In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)
[X] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand, and none of them suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then my sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
Good enough for me to be honest. We are unlikely to lose face for this.
Good enough for me to be honest. We are unlikely to lose face for this.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Slept on it, woke up, came up with a vote tweak that should hopefully deflect suspicion from our scribes, suggesting that it's familial sources, rather than personal sources.
[] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
[] Ask if perhaps he has a suggestion of somewhere else to go instead.
feedback and/or alternate write-ins still quite welcome. While @gman391 has certainly been helpful in hammering out some of the flaws, it would be nice to get some insight from people who weren't either of the two of us.
[] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
[] Ask if perhaps he has a suggestion of somewhere else to go instead.
feedback and/or alternate write-ins still quite welcome. While @gman391 has certainly been helpful in hammering out some of the flaws, it would be nice to get some insight from people who weren't either of the two of us.
- Location
- Spain
[X] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
Seems good to me.
Seems good to me.
Joyful_Overkill
satisfaction in knowing your enemy won't survive.
[X] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
[X] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
- Location
- Trapped in the Warp
[X] "Oh? That's surprising. The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand. I was given certain information before I came here and none of it suggested anything of the sort about the Five Arches. If he was indeed smuggling, then our sources were woefully uninformed, and I would like a chance to look into that. If he was not smuggling, then it would be a shame to... disrupt the management of such a fine theatre. Ikoma-san, would you be wiling to hold back on putting him to the question for a short while, as a favor to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything permanent happened."
I like this vote, but I do have two minor issues. The obvious thing here is that we owe this guy a favor for stalling in doing his duty. Should be minor, as the thing we're asking him to stall on isn't that important, but it's something to keep in mind for later. The other thing I'm concerned about with this one is that we're effectively stating that we have sources who are keeping an eye on the smugglers of this guys city. I'm not sure how that would go over, but I wouldn't think it would be good.
Instead of saying we have sources watching people smuggle stuff, maybe we could lean on our appreciation of theater and our family background of being magistrates? Something like
[ ]'My family has a history in law enforcement, and while I found myself on a different path, I do try to honor my ancestors by aiding their fellows when I can. I would be happy to look into this issue if you would hold back...'
I know it's not properly worded, but it could provide a possible explanation for why we're doing things beyond 'shady Scorpion is shady'.
I like this vote, but I do have two minor issues. The obvious thing here is that we owe this guy a favor for stalling in doing his duty. Should be minor, as the thing we're asking him to stall on isn't that important, but it's something to keep in mind for later. The other thing I'm concerned about with this one is that we're effectively stating that we have sources who are keeping an eye on the smugglers of this guys city. I'm not sure how that would go over, but I wouldn't think it would be good.
Instead of saying we have sources watching people smuggle stuff, maybe we could lean on our appreciation of theater and our family background of being magistrates? Something like
[ ]'My family has a history in law enforcement, and while I found myself on a different path, I do try to honor my ancestors by aiding their fellows when I can. I would be happy to look into this issue if you would hold back...'
I know it's not properly worded, but it could provide a possible explanation for why we're doing things beyond 'shady Scorpion is shady'.
3.9 - Discussing Hypotheticals
- Location
- London, England
You nod thoughtfully, seemingly considering the import of what Ikoma Ganyu has imparted to you. There is an art to steering a conversation, for one must be both charismatic or manipulative enough to control the flow of conversation while also being subtle enough to avoid anyone realizing what you are doing. Fortunately, the Ikoma is not a trained courtier, and likely has limited experience with people trying to do the sort of things you have been taught. The stage has therefore been set, and all that remains is to follow through.
"Oh? That is... surprising." You say slowly, as though weighing your options. "The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand, and I was given certain information before I came here. None of it mentioned the Five Arches Theater in any way."
Ikoma Ganyu frowns. "I'm not sure what you are implying here, Soshi-san. Unless you mean that your family is involved with the smuggling into and out of Shiro Matsu?"
They might very well be, come to think of it, but you're far too junior to be told about it if they were and not stupid enough to admit to it in any case. Instead, you sidestep the not-quite-accusation. "It is a facet of our magistrate's traditions and methodologies, Ikoma-san. We are patient hunters, tracking our prey back to the nest rather than slaying them as soon as we become aware of their existence." You say smoothly, remembering your parents explaining this very issue to you when you were younger.
"Ah. And of course, any smuggling through Beiden Pass would have to pass through both of our lands. I can see why you would keep tabs on such things." Ganyu says thoughtfully. He glances at you sharply. "Naturally, your family would have informed my superiors before taking any action against such a network."
