In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)

[Maugan Ra]

QM's note - Not a lot of formalized votes here, but there does seem to be a general consensus stemming from the discussion I've seen. With that in mind, have an update:

-/-

You breath out slowly, fitting things together in your mind.

"It seems, Yogo-san, that you may find the opportunity you seek here after all."

It makes a terrible kind of sense, really - during the events leading up to the Second Day of Thunder, an appalling number of shadowlands creatures and tainted warriors entered Rokugan. The majority of them were destroyed outside Otosan Uchi, but a considerable number fled into the wilderness while the armies of Rokugan were too exhausted to pursue. Emperor Toturi has spent much of his early reign coordinating the forces sent to hunt down and exterminate those lingering remnants, but the Empire is a big place. It is entirely believable that twisted monsters such as that would attempt to create strife and discord in the Empire through underhanded means - the real surprise is that they were able to intercept the communications of a Clan Champion.

Hanzo stiffens briefly as the true import of your words sinks in, and then he nods. "The spirits of the Earth are the ones most closely associated with Jade." He says, a kind of baleful hate underlying his words. "Few things arose their ire like the corruption of the spirit."

"Would you be able to use your gifts to seek out other signs of them?" You ask slowly, considering the full implications of what this might mean.

"I... could, to a certain extent." Hanzo says after a moment. "The kami do not perceive time and space in the same way that we do. The spirits in that paper were not generally agitated, only when I asked about a specific individual. Tracking down other signs that way would be deeply inefficient and rather unreliable."

"I see." You nod thoughtfully. You suppose that infiltrators from the shadowlands would not be nearly so dangerous if any Shugenja could unmask them so easily.

"There is another prayer that I know which could assist." Yogo Hanzo offers. "The spirits of fire can be entreated to ward a particular location for approximately a day. Anything that bears any kind of taint is barred from entering the area. Normally this would be of purely defensive use, for it takes time to set up and the Ward is immobile, but I know of a way to imbue the prayer into an individual piece of specially prepared paper, for immediate deployment."

You raise one eyebrow. "That sounds... incredibly useful, Yogo-san. I presume there is a reason why this spell is not more frequently used?"

The Shugenja's mask prevents you from seeing his face, but you are fairly sure he is smiling. "Primarily because it wards against tainted creatures by, ah, setting them on fire, Soshi-san, and most buildings are constructed from wood and paper." He pauses to consider for a moment. "The activation is also fairly obvious. If I were to employ the spell in a particular room, virtually anyone with any kind of spiritual education would be able to tell that I was examining them for the Taint."

Which would also be taken as an accusation by many, and responded to as one would any other mortal insult. Yes, you can see why that would be potentially problematic.

"A method best kept in reserve, then." You say dryly. "Very well. I will make a written record of my findings, and then seek out Bayushi-sama. She needs to know about this."

"Know about what?" Bayushi Kimoko says, from her position by the doorway. You twitch slightly in surprise, for you could have sworn you were alone in these apartments with Hanzo. Still, it probably should not be a great surprise to find that your superior is skilled in the arts of stealth as well as being spectacularly lethal with a sword. And now that she is here, you can make your report.

-/-

It does not take long to convey the gist of things to Bayushi Kimoko, who for all of her creative approach to delicate situations still possesses a keen mind and the benefit of significant experience. What takes rather longer is the explanation of all of the details and the debates over the particular methods and likely implications thereof - your superior clearly wants to make absolutely sure of her position on this matter before moving ahead. All in all, it is completely dark outside by the time that you actually get around to finishing up.

Eventually, she sits back and nods thoughtfully. "This is, needless to say, highly significant." She says drumming her fingers on the side of the small table in front of her. "Very well. I will pass this up the chain of command, with my full authority attached to it. Our lord's need to know, and they will have the perspective and authority to make sure that this is properly acted upon."

She fixes you with her one remaining eye, and the intensity in her glare is enough to make you glad that you are already seated. "In the meantime, Soshi-san, Yogo-san, we hold this secret close. Tell no-one of your suspicions, until our lords have made their own decision. This is a direct order, you understand?"

"Yes, Bayushi-sama." You reply, Hanzo echoing your response a moment later. Your lord has given you an order, and you will obey. "If I may ask... what of Ikoma Genji?"

