Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 1: Atsumari/Gathering

[Plainsfox]

@Jade Tournament during the Nighttime

"By school reputation, I would say Kakita-san, Asahina-san, Mirumoto-san, and humbly myself for fourth. Although I would rank Isawa Sosuke for fifth. You will excuse me if I say that none of the other schools remaining have much of a reputation for Iaijutsu."

"As far as champions go, it is assumed that Kakita-san would fight for Doji-san. Asahina-san looks as if he's fallen under Lady Kitsu's spell. I would expect him to champion her, if she manages to do well on the next day's event. Mirumoto-san said he would champion anyone who asks of him, I think. I would be in the same boat if I failed and if Lady Soshi failed. I...I..do have some ideas on who I would champion though...." Kojiro's voice wavered off as he thought of the Phoenix courtier he saw when he escorted Gemmei to the Lore event the night before. The woman resembled Rin greatly, except for the Gaijin contraption on her face.

"But you'll forgive me if I keep some secrets to myself. What is a Scorpion without them? So, what secrets are you trying to ferret out tonight, Denbe-san?"

OOC
Awareness/Etiquette (Conversation) to shift the topic! (4k3+2 dice to handle explosions)
Penalties: +3 for wounded status and +5 for Lost Love!
TN: 23
Results: 18  

[Psychofish]

[Late Night Stroll]

"Not the sort I've chanced upon," the Hare admitted, attempting to disarm the topic and return to the other without Kojiro realizing he was avoiding the answers; just like it was clear the Scorpion was hiding a few. Which mostly meant if Denbe wanted them badly enough, he'd have to seek them a different way.

Instead, he continued talking a bit too long.

"One expects that if they want meaningless secrets, seek a gossipmonger. If one wants useful secrets, seek a Scorpion."

"But should I have luck, that small idea of whom I might see on the dueling fields will be good to have. Thank you Bayushi-san." It would be the first contest he wasn't entering blind. All listed could out duel Denbe, very likely. However, that list was smaller than he'd expected. Not as bad as it could be.

[4k3-3 Awareness/Etiquette(Sincerity): 13]  

[Plainsfox]

@Jade Tournament Ground During the Night

Kojiro tried to shake his head clear of the thoughts of that courtier and of Rin, but was failing. "Forgive me , Ujina-san, but it is late..and it may be best if I headed back to the tent. I wouldn't want to give you an unfair advantage tomorrow!" Kojiro grinned jokingly.

OOC:

Awareness/Etiquette (4k3+2 to handle explosions)
Penalties: 8
Results:20  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Shogi Competition:

Kaiu Kagae has 5 banked raises. TN 5
Ide Jiro has 1 banked raise, TN 25

Jiro would simply smirk. "I have so many strategies, my strategies have strategies. It's all part of a cunning ploy on my part to make you lower your guard." Jiro would stop trying to be cunning and simply brace for the incoming assault {18 vs TN 25}

Kagae gains a free banked raise!  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Crane Shenanigans:

Kaori would have a slightly bemused look on her face; whether it was at the part Hogai or Raicho, that part would be uncertain.

"Raicho-sama has always been harsh to her underlings and peers alike, for as long as I've known her. Her behavior has not surprised me in the least this tournament. Only my own."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans:

Maru would simply shake her head. "Don't worry about Naizen. We simply grew up together. If you think there is anything between us, you are reading far too much into it. I would venture so far as to use the phrase 'partners' over 'friends'." She would rest her head upon Kojiro's shoulder as they walked, her arms still clutching his.

Though, before they could get to the Magistrate's tent, they would see someone else who would approach the duo...

"Fine evening for a stroll, if you ask me," Kita would say as she saw the two, smiling brightly, even in the threat of darkness from the night. The magistrate would be carrying a small scroll case in one hand, but otherwise, seemed to simply be out walking herself.  

