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Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)

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[X] Sirrocco

A chance to see the foremost acting school in Rokugan can only be helpful to our storytelling skills.
 
I'd like to note that you're not actually going through the Beiden Pass. That way is still mostly blocked off save for a few side trails that are somewhat dangerous and left mostly for merchants. There is a new path further north that leads toward Kyuden Ikoma in Lion lands, and rests closer to Shiro no Shosuro. So if you do decide to timeskip to the city of the Shosuro family you'll be moving closer to exiting Scorpion territory.

Just thought you should all know.
 
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Winged Knight said:
I'd like to note that you're not actually going through the Beiden Pass. That way is still mostly blocked off save for a few side trails that are somewhat dangerous and left mostly for merchants. There is a new path further north that leads closer to Kyuden Ikoma in Lion lands, and rests closer to Shiro no Shosuro. So if you do decide to timeskip to the city of the Shosuro family you'll be moving closer to exiting Scorpion territory.

Just thought you should all know.
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Ah! My mistake. Editing earlier vote, then.

So we can go to Kyuuden Bayushi first, and then Shiro no Shosuro after, right?
 
Sirrocco said:
Ah! My mistake. Editing earlier vote, then.

So we can go to Kyuuden Bayushi first, and then Shiro no Shosuro after, right?
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Totally doable. It's on the way to this new pass through the mountains. Well "new" relative to the now defunct Beiden Pass. It's been around for over 70 years by this point, and is considered the main method of travel toward the other side of the Spine of the World Mountains from Scorpion territory.
 
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2.37
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    • [x] Sirrocco


    Time travels swiftly as your caravan makes its way down the road. It takes only a few days to reach Ginasutra, where you resupply with some of the essentials. Mostly food, along with some parts for the wagon to better ensure it stays in firm condition. It would not do to have the transport for all your supplies fall apart while in the middle of one of the Imperial highways.

    You do not stay in the town long, merely a night, and the next day sees you all making your way toward Kyuden Bayushi. You are well and truly within Scorpion territory now, out of the lands between and well away from the holdings of your own Clan. It is an odd feeling, to be so far from home. It is of similarity, yet also difference.

    On the whole, you can't say you feel much in the way of great change in your surroundings. The world looks as it always does. But at the same time… At the same time, you know you are no longer within familiar ground. There is no guarantee where you walk will have allies of any sort, and you must be careful. You have a duty to uphold, and you cannot allow yourself to fail.

    "Take note of everything anyone says to you," Yasuki Goro says to both you and Shasa one day as you ride. "Every Scorpion is taught the art of conversation to some degree or another, and will know how to lead a person on." He frowns as a patrol of Samurai in Scorpion colors walks by, no doubt guarding the road. He waited until they passed before continuing. "It doesn't even have to be with lies. Selective truths can manipulate just as well as any falsehood. Sometimes even better."

    "Should we consider the Scorpion our enemies here?" you ask. "If you would please excuse my impudence, Yasuki-sama, but the what you have described to us sounds like nothing is as it seems within Scorpion lands."

    "That's because it often isn't," the courtier says. He takes a deep breath. "It would be unwise to consider the Scorpion our enemies in this venture as of yet. We are merely passing through, and often the Scorpion focus more on the nearby Crane than they do the relatively more distant Crab."

    Shasa nodded at Yasuki Goro's words, and then says "But might they perhaps take an interest in our destination, Yasuki-sama?"

    "A fair question," Yasuki Goro responds. "And very likely they will, if they don't already know. But while there's no real love lost between the Scorpion and the Dragon, there have also been no conflicts between them in the last twenty years. The Dragon have been too busy recovering from the madness of Moto Shinichiro to exert even the meager influence in the courts that they once had."

    "So they would be considered neutral to each other, then?" Shasa asks. She's been much more inquisitive recently, likely thanks to Yasuki Goro including her in lessons such as these. "That might work to our advantage."

    "It certainly doesn't hurt," you say, shifting your seat a little on your horse. "If they can't be allies, then at least they can stay out of our way."

