[D9, MA, Event] A Helping Hand, Part 2

[Cearnach]

This event is limited to those who participated in A Helping Hand, part 1

A small crowd has begun to gather around the Rostrum. The great and the good are waiting to hear the first speeches of the students of the Open Hand Dojo from the very spot where Akodo met Ikoma all those years ago. Lined up under the watchful eyes of their sensei, the 10-year-olds look about, trying to catch sight of parents or relatives in the crowd. Others stare at the haggard posture of Lord Ikoma as he sits in the front row, surrounded by a protective cordon of staff. Other figures in the crowd include Akodo Sanae, Doji Minehime, Doji Noriko, Hida Kozume, Ikoma Ryota, Kaiu Masahiko, Miya Hachi, Heichi Batsuda, Kasuga Izumi, Moshi Akane, Seppun Sadako, and Suzume Ryobu.

At long last, the speeches are to be made! The students are nervous, but eager and confident of success because of your help yesterday. This Event consists of you using the character of the Ikoma child you tutored in part 1, narrating their approach to the Rostrum and the speech they give. You should be very specific as to the content and wording of your speech.

Mechanically, the child need only make 1 roll, a Perform: Oratory/Awareness roll of TN 15, to be successful for your purposes. The child rolls a 5k3. You may spend the Free Raises you generated in part and up to 2 called raises to do the following:

* You may lower the TN of the roll.
* You may add +1k0 to the roll.
* You may spend 5 raises to ensure that the message you embedded in the speech in section 3 of part 1 is understood by the NPCs assembled.
* You may spend 3 raises to have the child trigger the Rank 1 Ikoma glory-generating technique for a target of your choice (this target must be mentioned--or strongly implied--in the speech itself).

[Asahina Minase]

Minase felt obliged to not only turn up and watch but give the . . . taller than her 'little' Ikoma some encouragement before her big moment.

"Asahina-sama!!! I am so ready for this. I could have talked all night I was so pumped after yesterday."

Minase smiled up at the over-enthusiastic Lion as politely as she dared.

"Now just remember your poise and delivery and with a little bit of luck all the words will just flow out."

"Just you wait, Asahina-sama. This will be the best I've ever done. Just you wait!"

Dreading the performance that was about to begin, Minase gave a few last words of encouragement.

"Well, show me."

With that Erizako marched off to the podium and delivered her rousing speech on the virtues and strength of the Matsu with gusto. Minase only slightly flinched as the gangly Ikoma re-told the tale of the 'beating to death of an unfortunate Kakita with nothing more than an umbrella' and managed to keep a serene expression despite the content. It was an all smiles Erizako that returned to bow politely to Minase after receiving the praise of her actual Sensei. Minase looked up once more, hopefully for the last time, and added her own choice words.

"You did it. I hope you continue to embody the spirit of the Lion, Ikoma-san."

And then Erizako returned to the ranks of her fellow students with Minase wondering just where she'd let this opportunity slip now it was over.

Oh well, can't be helped. I wonder if I'll ever meet her again . . . I've become accustomed to her face . . .


--
D9 MA Helping Hand Part Two aka My Fair Ikoma Part Two . . . 10 year old Ikoma Erizako's moment to shine! 0 FR carried forward from Part One because Kitteh couldn't pass anything! | 5k3 ⇒ 26 (TN: 15)

Woo!! Erizako aces her test! No mechanical benefits though just bask in the glory of not being kicked out of your school, Erizako.

[Jihen]

The young woman that had worked with Jihen the day before nervously walked up to her spot to share her speech. Jihen offered a supportive smile and nod to reassure the girl, who then went into her speech with surprising clarity for a child.

"Honored elders and noble listeners, allow me to share with you a tale from the reign of Emperor Kusada, a tale of both reverence and regret. In the year 428, The Emperor sought to honor the sacred places of Rokugan, dedicating his efforts to building temples where miracles once touched our land. His devotion gave rise to over two dozen sanctuaries, each a testament to the harmony of spirit and strength of the Empire.

There were, however, those among the empire who treated these temples with scorn and shame. They ignored the spiritual guides the Empire has always depended on. Their dignity, and by extension the dignity of all who revere the path of the fortunes and harmony, was trampled upon. Evil men sought to persecute those who had helped bring greater peace throughout the land and their actions cut deeper than they realized. They feared the messages that the world was sending to them through earthquake and calamity... and attempted to change the histories to distract from the signs the heavens had sent for the people warning of this evil. And when there were those who would speak to this impending danger... the devils had many of these humble followers of the Fortunes and Temples executed.

But this moment of cruelty proved to be the beginning of the end for these plotting deviants. For the people of Rokugan — samurai and peasant alike — saw this action not as strength, but as a fracture in the moral foundation of the Empire. No Empire can stand tall while casting aside its spiritual roots.

