Legend of the Ronin (Legend of the Five Rings)
- Status
- Location
- Moon-Station
[X] Ask about the Ivory Empire
- Location
- Telmar
[X] Ask about himself
I'm actually a bit curious abiut the thing. It strikes me a reasonable to have some knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses for the end of the next arc. Or rather because it might be tracking us. However there is only one option that will definitely net us some character developement.
I'm actually a bit curious abiut the thing. It strikes me a reasonable to have some knowledge of its strengths and weaknesses for the end of the next arc. Or rather because it might be tracking us. However there is only one option that will definitely net us some character developement.
Vote tally:
##### 3.18
Tomoari
[x] Ask about Ivindi guru
No. of votes: 1
Sirrocco
[X] Ask about the Ivory Empire
No. of votes: 5
Simonbob, veekie, Dirtnap, whydoyoubother, Vendeta
[X] Ask about himself
No. of votes: 1
Optimist Prone
Time to learn stuff it seems.
##### 3.18
Tomoari
[x] Ask about Ivindi guru
No. of votes: 1
Sirrocco
[X] Ask about the Ivory Empire
No. of votes: 5
Simonbob, veekie, Dirtnap, whydoyoubother, Vendeta
[X] Ask about himself
No. of votes: 1
Optimist Prone
Time to learn stuff it seems.
Arc II: Up or Down?
---Ask about the Ivory Empire.
Although a part of you wonders what Guru means, or who this Sahal is, eventually you settle on the safe topic of asking about the Ivory Empire.
"Ah, Guru-sama, can you teach me about the Ivory Empire?"
Sahal gives surprised, questioning look before nodding.
"That story begins nearly five generations ago…
"In reign of Ghosha during your Toturi I, Ivory Empire was not yet born. We were Ivory Kingdoms, a hundred hundred rulers all who bow to Ghosha the Maharaja. It was time of peace like for eight hundred years before. The Raja maybe fight but all wanted peaceful path….all but one.
"They who are known as the Rhumali worshipped the dark goddess and led a great revolt against Ghosha and the Raja. Maybe you hear of it? Revolt that required aid of they who are known as Yoritomo to end. Ghosha's youngest son, Vasudeva, looked upon this and was ashamed.
"Had his family become so weak? They could not longer perform their duties? This troubled Vasudeva, and he spent much time talking to the Guru, before leaving the Ivory Kingdoms for the north at the age of 15 summers.
"Five years later he returned, taking for himself name of Vasuloha or Living Iron. Vasuloha demanded from Ghosha kingdom, as was custom for sons who were not heir. And so Gosha granted Vasuloha Tapaki, cold land in North.
"Vasuloha took Makana princess Harshina to wife, prepared and went north. There he worked to gain loyalty of Mountain people. With them as his army, he began to conquer the Ivory Kingdoms one by one, creating his Iron Empire.
"Yet his brothers opposed him, and they too were great men. They united their kingdoms and those around them into five great kingdoms forever at war with each other, In the north, Empires of Iron and Stone. In the south, Empires of Silk and Saffron. And in the middle, fighting off all these empires, Kingdom of Jade.
"For a hundred years this lasted, none gaining more power than another until Vasuloha's great granddaughter married the King of Jade, uniting the Empire and Kingdom into one. King of Jade, who was known by name Sri Gutapa, turn his forces on Empire of Stone and conquered them. Empire of Saffron was wise and instead submitted to him. But the Empire of Silk fought to the bitter end and even today, capital remains barren wasteland.
"Having now power of Four Empires as well as own Kingdom, Sri Gutapa took as title Badishah. And then was born what now is Ivory Empire."
"From there began---"
"Sorry to interrupt the history lesson, but we're about to make landfall, given how we don't actually have a way to stop...you okay to jump Guru-san?" Sora's voice cuts in.
"These bones are old and not gone," he replies as he stands up creakily.
Well that was a yes, you think.
