- Location
- Virginia
[X] Recall the Emerald Legion and settle the matter of Otosan Uchi once and for all. TN 25 (No positives or negatives, unlocks further choices)
Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)
- Thread starter gman391
- Start date
- Fantasy
- Location
- Leeds
Has someone got context here? What is the Imperial blessing?
Hantei X Mentions that one of his sons was Iuchiban so I assume the ban is because of something related to that?
- Location
- Bulgaria
[X] Recall the Emerald Legion and settle the matter of Otosan Uchi once and for all. TN 25 (No positives or negatives, unlocks further choices)
After the First War, the Miya were empowered by Hantei Genji to basically take large sums of cash and give out to areas in need to help rebuild the country. This became an annual event
After the First Rise of Iuchiban, Hantei XI enacted a number of laws (That seem to have been rescinded at some point because they literally never come up) that had to make the daimyo live in the Imperial city at least once a month. As a sort of 'carrot' he also proclaimed that the Imperial Blessing would never be used to help Imperials. This law wasn't rescinded even with the new law code.
Last edited:
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
[x] Recall the Emerald Legion and settle the matter of Otosan Uchi once and for all. TN 25 (No positives or negatives, unlocks further choices)
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] Survey the Spine of the World to find a Jade Mine. Variable TN +5 Scorpion, Crab, -5 Phoenix, Dragon
Year 14: Order of Things
Month of the Horse, 3rd Day (Early Summer)
You really wish that you would stop winning and losing at the same time. On the one hand the Miharu had found Hagaos and killed him in a brutal, if ultimately small scale explosion of magic in Zayko Toshi. Minato was less than happy about one of the walls being blown out, but that could be fixed. Your will had been put forth and the Zanj know now no matter what they do, your laws will not be flouted.
You really hope they don't take it personally, but the cynical part of you knows they will.
However while that was something to be celebrated if quietly, the news from Otosan Uchi was less so. The Emerald Legion had dutifully formed up and gone into the city to clear out everyone and make sure that everything was safe. That was when it had gone wrong.
You sit in your throne looking at Shosuro Jimen and know that the smug bastard is grinning behind that mask of his. But no proof and more importantly killing the Imperial Chancellor no matter how satisfying, would be asking for headaches. After all he is the ambassador of the Clans to you and certain functions must be kept.
That does not stop you from fantasizing about using his head as a kemari ball.
"And that is the proposal of the Great Clans to the Illustrious Son of Heaven, may your wisdom find worth in their words." Jimen says
"I will certainly consider their merit Shosuro-san, it is a weighty topic, I will give you an answer in three days." You say.
"Of course, The Emperor must consider many things, this humble servant awaits the pleasure of being in your presence again" Jimen says .
Dear Ancestors you can feel yourself getting greasy near him.
"No doubt we will both be anticipating the experience, but for now I am sure Shosuro-san has other things to do" Your words are curt as you dismiss him
Rising from the Throne you whisper to Isshin.
"I want Otomo Kotaro, Doji Yumiko and Kakita Noritoshi in my personal dojo in one hour."
Isshin nods and passes it on. While you go change out of your formal robes.
You feel the need to hit something, hard.
An hour passes and you stand in front of a training dummy made of the finest straw in the land, fist punching through it as you think about the proposal.
The Emerald Legion had been too slow, or someone had said something but as the Magistrates left, a surge in inter clan Crime and just crime in general had hit the various postings in response the Emerald Legion had to redeploy rapidly, it had stopped the worst of it and crimes were being solved.
But it had exposed that you intended to do something with Otosan Uchi, and it had done so before you were finished and could dictate from a position of strength.
The Clans had mostly contented themselves to working against each other after your face off over the inheritance a decade ago, but a lot had changed since then and a new generation seemed inclined to probe your will.
You hear the sound of footsteps behind you and turn to look at Kotaro, Noritoshi and Yuriko all of them kowtowing, while Yuriko seems embarrassed to see you in such a state.
