Testumaru's forehead is drenched in sweat as he tries to make sense of the case presented before him.
Lore (law): 2d10 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
Kiyoko shakes her head, failing to recall much about the law.
Kiyoko's opponent tries his best:
Law with void: 3d10 ⇒ (10, 3, 8) = 21
explode: 1d10 ⇒ 9
total is 27
Testumaru's forehead is drenched in sweat as he tries to make sense of the case presented before him.
Hida's opponent, a Unicorn, tries to make sense of the questions before him.
Matsu Niko passes the time in between events dilligently sharpening her weapons and making sure her armor is spit polished.
Now all of you receive an invitation to dine with the other contestants and dignitaries that night. A lot of the rich and powerful will be there, and you can dine with your diamyos. This is something surely you don't want to miss.
But how do each of you react to the invitation?
Etiquette 5k2+3 which comes out to be 18
Niko sends the appropriate response in writing to the party who had invited her as well as the Daimyos from the Lion clan whom she will be dining with and she wears her best clothing for the affair and comes punctual according to norms of a samurai in training. She also writes a polite letter to the Cran clan hosting the tournament and a gracious response accepting the invitation.
She does try to apply make-up to cover her facial scar and to look somehow demure and tough at the same time.
Tetsumaru raises an eyebrow as he reads the invitation he received as soon as he arrived back at his place.
Did I really do well enough to attend such an event? he wonders to himself as he thinks back on his performance. I suppose little sister was right that I bring one of my better kimonos.
He proceeds to the onsen to take a bath and wash his sweat off.
Kiyoko recalls what knows about the appropriate way to respond to such an invitation, and sends an appropriate reply. She likewise makes sure to change into her better kimono after bathing, and if she can find him, asks Toshimoko who all will be attending the dinner--and especially if there are any person's she should pay special attention to.
Acknowledging the invitation as the formal event it is meant to be, Asao takes the time for a bath. Afterwards, he dresses in the kimono and matching sandals from his traveling pack as opposed to the simple robes he wears most of the time.
He wonders if he should prepare a gift or not, but decides that he can't make anything to take with him that couldn't be made on the spot if it comes down to it. Though he does spend some time visualizing ho he could artistically draw the kanji for "serene" should he need to provide something. If a performance is called for, he would probably fall back on doing something with conjuring water . . ..
Matsu Niko will also bathe before the banquet.
alright, after you all bathe, you go into the banquet at the Dojo. At each stage of the dinner, you live in fear of making a mistake in etiquette. But your fears of spilling a tea cup around high society is unfounded, as no one pays any attention to you or the other contestants. Everyone is focused on the political maneuverings at the main table where the Emperor, Bayushi Shoju, Lady Kachiko, and other dignitaries are seated.
Although your seats in the rear of the room makes it difficult for you to see everything, you notice that Ichiro Akitomo of the badger clan is recieving more attention than is due. This is coming from the Lion Daimyo Akodo Toturi and Kakita Yuri, the famed Crane Negotiatior.
Matsu Niko sees these people talking and she tries to read their lips of the group consiting of Ichiro Akitomo of the badger clan, the Lion Daimyo Akodo Toturi and Kakita Yuri, the famed Crane Negotiatior.
Perception 3k3 while drinking from her teacup.
Kiyoko is silently relieved that the attention is not on her. Still, she is curious about the involvement of her kinsman, Kakita Yuri, and occasionally glances in his direction.
Not having much experience reading lips, she simply wonders in silence at what they might be talking about at the main table, and sips her tea.
The young priest watches the conversations, and tries to understand the flow of energy through those discussions. Without some existing understanding of court politics, though, he doesn't really understand much of what's happening.
Hida Tetsumaru takes a deep breath as he glances at the Ichiro who seems to be the focus of the Lion Daimyo and the Crane negotiator. While wondering why a minor clan samurai would gather the attention of such high ranking samurai Tetsumaru is glad the attention is not on him.
Matsu Niko sees these people talking and she tries to read their lips of the group consiting of Ichiro Akitomo of the badger clan, the Lion Daimyo Akodo Toturi and Kakita Yuri, the famed Crane Negotiatior.
Perception 3k3 3d10 while drinking from her teacup.
You did read their lips. They were talking about fortifications in a valley. But which valley, you could not tell.
Somewhat curious, Tetsumaru moves a little closer but still far enough away to not be considered eavesdropping. He watches the happenings to see if there is anything interesting happening.
There is nothing interesting going on.
