[LM5] - Test of the Soul

[Ender]

Doji Shingo had arranged for the Red Lotus to be bought out by the Crane for the purposes of today's test. Fine tea was served, and a long table set out, large enough for all the competitors to be around. He moves gracefully, as he begins to pour tea, and servants dutifully pass it between all the competitors.

"The Soul of the Samurai is twofold, my dear children." His voice was soft, musical, and well practiced. His vibrant white hair was freshly died. Every article of clothing, every piece of jewelry immaculate. A picture of poise, grace, and dignity. "The Sword, which represents the steel of the Samurai, the Courage. And the Fan." He picked his up, skillfully flicking it open as he fanned himself, "The words spoken in Court, the Compassion and Courtesy we all show for each other, and how our society functions. How to best act. This cannot be forgotten, even on the battlefield."

His thin lips curled to a demure smile, as he bowed his head. "Court is just as important, and just as deadly. You would do well to act as such..." eyes as bright as polished sapphires look up to all, before he stands, and moves to a separate table, one seat across from him. "We will go through each step individually..."

Disadvantages that must be triggered once on a roll of the affected PCs choice, if they choose the approach tied to the disadvantage: Bluntness (Air), Cognitive Lapses (Void), Deafness (Air), Discomfiting Countenance (Air), Disdain For a Bushido Tenent: Courtesy (Air), Gaijin Name, Culture, or Appearance (Fire), Muteness (Air), Whispers of Cruelty (Earth), Meekness (Fire), Perfectionism (Water) on Step 3, Lackluster (Fire)

School Abilities that are applicable:

Doji Diplomat - Speaking in Silence (Steps 1 or 2)
Akodo Commander - Way of the Lion
Bayushi Manipulator - (Steps 1 and 2)
Kitsuki Investigator - The Kitsku Method (Step 2)
Kaiu Engineer - Masterful Builder (Step 3)
Asahina Artificer - Spiritual Artisan (Step 3)
Shiba Artist - Architect of Tranquility (Step 3)

Please feel free to ask if your School Ability could apply

Magic is not allowed for this event

Scoring:
1 Soul Point for a Basic Success
+1 Soul Point for every 2 successes after the first,
+1 Soul Point for using Doji Shingo's favored approach, if successful on the roll.
Tiebreaker 1 - Opportunity on Kept Dice
Tiebreaker 2 - Strife on kept dice (whoever has the last amount of strife kept)

1st Place - 3 Topaz Points, 3 Glory
2nd Place - 2 Topaz Points, 2 Glory
3rd Place - 1 Topaz Point, 1 Glory

Step One: Tea Sets are set out for each competitor to practice proper tea pouring, while maintaining conversation. As Doji Shingo demonstrates, his movements are subtle, a trick even, while speaking. Not a single break in decorum or a sign of discomfort as he converses with an unnamed Crane diplomat to practice. "You must be courteous, even to an enemy, and treat them with grace. Sharing tea is the peak of this showcase..."

This is a TN 2 Courtesy check as a Support or Scheme Action. Success on this check represents carrying on polite conversation without breaching any social taboos, or spilling the tea, literally, while spilling the tea, metaphorically.

Step Two: "As you converse, one must be charming. You will be counted on by your Clans to develop positive feelings for yourself in others, so that friendships can be established, and thus the great game of Court works as it should..."

This is a TN 2 Sentiment check, as a Support or Scheme Action. Carrying on the conversation with Doji Shingo, this roll represents developing a rapport with them.

Step Three: Finally stepping away from the table, he leads the group to a separate room. Inside are fine silks, threads. Inks and paper. Bonsai trees. "The Soul of the Samurai is stoic. We do not break our On, but in Art... that is where we bare our emotions to the world. Here, you must create a piece of art to represent yourself. Use any medium you so choose... let yours hearts burn brightly, and show those passions." He bows again to all the competitors.

This is a TN 2 Aesthetics check, as a Support or Scheme Action. This represents taking the time to create a piece of art, a reflection of oneself, while never giving away the On.

[Shiba Haru]

Haru had seen his brother perform a tea ceremony countless time, had it performed for him countless times. Yet he had never paid it the attention he should have.

I knew I should have asked him to walk me though it days ago!


