Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)
- Status
cokerpilot
Here comes the rain.
Do we have time to aquire our spear?
Sirrocco
Pedantic
You might ask if he has one to lend if you want, but time is ticking.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[X] Offer your services.
Winged Knight
Still just a crazy man with a wolf on his head
- Location
- Texas
[X] Offer your services.
Arc I: Enter the Crow
--Offer your services.
In the end, there's really no question. Your grandmother would never forgive you for ignoring a Crane in need, even if they don't like you very much. With that in mind, you have to offer your services.
"Kakita-sama, can I help?" you ask.
Toshiro looks you over for a long moment.
"Hai...but you were here about your soul, neh?"
"...Yes..." you answer reluctantly.
He steps into the forge and comes out tossing an odd looking weapon at you.
"This is a paranagu, it's basically what she usually gives ronin. It's not a real weapon, and it can only take so much damage, but it'll work for now. I hope you're as skilled as you think you are, because I'm not protecting you."
You catch the paranagu by the hilt and give it a few experimental swings. It's not well balanced, but you think you can make it work.
Toshiro nods and runs out of the house. You find yourself having to work to keep up with him.
"So, where are we going?" You ask
"Crows Rest sake bar is their main base. I'm going to kick in the door and demand answers."
"...Well that's direct."
"Have you ever been in love Megumi-san?"
You blush thinking of him, of Hida Katsuie...
"Er...yes...."
"Then you know that you will do everything and anything for the one you love."
There isn't much you can say to that, so you follow him through the Wards.
Senbonzakura...is not a nice place, while you can see how people come here, there is a hunger in the air. A desperation for any source of solace, of relief. This is where lost souls go to live, and die, you realize. It makes total sense to you that an outlaw gumi would take up residence here and bribe a magistrate. It's almost like the spirit of the Ward wants that.
You eventually stop just outside a three story building with a hanging crow in front of it on the sign...cheery.
"So, what are we---"
Toshiro chops off the guard's head. Well, that answers that.
You ready yourself to fight, even as the alarm is sounded and a large group of ronin with that crow symbol on their backs pile out of the building.
They draw their weapons.
Time to fight.
Swords fly towards your face and you dodge between blows.
In your hands, the parangu swings wide and catches the crow feathered man in the neck.
You are fighting for your life.
There is no motion wasted, nothing but the cut.
Dodge
Swing up, swing down, blood flows across the street in the daylight.
So many of them.
Your hands grip your weapon as you move through them it's ill balanced, heavy but it's a blade, and you know what to do.
Swing left, swing right, limbs fly to the side.
Toshiro takes twin blows to his body but fights through them. His katana flashing crimson in the light.
No time to think, no time to do anything but act.
The paranagu comes at you and you know you have no room to dodge, taking that as an invitation, you push forward and catch her arm on your shoulder before stabbing up into the ronin's gut.
Toshiro's slowing down, and you know you can't let him fall, not now. So you charge right into the mass of remaining gangsters with renewed fury.
How many times did you swing the ill fitting machete? How many times did you let some poor soul explain to the Lords what their problem was?
More than one, that's for sure, as your machete literally snaps in half from taking too many heads. It was a weak thing not meant for real combat but it had served its purpose.
Breathing hard, you look yourself over, they had only pressed in once to seriously get in with blades. The feeling of blood dripping down your arms to the battered hilt isn't entirely that of your enemies - more than a bit of it is your own.
Toshiro seems to be the worse for wear himself.
"...Well we kicked in the front door at least..."
"And that's the last you'll be doing." A reedy voice trying to be solid calls out.
"Asako Masakoto..." Toshiro says turning around.
You turn around, standing there is a tall Phoenix samurai, with somewhat beady eyes and a harshly angular face, around his neck he wears a scarf. You note that his daisho hasn't been used in some time.
That's probably because of the twenty yoriki with him. They look tough, stronger than that goons you just tore through.
"Asako-sama to you, lout." Masakoto snaps.
Toshiro's fingers go white holding his katana.
"Why are you here?" Toshiro asks.
Making a great show of getting himself under control, Masakoto answers.
"Really Kakita-san, did you think you could just assault the premises of a legitimate business owner in broad daylight and get away with it?"
You can literally feel the rage radiating off of Toshiro.
"Legitimate...they kidnapped my wife!"
Masakoto raises a thin eyebrow.
