Joyful_Overkill
satisfaction in knowing your enemy won't survive.
[X] Dirtnap
Glory of the Emerald Empire (Legend of the 5 Rings Quest)
- Thread starter Winged Knight
- Start date
- Fantasy
2.43
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Sirrocco/Dirtnap
You give the matter some thought. Bayushi Chisata, the daimyo of the Bayushi family, desires a meeting with your superior. However, from the words of Bayushi Chisata's attendant, she does not appear to desire a large audience to said meeting. It's all supposition and guesswork, but from what little you've managed to glean of courtly matters these last few weeks this means Bayushi Chisata wants this to be a private conference.
So it would be best for you not to get involved, since you have a choice in the matter. You are more skilled in the art of conversation and rhetoric than when you began this trip, but you have no illusions on your level of skill a compared to those who have trained their whole lives for such things. It would be best not to draw attention to yourself as a possible point of weakness for any deliberations Yasuki Goro makes himself a part of. Well, until you're skilled enough to ward off such things, at least.
That being the case, your course of action is clear.
"If Yasuki-sama is presenting me with a choice," you say. "Then I think I shall go explore the city. It appears to be quite festive." You turn to Shasa and Shirou. "Would you two care to join me?"
"I would be delighted," Shasa says. "It looks quite interesting."
"I'm interested as well," Shirou says, grinning. "They might even have some competitions going on. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some."
"Very well, then," Yasuki Goro says. "I expect to see you all back sometime this evening." He waves a hand toward the city. "But until then, explore and enjoy yourselves." He gives you a look." Just remember what I've told you."
"Of course, Yasuki-sama," you say, bowing to him. Shasa and Shirou join in as well.
Yasuki Goro nods, and then turns to the servants and Ashigaru. "Unload the luggage from the carts, then," he says. "Quickly now. I don't wish to keep the honorable Daimyo waiting."
While the courtier directs the peasants, you and your companions walk to the maze surrounding the castle. One of the guards walks you through it again, though you're not sure why they're bothering. The labyrinth is not all that complex. Although… Are there a few more turns than there were before? The maze seems a bit longer than you remember.
No, of course not. That's a ridiculous notion.
The streets are just as busy as before, with games and festivities going on all around, though with the sun beginning to set people are lighting the lanterns. There's still enough ambient light to see, but now shadows are gathering in corners, illuminated faintly in an orange glow thanks to the glow provided by the lamps. It makes you suddenly aware of just how many alleyways there are, and how little those street lights will penetrate into their depths. Anything could lurk within them.
What brought that thought on? you wonder. A little caution is good, but paranoia can lead to improper decisions. You'll have to be careful.
Still, there are a lot of alleyways as you walk down the street.
"So," Shasa says, walking in front of you and Shirou. She looks over her shoulder at the both of you. "What shall we do first?"
"I'd like to see a play, if we can," you say. "The Shosuro are some of the best actors in the Empire, and in a major city like this they must have a theater around here somewhere."
"Hmm… A play?" Shirou asks, looking thoughtful. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind." He stretches an arm over his head, popping the joints. "Still, I hope we find something physically exerting at some point. Just sitting down all night doesn't appeal to me much."
"I'm all for a play," Shasa says, patting her stomach. "Hopefully with some food. It's been a long day."
You all wander around for a bit, enjoying the sights and sounds of the festival. You find it a little uncomfortable, so many people moving so closely together and creating a great deal of noise, but after a bit you get used to the din and manage to tune it out. Even still, you can't say it's the best feeling you've ever experienced.
There are many small games going on, tests of accuracy and coordination. Mostly it's just peasants getting involved and spending pocket change, though you see some Samurai also trying their hand at some of the challenges. Knife tossing is a popular one, as is throwing balls into holes at a distance for points and prizes.
There's even an odd game where… You blink, and almost stop walking. A man and a woman sit across from each other at a table, one of their hands flat on its surface and knives in their other. They're stabbing the spaces between their counterparts' fingers with blades, slowly going faster. A crowd has gathered around them, hollering encouragement. It seems there's a bet going on here. You're surprised to see such dangerous games being played, but just shrug your shoulders and move on. It's not really any of your business.
