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Cheap workaround: Ask Mari if there's anyone who fits the criteria of a) knowing Orochimaru personally, beyond the rumours/hearsay; and b) is someone we can trust to tell us said information fully.
 
That said, the action plan is just another way to set aside questions for the hive-mind. If you come up with answers or improvements I'll change the plan.

The only pertinent questions Hazou needs to be asking right now are:
  1. What are Orochimaru's goals?
  2. What is Oro apparently currently willing to do to accomplish them?
  3. How can we figure out the previous two questions without severe political consequences nor death/disinterest by S-ranker?
Since we kinda botched just straight up asking him directly (or maybe he wasn't inclined to tell us anything in the first place) we're going to have to find indirect ways to ascertain Oro's motives. We can introduce systems to keep track of all of the KEI ninja and, if possible, have them keep tabs on Oro's activities whenever he leaves the compound. We can observe his behavior from a distance and make informed guesses about his motivations based on what he does and does not do openly (obviously if he decides to do everything stealthily we won't be able to track him but that in and of itself is a clue). Does he visit the library and check out books like a sane person? Does he visit various clans and if so, which ones? Does he volunteer in the hospital? What does he publicly do first and therefore what does he consider lower priorities?

We also need to start formulating a proper response to Oro after we talk with our clan members. We'll need the information from the previous paragraph in order to make an informed decision, but ideally we want to inspire Oro to cooperate in a more ethical manner than he has probably previously done so.

Does he care about his self image in Leaf? Appeal to his reputation to convince him to not consider abducting Leaf/Fire citizens and how it would be better for him if he limited himself to only death sentenced criminals and possibly captured enemy combatants.

Does he want to expand his jutsu collection (we do have evidence of this based on his offer to adopt all of us into a clan of his making in exchange for the Pangolin stuff)? We should try to find ways to set up a quid pro quo scenario where we give a technique for a technique.

Is Leaf a convenient source of resources for him or does he actually want to live here and make it his home again? We might be able to gain some insight by talking to Tsunade or anyone else who knew him before he left the village, preferably people who know more about his younger years.

Is he even in any rush? After all, he did survive a battle amongst S-rankers so he might very well be functionally immortal now and we know that he's been developing memetic threats so he's probably innoculated against those threats too.

These later questions will have to be asked and answered in question in a later update, imo. The immediate concern is moving all of the people in the compound, ensuring their safety, and utilizing them for our own purposes. Then we can have our nice talking meeting with our family to see if they are interested in pursuing the possibility of reforming Snake Uncle or if they want nothing to do with him. If we have time for a third scene it could be Hazou asking the tower to discuss what can be legally done WRT our housing situation, whether its reimbursement in cash or an equivalent property or something else entirely.
 
Repeating my question from earlier, not sure if it was answered.
An interesting logistical note: Konoha's wall encloses enough farmland to make the place self-sufficient, as well as cordoned-off wild areas for ninja training. (The Forest of Death is one such area just on the other side of the wall, where they frequently dump large amounts of food scraps in order to attract chakra beasts.) There may be opportunities to buy up and build on such land, especially if it's not arable.
It turns out that hidden villages don't have that much by way of affordable and unclaimed space, especially at clan compound size. When it is affordable and unclaimed, it's usually for a reason.

Jiraiya was able to track down three potential sites. The first, the agent assured you after some pressure from Jiraiya, was definitely not once the site of a secret laboratory where a diabolical missing-nin once experimented on helpless civilians, and does not have huge unexplored catacombs beneath it from whence the wailing of children and the snarls of unspeakable abominations can be heard on moonless nights.

The second once was a clan compound, but was unwisely built right next to the Forest of Death, surrounded by it on two sides. The minor clan who lived there disappeared one day, and nobody else has been willing to take their place and entrust their survival to protective seals which clearly didn't do the job last time.

The third neighbours the Hyūga compound. There's nothing wrong with it as such, and in fact it's situated in a very well-off area, but nobody wants to move in next to the Hyūga.

Jiraiya will accept input from the rest of the group once his headache dies down.
@eaglejarl @Velorien @OliWhail Where is the clan compound located next to the Forest of Death, exactly? From the first quote, it seems that the FoD is located outside the city wall, but that would mean the clan compound is also located outside the walls since it has to be right next to it and surrounded by it on both sides?
 
Repeating my question from earlier, not sure if it was answered.


@eaglejarl @Velorien @OliWhail Where is the clan compound located next to the Forest of Death, exactly? From the first quote, it seems that the FoD is located outside the city wall, but that would mean the clan compound is also located outside the walls since it has to be right next to it and surrounded by it on both sides?
There are more than one walls?
 
[x] Lore Update: Kagome's Forbidden Lore

The idea of @Velorien writing this particular update on Halloween fills me with a sense of existential dread. Can we please have some nice cosmic horror instead?
 
