Winter Court: 4 Bride of Discussion

[Squishy Cheeks]

Should I continue the tournament now or do you guys want a few pages to get some stuff straight?

[Squishy Cheeks]

I had an Rp idea the other day. I'm going to let this one either finish or die of natural causes before I move on.

[Dante]

WHat is it?

[Squishy Cheeks]

After centuries of sleep, the mythological figures awake. Their return causes havoc. The God's of Greece and rome dominate southern europe while northern europe is plagued by a civil war between fairytale creatures and norse gods. The middle East is even more of a powder keg as Summarian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Hebrew, phoenician, and Arabic myths battle for dominance. The west coast of the united states is bought out by Lucifer incorperated, bringing out a new golden age for the entertainment industry, after a fashion. And to make matters worse the Angels of Death have begun an unholy competion to reap creatively.

[IHateMakingNames]

So, we RP about how we (The mythocal creatures) kill everything, or how we (Humans) die?

[Squishy Cheeks]

The pc characters would be a special forces unit designated to either peacefully solve a mythic problem or to violently solve it.

[Elminster_Amaur]

That could be interesting. Just Mythical creatures? Or are we talking anything man has ever created in his vast imaginative prowess?

[Squishy Cheeks]

Well let me put it this way. If you go mythic creature. Your going to more than likely eventually have to fight a family member. Maybe your parents, or your children, or brothers and sisters. Willing to play that?

[Squishy Cheeks]

ok people, You should mingle for a few days. Now would be a good time to get to know each other.

So what's the hold up? I've gotten some ideas and made some plans I'm just waiting for all the characters to get to know each other.

[Krylo]

I don't know about everyone else, but my hold-up was work... as usual.

[Elminster_Amaur]

was working

[Dante]

I was ravaging innocent females and crushing empires under my sandaled feet...

...which is to say, I was working.

[Squishy Cheeks]

Ok here's how the experience will work. for this chapter.

If you competed in the tournament you get 5 xp for each round.

If you engaged the Maho tsukai you gain .5 glory .5 honor and 3 xp.

[Squishy Cheeks]

So anybody not want to be made a magistrate of the empire?

[Krylo]

They'd make a ronin a magistrate? Well... then again, I guess it isn't that surprising. With this glory increase, I'm half a point away from having the glory of a family daimyo. Fear the daimyo of the ronin!

Speaking of increases... I have 13 xp now, it seems, and I'd like to toss another 8 into agility, 3 into iajitsu, 1 into intimidation, and 1 into kenjutsu.

Edit: Also, just a reminder, Taken is sitting off to the side not really near the body where everybody else is, which is why I haven't replied to anything, nor will I, so long as you're all by the body. Just saying so because Dante mentioned Taken when Rensai walked over to the corpse.

[Squishy Cheeks]

you can only increase a skill by a max of 2 at a time.

[Krylo]

Then make it 2 iajitsu, and 2 kenjutsu.

[Elminster_Amaur]

What do you mean by "engaged the Maho tsukai"?

[Squishy Cheeks]

If you attacked or started to attack the Maho Tsukai.

[IHateMakingNames]

What's a magistrate?

[Squishy Cheeks]

It's like a detective, but a little more than that. It's more like a police captain.

[Elminster_Amaur]

So does my starting a spell count?

[Squishy Cheeks]

yes it does.

[Elminster_Amaur]

Cool

Edit: How do I add Honor?

[Squishy Cheeks]

Act honorably.

[Elminster_Amaur]

I meant to the character sheet.

[Squishy Cheeks]

You should have an honor stat.

[Elminster_Amaur]

Honor: 1 + 5 boxes
what does that mean and what would it be at now?

[Squishy Cheeks]

2

[Elminster_Amaur]

So that means that 10 boxes = 1 point...got it.

[Squishy Cheeks]

Ok post your end of chapter activities. New Chapter saturday.

[Krylo]

How much IC time until the next chapter?

[Squishy Cheeks]

next day

[Squishy Cheeks]

Cast change. The role of Kakita rensai is being retired. Also we are taking this in a new direction this is the last chapter in the winter court for now. We are now moving in a direction as magistrates.

