IDE EVENT: Welcome Dinner (D1, Early Evening)

[Soshi Yuuru]

Yuuru found his place at the table and began to listen to the conversation around him. He nodded with detached interest, appearing to be listening but really just trying not to look bad. When someone mentioned the eating of red meat, Yuuru ventured out to discuss how there are some markets in parts of Ryoko Owari that sell such things. He tried to reach himself out a bit and talk knowledgeably about that world, but it didn't seem that his conversation partners cared all that much about the miscreants of Ryoko Owari.

Shrugging off his minor failure Yuuru looked on as the food was brought around. While more of an athletic guy, he wasn't completely uncouth in nature. He worked his way around the potential landmines in behavior and conversation in a way that showed surprising poise after his talk of the underworld.

While the new tastes and smells were somewhat disturbing, he had seen much worse and eaten much worse in the forest. His stomach was more than ready for food that had been prepared by human hands.

---

Step 1: Fail w/ 2 Raises (Lore: Underworld, potential Honor Loss)
Step 2: Pass w/ 0 raises
Step 3: Pass w/ 0 raises
Step 4: Passed
Total: 0 Dinner Points and no lingering effects.

[Shinjo Taichi]

Arriving at the dinner in his fine kimono and with his targe strapped across his back, Taichi strode in and immediately took his deserved place near a large group of prominent looking Rokugani samurai. His manners were impeccable, he knew. He waited politely until addressed, one of those present idly inquiring about some minor detail of the Unicorn clan...

And then he struck. He regaled them with the glorious tale of his journey eastward, and all the many vicious things he had fought on the way (or at least been involved in fighting, which is pretty much the same thing). He spared no details, for clarity was important when exchanging culture, neh? Some quietly discussed it among themselves as he talked, while others moved away, clearly such important people that they had to attend to important matters during the dinner.

A little later, he noticed that some of these very important samurai weren't touching the meat. Wanting to be inclusive and to help acquaint others with Unicorn culture, he took it upon himself to offer it to them personally. They politely refused. And the Game was afoot. He knew this one. He offered again - and was politely refused. And the final offer, a smug smile barely contained on his face. See? We can play by your rules. They accepted, reluctance (clearly feigned, they were professionals after all) on their faces. Then they too were called away to important matters before they even had a chance to try it. Such a shame.

As he left the dinner, he noticed that a number of people seemed ill. Taichi himself was fine, so he helped some people return to their tents. He was the helpful sort, after all.

[OOC]
I am interesting and fascinating (Lore: Unicorn): 1CR - TN15 - fail (-1 Dinner point)
I can speak good: TN10 - Pass (+1 dinner point)
I am polite and thoughtful: TN10 - fail
The seven thunders are fighting Fu Lung in my stomach - TN15 - void - pass
Total: 0 dinner points, minor breach (-0.2 honour)

edit: idealistic, fixed honour loss

[Usagi Tomoe]

The well-dressed rabbit mingled eagerly and well, and soon enough enraptured some with the fascinating history about the noble children of Ki-rin who became the Fox Clan. It was a subject Tomoe had read up extensively on in her preparation for coming here, and her preparations paid off well with her training as a loremaster as she showed quite the understanding of the subject.

Unfortunately, some felt her attitude during the storytelling itself seemed rather self-important and haughty, causing her words to sound off-putting.

As she and her dinner companions circled the buffet, the young Hare at least impressed with her understanding and patient kindness with the strange cuisine offered to her, and some of the Unicorn even seemed impressed that she even seemed adventurous in her encounter with the foreign food. Tomoe sampled all the different food that was passed her way, even the kumis, and seemed to suffer no ill-effects at all. "You know, I don't see what the fuss some others make about this. It's delicious! What do you call it? Che... cheese? And this? Baku-lava? I think I might have a new favorite sweet in my life!"


