Beyond the boarders of the Emerald Empire lies a vast and diverse world centered around the Burning Sands -- a place cursed by Shilah the Sun and Kaleel the Moon. For too long the Samurai in Rokugan have remained ignorant of the greater world around them.
A danger is rising, but is it too late for the children of the Kami? Only you know that answer.Run by the Game Master Moto Vardaen
-The world is fire, consuming, growing, dying.It has been four months since the Khan Moto Chagatai marched on the Imperial City of Toshi Ranbo. It has been four months since the Unicorn and Lion were stopped in their battle for the city by the Phoenix Clan and the Celestial Dragon of Fire itself.
Following the occupation of the capital city by the Phoenix, with the ever present Dragon of Fire above the palace the race for the throne of Rokugan has been one of sublet courtly ploys; and open warfare has been avoided.
It was only a month after the failed coup of the Unicorn that a collection of lesser and unknown samurai, working as guards or scribes or minor functionaries came to be housed in a small out of the way Inn known as the House of Lost Ambition. Those samurai would have their boring stay in Toshi Ranbo changed dramatically one night. A group of unknown assailants snuck into the Inn, stole the daisho and other important symbols of the samurai from them as they slept and escaped. The hunt for not only their blades, but for their honor began at once. Lead to a small warehouse they confronted a ronin and his lackeys killing him and discovering the plan to export the weapons to the Shrine of Duty near Nikatoshi under the guise of a rice shipment. Turning the weapons over to the authorizes, the group loaded up the wagons with empty crates and road south to the Shrine of Duty in the Lion Lands to try and solve the riddle of what was happening. Reaching the shrine the group found the sensei addicted to opium and unaware of was happening at his temple. A battle broke out between the samurai and one of the two monks responsible for this heinous act, and he was slain, but his cohort a tattooed woman named Asami escaped.
Tracking her, via traveling papers for the wagons, the group arrived in Nikatoshi and spoke to the Hatamoto there, Ikoma Tatsunori. Asami could not be found but the papers were discovered to be a forgery and testimony pointed to a Scorpion Ambassador Shosuro Takuma as the culprit. The Hatamoto's Karo Ikoma Dun could not live with the shame he felt he bought by failing to spot the Scorpion's deceit and committed Seppuku. It came out that Shosuro Takuma's yojimbo at the time was Bayushi Seieri, a former companion of the heroes, who vanished sometime after the incident in the warehouse. With a dead end in Nikatoshi reached the samurai turned to the stamps on the rice crates, and traveled to Kosaten Shiro in the nearby Crane lands. There they followed the trail of rice to Yasuki Daka's place, and found it a bloody scene. Ambushed, our heroes battled against unknown attackers, including a Maho-tuskai and another man that called himself Dark Power -- who bore a mon of a Spider. In the end the ambushers were killed to a man and Daka was found murdered. The Dark Power however bore a blade of the Yotsu Ronin Okodate.
Leaving the Crane lands the group now pushed for the old capital ruins of Otosan-uchi, where the Yotsu ronin dojo still remained among the ruins of the city, blade in hand, and questions ready to ask the ronin family. Reaching Otosan-Uchi our samurai encountered the Yotsu, who were beset by Bakemono from the tainted ruins, and joined the fight against the goblin beasts. After some investigation (and return of the blade) the Yotsu were cleared of any wrong doing. It would seem the goblins were making more and more pushes to attack the Yotsu and were even absconding with fallen weapons of their brotherhood. Offering to show the heroes where the goblins were coming from, the Yotsu brought them to the seaside port of the ruined city, and were witness to an interesting scene. There, loading scores of 'rice crates' aboard ships where goblins and men working side by side. Below were the leaders talking on the wharf, too far to hear, but not too far to see. Among the leaders was the female monk Asami who escaped them earlier, and a strange man in gaijin robes with an angry monkey on his shoulder, as well as another who bore the mon of a black Spider, but wore strange garb.
Outmanned and outnumbered the group was forced to fall back without attacking as heaven knows how many daisho were loaded onto those ships. Hurrying back to Toshi Ranbo to report their findings the group, grown and shrunk along the way, divulged their story to their superiors.