[Squishy Cheeks]

I know why dante is waiting, but why is everyone else?

[IHateMakingNames]

I keep forgetting that the family name goes first, so I keep missing my guy's name...

[Squishy Cheeks]

it takes some getting used to.

[Dante]

Is it time yet?

[Squishy Cheeks]

yeah

[Dante]

Ooh, krylo's getting a grren-eyed girl! Danger danger!

[Dante]

'Ere we go.

Name: Isawa (Shiba) Kenren

Clan: Phoenix

Profession: Void Shugenja

Bio:

It has been ten years now, but you still remember it clearly.

Ever since you were a child, you knew you were different. Unlike your brothers Tenpo and Konzen, you had never ben physically inclined. Certainly, you could run and jump like everyone else, but you always felt that there was something else, something more to the world than met the eye.

So you stayed away from the people to embrace the world. Tenpo saw a tree and climbed it. You sat below its branches and studied the insects living in its shade. Konzen swam in lakes, but you observed the patterns of the waves as they rebounded off the shores. And life would have been perfectly mundane for you had it not been for her.

Yukino. Matsu Yukino. She was to be betrothed to you, and normally she would have stayed in Lion lands, but for some reason she was with you and your brothers that summer. And it seemed that she had a special attraction to you.

She was proud. Always, always proud. But she was possessed of a fierce kindness, that of a protective lioness, and she was the one who always dragged you kicking and screaming through life whenever you were too timid to face it. You resented it at first, but eventually you learnt to appreciate the passion that drive her.

Then one day, a group of men dressed in jet-black kimonos underneath broad jingasas arrived at the Shiba family castle. One of them, a young woman whose face was half-eclipsed by the shadows of her hat looked at you and said, "This is the one."

Immediately they surrounded you, murmuring amongst themselves and pointing at both yourself, then at the huge family mon that dominated the audience hall. And as you looked into the eyes of the girl, you suddenly felt a strange kinship.

You looked into her eyes and saw nothingness. The same nothingness that filled your soul, the emptiness that defined existence, the none that transcended the all.

As you continued gazing into her eyes, you suddenly felt someone tug at the sleeve of your kimono, and you tore your eyes away to see Yukino pulling possessively at you. The girl in black smiled and rejoined her comrades as your parents entered the room.

The discussions lasted for hours, and all the while Yukino sat beside you, glaring hotly at the girl in black, who closed her eyes as though asleep, a serene expression on her face. Finally your parents and the men in black turned to you, and softly, your mother spoke.

The men in black were from the Isawa Ishiken School, that legendary school for shugenja studying Void magic and they had chosen you precisely because you had a strong connection to the Void. They said that if you learned to master your talents, you could match any shugenja of the Phoenix... if not surpass them. And so the choice was posed - to follow them, or to remain with your family. The latter choice would result in the Ishiken erecting mental barriers to shield you from the Void, while the former would set you down a road walked be few and feared by many.

The decision, they said, was entirely up to you.

You looked around. Your brothers were playing outside, and you knew you could never be like them, kenshi and kyudoka. You turned to your parents. The thought of having to leave them forever almost brought a tear to your eye.

You looked at Yukino and the girl in black. The Flame and the Void. Both were equally appealing. On the one hand, you wanted to be with Yukino. On the other, the endless depths of the other girl's eyes drew you in.

Finally, you decided. You stood from where you were and walked the ten steps it took to reach the Ishiken party. The girl nodded, as did the man with the only one arm who had been doing most of the talking. Then you turned to your parents. Your father lowered his head, while your mother was shaking hers.

Then, suddenly, there was a loud cry, and everyone turned to look at Yukino.

"You! You turned your back on your family to go with these people you don't even know! I won't stand for it! After I pass my gempukku, I will duel you to avenge this slight to our honor!"

There were tears in her eyes, but in those brown pupils you could see that familiar passion burning like a torch. She may have flickered and danced like a flame, but her persistence was that of the undying embers at the base of a fire, and you knew that she meant every word she said. And you knew, instinctively, that you had gained nothing and lost everything with that decision.

