(IRR) The Rokugan IR Turn 0 Thread

[Knight Otu]

"Then I want to ask you to allow a delegation that hopefully consists of representatives of all the clans of Rokugan aboard of one of these ships, so they can experience your homeland first hand, as you will be able to experience our homeland first hand. If possible, I would also request that the delegation is informed on the basics of your culture, so that they do not offend anyone. I do not know if other clans will send a representative, but my yojimbo Shiba Temuro is willing to be the representative of the Phoenix clan."

 

[Rhialto]

"An excellent, and worthy idea." states Gautier. "And one that fullfills one of the other aspects of my mission--to bring the Emerald Empire in full diplomatic contact with the Faith..."

 

[Knight Otu]

"Thank you for accepting my proposal, Gautier. We have to leave you now, but Shiba Temuro will return in time to reach the ships that return to your homeland. I will send out a request to the Clan Daimyos to send a represenative for the delegation."

As said, Isawa Akahita will send out this request to the Clan, and also requests an audience with Moshi Juiko.

 

[Mr. Draco]

Outside of the conference, a lone figure stands at the gates. Wearing a heavy brown hooded robe, the guards can just make out that his features seem to be chisiled from stone, rather than flesh. He walks up to one of the guards and speaks in a rasping, withered sounding voice, not unlike the wind moving through trees, despite his obvious vitality, "I am an emmisary from the Suel Empire, with a gift for the head of this place..." moving his hand towards the hilt of a jeweled katana handle at his side, "...and a mesage for the conference members."

 

[Serpenteye]

Toshiro gazed out over the southern lands of the Lion clan from the mountainpeak fortress of Hidden Watch Keep. Miles of hills, rivers, forests and plains stretched out before him in the bright mid afternoon light. With his magically enhanced vision he could watch the ant-like toil of thousands of peasants. They were like insects beneath him, labouring in sweat and blood, free of his heavy burden of growing responsibilities. Free even in their servitude, for they were responsible only to him while he was responsible to all of them, them and millions of others. Their fates were tied, and that made master to slave, but not slave to master.
For minutes he gazed unseeing out over the heartlands of the Empire, brooding on his failures and duties. The Emperor was dead. Gaheris had blamed him, and though his accusations had been exaggerated he had been right, to an extent. But what could he have done? Seppuku was out of the question, the most honorable of all cowardly acts, it was still a recourse of the weak. Besides, it was eminently impractical, the realisation of his plans depended upon his survival. Without him the clan might fall apart once more and the Empire would be weakened. Duties and responsibilities superceded honour. He sneered and felt bile rising in his throat.
The Emperor was dead and the Empire drifted on the stormy oceans of fate without guidance, without leadership. It would remain thus, he feared, even if the first son acended the throne. Akodo Kaneka had never been recognized as heir before now. He would owe his title to the great clans and be ineffectual as a ruler, if he would fail the Empire would fall. If the other heirs would be rescued or resurrected the consequences for the Empire might be worse still. The clans were too strong. The clans were to weak. His clan was too weak. He sighed.

Sensing the ripples of a teleport spell he turned around to face the new arrival, a look of annoyance on his face.
"You have important news?"
"I have... unusual news Toshiro-sama." the young woman answered nervously. "A small fleet of gajin have arrived outside the southern coast, my lord. They have traveled far, from a city halfway across the world, to spread their faith in our lands. They have already been recieved by a Mantis representative of extremely high standing and the Daimyo of the Phoenix clan himself!"

"Disturbing news," he thought, musing to himself. "Missionaries being recieved in such honour. Surely the Phoenix would never abandon the kami, but the Mantis? It's not impossible. If they gain converts here it would divide the Empire further, but if I move against them while they are supported by two of the great clans the damage would be as bad, or worse. Time will show wether their religion is a threat. I doubt it. How could a foreign religion be superior to our own? If it isn't they will make few converts, without military or economical blackmail to back them up. I have to learn more about them."

"Send an envoy to the leader of the missionaries, tell him to be... inquisitive."

____

ooc: Mr Draco, I'm pretty sure the conference is over.

 

[The Forsaken One]

About a mile off the Rokugan shoreline the Mantis fleet still surrounded the small Missionairy fleet and on its leading vessels bow Moshi Juiko stood, her elaborate red and orange robes dancing on the winds of the azure ocean. A smile across her face and quite content with herself and especially happy with the fascinating emmisary and the possible prospect of further develloping of relationships which she would like very much and she was quite assured that her Daimo would be as facinated as herself for she had sailed many seas and had seen many places and her thirst for the new and unknown had not been saturated for long as she still longed for the sea now and then and took her personal guards and she would leave simple and unannounced for a while.

