Well. This is perhaps not the ideal time for such things, but you did promise to explain at a later date, and considering her own involvement in the matter the Phoenix does deserve to know. Not that there is a great deal to tell in any case, but such is the way of things.
"Asako-san..." You say, pausing for a moment to muster your thoughts. "In this, I can speak only to my own experiences. I know not the will of the heavens, but I did have a dream that seemed to be quite real."
"The heavens have been known to communicate with mortals through such methods." Tani acknowledges as the two of you complete your circuit of the room. She flicks open a brilliant red fan to conceal her lips from view as she speaks. "Might I enquire about the specifics?"
"I felt that the Thunder Dragon looked at me, and that she touched me with the tiniest spark of her power." You admit, somewhat uncertain. Calm confidence has ever been your preferred method of facing the world, but only a madman would claim to have any kind of true serenity in matters of such import as this. "How much of that was true, and how much was merely my own mind seeking to make sense of things, I cannot say... at least not with any certainty. As for the one who spoke those words... you would know more about how spirits see the world than I."
"Not as much as I might wish to." Tani murmurs softly, her tone considering. "The yuki-no-ona are strange and distant forms even to the Phoenix. I know several of the Isawa have made a point of studying them and their abilities, in a quest to better understand the nature of water and air in all their forms, but I myself have only the barest knowledge of such things."
You draw your own fan from inside the kimono sleeve. "Unfortunate, but not unexpected. I suppose I shall simply have to proceed as best I may with the knowledge at my disposal."
"Such is all that any of us can truly hope to do, Soshi-san." Tani says, not without sympathy. "Still, let us talk of happier topics. Do you know if your lord had intended to sponsor anyone for the Bowman's Wager?"
You shake your head in silent thought. The Wager is an old and highly respected tradition in the world of the courts, for it blends martial skill with political maneuvering and as such offers a chance for glory to any number of samurai each year. The court here is too small for a true Wager, as might be found in the splendor and extravagance of the Imperial Winter Court, but even so each clan will likely select someone to participate on their behalf. That might be one of their own samurai, or it might be someone from another Clan willing to perform in their name in exchange for individual concessions or even just a chance at glory.
You could potentially enter yourself, for perhaps look into finding someone from another Clan to compete on your behalf, but in either case it would be a minor violation of etiquette to not at least offer some kind of prize to the eventual winner. Which is probably going to be the Tsuruchi, if their reputation holds any weight at all, but such things are never entirely certain.
Decisions, decisions...
-/-
Article:
It is currently the 28th Day of the Boar. You have two days remaining before the Bowman's Wager. Who, if anyone, do you send to compete in the display?
[ ] Compete yourself
[ ] Seek out another to compete on behalf of your Clan.
- [ ] From the other delegations (which one?)
- [ ] From among the Lion.
[ ] Do not compete. Minor embarrassment, but could potentially be negated given recent circumstances.
Even if you do not compete, it would be expected that you offer at least some kind of prize to the winner and their sponsoring Clan. Consult the resources list in the thread-marked index, or come up with something of your own devising.
[ ] Write in what to wager
You have two more days of court to use to your advantage. Please specify if you wish to focus on any particular attendee (individual or Clan), and what you would like to accomplish in doing so. This can include any secondary activities, such as writing an apology to the Kaiu etc.
[ ] Write in
What would you ask Yogo Hanzo and Shosuro Hideki to work on during those two days?
[ ] Write in
[x] Bowman's Wager: Compete yourself
[x] Bowman's Prize: A slot in the Bayushi Courtier school
[x] Primary Action: Focus on Daidoji Chen.
-[x] Try to reestablish common ground after the damage done to both our delegations. Be ready to help, if the opportunity comes up.
[x] Secondary Action: make sure that Yogo-san and Shosuro-san know everything you've managed to figure out so far about the face-stealers. It is critically important that this information makes it back to the clan, and if they are attacked again, any bit of it might help. Put together a letter to be sent back to your superiors, laying out what you know of the Nothing. Ask Shosuro-san to code it under a letter about recent events - which they'll *also* need to know about. If you can find reliable means to send it now, do so.
[x] Secondary action: Compose and deliver an apology letter to the Kaiu.
[x] Yogo action: keep working on the Dragon and/or Unicorn (his choice). If he can find anything that any of them might need, that would be great, though it's not necessarily expected. Otherwise, just keep working those social links.
[x] Shosuro action: Take the time to rebuild his organization, if need be. If that's doing fine, then work on trying to find out more about the face-stealers. Maybe they have something to do with the rebels?
-/-
You continue to attend court for the last few days of the Month of the Ox, as is expected given your new position, but little progress is made, either by you or anyone else. Recent events have, it seems, thrown everyone into uncertain ground as they try to adjust to the sudden shift in power dynamics, not to mention the very clear implication that someone or something is attempting to instigate a war between the Crane and the Lion.
You take the opportunity, then, to spend a bit more time with Daidoji Chen when and where you can. You might have expected the older Crane to be somewhat morose or withdrawn, but instead he seems positively joyful at the recent developments, only the constraints of basic etiquette constraining him from what appears to be the urge to jump up and down laughing like a maniac at every given opportunity. Eventually, you work up the courage and tact to enquire after this strangely good mood of his.
"It is quite simple, Soshi-san." He says with a hard-edged smile, the two of you sitting down on either side of a go board once again. "I have a target once again."