With a wave of your hand you bid them to stand and come watch you beat the crap out of a straw dummy closer. You definitely were not imagining it being Jimen's face under your fists, cracking and breaking as his blood splattered everywhere.
That would be wrong.
"Tenno" Kotaro greets. "My Emperor" Noritoshi and Yuriko say.
You punch the dummy again.
"Minna-san, you know why you are here yes?"
Kotaro and Noritoshi nod, but Yuriko shakes her head.
"Kakita-san, explain it for the newest member of the group." You order.
"As you wish my Emperor." Noritoshi says smoothly. "In keeping with the decision to pacify and hold Otosan Uchi I made a series of deployments carefully coordinating with local magistrates to ensure that no loss of legal enforcement happened. The plan was to spend three months pacifying Otosan Uchi and then return the Emerald Legion to its normal duties with a small caretaker force left behind. "
The Emerald Champion doesn't do anything like groan or sigh to show his immense frustration but you can feel it boiling off of him.
"We do not know who yet arranged for a series of coordinated strikes in key areas such as Ryoko Owari, Kaeru Toshi, Zayko Toshi, Mura Saibashi Toshi, and others where there are large number of different clans present, but a number of murders, apparent thefts, blackmail and kidnappings occurred almost within a few weeks of departure, the uproar was such that we never actually sent any beyond the caretaker force to Otosan Uchi. We suppressed the crime wave and found what information we could. One of my men Mirumoto Xie has determined it was a Kolat plot but I truthfully am less sure of that."
Yuriko nods.
"I see now, that was why my friends all said that a large number of clan magistrates were going to Otosan Uchi."
"Precisely" Noritoshi says. "They have effectively cleaned up the city, however in payment, they want the Imperial Throne to grant control of it, including Seppun Hill and the Forbidden Palace to the Clans with a council of sorts ruling over it."
The training dummy disintegrates.
Kotaru takes out his fan and waves it in front of him for a moment.
"Naturally while recovering the Imperial City, the arguable spiritual heart of the Hantei has redeemed the Toturi in many ways. Allowing it to become just another political piece would damage our prestige significantly. The Forbidden Palace contains a number of relics that while not directly dangerous could be used to enhance the power of any of the Clans who hold it." He shuts the fan. "And more importantly for us, the Forbidden palace contains the only stable gateway to Tengoku. To allow another to have such a direct connection to Heaven...it is unthinkable."
Yuriko nods taking out a small netsuke and opening it before closing it again.
"However, there is precedent to share the city. The past governors of the various districts did come from the Clans appointed by the Throne, asking for that to return is an appeal to tradition. It comes down to the Forbidden Palace, so long as the Emperor does not live there. They can reasonably petition for the right to oversee it, and since none of the clans would willingly allow one of them to do so, making it a shared position is a fair and balanced way to do that." She says.
"Naturally, it is a reasonable proposal in many respects, however it is entirely designed to infuriate our Emperor" Kotaro says.
You turn and give him a look.
"I mean no offense my Emperor, your anger is justified yes. However it is known that springing things on you is the quickest way to stroke your anger. Particularly on political matters" Kotaro says.
Noritoshi nods. "I have of course prepared my resignation, and if you wish me to preform the Three Cuts as well, I will."
"You have not failed me before Kakita-san, I trust you will not in the future, and I expect you to fix this mess." You say.
Yuriko looks between you and then nods, seemingly happy that her fellow Crane will not die today.
"I have no intention of agreeing to this proposal" You say. "Therefore we must come up with a counter proposal for that snake to take to the Clans that he cannot twist."
"Ano, wouldn't the easiest method just be to move back to Otosan Uchi?" Yuriko asks. "It would obviously take some time to make all the preparations but well, you cannot be asked to give up your home."
"Then what do we do with Toshi Ranbo?" Noritoshi asks. "It has been peaceful to have the Imperial capital taking up this and the Kitani valley. Were the Throne to leave the Lion and to be honest our own clan Doji-san would be fighting over it again within three years."
Kotaro opens and closes his fan in thought.
Yuriko thinks for a moment.
"Make a new minor clan?"
