A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
I said I liked the intent, but my issue with it is that it says too much.
In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
- Location
- London, England
What you know of Doji Kuwanan is as follows:
- He was the second son of the previous Crane Champion Doji Satsume, and younger brother to the Crane Thunder Doji Hoturi.
- He is known to have trained with the Akodo, the Hida and the Daidoji at different points of his life, and is most assuredly a bushi rather than a courtier or duelist.
- He was one of the heroes of the Clan War, ruling the Crane for a time while his brother was unable to and taking up the position formally after Hoturi died fighting Fu Leng.
- He has a reputation as a rather severe man, given more to quiet observation than friendly conversation.
That's basically it.
- He was the second son of the previous Crane Champion Doji Satsume, and younger brother to the Crane Thunder Doji Hoturi.
- He is known to have trained with the Akodo, the Hida and the Daidoji at different points of his life, and is most assuredly a bushi rather than a courtier or duelist.
- He was one of the heroes of the Clan War, ruling the Crane for a time while his brother was unable to and taking up the position formally after Hoturi died fighting Fu Leng.
- He has a reputation as a rather severe man, given more to quiet observation than friendly conversation.
That's basically it.
It's the only other possibility. Either Kuwanan has decided to become an enemy of the Lion (something Genji seems to think is unlikely given that he mentions Kuwanan's friendships with Lion members, or this is being done without his consent. I will however rephrase from "disposed off and replaced" to just "replaced" to make one less assumption.
What does it give away? All these are things Genji already knows and has realised if he's even halfway competent at his job. Considering that he qualified himself for a daimyo's karo he ought to be pretty darn competent.
(Sidenote: In Italian caro, pronounced with a hard k, means sweetheart
)Since the lore check has come and gone without any big revelations, I've gone ahead and x-ed in my vote.
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It's the only other possibility. Either Kuwanan has decided to become an enemy of the Lion (something Genji seems to think is unlikely given that he mentions Kuwanan's friendships with Lion members, or this is being done without his consent. I will however rephrase from "disposed off and replaced" to just "replaced" to make one less assumption.
What does it give away? All these are things Genji already knows and has realised if he's even halfway competent at his job. Considering that he qualified himself for a daimyo's karo he ought to be pretty darn competent.
(Sidenote: In Italian caro, pronounced with a hard k, means sweetheart
Since the lore chack has come and gone without any big revelations, I've gone ahead and x-ed my vote.
The problem is that your vote put us working with him openly.
This is not a normal RPG where we find a mission and start to work with your group without reservations.
We have interests that partially converge, but are different and even conflicting at other points.
Not only that, but we can't work together openly, or you think that this meeting, outside of the castle and away from prying eyes was just a happenstance?
We need to keep face.
Not only that, be we don't have a courtier build, as our school is one of bushis, this means that we are at a disadvantage from the get go, as all the other players have some hability useful in court.
Our only advantage at this, is that we are scorpion and, as such, we have more leeway on what to do, but we must keep them gessing.
That's why in my vote I only alluded all that, in your vote, you openly mention.
Honestly, this is kind of why I rather prefer votes that focus on the content/meaning, rather than specific wording.
The way I see it, what we roughly want is to;
- further demonstrate our intellect by providing some insightful speculations and reasoning for the sudden changes in the Crane delegation's demeanor and personnel, in order to impress him
- get some sort of favor-exchange whereby we'll share any further information we find with him in return for something else
I think everyone can roughly agree on that?
The way I see it, what we roughly want is to;
- further demonstrate our intellect by providing some insightful speculations and reasoning for the sudden changes in the Crane delegation's demeanor and personnel, in order to impress him
- get some sort of favor-exchange whereby we'll share any further information we find with him in return for something else
I think everyone can roughly agree on that?
Well for one, we aren't agreeing to anything openly. We're meeting in a discrete establishment. If we end up agreeing to inform him on anything we would also do so discretely.
