[D2, MA, EVENT] Team-building: Kemari, part I

[Cearnach]

Though unofficial pick-up kemari games are the spice of life at courts the Empire over, Hantei Retsuhime’s reign has always featured an official game as a kick-off. It is a great honor to be part of the team, but great honors don’t always come easy.

This is a two-part event that takes place in two stages. This thread will be closed tomorrow at 1:00 Central Standard Time. At that time, the top 6 qualifying people will be notified that they form the Official Kemari Team and will take part in Part 2. If, for whatever reason, 6 PCs do not qualify, NPCs will be appointed to fill in empty slots.

Part 1: Put Me In, Coach!

The difficulty with events that confer prestige is that they rely on the prestige of their participants. In order to ensure that the official kemari event remains prestigious, the Director of Imperial Sport(‘s third deputy) requires that all members of the kemari team be of good character and sterling reputation. In order to participate, you’ll need to convince her of your merit. Now, it’s not the done thing to ask for a spot directly, but there are several ways to inveigle an invitation.

Mechanics: To qualify for an invitation, you must meet a threshold of 6 successes. Base success gains 1 success. Raises count for 1 success each. Of those that do so, the 6 characters with the highest number of successes will receive an invitation to participate. Ties will be broken by highest numerical result. You will make 2 rolls:

Roll 1: Athletics/Stamina Tn 25 or Games: Kemari/Agility. TN 20
Roll 2: Courtier (Manipulation)/Awareness. TN 20

The rolls are adjusted the following ways:
If you have a Battle skill of 3 or higher, add 2 to your Games: Kemari/Agility or Athletics/Stamina roll.
If you have a Battle skill of 5 or higher, add an additional 2 to your Games: Kemari/Agility or Athletics/Stamina roll.

If you have an extra kimono and sandals, add 2 to your Athletics/Stamina or Games: Kemari/Agility roll.
If you are a member of the Phoenix or Lion clans, add 1 to your Athletics/Stamina or Games: Kemari/Agility roll.
If you are a member of the Crane clan, subtract 1 from your your Games: Kemari/Agility or Athletics/Stamina roll.

If your Status is higher than 1, add 2 to your Courtier roll
If your Status is higher than 2, add an additional 2 to your Courtier roll.
If your Influence is higher than 1, add 2 to your Courtier roll.
If your Influence is higher than 2, add an additional 2 to your Courtier roll.

The following advantages and disadvantages apply
Benten's Blessing (Roll 2), Daredevil (Roll 1), Darling of the Court (Bonus to Roll 2), Lame (roll 1).

EDITED TO ADD BASE SUCCESS NOTE.

[Shiba Erina]

With a lot of encouragement from Sasaki Emiko, Michishita Erina finally acknowledges that she is really at Winter Court and can really do things for herself as well as keep an eye out for people that mean to do the Phoenix harm. And, well, Erina likes to kick the ball around. So, here she is, presenting herself to the (3rd deputy) Director of Sport, trying to do her best!



Step 1: Games: Kemari/Agility tn 20

Recognizing that she has a stellar dice pool (6k4) for such a low TN, Erina spends a Void to boost it to 7k5 (keeping 5 is always better!) and calls three raises, because showing off is alright in these circumstances. Unfortunately, the dice are unkind, and she receives no explosions, leaving her with a result of 30, to which she adds 1 for being a Phoenix while being a Phoenix is cool and 2 for having the right kit. That leaves her 2 short of success. Cue sad trombones.

Step 2: It's hard to get to 6 successes when your Void is 4, but Michishita Erina is no quitter. She just has to make the best case possible, that's all! She makes a Courtier/Awareness roll, spending 1 Void and calling 1 raise. She is successful, but her pretty words will not make up for her critical overreach on the previous roll. It seems Erina will be a spectator this match!

[Kitsu Sayomi]

The Lion were not weak, and Sayomi was determined to show that... on the field of kemari! The courtly cap on her head bobbed precariously a couple of times as she fixed it into place.