"As much as I love making new minor clans" You say wryly. "There really isn't anyone at the moment I can plausibly raise as a reward for that. Nor is there a war where I can make it part of the treaty. Doing so at a whim limits its use."
"What about the Brotherhood?" Kotaro asks. "They aren't part of the clans but can be trusted to keep the Gateway safe along with everything else. Its unusual but giving them the Forbidden City and the Shrines as a holy site to honour the Imperial Throne is an option."
You nod, that was a thought.
"Can the Imperial families take up ownership of the city?"
Kotaro frowns slightly.
"The Seppun are stretched thin between Kyuden Seppun and Toshi Ranbo, they would have to give up one or the other. The Otomo are the same, the Miya might be able to they do not want to however. They hate having Kyuden Miya to be honest"
"Everyone loves the Miya for a reason" Noritoshi muses.
Yuriko looks down at her netsuke.
"What if...what if Toshi Ranbo was kept as an Imperial City but was a sort of given to the Imperial Heir to help them learn to rule?" she asks.
"Interesting, there would need to be some changes, but a Governor can raise their own forces to protect them, the Seppun can form a skeleton to fill out...only problem is that Minoru-dono is still in Kawa Mori...we would have to get her out." Kotaro says.
"Well that and a regency of sorts for her, she has yet to complete her gempukku, but it could work." You say.
The right governor would be needed, probably an Otomo married to a Crane. Still options, now to pick one and make it work.
[] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
[] Move back to Otosan Uchi and make Toshi Ranbo the domain of the Imperial Heir
[] Make the Miya move
[] You have a better idea....
AN: Sorry for the delay on this.
You really wish that you would stop winning and losing at the same time. On the one hand the Miharu had found Hagaos and killed him in a brutal, if ultimately small scale explosion of magic in Zayko Toshi. Minato was less than happy about one of the walls being blown out, but that could be fixed. Your will had been put forth and the Zanj know now no matter what they do, your laws will not be flouted.
You really hope they don't take it personally, but the cynical part of you knows they will.
However while that was something to be celebrated if quietly, the news from Otosan Uchi was less so. The Emerald Legion had dutifully formed up and gone into the city to clear out everyone and make sure that everything was safe. That was when it had gone wrong.
You sit in your throne looking at Shosuro Jimen and know that the smug bastard is grinning behind that mask of his. But no proof and more importantly killing the Imperial Chancellor no matter how satisfying, would be asking for headaches. After all he is the ambassador of the Clans to you and certain functions must be kept.
That does not stop you from fantasizing about using his head as a kemari ball.
"And that is the proposal of the Great Clans to the Illustrious Son of Heaven, may your wisdom find worth in their words." Jimen says
"I will certainly consider their merit Shosuro-san, it is a weighty topic, I will give you an answer in three days." You say.
"Of course, The Emperor must consider many things, this humble servant awaits the pleasure of being in your presence again" Jimen says .
Dear Ancestors you can feel yourself getting greasy near him.
"No doubt we will both be anticipating the experience, but for now I am sure Shosuro-san has other things to do" Your words are curt as you dismiss him
Rising from the Throne you whisper to Isshin.
"I want Otomo Kotaro, Doji Yumiko and Kakita Noritoshi in my personal dojo in one hour."
Isshin nods and passes it on. While you go change out of your formal robes.
You feel the need to hit something, hard.
An hour passes and you stand in front of a training dummy made of the finest straw in the land, fist punching through it as you think about the proposal.
The Emerald Legion had been too slow, or someone had said something but as the Magistrates left, a surge in inter clan Crime and just crime in general had hit the various postings in response the Emerald Legion had to redeploy rapidly, it had stopped the worst of it and crimes were being solved.
But it had exposed that you intended to do something with Otosan Uchi, and it had done so before you were finished and could dictate from a position of strength.
The Clans had mostly contented themselves to working against each other after your face off over the inheritance a decade ago, but a lot had changed since then and a new generation seemed inclined to probe your will.
