Heavenfall

Before they go deeper into the Shadowlands, a hooded man who has joined the group without fanfare has called the most expert people on the subject of the Spirit Realms to discuss what they are going to face as they go farther south, toward the landing site of the final brother of the Kami. He seems remarkably knowledgeable, able to speak with authority and fill in where there are gaps. However, as the discussion becomes more esoteric, it becomes clear that there’s a lot you don’t know yet.

The discussion turns, as well, to how one fights a threat that is spiritual as well as physical.

Location: Meeting and Dining Hall

Participants: Up to 4 characters, Hantei, Shinjo, and Shinsei.

Time: Early Evening. This event will open at 12:00 pm PDT 5/19.

Rules:
This is a hybrid traditional rolling/roleplaying event. NPCs will be present and players are expected to play this out as an interactive RP thread. When your character makes a claim or an argument during the discussion, they make a roll appropriate to the subject. Participating players are expected to engage in standard conversational etiquette during this event - wait for at least a few other people to post before you jump in again, unless you are Dominating the Conversation (see below). You don't have to wait until everyone has spoken, but at least three. Not all posts need to be rolls! This is an RP thread, so descriptions of what your character is doing, non-rolling discussion, and other posts are encouraged.

Each character involved must make at least one roll.

Characters as a group must make six rolls of increasing difficulty before they fail three. The first roll starts at TN 5, then proceeds through 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. Available skills are: Lore: Shadowlands/Intelligence, Lore: Spirit Realms/Intelligence, Spellcraft/Intelligence, Investigation/Perception, and Battle/Perception. If they succeed, they are able to form a coherent plan to combat the Shadowlands as they do the rescue.

Dominating the Conversation: Characters with Leadership, Tactician, Contrary, or Overconfident may lower their TNs by 3 by forcefully dominating the conversation. While doing this, you may forgo waiting more than one post to speak again.

Rewards and Consequences:
If the characters successfully make all six rolls before three failures, they gain 10 Purity Points. If they make all six with at least 10 Raises, they gain 20 Purity Points. If the characters have a few successes, but make three failures before all six, they lose 10 Purity Points. If they fail three rolls before making any successes, they lose 20 Purity Points.

Dominating the conversation may have unexpected consequences based on which of the listed Advantages or Disadvantages you have.

The air hanging about the court is practically thrumming with tension, as if the kami were abuzz with whispers of intrigue and mystery. Many of them likely are, as the sensation appears to be thickest around the solemn form of a man, calling himself Shinsei, currently occupying a spot in the center of the room. The strange fellow seems to have eschewed any sense of authority, choosing to sit on the floor, legs crossed and eyes closed, allowing all to approach him equally as they enter the court. A strange little crow sits on his shoulders, occasionally clicking its beak or cawing softly into Shinsei's ear, before hopping from one shoulder to the other. Strangely, the man seems to lean his head towards the bird, sometimes nodding whenever it makes a sound, as if he were taking council from it as he awaited the arrival of those he'd summoned to this discussion.

Yoshitsune Nori arrived in the courtroom at the appointed time. He bowed to the seated Shinsei, and following the man's example, sat cross-legged on the floor nearby.

Reiko had spent some time preparing before she arrived at the meeting, including preparing a spell. As she approached the courtroom, the telltale sound of Reiko approaching could be heard - the tapping of her walking stick.

As she drew close, she gazed over the room, bowing to those who were in arrival, but did not sit. With her vision, getting up and sitting down were difficult at the best of times.



(Ooc - Precast spell
D1 EE Jigoku event. Casting Fire Kami's blessing TN10: 6d10o10k3 19

A one eyed, one handed sorcerer, matching the description of the Jin family daimyo, nods to the others before finding a place to settle near the man.

There was much he needed to learn and hopefully he could share as well.

After taking a quick bath at the bathhouse that had been created in the example of the one he helped first construct, Kyosei made his way to the table. His friend, Jin, had mentioned it, and he felt he might have some insights to share.

Before entering, he gave an offering to the spirits to sharpen his mind, and help him focus better.

When he entered, he did as he had been taught, giving a short bow to all present, then taking a low seat. If they thought his words more important, then they would raise him up. If not, he was where he should be.

[This event is now closed]

Shinjo entered after the four others, bowing respectfully to the man sitting in the center of the room and to the rest of those present. Her eyebrows rose when she saw the hooded man there. Then she looked to everyone present. "I am Shinjo, of the Ki-Rin Clan, for those I haven't met. Thank you all for coming this evening."