That was in the Month of the Horse, two months ago. Summer has progressed rapidly...
Welcome back to chapter 3. This is the 2nd chapter with the L5R guys, and we return from a short hiatus to switch to 4th Ed and for my to get my act together. Please no one post yet, there is more to come.
Last edited by Vardaen on Fri Feb 24, 2012 12:27 am, 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
It has been one month since the Tournament for the Emerald Championship took place on Seppun Hill. The results of the Championship shocked and stunned nearly everyone in Rokugan. The famed Kakita Kenshinzen Kakita Noritoshi conceded defeat in the final Iaijutsu challenge to the relatively unknown Shosuro Jimen of the Scorpion. The tourney was marred by other shocking news, as Seppun Shogo was murdered by Bayushi Takaharu during the Mikado at the Championship.
However it was not the ascension of the Scorpion or the death of the Imperial that is the most important event for us to speak of. No it was the attendance of four relatively unknown samurai that sparked much conversation among the spectators. Representing the Crab was the samurai-ko Hiruma Umeko as well as the shugenja Kuni Zenko. Come from the Dragon was the swordsman Kitsuki Ryuichi. The Brotherhood of Shinsei, which almost always remains apart from the event, sent a single representative, backed by the Togashi family of the Dragon, a monk known as Eisai.
These four competitors joined the field for the Championships, awarded this great honor for their actions and deeds involving the investigation of the events two months ago at the House of Lost Ambition and the Shrine of Duty. Such an honor did not go unnoticed by many in attendance and the courtly games of Shogi began at once on their arrival.
Most involved in these types of games are glory seekers, people who wish to attach themselves to the competitors so when they do well they themselves gain some glory by association. Yet there are always those who seek to cause trouble, or harm to some, so that those they back will do better in the tests. Notably among those seeking to show their support for the heroes was the Hatamoto Ikoma Tatsunori, for whom the group already assisted in revealing the forgeries of his stamp and papers. Over the last month Tatsunori was able to purge another half dozen forged papers that had been used with his chop and saved a great deal of face, and koku, in the process. His new karo made sure to provide additional luxuries for the trio during their stay at the Championship.
Among those that seemed to wish the group ill, was a woman that they never actually spoke to, but her name came up many times in their reports. Isawa Miiko's name was on the traveling papers along with the Lion Ikoma Tatsunori. A minor functionary in the capital city she was tasked with a great deal of paperwork in the city, and her name appeared on the papers for the delivery of the "rice" granting the wagons passage through the Phoenix controlled gates. In the end it was resolved that she too had nothing to do with things, but this incident brought her inabilities to light and she was quickly reassigned to a less than desirable post deep within the Phoenix northlands. Such a slight to her, even unintentionally by our heroes, has not set well with her. Somehow managing to make her way to the Championship she had caused all manner of minor troubles for the heroes, resulting in minor embarrassments at one dinner in particular, involving Hiruma Umeko and a taudry pillow book. It has however become clear that the woman's wrath has not been fully brought to bear, and you fear she may prove a thorn in your side in the future.
Yet the tests of the Emerald Championship continue on despite these courtly games...
Not ready yet!
Please check the Award Thread for a new Free bonus you get.
Last edited by Vardaen on Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:38 pm, edited 1 time 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
The Test of the Emerald Championship is a weeklong event that tests the abilities of the candidates beyond simple weapon skills. There are tests of Etiquette, Investigation, Law, Leadership, Martial Ability, Resources, and of course Iaijutsu. Many competitors are eliminated during the early rounds, either by the various judges, or often times honorably by themselves do to a perceived failure on their part.
Each of the four heroes of our tale succeeded greatly in one area of the championship and did well within the others, but in the end were eventually eliminated or withdrew at some point.