Looking forward, you see in the moonlight splayed against a cave wall, that the river is going underground. Well, that answers the questions as to why you have to make landfall. There's a small ledge to grab onto, it's not much but all you have.
The sound of rushing water and controlled breathing is the only thing that punctuates the silence. You take a moment to prepare yourself and then leap with the others. As you push, you somehow overshoot the ledge and land neatly from a backflip at the entrance of the cave.
Behind you, the rest clamber onto the edge looking kind of annoyed at your theatrics. Well Sora does, Yukiko just looks tired.
With a crash of snapping wood, your boat disappears under the river, leaving you glad that you disembarked. You do wonder what Taj-shiryo's plan for this was though.
Stepping forward, you see that the moon is still well overhead. It's only about midnight you think. The light is dim and hard to see by although it's not impossible or anything.
Yukiko stumbles and Guru Sahal catches her.
"How you say she is...not well…' he whispers.
"Let's make camp then, such as it is," Sora says quietly.
No blankets, no pillows, not even sake, but you manage to find some nooks to sleep in.
You find your journey to Yume-do pretty easily, the day having taken a lot out of you.
When the sun begins to wake you up, you overhear Sora and Guru talking.
"She need medicine." You hear Sahal's thickly accented voice.
"We're not going to find any here," Sora retorts.
"We can if go up," Sahal says.
"You can't be sure there's a monastery anywhere near here," Sora retorts, clearly upset.
"Better chance than if we go to city - too far," Sahal insists.
"And if we don't find one the delay will kill her," Sora says stubbornly.
While you are loathe to intervene in a fight, you do want to know what's going on so…
"What's going on?" you ask.
Sora gives you a look.
"Yukiko-san was cut picking up weapons in the armory before we left and hid it from us. It had a delayed poison.I think it was meant to be used for street assassinations - walk up to someone, poke them and then walk away. A day later, they're dead and you're out of the city…"
Sahal seems saddened at the idea of losing Yukiko.
"Is tactic Sagon has used more than once...need antidote quick. There should be...monastery near with healing plant, make antidote"
"Should be, but we're not sure where we are," Sora says, looking irritated.
"Best chance," Sahal repeats.
"No, our best chance is to run to a city before we pass out from lack of food and water."
[] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice
[] Convince Sahal to follow Sora's advice
[] Write in?
Although a part of you wonders what Guru means, or who this Sahal is, eventually you settle on the safe topic of asking about the Ivory Empire.
"Ah, Guru-sama, can you teach me about the Ivory Empire?"
Sahal gives surprised, questioning look before nodding.
"That story begins nearly five generations ago…
"In reign of Ghosha during your Toturi I, Ivory Empire was not yet born. We were Ivory Kingdoms, a hundred hundred rulers all who bow to Ghosha the Maharaja. It was time of peace like for eight hundred years before. The Raja maybe fight but all wanted peaceful path….all but one.
"They who are known as the Rhumali worshipped the dark goddess and led a great revolt against Ghosha and the Raja. Maybe you hear of it? Revolt that required aid of they who are known as Yoritomo to end. Ghosha's youngest son, Vasudeva, looked upon this and was ashamed.
"Had his family become so weak? They could not longer perform their duties? This troubled Vasudeva, and he spent much time talking to the Guru, before leaving the Ivory Kingdoms for the north at the age of 15 summers.
"Five years later he returned, taking for himself name of Vasuloha or Living Iron. Vasuloha demanded from Ghosha kingdom, as was custom for sons who were not heir. And so Gosha granted Vasuloha Tapaki, cold land in North.
"Vasuloha took Makana princess Harshina to wife, prepared and went north. There he worked to gain loyalty of Mountain people. With them as his army, he began to conquer the Ivory Kingdoms one by one, creating his Iron Empire.
