[X]Make the report yourself. (Increased reputation among Summer's nobles.)
It doesn't explicitly say we lose rep among the soldiers. And I think if we can make nice with the nobles now, it might make it easier to make things better for the soldiers later. But that might just be me.
This is your take take on a Jade Empire style techno-fantasy, only instead of being based on wuxia and Chinese fantasy it's based off of the Sengoku Jidai and Mecha?
That's almost as impossibly awesome as the end of the universe via a mad science fusion of branston pickle and No More Heroes.
Watched:
[X]Make the report yourself. (Increased reputation among Summer's nobles.)
Even if this wasn't inherently practical, it's also in character for us; we WANT validation from a higher power (as samurai that idea's engraved into our being) and so we'll do anything that maintains our dignity to do it.
You hesitate for a second, then give Shidao a quick nod. The man has a sigh of relief and begin reciting his account under Lord Summer's patient stare.
It goes through the same beats you already know - ruins they couldn't search through because of magic, bandit attacks, your impromptu arrival, the final battle. You notice that Shidao diminishes his own importance while emphasizing that of his men; perhaps it is guilt for taking them into this slaughter, or fear that the nobles might see him as too arrogant for a commoner. You are depicted as the savior of the troops, which draws a few dubious looks from samurai who evidently think little of your ragged attire and your disgraced status; but when Shidao talks of your giant walking the battlefield he conjures images of awe and terror, of a demon tearing through flesh and walking in a rain of blood. You get the impression that Summer's men do not often see combat close to a bunraku.
The news that the bandits are led by ronin does raise a murmur in the room. You gather from their reactions to Shidao's stories that they had assumed the bandits' "prince" to have been another common brigand with better leadership than the others, but the news a group of masterless samurai uniting to lead a bandit force is much darker news indeed.
Lord Summer himself shows no reaction to the tale, however, and simply nods when the report is over.
"Your failure is forgiven, Shidao. One can hardly blame common soldiers when pitted against magic on one side and bandits on the other; and I should be thankful that you killed so many of my enemies. You can go back to your soldiers telling them the stipend to the families of those fallen or crippled in battle will not be held back."
Again, Shidao sighs in relief, and bows even more deeply. "Thank you, my lord."
"And you, Tomoe," the dragon says without a further glance at the sergeant, "you have my thanks for saving my soldiers; but what brought you to their rescue?"
"Duty, my lord," you say firmly.
"Duty? To whom?"
"To you, my lord. For a week ago I was a servant of Lord Okami of Autumn; but he fell in battle and with him the rest of his bloodline, leaving me masterless. Now free, it seemed right and proper to dedicate myself to those my family had served before. And so when I came across your soldiers, I was already a servant of Summer in the spirit, if not in the name; and so I came to their help as I expected you would have wished your samurai to."
The dragon smiles. He recognizes the flattery, but he is pleased by it. Daimyo crave the service of samurai, especially skilled puppeteers; they need them to bolster their armies. But they are also prideful creatures, and do not appreciate it when a warrior comes to them as a mercenary. By pleading and praising one may obtain more favorable conditions than by bluntly asking for money and protection in exchange for service.
"Sweet daughter Tomoe, it is my pleasure to welcome you at my side. Yes, today indeed I make you my servant, and through me a servant of Summer; you are no longer a ronin but a samurai and an agent of the Heavens-on-Earth. Indeed, I have for you three gifts of welcome: I will pay for this ronin's head a full samurai's bounty, I will arrange for whatever repairs your armor needs, and I will offer you quarters in my palace until you no longer need them. For these there is no need to thank me; in three days' time I will call upon you again for your first service. In the meantime you are free."
You understand this as your dismissal, and bow in acknowledgement. You and Shidao rise together from your knees and leave the room backwards, heads inclined and facing Lord Summer. Once you are outside the room, Shidao turns to face you and bows to you. You notice that the man is much more deferential now that you are actually a samurai of Summer - and now that you've saved his life, of course.
"Thank you, my lady. Me and my men owe you honor and life, and the families of the dead owe you more."
You frown. "He wasn't going to dock their families pay for being ambushed by over a hundred bandits, was he?"
"I… do not think so, my lady. He-Who-Reads-The-Stars has little patience for failure, but he is a good master, and he would recognize that it was ill-fate we had to venture out without more men, or men of better skill."
"You mean he would realize that he was his mistake to send you out without samurai, even if he wouldn't acknowledge it."
"I would never be so bold, my lady," he says with a frown. You cock an eyebrow, but he says nothing more, and you wave him off.