It has been over ten years since that day you were taken in when you were six, and you can still rmeember everything clearly. The bizarre training sessions with the one-armed man, whom you now knew as Master Ujina of the Void. The constant explorations of the nothingness with an Ishiken sensei as your guide. All that and more, as you sift through the cryptic teachings intended to prepare your mind for the Void. But one thing strikes you the most clearly about your training.

You never saw that girl in black again.

Now it is your sixteenth birthday. A pigeon has just arrived, stating that Lady Matsu Yukino has recently compelted her gempukku, passing it with flying colors. And the chilling thought that she will soon challenge you to the duel she promised so long ago is unsettling.

Now you know that the day you have feared for so long will soon arrive.

Because you know that no matter what she does, you will never be able to hurt her again, the way you did so long ago.

Never.

Traits:

Fire: 3
Agility: 3 (8 CP)
Intelligence: 3 (1 from family)

Air: 2
Reflexes: 2
Awareness: 2

Earth: 2
Stamina: 2
Willpower: 2

Water: 2
Strength: 2
Perception: 2

Void: 5 (1 from school, 2 from Naka Kaeteru Ancestor Advantage)

Primary Weapon: Fine katana

Primary Armor: None

T.N. to be Hit: 10


Skills:

School

Lore (Void Magic) 3 (2 CP)
Meditation 3 (1 CP)
Shintao 3 (2 CP)
Tea Ceremony 1
Spellcraft 3 (2 CP)
Kenjutsu 3 (2 CP)

Non-school

Defense 1 (1 CP)
Lore (Maho) 1 (1 CP)

School: Isawa Ishiken School Rank 2 - Beru Damome

Known Spells:

BASIC

Sense
Commune
Summon

WATER

The Path to Inner Peace

FIRE

The Fury of Osano-Wo

VOID

Sense Void
Drawing the Void
Void Suppression (traded another spell for this)

Advantages (18) / Disadvantages (12):

Ishiken-do (5)
Ancestor - Naka Kaeteru (14 - 7 from Heritage)
Elemental Attunement - Fire (6)

Nemesis (5)
Antisocial (2)
Sworn Enemy (3)
Lost Love (2)

Glory: 4

Honor: 2 + 5 Boxes

Insight: [(Sum of your Rings)x 10 + Sum of your Skills]:

(3+2+2+2+5)x10 + (3+3+3+3+3+1+1+1) + 3(Heritage) = 161


Wounds :
-0: 4
-1: 4
-2: 4
-3: 4
-4: 4
Down: 4
Out: 4
Dead: 4

Allies and Enemies:

Weapons and Equipment: Kimono, Travelling Pack, Scroll Satchel, Fine Katana(traded for Wakizashi and 5 koku),5 scrolls, 3 sticks of incense

Gifts, Bestowments and Recognitions: (None yet)

History and Glorious Deeds: (None yet)

Heritage: (rolled a d10)
1 (Distinguished Past - Heritage Table 2)
1 (Mystic Blood - Gain 3 Insight and purchase ancestor at half CP)

[Squishy Cheeks]

I didn't list the ancestors or heritage tables cause they take up about 30 pages of info Dante did his own research. If you want a Heritage table roll it costs 1 cp or xp, a fortune table roll costs 3 and Ancestors vary in cost.

[Dante]

Yes, fear my gaming OCD.

[Krylo]

I wasn't really online when you guys started posting again. Also... I know in japan green-eyed girls are extraordinarily rare. Is it the same in the world of the five rings? I would assume so, but I figured I should check before integrating that into my character's reaction... which will change depending on whether they're rare or not.

[Dante]

In L5R, green-eyed girls are INCREDIBLY rare. They rank as among the most difficult things Scorpion or Crane smugglers can get.

EDIT: I will also assume that they are a Bad Thing, because green eyes are somewhat associated with gaijin and gaijin are scum...

[Squishy Cheeks]

Not necessarilly. The Crane due mainly to inbreeding have developed blue, and green eyes.

