Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

The Emerald Empire of Rokugan. It is a land upheld by honor, guided by fate, ruled by destiny. The Great Clans each support the Emperor, but inter-clan conflict is inevitable—both in the Emperor’s courts and on the battlefield. In the midst of danger and turmoil, honor must be your sword and your armor.

It is an era of sudden change and upheaval in the Emerald Empire. Mortal schemes, elemental imbalances, and celestial turmoil have disrupted the political, military, and spiritual equilibrium of Rokugan. Long-simmering rivalries and fresh betrayals ripple through the courts and on the battlefield. The Chrysanthemum Throne is beset by threats from without and within, and the honor of the seven Great Clans shall be put to the test.
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Vardaen
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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Vardaen » Tue Sep 24, 2019 3:46 pm

Image

In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water.
Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it." -- Laozi
Kōnotori Mura : White Stork Village
Yesterday was a day of travelers, of Torekkā, of new arrivals and wanderers. Yesterday was a meeting of old friends, of family of strangers. Like how small pebbles thrown into a pond make ever reaching circles that touch on and intersect with other ripples or other items in the pond, so too was yesterdays many meetings. Perhaps its kismit, or fate, or the Fortunes, or pure coincedence, but what started as a single dinner invite has turned into a great feast in the Magistrate Doji Hirawara-sama's estate.

Five unlikely samurai from different walks of life, from different clans, with different reasons have all received an invitation to the party. The invitations were very nice, on fine Crane paper, brushed with a skilled hand. "Your honorable presence is requested to attend dinner tonight at my humble estate. Please arrive at the hour of the Rooster (6pm). - Signed Doji Hirawara, Magistrate of White Stork Village"

Some of you are guests of others, of family or masters, of new friends, or simply by your own virtue. Regardless, you have received in the invite, and you can not refuse it now without a loss of honor. That leaves you the day to ready yourselves before the evening hour arrives.
And here we go, a combined thread for everyone. You can give me 1 post of what you do to get ready for the par-tay! Then we can start arriving at the estate, etc.

I may have to have some side threads if people have private meetings or PMs for whisper games, etc.
"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

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Orvost
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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Orvost » Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:57 pm

Hiruma Shonogen spends the day with his grandfather, making whatever preparations his grandfather deems necessary. He tells his grandfather about the new friends he made.

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by ManWithDoor » Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:56 am

Doji Kyousuke has his servants freshly clean and prepare the best garments he has brought on this trip. There is no time to prepare personalized gifts for every attendee, as there would if this were an official Court. But he can at least highlight the courtesy of the Crane. He gathers his ink and brushes, carefully writing out a stylized welcome for each person, wishing upon them the peace of the Fortunes.
Using my Calligraphy skill to make a short welcome for each person, to be gifted to them as they arrive.
Rule Number 12: "A soft answer turneth away wrath. Once wrath is looking the other way, shoot it in the head."

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Graven » Wed Sep 25, 2019 2:22 pm

Jun is surprised at the invite, he's peripherally aware of the politics between the Crane and his own Clan, but has never been involved in them. Still, he makes the necessary preparations and readies himself. A trip to the shrine and a bath and he awaits the evening over some tea when his cousin finds the time.
Fantasy is the exercise bike of the mind. It might not take you anywhere, but it tones up the muscles that can. Of course, I might be wrong.
- Sir Terry Pratchett
I will always return
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Formerly Phlale

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Muskrat » Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:57 pm

Ryoko spends the morning practicing her combat techniques. She hoped she would not need them--but best to have them fresh and sharp. Additionally, it would put her in the proper frame of mind--just because this was a social gathering, did not mean that they would not be doing battle, even if it was not the sort of battle she was trained for. After finishing her exercises, she spends her time resting, so that she is awake and alert for the evening.

Some of that time, she spends in the tavern, trying to see if she can pick up any useful rumors about Magistrate Doji Hirawara or rice taxes. This is certainly not her area of expertise, but it can't hurt to try--and she hoped people might be more free with a lowly yoriki than with her master, a clan magistrate.
I guess this would be an Investigation roll. I don't want to draw this out in a way that will delay getting to the party, but it seems like something Ryoko would do.

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Hermit » Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:28 pm

After parting ways with Tsume no Doji Takashi and spending the remainder of the day practicing his artisan skills on driftwood along the coastline, Gensai will retire to the Cresting Wave Inn and rest until the early morning.

At the beginning of the Hour of the Hare (6 A.M.), Gensai will awaken and use the communal baths. After cleaning up, he will head out to the beach to spend an hour or two meditating on the Tao as well as praying to Sadahako (Fortune of Artisans and Geisha) for inspiration. Gensai will also be engaging in physical and martial exercises before eventually returning to the Inn once more to bathe and have breakfast.

Following all of this, Gensai will proceed over to the Shrine of the Seven at around the Hour of the Dragon (8-10 A.M.) or Serpent (10 A.M.-12 P.M.) to speak with Kyo or Supai (or both if they happen to be there at the same time). If Kyo is not to be found at the Shrine, then Gensai will head over to the Garden of Eternal Snow (Eien no Yuki no Niwa) and try to find her there.

