Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
[x] "Saddened?" Look up and then down.
"I suppose, it is hard to understand what it's like to be on the Wall, to fight and fight until your lungs have no more breath and then fight some more. But I never saw it as something to be sad over, the Crab are the children of Hida-no-kami, it is our privilege to bear the weight that we do."
Shrug.
"Well, I suppose if she does have a problem she'll tell me eventually. So come up with any new exercises on the boat?"
"I suppose, it is hard to understand what it's like to be on the Wall, to fight and fight until your lungs have no more breath and then fight some more. But I never saw it as something to be sad over, the Crab are the children of Hida-no-kami, it is our privilege to bear the weight that we do."
Shrug.
"Well, I suppose if she does have a problem she'll tell me eventually. So come up with any new exercises on the boat?"
- Location
- Leeds
[X] Timeskip to end of journey.
- Location
- Bulgaria
[X] Timeskip to end of journey.
No real point in lingering.
No real point in lingering.
Orion Nexus
The Storm Soul
- Location
- South Carolina
[X] Timeskip to end of journey.
IonicTiger
Extremely bewildered sailing vessel.
- Location
- Take a left at Albuquerque
[X] Timeskip to end of journey.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
As my name is not Kentaro Miura, I suppose Sosuke will have to get off the boat in a timely manner. 
cokerpilot
Here comes the rain.
Oh shit son.As my name is not Kentaro Miura, I suppose Sosuke will have to get off the boat in a timely manner.
I dun geddit.As my name is not Kentaro Miura, I suppose Sosuke will have to get off the boat in a timely manner.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
Is a reference to Berserk, a manga of Kentaro Miura. Dude left the MC, guts, traveling on a boat before going to hiatus until a few months ago? So the fandom says that guts had the longest traveling time on boat.
4.24
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[X] Timeskip to end of journey.
You're not entirely certain how you feel about this. On the one hand, to pity your life is to express deep presumption. By what right do Samurai of any Clan not your own have to feel sorry for you? In many ways it borders on insult, and before you had begun your journey you might have taken it as such.
But who you were then is different than who you are now. You have grown, and have made an effort to move beyond such instinctive reactions. Shirou is likely correct that Hanabi didn't mean to cause you any offense. Your friend is quite perceptive, and has shown a keen understanding for as long as you've known him.
"Saddened?" you say, looking down at yourself before glancing toward Shirou. "I suppose, it is hard to understand what it's like to be on the Wall, to fight and fight until your lungs have no more breath and then fight some more. But I never saw it as something to be sad over."
"Some might find the idea of war unending against Jigoku itself to be a daunting prospect, Sosuke-sama," Shirou replies, his expression stoic. "And after considering it properly I wouldn't doubt many Samurai wouldn't wish such a fate on anyone."
"The Crab are the children of Hida-no-kami, it is our privilege to bear the weight that we do." You say with a shrug. "Well, I suppose if she does have a problem she'll tell me eventually. So come up with any new exercises on the boat?"
"Why, yes indeed!" Shirou says, the solemnity falling away from his face like waves over sand. "It involves walking around the railing while you have a coil of rope over each arm."
"That sounds… incredibly dangerous."
Shirou cocks his head in thought, and then nods. "I suppose it is! But you see, it is quite effective in working out certain muscles…"
You smile as Shirou goes on about the benefits of an activity you are certain would only result in you falling to your watery death, but for him appear to strengthen his body further. It is a nice distraction as you both walk back toward the front of the ship, and as waves lap at the sides with the passage of time, you lose yourself in pleasant conversation.
Turning your head to the side reveals two things. The first is that you are sitting atop a small boat within a pond, slowly floating upon mellow waters. The second is that your head is resting on something very soft and comfortable, and as you look back up you see the blurred face of the spirit woman looking down at you.
Though you cannot see her expression you can tell she is smiling. The woman who has so often visited your dreams seems to have settled your head in her lap, only a small cushion maintaining anything like propriety between the two of you. One of her hands rests on the boats steering paddle, while the other is slowly stroking your hair.
"You have endured so much," she says. "Such a heavy weight on your shoulders, more than anyone should have to bear. But you can be free of that burden here, if only for a little while."
"Who are you?" you whisper, doing your best to form words through the pleasant haze that muddies your thoughts. "I think… I know you, don't I? But I can't recall where."
The spirit goes still, and you can tell from the stiffening of her posture she is taken aback by your question. She recovers quickly, however, and the tension flows out of her. The woman returns to stroking your hair, continuing for some time before finally responding.
"I cannot say," she says, and though her voice is like music you catch hints of true remorse. "To do so would mean we could never meet again, and I could not bear that."
"Do you love me?" you ask, unsure where the question is coming from or your boldness in asking it. "Without honesty, how can something so precious and fragile survive?"
