Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[x] Prepare for departure immediately.
[x] If you have any time once you are ready, prior to departure, find Shirou and thank him for his guidance.
[x] Once on the trail, approach Shasa.
- [x] "Shasa-san. I spoke with Yasuki-sama, and he said he would consider the matter. He appreciated both your drive, in seeking me out on the matter, and your tact - a thing that those who possess such drive sometimes lack. I suspect that there are many in the clan who would be similarly pleased by that combination of drive to self-improvement in service to the clan, and the tact to not overstep. As well, he mentioned that he planned to take advantage of your skills at kenjutsu by having you build a rapport with the Mirumoto. If you wish to have something to work on while you wait for him to decide, you could do worse than to focus on keeping your sword skills sharp."
Packing and prep first, because an hour is not a lot of time. It would be nice to have an opportunity to bid him farewell, but not delayign the mission is more important.
As for the other.... Shasa certainly showed the tact, but the drive was, at best, intuited on our part. Thus, this is a trying-to-be-sorta-subtle way of saying "Hey, I may have gotten you what you wanted. I had to bend the truth a bit to get you there, to make you look a bit better, so I would appreciate it if you would actually try to show the traits that I described you as having. Also, drive in service to the clan (and in self-improvement, so that you can better serve the clan later) has served me well, and I'm almost certain that you'd be happier if you internalized it as a major aspect of your being. After all, you want the higher-ups to like you and respect you and give you stuff, and a sincere and demonstrated willingness to lay everything on the line in service to the clan at any time seems like it works pretty well as a way to make that happen."
The longer-term plan here is based pretty heavily on the whole fake-it-till-you-make-it and/or Becoming The Mask thing, but that stuff does actually work, and I suspect that it works that much better in societies that focus more heavily on the importance of maintaining face.
TLDR - this is Sousuke trying to offer Shasa a bit more of the Crab Clan Koolaid.
[x] If you have any time once you are ready, prior to departure, find Shirou and thank him for his guidance.
[x] Once on the trail, approach Shasa.
- [x] "Shasa-san. I spoke with Yasuki-sama, and he said he would consider the matter. He appreciated both your drive, in seeking me out on the matter, and your tact - a thing that those who possess such drive sometimes lack. I suspect that there are many in the clan who would be similarly pleased by that combination of drive to self-improvement in service to the clan, and the tact to not overstep. As well, he mentioned that he planned to take advantage of your skills at kenjutsu by having you build a rapport with the Mirumoto. If you wish to have something to work on while you wait for him to decide, you could do worse than to focus on keeping your sword skills sharp."
Packing and prep first, because an hour is not a lot of time. It would be nice to have an opportunity to bid him farewell, but not delayign the mission is more important.
As for the other.... Shasa certainly showed the tact, but the drive was, at best, intuited on our part. Thus, this is a trying-to-be-sorta-subtle way of saying "Hey, I may have gotten you what you wanted. I had to bend the truth a bit to get you there, to make you look a bit better, so I would appreciate it if you would actually try to show the traits that I described you as having. Also, drive in service to the clan (and in self-improvement, so that you can better serve the clan later) has served me well, and I'm almost certain that you'd be happier if you internalized it as a major aspect of your being. After all, you want the higher-ups to like you and respect you and give you stuff, and a sincere and demonstrated willingness to lay everything on the line in service to the clan at any time seems like it works pretty well as a way to make that happen."
The longer-term plan here is based pretty heavily on the whole fake-it-till-you-make-it and/or Becoming The Mask thing, but that stuff does actually work, and I suspect that it works that much better in societies that focus more heavily on the importance of maintaining face.
TLDR - this is Sousuke trying to offer Shasa a bit more of the Crab Clan Koolaid.
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The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
[X] Sirrocco
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
Gah! too perfect!
[x] Prepare for departure immediately.
[x] If you have any time once you are ready, prior to departure, find Shirou and thank him for his guidance.
[x] Once on the trail, approach Shasa.
