In the Emperors' Hand

[Kirindal]

"Ah, I've just the story for you, but first let me wet my lips."

Naoharu finished his cup and set it aside. He cleared his throat and fussed with his kimono for a second. Naoharu smiled at Denbe and Iesuge,

"This is a story of the old days in the Unicorn, back before the return of the Lady Shinjo. There was a young samurai, not too unlike yourself Iesuge-kun. He had just completed his gempukku..."

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Awareness/Storytelling 6k3 + Voice[Free Raise]: (6d10)[35]

[Disco Soup]

"Eh, Usagi-san, let's see what the Hare are made of!" Jei attempts to encourage the Hare.

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Spending two Void to encourage Taki. He will get +1k1 on his next roll.

[Heliomance]

Nene peeked out the door at the goings-on in the inn. She looked up at Ryoko as the older woman came back to he kitchen.

"Ai ya, the Hare-sama will never stand a chance against that great gaijin. Let me take the next round out, I'll try to slow them down a bit. You don't want drunk samurai messing the place up!"

She reached behind her head and quickly and deftly tied her hair up into a flattering arrangement, enhancing her natural beauty. Then she moved towards the bottle of shoyu, looking at Ryoko for permission.

[Kirindal]

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Let's try this again with Invisible Castle, also invoking Free Raise from Voice for a better success not for the +5
Awareness/Storytelling 6k3

Edit: Because who really wants to look at 6d10.takeHighest(3).open(10)=37 rather than a prettier link?

[storybookknight]

As Nene looks into the dining room, there is a clatter from the back staircase and the mousy-looking daughter of the ryokan bursts into the kitchen looking distressed. "What is it, Saya-chan?" asks Ryoko. "Kaa-san, the rooms are set up, but there's only two rooms for the six! These are Clan Samurai, we can't ask them to share rooms out of hand!" Ryoko does some quick math on her fingers and sighs. "Nothing for it, then. Go out and ask the ronin if he doesn't mind paying less to take a spot by the fire downstairs. The Hare and Crane are married, the Scorpion will have his own with Nene-chan, the Lion will have his own, and if none of them want to let the monk in with them he can have our room, I'll stay with you, Saya, and your father will sleep with the ronin." She looks at Nene, then at Saya, and with a calculating eye adjusts both of their clothes to fit just a touch more loosely. "All right, Nene, you take care of those bushi. Saya, ask the ronin. And girls? Be polite. Bow extra low."

The ronin shrugs at Jei. "More power to the Hare if he wins, though I'm starting to doubt that he will. It's never a bad thing from a lone wolf's perspective when the major clans get taken down a peg." Jiro looks at the monk and tilts his neck to one side, popping the joints therein audibly. "Present company excepted, most of the Major Clan samurai I've meet have been haughty as you would care to imagine - until I taught them otherwise, leastways." As the girl comes up to ask him to move, the scowl that had nearly vanished while talking to Jei returns bit by bit, until finally he throws his hands up in exasperation. "Even I've enough honor not to dicker you on price, girl! I'll take whatever your mother wants - all I wanted tonight was a roof over my head, and so I have one. Put my bags somewhere I can grab them later, and don't come back over here unless you're bringing more wine!"

Tsukiko sighs, her brushing hands stilling on Akemi's back. "Ai ya, right you are. I worry about Denbe-kun sometimes; he always seems to have his hands full either protecting myself or Iesuge-kun from Chilaun-san. Hmph." She exhales through pursed lips in exasperation, sending shivers across Akemi's damp skin. "Ai ya, sorry about that. It just makes me mad - Chilaun talks all the time about his skill as a warrior, but never pauses to consider how much more difficult all his posturing makes my job. It's not as though this were a battlefield!" Tsukiko sighs again, doing her best not to yank too harshly at a tangle in Akemi's hair. "Kaeru Toshi is a lovely place, right between the mountains and the forest, and it still looks like a Crane city, even though the Lions have taken it now - you'd be comfortable there, I'm sure."

