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

[Asahina Hoshiko]

There's a small flurry of activity in the common room this night. Two small tables have been set up, side by side, in the expectation that one might not be enough for a gathering meant to share information and design plans. There were probably a number of scrolls to unfurl, and notes to write. To that end, writing equipment is waiting, there's an extra lantern or two for light, and the kitchen has been raided (asked) for small snacks and hot, dark black tea.

Hoshiko will greet her guests promptly as they arrive and offer introductions where desired.

[Yasuki Masaki]

A Yasuki is the first one to show at the door, bowing respectfully to the servants.

"Good evening, minasan.", she'll say in a relatively soft tone, given the time. Although dealings with the Crane had not been few, this was the first time she'd actually stepped into the Crane House, so her eyes can't avoid shifting around curiously for a moment. "This one is Yasuki no Kawagoi Masaki - I believe Asahina Hoshiko-san will be expecting me?"

[Kuni Shiori]

Very much a supporting kinswoman, Shiori would follow behind Masaki's arrival so that they could enter together. Admittedly, it wasn't her first visit to the Crane estates even today. She wasn't going to complain, considering it wasn't even a trek to visit a neighbour and the tea was pleasant. It was just unfortunate that this wasn't going to be that book club gathering she had been wishing in her head.

[Agasha Yuna]

Agasha Yuna arrived and gave a deep bow.

"Thank you for the invitation." She had with her some books and scrolls. And a small parcel that she offered to the host.

She had met everyone so far, at least in brief conversation at earlier events.

Still, she politely introduced herself. "Agasha-ke no kashin Ageki Yuna, at your service."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

In time, the Yogo arrive. After being let in and joining the group, he made his introductions. "I am Yogo Kiuchi, of House Itoh. It is honor to join you tonight."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"Thank you for the invitation." She had with her some books and scrolls. And a small parcel that she offered to the host.

Hoshiko greets everyone, and shakes her head at the parcel. "Oh. Unless that's snacks to set out, well...this is a working tea, sort of. No need for gifts."

(and, working along around the refusals or offering of snacks so I don't stall us out)

"I haven't heard of any new spiritual activity at least." Surely that was good. "I hoped we could pool our information about this spirit and have something to present to the Seppun that sounded like a course of action."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"Thank you for the invitation." She had with her some books and scrolls. And a small parcel that she offered to the host.

Hoshiko greets everyone, and shakes her head at the parcel. "Oh. Unless that's snacks to set out, well...this is a working tea, sort of. No need for gifts."

Kiuchi, not having thought of bringing a gift, was pleased to hear this.

[Agasha Yuna]

Hoshiko greets everyone, and shakes her head at the parcel. "Oh. Unless that's snacks to set out, well...this is a working tea, sort of. No need for gifts."
...

"I haven't heard of any new spiritual activity at least." Surely that was good. "I hoped we could pool our information about this spirit and have something to present to the Seppun that sounded like a course of action."

It was indeed a box of ichigo daifuku mochi (strawberry wrapped in red bean paste and covered in soft, chewy mochi), which she set out for the group to share.
https://ibb.co/s9GQtt6r

"Please, help yourself."

"It's a good idea to put together what we know. There seems to a force of some kind that is angry and needs something set right. Perhaps apology and offering."

"I started with the assumption that it is a Fortune. The earthquake suggests earth kami or Kyufoki, Fortune of Earthquakes, who is also tied to Gobai, Fortune of Balance. A fellow Dragon delegate - a diviner - believes there will be at least one more earthquake, though the timing could be beyond the scope of winter court, or the meaning more metaphorical. Jihen-san, who has also been researching this, wonders if the issues of balance are long-standing."

"Recent word of omens of disease and pestilence brought another Fortune to my mind. Tenjin, the Fortune of writing and written records... He was a poet who wrote a truthful account displeasing to Emperor Hantei III who had him executed for it. The imperial court was immediately then struck by disease and pestilence. Hantei had to apologize to Tenjin and make the offering of a temple to Tenjin, elevating him to the Fortune he is now. That temple is the Ikoma Libraries. Here. Tenjin could be angry if there is a falsehood in a written record, or something misread, or a truth suppressed."

"You all may have encountered other signs that lead somewhere else. A spirit rather than a kami or Fortune?"

"My family, the Ageki, are, by calling and purpose and centuries of research, particular experts in the earth kami and matters of soothing the earth and beings who express anger through the earth. I've written them in the hopes they may have insight but not heard back yet. But it is possible that will reveal something helpful yet."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Tea is poured, ink is mixed for those who wish it.

