The sun isn't shining when the servant rises you. The grey twilight that blankets the room feels eerie, the sun is trying to rise still, trying no doubt to have one last duel with the moon.
Slowly, you sit up, and wash your face in the bowl provided, and look over yourself. So young, even to your eyes, you are so young.
Yet, your father was dead now. Dying like a warrior in the end, so they tell you, for all his life was spent as a courtier. His sacrifice had brought low the army that had come to kill him, in turn allowing his rescuers to ride clear to the Carpenter Wall.
Carefully, you begin to put on the ceremonial robes that you need to wear for what comes next.
Your hands tremble a little as you think about it.
Your father had been the Emperor, the ruler of the Emerald Empire, the Steel Throne that had held it together for nearly ten years. Ten turbulent years that saw the Third Rise of Iuchiban, the Final Death of Daigotsu in that same conflict. The War of Rich Frog, the Mantis Civil War, and the War of Fire and Snow, even destroying the Second Gozaku Conspiracy. It had been a time to rebuild wracked by fractious Clans, supernatural disturbances, and everything else.
There was no doubt in your mind that you would hold an equally challenging rule, for all that you hoped it lasted longer than your fathers did. Ten years was not enough, not enough time to prepare you. You may have seen seventeen summers, and be full grown by most measures. Yet as the heavy weight of the ceremonial haori drapes over your shoulder, you know that you are still young by the measures of the Throne, even your father was in his twenties when took the throne. And he had helped defeat Daigotsu the first time and then the second.
For you, your mother once told you. Your father Toturi III known as the Anvil to some, had fought against the darkness and ruled an Empire all for you. Or so she said, but then, you weren't sure of that yourself. After all the number of times that you spoke to him could be counted on one hand. After what happened to the Hantei, well, there were very few limits that the Toturi had when it came to preserving their family. The Empire had rejoiced at your birth, but that only lasted until you could be weaned, then you disappeared. On the whole complaining about the small monastery in the mountains your father had found seemed ungrateful. Even if you only saw your parents rarely, they had given you a sibling soon enough so it wasn't that lonely.
But they had both been there for your gempukku, they had both been so proud of you. Father had even given you a smile, a real one through his one eye as he presented you the daisho that made you a Samurai in full.
Even at the time you got the feeling he didn't smile all that much.
A voice calls your name in the still grey early morning. Your mother, comes through the door into your chambers.
You turn and look at her, she was even now considered by most a beauty, even if she was older, you didn't see it though, that was your mother….
[] Otomo Hoketuhime, mistress of all she surveyed and consummate politician, with her husband she had wielded unmatched power in the courts. It's no surprise that you too had a little of that skill within you. (+1 Air)
[] Daidoji Kaihime, a mind as devious as it was expansive. The only woman it was said to have ever gotten the better of both the Yasuki and Ide Merchants at the same time. Yet she was also kind tending to the needy as she could. You might be a novice compared to her, you did learn something from her. (+1 Water)
[] Shinjo Haruko, the fastest blade west of Kyuden Kakita by most accounts, and the one time she did spar with you, you could barely move before her blade was at your neck. While not quite her speed, you did inherit some of her skill in martial matters (+1 Fire)
[] Kaiu Ryoko, The Architect some call her, given her ability to build most anything anywhere and make it last, you're inclined to agree with them. While you never could quite follow what she said in her letters about math and such, you did pick up some of it, making you a skilled steward in your own right. (+1 Earth)
[] Asako Mayu, a shugenja and mystic of the void, she sees and understands more than you thought possible, although you certainly tried to keep up with her all the same. That attempt left you with more knowledge than most. (+1 Void)
"Okaa-sama" You say with a bow.
She smiles softly.
"Are you ready? The ceremony begins in an hour"
"As ready as I'll ever be." You say, putting on the last of your clothes.
Take a deep breath, that's what sensei taught you when you're nervous. But how are you going to stop being nervous, when you...you are going to become the ruler of the Emerald Empire.
It's too much for someone your age...but you are the Imperial Heir, so you will do it.
Sensei taught you that much, and a few other things. You aren't entirely sure how your father convinced a Kenku to teach you, but the strange mystical crow man had been very thorough, you had learned all the knowledge that a samurai, a ruler would need. He categorized it according to the five elements and you kept that mental categorization even now. Sensei had said that you showed potential for…
[] The Ways of Court of subtlety and communication. (+1 Air) [] The Ways of Creation, of building and ordering things. (+1 Earth)
[] The Ways of War, of conflict and ingenious tactics. (+1 Fire)
[] The Ways of People, of economics and healing. (+1 Water)
[] The Ways of Magic, of the elements and the heavens. (+1 Void)
It had been extremely tough for you, he worked you into the ground every day, over and over again but you had learned, and your father had duly said you were as capable an heir as he could ask. Then he had asked you to stay and watch over your siblings, you had reluctantly agreed to do so. Focus you tell yourself and walk out of your quarters towards your destiny. Your mother beside you.
The Palace is eerily quiet as you walk through it, the luxurious opulence is something you have to get used to after living most of your life in the mountains. But somehow you think you'll manage.
The Throne room is immense at least to you, the banners of every single clan decorates the walls. Underneath those banners sewn into the same fabric are the mon of the various families that make up the clan. The fact that your mon, your banner stands at the top of the room, and covers all four walls, is a not so subtle reminder that your family the Toturi is the Imperial Line, you rule the Emerald Empire from the Steel Throne.
Speaking of the Steel Throne, you see it sitting almost lonely at the far end. It's stark pragmatic look, out of place with the slowly building artistry that litters the lower half of the walls underneath the banners. Countless artisans compete to make their mark here to be remembered for all time hopefully.
You look to the side seeing the Grand Abbot, the nominal head of the Brotherhood of Shinsei standing on your left along with the the High Abbots. These Eight monks represent the spiritual guidance of the Empire at large for all that the samurai caste places the shugenja above the Brotherhood. The fact is that Spiritual Advisor of the Throne, Seppun Kiharu, is also the Grand Abbot, so the point seems moot.
To your right, stands your uncle, Kaneka, Shogun of the Imperial Legions, and the heads of the Imperial families. The witnesses to your ritual ascension to the Throne.
Twenty steps ahead of you are the Imperial Regalia, each item symbolizing a part of your duties as Emperor
The Sword of the Righteous Emperor, daisho of your father. Symbol of your duty to protect the Empire from without.
The Fan of the Oracles the gift of your grandmother. Symbol of your duty to protect the Empire from within.
The Mirror of the Heavens the last link to the old Hantei dynasty. Symbol of your duty to maintain the balance between the higher realms and your own.
These three sacred relics, are what legitimize you as ruler of the Emerald Empire. Without them, you could not sit on the steel throne.
You take your daisho off handing it to Kiharu, and walk forward, slowly moving into a kneeling position before you can kowtow, resting before the objects, as the windows in the roof open to let the sun shine into the throne room.
You stay like that for an hour waiting for Lord Sun to give his blessings, just as you will wait tonight for Lady Moon to give her blessings.
The feeling of your heart beats are the only thing keeping you company, as you continue to wait, uttering the ritualistic prayers meant to beseech the Heavens to bless your ascension and to grant you legitimacy.
Suddenly twin voices boom, one male, one female. You can feel warm light and cool light running up your outstretched hands to rest on your head into a strange sensation of both warm and cool at the same time.
"I YAKUMO, LORD OF THE SUN, WITNESS AND CONSENT TO YOUR ASCENSION TO THE IMPERIAL THRONE"
"I HITOMI, LADY OF THE MOON, WITNESS AND CONSENT TO YOUR ASCENSION TO THE IMPERIAL THRONE"
Mixing as one the voices continue, you've never been more terrified in your life really.
"THE HEAVENS BLESS YOU SCION OF THE TOTURI. RISE AS THE FOURTH OF THAT NAME!"
You can't really deny the most powerful Fortunes there are, you rise taking the Sword of the Righteous Emperor, and Wakizashi of the Toturi and placing it at your waist. Taking the Fan of the Oracles and placing it beside your chest. Finally holding the Mirror of the Heavens up to reflect the moon and sunlight back. Showing your acceptance of them forever.
The light disappears, and you walk to the Steel Throne and sit, the silence is deafening as you see your court at the far side.
Kaneka is the first to speak.
"HAIL THE NEW EMPEROR HAIL! LONG MAY THE TOTURI REIGN! HAIL TOTURI THE FOURTH!"
His shout is carried by the other witnesses. You still have to present yourself to the people, but you are now the Son of Heaven, Toturi the Fourth, and you shall never hear your birth name spoken in public again. Now you will be addressed as Mikado, Tenno, Heika, or another august title. But, you still remember your name, and when the time comes for you pass into the next world, they will remember that you were Toturi….
This quest will take place over a period of twenty in game years. In general each year represents between 3-4 updates and revolves around managing some event or crises. These events can be purely personal such as your heir turning out to actually not wanting to be the heir, all the way to 'Hell has invaded and the living envy the dead'.
With each event, you will be presented by your Imperial Council and other affiliates with solutions to the problem. These solutions will typically be organized into five themes based on the elements of the Emerald Empire. Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Void. There is no perfect solutions and even good ones come with the chance of failure.
In general:
Air options focus on diplomacy or subterfuge
Earth options focus on legal and Infrastructure based solutions
Fire options focus on military or inventive solutions
Water options focus on mercantile or medical solutions
Void focuses on magical or spiritual solutions.
This is why each option comes with costs, these costs are not gold or resources. Rather they are opportunity and opinion. All eyes in the Empire are on Toturi IV, and each clan will have a preferred solution to a problem. Choosing a solution they do not like will inevitably lessen their opinion of you. While choosing one they do like, will make them more positively inclined towards the Emperor. The measure of this like or dislike is covered more fully in the 'Clan Rating Section'
In addition to the associated costs, there's also the chance of failure. Once an option is picked, the QM rolls a number of d10s equal to the elemental rank of whichever elemental option was picked and the Associated Councillor Skill Rank. So picking an Air option would use the Air Elemental Rank and the Air Councillor's Skill rank.