Kimoko nods. "Find a way to inform him that the letter was forged, but nothing more. That should be enough to earn the embassy, particularly if we can assist him further in the future. In fact... Soshi-san, you will attend the Winding River Banquet tomorrow. Use the opportunity to inform him in a deniable fashion."

"Hai, Bayushi-sama."

-/-

Fifteenth Day of the Boar

You awaken before dawn the next day, though with the coming of winter that means less than it otherwise might. Still, today is likely to be a busy one, and in preparation for a courtly activity you need to be sure that you are dressed appropriately and fully prepared for a public display.

It is as you are returning from the baths, making your way back to your quarters in the pre-dawn gloom, that you catch sight of her. Moving with deliberate grace, Doji Mariko is crossing the parade ground, having just left the tower, and is heading towards the castle exit. Daidoji Chen is at her shoulder, and her kimono is one of purest white.

The colour of death.

What do you do?
[ ] Attempt to speak with her.
- [ ] What about?
[ ] Follow and observe silently.
[ ] Respect her apparent desire for privacy and stay away.

 

[Maugan Ra]

A samurai has only one real reason to dress all in white. Mariko is going to her death.

For a moment, you are torn by the desire to approach her. But... what would you even say? There are no words which could change her fate now, at least none that you could speak. All you can do is disrupt whatever calm and peace she has managed to obtain in preparing for her seppuku. And perhaps earn the violent enmity of Daidoji Chen, which is liable to end with you meeting an unfortunate accident in the near future - the Iron Crane have always been good at discretely handling such problems.

So while you hesitate, eventually you steel yourself and turn away. There are still preparations to be made for the rest of the day, but somehow you doubt that your lord will begrudge you taking the time to centre yourself before proceeding. With that in mind, you go looking for a temple.

It is actually surprisingly difficult to find one within the walls of Shiro Matsu, and while you know there are appropriate facilities in the nearby town you don't think you can justify going quite so far astray. Instead you are left with a choice between a large number of different ancestral shrines, most of which are dedicated to a famous and honourable Lion of one variety or the other, and none of which are really appropriate for something like this.

Even the Lion are not so focused on their ancestors as to neglect the broader pantheon of fortunes that watch over the Emerald Empire, however, and eventually your search carries you past a small shrine tucked away down a side street that seems perfect for your needs. It is a humble place, little more than a single room lit with a handful of candles, but that is enough for your purposes. On the far wall are displayed icons of the Seven Great Fortunes, and beneath them the two symbols representing the specific deities this shrine is dedicated to - Hofukushu and Yozo, the twin Fortunes of Vengeance.

You smile grimly as you recognize their signs, even as you pick out a candle and kneel in the centre of the shrine. Of course of Matsu, a family obsessed with avenging an insult a thousand years old, would maintain a shrine to these two. Yozo is the master of the more accepted kind of vengeance; the dispassionate righting of wrongs and settling of debts, but none would be so foolish as to disregard the influence of Hofukushu on any related matter, for his is the burning hate that drives a man to respond to insult with violence and the savage joy that even the most honourable find in true retaliation.

Their presence here is a boon to you personally, but their domains have little concern for the state of Doji Mariko's soul, and so you direct your prayer towards the Greater Fortunes instead. You pray that they will be merciful to her, that she will be judged fairly by her ancestors and that her next life will be kinder to her than this one. You doubt that the Great Fortunes will be swayed by the intercession of one such as you, but it cannot hurt to try.

Finally, you thank them for leading you to the evidence of the conspiracy, and ask that they allow you to resolve this matter before anyone else is harmed by it. It is too late for Doji Mariko, but hopefully she will be the last person you lose as a result of... whatever this is.

-/-

That Evening

The Winding River Banquet is one of the more traditional and respected events at any Winter Court. Every samurai is expected to have some understanding and appreciation of poetry, even the most barbaric Crab standing on their Wall, and as such attendance at this particular event is generally considered mandatory.

The Matsu apparently have no great love for growing things or pretty flowers, but they appreciate art all the same, and as such the banquet this year is to be held in one of their rock gardens. Stones of varying shapes and colours from all over the Empire have been assembled here and arranged into beautiful and artistic shapes, likely built up by generations of Lion samurai slowly adding their own contributions with each year. The centerpiece is a mountain stream that has been carefully diverted to flow through here, filling the air with its gentle burbling call.

