Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
3.85
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Sirrocco
It takes you a few moments to properly realize what happened. One moment you were facing against a deadly foe, embodiments of utter absence. They had been implacable, coming to grips with you and only just rebuffed even as they tore at your essence and tried to bleed away everything that makes you who you are.
And then Asako Akio destroyed them all with a wave of his hand. He brought fire so hot it stole the air from your lungs, yet somehow managed to not burn down the adjacent buildings that form the alley. What kind of control, what utter surety, is required to accomplish such a feat? It is all you can do to keep from gaping in astonishment at this man, the Elemental Master of Fire, as he places the mask into the folds of his kimono.
"Are you alright, Hiruma-san?" he asks, motioning to your arm and chest. "You're wounded."
"I am fine, Asako-sama," you say, bowing. "You honor us with your presence."
"There are no need for niceties right now, Hiruma-san," he says, lifting a hand before you and muttering a prayer. A soft light engulfs you, and in moments your wounds are healed. Asako Akio turns to Himawari. "Do you require assistance, Kitsu-san?"
"I am honored, Asako-sama, but no," she says, her hands glowing as she presses them over her wounds. In moments her flesh knits, becoming whole again. "I would not wish to trouble you over something I am able to do myself."
"It is no trouble, I assure you," he replies. "But I can appreciate the desire to handle issues with your own ability when able. It is an admirable trait."
You don't add anything to the conversation, instead turning around to grab the other figure before he can get away. That hope dies as you see both Shirou and Hanabi standing over the spot where he had lain, a few drops of blood the only sign he had ever been there at all. The drops lead out into the street and toward another alley, where they disappear entirely.
"He got away," you mutter, knuckles whitening around your tetsubo. "Dammit."
"So he did," Asako Akio says, walking over. "But I fear he was the lesser of the evils that have plagued us this day."
"All this trouble for a mask?" Hanabi asks, shaking her head. "It beggars belief."
"That depends on a great many things," Asako Akio says softly, touching where the mask rests half out of his kimono. "I do not know what might have happened should either party have succeeded in taking this mask, but I doubt it would be anything good." He turns to all of you and bows low. "You have each done me a great service in protecting this, and you have my gratitude."
The Elemental Master of Fire is bowing waist deep to you… One of the Heroes of Otosan-Uchi is bowing to you. The very idea would be enough to make you break out in laughter if it wasn't happening right before your eyes. As it stands, you manage to keep from making a choking sound and bow back. Out of the corner of your eye you see the others following suit, their expressions as shocked as your own.
All save Shirou, who simply frowns in thought.
"To deny the forces of evil is my duty, Asako-sama," you say, your voice perhaps cracking perhaps just a fraction as you try to maintain control. "It is the duty of my entire Clan." You stand straight, taking a moment to compose yourself. "I am honored beyond measure by your thanks, but there is no need for it. It was my responsibility to fight, so I saw it done."
"You are a very humble young man," Asako Akio says, nodding approvingly. "Another admirable trait, especially in one so young."
"Asako-sama," Shirou says suddenly, his tone respectful yet resolute. "If you would please pardon my boldness, may I ask the importance of that mask?"
"You ask, but you already suspect the answer don't you, young monk?" Asako Akio replies with a smile. He pulls the mask out of his robes and looks at it, green and white shimmering where it is not covered in terrible scorch marks. "This is the last gift my beloved sister ever gave me, crafted of Jade, Crystal and the Tears of Hantei no Kami himself. It was to protect me as I ventured into the Shadowlands… And it was the tool I used to turn the tide in the battle against Daigotsu in the City of Bone."
This time your jaw does drop. The mask… This is the mask Asako Akio used to gain victory for himself and his comrades against the Dark Lord of the Shadowlands. You've heard it told of in stories, how its purity lit Daigotsu up like a bonfire, purging his evil powers and melting half his body into so much broken flesh. This is an object of legend!
Asako Akio smiles sadly at the mask, his eyes unfocused as he allows himself to sink briefly into memory. He wipes away a few grains of dirt, cleaning the mask as much as possible for something so stained by flame, and returns it to his kimono. After that he takes a deep breath, composing himself, then turns around and begins to walk out of the alley in the direction of the castle.
"I believe you should come with me," he says. "I apologize for cutting your afternoon short, but there are people who must hear of these events."
[] Write in.