Well, no, but a small lie in the interests of politeness won't hurt. "Naturally, Ikoma-san, which is why I am concerned. If he was smuggling, then our sources are woefully misinformed. I would like a chance to look into that." You shrug in what you hope is a disarming manner. "And if he is not smuggling, why, it seems a shame to disrupt the management of such a fine theater."
Ikoma Ganyu says nothing, merely studying you with a peculiar intensity. You would rather hope that he respond and give you an opening to present your request, but he does not seem inclined to do any such thing. Rather than allow an uncomfortable silence to build, you decide to take your chances and press on.
"Ikoma-san, would you be willing to hold back on putting him to the question, as a favour to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything, ah, permanent happened."
Courtier/Awareness 6k3 = 27
Ikoma Ganyu says nothing for a moment, before glancing down at one of the scrolls on his table. "Hmm. In truth, it is a low priority case at the moment, especially given recent events." He says thoughtfully. "My superiors are likely to assign resources to other cases before something so simple. I imagine you have, oh, two or three days?"
"That would be quite sufficient, Ikoma-san." You say gratefully, aware that propriety prevents him from actually admitting to changing the schedule on your request. He will likely want recompense for this at some point, or else will count it against the good name you have been building with the Lion thus far, but that can be addressed at a later date.
Before you can say anything else, the door to the magistrates office opens and a servant emerges to pass on a message. You are summoned to Otomo Kairyu's side.
-/-
You find the Otomo and the magistrate he is here to see seated across a low table from one another, each seemingly enjoying a cup of gently steaming tea. Except while Otomo Kairyu may be composed, Kitsu Ami has a certain set to her shoulders and a look in her eyes which speak of mounting irritation and stress. You note the absence of a katana and the satchel full of scrolls resting not too far from her side - the magistrate is a Shugenja, then. An unusual occupation for a priest of the Kami, but not an impossible one.
"Ah, Soshi-san, good." Otomo Kairyu says cheerfully. "I was hoping to get a second opinion of sorts. Your response to a hypothetical situation, to be precise."
"Of course, Otomo-sama." You say warily, knowing that there is more to this than meets the eye but unsure where precisely he is going with it. "Might I ask the details of the situation?"
"You are confronted with a vexing conundrum, Soshi-san. A mounting pile of evidence seems to indicate that there is an organized and directed effort to undermine law and order in a city you are sworn to manage." The Otomo says, and it does not escape you how the magistrate's fingers tense slightly around her cup of tea. "There is never any direct evidence of collaboration, and all of the perpetrators - a mix of heimin and eta - believe they are acting independently, but the simple matter of timing and unconscious coordination makes that unlikely. Your lord has commanded you resolve the issue with all possible haste. How, then, do you proceed?"
Respond
[ ] Write in
"Oh? That is... surprising." You say slowly, as though weighing your options. "The Soshi family... we have sources, you understand, and I was given certain information before I came here. None of it mentioned the Five Arches Theater in any way."
Ikoma Ganyu frowns. "I'm not sure what you are implying here, Soshi-san. Unless you mean that your family is involved with the smuggling into and out of Shiro Matsu?"
They might very well be, come to think of it, but you're far too junior to be told about it if they were and not stupid enough to admit to it in any case. Instead, you sidestep the not-quite-accusation. "It is a facet of our magistrate's traditions and methodologies, Ikoma-san. We are patient hunters, tracking our prey back to the nest rather than slaying them as soon as we become aware of their existence." You say smoothly, remembering your parents explaining this very issue to you when you were younger.
"Ah. And of course, any smuggling through Beiden Pass would have to pass through both of our lands. I can see why you would keep tabs on such things." Ganyu says thoughtfully. He glances at you sharply. "Naturally, your family would have informed my superiors before taking any action against such a network."
Well, no, but a small lie in the interests of politeness won't hurt. "Naturally, Ikoma-san, which is why I am concerned. If he was smuggling, then our sources are woefully misinformed. I would like a chance to look into that." You shrug in what you hope is a disarming manner. "And if he is not smuggling, why, it seems a shame to disrupt the management of such a fine theater."
Ikoma Ganyu says nothing, merely studying you with a peculiar intensity. You would rather hope that he respond and give you an opening to present your request, but he does not seem inclined to do any such thing. Rather than allow an uncomfortable silence to build, you decide to take your chances and press on.
"Ikoma-san, would you be willing to hold back on putting him to the question, as a favour to me? I would like a chance to look into this before anything, ah, permanent happened."