You hear the sound of footsteps behind you and turn to look at Kotaro, Noritoshi and Yuriko all of them kowtowing, while Yuriko seems embarrassed to see you in such a state.
With a wave of your hand you bid them to stand and come watch you beat the crap out of a straw dummy closer. You definitely were not imagining it being Jimen's face under your fists, cracking and breaking as his blood splattered everywhere.
That would be wrong.
"Tenno" Kotaro greets. "My Emperor" Noritoshi and Yuriko say.
You punch the dummy again.
"Minna-san, you know why you are here yes?"
Kotaro and Noritoshi nod, but Yuriko shakes her head.
"Kakita-san, explain it for the newest member of the group." You order.
"As you wish my Emperor." Noritoshi says smoothly. "In keeping with the decision to pacify and hold Otosan Uchi I made a series of deployments carefully coordinating with local magistrates to ensure that no loss of legal enforcement happened. The plan was to spend three months pacifying Otosan Uchi and then return the Emerald Legion to its normal duties with a small caretaker force left behind. "
The Emerald Champion doesn't do anything like groan or sigh to show his immense frustration but you can feel it boiling off of him.
"We do not know who yet arranged for a series of coordinated strikes in key areas such as Ryoko Owari, Kaeru Toshi, Zayko Toshi, Mura Saibashi Toshi, and others where there are large number of different clans present, but a number of murders, apparent thefts, blackmail and kidnappings occurred almost within a few weeks of departure, the uproar was such that we never actually sent any beyond the caretaker force to Otosan Uchi. We suppressed the crime wave and found what information we could. One of my men Mirumoto Xie has determined it was a Kolat plot but I truthfully am less sure of that."
Yuriko nods.
"I see now, that was why my friends all said that a large number of clan magistrates were going to Otosan Uchi."
"Precisely" Noritoshi says. "They have effectively cleaned up the city, however in payment, they want the Imperial Throne to grant control of it, including Seppun Hill and the Forbidden Palace to the Clans with a council of sorts ruling over it."
The training dummy disintegrates.
Kotaru takes out his fan and waves it in front of him for a moment.
"Naturally while recovering the Imperial City, the arguable spiritual heart of the Hantei has redeemed the Toturi in many ways. Allowing it to become just another political piece would damage our prestige significantly. The Forbidden Palace contains a number of relics that while not directly dangerous could be used to enhance the power of any of the Clans who hold it." He shuts the fan. "And more importantly for us, the Forbidden palace contains the only stable gateway to Tengoku. To allow another to have such a direct connection to Heaven...it is unthinkable."
Yuriko nods taking out a small netsuke and opening it before closing it again.
"However, there is precedent to share the city. The past governors of the various districts did come from the Clans appointed by the Throne, asking for that to return is an appeal to tradition. It comes down to the Forbidden Palace, so long as the Emperor does not live there. They can reasonably petition for the right to oversee it, and since none of the clans would willingly allow one of them to do so, making it a shared position is a fair and balanced way to do that." She says.
"Naturally, it is a reasonable proposal in many respects, however it is entirely designed to infuriate our Emperor" Kotaro says.
You turn and give him a look.
"I mean no offense my Emperor, your anger is justified yes. However it is known that springing things on you is the quickest way to stroke your anger. Particularly on political matters" Kotaro says.
Noritoshi nods. "I have of course prepared my resignation, and if you wish me to preform the Three Cuts as well, I will."
"You have not failed me before Kakita-san, I trust you will not in the future, and I expect you to fix this mess." You say.
Yuriko looks between you and then nods, seemingly happy that her fellow Crane will not die today.
"I have no intention of agreeing to this proposal" You say. "Therefore we must come up with a counter proposal for that snake to take to the Clans that he cannot twist."
"Ano, wouldn't the easiest method just be to move back to Otosan Uchi?" Yuriko asks. "It would obviously take some time to make all the preparations but well, you cannot be asked to give up your home."
"Then what do we do with Toshi Ranbo?" Noritoshi asks. "It has been peaceful to have the Imperial capital taking up this and the Kitani valley. Were the Throne to leave the Lion and to be honest our own clan Doji-san would be fighting over it again within three years."
