Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
That's a combination of me getting a general handle on the character you all have been directing, as well as the fact that Sosuke is very nearly two years older now than he was during his Gempukku. I see it as he was rougher when he was a youth and has become a bit more composed overall as an adult.
The L5R wiki can be a bit spotty, actually. This is an example of how. The Jade Dragon doesn't actually have a gender, nor does the Obsidian Dragon. They simply are, and can transform themselves to be whatever they wish. In fact, both Jade and Obsidian are arguably two different aspects of the same being. They both certainly seem to believe themselves to be, anyway.
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The difference is less then him maturing and more like early installment weirdness. He used the term "I'm your man" during his Gempukku. The really weird thing is nothing about the emerald empire's culture jumps out why that would be a saying. It's kind of like taking a modern person and all their slang and sticking them in the past in the body of a noble. Heck hs way of speaking changes between the beginning and end of his gempukku. Towards the end it's more like how he speaks now.
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Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
That's a fair critique. I might go back some day and clean up a lot of the dialogue of the early installments, just to get everything a bit more in line. It took me about as long as the Gempukku arc to get a proper handle on Sosuke's character.
I hope you do. It will be less jarring for those going back and rereading the posts like I am.
Don't go too far though. A very big part of the story since the Gempukku arc has been about Sosuke becoming a better speaker. It only makes sense he's gotten better.
It's less he become a better speaker and more that he uses modern idioms and what not. "I'm your man" is and idiom I can't imagine anyone raised in the culture of the emerald empire saying.
Ridiculously Average Guy
I'm you, but stronger
- Location
-
[x] "No...that's...that's something that happens to shugenja, or great lords and heroes. I know that given what happened I might be a...hero" it feels wrong to say that, but evidence is evidence. "But I don't think of myself that way."
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[x] "No...that's...that's something that happens to shugenja, or great lords and heroes. I know that given what happened I might be a...hero" it feels wrong to say that, but evidence is evidence. "But I don't think of myself that way."
Have we been in the lions land yet? Or are we heading there now?
Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
We've already gone through the Lion's lands. We're about to be at the Dragon's.
Yeah I noticed when I did a search in the thread.
I hope there's an suitable dragon Samurai-Ko or monk for Sosuke to be adorkable around.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Or maybe a matched set so that they can be subtly jealous at each other while he has no idea what's going on.
Eh? that works better with samurai-ko and courtier. Still.
Either or would be nice.
Who? I'm rereading through the story archive cause I lost track of this quest when I got an account and stopped being a lurker. Mainly cause I was busy as all hell at that time and using hte watch thread feature made it easier to keep track of quests and stories.
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Still drawing a blank. I will probably understand who that is when I get to that part of the story archive.
I'm still at the temple where we met shirou.
3.35
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Gman
You flinch at your friend's words, taking a step backward. What he says makes sense, but… That couldn't possibly be what's actually happening to you, could it? Certainly, your dreams have been odd, but to foretell the future itself?
"No... That's...That's something that happens to Shugenja, or great lords and heroes," you respond. "I know that given what happened I might be a hero…" Your guts churn as you say the word. You don't feel worthy of the title, but you cannot deny your accomplishments. "But I don't think of myself that way."
Shirou smiles. "You are a humble man, Sosuke-sama. A virtue, truly, but you shouldn't shy away from your accomplishments."
"I'm just a Samurai," you say, turning your head to look away. "I do my duty. The true heroes… The true heroes are dead."
You close your eyes, trying to block your thoughts, but it no use. You remember Gazat'ken, his wretched form wracked with pain from the poison within him. He had suffered long, before finally he perished holding your hand. You remember Shasa, standing above the pool of blood as her life leaked out of her veins. She'd smiled in the end, despite the agony she had no doubt felt.
They died for you. Those two died protecting you and everything you'd desired to save. Both of them had faced the truest test, and had persevered. Their sacrifice had revealed the nobility in their souls, shown the world what true honor meant. If any deserve to be held as examples, it is them.
"They are also heroes," Shirou says softly, placing a hand on your shoulder. "But your own heroism cannot be denied, and the strange events that surround you cannot be either."
"I suppose so," you say, looking back at him. "But… Shirou-san, I don't like thinking about this."
"Then why did you come to me?" he asks. "If you wished to avoid considering your dreams, or your fire, then why speak with me now?"
You frown, and breathe deeply. "Because I can't avoid it any more. Because to run from it would be cowardice, and even more it would be dangerous. That danger could interfere with my duty, and I cannot allow that."
Shirou smiles, his grip tightening on your shoulder. It is no doubt meant to be a consoling gesture, but you can't help but wince as he presses down on some of your bruises. Your friend has a very strong grip. Frankly, your friend has a very strong everything.
