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The Topaz Championship (Legend of the Five Rings)

Yeah, if I had to bet, it's just that we've been in a very social setting when of our group, only one of the PCs wasn't a bushi. Miyu for instance has basically been screaming internally for most of this current story arc.
 
I'm okay with a skip since Shizuki, while not internally screaming, was around the *heavy breathing* end of the spectrum.
 
OK I have decided to skip ahead to the point where Tsudao gets shipped off to the dojo, and Toturi gives you all something else to do in the meantime.

This, needless to say, is going to involve a skip of several years. I want to fill that time with side scenes, or at the very least with some idea of what people were up to. I can do these things via the forum, in discord, by PM... whatever.

It is late here, but in preparation for one of those side scenes... Kakita Sakura is getting married. You all need to give her a gift. What do you end up choosing?

(Toturi will also be giving her a gift. Because it amuses him.)
 
Okay, time to get to work.

I kind of have an idea of what would be Shizuki doing. Perhaps a couple scenes, even.
 
Sakura's scenes:
The Wedding
Friendly spar with Skizuki, perhaps- could be before the wedding, very shortly afterwards, or sometime after Sakura's had her daughters.
Tsudao meeting the twins. This must happen, @Maugan Ra. :D
 
I was thinking of a Tiger hunting scene for Tsunetomo. Anybody of the player characters are invited as well as Katsu. I'll start a PM later if anybody's interested.

Also thinking of doing a scene where he goes to see Tsudao at her school to check in on her, if that's alright. Again, if anyone wants to tag along I don't mind.
 
A Nation's Virtue said:
I was thinking of a Tiger hunting scene for Tsunetomo. Anybody of the player characters are invited as well as Katsu. I'll start a PM later if anybody's interested.

Also thinking of doing a scene where he goes to see Tsudao at her school to check in on her, if that's alright. Again, if anyone wants to tag along I don't mind.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Shizuki might tag along, considering she's gonna be working with Tsumemoto in this "Tsudao raising project" thing and thus will want to get to know him better.

OOC, I never had one scene with you and I want to remedy that.
 
Blurgh. Finally got around to skipping us forwards, via this new and shiny thread. Hopefully this will provide the impetus I need to sustain the momentum of the game.

Anyway, I'm looking for posts from all of you introducing your characters as they are six years on. Little character pieces, quick snapshots of daily life for you nowadays, that sort of thing. I can take things from there and lead us onto the actual, impending plot.

Oh yes, and @Gargulec we need to decide at what point your character joined the retinue, if you're still interested in playing.
 
Juuuust saving this here while I think up on the 'what Sakura's done'

(Credit goes to @Slayers148 for the image)
Age: 25
Family: Kakita family
School And Rank: Kakita Bushi Rank 4/Topaz Champion
Insight: 150+41+12=203
Insight Rank: 4
Status: 3.5
Honour: 6.9
Glory: 6.4

Traits
Air 3 (Reflexes 3, Awareness 3)
Earth 3 (Stamina 3, Willpower 3)
Fire 3 (Agility 3, Intelligence 3)
Water 2 (Strength 2, Perception 2)
Void 4

Skills
School
Etiquette 4
Iaijutsu (Focus) 5
Kenjutsu 4
Kyujutsu 1
Sincerity 3
Tea Ceremony 1
Artisan: Poetry 3

Other
Games: Go 2
Games: Shogi 1
Lore: Bushido 3
Lore: Heraldry 1
Lore: Great Clan (Scorpion) 1
Lore: Gaijin Culture (Medinat al-Salaam) 1
Lore: Gaijin Culture (Yodotai) 1
Courtier 3
Investigation 1
Horsemanship 1
Sailing (Knot-Work) 1
Meditation 3
Games: Sadane 1

Techniques and Masteries
Kakita Bushi Rank 1: The Way of The Crane
The study of the sword demonstrates the many ways in which the art of Kakita's technique can be applied. You add twice your Iaijutsu Skill Rank to all Initiative rolls. You gain a bonus of +1k1 plus your School Rank to the total of all attack and Focus rolls while assuming the Center Stance. This bonus also applies during the Combat Round following one in which you assumed the Center Stance.

