Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[X] Why not find another way? If this pah to redemption is blocked to you, simply find another.
Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[x] "Shinjo-san, your honor is your own, and you must be the one to decide what can cleanse it. If you are truly dedicated to the task of aiding the Dragon in this particular way, then I do have a thought on how that might be done. The Dragon did not accept the assistance of your clan when it was offered, and now you are here to offer your in person. It may be a matter of honor to them to handle it themselves, just as it is with you. In that case, your chances are not good, no matter how long you wait. It may be, however, that they wish for you to show yourself worthy. With the Dragon, worth is often a matter of enlightenment - and this place, this time, waiting for entrance, is as good a place and time to seek it as any. The Dragonfly here can likely aid you in your seeking, if you ask humbly, and even you are never permitted entry, at least the time you spend will not have been entirely wasted."
[x] "If, however, what you crave is not so much the blood of these specific bandits as it is honorable battle in which you might wash away dishonor with the blood of your foes, you have another option. The Shadowlands are coming. They are massing their armies even now. A major assault is likely within the year, and if not that, then soon after. We in the Crab would absolutely welcome any aid that you and your clansmen might bring in the coming onslaught. Come to the Wall. Join us. Stand between Rokugan and the destruction that seeks it, and wash away your shame in a battle whose righteousness is without question. At least consider it."
[x] Spend a void point.
[x] "If, however, what you crave is not so much the blood of these specific bandits as it is honorable battle in which you might wash away dishonor with the blood of your foes, you have another option. The Shadowlands are coming. They are massing their armies even now. A major assault is likely within the year, and if not that, then soon after. We in the Crab would absolutely welcome any aid that you and your clansmen might bring in the coming onslaught. Come to the Wall. Join us. Stand between Rokugan and the destruction that seeks it, and wash away your shame in a battle whose righteousness is without question. At least consider it."
[x] Spend a void point.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
I like the wording. Gives her a choice to be made.
I'm worried that her duty with the clan weights more than anything else, but at least this will give her something to think.
[x] Sirrocco
I'm worried that her duty with the clan weights more than anything else, but at least this will give her something to think.
[x] Sirrocco
- Location
- Canada
[x] Sirrocco
Ah, the tiny squid takes the lead once again.
Ah, the tiny squid takes the lead once again.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
Just chiming in to say I'd appreciate it if y'all specified what exactly you were spending Void on when you use it. This has happened a few times, and while normally I can tell what you're asking for I'll admit I'm a bit confused here. Are you all asking to spend Void to buff a Courtier roll?
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
I had assumed that there would be some sort of a roll associated with that speech - courtier, or perhaps sincerity, as we are basically making a recruitment pitch. If there is, spend void point on it. If there is not, then don't.
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Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
Sounds good. I'll use the Void Point there, then.
I would like to apologize for the delays in updates this week. Things have been fairly busy at work, which combined with my poor sleeping schedule hasn't done me any favors. So I've spent the last two nights going to bed early, and I'm feeling much better. So please rest easy if you were wondering, because the story will advance today. Thank you all so much for your patience.
I would like to apologize for the delays in updates this week. Things have been fairly busy at work, which combined with my poor sleeping schedule hasn't done me any favors. So I've spent the last two nights going to bed early, and I'm feeling much better. So please rest easy if you were wondering, because the story will advance today. Thank you all so much for your patience.
No worries - you're spending your free time to entertain a bunch of forumites from around the world, RL is much more important.
- Location
- Austrlia
Blasphemy! Heresy! Other-emy!
3.26
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Sirrocco
Courtier roll: 6k4=41
You frown. This situation has suddenly become quite awkward, as well as rather tense. Wanli obviously feels very strongly on this matter. However, as things stand you really can't see her ever achieving her desire. Relations between the Unicorn and the Dragon are still too strained, even so many years after all the turmoil.
But perhaps you can still give some advice? After all, it doesn't seem like Wanli has been using her time well during her stay in Kyuden Tonbo. She was drunk and picking fights with ronin, after all. Some encouragement and direction might be just the thing to help her turn her situation around.
And, perhaps, you might even be able to get some aid for the Crab in the war to come.
