Sapphire Ambassadors

Looking solemn and distracted but still dressed like he owned two small provinces, the tall Mantis attended the ceremony in a rather unintrusive way, trying to seem a bit of a wallflower. Of course, with a number of the competitors still feeling the sting of past criticism and recognition not receiv...

The lanky Mantis, his hair looking perhaps even more disheveled than usual, sat at a table with papers, charcoal, and ink and brush all close to hand. But he wasn't working on his art display for the day. Looking closely, one could see lists of ingredients, various tea house supplies as well as othe...

For Moshi Tatsuya's final display he channeled... [Sorry, text after personal] ----------------- D8, EE, daily art: D_, EE, daily art, TN 15 +2 CR for TN 25. Craft:Cartography 3, Int 4, VP for 1k1, Tomodachi devotion for 4k0 | 10k6 ⇒ 45 (TN: 25) 3 Sapphire Points 3 points for "ally" Shiba Aibou

Unrelated to previous post, just confirming that when the Side Games thread says "During the Epilogue," that means that points must have been scored by end of D9 to count, since D10 is listed in the schedule thread as "Epilogue"?

From the side games thread: "Supporters of that Amigo gain a rank of the Fame Advantage; PCs Allied to the winning Amigo additionally gain XP equal to the amount of Devotion not expended (i.e., a PC Allied to the winning Amigo with Devotion 4 and who does not expend the Devotion for the bonus to the...

A short distance away, an industrious if rather less than honorable man in a plainer green kimono than is usual for him is overseeing... As it's developing it's too subtle and quiet to qualify as a spectacle, but after a time certain signs have taken shape and... Been affixed to several clearly befu...

One who frequented the Waving Grass, and who might described as fishy for various reasons, stood in the background holding a small pink book and looking at the Crane by the pond seriously. He seemed clearly of a mind to go and speak with her, but his face betrayed a certain puzzlement as he observed...

It is no shock that Moshi Tatsuya is not present for the judging, or indeed any longer than is necessary for him to arrange a circle of origami animals - a crane, a tortoise, a wasp, a fox, a centipede and a mantis - and place a larger, seemingly kneeling mantis, so it hints at bowing toward the cir...

"Excellent. I should be happy to share what I've heard. And, ah... I would be remiss to not, uh, read some myself. To better understand the mar-the, uh, motivation that drives my friends' interest. Might I invite you to tea at the Waving Grass Tea Room? I am becoming quite partial to it," he says w...

"Good tea in sufficient supply, in pleasant surroundings, is about as civilized as it gets." Choudai nodded. "Oh! On the artistic front, I've been working on something of Scorpion origins, but which might benefit from a certain Mantis flair... might I assume you have contacts in the islands of the ...

"Of course. I would love to hear your friend's thoughts on the work while I sign the rest -- I've only heard the opinions of friends so far. Perhaps we could take tea together?" And she smiles again. Tatsuya beams. "Excellent. I should be happy to share what I've heard. And, ah... I would be remiss...

Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 25, 2022 4:04 am

Goddamn Ferengi!

LOL!

Look brother, Tatsuya's just a really motivated revenue specialist, ok? Yasuki training plus high Intelligence is just... Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

And I am totally going to run a future character who's writing a book on the Virtues of Acquisition...

Bayushi Choudai wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 25, 2022 3:59 am

"But I think a discussion of tea can hardly be taken amiss, hm?"

Tatsuya begins to chuckle and smile comfortably.

"Quite so, Bayushi-san. Quite so. Tea is, in fact, a most revered part of samurai life. One might even call it our duty to ensure good tea is consistently available, Hm?"

"I could sign it with my chop... once you buy it." She nods to the shopkeeper. Mention of money immediately brings the Mantis to full awareness and he grins. "Indeed. How fortuitous." The tall Mantis turns to the book seller and converses quietly but quickly, with the Crane samurai-ko overhearing b...

"Ah, the place with the koi pond? I would be delighted." And I can see why a Yasuki-trained courtier would go for a fishpond. "I'm always interested in new opportunities, after all..." Tatsuya continued to beam happily. "Very good, very good. Yes, wise is the man whose eyes are always open to oppor...

"I hope my work brings you joy." And she bows again. "Er," the Mantis pauses, his spinning mind almost visible behind his eyes. "I am, ah, not so honored as to have read it..." Tatsuya looks rather like a man trying to tread safely across a frozen lake, conscious that his steps could easily go wron...

"If you wish to sample the cuisine at the Sunset Leaves, do let me know... my interest in it has led me to a modest show of material support, and I would be happy to have you visit it as my guest." The Mantis beams, beyond comfortable with this discussion topic. "Ah, very good Bayushi-san. A man af...

Moshi Tatsuya had been in and out of the gallery throughout the day, second- and third-guessing himself about his display or portions thereof. It wasn't simply that honesty is a difficult trait to present visually, but that his mishandling of the duty presentation the day before had wounded his sens...

He smiled. "... although I admit, it may be that they simply reach me where I am most vulnerable." "Where you are most vulnerable, Bayushi-san?" The Mantis inquires pleasantly. "Ah, through your delicate and cultured palette!" Tatsuya says in a moment of understanding. He nods his head thoughtfully...

"Have you had rice today? If not, there's some in the sushi I prepared..." The Mantis smiles pleasantly and jokes, "Ah, Bayushi-san, I am blessed by the Fortunes everyday," as he pats his kimono. It's an obvious attempt to be self-effacing as the Moshi looks both as slim and strong as a yari. "I ha...