"Yet his brothers opposed him, and they too were great men. They united their kingdoms and those around them into five great kingdoms forever at war with each other, In the north, Empires of Iron and Stone. In the south, Empires of Silk and Saffron. And in the middle, fighting off all these empires, Kingdom of Jade.
"For a hundred years this lasted, none gaining more power than another until Vasuloha's great granddaughter married the King of Jade, uniting the Empire and Kingdom into one. King of Jade, who was known by name Sri Gutapa, turn his forces on Empire of Stone and conquered them. Empire of Saffron was wise and instead submitted to him. But the Empire of Silk fought to the bitter end and even today, capital remains barren wasteland.
"Having now power of Four Empires as well as own Kingdom, Sri Gutapa took as title Badishah. And then was born what now is Ivory Empire."
"From there began---"
"Sorry to interrupt the history lesson, but we're about to make landfall, given how we don't actually have a way to stop...you okay to jump Guru-san?" Sora's voice cuts in.
"These bones are old and not gone," he replies as he stands up creakily.
Well that was a yes, you think.
Looking forward, you see in the moonlight splayed against a cave wall, that the river is going underground. Well, that answers the questions as to why you have to make landfall. There's a small ledge to grab onto, it's not much but all you have.
The sound of rushing water and controlled breathing is the only thing that punctuates the silence. You take a moment to prepare yourself and then leap with the others. As you push, you somehow overshoot the ledge and land neatly from a backflip at the entrance of the cave.
Behind you, the rest clamber onto the edge looking kind of annoyed at your theatrics. Well Sora does, Yukiko just looks tired.
With a crash of snapping wood, your boat disappears under the river, leaving you glad that you disembarked. You do wonder what Taj-shiryo's plan for this was though.
Stepping forward, you see that the moon is still well overhead. It's only about midnight you think. The light is dim and hard to see by although it's not impossible or anything.
Yukiko stumbles and Guru Sahal catches her.
"How you say she is...not well…' he whispers.
"Let's make camp then, such as it is," Sora says quietly.
No blankets, no pillows, not even sake, but you manage to find some nooks to sleep in.
You find your journey to Yume-do pretty easily, the day having taken a lot out of you.
When the sun begins to wake you up, you overhear Sora and Guru talking.
"She need medicine." You hear Sahal's thickly accented voice.
"We're not going to find any here," Sora retorts.
"We can if go up," Sahal says.
"You can't be sure there's a monastery anywhere near here," Sora retorts, clearly upset.
"Better chance than if we go to city - too far," Sahal insists.
"And if we don't find one the delay will kill her," Sora says stubbornly.
While you are loathe to intervene in a fight, you do want to know what's going on so…
"What's going on?" you ask.
Sora gives you a look.
"Yukiko-san was cut picking up weapons in the armory before we left and hid it from us. It had a delayed poison.I think it was meant to be used for street assassinations - walk up to someone, poke them and then walk away. A day later, they're dead and you're out of the city…"
Sahal seems saddened at the idea of losing Yukiko.
"Is tactic Sagon has used more than once...need antidote quick. There should be...monastery near with healing plant, make antidote"
"Should be, but we're not sure where we are," Sora says, looking irritated.
"Best chance," Sahal repeats.
"No, our best chance is to run to a city before we pass out from lack of food and water."
[] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice
[] Convince Sahal to follow Sora's advice
[] Write in?
- Location
- Moon-Station
[x] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice
He is the local. lets use his non-rokugani knowledge for something useful at least.
He is the local. lets use his non-rokugani knowledge for something useful at least.
- Location
- Connecticut
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice.
Because dammit, what's the point of saving an aging wise man if you don't use him?
Because dammit, what's the point of saving an aging wise man if you don't use him?
- Location
- Leeds
The problem with the old mans advice is that he isn't a local.
He explicetly doesn't know if there is a temple to go to.
He explicetly doesn't know if there is a temple to go to.
