(D11 EN-expecting) How to Build a Better Ghosttrap

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko nods, and takes in the swirling conversation. "If we involve other elements, it definitely becomes a ritual, rather than a prayer." At least she knows of no prayers that call upon multiple elements, even if the fanciful names given to them evoke the idea. "But using earth in the binding adds permanence, no? Though it seems like we might prefer something without a lid to accidentally open. The symbolism of opening might weaken containment, even if the idea of a 'box' to hold a spirit is more metaphor than reality." She speaks from her own familiarity with binding spirits to objects, though usually those are intended to be temporary.

She glances to Kuichi. "Presumably if other elements are called upon, we may play to our strengths? The Asahina are not known for their skill with fire, which may have a purifying effect."

"Do we expect to have time to question the spirit as to its needs? My experience with it was of malevolence and arrogance. It may be that this hides an unmet need, but I think we need to be prepared to bind it in some way.

Masaki's words draw her attention as well. "Then we have other confirmation of a plague drawing near? Prediction is always tricky, but having some idea of where to focus." She thinks of their coasts and of the not so distant past. "I suppose knowing if that overgrown shore is about where it's coming from or where it's arriving might help with focus."

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna's eyes widened at the description of the plague coming from the sea.

"Oh no! That sounds terribly serious. And I agree ... that's not related to the Tenjin story beyond the potential hope in it that the plague can be prevented or cured by addressing a wrong that needs righting."

"It sounds like there is a fundamental problem of balance, of some wrong or a series of wrongs, and it's starting to manifest in every element. The earthquake is the earth. The plague is from the water. We may not yet know what is awry in the sky. Though ... history suggests we might be on the alert for lightning strikes, falling meteors, something like that. And fire ... a terrible thought here. Perhaps a reason to increase the guard at both the library and the granary."

"And maybe the malevolent spirit has some role in the cause of it. Or is just one more problem."

"I do hope there is something we can do! Something to stop these imbalances from getting worse or manifesting at all."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko listens to Yuna's summation. "We did have that great spirit wind howling through the place the other day. As for fire...well, I'm not from around here, but I sort of expected snow for the winter. Is it usually this warm here?"

"But yes, it sounds like there are a few spiritual problems running in tandem. This greater imbalance, the 'crumbling foundations' Kuni-san mentioned. Of which we see various manifestations. The spirit may be connected, or the imbalance may have let it through more readily."

"Ok then...Questions for the air? What do they know of the spirit calling itself Ningi? What do they know of this imbalance?

For the Earth. Do you think a different questioner would get a different angle on this crumbling foundation question? They also have the long memory to perhaps answer what they think we can do to remedy it.

For the Water. What might we do to prevent this plague? Though that may just be...nothing. Can it show us what might remedy this imbalance."

There are a few moments pause before the Asahina says, "Oh, right...does anyone have ideas about what we might ask the fire kami?"

[Kuni Shiori]

Shiori took a few internal notes regarding what things could be looked at or questioned. This was likely going to make future Shiori quite busy later. "I had the idea of seeing if Moshi Akane could potentially help...although I know that the Moshi's preferences in kami might be a bit tricky to associate them directly with the element of Fire."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

(going to toss in this Commune before heading to bed. We have permission for them, but be very careful tracking 'yesterday's' Void and these should probably be gotten in over the course of this RL day to avoid bumping into the next dayflip. Hitting Air.)

D11 EN (casting in previous day with permission): Commune with Air, 1 raise for clarity | 6k3 ⇒ 30 (TN: 15)

Hoshiko sets out the incense beneath a swag of dangling ribbons and origami birds at the end of ribbons, designed for the delight of air spirits. She remains standing as she reads the prayer from her scroll, to be farther from the earth, head up in the breezes.

She asks the spirits that respond to her call. "What do you know of the spirit that has been around the court recently, calling itself Hantei Ningi? "

"Both earth and air have been noticeably upset in recent weeks. What do you know of the source of that disturbance?"

[Agasha Yuna]

There are a few moments pause before the Asahina says, "Oh, right...does anyone have ideas about what we might ask the fire kami?"