"A... target, Daidoji-san?" You ask cautiously. "I was rather under the impression that the lack of such a thing was behind much of the frustration currently pervading the castle."
"Ah, but now we know that there is an enemy out there. An enemy of all Rokugan, no less, one whose untimely demise will not result in an undesirable conflict for my Clan." The Crane says cheerfully. "This is exactly the sort of thing that I am trained for, and while my colleagues may have fallen, their deaths have indirectly helped to uncover the scope and intention of this plot. In the face of such fortune, how could I be anything but jubilant?"
You are... not entirely sure how to answer that one.
-/-
Later that night, you convene a quick meeting with your two... subordinates, now, you suppose.
"Report." You say firmly, looking first to Pale Oak. "Have you managed to reacquire your assets?"
"I have, Soshi-dono." The man you can calling Pale Oak out of habit says with a nod. "Fortunately, the majority of them were pre-existing or outside of our delegation, so despite the losses the overall work can continue unimpeded. I have begun looking into those rebel groups in more depth... and I am not the only one to be doing so."
"I presume you speak of more than just the Lion?" You ask with a raised eyebrow.
"Indeed. Kitsu-sama and her magistrates have been investigating thoroughly, but they are naturally working from a position of legal authority." Pale Oak replies carefully. "Someone else is working their way through the underworld, asking discreet questions of different people and then either bribing or threatening their sources into silence. I... believe it might actually be the Crane."
You blink slowly, considering this.
"I did not realize that the Crane had agents with such a skill-set." You venture at last. "While I suppose the Daidoji would be the first choice of any of their agents to do so, it seems... somewhat out of place."
The Shosuro merely shrugs. "I can only report on my findings, Soshi-dono. Needless to say I will let you know if any of my suspicions are confirmed in some way."
"Good." You turn your attention to Yogo Hanzo, who still looks somewhat sickly after his battle with the poison. "You have spoken with the Unicorn. Have you any insight into what they want from this court?"
"Peace." Hanzo says simply. "Perhaps if they had placed a Shinjo in command it would be different, but their representative here comes from the Ide family, and is interested in peace for its own sake. Not just peace between the Unicorn and their potential allies, but between all of the Clans."
You nod. "That does fit their reputation, and I should certainly like to keep any conflict between us to a minimum. What of the Dragon?"
Hanzo hesitates.
"Of Mirumoto-san, I can say little." Your Shugenja acknowledges eventually. "He seems to have found some new pastime, one which consumes his attention and frequently takes him far from the court, but what it is I do not know."
"Hmm." You consider the matter for a few moments. "Very well. We will see how the Bowman's Wager plays out, and how it influences the balance of power between the various delegations present here of late. Then we will see about new orders. For the moment, both of you need to focus on remaining alive and not creating new enemies. When we track down the killer, I want you both with me. Dismissed."
After your subordinates have left, you take the time to pull out a sheet of paper from your supplies and begin carefully composing a letter to Kaiu Hiraki. Bridges damaged by your own thoughtless words need to be mended, after all, and the longer you wait the more opportunity he has to solidify his negative impressions of you.
Now, how best to put this...
Article:
I will be making a Sincerity test to see how well Naoto's apology to Kaiu Hiraki is received. If you wish to write in with details and ideas for how best to frame the apology then feel free - good ideas will be rewarded with a lower TN.
-/-
1st Day of the Rat
At the Imperial Winter Court, the Bowman's Wager is a grand event that spans a full week of archery contests and all the associated politicking and courtly maneuvering that goes with it. There are feasts and speeches, friendly or unfriendly rivalries, meetings with the Emperor and all manner of fine gifts displayed.
Here, though, the Wager is restricted to a single day, and a single participant per Clan... save for the Dragon, who appear to be quite happy to sit this one out and are either ignorant or uncaring of any political consequences that might arise as a result. His space in the line-up is taken by one Ikoma Morani, a grim and studious individual who seems to have agreed to serve as a representative for Otomo Kairyu in the competition. You are a little surprised that one of the Imperial families would choose to get involved in this sort of thing, but then again they are still samurai like any other, and have their own pride and honour to think of.
The competition is being held inside Beiden Pass itself, in the shadow of Shiro Matsu's vast bulk. Targets have been set out at varying stations around the pass, and numerous crowds of observers have gathered in clearly defined spectating areas. You leave Hanzo with them, just in case anyone says anything particularly interesting that you might like to hear directly from a reliable source, and then make your way over to join the small gaggle of your fellow competitors at the edge of the firing range.
Shiba Danjuro is speaking softly with Daidoji Chen at one edge of the larger group, though what the topic of conversation might be you have no idea, while nearby one of the giant Hida bodyguards that accompanied Yasuki Mia to the court seems to actually be flirting with one of the identical twin Utaku maidens that stand guard over the Unicorn delegation. You are not sure whether to wish the large man good luck or make a point of standing well clear of a building disaster - the shiotome are infamously protective of their virtue and self-discipline, after all.
The likely favorite, Tsuruchi Miyako, is currently kneeling in the snow with her personal bow held across her lap in an almost meditative pose. Everyone else is using weapons provided by your host, but you suppose it stands to reason that a member of the Wasp Clan would insist on their own equipment for something as potentially important as this.
The actual representative from your host Clan is a Lion you would have preferred never to see again - Matsu Heijiko. The samurai-ko smiles fiercely at you as you approach, a breach of etiquette anywhere but on the battlefield, and you fight to keep yourself from tensing up as she moves close to speak with you.
