Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[x] Let someone else speak first.
3.64
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Let someone else speak first.
Will Roll to resist Brash: 3d10+6=22. Failure. +5 with Free Raise from Yasuki Goro=27. Success.
You partake of the food slowly, appreciating its flavor as you observe the other delegates with a quick glance. They, as well, seem to be enjoying their fare. The food is not as illustrious as what you experienced in Scorpion Lands, but it is well made and pleases the tongue. In truth, that's all you really want out of a meal.
No one has spoken just yet, and you consider interacting with someone from the other groups. You squash that thought quickly. Your place is not to banter, but to guard. You are a Yojimbo, and more importantly a tool in Yasuki Goro's arsenal. It would not do to potentially lessen your superior's position with an ill placed word.
For a time the silence continues, everyone simply partaking of their meal. It's fairly early in the morning, after all. It's doubtful anyone else has actually eaten yet, though you saw your Lord having breakfast earlier.
"I must say we make for an interesting group," the Crane woman says before taking a sip of tea. She looks around the table with a smile. "Gathered from all over just to sit here, enjoying this wonderful meal."
"I would not say it is so strange that we have met like this, Doji-san," the Scorpion man replies. "We are, after all, amongst the esteemed diplomats of the Dragon Clan."
"Very true, Bayushi-san," the Doji says before glancing toward your superior. "Though some have certainly come from greater distances than others."
"I simply go where my Lord directs me, as to best serve my Clan. Distance is no consequence." Yasuki Goro replies. "As, I am sure, the same could be said for the Crane."
"This is indeed true, Yasuki-san," the Doji says back, still smiling. "Though please forgive my assumptions, but I believe I would not be remiss if I said we are likely here for different purposes."
"There is nothing to forgive, Doji-san, and you are likely correct in any case," your Lord replies. He smiles at her and takes another bit of his food, finishing that portion before he continues. "If I may be so bold, would you mind me inquiring brings you so far north?"
"Why, I do not mind at all, Yasuki-san!" she answers. "I find myself here for artistic pursuits. Jade is, after all, a wonderful material." She pulls a fan out of her sleeve and settles it in the crook of her arm, tapping it idly. "I would be ever so grateful if anyone could direct me to where I could find some. It can never be said that Crane are not gracious to those who do well by us."
You barely hold back a hiss. The Crane desire the Jade the Dragon hold, and for something as trivial as art? For what reason could they waste such a sacred substance on so frivolous a purpose? You know the Crane are strange and weak, but you didn't figure they would be utterly insane as well.
That Jade could be saving Crab lives, could be striking a blow against the enemies of all who live! It is a gift from the Heavens themselves, a tool to battle against the corruption of Jigoku. How could anyone wish to not use it for that purpose? The very idea makes your lips draw into a thin line, and you narrow your eyes at the Crane. You open your mouth to let this idiot woman know what you think of her goals…
And immediately close it when Yasuki Goro places a hand on your arm beneath the table. You glance at him, reading the message in his eyes. 'Calm down' his gaze says. 'Don't let your emotions run wild.' For a moment you have a difficult time comprehending, and then finally you realize how close you came to disaster.
You take a deep breath and center yourself, pushing back your anger with effort. It takes a few seconds, but soon enough your ire fades and you begin thinking more clearly. No doubt the Crane was hoping you might cause a scene, which would weaken your Clan's position and strengthen her own. Such a subtle strike, and you almost fell for it.
Truly, the machinations of court are perilous in extreme.
"Jade is certainly a wonderful material for artistic pursuits," Yasuki Goro responds. "Though I must admit I cannot help but feel it can be put to better use elsewhere."
"Is that so?" the Doji asks, smirking behind her fan as she unfolds it. "And would that Jade be better suited to turning to sludge atop the Wall?"
"I would say better there than in many places," the Ikoma chimes in. "Art is fine and good, but it's better to use things for an actual purpose."
"Art serves an important purpose," the Doji says, not disturbed in the slightest by the Lion's statement. "It reminds others of the beauty this world holds, and can inspire people to greatness by striving toward ever-distant perfection."
"Greatness, perhaps, like Hiruma Sosuke-san has shown?" the Bayushi asks, motioning toward you. "He did, after all, play a key role in the Battle of Skulking Shadows. It was a brutal assault, from what I have heard, and would have been worse without his actions."