- [x] "Shasa-san. I spoke with Yasuki-sama, and he said he would consider the matter. He appreciated both your drive, in seeking me out on the matter, and your tact - a thing that those who possess such drive sometimes lack. I suspect that if you continue to show this combination of drive to self-improvement in service to the clan, and the tact to not overstep, you will find many within the clan who appreciate it. As well, he mentioned that he planned to take advantage of your skills at kenjutsu by having you build a rapport with the Mirumoto. If you wish to have something to work on while you wait for him to decide, you could do worse than to focus on keeping your sword skills sharp."
[x] Prepare for departure immediately.
[x] If you have any time once you are ready, prior to departure, find Shirou and thank him for his guidance.
[x] Once on the trail, approach Shasa.
- [x] "Shasa-san. I spoke with Yasuki-sama, and he said he would consider the matter. He appreciated both your drive, in seeking me out on the matter, and your tact - a thing that those who possess such drive sometimes lack. I suspect that if you continue to show this combination of drive to self-improvement in service to the clan, and the tact to not overstep, you will find many within the clan who appreciate it. As well, he mentioned that he planned to take advantage of your skills at kenjutsu by having you build a rapport with the Mirumoto. If you wish to have something to work on while you wait for him to decide, you could do worse than to focus on keeping your sword skills sharp."
Cannongerbil
I came here to nep at you
- Location
- Soviet Lunar Base
[X] Sirrocco
Da Boyz
The Cutest Apocalypse.
The vote overall looks good but this part seems to be laying it on a bit heavily/patronizingly.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
In this matter we are, to a degree, acting as her patron - presenting her case to Yasuki Goro in her stead, as she was not high enough status to do it herself. Still, you have a point. Having her feel resentment at the suggestion would not serve us here. I toned it down a touch.
2.36
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Sirrocco
You get up and head back to your room. An hour isn't a lot of time, and you need to prepare. Yasuki Goro obviously intends to get back on the trail as quickly as possible in order to continue with your mission. As such, he no doubt intends to head out before the next big storm comes around, as is so common for this region.
Once in your room you pack everything away, which wasn't much. After a few minutes your possessions are back in your pack. You glance at the sheet of paper with the half-remembered scribblings of your dream, wondering what to do with it. After a few moments you fold it up and stuff it inside your shirt. You will decide what you wish to do with your hazy recollection later.
Then comes the longest part, which is putting on your armor. You could do it quickly, like you did when aiding the Kitsune, but there is no need for that now. The Crab are a practical people, but not wholly divorced from the traditions and etiquette of the wider Empire. And one ritual that all Samurai hold dear to their hearts is the that of donning their armor.
You tae your time putting your armor on, ensuring every piece is well placed and settled properly. You treat your mother's gift with even more respect than you would your old armor, and you treated that set well. But this… This is more than just equipment, more than simply a symbol of your position. It is the affection your parents have for you.
You will give such a thing the reverence it deserves.
More than half an hour has passed by the time you have completed your slow, careful donning of your armor. By this point the time that Yasuki Goro had mentioned to you is almost up. You would like to say goodbye to Shirou, to thank him for his guidance, but he could be anywhere in the Temple's expansive grounds and you simply do not have the time.
You walk out of your room and head toward the gate that you came in from, sticking to the walkway. The monks are about doing various chores to maintain the temple, or training with both weapons and bare hands. The training likely never ends here at Shinden Osano-wo.
They undergo constant, grueling effort to reach physical perfection, all to achieve spiritual serenity. There is something oddly poetic in the dichotomy. It speaks to a kind of spirituality that you can grasp more easily than perhaps some of the other orders within the Brotherhood of Shinsei.
Yasuki Goro and the rest of the caravan is already waiting at the gate, making last second preparations for the mounts and the wagon. However, they are not the only ones there. There, bowing before your superior, is Shirou.
"Are you sure about this, young man?" Yasuki Goro. The courtier seems a bit puzzled and taken aback, an odd state for one normally so self assured. "Is there any particular reason you wish to travel with us?"
"I feel I have learned as much as I can here in Shinden Osano-wo," Shirou says. "As well as the Crab lands that I have visited." He straightens and smiles. "One must experience the world if one is to learn all there is to know of oneself. It is my hope, Yasuki Goro-sama, that you would allow this one to journey with you."
