[D1] Settling in (Event)

[The sweeping monk]

Art: https://www.roningallery.com/gentoku-vi ... ei-in-snow

The monastery of Circle's End rarely if ever had to host such a number of guests at once. And it shows.

The monks are snowed under, metaphorically and a bit literally as a consequence of the snowfalls from the past night. The usually tranquil place is swarmed with people running around to arrange rooms, fetch supplies from the reserve, prepare extra portions for meals, clear out the courtyard and the garden, and so much more.

Meanwhile, expected and unexpected guests arrive. By foot or on horse, before dawn or at dusk, humble or demanding, one by one or in packs, they arrive, and the Karmic Wheel spins.


Mechanical considerations

This event does not take place in a particular timeslot and does not happen in a single location. Instead, it represents the mechanical, "rolly", side of things your character might have done through their first day at the monastery. Up to you to decide if those were background, behind the scene, actions, or if you want to tie them up to RP threads – for example making or joining an open thread in the countryside about your character doing some hiking if you choose to go for one of the Survival options below.

The whole event is treated as a single Downtime Scene.

As the start of the event, set your strife and fatigue to zero, and your Void points to your Void ring.

During this event, opportunities may only be used for fluff, for the extra options offered in some rolls, and in the following ways:
+: Remove 1 strife you gained from this check per spent this way.
+: You notice some details unrelated to the task at hand but quite relevant to the big picture. Gain 1 Information point per spent this way.

School abilities, techniques, advantages and disadvantages, only apply if listed here or explicitly stated to apply in this very thread. All their normal restrictions (once per scene, etc.) and costs (spend a Void point, etc.) must also be satisfied.

Just as Predicted (Seppun Astrologer School Ability) can be rolled "for free" at the beginning of the event as this is also the beginning of the first session.

You may unmask up to once at any point during this event, losing 1 Ease point and 1 Exhibit point if doing so (can bring any score into the negative), to either (choose one) reset your strife to zero, or increase your Focus by 1 until the end of the event (relevant for the number of actions that can be taken, see below).

Characters start the event with 0 Ease points and 0 Exhibit points.
Was a character to somehow end the event with a negative total of Exhibit points and/or Ease points, they would lose as many Glory points as they have points below zero.

Rewards

For each 3 Information points earned through the event, you gain an additional Information Tidbit. Roll 1d20 each time to determine which one.

Each character with at least 5 Exhibit points may choose one Distinction among Famously Honest, Famously Lucky, Famously Reliable, Famously Successful, Famously Wealthy (see Core, pages 104-105). For the rest of the game, they are considered to have that Distinction as rumors about them start flying around in the monastery and its vicinity.

Similarly, each character with at least 5 Ease points will be considered to have the Friend of the Brotherhood Distinction (see Emerald Empire, pages 241-242) until the end of the game, from how smoothly they manage to blend into the daily life of the monks.

In addition, the character with the most Exhibit points at the end of the day (ties broken by highest Status, then highest Glory) will gain the Ally: Mother Tokiko Distinction (see Core, pages 101-102), as the local power that be takes note of them as someone to look out for in particular.

Was a character to gain a Distinction they already own, they instead get the following bonus:
For the rest of the game, when you make a check for which that Distinction applies, you may also add one kept die set to a result.

How many things can I do?

Your Focus will determine how many ✽ Actions you can fully put your mind into each event. These are the actions you've been able to devote enough time and energy to possibly reap some mechanical benefits for. That doesn't mean you aren't doing something else of your day too; just not to the same degree.

As a default, any successful ✽ Action cannot be attempted again.

For this event, you are allowed a number of ✽ Actions up to your Focus, to be picked among the following.

[The sweeping monk]

✽ A helpful hand

The monks aren't in such a disarray they would ask help of their guests... But they wouldn't oppose more than two weak refusals were the guests to offer. Ask Sennin and he'll find something you can contribute to on the spot.

Choose one approach:

✿ A mundane hand

There are a near endless list of menial tasks that simply need to be done to accommodate so many guests.

TN2 Labor
Ebisu's Blessing, Ebisu's Curse, Paragon of Compassion, Disdain for Compassion, Shadowlands Taint (Air), Delusions of Grandeur, apply.
The TN increased by 1 if your Status is 30 or greater, as, while technically acceptable in the context of a monastery, there is definitely an awkwardness going around when humble monks do laundry together with illustrious samurai.

If you succeed, gain 1 Ease point plus one for every two bonus successes.

✿ A guiding hand

A bit of organization can save a lot of efforts.

TN2 Command
Famously Reliable, Seasoned, Kuge Lineage, Muteness, Whispers of Cruelty, Meekness, apply.
The TN increased by 1 if your Status is 25 or lower, as you cannot count on your position on the Celestial Order to back your authority.

If you succeed, gain 1 Ease point plus one for every two bonus successes.

✿ A magical hand

The cooks have it particularly bad today, not knowing yet how many rations they need to make for each meal of the day. Were the spirits to help adjust the quantity on the fly, and they would be particularly grateful.

This option is only available to characters with the Inari's Blessing Invocation.

Cast the Invocation as per its normal rules. [Core, page 209]

If you succeed, gain 1 Exhibit point, plus one for every two bonus successes.

This action may be repeated using an approach with which you haven't been successful yet.

[The sweeping monk]

✽ The perfect gift

Every guest is considered to have brought a gift for the monks, a little something to thank them for their hospitality. This automatic gift might be something very simple or very lavish, but it is always something expected for a guest of their status, something that won't make waves, good or bad. Mother Tokiko will react in the same way to a poor ronin politely handing her a common flower in a makeshift box as she would to a rich Daidoji merchant dropping a jade and gold bracelet into her lap.

