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Your feet carry you through the shadowy corridors of the daimyō's estate, to where the Lion wait to be summoned. Though they arrived yesterday, today the politics shall begin in earnest. Of all the samurai in this province, you have been chosen to serve as their escort.

>Bayushi Kimiko: You. An ambitious young samurai who typically serves as a deputy of Yogo Orinosuke, the Chief Magistrate of Beiden. Due to your blessed lineage and your upbringing, you consider yourself destined to rise above other samurai and rule over them. Though you are wise enough to keep your dreams of grandeur to yourself, you chafe at the thought of debasing yourself before others, even if they are of higher status.

You were never meant to serve as a magistrate's assistant. Throughout your training, your sensei groomed you for court at your mother's behest. Your assignment as Orinosuke's assistant was an unfortunate twist of fate, but your superior has found an opportunity to exploit your skills. The daimyō departed from the province to attend this year's Winter Court, only for a delegation from the Lion Clan to visit his estate in his absence. You have been charged with helping the seneschal handle these visitors, yet the men that you serve appear to have conflicting goals.

Yogo Sadayoshi, the acting seneschal, wants you to help him keep the Lion's representatives entertained and happy until the daimyō returns from Winter Court. If you are able to prove your value as a courtier, he will see you transferred to Kyūden Bayushi, the seat of the Scorpion Clan.
Yogo Orinosuke, the Chief Magistrate, wants you to make sure that the Lion's representatives leave Beiden before the daimyō returns. This way, he will be able to weaken the daimyō's influence and increase his own. If you do this, he will continue to groom you to be his successor.

A difficult choice lies ahead of you.

“I hope that you are ready for this, Bayushi-san,” says the man who walks beside you, his voice muffled by the menpō that he wears. “I, for one, have never had the heart for politics.”

>Shosuro Kinnosuke: A fellow deputy of the Chief Magistrate of Beiden. He is a lanky man with a snide attitude, who is posing as your bodyguard. In truth, he is here to make sure that you follow Orinosuke's orders. Thankfully, you have reached an agreement with Kinnosuke and he is content to turn a blind eye to your actions. Though he is usually rather scruffy, he has cleaned up nicely for today's session in court.

“I was born for this,” you reply. It's the truth, after all. “As for you, you need not worry about saying anything. You are meant to be my yōjimbō, after all.”

“I will strike an intimidating pose and hope that it shall be enough then.” You roll your eyes at your colleague's remark and pray that he'll do not such thing. If Kinnosuke does anything to disrupt today's proceedings, you'll never let him hear the end of it.

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Before too long, the two of you arrive at the corridor where the Lion Clan's delegates are quartered. Thankfully, they have already left their rooms and are gathered in the hallway, quietly talking among themselves. All three samurai are proudly dressed in the colours of their clan, from the towering Shoraku, to the wizened Kitahachi, to the striking Kaneru. Before you speak, you lower yourself in a bow before the visitors.

“Honoured guests,” you say, with as much respect as you are willing to muster, “forgive me for disturbing you but I come on the behalf of Yogo Sadayoshi. He wishes to invite you to attend court, should you be so inclined.”

Having turned around to face you, Matsu Kaneru bows before you in return, a gesture that is mirrored by her companions.

“It would be our honour and privilege, Bayushi-san.” There is warmth in her voice as she accepts the invitation, but you know that this is nothing more than a matter of etiquette. “If you are willing to lead, then we shall follow.”

>Matsu Kaneru: A diplomat of the Lion Clan who represents the daimyō of the Matsu family – who also happens to be her sister. A mother of four, she is expecting her fifth child, though the magnificent kimono of black and gold that she wears flatters her pregnant body. So far you haven't spoken much with her, but she strikes you as an independent woman. While she is proud of her heritage, Kaneru refuses to rely on her sister's status.

“Of course, Matsu-sama.” With another bow, you turn to guide your visitors through the daimyō's manor. No one says a word for almost a minute before Kaneru speaks again, breaking the silence.

“I must admit, I was not left wanting for comfort throughout the night. The holdings of the Scorpion are quite luxurious.” A pause. “... However, I find myself wishing that these hallways were brighter than they are. For what reason does your clan enjoy such low light, Bayushi-san?” To her credit, the diplomat sounds curious rather than derisive. There's no ill will behind her question, at least as far as you can tell.

>Keep your answers curt and to the point. Your duty is to lead the Matsu dignitary to the court, not to engage in casual conversation with her.
>If Kaneru wishes to speak with you, you will humour her and try to entertain her with conversation. Who cares if you deviate from protocol?
>Play the part of the villain. Taunt and tease her for her question, try to throw her off-balance so that she will be easier to manipulate in court.

>>4625312
>>Keep your answers curt and to the point. Your duty is to lead the Matsu dignitary to the court, not to engage in casual conversation with her.

welcome back

>>4625312
>Play the good host, answering questions within reason and doing so warmly.

>>4625312
>>Play the part of the villain. Taunt and tease her for her question, try to throw her off-balance so that she will be easier to manipulate in court.

>>4625437
Eh, I'll support this. No reason to burn bridges on this day. You never know how useful it may be to have a Lion in your back pocket, even if we do decide to burn this bridge for our power.

Welcome back, btw! Let's take this one arc at a time, no need to worry :^)

>>4625309
No worries Fudo. I'm just overjoyed it's back, it was one of my favorites on the catalog while it was running.

>>4625312
>If Kaneru wishes to speak with you, you will humour her and try to entertain her with conversation. Who cares if you deviate from protocol?
Partly because I want the lore explanation too

>>4625533
I can get behind this as well.

>>4625312
>Play the part of the villain. Taunt and tease her for her question, try to throw her off-balance so that she will be easier to manipulate in court.

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“We are simply accustomed to it,” you explain, as cordially as you can without deviating from protocol. “Clear skies are a rare sight in these lands and even when the weather is at its finest, the sun is often hidden behind the Seikitsu Mountains.”

At least, that's what your clan tells outsiders. The truth is that the Scorpion Clan does everything it can to disconcert the guests that visit its castles, whether it's with poor lighting or maze-like corridors. Flustered visitors are so much easier to manipulate, after all. Unfortunately, the only member of the Lion delegation who seems to be fazed is Shoraku. The brawny samurai shifts around uncomfortably and eyes every shadow, as though he expects an assassin to jump out at any moment.

>Matsu Shoraku: A warrior of the Lion Clan and Matsu Kaneru's yōjimbō. He is a giant of a man who looks like he just stepped out of a war story, and looks thoroughly out of place in the brown and gold kimono he wears. Judging from his behaviour, this must be his first time in a foreign court, and his first encounter with the Scorpion Clan. You almost feel a little sorry for him.

“You have my sympathy,” Kaneru replies. You're not sure if she believed your explanation. “Perhaps in the future, you will have the opportunity to visit the territory of the Lion. I believe that you would like it, Bayushi-san – golden plains and fertile fields, a land of plenty where Amaterasu never hides her face.” The diplomat smiles wistfully to herself as she pictures her home in her mind's eye.

“It sounds wonderful,” is all that you say in return. Though you wish to remain warm, you're not about to engage in idle chatter with a woman of Kaneru's status. After your brief yet polite response, Kaneru falls quiet and seems content to follow your lead. The only sound is that of footsteps, and Kitahachi's cane against the floorboards.

>Matsu Kitahachi: The third samurai of the Lion's delegation, who seems to serve as Kanera's aide. A tall and austere man, you suspect he is quite elderly but the only signs of age that he shows are his greying hair and beard, and the cane that he uses as a walking aid. He is dressed quite humbly, in a plain brown robe without any embroidery.

Eventually your journey takes you to the manor's meeting chamber. The great hall is far more brightly lit than the dismal corridor that you emerge from, much to the relief of your guests. Other samurai have already gathered and seated themselves on mats scattered throughout the hall, where they wait for court to commence. Once you have led your guests over to their seats, you take your place by the side of the seneschal, Yogo Sadayoshi.

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“I hope that our guests have been agreeable thus far?” Sadayoshi murmurs the question under his breath when you take your place at his side, kneeling comfortably on a zabuton. Though he is trying his best to remain composed, you can't help but notice how he wrings his hands in obvious apprehension.

>Yogo Sadayoshi: A courtier of Yogo Kanzaburo's estate, who has been saddled with the position of acting seneschal during the daimyō's absence. He longs to earn his lord's favour so that he may rise to a higher station, but he is held back by his anxiety. You know from experience that he is easily flustered, no matter how hard he tries to hide his feelings behind his flamboyant clothes and his komainu mask.

“Of course,” you reply. “They were quite satisfied with their accommodation.” A breath of relief rattles through the courtier's mask when he hears your words.

“Very well. I suppose that it is no turning back now – as though there ever was any chance of that.” Sadayoshi seems to be murmuring to himself, rather than speaking to you. He draws in a breath and gathers his courage before he finally stands. All other samurai present – you included – bow before the man. Even the samurai of the Lion Clan humble themselves, out of respect for the authority bestowed upon him by the daimyō.

The seneschal begins with the usual formalities, introducing himself to the court and honouring his lord, who he speaks on the behalf of. Sadayoshi has enough composure to keep his voice from wavering throughout the recital but when the time comes to speak of his guests, he falters.

“On the behalf of Yogo Kanzaburo,” he drones, “I am honoured to welcome Matsu Kaneru, the voice of Matsu Hidaka, daimyō of Yama and the Matsu, to this estate. For as long as you remain, my retainers – those of my lord, that is – are at your service, Matsu-sama.” Once he is finished, Sadayoshi offers a stiff bow to Kaneru. In return, she rises to her feet and parts her lips to speak, carrying herself with grace and pride despite her pregnant state.

“Thank you for your kind words, Yogo-sama. Though I must ask, if you speak on the behalf of the daimyō of Beiden while he is absent, do you wield his authority as well?”

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Such a bold and forward question stuns the seneschal into silence. An awkward, uncomfortable moment passes as Sadayoshi tries to formulate a response, a riposte to Kaneru's direct approach. Are you going to remain silent and let him squirm, or will you try and intervene on his behalf? You could even find a way to take advantage of the situation, if you so desire.

>Unlike Matsu Kaneru, you will adhere to etiquette. You will not speak until you are spoken to or introduced, although it goes against your nature. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>This is the opportunity for you to introduce yourself in a way that undermines Sadayoshi and his lord. While the daimyō is away, the Chief Magistrate rules over Beiden and you speak on his behalf.
>Try and empower the seneschal. Yes, until Yogo Kanzaburo returns, Sadayoshi wields the daimyō's authority. He might not appreciate the responsibility that this will thrust on him, but it will keep the Lion interested.
>Lift some of the pressure off of the seneschal. While he speaks on the behalf of his lord, he doesn't wield all of the daimyō's power. It's the truth and if Sadayoshi is too anxious to say it, then you'll say it for him.

>>4625824
Ok, what's the game plan here? I don't know enough of the setting to know which position we should be gunning for, so I'll need some assistance in this department.

I'm sort of the opinion that we empower the seneschal as it both gets us in his good graces, while also placing any possibility of fucking up at his feet. Alternatively, we could try and impress the Loiness here, while undercutting our competition. Or we take the humble option of either rescuing him or gaining our void point.

>>4625824
>>Unlike Matsu Kaneru, you will adhere to etiquette. You will not speak until you are spoken to or introduced, although it goes against your nature. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

>>4625824
>This is the opportunity for you to introduce yourself in a way that undermines Sadayoshi and his lord. While the daimyō is away, the Chief Magistrate rules over Beiden and you speak on his behalf.

>>4625824
>Unlike Matsu Kaneru, you will adhere to etiquette. You will not speak until you are spoken to or introduced, although it goes against your nature. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

>>4625853
Undermining Sadayoshi is a bad idea since at least one of the Lion Clan delegates should be smart enough to recognize what we're doing and it would reflect poorly on us.

Option number 4 is just dumb because 'I said it because it was true' is about as un-scorpion as you can get. Scorpion children who say this probably get sent to their rooms without dinner.

We have an uncomfortable amount of strife. Tea time a soon as possible.

>Try and empower the seneschal. Yes, until Yogo Kanzaburo returns, Sadayoshi wields the daimyō's authority. He might not appreciate the responsibility that this will thrust on him, but it will keep the Lion interested.
But be as subtle as possible.

>>4625977
Incredibly well reasoned. Supporting.

>>4625824
>>Try and empower the seneschal. Yes, until Yogo Kanzaburo returns, Sadayoshi wields the daimyō's authority. He might not appreciate the responsibility that this will thrust on him, but it will keep the Lion interested.

Glad this is running again

>>4625824
>Try and empower the seneschal. Yes, until Yogo Kanzaburo returns, Sadayoshi wields the daimyō's authority. He might not appreciate the responsibility that this will thrust on him, but it will keep the Lion interested.

>>4625824
>>Try and empower the seneschal. Yes, until Yogo Kanzaburo returns, Sadayoshi wields the daimyō's authority. He might not appreciate the responsibility that this will thrust on him, but it will keep the Lion interested.

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>>4625977
>Right now, your strife is at 2/8 – going against your Delusions of Grandeur would increase it by 3. You're not in the danger zone yet. I'll post the rules when it's pertinent.

“If I may, Yogo-sama?”

A startled Sadayoshi turns his head to look down at you. It's not just his attention you have captured – the eyes of the court now rest on you. The seneschal remains silent for a moment longer, crippled by indecision, giving you the perfect opening to rise to your feet and say your piece.

“I am Bayushi Kimiko,” you introduce yourself, for the sake of courtly formality, “yoriki of Yogo Orinosuke, Chief Magistrate of Beiden. I am here at the request of the acting seneschal and I am honoured to serve him, for as long as Yogo Kanzaburo is absent, he speaks with his voice. While the lord of this city and province is not present, Yogo Sadayoshi reigns over these lands in his place and I consider it a privilege to be at his side.” You try your best to be subtle, to avoid any obvious misstep.

“Is that so?” Kaneru appraises you for a moment, as she considers your answer. “I appreciate the candid answer, Bayushi-san. Though I must wonder why your esteemed superior was not able to say as much himself.” Her attention returns to the seneschal.

“You must forgive me,” Sadayoshi says, lowering his head in a bow. “I am not accustomed to being in the company of a direct descendant of Matsu. I daresay that for a moment, I was overwhelmed by the realization that I was in the presence of a samurai of awesome lineage.” Smooth. “As for the words of Kimiko, my aide – they are true. I wield the authority of my lord for as long as he is absent from this estate.” He knows better than to publicly contradict you, at least.

“That is wonderful,” the diplomat replies with a small yet appreciative smile, “for my daimyō wishes to forge a stronger bond between the Scorpion and the Lion. By speaking on the behalf of our lords, it is my hope that we might bring our clans closer together and that they might enjoy great prosperity as a result.” With that said, Kaneru bows her head before the seneschal and returns to her seat. Yet before Sadayoshi can continue...

“If I may, Yogo-sama?”

Everyone's attention turns towards the speaker – another guest to the daimyō's estate, Shosuro Jojuri.

>Shosuro Jojuri: A courtier of the Scorpion Clan who serves Ryokō Owari, the City of Lies. From what you have observed, she is a typical schemer of the Scorpion Clan. She will stop at nothing to gain an advantage over others, as she demonstrated when she captivated your yōjimbō the last time that you came here. Just like then, she wears a scandalous yukata that shows far too much.

“You may speak, Shosuro-san.” With the permission of the seneschal, Jojuri rises to her feet.

