Dirtnap
Kanmusu Affecionado
Happy Birthday man! have fun out in the wilds of untamed Scotland
In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
- Location
- Australia
Happy Birthday Maugan Ra.
Happy Birthday from me as well, @Maugan Ra.
5.07 - Sixteenth Day of the Boar
- Location
- London, England
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?"
Respond
[ ] Write in
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?"
Respond
[ ] Write in
If it is deliberate, its probably a internal one. Giving us a external enemy now or later would allow various clans to be galvanized for the empire, to continue their honorable history or as a chance to regain their tattered honor and forge it anew. Thus the obvious and at the same time hidden option is to foster greater tensions and try to escalate them between the various clans. Eventually someone will do something stupid, and eventually clans will go to war or very emphatically not being at war but find ways to still be warring with one another in essence though various means.
*General but probably true. Especially in light of our findings*
We are in the Lion Winter Court, we do not have the full picture of the whole Empire, so its probably something we have to rely on lore aggregate and hope we get it right. Luckily we are probably one who can pull lore aggregate shit out of his ass..
*General but probably true. Especially in light of our findings*
We are in the Lion Winter Court, we do not have the full picture of the whole Empire, so its probably something we have to rely on lore aggregate and hope we get it right. Luckily we are probably one who can pull lore aggregate shit out of his ass..
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- Location
- United States
[x] As ever, it would probably come from the Lion and the Crane. The Crane delegations introduction to the winter court was...blatant in its intent, and the Matsu picked up on that quick enough. It almosts seems that the Crane are as intent on their historical rivalry as the Lion. The Crab have been chastened by the events on the Day of Thunder, and will keep their eyes south most intently for the next few years. The Phoenix Rebuild from their losses. The Mantis work to consolidate their newfound position and need allies still before they can risk angering the more established Great Clans. The Dragon remain secluded, and the Unicorn have not been provoked recently.
-(Should he ask after our own clan) The Scorpion are concerned with reestablishing ourselves in our ancestral territories, it would not be in our interests, or the Empires.
I'm of the opinion this is a rhetorical question. This information is all common knowledge, and our suspicions are not shared to the Otomo of an outsider inflaming tensions....you know....to the family whose job is literally to keep the clans too weak to challenge the Emperor. (Paranoid glare at the Otomo.)
-(Should he ask after our own clan) The Scorpion are concerned with reestablishing ourselves in our ancestral territories, it would not be in our interests, or the Empires.
I'm of the opinion this is a rhetorical question. This information is all common knowledge, and our suspicions are not shared to the Otomo of an outsider inflaming tensions....you know....to the family whose job is literally to keep the clans too weak to challenge the Emperor. (Paranoid glare at the Otomo.)
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- Location
- Earth
@Maugan Ra: I am sorry to ask for this at this time, but could we get a Lore Check on the Unicorn, and the Scorpion?
I would like to have the full view of the big picture available to us. At least as far as we can get it. It will likely be helpful with the vote, whomever makes one, to read up on all those lore checks we made back in Chapter 1.
Another question to consider is just how carefully we want to answer this question. Avoiding the answer might be more prudent, or adressing his frustration while sidestepping the question itself.
EDIT: Also Sirrocco had a nice analasys of the Matsu damiyo that might help with the question.
I would like to have the full view of the big picture available to us. At least as far as we can get it. It will likely be helpful with the vote, whomever makes one, to read up on all those lore checks we made back in Chapter 1.
Another question to consider is just how carefully we want to answer this question. Avoiding the answer might be more prudent, or adressing his frustration while sidestepping the question itself.
EDIT: Also Sirrocco had a nice analasys of the Matsu damiyo that might help with the question.
- Location
- London, England
Given that Naoto is one low-ranking Bushi, he's not precisely up to date on a lot of stuff. He can guess and theorize, but this isn't the sort of question where you can roll to get an objectively correct answer.
As a general note, however, the Clan Wars only ended two years ago. That was basically everyone fighting everyone else for seven years, on a scale that no one had ever seen or heard of before. The psychological and sociological impact of that is still making itself clear, but there's a fair argument to be made that if Toturi hadn't taken the throne, Rokugan would no longer exist as a unified Empire.