These dice explode on roll of 10 and may explode any number of times, provided it continues to land on 10.
After the dice are rolled, a number of dice equal to the Elemental Rank is kept.
So as an example if Air=3 Skill=3. 6d10 is rolled= 7,1,4,3,8,6. The three highest dice are 7, 8 and 6 so those are kept, and the rest are discarded. Giving a final result of 21.
The result of this roll is then compared to the difficulty of the option proposed. (This is included in the initial presentation of the options) If the result meets or exceeds this difficulty then your choice worked. If it fails, well that means you have to try something else and deal with the fallout of your failure
Elemental Ranks are based on the Emperor who will slowly grow into the roll. Skill ranks are provided by the Councillors you choose.
However, these ranks are not static, pick one type of option over and over, and naturally the Empire gets better at using that form of problem solving. The number of choices needed to increase an elemental rank is equal to the elemental rank*4. This does not count pass or failures, only the number of choices made.
So in math
(4*Current Elemental Rank) of Elemental Options=Elemental Rank Upgrade
As a practical example
If the Fire Elemental Rank was 2. You would need 8 Fire Actions, to level the Fire Elemental Action to 3. To level it to 4 you would need 12 more fire actions, and so on.
Skill Ranks have a different growth curve. Like Elemental Ranks they grow by choosing an element that's associated with that Councillor. The formula for their growth, is 2*Current Skill Rank. However, only successful actions count towards their growth.
So in math
(2*Current Skill Rank) of Successful Elemental options=Skill Rank upgrade
As a Practical Example.
Air Councillor has a skill of 3. He (She) will need 6 successful Air actions to get a skill of 4. The Councillor will then need 8 successful Air actions to get a skill of 5.
Skills come with masteries, at rank 3, 5, and 7 a character will get the following masteries: +2k0/Free raise/+0k1. Characters apply their rank 3 mastery depending on the option being right for their trait. (Traits are small tags that differ counsellors for each other. In general they should be self explanatory.) Balanced characters gain a blanket +1k0 to their actions instead of 2k0.
Imperial Council
No man is an island, and the Emperor does not rule alone, but through a picked body of people who provide both information and challenges. They also contribute to the Element Rank of the Emperor. There are five main council positions, and three others that only come into play during certain crises. The main positions are all associated with a general element. These Positions are:
Emerald Champion:This councillor is in charge of the Law and the maintenance of the realm. Thus the associated Element for this position is (Earth)
Imperial Advisor: This councillor is in charge of the courts and managing the various political maneuverings of the Empire. Thus the associated element is (Air)
Jade Champion: This councillor is responsible for the spiritual health and well being of the Empire. Thus the associated element is (Void)
Imperial Treasurer: This councillor is responsible for ensuring taxation and money flows through the realm. Thus the associated element is (Water)
Shogun: This councillor commands the military might of the Empire, at the direction of the Emperor of course. Thus the associated element is (Fire)
While the Champion positions are typically chosen by tournament. (Meaning the QM will roll to decide who you get) The other positions are by appointment, and you will have options to choose from. These choices will have a general character outline, what elemental rank they benefit, and which Clans want them to have the position.
The Situational Positions are
Dowager Empress (Varies, typically Earth)
Empress (Varies, typically Water)
Kizoku (Spy Master) (Air)
Topaz Champion (Varies, typically Fire)
Imperial Heir (Varies, typically void)
Turquoise Champion (Air or Void)
Amethyst Champion (Air or Earth)
While these are important, (particular the Empresses and the Heir) They will substitute in only when an event warrants it. As before Champion positions are obtained by tournament, but you may choose the others. Although Imperial Heir will default to your nearest living blood relative until, such a time as you have multiple children.
Clan Ratings
This brings us to the Third major mechanic of the game. Clan ratings.
Clan Ratings are given to each clan and updated at the end of the year with the score card. This rating determines how much the Clan likes you or dislikes you. This scale goes from 0-100. With higher numbers being better. In general you can think of it like this
100: The best Emperor ever and we love him
90: The Emperor is truly benevolent towards us
80: The Emperor has been very good to us
70: The Emperor is a trusted ally of the clan
60: The Emperor is a decent friend
50: The Emperor is to be respected, no more no less.
40: The Emperor has ruled somewhat against what we like
30: The Emperor is not our friend, but not a hated enemy either
20: The Emperor is against us, this must be stopped.
10: The Emperor is our enemy
0: The Emperor has to be stopped
If the Clan rating goes to zero, it will do something drastic, although what that is varies from clan to clan, it is never positive for Toturi IV. There are certain things such as appointing a Clan Member to your Imperial Advisors, or arranging a marriage between the Toturi and a Clan that can hard lock a Clan Rating for a number of years. Meaning that until those years are up, that Clan will never have a Clan Rating lower than what it is hard locked to. However, breaking a marriage or firing an Advisor has the opposite effect. When making this choice, you will be told how long and to what rating the Clan is hard locked.
Foreign Power Mechanics
The wide world beyond the Emerald Empire will not stay silent forever. When it comes to the Imperial doorstep, it must be dealt with one way or another, the wish to go into isolation may be strong, but not always practical. With this mind, other Empires have three ratings.
Opinion Rating which works more or less along the same scale as that of the Clans (100 is good, 0 is bad)
Military Rating, a measure of military ability compared to the Emerald Empire.
Economic Rating, a measure of relative wealth compared to the Emerald Empire
This is along a five point scale Going from weakest to strongest
Pitiable: This Empire barely even has an economy or a military
Poor: This Empire is feeling cash strapped or has few armies, but it survives for now
Average: Neither especially better or worse compared to the Emerald Empire
Strong: Doing better than the Empire but not unbelievably so.
Incredible: Much stronger than the Emerald Empire in a very potent way.
Dynasty Mechanics
When I the QM call for a pregnancy roll, a player may then do the following:
Roll a d10. If you get a 9 or higher, a child is made. You gain a +1 bonus for each 3 month period you try to make a child. (So if you tried for a year to get a kid, by the end you'd have a +4 to the roll)
If you roll a 10, reroll, if it lands on another 10 its twins.
If a child is made roll another d10. Evens it's a boy, odds its a girl. (In the case of twins repeat this)
Shugenja potential will be rolled by me when your child is born.
Example
FunkEdgemaster sees my request for a roll
He rolls 1d10 and gets 9 (So one child)
He then rolls another 1d10 and gets 5 (Thus it's a girl)
FunkEdgemaster is then done rolling.
Second example
DanceMagicFlame sees my request for a roll, now the playerbase has been voted previously to try for a child but failed, so they currently have a +1 bonus
She rolls a 1d10 and gets 8, with the +1 that equals to 9 and that means that a pregnancy happens
She rolls another 1d10 and gets 4 (thus it's a boy)
DanceMagicFlame is done rolling
Third Example
WolfWindNinja sees my request for a roll. As before the playerbase has voted to try for a child
She rolls a d10 and gets 9, the +1 turns it into a 10
She then rolls another d10 and gets 10 again, this means you have twins on the way.
She then rolls a d10 for each child getting 2 and 8, so it's twin girls.
WolfWindNinja is done rolling
(Source Seung Chang Hong)
Tsuruchi Etsuko/ Favours: Reform
Earth Skill: 3
Personality: Originally a bounty hunter by trade. She was known as one of the best hunters in the northern half of the Empire with a startlingly ability to find anyone and the pin them to ground with a well placed barrage of arrows. Revealed as a skill warrior, she tends to follow the new forms of society believing that just as each spring brings renewal and change, so must each dynasty. An honest soul, her cheerful demeanor belies the fearsome reputation she has gained.
Shogun
Hida Ginchiyo
Fire Skill: 5 Favour: Defence
Personality: Born of a common Hida couple. Ginchiyo forced herself through the ranks on sheer drive and skill. Intensely focused and loyal, she has spent time training with the famed Kaiu and Akodo when it comes to defending ground. One of the early success stories of the Toturi Legion reforms. Ginchiyo is determined not only to repay the Toturi back but carve out the Shogun position for good.
Jade Champion Champion
Horiuchi Shem-Zhe
Void Skill 3. Favours: Reform
Personality, a quiet young man with a tremendous gift in the kami and true genius for blending the ways of Meishodo or name magic with the more traditional elemental magic. That said he has for several years served as Moto Chagatai's personal problem solver in matters regarding magic, and done well for himself. A pacifist at heart, he wishes to find a way to prevent more orphans in the Empire, while at the same time protecting everyone. To that end he has become a skilled shugenja and well versed in matters of theology and investigation.
Imperial Advisor
Doji Yuriko
Skill 4 Diplomacy
At twenty five summers, Yuriko is stepping into the role of Imperial Advisor largely on the strength of her mediation between the Phoenix, Crane and Scorpion a few years ago which drew the notice of Kitsuki Akane, who quietly recruited her into the Imperial Bureaucracy and set her a number of tasks, largely working to contain cracks in the Minor Clan Alliance to the benefit of the Empire as well as soothing tempers as the legion was expanded. While young she has a wealth of contacts and an infectious charm that sees her making inroads everywhere, her favourite tactic is to use art to draw people together. Preferring deflection and circumspection to blunt directness she is often taking advice on the best method going forward.
Imperial Treasurer
Yasuki Chitose
Skill 4: Growth
The young great grand niece of Yasuki Taka, Chitose graduated her gempukku a few years ago. And quickly found herself overseeing a large portion of Sundan Mizu province for the Yasuki by dint of her talent for finding other like herself who were young and eager to prove their worth and cultivating them. Through this she created a sophisticated network of villages and cities who would supply her and her lords well in the War of Stolen Fortresses, being the key reason that the Crab simply didn't stall out due to the loss of their main supply base. Talented she would duel another young prodigy in the Daidoji economically for several months.
A gifted people person who makes deep connections, it's known that she tends to favour a slow and steady approach to things.
