Burden of the Emerald Empire (A Legend of the Five Rings Tale)
- Thread starter gman391
- Start date
- Fantasy
@keenscythe
Hisao has roughly 100 Imperial Samurai with him, mostly Seppun, effective combatants 60.
Hypothetically he can call on the 300 or so non Phoenix clan courtiers and yojimbos for another 360. But that's not likely the best use of them. The Phoenix Clan themselves have roughly a thousand troops on hand and three thousand at the borders a few weeks away.
@Gamerlord
To answer. Doji Domotai was the Crane Clan Champion and effectively Hisao's strongest supporter in the Crane due to his actions defending her and her unborn child back in year 2.
Hisao has roughly 100 Imperial Samurai with him, mostly Seppun, effective combatants 60.
Hypothetically he can call on the 300 or so non Phoenix clan courtiers and yojimbos for another 360. But that's not likely the best use of them. The Phoenix Clan themselves have roughly a thousand troops on hand and three thousand at the borders a few weeks away.
@Gamerlord
To answer. Doji Domotai was the Crane Clan Champion and effectively Hisao's strongest supporter in the Crane due to his actions defending her and her unborn child back in year 2.
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.
Possible suspects:
1. Internal
1.1. Crane - Wants to rid the Crane of what they view as an obstacle to taking back the Crane's rightful place?
1.2. Scorpion - Scorpion's gonna Scorpion
1.3. Kolat - Kolat gonna Kolat.
2. External
2.1. Shadowlands - Civil war in the Emerald Empire is always desirable to the Shadowlands
2.2. Nothing - Ditto
2.3. Yodati - Revenge for our shenanigans in the Jewel, put us off balance so they can act against one of the other local powers more freely
I'm inclined towards meeting with Shiba Tsukune.
Possible suspects:
1. Internal
1.1. Crane - Wants to rid the Crane of what they view as an obstacle to taking back the Crane's rightful place?
1.2. Scorpion - Scorpion's gonna Scorpion
1.3. Kolat - Kolat gonna Kolat.
2. External
2.1. Shadowlands - Civil war in the Emerald Empire is always desirable to the Shadowlands
2.2. Nothing - Ditto
2.3. Yodati - Revenge for our shenanigans in the Jewel, put us off balance so they can act against one of the other local powers more freely
I'm inclined towards meeting with Shiba Tsukune.
Last edited:
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
Might want to add the Kolat as the Doji Domotai was behind their recent purge from the Crane.
Given it's history not sure if they count as external vs internal enemies though.
@gman391 You already answered about troops, but how many Hero Units are present? Akodo Shigetoshi is here and we can (reasonably anyway) be sure he isn't shadowspawn. How many of the Imperial Council and the Clan Champions (and their hero-grade advisors) are present? Do they have any advice on how to put the castle on lockdown? Or is it more likely that the vile miscreant has escaped already? Please tell me that if any of her guards remain they decided to hold off giving their seppuku long enough to give their report on what happened.
I sincerely hope that this wasn't an internal faction of the Crane murdering the main reason the thread has been willing to negotiate with the Crane over their worries instead of just crushing them for their obstructionism. Domotai has fought at our side against an enemy of all and has served us with Honor and Loyalty which meant that when she was trying to get Hisao to bend we were actually considering it.
I knew I was forgetting something.
@keenscythe
Well as already stated Akodo Shigetoshi and Shiba Tsukune are here along with Toturi Kaname.
In terms of council you have Kitsuki Akane and Otomo Kotaro also crashing with you.
The clans sans the Crane and Phoenix have mostly sent their best courtiers. But not anyone canonically named at this point.
Well as already stated Akodo Shigetoshi and Shiba Tsukune are here along with Toturi Kaname.
In terms of council you have Kitsuki Akane and Otomo Kotaro also crashing with you.
The clans sans the Crane and Phoenix have mostly sent their best courtiers. But not anyone canonically named at this point.
- Location
- Leeds
Urgh. And the power block got that much harder to resist.
I wouldn't even be surprised if whoever did this didn't do anything overt again this court. Well, I guess that wouldn't be a great narrative from a story perspective so maybe a little surprised.
