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After the Ashes: A Fire Nation Chancellor Quest

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Mazeka said:
(Currently divided between the finance minister and the war minister.)

Are we going to see any future Gaang POVs about Zuko's reign and their thoughts on the chancellor?

Also, why the extra threadmark?
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Potentially!

Legacy accident from the issues I had when posting earlier. Two of the three chapters so far have been posted early by accident 😅
 
Granite said:
Qin had been elevated in the last years of Azulon's rule, carried upwards by the recommendations of Crown Prince Iroh for his role in the creation of the siege equipment used at Ba Sing Se. It had been most fortunate that the man had recommended him before the collapse of his political influence, and Qin had worked quickly to cement his position in court through a combination of technical experience, political savviness, and simple audacity. While Ozai had never favored those of common heritage, he had enjoyed the functional superweapons that the Minister of Technology provided far more, something that had afforded him a substantial budget and a comparatively loose hand compared to most in the cabinet.
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Oh shit.
Granite said:
[] Minister Qin had paused for a moment as he went to leave, looking as though he was trying desperately to remember something important that had slipped his mind. After a moment of concentration, the man paled and began speed walking towards the courtyard in a close but not ultimately imperfect approximation of a dignified pace.
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Is Qin running off to check on a goddamn super weapon that for some reason has been constructed in the fire nations capitol instead of some expendable fringe island? 😱
 
Randino Treviani said:
Is Qin running off to check on a goddamn super weapon that for some reason has been constructed in the fire nations capitol instead of some expendable fringe island? 😱
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Or maybe it just because...
Granite said:
Bloated Superweapons Program
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He realise that with the war coming to an end, his entire ministry, and thus, his powerbase, is almost certainly going to be on the top of the choping list. And that's not counting how his airfleet just got destroyed by 4 teenagers (and a giant adorbale fluffy ball), so people will start asking whatever those superweapons really worth all the money spend on it.
 
IamtooSleepy said:
Or maybe it just because...

He realise that with the war coming to an end, his entire ministry, and thus, his powerbase, is almost certainly going to be on the top of the choping list. And that's not counting how his airfleet just got destroyed by 4 teenagers (and a giant adorbale fluffy ball), so people will start asking whatever those superweapons really worth all the money spend on it.
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If he were frozen in shock I might by that, but a growing lack of reasons for the fire lord to keep funding him is not a reason to hurry off in a panic so much as it is a reason to freeze in confusion over how to preserve his power base. an existing super weapon or Azula are much more likely answers.
 
[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…

I know the paramilitaries will give hell, but the opportunity is too great .

[X] Minister Amari remained in his chair, the ancient general seemingly struck by a bout of tiredness as he gazed about the room almost morosely. If she hadn't known any better, the man would have almost appeared lost, the once venerable colossus of war reduced to a relic of an age since passed, one that had endured beyond the things that gave it purpose.

I know in the past I shit talked the military as a powerbase doomed to be dismantled but they are most assuredly not dismantled right now. We need to get a word in to avoid the army going unlimited team avatar death on us.
 
Granite I had a question, would it be possible to post hoc edit the threadmarked posts to have the non chosen options be crossed out, thus leaving the chosen option obvious?
I ask because I seen it done in the Warhammer fantasy dwarf quest and it makes reading quests later on a much better experience(no scouring the thread for the vote closed posts, or if you want easily skipping on choices that never came to be), especially when the choices have been presented so far, like they were always part of the story instead of being a meta choice.

I know it might be too ugly or too much of an effort so it's not request or anything. Still I was curious about your thoughts on the idea.

I mean like this for example:

"I think I might know someone."

"Refrain from holding me in suspense, Minister."

He rolled his eyes at the insolence of the callow youth, his voice still thoughtful as he spoke.