"Be on your way, then," you say, and he bows once again before departing.
At this point you realize that you are in a completely unfamiliar setting, alone but for the crowd of people buzzing around the court's room, and you feel a moment of dizziness come over you. You lean against a wall, pressing your hands against your forehead. You've been walking and fighting way too much over the past week and it's catching up with you.
You hear someone clearing their throat, and opening your eyes you see a short woman in a simple lavender kimono and blue sash, head inclined. It takes you a moment to realize that this is probably a servant waiting for your permission to speak; you are used to know by face and name all your personal servants - all of a sudden you feel a pang of nostalgia as you realize you might never see them again. What fate befell them in Autumn? You hope some other samurai took them in their service, and is caring for them well enough.
"Speak," you say more curtly than you intended.
"My lady, I am Ami, a servant of Lord Summer. The lord's intendant has assigned me as your handmaid for as long as you need until you have a place and servant of your own. Please order me as you see fit."
Oh, that's nice. You were worried you'd have to bother with all the boring things like washing your clothes and buying necessities, but if you have a servant you can focus on the important tasks of a samurai's life. Although you might want to be careful around a mere temporary handmaid who will go back to the intendant as soon as you leave.
"Hello, Ami," you say wearily. "Your first service will be to show me to my new quarters, as I have no idea where they are."
"Of course, mistress. Please follow me."
You are presently taken on a confusing route through various corridors and stairs that has you soon completely confused as to your location within the castle - you think you're in the left wing - until Ami opens a sliding door and you face a small, simple room with tatami flooring, a futon and a small table.
"And to think I owned an actual house," you sigh.
"I am quite sure that mistress will soon have her own home and servants," Ami says politely. "Mistress should know her coming was seen from afar, and witnessed with much rumor; Summer only boasts ten bunraku. Mistress is a personage of importance, and if her skills are the equal of her station she will soon reclaim whatever prestige she held in Autumn."
Ten bunraku, uh? That's interesting. Autumn had no less than thirty before the debacle of the battle against the oni - but then again it had the largest army of the Four Seasons. You will be proportionally more important here, even as the army as a whole is weaker.
You quickly push these strategic thoughts out of your mind - they're only making you more tired. Instead you dedicate the rest of the day to transitioning out of this warlike state of mind that keeps you from any calm or relaxation. Guided by Ami, you are brought to hot baths, scrubbed of all the filth of battle and travel, provided with a few changes of clothes - very simple attire, but bearing the mon of your new daimyo - are brought a meal containing actual fish, have Ami serve you hot tea, and finally receive a heavy purse full of pierced copper coins from your lord's treasurer - the bounty for a samurai's head, as promised.
When you go to sleep that night, you feel rested, relaxed, well-fed and simply comfortable for the first time in a week. Yes, your equipment is composed of either damaged or looted pieces, you only own three sets of clothes and they're commoner-grade, you are now entirely dependent upon lord Summer's kindness to repair your damaged puppet-armor and keep you fed and lodged, but for once, for the first time since you saw the man you had sworn to give your life to protect skewered on an oni's blade, for the first time you feel like you belong.
You do not dream that night, and it feels good.
[You Honor rank is now UNTESTED]
You have three free days ahead of you before Lord Summer calls you to his service. You have little money and are in a wholly unfamiliar setting, but savings will do you little good now - you have a lot of needs to take care of and a status to assert; yet you are also still weary from a week of exhaustion and should take some care of yourself before you are quickly thrust back into battle. Tomoe will spend the first day seeing doctors and lounging around recovering her strength, but the other two days are up to you; you will summoned on the evening of day three.
Choose two activities, or vote for the same activity twice.
[ ]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[ ]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[ ]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[ ]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[ ]Search for a new master-at-arms and secure a mentorship so that you have someone to train you.
[ ]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
You don't have a lot of money, but saving is for commoners. Your naginata was taken from some dead ashigaru, your daisho is Iron Raven's and worn by time, your puppeteer's armor is damaged, and your clothes are woefully simple. You are a Princess, for Heaven's sake. Pick up to two of the following.
[ ]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[ ]A new (cheap) pair of swords, or having a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho (specify which).
[ ]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[ ]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[ ]Write in something frivolous.
You have run out of sake. Warfare is an exhausting, scarring business, and few are the samurai who can practice it without finding comfort and respite in some kind of vice - or on the contrary, in monk-like virtue. Tomoe is likely to find a pick-me-up for the eve of future battles and the harsh moments when she remembers past ones.