"Competing personally, Soshi-sama?" She says with a hard, mocking edge to her tone. "I'm surprised. Last time you backed out and sent someone else to die in your stead. But then, I suppose we're not actually shooting at each other this time."
There are few things you can say to that which would not make the situation worse, and given the way that everyone else's eyes are now upon you showing any kind of emotion would be ill-advised at best. Instead you merely stare levelly at the brash samurai-ko, your On utterly flawless, and say nothing. She is not worth your time, and by the ugly light that glimmers in her eye as she looks at you it is clear that she knows it. Still, there is little more she can say without utterly shattering the bounds of courtesy that already strain under her earlier words, and so she too falls silent after a time. Together, you wait for the competition to begin.
-/-
The first round is comparatively simple - each contestant is presented with ten arrows, each painted a colour that can uniquely identify their shots at a glance, and then asked to hit a single target a reasonable distance away across the pass. It reminds you of the basic trials you were asked to undertake as part of your gempukku, and you suspect that the basic principle is much the same. This is a preliminary trial, meant to confirm that everyone involved has at least a basic level of competency with a bow.
And to be fair, every last samurai assembled manages to strike their target with the majority of their shots, arrows cutting through the cold winter air with a series of harsh hissing noises before thunking deeply into the wood and cloth of the target ring. An observer from the Lion studies the target from the sidelines and then calls out the results, selecting the four competitors with the highest scores who will be advancing to the next round.
It is with some satisfaction that your own performance is deemed acceptable, as you tie for third place with the ever-quiet and reserved Shiba Danjuro. Advancing to the next round along with the two of you are Ikoma Morani and, surprisingly, the massive form of Hida Sakan. The Crab actually scores more than anyone else in the first round by a considerable margin, which is enough to elicit some raised eyebrows from the rest of you and a boisterous grin from the man himself, but his performance is far from the most surprising.
That dubious honour goes to Tsuruchi Miyako, who despite all odds and expectations actually performs the worst out of the gathered attendees. To be fair her first five arrows were perfectly on target, and there is nothing wrong with her apparent skill, but in what can only be called a freak occurrence (or perhaps the will of the heavens) sudden gusts of wind conspire to ruin each of her following five shots in perfect sequence. It is enough to leave the Wasp looking pale and shaken to an almost comical degree, and already you can feel the tides of the court turning against the Mantis for such an unexpectedly weak display.
Still, if the wind is against her then it is most certainly with you as you step up for the second round. Five targets are placed in the valley at ever-growing increments, and you are given ten arrows to shoot them with. For every hit you get a point, each target can only be struck once, and any arrows remaining after all five are struck are likewise counted as points. A simple enough test - so simple, in fact, that you find it almost trivial to draw and loose five arrows in rapid succession, each of which buries itself in a target with pinpoint accuracy one after the other. It is the best possible result, and you can almost feel the surprise of your opponents and fellow attendees.
Hida Sakan steps up next, but despite his strong performance in the first round he manages to land only two hits between all ten of his arrows. You suspect he might actually have simply been firing by rote on the previous round as he might in training, and simply been lucky enough to be gifted with a single stationary target like back in the dojo. He is followed by Ikoma Morani, who manages to strike four of the targets in quick succession but finds the last one too far away to accurately strike, and then by Shiba Danjuro who manages to hit the fifth target with his tenth and final shot.
Considering that you primarily entered on little more than a whim, finding yourself in the final with the highly spiritual Phoenix is something of a pleasant surprise indeed.
The third and final round is, of course, the most challenging yet. From high up the slopes of the mountain pass a flock of pigeons are released, their grey and weathers making them almost impossible to see when set against the snowy skies, and you are instructed to shoot down as many as you can before they get out of range.
You give it your best shot, and with bow-string humming manage to down two of the surprisingly nimble birds, but your performance is as nothing compared to the Phoenix. Shiba Danjuro almost seems to detach himself from the world around him, sinking into what might very well be a meditative trance as he raises his bow and begins releasing arrows. No less than six of the darting targets fall to his wickedly accurate shots before the flock moves out of range, and despite your defeat you have to admit that you are actually rather impressed.
"Excellent shots, Shiba-san." You say, bowing low to him as the various assembled dignitaries murmur their comments and congratulations. "You are a credit to your sensei and your Clan."
"You are too kind, Soshi-san, and your own teachers must be just as proud." The Phoenix says, somewhat distracted, and you get the sudden impression that he is just as surprised by his own victory as anyone else. Perhaps the fortunes really did intervene after all.
In any case, the competition is over, and while you did not win you would be hard pressed to find any who considered your performance anything less than satisfactory. That will have to do for now.
Article:
For his performance in the Bowman's Wager and for making it to the finals, Soshi Naoto has earned one point of Glory.
For successfully assuming the reigns of command and proving himself an apt leader of his delegation during a time of crisis, Naoto has been awarded six experience points. This brings his current total up to twelve.
What, if anything, do you wish to spend these points on?
[ ] Write in
Fun fact - In a purely mechanical sense, Shiba Danjuro was among the worst archers participating in this challenge, and Tsuruchi Miyako the best. Funny how that sort of thing works out...
