In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
- Location
- London, England
Yoritomo Harike is a courtier, from the Yoritomo Courtier school.
Etiquette/Awareness 7k4 = 46
@primemountain's write-in would easily be sufficient justification for the Mantis to challenge you to a duel, and you'd basically be forced to accept or lose tremendous amounts of face in front of the assembled court.
(Also, herself. Tsuruchi Miyako is a woman.)
- Location
- Earth
I am sticking to my vote, I think this is a good opportunity to make a statement, that said, if people do want to deflect, let me throw my two cents in, for how something like that might look:
The Option B vote:
[] "You trully are curageous Yoritomo-san. To stand in this court and claim the Lions judging the event let the Scorpion cheat. Or are you calling them incopetent and unable to catch dishonorable deeds when judging a martial event in their own home? For I recall no judge protesting during the bout. Do enlighten us."
The Option B vote:
[] "You trully are curageous Yoritomo-san. To stand in this court and claim the Lions judging the event let the Scorpion cheat. Or are you calling them incopetent and unable to catch dishonorable deeds when judging a martial event in their own home? For I recall no judge protesting during the bout. Do enlighten us."
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[x] gman391
- Location
- London, England
Vote Called, sorry. Gman's write-in takes the vote, and I'm working on the update now. Just got to find the time to figure out the likely response.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
7.10 - Against the Storm
- Location
- London, England
Well then. While you cannot truthfully say that this was expected, it would have been foolish to plan on going an entire court without facing down at least one serious attack on your position and credibility. That it is the Mantis leading the charge rather than one of your Clan's traditional enemies is something of a surprise, but the basic response is still the same.
This is Shiro Matsu, after all. There is no value in flinching away and backing down from a confrontation, especially not one held in front of so many other samurai. You either step up and go for the throat, or you accept defeat at the hands of your enemy. Given the choice, then, your decision is almost painfully obvious.
"I am impressed, Yoritomo-san, by your audacity." You say, lifting your voice slightly so that it can clearly be heard by the myriad of observers. "Truly, to proclaim that the Lion's priests are inferior to the Scorpion? In their own court, no less? If it wasn't so obviously wrong I might think you had a point."
Yoritomo Harike blinks, somewhat wrong-footed by your unconventional form of defense, and in that moment of weakness you step forwards to regain the initiative. Turning to address the crowd, you shrug in a slightly exaggerated fashion. "But then, I suppose it is typical for the Mantis to bluster their way through things."
"And it is just as typical for the Scorpion to dance around their point, rather than commit and speak plainly." Harike says with a contemptuous tone, moving out into the centre of the room to join you. The two of you dominate the scene; all eyes upon you and all attention bent to seeing the resolution of your ongoing dispute. "You fall back on insinuation and jibes because you cannot stand your ground and argue your own case with any honesty."
Behind your mask, you smile.
"But why would I need to make any argument at all, Yoritomo-san, when you are so eager to do it for me?" You reply, shifting your stance into an obvious parody of his as you drop your voice to match his strident tones. "Yes, I shall accuse the Scorpion for the failure of my own bushi, and hope that no one notices how I have insulted my own hosts in the process... an imaginative tactic if nothing else. Not one I would have used though."
You shrug slightly, turning away from the Mantis in an almost blatant sign of dismissal. "Still, I suppose I should thank you for the compliment, if nothing else. To say we are so skilled and powerful... you must hold me and my kinsmen in such high esteem. But really, you give us too much credit."
Harike barks out a laugh, his tone rich with scorn.
"There is no pride or glory to be had in being the finest deceiver and sneak among the assembled samurai, Soshi-san." He fires back, turning to address the rest of the room. "But oh, what should I do now? Too weak and incompetent to fight his own battles, the cunning Scorpion takes shelter behind the noble Lion! He cannot claim his honour prevents him from cheating, and he cannot deny that his Clan and family are known for deception and trickery, so instead he will make others fight his battles for him!"
Looking around the hall, it appears that the Mantis might have misjudged his audience somewhat. A number of the Lion still appear angry and contemptuous of you, but quite a few seem to find his dramatic and somewhat boorish manner off-putting, and have either been won over by your own rhetoric or have at least edged back towards neutrality.