Imperial Commissioner
Togashi Shiko Air 4, Balanced
It is rare for the Togashi to involve themselves in the political process of anything, rarer still for them to actually excel at it. Shiko despite her name appears to most as a very soft if perplexing woman who is fond of jokes and riddles, in many ways she is too open, too obvious for many to consider her a canny manipulator.
Which is perhaps why she is, as she smoothly but quietly worked in the background of the Foreign ministry overseeing a thousand minor details while ensuring that others could work to their utmost, it was she who first spotted the heresy, she who figured out that the Zanji had jade, and she who wrote the first tract against their faith. Always just out of sight, Shiko like many Togashi favours a balanced approach to the outsiders, it is folly to turn them completely away, it is equally folly to invite them in. She seems to have a particular fondness for the few remnants of the Yobanjin that survived Toturi Sezaru's Last Sacrifice
Otomo Kotaro
Air Skill 3
Favor: Balance
Young protege of the legendary Otomo daimyo, Hoketuhime. Kotaro has become a spy master in the Otomo, having adapted traditional Otomo methods to the new lack of resources, he is capable of both offensive spy operations and defensive. Although it is unrecorded for obvious reasons. Some suspect that he is the man behind the continued unrest that the Lion face within their own ranks, but nothing has been proven. What is known is that under his direction Toshi Ranbo has found itself cleansed of a number of conspiracies. From a personal level, he employs a cool but broad charm, always willing to endure an insult to repay it, and perhaps most importantly, is utterly loyal to the Imperial Throne.
Akodo Takeshi
Your younger brother and newly ascended champion of the Lion. While the bonds of family are strong indeed. Long training by the Matsu, Akodo, Ikoma and Kitsu have instilled the Akodo adage of 'Every Lion is my brother' quiet strongly.
Empress
Toturi no Matsu Kana
Skill 3 (Void)
The newly chosen Empress, Kana comes to throne several years after the deceased Empress Toturi Kaname. Dedicated to the Empire and her husband, the young woman seeks to make up with pure willpower and guts what she lacks in particular refinement. A gifted priestess of the kami she's known for using her gifts to help whoever needs it. Time will tell if she can begin to approach the place of the former Empress
Heir
Toturi Minoru, your daughter had originally intended to school at the famed Kakita Academy under the master artisan Doji Aoshi, currently best friends with another Doji and a precocious scamp. Having decided to fulfill a promise, she's currently in the mysterious Kawa forest with her friend learning from a Kenku instead, one wonders where she got her reckless behavior.
Daughter
Toturi Yuina, your second daughter and Ishiken, it almost seems like she knows you already some days. A sleepy teenager, her white hair has whispers of her great uncle's famed talent with the mystical void magic. She currently travels along the Southern Coasts and Isles of Silk and Spice. Considered a full Ishi now, she's not as powerful as the famed Sezaru, but far more stable.
Concubine
Shosuro Ayumi
Relationship: Love
Air 3
History: The granddaughter of exiles to the Burning Sands, Ayumi was trained in the courtly ways of the Bayushi and show exceptional skill for it at a young age. Melding this with the physical training of her birth family she became a potent and active force in a number of minor courts. When it came time for the Empire to move against the Burning Sands, she volunteered, going into the deserts to learn and collect information for the Empire. It was her skills that saw the discovery of the Golem Factory, and she now is offered again, a woman with exception abilities and understanding of the Burning Sands. For several years she served as Hisao's eyes and ears to the outside world. After a disastrous attack on the Imperial Advisor was framed on the Scorpion she prepared herself to die, when Hisao instead put all his faith and trust in her, Ayumi began in turn to fall for him. This she kept secret for several years until a sin sword compelled her to confess. In the aftermath she became the Emperor's first and so far only concubine.
The Twins: Kouya and Kaya
Your adorable twins toddlers by your Concubine Shosuro Ayumi.
While young, Kouya and Kaiya are a handful going by the noise they make. Very close to each other they're very athletic. Still quite young it remains to be seen who they'll grow into but it seems likely that they will be bushi of some sort.
Foreign Powers
Yodotai
Head of State: Leonid Heraclius
Envoy: Angelos Cyril
Opinion: 0 (At War)
Military: Impressive
Economy: Poor
Senpet
Head of State: Tiu CXXV
Envoy: Ahmes of Lurant
Opinion 40
Military: Average
Economy: Strong
Pelmyrians
Head of State: Tsar Vladimir the Iron Fisted
Envoy: Bogadana the Golden
Opinion: 40
Military: Average
Economy: Poor
Naga Tribes
Head of State: High Lord Qatol
Envoy: Dashmar the Ambassador
Opinion: 60
Military: Strong
Economy: Weak
Ivory Kingdoms
Head of State: Padishah Purugupta
Envoy: Kavita of House Zaman
Opinion 40
Military Power: Strong
Economic Power: Strong
Zanj
Head of State: Liberator Abenet Yessuf
Envoy: None
Opinion: 20
Military: Impressive
Economy: Average
Your name was...you suppose it did not matter now. You were Tenno, Heika the Mikado and Ruler of the Emerald Empire. Blessed by the Sun and the Moon themselves, you were meant for great things. While in your heart you would always be Hisao, the name your father gave you in hope you'd live up to it. You'd never had the heart to change it even with your gempukku. That didn't matter now, in time perhaps a favoured advisor or partner might utter your name again...but you did not think that likely. So best to get used to being called Tenno or Heika or whatever.
You look out from the Steel throne at your assembled vassals. In this room were the most powerful men and women in the Empire. At their command tens of thousands fought and died, at their command countless peasants lived and prayed, and naturally they all hate each other. Hida Kuon master of the Crab, legendary berserker who grew up fighting against all comers. Doji Domtai, the fierce lady of the Crane who was raised a warrior first but has embraced the Crane with all her heart. Togashi Satsu, enigmatic ruler of the Dragon, what he knows is much less important than how he says it. Ikoma Otemi, the reserved regent of the Lion, seeking to give the best to his young lord. Yoritomo Naizen a raging storm of power and ambition, being a Great Clan is not enough for him. Shiba Tsukimi, the compassionate warrior of the Phoenix who sought peace in a land that refused to grant it. Bayushi Paneki a cunning man who had wrestled with not one but two different conspiracies that spanned an Empire and came out the victor. Last but hardly least was Moto Chagatai the Khan of the Unicorn whose sheer will and courage had seen him carve out a place for the Unicorn in blood and sweat.
All of the were legends in their own way, and yet now they were to bow to you.
You are a fair hand at people, and find their hidden interests all too apparent.
In an over complex nexus of war, the Ikoma Otemi and Doji Domotai both regarded Togashi Satsu and Hida Kuon with distaste due to their ongoing wars with each other. Hida Kuon was half glaring at Bayushi Paneki and Domotai over his wars with both of them.
So right as you took the throne four of your vassals were already at war. While a truce might be called for your coronation, dealing with that will be among the first things on your agenda. While it might be enough just to tell Satsu to apologize for seemingly at random attacking the Crane, same for Paneki and his assassination attempts on Hida Kisada. The Third Yasuki War would prove your greatest challenge...at least you hope it is. What kind of madman hopes for a greater challenge than solving a near thousand year old feud?
Turning your gaze over to the rest of your vassals, you remember why you started with the simple ones first. Moto Chagatai and Yoritomo Naizen, Khan of the Unicorn and Champion of the Mantis, both looked at you with frustration, their burning ambition chafed at being commanded by a child. At least according to them. That you were blessed makes their frustration all the more palpable as it seems the Heavens themselves are telling the pair to fall in line.
Which left Shiba Tsukimi, Champion of the Phoenix as your only vassal that did not begin with a problem...naturally you expected the Elemental Council to somehow screw that up for her and you. That was after all the Phoenix way as Sensei used to tell you.
Hida Kuon grunts and is the first to advance to in front of the dais and kow-to before you, with far more respect than most would expect. But then, you are Crab too after a fashion.
"Mighty Tenno, I Hida Kuon, Champion of the Crab, pledge my Clan, my Honour to your service, what would you have me do?"
This is long established ritual, borrowed from the Hantei.
"Lord Hida Kuon, I see the strength of Hida-no-kami in you, I command you to defend our lands against the foulness of Jigokou, and to rule my people well."
"Thank you Tenno, it shall be as you command." Kuon says.
He gets up and retreats back to the others.
Completely unwilling to be upstaged by a Crab, Doji Domotai advances next. Her graceful movements a counterpoint to the rolling rock that is Hida Kuon. She too commits kow-tow. A distant part of you laments that she is married.
"Magnificent Heika, I Doji Domotai, Champion of the Crane, pledge my clan and my honour to your service, what would you have me do?"
"Lady Doji Domotai, I see the grace of Doji-no-kami in your form. I command you to use that grace for as my left hand and to rule my people well."
"Thank you Heika, it shall be as you command." she says.
Domotai raises and returns to the rest of the group still standing away from Kuon.
If Domotai was graceful, then Paneki is silken in his movements. What political calculation compelled him to go next, you are unsure.
He approaches, and making sure that no one but you can see him, he removes his mask and kowtows to you.
"Gracious Mikado, I Bayushi Paneki, Champion of the Scorpion, pledge my Clan, and my loyalty to your service. What is your command for me?"
"Lord Bayushi Paneki, I see the cunning of Bayushi-no-kami in your eyes. I command you to use that cunning as my underhand against all threats, and rule my people well"
"Your will is done Mikado" Paneki says, rising and placing his mask back on.
As he returns, you glance over the five remaining, you expect Chagatai and Naizen will be last to pledge fealty. However, will Tsukimi or...okay then it's Satsu.
Togashi Satsu approaches the throne and kowtows not once but three times.
"Wise Tenno, I am Togashi Satsu, Champion of the Dragon Clan, I pledge my clan and my honour to your service. What is your will?"
"Lord Togashi Satsu, I see the wisdom of Togashi-no-kami in your words. I command you to use that in pursuit of the truth, and wisdom."
Satsu openly breaks decorum by smiling at you before returning back to his place in the crowd. Did he intentionally decide to stand near Domotai? Hmm...might be more to that war than you thought.
