Then all hope is lost because Nishoku is apparently near damn omnipotent? If he can manipulate an entity that makes Joker seem rational...
Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
Then all hope is lost because Nishoku is apparently near damn omnipotent? If he can manipulate an entity that makes Joker seem rational...
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[x] Accept the gift.
Just accept it. The dragon girl surely looks like a bit impressed with how strong we stood against such temptation.
Just accept it. The dragon girl surely looks like a bit impressed with how strong we stood against such temptation.
Brandark
Disrespect the law, and you disrespect me.
[x] Accept the gift.
Let's be straightforward with P'an Ku. She doesn't seem the sort who cares much about traditional courtesies. On the other hand, if she takes our refusal at face value...
Sosuke may try to convey that it's just a simple courtesy, but one botched roll, and we would be facing a mad dragon who's....mad at us.
Let's be straightforward with P'an Ku. She doesn't seem the sort who cares much about traditional courtesies. On the other hand, if she takes our refusal at face value...
Sosuke may try to convey that it's just a simple courtesy, but one botched roll, and we would be facing a mad dragon who's....mad at us.
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- Location
- Canada
[x] Accept the gift.
So... another silly thing happened with @Winged Knight.
People thronged through Mitakihara Mall. The chatter of children and adults alike fill the building, echoing off the ceiling and walls. With school just a day behind them, families were happy to come together in such a happy place. They looked for what they needed, what they wanted and simply to spend time with each other.
"I'm surprised we found clothes for Sosuke," Sabrina confided to Mami, shaking her head.
Mami smiles. "Well, he's not that much above average height," she said.
Sabrina blinked, head tilting over to the side. "... he's not?" Idly, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Hm. Considering Madoka's father and Kyousuke and…" She looked around at the crowds, who were all still head and shoulders shorter than Kyousuke.
"... he is tall, yes," Mami conceded.
Kirika grinned. "I'm surprised we weren't arrested."
Oriko patted Kirika on the shoulder. "Precognition has its benefits," she said smugness in her voice.
Homura, trailing at the back of the group, snorted quietly.
Sosuke only half listened to the banter, walking with his head down and his hands in these things they called… pockets. The idea of little pouches sewn into what passed for hakama only distracted him so much, however. He was too busy stewing on his inability to be of use in this strange new land.
These women had aided him immensely, giving him food, shelter and clothing. And yet he could do nothing to repay them. He was a Samurai, a warrior from an entirely different world. But this land… It was so peaceful. What use did they have for his skills? Killing monsters was all he knew, and there were none here that he could see. How, then could he hope to settle the debt he owed?
Homura glanced aside at the gigantic young man, before facing forward once more.
"... god are you sure you two aren't long lost siblings?" Kirika asked. "Both of you all grumpy and the hair and stuff."
Sosuke looked up. "I can assure you, we are not related."
Homura shrugged, and jerked her head in Sosuke's general direction.
"Yeaaaaah no," Kirika said. "What're you so grumpy about, anyway?"
"I…" Sosuke began, then shrugged his shoulders in his now properly fitting clothing. "It is nothing. Please don't worry yourself."
Sabrina clicked her tongue. "No, it's not," she said. "You're brooding again."
The young Samurai narrowed his eyes. "I do not brood."
"Yes, you do," Sabrina countered with an eyebrow, and started counting off her fingers. "The time Yasuki Goro left you behind at the castle. That one time I, uh, accidentally the Oni. The time the Jasmine Dragon didn't have that tea you wanted…"
"You remember those times very differently than I do," Sosuke muttered. He glanced aside the glaring lights of an arcade they passed, wincing at the noise. This whole place was as chaotic as the market district of a city.
Which apparently this was, now that he thought about it. That simply made the young man feel worse, reminding him that his friends had spent currency on his behalf. The funds given to him by his lord held no weight on this foreign soil, which meant his Daimyo could not provide for his well being. He scowled, ashamed to be involved in something that brought such dishonor to his superiors.
"Oni, Sabrina?" Mami asked.
"Yeah… they're kind of like Witches," Sabrina said, and shook her head. "But awful. More awful."
"Wait… Witches?" Sosuke asked, perking up. "So you do have demons here aside from that weak fluffy one!"
"They're like Oni, but less awful. Arguably," Sabrina responded, making a face.
"It is settled, then," Sosuke said, nodding to himself. "I will hunt these Witches and slay them. No more shall they bother your world."
Sabrina palmed her face. "No, Sosuke, that won't be necessary," she grumbled.