Some however might wish to go the extra mile, to find a gift with just the right balance of personal, practical, and symbolical, to elicit genuine pleasant surprise from the monks.

Choose an item that you feel fit the bill. It may not be something that is part of your initial equipment. You can take one from the books or make up a new one, in the later case assigning it a rarity of your choice (example: kintsugi bowl, rarity 7).

To acquire such a special gift, a character may (choose one):

✿ Buy it

Koku is made round to go around.

TN? Commerce (Water)
? is the rarity of the previously chosen item
Daikoku's Blessing, Daikoku's Curse, Famously Wealthy, Whispers of Poverty, City, apply to this check.
Despised in City can apply if you so wish.

If you succeed, you acquire the item, handwaving costs.

Yasuki Merchants can use their School Ability instead of rolling. Characters with Tributaries of Trade don't need to select the item and thus the TN beforehand, instead rolling TN 1 Commerce (Water) and getting an item of rarity 1 plus their bonus successes. Vendor of Strange Wares (Ide Trader School Ability) also applies, effectively increasing the rarity of the obtained item by their school rank.

Note: This option is inspired by the standard rules on how to buy items. [Core, page 229]

✿ Request it

A samurai that studied enough attentively the context of the monastery back at home might have been able to politely suggest a more appropriate gift to their lord before getting on the road.

This option is only available to clan samurai and characters with the Ally Distinction.

This is a two steps check. First, the preliminary research:

TN2 Culture
Wisdom of the Ages (Asako Loremaster School Ability), Fukurokujin's Blessing, Fukurokujin's Curse, apply to this check.

If you fail, your character didn't find anything more appropriate. No further consequences, good or bad.

If you succeed, you can then proceed to the delicate task of politely suggesting something to a higher-up:

TN? Courtesy
? is the rarity of the previously chosen item minus your Glory rank
: If you fail, you manage to control the damages to a minimum. Reduce the honor loss to 1 (before clan modifiers).
Speaking in Silence (Doji Diplomat School Ability), Ally, Blessed Lineage, Well Connected, Bluntness, Discomfiting Countenance, apply to this check.

If you succeed, acquire the item, at no cost.

If you fail, lose Honor as per a Minor Breach of Courtesy, i.e. as many points as your Honor Rank, doubled for Crane, halved rounded up for Crab and Unicorn [Core, pages 300-301].

Note: Inspired by the standard rules on how to requisition items. [Core, page 229]

✿ Craft it

Made with my own hands, imbued with my own soul.

To craft an item, a character must succeed at two consecutive Artisan checks, with the same skill and TN, but different rings. Cost of materials will be handwaved.

TN? Appropriate Artisan Skill (Fire)
TN? Same Artisan Skill (Air)
? is the rarity of the previously chosen item minus 2
Clumsiness, Lost Arm or Lost Hand, Lost Fingers, Maimed Arm, Shadowlands Taint (Earth), Perfectionism, apply to both checks.
Spiritual Artisan (Asahina Artificer School Ability) applies to the second check.
For both checks, you get this additional option to spend opportunities on:
+: You attempt to attune the item to the religious atmosphere of this isolated place. If you successfully craft the item, and at least 3 were spent that way (over the course of the two rolls), it gains the Sacred Quality, and is worth 3 more Exhibit points when offered as a gift.

If you succeed, you produce the chosen item.

Examples:
To weave some Ceremonial Clothes (rarity 4), one has to succeed at a TN2 Design (Fire) and a TN2 Design (Air) checks.
To build a Nunchaku (rarity 6), TN4 Smithing (Fire) and TN4 Smithing apply.
To write a custom Book of Tales, an item I just made up and decided would be rarity 3, it would be TN1 Composition (Fire) and TN1 Composition (Air).

Note: Based on the default crafting rules. [Core, page 148]

If you did not manage to acquire the item, nothing happens. You may choose to satisfy yourself with your default gift or, if you still have actions available for the day, attempt again to acquire your ideal gift from the beginning.

If you did, time to gift it to the monastery, embodied by its abbess, Mother Tokiko.

You lose the item and earn as many Exhibit points as its rarity value.

Vendor of Strange Wares (Ide Merchant School Ability) applies to this gift giving, effectively increasing the points earned by your school rank.

Though there is no roll, the Generosity Passion does trigger here, and so do Armament, Brushwork, Fashion, if the nature of the item matches them. Similarly, Kaiu Engineer characters gain Information points equal to their school rank if they offer an item they've crafted themselves.

This action cannot be repeated once successful.

[The sweeping monk]

✽ The news of the world

Monks are humans before they're monks, and a lot of them are eager to hear about what's happening in the big world beyond the boundaries of the mountains.

Irrepressible Flirtation, Benten's Blessing, Benten's Curse, apply to all the following checks in top of the other elements listed for each.

When attempting one of the following checks, Ikoma Bard characters can, once this event, either increase the TN by 1 to heal 2 strife, or take 2 strife to reduce the TN by 1.

✿ Life of the party

One good story is all that separates the stranger from the friend. And the monastery is full of potential friends.

TN2 Any non-Command Social skill
Any Fame Distinction or Adversity, Gossip, Stories, Friend of the Brotherhood, Wordplay, Dangerous Allure, apply.
Gaijin Name/Culture/Appearance can be leveraged here (applied as a Distinction at the cost of 1 Void point; see Core, page 101).

If you succeed, gain 1 Ease point and 1 more point for every two bonus successes.

✿ Geopolitical talks

While Sister Haruhi enjoys the lighter stories like everyone else, her true interest is in the current state of the clans, especially the neighboring Lion and Scorpion. Should someone indulger her acute curiosity, they might profit from the fact information is a two way-street.