"Yes," she answers without hesitation. You can tell she smiles again, though now it is touched with melancholy. "Though I never understood what such a thing could be before I saw you, I know this feeling is love. But even if that love can never be realized…" She takes a deep breath. "I will be saddened should you love one who is not me, but so long as I can be close to you then the pain is not so great."
You are uncertain if she is telling the truth, or merely stating something she hopes to be true. There is only so much you can tell from voice and posture alone. Without being able to clearly see her face there are depths to this woman you can never truly perceive. Perhaps someone more skilled in these arts could manage it, but you know without a doubt it is beyond our abilities.
So you close your eyes and lay there, enjoying the bliss of the tranquility around you. War has come, and blood will be shed all too soon. You understand that with the same certainty you hold a weapon with. But for now there is peace, and with peace you can escape such dark realities for a time.
Even if that peace can only come in dreams.
But dwarfing the numbers of even the Mantis ships are the vessels of the Crane. Many are mercantile in their purpose, intended to take the Doji and Daidoji to all corners of the Empire in order to bring prosperity to their Clan. It cannot be doubted that part of the Crane's diplomatic success is their ability to reach practically anywhere in Rokugan within short order, and these ships are certainly part of that.
Others, however, can be nothing less than warships.
They tower above their lesser counterparts, made of thick wood and banded with iron. Wide decks allowed for archers to achieve the best firing formations, with chest high walls to ensure protection against enemy fire. They are functional enough, if not as well protected and armed as your Clan's Koutetsukan. But then, the Crane do not have to contend with monsters coming through and from the Sea of Shadows.
Beyond the docks you can see houses and manors of truly elegant design, with curved wood and masterfully set tiles giving the impression these buildings sprouted from the ground rather than being built. This is especially true with the defensive towers within the city, which give the impression of giant trees. Even the homes belonging to the lower classes seem like works of art, created with form in mind rather than pure function.
The sight of them makes you scowl in irritation. This entire city looks as if it could go up like a bonfire with a few carefully applied catapults and ballista before even applying burning pitch to the ammunition. The towers and castles appear sturdy, if ridiculously stylized, but these buildings exemplify everything you've heard about Crane Clan excess. Even if few Clans use stone as much as the Crab in their construction, they at least don't build their cities with such pretensions.
You are still scowling as your ship settles into the harbor, following both Yasuki Goro and Kitsuki Nobu onto the docks with your comrades by your side. The sudden lack of motion underfoot almost throws you off balance, but you manage to catch yourself in time to avoid embarrassment. Your companions, aside from Shirou, seem to have similar troubles before recovering themselves.
From your glance at them you notice Hanabi, who is looking around with less interest than you might have anticipated considering the new surroundings. The Dragon Samurai has been reserved ever since your conversation with her. It is not that she hasn't spoken, but instead her usual exuberance at your presence has faded somewhat. You are not certain whether this is a cause for relief or concern.
There is little time to consider these thoughts, however, before three men bearing the Daidoji Mon approach your ship. Two are obviously bodyguards, each carrying polearms and wearing armor. They are following close behind an older man, his gray hair receding and his generous stomach set over a frame that still holds at least a modicum of the strength he no doubt had in his youth.
"I am Daidoji Genichi, of the Mura Sabishii Toshi port authority," he proclaims as he stands before your party, bowing. "It is my duty and pleasure to oversee the proper docking and stowing of material from this ship such that all arrangements of trade may be maintained."
"My greetings, Daidoji-sama. My name is Yasuki Goro, diplomat of the Crab Clan, and my friend here is Kitsuki Nobu-san, diplomat of the Dragon," your superior responds, bowing low. "As you can see, we are not members of the Mantis Clan and were merely taking passage south upon their fine vessel."
"So I see," Daidoji Genichi replies. "Then there will be few dealings between us, Yasuki-san, unless you have cargo on board that ship."
"I must admit that such is the case," Yasuki Goro says. "I am transporting goods back to the lands of my Clan. Trouble has broken out along our western border and our cargo is vital towards its resolution."
"I have heard some rumors of your Clan's troubles, and wish the Crab nothing but victory and good fortune," Genichi responds. "However, there are tariffs that must be abided for goods coming through this port."
Yasuki Goro nods, and in doing so hides the barest hints of a grimace. "I anticipated such, and will be happy to discuss these matters." He turns his head to face you. "Sosuke-san, this is likely going to be a fairly long and tedious affair of little import to yourself. Perhaps in the interest of saving time you could find us an inn so that we may rest from our journey at sea?"
[] Locate an inn.
[] Insist on staying with Yasuki Goro.
[] Write in.
You're not entirely certain how you feel about this. On the one hand, to pity your life is to express deep presumption. By what right do Samurai of any Clan not your own have to feel sorry for you? In many ways it borders on insult, and before you had begun your journey you might have taken it as such.