"Really, because I have a sworn affidavit from twenty witnesses who say your wife went willingly, perhaps she was bored at home?"
If looks could kill, well there probably wouldn't be anyone left, but Masakoto would be dead three times over, for sure.
"Why you...." Toshiro says, barely holding himself back.
Masakato waves a hand.
"Go home Kakita-san, if your wife is kidnapped, I'll look into it. If not well I'm sure she'll tell you in a few days."
Shaking his head, your Crane friend raises his voice angrily.
"Asako-sama, you have toyed with me too many times for me to let this slide. If you mean to arrest me, then I demand a trial by duel. If not, get out of my way."
The Asako gives a somewhat coy look.
"Oh well, that might be bad...but on the other hand your friend here, she can just be executed regardless right?"
Toshiro seems torn between selling you out so he can keep going for his wife and knowing that isn't right.
[] What do?
(Megumi is currently grazed and has two void points left)
In the end, there's really no question. Your grandmother would never forgive you for ignoring a Crane in need, even if they don't like you very much. With that in mind, you have to offer your services.
"Kakita-sama, can I help?" you ask.
Toshiro looks you over for a long moment.
"Hai...but you were here about your soul, neh?"
"...Yes..." you answer reluctantly.
He steps into the forge and comes out tossing an odd looking weapon at you.
"This is a paranagu, it's basically what she usually gives ronin. It's not a real weapon, and it can only take so much damage, but it'll work for now. I hope you're as skilled as you think you are, because I'm not protecting you."
You catch the paranagu by the hilt and give it a few experimental swings. It's not well balanced, but you think you can make it work.
Toshiro nods and runs out of the house. You find yourself having to work to keep up with him.
"So, where are we going?" You ask
"Crows Rest sake bar is their main base. I'm going to kick in the door and demand answers."
"...Well that's direct."
"Have you ever been in love Megumi-san?"
You blush thinking of him, of Hida Katsuie...
"Er...yes...."
"Then you know that you will do everything and anything for the one you love."
There isn't much you can say to that, so you follow him through the Wards.
Senbonzakura...is not a nice place, while you can see how people come here, there is a hunger in the air. A desperation for any source of solace, of relief. This is where lost souls go to live, and die, you realize. It makes total sense to you that an outlaw gumi would take up residence here and bribe a magistrate. It's almost like the spirit of the Ward wants that.
You eventually stop just outside a three story building with a hanging crow in front of it on the sign...cheery.
"So, what are we---"
Toshiro chops off the guard's head. Well, that answers that.
You ready yourself to fight, even as the alarm is sounded and a large group of ronin with that crow symbol on their backs pile out of the building.
They draw their weapons.
Time to fight.
Swords fly towards your face and you dodge between blows.
In your hands, the parangu swings wide and catches the crow feathered man in the neck.
You are fighting for your life.
There is no motion wasted, nothing but the cut.
Dodge
Swing up, swing down, blood flows across the street in the daylight.
So many of them.
Your hands grip your weapon as you move through them it's ill balanced, heavy but it's a blade, and you know what to do.
Swing left, swing right, limbs fly to the side.
Toshiro takes twin blows to his body but fights through them. His katana flashing crimson in the light.
No time to think, no time to do anything but act.
The paranagu comes at you and you know you have no room to dodge, taking that as an invitation, you push forward and catch her arm on your shoulder before stabbing up into the ronin's gut.
Toshiro's slowing down, and you know you can't let him fall, not now. So you charge right into the mass of remaining gangsters with renewed fury.
How many times did you swing the ill fitting machete? How many times did you let some poor soul explain to the Lords what their problem was?
More than one, that's for sure, as your machete literally snaps in half from taking too many heads. It was a weak thing not meant for real combat but it had served its purpose.
Breathing hard, you look yourself over, they had only pressed in once to seriously get in with blades. The feeling of blood dripping down your arms to the battered hilt isn't entirely that of your enemies - more than a bit of it is your own.
Toshiro seems to be the worse for wear himself.
"...Well we kicked in the front door at least..."
"And that's the last you'll be doing." A reedy voice trying to be solid calls out.
"Asako Masakoto..." Toshiro says turning around.
You turn around, standing there is a tall Phoenix samurai, with somewhat beady eyes and a harshly angular face, around his neck he wears a scarf. You note that his daisho hasn't been used in some time.
That's probably because of the twenty yoriki with him. They look tough, stronger than that goons you just tore through.