You can already see Matsu Ketsui taking her seat near the end of the river, occupying the spot traditionally reserved for the highest status attendee at any given court. There is no formal system dictating where you should sit for this one - those who consider themselves skilled at poetry will sit near the Daimyo, while those who have less confidence in their artistic skills will typically take a seat near the headwaters and bow out of the competition early.

Where do you choose to sit?
[ ] At the headwaters, where you can back out of the poetry contest early without losing face
[ ] Somewhere in the middle, where you are unlikely to stand out one way or the other
[ ] Near Matsu Ketsui, thus proclaiming yourself a respectable poet and earning the attention of the most senior attendees.

 

[Maugan Ra]

You don't even have to think about it, really. Let Bayushi Kimoko draw the attention and hold the eyes of those watching - indeed, you can already see her taking a seat near the end of the river, within easily conversational distance of Matsu Ketsui. Your place is in the shadows, handling the less savory or exciting duties that none the less must be completed in order to pursue your Clan's goals. With that in mind, you head towards the middle of the river, picking a spot where you think you can avoid standing out a great deal one way or the other.

Besides, all things considered you doubt you have the focus required to occupy the limelight effectively. Not tonight.

Still, there are certainly adequate distractions available to take your mind off of the unfortunate events of the past few days. At the very least you can watch and see where the rest of the guests invited to the court decide to seat themselves. Unsurprisingly Otomo Kairyu takes a seat near the Daimyo, though likely more for the social standing offered than because he believes his poetry is spectacular, shortly joined by Ide Taka and Yasuki Mia. Conversely, you note that Yogo Hanzo has decided to take a seat near the headwaters where he can avoid getting drawn into a poetry competition, shortly joined by the Tsuruchi and both Hidas. Interestingly, you see Daidoji Chen slip in and take a seat there shortly afterwards, though you have difficulty imagining that a Crane actually thinks so little of their own skills at poetry.

Then you take note of those who have decided to sit near you. The Winding River Banquet involves, as the name suggests, an actual banquet to start with, so you have an opportunity here to talk to your fellow guests and get a proper feel for them in ways thus far denied to you.

The first is a member of the Unicorn delegation, seated to your left. He wears the mon of the Iuchi family upon his purple kimono, and there is an unusual cast to his features that you can't quite place. Have the Unicorn truly brought someone with gajin blood to court at Shiro Matsu? Either way, you know that the Iuchi are one of the Clan's spiritual families, responsible for producing a large number of Shugenja.

Secondly is Shiba Danjuro, the Yojimbo to Asako Tani (who is seated a few places up, closer to the Daimyo), seated to your right. You've not spoken to him at all thus far - indeed, you don't think anyone has. The Shiba are supposed to be pacifists of some kind, though only a fool would discount their military skill, and he has likely trained as a Bushi to better perform his family's ancestral duty.

Finally, one of the Crab takes a seat directly across from you. He is a squat, unattractive man with the sort of overdeveloped muscles that hint at a life on the Wall or at the forge. Given that you can see the mon of the Kaiu family over his heart, you would suspect the latter, but either remains possible. Certainly going by their reputation he is liable to be the finest engineer and craftsman present at the banquet, and quite possibly one of the best in Shiro Matsu as a whole.

Who do you prioritize speaking with (note that the others may interject anyway, but it is more a matter of focus than anything else).
- Shiba Danjuro
- The Kaiu
- The Iuchi
- Remain silent and simply observe

What, if anything, do you talk about in particular?
- [ ] Write in

QM's note - Apologies for the delay and the relatively short update, but I can confirm that Thunder's Echo is now running once again.

 

[Maugan Ra]

As everyone takes their seats, servants filter in from the various entrances to the rock garden, bringing with them all manner of foodstuffs and cutlery. A quick glance over the food presented indicates a lack of anything truly spectacular or unusual, the Lion apparently aiming to be the standard from which all others deviate. Still, it should be nutritious enough, and since common etiquette shields you from needing to make any comment about the taste you suppose you will make do.

