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Your name is Bayushi Kimiko and though you were born to serve, you know you are destined for greatness.

You are now a fully-fledged samurai of the Bayushi family, and of the Scorpion Clan. One of the seven Great Clans of Rokugan, their purpose is to sacrifice their honour in the name of duty. Only through under-handed deeds can the stability of the Emerald Empire be assured, and manipulation and ruthlessness are the weapons that you wield against the Emperor's enemies. Having passed your clan's rite of passage only a few days ago, you must now meet with your lord, Bayushi Taheiji, and discover what your duty as a samurai shall be.

>Welcome to a quest based off of the Legend of the Five Rings roleplaying game, a fantastical world bursting with conflict, intrigue and plenty of samurai drama. Previous experience or knowledge of the L5R setting is not important, as I plan on providing exposition as we go along. The player character is almost as inexperienced in this world as you are.

>I will be using an extremely simplified set of rules borrowed from the 5th edition of the game, which I'll post as they become relevant. I will also provide a character sheet for Bayushi Kimiko, though it is not mandatory reading whatsoever.
https://pdfhost.io/v/sA72P4XJ_Legend_of_the_Five_Rings_Bayushi_Kimiko_Character_Sheet.pdf
>And though there are only a couple of threads so far, here's the archive:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Pursuit%20of%20Greatness

>With that, I hope you'll enjoy the quest.
>>
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You take in a breath to calm yourself as you ascend the steps, making your way into Seven Stings Keep. The castle itself is a formidable structure, imposing in more ways than one. Its towering size, its opulent gilding and its vicious-looking architecture all contribute to its fearsome appearance. Though you have lived in its shadow for over half of your life, you can count the number of times you stepped inside of the castle itself on one hand. Now you enter it as an adult, as a samurai, as a warrior bound by duty to serve the lord of Seven Stings Keep.

The dim orange lamplight bounces off of lacquered pillars and paper walls, casting long shadows and giving the castle's interior an ominous atmosphere. You're left feeling uncomfortable, especially in these clothes that you were told to wear – a red kosode and matching hakama, tied with a black sash. The outfit is completed by a black winter jacket draped over your shoulders, the symbol of the Scorpion Clan sewn into its back in crimson. Last but not least, there is the mask of black lacquer that now clings to your face, a symbol of your newfound status as a Scorpion samurai.

Guards line the hallway and wear shining armour of black and red, their faces covered by all sorts of masks doubtlessly designed to intimidate. Snarling oni, roaring beasts, howling ghosts and other such things. You focus your attention on the feminine figure kneeling on a cushion at the end of the corridor, clad in a flowery kimono of red and gold and wearing a sheer veil that hides little of her face. The tools for calligraphy are laid out before her and a ledger lies open on her lap.

“Might I ask for your name and your purpose here?” She extends no courtesy to you, not even a bow of her head. Stomaching your pride, you offer a bow of some respect to the seneschal.

“Bayushi Kimiko. I believe that I was summoned by our lord, Bayushi Taheiji?” Your eyes follow the pages as they are turned and a few letters are painted on the parchment in rich, black ink. Eventually, she looks back up at you.

“Of course, Bayushi-san. Court shall be in session in just over an hour, though you are welcome to wait in our lord's hall until that time. Might I suggest that you grant us your blades, so that we might have them polished during your stay?”

Your hand drops to your daishō, the katana and wakizashi that hang by your side. It is typically considered rude to take your weapons with you into court, as it might be seen as a threat. However, do you truly wish to be unarmed when you go to speak with your lord?

>You are in no position to argue. You want to make a good impression on Taheiji, so you best go unarmed.
>You aren't willing to part with your honour. At least, that's the excuse that you make when you decide to keep your wakizashi.
>You spent the last year being trained to serve your lord as a warrior. If you are going to meet him, it will be as a warrior, with a warrior's weapons.
>>
>>3994333
>You aren't willing to part with your honour. At least, that's the excuse that you make when you decide to keep your wakizashi.
>>
>>3994333
>You aren't willing to part with your honour. At least, that's the excuse that you make when you decide to keep your wakizashi.
>>
“I would rather not part with my wakizashi,” you admit. “After all, what is a samurai without their honour?” The seneschal exchanges a sly smile with you, and it's clear that the joke isn't lost on her. You carefully slide your katana and its saya free from its place in its sash and look towards the woman expectantly. In response, she lifts a hand and make a beckoning gesture.

“Kazutoshi,” she calls out, and one of the guards steps forward, identical to the rest if it wasn't for his mask, the slavering face of a mountain lion. “Tend to the blade of Bayushi-san until her business with our lord is complete.” Sure enough, the soldier strides across to accept the katana that you offer to him. You feel uncomfortable parting with the steel that you have only just earned, but it wouldn't be wise for you to enter Taheiji's court fully armed. Another gesture comes from the seneschal as she stands, this time directed at you, before she turns around to lead the way. You follow her lead.

The interior of Seven Stings Keep is dizzying. In the dim lamplight, every corridor seems the same and the doors to the rooms you pass are barely visible. It becomes clear after the seventh or eighth turn that this castle is a purposeful maze, and you can't possibly fathom how your guide is able to lead you so confidently. Perhaps in time, you will come to know this castle as well as she does? Who knows, should Taheiji ever shame himself, there might even be a chance for this castle to become yours...

You quickly snap yourself out of those thoughts. You have only just become a samurai, you should avoid dreaming about such lofty aspirations until they're within reach. Your attention turns towards the seneschal – no sound is coming from her other than the click of her sandals against the floorboards.

>This is a good opportunity to try and find out more about Bayushi Taheiji, the castellan that you are soon to serve and devote your life to. As his seneschal, she must know a great deal about the lord of the castle.
>You can't help but wonder about her. What purpose does she fulfil as the seneschal of Seven Stings Keep? What duties does she perform? You don't even know her name yet, at the very least she should introduce herself.
>Take this chance to learn about broader politics. What's the state of affairs in the region, in the Scorpion Clan, in Rokugan as a whole? As Taheiji's steward, she must have some knowledge about current affairs and politics.
>Remain silent. This is an important moment in your life, perhaps even more important than your gempukku. Try to avoid squandering it by needlessly chattering with someone as important as the seneschal.
>>
>>3994399
>>Take this chance to learn about broader politics. What's the state of affairs in the region, in the Scorpion Clan, in Rokugan as a whole? As Taheiji's steward, she must have some knowledge about current affairs and politics.
Normally I'd say shut up since she clearly doesn't want to talk and this is probably a test but fuck it, I need my dose of geopolitics.
OOC: Is a hantei on the throne?
>>
>>3994414
Yes. Hantei XXXVII, to be precise. Though I haven't had reason to mention it so far, the year is 1081.
>>
>>3994420
Thanks for the update! My preference is always to GM in an era with Hantei, though I did play a decent campaign in the four winds era as a Harrier on the run. Anyway, that means we're we're a few years ahead the normal start date of 1E and the Wasp arn't around yet. Looking forward to see what the plan is!
>>
>>3994399
>>Take this chance to learn about broader politics. What's the state of affairs in the region, in the Scorpion Clan, in Rokugan as a whole? As Taheiji's steward, she must have some knowledge about current affairs and politics.
>>
>>3994399
>Take this chance to learn about broader politics. What's the state of affairs in the region, in the Scorpion Clan, in Rokugan as a whole? As Taheiji's steward, she must have some knowledge about current affairs and politics.
>>
“Having spent most of my life in the dōjō,” you begin, “I am rather unaware of life beyond the castle grounds. Is there anything that you could tell me about the state of Rokugan?”

“If you wish,” the seneschal says, rather disinterested as she leads you along. “Our clan champion, Bayushi Ujiro, has bolstered funding for the courtly dōjōs of the Bayushi and Shosuro families. A great deal of these funds likely comes from Journey's End City, which is prospering thanks to its production of opium. As for why he would focus this wealth on training our clan's courtiers rather than its soldiers, that is not for us to know.”

“Perhaps he wishes for us to compete with the Crane Clan in the Imperial courts?” Your theory earns a sharp look from the other woman, her veil face twisting into a brief frown.

“As I said, Bayushi-san, that is not for us to know. It is not our place to question or ponder about the intentions of our lords. We live to serve and to obey. But since you spoke of the Crane Clan, this year's Winter Court shall be occurring at Kyuden Doji, the seat of the Crane's ruling family. There, the Emperor shall gather the finest samurai of Rokugan to speak of the year that has passed and the year that is to come.” You would like to attend a Winter Court one day but as the steward said, it is only reserved for Rokugan's finest – a title that you do not hold, at least not yet.

“Speaking of the year's affairs... The Crab Clan seems to be under pressure on the Southern border, as their clan champion, Hida Junuro, has declared the coming season to be a Twenty Goblin Winter.” At your nonplussed expression, the seneschal explains. “Whoever brings the severed heads of twenty goblins to the Crab Clan is adopted by them as a samurai, no matter what they were previously – it is said that they even accept hinin and gaijin. A gruesome and foolish practice, thankfully they only declare it in times of need.”

“And ah, what else..? Oh yes, this summer's war between the Unicorn and the Lion was a horribly bloody and unproductive affair. From what I understand, the Lion clan won, if only marginally, taking a handful of villages from the clutches of the Unicorn. How many lives were spent for their victory, I wonder? I have also heard word of tension between the Phoenix and the Dragon over the Perfect Land Sect.”

“Forgive me, that isn't something that I have ever heard of.”

“You should be thankful, Bayushi-san. It is an absurd heresy, one that suggests that heimin and hinin are the equals of samurai, that our souls are as filthy as theirs. The Phoenix Clan rightly outlawed it long ago and is pushing for the Dragon to do the same, as this ridiculous sect is rampant amongst their peasants.”

“It seems that we live in interesting times,” you murmur. A faint scoff comes from the seneschal as she strides ahead.

“I suppose that 'interesting' is one word for it, Bayushi-san.”
>>
After a few more turns, you finally arrive at your destination. The corridor opens up into a great hall, yet it is just as dim as the rest of the castle. Most of the room is illuminated by the dull orange light of lamps, that gives the lacquered wood of the floor and pillars a pleasant sheen. Cushions are arranged across the left and right of the hall, a few of them already harbouring courtiers, yet most are empty. After all, it is still some time until court shall begin.

“Please seat yourself and wait for our lord's arrival,” the seneschal says. “When he is ready, he shall approach the matter of your duty and call you forward.” With that, the woman turns about and strides out of the hall, wood clicking against wood as her sandals hit the floor.

>You recognise one of the guards scattered throughout the hall. Is that Bayushi Takako over there? Consider approaching her and speaking with her, she might be interested in hearing how your gempukku went.
>One of the courtiers is clearly not of the Scorpion Clan. He is a lithe young man, his snowy white hair a stark contrast against his sallow skin and his body clad in a beautifully made kimono of blue and white silk. You're curious about him, so why not approach him?
>Another samurai in attendance that catches your eye is a Scorpion like you. He wears a full mask that reminds you a spider's head and he wears a rich crimson kimono, little black scorpions embroidered into it. You might as well find out what he's here for.
>Waste no time with anyone else. Everyone is here to either speak with Bayushi Taheiji or to guard him, the last thing that they want is to talk to you. Wait for the castellan to arrive so that court might begin – you want to get this over with.
>>
>>3994541
>>Another samurai in attendance that catches your eye is a Scorpion like you. He wears a full mask that reminds you a spider's head and he wears a rich crimson kimono, little black scorpions embroidered into it. You might as well find out what he's here for.
>>
>>3994541
>Waste no time with anyone else. Everyone is here to either speak with Bayushi Taheiji or to guard him, the last thing that they want is to talk to you. Wait for the castellan to arrive so that court might begin – you want to get this over with.
>>
>>3994541
>You recognise one of the guards scattered throughout the hall. Is that Bayushi Takako over there? Consider approaching her and speaking with her, she might be interested in hearing how your gempukku went.
>>
I'll wait for one more vote to decide between those three options. If there is none after half an hour, I'll roll for it.
>>
>>3994627
i will change my vote to >You recognise one of the guards scattered throughout the hall. Is that Bayushi Takako over there? Consider approaching her and speaking with her, she might be interested in hearing how your gempukku went.
>>
>>3994541
>Another samurai in attendance that catches your eye is a Scorpion like you. He wears a full mask that reminds you a spider's head and he wears a rich crimson kimono, little black scorpions embroidered into it. You might as well find out what he's here for.
>>
You take this opportunity to approach the familiar figure of Bayushi Takako, still wearing the sheer black veil that she wore during the night of your gempukku. Even if she wasn't, you are quite sure that you would still be able to recognise her.

“Bayushi-san,” you greet her with a small smile on her face. “I hope that you are well this day?” At your approach, her head snaps your way and she grants you her attention. She doesn't smile or show any sign of emotion, maintaining a rigid mask devoid of emotion even underneath that veil of hers.

“Bayushi Kimiko, yes? I am well. How might I assist you?” Her words are clipped and to the point. You recall that during your coming of age, you had asked her to leave for disrupting the celebration. Perhaps she took it a little too personally, considering how brusque she is towards you now? The other option is that she is too focused on her duty to waste time on guests... But then again, all she is doing is just standing there.

“I simply thought you might like to know how my gempukku went,” you reply, your smile gradually sliding from your face. Takako's face remains cold and stony as she watches you closely, her stance never relaxing. You are certain that she is ready to draw her weapon on a moment's notice, hopefully to slay a potential intruder rather than cause you any harm.

“Forgive me, Bayushi-san,” Takako says quite bluntly, “but my duty is protect my liege and his court. I cannot perform this duty while you distract me. Should we meet when I am not serving the castellan, I will congratulate you then. Until that moment, I ask that you leave me be.”

You're left feeling rather awkward. “Of course, Bayushi-san.” That's all you can say, offering a hesitant bow of your head before you step back, away from the stern woman. Returning to your original seat, you can't help but notice that a few eyes follow you, the faces of those watching courtiers hidden behind fluttering fans. You get the feeling that you are the subject of the joke, or perhaps an amusing curiosity.

Maybe it's just best if you keep to yourself, until it's time for you to speak with Taheiji.
>>
Over the course of the next hour, you see the seneschal enter the room with a new desk, who she briskly directs towards a cushion. Gradually, the audience that seeks to attend the castellan's court grows until almost half of the cushions are filled. A handful of them share murmured conversations with each other while the rest are content to wait, either serene or fanning at their faces, their expressions hidden behind their fans.

At long last, he arrives. Flanked by guards, Bayushi Taheiji enters the hall through one of the doors at the back. He strikes an austere figure, his black kimono only disrupted by the bloody red sash tied around his waist. An opaque veil of the same colour hangs about his face, obscuring his nose and mouth, while his oily hair is tied back in a neat topknot. Black, beady eyes sweep over the samurai scattered throughout his corpse before he strides over to his zabuton, seating himself on it. His steward arrives before too long as she takes her place by his side, sitting on top of the smaller cushion next to his.

What follows is a rather simple affair. A name is announced by the seneschal and the samurai that it belongs to steps forward to face Taheiji and offer an embarrassingly low, subservient bow. The matter that they have brought to the court is discussed in a brisk fashion. Some of these samurai carry messages from neighbouring lords, while others declare that their various tasks have been carried out. You sit as patiently as you are able, although each samurai who is called forward before you leaves you feeling just a little frustrated.

“Bayushi Kimoko,” the seneschal says at long last, after over half of the samurai in attendance have already received their opportunity to speak. Rising to your feet, you step forward to stand in the middle of the hall, before the castellan Bayushi Taheiji himself. Dozens of eyes rest on you, watching you with hawk-like scrutiny, to see what you will do next.

>Humble yourself before Bayushi Taheiji like all of the others. Bow low and show him that you are subservient to his rule, that he is your lord and your life is his. (You will increase your strife to 1 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>Offer a formal and eloquent bow, as humble as you are able without humiliating yourself. Hopefully this will be enough to satisfy your lord. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>You see yourself as his equal, rather than his underling. After all, you are destined for greatness. Bow before him as you would bow before an equal. (You will lose both glory and honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>3994674
>Humble yourself before Bayushi Taheiji like all of the others. Bow low and show him that you are subservient to his rule, that he is your lord and your life is his. (You will increase your strife to 1 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
Just a little. We can handle it.
>>
>>3994674
>Humble yourself before Bayushi Taheiji like all of the others. Bow low and show him that you are subservient to his rule, that he is your lord and your life is his. (You will increase your strife to 1 / 6 for
We can't we really afford to be acting out this early on.
>>
>>3994674
>>Humble yourself before Bayushi Taheiji like all of the others. Bow low and show him that you are subservient to his rule, that he is your lord and your life is his. (You will increase your strife to 1 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>>
>>3994674
>>Humble yourself before Bayushi Taheiji like all of the others. Bow low and show him that you are subservient to his rule, that he is your lord and your life is his. (You will increase your strife to 1 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>>
>Strife

>You suffer a point of strife whenever you fail a roll, whenever you act in a way that goes against your delusions of grandeur, and whenever you arrive at a dramatic and stressful point in the story.
>Should your strife meet or exceed its maximum capacity, which is currently 6, your ability to succeed will be greatly impaired. Only your rolls of 6 will contribute to a roll's success.
>However, you can reduce your strife back down to 0 by surrendering to your emotions. By bursting into tears or giving into your rage, you are able to rid yourself of your strife, at the cost of damaging your reputation or escalating a situation.
>You have other methods of reducing your strife as well. You get to subtract a point whenever you engage in your love of wordplay and whenever you arrive at a positive and uplifting point in the story.
>>
>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 1 / 6.

You debase yourself, like all of the other samurai before you have. It's infuriating but there's no other choice. Everyone else sees you as one of the rabble, just like them. They don't understand your ambition, your destiny, the greatness that lies ahead of you. So you bow, not just formally but humbly, with the utmost respect and reverence for the lord that you now serve.

“It is an honour to stand before you, Bayushi-dono,” you say, repeating the same embarrassing greeting that all of the other samurai before you had said. Such deference is clearly expected of you, as Taheiji shows no sign of reacting. Instead, he begins to speak.

“I have spoken with your sensei, Bayushi Narikata. He spoke of your strengths as a samurai, and also of your weaknesses. He believed that you would be best suited to a court such as this.” Taheiji lifts a hand, gesturing around the hall at the guards, the courtiers, at everything around him. “While I see no reason to doubt his words, I have no need for another guard in my court. All who dwell within Seven Stings Keep are adequately protected, and there is no need for any greater security.”

Your heart drops, but your liege continues. “Nor is there any place for one of your talents within the garrison of Seven Stings Keep. For this reason, I have granted your service to another lord of the Scorpion Clan, who might make better use of your talents. Yogo Kanzaburo, daimyō of the Beiden province, is your new lord. Having conferred with him, it is by his will that you shall serve as a yoriki and assist in enforcing the laws of Rokugan.”

A yoriki; a deputy. You won't even have any authority or prestige of your own, you will be nothing more than the assistant of a magistrate, a man of the law who will keep all of the glory for himself. Your gempukku was an incredible success, Narikata said so himself. So why have you been reduced to the role of a common minion?

It's beyond belief.

>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 2 / 6.

>Humbly accept the position and thank Taheiji for granting it to you. You don't have any choice but to bow and accept your place in the world, no matter how debasing it is. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>Make your displeasure known to Taheiji. Though you will do as your liege commands, you do not appreciate or agree with this decision. Questioning the decision of your lord isn't wise though, even if you obey. (You will lose glory if you choose this option.)
>No. You refuse this duty. There has to be some other way about this. Protest, try to get your lord to rescind this role so that you might gain a more suitable duty instead. (You will lose both glory and honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>3994730
>>Humbly accept the position and thank Taheiji for granting it to you. You don't have any choice but to bow and accept your place in the world, no matter how debasing it is. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)


So glad we picked up the water ring
>>
>>3994730
>Humbly accept the position and thank Taheiji for granting it to you. You don't have any choice but to bow and accept your place in the world, no matter how debasing it is. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)

Oh boy the early game is going to be so rough to our psyche
>>
>Humbly accept the position and thank Taheiji for granting it to you. You don't have any choice but to bow and accept your place in the world, no matter how debasing it is. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>>
>>3994730
>Humbly accept the position and thank Taheiji for granting it to you. You don't have any choice but to bow and accept your place in the world, no matter how debasing it is. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
It's not gonna be fun for whoever we end up taking our frustration out on.
>>
>>3994730
>>Humbly accept the position and thank Taheiji for granting it to you. You don't have any choice but to bow and accept your place in the world, no matter how debasing it is. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>>
>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 3 / 6.

You bow your head deeply. This way, any frustration that might feel has a chance of being hidden from the eyes of others. “... Thank you, Bayushi-dono, for this opportunity to serve the Scorpion Clan. May I die before I ever bring disgrace to your name, or that of my new lord.” Yogo Kanzaburo, he said. It is a name that you have heard of before, but it's not someone you ever thought you would devote your life to.

“Very good,” Taheiji says, his tone dismissive and disinterested. “Once the court is adjourned, my seneschal shall provide you with everything that you shall need for your duty. Then you shall make your way to Beiden, to meet with the magistrates that you will serve. Is there anything else that you require, Bayushi-san?”

“No, Bayushi-dono.” Oh, there is a great deal you require. You require an explanation, you require an apology and you require a duty that is actually worth of you. But you can't say any of this, not without putting your future at risk. So instead, you grit your teeth and accept your fate.

“Very good,” the castellan repeats. You don't need to hear anything other than that. With one last bow, you stride back to your seat. One hand forms a white-knuckled fist, while the other strays to your sash, dangerously close to the hilt of your wakizashi. You kneel on the cushion and stew in your own half-hidden anger, paying little attention to the other courtiers as they're called forward, one at a time.

It feels like an eternity has passed by the time it's finally over. Forcing yourself to your feet, you muster one last bow before Bayushi Taheiji and a moment later, his seneschal is leading you back to the hallway that you first came from, through the dizzying maze of corridors. By the time that you arrive, it seems that your katana is already waiting for your return, along with a number of other items.

“Your equipment, to assist you in fulfilling your duty,” the steward remarks. It's not insignificant; a bulging travelling pack that likely contains everything you will need for a prolonged journey, a suit of plain, black lacquered armour carrying the crimson symbol of the Scorpion Clan, very similar to Takako's, and what appears to be a second katana, seemingly identical to the one already in your possession. Yet when you draw the sword, you find that the blade is far too short for its saya.

“A shinobigatana,” the seneschal explains. “Try to avoid drawing it in the company of samurai who do not belong to our clan. They are unlikely to approve of it. Now, unless there is anything that you need, I advise that you pack these away, along with anything else that you wish to take to Beiden. It is best that you do not tarry.”

>Is there anything that you wish to do at Seven Stings Keep, or anyone that you wish to talk to at Seven Stings Keep before you depart for Beiden?
>>
>>3994833
Talk to the white haired man who's not from our clan.
>>
>>3994833
Takako, when she is off duty.

Otherwise find out about Beiden and the area around it.

Also ask about why the Shinobigatana, why would we need such a thing?

Also examine your kit and make sure nothing is missing, broken, worn down or damaged.
>>
>>3994841
+1
>>
>>3994841
>>3994840
I'll support these.

Also try to find the ronin from our Gempukku and let him know about the 20-Goblin summer of the Crab Clan. If we can shape that bundle of garbage into something then our indulgences to him despite his station will have been worth his gratitude in the end.
>>
>>3994853
A sterling idea good sir!
>>3994841
>>3994840
If we have time to talk to the (likely) Crane I would be fine with it.
>>
>>3994840
>>3994841
Sure
>>
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“What use would I have for that weapon?” You take the time to examine the equipment quite closely, looking over the armour, the sword, even the travelling pack for anything that might be missing, damaged, weathered or otherwise inadequate. Meanwhile, the seneschal offers an explanation.

“The shorter blade allows its wielder to draw it faster than most samurai are able to draw a katana. With it, you will be able to strike before a typical foe can even draw their weapon. Consider it a method of... imitating iaijutsu. However, samurai of other clans have a dim view of it, as it is a mockery of a sacred weapon. So hide it from their sight, as you must hide all other dishonour that our clan is guilty of.”

“And what of the province of Beiden?” As far as you are able to tell, everything is new and finely crafted. Though you doubt that it was made specifically for you, there isn't any obvious flaw to the equipment you have been provided with. Satisfied, you turn your attention back towards the exasperated seneschal.

“It would be wiser if you asked the magistrates that you are bound to serve, Bayushi-san. But since you have asked, I will tell you what I can. The most important feature of the province is Beiden Pass, the most significant route through the Spine of the World Mountains. Anyone who wishes to travel between Southern and Northern Rokugan must go through that pass. As such, the town of Beiden that was founded at the foot of the mountains is a rather prosperous town, where a great deal of commerce occurs. Most villages in this province exist to support the town of Beiden, though their rice keeps Seven Stings Keep fed as well.”

“One last thing that I suppose I should mention is that all of the province of Beiden is owned by the Yogo family, except for this castle. This castle is an institution of warfare founded by our family, the Bayushi family, for the purpose of managing the threat of the Lion Clan to the North. The presence of a Bayushi holding in Yogo lands has been the cause of... tension in the past. Keep that in mind as you perform your duty, Bayushi-san.”

A thought enters your head when you hear that. Perhaps this is why Taheiji ordered you to serve Kanzaburo? Are you nothing more than some sort of commodity to be traded off, in order to appease the Yogo family? This does nothing to rid you of your anger. Offering your thanks to the seneschal and securing your belongings in various packs, you consider what you have the time to do.

>Visit Takako. You weren't able to speak with her earlier but now that today's session of court is over, she will be able to talk with you without worrying about her duty?
>Try to find the white-haired stranger wearing the blue and white kimino. Judging from his appearance, you have to guess that he is of the Crane Clan.
>Try to speak to both of them, at the cost being a little tardy. The magistrates will just have to deal with your lack of punctuality.
>>
>>3994953
So who wants to bet the old crone in our gempukku pulled weight to get us posted somewhere where her family has more influence?

>Try to find the white-haired stranger wearing the blue and white kimino. Judging from his appearance, you have to guess that he is of the Crane Clan.
>>
>>3994953
>Try to find the white-haired stranger wearing the blue and white kimino. Judging from his appearance, you have to guess that he is of the Crane Clan.
>>
>>3994953
>Try to find the white-haired stranger wearing the blue and white kimino. Judging from his appearance, you have to guess that he is of the Crane Clan.
>>
You must admit, your curiosity was piqued by that blue-clad courtier earlier. Having gathered and packed away almost everything that you will be taking to the town of Beiden, you decide to spend your spare moments searching the castle for the white-haired stranger. How could someone so young have hair so white, you wonder? Carefully navigating your way back through the maze of corridors, you eventually find your way back towards the court, where a more casual atmosphere has taken over after the departure of Taheiji and the end of official business.

There he is. You train your eyes on the elegant figure of the courtier and make your approach. The closer you get to him, the clearer the pattern on his kimono becomes. The patches of white are a hundred different birds taking flight, none of them sharing a breed with any other. It's tasteful and beautiful to behold, and that white perfectly matches the warm, inoffensive blue. Snapping his fan shut, the youthful man – only a year or two older than you – turns your way, noticing where your attention lies.

“Good day,” he says, his tone gentle, polite and ever so sincere. Shockingly, his eyes are blue as the silk that he wears, something almost unseen among the Rokugani. “I hope that my kimono is not inappropriate? I must admit that I am not familiar with the fashion of the Scorpion Clan.” The tiniest smile appears on his face, an apologetic little thing.

“Of course not,” you insist. “I was simply admiring it, that was all. Forgive me for not wearing something more appropriate for court, but I am afraid that I must travel shortly.” You certainly feel ridiculous next to him, wearing the heavy winter jacket along with the simple, unadorned kosode and hakama.

“There is nothing to forgive, I assure. But really, I should introduce myself. I am Kakita Yoshikazu. Might I ask for your name..?” His eyes remain on yours and it is though he has a genuine interest in you; a rare thing in your life, as most Scorpion are never genuine about anything.

“Bayushi Kimiko. It is an honour, Kakita-san.” You're quite eager to introduce yourself to him, lowering yourself in a respectful bow as you do so. He mirrors the gesture.

“No, no, the honour is mine entirely. Though I must ask, why have you blessed me with your attention, Bayushi-san?”

“Samurai of the Crane Clan are a rather rare sight in Seven Stings Keep, Kakita-san. I could not contain my curiosity.” That earns another curve of Yoshikazu's lips. It feels good, being able to make someone smile like that. A short silence lingers between the two of you, as you consider the directions that the conversation could be taken in.
>>
>He appreciates the finer things, quite clearly. Take this opportunity to try and impress him with your mastery of language and a bit of wordplay. It's also a chance to distract yourself from the horrid outcome of today's events. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. You will reduce your strife to 2 / 6 for engaging in your love of Wordplay.)
>He's a little too good to be true. Maintain a pleasant conversation, but watch him closely, try to identify any flaws that he might have, any chinks in his armour of politeness. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>He's around your age and you enjoy his company so far. Why not take the opportunity to flirt with him? There's nothing wrong a little bit of playful teasing. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Focus on the business side of things. Ask him why he's here and try to learn what he wants from the Scorpion Clan. As friendly as he is, you're more interested in learning the truth from him. You have no need for a new friend, even if he is evidently offering himself as one.
>>
>>3995016
>>He appreciates the finer things, quite clearly. Take this opportunity to try and impress him with your mastery of language and a bit of wordplay. It's also a chance to distract yourself from the horrid outcome of today's events. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. You will reduce your strife to 2 / 6 for engaging in your love of Wordplay.)
>>
>>3995014
>He appreciates the finer things, quite clearly. Take this opportunity to try and impress him with your mastery of language and a bit of wordplay. It's also a chance to distract yourself from the horrid outcome of today's events. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. You will reduce your strife to 2 / 6 for engaging in your love of Wordplay.)
>>
>>3995016
>He's around your age and you enjoy his company so far. Why not take the opportunity to flirt with him? There's nothing wrong a little bit of playful teasing. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3995016
>He appreciates the finer things, quite clearly. Take this opportunity to try and impress him with your mastery of language and a bit of wordplay. It's also a chance to distract yourself from the horrid outcome of today's events. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. You will reduce your strife to 2 / 6 for engaging in your love of Wordplay.)
>>
Rolling Dice

>Whenever I ask for a roll, you roll a number of dice equal to the appropriate ring for the roll – Earth, Fire, Air, Water or Void – and you roll twice the number of dice equal to the appropriate skill.
>However, only a number of these dice equal to the ring you're using can be kept, and contribute to whether you succeed or not. The rest must be discarded.
>Every 4, 5 or 6 that you keep counts as a “success,” and contributes to your roll succeeding. For every 6 that you keep, you may keep an additional die that you rolled.
>I will always announce what ring and skill a roll will use, and the number of successes that you will need to succeed, so that you will know how difficult the roll will be.
>If enough successes are kept, the roll is successful. And if you keep more successes than you need in order to succeed, you gain bonuses for having excelled at the roll.

>In this instance, I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes (4s, 5s or 6s) to succeed at this roll.

>I will accept the best of three.

>With that, this will also be the last past from me for several hours.
>>
>He appreciates the finer things, quite clearly. Take this opportunity to try and impress him with your mastery of language and a bit of wordplay. It's also a chance to distract yourself from the horrid outcome of today's events. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. You will reduce your strife to 2 / 6 for engaging in your love of Wordplay.)
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 4, 2, 5, 6, 5 = 29 (7d6)

>>3995028
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 2, 2, 3, 1, 6 = 24 (7d6)

>>3995028
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3 = 22 (7d6)

>>3995028
>>
>>3995035
Can someone enlighten me whether this counts as 4 or 5 successes?
>>
>>3995035
6 explodes into the 5
5
5

so 4 successes

>>3995039
6 into 6 into 4
3 successes

>>3995041
6 into 6
2 successes


Not shabby hm


>>3995043
4
ring is 3 so we keep 3 rolls, and you only got one six.
>>
So what exactly will our job be as a yoriki? And what avenues of ascending in status will we have?
>>
>>3995438
Kimiko will get the chance to find this information out shortly.
>>
>Going with >>3995035, four successes. >>3995045 got his calculations correct.

“Forgive me if I intrude, Kakita-san, but you have flown rather far from your nest. What brings a samurai of your clan to Seven Stings Keep, of all places?” At those words, Yoshikazu peers around the room searchingly, examining the dim interior of the castle's court.

“The Crane Clan views every daimyō and every castle in the empire as important and worthy of attention, Bayushi-san. We seek to have a representative in every corner of our beloved empire, so that we might strengthen the bond between clans and encourage unity.” Though he is softly spoken, he seems enthusiastic about this, as though it is a cause he truly believes it.

“Truly? I wasn't aware that you were such migratory birds. Are you the only one of your clan that roosts in the Beiden province?” Your words earn a curious look from Yoshikazu but with a coy smile, he begins to play along.

“I wouldn't say that we flock to this region, but it is certainly one of importance, with all of the trade that passes through. You might be able to find a cousin of mine in Yogo Kanzaburo's court, should you ever attend it. I try to visit her now and again, considering that she's all on heron.”

“Oh? I hope none of my clan have ruffled your feathers during your stay, though I must admit, you do not seem like the sort who quails easily.”

“Of course not. Some of the guards can be rather brusque and forward, but I would not say that I have been wronged. No harm, no fowl.”

“It is wonderful to hear that the Scorpion have given you no reason to grouse, Kakita-san. Though with the grace that you carry yourself, I am sure that any samurai who wrongs you would immediately egret their actions.”

“I would hope so, Bayushi-san. It seems as though your clan knows better than to fly in the face of etiquette, and for that I am glad. Yet even if I was wronged, it is the way of the Crane to tern the other cheek.”

“Is that so? Though I approached you on a lark, Kakita-san, I truly am glad to make your acquaintance. Though talk is cheep, you have certainly provided entertaining company.”

The white-haired Crane can't keep a straight face any longer. He lifts a hand to his mouth to stifle a small laugh. “As have you, Bayushi-san, though I must concede defeat. Your wit seems almost bottomless.” And you must admit, you needed this distraction, as silly as it was. At least for a few moments, it took your mind off of the duty that awaits you.

>You lose a point of strife. Your strife is now at 2 / 6.

