[EM1] - Call To Temple (Closed)

[Kakita Ahiru]

"To me, there's not much a whole Clan can do, young one. There's just so much to tend to. And the support and alms that used to come in regularly aren't as they once were. Tsuma, like a lot of places, has been stretched thin by the ravages of nature..." the tsunami still fresh in the minds of most.

"All of you are fine examples of those invited here. I am Saito. Abbot of this Shrine. The only monk here, I'm afraid. I sent my brothers and sisters away, not wanting to hand them the burdens of the starving we have been plighted here."

Ahiru frowned gently. She knew the tsunami had made life hard for many in these lands... she just hadn't really been prepared to meet someone suffering it so directly as this monk, who was one they should care for!

"I am saddened to hear that a sacred monk and this shrine has fallen on such hard times, given the recent troubles. But moments like these is when honor must guide us and we must do what is right. This plight should not be ignored," while her voice was soft as she had been trained to speak in that manner, there was certainly a fire in her words.

First thing she'd have to do personally is to at least get this monk some warmer clothes, as the spring was still rather chilly. "How can we best assist?"


----

OOC: Can I use the Shallow Waters shuji to learn more about what is needed for the monk and the shrine (as he might not say it himself)?

Shallow Waters
Activation: When you make a Social skill (Water) check targeting a character, you may spend Opportunity as follows:
Water Opportunity (1): Learn of one material item or worldly experience the target desires.
Water Opportunity (1): Learn the target’s ninjō .

[Shiba Haru]

Haru became noticeably angered hearing the old monk's plight and had to walk away for a moment to collect himself. he began cleaning and dusting with the cloths he had brought.

"We all have fresh backs Abbot-sama, what can we do to ease your burden?"

[Ender]

"To me, there's not much a whole Clan can do, young one. There's just so much to tend to. And the support and alms that used to come in regularly aren't as they once were. Tsuma, like a lot of places, has been stretched thin by the ravages of nature..." the tsunami still fresh in the minds of most.

"All of you are fine examples of those invited here. I am Saito. Abbot of this Shrine. The only monk here, I'm afraid. I sent my brothers and sisters away, not wanting to hand them the burdens of the starving we have been plighted here."

Ahiru frowned gently. She knew the tsunami had made life hard for many in these lands... she just hadn't really been prepared to meet someone suffering it so directly as this monk, who was one they should care for!

"I am saddened to hear that a sacred monk and this shrine has fallen on such hard times, given the recent troubles. But moments like these is when honor must guide us and we must do what is right. This plight should not be ignored," while her voice was soft as she had been trained to speak in that manner, there was certainly a fire in her words.

First thing she'd have to do personally is to at least get this monk some warmer clothes, as the spring was still rather chilly. "How can we best assist?"


----

OOC: Can I use the Shallow Waters shuji to learn more about what is needed for the monk and the shrine (as he might not say it himself)?

Shallow Waters
Activation: When you make a Social skill (Water) check targeting a character, you may spend Opportunity as follows:
Water Opportunity (1): Learn of one material item or worldly experience the target desires.
Water Opportunity (1): Learn the target’s ninjō .

Make a TN 2 Courtesy skill check. Doji Diplomat Tech applies.

[Kakita Ahiru]

While still not yet an adult, her bearing and manner of speech showed that she was not just any random Kakita but probably one of noble birth and standing. "It is every honorable samurai's duty to assist where they can. Both Ebisu-no-Kami and Hotei-no-Kami would surely approve of a group of young samurai-to-be lending a helpful hand to the caretaker of their shrine." There was a regal warmth to her words as she spoke.


--------

D1 EM: Call To Temple. Courtesy/Water (establishing trust and friendship). TN 2. Speaking in Silence (adding 1 kept Ring die set to Opportunity). | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3

2 Successes (passes TN 2).
2 Opportunity + 1 from Speaking In Silence for a total of 3.
Spending 1 Opportunity to use Shallow Waters. Spending 2 Opportunity to "spot an interesting physical detail present in your environment not directly related to your check". (since she was trying to get an impression of the current state of the shrine earlier? )
3 Strife taken to Composure?