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“Allow me to introduce myself as Shosuro Jojuri,” she begins, “and though I cannot claim to speak for my lord, I happen to represent his interests and those of Journey's End City.” No one calls it the City of Lies in public, though it's the name that everyone knows that hive of scum and villainy by. “I am honoured to be in your esteemed presence, Matsu-sama. Yet I cannot help but profess my curiosity – why did you choose to visit this province, in your search for stronger ties with the Scorpion Clan?”

“It lies on the fringe of my lord's domain,” Kaneru replies. “Yama is to the north, on the other side of the Seikitsu Mountains. If we are to heal any rift between our clans, it is wisest to begin at the borderlands, is it not?”

“Of course, Matsu-sama.” Jojuri's lips form something between a smile and a smirk. “Yet it is nothing more than a beginning – if you truly wish to create an partnership between the Scorpion and the Lion, should you not consider speaking with the lord of our clan at Kyūden Bayushi? Or perhaps the daimyō of a more influential region, like Ryokō Owari?”

This harlot is trying to sabotage the negotiations before they have even started.

>You should refrain from speaking and allow Sadayoshi to fight his own battles. As much as it pains you to admit it, you are his subordinate. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>Pander to the Lion Clan and accuse Jojuri of questioning Kaneru's wisdom. Is she really claiming that the Matsu diplomat made a mistake in coming here? She should know better than to make such insinuations about such an honoured guest.
>Stand up for Beiden and accuse Jojuri of besmirching the province's name. It might not harbour a city of the same size as Ryokō Owari, but it is still of great importance to the Scorpion Clan. She should know better than to speak ill of her hosts.
>Concede that Jojuri has a point. If Matsu Kaneru wants to improve relations between the Scorpion and the Lion, she would be best served by visiting more influential estates – once she has concluded her business in Beiden, that is.

I don't think that beiden is very important, according to the wiki the only special thing about beiden is that when the lion clan and the scorpion clan is at conflict with each other beiden suffers, but that doesn't really make it that important, so i say we either concede or we pander

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>>4626329
>Previous sessions have gone into detail about what Beiden is like, but this image contains all of the relevant information.

>>4626297
>Stand up for Beiden and accuse Jojuri of besmirching the province's name. It might not harbour a city of the same size as Ryokō Owari, but it is still of great importance to the Scorpion Clan. She should know better than to speak ill of her hosts.

actually now that I think about it Jojuri is saying some retarded shit, did she not listen to what Kaneru just said, that she wishes to begin with the borderland and going by her words it is insinuated that she will later go to the inner parts

>>4626297
>You should refrain from speaking and allow Sadayoshi to fight his own battles. As much as it pains you to admit it, you are his subordinate. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

We must let Sadayoshi make his move lest they'll think he's a pushover bitch, also might get us into trouble.

>>4626436
hmm that is true, but is he competent enough to be able to refute her

>>4626297
>>You should refrain from speaking and allow Sadayoshi to fight his own battles. As much as it pains you to admit it, you are his subordinate. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

>>4626297
>>Concede that Jojuri has a point. If Matsu Kaneru wants to improve relations between the Scorpion and the Lion, she would be best served by visiting more influential estates – once she has concluded her business in Beiden, that is.

>>4626297
>>You should refrain from speaking and allow Sadayoshi to fight his own battles. As much as it pains you to admit it, you are his subordinate. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 5 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

fuck it why not

>>4626297
>>Pander to the Lion Clan and accuse Jojuri of questioning Kaneru's wisdom. Is she really claiming that the Matsu diplomat made a mistake in coming here? She should know better than to make such insinuations about such an honoured guest.

Shall I be the only one that pander? Is this what the Panda clan does? ;^)

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Strife Rules
>You suffer points of strife whenever you fail a roll, whenever you act in a way that goes against your delusions of grandeur, and whenever you arrive at a dramatic or stressful point in the story. You also regularly gain strife during the heat of combat, unless you adopt the Void stance.
>Should your strife meet or exceed its maximum capacity, which is currently 8, your ability to succeed will be greatly impaired. Only your rolls of 6 will contribute to a roll's success.
>However, you can reduce your strife back down to 0 by surrendering to your emotions, something known as Unmasking. By bursting into tears or giving into your rage, you are able to rid yourself of your strife at the cost of damaging your reputation or escalating a situation.
>You have other methods of reducing your strife as well. You get to subtract a point whenever you engage in your love of Wordplay or indulge in your love of Tea, and whenever you arrive at a positive and uplifting point in the story.

>You suffer three points of strife. Your strife is currently at 5 / 8. You now have 1 void point, out of a maximum of 2.

You want to say something. Shosuro Jojuri is an obstacle that you wish to rid yourself of, but you can't afford to jeopardize the seneschal's authority – not after everything that you just said on his behalf. So you force yourself to play the part of the assistant and the servant, and bite your lip to keep yourself from commenting. He will have to deal with this on his own, and prove that he is worthy of the daimyō's trust – and yours.

“Shosuro-san,” Sadayoshi begins, “I understand that you seek to further your lord's agenda, as any samurai should. That is admirable, and I cannot fault you for performing your duty. However, I must ask that you do not question the judgement of my guests. From what I understand, the honourable Matsu Kaneru came here with the intention of speaking with the daimyō of this province and though Yogo Kanzaburo is absent, it is my privilege to speak on his behalf. If she was interested in meeting your master, I believe she would have visited Journey's End City instead – is this not so, Matsu-sama?”

The seneschal's tone is stern throughout his chastisement of Jojuri, and you can't help but mentally applaud him. He is capable of holding his own in court after all, it seems. The browbeaten courtier remains silent, while Kaneru seems rather amused.

“It is so,” she replies. “If this visit bears fruit, I will consider attending the courts of these other lords. But surely, Shosuro-san, you understand that such meetings would be pointless if I cannot even earn the friendship of my lord's immediate neighbours?” Her attention turns to Jojuri and her eyebrow rises in a delicate arch, as she questions the woman.

“I understand,” Jojuri says. Any trace of a smirk has vanished from face, along with the confidence that she once had. “Forgive my interruption, Matsu-sama, Yogo-sama.”

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Yet again, before Sadayoshi can continue...

“I pray that you might forgive me as well, Yogo-sama, for if you would allow it, there is something that I would like to say to your esteemed guest.” You're familiar with this gentle, almost musical voice. It belongs to none other than Kakita Akirako.

>Kakita Akirako: An inexperienced diplomat of the Crane Clan, who represents her clan's interests in this city. She is a charming young woman who has dyed her hair white in the Daidoji fashion, and who you befriended the last time that you attended this court. However, she has no love for the Lion Clan and the last time that you spoke with her, she confessed that she thinks Rokugan would be a better place without them.

“Say your piece, Kakita-san.” Once Sadayoshi has said this, Akirako rises to her feet and bows sincerely before the seneschal, and then before the samurai of the Lion Clan. Her yōjimbō remains seated while she speaks.

“It is my hope that you will enjoy your stay in the estate of Yogo Kanzaburo, Matsu-sama. I can say from experience that the hospitality provided here is second to none. Full glad am I that the lords of the Crane Clan saw fit to send me here, and if the samurai of the Scorpion Clan treat you with even a fraction of the respect and kindness that they have shown me, I am certain that you will find the friendship that you seek.”

Though the Crane's voice is warm and a smile curves her lips, you know that she couldn't be more insincere. Few clans loathe each other more than the Lion and the Crane. Certainly, Kaneru doesn't seem to think that Akirako's friendliness is sincere, judging from her unimpressed expression.

“I was not aware that the Crane Clan had an established presence in this province,” the Matsu remarks. Though she does not voice her distaste for the sake of etiquette, it is obvious to anyone who hears her speak. Rather than reply, Akirako shoots a sidelong glance in your direction, as though she expects you to interject. After all, you're her friend, aren't you?

>Though you have no desire to play the part of the servant, you should remain silent and let Yogo Sadayoshi address Kaneru's concerns. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 8 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>Tell the truth. There are multiple diplomats from the Crane Clan who reside in the province of Beiden. Kaneru might not approve, but hopefully she will appreciate the honesty.
>Try and appease the Matsu. Say that the Crane Clan has no influence in Beiden, and that any presence they have in the province is inconsequential. Akirako won't like this.
>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.

>>4626297
>>Pander to the Lion Clan and accuse Jojuri of questioning Kaneru's wisdom. Is she really claiming that the Matsu diplomat made a mistake in coming here? She should know better than to make such insinuations about such an honoured guest.

>>4626996
>>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.

Play the part of a friend. Also play on the obvious tension between the crane and the lion. The lions may be more inclined to stubbborn out this fight if they feel that they have an uphill battle with the crane here. A battle that they must not forsake.

>>4626998
That would just make enemies
>>4626996
>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.
We've done a bit to get the Lions on better terms with us. It would be advantageous if the Lion Clan began to watch out more for the Crane Clan diplomat in our court than the Scorpion Clan ourselves. We should play them off each other, make them think of each other as their enemy while making both of them work for our friendship. Maybe we can show the Lion Clan unexpected warmth and openness to lure them into trusting us.

Also we need to find out if Sadayoshi's been welcoming Miss Doji or not because if he hasn't we can provide a more accessible member of the Scorpion Clan to her in the form of ourselves and gain her support in the court.

>>4626996
>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.

>4626996
>Though you have no desire to play the part of the servant, you should remain silent and let Yogo Sadayoshi address Kaneru's concerns. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 8 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

>>4626996
>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.

The competition will entice them, and both may play to our advantage.

>>4626996
>>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.

>>4626996
>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.
Glad to see this quest back

>>4626996
>Stand up for Akirako. She is as welcome in this estate as Kaneru is, and her very presence makes the court a pleasanter place. The Lion will just have to accept that.

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“Might I take this opportunity to speak of our guest from the Crane Clan, Yogo-sama?” You turn to look the seneschal as you request his permission. He hesitates, but eventually Sadayoshi offers you a nod.

“You may, Bayushi-san.” Though he tries to sound confident and collected, you know him well enough by now that you can hear the wariness in his tone, and just a little frustration. The poor man must be desperate to move with today's session of court, rather than deal with all of these courtiers trying to assert dominance. First Jojuri, and now Akirako. As you stand before the court, all eyes fall on you.

“Is it not the way of the Crane to spread their dignitaries throughout our empire, to earn the good will of the other clans? I believe that Yogo Kanzaburo saw no reason to deny them access to his court and I must say from experience, Kakita Akirako has brought light and joy to this estate. I have no doubt that it would be a worse place without her presence, and I cannot speak highly enough of her.”

You seat yourself once more. To your side, the seneschal flinches. Kaneru's eyes narrow just a fraction while Akirako masks her expression with a decorated fan, which flutters smugly in front of her smiling face. If you intended to provoke a reaction, you certainly succeeded.

“Is that so?” Any amusement that the Matsu once felt has left her voice. “In that case, I must thank you for your kind words, Kakita-san. I cannot wait for the opportunity to speak with you at length, so that I might experience the joy for your company for myself.” On the surface, Kaneru's words seem courteous. From the perspective of a courtier however, she might as well have just issued a declaration of war.

“I will do my best to live up to my good friend's praise, Matsu-sama.” In other words, she accepts the Lion's challenge. With that, Akirako offers a flourishing bow towards the acting seneschal. “Thank you for granting me the opportunity to speak, Yogo-sama. Once again, I must ask that you forgive my interruption.” With a flourishing bow, the Crane sits beside her yōjimbō once more.

That was the last of the interjections, much to Sadayoshi's relief. With the introduction of the Lion complete, the seneschal calls forward Yogo Mushanokoji, so that he might speak of the latest portents.

>Yogo Mushanokoji: A shugenja, and the daimyō's spiritual advisor. He's rather decrepit – most samurai retire before they reach his age, yet he still serves his lord with pride. You have not spoken with him but he seems to be respected within this estate, although he does not do much more than speak of omen. His role is mostly ceremonial, as far as you can tell.

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The withered elder hobbles forward, dressed in black and white and obscuring most of his face with an opaque veil, much like your own. According to the priest, this day has been blessed by Hamanri and Kobiru-Tadashiko, the Fortunes of Understanding and Stability respectively. Not only that, but all of the elements are in harmony. Truly, he says, today is an auspicious day. Somehow, you doubt the truth of his soothsaying. It's far too good to be true.

Once the shugenja has been dismissed, the seneschal calls for Bayushi Shunmyo. Dressed in his usual gleaming red armour and matching menpō, the samurai marches forward to deliver his report on the estate's security.

>Bayushi Shunmyo: The gunsō of the daimyō's estate, in charge of its garrison and all of the samurai that defend it. The man is built like a barrel, and you have no doubt that he is a formidable combatant. Though you have not spoken with him, you heard him speak with Sadayoshi once. He seemed rather blunt, and expressed his distrust of the Lion Clan.

The gunsō's report is brief and to the point, much like the last time you heard it. He speaks of the incidents that happened yesterday – of which there were none – and of the samurai who serve him and where they are stationed. Based on what he says, there are over twice as many guards as there were the last time that you attended court here. Did he really bolster the garrison to that degree, or is he just inflating the numbers for the sake of appearances?

Next, Sadayoshi calls for a performance by one of his lord's favoured musicians – none other than Yogo Yukari. As soon as you hear this, your heart drops.

>Yogo Yukari: Your hated rival. You both attended the same dōjō as teenagers and were once close friends, before she grew jealous. Her envy was so great that she poisoned you – only by the grace of the Fortunes did you survive this attempt on your life. Though she was expelled from the dōjō, she now serves the daimyō as a Shosuro Actress – a spy and assassin who poses as a performer.

>In case you're having as much difficulty keeping track of all of these characters as I am, that's the last of the court roster, I swear.

Wordlessly, the performer steps forward into the centre of the court, where she bows before the seneschal. A tall and shockingly slender woman, she is dressed in an austere black kimono and covers her face with a white mask painted in the style of a fox spirit. With shamisen in hand, she rests on the floor before her audience and begins to play. What follows is a moving performance, a melody that can almost be described as haunting.

As much as you hate to admit it, Yukari actually has a talent for this.

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“You are making a habit out of surprising me, Bayushi-san.” Those words come from Sadayoshi, though he murmurs them beneath his breath. “I cannot say that I approve.” His mask conceals his mouth, just as your veil covers yours – so long as you keep your voices down and feign interest in the music, the two of you can have a conversation without coming across as rude and distracted.

“I did what I had to,” you quietly insist. “This way, you will have the respect of the Lion Clan and will be able to keep their interest. Besides, it is an opportunity for you to enjoy the privileges of a higher station than your own. The ends justify the means, do they not? So long as you are able to produce a positive result, your lord will be satisfied.”

“Perhaps.” He doesn't sound too convinced. Why does the man have to be so hard to please? “I am more concerned about you siding with the Crane Clan. What do you hope to gain from humouring Akirako?”

You already have an explanation for this ready. “It encourages the Matsu to compete with the Kakita for our attention, Yogo-sama. If Kaneru believes that the clan's greatest enemy has power here, she will do whatever she can to usurp their influence. When the time comes for negotiations, she might even be open to terms that favour the Scorpion, if she believes it will spite the Crane.” Once you are finished, Sadayoshi mulls over your words.

“Hmph. I suppose you have a point,” Sadayoshi concedes at last. Of course he refuses to thank you for everything you have said and done on his behalf, but at least he didn't chastise you this time.

