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[Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:49 pm
by Boogiepop
There has been a sizeable influx of pirates and scum associated with the True Scions of Gusai to the World of Dreams in the last few days. It's of little coincidence that they have plans and something huge is going to be happening, especially now with both Cheung and the data core relic in their hands. Matsu Eriko is eager to get it back and stop whatever they have planned. However, this will require her and her recruited friends to find them first.

For a faction that lacks subtlety and decency, they've been recently keeping a low profile on their activities to minimize their footprint. The investigators will have to work together and scour the city if they have any hopes of finding any details regarding their upcoming plans.

Investigating the City

It is often said that anything can be found on the World of Dreams, you just need to know where to look. There are several dwellings in the slums that tend to attract all manner of ronin, lowlives, and other disreputable characters. With lax regulation from the Scorpions and a blind eye, the slum has always been a perfect breeding ground for criminal activity. Many holdings here as a base of operations for criminal organizations such as the True Scions of Gusai.

Each investigator involved here will have to dig for information at a variety of locations while trying to keep a low profile to avoid attention from both the members of the True Scions and their associates. Their successful efforts will be represented in Clue Points collected at the end of the event while any bad attention attracted during their efforts will be represented in Threat Points. Each location will require a different approach to digging for information, which will demand investigators to potentially coordinate to exercise their skills best. In this event, each investigator can roll up to three times and can be done at any combination of locations. Their collective efforts will contribute to the Cumulative TN regardless of who previously participated.

Once a location has been successfully investigated of all Cumulated TN, it can no longer be investigated but please note the final amount rolled when tallying everyone's efforts. Investigators may coordinate and do these attempts separately from each other if they wish.
  • Matsu Eriko's Help
    Matsu Eriko has a turbulent history with the True Scions of Gusai. This started when Eriko sought out the True Scions to unearth the data core relic on a remote system. The relationship went south when the criminal syndicate attempted to kill Eriko by ejecting her into space. She survived and retaliated by stealing back the data core relic, which put a large target on her head. Needless to say, Matsu Eriko has a large stake in this investigation and is very eager to involve herself.

    An investigator may have Eriko accompany them for the duration of the event. She will provide her expertise and aid, which will bestow to all rolls here +2k0 or +2k1 if the investigator has her as an ally. This also provides the skill clause. Her involvement does pose some risk to the investigators as she is very recognizable by the members and associates of the True Scions, despite her best efforts. Any time any Threat Points are incurred from a location where her aid is used (see below), the group gains an additional 1 Threat Point. The investigator with Eriko must use her bonus for all rolls, as she will not take a passive role in the investigation.
Thunder Strikes Warehouses
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For the last few years, the Thunder Strikes Warehouses have been one of the main operation hubs for the True Scions. The organization makes use of shipping containers where they often load with illegal hardware and stolen goods, masked with either legitimate products or altered logs. There are numerous containers found in the warehouse here, making it very difficult to find where they might have buried their caches. In the last few days, the True Scions have made several withdrawals and there are several discrepancies that could be found with enough searching.

Skills Used: Investigation/Perception or Stealth/Agility
Cumulative TN: 75
Special Rules: If this location is fully investigated, the group gains an additional Clue Point as a reward. This would make this location worth 2 Clue Points in total.

Coldstone Dojo
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The Coldstone Dojo often sees a large number of faces on a daily basis, their visitors are often ronin who pass by for a quick workout before moving on to their job. The dojo staff collect their meagre coin and ask no questions. Compared to a proper dojo, there is much to be desired with much of their workout facilities lacking much in frills and comforts. As of late, many associates of the True Scions have been using the facilities and at times, recruiting able-bodied ronin for their jobs. It is likely that someone might have had some idea of why they have been recruiting.

Skills Used: Brawl/Agility or Athletics/Strength
Cumulative TN: 50
Special Rules: Whenever an investigator rolls 20 or more at this location, the group gains 1 Threat Point.

Feast & Fame Food Court and Market
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Feast & Fame is one of the densest centres of commerce in this sector of the slums. What began as merely just a few stalls in an open lot grew quickly into a dense market in a short amount of time. Now, the markets serve as a daily necessity for many of the locals here to provide them with daily goods and sustenance. Many of the stalls are built in a simple manner, often consisting of just struts and sheet metal. Street kitchens are open at almost all hours of the day, frying and grilling food for patrons sitting on foldout tables and chairs. Beneath the constant hustle and bustle, much of the True Scions' ill-gotten koku is exchanged and laundered here.