But who you were then is different than who you are now. You have grown, and have made an effort to move beyond such instinctive reactions. Shirou is likely correct that Hanabi didn't mean to cause you any offense. Your friend is quite perceptive, and has shown a keen understanding for as long as you've known him.
"Saddened?" you say, looking down at yourself before glancing toward Shirou. "I suppose, it is hard to understand what it's like to be on the Wall, to fight and fight until your lungs have no more breath and then fight some more. But I never saw it as something to be sad over."
"Some might find the idea of war unending against Jigoku itself to be a daunting prospect, Sosuke-sama," Shirou replies, his expression stoic. "And after considering it properly I wouldn't doubt many Samurai wouldn't wish such a fate on anyone."
"The Crab are the children of Hida-no-kami, it is our privilege to bear the weight that we do." You say with a shrug. "Well, I suppose if she does have a problem she'll tell me eventually. So come up with any new exercises on the boat?"
"Why, yes indeed!" Shirou says, the solemnity falling away from his face like waves over sand. "It involves walking around the railing while you have a coil of rope over each arm."
"That sounds… incredibly dangerous."
Shirou cocks his head in thought, and then nods. "I suppose it is! But you see, it is quite effective in working out certain muscles…"
You smile as Shirou goes on about the benefits of an activity you are certain would only result in you falling to your watery death, but for him appear to strengthen his body further. It is a nice distraction as you both walk back toward the front of the ship, and as waves lap at the sides with the passage of time, you lose yourself in pleasant conversation.
o\O/o
You open your eyes to the gentle rocking of a boat upon water, but realize immediately you are not upon the ship sailing for Crane lands. For one, there is no ceiling blocking your view of the sky. For another, that sky is filled with the gently falling leaves of cherry blossoms.
Turning your head to the side reveals two things. The first is that you are sitting atop a small boat within a pond, slowly floating upon mellow waters. The second is that your head is resting on something very soft and comfortable, and as you look back up you see the blurred face of the spirit woman looking down at you.
Though you cannot see her expression you can tell she is smiling. The woman who has so often visited your dreams seems to have settled your head in her lap, only a small cushion maintaining anything like propriety between the two of you. One of her hands rests on the boats steering paddle, while the other is slowly stroking your hair.
"You have endured so much," she says. "Such a heavy weight on your shoulders, more than anyone should have to bear. But you can be free of that burden here, if only for a little while."
"Who are you?" you whisper, doing your best to form words through the pleasant haze that muddies your thoughts. "I think… I know you, don't I? But I can't recall where."
The spirit goes still, and you can tell from the stiffening of her posture she is taken aback by your question. She recovers quickly, however, and the tension flows out of her. The woman returns to stroking your hair, continuing for some time before finally responding.
"I cannot say," she says, and though her voice is like music you catch hints of true remorse. "To do so would mean we could never meet again, and I could not bear that."
"Do you love me?" you ask, unsure where the question is coming from or your boldness in asking it. "Without honesty, how can something so precious and fragile survive?"
"Yes," she answers without hesitation. You can tell she smiles again, though now it is touched with melancholy. "Though I never understood what such a thing could be before I saw you, I know this feeling is love. But even if that love can never be realized…" She takes a deep breath. "I will be saddened should you love one who is not me, but so long as I can be close to you then the pain is not so great."
You are uncertain if she is telling the truth, or merely stating something she hopes to be true. There is only so much you can tell from voice and posture alone. Without being able to clearly see her face there are depths to this woman you can never truly perceive. Perhaps someone more skilled in these arts could manage it, but you know without a doubt it is beyond our abilities.
So you close your eyes and lay there, enjoying the bliss of the tranquility around you. War has come, and blood will be shed all too soon. You understand that with the same certainty you hold a weapon with. But for now there is peace, and with peace you can escape such dark realities for a time.
Even if that peace can only come in dreams.
o\O/o
A week passes, and soon enough you come to Mura Sabishii Toshi. The city's sprawling docks are filled with vessels of various colors. You see ships belonging to the Phoenix and Tortoise Clans, both of which are outnumbered by the Mantis. The port is absolutely bustling with activity.
But dwarfing the numbers of even the Mantis ships are the vessels of the Crane. Many are mercantile in their purpose, intended to take the Doji and Daidoji to all corners of the Empire in order to bring prosperity to their Clan. It cannot be doubted that part of the Crane's diplomatic success is their ability to reach practically anywhere in Rokugan within short order, and these ships are certainly part of that.
Others, however, can be nothing less than warships.
They tower above their lesser counterparts, made of thick wood and banded with iron. Wide decks allowed for archers to achieve the best firing formations, with chest high walls to ensure protection against enemy fire. They are functional enough, if not as well protected and armed as your Clan's Koutetsukan. But then, the Crane do not have to contend with monsters coming through and from the Sea of Shadows.