>Take the opportunity to inquire about Yoshikazu's peculiar appearance. Why are his hair and eyes such shocking colours?
>Ask what he has accomplished in Seven Stings Keep so far. Try to learn more about his purpose here, to pick more information out of him.
>Unfortunately, you have your duty to attend to. You should take your leave.
>>
>>3995469
>>Unfortunately, you have your duty to attend to. You should take your leave.
We were told not to tarry. This was fun but we really do need to get on the road
>>
>>3995469
>Unfortunately, you have your duty to attend to. You should take your leave.
>>
>>3995469
>Take the opportunity to inquire about Yoshikazu's peculiar appearance. Why are his hair and eyes such shocking colours?
>>
>>3995469
>>Unfortunately, you have your duty to attend to. You should take your leave.
>>
>>3995469
>Ask what he has accomplished in Seven Sting Keep so far. Try to learn more about his purpose here, to pick more information out of him.
>>
>>3995469
>>Unfortunately, you have your duty to attend to. You should take your leave.
>>
>>3995469
>Ask what he has accomplished in Seven Stings Keep so far. Try to learn more about his purpose here, to pick more information out of him.
>>
“While it has been a joy to speak with you, Kakita-san, I must be on my way. As you might have heard, I am bound to serve as a yoriki in the town of Beiden. It is best that I do not put of my duty any longer. May your stay in Seven Stings Keep be a pleasant one.” Offering a bow of genuine respect to Yoshikazu, you're pleased to get one in return.

“So I heard, Bayushi-san. I shall pray for your success, for you are most deserving of it. A samurai with a mind as keen as your own will not remain at such a low rank for long.” You can't help yourself. A smug smile rises to your lips when you hear that – it seems that Yoshikazu recognises your greatness, unlike so many others. Truly, you're glad that you met the man. With one last farewell, you turn from him.

It is time for you to depart. You regret not having the time to speak with Takako but you spot the armoured woman still standing guard. Offering a brief nod to the woman as you make your way out of the hall, you're glad that you get a similar farewell from her. Hopefully a sign that she holds no grudge over what happened during your gempukku.

You hurry through your final preparations, making your way back to the dōjō to collect the last of your belongings. Turning your attention to the caged cricket that you have kept, you find that it has died; such creatures have lifespans of weeks but for it to die on this day, of all days? Auspicious. The last of your belongings are packed away and weighed down the burden of all that you own, you begin the long, slow journey towards the town of Beiden.

The afternoon sky is overcast, the sun's rays black by angry grey clouds that look as though they might unleash torrential rains at any moment. Your eyes are torn between the heavens and the path in front of you as you trudge along the dirt road, your sandals only just keeping your hakama from trailing through the mud. Your silent prayers for the rain to remain at bay must have been heard, for your journey is a dry one. A little fortune, at least. After hours of marching down from the small hill that Seven Stings Keep perches on, you find that the thriving town is within sight at long last.

The last time you were here was during a market day, during the transition between summer and autumn. Despite the fact that fall has set in, the town of Beiden still seems just as prosperous as it was before. Merchants hawking their wares have been replaced by caravanners from all walks of life, hurrying inside of sake dens and teahouses to taking refuge from the autumnal chill. They are likely making the journey through Beiden Pass before the first snows begin to fall. Once winter comes, making the journey through the Spine of the World will be a much more perilous task.
>>
You take your time to familiarize yourself with the various landmarks as you pass them. The estate of Yogo Kanzaburo, a gilded manor that gleams even when the sun is hidden behind clouds. Should you ever be summoned by the daimyō, that is where you will need to go. The shrine of Tenjin, Fortune of Stories and Secrets, a god fervently worshipped by all of Beiden's denizens. You have heard that even the serfs of this town know how to read, thanks to his blessing. Finally, you come across the magistrate's station. It is not as opulent as the daimyō's estate or the temple of Tenjin, but it is still a large, sprawling structure, designed for utility rather than aesthetics.

You step out of the wind and the chill and into the station, though it isn't much warmer. Most of the structure seems to be built from sturdy stone, rather than the wood and paper of most other buildings. In this entry hallway, most of the light seems to come from the doorway you walked in through. The stray lamps scattered around the interior barely offer any light at all. A startled heimin rises from the cushion where he is sat and offers a deep, humbling bow before you. All you're willing to offer in return is a faint nod of your head.

“Welcome to the Beiden Magistrates' Station, samurai-sama. How might I be of service?” He's not a pleasant-looking man. Heimin never are. His swarthy skin is pock-marked and discoloured, his feet are bare and his clothes are ragged. The only thing of note is the jitte tucked into his sash, a pronged weapon used for disarming one's foe.

“I am Bayushi Kimiko,” you state, taking the opportunity to unburden yourself of all of the belongings that you have had to carry from Seven Stings Keep. Your back aches from having to deal with such weight for so long. “I am here to speak with the magistrate in charge of this station, for I am bound by duty to serve him.”

“Of course, Bayushi-sama, follow me.” With another bow that almost borders on grovelling, the pock-marked peasant leads you further inside of the structure. You pass various different rooms, with various purposes; some house the magistrates and their servants, others serve as cells to contain incarcerated criminals, and others harbour the equipment and supplies of the station. At long last, you arrive at a small hall of sorts. On the cushions scattered by its edges sit a handful of samurai, and even a few heimin. They are quietly talking amongst themselves, eating and otherwise relaxing.

Sat opposite of the doorway that you came through is a more regal samurai, clad in black lacquered armour with an open surcoat draped over it. This jinbaori carries the symbol of the Scorpion Clan, but not in the usual black or bloody red – instead, it's a bright green. As for his mask, it's a rather plain and practical thing, a menpō coated with the same glaze as his armour. This man strikes you as pragmatic and practical, perhaps to a fault.
>>
“Bayushi Kimiko, yes?” His voice shows no sign of disinterest or disrespect, nor is it particularly reverent. It's difficult for you to read this one. “I was told of your arrival and your assignment as yoriki. Come and sit, so that we might speak of your duty. The sooner that this is over and done with, the better. We all have our tasks to return to.” As he speaks, the scattered figures about the court cease their chatter and their eating. They kneel on their cushions, watching and listening attentively, including the one who led you here.

>Yet again, you must make a good impression. No matter how much it pains you, this man is your direct superior and you must grovel before him, in an attempt to get in his good graces. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>Offer him respect but do not go over too far with it. Though this man is a magistrate and of higher status than you, he is no lord and you shouldn't treat him like one. You have kowtowed far too much already this day.
>He's a practical man, straightforward and business-like. Perhaps he might appreciate it if you don't waste time bowing at all and just sit like he asked. There's no need to waste his time with etiquette if you don't have to.
>>
>>3995524
>>Offer him respect but do not go over too far with it. Though this man is a magistrate and of higher status than you, he is no lord and you shouldn't treat him like one. You have kowtowed far too much already this day.
>>
>>3995524
>>Offer him respect but do not go over too far with it. Though this man is a magistrate and of higher status than you, he is no lord and you shouldn't treat him like one. You have kowtowed far too much already this day.
>>
>>3995524
>Offer him respect but do not go over too far with it. Though this man is a magistrate and of higher status than you, he is no lord and you shouldn't treat him like one. You have kowtowed far too much already this day.
>>
>>3995524
>>Offer him respect but do not go over too far with it. Though this man is a magistrate and of higher status than you, he is no lord and you shouldn't treat him like one. You have kowtowed far too much already this day.
>>
>>3995524
>>Offer him respect but do not go over too far with it. Though this man is a magistrate and of higher status than you, he is no lord and you shouldn't treat him like one. You have kowtowed far too much already this day.
>>
>>3995524
>He's a practical man, straightforward and business-like. Perhaps he might appreciate it if you don't waste time bowing at all and just sit like he asked. There's no need to waste his time with etiquette if you don't have to.
>>
Bending at the waist and keeping your back straight, you offer a respectful bow to the magistrate before you, only to seat yourself a moment later on a waiting cushion. The armoured magistrate doesn't comment or react to your display of etiquette, but you suppose that you shouldn't expect him to. He has more important things on his mind than how deeply a samurai should bow.

“I am Yogo Orinosuke, Chief Magistrate of Beiden. All other magistrates that serve in this province answer to me. It is the duty of a magistrate to oversee tax collection, to maintain law and order and to ensure that our daimyō's mandates are carried out throughout the province where they have jurisdiction. As a yoriki, it is your purpose to assist the magistrate in performing his duties. You will serve as his eyes, his hands and his sword.”

“You shall be expected to handle crimes committed by commoners, by heimin and hinin. You possess the authority to investigate their wrong-doings and to render summary judgment and punishment, without the need for a full trial, excluding exceptional circumstances. Regarding the buke – samurai – your powers are more limited. You are only allowed to investigate incidents that involve samurai and pass on your findings to your magistrate. Only he has the authority to judge and punish the buke caste. Sosa! Get Bayushi-san a jitte and a copy of the Ritsuryo”

The pock-marked heimin rushes to his feet to leave the hall. In the meantime, Orinosuke explains.

“The jitte serves as a symbol of your authority as a yoriki, and the Ritsuryo is the book of law that all magistrates and their servants adhere to. I suggest that you study it, Bayushi-san, and learn the intricacies of Rokugani law.”

“As for the magistrate that you will serve, I place you under the care of Soshi Tetsunori. Soshi-san,” Orinosuke continues, glancing over at a man seated near the wall, “I hereby demote your rōnin, Atshushi, from yoriki to the rank of dōshin. Alongside Sosa and Rinji, he shall serve Bayushi Kimiko and assist her in upholding the laws of Rokugan.”

Then, the chief magistrate's attention swivels back to you. “If you have any questions, now is the time to ask them, but be quick about it. We all have work that we must get back to.”

>Take this opportunity to protest. You were meant for something greater than this, how dare he condemn you to such a lowly position.
>Express your interest in the hierarchy of magistrates. Yoriki serve magistrates who serve the chief magistrate, is there more to it than that? Can one achieve a promotion?
>You're curious about the position of dōshin. From what Orinosuke said, you take it that they're the servants of yoriki? What are they allowed to do?
>Write in. If you've got a question to ask, now is the time to do it. The chief magistrate seems rather impatient however, so keep it simple.
>You've been told everything that you need to know. Ask nothing.
>>
>>3995580
>Take this opportunity to protest. You were meant for something greater than this, how dare he condemn you to such a lowly position.

A glorified patrol cop. How great
>>
>>3995580
>>Express your interest in the hierarchy of magistrates. Yoriki serve magistrates who serve the chief magistrate, is there more to it than that? Can one achieve a promotion?
>>
>>3995580
>Express your interest in the hierarchy of magistrates. Yoriki serve magistrates who serve the chief magistrate, is there more to it than that? Can one achieve a promotion?
>>
>>3995580
>You're curious about the position of dōshin. From what Orinosuke said, you take it that they're the servants of yoriki? What are they allowed to do?
>>
“What more is there to the hierarchy, Yogo-sama? Is there no rank higher than yours, and no rank lower than a yoriki's?” At least, no rank that a samurai can hold. You dare not imagine living like a dōshin, if even commoners can fill that role.

“Each province has a chief magistrate, Bayushi-san. Each family has a chief magistrate, who the provincial magistrates answer to. As an example, I answer the the Chief Magistrate of the Yogo family. Each of these family magistrates answers to the Chief Magistrate of the Scorpion Clan, who is beholden only to the Clan Champion and the Emperor himself.”

“And what is the chance that I might rise above the rank of yoriki, to become a magistrate myself?” You hear someone scoff. Turning your head, you notice one of the samurai off to the side glowering at you. He is a short fellow, wearing clothes identical to your own, though his mask is rather opulent. It covers the entirety of his face and is painted with red and golden lacquer, carved in the image of a komainu, a fierce lion-dog. Perhaps he is a yoriki as well, judging from the jitte tucked into his sash?

“Should a magistrate become unable to serve, it is likely that his replacement shall be drawn from the yoriki who serve him,” Orinosuke explains. “Exceptions can be made if none of his yoriki are found to be worthy.” At last, the pock-marked Sosa returns with a rather heavy book held in one hand and a jitte held in the other. Kneeling at your side, the heimin presents both of these to you. You go about tucking the jitte into your sash, the symbol of your new station, and rest your copy of the Ritsuryo in your hands for the time being.

“If there is nothing else, Bayushi-san, I have reports that need my attention. Soshi-san, she is yours now.” With a grunt, the samurai sat beside the short yoriki rises to his feet. His armour and attire is similar to that of Orinosuke's, the emerald scorpion on his surcoat denoting him as a magistrate of the Scorpion Clan. His mask is a simple menpō wrought from iron, without any glaze to hide the dull metal. Tufts of horsehair jut out from its chin and beneath its nose, giving the mask the impression of having a beard. As for the samurai himself, his work seems to be getting from him, judging from the sagging bags underneath his eyes. He makes his way towards you, as do the others. You take the opportunity to stand and face them, while the Chief Magistrate takes his leave from the hall.

“Bayushi-san,” he begins, “I am Soshi Tetsunori, the magistrate who you will be serving. This,” he gestures to the yoriki with the lion-dog mask, “is Yogo Yasotaro, the other yoriki under my command. I understand that you have already met the rōnin Atshushi, who will serve as your dōshin.” Atshushi stands to the other side of Tetsunori and offers a humble bow. He's shockingly sober right now. “The two heimin, Sosa and Renji, will serve as your dōshin as well.”
>>
“Yogo Orinosuke has granted me jurisdiction over the route between Beiden and a village that's two days to the South, Kagoki. You will stationed at Kagoki with your dōshin for the remainder of this month, Bayushi-san, while Yasotaro and his dōshin will patrol the road between here and the village. At the end of each month, the two of you shall exchange responsibilities.” A frustrated noise comes from Yasotaro, beneath the mask. It's evident that he's not fond of having to patrol the road, for whatever reason.

“What about you, Soshi-sama?”

“I will remain at Beiden,” Tetsunori says. “It is where I am most needed. It is unlikely that you will need to do more than check travel papers, handle the petty disputes of commoners and put down the occasional thief. Atshushi has performed your duty for over a year, so you may rely on his expertise. Unless there is anything else, Bayushi-san, Yogo-san, you should prepare yourselves for the journey to Kagoki. I want you out of Beiden within the hour.”

>It might be a good idea to get on the good side of Yasotaro, if you are going to be working with him. Offer to exchange roles, so that you're the one who will patrolling and he's the one who will be overseeing Kagoki. He might like that.
>Suggest that you might be of better use in Beiden, supporting Orinosuke. Surely the route to this village isn't so rowdy that it requires two yoriki to take care of it? Yasotaro can handle that on his own. You doubt he'll like this suggestion though.
>Accept the responsibility that you've be given. You're new to this, so it might be best if you just do what you're told for the time being, until you're more familiar with the routine of working beneath Tetsunori.
>Tetsunori might be more likely to tolerate your protests than the Chief Magistrate. Insist to him that you're above petty work like this, and that you should be assigned to a more prestigious position.
>>
>>3995677
Accept the responsibility that you've be given. You're new to this, so it might be best if you just do what you're told for the time being, until you're more familiar with the routine of working beneath Tetsunori.
>>
>>3995677
>>Accept the responsibility that you've be given. You're new to this, so it might be best if you just do what you're told for the time being, until you're more familiar with the routine of working beneath Tetsunori.
>>
>>3995677
>>Accept the responsibility that you've be given. You're new to this, so it might be best if you just do what you're told for the time being, until you're more familiar with the routine of working beneath Tetsunori.
>>
>>3995677
>Accept the responsibility that you've be given. You're new to this, so it might be best if you just do what you're told for the time being, until you're more familiar with the routine of working beneath Tetsunori.
>>
>>3995677
>Accept the responsibility that you've be given. You're new to this, so it might be best if you just do what you're told for the time being, until you're more familiar with the routine of working beneath Tetsunori.
>>
“As you will, Soshi-sama.” You're not about to argue with him. Still, your hopes aren't high. If yoriki only get promoted when the magistrates that they serve either die or retire, then it will likely be some time before you have the opportunity to rise to a higher station. You'll have to find a way to work around that but for now, you have no choice but to fulfil your duty.

You're dismissed to make your preparations to leave the town. You're assigned a room in the station to serve as your quarters, where your belongings are to be kept while you're absent from Beiden. You can only take what it is necessary with you to Kagoki, then you're going to be stuck in that village for the rest of the month. You have no doubt that it will be a miserable, joyless existence but this is the duty that you must fulfil.

While you prepare yourself for the journey, you can't help but think of what the seneschal said, that there is tension between the Bayushi and Yogo families over the ownership of Seven Stings Keep. The more you think about it, the more worthless you feel. Your lord that were meant to serve gave you away as though you were not a person, but a gift to be given. You were reduced to nothing more than a pawn in an elaborate game between lords. A small part of you wants to rage against the injustice of it all, to show that you're worthy of something far greater than shepherding commoners. With a quivering breath, you silence that part of your mind and try to focus on your preparations.

You recall just how difficult it was travelling here from Seven Stings Keep carrying so much. You were horribly encumbered, forced to trudge along with a bent back underneath the weight of all of your belongings. You'll need to lighten the load. So, you're going to need to choose which set of swords to take with you, and which set of protective clothing will be most useful. Your furisode, amongst other precious things, will be left behind in the station as well.

>You're going to take your katana and wakizashi with you. It's best if you wear the traditional daishō, as the katana is the better choice for longer battles and you'd rather not be caught with a shinobigatana by someone foreign to the clan.
>You're going to take your shinobigatana and wakizashi with you. The shorter blade allows this sword to be drawn faster and as you're going to be living in a rural Scorpion village for the next month, you don't need to worry about running into samurai from other clans.

>You're going to take your armour with you. It provides more protection should you find yourself in combat and it might be a better choice for intimidating heimin into cooperating with you.
>You're going to take your travelling clothes with you. These will provide you with much better protection from the elements, will be much more comfortable for you and are unlikely to frighten the commoners that you'll have to deal with.
>>
>>3995929
>>You're going to take your katana and wakizashi with you. It's best if you wear the traditional daishō, as the katana is the better choice for longer battles and you'd rather not be caught with a shinobigatana by someone foreign to the clan.
>You're going to take your travelling clothes with you. These will provide you with much better protection from the elements, will be much more comfortable for you and are unlikely to frighten the commoners that you'll have to deal with.
>>
>>3995929
>You're going to take your katana and wakizashi with you. It's best if you wear the traditional daishō, as the katana is the better choice for longer battles and you'd rather not be caught with a shinobigatana by someone foreign to the clan.
>You're going to take your travelling clothes with you. These will provide you with much better protection from the elements, will be much more comfortable for you and are unlikely to frighten the commoners that you'll have to deal with.
>>
>>3995929
>>You're going to take your katana and wakizashi with you. It's best if you wear the traditional daishō, as the katana is the better choice for longer battles and you'd rather not be caught with a shinobigatana by someone foreign to the clan.
>You're going to take your travelling clothes with you. These will provide you with much better protection from the elements, will be much more comfortable for you and are unlikely to frighten the commoners that you'll have to deal with.
>>
>>3995929
>>You're going to take your shinobigatana and wakizashi with you. The shorter blade allows this sword to be drawn faster and as you're going to be living in a rural Scorpion village for the next month, you don't need to worry about running into samurai from other clans.
>You're going to take your armour with you. It provides more protection should you find yourself in combat and it might be a better choice for intimidating heimin into cooperating with you.
>>
>>3995929
You're going to take your shinobigatana and wakizashi with you. The shorter blade allows this sword to be drawn faster and as you're going to be living in a rural Scorpion village for the next month, you don't need to worry about running into samurai from other clans.

>You're going to take your travelling clothes with you. These will provide you with much better protection from the elements, will be much more comfortable for you and are unlikely to frighten the commoners that you'll have to deal with.
>>
>>3995929
>You're going to take your katana and wakizashi with you. It's best if you wear the traditional daishō, as the katana is the better choice for longer battles and you'd rather not be caught with a shinobigatana by someone foreign to the clan.
>You're going to take your travelling clothes with you. These will provide you with much better protection from the elements, will be much more comfortable for you and are unlikely to frighten the commoners that you'll have to deal with.
>>
You decide to keep your travelling clothes on for the time being. The thick clothes and winter jacket will help protect you from the elements and if you're going to be dealing with the rabble, it's best if you don't wear anything as intimidating as armour. As for the shinobigatana, you see no reason to resort to wielding such a weapon. It's an assassin's tool, not a warrior's. Leaving that ignoble blade in your quarters along with the black lacquered armour, you depart from the magistrate's station to meet your fellow yoriki and your dōshin outside.

There is little need for words. Side by side with Yogo Yasotaro, you lead your motley crew of heimin and rōnin out of Beiden. The sun is already dipping towards the horizon, but your magistrate insisted that you depart for Kagoki today, and who are you to disobey? Trudging down the muddy path with your dōshin in tow, you watch as the signs of civilization gradually melt away. Before long, you're left marching through the rural countryside, surrounded by nothing but nature.

It takes almost an hour before Yasotaro opens his mouth to speak, the squat samurai's lion-dog mask muffling his voice somewhat.

“'What is the chance that I might rise above the rank of yoriki?' Really, Bayushi-san?”

“Are you offended by what I said, Yogo-san?”

“Offended? By the Fortunes, no. I'm amused. I've been serving as Tetsunori's yoriki for eight years now – eight years. Imagine patrolling this filthy little road for almost a decade, and you will have some understanding of what I have had to endure.”

“Might I ask if you have a point?” You struggle to keep any exasperation from entering your voice.

“When Tetsunori retires, I will become magistrate in his stead and you will serve me. I'm not about to let a girl fresh out of gempukku steal my future from me.” There's a hunger in Yasotaro's tone, a lust for something greater. Ambition. You know it well.

>There's no need for any hostility between the two of you. Try to mollify him with a little chatter. It's better if you make an ally out of Yasotaro, rather than an enemy. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Invoke your Imperial heritage. You were destined for something greater than this, it is in your blood and if Yasotaro is wise, he will not stand in your way. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>Concede that the two of you will have to compete for the position of magistrate. You aren't about to let him get between you and your destiny.
>Apologise for encroaching on a title he wishes for himself. When Tetsunori retires, you will not compete with Yasotaro for the title of magistrate, you promise. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>>
>>3996040
>>There's no need for any hostility between the two of you. Try to mollify him with a little chatter. It's better if you make an ally out of Yasotaro, rather than an enemy. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3996040
>There's no need for any hostility between the two of you. Try to mollify him with a little chatter. It's better if you make an ally out of Yasotaro, rather than an enemy. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3996040
>Invoke your Imperial heritage. You were destined for something greater than this, it is in your blood and if Yasotaro is wise, he will not stand in your way. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>3996040
>>Invoke your Imperial heritage. You were destined for something greater than this, it is in your blood and if Yasotaro is wise, he will not stand in your way. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)

This option has the better odds.
>>
>>3996067
yes but it won't net us an ally
>>
>>3996084
I doubt mollifying him with a little chatter is likely to make him an ally either. The choice to be made here is how to defuse the current situation.
>>
I'll give thirty minutes for people to try and break the tie. If there's still a tie at half past, I'll roll for it.
>>
>>3996148
changing vote to >Invoke your Imperial heritage. You were destined for something greater than this, it is in your blood and if Yasotaro is wise, he will not stand in your way. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>3995469
>I know how to defend myself from many obscure techniques. Though I admit it has been a long time since I've been called upon to pun-duek
Tarquin would be proud.
>>There's no need for any hostility between the two of you. Try to mollify him with a little chatter. It's better if you make an ally out of Yasotaro, rather than an enemy. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3996040
There's no need for any hostility between the two of you. Try to mollify him with a little chatter. It's better if you make an ally out of Yasotaro, rather than an enemy. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3996182
>>3996184
>>3996051
Three votes for the Water approach.
>>3996065
>>3996067
>>3996165
Three votes for the Void approach.

It's still a tie.

On a roll of one, going with the Water approach.
On a roll of two, going with the Void approach.
>>
Going with:
>There's no need for any hostility between the two of you. Try to mollify him with a little chatter. It's better if you make an ally out of Yasotaro, rather than an enemy. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 6d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 6, 1, 1, 1 = 16 (6d6)

>>3996220
Bam, all 6s
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 4, 4, 3, 5 = 24 (6d6)

>>3996220
>>
>>3996231
Sweet, I think we made it here didn't we?
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 6 = 18 (6d6)

>>3996220
>>
>>3996232
Yeah, writing it up now.
>>
>Going with >>3996231, three successes.

“Yogo-san, I am hardly about to steal your future from you. All samurai wish to serve their lords to the best of their ability, don't they?”

“I don't see how that's relevant,” Yasotaro replies, almost petulantly.

“That is why I wish to rise to a higher position, not to compete with you but to better serve our clan. We're both suited for more valuable work than patrolling a road in the middle of nowhere.”

“It doesn't matter whether you wish to compete with me or not, Bayushi-san. We have no choice, one of us shall rise to replace Tetsunori while the other will remain a yoriki.”

“Not necessarily, Yogo-san. There are always exceptions to the rule, aren't there? If we perform our duty with distinction and gain the attention of our superiors, they might value us more highly than any other yoriki who serves in Beiden. We may even be called upon to replace other retiring magistrates, not just Tetsunori.”

“And how are we meant to do that, exactly?”

“It's simple. We work together and we support each other, whenever we have the chance to. This way, we will both excel at our duty. Yogo Orinosuke will have no choice but to acknowledge our talent and we will both be magistrates in no time at all. That way, we both win.” You flash him a light-hearted smile, trying to come across as harmless as possible. The last thing you want is for your colleague to consider you competition.

Thankfully, it seems to work. You can't see his expression through the lion-dog mask but after a moment's thought, he does nod along. “I suppose that might work. It's not like either of us would make Tetsunori retire any sooner by sabotaging the other.”

“Precisely. So, we are partners, yes?”

“I suppose, Bayushi-san.” That hunger has left Yasotaro's tone. You let out a silent breath of relief, knowing that you will not have to wrestle with his ambition, at least not right now.

>He has eight years of experience with this task. More than anyone else, he knows what it involves. Is it really as simple as checking travel papers and mediating heimin disputes, like Tetsunori said?
>Before you acquired this position, Atshushi served as a yoriki for over a year. You're left wondering, who was the other yoriki before Atshushi? What happened to them?
>There's something about every Yogo that you have met so far. They all seem to be rather aloof, perhaps even a little surly. Ask Yasotaro about this, but try to avoid offending him in the process. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Take the opportunity to observe Yasotaro for any sign of weakness, for any disadvantage that you might be able to exploit in the future. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>No need to talk. Just keep on walking until it's time to camp.
>>
>>3996299
>>Before you acquired this position, Atshushi served as a yoriki for over a year. You're left wondering, who was the other yoriki before Atshushi? What happened to them?
>He has eight years of experience with this task. More than anyone else, he knows what it involves. Is it really as simple as checking travel papers and mediating heimin disputes, like Tetsunori said?
>Take the opportunity to observe Yasotaro for any sign of weakness, for any disadvantage that you might be able to exploit in the future. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3996299

>He has eight years of experience with this task. More than anyone else, he knows what it involves. Is it really as simple as checking travel papers and mediating heimin disputes, like Tetsunori said?
>Before you acquired this position, Atshushi served as a yoriki for over a year. You're left wondering, who was the other yoriki before Atshushi? What happened to them?
>>
>>3996299
>He has eight years of experience with this task. More than anyone else, he knows what it involves. Is it really as simple as checking travel papers and mediating heimin disputes, like Tetsunori said?
>>
>>3996299
>He has eight years of experience with this task. More than anyone else, he knows what it involves. Is it really as simple as checking travel papers and mediating heimin disputes, like Tetsunori said?
>Take the opportunity to observe Yasotaro for any sign of weakness, for any disadvantage that you might be able to exploit in the future. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
I'll quickly ask for a tie-breaker on this option, since people are going multiple-choice for this post.
>Take the opportunity to observe Yasotaro for any sign of weakness, for any disadvantage that you might be able to exploit in the future. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
Should we go through with this option, yes or no? Next poster decides.
>>
>>3996379
Take the opportunity to observe Yasotaro for any sign of weakness, for any disadvantage that you might be able to exploit in the future. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
yes plz
>>
>>3996379
No
>>
Going with:
>Take the opportunity to observe Yasotaro for any sign of weakness, for any disadvantage that you might be able to exploit in the future. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 5d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 6, 1, 6 = 22 (5d6)

>>3996387
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 1, 4, 6 = 21 (5d6)

>>3996387
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 6, 1, 2 = 14 (5d6)

>>3996387
>>
>>3996395
Nice 4 successes
>>
>Going with >>3996395, four successes.

“I have a few questions,” you admit. “Who was my predecessor? Before Atshushi, I mean.” You glance over your shoulder towards the rōnin, who seems to be focused on trudging along rather than talking or even listening to what you have to say. His sobriety seems to be taking a toll on him.

“Another samurai of the Bayushi family. Grew too comfortable and too confident after a few years of this, ended up accepting gifts from merchants. In exchange, he was generous enough to never inspect the cargo or papers of these merchants.” Bribery, in other words. You suppose you shouldn't be surprised by this sort of corruption. However, that does lead to another question...

“What happened to him?”

“Orinosuke was merciful, commanded the fool to commit seppuku as penance for surrendering to temptation and failing to remain true to his duty.” You have never thought of seppuku as a mercy before; it seems that Yasotaro is a rather harsh man when it comes to justice. Nonetheless, you decide to continue with your questioning. It's not like you have anything better to do, and it's the perfect opportunity for you to observe the squat samurai for any signs of weakness.

“I see. Speaking of this duty, is it really as simple as Tetsunori says? Are samurai truly required to check the travel papers of commoners and to solve their disputes? Surely this is something that could be left to the dōshin.”

“It is best not to question your duty, Bayushi-san,” he says. You take the time to listen to how his tone changes, picking it apart while his eyes linger on his posture, the way his fingers flex. Though he tries to hide it, it is evident to you that Yasotaro is a restless man, impatient and impulsive. These eight years must have been torturous for him.

“Forgive me, Yogo-san. Nonetheless, I find that I am curious. Is there anything else that I should expect?”

“Little else. We put a stop to the squabbling of the common filth, and we make sure that anyone who wishes to travel has the appropriate papers. Perhaps once or twice every year, we might need to chase down bandits. It's always good to have an excuse to draw steel.” His words leave his lips a little too soon after you have spoken. He doesn't filter his thoughts or think about what he is saying before it leaves his mouth. Yasotaro seems to be unconsciously blunt and direct, a trait that might get him in trouble in a sensitive situation.

After that, the conversation trails off and you resume marching in relative silence. The sun dips beneath the horizon and the brilliant orange sky gradually cools off into a dark, melancholic blue. By the time you come to a halt and begin setting up camp, twilight is on the verge of transforming into night.

>If there is anything that you wish to say to Yasotaro, Atshushi, or anyone else, now is the time to bring it up. Otherwise, it's a good opportunity to fast-forward to your arrival at Kagoki.
>>
>>3996430
>If there is anything that you wish to say to Yasotaro, Atshushi, or anyone else, now is the time to bring it up. Otherwise, it's a good opportunity to fast-forward to your arrival at Kagoki.
i think we are good but this is good information for later, so we can fast-fprward
>>
>>3996430
lets fast-forward
>>
>>3996430
>ask Our new underling ronin to give us any /all pertinent info that he deems he we need to know after saying goodbye to our senior.
>>
>>3996430
Nothing comes to mind
>>
In which case, I'll stop here for tonight and resume at some point tomorrow, once I'm refreshed and feel ready to write again.
>>
>>3996430
no i am changing vote to telling atsushi about the 20 goblin heads
>>
>>3996430
fast-forward
>>
>>3996456
I do want to tell him this, though maybe in private.
>>
Once camp has been made by the road's edge, you take the opportunity to find Atshushi and speak with the rōnin. He has been rather quiet throughout the day, perhaps even a little sorry for himself.

“Atshushi-san,” you say, offering a curt nod to the wave man as you encroach on his tent. He seems startled for a moment and shoots you a puzzled look. “I would have words with you, about this task I have been assigned. You have done it for a year now, so you must have some idea of what it entails?”

“Never been a good teacher, Bayushi-sama,” he grunts. “Better that you learn from that book you were given, the Ritsuryō. I'll show you the basic principles once we arrive at Kagoki, eh?” Atshushi flashes you a forced, uneven grin.

“So be it,” you say. So much for this wave man being helpful. Still, perhaps he might appreciate the news about the Crab Clan that you heard from the seneschal. “I have heard of an opportunity that might interest you, however. To the South, the Crab have declared a Twenty Goblin Winter. Whoever brings them the heads of twenty bakemono will be adopted by their clan as a samurai. If you wished for the chance to be more than just rōnin...”

“No.” The sudden reply from Atshushi shocks you. “See, as dishonourable as you might find it, I like living and I would like to keep living,” the rōnin explains. “From what I've seen of the Crab, they don't care about living. They throw away their lives by the dozens every day, fighting horrible monsters from the Shadowlands. If I become one of their samurai, that's what I'll become. Just another body for them to throw at their great enemy. I'd rather remain a breathing wave man than become a dead samurai, Bayushi-san”

As much as you are disgusted by the wave man's selfishness, he does have a point. All samurai are expected to give their lives for their lords at a moment's notice, yet in secret, very few desire any sort of death. Everyone wants to live, it is simply shameful to admit it out loud.

“One last thing,” you say. “You have been oddly quiet throughout today's journey. Why?”

“Pah, best if I behave myself around Yasotaro. He's always treated me like one of his dōshin, despite that I was his equal in rank. He'll take any chance he can get to scold me, even if I do something as minor as speak out of turn. And uh, I have been trying to lay off the wine and spirits. 'Carry myself with dignity,' like you said on the night of your gempukku, eh?”

“You seem somewhat worse for wear because of it, Atshushi-san.” It's the truth. Despite the cool air, his skin seems slick with sweat and there's a faint tremble in his hands. At your comment, the rōnin just scoffs.

“I'll manage, Bayushi-san. If that's all, I best get to sleep.”

You bid the wave man goodnight and return to your own tent. You have a day of marching ahead of you tomorrow, so you will need all of the rest that you can get.
>>
When you open your eyes, you can see just a hint of dawn's light through the fabric of your tent. The heimin are already up and moving around, preparing for the journey that lies ahead of you. Unpacking the travel rations that you were supplied with, you force down a meal of rice balls, pickled plums and dried fish. You can't help but recall the miso soup of your dōjō with fondness, if this is what you'll be eating for the next few years.

You clean yourself as best as you are able without access to a bath and dress yourself, emerging from your tent to pack it away and prepare for a day of travel that lies ahead of you. Before long, everyone is ready and you set off down the road, marching Southward.

