Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)

---Go through with the ritual
Void Roll: 34 (+6 to all other rolls) Air Roll: 40+6 (Success) Earth Roll: 29+6 (Success)
Fire Roll: 23+6 (Failure) Water Roll: 32+6 (Success) Gained Disadvantage: Wrath of the Kami (Fire)

You take a deep breath and place your fate into another's hands.
"Alright Isawa-sama, I will undertake the ritual."

"We must climb then." Kyoko says pointing to the top of the mountain.

The temple of the Jade Sun? Well you're not a shugenja so you can't really find an argument against that.

"Then lead the way Isawa-sama...I place my life into your hands." you say.

"You shall not regret it Megumi-san, I swear on my honour." Kyoko says.

For a moment your breath hitches, a sacred vow, one that you never asked for...but one that means that she really is confident in getting this right. That or she's desperate enough to lay her life on the line to help a friend. In either case, it wasn't something you could understand. You were a ronin, yes you were the only ronin like you, but Kyoko was going so far...why? You consider asking for a moment, only to see her posture is closed off. Maybe after the ritual?

You've never been to the Temple to the Jade Shrine before, although you've been at it's gates numerous times. The large pagoda decorated in stately jade coloured stone, and subtle sky motifs stands as a strong sentinel over the entire Toriyama district. A reminder of the Sun and all its blessings. The large oak gates are slowly pushed back as Kyoko leads you in. The various monks stop and bow as you walk past. What connection did Kyoko have to them? You make sure to bow back as much as you are able, but it's still work to do that and keep up with your friend.

Kyoko leads you to the stairs, past the first floor, the second, the third...all the way up to the top most floor. There she pulls down a step ladder and leads you somehow even more up, until you stand on the roof of the pagoda. The wind is blowing hard and its hard to keep your balance, but you manage thanks to quick reflexes and your agility training. Looking around you see a small constructed observation platform on the roof, open to the sky and everything else. There you see Yukiko standing in priestly robes. At Yukiko's feet is a large drawing made of writing that you don't recognize. A wheel within a wheel with eight spokes between them, each spoke pointing to a heavenly direction.

Kyoko approaches them and bows. "Iuchi-sama thank you for making the preparations."

"What is a friend for?" Yukiko asks, before turning to you. "How are you feeling Megumi-san?"

"A little nervous, I know that Isawa-sama has sworn that it will work...but I am a bushi, such things are beyond me."

Yukiko nods.
"Hai, Isawa-sama is quite brilliant, and well the Isawa were always better at this then the Iuchi. I will do my part."

"Forgive me Megumi-san, but for this part you will be mostly naked." Kyoko says guiding you to the centre of the platform.

"Ehhh?" You manage to get out.

Yukiko holds up a brush.
"We're going to take inspiration from the Ise Zumi, and draw the required seals on your skin, but we have to be sure we get all the chakra points."

You grumble to yourself but comply. The ink is cold on your skin and the wind does not help, Yukiko and Kyoko are apologetic even as they work quickly as they dare. Each brush stroke drawing another symbol of power on your body. Finally, they pull back.

"Sit down in the middle of the circle Megumi-san, lay your bare sword across your lap and meditate. We will do the rest." Kyoko orders.

Despite the near frozen limbs you have, you comply. Legs crossed as you take up the lotus position, and draw Sakiyarumei from her sheathe. The metal feels almost warm after enduring the preperations for the ritual. Closing your eyes, you begin to breathe.

The sounds of the two priestess chanting fill the air. The faint hum of power is audible even to you who are deaf to the kami. Light begins to filter through your eye lids not from the sun, but from the very power of the elements themselves being manifested. You concentrate on your breathing, even as every instinct screams at you to run.

A sensation gentle as whisper, but stronger than thunder, rips through your body stealing your breath.
A sensation solid as stone but weaker than sand, sinks into your body, stealing your bones.
A sensation hotter than the forge consumes you, burning your mind.
A sensation calm as a spring, but fiercer than a typhoon, flows through your body, stealing your blood

You scream, a wordless primal scream that has no beginning and no end. You scream as your are born, scream as you die, scream to make yourself heard.

Then all is white. You look around, your body fainter than gossamer. In the distance three figures stand. Unsure of what else to do, you walk towards them. Your limbs feel strangely light as if they're empty.
Hours? Days? Pass before you reach the figures. Now you can see them. One looks like a painting of your grandmother...one commissioned by your grandfather the day of their wedding as you recall. The other is an old man wearing a spectacular blue robe, but other than that seeming like any peasant. The third is a young girl no more then five with pure white hair and and black lips.

