The New Winds

Agasha Sumiko meets the students on the training grounds and next to her stands a grey haired older man in an elegant blue and white kimono.

"Students, today is your last day in this dojo. To end your experience, the master of the Kakita Academy, and a Kenshinzen of the Crane, Kakita Toshimoku, has agreed to give you all an evaluation and offer insight to your stance and draws. Those of you who do not carry a katana are to come with me to learn more about Imperial Law. I am proud of what you have all shown here today, do your best and show Kakita-sama you are worth his time and effort."

Sensei: Kakita Toshimoku

Special: You may make raises even if you do not possess the skill, as well as benefit from the Exceptional Success rule without the skill.
Special: Raises are +2 to the TN

Bushi Tagged Schools Only
Failure on any step prevents you from continuing.

First, you must complete an Iaijutsu (Assessment) / Awareness at TN 20.
Second, you must complete an Iaijutsu (Focus) / Void at TN 25. You gain +1k1+Void to this roll. Success on this roll gives +5 to your next roll. Each successful raise grants an additional +1
Third, you must complete an Iaijutsu (Strike) / Reflexes at TN 30. You gain +1k1+Void to this roll.


All other tagged Schools (These rolls are all TN10):
Roll Lore: Law / Intelligence to recall your knowledge of Imperial Laws
Roll Lore: Law / Perception to recognize when to attempt to enforce Imperial Laws.
Roll Lore: Law / Awareness to use your knowledge in a politically appropriate manner



Special Rule for school tagged things:
Convincing a Sensei you belong in a different group for instruction:

There are some students (Shinobi in particular) who may believe that an event would be required for them to know what is being taught despite not being the proper school tag to participate.

In this case, a student may attempt to persuade, or convince, the sensei running the event that you should participate. In order to do so, a student make first make a post in the event and attempt a Courtier (Manipulation) / Awareness roll at a TN of 8. Shinobi characters may add their ranks in Acting to this roll. If they succeed, they are able to participate in the event. On a failure, the sensei reprimands them for their arrogance and they lose 1 dojo point and are forced to participate in the event their school tag allows for.

Rewards:
If a student passes all three Iaijutsu rolls, they Gain +1 Iaijutsu. They can only gain this reward once.
If a student has any dice explode twice on an Iaijutsu roll, they gain that emphasis.
If a student passes all Lore: Law rolls with a raise, they gain +1 Lore: Law

The argument for yet again changing out his lessons for the ten-thousandth time was that apparently Saburo had begun, not only to prepare himself to show proficiency when he hoped to attend the Topaz Championship at his late gempukku, but the argument that the art of the Iai strike was itself yet one more form of pure meditation in its most unadulterated form, a thing he would wish to be prepared for, should his lord call upon him in the field of combat. It was a surprisingly convincing argument. He was getting a little ... uh... good at convincing people of things with those dizzying lectures of his in that gravelly voice.

When he assumed the stance, the lessons of just the previous day gelled in ways that reminded him afterwards to thank Kenji for aiding in. He caught the elements that he had missed the last time, noting the stance, the posture and the nature of his opponent with alarming clarity. His focus was like that of rippling water, and his strike to cut the tiniest netsuke from the side of the other surprisingly pristine. There was room for improvement, but it was apparent that Saburo was correct in his choice of where to be.

=======

Required Rolls:
Courtier/Awareness (TN 8) - This is the Test I was supposed to be at: 39 "No, really. I'm a bushi. Honest."
Iaijutsu (Assessment)/Awareness (TN 20), Void for 1k1: 54, Jesus Fuck!
Iaijutsu (Focus)/Awareness (TN 25), Center Stance for +1k1+3, Void for 1k1: 39, Exceptional Success (1 FR so +6 on strike roll)
Iaijutsu (Strike)/Reflexes (TN 30), Center Stance for +1k1+3, Void for 1k1, +6 from Focus: 35, Success

Net Results:
+1 Iaijutsu
+ (Assessment) emphasis to Iaijutsu

Mai proved herself to be knowledgeable about the law. Which is important to the Mantis. After all, you need to know the law to get away with certain... activities.