There is little in the way of conversation, and the scenery remains the same for the most of the journey. The wilderness is only occasionally disrupted by an isolated farm off the side of the road, otherwise there is nothing to see but long grass, rolling hills and scattered trees. Behind you, the looming Spine of the World Mountains begin to recede, becoming distant but never quite leaving your sight.

A handful of times throughout the day, you encounter heimin making the journey from Kagoki to Beiden, some of them with ox-drawn carts. Each time, Yasotaro stops them for an inspection of their papers, to ensure that they have the right to travel. He takes this as an opportunity to show what a travel paper looks like, the stamps to look for to confirm that these peasants have the right to make this journey.

Morning becomes afternoon, which then becomes evening. You take an occasional stop to satisfy your thirst and hunger, but you never linger for long. By the time you arrive at Kagoki, the sun has dipped below the horizon and sunset is on the verge of becoming twilight. It's a collection of twenty, thirty humble little houses surrounded by rice paddies, tea fields and fruit orchards, a brief burst of civilisation in the middle of nowhere. As you make your way into the village, heimin offer deep and humble bows, hurrying out of your way.

At the heart of Kagoki, it seems as though your arrival was expected. An elderly fellow waits, dressed a little bit better than other commoners, but it's evident that he is still heimin. His wife stands by his side, her kimono clearly cared for despite being rather plain. Once you come to a halt before them, they give you the same respect as the other villagers.

“I pray that your journey has been pleasant, Yogo-sama and ah, samurai-sama?” The old man spares a nervous look towards you before looking back at Yasotaro.

“This is Bayushi Kimiko, the yoriki who will be taking Atshushi's place,” Yasotaro explains. “Bayshui-san, this is Tamuramaro, the village head. For the rest of the month, his home will be yours and he will cooperate with you fully.”

“It is a great honour to meet you, Bayushi-sama,” exclaims Tamuramaro, stooping to offer another bow.
>>
>If you're going to be staying in his village, you need to make the best impression possible. Offer him the same respect that he has given you. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>Give a brief nod. You have no doubt that Tamuramaro is used to cooperating with yoriki, there's no need for you to make any strong impression on the village head.
>Assure the old man that you will maintain order and go out of your way to do what is best for the village. All he needs to do is give you his full support and Kagoki will prosper, even through fall and winter. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>He's one of the common rabble, make sure that he knows his place. Demand his full cooperation. If he doesn't provide it, he and his village will be punished. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3996900
>Give a brief nod. You have no doubt that Tamuramaro is used to cooperating with yoriki, there's no need for you to make any strong impression on the village head.
>>
>>3996900
>>Give a brief nod. You have no doubt that Tamuramaro is used to cooperating with yoriki, there's no need for you to make any strong impression on the village head.
>>
>>3996900
>>Give a brief nod. You have no doubt that Tamuramaro is used to cooperating with yoriki, there's no need for you to make any strong impression on the village head.
>>
You feel no need to go out of your way to impress or intimidate Tamuramaro. You offer a bow of your head in return and sure enough, you're invited into the home of the village head. A humble meal of rice and white radish awaits you, something that your hosts seem to relish while you find it rather bland. Yasotaro takes this as an opportunity to explain a few things.

For the duration of your stay, you will share Tamuramaro's home and he will offer you his hospitality. Your days will be spent patrolling the village, watching out for any sign of wrong-doing and anyone coming and going from Kagoki. You will check their papers as he has done throughout the day, and should any traveller lack the appropriate stamps, you have the authority to stamp their papers yourself and grant them the privilege to travel to neighbouring settlements – for a fee, of course, that Yasotaro will collect whenever his patrol. There is also the matter of expiration dates and other things...

You find it hard to pay attention for too long. Narikata said that you were destined to serve in the court of a prestigious lord, yet here you are, a lowly minion handling bureaucracy on a magistrate's behalf. Perhaps he was simply playing a cruel joke on you. You find yourself stewing in this subdued anger throughout the dinner and after it has concluded as well. Your 'room' is quickly assembled by a paper screen being extended, separating Tamuramaro's sleeping quarters into two halves – one for the yoriki and their dōshin, another for the village head and his family. The sleeping mat is coarse and uncomfortable, and you have a hard time sleeping, listening to the shuffling and snoring of the commoners on the other side of the screen.

In the morning, Yasotaro departs for Beiden, leaving you with your dōshin. Sober Atshushi, the pock-marked Sosa and Rinji, with his foul-smelling breath. It's quite the motley crew. Most of your day is spent reading the Ritsuryō, stopping only to halt travellers whenever they seek passage through the village. With the wave man's assistance, you check their papers and you gradually become familiar with the different stamps. The uneventful day comes to an end and you retire to Tamuramaro's house, to rest and rise again the next day.

The rest of your week is like this, trying to make sense of the labyrinthine Ritsuryō while checking the papers of travellers, which seem to be in order every time. The book of law mostly concerns taxation, the importance of testimony, and the privileges of the different castes. It's written in such an archaic fashion that it's difficult to make sense of much of it. As much as you try to commit it to memory, you find yourself lacking the discipline or motivation to memorise the countless amendments and enactments. All of the administrative code and criminal code bleeds together and before long, you find yourself reading the Ritsuryō as a way of passing the time, rather than genuinely studying it.
>>
“Bayushi-sama! I found these two scuffling.”

Those are the words that you hear one uneventful afternoon, as you lean against a fence by the road to Beiden, the Ritsuryō resting in your hands. Looking up, you see the odorous Rinji leading along a pair of angry-looking heimin, one of the men bald while the other is rather heavyset.

“He stole my ox, samurai-sama!” Those are the words of the red-faced bald one, his expression one of rage.

“I stole nothing! I bought that beast with my own coin, that I've saved for years!” The heavier man sounds incredulous, his eyes bulging as he glares across at the other man. He tries to take a swing but Rinji places himself between them, pushing the two men apart.

“Liar! Mine went missing yesterday, same day that you got yours! You stole it, you filthy liar!” More accusations from the bald man. Unless you do something about this, they'll go on at each other forever.

>Where's Atshushi when you need him? Ask Rinji to go and find the rōnin to help you with this, you'll keep an eye on them for the time being.
>They're too unruly for you to handle at the moment. Command them to remain still, and order Rinji to help you bind them. You'll handle the situation once they're trussed up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Try to reason with them. You want to handle this in a civil and lawful fashion, and you can't do that while they're swinging at each other like brutes. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>The bald man is wasting your time with these accusations. You decide that you will punish him, rather than the heavyset man.
>It does sound like the heavyset man must have stolen the ox. You decide that you will punish him for his crimes against the bald man.
>>
>>3996970
>They're too unruly for you to handle at the moment. Command them to remain still, and order Rinji to help you bind them. You'll handle the situation once they're trussed up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Ask if the heavyset man has a receipt of purchase
>Ask if the other man has any proof it’s the same ox.
>>
>>3996970
>>They're too unruly for you to handle at the moment. Command them to remain still, and order Rinji to help you bind them. You'll handle the situation once they're trussed up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3996989
Excellent questions. What if both turn out to be true?

Now if I were a traveling con man and I could arrange it...wouldn't it be a good racket to go into a village, steal an ox from an unsuspecting villager, sell it to another villager, and then be on my way too quickly for anyone to punish me?

It'll be neat to see how this plays out.
>>
>>3996970
>>They're too unruly for you to handle at the moment. Command them to remain still, and order Rinji to help you bind them. You'll handle the situation once they're trussed up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>They're too unruly for you to handle at the moment. Command them to remain still, and order Rinji to help you bind them. You'll handle the situation once they're trussed up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 5d6 using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 6, 1, 4 = 20 (5d6)

>>3997030
>>
Rolled 2, 1, 5, 1, 6 = 15 (5d6)

>>3997030
Rolling Sensei
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 1, 5, 4 = 20 (5d6)

>>3997030
>>
>Going with >>3997040, three successes.

“Both of you, remain still! You have already done enough to shame yourselves, and I will have you bound before you cause any more chaos. If you wish for justice, you will not resist. If either of you try to fight then by the Fortunes, I swear that you will suffer for your transgressions against a samurai!”

Your fury has silenced both of them. They fall to their knees, to grovel before nobility and obey. You nod towards Rinji, and he hurries over to them, restraining the heavyset man first of all and then the bald one, securing their wrists and arms with coarse hemp rope. You only begin your questioning once they are both bound.

“Your names?”

“Katsunosuki, samurai-sama,” answers the heavier fellow.

“Mobumasu,” says the bald one.

“I will begin with you, Mobumasu.” No need for honorifics when dealing with rabble undeserving of respect. “How do you know that his ox is yours?”

“How could it not be, samurai-sama? It has the same horns, the same black coat, it's a girl as well! Is a man supposed to carve his name into the hide of his oxen, in case they are ever taken by a foul cattle-thief?!”

“There's not a word that leaves your mouth that isn't foolish!” Katsunosuki's face is as red as the scorpion embroidered into your winter jacket. “There's not an ox in this land that doesn't have a black hide, nor horns that curve like that! Nor are you the owner of all female oxen, you cheat!”

“Enough!” You need to shout to make the two heimin stop their bickering. You continue with your questioning once they're both silent. “Katsunosuki. Do you have a receipt of purchase, anything that suggests that you bought your ox?”

“... No, samurai-sama,” he admits, grinding his teeth. “I bought it in Jamihoro, a village three days down the Northeastern road. I gave him my coin, he gave the ox.”

“Mobumasu said that you got it yesterday. If that was when you returned to this town, I would have checked your travel papers – and I do not remember seeing your face.”

“You weren't at that road, samurai-sama,” says Katsunosuki. “The other dōshin checked my papers.” He must be talking about Sosa. At least that's one lead that you can check.

>Go to speak with Sosa, see if he can confirm that Katsunosuki came into town from the Northeast – with an ox.
>Inspect the household of Katsunosuki. You might as well see this ox for yourself and gain testimony from his family and neighbours.
>Inspect the household of Mobumasa. See if there was any sign of theft, and gain testimony from his family and his neighbours.
>You'd rather not waste any more time on this feud. You're ready to pass judgment.
>>
>>3997066
>Go to speak with Sosa, see if he can confirm that Katsunosuki came into town from the Northeast – with an ox.

Have our man watch them both.
>>
>>3997069
Sure
>>
“Rinji-san. Keep an eye on them both while I go to speak with Sosa. If anyone seeks to pass in or out of Kagoki by this road, they will have to wait until I am finished with this business.” Rinji provides a respectful nod, before turning towards the two squabbling commoners, his hand resting on his jitte.

It's a short journey through the village towards the path to the Northeast, to Jamihoro. That's the road that Sosa is stationed at and that's where you find him. Resting on the stump of a tree, he's whittling away at a small tree branch with a knife when you arrive. A method of passing the time no doubt, whenever there are no travellers to harass for papers. Upon spotting you, the pock-marked dōshin jumps to attention and immediately bows before you.

“Bayushi-sama. How may I be of assistance?”

“I wish to know about a man called Katsunosuki. Did he pass through here yesterday? Did you check his papers.” You watch Sosa flounder and struggle with his memory. With a sigh, you decide to clarify. “A rather broad and heavy-looking man. He might have had an ox with him..?”

“Ah! Yes, Bayushi-sama, I recall someone like that passing through yesterday. Nothing out of the ordinary – his papers were in order.” Well, that settles that. The heavyset man arrived with the ox yesterday, from outside of the village. There's always a chance that it could be a cover for the theft, however...

“Did he leave by this road earlier this week, perhaps six or seven days ago?”

“I, ah... I can't remember. Forgive me, Bayushi-sama, but several people pass through Kagoki every day. It is difficult to remember the face of every single one of them.” Wonderful. At least it's a start.

>Verbally reprimand Sosa. When you arrived he was distracted and when you questioned him, he wasn't able to supply you with adequate information. You expect more from your dōshin.
>This isn't a particularly exciting job. You can't blame Sosa for not being very alert or attentive. Thank him for his time, and move on.

>Inspect the household of Katsunosuki. You might as well see this ox for yourself and gain testimony from his family and neighbours.
>Inspect the household of Mobumasa. See if there was any sign of theft, and gain testimony from his family and his neighbours.
>Return to Rinji, you have more questions for Katsunosuki and Mobumasa. Please write in if you have any particular questions in mind.
>You'd rather not waste any more time on this feud. You're ready to pass judgment.
>>
>>3997127
>Do not reprimand Sosa but investigate starting a bureaucratic ledger to avoid issues like this in the future.

>Inspect the household of Mobumasa. See if there was any sign of theft, and gain testimony from his family and his neighbours.
>>
>>3997144
+1
>>
>>3997144
I doubt they can read or write, but I concur with the course of action.
>>
>>3997144
Il back this
>>
>>3997208
You would be surprised, the Scorpion probably have the most educated peasants after the Crane, it's part of their mentality of viewing them as assets and wanting to maximize their efficiency. though I fear in this specific instance you are right. Anyway, backing >>3997144
>>
“Very well,” you say with a sigh. “I suppose you cannot be blamed, though we will need to keep a record of this sort of thing in the future. When we are next in Beiden, I will purchase a ledger for each of us and in these books, we shall record every traveller whose papers we check.”

“Ah, very good, Bayushi-sama. The only problem with that is that Rinji doesn't know how to read or write. I was raised in Beiden, blessed by Tenjin, but he's a more rural fellow.”

“He doesn't need to be truly literate,” you say. “He is already able to read the dates of expirations, isn't he? These papers also carry the names of their owners. That's all that he will need to copy into the ledger – the date and the names of the travellers whose papers he checks. If we are to maintain order in this village, at the very least we should organise ourselves first.”

With that, you depart and leave Sosa to his duty. After a quick meeting with Tamuramaro, you are made aware of where Mobumasa's dwelling can be found and make your way there. Upon arriving, you see a rather humble house, like any other heimin hovel in Kagoki. There's a ox pen to the side of it but it's empty at the moment, for reasons that you're well aware of. Next to the pen's gate, there's an abandoned plough and a cart, though there are wheels tracks in the mud that make it clear that the cart was moved recently. A quick knock on the door to the hut and a glance across the nearby field reveals that no one else is at home. If Mobumasa lives on his own, then it's no wonder that he values his ox so highly – without it, he wouldn't be able to sustain his farm.

After inspecting the interior of his home and finding nothing out of the ordinary there, you decide to speak with his nearest neighbour. The closest hut is hardly different from his, and is only a couple of dozen yards away. Upon knocking, you're answered by a healthy-looking woman, only five years your senior. You can see glimpses of two infants playing behind her, further into the house.

“Samurai-sama!” She smooths out her rather simple-looking clothes and offers a low, humble bow, bending quite severely at the waist. “Forgive me, I didn't expect a visitor. How can I be of assistance?” She peers up you, watching you rather suspiciously and with some hesitation. You're not sure how cooperative she will be.
>>
>She is heimin, you are samurai. Demand her full compliance. Make it quite clear that if she fails to cooperate in any capacity, she will be punished. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep one success to succeed.)
>Keep it official. Inform her that there is an investigation underway, and that it would be best for everyone if she cooperated. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Try to soften her up a little. A little small talk and a few pleasantries might help her open up to you. Once she's warmed up to you, then you'll be able to talk business. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You're willing to pay for information. With two children and winter on the way, she needs all of the coin that she can get. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 1 koku.)
>>
>>3997288
>>Try to soften her up a little. A little small talk and a few pleasantries might help her open up to you. Once she's warmed up to you, then you'll be able to talk business. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3997288
>Try to soften her up a little. A little small talk and a few pleasantries might help her open up to you. Once she's warmed up to you, then you'll be able to talk business. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3997288
>Try to soften her up a little. A little small talk and a few pleasantries might help her open up to you. Once she's warmed up to you, then you'll be able to talk business. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>Try to soften her up a little. A little small talk and a few pleasantries might help her open up to you. Once she's warmed up to you, then you'll be able to talk business. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 6d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 1, 3, 3, 5 = 18 (6d6)

>>3997367
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 1, 1, 6, 1 = 20 (6d6)

>>3997367
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 6, 2, 2, 3 = 24 (6d6)

>>3997367
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 2, 2, 3, 4 = 19 (6d6)

>>3997367
>>
>Going with >>3997380, three successes.

If there's one lesson that you took away from your gempukku, it's that you need to learn how to adapt, that each situation has a path of least resistance. To succeed, you need to find this weakness and exploit it, no matter what unlikely form it might take.

Offering a brief bow of your head, you curve your lips in a convincing smile. “Let me introduce myself first of all. I am Bayushi Kimiko, the new yoriki overseeing Kagoki. Who might you be?”

“Oh! Forgive me, Bayushi-sama,” says the heimin woman. “I am Utsuwa. It is an honour to be in your presence and to have samurai protecting our town.”

“Really, there is nothing to forgive, Utsuwa-san.” You peer past her shoulder, into the shadowy interior of her home where her offspring linger. “But I do hope that I am not disturbing you or your children? They seem to be enjoying themselves a great deal, from the sound of it.”

“Oh no, of course not. Raicho, Kitahachi, come and introduce yourself to the noble samurai!” It takes a moment or two, but they come towards the doorway. Utsuwa makes a show of teaching her two children how to show the proper respect to a samurai, how deeply they should bow. Being children, it takes a few tries for them to get it right.

“They are beautiful,” you comment, “and I am sure that they will grow up to be kind-hearted and strong, both of them.” Crouching down before the older of the two, the girl known as Raicho, you offer her a gentle smile. “How old are you?”

“Six, samurai-sama,” comes her reply. She's a wide-eyed, curious thing but she knows enough to remain respectful. “My brother's four.”

“Four? My, he's big enough that he looks like he could be the same age as you.” That comment makes little Kitahachi beam. Your attention shifts back towards the mother of the pair, Utsuwa. “If it is not an inconvenience, Utsuwa-san, I would like to speak to you about your neighbour? I should not take too much of your time.”

“Of course, Bayushi-sama! Come inside, please, out of the chill. Children, you may play once the noble samurai is gone. I must speak with her first.” You're ushered into the warmth of Utsuwa's home and offered tea – it's not the traditional tea ceremony as the samurai practise it, but it's still pleasant. Sipping from your cup once it has been prepared, you begin your questioning.
>>
“So, your neighbour Mobumasa believes that his ox has been stolen. It is a matter that I am trying to get to the bottom of, and I would appreciate anything that you are able to tell me. When was the last time you saw his ox, Utsuwa-san?”

“Oh, last night, as the sun was setting. The poor thing has been rather sickly in recent days. Perhaps it was refusing to eat, or it had caught some disease? I cannot claim to know, Bayushi-sama. All I know is that when the morning came, it was gone! I had thought that Mobumasa might have taken it out to plough the fields but the plough was still there. I am sorry to hear that it has gone missing, and I wish him the best of fortune.”

Sickly? That's something that he hadn't told you. You also doubt that Katsunosuki would have purchased a sickly-looking ox. “Thank you, Utsuwa-san. I also found the tracks of a cart by the ox's pen, made rather recently. Would you know anything about that?”

“Now that you mention it, I recall my youngest being woken from his slumber last night, and I had to spend hours getting him to sleep again. He said that he heard something moving outside, but I know better than to investigate strange noises in the middle of the night. Such foolishness invites poor fortune, Bayushi-sama.”

“You have been a great help, Utsuwa-san. I wish your children the best of health and once more, I must thank you for your testimony.” With a bow of your head and a smile, you make your leave, Utsuwa bowing and her children waving as you go.

That was more fruitful than you expected. Sosa confirmed that Katsunosuki arrived with his ox yesterday, while Mobumasa's ox was still in its pen by sunset. Mobumasa's beast was also rather sickly and from the sound of it, someone moved his cart in the middle of the night.

You go back towards the pen to inspect the tracks of the cart wheels. They lead from where the cart is resting towards the road, but the road is too well-used for you to see where the tracks go from there. The indentation that the wheels left in the mud has been trodden into oblivion by dozens of feet. You would need to guess at where the cart might have gone from there.

>Katsunosuki's household. Perhaps there's a chance that he's still involved. At the very least, you'll be able to see whether his ox is sickly or not.
>The hinin enclave. Hinin are even lower than heimin, they are non-people who handle all things foul and unclean. They handle waste, carcasses and other disgusting things.
>The wilderness, off the beaten track. If someone wanted to hide something, the best place to do so would be away from farmland and civilisation. Check the nearby hills and woodland.
>The roads out of Kagoki. There's a chance that someone might have taken the cart and its cargo out of the village during the middle of the night.
>It doesn't matter. You know enough and you are ready to resolve the situation. Head back to Rinji, Katsunosuki and Mobumasa to pass judgment.
>>
>>3997470
>>Katsunosuki's household. Perhaps there's a chance that he's still involved. At the very least, you'll be able to see whether his ox is sickly or not.
>>
>>3997470
>>Katsunosuki's household. Perhaps there's a chance that he's still involved. At the very least, you'll be able to see whether his ox is sickly or not.
>>
>>3997470
>Katsunosuki's household. Perhaps there's a chance that he's still involved. At the very least, you'll be able to see whether his ox is sickly or not.
>>
>>3997470
Perhaps the hinin noticed the sickly ox and took it....but there's something fishy here, why didn't the old man mention a missing wagon as well? To be generous perhaps he didn't notice it in shock at the missing animal. The more likely story, which would be admirable were it not deleterious to the clan, is that he knew the young broad fellow was off to acquire a new ox and attempted to fabricate the theft of his old sickly animal for the new one.

Oh, can we ask the peasant if she happened to know the sex of the ox?
>>
>>3997470
Katsunosuki's household. Perhaps there's a chance that he's still involved. At the very least, you'll be able to see whether his ox is sickly or not.
>>
>>3997488
>So I don't have to rewrite it, let's say that she confirmed that Mobumasa's ox is female.

When you spoke with Tamuramaro, you were made aware of where Katsunosuki dwells as well. So you make your way there. Upon arriving, you come across another humble home but unlike Mobumasa, Katsunosuki doesn't have an ox pen. Instead, his beast can be found tied to a post in his field. Observing it from a distance, it's clearly rather female and certainly looks rather healthy, complete with a glossy black coat. You know better than to approach an ox that isn't yours though. Of all of the things you were taught at the dōjō, how to handle an animal isn't one of them.

Instead, you approach the door and knock at it, to check if anyone is inside. This time, someone actually answers. A woman a few years older than Utsuwa, cradling an infant only a few months old in her arms. Worry is etched into her face as she watches you, bowing awkwardly and hesitating before she finally speaks. “Are you here about my husband, samurai-sama?”

“Katsunosuki?” She nods briskly as soon as you say that name.

“Yes, samurai-sama. He got into an argument with a bald man, Mobumasa, I think he is called? Something about the ox that my husband brought home? Is he in trouble again, samurai-sama?”

Again? That's something new. You answer her question with a shake of your head. “Not yet, but I am here about him. First of all, I need to ask how long was he gone for when he went to get this ox.”

“An entire week, samurai-sama. He went all the way to Jamihoro for it. It was impossible to get any work done without him, but life will be much easier with an ox to help plough the fields.”

“I see. As for my next question, where was he last night? Did he spend the night with you?”

“Yes, samurai-sama. He was here the entire night.”

>You're not sure how much you trust her. Push her on these subjects and watch how she reacts, so you might determine how truthful Katsunosuki's wife is. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Again? Has her husband caused trouble in Kagoki in the past? Knowing about his history might help you in this situation, or perhaps it will reveal past crimes that deserve punishment.
>She's already told you everything that's pertinent, and you feel no desire to delve any deep her. Thank her for her time and move on.
>>
>>3997527
>>You're not sure how much you trust her. Push her on these subjects and watch how she reacts, so you might determine how truthful Katsunosuki's wife is. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3997527
>>You're not sure how much you trust her. Push her on these subjects and watch how she reacts, so you might determine how truthful Katsunosuki's wife is. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>You're not sure how much you trust her. Push her on these subjects and watch how she reacts, so you might determine how truthful Katsunosuki's wife is. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 5d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 4, 1, 2 = 9 (5d6)

>>3997556
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 1, 3, 1 = 16 (5d6)

>>3997556
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 6, 6, 3 = 23 (5d6)

>>3997556
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 2, 2, 6 = 17 (5d6)

>>3997556
>>
>Going with >>3997578, three successes.

“You are quite certain that he spent a week on the road to Jamihoro? He didn't go anywhere else?”

“Yes, samurai-sama. He was talking about buying an ox for quite some time, and he knows a breeder who lives up there. He has been saving for years.” That worried frown of hers remains. You watch for any sign of a nervous tic, or any sign of deception, but you can't see any. This is what she has been told, and this is what she believes.

“And there is no chance that he might have gotten up in the middle of the night and left?”

“Not at all. My husband is not a stealthy man, samurai-sama. He would have woken our child, and he would have woken me. I fell asleep beside Katsunosuki and when I woke up, he was still beside me.” There's a tiny bit of indignation in her tone, but it's understandable frustration. By asking these questions again, you make it seem like you doubt her. That's the source of her irritation. As far as you can see, she's not lying to you whatsoever.

So, as far as his wife knows, Katsunosuki spent a week trekking to Jamihoro and back, a journey that he has talked about for some time. He also spent the night by her side, which means that he couldn't have been involved in the theft of Mobumasa's ox – it went missing overnight, and Katsunosuki arrived with his during the day yesterday.

What else do you know? Mobumasa's ox was a sickly-looking creature. There are also signs of someone moving Mobumasa's cart recently, and Utsuwa believes that it was being moved in the middle of the night. It is still there, so whoever made use of the cart returned it.

All of the testimony that you have recieved so far points towards Katsunosuki's innocence and that is what matters in the eyes of Rokugani law – testimony, not evidence. The word of man comes before the material world. Still, you can't quite say what happened to Mobumasa's ox, not yet.

The day is starting to drag on too. It was afternoon when the two men were first brought towards you and the sun is beginning to set. If you can't finish this investigation soon, you'll need to find somewhere to incarcerate the two men for the night. You've got time for perhaps one more visit, before you'll need to either pass judgment or lock them both somewhere secure.

>Remain with Katsunosuki's wife. She might have more information to offer you.
>Go back to Tamuramaro and call Atshushi there as well. Confer with them and decide how you should resolve this.
>Visit the hinin enclave. The filthy non-people might have something to do with an ill-looking ox.
>Check the nearby wilderness. There's a chance that the ox might have either escaped out there or been dumped there, using the cart.
>Examine the roads. The roads in and out of this village are rarely travelled, so there should still be signs of cart tracks in them.
>Go back to Rinji, Mabumasa and Katsunosuki. You're ready to pass judgment.
>>
>>3997927
>>Go back to Rinji, Mabumasa and Katsunosuki. You're ready to pass judgment.
>>
>>3997927
>Visit the hinin enclave. The filthy non-people might have something to do with an ill-looking ox
>>
>>3997927
>>Visit the hinin enclave. The filthy non-people might have something to do with an ill-looking ox.
>>
>>3997927
They'll call us Meitantei before this is is over, mark my words.
>ck the nearby wilderness. There's a chance that the ox might have either escaped out there or been dumped there, using the cart.
>Then the roads, tracks might fade
I figure there faster the better, though visiting the hinin later sounds like a good idea.
>>
>>3997927
>Visit the hinin enclave. The filthy non-people might have something to do with an ill-looking ox.
>>
“Thank you for your time,” you offer a nod of your head and receive a reluctant bow from Katsunosuki's wife in return. She didn't take too kindly to your insistent questioning, but at least you know that she was honest. Turning away from the household, you depart for the hinin enclave.

Hinin are filthy creatures, contaminated in body and spirit. You might become tainted with their foulness just by being in their presence. For this reason, samurai and even heimen refuse to deal with hinin except in situations that require it, when corpses must be cremated, when leather must be acquired, when waste must be disposed of or when a torturer is necessary. Who knows what sort of rumours might get started, if you're seen stepping foot inside their territory?

You come to a halt in front of the entrance to the enclave. It's surrounded by crude palisades, walls of wooden stakes driven into the ground, preserving decent folk from the sight of the horrors contained within. Even from this distance, you can smell the smoke, the rot and the death. The rickety gate is eventually opened from within and a rather short, plain-looking fellow steps out. Though he is rather well-groomed for one of his caste, his well-worn clothes still carry the telltale stains of oil and blood. Wide-eyed, he drops to his knees to grovel before one of the noble samurai.

“Samurai-sama! We are not worthy of your presence.” You don't even deign to give him a nod. Hinin do not deserve courtesy. Instead, you begin your questioning without any need for etiquette.

“I am here regarding an ox,” you state plainly. “A sickly-looking one, by all accounts. Did you your people get their hands on such a beast?”

“Yes, samurai-sama! A noble heimin delivered to it to us in the dead of night. It was already dead, its throat slit. We have already put it to good use--”

“Enough!” You don't want to hear about what awful things they might do with a dead animal. You can already imagine the filthy hinin cutting away its skin, eating its still-warm flesh and wallowing in its blood. Besides, you're not even sure if the hinin is telling the truth...

>I require a roll of 5d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

>I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 5, 6, 4 = 20 (5d6)

>>3997945
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 4, 1, 4 = 14 (5d6)

>>3997945
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 3, 6, 2 = 20 (5d6)

>>3997945
>>
>Going with >>3997947, four successes.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the hinin is telling the truth. There are none of the telltale signs of falsehood that you have been taught to search for. He's afraid, but why wouldn't he be? He is filth in the presence of a noble samurai. No, no, there's more to it than that... He's afraid that he might be punished, and he's steeling himself for it. He struggles to control his breath, to control his fear as he prepares himself to accept his fate. But what fate does he think awaits him?

“Thank you for your honesty,” you say, perhaps the kindest words you will ever offer to a hinin. Once more, he grovels before you. With this information, you could go back but there are other options. You could question the non-person further, to coax more information out of him, or you could venture inside of the hinin compound, to confirm the ox's death for yourself. You have no doubt that word would eventually spread from the hinin to the heimin however, and you would become known as the samurai who walks amongst filth. You're not sure if you're ready for that reputation.

>It's time for you to head back. It's getting late and it's time for you to either pass judgment or find a place to incarcerate Mabumasa and Katsunosuki for the night. Besides, you'd rather not linger around filth for longer than you have to.
>You want to enter the hinin compound and see the dead ox for yourself. It's best than you see it with your own two eyes. (You will lose glory if you choose this option.)
>Take the opportunity to question the hinin before you go back to Rinji and the two men. What is he so afraid of, if he is telling you the truth?
>>
>>3997957
>It's time for you to head back. It's getting late and it's time for you to either pass judgment or find a place to incarcerate Mabumasa and Katsunosuki for the night. Besides, you'd rather not linger around filth for longer than you have to.
>>
>>3997957
>>It's time for you to head back. It's getting late and it's time for you to either pass judgment or find a place to incarcerate Mabumasa and Katsunosuki for the night. Besides, you'd rather not linger around filth for longer than you have to.
>>
>>3997957
>>It's time for you to head back. It's getting late and it's time for you to either pass judgment or find a place to incarcerate Mabumasa and Katsunosuki for the night. Besides, you'd rather not linger around filth for longer than you have to.
>>
The sky grows dimmer by the moment. By the time you arrive at the path to Beiden where Rinji brought the two squabbling men, the sun has dipped below the horizon and twilight is beginning to set in. They're still there, along with the rather impatient-looking dōshin, his hand still resting on his jitte. A sigh of relief leaves him once he has caught sight of you.

“Bayushi-sama, thank the Lucky Gods you're back. These two dogs have been barking at each other all afternoon. Did you find anything?”

“I have.” With those words, you explain what you have found and speak of the testimonies that you have gathered.

“Katsunosuki. I have spoken with your wife and Sosa. Both of them support your claim that you returned to Kagoki yesterday with your ox, and your wife's words verify that you left this town to get the ox from Jamihoro a week ago.” A breath of relief comes from the heavyset man.

“Mabumasa. You neglected to mention that your ox was sickly, and that your cart had been tampered with as well. I spoke with one of your neighbours. She believes that someone must have moved the cart in the middle of the night, and that your ox only disappeared during the night. As Katsunosuki arrived with his beast earlier in the day, they cannot possibly be the same animal.”

“Now see here...” The bald man tries to speak but you cut him off, raising a hand to silence him.

“I also spoke with a representative of Kagoki's hinin. He said that a heimin delivered a ill-looking ox to them in the middle of the night, its throat slit. This description matches what I was told about your beast. Not only that, but an dead animal cannot walk on its own, so it is likely that your cart was used to move its corpse.”

At that, Mabumasa is incensed. “They must be lying, samurai-sama! They are filth! The hinin stole away with my ox in the dead of night, the scavengers!”

“Are you saying that you remained asleep throughout the night, while hinin slaughtered your ox and loaded it on to a cart right outside of your house? The sound was enough to awaken your neighbour.”

The bald commoner goes red-faced. “You cannot trust the word of filth over the word of the common man, samurai-sama! I swear that I did not take my ox to them, I swear!”

... And that's where Mabumasa has you trapped.
>>
If there's one thing that you have learned from the Ritsuryō, it's the importance of testimony. The value of a man's word comes from the status of the man. If the testimony of a heimin must be weighed against the testimony of a hinin, then you must favour the word of the heimin, for he is of higher status than a filthy non-person.

You must make a decision.

