GM questions

[Tassu]

Public interest questions can go here. Questions will not be answered on Discord to make sure that all relevant readings are archived here for everyone to see.

Commonly asked questions.

Can I replace skill X with skill Y in event Z?
-No.

Can I roll X to improve my roll Y in event Z?
-No.

Does Benten's Blessing apply to the event X. It is not listed?
- No

Does Y apply to X
- If by RAW it does, it does. If not AND if it is not mentioned, it does not.

e.g. Doji Courtier rank 1 allows a Free Raise on all Courtier, Sincerity, and Etiquette rolls. This will apply to ALL Courtier, Sincerity, and Etiquette rolls even if it is not directly mentioned.

e.g. Touch of the Spirit Realms: Sakkaku grants +1k0 to Sincerity (Deceit) rolls. This only triggers IF the roll qualifies for Deceit emphasis. If the event does not list the emphasis, the roll does not qualify for said emphasis and the Touch of the Spirt Realms: Sakkaku does not apply.

I have Prestigious Line advantage. Am I part of the kuge?
No. Lowest of the Kuge are the immediate family of the leaders of each family, like the spouse or child of the Clan Champion.

[Usagi Rei]

Once we are approved, may we go ahead and post our character info in the Cast thread here? I figure the answer is yes, but I want to make sure.

https://shadows.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26

[Boogiepop]

Once we are approved, may we go ahead and post our character info in the Cast thread here? I figure the answer is yes, but I want to make sure.

https://shadows.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26

Please do!

[Okuri]

I apologize in advance for the litany of questions, mostly about stuff that goes into heists:

A character may spend a time slot in Slums seeking information regarding anything the world's lowlife might know, rolling Lore: Underworld / Intelligence or Investigation / Awareness against TN 25 and paying 1 koku plus 1 koku for each Raise called. Raise(s) will allow characters to discover secret or otherwise hard to discover information. In order to seek information, post the rolls and specify the topic in your private forum and link that post to the thread here.

If you have an ability that allows for a free Raise, does that also count toward the koku expenditure of the attempt?

Finding forged security pass.
To find a forged security pass, the character must Seek Information from Slums, calling at least one Raise.

Finding stolen security pass.
To find a stolen security pass, the character must Seek Information from Slums, calling at least three Raises.

Is it possible to forge or steal a pass yourself, or should we just use this system to help move the process along?

Hacking roll
Use Computers (Hacking) / Intelligence against TN 25 to break into the relevant database. Raises can be called on this roll to procure more information. Character that called 3 successful Raises on 'locating the console' may chose to pass this roll (without Raises called) automatically. After this, the character should make their escape, moving to 'Escape'.

-snip-

Should character make the Heist, they will gain 1k2 Information + 1k0 Information for each successful Raise called for the 'Hacking roll'.

If you bypass this roll using the "Locating the Console" effect, can you spend Free Raises from the preparation step to increase the amount of data collected?

Preparations

Observing the target
Character planning a Blackmail operation may spend a time slot stalking their target (choosing also the faction they are targeting - with Status rank of X decided by the player, where X is value between 1 and 4), rolling Investigation / Perception against TN 20 go gain a Free Raise that can be used either Lure or Deceive the target. Raises called on this Roll award the character with additional Free Raises. Character may not earn more than 5 Free Raises this way.

If players are in charge of selecting both the faction and status of the person they are going after, how to we set up the thread? Contact the GM and set up a thread in an appropriate meeting spot?

[Tassu]

If you have an ability that allows for a free Raise, does that also count toward the koku expenditure of the attempt?

Free Raises do not count as Called - Called are limited by Void (usually) - Free ones are not counted.

Is it possible to forge or steal a pass yourself, or should we just use this system to help move the process along?

It basically boils down to same - finding information about the item / person first, then tracking them down and trying to steal their shit OR trying to get a glimpse of the thing to forge it. i.e. this just saves everyone's time and cuts few rolls of from already a messy process.

If players are in charge of selecting both the faction and status of the person they are going after, how to we set up the thread? Contact the GM and set up a thread in an appropriate meeting spot?

Basically, ask for target / faction in your PF - we give you location / target building / name - then you make rolls so that each phase of the Heist makes a one post.

[Okuri]

Thanks. One more. This was buried in the middle:

Hacking roll
Use Computers (Hacking) / Intelligence against TN 25 to break into the relevant database. Raises can be called on this roll to procure more information. Character that called 3 successful Raises on 'locating the console' may chose to pass this roll (without Raises called) automatically. After this, the character should make their escape, moving to 'Escape'.

-snip-

Should character make the Heist, they will gain 1k2 Information + 1k0 Information for each successful Raise called for the 'Hacking roll'.

If you bypass this roll using the "Locating the Console" effect, can you spend Free Raises from the preparation step to increase the amount of data collected?

