Honestly I want a colonisation game, however since we don't seem to be likely to get that...
[X] Plan: First, look within
Seems the best for flexibility whatever the Elemental Masters tell us.
That said, if we could get support for a hopelessly out of his depth ronin to take the wheel I would be all over that.
You are a female samurai of the Phoenix Clan, who up until recently was serving as the daimyo of one of your Clan's relatively few holdings. Your strength of character and adherence to bushido have drawn praise from many quarters of the Empire, but you often find yourself haunted by premonitions of the future and nigh-prophetic dreams.
Your name is Shiba Izumi, and you are now Champion of the Phoenix Clan.
I'm currently working on a map for the Empire, and then I'll move on to the first turn update. I'm thinking of breaking the years down into 'seasons', if only to help me keep track of everything. We'll see how it goes.
All right, here we go. This is the first update for Empire of the Emerald Stars. Before I get to that, though, it's worth pointing out a couple of extra changes I've made to the rules surrounding characters.
So the first thing you'll notice is that the names have changed. This was mostly a result of me confusing myself when writing up some of my notes and then realizing that if I couldn't keep track of this, there was basically no way anyone else was going to be able to. The fire-based role is now called 'Sage', the Earth-based role is 'Daimyo' and the Void-based one is now 'Magistrate'. The change away from using Shugenja in particular I decided was necessary, since Shugenja are actual things in the game and can occupy just about all of the roles, while those who fulfilled the role of Shugenja weren't necessarily actual, well, Shugenja.
You can see where I was confusing myself.
The other major change is an alteration in how many characters each family generates, which is currently capped at the family's own relevant trait score. This came about after I calculated things out and realized that I'd have to generate over 50 unique NPCs for the Shiba family alone under the existing rules, which was going to be damn near impossible to do and even harder to keep track of.
Now, this does remove some of the incentive to develop your secondary provinces and acquire more, which is not particularly desirable. I'm thinking of counter-balancing that by upping the number of units that a province can support as it's stats increase. This will obviously lead to much larger armies and fleets, especially for Clans like the Lion who have massive sprawling territories, but I'm not inherently opposed to that sort of idea. Still, if anyone else has any suggestions of their own, feel free to make them - I'm modifying this as I go along, so thoughts and feedback are always welcome.
As the local star dips towards the horizon, it's warm rays strike the slopes and valleys of the Jade Mountains in a dazzling display of light and color. The effect is rather like that of an aurora brought to earth, a rippling curtain of vibrant green and cool blue energy that dances all across the peak of the miles-long range in a glorious halo of divine light.
It is easy to see why the Isawa would choose this land as the site of their new home.
Idly, you find yourself contemplating just what the Crab might be willing to say or do in exchange for access to such a place. It is a base and ugly thought, one that verges on the outright sacrilegious, but you cannot deny the potential relevance of it to one in your current position. Ofushikai, the ancestral sword of the Phoenix, rests heavy at your side, and even the comforting glow of the Soul of Shiba at the back of your mind cannot entirely quell the faint seeds of doubt gnawing at your soul.
Shiba Izumi, Champion of the Phoenix... it is a lofty title, one to command respect and awe from just about any quarter of society, but never before had you quite appreciated just how heavy such a name might be. Tens of millions of samurai now stand ready to fight and die at your command, and a hundred times as many peasants now look to you to guide and protect them from their enemies, and you have only the faintest idea to even start.
It would be a difficult enough question to answer at the best of times, but at present the Phoenix Clan find themselves in a particularly dire state of affairs. You spare a thought to once again curse the name of Isawa Kano, the young engineer who managed to get your Clan into this state. That he thought to steal revolutionary new ship components from the Unicorn Clan was bad enough, for that in and of itself would likely have served as prelude to war, but his decision to then replace them with sub-standard components and in so doing condemn the Unicorn's latest and most advanced void ship to destruction must rank among the worst examples of stupidity in the entire history of Rokugan.