As you walk you notice just how happy everyone looks, peasants and Samurai alike. It's different from tales you've heard of the Scorpion. Don't the Scorpion treat their peasants poorly? Aren't they all supposed to be shadowy manipulators? How, then, does that match with the image before you?
But looking at the peasants, smiling and laughing, you're not seeing it. And the Samurai all seem just like… well, like people. They're enjoying themselves, having a good time with a night of revelry. Where are the blades in the shadows? Where are the black clad figures waiting in the night?
I'm beginning to think that all those tales I've heard about the Scorpion weren't as accurate as I thought, you muse to yourself.
Eventually you come across a large, outdoor theater with tables set before an open stage. People are eating and drinking there, watching several actors as they enact a play for their amusement. All the actors are wearing the different colors and mons of the Clans, aside from an old man in monk robes holding a gnarled cane. They appear to be showing a historical piece.
"A Scorpion," a tall actor in fancy prop armor says to a smaller woman before him. "Have you come to report?"
"I have come to meet you, Atarasi-san," the woman says with a chuckle. "I am Shosuro, the Scorpion Thunder."
"Oh?" Atarasi replies, his surprise evident. "The prophet said Bayushi forbade his followers to join this quest."
"Bayushi forbade any more of his followers to die in this war," Shosuro answers, and beneath her mask you think you see a grin. "I do not intend to die, Atarasi-san."
"They're enacting the First Day of Thunder," Shasa whispers. Her eyes are lit up with excitement. "Let's watch!"
[] Watch the play.
[] Do something else. (Write in.)
You give the matter some thought. Bayushi Chisata, the daimyo of the Bayushi family, desires a meeting with your superior. However, from the words of Bayushi Chisata's attendant, she does not appear to desire a large audience to said meeting. It's all supposition and guesswork, but from what little you've managed to glean of courtly matters these last few weeks this means Bayushi Chisata wants this to be a private conference.
So it would be best for you not to get involved, since you have a choice in the matter. You are more skilled in the art of conversation and rhetoric than when you began this trip, but you have no illusions on your level of skill a compared to those who have trained their whole lives for such things. It would be best not to draw attention to yourself as a possible point of weakness for any deliberations Yasuki Goro makes himself a part of. Well, until you're skilled enough to ward off such things, at least.
That being the case, your course of action is clear.
"If Yasuki-sama is presenting me with a choice," you say. "Then I think I shall go explore the city. It appears to be quite festive." You turn to Shasa and Shirou. "Would you two care to join me?"
"I would be delighted," Shasa says. "It looks quite interesting."
"I'm interested as well," Shirou says, grinning. "They might even have some competitions going on. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some."
"Very well, then," Yasuki Goro says. "I expect to see you all back sometime this evening." He waves a hand toward the city. "But until then, explore and enjoy yourselves." He gives you a look." Just remember what I've told you."
"Of course, Yasuki-sama," you say, bowing to him. Shasa and Shirou join in as well.
Yasuki Goro nods, and then turns to the servants and Ashigaru. "Unload the luggage from the carts, then," he says. "Quickly now. I don't wish to keep the honorable Daimyo waiting."
While the courtier directs the peasants, you and your companions walk to the maze surrounding the castle. One of the guards walks you through it again, though you're not sure why they're bothering. The labyrinth is not all that complex. Although… Are there a few more turns than there were before? The maze seems a bit longer than you remember.
No, of course not. That's a ridiculous notion.
The streets are just as busy as before, with games and festivities going on all around, though with the sun beginning to set people are lighting the lanterns. There's still enough ambient light to see, but now shadows are gathering in corners, illuminated faintly in an orange glow thanks to the glow provided by the lamps. It makes you suddenly aware of just how many alleyways there are, and how little those street lights will penetrate into their depths. Anything could lurk within them.
What brought that thought on? you wonder. A little caution is good, but paranoia can lead to improper decisions. You'll have to be careful.
Still, there are a lot of alleyways as you walk down the street.
"So," Shasa says, walking in front of you and Shirou. She looks over her shoulder at the both of you. "What shall we do first?"
"I'd like to see a play, if we can," you say. "The Shosuro are some of the best actors in the Empire, and in a major city like this they must have a theater around here somewhere."