[Isawa Natsuko]

Natsuko offers a belated bow, expression ureadable, as Kuroneko offers a group introduction. She probably should have had the sense to introduce herself before asking questions.

The abbot stood tall, stretching his back before speaking. There was an audible pop as he cracked his bones, before stretching his neck one way, and then the other. "It's more than just that, I'm afraid." He sighed. "Even offerings that are left seem to wilt and not be as bright as they should." He sighed.

Natsuko frowns "Something stealing the vitality of offerings seems like...more than just an imbalance, it is true." More, it seemed wrong of the Crane to let their weakness show here, a place so many other clans would visit, and thus fitting for the young Kakita to speak most vehemently about the wrongness of this.

"Still, I will leave what offerings I may and ask of the spirits what they would have of me, before attending the physical needs that are so apparent." She couldn't imagine objections to a priest speaking with the spirits in a shrine, and so continues to whatever representation of Fukurokujin the shrine boasts, digging in her satchel for incense, a coin, several interesting leaves collected on the trip here that she'd had to ask around to identify.

Her prayers are quiet, almost whispered to avoid disturbing the others as they converse, becoming, if anything, quieter as she touches the all and nothing that she has become familiar with. But the quiet of them becomes an emptiness in the sounds of the temple, like dropping a stone into a pond, but instead of the expected 'plink!' a silence shaped like 'plink!' presses into your ears.

****************
Ritual: Commune with Void. TN 3 (per GM Communication) Void spent | TN: 3 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3 / Magnitude: 0


TN 3: Success
3 Strife (3/8)
1 Fatigue
2 Opportunity: one for an additional boon on the ritual, one for narrative spice

[Shiba Kuroneko]

Kuroneko decided to follow Haru's example and let the experts verify the surrounding for what the imbalance and the sadden spirits are about. He moved to the shrine to Inari and cleaned it up. leaving his offering of a bit of rice. Tori came out his sleeve sensing the Shiba's sadness and curled around his neck. "I know Tori kun... I Know."

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai considers, first racking his brains to see if he recalls anything from his instruction, anything from the stories he has heard over the years.