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[x] Lore Update: Kagome's Forbidden Lore

The idea of @Velorien writing this particular update on Halloween fills me with a sense of existential dread. Can we please have some nice cosmic horror instead?
I mean, you could always write a plan that has Hazou try to download the Toad Scroll as well.

Come to think of it, getting Taken Out socially means that we agree/act according to whatever Took Us Out, so we might be able to be an actual Prophet Of The Out by fully sinking ourselves into the Out's wants and desires.
 
I genuinely do not recall when this happened. Was it during the break before the tournament? Because I zoned out a bit around then.
Anko's heart lurched at the reminder of her losses. Sensei had apparently been in Leaf for days or weeks; why had he not sent for her? Why had T&I not asked for her assessment of the bastard?
Assuming Sensei is Orochimaru than T&I at least know of their relation
 
Assuming Sensei is Orochimaru than T&I at least know of their relation
...right, but my concern was that Hazou had no idea of the relation, and couldn't argue to grab Anko for the conversation without going wonkily-OOC. My solution, therefore, was to let Mari figure out such an individual, and since Mari and Anko are close she'd grab her.

Or Tsunade, who is also a good choice for this kind of conversation. Though Tsunade might not be available on such short notice.
 
[+] Action Plan: Prophet Of The Out
  • Hazou grabs the Toad Scroll and tries to download it, same way as he did the Pangolin Scroll.
  • If/when he experiences [THINGS], he lets himself get Taken Out.
  • All Hail The Prophet.
 
@eaglejarl @Velorien @OliWhail Where is the clan compound located next to the Forest of Death, exactly? From the first quote, it seems that the FoD is located outside the city wall, but that would mean the clan compound is also located outside the walls since it has to be right next to it and surrounded by it on both sides?
Uh...well...
There are more than one walls?
Right! Yes! This, exactly. Obviously. Honestly, faflec, I don't know how you didn't recognize this perfectly clear and obvious fact that was completely clear and obvious from things that have previously and in a well-considered manner been deliberately said by the QMs. While speaking seriously and with no attempt at humor, since jokes don't actually count as WOG.

Oh, actually, maybe that's the source of the confusion that is absolutely and 100% on your side because we are definitely not wrong or forgetful. Yes. Clearly one of the quotes you gave was just a joke and therefore doesn't count. Clearly.
 
Meh. I have no idea what a reasonable option even looks like right now. Hazou dropped the conversation ball hard.
 
It's a fair question, but I don't feel comfortable answering it. It's not information that Hazō has, so offering it OOC feels dodgy.

I know you can't give us OOC information and I never expected you to, but you should had known what you think is hard to write, seems exciting to do, etc. Constant feedback is how the hivemind will improve their planmaking.
 
[X] Plan: Duty to the Clan

  • Clean up and then gather Team Uplift + Naruto
  • Things didn't go that bad, actually. We got through like four topics before we annoyed him, and having a seizure against his KI probably interested him more than annoyed him.
  • Debrief on what happened.
  • Before anything else, announce that Orochimaru won't be clanhead.
    • Affirm that the clan is a family first, political organization second.
    • Hazo briefly lost sight of that.
    • Orochimaru seemed entirely disinterested in Hazo's clan other than how they could benefit him.
    • But before Hazo reject Orochimaru becoming clanhead out of hand, any objections?
  • Naruto
    • "Do you want to be our Clan Head? The position is yours if you want it, because Jiraiya wished for us to be a family."
    • Possible to use the Uzumaki compound as temporary shelter until something can be worked out?
  • Delegate
    • Get KEI ninja and remaining civilians on the property ready to move ASAP, whereever it may be. Ask Keiko to plan logistics.​
    • Hazo and Kagome will make seals to facilitate the logistics.​
    • Mari will work on getting our money back. Idea: Could we gain leverage with a broadsheet about Orochimaru's return?​
    • Send agents to scout for locations that the clan could buy such as unsold estates and properties adjacent to the pub, either as public housing and/or new clan compound.​
    • Kenta will organize craftspeople to help rebuild. Make sure we have enough money to do so.​

With feedback from @Inferno Vulpix , I made changes! Vote for me!
 
[X] Plan: Duty to the Clan

After hammering out some streamlining with kiba over the discord, I prefer this plan over Jello's, despite Jello having more detail.
 
I don't have the time or headspace to write such a plan myself, but I'd vote for a plan that argued that we should let Orochimaru join the clan and/or make alternative offers that leave him his agency while allowing him to be part of the clan.
 