Ikoma Otemi steps forward, walking with rigid precision as he kowtows.
"Righteous Tenno, I Ikoma Otemi, on behalf of my charge, pledge the Lion Clan and my self to your service. What is your command?"
Here the ritual shifts. While Otemi doubtless has some blood of Akodo-no-kami in him, he is not a Champion truly.
"Lord Ikoma Otemi, I accept your pledge and away the day when your charge is ready to present himself. I command you to take care of the Lion and your charge to the best of your ability."
"It will be done Tenno" Otemi intones.
Tsukimi steps forward next. Like Satsu she kowtows herself three times. While not the graceful movements of Domotai or Paneki, there is something...sincere in her movements, that you have not grasped in others.
"Holy Mikado, I Shiba Tsukimi, Champion of the Phoenix, bring the Pledge of the Elemental Council and myself to your service. The Phoenix is at your command, only speak the words." She says.
"Lady Shiba Tsukimi, the piety of Shiba-no-kami still shines in you today. I command you to seek the ways of Heaven and to rule over my people well. Let the Council know that I accept their pledge."
Tsukimi raises seemingly happier than anyone else to have you on the throne. Now why would that be? You have brought peace of course, but your brother could have done that too...more questions.
Your eyes turn to Chagatai and Naizen. They both seem to be preparing themselves. Their reluctance could be spun as a good and bad thing...but regardless you suspect both will be head aches in the future.
Chagatai steps forward, his strength tensing along his body as he kowtows himself to you.
"Khan of Khans, I Khan Moto Chagatai come before you to pledge the Unicorn and my own horse to your sevice. What is your command?"
You project as best you can.
"Khan Moto Chagatai, I accept your pledge, I see the strength of the desert in you. I command you to bring justice to the outside world as it is needed and to rule my people well."
"As the Khan of Khans commands" Chagatai says.
You have no reason to believe he is anything but sincere, and yet, you know that he had to fight hard with himself to put that out there, even with the blessings of the heavens. Father did not leave you a united Empire that is for sure.
Naizen doesn't quite sigh as he approaches and kowtows in the appropriate spot.
"Triumphant Heika, I Yoritomo Naizen, Champion of the Mantis Clan, pledge my clan and myself to your service. What order do you have for me?"
"Lord Yoritomo Naizen, the determination of Yoritomo-no-kami burns brightly in you. I order you to master the waves for me, and to rule my people well."
"As you wish Heika" He says.
You can all bit feel the relief coming off your uncle as Naizen retreats. The eight Champions kneel before you. Now ritual falls away and you must make your will for the Empire as a whole known, this is your first official decision of your reign, better make it a good one. Still you have thought of this and you will speak about...
[] The need to rebuild the courts and ensure that the ways of diplomacy again become the primary means by which the Empire solves its disputes (57% chance to succeed. +5 to Crane and Scorpion, -5 to Lion and Crab)
[] The need to rebuild the ruined infrastructure of the Empire. To repair not only the roads and other buildings, but also reinforce the laws and law keepers (85% chance to succeed. +5 to Phoenix and Scorpion. -5 to Unicorn and Mantis)
[] The need to rebuild the Imperial Legions so that when the next world shattering crisis occurs, your armies can meet it head on before anyone else suffers. (43% chance to succeed. +5 to Lion and Crab. -5 to Phoenix and Crane
[] The need to focus on ensuring that once again people and goods can move freely and grow without plagues or other disturbances. To once again have the realm prosper. (29% chance to succeed. +5 to Mantis and Crane. -5 to Scorpion and Dragon
[] The need to rebuild the connection of the people to the heavens. To purify ruined lands and construct new temples to the Fortunes. (29% Chance to succeed. +5 to Dragon and Phoenix. -5 Mantis and Lion)
The need to rebuild the Empire in both body and spirit. Your mother had spun tales of the Emerald Empire during thee era of the Hantei, of beautiful lands ordered by law and carefully managed by the wise hand of Samurai. Of how that was lost as the the wars both within and without consumed much of the land. Well not all of it, the Mantis and Unicorn had both bled blood and treasure, but their core lands had surprisingly come out of things relatively intact. You know that they will not care for your words, but so be it.
"Honoured Samurai, you represent my arms and will in the Empire. Thus it is to you first that I make my will known. The land and people have suffered from the machinations of enemies within and without our noble Empire. Towns have been destroyed, mines emptied, roads cut, and bandits escape justice. For too long have we fought amongst ourselves without remember that we are to protect as well as destroy. My father, my aunt, my grandfather, they all have given their lives so that the Empire might reclaim its true majesty and glory.
"However, before we can build a new Empire and show our Ancestors that we will live up to their legacy in full, the foundations must be solid as a mountain. Thus I charge you as you return home to your lands, to focus on creating those foundations. Rebuild the old towns and castles that have been lost to time, redrawn the roads that once united us into one people, and end the lawless brigands who try to hide from your justice by running into lands forgotten by us. Will you heed my charge?"
There's no real choice for them to echo with a singular.
"Yes Mikado, your will be done."
But while they all said it, you can already tell that Chagatai and Naizen are both entirely impatient with this. To them you just showed a weakness that they will exploit, a naive youth manipulated no doubt by his mother.
So be it, you will do what is best for the Empire, not their precious opinion.
"Now then, let us retire until tomorrows evening celebrations in the Imperial Gardens. You may have free run of my palace of course."
"Thank you Tenno" They said and filed out of the throne room.
You let yourself relax just a fraction, the only one left in the room is your uncle and of course the Seppun Guards.
Kaneka kowtows to you.
"I too pledge my life and honour in service to you mighty Mikado, let be your Shogun and strike down your enemies."
"Of course Lord Kaneka, may you serve me as valiantly as you served my father." You say quickly.
"As you will my Emperor." He responds ritualistically.
There's an empty silence in the throne room. The man before you is a bastard, but he is a well liked bastard, and there is a time that he wanted your throne. However, he is family after a fashion, and who else can you trust? You decide to let him speak somewhat freely.
"Rise Lord Kaneka, and give me your counsel."
"Gladly." He says rising up. "You did pretty well, you've marked Lord Yoritomo and Khan Moto I assume"
"Of course."
Kaneka gives a wry smile
"Just as cunning as your father aren't you?"
"I try" you say.
He nods and says.
"While you have tonight and tomorrow to prepare. I would recommend preparing at least one announcement for the celebration. Ordinarily your ascension is enough, but you moved up the time table on that"
You nod.
Kaneka takes a deep breath.
"I would choose either to announce someone to fill one of the empty seats on your Imperial Council, or that you have begun preparations to search for a bride."
You choke a little at that. Bride, you were unmarried it was true, your father reasoned that on your ascension you may need a different marriage to satisfy the Clans than he did at the traditional time of betrothal. Thus he wanted to give you a choice in the matter, how much of this was influenced by your mother, you couldn't say. A bride? You've never even held hands with a girl, now marriage?
However, your ordered mind relentless grinds forward. The Toturi are thin on the ground indeed. Only yourself, your brother, and arguably your uncle Isawa Sezaru could lay claim to it. To have an heir was only a natural priority.
Still you could put it off at least for a little while. The positions of Imperial Advisor and Imperial Treasure however were fairly crucial to the effective governance of the Empire...but that also could last at least a few months.
"Which would you recommend?" You ask.
Kaneka shifts slightly in thought.
"If I had my way, we'd begin with you looking for a wife. It's not really fair of me, but I'd like to have the line secured. However in terms of regaining influence with the Clans. The Mantis, Crab and Crane are all naturally going to compete for the position of Imperial Treasurer. The Unicorn normally would, but Khan Chagatai has no interest in that. While the Scorpion, Dragon, Phoenix, and of course Crane will want to have the position of Imperial Advisor. "
You weight that in your mind.
"So you would say that announcing an Imperial Treasure would be the best then?"
"That depends on your will my Emperor. If you seek to return the Mantis to the fold and further isolate the Unicorn, then yes. If you wish to find another method to return those two to good standing, then now. The Imperial Advisor should be picked first."
You drum your fingers against the arm rest, noticing that there are already slight indents in the steel. How often had your father faced this sort of decision? Too often, no doubt.
If you appoint an Imperial Treasurer, then the Mantis are almost certain to get it, politically you couldn't afford to do anything else...but then they would be quiet for a time. On the other hand the Imperial Advisor wasn't something that would help or hinder your relations with the Mantis...while your bride would of course be a free for all.
You look at Kaneka and say.
[] "We will announce a new Imperial Treasurer at the celebration. Have Kasuga-san prepare some dossiers"
[] "We will announce a new Imperial Advisor at the celebration. Have Kasuga-san prepare some dossiers."
[] "We will announce that I have asked my mother to seek me a bride at the celebration. Have my mother speak to me on what sort of woman is suitable."
[] Some other announcement (Write in. Note, some write-ins might be disallowed as inappropriate to the setting)
You weigh the question in your mind. Ultimately though its a near run thing between throwing a sop to the Mantis, and getting a bride...you decide that you will give Kaneka what he wants. That you, a red blooded seventeen year old male get to look at a lot of very attractive women, has absolutely no bearing on this decision. None what so ever.
"We will announce that I have asked my mother to seek a bride for me at the celebration. Please have my mother speak to me on what sort of woman is suitable."
Kaneka doesn't quite cough, but does make a noise of wariness.
"As you wish Emperor. I would remind you that your mother...has a very distinct way of seeing things, while it is of course her right to arrange for your bride, I would hope that you allow other points of view in the discussion." He says.
You blink, taking the criticism for what it is. Your mother is blunt, and honest, and will essentially steam roll through anyone if she thinks her way is right, and she often does. No doubt she has already planned in depth for what sort of Bride you should have, from whom and when.
"I will of course maintain my right to have final say Lord Kaneka of that you may have no doubt."
"Thank you my Emperor, shall I tell her to meet you in the Imperial Gardens at the Hour of the Goat?"
So that will give you about four hours to prepare for your mother...almost enough time.
"Yes" you say.