"I heard it was merely another raid from that barren wasteland beyond the borders of our glorious Empire," the Doji says, waving a fan as if to brush off the comment. Her smile does not fade, but it seems… forced, around the edges. "But surely there are better things for us to speak about."
[] Stay silent.
[] Write in.
Will Roll to resist Brash: 3d10+6=22. Failure. +5 with Free Raise from Yasuki Goro=27. Success.
You partake of the food slowly, appreciating its flavor as you observe the other delegates with a quick glance. They, as well, seem to be enjoying their fare. The food is not as illustrious as what you experienced in Scorpion Lands, but it is well made and pleases the tongue. In truth, that's all you really want out of a meal.
No one has spoken just yet, and you consider interacting with someone from the other groups. You squash that thought quickly. Your place is not to banter, but to guard. You are a Yojimbo, and more importantly a tool in Yasuki Goro's arsenal. It would not do to potentially lessen your superior's position with an ill placed word.
For a time the silence continues, everyone simply partaking of their meal. It's fairly early in the morning, after all. It's doubtful anyone else has actually eaten yet, though you saw your Lord having breakfast earlier.
"I must say we make for an interesting group," the Crane woman says before taking a sip of tea. She looks around the table with a smile. "Gathered from all over just to sit here, enjoying this wonderful meal."
"I would not say it is so strange that we have met like this, Doji-san," the Scorpion man replies. "We are, after all, amongst the esteemed diplomats of the Dragon Clan."
"Very true, Bayushi-san," the Doji says before glancing toward your superior. "Though some have certainly come from greater distances than others."
"I simply go where my Lord directs me, as to best serve my Clan. Distance is no consequence." Yasuki Goro replies. "As, I am sure, the same could be said for the Crane."
"This is indeed true, Yasuki-san," the Doji says back, still smiling. "Though please forgive my assumptions, but I believe I would not be remiss if I said we are likely here for different purposes."
"There is nothing to forgive, Doji-san, and you are likely correct in any case," your Lord replies. He smiles at her and takes another bit of his food, finishing that portion before he continues. "If I may be so bold, would you mind me inquiring brings you so far north?"
"Why, I do not mind at all, Yasuki-san!" she answers. "I find myself here for artistic pursuits. Jade is, after all, a wonderful material." She pulls a fan out of her sleeve and settles it in the crook of her arm, tapping it idly. "I would be ever so grateful if anyone could direct me to where I could find some. It can never be said that Crane are not gracious to those who do well by us."
You barely hold back a hiss. The Crane desire the Jade the Dragon hold, and for something as trivial as art? For what reason could they waste such a sacred substance on so frivolous a purpose? You know the Crane are strange and weak, but you didn't figure they would be utterly insane as well.
That Jade could be saving Crab lives, could be striking a blow against the enemies of all who live! It is a gift from the Heavens themselves, a tool to battle against the corruption of Jigoku. How could anyone wish to not use it for that purpose? The very idea makes your lips draw into a thin line, and you narrow your eyes at the Crane. You open your mouth to let this idiot woman know what you think of her goals…
And immediately close it when Yasuki Goro places a hand on your arm beneath the table. You glance at him, reading the message in his eyes. 'Calm down' his gaze says. 'Don't let your emotions run wild.' For a moment you have a difficult time comprehending, and then finally you realize how close you came to disaster.
You take a deep breath and center yourself, pushing back your anger with effort. It takes a few seconds, but soon enough your ire fades and you begin thinking more clearly. No doubt the Crane was hoping you might cause a scene, which would weaken your Clan's position and strengthen her own. Such a subtle strike, and you almost fell for it.
Truly, the machinations of court are perilous in extreme.
"Jade is certainly a wonderful material for artistic pursuits," Yasuki Goro responds. "Though I must admit I cannot help but feel it can be put to better use elsewhere."
"Is that so?" the Doji asks, smirking behind her fan as she unfolds it. "And would that Jade be better suited to turning to sludge atop the Wall?"
"I would say better there than in many places," the Ikoma chimes in. "Art is fine and good, but it's better to use things for an actual purpose."
"Art serves an important purpose," the Doji says, not disturbed in the slightest by the Lion's statement. "It reminds others of the beauty this world holds, and can inspire people to greatness by striving toward ever-distant perfection."
"Greatness, perhaps, like Hiruma Sosuke-san has shown?" the Bayushi asks, motioning toward you. "He did, after all, play a key role in the Battle of Skulking Shadows. It was a brutal assault, from what I have heard, and would have been worse without his actions."
