In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
Then as a trophy, or to prevent anyone else from having it, considering our suspicions that the assassination had something off about it.
Forensics need not be the only reason to have it.
The Guile and Twisty thinking for it is Scorpion. We would take it so that others can not have it, especially since it costs us almost nothing, and others may want it found, preferably in someones body that we prevented, but now not even the arrow will be left.
Also, we just cut off a arrow mid flight with a life on the line for that strike. That arrow is worth mounting or encasing in a frame (it makes for a nice trophy or symbolic gift), and be left as a heirloom even if we do not do anything investigative with it.
Plus it would be a good gift to Osomo eventually.
The point being that forensics or no a Scorpion would take it just because they can. It's the Scorpion thing to do. Waste not, Want not.
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mothematics
How wide is the concept of "you"?
- Location
- the bottom of a coffee cup
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It's a splintered arrow. I don't see any reason for Naoto to suddenly become aggressively sentimental and spent time he could use to be productive on picking up useless shards.
- Location
- Canada
Taking the arrow would probably reflect badly upon us. After an assassination attempt, a bodyguard's only thought should be to get his charge to safety. Taking a few seconds for something like that is a fairly shitty thing to do considering it might have been possible there was a second assassin.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[X] Speak to one of the yoriki(samurai assistants to the magistrate)
For the image if an honorable Scorpion we have portrayed so far, taking what's left of the arrow seems a bit off. Is like we put our personal pride of being able to deflect an arrow like this over protecting someone under our care.
For the image if an honorable Scorpion we have portrayed so far, taking what's left of the arrow seems a bit off. Is like we put our personal pride of being able to deflect an arrow like this over protecting someone under our care.
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
Could Yogo Hanzo summon the spirits of the kami in the arrow to find out some clues about the wannabe killer?
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
It wouldn't be much helpful, since the Empire has forbbiden the use of the kami or spiritual being's words as an acceptable proof to solve a crime a long time ago.
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
Does that matter though? It means the Scorpion know and it means we can act on it, legally or no.
Very big issue yeah. Pausing to grab the arrow bits is time you aren't spending to get your charge somewhere safe.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[X] Speak to one of the yoriki (samurai assistants to the magistrate)
Picking up the arrow *might* have given us a bit more information (specifically, poisoned or not). Compromising on Otomo-sama's immediate safety in a moment of obvious and serious threat *would* have damaged our reputation. Accept the win that we got and move on.
...and now we have *three* mysteries to work with. Huh.
Regardless, what we want more than anything else right now is some introduction into the Lion Magistrates - someone we can talk with. Once we have that, we can build it into learning what Pale Oak needs to know and poking into the uncle issue. This is the perfect time to get that.
Picking up the arrow *might* have given us a bit more information (specifically, poisoned or not). Compromising on Otomo-sama's immediate safety in a moment of obvious and serious threat *would* have damaged our reputation. Accept the win that we got and move on.
...and now we have *three* mysteries to work with. Huh.
Regardless, what we want more than anything else right now is some introduction into the Lion Magistrates - someone we can talk with. Once we have that, we can build it into learning what Pale Oak needs to know and poking into the uncle issue. This is the perfect time to get that.
- Location
- Leeds
They clearly thought this through. We're up against tactical masterminds..
- Location
- London, England
Ironically, it was the Scorpion who arranged to have it banned.
Of course, the way that they did it actually highlighted a genuine flaw in relying on spiritual testimony. Basically, the Scorpion were accused of murdering a Lion general, and the trial was brought before the Emperor himself. The Lion's Shugenja communed with the Kami and demonstrated that the spirits had seen the Scorpion assassinating their general, and thus the Scorpion were clearly guilty.
The Scorpion nodded, smiled and then produced the general in question, having in fact kidnapped him but otherwise inflicted no actual harm.
The simple fact of the matter is that the elemental Kami are not human. They do not think like humans, they do not communicate as humans do, and they do not perceive the world and the passage of time as humans do. Relying on them for a matter as intensely human-centric as the legal system is asking for trouble.
That said, Yogo Hanzo could totally communicate with the local spirits and provide some interesting leads. It's just that he wouldn't be able to provide evidence that could stand on its own.
