[D1, LA, EVENT] The Giving of Gifts

[Ikoma Ryota]

This is the first view many will have had of the main court of Kyuden Ikoma now that it has been transmuted into the Imperial Court for the season. The great chrysanthemum banner of the Empress backs the dais on which the throne rests. The throne itself has been carried from Otosan Uchi. This is not normal procedure. Winter Courts typically feature special portable thrones custom-made for the season and featuring motifs of the host clan. For some reason, the Empress has chosen to bring not a throne but the throne: Hantei's throne, on which she sits fronted by a great screen that features on the side facing the court an exquisite painting of the Kami kneeling to honor Hantei at the close of the Emerald Tournament.

Several other seats are also occupying the dais, including those of the Imperial Adviser, the Imperial Chancellor, and the Emerald Champion. The Ruby Champion's seat is vacant at the moment. Lord Ikoma's chair has been moved to the foot of the dais, where he sits, trying not to look glum and failing miserably, waiting to receive the delegations' gifts on the Empress' behalf.


Mechanics
When you arrive at Winter Court, it is customary to give a gift to the Empress, as she is, in effect, your host. Of course, you may not speak directly to the Empress, so Ikoma Ryota, as lord of Kyuden Ikoma, will be receiving on her behalf while she watches behind the screen on the dais. To present your gift, you will roll Courtier/Awareness+either your Influence or Status rank against a TN of 25.


Success: Ikoma Ryota accepts your gift warmly on behalf of the Empress. Receive 7 points of Glory.
Failure: Ikoma Ryota accepts your gift perfunctorily. Gain 2 glory and move along.

Raises: You may choose to call Raises to increase the Glory award by 2, as the heart of the court thrums in tune with your opening gambit.

You may choose to call one Raise to namedrop your House. If you do so and succeed, your House gains 2 Influence points. If you do so and fail, your house loses 2 Influence points.

You may call both kinds of Raise.

Advantage/Disadvantage
You may choose to namedrop your Ally during the gift-giving. If you do so, subtract 1 from the devotion your Ally has to you; you gain +2 to the gift roll, and your Ally receives ¼ of the glory you receive, rounded up.

This counts as a contested social skill roll for the purposes of advantages and techniques.

Cursed by the Realm: Tengoku applies in the presence of the Empress.

[Asako Emiko]

Emiko’s grandmother had included in her instructions an entire scroll on how she was to comport herself in this ceremony. She knew for sure that her hands weren’t supposed to be shaking like this, and the lump in her throat was worrying—sudden onset goiter? A curse from Jurojin, perhaps? But there was no time to get it seen to, because Lady Shiba had finished her gift and she was next!

Trembling slightly, she made her way to the foot of the dais and pressed her forehead to the floor before it. She looked up into the lined, faded beauty of Ikoma Ryota’s face.

Gee, she thought, being a Daimyo must really suck if it makes your face look like a juiced lemon. I hope that doesn’t happen to Lady Shiba. Oooh, I wonder where he got that orchid netsuke…Oh Fortunes! I should be saying something!

She called up the mental image of her grandmother’s scroll, stretched it out past the part with the ritual abasement, past the admonishment not to let her mind wander (oops!) and straight to the good stuff.

“Ikoma-ue, this humble one is Asako Emiko of the House of Sasaki. I have come to represent the Phoenix clan and my house this Winter. In…” What was it? PANIC! “Um” Oh no, Granny said not to say that! “In…in gratitude for the hospitality the Empress has deigned to show me, the least of her servants, my family has entrusted this sculpture…” she looked down to check. What in Jigoku is it supposed to be? Maybe avant-garde wasn’t really a great idea. “...in wood harvested from her territories given to the Sasaki and carved by my dear friend Shiba Erina of the House of Michishita.” She plonked her forehead on the floor again as she pushed the sculpture toward the Lord of the Ikoma.

Mechanics
Little Sasaki Emiko is giving a gift to the Empress! Holy cow! But now she has to roll the dice. She has an Awareness stat of 4 and a Courtier skill rank of 3. Under her Grandmother’s influence, she made sure to draw attention to her House, which means she has to call one Raise. And then out of loyalty to her friend Michishita Erina, she drew attention to her role in making the sculpture. She would lower Erina’s devotion on her sheet by 1 and add 2 to the roll. Speaking of static bonuses, Emiko is the second child of the Sasaki family, so she has 2 Influence. That’s better than her Status of 1 (she’s a very junior courtier), so she adds that to her roll as well. Thinking carefully about her odds, she is going to call one more Raise for Glory. She’s modest, but not that modest.