TN3 Culture or Government
Wisdom of the Ages (Asako Loremaster School Ability), Precise Memory, apply to this check.

If you succeed, you gain an Information Tidbit about Haruhi. Roll 1d3 to know which one.

✿ Half-spoken words

Brother Hiro is curious too, but clad in a gentle politeness that makes it hard to decipher what he actually wants to know about behind the kind words and the koans.

TN3 Sentiment or Theology
Wisdom of the Ages (Asako Loremaster School Ability), Kitsuki's Method (Kitsuki Investigator School Ability), apply to this check.

If you succeed, you gain an Information Tidbit about Hiro. Roll 1d3 to know which one.

This action can be repeated, using any approach, but all TNs are increased by 1 each time, as the attention of the monks is quite fleeting with so many guests and the novelty attraction of your character fades quickly.

[The sweeping monk]

✽ Beyond the walls

The monastery is but the tip of the mountain.

Animal Bond, Hunted by Chikushō-dō apply, to all checks here.

✿ The land

It's a bit cold, but the sky is clear, the sun shiny, the wind down. A perfect time to take a walk or a ride outside, far from under the monks' feet. Not that a bit of scouting of one's surroundings is a bad idea anyway.

TN2 Survival
Mounts grant skilled assistance to that check.
Born in the Saddle (Shinjo Outrider School Ability), Well Traveled (Miya Cartographer School Ability), Keen Hearing, Keen Sight, Keen Smell, Navigator, apply.
: If you were wondering where Sensei Wu was hiding the whole time, you know have part of your answer. The man was apparently also taking a stroll in the mountains and you manage to stumble upon him.

If you succeed, gain 1 Ease point and 1 more point for every two bonus successes if this is the first time, and half that (rounded down) if this is the second time or more, as there's simply not enough to see around.



If you met the Sensei, he is amused by that turn of events, offering you a speech about how much there is to learn from random encounters. And then, at one point in the conversation, he will just sneak out when your character isn't looking, disappearing like he was never there. Still, you did indeed learn something from the conversation. One Information Tidbit to be exact. Roll 1d20 to learn which one.

✿ The animals

There are only so few humans in the mountain. But so much more life.

This option is only available to characters with the Nature's Touch Invocation.

You may cast Nature's Touch to grant you the ability to speak to animals with a TN 1 Theology (Air) plus one Air , as per the book. This opportunity may and must be assigned for that purpose for the roll to be considered a success.

If you succeed, you have a discussion with the local wildlife, during which you might learn something new. Roll 1d4. On 1-3, you gain an Information Tidbit. On a 4, what you learn is very important for the animal you're talking to... And perfectly irrelevant for human beings.

These actions can be repeated, but you can only meet the Sensei once.

[The sweeping monk]

✽ Shenanigans

Unless otherwise specified, each of these options can only be attempted once.
Secrets can apply to any option allowing to earn a Tidbit, but only once this event.

✿ Spiritual spies

A character with Commune with the Spirits can use it as per its normal rules [Core, page 212]. If they choose the Spiritual Knowledge boon, they gain an Information Tidbit. Roll 1d20 to know which one.

✿ Glimpse of the future

A character with Divination can use it as per its normal rules to get the normal benefit [Core, pages 212-213].
Fortune Telling applies.

✿ Ancestral insight

A character with Lord Bayushi's Whispers or Lord Togashi's Insight can use it, gaining an Information Tidbit if they pass (roll 1d20 to determine which one). They can spend opportunities to activate the additional effects of these techniques (respectively informant and TN reduction).
Criminal Connections applies to Lord Bayushi's Whispers.
Fortune Telling applies to Lord Togashi's Insight.

✿ Uncouth spying

Peeping, eavesdropping, all the dirty work.

A character must forfeit Honor points equal to their Honor rank to pick that option.

TN2 Skulduggery or casting Secrets on the Wind or casting Dominion of Suijin
Air or Any : Your actions go unnoticed (see below).

If you succeed, you gain 2 Information Tidbits. Roll 2d20 to know which ones.
Regardless of success or failure, if you did not spend the opportunities to go unnoticed, your behavior starts arising suspicion. Lose 2 Ease points and 2 Exhibit points.

Otomo Schemer characters don't need to forfeit Honor the first time they pick that option.
Soshi Illusionist characters don't need to spend opportunities to go unnoticed if using Invocations to spy.
Kitsune Impersonator characters reduce by one (to a minimum of zero) the opportunities they need to spend to go unnoticed.

This option can be repeated but the cost in Honor has to be paid every time.

[Kitsu Hayato]

Action 1, News of the World: Life of the Party w/ Ikoma Bard Option (-1 TN, +2 Strife) (V) [Roll]
1 Success, 1 Ease point gained.
1 Opportunity, 1 Information gained.
2 Strife rolled, 4 total.