Kotaro opens and closes his fan in thought.
Yuriko thinks for a moment.
"Make a new minor clan?"
"As much as I love making new minor clans" You say wryly. "There really isn't anyone at the moment I can plausibly raise as a reward for that. Nor is there a war where I can make it part of the treaty. Doing so at a whim limits its use."
"What about the Brotherhood?" Kotaro asks. "They aren't part of the clans but can be trusted to keep the Gateway safe along with everything else. Its unusual but giving them the Forbidden City and the Shrines as a holy site to honour the Imperial Throne is an option."
You nod, that was a thought.
"Can the Imperial families take up ownership of the city?"
Kotaro frowns slightly.
"The Seppun are stretched thin between Kyuden Seppun and Toshi Ranbo, they would have to give up one or the other. The Otomo are the same, the Miya might be able to they do not want to however. They hate having Kyuden Miya to be honest"
"Everyone loves the Miya for a reason" Noritoshi muses.
Yuriko looks down at her netsuke.
"What if...what if Toshi Ranbo was kept as an Imperial City but was a sort of given to the Imperial Heir to help them learn to rule?" she asks.
"Interesting, there would need to be some changes, but a Governor can raise their own forces to protect them, the Seppun can form a skeleton to fill out...only problem is that Minoru-dono is still in Kawa Mori...we would have to get her out." Kotaro says.
"Well that and a regency of sorts for her, she has yet to complete her gempukku, but it could work." You say.
The right governor would be needed, probably an Otomo married to a Crane. Still options, now to pick one and make it work.
[] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
[] Move back to Otosan Uchi and make Toshi Ranbo the domain of the Imperial Heir
[] Make the Miya move
[] You have a better idea....
AN: Sorry for the delay on this.
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
[X] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
The Imperial heir idea has merits, but not this city no. I am not risking our heir getting jumped by something that is definitely still hiding there.
The Imperial heir idea has merits, but not this city no. I am not risking our heir getting jumped by something that is definitely still hiding there.
al103
Grumpy Russian Bear (SV edition)
- Location
- Russia, Krasnoyarsk
That's why heir get new capital and we move to old one with all of it's risks.
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
Thats not any better. Its if anything, potentially worse.
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
[X] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
More swayed by the argument to not interupt Minoru's quest than anything else. Had she not been busy I would have gone for letting Toshi Ranbo be the 'training' city.
More swayed by the argument to not interupt Minoru's quest than anything else. Had she not been busy I would have gone for letting Toshi Ranbo be the 'training' city.
al103
Grumpy Russian Bear (SV edition)
- Location
- Russia, Krasnoyarsk
...
They talk about regency for reason - they also don't want to interrupt her quest.
- Location
- Virginia
[X] Move back to Otosan Uchi and make Toshi Ranbo the domain of the Imperial Heir
Sirrocco
Pedantic
So, we really have two issues. The first is "who controls Otosan Uchi?". The second is "if it's the Emperor, then who controls Toshi Ranbo?" I'd also say... the long-term concerns here are more important than the short-term concerns.
...but that's not even the real question. The real question is, what the hell is his game, and who all is playing? We see what has been done.
- Someone has infiltration into what should have been a highly secret mission by the Emerald Legion
- That individual or group had the ability to cause crime to skyrocket in specific areas, and used it to thwart our deployment.
- Mirumoto Xie (a magistrate) believes this to be a Kolat plot. Our Emerald Champion is not so sure.
- The clans were informed. They were also convinced that it was a good idea to push us at this time.
- To do this, they mobilized to clear the troubles out of the city themselves, with the obvious intent of presenting us with a proposal that they could not otherwise reasonably make, and constraining our ability to respond to it
- The proposal that Shosuro Jimen came to us with (that he almost certainly had a hand in, and may have twisted) was effectively designed, in both content and presentation, to enrage us.
So let's look a bit deeper.