My suggestion would be that one person goes ahead to look for a monastery. They can move much faster than three carrying a fourth whos wounded. If we're not currently on the cross roads between the possible monastery and the city then we should have the three non scouts head to wherever the paths would diverge and wait for the scout there.
EtchedSteel
*mumble mumble*
- Location
- Lima. Peru
[X] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice.
- Location
- Telmar
[X] Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice.
The other option is essentially leaving Yukiko to die.
The other option is essentially leaving Yukiko to die.
- Location
- Leeds
To be honest when I suggested that my thoughts where that Sora would probably be a better scout.
- Location
- Austrlia
- Location
- Leeds
[X] "Bayushi-sama, if there is a monastery we cannot pass it by. One of us can scout ahead. An hours rest will do Iuchi-Sama no harm and may even let her body recover somewhat."
If you can fill in the rest I'll vote for yours.
E: Thanks gman
If you can fill in the rest I'll vote for yours.
E: Thanks gman
Last edited:
Arc II: Welcome to a Monastery
--Convince Sora to follow Sahal's advice
Courtier Roll: 4k4= 17, 8, 5, 2=32
Success
In the end, Guru Sahal probably has a better idea of what's what than either of you do, so you're inclined to trust him. Yet, you understand Sora's objection too. It's hard to be sure where you are in the mountains at all, particularly when you're looking out from a cave.
"Guru-sama, why do you think there is a monastery here?" you ask.
Sahal gives a sweeping gesture before pointing at one particular mountain in the distances. Even from here you can tell it's different from others - instead of being mostly grey, it seems to be...well a kind of dark blue.
"Guru is Guru. Mystics build temples and monasteries here to learn, leaving dot mountains all over, but that mountain is holy mountain..." Sahal explains.
Sora interrupts.
"Yes, a Holy Mountain but we're on the North Side the forbidden side, there isn't going to be a monastery."
You tilt your head in thought. "Is it still closer than a city?"
Sora shrugs. "I don't know maybe?"
The frustration you feel from her tells you how much she hates not being able to know what's going on.
Straightening your neck you turn to them both. "Even if there isn't a monastery there, Holy Mountains usually have cities at their foot or not too far away for pilgrims right? They'll have someone who can do something there."
Sora looks uncertain for a moment before being convinced of your logic.
"Alright, we go for the mountain. Even if we don't find a monastery, Megumi-san is right that there should be a hostel or something leading up to it," she says.
Guru Sahal shifts, as if trying to follow a trail of thought but not quite managing. Regardless, you go in the cave and prepare as best you can to carry Yukiko out.
"If only we had a travois...Megumi-san, you and Guru Sahal work together," Sora orders.
Between the two of you, carrying the surprisingly heavy Iuchi isn't that hard. Your stomach rumbles you march.
The sun rises high in the sky, beating you down with its heat, as the rocks reflect the warmth into your feet. You've not see a single scrap of life for a while. Still, as the mid-day passes and your stomach continues to rumble, you see something in the mountain. It is too distant to make out details, but it looks like an enormous carving of a person - granted, a person with way too many arms but a person nonetheless.
It's night when you have to make camp. Still no monastery, but Yukiko hasn't take a turn for the worst at least. Sora seems annoyed that all she can come up with is a set of what looks like Marmots to eat.
Your own stomach faintly recoils from the thought of eating meat, although you committed that particular bit of taboo long ago. The fact is that you were raised to see this sort of thing as dirty, but not dirty in a good or fun way.
Sahal waves off the food, saying he doesn't partake, that his connection to the cosmos will keep him going.
The flames from the small fire you manage to make, are just enough to cook the things, but not enough to make it taste good, as you and Sora finish eating. You both find yourself feeling kind of sleepy---
So your journey continues for two more days like this. As you get closer to the mountain you can see that the enormous statue carved seems to be a part of the mountain itself. It's a man, you think, and the extra arms are arranged in a halo around the main body.
Interesting as the frankly enormous statue is, you can hardly bring yourself to care when the sight of four walls surrounding a shaped dome is so much more interesting.