"Well, I've certainly no issue with it if your Abbot doesn't have any," Yasuki Goro says, recovering quickly from his earlier shock. "So I don't see the harm. I'll expect you to help around the camp, of course."
"Naturally," Shirou says. "It would be my pleasure to be of assistance."
Yasuki Goro nods. "All right then. I will allow you to journey with us."
"My thanks," Shirou says, bowing deeply once again.
Yasuki Goro doesn't respond. He simply nods again before taking the reigns of his horse and leading it outside. You take the reigns of your own and follow after. Shirou smiles at you as you pass, inclining his head before he moves to match your pace.
"A good morning to you, Sosuke-sama," he says.
"And to you," you say back. "I'd wanted to say goodbye to you, but now I see you're coming with us! I must admit I'm a little surprised."
"Life has a way of constantly keeping us on our toes," Shirou says. "Your caravan's presence in the temple has sparked a bit of wanderlust in me, and the Abbot has allowed me to go on a pilgrimage across the Empire to better experience the world."
"Well," you say. "I'm glad you've decided to join us." You carefully get on top your horse after clearing the gate. You're still not all that skilled in handling the animal. "I enjoyed our practice together."
"As did I, Sosuke-sama," Shirou responds. "Perhaps we can have further practices later. But for now, the road awaits."
Shirou gives you another bow and walks quickly, eating up ground in long strides. He doesn't have a horse, but then again the monk is so fit he might not really need one. And it is not like he's wearing any armor that he needs to support. He does have a pack of supplies on his back, but if its weight bothers the monk Shirou certainly doesn't show it.
You shrug. It's not like it's any of your business anyway. Shirou appears to be comfortable, and Yasuki Goro has allowed his inclusion into your group. That's really all you need to know about this whole affair.
As your caravan makes its way toward the road into Scorpion lands, you approach Shasa. She is hanging back near the rear of the company, looking up at the cloudy sky. You don't blame her. It doesn't look like it's going to rain again any time soon, but you wouldn't be surprised if this evening or tomorrow morning there was another downpour.
"Shasa-san," you say, getting her attention. You bow a little in the saddle. "I spoke with Yasuki-sama, and he said he would consider the matter. He appreciated both your drive, in seeking me out on this, and your tact - a thing that those who possess such drive sometimes lack."
Shasa's face lights up in a smile so big it almost makes her glow. It is an open smile, not the amused grins she has given you so often before. In truth, it makes her look even prettier than she normally does. You feel a heat in your cheeks at the sight of her joy, but manage not to blush so much that it becomes apparent.
"Thank you so much, Sosuke-san!" she says, bowing back to you. "I appreciate you doing this on my behalf." She straightens and looks to where Yasuki Goro is riding near the head of the caravan. "I will abide by whatever judgement Yasuki-sama sets, of course, but I do hope he sees merit in teaching me some of the courtier's art."
"We shall see what comes," you say. "I suspect that there are many in the Clan who would be similarly pleased by that combination of drive to self-improvement in service to the clan, and the tact to not overstep." You pause to urge a bit more speed from your mount to keep up with the group. "As well, he mentioned that he planned to take advantage of your skills at kenjutsu by having you build a rapport with the Mirumoto. If you wish to have something to work on while you wait for him to decide, you could do worse than to focus on keeping your sword skills sharp."
"I will certainly do so, Sosuke-san," Shasa says. She bows to you once more. "Thank you again for this. I will not forget what you have done for me."
"It was my pleasure to help a fellow Clan mate," you say. "I wish you well, Shasa-san."
She gives you another smile, and then pushes forward toward the middle of the caravan. This leaves you alone with your own thoughts as you travel. Something you're not entirely certain you should feel grateful for.
The last day has been both interesting and confusing. You trained with monks, were nearly struck by lighting and had a… well, you're not certain if it was a nightmare or something else. It certainly felt real, what bits you can remember, at any rate. But you've had many dreams that felt more than what they were, but ultimately turtned out to be nothing but mist in the dawn.