The song only lasts for another minute. When it comes to an end, everyone in the court politely applauds – you force yourself to do the same, even if Yukari doesn't deserve any praise from you. She stands and offers one last bow, before she retreats to her seat. With her performance complete, the seneschal declares an adjournment of court, to give the various courtiers an opportunity to mingle and trade words with one another. As soon as he is finished, Shunmyo and Mushanokoji both make their way over to speak with Sadayoshi.

>The gunsō, the seneschal and the priest, all gathering to speak with one another? You should stick around and listen to what they have to say.
>Kakita Akirako isn't wasting any time. She's marched her way right over to Matsu Kaneru, with the intention of speaking with her at greater length. You should intervene.
>Shosuro Jojuri is making a move on her own, and seems to be speaking with Matsu Kitahachi, the eldest of the Lion delegation. You want to learn what she hopes to gain from him.
>Yogo Yukari appears to be content quietly playing her shamisen, providing the hall with some ambience. Do you really wish to speak with her, of all people?
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

>>4627616
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)
gotta reduce that strife

>>4627616
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

>>4627616
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

>>4627616
>>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

>>4627616
>The gunsō, the seneschal and the priest, all gathering to speak with one another? You should stick around and listen to what they have to say.

>>4627616
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)
We've made enough of an impact in the court. Let's not outstay our welcome. We're either going to piss our superiors off or be forced into a conversation we can't win. It's time to leave.

>>4627616
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

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>>4627616
>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

Its fairly important that we let the crane and lion start their match. Our sensei was right. Theres no need for us to play the part of the appeaser if there is nothing for us to gain.

>>4627616
>>Time for a break. Find somewhere quiet and call on a servant to bring you tea. (You will reduce your strife to 2 / 8 thanks to your love of Tea if you choose this option.)

>>4627616
>>The gunsō, the seneschal and the priest, all gathering to speak with one another? You should stick around and listen to what they have to say.

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All of these schemers can squabble amongst themselves and try to gain an advantage over one another. You have more important things to attend to. As you step away from the court to approach a servant and make a request of her, Shosuro Kinnosuke trails after you, ever your shadow. To begin with, he is bemused when you take a seat on an isolated zabuton that is sheltered behind a screen, far away from all of the politics. When the servant returns with a tea set and places it before you, the man is astonished.

“Bayushi-san, is now really the time for this?”

“It is always time for tea,” you blithely reply. You barely notice that man scoff as you focus on filling a cup for yourself. You're no master of the ceremony, but you like to think that you are able to pour with some elegance. The chattering samurai that mill around the hall beyond the screen are of no concern to you. Nothing matters but the sight of the brew slowly filling the vessel, and the fragrance that rises from it. You only snap out of your trance when Kinnosuke lowers himself to sit opposite of you.

“Well, if this is how you wish to spend your time, I shall not discourage you, though you could at least pour a cup for me as well.” A small part of you wants to spurn your colleague, but you decide against it. After all, the tea set did come with two cups. So you set about filling the second vessel and pass it over to Kinnosuke once you are done. You shift your veil so that it will not obstruct your lips, and your fellow Scorpion likewise adjusts his menpō. Thankfully, the two of you are shielded from the public eye – your mystique as Scorpions is not at risk. In near-perfect synchronicity, the two of you raise your cups to your respective lips, to appreciate all of the complexity and subtlety of Rokugan's most important invention. Any worries that you have are washed away by a tide of herbal brew, and for the briefest moment, you are at peace.

>You lose three points of strife. Your strife is currently at 2 / 8.

“Mm. I have never been fond of the stuff,” Kinnosuke remarks. “I would rather have shōchū, but I suppose it is not the right time for it, or the right place.” Of course he prefers liquor over a more civilised drink, the philistine. Once more he adjusts his mask, to ensure his face is properly covered. “For what it is worth, I would not listen to Sadayoshi. You could give him an entire clan to rule over, and he would still chastise you for not warning him in advance. There is no pleasing him.”

“You are not wrong, Shosuro-san.” You only speak when you feel the time is right, and when it does not disrupt your enjoyment of the aromatic elixir. “What of you? Do you approve of everything that I have said and done?”

“It does not matter if I do or I do not,” he replies with a helpless shrug of his shoulders. “I am here to ensure that you do what was asked of you, not to evaluate your performance.”

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By the time that your thirst for tea has been satisfied, a considerable amount of time has passed. Most of the samurai present have returned to their seats, where they wait for court to recommence. Once you have taken your place at the side of the seneschal, you take a moment to appraise the situation. The Lion delegation appears to be in good spirits, with the exception of the ever-unsettled Shoraku. On the other hand, Jojuri maintains a tight-lipped expression that does little to hide her frustration – she must have been thwarted again. As she is wont to do, Akirako shields much of her face with her fan, though its agitated fluttering betrays how she truly feels. Finally, there is the seneschal himself, who appears to be steeling himself for what lies ahead.

Once everyone is seated and silent, Sadayoshi speaks once more.

“Honoured guests, associates and kinsmen,” he begins, “the Fortunes have seen fit to grace us with another beautiful day. The snows of winter have ceased and the new year is almost upon us. I see no reason why we should confine ourselves to this hall, when we could enjoy the bounty of my lord's garden. I ask that you might accompany me, so that we may all appreciate the beauty of our beloved empire together.”

Though holding a court in a garden is not orthodox, it is hardly unknown. The assembled samurai rise to their feet and follow the seneschal, as he leads the way out of the manor. You are all led through the ominous entryway, with its sinister sculptures of dying birds, and out into brilliant daylight. Though the daimyō's mansion is enormous, most of his estate is comprised of carefully cultivated grass, drenched with dew and snowmelt. Various evergreen trees dot the landscape, mostly pines and cedars that have been groomed and sculpted to the lord's specifications. There is even a stream that runs through the sprawling garden, complete with an elegant little bridge. Though it is doubtlessly artificial, the babbling brook provides a soothing sort of ambience.

Rather than immediately resume court, the seneschal allows everyone in attendance to enjoy nature's splendour, at least for a few minutes. The perfect opportunity to catch up with other courtiers, should you wish to.

>Now is the time to speak with Matsu Kaneru – and her underlings – a little more personally, and get in her good graces. She should be more at home out here, beneath the sun's rays.
>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.
>Whatever Shosuro Jojuri is trying to do, she's clearly failing. Still, this is your chance to speak with her and figure out what she is plotting.
>It's best if you talk to Yogo Sadayoshi first. You want to know what else he has in store, so that you won't be taken by surprise.
>You're here to enjoy nature's splendour, aren't you? You will do just that. There's no need for you to waste time on senseless banter.

>>4628566
>Now is the time to speak with Matsu Kaneru – and her underlings – a little more personally, and get in her good graces. She should be more at home out here, beneath the sun's rays.
Duty calls.

>>4628566
>Now is the time to speak with Matsu Kaneru – and her underlings – a little more personally, and get in her good graces. She should be more at home out here, beneath the sun's rays.

>>4628566
>>Now is the time to speak with Matsu Kaneru – and her underlings – a little more personally, and get in her good graces. She should be more at home out here, beneath the sun's rays.

We'll deal with the others later, when it is to our advantage. I'm sure Akirako we talk of her troubles later, and Jojuri... may be of use, when we figure out her goal in all this.

>>4628566
>>Now is the time to speak with Matsu Kaneru – and her underlings – a little more personally, and get in her good graces. She should be more at home out here, beneath the sun's rays.

>>4628663
>>4628695
>>4628758
I'd advise against this, it's just begging to be grilled about what we meant about Crane Girl.

Instead, we should pretend to be genuine about what we said by questioning her instead. We can talk to the Lion delegates tomorrow, when it will be easier to brush off any questions.

Besides, it's most important to get closer to Crane Girl since she's been in court longer. The Lion delegates will try to get closer to us on their own initiative because they're even newer than we are and need allies no matter what.

>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

>>4628566
>Whatever Shosuro Jojuri is trying to do, she's clearly failing. Still, this is your chance to speak with her and figure out what she is plotting.

>>4628566
>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

>>4628566
>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

>>4628566
>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

>>4628566
>Whatever Shosuro Jojuri is trying to do, she's clearly failing. Still, this is your chance to speak with her and figure out what she is plotting.

>>4628566
>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

>>4628566
>>You'd like to know what has Kakita Akirako so flustered. Take the opportunity to speak with her, and perhaps even improve her mood a little.

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You claimed to appreciate Akirako's friendship – perhaps it's time that you live up to that. You find the courtier standing by a black pine that has captured her attention. Its trunk twists and turns in a fashion that reminds you a serpent, while its branches are covered in clusters of glossy green needles. You have never had much interest in gardening but from you know of the Kakita, it is what she loves above all else. She would rather spend the rest of her life tending to trees and flowers than spend another moment in court. Alas, like all samurai, she must do her duty for her clan.

It is her yōjimbō who sees you first. He is a steely fellow, several years older than his charge and though he does not seem particularly fierce, he carries himself with obvious discipline. You're not sure you've ever heard him speak. Upon noticing your presence, he clears his throat and the distracted Kakita turns about to face you. She immediately lifts her fan to her face once more, to guard her emotions – it's almost like she has a mask of her own.

“Oh, Bayushi-san! Forgive me, I did not see you there. I am surprised that you wish to speak with me, rather than your esteemed guests.” Her voice is flatter than usual, lacking its characteristic cheerfulness.

“I will always have another opportunity to speak with the Lion,” you reply. “Besides, you are an esteemed guest as well, are you not? Though you might have been at this estate for longer than I, your needs and well-being should never be forgotten. So tell me, Kakita-san – what troubles you? I know you well enough by now to see that you are not your usual self.” You tread softly when you raise this subject – samurai are supposed to be above emotions, after all. Yet hopefully Akirako trusts you enough to share hers with you. After a moment of consideration, she speaks.

“I spoke at length with Matsu Kaneru,” she begins, “in the hope that I might unsettle her – to tempt her to say or do something foolish, so that she might lose face and influence in this court. It is a common tactic, as I am sure you know.” You nod. “To this end, I mentioned a city that is often contested by our clans – Violence Behind Courtliness City, better known as Toshi Ranbo.”

“I have not heard much of it,” you concede. You have heard the name once or twice, but all you know about it is what Akirako has just told you.

“It is found in the Kintani Valley, which lies on the borders of Lion, Phoenix and even Imperial territories. Five hundred years ago, my clan was granted the privilege of overseeing that region. Wary of our influence, the Lion built a castle at the valley's edge and around that castle, a village formed. Over the centuries, that village became a town, and that town became Toshi Ranbo. No one can count how many times that place has changed hands, liberated by the Crane one year only to be seized by the Lion the next.”

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Slowly but surely, you're beginning to piece things together.

“So I imagine that your clan managed to wrest Toshi Ranbo from the clutches of the Lion this year,” you surmise, “and you hoped to unbalance the Matsu by mentioning this to her.” Once again, Akirako nods and behind her fan, her brow creases.

“I thought that it might agitate her, that she might be frustrated by the fact that her clan was bested by mine in battle. After all, the Lion are supposed to be the Right Hand of the Emperor! How can they be trusted to defend Rokugan from foreign invasion, if they cannot defeat another clan in a territorial spat?” The more that she speaks of this, the more flustered the poor Kakita becomes.

“You should not anger yourself on the Lion's behalf,” you insist. “That your clan is able to take such a city from the Lion is a great achievement and you should celebrate it, Kakita-san.”

“Yet that is exactly what she did.” Akirako lets out an exasperated sigh. “Kaneru celebrated the defeat of her clan when I mentioned Toshi Ranbo to her. She congratulated me on my clan's victory over her own, and hoped that the Crane would fight just as hard in the coming year.” The woman scoffs. “She even smiled when I asked about all of her clansmen who must have died in that battle! Do you know what she said? She told me that 'every samurai should pray for such a glorious death!'”

“I take it that you disagree?”

“Of course I do!” The Kakita's fan flutters indignantly as she tries to rein her temper in. “Such violence is senseless and meaningless. Every year, hundreds of proud and noble samurai, Lion and Crane alike, die over that accursed city. Yet Kaneru, she commends this butchery, she venerates it, even when her own clan suffers because of it! Tell me, Bayushi-san, how are we supposed to share an empire with such madmen?”

>Agree with Akirako. You're on her side and she's not alone in thinking that they're nothing but a horde of bloodthirsty maniacs.
>Disagree with Akirako. Samurai live to serve and there's no greater symbol of this than dying in order to fulfil your duty to your lord.
>Try to distract her with more pleasant conversation and lift her spirits. There's no need to speak of the carnage of Toshi Ranbo. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes.)
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>Akirako has lost sight of what it means to be a samurai. Take this opportunity to try and guide her back on to the right path. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4629248
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>Oh, and for the sake of minimising confusion, allow me to post the rules for rolling dice in this quest:

Rolling Dice
>Whenever I ask for a roll, you roll a number of dice equal to the appropriate ring for the roll – Earth, Fire, Air, Water or Void – and you roll twice the number of dice equal to the appropriate skill.
>However, only a number of these dice equal to the ring you're using can be kept, and contribute to whether you succeed or not. The rest must be discarded.
>Every 4, 5 or 6 that you keep counts as a “success,” and contributes to your roll succeeding. For every 6 that you keep, you may keep an additional die that you rolled.
>I will always announce what ring and skill a roll will use, and the number of successes that you will need to succeed, so that you will know how difficult the roll will be.
>If enough successes are kept, the roll is successful. And if you keep more successes than you need in order to succeed, these bonus successes will grant you additional benefits.

>I'll explain in greater detail if a roll-based option gets the vote. All I ask is that you don't make any rolls until I ask you to.

>>4629248
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4629248
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4629248
>>Akirako has lost sight of what it means to be a samurai. Take this opportunity to try and guide her back on to the right path. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4629248
>>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4629248
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

A little risky, but I'm confident enough to bet on us prevailing here.

>>4629248
Actually, considering that Akirako is exactly where we want her right now, pissed off at the lion, there's no need to get her even more riled up. Especially if there's a chance of failure in doing so.

>"In springtime, the orchard flowers do not know whether they will bear fruit or have their petals scattered in the wind, but feel no regret for either sight will be beautiful. I know that as a gardener, you would understand the importance of both flowers and fruit ... And yet, in a well-sheltered garden, surely some flowers must long for the wind? But whether to admire those flowers, or to pity them though ...
>Remain vague enough that no one can accuse you of taking a side, raise voice just high enough for the entire court to overhear.

This is the ideal metaphor battle for Akirako since 1. It's all metaphor poetry, that's the Crane's strong suit. 2. If the Lions actually make a point, she can just 'uh actually im a gardener I know what I'm talking about'.

Hopefully Akirako realizes that we're setting her up for a small victory of her own. Perhaps in the Crane clan, your allies comfort you after a defeat. But she should understand, in the Scorpion Clan, you set your allies up for eventual victory. Meanwhile to the Lions, it's all just flowery (hah) metaphors.

If the lions don't take the bait, we still get a pleasant conversation.

>>4629248
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>Going with:
>Convince her that she got played. Kaneru doesn't actually believe anything that she said, she just beat Akirako at her own game. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.

>I will accept the best of three.

Rolled 6, 1, 2, 1, 1, 5, 3 = 19 (7d6)

>>4629755

Rolled 4, 1, 2, 4, 1, 4, 1 = 17 (7d6)

>>4629755

Rolled 5, 5, 6, 1, 3, 5, 6 = 31 (7d6)

>>4629755

>Going with >>4629818, five successes. Damn, the rule of the third post always rolling highest hasn't changed, has it?