Anyway, calling the vote there, and it appears you're going to go and speak with one of the yoriki. I'll look at getting that written up before too long.
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
So will it come up as a vote later? I'm aware that it's inadmissible evidence but it could lead us to evidence that is.
3.7 - Yoriki
- Location
- London, England
It would not do to wander too far, you conclude, for the summons from Ikoma Kairyu or the local magistrate may come at any time. Even so, that still leaves you with several options, and after a moment's thought you decide to see if you can speak with one of Kitsu Ami's yoriki. A settlement the size of Shiro Matsu might have half a dozen true magistrates, of which it sounds as though the Kitsu is the most senior, but so few samurai could never truly hope to impose law and order over so many other people. Thus, it has long been a tradition and eventually legal right for a magistrate to second other samurai to her own household, in order to assist in investigating crimes and confronting those responsible. You are unlikely to find a better source of information on the law than one who stands at the side of those who enforce it.
It does not take long to locate one possible source. There is a small desk set up in the corner of the compound, covered in scrolls and a detailed map of the local area. Studying it with careful intensity is a thin, almost cadaverous looking samurai who bears the mon of the Ikoma family upon his kimono. He looks up and then straightens as you approach.
"Soshi-sama." He says in a voice made dry and hoarse by too many years of frequent shouting. "I was hoping to speak with you. I am Ikoma Ganyu, yoriki to the magistrate Kitsu Ami."
You bow to him politely. "A pleasure to meet you, Ikoma-sama, and please - no such honorifics are necessary. I am but a humble bushi."
"A humble Bushi who saved my lord from a considerable degree of embarrassment." Ganyu replies dryly. "For that, you have in turn earned the right to refer to me as peer and not superior."
Embarrassment? Your mind flits through the possibilities for a moment before deducing the likely answer. If Otomo Kairyu had been murdered in the streets, it is likely that much shame would have fallen upon those whose job it is to keep the streets safe for guests to walk upon. That the attempt was made at all is doubtless something of an embarrassment, but there is much to be said for mitigating the problem through swift action, and as a result the local magistrates will probably be positively inclined to you for the moment. The trick is figuring out how far you can push that without causing their opinion to go sour.
"My thanks, Ikoma-san." You say smoothly, not allowing your thoughts to show on your face. "You said you were hoping to speak to me?"
"Hmm, yes. I would like to record your testimony about the incident, while the memory is fresh in your mind." Ganyu explains. "Would you be willing to provide such assistance?"
"Naturally." You reply, as is polite. "Where should I begin?"
For the next five or ten minutes, Ikoma Ganyu questions you most thoroughly about the brief encounter, asking questions about the assailants tactics and equipment that you do your best to answer. He takes few notes, only jotting down an errant word or phrase here and there, and you can only assume that his memory is sufficiently precise to make up for the reduced records. Eventually he concludes the brief interview and frowns to himself, staring at the map of Shiro Matsu laid out before him.
"As I suspected. Thank you, Soshi-san, you have been most helpful." He says thoughtfully. "As a Yojimbo, however temporary, you will doubtless be pleased to hear that this was almost certainly not an attack aimed at Otomo Kairyu-sama specifically. Rather, it was targeted at an agent of the Imperial Bureaucracy."
You raise one eyebrow in polite inquiry. "Forgiveness, Ikoma-san, but I would not normally expect a lone attacker to engage in what sounds like open rebellion."
"It is a lingering problem." Ikoma Ganyu grudgingly admits. "There was a great deal of social upheaval and confusion during the days leading up to the Second Day of Thunder. That created an environment in which certain lawless and dishonorable types could thrive. With the glorious ascension of Toturi-dono to the Emerald Throne, Imperial Law and stability is being reintroduced to the land once again. Some find this unwelcome, and seek to deliberately destabilize the process. We are hunting them down and purging them, of course, and I suspect that our operations were what made them desperate enough to try something of this magnitude."
He stops, as though surprised with himself for being so forthcoming.
You have the opportunity to try and steer the conversation in a particular direction here. Please decide what you will ask about.