The look of relief on Sora's face when it finally comes into view seems more than...what you would expect of someone who was simply friends with Yukiko. Even with the mask disguising most of it, it feels...significant...
Shoving away the question of what exactly Sora feels for Yukiko, you hurry your way to the monastery. Up close, you can see a set of spinning columns with inscriptions on them. Admittedly you can't read them at all but they're nice to look at, and they mark out a barred gate that you have to get past.
Guru Sahal, takes the lead now, calling out a series of words in Ivindi that you feel like you should learn at some point. If nothing else being able to talk to Guru Sahal in his own language would probably make you better able to understand him and other Ivindi.
The gates open, and you walk in.
In the back of your mind something shifts, as if you had been carrying a burden for so long that you stopped noticing it, yet as soon as you put it down, relief surges through your body. Only instead of a burden it feels like you were…
"Megumi-san..." Sora whispers.
"Yes Bayushi-sama?" you answer, equally quietly.
"Do you feel it too? Like a predator has stopped following you?"
"Hai…" you manage.
"I don't like this. Be careful and don't seduce any monks," she orders.
"I would never….wait what?" you say frowning.
Did she….know who you were? Or something? Why would she think that, you've never seduced any monks. Admittedly Izu was your type, but you hadn't done anything at all on that front. So why?
"Later," Sora hisses.
You manage to keep your frown from your face, but you decide that at some point you really should talk this out with your fearless leader.
Guru Sahal turns to you.
"Abbot wants to see one of you. Say at least one stays with Iuchi-san, but other will go...which of you go with me?"
[] Volunteer and let Sora stay with Yukiko.
[] Stay with Yukiko.
[] Suggest the Abbot wait until Yukiko is well as she knows the language. (Requires courtier roll)
[] Write in?
AN: I will be out of town for the next few days so update will be delayed as a consequence I will also give a lore blurb on the following on the same day I update again, pick one.
[] State of the Scorpion Clan
[] State of the Unicorn Clan
[] Governor of Shiro Enishi (The City)
[] Succession Crisis
Courtier Roll: 4k4= 17, 8, 5, 2=32
Success
In the end, Guru Sahal probably has a better idea of what's what than either of you do, so you're inclined to trust him. Yet, you understand Sora's objection too. It's hard to be sure where you are in the mountains at all, particularly when you're looking out from a cave.
"Guru-sama, why do you think there is a monastery here?" you ask.
Sahal gives a sweeping gesture before pointing at one particular mountain in the distances. Even from here you can tell it's different from others - instead of being mostly grey, it seems to be...well a kind of dark blue.
"Guru is Guru. Mystics build temples and monasteries here to learn, leaving dot mountains all over, but that mountain is holy mountain..." Sahal explains.
Sora interrupts.
"Yes, a Holy Mountain but we're on the North Side the forbidden side, there isn't going to be a monastery."
You tilt your head in thought. "Is it still closer than a city?"
Sora shrugs. "I don't know maybe?"
The frustration you feel from her tells you how much she hates not being able to know what's going on.
Straightening your neck you turn to them both. "Even if there isn't a monastery there, Holy Mountains usually have cities at their foot or not too far away for pilgrims right? They'll have someone who can do something there."
Sora looks uncertain for a moment before being convinced of your logic.
"Alright, we go for the mountain. Even if we don't find a monastery, Megumi-san is right that there should be a hostel or something leading up to it," she says.
Guru Sahal shifts, as if trying to follow a trail of thought but not quite managing. Regardless, you go in the cave and prepare as best you can to carry Yukiko out.
"If only we had a travois...Megumi-san, you and Guru Sahal work together," Sora orders.
Between the two of you, carrying the surprisingly heavy Iuchi isn't that hard. Your stomach rumbles you march.
