Difficult times have befallen Rokugan. The Army of Dark Fire has ravaged the fertile lands of the Phoenix and Unicorn, and destroyed many farms and villages. Even if the Dark Oracle of Fire is defeated, he leaves a legacy of famine to threaten the Empire.
Even as the samurai of Rokugan gather to wage war against the Dark Oracle, hard times have fallen on another world--our own. In recognition of the difficult times we face and, in particular, to assist those who may face real shortages of the basics, the Council of Oracles has chosen a food drive for the Political Contest for the 2009 Toshi Kaminari Kotei.
The conduct of the food drive will be simple. Attendees who wish to participate will be able to place, on behalf of their chosen Clan, food items in a specified location in the Kotei hall marked by Clan banners. Each food item placed under a Clan's banner will count for 1 point. Additionally, attendees may donate money, on behalf of their Clan, to the food drive. Money, in the form of cash, cheque or money order, may be given to the specified recipient among the Council of Oracles; money so donated will be credited at the rate of 1 point per 1 dollar Canadian (US funds will be recalculated to Canadian funds using the exchange rate that applies on the day of the Kotei). Finally, those who are not able to attend the Kotei, but who wish to donate funds, will be able to do so using PayPal to an account which will be specified prior to the Kotei. Again, funds so donated will be credited to the specified Clan at the rate of 1 point per 1 dollar Canadian.
The Council of Oracles will be most appreciative of any donations made as above. However, a special point rate will be offered for "food bags" put together by local grocery stores, which are specifically designed to be nutritionally-balanced. Such bags are available for $5 and $10 Canadian. In recognition of the efforts of our grocery stores to ensure that food donations are healthy and nutritious, these food bags will be credited at the rate of 15 points for a $5 bag, and 30 points for a $10 bag--triple the normal rate! The Council of Oracles will have both $5 and $10 food bags available for purchase at the Kotei venue, so players don't have to try chasing around Thunder Bay to find them.
Good luck to those who contribute on behalf of their Clan. Of course, the real winners of this will be...well, everyone, from the players who make the contributions, to the food bank in Thunder Bay that struggles to help those less fortunate. So let's see a spirited struggle for the championship of the Toshi Kaminari Political Contest!