Akodo Suana's page

Athletics/Agility 4k3 TN 15+5 (Rise to help one of the less skilled characters, probably Miyuki-san): 4d10 ⇒ (7, 8, 1, 1) = 17 => 16

Suana participates in the conversation, though he's more focused in noticing anything odd than following the subject.

Investigation (Notice)/Perception 3k3: 3d10 ⇒ (5, 1, 8) = 14

Lore Heraldry 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 5) = 14

Having no idea who is he facing, Suana decides discretion is the best weapon today, and remains silent while he bows.

Suana is inside, since he entered to check if everything is in order.

Back from holidays! :)

Not wanting to obscure his thoughts with alcohol, Suana asks gently for some tea instead.

A bit busy preparing my holidays, which will happen next Friday and will last for a week. I'll be very slow while at it, please bot me if needed. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Suana nods, then bows.

Suana ignores Miyuki's unpoliteness.

-Honorable Yumi-sama,- Suana explains humbly -I am, as my title states, but a servant of the will of the Heavens. They have put me in the service of my Daymio - who am I to question that? I believe myself a loyal servant, not willing to betray my Lord. What would the Celestial Order have to say if I switched my assignments just like that?- Suana bows deeply and goes on. -On the other hand, I want to serve the Empire and make it a better place to anyone. It is something beyond the scope of my actual assignment, not a task my Lord could give to me right now. But I'm sure there's a way we can reach an agreement which satisfies everyone involved and pleases the Kami who watch over us.

Suana bows deeply.

-Awaiting to be of any use, Yumi-sama

A familiar voice echoes in Suana's head.

-You are of no use, idiot.

I take we are healed or whatever?

At the sight of the most important men in Rokugan, including His Divinity Toturi I, Suana bends on his knees.

-You are not worthy, don't bother- a voice in his head says. He knows the voice is true, and he can't do otherwise but stay in silence and think about all the failures he's committed during the rescuing of the pupils.

-I bear the name of the Master of the Emperor himself, and couldn't recognize an easy mon. I couldn't react when we were challenged. I barely stood on the horse... How am I to be a successful samurai? How am I to give advice to young aspirants who look up to me?

Suana's thoughts are interrupted by Shisou-sama's words. He reminds him of what's to be a Lion. Nervous as he seems, in dire situation, he manages to do what must be done, aside from personal honour or glory-seeking deeds. He's doing what must be done for the Empire's sake.

That's what Suana should be doing as well.

To be honest, I think I'll need to review the first pages :)

Dah, my post got eaten...

Void 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (6, 10) = 16

Hai.

Spending a Void point to ignore untrained penalties.

Lore (Heraldry) 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7-3=4

-I... I don't know.

Void 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2

Suana said he was going to stay silent. Jereru is following the story, though. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

Suana was never good with words and he keeps himself quiet for now, not sure how to address the magistrate. Surely his companions would unveil the root of the problem and maybe then he is going to be put to use. But that doesn't mean he is unaware...

Void 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (8, 4) = 12

I just realised the first Kyujutsu roll was at TN 5, not 15. I would have raised there had I noticed before, obviously. But that wouldn't have changed the outcome, anyway.

Lol, first I did the trial and then I read this :P A point in horsemanship would have been a blessing... :(

Anyway, XP is always a blessing, right?

So, as in the Athletics test, I'm going to assume everybody (or at least every bushi) should try it. It would be quite dissapointing to find out this is not happening... once again.

I'm also going to assume there are no difficulty changes due to failing or raising (penalty is already in getting extra points or no point at all).

Suana is not quite confident in his horsemanship skill, but this test must be done - that's why they're here. He picks some arrows and a horse, and carefully sets himself ready.

With no Void it will be tough, though :P

Horsemanship/Agility 10 3k3: 3d10 ⇒ (5, 5, 4) = 14 1 Point

Suana rides to the first target, and a small rock makes his horse stumble a bit. He maintains control, though, and is happy he didn't try any fancy move.