Chilaun laughs uproariously. "Ah, the constant complaint of the Hare! We can't send warriors to reinforce our allies, because they're all busy watching the Scorpion!" He leans in, as if speaking confidentially, and indeed hushes his voice down to a dull roar audible throughout the ryokan. "Let me tell you something, Usagi-kun. The Scorpion are a pack of thieves and liars, without anything like the ability to match the other clans in a real fight... but for all that, the only reason they haven't wiped your insignificant clan off the map is because it wouldn't be worth their time." As he pours out the second cup, the small bottle of shochu drips dry, and he bellows after another. "More shochu, woman, and be quick about it!" With that, he holds his glass high. "As long as we're drinking, let's drink a toast! Confusion to ..." he eyes Nomen in what passes for cunning and does not quite declare the Scorpion without honor openly, "All liars, sneaks, and deceivers, and victory to those with the courage to face them squarely!"

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stamina - (4d10)[5][5][9][4](23) vs. TN 19

The stirring tales of the Shinjo are many, but those that also include the Horiuchi are quite few, as the clan itself is but three generations old, and while it was formed before the war with the Lying Darkness and the ascension of the Moto and the dishonor of the Shinjo, it did not gain prominence until it took in the orphans left by the war with the Steel Chrysanthemum. Nevertheless, Naoharu's tales have a few sterling gems in them, not least among them a tale of adventure and mystery involving an Shinjo diplomat, a Kitsu shugenja, and a Horiuchi bushi among the Naga of Shinomen Forest, not too far from this very spot - or so the story goes. Iesuge's eyes go wide with the telling, and even the somewhat cynical Denbe is momentarily entranced. "Ai ya," the older Unicorn says, unconsciously mimicking Tsukiko, "I never heard that one told quite like that before." Iesuge has at this point put down his food, though a few stray scraps still linger on it. "Do you really think we might meet Nagas? Do they have an ambassador or something in Kyuden Kitsune, maybe?"

[GAThraawn]

Nonsense, Kitsuki-san. We all live lives too short, and none of us end up as anything more than characters in the stories Naoharu-san like to tell. But most depend their legacy on men like him, who never met them, who never knew their lives but through stories told to them. You strike me as a man most fortunate, that after having written the entire story of your life, you remain around to tell it: passing on all you've seen and learned to younger generations, and getting to relive your greatest adventures every time you do so. Nomen smiled with sincerity as he recalled enjoying listening to the elders at his dojo recount the tales of their experiences at court when they were younger. I can promise you, if you seek them out, there will be plenty of young Hares at Hanami Mura eager to hear of the grand adventures of Kitsuki Kenichi, master investigator, and of the wide world beyond their little borders. Who knows, you might inspire some of them to follow in your footsteps and travel the Empire, spreading your stories, and what greater legacy could you leave behind than that? One of my elders who shaved his head once told me "I suffer old age that I might reach for immortality."

Their conversation was interrupted by the bawdy Moto across the room. The barbarian should have been beneath his notice, but his presence was a difficult one to ignore, and Nomen found his challenge a difficult one to resist. If you'll excuse me for just one moment. He filled his glass as the Unicorn proposed his toast and walked over to their table, holding the Moto's eye the entire time. A fair toast indeed, pray let me join you in it. He sat beside Chiluan and clinked his glass against the other's without waiting for acknowledgement. And if you feel that there are sneaks and liars here, you'll let me know when you have the courage to face them squarely, won't you? I understand if it takes you a few more drinks to find it, for I have been told that is where your clan keeps it hidden. He smirked cooly at the other man, while ensuring he was seated just out of range of a drunken swipe. In the meantime, have you quite finished trying to insult your hostess, her clan and every other Great Clan in the room, or is this your barbaric interpretation of your obligation to your mistress by sabotaging her diplomatic mission at every opportunity? Or did I misunderstand our introductions and you are not Yojimbo assigned he stressed the word to a mistress on a diplomatic mission to the Hare lands, but perhaps the harbingers of an invading army, which might better explain your rudeness. After all, if you fight nearly as well as you drink, I can only assume that you should be off leading a group of bushi somewhere...unless the Unicorn were so concerned about the dangers the Hare possess them that they felt the need to defend their emmisary with their greatest swordsman? In which case you might show my companion Taki-san here a little more respect, since he is the reason you need be here at all.