"Hmm… A play?" Shirou asks, looking thoughtful. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind." He stretches an arm over his head, popping the joints. "Still, I hope we find something physically exerting at some point. Just sitting down all night doesn't appeal to me much."
"I'm all for a play," Shasa says, patting her stomach. "Hopefully with some food. It's been a long day."
You all wander around for a bit, enjoying the sights and sounds of the festival. You find it a little uncomfortable, so many people moving so closely together and creating a great deal of noise, but after a bit you get used to the din and manage to tune it out. Even still, you can't say it's the best feeling you've ever experienced.
There are many small games going on, tests of accuracy and coordination. Mostly it's just peasants getting involved and spending pocket change, though you see some Samurai also trying their hand at some of the challenges. Knife tossing is a popular one, as is throwing balls into holes at a distance for points and prizes.
There's even an odd game where… You blink, and almost stop walking. A man and a woman sit across from each other at a table, one of their hands flat on its surface and knives in their other. They're stabbing the spaces between their counterparts' fingers with blades, slowly going faster. A crowd has gathered around them, hollering encouragement. It seems there's a bet going on here. You're surprised to see such dangerous games being played, but just shrug your shoulders and move on. It's not really any of your business.
As you walk you notice just how happy everyone looks, peasants and Samurai alike. It's different from tales you've heard of the Scorpion. Don't the Scorpion treat their peasants poorly? Aren't they all supposed to be shadowy manipulators? How, then, does that match with the image before you?
But looking at the peasants, smiling and laughing, you're not seeing it. And the Samurai all seem just like… well, like people. They're enjoying themselves, having a good time with a night of revelry. Where are the blades in the shadows? Where are the black clad figures waiting in the night?
I'm beginning to think that all those tales I've heard about the Scorpion weren't as accurate as I thought, you muse to yourself.
Eventually you come across a large, outdoor theater with tables set before an open stage. People are eating and drinking there, watching several actors as they enact a play for their amusement. All the actors are wearing the different colors and mons of the Clans, aside from an old man in monk robes holding a gnarled cane. They appear to be showing a historical piece.
"A Scorpion," a tall actor in fancy prop armor says to a smaller woman before him. "Have you come to report?"
"I have come to meet you, Atarasi-san," the woman says with a chuckle. "I am Shosuro, the Scorpion Thunder."
"Oh?" Atarasi replies, his surprise evident. "The prophet said Bayushi forbade his followers to join this quest."
"Bayushi forbade any more of his followers to die in this war," Shosuro answers, and beneath her mask you think you see a grin. "I do not intend to die, Atarasi-san."
"They're enacting the First Day of Thunder," Shasa whispers. Her eyes are lit up with excitement. "Let's watch!"
[] Watch the play.
[] Do something else. (Write in.)
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- Location
- Canada
[X] Watch the play.
@gman391 What would it be meant to distract us from? There doesn't seem to be anything we should be taking note of happening at the moment. And while paranoia is probably a good idea in scorpion lands, would they really be capable of knowing the route we would take, and arranging a play to distract us should we happen to arrive? Especially when we aren't even looking for anything in particular? Now, they might take advantage of the play to ply us for info, but I doubt it was planned specifically for us.
@gman391 What would it be meant to distract us from? There doesn't seem to be anything we should be taking note of happening at the moment. And while paranoia is probably a good idea in scorpion lands, would they really be capable of knowing the route we would take, and arranging a play to distract us should we happen to arrive? Especially when we aren't even looking for anything in particular? Now, they might take advantage of the play to ply us for info, but I doubt it was planned specifically for us.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
I don't think this is deliverate. Just let's enjoy the show ok?
[x] Watch the play.
[x] Watch the play.
The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
[X] Do what the pretty girl wants Watch the play.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
Whoops. Sorry about that. Votes change so quickly sometimes it's hard to see who's saying what.
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One that expects and watches for the knife from behind is open for the knife from the front.
Furthermore: I'd be cautious before taking this city as example of standard Scorpion Samurai/Peasant interaction. Potemkin might be around after all...
2.44
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[x] Watch the play.
"That sounds like a good idea to me," you say, sitting down at one of the tables as stagehands covered the stage with a large cloth. Behind you could just barely see actors moving about and new props being brought in.
"Some sake," Shasa tells one of the servers. "And some food! I could go for some fish and chicken."
