Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

There is one, yes.

Which one it is is up to you.

Good luck.

You might well need it.

And here it is!

Many are the bodies of the fallen, and fewer are those who remain to help them stay fallen. It is needful that all contribute to the final disposition of those who must not be allowed to rise again; Legion leadership defers to local authority for the best way to proceed, leaving four options:

In the first, the PC may simply go along with things, acting entirely as expected and receiving neither reward nor rebuke for so doing (i.e., PCs will be assumed to be present unless otherwise noted).

In the second, the PC may contribute to the necessary cleansing prayers for the dead. Roll Theology, any approach, TN 2; success gains 1 point for the Campaign Metagame, plus 1 for every 2 bonus successes. PCs who earn 4 points in this option may opt instead to receive 2 points of Glory for each success on the roll.

In the third, the PC may assist the Crab with the parts of tending the dead that must be done by samurai: beheading the slain and recovering daisho. Roll Martial Arts [Melee], any approach, TN 2; success gains 1 point for the Campaign Metagame, plus 1 for every 2 bonus successes. PCs who earn 4 points in this option may opt instead to receive 2 points of Honor for each success on the roll.

In the fourth, the PC may assist the Crab with the most necessary but least pleasant of the duties: bearing the dead to the pyres. Roll Labor, any approach, TN 2; success gains 1 point for the Campaign Metagame, plus 1 for every 2 bonus successes. PCs who earn 4 points in this option may opt instead to receive Support of one Crab Clan Family chosen by the player (per the Distinction, Core 110) -or- remove Scorn of one Crab Clan Family chosen by the player (per the Adversity, Core 127). The Crab respect those who are willing to do the dirty work that needs doing against the One Enemy.

Please note what action you are taking and include links to your rolls, noting any Metagame changes in your PFs.

Thank you for sticking with us!

Hametsu got down to business with the throat-cutters using a borrowed utilitarian katana to speed up the process. The work was a little galling: a thousand goblin head cuttings would take some hours, even if everyone put their backs into it. Hametsu remained stoic, however.

D6 Combat Event, Bonus Stage, option 3: Martial Arts [Melee]/Earth. Void for extra ring die. | TN: 2 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 6


+2 Metagame Points for the Right Hand.
Spending 2 opportunities to give skilled assistance to the next roller.

Masayuki goes automatically to assist in the beheadings, knowing their importance. His katana is sharp and ready for this duty. At times his thoughts stray to the fight against Kippei, everyone's contributions and Yoshiko's final blow.

He stacks the recovered daisho neatly. Even Doji Hametsu would approve.

Combat Event, Bonus Stage, Option 3 | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


Used assistance provided by Hametsu.

+1 Metagame Points for the Right Hand

Though not as skilled with the blade as she was with the bow Mukai was still not going to slack in making sure none of those who fell today became the enemy of tomorrow.

(D8, End Stage: Martial Arts Melee/Earth | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


Opportunity to minimize consequences - make sure those dead stay dead, +1 Strife (7/12)

+1 Metagame Point)

After the battle, the big Daidoji joined the Crab laborers in the thankless task of carrying the fallen to the pyres. It was backbreaking, dirty work, but Nobu carried it out without complaint. The fallen soldiers deserved better than to be left on the battlefield to rot.

—
8LA Carry the dead to the pyres Water/Labor TN2 +Large Stature | TN: 2 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 3

2 Metagame points

It's a dirty business, cutting off heads and taking daisho. Fortunately, Yoshi has been around enough eta to not be disturbed by the handling of dead flesh. It's a grim task, one that leaves him exhausted both physically and mentally but one that ends quicker due to his participation.

D8 Battle Aftermath - finish the job rolls - Water/Melee TN 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 5 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 4

Maybe I can find that stupid Kuni out here and cut his head off...

No such luck, but Kaigen found plenty of work to do.

---
Beheading the Slain, Martial Arts: Melee/Water, TN 2 | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 1


Trash roll is trash Still, basic success, 1 strife, water op to remove 2 strife..

It took a few moments to realize it was over, for now. Mari tucked away her scrolls, looking around to see what needed to happen next. She puzzled over those walking the battlefield to make sure the dead stayed dead, blanching with the realization. A deep breath provided a nosefull of battle stink, rather than calm as she moved to a task she knew all too well, blessings for the newly dead and instructions to their spirits to hopefully calm them so they might find their way to Meido rather than Toshigoku or darker realms.

*************
https://sakkaku.org/r/14386

1 opportunity to reduce Strife
2 opportunities to offer assistance to the next person making a similar check.

Edogawa joined those removing heads and collecting daisho. It was grossly work, but he understood the necessity.

- - -
Special Bonus Ending Stage!, Option 3, Martial Arts (Melee, Water), Seize the Moment | TN: 2 | Success: 2 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0
Success: 1 point gained
Opportunities: Spot an interesting physical detail present in your environment not directly related to your check.

Yoshiko joined the messy part of chopping off heads and taking Daisho to the magistrates. She was crestfallen by doing this task but it had to be done.

//D8 Special bonus Ending Stage Martial arts [melee] water | TN: 2 | Success: 3 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 1