[Plainsfox]

@Scorpion Shenanigans:

"Evening, Kita-sama! Indeed, it's a very fine night!" Kojiro would carefully untangle his arm from Maru to bow deeply to the magistrate. "We were actually searching for a magistrate. I was wondering if it was possible to borrow a pair of ponies for the evening? We were thinking that a visit to a teahouse may refresh us for the remaining contests tomorrow. Is any of that permissible?"

OOC:
Awareness/Courtier: 5k3 (3 additonal dice for explosions)
Penalties: +3 Wound modifier
Results: 18  

[Mongooseh]

@Shogi competition

"Really? Well my strategy so far has put you into check."

The assault struck and hard leaving a gap for some knights to charge through into range of the king.

(Checking with my 6 raises and calling 1 raise to raise Jiro's TN. 5k3 Battle vs TN 10 Result: 30 )  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

@ Tea Ceremony competition:

Seichiro let out a hearty laugh, then shook his head. "No worries, I won't tell. Whatever we say in here stays in here."  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Shogi Competition:

Kaiu Kagae has 6 0 banked raises. TN 5
Ide Jiro has 1 banked raise, TN 30

Jiro would see the situation that his King was in, and realized he had no chance to survive make his time. He put his hand on the king in an effort to move it into a safer position... {22 vs TN 40}

Kagae gains a free banked raise!

Though he would simply lift the king from the board, and handed it to Kagae. "You've become accustomed to victory, Kagae-san. If you fail to realize this, your defeat at the hands of Makoto-san is guaranteed. Just a bit of friendly advice, is all."

WINNER: KAIU KAGAE

 

[Rain Yupa]

@ Ceremonial Competition, Round 4:

First check: Matsu Seichiro gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Second check: Matsu Seichiro gains a Free Raise for his final roll!
Third check: Matsu Seichiro gains a Free Raise for his final roll!

Toyoko would bow repeatedly to Seichiro, almost spilling her tea in the process. After she would get over her mortified reaction to her own accidental innuendos, she would once more begin speaking of how highly she thought of Koan.

She would barely be halfway through her second cup when the time would become apparent.

"Oh! We should finish, so we can go on to the final rounds! I must be seeing Gemmei-san next, and I don't want to keep her waiting!"

Figuring Seichiro would be alright with hearing enough about Koan-kun, he can give an opposed Void/Tea Ceremony roll!

Toyoko spends a Void, and gets 16.  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

"Say hi to Gemmei san for me!" And with that, he would finish the ceremony with her.

[3k2+15 Tea Ceremony roll=23]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans:

Kita would seem a bit taken aback by the request, but only for a moment. "I think that entirely depends on when the two of you will be back. It's quite the ride to Mura Sabishii Toshi." She seemed thoughtful for a moment, then shook her head.

"I could not condone such travel as such a late hour. Even if you rode straight there and back, you would hardly be considered rested for the next morning..."

She stopped and looked westward. "Although... Hotaru Mura is significantly closer... and we are rather low on paper and ink, which we've needed to make reports to the Clans on each individual participant's progress. If you wouldn't mind running this errand for me, I will allow you two the ponies you need." She would pull out a coin purse from within the sleeve of her kimono, and pull out a koku and 2 bu. "Use this to pay for the things I need, alright?" she would ask, extending her hand to the Bayushi.

Does Kojiro accept this errand?  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Ceremonial Competition, Round 5:

Toyoko would stand and bow to Seichiro, before a servant would beckon him to come with her.

As the Lion would be lead down the hall, she would slide open the door and bow humbly towards the giant. Upon looking in, Seichiro would see the infamous Doji Koan sitting there, preparing the tea. Looking up, he would nod slightly to Seichiro, and gesture at the opposite side of the table from himself.  

[Keith Valken Lionheart]

Seichiro walked to the opposite side of the table, giving him a deep bow. "Greetings, I am Matsu Seichiro. It is a pleasure to meet you." And once he greeted his partner, he sat down.