[X] Plan: Duty to the Clan

  • Clean up and then gather Team Uplift + Naruto
  • Things didn't go that bad, actually. We got through like four topics before we annoyed him, and having a seizure against his KI probably interested him more than annoyed him.
  • Debrief on what happened.
  • Before anything else, announce that Orochimaru won't be clanhead.
    • Affirm that the clan is a family first, political organization second.
    • Those who are under our protection or followed us deserves protection too.
    • Hazo briefly lost sight of that.
    • Orochimaru seemed entirely disinterested in Hazo's clan other than how they could benefit him.
    • But before Hazo reject Orochimaru becoming clanhead out of hand, any objections?
  • Naruto
    • "Do you want to be our Clan Head? The position is yours if you want it, because Jiraiya wished for us to be a family."
    • Possible to use the Uzumaki compound as temporary shelter until something can be worked out?
  • Delegate
    • Get KEI ninja and remaining civilians on the property ready to move ASAP, whereever it may be. Ask Keiko to plan logistics.​
    • Hazo and Kagome will make seals to facilitate the logistics.​
    • Mari will work on getting our money back. Idea: Could we gain leverage with a broadsheet about Orochimaru's return?​
    • Send agents to scout for locations that the clan could buy such as unsold estates and properties adjacent to the pub, either as public housing and/or new clan compound.​
    • Kenta will organize craftspeople to help rebuild. Make sure we have enough money to do so.​

Added a note about folks under us deserving protection.
 
EJ-1: This planmaking thing looks like fun, but I'm a QM so I'm not allowed. :sadbird:
EJ-2: Screw that! We are mighty! We do what we want!
EJ-1: Be quiet! You're the dumb one who always wants to get us in trouble. "Go skydiving," you said. "It's an adventure," you said. Pah!
EJ-3: Guys, guys, relax. We can all win here if we work together.
EJ-2: I'm not working with him! He called me dumb...wait, hang on, we can win?
EJ-3: Yeah. See, all we have to do is get Prime to write a meta-ish intro that makes it look like a joke, and then he can write a plan--
EJ-2: Or several!
EJ-3: Write a plan, except it will actually be a terrible idea. Something that might well get them killed.
EJ-1: Ooooh! Can it contain commentary that's full of lies and red herrings?
EJ-3: Sure, why not?
EJ-1: Sweet!
EJ-1+2+3: HEY, PRIME! THIS IS YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS CALLING! YOU NEED TO WRITE A PLAN!
EJ-2: Or several!
EJ-1+3: Hush!


[x] Snakes are flammable
  • Thoughts:
    • Teammates rub off on each other. Jiraiya and Tsunade both respect(ed) strength, both strength of character and martial strength.
    • Orochimaru does not respect us and he needs to see that as a mistake
    • Hiashi cannot afford to let Orochimaru kill us
      • Kagome and Hazō are two of a handful of Leaf sealmasters than can make skywalkers
      • He's on the brink of war; he cannot allow Leaf ninja to be killing each other
  • Immediate actions:
    • We are not asking for or accepting input. Everyone can do as they're told or GTFO
    • Keiko, you should head back to the Nara estate. You don't want to be here right now. (If she argues, explain that it wasn't a request.)
    • Choose 2 of the senior "branch-family" ninja ("Alice" and "Fred") who live on the grounds. Delegate:
      • Alice, get all the games-night guests off the property ASAP
      • Fred, here's a stack of storage seals. I want everyone off the grounds in 30 minutes, civilians and ninja. Have everyone's stuff in a storage seal within 15 minutes; do it fast, we'll sort it out later.
      • Once everyone is packed up, move them to a designated spot that is not in sight of the Nara estate grounds but is ~5 minutes walk from it
    • Tell the team that they've got 10 minutes to put all their stuff in a storage seal, along with every high-value item they can grab from the house.
    • Write a note, stab a kunai through it to pin it to the inside of the front gate: "Don't ever do that again. --H"
    • Once everyone is off the grounds, break out the Youthenizers and burn the house to the fucking ground. Use massive overkill and don't bother warning Oro. Surviving is his whole schtick.
    • Meet up with our peeps, inform the Nara that they'll be putting us up for the night.
    • In the morning:
      • Send Mari to the Tower to collect the money that the Tower owes us for the illegal sale. They can pay in cash or they can get us title to one of the two other properties that we looked at when we were house hunting before.
      • Contact Naruto and ask if he'll help us prep the new property.
      • Get in a room with Shikamaru, Keiko, and hopefully some other people. Explain the circumstances of our dispossession and formally petition Shikamaru, as our brother-in-law, to help us get back on our feet.
      • Go get the house set up and have Kagome start installing defenses


For tonight, Shikamaru is in the position of having to tie himself closer to us by sheltering us and protecting us if/when a pissed-off Orochimaru shows up, or betraying the bonds of family and violating the Will of Fire by literally kicking us out in the cold. Oh, and we have no idea what you're talking about with regards to a house fire. Did you knock over a lamp, Snuncle?

