Remove ads

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

Reader mode
My thought...
[x] "For now? I intend only a pleasant diversion for us both. Such things do sometimes grow into more, though, and Doji-sama has many fine qualities."

Playing this light is going to be easier to pull off than playing it serious, I think. Claiming that we are serious implies that we'll be investing a lot more heavily in it in measurable ways that will be hard to disentangle from. There's nothing *wrong* with being relatively light about such things, especially if you acknowledge it at the outset. It also opens the door for her to pursue us, if she wants to pull us in in a more serious fashion.

Not saying that this is the best answer, but I think it's at least viable. It keeps our options open, which I think is useful in this case.
 
Last edited:
On a serious note:

"It's something serious" is a bad answer, I think.

"Hello I am Naoto the Scorpion I have fallen in love with your charge I have met that one time".

Dadoji Chen:
"Seems legit."

At the same time, "Oh I'm just messing around with her"...firstly, I doubt her fanatically loyal bodyguard will be thrilled to hear that, secondly it kind of shoots down "Operation Get Matsu Ketsu Waifu: Step One, Seduce Doji Mariko".....ahem, I mean, paying court to Mariko is an avenue to solving the Crane Conundrum, if we admit we're just sowing our wild oats at Winter Court that kills that approach.
 
Hm. I don't think that Daidoji Chen is going to have is opinion of us lowered particularly if we say "it's just a fling". Why he's asking, though... Given that The Crane Situation is a Thing, there's a few options.

*He could be reading things a few different ways. I'm uncertain if anything has a single consequence.
*If we say "it's just a fling" then he could take that as "he might have an ulterior motive"; he might take it as "he's toying with her"; and he might take it as "have fun broski."
*If we say it's serious then, conversely, we immediately identify ourselves as potentially getting involved - that might make him try to discourage/monitor us.

It's kind of sticky all around and there's no real good pick between those two... so let's be impeccably honest in that useless way that we seem to be getting a reputation for.

[X] "Doji-sama is nothing put pleasant, and her company is a welcome diversion from the intensity of court. I mean only to enjoy her company, but what may happen may happen."

e-suddenly posts oh wow O.O @Sirrocco's is good too. Tear into this all y'all want.
 
[X] "For now? I intend only a pleasant diversion for us both. Such things do sometimes grow into more, though, and Doji-sama has many fine qualities."

Rook's is also good, but I prefer how Sirrocco worded his.

EDIT: Eh, it's one or the other.

[X] "To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no honourable samurai would." wait a moment. "Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well"
 
Last edited:
[Jk] Lose spaghetti.

[x] "For now? I intend only a pleasant diversion for us both. Such things do sometimes grow into more, though, and Doji-sama has many fine qualities."

Of course, we're Scorpion, love matches are an essential failure of Loyalty.
 
[x] "To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no honourable samurai would." wait a moment. "Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well"

Sirrocco's is fine. But I want to put out that we're open but we're waiting to get to know her better, and also implying that we don't want to be serious if she has a husband in the wings because you know that's kind of a dick move. It also shows we care more about her well being than getting into that fetching kimono of hers, so net benefit I think.

Snow viewing is watching the cold winter snows and enjoying it's artistic and spiritual connotations which seems a Crane-ish thing to do, and that's what I'm alluding to with enjoying the winter snow.
 
Night said:
Of course, we're Scorpion, love matches are an essential failure of Loyalty.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Choosing the love match over the match that you have been assigned is an essential failure of Loyalty... but learning to love your assigned match is not necessarily so, and arranging for the one you love to be worthy of your hand in the eyes of the clan can be plenty loyal - especially if he/she loves you as well and you can use that to influence their decisions in useful ways. Also, some people just get lucky. It's not many, it's true - but some.

Heck, Rokugan is funny. There's one story about the inhuman Chuda infiltrator from the Spider Clan (I believe she was a bog hag. They're good at taking on human seeming) who fell in love with the Samurai she'd been married to, while remaining loyal to Daigotsu.
 
Last edited:
Sirrocco said:
Heck, Rokugan is funny. There's one story about the inhuman Chuda infiltrator from the Spider Clan (I believe she was a bog hag. They're good at taking on human seeming) who fell in love with the Samurai she'd been married to, while remaining loyal to Daigotsu.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

She was actually human. Just tainted, though not lost.

Also, I'd argue manipulating the situation to make sure you get the person you want probably is failure of Loyalty, compared to manipulating it to make sure you get the best person for the Clan. The whole "not the best person for the Clan" is why it's considered a failure in the first place.
 