Regardless, your stay at Shinden Osano-wo was far more than you anticipated. And now you are truly journeying away from your Clan and into the lands of another. You don't know what you will experience there, but after everything so far you can't imagine it will be too much stranger than what you've already experienced.
At least, you're fairly certain.
[] Timeskip to Ginasutra.
[] Timeskip to Kyuden Bayushi.
[] Timeskip to Shiro no Shosuro.
[] Timeskip to Ryoko Owari Toshi.
Sosuke has undergone a number of events in the last few days that have given him much to think about. As such, he has earned 1 experience point.
Sosuke also made good on a promise and managed to do it without causing insult or offense. As such, he has also earned 1 point of honor.
You get up and head back to your room. An hour isn't a lot of time, and you need to prepare. Yasuki Goro obviously intends to get back on the trail as quickly as possible in order to continue with your mission. As such, he no doubt intends to head out before the next big storm comes around, as is so common for this region.
Once in your room you pack everything away, which wasn't much. After a few minutes your possessions are back in your pack. You glance at the sheet of paper with the half-remembered scribblings of your dream, wondering what to do with it. After a few moments you fold it up and stuff it inside your shirt. You will decide what you wish to do with your hazy recollection later.
Then comes the longest part, which is putting on your armor. You could do it quickly, like you did when aiding the Kitsune, but there is no need for that now. The Crab are a practical people, but not wholly divorced from the traditions and etiquette of the wider Empire. And one ritual that all Samurai hold dear to their hearts is the that of donning their armor.
You tae your time putting your armor on, ensuring every piece is well placed and settled properly. You treat your mother's gift with even more respect than you would your old armor, and you treated that set well. But this… This is more than just equipment, more than simply a symbol of your position. It is the affection your parents have for you.
You will give such a thing the reverence it deserves.
More than half an hour has passed by the time you have completed your slow, careful donning of your armor. By this point the time that Yasuki Goro had mentioned to you is almost up. You would like to say goodbye to Shirou, to thank him for his guidance, but he could be anywhere in the Temple's expansive grounds and you simply do not have the time.
You walk out of your room and head toward the gate that you came in from, sticking to the walkway. The monks are about doing various chores to maintain the temple, or training with both weapons and bare hands. The training likely never ends here at Shinden Osano-wo.
They undergo constant, grueling effort to reach physical perfection, all to achieve spiritual serenity. There is something oddly poetic in the dichotomy. It speaks to a kind of spirituality that you can grasp more easily than perhaps some of the other orders within the Brotherhood of Shinsei.
Yasuki Goro and the rest of the caravan is already waiting at the gate, making last second preparations for the mounts and the wagon. However, they are not the only ones there. There, bowing before your superior, is Shirou.
"Are you sure about this, young man?" Yasuki Goro. The courtier seems a bit puzzled and taken aback, an odd state for one normally so self assured. "Is there any particular reason you wish to travel with us?"
"I feel I have learned as much as I can here in Shinden Osano-wo," Shirou says. "As well as the Crab lands that I have visited." He straightens and smiles. "One must experience the world if one is to learn all there is to know of oneself. It is my hope, Yasuki Goro-sama, that you would allow this one to journey with you."
"Well, I've certainly no issue with it if your Abbot doesn't have any," Yasuki Goro says, recovering quickly from his earlier shock. "So I don't see the harm. I'll expect you to help around the camp, of course."
"Naturally," Shirou says. "It would be my pleasure to be of assistance."
Yasuki Goro nods. "All right then. I will allow you to journey with us."
"My thanks," Shirou says, bowing deeply once again.
Yasuki Goro doesn't respond. He simply nods again before taking the reigns of his horse and leading it outside. You take the reigns of your own and follow after. Shirou smiles at you as you pass, inclining his head before he moves to match your pace.
"A good morning to you, Sosuke-sama," he says.
"And to you," you say back. "I'd wanted to say goodbye to you, but now I see you're coming with us! I must admit I'm a little surprised."