"I heard it was merely another raid from that barren wasteland beyond the borders of our glorious Empire," the Doji says, waving a fan as if to brush off the comment. Her smile does not fade, but it seems… forced, around the edges. "But surely there are better things for us to speak about."
[] Stay silent.
[] Write in.
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- Location
- Sydney, Australia
I'd be really tempted to make a subtle dig about the bravery of the Doji, something to get 'em really riled up, but that wouldn't be terribly in character (unless we where a Scorpion).
Perhaps something like "I cannot speak to the accuracy of rumours you may have heard Doji-san."
Short and terse like a good crab Samurai, but still letting slip that we are a mite unhappy, seeing as how we only just passed the brash roll.
Perhaps something like "I cannot speak to the accuracy of rumours you may have heard Doji-san."
Short and terse like a good crab Samurai, but still letting slip that we are a mite unhappy, seeing as how we only just passed the brash roll.
Could some who knows the lore tell me how much effort the empire as a whole devotes to keeping the taint and tainted out? Because from the sound of things, only the bare minimum is. I find that odd, because you would think not dying would be a worthwhile endeavor.
@Max
They devote considerable effort towards it, an entire Clan really.
But on a fundamental level most of Rokugan does not like hearing about the Shadowlands, they do not like hearing about goblins, ogres, trolls, and so on to the point where it's become a considerable faux pas to do so.
There are several reason for this, first and perhaps foremost, these things are terrifying. In Rokugan being afraid is a sin, and unsurprisingly it's the one sin no one particularly likes indulging in. (Desire now that one Samurai and Heimin indulge in happily)
Since it's not actually possible to defeat the Shadowlands truly or permanently, they do the next best thing, put it out of mind.
Secondly, the Crab and the Crane truly and deeply despise each other. The Yasuki family was once a Crane family that defected to the Crab where they found themselves more at home. The Crane being the masters of both court and art gradually shifted the culture against the Crab in general, while as a rule they'll admit that those things must be fought, they don't particularly want to give the Crab credit for it.
Thirdly, the Crab are actually damn good at their jobs. Seeing the Taint or shadowland beasties outside of Crab lands. Was for hundreds of years a pretty big fucking deal because it happened so rarely. Usually associated with the Empire itself nearly falling or a bloodspeaker cult. So from the outside it looks like the Crab have a handle on it. Which leads into the last point.
The Crab never stop asking for stuff, never.
Imagine if your friend Bob kept bugging you for all your food and precious metals year after year to fight this monster. But year after year you give it and the monster is still there. That'd be annoying, but this year's been a bad year, you don't have as much to give. But Bob doesn't care, he'll still take whatever you can give. So you give him what you can, and for a wonder he seems to manage okay. Monster is still fought off no real problems happen. You might naturally think to yourself 'Does Bob really need all that stuff every year? I have bills of my own to pay' so next year is better but you say 'I think I can spare this much.' Bob says you have more and should give more. You point out that you've given him a lot for not a lot of progress on his part. He calls you a pansy ass bitch and stalks off. Whatever he's a jerk, but you do give what you promised, and he makes it work. So you were right to dial it back. Except next year he's an even bigger jerk to you.
This is essentially how most other Clans interacted with the Crab for much of their history.
They devote considerable effort towards it, an entire Clan really.
But on a fundamental level most of Rokugan does not like hearing about the Shadowlands, they do not like hearing about goblins, ogres, trolls, and so on to the point where it's become a considerable faux pas to do so.
There are several reason for this, first and perhaps foremost, these things are terrifying. In Rokugan being afraid is a sin, and unsurprisingly it's the one sin no one particularly likes indulging in. (Desire now that one Samurai and Heimin indulge in happily)
Since it's not actually possible to defeat the Shadowlands truly or permanently, they do the next best thing, put it out of mind.
Secondly, the Crab and the Crane truly and deeply despise each other. The Yasuki family was once a Crane family that defected to the Crab where they found themselves more at home. The Crane being the masters of both court and art gradually shifted the culture against the Crab in general, while as a rule they'll admit that those things must be fought, they don't particularly want to give the Crab credit for it.
Thirdly, the Crab are actually damn good at their jobs. Seeing the Taint or shadowland beasties outside of Crab lands. Was for hundreds of years a pretty big fucking deal because it happened so rarely. Usually associated with the Empire itself nearly falling or a bloodspeaker cult. So from the outside it looks like the Crab have a handle on it. Which leads into the last point.
The Crab never stop asking for stuff, never.