    "Neutrality doesn't mean they won't get involved in our affairs somehow," Yasuki Goro says. "Every clan will take note of outsiders going through the territory and how they might be useful, and none more so than the Scorpion." He leans in close to both of you. "So again, take note of everything that is said to you. What you think you hear might not actually be what it seems at first inspection."

    Yasuki Goro gives similar words to the Ashigaru and the servants, though his words are more of a demand than firm advice like they had been for you and Shasa. Shirou is not addressed with any warnings, since he is not a true part of your mission, but he nods and listens attentively anyway. The monk has been playing close attention to everything these last few days, and interacting with the peasants in your caravan. They appear to be getting along quite well. Which only makes sense, of course. Monks always seemed to get along well with the peasantry.

    The very next day you catch sight of Kyuden Bayushi, the great castle resting on a low plateau such that it can be seen for miles away. And, you figure, the defenders there could see any invading force long before they actually arrive. However, the entire castle is surrounded by a small but thick forest, which seems to defeat the purpose a little of being able to see your enemy before they arrive.

    Around said forest, at the base of the plateau, is a sprawling city. However, you cannot perceive much of it at all from this distance, unlike the castle itself. You are actually one, maybe two, days travel still from the Scorpion stronghold. It only looks close because of the castle's elevation. It is an interesting little illusion, if one not too difficult to see through.

    You approach Yasuki Goro, who is staring intently at the castle in the distance. He looks at you as you approach, and you bow to him in the saddle.

    "Yasuki-sama," you say. "I see we will be reaching our current destination soon."

    "Aye," he says. "We will. And hopefully leaving soon." He grimaces. "At least, as quickly as etiquette dictates. Depending on how this goes, we might be there for a few days."

    "In order to avoid giving offense?"

    "Exactly," he says. "At least some propriety must be upheld, even if it is a waste of time." He sighs. "I'd much rather make as much haste as possible to Dragon Lands, but I will not give the Scorpion any excuse to cause us grief."

    "As you say, Yasuki-sama," you respond.

    You both ride in silence for a little while, just taking in the sight of the stronghold looming ahead. Finally, though, after a few minutes you speak again.

    "Yasuki-sama, might I ask you a question?"

    "Go ahead," he says. "Little else to do but brood, and I'm getting tired of that."

    "Have you ever heard of someone named Kohsa?" you ask.

    "Kohsa?" Yasuki Goro's brow furrows. "No, I can't say I have. What Clan would he belong to?"

    "I'm unsure," you say. "I think perhaps the Phoenix or the Scorpion, but I do not know for certain."

    "Well, I've not heard of someone named Kohsa from either Clan," Yasuki Goro says. "Maybe there is someone by that name, but they've obviously not won enough renown to warrant word reaching my ears." He looks at you quizically. "What brought this on?"

    "I'd overheard it, and wondered about who it belonged to," you say, half remembered fragments of your dream flashing through your mind. "And must admit the name roused my curiosity." You bow to him again. "I apologize for the trouble."

    "It's no problem, lad," Yasuki Goro says, waving a hand. "Like I said, little else to do right now."

    He turns back ahead, and you take that for the dismissal it is. Despite his words, it appears your superior wishes to be left alone with his thoughts for right now. Naturally, you acquiesce to his wishes and move away.

    You let your horse fall back a bit until you're in the middle of the caravan. You have perhaps a day now until you reach Kyuden Bayushi, which means you've a little time to yourself. You've just got to decide how you want to spend it.

    [] Interact with Shirou.
    [] Interact with Shasa.
    [] Interact with the Ashigaru.
    [] Skip to the castle.
    [] Do something different. (Write in.)
     
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    • Hello everyone! I'm here to interrupt your Questing today to show off more awesome art! Here is the scene where Sosuke returns the pendant to the Kitsune, as drawn by Sufficient Velocity's own @Krekian! So please send all due praise and adoration his way, because he did a great job with this!

     
    [X] Interact with the Ashigaru.

    Because aside from those two we took to interact with the ronin we haven't really spoken to any of them yet.
     
    2.38
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    • [x] Interact with Shasa.


    Kyuden Bayushi looms in the distance, almost like a symbol of al that exists outside of the lands of your Clan. It isn't, of course. There is more to the Empire than just the Scorpion. But to you, who has lived all your life amongst the Crab, it embodies the doorway to the strange new world you are approaching.