Skills Used: Commerce/Intelligence or Lore: Underworld/Intelligence
Cumulative TN: 50
Special Rules: Whenever an investigator rolls less than 10 or more than 30, the group gains 1 Threat Point.

Ebisu's Grace Office:
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Ebisu's Grace Office is an agency focused on finding work for ronin who are more courtly or artistically inclined. Clans very often don't like relying on ronin representation in business or political matters and those ronin rely on agencies such as this one to eke out favour in order to find employment. The offices are very old-fashioned, often relying on a printed catalogue of clients that is sorely outdated by several decades. The agency has a business relationship with the True Scions as they are often happy to accept their coin to run interference with the authorities.

Skills Used: Courtier/Awareness or Etiquette/Awareness
Cumulative TN: 40
Special Rules: Each roll done at this location will add 1 Threat Point to the group.

Mako Motor Garage:
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The Mako Motor Garage had no previous ties with the True Scions, as they are predominately a space-faring criminal organization, until very recently. It is said that they have offered a large sum of koku for a sizeable fleet of industrial and heavy duty vehicles, immediately buying their way to becoming their top customers. Most of their projects with them have been completed but various schematics can be found in their catalogue. This might give the investigators an idea of what they've cooked up for the True Scions and a road map to their whereabouts.

Skills Used: Drive/Agility, Engineering/Intelligence, or Firearms/ Agility
Cumulative TN: 50
Special Rules: Whenever an investigator rolls 19 or less at this location, the group gains 1 Threat Point.

Happy Times Gambling Den:
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For those who either take to the waves figuratively or literally, gambling has often been a favourite pastime for the Mantis and ronin. The Happy Times Gambling Den often caters to the True Scions whenever they visit the World of Dreams, happy to launder their dirty koku and provide them with a host of vices. The True Scions have recently made a notable visit, giving the den an appreciated surge in business. Visitors here are expected to gamble or are forced out by its tough security, no exceptions. Investigators might have to play a game or two if they are to get any information from the gambling den.

Skills: Sincerity (Deceit)/Awareness or Games: Fortune and Winds/Awareness
Cumulative TN: 50
Special Rules: Whenever an investigation roll is done here, the investigator must choose odds or evens and note this in their roll's description. If the result matches the choice, then nothing happens. Otherwise, the group gains 1 Threat Point.

Investigation Results

In order to find more information regarding the True Scion of Gusai and their plans in the near future on the World of Dreams, the investigators will have to complete their investigation on at least two locations above. In order to complete an investigation, they will have to clear it of all Cumulative TN. Once everyone has posted their efforts and/or utilized their attempts, a tally will be taken of investigated locations, Clue Points, and Threat Points.

If the group is able to collect a total of 200 or more by rolling for Cumulative TN, counting any amounts rolled in excess to the in a successful roll, the investigative efforts of the group are successful and they have a good idea of what the True Scion of Gusai are up. This may eventually lead to finding where they are gathered when they launch their operations. The group is awarded 1 Clue Point for their collective efforts. Further Clue Points can be gathered for each location fully successfully solved.

Clue Points: Clue Points are shared by the group taking an active role in aiding Matsu Eriko and opposing the True Scion of Gusai. Clue Points can be spent in the same manner as a Void Point, utilized in combat, skills or part of techniques. In addition, they can also be spent for a reroll in the same fashion as Luck and the higher roll is kept. The number of Clue Points is shared with the participating group.

In addition to earning Clue Points, they might have accumulated Threat Points, which represent the amount of attention they might have attracted during their investigation. There were eyes and ears everywhere on the World of Dreams and many are willing to trade information for a few quick coins from the True Scions of Gusai. If the group manages to attract enough attention, the True Scions will be more than prepared for any conflicts in the future and it might result in a tougher fight.
  • 0-3 Threat Points: The investigations have been subtle in their search and the True Scion of Gusai are unaware of their pursuit.
  • 4-8 Threat Points: Word travels around the streets that there are nosy outsiders who have shown interest in the operations of the True Scions of Gusai. They are wary and on alert.
  • 9+ Threat Points: The True Scions of Gusai are fully aware of Matsu Eriko and the investigators being on their tail. They will be fully prepared to deal with them when they meet face to face.