"Asako-sama to you, lout." Masakoto snaps.
Toshiro's fingers go white holding his katana.
"Why are you here?" Toshiro asks.
Making a great show of getting himself under control, Masakoto answers.
"Really Kakita-san, did you think you could just assault the premises of a legitimate business owner in broad daylight and get away with it?"
You can literally feel the rage radiating off of Toshiro.
"Legitimate...they kidnapped my wife!"
Masakoto raises a thin eyebrow.
"Really, because I have a sworn affidavit from twenty witnesses who say your wife went willingly, perhaps she was bored at home?"
If looks could kill, well there probably wouldn't be anyone left, but Masakoto would be dead three times over, for sure.
"Why you...." Toshiro says, barely holding himself back.
Masakato waves a hand.
"Go home Kakita-san, if your wife is kidnapped, I'll look into it. If not well I'm sure she'll tell you in a few days."
Shaking his head, your Crane friend raises his voice angrily.
"Asako-sama, you have toyed with me too many times for me to let this slide. If you mean to arrest me, then I demand a trial by duel. If not, get out of my way."
The Asako gives a somewhat coy look.
"Oh well, that might be bad...but on the other hand your friend here, she can just be executed regardless right?"
Toshiro seems torn between selling you out so he can keep going for his wife and knowing that isn't right.
[] What do?
(Megumi is currently grazed and has two void points left)
- Location
- Connecticut
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] OBJECTION!
-[X] "Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one."
EDITed to include Sirrocco's contribution.
You actually saw them carrying his wife over their shoulder in a bag - well, what else could it have been. Toshiro is badly wounded, you aren't. You can be the one to duel for the truth.
-[X] "Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one."
EDITed to include Sirrocco's contribution.
You actually saw them carrying his wife over their shoulder in a bag - well, what else could it have been. Toshiro is badly wounded, you aren't. You can be the one to duel for the truth.
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
So, we're going with the "carve a bloody swath through them" plan?
[X] OBJECTION!
-[X] "Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one."
As a ronin, we might not have the standing to avoid being summarily executed by Asako-sama. We absolutely have the standing to offer vile insult to a bunch of thus-far-nameless perjurers.
[X] OBJECTION!
-[X] "Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one."
As a ronin, we might not have the standing to avoid being summarily executed by Asako-sama. We absolutely have the standing to offer vile insult to a bunch of thus-far-nameless perjurers.
- Location
- Connecticut
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Better to die honorably than to be executed in shame! If that means we have to do iaijutsu with a wakizashi, so be it.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
I *think* that's you agreeing with me, but I can't quite tell. I mean, we'd have to do iajutsu with a wakizashi under your plan as well, as I read it. The difference with my plan is that we probably won't run afoul of standing issues, there's a lot more people on the list, there's a good chance that some/most/all of them will back down and face dishonor rather than dying to the ex-Kakita murdermachine, and they're probably not as good at such things individually.
Hmmm. Kaiu-sama probably won't be all that happy with us if/when she finds out, though.
Kaiu: "No. You'll just use it to kill."
Kaiu: "Huh. Better reason than most. Still no. Made an Oath."
**** Next Day ****
Asako: You just killed a bunch of people. Why shouldn't I have you executed?
I mean... it's the *next* *day*.
On the other hand, this is Absolutely the Lion-Approved plan.
barenhart
Gender-sensitive. Female. Trans.
- Location
- Seattle, WA (Alki)
[X] "Asako-sama... perhaps Kakita-sama here could speak with the 20 samurai that were available in the few hours since this group of thugs and ruffians left his residence with his wife to clear this up? Or.... perhaps you were Kitsuki-trained and this is... what do they call it... evidence? I am sorry, it confuses me, to take the word of rabble over the word of a samurai such as yourself or himself.
As for execution... again, I am confused. I merely thought it my duty to side with a single samurai over these... criminals attacking him."
-[X] use Courtier political fu to make the Phoenix do his job... and not kill me!
As for execution... again, I am confused. I merely thought it my duty to side with a single samurai over these... criminals attacking him."
-[X] use Courtier political fu to make the Phoenix do his job... and not kill me!
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Terenak
Wo ist die Käse?
[X] "Asako-sama... perhaps Kakita-sama here could speak with the 20 samurai that were available in the few hours since this group of thugs and ruffians left his residence with his wife to clear this up? Or.... perhaps you were Kitsuki-trained and this is... what do they call it... evidence? I am sorry, it confuses me, to take the word of rabble over the word of a samurai such as yourself or himself.