With that Kaneka bows to the floor again and departs, leaving you alone with your Seppun Guards. The ceremony to invoke your ascension was supposed to take all day. However when the Sun and the Moon declare you Emperor you don't argue.
Still, that does leave you with some time to fill, you aren't supposed to receive your court in full until tomorrow. You rise from the Throne, likely this is going to be the last bit of free time you have for a while, so you'll spend it doing something you genuinely love to do. [] Painting
[] Playing a Musical Instrument
[] Ikebana
[] Sculpting
[] Sword Practice
[] Martial Arts [] Reading
[] Divination
Hours pass, and you feel like you barely started. Guess that's what happens when you manage to achieve Zanshin even for a little while. Looking to the side, a small lunch has been prepared for you and you vaguely recall a pretty serving girl bringing it out sometime ago. Cleaning yourself up you go over to eat the food, taking out the chopsticks as you do so.
One of the perks of being Emperor? You get the best sushi. You get the best everything really...which in a round about way brings you back to the question of your wife. Whoever she is, she'll have to be politically viable, as well as a host of other things. Can you like her though? Well that is the question isn't it? Love is not in the cards. If Benten-no-kami wants it, it will happen, but marriage isn't about love. If you want love, you can hire a geisha like your grandfather did.
Meal finished you make your way over to the Imperial Gardens. While not anywhere near the old gardens of Otosan Ochi or Doji's Gardens. They're still lush with greenery, even during the cold months and arranged so that one could spend days here without ever quite managing to see it all.
Naturally your mother is waiting for you right at the entrance. Somewhat shorter than most Crab, her frame belies the immense strength and sturdiness that you've seen her use. Albeit, that was one a certain Sensei decided to tease her...ah memories. However, even now you know that she's considered by many to be a fine woman. A part of you dreads the requests for her hand in a year.
She bows.
"Hello my Emperor."
You don't bow back, it would be improper to do so.
"Hello Mother, want to get straight to business then?" You ask.
"Just so, if my Emperor will walk with me into the gardens?" She asks.
You sigh, that was an order not a request. It seems even grown up, your mother still sees you as a child. Such is life you suppose. At least she's still willing to talk to you. There are stories of some Hantei never speaking to their mother again after they were crowned. The mother found it too improper.
Walking beside her, you see your guardsmen disappear. You know from your other senses that they are still watching, ready to give their lives for you. A part of you idly wonders if they ever stop watching....best not to think about that.
"I am glad to see that you are taking your dynastic responsibilities seriously. It will do Daio good to have some nephews and nieces counting on him." She says.
Nephews and nieces?
"Mother, how many children do you expect me to have?"
"Oh at least six" she says, without breaking her stride.
"At least six." You say with a faint sort of horror.
As if not noticing your discomfort she continues
"Well maybe only two on your wife, but concubines can make up the difference"
"Concubines? My father never had concubines, my grandfather never had concubines. Why would I have concubines?"
"Your father, should have had them, he refused because he did not trust anyone into his bed after the incident with Otomo Hokutehime "
You don't frown, but you do acknowledge the point with a nod of your head. You never did find out what happened there, no one knew accept them. Whatever it was, it had permanently soured things between them. Last you heard the Otomo Daimyo had retired early to become a Nun of Nagriko-to
Still, did you want concubines? There were arguments for it, it wasn't like they would have a bad life in the palace...and the Toturi line was thin. On the other hand defying your father and granfather's example sat ill with you.
"Mother let us talk about my wife, I do not want to hear this talk of concubines again." You say.
If the need for concubines arises because you lack heirs in the future, you will deal with it then.
Your mother doesn't say anything for moment, clearly trying to figure out how to say you're being a stubborn child without committing lèse majesté. Finally she gives up and walks forward.
"Very well. Then we shall go over the kinds of wives that I can plausibly ask for."
You stop at a small pond and wait for her to speak.
"Naturally I can ask for you to receive an equal in the courts. Who will assist you in the Ways of Air as your sensei called it. No doubt she will make sure that your endeavour succeeds so long as she is loyal. In truth though your skill with words is enough that I do not believe you need this"
Mother draws another breath.
"I could also ask for a priestess, such as your Grandfather had, albeit not an Oracle this time. I think we learned our lesson there. Such a woman would no doubt help you be more pious and ensure that the Heavens bless your actions towards them...although you may not want a woman who can command the elements themselves to decide she does not like you. I would be wary of this, we cannot afford another Isawa Sezaru-san."
You wince that was unkind, but on the other hand. Your uncle had a history of mental instability...so you couldn't blame her for the words, even if they were cruel. Another Toturi deciding to go 'Fuck this place in particular' and make it not exist...well it would harm the dynasty,
"My own preference is for a woman of skill and talent at war. You are a fine son, and I know that you are talented at fighting, but it is not your first, best talent. Having one at your side that can fight and protect you would make me a happier woman."
A breath from you as you considered that. True, you had learned the arts of sword, spear and bow, but she was right in that you had always preferred the Courts to the field of battle. Although you considered both worthy endeavours. You file that away and motion for her to carry on.
"Outside of those options, you of course could search for woman like me...one skilled at building and managing lands into making more and more. It would be indication that you have a certain type but that's necessarily a bad thing. Such a woman would ensure your plan to rebuild the Empire would go better."
Your mother shrugs.
"Last but least in my opinion is that you could seek out a wife that assists you on matter of trade, and the lower classes, to make the Empire's population better through her wisdom...but I would not do this."
[] "I would like a woman who can help me in the courts" [] "I would like a woman who can help me with the Heavens and the Kami" [] "I would like a woman who can fight at my side and for me." [] "I would like a woman who can administrate and build like I can." [] "I would like a woman who can help with trade and the heimen."
You think for a long moment weighing the various options. You dismiss the idea of a wife like you almost immediately, while one for the people lingers, but in the end the choice for you comes down to a priestess or a bushi. There is a strong argument for a priestess, you are ultimately a worldly sort when you get down to it. Sensei made sure you understood the Fortunes, the Kami and the Nine Realms, but that had never been your passion, your joy...and your grandmother's mirror makes a very good point as to why that's important.
Ultimately though, it is your mother's words that motivate you most, to have a wife that can fight at your side, and defend herself, that would be worth its weight in Jade when it came to your piece of mind. While you did not expect to love your wife, you did not hold her any ill will either, and having her killed to get to you, would weigh on your conscience.
"I would like a woman who can fight by my side and for me, mother" You say at last.
Your mother smiles. "I will begin looking at once for an appropriate bride. The marriage would be most suitable during the autumn going by your birth date. So you will have to make an announcement of which wife has been chosen for you by the start of summer. The Grand Tournament would be ideal."
Grand? Oh She expects you to hold the tournament to determine your new Emerald and Jade Champions together. To a degree that makes sense, but you aren't sure about that. While it would be more frugal, half the point of a tournament is to make a spectacle to make the Empire feel great. You'll ask Kaneka first.
"Well mother, I'm not sure whether we will have one or two tournaments, but I will take your wisdom under advisement."
She frowns.
"You wish to answer sooner then that." She says simply.
You sigh a little, she always did know how to read her own work.
You explain simply.
"I cannot delay the decision on who my Imperial Advisor and Imperial Treasurer is until the summer. Yet my marriage announcement is meant to reassure people, how can that happen when it seems their Emperor is refusing to appoint his council until he has a 'hot babe' as Itsume-sensei described it."
Mother frowns for a moment.
"...I will have words with that Kenku...but I take your meaning. Then the Festival of Musubi-no-kami, that would also have the effect of invoking the Fortune of Marriage to bless things, not a bad idea neh?"
You allow a ghost of a smile on your face.
"No it would not be a bad thing."
"Then by your leave my Emperor?" She asks.
"Hai mother." You say.
She bows, and leaves you in the garden alone.
You sleep surprisingly well that night, and you turn out to need it as the next day starts just as early as the one previous. With you beginning your official duties in full. How Toshi Ranbo manages to have a thousand shrines in it's relatively narrow walls you will never know. Yet, you visited all of them , prayed at all of them, and spoke to each head monk or nun. Countless names and faces blurred together, even as you tried to remember as many as you could.
The morning spent, your afternoon found you again in the Imperial Throne Room, receiving every member of the Imperial families and swearing them to your own family. Then came the Minor Clan Daimyo, small but proud, they too swore to your service, although in the grand scheme of things they are somewhat minor.
Your body aches with fatigue as you put on yet another outfit to go out into Toshi Ranbo again. The finale of your first 'official day' as Emperor and to ring in the new year, is to lead a grand parade towards a cleared out promenade and then have a simply enormous party for literally everyone in the Toshi Ranbo.
The parade does not go according to plan, you find yourself delayed for an hour. When you ask why, you find yourself grimacing....apparently somehow, Shahai the Dark Daughter of Fu Leng and Bride of Daigotsu had somehow managed to attack the city. A minor cult had tried to summon an oni to destroy you. It had been stopped by members of the Tessen Otodakate, but the Seppun wanted to make sure everything was safe.
It was not only threats within that threatened your Empire, you would need to call council on this but tomorrow. For now...you had a parade to lead.
The parade goes through without any fanfare, the earlier panic soon washed away by the sense of joy from your coronation. The free food and sake did not hurt you were sure. A part of you wonders if the teeming masses are really happy to see you take the throne...or are just looking for a reason to celebrate.
You push the thoughts away as you settle in for the feast. You sit at one end of a low table alone, only someone you especially favour, or your wife would be allowed to sit beside you. However, down the table the other Clan Champions are seated largely at random, a tradition from your father, to avoid the appearance of bias, the order of who sits where is decided by a draw lot, after deciding the group who could sit at the same table as you naturally.
Thus you find yourself sitting with Doji Domotai and Hida Kuon....the two do not like each other at all. Yet, they're willing to push that aside for the occasion. You hope they can keep that up as you make your speech.