But across the water she saw the waving of a flag signal and she could make u several people comming on deck. They had finished their talks, so it seemed. She bid the camptain to move aside the other vessel again and as that was done the small walking bridge was laid down again and she received both Gautier and Isawa Akahita on her lead vessel.

"Welcome Isawa Akahita San, I hope the talks were fruitefull and to your both satisfactory. Now Isawa Akahita San what did you wish to speak to me about? Gautier if you would be so kind to wait here and enjoy the seas, its air and the emerald view it has to offer! Isawa Akahita and Gautier, if it's alright with you I'll order the set sail for the Mantis Isles at once, the sooner we'll get there the better. And Akahita, I needed to talk to you as well for I have a favor to ask and I hope you'll join us on our trip so you may hear me out."

And with those words she ordered the captain and the mantis fleet set sail towards the Isles of Spice and Silk. Aboard the Honorable Daimo of the Phoenix and the mysterious and intregueing Gautier of the Faith.

[OOC: Rhialto you seemed to agree to come and if you are gonna leave part of your fleet behind is your call, you can also take them in the protection of my fleet now back to the Mantis Isles where you'll be housed and taken care of, your people might like some solid ground under their feet after this while at sea. I need some stuff to do and things to discuss and also for only RP stuff I'd like you to come we'll finish the IC conversation soon. So I'm hopin Isawa Akahita will join me at the Isles of Spice and Silk and Gautier with his small expeditionairy force as well. And yes this is before the Lion arrive /OOC]

 

[Knight Otu]

"I originally had other plans, but they are not pressing, Juiko-san. I gladly accept your invitation."

Isawa Akahita then goes to a spot where Gautier cannot hear them easily.

"As you certainly can guess, my talks with Gautier were primarily to determine if his religion is dangerous for Rokugan. My personal impression is that this is not the case. He is willing to spread it, but not in a violent or dishonorable way. Also, It seems that he accepts our prayers to the kami."

"Still, I must question your decision to reveal the death of our Emperor to the gaijin. It puts him in a position that may be more advantageous for him rather than us. It would have been just as sincere if you had told him that the Emperor canno be reached, for any reason that seemed appropriate."

"I have reached an agreement with Gautier that, when a part of his fleet returns home, a delegation made up of clan representatives could join, to visit Gautier's homeland. I would ask you to consider one of the emissaries your clan sent to the conference in Otosan Uchi as your representative in that delegation, if this is not too much to ask for."

 

[The Forsaken One]

As she walks up to the front of the ship as the fleet sets sail and the sea is donned with bue and yellow sails. She looks over the azure water for a moment as Isawa Akahita speaks to her. She looks at the horizon and ponders for a moment before turning around to face Isawa Akahita.

"I am glad you decided to join us on our voyage home for I and Gautier have a request of you. Gautier seeks a land he calls the land of the Priest-Kings it's legend to him and quite possibly based in something quite real...."

Juiko is silent for a moment and looks at Isawa Akahita.

"He might have told you about this and I am planning to search for what we might know about this mystical land. We in of the Mantis have sailed far and wide and poses great libraries of travel journies and manuscripts of travels of far over the horizon of the great sea of the Sun Goddes. But you posses the greatest librairies and collection of knowledge in the Empire. You are wise and a great scolar, even greater as myself. So I ask your aid in helping me with this search for information and details about this land... is you want to know my motivation.. it intrigues me but most of all.. the possibility that WE are this land.. the Emerald Empire would be quite possible as well and that some differences are merely that created by time or created by whoever told them about this Land.... Maybe it were Mantis Seafearers who told and exaggerated or told and changed some things to gain a better reputation or impress so their trade would be more profitable... we don't know and myself for one wishes to sort this out... I was hoping upon your aid for I know non as learned in lore as yourself."

She turns around and looks at the seas and skies again as the coastline grows thinner.

"Indeed they seem to be quite peacefull and respecting of other cultures and Faiths so that doesn't seem to be a problem.. yet. We'll just have to see how it stays but I have a good feeling about it and Gautier has stirred a certain feeling of trust withinme. He seems ok... and to be trusted. Not unlikely that his Faith is merely a altered and mutated form of our own... we would have to research that and talk about it with this strangers, but that will all come in due time honorable one.."

Juiko holds a moment of silence and as the sea wind blows through her hair she seas a bit of clouds at the horizon where the coastline has all but disappeared. As she hears and feels the boat cleave through the water and looks at her small fleet surrounding her she is content and as she closes her eyes and ejoys the smell and sounds of the seabreeze..

