>>52859722
>>52855332
>I felt the familiar rush of Naomi's healing magic
>Once I could move on my own I sat up
>Damn.
>All I could say
>He was an Akodo, so I couldn't even claim my armor would have made the difference in that fight.
>I had to use both The World is Empty, and Victory of the River.
>Two of the four kata that make up One Thousand Years of Steel...
>Which one was it you used to defeat Monkey?
>Mon... ah a nickname.
>You are refering to Toku-san, yes?
>Yeah.
>That was the World is Empty
>and the one you used to beat me was Victory of the River?
>Yes.
>Aptly named, it really did feel like I was being engulfed by an onrushing river.
>It was then that I realized there was no Phoenix healing Yoshi
>Were you only pretending?
>Oh no, I'm in quite a lot of pain right now
>He sure didn't look like it.
>But, I would just as soon be tended by the best healer in this castle. I have no desire for any of these injuries to heal poorly.
>The room practically exploded into whispers
>Everyone wondering if the Lion were declaring a stance on the war
>I shook my head in annoyance
>Naomi turned from me to Yoshi
>Ah. It is different, than when most Kitsu do it.
>So, this is the skill of a Tensai, is it?
>He looked at me out of the corner of his eye
>You have a good eye, Ishigaki-san. I'm jealous.

>>52859740
Honestly, they ARE poor healers. After all, they could not save an eye from a quite gruesome, yet unfortunal, accident.
It's like some kind of bad luck pursue Phoenix clan this winter.

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>>52859612
Dice be dice yo. Sure Espically in the hands of ForeverGm.

Seriously, any time a game has exploding dice, he WILL blow the fuck up. I can remember one Anima game he ran, he rollled for a bad guy to swing.
Scoop and roll
Scoop and roll
Scoop and roll
Scoop and JESUS FUCKING CHRIST WHAT?!
...
...
...
roll

In the L5R game ForeverGM at least used a house rule, Mooks drop their highest damage die. Cause otherwise we'd have all been making new chars once he took over.

>>52859656
I do want to know, too. I hope this peasant got a promotion.

>>52860035
>>52859991

Crazy thing is the bastard survived. Reduction from armor and all.

>>52859740
>So, sometimes I miss things that others find obvious. Bad with innuendo and all.
>But they're...I looked with just my eyes at a not of whispering courtiers
>Fools, yes. I meant exactly what I said
>I thought so.
>We both stood and bowed to one another
>As I left the arena I saw Shoji smirk at me
>...as if you had anything to do with that.
>But I guess he needed something to cling to
>You did wonderfully, dear.
>Thanks, Hana-chan.
>It's good to find your limits in matches like this, it shows you where your weakness is.
>As Shinsei told Hida 'Now you know your weakness. And by knowing it, you transform it into strength.'
>Naomi giggled.
>Have I mentioned how wonderful I find you when you become wise and philosophical?
>didn't you say 'sexy' the last time?
>Naomi blushed.
>We are in public!
>I chuckled
>I decided to grab a bath before dinner, a little early
>I went over the fight a few times as I soaked
>There was a muscle tremor right before his eyes came back into focus.
>So I think maybe the World is Empty could only be maintained for a brief time.
>After which some price was paid.
>On the other hand, Victory of the RIver seemed a simpler thing, at least to me
>Strike, strike and strike again.
>It was a sequence of smoothly flowing strikes each blow opening the way for the next
>Near the end, I was moving poorly, hampered by own injuries...
>Yet I still landed my blow.
>A pure offense, then.
>I see.
>I didn't know if I had the skill to defeat Yoshi should we cross blades again.
>But, if it came down to it, I could see a path to victory now.
>'there are a million lessons in defeat, none in victory'
>good saying there.
>I went to dinner
>The conversation was split between the the tournament, with several younger members of the court still in awe over getting to see the Thousand Years of Steel, and what might be coming next.
>It was the older ones who spoke most of that.

>>52860350
>I only caught snippets here and there.
>Courtiers were a private lot, if you could hear them there was good chance they wanted you to do so
>Because of this, some courtiers had learned to read lips, so that they could tell what their political rivals were talking about.
>Kitsuki-san told me that was the reason for fans to be a constant accessory for any courtier.
>A way to cover your mouth while you spoke, keeping your conversation private
>According to Kitsuki-san, the Doji had gone a step further, inventing an entire language based on gestures and movements of one's fan.
>I had been surprised it was the Crane, and not the Scorpion.
>I turned to ask Kitsuki-san what the courtiers were really talking about, since I knew they were using innuendo to discuss other things.
>But the words died in my throat.
>That's right, he wouldn't tell me anymore.
>We were on opposing sides now.
>By now, everyone knew I was a simple bushi, and harmless.
>So I was engaged only when the wanted my genuine opinion on something
>Wondering if I could be of more use, I approached Katsuie-sama after dinner
>Ahhh, Ishigaki-san! That was a fine showing today!
>I am only sorry I could not secure victory for our clan
>It is fine, you were bested by a Kensai. There will always be an opponent better than you out there somewhere.
>If you have good luck, you get to spar with them
>If you have bad luck you fight them
>he smiled as he said that, and glanced down to his missing arm
>So long as you learn something from it, it is fine.
>You DID learn something, did you not?
>you mean aside from the fact that I must be more diligent in my training? Yes, I believe I did.
>Good, good!
>So what brings you to me today?
>I know I am not very good at courtly intrigue. If I had to give an honest evaluation of my own ability, it's that I am only aware of just how much goes over my head.
>But still, I wondered about the state of things now, and if I may be of some use

>>52860599
>Katsuie-sama stroked his beard.
>Ishigaki-san, you surprise me. You had been content to wait until I called for you before. What has changed?
>I wasn't entirely sure myself, not that he asked me directly
>Katsuie-sama nodded at my hesitation.
>I see.
>You're friend, Kitsuki Takeshi-san his name was?
>You have always followed his lead, and asked him to clarify when you do not understand, haven't you?
>Yes, I have
>And now you two stand opposed to one another.
>Without him to guide you, and with your recent defeat, you must feel very lost right now.
>He clapped his hand to my shoulder
>It is fine, Ishigaki-san
>You should not try to do more than you can do.
>I nodded
>Katsuie-sama's face darkened a bit, then.
>I suppose I should tell you how things have progressed up until now then.
>I couldn't guess whether it was going bad for our clan, or good; Katsuie-sama did not like being drawn in as a pawn in the Crane's economic war with the Phoenix.
>Your father in law is a proud, and stubborn fool
>The Crane play him like a biwa.
>He is only agreeing to token concessions, more like insults than serious attempts to avoid the war.
>The Mantis, of course, will not accept such things, and will make war when winter is done
>It is as though he does not realize just how much his Clan could lose
>I doubt that, Katsuie-sama.
>Oh?
>Shoji is not quite a fool, he simply has weaknesses easily exploited.
>Rather than not knowing the price of the war, I think it is that he estimates the cost differently than most others would.
>I remembered my conversation with Ashitaka the night before.
>I had no doubt Shoji meant what he said about bushi.
>I told Katsuie-sama as much
>I see. Yes, if he truly places no value on the lives of his clan's warriors then that would explain some things.
>He is quick to insist the Mantis would find themselves destroyed at the hands of the Isawa.

>>52860849
>Not the Phoenix clan, and not the Mantis armies either.
>He means the whole Mantis clan, destroyed by Isawa magic.
>As if his clan would not face severe censure for doing so.
>I see. So he won't even consider it a war unless the Isawa are threatened. Enough that they can use their magic freely, anyway.
>Katsuie-sama shook his head.
>The Scorpion and Dragon are doing the best they can, but at this point all they are fighting an uphill battle, with Shoji undermining their own efforts.
>Katsuie-sama, do you think...
>Hmm?
>Do you think the Scorpion may...
>Ah. hmmm.
>I do not think so.
>Shoji has been taking many precautions since Yoritomo Yohko was killed. I cannot imagine that even the Scorpion would be able to arrange something like that right now.
>Good. If anyone was going to kill Isawa Shoji,it would be me.
>I have seen that look on young faces before, Ishigaki-san. Be more mindful of yourself, and do not act with undue haste.
>Damn. I had forgetn why I had not pressed for details until now.
>I could conceal my feelings, but a master courtier could still read me like a book.
>I took a deep breath and wiped the expresion from my face
>yes, that is better. Ishigaki-san
>So, what could the Scorpion and Dragon do? Get other Clans to promise to support the Phoenix?
>Well, they would ostensibly need the Phoenix to invite them as allies...assuming that does happen, then the Impeiral families will like step in at that point.
>A war between two clans is something for them to observe, not interfere in.
>One with three of four will be watched very closely, and the Legions will be ready to move and end it should it be necessary.
>One that size though? The Imperial families would never allow it to begin.
>So with enough people on the brink of war the Emperor would enforce peace? Seems like a good play for the Peace faction.

>>52861161
>It might not be, Ishigaki-san
>The Imperial families often make those who fall under their gaze regret doing the thing that brought their attention down upon them in the first place.
>Yes, I could understand that.
>Initially, the Emperor did not have an army of his own to command, as the Clans did.
>The Otomo and Miya families did not produce warriors, only the Seppun did that.
>And there simply were not enough samurai with Imperial blood to equal even one great clan. >Indeed, more than a few Minor Clans outnumbered the Imperial Families.
>So it was that Akodo swore his clan to act as the right hand of the Emperor, being his army should he require it.
>But as time marched on and the clans began to look out for their own interests ahead of the Emprie as a whole, the need for the Imperial Legions was seen.
>With numbers drawn form every Clan, great and small, the diversity of the Legions ensured that they could be counted on to fight even when some among them may be ordered to slay their own kinsmen.
>The Imperial families did their best to ensure that only those most loyal to the Emperor were appointed to the legions, of course, but appointments were another form of political currency, and so this was not always the case.
>But, the Legions still were only match for a single great clan. In the worst case scenario they could still be overwhelmed.
>So the Imperial Families did their best to manage the fueds, rivalries and even alliances of the great clans.
>Everyone remembered the Scorpion Clan coup that had nearly ended the Hantei line, and the Clan war that followed as the 39th Hantei began to sicken.
>The Emperor had a great burden, giving the Clans enough slack to pursue their ambitions without allowing any one Clan to grow so strong they could threaten the Empire itself.
>For a moment, I could see the Empire laid bare, all the different powers at work, and how delicate the balance of the Empire truly was.
>Then it was gone.

>>52861445
>>For a moment, I could see the Empire laid bare, all the different powers at work, and how delicate the balance of the Empire truly was.
>>Then it was gone.

tfw intelligence is your dump stat.

>>52861445
>such heavy considerations were clearly not for the likes of me.
>I had my duty, and never before had I so cherished it's simplicity
>Find things that were tainted, and smash them into a gooey pulp with my tetsubo.
>I returned to wife and children, to spend the rest of the evening in play.
>The best things truly were quite simple.
>Once they had played themselves out I donned my armor to take the watch over my family.
>Once again, I allowed myself to sleep.
>The forces of Jigoku were quite fond of sneak attacks upon the wall, so few Crabs were heavy sleepers
>I knew I would awaken should something out of place occur.
>Though I doubted I would need to wake up in the middle of the night two nights in a row.
>I could not have been more wrong if I tried.

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>>52861583
Cliffhanger? Cliffhanger!

