L5R - Unity - Chapter 1 - Winter Solstice

[Raganui Minamoto]

"It's fine. Just waiting on the forge to heat. I apologize for startling you." He bows his head in apology. "If there is anything I can assist you with, don't worry about asking." With that, he'd turn back to his forge and move the coals about, watching them start to glow.  

[Rain Yupa]

Plainsfox

Naohiko let out an exasperated sigh. He started to say something and then stopped and rolled his green eyes around as he

Void point spent on +1k1. Untrained Jiujutsu. 30 to hit. 9 damage.

In addition to your response, roll me a Stamina roll against the damage you took (TN 9) to not get sent sprawling to the ground as the Hiruma socks you across the jaw.

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@ Kaichiyo:

"You are quite a fascinating person to speak with, Himura Kaichiyo," Bakin would say, turning his head in her direction to look at her out of one eye slit in his mask. After a brief pause, his gaze would turn forward and upward, towards the darkening sky. "It definitely appears that a storm is brewing, I must say."

"I suppose the only question I can ask to sate my curiosity without spoiling the surprise is: Was your ancestor the type to face this challenge alone, or was he the type to marshal his forces first and level the playing field?"

"The shop is over there," Bakin would interrupt before your response to indicate you are nearing your destination.

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@ Gendo, Gendo, Gendo...

"..."

The girl would move around Gendo, arms behind her back as she leaned forward, peering at him. "My name's Taniko, thanks for asking." A pause. "You're obviously not married. Don't like talking to girls?" The girl would smirk. "A fair maiden is before you and you'd rather play with your forge? If the old fart didn't live to be like one hundred and fifty years old, I'd swear you were the reincarnation of great grandpa Kagae."

She would stand back up tall, and give you a supportive thumbs up. "Don't worry, you're enough like him where I can tell. I'm ninety-give percent sure you're a straight shooter."

The Crane from earlier would peek his head into the chamber from the stairwell. "Himura-san, I have an update. We haven't had success finding the young man you requested to join you in here, but we are still looking." Exeunt Crane.

"Seventy percent. I don't recognize your mon, are you Tsi? I've never had the chance to see a Tsi forge something before, I'm curious about your hammersmanship." She'd look at you with a bit of curiosity.  

[Plainsfox]

The less than impressively built Kraken was sent sprawling to the floor. However, he reached within himself to help roll with the punch and mitigate the damage. Naohiko got up and launched himself at the Crab, aiming a blow at his jaw.


OOC:
1 void point spent to reduce damage from assault to 0
Health: 5/10 (Uninjured Wound Rank)
Stance: Full Attack
TN: 10
Initiative: 5k3+5 w/ 3 dice to handle explosions
Results: 30
Agility/Jiujutsu 5k3+2k1 w/ 4 dice to handle explosions
Raises called: 2 for 2k0 damage
Results: 26
Damage: 4k1 w/ 2 dice to handle explosions will be rolled in OOC
Results: 4  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Naohiko:

Round 2

30 - Naohiko (Full Attack, Armor TN-5) - 10 damage, Healthy
28 - Shigemasa (Attack, Armor TN+5) - 4 damage, 1 VP spent
15 - Denbe (Defense, Armor TN-7) - 0 damage
15 - Daidoji Guards (Defense) - On their way!

-----

Naohiko, you rush forward and slam into the Hiruma and hit him. However, the cramped fighting conditions cause the two of you to stumble through a paper wall and into someone's room! Luckily, no one seems to be there at the moment.

The Hiruma shakes his head at the blow, before raising a knee up into your midsection! (19 to hit, 5 damage)

Denbe rushes in and tries to interpose himself between the two of you. "What in Jigoku do you two think you're doing?!"

Denbe is granting cover to each of you. The target Armor TN to hit each other is increased by 5 but Denbe's Armor TN is reduced by 10.

Next round!  

[Plainsfox]

The Kraken would shift to full defense. He didn't want to chance hitting Denbe in this brawl. " He struck me, Denbe! Hard!" the Kraken growled angrily. He would try to move out of the room and out from behind Denbe.


OOC:
1/2 Void points
Full Defense
TNtBH: 38
Health: 10/10 (Healthy)  

[Raganui Minamoto]

"Kraken. I did not wish to overly disturb your search, Taniko-san." He looks over at the Crane and nods in acknowledgement. "As for speaking with lovely ladies such as yourself, I'm more comfortable doing so when I am partially distracted like this. Our clan's Hime is particularly strong-willed and assertive, so that's the type I'm used to dealing with." He grimaces slightly and then grabs some iron and buries it into the coal and making sure his tools are laid out correctly, especially his own hammer. "As for my ability with a hammer, well, I was the only one who finished his project when it came to smithing for the Crafting Competition, even if it was just a Jitte. I'm planning a longer term project here. A naginata."  