"The fuck are you talking about, tiny?" a new voice interrupted.
Sabrina raised her eyebrows. "Hi Kyouko, hi Yuma," she said. "Didn't expect to see you here today."
Mami smiled. "Hello, Kyouko, Yuma."
"Hi, Sabrina, Mami!" Yuma chirped, beaming around at the group.
"What I am speaking of his my Clan's duty," Sosuke said, glowering at Kyouko. "We kill monsters."
"... where the fuck did you find this one?" Kyouko asked, frowning at Sabrina and removing the dangling stick of pocky from her mouth to point at Sosuke.
Sabrina shrugged, watching in amusement as Kirika wandered over to Yuma and promptly started ruffling the younger girl's hair. "Another universe?"
"Whaaaaat the fuck ever," Kyouko grumbled.
"Are you doubting my friend's word?" Sosuke said in a soft voice, stepping forward to loom over the smaller girl.
"Yeah, no, given as it's her I ain't even surprised," Kyouko said. "Sooooo where d'you come from, big man?"
"I come from Rokugan, the Emerald Empire. The greatest land in all the world and blessed under Heaven," Sosuke replied, standing straight. It felt both good and depressing to speak of his home… But if this little urchin thought she would disparage both his friend and himself by association, he would make sure she was educated in her ignorance. "I am of the Crab Clan, created by the mighty Hida-no-Kami. We die so that others may know peace."
Kyouko scratched at the base of her enormous ponytail, ignoring Yuma as the younger girl flailed and tried to escape Kirika's fluffing hands by running behind her legs. "Where'd you find the chunni?" she grumbled.
"No, really," Sabrina said. "He's not lying. At all."
"First you doubt the word of my friend, and then you doubt my own?" Sosuke said, three steps from bellowing. He fingers popped as he reached forward, as if ready to strangle Kyouko. "I will not stand for this insult! We duel now, Gaijin, unless you are as cowardly as you are brash!"
"OK, OK, none of that," Sabrina said, stepping between the two. None too gently, she elbowed Kyouko in the ribs. "Stop provoking him."
Kyouko's eyes narrowed, sidestepping around Sabrina. "You calling me chicken?"
"I do not know what farm fowl have to do with this," Sosuke replied. "But I am doubting your courage, Gaijin."
Sabrina palmed her face, groaning. "No fighting, guys," she said. "Please. Make it a dance off or something."
"I do not know what that is," Sosuke said, turning to Sabrina with a perplexed expression. "What use is dancing right now?"
"Perfect," Kyouko purred, dusky red eyes glinting. "I challenge you, big man, to a dance-off. DDR, three rounds. Unless you're a coward."
Sosuke scowled. "Fine, then. For my companion's sake I will agree these terms."
Kirika clapped her hands over her mouth, muffling her explosive giggles. "Oh my god this is gonna be amazing," she managed.
Sabrina's face remained firmly embedded in her palm, heaving a heartfelt sigh. Mami patted her on the shoulder.
After explaining the rules and reconvening inside the arcade, the group found themselves standing in front of one of the DDR machine. Both Sabrina and Sosuke were giving the machines dubious looks, albeit for different reasons.
"What do dogs and drugs have to do with dancing?" Sosuke asked.
"I have no idea," Sabrina replied, sounding perplexed.
"That's what it's called," Kyouko responded. "What, gonna let that put you off?"
"Yours is a strange and godless land," Sosuke muttered, shrugging. "I don't know why I'm surprised any more."
"Don't look at me," Sabrina grumbled. "I don't get it either."
"Have you danced before?" Oriko asked, eyes glinting.
"Never," Sosuke replied. "But with the grace of Heaven, I will succeed."
Oriko nods, satisfied. "Five hundred yen on Sosuke winning," she said.
"No," Sabrina said, folding her arms. "No, I'm not doing this. Nu-uh."
Mami glanced at Sabrina, eyeing Oriko dubiously. "When the seer bets…"
"Yuma thinks big sis will win!" Yuma said.
"No," Sabrina said, tapping Yuma on the head. "No betting."
"But-"
"No."
Yuma pouted.
Homura frowned minutely at Sabrina, eyebrow quirking slightly.
"Just… watch," she grumbled, waving her hands at Sosuke and Kyouko, who had stepped up to the podium already.
Music blared over the speakers and lights flashed on the screen, revealing virtual dancers in front of both contestants. Both of them stood ready, waiting for the mark to go. Then, suddenly, it came! Arrows fell across the screen in time with the music, and the duel began!