Raiden is going to be busy else where, so don't worry about him. If you guys want I can deal with your actions in the city individually.

ok so do you guys have any questions, requests, what's the hold up?

[Squishy Cheeks]

Guys I'm asking you to just post some activity. You just got a promotion, go do something, go to the Saki bar and get some drinks perhaps, or go to a geisha house and get some.

[Krylo]

...I've been debating whether to go the safe route or the not so safe route here (I doubt any route is completely safe, but one is almost definately safer than the other)... so, the first person to answer gets to decide my fate!

[Forever Zero]

Go the not safe route... Just because I want to see what it is.

[Krylo]

Safe route was just realizing that the crane throwing a green eyed woman at a Ronin without ulterior motives is pretty unlikely, while the unsafe is simply Taken's arrogance outstriping that knowledge.

[Forever Zero]

Unsafe route then. It should be more interesting...

[Krylo]

I concur, FZ. I was just pondering as to whether it's worth the greater interest to put my character at greater risk.

[Dante]

Did krylo invest in any Taint? Because if he did, I foresee the tentacle demon powers emerging...

[Krylo]

Wait... you can spend xp on taint and get tentacle demon powers? Why didn't anyone tell me this earlier!? Like when I had xp!?

[Squishy Cheeks]

Well you can possibly get tentacle powers if your taint exceeds double your highest ring. But when it surpasses your highest ring your character ceases to be your character, and becomes my character.

[Dante]

HAH! I really deserve Taint points for that...

[Squishy Cheeks]

tempting but there are only a few ways we're going to chance getting taint.

[Dante]

It seemed appropriate.

http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v139/GeneralZod/stuff/Tentacle_2.jpg

[Squishy Cheeks]

If you guys don't leave the castle I can't really continue the story. So please leave the castle.

[IHateMakingNames]

Do mastered spells cast faster?

Edit - My guy mastered Fire of Purity right?

[Squishy Cheeks]

If you use your free raise on that. Remember you have a number of free raises equal to your school rank for casting spells and another if the spell is innate and you have the scroll on hand.

[IHateMakingNames]

Aw good, Fires of Purity takes two actions, and I have three raises. krylo's guy is going to be on fire soon...

Edit - Before I post it, FoP doesn't hurt the target right? Or cause there sword/armor to get to hot and burn themselves?

[Squishy Cheeks]

your spell is successful the spell will last for 3 rounds.

[Krylo]

Yah, if these bandits don't decide to run, they earn the covetted 'balls of steel' award.

I know I'd run if some guy was walking up to me, then burst into flame without stopping... and cut one of my buddy's arms off...

[Squishy Cheeks]

Krylo hits one again. 30 points of damage, non fatal dammage, but enough to knock the guy out.

edit: IHMN you can take to raises to speed cast Fire from within.

[Squishy Cheeks]

Do you guys want me to but out of your combat, or do you want me to keep the combat system.

[Krylo]

I kind of like dice... but if you'd prefer not to roll them that's ok too. I mean... these bandits are pretty much getting their asses beat like little bitches...

[Squishy Cheeks]

Ok Investigators, get ye to the parade grounds, this means you FZ and Dante.

edit: Krylo, IHMN those silks would make a great gift later. Fine silk is very expensive.

[Krylo]

Only way it's becoming a gift is if Taken's room with the crane comes with a new kimono... he did just turn his into bandages for the bandit that would have otherwise died... or at least the arm of it.

[Squishy Cheeks]

Well that's your fault. I'm sure you could try and talk Mei into letting you borrow her clothes. I'm sure you would be pretty.

[Krylo]

Of course it's my fault... but hey, that's just how Taken is.

And yes, Taken would be pretty. So pretty that Taken could star in his own anime: Pretty Pretty Ronin Soldier!