Kemari played for the Empress' court and Kemari played among the guards during off-hours were vastly different things, she knew. Think like a water-bird of some sort. Glide, don't run! Caw! Or... wark?

While the Kitsu girl pondered the sounds that wading birds made, she managed to play a very elegant game of kemari.


--------

D2 EVENT: Team-Building. Games: Kemari/Agility. +1k1 Void. +2 extra kimono and sandals, +1 Lion. 1 Raise | 5k4+3 ⇒ 29 (TN: 25)
D2 EVENT: Team-Building. Courtier/Awareness. +1k1 Void. +2 Status. +2 Influence. 3 Raises. | 8k5+4 ⇒ 50 (TN: 35)
6 successes (assuming a success before Raises is worth one )

[Matsu Masumi]

Masumi might have never played a game of kemari in her life before but she still possessed the vigor of a Matsu. Kicking a ball around can't be any more difficult than grueling exercises! And heck, she wasn't so bad at being politically savvy when she needed to be. Having an Emerald Yoriki on the team would be a safe pick. One look at her and it's easy to see that she's so polite. She won't tackle people in the middle of the game for no reason!

---

D2 MA Event Roll 1: Athletics / Stamina TN 35, 2 CR, +3 (Clothes / Lion) | 6k3+3 ⇒ 37 (TN: 35)

D2 MA Event Roll 2: Courtier / Awareness TN 30, 2 CR, Benten's Blessing, Status | 6k4+2 ⇒ 35 (TN: 30)

6 Successes (Also assuming base success counts as one... otherwise I literally can't qualify with my Raise limit!)

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae had picked up a little kemari, but sadly was not a tough enough baller in the face of all the lion athleticism!
Day 2 MA, Team-Building.

Roll 1: Kemari/Agility, calling one raise for TN 25. Spending a void for +1k1. | 5k4 ⇒ 23 (TN: 25)

She politely praises makes an exit....after giving Masumi a supportive look.

Day 2 MA, Team-Building.

Roll 2: courtier/awareness, calling two raises for TN 30, Bentens | 6k4+4 ⇒ 41 (TN: 30)

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke might not be the most toned and tested athlete this side of the Spine of the World, but he does like a round or two of kemari now and then. Courtly kemari, with everyone dressed in their finest, is especially enjoyable as a delightful melding of dignity and absurdity, fashion and kicking a ball around like I'm a child again. So yes, he's going to try out.

By doing his very utmost, dressing the part, and getting more than a bit lucky, he can show himself to be a just about presentable kemari player. However, he's also very, very charming--and that might prove more decisive in the end.

----

Step 1: Games: Kemari/Agility passed with 1 raise: 2 points
D2 LA Kemari tryout--Games: Kemari/Agility, +2 for spare kimono, -1 for Crane, VP for skill, 1 raise YOLO | 4k3 ⇒ 29 (TN: 25) That should actually be 30 with the kimono bonus! (I have my kimono and sandals down as "spare unfancy clothes" in the traveling pack, ironically, since the base KA kit is all fancy ones.)

Step 2: Courtier/Awareness passed with 3 raises: 4 points
D2 LA Kemari tryout--Courtier/Awareness, Benten's, Prodigy, +4 for Influence higher than 2, base TN 20 | 8k5+4 ⇒ 36 (TN: 35) (I forgot to note the raises in the description, but they are reflected in the TN of 35)

6 points total!

[Kuni Shiori]

Hmm, kemari.

While kemari was something that happened in the courts, especially a physical activity that the Crab would have a natural inclination for to break up the monotony of court, this was a subject that Shiori wasn't quite familiar with. It felt strange that she suddenly discovered this blind spot after all of her experience and observation of the courts. Perhaps this was something that occurred and she merely sat out, because mainly she didn't want to qualify for spots that were better given to other members of her kin or this was meant to be a subject she was going to take up earlier. There was also the possibility that she might have purged it from her memory. Unlikely.

However, away from home and surrounded by fewer kinsmen, she decided that she was going to give this sport a try. There was no telling whether or not getting a spot would allow her an open window to negotiate terms with someone of importance, either through acquaintance or accolade. She strolled up to the field and participated in the first round of games. Without experience, she didn't know what she expected from playing.