Kyouko flowed from motion to motion, her ever present pocky dangling from her lips as she threw herself into the dance. Her feet floated over the pads, hitting them with unerring precision, graceful and fluid.
Sosuke, by contrast, resembled an avalanche more than anything else. He stomped his feet down hard, shifting as if he were dodging enemies as he went from one movement to the next. It was less a dance, and more self contained shadow boxing. The whole machine shook as he moved, but somehow he managed to keep up with the arrows as they fell.
"Yep," Sabrina grumbled, arms folded. "Yeeeeep."
"He's never danced before?" Mami asked, frowning.
"If he said he hasn't, he hasn't," Sabrina confirmed, sighing. "Sosuke's... if nothing else, honest to a fault."
"Buuuullllshit!" Kyouko yelled back, still dancing on the machine.
Homura shook her head slowly, watching the spectacle with a faint air of exasperation.
"Then how…" Kirika asked, glancing from Oriko to Sabrina.
"I DON'T KNOW," Sabrina complained. "It's just a thing they can do. They just- anything, anything at all, they can become kinda good at it. Even with no experience. At all. Just… magic is magic is bullshit."
"It is not magic!" Sosuke yelled as he danced, twisting his large body in strange ways to keep up with the arrows. "It is merely getting in touch with the divine nature that exists within all mankind!"
"Which I call magic!" Sabrina responded.
Yuma blinked, looking from Kyouko to Sosuke. Her expression set resolutely. "Go big sis! I believe in you!"
Oriko looked sidelong at Yuma, before glancing at Sabrina and shaking her head.
Sabrina shrugged.
"I'm surprised we found clothes for Sosuke," Sabrina confided to Mami, shaking her head.
Mami smiles. "Well, he's not that much above average height," she said.
Sabrina blinked, head tilting over to the side. "... he's not?" Idly, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Hm. Considering Madoka's father and Kyousuke and…" She looked around at the crowds, who were all still head and shoulders shorter than Kyousuke.
"... he is tall, yes," Mami conceded.
Kirika grinned. "I'm surprised we weren't arrested."
Oriko patted Kirika on the shoulder. "Precognition has its benefits," she said smugness in her voice.
Homura, trailing at the back of the group, snorted quietly.
Sosuke only half listened to the banter, walking with his head down and his hands in these things they called… pockets. The idea of little pouches sewn into what passed for hakama only distracted him so much, however. He was too busy stewing on his inability to be of use in this strange new land.
These women had aided him immensely, giving him food, shelter and clothing. And yet he could do nothing to repay them. He was a Samurai, a warrior from an entirely different world. But this land… It was so peaceful. What use did they have for his skills? Killing monsters was all he knew, and there were none here that he could see. How, then could he hope to settle the debt he owed?
Homura glanced aside at the gigantic young man, before facing forward once more.
"... god are you sure you two aren't long lost siblings?" Kirika asked. "Both of you all grumpy and the hair and stuff."
Sosuke looked up. "I can assure you, we are not related."
Homura shrugged, and jerked her head in Sosuke's general direction.
"Yeaaaaah no," Kirika said. "What're you so grumpy about, anyway?"
"I…" Sosuke began, then shrugged his shoulders in his now properly fitting clothing. "It is nothing. Please don't worry yourself."
Sabrina clicked her tongue. "No, it's not," she said. "You're brooding again."
The young Samurai narrowed his eyes. "I do not brood."
"Yes, you do," Sabrina countered with an eyebrow, and started counting off her fingers. "The time Yasuki Goro left you behind at the castle. That one time I, uh, accidentally the Oni. The time the Jasmine Dragon didn't have that tea you wanted…"
"You remember those times very differently than I do," Sosuke muttered. He glanced aside the glaring lights of an arcade they passed, wincing at the noise. This whole place was as chaotic as the market district of a city.
Which apparently this was, now that he thought about it. That simply made the young man feel worse, reminding him that his friends had spent currency on his behalf. The funds given to him by his lord held no weight on this foreign soil, which meant his Daimyo could not provide for his well being. He scowled, ashamed to be involved in something that brought such dishonor to his superiors.
"Oni, Sabrina?" Mami asked.
"Yeah… they're kind of like Witches," Sabrina said, and shook her head. "But awful. More awful."
"Wait… Witches?" Sosuke asked, perking up. "So you do have demons here aside from that weak fluffy one!"
"They're like Oni, but less awful. Arguably," Sabrina responded, making a face.
