Riddle me this... (D3 LM)

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

Ren wiped the rain from her coat as she removed it upon entering the temple. Her meeting with the Kitsu Daimyo went as well as she could have expected...

At the very least her mind was drawn to the information of some force in the sky. While the shugenja needed to perhaps maintain their strength for the oncoming battle... there was no harm in Ren pursuing the knowledge provided by the universe.

She came to the temple because she felt it the best locale in the vicinity to provide an even balance of all the elements and hopefully provide the most vivid picture available.

Her mind turned to the storm... and thoughts of a creature in the sky... As she threw the sticks she opened her mind to the influence of the Fire... unlocked the restraints of her conscious and gazed into the readings of the universe...

————

Passed a Divination Roll with 2 Raises

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

A great divinity... The coming together of disparate parts...

Ren leaned back on her calves and put her hand to her chin.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A thoroughly drenched one-armed monk made his way into the Temple of the Seven Dragons. He did not go far, but after washing his hands in ritual stood near a warming brazier to dry.

There was no way he'd continue his studies while dripping wet. And it always took him forever to get dry.

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She walked up to the monk near the brazier and tilted her head, "Lovely weather we're having today, neh?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A deep bow at the approach. "Gorgeous, if a bit damp, hai Akodo-sama."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

"Do you need a cloth or something? I can ask the abbot for something to help you dry." She said with a smile.

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A small shake of his head. "I'm in no hurry. I was told once that the water kami like my presence, and so I try to give them a slow dry when possible. But thank you Akodo-sama for the kindness. I do not want to get the scrolls wet when it is time to study."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She nodded, "And what is on the agenda for study today?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"I was advised to pick and choose as I like. So, most often information on heroes who interacted with the Seven Dragons or their representatives. It was a surprise to be given free reign over what I research."

A small shrug, "But I suppose there is more than a little overlap between Reichin-no-kami's purview and those brought to heroic deeds with inspiration from the heavens."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

Ren paused for a moment as she listened and nodded, "That is quite the interesting topic... So you are an adherent of Reichin... I see. What is it you are looking to find in your research?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"Seeds." He answers with a small smile.

"Which will hopefully bloom into wisdom when needed. The order is but two years old, so we are thankful when others in the Brotherhood open their doors in support of us finding the way."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She nodded, "What drew you to the path of Reichin?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

He waves his unarmed shoulder slightly. "Knew him in life, was there when he died. I'd left that old life before he was named Fortune; but joined his order when it came to be. Thought that what I knew would help inform future generations, before such knowledge is lost."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She smiled and nodded her head, "A noble path. I'm afraid I don't know much of the man myself... What kind of man was he?"

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"A gambler. A frequent drunk. And then, when the horizon was darkest, he set his vices aside and found others who would do the same. Then he showed his clever wit. A deep knowledge of his home and its surroundings. A will to motivate others to dare the impossible and be willing to take the thinnest of risks. Ruthlessness at times. Cautious always." He shakes his head.

"He knew how to turn pebbles into mountains, as the saying goes. When he gained the family and clan he did what he could to lead them. Takes a certain type of fool to volunteer to face those who accept Jigoku's temptations with but a length of steel and a pair of well-adjusted sandals." A small laugh. "Let alone, volunteer again and again. But he found those foolish enough and made them into samurai who could and would."

A look over to her mons and a nod towards them. "Was your clan that he fought alongside to face a different type of foe. He lingered as best he could after the barbed arrow did its wicked deed, but he died like any other man. Eventually the dice fail you, no matter your luck."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

"Sounds like a fun man to be around." She said with a smile. "One who left an impact on at least one person for good. Which is quite the feat in these times."

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

"The Emperor named him Fortune. It's said they struck up a friendship, the few times they'd met." He shakes his head. "Now it's up to us to guess if he leaves an impact anew or if it is simply another time for heroes to stand up on their own."

A gesture towards the inner Temple. "Which is why I study. I'm told the Heavens leave their mark. Reichin-no-kami was a very skilled hunter, who stepped very lightly. Finding the marks he leaves will mostly be when he intends them to be found, if ever. I expect it will be most often when a hero is seeking the resolve to act, or doubting that a clever plan is truly wise. But my expectations will only get in the way of the truth."

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She nodded, "You have wisdom despite the relatively recent start to your journey. Did you study the Tao much in your life among the lay people?"

Emperor's making fortunes again... How heretical...

Kodama · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 7:17 pm **Posts:** 404

A shake of his head and a wry grin.

"No, my previous life had little time for the Tao, other than on occasions the weather trapped me with a copy. The Brotherhood can be intense in its teachings, and truthfully that intensity was welcome. I'd taken a grievous blow to body, mind, and spirit. If I had remained in that life, I have little doubt that I would not have warped into one who primarily brought harm out of bitterness."

"They helped me find a new path. And the will to walk it."

A look over to the Akodo. "I do not mean any offense Akodo-sama. But you take more interest in the life of a monk than many of your clan. Do you come here seeking wisdom yourself?"

Akodo Ren · **Joined:** Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:10 am **Posts:** 380

She smiled and nodded, "I do have a great deal more interest you could say. I was born into the Asako family and trained as a kind of philosopher and courtier. I recently married into the Lion... So I find my moments to reconnect with my roots as often as I can."

Riddle me this... (D3 LM)

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