- Shosuro Jimen himself obviously knows that it will enrage us, and he is not of the younger generation. He knows that we will refuse this offer - that by making it in this way, he *guarantees* that we refuse it, even if we might have been willing to allow something like that otherwise. Thus, his objective is not to get it approved, but to force us to reject it. Presumably, he hopes to make some gain from our rejection, and one that would benefit from our moving with more haste than wisdom. How?
- This may not be a Kolat plot through and through, but if it involves massive crime surges in a variety of places (specific places) in the Empire, then we can be nearly assured that the Kolat are somehow involved. If it is not a Kolat plot at the core, then it's by someone who has a fair bit of influence over the Kolat.
Gut reaction? This feels like Shahai to me... and if it's Shahai, then we need to avoid Otosan Uchi like the plague. It was a stronghold of the forces of Jikogu for a very long time. She could have been in and out of there many times during that period, and had a great deal of influence within its walls. If it's Shahai, then pushing us to move the Imperial Residence to Otosan Uchi is the entire point - putting us in position for her to exploit some advantage that she's gleaned against us. Right now, in all honesty, we do not have *nearly* enough heirs, and she knows it. If she can kill us and our heir... well, we have one shugenja daughter. Every other member of the line of Toturi has opted out, one way or another, and making a shugenja Emperor could be pretty tricky... at which point her son is still of the line of Hantei. Heck - there could easily be powerful stuff in Otosan Uchi that's specifically keyed to the line of Hantei.
[X] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
I had *not* expected that to be my final answer.
...but that's not even the real question. The real question is, what the hell is his game, and who all is playing? We see what has been done.
- Someone has infiltration into what should have been a highly secret mission by the Emerald Legion
- That individual or group had the ability to cause crime to skyrocket in specific areas, and used it to thwart our deployment.
- Mirumoto Xie (a magistrate) believes this to be a Kolat plot. Our Emerald Champion is not so sure.
- The clans were informed. They were also convinced that it was a good idea to push us at this time.
- To do this, they mobilized to clear the troubles out of the city themselves, with the obvious intent of presenting us with a proposal that they could not otherwise reasonably make, and constraining our ability to respond to it
- The proposal that Shosuro Jimen came to us with (that he almost certainly had a hand in, and may have twisted) was effectively designed, in both content and presentation, to enrage us.
So let's look a bit deeper.
- Shosuro Jimen himself obviously knows that it will enrage us, and he is not of the younger generation. He knows that we will refuse this offer - that by making it in this way, he *guarantees* that we refuse it, even if we might have been willing to allow something like that otherwise. Thus, his objective is not to get it approved, but to force us to reject it. Presumably, he hopes to make some gain from our rejection, and one that would benefit from our moving with more haste than wisdom. How?
- This may not be a Kolat plot through and through, but if it involves massive crime surges in a variety of places (specific places) in the Empire, then we can be nearly assured that the Kolat are somehow involved. If it is not a Kolat plot at the core, then it's by someone who has a fair bit of influence over the Kolat.
Gut reaction? This feels like Shahai to me... and if it's Shahai, then we need to avoid Otosan Uchi like the plague. It was a stronghold of the forces of Jikogu for a very long time. She could have been in and out of there many times during that period, and had a great deal of influence within its walls. If it's Shahai, then pushing us to move the Imperial Residence to Otosan Uchi is the entire point - putting us in position for her to exploit some advantage that she's gleaned against us. Right now, in all honesty, we do not have *nearly* enough heirs, and she knows it. If she can kill us and our heir... well, we have one shugenja daughter. Every other member of the line of Toturi has opted out, one way or another, and making a shugenja Emperor could be pretty tricky... at which point her son is still of the line of Hantei. Heck - there could easily be powerful stuff in Otosan Uchi that's specifically keyed to the line of Hantei.
[X] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
I had *not* expected that to be my final answer.
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] Make the Miya move
- Location
- Bulgaria
[X] Give the Forbidden Palace to the Brotherhood
Not what I would have liked, but Sirrocco makes a strong argument.
Not what I would have liked, but Sirrocco makes a strong argument.