Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)
- Status
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[x] Go through with the ritual
...and if the next update is "Oooops. *Boom*." then I will laugh, and it will be *two* L5R quests that I have followed through to their natural point of completion.
To be Samurai is to walk with death. Cast away your fear.
I'm inclined to blindly trust the Phoenix in this case. There's a decent chance she's right, and our sword is particularly awesome in ways that we don't fully understand. As a Samurai, deeper connection with the sword is a *good* thing. Also, Kyoko tends to be correct, honestly cares about our wellbeing, isn't under *particular* time-pressure, and appreciates trust.
...and if the next update is "Oooops. *Boom*." then I will laugh, and it will be *two* L5R quests that I have followed through to their natural point of completion.
To be Samurai is to walk with death. Cast away your fear.
- Location
- Moon-Station
I will be outvoted on this, but i stand with my vote (even though it is an unpopular one).
Bring it and let us hope for the best
Bring it and let us hope for the best
Arc V: Month Six: The Ritual
---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
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
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- Location
- Leeds
Were we out of re-rolls? Darn we'd have voided if we knew rolls were happening. Wrath of Kami isn't too bad I think? Hope? Never played with shugenja.
What a troll.
Is this our IR5?
Urg. This is hard, they're all so niche. Ending an iajutsu duel at 70ft is exactly what we need to be brought back into the Kakita. (The crane can be quite mercenary about trying to marry people with talent into the clan.)
The social one seems weak. If we insult someone who can order us killed we not only need to spend a void point to stop him ordering us killed but we still will offend them and we'll need to fight all the duels with everyone who took offence on his behalf anyway. It doesn't even guarantee they won't do it tomorrow after having slept on the matter (or making a new incident so that they can).
The last one is alright, but it doesn't fit our build that well I think and our earth ain't brilliant, but 7 turns is a long time. If we were guarenteed wound reduction equal to the roll I'd be happy but the fact that we might not even get anything on higher ones means that this is doomed to be unuseable when we need it the most.
E: Honestly I was hoping for something that could make us a halfway decent courtier since theres a gap in our party as we thought that Hida whats his name was covering that or something like the Toku bushi re roll.
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I did in fact reroll your fire and void all the rolls.
Your first fire was 12 IIRC
I'm going to sleep on the social one. I don't want to give you a tech that shuts down Hida Imouto. On the other hand, you have a point of it being limited. Although I do need to clarify the duel thing and how Yama no Kami's Lesson works.
Your first fire was 12 IIRC
I'm going to sleep on the social one. I don't want to give you a tech that shuts down Hida Imouto. On the other hand, you have a point of it being limited. Although I do need to clarify the duel thing and how Yama no Kami's Lesson works.
- Location
- Leeds
What were you thinking that might shut down Hida chan?
If you rewrite it so that spending the void point prevents NPCs from worsening their opinion of us would that work?
Musubi-no-kami's Lesson in its original incarnation was.
"Make a Courtier roll versus their etiquette, if successful, they can't hurt you in any way until a week has passed."
Obviously this is problematic if you used it on Hida Tachimiko as she would be unable to harm you for a week and not murder Megumi with all the vigour of a rabid elephant on methamphetamines. So the current thinking is something that would in fact let Megumi talk to the Emperor without then getting stabbed. Hopefully the current version makes more sense.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
It's true that for our character specifically, it's manageable. The price thing was a secondary factor. Really...
- Kaze no Kami: It's a way of generating a ranged attack. Okay. It's not an attack with a *lot* of range, though. If I'm judging ti right, it's the sort of distance that people can charge in a round, if they're reasonably fast. It's also reasonably affordable for us, but it's expensive *enough* that we can't/shouldn't build a general combat strategy around it, which means that it's a way to react if/when we suddenly realize that we need a (short) ranged attack Right Now. That... doesn't really happen that often in my experience. Perhaps I am missing something?
- The Lesson of Musubi no kami: This requires a few things. First, we'd have to be in a situation where having someone order our incarceration or death would be likely. Specifically, it would have to be *ours*. This doesn't protect allies. Also, it must be orders. This does nothing to prevent people from trying to kill us or imprison us with their own hands. It won't work once the person in question has decided to have us killed/imprisoned, which means that we have to see it coming. Also, ti only works on one person, which means that if there are two or three people in the room who might have decided that we needed to die, then we need to spot all of them, and fire it off multiple times. Also, we have to beat them in a roll. The price, again, means that it's a real decision. We can't just fire it off at everyone. Finally, it only protects against execution and imprisonment. Any other unpleasantness they happen to order is not a problem. It begs the question, really. How often should we *expect* to have people ordering our death/imprisonment (and ours specifically)? (especially noting that we're not likely to be spokesman for the most improtant social bits)
- Yama no Kami: I compare this to being able to spend a void to reduce wounds by 10. It's not... amazingly better. We're rolling 4k4 for earth, which means that on average we're hitting 24. It's measured in rounds, so it pretty much has to be applied in battle, which means that the cost isn't just the void point, it's also the void spend for that round. I'm not sure what conditions I'd use it under. I suppose if I was already wounded, or about to head into battle where I expected to get wounded, had plenty of void, and had a round where nothing else was happening?