[x] Bank the XP
[x] Write-in for the letter
"Kaiu-san, you are due an apology, and I write this letter to offer you one. I was disrespectful to you, to Lion cuisine, and to our dining companions. I had not intended to be so, but in retrospect it is clear that I was, and I apologize. I find myself recently taught in the lesson of the Crab - of how an evil and implacable foe leads one to appreciate all that might help one stand against it. It has... adjusted my perspective in some matters. I have some further thoughts on that subject that I would wish to discuss, if you are still willing to share conversation. Respectfully, Soshi Naoto"
-/-
As you move into the month of the Rat, the court at Shiro Matsu slowly settles into something resembling a routine. Each day the morning is consumed with the court proper, held in the main halls of the castle and featuring all manner of interesting debates and artistic exhibitions for you and your fellow guests to enjoy. The Lion are a supremely militant Clan, it is true, but even so they remain samurai and thus pay a considerable degree of respect to works of intellect and philosophy.
As one of the favoured guests of your hosts you find yourself in a surprisingly strong position within the courts. The Lion seem almost ashamed of their inability to prevent your lord falling to assassins in the middle of their own stronghold, so while you do not entirely escape the stigma attached to your Scorpion heritage the Matsu are still considerably more respectful of your words and deeds than they otherwise might have been, giving you an additional degree of leeway that is simply not afforded to anyone else.
The other guests are far from blind to this development, and as court continues many of them find themselves deferring instinctively to your judgement, or at the very least restraining themselves from criticizing you too harshly. It is not a situation that will persist indefinitely, both your training and your instincts are clear on that, but while it persists you have the opportunity to take full advantage in a way that you otherwise might not.
Article:
Which topics do you wish to see discussed at Winter Court? You may pick up to five, one for each day of court before the next major event, the Festival of the Moon's Wrath. These will then be used to construct future updates. Note that picking less than five is perfectly allowable, and will result in one of the other Clans seizing the initiative on a given day.
What do you want to see discussed?
[ ] Write in
Then, once court has been concluded for the day, all the samurai involved split off and go about finding their own means to pass the time. The afternoons are consumed with private meetings, with idle pastimes and individual pursuits in the castle and adjacent town. It is in such contexts that the real work of a courtier is done, often building on the groundwork that has been laid during the morning or many days beforehand.
Your letter to Kaiu Hiraki seems to go over well enough, as a reply comes back barely a day later that not only accepts your apology but invites you to meet with the Crab delegation on the fifth day of the Rat for further discussions on the matter, an invitation which you make a point of accepting promptly. Still, that leaves you with five other days to fill with pastimes of your own devising, and only the vaguest form of guidance from your superior and sensei's on what to do with them.
Article:
You have four other days remaining - the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th days of the Rat. Each day can be spent interacting with a single NPC of your choosing, or in arranging a particular activity such as a tea ceremony or country ride to which you can invite multiple potential guests. Please vote on how you wish to arrange your upcoming schedule.
I would like to apologize for how brief this one is, but I got a degree of writer's block when it came to picking topics of discussion or after-court activities, and have thus decided to simply hand such decisions off to you lot instead.
This is both a chance to pursue your agenda, and to let me know if there's anything in general you're interesting in seeing/doing for purely story or character based reasons.
Court is just about reaching it's peak on the first day after the Bowman's Wager when you make your move. Conversation to this point has been somewhat sporadic and broken down into individual cliques, but when you address the room everyone turns to listen.
"I have a question that has been occupying my thoughts of late." You begin, gesturing widely with your fan in one hand to signal a query directed at any who might think to answer. "In the contest yesterday - Shiba-san may not have called upon any of the kami to aid him, but it seems clear that they smiled upon him regardless. This inspired me to wonder - why do the kami favour some over others? Is it perhaps a sign that their behaviour is pleasing in some way? Or is it more basic, a reflection of that soul's individual worth? Would one who is closer to enlightenment be closer to the Kami as a result, or are the two matters independent of one another?"
"An interesting question, Soshi-san." Asako Tani responds first, as just about everyone would have expected given her Clan and school. "Certainly there has been much speculation and research on the topic performed by sages and shugenja throughout the history of the Empire."
"Really? I would have thought the answer was obvious." Yoritomo Harike says bluntly, delivering his reply with all the force and finesse of a tetsubo to the face. "The kami favour those who invoke their will, no more or less. All else is sophistry and pretty lies."
Article:
Yoritomo Harike rolls Intimidation/Willpower: ??? = 50
Asako Tani resists with Etiquette/Willpower ??? = 18
Tani almost seems to stumble, blinking rapidly as the sudden and aggressive statement catches her off guard. "I... that is to say I do not..."
"Oh? Need some time to catch your breath, Asako-san?" The distinctly rural tones of Yasuki Mia cut across the hall like a blade. "That's fine. We'll wait. Maybe meditation will help?"
Tani's face flushes at the blatant mockery, and behind her Shiba Danjuro visibly tenses, able to observe the sudden change in the atmosphere of the room but unable to counter it. All around the room the other guests and courtiers look on with unabashed interest, fans flicking back and forwards in a chorus of whispers. The air is charged, the Phoenix on the back foot, and before anyone can get their feet back under them the Mantis seize the opportunity so presented.
"Ah, you must not be too hard on her, Yasuki-san." Yoritomo Harike says chidingly to the Crab as he steps forwards. "She is a 'Loremaster', after all, a creature of the temples and libraries. It is only natural that she stumble once or twice, when forced to confront a situation her studies did not prepare her for."
"Are you mocking my school, Yoritomo-san?" Tani demands, visibly angry, her On momentarily disrupted by the coordinated assault. Her yojimbo looks at her with subdued alarm, well aware of the breach of etiquette that a display of obvious emotion in public entails, but the Mantis are not yet done.