The bulk of the afternoon will be spent inquiring as much as he can about Magistrate Hirawara, namely his personality, habits, adherence to Bushidō, essentially anything that will provide Gensai with a comprehensive enough idea of Hirawara so that he can make a good impression on the Magistrate. Gensai might also mention his encounter with Tsume no Doji Takashi to Kyo and ask if whether or not he will be attending this evening’s feast as well, in addition to whoever else Kyo knows will be in attendance.

Finally, he will return to the Inn and change into his formal kimono before accompanying Kyo to the Magistrate's Estate.
''At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.'' - Lao-Tzu

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Vardaen » Thu Sep 26, 2019 5:40 pm

The Hour of the Rooster (6pm) has arrived and so the guests of Doji Hirawara begin to arrive at his estate....
Image The magistrate's estate is rather fine, he is a Crane after all. A low wall circles a courtyard and garden, a small pond, and several small out buildings. In the center a larger two story wooden structure rises up made of seasoned wood and paper walls that can be slid open to catch the cool sea breezes or closed to block out the sun and moon. A few servants move about the courtyard carrying trays and performing tasks.

Standing at the entrance to the estate is Daidoji Juro, the lead Yoriki and the head of the village's military. He stands tall and proud at the gate watching as guests begin to arrive. He nods and bows as honor dictates to those present. At his side is a young crane woman Daidoji Kishio (cousin of Iuchi Jun). She is Juro's assistant and its she that takes your invitations and collects them from you with perfect grace. She reads them over, and confirms you are you you say you are by checking traveling papers, or simply by her or Juro's knowledge.

Some guests have already arrived, the Otomo and his Yojimbo for example are inside the house already. As you near the gates you catch glimpse of a samurai handing over his invitations to Juro and Kishiko. He is a young man who holds himself like a duelist of the Crane. As he speaks with Daidoji Juro he bows low and then moves his daisho from his left side to his right, to show that he is no danger to those within the estate. He smiles at Kishiko then strides inside the grounds.
Alright so you can arrive in any order take these notes.

Gensai arrives with Kyo.

Jun arrives alone, Kishiko is already there.

Kirino arrives with Ryoko.

Yoshito arrives with Shonogen.

Aiko arrives with Kyousuke and several servants.
Image Image

The young Crane Guest

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"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

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Muskrat » Thu Sep 26, 2019 6:24 pm

As is proper, Ryoko follows Kirino, staying by his side and keeping watch for his safety. She also looks at the art the magistrate has on display, trying to see if this fits with the rumors she heard of his focus on the arts. She will speak if spoken to, but otherwise remains reserved.

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Orvost » Thu Sep 26, 2019 8:37 pm

Shonogen arrives with his daisho already in guest mode. His robes are a current cut and fashion popular in the Northern Crane and Phoenix lands. His hair is tied back and oiled, but with no elaborate setting.

He stays close to his grandfather and lets him make the formal introductions. It was grandfather's invitation, after all, and he was mearly the " plus one." Although they aren't the guests of honor, Shonogen anticipates that he may become to topic of conversation and will have to discuss his unusual training with those whom his grandfather had already chatted up. Eventually, Shonogen thinks, he will be able to mingle with others and find some topic he can speak knowledgeably and at great length about and get in trouble on his own.

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Scroll One: Kyōen no Torekkā

Post by Vardaen » Fri Sep 27, 2019 1:35 pm

A pair of Crane arrive shortly on the heels of the other. Neither look all that entertained or happy, both have a deep looks of seriousness on their face. It seems unlikely they are here to simply enjoy some entertainment and good food. The older of the two hands his invite to Juro, "Crane Clan Magistrate Doji Kirino and assistant Kakita Ryoko." He brushes back his hair collecting a few loose strands of his black locks. The two men know one another slightly, they have met already yesterday. Juro smiles, "Good hunting magistrate."

Kirino nods and cracks a half smile, "Arigato. Come Ryoko-san let's not keep our host waiting." He strides with purpose through the gate and into the building.
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Image

Yasuki Yoshito is an aging Crab diplomat, yet he is hale and spry with a look on his face that just say 'trouble'. The old Crab is dressed in a fine deep kimono decorated in silver threads that give the impression of waves. Hinted at among the waves are carp, the symbol of the Yasuki family, but several of those carp has a very avian style to them as if they were almost white storks. Yoshito bows politely at the gate, "Yasuki Yoshito and grandson Hiruma Shonogen." He looks to his grandson to present the invitation to the young Crane woman. "Has Doji Aiko -sama arrived yet?"

Juro shakes his head, "No, she and her guest are not here yet Crab-san."

Yoshito nods, "Well when they arrive please let them know I am already here."

Juro nods and glances at his aide to remember before taking the Crab's traveling papers. He looks them over and hands them back. "These look in order, welcome."

The two Crab head through the gate and toward the main building.
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"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

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