---

D1 EVENT: Welcome Dinner. Lore: History/Intelligence. Free Raise for point. 2 raises because we are daring bunny! TN 20: 6d10o10k4 39
4 Dinner points

D1 EVENT: Welcome Dinner. Etiquette/Awa to speak good. 1 raise. TN 15: 4d10o10k3 12
- 1 Dinner point.

D1 EVENT: Welcome Dinner. Etiquette/Awa to be polite! Void spent +3k1. 2 raises because I need to redeem myself! TN 20: 7d10o10k4 30
3 Dinner Points

D1 EVENT: Welcome Dinner. Stamina roll to avoid getting sick! +1k1 Void because we don't wanna hurl! TN 15: 3d10o10 20

Not sick, and total of 6 Dinner Points (because we got greedy ).

[Otaku Imane]

She was one of the youngest and smallest samurai in attendance at this miai, but her stature would not be enough to keep her from view this evening. It was quite the feast, with enough food to feed an army, it was just so...well, icky! Not all of it of course, but it was hard to see plates of normal food that weren't touching slimy fish and other weird things.

Imane let out a little sigh and looked to see who she had been sat with. A couple of Rokugani in their fine silk kimonos. No friendly faces nearby. Aw shucks, here goes nothing. Perhaps as an introduction they would be interested to know about​ her people's history. It didn't go as well as she had hoped: they seemed bored. By the end of the meal she decided they just all looked like that.

Since they weren't interested in history she tried polite conversation. It was incomprehensible to Imane but they didn't seem enthused to hear about the correct grooming and optimum breeding strategies for war horses. What did they teach these people exactly?

She drummed her fingers on the table and turned her attention back to the plates of food. Absently she picked up a piece of bacon and began to eat it delicately. The look of disgust on her neighbours face was surprising, causing her to pause with her mouth slightly open and lower the meat to her plate. They all seemed to be using those sticks. That hadn't been something they had covered in emergency etiquette class. Calmly she reached down and picked up her own sticks, one in each hand. It seemed a stupid way to approach food. Unweildy too. After a few attempts to pick up some of the meatiest looking fish she gave up and popped it in her mouth with her fingers. It was actually quite good! She smiled and washed it down with a gulp of kumis. After a few gulps the rest of the meal really seemed to pick up!

------
Rolls

Roll 1: I am interesting and fascinating (Lore: Unicorn): 3k2, rolls 8, fail.
0 dinner points.

Roll 2: I can speak good: 3k2, rolls 6, fail.
0 dinner points.

Roll 3: I Am Polite and Thoughtful: VP for +1k1, 4k3, rolls 5, fail.
0 dinner points. Minor beach of Etiquette.

The Seven Thunders Are Fighting Fu Leng In My Stomach: VP for +1k1, 4k4, rolls: 32, success. No allergy.

0 dinner points. Minor honour loss (-0.2?). No allergy.

[Asako Sayuri]

As she arrives, Sayuri reminds Chugo-chan to behave, and reminds herself of why she's here in the first place. Scanning the tables for young men in Unicorn colors, she selects a group positioned near the path to the stables. Taking this as a sign, and not believing she has located any Unicorn scholars, she entreats them to tell her of the strange beasts their clan has encountered in the wider world. This went over rather poorly, perhaps they thought she was flaunting her monkey?

Yet Sayuri recovered smoothly, taking the opportunity to learn what had so offended them, and soon they were happily discussing comparative etiquette.

Relieved at having averted what could have been a disaster, Sayuri kept her manners impeccable yet impetuous, politely sampling the meat and turning slightly green while complimenting the chef. When offered more, she declined until her dinner companion had his fill, and offered a tiny portion to Chugo-chan. Evidently the sight of the monkey angrily throwing the meat aside and reaching for the fruit was quite humorous, as was Sayuri's excessively florid apology on his behalf.