He flashed Taki a brief but friendly smile: he expected no thanks at all for his intervention, but the Hare was clearly overmatched by the stout Moto, and looked like he could benefit from a moment to catch his breath.

Spoiler

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Roll to stall the drinking contest in the other thread: 48

[storybookknight]

Chilaun is flummoxed by Nomen's barrage of words. The assault was not completely unexpected, given how he had deliberately thrown a dig towards Nomen just a scant few moments back, but the sheer efficacy of the counter seems to have set him back on his heels. "Well, well. Seems the Scorpion's come to play." Chilaun lets his gaze travel across the room at all the wet and bedraggled samurai even as Tenshin, the inkeeper's husband, throws another few logs onto the fire to try and keep the guests from catching cold. "I really hadn't gotten the impression that I'd insulted anyone important. If you find someone like that around here who was offended by my statements, please be sure and let me know, so I can make the proper apologies." The Moto snorts. "And as to Tsukiko, her mission -" he pauses, then uses his hand to fan himself in a pantomime of a courtier's fan. "Ai ya! You'll not get me to give it up that easily. Let's just say that it has little to do with you, Scorpion." He takes another drink, as if to prove a point, then refills it absentmindedly.

[GAThraawn]

Nomen gives the Moto a friendly pat on the shoulder as he rises again. Well, I shouldn't be surprised if you had offended my companion here, but whether the Unicorn diplomatic delegation consider any of the Hare's honoured samurai to be important... He gave a noncommital shrug before wandering back to his table, careful not to overstep his bounds in defending Taki. Despite the assistance he had rendered, he was certain the other would jump at the chance to take offense from the Scorpion, and so he didn't want to be seen winning his battles for him. The hare could take care of himself, and so he would.

Now, please pardon that interruption, Kitsuki-san. Where were we? I was right, of course. Barbarians. No challenge at all.

[storybookknight]

The Kitsuki magistrate continues his coughing laugh. "Heh. Heh. I believe you were saying something about stories, and their effect on people. You flatter an old man, but you're not dishonest about it, which is another form of flattery altogether. Heh. Heh. Hares make good investigators, but they can be a touch zealous about it. Have you ever met Usagi Ginsei? He's the governor of Hanami Mura, an old student of mine. Sharp as a tack, that boy. Crazy about hunting Kolat, though." He sighs, apparently lost in thought. "Reminds me of the time we found a Mantis smuggler trying to bring gaijin pepper into Hanami Mura. Him 'n a rogue Kaiu were trying to get into a Kitsu-owned bank, so they started a social club that paid out a stipend to all red-haired samurai of Rokugan..." Kenichi's voice is dry and scratchy, and he has none of Naoharu's dramatic flair, but his recollections are razor sharp, and the story itself almost too fantastic to be believed.

[GAThraawn]

Nomen nods politely and listens, entertained by the magistrate's tale of the Red-Headed League. And they were digging underneath the bank? Incredible!

[Tackyhillbillu]

Taki knew what the Scorpion was doing, and did not appreciate it. He would rather lose on his own power then be indebted to the Scorpion, no matter the cost to him. Nothing was worth being indebted to those scoundrels, as long as it was his to give up.

"I think it best to leave things where they were. I'll toast to confusion to liars, sneaks, and deceivers, as you put it. As for the rest of it..."

Taki threw back the drink, and smiled, shaking off the effects of it for the first time.

"...I'll let you discover the truth of that yourself."

[storybookknight]

When Chilaun sees Taki pick up the drink, he picks his up as well and throws it back. A reddish flush suffuses his face, and he hiccups once. "You Hare are pretty sneaky, too. Why, you don' even let anyone into yer lands, except fer places like Hanami Mura and such. Why, if the Unicorn did that, wouldn't nobody be able to get nowhere, practic'ly! Why, I bet I could ride across Hare territory entirely, on my horse, in a day. Maybe two." He goes to refill the cups, but the remnants of his bottle have now been emptied as well. "Confound it, woman! Where is that shochu!?"

[Heliomance]

"Coming, Moto-sama!"

Nene walks out of the kitchen, her hips swaying, clothes very slightly looser than common standards of etiquette dictate is proper. She smiles at the burly unicorn as she brings the fresh shochu over.