At this point, you've been awake for hmm you'd guess eight hours? Regardless, you manage to power through a prepared speech. (One you prepared before this all happened...you need to get an Imperial Advisor to do this for you at some point, or at least a secretary) Its filled with the usual niceties about how proud and happy you are, how honourable everyone is, yadda yadda. You haven't had tea since noon you are allowed to be a little surly. In the end you add on one small thunderbolt to the conversation.
"...it is my hope that next year, when I sit before you all to see the start of the new year. I will be sitting with my wife. My mother is of course making sure the nakado get everything exactly right, even now, although I know not what bride they will find for me. I am sure she will be lovely. Now, itadakimasu!"
Almost mechanically everyone begins to eat. You feel a little more relaxed to see it went over well. Still, you do note that you are being watched like a fox watches a chicken...the hunt is no doubt on. Seems your gamble was successful...still you feel like someone is watching you much more intently than anyone else, but looking around, you do not spot anything out of the ordinary. Must have been nothing...no it was something...this is going to ruin your mood. Clearly the solution is more sake.
------------------------------------------------------
12th day of the Dragon, Year 1 of your reign.
You crack your neck as you look up from the paperwork you'd been working on. It had been a little over a month and half since your coronation party and you became Emperor. Since then, you had thrown yourself into work with the stubbornness of both your parents. However, even if you could fill in for everyone on the Council, you know you are missing things...but one thing a time. The early reports on the rebuilding process are good. Supplies for construction are being laid, and it seems the bushi in your Empire are having a grand old time hunting out bandits.
Still as the sun edges towards evening, you do wish that you had more time to train in your martial arts. The simple pleasures of punching a board into bits had been lost to you...such is life as the Emperor.
"The Dowager Empress, wishes to present herself oh Mikado!" Miya Kanasuke calls out.
Miya Kanasuke had quietly inserted himself as something of a gopher for you, slash personal herald. You could have done with out him, but it was still nice to have someone else to send all over the Imperial for some scroll or another.
"Send her in Miya-san." You say.
"At once my Emperor." He responds.
You push aside your paperwork, and wait for your mother to come with some new complaint about the venerable Otomo Kasumi. The Nakado had been...remarkably patient, considering that your mother nitpicked everything she did. Should probably give her an increased stipend or something.
Your mother comes in with a number of papers and portraits.
"It is time my Emperor."
"Time?"
"For you to choose your bride...I have been informed...that for the best results, I can offer no guidance..." You could have sworn your heard mother's teeth grinding.
"I see" You say quickly. "I assume the papers are reports on them and the portraits of them?"
"Hai, Otomo-san has picked at least one candidate from each of the Great Clans, along with one from the Imperial Families." Your mother says.
"I will review them and send word when I make a choice mother. Could you ask Miya-san to bring me more tea?" You ask.
"Hai, my Emperor." Your mother hands over the portraits and the reports.
She bows and then walks out, a little while later, Kanasuke gives you some green tea and you settle into read...whoever you choose will have consequences.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So before getting to the vote. You need to know the following. A wife will prevent her clan from having a lower opinion of you than 40 for two years, 30 for another year, 20 for another year. After four years opinion changes return to normal. However, every clan that is not chosen will feel somewhat disgruntled, and thus have a penalty of -5 to their clan rating.
-------------------- I thought for sometime my Emperor on how to present these to you, in essence I will go alphabetically and hope you receive them in that order. Any of these woman would make a fine Empress, and provide you several heirs. At present I do have preferences, but because of my devotion to Musubi-no-kami, I will seek a match that will make you happy as well as fulfil your duties. Thus I ask you to select one of these women so we may begin negotiations. I have written a short biography for each of them..
-Your Servant Otomo Kasumi
Character Profiles
Hida Eijiko
Hida Eikijo is a beautiful wild flower as they say. Others would call her Hida O-Ushi reborn. That is both true and untrue. Her military service is exemplary even if it is against the South. In terms of descent, she is Kuge being born to Hida Tsubei, daimyo of Garanto province. According to their family history they descend from the third son of Osano-wo no kami. If you desire a simple warrior, there would be few better. No matter who your foe is, she will not stop until they are destroyed. Yet, a simple warrior is all she is, quick to anger and quick to forgive, she is happiest in the field. I think she would serve well enough in the courts, she knows how, but it would never be her first love. Some would say that she is slow, but I would instead suggest she is wise enough to know her limits. How valuable that is to you I cannot say.
Kakita Ayane
It is said that silk covering steel is an ideal wife. In many ways Kakita Ayane embraces that, tracing descent from Kakita through his grandson, she is the daughter of Lady Kakita Miyako, ruler of Nanhan province. Although not the most beautiful woman that that Crane have ever produced, she is still a head turner, many thought that she would embrace the path of the Doji as the second daughter. However when her sister was injured during and ultimately minor skirmish with the Lion before the alliance, Ayane turned away from the courts to become a maiden of war. Something which she excelled at with an unlooked for ability. That ability however has come with a price, while she will undoubtedly do her duty to you, and be the most demure, most honourable wife you could ask for, she is unlikely to ever truly warm to you. She seeks to be the best, to be perfect above all else, and will dedicate her considerable talent to that. Yet, it may be that you need a wife beyond reproach, and she will be that.
Mirumoto Nanami
Where to begin with this one? While she is of course kuge by birth. Her family was amongst those who defected to the Phoenix nearly forty years ago. Thus most of her family lands were confiscated. Where some might be angry or resentful of this. Mirumoto-san decided that she would get it back, and has dedicated herself to this task with alacrity. As such she moved up through the ranks of the Dragon armies quickly being now considered a chui in their ranks. Considering that she was a mere hohei before the War of Silk and Steel, this speaks to her impressive drive and talent for warfare. However, while she is more than willing to do her duty, and perpetually cheerful, what is behind that cheerfulness is cause for wonder. While perhaps not the greatest warrior in this selection, she is capable and personable...within the confines of a military. Perhaps more telling is that while she is somewhat versed in the Tao, she is not as likely to use it for all things as other Dragon do.
Ikoma Motoko
I honestly expected that a Matsu would come through. Not to deingrate the Ikoma of course, but the Matsu samurai are famed for a reason. Regardless Ikoma-san comes well regarded, the tenth daughter of Ikoma Chiriku lord of Gisei province she could have in theory been anything. She chose the rather unusual path for an Ikoma to become a spear woman without peer. She mader her mark first in the war of Rich Frog, killing several Utaku Battlemaidens in single combat. Since then she has served well in whatever capacity that she has been assigned. While perhaps not quite as skilled in the courts as the Scorpion or Crane candidates, she can handle herself well, and make a very good speech. From my understanding, she doesn't quite know how to feel about this, it is a great honour of course, but she seems hesitant for some reason. No doubt she never expected an honour this high given her birth order. That said she would like the others be quite happy to be Empress, and do her duty to the best of her ability.
Yoritomo Ikumi
I admit, I do not know where they were hiding away this one. Yoritomo Ikumi has not yet made a name for herself...but that is largely because, she seems to be forbidden from joining the kobune crews like most Samurai. Bereft of that traditional past time, she went to the Moshi and served as a guard for them for a few years. Of note is that she has won several tournaments...her claim to kuge is somewhat weak, being reportedly descended from Yoritomo-no-kami's great uncle. However it is not enough to hold that against her. A gifted warrior, who yearns to see the world, she seems entranced with the idea of being empress. That said, she is considered a model Samurai by Mantis standards, take that as you will. I do wonder if her curiosity for foreign things is not a double edged sword though...
Shiba Kaname
Arguably the most beautiful woman on this list. Shiba-san is an odd woman, born with with an innate gifting towards weapons of all sorts, it was still self evident that she would be beautiful indeed. I am told her family struggled with decision of her schooling for quite some time before deciding she should be a bushi. That she was found beating up her seniors with a stick may have had something to do with it. The second daughter of Shiba Dosan, she is only barely Kuge as her family has only held Nejiro province for a mere three generations. However her noticeable ability and features made her the strongest candidate the Phoenix sent. Possessed of a strong sense of justice, and piety, she will undoubtedly wish you to pay attention to both...but that is not such a bad thing is it? Although she does seem to be as rigid as steel once convinced of her justice. She has chosen the somewhat unique Goemon-no-kami to pay particular reverence to. In terms of capability, she is indeed a strong warrior perhaps the only woman in the north who could challenge Ikoma-san with her spear, albeit with the naginata. Some what naive in the courtly realms despite her beauty, it is likely that she will rely on you heavily to guide her, but grow to support you in time.
Bayushi Hoshi
This one is a little different. While most of the Scorpion candidates begrudgingly removed their masks for the portrait when requested. Bayushi-san is the only one who did so without question. The niece of Bayushi Kambei, lord of Hizoku province, she may well have been heir before we came along. She is considered a prodigy of the Bayushi ryu and has made something of a habit of fighting Hida bushi field commanders at every opportunity. However it seems that she has missed her calling as it is in politics where she truly shines, at any court she goes to, she ends up de facto the advisor to the daimyo, if not the de jure one. While not Bayushi Kachiko-shiryo reborn, she is potent. However, she seems to be something of a cipher, what her true goals are beyond serving you and the Empire...I cannot say. I believe her loyal to you, but what she wants as Empress, eludes me.
Shinjo Rena
The mighty have fallen, but they may rise again. The cousin of Shinjo Shono, the old daimyo of the Shinjo family. Shinjo Rena-san's family was once in the halls of power amongst the Unicorn, only to be cast out when Shinjo-no-kami raised the Moto up. However, it seems that there are no hard feelings between the Moto and the Shinjo, as the Moto refused to give a candidate saying that none could compete with Rena. Like Ikoma-san she fought in the War of the Rich Frog, it's not reported if she met Ikoma-san there. Although her career has comfortably risen her to the rank of Gunso, it seems to be more from lack of motivation that she rises no harder than actual lack of ability. While of course thrilled to be one of the candidates, she is very humble, almost too humble...but perhaps she worries you'll hold the actions of her ancestors against her. While not the strongest warrior, or politician, she has shown considerable promise in both, managing to turn a Winter Court against the Crane in Kyuden Ikoma, and fight off several members of the Lion's Pride.