Either Sayuri's stomach was weaker than she thought, or her compliment was severely misplaced. Either way, the green shade never lifted. Excusing herself to put Chugo-chan away, she quickly entreated the earth Kami for Jurojin's Balm. Taking pity on the poor woman, they obliged, and attending to her pet helped center and calm the cold sweat that had broken out on her brow. By the time she managed to return to the feast, she was feeling much better, though somewhat drained. She would sleep very well tonight.


Interesting and Facinating? NO! -2 Dinner points
Speak Good? YES! +3 Dinner points (authorized reroll)
Polite and Thoughtful? Of course! +3 Dinner points (same as above)
Seven Thunders vs Fu Leng? Fu Leng WINS. FATALITY
But wait! A wild Earth Kami appears! Take that Shinsei, gods over mortals!
Digestive crisis averted, but at what cost?

Total: 4 Dinner points

[Iuchi Yukarin]

Yukarin had some interesting points about games, but her uncouthness and enthusiasm were perhaps bit much.

Still, she ate with impeccable manners for a Unicorn. So into the conversation and meal she was that she was one of the last to notice she'd started swelling up...

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

I Am Interesting and Fascinating : Lore:Games/Int, 4d10o10k3 = 32 : pass w/ no raises

I Can Speak Good : Etiquette (conversation)/Awa, 5d10ro1o10k3 = 19 : fail w/ 2 raises

I Am Polite and Thoughtful : Etiquette/Awa, 5d10o10k3 = 28 : pass w/ 1 raise

The Seven Thunders : raw Stamina, VP1k1, 3d10o10 = 6 : failed by more than 5.

Final = 1 Dinner Point, sick and shellfish allergy

[Soshi Taira]

Soshi Taira wasn't entirely in his element, though as he surveyed the spread, he suspected he might be making some cures for dysentery soon.

As he spoke with those sitting closest, he found himself speaking entirely too much, too soon, and too minutely. Indeed, he almost sounded like a sparrow, he prattled on so long about the details of famous folk monsters and heroes. The subject was, probably, interesting. Well... at least not as boring as the stories he managed to come up with, including the folk heroes of accountants who saw through corruption, and a magistrate who caught out an evil spirit by making it try to say impossible tongue twisters...

Still, he seemed utterly unphased by the fresh food, and, to the relief of those around him, after trying many of the new Unicorn offerings, feel totally silent, absorbed in the shock and wonder of... cheese. Oh kami... what was this blessed substance and why hadn't it been in his life before? Meat... was interesting.

Butter joined rice, and the lot joined cheese, and the lot joined meat, and Soshi Taira's glorious culinary adventure left him satisfied, the chef gratified, and those around him eager to never hear about the mannerisms of yokai again.

-------------------------------------
Attempting to be interesting with 2 raises, (astonishing failure): http://orokos.com/roll/503329 -2 points.
Attempting to speak well: Failure, http://orokos.com/roll/503330 -1 point.
Attempting not to be rude: http://orokos.com/roll/503332 1 point.
Trying to keep it all down: http://orokos.com/roll/503334 Glorious victory. CHEESY POTATOES FOR THIS SOSHI.

Ending score: -2

[Soshi Bantu]

Soshi Bantu found himself glancing around the room looking for a conversation partner when he chanced upon an Otaku stablemaster. The two engaged in a brief, if informative, discussion of the breeding techniques the Unicorn use to ensure the strength of their herd, techniques Bantu hopes can be applied to the small stable he wants to establish, albeit with the far inferior Rokugani ponies.

His partner, and a few nearby eavesdroppers all had much information and opinions on the topic and it soon grew into quite a lively discussion, until the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the food.

Bantu, in his supreme sense of self importance and overconfidence, attacked his meal with gusto. Unfortunately he couldn't manage to make the unusual Unicorn cuisine stay between his chopsticks and he dropped several pieces, once even gesticulating so wildly with a piece of meat that it slipped out of his grasp and sailed halfway across the room.

But at least the unusual specimens didn't make him sick, as he had seen happen to a number of other guests.

