(IRR) The Rokugan IR Turn 0 Thread

[Lucias]

Focus. A circle of fire. It waits, consumed by the void while consuming the void. Fire fades, leaving only bone chilling cold. Focus. The universe expands, rotates around him and through him until he, too, is consumed.

"Master?" called a soft voice.

"Yes, Ichisi?"

"Sorry to interupt your meditation, but the order has assembled and are awaiting your instructions..." Ichisi hesiatates a moment, "...there is heated debate. I fear this might splinter the whole of the Hand."

"My mediation was not going well, Ichisi. I could achieve focus today despite my efforts. The Emperor's death weighs heavy on my mind. We must be steadfast to not get swept away in the coming stuggles. While serenity may escape me today, there is no reason for the order to be troubled. I will allay their fears."

"Master..."

"Yes?"

"While fear has not place in my heart, the developments are troublesome..."

Kujastsu chuckled, "So, you too need comforting, my old friend? You have always known my mind, now I am wish to know yours. I am curious of what you think The Waiting Hand has to fear."

"The wars will consume all, Master. Everything we've worked so hard for might be destroyed. We have not the forces to take the throne and..."

"Ah, but why would we desire the throne, Ichisi? We don't need the throne to achieve our goals. Our strength lies not in our armies, Ichisi, though you have always thought differently. Our lack of military might is our key asset now. We are a threat to no one, but we are useful to any who desire our services. Send any emissary straight to me. I imagnine we'll be having many guests very soon."

"As you command."

"Announce to the order that I will address them shortly, Ichisi."

Ichisi nodded and left the room.

Kujatsu sat down again in the middle of the garden and closed his eyes.

Focus...

 

[Janos Audron]

"Lord Vorador!", the Wu Jen who Teleported to his seems very excited. "The Emperor is dead! Killed by an Oni they say."

A calculated smile appears on the face of Vorador. "Is that so... This is the time we have waited for. We will leave these sands... Gather the Circle."

"Yes, my Lord." And the Wu Jen Teleports away.

Two hours later, in Miir, the Circle arrives. All seem to be excited.

Ariel steps forward and asks: "Vorador, is it true that the Emperor is dead?"

"Yes. But it is unfortunate that it has happened so soon. We are not yet fully prepared. Each of us must at least double their efforts. We are falling behind in the research, while we should've completed it months ago. Why do we not yet have the means to counter the Technology from the Clans?"

"It is obvious that some factions will attempt to gain power, maybe there will even be hostilities between the Clans. The Clans and their Empire, who exiled one of their own into our territory. I am almost certain the Bloodspeakers will try to bring back their Sorcerer and destroy the Empire. And the creatures of the Shadowlands are bad news too. Yet, alone, we can never be victorious."

"We stand at a crossroad. One of them will lead to victory, the other to defeat. We must choose wisely, but quickly. Very quickly. It is imperative that we have allies in case the war brings us a visit. Who, my fellows, who, will we support?"

 

[Knight Otu]

Isawa Akahita meditated. Thought about the recent evemts. Emperor Toturi had been killed, slain by an oni, a type never seen before.

"Death, Destruction, all was part of the Celestial Order, and it allowed for new opportunities to grow, new dicoveries to be made, as part of a cycle. The dead went from Ningen-Do to Meido, the Realm of the Dead, where they awaited their reincarnation. Those who fulfilled their destiny are allowed to enter Yomi, the Realm of the Blessed Ancestors. Dishonorable, bloodthirsty people however, went to Gaki-Do, Toshigoku, or even Jigoku."

"Jigoku, the Realm of Evil, home of the Oni, source of the Taint that holds the Shadowlands in it's grasp. Jigoku and Ningen-Do were never meant to be linked as closely as it is now, as the Realm of Evil seeks the destruction of the Realm of Mortals. Destruction, which is tainted, which does defy the Celestial Order by not allowing for growth, not allowing for recreation. Yet it is tempting to many shugenja, due to the power of the Fallen Kami, Fu-Leng. He was defeated and his power sealed into the Black Scrolls by Shinsei and the Seven Thunders. But then, Iuchiban arose, and even death could not stop him. He, too, was sealed away after some time."

"Legends had spoken of the possible return of Fu Leng, and to prevent it, the Scorpion tried to kill the Emperor in the year 1123. They failed and were exiled. The Akodo family was dissolved, Lion Clan Champion Toturi became a ronin, and the Black Scrolls were opened. The Elemental Masters were tainted. But the aid of descendants of Shinsei and the Seven Thunders allowed the victory over Fu Leng, and the former ronin Toturi became the new Emperor of Rokugan, ending the Hantei line."