Hiruma Umeko, born among the Crane, but married into the Crab surprised many with her high placing among the Test of Etiquette, but it was the Test of Martial Ability that she did the best. Despite her own misgivings she survived round after round of combat tests using various non-daisho weapons. Her use of the tetsubo, ono, and other heavy weapons won her into the final rounds of the tests. Paired against a Lion who favored the maga-yari, the Lion's three pointed spear, she sparred the Matsu with as much skill as she could muster, but she held back her rage, and refused to allow herself to fall into the berserker stance that the Hiruma taught her along the wall -- which by doing so caused her to lose the fight. This show of restraint and self-control was not missed by the judges, nor by the Emerald Magistrates who watched the proceedings carefully. It was also not missed on the young Matsu who would go on to be a Paragon of bushido among her clan in the years to come.
Kitsuki Ryuichi, the Dragon samurai trained in the ways of his clan among the Mirumoto held his own in each event he was tested on. His show of artisanship surprised some, and his skill with the katana both in kenjutsu and iaijutsu was not a shock to anyone. It was in Investigation where he excelled this week. This test is slightly different than the others, as competitors are paired up, and work side by side those of different styles to see if they can work together as Emerald Magistrate might have to in the field. The Kitsuki are known to be keen eyed, and have great perception, but Ryuichi is not schooled among his family's techniques having taken up the daisho among the Mirumoto. Yet, during a particularly difficult test of investigation he discovered a key piece of information that would unravel the entire situation he and the Unicorn Moto Hotei he was paired with were working on. Ryuichi discovered the answer to the riddle, but he guided his partner in such a way as to allow Hotei to receive the credit for successfully solving the problem. This selfless act propelled Ryuichi in the eyes of those carefully watching him. Moto Hotei was invited to the Mikado later on due to his 'keen victory' and it was he in the end that discovered the murderer of the Imperial Seppun Shogo -- something he would not have been able to do had Kitsuki Ryuichi not acted as he did giving Hotei the glory.
The shugenja Kuni Zenko of the Crab is not one easy to look at, his face paint, and his general countenance is disturbing to many. Yet that does not diminish his commanding presence. The shugenja did well in many of the lore and law tests, knowing heraldry of obscure regions, and being able to site passage of law that govern the punishment for those using unsanctioned tactics of war and the like. His knowledge of spellcraft also impressed, but the Test of the Jade Championship (which would not be held for another three months) is a better venue for a Shugenja's talents. Still Zenko proved that he could lead, that he could make difficult decisions, and during the Test of Leadership he was given a rather difficult task. It was basically a recreation of the Battle of Beiden Pass, but with several differences attached to it, and the many names and clan names removed from it as to not shame those involved in that war a generation ago. Zenko showed he could utilize proper leadership skills when faced with a situation in which he had no previous experience. Finally called on to give an answer to a daunting situation, an answer he knew would be incorrect no matter what he did, he resigned his post as commander of the fake squad, but not before elevating a previous eliminated competitor to his position. In effect he conceded his glory and his status to a defeated foe, in order for his troops to win the battle. The young Mantis that he appointed in his place (who had in fact lost the previous round) defeated the situation and went on to continue the Emerald Championship and reached the second to last round in the finals and has made a great name for himself, eventually becoming the Yojimbo of the Emerald Champion himself.
The fourth and final hero that we come to is born of the Togashi of the Dragon, but found himself at a young age among the Brotherhood of the Four Temples. Eisai would eventually leave the Dragon lands and be assigned to fill a void left at the Shrine of Duty in the Lion Clan after its sensei was found to be addicted to Opium. Through his persistence the young monk would hunt down the opium dealers that were trafficking with the tattooed monk Asami and bring down their small ring of dealers. It was this action that brought Eisai to the attention of the Togashi once more, and how he ended up at the Test of the Emerald Championship. His martial ability has proven impressive, his jiujutsu techniques defeating several armed foes. His concept of logistics was surprising among a monk as he proved to be a clear thinker when it came to the Test of Resources. It was however his simple humble tongue that earned him the most acclaim. The test of Etiquette is one of the most difficult to do well in, for while Rokugan is an empire of 1000 years of tradition, many clans view some aspects of it differently. To understand the delicate balance that makes up the empire as a whole is akin to understanding Enlightenment of the Five Rings. The Crab react differently than the Crane, or the Phoenix, or the Otomo might, to a single simple giving of gifts. The Unicorn shake hands when they greet, while the rest of the empire disdains personal contact. How you treat a ronin, or a member of a ronin family like the Yotsu or the Tsi (before becoming the Oriole Clan) or even the Monkey always trips up someone someplace. During his final rounds, having advanced well into the late stages of the Test of Etiquette, Eisai sat across from a young Dragon woman of the Kitsuki who's humility matched that of his own. The pair bantered back and forth, answering questions from the judges, and relating tidbits of wisdom both had gained from living very different lives. Finally the end was near, and a question was posed in such a way that both were forced to pause a moment. Answering it one way would certainly grant victory, but would admit to guilt and shame. Answering it the other way would mean defeat, but would heap shame on their competitor. The paradox was unavoidable. One of the two would win, the other loose, and both would be shamed.