So here’s her numbers:
Base Tn: 25+1 raise for House+1 raise for Glory=35
Roll: 7k4+2 Influence +2 Ally+1k1 Void=8k5+4
https://sakkaku.org/d10-rolls/9934 With a 37, she has (just!) succeeded.
Ikoma Ryota will accept her gift with a warm smile and a nod. She earns 7 glory+2 for her glory raise=9 glory. Also, her House gains 2 Influence and Michishita Erina receives 3 glory (2.25 rounded up=3).

[Ikoma Honoka]

Honoka had taken some time to think on her words as she approached, giving a deep bow before the dais, forehead to the floor. She take taken time before arriving to improve her appearance, but she still easily looked like a child surrounded by adults in the room with how young she was. Still, when she looked up, she showed no nerves nor lack of confidence. Instead, a calm and welcoming smile as she spoke with a warm voice.

"Honourable Ikoma-ue, I Ikoma Honoka of House Kamoshita have been blessed to represent the Lion this court. In my family, there is a tradition at the beginning of a journey started by my ancestors many centuries ago, and as we are at the beginning of a journey through through this winter I wished to bestow the same blessings that my family for generations have given upon the prestigious hosts of this court."

She unwrapped a small box, opening it and placing it down on the ground. Inside was a small round wooden carving of what looked to be three young lion cubs playing in what could be snow or sand depending on ones view.

"My honourable ancestor Ikoma Michi believed that something created and presented with honourable feelings would carry a memory of times spend with ones family even in the coldest of nights, and she gifted one of each of her three children when they left the family home to remind them that even if they were far apart, as long as they looked upon the carving they would still be home. As we all walk through this winter together and then move on our journeys in the future, may the memories of this court made remain as well as you gaze upon the carving."

She bowed again and allowed the box to be accepted, moving away once dismissed.

(ooc: D1 LA Giving of Gifts event. Courtier/Awareness+void+IR2 tech+influence 2(static bonus). TN25+1 raise for House. TN30 | 9k5+2 ⇒ 35 (TN: 30) 7 glory for Honoka 2 influence for house Kamoshita.

[Asako Kenichi]

Kenichi frowned at tze familiar yet alien surroundings. He quickly hid his face behind his fan as he approached the dais, an elaborate and gikded scroll tucked into his other hand.

"Ikoma-sama, I am humbled by your kind invite to the House of Ito for this glorious Winter Court. I can only offer this map, fjnely drawn and annotated, of the Empire as known by my House, in gratitude."

He offered the scroll, which bore the Poenix, Asako and Ito mons on it.

Perhaps this winter court could be my salvation.




OOC:
D1, gift giving, Courtier/Awareness, prodigy, status 2 +darling of the court, 1 cr for namedropping house, 1 cr for 2 glory, vp for +1k1 | 9k5+3 ⇒ 43 (TN: 35)

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Dressed in her finest courtly wear for the occasion, Kitsu Sayomi of House Tatsukawa stepped forward when it was her turn, shuffling demurely as she had been taught as to not make any sudden movements and to appear humble. She dipped down to her knees and knelt, pressing her head against the floor, and inhaled the scent of the newly polished floors before rising again.

"Most honorable host and lord, Ikoma Ryota-sama, thank you for allowing this humble person to step before not only you, but also her most glorious majesty the radiant Daughter of Heaven," she began, keeping to the words she had prepared and deciding not to oversell herself. Play it safe, don't mess it up on the first day.

"This humble soul is Kitsu Sayomi of House Tatsukawa, daughter of Kitsu Sano and his wife Kitsu Reiko. We are not a great house or an old one, but we are a dedicated and honorable house, owing our name and rank to the illustrious Hantei line and Champion of the Lion. Our duty places us near the sacred waters of the Water Dragon Lake, where we watch over pilgrims and those coming to view the calming shores of the lake."

At this, Sayomi produced a rare container made of glass - no doubt it was a treasure of her house. Inside it contained clear water. "House Tatsukawa wishes it could have brought the shores of the lake to you, but such a feat is beyond us. Instead, please accept this blessed water from Water Dragon Lake, sanctified by our priests."

-----

D1 EVENT: The Giving of Gifts. Courtier/Awareness. +1k1 Void. +3 Influence. | 8k5+3 ⇒ 39 (TN: 30) - Successs! +7 Glory, +2 Influence to House Tatsukawa.

