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

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gman391 said:
Imperial Chancellor is in fact not something that you can strip. Its entirely chosen by the clans. That's kind of the feature of the gig, that barring someone showing you actively being a traitor you can't really be stripped of the position. Paneki may in fact have his own issues with Jomen but for now consider him more valuable where he is than dead.
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If we ask nicely will he tell us why?

@Sirrocco Another thing I forgot to consider is that with the Lion we kinda did bend for the good of the Empire/Lion. Unless I was totally misreading Hisao not being totally happy screwing over Matsu Satomi (not sure about name?) for his brother given how much her and her kin have sacrificed in the name of duty. So at least the Akodo know they can change Hisao's mind under the weight of logic and sound reasoning.
 
keenscythe said:
If we ask nicely will he tell us why?

@Sirrocco Another thing I forgot to consider is that with the Lion we kinda did bend for the good of the Empire/Lion. Unless I was totally misreading Hisao not being totally happy screwing over Matsu Satomi (not sure about name?) for his brother given how much her and her kin have sacrificed in the name of duty. So at least the Akodo know they can change Hisao's mind under the weight of logic and sound reasoning.
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Paneki or Jomon?
 
keenscythe said:
Paneki, on why he prefers Jomon to keep breathing as opposed to being dead. Is he worried that someone hostile to Scorpion interests would replace him?
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Partly that, and partly, he knows Jomon wasn't like this before he ascended to the post, and has been trying to figure out why he changed and failing. (granted the war was kind of a distraction along with cleaning house after said war)
 
gman391 said:
Partly that, and partly, he knows Jomon wasn't like this before he ascended to the post, and has been trying to figure out why he changed and failing. (granted the war was kind of a distraction along with cleaning house after said war)
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Is his lack of action because he doesn't fit into the quest structure and so has been kind of neglected by updates? And this sort of needs to be retconned into an actual reason?
 
Dark as Silver said:
Is his lack of action because he doesn't fit into the quest structure and so has been kind of neglected by updates? And this sort of needs to be retconned into an actual reason?
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Partly that, partly he's been under the thumb of Redacted Since the debacle with Kaneka and there hasn't really been a good way to show that beyond him being extremely passive.
 
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Restrained Chancellor
  • Sidestory
    • Shosuro Jimen was a courtier, he was not so undignified as to let even a hint of his emotions slip through his mask. Even as he stared down at the go board in front of him. His opponent was well and truly the only person in the world that Jimen truly hated.

    He had revelled in the role of villain, the Scorpion always had need of such dastardly foes as to make it seem like they were evil, instead of misunderstood tragic beautiful men and women that could be saved by the pure love of a good samurai. Drivel, but one the pillow books put out with astounding regularity. Jimen though it was the masks. But how how he missed crushing innocent young samurai who naively hoped they could heal his withered heart.

    The woman in front of him simply gives a slight quirk of her lips to smile as she places down the peace to capture the board. The game was familiar to the both, and despite years of trying he had never won once. Granted that was largely due to the power that she wield over him.

    How were you supposed to outwit someone who could read your thoughts? Not for the first and last time, Jimen cursed that day so long ago when he had naively allowed her to seduce him.

    "Well then Jimen-kun" the younger voice said with a false kindness. "Good match."

    "Hai, good match." He said miserably.

    "The game proceeds apace, I hope that you are not too put out by not being able to act this Winter Court." The woman said.

    "Put out....why would I be put out by you hamstringing, we could press him for terms, terms he would accept, and make the Scorpion strong, but you refuse to!"

    "Jimen-kun, you don't think the right way. Too small, and no I'm not going to tell you my plan" The woman said.

    Jimen takes a sip of tea and looks at the woman.
    What was her game? For years she had played something with the Empire, but what it was he didn't know. He did know that she had sworn a vow of 'chastity' not that it actually mattered given everything.

    One way or another, I will figure you out

    "Of course you will Jimen-kun, the question is, will it be too late?" The woman rises.

    "Do say hello to Sunetra-chan for me..." she bows and leaves with that order.

    Jimen scowls beneath his mask. Bayushi Sunetra never knew that he had arranged for her brother to find out about Toturi III's plan, and if she did....well, Sunetra may have hidden herself from Hachi-shiryo, she had always loved him in her own way.

    Damn that woman.