[D5]Test of the Soul
Step 1: Courtesy/Water (Perfectionism) | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1

Perfectionism not triggered on this roll, disregard as a mistake
Failed
1/10 Strife

[D5]Test of the Soul
Step 2: Sentiment/Water | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 4

2 Soul Points gained
School technique used to negate Strife on the roll, reduce total Strife by 1
0/10 Strife

[D5]Test of the Soul Step 2: Sentiment/Water (Perfectionism) | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3

1 Soul Point gained
3 Strife, 1 Void point gained from Perfectionism
6/10 Strife

Soul Points earned: 3 (-/W/W)
Tiebreaker 1: 3
Tiebreaker 2: 8

Strife after event 6/10

[Suzume Rin]

Day 5 Event - Test of the Soul

Air/Courtesy TN 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3


Rin is a master of decorum, it's easy for a minor clanner. Just nod a lot while keeping your eyes downcast and answer any questions respectfully. The Crane sensei even tries to bump the table at one point to see if the Sparrow can keep her tea from spilling. But Rin's deathgrip on any food or beverage prevails!

Day 5 Event - Test of the Soul

Water/Sentiment TN 2 spending a void point | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0


Charming them also isn't so hard. Multiple attempts are made to get Rin to say something offensive, or at the very least controversial. But all they do is prompt her into a loooong story about working hard on the farm to feed her family. Even the annoyed instructor can't help but note the humbleness.

Day 5 Test of the Soul

Aesthetics/Void TN 2, spending a void point | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


The art though....well, if splotches are from the heart, then it's from the heart. Very from the heart, there's stuff from the heart all over the paper. It's just not a very clear heart and it has poor lines.

[Yukikaze no Kasumi]

Oh, fuck me.

This, this right here, was Kasumi's greatest fucking nightmare, made real.

Having to do polite shit in a Proper Manner.

Wonder if anyone's ever been sent home from the Topaz Championship in Tsuma as a complete failure without even being allowed to pass their gempukku.

Who knows, maybe I'll set a precedent.

I'm pretty sure that aside from the event tailor-made for me- where I still had to settle for second- I'm not going to impress any of these people.

Why am I even here?

After all, the first task struck her as a literal impossibility. She'd only ever seen a real tea ceremony once before, and while she managed to avoid mentioning what a motherfucking drag this piece of shit task assigned by a fucking sadistic son of a bitch whose mother must have fucked the nastiest oni ever to crawl out of Jigoku to produce him was, it was a near-run thing, and some of her marginally less-profane utterances missed causing a scene only because the people on the receiving end had long since stopped listening to the uncouth goshi.

The second went slightly better, but only slightly. And not well.

Fuck 'em all, fuck 'em all,'
The Long an' th'short an' th'tall,
Fuck all the Doji and Daidoji too,
Fuck the Kakita, fuck the rest of the crew,

I'm saying goodbye to it all,
As out of this shitstorm I crawl,
They've got some fucked notions
This side of the ocean,
So cheer up, m'lads, fuck 'em all!

And then... they had to do art.

Silk and thread? Fuck that, all I know how to sew is a torn sail, and even then I'm pretty bad at it. Ink and paper? Even fucking worse.

Memories or her frustrating conversation the night before merely reinforced her disinclination to try poetry.

Especially given how the rest of her day had gone thus far.

Samurai don't cry.

But a miserable not-yet-a-samurai Mantis took a bonsai tree with a certain brightness in her eyes that was anything but cheerful.

And by careful pruning, she managed to make her bonsai the most forlorn, pitiful little thing imaginable. Something that had no business being in a room with all the dainty, pretty things.

Just like me.

[Roll 1- Test of the Soul, Step 1- TN 2 Courtesy. Sailor's Tongue Disadvantage Applies because not bringing it up in this event which she's not going to win anyway seems blasphemous. | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0


Roll 2- Test of the Soul, Step 2- TN 2 Sentiment. Using Water | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0


Roll 3- Test of the Soul, Step 3- TN 2 Aesthetics. Using Fire | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 3


2 soul points. Accrued 3 strife.]