"It is settled, then," Sosuke said, nodding to himself. "I will hunt these Witches and slay them. No more shall they bother your world."
Sabrina palmed her face. "No, Sosuke, that won't be necessary," she grumbled.
"The fuck are you talking about, tiny?" a new voice interrupted.
Sabrina raised her eyebrows. "Hi Kyouko, hi Yuma," she said. "Didn't expect to see you here today."
Mami smiled. "Hello, Kyouko, Yuma."
"Hi, Sabrina, Mami!" Yuma chirped, beaming around at the group.
"What I am speaking of his my Clan's duty," Sosuke said, glowering at Kyouko. "We kill monsters."
"... where the fuck did you find this one?" Kyouko asked, frowning at Sabrina and removing the dangling stick of pocky from her mouth to point at Sosuke.
Sabrina shrugged, watching in amusement as Kirika wandered over to Yuma and promptly started ruffling the younger girl's hair. "Another universe?"
"Whaaaaat the fuck ever," Kyouko grumbled.
"Are you doubting my friend's word?" Sosuke said in a soft voice, stepping forward to loom over the smaller girl.
"Yeah, no, given as it's her I ain't even surprised," Kyouko said. "Sooooo where d'you come from, big man?"
"I come from Rokugan, the Emerald Empire. The greatest land in all the world and blessed under Heaven," Sosuke replied, standing straight. It felt both good and depressing to speak of his home… But if this little urchin thought she would disparage both his friend and himself by association, he would make sure she was educated in her ignorance. "I am of the Crab Clan, created by the mighty Hida-no-Kami. We die so that others may know peace."
Kyouko scratched at the base of her enormous ponytail, ignoring Yuma as the younger girl flailed and tried to escape Kirika's fluffing hands by running behind her legs. "Where'd you find the chunni?" she grumbled.
"No, really," Sabrina said. "He's not lying. At all."
"First you doubt the word of my friend, and then you doubt my own?" Sosuke said, three steps from bellowing. He fingers popped as he reached forward, as if ready to strangle Kyouko. "I will not stand for this insult! We duel now, Gaijin, unless you are as cowardly as you are brash!"
"OK, OK, none of that," Sabrina said, stepping between the two. None too gently, she elbowed Kyouko in the ribs. "Stop provoking him."
Kyouko's eyes narrowed, sidestepping around Sabrina. "You calling me chicken?"
"I do not know what farm fowl have to do with this," Sosuke replied. "But I am doubting your courage, Gaijin."
Sabrina palmed her face, groaning. "No fighting, guys," she said. "Please. Make it a dance off or something."
"I do not know what that is," Sosuke said, turning to Sabrina with a perplexed expression. "What use is dancing right now?"
"Perfect," Kyouko purred, dusky red eyes glinting. "I challenge you, big man, to a dance-off. DDR, three rounds. Unless you're a coward."
Sosuke scowled. "Fine, then. For my companion's sake I will agree these terms."
Kirika clapped her hands over her mouth, muffling her explosive giggles. "Oh my god this is gonna be amazing," she managed.
Sabrina's face remained firmly embedded in her palm, heaving a heartfelt sigh. Mami patted her on the shoulder.
=====
After explaining the rules and reconvening inside the arcade, the group found themselves standing in front of one of the DDR machine. Both Sabrina and Sosuke were giving the machines dubious looks, albeit for different reasons.
"What do dogs and drugs have to do with dancing?" Sosuke asked.
"I have no idea," Sabrina replied, sounding perplexed.
"That's what it's called," Kyouko responded. "What, gonna let that put you off?"
"Yours is a strange and godless land," Sosuke muttered, shrugging. "I don't know why I'm surprised any more."
"Don't look at me," Sabrina grumbled. "I don't get it either."
"Have you danced before?" Oriko asked, eyes glinting.
"Never," Sosuke replied. "But with the grace of Heaven, I will succeed."
Oriko nods, satisfied. "Five hundred yen on Sosuke winning," she said.
"No," Sabrina said, folding her arms. "No, I'm not doing this. Nu-uh."
Mami glanced at Sabrina, eyeing Oriko dubiously. "When the seer bets…"
"Yuma thinks big sis will win!" Yuma said.
"No," Sabrina said, tapping Yuma on the head. "No betting."
"But-"
"No."
Yuma pouted.
Homura frowned minutely at Sabrina, eyebrow quirking slightly.
"Just… watch," she grumbled, waving her hands at Sosuke and Kyouko, who had stepped up to the podium already.