Still, while the full impact of this dispute will likely not become apparent for some time, it seems doubtless that your own position has suffered somewhat. That momentary hesitation earlier cost you significantly, and while you have clawed back some of the initiative enough of the guests are going to remember your lapse to have a distinct influence on future events. Additionally, the Mantis have successfully introduced enough uncertainty into the court to mitigate their own loss of glory in the Bowman's Wager. If you walk away now, you will still be in a superior position in days to come, but with a notably reduced lead, while the Phoenix would have suffered greatly.
Alternately, you could challenge him outright for his slanderous words. If you are victorious in the duel then your position and Tani's will be firmly secured, but if you lose then the Mantis will undo all of your gains from yesterday and compound the disgrace. It is an important decision to make, and for the first time you cannot rely on your lord to make it for you.
This is Shiro Matsu, after all. There is no value in flinching away and backing down from a confrontation, especially not one held in front of so many other samurai. You either step up and go for the throat, or you accept defeat at the hands of your enemy. Given the choice, then, your decision is almost painfully obvious.
"I am impressed, Yoritomo-san, by your audacity." You say, lifting your voice slightly so that it can clearly be heard by the myriad of observers. "Truly, to proclaim that the Lion's priests are inferior to the Scorpion? In their own court, no less? If it wasn't so obviously wrong I might think you had a point."
Yoritomo Harike blinks, somewhat wrong-footed by your unconventional form of defense, and in that moment of weakness you step forwards to regain the initiative. Turning to address the crowd, you shrug in a slightly exaggerated fashion. "But then, I suppose it is typical for the Mantis to bluster their way through things."
"And it is just as typical for the Scorpion to dance around their point, rather than commit and speak plainly." Harike says with a contemptuous tone, moving out into the centre of the room to join you. The two of you dominate the scene; all eyes upon you and all attention bent to seeing the resolution of your ongoing dispute. "You fall back on insinuation and jibes because you cannot stand your ground and argue your own case with any honesty."
Behind your mask, you smile.
"But why would I need to make any argument at all, Yoritomo-san, when you are so eager to do it for me?" You reply, shifting your stance into an obvious parody of his as you drop your voice to match his strident tones. "Yes, I shall accuse the Scorpion for the failure of my own bushi, and hope that no one notices how I have insulted my own hosts in the process... an imaginative tactic if nothing else. Not one I would have used though."
You shrug slightly, turning away from the Mantis in an almost blatant sign of dismissal. "Still, I suppose I should thank you for the compliment, if nothing else. To say we are so skilled and powerful... you must hold me and my kinsmen in such high esteem. But really, you give us too much credit."
Harike barks out a laugh, his tone rich with scorn.
"There is no pride or glory to be had in being the finest deceiver and sneak among the assembled samurai, Soshi-san." He fires back, turning to address the rest of the room. "But oh, what should I do now? Too weak and incompetent to fight his own battles, the cunning Scorpion takes shelter behind the noble Lion! He cannot claim his honour prevents him from cheating, and he cannot deny that his Clan and family are known for deception and trickery, so instead he will make others fight his battles for him!"
Article: Soshi Naoto rolls Courtier (Rhetoric)/Awareness to turn his enemy's argument back on him. 7k4 = 33.
Yoritomo Harike rolls Etiquette/Willpower to resist and keep control of the conversation. ??? = 29.
Looking around the hall, it appears that the Mantis might have misjudged his audience somewhat. A number of the Lion still appear angry and contemptuous of you, but quite a few seem to find his dramatic and somewhat boorish manner off-putting, and have either been won over by your own rhetoric or have at least edged back towards neutrality.
Still, while the full impact of this dispute will likely not become apparent for some time, it seems doubtless that your own position has suffered somewhat. That momentary hesitation earlier cost you significantly, and while you have clawed back some of the initiative enough of the guests are going to remember your lapse to have a distinct influence on future events. Additionally, the Mantis have successfully introduced enough uncertainty into the court to mitigate their own loss of glory in the Bowman's Wager. If you walk away now, you will still be in a superior position in days to come, but with a notably reduced lead, while the Phoenix would have suffered greatly.
Alternately, you could challenge him outright for his slanderous words. If you are victorious in the duel then your position and Tani's will be firmly secured, but if you lose then the Mantis will undo all of your gains from yesterday and compound the disgrace. It is an important decision to make, and for the first time you cannot rely on your lord to make it for you.
Article: What do you do?
[ ] Disengage. The Mantis have made up some ground, but you still have the advantage. Better not to risk compromising your true strength for a momentary edge.
[ ] Challenge him. A duel will settle this, once and for all, and it might also enable you to gain a better understanding of your enemy's strengths and alliances.