Second, he wonders if what happens in the temple connects to what he saw last night. Because who'd suspect a temple? And yet using it for such a thing would be profane in the extreme...

~~~~~
So, Ender, I'm guessing Earth / Composition or Earth / Theology for the first, here. Not sure how to go about searching out the second...

[Ender]

While still not yet an adult, her bearing and manner of speech showed that she was not just any random Kakita but probably one of noble birth and standing. "It is every honorable samurai's duty to assist where they can. Both Ebisu-no-Kami and Hotei-no-Kami would surely approve of a group of young samurai-to-be lending a helpful hand to the caretaker of their shrine." There was a regal warmth to her words as she spoke.


--------

D1 EM: Call To Temple. Courtesy/Water (establishing trust and friendship). TN 2. Speaking in Silence (adding 1 kept Ring die set to Opportunity). | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3

2 Successes (passes TN 2).
2 Opportunity + 1 from Speaking In Silence for a total of 3.
Spending 1 Opportunity to use Shallow Waters. Spending 2 Opportunity to "spot an interesting physical detail present in your environment not directly related to your check". (since she was trying to get an impression of the current state of the shrine earlier? )
3 Strife taken to Composure?

Saito smiled at Ahiru, stepping away from Hirame as the young man swept with expert precision, based on Saito's obseration. "Child, you speak true, and you diligence is honorable. Warmth seems to radiate from his words, feeling put at ease by the young Crane.

With your training schooling, you can tell that Saito's most pressing need is for alms to return more fully to the shrine. Unable to hire laborers to help maintain the grounds, or even secure enough provisions for other monks. With the additional opportunities, the thing you notice is that the buildings, the facades, stonework.... it's worn down. As if without the upkeep from the City, even the very spirits in the stone and wood have left, causing decay to accelerate.

Natsuko offers a belated bow, expression ureadable, as Kuroneko offers a group introduction. She probably should have had the sense to introduce herself before asking questions.

The abbot stood tall, stretching his back before speaking. There was an audible pop as he cracked his bones, before stretching his neck one way, and then the other. "It's more than just that, I'm afraid." He sighed. "Even offerings that are left seem to wilt and not be as bright as they should." He sighed.

Natsuko frowns "Something stealing the vitality of offerings seems like...more than just an imbalance, it is true." More, it seemed wrong of the Crane to let their weakness show here, a place so many other clans would visit, and thus fitting for the young Kakita to speak most vehemently about the wrongness of this.

"Still, I will leave what offerings I may and ask of the spirits what they would have of me, before attending the physical needs that are so apparent." She couldn't imagine objections to a priest speaking with the spirits in a shrine, and so continues to whatever representation of Fukurokujin the shrine boasts, digging in her satchel for incense, a coin, several interesting leaves collected on the trip here that she'd had to ask around to identify.

Her prayers are quiet, almost whispered to avoid disturbing the others as they converse, becoming, if anything, quieter as she touches the all and nothing that she has become familiar with. But the quiet of them becomes an emptiness in the sounds of the temple, like dropping a stone into a pond, but instead of the expected 'plink!' a silence shaped like 'plink!' presses into your ears.

****************
Ritual: Commune with Void. TN 3 (per GM Communication) Void spent | TN: 3 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3 / Magnitude: 0


TN 3: Success
3 Strife (3/8)
1 Fatigue
2 Opportunity: one for an additional boon on the ritual, one for narrative spice

In the silence of the Void, the quiet of the shrine is maddening. The spirits seem weak around the temple. Almost as if it is flowing away. In fact, you get the distinct sense that darkness grows within the shrine, as if it's becoming spiritually void. Nothing wants to focus on the shrine, drawn away to spaces elsewhere. One spirit hands near Saito, but feels just as weak as the man looks. Like they're just what's barely holding the place together.

Urusai considers, first racking his brains to see if he recalls anything from his instruction, anything from the stories he has heard over the years.

Second, he wonders if what happens in the temple connects to what he saw last night. Because who'd suspect a temple? And yet using it for such a thing would be profane in the extreme...

~~~~~
So, Ender, I'm guessing Earth / Composition or Earth / Theology for the first, here. Not sure how to go about searching out the second...

For the first, what are you trying to recall? Just prayers or offerings?

For the second, there isn't a need to roll. It's obvious there's no connection between the two.

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai considers, first racking his brains to see if he recalls anything from his instruction, anything from the stories he has heard over the years.

Second, he wonders if what happens in the temple connects to what he saw last night. Because who'd suspect a temple? And yet using it for such a thing would be profane in the extreme...

~~~~~
So, Ender, I'm guessing Earth / Composition or Earth / Theology for the first, here. Not sure how to go about searching out the second...

For the first, what are you trying to recall? Just prayers or offerings?

For the second, there isn't a need to roll. It's obvious there's no connection between the two.

Thank you on the second.

For the first, I was thinking stories of similar things in the past--that is, other instances of shrines running down and being abandoned by the local spirits. Rokugani history is cyclical, after all, so there might be past parallels that offer insights into how to proceed.

[Ender]

Urusai considers, first racking his brains to see if he recalls anything from his instruction, anything from the stories he has heard over the years.

Second, he wonders if what happens in the temple connects to what he saw last night. Because who'd suspect a temple? And yet using it for such a thing would be profane in the extreme...

~~~~~
So, Ender, I'm guessing Earth / Composition or Earth / Theology for the first, here. Not sure how to go about searching out the second...

For the first, what are you trying to recall? Just prayers or offerings?

For the second, there isn't a need to roll. It's obvious there's no connection between the two.

Thank you on the second.

For the first, I was thinking stories of similar things in the past--that is, other instances of shrines running down and being abandoned by the local spirits. Rokugani history is cyclical, after all, so there might be past parallels that offer insights into how to proceed.