[Tassu]

Thanks. One more. This was buried in the middle:

Hacking roll
Use Computers (Hacking) / Intelligence against TN 25 to break into the relevant database. Raises can be called on this roll to procure more information. Character that called 3 successful Raises on 'locating the console' may chose to pass this roll (without Raises called) automatically. After this, the character should make their escape, moving to 'Escape'.

-snip-

Should character make the Heist, they will gain 1k2 Information + 1k0 Information for each successful Raise called for the 'Hacking roll'.

If you bypass this roll using the "Locating the Console" effect, can you spend Free Raises from the preparation step to increase the amount of data collected?

No.

[Susumu Yakumo]

The spine drakes are available to Scorpions, or non-Scorpions living on the World of Dreams with Scorpion Allies.

Is it possible to acquire such a pet in the game, and if yes what would it cost?

[Tassu]

The spine drakes are available to Scorpions, or non-Scorpions living on the World of Dreams with Scorpion Allies.

Is it possible to acquire such a pet in the game, and if yes what would it cost?

The answer is solid maybe possibly. There's NPC who works at the animal sanctuary that might be able to help you at a cost.

[Okuri]

Thanks for all the help. I again apologize for the tons of questions, I just figure that it is better to ask now and ensure that we know going in rather than bugging you later and having everyone get upset while the game is running.

Locating a console
To locate a suitable console, character must roll Investigation (Notice) / Perception OR Investigation (Notice) / Intelligence against TN 20. Raises may and probably should be called on this roll. Should character fail this roll, they have to make their escape, moving to 'Escape'. Should character succeed, they may move to 'Hacking roll' to procure information.

Hacking roll
Use Computers (Hacking) / Intelligence against TN 25 to break into the relevant database. Raises can be called on this roll to procure more information. Character that called 3 successful Raises on 'locating the console' may chose to pass this roll (without Raises called) automatically. After this, the character should make their escape, moving to 'Escape'.

Is there any benefit to calling raises on Locating a Console other than the mentioned effect on being able to bypass the Hacking roll? (e.g. Free raises for effect/reducing difficulty)

[Tassu]

Locating a console
To locate a suitable console, character must roll Investigation (Notice) / Perception OR Investigation (Notice) / Intelligence against TN 20. Raises may and probably should be called on this roll. Should character fail this roll, they have to make their escape, moving to 'Escape'. Should character succeed, they may move to 'Hacking roll' to procure information.

Hacking roll
Use Computers (Hacking) / Intelligence against TN 25 to break into the relevant database. Raises can be called on this roll to procure more information. Character that called 3 successful Raises on 'locating the console' may chose to pass this roll (without Raises called) automatically. After this, the character should make their escape, moving to 'Escape'.

Is there any benefit to calling raises on Locating a Console other than the mentioned effect on being able to bypass the Hacking roll? (e.g. Free raises for effect/reducing difficulty)

They do make your escape easier as you find the console faster when you call Raises.

[Okuri]

That makes a ton of sense. Thank you.

[Utaku Yesugen]

So I can get it out of the way sooner rather than later: Sometimes, in events, we're asked to roll combat skills, e.g. Kenjutsu or Firearms. Would that count as an Attack Roll for things like Akodo and Utaku bushi techniques? Case-by-case basis?

[Boogiepop]

So I can get it out of the way sooner rather than later: Sometimes, in events, we're asked to roll combat skills, e.g. Kenjutsu or Firearms. Would that count as an Attack Roll for things like Akodo and Utaku bushi techniques? Case-by-case basis?

This has actually come up a few times while we were designing our events. Long story short, it's mostly a case-by-case basis. There are events where we address things like "counts as first round" and "counts as the first initiative". As diverse as the schools are in L5R, we can't catch them all and there will be the inevitable questions. In situations those conditions are mentioned, it is assumed that bushi tech is useable. I'd like to think in situations where they are not valid, we mentioned this fact.

[Susumu Yakumo]

If we pay for a car-rental for the game, is it also possibly to pay for a chaffeur for the rented car?

[Boogiepop]

If we pay for a car-rental for the game, is it also possibly to pay for a chaffeur for the rented car?

I mean, this is edging slightly on heimen servant territory. If we're talking about barebones service where you're not dragging the chauffeur around to do things like heavy lifting, conversation buddy/yes-person, plot device, potential getaway driver, fashion accessory, or basically anything that requires any sort of rolls involved...I'll allow it at 50% of the car rental price (expensive but only the more skilled drivers for samurai for the best experience).

[Soshi Kazumi]

https://shadows.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?p=654#p654

Just a question in the ol pf

[Kuni Koyuki]

I put a question in a slightly strange place, thus my linking it here. However, it seemed like the fitting place to ask it!

https://shadows.fallenash.com/viewtopic.php?p=798#p798

[Okuri]

On heists, can you do the preparation steps in advance or must all activities be on the same day?

[Tassu]

On heists, can you do the preparation steps in advance or must all activities be on the same day?

Nope, you can take as many days as you want!