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:08 pm
by Miya Nishida
Eriko called Nishdia for help and he was to answer. At least he was gracious enough to leave his Imperial suit at home. But he was still way too overdressed. Instead of a suit, he had only a shirt and a pair of trousers on, paired with a good pair of shoes that were far above the price range of what was worn in the slum, plus he had Akechi in tow. If he had tried to blend in in any way, he had not succeeded. He didn't like the idea of searching for information in the slums, but as soon as he arrived in the market district, his Yasuki heart opened. He browsed the small market stalls with their half-broken, half-decayed goods of inferior quality and inhaled the sheer smell of unbridled commerce.

He quickly managed to get involved with the local merchants and establish trust. After a while he came into contact with a notable old lady running a soup kitchen.

"Honored lady do you have a moment for me?" he asked, rather friendly.
"Fuck off, I've already paid my taxes" she replied rudely.
Baffled Nishdia was taken aback.
"Come again?" he asked
"You heard me, I paid my taxes, I don't want anything to do with the likes of you," the older lady replied in a gruff manner.

It had been a long time since anyone had approached him like that, so Nishida did what he had to do, he took off the Imperial mask.

"Aha, so for someone who offers a thousand times stretched rice soup for 5 zeni you are pretty cheeky old woman!" he attacked her
"Come gain" she replied baffled now.
"You've herad me right! If you're going to rip people off, at least try to do it right, who are you ripping off money for anyway?"
"A perky like you wouldn't understand anyway" grumbled the granny
"It's for the True Scions aint it?" he asked wich baffled the old lady further
"How did you...!"
"Let's just say i have some contacts, want to earn some money? Just tell me what you know,....."

---
D9 MN Commerce 3/Intelligence 3 +1k1 Daikokus Blessing, +5(FR) Yasuki R1, +1k1VP | 8k5+5 ⇒ 52 (TN: 50)

(1/3) Actions
+1 Threat
+1 Clue

(52/200)

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:41 pm
by Hotaru Sakura
Ebisu's Grace....Sakura thought she would never be back here, but here she was. It was a nice front, for the less violently inclined ronin, and Sakura did take a few jobs through them back in the day. Mostly as "ornamental ronin" at certain soirees...she shuddered.

Thank fuck that is in the past.

"Sakuraaaa-chaaaan, long time no see?" Goro, the ronin running the agency leered at her. Sakura hoped he'd died in an overdose, but apparently not.

"Goro-sama, what a pleasure to meet you!" Lying through your teeth was a valuable skill at the Grace after all. "I was hoping if you had some special jobs perhaps?"

Apparently, Goro was unaware that Sakura was not a ronin. For almost a year. What a moron.

Still, she did manage to get some leads on what kind of plots the True Scions were looking into. Whee!

OOC:
D9 MN Eriko Event, Ebisu's Grace Office investigation, Courtier/Awa, VP for +1k1, WW for +2, tn 40 | 9k5+2 ⇒ 74 (TN: 40)

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:56 pm
by Kuni Koyuki
Koyuki looks like she belongs here, and there was a great bit of intent toward her training to that effect. Mingling among the gambling den she keeps her quick wit sharp in order to keep herself from looking too suspicious when she shifts between tables trying to not find the lucky pot but the thread to tug at. After all, gambling was never quite her thing and the few hands she played never seemed to manage to go her way. Causing a bit of a stir as it were among the local populace. Not enough to get her kicked out over the course of her snooping but ultimately the downside to Kuni face-paint was that folk tended to remember your face a little easier if they had a mind to.

Borrowing a cigarette from one of her fast made acquaintances she steps outside for some fresh air while she smokes. Ready to leave, or not, as the check ins over her comm were rolling in.

[Rolls:]

Day 9, EN | Happy Times: Sincerity/Awareness, Void +3k1 (Meishozo) Cumulative [Evens] | 7k4 ⇒ 35 (TN: 50)

+1 Threat Point
35 Progress on Casino

Cumulative Total Thus Far: [126]
52 - Nishida Completed
74 - Sakura Completed

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:33 pm
by Matsu Hide
Hide decided to hit the place that the thug's pockets had a lead on. Of course, with her wife in tow. Not that she could ever keep Eriko out of this. Well, it was time to chat up some people still around the facility. Not that Hide was much of a car girl, so she took note of the nice sidearm one of the guys around the shop had. Which proved to be a great distraction as Eriko snooped about proper.

"So, think about shootouts in space is that a lot of the time it's in a cramped place. And you gotta make those shots count or you might hit something bad. So, you gotta push up to spots where your shots won't miss, y'know? Especially if you got a beefier sidearm. Lion and Crab sidearms need a bit of bracing unless you're really strong or trained to handle them. I saw a guy try to shoot a Conqueror before with one hand without proper conditioning. That guy sprained his wrist doing that. Scorpion ones like that are fine to shoot one-handed, though. It's a nice in-between on the recoil front."