Across from you, the Kaiu grunts in displeasure at the food. "Bah. Never thought I would miss Wall cuisine." He says in a low tone. "I spent a large portion of yesterday trying to find somewhere that served fried food, but apparently no-one here eats it."

You notice that despite his displeasure, the Crab is still taking a large portion of the offered food for himself. That fits with what you know of his Clan, for no Crab would ever chose to weaken himself by going hungry when something edible is available, and at least the comment has given you a chance for some degree of conversation.

"You would likely have better luck in Scorpion lands, Kaiu-san." You offer even as you take some of the food for yourself. The choice of honorific is a deliberate one, reinforcing a common basis for interaction - none of those present are courtiers present for negotiations, and as such there is little to be gained by standing on ceremony. "I know our southern provinces have picked up some of your techniques over the years, though we tend to mix vegetables and spices in as well."

"Hmm. A shame it has not reached further north." The Kaiu says, before realizing that he hasn't introduced himself. "We have yet to speak, I think, though I watched you in the Display of Steel. I am Kaiu Hiraki."

"Soshi Naoto." You say with a nod, though you suspect he already knows that - indeed, you remember him being present when you spoke with Yasuki Mia, though he didn't say anything. "I imagine you might have more luck looking for the supplies necessary to fry something and provide appropriate instructions, rather than looking for anyone who already does so on a regular basis."

Shiba Danjuro decides to add his own thoughts here. "I might also suggest taking advantage of the local wood types." He says in a calm voice, picking at the poultry dish with his chopsticks. "Especially for cooked foods. Chicken roasted over pine wood tastes distinctly different from that which has been roasted over plum."

"Hmm. Making use of available resources is always a sensible plan." The Kaiu says thoughtfully. "I wonder what blending local techniques with Wall cooking would result in..."

The conversation continues from there, with the three of you exchanging ideas and recipes about your differing cooking styles, with a few comments about the associated social conventions thrown in on the side. The Unicorn - Iuchi Moshan, as he is apparently called - makes a few suggestions of his own but remains much more reserved. Considering the rumours you have heard about the Unicorn's dietary habits, that is probably a good thing.

By the time that the dishes are cleared away and everything is sufficiently full, you have... not a friendship as such, but the beginnings of a relationship established with both the Crab and the Phoenix. In both cases, you now have a standing excuse to seek them out for a conversation, and you suspect they might in turn seek to talk with you for one thing or another.

Now comes the true highlight of the evening. As you watch, heimin servants move to the upper end of the river and begin pouring sake into a series of small dishes. These are then placed on wooden platforms and sent down the length of the river, allowing any samurai present to pick them up. Doing so requires that you drink it dry and then recite a poem of some kind, before either returning the dish to the water to signal further participation or keeping hold of it to bow out.

How many drinks (and poems) will you attempt?
[ ] One, the minimum required before you can back out respectfully.
[ ] Aim to keep pace with those directly around you.
[ ] Go until you are too drunk to safely continue.

Provide an example of a poem you might recite, or a topic you would base one on.
[ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

As you watch, the first few cups of sake start floating their way down the river, untouched by those guests seated near the headwaters. This is of course merely polite - after all, some must be left for those further downstream, many of whom significantly outrank them.

The first is picked up by Iuchi Moshan, who raises it to his lips and drains the dish in a single gulp. He pauses for a moment to appreciate the sensation, then speaks.

"Under starlit sky
I ride alone with the wind
As I always have."

Having spoken his mandatory poem, he chooses to keep his sake dish in his lap, signaling that he is bowing out from the rest of the ceremony. A curious choice for one who did not seek to sit by the headwaters, but perhaps it was merely a matter of insufficient room.

Letting it passed unremarked, you opt to take the next one as it floats by. Better to establish yourself now, so that the attention of your fellow guests moves quickly onto others rather than lingering. Your learning does not extend to being able to judge the quality of the sake by its taste, but it is pleasant enough on the tongue before you swallow, a rather crisp and cool sensation that provides inspiration for your own poem.

"Sake crisp and clear
The taste of winter sunlight
Pleasant memories"

From there, the exchange of poems comes thick and fast, with each samurai taking cups as they come and reciting their lines as steadily as they may. Most of the samurai near the headwaters seem to have memorized poems in advance and are sticking to them, opting for ones composed by famous poets rather than relying on their own skills, which is probably a sensible course of action if you are not confident in your own skills. Others are composing their poetry on the fly, demonstrating their own skills and ability to keep a clear head despite the constant stream of alcohol they are ingesting.