"Move, please," she would say with a soft firmness before stepping forward to bump into the other player unceremoniously, netting them a fumble.

"Out of the way, you're in my way," she would say to another, lacking the barb that would normally come with such a statement but that still came off as an unruly demand. This wasn't something anyone would say to another player.

"My shot!" She said when she finally found herself before the ball, someone must have fumbled and accidentally given her the ball after those gaffes. It seemed it was indeed her ball but it struck her in the chest when she was going for an aggressive kick. The momentary unbalance and confusion were enough to send her to the ground with some gravel dust raised for her troubles.

It was unlikely she was even going to be on the reserve list.

Rolls
Day Two - Mid Afternoon, Kemari Team Building, Roll 1: Athletics/Stamina with two raises, void for 1 Skill, +2 from an extra kimono and sandals | 4k3+2 ⇒ 24 (TN: 35)
Day Two - Mid Afternoon, Kemari Team Building, Roll 2: Courtier (Manipulation)/Awareness with two raises, void for +1k1, +2 from Status 2 | 5k4+2 ⇒ 24 (TN: 30)

0 Successes!

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei was hardly a great kemari player, but he had to "show willing," as they said. He was quite confident he wouldn't make the team, but admitting as much would be unthinkable!

He managed to make a case just persuasive enough to get across that he and the Director both knew that he had no business being in the lineup, but that there's no harm in putting some effort in.


[Kemari, Step 1, Athletics/Stamina, TN 25. +2 for Battle 3, +1 for being Phoenix, pretty sure I didn't detail extra clothes enough to justify a modifier | 4k3+3 ⇒ 30 (TN: 25)- Basic success, adds 1 point

Kemari, Step 2, Courtier/Awareness, TN 20. Influence 3 adds a +4 to roll, Benten's Blessing Applies YOLOing for 3 Raises even though he mechanically cannot hit six successes now | 6k4+4 ⇒ 47 (TN: 35)- 3-Raise success, add 4 points.

5 points total so he won't be making the team ]

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Ryoichi put on his third best kimono to try his hand at kemari. How hard could it be?

Ducking the ball that bowled over poor Shiori, the Yasuki managed to intercept the next ball and kick it to another player.

The return kick sent the ball at Ryoichi a little faster than he expected. Nimbly, he twirled to deliver an excellent kick… that sent the ball flying across the courtyard and into the koi pond with a sploosh. The fish fled in agitation.

“That counts as returning the ball, right?” Ryoichi asked.

In fact, it did not count.

—
2MA Kemari tryouts Roll 1, Athletics/Stamina +extra kimono with 2 called raises TN35 | 4k3+2 ⇒ 22 (TN: 35) fails
2MA Kemari tryouts Roll 2, Courtier/Awareness unskilled +status ++influence TN20 | 4k4+6 ⇒ 26 (TN: 20) succeeds

Total: 1 success

[Hiruma Daichi]

Kemari wasn't particularly popular in Hiruma lands, or at least it wasn't as far as Daichi knew. He'd seen it played from time to time, but the general lack of interest in all things courtly that affected many of his family showed itself here. Still, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. In one of his spare Kimono's of course.

A bit of natural athleticism helped him out, but it didn't make up for his lack of knowledge of the game, and while his manners did earn him some measure of approval, his skills certainly did not.

Day 2 Event, Team building in Kemari, Step 1. Athletics/Stam tn 25 +2 from battle, +2 from Clothes. | 5k3+4 ⇒ 24 (TN: 25) Failed.

Day 2 Event, Team building in Kemari, Step 2. Courtier/Awareness tn 20 +4 from Status void for skill | 4k3+4 ⇒ 35 (TN: 20) Pass 1 point.

[Ikoma Honoka]

Despite being a court regular, Honoka rarely involved herself in the traditional kemari game. Still, it wouldn't be right to not do so for such a prestigious court! She made sure to dress the part, and her natural confidence shone through to make it look like she knew what she was doing!

And it seems to have worked. Somehow.