I wouldn't even be surprised if whoever did this didn't do anything overt again this court. Well, I guess that wouldn't be a great narrative from a story perspective so maybe a little surprised.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Okay. Well. It's gone a couple of days and no one else has anything. I'll see if I can stumble my way through something.
Given the options....
[x] Speak to Shiba Tsukune
-[x] The Empress and heirs should also remain within the palace
-[x] Ask Akodo Shigetoshi to join us en route to speak with Shiba Tsukune. It would be... good to have our Right Hand with us, in this moment.
-[x] Keep an eye on the servant just in case.
...because assassination plots are freaking *common* for Hisao, and also an opportunity. If we are here, they are reasonably likely to focus their attentions on us. If we are *not* here, we're much more likely to lose valuable followers and retainers. Also, setting up an attempt to ambush us en route to wherever would be *trivial*. We're the Emperor. Whoever might be coming after us isn't acting alone.
I see and respect the intent behind @keenscythe's add-ons but I expect that our various followers will do the obvious things overall.
I note... if the goal was to assassinate us personally, then they wouldn't have gone after Doji Domotai *first*. That means that either her death was more important than ours, our death isn't one of their objectives, or she caught them in the process and they killed her to keep her from ruining the entire thing. If they're going to try to kill us, they're going to try to kill us *now*.
...that, or this *is* the plot to kill us. If that was the case, though... hmm... If that's the case, then they'll try to kill us before the two options split - either it's the servant themselves, or they'll try to take us out somewhere along the obvious path from the room we were in to *anywhere*. They could conceivably have done it in some sort of attempt to get us to flee and therefore make us a bigger target, but Doji Domotai isn't easy to murder. "Kill Doji Domotai" isn't going to be anyone's first step when the second step is "....and then maybe the Emperor will do what we hope he'll do."
We should really just start carrying around some blessed crystal. I really wanted to be able to throw "toss the servant a piece of blessed crystal. See if he starts emitting smoke" into there, and it's not like we're going to stop getting attacked by creatures of the Nothing any time soon.
Given the options....
[x] Speak to Shiba Tsukune
-[x] The Empress and heirs should also remain within the palace
-[x] Ask Akodo Shigetoshi to join us en route to speak with Shiba Tsukune. It would be... good to have our Right Hand with us, in this moment.
-[x] Keep an eye on the servant just in case.
...because assassination plots are freaking *common* for Hisao, and also an opportunity. If we are here, they are reasonably likely to focus their attentions on us. If we are *not* here, we're much more likely to lose valuable followers and retainers. Also, setting up an attempt to ambush us en route to wherever would be *trivial*. We're the Emperor. Whoever might be coming after us isn't acting alone.
I see and respect the intent behind @keenscythe's add-ons but I expect that our various followers will do the obvious things overall.
I note... if the goal was to assassinate us personally, then they wouldn't have gone after Doji Domotai *first*. That means that either her death was more important than ours, our death isn't one of their objectives, or she caught them in the process and they killed her to keep her from ruining the entire thing. If they're going to try to kill us, they're going to try to kill us *now*.
...that, or this *is* the plot to kill us. If that was the case, though... hmm... If that's the case, then they'll try to kill us before the two options split - either it's the servant themselves, or they'll try to take us out somewhere along the obvious path from the room we were in to *anywhere*. They could conceivably have done it in some sort of attempt to get us to flee and therefore make us a bigger target, but Doji Domotai isn't easy to murder. "Kill Doji Domotai" isn't going to be anyone's first step when the second step is "....and then maybe the Emperor will do what we hope he'll do."
We should really just start carrying around some blessed crystal. I really wanted to be able to throw "toss the servant a piece of blessed crystal. See if he starts emitting smoke" into there, and it's not like we're going to stop getting attacked by creatures of the Nothing any time soon.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Er... perplexed? I didn't think I was making any assumptions about who was behind this - just trying to make guesses based on the idea that whoever it was was competent. (They did kill Doji Domotai, after all). I assumed that killing Doji Domotai wasn't easy for them. I suppose that might not be true if they were Crane.