Courtier/Awareness 6k3 = 27
Ikoma Ganyu says nothing for a moment, before glancing down at one of the scrolls on his table. "Hmm. In truth, it is a low priority case at the moment, especially given recent events." He says thoughtfully. "My superiors are likely to assign resources to other cases before something so simple. I imagine you have, oh, two or three days?"
"That would be quite sufficient, Ikoma-san." You say gratefully, aware that propriety prevents him from actually admitting to changing the schedule on your request. He will likely want recompense for this at some point, or else will count it against the good name you have been building with the Lion thus far, but that can be addressed at a later date.
Before you can say anything else, the door to the magistrates office opens and a servant emerges to pass on a message. You are summoned to Otomo Kairyu's side.
-/-
You find the Otomo and the magistrate he is here to see seated across a low table from one another, each seemingly enjoying a cup of gently steaming tea. Except while Otomo Kairyu may be composed, Kitsu Ami has a certain set to her shoulders and a look in her eyes which speak of mounting irritation and stress. You note the absence of a katana and the satchel full of scrolls resting not too far from her side - the magistrate is a Shugenja, then. An unusual occupation for a priest of the Kami, but not an impossible one.
"Ah, Soshi-san, good." Otomo Kairyu says cheerfully. "I was hoping to get a second opinion of sorts. Your response to a hypothetical situation, to be precise."
"Of course, Otomo-sama." You say warily, knowing that there is more to this than meets the eye but unsure where precisely he is going with it. "Might I ask the details of the situation?"
"You are confronted with a vexing conundrum, Soshi-san. A mounting pile of evidence seems to indicate that there is an organized and directed effort to undermine law and order in a city you are sworn to manage." The Otomo says, and it does not escape you how the magistrate's fingers tense slightly around her cup of tea. "There is never any direct evidence of collaboration, and all of the perpetrators - a mix of heimin and eta - believe they are acting independently, but the simple matter of timing and unconscious coordination makes that unlikely. Your lord has commanded you resolve the issue with all possible haste. How, then, do you proceed?"
Respond
[ ] Write in
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Whoof. okay. We made it through that hurdle. A bit costly, but nothing that we can't make up with later effort. On to the next!
This has... all *sorts* of implications, many of which we cannot currently grasp.
What can we know?
- This hypothetical is pretty clearly about the magistrate herself.
- Otomo-sama does not approve of the way she's handled the situation thus far.
- We're highly intelligent, with an understanding of the techniques of the Soshi magistrate school. Appearance-wise, however, we're this random Scorpion Bushi who he happened to grab as his yojimbo for the walk over. As a ahugenja, she herself is highly unlikely to have been trained in the Ikoma magistrate school.
- We're being brought in as a ringer. He's dropping us this question out of nowhere, with no prep time, with the expectation that the answer we come up with off the top of our heads will be clearly better than whatever it is that she's been doing, in an attempt to shame her.
- By extension, if we cannot manage this task, he'll think less of us. Of course, this is also a bit of a trap - if we do show her up, she'll resent it, and we're a much more vulnerable target than Otomo-sama. Also, for our own purposes we'd rather not have the magistrates angry at us.
Hypothesis and supposition...
- The Lion have just been playing whack-a-mole - extracting a confession from each heimen or eta as they are foudn and punishing them. It's ind of how the Lion do things. It's also woefully inadequate for handling the situation as described.
- There is a very real possibility that Otomo-sama is pitting us against them deliberately. The Scorpion have been gettign surprisingly chummy with the Lion at this particular Winter Court, and that's not necessarily in Otomo-sama's best interests. Having their chief magistrate pissed at us would put some roadblocks in our way.
eh... out for now. Will likely put more in later. Other people's thoughts?
This has... all *sorts* of implications, many of which we cannot currently grasp.
What can we know?
- This hypothetical is pretty clearly about the magistrate herself.
- Otomo-sama does not approve of the way she's handled the situation thus far.
- We're highly intelligent, with an understanding of the techniques of the Soshi magistrate school. Appearance-wise, however, we're this random Scorpion Bushi who he happened to grab as his yojimbo for the walk over. As a ahugenja, she herself is highly unlikely to have been trained in the Ikoma magistrate school.
- We're being brought in as a ringer. He's dropping us this question out of nowhere, with no prep time, with the expectation that the answer we come up with off the top of our heads will be clearly better than whatever it is that she's been doing, in an attempt to shame her.
- By extension, if we cannot manage this task, he'll think less of us. Of course, this is also a bit of a trap - if we do show her up, she'll resent it, and we're a much more vulnerable target than Otomo-sama. Also, for our own purposes we'd rather not have the magistrates angry at us.
Hypothesis and supposition...
