[D1, EE, EVENT] Meet the Daimyo: Crab

[Kaiu Masahiko]

Seated a little precariously on the seat provided by the Lion clan, the 6’2, 275 lb. Daimyo of the Kaiu family rests, his eyes half-lidded, as he looks down at an array of sinews and metal parts arranged carefully by type and size on the desktop in front of him.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

A slim Yasuki in a navy blue kimono with geometric patterns is first to arrive. Ryoichi bowed automatically, but then observing the Kaiu daimyo’s attention focused on the strange metal widgets, he maintained a polite distance until his presence was acknowledged.

[Kaiu Masahiko]

Masahiko looked up and favored Ryoichi with a nod.

"Ah...Yasuki...Shiozaki Ryoichi, yes? Kaiu Masahiko. Good to know you." He nodded generously in Ryoichi's direction. "Getting settled in?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi beamed and bowed deeply as the daimyo remembered his name. "That's right, Lord Kaiu," he said agreeably. "I've just arrived, but am settling in well. It seems so much busier here than court in Kyuden Hida... so many different clans and colors. But I'm sure I'll get used to it."

[Kaiu Masahiko]

Masahiko grinned. "Hai, you will. And you've got comrades that'll help you, which is always nice. Some of these folks don't always quite grasp the meaning of teamwork."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"Ahhh, I hope I won't be one of those people, tono," Ryoichi said, dipping his head respectfully. "My sensei always taught me that when fighting in formation, it's your duty to protect the warriors standing beside you."

[Hiruma Daichi]

The gunso was the next to arrive, dressed in a well-made kimono in a lighter shade of blue grey with black hakama. Bows were given to the other two present as befit their status. Though he stayed silent for the moment as the two seemed involved in conversation.

[Kaiu Masahiko]

Masahiko waved Daichi in. "Come on over, Hiruma-san. Have you met Shiozaki Ryoichi? He sounds like a good friend to have."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi bowed as he was introduced. "I'm honored to meet you, Tetsumura-gunso," he said. "Did you have a good journey?"

[Kuni Shiori]

The next Crab to appear would be a Kuni, dressed in a navy blue flora print furisode kimono with black hakama. Given the status of others in the room, she entered in with little fanfare but was sure to show her manners when she gave the appropriate bows, more so to the men of status. She spoke with an air of cool politeness. "Good evening, minisama, I hope everyone is well? This one is Kuni Shiori of House Kuroyama, pleased to make your acquaintance tonight. It has been a busy day getting settled in and I apologize if I might have appeared a bit informal today.

[Kaiu Masahiko]

"Nothing to be concerned about...today. Tomorrow, though, you'll want to spruce up a bit. Same goes for Lady Akodo's reception tonight, if you've a mind to go. Best foot forward, and all that."

The big man grinned. "Kaiu Masahiko. These are Shiozaki Ryoichi and Tetsumura Daichi. Be welcome, Kuroyama-san."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Not as of yet Lord Kaiu." He before nodding a greeting towards the yasuki. "A pleasure Shiozaki-san." The gunso offered in return before turning towards the Kunis woman."

"And a pleasure to meet you as well, Kuroyama-san."

[Kaiu Masahiko]

[In the interest of time, I will now post the actual Event. Crab characters who have not posted to this event yet may consider that they have arrived prior to this post]

Now that the delegation has assembled and introductions have been made, Lord Kaiu clears his throat.

“Right, now to business. You all have been chosen to represent the people of the Crab clan at the Imperial Winter Court. Now, in times past, the Delegation has sometimes been thought of as a punishment detail. I want you to put that out of your mind. This ain’t about directing the mucking out of Lord Hida’s stables or supervising latrine maintenance in Shiro Kuni. This is about making sure the Crab Clan has the support it needs, in rice-” he starts counting on his fingers, beginning with his thumb “-in jade, in lumber, in esteem, to survive. This is a task that’s gonna take all your ingenuity, your smarts, and your cunning. But most of all, it’s gonna require your team-work. Just like when we fight the Empress’ enemies, it is the unit that lacks an understanding of itself that fails.”