So Eisai stood up, invited Iweko to tea, and the two of them left the competition for good, and enjoyed an evening of the best tea the empire had to offer.
Our tale does not end with their defeats however...
I'm still going. This is alot of the stuff we'd have RPed out had we chosen to to the Test of the Emerald Championship.
"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
Two weeks ago our heroes were gathered together at the Castle of the Emerald Champion after the events of the Test of the Emerald Championship by the newly named Emerald Champion Shosuro Jimen. The deeds of our heroes were brought to his attention by the judges, and other Emerald Magistrates who were in attendance. The reports were more than shining, and after the events around the theft of the daisho, it seemed that Rokugan could benefit from the unique talents of the group. With little fanfare our four samurai were named Emerald Magistrates and elevated in status and glory throughout the Empire. Such an honor could not be refused, and accepting with as much humility as possible Hiruma Umeko, Kuni Zenko, Kitsuki Ryuichi and Eisai were given all the rights and duties of Emerald Magistrates, the ultimate lawmen in the empire.
The praise heaped on them by their own clan an others culminated in the giving of rare or valuable gifts to each of them, as well as the tools of their new office. To be named an Emerald Magistrate is one of the greatest honors a samurai can hope to achieve. It does come with some difficulties, for you must always put the Emerald Champion and the Emperor and Empire above the needs of your clan, new oaths of fealty and loyalty are sworn. Many samurai have a difficult time with this aspect of service and will favor their clan when they should be impartial to such previous ties.
The four were at once given their first assignment -- discover who the Spider are, take any steps necessary to protect the Empire against them, and recover any lost daisho or other items belonging to the good samurai of Rokugan stolen from them and report all of it to the Emerald Champion. It is a tall order, a mission that is likely to take a great deal of time and energy, but if anyone group in the Empire can do it, it is the office of the Emerald Magistrates that can.
Since becoming Emerald Magistrates and being assigned to work together the quartet has gotten to know each other better, and the monk Eisai's story and his service and involvement in these matters fits like a missing piece of the puzzle. Eisai was relocated by the Brotherhood on hearing of the situation at the Shine of Duty Sestu Giri. He at once replaced the Opium addled sensei there, and began an investigation into where the opium was coming from. His work lead him to a West Hub Village on the outskirts of the ruins of Otosan Uchi. It was here in West Hub Village that he discovered the source of the Opium and brought an end to its operations.
He discovered something odd among the leader's things, a bunraku puppet. The puppet was well used, but not exceptionally old, and on its foot was stamped the maker's name, but more importantly the Puppet Theater to which it belonged -- The Kuroda Puppet House in Zakyo Toshi. Unfortunately Eisai was never able to investigate further, being called back to Duty at Setsu Giri and then to the Test of the Emerald Championship.