For your part, you focus primarily on keeping up with those around you, hoping that by making sure you bow out at roughly the same time as they do you can avoid additional scrutiny and reinforce the subtle beginnings of camaraderie that you can eventually use to best effect. After three drinks, this becomes slightly harder as the alcohol begins affecting you, slowing your thoughts and filling you with a general sense of warm contentment. As such, it takes you a brief moment to place who is speaking.

"Swords clash and sparks fly
With fierce joy and no restraint
Two hearts beat as one"

Squinting slightly, you glance down the length of the river and pick out the reclining form of Bayushi Kimoko. While still easily deniable, that seemed to be a rather risqué choice of poetry, especially given the company you are sharing. You follow the direction of your superior's own glance, and find yourself looking at... Matsu Ketsui. Who is, ever-so-slightly, smiling.

Huh.

Trying not to think about how many potential problems that might result in, you look away and focus on your next drink. In retrospect, trying to match your nearest neighbors in a drinking contest when one of them is a Crab might not have been the best of ideas, but you can't back out now. Kaiu Hiraki appears to have figured out what you are doing and has taken it as a genuine challenge, and you can't let him beat you easily or you'll never get anywhere with the Crab.

Well, probably. You might also be making excuses because this is really quite nice sake. Either way, time for more drinking. And then poetry. Yes. That sounds like a fine idea.

-/-

Some time later

The floor is swaying quite alarmingly under you. You are fairly sure that it shouldn't be doing that, what with the whole 'built on a mountain' thing. Then again, maybe this is one of the defenses! Certainly it would be hard to take a fortification if the walls could just tip under you and dump all of the attackers back down the mountainside.

Alternately, you are just drunk. That is probably more likely. It has been a while since you were this drunk, but it was very good sake.

Perhaps more of a concern is the fact that you aren't quite sure where precisely you are. You could have sworn that this was the way back to your guest quarters, but you would have expected to reach it by now if that was the case. Instead, all you can see are darkened streets and swirling white snow, lit by the odd lantern swaying in the breeze.

Still, perhaps you can ask those Lion samurai where you are. There are rather a lot of them, so surely one of them must know the right route back to your quarters. You consider calling out to them, but it appears they have already seen you. Why else would they be moving towards you like that, spreading out to cover the width of the street...

Oh. Oh dear. This... could be a problem.

"What's the matter, Scorpion-san?" One of them calls in a distinctly unfriendly tone of voice. "You must be lost. Your kind aren't meant to be here."

Respond:
[ ] Write in

QM's note - Please bear in mind that Naoto is drunk at the moment, and as such probably not as eloquent as he might otherwise be.

 

[Maugan Ra]

OK. So, this could be a problem. Between the low light and your own less-than-perfect mental state you can't be sure of how many Lion samurai are present, but you're going to go out on a limb and say a lot. And while the Lion Clan have a great many flaws and weaknesses, no one has ever denied they are good in a fight. If this lot mean you harm... you're in a fairly considerable amount of trouble.

So, choices. Run? You're already lost, and this is their home besides. The chances of evading detection or outrunning them are fairly slim, and while you might have better luck finding safety within the line of sight of a convenient witness, you have no idea where exactly you'd find one of those and how likely they are to actually, well, help.

So! Time to follow your lord's example and brazen your way through this. Alternately, bluff like your life depends on it, for it very well might.

"Lion-sama!" You proclaim loudly, putting as much false cheer into your voice as you can manage. And a fair bit of volume as well, because you never know when there might be someone more friendly within earshot. "Lost? Yes, just a bit. The Banquet, you see - Crabs and sake. Not my best idea."

You step towards the nearest wall, as though looking for support. That it restricts the number of people who can come at you at once is of course pure coincidence. "You have good sake, Lion-sama."

You pause here for a moment, throwing in a slight sway that is only halfway theatrical. And since you might as well be optimistic, you decide to throw in another request. "Could you spare a guide? I'm trying to get back. But it just keeps moving."

The shadowy forms of the Lion close in around you, and one of them laughs. It is not a very nice laugh.