Announcement time for everyone! I just wanted to tell you all the Quest is going to be on hiatus for the month of November. NaNoWriMo is starting up again this weekend, and I'm going to participate by writing some original work. Sadly, between writing 1,700 words a day and all the time I spend doing my day job, I'll not have any time to dedicate to this Quest. So for the month of November, or until I reach the 50,000 word completion of the event, I will not be updating Glory of the Emerald Empire.
However, if you still need your L5R fix then you should check out @Maugan Ra's upcoming courtier themed Quest, In Thunder's Echo. It's got a great start so far, and I'm sure Maugan Ra will make the whole thing a wonderful experience.
Thank you all so much for all your time and patience as we create the story of Hiruma Sosuke together. I cannot tell you ll how grateful I am for your participation, and how humbled I feel that so many people enjoy these mad scribbles I call writing. It's one of the best feelings in the world to make something people enjoy, and I am so happy you have given me the opportunity to do so.
So again, thank you! Glory of the Emerald Empire will be back in action December 1st at the latest, and I look forward to continuing this grand adventure with all of you very soon.
It takes you a few moments to properly realize what happened. One moment you were facing against a deadly foe, embodiments of utter absence. They had been implacable, coming to grips with you and only just rebuffed even as they tore at your essence and tried to bleed away everything that makes you who you are.
And then Asako Akio destroyed them all with a wave of his hand. He brought fire so hot it stole the air from your lungs, yet somehow managed to not burn down the adjacent buildings that form the alley. What kind of control, what utter surety, is required to accomplish such a feat? It is all you can do to keep from gaping in astonishment at this man, the Elemental Master of Fire, as he places the mask into the folds of his kimono.
"Are you alright, Hiruma-san?" he asks, motioning to your arm and chest. "You're wounded."
"I am fine, Asako-sama," you say, bowing. "You honor us with your presence."
"There are no need for niceties right now, Hiruma-san," he says, lifting a hand before you and muttering a prayer. A soft light engulfs you, and in moments your wounds are healed. Asako Akio turns to Himawari. "Do you require assistance, Kitsu-san?"
"I am honored, Asako-sama, but no," she says, her hands glowing as she presses them over her wounds. In moments her flesh knits, becoming whole again. "I would not wish to trouble you over something I am able to do myself."
"It is no trouble, I assure you," he replies. "But I can appreciate the desire to handle issues with your own ability when able. It is an admirable trait."
You don't add anything to the conversation, instead turning around to grab the other figure before he can get away. That hope dies as you see both Shirou and Hanabi standing over the spot where he had lain, a few drops of blood the only sign he had ever been there at all. The drops lead out into the street and toward another alley, where they disappear entirely.
"He got away," you mutter, knuckles whitening around your tetsubo. "Dammit."
"So he did," Asako Akio says, walking over. "But I fear he was the lesser of the evils that have plagued us this day."
"All this trouble for a mask?" Hanabi asks, shaking her head. "It beggars belief."
"That depends on a great many things," Asako Akio says softly, touching where the mask rests half out of his kimono. "I do not know what might have happened should either party have succeeded in taking this mask, but I doubt it would be anything good." He turns to all of you and bows low. "You have each done me a great service in protecting this, and you have my gratitude."
The Elemental Master of Fire is bowing waist deep to you… One of the Heroes of Otosan-Uchi is bowing to you. The very idea would be enough to make you break out in laughter if it wasn't happening right before your eyes. As it stands, you manage to keep from making a choking sound and bow back. Out of the corner of your eye you see the others following suit, their expressions as shocked as your own.
All save Shirou, who simply frowns in thought.
"To deny the forces of evil is my duty, Asako-sama," you say, your voice perhaps cracking perhaps just a fraction as you try to maintain control. "It is the duty of my entire Clan." You stand straight, taking a moment to compose yourself. "I am honored beyond measure by your thanks, but there is no need for it. It was my responsibility to fight, so I saw it done."
"You are a very humble young man," Asako Akio says, nodding approvingly. "Another admirable trait, especially in one so young."
"Asako-sama," Shirou says suddenly, his tone respectful yet resolute. "If you would please pardon my boldness, may I ask the importance of that mask?"
"You ask, but you already suspect the answer don't you, young monk?" Asako Akio replies with a smile. He pulls the mask out of his robes and looks at it, green and white shimmering where it is not covered in terrible scorch marks. "This is the last gift my beloved sister ever gave me, crafted of Jade, Crystal and the Tears of Hantei no Kami himself. It was to protect me as I ventured into the Shadowlands… And it was the tool I used to turn the tide in the battle against Daigotsu in the City of Bone."
