Sometime later in the day, a servant walks upto Bayushi Nori and hands him a Gray letter. He reads it and then reaches into his Kimono and pulls out a small slip of paper sealed with wax. He hands that letter back to the servant. The servant leaves the room with the new note.
(IRR) The Rokugan IR Turn 0 Thread
- Thread starter Creamsteak
- Start date
Serpenteye
First Post
The conference
"Friends, allies, noble representatives of the Empire, honourable lords of the clans, the emperor is dead. The reason we are gathered here today is to protect the peace and stability of the empire by making sure that the succession proceeds smoothly and to ensure that the empire remains united and strong. The fact that so many of the major power groups of the Empire have chosen to attend this meeting should give our mutual enemies pause for thought."
" It seems that the resolve of so many of the great leaders of our empire to stand together against our mutual enemies has pushed our foes to acts of desperation. It is with great sadness that I inform you that the children of the Emperor, the primary heirs to the throne have been abducted."
" Hours ago I recieved a letter from an unknown source, claiming to have kidnapped the heirs. I quote:
__________________________________________________
'The Emporer is dead. Long Live the Emporer.
The Lion Clan is Alive, Soon you will be dead.
Six Four Six Four Three Nine
The Emporer's children are ours. There will be no person to inherit the throne. You will not see them. We simply wait for one of you to spill our blood, and we will kill them.
If you pay a ransome of 1,000,000 pieces of gold, we will let them live, and will tell you where one of them is. If you do not pay, we will kill them one at a time till you do pay. We demand it, and you will submit to us.
We will KILL them. There will be no person to inherit the throne rightfully, and the empire will be crushed under it's enemies. You have one year to fulfill your debt to us, and you will have one of the children returned to you.'
__________________________________________________
"It is probable that the group behind this act is in some way connected to the Shadowlands. We know that the shadowlands and those who pursue the tainted arts spread corruption and evil like a disease to all they touch. If the heirs to the throne are in their custody they have probably already been corrupted by the taint and twisted into tools of jigoku. It might very well be beyond the power of our magic to cure them completely, it would be difficult to know to what degree they are cured and any doubt would ruin their chances of ruling the Empire even if they were completely restored. The suspicion would remain."
"The other possibility is worse. If they were not completely cured of their taint it might grow in their souls again, like a dormant disease. They might loose themselves and become slaves of the shadow. If that happens the empire will face civil war, or the entire Empire might fall under the shadow for all eternity."
"Is that a risk we are willing to take?"
Toshiro shakes his head, his face a mask of cold sadness and rage.
"I say no. The Emperor is murdered and now his children are as good as dead. This is the end of a dynasty, but we must not risk to make this the end of the Empire. The children of the Emperor were all worthy, each in their own way, of inheriting the throne, they were great and honourable individuals, the finest of their generation. They should have had the chance to ascend the throne, but now that is impossible. We must find another way."
He looks over the assembled lords gravely, his voice carrying the sadness and resolve in his heart.
"To secure the peace of the Empire we must choose another Emperor. Since there are none remaining who has a strong claim to the throne that might take a long time. Until such a time as an Emperor has claimed the throne and gained the power to defend his claim from all who might contest it someone else must guard the peace and enforce the laws of the Empire. No individual or clan has the power to do so."
"Therefore I propose that the Daimyos of the leading clans of Rokugan form a temporary council of regents that will carry all the powers held by the imperial office. That way the stability of the Empire may be preserved, so that the next Emperor does not inherit a broken realm."
"Friends, allies, noble representatives of the Empire, honourable lords of the clans, the emperor is dead. The reason we are gathered here today is to protect the peace and stability of the empire by making sure that the succession proceeds smoothly and to ensure that the empire remains united and strong. The fact that so many of the major power groups of the Empire have chosen to attend this meeting should give our mutual enemies pause for thought."