My vote doesn't even put us as working with him yet, at all. It puts the onus on him to make it worth our time. Presumably in order to get us to accept, he'll need to offer to back some interest of our at this court, since if he tries to bribe us personally or intimidate us, I'll definitely vote for telling him "No." Politely, of course.
And of course I know this meeting isn't an accident. I read the quest ya 'no? We're here in a discrete environment because Ikoma Genji wants to collude with us, but not openly. Lions and Scorpions being buddy buddy would be incredibly suspicious, especially since our Boss-ladies are snarling at each-other. Some people probably suspect we're up to something, but I doubt Genji was indiscrete enough for his absence to be noticed and connected to us. The rest probably just think we're a young man enjoying his first time out from under his parent's and sensei's thumbs
And being honest is a benefit in its own right, since it means you can't be caught lying.
Sure.
I even somewhat agree on the vote type, but I chose to follow the pattern set by the previous votes by making it dialogue.
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- Location
- London, England
Generally speaking, as a QM I would prefer write in votes to be reasonably concise and accompanied by a general explanation of what you're attempting to achieve. Dialogue is fine, but if it is limited to the key points I can work it into the update in a way that best fits any ongoing developments.
I'd normally start writing an update at this point, but we only have two votes and those are for different options, so I'll hold off for the moment.
I'd normally start writing an update at this point, but we only have two votes and those are for different options, so I'll hold off for the moment.
@Maugan Ra could you give us your ideas on our votes?
just so we understand what they are aiming for or what could be the repercussions of each one....
just so we understand what they are aiming for or what could be the repercussions of each one....
Would my vote be too in-concise? I though the individual paragraphs could be dropped into the text more or less as they were. I was going to put some description between them... but just ended up repeating things that were already in the dialogue so I scrapped it.
Edit: Also, I think it hasn't been brought up yet, but the geisha are almost certainly Genji's agents if he's willing to let them listen in on a secret conversation.
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- Location
- London, England
In terms of the options provided by write in so far, after the edits they both look fine - I can work each into a story post without too much trouble.
In terms of their impact on the story, I'm not going to say that one is better than the other, because that would defeat the point of running a quest based around votes. However I can provide a bit of context to help other people decide for themselves.
Ikoma Genji is making strong overtures of cooperation and possible alliance to you here. He's meeting you in person, demonstrating his wealth and connections, providing highly important and indeed somewhat confidential information and asking for your assistance.
Jaertin's vote engages with Genji, offering an opinion and suggesting you have an idea about how to help. This keeps the Ikoma talking, strengthens your ties with him and opens up the option of a covert alliance.
Bastur's vote holds ground and offers nothing, deflecting the Ikoma's overtures (what are your insights/I have no insights) and deliberately diverting the conversation into unrelated talk. Genji is likely to read that as you refusing to help, and will plan his future actions under that assumption.
In terms of their impact on the story, I'm not going to say that one is better than the other, because that would defeat the point of running a quest based around votes. However I can provide a bit of context to help other people decide for themselves.
Ikoma Genji is making strong overtures of cooperation and possible alliance to you here. He's meeting you in person, demonstrating his wealth and connections, providing highly important and indeed somewhat confidential information and asking for your assistance.
Jaertin's vote engages with Genji, offering an opinion and suggesting you have an idea about how to help. This keeps the Ikoma talking, strengthens your ties with him and opens up the option of a covert alliance.
Bastur's vote holds ground and offers nothing, deflecting the Ikoma's overtures (what are your insights/I have no insights) and deliberately diverting the conversation into unrelated talk. Genji is likely to read that as you refusing to help, and will plan his future actions under that assumption.
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
[X] Jaertin
I see no reason to not work with the Ikoma for now, though situations can quickly change.
...speaking of which, we really need to make sure we establish a rapport with the heimin throughout the palace. I want my network of unseen informants, dammit!
I see no reason to not work with the Ikoma for now, though situations can quickly change.
...speaking of which, we really need to make sure we establish a rapport with the heimin throughout the palace. I want my network of unseen informants, dammit!