______________________
[D9 MN] Eriko Event: Mako Motor Garage, Firearms/Agility. +Eriko Ally bonus and VP for +1k1. | 10k5 ⇒ 64 (TN: ?)

+1 Clue

Cumulative Total Thus Far: [190]
52 - Nishida Completed
74 - Sakura Completed
64 - Hide and Eriko Completed

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 11:38 pm
by Usagi Rei
Meanwhile, Rei knew where he'd best be put to use. If there was something hidden, he could generally find it.

The warehouses were known stashes for the True Scions. Wearing his dark overcoat, Rei walked slowly and carefully his pale eyes darting this way and that. Sure, they were smart. But he'd trained for tracking down Maho-Tsukai. He was smarter.

Spotting some evidence, Rei's eyes narrowed as he took a deep drag on his cigarette. They'd get them. It was only a matter of time.

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

D9MN Disaster Wagon, 1/3 rolls, Warehouse, Investigation/Per, +1k0 Witchfinder | 7k3 ⇒ 32 (TN: ?)

Cumulative Total Thus Far: [222]
52 - Nishida Completed
74 - Sakura Completed
64 - Hide and Eriko Completed
32 - Rei
Warehouse 32/75

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:30 am
by Kuni Koyuki
Having snuffed the cigarette from the gambling den. Koyuki makes her way through the slums to catch up with Rei. She'd gotten a bit of a lead but didn't like the way that some of the folk there were starting to get curious about her so she ditched. Coming down the street they'd meet up, kind of. One in view of the other Koyuki would give him a call to connect their comms while they got to searching about. Rei down among the containers, and Koyuki having borrowed the key to the office building. Glancing through the logs to figure out what might be where, and giving Rei the heads up on the sections that would be best to check.

"So, are you seeing anyone else then?" she asks, in the middle of the op like it was the most natural question in the world. Waiting for his response, switching to searching through another folder, "Yes, I am asking you if there is anyone else you are spending time with romantically or sexually in the middle of this job. No, I do not car- wait I got something."

[Rolls:]

Day 9, MN | (Rolls: 2/3) Warehouse: Investigation/Perception | 5k3 ⇒ 16 (TN: 43)

[Warehouse: 48/75]

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 3:45 am
by Usagi Rei
When Koyuki's voice came in, Rei was doing a deep dive on a file cabinet. The question was strange enough that Rei pulled the flashlight out of his mouth to answer. "Seriously, Koyuki-san?" Rei asked, incredulous.

Well... it fit, anyway. Rei tucked the flashlight between chin and shoulder instead, frowning as he poured over the papers. "Well. Yes, I am in fact. And yes. Same person to both questions, actually." His smirk was almost audible over the comms.

His attention sharpened. "What is it? Name? Place? I've got something here, too. The same word on a lot of these papers..."

D9MN Disaster Wagon, 2/3 rolls, Warehouse, Investigation/Per, +1k0 Witchfinder | 7k3 ⇒ 26 (TN: ?)

[Warehouse: 74/75] CURSES!!!

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 4:04 am
by Kuni Koyuki
"I had not realized we had gotten so familiar, Rei-san," she says, half distracted by her search. Dragging her index down a long line of assorted files concerning different shipments that may or may not have been named. "What is the word?" she asks, and gets her quick answer using it against the list in hand. Still searching through while she continued.

"Scorpion? Hotaru? Lion? Crane? Ronin? No, not on the list I mean who you're sleeping with. Yes, I want to know. Why not? I am sure someone we both know would be very interested in whatever you- Wait, I got it. It's Yurei-san isn't it? Yes, I'm serious. No, I don't condone it. I honestly don't believe that you aren't with her so you're just gonna have to tell me who it is. Yes Rei- shit no I actually have it this time. Help me find this container, we need to double check," and she slams down the clipboard before rushing down and out of the room.

Day 9, MN | (Rolls: 3/3) Warehouse: Investigation/Perception | 5k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 1)

Warehouse Completed: 75 + 23 (98)

Cumulative Total: [288]
52 - Nishida Completed
74 - Sakura Completed
64 - Hide and Eriko Completed
98 - Koyuki and Rei Completed.

5 Clue Points!

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:41 am
by Miya Nishida
The samurai in the dojo were looking for good recruits for the True Scions, strong or Agile samurai who could easily be had for Koku.

Fortunately, Nishida was only the latter and probably never qualified for the position of front fighter.