You dearly hope that he was acting alone, for if you discover that some fool among the Isawa decided to put their own pride and scholarly interests above the health of the Clan as a whole your fury will be beyond measure. The Ide was the pride of the Unicorn and it's captain one of their very best, so of course they would respond to any hint of sabotage with outright war. You cannot even find itself in you to blame them for it, in truth, for even though the engineer committed seppuku immediately and your predecessor denied any involvement in the matter, an insult of such magnitude could never be allowed to stand. Your only hope now is that they will decide that the insult has been avenged and call off their war before winter's end and the resumption of hostilities.
After all, it can hardly be claimed they have not hurt your Clan greatly in recompense. Fleets destroyed, territory taken, agents slaughtered in duels and a Champion slain in battle... after two years of war, the Phoenix Clan is in a sorry state indeed. Outside of the Tadaka system, only their holdings on the World of Dreams and Rokugan proper remain under Phoenix control, and the former is only yours for as long as the planet's Scorpion overlords see fit to defend you. Perhaps if your predecessor had been permitted to commit the Elemental Legions and your greatest ships to battle things might have been different, but the Isawa forbade it, unwilling to escalate to such devastating extremes.
Gazing out over the magnificent slopes of jade that form the mountains around Kyuden Isawa, you cannot help but sigh faintly to yourself. Perhaps the Elemental Council will have an explanation for you, one which justifies their decision to force your family into a war with one hand tied behind their backs, but if they do not... well, such is their right. Shiba swore to defend the children of Isawa for all eternity, and no matter how much you might disagree with the current generation of those children, you have no intention of breaking that oath now.
(It is a profoundly strange experience, to think of something that Shiba did and find yourself able to remember how such things appeared through his eyes. You do not know if you will ever truly get used to it, and some small part of you hopes you never do. To become inured to the wonder and unimaginable honour of such shared memories would be a tragic thing indeed.)
There is a gentle cough from behind you, where some of your new Honour Guard stand vigil around the edges of the balcony.
"Shiba-dono." One of them says respectfully, and you curse yourself for not knowing his name even given the short time you have known each other. "The Elemental Council have sent word. They are assembled, and prepared to meet with you now."
Schooling your face into a dignified mask, you rise from your seat, the enchanted silk of your kimono rustling slightly as you turn to face your new subordinate. "Very well. Lead the way."
You can hardly be expected to know your way around Kyuden Isawa yourself, after all, and by his prompt compliance the guardsman understands and was prepared for such an order. Before two weeks ago you were just a minor Daimyo on the far side of the planet, after all, concerned with the affairs in your small corner of the Empire and only rarely moving beyond it. You have some understanding of politics and high society of course, as is expected for any member of the kuge, but you would be flattering yourself to claim the title of anything more than amateur in comparison to those who live and work in the very heart of the Clan's power.
Still, while you might yet harbor doubts as to your own suitability, such fears are clearly not shared by the samurai and peasants who pass you in the well lit halls of Kyuden Isawa. While only the latter are permitted to show any kind of emotion by the laws and dictates of civilized society, all who look upon you seem to take heart from your presence and apparent confidence, bowing with seemingly genuine reverence and respect as you pass by.
Most samurai to bear this burden stand insensate for a week or more until they adjust, Izumi-san, the voice of one of your ancestors murmurs softly to you as you walk. Your people see your current fortitude as being a sign of great strength and honour, and find it easy to trust in your judgement and ability as a result.
Oh. Well, that certainly explains a few things, and it is always nice to have a reminder of the wise counsel at your disposal. You could probably spend the rest of your life consulting with the voices and memories in your mind and still never reach the end of the wisdom that the Soul of Shiba holds, and while your duties would never allow for such irresponsibility you can already see the likely benefits of at least referencing it when and where you can.
With new confidence you follow the guard through the many halls and passageways of the castle, and then into the surprisingly small meeting room set aside for such things. Considering the resources available to the Isawa family they could easily have chosen to make the council chamber a monument to power and glory, or at least festooned it with comforts beyond the dreams of lesser men, but tradition and a respect for the ways of one's ancestors are perhaps the single unifying threat tying all of Rokugan together. As such, the council chamber is a relatively spartan affair, consisting of bare wooden walls and a floor of stone etched with the mon of the Isawa family. Positioned just beyond each of the five elemental kanji that make up their sigil stand a ring of comfortable looking seats, and on those the masters of the Phoenix Clan sit and discuss the business at hand.