>>52861583
>A light scrape of tabi on wood jolted me awake
>There was no light outside in the hallway
>I held my breath
>heard another faint scrape, just outside the rice paper door
>I plunged my arm through the door, seizing hold of what was on the other side, and yanked it through
>Somehow, I managed to check myself at the last moment
>Before my tetsubo destroyed the face of Bayushi Amano
>he had no smartass remarks
>Even behind his mask I could see clearly he was surprised and terrified
>A not inappropriate response to an armored crab coming within a hairs breadth of ending your life
>I growled at him
>I've warned you before about sneaking around me, Scorpion
>Naomi stirred, sitting up
>Ishigaki, wha...?
>It may be nothing Naomi.
>Amano was just about to explain to me why he was creeping around outside our room
>I pulled back my tetsubo, but did not loosen my grip on him
>And it was going to be a very good explanation, wasn't it?
>ah, y-yes!
>Really, Ishigaki-san, I was just exchanging messages!
>Messages?
>yes, clever courtiers can guess what you are up to if they know who you are meeting with, and everyone knows the contents of letters are read and known to all!
>I glanced at Naomi
>yes, the Game of Letters is conducted with the full expectation that your letter will be read.
>god
>dammit
>scorpion
>I let go of him
>Next time you do that, stay the hell away from my room.
>He stood shakily.
>fussed with the front of his Kimono
>I-I-I will remember, Hida Ishigaki-san...
>He looked at the hole in my door.
>Um...
>Don't worry about it. Just get out of here already.
>Right. right...
>he opened the door and left quickly.
>He didn't even think to ask why I was in my armor.
>Ishigaki-kun, what ARE we going to do about the door?
>I sighed.
>I took off my armor
>And I sat in front of the door, unsleeping, until a servant drew near
>Hey, you out there.
>The servant poked his head in through the door.
>easy to do, since there was a man sized hole in it.

>>52861610
>>52861961

Guess not. Felt like a perfect moment.

>>52861961
>I tripped.
>My sour expression convinced the servant that was all he needed to know.
>About that time Diako and Tetsute began to stir
>Brekfas! Brekfas!
>As usual food was never far from Tetsute's mind.
>Try to have it done by the time we're done eating.
>HAI, Great Samurai!
>We went to get breakfast with everyone
>Amano was there, now fully composed again
>I shot him one last glare, just to make sure he understood
>He looked down briefly, signaling he did
>Isn't someone missing?
>Kitsuki-san answered evenly
>What do you mean, Monkey?
>Monkey cupped his hands in front of his chest
>Where's Moshi Mounds?
>Toshiro looked around
>That is odd, she's been stuck to you like sweet bean paste for the last few days
>Kitsuki-san chewed a mouthful of rice and swallowed before answering
>Perhaps there is some meeting she must attend with the other Mantis
>Mantis-san looked at him
>Nope, I haven't heard anything.
>You wouldn't, Mantis-san. You're not a courtier, and you're friends with some of your Clan's enemies.
>He grunted.
>They don't keep me completely out of the loop you know.
>Hmm.
>if you say so.
>We ate for a while in silence.
>Monkey, never one to enjoy a simple silence spoke up again
>Hey, Amano-san. Did you get that thing you were doing last night taken care off?
>Amano went just a tad paler
>I looked over to Monkey
>What thing?
>Oh, he was just moving a barrel last night, I bumped into him cus I had to take a midnight piss.
>I looked over at Amano, set my chopsticks across my bowl and smiled pleasantly at him.
>Really?
>Not THAT is very interesting.
>Please, Amaono-san, do tell us how your task went.
>In detail.

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>>52862217
>That one was just a teaser for those in the thread right now, THIS >>52862391
is the real cliffhanger.

How's that, then? Feint and then BAM! Cliffhanger!

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>>52862432

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>>52862432
That is as infuriating as it is funny.

>>52862432
cocktease

midnight bump.

Friend Scorpion
Tread lightly in shadows
Crab is not sleeping.

>>52861961
that was hilarious SURPRISE M***********!

>>52862432

Captive audience
Wait with baited breath for more
I love this story

>>52865581
... Did you just censor yourself? On 4chan? Shamefur dispray

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>>52862391
You goofed, scorpion.
Now crab-sama's on to you.
Monkey, tell us more...

>>52865581
Seriously nigger? It's not a safe-space, you can say a bad words here, like an adult. Why the fucking fuck did you censor yourself? It's like a sucking your own dick - kind of impressive, but really really pathetic.

I'm going to miss Amano after this winter court. He's really trying to be nice within the limits of his clan's reputation. Besides, as controversial as a Scorpion buddy is, it's a good thing to have. I always thought the Crane were the "all according to keikaku" types, while the Scorpion just got shit done with that "do you even operate" attitude. Just imagine if you played Shadowrun in Rokugan. Scorpion would be a fucking nightmare.

>>52866417

Profanity is
Shameful to display often
Even a Crab knows

>>52867026
>Even a Crab knows
>Profanity is shameful
>To display often

>>52859873
This shouldn't really come as a surprise. GMs control large amounts of NPCs so eventually they WILL crit a member of the party dead-ier than dead.

File: Memories of a Stone Wall (...).pdf (1.02 MB, PDF)

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>>52867467
I've got two google docs now, and they decided to format themselves differently. Regardless, here's all the text up to this point with a basic pass for spelling.

Honestly, hit a bit of a snag right now

The party is travelling to Twin Forks City right now as a supply stop before Second City, but I can't for the life if me remember what the he'll we did there, if anything of note at all

Might even be that my remembrance of Doji's disappearance actually was supposed to happen there

Supposed to, because if I recall, I failed the lore roll to remember, just added it because taking some artistic liberties and it fit well in contrast to Daidoji-san's Crab-like behavior

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>>52867515
Ignore that reply, forgot to delete it.

>>52867604
I guess I will take notrs of what happened every session should our game take off... perhaps I shouldn't play an Akodo, but rather a Lion Bard.

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>>52859740
>Oh no, I'm in quite a lot of pain right now
>He sure didn't look like it.
>But, I would just as soon be tended by the best healer in this castle. I have no desire for any of these injuries to heal poorly.
>The room practically exploded into whispers
Yes, that's a good Lion, good Kensai. Let the war begin...

>>52867789
Do that
The only notes I got are the names of the people I met except most heimin, because who cares about heimin?

Since I was rather invested in the story, since my character was the de facto party leader, face, and primary protagonist for this segment, I easily remember most of the general stuff

It would be even easier if my ST had backed up his campaign notes before his hard drive bricked, but beggars can't be choosers

So... Translate me from an "Rokugan court innuendo" language - is a Lion said to Phoenix to go and fuck themselves?

>>52868022
Can you translate to standard English?

Fuck it, artistic liberties will handle my continuation

If something seems like too much of an asspull from me, it probably is

Hope you'll enjoy regardless

>It takes me a few days before I get used to the waves
>Just before our arrival at Twin Forks City, I am able to go on deck
>such a beautiful coastline, now that we're past the shadowlands
>I've heard of pockets of tainted waters drifting away from it at times, the so called Sea of Shadows
>fortunately, we managed to avoid any of those
>with the kami's blessings, hopefully we'll continue with such good fortune
>our rest at Twin Forks City is brief
>a local Doji magistrate checks our papers
>The ship loads up on supplies
>our journey continues
>two weeks almost since we set out from Kyuden Seppun before our arrival at Second City
>upon arriving, we ask a dock worker for directions to Yoritomo Kon
>he is working in a customs office not far
>It doesn't take long until we arrive
>a bushi by his build, we see a Mantis magistrate pouring over documents, clearly quite busy, and annoyed at his work
>without looking up from his work, he addresses us as we approach
>"Yes, samurai-san, how may I help you?"
>"are you Yoritomo Kon-san?"
>"yes, what of it?"
>"Bayushi Asako-san sends her regards."
>wide-eyed, he looks up from his work
>"what the hell does this woman want with me now? I've kept quiet, I swear!"
>I ignore the implied confession of corruption
>"she asks her favour be returned by your aid to us"
>he looks at us all, noticing that none of us bear scorpion colours
>"...fine, but once this is done, you tell her that she and I are done, you hear me?"
>"very well, I shall bring her your message
>you have no doubt hears of the imperial ban of Sweet Dreams.
>we are here to investigate it to its source"
>"more of that nightmare situation? Fine, I'll help you
>actually, might be that you can help me as well
>I scratch your back, you scratch mine?"
>it's obvious he's been stationed here as punishment by his superiors
>he wants our help to get back in their good graces

>>52868316

>"I've been investigating these smugglers myself
>they get the drug from a herbalist healer heimin in the city
>but we don't know who that is
>I've planned an ambush in 2 days when next they come to the docks
>you may join, but unless you get your papers verified by the Ivory Magistrates, you cannot interfere
>they, not the Emerald Magistrates, enforce law in the Colonies
>you do have papers proving your mission, don't you?"
>I grip my jitte tightly at the veiled suspicion of dishonesty
>"Hai"
>"Good, shouldn't take long for you then.
>Where do your travel papers say you will be staying?"
>"The Crane embassy"
>"fancy. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do"
>he points towards a large pile of papers on his desk
>a servant comes to add another large, heavy stack of documents to the pile
>one does not need to look at the Mantis's face to feel his sadness and disappointment at his dull Duty
>"Fortune's blessings to you"
>"to you as well"
>I still remember the weight in his very audible sigh

>we make our way to the Crane embassy in the Imperial District
>a pair of large Daidoji guards stop us at the main entrance, demanding to see our papers
>once they read it, they bow deeply
>one runs off to inform the ambassador of our presence
>we were about to meet the current Turquoise Champion and current Crane ambassador in the Second City
>Doji Tatsuki

>>52868662
Did you lose a character or two during the game? As a party, I mean

>>52868897
Other than my own in a glorious duel, no
But that's still a bit further in the story time, not quite even at the halfway point yet
Shouldn't be a spoiler since I already mentioned it before being asked to contribute properly

>>52869354
Man, where i can find a start of your storytiem? Is that in 3th or 4th Crab's threads?

>>52869354
And cranes who don't duel/provoke duels are hardly cranes...

>>52869465
Posting from my phone at uni right now, will have to check later
Started talking a thread earlier than I started redirecting, and it's been about 3 or 4 threads ago

>>52869465
Google Daikakita, the archived threads should pop up there
It's the OC-donut-steal vassal family of my character

>>52868022
Lion just continued the narrative that the Phoenix healers are shit and Hida Naomi of the crab clan is the only competent healer in the place.

>>52870057
Why is he doing it though? Are the lion on the side of war or is it just that he doesn't respect courtiers and respects ishigaki so he's helping him?

>>52870109
I just assume it is because Shoji is just that much of an ass.

>>52870109
Lion have a big focus as a clan on war, so it's more respect towards a mighty warrior as Ishigaki-san, by proxy of his wife
And disrespect to Shoji who obviously doesn't care about the bushi serving under him

>>52870057
And they're probably wishing they had a spare Water healer after that burn.

>>52862391
>it's not often one gets to see a Scorpion drenched in nervous sweat
>so I allowed him to take his time, as I savored the moment
>Um, well I needed to move a few things.
>Yes, you told me last night.
>messages.
>Must have been a lot of messages if you had to keep them in a barrel
>uh...
>Now everyone was staring at him
>Save Kitsuki-san
>and Tetsute, who was filching handfulls of rice from my half eaten bowl.
>Unroutunatly for Amano, not even my adorable little glutton could sooth my anger
>he had lied to me, to my face.
>Kituski-san tried to diffuse my anger at his friend
>Ishigaki-san, I'm sure Amano-san had good reason for what he did.
>You know the peace faction is in a tight spot right now
>Right now I couldn't care less about the war, the politics or the contests.
>A Scoripion was sneaking around my room last night, and then that Scorpion lied to my face about what he had been doing.
>I stared Kitsuki-san right in the eyes
>That Scorpion is NOW going to tell me the truth. and maybe I won't kill him.
>He's going to do that because if he keeps lying I WILL kill him.
>Kitusiki-san stared at me in shock
>Amano's shoulders slumped
>Then Amano looked at Kitsuki-san.
>...wait.
>...no.
>I looked back and forth between the two
>What the fuck did you two do!?
>a round of huhs from the others
>I cut it off with a raised hand
>Now even Tetsute was paying attention to the adults
>Spill it, Kitsuki.
>he sighed.
>I asked Amano to get Aoi away from me
>exlamations from the table
>so what, you killed her? hid her body in a barrel?!
>NO! No she's alive!
>I just... I knew some some people who would be at the port, setting sail soon...
>...So I had them take her away.
>Even this far north, the ocean didn't freeze over completely.
>still, the ice chunks would make it very dangerous.
>So by 'some people', Amano meant smugglers.