Music blared over the speakers and lights flashed on the screen, revealing virtual dancers in front of both contestants. Both of them stood ready, waiting for the mark to go. Then, suddenly, it came! Arrows fell across the screen in time with the music, and the duel began!
Kyouko flowed from motion to motion, her ever present pocky dangling from her lips as she threw herself into the dance. Her feet floated over the pads, hitting them with unerring precision, graceful and fluid.
Sosuke, by contrast, resembled an avalanche more than anything else. He stomped his feet down hard, shifting as if he were dodging enemies as he went from one movement to the next. It was less a dance, and more self contained shadow boxing. The whole machine shook as he moved, but somehow he managed to keep up with the arrows as they fell.
"Yep," Sabrina grumbled, arms folded. "Yeeeeep."
"He's never danced before?" Mami asked, frowning.
"If he said he hasn't, he hasn't," Sabrina confirmed, sighing. "Sosuke's... if nothing else, honest to a fault."
"Buuuullllshit!" Kyouko yelled back, still dancing on the machine.
Homura shook her head slowly, watching the spectacle with a faint air of exasperation.
"Then how…" Kirika asked, glancing from Oriko to Sabrina.
"I DON'T KNOW," Sabrina complained. "It's just a thing they can do. They just- anything, anything at all, they can become kinda good at it. Even with no experience. At all. Just… magic is magic is bullshit."
"It is not magic!" Sosuke yelled as he danced, twisting his large body in strange ways to keep up with the arrows. "It is merely getting in touch with the divine nature that exists within all mankind!"
"Which I call magic!" Sabrina responded.
Yuma blinked, looking from Kyouko to Sosuke. Her expression set resolutely. "Go big sis! I believe in you!"
Oriko looked sidelong at Yuma, before glancing at Sabrina and shaking her head.
Sabrina shrugged.
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
in case someone hasn't read it yet...
High-stat Rokugani with Void points to spend *are* kind of BS, now that you mention it. Also, given that that link was entirely in Japanese without subtitles, it gave me absolutely no information about what dogs or drugs had to do with anything.
Who's Sabrina?
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
Look at the name of the "DDR" machine. It's... It's not Dance Dance Revolution.
The protagonist in @Firnagzen's very entertaining Puella Magi Adfligo Systema. He's a friend of mine, and a while ago we thought "Wouldn't it be amusing if our protagonists interacted?" Thus was this series of crack omake born.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Right then. Yep. PMMM remains deeply surreal in some ways. Check.
3.100
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Accept the gift.
You consider going through the full ritual of gift giving and refusing twice… And then you remember exactly what you are interacting with and decide that may not be the best idea. P'an Ku might not fully understand the tradition. Well, from what you gathered she actually might depending on her mood and the time of day and a hundred other things you can't account for, but you're not going to risk it.
That you will accept the gift is not in question. You had ground to stand on with Nisshoku, for his offer was a trap. That could have led to a fight, but with P'an Ku in the room it was not inconceivable things could turn out in your favor. Now there is no one left but you and her, and you'll not risk the dragon's wrath.
"I thank you for this most gracious gift, P'an Ku-sama," you say, bowing to her. "I will be sure to cherish it for the rest of my days."
"Aren't you supposed to refuse a few times?" P'an Ku asks, her face scrunching up in confusion. "I'm sure that's how you mortals do this sort of thing…" Her eyes widen, and she smiles. "Oh, you're scared I'll do things to you if you say no!"
"P'an Ku-sama," you begin, sweat beading down your neck again. This is not a good topic to linger on. "I would never presume-"
"Oh, don't grovel," P'an Ku interrupts. "I hate groveling… I think I do, anyway. I'm almost entirely certain. In any event, you don't need to worry." She waves a hand. "You've provided me with such amusement that I'm fine waiving propriety in this instance."
"My thanks, P'an Ku-sama," you say, taking the prayer beads with one hand. They don't feel any different than normal beads, but then you have no idea how to tell such things. "I appreciate your understanding. If you don't mind my asking, is there any significance to the nature of this gift?"
"Oh, not really," P'an Ku replies, standing up. "I just thought that since we were in a land of monks I should give you something that fit the theme." She grins at you. "I've never much cared for monks, though Shinsei was certainly an interesting fellow. I always liked watching him." Her grin dies. "Not Fudo, though. He was an idiot. To just reject things because you can't understand them?" She threw her hands up. "A fool leading fools."
"I'm afraid I wouldn't know much about such things, P'an Ku-sama," you say. "The ways of monks aren't something I have versed myself in."