>If Mabumasa says that the hinin are responsible and the hinin say that they are not, then you must take Mabumasa's word. The hinin must have spotted that the bald man's ox was poorly and in the middle of the night, they must have killed it and taken it back to their compound using his cart. Why? To make use of its meat and hide. You must punish the hinin for this theft, even if you believe that they were telling the truth.
>No. It's quite apparent to you that Mabumasa is responsible for this. Having seen Katsunosuki's new ox and being burdened with a sickly one, he concocted a plan. He slaughtered his own animal and disposed of it by taking it to the hinin. With his ox missing, he could claim that Katsunosuki stole his and get his hands on a fitter, healthier beast of burden. You just need to make him confess.
>There must be something that you missed somewhere. You can't think of anything, but perhaps your mind will be fresher in the morning. You'll need to put Mabumasa in a storage hut and post a guard to keep an eye on him, at the very least. Katsunosuki seems to be uninvolved, so you should be able to allow him to go home. Maybe tomorrow, you'll be able to get a few more testimonies.
>>
>>3997983
>>No. It's quite apparent to you that Mabumasa is responsible for this. Having seen Katsunosuki's new ox and being burdened with a sickly one, he concocted a plan. He slaughtered his own animal and disposed of it by taking it to the hinin. With his ox missing, he could claim that Katsunosuki stole his and get his hands on a fitter, healthier beast of burden. You just need to make him confess.
>>
>>3997983
>No. It's quite apparent to you that Mabumasa is responsible for this. Having seen Katsunosuki's new ox and being burdened with a sickly one, he concocted a plan. He slaughtered his own animal and disposed of it by taking it to the hinin. With his ox missing, he could claim that Katsunosuki stole his and get his hands on a fitter, healthier beast of burden. You just need to make him confess.
>>
>>3997983
>>No. It's quite apparent to you that Mabumasa is responsible for this. Having seen Katsunosuki's new ox and being burdened with a sickly one, he concocted a plan. He slaughtered his own animal and disposed of it by taking it to the hinin. With his ox missing, he could claim that Katsunosuki stole his and get his hands on a fitter, healthier beast of burden. You just need to make him confess.
>>
>>3997983
>Does it really matter? Regardless of what happened to his ox, the testimony of other commoners as well as our own eyes, prove his claim of theft is wrong. The new ox is not his. If he insists on pressing the issue and wasting our time he can pay the penalty for doing so.
>>
“No, Mabumasa. It's quite clear that you're the one responsible for this. You saw Katsunosuki's new ox and were jealous, as your own was so feeble. So you killed it, got rid of it by giving it to the hinin and tried to take Katsunosuki's by claiming it was yours. Even if someone found out your scheme, you could always blame it on the hinin, couldn't you? It's your word against theirs.”

“This goes against the Celestial Order!” The bald man splutters, outraged. “I am above hinin! You cannot take their word over mine, samurai-sama!”

“And I am a samurai, higher than heimin!” That's enough to shut him up, at least for a moment. “My word has more value than yours, and I say that you have wasted my time and taken me for a fool with this ridiculous plot of yours. Not only that, but you have sullied the name of Katsunosuki with your accusations.”

“Others will hear of this,” he says, the blush of anger gradually surrendering to the pallor of fear. “Other heimin will hear that you value the word of filth higher than the word of common men.”

“Not if you confess.”

“Why would I confess to something that I am not guilty of?! I have done nothing, samurai-sama! The hinin slew my ox and stole it!”

>You are of Imperial blood. Only the foolish would dare to hide the truth from someone with a lineage as divine as yours. He will confess, or he will forever be damned in the eyes of Heaven. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>Try to convince him that you are simply trying to keep order. If he values any sense of stability in Kagoki, then the right thing for Mabumasa to do would be to tell the truth and confess. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>Assure the man that the best course of action would be cooperate. You have no desire to make him suffer and if he cooperates, you will be merciful when it comes to his punishment. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>Does he want to suffer? Promise Mabumasa that if he doesn't cooperate, you have no choice but to call upon a torturer to extract his confession from him by force. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>There's no need to waste words on the fool. Send for a hinin from the compound. They will torture him, and you will get your confession out of him that way. (You will lose honor if you choose this option.)
>>
>>3997999
>You are of Imperial blood. Only the foolish would dare to hide the truth from someone with a lineage as divine as yours. He will confess, or he will forever be damned in the eyes of Heaven. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
We gotta use the weight of our blood if we want the confession.
>>
>>3997999
>>You are of Imperial blood. Only the foolish would dare to hide the truth from someone with a lineage as divine as yours. He will confess, or he will forever be damned in the eyes of Heaven. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>3997999
>You are of Imperial blood. Only the foolish would dare to hide the truth from someone with a lineage as divine as yours. He will confess, or he will forever be damned in the eyes of Heaven. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
Going with:
>You are of Imperial blood. Only the foolish would dare to hide the truth from someone with a lineage as divine as yours. He will confess, or he will forever be damned in the eyes of Heaven. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)

I require a roll of 4d6 using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.

Regardless of your success or failure, I have a new rule to add once these rolls have been made.
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 6, 1 = 14 (4d6)

>>3998010
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 6, 4 = 16 (4d6)

>>3998010
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 3, 2 = 9 (4d6)

>>3998010
Hope is often the first step on the road.
>>
>>3998010
What no is a success? Is it 3?
>>
>>3998014
The rules for dice-rolling are in >>3995028, but I can confirm that >>3998012 has three kept successes, meaning that you succeed at the roll.
>>
Void Points

>I will now introduce void points, a resource you can spend to change fate's course.
>You have a maximum number of void points equal to your Void ring, which is currently 2. Right now, you have 1 void point.
>Right now, the only use of void points is to turn a marginal failure into a success. By spending a void point after you have failed at a roll, you may add an additional kept success to the roll.
>If you fail at a roll, I will ask whether you want to spend a void point or not. You may wish to not spend it – sometimes it's better to fail on an insignificant roll and save the void point for a more important roll.
>From now on, you will gain a void point when you suffer strife for going against your Delusions of Grandeur and when you fail at reasoning with your Sworn Enemy. To compensate for this, you will now suffer three points of strife whenever you go against your Delusions of Grandeur, rather than the previous one point.
>You will also gain a void point when you choose an option where I hide the number of successes required to succeed, and during dramatic points in the story.
>I will introduce other uses of void points as the story progresses.

>Going with >>3998012, three successes. You succeed, so there will be no need for any void points to be spent.
>>
>Going with >>3998012, three successes.

“You might not be aware, Mabumasa, but you speak to a child of Heaven.” That's enough to make the commoner's eyes widen. Rinji seems shocked as well, and so does Katsunosuki. “I can trace my lineage back to the line of Hantei itself. The blood of the divine Emperors flow through my veins, and you dare to deny me the truth?”

“Forgive me, samurai-sama, I didn't--”

“You didn't know. Now you do. Now you know that you have questioned the word of a woman of Imperial blood. I give you this one chance to speak the truth, and to be forgiven for that transgression. Should you fail to do so, your soul will be damned until the end of days. A fitting punishment for speaking against a descendant of Hantei himself.”

An unnatural silence lingers once you are finished. It's as though the whole world fell quiet so that it could listen to you. Everything is still for a second but at long last, the bound Mabumasa grovels as best as he is able, pressing his forehead against the dirt.

“Forgive me, samurai-sama! There was no hope on my ox living through winter and without a beast to aid me, how am I meant to tend to a field on my own?! I had no choice!”

“Lying, wretched little worm,” Katsunosuki spits. “Samurai-sama, he's admitted his guilt. I'd like to be free from my bonds.”

“Take care of it, Rinji. Unbind the man and escort him home. I will decide Mabumasa's fate.” In the end, what is he guilty of? Deception of samurai and an attempted abuse of justice. The poor fool still has his head pressed against the earth, muttering excuses. None of them change the fact that he tried to take you for a fool.

>Fine him. What little wealth he possesses will enter your possession and when Yasotaro next comes by, he can transfer it back to the station.
>Imprisonment. A few months spent in a cold, bare cell at Beiden will teach him to live an honest life, or so you hope. You'll need to detain him until Yasotaro can collect him though, and he'll be a drain on the station's resources throughout winter.
>A light sentence of flogging. Get a hinin along to lash him, ten to forty times. Hopefully that should be enough to put him in his place.
>A heavy sentence of flogging. Get a hinin along to lash him, sixty to a hundred times. He'll take a long time to recover, but he's earned it.
>Amputation. It's not uncommon for thieves to lose an ear or a nose as punishment for their crimes and what he did was theft, of a sort.
>Death. You'd rather not have to deal with this vermin ever again. End his miserable life and be done with it. (You will lose honor if you choose this option.)
>Consult the Ritsuryō. You would rather not be arbitrary in your punishment. Though it might take a few hours to find the right sections to reference, but it's better that you take your time with this.
>>
>>3998079
>Consult the Ritsuryō. You would rather not be arbitrary in your punishment. Though it might take a few hours to find the right sections to reference, but it's better that you take your time with this.
>>
>>3998079
>Consult the Ritsuryō. You would rather not be arbitrary in your punishment. Though it might take a few hours to find the right sections to reference, but it's better that you take your time with this.
Thank the Fortunes for the blood.
>>
>>3998079
>Consult the Ritsuryō. You would rather not be arbitrary in your punishment. Though it might take a few hours to find the right sections to reference, but it's better that you take your time with this.
better be safe
>>
>>3998079
>>Consult the Ritsuryō. You would rather not be arbitrary in your punishment. Though it might take a few hours to find the right sections to reference, but it's better that you take your time with this.
>>
Sounds like this little swimmer is going to wise old Uncle Sochoku for advice.
>>
>>3998079
>>Consult the Ritsuryō. You would rather not be arbitrary in your punishment. Though it might take a few hours to find the right sections to reference, but it's better that you take your time with this.
>>
Even though twilight is setting in and the day is coming to an end, you decide to consult the Ritsuryō. You ignore the bound Mabumasa's pleading and eventually even that comes to a stop. You lean against the fence, reading that esoteric tome as you were hours ago. So many different sections to check, so much criminal code for you to pore over. It's frustrating. Before long, you need a lamp in order to read in the dying light.

Eventually, Atshushi comes around. Upon spotting you with that book in your hands, he can't help but let out an amused snort. “You've shown more interest in that book than I ever did, Bayshi-sama. I could never make any sense of the thing.”

“How are you meant to administer justice without it?” It's a valid question in your eyes. You've been given this duty and you'd like to do it right.

“Well, Yasotaro and I just used our own judgment. We know what is right better than any book does. Besides, we are just dealing with the rabble. No need to pay too much attention to the little details of the law when dealing with them, eh?” It seems like a good point for you to mention that technically, Atshushi's status as a rōnin makes him one of the rabble, but you decide against it.

“Really. In that case, what would you do about this wretch?” You make a gesture towards Mabumasa, who has grow sullen and silent, his throat sore from his earlier pleas.

“Based on what Rinji told me? A few lashes and be done with it, Bayushi-sama. Not like he got away with anything. He got caught and that will be enough to make sure he'll never do it again.” Regardless of what Atshushi says, you continue reading. You'd rather find out what the official punishment for this sort of thing is.

After a few more minutes of flicking through pages, following references and amendments, you finally find something that you can use. When the Ritsuryō was first written, the punishment for one of the bonge deceiving one of the buke was eighty lashes. However, this was later amended during the reign of Hantei XVI. As of that amendment, the punishment for that crime is... amputation of the tongue. It seems that being written in a book doesn't stop punishment from being arbitrary.

>Go with Atshushi's suggestion. Twenty lashes from a hinin, perhaps? No need for anything more severe than that, considering that nothing happened. Your time was wasted, that was all.
>The original punishment written in the Ritsuryō seems the most appropriate, and you can't imagine why it was changed to something so harsh. Eighty lashes, administered by a hinin.
>Follow the letter of the law. If the sixteenth Hantei ruled that commoners who lie to samurai should have their tongues removed, then so be it. Call for a hinin torturer to remove Mabumasa's tongue.
>>
>>3998111
>Hantei XVI.
The steel chrystantheum, the mad tyrant that basicly has the unique distinction of driving his bodyguards into killing him after he ordered the death of his mother isn't exactly a guy we want to espouse. I thought most of his crazy laws had been expunged
>Twenty lashes.
Emphasize what a mild outcome this is.
>>
>>3998120
Only a Hantei can overrule the declarations of a previous Hantei, and some laws inevitably fall between the cracks, both in reality and in fiction. This is one of them.

You get a sticker for recognizing the reference to the Steel Chrysanthemum though.
>>
>>3998111
Going to back this

>>3998120
>>
>>3998120
Supporting. I wonder if we can increase the punishment for repeat offenders.
>>
>>3998123
I guess that's true. Plus, even if they went overdrive with correcting it (which they did), you still have people like the fortune of dungs as a permanent mark on the celestial order. And rules on punishment of heimin are not exactly the highest priority. And thanks for the sticker. Any time you see harsh punishment + name of a hantei it's an easy guess.
>>
>>3998120
+1
>>
You snap the Ritsuryō shut. Perhaps the rōnin has a point, if that book is full of absurd and archaic punishments like that. “Very well, Atshushi-san. We're doing it your way. Twenty lashes for Mabumasa, but if he is caught trying to deceive a samurai again, I will make sure that it is tripled. Fetch a hinin from the compound, and make sure that he brings a switch with him.”

With a bow, your dōshin departs and you turn your attention towards the bound man, who seems to be whimpering. “You should be thankful, Mabumasa. According to the law, the appropriate punishment for your crime is eighty lashes, not twenty – or if I felt especially cruel, the removal of your tongue.” At that, he visibly cringes and buries his head against the earth once more, grovelling before you.

“Thank you for your kindness, samurai-sama! I swear, I will never be this foolish again! I know better now, I know better!”

So he should. The only lights in the heavens by the time Atshushi returns are the moon and the occasional star. Behind him is a hinin, carrying a long, thin rod of bamboo. The back of Mabumasa's shirt is lifted and by your order, the hinin strikes the criminal. The bald man cries out with every blow, red welts manifesting wherever he is struck. You raise your hand after the twentieth blow and bid the hinin to return to his enclave. Mabumasa is unbound and sobbing, the man is allowed to return to his home, without an ox thanks to his foolish endeavours. You are left with the rōnin standing by your side.

“Have to say, Bayushi-sama, I'm impressed.” You look towards the rōnin when you hear those words. “First I heard of today's events came from Rinji, after he was done with that other fellow. You took care of this whole thing on your own, figured it all out and got a confession without even needing to hit the man.”

“It was simple enough,” you reply, an attempt at modesty.

“Maybe to you it was. You keep that up, Tetsunori might start taking notice of your talents, eh? It's best that we get some sleep now, put this foolish affair behind us.” He turns away, to make his way back to the village head's house. You can't help but let a smug little smile spread across your face. Maybe there's hope for you yet, even in this banal line of work.

>You lose a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 1 / 6.

>If there's anything you want to do regarding this situation, write in. Otherwise, we can skip forward.
>>
>>3998156
Nothing comes to mind, so unless someone else interjects, skip forward.
>>
>>3998156
I'm happy to skip
>>
>>3998156
Skip forward
>>
>>3998156
Well we still need the ledgers to get made and set the system up. Other than that? Maybe plant the seed for the one guy to rent out the ox when he doesn’t need it, earn some extra money as long as no one mucks it up.
>>
>>3998169
>As Kagoki lacks the resources for book-making, you'll need to see about the ledgers when you're next at Beiden.

You retire to Tamuramaro's house to rest. You sleep soundly and arise the next day, to continue with your typical duties. You're almost disappointed that your day isn't disrupted by another ridiculous feud between heimin – Mabumasa's shenanigans certainly broke up the monotony. The day passes and the next comes, and then the next. Time begins to flow by you like a river and the days blur together.

It's a week until the daily rhythm is disrupted by another event.

“Bayushi-sama!” It's Rinji again, rushing over to you through the pouring rain. Thankfully, you're protective from the downpour by a wide-brimmed hat, something that you borrowed from Tamuramaro's household. The dōshin isn't so lucky – he's soaked through. “We have visitors, Bayushi-sama!”

“Visitors of what sort?” You find it hard to believe that anyone passing through Kagoki would be worth bothering you about.

“Some sort of caravan, Bayushi-sama! Quite a few people, in a horse-drawn cart. The merchant in charge of them says that he wishes to stop in the village for the night.” It isn't night quite yet, but the sun's slowly drifting down from its peak. It won't be long until the day's over.

>Order Rinji to check their papers and tell them to move along. Travellers bring trouble with them, you'd rather not have them stay in town for longer than they have to. You trust him to shoo them out of Kagoki.
>Order Rinji to check their papers and let them stay for the night. They can overturn their cart and use that for shelter for the night or something, but there's no need for you to waste your time on them.
>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
>>
>>3998209
>>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
>>
>>3998209
>>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
>>
>>3998209
>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
we been bored so lets help
>>
>>3998209
>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
Mark my words, it's probably a bunch if disgusting unicorn Ide traders, or worse. Regardless, traders have news. Maybe we can even find something interesting.
>>
>>3998209
>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
>>
>>3998209
>Fine. If Rinji brought it to your attention, it's probably something that you need to handle personally. Go to speak with the merchant in charge of the caravan and see what this all about for yourself.
>>
“I suppose I will have to see this for myself then.” Rising from your usual perch on the fence, you walk after Rinji as he turns to lead the way to his post.

When you arrive, you can see for yourself that he was right about a cart. It's a rather large wagon, pulled along by a pair of ponies. Six or seven people sit inside of it with various bags, all of them sodden and soaked through by the autumn rain. One of the travellers has dismounted, likely the one who was riding at the head of the wagon. While the others are dressed with the rags you would expect of heimin, he wears a kimono of rich blue silk, covered in golden embroidery but lacking the symbol of a clan. His beard and hair are immaculately groomed, despite being somewhat oily, and he takes shelter underneath a finely made oil-paper umbrella.

“Samurai-sama!” He greets you with a bright and cheerful smile, showing far more emotion than a samurai should. No, he's definitely not one of your caste – he's just a well-off commoner, a merchant. “Are you the magistrate in charge of this village?”

“No,” you admit. “I am Bayushi Kimiko, yoriki of the magistrate Soshi Tetsunori. Kagoki falls under his jurisdiction and I oversee it on his behalf. What brings you here..?” You trail off, waiting to hear the name of this opulent peasant.

“Shungyosai, Bayushi-sama. There is no greater honour than to make your acquaintance!” He lowers himself in a deep and humbling bow before you, a display of subservience, miraculously holding the umbrella upright as he does so. He certainly tries to cultivate an air of eloquence about himself, that's for sure. “But ah, I suppose that I should get business out of the way. It is my wish to stay in this wonderful village of Kagoki, along with my companions.”

“Your papers will need to be checked first of all, Shungyosai-san. Once that is done, I will consider letting you stay in Kagoki for the night.”

“But of course! I have mine right here,” he says, producing his travel papers from the folds of his kimono. Handing them over, the merchant maintains that cheerful smile. “To thank you for your cooperation and the service that you perform for Rokugan, Bayushi-sama, I would offer you a gift.” With his other hand, he produces something else from the confines of his kimono. It's a glittering jewel, a ruby. It's not particularly impressive in size but such stones are rarely seen, and how it catches the light.

>Accept the gift – after refusing twice as tradition demands, of course. You're not about to deny the good will of someone as rich and generous as Shungyosai.
>Deny the gift, even after he offers it for the third time. You'd rather not be caught accepting such things. Brush it off, and continue with your inspection of his papers.
>You won't take any attempt at bribery lightly. Does he take you for some sort of fool? Rebuke him and refuse him entry into the town. You don't want anything to do with him, or his human cargo.
>>
>>3998243
>>Deny the gift, even after he offers it for the third time. You'd rather not be caught accepting such things. Brush it off, and continue with your inspection of his papers.

>Thank him for the gift but inform him about the fate of the last person who took gifts. We do not intend to say he would even attempt such a thing, but due to his ill actions there is a stigma over such things.
>>
>>3998243
Gentlemen, everyone expects a Scorpion to be corrupt, so there's no need to blow up about it. Certainly an honorable Scorpion is a person who would not be capable of serving his family well. Thus, there's nothing better than to pretend to be corrupt. Take the gift, but don't sell yourself out in reality. No doubt the funds, as distasteful as it is to touch them, can be put to good use for your family/clan. In the meantime, you make a connection and make the merchant more inclined to spill his tongue about his shenanigans.
However, if you refuse, say he has you at a disadvantage and can't reciprocity as is proper giftgiving costume. Hell, say it even if you accept and the idiot thinks you owe him a favor.
>>
My suggestion on this is to accept the bribe, house the caravan under (secret) watch and then send the ruby to your boss with a report on the caravan.
>>
So far, there's three different suggestions:
>Politely deny the merchant's gift and mention what happened to the last yoriki who accepted too many gifts. You don't want to suffer the same fate.
>Pretend to be corrupt by accepting the gift. This will make the merchant more inclined to trust you, even if you have no desire to actually keep the gift.
>Accept the gift, but remain on high alert. You'll send the jewel back to Tetsunori along with a report on the caravan and everything you find out about its owner.

I'll give half an hour for anyone else to place their votes on these options. If there's still a tie, I'll roll between the choices.
>>
>>3998280
I can switch mine >>3998253 to accepting the bribe and keeping the caravan under watch like >>3998256 Feels like the same tone in my mind.
>>
>>3998253
I'll support this. Could be rewarding if we play it right.
>>
>>3998280
>>Accept the gift, but remain on high alert. You'll send the jewel back to Tetsunori along with a report on the caravan and everything you find out about its owner.
>>
>>3998285
Supporting
>>
>>3998256
>>3998253
Sounds good to me.

We should of course still check the peasants' papers, or at least make a show of it. We need to find out what it is he's doing that's profitable enough he can afford to buy off a yoriki with a ruby.
>>
>>3998280
>>Pretend to be corrupt by accepting the gift. This will make the merchant more inclined to trust you, even if you have no desire to actually keep the gift.
>>
“I can't possibly accept such a gift,” you reply. You already know how you're going to handle this – it's best if Shungyosai thinks you're in his pocket, even if you're not. Ultimately, it's evidence that you can use against him.

“But Bayushi-sama, I insist! Those who keep the villages safe should be thanked.” You finish checking his papers – it does seem that he has all of the right stamps to pass through, and they're within date, if only by a few months.

“That is simply my duty, Shungyosai. I need no thanks for it, nor do I have anything to give in return.” You hand back his travel papers as you make your second refusal.

“You needn't give anything in return at all! Consider it a show of gratitude, the admiration of one of the common people that you work so hard to protect!”

“Very well, Shungyosai. It would seem that I am in your debt.” Finally, you reach out to accept the ruby from the merchant, inspecting it. It's an unimpressive little gem, but it's a gem nonetheless – it should be worth a few koku. Not that you're going to sell it – it's going straigh to Tetsunori, along with a report on this band of travellers.

“Excellent!” The finely-dressed traveller beams, briefly twirling that umbrella of his. “Unless there is anything else that you need, we should make our way into Kagoki! There's no need for us to linger on the road out here, is there?”

“Wait. First of all, I will need to check the papers of your companions.” You make a gesture towards the ragged-looking men and women in the cart. Shungyosai grimaces and then his expression becomes somewhat apologetic. He spreads his hand apart in a placating, pleading gesture.

“Come now, Bayushi-sama. You have confirmed my papers and you have enjoyed my generosity. Surely there is no need for you to inspect the affairs of these workers? I am the only important one here, you shouldn't worry yourself with them.” Already, he seeks to exploit the bribe. Meanwhile, Rinji stands nearby, looking puzzled and having no idea of what's going through your mind. You're going to have to explain things to him later.

>It's his fault for giving away the ruby so quickly. It's already in your possession now and he's got nothing to barter with. Demand to inspect the papers of his comapnions – his previous generosity won't get in the way of your duty.
>If you want to remain on his good side, you need to maintain the illusion that you've been bribed. Play along and allow them inside of the village, without checking their papers at all.
>A little lie is needed. Indicate that you're offering to help him, to stamp the papers of his travelling companions. This way, they won't be bothered by anyone further down the road. He might figure out that you're lying later on though. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3998333
>It's his fault for giving away the ruby so quickly. It's already in your possession now and he's got nothing to barter with. Demand to inspect the papers of his comapnions – his previous generosity won't get in the way of your duty.

Do you have more spare rubies lying around?
>>
>>3998333
>If you want to remain on his good side, you need to maintain the illusion that you've been bribed. Play along and allow them inside of the village, without checking their papers at all.

We keep them under watch and send a message up ahead to make sure they all get checked properly at the next post. We might also consider sitting down with the merchant over the nights meal and having our ronin accomplice do the unsavory work of mingling with the other members of the traveling bamd.
though one could make the argument the gift was only for the trader himself, not his mooks too.
>>
>>3998345
I concur with this.
>>
>>3998333
A little lie is needed, be prepared to spend void. how do we earn void?
>>
>>3998354
>>3998019
Check this post out anon.
>>
>>3998364
I am blind, thanks>>3998363
>>
>>3998354
I suppose I'll change to this. I don't see any better way to get close enough to look at these people (that he clearly doesn't want us getting close to and looking at) and hadn't considered the use of Void Points into the odds of succeeding the roll.
>>
Going with:
>A little lie is needed. Indicate that you're offering to help him, to stamp the papers of his travelling companions. This way, they won't be bothered by anyone further down the road. He might figure out that you're lying later on though. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 5, 1, 4, 2, 5 = 28 (7d6)

>>3998387
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 3, 5, 6, 1, 4 = 23 (7d6)

>>3998374
NP Anon. Always happy to help with minor stuff like that.

>>3998387
OH FUK
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 4, 1, 4, 1, 2 = 19 (7d6)

>>3998387
>>
>>3998390
Praise be the dice goddesses and gods
>>
>>3998390
The Fortune of Luck still chuckles in amusement at our actions.
>>
>Going with >>3998390, four successes. Lucky buggers.

“I'm afraid that I will need to inspect their papers nonetheless. It would be for the best if I made sure that they have the correct stamps for the road ahead, yes?” You pause and give the merchant a knowing smile. “A favour for a favour, Shungyosai-san.”

A look of outrage on the trader's face quickly turns into an expression of glee. “Oh yes, of course! Very good, Bayushi-sama, I hadn't thought of that!”

“First though, I will need to know where you are going.” At that, Shungyosai wets his lips and seems a bit more pensive. After a few seconds, he decides to reluctantly answer your question.

“From here, we're going to Beiden. I should run into no trouble there, but your stamps will be useful on the way, eh? In case I get caught offguard by a patrol or something like that.”

“No trouble at Beiden? Shungyosai-san, surely you understand that you will have to deal with more than just one yoriki at that town.” In response to your words, the merchant simply winks and offers a slightly yellow grin, not lacking in cofidence for a second.

“I have my ways around that, Bayushi-sama. A man must be allowed to have some secrets. But don't you have some papers to tend to?”

You take the opportunity to climb on the cart and turn to each of the different travellers, who Shungyosai referred to as 'workers.' There's seven of them in total and they all look rather disheveled and unfortunate. A rather simple-looking fellow who stares into space, a tall and slender young woman who demurely bows her head when you approach, and more than a couple of foul-smelling men who could only be hinin, judging from the stench of meat that clings to them.

One by one, you check their papers and they're all woefully inadequate. None of them have any stamps that would allow them to legally move through Kagoki or Beiden. In fact, you're quite sure that they don't even have the stamps required to travel down the road that they came from. The fines and fees that would have to be paid before all of them could lawfully continue with their journey are staggering, worth even more than the jewel that you were given. The question is, what do you do from here?

>Keep playing along and stamp the papers, like you said you would. It's all a part of a greater deception. All of this will be worth it, as long as you're able to incriminate Shungyosai in the end.
>It's not worth it. Don't stamp the papers. There's a good chance of your deception being discovered later but hopefully by that point, you will have solved this mess.
>>
DOUBLE POST OOOHHHH HAH HAH
>Keep playing along, send one of our people ahead to let our coworkers know whats going on as soon as reasonably possible.
>>
>>3998432
>Keep playing along and stamp the papers, like you said you would. It's all a part of a greater deception. All of this will be worth it, as long as you're able to incriminate Shungyosai in the end.
>>
>>3998432
>>Keep playing along and stamp the papers, like you said you would. It's all a part of a greater deception. All of this will be worth it, as long as you're able to incriminate Shungyosai in the end.
>>
One by one, you stamp their papers. Lawfully, they are all allowed to travel through Kagoki and Beiden. This should keep Shungyosai satisfied and keep him from discovering that you're hardly in his pocket at all. But you now need to succeed – if you allow this man to depart, having accepted his bribe and assisted in their illegal travel through your area of jurisdiction, everyone will believe that you are either incompetent or corrupt.

Stepping down from the cart, you return to Shungyosai. “There. It's taken care of. Might I ask where you are staying for the night?”

“Oh, if you are willing to offer shelter in a storage house or something of the sort, I would be most grateful, Bayushi-sama!” The merchant beams happily. “More often than not, my workers and I must rely on this wagon for shelter. How shameful it is, having to sleep with a cart for a roof, with only a blanket between yourself and the mud! I would appreciate whatever hospitality that you are able to provide.”

“I will see what I can do, Shungyosai-san.” Meawnile, Rinji is looking at you as though you have gotten utterly mad. He's been witness to all of your supposedly corrupt affairs and you can guess at what he must be thinking.

You'll handle him later. For now, you need to take this one step at a time.

>Shungyosai and his fellows will have to sleep beneath the cart once more. You doubt that the heimin will be too appreciative of you letting outsiders sleep in one of their huts. They'll feel bad enough about outsiders staying for the night in the first place.
>You'll put them all in a storage house for the night, somewhere to sleep that isn't frigid and damp. It will be easier for you to keep an eye on them if they're all contained in a single structure anyway. The villagers aren't likely to approve though.
>Shungyosai will get the opportunity to sleep with you and your dōshin, in the 'luxury' of Tamuramaro's house. This way, you can watch him personally. The rest of his workers will need to sleep underneath the cart though.
>Shungyosai will be sleeping with you in Tamuramaro's house, while the rest of his workers will get to enjoy the shelter of a storage hut. There's a very good chance that you'll upset some of the locals of Kogaki however.
>>
>>3998459
>>Shungyosai will get the opportunity to sleep with you and your dōshin, in the 'luxury' of Tamuramaro's house. This way, you can watch him personally. The rest of his workers will need to sleep underneath the cart though.
>>
>>3998459
>Shungyosai will get the opportunity to sleep with you and your dōshin, in the 'luxury' of Tamuramaro's house. This way, you can watch him personally. The rest of his workers will need to sleep underneath the cart though.
>>
>Shungyosai
>>
>>3998459
>You'll put them in a storage house for the night
>>
>>3998478
>You'll put them all in a storage house for the night, somewhere to sleep that isn't frigid and damp. It will be easier for you to keep an eye on them if they're all contained in a single structure anyway. The villagers aren't likely to approve though.

I dont get why we bringing them to our house tho i mean maybe the important package are the workers themselves
>>
>>3998459
>You'll put them all in a storage house for the night, somewhere to sleep that isn't frigid and damp. It will be easier for you to keep an eye on them if they're all contained in a single structure anyway. The villagers aren't likely to approve though.
>>
>>3998468
>>3998469
>>3998476
This is very suspicious too, we are really being generous here.
>>
>>3998459
>>You'll put them all in a storage house for the night, somewhere to sleep that isn't frigid and damp. It will be easier for you to keep an eye on them if they're all contained in a single structure anyway. The villagers aren't likely to approve though.
>>
>>3998469
>You'll put them all in a storage house for the night, somewhere to sleep that isn't frigid and damp. It will be easier for you to keep an eye on them if they're all contained in a single structure anyway. The villagers aren't likely to approve though
I'll switch to this
>>
“I will speak to Tamuramaro, Shungyosai-san. He will see that one of the huts used for storing the equipment of the heimin is emptied, and all of you can enjoy some dry shelter for the night.”

“That would do splendidly, Bayushi-sama! After days of having to sleep in the cold and the damp, it will be a true luxury to have a real roof over my head and walls around me!” You manage to push a smile to your lips and bow your head in a brief nod to the merchant.

“Of course, Shungyosai-san. You are free to take your companions and your cart into the town. Remain there until we have your shelter for the night ready, and then we will take you to it. Hopefully that will be satisfactory?”

“You are far too kind, Bayushi-sama. I will need to thank you for your generosity once more, should I ever come by this village again! For I am afraid that I cannot remain for longer than a day, and must make my departure in the morning. Until then, I shall delight in your company and your hospitality!” Clambering on his cart once more, the finely-dressed trader makes his way further into Kagoki with his passengers, leaving you standing alone with Rinji.

“Bayushi-sama, have you gone mad?” You're almost tempted to strike the dōshin for the bluntness of his words, but he has good reason to be appalled by your actions. For all intents and purposes, you acted like a typical corrupt yoriki, straight out of a pillow book.

You take a moment to consider all of the information you have available to you.
Shungyosai has bribed you and considers you a corrupt samurai that's in his pocket.
He is transporting a group of wretched heimin and hinin, who are far away from their homes and have no right to be travelling.
Precisely where he is taking them, you don't know, but his next stop is at Beiden, where he believes he will be welcome.
He will be departing with his human cargo tomorrow morning, if all goes according to his plan.
The next time Yasotaro will be arriving at Kagoki with his dōshin is late tomorrow afternoon, at the earliest. Otherwise, he will run into them on the road – and probably not take issue with them, since you have stamped their papers.

“Rinji-san,” you begin. “This is how we are going to handle this...”
>>
>>3998490
I mean, I agree. I think we already kinda overdid our plan with stamping the papers.

In case it was unclear, I want all of them in a storage house for the night.
>>
>One of your dōshin is going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.
>Two of your dōshin are going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.
>Two of your dōshin are going to take shifts watching the hut Shungyosai is staying in.

>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro, somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to intercept Shungyosai and hold him there. You'll meet up with Yasotaro and together, you'll escort Shungyosai to Beiden and hand him into Tetsunori.
>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro, somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori.
>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori. After telling Yasotaro this, the dōshin will proceed to Beiden to inform Tetsunori of everything in advance of Yasotaro's arrival.

>When the morning comes, you're going to allow Shungyosai to leave Kagoki and make his way towards Beiden.
>When the morning comes, you're going to fabric a reason that will force Shungyosai to stay until Yasotaro is able to bring him to Beiden.
>When the morning comes, you're going to use force to detain Shungyosai until Yasotaro is able to bring him to Beiden.

>Write in, if you've got a plan of your own or an improvement that you'd like to make.

This is likely going to be the last update for the night, so feel free to discuss and concoct a plan together, on how you'll handle the Shungyosai situation.
>>
>>3998546
>One of your dōshin is going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.

One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori. After telling Yasotaro this, the dōshin will proceed to Beiden to inform Tetsunori of everything in advance of Yasotaro's arrival.

>When the morning comes, you're going to allow Shungyosai to leave Kagoki and make his way towards Beiden.
>>
>>3998553
This
>>
>>3998546
>One of your dōshin is going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.
>>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori. After telling Yasotaro this, the dōshin will proceed to Beiden to inform Tetsunori of everything in advance of Yasotaro's arrival.
>>When the morning comes, you're going to allow Shungyosai to leave Kagoki and make his way towards Beiden.
>>
>One of your dōshin is going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.
>>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori. After telling Yasotaro this, the dōshin will proceed to Beiden to inform Tetsunori of everything in advance of Yasotaro's arrival.
>>When the morning comes, you're going to allow Shungyosai to leave Kagoki and make his way towards Beiden.
>>
>>3998546
>One of your dōshin is going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.

