[Day - 2 EE] Welcome Dinner [Event]

[Dapper Dog]

Event Type: Main Event
Participants: By Clan (Excluding Crab and Imperial Families)
Timeslots: Early Evening

Description: The dinner is much more austere affair as the Crab and Crane enter by rank and take seats according to importance excluding the bride and groom who enter last and sit at the table on a raised dais as the guests of honor.

Then before the meals are brought out each attending Great Clan will offer a gift to the couple, words of knowledge, and then a display of martial skill to honor the House of Fuboshi. Hida Fuboshi takes the seat of Honor and once all Clans have performed she will announce the meal and the ceremony has ended and the dinner begins.

Rules: Each Great Clan in attendance will need three members, if they have less then some members will have to do more than one task but only if they have less than three members. Magic is not allowed. Minor Clans can join as well but since they are Minor they can work as a team across multiple Minor Clans to form their team of three.

Offering the Gift: While typically in most courts the gift giving is done with joy and boisterous nature this is a solemn affair and Fuboshi shows no mirth. As the highest rank she accepts the gifts on behalf of the couple. The Gift Giver makes an Etiquette + Willpower check versus TN 20, with success granting 1 Dinner point. For every 2 raises they add an additional Dinner point to the total. Failure means that Fuboshi is insulted, a minor breach of Etiquette, but if raises are made this becomes a major breach of Etiquette and if the roll is failed by 10 or more, raises or not, then it is a blasphemous Breach of Etiquette. Yes, Benten's Blessing will apply.

Lore of the Crab and Crane: The next will have to offer their knowledge on the Crab or Crane, or their knowledge of the Shadowlands. For the purposes of this event Lore Shadowlands is not a Low skill. The player makes a Lore Shadowlands + Intelligence at TN 15, Lore Crab + Intelligence at TN 20, or Lore Crane + Intelligence at a TN 25; success on this roll grants 1 Dinner point and every 5 points above the TN get an additional Dinner point. Failing this roll grants no points and failing by 10 or more insults Fuboshi and they lose .2 Glory for their trouble.

Martial Display: The player makes a weapon display for Hida Fuboshi, to show that they have mastered the basic weapons of the model samurai. But she will not have them sully her halls with poor use of Hida’s sacred Tetsubo so they will display Kenjutsu + Agility, Spears + Agility, and Kyujutsu + Reflexes for her judgment. The player can use the weapons in any order with the TN starting at 10, then the next at TN 15, and the final at 20; success grants 1 Dinner point plus 1 additional point per every two raises on each weapon. Failing this has no effect but failing with raises reduces their Glory by .1 per raise called.

Rewards/Outcome: The Great Clan that earns the most Dinner Points will be publicly honored by Fuboshi and each member will earn 1 full rank of Glory.

[Daidoji Kaneko]

Kaneko approached the hostess and gave a solemn bow. With her she carried a box, wrapped neatly within a sheet of paper with markings of a famous merchant from Mura Sabishii Toshi.

"I do not wish to take too much of your time Lady Governor. We bring with us a token of our mutual respect and hope for continued relations with our neighbors. I'm to understand that Hida-sama does not care much for frivolity, and so we have provided something which hopefully will bring color and utility to those who nobly serve the empire on the Carpenter's Wall."

Inside the gift is a box of katsuobushi blocks and spices. Both help with the preservation of food and providing positive humors to the diet of those in need of sustenance in long-term engagements.

----

D2 Dinner Event, Eti/Will, Benten's, VP, 1 CR 1FR, TN 25: 8d10o10k5 36

Passed w/ 2 Raises, 2 Dinner points.

[Bayushi Ushi]

When their turn comes Ushi speaks the praises of Fuboshi's house and their battle against their eternal foe. While it is clear that Ushi's knowledge of the Shadowlands is more folklore than fact the pieces they choose are accurate enough, and neither over nor understated in their assessment enough, to cause no insult and get a begrudging nod from the Crab present.

(Scorpion, Lore

Unskilled Lore:Shadowlands, VP spent = 19 = 1 Dinner Point for Scorpion)

[Bayushi Shitoru]

Arriving to present the marital prowess of the Scorpion clan, Shitoru stood in the courtyard. He carried a spear, his daisho was at his side, arrows in a quiver held his strung yumi to his back. He faced the place of honor. With a bow to the provincial lord, the wedding couple and then all present, he took his stance.

From his technique, he did not appear a spearman by trade, but he did remember his sensei's lessons well. HIs strikes were accurate and it was apparent he was very quick on his feet to shift and counter. He did not end with a flourish, but it was apparent from his bow at the end that he felt confident in his performance.