[ ] Write in
@Maugan Ra
I assume a duel here would be merely to the first blood, right?
Might be worth trying specially since one wonders who he'll get to champion him, plus we do have a pretty good chance of going first.
I assume a duel here would be merely to the first blood, right?
Might be worth trying specially since one wonders who he'll get to champion him, plus we do have a pretty good chance of going first.
- Location
- London, England
First blood, yes. This isn't serious enough for a lethal duel.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I think that we should Challenge Him...but also say something while we're at it, you know?
Like, win back a little of the initiative and then go in for the challenge.
Like, win back a little of the initiative and then go in for the challenge.
The Bird
tEM IS GUD...RITER!
- Location
- In that den of villains and scum, OKLAHOMA
[X] Disengage. The Mantis have made up some ground, but you still have the advantage. Better not to risk compromising your true strength for a momentary edge.
-[X] Sometimes its better to not do battle openly. You would instead weaken the mantis by planting evidence of some minor wrongdoing on their behalf, in the hopes of making them look bad and weakening their position. Meanwhile, in public you would attempt to remain cordial and counter these braggarts through proper etiquette and diplomacy, not through dueling.
-[X] Sometimes its better to not do battle openly. You would instead weaken the mantis by planting evidence of some minor wrongdoing on their behalf, in the hopes of making them look bad and weakening their position. Meanwhile, in public you would attempt to remain cordial and counter these braggarts through proper etiquette and diplomacy, not through dueling.
In that case, unless someone comes up with something clever:
[X] Challenge him. A duel will settle this, once and for all, and it might also enable you to gain a better understanding of your enemy's strengths and alliances.
Also, in addition to the obvious advantages of challenging him, it's also quite the good way of figuring out his alliances and the like. Even if we lose the duel we gain information.
[X] Challenge him. A duel will settle this, once and for all, and it might also enable you to gain a better understanding of your enemy's strengths and alliances.
Also, in addition to the obvious advantages of challenging him, it's also quite the good way of figuring out his alliances and the like. Even if we lose the duel we gain information.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[] "Make others fight my battles for me? That is most amusing coming from a man who took part in neither the Bowman's Wager nor the Trial of Steel."
-[] Challenge Him.
What's it called again?
Was it the Test of Steel or the Trial of Steel or what?
-[] Challenge Him.
What's it called again?
Was it the Test of Steel or the Trial of Steel or what?
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Our intelligence network is already busy trying to figure out that major plot, wouldn't want to make it even more work for it like that.
Again, as I mentioned before, being a courtier instead of a bushi is not shameful. Thus, doing what's essentially accusing him of being a courtier instead of a bushi won't do us any real favors. It might get us a couple small brownie points with the brasher and younger Lion, plus maybe the Crab (as martial as they are, they are not going those who hate courtiers to a serve in a court unless they are looking to offend everyone present. Instead these serve in the Wall, while the less hostile samurai go the court.
), but otherwise, it's just going to make us look an overly martial youth (which, if nothing else, can make us lose some ground with the Phoenix).
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Our intelligence network is already busy trying to figure out that major plot, wouldn't want to make it even more work for it like that.
Again, as I mentioned before, being a courtier instead of a bushi is not shameful. Thus, doing what's essentially accusing him of being a courtier instead of a bushi won't do us any real favors. It might get us a couple small brownie points with the brasher and younger Lion, plus maybe the Crab (as martial as they are, they are not going those who hate courtiers to a serve in a court unless they are looking to offend everyone present. Instead these serve in the Wall, while the less hostile samurai go the court.
It was more trying to point out to everyone else that him accusing us of being a coward is, like, the most ridiculous thing he's said thus far.
It was partially an attack on him, and partially to remind everyone before the battle even begins that, well, remember that he's full of shit.
But eh, good point.
[X] Challenge him. A duel will settle this, once and for all, and it might also enable you to gain a better understanding of your enemy's strengths and alliances.
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
[X] Disengage. The Mantis have made up some ground, but you still have the advantage. Better not to risk compromising your true strength for a momentary edge.
We don't have high enough Void to make a First Blood duel a worthwhile option.
We don't have high enough Void to make a First Blood duel a worthwhile option.
Honestly, even if we auto-lose the duel, I'd still say it'd be worth it for the sake of figuring out who he's working with.
[X] Challenge him. A duel will settle this, once and for all, and it might also enable you to gain a better understanding of your enemy's strengths and alliances.