"Then came the Lying Darkness, corrupting the Emperor, the death and replacement of Lord Moon and Lady Sun and the loss of the True Tao, before Lady Moon named, and thus destroyed, the Darkness. And now, an unknown type of oni killed the Emperor. Every time it seemed as if the Shadowlands had taken a deadly blow, a new danger waited to cause more destruction. Destruction that left no room for renewal. By now, Toturi's children will be looking for support for their crowning. But who should be the next Emperor? Hantei Naseru, adept at the political maneuvering required to survive the courtly traps and battlefields? Toturi Sezaru, the great shugenja who trained with the Phoenix? His daughter, Touri Tsudao, the great general, who has the battle prowess to best any thread? Or Akodo Kaneka, Toturi's oldest son, who has not been recogniced as a heir? Or should someone else assume the throne of the Empire?"

At this point, Akahita's meditation was disturbed by a "Keh! Shiba Tsukune wants-wants ye to go with her-her and the Elemental Masters to-to the capital. They-They decided to follow the Lions' invitation." As so often in the last five years since the ratling saved his life, he looked at Cho'tchac'chek and wondered how the respectless Nezumi had survived in the presence of the often arrogant and easily offended shugenja of the Phoenix. He suspected that the ratling had used some of his strange name magic to avoid their wrath. "Thank you for informing me, Cho'tchac'check-san", Akahita said with a slight smile. Few had understood how Akahita could dare to treat the Nezumi as an equal, but in time, the ratling has proven to be a valuable ally, especially with the research recently started. "Let us go to our daimyo."

After all preparations were finished, Shiba Tsukune, the Elemental Masters, Isawa Akahita, Cho'tchac'check and their respective yojimbo, including Shiba Temuro, began their travel to Otosan Uchi, but not before reminding Cho'tchac'check to pose as a loyal, if exotic, servant, and especially not to talk to anyone. The ratling simply answered with a "Keh!"

 

[Creamsteak]

Just checking up and posting that I'm up-to date.

The only information that directly affects all players that has been presented is this:

The Lion Clan invites you to a conferance

 

[Omegium]

Ho-Zushi stepped forward to Ho-Tsuri. "My liege, I have recieved confirmation for what I sensed earlier."

"So it is true? Well, this changes our plans. Chaos will reign without the laws and control of our little emperor. And from the chaos we will rise, for in chaos our cultist will do their job best. In chaos, mistakes are made. Mistakes in the mids of our enemies. Mistakes which we will profit from. Do you have any other news?"

"Yes sire, the Lion clan have arranged a meeting for the other clans. They will try to keep the stability in the empire"

"Hmm, interesting. They must not succeed. This is what we have been waiting for for many years, we cannot let another tirant stand up and rule the empire for a long time. If they form an alliance they can keep the shadowlands at bay. They may not do that. Send for Nai-No-Kami, I need him soon. And send my master of assasins too. There is notting better to break an alliance than a brutal murder between two allies. Make sure we can attend at that meeting, I'm sure it will be interesting. And as always, keep an eye on the shadowlands. I have a feeling it is going to play an important role in the things still coming."

Later that night, Ho-Tsuri is standing at the balcony, looking at the mountains.
Shahai: You had called for me?

"Yes my dear. This is a great day, the day we will start to gain control. How is your research?"

"Nothing yet sir. We are still working all day to find it, but we can't. For His resting place is very well hidden."

"Tomorrow is another day, my dear Shahai. You will find Him, i'm sure. Come here, and look how the sun disappears behind the mountains. For when the brightest light disappears, many others can be seen. Some are stronger than others, some join together in groups. But one of them is stronger than the others, much stronger. And when the great light disappears, that light will take over."

"In the end, we will victor, I'm sure. But we have to make sacrifices and many things are uncertain"

"You do not need to worry. The foul stench of death is in the air, but with it comes the delicious scent of blood..."

 

[Festy_Dog]

A katana blade, flecked with teardrop shaped rubies, arcs through the air. Naigotsu Akira grips the katana in a clearing of a bamboo forest. He wears pair of dastana, appearing to be made of glass, and around his neck is a loop of mist clinging to a faceless mask.

"Akira," a female voice says nearby.

"Yes Mishica?" he replies, putting his blade away.

"The emporer is dead, they say he was killed by a previously unknown of oni," she explains.

Akira frowns, his eyebrows furrow in thought.

"The Lion have invited all clans to Otusan Ushi, a conference is planned to keep stability, prevent plummet into war," Mishica continues.

"We too shall attend," Akira says, "Maybe under my rule the Crane can be looked upon by the Lion in a different light."

"What are we to do if war breaks out?" she asks

"That much is simple, you would only be asking to confirm your thoughts I assume," Akira says.

Mishica nods then says, "When will you tell them?"

Akira turns his head sharply towards Mishica, "They don't need to know, and never will as far as I'm concerned," he smells the air briefly as a slight gust of wind passes, ruffling his long white-dyed hair, "Rain is coming, we had best go inside."

