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

I think that the Shadowland bit can wait.

After all, we have no reason to believe that there is a connection between the Crane plot and this one.

On the other hand, infiltration is a very dangerous order to give, one that can't be rescinded without some risk.

I would prefer to tell them not to act and talk with our Lord, only acting if Pale Oak believe this is time pressing (doubtful as his agent took two days total with him and he took two other to talk with us).

We have no reason to rush and all the reason to ponder every action before doing anything with them.

Unless of course, our little spy tell us differently.
 
So, we currently have one actual vote, and even that's not actually confirmed if I read it correctly. I need somewhat more than that to actually write an update, folks.

If you want to inform Bayushi Kimoko, you can vote for that as part of the secondary 'who do you tell' option. However, Pale Oak has informed you, and he needs some form of standing orders - remember, you're shaping his general opinion of you as well here. Refusing to make a decision until you can consult with the boss is still a decision, and he'll remember it.
 
Well, as far as I can tell people are either silent or against taking the honor hit for rolling the shadowlands knowledge, so we shall move on.Here is an actual vote:

[X] "Do you know this man well Oak-san? His response after being contacted speaks well of both his ability and loyalty. However, infiltrating a rebel organization takes a specific skill set and temperament. Do you believe this is something well suited to his talents?"
- [X] If yes then:" We should note that this will be a dangerous role to play. Very dangerous. Just by reporting this we have learned much about the rebels and we would prefer to keep good people by our side. That said, we know our own talents. Knowing how to infiltrate a rebel organization is not one of them. Thus we can only give our blesing and place our trust in those who do.He may go with our blessing but we lay no order upon him. We value his service, but if both you Oak-san and he think he can infiltrate the rebels and he wants to make the attempt, we'll allow it. Should he not wish to, no shame is to be had.
- [X] If no, then: He should avoid getting involved with the rebels. Just by reporting this we have learned much about the rebels and we would prefer to keep good people by our side. There is no shame in knowing our own limits. However, now that we know they are looking, something might be arranged to catch them. But that is talk for another time.



[X] We tell Bayushi-sama, but in a deniable manner. So she can deny having been told and speak the truth. We can suggest to her that Kitsu Ami might need to be informed. But that that carries both risks and opportunities.
****

Not quite satisfied with this, but not sure how to make it better. We know little of infiltration so it only makes sense to leave those decision to the profesinals while informing them of the risks.
EDIT: Becouse I overlooked it, who to tell:
EDIT2: Minor adjustments and spelling fixes.
 
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5.10 - Caution
You consider the matter for a moment. Much to be gained, it is true... but also much to be risked. It is a weighty decision, and one you would prefer to have more information on before making.

"Do you know this man well, Oak-san?" You ask, looking at the scribe who is almost certainly more than that.

"Quite well, Soshi-dono. We have worked together for two years now." He replies politely, though you sense a bit of resentment in his tone. "He is reliable."

Ah, of course, you don't want Pale Oak thinking you doubt his judgement or the loyalty of those who work for him. Such an impression would do much to sour working relations between the two of you, and if that happens he might not mention the next time something of this nature comes up.

"No doubt - certainly his response after being contacted speaks well of him." You clarify, heading off that potential source of trouble before it starts. "However, infiltrating a hostile organization takes a certain set of skills, a certain mindset. In your best judgement, is he suited to such an assignment?"

Pale Oak pauses here, and you get the impression that he wasn't expecting to be asked this. "If you are asking me for my recommendation, Soshi-dono..."

"I am." You confirm with a nod. "The decision is mine, but the superior perspective is yours. I would be a fool to disregard that."

"You do not strike me as a fool, Soshi-dono." Pale Oak says, and it sounds like a genuine compliment. "In my best judgement? I should say no. Infiltrating an organization like this takes one of two things - the time to work at it properly and convince them of your loyalties, or enough valuable information to trade to convince them that you are genuine. Within the scope of Winter Court we lack the former, and the latter... he would have to trade useful, verifiable information on the Scorpion for a decent level of access to their ranks."

"Then have him steer clear. We have an idea of their goals now, and perhaps in time we might be able to arrange a trap for them... but such is talk for another day." You shrug. "In truth, I had intended to speak with you on a matter of commerce. Specifically between ourselves and the Crab."

"The Crab, Soshi-dono? Of course. What do you need to know?" Your servant replies, dropping the whole matter of the potential spy with the air of a man who knows nothing about any such topic.

"What do they have that we want, and likewise what do we have that they need?" You explain, ignoring the momentary twinge of discomfort that comes from thoughts of involving yourself in mercantile concerns.

"I should say stone and allies respectively, Soshi-dono." Pale Oak answers almost instantly. "The former is oft-overlooked, but while the lands of the Scorpion have largely been repaired, we build from wood where possible. Recent events would seem to indicate the potential value of stone and those who can craft it - for roads, walls, border forts and the like."