I don't necessarily think this is the armies of the Shadow Dragon, it's just that that's a likely enough option to be worth preparing for. Could also be Shahai. Could be internal struggles within the Crane... though I was pretty sure she'd dealt with those. Could be the Scorpion traitors that Paneki has been trying to deal with.
There's also a bunch of people who *wouldn't* want to kill us that it could have been... though that's much lower threat, by and large. Could be the Unicorn/Mantis, in reaction to what the Crane have been pulling this Winter Court. That seems unlike them, but it's a possibility. Could be the Scorpion in general, aiming for some sort of weird advantage, though that's almost less likely.
Could very easily be whichever woman it is who has her hooks so deep in Shosuro Jimen. She's apparently aligned with the Scorpion, playing some sort of long game for very high stakes, and basically able to read his mind. I... have almost no clue with respect to her, really, and absolutely no clue as to whether she'd want to assassinate us as well. We'll see, I suppose.
Mostly, i suppose I was focused on the threats that might want to kill us personally as well, since those are the ones we might need to address immediately. The others will matter quite a lot for later votes, but not as much for this one.
- Location
- Leeds
[X] Sirocco
- Location
- Canada
[x] Speak to Shiba Tsukune
-[x] The Empress and heirs should also remain within the palace
-[x] Ask Akodo Shigetoshi to join us en route to speak with Shiba Tsukune. It would be... good to have our Right Hand with us, in this moment.
-[x] Keep an eye on the servant just in case.
-[x] The Empress and heirs should also remain within the palace
-[x] Ask Akodo Shigetoshi to join us en route to speak with Shiba Tsukune. It would be... good to have our Right Hand with us, in this moment.
-[x] Keep an eye on the servant just in case.
Winter Court IX: Situation Developes
-Speak to Shiba Tsukimi.
You look to Shigetoshi. He simply nods.
"We will have to have our game another time. With me" You say.
"Hai, to Shiba-san then?" Shigetoshi asks.
"Indeed, after all, it's only right to find out why she has to die" you say.
Shigetoshi nods as the servant leads you to Tsukimi's chambers, not that you need it. You know where they are but still it's nice to have him there. The austere beauty of the Phoenix is something not even on the edge of your senses as you walk hurriedly through the corridors.
Seppun Naomi rushes up to you and quickly kow-tows before you bid her to stand.
"Emperor, your orders?"
"See to it that my wife and daughter are protected with everything we have. Bring me my full daisho, and contingent of the Hidden Guard." You order.
Naomi kow-tows again and runs off to obey your orders.
"You know this means war my Emperor" Shigetoshi says.
"The Phoenix are pacifists, they will do all they can to avoid it." You say.
"Nothing can avoid the wrath of the Crane on this, not now that they have a target that even you can't deny the validity of." Shigetoshi says.
"Which is why Akodo-san, the real killer must be found and quickly. For ten years the Phoenix have recovered, and I do not wish to see what the Inferno Legion will do to the lands of the Crane if they are pushed" you say.
"Even if we have the real killer...." Shigetoshi begins.
"You believe that they will still blame the Phoenix."
"...it is their castle" Shigetoshi says.
Before you can answer, the large doors leading to the central council room of the Asako come into view. The guards don't have time to get up from their ritual obeisance before you slam open the shoji screen doors. You walk into the room, the somewhat older, but still beautiful and strong Shiba Tsukimi kow-tows with her staff. You give a polite nod.
Around you countless scroll cases, banners, and simple but beautiful bonsai trees decorate the room, you could hardly care less.
"Yes it is their castle, but I don't believe for a moment they were lax." You say.
Tsukimi stands up with her contingent of Shiba Guards, and the Mistress of Air, Isawa Mitsuko.
The Chief Inquisitor of the Phoenix was a fanatic some said when it came to threats to her clan or the spiritual well being of Rokugan. Other's reflected that at some point people should stop poking the bear.
"Shiba-san, Isawa-san, I am told that one of my favoured servants lies dead, report." You say.
Tsukimi gestures to Mitsuko, who steps forward.