TN 3 Theology

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai's brow furrows. He thinks back over his lessons at Kyuden Seppun, the ways in which his uncle supplemented them with stories of old, the great Seppun who went before and who quietly attended to the Temples and the shrines, who stood guard over the same and left their logs behind them. Yet he cannot bring to mind anything that would seem to help.

So he falls back on his old training. Even the Seppun students clean the floors of the dojo, and so he looks for the cloth and bucket that must surely be nearby to that purpose, meaning to apply them diligently. And coin is easy enough to give away.

~~~~~

Tag
TN 3 Theology

Failed at 1 sux, 1 opp, 1 Strife, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/2262; using opp to eat rolled Strife, reducing Strife from Passion

Deposit 1 Koku into the Shrine coffers.

[Ender]

Urusai's brow furrows. He thinks back over his lessons at Kyuden Seppun, the ways in which his uncle supplemented them with stories of old, the great Seppun who went before and who quietly attended to the Temples and the shrines, who stood guard over the same and left their logs behind them. Yet he cannot bring to mind anything that would seem to help.

So he falls back on his old training. Even the Seppun students clean the floors of the dojo, and so he looks for the cloth and bucket that must surely be nearby to that purpose, meaning to apply them diligently. And coin is easy enough to give away.

~~~~~

Tag
TN 3 Theology

Failed at 1 sux, 1 opp, 1 Strife, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/2262; using opp to eat rolled Strife, reducing Strife from Passion

Deposit 1 Koku into the Shrine coffers.

The offered Koku plinks nicely into the donation bucket. At the same time, something peeks over the bucket, and the air feels warm around you, for just a moment, before the sensation passes, and the atmosphere returns to that cold feeling that seems to permeate the shrine.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Saito smiled at Ahiru, stepping away from Hirame as the young man swept with expert precision, based on Saito's obseration. "Child, you speak true, and you diligence is honorable. Warmth seems to radiate from his words, feeling put at ease by the young Crane.

With your training schooling, you can tell that Saito's most pressing need is for alms to return more fully to the shrine. Unable to hire laborers to help maintain the grounds, or even secure enough provisions for other monks. With the additional opportunities, the thing you notice is that the buildings, the facades, stonework.... it's worn down. As if without the upkeep from the City, even the very spirits in the stone and wood have left, causing decay to accelerate.

Ahiru bowed, as one should show respect to holy men and women. "Thank you. To start with, let's see what can be done this morning, hm?" she offered him a kind smile.

Seeing the Seppun give an offering, she at least decided to follow suit and added a gold coin herself to the donation box (1 koku). It would be a start, as she knew she wasn't the best one at simple labor like sweeping and cleaning.

[Funegao no Hirame]

Hirame was aware of very little of what was going on. But he certainly was aware of two other Topaz candidates placing money into the donation box, including his spouse to be.

Not to be outdone, Hirame swept his way over to the donation box, paused long enough to drop in his own koku, and then swept away again, smiling as he did so.

[Isawa Natsuko]

Muttering in that echoingly soft voice, "too quiet, too empty, too alone," Natsuko rocks gently in distress to find the shrine in such spiritual state. "Even if we offer, we're a whisper and flash, a breath on dying embers, and then the darkness grows." The lanterns nearby glow with the empty dark of void, seeming to pull light from the space around them.

She looks directly at Ahiru. "It's a danger the Crane can't allow to fester. Worn stonework within sight of what's supposed to be the best artisans in the Empire is a hollowed out heart." She can feel the stretched thin tremors from pushing the void into the shape of information and lets it go before it carries farther than hands and toes. Thrusting her hands into her satchel she roots around, coming up with a handful of small coins to join the first she'd offered.

"And you," her gaze fixes on the monk holding the frayed spirit of this place together. "are as worn as the stone. We can't carve you a fresh self, but I'm bringing tea and snacks tomorrow if you'll share them."


*opportunity boon for the void summonses..not sure how long Ender wants to let it last*

[Ender]

Kuroneko decided to follow Haru's example and let the experts verify the surrounding for what the imbalance and the sadden spirits are about. He moved to the shrine to Inari and cleaned it up. leaving his offering of a bit of rice. Tori came out his sleeve sensing the Shiba's sadness and curled around his neck. "I know Tori kun... I Know."

