Yeah, then when we were drunk after the Banquet and we got caught by a Matsu patrol he was the one with the Honor to stand proud and refuse to kill us like an honorless dog. He was a Matsu doing Matsu things when he tried to teach a villan Scorpion a leasson during a formal bout. It was stupid, not a plot to end us. The defeat probably shook him, but he has shown backbone since.
At some point we should reward him for being a good samurai. Rewarding people who save your life is common sense. It encourages others to do so as well.
The thing is; there hasn't really been any indicator that he has any skill in archery whatsoever. Asking someone who has no skill in it to participate in the wager could easily be the exact opposite of honoring him.
If we do ask someone else to stand in for us, we'd probably be better off seeing if some random Matsu archer might be interested.
Also, that doesn't make him our friend or anything, just an angry jerk with a conscience, and I doubt he will feel like doing any more favors for the Scorpion who sliced open his gut and humiliated him in front of the entire Winter Court, including his Daimyo.
@Kelenas : He is a Matsu Bushi. Of course he has skill with the bow. Now granted he might not be great with it, but he has some skill with it. Worse case scenario, he cedes the honor to a more worthy Matsu.
@Kingofbooks: He would not be doing us a favor, we can compete ourselves or avoid the Wager entire. We are doing him a favor, by giving him a chance for Glory he would otherwise have never gotten.
It *has* changed. We're head of the delegation now. We can't avoid the spotlight anymore. Deliberately dodging fame gets us very little. Also, there have been two notable changes in the situation-as-described. First, we take a shame hit for *not* submitting anyone, and second, we're expected to post some sort of reward regardless. That certainly tweaks our incentives.
@Sirrocco: I think a far better use of our time is not partaking in the wager. If nothing else, we hide a useful skill. Also, it is unsemlly that the head of the delegation competes, especially if we lose it will reflect poorly on the Scorpion as a whole. You want to look weak before the Lion? I'd rather not.
It's not actually a useful skill we have, though. We'd be going entirely off of Crab Hands, Reflexes, and probably a Void point. Now, we're pretty good when you throw that stuff together, but it's not like its revealing some hidden skill that we woudl be intending to pull out later to great effect. Given that we dont' generally have a bow with us, if we *were* hiding amazing competence with the bow, this would be where we revealed it. Also, there are a lot of people who will be attending this thing - probably even one from each clan. As long as we do even reasonably respectably (which 6k5 after void suggests that we will) we lose nothing (other than the wager itself). Everyone expects the wasp to win - or maybe one of the Matsu (since they have a much deeper pool to draw from). If we somehow *do *manage to win, that's actually kin of a big deal.
Telling Yogo about our stuff makes me uncomfortable. We are not that close with him, and the last time he was troubled we were unable to reach him. I think we should be somewhat wary of him. Has he discharged his curse? Do we know that? What if he fell in bloody love here in court?
We've been attacked by the Nothing once. There is a very good chance that we'll be attacked again. Not giving him the information he needs to defend himself more effectively would be disloyal... and we *need* to make sure that that information makes its way out. Our enemy lives on its secrets. We need to make sure that those who would hunt it knows what those secrets are.[/QUOTE]
I think we need to focus on the Lion as primary for now. Just until things settle down a bit.
Why? What objectives remain to us as far as diplomacy with the Lion? What do we gain by that focus?
We do need to touch base with Daidoji, but we might be taking on too much stuff to do in just two days. We can reach out to him in the following couple of days and honestly say we were trying to settle things down with everyone else, trusting his alliance to weather the storm.
I don't think that my plan had us doing too many things - just a chat or two with out subordinates, a letter or two written, and a focus on the Daidoji. Sure, the relationship might weather it, but this is one case where sooner rather than later has real value. The only other place I can see where there might be any sort of time-critical effects would be the Mantis, and we have no opening there.
EDIT2: We have no clue what Yogo has been doing with the Dragon and the Unicorn. We need to have a talk with him on the subject. Now that we are his boss, we need to know.