So there are the candidates.
[] Hida Eijiko
[] Kakita Ayane
[] Mirumoto Nanami
[] Ikoma Motoko
[] Yoritomo Hana
[] Shiba Kaname
[] Bayushi Hoshi
[] Shinjo Rena
Try to keep it civil.
AN: You have no idea how hard it was to find artwork that would be appropriate in universe.
Reading through the profiles, and looking at the portraits, you find yourself wondering about the choices of some of them. Did the Dragon truly have no one better? or the Crab? A small suspicious part of your mind constructs an easy enough scenario for the latter. Your nakado wishing to make sure that you don't again choose one of the Crab. The former though...no clearly you're being paranoid.
You mentally begin crossing off the other candidates. Some with regret like Yoritomo Ikumi who would have solved your whole Mantis Problem immediately, others with barely a second thought. In the end you find your mind your trying to choose between Shinjo Rena and Shiba Kaname. A study in contrasts in many ways. Shinjo Rena is...safe, competent enough to be an asset, but seemingly lacking the motivation to become a hindrance. While Shiba Kaname is the opposite. A neophyte that would need your help...but also one with the will to act on her strong convictions and faith, she could cause problems for you.
So do you play a conservative hand, or do you gamble that Kaname has the ability to grow into a great Empress? It was a choice that could set a dynasty forward, or see it call crumbling down, and it was one you found yourself wrestling with over, and over.
Fortunes you wished that you had more time to prepare, to learn, to live, before having this weight crush down on you. Whatever you may wish your fate is what it is which means its up to you to make a choice. For a brief moment you consider practising divination to choose...but dismiss it out of hand. A pious Emperor could be a great boon, but one that could not make a simple decision about his life was worthless...and you were never that pious anyways.
Which is why you need a wife who is pious, now don't you? So the answer then is Shiba Kaname. If asked whether her portrait persuaded you, you will deny that until the day you die. Pushing aside that thought you set about gathering up the papers and the portraits. With that done you look out the window....its nearly the end of day, did you really spend two hours trying to figure this out?
Maybe it was time to go to bed and sleep...you'll tell Otomo-san your choice in the morning. Idly you wondered what Shiba Kaname was up to.
------------------------------------------------------
24th Day of the Serpent Year 1 of your reign.
The Festival of Musubi-no-kami was a mere four days away. It was absolutely time to meet your bride to be. So, why were you having trouble fidgeting forward? It's just a girl. Alright a beautiful girl that you will spend the rest of your life as a Samurai with, but still. Stop fidgeting Hisao!
With that refrain in your mind, you stop playing with the tea leaves in your cup and put it down.
Deep breaths, deep breaths. You are the Emperor of Rokugan, not some love sick air head of a Doji.
"My Emperor. Shiba Kaname-sama, is here to present her self." Miya Kanasuke announces.
"Send her in Miya-san." You say your voice strong and firm.
Thank Sensei that those speaking lessons stuck.
"As you command."
You wait there for a moment before the door opens, and a woman walks in. You're not quite struck dumb by the sight of her...but its a near thing. Long hair, deep eyes, fine almost sculpted features, oh yes you could see why she was renowned as a beauty. For a moment, you want nothing more than to be a dumb young Samurai to try and impress her, to make her want you, Hisao, not Toturi IV.
The thought is pushed away a brief moment after it happens. The image of her brown eyes shining in the moonlight as she confesses her love for you? Was a weakness, and above all else, an Emperor may not be week....but it was tempting, so tempting.
"My Emperor, may I present myself to you?" She asks, her voice firm yet very soft.
"Hai." You say.
Kaname moves through the room with a serene grace born of practised movements. You were not a true warrior, although you had training in that as well. You could tell that she was a hawk masquerading as a dove.
Bowing her head low to the floor, she kow tows three times.
"I am Shiba Kaname...daughter of Shiba Dosan and servant of Shiba Tsukimi-Ue, I hope I please you my Emperor."
You manage to move through the motions.
"I greet you Shiba Kaname-san as a servant of the Empire, your service does please me."
"Thank you for your high praise my Emperor. I am but a simple woman doing her duty."
The ritual over, an awkward silence falls over the air. Neither of you quite sure what to say to the other.
For your part, you feel like you should at least...talk to her, ask her about herself, or something. Should there not be more to this marriage than a brief meeting? How to talk to people it was second nature to you, or it usually was. Yet, here it came up a little short. Was it simply because for once you were being a young man first and Emperor second? Or was it because you genuinely had no idea what to say?
You had to say something, what you did to break this silence, would set the tone for your whole relationship. So come on Hisao think, think...you at least wanted to be friends right? Okay...she's nervous, determined, and...judging you? What? Not even on your appearance, that would make sense, no she's judging you as a person...right away? Yes you definitely have to say something, or this woman is going to base her opinion on you, entirely on the fact that you ogled her a little before going through the ritual motions
[] Write In
(AN)
(Meta this write is for two purposes, to establish the tone of Hisao and Kaname's relationships, and for you to have a bit of input into his personality)
Breathe, you tell yourself.
In....out...you are Hisao, you are a Samurai, a young man that in another life would love to punch things until they became different things. However, in this life you are the Emperor of Rokugan, and that means you have options, and know what you are.
So bereft of a sudden surge of insight in how to talk to girls. (You will have to write to Itsume-sensei and request he teach your brother that) You fall back on to instinct and habit.
"Shiba-san, I find that the air in here is somewhat languid, I intend to go to the gardens to enjoy the flowers as they begin to bloom. If you wish to continue our conversation, it would please me for you to join." You say.
Kaname looks up, bright eyes blinking rapidly as she processes your polite command.
"Hai!"
You stand and begin to move through the palace to the gardens. You sense more than see your ever present guards shift their movements to give you the illusion of privacy, even if there was none. Ah to be the most powerful man in the Empire, and yet have no control over the ability to talk to a pretty young woman alone.
The kaleidoscope of colours that covers the garden provides a marked contrast to the winter of only a few months before. Alas for your future biographers, you did not think to set this meeting during the week of flower viewing over a month ago now, so in defiance of proper literary convention there are not cherry blossoms everywhere.
Eh, they'll probably just add them in anyways. Having compared the real history of the Empire to the official version, you'll never quite trust the normal histories again. You understood why they had to censor one of the Emperor's doing that with a goat...but...focus Hisao
Turning around you watch Kaname take everything in, as if she's never seen so many flowers in one place. Which...might be true actually.
"It is impressive is it not Shiba-san?" You ask.
"Hai...Shiro Hemijin has nothing like this...gomen my Emperor, surely you have more things to do than to watch me."
"No, I set this time aside to meet you Shiba-san given the circumstances. Forgive me for not asking how your journey was."
"Of course Mikado. The journey was fine, a little slow because of the procession." Kaname admits.
You nod in understanding. The Phoenix were most eager to let everyone know that you had chosen one of them to marry. Ah politics...you'd need to make a shrine or something to mark the occasion. You add that to your mental check list.
"Well it is natural that Shiba-san would want to show you off."
"Is it?" Kaname asks with seeming sincerity. "I have after all done no great deeds."
Well there was a hit to the old ego.
"I imagine that most would consider an Imperial Marriage of some worth." You say dryly.
Her eyes widen as she realizes what she inadvertently said.
"Ah!" She panics a little, kowtowing on the spot.
"I did not mean that it was not worth it...only that I have yet to shown that I am heroine worthy of such a procession, even if you honour me so my Mikado...forgive this one her foolish mistake!" She says.
You blink, that was not quite what you expected. You had wanted to just give a little fire to her own barb...but she truly hadn't meant anything. Otomo-san had told you she was naive, but you didn't think she'd be quite this...earnest.
"Please Shiba-san, rise, you are forgiven." You say after a moment.
"Thank you benevolent Mikado." She says rising.
Her cheeks are still red from embarrassment. You idly note, waiting for her to calm down. After a few moments, you decide to press forward.
"Your clan has been amongst the strongest supporters of my efforts to rebuild this land. It is right they should be rewarded. I do hope my decrees have not put you to far away from a chance to earn glory?"
Kaname thinks about that for a moment.
"While watching over the peasants is not what I would strive for, I cannot deny your wisdom in deciding to rebuild what was lost. I only wish I had been amongst those set upon the bandits and thieves that plagued the lands. The people need salvation, what are Samurai if they cannot help it come into being?" She asks.
"I imagine that you would get many answers from the other Clans. The Crab would say that they are the defenders of all, the Crane would say that they are exemplars of beauty and honour, the Dragon would tell of searching for truth and understanding, the Lion of warriors and glory...but then you know of the Clans I'm sure and have your own opinions of them"
"Hai my Mikado, I have them, opinions that is."
"I hope they are mostly good? My Empress cannot show too much favouritism to any one Clan after all." You say.
Kaname doesn't fidget, but you can tell she wants to.
"I...wish I could say yes my Emperor, forgive me...but many of the clans are...not good at this time even if they have potential to be."
"Elaborate" You say simply.
"As you wish Mikado. The Crab are unwilling or perhaps unable to concede that as much as we might need them, they need us and they do themselves no favours by treating us all like children. The Crane ignore the spirit of their founders words in order to strive for power. The Dragon sit on their mountains afraid to even act a little. The Lion want nothing more than bloodshed to satisfy their pride, the Mantis are arrogant and believe that because they were lucky once they will always be lucky. The Scorpion are nothing more than liars even to themselves, and the Unicorn cry that they are held apart even as they cling to their gaijin ways and the Phoenix...." She trails off.
"And the Phoenix?" You prompt.
"Forget that Shiba-no-kami's first lesson to us was humility, that we are servants, not masters." She finishes in a whisper.
On the whole while you don't quite agree with all of her complaints. (If nothing else the Dragon had consistently acted in whatever matter they thought best for the last fifty years, even if it was a little random) Yet, you can see where she got them from. Which makes it all the more problematic that she holds them. You can already hear the protests from the Lion and Unicorn if her statement was made known, and the less said about Kuon's reaction the better.
