighing, loudly and hopelessly, as she rolls her eyes to face someone else: The unicorn, Otaku Kashita. Suteko staring her straight to the eyes is an accident, but admittedly, Suteko maybe enjoyed her company the most. Yes, because she didn't speak much, but still. She keeps glaring her with empty eyes for a few seconds until she decides that they should probably fraternize in some way. If the Dragon and the Phoenix are going to fly around a muddled moon together, then the Lion will exercise as well.

"The first thing you do after so many days of travel is to make sure that that horse of yours is well taken care of." Says the Matsu, with her analytical gaze, when a soft, apparently taunting smile creeps in. She's gauging her, however, rather than simply taunting. "The man that you come to love will be special indeed." She simply takes in her reaction, but don't give her enough time to respond to that particular phrase. "Aren't you tired? Personally, a bath is the first thing I'll do". She raises her chin when she shoots a glance to both her other companions, the Dragon and the Phoenix. "When they're done, that is." She doesn't hold her stare for very long, and simply sigh defeatedly.

Mar 19, 2019 2:10 pm

Yoshi - The innkeeper bows "We do not have a monastery in Tsuma I am afraid Sama. There is a Temple to Amatseru and a shrine to the fortunes to the north if either of those would be suitable?" whilst talking she gestures and one of her servants comes over, bowing deeply to each of you in turn "My staff are at your disposal Sama" she says with a smile.

mcneils5 sent a note to CESN

Yoshi, Aki - both of your words and the fact that Suteko has relented in her direct criticism seem to reach the young samurai. He turns slightly and takes a deep, calming breath before turning back to you both "Forgive me, I am Hitoshi of the Mantis clan. I am here to compete in the Topaz Championship." he seems both proud and slightly surprised at the latter "I fear that complete calm will elude me for some time so I will decline your offer for the moment Isawa san, tea however sounds most agreeable whilst this....matter is resolved"

Mar 19, 2019 2:13 pm

Yoshi asks the servant to approach, whispers something to him, gives in same Zeni and the boys runs as quickly as he can off out of the inn.
Turning his attention back to Hitoshi "A man of the sea! You must remember that the water may look calm but it is as strong as the fire".

OOC:

And after another inspiring piece of monastic wisdom, Yoshi just keeps chatting and drinking tea. Questions Yoshi ask:
How was your travel?
How come you ended up here with no accommodation?"
You seem proud of being chosen to compete yet somehow surprised...
What do you know about the Topaz Championship?

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Last edited March 19, 2019 2:30 pm

Mar 20, 2019 2:27 pm

Yoshi - the boy politely refuses payment before rushing off to carry out your wishes.

Yoshi, Aki - The conversation with Hitoshi goes well until you mention the lack of accommodation at which he stiffens, he does not react to the same way as he did previously but it obviously sets his mood back a touch. "Arrangements were made for my accommodation here by the magistrates representatives. This....peasant has obviously made a mistake but will not admit such". The innkeeper shakes her head slightly before interjecting "As I have already advised the young samurai I was not told to keep a room for him" as she speaks she gestures to a sheaf of documentation that presumably contains the details of everyone staying here.

OOC:

If you want to try to get the innkeeper to check their documents again you can make a suitable argument along with a TN 2 Courtesy (Water) check.

Suteko, Kashita - As you are standing to the side you take note of a couple of other figures in the room. A young man, tall with his face fixed in a seemingly perpetual frown, is studying the interaction going on with the Mantis and your companions - based on his Mon he is of the Shiba family of the Pheonix clan. The other, sitting with the phoenix, is another young man but this one is as short as the other is tall and despite being young his hair seems to be thinning - his Mon reveals him to be one of the Yasuki family of the Crab clan.

Isawa Aki

bowlofspinach

Mar 20, 2019 2:37 pm

OOC:

What do I roll to determine if the woman is lying? I don't think she would do that but you never know.

And seeing how we're both Phoenix but from different families, what would be the appropriate way to act towards the Shiba?

Mar 20, 2019 3:12 pm