When the rice is placed upon the shrine of Inari, there is a sense of satiation that hangs in the air, but only for a moment. The grains immediately seem to darken, as if exposed to the elements for too long. A hint of mold and rot on the ends. The other shrines around have certainly seen better days.

Saito smiled at Ahiru, stepping away from Hirame as the young man swept with expert precision, based on Saito's obseration. "Child, you speak true, and you diligence is honorable. Warmth seems to radiate from his words, feeling put at ease by the young Crane.

With your training schooling, you can tell that Saito's most pressing need is for alms to return more fully to the shrine. Unable to hire laborers to help maintain the grounds, or even secure enough provisions for other monks. With the additional opportunities, the thing you notice is that the buildings, the facades, stonework.... it's worn down. As if without the upkeep from the City, even the very spirits in the stone and wood have left, causing decay to accelerate.

Ahiru bowed, as one should show respect to holy men and women. "Thank you. To start with, let's see what can be done this morning, hm?" she offered him a kind smile.

Seeing the Seppun give an offering, she at least decided to follow suit and added a gold coin herself to the donation box (1 koku). It would be a start, as she knew she wasn't the best one at simple labor like sweeping and cleaning.

Hirame was aware of very little of what was going on. But he certainly was aware of two other Topaz candidates placing money into the donation box, including his spouse to be.

Not to be outdone, Hirame swept his way over to the donation box, paused long enough to drop in his own koku, and then swept away again, smiling as he did so.

As more koku is donated, the spirit watching over the donation box brightens a bit, almost seeminf exuberant, before withering away, that sickly feeling of malnourishment coloring its pallor.

If one were to look at the donated koku, their luster would be completely gone.

Muttering in that echoingly soft voice, "too quiet, too empty, too alone," Natsuko rocks gently in distress to find the shrine in such spiritual state. "Even if we offer, we're a whisper and flash, a breath on dying embers, and then the darkness grows." The lanterns nearby glow with the empty dark of void, seeming to pull light from the space around them.

She looks directly at Ahiru. "It's a danger the Crane can't allow to fester. Worn stonework within sight of what's supposed to be the best artisans in the Empire is a hollowed out heart." She can feel the stretched thin tremors from pushing the void into the shape of information and lets it go before it carries farther than hands and toes. Thrusting her hands into her satchel she roots around, coming up with a handful of small coins to join the first she'd offered.

"And you," her gaze fixes on the monk holding the frayed spirit of this place together. "are as worn as the stone. We can't carve you a fresh self, but I'm bringing tea and snacks tomorrow if you'll share them."


*opportunity boon for the void summonses..not sure how long Ender wants to let it last*

Saito tilts his head as he looks to the young priestess, then bows. "Please, there is no need to trouble yourself for an old man. But if one were to bring snacks, I would enjoy their pleasant company."

With the opportunity spend, those spirits that have stirred seem to grow more active. The nothingness that surrounds the shrine doesn't shrink back, but it seems halted, even if only for the rest of the scene.

[Isawa Natsuko]

Natsuko nods to Saito. "It is not troubling at all. The spirits here need feeding, as do you," she says with a blunt finality as she rises, one hand brushing dust from her knees and looking to see if there's another broom about.

As she looks, her gaze tries to catch that of her clanmates. They'd only just been discussing this the day before, after all.

***************
Also setting up a picnic on D2, which folks from this thread are welcome to interact with.
http://kiku.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=277

[Isawa Natsuko]

Whoops...double posted instead of editing...going to fix that now.

Nothing to see here.

[Seppun Urusai]

For his own part, Urusai looks perhaps a bit undignified with his but in the air as he works the cloth back and forth over the floors. But he is yet a student, and cleaning is a student's duty, so he heeds it not. And the floor is clean behind him.

[Kakita Ahiru]

Such a strange sight, Ahiru thought, seeing the koku lose its shine and lustre. As if there was a sickness over the entire place.

It seemed like this shrine needed more than just donations, but it would be a start perhaps.