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Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)

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Dirtnap said:
well we've still got a few months of travelling at any rate so I'd go with smooth operator.
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Looks like on the map I see that after Kyuden Ikoma, we have Shiro Sano Ken Hayai, then a fairly long trek (or shorter if you're willing to use back roads and a river crossing) to Kyuden Tonbo, then up through the mountains to Shiro Kitsuki, then Kyuden Togashi. Shiro Kitsuki is the home of the Dragon courtiers and magistrates, and seems like the sort of place that we can't really skip. Kyuden Tonbo is a lot more skippable - it's the ancestral home of the dragonfly - most noted for being an offshoot of the phoenix and dragon together, and for being nearly annhilated by the Lion. Shiro Sano Ken Hayai is a semi-important holding of the Lion (large dojos for both samurai and Shugenja, local governance, etc). How skippable it is depends on whether or nto we feel the need to get another shot at the Lion before we get to the lands of the Dragon. I'd count it as less important overall than Shiro no Soshuro, but it's easy enough to hit that place on the way back. So - once we leave here, it's one, maybe two stops before Kyuden Togashi.

Of course, we also have to travel back.

gman391 said:
@Sirrocco

On reflection I don't think we can be an effective storyteller with just 5k3 really. Given thats our job I really do think 3xp is worth it.
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I have every intention of burning a void point every time we tell a story. 6k4 should be fine, and that's an entirely doable strategy as long as we're only telling a story or two at each stop (and don't have to both tell stories and engage in mortal combat on the same day). Thus the talking with Yasuki Goro. If he's intending to have us show up and tell a story or two, deployed tactically, going for the element of surprise, then void points will work. If he's intending or expecting us to tell multiple stories, and compete for audiences while we're there, then the plan may need adjustment.

Eri said:
Ditto. Although raising reflexes (and/or possibly intelligence) soon should also be pretty high on the list.
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Yeah. Reflexes is the next thing on the list under that plan after the Courtier and the Investigate. I figure that intelligence is something of a long-term pick - eventually we'll want to pick up int and a bunch of Lore one-pointers, so that we can roll 4k3 on a variety of "I need clue" things, but that's at least as much for the insight efficiency as anything else, and we have more important stuff to worry about for the moment.

So, given that everyone seems to want to bump our social...
[x] Buy Courtier 2 and Investigate 3. 1 exp remaining.
 
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It's not bad, but it's not good, it's passable, and I want us to succeed. Sirrocco's argument does hold merit however. So I will cease arguing on the issue.
 
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2.92
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    • [x] Gman
    -[x] Sirrocco

    This whole affair has taught you a great deal. First and foremost, you've learned even more that the art of diplomacy can be a tricky road to walk. You've had some experience, to be sure, but nothing quite so dramatic as this. You honestly cannot tell if you succeeded or failed during this encounter.

    You saved the peasant, yes. That is important, for life should not be wasted on something so frivolous. You even managed to avoid getting wrapped up in a duel, as could easily have happened if you'd physically confronted Benka. However, that look the Matsu gave you makes one thing perfectly clear.

    Despite your attempts to save face for all involved, you have made an enemy this day.

    "My thanks," you say as you accept the cup from Shirou. You take a shallow sip, enjoying the taste as the sake burns down your throat. You want to savor this, because you'll not be drinking more today. These recent events have put you off it.

    You set down the cup with a sigh before running a hand across your face and through your long hair. For a moment you just give yourself a chance to breath, listening with half an ear as the Ikoma continues his story of how the Lion smashed the Crane in that skirmish. You notice mostly the same things as before, that the man channels his emotions into his voice and body language as he tells the tale.

    You're just too distracted to give it much focus, though.

    "Shirou, my friend," you say before taking another small sip. "I can't say I was expecting something like this coming into the city."

    "It is indeed something of a shock," Shirou responds. "But what is life but a series of surprising events between the familiar?" He smiles. "After all, some excitement is needed lest our days grow too dull."

    "Perhaps a bit too much excitement," you say. "Or rather, the wrong kind. This playing with words…" you wave a hand. "I'm not suited for it. Give me my tetsubo and some skulls to crack any day. The end result will be more pleasing."

    "Pardon, Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "But I feel you are being too hard on yourself. After all, you did save that man from an unjust fate." He tilts his head a little, giving you a contemplative look. "That, at least, is a worthy thing your quick thinking brought this day."