Yeah, then when we were drunk after the Banquet and we got caught by a Matsu patrol he was the one with the Honor to stand proud and refuse to kill us like an honorless dog. He was a Matsu doing Matsu things when he tried to teach a villan Scorpion a leasson during a formal bout. It was stupid, not a plot to end us. The defeat probably shook him, but he has shown backbone since.
At some point we should reward him for being a good samurai. Rewarding people who save your life is common sense. It encourages others to do so as well.
EDIT: And turning enemies to friends when you are surounded by Lions is probably a good stance to have.
Two pertinent notes here: First, during the formal bout, he was trying to kill us, in direct contravention of the rules of said bout. That's a bit more than "teaching a Scorpion a lesson". Second, we did reward him, to a degree. We passed word to his superiors on of his honorable actions about as soon as we could after returning to court. Given that he was effectively on punishment detail for having acted poorly towards us, having us vouch for him almost certainly helped his situation. We don't need to push it further than that.
As for the vote...
- I disagree with using Ginwei because we have no reason to believe he's all that good with the bow. It is highly likely that we're better. Fielding a poor champion *will* reflect badly on us (and would probably also reflect badly on him). Also, given our known history, it would look weird.
- I disagree with the actor school specifically because the Mantis wouldn't want it as much. We want to curry favor with them (we want to curry favor with everyone) and putting us something that we at least know that they'll find somewhat valuable is part of that. Putting up something that we can claim is valuable but that everyone knows is of limited utility to them is... less friendly.
- We've been explicitly told by Matsu Ketsui not to involve ourselves in the investigation. We tried that courtier roll and failed at it. Also, we're already offering about as much help as we can on the other side of things, through our scribes (what's left of them)
- Yogo actions: as far as we can tell, his fire ward works fine, and he's already using it.
@Sirrocco on the other hand 5k4 prior to void is at the same level as a generic bushi that prefers to use the bow as a weapon and is talented with it. Not even at the level of a expert in it just either someone of average talent with a bit of experience as a bowman, or someone who is quite talented and jsut starting out. I fear that with that we might just embaress ourself as 6k4 should be the norm for people using it, or even 7k4 if someone has rank 3 has bowman.
It *has* changed. We're head of the delegation now. We can't avoid the spotlight anymore. Deliberately dodging fame gets us very little. Also, there have been two notable changes in the situation-as-described. First, we take a shame hit for *not* submitting anyone, and second, we're expected to post some sort of reward regardless. That certainly tweaks our incentives.
I wasn't refering to the fame so much as the idea that competing and losing would be worse then not competing. So long as we put up payment. Unless you really think we are a good enough Archer to beat a Wasp?
It's not actually a useful skill we have, though. We'd be going entirely off of Crab Hands, Reflexes, and probably a Void point. Now, we're pretty good when you throw that stuff together, but it's not like its revealing some hidden skill that we woudl be intending to pull out later to great effect. Given that we dont' generally have a bow with us, if we *were* hiding amazing competence with the bow, this would be where we revealed it. Also, there are a lot of people who will be attending this thing - probably even one from each clan. As long as we do even reasonably respectably (which 6k5 after void suggests that we will) we lose nothing (other than the wager itself). Everyone expects the wasp to win - or maybe one of the Matsu (since they have a much deeper pool to draw from). If we somehow *do *manage to win, that's actually kin of a big deal.
Yeah, but what you are revealing is not a skill at bows, but Crab hands. And that is a useful skill to have and keep in the back pocket. If we had an actual bow skill you would be right, but we do not. I am guessing that this is the type of thing that can be noticed when surounded by skilled Archers.
We've been attacked by the Nothing once. There is a very good chance that we'll be attacked again. Not giving him the information he needs to defend himself more effectively would be disloyal... and we *need* to make sure that that information makes its way out. Our enemy lives on its secrets. We need to make sure that those who would hunt it knows what those secrets are.
Maybe? You are forgetting the curse. Unless we know he is clear, we now have a live bomb under us. It is the weight any Scoprion leading a Yogo has to deal with. You said you wanted to tell him everything. I do not mind telling him about the abilities of the Nothing we have discovered, but telling him about our investigations and how we are doing them, who is doing them and so on seems like a bad idea.