Action 2, The Perfect Gift: Buy it (Tributaries of Trade) [Roll]
0 Successes, tech use failed.
2 Opportunity, 2 Information gained
3 Strife removed with Generosity

1 Information tidbit gained from 3rd info point.

Action 3, The Perfect Gift: Buy it (Tributaries of Trade), reprise (V) [Roll]
6 Successes, Finger of Jade produced (Rarity 6), 6 Exhibit points gained
2 Strife Rolled

Action 4, Beyond the Walls: The Land [Roll]
1 Success, check failed (no effect)
2 Opportunity, Sensei Wu Meeting +1 tidbit
1 Strife Rolled

Tidbit values: 7, 6

(edit: corrected misunderstanding of info point mechanic)

[Soshi Naoko]

Beyond the walls-The land

Day 1: Settling in: Beyond the walls-the land: Survival (Fire) TN 2. Keen Smell applies | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


2 Ease points
Opportunity to gain 1 Information point
Strife 1/6
Action 1/5

Beyond the wall-The animals

Day 1: Settling in: Beyond the walls-The Animals: Theology (Air) | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

Day 1: Settling in: Beyond the walls-The Animals: Roll to see if information is useful | 1d4 ⇒ 1

2 Ease points
1 Information Point
1 information Tidbit
Strife 1/6
Action 2/5

The news of the world-Life of the party

Day 1: Settling in: The news of the world-Life of the party Performance (Air), Whispers of Failure applies | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


2 Ease points (4 total)
2 opportunity for 2 information points (3 total)
1 information Tidbit
Strife 2/6
Action 3/5

The news of the world-Half-spoken words

Day 1: Settling in: The news of the world-Half-spoken words Theology (Air) | TN: 3 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Day 1: Settling in: The news of the world-Half-spoken words information roll | 1d3 ⇒ 1

Success, use 1 opportunity to remove 1 strife from roll

Ease points (4 total)
Information points (3 total)
1 information Tidbit
1 information Tidbit about Hiro (1)
Strife 3/6
Action 4/5

Shenaniganss-Spiritual spies

Day 1: Settling in: Shenanigans-Spiritual spies | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


Spirtual knowledge for 1 information tidbit, use opportunity to erase 1 strife from roll

Ease points (4 total)
Information points (3 total = 1 Tidbit) roll = 4
2 information Tidbits roll = 14, 6
1 information Tidbit about Hiro (1)
Strife 3/6
Action 5/5
******************
Information: 1 about Hiro (1), 3 others (4, 6, 14)

[Kakita Sumire]

Sumires day had not started well whatsoever. First, she had to conten with convincing her lord that the monks would really really like that rare bonsai tree trimming! It went about as well as expected, with Sumire accidentally implying that the lord wasn't using it anyway....

Needless to say, she came with no bonsai trimming. However, she was here now! So she could be helpful! Which she, did by telling a story to the people about the world around them. Sumire thought it was fantastic, a great story to inspire! However, nobody was listening...

It really was not her day. So, she left. Not left left, that would be rude. She went for a walk into the woods, to meet with nature. And nature she did indeed meet, which calmed her soul. Sat under a snowy tree, inspiration hit her. Well, a snowball, but inspiration was in it as well as a small piece of wood. She carried the small piece of wood back, located a knife, and using the knife wrote a small story into the piece of wood. Presenting it as a gift, and hiding the cuts on her hands from her terrible mistakes.

It was exhausting, but nature did its work



(ooc:
Action 1 - The perfect gift
D1 event - action 1, Perfect Gift. Roll 1, Culture/Air | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

D1 event - action 1, Perfect Gift. Roll 2. Courtesy/Water. Rarity 6 item, reduced to TN2 by glory | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1
(fail, 6 points of honour lost. Also fire used not water)

Running total:
Running total:
0 ease
0 Exhibit
3 Strife

Action 2 - The news of the world
D1 event - action 2, The news of the world. Performance/Water TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0
(correction, used Fire not Water) Opportunity used for points

Running total:
0 ease
2 info
0 Exhibit
3 strife



Action 3 - Beyond the walls
Action 3 - Beyond the walls. Water/Survival. TN2. Ignore the other roll, accidentally chose 10 ring! | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1
(Uses Air not Water) Opportunity cancels out strife

Running total:
1 ease
2 info
0 Exhibit
3 strife


Action 4 - The perfect gift (again) crafting a rarity 3 gift (tn1)
Action 4 - The perfect gift (again) crafting a rarity 4 gift (tn2) Composition/Fire | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 4

The perfect gift (again) crafting a rarity 4 gift (tn2) Composition/air | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0
using all 3 across the rolls to make it sacred and worth 3 more Exhibit points
Giving gift, gain 4 Exhibit points

Running total:
1 ease
2 info
7 Exhibit
7 strife (compromised)

End event. Final score:
1 ease
2 info
7 Exhibit (taking Famously lucky!)

[Moto Taka]

Taka wants to impress everyone he can when he arrives, so when he shops for a gift, he holds out hope for something amazing!

That...doesn't happen. He strikes out with every Ide merchant he knows, meaning that he has to go with something completely unmemorable, but he does manage to hear a few whispers about this monetary in the process.


Settling In - The Perfect Gift - Buy It - TN 5 Commerce Water - VP spent | TN: 5 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 0



(3 Advantage spent on Information tidbit)
(Action 1/5)
(Strife 0/8)
__________

Things are in disarray when Taka shows up. It seems that far more applicants than expected arrived this year. Taka manages to resist bossing people around. For about five minutes, as he watches two separate monks each returning the same bed roll to their own locations. Twice.

"Ok people. Let's be about it!" Taka's voice booms, directing people.

Say what you want about Taka, but he gets results. People are quickly moving to help and things get organized straight away.

D1 - Settling In - A Helpful Hand - Command/Fire - TN 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


(Pass for 1 Ease Point, 1 Advantage spent on Information Point)
(Strife: 2/8)
(Action: 2/5)
__________

Perhaps the first sign that Taka is different is that his intended first (well second) impression on the monks was that during break he chose to pull out his shamisen and begin a bawdy ballad.

And so the brother left steps unswept
To find out why the abbot wept
"My son, the rules we did miss-state
the ancient text reads celebrate!