Right now, the land is generally consumed with social upheaval. Laws and traditions that have stood for hundreds of years have been challenged and overturned, and no one is precisely sure what the world will look like tomorrow.
- Location
- United States
Ya. The Lion came out of the clan war with their army decimated, although still large, and their officers and daimyo mostly dead. (I think only Kitsu Toju survived as a pre-clanwar daimyo). They were one of the most belligerent clans in the Clan war, and fully half of their armies fought on the side of the Dark Kami due to their honoring their oaths of service over their oaths to the Empire. Current Champion Ikoma Tsunari actually led these lion. She is seen as having been given her position (she was) by her former mentor, Toturi, and unable to met the obligations of service (She is).
The Crab were shamed. Toturi's elevation the recently dead Kisada as fortune of persistence obliquely forgave them their alliance with the shadowlands. Without that they would be even more isolated then they are, and they have no allies. Even the traditionally friendly Unicorn are only "not hostile". Actively hated by many who were involved with the courts and the imperial guard, so Imperial families and the Lion.
The Scorpion's return is unwelcome, and they have returned as Rokugans Bogeyman. Their lands were seen as resources by the Lion, Crane, Crab, and Unicorn, and their return forced those clans to abandon claims made in the previous 5 years. Still Allied to the dragon.
The scorpion were ravaged during the Coup, then spent 7 years as Ronin. Their.....not doing that great, they used to be the second most populous clan. In addition, despite the reveal of the Last Hantei being the Dark Kami, many still harbor grudges for the killing of the Emperor and the losses in the coup itself. Many scorpion hold the Crab in general and the dead Kisada in particular to blame for the failure of the coup. The "empty" scorpion lands were ably run by former scorpion ronin and in the OTL had no trouble taking back over over.
Unicorn came out of the Clan War with honor and army largely intact. Many are attempting to ally with the clan of Shinjo.
The Phoenix took so many losses there are actually arguments concerning whether they should maintain their great clan status. Allied to Crane and Dragon.
The Mantis are attempting to consolidate Yoritomo's alliance into the Mantis. They are partially successful, although the Tortoise, Fox, and Sparrow decline. The more established clans tend to still regard the Mantis as Minor clan players, and some take insult at Yoritomo's "inventive" way of demanding elevation.
The Crane lands were decimated by the wasting sickness, crab armies, and shadowland armies....and lion armies. They are in NO way ready for war, although Champion Doji Kuwanan is a VERY able warrior trained at both the Matsu!!!, Hida, and Daidoji schools. Allies with the Unicorn, Mantis, and Phoenix.
The Crab were shamed. Toturi's elevation the recently dead Kisada as fortune of persistence obliquely forgave them their alliance with the shadowlands. Without that they would be even more isolated then they are, and they have no allies. Even the traditionally friendly Unicorn are only "not hostile". Actively hated by many who were involved with the courts and the imperial guard, so Imperial families and the Lion.
The Scorpion's return is unwelcome, and they have returned as Rokugans Bogeyman. Their lands were seen as resources by the Lion, Crane, Crab, and Unicorn, and their return forced those clans to abandon claims made in the previous 5 years. Still Allied to the dragon.
The scorpion were ravaged during the Coup, then spent 7 years as Ronin. Their.....not doing that great, they used to be the second most populous clan. In addition, despite the reveal of the Last Hantei being the Dark Kami, many still harbor grudges for the killing of the Emperor and the losses in the coup itself. Many scorpion hold the Crab in general and the dead Kisada in particular to blame for the failure of the coup. The "empty" scorpion lands were ably run by former scorpion ronin and in the OTL had no trouble taking back over over.
Unicorn came out of the Clan War with honor and army largely intact. Many are attempting to ally with the clan of Shinjo.
The Phoenix took so many losses there are actually arguments concerning whether they should maintain their great clan status. Allied to Crane and Dragon.