Hoshiko nods, "The imbalance is something I've done some research into. And it does seem longer term, and likely to create trouble among the natural spirits. But this malevolent spirit seems to be something different. It may be that it was able to move into Ningen-do due to that imbalance, but I think it will likely need to be dealt with separately, now that it's here." And righting the overall imbalance was going to take longer in any case. "But yes, it claims to be Hantei Ningi, and there's nothing so far to disprove or prove that assertion."

She considers though, "Longer term, do we suspect that it's Tenjin who is angry?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"The two are connected! Hantei Ningi is the Emperor I just referenced, but called Hantei III. Hantei Ningi is the one who executed Akodo Tenjin, who was then struck by plague, and then begged for forgiveness and created the library and elevated Tenjin to a Fortune. It does seem relevant!"

Yuna was a librarian with a perfect memory for anything she had ever read.

"And Hantei Ningi also executed one other person, but without making amend, to my knowledge. It is a story known well to the Dragon. Hantei Ningi had decreed that peasants could not carry weapons. A Dragon monk, Togashi Kaze, decided to teach the peasants an unarmed fighting style since they could not carry weapons, that was called Kaze-Do. Nervous samurai began to try to attack these Kaze-educated peasants, and sometimes they'd win, but sometimes they'd lose. That upset people. Important people. So Hantei Ningi summoned Togashi Kaze to Otosan Uchi and asked for a demonstration of this fighting style that evened the field between peasant and samurai. And Kaze said no. No to an Emperor. It does not belong to you, he said. And that was not a concept that Hantei Ningi found harmonious. So, challenged in his own court, Hantei Ningi lashed out, and Togashi Kaze was killed. And most of the peasants who knew Kaze's style were also killed."

"That could be an unresolved wrong."

"The Emerald Champion at the time, Doji Kuzume refused to execute Togashi Kaze, and instead committed seppuku. And then Hantei Ningi elevated another to the role, a Lion Matsu Noshin, and had him execute Togashi Kaze."

"The only other thing I know about Hantei Ningi is that he is the Emperor who decreed that all of the land in the Empire belonged to the Emperor. That was not true in all of the reign of Hantei and of Hantei Genji."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko's eyebrows rose. "Oh! I hadn't realized that connection between him and Tenjin. And...that connection between another spirit that might be angered, killed by a Lion, and here we are at the Ikoma court..."

"That gets to studies I've begun into the imbalance. There is an order to the heavens, but also karmic rights and wrongs that adhere to the most high. An Emperor may be correct to claim they own the land," She wasn't going to be the one to argue that point just now, "and still transgress against karmic rules now that they are mortal souls. They may also make no mistakes, but leave a troubled soul to misbehave as that soul's own disposition at death determines."

"What do we think would lure such a spirit? For I think we need to encounter it again to identify it. And we nee a better identification to trap or banish it....at least that's the impression I've had from all of our discussions," she nods to the rest of those gathered.

[Kuni Shiori]

Shoiri would join in the meeting after being let in with Masaki presumably. It seemed that Yuna and Hoshiko already had a good grasp of what was happening when she quietly ushered herself in. She found a seat and would quietly partake in some tea. It seemed that these night meetings were likely going to be more common.

She placed her hands together on her lap. "I admit that I haven't been so bothered to research the origin and intent of the spirit claiming to be Hantei Ningi but it does seem like there is an inter-connected weave that is making this far more complex than I imagined. To think that this might be tied to some of the calamities that have been forecasted, it feels more important than ever that we try to right the balance to appease the Fortune. I'm not so sure if this will end with banishment if they are already dead. Or perhaps the anger is over that they've escaped rightful judgement, especially in a time where the throne is at stake?"

Her gaze narrowed for a moment as she looked to Hoshiko to see if that would be even possible.

"But, I digress on my findings. I've consulted Kitsu Shintaro-dono and he's been kind with his guidance. It seems there is a ritual that we can enact to trap it and it's likely that this ofuda," she would say, presenting the item for show before the gathering. "We might consider involving one of the Champion swords as a key weapon in vanquishing it, which I imagine will only happen with the involvement of the user. As well as a few shugenja to enact the needed geometries to trap the spirit. Given the age and importance of the name involved, it will require all of us and likely some extra help."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

She placed her hands together on her lap. "I admit that I haven't been so bothered to research the origin and intent of the spirit claiming to be Hantei Ningi but it does seem like there is an inter-connected weave that is making this far more complex than I imagined. To think that this might be tied to some of the calamities that have been forecasted, it feels more important than ever that we try to right the balance to appease the Fortune. I'm not so sure if this will end with banishment if they are already dead. Or perhaps the anger is over that they've escaped rightful judgement, especially in a time where the throne is at stake?"