There is a pause before a few, very quiet snickers are heard in the crowd, along with a few guilty looks. Taka bows, feeling refreshed, his own smile growing as he hears small titters behind his back.

D1 - Settling In - A Helpful Hand - Water/Performance - TN 2 - Famously Successful Distinction active for rerolls- Irrepessible Flirtation activates for 3 stress and a VP | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


(Pass with 2 bonus successes for 2 Ease points. Opportunity spent to reduce Strife)
(Strife 6/8)
(Action 3/5)
VP restored

______

Feeling refreshed, Taka goes out for a ride in the wilderness, working out some of his and Koku's eagernes, except the most interesting thing he finds is two attractive ladies.

D1 - Settling In - Beyond the Walls - The Land - Water/Survival - TN2 - VP Spent to seize the moment - Mount offers trained assistance | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1



D1 - Settling In - Beyond the Walls - The Land - Water/Survival - TN2 - Mount offers trained assistance - Roll #2 | TN: 2 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


(Two Ease points, 2 opportunity for Information points)
Strife: 9/8 (will not unmask to continue)

Total
Ease points: 5 Ease Points, earns Friend of the Brotherhood
6 information points for 2 tidbits (9,14)

[Togashi Genkai]

News Of The World
D1 EVENT. Settling In. News Of The World: Half-Spoken Words. Theology/Void approach. Seize The Moment (Void point).
| TN: 3 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1

Tidbit about Hiro: D1 EVENT. Settling In. Information Tidbit about Hiro. | 1d3 ⇒ 2
Opportunity 1+: Gain 1 Information Point.
Strife: 1

Genkai wasn't exactly the talkative sort, but as people were gathering to listen to news brought by the other guests, he did find himself naturally drawn to sit beside some of the other monks and listen. This monk would be the one known as Hiro, almost as quiet and of few words as himself, Genkai noted, but not someone who was completely silent. As Hiro spoke a few words of an old koan, the recognition of the text must had been visible on the Togashi monk's features, as the two shared for a moment a mutual understanding of the wise words and its meaning relating to the events happening in the empire. And Genkai found himself understanding more about the young monk, perhaps seeing something of himself in a fellow young man of piety.


A Helpful Hand
D1 EVENT. Settling In. A Helpful Hand: A Mundane Hand. Labour/Fire approach. Seize The Moment (Void Point). Ebisu's Blessing. +1 TN from Status 30. | TN: 3 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 5

2 Ease Points
Opportunity 1: Remove 1 Strife
Strife: 5

As someone who had grown up with having to do a lot of these mundane chores all of his life, as his birth-family had not been wealthy folks and the Togashi had no servants, Genkai was no stranger to hard work or doing tasks others considered beneath them. In fact, he seemed to be rather excited to throw himself into the tasks of helping, especially to make things easier for this poor monastery that now saw a huge influx of visitors, so he was getting quite caught up in showing recipes that would let the food supplies last longer by using the ingredients in different ways or supplementing with other new ingredients from the land around them.


Shenanigans
D1 EVENT. Settling In. Shenanigans: Ancestral Insight. Lord Togashi's Insight Shuji. Meditation/Void. Fortune Telling Passion. | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0

Nothing gained
Opportunity 2: D1 EVENT. Settling In. Lord Togashi's Insight tidbit information (Opportunity) | 1d20 ⇒ 15 (edited and rolled with GM permission)
Passion Fortune-telling activated (removing 3 Strife)
Strife: 0

When he finally had a moment to himself to wind down from the hard work of helping with new ways to improve the way chores were done here, meditation was the only natural solution. His path had led him to this remote monastery, and he did not know yet if he would find the things he sought here. As he meditated, the Togashi monk tried to seek the divine insight of the god's blood coursing through his veins, but this time such wisom would elude him.


Beyond The Walls
D1 EVENT. Settling In. Beyond The Walls: The Land. Survival/Void. Seize The Moment (Void Point). | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 1

No Points.
Opportunity 2: Met Sensei Wu
Opportunity 1: Removing 1 Strife (total of 0 now)
Information Tidbit: D1 EVENT. Settling In. Information Tidbit from Sensei Wu | 1d20 ⇒ 7

At least the snowfall was a reminder of home in the Dragon mountains, even if the temperatures were not as extreme. There was a kind of peaceful serenity to how the winter enveloped the environs of the monastery, and while Genkai had ventured out to do little things to appease the local spirits of the mountain, he did find himself distracted from that task by simply appriciating the beauty of his surroundings. And it would seem that he was not the only one having such thoughts as his path crossed with that of the great sensei Wu. It would be an interesting encounter, that no one would hear the tale of.

------------------------

End of Event tally
Strife: 0
Information Points: 1
Ease Points: 2
Information Tidbit on Hiro (#2) and Sensei Wu (#7).

[Kitsuki Ketsudan]

Crunch here; fluff to take place in threads with links to this post.