[Paidi tou Selini]

Kaichiyo hummed and nodded at the acknowledgment of their nearing the destination, making her response a bit more succinct. Somewhat. As much as she was capable, being an aspirant bard and all. "That's a question I ask myself often. What would Himura do? That, in this case, is not a hard answer. The Himura style is specialized in One Against Many combat, and the man himself had the luxury of the Dragon clan to allow solo wanderlust. However, I have neither the protection of a Great Clan nor the extensive experience he is best known for. My solution may well have to be my own this time. Or a collaboration with whatever allies I can... discreetly gather."


[Vitals
Void Points: 2/3
Wounds: 0/10 (Healthy)
Talky Stance, ATN 20]  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Naohiko:

Round 2

30 - Naohiko (Full Defense, Armor TN+18 ) - 10 damage, Healthy
28 - Shigemasa (Attack, Armor TN+0) - 4 damage, 1 VP spent
15 - Denbe (Defense, Armor TN-7) - 0 damage
15 - Daidoji Guards (Defense) - On their way!

-----

"Insolent colonial minor clan whelp!" Shigemasa would growl, moving around Denbe to attempt another swing at the retreating Kraken. I'm not going to roll because his untrained roll can't beat that armor TN. Naohiko is more than prepared to deflect a clumsy swing like that when he actually focuses on defense.

"Damn it all," Denbe would mutter, and try to move back to the pair (but not betwixt them). "Why are you fighting?!" he'd ask stressfully.

Naohiko, you're up!

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@ Gendo:

Taniko would laugh cutely, covering her mouth with her hand as she did so. "By the kami, that sounded rehearsed! When a 'lovely lady' introduces herself, you're supposed to give her your name. You really don't do the girl-talking thing that much, do you?"

Her attention would divert away for a moment, before walking over to Setsuna, kneeling down to pet him behind the ears. He barely budged in response. "And while you're at it, what's her name too?"

Standing, she'd turn back to Gendo. "I competed in that competition too. I did alright, but Kioko-san didn't care for my Benten statue. I guess she's not a fan of artistic interpretation. I heard another Minor Clan guy won that competition. Dende, or something. Why are you making a naginata? More importantly, why are you making the Crane a naginata?"

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@ Kaichiyo:

"Well, I'm interested to see what you come up with." Bakin would say. He would gesture towards the horizon. "Since you're from the Colonies, you might not have seen a snowstorm before. It has a way of causing things to come to a standstill, even when protected within a castle. It creates a bitter darkness, and a howling wind that easily drowns out other sounds. Most people huddle for warmth and aren't as active until the storm breaks. It looks like one will hit within the next couple days, and I'm sure it will be an interesting first experience for you, Himura-san." Bakin would pause. "My apologies for the tangent."

As you reach the doorway to the shop, the merchant seems to be wrapping up a sale with a woman in a teal green kimono. Someone with brown hair and a red bandana, who immediately seems to tense up.

She would suddenly whirl around, and point an accusing finger at Kaichiyo. "G'ah! Himura! What in Jigoku do you want?!" Satoko would ask aloud, dark eyes glaring suspiciously.  

[Raganui Minamoto]

"Apologies. Himura Gendo. And he's Setsuna." He shifts the metal a bit, nodding. "As for my reasoning, it's simple. It's complex enough that I can keep myself occupied with it when I'm not having to do other things, yet is within the realm of my ability to complete before I must leave. And I would rather not go so long without making sure I'm at least keeping my skill up, if not find some way to improve upon it. As for the part of 'for the Crane' it's cause they wouldn't allow me the resources without providing it to them anyways."  

[Plainsfox]

"He started it, I'll stop it." Naohiko grunted as he lunged in such a way as to get Shigemasa into a sleeper hold. "...or not" Naohiko grimaced as he failed


OOC:
Stance: Attack
Agility/Jiujutsu to initiate grapple 5k3 w/ 3 dice to handle explosions
Result: 12  

[Paidi tou Selini]

"Hm, well the cold part will be new, but otherwise it doesn't sound much different than the kind of storms we get, where if buildings are not constructed properly the winds are liable to tear apart the things you're trying to seek shelter in." she responded, ignoring the apology. Tangents were hard to avoid in storycrafting, much less conversations. One that would have to end when they reached their destination and ran misfortune-first into the first of the last two people she wanted to see this court.

"Ah- Yoritomo-san. Fancy meeting you here. That's a... curious question. I don't want anything. I'm merely escorting Yogo Bakin here while he restocks on some supplies." she chirped melodically, masking her surprise and apprehension as best she could.