[ ] Write in
It does not take long to locate one possible source. There is a small desk set up in the corner of the compound, covered in scrolls and a detailed map of the local area. Studying it with careful intensity is a thin, almost cadaverous looking samurai who bears the mon of the Ikoma family upon his kimono. He looks up and then straightens as you approach.
"Soshi-sama." He says in a voice made dry and hoarse by too many years of frequent shouting. "I was hoping to speak with you. I am Ikoma Ganyu, yoriki to the magistrate Kitsu Ami."
You bow to him politely. "A pleasure to meet you, Ikoma-sama, and please - no such honorifics are necessary. I am but a humble bushi."
"A humble Bushi who saved my lord from a considerable degree of embarrassment." Ganyu replies dryly. "For that, you have in turn earned the right to refer to me as peer and not superior."
Embarrassment? Your mind flits through the possibilities for a moment before deducing the likely answer. If Otomo Kairyu had been murdered in the streets, it is likely that much shame would have fallen upon those whose job it is to keep the streets safe for guests to walk upon. That the attempt was made at all is doubtless something of an embarrassment, but there is much to be said for mitigating the problem through swift action, and as a result the local magistrates will probably be positively inclined to you for the moment. The trick is figuring out how far you can push that without causing their opinion to go sour.
"My thanks, Ikoma-san." You say smoothly, not allowing your thoughts to show on your face. "You said you were hoping to speak to me?"
"Hmm, yes. I would like to record your testimony about the incident, while the memory is fresh in your mind." Ganyu explains. "Would you be willing to provide such assistance?"
"Naturally." You reply, as is polite. "Where should I begin?"
For the next five or ten minutes, Ikoma Ganyu questions you most thoroughly about the brief encounter, asking questions about the assailants tactics and equipment that you do your best to answer. He takes few notes, only jotting down an errant word or phrase here and there, and you can only assume that his memory is sufficiently precise to make up for the reduced records. Eventually he concludes the brief interview and frowns to himself, staring at the map of Shiro Matsu laid out before him.
"As I suspected. Thank you, Soshi-san, you have been most helpful." He says thoughtfully. "As a Yojimbo, however temporary, you will doubtless be pleased to hear that this was almost certainly not an attack aimed at Otomo Kairyu-sama specifically. Rather, it was targeted at an agent of the Imperial Bureaucracy."
You raise one eyebrow in polite inquiry. "Forgiveness, Ikoma-san, but I would not normally expect a lone attacker to engage in what sounds like open rebellion."
"It is a lingering problem." Ikoma Ganyu grudgingly admits. "There was a great deal of social upheaval and confusion during the days leading up to the Second Day of Thunder. That created an environment in which certain lawless and dishonorable types could thrive. With the glorious ascension of Toturi-dono to the Emerald Throne, Imperial Law and stability is being reintroduced to the land once again. Some find this unwelcome, and seek to deliberately destabilize the process. We are hunting them down and purging them, of course, and I suspect that our operations were what made them desperate enough to try something of this magnitude."
He stops, as though surprised with himself for being so forthcoming.
You have the opportunity to try and steer the conversation in a particular direction here. Please decide what you will ask about.
[ ] Write in
- Location
- Trapped in the Warp
Something like 'have these dissidents particularly active lately?' could be a neutral way to open that conversation, we could pass it off as being concerned that these individuals might try again.
I'm don't know if the local magistrate would be willing to talk about local crime with an outside samurai unless they may have some bearing on said samurai's duties. They don't know that we're only a bodyguard for a day and as a proper, dutiful fellow we should check up on all possible threats.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Obvious but only semi-useful: ask about what sorts of strategies they are likely to employ in the future. After all, you also have to walk Otomo-sama back home.
Also obvious, and not terribly useful in the moment, but might yield dividends in the future: see if you can make some on-the-spot lore checks to provide useful insight into this matter.
Segue to other topics: Say something appreciative and complimentary. Given the circumstances, this man could use a bit of appreciative and complimentary. then....