Let this story remind us: when we fail to act in the way of reverence and unity, the road ahead becomes treacherous, filled with calamity and discord. The Empire flourishes only when honor and proper protocol guide our steps. Thank you for letting me share this piece of history — may its lessons light our way."



-----

D9 Helping Hand, 5 FR for Secret Message, 3 FR for Glory to Jihen (Monks), 2 FR for TN -10 | 5k3 ⇒ 15 (TN: 5)


OOC: Ikoma trait to targeting monks; of which one is Jihen...

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna smiled at her little Lion student, Emiko-chan. She'd coached her and she wanted her to succeed. She could remember being ten and having a big school assignment.

While she'd suggested an idea the girl might share, she hadn't pushed. The important thing was that the little girl did well. That was what mattered most.


Emiko took her place in front of the group. Calm and ready. Well-prepared.

"The Ikoma Library is located at Kyuden Ikoma, Here. The Library is within a temple to Tenjin, the Fortune of Literature, Writing, and Scribes. The librarians are monks of Tenjin. The libraries were founded when Ikoma Noritobe wrote “The Prince of Heaven” for Emperor Hantei Genji. The Ikoma family, today led by Ikoma Ryota-sama, has the honor of continuing to record the deeds of the Empire, and to preserve all the historical records."

"The library is carefully organized so relevant records can be retrieved when a library visitor has a research question."

"History and truth are the provinces of the Ikoma! Every scroll and paper must be perfect and accurate and true. The Ikoma libraries are the standard to compare any other record on the Empire. A copy of each of the four treatises on warfare: Akodo's Leadership, Kakita's The Sword, Mirumoto's Niten and Bayushi Tangen's Lies are kept by the Ikoma. And the set of materials Akodo the kami believed beneficial for everyone to know."

"Each time I visit the library, I learn something new. That makes me a better student, and a better friend and ally, because I can find information that other people need, too. And I always say my prayers and make my offering to Tenjin before I read because it is a temple."

"And I …"

(This was the moment to share the original idea about the library that Yuna had suggested to her, but the young girl got equal parts nervous and calculating. Was original thinking actually important to the Lion, or was that just Dragon talk from the well-meaning kind lady assigned to help her? Yuna hadn’t pushed her. The most important thing to Yuna was that the girl simply succeed.)

"…I think we are very glad to have Ikoma Ryota-sama helping to make sure the library is here to record and preserve the history of this most historic moment! This winter court will be read about for many years to come."


https://sakkaku.org/r/16455 Emiko has 23 vs TN15. Success! And she uses her 3 free raises from Yuna to give Ikoma Ryota a glory boost. Perhaps she could hear Yuna's admiration of him, as they spoke.

Yuna's hidden message is not conveyed.

[Shiba Ryusei]

Little Nobuko strode out, prepared to deliver a speech on Akodo's defense of Matsu, and how he became Akodo One-Eye.

Ryusei had helped her as best he could, so to say he was utterly gobsmacked when the little Ikoma began a fiery, impassioned speech.

It won her a fair few approving nods, a solid choice of a seminal tale of the Lion, honoring both Akodo and Matsu, delivered exceptionally well.

It just didn't do Ryusei any good.
--
Little Nobuko makes a speech, TN 15 | 5k3 ⇒ 34 (TN: 15)

Okay then. Since Ryusei scored no free raises, the hard cap of 2 kept me from trying anything interesting, so of course the little jerk rolls two explosions.

[Kitsu Sayomi]

The young Ikoma, who had decided his future name would be Ikoma Genji, walked up to the podium to deliver his speech. He swallowed dryly, feeling nervous with such an important audience, but he knew that it was the content of the speech that would carry him through the day. He hadn't thought of the topic at all if it hadn't been for the helpful Kitsu woman.

He began the tale of how humanity and specific humans knelt to Hantei himself, and agreed to join the Empire he would create with his divine siblings. Throughout the speech, he stressed the importance of Hantei's honorable behaviour and virtue that was above question, and how that carried on to his son Hantei Genji.

At the core of his words, the importance of a leader's character was the message. The Empire and its people were reflected by its ruler, and so to have good morality, nobility, and virtue, and to not stoop to cruelty or pettines, ensured a more prosperous and stronger Empire, as intended by its founder.

"... and inspired by their virtue and actions, I aspire to live up to their examples and choose the name Genji for myself when I am an adult. For we must always continue to bring glory to those who came before."

-----

D9 MA EVENT. Perform: Oratory for Ikoma Future-Genji. 2 FR lowers TN to 5. 3FR and 2CR to ensure message is understood by NPCs assembled | 5k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: 15)
The message is clear: a ruler must be of high virtue, nobility, and upstanding morals. Not petty or cruel. Follow the example of the first two Hantei.