Her gaze narrowed for a moment as she looked to Hoshiko to see if that would be even possible.

"But, I digress on my findings. I've consulted Kitsu Shintaro-dono and he's been kind with his guidance. It seems there is a ritual that we can enact to trap it and it's likely that this ofuda," she would say, presenting the item for show before the gathering. "We might consider involving one of the Champion swords as a key weapon in vanquishing it, which I imagine will only happen with the involvement of the user. As well as a few shugenja to enact the needed geometries to trap the spirit. Given the age and importance of the name involved, it will require all of us and likely some extra help."

Hoshiko perks up. "Oh? We have a possible way to bind it then? Is that one of Kitsu-sama's ofuda?"

"There is at least one Champion with their ancestral sword at court, and other, less active (read NPC) shugenja here. So that's a promising start. We hopefully won't need a whole quest like Kakita courting Doji-kami." She makes some notes, then plucks up one of Yuna's wagashi to sample, offering the Dragon an appreciative nod. "How dependent is this ritual on correctly identifying the spirit? Either it's name or its type?"

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ooc, sorry if first post wasn't clearer with the first post greeting that folks could come in and get started. Was trying not to stall things around my schedule. Obviously not entirely successful.

[Kuni Shiori]

Hoshiko perks up. "Oh? We have a possible way to bind it then? Is that one of Kitsu-sama's ofuda?"

"There is at least one Champion with their ancestral sword at court, and other, less active (read NPC) shugenja here. So that's a promising start. We hopefully won't need a whole quest like Kakita courting Doji-kami." She makes some notes, then plucks up one of Yuna's wagashi to sample, offering the Dragon an appreciative nod. "How dependent is this ritual on correctly identifying the spirit? Either it's name or its type?"

*****************
ooc, sorry if first post wasn't clearer with the first post greeting that folks could come in and get started. Was trying not to stall things around my schedule. Obviously not entirely successful.

"Yes, he seems to have much enthusiasm in all of this. It wouldn't be surprising in his great wisdom if he got started on one of the components. It's just the others would require more involvement, which I imagine was where his hands were ultimately tied." She said hopefully about the matter before she carefully packed away the ofuda back in her satchel.

"I imagine that we would need all the variables defined to better triangulate the ritual," she said on the matter, assuming that's how geometries were used in such a ritual. "Something with a bit more permanence than salt or rice might help here. I was made aware that the Bayushi, Shiba, and the Doji champions are in attendance and are likely to have their swords here? Given their importance and our great difference in status, we would need to make a convincing case, although the impending doom on the matter should grease the wheels a little..."

She looked at Kiuchi and Hoshiko, seeing if they could potentially find a lead with their Clan Champion.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"Yes, he seems to have much enthusiasm in all of this. It wouldn't be surprising in his great wisdom if he got started on one of the components. It's just the others would require more involvement, which I imagine was where his hands were ultimately tied." She said hopefully about the matter before she carefully packed away the ofuda back in her satchel.

"I imagine that we would need all the variables defined to better triangulate the ritual," she said on the matter, assuming that's how geometries were used in such a ritual. "Something with a bit more permanence than salt or rice might help here. I was made aware that the Bayushi, Shiba, and the Doji champions are in attendance and are likely to have their swords here? Given their importance and our great difference in status, we would need to make a convincing case, although the impending doom on the matter should grease the wheels a little..."

She looked at Kiuchi and Hoshiko, seeing if they could potentially find a lead with their Clan Champion.

"Doji-sama has already been appraised of the situation. I believe if we have a solid plan to set before her, she would not hesitate to strike." Hoshiko has seen nothing to indicate that Minehime would balk from doing what was clearly righteous. "Are more likely to be better? Three points to the geometry you've divined?"

More permanent. "Salt still makes a fine sacred space to work from, but I imagine the permanence you are looking for is something to trap the spirit? Stone perhaps? Or a symbolically significant item?"

[Kuni Shiori]

"Doji-sama has already been appraised of the situation. I believe if we have a solid plan to set before her, she would not hesitate to strike." Hoshiko has seen nothing to indicate that Minehime would balk from doing what was clearly righteous. "Are more likely to be better? Three points to the geometry you've divined?"

