Day 13: The First Rule of Ritual Club...

[Agasha Yuna]

Exciting! Can't wait to learn what's next!

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Posting here something I offered whilst randomly Discord chatting: if the ghostbusting team wants to narratively take advantage of the symbolic power of the human likeness (and/or create a Possessed Object that will properly unnerve and terrify later generations), Shinnosuke has a collection of premade Noh and Kyogen masks as well as the skill to create a custom one for the purpose.

He's somewhat up to date on the Adventures of the Ningster (just not the technical details of the shugenja stuff), so this wouldn't require anyone to explain everything from the top.

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Jinkan is open to being possessed again.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Just getting home. But it looks like ritual is posted up in the gathering thread to fuss with.

I do like the idea of the creepy mask. The ultimate goal is to banish him back to gaki-do, but that's more difficult, so he might be sitting in an object for a bit.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

This ritual will require shugenja to make a spellcasting roll, base TN 55, to restrain the spirit. Each participating shugenja may make one roll and only one roll. The TN is lowered by 5 for each Element represented among the spellcasting rolls being made. (IE, if we have all five Elements, the TN for each of the rolls becomes 30.) In theory, one shugenja could do this, but it would be hard.

Success will restrain the spirit.

Binding him will require the presence of a vessel or other object suitable to retain the spirit (this is fluffy; let the PCs have their head on this). As with the restraint, a number of shugenja not participating in the restraint will need to make spellcasting rolls, base TN 55, to force the spirit into the object. Again, each shugenja may make one and only one such roll. Again, the TN is lowered by 5 for each Element represented among the casting rolls, as well as by 1 for each successful Raise made on the binding roll. Again, in theory, one shugenja could do this, but it would be hard.

Success will bind the spirit in the object.

Failure to restrain or to bind the spirit means it will escape. It will attempt to possess one PC present, chosen randomly. This will be a Contested Willpower roll; add Honor to the result of the roll. If the spirit wins, it will be bad news for the character; if the character wins, the spirit will flee, presumably to possess someone else.

Bringing in Ancestral Swords will lower either the restraint or binding TN by 10 per sword. It will also make the Champion a possible host for the spirit.

Questions!

1. I assume the spellcasting rolls need to be done by someone normally able to cast spells of that element. Thus, no Void unless the Phoenix have an ishiken hiding in the couch cushions?
2. It seems narratively weird that Sadako wouldn't either be part of or observing something like this, but I don't want to assume NPC involvement, likewise Shintaro. Once communication is made/sent to them, should we count them in as casters or just observers?
3. Swords! Do they simply need to be present to have their affect, or actively in-hand/ready to wield symbolizing their threat?

[Shiba Ryusei]

Also!

We have at least two Shiba Bushi in the game.

Art IR 2, thy can monkey with spell TNs while declaring a stance.

Would this fly here?

[Cearnach]

1. Isawa Yoshio is an Ishi.
2. You can have NPC involvement. We anticipated that that might be necessary.
3. They'd need to be in hand, and I think both Itsuwari and Shukujo would require the actual Champion to be the one wielding them, though with different effects if mishandled.

Ryusei's question: Not sure on that one. Might need to wait for Fukurokujin in the morning.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

1. Isawa Yoshio is an Ishi.
2. You can have NPC involvement. We anticipated that that might be necessary.
3. They'd need to be in hand, and I think both Itsuwari and Shukujo would require the actual Champion to be the one wielding them, though with different effects if mishandled.

Ryusei's question: Not sure on that one. Might need to wait for Fukurokujin in the morning.

1. Cool! the completionist in me is pleased. I wasn't sure if the delegation fillers were fair game.
2. I'll definitely toss Shintaro a letter then.
3. I'll leave it to Sadako to decide if it's blasphemous for anyone else to wield the Hantei's blade. I think Kuichi is already looking to get Kaguya involved, because yeah, nobody else should handle Itsuwari.

[Jihen]

Not being that kind of magical person, I shall root you all on.

[Yasuki Masaki]

I've been awful busy, but I suppose Masaki could represent Air (at 7k4) or Water (at 5k3.. unless Friend of the Elements applies) if nobody else does.

Will try to get to this tomorrow during lunch if possible!

Also - just to be sure, this no longer requires spellcraft rolls, right? This means Neko-chan no longer helps if so, but Masaki will still have it around for luck XD

[Asahina Hoshiko]

I've been awful busy, but I suppose Masaki could represent Air (at 7k4) or Water (at 5k3.. unless Friend of the Elements applies) if nobody else does.

Will try to get to this tomorrow during lunch if possible!

Also - just to be sure, this no longer requires spellcraft rolls, right? This means Neko-chan no longer helps if so, but Masaki will still have it around for luck XD

New jobs eat your life a bit.

The two sections (Restraint and Binding) appear to need different shugenja on each section. So that would put you and Hoshiko on Air (most likely) with that 7k4 (8k5 with void) dice pool. One on restraint and one on binding. Have a preference?

Dragging Shintaro in almost certainly on Water for one section. Sadako likely Fire

Presumably Shiori on Earth and Sanjuro on Fire? Kuichi? NPC Ishiken for void on one (the one we don't focus the swords on)

That gives us 2 Air, 1 Earth, 2 Fire, 1 Water, 1 Void. (and one mystery Scorpion) One section would get the full 5 elements (push TN down to 30), the other would have 3 (TN down to 40)

Then swords. We have the agreement of Doji-sama bringing Shukujo. I think I saw Kaguya agreeing as well. Not yet approached: Sanae (whose blade would be with the Hantei's so I can ask Sadako about both swords, and someone can ask Sanae), Higashime. The two so far drops that TN 40 to TN 20.

