The Crimson Empire is an alternate storyline from the official storyline of L5R. Crimson Empire is a "What if Bayushi Shoju and the Scorpion had won during the Scorpion Clan Coup." This is a completely different world from the official Clan Wars storyline.
This split thread follows "Hattori" Shiori and Daidoji Shuhei as the two Crane seek to secure the loyalty of the Mantis Clan.
This thread splits off from the court of Doji Tomkeo. Welcome you 2.
Summer Time, During the Gozoku's Control of Rokugan, ~700 Before the Clan Wars, Reign of Hantei VI (Hantei Kusada)
An army of Gaijin marches on the captial, their navy moving up the coast. War is coming, but not all of Rokguan seems to know what side they are on.
The Mantis have possibly thrown their lot in with the Gaijin, having given them safe harbor after the Imperial Edicts to eject all Gaijin from the Empire.
The workings of the Spymaster, and the events on the ships at sea has lead to this 'diplomatic' envoy to the Isles of Spice and Silk to try and ensure the Mantis remain loyal to Rokugan.
Shiori and Shuhei hurry out of the court chamber of the Crane Damiyo Doji Tomeko and race through the streets of Otosan Uchi, papers in hand, toward the harbor. All around them they see the city mustering for an attack, samurai march in ordered lines toward the walls, while hemin flee in terror toward the interior of the city. War shall arrive here soon, and the window of escape is closing fast. The pair hustle to a ridge that looks over the bay and down there the meager fleets of merchant ships is huddled at dock. Unlike in Shiori's modern age, there are no war vessels here, no great fleets of ships of any clan. Only the Mantis have anything resembling a navy, and even the fishing boats and merchant ships of the hemin are considerably less in this age 700 years before the Crane woman's own birth. The pair spot some ships at anchor on a nearby dock, a few minutes run down the hill. That perhaps is their best option.
Last edited by Vardaen on Fri Oct 23, 2009 10:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Shiori moves quickly through the streets, the papers for travel and such safely tucked into her obi and one hand holding a side of her kimono to enable her to move faster.
Shiori notes the two ships, "Those will likely do, yes? If you have an idea of the fastest ship- I would welcome the advice." She smiles, she hopes he knows something of ships as none of her information is likely to help in this case.
We will find this f-ing troll, and kill it's f-ing ass.
Shuhei hurries along with Shiori through the city streets, he can't help feeling regret at the fact that he is fleeing form Otosan Uchi know in it's time of greatest need but knows that the mission lying before him is of utmost importance and that he can not fail Shiori on this matter. Regretably he knows only little of Ships and carefully examines the vessels before them.
V any chance the battle skill would help Shuhei here?
Shuhei is no Mantis sailor, but his time in the captial has afforded him some knowledge of ships. He can tell the difference between hemin fishing ship, slow moing barages, and quicker kobune. The two nearby ships will do just fine, either one of them, they both look manned at the moment, and ready to sail.
The pair hurry down the ridge toward the harbor and soon arrive at the docks, the two ships seen from up on high now only a dozen yards away, their crew working furiously to get underway.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Once close to the ship, less that 50 ft, Shiori slows to a dignified pace. She drops the side of her kimono and allows it to naturally slow her steps and she steadies her breathing for her near run.
The face she presents to the sailors is one of quiet grace and civility. "We must take your ship to the Mantis isles." Her voice is stern and full of purpose, brooking no questions.
We will find this f-ing troll, and kill it's f-ing ass.
Besides the beautiful and demanding young Courtier stands a samurai in his best years grim dedication marks his clear blue eyes and his fine armor and the mon of the Crane marks him as an important member of the Gozoku while his gait and the beautifully ornamented blade at his side tells anyone remotelyfamiliar with the intricccies of combat that this man could cut down the entire Kobune crew in seconds should they be so insolent as to refuse his mistress.
The sailor blinks as Shiori and Shuhei approach and the woman simply states she's taking the ship. "Well...that's a matter for Captain Kyori I suppose." He points at a muscular looking man rolling a barrel off the ship down the gang plank to the dock. The man is wearing a sleaveless kimono, with a short set of pants on. Around his head he wears a head band of pure white with a red circle in the middle of it. A kama is tucked into his belt and his hair is saved except for a top knot. Standing up after the exertion he wipes sweat from his head, and leans back cracking his back and twisting from side to side to work the kinks out. He spots the two Crane and lets out a long breath.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
"Good Day, Captain. We have need of your ship and men for a matter of extreme importance. We must make haste to the Mantis Isles to speak to their Diamyo. We have heard none can match your vessal for speed and agility." She bows slightly as she pays the man a compliment. Her voice is sincere, her years at court have given her the ability to pay compliments with little to back them up but to good effect.
"The country is coming to war, and we all must do our parts." She adds this last, hoping to play on the man's pride even further. This at least is true- should they be successful these men will all reap the benefits of aiding them.
We will find this f-ing troll, and kill it's f-ing ass.
The captain turns to address the Crane womanw when she begins to speak. You can instantly see that he's impressed that she knows his ship is the fastest in the harbor. "You honor me with your words and knowledge of The Danko (The Resolute). However I can not simply sail away from Otostan Uchi, I hear the Gaijin are coming, and what manner of contribution would I be giviing if I was to leave the city now?" The man clearly looks willing to help, but duty and loyalty to his city sits heavy on him, he needs a purpose, and authority to change his mind.
Etiquette/Awareness 8k4+6 53! vs TN 25 Success
This puts him a very good mood.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
Shiori smiles her most winning of smiles, "Your contribution would be beyond measure, should you choose to help us. I am Hattori Shiori, and I have been tasked with meeting the Mantis and gaining their aid in the coming conflict. The Crane require a vessel that can take to the seas immediately and get us to the Mantis in the fastest manner possible. You would be implimental in saving Rokugan."
She appeals to his sense of duty and pride by letting him know that this is a task suited to his ideals.
We will find this f-ing troll, and kill it's f-ing ass.