You nod slowly. There tend to be two schools of thought in the Empire - the Crane champion the use of wood in building everything from houses to castles, while the Crab looks askance at anything not carved from stone. Stone roads and stone fortresses speak to eternity, of a people who have chosen their land and will not yield it to anyone. For the Scorpion to start building from stone would be a powerful statement, especially returning from your effective exile over the last decade, and it would almost by necessity bring closer ties with the Crab.

And, of course, recent history has shown the wisdom in having a fortification which can repel sustained, brutal sieges from overwhelming force.

"I can see that, Pale Oak-san... but allies?" You cannot help but raise an eyebrow. "The Scorpion are not exactly overflowing with them at the present."

"In general, perhaps not, Soshi-dono." Pale Oak says with a smile. "But here and now? The Scorpion have much more influence and respect with the Matsu family than most others present. I do not know what the Crab wish to obtain here, but they will almost certainly find the assistance of the Scorpion of great use in securing it."

An interesting idea. And insightful. Yes... you can use this.

Your next scheduled activity is to arrange a meal with Kaiu Hiraki. Such things are done via letters. How is your invitation composed?
[ ] Write in

QM's note - Remember, Hida Kisada chose not to support the Scorpion Coup in large part because he didn't like how Bayushi Shoju asked him for help in the letter he was sent. You should word your invitation carefully.
 
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We should also keep in mind that there is a general expectation that letters sent at court may be read by any passers by or curious courtiers - how could a mere courier refuse a samurai, after all? Given our admitted influence with the Matsu, it is likely that other courtiers are reading the messages that we send, so we should also take care not to be too straightforward or plainspoken, as much as Kaiu Hiraki might appreciate such.
 
Ah! We should ask Pale Oak if he knows of any teahouses nearby that do Wall cooking - i.e. fried food. If Oak knows of one, it would make it much more likely that Kaiu would respond, and it's a perfectly innocuous reason to meet. @Maugan Ra , how's our restaurant luck?
 
The good news about dealing with the Crab is that unless you end up with a Yasuki they're all going to want more or less the same approach from you - simple bluntness with no words minced. This shouldn't be a hard letter to write up.
 
Well if we don't have access to fried food, I recommend something like this:

[X] Storybookknight's Letter

Kaiu Hireki-san,

The food of the Lion may not be that of our respective homelands, but is it not said that food tastes better when shared? With Bayushi-sama so often occupied with affairs of state, I find that I am often alone for the evening meal, and would be delighted to have a companion to eat and drink with. Though we do not yet know each other well, I invite you to join me tomorrow for dinner so that we might lay a foundation for a firm and lasting friendship.

- Soshi Naoto

My one concern is that it could be a bit too 'courtly' of an option - the letter is fairly direct in what it is offering, it just says it in a Scorpion-ish way.
 
@Maugan Ra, did we only talk about food or did we talk about other topics, not show on the chapter?

Food is a good topic, but it seems to be somewhat bland.

Maybe compose the letter in a way that would imply the subject but only asking for companionship in a meal.

Something like :

"Remembering our meal and our shared insights on it, I would like to invite you for dinner tomorrow nigth, so we can talk more about the culinary of our respective clans and maybe share insight in other matters."
 
It must be a good idea if three people came up with it at the exact same time.

Indeed.

Wren, once you manage to track her down, can actually point you in the direction of a small restaurant that does Crab-style fried food. It was apparently set up by a peasant who accompanied the Crab army north as part of the baggage train during the Clan Wars and got left behind during all the confusion caused by the fighting.

She does caution you that this is a relatively small place and she has no idea if it is suitable for samurai.

@Maugan Ra, did we only talk about food or did we talk about other topics, not show on the chapter?

Several different topics. I just couldn't write an update that covered them all in a reasonable timeframe - the banquet would have lasted for hours, after all.
 
@Maugan Ra: Since we did reserve a morning/before noon slot for this, would it be more apropriate to invite him to breakfast or an early lunch? We do still have a meeting with Genji later today.

[X] Primemountain's letter

Kaiu Hireki-san,

I've learned of a small place that supposedly serves a taste of your home. My schedule has been quite full since arriving at Shiro Matsu but I've managed to clear my morning to see if this is indeed the case. I invite you to join me for breakfast and help judge the authenticity of the meal.

Will probably adjust this as more information comes in.

EDIT: So we point out we have been having succes at Court, we found something he wants and open a topic we can then later turn to trade and getting a meeting with his delegation head.

EDIT: Becouse Rokugan inter Court mail is apparently open to all, so all we really need is a pretext to meet, and we can hash stuff out once we have met.
 
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@primemountain, what about instead of saying that we want to know more about Crab's stone crafting, we mentioned that we wanted to continue our discussions on the different architectures of the empire?
 
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