>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori. After telling Yasotaro this, the dōshin will proceed to Beiden to inform Tetsunori of everything in advance of Yasotaro's arrival.

>When the morning comes, you're going to allow Shungyosai to leave Kagoki and make his way towards Beiden.
>>
>>3998546
>One of your dōshin is going to watch the hut Shungyosai is staying in.
>One of your dōshin is going to set off towards Beiden after nightfall and meet with Yasotaro somewhere along the road. He's going to tell Yasotaro to come to Kagoki, take Shungyosai and escort him to Beiden, where he will be handed over to Tetsunori. After telling Yasotaro this, the dōshin will proceed to Beiden to inform Tetsunori of everything in advance of Yasotaro's arrival.
>When the morning comes, you're going to allow Shungyosai to leave Kagoki and make his way towards Beiden.
This is what I'm inclined to vote, but I must ask; is there a possibility Yasotaro could betray us by reporting us as corrupt to Tetsunori?
>>
We let him pass way too easily that it becomes suspicious. Should've tried to shake him down some more.
>>
Rinji isn't particularly pleased to find out that he will spending the night running down the road to find where Yasotaro and his dōshin are camping. Your fellow yoriki must be told everything, and hurry towards Kagoki to intercept Shungyosai as he leaves. He's even less pleased when he hears that he'll need to keep running after that and continue all the way to Beiden. Once there, his duty is to inform Tetsunori of everything that has happened, so that the magistrate is ready for the merchant's arrival. Rinji likely won't be able to complete the journey in a single day, so you will allow him to take rations and a tent with him.

Sosa will be watching the hut that the travellers are staying in for any sign of anything unusual, and to make sure that they don't leave in the middle of the night. If there's any sign of anything strange, he's to come and wake you immediately. Atshushi is the only one of your dōshin who will have a good night's sleep, as you want him fresh and ready in the morning. If the following day does not go according to plan, you would like to have a capable warrior by your side.

After explaining the situation to Rinji, you depart to find Sosa at the road to Jamihoro. Once you have told him about what has happened and everything that will be needed of him, you go to meet Atshushi to do the same. Like Rinji, Sosa is rather reluctant but he is bound to serve you. As for the rōnin, he is rather puzzled by all of this intrigue but he shall play along with it, and do whatever is required of him. With all of your dōshin informed, you make your way towards the middle of the village to speak with Tamuramaro and explain the situation to him, and what you will need of him.

There's no need for you to tell the village head everything, not now – he is only your gracious host, he does not work for you like the other three do. His usually pleasant mood darkens when you inform him that a hut must be emptied to make space for visitors, but he complies. At least in this village, there seems to be a stigma against wandering bands such as this, who seek to exploit the hospitality of their fellow heimin. Tamuramaro suggests that they might be thieves of some sort, or perhaps even bandits. Having seen Shungyosai's bedraggled companions for yourself, you doubt it, but you manage to sooth the village leader's nerves by telling him that these guests will be watched throughout the night.

So, Tamuramaro sets about making the necessary preparations and has some of the villagers empty out one of the huts used to store tools and other such things, to keep them from corroding in the rain. Before too long, Shungyosai and his workers have a small structure that they can use for shelter, with only one way in or out. Simple enough for Sosa to keep an eye on.
>>
>Take this opportunity to write a report for Rinji to take back to your magistrate, Tetsunori. It will explain everything that has happened, so that Rinji won't have any chance to misconstrue your words or misunderstand you.
>Not only will you write this report, but you'll also put the ruby in a pouch and have Rinji take that to Tetsunori as well. You don't want to keep your hands on anything that could lead to accusations of corruption.
>Prepare a report that you'll hand into Tetsunori yourself the next time that you're in Beiden. You don't trust Rinji to handle a report properly, and you certainly don't trust him to handle jewels.

>If there is anything else you would like to prepare or do before night falls and your plan is put into action, now is the time to say it.
>>
>>3998901
>>Not only will you write this report, but you'll also put the ruby in a pouch and have Rinji take that to Tetsunori as well. You don't want to keep your hands on anything that could lead to accusations of corruption.
>>
>>3998901
>Not only will you write this report, but you'll also put the ruby in a pouch and have Rinji take that to Tetsunori as well. You don't want to keep your hands on anything that could lead to accusations of corruption.
>>
>>3998901
>Not only will you write this report, but you'll also put the ruby in a pouch and have Rinji take that to Tetsunori as well. You don't want to keep your hands on anything that could lead to accusations of corruption.
>>
>>3998901
>Not only will you write this report, but you'll also put the ruby in a pouch and have Rinji take that to Tetsunori as well. You don't want to keep your hands on anything that could lead to accusations of corruption.
>>
Everything that you have learned about Shungyosai is put to paper. All of your supposed corruption is explained. The stamps you have placed on the papers of all those downtrodden travellers are to be erased, their right of passage withdrawn once they arrive at Beiden. And finally, you put that flawed little ruby that you were given into a pouch. Tetsunori can have that as well, evidence of the merchant's attempt to bribe you. Your hands are now clean.

The report is handed to Rinji along with that pouch and with great reluctance, the dōshin sets off for Beiden, jogging down the road. You find it difficult to estimate when he'll run into Yasotaro's patrol, and when your fellow yoriki will encounter the travellers, but there's almost no room in the plan for error. You go to exchange pleasantries with Shungyosai one last time, to make sure that he and all of his companions are at home in the emptied-out hut. Once everything in place, you leave him in peace. After twilight descends upon Kogaki, Sosa will begin his watch and keep a close eye on your peculiar guests.

You make your way to Tamuramaro's house for the night and enjoy a simple meal before you settle down to rest. Sleep doesn't come to you easily, as your mind is far too occupied with the day's events and the plans that you have made. It takes time but eventually, weariness takes over and you descend int a restless, dreamless sleep.

“Bayushi-sama?” It seems to still be dark outside when you force one of your eyes open. Sosa is crouched nearby, looking rather pensive.

“What time is it?”

“Hour of the tiger, Bayushi-sama. Dawn will be here shortly. Earlier this night, Shungyosai left the hut to visit the hinin compound. I followed him, to see what he was up to – I couldn't get close enough to listen, but he had a long conversation with one of the filth at their enclave's gate. He spotted me on the way back, so I confronted him, asked him what he was doing in the dead of night. The merchant said he was interested in purchasing some leather, to sell somewhere further down the road.”

You force yourself to sit up, keeping yourself from groaning. Though you normally woke up at this hour back in the dōjō, you had gotten used to the luxury of rising with the dawn over the past couple of weeks. “I hope that you escorted him back to his hut, Sosa-san?”

“Yes, Bayushi-sama. Though ah, there is something that I noticed when I came here to report. The ponies that drew Shungyosai's wagon, they're gone.”

“What do you mean, gone?”

“They are missing, Bayushi-sama. The merchant left them tied by the cart but they aren't there now.” You aren't quite sure what to make of it. This is a complication but in a way, you benefit from it. Without any beasts to draw his cart, Shungyosai isn't able to leave the village unless he wants to abandon the wagon and walk on foot.
>>
You clean and dress yourself, and prepare for the day ahead. Dawn is only just creeping over the horizon by the time you step out of the head's house. An hour passes before there's any sign of Shungyosai stepping out of the hut to inspect his cart and his beasts – and as you expect, he's incensed when he finds out that the ponies are missing.

“Bayushi-sama! Bayushi-sama, there is a thief in this village!” Shungyosai's face, which normally wears such pleasant smiles, is contorted in a scowl. “How am I meant to move this cart without any horses to pull it?! We must find my animals and punish whoever is responsible for taking them!”

>You're done playing this game. Command Shungyosai to go back into the hut and stay there. You'll order Atshushi to guard it until Yasotaro arrives. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Well, you suppose you should try and track down the horses. They're not subtle creatures, so it shouldn't be too difficult. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Isn't there someone in this village who was so desperate to get his hands on a new beast of burden that he slew his old one and lied to a samurai? Go and inspect Mabumasa's household, see if he's up to his old tricks.
>Offer an apology, and a donation of two of the town's oxen to make up for the missing horses. The people of Kagoki will not be happy, but they are in no position to refuse a samurai's commands.
>Forget the horses. Take the opportunity to interrogate him about last night. He was seen visiting the hinin, what did he talk to them about? Did he really just want to buy leather from them, in the dead of night?
>>
>>3998970
Isn't there someone in this village who was so desperate to get his hands on a new beast of burden that he slew his old one and lied to a samurai? Go and inspect Mabumasa's household, see if he's up to his old tricks.
>>
>>3998970
>Well, you suppose you should try and track down the horses. They're not subtle creatures, so it shouldn't be too difficult. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3998970
>>Well, you suppose you should try and track down the horses. They're not subtle creatures, so it shouldn't be too difficult. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)


I dont' see Mabusama doing something so foolish so soon personally. Maybe though
>>
Going with:
>Well, you suppose you should try and track down the horses. They're not subtle creatures, so it shouldn't be too difficult. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 3d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 3 = 10 (3d6)

>>3999006
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 6 = 12 (3d6)

>>
Rolled 1, 1, 4 = 6 (3d6)

>>3999006
>>
>Going with >>3999018, two successes.

“Calm yourself, Shungyosai. Remain by the hut, Atshushi will tend you. I'll find these horses of yours in the meantime, whoever took them can't have gone far.”

Shungyosai seethes, but eventually he calms down to the point where he's willing to wait by the hut, with your rōnin watching over him and the others. A quick count reveals that all of his travellers are accounted for and that none of them are missing. With that in order, you give chase after the stolen horses, following the tracks left in the muddy road.

As far as you can tell, the only visible tracks are those of the horses – whoever took them must have been riding them. It's a rather odd, meandering route that they take, quickly diverging from the path to tread through fields and countryside, away from the town and into the wilderness.

It takes half an hour of trudging through light rain, long grass and thick mud before you track the stolen ponies to an isolated copse off the beaten track. You're surprised to discover that the beasts weren't stolen at all, as there's no sign of human life at all – just one of the two horses, helping itself to the wild grass beneath the shade of a tree, shelter from the rain. As you make your approach, the beast takes notice of you and shimmies away. The pony is out of sight and must have wandered further into the Rokugani countryside.

It seems as though there was no thief at all. Either the ponies managed to get free or for whatever reason, someone decided to set them free.

>Be patient. Move slowly and carefully, try to avoid riling up the animal and see if you can get close enough to the horse to get a hold on it and guide it back towards the road, and back to Kogaki.(This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Forage around for a root that the pony might enjoy and try to coax it into following you back to Kogaki that way. You're not much of an animal person, but you know what they like. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Delve deeper into the wilderness and try to find that other horse. There's no use in just bringing one of them back, Shungyosai will need two if he wants to move that cart. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You're a magistrate's deputy, not a wrangler of horses. Go back to Shungyosai and tell him that if he wants his horses back, they're off the wilderness and he can collect them himself.
>No need for Shungyosai to find out the truth. Go back to him and tell him that the horses are lost, scattered to the four winds. See how he reacts when you tell him that he'll either need to make his workers drag the cart along, or make the rest of the journey on foot.
>>
>>3999064
>You're a magistrate's deputy, not a wrangler of horses. Go back to Shungyosai and tell him that if he wants his horses back, they're off the wilderness and he can collect them himself.
>>
>>3999064
You're a magistrate's deputy, not a wrangler of horses. Go back to Shungyosai and tell him that if he wants his horses back, they're off the wilderness and he can collect them himself.
>>
>>3999064
>>You're a magistrate's deputy, not a wrangler of horses. Go back to Shungyosai and tell him that if he wants his horses back, they're off the wilderness and he can collect them himself.
Clearly a distraction to get us out of the village. Head back.
>>
>>3999064
>>You're a magistrate's deputy, not a wrangler of horses. Go back to Shungyosai and tell him that if he wants his horses back, they're off the wilderness and he can collect them himself.
>>
>>3999064
>You're a magistrate's deputy, not a wrangler of horses. Go back to Shungyosai and tell him that if he wants his horses back, they're off the wilderness and he can collect them himself.
>>
>>3999064
Aah, so his game was to stay in the town from the start.

Fortunately I doubt he suspects we're about to arrest him. Which is likely to spoil his plans.

On the other hand supposing this is the plot of an other Scorpion we haven't done anything the magistrate can't undo.
>>
You're not wasting another moment on this. You've got more important things to attend to a merchant's lost ponies. Worse, there's the chance that this was a distraction to get you out of the village. Murmuring a quiet curse under your breath, you turn around and begin the walk back to Kagoki, as quick as you're able through the mud and the grass and the rain.

You're puzzled to find that almost everything in Kagoki is as you left it. Atshushi appears to be having an animated discussion with Shungyosai in front of the hut he's meant to stay inside of. There's also a rather anxious-looking Tamuramaro standing nearby, his elderly face set in a deep frown. Upon spotting you, he stares at you with unpleasant intensity. He can wait. First of all, you have news to deliver to the merchant.

“Shungyosai-san,” you state, interrupting the conversation that he's having with the rōnin. “No one stole your ponies at all. They are off frolicking in the wilderness, they have gotten loose.”

“Then why haven't you come back with them, Bayushi-sama? I have shown you my generosity and--”

“You have shown me your generosity Shungyosai-san, and I have shown you mine in return. I am above herding beasts on the behalf of a common merchant. If you wish for the return of your ponies, you will need to fetch them yourself.” At that, the merchant is flabbergasted.

“Fetch them myself, Bayushi-sama? How am I supposed to do such a thing, when your wave man doesn't let me walk ten paces without telling me to get back in that miserable hovel?”

“Orders are orders,” Atshushi says, “unless you want me to let him out, Bayushi-sama?”

>Fine. Shungyosai can go and fetch the horses on his own. Meanwhile, his workers will have to stay. You like the thought of the finely-dressed merchant struggling with ponies in the middle of nowhere.
>Atshushi will accompany and assist Shungyosai in fetching the ponies. You want eyes on the man at all times. With Sosa resting and Rinji running to Beiden however, you'll have no one left to watch over the hut. Just you.
>Shungyosai will remain. You will let his workers fetch the horses instead. Whatever his connection to them is, you doubt that he'll run away without them – or that they will run away without him.
>You've had enough of coddling the merchant and his companions. Let them all loose to collect the miserable beasts. The sooner they're out of your hair and in the hands of Yasotaro, the better.
>You want Shungyosai and his band of bedraggled travellers kept in one place, where they can't get up to any mischief. Someone will have to do something about the ponies another time. Right now, the merchant and his workers are staying put.
>>
>>3999291
Atshushi will accompany and assist Shungyosai in fetching the ponies. You want eyes on the man at all times. With Sosa resting and Rinji running to Beiden however, you'll have no one left to watch over the hut. Just you.
>>
>>3999291
>>Shungyosai will remain. You will let his workers fetch the horses instead. Whatever his connection to them is, you doubt that he'll run away without them – or that they will run away without him.
>>
>>3999291
>>Atshushi will accompany and assist Shungyosai in fetching the ponies. You want eyes on the man at all times. With Sosa resting and Rinji running to Beiden however, you'll have no one left to watch over the hut. Just you.

We'll take the opportunity to explain a bit to Tamuramaro, and possibly to question the merchant's sla- traveling companions.
>>
>>3999291
>>Atshushi will accompany and assist Shungyosai in fetching the ponies. You want eyes on the man at all times. With Sosa resting and Rinji running to Beiden however, you'll have no one left to watch over the hut. Just you.
I thought I voted, guess not?
>>
>>3999314
Hmm, my auto update seems to be broken.
>>
>>3999291
>>Shungyosai will remain. You will let his workers fetch the horses instead. Whatever his connection to them is, you doubt that he'll run away without them – or that they will run away without him.
>>
>>3999291
>>Shungyosai will remain. You will let his workers fetch the horses instead. Whatever his connection to them is, you doubt that he'll run away without them – or that they will run away without him.
>>
“You, Shungyosai-san, will remain here with Atshushi to keep you company. Your 'workers' can be trusted with fetching the horses. I hope that you find this agreeable?” For a brief second, the merchant looks apprehensive. It takes a moment's thought before he's nodding in agreement.

“So be it, Bayushi-sama.” With that, the order is given. The seven dishevelled workers are told about the missing horse and the direction of the trail that they must follow. Once they've gotten the ponies under control and brought them back to Kagoki, then they will be able to depart from Beiden – and land right in the clutches of Yasotaro. The bedraggled travellers depart to hunt their quarry and you leave the merchant in Atshushi's capable hands for the time being.

“Bayushi-sama, I would speak with you.” Those are the words of Tamuramaro. The village elder makes his approach and takes in a breath to gather his courage. Confronting a samurai is not something that any heimin does with a light heart. “One of my people found this when she woke up. She said it was on the floor, by the entrance to her home.” He holds up a small scrap of parchment and offers it for you to read.

Kimiko is corrupt. She is in the merchant's pocket. Send someone you trust to Beiden to get a magistrate. I will do what I can to keep them here until justice arrives.

... So there is a third party, someone who fell for your ruse of being a corrupt yoriki and seeks to bring you to justice.

“I do not want to believe it Bayushi-sama,” Tamuramaro says, his face grim. “Yet I must consider all that I have seen since yesterday. You allowed this traveller and his rabble to rest in our town. You have given him shelter. You ran an errand on his behalf and just now, you said something that can only be called suspicious. 'You have shown me your generosity, and I have shown you mine in return.'” So he was listening when you said that. “I have not sent anyone to fetch a magistrate. Not yet. I want to hear you justify this first.”

>Invoke the blood. As a samurai descended from the Hantei line, you are beyond reproach. Does this commoner dare to question you and your divine lineage? (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>Threaten him. If Tamuramaro keeps on questioning you, then Kagoki will soon end up with a new village leader. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>Explain everything to him. Tell him about the truth behind your deception, where you've sent Rinji, explain everything to him so that he has no reason to doubt you. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to suceed.)
>>
>>3999481
>>Explain everything to him. Tell him about the truth behind your deception, where you've sent Rinji, explain everything to him so that he has no reason to doubt you. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to suceed.)
>>
>>3999481
>>Explain everything to him. Tell him about the truth behind your deception, where you've sent Rinji, explain everything to him so that he has no reason to doubt you. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to suceed.)
>>
>>3999481
>Explain everything to him. Tell him about the truth behind your deception, where you've sent Rinji, explain everything to him so that he has no reason to doubt you. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to suceed.)
>>
>>3999481
>Explain everything to him. Tell him about the truth behind your deception, where you've sent Rinji, explain everything to him so that he has no reason to doubt you.
>>
I will say, however, whoever is doing this is pretty based.
>>
Going with:
>Explain everything to him. Tell him about the truth behind your deception, where you've sent Rinji, explain everything to him so that he has no reason to doubt you. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 6d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
>>3999512
Based AND deserving of lashes for doubting one of the samurai caste.
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 1, 2, 1, 3 = 13 (6d6)

>>3999514
>>
Rolled 1, 4, 3, 1, 3, 2 = 14 (6d6)

>>3999514
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 1, 3, 6, 5 = 24 (6d6)

>>3999514
>>
>>3999514
This shit is a headache. I dont really get our goal here but we can always do torture to know what we want
>>
>>3999527
Thank goodness 3rdposter came through for us

>>3999530
I do get the feeling we blew this out of proportion. On the upside, perhaps we've found ourselves a youngster who could serve as a permanent aide.
>>
>Going with >>3999527, three successes.

A headache is the right description for this mess. You explain the situation to Tamuramaro as best as you can. You played the part of a corrupt yoriki solely to gain the merchant's trust. Sosa is currently resting because he was up all night watching them, and Rinji is currently missing because he's on the road to Beiden. Your objective is to have Shungyokai and his workers taken back to the magistrates' station for interrogation, and so that your superiors can decide their fate.

“... This is a complicated affair, Bayushi-sama. Surely you could have just detained them, without any need for deception?”

“Perhaps, but I wished to avoid conflict.” He does have a point though. Perhaps this would have gone more smoothly if you had simply refused the bribe. At the very least, you wouldn't have antagonised this annoying vigilante who is convinced that you are corrupt. You'll need to find out who the culprit is.

“Very well, Bayushi-sama. Forgive me for doubting you.” With a drawn-out sigh, the village elder bows before you and makes his way back to his home, leaving you to your own devices.

It's a good two hours before the travellers return with the ponies. The morning is dragging on and the sun is rising higher and higher, coming closer towards its zenith. The worst part is that while one of the horses is gingerly being led along, another one of the beasts is being carried by four of the workers. It's limp and in pain, but it appears to still be breathing. At the sight of the disabled beast, a hysterical Shungyokai emerges from the hut with Atshushi trailing after him.

“What happened?! What did you do to it, you backwater fools?!” One of the travellers comes forward to explain, while you and your rōnin assistant stand to the side to listen.

“Well uh, it was a mess, Shungyokai-sama,” a filthy-looking man explains. Judging from the stench oozing out of his skin, he must be hinin. “Rukiya, she was able to track them just fine. Getting 'em to calm down and follow us back was what took an age. Taro and Dai were able to sooth 'em eventually but half-way back, this one just collapsed! Must've eaten something foul, Shungyokai-sama.”

>Kagoki's hinin can have the sick pony. Shungyokai still has one left which he can ride to Beiden, he'll just have to leave the cart behind. You're sure the people of this village can use it for something.
>Give it time, perhaps it'll recover if you just give it the rest it needs. Besides, it shouldn't be too long until Yasotaro arrives to collect Shungyokai anyway. The merchant will have no need for horses then.
>Sickly animals are a source of spiritual contamination, only hinin are meant to touch them. You're going to break that taboo in order to find out what's wrong with the beast. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Medicine skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. You will lose glory if you choose this option.)
>>
>>3999587
>Give it time, perhaps it'll recover if you just give it the rest it needs. Besides, it shouldn't be too long until Yasotaro arrives to collect Shungyokai anyway. The merchant will have no need for horses then.
>>
>>3999587
Give it some time.
>>
>>3999587
>>Give it time, perhaps it'll recover if you just give it the rest it needs. Besides, it shouldn't be too long until Yasotaro arrives to collect Shungyokai anyway. The merchant will have no need for horses then.
>>
“Give it time, Shungyokai-san.” You maintain an air of calmness as you offer this advice. “Have a little patience. The beast might yet recover from whatever sickness has overwhelmed it. Once it does, you and your 'workers' can be on your way.”

“What have I done to earn the ire of the Fortunes this day?” An exasperated sigh comes from the merchant. “All of you, go wait in the hovel! We are leaving as soon as the beast is back on its legs.” The dishevelled seven obey the merchant with various muttered comments and make their way into the hut. Like their master, they seem eager to depart from Kagoki before their luck gets any worse. Atshushi goes to keep an eye on them, while you remain with the sickly horse and its owner.

An hour arrives and the sun passes its zenith. Morning becomes afternoon and with that transition, Yasotaro arrives. He has his own three yoriki with him, jittes tucked into their sashes. They must have picked up the pace when Rinji told them the news. Certainly, your fellow yoriki doesn't seem surprised by the sight of the cart, the ponies or the finely-dressed merchant.

“Bayushi-san,” Yasotaro says. “Is this the trader that your dōshin spoke of?” He glares at Shungyokai from behind his lion-dog mask. You have come to appreciate the sight of masks in this rural backwater. It's a sign of nobility, that distinguishes a samurai from the undignified rabble.

“It is, Yogo-san.” The merchant's eyes bulge when he hears those words leave your mouth. His head swivels as he looks between the two of you.

“What is the meaning of this?! Bayushi-sama, I showed my generosity and this is how I am repaid? My business is lawful! A samurai is my patron! To hinder me is the meddle in the affairs of one of your own caste, and you are merely yoriki!”

That's something that he didn't mention before now. Yasotaro shares an uncertain look with you.

>There's a good chance that he's just lying and that he serves no samurai. Question him further about this. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>You try to recall a passage from the Ritsuryō. Surely a samurai's patronage can't protect him in this instance... (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Government skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>That changes everything. You're not about to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, that's beyond your authority. You're going to have to reluctantly allow Shungyokai to pass through, as he originally intended to.
>Too bad that his patron isn't here to protect him. He's going to Beiden. Anything that he or his filthy rabble have to say, they can say to the magistrates when they arrive at the station.
>>
>>3999663
>>There's a good chance that he's just lying and that he serves no samurai. Question him further about this. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3999663

>There's a good chance that he's just lying and that he serves no samurai. Question him further about this.

In any even even if he is involved in another Scorpion's plot (as we don't care about non-scorpion plots) then they are free to approach the magistrate in Beiden about it, as that was his destination anyhow.
>>
>>3999663
>There's a good chance that he's just lying and that he serves no samurai. Question him further about this. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
Unless he's serving the Scorpion he's out of luck.
>>
>>3999663
>>There's a good chance that he's just lying and that he serves no samurai. Question him further about this. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>There's a good chance that he's just lying and that he serves no samurai. Question him further about this. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 5d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 4, 6, 3 = 17 (5d6)

>>3999706
>>
Rolled 3, 4, 4, 2, 2 = 15 (5d6)

>>3999706
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 6, 3, 6 = 23 (5d6)

>>3999706
>>
>>3999716
Based thirdsavior again
>>
>Going with >>3999716, three successes.

“Really? You should have said earlier, Shungyokai-san. You would have come across as less suspicious. Not only that but if you truly serve a samurai, you shouldn't have to resort to bribery.”

“Many samurai enjoy their privacy,” the merchant snaps in response. “Especially those of the Scorpion Clan.”

“Is that so?” Yasotaro joins in on the questioning, folding his arms across his chest. “Can you tell us the name of this samurai, who belongs to our clan? You must know the name of your employer.”

“I do. His name is Soshi Shigenaga.” Not a name that you recall. Yet he doesn't seem to hesitate when saying it, he doesn't waste any time producing the name. He's being completely honest, you're certain of that. Shungyokai is the servant of a samurai, specifically one of the Soshi family.

“Could you tell us what sort of work do you on the behalf of this Shigenaga?”

“I cannot, Bayushi-sama.” A certain smugness and confidence has entered Shungyokai's tone at this point. He thinks he has the advantage, that he's immune to consequences now that he's mentioned his patron's name.

>Unfortunately, he's right. Let him go on his way. You're not going to risk getting into trouble over this wretch. He's free to go on his way with these workers of his whenever he likes.
>You might not have the authority to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, but a magistrate does. So he's going straight to Beiden, to have a talk with Soshi Tetsunori. You've done all that you can.
>Shungyokai is too smug for his own good. Assure him that he doesn't tell you the full truth about his patron right now, he is going to lose his head, regardless of who protects him. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
>>
>>3999747
>>You might not have the authority to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, but a magistrate does. So he's going straight to Beiden, to have a talk with Soshi Tetsunori. You've done all that you can.
>>
>>3999747
>>You might not have the authority to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, but a magistrate does. So he's going straight to Beiden, to have a talk with Soshi Tetsunori. You've done all that you can.
>>
>>3999747
>>You might not have the authority to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, but a magistrate does. So he's going straight to Beiden, to have a talk with Soshi Tetsunori. You've done all that you can.
>>
>>3999747
>You might not have the authority to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, but a magistrate does. So he's going straight to Beiden, to have a talk with Soshi Tetsunori. You've done all that you can.
>>
>>3999747
>You might not have the authority to interfere in the affairs of another samurai, but a magistrate does. So he's going straight to Beiden, to have a talk with Soshi Tetsunori. You've done all that you can.
>>
“He's all yours, Yogo-san. You may take Shungyokai and his rabble back to Beiden when you are ready.”

“We marched here as fast as we were able, Bayushi-san. We will require at least some rest before we can return.” You can detect a little frustration in Yasotaro's voice. It's easy to imagine that everyone is a little irate about this whole affair.

Tensions are high for the next hour, as Yasotaro and his dōshin recover from the forced march, leaving you and Atshushi to keep a close eye on Shungyokai and his workers. Thankfully, they seem to lack the confidence on their employer. The worst you have to deal with is the occasional snide remark from the merchant himself. You find yourself overcome with relief at long last when Yasotaro is ready to depart with the merchant in tow.

The only issue is that the pony has yet to recover. In fact, its condition seems to have worsened – its breath is shallow and it occasionally spasms in agony. You doubt that the beast will live to see sunset. Meanwhile, its companion remains tied to a post, blissfully ignorant and without a trouble in the world. You'll need to decide what to do with the animal.

>It's technically Shungyokai's property, so it should be returned to him. He can take it with him to Beiden and its fate can be decided there, by magistrates.
>Kagoki can have it, another beast of burden. It can be thought of as the merchant's way of reimbursing the village, after it allowed him to stay for the night.
>Give it to the hinin. They're going to get the other pony when it dies, they might as well get this one too. You're sure that they'll be able to make some good leather out of it.
>Keep it for yourself. You could always make use of a good steed. You'll need to learn how to look after it and how to handle animals, but it'll be worth it.

Then there's also the matter of that rather heavy wagon, that required two horses to pull it along.

>Also technically Shungyokai's property. Investigate a method of bringing it to Beiden... Perhaps have some of his workers drag it along? Horribly impractical and will slow the journey down, but it's the only way.
>Shungyokai forfeited it when he decided to engage in such shady business. It can be chopped into firewood, to keep the village warm throughout winter.
>Keep it intact and keep it there for now. You never know when you might need a heavy sort of wagon like that. It could always come in useful.
>>
>>3999804
>Keep it for yourself. You could always make use of a good steed. You'll need to learn how to look after it and how to handle animals, but it'll be worth it.
>Shungyokai forfeited it when he decided to engage in such shady business. It can be chopped into firewood, to keep the village warm throughout winter.
>>
>>3999804
>>Keep it for yourself. You could always make use of a good steed. You'll need to learn how to look after it and how to handle animals, but it'll be worth it.
>>Shungyokai forfeited it when he decided to engage in such shady business. It can be chopped into firewood, to keep the village warm throughout winter.
>>
>>3999804
>>Keep it for yourself. You could always make use of a good steed. You'll need to learn how to look after it and how to handle animals, but it'll be worth it.
>>Shungyokai forfeited it when he decided to engage in such shady business. It can be chopped into firewood, to keep the village warm throughout winter.
>>
>>3999804
>>Keep it for yourself. You could always make use of a good steed. You'll need to learn how to look after it and how to handle animals, but it'll be worth it.
>>Shungyokai forfeited it when he decided to engage in such shady business. It can be chopped into firewood, to keep the village warm throughout winter.
>>
>>3999804
>Keep it for yourself. You could always make use of a good steed. You'll need to learn how to look after it and how to handle animals, but it'll be worth it.
>Shungyokai forfeited it when he decided to engage in such shady business. It can be chopped into firewood, to keep the village warm throughout winter.
>>
I should add: we should look through the Ritsuryo some time later to see if the merchant really was safe from us.
>>
Shungyokai's remaining pony is now yours. There is nothing unlawful about a samurai seizing the property of a heimin and after everything that the merchant has done, you hardly feel bad about it. Besides, it will certainly make travel between Beiden and Kagoki an easier task. As for the cart, you offer it as a gift to the people of this village, a token of your gratitude for having to deal with this absurd affair. It is to be broken down into firewood, to keep Kagoki warm throughout the coming winter. Tamuramaro is thankful for the gift and slowly, the tension caused by Shungyosai's stay in the village seems to abate.

As for Shungyosai himself, Yasotaro departs to make the journey back to Beiden, with the merchant and his merry band in tow. To avoid taking any chances, your fellow yoriki bound the arms of each captive. You almost found pleasure in the sound of Shungyosai's protests, but you're glad that the deceitful man is gone. Hopefully, Tetsunori will be able to extract the whole truth from him.

The next few days are spent doing two things. Studying the Ritsuryō is one of them, as you wish to discover just how much of an advantage Shungyosai's samurai patronage gave him.

The truth is, not much. The tie is similar to that between a samurai and his lord – while the patron is responsible for the actions of his retainer, that does not pardon any unlawful behaviour committed by the servant. If Shungyosai was roving the countryside bribing yoriki under this Shigenaga's authority, they both need to answer for this crime. The merchant needs to be punished for his criminal actions, and his patron needs to be questioned about his endorsement of the trader's activities. It is unlikely that Shigenaga will face any punishment however, as all he needs to do is withdraw his patronage and disown Shungyosai. If he says that he did not condone or authorise the traveller's actions, then it will be his testimony against the trader's – and he will be seen as innocent in the eyes of the law.

But you don't have the time to read the Ritsuryō every time you are uncertain about the law. You must learn how to internalise its code, to develop a stronger understanding of Rokugani bureaucracy. You don't want to be caught offguard by the likes of Shungyosai again.

Your days are also spent questioning various villagers about their involvement in the debacle. As much as you want to say it is all over, there's still one mystery left unsolved. Who was that infuriating vigilante who was so certain that you were corrupt, who tried to sabotage the merchant's departure throughout the morning? In the end, they weren't much of a hinderance, but their involvement certainly served to complicate that morning. You'd like to get your hands on the culprit.

>I require a roll of 4d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed at this roll.

>I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 5, 5 = 18 (4d6)

>>4000113
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 1, 1 = 9 (4d6)

>>4000113
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 5, 6 = 17 (4d6)

>>4000113
>>
>Going with >>4000117, three successes. At last.

You have failed in your efforts to identify a potential vigilante amongst the villagers of Kagoki. You will not be able to identify which of them is the vigilante, or if the vigilante is one of them at all.

However, you only failed by a narrow margin. You may spend a void point to change the course of fate and nudge this failure into being a success. If you do, you will be able to discover who amongst the villagers of Kagoki is the vigilante, or if the vigilante is one of them at all.

You currently have 1 void point, out of a maximum of 2. You may wish to save it for a roll you consider more important, or you may choose to spend it to alter the outcome

>Spend the void point.
>Save the void point.
>>
>>4000133
>>Spend the void point.
>>
>>4000133
>>Spend the void point.
>>
>>4000133
>Spend the void point.
>>
>You now have 0 void points.

You don't question the heimin to determine the truth of their words. Instead, you take the chance to access their their attitude and feelings toward you, one at a time. The results are mixed. Rumours of your corruption have spread but at the same time, some of them have heard of how you were responsible for sending Shungyokai back to Beiden. Many of them are grateful for the firewood that you offered to the village, and some of them fondly recall how you resolved the spat over the stolen ox a week ago.

