Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)

Year One of your reign, 7th day of the Month of the Goat

The night is oddly cold for the summer, perhaps it is because you are leaving in a week for the Tournament of Jewels...but more likely in your mind was the fact that in trying to prevent a war and make sure there was no conspiracy against the Toturi, you had almost certainly ensured there was one. A part of you wonders if that was not Kaukatsu's game all along

The moon shines down in reproach as you look over the city, mind playing out the chain of events that led to this.


You had been surprised by how quickly Akane and Hiroko had made their way to you. Almost as if they were expecting to be chosen in spite of the obstacles. You had duly sworn them in as your counsellors, and held a nice feast to celebrate things. Hiroko had been someone...jagged in her dealings, perfectly nice, but conversational sadane is not for everyone. Akane for her part had been reserved, distant but not unpleasant to talk to.

As the night wore on and everyone but yourself and seemingly Akane got drunker, you moved for some fresh air and summoned Akane to you. She was somewhat surprised but ready to serve. After explaining the conspiracy to her. You had asked her to find evidence, to be subtle and to ensure that a conspiracy was exposed. She had bowed and promised to do everything in her power to make your will reality.

Things had gotten off to a good start, Otomo and Miya diplomats with certain ronin hired as deniable muscle had gone to the courts and began to talk, to learn, to bait out the conspirators. With the cunning mind of Akane working towards the information brought back, she reported that she should be able to give evidence to you soon.

And then it had all gone wrong. You aren't sure who let slip the investigation, or why, but someone had, and the Unicorn and Mantis when they found out had become wroth with anger. At you for believing such obvious lies, but at the Scorpion more so for spouting such obvious lies. While you could be forgiven in part for at least investigating for truth given the scope...the Scorpion had defamed and called into question the oaths they had sworn. The Scorpion proclaimed that Kaukatsu had only shown the evidence he had and made reasonable conclusions, and that if there was any insult, then it was the Unicorn and Mantis who had been suspicious enough to warrant an investigation, that had given it.

Things had escalated from there, you still didn't know who had leaked this, but it was all a mess. You were sure now that you would need a new Kizoku, Tangen had been worse than useless in this operation. You were also sure, that while Susumu and Usharo had disappeared, that their plots, were far from over.

So trade one crisis for another you suppose...Akane had offered her seppukku, but you refused on the basis that it wasn't her fault some asshole had leaked everything. The question was who had done it and why...you didn't know and that was driving you to distraction.

"Tenno" The smoky voice of Hiroko comes from behind you.

"I thought I gave orders not to be disturbed Yoritomo-san." You say, not turning around.

"Tenno, you have a council to advise, not to let you stew, forgive my impudence, but I need to speak my peace."

"Very well."

"I thought to resign, when I heard you had ordered Kitsuki-san to investigate my clan and the Unicorn, if you did not trust me to do this, then why did you even bother appointing me?"

You wait for her to continue.
"But you did it because you did not want to ask me too choose between my clan and my duty to you. Is that right?"

"More or less Yoritomo-san." You answer.

"I don't think there's any difference between the two, what is good for my clan is good for the Empire, and vice versa." She says.

"It gratifies me to hear that Yoritomo-san, is that all?"

"No, the conspiracy that Bayushi-san brought forth is false...we never sought to overthrow you, or to become 'lord of the east'."

"I'm hearing a but."

"Lord Yoritomo thinks you are weak Tenno, that if he pushes he'll get everything the Mantis want. I do not know if he is right or wrong yet, but if you show strength, he will relent. Khan Moto is the same. The conspiracy is to push you forward, to press against you until you say no. They think you will never say no" She says.

"I see."

"The Mantis need a strong Emperor, I want you to become that."

"Thank you Yoritomo-san."

"I take my leave then."

You hear her soft footsteps echo as you continue to watch the city. On the balance, you suppose her tentative support is a good thing, but that doesn't offer a solution to your problems. The Mantis and Unicorn are still offended, the Scorpion are proclaiming loudly that they are innocent...and if you support them, it will be war.

A strong Emperor, what does it mean to be strong? Does it mean to be a warrior? to have an iron will? Something else? That was Hiroko's advice to show your strength. Which, you guessed meant that she thought you should be decisive one way or another.

In one week, you will be with all the other Champions to watch the results of the Jade, Emerald and Topaz championships. There you will have to announce a decision on what you plan to do about this...incident you suppose is the best word for it. Ultimately the Scorpion did impugn the honour of the Mantis and the Unicorn, on the other hand most of those clans don't care about that...no this was revenge for ruining a plot. Everyone knew that, but no one had a way to say 'no don't care about centuries of tradition and let it go.'

You could call for a duel, between the two sides, the Mantis and Unicorn would not like it, and frankly neither would the Scorpion, but it would be a result everyone could agree was fair after a fashion.

You could allow for a limited war, only a thousand men a piece with an observer.

You could just demand Kaukatsu's head and pin everything on him. That would piss the Scorpion off something fierce, because he has been one of their greatest in a long time...on the other hand it allows everyone to walk away...come to think of it why hadn't Kaukatsu already offered his life for this...there was something else going on here. Something you needed to find out.