[Soshi Eiji]

As Eiji waited in line to present his gift he couldn't help but surreiptiously scratch at his mask. No matter how he tried, it always seemed just a touch uncomfitable. Whether that was because it was a reminder of who he now represented, or because the servants were sneaking irritant herbs into the wash, none could say. Here he was, in the heart of Kyuden Ikoma, preparng to give a gft to be received by the Ikoma on behalf of the Empress who'd trained with the Lion. His heart wanted him to roar. To give a gift that was so Lion that it'd be given it's own squardon to lead into battle against the Crane.

But as his itchy mask reminded him, that was no longer his place. He was born an Ikoma, and trained as an Ikoma, but it was the Soshi he now served, and it was them he was expected to represent.

When it was his turn, he'd set down the large ornately decorated wooden box with both hands, and bowed putting hands and head down to the ground.

"Ikoma-ue. On behalf of my clan, my family and myself I offer my humblest thanks for the opportunity to spend this Winter in the vaunted halls of Kyuden Ikoma. May those who have gathered here spend their hours strengthening the bonds between the clans, and leave here with new allies and fond memories of their time spent here."

He gestured to the box.

"In grattude for such an opportunity, allow me to present this puzzle box. As you can see, the lid of the box represents the Empire at large. Each of the places that one may touch upon the side of the box represents a different house of the Empire. Working together, the houses safeguard the Empire. It is our hope that this box offers amusement and reflection both to those who would see what lies within the Empire."

It wasn't a bad presentaton, but clearly there was something in either the gift or the presenter that offended Ryota as the gift was accepted in a much more cool fashion than those that had preceeded it.

Awa/Courtier, Void spent, 24 vs. 25, Fail. +2 Glory. Well hello to you again too Sakkaku.

[Agasha Yuna]

Agasha-ke no kashin Ageki Yuna could feel her heart racing. A gift for the Empress, presented to the Ikoma Daimyo! This was an important first impression.

Once she had time to observe, to study, she would feel more confident... But this was the very first day. Her first court of this importance. Her first introduction to the Daimyo who controlled access to the Ikoma library! Breathe. Breathe.

She was wearing a beautiful green kimono with gold embroidery of peachy-red flowers. A fashionable and elegant gold headpiece secured her thick black hair. The Ageki mon - grey castle on the green mountain - was pinned to her collar, beside the mons for Agasha, the Dragon, and the Asako Loremaster school.

Her habitually serene expression helped her maintain a courtier's on.

The words of the LIttle Teacher ran through her mind: “Every journey begins with a single step. Step well, and your journey will be filled with fortune. Step poorly, and it will be wrought with disaster.”

Better to be immaculately correct - if modest - than risk error.

She bowed deeply. Elegant and precise.

"Ikoma-ue, I am Agasha Yuna, a LIbrarian for the Izaku library. It is my great honor to be a representative for the Dragon. Thank you for your hospitality. I present to you, for the Empress, a rare book detailing 1st century history, from the perspective of several shugenja researchers contemporary to that time."

The book had a beautiful cover featuring Ageki gold, but she did not specifically mention that. Or that her House had been founded in that same 1st century by Togashi himself. Probably she should have! But she was nervous, and better to succeed modestly than fail boldly. And the main thing was to represent the Dragon. Right?


OOC:
https://sakkaku.org/r/15524 Rolled a 38 vs TN 25
Success! +7 glory

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke's court robes are of splendid fabric, but the colors and brocade patterning is subtle and understated, the better to set off both his handsome, lively face and the beautiful gold- and mother-of-pearl-lacquered gift box he carries.

With the stately, perhaps somewhat exaggerated dignity of an ancient warrior hero in a play, he advances and lowers himself before the screened throne and the Ikoma daimyo's place, touching his forehead to the floor matting. "Ikoma-sama, Tanaka Shinnosuke brings greetings and well-wishes from House Tanaka, fortunate vassals of Doji. This fan"--with both hands, he slides the lacquer box forward, deftly dislodging the lid to show just a hint of its contents--"is an antique by the monk Honsen, held by our family since the age of Hantei Bosai. The old master's painting of sacred cypresses was meant as a blessing of peace and longevity. We offer it in that spirit." In the short time allotted, Shinnosuke tries to convey through glance, gesture, and his few words everything he imagines behind that story--the bent old master craftsman, the century in family storehouses among other treasures, the towering sacredness of the painted cypress trees.