D10 Dragon: Lore: Law/Intelligence VOID for Skill 1 Raise: 4d10o10k3 29

D10 Dragon: Lore: Law/Perception VOID for Skill 1 Raise: 5d10o10k4 42

D10 Dragon: Lore: Law/Awareness VOID for Skill 1 Raise: 4d10o10k3 27

Rewards

+1 Lore: Law

The Kuni's argument for why he should be allowed to go through alternate training just this once was relatively straightforward, and easily accepted by the sensei: "My school specifically trains in the use of the blade, despite being a monk order. It should follow that understanding all proper uses of the blade would be appropriate."

When it came to actually performing duel, he showed he clearly had an aptitude for the art. His form was rough, certainly, with the minimal training. However he showed a great deal of natural talent for it.

----

D10 Dragon, Iaijutsu Training, Courtier / Awareness, TN 8: 5d10o10k4 22
D10 Dragon, Iaijutsu / Awareness, VP +1k1, TN 20: 6d10o10k5 46
D10 Dragon, Iaijutsu / Void, VP +1k1, Center +1k1+4, 4CR, TN 33: 7d10o10k6+4 37
D10 Dragon, Iaijutsu / Reflexes, VP +1k1, Center +1k1+4, Focus Raises +8, TN 30: 6d10o10k5+12 46

+1 Iaijutsu

Do I follow him, or do I go the other way?

Best to be his compliment. And the Ruby Champion will be a better contact for what I mean to do, as well.

So she steps forward, and she discourses with remarkable elegance and insight on the laws themselves. She is slightly less certain about overt application, and she is less adept at untangling political consequences--but she still does more than well, and the Ruby Champion nods in approval.

(Roll Lore: Law / Intelligence, Raised to TN 12, pass at 34 https://orokos.com/roll/828082
Roll Lore: Law / Perception, Raised to TN 12, pass at 22 https://orokos.com/roll/828083
Roll Lore: Law / Awareness, Raised to TN 12, pass at 18 https://orokos.com/roll/828084
+1 Lore: Law)

The Law was important to one who would be responsible for managing Kyuden Bayushi, and Bayushi Jiro was resolved to demonstrate his ability with it here and now, so that when his cohort came of age, they would know the power that waited in that shadowed court at Lord Shoku's left hand. He rattled off long passages of the law from memory, and picked through Agasha-sama's carefully-arranged practical problems like an old hand. Then...well, then he did what Scorpion do best, twisted every law to the advantage of the State, because that was the role he was meant to be playing for this Ruby Champion, who did not yet know that she was already caught in his web.

D 10, Dragon: Lore: Law/Intelligence, 1 raise. Tn=12: 4d10o10k3 18
D10, Dragon: Lore: Law/Perception, 1 Raise, +1k1 Void, tn=12: 4d10o10k3 26 Exceptional Success!--effectively 2 raises.
D10, Dragon: Lore: Law/Awareness, 3 Raises, tn=16: 5d10o10k4 22

+1 to Lore: Law

The sensei who oversee the Topaz Championship is here, and Haruki is surrounded by competition. This is as close to a simulation of the big event as he'll get, so Haruki will treat this as if it were the real thing. Step one, observe your opponent, find any weakness you can.
Once Haruki found it, he starts step 2: ready himself to strike his opponent before she strikes back. Haruki knows that if he was better at this stage than Kazuko-san, he would have won hands down. She doesn't have the same practice in normal combat Haruki has. Shiba-Shiryu, guide my blade!
A far swifter pull than any Haruki has done before, he strikes true at the paper in front of him, cutting it in half.

Crunch:
D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu(Assessment)/Awareness TN 20, Void Point used: 5d10o10k4 21
D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu(Focus)/Void, Void Point used, Center Stance bonus, TN 25: 6d10o10k5+3 45
D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu(Strike)/Reflexes, Void Point used, Center Stance bonus, 2 raises from previous roll, TN 30: 7d10o10k6+10 47

Passed all rolls, +1 Iaijutsu
2 explosions on Focus roll, gained Focus emphasis

Considering that she had just spent a day studying Imperial Law for another reason, Nobuko would have kicked herself had she performed poorly.