Kakita Bushi Rank 2: Speed of Lightning
Enemies who are slow or weak of spirit are doomed to failure. You gain a bonus of +2k0 to the total of all attack rolls against those with lower Initiative than your own.

Kakita Bushi Rank 3: First and Last Strike
A Kakita Bushi is feared throughout the Empire as a follower of the oldest and most venerated dueling tradition in the Empire. You may Strike fi rst in a duel if you win the Iaijutsu/Void roll by a difference of 3 or higher. You gain a Free Raise on your Strike for each additional margin of 3 instead of 5.

Kakita Bushi Rank 4: One Strike, Two Cuts
With one pure strike, the advanced student of Kakita's technique cuts his opponent twice. You may make attacks as a Simple Action instead of a Complex Action while using weapons with the Samurai keyword.

Topaz Champion Alternate Path
The Topaz Champion is among the best and brightest of each generation.
When you advance in Insight Rank and into this Path, you gain the Technique it would normally replace. You also gain a number of bonus Void Points per day equal to your highest Ring. You may spend these just like normal Void Points (with all the normal restrictions), but they may only be used to enhance your School Skill Rolls.

Iaijutsu Rank 3
Readying a katana is a Free Action rather than a Simple Action.

Kenjutsu Rank 3
The total of all damage rolls made with a sword is increased by 1k0.

Etiquette Rank 3
The character gains an additional +3 Insight above the total normally indicated by his Rings and Skill Ranks.

Courtier Rank 3
The character gains an additional +3 Insight above the total normally indicated by his Rings and Skill Ranks.

Artisan: Poetry Rank 3
The character gains an additional +3 Insight above the total normally indicated by his Rings and Skill Ranks.

Lore: Bushido Rank 3
The character gains an additional +3 Insight above the total normally indicated by his Rings and Skill Ranks.


Advantages
Prodigy
Great Destiny
Sacred Weapon (Kakita Blade- Takame) (Free)
Languages: Mekhem
Ally: Bayushi Aiko (cousin on mother's side- 2 points on loyalty and influence, 1 point discount for being a Crane)
Social Position (GM-Granted)
Wealth 5 (GM-granted, would be reduced to 4 by being Crane)

Disadvantages
True Love (Utaku Yuzuki)
Bad Fortune (Secret Enemy)

Equipment
Light Armor
Sturdy Clothing
Daisho (w/Kakita Blade)
Traveling Pack
Bottle of Bleach/Dye
Chopsticks
Daisho Stand
Fan
Ink Brush Kit
Minature Go Set
Pillow Book
Rope (50')
Spare kimono and sandals
Tea Set
120 Koku (?)
Yumi
20 Arrows (Willow Leaf)

Wounds
6: +3
12: +5
18: +10
24: +15
30: +20
36: +40
42: Dead

Experience: 177/178
Total Spent: 17+
Total Available:
Free Skills and Discounts From Scenes
Etiquette 3
Games: Shogi 1
-2 Discount on Willpower
-2 Discount on Stamina
Social Position
Wealth 5

Disadvantages (6 gained)

Gained 3 from taking True Love (Utaku Yuzuki)
Gained 3 from taking Bad Fortune (Secret Enemy)

Advantages (21)
12 on the Prodigy Advantage
5 on the Great Destiny Advantage
3 on Ally (Bayushi Aiko)
1 on Languages: Mekhem
Traits (86)

18 on a rank of Void
24 on a rank of Void
12 on a rank of Awareness
12 on a rank of Intelligence
10 on a rank of Willpower (-2 from scene)
10 on a rank of Stamina (-2 from scene)
Skills (68)
9 on three ranks of Iaijutsu
6 on three ranks of Lore: Bushido
5 on two ranks of Kenjutsu
6 on three ranks of Courtier
2 on a rank of Etiquette (third rank free)
5 on two ranks of Artisan: Poetry
2 on a rank of Sincerity
1 on a rank of Games: Go
1 on a rank of Investigation
1 on a rank of Lore: Heraldry
1 on a rank of Lore: Great Clan (Scorpion)
1 on a rank of Sailing
1 on a rank of Horsemanship
1 on a rank of Lore: Gaijin Cultures (Medinat al-Salaam)
1 on a rank of Lore: Gaijin Cultures (Yodotai)
1 on a rank of Meditation
1 on a rank of Games: Sadane
2 on Knot-Work emphasis of the Sailing skill
5 on a rank of Iaijutsu
4 on a rank of Kenjutsu
3 on a rank of Lore: Bushido
5 on two ranks of Meditation
4 on a rank of Etiquette
2 on a rank of Games: Go