"As would I," you say. "With some rice."
"Just some rice and fish for me," Shirou says. "Plainly cooked, if possible. Some vegetables as well."
Your food comes swiftly, and as it does the cloth is drawn away to reveal the stage. The actor playing Atarasi is standing atop an outcropping; looking down upon a blasted land where nothing grows save thorny bushes and stunted trees. The ground is cracked, and you can even see an eerie mist pouring out from those fractures.
Ahead, below the outcropping, there is a long, winding blue cloth with foam painted at the edges. A river, you think. At least, it is the seeming of one, anyway. As close as the actors will likely get without running water through the stage.
"These lands were beautiful, once," Atarasi says softly, his tone full of sorrow. "I remember scouting this area with Hiruma. This was a forest. We caught a fish from that river, the finest I have ever tasted in my life… This place is dead now. Fu Leng has murdered it, Shosuro."
"You heard me approach?" Shosuro asks, stepping onstage from the darkness. "Not many men can do that."
Atarasi turns and smiles at her. "One does not survive long in a war such as this without learning how to read the shadows."
"How long have you known I was there?" Shosuro asks.
"Two hours."
"You said nothing?"
"You seemed at peace," Atarasi says with a shrug. "I felt it would be rude to interrupt."
Shosuro took some time just staring at Atarasi, as if searching for something in his face. Finally, after almost a minute, she asks "Then why did you speak to me just now?"
"Because of all of us you seemed the most likely to understand what we have lost," Atarasi says, turning around to wave a hand at the Shadowlands. "Both of our clans have suffered in this war. Even if we win here, these lands will never be the same. Win or lose, this is the Crab's future."
You feel a pang in your chest at the actor's words, at the sorrow Atarasi feels for the senseless destruction of a land that was once beautiful. You are proud of the service you have rendered in stopping the Shadowlands, in keeping the Empire safe. There is honor there, in doing what no one else can. But looking at this, seeing the sadness in Atarasi, makes you wonder about what could have been.
What might the Crab have been like, if the Shadowlands did not exist? What would life be for your people, without the constant threat of death and damnation from the forces of Jigoku? Without this overriding, all encompassing duty, what would your Clan have become?
You have no answer.
"These actors are very good," you mutter, taking in your food slowly.
"Indeed," Shasa says, sipping some sake.
"You shouldn't dwell on such things, Atarasi," Shosuro says, stepping closer to place a hand on the taller man's shoulder. "Doubt can kill a man more swiftly than a sword."
"I know that," Atarasi say, and you can see a bitter smile on his face as he gazes upon the ruination of the Shadowlands. "I have seen it happen often enough. I try to be like my father. Hida is never afraid. He never makes mistakes. I try to be like him, but how can I? I think sometimes my human blood is too strong."
Atarasi clasps his hands together before him, eyes focused on his trembling fingers. It is almost as if he is praying. It strikes you that this is a remarkably… human representation of your Clan's Thunder. Atarasi is always remembered as a peerless warrior, larger than life. But here, he is brought down to earth. It is a new experience for you.
You remember stories your father told you of Atarasi, that he was fearless and sacrificed everything to help his fellow Thunders succeed in defeating Fu Leng. He is still fearless here, confronting the Shadowlands in a venture that did result in his death, as he almost assuredly knew it would. But now you are seeing more to him, the man behind the warrior.
It is not a disrespectful portrayal, though certainly not one you are used to. There is no insult to Atarasi here, for he remains strong despite admitting to his feelings. Even still, it makes you feel… odd. You're not entirely certain if it is a good feeling. Perhaps that is even the point. Perhaps you are not supposed to know what you feel, looking upon these grand figures and seeing them without the glamor of legend.
"I have no words to reassure you, Atarasi," Shosuro says, taking her hand from the Crab Thunder's shoulder. "I don't think words would help."
"Then I hope the battle comes soon, Shosuro," Atarasi says, dropping his hands and placing them on the hilt of his tetsubo. "In battle there is no doubt. It is the times in between that may kill me."
"Especially in such a place as this," Shosuro says with a nod, looking around carefully at every shadow. "I cannot help the feeling that we are watched, that we are being followed. I will be glad when this is done."