[Isawa Shingo]

Isawa Shingo dressed as regally for the students' speeches as he did for court, trying to project an encouraging confidence not only for little Ikoma Yuriko, but all the kids who were facing an extra-intimidating audience.

Before the speeches began,, he spoke briefly with his youthful counterpart, smiling warmly and trying very hard to keep his own anxiety far from the child 's notice.

"I'm ready, Isawa Shingo-sama," Yuriko said brightly, voice adamant. "I practiced more, and I thought about what you said, you know, about how our remembrances can also send a message that matters right now - oh, Isawa Shingo-sama, I've got it, I just know it!" With the extra vigor of youth, the little Ikoma practically bounced as she spoke to the shugenja, and he felt the positive energy from her settle his nerves. He grinned, offered some more encouraging words and nods of his head, and then went to sit and wait patiently for Yuriko's.

He didn't have to wait too long, as Yuriko's turn came about 10 speakers in. Smiling broadly, though he could feel butterflies cavorting in his stomach, Shingo watched as...

The girl froze. No sound, no movement at all, just mouth slightly agape as she tried to find the speech that she had memorized somewhere in her head. The silence was deafening - painful to Shingo and Yuriko if not others - but finally he caught her eye and, head nodding emphatically as he willed words to come out of her mouth, the girl started to speak.

It was not the speech they had written and practiced, and definitely not the speech that was supposed to project glory... There was a noble Lion ancestor, a dutiful grandfather watching over his dock of descendants long after others would have retired, and some reference to what the world needs now, of which there is just too little, but the parts really didn't come together at any point.

When Yuriko finished, it almost seemed like her deep bow would take her all the way to the ground. She finally drew herself up, and was seated back behind her classmates faster than if a gaki were chasing her. Shingo could see her terrified, bloodless face, and he sat similarly, silent and motionless but agonizing, as the other students took their turns.

-------
Such a nice try, but really not good. Shingo is despondent.

[Yasuki Masaki]

Kotaro-chan had been really fired up about this speech since the day before. He'd even seen Masaki around the castle in the morning and came to her to thank her again and show her his slightly changed notes.

The cautionary tale of the Mongoose clan was still there, of course. As were some points about a 'struggle for existence' and the 'glory of the strongest' in the relationships between Families that would make readers from other worlds far away very, very uncomfortable with their tone were they to read it.

So when she came to watch the young'uns speeches, she did so mostly out of worry for the boy, expecting the worst to happen.

Somehow, it didn't.

The Mongoose and their fall from grace when their orders to watch the Snake clan instead turned into conspiring with them were told in a way that could reasonably be understood as an allegory rather than factual history, leading the sensei to nod in acknowledgement rather than the eyerolling Masaki had expected.

The message of collaboration between families she had originally hoped for was completely lost on the boy, of course - he still very much pitched each family's efforts as a competition. But, somehow - and thankfully - he shed the 'struggle for existence' and managed to make that competition healthier. More specifically, Kotaro-chan underscored the all-important role of the Ikoma, and particularly of one "Ikoma Ryotaro", who recognised the threat the Mongoose had become early on and guided his people bravely and wisely to defeat them.

Given the audience, the spin the boy put on the final version of the speech was deemed a success - a tribute to the family's head, particularly under the current circumstances, was very well received.

It wasn't exactly what Masaki had in mind, but she sighed in relief as she joined the crowd in applauding young Kotaro's effort.

-------------------------------------------
D9 MA - A Helping Hand Part 2. Kotaro-tan gives his speech! 3 FR to grant glory to... I'll say Ikoma Ryota :p | 5k3 ⇒ 33 (TN: 15)
Success! 3 Raises to activate Kotaro's Rank 1 Ikoma Bard technique.
I think that's +0.1 glory to Ikoma Ryota?...

[Asako Kenichi]

Ikoma Jiro smiled at his father first and foremost, before stepping up. Ikoma Ryota was tired, but surely he would appreciate this speech.

...and thus, in displaying the virtues of Duty and Compassion, a responsible Lord must display grace and care for all their subjects, no matter their own feelings."

Ooc:
D9 helping hand 2, lowering tn to 5 with 2 cr | 5k3 ⇒ 35 (TN: 5)
2 fr used to lower tn

3 fr used on herad of glory on Kenichi

5 fr used to spread the mesage: lords have an obligation to care for their vassals.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Ikoma Gen is confident! She got some coaching yesterday that seemed very expert, and Doji-ojisan says that after the speeches are over, she can take Haku for a walk around the castle grounds with her friends, so today is looking pretty good.