Handing the spear off to a servant, he drew his bow and with three targets he was deadly accurate and fired swiftly, letting the arrow find it's target and taking little time past a proper breath to prepare his shots. The arrows cut air, then found their targets as split moment afterward with a satisfying thock.

Unfastening the quiver and relieving himself of the bow and arrows, his hiltless blade was free of the sheath in a flash of motion. Here is where Shitoru showed his skill, as expected of a Scorpion. Whatever other talents they may have, they are swordsmen first. It was quite apparent the amount of time this one spends in the dojo, as his kata is immaculate, swift, precise and all of his strikes signal pain and death.

Sliding the blade back into it's sheath, the Scorpion bowed low and made his way to give the next demonstrator their due.

OOC
Spears, no raises, void for skill (listed as =1k1, but cannot do that without the skill and roll was made with +1k0) TN 10: 21 +1
Kyujutsu, 2 raises, void for 1k1. TN 25: 40 +2
Kenjutsu, 2 raises, void for 1k1, emphasis, TN 30: 42 +2

5 points

[Doji Soon-ja]

Doji Soon-ja clambered slowly to her feet and bowed deeply before speaking.

“I am sure the upcoming wedding will usher in a new age of friendship and cooperation between our clans,” the elderly courtier began. “The Crab and Crane have much history together, and I wish to remind everyone of an example from that history of the great friendship between our clans.”

“Some four hundred sixty years ago, a great host of evil creatures dared to assault the tower at the Tidal Landbridge near Earthquake Fish Bay,” she began. “The Crab garrison was commanded by one Hida Bokaru, a son of the Crab Champion. Despite Hida Bokaru’s considerable skill at arms and knowledge of tactics, the tiny garrison was in terrible danger of being overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the servants of the Ninth.”

“It was then that the Daidoji daimyo, one Daidoji Masashigi, charged over the Tidal Landbridge at low tide with all his retainers, and engaged the enemies of the Empire. Bokaru suffered a grievous wound, but the arrival of the Daidoji turned the tide of the battle, and they drove the monsters into the sea.”

“Masashigi himself, with three of his trusted men, pursued the last and mightiest of the demons into the waters as the tide rose to cover them. Afterwards, nothing was found of them save the Daidoji daimyo’s helmet - he had perished while vanquishing the beast. But Hida Bokaru and his men were saved.”

“How auspicious it is, that we are gathered here now to witness a union between a son of the family of Hida Bokaru and a daughter of the family of Daidoji Masashigi! Let their deeds never be forgotten.”

The old Crane bowed once more, then slowly and carefully made her way back to her seat.

-
2EE Lore of the Crab and Crane, INT/Lore: Shadowlands +Status +Void Point TN15: 6d10o10k5+2 32 succeeds and exceeds TN by 15.
4 Dinner Points

[Kitsuki Tanaka]

Having been caught by surprise...or perhaps more accurately having simply failed to plan...Tanaka was unable to produce a suitable gift or for that matter present it in a manner befitting the Lady of court. Her attempts at flattery, meant to smooth everything over, came off as disquietingly sycophantic and simpering. Before long the Crab had grown tried and simply had a servant casually snatch up the gift and equally as casually toss it off to the side. With that the Dragon bowed and made her way back into the crowd.

--------------------------------
Etiquette/WILL for Welcome Dinner. 2 raises. VP spent. TN30: 6d10o10k3 22 - Failed. Major Breach of Etiquette. Hooray.

[Togashi Keigo]

Keigo takes the conversation, dredging up some basic lore about the Shadow lands to talk about. Might as well get used to the idea. It wasn't enough to overly impress anyone, but he didn't make them look like idiot either.

Coming from the total opposite end of the Empire, he figured it wasn't too bad.

~~

Welcome Dinner Lore: Lore: Shadow lands/Intelligence TN 15, Void for skill: 4d10o10k3 17 Pass, 1 point

[Tsuruchi Shouji]

The Captain Sat in the back, watching as his crewmates made the presentation. He wasn't entirely pleased with how things went, especially Katu's fumble of the gift giving process. There was little hope he could do better though, so he decided to stay silent. No reason to get upset about something that's already passed.

Minari Preformed well though, and there was nothing Shameful in the Preformace of Tetsuo. Though hte young man could use a bit of instruction in the bow, perhaps Shouji would have to take him aside on the morrow.