There was a small, and a deep bow.

"It is wonderful to see you again, honoured Swift Star-sama. It has been some time."

She paused, switching back to a language everyone would understand.

"It is good to see friends again, and even more so for the reason we are gathered. For those who I have not met before, I am Reiko of the Spider clan. Thank you for joining us. Please forgive me for not sitting immediately, with my vision it can be difficult to gauge sitting and rising."

Kyosei blinked at the language that Reiko had used. It had almost been something he could understand, but not quite. He turned the sounds over in his mind, as he made a bow to the little god that had closed the door, before retaking his seat.

Jin offered a large, warm smile as Shinjo entered trying to match her bow from his sitting position. It wasn't a gesture he had really mastered yet so it was a little rough but the intent was there.

Entering behind his sister Hantei's eyes swept the room lingering on both the hooded man on the floor and the seer who not only predicted their arrival but also found his thought to be lost brother.

Even if he wasn't the emperor Hantei still radiated authority and confidence. The golden glow of Tengoku still clung to him after all this time, dim but ever present. He smiled gently to those gathered and gave them a shallow bow in greeting "Indeed, thank you all for coming tonight. I am Hantei of the Stag clan." his voice was soft but still commanded attention.

After introductions he looked to the hooded man on the floor who had gathered them here today.

Since he knew Shinjo would appreciate it Jin bowed to Hantei as well when he answered - though to those who had witnessed the previous bow it was obviously not as deep nor the sorcerer's smile quite as warm.

Kyosei gave a deep nod of the head to the other. While he was important, it seemed somehow that this was not his choice. Odd how that thought appeared in the miner's head...

"Glowing Star-sama, it is good to see you again" much like she did with Shinjo, Reiko bowed deeply and greeted the man in the language of the heavens.

Raising his head only well after the final arrival, Shinsei opened his eyes and looked to each of the assembled in turn, offering a deep nod in place of a more formal bow. A sharp eyed individual might be forgiven for thinking his nod was deeper to Shinjo than Hantei, but the gesture was too subtle to be certain.

The crow certainly looked judgy, though.

Without rising, Shinsei spread his palms to either side and began to speak.

"It is a great task that you undertake today, and a long journey ahead of you. I see you preparing for the physical rigors, but I question how prepared you are for the burden that lies in wait for your spirits. I ask you here today to set my mind at ease, or else reveal your weakness now, where it can be corrected."

His gaze swept the room encompassing kami and mortal alike.

"What do you know of the terrors of Jigoku, and how do you plan to fight against it, to reclaim the fallen god?"

[From this point onwards, Player Characters may roll with their posts]

"I'm Yoshitsune Nori of the Crab," Nori said by way of introduction.

"We've gathered a large expedition, which is good considering the dangers that Kyosei of the Isawa speaks of," he began. "But with so many people we must bring enough supplies and provisions to feed everyone. We've spent much of the day gathering these supplies. I've heard that we might not be able to rely on foraging or hunting. I've heard that much of what can be found there might be.... unclean."

--
edited slightly to be more vague at GM request

[1/6 successes, 0/3 Failures, 3 total raises acheived]

[Note: If you make a suggestion on tactics or demonstrate knowledge, please include a roll with it.]

Jin nods along as the others speak. He then pricks the stump of his right hand until a bead of blood flows out. As it falls towards the floor it takes on the crystal clarity of water, flows around him, and then vanishes, a small demonstration, "There are many among us who can call on the spirits. Some for offense, which will sadly be needed I suspect, but also others such as myself to create food, heal wounds, and strengthen bodies or minds. We shall see to it that those who must succeed are where they need to be, when they need to be, and will not falter."

His argument is direct but accurate at least in his mind.

(Casting Reversal of Fortunes just in case and as demonstration, one wound taken, Roll succeeds with 3 raises versus TN 10

Edit: Jin's player messed up and rolled his void without declaring it. Rerolled with declaration and failed. Reversal used to reroll that succesfully

Same result, just messier, sorry GMs)

"Allow me to allay your suspensions: It will be precisely necessary. The nature of Jigoku is not one that can be reliably held at bay by force of arms alone. That you send me spiritual advisors in answer to my call suggests you have considered this, and answered well in kind. I would know of you what strength of spirit you intend to call to aid along the way."