So a few of them strike you as fearful and resentful, many of them are still uncertain about your intentions and quite a few of them seem to admire and trust you. What's most important however, is that none of them seem to hold a grudge against you. You haven't met anyone amongst them who holds such hostility towards you that they might take matters into their own hands. If there's one thing you're certain about, it's that the vigilante is nowhere to be found in Kagoki.

Over the ourse of the next few days, Rinji returns to the village, utterly exhausted from the journey that you sent him on. The report and the gemstone were both received by Tetsunori – at least that went according to plan. You allow the dōshin the opportunity to rest. It's the least that Rinji deserves after the trials that you put him through.

It isn't too long before Yasotaro's patrol comes around again – this time, with news.

“Month of Shinjo's coming to an end, Bayushi-san,” he says when you greet him at the road to Beiden. It's late in the afternoon, the usual time of his arrival. You're glad that things are back to normal. “I'll be watching over Kagoki for the month of Hida. It's your turn to patrol the road between here and Beiden – you should set off in the morning.”

“And if I have any business left here?”

“You should take care of it before you leave. A word of warning, I'm aware that Tetsunori wants to have a word with you. I expect that it's got something to do with the Shungyosai affair. Best prepare yourself for that, Bayushi-san.”

>If there is anything you'd like to do in Kagoki before you leave, now is the time to suggest it. Otherwise, we can skip to the journey to Beiden.
>>
>>4000165
Skip forward
>>
>>4000165
Skip
>>
You make your preparations for the trip back to Beiden. You ensure that you have all of the rations that you need, you make sure that your equipment is appropriately stored before you settle in for the night. A meal of rice and yam fills your stomach and you lie down on the coarse mat to get your last night of rest before you set off on your journey.

You rise with the dawn and depart from the village on the back of your new pony. It's a rather dull and innocent creature, obedient as long as it isn't startled or loose. You know from experience that once it's untied, it feels no reason to obey. So as long as you've got a grip on its reins, it's happy to trot along and carry your weight, oblivious to everything around it. Atshushi, Rinji and Sosa, your loyal dōshin, march at your back. Sosa recovered from his long night of watching the travellers a while ago, but Rinji still seems a little sore and irate from his race to Beiden. You'll need to keep an eye on the man.

This time you're marching towards the Spine of the World. The mountains loom over the horizon, growing ever taller as you make your way towards Beiden. You pay little attention to the monotony of countryside as you pass by rolling hills and idyllic copses, with nothing to distinguish them for each other. Even the occasional isolated farm isn't anything worthy of your attention. Morning transforms into afternoon which then becomes evening, and you camp to rest for the night. The following day isn't any different. Your journey is occasionally broken up by travellers making their way from Beiden to Kagoki, but none of them strike you as particularly interesting. You check their papers and continue on your way, to meet the magistrate that you serve.

The radiant Amaterasu is slowly descending from her place in the heavens as the afternoon drags on, but finally you arrive at Beiden. Civilisation at last. A town with structures of stone, well-dressed heimin, and where there are more important things to worry about that crops, livestock and shady travellers. The roads are even paved, so you don't need to worry about trudging through mud. In the space of weeks, you had almost forgotten that such luxuries existed. Oh, it's good to be back.

Even the magistrate's station is a palace compared to the huts and hovels that you are used to. The untreated wood and the stained paper of Tamuramaro's home cannot compare to the solid stone of this veritable palace. You are greeted by a dōshin at the entrance, who is eager to take you to speak with your superior. It seems that Tetsunori is waiting for you.
>>
You're led towards a chamber with an open door. Within, the armoured figure of Soshi Tetsunori can be seen kneeling on a cushion before a desk, various scrolls laid out over its surface. Laying down the brush in his hand, the magistrate looks up towards you. Little about him has changed over the past few weeks; the bags under his eyes are still there, perhap even a little more prominent than before. He still wears that menpō of dull iron, with its horsehair moustache and beard. He isn't particularly enthusiastic about your arrival either, as the look that he gives you can only be described as tired.

“Bayushi-san,” he remarks. “Welcome back to Beiden. Take a seat.” He gestures to the zabuton on the opposite side of the desk, closer towards the door. “There are a few things that we should discuss.”

>You're in trouble, you just know it. You need to make a good impression. Bow as formally and subserviently as you can, do whatever it takes to humble yourself before your superior. It will be humiliating, but it will be worth it. (You will increase your strife to 4 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>Offer the token bow that the magistrate deserves and take a seat. He is still your superior, but there's no need for you to debase yourself before him.
>There's no need for formalities. Just sit down and listen to what he has to say. He seems like the sort of samurai who puts business before etiquette.
>If this isn't going to take long, then there's no need for you to sit down. Besides, you are the protector of Kagoki. He should give you a little more respect, for all of the work you've done.
>>
>>4000227
>>You're in trouble, you just know it. You need to make a good impression. Bow as formally and subserviently as you can, do whatever it takes to humble yourself before your superior. It will be humiliating, but it will be worth it. (You will increase your strife to 4 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
I wasn't around for character generation but a superior is still your superior.
>>
>>4000227
>Offer the token bow that the magistrate deserves and take a seat. He is still your superior, but there's no need for you to debase yourself before him.
>>
>>4000227
>Offer the token bow that the magistrate deserves and take a seat. He is still your superior, but there's no need for you to debase yourself before him.
i remember him being not to formal so no need to be overly humble better too not waste his time
>>
>>4000227
>>Offer the token bow that the magistrate deserves and take a seat. He is still your superior, but there's no need for you to debase yourself before him.
>>
>>4000227
>Take the big bow and the strife hit

Just caught up after seeing this in the catalog and boy is it good stuff. Excellent writing OP.
>>
>>4000227
>Offer the token bow that the magistrate deserves and take a seat. He is still your superior, but there's no need for you to debase yourself before him.
>>
You bow. There's nothing elaborate about it, you just grant your superior the respect that he deserves. You're given a nod in return and wordlessly, you take your place opposite of the magistrate. You only choose to speak once you're seated.

“I am listening, Soshi-sama.”

“Good. I will begin on the subject of this merchant, Shungyosai. Once he entered my custody, he was eager to tell me everything that he knew.” You're not sure if you believe that. It's not your place to question your superior's methods though. “I suppose that you would be interested in learning the truth?”

“Of course, Soshi-sama.”

“I have no reason to doubt that Shungyosai serves this samurai he mentioned, Soshi Shigenaga. From what I have been told, Shigenaga is a rather wealthy man, a patron of many business ventures that he manages from Journey's End City.” Better known as the City of Lies, but no one calls it that in polite company. “Normally it is dishonourable for a samurai to be so heavily involved in commerce but as you are well aware, we of the Scorpion Clan discard honour in the name of duty.”

“It seems that Shigenaga is setting up a new venture,” Tetsunori continues. “It involves a mine he seeks to develop, in the Yuma province of the Soshi family. Shungyosai was tasked with seducing the less fortunate with a promise of a new life, of riches waiting to be dug out of the Spine of the World, the Seikitsu Mountains.” That must have been what he was doing what he visited the hinin in the middle of the night, you realise. “He went about this by travelling between villages, illegally displacing heimin and hinin and taking them to work in Shigenaga's mine.”

“The strangest thing about this whole affair is the amount of wealth involved.” Tetsunori picks up that familiar ruby from the desk, turning it over in his hands. “There are cheaper sources of labour than this that can be acquired without breaking Imperial law, yet Shigenaga promised Shungyosai incredible wealth. You were witness to the riches that the merchant was happy to part with, in order to earn your favour. That is what makes so little sense to me, and why I wish to investigate Shigenaga further... Yet I cannot.”

You're taken aback. “Why not, Soshi-sama?”

“It is out of our jurisdiction, Bayushi-san. We only have authority in the Beiden province, which is governed by the Yogo family. Shigenaga resides in another province, that belongs to another family. Worse, his mine is found in a third province, that belongs to a third family. The most we can do is appeal to the Chief Magistrate of the Scorpion Clan. Even if he considers this incident deserving of investigation, our part in this is over.”
>>
“So, let us speak no longer of Shigenaga, a man that we can do nothing about.” Tetsunori sets down that ruby and sets his eyes on you. “Tell me, Bayushi-san. How do you believe you handled this whole affair?”

>You're confident that you went about this properly. You took the necessary risks, you did what you had to do and Shungyokai is going to be punished for his law-breaking ways.
>You should have maintained the illusion of a corrupt yoriki for longer. He already trusted you, you should have sent him on his way to Beiden, only for him to land in the clutches of magistrates who were expecting him. No need to involve Yasotaro at all.
>There was no need to pretend to be corrupt. You should have refused the gift and allowed him to move on, but you were right to send the warning to Yasotaro so that he could be intercepted and taken to Beiden.
>You were a bit too sly about it. In the future, you should keep it blunt and simple. You should have detained Shungyokai as soon as he tried to bribe you, waited for Yasotaro and then let your fellow yoriki take him to Beiden.
>Frankly, the whole affair was a disaster as you're shocked that it turned out as well as it did. You need to do better than this in the future.
>>
>>4000325
>You should have maintained the illusion of a corrupt yoriki for longer. He already trusted you, you should have sent him on his way to Beiden, only for him to land in the clutches of magistrates who were expecting him. Unfortunately an unknown vigilante meddled and forced your hand early.

But really it's the bottom one lol
>>
>>4000325
>You should have maintained the illusion of a corrupt yoriki for longer. He already trusted you, you should have sent him on his way to Beiden, only for him to land in the clutches of magistrates who were expecting him. No need to involve Yasotaro at all.
>>
>>4000325
>>You were a bit too sly about it. In the future, you should keep it blunt and simple. You should have detained Shungyokai as soon as he tried to bribe you, waited for Yasotaro and then let your fellow yoriki take him to Beiden.

Or we could've taken the bribe and shut up. That works too.
>>
>>4000325
>>You should have maintained the illusion of a corrupt yoriki for longer. He already trusted you, you should have sent him on his way to Beiden, only for him to land in the clutches of magistrates who were expecting him. No need to involve Yasotaro at all.
Then again, maybe just doing it like a legit non corrupt Scorpion might have been best. How the hell are you supposed to keep track of everyones competing ventures anyway.
>>
>>4000325
>Frankly, the whole affair was a disaster as you're shocked that it turned out as well as it did. You need to do better than this in the future.
yeah i think we overdid it but this is our first time dealing with something like this, the only think is i like to ask how the magistrate would have done it as a more experienced samurai
>>
Also, a quick apology for misnaming Shungyosai so much. I have no idea where "Shungyokai" came from.
>>
>>4000325
damn me eng is so bad,
edit: the only thing that i like too ask is how the magistrate would have done it as a more experienced samurai
>>
“It was obvious that this merchant has a certain expectation of Scorpion samurai,” you explain. “He believes that they are without honour, that they put wealth before loyalty. I should have taken more advantage of this. There was no need to involve Yasotaro, I should have sent my dōshin straight to inform you, so that you would be ready for Shungyosai's arrival. ”

“Spoken like a true Bayushi,” Tetsunori remarks, his tone dry. “So devoted to your schemes and so eager to risk everything. You know, I received a report of your supposed 'corruption.' If your own report didn't arrive first and if you hadn't eagerly you surrendered this bribe...” He gestures to the ruby on the desk. “... Then I would have been quite suspicious of you. This conversation might have taken place in an interrogation chamber instead, rather than here, in the comfort of my quarters.”

Your blood runs cold. Is it the vigilante? They must have been determined, to come the way to Beiden, just to speak with your superior and denounce you. “I care little about the accusations of a heimin,” you remark. “Surely my testimony carries more weight than theirs.”

“The report came from another samurai, Bayushi-san.” You thought you were on good terms with the other yoriki. It's not like there were any other samurai there to witness your actions.

“You mean Yogo Yasotaro? Soshi-sama, I do not understand why he would--”

“No, it was not Yasotaro.” You're left even more bewildered when you're interrupted by the magistrate. “I believe she said her name was Yogo Yukari.”

>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 2 / 6.

All of the air leaves your lungs.

Yogo Yukari.

You're more familiar with her childhood name, Yukiko. You studied at the Seven Stings Dōjō together. At one point, she was your best friend but your relationship grew sour. She became so bitter towards you that she even tried to poison you at one point. You survived and while Yukiko was expelled, she later became a fully-fledged samurai of the Scorpion Clan, trained in the shinobi arts by the Shosuro family. She gave herself the name Yukari and even now, she seeks your downfall.

>Where is the vile woman? You need to have words with her, immediately. Not even the Fortunes will be able to stop you from getting your hands on Yukari.
>He can't trust her. Explain to the magistrate what a disgusting and self-serving creature she is, how every word that leaves her mouth is a lie designed to try and ruin you.
>She should be punished for what she has done. Tell the magistrate that she needs to be found, she needs to be detained and that she needs to suffer. Yukari must pay.
>Stay quiet. Breathe. Your feud with Yukari is in the past. Try not to let this get to you. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Meditation skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes, due to your feud with your Sworn Enemy. If you fail, you will gain a void point.)
>>
>>4000418
>Stay quiet. Breathe. Your feud with Yukari is in the past. Try not to let this get to you. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Meditation skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes, due to your feud with your Sworn Enemy. If you fail, you will gain a void point.)
Actually, once we calm ourselves down we should methodically explain our background and why she would be prejudiced against us. We wouldn't want to lose our face in public after all.
Also, when the time is right, we put her down like the dog she is.
>>
>>4000418
>Stay quiet. Breathe. Your feud with Yukari is in the past. Try not to let this get to you. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Meditation skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes, due to your feud with your Sworn Enemy. If you fail, you will gain a void point.)
like that void point back, but im sure we will fail
>>
>>4000418
>She should be punished for what she has done. Tell the magistrate that she needs to be found, she needs to be detained and that she needs to suffer. Yukari must pay.

Can we challenge her to a duel?
>>
>>4000418
>He can't trust her. Explain to the magistrate what a disgusting and self serving creature she is, how every word that leaves her mouth is a lie designed to ruin you.

The feud clearly isn't in the past if she's pulling this shit. How'd she even find out?
>>
>Success is impossible even if you were able to spend a void point, so I won't ask you to roll.

>You gain a void point. Your void points are currently at 1 / 2.

>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 3 / 6.

You try to contain your emotions. All of this anger that's bubbling inside of you is unhealthy, you shouldn't give into it. There has to be some logic behind her actions. You're both samurai now, you should be above this petty feud. You...

You grit your teeth together and smash your fist against the wooden floor, your face contorted into an expression of rage.

“You seem to be familiar with her,” Tetsunori muses, watching you closely. Thankfully, he avoids commenting on your foul mood. “She serves the daimyō of the Beiden province, Yogo Kanzaburo. He had already received reports regarding Shungyosai and sent Yukari to investigate the mine that the merchant was taking the rabble to. When she came across your ruse however, that took priority. She went out of her way to try and bring you to justice. Kanzaburo shall not be pleased with her failure to learn more about the mine.”

“In short,” the magistrate continues, “you have had your first experience with the hidden politics of the Scorpion Clan. All too often, something that appears to break Imperial law is a part of a Scorpion's elaborate scheme. This frequently ends in samurai trying to outwit and sabotage each other, without realising that they are all serving the Scorpion Clan in their own way.”

“So what happens now, Soshi-sama?” You try to calm yourself, to take your mind off of Yukari... But you have to ask yourself, how did you miss her? How could you possibly overlook her? Does she really despise you so much that she sabotaged her own assignment to 'bring you to justice?'

“Nothing,” he says. “Shungyosai's punishment shall be decided by Yogo Orinosuke and the six fools that he tricked into following him will serve in Beiden's hinin compound. As for you, you will depart to begin this month's patrol duty tomorrow. Put these events behind you, Bayushi-san – they are in the past now.”

“I must wonder however, Soshi-sama. How would you have handled the situation?” At that, he falls into a thoughtful silence, only replying after he's put a great deal of consideration into that question.

“A great deal of what you did was the right way of going about things,” he says. “You were right to send that report to me, and it was good of you to warn Yasotaro so that he could intercept the merchant. However, I would not have played the part of a corrupt lawman. I would have refused the bribe but allowed the merchant to pass through, straight into the hands of the other yoriki. A simple and elegant approach.”
>>
“You believe that it was wrong of me to deceive the trader, Soshi-sama?”

“Perhaps. It was a risky endeavour that served little purpose, from my perspective. You are too young and inexperienced to play such games. Once you have more expertise and experience, then you might have a chance. Until then, I would stay away from the chaotic mire of Scorpion politics. You are not ready, Bayushi-san.”

“Now,” he continues. “Unless there is anything else, you may take your leave. The hospitality of Beiden is yours to enjoy for the evening and before I forget, I have your monthly stipend.”

Tetsunori slides a pouch across the table. Picking it up and inspecting its contents, you see three bu inside, the silver coins gleaming in the dim light of the room. Two more bu, and you would have a whole koku... But you suppose it's too much to hope for that much pay in this position.

“Thank you, Soshi-sama.” You're unable to make yourself sound enthusiastic about the stipend. Your mind still lingers on that accursed Yukari.

>You gain 0.6 koku. Your currently have 8.6 koku.

>Is there anything else that you wish to talk to Soshi Tetsunori about, before you leave to handle other affairs in Beiden?
>>
>>4000530
>Go to handle other affairs
I feel like he gave good advice. Guess i'll try to save the convoluted scorpion intrigue untill we have more experience.
>>
>>4000527
no i think we are done here but he gave good advice.
might ask where we can find someone to teach us how too care for our steed
>>
>>4000530
>Move on

We could tell him Yukari is an honorless dog who tried to poison us, but that's maybe free information that we want to sell instead.
>>
>>4000534
Our skill ratings have been hampering us pretty severely in our plots, we only managed to pull off that series of events by stupendous luck. His advice is superb.

>>4000543
Let's not ask the local lord for something so lowly.
>>
>>4000530
That's all for now
>>
>>4000530
>leave to handle other affairs
>>4000551
We're fated for greatness, anon.
>>
>>4000551
hmm thats true lets just move on
>>
You politely make your farewells and leave Tetsunori's presence. No matter how hard you try though, you're unable to take your mind off of Yukari. She had disappeared for good, or so you thought, only to reappear in an effort to ruin your life once more. It's beyond belief. Buried in these hateful thoughts, you stride towards the entrance to the station only to encounter Rinji. The odorous dōshin wrings his fingers as he steps in front of you, preventing your exit.

“Forgive me for being a pest, Bayushi-sama, but there's something that I need to ask of you...”

“Out with it,” you reply, a little more tersely than you intended. Your stance is guarded and you find that your hand is straying dangerously close to the hilt of your katana. It takes a conscious effort, but force your hand away from the weapon; the last thing you want is for Rinji to think you're threatening him. He doesn't deserve such treatment, he's not the subject of your ire.

“Well uh, I've served you well, haven't I? Ran all the way to Beiden in a day, I did. Kept on moving throughout the night and throughout the day, but I got here like you told me to.”

“Do you have a point, Rinji-san?”

“It's just that... Well, good service deserves a good reward, doesn't it? I've been loyal and I've done good for you, Bayushi-sama.” You wish you had a fan at hand, to protect yourself from his horrid breath. “We dōshin, we don't get paid much at all. Just a single bu, is all. So uh, I was wondering, Bayushi-sama... Could you spare another? A reward for my hard work and all.”

He somehow manages to look wretched and hopeful at the same time, wringing his hands in uncertainty.

>Well, he has a point and you'd like to keep your dōshin loyal. Very well, he'll get the bu he wants. (You currently have 8.6 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Who does he think he is? Would he rather be a filthy little farmer like the rest of the rabble in Kagoki? Put him in his place. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Assure him that you'll do everything you can to convince Orinosuke to increase his pay. Really, you'll try your hardest. He just has to be patient. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>No. He's gotten his stipend and he should be satisfied with it. You're not about to cave in to his begging.
>>
>>4000593
>Well, he has a point and you'd like to keep your dōshin loyal. Very well, he'll get the bu he wants. (You currently have 8.6 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
i think we are not in too much trouble because he did as we commanded, but tell him to not expect that we allways reword him like this
>>
>>4000593
Jeeze, I would have preferred this to have been a magnamonious display or idea from us rather than going about like this.
>Well, he has a point and you'd like to keep your dōshin loyal. Very well, he'll get the bu he wants. (You currently have 8.6 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
"Certainly, Rinji. The Scorpion reward loyalty and success. I, reward loyalty and success."
>>
>>4000593
>>Well, he has a point and you'd like to keep your dōshin loyal. Very well, he'll get the bu he wants. (You currently have 8.6 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)

For service above and beyond, excellent work and dedication gives reward. That said this is not going to be an everyday thing.
>>
>>4000593
>Give him the cash

He earned it. But yeah make it clear this won't be regular
>>
>>4000593
>>Well, he has a point and you'd like to keep your dōshin loyal. Very well, he'll get the bu he wants. (You currently have 8.6 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>>
“The Scorpion value loyalty above all else, Rinji-san, and we know how to reward it.” Reaching into that pouch of yours, you pluck a single silver bu from its confines and pass it over to the grateful dōshin. That's a third of this month's stipend already gone. “But you must know that this will not occur every month. This is a prize given for all that you have done for me these past few weeks.”

“Of course, Bayushi-sama! Thank you, thank you for kindness!” Hopefully he will use it to buy some fresh mint to chew on. His breath truhly is shocking, especially when he dares to raise his voice.

Yet all of this talk of coin brings up something else that you have thought of... The need for ledgers, to record the names of travellers whose papers you have checked, and the dates that you checked their papers on. You can send Rinji to purchase a ledger for you, or perhaps more than one. It depends on how many you think you'll need to make the bureaucracy of Kagoki run smoothly.

>Have Rinji purchase a single ledger, that you'll personally use. Whenever papers need to be checked, you'll be the one to check them and the one to take note of the checking in the ledger. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Have Rinji purchase two ledgers, one for yourself and one for Yasotaro. When you next meet the other yoriki, you'll need to introduce him to the idea. Hopefully he approve of it. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>Have Rinji purchase four ledgers, one for you and each of your dōshin. Everything will run much more smoothly if everyone has a ledger to keep notes in. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.8 koku.)
>Have Rinji purchase eight ledgers, one for each yoriki and one for each of their dōshin. It's a great deal to spend, but it'll be worth the investment, you're sure. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 1.6 koku.)
>Don't send Rinji. You'll go yourself and see if you can negotiate a better deal. But if you're seen bartering with heimin merchants, that might hurt your reputation... (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Commerce skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed. You will lose glory if you choose this option.)
>>
>>4000651
I would suggest buying just the one (sending Rinji) and then convincing Yasotaro of the wisdom of the idea. At that point he could pay for one of his own or we could request a minor stipend for this specific expenditure, equipping sas many as we need.
What do you guys think?
Also, long term, we need to become a merchants patron and have a filthy heimin trader working for us to handle this unsavory business.
>>
>>4000593
>>Well, he has a point and you'd like to keep your dōshin loyal. Very well, he'll get the bu he wants. (You currently have 8.6 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>>
>>4000664
shit
i didn't see that it updates
>>
>>4000651
>Have Rinji purchase two ledgers, one for yourself and one for Yasotaro. When you next meet the other yoriki, you'll need to introduce him to the idea. Hopefully he approve of it. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
mostly just to test the system too see how it works out
>>
>>4000651
>>Have Rinji purchase two ledgers, one for yourself and one for Yasotaro. When you next meet the other yoriki, you'll need to introduce him to the idea. Hopefully he approve of it. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4000651
>>Have Rinji purchase two ledgers, one for yourself and one for Yasotaro. When you next meet the other yoriki, you'll need to introduce him to the idea. Hopefully he approve of it. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4000651
>>Have Rinji purchase eight ledgers, one for each yoriki and one for each of their dōshin. It's a great deal to spend, but it'll be worth the investment, you're sure. (You currently have 8.4 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 1.6 koku.)
Coin is nothing as compared to greatness.

That aside, if we do not purchase enough for all of us then
>>
>>4000685
Then we won't be able to cross compare notes and detect inconsistencies. Damn post submission inconsistency,
>>
>>4000651
>4 ledgers

Yasotaro can buy his own. We also need to prove it's a good idea first, through results.
>>
You give Rinji two bu and orders to purchase two ledgers. The dōshin knows better than to betray your trust and keep the coins for himself – he knows exactly where he'll end up if he's caught stealing from a samurai. With a bow, your assistant departs to find a book merchant and acquire these ledgers for you.

And sure enough, within the hour, he returns with two books, their paper crisp and clean, their binding flexible and strong. Each is accompanied by a simple charcoal stylus, should the buyer lack the tools necessary to practise true calligraphy. These should do just fine, one for you and one for Yasotaro. You get the feeling that you might need to put some effort into convincing your fellow yoriki of their use, but he has been cooperative so far. Hopefully he shall continue to be.

While you'll be spending most of your day walking for the next month, being on patrol duty does have it advantages. Once or twice a week, you'll be able to spend the night in Beiden and enjoy the hospitality that the town has to offer. Still, tonight will be the last time that you're in Kagoki for four days or so. If there's anything that you want to do in town, now's the time to do it.

>If there's anything else you'd like to do in the town of Beiden, say so. Otherwise, we'll skip forward to patrol duty.
>>
>>4000705
look where we can find someone to teach us how too care for our steed
>>
>>4000719
We'll find someone to teach us when we level up if we choose to take any points into husbandry
>>
>>4000705
Proper horse care if that's not something we know or it will be an issue.
>>
>>4000705
Skip to patrolling for now
>>
>>4000705
Skip. Are we bringing the pony with us on patrol?
>>
>>4000705
Need help with pony pampering
>>
You take the time to find a stable in town, an establishment that houses the oxen and ponies of passing travellers. If nothing else, you'd like to learn a few things from the heimin that work there.

You recall a woman you met during your childhood, a battle maiden of the Unicorn Clan, Utaku Khulan. You consider her a close friend and still exchange letters with her, though it'll be a couple of months until you get her reply to your last one. She adored her steed, Bayan. He was a great and mighty beast, far sturdier, far braver and far more powerful than any simple Rokugani pony. Yet Khulan had nothing kind to say about how the people of Rokugan treat their animals. Right now, you regret not asking her for advice on how to handle horses.

Instead, you're forced to rely on a stablehand for advice. The boy is roughly your age and very uneasy when it comes to talking with a samurai. As for his suggestions, they're not particularly impressive. You're given a few instructions on how to groom the beast in order to prevent dirt from gathering, which might lead to infection, as well as how to clean a horse's hooves and check them from injury. The very thought of that makes you grimace. No wonder most samurai leave the care of their animals in the hands of heimin.

The stablehand has some other advice to offer, regarding how to lead the pony along, how it might react to different tugs on the reins and how you should approach it in order to avoid scaring it. He even tells you about the different vegetables that they enjoy as treats. You suppose you shouldn't be surprised when moments later, he gingerly offers to sell you the necessary equipment to groom your pony and treats to keep it happy and obedient. A bu for the brushes and picks, two zeni for a sack of fresh produce that will keep the beast satisfied. Zeni are small copper coins, the least valuable currency in Rokugan. It's ten zeni to a bu, and five bu to a koku. Thankfully, there's no one else around to witness you engaging in trade with a common heimin – worse, one who deals in animals.

>You don't need anything to clean your pony. You're sure that it'll be able to take care of itself just fine without any sort of illness.
>It's best if you buy the brushes and picks so that you can try and look after the pony and keep it healthy. It's what Khulan would do. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)

>Really, if you need to find treats for your horse, you can just forage in the wilderness. You're not going to waste money buying food for the beast.
>A sack of white radishes and nashi pears will help keep the beast happy. The last thing you want is for it to grow ornery and disobedient. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.04 koku.)

>This beast is just a tool, something to carry you from place to place. You should treat it like one.
>Well, if Khulan gave her horse a name, you should give your pony one as well.
>>
>>4000842
>It's best if you buy the brushes and picks so that you can try and look after the pony and keep it healthy. It's what Khulan would do. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)

>A sack of white radishes and nashi pears will help keep the beast happy. The last thing you want is for it to grow ornery and disobedient. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.04 koku.)

>Well, if Khulan gave her horse a name, you should give your pony one as well.

People betray you, but pets are forever.
>>
>>4000842
>>It's best if you buy the brushes and picks so that you can try and look after the pony and keep it healthy. It's what Khulan would do. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>>A sack of white radishes and nashi pears will help keep the beast happy. The last thing you want is for it to grow ornery and disobedient. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.04 koku.)
>>Well, if Khulan gave her horse a name, you should give your pony one as well.
I'll let anons decide on the name
>>
>>4000842
>It's best if you buy the brushes and picks so that you can try and look after the pony and keep it healthy. It's what Khulan would do. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
we can allways keep brushes and picks for when we get an more lordly beast
>A sack of white radishes and nashi pears will help keep the beast happy. The last thing you want is for it to grow ornery and disobedient. (You currently have 8 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.04 koku.)

>Well, if Khulan gave her horse a name, you should give your pony one as well.
if the Unicorn namn there beast then thy most have a reson
>>
>>4000853
>>4000854
Hell yeah.

Let's name it "Heavenstrutter" for it will bear us upon the path to our ascension
>>
You go about purchasing the necessary equipments, and the sack of treats as well. You almost feel like you have been taken for a fool and tricked out of your coin, but then you think back to Khulan. Surely she'd approve of you trying to look after a horse that is now your responsibility. You even decide to give the beast a name. A quick inspection reveals that it's female, so it's time for you to think of a female name that might fit the innocent, dull-eyed animal...

>Haru. Spring.
>Mai. Dance.
>Rin. Dignified.
>Emi. Beautiful blessing.
>Ten. Heavenly.
>Write in, if there's anything else you'd rather call her.

>Due to my writing getting dramatically worse in the last couple of posts, this is the last post for the night. Unless there's any protests, I'll start tomorrow with your first patrol between Beiden and Kagoki.
>>
>>4000898
>Haru
>>
>>4000898
>>Haru. Spring.
See you tomorrow QM
>>
>>4000898
>Haru. Spring.
>>
>>4000898
>Emi. Beautiful blessing.
Khulan will be so proud of us!
Thanks for writing.
>>
>>4000925
Supporting
>>
I wonder if we can buy the "Rival" Bond with Yukari and the "Comrade" Bond with Khulan in the future.
>>
>>4000970
First is unlikely since she's a full on nemesis
>>
>>4000970
If I do, I'll be altering the rules for them. You might have noticed that I've tampered with the system a lot, in order to create something that can be used on /qst/ without being really clunky. So if I do include the bond system, it'll be reworked.
>>
>>4000898
>Emi. Beautiful blessing.
>>
>>4000986
The "Rival" story effects are "generally seeks to oppose you when the opportunity presents itself and is unfavorably disposed towards you. The enmity towards you lends gravity to your position, and makes those outside the conflict more convinced of your importance," "Allies of your rival treat you with grudging respect and suspicion. Enemies of your rival might help you," and at Rank 3 "Only I may defeat you!"

Yukari pretty much saw an opportunity to oppose us and a situation where a Scorpion less unfavorably disposed of us might have given the benefit of the doubt (perhaps waiting to see what we did with the ruby) and took it

Rival tends to work best with characters of similar status while Nemesis works better when one character has a much higher status than the other. Bonds can also change so starting out as Rivals doesn't mean characters can't end as Nemeses.

>>4000989
No doubt. I just thought that they could lead to some fun scenes in the future while also introducing the mechanic to those unfamiliar with 5e.
>>
Does anyone have the sourcebook? I'm interested in the setting.
>>
>>4001570
You can find it in /r/theinnertemple (on volafile DOT org, not reddit). It's the 4th edition source book
>>
>>4001573
Anyone got the 5e version? I already have 4e.
>>
>>4001570
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14K_lVxD2QVUA5O-uozHx-8vW7BD5N8ly
>I strongly recommend buying the products if you're interested in what you're reading. The core rulebook contains basic information regarding the setting, while Emerald Empire goes into more depth regarding throughout Rokugan. Shadowlands focuses on the Crab Clan and the enemies that they face in the Shadowlands, and Courts of Stone focuses on the Crane Clan and what courtly life is like.

Haru. Having spent weeks enduring rain and watching dead leaves fall from the branches of trees, you long for spring. Hopefully with this animal as a companion, that season of life and renewal might come a little quicker. She's a sturdy beast, four feet in height with a thick, almost woolly coat that's a rich brown colour. Though her dark eyes seem dull and devoid of intelligence, her legs are strong, made for drawing heavy carts along hilly roads or for carrying a rider for hours on end. She'll serve you well, you hope.

Night comes and you experience your first taste of miso soup in weeks, prepared by the station's servants. At last, a meal with actual flavour and complexity, something more than just rice and overcooked slices of yam or white radish. Oh, and the sensation of a futon to lie on instead of a thin mat, it's beyond description. When you first arrived at the magistrates' station, you had a dim view of it, but having to live in Kagoki for weeks has taught you how to appreciate the simple luxuries that come with living like a samurai. The only thing that troubles you and keeps you from sleeping soundly is the thought of Yukari. She's out there, and she's out to ruin your life. You pray that one day, you will get to meet her again and put an end to her schemes, once and for all.

Dawn's light creeps above the horizon and you rise with Amaterasu. After enjoying another simple meal and cleaning yourself, you make your preparations and depart from Beiden for the village of Kagoki. You set off on the back of Haru, with your dōshin in tow. Atshushi makes a remark about wishing he had a pony of his own, but you pay little heed. Being a yoriki comes with privileges, and you've decided that being able to travel in comfort is one of them.

The rural countryside is gradually becoming familiar to you. Where there was once only monotony, you are now able to spot landmarks. A lone tree that has become misshapen due to its exposure to the wind, a rocky outcrop off the side of the road where the elements have worn away the soil. You even come to recognise the different farms and how to tell them apart from each other. Occasionally you run into travellers and go about checking their papers. You're startng to recognise some of them, farmers who must visit the town to purchase tools or supplies and merchants trying to scrape together a living by trading goods between villages. You might be getting used to the life of a yoriki.
>>
Night comes and you rest in the wilderness. You secure Haru and you set up your camp as you usually do, tucking into your usual rations of dried fish, pickled plums and rice balls before you drift off to sleep. Certainly, the discomfort of sleeping in the wilderness is the worst part of patrolling this route. You don't appreciate the cold, the damp and the sounds of wild life. Still, your tent protects you from most of it and you're able to drift off to sleep. Morning comes and you ready yourself for the day, taking the time to groom Haru as you were instructed, cleaning her hooves and brushing her coat. It's something that earns a few strange looks from your dōshin and a chuckle from the rōnin.