As one of the retainers takes the boxed fan away and Ikoma Ryota gestures for him to rise, Shinnosuke feels his heart pounding in his chest. That went great! He can feel his audience respond, exactly like in the first entrance section of a really smashing play. It is still only the jo section of the winter--the beginning, everything being introduced gently and auspiciously with flowing music, no conflict yet--but he really feels it, this is going to be a great Winter Court for him.

--
D1 LA Gift Giving--Courtier/Awareness + Influence 2 + Prodigy + Benten + Void. Base TN 25, 1 CR for House namecheck, 2 CR for personal fancyness = new TN 40 | 9k6+2 ⇒ 60 (TN: 40)

House Tanaka gains 2 Influence
Shin gains 11 Glory (7+2+2)

[Akodo Myorin]

“Ikoma-sama, this one is Akodo Myorin of the House of Nariakira. It is with great humility that this one offers thanks for being allowed to step before yourself and the radiant Daughter of Heaven.”

Without taking her eyes off the daimyo she opens the box with a smooth motion. “The House Nariakira was elevated in battle, but I do not intend to speak of it save to mention that our namesake saw his sword broken. Having served its master well the metal gave out, taking a foe even in that moment.” Myorin watched a small frown on pull at the corners of the Ikoma lord’s mouth, surely in disappointment and frustration. The Akodo had suspected such a reaction but it was a risk that might yet play out in her favor. “Unwilling to abandon the blade, it’s shards were gathered. But to reforge it…ah would only make a weaker blade or else one so mixed with new steel as to be a new blade. So the shards sat.” As she spoke she slowly moved silk cloth aside, protection for what ever sat in the box.

“Sat until my own great grandmother, who saw a new purpose in the old steel. It was at last reforged, or perhaps more accurately reborn.” Myorin held up a steel chime, “Given new purpose. Born to sing on the field of war, broken, and reborn to sing a new in peace.” Her other hand brushed the hanging metal, letting the instrument sound a brief note.

The Akodo offered it up with her head lowered. “House Nariakira offers this chime in the hope that its melodies will bring some measure of joy.”

----------
Gifting Roll Day 1. AWA/Courtier 7k4. Void for +1k1. +3 from status. TN25 +5 from raise for House influence. Final TN30 | 8k5+3 ⇒ 38 (TN: 30)

7 Glory and +2 Influence to Nariakira

[Mirumoto Kichinitonda]

Somewhat pale-skinned and with hands that show they are both freshly scrubbed and long stained with ink, Mirumoto Kichinitonda shuffles forward.

"Er, Lord Ikoma," he says, as if choosing his words carefully. "It is, uh, with gratitude that I greet you in your, er, lovely home, and to be deemed, ah, worth being in such a place with such company. And, well, uh, in sign of that gratitude, I, uh, well, um, have this to offer, which I hope will be received gladly."

So saying, he offers a scroll with both hands, bowing his head sharply and dropping to his knees with a quiet thud. Inelegant, perhaps, but forceful enough to call to mind the Ten Orders.

"It is an accounting, um, though not in the bardic style of your Family, Lord Ikoma, of Agasha-ke no kaishin Nishimura Ayamari, of whom, um, I believe more will be said in years to come."

What can be seen of the scroll is expertly engraved, the calligraphy clear and consistent even at a distance. It is clear that much time and effort was spent in the scribe-work.

The ritual of offers and refusals concluding in gloss, as is likely best for all involved, Kichinitonda rises and gets out of the way. People have things to do, after all.

Presentation: 25, https://sakkaku.org/r/15550--a narrow pass for the NPC

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae waited her turn patiently, at least there were some interesting gift ideas this year. When space cleared for her she stepped forward and bowed respectfully before presenting an ornate scroll box.

Scroll.jpg (16.28 KiB) Viewed 3036 times

"Ikoma-sama, it is an honour to attend the Empress in your home. If you will allow me to present a small token of thanks for the Daughter of Heaven.

My family was born from conflict when there was a need to protect those who could not protect themselves. Ever since, on the battlefield and off it, through fortune and adversity we have continued that charge. Of course, we are far from the first to do so as the records of the Emerald Magistrates attest.

I have compiled the honoured histories of your own family's service to the law from those records in this scroll. Although I cannot do true justice to their accomplishments as your own historians could. Still, I pray it can be of some meager use should the Empress ever wish further evidence of the long and storied history of the Ikoma.