***********************************
More questions for GMs:

Making sure I’m reading it right.

Restraining and Binding are separate sections that require their own set of shugenja for each. Calculate the TN, and then? Does each participant need to roll, or one rolls as the lead? (the ‘one could solo this but it would be hard’ is what makes me think the latter might fit)



Then there are the swords, which can affect restraining *or* binding. Is that either/or per sword, or all the swords available affect one part and not the other?

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Also!

OMG, thanks to all the folks who have pulled bits of research together to fill out the spiritual backdrop we're working with here. Even when it all boils down to, essentially, an event, it feels a lot more 'alive' to get to that via work and talking to folks.

And while I'm busy with work, I tend into my organizing mode...which is all this stuff here, vs. having the brain to rp as well. Feel free to poke me if I'm grabbing something you wanted to run with. My intention isn't to boss folks around with Hoshiko's Status 1.

[Agasha Yuna]

Togashi-ue offered to help. Yuna took care of inviting him. I believe he counts like a sword-wielder, from prior notes.

[Fukurokujin]

Also!

We have at least two Shiba Bushi in the game.

Art IR 2, thy can monkey with spell TNs while declaring a stance.

Would this fly here?

Not combat, so no Stance declarations apply.

[Fukurokujin]

More questions for GMs:

Making sure I’m reading it right.

Restraining and Binding are separate sections that require their own set of shugenja for each. Calculate the TN, and then? Does each participant need to roll, or one rolls as the lead? (the ‘one could solo this but it would be hard’ is what makes me think the latter might fit)



Then there are the swords, which can affect restraining *or* binding. Is that either/or per sword, or all the swords available affect one part and not the other?

Yes, different shugenja are needed; at least one to restrain, at least one to bind.

Each stage is rolled independently.

Each participant rolls. The idea is that one can carry it at great cost or many can lighten the load--but each must bear their part of it.

The swords each act individually. All can be on one, or the power can be split among them.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Togashi-ue offered to help. Yuna took care of inviting him. I believe he counts like a sword-wielder, from prior notes.

Counts in some fashion, at least. XD Because Togashi. Thanks!

And I'm relieved to hear the swords act independently. Was not confident of 5 rolls in a row hitting TN30 vs Sakkaku's trolling.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

from GM questions:

Ghosts appear to be more active at night. EN, perhaps?

Keep your EN free and plan to nap through EM.

From a 'sending out the batsignal' perspective of keeping track of who's run where with info.

viewtopic.php?p=17361#p17361: Letting Sadako know.
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=1071 And Minehime

Planning a letter to Shintaro tonight.

I have heard rumors of Scorpion, Dragon, and Phoenix Champions being informed. Feel free to fill in details here.

[Yogo Kiuchi]

from GM questions:

Ghosts appear to be more active at night. EN, perhaps?

Keep your EN free and plan to nap through EM.

From a 'sending out the batsignal' perspective of keeping track of who's run where with info.

viewtopic.php?p=17361#p17361: Letting Sadako know.
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=1071 And Minehime

Planning a letter to Shintaro tonight.

I have heard rumors of Scorpion, Dragon, and Phoenix Champions being informed. Feel free to fill in details here.

I informed the Scorp Champion and she stated she would help.

[Yogo Kiuchi]

That gives us 2 Air, 1 Earth, 2 Fire, 1 Water, 1 Void. (and one mystery Scorpion) One section would get the full 5 elements (push TN down to 30), the other would have 3 (TN down to 40)

Sorry. I missed this. Yogo School gives no Affinity bonus to elemental spells, but ward spells. So, Kiuchi can do Fire and Air equally well. Am trying to see if the GMs will allow Kiuchi to get the Yogo School Affinity with wards.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

That gives us 2 Air, 1 Earth, 2 Fire, 1 Water, 1 Void. (and one mystery Scorpion) One section would get the full 5 elements (push TN down to 30), the other would have 3 (TN down to 40)

Sorry. I missed this. Yogo School gives no Affinity bonus to elemental spells, but ward spells. So, Kiuchi can do Fire and Air equally well. Am trying to see if the GMs will allow Kiuchi to get the Yogo School Affinity with wards.

No worries, it was tucked into quite a flurry of PMs.

Letter to Shintaro is in my PF for GMs and includes an invite for Sanae. But if anyone wants to go to Sanae and convince her, they may.

Scheduled for D14 EN...um, someplace. We should decide that.

Object for binding: We have Shinnosuke's donation of a mask, unless there are other offers?

Restraining: 55 - 10 = 45
Air: Masaki or Hoshiko
Earth
Fire Kiuchi (or Sadako)
Water
Void

Binding: 55-25 = 30
Air: Masaki or Hoshiko
Earth: Shiori
Fire: Sanjuro?
Water: ? (perhaps Shintaro)
Void: Isawa Yoshio (Phoenix delegation NPC)

( If I'm mis-matching someone to their best ring, let me know. We could use someone else on Earth and Water. Also, I filled the binding portion vs. the restraining one based on a coin flip. If others feel differently, let me know! )

Swords as much as I currently know:
Scorpion (yes), Crane (yes), Phoenix (in progress), Lion (not sure...Sanae has options), Hantei (no, seems risky), Dragon Champion...I am confirming if he counts as a sword or something different. So somewhere between 20-50 points to spread on the two sections above.

Kiuchi is determining if Ward bonuses apply here.

I'll toss a GM question to see if we can pull NPCs with water/earth affinities (unless I've missed someone who's an active PC with those, which is entirely possible).