"Life has a way of constantly keeping us on our toes," Shirou says. "Your caravan's presence in the temple has sparked a bit of wanderlust in me, and the Abbot has allowed me to go on a pilgrimage across the Empire to better experience the world."
"Well," you say. "I'm glad you've decided to join us." You carefully get on top your horse after clearing the gate. You're still not all that skilled in handling the animal. "I enjoyed our practice together."
"As did I, Sosuke-sama," Shirou responds. "Perhaps we can have further practices later. But for now, the road awaits."
Shirou gives you another bow and walks quickly, eating up ground in long strides. He doesn't have a horse, but then again the monk is so fit he might not really need one. And it is not like he's wearing any armor that he needs to support. He does have a pack of supplies on his back, but if its weight bothers the monk Shirou certainly doesn't show it.
You shrug. It's not like it's any of your business anyway. Shirou appears to be comfortable, and Yasuki Goro has allowed his inclusion into your group. That's really all you need to know about this whole affair.
As your caravan makes its way toward the road into Scorpion lands, you approach Shasa. She is hanging back near the rear of the company, looking up at the cloudy sky. You don't blame her. It doesn't look like it's going to rain again any time soon, but you wouldn't be surprised if this evening or tomorrow morning there was another downpour.
"Shasa-san," you say, getting her attention. You bow a little in the saddle. "I spoke with Yasuki-sama, and he said he would consider the matter. He appreciated both your drive, in seeking me out on this, and your tact - a thing that those who possess such drive sometimes lack."
Shasa's face lights up in a smile so big it almost makes her glow. It is an open smile, not the amused grins she has given you so often before. In truth, it makes her look even prettier than she normally does. You feel a heat in your cheeks at the sight of her joy, but manage not to blush so much that it becomes apparent.
"Thank you so much, Sosuke-san!" she says, bowing back to you. "I appreciate you doing this on my behalf." She straightens and looks to where Yasuki Goro is riding near the head of the caravan. "I will abide by whatever judgement Yasuki-sama sets, of course, but I do hope he sees merit in teaching me some of the courtier's art."
"We shall see what comes," you say. "I suspect that there are many in the Clan who would be similarly pleased by that combination of drive to self-improvement in service to the clan, and the tact to not overstep." You pause to urge a bit more speed from your mount to keep up with the group. "As well, he mentioned that he planned to take advantage of your skills at kenjutsu by having you build a rapport with the Mirumoto. If you wish to have something to work on while you wait for him to decide, you could do worse than to focus on keeping your sword skills sharp."
"I will certainly do so, Sosuke-san," Shasa says. She bows to you once more. "Thank you again for this. I will not forget what you have done for me."
"It was my pleasure to help a fellow Clan mate," you say. "I wish you well, Shasa-san."
She gives you another smile, and then pushes forward toward the middle of the caravan. This leaves you alone with your own thoughts as you travel. Something you're not entirely certain you should feel grateful for.
The last day has been both interesting and confusing. You trained with monks, were nearly struck by lighting and had a… well, you're not certain if it was a nightmare or something else. It certainly felt real, what bits you can remember, at any rate. But you've had many dreams that felt more than what they were, but ultimately turtned out to be nothing but mist in the dawn.
Regardless, your stay at Shinden Osano-wo was far more than you anticipated. And now you are truly journeying away from your Clan and into the lands of another. You don't know what you will experience there, but after everything so far you can't imagine it will be too much stranger than what you've already experienced.
At least, you're fairly certain.
[] Timeskip to Ginasutra.
[] Timeskip to Kyuden Bayushi.
[] Timeskip to Shiro no Shosuro.
[] Timeskip to Ryoko Owari Toshi.
Sosuke has undergone a number of events in the last few days that have given him much to think about. As such, he has earned 1 experience point.
Sosuke also made good on a promise and managed to do it without causing insult or offense. As such, he has also earned 1 point of honor.
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Ginasutra: A small trading village on the road from Osano-wo, pilgrims from all over the Empire come through here to get supplies for the next longer leg of the journey. It's technically a Scorpion village but their presence is very minimal for the most part. Last chance to be Crab friendly for a while.