Many guests have already left the dinner before etiquette permits you to leave for the next part in the championship. You are pleased that the young and attractive Samurai-ko, Otaku Shiko, asks to share your journey across the river back to the place where you would be staying. Small lanterns light the path to the bridge back to town. Somehow the sound of clashing blades in the gardens to the west means that there is something amiss . . .
Kiyoko frowns, hearing the ring of metal on metal. Was it two bushi practicing, or was something else afoot? One didn't usually practice with metal blades....
The Kakita onnamusha looks to her companions as they walk. "Perhaps we should take a look?"
"It is always good to have more company!" Tetsumaru says in response to Shiko's question.
-------------------------------------------------------
Tetsumaru's hand flies to his sword at the first sound of steel on steel though he does not draw yet. The Crab samurai nods at Kiyoko's words and approaches the source of the sound cautiously, on the look out for any surprises.
Matsu Niko says, "It must be a duel."
Ettiquette 5k2
The young shugenja looks towards the noise. "Open conflict is not supposed to happen during this tournament. Perhaps we can help resolve a conflict?" He moves towards the sound with the others.
Matsu Niko says, "It must be a duel."
Ettiquette 5k2 5d10+3
Duty compels you to investigate.
Matsu Niko understanding her duty runs towards the danger to see what is happening.
Spurned on by his curiosity Tetsumaru follows after the Lion samurai.
Kiyoko glances at the tag-along they've acquired (Otaku Shiko), then shrugs and hustles toward the noise as well.
You can sprint.
Matsu Niko goes hell bent for leather to see what is going on.
She sprints
2k2
Blood. There is blood upon the wind. The gardens nearest the bridge have become a battlefield. The bloody corpses of five men lie strewn among the cherry blossoms. Four are bushi of the Badger clan, two with their katana still sheathed. the last your recognize is Ichiro Akitomo, their daimyo -- and buried in his chest and neck are shuriken. They are still glistening in the moonlight with vile poison!
The demanding voice of Bayushi Sugai abruptly breaks the silence. "What are you still doing there?" He approaches from the bridge, a bloody katana in his hand.
2k2 2d10
Good roll!
"Assassin!" Testumaru yells as he readies to draw his sword. "Attacking a daimyo? Here and now of all times and places? You will not get away with this!"
"I need to see if I can save him. The Kami would not have brought me here to do nothing."
Since we are not samurai yet, Matsu Niko turns back to her companions and says, "We shan't jump to conclusions."
She then turns to Bayushi Sugai and says, Master Sugai, please tell us what has occurred this eve."
Sincerity 3k2
"I killed the Assassin, a ninja," said Sugai.
Sugai must be lying. Because there is no dead ninja among the bodies.
Matsu Niko stands firm and says, "Those ninja are quick and stealthy, have you gotten them all? You are an impeccable warrior. We cannot let them escape"
Courtier 4k2 exploding die
Matsu Niko stands firm and says, "Those ninja are quick and stealthy, have you gotten them all? You are an impeccable warrior. We cannot let them escape"
Courtier 4k2 4d10 exploding die 1d10
Yes, you're unarmed. So you have to rely on your sumai skills.
Kiyoko looks to see if any of the fallen bushi are armed, sparing an inscrutable glance at the Bayushi scion. If there is a ninja, it is no doubt him.
All of the fallen bushi were armed. Two of them were slain before they could unsheathe their katana.
Kiyoko sizes up the distance between the Bayushi assassin, the party, and the dead bushi. She readies herself to dive for one of the katana lying on the ground, should things come to blows.
Tetsumaru approaches cautiously, hand still on his katana. "An assassin? I see the bodies of four bushi and their daimyo. Which among them was the assassin?" he asked while trying to keep an eye on both the corpses and the Scorpion.
The young Isawa shuffles over to the dying Daimyo and attempts to identify the treatment he needs to overcome the poison.
Jiujitsu using 1 void point 4k3 lion's roar 4k1+6.5 + exploding die doing 18 damage or 19 depending if we round up 6.5 for Lion's Roar.
Sugai uses his sumai skill against yours:
3k3
With the Lion samurai-ko attempting to grapple the Scorpion Testumaru looks around for any sort of authority he can all over, not wanting to leave the others.
You see several luminaries come out to see what is happening. They include the Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume. His son, Doji Hoturi, and many others of the lion clan and scorpion clan.
Hit 4k1 4k1+6 doing 13 or 14 damage because of Lion's roar.
To maintain control of grapple if contested jiujitsu/strength roll 5k4 =33