" It seems that the resolve of so many of the great leaders of our empire to stand together against our mutual enemies has pushed our foes to acts of desperation. It is with great sadness that I inform you that the children of the Emperor, the primary heirs to the throne have been abducted."
" Hours ago I recieved a letter from an unknown source, claiming to have kidnapped the heirs. I quote:
__________________________________________________
'The Emporer is dead. Long Live the Emporer.
The Lion Clan is Alive, Soon you will be dead.
Six Four Six Four Three Nine
The Emporer's children are ours. There will be no person to inherit the throne. You will not see them. We simply wait for one of you to spill our blood, and we will kill them.
If you pay a ransome of 1,000,000 pieces of gold, we will let them live, and will tell you where one of them is. If you do not pay, we will kill them one at a time till you do pay. We demand it, and you will submit to us.
We will KILL them. There will be no person to inherit the throne rightfully, and the empire will be crushed under it's enemies. You have one year to fulfill your debt to us, and you will have one of the children returned to you.'
__________________________________________________
"It is probable that the group behind this act is in some way connected to the Shadowlands. We know that the shadowlands and those who pursue the tainted arts spread corruption and evil like a disease to all they touch. If the heirs to the throne are in their custody they have probably already been corrupted by the taint and twisted into tools of jigoku. It might very well be beyond the power of our magic to cure them completely, it would be difficult to know to what degree they are cured and any doubt would ruin their chances of ruling the Empire even if they were completely restored. The suspicion would remain."
"The other possibility is worse. If they were not completely cured of their taint it might grow in their souls again, like a dormant disease. They might loose themselves and become slaves of the shadow. If that happens the empire will face civil war, or the entire Empire might fall under the shadow for all eternity."
"Is that a risk we are willing to take?"
Toshiro shakes his head, his face a mask of cold sadness and rage.
"I say no. The Emperor is murdered and now his children are as good as dead. This is the end of a dynasty, but we must not risk to make this the end of the Empire. The children of the Emperor were all worthy, each in their own way, of inheriting the throne, they were great and honourable individuals, the finest of their generation. They should have had the chance to ascend the throne, but now that is impossible. We must find another way."
He looks over the assembled lords gravely, his voice carrying the sadness and resolve in his heart.
"To secure the peace of the Empire we must choose another Emperor. Since there are none remaining who has a strong claim to the throne that might take a long time. Until such a time as an Emperor has claimed the throne and gained the power to defend his claim from all who might contest it someone else must guard the peace and enforce the laws of the Empire. No individual or clan has the power to do so."
"Therefore I propose that the Daimyos of the leading clans of Rokugan form a temporary council of regents that will carry all the powers held by the imperial office. That way the stability of the Empire may be preserved, so that the next Emperor does not inherit a broken realm."
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Lichtenhart
First Post
Before the shocking revelation...
Gaheris and Tadaji greet every delegation.
- It's a pleasure to see the Scorpion participate too, Nori-san. I hope your investigations about the killer Oni are doing well. - says the Khan with a piercing gaze.
- Welcome Akahita-san. And welcome to you Nezumi-san. - says the Khan with respect. - I've fought with many of your kind at Oblivion's Gate. They were heroes. May ask you from which tribe are you? -
- Ryosei-san! I'll never complain anymore about age visiting me, if that means it is forgetting about you. I'm glad the Fox is attending. -
- Akira-san, you are indeed right. Peace is to be kept until the Empire's enemy become manifest. -
The Khan rises an eyebrow seeing the stranger lady. - I thought an imperial decree was needed for gaijin to enter Otosan Uchi - a sharp look towards the Lion's Champion. - but You are welcome anyway. I am Moto Gaheris, Khan of the Unicorn clan, the children of the WInd. -
"Isn't the Crab going to send a representative? Very strange. May there be troubles on the Wall? The Dragon is missing too. But Akodo's letter said everyone was invited. We'll see..." thinks Tadaji, observing the meeting. Then a servant brings him a rose letter for the Khan. He examines it and he's rather perplexed when he cannot recognize the seal. He hands it to Gaheris, who opens it absent-mindedly... then a shiver runs along his spine. With mounting rage in his heart and blood injected eyes the Khan turns towards Toshiro Akodo... and in that precise moment the Lion's Champion makes his revelation.
