A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
A player, 23 September 2011
Hi again!
I have already resolved Formal Apology and am currently at my starting honor. My opponent plays an action that will cause me an honor loss and announces Only Actions Speak. Am I correct to think that the honor gain from Formal Apology will be negated? How would it work with The Thriving Light? Does the Thriving Light allow you to choose whether you want to reduce an honor gain or an honor loss? And when exactly does the "next time" thing triggers? If I resolve Formal Apology and I'm already below my starting honor, do I immediately gain 5?
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 28 September 2011
Hi again!
I have already resolved Formal Apology and am currently at my starting honor. My opponent plays an action that will cause me an honor loss and announces Only Actions Speak. Am I correct to think that the honor gain from Formal Apology will be negated? How would it work with The Thriving Light? Does the Thriving Light allow you to choose whether you want to reduce an honor gain or an honor loss? And when exactly does the "next time" thing triggers? If I resolve Formal Apology and I'm already below my starting honor, do I immediately gain 5?
This question hasn't been forgotten! It's been kicked up to the Rules Junta.
A player, 29 September 2011
If my opponent has a ridiculous number of units attacking my province, let's say 26, with him at 1 current family honour, equal to his starting honour.
My opponent has resolved (but not yet triggered) Formal Apology.
I play Scandalous Rumours. How many units must my opponent send home not to instantly dishonour out? (i.e. does Formal Apology push him back up above -20 before the rules check for dishonour elimination)?
Secondary question - is the honour loss on Scandalous Rumours one loss or a lot of little losses? I ask because of Law of Darkness Dojo...
Formal Apology (event) After the next time this game your Honor is below its starting value, you have a tea ceremony; gain 5 Honor.
Law of Darkness Dojo (Stronghold) After another player loses Honor from your Battle action: He loses 1 Honor.
Scandalous Rumours (strategy) Political Battle: Bow your performing Courtier at any location: The Attacker may target any of his Personalities at the current battlefield and move them home. He loses 1 Honor for each of his Personalities there that this did not move, then dishonors them.
Brook Cunningham (rules official), 29 September 2011
I play Scandalous Rumours. How many units must my opponent send home not to instantly dishonour out? (i.e. does Formal Apology push him back up above -20 before the rules check for dishonour elimination)?
Since both the delayed effect of Formal Apology and being eliminated from the rulebook definition of Dishonor loss have the same trigger ("After" you lose sufficient Honor) and the same timing (Step B here), the active player chooses which occurs first.
is the honour loss on Scandalous Rumours one loss or a lot of little losses?
Already asked and answered here.
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 2 October 2011
I have already resolved Formal Apology and am currently at my starting honor. My opponent plays an action that will cause me an honor loss and announces Only Actions Speak. Am I correct to think that the honor gain from Formal Apology will be negated?
Yes, if the honor loss is not a delayed effect of the announced action. If it's a delayed effect, the honor loss would occur after the action's resolution, not be subject to Only Actions Speak, and Formal Apology would work as normal.
How would it work with The Thriving Light?
Pronoun trouble. By "it" here, I am guessing you mean Formal Apology?
Also, do you mean that you are playing The Thriving Light in response to the action causing the honor loss, or Only Actions Speak?
Does the Thriving Light allow you to choose whether you want to reduce an honor gain or an honor loss?
Clarifications above are needed to be absolutely sure we're answering what we think we're answering. But there is a previous ruling that may help; it points out that The Thriving Light just looks for the next change in Honor. There is no choice involved. See: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=82601
And when exactly does the "next time" thing triggers? If I resolve Formal Apology and I'm already below my starting honor, do I immediately gain 5?
Yes. It starts checking honor totals immediately after it resolves.