Imagine if your friend Bob kept bugging you for all your food and precious metals year after year to fight this monster. But year after year you give it and the monster is still there. That'd be annoying, but this year's been a bad year, you don't have as much to give. But Bob doesn't care, he'll still take whatever you can give. So you give him what you can, and for a wonder he seems to manage okay. Monster is still fought off no real problems happen. You might naturally think to yourself 'Does Bob really need all that stuff every year? I have bills of my own to pay' so next year is better but you say 'I think I can spare this much.' Bob says you have more and should give more. You point out that you've given him a lot for not a lot of progress on his part. He calls you a pansy ass bitch and stalks off. Whatever he's a jerk, but you do give what you promised, and he makes it work. So you were right to dial it back. Except next year he's an even bigger jerk to you.
This is essentially how most other Clans interacted with the Crab for much of their history.
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- Location
- Austrlia
Note, from the Crane's point of view, they are all about culture, art, beauty, that kind of thing. There are fighters amongst them, but, well, their sword school, the main one? It's a dueling one. And, the Crab are mostly far too busy for that kind of thing. This means that the Crab are seen as almost barbarians, and the Crab see things the other way around.
Weakling Crane, Vs Thugish Crab.
Still, it doesn't get to outright warfare often. The Crab are too busy killing Shadow things, and the Crane generaly are too busy composing poetry, for that.
Weakling Crane, Vs Thugish Crab.
Still, it doesn't get to outright warfare often. The Crab are too busy killing Shadow things, and the Crane generaly are too busy composing poetry, for that.
If i didn't think it was a terrible idea that would violate our duty and harm several other clans i would suggest we let some shadowland creatures break through and run amuck in there lands next time they are responsible for the crab not getting the supplies we need.
Having someone sworn to your Clan suddenly take their toys and join another clan is not a minor issue. There are still Dragon angry over the Agasha doing the same thing to them.
And yeah it's a slippery slope, and it should probably be noted that even within the Crane there are ones that the Crab like. Noticeably the Daidoji Iron Warriors (Iron Crane) who do serve on the Wall sometimes with distinction.
It should be mandatory for each clan to send some people to serve on the wall. And not their undesirables either.
I was thinking more along the lines that it would be insulting to the other clans because they apparently need a reminder that the crab need their support in materials to keep them safe from the shadowlands.
- Location
- Austrlia
Yep.
The interesting thing?
If all the clans helped, the clans themselves would probly be better off. They'd know what was happening, and it'd keep them more honest, and give them a reason to work together.
Might even give them enough power and motivation to fix the problem altogether.
See there's a difference between the crab asking for supplies and the boy who cried wolf. The boy who cried wolf made it up until the wolf came by for real and ate him. The crab aren't doing that.
Yes but every year they ask, every year, and every year they spin it out as the doom of everything if they fall and that you should give them all the things.
Every single year, come hard times, come good times. They never ask for less then everything no matter how active the Shadowlands are. And even when they don't get as much are wailing about how this is the end of the Empire...they still succeed
It's not surprising if after the twelve thousandth time the other Clans are like
"Mate you said the same damn thing twelve years ago and you have another 'incredible shadowlands attack' that we must give our all to defeat them. And you say that same shit no matter who much or how little we give, so why the fuck should we believe you this time?"
The tragic thing is that the Crab are usually not wrong they really do need the resources.
But they've been saying loudly about how much they need them for so long and so hard that it's just background noise to most.
Every single year, come hard times, come good times. They never ask for less then everything no matter how active the Shadowlands are. And even when they don't get as much are wailing about how this is the end of the Empire...they still succeed
It's not surprising if after the twelve thousandth time the other Clans are like
"Mate you said the same damn thing twelve years ago and you have another 'incredible shadowlands attack' that we must give our all to defeat them. And you say that same shit no matter who much or how little we give, so why the fuck should we believe you this time?"
The tragic thing is that the Crab are usually not wrong they really do need the resources.
But they've been saying loudly about how much they need them for so long and so hard that it's just background noise to most.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
So... various possible strategies:
- We could just stay silent. Not a bad plan. We're a yojimbo, so in some ways it's what we're *supposed* to do. You notice how none of the other yojimbo have yet spoken? Also, in some ways we are here as Yasuki Goro's weapon to be deployed. Showing obedience and restraint is not a bad thing here. This is the defensive maneuver. Given that we *are* a yojimbo, and that we have not yet been directly addressed, there is a cost (a minor one, given that we're a minor celebrity and we've been at least directly referenced, but a cost).