"I would never dream of such a thing, Asako-san." Yoritomo Harike says with absolute sincerity. "Doubtless in your Clan such techniques are highly studied and revered, and you have done your sensei proud by mastering them. But this is a court of warriors, not a temple full of sages, and your ways are not our ways."
It is as though he has thrown a heavy stone into the middle of a lake, as violent ripples radiate out through the court and a rumble of agreement and approval fill the air. That last statement is a direct quote of Akodo-no-kami, used to dismiss and belittle the wisdom of Shinsei in the earliest days of the Empire, and by referencing it against the spiritual Phoenix in a court full of Lions Yoritomo Harike has made his position all but unassailable.
Unfortunately, there is no real way for you to stay out of this matter entirely, not when you introduced this topic and even supported the spiritual authority of the Phoenix mere days ago. You cannot go against the words of Akodo, but perhaps you can weaken the position of the Mantis with a few sharp words of your own.
"That seems a bold claim to make, Yoritomo-san." You say conversationally, deflecting the attention of the court in order to give Tani enough time to control her emotions once again. "'All else is sophistry and lies'? Surely you do not deny the influence of the kami in this world independent of mortal will?"
Your remark provokes another flurry of fans and considering looks throughout the court, but Harike remains calm and composed.
"Only a fool would deny their influence, Soshi-san. I merely deny their independent favour." He replies, though perhaps not as confidently as he otherwise might have. "Our ancestors bless us, the Fortunes bless us, but the wind and the waves? No. The tide goes as it wills, uncaring of whether such movements serve or harm the interests of those who sail upon it."
You pause for a brief moment, picking that statement apart in your mind in hopes of finding some new weakness or flaw to exploit, but before you can Yasuki Mia speaks once more.
"Your own family believes much the same, don't they Soshi-san?" She asks with deceptive lightness. "I would have presumed so, given your long history of invoking their aid for all manner of dishonorable ends?"
"Such as?" The words slip from your lips without conscious thought as you turn to face the Crab diplomat head-on. From the small smile on the Yasuki's face she is clearly going somewhere specific with this, but where...
"Such as calling upon the spirits of the wind to favour the arrows of your allies and disrupt those of your enemies in a formal competition." Yoritomo Harike catches you from the side, his words blunt and accusing. "Or are the Scorpion too honourable to stoop to such things?"
It is a sign of weakness, the only one that Harike needs, and judging by the ugly gleam in his eye you are quite sure he knows it. Already you can hear angry muttering from the crowd of assembled watchers, feel the glare of the assembled Lion samurai upon your back. The opinion of the court is shifting agains you with considerable speed, as samurai look to their neighbours and wonder - how did the Scorpion and the Phoenix wind up as the finalists in a contest of archery? Was there something sinister behind those sudden gusts of wind that spoiled the aim of the Wasp? Were you cheating, and if so how should such an insult be answered?
You need to say something, to react in some way and counter this sudden assault, but... what? How?
You have no idea, but if you hope to salvage anything from this you must speak quickly...
Well then. While you cannot truthfully say that this was expected, it would have been foolish to plan on going an entire court without facing down at least one serious attack on your position and credibility. That it is the Mantis leading the charge rather than one of your Clan's traditional enemies is something of a surprise, but the basic response is still the same.
This is Shiro Matsu, after all. There is no value in flinching away and backing down from a confrontation, especially not one held in front of so many other samurai. You either step up and go for the throat, or you accept defeat at the hands of your enemy. Given the choice, then, your decision is almost painfully obvious.
"I am impressed, Yoritomo-san, by your audacity." You say, lifting your voice slightly so that it can clearly be heard by the myriad of observers. "Truly, to proclaim that the Lion's priests are inferior to the Scorpion? In their own court, no less? If it wasn't so obviously wrong I might think you had a point."
Yoritomo Harike blinks, somewhat wrong-footed by your unconventional form of defense, and in that moment of weakness you step forwards to regain the initiative. Turning to address the crowd, you shrug in a slightly exaggerated fashion. "But then, I suppose it is typical for the Mantis to bluster their way through things."
"And it is just as typical for the Scorpion to dance around their point, rather than commit and speak plainly." Harike says with a contemptuous tone, moving out into the centre of the room to join you. The two of you dominate the scene; all eyes upon you and all attention bent to seeing the resolution of your ongoing dispute. "You fall back on insinuation and jibes because you cannot stand your ground and argue your own case with any honesty."
Behind your mask, you smile.
"But why would I need to make any argument at all, Yoritomo-san, when you are so eager to do it for me?" You reply, shifting your stance into an obvious parody of his as you drop your voice to match his strident tones. "Yes, I shall accuse the Scorpion for the failure of my own bushi, and hope that no one notices how I have insulted my own hosts in the process... an imaginative tactic if nothing else. Not one I would have used though."
You shrug slightly, turning away from the Mantis in an almost blatant sign of dismissal. "Still, I suppose I should thank you for the compliment, if nothing else. To say we are so skilled and powerful... you must hold me and my kinsmen in such high esteem. But really, you give us too much credit."
Harike barks out a laugh, his tone rich with scorn.