"Shinjo-san, your honor is your own," you say. "And you must be the one to decide what can cleanse it. If you are truly dedicated to the task of aiding the Dragon in this particular way, then I do have a thought on how that might be done. The Dragon did not accept the assistance of your clan when it was offered, and now you are here to offer your aid in person. It may be a matter of honor to them to handle it themselves, just as it is with you."
The Unicorn Samurai's brow furrows, and she scowls at you. By this point she is standing completely steady, her intoxication having passed. It's really quite impressive. Her constitution is remarkable, especially considering she managed not to fall over in that state while wearing heavy armor. In fact, she wears it with a natural grace you'd expect more amongst your own Clansmen than the Unicorn.
"In that case, your chances are not good, no matter how long you wait," you continue. "It may be, however, that they wish for you to show yourself worthy. With the Dragon, worth is often a matter of enlightenment." You wave a hand around you. "And this place, this time, waiting for entrance, is as good a place and time to seek it as any. The Dragonfly here can likely aid you in your seeking, if you ask humbly, and even if you are never permitted entry, at least the time you spend will not have been entirely wasted."
Wanliquirks an eyebrow, her gaze level as she looks at you. Aside from that, however, her expression is neutral. You're not entirely certain how she has taken your words, which is worrying. However, there is nothing for it but to move on and see what you can accomplish for your Clan.
"If, however, what you crave is not so much the blood of these specific bandits as it is honorable battle in which you might wash away dishonor with the blood of your foes, you have-"
"Hiruma-san," Wanli interrupts. "Do you believe me a fool?"
You blink. "Of course not, Shinjo-san. I wouldn't dream of naming you such."
"So you say," she continues. "And yet advise me to do things I have already done."
Your eyes widen. "You have? But, I thought…"
"You thought my drunken state was my natural one?" Wanli questions, her voice cool like a winter breeze. "No, Hiruma-san, I can assure you it is not. What you saw was one moment of weakness."
"A moment of weakness?" you ask, wondering just when you lost control of this conversation. "I'm afraid I do not understand, Shinjo-san."
"I have been here for more than three months," Wanli says. "In that time, I have studied the Tao and prayed at the temples. I have performed menial tasks maintaining buildings, and helped dispatch bandits by throwing myself at the front of every excursion to maintain the peace. When questioned by Tonbo Akane-sama herself, she said she could find no fault in my service and dedication." She leaned forward, her teeth clenched tight. "And did you know what she said afterward?"
A cold pit forms in your stomach. You can see where this is going, can perceive the mess you have stumbled in to. It is too late to stop it, however. The path has been set, and there is no choice but to walk toward its completion. You only wish it did not lead toward such embarrassment.
You have made assumptions on the nature of Wanli's situation, and they were drastically incorrect. Unfortunately, this revelation comes too late to help. Any further comment at this point, however, will likely not help matters. So instead, you choose to be silent. At least this way you might gain more information before any further mistakes are made.
"She said that all she had promised was 'to give my request consideration,' and that after doing so she decided even after performing every task she required I was still one of the Unicorn and thus undeserving to step foot amongst the Dragon." She takes a deep breath. "I even revealed to her the secret I had been tasked to deliver to the Dragon Clan Champion, Mirumoto Kensuke-sama. The true reason I was granted such extended leave." Wanli grimaces. "All she did was laugh in my face, and said none of my letters would ever pass their borders."
"I see," you say, at a loss for anything more substantial. "That is… concerning."
"It is more than that," Wanli responds. "It is a joke, and I am the butt of it. So please, Hiruma-san, do not believe I drink myself to a near stupor regularly. All of this," she waves a hand toward the sake house. "Was from realizing I have wasted my time." She bows curtly to you. "Goodbye, Hiruma-san. I apologize for all the trouble."
You only just keep your composure as Wanli begins to walk past you, her face tightened in a mixture of frustration and sorrow. You can only imagine how she must feel, having spent three months striving toward hope that was snatched away. To have all your efforts, all your faithful commitment, be nothing but a farce. It must be devastating.
You've miscalculated these circumstances quite spectacularly, for you believed that everyone involved was making their decisions based on the idea of fairness. But if what Wanli says is true then this was certainly not the case, and Tonbo Akane never intended to let the Unicorn Samurai pass no matter how many requirements she completed.