The Mantis are attempting to consolidate Yoritomo's alliance into the Mantis. They are partially successful, although the Tortoise, Fox, and Sparrow decline. The more established clans tend to still regard the Mantis as Minor clan players, and some take insult at Yoritomo's "inventive" way of demanding elevation.
The Crane lands were decimated by the wasting sickness, crab armies, and shadowland armies....and lion armies. They are in NO way ready for war, although Champion Doji Kuwanan is a VERY able warrior trained at both the Matsu!!!, Hida, and Daidoji schools. Allies with the Unicorn, Mantis, and Phoenix.
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- Location
- United States
I'm pretty sure that's a chapter of Imperial Histories 2, btw.
Ya. that setting is called "The Shattered Empire".
I finished running a 9 month campaign using that setting that ended with the Mantis the New right hand of a restored empire under the Cruel, Genius of Hentei the 40th (Otomo Banu).
And No, I have NO IDEA why the players thought it would be a good Idea to jump on that particular bandwagon.
I know that the matter already ended, but I couldn't post before and wanted to, at least, explain myself.
I didn't realize that the meeting with Pale Oak was meant as a training action, I was thinking it was to be something like "here is what I need" and "here is what I got for you".
But the matter is done. Sorry if I sounded a little insistent, but I must have lost something whe I was reading your the plan.
[x] "Next war Otomo-sama?" Raised eyebrow. "That entirely depends on what you mean by war. A war between two lords along the border as a means of training, or to gain honour and prestige, I couldn't begin to predict without looking at the Lords in question. " Gesture towards the board.
"But if you mean another conflict that will see Rokugan burn like it did in the Clan Wars...I would say the Mantis. It's only conjecture, but so recently raised to the position of Great Clan, I can only imagine that they will be as touchy about their pride as our hosts, and unlike our hosts, they have no particular thing holding them back. Leaving aside the desire to establish protective areas around the Tsuruchi."
"But if you mean another conflict that will see Rokugan burn like it did in the Clan Wars...I would say the Mantis. It's only conjecture, but so recently raised to the position of Great Clan, I can only imagine that they will be as touchy about their pride as our hosts, and unlike our hosts, they have no particular thing holding them back. Leaving aside the desire to establish protective areas around the Tsuruchi."
- Location
- United States
I do feel it neccesarr
Anti Mantis Bias besides, the Mantis are in much the same position as the Phoenix at this time. Their military is weak, and only Yoritomo's strong presences really makes them a factor at all. The great clans have a population in the Tens of thousands (Samurai, millions if counting total), while the minor clans had dozens or hundreds. It will be twenty years until aggressive ronin recruitment and extra child policies give the Mantis a population base that is really equivalent to the others. The war against the darkness nearly extinguished them. That was the entire point behind Yoritomo's "I am my twenty strongest". That was what was left.
Anti Mantis Bias besides, the Mantis are in much the same position as the Phoenix at this time. Their military is weak, and only Yoritomo's strong presences really makes them a factor at all. The great clans have a population in the Tens of thousands (Samurai, millions if counting total), while the minor clans had dozens or hundreds. It will be twenty years until aggressive ronin recruitment and extra child policies give the Mantis a population base that is really equivalent to the others. The war against the darkness nearly extinguished them. That was the entire point behind Yoritomo's "I am my twenty strongest". That was what was left.
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Should we tell Otomo what we discovered about the Crane?
Not all, but only that appears to exist some sort of problems with the orders given by their Champion. In resume, the same information that we gave the Lion.
If we point to them, we may not even need to show all of our hand, as we could just speculate on their behavior on this Court.
Not all, but only that appears to exist some sort of problems with the orders given by their Champion. In resume, the same information that we gave the Lion.
If we point to them, we may not even need to show all of our hand, as we could just speculate on their behavior on this Court.
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- Location
- London, England
You know what, I'm just going to go ahead and get the rest of these out of the way now. Lore checks on the Unicorn, Scorpion and Mantis incoming. That way you know what Naoto knows about all of the Great Clans (and the Imperial Families, from earlier).
You already did the Mantis, if I am not mistaken, we know all about them.