Let me remind you, we are only on good terms with, maybe Kitsu Ami, and Maybe the Ikoma guy. The damiyo herself probably hates us. At least the way I am reading the update. This part here:
"As you say, Matsu-sama." You bow to the Daimyo politely. "I would like to thank you for the services of the Kitsu shugenja in restoring Yogo-san to full health."
Matsu Ketsui turns a baleful gaze upon you... and then returns the bow, dipping considerably lower than entirely necessary. "And I should like to thank you, Soshi-san, for the aid of your Clan in this matter. It is a debt that will be long remembered."
Sure she is thanking us for our service. She has to after all that. But see that baleful gaze? I think she hates us on a personal level. We somehow insulted or displeased her.
Two pertinent notes here: First, during the formal bout, he was trying to kill us, in direct contravention of the rules of said bout. That's a bit more than "teaching a Scorpion a lesson". Second, we did reward him, to a degree. We passed word to his superiors on of his honorable actions about as soon as we could after returning to court. Given that he was effectively on punishment detail for having acted poorly towards us, having us vouch for him almost certainly helped his situation. We don't need to push it further than that.
- I disagree with using Ginwei because we have no reason to believe he's all that good with the bow. It is highly likely that we're better. Fielding a poor champion *will* reflect badly on us (and would probably also reflect badly on him). Also, given our known history, it would look weird.
- I disagree with the actor school specifically because the Mantis wouldn't want it as much. We want to curry favor with them (we want to curry favor with everyone) and putting us something that we at least know that they'll find somewhat valuable is part of that. Putting up something that we can claim is valuable but that everyone knows is of limited utility to them is... less friendly.
- We've been explicitly told by Matsu Ketsui not to involve ourselves in the investigation. We tried that courtier roll and failed at it. Also, we're already offering about as much help as we can on the other side of things, through our scribes (what's left of them)
- Yogo actions: as far as we can tell, his fire ward works fine, and he's already using it.
Maybe we could find a better champion. I just think that using a Lion champion in this situation would be better for us then us competing ourselves and losing, or not competing at all. It would bering us closer to the Lion.
I want the actor school because the Mantis would find it useless. We are not going to curry favor with them, they are out political oponents in this court. Did you notice the bit where only us, the Mantis and the Crab have sword cleaners? It is likely the Mantis gave the Crab that in with the Lion the Crab were looking to us for. We are not going to curry favor with everyone and trying to is pointless. We need to know who our friend and who our enemies are at this court.
Also, we were told not to involve ourselves in the investigation while we were under suspicion of being the assasin. Not now, when the suspect is a third party. This may have changed things, ne?
As for Yogo, we do not actually know that, at least not to my satisfatction. It has been left somewhat unclear if Yogo used it to burn the Faceless, or if the Ward itself does that even if they are still masked and Yogo is not there to watch and direct it.
@Sirrocco on the other hand 5k4 prior to void is at the same level as a generic bushi that prefers to use the bow as a weapon and is talented with it. Not even at the level of a expert in it just either someone of average talent with a bit of experience as a bowman, or someone who is quite talented and just starting out. I fear that with that we might just embarrass ourself as 6k4 should be the norm for people using it, or even 7k4 if someone has rank 3 has bowman.
Generic archer-bushi do not have reflexes 4. They just don't. The average (non-wasp) bushi who's put some effort into archery will have 5k3 or 6k3... and very few archers outside the Wasp have bows as their primary weapons.
Look at it another way. Our QM has informed us that bowing out of this one would be mildly shameful (though manageable). This is a bit odd, given what he'd said before, but let's run with it. If it's mildly shameful to skip out, then most of the delegations who have a decent number of people will be trying to compete at at least some level. Most delegations do not have access to dedicated archers - they have what they came with. As far as we can tell, the odds-on favorite to win is basically a starting character. She *might* be rank 2. Sure, if this were the Emperor's Winter Court, we'd be blown out of the water, but for the level of competition that's expected, 5k4 is actually pretty good. At worst, it's middle of the pack... and the fact that it's a bit shameful to bow out, combined with the relatively small numbers in each delegation, means that in general, even mediocre showings are going to be acceptable, as long as we aren't dropping below the minimum reasonable for a bushi (which I guarantee we're not).