________________________________________
The Khan rises and with an energy unsuspected in a man his age, he speaks.
- I can't believe what I just heard.
Not only you tell us that the Lion Clan, who has the duty to defend the Emperor failed not only once, but five times.
Not only you say that you are so honorless to survive such a failure.
No, you tell us that we are so weak and resourceless that we shouldn't even try to rescue Toturi's children, no, we should forget all our loyalty bonds and go on, make ourselves at ease and rule the Empire in their place.
Well I say no!!!-
Gaheris knocks his fist on the table, with such a strenght to leave marks on it.
- I won't stand still as cowardice takes over the Empire, behind a frail mask of wisdom. Toturi himself was tainted, but he still had your ancestors' loyalty, if they were your ancestors at all! I don't know anything about this threat, but Shadowlands or not, I will employ every Unicorn resource to find them, and if they only harmed one of the heirs, slaughter them to the last man, goblin or oni!
In Rokugan History no force ever stood against the might of the Clans united; yet you tell us to give up because you think we won't be able to recover them from the taint?
Well, I suggest you to leave, Toshiro, because you don't deserve to stay in sight of that throne, you don't deserve the name Akodo, and you don't deserve even to stain my sword! -
Gaheris and Tadaji greet every delegation.
- It's a pleasure to see the Scorpion participate too, Nori-san. I hope your investigations about the killer Oni are doing well. - says the Khan with a piercing gaze.
- Welcome Akahita-san. And welcome to you Nezumi-san. - says the Khan with respect. - I've fought with many of your kind at Oblivion's Gate. They were heroes. May ask you from which tribe are you? -
- Ryosei-san! I'll never complain anymore about age visiting me, if that means it is forgetting about you. I'm glad the Fox is attending. -
- Akira-san, you are indeed right. Peace is to be kept until the Empire's enemy become manifest. -
The Khan rises an eyebrow seeing the stranger lady. - I thought an imperial decree was needed for gaijin to enter Otosan Uchi - a sharp look towards the Lion's Champion. - but You are welcome anyway. I am Moto Gaheris, Khan of the Unicorn clan, the children of the WInd. -
"Isn't the Crab going to send a representative? Very strange. May there be troubles on the Wall? The Dragon is missing too. But Akodo's letter said everyone was invited. We'll see..." thinks Tadaji, observing the meeting. Then a servant brings him a rose letter for the Khan. He examines it and he's rather perplexed when he cannot recognize the seal. He hands it to Gaheris, who opens it absent-mindedly... then a shiver runs along his spine. With mounting rage in his heart and blood injected eyes the Khan turns towards Toshiro Akodo... and in that precise moment the Lion's Champion makes his revelation.
________________________________________
The Khan rises and with an energy unsuspected in a man his age, he speaks.
- I can't believe what I just heard.
Not only you tell us that the Lion Clan, who has the duty to defend the Emperor failed not only once, but five times.
Not only you say that you are so honorless to survive such a failure.
No, you tell us that we are so weak and resourceless that we shouldn't even try to rescue Toturi's children, no, we should forget all our loyalty bonds and go on, make ourselves at ease and rule the Empire in their place.
Well I say no!!!-
Gaheris knocks his fist on the table, with such a strenght to leave marks on it.
- I won't stand still as cowardice takes over the Empire, behind a frail mask of wisdom. Toturi himself was tainted, but he still had your ancestors' loyalty, if they were your ancestors at all! I don't know anything about this threat, but Shadowlands or not, I will employ every Unicorn resource to find them, and if they only harmed one of the heirs, slaughter them to the last man, goblin or oni!