--------------------------------------
D1 EE Event, Lore:Horses/Int (Sage for phantom rank) 2 CR TN20: 5d10o10k4 37 = 3 Dinner Points
D1 EE Event (Speak Good) 1CR TN15: 5d10o10k3-1 24 = 2 Dinner Points
D1 EE Polite and Thoughtful VP, 2 CR TN20: 6d10o10k4-1 19 = -2 Dinner points, -0.0 honor for Minor Breach
D1 EE Event Seven THunders, VP TN15: 3d10o10 18 = Success

Final result = 3 dinner points, no lingering effects, no honor loss

[Bayushi Suteichi]

Suteichi arrived to the dinner wearing a very fashionable kimono. He sat down and engaged in a discussion on poetry. The conversation was well-received, considering that he positioned himself near some Ide and Otaku. The Scorpion was kind and polite and did not talk on and on. He listened when they had questions and he answered all of them. When it came time to eat, he did not let on that sight of meat was interesting to him. He partook nonetheless so that he would not be so rude to the host. While the texture and taste of the food product known as cheese was tasty yet peculiar, the experience was something a bit unpleasant to the digestion.

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

Interesting Fascinating: Intelligence/Lore +1VP 19 1 Dinner Point
Speak Good & Polite Thoughtful: (Each with 2 Raises): 2 Etiquette/Awareness Rolls Calling 2 raises on each + Benten's Blessing 21 & 33 6 Dinner Points
Lactose The Intolerant: Stamina Roll + 1VP: 11 Fail.

Total: 7 Dinner Points

[Shinjo Hanashi]

Once people got talking, Hanashi knew he'd lose himself in all the many stories that would be going about. So remembering an adage of Shinjo's, he made sure to be swift of tongue and to strike first.

Regaling those nearest to him with a story of the Unicorn's travels, Hanashi would begin, occasionally turning his head so that those on his right side could feel included,"One area the Unicorn traveled is known as the Burning Sands, for all tremble under the ire of Amaterasu there. Some days we would need to set up our yurts around our horses, in order to protect them from the sun, as I'm sure you've noticed, they're too large to fit in through the door. One more advantage of the yurt! If a wind picked up during the day there, its said the sand could scour flesh from bone when Lady Sun's wrath was fiercest. Those days our ancestors would put up their yurts and pray that the sands had not buried them by the time the wind had ceased."

Sampling a bit of everything, Hanashi decided he could get used to a regular supply of fish. Perhaps he'd seek out a range along a river or lake, should he remain among the Unicorn. He paid apt attention to what everyone else was talking about though; one never knew when a little bit of trivia would make a difference.

*******************
I Am Interesting and Fascinating: TN 10; Void, Lore: Unicorn, 2 Raises TN 20: 39 3 Dinner Points
I Can Speak Good: Etiquette (Conversation) / Awareness TN 10: 16 1 DP
I Am Polite and Thoughtful: Etiquette / Awareness TN 10: 16 1 DP (5 Total)
The Seven Thunders Are Fighting Fu Leng In My Stomach: TN 15 Stamina, Void: 17

[Iuchi Saksaha]

As the banquet commences, Saksaha clutches her dangling talismans and murmurs prayers for strength and good luck, surprised at the butterflies in her belly. Compared to faceless horrors in the dark, or even a particularly ill-tempered bull yak, there's no reason this should be remotely intimidating, and yet...

She finds herself seated at a table of several Lion and Crab samurai, where her attempts to engage her seatmates in conversation about the local flora and their differences with the steppe and desert plants she knows fall flat in the face of their disinterest (and, okay, to be fair, opening with that really long disquisition on the uses of marmot's-paw herb when these people have never seen a marmot, let alone the plant named after it, was probably not a smart call.)