Kyuden Bayushi: Seat of the Bayushi family of Clan Scorpion and where the Clan Champion typically makes his home. Both the Bayushi Bushi school has it's most famous dojo "Honour's Lesson" based here. In addition to being one of the few castles set up for holding the Imperial Winter Court. (The Emperor typically chooses different places to hold Winter Courts to get a feel for the people there and keep an eye on the Clans. That the Clans can't say no and the Winter Court is expensive is just details) It also holds the Traitor's Grove and other secrets of the Scorpion Clan The castle itself protected by a cunning labyrinth and sits at one end of Beiden Pass.
Beiden Pass is one of the three passes that lets travel occur through the Spine of the World. A vast mountain chain that bisects Rokugan north and South.
Shiro no Shosuro: Home of the Shosuro family, and known as the Castle of Pretending, home to the Shosuro Actors school and definitely not where ninjas come from. It has a unique set of gardens containing many special and somewhat dangerous plants. However it still gets a lot of tourists as it's the home of the Silken Smile Theater, the best Theater in the Empire so they say.
Ryoko Owari Toshi: Officially known as 'Journey's End City' this city is the second largest city in the Empire. Sitting at the end of the River of Gold. ( A trade river used to move things up and down the interior of Rokugan) it has wealth, population and you can find virtually anything there. However, Ryoko Owari Toshi is much more famously known as the City of Lies. It is here that Scorpion's influence is most obvious, with their Courtier School practicing and learning it's trade. It is here that the largest criminal organizations in the Empire make their home.
Not even Zayko Toshi the City of Pleasure can match Ryoko Owari for vice.
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I promise not to do write ins needing fire.
If it happens anyways, that is definitely not my fault.
Cannongerbil
I came here to nep at you
- Location
- Soviet Lunar Base
[x] Timeskip to Kyuden Bayushi.
Time to meet the clan of Ninjas.
Time to meet the clan of Ninjas.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
Very well. Lets say hello to our local
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Joyful_Overkill
satisfaction in knowing your enemy won't survive.
[X] Sirroco
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
You know, if we really want to meet no-really-not-a-ninja, the best place would be Shiro no Shosuro, since that's where their school is, that's where their best theater is, that's where their best poison garden is, and so forth. Also, timeskip to Kyuden Bayushi means that Kyuden Bayushi is the *only* city in the scorpion lands that we'll be visiting.
Breakdown of options, from a somewhat different perspective.
- Ginasutra: lets us ease into our interactions with the scorpion. It's a scorpion/crab blend, and so we get to still have a bit of the home province advantage (or at least not disadvantage) while we acclimatize. This is our last chance to take this one.
- Shiro no Shosuro: theater, gardens, and people whoa re most definitely not ninja - no, really. Do you want to see a play? Do you want to see beautiful and poisonous things? Do you want to meet people who are most definitely not ninja? Well, there's your answer. Might be useful for the somewhat different take on storytelling.
- Ryoko Owari Toshi: sin, vice, wealth, criminals, and scorpion courtiers. I'd suggest that we avoid this one
- Kyuden Bayushi: Not the decision you think it is. We'll be going here eventually anyway. A vote for Kyuden Bayushi is just a vote for not going anywhere *else*.
personally, I'd go with
[x] Kyuuden Bayushi
[x] Pay close attention to any advice Yasuki-sama may have about how to handle the place.
[x] Also, talk with him about who is allied with who in the Courts among the various clans - particularly the allies (and enemies) of the Crab, Dragon, and Scorpion. That sort of information will likely be pertinent.
[x] Pass anything that seems pertinent on to Shasa. She may also find it useful - if only to know who to be particularly careful around.
[x] Some time during the timeskip, ask Yasuki-sama in an offhand way if he's heard of this "Kohsa" - likely either a Scorpion or a Phoenix. Pick a time when you're not likely to be overheard.
