D5 EN - Peace in our time [Curse breaking thread]

[Kakita Konohamaru]

It was time to break this curse, once and for all.

Waiting at the bottom of the shrine steps, he waited for those who would face the challenge - and if need be, head back himself.

It was... odd. For some reason he still had a feeling he had to help someone, but not who or why.

As he sat on a small, thankfully unphallic rock, he waited.

[Ikoma Ren]

Ren has brought those he could from his motley contingent, of which all he is sure of is Sutorenja. The others were, sadly, a bit less reliable

[Dapper Dog]

OOC: Decide on you four to keep things manageable, The Kuni will be along shortly.

[Otomo Saisei]

The Otomo wasn't exactly sure what he was doing here, but he notices the other folks around and narrows his eyes. Recognizing some, he bows.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko followed by her entourage came to the aforementioned cliff.
This is a bad idea... yet I know you'll continue to worry if you don't do it.

She saw the gathered and nodded. "Hello... mina sama"

[Dapper Dog]

Drawn here perhaps by fate or the pull of the figurines both Daidoji Kio and Moshi Minari were present.

Kuni Junza was here as well, she had to see this through. A chill wind begins to blow.

OOC: Locked in, lets roll.

[Dapper Dog]

Junza said, “The weather is getting chill but if we are to do this, then we an attempt to enact the ritual to settle the spirits and use the anchors to summon the ghosts to us. The ronin can watch for any outsiders and four of you can join me at the cliff’s edge to enact the ritual start.”

OOC: This requires a Spellcraft + Intelligence check at TN 20 or Etiquette + Willpower check at 25 to get things started, Junza can grant a +3 to the Spellcraft check but no bonus if they choose Etiquette for the roll.

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei looks to the group and asks, "Anyone knows the specifics of the procedure? Else, I can try recalling the protocol to honor our Ancestors in an open space at the sea."

[Dapper Dog]

"I know some general rituals to placate spirits, but never actually had to try and appease a ghost before," she admitted.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Saisei looks to the group and asks, "Anyone knows the specifics of the procedure? Else, I can try recalling the protocol to honor our Ancestors in an open space at the sea."

"There is not really something specific in terms of procedure. The cold though is the proximity of the spirit. That also means we are technically on the right path. Since we do have the objects that appeal to the spirit." The Toritaka explained.

[Ikoma Ren]

"Hmmpph." Ren looks looks around, judging the field. "I'm not a shugenja, but we are just looking for the ritual, right?" Ren shuts his eyes, plumbing the depths of his memory. The Lion revered their ancestors, and what was this if not making a similar call.

Ok, completely different, but it wouldn't be the first time he would have to pretend he knew what he was doing until it worked. By the end, he is pretty sure he is ready.

"I'll take it" Ren begins to trace out movements that seem like the theatric movements of priest at temples, taking up the objects that were there to call the spirit

Peace In Our Time-Spellcraft/Intelligence-VP spent for Phantom Rank-Assist from Junza-TN 20: 5d10o10k4+3 36

[Dapper Dog]

The air grows colder and both Kio and Minari collapse before rising, their eyes glowing. Kio spoke first as she rose a ghostly image of a woman formed around her in Crane battle armor, “You betrayed me, betrayed our affection there can only be one way to find satisfaction. I challenge you, one last time Hida Gusari.”

OOC: Who will accept her Iaijutsu challenge.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Konohamaru steps forward to protect the Ikoma and company. Sutorenja might have enjoyed the choice to duel a spirit, but there was several reasons she shouldn't.

It would be unbecoming of a Crane, after all, to not duel when it is needed. Donning the mask of Ji, he stepped forward.

"If you truly see me, then come. Let out your anger and sorrow."

(OOC: I'm up - let's roll these bones.)

Iaijutsu - Assessment - roll of 26. If it succeeds, what is her void?