[Shiba Ichiro]

Today, it seemed, was not Ichiro's day. Perhaps they had overextended themself the other day or perhaps their mindset and that of the judge were too alien to each other to allow connection. Whatever the reason nothing of use was communicated in the social aspect and, by the time it came for art, their frustration and disquiet stymied their creativity. For what should have been the easiest challenge so far they walked away knowing it was not their best showing. Sesai no Shiba Kurohime no shiryo would be disappointed.


(Step 1:

D5, LM: Step 1 - Courtesy/Void unskilled, Void spent | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 4 / Strife: 1


Fail - 4 Opportunities, 1 Strife

Step 2:

D5, LM: Step 2 - Sentiment/Void | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 2


Fail - 3 Opportunities (7total), 2 Strife (3 total)

Step 3:

D5, LM: Step 3 - Aesthetics/Fire, Void spent | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


Fail - 1 Opportunity (8 total), 1 Strife (4 total)

Scoring: 0 points, 8 Opportunity (not that it will matter), 4 Strife)

[Kitsu Masaru]

Well this was a pleasant surprise when he had seen Test of the Soul on the schedule he hadn't quite been sure what to make of such a thing. As the Doji explained the tests he kept an appropriately stoic face but held happiness in his eyes. These were mostly skills he either directly trained in or had a personal interest in.

The first test was simple enough, Masaru sat with his Crane diplomat and adhered to every bit of decorum and rule "Oh you don't say Doji-san? How fascinating. You know sounds exactly like an Ikoma I met one time" he bantered as they shared tea. As the conversation continued both expressions balanced between polite propriety and amused friendliness a few times a gold and brown fan sprang forth between the two and soft laughter could barely be heard.

as they were taken to the next room Masaru looked for something that had good bones, an already fine looking bonsai tree. Masaru was no artisan by training, he simply had an interest in beauty and usually had an eye for it. He took the tree and rather than create something brand new he chose to selectively prune and change the bonsai to enhance the beauty that was already there. It likely wasn't an expression of his soul but it was an undoubtedly fine piece.

-------------------------------------------------------------
D5 Test of Soul courtesy/air | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

1 soul point (air) 1 opp
1/8 Strife

D5 test of soul sentiment/water seize | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3

2 soul points (water) 1 opp
4/8 strife

D5 test of soul aesthetic/air | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 5

2 soul points (air) 1 opp
clearing 3 strife with Gossip passion
6/8 Strife

Final
5 soul points (before stance bonus)
3 opps
9 strife gained

[Shosuro Kaoru]

Well.

The Doji had decided to make a hell out of Kaoru's life, and there wasn't much she could do about that. The tiniest semblance of a mistake was received with the same fire as she had spit in the Emperor's face, and when the bar is set to actual divine perfection, there's no chance one can reach up to it.

---

D5LM | Test of the Soul | TN 2 Courtesy | Air | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 0


D5LM | Test of the Soul | TN 2 Sentiment | Water | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


D5LM | Test of the Soul | TN 2 Aesthetics | Fire | Void point | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


Not a single point.

[Seppun Urusai]

Urusai takes a deep breath, holds it a moment, releases it, and begins.

His hands are steady on the teapot, although clearly untrained, as he pours, and his gaze is steady; the Seppun stillness serves him well this morning, both in word and deed.

His voice rings with earnestness as he continues, the pour done. It is clear in every word and fiber that he embodies honor--and he has proved it, even in the contest so far, with the thief yesterday and at the temple, and in any number of other things besides. There is no doubt in him of this, none at all.

And with the art, he thinks to let his passions flow. They have been...strangely awakened of late, and Urusai taps into them, telling a story he recalls from his youth with fervor and vigor, leaving his hands trembling and his throat raw. Even his interlocutor is taken aback, a tear welling up in the eye with the gallantry of it.