>>52872197
and here i was about to bump with a pretty haiku
will leave t for next time, then

More importantly, the hell, Kitsuki and Amano?!

>>52872197
Really, Kitsuki-san? Really?

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>>52872197
>mfw all of that

>>52872197
>Toshiro spoke
>let me get this straight...
>YOU
>Pointed to Kitsuki-san
>didn't like being hit on by an unbelievably attractive woman with huge tits.
>So you asked HIM
>Pointed to Amano
>To deal with it.
>And the plan YOU came up
>looking straight at Amano now
>was to stuff her in a barrel, roll her out of the castle and down to the harbor, and put her on a smugglers ship?!
>Is THAT what you two are saying happened last night!?
>Monkey, not to put to fine a point on it, spoke up
>Holy shit, even I'm not THAT crazy
>I looked over at Toshiro.
>It's not the first time Kitsuki-san has become a massive idiot when dealing with interpersonal relationships...
>Oh?
>He once convinced Mantis-san to throw jade powder into his sensei's eyes, because he thought his sensei might me tainted
>Toshiro blinked
>And when sensei cried out, he hit him with a bokken
>...
>...You do know powedered minerals sting quite a bit if they get in your eyes, don't you Kitsuki-san?
>Hey, I had a perfectly good reason to suspect that!
>Yeah, you were tired of getting beaten up in training.
>No! it was more than that!
>So what's your esxuse THIS time?
>I've seen the kind of crap that you three,
>He pointed to me, Mantis-san, and Monkey
>have to go through!
>I want no part of it!
>I looked over at Toshiro.
>Toshiro, I owe you an apology
>I had thought that you were the most hopeless one among us when it comes to relationships.
>Toshiro nodded.
>I never would have thought, 'hey, at least I'd never have you stuffed in a barrel and turned over to smugglers' would be a good pick up line, but there it is.
>I rubbed at my temples.
>Amano, did ANYONE ELSE see you last night, or was it just me and Monkey?
>just you two...
>good.
>Monkey you never saw him, got it?
>Uh, yeah...?
>Ishigaki-kun!
>Mantis-san protested as well

>>52872197
That's how you get a yandere stalker, Kitsuki-san.

File: lmao.gif (2.31 MB, 390x277)

2.31 MB GIF

>>52872423
This is how you use an Ally advantage against your Bad Fortune (Love) Disadvantage correctly.

That was well done Kitsuki-san.

>>52872581
But how would that have counted as Bad Fortune (Love) it was just a hot chick hitting on him. She didn't murder anyone or try to use him in even a little blood ritual.

>>52872423

>Hey, those tits were part of my clans strategy!
>wait, what?
>Oh come on. Like none of you knew.
>She's one of the most attractive women in the Empire, so of course the Clan moved her from the Moshi temples to the courts and put her in those outfits!
>If it can work for the Scorpion why not for us?
>The rest of us looked at each other.
>That Aoi knew what she was doing was not odd
>That she was acting on her Clans orders... that had never crossed our minds
>Oh. Maybe I shouldn't have said that then...
>THere's a lot of things that shouldn't have been said at this breakfast table, Mantis-san.
>the fact that your Clan delebratly reduced one of it's shugenja to a sex object to get a leg up in court is probably the least shocking
>and now we all have to pretend like Kitsuki-san WASN'T part of a kidnapping plot.
>Amano spoke up
>This is all my fault, Takeshi-san. I should not have tried to do it myself.
>My own pride got me caught when there were others I should have asked for help with your matter.
>Just let me take all the blame, I'll leave the rest of you out of it.
>I reached across the table and smacked him
>No.
>Amano stared at me, holding his cheek
>You're only guitly of being a mediocre friend.
>A proper friend would have said 'stop being an idiot' and left it at that
>but this situation is all Kitsuki-san's fault
>You didn't kill her, right?
>No. Just shot her with a blowdart that would put her to sleep for a while.
>I closed my eyes.
>I reminded myself I was the one who demanded full disclosure on pain of death; that I had, in fact, asked for this.
>and all that's going to happen is that she'll wake up and find herself dumped off in a different city, right?
>right. That is the plan anyway
>I assume they know they face the usual Scorpion displeasure should they stray from that plan?
>They do.

>>52872655
Yet.

>>52869465
l5R Storytime thread: Stonewall and Little Flower edition

that's the title of the thread i started contributing, with the following one being where i started greentexting, titled

L5R Storytime thread: "Get the fuck off me Humpty Dumpty" said the Stonewall edition

google either of those, and you'll have archives of it, alongside some banter from readers relating to Ishigaki-san's story that aren't included in the screencaps, plus other talk relating to L5R

>>52872674
So this is the breather episode. The next one should be full of drama and/or danger then.

>>52872674
>Well.
>A Kitsuki, one of the peace faction, working with a Scorpion, another memeber of the peace faction hatched a plan to kidnap one of the higher ranked Mantis delegates and remove her from the winter court.
>Since she's going to be fine, more or less, I'd just as soon NOT let loose the shitstorm waiting to explode should that sequence of events come to light.
>Monkey, you didn't see anything. I tripped in the dark and fell through my door, and this conversation never fucking happened.
>And YOU
>I pointed to Kitsuki-san
>The next time you don't like someone, DO NOT do what you're thinking of doing.
>GOT IT?
>got it...
>TITS!
>FUCK!
>Oh.
>right.
>there were children in this room the whole time.
>TITS FUCK!
>I burried my face in my hands
>Naomi...
>Me?
>This is YOUR fault!
>YOU deal with it!

>>52872839
>This is YOUR fault!
>YOU deal with it!
Ishigaki grows into the role of a husband

Hey crab-san can you tell us why kitsukis player decide to do this nonsense he normally seems like the most court savy person. Was it him roleplaying kitsukis relationship issues knowing full well the consequence s or did he just have a retarded moment and not realise the implications of his actions

File: Tetsute says hi.png (180 KB, 500x268)

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>>52872839
On the left you'll see a pic Hida Tetsutei, at the age of 9

>>52872839
>I speant the rest of my morning sequestered with the children, trying in vain to explain the concept of coarse and impolite language to them
>shitfucktits!
>No, I'm actually fairly certain they understood
>They just found my reaction to their swearing intensely amusing.
>I didn't have Naomi's knack for being firm without being scary.
>Knowing me, if tired to put my foot down I'd overshoot the mark and end up scaring them for life.
>So I concluded that this was just another test I would have to endure.
>Letting them get all the giggles out of their systems.
>They would grow bored sooner of latter, and find something else to amuse themselves with.
>It was while the two of them were both babbling a stream of profanity, apparently seeing which one would need to take a breath first, that Shiba Ayame entered into my room
>I must speak with you Hid...ah?
>Daiko and Tetuste looked up at her from where they were sitting
>Grineed
>tits!
>In perfect unison
>Ayame held an arm across her chest
>don't mind those two, they just heard some words they shouldn't have
>What is it you need?
>When I looked at her, I could see her one eye was red and puffy, with a dark circle under it.
>Are you still having those bad dreams?
>They're...worse now
>Tetsute opened his mouth, but Daiko pinched his leg
>He looked at her in confusion
>They both sat properly then
>huh.
>She looked over at them
>Um.
>Take your time, Ayame-san.
>I.. I think I may go mad if I do not stop them soon...
>I have started to hear whispers in my dreams now.
>Ishigaki-san, I know I am not ready but if I don't take my rev...
>I must resolve this matter soon. I can't wait any longer.
>She bowed to me, a dogeza.
>Please, help me! I need to know how to win!
>I scratched my head.
>She was quite desperate, if I didn't help her she would go for it on her own. And get killed
>On the other hand, I really couldn't help her.

>>52872987
In the players own words "aint no one got time for that shit" He just adamantly refused to have any kind of romance plot hooks attached to his character. So I guess, he decided Kitsuki-san was Asexual.

>>52873376
Bad dreams?

>>52873406
My ship has been sunk.

>>52873438
We were all a little miffed he went meta on us like that. who did you ship?

>>52873409
Sleepy-chan, as the thread nicknamed her, had bad dreams before, relating to her lost love.
It seems they've come back, or at least taken on new form after her betrayal and injury.

>>52873376
I bet 5 Koku it's a Shoji's fault, these intestified bad dreams, or he somehow involved.

>>52873552
>who did you ship?
Kitsuki-san and Moshi-san, of course. Who else?

>>52873552
>We were all a little miffed he went meta on us like that.
No kidding. An pseudo Japan/Chinese game about court intrigue and wuxia, romance and romance regaled problems is one of the main components. They are integral for a story!

>>52873376
>Victory isn't a matter of a single move.
>It is everything you have learned up to that point, coming together
>The things I knew, my own path to victory over her gunso, was not one she could walk.
>I knew that she would already know this
>But she was so desperate to put an end to the dreams she was having she was grasping at straws
>Wait here then. I need to get some of the others.
>but..
>Look, I can't tell you how to beat him. You KNOW that, and you also know why that is. But I can still help you. Just wait here. Please.
>Or do you really mean to insult us all by throwing away the life we worked so hard to save?
>It was a cheap shot, but it hit dead on.
>She would be here when I got back
>I rounded up Toshiro, Monkey, Naomi and Mantis-san.
>couldn't quite bring myself to look at Kitsuki-san yet.
>I explained on the way back that Ayame's dreams were still plaguing her, and her desire for vengeance.
>Naomi, unsurprisingly frowned at that.
>Mantis-san nodded
>Okay, you want those two to see if they can something for her dreams.
>What about me and Monkey?
>Well, I need somone to babysit the children in another room while we talk about revenge
>And Monkey is surprisingly studious about kenjutsu technique.
>Mantis-san nodded again.
>Then stopped dead in his tracks.
>Wait...
>ME?
>Yeah, you.
>Tetsute likes you.
>Now come on

>>52873552
You forgot one detail: because from that bad dreams, she was tricked buying a cursed charm which mind-controlled it to killing a VIP guest, lost quite much of honor, lost her eye and little respect she had.

More or less, a karmic punching rock, if you ask me.

>>52873622
never can tell when you're dealing with shippers.
Some people ship really weird pairings.

>>52873840
MonkeyxMantits OTP[spoiler/]

>>52874054
Fuck off you absolute nigger IshigakiXShoji OTP

>>52874176
Well, at least its not NaomiXShoji.

>>52874192
Well Naomi would obvouisly join them

>>52874192
Better than ShojixNaomi.