More permanent. "Salt still makes a fine sacred space to work from, but I imagine the permanence you are looking for is something to trap the spirit? Stone perhaps? Or a symbolically significant item?"

"It wouldn't hurt to have more in hand. I don't think we're going to dislike if we solve this all too easily, instead of being a challenge," she said at the point about involving more people. "Perhaps it serves to be more symbolic than anything but if the foundations are threatening to crumble, it would likely be best that we have some means to build them back. Especially, with the earthquake...I'd like to think that the earth would appreciate finding some peace in the matter and could serve as an elemental ally but I just speak from my bias."

[Yogo Kiuchi]

"Yes, he seems to have much enthusiasm in all of this. It wouldn't be surprising in his great wisdom if he got started on one of the components. It's just the others would require more involvement, which I imagine was where his hands were ultimately tied." She said hopefully about the matter before she carefully packed away the ofuda back in her satchel.

"I imagine that we would need all the variables defined to better triangulate the ritual," she said on the matter, assuming that's how geometries were used in such a ritual. "Something with a bit more permanence than salt or rice might help here. I was made aware that the Bayushi, Shiba, and the Doji champions are in attendance and are likely to have their swords here? Given their importance and our great difference in status, we would need to make a convincing case, although the impending doom on the matter should grease the wheels a little..."

She looked at Kiuchi and Hoshiko, seeing if they could potentially find a lead with their Clan Champion.

"I can talk to my Champion." Kiuchi chose not to mention that his only interaction with his Champion was angering her with his misunderstanding of her orders.

"It wouldn't hurt to have more in hand. I don't think we're going to dislike if we solve this all too easily, instead of being a challenge," she said at the point about involving more people. "Perhaps it serves to be more symbolic than anything but if the foundations are threatening to crumble, it would likely be best that we have some means to build them back. Especially, with the earthquake...I'd like to think that the earth would appreciate finding some peace in the matter and could serve as an elemental ally but I just speak from my bias."

Kiuchi pipes in. "I don't know how it changes things, but the Earth has taken a particular disliking to me since I failed to appease the kami when the earthquake struck."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Salt still makes a fine sacred space to work from, but I imagine the permanence you are looking for is something to trap the spirit? Stone perhaps? Or a symbolically significant item?

"Do you need a container made? There are artisans here who could make a gold box, or an iron box, or a stone box. Is there an element of this that would benefit from library research as part of the preparation? I have access, but I'm not sure what the right next question is."

[Kuni Shiori]

She offered a glance at Kiuchi, "The idea of the earth was just an initial suggestion but I imagine that perhaps if we focus on every element, we can't do any wrong by being sure. The earth wasn't can't be the only spiritual element displeased. Especially with the worst to come, much more will be at stake."

"Kitsu-dono had been kind enough to grant me library access and I've looked into the banishment but that was mostly a solo effort. I'm sure we could find more answers with a different set of eyes. I rather something last only so long until we can vanquish it. If there are alternatives to what we can do if we can contain it, we can consider it..." She found herself giving a shrug at her next thought, feeling it was a rather nebulous territory to entertain. "Given the nature of the spirit, it would be poetic for it to admit wrongdoing again but I'm not so sure if replaying the events of the past will do much good here."

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki had been mostly quiet for now - her involvement in the research on the imbalances and the unquiet spirit, apparently possibly belonging to an Emperor, had been minimal so far, so she was mostly listening and taking mental notes.

The matter of the plague, on the other hand, she had looked into, even if only a little.

"Minasan, the connections pointed out by Agasha-san are definitely convincing on many levels. On the matter of the plague, however... the connection with the plague during Hantei Ningi's time is definitely suggestive, but my interrogations of the spirits suggested that, whatever it is that may happen, it would start from the sea. Unless there is something in the tale of Tenjin-no-kami that suggests a link, I believe there may be more to the current plague than just a... 'reenactment' of sorts."

She stopped for a moment, looked at the food, but didn't take any of it yet. "Specifically, the spirits of the river showed undulations like the sea, and finally a scenery that looked like sandy shores with thick, choking vegetation - very likely unnatural - extending from the shores to the land. Unfortunately, I could not make out any specific signs pointing to which coast the spirits referred to. I suppose they may also not know for sure, but we could try to investigate that further."

A pensive expression, her eyes on the wagashi Yuna offered. "I... suppose that might suggest some sort of impurity involved - beyond the matters of kharma and imbalance already discussed. I'm not sure how that would come into the picture, but... it's a worry I've had a hard time shaking off for the last couple days."