Edit. Yup. We know all.
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- Location
- London, England
Indeed. No new Mantis info then, just the Unicorn and Scorpion.
I don't know if I should be happy or not.
Oh, and happy birthday from the lower side of the equator.
Lore check - Unicorn Clan
- Location
- London, England
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.
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.
cokerpilot
Here comes the rain.
This could be an moment to hint at the fact that we suspect there are shadow land agents mucking about without out right saying it or were we ordered to keep a complete lid on it I can't remember.
Lore Check - Scorpion Clan
- Location
- London, England
Lore Check - Scorpion Clan
5k4 = 32
The Scorpion are a people slowly coming to terms with the darkest parts of their own nature.
For a thousand years, the Clan of Secrets has maintained it's position through blackmail and the threat of retribution. Often despised and distrusted by an Empire that shunned their honourless ways, they were also feared for the power they held and the potential harm they might wreck if given sufficient cause. No one wanted to see what the children of Bayushi might be capable of if pushed to the very edge.
In 1123, they found out.
When given cause, Bayushi Shoju turned on his close friend and Emperor and slew him without mercy. When given orders from their superiors, the Scorpion Legions marched upon the Imperial City, never hesitating or asking questions even as they turned their swords against those they were otherwise sworn to serve. And when defeated, when cast down and disbanded by the combined strength of the Empire and the order of the child-Emperor they failed to kill... that was when Rokugan finally learned how far the Scorpion would go.
Officially, for the duration of the Clan Wars the Scorpion did not exist. Those who had once claimed allegiance to the Bayushi were now ronin, and all of their lands were Imperial property to be reassigned to more trustworthy and honourable vassals. In practice, however, the Clan of Secrets was still very much alive. A large number of 'ronin' stayed right where they were, forming 'brotherhoods' that through pure coincidence mimicked the previous power structure. Others retreated to prepared bolt holes and hidden strongholds, adopting a cell-like structure that protected them from investigation and destruction. And almost all of them continued to obey the orders of 'Hantei' Kachiko, who continued to reside in Otosan Uchi and through means subtle and arcane maintained steady communication with her isolated and hidden kinsmen. All in all, the Scorpion were in a perfect position to ride out the consequences of the Coup and the ensuing Clan Wars in relative safety.
There was just one problem - they didn't want to.
Bayushi Kachiko had never been a woman much given to forgiveness or humility, and many who served her likewise saw the utter destruction and disgrace of their ancient families as an insult that could not be born. They wanted revenge, and with seemingly nothing left to lose they took it in any way they could.
Ambush. Sabotage. Assassination. Terrorism. All of these and more became the hallmark of the Scorpion Clan during those chaotic years, and every Clan felt their sting. When the Imperial Legions marched upon Shiro no Shosuro, fully half of the thousands-strong army died screaming as clouds of toxic gas rolled over their ranks and melted flesh from bone. When Matsu Tsuko led her armies to oppose the Crab outside Otosan Uchi, Kachiko manipulated her orders and fed her entire army to the slaughter. When the Soshi saw their kin buried without rites or honours, their daimyo Soshi Bantaro delved into maho and necromancy to bring the fallen back for revenge.
And when Yogo Junzo saw all that his family had lost, he opened the Black Scrolls of Fu Leng, ushering in the return of the dark god and unleashing a plague that would claim the life of millions before it was through.
Ironically, it was perhaps the return of Fu Leng that saved the Scorpion from themselves. When Kachiko finally realized precisely what was looking out from behind the eyes of her young husband, she abandoned her vendetta and bent all of her guile and resources to weakening the fallen kami and preparing for the Second Day of Thunder. When the armies of Rokugan marched upon Otosan Uchi, the Scorpion were there, reclaiming their old colours and lifting their banners high as they threw themselves upon the enemy.
As a result, when Toturi took the throne one of his first actions was to restore the Scorpion Clan to their former station, absolving them of all outstanding crimes. The Clan of Secrets moved back out from the shadows and began rebuilding, a process sped up significantly by prep-work done during the chaotic days of the Clan Wars. Today, the Scorpion are reasonably well off both financially and militarily, having conserved a surprising portion of their strength in preparation for an extended campaign of guerilla warfare.