The sun rises high in the sky, beating you down with its heat, as the rocks reflect the warmth into your feet. You've not see a single scrap of life for a while. Still, as the mid-day passes and your stomach continues to rumble, you see something in the mountain. It is too distant to make out details, but it looks like an enormous carving of a person - granted, a person with way too many arms but a person nonetheless.
It's night when you have to make camp. Still no monastery, but Yukiko hasn't take a turn for the worst at least. Sora seems annoyed that all she can come up with is a set of what looks like Marmots to eat.
Your own stomach faintly recoils from the thought of eating meat, although you committed that particular bit of taboo long ago. The fact is that you were raised to see this sort of thing as dirty, but not dirty in a good or fun way.
Sahal waves off the food, saying he doesn't partake, that his connection to the cosmos will keep him going.
The flames from the small fire you manage to make, are just enough to cook the things, but not enough to make it taste good, as you and Sora finish eating. You both find yourself feeling kind of sleepy---
So your journey continues for two more days like this. As you get closer to the mountain you can see that the enormous statue carved seems to be a part of the mountain itself. It's a man, you think, and the extra arms are arranged in a halo around the main body.
Interesting as the frankly enormous statue is, you can hardly bring yourself to care when the sight of four walls surrounding a shaped dome is so much more interesting.
The look of relief on Sora's face when it finally comes into view seems more than...what you would expect of someone who was simply friends with Yukiko. Even with the mask disguising most of it, it feels...significant...
Shoving away the question of what exactly Sora feels for Yukiko, you hurry your way to the monastery. Up close, you can see a set of spinning columns with inscriptions on them. Admittedly you can't read them at all but they're nice to look at, and they mark out a barred gate that you have to get past.
Guru Sahal, takes the lead now, calling out a series of words in Ivindi that you feel like you should learn at some point. If nothing else being able to talk to Guru Sahal in his own language would probably make you better able to understand him and other Ivindi.
The gates open, and you walk in.
In the back of your mind something shifts, as if you had been carrying a burden for so long that you stopped noticing it, yet as soon as you put it down, relief surges through your body. Only instead of a burden it feels like you were…
"Megumi-san..." Sora whispers.
"Yes Bayushi-sama?" you answer, equally quietly.
"Do you feel it too? Like a predator has stopped following you?"
"Hai…" you manage.
"I don't like this. Be careful and don't seduce any monks," she orders.
"I would never….wait what?" you say frowning.
Did she….know who you were? Or something? Why would she think that, you've never seduced any monks. Admittedly Izu was your type, but you hadn't done anything at all on that front. So why?
"Later," Sora hisses.
You manage to keep your frown from your face, but you decide that at some point you really should talk this out with your fearless leader.
Guru Sahal turns to you.
"Abbot wants to see one of you. Say at least one stays with Iuchi-san, but other will go...which of you go with me?"
[] Volunteer and let Sora stay with Yukiko.
[] Stay with Yukiko.
[] Suggest the Abbot wait until Yukiko is well as she knows the language. (Requires courtier roll)
[] Write in?
AN: I will be out of town for the next few days so update will be delayed as a consequence I will also give a lore blurb on the following on the same day I update again, pick one.
[] State of the Scorpion Clan
[] State of the Unicorn Clan
[] Governor of Shiro Enishi (The City)
[] Succession Crisis
)[X] Volunteer and let Sora stay with Yukiko.
[X] Succession Crisis
[X] Succession Crisis
Holy shit, dodged a Rakshasa. I forgot they can chase you for a long time barring holy ground
- Location
- Leeds
Seems I underestimated the size of the mountain when I wrote that write in. Good thing it didn't win.
- Location
- Moon-Station
[x] Stay with Yukiko.
[x] State of the Unicorn Clan
[x] State of the Unicorn Clan
- Location
- Telmar
[X] Stay with Yukiko.
[X] Governor of Shiro Enishi (The City)
I want to hear about local things.
[X] Governor of Shiro Enishi (The City)
I want to hear about local things.
- Status