    But there is still some time before you reach it. The absolute earliest will be this evening, though tomorrow afternoon seems more likely. Thinking too much about the castle ahead, when you're still this far away, is meaningless. It is better to actually do something than to merely fret over what you cannot yet interact with.

    You head over to Shasa, who you see is also staring at the Scorpion stronghold. Her brow is furrowed, and you can see she is thinking quite a bit on something. Her expression straightens when she sees you, though, and she bows in her saddle.

    "Sosuke-san," she greets. "It seems we are finally reaching the first major milestone of our journey."

    "Shasa-san," you say back, bowing in return. "Indeed it does. I must admit I have mixed feelings about it."

    "Excited to finally see the world outside the Clan, but worried about what unfamiliar things might be lurking?" she asks, giving you a little smile. "Yes, I can empathize."

    "It makes me glad someone as experienced a Yasuki Goro-sama is in charge of our party," you say. "He seems to know what to do."

    "Yasuki-sama has interacted with the Scorpion before, and knows something of their measure. He is wary of them," Shasa says. "He has told me as such those few times he has come to give me advice on the courtier's art."

    "So he has agreed to teach you, then?" you ask, smiling. "I am glad. It seemed this was something you very much wanted to do."

    "He has," Shasa says, and you can see her mood appears brighter than you are used to. "And it is. I mean no offense to my parents, but I believe I might be better suited for the courts than the battlefield."

    "We all have our place," you say, nodding. "And the armies of the Crab cannot support themselves alone. A presence in the courts is necessary in order for us to do our duty properly."

    "Very true," Shasa says. "Yasuki-sama has agreed to give me some beginning lessons based on what he himself has learned through his own experiences, and if I show promise we will work from there."

    "My congratulations," you say. "I wish you well on your endeavors."

    "I don't think I could have done it without your aid, Sosuke-san," she says. "And for that, I thank you." She looks ahead, still smiling. "Perhaps what I have learned will be put to the test here, within the center of the Scorpion's power?"

    "That may be," you say. "Though I would hope we have no issues whatsoever. It's still more than a week until we reach the pass through the mountains. We cannot afford to waste time."

    "You are right, of course," Shasa says. "I will curb my enthusiasm." She gives out a chuckle. "Still, I cannot help but daydream a little."

    "I suppose that is only natural," you say. "I sometimes do so myself, though about great battles."

    Better that than some of my actual dreams, you think to yourself, remembering your nightmares within the Shadowlands, and half remembered terrors from your sleep within Shinden Osano-wo.

    "I think everyone has those moments, no matter how old or young they are," Shasa says. She turns back to you. "Please tell me, Sosuke-san, if you do not find it rude. Do you have any plans for your future? Do you want anything out of life?"

    [] Write in.
     
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    • Do we?

    If not, is it because we haven't really thought about it or is it because we are that kind of shonen idiot/idealistic paragon of virtue whose life wish is in fact to serve the clan and empire?
     
    [q] I AM THE WALL

    Really I got nothing. Sosuke seems to be perfectly happy smashing things with his tetsubo in the armor his mother crafted for him for the rest of his life, fighting on the Wall and being the best smashy Crab he can be...right?
     
    [x] Writin

    Think about it for a moment.

    "I suppose in the abstract, I wish to fulfill my duty as a Crab, but that's not quite the same thing as what you're asking is it? What do I want out of life? Same as any man I suppose, to live well, to die even better. I will take a wife at somepoint and I hope that we get along well together, and that our children do well...but dreams of the future of my position, always seemed such hazy things. The Crab live swiftly and in the moment, for we do not often last long enough to plan out our course."

    Tilt head slightly.

    "Still, all things being equal, I suppose I like this sort of thing, travelling with good companions like yourself and serving on the wall, I hope to be able to do both."
     
    [X] "I... I have not put much thought into it. Not as much as I should, perhaps. But I think for now that my desires are simple. I want to serve with honor and make my family proud."
     
    Heh...Sasha is being too direct, straight with the hard questions.

    I wonder what she has on her mind, regarding these answers.

    [x] gman391
     
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