"My father taught me that strength is the only commodity that increases when shared," Atarasi responds, turning around to look at Shosuro. "Shinsei believes we are the greatest warriors in the Empire. Perhaps he is right, then perhaps we will be victorious."
"I am not used to sharing strength," Shosuro replies softly. "I have always fought alone."
"In the end, we are all alone," Atarasi answers. "But until then perhaps we can make some difference."
The cloth comes back, and behind it the stagehands begin to move the props away to make room for new ones. It gives you a moment to breathe, and recover from the emotion of the scene you just witnessed. The actors are very much into their roles, and watching them you almost feel like you are looking back into the past as the Seven Thunders journeyed with Shinsei toward their battle with the Fallen Kami.
You're learning a few things about story telling by watching this play. A story… It needs emotion, needs passion behind it in order to truly reach a person's soul. This is a bit of a quandary for you, since intense emotion is discouraged amongst proper Samurai. But perhaps that need only be in most cases. Perhaps at certain times letting ones feelings free is even the best course of action.
You'll just need to determine when exactly such moments might be.
One of the chairs moves at the opposite end of your table, drawing you away from your thoughts. You turn around and see a young Scorpion Samurai wearing a wide brimmed hat sitting down, a bottle of sake in hand and a plate of skewered chicken in the other. On his face is a small, black mask that only covers his eyes and nose. He sets a polearm, a naginata, to lean on the table before he takes a bite of his chicken.
"We always have this play acted out at this time of year," the young man says after he swallows. "It's a good story, to be sure, but sometimes I think that we enjoy it so much because Shosuro was the only Thunder to survive the battle." He pauses. "Well, until a few weeks later, at any rate."
"I welcome you this fine evening," Shirou says, bowing in his seat to the young man as if the Scorpion Samurai hadn't just invited himself to sit at your table. "I am Shirou. And you are?"
"Bayushi Mataru," the young man says with a grin. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
[] Write in.
"That sounds like a good idea to me," you say, sitting down at one of the tables as stagehands covered the stage with a large cloth. Behind you could just barely see actors moving about and new props being brought in.
"Some sake," Shasa tells one of the servers. "And some food! I could go for some fish and chicken."
"As would I," you say. "With some rice."
"Just some rice and fish for me," Shirou says. "Plainly cooked, if possible. Some vegetables as well."
Your food comes swiftly, and as it does the cloth is drawn away to reveal the stage. The actor playing Atarasi is standing atop an outcropping; looking down upon a blasted land where nothing grows save thorny bushes and stunted trees. The ground is cracked, and you can even see an eerie mist pouring out from those fractures.
Ahead, below the outcropping, there is a long, winding blue cloth with foam painted at the edges. A river, you think. At least, it is the seeming of one, anyway. As close as the actors will likely get without running water through the stage.
"These lands were beautiful, once," Atarasi says softly, his tone full of sorrow. "I remember scouting this area with Hiruma. This was a forest. We caught a fish from that river, the finest I have ever tasted in my life… This place is dead now. Fu Leng has murdered it, Shosuro."
"You heard me approach?" Shosuro asks, stepping onstage from the darkness. "Not many men can do that."
Atarasi turns and smiles at her. "One does not survive long in a war such as this without learning how to read the shadows."
"How long have you known I was there?" Shosuro asks.
"Two hours."
"You said nothing?"
"You seemed at peace," Atarasi says with a shrug. "I felt it would be rude to interrupt."
Shosuro took some time just staring at Atarasi, as if searching for something in his face. Finally, after almost a minute, she asks "Then why did you speak to me just now?"
"Because of all of us you seemed the most likely to understand what we have lost," Atarasi says, turning around to wave a hand at the Shadowlands. "Both of our clans have suffered in this war. Even if we win here, these lands will never be the same. Win or lose, this is the Crab's future."
You feel a pang in your chest at the actor's words, at the sorrow Atarasi feels for the senseless destruction of a land that was once beautiful. You are proud of the service you have rendered in stopping the Shadowlands, in keeping the Empire safe. There is honor there, in doing what no one else can. But looking at this, seeing the sadness in Atarasi, makes you wonder about what could have been.
What might the Crab have been like, if the Shadowlands did not exist? What would life be for your people, without the constant threat of death and damnation from the forces of Jigoku? Without this overriding, all encompassing duty, what would your Clan have become?