Sirrocco said:
Choosing the love match over the match that you have been assigned is an essential failure of Loyalty... but learning to love your assigned match is not necessarily so, and arranging for the one you love to be worthy of your hand in the eyes of the clan can be plenty loyal - especially if he/she loves you as well and you can use that to influence their decisions in useful ways. Also, some people just get lucky. It's not many, it's true - but some.

Heck, Rokugan is funny. There's one story about the inhuman Chuda infiltrator from the Spider Clan (I believe she was a bog hag. They're good at taking on human seeming) who fell in love with the Samurai she'd been married to, while remaining loyal to Daigotsu.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I believe that's Chuda Ruri, who interestingly enough also achieved enlightenment (and thus discovered that enlightened people with the Taint can't be harmed by Jade).
 
Night said:
Also, I'd argue manipulating the situation to make sure you get the person you want probably is failure of Loyalty, compared to manipulating it to make sure you get the best person for the Clan. The whole "not the best person for the Clan" is why it's considered a failure in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Being with person you love or at least like instead of somebody you force yourself to be with generally greatly improve performance except for "fool struck in love" cases. So unless some major alternative and person in question have at least something going for him/her it's almost always better to chose person you love.

People are not robots. They can chose bad choices for them out of duty, honor and loyalty but it would be forced and would affect performance without any conscious control of that.

And difference between person that gives his 100% and person that gives his 105% because he is fully on the path can be great at times.
 
Last edited:
[x] "To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no samurai would." wait a moment. "Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well."

Edited out the "honourable" bit. I think that word alone would put Chen on guard since we're Scorpion and therefore someone would think there's some ulterior motives.

Perhaps I'm seeing too much into the dialogue, but I don't want misunderstanding.
 
[x] "To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no samurai would." wait a moment. "Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well."
 
We are honourable though, like for a Scorpion at least so it's kind of highlighting we're one of the rare good ones but, I take your meaning.
 
My biggest complain is that I don't care for her (I liked the Yasuki :() and I feel that both votes are putting us close with her.

The difference been that in one we say that we may want something more, that is something that would still exist after the winter court and the other that we would want something for the wintercourt only.
 
[x] "For now? I intend only a pleasant diversion for us both. Such things do sometimes grow into more, though, and Doji-sama has many fine qualities."
 
[x] "To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no honourable samurai would." wait a moment. "Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well"​
 
Bastur2 said:
My biggest complain is that I don't care for her (I liked the Yasuki :() and I feel that both votes are putting us close with her.

The difference been that in one we say that we may want something more, that is something that would still exist after the winter court and the other that we would want something for the wintercourt only.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
okay... but the plan we are on basically included "hook up with Doji Mariko if Daidoji-san isn't opposed". We had a bit of arguing about "well, maybe we shouldn't be locking in so soon" but no one seemed to be offering strong arguments against the pick in and of itself. Right now, that's pretty much the path we're set on - as is reflected in the turn information (where we subtly inquire after his position, and he unsubtly responds).
 
Sirrocco said:
okay... but the plan we are on basically included "hook up with Doji Mariko if Daidoji-san isn't opposed". We had a bit of arguing about "well, maybe we shouldn't be locking in so soon" but no one seemed to be offering strong arguments against the pick in and of itself. Right now, that's pretty much the path we're set on - as is reflected in the turn information (where we subtly inquire after his position, and he unsubtly responds).
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
I know... and that's why I am keeping myself outside of this vote (if you remember, it was I that couldn't bring any strong argument beside that I would prefer the other one)

And my comments where more to show a difference in the degree of the commitment that both votes have.
 
Right, I'm back from my shift a bit early (turns out when you cram a hundred plus people into a poorly heated warehouse for prolonged periods, some of them get sick. Who would have thought?)

So I'll call the vote there, and ask someone else to total them up, possibly with the aid of that fancy program that I can't access.

Also, while I remember, I am going to continue my aborted policy of rewarding insightful commentary and the like with Free Raises. @Sirrocco, @Rook get them for consistently interesting commentary and theorizing, while @Wade Garrett gets one for actually making me laugh.

As always, if you wish to use them on a roll, simply note as such in your vote.
 