In Rokugan History no force ever stood against the might of the Clans united; yet you tell us to give up because you think we won't be able to recover them from the taint?
Well, I suggest you to leave, Toshiro, because you don't deserve to stay in sight of that throne, you don't deserve the name Akodo, and you don't deserve even to stain my sword! -
Serpenteye
First Post
"Harsh words, Gaheris. Rash and foolish words." Toshiro's eyes shine with barely restrained rage.
"We have all failed in our duty towards the Emperor, we all share some of the responsibility for what has happened. Do you suggest that we all kill ourselves and throw the Empire into complete anarchy? That is surely what the shadowlands want us to do. Do you serve the Empire or the shadow?
Chase after the children if you wish, though they are hidden from magical detection and we know nothing of where they are. Scour the earth from sunset to sunrise, pole to pole, if that is what you desire. Surely you are of little use in the company of civilised men if all you can contribute to this council is childish tantrums.
Regardless of wether you find the heirs or not the Empire will surely need to be governed in the mean time. If there is no central authority to uphold the laws the Empire will be damaged, perhaps even fall apart. We need an Emperor, but if there is no suitable Emperor to be had we must surely create some sort of institution to perform the duties normally held by an Emperor. Please try to be rational, we can not afford to be divided now."
As to the matter of the taint, perhaps things are not quite as bleak as I believed. Perhaps a tainted Emperor can rule without finding his every action put under suspicion by people fearful that he is falling under a dark influence. Perhaps he can overcome the evil enchantments woven into his soul and become as great an Emperor as his father. Perhaps, but in these dangerous times when magic and technology are beginning to warp and grow, when the world turns ever swifter and the enemies of the Empire are legion, would it not be wiser if we had an Emperor untouched by the shadow?"
OOC: I guess I should do my homework in the future
. I had no idea that there had been a tainted Emperor of Rokugan, who managed to remain in control of himself, before this time. There was one, I believe, that was tainted and fell under demonic influence. That led to a devastating civil war in the empire. Surely it was not him/her Gaheris was referring to?.
"We have all failed in our duty towards the Emperor, we all share some of the responsibility for what has happened. Do you suggest that we all kill ourselves and throw the Empire into complete anarchy? That is surely what the shadowlands want us to do. Do you serve the Empire or the shadow?
Chase after the children if you wish, though they are hidden from magical detection and we know nothing of where they are. Scour the earth from sunset to sunrise, pole to pole, if that is what you desire. Surely you are of little use in the company of civilised men if all you can contribute to this council is childish tantrums.
Regardless of wether you find the heirs or not the Empire will surely need to be governed in the mean time. If there is no central authority to uphold the laws the Empire will be damaged, perhaps even fall apart. We need an Emperor, but if there is no suitable Emperor to be had we must surely create some sort of institution to perform the duties normally held by an Emperor. Please try to be rational, we can not afford to be divided now."
As to the matter of the taint, perhaps things are not quite as bleak as I believed. Perhaps a tainted Emperor can rule without finding his every action put under suspicion by people fearful that he is falling under a dark influence. Perhaps he can overcome the evil enchantments woven into his soul and become as great an Emperor as his father. Perhaps, but in these dangerous times when magic and technology are beginning to warp and grow, when the world turns ever swifter and the enemies of the Empire are legion, would it not be wiser if we had an Emperor untouched by the shadow?"
OOC: I guess I should do my homework in the future
. I had no idea that there had been a tainted Emperor of Rokugan, who managed to remain in control of himself, before this time. There was one, I believe, that was tainted and fell under demonic influence. That led to a devastating civil war in the empire. Surely it was not him/her Gaheris was referring to?.
Festy_Dog
First Post
As Toshiro responded to Gaheris's statement Akira finds something in a pocket of his robes. From his pocket he extracts an ancient letter, and upon reading it his eyebrows furrow in concern.