As for execution... again, I am confused. I merely thought it my duty to side with a single samurai over these... criminals attacking him."
-[X] use Courtier political fu to make the Phoenix do his job... and not kill me!
As for execution... again, I am confused. I merely thought it my duty to side with a single samurai over these... criminals attacking him."
-[X] use Courtier political fu to make the Phoenix do his job... and not kill me!
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- Location
- Connecticut
- Pronouns
- He/Him
It is absolutely me agreeing with you.
... And, yeah. Kaiu-sama's probably going to be off the list at this point.
I think you mean Kitsuki-trained?
Sirrocco
Pedantic
I *think* you mean Kitsuki-trained.
"Kakita-trained" means that you decide such things with iajutsu.
Also... this guy is absolutely in the pocket of the people we were just carving up the mooks of - or at least taking significant bribes. If we want to move him off his current standing, we'll have to give him a reason he can't/won't ignore.
I mean, heck, there's a chance we could *seduce* him, but I'm pretty sure that appealing to his better nature isn't going to fly unless we put a bit of a sting behind it, such that he'd have to *admit* he's acting dishonorably, or a bit of sugar, so that he wants to.
Alternaltely, he seems to be motivated by amusement, and his sense of humor is pretty vile. That's also a thing.
"Kakita-trained" means that you decide such things with iajutsu.
Also... this guy is absolutely in the pocket of the people we were just carving up the mooks of - or at least taking significant bribes. If we want to move him off his current standing, we'll have to give him a reason he can't/won't ignore.
I mean, heck, there's a chance we could *seduce* him, but I'm pretty sure that appealing to his better nature isn't going to fly unless we put a bit of a sting behind it, such that he'd have to *admit* he's acting dishonorably, or a bit of sugar, so that he wants to.
Alternaltely, he seems to be motivated by amusement, and his sense of humor is pretty vile. That's also a thing.
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- Location
- Connecticut
- Pronouns
- He/Him
That's a problem. How much of a penalty would we be at?
Well given the reach issue, and the whole draw issue, probably -1k0 to rolls and +10 to their tn
in addition to using your honour to cut people.
- Location
- Austrlia
[X] OBJECTION!
-[X] "Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one."
If we must, we must.
-[X] "Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one."
If we must, we must.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
True, but you can pretty much always insist on iajutsu, even if they might prefer otherwise - unless that's decayed with the recent cultural changes.
Current vote tally. It seems like we're narrowly avoiding the plan courtier, so duelling it is.
Vote tally:
##### 3.18
[X] OBJECTION!
No. of votes: 4
storybookknight, Broken25, Sirrocco, Simonbob
-[X] Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one.
No. of votes: 3
storybookknight, Sirrocco, Simonbob
[X] Asako-sama... perhaps Kakita-sama here could speak with the 20 samurai that were available in the few hours since this group of thugs and ruffians left his residence with his wife to clear this up? Or.... perhaps you were Kitsuki-trained and this is... what do they call it... evidence? I am sorry, it confuses me, to take the word of rabble over the word of a samurai such as yourself or himself.
No. of votes: 2
barenhart, Terenak
-[X] use Courtier political fu to make the Phoenix do his job... and not kill me!
No. of votes: 2
barenhart, Terenak
Vote tally:
##### 3.18
[X] OBJECTION!
No. of votes: 4
storybookknight, Broken25, Sirrocco, Simonbob
-[X] Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one.
No. of votes: 3
storybookknight, Sirrocco, Simonbob
[X] Asako-sama... perhaps Kakita-sama here could speak with the 20 samurai that were available in the few hours since this group of thugs and ruffians left his residence with his wife to clear this up? Or.... perhaps you were Kitsuki-trained and this is... what do they call it... evidence? I am sorry, it confuses me, to take the word of rabble over the word of a samurai such as yourself or himself.
No. of votes: 2
barenhart, Terenak
-[X] use Courtier political fu to make the Phoenix do his job... and not kill me!
No. of votes: 2
barenhart, Terenak
- Location
- Spain
[X] OBJECTION!
-[X] Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one.
-[X] Asako-sama, I saw the men who kidnapped his wife carry her out of their house wrapped in a bag. Anyone who said she left willingly has perjured themselves and befouled their own names. I will gladly answer the challenge of any of them who can gather together the tatters of their honor enough to offer me one.
- Status