[x] For now? I intend only a pleasant diversion for us both. Such things do sometimes grow into more, though, and Doji-sama has many fine qualities.
No. of votes: 4
Sirrocco, Night, Dirtnap, Reklaw
[X] Doji-sama is nothing put pleasant, and her company is a welcome diversion from the intensity of court. I mean only to enjoy her company, but what may happen may happen.
No. of votes: 1
Rook
[X] To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no honourable samurai would. wait a moment. Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well
No. of votes: 2
A Nation's Virtue, gman391
[x] To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no samurai would. wait a moment. Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well.
No. of votes: 2
EtchedSteel, Broken25
[x] To a large degree that will depend on Doji-sama, she is a fine samurai, as charming as she is cunning. Yet to pursue anything more serious I will need to know more about her. I would not ask her to choose between her heart and duty, no honourable samurai would. wait a moment. Yet if I did not have to ask her to choose? Well I can see us enjoying the winter snow quite well
No. of votes: 1
Noctum

This was a bit finicky for me so if the vote count is a tad off please correct me.
Maugan Ra said:
Right, I'm back from my shift a bit early (turns out when you cram a hundred plus people into a poorly heated warehouse for prolonged periods, some of them get sick. Who would have thought?)

So I'll call the vote there, and ask someone else to total them up, possibly with the aid of that fancy program that I can't access.

Also, while I remember, I am going to continue my aborted policy of rewarding insightful commentary and the like with Free Raises. @Sirrocco, @Rook get them for consistently interesting commentary and theorizing, while @Wade Garrett gets one for actually making me laugh.

As always, if you wish to use them on a roll, simply note as such in your vote.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
My pleasure.
 
Remove ads
3.3 - A Wren's Request
  • Threadmarks
    • Conveniently, all of the votes actually tend towards the same general outcome, so I'll write with that in mind.

    -/-

    This is not a question to be answered lightly, for although Daidoji Chen is apparently not romantically involved with Doji Mariko, he is still her bodyguard and fellow Crane. The 'Iron Crane' are renowned for making problems to their Clan go away, whether that means via economic incentives or a battlefield assassination, so it would not do to give the impression that you could pose a threat to his charge. That would likely end... poorly.

    "To a large degree, that will depend on Doji-sama. She is a fine samurai - as charming as she is cunning." You say thoughtfully, though it occurs to you that not all samurai would be inclined to view comments on their cunning from a Scorpion in a positive light. "Any thought of pursuing something more serious would at the very least require that I learn more about her. One must tread delicately in matters such as this, for I would never wish to place her in a position where she must choose between her duty and her heart."

    "I feel confident that any true samurai would place their duty before mere personal concerns." Chen says in tones of quiet warning, and you nod in agreement.

    "Naturally. Still, it is better not to be placed in such a position to begin with, yes?" You wait for Chen to signal agreement, which he does with a grudging nod. "If such a conflict of interest could be avoided, however... I believe we might both enjoy the beauty of the winter snow."

    The Daidoji appears to consider this for a long moment, and you steadfastly refuse to tense up or otherwise behave in a way not befitting of your station. Eventually, he nods once more, and smiles slightly in understated approval.

    "Well, you seem to understand the potential risks, and I cannot ask for more." He allows, making another move on the Go board. "I might advise you to keep an eye on Sekawa-san, however."

    You pause, holding your own playing piece in your hand. "The Kakita duelist?"

    "Indeed. If I am not mistaken, he is quite smitten with his old childhood friend." Chen says, unashamedly enjoying himself. "I do hope you won't let something like that discourage you."

    -/-

    Later on in the evening, as you are returning to your quarters, you catch sight of one of the servants assigned to your wing acting rather oddly. It is the young woman that you asked about possible sources of entertainment in the town, and she is lurking in the door to a small side passageway near the entrance to your delegation's assigned quarters. When she sees you, she steps out and bows deeply to you.

    "Greetings, samurai-sama." She says, her voice quavering slightly. "Please forgive me for coming forwards like this, but I need help and do not know where else to turn."

    You study her, intrigued. It appears that your policy of being courteous towards the heimin might be paying off - everything about their reactions has indicated that your behaviour is quite different from that which they receive at the hands of their own lords, and now one of them is approaching you on her own initiative because of it. Silently, you gesture for her to continue, trying to remember her name - Wren, that was it.

    "It is... my uncle, samurai-sama." She says uncertainly. "The one who works at the Theater? He has been arrested by the magistrates. They will not tell me what for, but I am sure he is innocent - he is a loyal man, and has never broken a law in his life. Please, can you do something?"

    Respond
    - [ ] Write in
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top