Kyujutsu/Reflexes 15 4k3: 4d10 ⇒ (4, 7, 3, 5) = 19 => 7+5+4=16 2 Points
Way of the Lion's Free Raise used to get an extra point.

When approaching the first target, Suana tries a shot at the very center, and manages a nice hit.

Horsemanship/Agility 10 3k3: 3d10 ⇒ (3, 10, 3) = 16 1 Point (No need to reroll since no raise was declared).

Once again, Suana is able to ride the horse without much problem. Inside his head, he thinks he might try some kind of acrobatic riding, but he knows he is not an expert rider and doesn't want to show off.

Kyujutsu/Reflexes 15 4k3+5: 4d10 ⇒ (8, 7, 2, 9) = 26 => 9+8+7=24 2 Points
Way of the Lion's Free Raise used to get an extra point.

Suana shoots a nice arrow, a bit further away than the standard, showing his excellent aim.

Horsemanship/Agility 10 3k3: 3d10 ⇒ (6, 1, 3) = 10 => 1 Point

Though he probably should gallop to the end line, Suana keeps his pace, knowing a stumble now could ruin all his work.

Total: 1+2+1+2+1=7 Points

-Ah, yes, my head is working strangely in this weird realm. Let us move on, then.

Void roll: 2d10 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9

Suana nods to Sachiko, as if trying to say he's alright. Then he talks aloud, for everyone to hear.

-So, have we found all the students? What shall we do now?

Suana receives a wound to his neck, It bleeds, but he's been through much worse. He strikes his opponent back, profiting from the fraction of a second he is lacking his guard.

Spend a VP to reduce damage by 10. Use Attack Stance.

5k3 at -2 ATN due to wounds and free raise: 5d10 ⇒ (3, 8, 6, 10, 7) = 34 => 17+8+7=32
Explosion: 1d10 ⇒ 7

Damage if successful, 5k2: 5d10 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 3, 3) = 15 => 6+3+3=12

Raising for damage adds +1k0/Raise.

The moment to strike.

The thought and the action become one.

All his ancestors become one with Suana, and they strike together.

Adopting Attack Stance.

Attacking one of the enemies: ATN -10 due to the spell.

Kenjutsu=5k3 +Way of the Lion=1k0 Total=6k3

Declaring 2 Raises for Damage. Free Raise (Way of the Lion) also goes to Damage. Center Stance bonus (1k1+2) also goes to Damage.

Kenjutsu 6k3: 6d10 ⇒ (4, 3, 9, 6, 2, 7) = 31 9+6+7=21 at -10 ATN. Assuming it's a hit...

Damage 9k3+2: 9d10 ⇒ (4, 7, 2, 10, 6, 9, 5, 8, 7) = 58
Explode: 1d10 ⇒ 3
Damage=13+9+8+2=32

Suana focuses on his own breathing for a second, trying to keep his heartbeat low and uniting his mind with his sword.

-A sakura lief
Carried by the Autumn wind;
My metal friend strikes.

Adopting Center Stance.

Initiative 4k3: 4d10 ⇒ (3, 4, 8, 6) = 21 4+6+8=18

-I agree- nods Suana.

Void 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 8) = 13

Yes, you were doing great! :) We would be glad you stayed with us (after all, we're all a bit lost in this special realm, anyway ;) )

:( I hope he's ok

-No- says Suana. -She talked about duty. Whom's your duty with? Ask that to yourself and realise to whom you should sacrifice your dreams.

-Milady-sama- says Suana, -is Arata-chan that bad a student? I'm sure he can show us here and now what he has learned today. He makes a brief pause before going on. -You see, we are tasked with gathering the lost students and bring them to safety. I'm sure you understand we'd like to fulfill our duty to perfection, for that is why we all samurai are born to.

Suana turns his head toward his companions. -My friend Tanawe-san will be pleased to ensure what you have taught Arata-chan is not forgotten. After all, that's also why we are all here - so that our young brothers can learn from the things we do... and from the things we don't do.

Suana lets the words take form in his head, directly from his soul.

-Thousand bees...
Swords... together...

