Kemari

Kemari is a ball game whose origins are traced to the Shogunate period. One or more players enter a flat field at least 6 or 7 square yards in size, with a large hollow ball made of deerskin. The object of the game is to keep the ball from touching the ground for as long as possible, and while this task may seem simple the game is very physically demanding and requires great skill to master. Players may not use their hands to touch the ball, instead using their heads, feet, elbows, knees, and backs to keep the ball in the air and pass it to other players.

System In kemari, a referee or spectator begins the game by gently tossing the ball to a player.

The player with the ball rolls Str + Thrown + Ball specialty to keep the ball in the air and pass it on, nominating a player as the target. A player who wishes to receive the ball rolls Dex + Athletics + Kemari specialty, requiring one success to intercept, after which they roll to keep the ball going. Players other than the target suffer a -1 external penalty to intercept, and the player who put the ball aloft suffers an ADDITIONAL -2 die penalty if they wish to intercept the ball they sent aloft, even if they are their own target.

If a player fails their Dex + Athletics roll, players located nearby may roll Wits + Athletics at Difficulty 3 to intercept instead.

The game continues indefinitely until someone fails or botches a roll, which means the ball has hit the ground.