[Squishy Cheeks]

Well she looks somewhat like this.

http://l5rshop.com/images/cards/Doji_Asano.jpg

I'm sure you have the samurai hair cut too. *snicker*

http://www.gijoeelite.com/REVIEWS/gistokuSAMURAI1/SAMURAIhair.jpeg
http://www.sprout.org/toshiro/images/pics/throneblood2.jpeg

Or do you have the Ronin look?

http://www.sprout.org/toshiro/images/lastsamurai/sanjuro4.jpg
http://www.sprout.org/toshiro/images/pics/Samurai1_2.jpeg

Here's all the styles together.
http://www.sprout.org/toshiro/images/lastsamurai/sanjuro3.jpg

Personally I like my style.

http://l5rshop.com/images/cards/mirumoto_rosanjin.jpg

[Squishy Cheeks]

Combat round (FZ, (if he wants to be in the area) Krylo, me, Dante, oni, Batgirl)

[Forever Zero]

Combat round? Alright, I'm in the area...

[Krylo]

Oh sure, edit in FZ after I make my post. Meh, just pretend that it happened after FZ moves.

Edit: In response to your question about Taken's hair, I re-present the pitter Ren drew of him.

[Squishy Cheeks]

Ok Since Dante logged off either Batgirl can take his turn, and FZ you can take her turn.

[Dante]

Sorry, stepped outside for breakfast, I'l lwait 5 mintues for you guys to post first.

[IHateMakingNames]

Didn't there used to be boobs in that picture krylo (The blackened out part)?

[Krylo]

Yes. It has nipples in the original as well, but I put a black bar over those the first time I posted it as well.

Edit: Wow. Dante got screwed on that damage roll. He got screwed right up the ass by a tetsubo wielded by a giant oni with a sadistic streak.

[Forever Zero]

So Dante goes, then Batgirl goes, then I go again, just to make sure of the order.

[Dante]

Yes. It has nipples in the original as well, but I put a black bar over those the first time I posted it as well.

Edit: Wow. Dante got screwed on that damage roll. He got screwed right up the ass by a tetsubo wielded by a giant oni with a sadistic streak.

AND HE DIDN"T EVEN USE LUBE! THE PAIN! THE PAIN!!!!

EDIT: My DiceMage program gave me constant results of 25+ with 5 dice.

[Squishy Cheeks]

I'm the one who got slammed about. If it weren't for my school technique I'd be facing 9k2 of damage

Next Combat round. Oni, FZ, Krylo, Dante, me, Batgirl, damaged oni.

FZ start your action for last round so I can post the Oni's attack.

[IHateMakingNames]

Stone arms... Luckily I was gone when this started...

I guess we'll just say Yoshi assumed Taken could cover it, and he decided to take the bandits to jail first.

[Squishy Cheeks]

The Stone gaze is based on Tomb of Jade, only sub jade with stone. but basically it works exactly the same.

FZ you're up again then Krylo.

edit: I rolled your taint test krylo you passed. Don't worry about infection of your stoney wounds.

[Dante]

I'll begin casting a spell but don't bother having it actually take place until it's my turn.

Ona side note - Hurry up krylo!

[Squishy Cheeks]

By the way Krylo the stone will turn to dust in 24 hours. till then your wounds are unhealable.

[Krylo]

I kind of wish I had taken an unarmed fighting skill thingie... whap them with my new stone arm. That'd teach them to cast stone spells at me. Punks.

[Dante]

Taken and the Left Hand of Doom... Hey, now you can be HellRonin!

[Squishy Cheeks]

hitting a weak earth elemental terror with stone. yeah that would be effective.

[Dante]

Now all he has to do is get Tainted enough so he grows horns (which he can saw off), his skin turns red, and tentacles.

[Squishy Cheeks]

he missed his chance, for now.

I gave BG 3 free raises for rping the spell.

Experience for this chapter.
Batgirl: 15
IHMN: 8
Krylo: 12
Dante: 10
FZ: 10
Me: 10

[Squishy Cheeks]

The taint doesn't quite work like that Dante.

[Dante]

I know, but Kenren doesn't. His training is in Void magic, not Shadowlands taint.

[Krylo]

Twelve eh?

8 to reflexes
2 to kenjutsu
1 to advanced medicine
1 to etiquette

[Squishy Cheeks]

You're maxed in reflexes. You need shintao level 3 to go on, also you have yet to do anything remotely introspective or philosophical so don't even think of trying to buy that skill. and you're also maxed in Kenjutsu.