While solemn was the order of the day, curt was probably not. Katsu's offering of the gift was much more the latter than the former. "There will be a wedding. It is between a member of the Crab clan and a member of the Crane clan." He said, speaking in his usual rough growl. "These are our gifts. It is alcohol." With a stiff bow, he stepped back.

D2EE Event: Etiquette/Stam, 2CR, VP 1k1, Status 2, TN30: 7d10o10k4+2 25

D2 EVENT EE: Lore of the Crab and Crane, yo! Lore: Shadowlands/Intelligence. +1k1 Void. TN 15: 5d10o10k4 15

Along with Katsu, Minari helped represent the Mantis.

"The Children of Hida have fought the greatest enemy since the founding of the Empire, and the blood of the greatest heroes flow in their veins. With their might, they've bested the likes of the Maw and the hordes of the Shadowlands many times over, even as the Empire has gone about its business without a care."

"The Daidoji as the military arm of the Crane are famed for their bravery, and their dedication to duty. Tenets that the Crab embrace, and bringing together these two bloodlines is sure to bring forward many strong and dedicated warriors. Together, the union of the Hida and the Daidoji is sure to strike fear into the heart of the enemy, and may all the oni, goblins, and ogres tremble before their might."

The priestess bowed. "Let this union bring together the strength of the Hida and the Daidoji. May you defeat many foul enemies together." Minari had not gotten the memo that the Crab boy was marrying into the Crane, and that the Daidoji lady wasn't a warrior.

Weapons display:

Tetsuo eyed his bow warily, a useful weapon, but one he had some disdain for. Why shoot someone when you can shank them up close? His shot went wide, unsurprisingly.

Spears were something he was unfamiliar with, but it was an easier hurdle. The goal was to stab someone, after all, no? So he went in for the 'kill'.

Next, he drew the daisho. A smile played on his lip, holding the katana in a one handed grip, like how his senpai taught him. He produced an impressive series of kata, cutting high and low with a quirky style, though it was still effective.

D2 EE Weapons, Kyujutsu, tn 10: 3d10 7
D2 EE Weapons, Spears/Agility, VP for phantom rank, tn 15: 4d10o10k3 21
D2 EE Weapons, Kenjutsu/Agi, Prodigy, VP, 2 CR, tn 30: 8d10o10k4 51

3 points total

4 points for Team Mantis.

One Major breach of etiquette for Katsu

[Kakita Masao]

For the Crane delegation, it's the Iron Warrior nikutai who steps forward to display weapon skills. Dressed in fine clothing for the dinner, he might seem ill-prepared for a vigorous physical display, but all is as Kakita Masao planned.

From a serene starting pose before the dais, he reverently takes up the available weapons in turn. First, the humble spear, which although popular with some Daidoji, is not a preferred weapon of this Iron Warrior. But his disdainful sniff is lost amid a hearty breath that launches him into a series of thrusts, guards, and advanced footwork that any Crane spearman would approve.

Returning the spear to its stand, the Crane next takes up the yumi. Firing a steady rhythm of arrows at the target -- thwap... thwap... thwap -- Masao chooses to show consistency over flair in this portion of the display.

Satisfied, he sets the yumi aside and steps clear of the offered weapons. For kenjutsu, a Kakita would want no other blade than his own. After a centering breath, in the space between heartbeats, Masao draws and strikes with his katana so seamlessly that it's almost as if the air kami blinked the blade from its saya to a full, sparkling extension from the Crane's outstretched arm. He follows that opening with a complex series of parries, slashes and thrusts that flow together like a dance where every footfall is lightened by the air kami. In a final, solemn moment of the display, Kakita Masao centers himself, closes his eyes, and inverts his blade as if moving in slow motion. The movement continues, eyes still closed, until the faintest click is mostly not heard as the katana comes to rest back in its saya.

The young nikutai bows deeply to the dais and quietly departs to make way for the next participant.

-------
OOC
Rolls:
Skill 1: Spears/Agi: passed w/2 raises. 2 dinner points.
Skill 2: Kyujutsu/Ref: passed. 1 dinner point.
Skill 3: Kenjutsu/Agi: passed w/2 raises. 2 dinner points.

Total (this post): 5 dinner points.
Total (Crane Clan, all rolls complete): 11 dinner points.

[Ichiro Taiki]

The Badger steps forward before the others of the Minor Clans, holding a small, painted egg between the fingers of his right hand. The contrast between his large shape and the delicate egg is somewhere between interesting and ridiculous. Taiki's face is serious and impassive - he seems glad that the Gift Giving ceremony is not done in the more flowery, flamboyant way used in most courts - directness and patience are traits he is much closer to.