[Dapper Dog]

Bujeihime took the immaculate stance of the Kakita and closed her eyes and said, “Our daughter will be avenged, and her soul shall rest.”

OOC: Void stance, Inits is rolled and ATN 25

Bujeihime Inits: 5d10o10k3+5 20 = 25, Bonus should be +10,

Bujeihime Awareness + Iaijutsu: 8d10o10k3 28

[Kakita Konohamaru]

(OOC: Initiative - 14)

Stance is answered with stance, but seeing Kio being used like that...

"Kio, if you can hear me, I'll sort things out soon, okay?"

[Daidoji Kio]

Kio's form mimics the stance of her possessor and her eyes seem distant and inhuman from the glow.

OOC: Go ahead and roll Iaijutsu + Awareness for round 1.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Assessment - 39. Again, inquiring about void

The words "I'm proud of you" never left Konohamaru's lips. But if this was her stance, her own mind and body conducting this duel, perhaps he would have. As it stood, her had to look past her, focusing on the spirit possessing her.

[Dapper Dog]

Her form was sublime as she Focused on the one perfect moment, there is a stillness in the air.

OOC: Void 3, I did not see the edit, so no +1k1 taking the 26.

Bujeihime Void + Iaijutsu + Kakita + Void Stance: 10d10ro1o10k5+10 53

Round 2

Bujeihime 25
Konohamaru 14

[Dapper Dog]

Meanwhile Minari rose and spoke with a man's voice, "Hah... she will be arriving soon, one last game to calm my nerves." Her form covered by the spectral form of Hida Gusari as he took a seat at a spectral game of Go."

OOC: This is a Game of Go, this requires Games: Go + Intellect or Battle + Perception check and the first to 50 total TN wins.

[Kakita Konohamaru]

Focus - 43, 1 void spent

He... can't.

What if he kills her? What if she suffers some lifelong trauma from this?

For the first time in a long time in his life, he felt genuinely guilt. His hand hesitates, but doesn't fully relinquish his training.

The first strike is hers.

(Base TN is currently 28, since he wore armour coming up and is applying the Doji magistrate R1 technique).

[Dapper Dog]

The strike was pure Kakita, as the phantom still retained the skill in death that it had honed in life. Satisfied that it had dispatched Gusari she turned and walked towards the ritual. Kio collapsed as the spirit left her, the air growing colder.

“You were my greatest love, and greatest foe,” she said over her shoulder.

OOC: Not including the Go game this will increase the next step TNs by +3.

Bujeihime Reflexes + Iaijutsu + Kakita TN 28: 10d10o10k4+12 55

Damage: 6d10o10l2 4

[Kakita Konohamaru]

As the strike came for him, he knew his only chance to win was to strike her on the reply - if it was to the death. And that was if he wanted to kill Lady Kio, which he didn't for obvious reasons.

So the only honourable move was death?

"So be it, then."

Damage: 6d10o10l2 4

...He was spared? for what purpose? A wound still marked him, but that strike should see him dead. No matter - he was spared for a reason.

Kio collapsed as the spirit left her, the air growing colder.

Konohamaru assessed the situation - if he could move without disrupting proceedings, he would move to check on Kio. Otherwise, other the noise of any spirit or any storm, the magistrate's order of "Get Lady Kio! See she's alright" would be heard.

[Otomo Saisei]

Saisei runs toward Kio to check if she was alright and check her vitals.

--
D5, EN, Medicine/Intelligence Unskilled: 3d10 18

[Daidoji Kio]

The girl was fine if just asleep… it was hard to tell but she was alive.

[Toritaka Hanatsuko]

Hanatsuko move toward Minari and looked at the specter. "Let's see how well I can do, Hida sama." She gave the man a bow as she started by placing a stone on the board.
You shouldn't put that stone there
"Shhhhhh"

//D5 EN Battle Per +1k0 Toritaka R1, 1VP phantom skill: 5d10o10k3-4 11