“Now, some of you I know, or at least know of, and some of you I don’t. To fix that, I’ve devised a little task. Other clans might fool around with little games they call icebreakers.” He gestures down at the parts assembled on the table. “We don’t have a lot of time for nonsense, so we’re gonna build one instead.” He looks around at each of you with a twinkle in his eye. “Welp, get to it.”

EVENT: Building the Icebreaker

You have been tasked with building Kaiu Masahiko’s ingenious icebreaking device. Like many of Lord Kaiu’s machines, it is designed to perform its task on its own through the steady release of tension from a mainspring. All of the parts are laid out, you just have to figure out how they fit together and then, you know, fit them together.

You must roll in either Step One or Two. You may roll in both. You must also roll in Step Three. Naturally, the PCs will be taking the lead, but that does not mean the other members of your delegation are idle. Refer to your delegation list. Each NPC member of your delegation can be called upon to contribute 1 Free Raise to one delegate’s roll, but can only be used once in this way during this event. If one player should use the services of an NPC, that NPC is not available for others.

Step One: Ideation
You know what the machine is meant to do, now you must determine how it works and the best way to put it together. Each success on a roll is 1 Icebreaker point. Every two successful raises is an additional point. Each failure subtracts a point from the total in the same proportions. You may contribute in the ideation phase in one of the following ways:

A TN 20 Engineering/Intelligence check to determine the design through careful reasoning based on the parts provided.

A TN 25 Lore: Heraldry/Awareness or Lore: Crab Clan/Awareness check to rely on your understanding of Kaiu Masahiko’s work to reproduce a design like he would.

A TN 30 Investigation/Perception check to try to catch how Kaiu Masahiko’s eyes and muscles react to how your companions are proceeding.

A TN 35 Temptation/Willpower roll to get Kaiu Masahiko to give you just one little hint!! One measly clue!!

Step Two: Construction
The plans are one thing, but actually building the thing is another. Devilishly detailed and intricate, with each little cog and spring acting on the others and strangely sharp edges, it will take a deft, sure, and steady hand to do this. Each success on a roll is 1 Icebreaker point. Every two successful raises is an additional point. Each failure subtracts a point from the total in the same proportions. You may contribute in the construction phase in one of the following ways:

A TN 20 Sleight-of-Hand/Agility check to safely manipulate the parts of the machine, which are sharp and devilishly intricate.

A TN 25 Spellcasting roll using the Fire ring to bind the fiddly components together in their proper places.

A TN 30 Athletics/Stamina check to safely and patiently wind the mainspring so that the device will operate.

A TN 35 Perform/Awareness check to encourage the team as they labor over the complicated and fiddly device.


Step Three: Teamwork
All one’s plans and work can come to nothing if one cannot work together with one’s comrades. In the Shadowlands, that can mean the end of your unit. Here at court, it could mean the end of the Crab clan. Each success on a roll is 1 Icebreaker point. Every two successful raises is an additional point. Each failure subtracts a point from the total in the same proportions. You must contribute in the Teamwork phase in one of the following ways:

A tn 20 Etiquette/Awareness check to contribute while letting other personalities take the lead.

A tn 25 Intimidation/Willpower check to bully your team into following your lead. Note: you must call an additional Raise to no effect in order to overcome the resentment your overbearing attitude might engender among your delegation. Should you fail this roll, your cachet with your fellow delegation members will be troubled. Good luck!

A tn 30 Courtier (Manipulation)/Awareness roll to subtly steer the team in the right direction.

A tn 35 Battle/Perception roll to understand your team members’ contributions and take command.

In order to succeed at the task, the delegation will need to produce 10 Icebreaker points from each step. If they are successful, the delegation will have developed the sense of cohesion that Kaiu Masahiko was hoping to instill. TNs to Concur with the position of another Crab delegate in court will be reduced by 5 for the first 3 days of court.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Yasuki Ryoichi really had no idea how this bizarre device worked, but it was clearly important to the Kaiu lord, so he gamely made an effort to assemble it.

The obvious expert on such matters, after Masahiko himself, was Kaiu Ko, and Ryoichi was glad for the artisan’s assistance in explaining how the fiddly parts fit together to make a larger whole.