Urusai bows, thanking the judges for the opportunity, and retires to his seat to watch. Even as he sits, though, his hands tremble and begin to fuss with his fan.

~~~~~
Courteous, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/2696; passes at 3 sux, 0 opps, 1 strife; 4/6 Strife
Sentimental, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/2697; passes at 3 sux, 1 opp, 1 strife; opp to reduce next Fire check TN by 1, 5/6
Aesthetic, https://sakkaku.org/rolls/2698; passes at 3 sux (for a bonus point!), 0 opps, 3 strife; 8/6, so compromised

Soul Points: 4 (with more if I got the favored approach/es right)
Opportunities: 1
Strife: 5

[Funegao no Hirame]

Now it was Hirame's turn to get a taste of his possible future.

Serving tea courteously. Okay. He could do that. At least Hirame's hands and step were both steady as could be as he carried the tea set. Then, conversation. He could do that without offending. Maybe throw in a joke or two. He was a Mantis, maybe a pun or two. "I can't help talking like a sailor. I hope you're knot offended!" Hirame said, eyebrows raised expectantly.

There was a brief pause, and the Crane he was assigned to cracked the tiniest of smiles.

Unfortunately, there were a lot of opportunities to make jokes about boats. And, as a Mantis, Hirame knew them all. Suffice to say, when he was done with conversation, the Crane diplomat knew them too. And never wanted to hear one again.

And then art... what did Hirame know about art? He studied the different materials for a while, trying to come up with something. Finally, he had an idea. Take a brush, fray the end, wrap a piece of paper around it... it kinda looked like him wearing his sharkskin jacket, yeah?

No. No it did not.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Test of the Soul, Courtesy lol, Water Approach | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1


1 point, 1 strife

Test of the Soul, Sentiment, Water Approach | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


1 opportunity, 1 cancelled strife

Test of the Soul, Aesthetics, Fire | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


Test of the Soul, Aesthetics, Fire | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2


2 opportunity, 2 cancelled strife

1 point, 3 opportunity, 4 strife

[Shiba Jiro]

Another day, another opportunity for Jiro to go through the motions. Not failing completely and not succeeding spectacularly. He mostly looks bored when not putting on the expected courteous face.

Seeing the Seppun was struggling a bit though, he passed off the origami he had made and nodded. It was a simple crane, but the simplicity of it in the midst of the test was... somehow relatable and easy to understand.

----

D5, LM, Test of the Soul, Step One | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 0

Success

D5, LM, Test of the Soul, Step Two | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Failed, opp offsets strife

D5, LM, Test of the Soul, Step Three, Perfectionism | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1

Success, 1 opp offsets strife

Gained 3 strife and 1 VP from Anxiety

Strife: 3/8
Soul Points: 2 (Air, Water-failed, Water)
Opportunity 4
Strife: 2

Remove 3 strife from Seppun Urusai

[Asahina Sakura]

Sakura was the picture of grace and pleasant conversation over tea, going through the motions splendidly, keeping the conversation moving fluidly without her usual awkward pauses and trips, and minding manners and courtesies. She spoke highly but with muted praise for the one she shared tea with, and won over them with her obvious motion of friendship and good will, as well as underlining the good graces she had maintained with the Kakita Dueling Academy, itself.

When it came time for her to move onto the aesthetic portion of the event, Sakura was frozen by so many choices and her equal interest in them all, struggling to find which to choose. Eventually she settles on quick sketches and then a flurry of paper figures come to life. She sets up a small rice paper screen and puts on a short play of shadow puppetry, though with little in the way of plot, more a questionably obtuse yet mystical show. It doesn't quite meet its mark and leaves the judges impressed by the illusion but ultimately confused as to the point of the whole thing.


LM5 Test of the soul - Step one - VP | TN: 2 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 5

1 opp spent -1 strife
+2 Soul pts

LM5 - Test of the Soul - Step 2 - Support/KDA | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3

2 opp spent -2 strife
+1 Soul pt

LM3 - Test of the Soul - Step 3 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2

Asahina Artificer tech employed.
Compromised!
adjusting suxx.
1 suxx, no Soul pts
1 opp

Totals
3 Soul points
4 opps
8/4 strife?, omg Sakura please....

[Kakita Ahiru]