"It is fine. Just ignore anyone claiming to be from Fudo's little band of madmen." She comes close, so much shorter than you even as you sit. However, when you see her shadow on the wall you notice a great, roiling serpent uncoiling. "I'd prefer if you kept this meeting between us, for I have so enjoyed our brief time together and things always become more precious when they are secret." Her smile widens. "For now, though, it is time to say goodbye."
She taps you on the nose with a single finger, and all the colors in the room blur together. For a brief moment you almost throw up, unable to handle the sudden vertigo. Then you move beyond mere dizziness and find yourself diving headlong into true delirium. Your nausea vanishes, not because you are no longer dazed but rather because you cannot properly register your own senses anymore.
Your mind is overwhelmed as a thousand different things assault your senses at once, sending you tumbling to the floor. You taste the wood as it touches your skin, and see the lingering pain from the cut on your palm even as you hear the color of the spilled tea as it drips from the table. There are no barriers between you and the world, and so all of reality comes crashing in.
Sound becomes sight becomes touch all at the same time. It is madness, and yet it is also beautiful. In this cacophony you can experience everything, are a part of everything. All that exists is connected to you even as you experience yourself connected to everything else. Everything in the entire world is part of a greater whole, even within this mad dance you've found yourself trapped in.
And through all the riotous colors and tumultuous noise you see a dragon brushing against everything. It is in the air you breath, within the wood you stand upon and inside the stone beneath even that. It has encircled the entire city with its coils, gazing upon everyone inside from beyond the clouds in the sky. A face the size of a mountain looks down on you from that exalted perch, its vast maw stretched in a toothy grin. The dragon's eyes are unfocused, yet blaze like the sun, and they flash once as it lets out a laugh that you swear makes the world shake.
Then the dragon vanishes, and the world returns to normal so swiftly that it is almost as jarring as when you were brought into that insane kaleidoscope. You spend several minutes just laying on the floor catching your breath. Finally, after you have regained enough control over your stomach to feel confident in yourself, you sit up.
P'an Ku is gone, and you are alone in the room. This, more than anything else, comes as a relief. You let out a deep sigh and slump your shoulders. Looking at your hands, you see you never lost your grip on P'an Ku's gift. A flash of understanding comes through you when you gaze upon them now, no doubt imparted by the mad dragon during your episode. The prayer beads are a Nemuranai, but their effects are… random?
That would certainly fit with the dragon's nature. You stuff the beads inside your kimono and let out another sigh. This certainly wasn't what you were expecting when you woke up this morning, but at least you've managed to survive. Still, at this point you think you're done for the day.
After all, there is time yet before the Dragon march to war.
[] Interact with your comrades.
[] Speak with one of the other delegations.
[] Timeskip to Shinjo Wanli's arrival.
[] Write in.
Sosuke has had many, many new experiences this afternoon. He has survived these trials with a combination of politeness and steadfast resolution to his principles, as well as the memory of a dear friend. He has triumphed where many would have fallen, or instead chosen to attack and go out in a blaze of glory rather than risk their souls. As such, he has gained 5 Experience Points.
Sosuke is already an honorable individual, a fine example of what a Samurai should be. However, even the most honorable can be tempted if the offer is grand enough. Sosuke was presented with two gifts he greatly desired, yet rejected them for they came from a dark power. For remaining strong against such enticements he has gained 2 points of Honor.
He has also received a set of prayer beads, a Nemuranai from the mad dragon P'an Ku. The celestial being has imparted knowledge of them to the young Samurai within a fit of sensory insanity, and thus he has some understanding of how they work.
The Enlightenment of P'an Ku
While this Nemuranai takes the shape of a set of worn and faded prayer beads, they hold a potent effect for whoever holds them on their person. They have been suffused in the essence of P'an Ku, and as such reflect some of the mad dragon's mercurial nature. Those who carry the Enlightenment of P'an Ku will find themselves sometimes doing especially well with any task they take on, while other times not performing any better than normal. None can tell which will take place, and as such the benefits of the Nemuranai cannot be predicted.
Mechanically, this Nemuranai confers a free raise on any roll made. However, this is only activated by succeeding on a Void Roll of TN 10. Additionally, the Nemuranai will offer two free raises on any roll made should a Void Roll of TN 20 be reached. This Nemuranai does not activate on the Void Roll required for its function, nor does it affect either Damage or Honor Rolls.