"A guide, Scorpion? But of course, I'd be happy to." One of them, a woman, says slyly. "A guide to the infirmary, perhaps? Or to the side of your ancestors..."

There is a faint scrape of metal against metal, and suddenly the laughter stops. For a moment there is nothing but silence in the snow-filled street, before the speaker manages to find their voice again.

"What are you doing, Ginwei?" She says, all humour gone from her tone.

"Preventing you from disgracing us all." The cold voice of Matsu Ginwei says. "He is our guest, and I will not stand idly by while you spit on our lord's honour like this."

"You... glurk... you dare." The woman says again, cutting off in the middle with a sound remarkably reminiscent of someone finding a blade pressing against their throat. "He is a Scorpion. His very presence here is an insult to us all."

"Then respond to it on the dueling fields, like I did." Ginwei replies, a certain tension in his voice. "Or are you such a coward you can only face your enemy when he is drunk and outnumbered?"

There is a low rumble of discontent at that, but no reply. After a moment, Ginwei speaks again. "All of you. Leave, now, and I will pretend I never saw your faces. Go."

For one horrible, extended moment you aren't sure if the demand will be obeyed. And then the silhouettes begin fading away, back into the streets of Shiro Matsu. Once they are gone, the large and muscular form of Matsu Ginwei looms out of the darkness and approaches you.

"Scorpion. I would have thought you had more sense than this." He says darkly, returning a small blade to its sheathe. "Come on. Let's get you back to your quarters."

Respond
[ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

Well. This is not what you expected. Considering your prior interactions with Matsu Ginwei you would have expected him to be leading the ambushing party, not rescuing you from it. Perhaps you simply misjudged the man?

Still, it seems likely that he is doing this out of a sense of personal honour and duty rather than because he actually cares what happens to you, and with that in mind you decide to keep you response as short as possible. Best not to give him any cause to regret his course of action, especially give that those other Lion are probably still within earshot.

"Hai, Matsu-sama. My apologies for ruining your evening." You say simply, doing your best to control your current inebriation. You've heard a lot of stories about samurai saying or doing things they really shouldn't while the sake is loosening their tongues and thoughts - indeed, such indiscretions are a favourite tool of the Scorpion Clan - and you would really much rather not add to them now.

Matsu Ginwei just grunts and, without a word, begins leading you back through the halls and streets of Shiro Matsu. As it turns out you were only a little bit off-course, and before long you find yourself back outside the guest tower once again. Your guide abandons you there without a word, turning and stalking back off into the darkness, and shaking your head in bemusement you make for your quarters.

"Soshi-dono." Pale Oak says with some concern as you reach your level. "Are you well?"

"A bit too much sake, Pale Oak-san." You say carefully, making sure you don't sway like a fool in front of your own retainer. "Is Bayushi-sama back yet?"

"Not yet, Soshi-dono." The scribe replies in a perfectly neutral tone of voice, and you consider this for a moment before shrugging. Your superior is likely one of the most dangerous people in Shiro Matsu right now, so it is unlikely she has met with any harm. Besides, you are far too drunk to do anything with the information anyway.

"Very well. Remind me to brief her when she returns." You say slowly. "I'm going to sleep."

"Very good, Soshi-dono."

-/-

QM's note - Bit of a short update tonight, given that you didn't ask Ginwei any questions.

So, you now have seven days until the next scheduled event, which is the Festival of Lights. As before, each day may involve up to two activities, including speaking with NPCs, researching a given topic or training. Please discuss what you intend to do during those days and then vote for a plan of action.

What do you do?
- [ ] Write in (x7)

 

[primemountain]

So after some discusion with some of the people here we get the updated plan:
[X] Plan primemountain

Spoiler: Plan primemountain

16th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-Report in to Bayushi-sama. Convey our success in delivering the information to Genji as well as the events of the evening. Mention our plans for the following week to her so she can object or advise us if she finds it prudent. Check if she is interested in us making any trade deals with the Crab, or just gathering information about their needs. Ask her if she wants us to enter the Festival of Lights competition.

16th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-Arange a visit with Otomo-sama. Perhaps he has further use of us? If not, just be good company and see what you can learn of Otomo-sama opinion of the current state of Court.