>>52873791
>Toshiro and Naomi sat down on either side of Ayame
>Don't mind us, we're just going to check if any of your elements have fallen out of balance.
>Naomi nodded.
>Dreams are often prophetic, but they can also be a sign of a didrupted Chi flow...
>Uh... Okay?
>Ayame's confusion brought out a cuteness that reminded me of Naomi.
>While Naomi had never truly let go of her innocence, destiny's rough handling had already hardened Ayame quite a bit.
>I felt anger on her behalf welling up in me, but I wrestled it down and tucked it away.
>Monkey meanwhile spoke up.
>So, what's your plan for getting your revenge?
>Naomi made an irritated noise in her throat.
>Naomi. I don't expect you to understand, but this IS something she has to do.
>She looked at me.
>I rarely had cause to be firm with my wife, so when I did she knew it was important.
>Very well.
>Thank you, Naomi-sama. I know you do not approve, and I think I know why. But Ishigaki-san is right. I must do this.
>Ayame turned to Monkey
>My plan, such that it is, is to simply duel him and win.
>I've no idea how to get him to accept, but...
>Monkey nodded.
>You should take a warrior pilgrimage.
>I blinked
>huh?
>Any Samurai can go on a warrior pilgrimage for a time. They temporarily become ronin, but it lacks the disgrace of normaly being a masterless samurai.
>You use this to study abroad, learn techniques and test yourself in ways you wouldn't be able to tied to your Clan.
>Ah, like Sun-Tao!
>Precisely like Sun-Tao, Ayame-san.
>Sun-Tao had been a great tactician, though accounts differed as to which clan he originally hailed from
>he had undertaken a pilgrimage, and had studied with each of the great clans, gaining insight into how they waged war
>He then compiled his collected wisdom into a book, simply called the Book of Sun-Tao.
>He never completed his pilgrimage though, and his book remains incomplete

>>52873840
>>52874054
>>52874176
>>52874192
You're all wrong
It's obviously gonna be IshigakiXKistukiXAmano, or however three person ships are named

The thread has been lost to the shipper/shitposter alliance. Abandon all hope. All hands, strike the colors and retreat.

>>52874478
It's because your ship officially lost, doesn't?

>>52874446
>When he lived, the Ki-Rin were still lost beyond the borders of the Empire; they had yet to return as the Clan of the Unicorn.
>so he had set out, following the path the Ki-Rin had taken outside the Empire, and was never seen again
>Monkey continued
>I don't think you'll ever catch up to him, let alone overtake him, if you keep on as you are now.
>But, if you broaden your training you might.
>I think you should seek out the Disciples of Sun-Tao, and learn their technique.
>Ayame looked at Monkey in surpise
>I did as well
>Would they even agree to teach me?
>yeah, they would.
>Their technique harness the strength of your own honor.
>Huh. I hadn't know that. There were many schools that taught techniques that would best serve an honorable soul.
>I had no idea how that was even possible
>then again, they likely found it hard to imagine lashing out with your own earth to blunt an enemies attack.
>Monkey went on
>Because of that they don't really care who learns it.
>it's useless to the kind of people they wouldn't want to teach it to.
>It's because of the fine line that Sun-Tao himself walked
>He learned technuiqes and stratagies form every Clan. And he told everyone what he had learned. Normally dishonorable in the extreme.
>But he did so in way that changed his book into far more than the sum of it's parts, so no one's trust was actually betrayed.
>Instead he was quite honorable
>That's what the gaze of Sun-Tao is about, seeing boradly your foe, understanding him and what he will do, and allowing your honor to guide your blade along with that knowledge.
>I was staring at Monkey open mouthed
>I have a cousin who studied with them.
>Monkey shruged
>It's because of my cousin that I wanted to become a fine swordsman in the first place...
>I hadn't know.
>Toshiro hissed then
>What, what is it?
>There is something wrong here. I can feel it. It's like...
>It's like there are kansen here...

File: Come at me Oni-san.jpg (246 KB, 1600x1067)

246 KB JPG

>>52874478
>>52874805
Well, shit.post

And here I am about to knock for the rest of the afternoon. Guess we'll see if this thread is still standing when i get back later on tonight.

>>52874805
I knew those dreams weren't natural.

>>52873791
>>Yeah, you.
>>Tetsute likes you.
No wonders there

>>52874478
I think you mean shipperXshitposter the otp

>>52874870
Gomenesai crab-sama I was just shitposting a little please continue with your thread

>>52875175
In all fairness, it's pretty good for bumps. Between the ship(t)posting and Crane-sama, this thread is not in danger of dying while Crab-sama is gone.

File: fujoshit.png (630 KB, 1340x734)

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>>52874054
I fucking knew it

>>52875277

Honored so highly,
Honorific so high, then
Crane-sama must write!

And now, super sophisticated poem!

Phoenix are red,
Crab are blue,
Monkey will crush you.

>>52875860
Scorpions are red,
Cranes are blue,
Monkeys will crush you,
But Lions crush Monkeys too

>>52868662

Actually, before i continue, i think this is a good point to introduce some of the things my ST changed regarding canon, mainly since a few will become more important later

Most obviously, as some may notice, Doji Tatsuki was not ambassador for the Crane in the Colonies in 1199
I can't quite tell from the wiki if Doji Yuka remained ambassador after the Siege of Second City from the wiki, or even survived it, but let's assume that she was replaced by Doji Makoto with a more presitigous representative of our clan

One of the more important changes is to the deal made between Daigotsu and Empress Iweko that saw the Spider gaining Great Clan status

Now, as far as I remember him telling me, originally (for those that might not know) they made a deal that would mean no samurai could be unwillingly Tainted and Daigotsu, as new Lord of Jigoku, would not try to invade the Emerald Empire IF Iweko allowed the Spider to join the Emprie as a Great Clan with his son, Kanpeki, as Clan Champion
But then, when Seiken said that as his first act of Emperor, he would instate his brother Shibatsu as Spider Clan Champion, replacing Daigotsu Kanpeki, Daigotsu was all like "all according to keikaku" and revealed that he just put a barrier preventing samurai from showing signs of Taint while still becoming tainted, and because the deal was broken because his son was no longer Spider Clan Champ, he removed the barrier and helped his son invade the Empire
BUT THEN Iweko was all "No U", because those tainted samurai that truly wanted to be free from taint would be because divine power of emperors or some bullshit, and then they got the fuck out of Dodge, Seiken became Emperor Iweko II and they established the Empire in Exile while Jigoku started fucking over Rokugan

My ST thought this was idiotic, so he changed it
Now the deal was only that in exchange for the Spider being a Great Clan with Kanpeki as Big Kahuna, "No Samurai in Rokugan would be Tainted"
Guess what that means!

>>52876001
>>52868662

>I had often heard of Doji Tatsuki
>Beauty described both her and her art
>I was looking forward to meeting her, and maybe even discussing haiku writing with her
>Maybe she could help me burn less paper on my candles

>We arrive at the Crane Embassy, stopped by Daidoji guardsmen at the gates
>Presenting our papers, it did not take long before those guards bowed deeply
>One ran ahead to tell Doji-no-kimi (as one should address a Champion, Clan or Jeweled) of our arrival
>The other allowed us entry
>Servants guiding us to rooms to accommodate us
>As we settle in, we are told the ambassador is currently busy, but invites us for dinner the next day
>time to head to the Ivory Magistrates then

>We find ourselves before a tall building, entrance guarded by Ivory Magistrates
>By their mons, we recognize them as a Doji and a Moto
>We present our papers, and ask to see someone who may give us appropriate authority to act as magistrates during our investigation
>After waiting some more, we meet the Ivory Champion himself, Shinjo-no-kimi Tselu
>He seems even more swamped by work than Yoritomo Kon
>even though he has only a few papers on his desk
>All it takes is a quick explanation of our charge
>He tells us he'll have the authorization papers sent to the Crane Embassy in a day
>Until, we are not to act in any way as magistrates
>Meaning we had the rest of the afternoon, and tomorrow morning, to act as...tourists...
>Being forced to neglect my Duty so vexes me
>But I remain ever the polite Crane, thanking him for his time
>He waves us off and returns to his work
>Upon leaving, we decide to spend our free time each in our different ways
>Togashi-san asks the Ivory magistrates at the gate directions to the Temple District
>She had spoken much of her fascination of temples on the way here
>And i had already experienced it enough in Tsuma
>I started wondering if we'd see her before dinner with Doji-no-kimi tomorrow

>>52873840
aw, thats too bad.
sure aoi was doing what her clan told her to do but cant she be ALSO interested in kitsuki-san?
too bad i guess

>>52874446
ayame used confused blinking: it was super adorable!

(a phoenix special move)

>>52876608
Confused winking, technically :^)

>>52876320

>Daidoji-san showed the influence the Mantis sailors had on him already
>He asks for directions to the geisha houses
>Doji-san tells him how to get to the higher-class establishments, fit for any Crane
>Moto-san tells him how to get to the cheaper, more fun places in Second City
>Daidoji-san follows Moto-san's directions
>With a heavy sigh of disappointment, echoed by Doji-san, I return to the embassy
>Arriving, I ask for some privacy, some paper and writing utensils, and some tea
>Might as well practice my haiku while I have nothing better to do
>First, a letter to my family, assuring my safe arrival in the Colonies, telling of a calm, picturesque voyage
>Not mentioning my initial sea sickness
>Hmmm
>Acceptable enough
>I shall send it with the letter to my family

>As dinner time arrives, I sit down with only one of my yoriki
>Although not the one I expected
>With the quick feet of a monk, Togashi-san had visited a large part of the temple district already
>She managed to remind herself that she can see the rest tomorrow, and came back with ample time
>Daidoji-san can take care of himself
>But I am not happy with his behavior
>A Crane should not so easily give in to Desire
>It cannot be helped now, though
>We are served traditional Rokugani food, not to assault our palates with the tastes of the Colonies just yet
>It is easy to notice that the artisanry of cooking is also mastered by the Crane Clan
>After dinner, I share a contemplative cup of tea with Togashi-san
>She then decides to meditate on the investigation
>I decide to contemplate the evening sky from a balcony
>The climate is quite different from Rokugan
>My traditional clothes almost too heavy and warm
>I saw many samurai in the street wearing clothes altered for the warmer weather
>But I could never wear something so indecent
>Especially not when I was to mee Doji-no-kimi
>As I make myself ready for bed, I hear Daidoji-san returning
>I can smell the sake through the paper screen of my door

>>52876766
Too soon

File: Mantis.jpg (1.21 MB, 5104x6600)

1.21 MB JPG

So, rounding out our merry band of magistrates (unless I decide to do a picture of our Shiba... though he wasn't ever described to me actually): here's some Mantis art.

Of course, after I left work I realized I had forgotten a few details - like the strings connecting the segmented chest plate to the rest of his do and the shadow effect I added under chin of the other characters to help their faces stand out from the rest of their bodies.

Oh well, errors have been made!

>>52876573
Oh she did like Takeshi, it's just that Daigo didn't have any personal interactions with Aoi so he didn't know how much of her behaviour was sincere and how much was an act.

That's the thing about Aoi; the Mantis wanted to take advantage of the effect she has on people (Benten's Blessing + Dangerous Beauty + Voice), but Aoi herself didn't actually use her sexuality to gain power over people. She did however enjoy the attention she would draw to herself, because she was always hoping to spark a romance with another person. Aoi was in love with Love - the idealized romance often depicted in pillow books - without really understanding the reality of it, and this would often cloud her judgement (mechanically she had the disadvantages Fascination: Romance and Failure of Bushido: Honor). That's why Naomi described her as "a hopeless romantic."

>>52879274
>Beautiful Mantis Girl Too Good For This World, Too Pure

>>52879274
Well, looks like she is about to gain a glimpse of reality. The reality that looks like the insides of a barrel.

>>52879425
Which makes me wonder if she'll ever find out that Kitsuki was responsible.

>>52879425
Yep.
That's what happens when the guy with a Scorpion ally grows tired of you constantly flirting with him.

Takeshi didn't have time for love: he was married to the job.

Bumping for vengeance!

Bumping for drunk and seasick cranes.

>>52878840
Where's mantits's mantits?

>>52880945
Tightly bound

>>52880971
He doesn't have them. I feel lied to.

>>52881010
Are you a bad enough dude to look into Crab's eyes and accuse him of lying to you?