>Before I start writing, is anyone for or against me including >>4629525 in the next entry?

>>4629825
Not big brained enough for sophistry battles. Do what you will.

>>4629825
I like it.

>>4629825
I'm against it.

>>4629826
>>4629857
>>4629859
>As there's no majority in favour of including >>4629525, I will not include it. Sorry for only allowing an hour for this decision, but I'd rather not leave even more of a gap between updates.

>>4629909
There will probably be a more opportune moment to use metaphors we think of in the future. In Court, the Tongue wounds more deeply than the sword, and like any other weapon, the scorpions keep their insults concealed.

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>Going with >>4629818, five successes.

“Consider my clan, the Scorpion. You are aware of our reputation, are you not?” After a moment's hesitation, Akirako nods. You continue. “Most of Rokugan views us as villains who cannot be trusted, but you have been a guest in our land for quite some time, have you not? You have more experience with my clan than most other samurai. So tell me – are we undeserving of trust?” It's a cruel question to ask. The Kakita won't dare say 'yes' to your face, even if she believes that there is truth in the dubious reputation of the Scorpion.

“Of course not!” The poor woman has adopted a defensive tone. “Of course I would never think poorly of you or your clan, Bayushi-san.”

“Yet sometimes we play the part anyway,” you continue. “Look at Shosuro Jojuri, for example. She plays the part of a scoundrel quite well, does she not?” Mostly because she is one, but you don't mention that. “It is an act. She uses our poor reputation to her advantage, to ensure that other samurai view her in a fashion that she can exploit.” You pause there, so that Akirako has the chance to think about what you have said, and come to the conclusion that you have laid before her.

“I believe that I understand. Are you trying to tell me that Matsu Kaneru is not as barbaric as she seems, that everything she said to me was part of a ruse?”

“Yes. Not only that, but it was a successful ruse, Kakita-san. She turned your attempt to unbalance her against you. Think about it – if the Crane were to best the Lion in battle and seize Toshi Ranbo, is it not possible for a courtier of the Lion Clan to outwit one of the Crane? Though now that you know better, it will not happen again, will it?”

“Never.” Akirako's doubt has been replaced by a steely resolve and there is now a wicked gleam in her eyes. “Forgive me, my friend. I was unprepared and allowed myself to be fooled by Kaneru, to be beaten at my own game. Next time, I shall be ready and the Matsu shall be the one caught off-guard. Though I must ask – are you certain that you were trained as a warrior rather than a courtier, Bayushi-san? You possess knowledge of courtly matters that puts many of my associates to shame.”

“You honour me,” you reply, unable to keep the smugness out of your tone. At least your veil hides your smirk. “All I can say on the matter is that my sensei taught me the importance of versatility.”

“Without a doubt, he taught you well.” Akirako looks away, in the direction of Yogo Sadayoshi. “Though I am glad that we had this conversation, we should rejoin the others. Just remember this, Bayushi-san – I am thankful for your friendship and should there ever be something that I can do for you in return, you need but ask. It is the least that you deserve.” She lowers her fan, long enough for you to spy an appreciative smile before the two of you leave to rejoin the others, shadowed by your yōjimbō.

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Once everyone is assembled once more, it is not the seneschal who takes the lead but the priest instead. Yogo Mushanokoji's guidance takes you to an extravagantly decorated pagoda, built out of white stone and blackened wood, its golden roof gleaming beneath the sun. Once everyone is gathered before the shrine, he takes the opportunity to speak of the many divine beings who watch over Beiden. Of the daimyō's prestigious forefathers, who surely dwell in Yomi, the Realm of Blessed Ancestors. Of the Fortunes most commonly worshipped in the province, deities such as Tenjin, the God of Stories and Daikoku, the Fortune of Wealth.

His sermon goes on for quite some time and while a lesser priest might bore his listeners to death, Mushanokoji manages to keep your attention. He speaks with surprising strength for a man of his age and thanks to his sonorous voice, his lecturing almost comes across as a performance.

Once the shugenja's preaching has come to an end and the sun has fallen lower in the sky, the cold begins to set in. Though spring is only a couple of days away and most of the snow has thawed, winter's chill has yet to depart the land. Rather than spend too long shivering in the cold, Sadayoshi calls for the assembly to reconvene inside, where an afternoon meal awaits you. Pickled plums, fish marinated in vinegar and perfectly cooked rice are in no short supply – a demonstration of the Scorpion's wealth and an opportunity for everyone to eat to their heart's content. Yet even this is a part of court, and the humble act of eating has been transformed into a ritual.

It is a moment for you to reflect, to consider where you were a year ago and how far you have come. Back then, you had no choice but to enjoy the food and hospitality of a backwater village. Now, you are eating some of Rokugan's finest fare in a daimyō's court. Truly, you have come a long way.

Once the meal has concluded, the seneschal takes the moment to speak before the court, about what is to come in the next week. Two days from now, Beiden will be celebrating New Year's Day along with the rest of Rokugan and everyone will be free to enjoy the festival. Three days after that, provided that the conditions are suitable, a hunt shall be arranged and all who enjoy such sport will be invited to participate. In the days between these events, there shall be a great deal of performances for the court to enjoy – music, poetry, plays and more. It seems that Sadayoshi hopes that distraction will be enough to keep the Lion occupied, until his lord arrives.

After he is finished speaking of the schedule, the seneschal calls today's session of court to a close. The introductions and reports, the tour of the garden, the sermon at the shrine and the afternoon meal have consumed most of the day, and it will not be long until the sun sets.

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Yet again, the courtiers have been left to their own devices and mill about, speaking to one another and doing whatever they wish. This is their last opportunity to trade words with one another before they retire to their chambers for the day, to prepare themselves for tomorrow and another round of politics.

Is there anyone wish to speak to, before the day comes to a close?

>Bayushi Shunmyo and Matsu Kitahachi appear to be setting up a game of Go. You'd like to watch, or perhaps even participate in a game yourself.
>Matsu Kaneru is not socialising with anyone in particular – she is having a quiet conversation with her yōjimbō. It's a perfect opportunity for you to speak with her.
>Of all people, Kakita Akirako has decided to approach Yogo Yukari. What could she possibly have to discuss with that poisonous bitch? Intervene.
>Yogo Sadayoshi is conferring with Yogo Mushanokoji, now that court has come to a close for the day. They must be planning for the coming days, and you should join them.
>Shosuro Jojuri... has gone. She disappeared from the chamber as soon as she was able to. You should track her down, and figure out what she is up to.
>To tell the truth, you're all talked out for the day. You should take your leave – you have other matters to attend to that don't involve listening to courtiers chatter.

>>4630261
>Shosuro Jojuri... has gone. She disappeared from the chamber as soon as she was able to. You should track her down, and figure out what she is up to.

>>4630261
>>Matsu Kaneru is not socialising with anyone in particular – she is having a quiet conversation with her yōjimbō. It's a perfect opportunity for you to speak with her.

Time to work the other side. Or at least inquire how their first day has transpired.

>>4630261
>Bayushi Shunmyo and Matsu Kitahachi appear to be setting up a game of Go. You'd like to watch, or perhaps even participate in a game yourself.
Greatness is temporary, the surrounding game is forever.

>>4625309
Glad you came back, was wondering way i wasn't seeing this anymore.
Il catch up and get to voting.

>>4630261
>>Bayushi Shunmyo and Matsu Kitahachi appear to be setting up a game of Go. You'd like to watch, or perhaps even participate in a game yourself.

>>4630261
>Bayushi Shunmyo and Matsu Kitahachi appear to be setting up a game of Go. You'd like to watch, or perhaps even participate in a game yourself

>>4630261
>To tell the truth, you're all talked out for the day. You should take your leave – you have other matters to attend to that don't involve listening to courtiers chatter.

>>4630261
>Shosuro Jojuri... has gone. She disappeared from the chamber as soon as she was able to. You should track her down, and figure out what she is up to.

We have bigger games to play atm.

I would prefer to talk to the Lioness, but I don't know whether we're waiting for her to come to us or intentionally focusing on other matters.

>>4630261
>Shosuro Jojuri... has gone. She disappeared from the chamber as soon as she was able to. You should track her down, and figure out what she is up to.

>>4630529
Anon, there is no bigger game than Go. Go is the universe!

>>4630261
>Shosuro Jojuri... has gone. She disappeared from the chamber as soon as she was able to. You should track her down, and figure out what she is up to.

>>4630261
>Matsu Kaneru is not socialising with anyone in particular – she is having a quiet conversation with her yōjimbō. It's a perfect opportunity for you to speak with her.

>As it's a close call, I'll call the vote here and say that looking for Jojuri has won out. That way, I can get to work on the next entry without worrying about the results changing.

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Jojuri is missing. A woman from the family that breeds the Scorpion's finest spies and killers is out of sight. Needless to say, you are concerned by this. You excuse yourself and make your way over to a servant, to ask where the Shosuro woman went – or at least where her quarters can be found. The heimin leads the way through the dismal hallways of the manor, eventually to the door to Jojuri's chambers. When the servant announces your presence, you are surprised when Jojuri actually answers you. You half-expected her to be somewhere else, doing something nefarious.

“I shall be with you in a moment,” she calls out. You are kept waiting for quite some time and when she finally arrives at the door and slides it open, she is wearing a different outfit. The skimpy black yukata has been replaced by a more conservative kimono of red silk, that actually conceals the courtier's figure. She still wears the same domino mask though, its silver filigree catching the dim light of the corridor. “Ah, Bayushi-san. Is there something I can help you with?”

“It is a curious time of day to change your attire,” you remark. “I cannot help but wonder, for what purpose?”

“I noticed a tear in my robe.” She speaks in a brisk, disinterested manner, as though the answer is obvious. “It must gotten snagged on a branch in the garden. Rather than walk around wearing tattered garments, I decided that I should change. Did you really come all of this way to ask me that question, Bayushi-san? Were you really so certain that I had to be plotting and scheming from the shadows? Is that how poorly you think of me?”

“You are a courtier, Shosuro-san. I am surprised that you would spurn the chance to speak with our guests and influence them. It almost strikes me as an admission of defeat.”

“Perhaps it is,” she snappily replies. “Your acting seneschal chastised me, that decrepit old Lion mocked me and whenever I dare to open my lips today, it seems that I am rewarded with humiliation. So yes, Bayushi-san – at least for today, I admit defeat. Does hearing that make you happy, I wonder? Do you take pride in the misery of your clansmen?”

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Her irritation is boiling over, and you doubt that she will entertain this conversation for much longer. If there is anything that you want to say to her, now is the time to say it.

>Leave Jojuri to stew in her frustration. Coming here was a mistake, and nothing useful will come from this conversation.
>Admit that you enjoy her misery. The last time that you attended court in this estate, she tried to thwart you whenever she could. She deserves this.
>You don't want Jojuri as an enemy. Try to heal the rift between you – you are samurai of the same clan, you shouldn't be rivals, you should be friends. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)
>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>Threaten her. From now on, she is going to stay away from the Lion. If Jojuri does anything to interfere with the negotiations, she will suffer. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>Watch her closely for any sign of weakness that you could exploit in battle. You expect that you will inevitably come to blows with the Shosuro and when you do, you want to have an advantage over her. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment Skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4630950
>>Watch her closely for any sign of weakness that you could exploit in battle. You expect that you will inevitably come to blows with the Shosuro and when you do, you want to have an advantage over her. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment Skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4630950
>Watch her closely for any sign of weakness that you could exploit in battle. You expect that you will inevitably come to blows with the Shosuro and when you do, you want to have an advantage over her. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment Skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4630950
>Watch her closely for any sign of weakness that you could exploit in battle. You expect that you will inevitably come to blows with the Shosuro and when you do, you want to have an advantage over her. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment Skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4630950
>Watch her closely for any sign of weakness that you could exploit in battle. You expect that you will inevitably come to blows with the Shosuro and when you do, you want to have an advantage over her. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment Skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4630950
>>You don't want Jojuri as an enemy. Try to heal the rift between you – you are samurai of the same clan, you shouldn't be rivals, you should be friends. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

>>4630950
We shouldn't be watching her for physical weaknesses right now. That's planning for potential future battle that might not even happen when right now, we're in the midst of a courtly war. We need to win one before worrying about the next. Whenever we could, we should be gaining initiative in Court.

>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
Because it's the easiest option with a tangibly useful outcome in the near-future.

But more specifically.
>Admit to your own defeats as well today. You tried to be friendly with the Crane guest, but when you spoke in private with her all you got was a coldness. You're wondering if she's questioning if you have ulterior motives behind your public declaration of friendship.
>Try to set things up so that Jojuri thinks your relationship with Akirako is much colder than it is, If Jojuri moves in against this apparent opening and tries to poison her opinion of us further, you know for a fact she's a deadly enemy you can't give any quarter to.
>As soon as possible, whine about Jojuri to Akirako. Say that you tried to offer her your sympathies when you noticed she was feeling down and left court early, any Crane would understand this motivation. But all you got were insults and accusations of gloating. Whine about you not being able to understand Jojuri one bit. Don't lie so if Akirako does question you, you can claim that you've never lied to her.

This way, in all outcomes, we get Akirako's sympathy and increase the strength of our friendship. If we calm Jojuri, we get a de-escalation of open court fights. If we don't, we bait her into poisoning Akirako's trust of her by making her utter all sorts of nonsense about us to her. We'll make sure Akirako knows the truth and thus recognizes Jojuri's lies for what they are. Meanwhile, while Jojuri is distracted with Akirako we can speak to the Lion Delegation tomorrow without fear of her interfering.

If she doesn't take the bait at all, we still get a free opportunity to whine about Jojuri to Akirako and gain her sympathy.

>>4630950
>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4631091
>>4630950
This

>>4630950
>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4630950
>Threaten her. From now on, she is going to stay away from the Lion. If Jojuri does anything to interfere with the negotiations, she will suffer. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4630950
>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

Better to stabilize her and try and improve our relationship for the moment. We can work on friendship later, if she doesn't burn this bridge a second time.

>>4631091
I'm fine with this.

>>4630950
>Threaten her. From now on, she is going to stay away from the Lion. If Jojuri does anything to interfere with the negotiations, she will suffer. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.

>>4630950
>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>Going with:
>Try to calm her down. You're not her enemy. All you want to know is what happened to make her so upset. You want to understand her, not ridicule her. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>I require a roll of 6d6 using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.

>I will accept the best of three.

Rolled 3, 6, 4, 6, 3, 1 = 23 (6d6)

>>4631401

Rolled 3, 4, 6, 6, 6, 5 = 30 (6d6)

>>4631401

Rolled 5, 1, 3, 2, 4, 5 = 20 (6d6)

>>4631401

Rolled 2, 3, 1, 6, 3, 1 = 16 (6d6)

>>4631401

Rolled 4, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3 = 12 (6d6)

>>4631401

>No need for any further rolls - when I say 'the best of three,' I mean the best of the first three rolls. So in this case, that would be >>4631435. Sorry for the lack of clarity there.

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>Going with >>4631435, five successes.

“Not at all, Shosuro-san – I simply wish to know more. You say that Matsu Kitahachi mocked you? How so?”

“Hah!” Upon hearing your question, Jojuri sneers at you. “Why should I share all of my suffering with you? So that you might gossip about it with your darling friend, Akirako? No, I think that I should spare myself the shame.”