"Dear, let us address one issue at a time. Please do not raise our personal troubles when there are greater issues at hand," Akira says.

He walks over to Mishica and places his arm around her waist as they walk away.

"Someone will eventually want to know why we have no heir," she says.

Akira places a finger over her lips, "I know. We shall attend our troubles one at a time, we still have time for that one."

He removes his finger and they kiss briefly before disappearing into the forest.

 

[Serpenteye]

Day 2

The morning light shone in trough the high windows of the palace library. Cherry blossoms drifted on the winds from the garden below and dotted the floor beneath the window in white and pink. The heavy, sweet scent of spring roses made him think of rotting flesh and despite the warm wind he felt a chill.

He looked at the three men and the one woman sitting in front of him, the top burocrats of the territories of the Lion Clan, efficient and intelligent proffessionals. But he expected even them to be surprised by his words.

"I have reviewed the finances of our territories and I am concerned, to say the least. Our productivity and taxation revenues are stagnant, ancient practices in commerce and agriculture are still in use, even though more efficient and productive methods are available. The differences in yield per acre between our few progressive land owners and the majority is incredible. Merchants, the lifeblood of our economy, are scorned and ridiculed, seen as dishonorable scoundrels and thieves. In some cases they are, but the majority are as honest as any other men and the rest are often a necessary evil. The unyieldingly conservative adherence to tradition, in the name of honour, is the greatest obstacle to growth and progress. Times are changing and we must adapt, all must be made to understand this.
We need to reform our economy on a massive scale, inform and educate our people in the new techniques of craftswork and agriculture and establish the financial institutions necessary to finance the needed investments. New trade routes must be opened up and our natural resources must be harnessed. What we need is a commercial and industrial revolution.
I have outlined what must be done in these documents. Your present task is to start the process. Report to me if you encounter difficulties you cannot overcome, in addition to your weekly reports."


__

Ooc: The Industrial Revolution has begun in the lands of the Lion. A massive restructuring of the economy is being undertaken. Meetings of prosperous merchants, land owners and officials are held. The internal political infrastructure of the Lion Clan is mobilized to guide and protect the process.

 

[Creamsteak]

The lion clan also openly embraces the concept of capitalism I suppose? Hum... now you've got me thinking...

 

[Serpenteye]

The lion clan also openly embraces the concept of capitalism I suppose? Hum... now you've got me thinking...

Capitalism, yes. But also a strong element of socialism. A combination of the best parts of both of the systems. The vast resources and organization that can be mobilized by a strong government and the security it can provide combined with the flexibility and opportunities of free enterprise. The main point is to illustrate an economical change from a primitive feudal economy to a more modern system, geared towards growth.

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

The Beginning of the End

Prologue:

Kyoso...

Sharp and cruel words cause the oni's eyes to jolt open, awakening her from the rest she sought after. Around her, countless oni waited to be summoned, daring those in Rokugan to summon them, to name them. Though they were not the only denizens of this realm, tormented souls, swirling about the area in mass also ran amok...in the Realm of Evil, in Jigoku.

Kyoso...

Kyoso no Oni clawed at the haunting voice, only to find nothing there, while trying to find its source, a thought pops into her head, "Daigotsu?" She says in a menacing voice, eyes focused in concentration, full of malice.

Kyoso...

The voice draws further as Kyoso screams in rage, her lower form slithers across the ground of the hell pit as she chases after it, never quite finding the source. Madness and anger swelled in her eyes, and collective energies of dark flame surrounded her hands. She did not care where she was going, for her only thought was to kill the one who had sentenced her back here...

1 Rokugani Day had Passed

Kyoso had become paranoid, but her growing anger and rage did not end-the voice had taunted her the whole time. When it would whisper in her ear, she would rake at it, when it came from afar, she would throw a blazing ball of destructive energy, her wrath knew no bounds though she was powerless to destroy the one she hated the most...

Two Rokugani Days have Passed

Kyoso had not succumbed to exhaustion, never stopping on her passage to what she thought would be vengeance, she continued on...the voice was still there, taunting, it grew more loud as she got closer to reaching the source. Her anger grew, wherever she went while following the voice, she had cleaved and destroyed any oni in her path. Those who saw her saw a creature of terrible might, power, and rage...then they died.

Three Rokugani Days have Passed

The voice grew louder, then had stopped. Kyoso screamed once more in rage, looking for her adversary, when she stopped, she did not see the tormented souls or the fierce oni...she found herself in a hole not unlike Jigoku. She climbed herself out of it, immersing herself in the tainted air of the Shadowlands.

A lone figure greeted her at the end of her vision, one garbed in black robes-typical of the maho-tsukai, as well as wearing a skull-like mask, flowing white hair behind it. The man who she had sought for after tirelessly for three days, the one who had sentenced her to her torment stood there...yet she could not move a muscle to kill him...something unknown stopped her. A smile formed beneath the mask of the man...