You have no answer.
"These actors are very good," you mutter, taking in your food slowly.
"Indeed," Shasa says, sipping some sake.
"You shouldn't dwell on such things, Atarasi," Shosuro says, stepping closer to place a hand on the taller man's shoulder. "Doubt can kill a man more swiftly than a sword."
"I know that," Atarasi say, and you can see a bitter smile on his face as he gazes upon the ruination of the Shadowlands. "I have seen it happen often enough. I try to be like my father. Hida is never afraid. He never makes mistakes. I try to be like him, but how can I? I think sometimes my human blood is too strong."
Atarasi clasps his hands together before him, eyes focused on his trembling fingers. It is almost as if he is praying. It strikes you that this is a remarkably… human representation of your Clan's Thunder. Atarasi is always remembered as a peerless warrior, larger than life. But here, he is brought down to earth. It is a new experience for you.
You remember stories your father told you of Atarasi, that he was fearless and sacrificed everything to help his fellow Thunders succeed in defeating Fu Leng. He is still fearless here, confronting the Shadowlands in a venture that did result in his death, as he almost assuredly knew it would. But now you are seeing more to him, the man behind the warrior.
It is not a disrespectful portrayal, though certainly not one you are used to. There is no insult to Atarasi here, for he remains strong despite admitting to his feelings. Even still, it makes you feel… odd. You're not entirely certain if it is a good feeling. Perhaps that is even the point. Perhaps you are not supposed to know what you feel, looking upon these grand figures and seeing them without the glamor of legend.
"I have no words to reassure you, Atarasi," Shosuro says, taking her hand from the Crab Thunder's shoulder. "I don't think words would help."
"Then I hope the battle comes soon, Shosuro," Atarasi says, dropping his hands and placing them on the hilt of his tetsubo. "In battle there is no doubt. It is the times in between that may kill me."
"Especially in such a place as this," Shosuro says with a nod, looking around carefully at every shadow. "I cannot help the feeling that we are watched, that we are being followed. I will be glad when this is done."
"My father taught me that strength is the only commodity that increases when shared," Atarasi responds, turning around to look at Shosuro. "Shinsei believes we are the greatest warriors in the Empire. Perhaps he is right, then perhaps we will be victorious."
"I am not used to sharing strength," Shosuro replies softly. "I have always fought alone."
"In the end, we are all alone," Atarasi answers. "But until then perhaps we can make some difference."
The cloth comes back, and behind it the stagehands begin to move the props away to make room for new ones. It gives you a moment to breathe, and recover from the emotion of the scene you just witnessed. The actors are very much into their roles, and watching them you almost feel like you are looking back into the past as the Seven Thunders journeyed with Shinsei toward their battle with the Fallen Kami.
You're learning a few things about story telling by watching this play. A story… It needs emotion, needs passion behind it in order to truly reach a person's soul. This is a bit of a quandary for you, since intense emotion is discouraged amongst proper Samurai. But perhaps that need only be in most cases. Perhaps at certain times letting ones feelings free is even the best course of action.
You'll just need to determine when exactly such moments might be.
One of the chairs moves at the opposite end of your table, drawing you away from your thoughts. You turn around and see a young Scorpion Samurai wearing a wide brimmed hat sitting down, a bottle of sake in hand and a plate of skewered chicken in the other. On his face is a small, black mask that only covers his eyes and nose. He sets a polearm, a naginata, to lean on the table before he takes a bite of his chicken.
"We always have this play acted out at this time of year," the young man says after he swallows. "It's a good story, to be sure, but sometimes I think that we enjoy it so much because Shosuro was the only Thunder to survive the battle." He pauses. "Well, until a few weeks later, at any rate."
"I welcome you this fine evening," Shirou says, bowing in his seat to the young man as if the Scorpion Samurai hadn't just invited himself to sit at your table. "I am Shirou. And you are?"
"Bayushi Mataru," the young man says with a grin. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
[] Write in.
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Interesting. And appropriately for the Scorpion, I can't quite decide if them running this play right now (with extra thematic elements of team work and inter-clan collaboration) and this guy coming over to us are just a Scorpion ploy to court us to being sympathetic to them, just a fortuitous coincidence, both, actually a ploy, but intended to make us paranoid and lashing at shadows, or something deeper. I approve.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
WK staph. Don't feed my shadowruns.