This time your jaw does drop. The mask… This is the mask Asako Akio used to gain victory for himself and his comrades against the Dark Lord of the Shadowlands. You've heard it told of in stories, how its purity lit Daigotsu up like a bonfire, purging his evil powers and melting half his body into so much broken flesh. This is an object of legend!
Asako Akio smiles sadly at the mask, his eyes unfocused as he allows himself to sink briefly into memory. He wipes away a few grains of dirt, cleaning the mask as much as possible for something so stained by flame, and returns it to his kimono. After that he takes a deep breath, composing himself, then turns around and begins to walk out of the alley in the direction of the castle.
"I believe you should come with me," he says. "I apologize for cutting your afternoon short, but there are people who must hear of these events."
[] Write in.
Announcement time for everyone! I just wanted to tell you all the Quest is going to be on hiatus for the month of November. NaNoWriMo is starting up again this weekend, and I'm going to participate by writing some original work. Sadly, between writing 1,700 words a day and all the time I spend doing my day job, I'll not have any time to dedicate to this Quest. So for the month of November, or until I reach the 50,000 word completion of the event, I will not be updating Glory of the Emerald Empire.
However, if you still need your L5R fix then you should check out @Maugan Ra's upcoming courtier themed Quest, In Thunder's Echo. It's got a great start so far, and I'm sure Maugan Ra will make the whole thing a wonderful experience.
Thank you all so much for all your time and patience as we create the story of Hiruma Sosuke together. I cannot tell you ll how grateful I am for your participation, and how humbled I feel that so many people enjoy these mad scribbles I call writing. It's one of the best feelings in the world to make something people enjoy, and I am so happy you have given me the opportunity to do so.
So again, thank you! Glory of the Emerald Empire will be back in action December 1st at the latest, and I look forward to continuing this grand adventure with all of you very soon.
Last edited:
I am sad.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
The Kolat will always be around.
Always.
Most Rokugani tend to ignore their existance, since it implies there's people among them who wants to take the celestial order down, and that's inconceivable.
While I try to figure out a vote. Have some more omake.
"So then we know that He likes her, and She likes him" Kirche said.
Tabitha gave the tiniest nod. The smaller girl, sighed internally as she was yet again dragged out of the world Amestris and it's handsome Captain Hawkeye.
Kirche ignored this to continue pacing in Tabitha's room.
"The key then is to get them to admit it."
"Difficult." Tabitha replied.
Kirche levelled a one eyed smile. "Tabitha dear, I am Kirche von Anhalt-Zebrst. My family has made the Valliere's dance to their tune for centuries, and I can make any man dance to my tune."
Tabitha said nothing.
"Do you doubt me?"
Tabitha said nothing.
"...It's simple really. While Sosuke is well far too stuffy and uptight for my tastes, Louise does not know that. If I pretend I wish to add him to my list of besotted boys who---one moment."
Kirche walke over to the window and slamed the shutters closed. Just as a boy prepared to leap in and make his dramatic declaration of love. His name was Timothy or something like that, Kirche vaguely recalled.
Andrew slammed head first into the shutters and slowly slid down the wall.
"Oooowwww" he groaned.
Kirche turned back to Tabitha.
"What was I saying?"
Tabitha closed her book. Captain Hawkeye and his forbidden affair with Lady Mustang would have to wait.
"You were planning to pretend to be attracted to Hiruma Sosuke in an attempt to make Louise jealous, it won't work."
"I beg your pardon?" Kirche asked.
"Mr. Hiruma, has not been in the company of any woman besides Louise. I believe he is interested in the company of men." Tabitha answered.
"...Nonsense. I am Kirche the Ardent." Kirche said.
Her arms folded underneath her chest as if to emphasize why she would succeed.
Tabitha shrugged.
"Come Tabitha. Operation: Stoke Louise's Fires of Jealousy is upon us!"
Tabitha blinked. What kind of name was that? She wondered.
Hiruma Sosuke, bushi of the Crab, Hohei in the 3rd Army of the South, yojimbo to Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, slayer of orcs, goblins and men, was for the first time in quite some time nervous.
As he sat on watch outside the school classroom. (They didn't let him after the incident) The large Crab Samurai tried to figure out what had him on edge.
Was it the coming war with Tristan?