This one single clue, this strange banraku puppet, and its link to far off "Pleasure City" is your only current lead. Reports from the Yotsu out Otosan-uchi say that the bakemono and others there that were infesting the harbor simply vanished shortly after the ships left the harbor as if into thin air, leaving that avenue of investigation at a dead end. Two months ago a wagon of "rice" arrived at the gates of a far away city in a sea of sand. Five conspiritors, lead by a mysterious White Lady, saw to it that the shipment reached the right hands. Her bloody task completed in the Jewel of the Desert, the bald tattooed woman with dark almond eyes and a white sohei head wrap turned her gaze east. "I shall return to you my Dark Lord." A white cat leapt down from a nearby window and prowled away, a smile on its feline face.Present Day, 5th Day of the Month of the Dog, Late Summer, Outside Zakyo Toshi "Pleasure City"
So you ride, four of you, on small Rokugani ponies traveling from the Castle of the Emerald Champion to Setsu Giri and through the Lion lands, then south through Crane lands and over the Spine of the World Mountains the small passes known as the Shadows of Beiden, into the Scorpion Lands and now are nearing Zakyo Toshi and an unknown puppet theater house, hoping that you might find some clues to lead you further on.
The warm late summer air is filled with chaffe in the air from nearby wheat fields as the hemin are out threshing the fields. There are a few thin clouds in the darkening blue sky as night is nearing, but the air remains warm and comfortable. Smoke rises from a few nearby farm houses, the smell of wood burning filling your noses. Down the simple dirt road you trott at a steady but easy pace as none of you are horsemen. In the distance, the twinkling lights of Zayko Toshi are coming into view as you head down into valley that the city sits in, still five or more miles ahead of you. If you time it right, you should arrive before it gets too dark out.
PLEASURE CITY [I12] 4th Ed Book
The city known as Zakyo Toshi is a testament to five centuries of vice and debauchery. The city's founding and its original purpose are largely unknown and unimportant, as those who dwell within the city find little purpose for things such as record-keeping or sentimentality. For a city of such size to have developed in unaligned lands would surely have required significant financial backing, but who may have been responsible for such a thing remains unknown. Over the centuries since its creation, Pleasure City has become known throughout the Empire for the diversity and quality of its vices, including gambling, drinking, geisha houses of ill repute, and any number of other questionable opportunities for visitors. The city occupies some strategic importance, situated as it is on the border between the Scorpion lands and the lands of the Three Man Alliance, a cooperative alliance between the Fox, Sparrow, and Wasp Minor Clans. Currently, the city is almost lawless despite the efforts of a limited number of Imperial troops constantly struggling to curb the worst of the city's excesses.
I highlighted important locations to the game history.
Welcome to the game!!!! I'd love a really nice long detailed post about yourself, apperance, etc, intro yourselves once more to each other as you ride.
"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
In the days after Kitsuki Ryuichi's promotion he has changed. Most of it are only details those would recognize who have been traveling with him for longer periods of time. His former, dark green and golden armor is no longer of the subdued color it was before. The crude design, if one would dare to describe a samurai's armor as such, is gone and has been replaced by a refined, but simple style. There are no more reliefs other than the mons of his family and clan on his shoulders and most importantly his position on the front and back of his armor. The golden edges of the armor and mons shine brightly in any light on the emerald green. The Dragon still wears both swords he has been given after his gempukku and only a very careful observer would have noticed that the pommel at the end of the hilt, which is wrapped in red silk, has been replaced and now displays the mon of the Emerald Magistrates as well. He has attached the small mon device on his obi just where the swords are mounted so everyone who glances at his swords can immediately see whose law will be carried out with them.
Ryuichi's dark green kimono is covered with dozens small imprints of the Kitsuki and Asahina mons and the golden juban beneath it only carry the mon of the Emerald Magistrate.
The Kitsuki has his head shaven except for a circle beard and an arrowhead-like section of his bluish black hair on top of his head which ends in a short ponytail, invisible below the wide-brimmed straw hat. He sits very straight on the pony as he is no expert rider.
Casually looking over the fields her addresses the latest member in their small group. "Eisai-san, it is quite intriguing to know that you where at the same temple we visited as we searched for the stolen weapons. It is fitting that we're continuing the search together."
Sorry, V. I just can't match the quality and length of your previous posts, but I tried my best. Anyway, they are great!