̶[̶]̶ ̶"̶S̶h̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶o̶c̶i̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶F̶i̶n̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶M̶i̶n̶i̶s̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶-̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶a̶l̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶g̶o̶o̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶I̶'̶m̶ ̶t̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶l̶s̶o̶ ̶c̶a̶r̶r̶i̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶f̶a̶i̶r̶ ̶a̶m̶o̶u̶n̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶w̶e̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶d̶m̶i̶r̶a̶l̶t̶y̶ ̶c̶l̶u̶b̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶r̶c̶a̶n̶t̶i̶l̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶c̶e̶r̶n̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶C̶a̶l̶d̶e̶r̶a̶.̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶r̶c̶a̶n̶t̶i̶l̶i̶s̶t̶ ̶c̶l̶i̶q̶u̶e̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶w̶e̶l̶l̶ ̶e̶s̶t̶a̶b̶l̶i̶s̶h̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶r̶t̶,̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶I̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶u̶n̶l̶i̶k̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶l̶i̶e̶g̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶s̶h̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶O̶z̶a̶i̶'̶s̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶f̶a̶v̶o̶r̶;̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶a̶p̶p̶o̶i̶n̶t̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶m̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶v̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶s̶u̶f̶f̶i̶c̶i̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶r̶e̶i̶n̶f̶o̶r̶c̶e̶m̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶r̶a̶i̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶b̶a̶c̶k̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶n̶t̶e̶r̶b̶a̶l̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶O̶z̶a̶i̶'̶s̶ ̶c̶l̶i̶q̶u̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶i̶l̶i̶t̶a̶r̶i̶s̶t̶s̶.̶ ̶E̶v̶e̶n̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶o̶r̶t̶a̶n̶t̶l̶y̶,̶ ̶I̶ ̶i̶m̶a̶g̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶'̶l̶l̶ ̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶s̶t̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶i̶m̶p̶o̶r̶t̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶m̶a̶i̶n̶t̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶e̶c̶o̶n̶o̶m̶i̶c̶ ̶p̶o̶s̶i̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶s̶e̶ ̶u̶n̶c̶e̶r̶t̶a̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶s̶;̶ ̶a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶,̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ ̶f̶a̶l̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶m̶u̶c̶h̶,̶ ̶w̶e̶ ̶r̶i̶s̶k̶ ̶f̶a̶r̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶n̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶u̶l̶t̶i̶m̶a̶t̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶o̶r̶ ̶d̶y̶n̶a̶s̶t̶i̶c̶ ̶s̶q̶u̶a̶b̶b̶l̶e̶…̶"̶

̶[̶]̶ ̶"̶S̶h̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶n̶i̶e̶c̶e̶ ̶-̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶l̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶o̶c̶i̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶d̶a̶n̶g̶e̶r̶o̶u̶s̶,̶ ̶I̶ ̶k̶n̶o̶w̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶m̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶v̶e̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶t̶h̶w̶h̶i̶l̶e̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶e̶.̶ ̶S̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶o̶c̶i̶a̶t̶e̶s̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶n̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶o̶c̶i̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶C̶a̶l̶d̶e̶r̶a̶,̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶O̶z̶a̶i̶'̶s̶,̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶t̶h̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶s̶;̶ ̶I̶ ̶k̶n̶o̶w̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶'̶r̶e̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶f̶o̶n̶d̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶d̶e̶r̶n̶i̶s̶t̶ ̶m̶o̶v̶e̶m̶e̶n̶t̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶m̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶u̶s̶e̶f̶u̶l̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶t̶t̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶g̶o̶v̶e̶r̶n̶m̶e̶n̶t̶,̶ ̶l̶e̶t̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶ ̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶b̶l̶o̶o̶d̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶u̶r̶t̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶o̶r̶d̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶t̶e̶n̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶a̶w̶a̶y̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶r̶e̶l̶i̶a̶b̶l̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶n̶d̶s̶ ̶s̶u̶c̶h̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶s̶e̶l̶f̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶I̶.̶ ̶I̶t̶ ̶m̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶s̶e̶r̶v̶a̶t̶i̶v̶e̶s̶ ̶u̶n̶c̶o̶m̶f̶o̶r̶t̶a̶b̶l̶e̶,̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶t̶a̶l̶k̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶m̶e̶r̶i̶t̶o̶c̶r̶a̶c̶y̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶t̶h̶,̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶I̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶r̶o̶w̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶u̶p̶ ̶a̶ ̶d̶i̶s̶t̶r̶a̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶a̶t̶t̶e̶n̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶u̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶r̶y̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶s̶…̶"̶