Now, that's assuming this is our last (and, apparently, capstone) school rank. If it's just a random power that we get for coming back to life - possibly equivalent to a N-point advantage, that's a very different thing.
Also, I'm not faulting you. I'm taking this as an utter and abject failure of plan "let's take void with every rank and try to cheese our way to victory". On the flip side, if that's *not* what you intend, and it *is* our last school pick... yeah, you might want to bump them up a bit.
If that was your intention, I think you nerfed the wrong bits. Also, I think the flavor works quite well. Instead of the odd compulsion, though, perhaps... we spend a void point, roll Awareness against something, and if successful, we simply don't give offense for the course of the scene. The whispers of the dead goddess guide us away from saying anything that anyone my be offended by, or even pretend to be offended by. It does nothing about any grievances they might have had beforehand, but it means that attacking us is a dishonorable action, and everyone nearby will know it.
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- Location
- Leeds
Theres precedence for getting two techniques at one IR level (topaz champion) even if its stupidly OP.
E: However given the descriptions I don't think thats what was intended.
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- Location
- Leeds
I can suggest some changes to make the techniques better.
We can viably kite with as we can now make a simple move action per turn as well. It allows us to use the technique with no preparation as a panic button.
The fact that we apply this technique after seeing if we failed allows us to spend a Void point on the actual convince them roll and allows us to take a much more risky and aggressive diplomacy stance(?). It serious mitigates risk thus encouraging high risk high reward plans and strategies.
You know what's better than pretending you didn't get hit? Not getting hurt when you're hit.
The Meditation thing is to link the technique to the actual description because neither ignoring wounds or reduction have anything to do with that.
This doesn't change anything about the technique itself however it significantly improves our flexibility.
We can viably kite with as we can now make a simple move action per turn as well. It allows us to use the technique with no preparation as a panic button.
The glory or honour loss prevention here is mostly mechanical, the important thing here as far as we are concerned is the NPC reactions. I had to stick this as GM discretion as it is so vauge and potentially powerful, however I would assume for the most part that this is a yes unless NO! decision.
The fact that we apply this technique after seeing if we failed allows us to spend a Void point on the actual convince them roll and allows us to take a much more risky and aggressive diplomacy stance(?). It serious mitigates risk thus encouraging high risk high reward plans and strategies.
Okay this is the biggest change, which is why I haven't given numbers. I had a hard time with this as I think the technique is closest to being good and I assume my earlier suggestion of guaranteed wound penalty reduction was ignored.
You know what's better than pretending you didn't get hit? Not getting hurt when you're hit.
The Meditation thing is to link the technique to the actual description because neither ignoring wounds or reduction have anything to do with that.
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The essential problem is that you guys didn't actually train any meditation...but I'm willing to to listen to feed back and reformulate. (With thanks to Dark as Silver because while not specifically using his ideas they are serving as some inspiration. Flavour remains the same.
I'm still going to sleep on this. But barring morning gman screaming in fury and wishing that he could punch himself in the face via time travel...I'll probably update the techniques in the actual quest with these.
I'm still going to sleep on this. But barring morning gman screaming in fury and wishing that he could punch himself in the face via time travel...I'll probably update the techniques in the actual quest with these.
- Location
- Austrlia
Ok.
So, Wind. First Wind, somewhat expensive to use, but with Void in the place of Str, we're looking at 10k2, before raises. Nice. As a combat technique, lots of damage, but only so much Void.
Second Wind? Don't need a bow. That's about it. Not terrible.
Marriage, First. Costs a Void, but shuts down a lot of stuff, allowing us to be direct to almost anybody, and survive to see the dawn. We can talk to the Emerald Champion, the Emperor, and Fu Leng, and get away. Situational, but not limited. I like, really.
Second, more general. General social defence, a very good one, but not a radical one. Effective, but boring.
Stone. First. Well. Put's off any wound penalties, until Void rounds. Is that TN the penalty we'd normaly suffer? If so, rolling 40 plus means we don't go down and die, until all 7 rounds have passed. That'd be nifty, as a outright death-ride technique. If it works that way, anyway. The old "Full of arrows, but too honorable to die just yet" style.
Second...... Better than the first, in all ways. Shorter duration, but some heals. I like.