“My friendship with the Kakita is not as strong as you think. My every attempt to earn her cooperation failed – the woman is as stubborn as an ox.” It's a lie, but judging from the look of surprise on Jojuri's face, she believes every word of it. “I was hoping that I might be able to learn more from you about our guests from the Lion Clan. If you know anything that I could use to my advantage in the coming days, I would like to know it as well.”

Her expression changes again, this time to one of puzzlement. “Did you not hear what Sadayoshi said about me, Bayushi-san? I seek to further my lord's agenda, or so he believes – if that is the case, then why would I ever cooperate with you?”

“Why, because we are both of the Scorpion Clan, Shosuro-san.”. Now isn't the time to condescend or intimidate. Instead you speak with Jojuri in a level-headed manner. “I understand that you wish for the prosperity of Ryokō Owari, and I know that you are intelligent enough to figure out the purpose behind the Lion's visit. They wish to negotiate a trade deal – to enjoy a stronger flow of opium, in exchange for the wealth of their clan. Unfortunately, poppies do not grow particularly well in Beiden. Most of the opium found in this province comes from the land that you serve – from the City of Lies.” You're not afraid of using that name, as you are most certainly not in polite company. “If the seneschal is able to come to an agreement with Kaneru, Ryokō Owari only stands to profit.”

The courtier lets out a frustrated huff. “Yet that profit would grow substantially if the Matsu dealt with my lord directly. As we are speaking so candidly with one another, you must know that I intend to cut out Beiden as the intermediary, so that I might earn my master's favour. He might even allow me to return home, should I find success here.”

“I understand, Shosuro-san. Yet so far, success has eluded you. You said as much yourself.” You speak as respectfully as you can. You must tread carefully – you don't want Jojuri to think that you're mocking her. “So why strive for a grand prize that seems out of reach, when you could settle for a reward that is within your grasp? If Sadayoshi is able to achieve an agreement with the Lion, you could send word to your master saying that you played a part in it and that the demand for his city's opium will grow substantially, thanks to you. Yet if I am to help the seneschal succeed in his dealmaking, I need every advantage that I can get. So if there is anything you can tell me about our visitors, I am listening.”

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Shosuro Jojuri is silent. She wets her lips as she stands there, deep in thought, considering all of the possibilities. At last, she nods.

“I do not know much,” she begins, “but I will tell you of my encounters with the Matsu. First of all, I approached Kitahachi with the intention of... establishing some measure of influence over him.” In other words, she tried to seduce the elderly Lion. “We introduced ourselves to one another and I expressed great interest in him, as well as a hope that I would come to know him better. After a few minutes of this, he laid his hands on me. This is not unusual, as I used to men who are unable to control their fingers... Yet rather than grope me, he pushed me away from him!” You struggle to contain your amusement as you imagine the scene in your head. “He was subtle enough that he avoided causing any commotion, but would you believe what he told me next? 'I would have had a chance at tempting him, if only I knew how to wear a kimono properly!'”

Behind you, Kinnosuke can't keep up the façade of a silent yōjimbō any longer. He sniggers, earning a poisonous glare from his kinswoman. You're quick to guide Jojuri to the next subject.

“You spoke of encounters,” you say. “That implies more than one. Did you speak with Kitahachi again, or did you go to Kaneru or Shoraku instead?”

“Once I had recovered from that insult, I tried to speak with the Lion delegation in the garden. Clearly my previous method was not successful, so I tried a more respectful approach, to flatter Kaneru and her companions with the appropriate etiquette. The lioness rebuked my efforts – she insisted on a moment of privacy, in which she could speak to her yōjimbō and aide without any fear of being disturbed. I have no doubt that Kitahachi told her of my efforts to catch his eye, and that she was thoroughly unimpressed with me.”

“So,” she concludes, “after that, I had my fill of being spurned and shunned for the day. I took my leave at the first opportunity and now I am here, speaking with you. I cannot imagine how anything that you just heard might be of use to you, Bayushi-san.”

She has a point – you were hoping for some more valuable information than that. Regardless, you bow your head before your fellow Scorpion in a gesture of gratitude. “I will find some way to exploit this knowledge, I am sure. Thank you for your time Shosuro-san, and forgive me for disturbing you.” You turn to depart, only for Jojuri to call out.

“Wait,” she says. “You wanted my cooperation, did you not..? I can do more than just share the story of my humiliation with you. For the duration of the Lion's visit, I can behave myself. I can even try to aid the seneschal, if that is his wish. All I ask in return is that you speak to Sadayoshi and that when the deal is struck and he sends word to my lord, that he mentions my contribution – that I played a valuable part in this.”

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Well, that's a sudden change of tune.

>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.
>No. She has to be up to something you're not going to stand for it. Jojuri can do whatever she want, you're not going to lie about her involvement.
>Lie. Of course the seneschal is going tell Ryokō Owari all about what a good girl Jojuri has been – at least, that's what you'll lead her to believe. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

>>4631614
>>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

A deal that benefits all is best for all parties. More importantly, it gives us a friendly-ish contact in another city we can tap if we have dealings there in the future. Networking is very important as we get further up the chain.

>>4631614
>>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

>>4631614
>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

Let us see where this bridge may lead.

>>4631605
are not 6's double successes?

>>4631741
>I'll explain the system described it in >>4629256, using the most recent roll as an example.
>An Earth ring of 2 allows you to roll two dice, and a Courtesy skill of 2 allows you to roll four dice. This equals a total of six dice rolled.
>However, only two of the six dice can be kept, due to the Earth ring of 2. Additional dice can only be kept for every 6 which is rolled.
>In this instance, >>4631435 rolled 3, 4, 6, 6, 6 and 5.
>The 3 is a failure. The 4, 6, 6, 6 and 5 are successes.
>Normally, due to the Earth ring of 2, only two of these successes could be kept. However, the three 6s increase the number of successes that be kept on this roll up to five.
>This allows all five successes to be kept, allowing you to achieve the three required successes and two bonus successes. A very good result.

>>4631772
So for this roll, we were betting on having at least 2 normal sucesses and at least one more 1 six?

>>4631831
>Correct. At least two rolls of 4, 5 or 6 and at least one roll of 6 were required for that to succeed.

>>4631614
>>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

>>4631614
>Lie. Of course the seneschal is going tell Ryokō Owari all about what a good girl Jojuri has been – at least, that's what you'll lead her to believe. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

>>4631614
>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

>>4631614
>>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

>>4631614
>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.
We can't be poisoned by a woman who's a few hundred miles away from us, neh?

>>4631614
>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

>>4632010
She could make a deal with someone else in the castle to poison us after she leaves.

>>4632069
Why, if she ends up getting what she want? Just for kicks?

>>4632120
In case she's only being forwards about what she wants to misdirect us and conceal a hidden agenda, or in case we cooperate too closely and she has to share some secrets with us and now needs to tie up loose ends. Or maybe we make too many potential allies for her liking and she needs to eliminate us so they need a new contact in the Scorpion Clan. There are a million reasons why any rando peer Scorpion of ours might want us dead.

>>4631614
>>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

“We shall both prove our worths Shosuro-san and get the appointments we desire; outside this small city.”

>>4632142
But nothing concrete on her end. Paranoia has it's uses, but we shouldn't be ruled by it.

>>Yes. You'll make sure that Sadayoshi will embellish the importance of Jojuri in the negotiations, when he sends word to the City of Lies.

desu it's beyond the realm of belief that we approached her in the first place; we have no rational reason to and no relationship. if she's the bag of shit she's described to be we'd have left her to her own devices and stayed watching the go game.

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“I suppose that your lord is more likely to reward you if the seneschal corroborates your account of events,” you muse. “It seems that in the end, we both seek the same thing, Shosuro-san – to prove our worth and receive the appointments that we desire; we deserve more than Beiden. Very well. If you refrain from any sort of disruptive behaviour, I shall make sure that Yogo Sadayoshi speaks highly of you, when he next sends a missive to the City of Lies.”

“We have a deal then,” Jojuri replies. Her frustration has receded and she seems quite satisfied with this outcome. “Though if there is nothing else that you need from me, I must ask that you take your leave. I must see to the mending of my yukata, among other things.” Her tone is cool, and you must remind yourself that you haven't befriended her – you have simply managed to negotiate a ceasefire.

With a polite bow, you turn and depart from Shosuro Jojuri's quarters and make your way down the hallway. As soon as you're a reasonable distance away, Kinnosuke mutters a few words from behind you.

“I do not know how you do it, Bayushi-san. First you wrap a courtier of the Crane Clan so tightly around your finger that she grants you a favour, and then you manage to convince my kinswoman to abandon her schemes in favour of yours.” His voice is tinged with disbelief, and maybe even a little admiration. “How in the Emperor's name did you end up serving Orinosuke, of all people?”

“That is a question that I often ask myself,” you reply, unable to keep the smugness out of your voice. He's right, after all – you've outdone yourself today, as befits a samurai destined to rise to greatness.

>You lose a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 1 / 8.

By this point, the day has almost come to an end. You should think about retiring to your own chambers for the evening, but there is one last task you need to attend to. While you have been working your magic in the daimyō's estate, your assistant has been keeping an eye on the streets of Beiden. This assistant is none other than Atsushi, the rōnin who has served you faithfully since the beginning. He will want to know about what happened during the first day of court, and you want to know what the servants of the Lion Clan have been up to. The last time that you spoke with the wave man, he had seen them scurrying about the city and you asked him to investigate.

Yet before you go to speak with Atsushi, is there anything else you wish to do in the estate of Yogo Kanzaburo, or anyone else you want to try and speak with first?

>If there is anything you want to do before you meet with the rōnin, now is the time to suggest it. If there isn't, then we can move on to your reunion with Atsushi.

>>4632332
>Move forward

>>4632332
Move on

>>4632332
Skip forward

>>4632332
I'm satisfied with the current state of affairs atm. Let's see what our ronin has brought us today.

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As there is nothing else that demands your attention within the estate, you make your way towards the compound's entrance. Shosuro Kinnosuke trails behind you as you meander through the dismal corridors, the ominous entryway and finally the daimyō's garden, from which you are able to see the sun drift towards the horizon. There is no one to be seen, aside from a few guards standing at their posts and a tall, willowy servant tending to the plants. It is there where you finally turn to your yōjimbō.

“Much like yesterday, I wish to speak with Atsushi,” you explain. “Do what you like in the meantime, for I should not take too long.”

“As you wish, Bayushi-san.” Kinnosuke's tone makes it obvious that he does not approve, but it's a part of the agreement that you made with him. You will refrain from bossing him about, and he will turn a blind eye to your activities every now and then. The masked samurai turns and walks back up the path towards the manor, while you continue down it towards the gate. Just like yesterday, you need to explain yourself to the bushi that are stationed there – it is rather peculiar for a courtier to leave the estate at this hour, after all. Eventually you are allowed out into the familiar streets of Beiden, the city you have called home for almost a year.

“Bayushi-sama!” Less than a hundred yards away from the gates of the estate, you hear a familiar voice call out to you – it is your dōshin, Atsushi.

>Atsushi: A wave man, the son of a rōnin who abandoned his duty to the Lion Clan. He is a good-natured and surprisingly honourable man, though he has a debilitating addiction to alcohol. Despite this, he has proven himself competent since the first time that you met him, over a year ago. From Seven Stings Keep, to the village of Kagoki, to the city of Beiden, he has been there for you. If only he was able to be at your side in Yogo Kanzaburo's estate.

“Atsushi-san,” you reply, with your smile thankfully hidden beneath your veil. You turn towards the man, dressed as always in a rather drab robe. The only symbols of station that he wears are the daishō hanging by his side and the jitte tucked into his obi. “I pray that you have had a pleasant day?”

The rōnin nods. “That I have. What about you though? I'd like to hear about what's gone in there, what the Lion have been up to – have they been up to no good, or are they still playing the part of good little guests?”

So you take a moment to explain everything that has happened throughout the day – how Yogo Sadayoshi reacted to your choice of clothes, how all of the different courtiers introduced themselves to the Lion and what impact that had, of the machinations of the various courtiers and of your own personal success, how you managed to earn a favour from Kakita Akirako and how you were able to convince Shosuro Jojuri to cooperate. By the time you are finished, Atsushi seems as impressed as he is bemused.

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“I've got to say,” he admits, “I'm glad that I'm not in there. Much as I wish I could keep an eye on you in there, I just don't have the heart for all of this scheming and dancing around words. I was never meant for court, Bayushi-sama.”

“I did tell you that you would not be of any use in there. Yet I trust that you have been of value out here. Tell me, what did you find out about the servants of the Lion Clan? Were they wandering out of the estate again? Were you able to find where they went?” Though Atsushi did not expect such a barrage of questions, he answers them one by one.

“I wasn't able to find out much but at this point, I'm quite sure that it's just one servant. I kept my distance as best as I could, so that I wouldn't make him suspicious. Despite this, I'm quite sure that he caught sight of me once or twice – but he didn't act like he was doing anything wrong. No guilt, no shame. He just carried on about his business. I did manage to follow him to his destination though. It's one of the local sake dens, but it's not like he stayed in there for a drink. First time, he went in with a letter and left without it, less than a minute later. Second time, he left with a sake set – a flask of the stuff and a stack of three cups.”

You're not sure what to think of this. You mull over this new information, only for your dōshin to disrupt your thoughts.

“So, what would you like me to do about him, Bayushi-sama? Should I keep on watching out for him?”

>This servant seems rather harmless. He was just fetching liquor for his masters. Atsushi should return to his usual duties, so that he doesn't get in trouble.
>You want your dōshin to keep on shadowing this servant, to see if he goes anywhere else in the days to come. He should refrain from interfering though.
>Atsushi should detain this servant the next time he encounters him, confiscate anything that he has and question him thoroughly. You want to learn everything that there is to know about the Lion's minion.
>You're more interested in this sake den that the servant visited. Atsushi's priority should be investigating this den and finding out more about it – he should focus on that, rather than the servant.
>Honestly? You're going to put your trust in Atsushi's judgement. He should decide for himself what the wisest course of action is. You have faith in him.

>>4632973
>>Honestly? You're going to put your trust in Atsushi's judgement. He should decide for himself what the wisest course of action is. You have faith in him.

>>4632973
>This servant seems rather harmless. He was just fetching liquor for his masters. Atsushi should return to his usual duties, so that he doesn't get in trouble.
Well obviously the Lions have a contact in the city they're communicating with through the sake courier. There's no lack of sake in the castle storehouses. But I don't trust Atsushi to be subtle and not tip off the Lions that we're on to them. Let's see if we can borrow any assets from Jojuri.

>>4632973
>>You want your dōshin to keep on shadowing this servant, to see if he goes anywhere else in the days to come. He should refrain from interfering though.

>>4632973
>Honestly? You're going to put your trust in Atsushi's judgement. He should decide for himself what the wisest course of action is. You have faith in him.
I can't decide

>>4632973
>You're more interested in this sake den that the servant visited. Atsushi's priority should be investigating this den and finding out more about it – he should focus on that, rather than the servant.

>>4633075
And that contact is probably based in the den. Having At. check them out should be safe, and he has the authority to investigate them.

>>4632973
>Honestly? You're going to put your trust in Atsushi's judgement. He should decide for himself what the wisest course of action is. You have faith in him.

He's been there with an eye and an ear to the ground, and he's been competent. I say we trust his judgment in this matter.

>>4633176
Im guessing at least one of the Lion delegates have experience with how the Scorpions operate, probably the old geezer. If so, they're definitely going to be suspicious of the den their contact is in gets investigated mere days after they come into town.