>>52876870

>Daidoji-san excuses himself from breakfast, taking it in his room instead
>Hopefully his hangover will teach him enough of a lesson
>As soon as breakfast is over, Togashi-san excuses herself
>There's only so much time in the day to see the rest of the temple district, after all
>I have a servant carry a message to Daidoji-san
>To make sure he is present and presentable for the dinner with Doji-no-kimi
>For the rest of the day, I leave him to his own devices
>I find a seat on the embassy balcony
>A great view during the day
>Overlooking most of the city, sprawling, until the ocean stops its spread on one side
>And on all others, thick, dense forest, trees the likes of which I've never seen before
>Surely this all will inspire me
>After all, I must leave a gift for Doji-no-kimi before I return home
>And what greater gift than art to the greatest living artist?

>Brush, waterguided
>Panorama exalting
>Gift for Turquoise Crane

>This one seems very well written
>For a novice
>I cannot leave a haiku like this to my host
>I must let inspiration truly find me soon
>Anything else would be a disgrace

>I guess that due to yesterday's meal, today's will have more local flavours
>A duel of tastes, Rokugani against Colonial
>As before any duel, one must be spiritually prepared as much as physically
>I can only do one thing
>I ask a servant to bring me tea
>Locally grown

>Not bad
>Not as good as proper Craneland tea varieties
>But not bad
>If the rest of colonial cuisine is like this, I'm sure I'll enjoy myself
>Or, at least, that's what I hope

>Togashi-san returns again with ample time
>Although quite dirty
>She knows well enough to get cleaned up however
>At least she can avoid the humid and warm climate with her more open monk's attire
>I must do my best to endure
>Not as hard a task for me as it may seem, though
>Daidoji-san rested this day
>The better choice
>We are led to the dining hall, Doji-no-kimi awaiting us
>Words are not enough for such a sight

File: Memories of a Stone Wall (...).pdf (992 KB, PDF)

992 KB PDF

Editing progress is slow yo.

>>52879567
But is it not his duty to provide an heir to his family so they may continue his work? Their child could be the ultimate investigator - they'd all be distracted by her 'talents' to realize their being interrogated!

File: I am not amused.jpg (200 KB, 1280x724)

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>>52880945
>>52880971
>>52881010
>>52881279
Oh He has them. He's just wearing slimming armor there. Seriously, you think the Rokugani engrave moobs onto their do?

>>52874805
>Toshiro frowned.
>Those little shits can be anywhere, and they're hard to spot.
>For that matter, few spells that provide protection from magic work on Maho.
>so you have to learn to recognize them by their absence. Something that seems to be magical but is not being caused by the Kami...
>you are saying there are kansen around me?!
>I thinks so.
>Ayame looked at Toshiro in horror.
>What do we do? What CAN we do?
>Nomi frowned
>It is as Toshiro says, Ayame-san. Proper magic and Maho are two different things, so different at base that our own spells do not interact with them favorably.
>Just as a bushi cannot learn magic, nor a shugenja the bushi's technuiques, maho and magic do not dwell in the same world.
>Toshiro took over.
>There are some exceptions, of course. A few earth spells use the purity of jade to ward off Jigoku specifically.
>Ayame began to brighten
>But they do not last long, and can only block the spells as they are cast...
>...and her hopes were dashed.
>Toshiro, enough with the exposition. Just tell us what we can do.
>Ah yes.
>Sleep in a temple
>What?
>The very best thing to do, if Kansen are flocking to you, is to go to a place they will not want to follow.
>A temple, a ring of pure salt, purifying yourself, the right kind of sutras and charms...
>We will get started on them right away.
>Ishigaki, take her to the shrine, would you?
>uh, okay.
>I wasn't sure why Naomi thought I should go with her. I didn't even know where the shrine was
>Ayame saw me histate as soon I was outside the room
>It's this way Ishigaki-san
>I followed her
>We got to the shrine. A single room, plenty of scrolls, and a large gold statue of Bishamon.
>Why was I not surprised.
>A monk came out, looked at Ayame and wrinkled his nose.
>Ah. Now I see why Naomi had sent me. How had she known?
>What do YOU want?
>I stepped between him and Ayame

>>52884132
>Monks occupied a strange place in the celestial order.
>They were not samurai, even though many monks were retired samurai
>Still, their words carried great weight, and only a fool failed to heed them.
>Further more, as monks were ostensibly neutral on worldly matters they were supposed to be safe from any form of violence.
>this protection did not extend to sohei orders of course, and more than a few samurai, unwilling to give up on their old lives, remained politcally active despite shaving their heads.
>Those ones were the worst sort. They made up lies about spiritual things, used the weight of their authority on such matters as propaganda, and hid behind lies of neutrality to defend themselves from the proper ass kicking they deserved.
>At least a sohei had the decency to appear before you armed, honestly expressing his intent to involve himself in the material world.
>I got the distinct impression this monk was one of those political assholes without a shred of real spiritual power.
>At times in the past, temples and monasteries HAD been attacked by samurai forces.
>Sometimes it was an abbot declairng this or that general to lack piety, or be spiritually imbalanced, or some such thing
>Other times it was the monks offering safe harbor to the wounded, only for the wounded to heal and return to battle over and over again
>And on a few occasions it was revealed that some destroyed holy sites solely to blame the act on their enemies
>It was always a big thing when this happened.
>the one who slew the monks would rapidly find public sentiment swinging against them. >Steadfast allies would turn their backs, old enemies would have the excuse they needed to join in, and it would all come crashing down.
>Of course, this did little for the monks who were already dead, but few people were so ignorant of social mores that would kill a monk without a second thought, even though Monks were not samurai

>>52883661
What would your response be if I said yes?

Also, he looks more muscular then 'mantits' suggests.

>>52884586
>Of course, I was a Crab.
>Crabs are, as far as most Rokugani are concerned, illeterate brutes barely able to construct a coherent sentence who think only of food, sex, and violence.
>So I donned a mask that conformed to the monks expectations, set my expresion to violence, and growled at him
>Two shugenja have determined this woman is being targeted by kansen. They said she is to sleep in the shrine tonight, so the kansen will flee before Heaven's Gaze.
>I am here to see to it their orders are carried out.
>He swallowed, hard.
>letting me know he really did think I was dumb enough to hurt him if he upset me.
>Sometimes having a reputation for having a short temper can be useful.
>Sometimes.
>Of course, Great Samurai, please bring the poor girl inside. I will fetch a futon for her, and some charms as well!
>Do that.
>As the monk hurried off, Ayame gigled
>It's fun, watching you work.
>the monk returned with a futon and laid it out for Ayame
>a short time later Naomi and Toshiro arrived,
>They placed some sutras around the room, lit some incense, and said some prayers
>There.
>That should do it.
>So... I will sleep well tonight?
>Toshiro frowned.
>If you do not, you must tell us immediately.
>It would mean one of two things.
>which are?
>either it is not kansen causing your nightmares,
>or there is something or someone commanding the kansen to target you, that can force them to come here even when they would resist with all their might.
>...
>another Maho-Tsukai?
>targeting me, again?
>why!?
>I hadn't even considered the possiblity, but as soon as Toshiro said it, I knew how possible it was
>Part of the reason Maho-Tuskai were such a problem was because they could be anyone.
>The kansen would 'serve' any person who spilled blood and whispered prayers to the dark kami.
>the other problem was that kansen often made maho-tuskai themselves

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>>52884635
don't let those biceps fool you, Mantits is built more like pic related

>>52884866

>The kansen knew where ancient scrolls of dark knowledge were hidden, and were drawn to them.
>Just as earth kami hovered around Toshiro's scorll satchell, and water kami near Naomi's
>Kansen would find people who were unhappy with something. They would whisper to that person, they would guide that person to the scrolls, hidden away and forgotten with the death of their original owner.
>So, despite the seemingly absurd chance, there really was a good possibility that there was another Maho-Tsukai about.
>And he could very well be trying to tempt Ayame down a dark path, twisting her desire for righteous vengeance towards an evil purpose.
>In the worst case, it could very well be this how THEY recruit their disposable minions and puppets.
>THEY certainly had a lot of those...
>Even though I was certain Hohiro was tied to THEM, I still wasn't certain whether he was puppet, or puppet master...
>Toshiro caught my eye.
>He had been thinking exactly the same thing I had.
>So I explained to Ayame
>Ayame-san, some times seek to draw others under their influence, to grow a small cult around themselves.
>Iuchiban and the bloodspeaker cult are the most famous example of this.
>It may be that there is another Maho-Tsukai here, the master of the one we slew. And now he wishes to replace his lost pawn.
>With me?
>I nodded gravely.
>But how does cursing me help him do that?
>Naomi answered that
>In time, you will remember more and more of the dreams.
>eventually, you will hear whispers, even while awake.
>The kansen, under his orders, will try to tempt you with the power of blood magic.
>They will use you desire for revenge.
>THIS is exactly why I do not like revenge; it so easily leads to horrible things!
>Ayame looked down, ashamed

>>52885170
>I knelt down beside Ayame
>There are many stories of great heroes taking righteous vengeance on those who wronged them.
>It is not an easy path. You must hold tight to your honor, and prepare yourself to be both patient and to endure great hardship.
>Can you do that?
>Even with that constant reminder of your betrayal?
>Ayame did not answer right away
>...yes. Yes I can do that.
>Then that is all that matters.
>Do not give in.
>Ayame nodded.
>I won't.
>Thank you all so much for your help.
>I can never repay you.
>I could not think of any way to dismiss her gratitude as unnecessary without insulting it, so I accepted her thanks.
>We left her in the shrine, and headed back to our room
>So, if IS another one, does anyone have any idea how we root them out?
>Toshiro nodded.
>I might have one.
>Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
>he refused to explain further.

>>52884132
>>52884866
>>52885170
>>52885301
>Literally inside a high-ranking Isawa stronghold
>"How could there be so many Maho-Tsukai here?"
Friendly reminder that the Isawa are some of the biggest hoarders of Maho in the entire empire, possibly even more-so, due to their size and influence, than the fucking Chuda!

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>>52885301
holy fuck. I'll spare you guys the messy details, but right now I can't stop running into the bathroom
not sure if I ate something I souldn't have, or if I caught a bug or what. making it hard to write.
I think I need to try and get some rest, I'll be back tomorrow, even if I have to keep the lappy in the bathroom to do it.

>>52885918
Get well soon Ishigaki-dono!

>>52885918
Expel the evil spirits!

>>52885918
Get well, Cran Anon!

>>52885737
yeah, have you read the heritage table of the phoenix in first edition? theres like 1 in 3 chance that you have maho related things!

>>52885918
truly, maho is everywhere

Im looking for an inspiration for a l5r wuxia story. Can someone advice me a good movie or videogame? Ive watched recently John Woo's Red Cliff and i fucking loved it.

>>52885918
Drinking some lemonade without sugar helps ease the stress in the stomach. It's probably not gonna solve the issue but it will smooth things out. You probably ate something that was incompatible with another, or it may have went bad without you noticing. Happens to the best of us.

>>52885918
Try use some activated charcoal. It can help.

Even in death,
Dreadnought still serve
The Imperium

Things you never do,
Fight Lion, Trick Scorpion,
And try teach Crab.

>>52888532
More things not to do
Trust phoenix with Maho stuff
Try to court dragon

>>52888680
>Try to court dragon
Nothing wrong with that. Just don't try to play it for court points.

Remind me, what Rokugan have as table top game besides Go? Mahjong ? Cards?

>>52889289
There's a category for games in the wiki, although not all games are of the table top variety

Sadane, for example, is a social game where you insult each other indirectly without insulting the others honour, with the loser being the one who, lacking wit, or feeling too insulted, can no longer reply

>>52889289
There's also Shogi

>>52889289
Go and Shogi, as far as table-top entertainment goes. No mahjong it seems, at least not in the Emerald Empire.

>>52889289
Fortunes & Winds is a dice game played in Rokugan, but it is considered a low class game only played by gamblers.