No
Was it that Karen de La Valliere was coming to the school to talk about what happened with Wardes?
No
Was it the way that Professor Colbert kept looking at him like he was some sort of....Crab?
No
Sosuke let out a grunt of irritation.
What was...oh..oh! OH!
He felt like someone was plotting to hunt him. That wasn't a feeling he'd had since the Scorpion lands.
A nod to himself of satisfaction. Yes that was it there was a hunter coming from him.
A hunter that could hurt Louise-sama
A Yojimbo could allow no harm to come the one he protected
Ergo this Hunter would have to be eliminated.
"I did feel I was getting rusty." He said.
With that Sosuke picked up his trusty tetsubo, and prepared to hunt.
Inside the classroom, Louise couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably.
"So then we know that He likes her, and She likes him" Kirche said.
Tabitha gave the tiniest nod. The smaller girl, sighed internally as she was yet again dragged out of the world Amestris and it's handsome Captain Hawkeye.
Kirche ignored this to continue pacing in Tabitha's room.
"The key then is to get them to admit it."
"Difficult." Tabitha replied.
Kirche levelled a one eyed smile. "Tabitha dear, I am Kirche von Anhalt-Zebrst. My family has made the Valliere's dance to their tune for centuries, and I can make any man dance to my tune."
Tabitha said nothing.
"Do you doubt me?"
Tabitha said nothing.
"...It's simple really. While Sosuke is well far too stuffy and uptight for my tastes, Louise does not know that. If I pretend I wish to add him to my list of besotted boys who---one moment."
Kirche walke over to the window and slamed the shutters closed. Just as a boy prepared to leap in and make his dramatic declaration of love. His name was Timothy or something like that, Kirche vaguely recalled.
Andrew slammed head first into the shutters and slowly slid down the wall.
"Oooowwww" he groaned.
Kirche turned back to Tabitha.
"What was I saying?"
Tabitha closed her book. Captain Hawkeye and his forbidden affair with Lady Mustang would have to wait.
"You were planning to pretend to be attracted to Hiruma Sosuke in an attempt to make Louise jealous, it won't work."
"I beg your pardon?" Kirche asked.
"Mr. Hiruma, has not been in the company of any woman besides Louise. I believe he is interested in the company of men." Tabitha answered.
"...Nonsense. I am Kirche the Ardent." Kirche said.
Her arms folded underneath her chest as if to emphasize why she would succeed.
Tabitha shrugged.
"Come Tabitha. Operation: Stoke Louise's Fires of Jealousy is upon us!"
Tabitha blinked. What kind of name was that? She wondered.
Hiruma Sosuke, bushi of the Crab, Hohei in the 3rd Army of the South, yojimbo to Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, slayer of orcs, goblins and men, was for the first time in quite some time nervous.
As he sat on watch outside the school classroom. (They didn't let him after the incident) The large Crab Samurai tried to figure out what had him on edge.
Was it the coming war with Tristan?
No
Was it that Karen de La Valliere was coming to the school to talk about what happened with Wardes?
No
Was it the way that Professor Colbert kept looking at him like he was some sort of....Crab?
No
Sosuke let out a grunt of irritation.
What was...oh..oh! OH!
He felt like someone was plotting to hunt him. That wasn't a feeling he'd had since the Scorpion lands.
A nod to himself of satisfaction. Yes that was it there was a hunter coming from him.
A hunter that could hurt Louise-sama
A Yojimbo could allow no harm to come the one he protected
Ergo this Hunter would have to be eliminated.
"I did feel I was getting rusty." He said.
With that Sosuke picked up his trusty tetsubo, and prepared to hunt.
Inside the classroom, Louise couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably.
Last edited:
- Location
- Austrlia
With Laughter!
Sirrocco
Pedantic
For a vote thought (and by all means, I welcome any attempts by others to improve or critique)
[x] "Of course, Asako-sama. I am happy to provide any assistance I can against such filth, and my duties do not currently have me elsewhere. Still, would it be possible to send word to my lord Yasuki Goro-sama? I feel he ought to be informed as well."
- [X] Spend 3 XP to buy off Brash
[x] "Of course, Asako-sama. I am happy to provide any assistance I can against such filth, and my duties do not currently have me elsewhere. Still, would it be possible to send word to my lord Yasuki Goro-sama? I feel he ought to be informed as well."