I wasn't refering to the fame so much as the idea that competing and losing would be worse then not competing. So long as we put up payment. Unless you really think we are a good enough Archer to beat a Wasp?
I think there's a chance. I suspect that the Wasp will win, but we're at least good enough that we could get a few lucky rolls and make it.
Yeah, but what you are revealing is not a skill at bows, but Crab hands. And that is a useful skill to have and keep in the back pocket. If we had an actual bow skill you would be right, but we do not. I am guessing that this is the type of thing that can be noticed when surounded by skilled Archers.
...except that we're not. "Crab hands" jsut means "decently competent with anything". At most, we'd be revealing "decently competent with bow, with excellent reflexes" - and "decently competent with bow" is one of those things that's half-assumed about bushi.
Maybe? You are forgetting the curse. Unless we know he is clear, we now have a live bomb under us. It is the weight any Scoprion leading a Yogo has to deal with. You said you wanted to tell him everything. I do not mind telling him about the abilities of the Nothing we have discovered, but telling him about our investigations and how we are doing them, who is doing them and so on seems like a bad idea.
What investigations do we have to tell? I was just going to talk about what we've seen of them, what we know about how to spot them, what we know about their vulnerabilities, and so forth. We aren't actually doing any investigating right now to tell him about. Shosuro-san may be doing some investigating, but we arent' even asking him to tell *us* abotu the details there - just a general sort of status check, and possibly whether he might have some things he needs.
Let me remind you, we are only on good terms with, maybe Kitsu Ami, and Maybe the Ikoma guy. The damiyo herself probably hates us. At least the way I am reading the update. This part here:
Sure she is thanking us for our service. She has to after all that. But see that baleful gaze? I think she hates us on a personal level. We somehow insulted or displeased her.
I think you're misreading that. She did a *lot* more there on our behalf than she had to... and even the bow was "considerably lower than necessary". If you check out the things she's been saying prior to that point... well, she's a Matsu Berserker who was dipping into some *deep* wells of rage. The fact that it hadn't banished itself from her On in the split second of our response and her turning to look at us is not all that unreasonable.
Maybe. I would like to know whatever became of the man. It fells just a bit unfinished.
I respect that. I could see us looking him up at a later time, say... though he might not thank us for our attention. For right now, though, there's absolutely nothing that makes him time-critical. Given that the daidoji is, if not time-critical, at least time-pertinent, I'm thinking that now is not the time to chase that particular thread.
Note that he is almost certainly worse at the bow than we are.
Maybe we could find a better champion. I just think that using a Lion champion in this situation would be better for us then us competing ourselves and losing, or not competing at all. It would bering us closer to the Lion.
It might also be seen as an admission of weakness - that we are not able to defend ourselves, but must get the Lion to do it for us. For that matter, it means that we are asking one of the Matsu to go against their own clan (I know for a fact that the Lion will field a champion for the wager). That's... unlikley to gain us much.
I want the actor school because the Mantis would find it useless. We are not going to curry favor with them, they are out political opponents in this court. Did you notice the bit where only us, the Mantis and the Crab have sword cleaners? It is likely the Mantis gave the Crab that in with the Lion the Crab were looking to us for. We are not going to curry favor with everyone and trying to is pointless. We need to know who our friend and who our enemies are at this court.
We need to establish tariffs with every clan. If we cut ourselves off from trading with the Mantis, we also lose out there. We absolutely want to try to curry favor with everyone. Different degrees with different groups, sure, but favor itself is always good, and this particular bit is pretty cheap. Yeah, they may be a bit opposed to us positionally, because they'd rather have trade pass through their boats than through our pass, but that still doesn't mean that improving relations would be a bad thing.
wrt sword-polishing... The offer of a sword-polisher is a pretty darned clear indicator that Matsu Ketsui does not, in fact, hate us. Sword-polishing has been extended to the Crab and Unicorn. Not surprising, as they are military, friendly, and showed up with largish delegations. The mantis is cozying up to the Crab in order to gain access - not the other way around. Also, getting miffed at the Mantis for offering the Crab something that we might have eventually wanted to offer them instead would be *incredibly* petty. They weren't looking to us for it - it was just something that we might have been able to offer them.