Results:

Success. +7 glory points, +2 House Miyahara Influence
Day 1 LA - The Giving of Gifts - TN 25 Courtiers/Awareness + influence or status roll.
Spending a void point for +1k1
Calling one raise for +2 house influence on success | 7k4+5 ⇒ 36 (TN: 25)

[Matsu Masumi]

When it came to Masumi's turn to present her gift, she strutted up with just the right amount of confidence to not appear weak nor arrogant. "Ikoma-ue, it is a privilege beyond measure to participate in this Winter Court," she announced. Her voice was seldom soft, that would be too much to ask of a Matsu. But cordial? Most certainly. "House Morikawa has sent this one with a humble offering." She held out a bonsai tree with the base crafted to resemble a river. While the Empress may be too busy to tend to one, there were certainly servants for that sort of work.

---

D1 LA Event Roll: Courtier / Awareness TN 30, 1 Raise for Name Drop, +2 from Status, VP Spent, Benten's Blessing | 7k5+2 ⇒ 37 (TN: 30)

Success! 7 Points of Glory, 2 Influence for House Morikawa

[Asahina Hoshiko]

This is an occasion for the best that House Yamada could afford, and Hoshiko took that seriously, dressed in silks of midnight blue, the hanging sleeves embroidered with cranes in flight among deep green needles of pine. Obviously new-made for the season. It felt a bit like armor, with the deep obeisance both a sign of respect/submission, and a moment of not needing to guard her facial expressions so closely.

The Imperial courtiers stationed at Crane courts weren't generally their most important. It was, in fact, a bit daunting to walk here before so many Imperial eyes she had to assume were unfriendly, including those behind the screen. The moment to compose herself before speaking was very welcome.

"Ikoma-sama, House Yamada of the Asahina sends me in gratitude and humility to the court." A small box of fine-grained, richly stained wood is pushed forward. "In the years since our founder traveled south to follow the former Isawa Asahina in his new position we have come to focus on tending the spiritual gifts of our lands and people." The box is opened to reveal slender sticks of incense. "These are made each year, based on recipes reputed to date back to the days of Isawa himself, to burn at all of the many shrines tended upon our lands at the beginning of the year to thank the enshrined spirits there. While these few are not nearly so old as the recipe, they are most of what remain of those brought along when the house was founded."

Closing the box and scooting back from it, Hoshiko dips to the floor once again. "It is my hope that they provide some of the pleasure and serenity I have found walking our lands on New Year's Day with this scent on every breeze."

**************************************************
LA Crane Gift Giving: Courtier/Awareness + Influence (3) + VP
1 Raise to name drop house | 8k5+3 ⇒ 34 (TN: 30)
Success (+7 Glory, +2 Influence points to House Yamada)

[Ikoma Tanji]

Coming to his home school grounds in such an important time might have intimidated this Lion earlier in life. However, now with years of experience in high stress environments, the robes to prove it, and a gift to give. Ikoma Tanji steels himself for only a moment before approaching the most important people any samurai could ever meet in this life.

"Most honorable lord and host, thank you for all your effort and for permitting this humble servant from House Suitai to attend. May tenno heika enjoy her stay."

He then pulls out an old, likely ancient scroll. "These recently rediscovered poems were found in the
Western Lion Embassy. May their words spring new ideas once more."


* Mechanics
D1 LA Giving of Gifts Event. Courtier/Awareness+Void+IR1 tech+Status 3(static bonus). TN 25+3 raises, 1 for house, 1 for glory | 9k5+3 ⇒ 52 (TN: 40)
Success (+9 Glory, +2 Influence to House Suitai)

[Isawa Ebiko]

Isawa Ebiko knew how important this occasion was, and had carefully smoothed her orange and red silk kimono over and over as she practiced what she would say during the gift-giving. She was here to help redeem House Yoshinobu within her clan, tiny though they were, their brief history was riddled with scandal. So far, Ebiko had done alright for herself among the Loremasters. Until today, when something about being in the field of view of the Empress was a bit too much.

"Ikoma-sama, a gift sent from the Isawa clan's House Yoshinobu in honor of Her Majesty the Empress."

The netsuke within was actually quite nice. Unfortunately, whatever Ebiko said was unintelligible as she hurried back to the Phoenix delegation.

(Spend VP, called raise for house, 28 v tn 30 ...lmao.) +2 glory, -2 influence to House Yoshinobu

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru goes to present his present, a poem.

Winter's grasp has loosened,
Spring whispers through thawing earth,
Life awakens bright.

Except...he got the season wrong
______

D1-LA Gift Giving Event-Courtier/Awareness-1 raise to increase Clan Profile, 1 raise for personal glory, +2 Influence-VP Spent | 8k5 ⇒ 20 (TN: 35)

+0.2 Glory
-2 Crane Influence

[Yogo Kiuchi]

Kiuchi was in trouble. He had put much thought into the gift. His mother gave her advice. As well, as his daimyo. Terrible, terrible advice. Fortunately, he was inspired by his fellow Scorpion delegate, Soshi Eiji.

