An end-run from the Imperial Apartments to the Court chamber would be perilous–far too many Imperial Courtiers conduct their slow promenade, seeing and being seen playing their intricate games with each other, for Gorobei to ever make it to court. Instead, Irie leads the trio in ducking into the kitchens, their massive area entirely free of nobles, but entirely packed with curious heimin. As scores of eyes rise from their work to take in the Imperials in full court dress, it falls to another brave samurai to occupy these well-meaning but talkative peasants thoroughly enough to allow Gorobei and his abettors to escape.

A: Oh, Yeah, We’re Authorized to Be Here…
There is no way that these heimin are privy to the complex security arrangements of the castle. Just pass it off like you’re supposed to traipse on through their workspace. Make a Tn 25 Etiquette/Awareness, TN 20 Lore: Law/Reflexes or TN 15 Lore: Lion clan/Intelligence check to say the right thing to make them all forget you were ever here.

Disadvantages: Fukurokujin's Curse, Can't Lie

B: A Demonstration of the Chef’s Craft.
There’s nothing a group of heimin appreciate more than receiving an unsolicited opportunity to see and learn from a true artist. Make a TN: 20 Artisan: Cooking/Agility or Perform: Oratory/Awareness check to show these yokels how it’s done. In doing so, of course, you thoroughly annoy the cooking staff. Any meals you order (as opposed to eating at a banquet or catered event) for the rest of the game will be wrong in some way, sometimes subtly, sometimes very much not.

Advantages: Voice

C: Matsu’s Kitchen Nightmares.
You don’t have to escape the kitchens, just Gorobei, Irie, and Retsu do. If you create a bigger scene than a trio of Imperials in full court dress, then the peasants will forget all about them. There’s one thing that can strike fear into a castle’s kitchen staff like no other: a surprise health inspection. Crack your knuckles; it’s time to let loose.

Make a TN: 20 Medicine/Intelligence check or a TN 20: Intimidation/Awareness check to give the staff something altogether different to worry about. If you are not a member of the Lion clan, you must call a raise to frighten the kitchen staff enough not to report the incident. Should you fail, you will find yourself in trouble with the Ikoma family.

All Kenji had wanted today was to arrange a meeting with Lord Gorobei. Who would have thought it would turn into an escapade out of a pillow book? Almost enough to make one reconsider one's skeptical opinion of those stories about the man. Almost.

The adventure was not over yet however. The most sensible approach was to leave through the kitchens, his captors would not be searching there. Unfortunately it was full of heimin as the kitchen staff busily made food for the guests.

Fortunately Kenji had some insight into the inner workings of a Lion castle. There were all sorts of useful rules and regulations on the books. Ah yes, that one! He raised his voice. "I would like to remind each and every one of you that the official bi-monthly kitchen hygiene inspection will be taking place shortly." There were a few days to go, but that certainly fell under the definition of 'soon'. "I am sure everyone has heard about what happened to the kitchen staff the last time a guest fell ill under the watch of Lady Matsu?"

Frantic looks were exchanged in some quarters of the kitchens. "Perhaps it would be best to start cleaning everything, just one more time, at your earliest convenience of course."

Bows were offered, orders were barked, and a kitchen full of peasants suddenly made themselves busy, far too busy for idle conversation. The general noise level increased and any interest in the group was lost. Kenji nodded to the others. "Shall we?"

With absolutely no fanfare the group made their exit.

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Roll
[Day 4, LM, EVENT] The Liberation of Otomo Gorobei, Part IV: The Kitchens. A: Oh, Yeah, We’re Authorized to Be Here… Lore: Lion clan/Intelligence. Sage. Void for +1k1 | 6k5 ⇒ 30 (TN: 15)