Also, we were told not to involve ourselves in the investigation while we were under suspicion of being the assasin. Not now, when the suspect is a third party. This may have changed things, ne?
As for Yogo, we do not actually know that, at least not to my satisfatction. It has been left somewhat unclear if Yogo used it to burn the Faceless, or if the Ward itself does that even if they are still masked and Yogo is not there to watch and direct it.
"Permission denied." Matsu Ketsui says flatly. "This crime was committed in my lands, and against my guest. Whoever or whatever is responsible has levied mortal insult against me and my family, and it is for us to resolve. In the face of that, you would dare imply that we might need your assistance in resolving the matter, Scorpion?"
"My apologies, Matsu-sama." You say, bowing low. "I allowed my anger at this crime against my lord to cloud my judgement. No insult was intended."
That doesn't really sound like the sort of thing that changes from "now that I'm cleared, can I?
For the ward, the ward assaults those that are corrupt. That's what it does. That's all it does. If the ward burned them, then the ward recognizes them as corrupt. It's not something you can control.
Also, wanted to say, I appreciate you challenging me on this. Is useful to have another set of eyes.
Look at it another way. Our QM has informed us that bowing out of this one would be mildly shameful (though manageable). This is a bit odd, given what he'd said before, but let's run with it. If it's mildly shameful to skip out, then most of the delegations who have a decent number of people will be trying to compete at at least some level. Most delegations do not have access to dedicated archers - they have what they came with. As far as we can tell, the odds-on favorite to win is basically a starting character. She *might* be rank 2. Sure, if this were the Emperor's Winter Court, we'd be blown out of the water, but for the level of competition that's expected, 5k4 is actually pretty good. At worst, it's middle of the pack... and the fact that it's a bit shameful to bow out, combined with the relatively small numbers in each delegation, means that in general, even mediocre showings are going to be acceptable, as long as we aren't dropping below the minimum reasonable for a bushi (which I guarantee we're not).
I would assume that every bushi that is interested in the bow as a weapon of war will start out at I1 with reflex 3 and if they reach I2 they will have r4, And the same should go for these Bshi that follow are more hybrid Air ring build. And well look at what the tournament had, if I remember it right we ran into at least one rank 3 enemy in there with the crab? Now that is more aimed at sponsored archers instead of those that are a part of the delegation ,exept for maybe the unicorn and the wasp. I concour with you that we will among the delegates that stand there by themself and which are not a tsuruchi deliver the worst showing I am more concerned about the sponsore ones. But I am bowing to the correct assumptation in regards to a generic non bow interested bushi as a comparsion. Which says, yes we are okay to people otuside of the field but depending on the number of sponsored ones we are falling behind.
I would agree that every bushi who intends to make the bow a particular area of focus will start out with at least 5k3, possibly 6k3. Further, I agree that at about Rank 2, if they are primarily combat-specced, and using bow as their primary weapon, you cna expect them to be 7k4 - possibly as high as 9k4 if they're craving that second mastery.
My point is that, in Rokugan, combat-specced bushi who focus on the bow aren't all that common. The Wasp is one. The Unicorn *might* have one. The Lion... probably have a few, and whoever they field will be quite good, but their roster likely isn't all that deep. Daidoji Chen probably isn't primary bow, but as a Daidoji he might have put some effort into bow as a secondary weapon, and his Ref is probably pretty good, in which case he'll probably shoot like a rank 1 or 2 bow-specialist would, given that he's probably about Rank 3. The Crab have nothing - their archers are the Hiruma, and they didn't bring any. The Dragon and the Shiba each might have some skill, but not likely all that good, and they don't likely have the pull to get anyone better to shoot for them. The only real source is the Lion, after all, and they don't even have sword-polisher privs.