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OOC
D10 Dragon Lore:Law/Intelligence 1 Raise: 5d10o10k4 20 vs TN12 - Pass
D10 Dragon Lore:Law/Perception 1 Raise;void 1k1: 4d10o10k3 21vs TN12 - Pass
D10 Dragon Lore:Law/Awarenes 1 Raise: 4d10o10k3 21 vs TN12 - Pass

Pass all 3 with raises: +1 Lore: Law

If the goal of this experiment was to hope to find unexpected aptitudes Ichiro may have proven its validity. Despite most of his knowledge of Iaijutsu having come from observation, not direct experience, he was about to find out that there were certain things that just came naturally.

After his deep bow to Kakita Toshimoku he found himself once again falling into that space of no thought. That place of crystallized everything and nothing where all was at its full and greatest potential. From this depth came perfect knowledge about his sparring partner and perfect speed. His blade barely even visible in the flash as it arrived from belt to opponents wrist with utmost accuracy - not even leaving a bruise but the contact being unable to be denied.

Falling back into the here and now the young man is almost staggered at what he had experienced. A display worthy of many adult duelists, even among the Kakita, let alone some random Unicorn child. But he still had the presence of mind to once more bow to the visiting sensei.


(Iaijutsu (Assessment)/Awareness at TN 20, VP for +1k1, Honor for +4k0: Exceptional Success(x2) - Assessment Emphasis gained
Iaijutsu (Focus)/Void at TN 25, VP for +1k1, Center for +1k1+4, 4 raises called - TN33: Success +9 to next roll
Iaijutsu (Strike)/Reflexes at TN 30, Center for +1k1+4, +9 from previous successes: Exceptional Success(x3) - +1 Iaijutsu gained

+1 Iaijutsu
Assessment Emphasis)

Dao managed to talk his way past Agasha Sumiko, who had him on the list of students to learn at her feet instead of Kakita Toshimoko's. The amount of book learning he'd undertaken this past few weeks was almost enough to make his brain pop, he pleaded to her and with a slight roll of her eyes, the Ruby Champion acquiesced to his plea.

He proved an adequate student, but not exceptional enough to such a seasoned eye as a veteran kenshinzen.

--------------------------------------
D10 Tiger: Can I be a kenshinzen Court/awa: 4d10o10k3 24
D10 Dragon Iai/Awa + Honor+VP TN20: 10d10o10k4 38
D10 Dragon FOCUS Iai/Void + VP TN25: 6d10o10k5+4 43
D10 Dragon STRIKE Iai/Ref + VP +1 (ex success) TN30: 6d10o10k5+10 44

+1 iaijutsu

The young Yasuki couldn't believe his luck. He was here, a Yasuki, being trained by Kakita Toshimoku!

Hah! This alone was a tale to remember for all time.

He listened attentively, very focused on what the dueling master was saying.

When he stood in the dueling ring he assessed his sensei. He was very, very impressed. And also very concerned that he could die in any moment.

The slightest of sighs from the Kenshinzen in front of him and a slight nod reminded Ginkarasu that he was not supposed to be assessing Toshimoku, but one of the other students!

Red-faced, he retrained his eyes in the right direction. It was no good however, he just couldn't get the sheer skill and mastery of Toshimoku out of his head.

The second step, that of focusing upon the moment, that came better to him. Finally he shook the spectre of the Kenshinzen's skill from his mind, one finger resting at the edge of his swordhilt.

His draw was smooth and steady, though not enough to have impressed in comparison to others that were in the test.
********************
D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu (Assessment) / Awareness at TN 20, Void for +1k1: 6d10o10k5 77
UNLUCKY! D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu (Assessment) / Awareness at TN 20, Void for +1k1: 6d10o10k5 11
D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu (Focus) / Void at TN 25, Void for +1k1, Center +1k1+3, Honor +3k0: 9d10o10k5+3 30
D10 Dragon: Iaijutsu (Strike) / Reflexes TN 30, Center +1k1+3 +5 from Focus Success: 6d10o10k5+8 39

She fought the law, and the law won.... By 1.