Focus 5, so up to 5 attempts:
Roll Composition for The Perfect Gift
Per viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8&start=13, Rarity set at 4, so TN is 2
Composition / Fire + VP, TN 2, passes at 4 Sux / 0 Opps / 3 Strife; https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6729; regain VP (6 Strife)
Composition / Air, TN 2, fails at 0 Sux / 1 Opp / 0 Strife; https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6730; use Opp to eat Strife, so +2 Strife
FAILURE, SO PRESENTING THE DEFAULT GIFT

Roll Survival for The Land
Survival / Fire, TN 2, passes at 3 Sux / 0 Opps / 0 Strife; https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6731; Passion reduces Strife by 3
1 Ease Point
5 Strife

Roll Command for A Helpful Hand
Command / Fire, TN 2, passes at 3 Sux / 1 Opp / 2 Strife; https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6732; use Opp to eat Strife, so +1 Strife
1 Ease Point
6 Strife

Roll Government for Geopolitical Talks
Government / Fire, TN 3, passes at 3 Sux / 0 Opps / 2 Strife; https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6733; Information Roll 3, https://sakkaku.org/dnd-rolls/6734
8 Strife

Roll Theology for Half-Spoken Words
Theology / Fire, TN 3, passes at 3 Sux / 0 Opps / 3 Strife; https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6735; Information Roll 3, https://sakkaku.org/dnd-rolls/6736
11 Strife

End of Event:
0 Void
Compromised (11/8)
2 Ease Points
Information on Haruhi # 3
Information on Hiro #3

[Kaito Maya]

Rolls

Action 1:

News of the World: Half-spoken Words

TN3 Theology (Void) - Discussed recent developments in philosophy and the discernment of the transmundane

D1 - News of the World: Half-Spoken Words | TN: 3 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 4 / Strife: 0


Fail. No strife or points gained. +4 Information points.

Action 2:

Beyond the Walls: The Land

TN2 Survival (Water) - Foraged about to see what could be had to survive with in this part of the world

D1 - Beyond the Walls: The Land | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 4 / Strife: 0


D1 Beyond the Walls: The Land - Met Sensei Wu. Check to see which Information Tidbit I got. | 1d20 ⇒ 4

Fail. No strife or points gained. +2 Information points. Met Sensei Wu. Gained information tidbit: 4

Action 3:

Spiritual Spies

D1 - Spiritual Spies | TN: 1 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


D1 - Spiritual Spies: Spiritual Knowledge information tidbit. | 1d20 ⇒ 6

Spiritual Knowledge boon taken. Cancel Strife with one opportunity. +1 Information point. Gained information tidbit: 6

----

Total:

Trading in information points for information tidbits! 6 points (out of 7 earned) for 2 tidbits. | 2d20 ⇒ 38

Gained no Ease or Exhibit points. Earned 7 information points. Gained information tidbits: 4, 6, 18, and 20.

[Kitsuki Kindaichi]

....and so I went to the library, determined to find the perfect gift to demonstrate my appreciation to the monastery for their hosting while Sensei Wu considered applicants. Of course, even the most brutish wall Crab knows the basics of gift giving. It must be something that is not useful, but is deeply meaningful. I am confident that my research will turn up the perfect gift in no time at all.

...

Having read a great deal about the monastery itself, I feel no closer to figuring out the perfect gift to give. While some monastic orders are known for their contributions to the arts, these particular monks, while technically not ascetic, do live a rather simple life. Art would surely be accepted gracefully, but I feel like something better can be found.

....

Another problem has arisen with the research. While some might attempt to curry favor by reminding a monk of something they enjoyed in their past life, my increasingly detailed investigation into the matter suggests that is a mistake. A reminder of the life that is no longer there's is simply rather gauche, at least according to Doji Hiyoko's Guide to Monastic Gift Giving. But attempting to avoid this provides a new challenge, in that I do not know anything about the Abbess's previous life, so I have no clue what to avoid! Did she used to like honey? Flowers? Plum Wine? Further research is required.

....

The research has finally born fruit. While some may hesitate to request such from their lord, with the sheer amount of research and effort I have poured into this hunt, there was simply no way my request could be denied. The gift in question appears to be a simple box of dirt. However, it is actually a sample of the dirt from where Hantei stood when he first viewed the Dragon mountains. (See Certificate of Authenticity: Otomo Seiki, Imperial artifact custodian. It is a good offering for the moutain itself, the blessings of the priests and symbolism of the Dragon clan's connection to the greater Empire. It is sure to please the kami of the mountain. With that task finally completed, I'll need to hurry if I'm going to finish my research on Wu's students so I might have a productive conversation with at least one of them

Private Journal, Kitsuki Kindaichi



(Note: I got my TNs mixed up and was applying TN 3 to my perfect gift rolls, so was taking opportunities instead of, yknow passing the check. Ah well, at least I learned a lot of stuff from opps.)

The Perfect Gift:

\-Request a Gift, TN 3 Culture Check

Attempt 1: Failed 1 Success, 1 Strife, 2 opportunities used for info.



Perfect Gift, Attempt 2:

\-Request a Gift, TN 3 Culture Check

Failed: 0 success, 2 opportunities used for info

Perfect Gift, Attempt 3:

-Request a gift, TN 3 Culture Check Passed with 2 strife

Requesting a rarity 5 item Courtesy TN 1 (5 - Glory rank 4, Ally applies.)

[url-https://sakkaku.org/rolls/6746]Passed, 2 opps used for info[/url]

Half Heard Words: Sentiment TN 3 (Applying Benten's Curse and Kitsuki Method)

Pass with 2 strife and 2 opportunities used for Info.

+1 opportunity for Kitsuki technique!