Luckily her question about the interesting tsuba on the wakizashi of the young Lion across the table from her turns the topic well, as it turns out Crab and Lion men are enough like Moto ones in at least one repect: there's no need to fear awkward lulls in conversation once you've got them talking about their... weapons. All she has to do is smile, top up cups with kumis, and eat.

At home, Saksaha was mostly raised to eat with her hands, but she's had some practice with the little eating sticks form the old country, and the dexterity needed to shape meishodo charms also means she handles them well enough without embarrassing herself

And the food! Hmm, are those prairie oysters? Saksaha's seatmate looks a little confused at her question--maybe her accent wasn't quite right?--but explains that they are oyster oysters and they come from the sea, not from a sheep, because after all how could a sheep fish for oysters? Rather than try to explain, since that didn't work so well earlier, Saksaha simply gulps one down. Slimy, yet satisfying!

---

Cast Earth's Touch (Stamina). Cast Reversal of Fortunes.

I Am Interesting and Fascinating, 2 Raises on Lore: Botany, TN 20: 19, 12 FAIL
I Can Speak Good, TN 10: 7, 13 PASS
I Am Polite and Thoughtful, TN 10: 17, 15 PASS
The Seven Thunders Are Fighting Fu Leng In My Stomach, TN 15: 23 PASS

+0 points.

[Ide Amaya]

There were people everywhere.

Amaya inhaled deeply, set a small but polite smile on her face, straightened her back, and entered. Drowned out by the roar of a thousand conversations, she seemed to move silently between tables and revellers. It felt like some invisible spirit was gripping her throat in a fist of iron, and her stomach quivered nervously.

She listened to snippets of conversation as she passed, much seemed to be entered around the food generously laid on tables that fairly groaned beneath the weight. A servant offered her a cup of kumis, which she accepted, but clutched uncertainly to her chest instead of drinking.

Eventually Amaya happened across a small pocket of what seemed like calm in the tumultuous storm of people in various states of drunkeness or gastric distress. A group, with softer voices than the boisterous ones that dominated the room, less tightly packed together, and there was a free space at a table. Amaya slipped her small frame into the gap and peered up through her eyelashes at the others.

A tall lady with the mon of the Phoenix Clan smiled at her and Amaya faltered like a deer staring down the shaft of an arrow. Her eyes fell on the insignias on the lady's kimono and, politely, "good evening, Phoenix-Sama," she proceeded to enquire about the icon. The discussion soon turned to one of Heraldry old and new as Amaya demonstrated her recently acquired knowledge of sigils. Her pleasant voice carried well despite the background noise.

At some point, she picked up a pair of chopsticks from the table and plied them with an expertise that belied how new she was to the Rokugani traditions, deftly manipulating the bite-sized morsels without a single slip or drip. She sampled a little of everything, especially the seafoods that were unfamiliar to her, but delicious. She ate well, too well, and was overly full by the time she was done, but she drank only a little, sipping meekly at the kumis, fearing getting her head muddled by the drink.

---
I am more interesting than I realised: 25, 1 point
I speak good and pretty (1 raise): 31, 2 points
I will polite your into next week (1 raise): 39, 2 points
Food, glorious food (1 Void Point): 16

Ending Score: 5 points

[Shimizu Ryori]

Ryori settles into his seat and smiles to those nearby searching his mind for something to discuss he begins speaking of the stories he remembers about the great champion of the Ki-rin Otaku

Lore 7 Thunders Ide Dinner Event tn 10 interesting + fascinating: 3d10o10k2 11

1 dinner point

etiquette Ide Dinner Event tn 10 talk good: 4d10o10k2 11

He doesn't do too horribly in remembering the stories of his childhood, being the son of an Ikoma has some benifits apparently.

1 dinner point (that makes 2)

etiquette Ide Dinner Event tn 20 (2r) (v) Lion is polite?: 5d10o10k3 34

Oddly the Lion has good manners finishing everything that ends up on his plate, the red meat that casually was slipped on to his plate is just as casually slipped off with his second pair of chop sticks and given to his sister crouched at his feet, who is super happy for the little treats. That corner never coming near the rest of his food.