"You have strong feelings on the topic Shiba-san, how did you come to them?" You ask quietly.
Kaname takes a deep breath.
"I was seven years old when I first took up a weapon...these three boys, they were attacking a cat, no reason, no meaning to it. Just they were bored, and were used to getting their way because their fathers were somewhat important...I couldn't stand by."
She looks at you straight in the eye.
"I hit them, I beat them until they ran to their parents....and then I was told I was wrong to have done that, were they told it was wrong to attack a poor innocent cat? No. Since then, I have looked at the world, looked and all I see is people willing to do that for their Clans, to ignore their faults and create them in others. So many poor cats attacked...for no real reason. Too many samurai are blind to their sins, I want them to turn away from them."
You close your mouth at that. You could not really disagree with her passion, if anything you understood why she had it...but, her cats were not cats to the people involved. If you looked at the Yasuki War without considering honour, it was a waste of time and energy. People died for a strip of land that had no real value to them. Yet, Honour was all, honour is what allowed eight Great Clans and dozens of minor clans to interact in something other than perpetual war...even if it caused pain in this event.
"I understand your words Shiba-san. I hope in time I can show you that the world is more than just people attacking poor cats."
She bows.
"I do as well my Emperor."
There doesn't seem to be anything left to say, a part of you wants to ask more about her...but you sense the time is not right. You do make a mental note to send her a very cute kitten though, maybe one of the Crane breeds? No she'd want an abandoned one....now how to spin that.
"Thank you for your time Shiba-san." You say.
"Hai my Emperor...thank you for listening to me." She says.
With another kow-to she departs. Its too late to back out now, you will announce the marriage in a few days, and she will come to the Palace to be educated and prepared for the marriage in the autumn. The question is what to do about her...radical views on the world, and how much time you try to spend with her. You should finish receiving the applications for your two free council positions soon. That will leave you with time to spend with her...on the other hand you can think of at least a dozen other things you could also do, and probably should. From sending correspondence in full to all the daimyo, to looking over the Tessen, to listening to about a half dozen internal grievances with in the Imperial families, to just making sure your council was up to speed to make the transition of the new Jewelled Champions go smoothly. You also really needed to make a proper pilgrimage to each of the Shrines.....so choices.
[] Spend as much time with Shiba Kaname as practical.
[] Spend some time with her regularly but not too much.
[] Spend as little time with her as you can get away with.
Alright that was decided, now what were you going to do with her...she was dangerous with those views, the Empress was by tradition technically your regent if you were indisposed...you could moderate her...or not do that and let your capable mother beat things into her head.
[] When spending time with Kaname, attempt to convince her that her world view is too rigid
[] When spending time with Kaname, attempt to just understand her better [] When spending time with Kaname, attempt to balance the two (Air roll TN 20)
AN:
So we have two choices here that are somewhat linked. Spending more time with Kaname is of course going to make her like you more when you eventually get around to that wedding thing.
However trying to change her mind is actually reasonably important to not losing her as an effective piece on the throne. So it will be done. Doing it with Hisao makes Kaname dislike him, having Mama Kaiu do it makes Kanamae hate her. Fortunately because of Hisao's skill with people he gets an extra option to try and get it without hard feelings. However, failing will result in something spectacularly bad happening. So weigh those risks and rewards. (Currently you roll 5k3 on air)
Next updates are going to be less story and more meta, as I put together the choices for Imperial Treasurer and Imperial Advisor respectively. If you have any questions feel free to page me.
Year One of your reign, 5th day of the Month of the Horse.
The faint sound of cicada fills the air, as you drink your tea. You are surrounded by the counsellors you have. Before you lays a small pile of folders, writing, and at least one token of affection from Kaname.
Kaneka, your mother and Kasuga Taigen, the admittedly greedy and capricious head of the Kasuga family sit around you. The topic of the day as it had been for the last few meetings was of course...Kaname.
"She's spirited" Kaneka began.
"She's a menace, what that Otomo was thinking..." your mother mutters.
"She has potential" Taigen said diplomatically.
"I would assume you mean my fiancée yes?" you ask dryly.
"Hai...forgive me, my Emperor, we do not question your wisdom...but she is trying." Kaneka says.
"The Scorpion have already begun making noises about how very very sad they are that your wife is apparently so...forthright" Taigen nods.
"Then it is time to give them something else to talk about." You say.
"Hai...then your sessions have born fruit my son? I admit, I did not expect to have such a quick turn around." Your mother says.
You shrug slightly.
"She is...learning that as father of my Empire, I will protect my children as any parent might." You say.
"Fortunately, her zeal for the duty of motherhood is growing."
Which was of course code for. 'She's learned that saying that sort of thing is going to make me angry at her.' Along with. 'She likes me enough that she's not willing to make me angry' which was the best you could hope for. Getting the kitten had been a good move on your part. Overall you think that she hasn't really changed her opinions but she was willing to allow that not everyone held them and she shouldn't think less of them for that. Combine that and her willingness not to talk about it? You're willing to call that win.
Bonus, she actually touched your hand the other night in the fountain room...it was nice.
"Your father would be impressed" Kaneka says absently.
"Thank you my Shogun." You say with a wry smile.
You're pretty sure your father would box you about the ears for not choosing Kakita Ayane. Still, it is nice of your uncle to say that. The silence hangs for a moment as you decide what to do first.
"Let us begin with the candidates for Imperial Treasurer then." you say.
"Hai Heika...we have three candidates for this." Taigen says.
He draws out three dossiers and portraits, arranging them for all to read.
"Three? The Unicorn aren't throwing their hat into the ring?" Kaneka asks.
"I'm given to understand that Lord Yoritomo had some very interesting things to say to Khan Moto during the celebrations. The Unicorn have fielded no candidate" Taigen says.
"Very well, let us see them then...." you say reading them over.
Yoritomo Hiroko
Water Skill:3
Born in 1149 Isawa. Yoritomo Hiroko's family fought for the Kitao faction in the Mantis Civil War. and paid for it afterwards. Ordinarily that would be where the story ends. Yet, even though her family was reduced to one ship, Hiroko brought them back through a mixture of careful negotiations and brilliant trade deals, by the time of the War of Fire and Thunder, her family was one of the wealthiest the Mantis had to offer, with strong connections to the Order of Daikoku. However, in spite of her many talents, she is know for an acid tongue, and complete willingness to simply kill everyone involved in a problem and then take her money. A Mantis Supremacist, it's almost guaranteed that she gives her clan excessively good deals while ensuring everyone else is forced to compensate. On the other hand, she will make trade flow again, and will ensure you have koku in the vault.
Yasuki Osamu
Water Skill 3
The Angry Carpenter Fish as some call him. Yasuki Osamu was born in 1143 Isawa Calendar and was one of the main critics against the Yasuki Wars from within the Yasuki, something that bought him no favours. His arguments were entirely logical in that they disrupted the main task of the Yasuki...but that didn't make him any friends. In spite of that, or maybe because of it. Osamu remains arguably the third richest man in the Yasuki Family almost entirely on his own merits. A shrewd investor he owns and ships most of the sake in the south at least in theory. The fact remains that his nickname from his youth holds still. When it comes to people disrupting his profit, he is an angry angry man. On the other hand he sees the value of taxation and trade, and provides a careful balance to both in his outlook. Although unlikely to treat the Crane with particular favour, he holds no particular animosity for anyone who doesn't threaten the koku flow.
Daidoji Takahiro
Water Skill 3
Born in 1135, Daidoji Takahiro was born with a club foot, something that he determined would not prevent him from being a splendid samurai. Forbidden from the spear wall, he turned his mind towards managing the land and fuelling the needs of the Crane no matter the cost. It was his careful style that allowed the Crane to finance their support of Toturi I's final campaigns against Hantei XVI in the Spirit wars, and the second Yasuki War. Although sidelined during the the Four Winds Crisis for his belief that Toturi III should rule, Takahiro's skill was too great to ignore, and when Toturi III was swiftly given back all of his previous duties and titles. While a member in good standing of the Daidoji Trading Council, Takhiro's real talent is his ability to look at a region and discover what it is holding back people from becoming rich. This ability for tax growth has made him quite valued even as he grows older. However, Takahiro is not without flaws, once convinced of a course, he becomes almost intractable in changing it. Furthermore he has angered both the Yasuki and the Mantis repeatedly with his dealings.
"Hmmm quite the eclectic group eh?" Kaneka muses aloud.
"Hai, thats one word for it....despite his temperament, Yasuki-san would be a benefit to this council, able to both grow the merchant trade, and the peasants is ideal" your mother says.
"My apologies Lady Toturi, but I will disagree. I think that Daidoji-san is probably going to be what we want with our current policies. Making people make more wealth for us to tax is what we want anyways."
Taigen looks over the picture of Hiroko for a moment.
"This is all moot isn't it? The Mantis are muttering of drastic action as it is, while I agree that the Crane and Crab candidates are superior....do we really have a choice?" He asks.
You frown. The Kasuga had a point, he wasn't supposed to do that.
In the end you want to choose....
[] Yoritomo Hiroko (Trade focused, Locks Mantis to 20 minimum for 2 years. +5 bonus to Unicorn and Scorpion relations. -5 everyone else)
[] Yasuki Osamu (Balanced, Locks Crab minimum to 20 for 2 years. +5 bonus to Dragon and Crab Relations. -5 everyone else)
[] Daidoji Takahiro (Growth focused, Locks Crane to 20 minimum for 2 years. +5 bonus to Lion and Crane Relations. -5 everyone else)
AN: So to explain briefly what the Trade/Balance/Growth thing means. This relates to their favoured means for handling problems in their wheelhouse. Hiroko will look for a way to make trade flourish through out the empire, swelling the merchant classes pockets and by extension tariffs. Takahiro on the other prefers to invest in peasants and artisans so they make more, swelling their pockets and by extension taxes. Osamu strikes a balance between the two.
I had intended to write up the imperial Advisors in this post too...but that got away from me, so next update.
(Source 