"Ikoma-sama, it is a great honor to visit your lands. My mother always spoke highly of them." Kiuchi decided it best to not mention how she would add how part of their beauty was they were disgraced with his presence. "I wish to give you this book. It is the story of a Ki-Rin who traveled the Empire visiting the lands of the Clans one last time before they left on their travels. I give this so it may be remembered how far we came to be where we are now."

It was a rare volume, though of course, there were probably a dozen copies in the Ikoma libraries. But it was the thought that counted. Which fortunately, for him, it was.

Gift Giving Courtier/Awa VOID for Skill | 4k3+2 ⇒ 28 (TN: 25)

7 Glory points for the Yogo

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei approached the Ikoma daimyo with all appropriate courtesy.
Lot of bowing, but nothing too excessive. This was the Imperial Court, after all.

So he held his gift at the ready- it looked, at first, to simply be a bolt of cloth the young Phoenix carried rolled up in his arms, although the Seppun who had inspected it had somewhat ruined any surprise, in all likelihood.

"Ikoma-ue, this one is Shiba-ke no kashin Shigi Ryusei. I hope you will forgive this one for feeling free to note that my mother was born Ikoma Kirahime, and that I am thus doubly honored by your gracious hospitality. It is impossible to select a gift worthy of the Throne, but this one hopes that we have not fallen short by too far a margin."

He unfurled the cloth with a snap- it was old. Threadbare.
And glorious.
An orange banner, of the sort flown from a kobune to identify the vessel, with the Phoenix crest over House Shigi's insignia, It was tattered, ripped, and pierced. This wa sa flag that had seen some damn action.

"In the name of House Shigi, I present this banner, which flew from the Sandpiper, our flagship in the First War. I do not apologize for its condition."

The young samurai with the ancient banner bowed as was appropriate and went through the Game of Refusals with perfect calm.

[Give a prezzie, TN 25. Courtier/Awareness+Influence, spending Void for +1k1, Benten's Blessing Applies +0k1, Calling raise for TN 30, name-dropping House for Influence | 7k5 ⇒ 32 (TN: 30) And actually a 35 with House Shigi's influence, but you know what, we'll call that good.

Ryusei gains 7 Glory and House Shigi gains 2 Influence]

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

The man was dressed in the finest green silks this side of the Islands of Spice and Silk, with his hair impeccably done, and his face lightly dusted with powder to keep any weird splotches from appearing while he spoke to the Empress's designated gift-handler. He giggled lightly into his sleeve at the phrase gift-handler but when it was his turn to speak to Lord Ikoma, Jinkan was clear and articulate. He even managed to look in the Ikoma's direction!

The Mirumoto hefted a large grey spherical rock toward Lord Ikoma with a winning smile that his scars stretched beyond any beauty his face might have had. "This humble servant is Mirumoto Jinkan, of the house of Ito. I bring you a rock from the Yama river which flows in front of the castle built under the mountain. I picked it myself, just before the eastern shore froze for the winter. Strike the top hard with a hammer and chisel and you will find purple and green quartz growing beneath the surface."

After the dance of gift giving was done, the Mirumoto would make sure to mark where to begin hitting. It was only polite after all.

[D1, LA, EVENT] The Giving of Gifts, Empress you rock, Courtier/Awareness+Influence, 1 raise for influence, TN30, spend VP for 1k1, 7k4+2 | 7k4+2 ⇒ 34 (TN: 30)
(+7 glory points, +2 Influence for Ito)

[Isawa Shingo]

Isawa Shingo had made more complicated presentations in front of scarier audiences than this, but the size of this audience - and the barely concealed hope that a presenter would embarrass themselves, their house, maybe even their whole clan before the entire empire - took this experience to unimagined levels of anxiety. But anxiety was a real feeling, and real feelings were locked up, tightly and deeply, so that his smile could look less forced and his movements could seem as light and effortless as if he'd trained with his clan's courtiers rather than shugenja.

Stepping forward as his turn arrived, the young Phoenix lord knelt and bowed deeply - holding it for just a moment longer than necessary, to ensure he had a full breath in his lungs before he began to speak.

[Details to come when I figure out what treasure the Yoshinobu would have sent]

------
Roll: Success with raise to shout out House Yoshinobu linked here.