Politically, however, your Clan has no shortage of enemies. Everyone remembers what you did, and none of them are likely to forget it any time soon.
5k4 = 32
The Scorpion are a people slowly coming to terms with the darkest parts of their own nature.
For a thousand years, the Clan of Secrets has maintained it's position through blackmail and the threat of retribution. Often despised and distrusted by an Empire that shunned their honourless ways, they were also feared for the power they held and the potential harm they might wreck if given sufficient cause. No one wanted to see what the children of Bayushi might be capable of if pushed to the very edge.
In 1123, they found out.
When given cause, Bayushi Shoju turned on his close friend and Emperor and slew him without mercy. When given orders from their superiors, the Scorpion Legions marched upon the Imperial City, never hesitating or asking questions even as they turned their swords against those they were otherwise sworn to serve. And when defeated, when cast down and disbanded by the combined strength of the Empire and the order of the child-Emperor they failed to kill... that was when Rokugan finally learned how far the Scorpion would go.
Officially, for the duration of the Clan Wars the Scorpion did not exist. Those who had once claimed allegiance to the Bayushi were now ronin, and all of their lands were Imperial property to be reassigned to more trustworthy and honourable vassals. In practice, however, the Clan of Secrets was still very much alive. A large number of 'ronin' stayed right where they were, forming 'brotherhoods' that through pure coincidence mimicked the previous power structure. Others retreated to prepared bolt holes and hidden strongholds, adopting a cell-like structure that protected them from investigation and destruction. And almost all of them continued to obey the orders of 'Hantei' Kachiko, who continued to reside in Otosan Uchi and through means subtle and arcane maintained steady communication with her isolated and hidden kinsmen. All in all, the Scorpion were in a perfect position to ride out the consequences of the Coup and the ensuing Clan Wars in relative safety.
There was just one problem - they didn't want to.
Bayushi Kachiko had never been a woman much given to forgiveness or humility, and many who served her likewise saw the utter destruction and disgrace of their ancient families as an insult that could not be born. They wanted revenge, and with seemingly nothing left to lose they took it in any way they could.
Ambush. Sabotage. Assassination. Terrorism. All of these and more became the hallmark of the Scorpion Clan during those chaotic years, and every Clan felt their sting. When the Imperial Legions marched upon Shiro no Shosuro, fully half of the thousands-strong army died screaming as clouds of toxic gas rolled over their ranks and melted flesh from bone. When Matsu Tsuko led her armies to oppose the Crab outside Otosan Uchi, Kachiko manipulated her orders and fed her entire army to the slaughter. When the Soshi saw their kin buried without rites or honours, their daimyo Soshi Bantaro delved into maho and necromancy to bring the fallen back for revenge.
And when Yogo Junzo saw all that his family had lost, he opened the Black Scrolls of Fu Leng, ushering in the return of the dark god and unleashing a plague that would claim the life of millions before it was through.
Ironically, it was perhaps the return of Fu Leng that saved the Scorpion from themselves. When Kachiko finally realized precisely what was looking out from behind the eyes of her young husband, she abandoned her vendetta and bent all of her guile and resources to weakening the fallen kami and preparing for the Second Day of Thunder. When the armies of Rokugan marched upon Otosan Uchi, the Scorpion were there, reclaiming their old colours and lifting their banners high as they threw themselves upon the enemy.
As a result, when Toturi took the throne one of his first actions was to restore the Scorpion Clan to their former station, absolving them of all outstanding crimes. The Clan of Secrets moved back out from the shadows and began rebuilding, a process sped up significantly by prep-work done during the chaotic days of the Clan Wars. Today, the Scorpion are reasonably well off both financially and militarily, having conserved a surprising portion of their strength in preparation for an extended campaign of guerilla warfare.
Politically, however, your Clan has no shortage of enemies. Everyone remembers what you did, and none of them are likely to forget it any time soon.