Even worse, by preventing Wanli from sending letters Tonbo Akane has blocked off any possibility of appealing to a higher authority. It really does seem that all of this was done merely to cause the Unicorn Samurai to suffer. The sheer malice involved with such an act, the pettiness, seems completely at odds with the courteous woman you met with not an hour ago.
But is there anything you can do about it?
[] Call out to Wanli. (Write in.)
[] Let her go.
Courtier roll: 6k4=41
You frown. This situation has suddenly become quite awkward, as well as rather tense. Wanli obviously feels very strongly on this matter. However, as things stand you really can't see her ever achieving her desire. Relations between the Unicorn and the Dragon are still too strained, even so many years after all the turmoil.
But perhaps you can still give some advice? After all, it doesn't seem like Wanli has been using her time well during her stay in Kyuden Tonbo. She was drunk and picking fights with ronin, after all. Some encouragement and direction might be just the thing to help her turn her situation around.
And, perhaps, you might even be able to get some aid for the Crab in the war to come.
"Shinjo-san, your honor is your own," you say. "And you must be the one to decide what can cleanse it. If you are truly dedicated to the task of aiding the Dragon in this particular way, then I do have a thought on how that might be done. The Dragon did not accept the assistance of your clan when it was offered, and now you are here to offer your aid in person. It may be a matter of honor to them to handle it themselves, just as it is with you."
The Unicorn Samurai's brow furrows, and she scowls at you. By this point she is standing completely steady, her intoxication having passed. It's really quite impressive. Her constitution is remarkable, especially considering she managed not to fall over in that state while wearing heavy armor. In fact, she wears it with a natural grace you'd expect more amongst your own Clansmen than the Unicorn.
"In that case, your chances are not good, no matter how long you wait," you continue. "It may be, however, that they wish for you to show yourself worthy. With the Dragon, worth is often a matter of enlightenment." You wave a hand around you. "And this place, this time, waiting for entrance, is as good a place and time to seek it as any. The Dragonfly here can likely aid you in your seeking, if you ask humbly, and even if you are never permitted entry, at least the time you spend will not have been entirely wasted."
Wanliquirks an eyebrow, her gaze level as she looks at you. Aside from that, however, her expression is neutral. You're not entirely certain how she has taken your words, which is worrying. However, there is nothing for it but to move on and see what you can accomplish for your Clan.
"If, however, what you crave is not so much the blood of these specific bandits as it is honorable battle in which you might wash away dishonor with the blood of your foes, you have-"
"Hiruma-san," Wanli interrupts. "Do you believe me a fool?"
You blink. "Of course not, Shinjo-san. I wouldn't dream of naming you such."
"So you say," she continues. "And yet advise me to do things I have already done."
Your eyes widen. "You have? But, I thought…"
"You thought my drunken state was my natural one?" Wanli questions, her voice cool like a winter breeze. "No, Hiruma-san, I can assure you it is not. What you saw was one moment of weakness."
"A moment of weakness?" you ask, wondering just when you lost control of this conversation. "I'm afraid I do not understand, Shinjo-san."
"I have been here for more than three months," Wanli says. "In that time, I have studied the Tao and prayed at the temples. I have performed menial tasks maintaining buildings, and helped dispatch bandits by throwing myself at the front of every excursion to maintain the peace. When questioned by Tonbo Akane-sama herself, she said she could find no fault in my service and dedication." She leaned forward, her teeth clenched tight. "And did you know what she said afterward?"
A cold pit forms in your stomach. You can see where this is going, can perceive the mess you have stumbled in to. It is too late to stop it, however. The path has been set, and there is no choice but to walk toward its completion. You only wish it did not lead toward such embarrassment.
You have made assumptions on the nature of Wanli's situation, and they were drastically incorrect. Unfortunately, this revelation comes too late to help. Any further comment at this point, however, will likely not help matters. So instead, you choose to be silent. At least this way you might gain more information before any further mistakes are made.