- [X] Spend 3 XP to buy off Brash
Last edited:
- Location
- Austrlia
[x] "Of course, Asako-sama. I am happy to provide any assistance I can against such filth, and my duties do not currently have me elsewhere. Still, would it be possible to send word to my lord Yasuki Goro-sama? I feel he ought to be informed as well."
Thanks, @Sirrocco.
That's the wording I wanted, but couldn't get right.
Thanks, @Sirrocco.
That's the wording I wanted, but couldn't get right.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
Nice omake, Gman! I foresee great and terrible shenanigans ahead.
While I'm here, it's time to give out some goodies! Sosuke charged headlong against unknown foes without hesitation, and many people saw him do it. People will speak of his bravery and strength, and as such he has gained 3 points of Glory.
To be Samurai is to walk the path of Bushido, and that requires sacrifice and valor. This is only natural, and when confronted with terrible foes there are none amongst the Samurai who should back down. Sosuke has done only what was expected of him, but for his courage and protecting the property of the Elemental Master of Fire he has gained 2 points of Honor.
There is more that exists within Heaven and Earth, and between, than can be dreamt of within the philosophies of even the most learned scholars. Deeper evils, and greater terrors, walk the shadows waiting to prey upon the world. Sosuke had stood his ground against a small part of such things and did not falter, and has thus gained 3 Experience Points.
While I'm here, it's time to give out some goodies! Sosuke charged headlong against unknown foes without hesitation, and many people saw him do it. People will speak of his bravery and strength, and as such he has gained 3 points of Glory.
To be Samurai is to walk the path of Bushido, and that requires sacrifice and valor. This is only natural, and when confronted with terrible foes there are none amongst the Samurai who should back down. Sosuke has done only what was expected of him, but for his courage and protecting the property of the Elemental Master of Fire he has gained 2 points of Honor.
There is more that exists within Heaven and Earth, and between, than can be dreamt of within the philosophies of even the most learned scholars. Deeper evils, and greater terrors, walk the shadows waiting to prey upon the world. Sosuke had stood his ground against a small part of such things and did not falter, and has thus gained 3 Experience Points.
Last edited:
What was the mask being stolen for?
Or used by the Nothing in some attempt to infuence the Elemental Master of Fire.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
...probably after turning it into an artifact of dark magic.
It's also *possible* that it was being grabbed to use in the struggle between the Void Dragon and that guy who hates us personally.
Dat void 3 tho
- Location
- London, England
You know what, I'll formalize my vote here...
[x] "Of course, Asako-sama. I am happy to provide any assistance I can against such filth, and my duties do not currently have me elsewhere. Still, would it be possible to send word to my lord Yasuki Goro-sama? I feel he ought to be informed as well."
- [x] Spend 3 XP to buy off Brash
I believe I made my point clear in a previous post, but Brash will screw us over eventually. Maybe we'll react poorly to some jibe and ruin our lord's plans. Maybe we'll get baited into a duel and lose horribly because we're not allowed to use a Tetsubo. Maybe we'll say the wrong thing to the wrong person and get ourselves massively dishonoured. At the end of the day, we're going to keep rolling against it in delicate situations, and by the law of averages eventually we will fail it.
We have a good thing going here. We've got Glory, Honour and a decent enough reputation that our Clan might benefit significantly from our exploits. Let's buy off the flaw that could ruin that before it gets us all killed.
After all, if we end up dying or disgracing ourselves far from home, it will make our mother very sad. And you don't want to disappoint our mother now, do you?
[x] "Of course, Asako-sama. I am happy to provide any assistance I can against such filth, and my duties do not currently have me elsewhere. Still, would it be possible to send word to my lord Yasuki Goro-sama? I feel he ought to be informed as well."
- [x] Spend 3 XP to buy off Brash
I believe I made my point clear in a previous post, but Brash will screw us over eventually. Maybe we'll react poorly to some jibe and ruin our lord's plans. Maybe we'll get baited into a duel and lose horribly because we're not allowed to use a Tetsubo. Maybe we'll say the wrong thing to the wrong person and get ourselves massively dishonoured. At the end of the day, we're going to keep rolling against it in delicate situations, and by the law of averages eventually we will fail it.
We have a good thing going here. We've got Glory, Honour and a decent enough reputation that our Clan might benefit significantly from our exploits. Let's buy off the flaw that could ruin that before it gets us all killed.
After all, if we end up dying or disgracing ourselves far from home, it will make our mother very sad. And you don't want to disappoint our mother now, do you?