Hida Atarasi was a great hero. 11/10, and this performance lives up to his good name.
Anyway, shall we let him talk? Is obvious for him that we're foreigners from another clan anyways. (I have nothing but this
[] Politely ask him about this festival, and what they're celebrating.
Anything else?
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The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
[X] "Hiruma Sosuke. Likewise. "
Offer to pour him a cup of sake, then inquire as to how much of the play we might have missed and whether there would be a later opportunity to see it in its entirety. Also inquire as to where we might find a suitable souvenir for our parents (I assume here that Sosuke would know what they might like even though we players do not, and thus that he would know what he might be looking for.
Then, just before we get up to leave once the play ends, ask if Hida Atarashi is always the Thunder that Shosuro speaks with when this play is performed here in Kyuden Bayushi.
Offer to pour him a cup of sake, then inquire as to how much of the play we might have missed and whether there would be a later opportunity to see it in its entirety. Also inquire as to where we might find a suitable souvenir for our parents (I assume here that Sosuke would know what they might like even though we players do not, and thus that he would know what he might be looking for.
Then, just before we get up to leave once the play ends, ask if Hida Atarashi is always the Thunder that Shosuro speaks with when this play is performed here in Kyuden Bayushi.
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
Interesting. And appropriately for the Scorpion, I can't quite decide if them running this play right now (with extra thematic elements of team work and inter-clan collaboration) and this guy coming over to us are just a Scorpion ploy to court us to being sympathetic to them, just a fortuitous coincidence, both, actually a ploy, but intended to make us paranoid and lashing at shadows, or something deeper. I approve.
I had similar thoughts. I *also* approve. Thank you, @Winged Knight.
Now, on to the analysis
- I don't *believe* that they wish to make us paranoid. I see no benefit in it for them. They've no reason to alienate us. Also, we're Big Dumb Crab, and they don't know us that well. If they had any plans based around us being paranoid, said plans might well fail just from us failing to notice what we should be paranoid about. Of course, to the degree that this is deliberate, I'm sure they have plans on how to take advantage of both "we'e made them sympathetic" *and* "we've made them paranoid" - not least of which is the read on us that either result would give.
- It is conceivable that it is a Scorpion ploy to make us sympathetic.
- Someone could have overheard us express an interest in seeing a play, and put out word to the nearby theaters. There would have been enough time, given how long we took, for the play to be well underway by the time we got there.
- Someone who knew that we were interested in a play might have known that this play was being performed at this place, and subtly guided us here (or guided our attention here). (...it would have to be *very* subtle)
- Someone who knew that our group had arrived might have gently encouraged the local troupes to put on plays of this theme. This is actually pretty plausible, given the fact that their actors have similar ties to their clan family as our samurai have to ours. Also, it would cut both ways. If we attend, it encourages us to be sympathetic. Even if we do not attend, though, it encourages the people who do attend to be sympathetic to us. Scorpion loyalty ensures that they won't give up any notable advantage by doing so, and the warmer welcome is also likely to endear us to our hosts.
- I'm pretty sure that at least part of what was going on was a bunch of actors putting on a play, a decent-sized audience enjoying it, and a bunch of food-sellers getting paid. Regardless of whatever else, it's not *just* a ploy.
Now, on to this scorpion...
- First, he's a scorpion. We have to be aware that they lie... a lot. Him telling us that they put on this play every year gives us zero real information as to whether or not they *actually* put on this play every year. Not like we're likely to ever be in a position to check, after all. On the flip side, it's worth remembering that when a Scorpion lies to you just means that they're a Scorpion. It doesn't necessarily mean anything about whether or not they like you. Of course, whether or not they like you doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how they'll treat you. Scorpion take loyalty to the Clan (and thus, generally speaking, obedience to their superiors) in much the same way as Sosuke takes opposing the Shadowlands. Even if he's doing this on his own initiative, it's pretty much a given that "what advantage can I gain for my clan" is a fairly strong motivator for him in this conversation.