You consider going through the full ritual of gift giving and refusing twice… And then you remember exactly what you are interacting with and decide that may not be the best idea. P'an Ku might not fully understand the tradition. Well, from what you gathered she actually might depending on her mood and the time of day and a hundred other things you can't account for, but you're not going to risk it.
That you will accept the gift is not in question. You had ground to stand on with Nisshoku, for his offer was a trap. That could have led to a fight, but with P'an Ku in the room it was not inconceivable things could turn out in your favor. Now there is no one left but you and her, and you'll not risk the dragon's wrath.
"I thank you for this most gracious gift, P'an Ku-sama," you say, bowing to her. "I will be sure to cherish it for the rest of my days."
"Aren't you supposed to refuse a few times?" P'an Ku asks, her face scrunching up in confusion. "I'm sure that's how you mortals do this sort of thing…" Her eyes widen, and she smiles. "Oh, you're scared I'll do things to you if you say no!"
"P'an Ku-sama," you begin, sweat beading down your neck again. This is not a good topic to linger on. "I would never presume-"
"Oh, don't grovel," P'an Ku interrupts. "I hate groveling… I think I do, anyway. I'm almost entirely certain. In any event, you don't need to worry." She waves a hand. "You've provided me with such amusement that I'm fine waiving propriety in this instance."
"My thanks, P'an Ku-sama," you say, taking the prayer beads with one hand. They don't feel any different than normal beads, but then you have no idea how to tell such things. "I appreciate your understanding. If you don't mind my asking, is there any significance to the nature of this gift?"
"Oh, not really," P'an Ku replies, standing up. "I just thought that since we were in a land of monks I should give you something that fit the theme." She grins at you. "I've never much cared for monks, though Shinsei was certainly an interesting fellow. I always liked watching him." Her grin dies. "Not Fudo, though. He was an idiot. To just reject things because you can't understand them?" She threw her hands up. "A fool leading fools."
"I'm afraid I wouldn't know much about such things, P'an Ku-sama," you say. "The ways of monks aren't something I have versed myself in."
"It is fine. Just ignore anyone claiming to be from Fudo's little band of madmen." She comes close, so much shorter than you even as you sit. However, when you see her shadow on the wall you notice a great, roiling serpent uncoiling. "I'd prefer if you kept this meeting between us, for I have so enjoyed our brief time together and things always become more precious when they are secret." Her smile widens. "For now, though, it is time to say goodbye."
She taps you on the nose with a single finger, and all the colors in the room blur together. For a brief moment you almost throw up, unable to handle the sudden vertigo. Then you move beyond mere dizziness and find yourself diving headlong into true delirium. Your nausea vanishes, not because you are no longer dazed but rather because you cannot properly register your own senses anymore.
Your mind is overwhelmed as a thousand different things assault your senses at once, sending you tumbling to the floor. You taste the wood as it touches your skin, and see the lingering pain from the cut on your palm even as you hear the color of the spilled tea as it drips from the table. There are no barriers between you and the world, and so all of reality comes crashing in.
Sound becomes sight becomes touch all at the same time. It is madness, and yet it is also beautiful. In this cacophony you can experience everything, are a part of everything. All that exists is connected to you even as you experience yourself connected to everything else. Everything in the entire world is part of a greater whole, even within this mad dance you've found yourself trapped in.
And through all the riotous colors and tumultuous noise you see a dragon brushing against everything. It is in the air you breath, within the wood you stand upon and inside the stone beneath even that. It has encircled the entire city with its coils, gazing upon everyone inside from beyond the clouds in the sky. A face the size of a mountain looks down on you from that exalted perch, its vast maw stretched in a toothy grin. The dragon's eyes are unfocused, yet blaze like the sun, and they flash once as it lets out a laugh that you swear makes the world shake.
Then the dragon vanishes, and the world returns to normal so swiftly that it is almost as jarring as when you were brought into that insane kaleidoscope. You spend several minutes just laying on the floor catching your breath. Finally, after you have regained enough control over your stomach to feel confident in yourself, you sit up.
P'an Ku is gone, and you are alone in the room. This, more than anything else, comes as a relief. You let out a deep sigh and slump your shoulders. Looking at your hands, you see you never lost your grip on P'an Ku's gift. A flash of understanding comes through you when you gaze upon them now, no doubt imparted by the mad dragon during your episode. The prayer beads are a Nemuranai, but their effects are… random?
That would certainly fit with the dragon's nature. You stuff the beads inside your kimono and let out another sigh. This certainly wasn't what you were expecting when you woke up this morning, but at least you've managed to survive. Still, at this point you think you're done for the day.