    You nod in acknowledgement at your friend's words. Shirou is, of course, correct. Your disappointment aside over Matsu Benka's inability to realize your efforts on his behalf, an injustice was prevented. And that, above everything else, is supposed to be the pinnacle of what Samurai are. If nothing else, you have served your position with honor. There is always merit in that.

    You down what is left of your cup and grin, feeling quite a bit better. You wave your hand when Shirou offers you more from the bottle.

    "I think I will stick with water for now," you say. "I've had a good lesson on temperance today."

    "A fine lesson to learn," Shirou says, nodding. He sets the bottle aside and pulls over a small jug of water, pouring you a drink. He holds up his cup to you. "To temperance, then."

    "To temperance," you say, holding your cup up as well before taking a long sip of cool, refreshing water.

    It's one of the best drinks you've ever had in your life.

    [] Stay in the sake house.
    [] Leave the sake house.
    [] Write in.


    Sosuke has had an enlightening experience on the ever-shifting nature of diplomacy, and how even in success one can still make enemies! These events will shape his interactions for the rest of his life, and as such has earned 3 Experience Points.

    Sosuke has also shown kindness to someone of lesser status by stepping forth and preventing their blood from being shed. As such, he has gained 4 Honor Points.

    Though Sosuke presented the image of a stereotypical Crab, loud and crass, not everyone in the room was taken in by the act. Others saw through his actions into the intent beneath, and word will spread of his deeds. As such, Sosuke has gained 1 point of Glory.
     
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    • [x] Leave the sake house.

    Time to swap out with the pretty one, me thinks. Enough excitement for one day.
     
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    [X] Leave the sake house.

    Did that bump us up past 7 honor or were we already at 6.7? In either case we seem to be rising rather rapidly there.
     
    Da Boyz said:
    Did that bump us up past 7 honor or were we already at 6.7? In either case we seem to be rising rather rapidly there.
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    I set the change in points down about the same time as the update. Sosuke currently sits at 6.7 Honor. Y'all haven't done much in the way of dishonorable acts this entire Quest, save for a few minor indiscretions that have been counterbalanced by your honorable deeds.
     
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    [X] Leave the sake house.

    We promised Shasa-san that we'd tag her out and let her have some time on the town... and honestly, we've had enough excitement for the moment. Best to have a bit of time to rest and prepare before meeting with Ikoma-sama.
     
    overmind said:
    ...What indiscretions?
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    Well, pretending to be drunk and boorish, for one. It was for a worthy cause, but it's not the sort of compromise that someone of truly unimpeachable honor would permit themselves. Similarly, when pursuing the matter of the fox spirit, we represented her as a spirit-ally of the clan (both to the Ashigaru and the Ronin, if I recall correctly) before we knew for certain that she would be one. In character, I'd see us as having a lingering gratitude to her for redeeming our honor in that way. Likewise, when we used stealth to evade the three Lost samurai.

    In each case, we were allowing small infractions in the pursuit of honorable goals, but they *were* all compromises of Bushido of one sort or another.
     
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    Sirrocco said:
    Well, pretending to be drunk and boorish, for one. It was for a worthy cause, but it's not the sort of compromise that someone of truly unimpeachable honor would permit themselves. Similarly, when pursuing the matter of the fox spirit, we represented her as a spirit-ally of the clan (both to the Ashigaru and the Ronin, if I recall correctly) before we knew for certain that she would be one. In character, I'd see us as having a lingering gratitude to her for redeeming our honor in that way. Likewise, when we used stealth to evade the three Lost samurai.

    In each case, we were allowing small infractions in the pursuit of honorable goals, but they *were* all compromises of Bushido of one sort or another.
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    Which is pretty much the reason why barely any samurai have perfect honor, and those who do are either ridiculously sheltered or ridiculously strong. :p
     
    Felius said:
    Which is pretty much the reason why barely any samurai have perfect honor, and those who do are either ridiculously sheltered or ridiculously strong. :p
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    Granted, as our glory grows, it might be more difficult to cover up this. In the first two situations (Stealth and Liying to ronin), we was by ourselves practically. This time it was in a public place, and probably someone noticed we've been faking drunkness.

    Perhaps Benka did notice.

    We teuly have won an enemy. I won't be surprised if for that we get the sworn enemy one of this days because lol Matsu's pride.

    [x] Leave the sake house.
     
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