Considering the sheer amount of power and authority invested in the men and women before you, both by virtue of their political positions and their unmatched connection to the elemental Kami, you have to admit you are somewhat surprised by just how normal they manage to look. Two men and three women, each clad in silken robes and shadowed by dangerous-looking bodyguards, but otherwise interchangeable with any number of scholars, priests and courtiers throughout the Empire. They study you as you make your way from the doorway to stand in front of them, and despite the sheer power they represent you find that you are somehow not intimidated in the slightest.
"Shiba-sama, thank you for attending so promptly." Isawa Tetsuo, the heavily muscled Master of Earth, says in a low voice. "I know you must have a great deal on your mind."
"It was no trouble at all, Isawa-sama." You reply politely, bowing deeply to him and the rest of the Elemental Council. "No samurai finds a summons by her lord to be troublesome."
Your words are respectful, but even so more than one set of eyes narrows at your choice of honorific. In times of peace the Isawa would rule supreme over the Clan and thus be addressed as 'dono', but in times of war the Shiba are considered to hold equal rank in the Clan's hierarchy, and your choice of 'sama' was chosen to remind them of just that.
The many and varied voices of the Soul are quite clear on the need to represent yourself with strength and pride in this initial meeting, after all, and you find yourself in complete agreement with them.
"No honorable samurai, perhaps, and I suppose we could hardly call you otherwise." Isawa Genji intercedes politely, the Master of Air playing the role of peacemaker as he is often known to do. "Even here we have heard stories of the honorable nature and fine character of Shiba Izumi. It seems clear to me why the ancestors have chosen you to be our protector and voice in years to come."
"You do me much credit, Isawa-sama." You reply humbly. "How might I serve you today?"
"By accepting the invitation of the Son of Heaven, Shiba-sama." Isawa Hisana replies is a calm and perfectly controlled voice. The Master of Void seems to study you for a short moment before continuing. "Winter is almost upon us, and the Imperial Court is convening once again. As always, the Emperor has invited all of his Champions to attend or send representative, and it is our will that you travel there in person."
A... potentially problematic request, you have to admit, but it would never do to voice such doubts directly. Instead, you opt for a simpler and less confrontational response. "Forgive my ignorance, Isawa-sama, but I was under the impression that I was to remain in Phoenix lands for the time being. There is much that I must do in order to properly fulfill my new duties, after all."
"True enough, Shiba-sama, and normally we would never send you to Winter Court so soon after your appointment." Isawa Akio, the Master of Fire, says in a strong and confident voice. "And yet it is your duties that require you to attend. The Unicorn Clan have, for reasons of their own, communicated with us a desire for peace. Their Champion will be attending Imperial Winter Court this year, and they have suggested that such might be the best place for such negotiations."
You cannot help but blink at that, your surprise and cautiously building joy causing your on to slip for the briefest of moments. "That is excellent news, Isawa-sama, if somewhat unexpected. I will of course arrange a settlement, though I must wonder why they desire one now."
You half expect the Master of Water to reply, completing the pattern established thus far, but instead it is Isawa Genji who answers you. "That is something of a mystery to us as well, Shiba-sama, but needless to say it is an opportunity that we cannot afford to surrender. If you can arrange to have our lands returned to us and their hostages released as well that would be of particular value, but peace in and of itself would be a valuable prize well worth pursuing."
Why not ask me for Amaterasu's own robes as well, for I am more likely to acquire those. You keep your doubts from your face however, and merely bow in acknowledgement. "Of course, Isawa-sama. If I may, such success will require gifts and concessions in turn."
"Naturally." Isawa Genji replies with a faint sigh. "You will of course have full authority to negotiate anything you deem appropriate. In addition, as a sign of our sincerity, feel free to pledge the aid of the Elemental Masters to the projects of the other Clans for the upcoming year."
You cannot help but raise an eyebrow at that one. "Your aid, Isawa-sama?"