Yuna considered that. "Isn't fire particularly associated with insight and wisdom - the spark of insight? Fire might be particularly helpful to ask is fire feeling disturbed, and does fire know what's going on with the other elements, what is the cause, what is the solution."

[Fukurokujin]

(going to toss in this Commune before heading to bed. We have permission for them, but be very careful tracking 'yesterday's' Void and these should probably be gotten in over the course of this RL day to avoid bumping into the next dayflip. Hitting Air.)

D11 EN (casting in previous day with permission): Commune with Air, 1 raise for clarity | 6k3 ⇒ 30 (TN: 15)

Hoshiko sets out the incense beneath a swag of dangling ribbons and origami birds at the end of ribbons, designed for the delight of air spirits. She remains standing as she reads the prayer from her scroll, to be farther from the earth, head up in the breezes.

She asks the spirits that respond to her call. "What do you know of the spirit that has been around the court recently, calling itself Hantei Ningi? "

"Both earth and air have been noticeably upset in recent weeks. What do you know of the source of that disturbance?"

There is a whisper in her right ear.

"That is its name."

[Cearnach]

And in her left

"From desire, through dreams, he comes to the land he made his own."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

Yuna considered that. "Isn't fire particularly associated with insight and wisdom - the spark of insight? Fire might be particularly helpful to ask is fire feeling disturbed, and does fire know what's going on with the other elements, what is the cause, what is the solution."

"Good idea. I could do that if no one minds. I have a little bit of talent with the Fire kami."

[Agasha Yuna]

She watched Asahina-san closely, curious to hear her report.

"Good idea. I could do that if no one minds. I have a little bit of talent with the Fire kami."

A nod to Yogo-san. "That would be very helpful."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

After thanking the swirling spirits of air, Hoshiko nods agreement with Yuna and adds. "As far as the air can tell, the spirit is truthful about its name, and comes from desire through dream, which matches what the spirits of Meido said about spirits finding their way here through Yume-do. Desire seems to confirm a hungry ghost, though it's still uncertain what drew it here."

(ooc, quick dip in for lunch. Feel free to talk around me)

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna thought back on all she knew about Hantei Ningi. "I know he is the Emperor who claimed all the land in Rokugan belonged to the Emperor. I should research what it was like under Hantei, and Hantei Genji. But that was a change he made. There is a greed or hunger in that. Claiming all of it. Perhaps that lingered beyond death?"

"Maybe ... I'm just guessing here ... but maybe that's the thing that went out of balance. Maybe the heirs of Hantei need to collectively pledge that all the land in Rokugan belongs to Heaven."

[Kuni Shiori]

"That is more or less what I also guess was the reasoning behind the spirit's manifestation. It was something of a perfect storm where it found the right opportunity to surface. A time of uncertainty with a power vacuum left behind by the tragic pass of the Empress, as well as many Winds attempting to court their rightful claim to the Throne. It might have been enough to unlodge the fabric of the realms for a hungry spirit to appear."

She sighed softly and closed her eyes as a terrible thought crossed her mind. "Perhaps we should be so thankful that it was only been one hungry ghost for now, rather than many. This in itself might be a harbinger for more to come if left unattended. It feels so very malignant."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki kept following the conversation with her eyes . It seemed that they were in fact dealing with the spirit of a former Emperor? And a hungry and malicious spirit at that? That was... difficult, to say the least.

Whether or not there was a connection between that and the plague was still unresolved, though. As well as 'what' they could do about the plague - beyond the research that was already ongoing...

Hoshiko focused on Air, and it seemed that Shiori and Kiuchi would probably be the best ones to focus on Earth and Fire. So, for now, she asked Hoshiko if a bowl filled with water could be provided. When it was, her fingertips touched the water, and she said a quiet prayer...

-------
D11 EN - Rolling previous day with permission. Commune with Water, 2 Raises for clarity | 5k3 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)

Questions:
"How is the plague that looms in the future of the Empire connected to the spirit of Hantei Ningi?"

"How can this plague be avoided, or its effect lessened as much as possible?"