"Here you go, Moto-sama. It's our best vintage. I hope you enjoy it!"
She faces him as she pours the drink, bending over more than strictly necessary in the process. She makes much less of a production of the cup she pours for Taki, then sets the bottle on the table and sashays back to the kitchen.

Spoiler

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Awareness/deceit (seduction) to stall: 38. Holy crap I rolled well, shoulda gone for the triple raise to make him take an extra drink.
Awareness/acting to try and stop Taki realising that this flirty maid is he shy, retiring Nene: 26

[horngeek]

I'm sure Chilaun-san is an experienced warrior, though, even though he does seem a bit... blunt.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Takii watches the rather blatant display by the Scorpion's Servant with a decided glower. That was twice now Shosuro had intervened into this contest. Once with himself, the other through his agent. Furthermore, the blatant nature of the Girl's display bothered him. He wasn't one to have his head turned by a pretty face. He'd chased a few skirts when he was younger, but he had Akemi, and didn't need another. Nor was he angry on the Girl's behalf. She was what she was, and as a Heimin travelling unaccompanied with a Samurai, it seemed obvious what at least one of her responsibilities. But the fact that Nomen had ordered it bothered him.

The Scorpion is doing something that bothers you. Shocking.

Takii cracked a smile, and turned to Chilaun, shaking his head.

"I wouldn't advise it. She's been claimed by the Scorpion already, and she probably has venom of her own by now. Are you going to pour the next round, or do you concede?"

[storybookknight]

Moto-san's eyes widen as Nene the serving girl beneath his notice metamorphoses into Nene the beautiful heimin, and his red flush works its way up into his cheeks and ears. Nene earns an almost reflexive pinch on the behind from him for her troubles, but effectively stuns Moto until she's finished pouring the liquor and out of sight. His metaphorical tongue snaps back into his mouth, however, as Taki mentions the word 'concede'. "Not very likely, little man." he says as he hoists his cup, trying to shake himself back on track. "I can drink you under the table any day."

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stamina - (4d10)[4][3][9][5](21) vs. TN 30. Taki's TN is 19.

Upon seeing Nene's blatant display, Iesuge uncomfortably changes the way he's sitting, evidently not yet worldly enough to realize the truth. Kenichi, on the other hand, smiles at Nomen seraphically, while Denbe starts eyeing both Nomen and Nene nervously. Jei laughs out loud, hoisting a drink with Taki and Moto and drinking along with them.

Upstairs in Tsukiko's room, the Ide puts the finishing touches on Akemi's hair. "Experienced... he is that." She sighs as she fiddles with the chopsticks. "When we were attacked by bandits on our way downriver, he probably shot three or four with arrows, and fought off another half-dozen with that cleaver of his. He scares me sometimes - I honestly don't know if when his blood is boiling he can tell friend from foe." She pats Akemi's back firmly. "Ai ya, darling, I think you're ready. Let's go show the boys what they've been missing."

[Kirindal]

"That's because there are a few versions of this tale, Denbe-san. But if the tale pleases both of you, then I'm content that I've told the story well."

Naoharu smiled at both Denbe and Iesuge. So the Unicorn were paying a visit to their cousins. Naoharu filed away that little tidbit.

"Heading into the Shinomen Forest, Iesuge-san? Then perhaps you may encounter a Naga, although the last I heard they were all asleep. So then again you may probably not encounter an awake one.

But who am I to lecture you about the Naga? You are Unicorn, Iesuge-san. Your clan has interacted more with them than the rest of the Empire. It should be I who should ask you about the Naga. Perhaps just a few tidbits that I may be able to incorporate them into my stories for greater veracity?"

Naoharu smiled winningly. Indeed, if he could learn a bit more, it would be wonderful.

[horngeek]

Akemi nods. And then smiles. Yes, let's.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Taki smiled at the Moto, nodding congenially. Things had gone badly at first, but it appeared the larger man was beginning to Flag. It was possible that he might be able to win this after all. He threw back the cup, smiling as the warmth spread through him. Now that he had a little bit more of a buffer in his system, it didn't appear to be hitting him that hard.

"Not a bad batch, I suppose."