>>52889584
>>52889573
Marking actually seems to be played in Rokugan
Fortunes and Winds is another game, dice based (Daidoji-san gambled in this game with the Mantis sailors during our trip to Second City)
And there's a card game called Oichu-kabu

Funnily enough, shogi doesn't have a spot in the Games category on the wiki, but it does have an article

>>52889666
Mahjong, not marking
Stupid autocorrect

Bumping this thread,
Like tending flower garden,
It blooms in care.

Bump

Bump from the 9!

>>52885301
>Naomi was upset with me
>She wasn't saying anything, but I could practically feel her displeasure
>So I took her outside, onto a balcony, where we could be alone.
>Alright then. Let's have it.
>have what, Ishigaki-kun
>I didn't bother to acknowledge her attempt to pretend nothing was wrong.
>I simply folded my arms and stared at her
>The silence stretched on for a bit
>At last she spoke up
>Why do you insist on encouraging her?
>Even when the person she intends to fight is so much more skilled, even when the darkness her desire for revenge allows into her heart is a weakness through which she could damn herself, even though her gunso is assured to have family and friends who will seek vengence in turn...
>Nothing good comes of it Ishigaki-kun!
>I couldn't hold back my sigh.
>I didn't want to do what I was about to do.
>You done?
>Naomi blinked at my cold tone
>Do you really think I'M why she does this?
>Do you really I could change her mind?
>It isn't logic that drives her, it's emotion.
>And logic isn't going to resolve those emotions.
>Bushi and Shugenja live in two different worlds, Naomi.
>You know that.
>But you seem to forget it's not just the ability to speak with the kami that separates us.
>Bushi fight
>Bushi die
>Bushi kill
>And you are right, being surrounded by death DOES mark a person.
>It's up to each individual to decide how they deal with that.
>and it is ONLY that individual who has the right to make that decision.
>Whatever the outcome of her decision, it's HER decision.
>Not yours.
>Not mine.
>Not her lord's
>Not her clan's
>HERS.
>The only thing we can do, they only thing we have any right to do, is make sure she's thought it through thoroughly and is ready for whatever the outcome might be.
>You've said your peice already. Repeating yourself like you are only makes her LESS likely to listen to you in the future.
>You're going to need to accept this, or things will get difficult when our children come of age.

>>52892349
Harsh truths
A mothers tears
hana yori dango

>>52892349
>Naomi stared at me wide eyed for a long time
>Only the Isle of Mists had made me hate myself more.
>But Crabs do not shirk their duty, no matter how horrible it may be.
>Naomi had to understand the difference between bushi and shugenja, and the fact that few could ever be as forgiving as her.
>...and you would have Ashitaka walk this blood soaked path as well?
>Daiko, Tetsute?
>She placed a hand on her stomach
>I would have them walk their own paths, Naomi.
>And if I saw them heading to a difficult part that I had already passed, I would share my knowledge with them.
>But they must walk their own paths.
>Naomi looked away from me
>shit.
>I had thought, after our time at Kyuden Hida, she had come to accept the fate Crabs bore, the fate warriors bore
>I was wrong.
>She had hidden it, and quite well, but now I saw she was so upset over what had happened to Ayame, and what Ayame was going to do about it, because she saw the future of her brother, and our children in Ayame.
>I grabbed her, and pulled her in for a hug
>To my shock, Naomi tried to pull away
>Though her attempt was half hearted
>I knew how strong she was, with the water kami guiding her
>If she wanted to she could have lifted me over her head and tossed me from this balcony without any real effort.
>The fact that she didn't actually break away meant she DID want comfort and reassurance.
>She had just hopped, perhaps expected, I would agree with her.
>In the past, my friends and I had expended great effort to hide harsher truths from her
>Precisely because none of us wanted to have this conversation with her.
>But, we couldn't hide things from her forever.
>She had the right to know the lives her children would face.
>She started to weep.
>I held her, and stroked her hair.
>That always calmed her down
>I didn't chide her, or try to get her to stop
>I supported her while she let out her emotions freely

>>52892635
Your GM is godly for setting this all up.

>>52892635
> After a time she sniffled, and pulled away
>Thank you, Ishigaki-kun
>She smiled sadly.
>Like that, then?
>Support, but do not interfere?
>I don't know if I will be able to do that Ishigaki-kun...
>I chuckled.
>You ignore your own pain until it's almost killed you; yet seeing another person in pain, even if it's as minor as a paper cut, is something you cannot bear.
>I can't understand how that works, but it's one of the reasons I fell in love with you.
>It's not just failings of character that can leas us astray, you know?
>hai. I... I will need some time to accept this. But I do understand.
>You always did; you just needed someone to remind you.
>I am not that wise, Ishigaki-kun
>Sure you are.
>She laughed softly
>If you say so, my husband
>we went back inside
>The next day, we visited Ayame
>She looked much better than the last time I saw her
>You slept well then?
>Yes, I did. Your plan worked!
>Toshiro nodded.
>Good, good.
>Sleep here a few more days, just to make sure they stay gone.
>Ayame nodded.
>We all ate breakfast togother, Kitstupid-san and Bayushi Amakidnapa were there as well.
>Of course by now I had forgiven them their lapse in judgment.
>Holding it against them in any way was beneath me at this point.
>Kitsupid-san and Amakidnapa, I mean.
>As I chewed my rice I wondered if they were lovers.
>So I decided to ask them.
>Kitsuki-san, Amano-san...
>They looked over
>yes?
>Are you two in a relationship or something?
>Choking noises erupted from all around our table
>Some of it was mixed with laughter
>Some was pure shock
>Ahha! You ARE, aren't you!
>NO!
>CERTAINLY NOT!
>Why would you even think that?
>Well, it would certainly explain how you, Kitsuki-san were able to reject the advances of one of the most beutiful women in the Empire,
>And your actions, Amano-san, make a bit more sense if you had been driven mad with jealousy.

>>52892968
>Kitstupid-san and Bayushi Amakidnapa

And as Mantits vanishes, a new nickname moves to the fore.

>>52892968
So... it was a bromance or not?

>>52892926
True love. If you ever lose your loves favor you can't spend void points until you get it back. He's got to hit that disadvantage every now and again, even though Ishigaki and Naomi are so madly in love with one another.

>>52893004

See >>52875288

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>>52892968
>Kitstupid-san and Bayushi Amakidnapa

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>Kitstupid-san and Bayushi Amakidnapa

>>52892968
>I thought I explained already Ishigaki-san
>Phsyical gratification is easy to come by, but emotional attachment is a burden I do not wish to deal with
>Amano-san was still in shock, but he managed to squeek out
>im engaged you know...
>No, I didn't.
>I pointed at the both of them with my chopsticks
>So you're both certain there's nothing going on between you two?
>I won't judge, I promise!
>A thumping can from down the table
>Mantis-san was choking to death, a smile on his face and tears running down his cheeks
>Toshiro was pounding his back, trying to get him breathing again
>Monkey had vanished beneath the table, though I could see his feet kick into the air every now and again.
>Even Naomi had gone quite red and had both hands clapped over her mouth
>Kitsuki-san stared coldly at me.
>There is nothing.
>Fine, fine. If you aren't ready to admit your true feelings, I wont force you too.
>Just know that I will always support you.
>Thank you for your consideration, Ishigaki-san
>Amano just tried to vanish inside his kimono
>Toshiro managed to save Mantis-san's life
>Though it was close
>Once we finished breakfast we headed out to join the rest of the court
>The karo announced the next competition
>Performances were next on the agenda
>Sing, dance, play an instrument, perform a scene from a play. Alone or in groups.
>The audience would judge the finest performance
>More art.
>Well I suppose I could at least sit back and take in some culture for a while.
>Oi! Ishigaki-san, Toshiro-san!
>We looked over
>It was one of the Hiruma who served as Yojimbo to Katsuie-sam.
>We're doing a draw-lot play! We need you two! Come on!
>Toshiro and I looked at each other
>Sighed.
>Fine, but we're both going to need a lot of sake
>He grinned
>Of course!

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>>52893004
Truthfully we have no fucking clue. Maybe Kitsuki-san was gay, maybe he was asexual, maybe he had a secret love, maybe she came on too strong and he couldn't get it up, maybe he was a shy virgin. Kitsuki-san's player never really volunteered personal details about Kitsuki-san's relationships. So all the rule 34 running through your perverted little heads could be true, since aside from established relationships there's no cannon to contradict it.

>>52893269
Oh boy oh boy, time for Stupid Crab Shit.

>>52893019
>If you ever lose your loves favor you can't spend void points until you get it back
That's not what I read in the core book

>>52893269
>Phsyical gratification is easy to come by, but emotional attachment is a burden I do not wish to deal with
This makes it sound like kitsuki gets so much pussy so easily he's grown disillusioned with women

>>52893623
Must be a carryover from when the game was 3e.

>>52893712
This is my headcanon now.

>>52893623
yup
He has to spend void points before being able to choose duty instead of his lover whenever he has to choose between the two
considering what we're seeing in Ishigaki-san's story, new players, learn this:

First, any and all disadvantages and advantages you give your character will be used and abused by your ST as often as possible, because they make it easier to write something that'll involve your character (alternatively, write a solid backstory instead, it's what I did with Dakakita-san)

Second, void points are always good to have, so meditate or tea ceremony as often as you can to regain them

>>52893728
Can't say about the wording in other editions, only have experience with 4th myself

Gonna try to get back to writing, memory's quite fuzzy and artistic liberty can only help you so much

Any tips for some new players as to how to survive in an L5R campaign, party consist of a togashi monk, akado bushi, unicorn shugenja and scorpion courtier with some degree of training in archery, campaign is likely to be combat heavy to start out with.

>>52893269
>Plays always have roles few Crab warriors are keen on taking.
>That's even assuming you can get them to overcome the embarrassment of being terrible actors in order to get them on stage in the first place
>A Crab gunso solved this problem, while also creating a way for his troops to relax, by inventing the concept of Draw Lot plays
>He took a popular play that most of the troops would know by heart, wrote the names of the roles down on slips of paper, then added enough blank slips that everyone in the squad would be able to pick one
>mixed them up in his kabuto
>and forced the entire squad to draw
>The lucky ones that got roles would play those roles, no exceptions, no trading roles.
>Since everyone had an equal chance to share in the embarrassment it was easier to get the warriors to risk it.
>That is the Draw Lot Play of the Crab Clan.
>An (often drunken) mess of overacting, flubbed lines, and burly giants trying to play effeminate housewives that will drive most playwrights to suicide upon learning their work had been defiled in such a manner
>We all gathered togother in Katsuie-sama's room
>Aside from Katuie, Toshio and myself there was Yasuki Tamoko, her brother Tomoki, Hriuma Saji and Kaiu Makoto.
>So, do you already have a play in mind?
>Makoto looked up from where she was shuffling papers around
>They gave us a few different scenes to choose from... most of these are crane written crap though...
>We all crowded around her to look
>young lovers struggle against fate
>vengence for murdered father
>bumbling magistrates who solve cases by luck instead of skill
>survivor of a loosing battle trying to avoid capture while surviving in the woods
>and one of the tests of the Emerald Champion
>...
>Tomoki broke the silnce
>wow.
>I know Tomo-chan.
>Tomoki flushed at his sister calling him by his childhood nickname in public.
>Saji solved our dilema by producing a die from his fortunes and winds set
>Toshiro clapped him on the shoulder.
>you're a genius

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>>52893818
>Line up behind the bushi and buff his earth so that he doesn't get deaded.
>start killing shit with the best bugei/spell ability you have
>???
>Profit!

>>52893623
>>52893728
yeah that's how it worked in older editions, we decided to keep it that way. Either one takes a bit of work to make it a real disadvantage. The original way, handled poorly, could lead your true love to be portrayed as a greedy asshole unworthy of your devotion.