17th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-If Attending the Festival Competition: Practise our Body. Runing and limbering excercises. We need to be in good shape for the Festival.
-If not Attending the Festival Competition: Speak with Pale-Oak. We know a bit about Commerce. Perhaps he can further educate us. That can then lead into the afternoon lessons on the Crab.

17th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-Speak with Pale-Oak. Have him help us review for our meeting with the Crab. What the Crab have, and what they need. What the Scorpion have and what we need. See if he has any other news for us.

18th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-Ask Kaiu Hiraki to join you for a meal. Be companionable and see if you cannot discuss the differences in Architecture between Shiro Matsu other places he has seen. See if there exists interest in arranging a meeting between us and Yasuki Miya.

18th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-Arrange a private meeting with Ikoma Genji. See how he is handling the situation, and what further service he might require from us.

19th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-Speak with Pale-Oak. Practise possible deals we might offer the Crab and their possible responses. Preapare for the meeting with Yasuki Miya.

19th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-Invite Asako Tani for some tea. Preferably in a teahouse. And not the same one you visited previously. Enjoy the company of someone with interests as wide as ours.

20th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-Seek out Yogo Hanzo. See if he needs anything from us and if he could carry the paper fire ward with him. We might need it on short notice. Clear it with Bayushi on the 16th​.

20th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-Go meet with Yasuki Miya. See what the Crab need and what they are prepared to offer. Agree to no deals in the single session. But if cleared with Bayushi on the 16th ​we might lay down some groundwork for future deals.

21th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-If Attending the Festival Competition: Train our silent movement. See if Bayushi-sama can help with that. She certainly snuck up on us.
-If not Attending the Festival Competition: Practice our Calligraphy
21th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-Practice our Calligraphy. Make ourselves available if someone is trying to meet with us.

22th Day of the Boar(Morning):
-If Attending the Festival Competition: Practice our Running. The Festival of Lights is tomorrow and we do not want to disgrace ourselves.
-If Not Attending the Festival Competition: See if you can not introduce ourselves to one of the Mantis. We should not neglect their delegation.

22th Day of the Boar(Afternoon/Evening):
-If Attending the Festival Competition: Find and investigate the field where the Festival of Lights will be. Knowing the terrain and the obstacles will be helpful in the competition and will help us better prepare.
-If Not Attending the Festival Competition: Go to the Five Arches Theater and see if some of the Actors there would be willing to teach their Art.

23th Day of the Boar – Festival of Lights(Morning):
-If Attending the Festival Competition: Make our preparations for the competition after the festival of Lights.
-If not Attending the Festival Competition: Make our preparations for the Festival of Lights. Invite Asoko Tani to the Festival.
23th Day of the Boar – Festival of Lights (Afternoon/Evening):
-If Attending the Festival Competition:Compete. See how we do.
-If not Attending the Festival Competition: Enjoy the festival itself. Watch the competition.

 

[Maugan Ra]

16th Day of the Boar

Despite your excesses of the night before, you are pleased to discover that you are not afflicted with any kind of hangover upon waking. This is just as well, for while it is acceptable for a samurai to drink to the point of intoxication during their free time, it is much less permissible for said samurai to place themselves in a situation where they cannot fulfill their actual duties. You could have still gone through the motions while hungover of course, but it would have been much less pleasant and people would probably have still picked up on it to some degree.

A quick check confirms that the bathhouse is largely unoccupied, and you take the opportunity to properly cleanse yourself in preparation for the rest of the day's events. There is nothing formal planned for your delegation, and as such you have a degree of free time on your hands. While there will be many days like this throughout Winter Court, you have no intention of allowing them to pass by unused. First, of course, you need to report to your lord.

Bayushi Kimoko has returned to the guest quarters at some point since you went to bed and now, and when you return from your refreshments you find her seated in the shared common room enjoying a cup of tea. She looks up as you enter and then wordlessly gestures for you to join her. Nodding, you take the invitation, settling yourself down on the other side of the low table and pouring some more tea for yourself.

Your superior watches you levelly for a few moments. "Well then, Soshi-san. I understand I missed some interesting developments last night."

"Nothing critical, Bayushi-sama." You reply mildly. "A confrontation with a number of belligerent Lion was averted by the intervention of Matsu Ginwei, apparently on his own initiative. His motives are... unclear."