No pressure. No pressure whatsoever. Ahiru could just feel that this would be the test to judge her the most. And if Hirame scored better then her, well then she might just decide to follow Lady Doji's example with the sea... maybe.

At least she was off to a good start, this was just like training again, spending time listening, and then talking about what she had heard. The Doji had prepared her well to be eloquent and quick of wit.

However, the little duckling didn't leave a lasting impression on the ones she spoke too. Some remembered that, yes, she seemed to have extensive connections in the courts through her family and relatives - but on the other hand, there were those unsavory rumors of an impoverished family. And now the poor girl would have to get married to a Mantis of all things, probably because her family was so poor. It was best not to dwell on it too long and just move on in regards to Kakita Ahiru.

Feeling a little defeated as she felt she wasn't getting through as well as she should, her spirits were down as she got ready for the next part of the test. Looking over the materials before her, Ahiru picked the few flowers that were present for an ikebana arrangement. A pinkish chrysanthemum that had started to bloom, coupled with a camellia bud resting against it, framed by gently-curved grass.

The chrysanthemum, while an Imperial symbol, also held many other meanings. And here coupled with the camellia, it emphasized its message of "persisting with grace". It wasn't the standout piece of the day, but it's strength was in its quiet statement.

--------------------

D5 LM Test of the Soul. "What's the tea?". Courtesy/Air. Speaking In Silence. TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1

2 Soul Points (Air Approach)
1 Opportunity (Speaking In Silence)
1 Strife

"]D5 LM Test of the Soul. "The great game of court". Sentiment/Water. Well-Connected distinction. TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

Failure.
1 Opportunity.
1 Strife.

D5 LM Test of the Soul. "It's art!!". Aesthetics/Fire. Void point. TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

1 Soul Point (Fire Approach)
1 Opportunity
1 Strife

3 Soul Points (Air, Water-failed, Fire)
3 Opportunity
3 Strife

[Kaeru Kaori]

Kaori tried putting on a brave face..for tea. She tried her bestest. It was fine. Not amazing, but fine.

OOC:
D5 Test of Soul Courtesy/Air, TN2, VP spent | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2


D5 LM Water/Sentiment, untrained, TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 3


D5 Test of Soul Earth/Aesthetics, TN2 | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 2


Using Oppost to remove stirfe

2 points
5 points
7 strife

[Ikoma Aya]

After her substandard performance in the last test, Aya spent most of the previous day practicing and training. With her bokken, as always. With her fists, her bow, her other weapons. Running, doing push-ups, climbing. Reading. And meditating.

She immediately knew none of that would help when the location of the test was announced.

Her parents had suggested quite a few times that she should pay greater attention to social aspects in her schooling. But it was her sister she looked up to even more than them, in many ways... and she was an Akodo-trained bushi, despite being an Ikoma. So that part of the training fell through the cracks.

She did manage to pick up some of the Doji judges' hints and manoeuvre the conversation relatively well - and charmingly, hopefully! But the "graceful" tea sharing was anything but gracious. And when it came time to show her emotions through art... well, she was used to not drawing attention at the best of times. She tried as hard her best to compensate for that... but there's such a thing as trying too hard, you know.

OOC:
Step 1
Test of the Soul - Step 1, "Sharing Tea". Courtesy/Air TN2. | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

1 sux, 1 opp, 1 strife
Opp cancels strife
Composure: 0/8

Step 2
Test of the Soul - Step 2, "Conversing charmingly". Sentiment/Water TN2. VP to Seize the Moment. Failure anxiety applies, Aya takes 3 Strife, gets one VP! | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 5
- (was incorrectly labelled as 'step 1' on sakkaku!)
3 sux, 3 opp, 5 strife
3 opps cancel 3 strife; total strife taken: 5 (3 from anxiety)
1 Soul point! (2 if Water is correct approach for Step 2)
Composure: 5/8

Step 3
Test of the Soul - Step 3, "Bare emotions in art". Aesthetics/Fire TN2. VP (gained from Failure) to Seize the Moment. Lackluster adversity applies... | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1

0 sux (XD), 1 opp, 1 strife
1 opp cancels 1 strife
Composure: 5/8

Final results
1 Soul Point (2 if Water is correct for step 2)
5 opp on kept dice
7 strife on kept dice

[Nekoma Seto]