"Yes, Shiba-sama, our aid. In their construction, in their development... in their wars, if needs be." Genji replies, though by his expression he seems to find the latter clause particularly distasteful. "The Shiba have protected and served the Isawa for three thousand years. If you find your duty is made easier by our aid in turn, especially when it comes to compensating for the mistakes of one of our bloodline, then our own honour demands no less. Now, select your fellow ambassadors and prepare yourself for departure. The Emperor's Court is not to be kept waiting."
Hiding your smile, you bow low to your lords in silent acceptance. It seems you will have a potent bargaining chip indeed, and there are few places more auspicious for the negotiation than the Imperial court with a fellow Champion of Rokugan. Perhaps things are not so dire as you first imagined after all.
The Phoenix shall rise from the ashes once more.
Article:
Who is hosting the Imperial Winter Court this year?
[ ] The Imperial Families. Emperor Hantei does not desire to leave Rokugan proper this year, and so prevails upon the hospitality of his own relatives for this court.
[ ] The Crane Clan. The world of Golden Mirror is a holiday resort without peer, and the Emperor desires luxurious comfort and quality entertainment this year.
[ ] The Lion Clan. The Emperor desires something traditional this year, where he might hold court as did his ancestors of old, and a visit to New Rokugan seems just the thing.
[ ] The Mantis Clan. If you are of an adventurous mind, there are few better places to enjoy yourself than the world of New Kalini, the this year the Emperor has a great desire for such adrenaline-fueled pastimes.
[ ] The Scorpion Clan. The World of Dreams is famed for its cosmopolitan nature, where one can acquire the goods and services of every Clan in existence, and it seems this year the Emperor is of a mind to indulge in such opportunities.
Article:
This is also your chance to come up with interesting and useful NPCs to fill the ranks of your character roster. I have 63 spots to fill, after all, and while I will be coming up with a fair number of my own it's always a good idea to encourage player investment. So if you can provide a name and two of three lines of background and character notes for a potential NPC from one of the Phoenix families, please do so! There's no need to vote on each-other's entries, though working together to come up with interesting and complimentary combinations is highly encouraged - I will pick the ones I like and fill in any and all gaps that remain afterwards with my own ideas.
Which characters does your Clan count among their most important and powerful samurai?
[ ] Write in
I'll also be formalizing some of my notes on technology, setting elements and the state of the other Clans at various points before the next update, so if you have anything you're particularly interesting in, please feel free to ask.
"It was no trouble at all, Isawa-sama." You reply politely, bowing deeply to him and the rest of the Elemental Council. "No samurai finds a summons by her lord to be troublesome."
Your words are respectful, but even so more than one set of eyes narrows at your choice of honorific. In times of peace the Isawa would rule supreme over the Clan and thus be addressed as 'dono', but in times of war the Shiba are considered to hold equal rank in the Clan's hierarchy, and your choice of 'sama' was chosen to remind them of just that.
Aren't these honorifics backwards? I thought that it was "Sama" that implied subordination towards the one they are referring, while "Dono", while extremely respectful, perhaps more so than "sama", did not imply that the speaker was inferior to the one referred.
Or have conventions changed and Rokugan use older ones? Or do Rokugan just use straight up different conventions? Or am I getting confused and changed up honorifics?
Aren't these honorifics backwards? I thought that it was "Sama" that implied subordination towards the one they are referring, while "Dono", while extremely respectful, perhaps more so than "sama", did not imply that the speaker was inferior to the one referred.
Or have conventions changed and Rokugan use older ones? Or do Rokugan just use straight up different conventions? Or am I getting confused and changed up honorifics?
The L5R sourcebooks all seem to treat 'sama' as being highly respectful but otherwise generic, while 'dono' seems reserved for someone above you in a formal chain of authority. Since I can remember that right now, it's what I'm going with for the purposes of this quest.
If I may ask for an npc as I don't trust myself to make it, how about a more warlike member of the crane clan that's also not completely a dick(given that seems to be how they are characterized).
Just thinking if they would be prone to diplomancing people to surrender or liable to try and make a reputation either for skill or their tactics or just by being terrifying.