- The Lion have just been playing whack-a-mole - extracting a confession from each heimen or eta as they are foudn and punishing them. It's ind of how the Lion do things. It's also woefully inadequate for handling the situation as described.
- There is a very real possibility that Otomo-sama is pitting us against them deliberately. The Scorpion have been gettign surprisingly chummy with the Lion at this particular Winter Court, and that's not necessarily in Otomo-sama's best interests. Having their chief magistrate pissed at us would put some roadblocks in our way.
eh... out for now. Will likely put more in later. Other people's thoughts?
- Pronouns
- They/Them
If all of the perps believe they are acting on their own, and aren't just saying that, then it's clearly some magic woo-woo bullshit of some kind, though I don't know enough about the setting to figure out what kind of magical thing it is.
Part of the answer clearly has to be to aim for the common factors.
Ask certain questions.
Do the eta and heimen share anything in common? Do they live in the same area, have they been seen visiting the same bar or shrine or anything else?
Find commonalities, because if it's not random, there's going to be a link.
Part of the answer clearly has to be to aim for the common factors.
Ask certain questions.
Do the eta and heimen share anything in common? Do they live in the same area, have they been seen visiting the same bar or shrine or anything else?
Find commonalities, because if it's not random, there's going to be a link.
- Location
- Canada
Not necessarily magic woo-woo. Could just be someone good at stirring people's passions while appearing innocent. Planting subtle hints, and letting them come up with the idea to attack "on their own" as it were. Would take a fair bit of skill though.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
And even if that's so, they'd have to have a common point. Unless the person is literally a random bum, they'd need a place to find people from and then trick them into things, as a predator needs an area of good hunting ground.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
...and if they are a random bum, then "I talk with this random bum from time to time" is going to be a point of commonality.
Probably also worth checking with the shugenja in case it *is* some sort of supernatural effect.
- Location
- Canada
If the perpetrators thought that they were acting independently, why would something like "I talk to this random bum" or even "I frequent taven X" come up in the interrogation? It wouldn't seem like relevent information to the interrogators, so they won't ask. And it won't be mentioned by the perpetrators because it's not relevant, and it's not asked of them. If the lion's investigation skills are as bad as people seem to be saying they are, it's entirely possible that they missed a connection like that.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Ah... but he's asking what we would do, if we were running the investigation - and if we were running the investigation, we'd have at elast somewhat better of an idea of what questions to ask.
Thing is, showing up the Lion is easy-mode. It's just following the script that Otomo-sama has laid down for us. the trickier technique is to do so without acquiring the enmity of the Lion Clan head magistrate. That's where we need to focus our efforts.
I personally have one idea for a plan, but I don't really like it - and people have shown a tendency to sometimes vote for my plans even when I'm putting them out there as RFCs rather than actual plans. I'd be intereted to hear what other people think on this one first.
Thing is, showing up the Lion is easy-mode. It's just following the script that Otomo-sama has laid down for us. the trickier technique is to do so without acquiring the enmity of the Lion Clan head magistrate. That's where we need to focus our efforts.
I personally have one idea for a plan, but I don't really like it - and people have shown a tendency to sometimes vote for my plans even when I'm putting them out there as RFCs rather than actual plans. I'd be intereted to hear what other people think on this one first.
A Nation's Virtue
南國山河南帝居
The only thing I can really offer is interrogate them all extensively on where they went, who they spoke to, grill them for any inconsistencies, and then see if we can find a common pattern between them.
Otherwise I'm largely at a loss at how to proceed.
Otherwise I'm largely at a loss at how to proceed.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Maugan Ra has already given the answer to this question. What we want is to reference the "patient hunter" methodologies our parents spoke of and try to frame it as being derived from a military stratagem with a Lore/History roll (to help the frame of reference for a Lion).
I do like the suggestions to find points of commonality amongst the people though.
I do like the suggestions to find points of commonality amongst the people though.
- Location
- Leeds
So basically we're looking for a way to say that we'd look for things shared between the suspects in search of an instigator and to then arrest them and get the identity of all the supporters that way, without insulting the magistrate.
Also a way to make us look awesome
Damn our mutually contradictory goals.
Off hand something like:
[] "As a purely hypothetical situation Otomo-sama?" A pause.
"I would set a trap, something valuable enough that you would not trust it to an intermediary, something you would go after yourself. If there was a co-ordinator they would come themselves or send someone who knows them that could be captured. From there it is easy enough to follow the trail. Like one would lay a snare for a troublesome beast."