"Personal honour, no doubt." Kimoko says with a shrug. "Useful, though largely irrelevant. The Lion will never think well of us as a whole, so we simply focus on individuals. On that front, we are doing well enough."

You notice that Kimoko has a new fan resting on her side of the table - one made from black wood and golden-yellow paper. Lion colours, which means that it was likely given as a gift. Considering that you cannot currently see your lord's own fan anywhere, you are fairly sure where she was last night. "As you say, Bayushi-sama."

Kimoko follows the direction of your gaze and smirks slightly. "In any case, the opening days of Winter Court are behind us. By now, every delegation present will have worked out where they stand and who they are going to have to deal with. I imagine we will see an increased amount of politicking and favour-trading in the days to come, all hidden behind smiles and fluttering fans. You have been useful to me so far, Soshi-san, but now comes the true test."

"I will be ready, Bayushi-sama." You say with perhaps more confidence than you really feel. "Indeed, I have some thoughts as to how I might spend the next few days. If I might ask... should I prepare myself for the contest during the Festival of Lights?"

Your lord seems to consider this for a moment. "Would you say you are a particularly good choice for it, Soshi-san?"

Normally you might consider lying here, but it is important that your lord has an accurate grasp of your capabilities. "I... was never the finest athlete in the dojo, Bayushi-sama, and I have not had much practice at remaining out of sight."

"Then do not enter." Kimoko says simply. "There are doubtless better uses of your talents to be found. Now then, about these ideas of yours..."

-/-

At the servant's invitation, you enter Otomo Kairyu's quarters to find him examining a small piece of pale wood, one of several currently resting atop a small board in front of him. He looks up as you enter.

"Ah, Soshi-san. Come in, please." He indicates the board and what seem to be playing pieces. "Tell me, are you familiar with Shogi?"

"By name only, Otomo-sama." You reply, drawing closer. "A gift from the Unicorn, perhaps?"

"Indeed, though I understand it is also quite popular among our hosts." The Imperial samurai says with a nod, setting the playing piece back down. "The General's Game, they call it. I had thought it might give me some insight into their character. Please, sit."

You do so, mindful of the difference in status between the two of you even in such an informal environment as this. "Are they proving difficult to understand, Otomo-sama? If so, perhaps I might be able to assist?"

"In essence, no. But when it comes to predicting the future? Half the time I could swear they invent their motivations after deciding on a course of action." He says with an edge of exasperation, before looking at you once more. "Tell me, Soshi-san. Where do you imagine the next war will come from?"

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[Maugan Ra]

Lore Check - Unicorn Clan

5k4 = 28

Aside from the Mantis, it could be fairly said that the Unicorn Clan suffered the least of all the major powers during the Clan Wars. Their lands were large and prosperous, and simple geography presented them with only two true neighbours during those hectic years, in the form of the Lion and the Scorpion. With the Clan of Secrets disbanded and unable to project force, and the Lion having a multitude of more deserving targets to vent their wrath against, the Children of the Wind were able to escape much in the way of focused aggression.

This is not to say that they were entirely untouched, however. Plague still ravaged their lands, and the Shadowlands Horde made several notable attacks against them, in particular claiming the life of the Moto family daimyo. Still, the Unicorn adapted, and their highly mobile armies made it much easier for them to defend their lands.

Instead, the primary role adopted by the Unicorn during the Clan Wars and the Second Day of Thunder was one of active defense. Unicorn strike forces travelled across the Empire, making viciously effective strikes against all manner of tainted or criminal groups and providing the common people with defenders and advocates. Wherever the Empire as a whole was faltering, damaged by war and disease, the Unicorn stepped in to help. Most notably, their intervention saved Kyuden Isawa from destruction, creating an honour debt that the Phoenix Clan have sworn to never forget.

(It was also the Unicorn Clan Thunder who finally struck down Yogo Junzo. The Scorpion have not made any grand pronouncements about repaying the service, but they remember it all the same)

Today, the Unicorn are one of the most influential and respected of all the Great Clans, their deeds having won them sympathetic ears everywhere from the lowliest peasant village to the Imperial Court itself. They have great wealth and military power, and are putting both to use in helping the rest of the Empire rebuild, forging ties that will see them secure their newfound influence for the forseeable future.