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Eisai sits comfortably, if not skillfully in his saddle. In his youth, he'd received instruction in riding. And at one time he had been quite competent on a horse. But that was many years ago, and the skills have grown stale with age. He is a man of average height and thin build, though one of wiry strength. He has green eyes and the shaven head of a monk, but his clothes are not the simple homespun of the average monk. For Eisai is of the Four Temples path of the Brotherhood of Shinsei, and they believe enlightenment comes through social interaction, as much as through solitude and meditation. Eisai wears an open-chested robe of fine silk, so as to not shame the Emperor, in whose service he has been placed. The robes are of green and yellow, but they bear the mon of an emerald magistrate rather than of a house or the Brotherhood of Shinsei.
He smiles at Ryuichi's comment. "It is indeed a fortunate occurrence," he replies. "Though I think it no coincidence. Those more experienced than we in the ranks of the Emerald Magistrates no doubt have their reasons." He pauses for a moment, then adds, "it is said that coincidence is the word we use when we cannot see the levers and pulleys." The monk gives the samurai a nod. "I believe we are only just beginning to see the many levers and pulleys at work in this matter."
Kuni Zenko rides very cautiously, for good reason. In addition to his lack of experience in the saddle, the steed obviously disliked its rider. Switching around the mounts did not alleviate the situation, as all of the pack animals seem to avoid the shugenja whenever possible. Given his stereotypical Kuni demeanor - kabuki face paint, severe presence, unsettling knowledge - it does not surprise many that not only humans find his nearness unsettling. Samurai are simply too polite to mention it. His clothing is also without fanfare, with simple mons of both the Kuni and the Emerald Magistrates. The only thing that could be considered ostentatious would be the precious stones hanging on a necklace around his neck, until one notices the distinctive glint of jade. That is either a very paranoid man, or a very experienced one. Or perhaps paranoid because of experience.
Despite his unsettling countenance and creepy vibe, he is an actually friendly individual. He shares his knowledge freely with those that ask, and does his best to bring it up with those that do not. "I agree, Eisai-san. The true players of this game have yet to show themselves. We simply some of the weapons, rather than the hand that wields it. The Fortunes smile upon us, giving us both the opportunity and the tools to combat this evil."
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."
Hiruma Umeko likewise sits atop her steed somewhat uneasily. As a Crab Samurai she did not have much use for a horse and it shows as the steed bucks underneath the newly promoted Emerald Magistrate from time to time. While Umeko still carries herself with the same grace her increased status is
now displayed in a rather pompous suit of armor of fine quality adorned with the mon of the Hiruma and emailed in an emerald taint. As the steed once again bucks underneath her she falls behind the other magistrates before speeding up to join them again just as they have begun to discuss the mistery they are facing. "I must agree with Zenko-san. We are far from understanding the mechanisms at work here but we must work hard to unvail the layers lying underneath the surface."
Sorry for the delay folks. Didn't have it in me yesteday to write a quality post.
Also think I never told you what kind of high quality item I want V but I'll take heavy armor.
"We should be careful in our investigations as well," Eisai advises. "I fear that the residents of Zakyo Toshi are unlikely to show us the respect due our position, and in fact may treat us more poorly because of it, if only to flaunt their unaligned nature. The true culprits are likely to hide behind this lawless attitude, hoping to be lost in the noise."
The group rides, with some trepidation, but without mishap, closer and closer to Zyako Toshi. The lights of the city are being lit and the flicker of many lamps in the distance fills your vision of the city. Still a bit to go, the four speak of the mission at hand, and of one another.
Riding through the warm evening air, the sounds of a farmer out by his house is heard. A middle aged man stands near his farmhouse, smoke coming from the chimney of the home, an axe in hand. *thonk* He chops firewood, splitting a log in two with a single strike. Looking up he spys the group and instantly averts his eyes to the ground. He bows low as you ride pass. Once you are passed, he returns to his woodchopping, *thonk* *thonk* goes his axe on the logs.
I want to give you a chance to keep chatting, get comfortable with your posts, then i'll move you into the city.
"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
-The world is fire, consuming, growing, dying.
It has been four months since the Khan Moto Chagatai marched on the Imperial City of Toshi Ranbo. It has been four months since the Unicorn and Lion were stopped in their battle for the city by the Phoenix Clan and the Celestial Dragon of Fire itself.