[] Call for the Tessen squad that stopped the Oni to investigate Kaukatsu
[] Call for Akane to investigate Kaukatsu
[] Call for Tangen to investigate Kaukatsu

(No dice rolls this time, because they'll all succeed at finding something, what varies on who you pick though)

Interlude:

My name is Kitsuki Akane, I am vexed. This is not a particularly new feeling to me, it is one that I have experienced ever since I was chosen on Togashi-ue's orders to become an Imperial Advisor. Familiarity does not however, breed anything but contempt. This emotion must be resolved, fortunately, the Emperor in his young wisdom, had asked me to do something to focus on. Investigate the most dangerous man in the Empire. I may need to consult my sensei, those words should not bring a sense of joy and challenge. Perhaps the atmosphere of this city is getting to me.

I shuffle through the various reports and papers. Once again I lament that my predecessor apparently believed that a proper organizational system was arcane witchcraft...which given my predecessor was Doji Tanitsu, may not be too far from the truth. I have nothing in particular against the man, but anyone could see that the interviews in the Scorpion lands did something to him. Granted losing the love of his life probably did not help.

My mind stops for a moment thinking that over. Scorpion lands, Kaukatsu travelled through there regularly even with the war. My hands dart towards the itineraries of the last few years and pull them out to the desk in front of me. I lean back and crack my neck, wishing once again that I was allowed to indulge in having a servant to massage my back.

This was too important for that, thus, I once again set myself down, and begin reading...and reading. The tea at my side is cold by the time the information I require is found. Approximately a year ago, Bayushi Kaukatsu's travelling party was accosted by ronin hired by the Crab in their war. While the party fought it off and there was a public protest, if there was a time when Kaukatsu would have been suborned, that was when.

I stand up and make my way to the Imperial Libraries. This 'Golden Brotherhood' must have some records on it. Thus my search began anew as I pore over the texts, and my tea again gets cold. I must talk to the help about this.

After a long night I only had one conclusion...the Golden Brotherhood didn't exist. On paper it did, on paper it had drawn pay from the Crab to act, yet there was no expenditures, no notices of command, no orders, and the orders themselves appeared to be forged.

Which left the innate question of what exactly happened there. To figure that out, I would need to talk to Kaukatsu. My life continues to inflict new things to vex me with. Duty is duty however, I resolve to head out to see the man in the morning after some much needed sleep.

As it turns out, I need not have bothered with Kaukatsu, what with him laying on the floor dead. His hands still holding his wakizashi in place, as blood stained the tatami mats. To all outside appearances, it seems that Kaukatsu has committed suicide. I already know how we intend to communicate this to everyone. A found note or letter will explain how the current crisis is all Kaukatsu's fault. Nothing is resolved, nothing has really changed. I have still failed. Yet, now I have a lead, I have a place to begin, names, and motive.

My first best love has always been magistrate work, to investigate the criminal underbelly and to make it disappear under my keen eye and skill with a jitte. Looking into the darkness and to drag it kicking and screaming into the light, has always been my passion. In the courtly world this has translated into me being a tsunami, using all the abilities I have to find the truth of everyone, and then bring out for them all to see, and to shatter all their plans in a single stroke.

Now, I must see this new plan, this new foe for what it is. A long term attempt to destroy the Empire, and all it stands for. Which narrows my list of suspects considerably. There are few outside who deign to even consider whether or not the Emerald Empire exists. With the exception of the Southern Enemy. Daigotsu was slain, but his works live on.

I walk in the morning sun, but feel oddly cold. Is it worry because Lady Shahai has set her sights on my Emperor? I want to say it is illogical, the Mikado might be a touch serious, and lack the sheer prowess in battle that made his grandfather into legend, but he is strong willed and cunning as well. With his advisers at his side, that is to say me and the others, we will evade any traps. Yet, we only partially evaded this one. This worry may be warranted...but I must push past it for everyone's sake.

Now to inform my Emperor of what the plan may have been. I do not have enough evidence to say must, but I think I know enough to guess.
First Usharo and Susumu go to the two most disaffected clans. The Unicorn and the Mantis have always chafed against the former Emperor, so that is simple. There they plot, and create discontent, showing just enough to be suspicious. Then wait to see who was appointed what...and trust the Scorpion to order Kaukatsu to put on a demonstration of how valuable he was. However, Kaukatsu had been turned in that battle against the 'Golden Brotherhood' whether by magic or some other method, he was swayed to the other side. So instead of reporting about a potential threat, Kaukatsu created one...and then when I was ordered to investigate discreetly, he of course found out and informed the Unicorn and the Mantis by proxy.

Thus an unwinnable situation is in theory set up. If the Mikado refused to do anything, he would be seen as weak and invite future rebellion. Yet if he did something he would be seen as foolish and invite future rebellion. If Kaukatsu had not died, then this would have no doubt escalated into something worse. Perhaps Kaukatsu did commit suicide, but something tells me that there is another player behind the scenes. That one I will also have to find.

For now though, I must report to my Emperor.

AN: The First Crisis is resolved if not satisfactorily then close enough that no one got anything worse. The next update is going to be decided by you. As it stands, the Emerald and Jade Tournaments promise to be immense pieces of writing. So I'm going to split them up into two, and let you have some more personal interaction with your advisers while doing so.

Thus which tournament should be covered first
[] Jade (Shiba Kaname and Yoritomo Hiroko encounters)
[] Emerald (Kaneka and Kitsuki Akane encounters)