The L5R sourcebooks all seem to treat 'sama' as being highly respectful but otherwise generic, while 'dono' seems reserved for someone above you in a formal chain of authority. Since I can remember that right now, it's what I'm going with for the purposes of this quest.
I'm kinda tempted to put forth Shiba Hiraku, my losing plan as Rikugunshokan/a taisa of the Elemental Legions, but I don't know how everyone feels about it. I'd like to at least acknowledge the character but I don't want anyone to feel I'm trying to spite/undermine the winning vote. Other people's thoughts on the matter?
If I may ask for an npc as I don't trust myself to make it, how about a more warlike member of the crane clan that's also not completely a dick(given that seems to be how they are characterized).
Just thinking if they would be prone to diplomancing people to surrender or liable to try and make a reputation either for skill or their tactics or just by being terrifying.
Oh, there are plenty of Crane characters like that. For the moment, though, I'm mostly interested in members of the Phoenix Clan, since these are the guys that you control and develop.
I'd also welcome ideas from everyone on how to handle tech advancement, since there's an entire Role dedicated to that purpose. Modifying the traits of your units and giving them additional Aspects is the obvious way, but then of course I need to also take into account those techs which are more than just a gradual improvement to existing technologies.
[X] The Crane Clan. The world of Golden Mirror is a holiday resort without peer, and the Emperor desires luxurious comfort and quality entertainment this year.
As for who holds Winter Court... there are some tactics there.
- Whoever it is will have a powerful home field advantage in the form of enormously more available samurai, knowing the area, and having the locals all be their vassals. They will also be run a bit ragged by the needs of throwing such a bash.
- It speaks to a number of things...
--- What diversions and resources are available, and the overall theme of the court
--- What diversions the Emperor is interested in at this time, and something about said Emperor's character
--- Alternately, the Emperor may have some other reason for choosing that location. What is it?
I also note that we're getting the by-now-traditional "five choices" thing....
[x] The Lion Clan
Because we're provincial. The Scorpion cosmopolitan thing is all wrong, even if it does mean that we'd have better access to Phoenix clansmen. The Crane are going to expect us to have an opinion on the artistic offerings, which we're likely to be terrible at. Imperial Families is kind of a mystery box. Mantis is if you want to make ti about excitement and thrills, and that just doesn't seem like who our character is, thematically. The Lion, on the other hand, are all about Tradition. We'll likely have learned the Traditional stuff pretty well, and we have the Honor thing down hard.
This is mostly a first thought thing. I'll be happy to entertain arguments in favor of the other options. It's the one that hops out at me, though.
Side note: I get the impression that everyone follows "Summer" and "Winter" as per Rokugan Because It's Tradition. Wars between starships aren't going to care so much about snowstorms, but everyone stops the fighting anyway, because the society was built on it and hasn't changed. Assaulting your foe in the Winter would be *rude*. There's probably been an appropriate Imperial Edict or few on the matter.
I'd also welcome ideas from everyone on how to handle tech advancement, since there's an entire Role dedicated to that purpose. Modifying the traits of your units and giving them additional Aspects is the obvious way, but then of course I need to also take into account those techs which are more than just a gradual improvement to existing technologies.
Hmm, main challenge there is to avoid recursive tech acceleration rush/number chase. Similarly, if you want meaningful decisions, having them in a visible tree makes picking the optimal path too straightforward, and we'd just bandwagon one route to max. Likewise, there needs to be some degree of exclusivity, to reflect the attention of researchers drifting.
I can think of a few points:
-Research requires Inspiration, some event, precedent, or observation that makes pursuing it possible.
--Inspiration is ranked. The more advanced the research, the higher the rank of the inspiration needed to commence it. Naturally, the inspiration has to be related to the item pursued.
--Inspiration expires if unused. Mainly to avoid hoarding the stuff/increasing management backlog. Higher ranked ones last longer.
--You spend Inspiration twice, once to initiate it, once to complete it if your research roll falls below the minimum threshold. This could mean that a research item is simply stuck if you roll poorly, until you acquire the appropriate idea to break through the roadblock.
--You can gain Inspiration for existing technology and equipment from simply utilizing them and discovering a failing or exceptional specimen as a basis for improvement.(aka, unlocked by critical successes or failures in relevant actions)
--You can gain Inspiration in general by trade, exploration, etc.