When the Cat's turn came he stalked across the room to take his seat with all the easy confidence of a predator in it's prime. His bow was perfect, he took his seat, opened with a carefully judged comment on the weather and then with all the grace he could muster reached for the teapot . . . which was two further inches to the right than he expected and as he had chosen to maintain eye contact rather than watch what he was doing, was perfectly swiped off the table to land with a crack on the floor. He froze and looked down at it with a 'Did I do that?' look on his face . . .

Ignoring the failure he carried on. Being charming and loquacious was actually what he was really good at and he managed this part without tying his tongue in two or insulting the Crane's heritage back to the Fall. Things were getting better at least.

Then came the aesthetic art. Not Seto's thing really. He was all about ephemeral art and composition. Maybe a little existential design. Certainly not crafting things with his slender pretty hands. He decided to give a bonsai a go and while he seemed to talk the talk, once again he was not watching what he was doing and with am audible 'SNIP' decapitated his plant leaving a very sorry looking stump.

And he was supposed to be a courtier . . . ?


--
Test of the Soul Courtesy TN 2 Air | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 1


Spend 1 Opp to remove 1 Strife.

0 Soul Points, 3 Opportunity, 1 Strife (0 strife taken)

Test of the Soul Sentiment TN 2 Air | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 0


1 Soul Point, 0 Opportunity, 0 Strife

Test of the Soul Aesthetics TN 2 Air Void Spent | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 1


Spend 1 Opp to remove 1 Strife.

0 Soul Points, 2 Opportunity, 1 Strife (0 strife taken)

Totals = 1 Soul Point, 5 Opportunity, 2 Strife rolled, 0 Strife Taken. 1 Teapot knocked off table. 1 Bonsai ruined.

[Akodo Michi]

Michi showed surprising poise for one trained in the harsh environment of the Lion and their Warrior ways. Though perhaps it was expected of an Akodo, she poured tea easily, and carried on conversation well. Despite not showing a winning smile, her confidence in her actions was enough of a charm in itself. Finally, while sitting with others, she managed to create a fine piece of calligraphy, though clearly not an expert in such matters, it was on a white folded piece of paper and read clearly the mark of Challenge Accepted.

With a gracious bow she left it on the table for the judge.

OOC
D5 Tea House Event, Air/Courtesy, Akodo Tech, Void point | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

d5 Tea House test, Water/Sentiment, Akodo Tech | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

D5 Tea House test, Water/Aesthetics, Akodo Tech | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2

Air/Water/Water
4 points
3 opportunities
6 strife

[Kaiu Taura]

Oh dear, this was not going to play to her strengths at all. Well, maybe the part at the end. But being calm and collected around people expecting her to act as a courtier? She would do her best for the Crab but she was not feeling hopeful.

Tea, well, she likes tea. And making tea in a process, step by step, she has done it hundreds of times. She can rely on her understanding of the method and make polite small talk. It worked! She even managed to conceal her relief when she was moved to the next part of the test.
Success: 2 (required: 2) Opportunity: 0 Strife: 0

Charming? What des a Crab know about how to be charming? She would be polite and forthright and hope that carried her through. It took a bit, but it turned out that the Crane was quite interested in how one designed a proper drainage systems for terraced gardens!
Success: 2 (required: 2) Opportunity: 0 Strife: 1

Now, the part she had actually been looking forward to, a chance to make something! She turned to the task with vigor. She ended up making a model of her home, she was very pleased with it, all ordered yet . . . homey. She presented it with a bow.
Success: 4 (required: 2) Opportunity: 0 Strife: 3

All in all, a surprisingly satisfactory performance. Now, where could she go to build something for real?

Strife 4

[Kakita Yuji]

The Test of Soul was an honored tradition at the Topaz Championship The Topaz Champion was not just the best killer that the brutalist Lion could train, they were a symbol of what it REALLY meant to be a samurai. What lord would want a rusty and pitted blade over a polished one?

And so dressed in his finest, Yuji sat down for a morning of proper Craning.

"Ah, Doji-san, thank you for agreeing to have tea with me. I think you'll enjoy this blend of white tea. It has some excellent delicate floral notes, sure to please the discerning palette.

Air 3/Courtesy 1, BB. 4 sux, 0 opps, 2/8 strife 2 Soul Points

Yuji wasn't the best at reading people, but a little bit of boorishness could be tolerated for the pretty people, no?