"There is no pride or glory to be had in being the finest deceiver and sneak among the assembled samurai, Soshi-san." He fires back, turning to address the rest of the room. "But oh, what should I do now? Too weak and incompetent to fight his own battles, the cunning Scorpion takes shelter behind the noble Lion! He cannot claim his honour prevents him from cheating, and he cannot deny that his Clan and family are known for deception and trickery, so instead he will make others fight his battles for him!"
Article:
Soshi Naoto rolls Courtier (Rhetoric)/Awareness to turn his enemy's argument back on him. 7k4 = 33.
Yoritomo Harike rolls Etiquette/Willpower to resist and keep control of the conversation. ??? = 29.
Looking around the hall, it appears that the Mantis might have misjudged his audience somewhat. A number of the Lion still appear angry and contemptuous of you, but quite a few seem to find his dramatic and somewhat boorish manner off-putting, and have either been won over by your own rhetoric or have at least edged back towards neutrality.
Still, while the full impact of this dispute will likely not become apparent for some time, it seems doubtless that your own position has suffered somewhat. That momentary hesitation earlier cost you significantly, and while you have clawed back some of the initiative enough of the guests are going to remember your lapse to have a distinct influence on future events. Additionally, the Mantis have successfully introduced enough uncertainty into the court to mitigate their own loss of glory in the Bowman's Wager. If you walk away now, you will still be in a superior position in days to come, but with a notably reduced lead, while the Phoenix would have suffered greatly.
Alternately, you could challenge him outright for his slanderous words. If you are victorious in the duel then your position and Tani's will be firmly secured, but if you lose then the Mantis will undo all of your gains from yesterday and compound the disgrace. It is an important decision to make, and for the first time you cannot rely on your lord to make it for you.
Article:
What do you do?
[ ] Disengage. The Mantis have made up some ground, but you still have the advantage. Better not to risk compromising your true strength for a momentary edge.
[ ] Challenge him. A duel will settle this, once and for all, and it might also enable you to gain a better understanding of your enemy's strengths and alliances.
The Scorpion are renowned for being pragmatic in matters such as this, but even so there is only so much you can take. A constant stream of insults and insinuations from a man who dares not even fight with his own steel has, it seems, finally pushed you beyond those limits.
"Enough, Yoritomo-san." You say sharply, turning back to face him. "You go too far, and I will not stand here and listen to you insult me and my Clan entire without response. You will retract your words and apologize for voicing them, or you will back them with steel as a true samurai. I challenge you to a duel."
There is no great storm of reactions from the watching courtiers at this, but rather a sense of grim satisfaction. Those who favoured your position are pleased to see you step up to defend it, while those who are inclined against you have clearly been hoping for a way to settle the matter that you cannot twist with words and jibes.
"I accept." Yoritomo Harike replies without a moment's hesitation. "However, my own skills in the noble art of iaijutsu are limited, and so I must call upon a champion to represent me."
You nod, unsurprised, and resist the temptation to turn towards the Crab delegation in expectation. Yasuki Mia seems content to throw in with the Mantis, or at least support them in the short term, and she has two bushi with her to fulfill that role. It seems like the obvious choice.
"I, Utaku Seo, will stand as champion for Yoritomo-sama." One of the Unicorn calls out, stepping forwards and away from her delegation. For a moment you are shocked, but then your eyes narrow as they scan the assembled members of the Unicorn present. None of them look surprised by this development, which either implies some kind of pre-planning or at least a degree of private knowledge that led them to expect this. Interesting in either case, but right now you have little time to spend on such concerns.
Utaku Seo is a tall and slender woman in a dark purple kimono, her once-pale skin tanned and weathered by exposure to sun and wind. She is not currently wearing a katana, being a member of one of the few delegations present to be offered a sword-polisher by your hosts, but already you can see several Lion bowing to their daimyo and hurrying from the hall to retrieve the weapons for you both.
The hall goes quiet, the assembled guests moving back towards the edges of the room in order to clear space for your upcoming duel. There is a kind of unmistakeable tension in the air now, and while you would dearly love to ask why precisely the shitotome is stepping forth as a champion, now is clearly not a good time for it. Instead you wait in silence, studying her just as she studies you.
The Lion samurai return shortly thereafter with swords in hand, kneeling at your side and presenting the hilts of the sacred weapons to you both. In silence you draw yours from the sheathe, holding the blade down and to your side as you square off against your opponent. Seo mimics your movements, the faint winter sunlight gleaming from the exposed steel as she takes her stance. You might have preferred to do this the traditional way, drawing and striking in a single motion, but in this case the extra steps of setting your weapon comfortably in your obi only to return it to the sword-polishers afterwards would simply take too long.
Article:
First Stage: Assessment
Soshi Naoto rolls Iaijutsu/Awareness: 7k4 = 27
Utaku Seo rolls Iaijutsu/Awareness: ??? = 35
Seo wins, but not by enough for any mechanical bonuses. Naoto discerns that his opponent has Iaijutsu 5.
The Unicorn is better than you are.
You cannot say what precisely it is that tips you off. Something about her stance, perhaps, which manages to be both perfectly prepared for the upcoming exchange and yet also totally relaxed. Or perhaps it is the look in her eyes, the kind of detached calm that presages a bloody onslaught. Regardless of the precise source, it seems undeniable that the Unicorn has invested more time and effort in perfecting her dueling technique than you have.
Which makes sense, in truth. No Clan sends their samurai to court without being sure they are reasonably well prepared for what they will find there, and a delegation the size of the Unicorn's was always going to include at least one trained duelist. Well, so be it. Skill alone does not determine the outcome of a duel, and you have pulled off unexpected victories before.