- Location
- London, England
Hmm. Your option could be read like that, yes.
This is why I prefer shorter votes but with an explanation attached - it is entirely possible that you will be aiming to convey one thing and I will just miss it, which could be problematic.
At least we have a juicy piece of info we can give to the Otomo. Information brokerage, go!
[X] Jaertin
Although I still say it could be just slightly less open and straightforward, as well a bit less submissive and enthusiastic to help. Less "I could look into them for you." and more "If I happen to notice something more (while I totally don't purposefully investigate them) I could tell you if so is desired."
Edit: If nothing else, the current vote kinda feels like it puts us on the Lion's "camp" so to speak, if it comes to a Crane vs Lion conflict in court.
Although I still say it could be just slightly less open and straightforward, as well a bit less submissive and enthusiastic to help. Less "I could look into them for you." and more "If I happen to notice something more (while I totally don't purposefully investigate them) I could tell you if so is desired."
Edit: If nothing else, the current vote kinda feels like it puts us on the Lion's "camp" so to speak, if it comes to a Crane vs Lion conflict in court.
We want Genji to think we are in his camp. That way he won't be prepared for our SUDDEN YET INEVITABLE betrayal! Mwahaha![X] Jaertin
Although I still say it could be just slightly less open and straightforward, as well a bit less submissive and enthusiastic to help. Less "I could look into them for you." and more "If I happen to notice something more (while I totally don't purposefully investigate them) I could tell you if so is desired."
Edit: If nothing else, the current vote kinda feels like it puts us on the Lion's "camp" so to speak, if it comes to a Crane vs Lion conflict in court.
Wade Garrett
Just trying to do the right thing
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
[X] Jaertin
Better to have Genji in the tent pissing out than vice versa.
Better to have Genji in the tent pissing out than vice versa.
But if we go at it too strongly it comes as rather suspicious, like Greeks bearing gifts.
We want to make it clear that we are willing to be an ally, or at least a common friend and intermediary between he Lion and the Crane, but also make it very clear that we are very much not their subordinate, even if for nothing else than to reassure them that we are in fact still a Scorpion and focused on what our own clan can get out of it. Remember, there's nothing more suspicious than a Scorpion that looks perfectly honorable and righteous, not even other Scorpions trust them. 
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Sudden but inevitable betrayal. The Scorpion did it first.
- Location
- Trapped in the Warp
[X] Jaertin
I kinda feel like this is exactly what we're here to do. At the very least the Lion would be in our debt, and if mysterious individuals are meddling with the Crane delegation the Crane might end up owing us for figuring it out and helping deal with it subtly.
Little do they know that our first betrayal was only part of our cunning plan to work our way into the graces of the enemy only to betray them in turn, destroying their works, sending their armies into chaos and thereby saving the Empire and rescuing the (attractive) Princess. Just as planned.
I kinda feel like this is exactly what we're here to do. At the very least the Lion would be in our debt, and if mysterious individuals are meddling with the Crane delegation the Crane might end up owing us for figuring it out and helping deal with it subtly.
Little do they know that our first betrayal was only part of our cunning plan to work our way into the graces of the enemy only to betray them in turn, destroying their works, sending their armies into chaos and thereby saving the Empire and rescuing the (attractive) Princess. Just as planned.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
She probably doesn't need rescuing.
Note: the Crane Clan Civil War is basically a non-thing, seeing as how it was sparked by minions of the Lying Darkness rewriting a significant missive in the aftermath of the Scorpion being banished.
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- Location
- Leeds
Hey do we know or at least have suspicions as to whether the Doji chan brought that crane who's in a family rivalry with the lions on orders or is further sabotaging the court?
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
You mean the Kakita Kenshinzen? That's possibly a factor, but the Kenshinzen are the greatest duelists among the Kakita, who are themselves considered to be the greatest duelists in the Empire. It's likelier that the primary reason to bring along the Kakita was so that she would have a talented yojimbo and peerless duelist on hand.