The Yasuki’s slim fingers proved useful for fitting the tiny gears and springs together. “Ohh!” Ryoichi exclaimed as two tiny gears snapped together and began turning with a precise movement. “We’re like these gears! We need to work together to make something happen!”

The theme of the Kaiu lord’s lesson suddenly seemed crystal clear in his mind, and it gave Ryoichi the patience to hold down a spring mechanism with his cousin Kamatari and wait while the others fit more of the tiny pieces into place.

—
1EE Building the Icebreaker Step 1, Lore: Crab/Awareness, FR from Kaiu Ko to reduce TN, Void for skill, TN20 | 5k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 20) succeeds for 1 point
1EE Building the Icebreaker Step 2, Sleight of Hand/Agility unskilled, TN20 | 3k3 ⇒ 21 (TN: 20) succeeds for 1 point
1EE Building the Icebreaker Step 3, Etiquette/Awareness with 2 raises (1 called, 1 FR from Yasuki Kamatari) TN25 | 9k4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 25) succeeds for 2 points

[Yasuki Masaki]

Although her player had very busy days yesterday and tosay, Masaki did indeed arrive prior to Masahiko getting down to business, clad in a formal kimono mixing dark blue and grey, with a traditional koi fish pattern in a somewhat lighter shade of blue and a burgundy-like dark red.

Recognising the Kaiu daimyo, then the marks indicating a gunso, she bows low to both of them, and respectfully to the other Yasuki - who she will probably recognise as the one she'd exchanged letters with - and the Kuni.

"Good evening, everyone", she says in a contained, but friendly voice. "It's a great honour to meet Kaiu-dono, Hiruma-sama, and everyone else. I hope everyone had a safe journey".

(OOC: Just to assert that she's here for now!)

[Yasuki Masaki]

While talking to the others to decide on the best course of action, Masaki excuses herself for a moment, then bows to the Kaiu Daimyo again.

.

"Kaiu-dono, if you'll please excuse me, I'll take a moment to say some prayers and take some preparatory measures. I would have done some of this earlier, but thought best not to as we had our first moment at court with the Heavenly Empress just before this meeting."

She then starts preparing some prayers.

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1) Casting ML 3 Air spell prior to starting Crab Daimyo event - 7k4 TN 20 | 7k4 ⇒ 35 (TN: 20) - Air Kami's blessing: +4 to Awa rolls and TN to be Hit for this and the next 3 timeslots (8 hours duration)

2) Casting ML 2 Air spell prior to starting Crab Daimyo event - 7k4 TN 15 | 7k4 ⇒ 47 (TN: 15) - Benten's Touch: +1k1 +4 to Social rolls during this timeslot. (1 hour duration)

[Yasuki Masaki]

Having finished her own prayers - which those present may sense as if the air itself somehow made her words and gestures more expressive - she turns to Shiori and Daichi, nods. "Kuni-san, Hiruma-sama. If you'll allow me, I would like to say a prayer so that the kami may help us pull through this together"

If both agree, she will ask them to step closer, move her hand to lightly touch their arms, then quietly ask the air kami for their help again.

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Pimp my ride, er, team, part 1. ML 2 Air spell on Hiruma Daichi for Crab event | 7k4 ⇒ 37 (TN: 15);

Pimp my ride, er, team, part 2. ML 2 Air spell on Kuni Shiori for Crab event | 7k4 ⇒ 34 (TN: 15)

+1k1+4 on social rolls for 1 hour for both of them.

4/4 Air slots used for the day

[Kuni Shiori]

This icebreaking device was a rather curious thing, considering that the Crab lands were rather south of the Empire and enjoyed good weather. Of course, that might depend on some elevation and some particular seasons where the Crab lands might see a good amount of snow. Also, leave it to the Kaiu to constantly want to find ways to solve problems. She supposed it wasn't her role to question flaws or genius on the matter.

Despite her experience with working in the mines, she wasn't an engineer to any degree. She was able to lend her skills of observation while the Lord Kaiu was observing them. While she wasn't sure how confident the Kaiu was actually in them or if this was just busy work, Shiori was able to discern what sort of purpose and the general gist of what the machine was supposed to do. Putting it together was a whole different matter entirely and not something she was going to fathom, unfortunately. At the very least, she knew that when all of the cogs in a machine could work together, you just risked unfortunate disaster.