After all, there is time yet before the Dragon march to war.
[] Interact with your comrades.
[] Speak with one of the other delegations.
[] Timeskip to Shinjo Wanli's arrival.
[] Write in.
Sosuke has had many, many new experiences this afternoon. He has survived these trials with a combination of politeness and steadfast resolution to his principles, as well as the memory of a dear friend. He has triumphed where many would have fallen, or instead chosen to attack and go out in a blaze of glory rather than risk their souls. As such, he has gained 5 Experience Points.
Sosuke is already an honorable individual, a fine example of what a Samurai should be. However, even the most honorable can be tempted if the offer is grand enough. Sosuke was presented with two gifts he greatly desired, yet rejected them for they came from a dark power. For remaining strong against such enticements he has gained 2 points of Honor.
He has also received a set of prayer beads, a Nemuranai from the mad dragon P'an Ku. The celestial being has imparted knowledge of them to the young Samurai within a fit of sensory insanity, and thus he has some understanding of how they work.
The Enlightenment of P'an Ku
While this Nemuranai takes the shape of a set of worn and faded prayer beads, they hold a potent effect for whoever holds them on their person. They have been suffused in the essence of P'an Ku, and as such reflect some of the mad dragon's mercurial nature. Those who carry the Enlightenment of P'an Ku will find themselves sometimes doing especially well with any task they take on, while other times not performing any better than normal. None can tell which will take place, and as such the benefits of the Nemuranai cannot be predicted.
Mechanically, this Nemuranai confers a free raise on any roll made. However, this is only activated by succeeding on a Void Roll of TN 10. Additionally, the Nemuranai will offer two free raises on any roll made should a Void Roll of TN 20 be reached. This Nemuranai does not activate on the Void Roll required for its function, nor does it affect either Damage or Honor Rolls.
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- Location
- London, England
That... seems like an excellent motivation to start saving for an increase in Sosuke's Void. Seriously, free raises on basically anything is incredible.
Although I'm half convinced that just holding onto them will slowly drive us mad, because holy shit did you see that. That was fucking trippy.
It's pretty good since we have Void 2 giving us a 50% chance of it activating. A free raise simply makes our rolls easier/for our opponent harder or grants us a bigger reward.
- Location
- Austrlia
Magic item.
Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
You know artefact weapons in like D&D? The stuff that comes around once in a lifetime?
That.
[X] Interact with your comrades.
-[X] Seek out Mirumoto Hanabi
I know that dice explode, and that there's a keep a certain number of dice mechanic but how do stats actually work in LFR?
Because 2k2 would have a chance of 64% to get the raise and 5k1 would have a 40% percent chance of getting the raise.
(for the record 3k3=<92% chance to get one raise and
4k4=<90% chance to get two raises)
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[X] Interact with your comrades.
-[X] Seek out Mirumoto Hanabi
-[X] Seek out Mirumoto Hanabi
- Location
- Austrlia
[X] Seek out Yasuki Goro and give him a run down of what the mouthpiece said, and what he offered. Leave out P'an Ku.
-[X] If he figures out we're hiding something from him, try to say something vague like "There was another probably being there, who is probably not malevolent. They have asked me to keep their presence secret, and I dare not say more."
Edited.
People respect those with Honor, around here.
-[X] If he figures out we're hiding something from him, try to say something vague like "There was another probably being there, who is probably not malevolent. They have asked me to keep their presence secret, and I dare not say more."
Edited.
Yes, because Honor is one of those things where the higher it gets, the harder it is to gain, and the easyer it is to loose. We're pretty high on the Honor scales, not impossibly, but still high.
People respect those with Honor, around here.
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A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
You have five Rings, which are Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Void. Each Ring has a Physical and Mental Trait associated with it, except Void. Your Ring level is equal to the lowest Trait in that Ring.
Air has Reflexes (which is used for archery, initiative, and determining your base Armor Target Number) and Awareness (your go-to social and art stat).
Fire has Agility (which determines how well you hit things) and Intelligence (self-explanatory).
Water has Strength (determines damage among other things) and Perception (which determines how well you notice what's going on around you or whether someone is lying). Increasing your Water Ring also lets you move further.
Earth has Stamina (which determines how quickly you heal) and Willpower (used to resist Awareness rolls usually, as well as to intimidate). The Earth Ring determines how hard you are to take down.
As for how stats and skills work, if you have Kenjutsu 4 for example and Agility 3, you roll 7 dice but only keep 3.