[Vitals
Void Points: 2/3
Wounds: 0/10 (Healthy)
Talky Stance, ATN 20]  

[Glory Sieg]

A small sigh left her lips as she listened to the two talk. If it was another Scorpion Bakin had been talking to, the meaning would've been clear as day, and the Kraken's change in subject could have been passed off skillful understanding.

From the outside however, it just seemed like Princess had completely missed the advice.

"Bakin-san. You could've just asked me to get what you needed," she spoke up as she drifted closer to the pair. "Unless you're trying to see what I may have already told her already?"  

[Rain Yupa]

@ Gendo:

"Mm," Taniko would hum in acknowledgement about the Crane property thing.

"I mean, I can't fault you, it's a very admirable sacrifice, but... don't you get lonely? Maybe it's this cursed Crane blood that's in my veins, but I still feel drawn to be around other people. It's why I was looking for tools to go work upstairs. Great Grandfather always seemed content in his forge, but... while it looked like a fun job, I also saw it as a lonesome hobby."

Smiling a big cheesy smile, she would then punch Gendo in the arm (6 damage) and add, "I'm sure there are other skills you could be keeping up right now, right? Surely there's some girl that's caught your eye, eh?"

Suddenly, she would clasp a hand over her mouth. "Erm! I, uh... Sorry, I didn't mean it like that," she would say, her tone a bit subdued over a moment ago, obviously embarrassed.

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@ Naohiko:

Round 2

30 - Naohiko (Attack, Armor TN+0 ) - 10 damage, Healthy
28 - Shigemasa (Attack, Armor TN+0) - Enough damage, Out, 1 VP spent
15 - Denbe (Defense, Armor TN-7) - 0 damage
15 - Daidoji Guards (Defense) - On their way! SURPRISE GUEST! (Full Attack, Armor ??) - 1 damage

-----

Naohiko tries to grapple, but gets distracted counting to five and fumbles the grab.

Shigemasa tries to deliver a two-fisted hammer blow while Naohiko was struggling with his takedown, but could not find a good angle to deliver a meaningful hit.

"Ugh. Sanjiro! Kunitaro! Someone!" Denbe called out as he ran a bit of the way down the hall to try and summon reinforcements.

Naohiko, you're looking down towards the mat of the bedroom you've stumbled back into, trying to force Shigemasa's center of balance backwards so he'll fall. Suddenly, he asks aloud, "What in Jigoku??"

That's when you hear the call. "TOOOKKKUUU SSEEEIIICCHHHIIIIIIII!!!" Followed by a loud *CRACK!* And suddenly, it was very easy to get Shigemasa off his feat and onto his back!

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@ Kyouya and Kaichiyo:

"Ah, Kyouya-san, there you are. I intended to, but then you got tied up," Bakin would say, turning and nodding towards Kyouya. "You can give me an update on your going-ons when we get back to the cas-

"Hmph! I find that hard to believe! You just happen to show up where I am with a couple of Scorpion in tow. No doubt planning something! Are you plotting? Scheming? Against whom, Himura?" she would say, her accusing voice rising as she stepped closer, tilting her head to one side to peer suspiciously at Kaichiyo, only a couple feet away from her.

Oh carp, does she know something? Did she overhear part of the conversation somehow? Sounds like a job for either Etiquette or Sincerity! Cause she's definitely rolling Investigation!  

[Raganui Minamoto]

"As I said, I'm not exactly the best at speaking with others unless I am a bit distracted. Tend to overthink." He pulls out a piece of metal and looks at it a bit before returning it to the forge. "As for other activities, well, I don't duel so well. I am not a great artist or such. And I'd rather not try anything really involving animals again, I'd like to keep the other eye."

With a shudder, he tilts his head, then almost causes himself a bit of whiplash as he turns to look at Taniko as she apologizes. "... I can't exactly tell if you're apologizing due to my lack of sight, or the OTHER thing someone could think you were talking about." He coughs, a light reddening of his cheeks. "I don't take offense to anything about the missing eye. As for the other, you're perhaps the one I've held the longest conversation with since I've gotten here. The only other interaction I've had has been with Kakita Otsu-san and the Sparrow twins, Suzume Kayoko-san and Kiyo-san. I did not do so well with talking with any of them. Otsu-san cause I was really focused on finishing the jitte and the twins cause I might have been trying to do poetry. Probably badly."

With a huff, he moves over to some wood, looking for a good Shirakashi (White Oak) that he can work on later to make the haft.  

[Plainsfox]

Naohiko would push Shigemasa away and looked from Seiichi to Shigemasa's unconscious form and then back to Seiichi. He would then switch to full defense and say "Ahmm….thanks, I think....Toku-san?


OOC:
Agility/Defense 4k3
Results: 22
Stance: Full Defense
TN: 22+11