    AN: Not enough votes to update but felt like doing something. So looking in on Jimen.
     
  • Sidestory
    • Okay so the having the name of the Woman Jimen is playing against not being mentioned intentional? Does Jimen not actually know who she is?
     
    Sorry guys, update delayed here, while one of my own games has given me mountains of salt against the Lion and I don't want to make them villains when they're not.
     
    Dark as Silver said:
    Story time!
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    Online game with a decent sized venue of 30 to 40 players.
    Premise: Crane/Lion Civil war (I'm rolling Crane)
    End of one story arc was a fight for control of a province over the summer. The Lion got some but then got smashed in a pitched battle. They still have armies to fight with, but they lost badly. So the Lion Players decide they don't want to fight anymore and go to a peace for the next arc. Fair enough.
    Negotiations have been 'We won everything and can give the Crane scraps if we feel like it' which is not what happened, and have been stonewalling anything more reasonable, and selectively ignoring entire swaths of the previous court sessions in order to interpret things as the Crane already agreeing to that.
     
    gman391 said:
    Online game with a decent sized venue of 30 to 40 players.
    Premise: Crane/Lion Civil war (I'm rolling Crane)
    End of one story arc was a fight for control of a province over the summer. The Lion got some but then got smashed in a pitched battle. They still have armies to fight with, but they lost badly. So the Lion Players decide they don't want to fight anymore and go to a peace for the next arc. Fair enough.
    Negotiations have been 'We won everything and can give the Crane scraps if we feel like it' which is not what happened, and have been stonewalling anything more reasonable, and selectively ignoring entire swaths of the previous court sessions in order to interpret things as the Crane already agreeing to that.
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    Is there anything you can do to call them on it and/or get GM adjudication here?
     
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    Winter Court IX: Murders in Snow
  • Threadmarks
    • Month of the Ox 12th Day (Mid Winter)

    Akodo Shigetoshi remained one of the most brilliant tactical minds in Rokugan. It was no surprise to you that the was a go master himself. At the same time, you had hoped you would put up more of a fight than you had on the board before you. Your black pieces were strung out and surrounded by the white stones he had placed with care. The game is his now, and you both know it and are merely running out the sun at this point.

    Instead you ruefully concede and ask for another match, politeness had been established and regardless of how you felt about what he was doing. The fact remained that Shigeotshi was known as one of the more levelheaded of the Lion these days in contrast to his youth when he was much more a 'Matsu' as they colloquially termed it.

    You place your black pieces on the board and look at him.
    "Akodo-san, you remain as clever as ever with your stratagems" you say.

    "Thank you my Emperor, it is unfortunate that I am unable to show it to you daily." Shigetoshi says carefully.

    "You seemed more aggressive last game, has your dictum of caution all those years ago changed?" You ask.

    "No, but as the game develops you eventually reach a point in play where you must advance or lose" Shigetoshi answers.

    "And what brings such a skilled man to that point?" You ask evading the obvious trap and falling no doubt into another one.

    "As you can see by the board my emperor as more and more pieces are placed, then the room you can move into is limited...this can be done by a slow building or simply having avenues on your side of the board that your opponent cannot reach" Shigetoshi answers.

    You frown at what he's saying, its not wrong but its too simple. Your missing something important.
    "Forgive me, but that does not seem to bring a skilled player to that point on its own, surely there is some other method?"

    Shigetoshi frowns.
    "...It most commonly happens during matches between those of skill and those without. To keep them learning those with skills are handicapped, and those without are benefited. However, when the handicap gets too great due to a mistake on some judge or even the players...then the skilled player is left with no choice but to risk it all on a gamble"

    Judge...you, you don't inhale or give any sign that the point was understood, but you got it. Gods, they think that you are set against them. How? Had you not given them your own brother to solve their succession crisis? Had you not worked to make the land strong and supported them in their war? You had done everything you could to make the Empire strong and with it them. How can they not see that?

    "It may be that a player can misjudge what the judge wishes, so I'm told" You say blasély.

    "Perhaps" Shigetoshi agrees trapping your salient. "But how is he to know unless the judge tells him?"

    "One could always ask the judge." You say placing down a black stone.

    "Such a thing could be thought of arguing with the judge a clear breach of etiquette." Shigetoshi answers.

