So... you are lost in a forest despite having set out along a clearly marked path and not willingly deviating from it, there is a lot of snow in the air, and you can hear what might be laughter carried on the wind. All told? Probably a spirit of some kind.
Which... could be bad. Rokugan is a spiritual land, and you have always known that there are creatures from beyond the mortal realm which might occasionally seek to interact with mankind in their own way, but dealing with such things is generally left to the Shugenja for a reason. Spirits do not operate by the same rules of etiquette as mortals, and they often possess monstrous power with which to take revenge for any slights inadvertently offered.
Still, you probably have more of a chance than most would in your situation. You are well read, quite good at negotiation, and accompanied by a Phoenix Loremaster. If there is a way to escape this situation peacefully you can probably find it.
Swallowing nervously, you remove your hand from the hilt of your weapon. Best to look as non-threatening as you can, especially since there is a decent chance you can't really hurt whatever this is anyway. Maybe if you had a sword of Jade or Crystal, but mortal steel is unlikely to bring down a spiritual foe before you are torn limb from limb by the power at its command.
"Asako-sama, we seem to have attracted the attention of a spirit." You say in a low voice. "Would you be able to share the wisdom of the Phoenix in this matter?"
Asako Tani looks over at you, her expression concerned. Beneath you, your ponies whinny in distress, as though sensing the building tension in the air.
"I think you may be right, Soshi-san." She says quietly, though she has to raise her voice to at least some degree in order to be heard over the sound of the wind. "We may have stumbled into its territory, or otherwise drawn interest. But I don't know what kind it might be..."
The Phoenix is still speaking, but you are no longer listening, because you can see what is responsible for your predicament.
There, standing in the snow at the edge of the small clearing you are in, is Doji Mariko.
The Crane is dressed just as she was the last time you saw her. Her pale hair is tied up in a neat bun, her kimono is woven from the purest white, and her face is bereft of all cosmetics or accessories. The most notable difference is the short, jagged knife-wound in her neck, and the shockingly vivid river of crimson blood running down her front.
She raises her pale, bloodless hands towards you...
Naoto rolls Willpower + Honour to resist Fear.
2k2+5 = 16. Failed.
Naoto is currently taking a -4k0 penalty to all rolls, and is absolutely terrified.
What do you do?
[ ] Beg forgiveness. You failed her, and now she's angry...
[ ] Flee. You can't fight this, you have to go, you have to get away...
[ ] Attack. You are more scared than you have ever been, but it is your duty to end this blasphemous abomination that dares to wear her face...
[ ] Write in (Options which do not take current emotional state into account will be veto'd)
The strength of honour is how it may motivate a man to stand his ground and keep fighting no matter the odds. But the Sin of Fear is corrosive, and there are few things more damaging to your internal sense of self-worth.
Would you like to roll Honour (5k5) against your Fear check? Success will overcome your fear, but failure will remove a full rank (10 points) of Honour as Naoto's confidence is shaken.
[ ] Yes, take the re-roll.
[ ] No, accept the current result.
