(IRR) The Rokugan IR (Turn 1)

[Creamsteak]

Yes... it is scary. You do reply almost instantly, but it's fine. At least you are replying, and posting. That sorta matters...

Oh, and an update:

The invader's have gray skin, tusk like teeth, are rather large (averaging six feet tall), and are extremely brutal. They seem to be underneath a powerful warrior who you have not yet identified by name, but he is a skilled battle master. Almost every soldier has aquired a horse through theft, and most of them ride very well. They are industrializing some of the territory that they take, but they burn anything that they don't feel is valuable. The entire force is concentrated into one location.

In turn, they have scried your empire in return. They have learned of some of your current toils, but only visually and with sound. They can't make out your language, and they have little ability to discern your culture, but you have a strong civilization, and a message from their leader states,

"If you wait patiently, I won't kill your children."

 

[Kalanyr]

The Fox immediately begin their own divinations to confirm if they also get this image of the attack.

The Hurricane Initiates are allowed to leave without any trouble.

 

[The Forsaken One]

Mantis scrying will attempt to picture a rough PL value of the force.

Adter that We'll send messengers throughout the empire to the southern, eastern and central clans to come and destroy the invading force. I don't like the looks of this, not a bit at all.

nobody threatens Rokugan and lives!

 

[Knight Otu]

"These creatures look horribly similar to some of the creatures of the Shadowlands... We need to find out if they are tainted. But the important things first."

Instead of returning home, the Firestorm Legion will join the forces sent against the invaders.

I will send a message to Toshiro Akodo, asking him not to attack the Fox clan.

The Fox clan is warned not to disappoint the trust put into them again.

The Hurricane Initiates will watch the coasts of the Phoenix lands for signs of trouble.

 

[Lichtenhart]

A teleporting unicorn messenger delivers a few letters to the Clan Champions.
______________________________

To Toshiro Akodo, Lion Clan Champion

Toshiro-san, despite our discussion in Otosan Uchi, it wasn't my intention to ignore the attack you suffered. Just when I was sending some troops to back you up, the invaders disappeared just as quickly as they arrived. Let me know if you need the Unicorn's support for anything. Anyone who dares to threaten the Empire must learn a harsh lesson.

Moto Gaheris
______________________________

To Toku, Monkey Clan Champion

Toku-san, I see no doubt a man as honorable as you can't possibly be held responsible of the actions the Scorpion contest you. I've given my word to respect Phoenix judgement on the matter, so I can't take military actions against your enemies, but please accept my offer to help your people. A small Unicorn garrison could teleport easily from our outpost in Shinomen Forest to your castle and back, without being noticed by scorpion troops. This way we could deliver you food, weapons and medicines to stand the siege. We could also take civilian refugees to our lands to protect them. I hope this situation won't last long.

May the Kami give you strenght
Moto Gaheris
______________________________

To Naigotsu Akira, Crane Clan Champion

It's with great sadness that I learned of your retirement from the Emerald Test. Remember that distance can't keep your true allies from helping you, in times of need.

May Lord Sun protect the Crane from the perils from the sea
Ide Tadaji
______________________________

Iuchi Lixue finally presents herself where the Jade Test is held and asks to see Isawa Akahita.
"I bring a message from my daimyo, lady Yue. She'd like to offer her help, and our family particular talents to help you in the research of the elixir that could heal the tainted Winds. She is confident that my expertise in travel magic will be valuable to our cause."

 

[Knight Otu]

"Lixue-san, your help and that of the Unicorn is greatly appreciated and welcome. Is there anything you need our immediate help with?"

 

[Creamsteak]

The conquesting army on the South Western coast of the main contintinent have finally met a force that can hold them temporary. The Nibelungeon Dwarves can hold the force back, likely through the rest of the turn. They definitely appear to be tainted by most of your shugenja. They believe that the creatures are tainted because all of the land where they have conquered withers as any land conquered by the shadowlands would.

Approximate army size: 200-500 PL depending on how strong one individual soldier in their group is. They are stronger than usual, and there are an equivelent of 100 PL of troops, so that's a pretty good guess at the range. The nibelungeon dwarves have a rough PL of 200 themselves, but they have advanced weapons and training that could make them as strong as 2-6 normal men.

Also note that the Mantis have put a lock down (barring out the crab fleets) around the magic source in the ocean. I don't want to be rude to WR, so if one of you could email him that would probably help. If not, I'll just judge. I'm impartial, but I would have liked to let them do it for entertainment and funs sake.