"As for that I told him about the emperor... I have my reasons as you have undoubtedly thought. It is actually just one and I'll share it with you for in my opinion it was quite simple...... These people showed respect and promise of good relations... I thought it would be very unwise to let the first answer and advise I give him be a lie.... I chose to be straightforward and honest with these people and I saw no harm in sharing this information, most certainly not as long as we act in trust and unison. The test for the new emerald champion won't be long I heard from a trusted source.... that would bring a new central source of leadership within the empire and a place to look to. We would endure anyway but order and a point of Emperial focus will do everything and everyone good, especially for those who seem to need a goal and a thing to protect and serve. Talking about the Emerald Championships..... I hardly know anything of them since I've never interested myself in them and it has been long since we had one..... could you share a bit about them with me for as far as you know and about what these trials might be to choose a new champion?"

As the elderly woman opens her eyes again and inhales the salt sea air she turns around again.

"Ahh the sea air, the sound of the water and the winds in your hair. Wonderfull! Delicious! But as to your proposal... they will return only in some time but I think it might be a good idea.... and offcourse we could not send an emissary of all the clans...... but for the moment a representative from all clans seems like a wise idea but when the time comes we'll decide on it. But Isawa Akahita.... we Mantis don't prefer to lie, we speak truth or silence, at least we attempt."

With a grin she looks at the Phoenix Daimo. And she turns abit and looks at Gautier on the quite a distance away and shouts...

"I"m glad to see your ships are keeping up Gautier, let's see how fast they really go!"

And with that she signals the captain to sail at full speed ahead. Extra sails are put up and the crew gets to work.

[OOC: The Mantis are still in convoy form around the ships of Gautier, if due to speed increase of the swift and rank Mantis ships it might break we'll just slow down. Juiko is just interested in some sport and she would be surprised indeed if the ships of Gautier would keep up with the rank mantis vessels. And at the moment the fleet is setting sail for the Isles of spice and silk. /OOC]

 

[Knight Otu]

"I, too, am wondering if the Empire could be the legendary land Gautier mentioned, and the Phoenix would gladly search through their libraries for any hint that may lead to identifying this land."

"Indeed, there seem to be similarities between the Faith Gautier speaks of, and our religion. Yet I think that there may be parts of our culture that may shock him. We do not know how he would react when he sees a Naga or a Nezumi, for example, who are strange, sometimes enigmatic, but trustworthy allies. I do have an idea, however, that may clarify a few things if properly executed."

"I do think they are trustworthy, too. However, I do not take betrayed trust lightly. I was close to the fire kami before becoming a void disciple."

"It speaks for your great honor that you chose to tell Gautier the full truth about our Emperor's death. Still, I feel that it could have worked against us, and it would have been better to not reveal everything. But let us no longer talk about this issue. It has happened, and it cannot be undone. And until now, it has done no harm."

"What can we expect to see during the Test of the Emerald Champion? Ijajutsu duels, as a test of competence and patience. These duels are not to the death, and injuries are frowned upon. The Emerald Champion must be, among other qualifications, a very capable bushi."

"The Phoenix, too, prefer not to lie, if it can be avoided. But at times, not saying all can be both vital and sincere."

"I mentioned that I had an idea earlier. An idea that might make Gautier more open to certain aspects of our culture. An idea that might shed light on his legend of the land ruled by Priestkings and the darkness this land must face."
"We need to talk to the Daimyo of the Crab Clan for this idea to work. We need his acceptance."
"What I plan is to show Gautier the darkness that we have to face continually. Let him see it with his own eyes. Let him stand on the Kaju Wall. Let him see the Shadowlands."

 

[The Forsaken One]

Juiko looks pleased, very pleased with the Phoenix his words and a smile donnes her face. She looks at Gautier for a moment and than back at the Phoenix Daimo.

"I am baffled by your words.... they seem almost to good to be true! I'm pleased beyond measure that we agree and I truly hope that feeling may endure although it will not survive the sight of the Shadowlands for I agree! Now I'm glad we had this conversation and I'm thrilled that we agree. I propose we continue to the Mantis Isles and rest for a while so you can enjoy the pleasures and hospitality of the bugs!"

She laughs for a moment remembering the tale from Jola about the Lion Daimo who got outraged by the young Wasp Hunter in his new tunic and armor.

"In the while we can conduct some research and I'll send a few trusted friends over to the Wall and inspect it and after that contact the new Crab Daimo for news has reached my ear that the old one took his own life... though under.. hmm... mysterious circumstances..... But my associates will look into that and ask for his permission for the visit of Gautier. But remember the danger for taking him so close to the lands of our enemy.. so close to the Taint... But so it will be if the Crab Daimo agrees! Now lets get back to our guest and enjoy the trip and our stay!"

With that she lays her hand on the phoenix his shoulder as she makes a bow and guides him in the direction of Gautier.

[OOC: Knight and Rhialto nice RPing, very nice we did this! Hope we'll see plenty more of your IC good stuff! And cream got his turn 0 off the floor /OOC]