"I would like to bring this to light, I found it in my pocket just then. It is written upon ancient paper and carries dust. Strange though it seems, I offer my interpretation to anyone who would ask of it:
"The Anvil Forged the Weapon that Destroyed the Empire"
"The Crane flew above and was saved"
"The true one to blaim is the false Lion."
I myself can see some kind of cryptic message within, though it could be a clever ploy to turn us upon each other," Akira says," If anyone else would like to look upon it and provide their opinion I would be very appreciative, though I would like to inspect it in detail later myself."
Akira hands it to anyone who wishes to inspect it.
"I would like to bring this to light, I found it in my pocket just then. It is written upon ancient paper and carries dust. Strange though it seems, I offer my interpretation to anyone who would ask of it:
"The Anvil Forged the Weapon that Destroyed the Empire"
"The Crane flew above and was saved"
"The true one to blaim is the false Lion."
I myself can see some kind of cryptic message within, though it could be a clever ploy to turn us upon each other," Akira says," If anyone else would like to look upon it and provide their opinion I would be very appreciative, though I would like to inspect it in detail later myself."
Akira hands it to anyone who wishes to inspect it.
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Kalanyr
Explorer
Ryosei chuckles and speaks
" So as opposed to a tainted leader you suggest that the Great Clans of Rokugan agree on something and picking one amongst themselves as a leader at that ? I do not trust your motives if you truly think such a thing would work in the Empire's favour. "
" So as opposed to a tainted leader you suggest that the Great Clans of Rokugan agree on something and picking one amongst themselves as a leader at that ? I do not trust your motives if you truly think such a thing would work in the Empire's favour. "
Bayushi Nori finishes sipping his tea and looks up from behind his mask. "It has come to my attention that the captors may not have all of the heirs at this time. But until, my people discover something about this oni and the people that have captured the rest of the heirs. Scorpion clan will have to serve the throne at this time. As the Akodo Kaneka is safely having dinner within Scorpion clan lands at this time."
"My suggestion is that we hunt down those people that have kidnapped the rest of the family and return the heirs to their rightful place. Clan Scorpion shall be willing at this time to protect Kaneka until one years time from now. As we can assume that after that point all the heirs will be dead.", Nori nod to a servant and indicates his tea cup is to be refilled.
"My suggestion is that we hunt down those people that have kidnapped the rest of the family and return the heirs to their rightful place. Clan Scorpion shall be willing at this time to protect Kaneka until one years time from now. As we can assume that after that point all the heirs will be dead.", Nori nod to a servant and indicates his tea cup is to be refilled.
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Lichtenhart
First Post
- See, Toshiro, there is still someone loyal to the Empire, and willing to take the task the Lion forsook. It seems we don't need another Emperor after all. I'm sorry your projects crumbled around you. - says the Khan with a triumphant look.
Then he turns to Bayushi Nori and bows.
- You brought us great news on such a grim day, and your offer is an honorable one, Nori-san. Please accept the Unicorn's offer to stand at your side against this enemy. -
- The false Lion, you said Akira-san? I wonder who it might refers to. - raising his thick eyebrows in a dramatic way.
- I too just received a strange letter. Perhaps if we put them together we could have a starting point in our investigations. -
He then trows the Rose Letter on the table, for anyone who wants to inspect it, while Tadaji looks at Akira's one.
________________________________________________
The energy you wish to have can be yours. If you only sacrifice your honor
for it, I can teach you the secrets of techknowledgy. I can teach you all of
the secrets of the new magic. You should learn well, and head my beckoning.
All you need to do is accept 1,000,000 gold from the Lion in my name, and I
will pay you with the secrets of whatever techknowledgy you seek.
I cannot reveal myself, however, all you need to do is accept the money, and
I will make your dream come true.
________________________________________________
- Whoever sent that letter doesn't know me, but he'll know me soon enough. - comments Gaheris.