Totals: Exhibition Points: 5 Granting Famously Reliable

5 strife gained

9 info opps turns into 3 info tidbits 4 & 19! and 8

And info tidbit #1 about Brother Hiro

[Boku]

Crunchy stuff - will fluff around threads

Focus 4 = 4 Actions

Action 1: Beyond the Walls/The Land

D1, Settling In: Action 1 - Beyond the Walls/The Land
Survival (Earth) TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


1 Ease Point, 2 Strife, 1 Opportunity spent towards Information

Action 2: The news of the world/Life of the party, Seizing the Moment

D1, Settling In: Action 2 - The news of the world/Life of the party
Perform (Earth), Seizing the Moment | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


1 Ease Point, 2 Strife, 2 Opportunity spent towards Information

Action 3: A helpful hand/A mundane hand, Delusions of Grandeur triggers

D1, Settling In: Action 3 - A helpful hand/A mundane hand
Labor (Earth) | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2


2 Ease Points, 2 Strife + 3 Strife, Void regained

Action 4: Beyond the walls/The land #2, Seizing the Moment

D1, Settling In: Action 4 - Beyond the walls/The land #2
Survival (Earth), Seizing the Moment | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2


1 Ease Point after halving, 2 Strife

Final:

5 Ease Points - Friend of the Brotherhood (I should hope so....)
11 Strife - Compromised but not until after final roll
3 Opportunities towards information - 1 Tidbit D1 Tidbit d20 | 1d20 ⇒ 5

[Doji Riri]

Riri spent a large part of her first day outside - in fact, some of the first things she did after getting to the monastery and finding a place to leave her belongings was go foraging, trying to get to know the are, what plants were around and could be edible, even trying to make friends with a few animals here and there.

It was somewhat cold, though, so she eventually came back. She was quite used to monasteries, but this was a new one, and that meant new people and possible new customs. Maybe she could get to know some of the people around?

She spent some time with Haruhi - and she was an interesting one, really. Possibly what the monks at the temple of Benten meant when they talked about worldy monks? Riri was not the most knowledgeable about many things, but years spent at the Doji Academy did give her at least a decent hold on political and cultural things, and with Haruhi's interests that led to a rather long conversation.

She then tried to get to know some other people around. Friendly and happy-go-lucky - a bit all over the place, even - she did manage to meet a few more faces around, hear a few more interesting things here and there. Probably wasn't the one to call more attention with so many new faces around, but it was something.

Eventually things got too quiet - for her, anyway - and she headed outside again. This time she thought she saw a fox, and started following what she thought were its tracks. It made for an interesting trip through other parts of the mountain before she finally did meet the friendly vulpine critter.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Action 1 - Beyond the Walls - The Land

D1 Event - Action 1 of 4: Beyond the Walls. TN 2 Survival/Water. | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2


Success! 1 bonus success grants nothing (should have read that properly -_-')
2/8 Strife

Action 2 - News of the World: Geopolitical Talks

D1 Event - Action 2: Geopolitical Talks. Courtesy/Water TN 3, VP 1/2 spent | TN: 3 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Obs: Should be CULTURE/Water, not Courtesy. Same ranks in both skills though, so no harm done I guess?

Success!
1 Opp for Information
Running Strife: 4/8
Gain 1 Information tidbit about Haruhi (#3, roll below)

Information Tidbit about Haruhi | 1d3 ⇒ 3

Action 3 - News of the World: Life of the Party

D1 Event. Action 3/4: Life of the Party. Courtesy (now it IS courtesy)/Water, TN 3 (TN+1 as second roll in News of the World). VP spent. Friend of the Brotherhood. | TN: 3 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


Success!
2 Opp for Information
Running Information: 3
Running strife 6/8

Action 4: Beyond the Walls: The Land (again)

Action 4 - Beyond the Walls - the Land (again!). Survival/Air vs TN 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Success!
1 Ease point
1 Opp cancels 1 Strife
Running strife: 7/8

Final Result

3 Ease Points (Actions 1, 3, 4)
3 Information points - Swapped for 1 Information tidbit
Information Tidbit from Information points | 1d20 ⇒ 6

1 Information tidbit about Haruhi (rolled a 3 on 1d3)
1 Information tidbit (rolled a 6 on 1d10)

[Seppun Akimitsu]

The first day was a busy one and Akimitsu made the most of it, first he had to present the acceptably carved flute made from a dark, hardy wood and inlaid with gold in shape of wind gusting wind and leaves. It was an appropriate gift, quality without being ostentatious and Akimitsu delivered it with equal appropriateness. Though he may have had some struggles deciding on the gift his betters relegated one to him that would be acceptable.

then after he saw a few people working on menial tasks, Akimitsu saw a few ways to organize them better, a few quick directives had them working more in sync

He also made a awkward and fumbling attempt at talking with one of the acolytes, unfortunately he knew only mostly things regarding the capital and little to nothing about relations between the neighboring clans

-------------------------------------------------------------
Task 1
D1 event gift request culture/Earth Void tn 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

pass to next step, 1 info point

Perfect gift tn3 courtesy | TN: 3 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1
Fail minor breach

Task 2

D1 event gift courtesy Earth tn 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1
1 opp for info
failure no penalty, using basic gift

Task 3

D1 event a guiding hand command/Earth tn 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


1 ease point 2 opp for info

1 ease point

Task 4

D1 event geopolitical talk sentiment/Earth tn 3 | TN: 3 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0


fail 2 opps for info points

Final Tally
1 ease point 6 information points

Rewards
Tid bit - tidbit roll | 1d20 ⇒ 1
Tid Bit - tidbit roll | 1d20 ⇒ 8

[Seppun Hibiki]

The monastery was a bit busier than she had expected, but Hibiki did her best to familiarize herself with it and its occupants. The first of the monks she met was Brother Hiro. The man was quiet and it was difficult to discern much about him. After some discussion about spiritual matters, however, the Imperial had learned a little about him.

Unfortunately, she was less successful when she attempted to entertain with her flute. Perhaps it was the mountain air, or it may have simply been a spell of weakness, but the Seppun found herself out of breath. Hibiki was unable to play for more than a minute or two and took some time afterward to catch her breath and calm herself.

As she explored the monastery, she reached out to the spirits of those who had lived there before. They whispered back sharing a little of what they new with her.

As Lady Sun set and the night revealed itself, Hibiki looked to the stars, searching for signs of things to come.