>>4632973
>>You're more interested in this sake den that the servant visited. Atsushi's priority should be investigating this den and finding out more about it – he should focus on that, rather than the servant.

>>4632973
>Atsushi should detain this servant the next time he encounters him, confiscate anything that he has and question him thoroughly. You want to learn everything that there is to know about the Lion's minion.

>>4632973
>You're more interested in this sake den that the servant visited. Atsushi's priority should be investigating this den and finding out more about it – he should focus on that, rather than the servant.

>>4632973
>You're more interested in this sake den that the servant visited. Atsushi's priority should be investigating this den and finding out more about it – he should focus on that, rather than the servant.
On the one his his addiction could cause trouble but on the other he should seem more natural in there

>>4632973
>You're more interested in this sake den that the servant visited. Atsushi's priority should be investigating this den and finding out more about it – he should focus on that, rather than the servant.

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“The servant has already seen you once or twice. I want you to take a look inside of the sake house, to see what you can learn about it. Maybe the Lion Clan has a contact there? There should be no shortage of liquor in the estate, so I cannot think of why they would send a courier to gather some from a common den, of all places.” You pause, as you consider what you are asking of your assistant, of your dōshin. “Just remember why you are there, Atsushi-san. Try to avoiding dulling your senses with drink.”

“Oh, I might have one or two cups while I'm there,” the wave man chuckles. “My thirst has a reputation, after all. It'd be far stranger if I went to an establishment and didn't indulge myself while I was there. Don't worry though, Bayushi-sama – I won't let my vice get the better of me. We'll meet here tomorrow, then?”

You nod in response to his question. “We shall. I shall bear more news of how the delegates are behaving, while I expect you to inform me of this drinking den, and whatever you manage to find out about it. Take care of yourself, Atsushi-san.”

“I'd ask the same of you, but you need no reminder from me to do that.” The rōnin stoops before you in a bow, one of genuine respect for you. “Fortunes' blessing, Bayushi-sama.” You watch as Atsushi turns to leave and makes his way down the streets of Beiden, eventually disappearing around a corner. It feels strange, working without him. He has been a constant presence in your life for so long and suddenly, you find yourself without him – all you have is Kinnosuke, who is less of an assistant and more of a minder. Your feeling almost transforms into a sense of loss when you recall one of your last conversations with Atsushi – how he has grown tired of serving the Scorpion as a mercenary lawman, and how he wishes to move on. This might be the last time that you will ever work with him.

Rather than dwell on the thought, you turn to make your way back inside of the estate, past the guards and the slender gardener, and back into the sprawling darkness of the daimyō's manor.

No one bothers you as you return to your accommodation, where Shosuro Kinnosuke awaits. The chamber that you share is comfortable and extravagantly decorated, unlike your room back at the magistrates' station. Even with the paper screen dividing it in two, your half is still larger than what you are used to. Your yōjimbō occupies the other half, as tradition demands that bodyguards must never be far from their charges. Though it limits you privacy, you have no choice but to accept it – the Chief Magistrate loves to keep you on a short leash, after all.

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As you have accomplished so much today, you grant yourself this opportunity to rest. Most of the other courtiers will have retired by now as well, so there is little for you to gain from continuing to indulge in politics. You change into something more comfortable and spend the rest of the evening relaxing, before you finally allow yourself to rest and prepare your mind and body for the next day.

>You lose a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 0 / 8.

As always, you find yourself untroubled by dreams or nightmares. Your sleep is like a blanket of darkness that wraps around you and clouds your senses. The nothingness is warm and welcoming, until it is suddenly disturbed by two words that shatter the stillness.

Get up.

Suddenly, your serenity is shattered and you almost feel as though you are forced to awaken, as though a great hand has seized your mind and is dragging it back to a state of wakefulness. With a groan, you open your eyes. Your quarters are pitch black – the light of the lamp went out long ago and there is no sign of dawn through the window. On the other side of the screen, you can hear the sound of Kinnosuke's steady breath. He is still fast asleep. You consider rejoining him in slumber, only for that voice to reverberate through your mind once more.

Something has happened.

With a frown, you sit up. What could have possibly happened, in the middle of the night? The fog of sleep gradually lifts from your mind and your senses sharpen. You can hear the pattering steps of servants beyond your doorway, as they go about their business – far more urgently than usual. After only a couple of minutes of wakefulness, you hear a pair of feet come to a halt before the entrance of your chamber and after a moment of silence, a heimin's voice calls out to you.

“Bayushi-sama?” The voice is soft to begin with, but the servant beyond the door quickly raises her voice. “Forgive me for disturbing your rest, Bayushi-sama. Bayushi-sama, are you awake?” You can hear the anxiety in her voice but before the woman threatens to awaken Kinnosuke as well, you reply to her.

“Yes, yes – I am awake. What is the matter, girl?” You rise to your feet and make your way towards the door to open it. As soon as you do, the heimin grovels before you, but not before you catch a glimpse of the panic and apprehension on her face.

“Yogo Sadayoshi, the seneschal, he has requested that you join him in the main hall as soon as you can. Forgive me for disturbing your slumber, Bayushi-sama.” With a hurried bow, the servant hurries off through the hallway, before you can ask any question of her.

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What could have possibly happened that requires your attention at this hour?

>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Leave Shosuro Kinnosuke. Whatever is going to happen, you'd rather not have him leering over your shoulder. You can take care of yourself and to be honest, you'd appreciate a little privacy.

>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.
>You refuse to show up unless you're presentable. Take the time to dress and clean yourself properly so that when you show up to meet with the acting seneschal, you are at your best. Sadayoshi can afford to wait, whatever this is about.
>There's no way that you're going to meet with Sadayoshi without knowing what's going on first. You're going to see what you can overhear before you speak with him. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

>>4634291
>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.

>>4634291
>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.

>>4634291
>>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.

>>4634291
>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.

Alright who got murdered?

>>4634291
>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
We need an ally to back us up.

>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.
If someone did get murdered, this will show we were busy sleeping.

There's always the possibility that the servant isn't actually from Sadayoshi and was sent to lure us into a trap, in which case we need Kinnosuke. We should also bring our complete Daisho too.

>>4634326
If it's Kakita I swear to the Fortunes ...

>>4634291
>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.

>>4634291
>Wake up Shosuro Kinnosuke. He has been charged with watching over you and if he finds that you have disappeared when he wakes up, he will not be happy. Besides, you might need him.
>Right now, you're wearing a simple robe designed for comfort while sleeping, lacking in dye and embroidery. This will have to do. Put on your veil, grab your wakizashi and make your way down to speak with Sadayoshi. This sounds urgent, and you should not keep him waiting.
>

>>4634291
>Leave Shosuro Kinnosuke. Whatever is going to happen, you'd rather not have him leering over your shoulder. You can take care of yourself and to be honest, you'd appreciate a little privacy.
>There's no way that you're going to meet with Sadayoshi without knowing what's going on first. You're going to see what you can overhear before you speak with him. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

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“Shosuro-san – Kinnosuke, wake up.” You call over to your colleague while you prepare yourself for this late night gathering. As you secure your veil around your face, you hear your yōjimbō stir on the other side of the screen.

“Ugh... Jigoku take you, Bayushi-san. If I had any wish to be badgered by a woman in the middle of the night, I would be married.”

“For your sake, I will pretend that I did not hear that,” you reply, almost snappily. You're not particularly happy about being awake at this hour either. “Get up. Put on a mask and pick up your daishō, something has happened.” You grab your own blades as you speak. As the sash of your sleeping garb was not made to carry the weight of a sword, let alone two, you hold them by your side instead. “The servant did not share the details with me. Be ready for anything.”

After a couple of minutes, your fellow yoriki emerges from his side of the paper screen. Like you, he is dressed in a plain robe meant for sleeping, with his daishō held at his side. Instead of the shining black menpō that he wore during the court proceedings, he has donned his usual mask. It is an eerie porcelain thing that looks like it's unfinished – not a single splash of paint decorates it, it doesn't even have a mouth. If Kinnosuke's objective is to unnerve whoever looks at him, then he has chosen an excellent mask for the job.

Side by side, the two of you march down through the scarcely lit corridors of the mansion and make your way to the main hall, to the vast chamber where the seneschal held court earlier today – or yesterday, depending on your perspective.

When you arrive, you are greeted by a sight that would be comical if it wasn't for the circumstances. An unarmed Yogo Sadayoshi sits on his zabuton at the head of the chamber, fidgeting furiously. Standing by his side is the garrison sergeant, Bayushi Shunmyo, who grips his daishō with a grip so tight that his knuckles are white. The hulking figure of Matsu Shoraku furiously paces back and forward, his hands wrapped tight around the swords that he holds at his side – thankfully they remain sheathed but judging from the murderous scowl on his face, he is ready to draw them at a moment's notice. Finally there is a frowning Matsu Kitahachi, who leans more heavily on his cane than usual, as though he is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

All of these powerful men are dressed in modest robes, intended for sleeping rather than holding court. Much like you, it seems that they convened here at a moment's notice, with no time to dress themselves in more appropriately attire. At the sight of you, Shoraku's face contorts into a sneer of rage and disgust.

“Perfect,” he growls. “More vipers, slithering out of the shadows. Just what I wanted to see.”

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“Enough,” Kitahachi snaps at his clansman. “We will accomplish nothing by disparaging our hosts. Though I must wonder why you summoned them, Yogo-sama.” The Lion fixes Sadayoshi with a glare that could cause the mightiest tree to wither. Beneath such a stare, the seneschal flinches and only fidgets further, as he tries to explain himself.

“You serve...” He grimaces and corrects himself. “Y-You served your superior as her aide, did you not? Bayushi Kimiko performs a similar role in this court. I would hear her counsel concerning tonight's events and wherever she goes, her yōjimbō follows. Besides, she and her companion are both the yoriki of Yogo Orinosuke, who shall be here shortly, as I have already assured you. It is best that they hear his judgement, so that they might execute his will.”

“The will of a provincial magistrate means little,” Kitahachi barks in response. There's surprising strength in the old man's voice. “He has no jurisdiction when it comes to matters such as this! For what reason do you refrain from sending for an Emerald Magistrate?!”

“Forgive me,” you begin, somewhat hesitantly considering how heated the conversation has become, “but I have not been informed of what has happened. Would someone be able to tell me what is going on..?”

“As if you do not know!” Shoraku roars those words at you. His free hand drops to the hilt of his katana and likewise, you ready yourself to draw your sword. Shunmyo and Kinnosuke both do the same, while Sadayoshi cringes and shrinks back against his cushion. Thankfully, Kitahachi steps forward and lifts an arm to obstruct the towering warrior.

“I said enough, Shoraku-san!” Once the yōjimbō has lifted his hand away from his sword, the old courtier takes in a rattling breath and turns to you. “If no else can muster the courage to tell you, then I shall. Matsu Kaneru has joined her ancestors, along with her unborn child. While she slept, her life was taken from her – in a most cowardly fashion.”

>You suffer three points of strife. Your strife is currently at 3 / 8.

You struggle to process the enormity of what you have just heard.

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Matsu Kaneru, a diplomat of the Lion Clan and the younger sister of the Matsu family daimyō, is dead – slain in the hospitality of the Scorpion Clan.

>Offer your condolences. They won't be worth much, but the least you can do is try to respect the loss of the Lion Clan. You don't want to make this incident worse than it already is.
>Propose an investigation. There is no time to waste. You should focus your efforts on finding out who is responsible for this heinous crime, instead of lingering here.
>Try to reason with the Lion, particularly Shoraku. Cooler heads prevail, whereas rage accomplishes nothing. Surely he knows this? (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)
>Incite Shoraku to act on his fury. If you choose your words carefully, you might be able to provoke him into lashing out without breaching etiquette. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>Keep your mouth shut, but watch Shoraku for any sign of weakness. You suspect that you're going to have to fight the brute at some point. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4635214
>>Offer your condolences. They won't be worth much, but the least you can do is try to respect the loss of the Lion Clan. You don't want to make this incident worse than it already is.

Rip Matsu Kaneru, I was looking forward to getting to know you.

>>4635214
>Mutter a brief prayer because a pregnant woman being murdered is bad juju and displays of religion are signs of instant sincerity.
>Offer your condolences. They won't be worth much, but the least you can do is try to respect the loss of the Lion Clan. You don't want to make this incident worse than it already is.
Proposing an investigation would make us look slow and dumb since they're already discussing an investigation. Instead, it would be better to ask what they have found so far.

Shoraku has already embarrassed himself in his words to us, he almost drew his sword on us. Everyone in the court is probably already planning on how to take advantage of this. But we don't need to worry about further outbursts because Kitahachi is already controlling him. And this is already a side errand to figuring out what the agenda of the killer is and whether they're serving Scorpion Clan interests.

>>4635214
>>Offer your condolences. They won't be worth much, but the least you can do is try to respect the loss of the Lion Clan. You don't want to make this incident worse than it already is.
>>Pledge to get to the bottom of this incident on our honour.

>>4635317
Since we're only here to serve our Seneschal, a pledge on our part would be a pledge on our master's part. Let's not overstep the bounds of our responsibilities.

>>4635214
>Try to reason with the Lion, particularly Shoraku. Cooler heads prevail, whereas rage accomplishes nothing. Surely he knows this? (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

>>4635324
Like, isnt that his intention. With the calling of the magistrate over.

>>4635214
>>Propose an investigation. There is no time to waste. You should focus your efforts on finding out who is responsible for this heinous crime, instead of lingering here.

did people forget we solve crimes before we came to court?

>>4635333
He didn't make any pledges on how much effort he'd dedicate to getting to the bottom of things. If this is a Scorpion Clan plot that goes beyond petty ambition then it's best not to promise to get to the bottom of anything.

>>4635214
>>4635241
This.

Also ask how it happened, was it a fight? An assassin’s blade? Poison? Something yet to be determined?

There are three guesses I have towards how Kaneru was killed, though it is just speculation.

One possibility is that Yukari (the only known ninja on the premises) killed her. She was seen talking to Akirako before we talked to Jojuri. I doubt this option

Another couple of speculations would be that the sake flask that the Atsushi saw the Lion servant retrieve was either poison or some sort of chemical/herb/that one plant that keeps coming up in hollywood films that slows down the heart. This would be used to fake her death to either create exploitable drama for the Lion courtiers to use and put us on the back foot or just give them a casus belli. Remember all the way back in the previous thread near the beginning it was stated that the most likely cause for the Lion delegation to appear before our Daimyo returned from the Winter Court was some sort of stratagem to either achieve a favourable trade deal or get an excuse to go to war with the Scorpian clan.

The reason I speculate that the servant was retrieving real poison instead of some fake!death chemical was that I vaguely recall hearing that the lion's shugenja's were necromancers or something. Though I may just be not remembering that correctly at all, and either way it would be OOC knowledge, so we can't use it.

Though speaking of necromancers, this may have to do with the Lion or it could be part of one of our other plot lines, but there is our message from Khulan from last thread.

Sorry if I seem like this is all just retarded shadowruns. Just my thoughts late at night. (for me at least)

>>4635214
>Offer your condolences. They won't be worth much, but the least you can do is try to respect the loss of the Lion Clan. You don't want to make this incident worse than it already is.

>>4635214
>4635241
Supporting, mainly asking what has been discovered so far.
Rokugan Clue is a go.

>>4635987
Murder on the Orient ... Actually just the Orient.