(ooc:
D2 MA event - team building. Games:Kemari/Agility, +2 extra kimono, +1 Lion. VP for skill, 1 raise (tn25) | 4k3+3 ⇒ 27 (TN: 25) passed, 2 points
D2 MA event - team building. Courtier/Awareness, plus ILS2 and Bentens. +2 to roll due to Influence. TN20+3 raises (Tn35) | 8k5+2 ⇒ 69 (TN: 35) 4 points

6 points total, threshold met!

[Isawa Ebiko]

Ebiko had never played kemari and it showed. However, she at least managed to give a decent speech about the importance of attempting new things before walking off to join the spectators.

Unskilled games kemari/agility +1 for phoenix 10
Courtier(manipulation)/ awareness +2 for higher status than 1 calling 1 raise for tn25 35 success
2 points

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro was always on the sidelines for kemari games at previous courts, but thought he would try again this time. He watched the different techniques of those who came before him and felt a small degree of confidence.

He was able to make some good moves and move the ball on to Shiba-sama. But during the try out Sanjuro started to feel out of his depth. He understood he could just as well cheer on the competitors and connect with others during the game. In fact, he looked forward to it.

OOC

Roll 1, +1 raise
Kemari, Part 1 | 5k4 ⇒ 28 (TN: 25)
2 successes

Roll 2, +3 raises
Kemari, Part 1 Roll 2 | 7k4+2 ⇒ 24 (TN: 35)
Wah wah wahhhhhhh

[Doji Aito]

Aito liked playing kemari and looked forward to participating in the game. Given the chance she would certainly do her best to succeed.


Kemari team building, roll 1,kemari/agility, crane -1, daredevil, 3 raises | 9k5-1 ⇒ 37 (TN: 35)

Kemari team building, roll 2, courtier/awareness, influence +4, raise +1 | 6k3+4 ⇒ 41 (TN: 25)

6 successes

[Isawa Shingo]

In the spirit of playing the metaphorical game of winter court, Isawa Shingo puts himself forward to play the literal game of Kemari. A game with which the affable but physically unremarkable Phoenix is not skilled.

After a brief observation of other courtiers practicing their moves, Shingo thinks he has the idea and, when a ball is tossed at him, he almost, just for a second, sorta looks like he knows what he's doing. The focus and brief elation on his face were remarkable. But then the ball sailed away, showing he did not, in fact, have the hang of the game at all.

A slightly awkward chuckle transitions to a proper courtly smile and light joking about how fun the game is and the need to play it more in the snowy mountains of the Phoenix. And by the time any onlooker had blinked once, Shingo was nowhere to be seen.

------
Roll 1: Games: Kemari/Agility. TN 20 fails. Drat.
Roll 2: Courtier/Awr TN 20 aucceeds

[Cearnach]

Shiba Takumi is not a child of the courts. No. She is squat, powerfully built, has a nasty scar across her cheek, and wears a device on her obi that seems to suggest that she is a Chui in Lady Shiba's army. But she has soft eyes. And boy, does she enjoy a game of kemari.

Kemari, Part I: Games: Kemari/Agility 3 Raises, Battle Score, Phoenix, extra sandals, Void. | 10k5+7 ⇒ 44 (TN: 35) 4 Successes.

Kemari, Part I: Games: Kemari/Agility 3 Raises, Status, Influence, Phoenix, extra sandals, Void. | 10k5+7 ⇒ 44 (TN: 35) 2 Successes.

[Cearnach]

The Director of Imperial Sport('s third deputy) seems quite pleased at the prospect of a successful kemari game! The following awesome ladies...er, ladies and the actor...will be kicking off court for the Empire!

Ikoma Honoka: 6 successes, 96
Shiba Takumi (NPC): 6 successes, 88
Kitsu Sayomi: 6 successes, 79
Doji Aito: 6 successes, 78
Doji Shinnosuke: 6 successes, 75
Matsu Masumi: 6 successes, 65

He makes sure that everyone has the appropriate two-story hat and adequate cords for tying up their trailing hems in the appropriate fashion.