“Did you marry into the Unicorn Clan overnight, Bayushi-sama? Never seen a Scorpion care so much about an animal.” You pay little heed to the words. There's no need to reprimand Atshushi, as he has already suffered enough for his foolishness. He spent all but a couple of zeni of his stipend on sake during your stay in Beiden, surrendering to his love of liquor. As long as his alcoholism doesn't interfere with his duty, you are willing to tolerate his actions – for now.

You set off to continue the second half of the journey, aiming to arrive at Kagoki in the afternoon. You track your progress by the position of Amaterasu in the heavens, watching her as she rises from the East to sit at her zenith, only to gradually fall towards the West. As she's drifting down towards the horizon, you arrive at the village of Kagoki to be greeted by Yasotaro.

“You're on time,” he notes, watching you through that lion-dog mask. “You also seem to have gained a liking for that horse, Bayushi-san. Do you adopt every masterless beast that you come across?”

“Only those that might be of use to me, Yogo-san. I have something to offer you – not a gift, simply something that might make our work simpler.” You offer him the second ledger and show him your own. Throughout your patrol, you noted down information regarding the travellers you've encountered. The date, the time of day, their identity, the validity of their papers and so on.
>>
“Is this not needless bureaucracy?” Yasotaro sounds puzzled, though his expression is hidden behind that richly lacquered mask of his. “I have performed my duty well enough for almost a decade now, without needing this.”

>Explain the benefits of being able to record this information, try to make him understand just why these journals might come in useful. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>He can think of it as doing you a favour. He doesn't need to understand the reason behind it, he just needs to play along, to humour you. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Perhaps that's why he's been stuck as a yoriki all this time. If he wants to rise, he'll need to put more effort in. Try to stoke his ambitions. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>Fine, if he's not interested, you're not about to force him to keep records about travellers.
>>
>>4001823
>>Perhaps that's why he's been stuck as a yoriki all this time. If he wants to rise, he'll need to put more effort in. Try to stoke his ambitions. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4001823
>>Perhaps that's why he's been stuck as a yoriki all this time. If he wants to rise, he'll need to put more effort in. Try to stoke his ambitions. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4001823
>>Perhaps that's why he's been stuck as a yoriki all this time. If he wants to rise, he'll need to put more effort in. Try to stoke his ambitions. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>Perhaps that's why he's been stuck as a yoriki all this time. If he wants to rise, he'll need to put more effort in. Try to stoke his ambitions. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 7d6 using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 5, 6, 6, 2, 6 = 34 (7d6)

>>4001846
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 1, 2, 2, 6, 6 = 27 (7d6)

>>4001846
>>
Rolled 2, 4, 2, 2, 5, 3, 2 = 20 (7d6)

>>4001846
>>
>>4001847
I can dig 5 successes.

We should definitely mention the situation that spurred us to want to note down travelers' details. It will go far in explaining ourselves to him.
>>
>Going with >>4001847, five successes.

“Have you? You have remained a yoriki for almost a decade, Yogo-san. Would you call that sort of stagnation 'well enough?'”

Yasotaro reacts to your words with a sudden change of posture, shifting into a defensive posture. “You shall experience the same, Bayushi-san! You will have no choice, in this line of duty.”

“No, I won't.” There's iron in your voice, determination. “I will rise, I will become greater than this, I will prove myself to be exceptional and worthy of more. I refuse to suffer through years of watching over this filthy little village and if you have any strength in your heart, you will do the same.”

“... How?” The hostility of Yogo-san's posture slips away. The power behind your words has shocked him. You seize the moment and continue.

“By showing the magistrates that I deserve more than this, that my talents are too great to waste on a task as simple as looking after heimin. I am destined for greatness and I will not allow an obstacle like this to stand between me and my fate.” It feels good to be honest, to tell the truth with such force and passion. “You have spoken to me in the past about your ambitions. If you want to rise, you will need to demonstrate your talents. You will need to show the world what you are capable of, Yogo-san. This decade of yours has been spent mouldering, longing to rise above your station but doing nothing to earn it.”

You thrust Yasotaro's ledger into his hands, continuing with your tirade. “So if you want to improve, if you want to show that you are worthy of becoming a magistrate, you will start here. You will take note of everyone who passes through these lands, you will organise yourself and together, we will show the magistrates of Beiden how samurai of the Scorpion Clan should look after their lands. Do you understand, Yogo-san?”

That was forward of you. You likely wouldn't get away with such passionate, unrestrained honesty in a court but out here, speaking with an equal? It seems to have worked. Though you can't see Yasotaro's expression, there's a fire in his eyes and a lingering silence in the air as he stares across at you. At last, the man speaks.

“You're right, Bayushi-san. I shouldn't whine like a petulant child when I have done nothing to earn a higher station. 'Well enough' is not enough. Starting with this.” He taps at the ledger's cover. “I will leave Tetsunori with no choice but to take notice of my deeds.”

That could have gone much worse. The rest of the afternoon and the following evening is filled with less eventful chatter. You settle in to enjoy Kagoki's hospitality, before you begin the second leg of the journey tomorrow.
>>
The next couple of weeks are rather uneventful, and your days follow a simple pattern. You set out from Beiden in the morning, and camp in the countryside when night falls. You continue your journey in the morning and arrive at Kagoki in the afternoon, where you rest and collect any tithes, fines and fees that Yasotaro has collected. The following day, you depart from the village to make your way back to Beiden, camping once night falls. On the final day of the journey, you finish your trek back to the town and rest there for the night, so that you can start the cycle all over again when the next day dawns.

As autumn begins its transformation into winter, the trees shed the last of their leaves and the first snows begin to fall, peppering the landscape with white. For now, it is a pretty sight, but you know that it will grow far more severe when winter truly arrives. The roads become even more sparsely populated as farmers find less reason to travel and prepare themselves for the season of scarcity.

You encounter one of the these rare travellers during the third week of your patrol duty, on your way from Beiden to Kagoki. The woman seems rather apprehensive when she runs into you, obviously a heimin judging from her ragged clothes and her wild, ungroomed hair. Nonetheless, you begin your usual routine of checking her travel papers to ensure their legitimacy, to ensure that she has all of the necessary stamps. It's nothing out of the ordinary.

Not until your eyes wander over the issue dates and expiry dates on the papers. Seven months out of date, no longer valid. She'll need to pay the fee if she wants you to renew her travel privileges and allow her to continue on her way. When you explain this her, the woman only grows more anxious.

“Samurai-sama,” she begins. “My husband has a fever and we have no medicine at our farm. The only place where I can get remedies from is Beiden. Please have mercy, and let me pass!”

>No. If she refuses to pay for travel rights, then she's going straight back to wherever she came from and that's that. You're not going to negotiate.
>If she has enough coin to buy remedies, then she has enough coin to purchase the right to travel. Insist that she coughs up whatever she has, sickness isn't a reason to try and bypass the law.
>Well, fine. You can sympathise with that. There's no need for her to pay the fee, you'll stamp her papers and let her be on her way. You might need to explain yourself to your dōshin though. (You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>Poor thing. Not only will you let her through, but you'll pay the fee on her behalf. This way, the magistrates get their coin and she gets her travel rights. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>4001883
>>If she has enough coin to buy remedies, then she has enough coin to purchase the right to travel. Insist that she coughs up whatever she has, sickness isn't a reason to try and bypass the law.
>>
>>4001883
>>Poor thing. Not only will you let her through, but you'll pay the fee on her behalf. This way, the magistrates get their coin and she gets her travel rights. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>4001883
>>Poor thing. Not only will you let her through, but you'll pay the fee on her behalf. This way, the magistrates get their coin and she gets her travel rights. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>4001892
>>4001889
Why tho?
>>
>>4001917
To gain honor, and piss away our paychecks
>>
>>4001883
>>If she has enough coin to buy remedies, then she has enough coin to purchase the right to travel. Insist that she coughs up whatever she has, sickness isn't a reason to try and bypass the law.
>>
>>4001883
>>Poor thing. Not only will you let her through, but you'll pay the fee on her behalf. This way, the magistrates get their coin and she gets her travel rights. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
Normally I wouldn't say that we would do this but honor is very useful from what I remember. You get to use it for rolling against Taint infection amongst other things.
>>
>>4001883
>If she has enough coin to buy remedies, then she has enough coin to purchase the right to travel. Insist that she coughs up whatever she has, sickness isn't a reason to try and bypass the law.

Eh, she is less than human by law. If anyone knows about this our reputation might take a hit.
>>
>>4001883
>>>If she has enough coin to buy remedies, then she has enough coin to purchase the right to travel. Insist that she coughs up whatever she has, sickness isn't a reason to try and bypass the law.
>>
>>4002046
We gain honor by assisting her, it's the exact opposite of what you're saying.
>>
>>4002046
Bushido in L5R is a bit wonky but one of the classic ways of earning honor is by beind kind to those of lower stature than yourself, precisely because it isn't something you have to do (i think is the reasoning). Plus, being kind to heimin is a surprisingly positive reputation to have.
>>
“If you are able to purchase medicine for your sickly husband, then you surely must be able to pay for the right to travel.”

“I do not have enough for both, samurai-sama!” She wrings her hands, a look of desperation spreading across her face. “It is either one of the other, I can't hope to afford both!”

You share a look with your dōshin. Rinji and Sosa both appear a little restless and guilty – they have empathy for other heimin. As for Atshushi, he seems impassive and shows almost no interest in the distress of this woman. With a sigh, you turn back to the heimin. You'll need to decide how to handle this.

>Oh, fine. You'll show your mercy by renewing the stamps, paying the fee on her behalf and letting her move along to Beiden. It's the noble thing to do – compassion is a tenet of Bushidō after all. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>You're not so sure about this. Question her a little further about the nature of her husband's condition and the remedies that she seeks to purchase. What does she know about such things, as a farmer's wife? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You don't care. She is going to pay or she's going straight back where she came from. She can always acquire coin through other means when she arrives at Beiden, but she's not going there without paying up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4002078
>You don't care. She is going to pay or she's going straight back where she came from. She can always acquire coin through other means when she arrives at Beiden, but she's not going there without paying up. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4002078
>Oh, fine. You'll show your mercy by renewing the stamps, paying the fee on her behalf and letting her move along to Beiden. It's the noble thing to do – compassion is a tenet of Bushidō after all. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>4002078
>>Oh, fine. You'll show your mercy by renewing the stamps, paying the fee on her behalf and letting her move along to Beiden. It's the noble thing to do – compassion is a tenet of Bushidō after all. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)

>>4002085
Harsh, anon. I hope your husband gets sick and then the toll roads don't let you through.
>>
>>4002078
>>Oh, fine. You'll show your mercy by renewing the stamps, paying the fee on her behalf and letting her move along to Beiden. It's the noble thing to do – compassion is a tenet of Bushidō after all. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
I'm assuming we can tell she isn't lying and is in genuine distress.
>>
>>4002097
As far as you can tell, she is in distress. It is your choice whether you want to believe that or whether you want to question that, which is what the second option is for.
>>
>>4002102
Oh alright. Well, it's good enough for me, we are currently rookie samurai, and I'm going with it.
>>
>>4002078
>>Oh, fine. You'll show your mercy by renewing the stamps, paying the fee on her behalf and letting her move along to Beiden. It's the noble thing to do – compassion is a tenet of Bushidō after all. (You currently have 7.76 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku. You will gain honour if you choose this option.)
>>
>>4002078
>You're not so sure about this. Question her a little further about the nature of her husband's condition and the remedies that she seeks to purchase. What does she know about such things, as a farmer's wife? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)

Some people seem to forget that the motto of the scorpion is not everything is as it seems. Always be questioning.
>>
>You lose 0.4 koku. Your currently have 7.36 koku.

>You gain three points of honour for your Compassion. Your honour is now 46.

“Very well,” you reply. “You are free to go. I will renew your travel rights so that you will be allowed entry by the magistrate at the gates of Beiden. You needn't worry about payment, I will take care of that myself.” You make a mental note to pay the two bu fee once you return to Beiden. You're able to afford it, unlike this poor woman.

“Oh thank you, samurai-sama! Thank you!” Relief sweeps over her as you go about applying new stamps. With a few swipes of your brush, the previous date of expiration is replaced with a new one, complete with your signature to authorize the renewal of this woman's travel papers. The process takes little more than a few minutes and you quickly pass the paperwork back to its rightful owner. Your assistance certainly seems to take a load off of her mind, as she bows humbly and offers her gratitude yet again. Then at long last, she turns back towards the Seikitsu Mountains and returns to her journey.
>>
You continue on your journey towards Kagoki. Silence reigns for several minutes, until it's finally broken by one of your dōshin. “Not sure how wise that was.” That's Atshushi speaking, a faint frown on his face.

“It isn't your place to question me, Atshushi-san.”

“Not questioning you at all, Bayushi-sama. Just saying my thoughts. Woman could've been planning to smuggle something into Beiden and was looking to prey on your generosity, or maybe she's after something other than remedies. It's difficult to say.”

“You saw the desperation on her face,” you reply. “She was in distress. I might be a yoriki but it is every samurai's duty to serve Rokugan. If I can save a man's life by allowing his wife to fetch medicine for him, then I shall do just that.”

“If she was fetching medicine at all,” the rōnin retorts.

>You won't let one of your subordinates question you like this. Let Atshushi know that if he speaks out of turn again, you'll talk to Tetsunori about releasing him from his service. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>Atshushi is a wave man. He is honourless and without a lord, he has no true understanding of Bushidō. Brush off his complaints as the opinions of a man without principles and continue on your way to Kagoki, knowing that you did the right thing.
>He might have a point. In the future, you should be a little more careful and a little less trusting. You are Scorpion, after all. Not everything is at is seems. Continue on your way to Kagoki and make a note to do things differently in the future.
>Atshushi's right. You've made an error. You're on horseback, you should be able to turn around and catch up with the woman before she goes too far. You've never made Haru gallop before though, so you might need to hold on. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Well, you can always find out the truth for yourself. Have one of your dōshin continue ahead, so that they'll arrive at Kagoki on schedule. They can warn Yasotaro that you'll be late. The rest of you will remain on the road and wait for the farmer's wife to return from Beiden. When she does, you can inspect this medicine for yourself. This will take a good few hours though.
>>
>>4002177
>He might have a point. In the future, you should be a little more careful and a little less trusting. You are Scorpion, after all. Not everything is at is seems. Continue on your way to Kagoki and make a note to do things differently in the future.
I bet a kakita bushi doesn't have to overthink every single random encounter like we do!
>>
>>4002177
>>He might have a point. In the future, you should be a little more careful and a little less trusting. You are Scorpion, after all. Not everything is at is seems. Continue on your way to Kagoki and make a note to do things differently in the future.

The path of a Scorpion means overthinking and suspecting everything.
>>
>>4002177
>>He might have a point. In the future, you should be a little more careful and a little less trusting. You are Scorpion, after all. Not everything is at is seems. Continue on your way to Kagoki and make a note to do things differently in the future.
>>
>>4002177
>He might have a point. In the future, you should be a little more careful and a little less trusting. You are Scorpion, after all. Not everything is at is seems. Continue on your way to Kagoki and make a note to do things differently in the future.
It's our duty to never trust anyone. Especially backstabbing Yogo scum.
>>
>>4002177
>He might have a point. In the future, you should be a little more careful and a little less trusting. You are Scorpion, after all. Not everything is at is seems. Continue on your way to Kagoki and make a note to do things differently in the future.
>>
“You're right,” you admit. “Perhaps I should be more careful. There is a chance that she could have been hiding something. Still, what is done has been done. Let's be on our way, Atshushi-san.”

He seems to be quite satisfied with that response, perhaps even a little surprised. A superior who actually accepts his advice seems to be something new to him. With your dōshin behind you and riding on the back on Haru, you continue with your patrol and make your way towards Kagoki.

The next day, you arrive at Kagoki without incident in the afternoon. Your arrival at Beiden two days after that is also uneventful, marked on by encounters with various travellers who need to have their papers checked.

This cycle continues throughout the rest of the month as you patrol back and forward between the town and village. Back and forth, back and forth, checking the papers of every traveller that you encounter. A handful of them have outdated or incorrect stamps like the farmer's wife did, but you make a point not to repeat the same mistake. From now on, you make sure that everyone pays the fee, no matter what excuse they come up with.

Yet with each day, the snow grows more intense. It is impossible to ignore that autumn has receded and winter has arrived at last, as the month of Hida draws to a close.

You arrive at Beiden for the last time before you must journey to Kagoki and relieve Yasotaro. Once more, you are summoned before Soshi Tetsunori, to discuss the month's affairs and to receive your stipend. Upon arriving in his quarters, you provide the token respect with a formal bow and seat yourself on a cushion, opposite of the magistrate that you serve.
>>
“Winter is almost here, Bayushi-san,” your superior explains. “And winter isn't kind. The land freezes over, the snow builds up until it's taller than a pony and travel is almost impossible. For this reason, for the next three months, Yasotaro shall remain with me to keep order in this town. You will be entrusted with watching over the village of Kagoki on your own, until spring arrives.”

This is ridiculous.

>You refuse. Yasotaro can do it instead, he's already there. You can send one of your dōshin to inform him, because you refuse to stay in that filthy little hamlet for the entire winter. You are above that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep six successes to succeed.)
>This is absurd. You can't be expected to look after a village on your own for three months, with your inexperience. Demand that Yasotaro assists you in Kagoki, you absolutely insist on it. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
>He wants you to stay in the backwater, in the freezing cold, for a whole quarter of a year? For the worst quarter of the year? You want a better stipend if that's how it's going to be. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>If that's what your magistrate wishes then... So be it. You should stomach your pride and accept your fate, as unpleasant as it is. (You will increase your strife to 6 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will increase your void points to 2 / 2.)
>>
>>4002329
>You refuse. Yasotaro can do it instead, he's already there. You can send one of your dōshin to inform him, because you refuse to stay in that filthy little hamlet for the entire winter. You are above that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep six successes to succeed.)

We're not freezing our ass with a bunch of peasants.
>>
>>4002329
>He wants you to stay in the backwater, in the freezing cold, for a whole quarter of a year? For the worst quarter of the year? You want a better stipend if that's how it's going to be. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4002329
>He wants you to stay in the backwater, in the freezing cold, for a whole quarter of a year? For the worst quarter of the year? You want a better stipend if that's how it's going to be. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)

Frankly all our options are bad ones
>>
>>4002329
>He wants you to stay in the backwater, in the freezing cold, for a whole quarter of a year? For the worst quarter of the year? You want a better stipend if that's how it's going to be. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4002329
>>This is absurd. You can't be expected to look after a village on your own for three months, with your inexperience. Demand that Yasotaro assists you in Kagoki, you absolutely insist on it. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
Hey, she is kinda new, at least let her get some help. Besides she promised with Yasotaro to grind together.
>>
>>4002329
>This is absurd. You can't be expected to look after a village on your own for three months, with your inexperience. Demand that Yasotaro assists you in Kagoki, you absolutely insist on it. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
Was it something I said?
>>
>>4002329
>You refuse. Yasotaro can do it instead, he's already there. You can send one of your dōshin to inform him, because you refuse to stay in that filthy little hamlet for the entire winter. You are above that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep six successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4002329
>Request more money

We're already so deep in the red
>>
Going with:
>He wants you to stay in the backwater, in the freezing cold, for a whole quarter of a year? For the worst quarter of the year? You want a better stipend if that's how it's going to be. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)

I require a roll of 6d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep four successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 6, 5, 2, 1 = 19 (6d6)

>>4002463
First time rollan
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 2, 2, 1, 3 = 19 (6d6)

>>4002463
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 5, 4, 5, 5 = 28 (6d6)

>>4002463
>>
>>4002480
praise be amaterasu for pulling us out of the fire there.
>>
>>4002480
Suppose we'll burn a void point to push this through.
>>
>>4002492
We get to keep 2 successes, for our Water Ring of 2, we get to keep the 6 (1 success) for being a 6. This still leaves us 1 success short of the requisite 4.
>>
>>4002492
nope
6 add 5
and 5

needed one more
>>
>Going with >>4002480, three successes.

You have failed to convince Tetsunori to increase your monthly stipend for the duration of your stay in Kagoki. You will have to spend three months in that village throughout winter without any additional benefits. You will also suffer a point of strife, as a consequence of failing a roll.

However, you only failed by a narrow margin. You may spend a void point to change the course of fate and nudge this failure into being a success. If you do, you'll get the higher pay that you seek.

You currently have 1 void point, out of a maximum of 2. You may wish to save it for a roll you consider more important, or you may choose to spend it to alter the outcome.

>Spend the void point.
>Save the void point.
>>
>>4002504
>Spend
>>
>>4002504
>Save the void point
not gonna spend void on money, we barely need that in a village, and rerolling for this:>>4002386
>>
>>4002504
>Spend the void point
>>
>>4002504
>Spend the void point
>>
>>4002530
In this case I regard it as spending the void point so we don't flounder and look like a greedy idiot in front of our erstwhile lord.
>>
>>4002504
>>Spend the void point.
>>
>You now have 0 void points.

“Soshi-sama, why was I not warned about this?” You can barely contain your frustration. “You must understand that it is an unpleasant surprise, to has this thrust upon me. At the very least, I should be compensated for this.”

“Compensation, Bayushi-san? You seem to have learned too much from your brief dealings with Shungyosai. You are a samurai, and you are bound to serve me. You should be above fixating on coin.” The magistrate steeps his fingers as he stares at you. While his iron menpō covers his face, you get the sense that he is frowning.

“You must understand that I might be needed to contribute my wealth to the people of Kagoki,” you explain. “I will be the sole authority within that village and its people shall be relying on me. They will turn to me when they are in need of medicine, when their homes require repairs and when they are in dire need of other resources. For a quarter of a year, I will be the closest thing to a lord that the town has. Do you expect your yoriki to live like monks, Soshi-sama? I will not have the wealth to live like anything else, once I return from Kagoki.”

“That strikes me as somewhat melodramatic, Bayushi-san, but you have made your point. This is a responsibility that was unexpectedly thrust on you and for that, you will be... compensated, as you put it. Once spring has arrived and you return from Kagoki, three koku will be awaiting you. For now, I offer you this.”

With that statement, he offers a small pouch containing this month's stipend – three bu. You bow your head in thanks and accept the payment.

>You gain 0.6 koku. Your currently have 7.96 koku.

“I suggest that you spend the rest of this day preparing yourself for your stay in Kagoki,” he says. “You are free to requisition anything that you believe is vital to your duty in that village. If we agree with your assessment, we shall provide you with what you ask for. Otherwise, you shall need to rely on this coin that you are so fond of.”

>You have three months of winter to prepare yourself for. A period of snow, sickness and starvation. Now is the time to decide if there is anything specific that you wish to requisition from the magistrates' station, or purchase if it is something that they are unwilling to provide you with.
>>
>>4002624
Let's consult Yasotaro and Atsushi for common needs in the village during winter before we plan any purchases.
>>
>>4002650
As Yasotaro is currently in Kagoki, you won't be able to contain him at this time. Atshushi is available for consultation though.

This will be my last post for six hours, or perhaps twelve. So for now, feel free to discuss and make suggestions.
>>
>>4002624
as we have our pony we can bring more then we use normally carry, i like an sleeping mat (futon), our armor and wargear just in case, some extra winter cloth and anything that Yasotaro and Atsushi might suggest
>>
>>4002694
Perhaps medicine and food as well?
>>
>>4002624
not in the station but maybe go buy a cooking book to cook with the bare minimum and still make tasty?
Also a decent futon, some medicine and extra winter clothes as well
>>
>>4002694
>>4002724
Supporting
>>
>>4002624
>>4002739
>>
>>4002694
>>4002724

Supporting both of these, it'll be wise to have our armour just in case and a better sleeping mat. Medicine and better food are also obvious choices to ensure we remain capable of doing our job. Shit's going to get cold so winter clothes make sense.

Should we get some cold weather gear for our pony as well? Make sure it doesn't freeze to death as well as a bit of extra feed for it. Times will likely be hard and if we have to deplete the village stores for our pony whilst people starve (or even just struggle) it will look bad
>>
You depart to speak with Atshushi, to consult him about what you should requisition and what you should purchase. While he doesn't have any personal experience with remaining in Kagoki for an entire winter, he has a stronger understanding on the village than you, having served as a yoriki for over a year.

First of all, you confront him with your own suggestions. Another set of travelling clothes intended to protect you from the elements is something that you might be able to requisition from the station, rather than purchase for yourself. That way, you'll always have something to wear that will protect you from the winter's cold. He's not sure about bringing your armour along but eventually relents that it could be useful, and Haru will certainly help you carry it.

He finds some amusement in listening to your other ideas however. Bringing along food of your own? It's the responsibility of the peasants to provide for you, their stores will be the source of any sustenance you need. Besides, he doubts that you will be able to requisition more than a week's worth of travel rations, and such heavily preserved food can become quite expensive, if you're buying it in large quantities. As for preparing your own food, samurai are supposed to be above such basic work. You have never had to cook before in your life – that has always been the duty of servants, even at the dōjō. Instead, Atshushi suggests purchasing spices, which Tamuramaro's household might be able to use to liven up food.

Then there's the matter of your personal comfort and health. If you truly find the conditions at Kagoki to be so dire and unworthy of a samurai, then there is nothing wrong acquiring a futon of your own. The station is unlikely to cover the expense, so you will need to purchase such a thing yourself. As for medicine, thankfully you already have a kit containing disinfectants, balms, tinctures and other things in your travel pack. However, there is the possibility that you might wish to buy more, should you wish to offer medicine to the rest of the village.

After that, Atshushi has nothing else to suggest.
>>
>Please choose which of the following options you'd like to pursue. Choose as many as you like:

>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.
>Requisition a full week's worth of travel rations – just in case it's necessary at any point, if the town faces starvation.
>Purchase spices – wasabi, sanshō, shichimi, that sort of thing – to make Kagoki's cuisine more palatable. A winter's worth will be three bu. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.6 koku.)
>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Purchase more medicine, for the village's use rather than your own. How much do you value the health of heimin? (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Purchase heavy blankets to help keep Haru warm throughout winter. Specialist gear for horses is rarely found outside of Unicorn territory. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Purchase enough feed to keep Haru well fed throughout winter, so she won't need to feed from Kagoki's stock. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Bring along your armour and your shinobigatana. You doubt that you will need either of them, but you would rather not be caught unprepared.

>If you're interested in all of these options, just say 'get everything.'
>>
>>4003586
>>4003590
Alright with that advice in mind, and not wanting to lower ourselves too far:

>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.

>Purchase spices – wasabi, sanshō, shichimi, that sort of thing – to make Kagoki's cuisine more palatable. A winter's worth will be three bu. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.6 koku.)

>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)

>Purchase heavy blankets to help keep Haru warm throughout winter. Specialist gear for horses is rarely found outside of Unicorn territory. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Purchase enough feed to keep Haru well fed throughout winter, so she won't need to feed from Kagoki's stock. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Bring along your armour and your shinobigatana. You doubt that you will need either of them, but you would rather not be caught unprepared.

I'm unsure about the medicine since we already have some. I wasn't thinking about the villagers, more avoiding becoming bed-ridden and not being able to do our job.

I think trying to get a whole weeks worth of rations might paint us in a bad light (we'll look greedy and presumptuous, especially now that we're being compensated) and if it honestly comes down to surviving only off that we're likely fucked anyway.
>>
>>4003590
>>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.
>>Requisition a full week's worth of travel rations – just in case it's necessary at any point, if the town faces starvation.
>>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>>Purchase heavy blankets to help keep Haru warm throughout winter. Specialist gear for horses is rarely found outside of Unicorn territory. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>>Bring along your armour and your shinobigatana. You doubt that you will need either of them, but you would rather not be caught unprepared.
>>
>>4003590
>>>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.
>>>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>>>Purchase heavy blankets to help keep Haru warm throughout winter. Specialist gear for horses is rarely found outside of Unicorn territory. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>>>Bring along your armour and your shinobigatana. You doubt that you will need either of them, but you would rather not be caught unprepared.
>>
>>4003590
>>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.
>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Purchase heavy blankets to help keep Haru warm throughout winter. Specialist gear for horses is rarely found outside of Unicorn territory. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Purchase enough feed to keep Haru well fed throughout winter, so she won't need to feed from Kagoki's stock. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Bring along your armour and your shinobigatana. You doubt that you will need either of them, but you would rather not be caught unprepared.
>>
>>4003590
>Purchase futon, heavy blankets, and feed.

>Bring your armor
>>
>>4003590
>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.
>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Purchase heavy blankets to help keep Haru warm throughout winter. Specialist gear for horses is rarely found outside of Unicorn territory. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Purchase enough feed to keep Haru well fed throughout winter, so she won't need to feed from Kagoki's stock. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.1 koku.)
>Bring along your armour and your shinobigatana. You doubt that you will need either of them, but you would rather not be caught unprepared.
>>
>>4003590
>Requisition another set of travelling clothes from the station, so you will always be protected from the elements.
>Purchase a futon, for the sake of your personal comfort. You are not looking forward to three months lying on that miserable mat.
>>
>>4003590
>get everything.
i like to add a simple game set so we don't get too bored
>>
>>4003590
get everything
>>
>You lose 0.4 koku. Your currently have 7.56 koku.

There's no need to pay for medicine. Surely Kagoki has stocks of its own that it can rely on. And at such high prices, you aren't going to pay for three months of spices. No wonder the food of the common people is so bland, if that is the price that must be paid for flavour. You do however request the purchase of a futon for yourself, and blankets and feed for Haru. Samurai should live in comfort, even when they are protecting rural backwater, and you'd rather not have your pony freeze to death or starve.

As for another set of travelling clothes, you meet with Soshi Tetsunori once more, to inform the magistrate of your need and to request a second set of clothes to help protect you from winter's chill. After all, it is not appropriate for a samurai to wear a single set of clothes for months at a time and in this season, wearing garments that do nothing to protect one from the biting cold is an act of self-harm. There is tension over the fact that you are requisitiong equipment despite being promised a superior stipend, but the magistrate allows it in this instance. Your logic is sound and he sees no reason to refuse your request, so it is granted.

Finally, there is the matter of the equipment that you have kept in your quarters for the past two months. The rather plain-looking armour has always been too bulky for you to take with you on your journeys, at least before you acquired Haru. As for the ignoble shinobigatana, you considered the katana more valuable, and a more reputable weapon should you encounter samurai from outside of the clan. With your pony to carry the weight for you, you no longer need to worry about leaving these things behind – you'll be taking them with you to Kagoki, just in case either of them are necessary. There's always a possibility that you might encounter bandits or hungry predators, or some other threat to your life, and it is always wise to be prepared.

You finish your preparations and find that you still have a great deal of evening left. This is time that you may spend as you see fit, to pursue anything specific before you depart for Kagoki tomorrow morning.

>There's no need to waste time. Spend the evening double-checking everything and mentally preparing yourself for this journey within the confines of your quarters.
>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
>After suddenly being saddled with a winter that you must spend in a rural backwater, you feel like following in Atshushi's footsteps. Make your way to the sake den, the only cure for this anxiety that you feel is alcohol.
>If there's anyone specific in Beiden that you want to find or speak to, now's the time to do it. Who knows what might have changed by the time you return from Kagoki?
>>
>>4004119
>>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
>>
>>4004119
>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
>>
>>4004119
>>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
>>
>>4004119
>>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
>>
>>4004119
>>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
we can always think of this as a promotion we will be the de facto ruler of the small hamlet for the duration of the winter
>>
>>4004119
>You need to cleanse your thoughts and rid yourself of all strife. You cannot depart for Kagoki with a clouded mind. Perhaps a visit to the tea house will help you focus your mind on the task ahead.
>>
The tea ceremony is an important and precious part of Rokugani culture. Not a single clan spurns its spiritual significance. It serves as a moment of clarity, that grants the samurai who participate in it an opportunity to balance themselves and acquire a sense of harmony, however short-lived it may be. It typically serves as a part of important political functions, but there are those who practise it outside of court – geisha and the like, who run independent tea houses.

You're outside of one now, not far from the shrine of Tenjin. It is a rather beautiful place from the outside, a walled-off, idyllic garden that is immaculately looked after even at the end of autumn. In the middle of it sits an elegant-looking house of sorts, a little structure that is not meant to lived in, that is only meant to serve one function. A pair of samurai are already quietly conversing in the garden, no doubt tonight's patrons. You approach the gate to the establishment, where a young woman your age stands. She is roughly your age, dressed in a shockingly bright kimono of yellow and red, complete with an elaborately tied sash that hangs down to her ankles. A flawless false pallor covers her face and neck, and her hair is styled in a complicated fashion that you can on marvel at. A maiko, a geisha in training.

“You honour this house with your presence, Bayushi-sama,” she says, a coy yet harmless smile resting on her painted lips. How does she know your family? Has she heard of you, or perhaps she is able to somehow determine it from your appearance? You do not wear the Bayushi family symbol on your person... “Have you come to participate in tonight's chakai?” A tea meeting, a shorter form of the traditional tea ceremony.

“I would be glad to,” comes your reply. You are not sure how you should act about the maiko. According to the Celestial Order, geisha and their apprentices are hinin. They are non-people, they are filth. Yet they are shown as much respect as monks and sometimes even samurai, thanks to the social functions that they perform. To wrong a geisha – or even a maiko – is to ruin one's reputation. “What do you ask for in return?”

“Nothing, Bayushi-sama,” she replies with that same smile, an expression that is both playful and demure. “Michie does not ask anything of her patrons, that would be most impolite. However, I shall accept any contributions that you wish to offer, that might be put towards the maintenance of this house. Any charity is greatly appreciated.”