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You have never been particularly devout, yet when you are confronted with this revelation, you cannot help but bow your head and murmur a prayer. May Emma-ō smile upon how Kaneru led her life, and may she be allowed to dwell among her ancestors in Yomi, free from the cycle of reincarnation. When you lift your head and open your eyes once more, you offer your condolences.

“Forgive me Matsu-san, I did not know. The Lion Clan – no, the empire – has lost an incredible woman and Rokugan shall be worse off without her. May her murderer be brought to justice, and may she know peace in her next life.” You pause, as you consider how to phrase the next question. Inquiring about how she died might come across as morbid, unless you just word it just right... “I only hope that her departure from this world was a painless one.”

Sadayoshi doesn't dare comment, paralysed as he is by his anxiety. Kitahachi's expression remains grim, and his only response is a shake of his head. After closing his eyes and taking in a breath through his mouth to calm himself, it is Shoraku who speaks.

“Her throat was slit while she slept. Would you call such a death painless, Bayushi-san?”

That question is followed by an accusatory stare, yet behind all of that outrage, you can see that the samurai struggles to bear the weight of his shame. After all, he was Kaneru's yōjimbō. His sole purpose was to protect her life with his own. That was his duty. If the diplomat was slain while she slept, then Shoraku must have been slumbering as well. While his charge was murdered, he was sleeping comfortably in his bed. The depth of his failure is immeasurable.

“May Emma-ō grant her peace,” you quietly repeat, bowing your head rather than meeting the glare of the samurai. Though there is some sincerity in your words, Shoraku clearly doesn't believe it. His only response is a scoff of disbelief before he resumes his pacing. There appears to be little else to be said before the Chief Magistrate arrives, so you take a seat on one of the scattered mats. There is no use talking to Sadayoshi or Shunmyo by now, as there is no chance that the Lion would allow you the privacy to strategise – not at a time like this. Nor is there any polite conversation that can be made in the wake of Kaneru's death. Your only choice is to wait.

At last, he arrives. Flanked by a pair of dōshin, the commanding presence of the Chief Magistrate strides into the courtly hall. Rather than wear the white and grey sleeping robes that the rest of you are clad in, he wears a featureless black kimono and a lacquered menpō of the same colour to hide his face. This is the man that you have served for the past year of your life, the law of Beiden, Yogo Orinosuke.

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>Yogo Orinosuke: Chief Magistrate of Beiden, who secretly styles himself as the most powerful man in the province. You are not sure whether he is mercurial or manipulative, because as soon as you become used to his behaviour, his personality seems to change. He despises the scheming nature of the Scorpion, yet he has so many schemes of his own. One moment, he praises you and promises that you will succeed him while the next, he derides and humiliates you for the smallest mistake.

“Forgive my tardiness,” he begins, though there isn't a shred of regret in his tone. In fact, you can't identify any sort of emotion in how he speaks. “I have been told of what has occurred and might I just say that you have my commiseration, honoured guests of the Lion.” The Chief Magistrate bows his head, if only for a moment.

“Your sympathy is appreciated,” Kitahachi replies with a bow of his own, a gesture of respect for Orinosuke's authority. Shoraku, on the other hand, offers nothing but a baleful glare. “Yet I am afraid that your presence is unnecessary. This is a matter that is far larger than the Scorpion Clan alone. Though this crime might have occurred in your lands, it is the Lion that has suffered. You have no jurisdiction over an affair such as this – for that reason, I ask that you summon an Emerald Magistrate. Only they have the right to determine who is responsible for a deed as foul as this.”

For a moment, Orinosuke remains silent. His authority has been challenged, yet he has no power over a dignitary from another clan. Eventually, he speaks. “We shall summon a servant of the Emerald Champion, just as you wish. I believe that the nearest one dwells in Shiro Matsu, if I am not mistaken? Even on the back of the fastest horse, it shall a few days for word to reach him, and a few more for him to arrive here. Until he arrives, I ask that you allow my servants to investigate this matter, so that-”

“I cannot condone such an investigation,” Kitahachi interrupts, his voice stern. “Yogo-sama, I trust that you are aware of why the Emerald Magistracy has authority over matters such as this? No one clan can be trusted to intrude in matters such as these, without seeking to twist the story so that it favours them. For that reason, Shoraku and I shall not deign to intefere, and I trust that your clansmen can refrain from doing so as well.”

In other words, he suspects that Orinosuke will try to fabricate a story behind Kaneru's demise that favours the Scorpion. A reasonable suspicion, considering the villainous reputation of your clan.

“... Very well.” You can hear a sliver of frustration in your master's voice. “We shall wait until the arrival of the Emerald Magistrate – Shiba Gyeongsu. I have worked with him before, and I know that he is a loyal samurai who serves the Emperor well. No one shall be allowed to depart from the estate until he has administered his judgement.”

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Orinosuke turns towards Shoraku next. “Yogo Sadayoshi will see to it that you are given new quarters. The room that you shared with Kaneru shall remain untouched until Gyeongsu can arrive to investigate.”

“Untouched? You mean that you plan on leaving Matsu-sama's body in there to rot?!” The samurai balks at the suggestion, his horror and outrage plain on his face. “She will not receive such disrespect! Her ashes should be sent back to her homeland, where she belongs! She deserved a better death than this, and she deserves better than being left to decay in a pool of her own blood!”

“Shoraku!” Kitahachi's bellowing is the only thing that prevents the furious yōjimbō from continuing his rant. Once Shoraku has fallen silent, the elderly Lion turns back towards Orinosuke. “Though you must forgive my clansman for his outburst, I ask that you understand the reason behind it. Kaneru has suffered enough, and allowing her to moulder in that room... I have no desire for her memory to be insulted in such a fashion.”

You have remained silent for long enough.

>... yet you dare not speak. It is not your place to interfere. Keep your mouth shut and allow Yogo Orinosuke to speak for himself. (By choosing this option, you will increase your strife to 6 / 8 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>You concede that Matsu Kitahachi has a point. It would be disrespectful to let her body rot in that room for so long. Take the side of the Lion Clan and insist that her body should be burned and sent back to Shiro Matsu.
>No. Kaneru's body must stay where it is until the Emerald Magistrate is here. They can be as offended and upset as they want to be, but the Scorpion Clan has dominion in these lands. You refuse to let the Lion run this show.
>Convince them to be reasonable. How is the Emerald Magistrate supposed to come to a conclusion if he cannot even see the body of the slain? (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)
>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>Lie. A body will be burned and ashes will be sent back to Shiro Matsu, but they won't be Kaneru's. Her corpse will remain here. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes. You will lose honour if you choose this option.)

>>4636248
>>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4636248
>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

>>4636248
>>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse.

>>4636248
>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

Why not? This way, the murder will be investigated while her spirit is honored.

>>4636248
>>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)

Alright something's real fishy here.

Has anyone other than the Lion Clan actually seen the body? How do we know she's dead? What if the 'body' disappears and then the Lion Clan starts accusing us of stealing it as well?

Second of all, what if this was planned? She was speaking about how it is an honor for a samurai to die. It seems like a far stretch, but worth considering?

And even with her Yojimbo being so accusatory, while the Old Man has kept him in check, he hasn't disagreed with him or defended the honor of their hosts once. It's like they're trying to insinuate we had her killed.

Beiden is on the border of the Lion and Scorpion lands so it's the perfect place to start a war. The investigation drags on, the Lions demand to be able to have a small force garrison the place until everything's resolved, another fabricated incident, and then bam, the Lion have a casus belli. Reminder that Kaneru herself told Kakita that it's an honor for any samurai to die for her clan.

Anyways we know for sure that something is fishy if the Lion Clan doesn't let any Scorpions examine the body at all.

>>4636329
This sounds more like a Scorpion or maybe Crane scheme than something the Lion would pull

>>4636338
Didn't we just have an interaction this thread where the lesson was if the Crane can outfight the Lion, then the Lion can outcourt the Crane? Who's to say the Lion can't out intrigue the Scorpion clan? Especially considering how un-scorpion our Seneschal is.

>>4636329
A cut throat is usually fatal, anon. Plus, why would the Lions murder their own in a false flag operation? That's something you'd expect from a Scorpion, not a clan with an honor boner ratio of a sea cucumber.

>>4636344
Why murder the pregnant sister of your daimyō? Especially over a tiny city? No matter how you cut it, it seems pretty retarded to me.

>>4636403
No my point is, did anyone other than a Lion Clan member see the cut throat?

>>4636248
>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>>4636329
They suspect we killed Kaneru because that's the obvious answer. This looks really fucking bad. I kinda doubt the Lion would murder one of their own like this, but we definitely do need to see the corpse.

>Going with:
>Perhaps a compromise? Yogo Mushanokoji is a priest, he should be able to ward off any evil spirits that might be drawn to Kaneru's corpse. Will that satisfy the Lion? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.)
>I require a roll of 6d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy Skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes.

>I will accept the best of the first three rolls.

Rolled 1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 6 = 22 (6d6)

>>4636511
Yoshi!

Rolled 1, 2, 4, 4, 4, 4 = 19 (6d6)

>>4636527
Already have three succes thanks to >>4636527

Rolled 2, 1, 3, 4, 2, 4 = 16 (6d6)

>>4636511

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>Going with >>4636527, three successes.

“Might I suggest an alternative?”

Suddenly, everyone turns towards you. From the incensed Shoraku to the expectant Orinosuke, they all wait for you to speak.

“Provided that the room is cleaned of blood, Yogo Kanzaburo's court priest could ward it against evil. His invocations would protect the body of Matsu Kaneru from corruption until the Emerald Magistrate's arrival. Once the investigation is complete, her remains would be burned and her ashes would be yours to return to Shiro Matsu. This way, the daimyō's sister would receive the respect that she deserves without impeding the judgement of this... Shiba Gyeongsu.”

“How can we be certain that her remains will not be defiled?” The lumbering warrior of the Lion is still seething. Yet before you can come up with an answer, Bayushi Shunmyo speaks.

“I will have guards stationed outside of her quarters at all times.” The voice of the gunsō is more severe than ever. “You will be welcome to inspect the room whenever you wish, to confirm that nothing has been done to her body. Under my watch, your charge will not suffer any further indignity. You have my word, Matsu-san.”

You have never heard a silence as tense as the one that follows. Shoraku and Shunmyo have locked eyes, and both men seem ready to draw steel. Thankfully, after what feels like an hour, Kitahachi is the one who cuts through the tension.

“We accept your terms.” He closes his eyes and draws in a trembling breath before he continues. “Once the cleansing has been completed and we have steeled ourselves, Shoraku and I shall inspect the priest's work. Though any diplomacy between the Lion and Scorpion cannot continue with the demise of Matsu Kaneru, we shall remain in Beiden until the Emerald Magistrate has administered justice. Now, if you will excuse us, we have yet to mourn our loss. I ask that you grant us solace, so that we might grieve for the life that has been lost this night.”

“Of course,” Orinosuke says, almost dismissively. You have no doubt that he is too busy plotting to pay much attention to what is being said. Then suddenly his eyes seem to sharp and he lowers himself in a deep, sincere bow. “Again, you have my commiseration, Matsu-san. I hope that you both find some measure of peace before dawn comes and a new day begins.”

Along with the other Scorpion present, you lower yourself in a bow before the Lion samurai and offer your condolences once more. Kitahachi lowers himself in return, as does Shoraku. At long last, his rage appears to have burnt out and judging from the bitterness of his expression, he is all but consumed by his guilt. You almost feel sorry for the yōjimbō, as you have no doubt that his failure will haunt him for his rest of his life.

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Once the Lion have left the hall, the Chief Magistrate lets out a forlorn sigh.

“What a miserable mess this is,” he murmurs. “Thankfully, it is not beyond redemption.”

“Not beyond redemption?!” Sadayoshi speaks at last, his voice shrill. “She was the sister of Matsu Hidaka, daimyō of not just a province, but the entire Matsu family! When summer comes, we will be fortunate if they do not raze this entire city to the ground and build a shrine on the ashes in her honour!”

“Calm yourself, seneschal. I know that legal matters are my area of expertise and not yours, but consider for a moment the weapon that we have at our disposal.” Orinosuke gestures towards you. Before you can reply, he continues. “Bayushi Kimiko, a distant descendant of the Hantei line. In the eyes of the law, her word carries more weight than that of most other samurai. Her claims will hold greater sway over the Emerald Magistrate than anything that the Lion have to say. She is a tool that we can use to exploit the plight that we have found ourselves in.”

You do not appreciate being called a tool. Yet after a moment's thought, the acting seneschal appears to have reined in his trepidation. He even lets out a little laugh.

“Of course..! If we are able to blame Kaneru's murder on a samurai who is not of this clan, we will be able to redirect the Lion's rage! Oh, and I have the perfect candidates, Yogo-sama – Kakita Akirako and her yōjimbō, Daidoji Tokuhei. Should word spread that the Crane were responsible for the assassination of such a prestigious figure, their political supremacy will be in tatters!”

“And such an outcome would pave the way for the supremacy of the Scorpion,” the Chief Magistrate adds. He turns to face you. “Well then, Bayushi-san... Are you ready to play your part?”

>Yes. When the Emerald Magistrate comes, you say whatever you must in order to make Akirako and her bodyguard look like the most likely culprits. If there's anything that can be done to make her look more guilty over the coming days, you will do it.
>Yes, but you should also try to find out who the real culprit is. If a murderer is on the loose in the estate, something needs to be done about them. In the end though, when the Emerald Magistrate arrives, you will point the finger at Akirako. You give your word.
>No. All of your attention should be focused on finding out who is behind this assassination. The true assassin should be the one who receives the punishment and you refuse to point the finger at Akirako if she is not responsible. (You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>No – but they don't need to know that. You're willing to lie to your master if it means that Akirako will escape being framed. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes. You will lose honour if you choose this option.)

>>4636724
>>Yes, but you should also try to find out who the real culprit is. If a murderer is on the loose in the estate, something needs to be done about them. In the end though, when the Emerald Magistrate arrives, you will point the finger at Akirako. You give your word.
A plot worthy of the Scorpion

>>4636724
>>4636724
>Coldly say “Such an accusation would besmirch the Honor of the Crane greatly. What is to stop Kakita-san's family from sending one of her siblings to defend her honor? Forgive me for saying this, My Lords, but I would question the wisdom of accusing a Crane Ambassador without some sort of leverage over the greater Clan to keep them from settling such an affair of honor in the Iaijutsu ring.”
>”And yet, at the same time, Kakita-san is currently but a junior ambassador of the Crane. Even if we win our day in Court, the loss and dishonoring of her would be a trifling bruise to their Honor, not a lethal wound. And it is not guaranteed that we will win anything at all. In my time at court, I have made Kakita-san into a useful contact and in return she has promised me many favors once she returns home. In time, she will assume much greater status and influence within her native court. Any friend of mine is the friend of the Scorpion. The Other clans say that ‘the only thing worse than being an enemy of the Scorpion is to be a former Ally.’ I agree with this sentiment. An ally, whether current or former, is much more useful than an enemy.”
>”There is no shortage of scapegoats in Beiden, masterless Ronin and honorless Heimen who live within the very castle walls. Trash whom it would be a much simpler matter to win against in Court. I’m sure that given the opportunity, many of them would have done the deed anyways.”
>”Furthermore, there is a member of our Clan who has dared commit such a heinous act and possibly jeopardize our Clan’s position with both the Lion and Scorpion. Perhaps they still lurk within the castle walls. My Lords, I would not deny them their place in the Traitor’s Grove by replacing it with the grave of a mere outsider.”
>”However, perhaps I speak outside of my understanding. If that is the case, then say the word, My Lords, and I will serve as a daughter of Bayushi.”