"So she arrives" The man says.
His eyes sparkle with starlight, while his voice makes you think of nothing so much as old worn vellum, rich, and smooth, but cracked with aged.

Your grandmother and the girl both say something, before looking frustrated and bowing. You bow back.

"Forgive me Oji-san...but where am I?"

"Oh that's easy, you are dead." He says.

"WHAT?!" You shout.

The old man, the Oji-san seems amused.
"Calm down child. You're not staying dead. This was necessary."

You take a deep breath, although you're not sure why you bother.

"What is going on?" You ask.

The old man scratches his chin.
"I suppose even with your acceptance there would be no understanding...let us say that I guide young souls from time to time. You are not going to stay dead, but here, my actions will not cause undo harm to the mortal realm."

Your mind turns that over as you read his body language with trained eyes. He's happy, like a long formulated plan has finally come together. Why would he? Unless...

"It was you who was the man in black that day, wasn't it?" You ask.

The old man smiles.
"Close, but no, that one is hmm, let's call him a parolee of mine. In the end I looked for a hero and he found one. A simple ronin girl, of no great skill or talent, but one who tried to be a Samurai. Heroes have been forged from worse...of course then you became interesting."

"I did?" You say somewhat dumbly.

The man nods.
"No one ever foresaw you dipping so deep into the Void, no one foresaw you understanding instinctively what takes other acolytes decades...truly Fortune favours the mortal woman. You changed the nature of your destiny."

You could feel your skin becoming more solid, looking at your hand, the faint almond colour of skin was beginning to form in.

"Your grandmother will have to stay, but do not worry, she will be content...and this little one is just waiting for you to realize her potential." The man pushes the girl towards you.

The girl bows, but you still aren't sure who she is...although she is very familiar.

"Embrace her to return to life...but before you go I offer you a choice between three lessons, choose wisely."

However you have something more important to ask. The woman who had guided you, punished you, provoked you, belittled you, praised you, saved you, was being taken from you?

"Why does my grandmother have to leave?" You say, voice not quite quivering.

"Because though her goal is unfulfilled, she has returned to the land of the dead. While the Lord of Death is not unkind, he does not allow what is his to leave without permission. In the end though she has long since set you on fulfilling the goal she has for you."

That hurts, this is your fault, your fault, that she has to leave. While you weren't always...the most filial of grand daughters...Grandmother had been the only member of your family that refused to abandon you, to let you give up on yourself. To lose her...would be to lose someone who had become important to you in her own way.

"Can I at least say good bye to her?" You ask.

"After you choose your lesson, I imagine I can look the other way briefly." He says.

"These are the Lessons..."

[]The Lesson of Kaze no Kami
The God of Wind, holds no secrets but that of his existence. Long thought dead, he leaves behind this treasure of understanding. How to cut the wind and make it your servant at least in part. Megumi learned this technique supposedly from a dead man...although many do not take her seriously on that.

Effect: You may now sheathe your sword as free action. With sheathed sword you may make an Iaijutsu attack on an enemy at any range up to your Void ring*20ft. You may also spend a void point to ignore all reduction on this attack. Damage is calculated as normal katana damage.


[] The Lesson of Musubi no Kami
The Goddess of Marriage who supposedly taught Benten all she knew, before retiring to let her student serve as the guardian of love, art and marriage. This ancient goddess has long since been slain, but leaves behind a secret kernel of truth, how to speak even to one as high above you as the sun is above the earth without giving offence. Megumi supposedly learned this technique from a man while dead, although many question whether that happened.

Effect: When speaking to someone of higher status, you automatically reroll any failed etiquette checks to avoid giving offence with bonus dice equal to half your void ring. In addition you may spend a single void point to roll a courtier/awareness check against their etiquette/awareness. If you succeed, they may not attack you outside of a willingly accepted duel. This effect does not work on sworn enemies, or against supernatural compulsions. The effect lasts for two days.

[]The Lesson of Yama no kami
The god of stone. Like his brother and sister he is long thought dead, and only a few monks even know of his existence now. Yet he left behind a pebble of wisdom for one that is worthy. This pebble would be enough to make a man endure a battle that lasts three days . Megumi says that she learned this during a ritual that killed her temporarily, but she got better. This is doubted by some.

Effect: Spend a void point and for a number of rounds equal to your Earth Ring, you ignore all wound penalties. You also heal a number of wounds equal to your void ring per round while this is in effect. This technique does not prevent you from dying, however until then you will continue without hindrance.


AN: It's done. Forgive me for any mistakes.
AN II: Okay round two