Then he turns to Bayushi Nori and bows.
- You brought us great news on such a grim day, and your offer is an honorable one, Nori-san. Please accept the Unicorn's offer to stand at your side against this enemy. -
- The false Lion, you said Akira-san? I wonder who it might refers to. - raising his thick eyebrows in a dramatic way.
- I too just received a strange letter. Perhaps if we put them together we could have a starting point in our investigations. -
He then trows the Rose Letter on the table, for anyone who wants to inspect it, while Tadaji looks at Akira's one.
________________________________________________
The energy you wish to have can be yours. If you only sacrifice your honor
for it, I can teach you the secrets of techknowledgy. I can teach you all of
the secrets of the new magic. You should learn well, and head my beckoning.
All you need to do is accept 1,000,000 gold from the Lion in my name, and I
will pay you with the secrets of whatever techknowledgy you seek.
I cannot reveal myself, however, all you need to do is accept the money, and
I will make your dream come true.
________________________________________________
- Whoever sent that letter doesn't know me, but he'll know me soon enough. - comments Gaheris.
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Kalanyr
Explorer
"So many letters, perhaps I should add mine to this strange little charity. "
Imagi walks forward and throws a Golden Letter onto the floor:
golden letter. The golden letter contains some strange notes,
scribbled together, and penned by a skilled hand.
signature is missing because of this, along with any other notes detailing
this account.
"This interesting little scroll was delivered to Ryosei, by someone that we have heard the Scorpion consider a potential traitor, this person has since committed Seppuku. "
Imagi walks forward and throws a Golden Letter onto the floor:
This opening statement is written in a circle around the wax seal of a
golden letter. The golden letter contains some strange notes,
scribbled together, and penned by a skilled hand.
This note is ripped in half. The other half is missing. The letter's
signature is missing because of this, along with any other notes detailing
this account.
"This interesting little scroll was delivered to Ryosei, by someone that we have heard the Scorpion consider a potential traitor, this person has since committed Seppuku. "
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Knight Otu
First Post
"I would show my letter, but it has crumbled to dust. It did leave a note and a dream in my mind, however." Isawa Akahita speaks up.
"But, if you expect me to tell you the contents of the note and the dream, I have to disappoint you, as the intent of these letters is obvious. To spread mistrust among the clans, to cause us to go to war against each others."
"If it is true that the children of the Emperor have been abducted, it is our duty to rescue, and if neccessary, heal them of the taint. This is a duty that we can only succeed at if we act in unison. As long as the Emperors heirs are vanished, however, it is also our duty to keep the Empire stable. Akodo-sama is right, the Empire has to be governed, and the Clan Champions may be the best suited for the task. But when the Emperor's heirs return, will they abdictate from that position?"
"Therefore, the Phoenix will not be part of a prospective gouvernment, but we will lead a group that makes sure that the Clan Champions allow that one of the rightful heirs can take the throne if they return."
"And of course, we will have to prepare for the thought that none of the heirs will return. In that case, we should learn our lessons from the early days of the Empire."
"But, if you expect me to tell you the contents of the note and the dream, I have to disappoint you, as the intent of these letters is obvious. To spread mistrust among the clans, to cause us to go to war against each others."
"If it is true that the children of the Emperor have been abducted, it is our duty to rescue, and if neccessary, heal them of the taint. This is a duty that we can only succeed at if we act in unison. As long as the Emperors heirs are vanished, however, it is also our duty to keep the Empire stable. Akodo-sama is right, the Empire has to be governed, and the Clan Champions may be the best suited for the task. But when the Emperor's heirs return, will they abdictate from that position?"
"Therefore, the Phoenix will not be part of a prospective gouvernment, but we will lead a group that makes sure that the Clan Champions allow that one of the rightful heirs can take the throne if they return."
"And of course, we will have to prepare for the thought that none of the heirs will return. In that case, we should learn our lessons from the early days of the Empire."
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