>>4636724
>>Yes, but you should also try to find out who the real culprit is. If a murderer is on the loose in the estate, something needs to be done about them. In the end though, when the Emerald Magistrate arrives, you will point the finger at Akirako. You give your word.
Risky but surely more rewarding?

>>4636791
I'll gladly use this, provided that others agree with it.

>>4636724
>>No – but they don't need to know that. You're willing to lie to your master if it means that Akirako will escape being framed. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes. You will lose honour if you choose this option.)

>>4636724
“Such an accusation would besmirch the Honor of the Crane greatly. What is to stop Kakita-san's family from sending one of her siblings to defend her honor? Forgive me for saying this, My Lords, but I would question the wisdom of accusing a Crane Ambassador without some sort of leverage over the greater Clan to keep them from settling such an affair of honor in the Iaijutsu ring.”
>”And yet, at the same time, Kakita-san is currently but a junior ambassador of the Crane. Even if we win our day in Court, the loss and dishonoring of her would be a trifling bruise to their Honor, not a lethal wound. And it is not guaranteed that we will win anything at all. In my time at court, I have made Kakita-san into a useful contact and in return she has promised me many favors once she returns home. In time, she will assume much greater status and influence within her native court. Any friend of mine is the friend of the Scorpion. The Other clans say that ‘the only thing worse than being an enemy of the Scorpion is to be a former Ally.’ I agree with this sentiment. An ally, whether current or former, is much more useful than an enemy.”
>”There is no shortage of scapegoats in Beiden, masterless Ronin and honorless Heimen who live within the very castle walls. Trash whom it would be a much simpler matter to win against in Court. I’m sure that given the opportunity, many of them would have done the deed anyways.”
>"Furthermore, there is someone who did this without authority, still in the castle, and this may simply be a prelude to a yet greater plot. After all while this is certainly bad... it is still recoverable from, for now at least. If they truly want war... they will find a way to keep pushing for it. you could in fact be playing into their hand right now, as we do not know their goal.
>”However, perhaps I speak outside of my understanding. If that is the case, then say the word, My Lords, and I will serve as a daughter of Bayushi.”

>>4636791
+1

>>4636724
>>4636791
This is fine

>>4636791
>>4636901

Supporting.
Wouldn't surprise me if the Crane sent a Kenshinzen for this really considering the seriousness of the accusation.

>>4636791
>>
I'm for this, it a great write it.

>>4636791
It's a good write-in. Support.

>>4636724
Supporting >>4636791

>>4636791
Support, but please cut this the fuck down, Fudo. It's too damn long.

>>4636724
>>No – but they don't need to know that. You're willing to lie to your master if it means that Akirako will escape being framed. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes. You will lose honour if you choose this option.)

>>4636724
>>>Yes, but you should also try to find out who the real culprit is. If a murderer is on the loose in the estate, something needs to be done about them. In the end though, when the Emerald Magistrate arrives, you will point the finger at Akirako. You give your word.

>>4636724
>>4636901
This version, please. The original while good, accidently says >possibly jeopardize our Clan's position with both the Lion and Scorpion."

Instead of "Lion and Crane." Furthermore it accuses a member of our own clan and threatens them with the traitor's grove when we don't even know if it was done by a Scorpion or even a third party, furthermore they wouldn't be deserving of the traitor's grove if this was some plot by other scorpion that served the greater clan that just happened to contradict our goals.

The version by >>4636901 does not make this mistake and instead focuses on the more likely scenario of either the Lion or a third party doing this either for a casus belli or because us being at war or at odds with the Lion is beneficial for them.

>>4636901
>>4636791
changing vote to this

>>4636724

I meant to write changing vote from this
>>4636791
to this
>>4636901

>>4637021
changing vote from>>4636791
to >>4636901

>“Of course..! If we are able to blame Kaneru's murder on a samurai who is not of this clan, we will be able to redirect the Lion's rage! Oh, and I have the perfect candidates, Yogo-sama – Kakita Akirako and her yōjimbō, Daidoji Tokuhei. Should word spread that the Crane were responsible for the assassination of such a prestigious figure, their political supremacy will be in tatters!”

It is worth noting in regards to that write-in we are all voting for that the damage to the Crane is supposed to come from word spreading of the Crane having assassinated the sister of the daimyo of the Matsu family, not the individual loss of Akirako. (via dishonour and probably seppeku) We may need further adjustments to the write-in or a good roll to account for this.

>“And such an outcome would pave the way for the supremacy of the Scorpion,” the Chief Magistrate adds.

Now this is slightly odd, as this logic does not follow per se, just because the Crane fall in status or are damaged via war with the Lion does not mean the Scorpion rise. However there are some quotes I remembered and found that may explain this and some others that I vaguely remember but can't find yet.
“If you wish,” the seneschal says, rather disinterested as she leads you along. “Our clan champion, Bayushi Ujiro, has bolstered funding for the courtly dōjōs of the Bayushi and Shosuro families. A great deal of these funds likely comes from Journey's End City, which is prospering thanks to its production of opium. As for why he would focus this wealth on training our clan's courtiers rather than its soldiers, that is not for us to know.”

“Perhaps he wishes for us to compete with the Crane Clan in the Imperial courts?” Your theory earns a sharp look from the other woman, her veil face twisting into a brief frown.

“As I said, Bayushi-san, that is not for us to know. It is not our place to question or ponder about the intentions of our lords. We live to serve and to obey. But since you spoke of the Crane Clan, this year's Winter Court shall be occurring at Kyuden Doji, the seat of the Crane's ruling family. There, the Emperor shall gather the finest samurai of Rokugan to speak of the year that has passed and the year that is to come.”

These quotes are from the steward of Seven Sting Keep from Thread 2. I think our clan is making a play to "usurp" the Crane in Court. There is obviously a lot going on behind that scenes that we don't know about that gives our boss and various scorpion courtiers reason to want to damage the crane, I think the above quotes are related to that even if this particular killing isn't.

>>4637610
I agree with you that bigger political machinations are involved here. While the murder wasn't calculated, they think they can turn tragedy into an opportunity. It's interesting to note that it seems the higher echelons of the Scorpion clan are in alignment on this matter, dispite some of them being political rivals between one another.

Another thing to note. Yukari was seen talking to Akirako before we talked to Jojuri. If need be, we can spin this in such a way as to implicate Yukari if we wished to. Whether it's in our interests to do so remain to be seen.

>>4637624
well I don't think that implicating Yukari will be in our interest since then the lion clan will attack the scorpion clan and that would be bad

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>Okay, >>4637333 had a point. It was a good write-in but in future, let's try to limit them to two or three lines.

“Forgive me Yogo-sama, but I believe that this plan is imperfect. With your permission, I would speak of its flaws.”

“Any other subordinate of mine would answer that question with one word – 'yes.'” You are not sure whether the Chief Magistrate intended to praise you or chastise you with those words. It's maddening. Those dark eyes of his remain fixed on you for what feels like an age before he speaks again. “Very well, Bayushi-san. You have the floor.” With his permission, you take in a breath and begin.

“First of all, such an accusation would besmirch the honour of the Crane. What is to stop Akirako's family from sending one of her siblings to defend her honour? Forgive me for this, but I must question the wisdom of accusing a Crane ambassador without some sort of leverage that prevents them from confronting such an accusation with a duel.”

“If I might interrupt,” says Sadayoshi, “I believe that there is a way around that. While the Kakita woman has the right to a champion who may fight on her behalf, her yōjimbō does not. Should you accuse Daidoji Tokuhei of murdering Matsu Kaneru, he is the only samurai that you would have to best. While I suspect that he is a proficient duellist, if he was truly skilled in the art of iaijutsu, I doubt that his talents would be wasted on a courtier as insignificant as Akirako.”

“An excellent point, Yogo-san. You are not without your uses.” For once, the Chief Magistrate has chosen to damn someone other than you with his faint praise. The acting seneschal bristles at the comment, but much like you, he refrains from commenting. Tonight is not the night for a power struggle.

“That is not all,” you continue. “Kakita Akirako is little more than a minor dignitary of the Crane. Even if we succeed, her clan would view the dishonour caused by the incident as a bruise, not a lethal wound. In my time at court, I have made Akirako into a useful contact and in return, she has given me her favour. I believe that with time, she might accumulate significant influence within the Crane, if we allow her to find success in Beiden. Any friend of mine is an asset that can be exploited by the Scorpion, and an ally would be of much greater use to our clan than yet another enemy, do you not agree?”

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“I agree with the principle, but with little else.” Orinosuke seems unimpressed by that particular line of reasoning. “There is no way for you to be certain of Akirako's ascendancy. On the other hand, I am quite confident that the Lion will react to the assassination of Matsu Kaneru with outrage. Should they believe that a Crane was responsible, they would reinforce their eastern front in pursuit of vengeance. I have no doubt that they would seize several town and villages, perhaps even entire provinces. In the following years, the Crane would devote themselves to seeking reparations and the return of this 'stolen' territory, and this would create an opening for our clan to exploit.” Yet he refuses to elaborate on how the Scorpion would exploit this opportunity, or even why.

“We should at least consider placing the blame on another,” you insist. “There is no shortage of scapegoats in Beiden – masterless rōnin who serve our clan as mercenaries and dishonourable heimin who live within this very estate. We would have no trouble accusing them of the crime, and there is little that they could do to defend their honour. Besides, I am certain that if they were given the opportunity, many of them would have done the deed. This city has little love for the Lion.”

The Chief Magistrate shakes his head at this. “You seem to view this Akirako as a valuable asset of yours, Bayushi-san. Why else would you try so hard to protect her? The Scorpion will gain nothing should we accuse a wave man or a peasant, whereas the Scorpion always stands to benefit whenever there is strife between the other clans.”

You're nearly at your wit's end. “At the very least, Yogo-sama, we must consider the identity and goal of the true culprit. Kanera might be the first of many victims, or her assassination might be the prelude to a greater plot. It is even possible that a Scorpion is responsible for this heinous act, and has jeopardised our clan's tentative peace with the Lion for a reason that I am yet to fathom. Until the truth is in our possession, we are at a disadvantage.”

“By the Fortunes,” Shunmyo says with obvious exasperation. “I am not sure what is more impressive about this deputy of yours, Orinosuke-san – her wit or her mouth. If a subordinate of mine talked half as much as she does, I would have struck him by now.” The gunsō's stinging remark leaves you speechless and stunned. Thankfully, you have your veil to hide the blush of humiliation that blossoms across your face.

>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 4 / 8.

Orinosuke's brow creases with irritation. Perhaps it's because of how informally the sergeant spoke to him. Yet rather than scold Shunmyo, the Chief Magistrate makes a point of ignoring the man's casual attitude. “I tolerate her behaviour because on occasion, she happens to provide valuable input. I daresay that she just did so. We stand to gain nothing by allowing this killer to run amok.”

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“The plan remains the same,” Orinosuke concludes. “Bayushi-san, when the Emerald Magistrate arrives, you shall indict the Crane with your testimony. I leave the finer details of the accusation up to you, but we must turn this unfortunate situation in our favour. Until then, I ask that you look into the true identity of the assassin and ascertain their motives.” His attention then shifts to the acting senschal. “While she works, I ask that you try to maintain control over the court. Every attendant will try to use Kaneru's demise as an opportunity to further their own schemes. Do not allow this.” Finally, he looks towards the gunsō. “No one is allowed to leave the estate, for any reason at all. Not even the servants.”

“I cannot involve myself. To do so would give that decrepit Lion the perfect excuse to accuse our clan of interference. So I leave this matter, and the fate of the entire city in your hands. I trust that you will not disappoint me.” With that, Yogo Orinosuke turns about and makes his way out of the chamber. Bayushi Shunmyo departs not long after, leaving you alone with your yōjimbō and the seneschal.

“Despite what the Chief Magistrate might have just said, you cannot afford to devote yourself solely to this investigation, Bayushi-san.” Sadayoshi is still fidgeting furiously. That crippling anxiety of his is still there, squirming just beneath the surface. “It would be rather suspect if you suddenly vanished from court on the day after the assassination. The Lion would start pointing fingers right away. I shall try to create the occasional opening so that you might excuse yourself, but I cannot promise more than that.”

>He has a point. You will limit your investigations to whenever Yogo Sadayoshi allows it. Otherwise, you will continue to attend court and assist him with managing the other attendants.
>Challenge his authority. What is he going to do if you refuse? By now, you're aware of just how easy it is to push him around. The position of 'acting seneschal' that he was granted is meaningless.
>Reason with him. Surely he understands that the investigation is far more important than keeping the Lion happy. Besides, he can come up with excuses for your absence, can't he? (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)
>Lie. Let him believe that you're going to help him wrangle the other courtiers. When you don't turn up for court, he'll just have to deal with it and improvise a little. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4637721
>Lie. Let him believe that you're going to help him wrangle the other courtiers. When you don't turn up for court, he'll just have to deal with it and improvise a little. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4637721
>He has a point. You will limit your investigations to whenever Yogo Sadayoshi allows it. Otherwise, you will continue to attend court and assist him with managing the other attendants.
No need to turn him into an enemy, he is still our best change of getting a court position

>>4637721
>He has a point. You will limit your investigations to whenever Yogo Sadayoshi allows it. Otherwise, you will continue to attend court and assist him with managing the other attendants.
Even if his spine is as stiff as ramen noodles, he's got a point that us disappearing in court the very next day would be sus and we need to be in person to defend our own honor in court. We can start disappearing the day after, we've got time.

>>4637721
>He has a point. You will limit your investigations to whenever Yogo Sadayoshi allows it. Otherwise, you will continue to attend court and assist him with managing the other attendants.

We have other assets at our disposal that might help us with the investigation. I'm sure Jojuri will be very pleased to assist us, if only to uphold our original bargain. After all, what does she have to lose by playing along?

>>4637721
>>He has a point. You will limit your investigations to whenever Yogo Sadayoshi allows it. Otherwise, you will continue to attend court and assist him with managing the other attendants.


Ok, first of all we should have shortened down the write in to "I will do it, but we should figure out who did it and why first, lest we commit to their opening gambit and be left open."


Secondly i am 99% certain our rival was under orders to poison us in the same vein one of our juniors was going to poison Atsushi during our gempukku. This is likely where our rival's hate from us comes from because we did ruin her life, likely rightfully, because she was doing her duty. Issue is she's not gone out and said it. When the qm was doing chapter review i imagine us not catching the parallels was the 1/10 we got.

Still best not act too sus yet. Although i do want to approach the lion yojimbo with some sake. If my suspicions are right, that set of three cups, along with the sake jugs, were drugged to knock out the drinkers. he'll of course think he just got drunk, so approaching with sake should draw a reaction...

>>4637861
Fuck, you're a genius anon. Also my personal sappy theory is that Yogo poisoned us to get her shitty family over with.

>>4637721
>>He has a point. You will limit your investigations to whenever Yogo Sadayoshi allows it. Otherwise, you will continue to attend court and assist him with managing the other attendants.

>>4637721
>>Lie. Let him believe that you're going to help him wrangle the other courtiers. When you don't turn up for court, he'll just have to deal with it and improvise a little. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes.)

>>4637721
>>Reason with him. Surely he understands that the investigation is far more important than keeping the Lion happy. Besides, he can come up with excuses for your absence, can't he? (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes.)

>>4637861
Our rival tried to poison us when we were friends. Did she seriously expect us to laugh that off?