"You are a good man, Sosuke-sama," he says. "You inspire people, encourage them to be all that they can. I know that seems daunting, but please never forget that the world is better for this." He pats your shoulder, thankfully gentle. "Just take care to appreciate yourself as much as the rest of us do, eh?"
"I suppose," you reply, giving him a wan smile. Despite your reservations, though, you're actually feeling better. "So, I guess this might just be another thing to ask the scholars of the Dragon, or even the Phoenix if they're available."
"It certainly seems that way," Shirou says, his smile widening as he leads you back toward the wagon. "But for now, we should take note of any strange dreams you have. After all, they might reveal something important."
"I'll make sure to do so," you say. "And I'll inform you of them."
"I am honored by your trust in me, Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "I will do all I can to help you."
Your smile grows firmer in the face of Shirou's enthusiasm. There likely isn't much your friend can do to help you, but even still he's brightened your mood with just a few words. The monk does not judge or ridicule you, he simply listens and offers what advice he can. You've known him for only a short time, but you can honestly say he is one of the best friends you have ever known.
Perhaps together you can both unravel the mysteries that surround you. Even if you can't, at least you will have a stalwart companion to help you shoulder your burden. That is a precious thing in this or any other world, and you are grateful to have it.
Hopefully it will be enough in the days ahead.
[] Interact with someone else. (Write in.)
[] Timeskip to Shiro Kitsuki.
You flinch at your friend's words, taking a step backward. What he says makes sense, but… That couldn't possibly be what's actually happening to you, could it? Certainly, your dreams have been odd, but to foretell the future itself?
"No... That's...That's something that happens to Shugenja, or great lords and heroes," you respond. "I know that given what happened I might be a hero…" Your guts churn as you say the word. You don't feel worthy of the title, but you cannot deny your accomplishments. "But I don't think of myself that way."
Shirou smiles. "You are a humble man, Sosuke-sama. A virtue, truly, but you shouldn't shy away from your accomplishments."
"I'm just a Samurai," you say, turning your head to look away. "I do my duty. The true heroes… The true heroes are dead."
You close your eyes, trying to block your thoughts, but it no use. You remember Gazat'ken, his wretched form wracked with pain from the poison within him. He had suffered long, before finally he perished holding your hand. You remember Shasa, standing above the pool of blood as her life leaked out of her veins. She'd smiled in the end, despite the agony she had no doubt felt.
They died for you. Those two died protecting you and everything you'd desired to save. Both of them had faced the truest test, and had persevered. Their sacrifice had revealed the nobility in their souls, shown the world what true honor meant. If any deserve to be held as examples, it is them.
"They are also heroes," Shirou says softly, placing a hand on your shoulder. "But your own heroism cannot be denied, and the strange events that surround you cannot be either."
"I suppose so," you say, looking back at him. "But… Shirou-san, I don't like thinking about this."
"Then why did you come to me?" he asks. "If you wished to avoid considering your dreams, or your fire, then why speak with me now?"
You frown, and breathe deeply. "Because I can't avoid it any more. Because to run from it would be cowardice, and even more it would be dangerous. That danger could interfere with my duty, and I cannot allow that."
Shirou smiles, his grip tightening on your shoulder. It is no doubt meant to be a consoling gesture, but you can't help but wince as he presses down on some of your bruises. Your friend has a very strong grip. Frankly, your friend has a very strong everything.
"You are a good man, Sosuke-sama," he says. "You inspire people, encourage them to be all that they can. I know that seems daunting, but please never forget that the world is better for this." He pats your shoulder, thankfully gentle. "Just take care to appreciate yourself as much as the rest of us do, eh?"
"I suppose," you reply, giving him a wan smile. Despite your reservations, though, you're actually feeling better. "So, I guess this might just be another thing to ask the scholars of the Dragon, or even the Phoenix if they're available."
"It certainly seems that way," Shirou says, his smile widening as he leads you back toward the wagon. "But for now, we should take note of any strange dreams you have. After all, they might reveal something important."
"I'll make sure to do so," you say. "And I'll inform you of them."
"I am honored by your trust in me, Sosuke-sama," Shirou says. "I will do all I can to help you."
Your smile grows firmer in the face of Shirou's enthusiasm. There likely isn't much your friend can do to help you, but even still he's brightened your mood with just a few words. The monk does not judge or ridicule you, he simply listens and offers what advice he can. You've known him for only a short time, but you can honestly say he is one of the best friends you have ever known.
Perhaps together you can both unravel the mysteries that surround you. Even if you can't, at least you will have a stalwart companion to help you shoulder your burden. That is a precious thing in this or any other world, and you are grateful to have it.
Hopefully it will be enough in the days ahead.
[] Interact with someone else. (Write in.)
[] Timeskip to Shiro Kitsuki.
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