[Krylo]

I'm maxed now, right (with 5)? I think I'm also maxed in agility... and am I maxed at 5, 6, or 7 kenjutsu?

[Dante]

Maybe I should train up my kenjutsu and my Agility...

[IHateMakingNames]

I'll raise my agility so my Fire Ring goes up a level, and I'll raise my stamina.

[Dante]

Am I going to assume that we are in the chamber now?

[Forever Zero]

Hmm, I want to increase my Stamina by 1, so that makes my Earth Ring 3. I also want to raise my Agility by 1 which gives me 3 in my fire ring. How many points do I have left after that, and if I run out of points, first priority is to increase Stamina by 1.

[Krylo]

It's 8 points per stat, FZ.

[Forever Zero]

Ah, then I'll just increase my Stamina by 1, and with the two remaining... Can I increase my Kenjutsu from 2 to 3?

[IHateMakingNames]

It's 8 per stat? Oh... Then I'll just raise agility.

[Squishy Cheeks]

5 is the max for skills and traits max at 5. 5 is the max for a human being.

[Krylo]

If 5 is the max for skills I'm going to put those two extra points that I was going to put into kenjutsu aside and save them for later.

[Squishy Cheeks]

dante mentioning that the cultists may be after one of the twelve is important. Actually I'd say it's the most important datail, and the one you've left out.

So who want's to know what the twelve are so we don't get the obvious stupid question in the rp. Cause all the character would know what the twelve are.

[Krylo]

Oh... we'd already know? In that case you should probably mention it here.

[Squishy Cheeks]

http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=1286
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=1255
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=194
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=928
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=2863
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=748
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=2599
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=513
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=679
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=1120
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=1344
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=929

These are the twelve black scrolls. They are the twelve most powerful spells ever. They were created by the thunder Isawa and used to imprison the dark god Fu Leng. And if they are ever all opened Fu Leng will be freed, and that will bring about the apocalypse. The 12 are the most powerful corrupt things in all the empire, and it is any good samurai's duty to make sure they never are opened. The Yogo were chosen to make sure they were hidden, and never opened. The only people who know where they are hidden is the Scorpion Clan Daimyo, possibly the Dragon Clan Daimyo (I know he knows where one of them is), and the eleven secret keepers. Any questions?

[Krylo]

I rather liked the return of the fallen lord...

[Squishy Cheeks]

It basically, trades the caster's lif to raise someone from the dead as an evil bad ass.

[Forever Zero]

So in the card game, if you had all 12 on the table at the same time, would it be game over?

[Squishy Cheeks]

Pretty much yeah.

http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=3735

[Forever Zero]

That looks like a pretty interesting game. Multiple ways to win, good and evil sides, 12 ultimate artifacts. I need to look more into finding the roleplaying book as well...

[Krylo]

I don't know if I'd call bringing the apocalypse down a 'win' however...

[Squishy Cheeks]

Well if your playing them you're pretty much rooting for a dark side win.

[Forever Zero]

I'll admit it has more disadvantages then conquering the world, but it also should theoretically be much easier, thus it's the lazy man's win...

[Squishy Cheeks]

Well there were also the seven thunders, The ultimate badasses of each clan. If you had all seven of them you win too, but you need one personality in play to bring them all into play, and he ain't cheap. You win the game mainly because they can kick any bodies asses.

edit: The lazy man's win is an honor victory.

The hardest one to pull off is an enlightenment victory.

[Dante]

What's that? The enlightenment victory, I mean.

[Squishy Cheeks]

You achieve a level of mastery over the elements that you become a god. but in reality you bring the rings into play.

http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=3418
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=3339
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=3076
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=3824
http://www.l5rsearch.com/db/search.cgi?cmd=detail&card_id=2774

If you bring these five cards into play you win the game by enlightenment victory.
If you crush your opponent four provinces, you win by military victory.
If you achieve forty points of family honor, you win by honor victory.
If you achieve -20 family honor, you lose by dishonor