Now, he's approaching us just after a play that was, in fact, tuned to Crab/Scorpion fellow-feeling. That's deliberate. He may have just been here, and grabbed the opportunity that presented itself, he may have been following us for some time (possibly since we left the palace) or someone involved with the area might have noticed us watching and sent a runner to go get him. That part doesn't really matter. He's clearly going for the "I would like to be friendly with you now" plan - especially since his opening line is to first express personal fondness for this play about how his clan and mine should get along, and then throw in a touch of self-deprecating humor. He wants to ingratiate himself, probably in service to some other goals - almost certainly clan goals, and quite possibly personal goals as well.
As far as goals of his clan? Information. The Scorpion crave it. Information to them is like koku, and blackmailable information like jade. We've recently arrived, there's a small window that the Scorpion have to take advantage of us being here, and the more data they have, the better they can exploit that time. It's possible that the Scorpion would also like to insinuate him into our group. We've already picked up a Monk, after all, so we're clearly not flatly opposed to adding people to our group. Adding him to our little crew would give him time to learn more about how the Crab function, would give him an opportunity to see more of Rokugan, and would give him opportunities to pick up yet more useful information (we're clearly doing important things, after all) and would give the impression that the Scorpion support our mission, and that we accept that support, as we travel through the other courts of Rokugan. Also, and most usefully, when we arrive at the Dragon Courts, he'd be available to liase with the Scorpion there - giving them a wealth of information about who we are and what we are likely to do, thus giving them a huge advantage in best turning our visit to their advantage. Oh, and it would also give him a particular opportunity to fill out the clan dossiers a bit more about both Yasuki Goro (who is reasonably well-known, but also a person of some fair interest to them) and us (and we're more or less a complete *unknown* who's showing signs of maybe being someone some day. The more they can pick up about us early, the better.)
Oh, and he has at least some skill in influence. He almost certainly has a secondary clan goal of "ingratiate yourself, and by extension, the clan" - another thing that having an extended period of time on the trail would assist in.
The question of whether or not they'd want him to go with us basically boils down to whether they think it the advantages to be gained would be worth deploying him for that long - and that will depend on both how interesting/disruptive our mission is likely to be, how interesting we personally are, and how much they think he'll be able to learn from and/or influence us.
As for his personal goals? Hard to say at this point, given that his actions are pretty much completely covered by clan goals. I will note, however, that Shasa-san *is* quite attractive. Also, there's that whole "serving the clan well pays off well" thing. Probably not that big a deal right now.
Ending here because Oh My Goodness Text Wall, and I'll get to work on *our* goals next.
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What is the proper etiquette here?
Shasa or soshiro should be the ones to introduce us as, if I am not mistaken, the one with the lowest status is the one responsible for the introductions.
But, outside of that, how should we behave?
What would be the proper anwser to his comentary ? It was both self depreciating and offensive at the same time.
If we dont acknowledge the offence, he will have made a point... if we acknowledge the offence directly, we will be impolite and have lost some face, concedinga point to him.
If we act against the self depreciation, we will be conceding a point in favor of the scorpions over the crab, if we dont act kn it, he can say that we were offensive to his clan.
In my opinion, the best option would be for us to make some sort of non answer.
Shasa or soshiro should be the ones to introduce us as, if I am not mistaken, the one with the lowest status is the one responsible for the introductions.
But, outside of that, how should we behave?
What would be the proper anwser to his comentary ? It was both self depreciating and offensive at the same time.
If we dont acknowledge the offence, he will have made a point... if we acknowledge the offence directly, we will be impolite and have lost some face, concedinga point to him.
If we act against the self depreciation, we will be conceding a point in favor of the scorpions over the crab, if we dont act kn it, he can say that we were offensive to his clan.
In my opinion, the best option would be for us to make some sort of non answer.
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mothematics
How wide is the concept of "you"?
- Location
- the bottom of a coffee cup
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[Shadowruns Intensifies]
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Woah... what? Where is what he said offensive? Soshuro *was* the only Thunder to survive, and (at least according to history as we know it) then died a few weeks later. I'm not seeing the offense here. Please clarify?
Also, we're Crab, and there's no (official) audience to play for... which means that even if there was some subtle offense, we can play the "big and oblivious" card and the point means nothing, anywhere other than his own internal scorecard. If there was something of the sort, that might be the best bet.
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