Taki waited for the Moto to pour the next round. He was pretty sure victory was his, unless something unexpected happened.

[Disco Soup]

"Pardon, all, but have we perhaps been forgetting to toast Daikoku-sama?" Jei attempts his own intervention. "If you please, we remember the song..."

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Just an 8 on the Etiquette roll.

[storybookknight]

Iesuge looks crestfallen. "I ain't never seen a Naga before. All I know is the old stories, and those from crib-tales and the like. The Moto school isn't real big on lore-teachings, or at least if it is, Chilaun-sensei hasn't taught me none." He looks at Naoharu eagerly. "I bet you probably know lots more'n I do."

As Akemi and Tsukiko come back down the stairs, the transformation made in the Crane is immediately apparent to all. Whereas Akemi was formerly wearing a bushi's plain and functional robes, the loaned apparel from the Ide's wardrobe makes Akemi's natural beauty readily apparent. While those who were chosen for the Doji Courtier school had the supple grace of the willow, Akemi's mien was that of the maple - a surprisingly soft and open face over a strong and athletic body. Overall, as Akemi was presented to the men in the room the effect she inspired was that of admiration... save from one quarter in particular.

Ignoring Jei's calls for a song, Chilaun stands up slightly unsteadily as Tsukiko and Akemi come down the stairs. "Well I'll be. What'cha wasting good silk like that for on a woman like her? Something like that belongs on a woman with curves, not tatami-chan over there - though if she wanted to leave it on my tatamis, I might change my mind. Whaddaya say, girl? Wanna see what it's like with a man from a real clan?" Into the shocked silence, Ryoko very quickly interjects a distraction. "Excuse me, samurai-sans, the rooms upstairs have been prepared. Please, go dry yourselves. Tonight is a bad night to take ill."

[Tackyhillbillu]

Taki was suprised when Akemi came downstairs. He knew she was beautiful, of course. Another thing stacked against him, given his look. Unattractive might be to rough, but weasely was not a term he would admit, even in his own mind. But that knowledge was stuck at the back of his mind. Beautiful had given way to reliable, kind, all the things that made the difference in the long run, if one intended to have a long term relationship. Seeing her like this made him think back to the first time they met, their families introducing them to each other. Even then, her look had made him question why he was feeling discontent with the match, even if it hadn't removed his resolve to fight. Then Chilaun had to speak.

...done.

Taki stood straight up, knocking over the bottle of drink in the process. The anger he had been concealing all night was self evident. Chilaun had insulted Taki, and he had held himself back, for the sake of his clan. Chilaun had insulted the Hare, and Taki had held himself back, again, for the sake of his clan. But now he was insulting Akemi, and Taki was done.

"Moto, you are an honorless dog. You dishonor the territory of the Hare with your presence, and I will tolerate it no longer. I challenge you to a duel. I want you gone from this place."

[horngeek]

Akemi walks over to her husband. Taki, he insulted me. I was about to issue a challenge to him myself.

[Disco Soup]

This Hare is married to a Crane and he makes the challenge himself. Brave, foolhardy and in keeping with the Usagi.

[Kirindal]

"You flatter me Iesuge-kun with your belief in me. I will try my best not to betray them."

Naoharu smiled, having an attentive audience was a wonderful blessing. Especially one that liked stories, Iesuge must have been starved for a good story back at home. It fell to him to fill his head with tales. He took sip from his filled cup of tea.

"So you've heard of only of the crib-tales of the Naga? Then I will tell you a different tale of the Naga, one of..."

The sentence dies in his mouth as Chilaun speaks. Typical...let a Unicorn drink too much and watch as their crass barbarian roots coming pouring out of their mouth like a foul stench. Naoharu eyed Taki wondering how badly he was going to take this.

...Which was as well as Naoharu expected from the Hare. He eyed the reactions of the others, gauging the atmosphere. Naoharu watched the expressions of the Kitsuki and Nomen, wondering if they were going to step in. Nothing would ruin the secrecy of their mission faster than having Taki kill Chilaun, justified as the Moto's death might be. Naoharu set down his cup and whispered to Iesuge,

"Hold that thought for a few moments. I'm going to see if I can prevent you from losing your master."