- Ask after the information for Pale Oak. Phrasing might be tricky here, if we want to not ruin their good opinion of us (and we most certainly do not), but should be doable. If Pale Oak is not in trouble, this has the most long-term utility, and is less risky
- Ask after the uncle. Pretend to be a visitor to the playhouse, who had heard that he had been taken through that route. Express surprise - you had not thought him disloyal. This is inherently riskier, but if Pale Oak has been taken, this is much more likely to put us in a position where we can do something about it. It may also be worthwhile if the man has little time left.
Speaking of which, @Maugan Ra, I have a lore request: What sorts of judicial punishments are there in Rokugan? If someone's been taken by the magistrates, accused of smuggling, how long does he generally have before something dire happens, and what would that dire thing be?
Also obvious, and not terribly useful in the moment, but might yield dividends in the future: see if you can make some on-the-spot lore checks to provide useful insight into this matter.
Segue to other topics: Say something appreciative and complimentary. Given the circumstances, this man could use a bit of appreciative and complimentary. then....
- Ask after the information for Pale Oak. Phrasing might be tricky here, if we want to not ruin their good opinion of us (and we most certainly do not), but should be doable. If Pale Oak is not in trouble, this has the most long-term utility, and is less risky
- Ask after the uncle. Pretend to be a visitor to the playhouse, who had heard that he had been taken through that route. Express surprise - you had not thought him disloyal. This is inherently riskier, but if Pale Oak has been taken, this is much more likely to put us in a position where we can do something about it. It may also be worthwhile if the man has little time left.
Speaking of which, @Maugan Ra, I have a lore request: What sorts of judicial punishments are there in Rokugan? If someone's been taken by the magistrates, accused of smuggling, how long does he generally have before something dire happens, and what would that dire thing be?
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- Location
- London, England
In the vast majority of cases, a criminal investigation in Rokugan is settled by a confession, whether it be written or verbal. To try and close a case without one is difficult, but permissible in the case of evident guilt or the death of the criminal in question.
Notably, a confession given under torture is entirely permissible, and magistrates will often resort to it in order to elicit a confession from a sufficiently stubborn suspect.
Smuggling is a serious crime - by avoiding taxes, one is essentially stealing from one's lord, and such conduct directly violates the celestial order. For a peasant to do so is even worse. There is considerable regional variation in what constitutes an appropriate punishment, but 'Public execution via boiling oil and the seizure of all assets' would not be unusual.
Thus, you have until they start torturing Strong Birch (the uncle), plus however long it takes him to crack, in order to fix things. How you do that depends on your exact objectives, as well as the specific details of the case.
Etiquette 6k3 = 25
You could actually clear the peasant's name relatively easily. You are a guest at Winter Court with ties to an Imperial functionary and who just saved the local magistrates from a potentially embarrassing situation. If you cited some reasonable evidence (you have a peasant retainer of your own who helps track everything that goes through the Pass) behind why you believed that the heimin wasn't smuggling and made a reasonably convincing case - which is to say, passed a Sincerity roll - you could probably get him released relatively easily. The magistrates are unlikely to be too concerned about the fate of a simple peasant.
The downside of such an approach is that everyone involved would know that you'd intervened to save the peasant for reasons of your own, and you are a Scorpion. There would probably be an increased degree of scrutiny on both him and you for a while as a result, as people try to figure out what you're really up to. This could potentially cause the peasant more trouble later down the line, after you've left.
...probably sucks less than 'boiled to death while your family watches', though.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Innnteresting.
So, yeah, I think we want to try to address the Strong Birch thing this visit - at least enough to stop the torture from starting. The question is how to do that at minimal social cost to ourselves. We can *almost* sell it as an expression of compassion as-is. That would be nearly free for us, but costly for the little wren that asked for our assistance, which would make this entire thing less than effective overall. The trick is to give them a story that is easily believable, but *doesn't* implicate her, or reflect too badly on us. The other trick is to manage that and the stuff that Pale Oak wanted without burning too much time - at some point, Otomo-sama is going to want to leave, and we'd better be ready to move right then. So... ideas for ways to justify it....