"Even if you don't get the co-ordinator, you will still have some idiots who try and rid the world of them. Of course, to set such a trap one would of course look very carefully at the commonalities of the acts and actors to figure out what this goal of the co-ordinator is. Working against Imperial law is not an act done lightly, particularly in the stronghold of one of the honourable Lion. Ergo there is a purpose to this. Depending on the commonalities, it could be to undermine the Matsu, the Imperial government or revenge for an offence in the past. Or..." derisive shudder "Profit"
Damn Merchants they ruined Scotland...wait what's a Scotland?
Damn our mutually contradictory goals.
Off hand something like:
[] "As a purely hypothetical situation Otomo-sama?" A pause.
"I would set a trap, something valuable enough that you would not trust it to an intermediary, something you would go after yourself. If there was a co-ordinator they would come themselves or send someone who knows them that could be captured. From there it is easy enough to follow the trail. Like one would lay a snare for a troublesome beast."
"Even if you don't get the co-ordinator, you will still have some idiots who try and rid the world of them. Of course, to set such a trap one would of course look very carefully at the commonalities of the acts and actors to figure out what this goal of the co-ordinator is. Working against Imperial law is not an act done lightly, particularly in the stronghold of one of the honourable Lion. Ergo there is a purpose to this. Depending on the commonalities, it could be to undermine the Matsu, the Imperial government or revenge for an offence in the past. Or..." derisive shudder "Profit"
Damn Merchants they ruined Scotland...wait what's a Scotland?
Would it help if we made a reference to a potentially supernatural effect, but immediately conceded that the Kitsu would no doubt already have thought of such a possibility and no doubt be much more qualified to make any judgments in that regard? Basically concede that she's definitely our better in that regard?
Given the somewhat screwy nature of the Rokugan justice system, how certain can we be that the perpetrators that are interrogated are the actual perpetrators?
If a notable amount of the people being tortured into confessing are not actually involved, it'd be kind of hard to link them to each other.
If a notable amount of the people being tortured into confessing are not actually involved, it'd be kind of hard to link them to each other.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
If she has not, in fact, done this thing? Suggesting that it was so blatantly obvious that one could assume it had been done would make it worse. Also, we don't want to acknowledge the blatantly non-hypothetical nature of this question. That, too would only make things worse.
I have had a few thoughts more.
- First - a lot depends on circumstances. In particular, what resources you have available. Obviously, "follow them back to their lair" is the obvious choice, in any of the wide variety of ways you might seek to do that. On the other hand, if all you have to work with are Lion magistrates... that's not the sort of thing they themselves are particularly good at doing. It inherently involves compromises on points of honor and sneaking around and such.
- At this point in Rokugan's history, the Scorpion have gotten official recognition by the Emperor as the Emperor's Under Hand. Dealing with stuff like this is literally what our Clan is for, as far as the empire is concerned. As such, we might be able to pull off some sort of "Given a force composed of Lion? I would ask the Scorpion for help, if I could. Diplomatic concerns might make that impossible, but if the relations were warm enough, I would absolutley go to the Emperor-acknowledged subject matter experts on rooting out conspiracies."
Basically, the thought is to give the correct answer, but spin it in a way that gives the magistrate some sort of an honorable out, while also suggesting that she come to us for help. The key here is pointing out (subtly) that we are not, in fact, some random bushi off the street, and that we do have a decent block of subject matter expertise. With a bit of finagling, we can even manage to fit in both "I come from a long like of magistrates, and have heard of these techniques" and "I personally do not *know* how to pull some of this stuff off correctly", to both suggest why we'd have thought of it when the magistrate might not have and trying not to volunteer ourselves for the job as the nearest representative of the Scorpion (we have enough to do as it is).
Not saying that this is the best plan out there. In particular, I haven't chased it all the way out as far as implications for either Otomo-sama or the magistrate, but it is a plausible position to take that manages to save some face for said magistrate while also letting us answer the question to the best of our ability.
Point, though I still think we should acknowledge her being a Shugenja in some way. I figure it's a somewhat easy way for her to save face, since we could spin it so that differences in approach might come from our differences in abilities, as opposed to her being inept at her job, and/or that she'll always have options available that we or some other magistrates wouldn't. That sort of thing.
Makes sense, though perhaps phrase things a bit broader, or give some alternative options that don't immediately scream "ask me for help"?
Also, we might want to simply acknowledge the difficulty of such a task/question. A sort of additional padding against any damage we might accidentally inflict on her.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
The way I see it, the "you should totally go ask my Clan for help" is part of the point. It's accurate, but also somewhat self-serving. The obvious self-interest is there partially to take a bit of the edge off. It's also an important part of tying in the "Emperor's Under Hand" thing. It's not that the Lion are specifically terrible at this (they are, but we don't want to say that) it's that the Scorpion are particularly good at it.