On the other hand, the fourth ed one takes a lot more work to set up, and dosen't work as well once you're married. At that point it would have to be shit like your a magistrate and your lover commited a crime, or your an officer marching with troops to a front when you learn some enemy raiders are heading toward your home.

We went with the one that could be brought up with some RP, over hijaking an entire adventure to bring it up.

>>52893818
You the wall party?
Most creatures do NOT attack as a simple action, use that. it takes a simple action to rise from prone, so knock shit down, and/or run away so it has to use it's simple to chase you

have one person (ideally in heavy armor and buffed) advance into range in the defense stance to draw attacks, then come in behind them and kill it.

Two people can use guard another on each other, netting them both an extra five to their armor TN

If the monk is going to be punching shit, and you ARE the wall party, have HIM powder your weapons. It's a side effect of powdering shit that your fingers get covered as well. He's going to want earth three asap, because the taint can spread like an STD. If tainted blood gets inside your wounds, or in your eyes or mouth you have to roll so if you're tainted or not.

For the love of god use your environment. Why try and kill that ogre the hard way when three of you can grab it and toss it over the wall? or let it chase you into one of the thousands of death traps? Even if you're not on the wall, getting superior positioning helps.

>>52893907
>we got the young lovers
>There were five rolls to fill for the scene we had.
>The two lovers, the fiance, and the fathers
>So, two of the people in this room would be safe
>Risky odds, but with two women drawing lots and only one female role every guy was connived they wouldn't be the young woman.
>With a prayer to Daikoku, we drew our lots
>...
>no trading, no exceptions.
>The first performance was a pair of Lion. Akodo Yoshi danced a noh, while an Ikoma girl beat time on a kotsuzumi
>As the Lion danced he spun his fan through a series of candles, snuffing them out one by one.
>He revived quite a bit of applause when it was over

>>52894589
Shot post because my lunch just finished cooking. Let's see if that Crane can match me in an art battle.

>>52894589

No trading, no exceptions, NO REGRETS

>>52894589
Im guessing the women got the roles as fathers

>>52894589
So Ishigaki was the bride.

>>52893907
Let me guess in this "Game of Subtle Innuedos":
>young lovers struggle against fate
Easy - Crab-sama and Naomi.

>vengence for murdered father
Hm... this one tricky. Sleepy-chan, perhaps?

>bumbling magistrates who solve cases by luck instead of skill
Totally about our (jinxed) Jade Magistrates.

>survivor of a loosing battle trying to avoid capture while surviving in the woods
Yeah... i dont really know about that one. A painting contest, perhaps?

>and one of the tests of the Emerald Champion
Its about recent bout, isnt?

>>52896109
>Yeah... i dont really know about that one. A painting contest, perhaps?

Someone's backstory?

>>52896109
>>52896162
>survivor of a loosing battle trying to avoid capture while surviving in the woods
Ishigaki on his Finding Hida trial, perhaps?

>>52896251
Seems plausible to me.

Shame a guess about "lovers and fate" wrong. Then about who its play?

>>52896380
>Shame a guess about "lovers and fate" wrong. Then about who its play?

Kitsuki and Amano.

>>52896500
Maybe. Who knows? Kitstupid is a mystery man when it comes to romance - hell, he maybe, just maybe, into a young boys.

>>52897071
If he was on 4chan he'd be posting about how traps aren't gay.

>>52897213
Probably one of the faggots who tries to explain why too.

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>>52897213
>>52897234
there is nothing gay about these traps

>>52897338
Or is there, Hida 'I smell Naomi's underwear' Ishigaki?

>>52897213
I don't think 4chan would be a thing in Rokugan - after all, it's a place where everyone, where your class, gender and wealth doesn't matter when it comes to calling someone a faggot. A place outside a rigid caste system.
Then again, who knows? Some bushi loves from time to time mingle with "peasants", and 4chan is one of the best places for it.

>>52897697
Why so mad? Want a duel me, you little bitch?

>>52897697
You must pass your gempukku before you can post here.

>>52897697
>>52897927
Magistrates asleep, post Cranes!

>>52897831
>>52897927
>>52897971

What the fuck did you just say about me you little peasant? I'll have you know I graduated at the top of my class in the Kakita Dueling Academy, and I've been involved in numerous raids on the filthy gaijin, and I have over 300 confirmed kills. I am trained in honorable warfare and I'm the top duelist in the entire Crane armed forces. You are nothing to me but just another target. I will wipe you the fuck out with precision the likes of which have never been seen before in Rokugan, mark my fucking words. You think you can get away with saying that shit to me over the Internet? Think again, fucker. As we speak I am contacting my secret network of ninja across Rokugan and your IP is being traced right now so you better prepare for the storm, gaijin. The storm that wipes out the pathetic thing you call your honor. You're fucking dead, peasant. I can kill you in over seven hundred ways, and that's just with my katana. Not only am I extensively trained in Kakita dueling, but I have access to the entire arsenal of the Imperial Military and I will use it to it's full extent to wipe your miserable Do off the face of the continent, you little peasant. If only you could have known what tainted retribution your little 'clever' comment was about to bring down upon you, maybe you would have held your dishonorable tongue. But you couldn't, you didn't, and now you're paying the price, gaijin. I will shit honor all over you and you will drown in it. You're fucking dishonored, kiddo.

>>52898083
You're also trained in the art of shitposting, it seem.

>>52898153
I roll 10k9 on my Posting (Shit), emphasis Pasta.

Long have I studied
Through dedication and time
The art of shitpost

>>52881324

>Daidoji-san and Togashi-san were both impressed with the veritable banquet before us
>I could barely take my eyes of our host
>How nobody had yet tried to court her was beyond me
>The exotic smell of the food brought me back to reality
>We take our places along the table, headed by Doji-no-kimi
>Still looks like mostly Rokugani dishes
>Although the spices look and smell foreign
>A little small talk is held during the meal
>The...curry doesn't taste that bad actually
>And Daidoji-san manages to behave like a proper Crane
>I'm not sure which is more surprising
>I compliment our host on the food, and the lovely Crane decorations of the embassy
>Comparing to an ornate box with a great gift contained
>Doji-no-kimi of course easily notices the flattery
>As dessert, local fruits arranged ornately
>Centrepiece is a weirdly shaped fruit called a banana
>I have a taste
>...
>I thank my training that I can manage to keep face after trying such an awful tasting fruit
>After dinner, our host invites us to join her for a tea ceremony
>Not sure if our first impression has been good enough
>I pour all my focus into ensuring I drink my tea according to proper etiquette
>Truly, my sensei would be proud of me now
>With proper poise, not a single digit of my fingers is out of place
>And my motions replicate the drawings on the scrolls in my dojo perfectly
>Looking at me, Doji-no-kimi expresses her gratitude for having such fine guests
>I do my best not to swell with pride at such a compliment
>My face is kept as ever it should be
>After tea, more pressing matters are finally addressed
>Togashi-san asks on the state of the Second City
>How the Colonies have been recuperating since the Siege of Second City and the recent Destroyer War
>The rebuilding is mostly done, from what we're told, and almost everything has settled back to how it once was
>But there are still stains that need to be cleansed, as evidence by the illegal drug trade

>>52898279

>Doji-no-kimi wishes us Fortunes' blessings in our duty, that justice may come swiftly against those who break Imperial Decree
>"Do not worry, Doji-no-kimi.
>Such treason against our glorious Empire will be met with retribution
>Already tomorrow will we be moving against the conspirators involved"
>"That is pleasing to hear
>But now, let us talk of more pleasant things"
>And so we did
>I in particular spoke with her of art
>Showing my admiration for her accomplishments
>And showering her with subtle compliments
>True to her upbringing, Doji-no-kimi shows not a single fault in her face
>I ask if she may grant me the honor of judging a haiku of my own, once I have written one that is worthy of being read by the Turquoise Champion
>She already grants me my request
>"I always enjoy experiencing new art
>And it has been a while that I've read a haiku by a Kakita school graduate"
>"You do not need to praise me before I have even showed you my talent"
>"I am sure it will be most impressive, nonetheless."
>Despite this praise, I cannot help but be reminded of my failure at the Topaz Championship
>To have been able to be before her as a Jeweled Champion, an equal
>Now I am but another samurai of the same Clan
>Kin, of sorts, but far below her still
>Would I ever be able to reach so high
>I pledge to myself that I shall let this be my motivation in art
>To earn honest praise from the Turquoise Champion
>We discuss for a while longer, then she excuses herself
>"We all have a long day ahead of us
>Although I'm sure your duty will end up far more exciting than mine
>It still must be done
>I hope you will all sleep well tonight"
>I rest easy this night
>Despite my mixed reception to the food, the company more than made up for it

>>52898677

>We all wake up early, and eat our breakfast with haste and little conversation
>I do my best to calmly ignore Daidoji-san's remarks regarding the beauty of our host
>A Crane should not debase himself with such words
>Again I wonder of his heritage
>The authorisation papers had arrived last night after the opulent dinner with Doji-no-kimi
>Eschewing my armor once again, we set off, Daidoji-san looking more like my yojimbo than my yoriki
>As we finally arrive at the docks, we see Yoritomo Kon speaking with the gunso of about 20 Ashigaru
>Second City guardsmen, that Yoritomo-san is borrowing for this operation
>With a smile, he greets us, asks us if all went well with the Ivory Magistrate
>I present him with the papers
>"Lovely! Now, let's get this going
>A cart of Sweet Dreams will pass through one of the nearby streets to this dock
>There shouldn't be many heimin guarding it, but just to make sure, these guardsmen will take care of any resistance"
>The guardsmen stand at attention at their name
>Ready to follow the commands of their gunso
>We get ourselves ready
>Yoritomo-san spoke truth
>It doesn't take long before a filled cart arrives, pushed by a heimin
>Flanked by 4 more
>I notice the 4 guards have parangu at their sides
>I step forward, blocking their path
>"Stop! In the Name of Empress Iweko, you are hereby under arrest!
>Lay down your arms, and my justice shall be merciful
>Resist, and my justice shall be swift!"
>I am the Law.
>Directly behind me the ashigaru follow swiftly, yari at the ready
>The heimin take a few moments to register what is happening
>Then draw their parangu
>Rushing at the ashigaru
>And myself
>I prepare myself, remembering the teachings of my school
>As he runs at me, I lay a hand on the hilt of my Kakita blade, and take an Iaijutsu stance
>Just before he reaches me, I strike
>His head flying high
>I scan the moment's battlefield
>4 dead criminals
>And one coward
>I point my katana at him
>"You there! Come and face JUSTICE!"

>>52898248
I got a nat20

BAZINGA

>>52893712
Manpussy

Far away from home
Crane is a friend of justice.
He should wear a mask.

>>52901284
Beetle clan.

>>52894589
>I scratched at my beard.
>That was a little hard to understand, but I got the feeling, since he was snuffing candles, that it had something to do with how short peoples lives are
>Up next came a Kakita, I didn't remember ever seeing that one before.
>I realized there were a half dozen Kakita that didn't look like swordsmen in the Crane... army.
>There were just too many to justifiably call it an entourage.
>The Kakita, in a fine display of humility, played a biwa and sang a song about how the Original Kakita invented the biwa and sang a song to make lady Doji fall in love with him.
>Delighted at this reminder of incestuous the Crane Clan families were, the crowd erupted in applause.
>I had the thought to begin jotting my thoughts down.
>I'd make a wonderful art critic.
>Next, some servants brought a massive taiko drum.
>I sat up a little straighter.
>The thunder of those drums always stirred my soul.
>Out came Moto Li-Ta, dressed in proper drummer attire.
>She bowed to the audience, then proceeded to beat the ever loving shit out of that drum
>As she did so, several other Unicorn leapt from the wings, whooping and hollering and dancing like mad.
>There was a wild freedom in their performance, a sense of joy
>I wasn't sure what it was about, but I knew I liked it
>Naomi came out next, to offer a simple performance
>She played her Konto, and sang softly.
>A soft lullaby she sang to the children before they slept.
>The song itself perfectly captured the simple joy of watching your children sleep, and the pain of knowing they would one day grow up
>More than a few courtiers were wiping their faces discretely before she was done.
>Several Dragon performed a scene from a play about Matsu Hitomi. The scene they enacted was one depicting the Mirumoto Daimyo requesting her aid against the forces of the Crab.
>I had to wonder if the Dragon remembered that once the Crab had been forced to withdraw the Mirumoto Daimyo betrayed her.