"Approximately six hours ago, Doji Domotai retired from a courtly game of kemari to enjoy the baths, and asked to be left alone according to the bath servants. She then washed herself and went to the baths, taking the private section for her own. There is no reports of anyone coming in or out. After four hours it was concerned that Doji-shiryo fell asleep in the baths as sometimes happens, and a sufficiently ranked member of the Crane was fetched to go check."
Mitsuko adjusts her hood.
"Doji-shiryo was found face down in the pool, a large bruise having formed on her forehead, all appearances it seems she was rendered unconscious by blunt force trauma, likely a jo staff, and then drowned."
Shigetoshi snorts.
"Doji-shiryo was a formidable warrior, there is no way even an unexpected blow from a jo staff would be enough to lay her out like that."
"Regardless, that is what appears to have happened." Tsukimi says.
"I fought with the woman against the Shadow Dragon, she is harder to take down than that." You say.
"That was nearly a decade ago my Emperor, age is a foe no one defeats." Tsukimi says.
You fold your arms.
"A murder has happened in your lands Shiba-san, this is unforgivable...where is the Crane representative?" you ask.
Tsukimi frowns.
"Daidoji Hidetada has directed his energies towards ensuring that Doji-shiryo's remains are properly taken care if preparation for her ashes to be returned home. He has stated that the Emerald Magistrates must be involved, however...."
"However?" you press.
"The only Emerald Magistrate in the castle at the time is a member of the Unicorn. Utaku Ikiryo-san has of course begun her work, although she has not finished. The fact remains that this situation is a bonfire, only waiting for a torch" Mitsuko says folding her arms.
"You don't seriously think that the Phoenix would reject one of my magistrates even if the finding is that you committed negligence? " You ask a warning note in your voice.
"No my Emperor. Did I believe the Phoenix responsible, you would already have my head as is your right. But, I do not believe the Crane will believe that" Tsukimi states firmly.
Shigetoshi frowns.
"She died in your home, you failed Shiba-ue, there must be a reckoning for that." he says.
Tsukimi shakes her head.
"A reckoning yes, the Phoenix Clan have been lied too, used in the schemes of another. For that there must be a reckoning indeed."
"Regardless, I trust the other delegation heads have been secured?" You ask pushing pass the by play.
"Hai. Kuni Toshii, Kitsuki Iweko, Bayushi Toshiro, Ide Gyeon, and Moshi Aizumi, have all been given appropriate room with which to secure themselves using their own clans methods. The Minor Clan representatives such as they are, have joined Morito-san in his own quarters for now." Mitsuko says.
"And my advisers?" You ask.
"Shosuro Ayumi has sent word that she waits in her quarters at your convenience, as does Iuchi..." Mitsuko's voice drops a little in distaste. "Shem-Zhe, Kitsuki Akane-san, we cannot seem to find."
"...you cannot find my Imperial Advisor." you say lowly.
"She left Kyuden Asako in the morning for a hunt with several others, none of them have returned yet. While we have sent out scouts, there is quite a lot of ground to cover." Tsukimi says.
"So use your magic to send a message to her. You have a member of the Elemental Council right here!" Shigetoshi says.
"We have, but being not a shugenja her self, nor her companions, we can't do more than send messages and direct people to where the kami suggest they are. As powerful as we are, we are not gods, this century has taught us that much" Mitsuko replies.
"I don't intend to wait around doing nothing." You say.
"Of course not my Emperor. Speak the word, my people are at your command" Tsukimi says.
[] "I want to see Doji-shiryo's body, she deserves to have her friend mourn her"
[] "I want to go out and find my advisor"
[] "I am going to talk to my counselors, have them meet me..."
[] "I wish to speak to the Magistrate, Utaku Ikiryo was it?"
[] write in
AN: Sorry this one really fought me to get out.
You look to Shigetoshi. He simply nods.
"We will have to have our game another time. With me" You say.
"Hai, to Shiba-san then?" Shigetoshi asks.
"Indeed, after all, it's only right to find out why she has to die" you say.
Shigetoshi nods as the servant leads you to Tsukimi's chambers, not that you need it. You know where they are but still it's nice to have him there. The austere beauty of the Phoenix is something not even on the edge of your senses as you walk hurriedly through the corridors.