- Explain nothing. We're Scorpion. We're allowed to be mysterious. Of course, this will cause people to pry, and may raise suspicions
- Stumble into it innocently. Work it as if trying to establish more of a connection with this particular yoriki. Present some advantage to knowing you, and acknowledge some advantage to knowing them (like being able to smooth things out with your trade delegation). Suggest that perhaps you could see a play together at this playhouse you've heard of as a way of building ties (if this is the sort of thing that it's reasonable to do as a contact-building exercise). Wait until he says "Oh, but we just arrested one of their actors. That might not go so well". Inquire from that point. This is much less likely to cause suspicions, and lets us present "Honorable and Compassionate Scorpion" as an explanation at no additional cost, but depends on him actually knowing that the guy was recently arrested, and then mentioning it. On the bright side, if it doesn't work, it's very nearly cost-free (other than leaving Strong Birch twisting in the wind) as a solid contact among the Lion magistrates would actually be helpful. On the bright side, if he does go for it, and doesn't mention Strong Birch, we get a second chance to stumble into it innocently once we go to said performance. Work in the whole Scorpion theatre thing and a desire to see the dramatic performances by the other clans.
@Maugan Ra, could I have an etiquette check on whether something like this might be plausible to the point of not raising warning flags?
Defender of the little people. We pretty much straight-up say that we were asked by a concerned citizen. This is almost guaranteed to get our little wren in trouble, and is a bad idea.
Patron of the Arts. We pretend that we have some interest in the theater and already know of Strong Birch that way. Probably more believable if we actually visit the theater at least once before we try to pull it off.
Hmmm....
On the bright side, we're likely to have a *little* time. Otomo-sama has just been attacked by an assassin within the city itself. The magistrates suddenly have things going on that they care about far more than torturing a confession out of some smuggler currently sitting in the cells. They'll get back to him eventually, but he'll keep.
So, yeah, I think we want to try to address the Strong Birch thing this visit - at least enough to stop the torture from starting. The question is how to do that at minimal social cost to ourselves. We can *almost* sell it as an expression of compassion as-is. That would be nearly free for us, but costly for the little wren that asked for our assistance, which would make this entire thing less than effective overall. The trick is to give them a story that is easily believable, but *doesn't* implicate her, or reflect too badly on us. The other trick is to manage that and the stuff that Pale Oak wanted without burning too much time - at some point, Otomo-sama is going to want to leave, and we'd better be ready to move right then. So... ideas for ways to justify it....
- Explain nothing. We're Scorpion. We're allowed to be mysterious. Of course, this will cause people to pry, and may raise suspicions
- Stumble into it innocently. Work it as if trying to establish more of a connection with this particular yoriki. Present some advantage to knowing you, and acknowledge some advantage to knowing them (like being able to smooth things out with your trade delegation). Suggest that perhaps you could see a play together at this playhouse you've heard of as a way of building ties (if this is the sort of thing that it's reasonable to do as a contact-building exercise). Wait until he says "Oh, but we just arrested one of their actors. That might not go so well". Inquire from that point. This is much less likely to cause suspicions, and lets us present "Honorable and Compassionate Scorpion" as an explanation at no additional cost, but depends on him actually knowing that the guy was recently arrested, and then mentioning it. On the bright side, if it doesn't work, it's very nearly cost-free (other than leaving Strong Birch twisting in the wind) as a solid contact among the Lion magistrates would actually be helpful. On the bright side, if he does go for it, and doesn't mention Strong Birch, we get a second chance to stumble into it innocently once we go to said performance. Work in the whole Scorpion theatre thing and a desire to see the dramatic performances by the other clans.
@Maugan Ra, could I have an etiquette check on whether something like this might be plausible to the point of not raising warning flags?
Defender of the little people. We pretty much straight-up say that we were asked by a concerned citizen. This is almost guaranteed to get our little wren in trouble, and is a bad idea.
Patron of the Arts. We pretend that we have some interest in the theater and already know of Strong Birch that way. Probably more believable if we actually visit the theater at least once before we try to pull it off.
Hmmm....
On the bright side, we're likely to have a *little* time. Otomo-sama has just been attacked by an assassin within the city itself. The magistrates suddenly have things going on that they care about far more than torturing a confession out of some smuggler currently sitting in the cells. They'll get back to him eventually, but he'll keep.