(You could concede defeat at this point... but no, the consequences would be just as bad as if you were to be struck down, and by pushing through with things you at least have a chance of turning things around.)
With an effort of will you gather up all of your worries and concerns, focusing on them in your mind... and then you let them go. The rest of the world seems to fade away as you fall into the near-mindless trance of a duelist preparing to test his steel.
Article:
Stage Two: Focus
Naoto rolls Iaijutsu/Void with the Centre Stance bonus: 6k3+2 = 44
Seo rolls Iaijutsu/Void with the Centre Stance bonus: ??? = 41
Results are within 5 points of each other. Karmic Strike!
How long you stand there, lost to the world beyond, you cannot say.
Nor can you say what it is that eventually prompts you to start moving. Some buried instinct perhaps, or an old lesson freshly remembered or even the intervention of the heavens themselves. Whatever it is, your opponent apparently shares it, for the two of you begin moving towards one another with perfect synchronization. Swords are raised, lunges made, eyes meet...
She has no face.
Article:
Both combatants strike each other in the same instant, and as such both roll Iaijustu/Reflexes with the centre stance bonus.
Naoto rolls 8k5+2 = 66
Naoto's damage roll = 6k2 = 17
Seo rolls ??? = 59
Seo's damage roll = ??? = 49
The razor sharp edge of the katana catches you just below your chin, slicing through flesh and blood and bone in a single motion.
The world spins wildly, floor becoming ceiling becoming floor, and the last thing you hear before darkness claims you is the roaring of angry samurai... and the cold, cruel laughter of a being older than time itself.
On the Second Day of the Rat, in the year 1130 of the Isawa Calendar, a young samurai of the Scorpion Clan met his end.
His name was Soshi Naoto. The son of two Magistrates, he was seconded to the famed war-hero Bayushi Kimoko for the Winter Court at Shiro Matsu, a decision that would cost both of them their lives. Those who knew of him spoke of an intelligent, studious young man with a surprising degree of compassion for those of lower birth and great loyalty to those above - exactly as a samurai should be.
He was slain in a duel by a monster wearing the face of Utaku Seo, a battle maiden of the Unicorn Clan. Later, some would speculate that the creature intended it's role in the death to go unnoticed - that it would slay the young Scorpion in the guise of a Unicorn, and allow the consequences for the deed to fall on the rest of the Clan. The theory was later strengthened by the discovery of the real Utaku Seo, drugged into unconsciousness and hidden in a small storage chamber underneath the castle itself. If she were to be discovered dead in some unfortunate fashion, blame would naturally fall on the remaining Scorpion in the delegation, and the work of the Clan of Secrets would come entirely undone.
Whatever the creature's intent, though, it did not come to pass. In those last, fateful moments of his life, Naoto was able to wound the beast with an iaijutsu strike of superb quality, forcibly revealing the oily smoke that ran through it's veins in place of blood. Thus was the corruption revealed, and the lies of the monster made plain to all the samurai of the court. Thus were the schemes of the Lying Darkness undone by it's own hubris, and a single perfect strike.
Later, the story would say that it was Matsu Ketsui who struck the fatal blow upon the shadow-creature, burning with a righteous rage so bright and terrible as to be almost visible. Other stories contend it was the remaining Unicorn who slew the foe, outraged by such an insult against their line. Either way the immediate threat was ended, and in the process a much more dire one uncovered. Yogo Hanzo and Asako Tani stepped forwards with what they knew of the threat, and between them they managed to convince the other samurai present of the need for action.
By order of the Matsu Daimyo, messages were sent out far and wide, delivered by hand and by the magic of the kami to every major court in Rokugan. They spoke of faceless assassins and shape-shifting infiltrators, of schemes and plots and the need for unflinching vigilance. They spoke of an enemy wrapped in shadows, one who sought to fracture the Empire into a hundred warring powers, and they spoke well indeed.
All across Rokugan, other plots were uncovered, other infiltrators identified and exposed. Wars were cut short before they could begin, and more than a few blood feuds were brought suddenly to an end - including quite a few legitimate ones binding parties now presented with an honorable way out. When the shadow moved against the Emperor later in the same winter, it found Toturi forewarned and armed with a blade of purest crystal, and attempts to blame the attack on the Scorpion Clan were easily turned back against it by well briefed courtiers from the Clan of Lies.
In the end, the War Against the Darkness never took place. Thwarted at every turn, the Nothing abandoned it's schemes and faded away into the furthest reaches of the world. There it would wait, persisting with the malevolent patience that had seen it endure since the birth of the world itself, until a better opportunity could be found. It would try again, of course, many years from now... but that is a story for another time.
As for the Toturi Dynasty... it endured. The Emperor used the opportunity presented by the Darkness to remind his Clans of the need for peace and unity, of the possibility that what seemed to be a righteous cause for war might instead simply be the machinations of another. In honour of their fallen warrior, he appointed the Scorpion Clan as his guardians against the shadow, charging them to learn all they could about this threat and ward against it. They would be his Underhand, the ones who walked in darkness to protect the Empire from all else that dwelled there. It was a duty that the Scorpion were more than happy to accept, and it is one they would hold to for centuries to come.
And as for everyone else...
Where are they now?