Naoharu got up and and headed to interpose himself between Taki and Chilaun. He looked first at Chilaun and then Taki in the eye,

'Now, now Taki-san, I'm certain Chilaun-san here didn't mean those rude and crass words that came out of his mouth. Strong drink undoes even the most temperate of men.

Besides, tonight is no night for a duel. Outside it is raining hard and you'll both be miserable glaring at each other in the rain. Nor would we want to duel in here and ruin the Mistress' ryokan with sprays of blood.'

Naoharu walks over and puts his hands on Chilaun's shoulders to gently prop him up and starts nudging him towards the rooms,

'Why don't you just sleep it off, Chilaun-san and apologize in the morning. You're in no state to be out and about at the moment. Denbe-san, come over and help me with your clansman to get him to his room where the Mistress has already prepared futons.'

[Disco Soup]

And now the Ikoma intercedes on behalf of the doomed Moto... Jei makes a note to figure that one out later.

[Tackyhillbillu]

Taki rested his hand on Akemi's shoulder, and shook his head, never taking his eyes off Chilaun.

"To slow, I suppose. You can have him once I'm done. I'm not going to do anything stupid like killing him. Besides, I'm glad I spoke up. That Kimino flatters you far to much to let it be stained by this idiot's blood."

Taki isn't as drunk as Chilaun, but his words still showed some traces of what he had drunk. Then the Lion stepped in as well. Akemi, Taki could forgive. She had been insulted as well, and more greviously and directly by the instant cause. The Matsu was just trying to intervene.

I understand, but I can't thank him for it.

"Matsu-Sama, I thank you for your advice. Unfortunately, I must go against it. I'll be sure that all the Moto blood is spilled outside. The Water can wash it away, and disperse it before it contaminates the ground. Or is the powerful Moto to afraid to accept the challenge of a Hare?"

Ordinarily, Taki would feel bad about doing this to a drunk man. But Taki was more then a little gone himself, and the irritations and annoyances of today, combined with that reckless that comes from good drink, were urging a fight. Even so, Taki hadn't lied to Akemi. He wouldn't kill someone for drunken insults, no matter how offensive.

[storybookknight]

Moto Chilaun lurches to his feet a little unsteadily. "You wanna go? I'm all yours. Let's do it-"

"In the morning!" interjects Tsukiko, looking furious. "Moto Chilaun, you have embarrassed the Unicorn more than enough tonight. If you truly wish to prove yourself the better warrior to everyone you meet, you may do it when you are sober enough not to 'accidentally' kill a samurai on his Clan's own lands." As Chilaun's face turns a mottled apoplectic red at the rebuke, Tsukiko's gaze turns to Akemi and Taki. "I trust that you have no objections to this arrangement? If you require it, I will stand as Moto-san's second. Should he abandon the duel, I will personally give you satisfaction from the Unicorn in his stead."

As she says this, Denbe looks stricken. "Tsukiko! There's no need to go that far..."

[Tackyhillbillu]

Taki looked over at Tsukiko and nodded. That arrangement would satisfy him. He did not like the assumption that the Moto would be the one who accidentally killed him.

"That is satisfactory. As for standing in as his second, that is your right, Ide-Sama, but not necessary. If the Moto flees I believe that could be an end of it. I have no enimity with the Unicorn."

I save that for the Scorpions.

"However, if you desire to prove the honor of your clan, I will not stop you."

Taki nodded, never looking at Chilaun.

"I believe I shall retire for the night now. At the moment, I'm afraid this common room has lost much of its charm."

[Kirindal]

Naoharu threw his hands up in frustration,

"I give up, both of you are impossible. I think I need another drink."

Naoharu left Chilaun to his own devices. If the fool wanted so badly to be blooded, so be it. Naoharu sat back down at the table with Iesuge and after finishing his cup of tea filled it with something a bit stronger. Letting the shochu burn his throat for a second he looked at Iesuge,

"Now where was I before the interruption? Ah, yes...stories about the Naga. Now you may have heard of stories of their interaction with the Empire, but have you ever heard of their legendary past? It was said that the Naga were..."

Spoiler

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Awareness/Storytelling 6k3, using Free Raise to tell an rarely-heard tale about the Naga.