Nifty stuff. I'll make a decision, after clarifacation, and GM consideration.
So, Wind. First Wind, somewhat expensive to use, but with Void in the place of Str, we're looking at 10k2, before raises. Nice. As a combat technique, lots of damage, but only so much Void.
Second Wind? Don't need a bow. That's about it. Not terrible.
Marriage, First. Costs a Void, but shuts down a lot of stuff, allowing us to be direct to almost anybody, and survive to see the dawn. We can talk to the Emerald Champion, the Emperor, and Fu Leng, and get away. Situational, but not limited. I like, really.
Second, more general. General social defence, a very good one, but not a radical one. Effective, but boring.
Stone. First. Well. Put's off any wound penalties, until Void rounds. Is that TN the penalty we'd normaly suffer? If so, rolling 40 plus means we don't go down and die, until all 7 rounds have passed. That'd be nifty, as a outright death-ride technique. If it works that way, anyway. The old "Full of arrows, but too honorable to die just yet" style.
Second...... Better than the first, in all ways. Shorter duration, but some heals. I like.
Nifty stuff. I'll make a decision, after clarifacation, and GM consideration.
- Location
- Leeds
]
Believe me the pleasure is all mine.
This is sweet. Extra range, allows us to compete with archers( Although not master ones) and Ignore ALL reduction? Does that include invulnerability?
Either way this is a massive buff from the original and makes it the sort of awesome technique I love finding in this quest.
Free rolls to avoid offence sounds excellent. I think you might have forgotten to add a time limit to the void point ability.
I assume this doesn't actually prevent death as Crab Berserker has special text elaborating on that. Regardless, ignore wound penalties for 4 rounds and heal 28 wounds is also excellent. I assume the reason that this doesn't have a passive is because it seems to be the strongest active.
As for what we pick? What challenges are we expecting to face?
Kaze no Kami is by far the flashiest and coolest, however what does it really add? It'll be a hell of an uphill struggle to allow us to start an Iajutsu duel at 140ft distance, however if someone does then we can safely say that we won that. A possibly unintended part of gmans changes is that we now have simple ranged attacks using a stronger skill than Kyujutsu or thrown, so... thats a thing, especially if we take an extra attack raise. So we might be seeing a further change to this before the vote closes, something along the lines, may only be used once per combat round. If it is intended then this removes our natural weaknesses against ranged characters, which could be useful for defending our two shujenga.
Also imagine Kakita gloating if a duellist wins the Bowmans wager using a katana.
rofl::lolMusubi no Kami might be my recommendation on mechanical strength because our party has the glaring flaw of no dedicated diplomats, we didn't like our magistrate boss to ask for his recommendations and we thought we were bringing that Crab along but by the time we found out he had duties it was too late to change, and for personal reasons we didn't want to split up the happy couple. Because of this we might be rolling to avoid offence more often than we would normally care to.
Finally Yama no kami, I did say when I was looking at this that it might be the most powerful mechanically. Between this and our Kaui armour we're negating 15 wounds of damage a turn in a 1v1 and pretending more than that didn't happen. We can sustain this for 28 turns, if we do not need to void anything else.
In an actual fight this is probably the most powerful because of the tankiness it gives us.
Basically I feel it comes down to Yama being the choice if we don't think we'll get to the court without help. Musubi if we think we'll need help navigating the court once we get there. And Kaze if you want to be married back into the crane to retire as a master sensei.
@Dark as Silver
Invulnerability is explicitly treated as a different trait to reduction in L5R many things with invulnerability will also have a reduction trait. So it doesn't work against invulnerability. On the other hand it would work against void reduction, and inanimate objects.
I have made the final tweeks I think to these techniques and they should as a rule be better than the previous versions.
@veekie you may want to change your vote
Invulnerability is explicitly treated as a different trait to reduction in L5R many things with invulnerability will also have a reduction trait. So it doesn't work against invulnerability. On the other hand it would work against void reduction, and inanimate objects.
I have made the final tweeks I think to these techniques and they should as a rule be better than the previous versions.
@veekie you may want to change your vote
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Yeah.... those are all very solid (though not, I think, broken), and I'd be happy with any of them. Leaning towards the Musubi no Kami, if only because of the social weakness in the party. There's some irony in how it makes us better at interacting with superiors than inferiors, but that's cool.
That's fine, just thought it fair to tag you to make sure.
- Location
- Leeds
Rounded up or down?
I thought it would, only reason it wouldn't is if this is some Kami doing it for us.
But Simple ranged attacks per turn is acceptable? Sweet
When you're a ronin everyone is your superior. Except the Heimin.
And the less said about Eta the better.
As a rule it's always rounded down unless otherwise stated in l5r.
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] The Lesson of Yama no kami
- Status