Yogo Hanzo found himself in an unusual place after the death of two lords and the revelation of the creature responsible. As the only openly-acknowledged samurai of the Scorpion Clan remaining in Shiro Matsu he became the ambassador by default, and he moved swiftly the capitalize on the positive reputation his Clan held at that time. Few could deny his need for urgency in discussing and finalizing the numerous agreements and trade pacts he made - after all, who could say he would not fall in turn like his predecessors? With the strength of such urgency and the advice of Shosuro Hideki, he secured strong agreements for the Scorpion among many of the other attendees present and was able to build upon the foundations that Naoto laid down.
Eventually he returned to his Clan and Family, and while his bloodline still forbade him from ever gaining significant political power he still went on to have a long and successful career as a hunter of monsters.
Shosuro Hideki stayed out of the light as much as possible during the remainder of the Winter Court, as befitting the nature of his Family and School. He did manage to provide some advice to Hanzo regarding trade deals, but otherwise his efforts remained focused upon surviving and making sure that the last of the Shadow's influence was fully expunged.
After the court he returned to his Clan, and was summoned before Bayushi Kachiko. The Champion had received Naoto's letter, and recognized in his words the reflection of the darkness that had long dwelled within the Shosuro (her birth family). She bestowed upon Hideki a knife of purest crystal, and bade him to cut out the lingering taint of the shadow from within their Clan. This endeavour would be worthy of an entire saga, but it is one that would consume the rest of his life... and that of his young protege, the peasant girl named Wren.
Ikoma Genji kept his promise. After the Court was over the Scorpion Clan were invited to establish a permanent embassy within Shiro Matsu, from where their Magistrates and Bushi could better coordinate with the Lion Clan in future operations. This, combined with the Daimyo's own fondness for Bayushi Kimoko, would lead to a most unlikely alliance between the two Clans in years to come.
Matsu Ginwei found his time at Winter Court an excellent lesson in humility, one that he took to heart. He petitioned his Daimyo to be the one to carry Naoto and Kimoko's swords back to their family, and Ketsui eventually granted his request.
Yasuki Mia lost out in matters of courtly influence after it was revealed that an enemy of the Empire had almost succeeded in manipulating her to its ends without being detected. As a Crab she took that extremely poorly, and eventually committed seppuku over it. Before she left the court, however, she was able to negotiate strong ties with the Scorpion by writing a formal letter of recommendation for Yogo Hanzo to use in his negotiations with the Kuni witch hunters.
Daidoji Chen returned to his Clan a bitter and driven man, burning with hate towards the shadows that had claimed his clan-mates and then his ally. His quest for vengeance was a long and bloody one, and when it eventually claimed his life, he went to the grave laughing with sword in hand.
Mirumoto Masaru played little role in the rest of the drama at Shiro Matsu. As is the way of his Clan, he simply watched, and then returned to the mountains to share what he had learned with the rest of his Clan. He was eventually ordered to commit seppuku after suggesting that Hitomi be tested with Crystal, just to be sure, though the consequences of that suggestion went far beyond his own life...
Yoritomo Harike returned to his Clan in disgrace, having utterly failed to make a good name for the Mantis among the rest of the court or even achieve any favorable trade deals. He ultimately requested and was granted the right of seppuku.
Asako Tani recalled the words that her friend had spoken to her just before his demise, about dreams of thunder and heroism. She eventually ended up publishing the story of that Winter Court, which was then translated into a play and several other artistic formats.
Ide Taka was one of the premier voices calling for peace between the Clans in the aftermath of the incident, and was largely responsible for the lack of any bad blood between his Clan, the Mantis, Phoenix and Lion. He spent much of his life traveling the Empire and continuing to preach peace and unity in opposition to the Shadow, which ultimately got him quietly assassinated (though not successfully replaced).
Finally, Otomo Kairyu went back to Otosan Uchi with a new appreciation for the work of the Scorpion, and a new doubt regarding his own family's constant desire to keep the Clans turned against one another. He worked closely with the Emperor and the rest of his family to counter the work of the Shadow in Rokugan, and while the Otomo were far too set in their ways to ever easily change, he did manage to moderate their anti-Clan biases to some extent.
QM's note
Whew. Finished at last.
So, as I mentioned before outside of the thread-marked updates, the main reason for the sudden and perhaps rather unsatisfactory end to this Quest was a rather severe case of 'too many plots'. I couldn't keep track of everything, kept tripping over myself, and in the end wound up paralyzed and unable to write updates for weeks or months at a time. Eventually I decided to bring the resolution of the Shadow infiltrator side-plot forwards, in the theory that either you would kill it and end its machinations, or that you would be killed by it and end the Quest entirely.
Several dice rolls later, and the second result came into play. Naoto dies, but in the process manages to prevent a war between the Clans and expose a dangerous new threat to the Empire, one which has considerable impact on the future timeline. A true samurai to the very end.
My own writer's block aside, this has been a very enjoyable quest for me to run. I absolutely loved reading all of the ongoing discussions and analysis of various plot hooks and motivations, and writing Naoto's own thoughts and feelings as a result of those updates was surprisingly fun. I'd like to thank all of my readers and voters who helped to make the Quest as interesting and engaging as it was, and once again apologize for not being able to keep track of everything and bringing it all to an end so sharply.
If you enjoyed playing in the L5R setting, I'm also starting up a second Quest in that vein, entitled Empire of the Emerald Stars, which is a larger-scale Clan management Quest set in the far future of Rokugan. Feel free to check it out.
Otherwise, go with the Fortunes, reader-san, and may your ancestors smile upon you.