His voice as he starts his speech is steady, and for those who know him - the hosts included - it is clear he's making an effort to speak clearly and avoid his natural accent.

"Our esteemed Crab hosts - Hida Fuboshi-sama, Hida Kitusuchi-sama, Hida Yoji-sama. I come forward today to present a gift to the Crab Clan and the Daimyo of the Red Sands Coast province not only in my name, but in that of all the Minor Clans - a number of which, including the Badger from which I come, have strong ties with the Crab."

He raises his right hand holding the small egg slightly.

"It's been my honour to have known the lands and people of the Crab - including my dear relatives in this province - for over four years now. During one of my excursions to wild regions in my time here, I have happened upon this specimen. This, which I found while travelling with some companions, including a Hiruma naturalist who identified it, is an egg of a Red-winged hummingbird. According to him, it is a beautiful hummingbird which was common in the Hiruma lands, but was believed lost along with them for quite some time... until eggs such as these were found here in the Red Coasts region, showing that the bird does in fact survive. When I heard the story, I kept this egg as a reminder of the lessons I, and the other Clans, can take from the Crab. A lesson of strength and resilience. A lesson that even what seems small..."

as he says that, he holds the painted egg a bit higher...

...and a crack appears at the bottom, some yolk leaks and smears part of the painting.

"Ehm... e'en th' wee - A mean, the small! - may... perseva...vere. Ehm. Perservere I mean. In the face o' large... an'... eh... of large an' strang threats."

His focus and concentration are clearly affected and his accent filters through as some yolk runs down his hand.

He lowers the egg again, wipes the leaked yolk with his other hand.

Looking down for a moment, Taiki clears his throat, then raises his eyes again, face impassive once more.

"I... would now like to offer this to my esteemed hosts and family... as a symbol of strength and resilience - now also painted as a homage to the Crane's patronage of the arts."

He bowed respectfully and especially low, as if in apology of his obviously flawed presentation of he gift.

"I hope our hosts will accept this humble gift from the Minor Clans of the Empire"



Patience is definitely more his style than flashiness... but alas, this time his strength betrayed him.

As he stepped back again, he kept thinking about it. He had vowed he would not let his strength fail him. But... it seemed at times he would need more.

But... what more?

Maybe... control?

------------------------

OOC:
D2 EE - Welcome Dinner - Offering the Gift. Etiquette/ Stamina TN 20, VP for +1k1, -1k0 due to Consumed by Strength: 4d10o10k4 15

Failed - so Minor Breach of Etiquette commited (-0.1 Honour for his current Rank).

Hopefully his cousins won't hate him too much for this...

"I am grateful to our hosts for their hospitality and for their duty." Hifumi stepped forward to speak. "My travels have not brought me to the lands of the Crab before now and I am fortunate to have never witnessed anything of the lands beyond. I have heard tales, however. I once had the honor of discussing hunting techniques with a veteran Hiruma scout. We discussed different types of traps and snares and he told me about fudoshi and takesasu, tangled vines that would quickly enwrap and crush those who stepped on them and plants that could lash out with paralyzing barbs and painful toxins. In the Shadowlands a misplaced step can be as deadly as any oni. Even within the safety of the Empire, it is best to follow one's path with care."

- - -
OOC:
[Day - 2 EE] Welcome Dinner [Event], Lore:Shadowlands/Intelligence TN 15, Sage, VP for +1k1: 5d10o10k4 26

Hanatsuko started her weapon display with the Spear as she swung it and twirled it around. It was just a basic kata taught to her in her basic training.

Then to the katana a bit more complex than the previous one as she looked like she danced with the blade.

Finally the Kyuujutsu display, she had the target.
You got this oneechan
The disembodied voice made the arrow lose the way.

--------
OOC:
D2 EE Feast Offerings Spear Agi display TN 10: 4d10o10k3 11 pass

D2 EE Feast Offerings Kenjutsu Agi display TN 15: 5d10o10k3 30 pass


D2 EE Feast Offerings Kyuujutsu display TN 20: 5d10o10k3 19 fail by 1

---------

Results:

Ichiro Taiki - Failed; Minor Breach of Etiquette (-0.1 honour); No points.

Fuzake Hifumi - Succeeded by 11 above TN 15; 3 Dinner Points.

Toritaka Hanatsuko - Succeeded in 2/3 rolls, no Raises called; 2 Dinner Points.

Total: 5 Dinner Points for the Minor Clans. Hida Fuboshi possibly somewhat pissed off with her cousin

[Dapper Dog]

Event Closed.