Jade Legacy [L5R 3eR] - Act 2 Chapter 1: Daiippo/First Step

[Sutiiven]

Hisashi wouldn't flinch as he stared down the emotionally compromised Crab.

"...I'm going to take that as a yes."

Reflexes/Kyujutsu: 6k3 vs Kagae's TN To Be Hit

Total: 8+8+7 = 23  

[Plainsfox]

Checks Kojiro is going to need
Perception/Investigation to attempt to notice things in the village (3k2; no explosions)
Intelligence/ Courtier (Political Maneuvering) to locate the headman (5k3+2)
Intelligence/ Lore: Law to ponder about what legal pretext that could allow the Scorpions to claim a village this far out. (5k3)  

[Sutiiven]

Damage: 5k2

Total: 5+6 = 11 (Min taken so as to not MURDERIZE Kagae sweatdrop )  

[Plainsfox]

OOC: Perception/Investigation
3k2
Results: 12  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Arthropod Action!

Deciding to prove he wasn't all talk, Yoritomo Hisashi followed through with his threat and shot Kagae for not backing down. However, due to Kagae's defensive training (despite not logging his 2xDefense bonus to his TNtbH), the arrow likely gets jammed in the chestplate of Kagae's armor, without actually penetrating it enough to pierce flesh.

Kagae, since you were trying to make an open target for Hisashi, you can choose not to contest the attack roll and receive 11 damage, leaving you Grazed. Otherwise, Hisashi barely misses you!  

[Plainsfox]

OOC:
Intelligence/Courtier (Political Maneuvering) roll 5k3+2 w/3 dice for explosions
Results: 30  

[Plainsfox]

OOC:
Intelligence/Lore:Law (5k3 w/ 3 additional dice to handle explosions)
Results: 20  

[Raganui Minamoto]

@ Party Critical Condition:

"Would... you all... JUST STOP!" Zanzen had had enough of it. All of the arguments and what not. His left hand held his sword's sheathe lightly. "If you all don't, then it's possible that we will fail. So, either calm down, or spend some time out of the realm of consciousness in the hopes that the Kami give you a good dream so you awaken without the utter chaos that you are doing. Or should you all not have gone through your Gempukku yet?"

(Awareness/Courtier: 2k2)  

[Mongooseh]

(Choosing to not allow that damage)

With an arrow nestling neatly in his breast plate Kagae reached down carefully and pulled it out. Checking the entry point for blood Kagae chuckled realising the mantis had failed to wound him. Breaking the arrow in half he would throw the pieces onto the floor and look at Hisashi,

"It seems the Kami do not support your actions Hisashi-san! Your aim was true but it seems the Kami favoured me in that moment! Your words and your arrow fail to convince me!"

Kagae picks up his pack and carries on as normal.  

[Sutiiven]

Hisashi would grimace as the haughty crab got the last laugh.

"Your arrogance will be the end of you, Kagae" he would mutter to himself as the Kaiu Engineer sauntered into the town after the Scorpions.

He would rest the bow on his shoulder then approach Zanzen and Denbe, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

"Can we just... do something productive for once? Please? Before one of our number does something stupid again - myself included?"  

[Tei Kae]

"This is ridiculous" Miyako stated in frustration as she and Kojiro simply ignored Kagae and left the group, intent on doing exactly what she'd stated previously. If anyone knew they were here, it was already known, so Miyako wasn't trying to hide as they looked around for signs of habitation and made their way there.  

[Plainsfox]

@ Scorpion Shenanigans

Kojiro merely nodded mutely, his strength drained by the excursion throughout Crab lands. The uniqueness of the situation seemed to be gnawing at the group. "Maybe....it would be good if we found rivals to our group or at least a common enemy. Do the Emerald Magistrates have a similar organization? That would be interesting."

The Bayushi did his best to guide Miyako to where the headman's house should be, although he was extremely tired.  

[Rain Yupa]

GM's notes:
Kojiro: -1k0 earth/water.
Denbe: -1k0 earth/void.
Kagae: None
Seichiro: -1k0 earth/void.
Zanzen: -1k0 earth/water.
Kyumi: -1k0 fire/void.
Hisashi:None
Miyako: None
--------------------

@ Almost four pages of interparty conflict later...:

Shosuro Miyako and Bayushi Kojiro made their way to the center of town. Miyako seemed pretty content on leading, though Kojiro's mind was on different things. Such as...

@ Investigation: Kojiro notices nothing out of the ordinary! Probably because it's so dark out. A lantern would be REALLY awesome right now.

@ Courtier: Miyako seems to have the right idea. The center of the village is your best bet to find someone important, like the village headman.

@ Lore: Law: The only thing that comes to mind is if the Scorpion Clan achieved it in an act of War against the Crab; however, there is little evidence to show that this has even happened. A long shot for second is if they achieved it through some sort of political bargaining with the Crab Clan (perhaps as compensation for something, or in exchange for something). But what the Scorpion might want this far south is something that escapes you.

Then, as you guys arrive at the center of town and wonder which house to check first, the door of one building slides open. Ducking beneath the frame, a samurai in full scorpion armor, bearing the mon of the Bayushi family, steps out. He bears a gold-colored mask over his eyes shaped almost like an avian creature, eyes slanted, nose protruding somewhat like a beak. His dark hair is tied back in a ponytail, hanging down to his shoulders.

Upon seeing the two of you, he just kind of... stops. And blinks.

Blinks a lot.

"Brother! Sister! It's about time you arrived! I was wondering when our clan was going to send reinforcements to help secure this village! The rest of us were starting to get concerned that we had been abandoned down here!" As he verbosely expresses his joy, his arms spread wide to his side as if he wanted to hug you, though he made no effort to actually close the distance.  

[Tei Kae]

"Of course you would not be abandoned." Miyako wasn't in full control of her mouth as she let her brain process everything as quickly as possible. "I assume everything is well in control?" Might as well play along and see where it led.

[Awareness/Acting to not be thrown for a loop at this development 7k4 plus a few for explode-y
Raise to seem really in control= 10+ 3e + 7 + 7 +3 = 30]  

[Plainsfox]

@The Village

Kojiro would bow to the samurai that he mentally labeled Tengu-san, for his avian appearance. In truth, it was an attempt to rack his brains to recall if he met this particular cousin before. The odds seemed highly against it, but things would go smoother if he could.

OOC:
Intelligence/Lore Heraldry to try to recognize the bushi. 3k3, no explodies ><
Results: 10