"She said that all she had promised was 'to give my request consideration,' and that after doing so she decided even after performing every task she required I was still one of the Unicorn and thus undeserving to step foot amongst the Dragon." She takes a deep breath. "I even revealed to her the secret I had been tasked to deliver to the Dragon Clan Champion, Mirumoto Kensuke-sama. The true reason I was granted such extended leave." Wanli grimaces. "All she did was laugh in my face, and said none of my letters would ever pass their borders."
"I see," you say, at a loss for anything more substantial. "That is… concerning."
"It is more than that," Wanli responds. "It is a joke, and I am the butt of it. So please, Hiruma-san, do not believe I drink myself to a near stupor regularly. All of this," she waves a hand toward the sake house. "Was from realizing I have wasted my time." She bows curtly to you. "Goodbye, Hiruma-san. I apologize for all the trouble."
You only just keep your composure as Wanli begins to walk past you, her face tightened in a mixture of frustration and sorrow. You can only imagine how she must feel, having spent three months striving toward hope that was snatched away. To have all your efforts, all your faithful commitment, be nothing but a farce. It must be devastating.
You've miscalculated these circumstances quite spectacularly, for you believed that everyone involved was making their decisions based on the idea of fairness. But if what Wanli says is true then this was certainly not the case, and Tonbo Akane never intended to let the Unicorn Samurai pass no matter how many requirements she completed.
Even worse, by preventing Wanli from sending letters Tonbo Akane has blocked off any possibility of appealing to a higher authority. It really does seem that all of this was done merely to cause the Unicorn Samurai to suffer. The sheer malice involved with such an act, the pettiness, seems completely at odds with the courteous woman you met with not an hour ago.
But is there anything you can do about it?
[] Call out to Wanli. (Write in.)
[] Let her go.
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[x] Call out to Wanli
"Wait Wanli! I apologise for making assumptions. Please allow me to bring your case before my superior. He may have further insight on the issue."
Can we please bring this matter to our superior? As a diplomat he is sure to see much more in this that us. The chance to fix the relationship between the clans and gain another companion is as clear a daylight. Lets not toss it away.
"Wait Wanli! I apologise for making assumptions. Please allow me to bring your case before my superior. He may have further insight on the issue."
Can we please bring this matter to our superior? As a diplomat he is sure to see much more in this that us. The chance to fix the relationship between the clans and gain another companion is as clear a daylight. Lets not toss it away.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
The problem wasn't so much the roll, as the content. The content was delivered in a really convincing and respectful way! The problem is that, as Wanli said before, she's been here for months and done all this already. Courtier is a useful skill, but even high rolls can fail if what you're saying doesn't align up well to the situation at hand.
Wanli believes Sosuke was honestly trying to help, and she does appreciate that. It's just she's also incredibly frustrated and embarrassed, so is having a difficult time maintaining her composure after learning she'd been made a fool of for three months.
We probably wouldn't have shut up.
This isn't our business here. It's not a bodyguard's job to insert himself into the diplomatic relations between three other clans.
We should certainly tell our superior about this, as it's information he needs to know. However, we can't even hint to him that he should do something, or to her that he or we will. Doing that would be very presumptive.
[X] Let her go.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
After thinking back and forth on it a few times... the state she is in, there are few ways to have a conversation with her that will not make things worse. Calling out to her, as well, makes this even more of a public thing than it already is... and like it or not, we are here to beg favors of the Dragon. Having a conversation in the street where we sympathize loudly with her feelings on the matter will not help us in that task.
...and with things as they are, I don't see any way for us to get her or her letters across the border without a punishing political cost. Our mission is, quite literally, to go to the Dragon, and convince them that they should give us more stuff, in spite of the fact that their economy is still crippled from when the Unicorn rampaged through a while ago. Associating ourselves with the unicorn in any way while doing so (intervening on her behalf, bringing the letters, or whatever) will damage our mission severely.
...and with things as they are, I don't see any way for us to get her or her letters across the border without a punishing political cost. Our mission is, quite literally, to go to the Dragon, and convince them that they should give us more stuff, in spite of the fact that their economy is still crippled from when the Unicorn rampaged through a while ago. Associating ourselves with the unicorn in any way while doing so (intervening on her behalf, bringing the letters, or whatever) will damage our mission severely.
It's a secret of some sort, and my gut instinct is that it'd show us as aligned with them (which would be bad) but we can always make an etiquette check.