3 dinner points : 5 total

stamina (v) ide dinner tn 15 - 7 thunders vs fu leng: 4d10o10k4 16

And he even keeps his goats milk down like a champ...

[Togashi Udo]

Togashi Udo arrived at the dinner wearing a simple robe, as ever. He took a seat in the first open seat he found (that was next to Unicorn women, as that is his purpose here, after all), and he rolled up his sleeves to eat. It was frustrating how sleeves of robes would often fall into food.

Having arrived at his destination, Udo is pleased to have the company of so many people. In the hopes of impressing the newly returned Unicorn, Udo decided that Bushido would be a good topic to discuss, and he took a moment to gather his thoughts on the subject.

Udo began to speak on the subject, and the words began to flow out of him. It reminded him of the times that he meditated, how he entered the domain of thought no-thought.

The Unicorn seated near him engaged in the discussion, and Udo was happy for a dialogue. Bushido had always interested him greatly, particularly coming from the Togashi Order. He engaged with their questions, but was very careful to be considerate of the fact that the Unicorn were newly returned to the Empire.

Overall, the meal went so well that Udo could barely remember eating, and he was left with a newfound appreciation for all the things the Unicorn could bring him and Rokugan.


Interesting Topic: 1 Dinner Point
Eloquent: 4 Dinner Points
Thoughtful: 3 Dinner Points*
Sick: Nope!

Total: 8 Dinner Points

*Incorrectly notated tattoo as Lion, should have been Crane like the previous.

[Doji Fukawa]

Fukawa was impressed with the clever nature of their hosts. Having a dinner first was both a gesture of being friendly, and showing that they valued more than combat prowess. Of course, Fukawa had about as much combat prowess as a lone snowflake, so if she failed to impress the hosts here, it seemed unlikely she would do so later.

Gaining inspiration from her early morning conversation, Fukawa decides to talk about current Crane clan fashion. What length kimonos were fashionable, how many layers were proper, she even mentioned the newest development of golden jewelry. Fukawa wasn't much of a scholar, but she was competent enough discussion her own clan.

I am interesting and fascinating, 15 vs. TN 10 1 Dinner point

However, unlike the book-blind Phoenix, a Crane knew it was not what you were talking about, but how well you spoke, and your skill at weaving your companions into the conversation. Fukawa spoke eloquently, but not in an overbearing fashion. She spent time keeping both her seat partners involved in the conversation, drawing insights out of them, and making them feel good for having contributed. The topic was simple, but she drew forth such harmony from it.

1 Can speak Good, 3 CR + 1 FR 35 vs. TN 25 5 Dinner Points

While the conversation about fashion continued on, so did the food. It was vital not to offend when eating with hosts. Refusing food or drink outright was as good as a slap in the face. However, gorging on meat and then passing gas like a hunting horn was unlikely to impress anyone but the meanest Moto. Chopsticks were a weapon well suited to this battlefield, and Fukawa wielded them deftly. She took enough food that looked safe to be thought polite, and when some of the more questionable items came by, she was either busy with the previous offering, or engaged in conversation. Rumors that she ate her soup with chopsticks were idle talk, but she certainly had good table manners.

I am polite and thoughtful, 3 CR + 1 FR 33 vs. TN 25 5 Dinner points

However, despite all her skill, one enemy managed to flit past her formidable guard. It looked like Tofu, it felt like Tofu, it smelled like Tofu. Alas, while her tongue raised an alarm, it was too late. The cheese had penetrated the Crane lands like a skillful mythical ninja, and the defenders were completely at a loss. It would take a full day of outright warfare before this enemy was understood, but next time they would be ready.

The Seven Thunders are Fighting Fu Leng in my stomach. 14 vs TN 15 +5 TNs D2, no allergy.

11 Dinner Points