Air 3/Sentinment 1 2 sux, 1 opp 2 strife, opp to cancel, 3/8 1 Soul Point

Finally it was time to get a little artistic. Yuji considered offering a poem, but it seemed the judges wishes something a little more physical for this competition. He found a poor little bonsai tree that was quite overgrown, it's tiny limbs weighing it down and giving it a depressed look. Yuji saw the potential within though, and with some judicious snips with the shears, it was made lovely and delicate, a fit for any home.

"I hope this vision of potential unleashed is pleasing to you Doji-sama. We all sometimes need just a little help from time to time to show our true potential." he remarked.

Air 3/ Aesthetics 1, 4 sux, 1 strife, 4/8 compusure 2 Soul Points

While his best performance of the competition might not get him noticed, Yuji felt at peace with his efforts for the morning.

Totals:

5 Soul Points (8 if Air is the favored approach)
1 opportunity
5 Strife

[Isawa Natsuko]

There is tea involved, so this can't be all bad, certainly. Natsuko is careful with the teaware, never using her weaker hand to support breakable pottery. Apparently, her closed demeanor and lack of inflection come across more as a placidly solid On than anything else, and discussing the sense of the mountainside the leaves tasted of appears to be welcome.

Conversations at the Starry Heaven Sanctuary did not tend to develop charm. Debating the nature and intricacies of everything touched by the Void, or arguing about interpretations of ancient divinations were more...contentious and intellectual. But...somehow...it turned out that Shingo's great grandmother had written an extensive treatise on one of Natsuko's favorite 5th century prophecies. The extended tea-ceremony metaphors were artistically pleasing-a rarity in famous divinations-and it was widely regarded as having mostly come to fruition, so there was nothing particularly controversial to mar the conversational flow.

Eventually one has to leave the tea behind though. Natsuko wasn't opposed to art, she just wasn't very practiced at any of it. She did know how to write though, and calligraphy was just...artistic writing, right? Hold the brush, load it well, and let instinct flow through to the page, right? "Endless fancy" looped across the paper in swirling characters and a few artistic ink-drips at the end. The Isawa was a bit dubious that it was actually art, but that was for the judges to decide, honestly.

********************
Step One:D5 Test of the Soul: Step 1: Courtesy (0)/Air (2), Void used | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


+1 point
Remove 1 Strife with opportunity
Strife 1/8
Void used: 1

Step Two:D5 Test of the Soul: Step 2: Sentiment (1)/Water (2) Void used | TN: 2 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 4


+2 points
Remove 2 Strife with Opportunities
Strife 3/8
Passion: Tea removes 3 Strife for 0/8
Void used 2 of 2

Step Three:D5 Test of the Soul: Step 3: Aesthetics (0)/ Void (3) | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3 / Magnitude: 0


+1 Point
Remove 1 Strife with Opportunity
Strife 2/8

Totals:
4 points
4 Opportunity
9 Strife
Air/Water/Void

[Togashi Shinko]

Discreet. Placid. Subtle.

Shinko had a reputation for being none of this things. Charming sure, and full of passion, but subtle? No way no how.

"Come on, let's sit down!" Shinko pulls out the tea set and offers a pour from a very high distance from the cup, acting as if working as a flashy server at a sake house. Doji Shingo seems slightly aghast, but the gambit does mean that Shinko is able to steer the conversation. "So, I hear that there is some lovely goods coming into the village, but really the scenery is so lovely...I don't think I've ever seen gardens so large. Mountains aren't really able to support such things, but we do our best with rock and herb gardens. Bonsai can offer a stark beauty."

The Crane seems intrigued

"Well, Shinko-san, perhaps you can show us"

The Dragon rises and studies the bonsai. It really isn't her thing...but she does feel a sudden sense of inspiration. She loses herself in the work, finishing utterly mentally exhausted, but a sublimely trimmed bonsai stands before her. Shinko nods for a moment, and then bows to leave.

_____

Test of the Soul - Part 1: Tea Pouring - Courtesy 1 Fire 3 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2
Passing, +1 Soul Point, 1 Opportunity

Test of the Soul - Part Conversation: Tea Pouring - Sentiment 0 (Water 2 - VP spent | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 2
Passing +1 Soul Point, 2 Opportunity

Test of the Soul - Part 3: Art - Aesthetics 0 Fire 3 | TN: 2 | Success: 6 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 6
+3 Soul Points, +2 Opportunity

Soul Points: 5 (up to 8, depending)
Approaches (Fire, Water, Fire)
Opportunity: 5
Strife: 10