----------------------------------
Lore: Law/Intelligence, Raise TN 12, 3d10 = 12 (Pass)
Lore: Law/Perception, Raise TN 12, 3d10 = 11 (Fail)
Lore: Law/Awareness, TN 10, 2d10 = 13 (Pass)

The Iuchi's argument for performing this training as a Bushi was not the most usual - but then again, neither were the spellcasting methods of the Iuchi.

The Iuchi's magical ways were known to be unable to participate in magical duels, so he would never be able to represent himself in such contests... Unless he could do so in the most traditional way - using a blade.

He had also learned some about the ways of the blade already - and he would not want to draw on his Clan's resources, and on his clansmates' efforts, or even life, and wouldn't have to do so if he were himself able with a sword.

Lastly - and perhaps most importantly in his own heart - his mom had started him and his sisters in the ways of the sword, and he wanted to follow in her footsteps and do her proud.

Strange as his reasons might be, they were presented convincingly, and the sensei motioned him to go along with the Bushi and train with the famed Kakita Toshimoko.

His reading of his fellow student on his turn to perform was a vast improvement compared to his earlier attempts during his time at the dojo - not enough to make him feel especially confident in his abilities to do this again, but a remarkable improvement indeed.

His focusing was appropriate, not exceptional, but much better than his previous attempts during his matches with Sasaiko and Nesrin in the days before.

His strike, finally, was swift, steady and true as expected of a true bushi.

It was not the most remarkable performance of the day... But it was still much better than one would usually expect from a Shugenja.

Other than Saburo, anyway...

After finishing, bowing to his opponent and bowing very low to Toshimoko, he stood back, putting his weapon back, and as he waited for the others he looked towards Moto Ichiro and Nesrin, giving them - and especially the battle maiden - a very warm smile and an acknowledging nod. Thanks for your help in training!, he thinks, then stops and just smiles again as he thinks they cannot read his thoughts - and must still focus on their own performance.

He looks at them again - Utaku Ichiro had already performed flawlessly -, nodding and making a cheering Ganbatte! gesture for them both.

OOC
Day 10 Dragon - Courtier/ Awareness to convince to train as Bushi - TN 8: 5d10o10k3 37 - Yaaaay another double explosion where they DON'T count lol thanks orokos-chan

Day 10 Dragon - Iai/ Awareness for Assessment - TN 20. 1 VP for +1k1, Honour roll: 9d10o10k4 45 - 19,9,9 . Seriously Orokos, stop taunting me!

Day 10 Dragon - Iai/ Void for Assessment - TN 25. +1k1+3 from Center, 1 VP for +1k1: 6d10o10k5+3 28 - should've been 'for Focus' here but the roll itself is correct

Day 10 Dragon - Iai/ Ref for Strike - TN 30. +1k1+3 from Center, +5 from Focus (wrote Assessment but it shoulda been Focus...), 1 VP for +1k1: 6d10o10k5+8 36

Results:
+1 Iaijutsu

Sanzo had prepared a lot for this. His assessment was great, and his draw was exceptional. The strike could have used a bit more work, but it was still quite accurate. Overall, he felt pretty good about his showing in front of the Kenshinzen.

--------------------------------------------------
Crunchy Bits:

D10 Dragon, Dueling Training, Iaijutsu/Awa, VP, TN=20: 7d10o10k5 43
D10 Dragon, Dueling Training, Iaijutsu/Void + Center, VP, TN=25: 8d10o10k6 63 + 4 = 67 (effectively four raises)
D10 Dragon, Dueling Training, Iaijutsu/Ref + Center + Focus, VP, TN=30: 7d10o10k5 26 + 13 = 39
--------------------------------------------------
Rewards:

+1 Iaijutsu
+(Focus) Emphasis

Ichiro approached Kakita-sama and bowed before falling into his stance. His assessment was adequate, nothing more nothing less probably disappointing for the Kakita. However his focus was impeccable Ichiro fell into that space between spaces and hos mind floated in the void sharp and focused ready to draw.

Hos blade sprang forth in a no frills cut that was of excellent quality for one of his experience level. All in a surprising adept performance for the large Moto.