Seppun Naomi rushes up to you and quickly kow-tows before you bid her to stand.
"Emperor, your orders?"
"See to it that my wife and daughter are protected with everything we have. Bring me my full daisho, and contingent of the Hidden Guard." You order.
Naomi kow-tows again and runs off to obey your orders.
"You know this means war my Emperor" Shigetoshi says.
"The Phoenix are pacifists, they will do all they can to avoid it." You say.
"Nothing can avoid the wrath of the Crane on this, not now that they have a target that even you can't deny the validity of." Shigetoshi says.
"Which is why Akodo-san, the real killer must be found and quickly. For ten years the Phoenix have recovered, and I do not wish to see what the Inferno Legion will do to the lands of the Crane if they are pushed" you say.
"Even if we have the real killer...." Shigetoshi begins.
"You believe that they will still blame the Phoenix."
"...it is their castle" Shigetoshi says.
Before you can answer, the large doors leading to the central council room of the Asako come into view. The guards don't have time to get up from their ritual obeisance before you slam open the shoji screen doors. You walk into the room, the somewhat older, but still beautiful and strong Shiba Tsukimi kow-tows with her staff. You give a polite nod.
Around you countless scroll cases, banners, and simple but beautiful bonsai trees decorate the room, you could hardly care less.
"Yes it is their castle, but I don't believe for a moment they were lax." You say.
Tsukimi stands up with her contingent of Shiba Guards, and the Mistress of Air, Isawa Mitsuko.
The Chief Inquisitor of the Phoenix was a fanatic some said when it came to threats to her clan or the spiritual well being of Rokugan. Other's reflected that at some point people should stop poking the bear.
"Shiba-san, Isawa-san, I am told that one of my favoured servants lies dead, report." You say.
Tsukimi gestures to Mitsuko, who steps forward.
"Approximately six hours ago, Doji Domotai retired from a courtly game of kemari to enjoy the baths, and asked to be left alone according to the bath servants. She then washed herself and went to the baths, taking the private section for her own. There is no reports of anyone coming in or out. After four hours it was concerned that Doji-shiryo fell asleep in the baths as sometimes happens, and a sufficiently ranked member of the Crane was fetched to go check."
Mitsuko adjusts her hood.
"Doji-shiryo was found face down in the pool, a large bruise having formed on her forehead, all appearances it seems she was rendered unconscious by blunt force trauma, likely a jo staff, and then drowned."
Shigetoshi snorts.
"Doji-shiryo was a formidable warrior, there is no way even an unexpected blow from a jo staff would be enough to lay her out like that."
"Regardless, that is what appears to have happened." Tsukimi says.
"I fought with the woman against the Shadow Dragon, she is harder to take down than that." You say.
"That was nearly a decade ago my Emperor, age is a foe no one defeats." Tsukimi says.
You fold your arms.
"A murder has happened in your lands Shiba-san, this is unforgivable...where is the Crane representative?" you ask.
Tsukimi frowns.
"Daidoji Hidetada has directed his energies towards ensuring that Doji-shiryo's remains are properly taken care if preparation for her ashes to be returned home. He has stated that the Emerald Magistrates must be involved, however...."
"However?" you press.
"The only Emerald Magistrate in the castle at the time is a member of the Unicorn. Utaku Ikiryo-san has of course begun her work, although she has not finished. The fact remains that this situation is a bonfire, only waiting for a torch" Mitsuko says folding her arms.
"You don't seriously think that the Phoenix would reject one of my magistrates even if the finding is that you committed negligence? " You ask a warning note in your voice.
"No my Emperor. Did I believe the Phoenix responsible, you would already have my head as is your right. But, I do not believe the Crane will believe that" Tsukimi states firmly.
Shigetoshi frowns.
"She died in your home, you failed Shiba-ue, there must be a reckoning for that." he says.
Tsukimi shakes her head.
"A reckoning yes, the Phoenix Clan have been lied too, used in the schemes of another. For that there must be a reckoning indeed."
"Regardless, I trust the other delegation heads have been secured?" You ask pushing pass the by play.