While the haiku is being given life, he notices how the current situation represents the very soul of what he was taught at the Academy. Many samurai working together towards a common goal, Every Akodo is your Doshi. And here they are, different samurai from different clans working together... is this some kind of a test?

-The sting of a bee,
A hardly noticed weapon...
Hive might shake the world.

Spending a Void point to gain the skill at rank 1.

Artisan: Poetry/Awareness 4k3: 4d10 ⇒ (10, 10, 8, 5) = 33

Exploding:
1d10 ⇒ 1
1d10 ⇒ 2

Total: 11+12+8=31 plus maybe a free raise. Lucky blow!

Suana ignores Takeya's attempt to tell a Lion how to instruct a Lion, and instead concentrates on the Crane youngling.

Void 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (9, 6) = 15

-Yes, you have- says Suana gravely. -But we are here looking for all the participants in the tournament. Then we need to exit this strange realm, and finally help the Divine Emperor now that He is in dire need.- He directs his words not only to Sachiko, but to all the younglings. -So you better put yourself to work now. We'll all speak about shame and responsibility later.

Suana observes carefully how the games develop.

-That's why these Scorpions have such sharpened wits. The game helps them keep their minds agile. Back at the dojo, some sensei insisted that we practice shojo with this same intention. I should have listened to them.

-Please allow us a second if you don't mind- says Suana, bowing his head slightly to the woman.

Then he turns to his companions.

-Okay, this should usually be my task, since Sachiko-kun is under my responsibility. However, it's also the destiny of all the rest of you what's at stakes here.- he pauses for a bit to let them realise in case they haven't yet. -Does anyone of you feel skillful enough to play and win? If you don't feel like it, I'm ready, though I warn you - I'm not a good player, and I feel no dishonour admitting it. I was trained for other tasks.

He looks all around him to check the others' faces.

-Alright. Let's find out, then.

Void Roll 2k2: 2d10 ⇒ (4, 8) = 12

-That was close. Thank you, comrades.- Suana bows respectfully to the rest. Working together in this form pleases him.

-Where are we heading next?

Suana puts all his attention on the fish trying to bite Takeya. He notices how they are preparing their attack, and his muscles want to react as he has been taught all these years: strike before you are struck.

In the last second, though, he restrains. -Keep the guard. You're here to protect Takeya-san and the eggs, and after all these fish have done nothing to deserve death.

He braces himself and waits stoically for the pain.

So if the fishes are hitting automatically, I guess Guard action grants nothing. Can I attack then?

Miyuki & Suana at the rescue! :P

Suana watches how carefully Takeya is moving. -Something really beatiful to behold, mastery personified.

Takeya picks some eggs and, when he's just about to get off the fishes' sight, he steps on a twig.

Quickly and fast, Suana's training kicks in: a comrade is in danger, he needs help. A sideways image of Miyuki trying to do something also helps him act properly - Suana runs to aid Takeya.

-Run! Now! Take the eggs!

Suana will go to where Takeya is and try a Guard action to protect him and catch the attention of possible enemies. In case he notices Takeya is safe at mid-charge, of course, he won't shout, but still go to Takeya and protect him just in case.

-Hunting for eggs, uh? Yeah, I kind of recall now that this is a popular test in the Topaz Championship. Well, let's get to it, then...

Suana looks briefly at the others, shrugs his shoulders and proceeds to seek for the eggs.

Perception/Hunting 3k3: 3d10 ⇒ (3, 9, 3) = 15

Suana thinks briefly about the constant breaches of etiquette the two scorpions commit, but quickly dismisses the idea and tries to focus on the matter at hand.

-Mmmmm... a door... should we exit this place through the same door we entered? Na, too silly... Think, Suana, think... You were never good at riddles...

Suana bows slightly to Katsu, and a bit deeper to Megumi.

-Greetings to you both. What, if I may ask, are you two doing out here?

-Uhm.- Suana tries to spot in the distance. -It seems to be this way, yes.- He goes into the mists, always ready.

Shiori rescued Ayano

That is debatable.

Suana has a look at where Miyuki is pointing, and walks to the bamboo hut. With suspicion, he closes in while unsheathing his katana.