- Present a Pertinent Logical argument. The Dragon like those - and the Kitsuki especially. Unfortunately, it's not necessarily *all* that much a strength of our own.
- Press the advantage. Our fame is a weak point for her and she knows it - and she's on the back foot right now. If we can make her uncomfortable enough, *she* might do something a bit shameful. This one is tricksy, though. If we insist on the same topic, then crafting the response in a way that isn't obviously Being Mean To The Poor Crane is difficult. Optimally, we'd push her, make her more uncomfortable, and let her reaction to that leave her open for the Scorpion to slip in the knife. It would involve some skill, though.
- Exploit the opening. She's just defended her self from the most recent attack by implying that the Battle of Skulking Shadows - a battle that we ourselves were part of, and a battle that we have detailed knowledge of - was but a minor skirmish or raid. That's the sort of thing that one can formally take offense over in Rokugan. Now, we wouldn't wish to do *that* - her duelist is certain to be much better than we are - but being disrespectful is also dishonorable - and we're certainly in a position to make her either recant or be openly disrespectful. If she has her yojimbo execute us here in Shiro Kitsuki, the Crab will get the jade and she knows it. It would likely be poor for her in other ways as well.
things like
"Doji-sama, I was there for the beginning of the battle and its aftermath. Shinsei's Last Hope alone was assaulted by a force of hundreds of oni, and thousands of lesser creatures. For the Crane, that is merely another raid? Surely your armies must be mighty indeed."
or
"Doji-sama, I was there for the beginning of the battle and its aftermath. Shinsei's Last Hope alone was assaulted by a force of hundreds of oni, and thousands of lesser creatures. If the news that reaches crane lands is so limited that all you heard was of a minor raid, I can understand how you might not grasp the difficulties inherent in defending the wall. Perhaps you could share with us some more of your understanding of the situation, that we might correct any other misapprehensions you had ."
Something like that. Still could use some tweaking, but something along those lines might work well.
- We could just stay silent. Not a bad plan. We're a yojimbo, so in some ways it's what we're *supposed* to do. You notice how none of the other yojimbo have yet spoken? Also, in some ways we are here as Yasuki Goro's weapon to be deployed. Showing obedience and restraint is not a bad thing here. This is the defensive maneuver. Given that we *are* a yojimbo, and that we have not yet been directly addressed, there is a cost (a minor one, given that we're a minor celebrity and we've been at least directly referenced, but a cost).
- Present a Pertinent Logical argument. The Dragon like those - and the Kitsuki especially. Unfortunately, it's not necessarily *all* that much a strength of our own.
- Press the advantage. Our fame is a weak point for her and she knows it - and she's on the back foot right now. If we can make her uncomfortable enough, *she* might do something a bit shameful. This one is tricksy, though. If we insist on the same topic, then crafting the response in a way that isn't obviously Being Mean To The Poor Crane is difficult. Optimally, we'd push her, make her more uncomfortable, and let her reaction to that leave her open for the Scorpion to slip in the knife. It would involve some skill, though.
- Exploit the opening. She's just defended her self from the most recent attack by implying that the Battle of Skulking Shadows - a battle that we ourselves were part of, and a battle that we have detailed knowledge of - was but a minor skirmish or raid. That's the sort of thing that one can formally take offense over in Rokugan. Now, we wouldn't wish to do *that* - her duelist is certain to be much better than we are - but being disrespectful is also dishonorable - and we're certainly in a position to make her either recant or be openly disrespectful. If she has her yojimbo execute us here in Shiro Kitsuki, the Crab will get the jade and she knows it. It would likely be poor for her in other ways as well.
things like
"Doji-sama, I was there for the beginning of the battle and its aftermath. Shinsei's Last Hope alone was assaulted by a force of hundreds of oni, and thousands of lesser creatures. For the Crane, that is merely another raid? Surely your armies must be mighty indeed."
or
"Doji-sama, I was there for the beginning of the battle and its aftermath. Shinsei's Last Hope alone was assaulted by a force of hundreds of oni, and thousands of lesser creatures. If the news that reaches crane lands is so limited that all you heard was of a minor raid, I can understand how you might not grasp the difficulties inherent in defending the wall. Perhaps you could share with us some more of your understanding of the situation, that we might correct any other misapprehensions you had ."
Something like that. Still could use some tweaking, but something along those lines might work well.