---------------------------
D10 dragon dueling training iai/aware tn 20 vp +1k1: 6d10o10k4 21

D10 dragon dueling training iai/void honor 2 raise void bonus tn 29: 10d10o10k4+3 65 exceptional success 3 fr +10 to next roll gain emphasis

D10 dragon dueling training iai/ref void bonus +10 from last roll tn 30: 6d10o10k4+13 43 exceptional success

Totals
+1 iaijutsu
Gain focus emphasis

The law certainly had its complexities, but Kai gave it a thought and realized it functioned a lot like much of the mikodo that they had been taught. There was even elements of traditional practices in the reasons for why some laws were the way they were.

----

RESULTS

D10 Dragon - Dueling Training - Roll Order: Lore:Law/Int, Per, then Awa. All rolls have the same pool, TN, and modifiers. All rolls have 1 CR and VP for skill. TN12: 4d10o10k3 22

D10 Dragon - Dueling Training - Roll Order: Lore:Law/Per, then Awa (Only rolled for one check in earlier roll, this is the rest). All rolls have the same pool, TN, and modifiers. All rolls have 1 CR and VP for skill. TN12: 2#4d10o10k3 24 20

+1 Lore: Law

Sakura spent the duelling event more watching the duelists than paying attention to the lore training. She could at least answer some questions, but it was clear she was too easily distracted to be any use here

(ooc:
D10 Dragon Duelly event. Lore:Law/Int TN6+1 raise (Tn8: 2d10 8
D10 Dragon Duelly event. Lore:Law/perception TN6+1 raise (Tn8: 2d10 7
D10 Dragon Duelly event. Lore:Law/perception TN6+1 raise (Tn8: 4d10 16 (is actually awareness! Sorry!)

Nothing gained!

Head held high, Kazuko exudes an equanimity that doesn't betray the exhilaration within her. She's aware that she only has one shot at this. No room for imperfection and only one shot to show off what she's learned so far, but one shot is all she needs. As the lessons of her sensei ring in her head, she offers a quick thought of gratitude to her sensei for the countless hours of drilling. Blood pumping through her ears, she steps up, finally ready to impress Kakita-sama for the first, and definitely not the last, time. No, that's incorrect. She's always been ready.

---

D10 Dragon Iajutsu (Assessment)/Awareness, TN20: 7d10o10k4 22 Success.
D10 Dragon Iaijutsu (Focus)/Void, TN25: 7d10o10k4+3 40 Exceptional Success! (+6 to strike)
D10 Dragon Iaijutsu (Strike)/Reflexes, TN30 (3 Void + Honor) [REROLL 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO]: 10d10o10k5+9 52 Exceptional Success!

Result: +1 Iaijutsu, + Iaijutsu (Strike) emphasis

"Didn't we focus on this already?" Zashi looks over longingly at the bushi and some of the courtiers who are working on sword strikes, while he is back in a classroom. Unfortunately, as much as Zashi feels he might be a deft hand in a sword duel, he's been informed that he will be taking part in the magic duels during the Topaz tournament. Therefore, there is no justification for him to go to another class, and he is stuck going through legal proceedings.

So, Zashi makes a game of it, trying to think of every loophole possible, trying to corner Agasha-sensei. The sensei seems a bit annoyed at the end...not at the line of thinking, but that Zashi had seemingly showed zero interest before, and only now appears to be an eager student.

"I think you might have the makings of a court advocate"
______________
OOC
D10 Dragon-Duelist Training-Lore:Law/Intelligence-TN 12: 2d10 16 Pass
D10 Dragon-Duelist Training-Lore:Law/Perception-raise--VP spent for 1k1-TN 12: 3d10 14 Pass
D10 Dragon-Duelist Training-Lore:Law/Awareness-raise-TN 12: 4d10 27Pass+
+1 Lore: Law

D10 Dragon Lore Law 1R TN 12, Intel: 3d10o10k2 10
failure
D10 Dragon Lore Law 3R TN 16, Perception: 4d10o10k3 31
Pass - 4 Raises
D10 Dragon Lore Law 3R TN 16, Awareness: 5d10o10k4 22
Pass - 3 Raises

7 Raises, No benefits
----------------------------------------------------------

It's been a long week and Wyn is a little drowsy and over whelmed by everything it seems, he misses an early question about the technical questions on the law, and though he does extremely well on both the identification and interpretation portions it is not enough to make up for his mistakes.