Shiori wasn't the brain or the muscle in the process but she was able to lead with a gentle hand on the matter, urging others to contribute their skills and efforts toward crafting this icebreaker. It was unlikely, perhaps save for Masahiko, that anyone could do this on their own but together, the Crab could surmount an unstoppable force! Much like a wall of sorts but a standing wall on its own was a silly idea without a purpose behind it.

Maybe another analogy was best for the team.

Rolls
Building the Icebreaker, step one, Investigation/Perception: Void for +1k1 | 7k4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 30)
1 Point Contributed to Step 1
Building the Icebreaker, step three, Etiquette/Awareness: Void for +1k1 with Benten's Touch +1k1+4, with Free raise from Hida Kyoji , 3 Raise called. | 8k5+4 ⇒ 44 (TN: 35)
3 Points Contributed to Step 3

[Yasuki Masaki]

Having spent some time with prayers to support the team - a form of teamwork all in itself, one might argue! - Masaki dedicated most of her attention to coordinating with the others so that, whatever work they did manage to do, they did without getting in one another's way. Paired with Shiori's own efforts in that regard, the result did seem to be quite effective! If teamwork and organisation was the lesson of the day, they were surely putting on a good display.

Sadly, that was not the only goal, and trying to understand exactly how an Icebreaker like the one Kaiu Masahiko wanted could be made took a lot more effort than organising the team. Masaki sat down with a veritable army to tackle the task - the bushi Hida Tadao, the influential courtier Yasuki Michiyo, and the three artisans Yasuki Ryosuke, Hida Yuzo and Hida Yoko. Together, they put their heads to the task of understanding how Masahiko would probably approach this. And they did get some ideas!

Sadly, that might not be enough for the whole process, and neither Masaki nor any of the others in her army had much experience or much of an idea of how to actually build the gadget they were thinking of...

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Step 1: D1 EE - Meet the Daimyo: Crab, Step 1. Lore: Crab/ Awareness vs base TN 25, VP for Skill. Hida Tadao's FR to reduce TN to 20. Yasuki Michiyo, Hida Yuzo, Hida Yoko, and Yasuki Ryosuke's FRs for extra points. Air Kami's Blessing grants a +4. | 5k4+4 ⇒ 36 (TN: 20)
1 point for passing +2 points from FRs;
Total: 3 points for Step 1

Step 3: D1 EE - Meet the Daimyo: Crab. Rolling Step 3 first: Etiquette/Awareness +4 from Air Kami's Blessing, + 1k1+4 from Benten's Touch. Base TN 20, 3 Raises called (effective TN 35), 1 FR from Hiruma Atsuko. | 8k5+8 ⇒ 58 (TN: 35)
1 point for passing, +2 points from called Raises and a free Raise;
Total: 3 points for step 3

[Hiruma Daichi]

Well, this was an interesting way to go about things. Daichi was sure the man had a goal in mind though one that would hopefully be achieved, and he did his best to make it come to fruition. Which was really all he could do, he could barely tell what this machine was for not to mention how it might go about putting it together.

I bet you could make a goblins head explode by just having it look at this thing.

That might be true, but the fact was of little use here. So Daichi just kept at it, stepping in to help where he could and doing his best to be a team player. That after all was the way to succeed.

Day 1 Meet the crab daimyo. Roll 1 Investigation/perception tn 30 1 Free raise from Kaiu Hideo to lower TN. Free raises from Hiruma Akio, and Hida Shigeki for effect. void for 1k1 reroll as i used the wrong pool | 6k4 ⇒ 46 (TN: 25)

2 Ice breaker points

Day 1 Meet the crab daimyo. Roll 2 construction raw agility vs tn 20 sleight of hand/agility | 3k3 ⇒ 26 (TN: 20)

1 Ice breaker point

Day 1 Meet the crab daimyo. Etiquette/awareness tn 20. 2 called raises tn 20. Bentens touch for 1k1+4 void for 1k1 8k5+4 | 8k5+4 ⇒ 43 (TN: 30)

2 Ice breaker points


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Ice breaker Totals.

Step 1: 7 points

Step 2: 2 Points

Step 3: 10 Points