Gen's speech, delivered with charming enthusiasm and many dramatic gestures (scaled appropriately for a child), tells the story of the beautiful and wise Lady Doji, sister of Lord Akodo and Emperor Hantei, and how a mortal man fell in love with her and won her love through several quests for knowledge. Gen narrates the quests with particular energy and makes sure to mention Lord Ikoma's witty commentary on each one. In the end, even though the gentleman is mortal and the lady divine, he wins her love and she agrees to marry him. Whether they carry on the mother's name or the father's, their beautiful children all share part of their mother's divinity.

When Gen had asked Shinnosuke "What did Doji-no-kami look like?" he had done his best to describe the classic, serene and gentle model of Crane feminine elegance. "Think of Doji Minehime-sama, except, er, without the white hair or the sword calluses," he'd suggested. "Or Doji Noriko-sama. Like that, but even more like that."

Gen's juvenile powers of poetic imagery are thus steered, perhaps a bit more than Shinnosuke had even intended, by the fact that Doji Noriko happens to be in a prominently visible position in the audience while Gen is waiting to take to the rostrum for her speech. Her description of the beautiful Kami Doji ends up sounding an awful lot like the living descendant of Doji and Hantei in attendance.

--
Four Free Raises were added in Part 1.
D9 MA--Roll for baby Ikoma, who has 4 FR. Use 1 to lower TN, 3 for Glory effect. | 5k3+5 ⇒ 38 (TN: 15)
Success!
No secret message.
Baby Ikoma glory to Doji Noriko.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko nodded to a very composed Ikoma Minoru, who held secret their chosen name to come, lest it jinx today's test.

All huge eyes, and a voice that quivered a bit to begin, they stood before more ranks of status than they might see in the entire rest of their life and spoke clearly of the Empire's history. It was not the bravery or knowledge of arms that the Kami brought to the tribes of Rokugan when they fell that made the Empire what it was. Those were important, but already abundant among the human tribes. They may have taken more time to develop the fine katana Kakita forged, but they had blades and would have improved them.

It was the deeper knowledge of the workings of the realms and particularly the Celestial heavens that allowed the Empire to live in spiritual harmony as mortal creatures with eternal souls, between mortal earth and eternal heavens. Those early days of the Empire were adequately portrayed in Minoru's speech, stirring hearts and perhaps making a few minds more thoughtful.

*********************
D9: MA A Helping Hand, Part 2. Baby Ikoma has 5 FR from part one to use on getting a hidden message across. | 5k3 ⇒ 15 (TN: 15)
5 carried over FR to allow the message to come through
The Empire needs a priority on its spirit going forward. Look for those who best exemplify Courage tempered with Compassion, Honesty in service to Duty, Loyalty to those both above and below them, and an enduring Righteousness pleasing to the Heavens.

[Kuni Shiori]

Kuni Shiori stood on the sidelines when it was time for Ikoma Ichiro to deliver his speech before the small gathering. He was obviously nervous but she would give him sound nods as silent signs of encouragement. Younglings were full of potential and possibilities, often an opportunity like this would right their path for years to come, much like a pebble dropped in a pond and making perfect ripples in its wake. At least, that is the Kuni's hope. She didn't think that this would be an Empire shaking moment, that was left for insidious and external sources beyond their control unfortunately.

Ikoma Ichiro would deliver a speech that spoke of the selflessness and bravery found in each samurai, especially when put against such impossible odds. Nobody should ever lose hope in what they do, to believe in yourself and your peers around you. Of course, it doesn't help to accept some help along the way. Samurai can achieve great things with some unexpected allies from time to time. Thankfully, he left out the bit about nezumi or anamorphic dog creatures so that it kept the inspiring message universal for inspiration.

Roll
Day 9 - Mid Afternoon, A Helping Hand, Part 2: 5k3 with 4 FR from the previous event and 1 CR for this event for the Hidden Message (final TN20) | 5k3 ⇒ 25 (TN: 20)

[Cearnach]

Results
+1 Glory to Jihen
+1 Glory to Asako Kenichi
+1 Glory to Doji Noriko
+2 Glory to Ikoma Ryota

Messages:
The Empire needs a ruler of high virtue, nobility, and upstanding morals, without pettiness or cruelty

The Empire needs a priority on its spirit going forward. Look for those who best exemplify Courage tempered with Compassion, Honesty in service to Duty, Loyalty to those both above and below them, and an enduring Righteousness pleasing to the Heavens.

The selflessness and bravery found in each samurai, especially when put against such impossible odds. Nobody should ever lose hope in what they do, to believe in yourself and your peers around you. Of course, it doesn't help to accept some help along the way. Samurai can achieve great things with some unexpected allies from time to time.