[x] As you travel, continue to practice your storytelling on whichever audiences make themselves available and show interest (unless Yasuki-sama suggests for some reason that you not)
...because I think it would be interesting, and I do want to meet some people who are quite clearly not ninja (and no one would ever be so rude as to imply otherwise). If we play it right, we might even pick up a friendly actor to join us on our trek to the Dragon territories - clearly a thing with no possible downside. Also, letting the Scorpion know what's going on ahead of time... Well, it's not a bad thing. The Crab are on the move, politically speaking. The scorpion have reasons to wish to be on our good side (as they're one of the few who are on the same side of the Spine of the World as we are). Additionally, if they believe us about the oncoming Shadowlands threat, supporting us in the courts is pretty much all upside and no downside for them. The opportunity to appear particularly honorable while undermining the Crane? As previously noted, they are generally all *about* opportunities like that.
Of course, it is possible that I'm wrong about their alignment in the courts. Thus the asking Yasuki-sama. This is exactly the sort of thing he'd be keeping careful tabs on.
Edit!: Turns out that Kyuuden Bayushi is first, and Shiro no Shosuro second. I was wrong. Mea Culpa. Vote changed to reflect the fact that visiting Kyuuden Bayushi is probably worthwhile. The various side votes still seem like good ideas, though.
Breakdown of options, from a somewhat different perspective.
- Ginasutra: lets us ease into our interactions with the scorpion. It's a scorpion/crab blend, and so we get to still have a bit of the home province advantage (or at least not disadvantage) while we acclimatize. This is our last chance to take this one.
- Shiro no Shosuro: theater, gardens, and people whoa re most definitely not ninja - no, really. Do you want to see a play? Do you want to see beautiful and poisonous things? Do you want to meet people who are most definitely not ninja? Well, there's your answer. Might be useful for the somewhat different take on storytelling.
- Ryoko Owari Toshi: sin, vice, wealth, criminals, and scorpion courtiers. I'd suggest that we avoid this one
- Kyuden Bayushi: Not the decision you think it is. We'll be going here eventually anyway. A vote for Kyuden Bayushi is just a vote for not going anywhere *else*.
personally, I'd go with
[x] Kyuuden Bayushi
[x] Pay close attention to any advice Yasuki-sama may have about how to handle the place.
[x] Also, talk with him about who is allied with who in the Courts among the various clans - particularly the allies (and enemies) of the Crab, Dragon, and Scorpion. That sort of information will likely be pertinent.
[x] Pass anything that seems pertinent on to Shasa. She may also find it useful - if only to know who to be particularly careful around.
[x] Some time during the timeskip, ask Yasuki-sama in an offhand way if he's heard of this "Kohsa" - likely either a Scorpion or a Phoenix. Pick a time when you're not likely to be overheard.
[x] As you travel, continue to practice your storytelling on whichever audiences make themselves available and show interest (unless Yasuki-sama suggests for some reason that you not)
...because I think it would be interesting, and I do want to meet some people who are quite clearly not ninja (and no one would ever be so rude as to imply otherwise). If we play it right, we might even pick up a friendly actor to join us on our trek to the Dragon territories - clearly a thing with no possible downside. Also, letting the Scorpion know what's going on ahead of time... Well, it's not a bad thing. The Crab are on the move, politically speaking. The scorpion have reasons to wish to be on our good side (as they're one of the few who are on the same side of the Spine of the World as we are). Additionally, if they believe us about the oncoming Shadowlands threat, supporting us in the courts is pretty much all upside and no downside for them. The opportunity to appear particularly honorable while undermining the Crane? As previously noted, they are generally all *about* opportunities like that.
Of course, it is possible that I'm wrong about their alignment in the courts. Thus the asking Yasuki-sama. This is exactly the sort of thing he'd be keeping careful tabs on.
Edit!: Turns out that Kyuuden Bayushi is first, and Shiro no Shosuro second. I was wrong. Mea Culpa. Vote changed to reflect the fact that visiting Kyuuden Bayushi is probably worthwhile. The various side votes still seem like good ideas, though.
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The_Reptile_
Jolly Good
- Location
- THE PITS OF HELL. Also known as Connecticut.
[x] Scirroco. Shosuro are where the Not!Ninja's are, not Bayushi. Ya want those, head there.