"Ready for the battle of the century, Hotaru-san?" he said in a pathetic fighting stance, wearing a cheap tracksuit, hands bandaged.

D9 MN - Unskilled Jiu-Jutsu 0 / Agility 2, | 2k2 ⇒ 11 (TN: ?)

Dojo (11/50)

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 8:51 am
by Hotaru Sakura
"Yes, MIya-sama." Sakura nodded, dressed in her usual workout clothes, red camo with a Firefly mon-d hoodie.

Apparently she took things too seriously and slammed the poor Imperial to the mat. Twice. Apparently some othe Scions took notice of her skills.

OOC:
D9 MN Jiu/Agi, untrained, Coldstone Dojo | 3k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: ?)

Dojo: 35 total so far

1 threat

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:12 am
by Miya Nishida
"Urgh" he said and stood back up, "I wasn't prepared enough for this" he grunted and tried to grab Sakura.... about as well as a toddler would.

D9 MN - Unskilled Jiu-Jutsu 0 / Agility 2, #2 | 2k2 ⇒ 5 (TN: ?)

Dojo (40/50)

(3/3) Actions

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:16 am
by Hotaru Sakura
Sakura, for one in her lifetime, felt like she was the better combatant, as she deftly deflected the Imperial in her defense.

OOC:
D9 MN Jiu/Agi, untrained, Coldstone Dojo | 3k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: ?)

1 more threat

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 9:22 am
by Miya Nishida
After Sakura put him back to the mat, Nishida just lay there with his arms outstretched, "Urgh" he grunted, breathing heavily, "Why are there samurai who do this voluntarily?" he muttered.

----
Dojo Done!

7 Clue Points
5 Thread

-1 Pride for Nishi :D

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:46 am
by Boogiepop
After a rather eventful night, Matsu Eriko and her fellow investigators were able to scour the city for all traces of the True Scions. It was rather strange, not running into any of them on their own turf, it seemed like they had taken an exodus from the district but for what means? However, just because they weren't obvious, they still had plenty of eyes on the streets. They had caught word that several particular individuals had visited their operations and asked about them...

The group has 5 Threat Points!
4-8 Threat Points: Word travels around the streets that there are nosy outsiders who have shown interest in the operations of the True Scions of Gusai. They are wary and on alert.
However, it wasn't all ominous as the group had picked up enough knowledge to get a sizeable advantage in the near future if they were to ever clash. It seemed the True Scions had withdrawn koku from their laundering and pirated goods operations and spent them at Mako Motor Garage to procure a small fleet of vehicles. Judging from the schematics and the influx of arms purchases sent to the garage, one of the custom orders was a technical vehicle. They had also brought a good number of their members to the World of Dreams and further filled the gaps by hiring desperate ronin.

Ultimately, where did they go? Many lingering witnesses will make mention that they left just yesterday and were going toward the heart of desolation...

The group has 7 Clue Points!

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:48 am
by Matsu Eriko
"Desolation?! That's a curveball out of nowhere. I know they're pretty brawny and stupid but suicidal...eh, sure, probably suicidal too but still a move I don't expect the True Scions to take." Eriko would say regarding their findings once the investigation team gathered together once more after a very productive night.

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 12:49 am
by Matsu Hide
“I don’t like the sound of that. What could they possibly get out of going to that death trap?” Hide looked to her wife with a very worried expression. “Think it has something to do with the artifact?”

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:00 am
by Kuni Koyuki
"I still don't know how caught up on all this I am," Koyuki says, her voice half-distracted as she toys with her inhalator. Checking out the device as if it might be broken but really she was just wavering on if she really wanted to take a few puffs from it or not.

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:05 am
by Miya Nishida
Nishida looked at Koyuki and shook his head, cigarette in hand, he said: "And I thought this time there were no mushroom zombies involved, so I guess the soul-eating ghosts fell through the cracks." he chukled and massaged his side, "If you take Hotaru-san with you she'll wrestle the ghost into submission!!"

Re: [Day 9 - Midnight] Eriko Event: On the Case (Closed)

Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:18 am
by Hotaru Sakura
"Oh no, I am not going into that place again." Once was enough for court.

"Sigh, some day, I'll regret being pretty AND smart, since I keep getting dragged into things." She pointed a finger at Koyuki, Rei and now Hide. "If they're in teh Desolation, spending this much on it, they must be expecting a huge return on investnment. Perhaps they're trying to nab all the glitter that remains, or not sure. They're crooks, and occasional idiots, but they're a greedy, cunning bunch."