    "And that could never be done by proper, honourable samurai" You agree.

    "Just so, the Emperor is a wise and strong ruler." He says.

    You don't feel wise right now as he cuts off your escape easily.

    "It is needed to sit on the Steel Throne. Would that everyone understood that as you do Akodo-san" You say.

    "I understand that my Emperor, you seek to build a strong empire, one that can stand up to those gaijin barbarians in the west and south...but what this humble servant does not understand is why the Emperor's strong right hand is kept open." Shigetoshi says.

    "His hand was wounded so he believed" You answer.

    "...Hai it was wounded, but such things do not heal without effort." Shigetoshi says.

    "And while I wish to do so...matters at Otosan Uchi draw my attention" You say.

    Shigetoshi nods.
    "And yet other matters that draw your attention beyond that....forgive me I speak out of turn and poorly at that."

    "It is forgiven. Tell me of my brother. Do you think he will lead the Lion well?" you ask.

    The last white piece falls, and the game was over.
    "Akodo Takeshi-ue is young but he has the steel of his grandfather and father in him, the Lion could not ask for a better champion. He will do what is best for the Empire and the Lion" Shigetoshi answers.

    "And the Right Hand must be strong for the Empire..." you murmur.

    "Your grandfather appointed the Unicorn to be the Right Hand because the Lion were broken and weak while the Unicorn were strong...those positions are reversed now. I mean no insult to Moto Chagatai-san, but the Unicorn have yet to recover from the war fully, it will take a generation for that." Shigetoshi says.

    "And so the Right Hand that is readied however bruised should be favoured over a limb that will take months to heal in the Lion's mind?" You ask.

    "Hai...and if that must be proved we will." Shigetoshi finishes.

    "I see--"

    A door breaks open and you both turn to face the threat, hands falling to the wakizashi at your side as the servant kowtows.

    "What is the meaning of this?" You demand.

    The servant speaks quickly.
    "My...My Emperor. Doji Domotai-ue shiryo has been found murdered in her quarters. Shiba-ue asks that you join her in her quarters at your earliest convenience. Seppun-dono asks that you retreat from Kyuden Asako with your family to Shiro Shiba immediately until the murderer is found. As neither can agree on this, they have directed me to bring your word to them"

    Shigetoshi looks at you, clearly ready to kill this servant if one move is made towards you.

    [] Speak to Shiba Tsukimi
    [] Retreat to Shiro Shiba
    [] Write in
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • [X] Speak to Shiba Tsukune
    -[X] Tell Akodo Shigetoshi to gather up what forces he has on hand, Heads are going to roll by the time Hisao has sorted out either this false flag plot by the Nothing or to avenge the Crane Champion.
    -[X] Detach a Seppun contingent to get the Empress and the Imperial Children to safety and ensure their well-being or else. (so like Normal, but with emphasis)
    -[X] Tell the Servant to fetch the Local Magistrate, Hopefully having an angry Emperor breath down their necks will terrify inspire them to greater performance to catch the murderer.
    --[X] Never let the Servant within lunging distance of you.
    ---[X] Inform the Magistrate that bringing in the first mook that they manage to torture to confession will not be enough to satisfy Justice
    -[X] Draw the Sword of the Righteous Emperor. Do not return it to its sheath until Justice has been done. The Emperor is on the Warpath now.

    Good god dammit. Fcuk. Correct me if I am wrong since I am not the best at Rokugani titles, but the Crane Champion was just allegedly murdered?
    Do we have the Sword of the Righteous Emperor?
    Not running from this farce. We were going to COMPROMISE! Act like a reasonable adult and use diplomacy to address our vassal's worries.
    Now some Traitor/Enemy of all Mankind is trying to scuttle our diplomatic talks after Hisao was forced to? By killing one of the few Cranes Hisao actually liked and probably causing a succession crisis in the Bargain (Because of course it will) for a clan that was already about to burst from the tension it was feeling.

    @gman391 What Forces does Hisao have available to him right now to lead a crusade to sort this out? I.E how many Seppun Guardsman and various Samurai that Hisao can conscript. If this is a traitor plot they need to learn that you do not interrupt the Emperor with your petty bullshit while he is trying resolve things with diplomacy and if this is the another Attempt by the Shadow Dragon we need to kill it. Again. With Extreme Prejudice.
     
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