Beyond the docks you can see houses and manors of truly elegant design, with curved wood and masterfully set tiles giving the impression these buildings sprouted from the ground rather than being built. This is especially true with the defensive towers within the city, which give the impression of giant trees. Even the homes belonging to the lower classes seem like works of art, created with form in mind rather than pure function.
The sight of them makes you scowl in irritation. This entire city looks as if it could go up like a bonfire with a few carefully applied catapults and ballista before even applying burning pitch to the ammunition. The towers and castles appear sturdy, if ridiculously stylized, but these buildings exemplify everything you've heard about Crane Clan excess. Even if few Clans use stone as much as the Crab in their construction, they at least don't build their cities with such pretensions.
You are still scowling as your ship settles into the harbor, following both Yasuki Goro and Kitsuki Nobu onto the docks with your comrades by your side. The sudden lack of motion underfoot almost throws you off balance, but you manage to catch yourself in time to avoid embarrassment. Your companions, aside from Shirou, seem to have similar troubles before recovering themselves.
From your glance at them you notice Hanabi, who is looking around with less interest than you might have anticipated considering the new surroundings. The Dragon Samurai has been reserved ever since your conversation with her. It is not that she hasn't spoken, but instead her usual exuberance at your presence has faded somewhat. You are not certain whether this is a cause for relief or concern.
There is little time to consider these thoughts, however, before three men bearing the Daidoji Mon approach your ship. Two are obviously bodyguards, each carrying polearms and wearing armor. They are following close behind an older man, his gray hair receding and his generous stomach set over a frame that still holds at least a modicum of the strength he no doubt had in his youth.
"I am Daidoji Genichi, of the Mura Sabishii Toshi port authority," he proclaims as he stands before your party, bowing. "It is my duty and pleasure to oversee the proper docking and stowing of material from this ship such that all arrangements of trade may be maintained."
"My greetings, Daidoji-sama. My name is Yasuki Goro, diplomat of the Crab Clan, and my friend here is Kitsuki Nobu-san, diplomat of the Dragon," your superior responds, bowing low. "As you can see, we are not members of the Mantis Clan and were merely taking passage south upon their fine vessel."
"So I see," Daidoji Genichi replies. "Then there will be few dealings between us, Yasuki-san, unless you have cargo on board that ship."
"I must admit that such is the case," Yasuki Goro says. "I am transporting goods back to the lands of my Clan. Trouble has broken out along our western border and our cargo is vital towards its resolution."
"I have heard some rumors of your Clan's troubles, and wish the Crab nothing but victory and good fortune," Genichi responds. "However, there are tariffs that must be abided for goods coming through this port."
Yasuki Goro nods, and in doing so hides the barest hints of a grimace. "I anticipated such, and will be happy to discuss these matters." He turns his head to face you. "Sosuke-san, this is likely going to be a fairly long and tedious affair of little import to yourself. Perhaps in the interest of saving time you could find us an inn so that we may rest from our journey at sea?"
[] Locate an inn.
[] Insist on staying with Yasuki Goro.
[] Write in.
Last edited:
Nix's Warden
Welcome to Hades
- Location
- United States
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Spirit Waifu is so sweet! I really hope we find out more about her as we go. Actually speaking of Spirits whatever happened with that Fox Spirit we meet? Didn't we get a reward or a favor from it for getting it's amulet back?
Also Sosuke is funny.
Shiro: Believe it or not my friend most Samurai find the thought of eternal, neverending war, against the forces of hell to be both terrifying and pitiable.
Sosuke: Truly? I have no idea why. It's not that bad once you get used to seeing horrible abomination's murder your family and clan for a empire that rarely ever respects the sacrifices we make everyday of our lives. So how's those exercises going?
Shiro: Great! Let me tell you about them.....
[X] Locate an inn.
Also Sosuke is funny.
Shiro: Believe it or not my friend most Samurai find the thought of eternal, neverending war, against the forces of hell to be both terrifying and pitiable.
Sosuke: Truly? I have no idea why. It's not that bad once you get used to seeing horrible abomination's murder your family and clan for a empire that rarely ever respects the sacrifices we make everyday of our lives. So how's those exercises going?
Shiro: Great! Let me tell you about them.....
[X] Locate an inn.
Da Boyz
The Cutest Apocalypse.
I'm watching you Probably Jade Dragon. Watching and waiting for your sudden but inevitable betrayal.
[X] Locate an inn.
Orion Nexus
The Storm Soul
- Location
- South Carolina
[X] Locate an inn.
GilliamYaeger
M'crazy.
[X] Locate an inn.
- Location
- Bulgaria
[X] Locate an inn.