1. "I am of the Crane, the clan of the Lady Doji."
2. "I am Kakita, and proudly so."
3. *smiles* Many among my family would call what we do an art. And I will most likely spend more time in the courts than on the battlefield- but when I complete my gempukku, I will be a bushi."
4. "Many would say I look more like a Bayushi than a Crane. I take more after my mother than my father physically- lithe, beautiful in… I think the term used to describe the Bayushi most often is 'dangerously beautiful', and I know others have thought that of me, even if they do not say it."
5. "Everyone says I have great potential. I would like to live up to that, if I can."
6. "Kakita Mami- my mother, I think. She has always taken the time to listen, and she has never talked down to me."
7. "My determination to see all the Clans as ultimately servants of the Emperor above all else is my greatest strength, I think. Weaknesses… I have no true experience outside of the dojo yet, unfortunately. I hope to change that."
8. "Duty is the entire reason for a Samurai's existence. All other parts of Bushido come afterwards, although they are all important."
9. "While great, I sometimes wonder if we forget that the Empire is the reason for us to be instead of the other way around."
10. "I am betrothed. To a young samurai of the Phoenix- one of the non-Shugenja of the Isawa. We've become friends the times we've met, but both of us know we have little chance of more than that. That's fine, though."
(Answer changed since game start)
"I am not betrothed- my family has shown no particular hurry to do so, and although I am uncertain why, I... will not object to the time to consider."
11. "I admit, I wonder why some of the Minor clans exist- they serve no purpose to the Empire as a whole. The Tortoise in particular!"
12. "I suppose, while the Championship is on, my loyalty is owed directly to the Crane Champion- and to my sensei. I'll try to not fail them."
13. "A chat over a nice game of Go is a nice way to spend time- although the garden at home comes close. As for dislikes... I hate full thunderstorms. There's little serenity in them, even if I have nothing but respect for Osano-Wo."
14. "I know I tend to press my lips together when thinking."
15. "It's easy to find joy where you can, I think. Although sometimes... it's difficult, with all the pressure, to find a moment to center myself and find the opportunity."
16. "Correct improper behaviour first. If it becomes more serious, I may have no choice but to demand seppuku."
17. "A dutiful child that we're very proud of. She was so curious when she was young!"
18. "I would like to one day prove worthy of the Kenshinzen, although that is a long way off."
19. "I make weekly visits, but I'm not as religious as some I know of."
20. "Most likely, on the dueling field. I'm an accomplished duelist, but I have no illusions that some may be better than I."

A Crane Among The Sands
Prologue- Hare 12, 1138
Part 1- Hare 26, 1138
Part 2- Dragon 10-26, 1138

Others
Preparations For Marriage
Earth
Sakura and Ryuusei Training: Part 1
Sakura and Ryuusei Training: Part 2
Void
Arrivals

Here's what I've currently got for Sakura's sheet, I'm just going to think up a scene or two and people can check what I've got in the meantime. @Maugan Ra, I'm representing those benefits Sakura gets from marrying into the kuge by way of Social Position and 5 ranks of Wealth, which would work out to 10 xp worth if I was buying it manually, as we've discussed before. Can you just confirm whether that's okay?

Also, we were calculating the funds we had by some method, but I don't remember- 120 is my best guess for Sakura, but I'm not sure.
 
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I've decided Tsunetomo's going to give Sakura and her husband a puppy wardog so that they can raise it to be a family pet and a guard as their children get older. I was kinda stumped for a while since I was trying to think of something that was suitably martial, related to Sakura's family, and not just "prized weapon X that ancestor Y used in the Battle of Z".
 
:mad:

Gives lion cub to six year old daughter because FUCKING MANTIS!!

Jk, kinda, lion cub was on the short list. :V
 
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