[] "She's a relative of the governor in Yu Dao… don't give me that look, young man, I know she's mixed, but the Fire Lord seems to hold a misplaced sympathy for foreigners and mongrels. She's a colonial, so we can at least expect her to know her place and heed our counsel; their kind is always quick to listen to their betters when it comes to this sort of thing, especially since she'll be without other friends in the court. More importantly, we can expect her to advocate for the interests of the colonies, which would hopefully offer a starting point in talking the Fire Lord down from whatever foolishness he might be contemplating in the colonies.
 
[X] Lord Yanase took that opportunity to press his case again, once more attempting to emphasize the importance of having a true son of the Fire Nation in the role of the chancellery, only to find himself promptly dismissed by the thoroughly annoyed teenager. The man didn't seem to believe it at first, laughing as though it was a joke, though the imperial firebenders made it evident enough that the boy-king most certainly had not been speaking in jest. While the man's removal might allow for some degree of reform within one of the largest ministries in the country, it also pits the most powerful industrialist in the nation against the throne.
[X] Minister Amari remained in his chair, the ancient general seemingly struck by a bout of tiredness as he gazed about the room almost morosely. If she hadn't known any better, the man would have almost appeared lost, the once venerable colossus of war reduced to a relic of an age since passed, one that had endured beyond the things that gave it purpose.
 
[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…
[X] Minister Shu lingered in the room, casting an appraising eye over the young chancellor before seeming to sigh, approaching her with obvious reticence. While she was not thrilled by the direction things seemed to be heading, the woman was quite motivated to ensure that they were on the same page when it came to the economic realities of peace.
 
[X] Minister Shu lingered in the room, casting an appraising eye over the young chancellor before seeming to sigh, approaching her with obvious reticence. While she was not thrilled by the direction things seemed to be heading, the woman was quite motivated to ensure that they were on the same page when it came to the economic realities of peace.

We need to fix the general dumpster fire that is the economy. The old general is, generally speaking, loyal to the office of the fire lord and a lame duck. While that's not optimal it's probably not going to implode immediately.

[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…

Yeah we're going to need to get rid of them sooner or later and better sooner than later. Because Zuko is not going to tolerate the blatant racism for long.
 
Disturbing to think that Fire Lord Zuko might be listening more to his Water Tribe peasant mistress than to his loyal and wise ministers. :(
 
Rockit said:
[X] … leaning on an up-and-coming general in the domestic forces to share what he knew about the coming changes. Chojiro Hiruma had been a dead-end colonel in Colonial Affairs when they'd first met; they saw the opportunities that they offered one another and collaboration quickly developed. Together, they maneuvered her rivals into adjacency of a more radical faction and then provided those rabble-rousers with the weapons and incentive they needed to rise up. They were allowed to rage for long enough to scare the viceroys before the two descended upon them with their forces, strangling that gasp of freedom in its cradle. They've been bound ever since, each enjoying the fruits of their treachery. [False Glory, Callous Schemer, Trusted Colonial]

[X] … in flagrante derelicto with the deputy minister of Public Wellbeing. Aya Matsura had been one of her closest friends during their college days, though the more scandalous extent of their relationship had remained a closely kept secret given its illegality. Their correspondence continued after graduation, providing both women a useful source of unfiltered information as they pursued their respective ambitions. Difficulties have begun to arise in recent years, however, as both have faced serious dynastic pressure to marry while there is still time and before even more questions arise about the delay. [Dynastic Pressure, Confirmed Bachelorette, Amorous Alliance]


Both choices pro and cons in difficult and narrative interest balance out in my eyes.
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Both options are rich with narrative tension and provide compelling hooks for character development. It really depends on whether you want the focus to lean towards political machination and ruthless strategy (Chojiro) or personal stakes and taboo intrigue (Aya). Both offer fertile ground for drama and moral complexity, so you can't go wrong!
 