So... Wasp is the odds-on favorite. Matsu probably have someone solid. Unicorn and Crane... each might be able to field someone who can outshoot us on average, but it's by no means guaranteed (especially given that the two Unicorn bushi are on the young side). We're probably on par with them. We're probably at least a notch or two better than the Mirumoto, the Shiba, or the Crab, and if they do get a sub, it'll be from the ranks of the Lion. Given the degree of loyalty that Matsu Heijiko gets from her troops, you can pretty much guarantee that whoever gets those slots won't take the prize from the Lion pick. There's a good chance that they won't spend void, unless the Wasp has somehow pissed them off, and they're desperate to have her beaten by *some* Lion. For a guess, we'd come in at a respectable third - especially as we're not claiming this as a particular area of specialty, and obviously haven't had a whole lot of time to train up on it. (By contrast, the Wasp and whoever the Lion have up for it have probably been training pretty hard for the past couple of weeks). We might get lucky, and we won't ashame ourselves.
For the record, when I speak of it possibly being somewhat shameful to not compete, that's mostly in the sense of 'It would make an excellent angle of attack for anyone else in the court'.
You're in charge now, and that carries certain consequences, both positive and negative.
...
It is of course also possible that I've misremembered something after the hiatus. In which case, mea culpa.
[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...
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...
Still, overall I think this went rather well, even if it kinda threw everyone's plans and expectations for a loop. The Phoenix might very well be scratching their heads about what to do with a Bayushi Courtier spot (well, aside from sending someone, obviously). The Mantis' poor performance might give us an opening in some fashion, and our own performance with a martial skill should have the Matsu's overall approval.
Well, you know Wren was apparently keeping lookout for Pale Oak when he came to interrogate you at knife-point, but aside from that your loyal ninja hasn't really mentioned any progress made by his new trainee.
Well, you know Wren was apparently keeping lookout for Pale Oak when he came to interrogate you at knife-point, but aside from that your loyal ninja hasn't really mentioned any progress made by his new trainee.
I'd like to save up enough to grab Void 3, since Void Points are useful and high Void is how you resist the Nothing. Either that or grab Perception 3 or Willpower 3; Perception for investigating and noticing stuff, Willpower to resist fear effects and other people using their social skills on us. It also helps us resist Taint if we grab Stamina 3 afterwards as well.
On the topic of Hirakin, I'm really not sure what to do there. Maybe talk about how we've never been to the Wall or anything of the sort and did not intend to give offense? A gift of jade might also be useful.
We could say we didn't know their particulars after the coup, as we, ourselves where trying to survive but the Crab situation is an old one.
Truth, for a certain amount of truth could be useful.
If we tell him that having an idea of the situation we faced with the ones that killed out lord while having being attacked by a peasant while defending the Otomo, when we entered the restaurant and found the armed peasants, we lost our om and react in a way that brought shame to us and our companion.
We may explain that we where trying to, at that opportunity, distance ourselves from the lion on the peasants minds Or we could offer some sort of compensation in the way of exports.
Edit.
If we go with the shame and bribery we will take an honor hit, but at the same time we will get a new chance to talk business with the head of their delegation.
"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."
This might be an opportunity; if he can get confirmation that those people are the Crane, it's possible that we might be able to cooperate and coordinate our efforts for greater efficiency. In addition, this would no doubt earn us some more points with the Crane. And might get us a closer look at how they operate, which might be handy for our Clan in the future.
Of course, that also depends on whether such cooperation between spy-groups is a thing(tm).
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.
This might also be an opportunity, albeit in a somewhat roundabout way.
Miyako just had her participation in the Wager effectively destroyed, even though she was a favorite for outright winning it. The reason were sudden and unexpected gusts of winds, and we had an encounter with a spirit of air not too long ago. We could tell her about it (not the details, of course), and voice the possibility that this spirit, or a similar one, might have been playing a trick on her, along with the suggestion that she seek out some local priest/shugenja in order to learn how to turn the spirit's attention away.
Done correctly, this might earn us her personal gratitude, and thus an in with the Mantis delegation, which could be handy.