[ ]Smoking, a vice of the body. It may hurt your lungs but it will calm your nerves and keep you warm on cold nights.
[ ]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[ ]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[ ]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
Adhoc vote count started by Omicron on Mar 18, 2017 at 7:31 PM, finished with 253 posts and 16 votes.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position. [X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[x]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[x]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up
[x]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
[x]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A new (cheap) pair of swords, or having a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho (specify which).
-[X]repair daisho
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X] Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X] Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X] A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X] A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X] Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[x]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [x]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[x]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [x]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position. [X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X] Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X] Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X] A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X] A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X] Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
Adhoc vote count started by Omicron on Mar 21, 2017 at 3:13 PM, finished with 35 posts and 20 votes.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[x]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [x]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position. [X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[x]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[x]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up
[x]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
[x]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A new (cheap) pair of swords, or having a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho (specify which).
-[X]repair daisho
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X] Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X] Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X] A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X] A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X] Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up. [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position. [X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities) [X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances. [X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade. [X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
[X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[k] Look for the person who is brooding the most. They shall be your rival!
[k] Some cool clothing that shows you are the protagonist.
[k] A unique or cursed sword that has a deep destiny that you somehow find by chance.
[k] Anime, the harshest vice of all. The vast expenses and the social ostracism make it a very unpopular option, but cute figurines and body pillows are too tempting for you.
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
cause heck yeah, supervising repairs on our important thing. Also, a day to find peace and reestablish our calligraphy chops
[X]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
Fix our prize yo! And also we need a replacement naginata for sure. It's our main weapon duhhh
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
I definitely don't want smoking cause our body is sort of a temple, but also, dubious about Gambling for Tomoe and I don't want to be ascetic. Also considered the relation between drinking and calligraphy cause both are kind of water element related and I love inane parallels.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
Good idea to know who we are fighting with.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
No one knows how to fix our Mecha better than us!
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
Keeping up appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
We need a decent blade.
[X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
Pay our proper respects to our ancestors who have watched over us, and heaven which has provided, and pray for their providence in the future. Piety is always a good trait to have.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
Warrior must see to warrior-kin. Only by associating with those who possess the honor of warriors, shall we gain that honor as well.
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
For a princess to be dressed in such rags is an utter disgrace. Remedy this at once, if you please.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
We practice Naginatajutsu not kenjutsu or any other sort of warrior. Our naginata is of more importance than some armor or daisho, or it is by its blade we live and by its blade we fall.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
What sort of honorable warrior will not share alcohol with guests, hosts, and companions? Drinking is an at of friendship and welcome, hardly a vice unless you're some sort of monk.
[x]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[x]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
[ ]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
I kinda dig turning a new leaf. In Autumn, we were a princess. Here, we are just another puppeteer. Keep everything functional. Simple clothes, simple pleasures, top notch weapons and skills.
Maybe I'll switch for a mentor. Dunno yet. Definitely don't want Asceticism, though.
Hmm...
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
Seems the most IC relax/recovery option to me
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
...and this is just obligatory. Though I'm not sure how much can be done with an unfamiliar mech in three days, so hopefully we won't need Harvest after the evening call. I could be convinced to switch to something else.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
Appearances will no doubt matter once we meet El Draco again at noon of the third day. He'd forgive us looking like we've just walked in off the battlefield when we were literally walking in from the battlefield but I doubt a second time, with the air of quality Summer seems to go for. So it was the armour or the court dress; I went for armour because we're here to be a puppeteer more than someone of a court we are wholly unfamiliar in (do we even know the current court fashion for Summer or anything? Doubt it). Given Summer has comparatively few bunraku, our status as a puppeteer is probably the more important one.
Likewise, the naginata; not much of a samurai without a weapon and it's the one we've mastered instead of the sword.
[X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
Honestly it was this or drinking that felt most IC.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up
[x]Visit the city of Summer's to get to know its layout and landmarks.
[x]Have a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[x]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Ascetism, a harsh virtue. Keeping your body and soul pure may require discipline, but it will maintain your balance. And everyone respects an ascetic - even if they rarely like being around them.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Dedicate a day to visiting Summer's temples. Meditate, pray, and give thanks for your survival and your new position.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
I've played enough video games to like the idea of using the sword of the guy we killed, but that seems like a thing that would have some meaning in a culture. Is there any particular way that would be seen?
I've played enough video games to like the idea of using the sword of the guy we killed, but that seems like a thing that would have some meaning in a culture. Is there any particular way that would be seen?