>>52902575
>Out came Moto Li-Ta, dressed in proper drummer attire.
>She bowed to the audience, then proceeded to beat the ever loving shit out of that drum

Fuck yeah sick Taiko beats.

>>52902635
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7HL5wYqAbU

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>>52902575
>Hitomi

>>52902575
>A presentation from the Phoenix came next
>Another play, this scene was the Shiba family daimyo and Phoenix Clan Champion urging the Council of Masters to keep the Isawa well back from the front lines of a war
>The man spoke for a long time, about the oath Shiba swore to Isawa, and how the power of the Clan's shugneja should only be unleashed in times of dire emergency.
>Real subtle there Shoji, even I can see what you're driving at with that one.
>I noticed considerable agitation among the Mantis delegates, before they waved off servant
>I guess they weren't in the mood to participate
>Given that one of their courtiers had been murdered and another was now missing, I could see why.
>Two more crane perfomances back to back. One a Noh, the other a kabuki.
>At a certain point, quantity began to drown out quality from the Crane, at least to my mind.
>The other audience members seemed to enjoy both performances though.
>Then another performance from the Lion. Another play about Matsu Hitomi, this one covering the time when the Mirumoto Daimyo ordered her to attack the castle of a Lion lord, effectively betraying her
>I leaned over to Katusie-sama.
>So, that seemed very blunt. Or am I just overthinking things?
>No, I think your suspicions are correct, Ishigaki-san.
>Okay.
>I can be a bit thick so I just wanted to make sure.
>Then came the Scoripion.
>Amano sang a simple song, without any acompanyment
>About Aokodo Godaigo betraying Matsu Hitomi, his lover, after she took her vengeance on the Mirumoto Daimyo.
>Katsuie-sama sat straight up and scowled when that was done.
>Um, Katsuie-sama?
>His eyes narrowed.
>That was a warning to the Lion.
>I felt a cup pressed into my hand
>Ah. we were going to be up next.
>Yes, it's not a proper draw lot play if the actors are sober
>Kanpai

>>52903008
>>About Aokodo Godaigo betraying Matsu Hitomi, his lover, after she took her vengeance on the Mirumoto Daimyo.
>>Katsuie-sama sat straight up and scowled when that was done.
>>Um, Katsuie-sama?
>>His eyes narrowed.

Ok, could someone clarify this one for me since I'm not very good with court-speak?
Scorpion telling Lion not to start shit in the peace faction, or they will make things bad for them for it?

>>52902989
Please ignore this. I've just been informed that I'm confusing my two Hitomis.

>>52903059
Basically. I think it might also have been a subtle insult at the lion for using the story of Hitomi to make a point, since her story really is all about how messy war can be.

>>52903008
I must be unfit for court. Most of the subtleties if any are flying over my head.

Well, except Shoji's. I figured his out even before Ishigaki pointed it out.

>>52903008
>Once we were good and drunk we stumbled out onto the stage.
>Toshiro, Me, Tomoko and Tomoki and Makoto were the lucky winners
>As the father of the bride to be, I got to be the asshole in this play.
>Toshiro was my old friend whose son, played by Makoto, was to marry my daughter, Tomoki
>With Tomoko the brash young samurai who was going to interupt the wedding and declare his true love for Tomoki.
>What was supposed to happen was just as Tomoki and Makoto were exchanging vows, Tomoko was to enter the room, and declare her love. Toshiro and I would raise a fuss, Tomoki would admit his true feelings, Toshiro and I would raise more fuss, Makoto and Tomoki would take their stance, and the scene would end because the original playwright was a massive ass who loved to make audiences argue over what happened next
>But this was a draw lot play.
>Most of the time, we did try to do it right.
>It's just that the actors are a bunch of bushi with no artistic talent whatsoever
>But over time, a certain type of draw lot play gained popularity.
>One that EMBRACED the butchery of the play.
>And when you're dealing with Crabs performing play none of them were familiar with and didn't even like very much...
>There was no question in our minds how this would go
>I sat nodding in aproval as Tomoki and Makoto began swearing their marrige vows
>HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!
>Tomoko came storming in.
>Listen up, all ah yah!
>Tomoko wove her way drunkenly over to us
>and grabbed her brothers chest
>These are my boobies! Hands off you bitch!
>you could hear the silence as those who had never heard of a draw lot play were made painfully aware of what they were in store for
>bah!
>Makoto fired back
>Then yanked Tomoki from his sisters arms
>Tomoki is MINE! as if she'd want some limp wristed geisha like you!
>Tomoko wasn't backing down
>I'll have you know I killed an ogre during my gempuku!
>Well I killed an ONI!
>Well I killed Oni no Akuma!

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>>52903445

>Well I killed Oni no Akuma!

>>52903445
>>I'll have you know I killed an ogre during my gempuku!
>>Well I killed an ONI!
>>Well I killed Oni no Akuma!

I just know, some of those courtiers will look too deeply into it and see this as Crabs threatening everyone else with their military might.

>>52903445
>wiat.. wait... did you just say you had two gempuku?
>YEAH!
>Tomoko pulled back the sleves on her kimono and flexed her thin arms
>One for each of these manly arms of mine
>Mokoto reached out felt Tomoki's almost nonexistent biceps
>Whoah! Those are impresively manly!
>Toshiro looked over at me
>Aren't we supposed to say something here?
>he said it loudly enough the audience could hear
>I just smiled, chin resting on my hand
>I think so, but I'm having too much fun watching this...
>Toshiro shrugged
>Fine, whatever...
>um...
>Tomoki tried to speak up
>Makoto and Tomoko both wheeled on him and spoke in unison
>WHAT?!
>um.... I uh. I think I like Tomoko better, to be honest...
>Toshiro elbowed me
>I think every saw
>Okay, fine fine...
>I got up, almost lost my balance, and lurched over to the arguing trio.
>I put my hand on Tomoki's shoulder
>Tomoki, my beautiful daughter, you cannot marry Tomoko!
>But why not father?!
>Because... because... he's your sister!
>I couldn't help but break out laughing as I said that, and then I really did lose my balance
>Toshiro stood up.
>I'm not drunk enough for this
>Saji decided to get in on the act, and ran in with a cup of sake fro Toshiro
>THanks.
>Toshiro downed it and threw the cup over his shoulder
>okay, fuck it. We're all samurai here
>You and you
>he pointed to Makoto and Tomoko
>just fight already. Winner gets the little girl
>Right!
>Got it!
>The two punched each other in their faces at the same time and fell over
>Toshiro looked around
>Well, since I'm the last one standing, guess I win.
>Come on wife, let me show you your new home
>He grabbed Tomoki's hand and pulled him off the stage

>>52903586
It's a threat to the Phoenix. Oni no Akuma was summoned by Isawa Akuma.

>>52903682
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH

>>52903656
Reads like some writefaggotry from Roku-chan. Traps, reverse traps, incest and other fetish bullshit.

>dare you enter my magical empire?

>>52903656
Ok, it's official. Draw lot plays are the bomb.
Gonna make my handful of drama/lit geek friends do this for our next drinking game.

>>52903656
>>Tomoki, my beautiful daughter, you cannot marry Tomoko!
>>But why not father?!
>>Because... because... he's your sister!
Yeah Tomoki, you're not a Crane or something...

>>52903656
>I looked out from where I had fallen at the audience
>The Unicorn were laughing so hard they had to hold their sides lest their guts come bursting out
>Everyone else was staring with the vacant look of one who has witnessed the aftermath of a battle for the first time
>I hoped at least one Crane would have nightmares about this the rest of their lives.
>We all managed to get to our feet and bow to the audience
>The motion was too much for Tomoki, who vomited.
>The perfect end to a perfect draw lot play
>Katsuie-sama was chuckling when we rejoined him
>I didn't think you would be quite so rough with the source material!
>It was bland crap anyway Katsuie-sama!
>He smilled.
>I can't help but wonder how many courtiers are trying to figure out the hidden message right now.
>Makoto looked at Katsuie-sama in surpise
>There was a hidden message?
>He snorted.
>Of course not.
>All they saw were a bunch of drunken crabs butchering a script.
>But courtiers have minds like mazes, and they cannot accept things are as simple as they seem
>He laughed out loud then.
>No doubt we've muddied the waters quite a bit with that show!
>Saji grinned
>Your suggestion to do a draw lot play was wonderfull, Katsuie-sama
>I looked over at Toshiro
>Did you hear that?
>I did
>You think maybe the point was that there was no point?
>If you just said what I think you just said than I think you're right..
>I have no idea what you just said, Toshiro.
>We should go sleep this off.
>Yeah, we should
>So we did

>>52903918
I think I can decipher what in courtiers mind right now about this most awesome draw lot play.

Phoenix: is that a threat?!
Crane: WHY?!? STOP MY EYES AND EARS FROM BLEEDING!!! Seriously though, what THE FUCK was that? Some kind of innuendo?
Lion: ...what the fuck did I just saw? Is that some kind of threat?
Unicorn: Wish there was an encore.
Crabs: Draw lot play. Classic.
Dragon: ...
Mantis: >their play is too loud
>too much drinks
>my feet hurts
>I wish I would be home! counting all Koku.
Scorpion: double check EVERYTHING. it's some kind of code.

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>>52903656
This is fucking great

>>52903918
>I awoke with an impressive hangover
>Not even close to the Double Mind Fuck hangover, but still one worth remembering
>Naomi helped me to sit up, and gave me some water
>I gulped it down
>That was... an interesting prefomance
>Did you win?
>No, it was the Crane Kabuki actors who did so.
>It should have been you.
>I love that song
>I know you do, that is why I chose it
>Do you think you want to join everyone for breakfast?
>Yeah, I have to ask about last night
>Did you drink that much?
>No, not that. Just want to make sure I didn't miss anything, is all.
>I see.
>You are certain you will be alright Ishigaki-kun?
>I feel fine now
>The instant I stepped into the room where everyone was getting breakfast I had to run out onto the balcony and lean over
>I almost hit a peasant
>I pulled my head back while he was still staring in confusion, before he could think to look up
>Toshiro grinned at me
>Snuck up on you, didn't it?
>A bit.
>I drank some more water
>So, let me see if I've got it right.
>Last night the Dragon asked if the Lion want to join them
>The Lion said no
>And the Scorpion warned them to stay out of altogther then...
>Is that about right?
>Kitsuki-san nodded
>Yes.
>Amano shot Kitsuki a look
>Most children could follow that much, were they training to be courtiers. there's no harm in confirming for him what everyone already knows
>I suppose you're right
>Amano ate some rice, then mused
>the Unicorn are guileless as always
>Kitsuki-san nodded
>I grunted. Probably why they had one of the better perfomances
>You call that wild jumping a good dance?
>No, I suppose I should not be surprised
>I had thought you had at least some basic appreciation for art, after all.
>I fired right back at Kitsuki-san
>I like honest art that doesn't try to hide what it's saying.
>People at court are pretentious enough as is.
>making their art pretentious is just going overboard
>Kitsuki-san snorted