Random Member said:
Disturbing to think that Fire Lord Zuko might be listening more to his Water Tribe peasant mistress than to his loyal and wise ministers. :(
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We need to remind the fire lord that he has actual servants now, and need no longer rely on the water tribe peasant to do his laundry, wipe his mouth, or poorly cut his hair in a half arsed manner. All of these things can now be handled by palace staff, which means he needs not indulge in a trade of favors with the foreign barbarian.
 
[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…
[X] Minister Amari remained in his chair, the ancient general seemingly struck by a bout of tiredness as he gazed about the room almost morosely. If she hadn't known any better, the man would have almost appeared lost, the once venerable colossus of war reduced to a relic of an age since passed, one that had endured beyond the things that gave it purpose.

I'm not sure you intended it this way, but I think this is shaping up to be quite the dark comedy. Each description got better than the last for this little den of wheezing snakes.
 
[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…
[X] Minister Amari remained in his chair, the ancient general seemingly struck by a bout of tiredness as he gazed about the room almost morosely. If she hadn't known any better, the man would have almost appeared lost, the once venerable colossus of war reduced to a relic of an age since passed, one that had endured beyond the things that gave it purpose.
 
[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…
[X] Minister Amari remained in his chair, the ancient general seemingly struck by a bout of tiredness as he gazed about the room almost morosely. If she hadn't known any better, the man would have almost appeared lost, the once venerable colossus of war reduced to a relic of an age since passed, one that had endured beyond the things that gave it purpose.
 
Medicus said:
We need to get a word in to avoid the army going unlimited team avatar death on us.
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Also prevent the Earth Kingdom forces etc from deciding they want a little 'extra' land back as things get sorted out.

Because it would be relatively unlikely for Aang to step in and tell them 'no'. After all, they're the good guys and would never do something like that.
 
[X] Lord Yanase took that opportunity to press his case again, once more attempting to emphasize the importance of having a true son of the Fire Nation in the role of the chancellery, only to find himself promptly dismissed by the thoroughly annoyed teenager. The man didn't seem to believe it at first, laughing as though it was a joke, though the imperial firebenders made it evident enough that the boy-king most certainly had not been speaking in jest. While the man's removal might allow for some degree of reform within one of the largest ministries in the country, it also pits the most powerful industrialist in the nation against the throne.
[X] Minister Shu lingered in the room, casting an appraising eye over the young chancellor before seeming to sigh, approaching her with obvious reticence. While she was not thrilled by the direction things seemed to be heading, the woman was quite motivated to ensure that they were on the same page when it came to the economic realities of peace.
 
[X] Lord and Lady Yamaha reacted poorly to the news that a 'half-breed' would be taking the helm, both of them erupting with anger and shouting invectives. The Fire Lord, suitably incensed by the situation, shouted them down in kind before finally ordering them tossed out of the palace by the Royal Procession, the married couple having to be hauled out of the council chambers by the masked firebenders as they hurled abuse at the new sovereign. While their removal from the council meetings will certainly make things calmer, Namiko can't help but be concerned about what they'll get up to outside of it…

[X] Minister Qin had paused for a moment as he went to leave, looking as though he was trying desperately to remember something important that had slipped his mind. After a moment of concentration, the man paled and began speed walking towards the courtyard in a close but not ultimately imperfect approximation of a dignified pace.
 
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