---
[D1] Settling in (Event), Just as Predicted Session 1, Theology (Air) TN 1 | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 0


Focus 4

[D1] Settling in (Event), The news of the world, Half-spoken words, Theology (Air) TN 3 | TN: 3 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1


[D1] Settling in (Event), The news of the world, Half-spoken words success, Tidbit about Hiro | 1d3 ⇒ 2

[D1] Settling in (Event), Action 2, The news of the world, Life of the party, Performance (Air) TN 3 | TN: 3 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2

Failure. spent to remove gained.

[D1] Settling in (Event), Action 3, Shenanigans, Spiritual spies, Commune with the Spirits, Theology (Void) TN 1 | TN: 1 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

Spiritual Knowledge boon selected
used to select Elemental Gift as well

[D1] Settling in (Event), Action 3, Shenanigans, Spiritual spies, InformationTidbit | 1d20 ⇒ 6

[D1] Settling in (Event), Action 4, Shenanigans, Glimpse of the future, Divination, Theology (Void) TN 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1


I forgot to choose a target, so I'll just leave it as fluff.

2 Information Tidbits gained (Hiro = 2, and Spiritual Spies = 6)
2 Strife Gained

[Miya Yamashita]

Now, Yamashita had arrived with no intention of staying. A man sent on the duty of delivering the correspondence of the most elite the Empire contained, and correspondence that was destined to wind itself into Sensei Wu's very hands. A most glorious and simple mission that only the hands of Yamashita himself could truly be entrusted with such a task. Unto that delivery he did find himself with plenty reason to remain; the beauty of the region, the health of those who live here, and the spontaneous events that seem to be drawing so much attention. Perhaps, in reality, it was merely the desire to escape for a little while where duty couldn't bother him at the suggested invitation of not one but two important personage.

Humble as he was, he had no choice but to merely accept. Humble as a bee he was, a queen bee. Yes, that was what should be written to epitaph this very moment in the annals of history. That and the motherly beauty of the abb-

A gift! A gift for those lovely souls whom did suggest that Yamashita might spare the time and witness such glorious events as.. wait, what was it again? No matter. The Abbess! Truly, she is deserving of great honor for her welcoming suggestions to remain and the opening of her home to him. Sojourning to the nearest neighboring location which he might call upon others of his reputed blood, he sought from them a true gift befitting the abbess and all those that fall under her jurisdiction. Time would be short and he needed return proper to the monastary that he might present it.

A collection of gifts brought together by committee from what was within reach, as one must make do with what one has. A preserved flower from the west, a small piece of the wall to the south, wood from the Dragon Heart, fine sand from the most beautiful of crane beaches worked into a small diorama and brought together by one far more skilled than he. With this lavishly crafted gift from all four corners of the Empire he did return to the monastery.

Something for the abbess herself, and something that could be shared with others freely. Who could have possibly done it better than he?

With that arduous task done, and having performed the difficult task of encouraging Yakumo to carry it as carefully and dutifully as she could back to the monastary he did set about helping around like the others. Spending a fair bit of time furthering a bit more of the moralizing instead of any actual work through a bit of fun gossiping among the monks. Eyeing first among them the boy named Hiro, a quiet individual he was all too keen on digging into happily. Only shifting his attention to his quickly gathering crowd of monks as he lavished them with tales from all across the Empire, and the feats of daring that Yakky had undergone for him and them all. Truly, he was the bravest of samurai.

Eventually, however, all this joymaking needed come to an end. While he directed flow of workmen from one location to the other, and gave fair instructions that helped none like: "Yes, do put that down there. Have you not tried simply hitting it harder? Ah yes, the bathroom? I do not know." However, in his ministrations of good service he did draw a peculiar eye on something rather interesting. A interesting little tidbit that did give him a fun bit of rush for having uncovered such a delightful thread to tug, and tug he did...

[Rolling:]

Action 1: The Perfect Gift:

Culture TN 2:

The Perfect Gift, Request It: Culture, Rarity 8 Item (Action 1/4) | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2



Courtesy:

The Perfect Gift, Request It: Rarity 7 - 4, TN 3. Courtesy [Air] | TN: 3 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Item achieved.

3 Strife Gained, 1 Information Point gained (1 Opp-spent).

Action 2: The News of the World, Half-spoken Words

Half-spoken Words: Sentiment, Air, Benten's Blessing | TN: 3 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


Information Tidbit about Hiro:

Gain 1 Strife, and 1 Information Point.

Action 3: The News of the World, Life of the Party

News of the World, Life of the Party: Courtesy, Air, Benten's Blessing, Gossip (Second News of the World, TN+1) | TN: 3 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 3


3 Success, 1 Ease Point.
3 Strife Gained, 3 Strife removed for Gossiping.

Action 4: A Helpful Hand, Guiding Hand

A Helpful Hand, Guiding Hand: Command. | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


Failure.

1 Information Point, 1 Strife Eased.

Totals:
7 Exhibition Points [Selecting: Famously Honest]
1 Ease Point
3 Information Points
Strife Received: 9
Strife Eased: 4
Tidbit of Information about Hiro: Information Tidbit about Hiro | 1d3 ⇒ 3]3[/url]
Information Points Tidbit: 11

[The sweeping monk]

Event is closed. Everyone should have had received their Tidbits, and have their character sheet updated (if relevant). Ping me if not.

In addition, the character with the most Exhibit points at the end of the day (ties broken by highest Status, then highest Glory) will gain the Ally: Mother Tokiko Distinction (see Core, pages 101-102), as the local power that be takes note of them as someone to look out for in particular.

Earned by Miya Yamashita (highest tie breaker).