If these were the swords of a samurai with a master and a family, looting them off his dead body and using them as weapons would be considered somewhat crass. There's a social expectation that the family would offer you a ransom in exchange for the swords, and that you would send them back. Depending on wars and feuds, this may not be the case, however. If you wish to appease a family over the killing of their relative, you may send the swords back without ransom and with a word of apology, and they may be satisfied. If you just decide to keep the swords this will be an offense to the family - although depending on their power and influence (or just how far they live), this may have no more consequences than being known as rude. Or it might end up with the dead samurai's daughter swearing an oath of vengeance to retrieve the sword off your dead body, you know, either/or. In this situation the importance is not so much in the blades themselves as it is in how they stand as a symbol for the dead person and their family's prestige.
In the case of a ronin's blades no one will care about the "looting" aspect. If the blades are of poor quality, people will think you're cheap. But if they're good blades, they'll regard that as a good prize taken in honorable combat.
One thing you're not supposed to do is sell off blades to make a quick coin. There's no real consistent or reliable "market" for katanas but if you look hard enough someone somewhere will buy it. But you're not supposed to do that because swords are tokens of prides and it's unsightly for a samurai to be so hungry for a quick buck he would, effectively, sell off his golden medals (a ransom by the family of the original owner is okay because it represents them acknowledging your victory and giving a prize in compensation). It's also illegal, because it results in black markets through which commoners can buy swords, which is against the law. That said, it doesn't mean people don't do it. Especially when the swords are of forgotten origins, owned by bandits or the like.
There are common tales of "wandering blades" of high quality, owned by ronin who get killed, looted by other ronin, and so on and so forth passing hands between their successive masters and generally attributed supernatural qualities as a result of their long history. There are also stories of vendettas fought because some family took the swords of a member of another family and this led to bloodshed for three generations, but those are rare in practice.
Iron Raven's blades are of good make, and as long as you don't draw them people will see them as decently prestigious. If you have to draw them, however, a canny eye will recognize them as old and having undergone several touches to correct for damage over time, and you'll come across as a cheapstake, unless you have them reforged to look cosmetically pretty. You wear your daisho at court and in your daily duties, but you don't take your naginata everywhere; for Tomoe who is a spearwoman her blades are to be thought of as another decoration, or as a weapon of convenience in an ambush.
There isn't deep significance between your choice of blade, and you'll have the opportunity to claim more swords in the future. It's a character thing. Does Tomoe attribute any personal significance to the swords of a dead bandit who was once a samurai, and would she wear them herself? Is she fine with having old, inelegant blades because she wants to focus on her weapon of choice first? Would she just sell them off without a thought?
[X]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A new (cheap) pair of swords, or having a good smith properly repair Iron Raven's daisho (specify which).
-[X]repair daisho
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
@Omicron? Were you inspired by Gintama, Jade Empire and the like when you wrote this?
Because they have some eerie similarities.
[k] Look for the person who is brooding the most. They shall be your rival!
[k] Some cool clothing that shows you are the protagonist.
[k] A unique or cursed sword that has a deep destiny that you somehow find by chance.
[k] Anime, the harshest vice of all. The vast expenses and the social ostracism make it a very unpopular option, but cute figurines and body pillows are too tempting for you.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X]Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
Basically my reasoning is the same as what some other people have given.
[X] Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X] Visit Summer's bunraku workshop to see who is working on Harvest and how. (This takes a full day because it's your baby and you won't be able to not oversee everything and comment on what they should be doing, also because it involves social activities)
[X] A new set of puppeteer's armor.
[X] A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
[X] Drinking, a vice of the spirit. It may shorten your temper and make the morning painful, but it will give you courage and make you a good party companion.
(I considered basing this more heavily on the Sengoku Japan with guns everywhere and while I realize that some people would have loved that ultimately I'm more inclined towards medieval weapons)
[X ]Acquire a calligraphy set, and spend a day calming your nerves and mind with the practice of your craft.
[X]Acquaint yourself with Summer's samurai and your fellow puppeteers. You won't meet everyone in a day but it might give you a leg up.
[X]Some aristocratic clothing for courtly appearances.
[X]A naginata worthy of a samurai, with proper decorative work and a katana-grade blade.
Others have commented on these, I don't have much more to add here.
[X]Gambling, a vice of the soul. It may put you in debt at times, but it will give you an in with other samurai and put some of them in your debt.
I like this one because what it says about our Princess - that she enjoys risk, perhaps calculated risk, but taking chances is something that is exciting to her. It's a good trait to have.