--You are awarded Inspiration from critically succeeding on a research item. No jumping past the tech tree on a few early crits, you just get the Idea...which you must then work on.
-Two main modes of research
--Pure Theory. This one is basically research done solely to increase the rank of a given Inspiration, or to attempt to convert an Inspiration to another category. No immediate rewards with difficulty based on the rank, but on a success, you upgrade the Inspiration. On a critical success, you upgrade it AND get a new one. Critical failure consumes the Inspiration you're using.
--Application. This one produces meaningful, generally circumstantial gains. Basically "all your pieces are in place, now to fit them together". Completion allows you to begin roll out or building a prototype.
Alright let me try and make an NPC if I do something wrong please tell me I don't know the format.
[X] Kuni Kenshin
Quite possibly the one most prolific Kuni Witch hunter in the history of Rokugan if only by sheer numbers, Kuni Kenshin has combated the forces of Jigoku and other spirit realms across dozens of world, destroying a countless number of threats across a career several decades long which has cemented him a reputation as the premiere combatant of such threats. Called by some "the most feared samurai alive" He carries himself with a cold and unyielding focus and a natural aura of fear as he carries out his work with a pragmatism remarkable even amongst the Crab often bringing bloodshed in his wake as he destroys the threats he seeks even if he must sometime be forced to use dishonorable methods for a noble goal. Regardless of his reputation he is the first on the mind of many to call on when the threats of the spirt realms must be fought and for good reason for none can question his reputation or effectiveness.
@Karugus
I would definitely say that Shiba Hiraku is worth keeping. I would also forward the courtier I scribbled together earlier as someone else to have around. I shall call her Shiba Hisayo and expand on her later.
In general, I'm insufficiently familiar with the setting to be of much use on that particular vote. Instead I present a list, in no particular order, of proposed NPCs we should make sure exist. I'll update the list as we discuss.
1) Domestic trade expert
2) Foreign Trade expert
3) Courtier (Shiba Hisayo, Courtier, Hero of the People, Paragon of Bushido)
4) Soldier (Shiba Hiraku, Legionnaire, Hero of the People, Blessing of the Seven Fortunes - Bishamon)
5) Domestic policy expert
6) Economist (probably more than one, domestic and foreign)
7) Scientist (variety of fields, probably lots, need at least one that is a big shot at an important university)
8) Engineer (variety of fields as well, special focus on space travel?)
9) Musician (probably more than one)
10) Artisan (Also more than one)
- It seems odd that the Elemental Master are all taking roles as Magistrates. Isawa Genji is pretty clearly a Courtier, and Isawa Hisana looks more like a Bushi, and I suspect that some of the others could be moved around as well. Is this an artifact of when you were calling that role "Shugenja"?
- It seems downright bizarre that the Asako have as many Bushi as the Shiba, as many Sages as the Shiba, and only one more Courtier than the Shiba. Seems like the traits could use some mucking with. The Shiba should be heavy on the Bushi and Diamyo, light on the Courtier and Sage. The Asako should be the opposite, with low Diamyo, probably decent-to-high Magistrate (Asako Inquisitor!), and almost no Bushi, but at least as much courtier as the other two combined (if not more) and a healthy touch of Sage. The Isawa should be light on the Bushi, lighter on the courtiers, middling on the Diamyo, with a decent helping of Magistrates and Sages. Okay, some of the specifics might have changed, but the families absolutely have areas of comparative specialty, and that should be reflected in their stats and hero numbers. For that matter, if we trimmed down the overall number of characters per family, we might be able to fit in the Agasha. That would be cool.
To me, the fact that we just don't have as many significant Bushi as, say, the Lion is an interesting and pertinent part of the way the game works. Indeed, we probably ought to have fewer heroic characters floating around overall that most of the other Clans. The Phoenix get quality instead of quantity, but that means that the quantity does suffer.
Also, in response to improving provinces... don't give us more legions/ships/whatever. Instead, say that improving the province improves the stats on their legions/fleets/whatever. Less bookkeeping.