"Hai. Kuni Toshii, Kitsuki Iweko, Bayushi Toshiro, Ide Gyeon, and Moshi Aizumi, have all been given appropriate room with which to secure themselves using their own clans methods. The Minor Clan representatives such as they are, have joined Morito-san in his own quarters for now." Mitsuko says.
"And my advisers?" You ask.
"Shosuro Ayumi has sent word that she waits in her quarters at your convenience, as does Iuchi..." Mitsuko's voice drops a little in distaste. "Shem-Zhe, Kitsuki Akane-san, we cannot seem to find."
"...you cannot find my Imperial Advisor." you say lowly.
"She left Kyuden Asako in the morning for a hunt with several others, none of them have returned yet. While we have sent out scouts, there is quite a lot of ground to cover." Tsukimi says.
"So use your magic to send a message to her. You have a member of the Elemental Council right here!" Shigetoshi says.
"We have, but being not a shugenja her self, nor her companions, we can't do more than send messages and direct people to where the kami suggest they are. As powerful as we are, we are not gods, this century has taught us that much" Mitsuko replies.
"I don't intend to wait around doing nothing." You say.
"Of course not my Emperor. Speak the word, my people are at your command" Tsukimi says.
[] "I want to see Doji-shiryo's body, she deserves to have her friend mourn her"
[] "I want to go out and find my advisor"
[] "I am going to talk to my counselors, have them meet me..."
[] "I wish to speak to the Magistrate, Utaku Ikiryo was it?"
[] write in
AN: Sorry this one really fought me to get out.
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
Not much we can do for the dead, and the killer could still be loose.
We should try and save our advisor if we can.
[X] "I want to go out and find my advisor"
-[X] Have the remaining counselors come with him so they talk while they hunt.
Apparently the Crane are going to want their pound of flesh from the Phoenix, but what form is it going to take? I really don't want another interclan war to happen while the Empire is recovering and trying to sort out the Tests of HeavenTM.
@gman391 Does Hisao have any idea what the Crane are going to demand from the Phoenix?
keenscythe
No longer NEET
- Location
- WA, USA
Frustrating. Oh well, asking for there to be no inter-clan conflict is like asking California to not be on fire.
It's just another thing Hisao is going to have to either mediate or officiate over.
If for some reason this event hits critical levels of fail will Hisao have to deal with a succession crisis with both the Crane and the Phoenix?
Who are their respective heirs at the time anyway?
Yes
and Doji Makoto (age 8) along with whoever picks up Shiba's Sword and the Council votes in as the new master of air
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Huh. This does put a different spin on who might have the motivation.
I certainly *hope* it's not the Unicorn. It could quite easily be the Kolat, though. Set the Crane and the Phoenix against one another, tear the heart out of the growing Unicorn alliance, strip resources and attention from the Crane and leave them with an 8-year-old for an heir. By the time they recover, they'll be even less relevant, to the point that they might nto be able to recover at all (and/or that you might see a bunch of Kolat infiltration through the Daidoji and possibly the resurgence of the harriers).
I... yeah. The fact that the only available Emerald Magistrate is a Unicorn is concerning.
Kitsuki Iweko was a pretty competent investigator. @gman391, I know that bringing her in on this is the sort of thing that would be of nontrivial cost, but how bad would it be really? How likely are we in character to think of such a thing or think it might be in any way appropriate?
I certainly *hope* it's not the Unicorn. It could quite easily be the Kolat, though. Set the Crane and the Phoenix against one another, tear the heart out of the growing Unicorn alliance, strip resources and attention from the Crane and leave them with an 8-year-old for an heir. By the time they recover, they'll be even less relevant, to the point that they might nto be able to recover at all (and/or that you might see a bunch of Kolat infiltration through the Daidoji and possibly the resurgence of the harriers).
I... yeah. The fact that the only available Emerald Magistrate is a Unicorn is concerning.
Kitsuki Iweko was a pretty competent investigator. @gman391, I know that bringing her in on this is the sort of thing that would be of nontrivial cost, but how bad would it be really? How likely are we in character to think of such a thing or think it might be in any way appropriate?