 

[Serpenteye]

Creamsteak
The Fox clan has apparently launched a small skirmish group against the lion territories, well disguised to appear as citizens of the burning sands. Their victory was swift, and their retreat swifter. Apparently they had no intention of killing anyone, or of keeping any land, but they did bring their troops into the Lion Clan's territory and then leave.

A message to the Fox Champion

"Kitsune Ryosei. You have violated the sanctity of Otusan Uchi. You have broken the treaties between our two clans. You have murdered citicens of the Empire and attempted to blame your crimes on an innocent nation, to incite the Empire into an unjust war. You have discarded honour and reason and justice dictates that your sullied clan be wiped off the face of the world.
Nevertheless, I am not a man who takes pleasure in killing, however justified it might be, and I do not seek to annihilate the Fox, merely to exact a price for your crimes against us to save face for my clan and to save whatever honour remains for your own. I therefore challenge you to a duel, to let your death be the price of peace, though it would honour you, treacherous dog, far more that you deserve.

Toshiro Akodo"

-

Creamsteak
Meanwhile, a blight of taint has apparently seeped into the crab, crane, lion, and dragon clans through a food source. Apparently corrupt vegetation has allowed the Shadowlands to poison the tea grown in the northern crab lands, and it has gradually seeped out into the hands of the citizens. This horrible blight has caused almost every village, town, and city under control by these clans to increase in taint score by 1 full point. It doesn't bode well...

Ouch! Well, first of all we stop buying tea from the northern crab lands and start mapping which regions in Lion territory are most affected by the taint. We destroy all our stores of crab-tea.

-

Creamsteak
There is enough to treat the children of the emperor, and that will be done as long as the clans housing those individuals allow it. More of it could be bought from the shadowlands... if both parties agree. More of it could be taken from the shadowlands, if someone could manage to do that.

We teleport a few spellcasters to an unguarded source of the plants to attempt to gather a moderate amount of the substance. If they encounter resistance of any kind they withdraw instantly.

-

Creamsteak
The conquesting army on the South Western coast of the main contintinent have finally met a force that can hold them temporary. The Nibelungeon Dwarves can hold the force back, likely through the rest of the turn. They definitely appear to be tainted by most of your shugenja. They believe that the creatures are tainted because all of the land where they have conquered withers as any land conquered by the shadowlands would.

Approximate army size: 200-500 PL depending on how strong one individual soldier in their group is. They are stronger than usual, and there are an equivelent of 100 PL of troops, so that's a pretty good guess at the range. The nibelungeon dwarves have a rough PL of 200 themselves, but they have advanced weapons and training that could make them as strong as 2-6 normal men.

OOC: : Interesting, does this mean that you have finished the world map (sorry about not being able to help you more with that, I've been rather busy lately.)? I seem to recall that the Dwarven People's Republic were a lot stronger than 200 PLs, (750 I believe) but maybe they need to keep some forces at the northern border to defend against the Darkspire Demons. Also, since we have expanded the map far beyond Rokugan and there are several thousand PLs in the rest of the world I think you should revise the trading rules. It doesn't make much sense that a PL 50 faction can trade with a PL500 faction and gain ten times as much from the trade, or that a 50 PL faction can gain 750 PL in a year from trading globally. (If it worked that way IRL small countries would increase their economies 15-fold every year, which would be great for Sweden or the Netherlands but would quickly erase the American world-hegemony.) Maybe the PL gained from trade could be a function of, with a maximum value determined by, the PL of the smallest party in the trade, so that both parties would gain the same amount. And the PL% gained from the volume of trade should be reduced to limit the value of international trade and bring it into proportion to the PL gained by industrialization (which should probably be more profitable, for the reasons of realism and balance.)

The Lion clan continues exploring and mapping the rest of the world, we try to determine the origin of the southern invaders and monitor the conflict with interest.

 

[Knight Otu]

Almost forgot about the spreading taint...

All goods coming into Phoenix lands will closely examined for taint, burning tainted goods.

 

[Creamsteak]

The primary good is a luxury, so finding-burning-and removing the tainted tea isn't very difficult.

Serpenteyes...

I seem to recall that the Dwarven People's Republic were a lot stronger than 200 PLs, (750 I believe) but maybe they need to keep some forces at the northern border to defend against the Darkspire Demons.

That thought would be considered meta-gaming under this situation. You are *probably* right, but then again your powers ability to determine the exact strength increase higher-tech weapons have given the dwarves isn't very accurate. Also, they could be investing part of their power in PL/IR or Tech Development.

I never finished the map for you, but I am implementing use of that particular element right now, as it was influenced by some actions.