[Fukurokujin]

Masaki kept following the conversation with her eyes . It seemed that they were in fact dealing with the spirit of a former Emperor? And a hungry and malicious spirit at that? That was... difficult, to say the least.

Whether or not there was a connection between that and the plague was still unresolved, though. As well as 'what' they could do about the plague - beyond the research that was already ongoing...

Hoshiko focused on Air, and it seemed that Shiori and Kiuchi would probably be the best ones to focus on Earth and Fire. So, for now, she asked Hoshiko if a bowl filled with water could be provided. When it was, her fingertips touched the water, and she said a quiet prayer...

-------
D11 EN - Rolling previous day with permission. Commune with Water, 2 Raises for clarity | 5k3 ⇒ 32 (TN: 20)

Questions:
"How is the plague that looms in the future of the Empire connected to the spirit of Hantei Ningi?"

"How can this plague be avoided, or its effect lessened as much as possible?"

The water ripples, and it shows the image of a door opening.

It ripples again, and there is a strange image that takes time to resolve. It appears to be many different animals dancing together in a bamboo grove with flowers blooming, under a crescent moon.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Yuna thought back on all she knew about Hantei Ningi. "I know he is the Emperor who claimed all the land in Rokugan belonged to the Emperor. I should research what it was like under Hantei, and Hantei Genji. But that was a change he made. There is a greed or hunger in that. Claiming all of it. Perhaps that lingered beyond death?"

"Maybe ... I'm just guessing here ... but maybe that's the thing that went out of balance. Maybe the heirs of Hantei need to collectively pledge that all the land in Rokugan belongs to Heaven."

"Hmm, that would mean it's this ambition to claim and hold the Empire that calls him? That *does* seem more likely than a hunger for rituals, given what we know of him." She nods, eyes widening. "That's a hard thing to ask of the ambitious, but it sounds right? It fits? If the emperor is the utter ruler of everything, then what was done to Tenjin or Kaze was correct and should not have required apology. But if the emperor is meant to hold the Empire and keep it well, then those things were affronts that weigh against him. I think?" There's a sense of pulling the puzzle together as she speaks. It doesn't seem entirely right or complete, but a theological treatise probably needed more than a few moments to develop.

At Shiori's mention of multiple ghosts, she laughs. "Trust that I'm always thankful there are not multiple hungry ghosts about!"

[Yogo Kiuchi]

When it is his turn, Kiuchi communes with the fire kami.

OOC: Following Quotes are from my PF since I didn't know if we had blanket approval form Commune spells or if I had to get it individually. My post was edited to remove all OOC posting.
 

Kiuchi burns a slip of paper Yogos carry for their wards and asks his questions.

"Are you upset like the other Elemental kami?"

"What has caused such displeasure?"

(If fire is also upset) "How can appease you"?

(If fire is not upset) "How can we appease them?"

Commune Fire/Friendly Kami/VOID
2 Raises (1 for Extra question/1 Clarity) | 7k5 ⇒ 41 (TN: 20)

As the fire consumes the paper, the flames whisper of their rage, saying something returns that should stay away and demanding that it be made to go away again.

[Fukurokujin]

GM Note
Closing rolling for this thread at this point. Anything already accomplished is still okay, including the stuff in your PFs.

[Agasha Yuna]

"Curious. It matches our expectation that fire is upset also, though we might have wished it otherwise. But ... what is coming? An event like an earthquake? Is something coming separate from the gaki that requires a different solution?"

"And... how will we know how to make this new thing go away?"

"Perhaps all aspects will attract disturbance and attack until a new Emperor is named? I had the thought to suggest that the court declare the lands belong to Heaven and are under Heaven's care until a new Emperor is named who might take over the care taking role. To settle the lands so there is not a sense that they are ... vacant or un-owned temporarily. But is that beyond the power of the court? Inappropriate to suggest?"

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"I think it relies on who the next Emperor will be on whether such an action would be inappropriate." Kiuchi thinks. "Maybe an acknowledgement that the lands are the next Emperor's even if the Heavens have not yet informed us?" Kiuchi still had his doubts that it would be much better, but sort of meeting was to refine such ideas.