Tomorrow, Shikamaru has to formally respond, in a public setting, to our request for help in recovering from a major disaster that is not our fault. Failing to do so has social cost. Doing so means that there will be Nara ninja publicly helping us, meaning he can't distance himself anymore. His best course of action is to go all-in by allying himself tightly with the Gōketsu and getting the most benefit possible from the forced move of assisting us.






EJ-2: Another plan! Yayyyy!

[x] Screw it, we're out
  • Thoughts:
    • Jiraiya's dead
    • Tsunade is untrustworthy and/or not around
    • Orochimaru is psychotic
    • All of our stuff just got ganked
    • Screw it, we're out. This isn't worth it
  • Actions:
    • These are orders, not suggestions. We are not asking for or accepting input.
    • Send Kagome and Akane to break into a paper shop and clean them out of every scrap of seal-quality paper they have. Leave enough money to generously overpay. After you've got it, meet us at the Nara estate
    • Noburi and one of the older and more charismatic civilians go to the Tower. The civilian posts a mission: "Me and a bunch of my friends are homesteading to this location near River. We want to hire ninja for a month to escort / protect us. Here's the money." Noburi 'just happens to be there' and snags the mission for us and our "branch-family" ninja
    • Meet our peeps, escort them up to the gates of the Nara estate. Explain to the guards that we've just been dispossessed of our home by Orochimaru and we're playing the "my sister is your clan head's wife" card in order to get housing and supplies for all of us for the evening.
    • Once everyone has a hot and a cot, explain the plan to the gathered peeps: We're leaving Leaf and starting a new settlement on that land we bought around the iron mine. It'll be uncomfortable for a few weeks, especially for the civilians, but they'll have dozens of ninja protecting them and working alongside them to build new homes. The Merchant Council can go fuck themselves and we'll be using jutsu and seals to make a crapton of money, using some of the civilians as a front to launder the goods back into Leaf and/or other locations. Within a few months we'll all be fabulously wealthy and we intend to spread the joy to everyone, civilian and ninja alike
    • The Gōketsu can stay indefinitely; it's our land and we're able to base our clan estate anywhere we want
    • The KEI ninja will need to return to Leaf after the 1 month duration of the 'mission' is up. If they want us to, we can send someone back to post another 'mission' and immediately hire them again.
    • Everyone is free to come and go from the settlement at any time and they aren't obligated to stay
    • Anyone who doesn't want to be part of this doesn't have to. You'll need to stay here on the Nara estate until after we're gone in the morning but we'll give you enough cash for a couple days at an inn
    • Ask around among the crowd for what goods we should acquire to pull this off. Acquire them. Break into places, take what we need, leave money to cover it plus generous extra.
    • In the morning, as soon as the gates open, GTFO and head down to our River-adjacent land.
 
[x] Snakes are flammable


  • Thoughts:
    • Teammates rub off on each other. Jiraiya and Tsunade both respect(ed) strength, both strength of character and martial strength.
    • Orochimaru does not respect us and he needs to see that as a mistake
    • Hiashi cannot afford to let Orochimaru kill us
      • Kagome and Hazō are two of a handful of Leaf sealmasters than can make skywalkers
      • He's on the brink of war; he cannot allow Leaf ninja to be killing each other
  • Immediate actions:
    • We are not asking for or accepting input. Everyone can do as they're told or GTFO
    • Keiko, you should head back to the Nara estate. You don't want to be here right now. (If she argues, explain that it wasn't a request.)
    • Choose 2 of the senior "branch-family" ninja ("Alice" and "Fred") who live on the grounds. Delegate:
      • Alice, get all the games-night guests off the property ASAP
      • Fred, here's a stack of storage seals. I want everyone off the grounds in 30 minutes, civilians and ninja. Have everyone's stuff in a storage seal within 15 minutes; do it fast, we'll sort it out later.
      • Once everyone is packed up, move them to a designated spot that is not in sight of the Nara estate grounds but is ~5 minutes walk from it
    • Tell the team that they've got 10 minutes to put all their stuff in a storage seal, along with every high-value item they can grab from the house.
    • Write a note, stab a kunai through it to pin it to the inside of the front gate: "Don't ever do that again. --H"
    • Once everyone is off the grounds, break out the Youthenizers and burn the house to the fucking ground. Use massive overkill and don't bother warning Oro. Surviving is his whole schtick.
    • Meet up with our peeps, inform the Nara that they'll be putting us up for the night.
    • In the morning:
      • Send Mari to the Tower to collect the money that the Tower owes us for the illegal sale. They can pay in cash or they can get us title to one of the two other properties that we looked at when we were house hunting before.
      • Contact Naruto and ask if he'll help us prep the new property.
      • Get in a room with Shikamaru, Keiko, and hopefully some other people. Explain the circumstances of our dispossession and formally petition Shikamaru, as our brother-in-law, to help us get back on our feet.
      • Go get the house set up and have Kagome start installing defenses
 
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