A way of skirting around the samurai's aversion to commerce. By disguising the fee paid as an act of charity, the samurai paying to participate in a tea ceremony does not lose any face. Of course, you could always exploit her phrasing and offer no charity at all... But you have no doubt that the maiko and this 'Michie' would be offended. Word of your avaricious ways and your reluctance to part with your coin would spread, and your reputation would be sullied.
>>
>On second thought, there is no need for you to participate in tonight's tea ceremony.
>Let them try to sully your name. If this girl says that you're allowed to participate free of charge, then you're going to do exactly that. You won't be giving any 'charity.' (You will lose glory if you choose this option.)
>Offer a token contribution, a single bu. There's a chance that your name might be whispered about behind closed doors, associated with a lack of wealth or an unwillingness to part with coin... But you can't afford to offer more. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.2 koku.)
>Offer an acceptable contribution, two bu. With charity like this, Michie and her maiko will have no reason to whisper anything about you. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>Offer a sizeable contribution, three bu. By donating such an impressive quantity, there's a chance that your generosity and your patronage of the geisha might be lauded behind closed doors. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.6 koku.)
>>
>>4004449
>>Offer an acceptable contribution, two bu. With charity like this, Michie and her maiko will have no reason to whisper anything about you. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4004449
>>Offer an acceptable contribution, two bu. With charity like this, Michie and her maiko will have no reason to whisper anything about you. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4004449
>Offer an acceptable contribution, two bu. With charity like this, Michie and her maiko will have no reason to whisper anything about you. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4004445
>>Offer an acceptable contribution, two bu. With charity like this, Michie and her maiko will have no reason to whisper anything about you. (You currently have 7.56 koku. By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
its never a good ide to anger thos that can spread rumors
>>
>You lose 0.4 koku. Your currently have 7.16 koku.

You donate a sensible amount, enough to satisfy the maiko and her mistress. You'd rather not have your name being whispered in the shadows of an okiya, no matter what the geisha might associate it with. Maiko accepts the bu graciously and leads you into the garden, to join the others in amicable and harmless conversation. They say that the geisha is waiting for any other guests to arrive but as the minutes going by, it just seems to be the three of you tonight.

At long last, the geisha emerges from the hut to greet you, somber and serene. There is nothing but respect in her tone and her behaviour, admiration for the samurai that she serves tonight and that have deigned to grace her establishment with their presence. Introducing herself as Michie, she only speaks when necessary, not daring to break the tranquility of the ceremony with needless chatter. The three of you are led through the garden to a stone basin where one by one, you clean your hands in the water that it contains and rinse your mouths, purifying yourself for the ritual ahead.

After the cleansing is performed, you are led into the house itself, where all of the implements for the ceremony rest in the heart of the room. The elegant Michie bids you to seat yourself, to kneel before the tea set while she lights incense. A pleasant aroma gradually fills the room, evocative and exotic, yet far from overwhelming. It only serves to stimulate your imagination as the geisha begins her performance. Every action is delicate and minimalistic, as the painted woman shows great artistry in her craft as she heats the bowl and soaks the whisk. With such precision, the caddy containing the vivid green powder of matcha tea is opened, and a few scoops of its contents are deposited in the bowl with such care and thought.

Whenever a sound punctures the silence of the tea house, there is artistry and purpose behind it. You can hear the care in how she pours the hot water over the matcha tea, the vigour in how she whisks it. There is unity to be found in this art, a bond between all of the elements that Shinsei, the Little Teacher, spoke of so many centuries ago. There is water, which grants the matcha tea new form, fire, which grants heat to both the water and the bowl, air, which carries the subtle aroma to your nose and even earth, from which the tea originally grew. You contemplate this as the tea is whisked, lingering in respectful silence and appreciating every gesture, every sound. This is not just art, this is something spiritual.

When Michie has finished her whisking, a fine foam has formed. The bowl is lifted and offered, to the first of the guests. The samurai turns it to avoid drinking from the front, then sips from the rim. His appreciation is murmured, a part of the ritual, before he sips twice more. The rim is then wiped and the bowl is passed to the next guest, who repeats the gestures.
>>
Finally, the bowl ends up in your hands and you perform the same gesture as those who came before you, taking your first sip after turning the front of the bowl away from your lips. The taste is bitter and sublime, the aroma strong yet far from overpowering. In the act of drinking the tea, you at last recognise the fifth element, that of void, the harmony that comes from the four other elements working in unison to produce perfection. You whisper the prescribed words of appreciation before you take two more sips and wipe at the rim. At last, you hand the bowl back to Michie.

The ritual comes to a close with the geisha cleaning each implement according to ritual, and one by one, the guests are allowed to examine each of the tools, to admire their elegance and the role that they performed in the creation of the tea. Bows and words of thanks are given to the host of the tea ceremony, who offers her thanks in return to her guests, who displayed their appreciation of the art with their attendance and their patronage.

You are shocked to find that an hour passed during that ceremony, and that night has well and truly set in. Yet you possess greater clarity than ever, and all of your worries and doubts have been scoured from your mind. Experiencing that ritual bestowed upon you a certain focus, a serenity that cannot be ignored. You are ready for whatever trial might lie ahead.

>You lose three points of strife. Your strife is currently at 0 / 6.

>Your purchases have been made, and you have spiritually prepared for the journey ahead by participating in the tea ceremony. This is the last opportunity that you have to do anything in Beiden before you leave it behind for three months. If there is anything that you wish to do, now is your opportunity to say so.
>>
>>4004523
listen to rumors in town and at the magister to see if there is anything of interest happening.
after that i have nothing else
>>
>>4004523
Can't think of anything else.
>>
>>4004523
Give praise to the kami before setting forth for good luck and head out. Be sure to have some rice on hand to toss to any foxes you run across.
>>
>>4004670
Supporting
>>
>>4004670
this
>>
>>4004670
dont we have a blessing let make sure we don't neglect it
>>
>>4004543
this
>>
>>4004688
you mean Jurojin the fortune of longevity, he isn't a kami
>>
With this new clarity, you take the opportunity to find out more about the town of Beiden. You've never cared too much about it in these past couple of months, as you focus has been on the village of Kagoki and the road that leads towards it. Still, it might serve you well to learn about recent events. This is the heart of civilisation in this province, surely there has be something of interest here.

You speak to the dōshin found at the station, taking the opportunity to learn from them about the town's affairs. According to them, the autumn has been a quiet one. The Yogo family regularly supplies the Lion Clan with medicinal opium – the only legal use for the substance – but it seems as though the year's final shipment has been tampered with. The dōshin seem rather dismissive about this; from the sound of it, it's hardly unusual and it's not something that the magistrates put too much effort into investigating. Perhaps the Scorpion Clan benefits from this missing opium somehow?

Other than that, Yogo Kanzaburo, the governor of the town and the daimyō of the region, has already departed to attend this year's Winter Court at Kyuden Doji. His seneschal has been tasked with governing Beiden in his stead, while he engages in diplomacy and seeks the Emperor's favour at this august event. If he is successful, the province could receive a great deal of Imperial funding once winter comes to an end. Yet he shall likely be competing with so many other lords for this funding, that you cannot help but doubt his success.

You have no doubt that you will receive news of his efforts once you return from Kagoki, after three months of snow, starvation and sickness. You resign yourself to your fate and rest in your quarters for the night, to enjoy your last night of true comfort for an entire season. Settling down into the futon, you drift off into a deep and dreamless sleep...

... And you rise in the dawn, to ready yourself for your departure. For once, you even offer your prayers to the kami, to the countless spirits of the land, to the many Lucky Gods and to the eight noble children of Lady Sun and Lord Moon. You even keep a little rice on hand for your journey, to offer to any fox that you come across. Hopefully, these efforts shall please Inari, the Fortune of Rice and Good Grain. If you earn her blessing, perhaps she will be kind enough to keep Kagoki's supplies from depleting? That's your hope, at least.

You leave Beiden without any fanfare, accompanied only by your dōshin and your loyal Haru. She's a little too burdened by all of the supplies and equipment you're bringing for you to ride her, so instead you lead the beast along by her reins, marching down the road through the snow and the cold. The two days of travel pass smoothly and without event, allowing you to arrive at Kagoki on time.
>>
On the evening of your arrival, you share a meal of rice and yam with Yasotaro, Tamuramaro and the village's leader family. After the first few bites, you quietly regret not purchasing the spices – three months of this, of bland food that does nothing but fill your belly. Compared to the exquisite experience of drinking matcha tea, this feels like shovelling dirt into your mouth. Rather than complain, you simply steel yourself and continue to eat.

“So,” Yasotaro says, once he is finished with his. “I hope that you are ready for this, Bayushi-san. Winter isn't kind to the unprepared.”

>You're ready. Your fellow yoriki should know better than to doubt you. You won't even need to keep an eye out for travellers, this job is as simple as looking after the town and its people. You can handle this.
>You have to admit, you're a little frustrated with Yasotaro. Why didn't he mention this before, that you had this unpleasant little duty to look forward to? You've helped him out, the least he could have done was give you a warning.
>Surely Tetsunori can handle himself in Beiden. Why can't Yasotaro stay in Kagoki with you, and help you look after it for the winter? You only have two months of experience, you shouldn't have had this duty thrust upon you and you alone.
>If there's any wisdom that Yasotaro has to offer, you want to hear it. You don't enjoy the thought of bolstering your fellow yoriki's ego by asking him for advice, but it's not like you've got any other option. You need every advantage that you can get.
>>
>>4004719
>>If there's any wisdom that Yasotaro has to offer, you want to hear it. You don't enjoy the thought of bolstering your fellow yoriki's ego by asking him for advice, but it's not like you've got any other option. You need every advantage that you can get.
>>
>>4004719
>You're ready. Your fellow yoriki should know better than to doubt you. You won't even need to keep an eye out for travellers, this job is as simple as looking after the town and its people. You can handle this.
>>
>>4004719
>>If there's any wisdom that Yasotaro has to offer, you want to hear it. You don't enjoy the thought of bolstering your fellow yoriki's ego by asking him for advice, but it's not like you've got any other option. You need every advantage that you can get.
>>
>>4004719
>If there's any wisdom that Yasotaro has to offer, you want to hear it. You don't enjoy the thought of bolstering your fellow yoriki's ego by asking him for advice, but it's not like you've got any other option. You need every advantage that you can get.
>>
>>4004719
>You're ready. Your fellow yoriki should know better than to doubt you. You won't even need to keep an eye out for travellers, this job is as simple as looking after the town and its people. You can handle this.
still i like to hear what our yoriki have too say
>>
>>4004719
>>If there's any wisdom that Yasotaro has to offer, you want to hear it. You don't enjoy the thought of bolstering your fellow yoriki's ego by asking him for advice, but it's not like you've got any other option. You need every advantage that you can get.
>>
>>4004719
>If there's any wisdom that Yasotaro has to offer, you want to hear it. You don't enjoy the thought of bolstering your fellow yoriki's ego by asking him for advice, but it's not like you've got any other option. You need every advantage that you can get.
>>
“You have more experience with this than me, Yogo-san. This might not surprise you, but I have never had to care for a village full of heimin before now. So if you have any suggestions, I will gladly listen to them.”

“That must be the first time you've admitted that all of my years of experience actually have a use, Bayushi-san.” You don't need to see his expression underneath the lion-dog mask. You know that he's smug, pleased to have the upper hand over you for once. “It is key to maintain your authority. When they are isolated from the outside world, these heimin have a habit of believing that strength comes from numbers, rather than from caste. A hundred of them, against only a single samurai and three dōshin. Do not let them forget their place in the Celestial Order, otherwise they might seek to use these numbers against you.”

“I doubt that they will appreciate me acting like a tyrant, Yogo-san.”

“It doesn't matter what they think of you. Winter will eventually end, and they know it. If you make them fear the repercussions of taking a stand against you, then they won't. Make them realise that any disobedience and rebellion will end in their death once spring arrives. That is what has kept them from revolting in the past, so if you're wise, that's the method of control that you will use, Bayushi-san.”

“Remember what I said when I gave you your ledger, Yogo-san? Your methods have kept you in the position of yoriki for eight years. There has to be a better way of keeping the rabble in check than that.”

“You are welcome to be kind and generous, if you truly believe that will work.” Yasotaro's tone is dismissive. “I doubt that it shall. All you shall do is create a village of increasingly dependent farmers, and the day will finally come when you will be unable to satisfy their requests. They will become so used to your charity that they will be offended by any lack of it, and will revolt against you. Heimin are not grateful or appreciative, they do not have any understanding of honour. Their only concern is the own wellbeing.”

Yasotaro has pointedly ignored the presence of Tamuramaro and his family, who are eating as well. However, the village head makes it apparant that he has heard enough. With a wordless bow, he has his wife collect the bowls and the chopsticks to be cleaned and departs from the gathering, leaving you to speak with Yasotaro on your own. The village elder doesn't look towards your fellow yoriki once as he makes his exit.

“I do not think our host approved of your words,” you remark.

“He doesn't need to,” you reply. “He knows what fate awaits him, his family and his village if he ever dares to disobey. That is what keeps him in line. He does not need kindness, Bayushi-san, none of them do.”
>>
You consider his words as you settle down to rest for the night, lying on the futon that you have purchased and brought from Beiden. It is infinitely more comfortable than the coarse, thin mat that you had rest on before now. When the morning comes, you find yourself thinking about Yasotaro's words again, if there is any truth to them. They linger in your mind even as the yoriki makes his departure towards the Seikitsu Mountains, journeying to Beiden to assist Tetsunori for the next few months.

This leaves you with Tamuramaro, the head of Kagoki, the man who you must cooperate with over the course of the next three months if this village is to survive the winter...

>Yasotaro was right. The only language these people will listen to is the tongue of tyrants. Promise Tamuramaro that if anyone chooses to stand against your dominion over this village, all of its inhabitants will suffer. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Invoke the blood. Remind the elder of your divine heritage, that you are descended from the line of Hantei himself. As long as the people of Kagoki heed your word, this village shall not succumb to the ravages of winter. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>You're curious about Tamuramaro's opinion on the matter, on the nature of the relationship between samurai and heimin. Try to convince him to share his true feelings on the subject of castes, and try to uncover how he feels about you and Yasotaro in particular. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>He heard everything that he needed to hear from Yasotaro himself. There's no need for you to say anything at all, he'll cooperate with you regardless.
>>
>>4004816
>>Invoke the blood. Remind the elder of your divine heritage, that you are descended from the line of Hantei himself. As long as the people of Kagoki heed your word, this village shall not succumb to the ravages of winter. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>4004816
>You're curious about Tamuramaro's opinion on the matter, on the nature of the relationship between samurai and heimin. Try to convince him to share his true feelings on the subject of castes, and try to uncover how he feels about you and Yasotaro in particular. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4004816
>>You're curious about Tamuramaro's opinion on the matter, on the nature of the relationship between samurai and heimin. Try to convince him to share his true feelings on the subject of castes, and try to uncover how he feels about you and Yasotaro in particular. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
we will make our own way that the role of a leader, but advise is importent for a lord
>>
>>4004816
>>You're curious about Tamuramaro's opinion on the matter, on the nature of the relationship between samurai and heimin. Try to convince him to share his true feelings on the subject of castes, and try to uncover how he feels about you and Yasotaro in particular. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>You're curious about Tamuramaro's opinion on the matter, on the nature of the relationship between samurai and heimin. Try to convince him to share his true feelings on the subject of castes, and try to uncover how he feels about you and Yasotaro in particular. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 6d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 5, 1, 1, 4 = 14 (6d6)

>>4004951
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 3, 5, 1, 2 = 17 (6d6)

>>4004951
hope this works
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 6, 6, 3, 6 = 30 (6d6)

>>4004951
>>
>>4004969
5 successes. We really are a charmer.
>>
>>4004969
Why is third roller always based?
>>
>>4004969
We not only know Tamuramaro's thoughts on the matter, he also confides in us about his marital problems, and all the regrets he holds from his long life
>>
>Going with >>4004969, five successes.

“Tamuramaro-san,” you begin, taking the opportunity to approach the man when it's just the two of you. Your dōshin are keeping an eye on the village and his wife is assisting some other household with their chores. You have a moment of privacy with the elder. “I wish to speak with you, if you have the time.”

“I am at your service, Bayushi-sama.” A humble bow comes from the village head, though he must stoop somewhat and he must struggle in order to right himself.

“My colleague, Yogo Yasotaro. He seems rather certain that only way to keep Kagoki in line is through fear and intimidation. You were there to hear most of it. Do you believe that there is any truth in it?” The way that Tamuramaro looks at you, you feel as though you must explain yourself. “You must understand, I have to work with you for the next three months, Tamuramaro-san. The more that you and I cooperate, the more lives we will be able to save from the clutches of winter.”

“Then I must tell you that he is right, Bayushi-sama.” That is something that you are surprised to hear, but Tamuramaro doesn't stop there. “I don't consider him worthy of respect or deserving of any authority over my people. This applies to almost every samurai that I have met as a village elder, almost every Scorpion that has been assigned to 'protect' Kagoki. You are selfish creatures who care only about your own duties and aspirations, you have no affection for the heimin that you are meant to oversee.”

“'You are,' Tamuramaro-san? Does this apply to me as well?” He should be flogged for this sort of talk, but now that you have convinced him to share his honest opinion, he does so with a passion, a little fire in his eyes.

“Yes. I saw how you handled that merchant, Shungyosai. You offered him shelter in this village as though it was yours to give and you played the part of a corrupt yoriki, without any thought about how that would reflect upon the people of Kagoki, without even thinking to inform me. Like Yasotaro and all of the other who came before you, you put yourself and your schemes before the heimin that you are meant to protect.”

“So why do you serve us, if we are so unpleasant and undeserving of authority in your eyes?” You definitely could have him flogged, if not much worse. You're tempted by the thought, after how he speaks so lowly of you.

“Because Yasotaro is right. Should I ever take a stand against the yoriki that are sent to oversee this village, all of my people would be punished for my hubris. Unlike the samurai, I do not view the farmers of this town as tools to be used and discarded, or as servants to do my bidding. They are my people, and I am one of them, and I will do whatever it takes to look after them, Bayushi-sama. If this means convincing them to serve even though my heart longs for a Kagoki that is free of self-serving overseers, then so be it.”
>>
“So you do not take a stand against us because you are afraid of the repercussions, of the consequences for your action. You're afraid that your village will be punished for any show of defiance, if not by me personally, then by the samurai that comes after me.”

“That is the truth, Bayushi-sama.” With that said, Tamuramaro subtly steels himself. He knows that what he has just shown disrespect to a samurai by questioning your character, and that of every other yoriki that has come before you. He expects to be reprimanded, or punished in some sort of capacity. After all, heimin are supposed to know their place and never speak against their superiors – not even when they are asked to.

>This sort of talk borders on blasphemy and he should be punished for it. Let him know that you will make him suffer for his disrespect, and that you shall teach him to never question the samurai that he serves ever again.
>You need his cooperation throughout winter. Even if he is afraid of the repercussions, it's best if you avoid antagonising him immediately. You will remember these words however, and see to it that he is punished when spring comes.
>Does he have no faith in the Celestial Order? If he serves with true obedience and leads a good life, then he will reincarnate as someone of better station, perhaps even a samurai. The hierarchy that governs Rokugan is sacred, it shouldn't be driven by fear of repercussions.
>What about the empire itself? Does he have no love for the great nation of Rokugan? He has spoken only of his village and himself, he exhibits some of the very selfishness that he has spoken out against. He ignores the fact that Kagoki is a part of something much greater.
>You are going to prove him wrong. Not all samurai are devoted to their own self-interests, not all samurai see hemin as subhuman tools. You are here to protect Kagoki, to see it through the ravages of winter. That is your duty.
>>
>>4005732
>What about the empire itself? Does he have no love for the great nation of Rokugan? He has spoken only of his village and himself, he exhibits some of the very selfishness that he has spoken out against. He ignores the fact that Kagoki is a part of something much greater.
>We will not see him punished for doing as we asked. But he would be wise to not share that sentiment broadly. It’d disservice both of us.
>Now is there any reasonable precautions we can yet take before winter’s grasp is full on us?
>>
>>4005764
Supporting
>>
>>4005732
>>Does he have no faith in the Celestial Order? If he serves with true obedience and leads a good life, then he will reincarnate as someone of better station, perhaps even a samurai. The hierarchy that governs Rokugan is sacred, it shouldn't be driven by fear of repercussions.
>>
>>4005764
+1
>>
>>4005764
this
>>
>>4005764
Supporting
>>
>>4005732
Tamuramaro dropping straight truth bombs.
>>4005764
This
>>
“Do you have no respect for the fact that Kagoki is a part of something greater, Tamuramaro-san? I do not just speak of the Scorpion Clan, but of Rokugan as a whole. That is why the magistrates of Beiden offer this town protection – because it is a part of a great nation.” You maintain a level and sincere tone. This could almost be considered a discussion between two equals, thanks to the casual air about you. For this reason, Tamuramaro continues with his tirade, seeming to briefly forget that he is speaking to a samurai.

“What is it that Kagoki is being protected from, that it cannot handle itself? Beasts? Hunters can take care of any troublesome predators. Bandits? Some of the farmers consider the magistrates to be brigands of a sort, with how they seize the lion's share of our crops with every harvest and promise punishment if their demands are not met. What difference would it make if our village was assailed by honest thieves instead? Why should the people of Kagoki care for an empire that does nothing but exploit them, Bayushi-sama?” An uncomfortable silence follows the elder's impassioned speech and the fire in his eyes gradually dies, to replaced with realisation and regret. He said too much and went too far, he revealed his lack of loyalty to Rokugan and its Emperor.

You now know the truth. Beneath the humble and obedient veneer, the villagers of Kagoki hold no love for samurai, and the only thing greater than their resentment is their fear. How much heimin, how many villages throughout the empire must be like this?

“If you were wiser,” you say, “you would have kept this sentiment to yourself, Tamuramaro-san. Yet I shall not punish you for answering my questions and speaking honestly.” In the eyes of Imperial law, you would be within your rights if you put the elder to the sword for his disloyalty. It would be the righteous thing to do, but it certainly isn't a pragmatic course of action – you can't risk the people of Kagoki turning on you. “Now, shall we speak of more practical matters?”

“Of course, Bayushi-sama. Forgive me for speaking out of turn.” Once more, the village head dons the facade of obedience, bowing in a servile fashion.

“I would like to know what precautions we can take to ready Kagoki for winter.”

“They have already been taken, Bayushi-sama.” That burning resentment has all but disappeared from Tamuramaro's tone and expression. “All of the necessary supplies have been gathered throughout the past month. Grain, water, firewood, everything has been stockpiled. Blankets have been distributed, as have shovels for handling snow. All we can do now is pray to the Fortunes for a gentle winter and an early spring.”

>Is there anything else that you would suggest to prepare for the people of Kagoki for winter, or shall you dig in and allow time to pass?
>>
>>4006166
>Dig in
>>
>>4006166
Skip forward
>>
>>4006166
Nothing I can think of
>>
>>4006166
yea lets dig in and skip forward
>>
There's nothing else that you have to discuss with Tamuramaro. After having that conversation with the elder, you take the opportunity to inspect their stockpiles. It certainly seems like enough to last for the season's duration, perhaps even longer. Confident that Kagoki is ready for winter, you decide to simply settle down and remain at the ready, to keep order and put an end to any disorder that rears its ugly head.

And so the days pass, one at a time. The snowfall grows heavier with every night that goes by. Before long, it begins to build up faster than it's able to melt, causing it to accumulate layer after layer, growing deeper and deeper. A week into the month of Togashi and it's almost a foot in depth, showing no sign of receding. Some villagers have enough courage to brave the snow, taking this opportunity to gather more firewood, clear a path through the village and perform other necessary tasks.

Kagoki is struck by its first death only nine days into the month of Togashi. The departed is an elderly man known as Naoaki, and as soon as you witness the corpse, you know that winter played only a small part in his demise. He was quite ancient at the time of his death and you get the feeling that he might have passed on no matter what the season was. Still, any villager passing away is something to be mourned, an occasion that must be marked with food and drink. It doesn't qualify as a celebration or a festival, but funerals are still an important matter.

>For the sake of the town's moral, allow the villagers to celebrate the funeral as they normally would. You will trust them to look after their stockpile and not frivol away too many of their resources.
>While a funeral should be allowed to proceed, you plan on keeping a tight eye on the expenditure. Going against tradition, this funerary rite will not involve any sort of food. Every last morsel must be reserved for practical uses. You don't want anything to be wasted on ceremony.
>You can't afford to waste time on this. The people of Kagoki shouldn't expose themselves to the cold just to mourn the loss of one man who was going to die anyway. There's no need for any sort of ceremony – just have the hinin fetch Naoaki's carcass, cremate it and deliver the ashes to his relatives.
>>
>>4006218
>>For the sake of the town's moral, allow the villagers to celebrate the funeral as they normally would. You will trust them to look after their stockpile and not frivol away too many of their resources.
>>
>>4006218
>>For the sake of the town's moral, allow the villagers to celebrate the funeral as they normally would. You will trust them to look after their stockpile and not frivol away too many of their resources.
>>
>>4006218
>>For the sake of the town's moral, allow the villagers to celebrate the funeral as they normally would. You will trust them to look after their stockpile and not frivol away too many of their resources.
>>
>>4006218
>For the sake of the town's moral, allow the villagers to celebrate the funeral as they normally would.
Make a point of mentioning >You will trust them to look after their stockpile and not frivol away too many of their resources. to Tamuramaro
>>
>>4006218
as long as Tamuramaro handel the food im fine letting the funeral go on as normal
>>
You have a quiet word with Tamuramaro about the resources being used for the funeral, and ask him to keep it from being excessive. The elder assures you that it shall likely be a simple affair, and for that you're glad. Nonetheless, you make an effort to oversee the funeral and see that it proceeds peacefully.

It truly is a humble affair, attended only by Naoaki's relatives, his friends and the village elder himself. As there is no priest within the village, Tamuramaro is relied upon to speak on the behalf of the deceased and pray for him. There's an unpleasant irony about that, considering the faithlessness that the man displayed at the start of winter. As for what is eaten, this is one of the few occasions where the villagers of Kagoki enjoy the luxury of rice, something that is usually reserved for their honoured samurai guests. Thankfully, each of the heimin in attendance only eats a modest amount of it – it seems that there is decorum even amongst the rabble.

The body of the deceased is cremated, its ashes gathered by hinin who proceed to bury them off the side of the road. By the time that they are finished, the only sign that Naoaki is interred there at all is a wooden grave marker, that will inevitably rot away. There are no stone monuments or dedicated graveyards, this is all that the people of Kagoki can afford. Their poverty truly is a pitiable thing.

After the funeral is concluded, several days pass without anything of note occurring, other than an overnight blizzard that causes the depth of the snow to almost double. It's above knee height now and should you stray off of the paths that have been shovelled, you need to wade through the freezing white powder. What's worse is that at the bottom of it, the earliest snow has been compacted into a layer of solid, slippery ice. Even walking has become dangerous, and most of the populace remains in their hovels except when they need to fetch supplies from the communal stockpile.

And it is that very stockpile that is the first source of contention. Everyone is trusted to take a small share of Kagoki's harvest from the village's granary every day, but one of the heimin has kicked up a fuss. She insists that grain is disappearing from the hut faster than it should, that someone is taking more than their fair share.

>Talk with the woman in more depth. Does she have any evidence? How did she come to this realisation?
>In that case, you and your dōshin will need to handle the rationing of grain at all times. No one will be allowed to collect it without your authorisation.
>Post a dōshin to guard the granary every day. That way, you should be able to keep an eye on how much people are taking from the granary.
>Post a dōshin to guard the granary during the night. You'd like to make sure that no one is sneaking in and taking more than their fair share while everyone else is sleeping.
>The granary must be watched by one of your dōshin at all times, day and night.
>>
>>4006375
>Talk with the woman in more depth. Does she have any evidence? How did she come to this realisation?
>The granary must be watched by one of your dōshin at all times, day and night.

Rotate the three doshin and have them watch in secret, better to catch the culprit in the act. The food supply is too important to risk.
>>
>>4006378
this
>>
>>4006378
I support this
>>
>>4006375
>Talk with the woman in more depth

Full time postings suck. Let's learn more before committing to that.
>>
The woman goes by Ayuri. While she can't be considered elderly just yet, any trace of youth left her long ago. Unmarried and without children, you can't help but feel pity for the greying shrew. You're not the only one – from what you understand, she has no home of her own and relies on the shelter that her relatives offer her. In exchange, she offers another set of hands to help tend to their home and their farm.

“So, Ayuri-san. What makes you believe that someone is stealing more than their share from the granary?” The peasant woman fidgets anxiously, wringing her fingers and grasping at her shawl as you question her. Is there a chance that you are just dealing with a paranoid peasant?

“Experience, samurai-sama. This is not my first winter, and I've seen what it looks like when someone is stealing! I know how fast the grain disappears when the snow falls and this, this is not common. There should be at least one more sack in here, someone must have taken it!”

“Have you seen them take it?” You find yourself become more sceptical the more you hear. “Have you counted the amount of grain that the granary holds?”

Ayuri shakes her head wildly. “No, but I know what theft looks like when I see it! Intuition comes with age and there is no doubt in my mind, samurai-sama, that someone is feasting on the fruit of our harvest, taking more than they are owed. It isn't right, it isn't right!” You might be dealing with a woman who is simply eager for attention and the chance to be important. Despite this, she seems absolutely convinced of her accusations.

>You won't have anyone wasting your time with false accusations. Have her flogged, in order to deter other heimin from coming to you with more baseless claims.
>The more you hear from her, the more you doubt the validity of her claims. There's no need for any guards to watch over the granary after all.
>Your original suggestion of having the granary guarded at all times is a little too much. If you're only going off of a heimin woman's hunch, then you should just station a guard there in the day.
>Go through with your plan of having the granary watched at all times. One of your dōshin guards it during the day, while another watches it during the night. This way, at any time in the day, one of them will always be on duty, the second will be resting and recovering from the previous duty and the third one will be on standby.
>>
>>4006457
>>Your original suggestion of having the granary guarded at all times is a little too much. If you're only going off of a heimin woman's hunch, then you should just station a guard there in the day.
This but during the night. If there is indeed a thief, he wouldn’t be brave to steel during the day. And even if he was, there would be witnesses to catch him
>>
>>4006457
>Go through with your plan of having the granary watched at all times. One of your dōshin guards it during the day, while another watches it during the night. This way, at any time in the day, one of them will always be on duty, the second will be resting and recovering from the previous duty and the third one will be on standby.

She seems unhinged but it still seems risky not to take any precautions. If we do nothing she'll complain to the whole village hurting our standing for the rest of the winter. Can we also do counts on supplies and how much we've burned through upto this point in winter? Also have any travellers come through the village or is it impassable for the wintertime?
>>
>>4006457
>>Go through with your plan of having the granary watched at all times. One of your dōshin guards it during the day, while another watches it during the night. This way, at any time in the day, one of them will always be on duty, the second will be resting and recovering from the previous duty and the third one will be on standby.
>>
>>4006457
>no need to post guards

One bag? Yea right
>>
Even if Ayuri is unhinged, the granary is too important to be left unguarded. You have your doubts about the legitimacy of her claim but by having one of your dōshin guard the hut at all times, you will prevent Kagoki's heimin from absconding with more than their fair share of grain. You won't handle the rationing personally, as the villagers are likely to find such management oppressive, but this will provide security and ensure that Kagoki doesn't run out of food by spring's arrival.

Calling upon Tamuramaro, you request a count of the supplies. It takes most of an afternoon for the elder's assistants to take stock of the remaining grain, but the results are positive. If someone has been taking more grain than they should have, it has hardly made a dent and Kagoki is still on course to outlast the winter. Though the future seems bright, you can't help but remember that you are only in the first weeks of this dire season. Who knows what sort of complications the future might hold for this village?

As for travellers, there is no chance that they could have stolen any grain because there have been none. To travel between villages with only a flimsy tent for shelter is near suicidal and journeys that took a mere day or two during the autumn would now take several, thanks to the knee-high ice and snow. No, no one from out of town could have been responsible for the theft of grain.

So with this new system of guarding the granary now in place, time continues to flow by. There is no sign of any potential thieves during day or night, and no one is foolish enough to abscond with sackfuls of undeserved grain with one of your dōshin on the lookout. The descent of white powder from the heavens is occasionally disrupted by freezing sleet, making the outdoors even more slippery and tracherous. Any day when the sky is clear is considered a blessing and thanks are given to the Fortunes for their mercy. The month of Togashi flows by, as slow as molasses, with little for you to do other than huddle around Tamuramaro's fire or make a token effort to patrol the village.
>>
It's on one of those rare clear days that you sit at the front of Tamuramaro's house to watch the sun drift below the horizon against an orange sky, wrapped up in your winter clothes. The sound of feet against the wooden floor can be heard behind you as Atshushi leaves the warmth of the house, only to crouch by your side and place down two cups. You reach across to accept one, only to find that it's not water inside but pebbles instead. Your cup contains a collection of dark and mottled stones, while Atshushi's holds lighter-coloured stones.

“All of this sitting around must be getting to you as much as it's getting to me, Bayushi-sama. How about a game of go, eh?”

>Games? Why would you play games when you have your duty to attend to? Verbally reprimand Atshushi and tell him to patrol the village, instead of find a way to waste times.
>You're his superior. The wave man shouldn't behave so informally around you. But after chastising him for his behaviour... Why not? It's a way of keeping the mind sharp.
>Admit that you've been bored out of your mind. You need something to do in this village and a session of go sounds like a welcome release from the tedium.
>>
>>4006616
>Admit that you've been bored out of your mind. You need something to do in this village and a session of go sounds like a welcome release from the tedium.

Maybe coax some information out from him while we play? Who exactly ordered him to our genpuku?
>>
>>4006616
>Admit you've been bored out of your mind and play.

>>4006631
Our teacher did
>>
>>4006616
>>Admit that you've been bored out of your mind. You need something to do in this village and a session of go sounds like a welcome release from the tedium.
>>
>>4006631
Huh, guess I missed that. Thought it was weird our Sensei could order a Ronin about.
>>
>>4006616
>Admit that you've been bored out of your mind. You need something to do in this village and a session of go sounds like a welcome release from the tedium.
>>
“Why not? What else would I do with my time, other than patrol this village for the hundredth time this week or enjoy the rich company offered by heimin?”

Atshushi grins wryly at that remark. You sit opposite of him on the wooden floorboards at the front of the house, resting on your knees while the rōnin lays out a sheet of paper. Its yellowing surface is scored with black lines drawn in charcoal, nineteen by nineteen.

This is more than just an opportunity to play a game. This is a chance to learn a little more about the rōnin that serves you. Despite working with the man for two months, most of your conversations have been focused on work, or the sly remarks and petty jabs that he likes to make from time to time. As for the game itself... Strategy was something that every student of the Seven Stings Dōjō had to learn, and many lessons regarding it were taught through the playing of games such as Go.

You look down at the cup of stones in your hand and set it down by your side of the 'board.' These darker pebbles are likely meant to serve as black stones, while Atshushi's lighter pebbles are meant to represent white stones. He has given you the privilege of going first, it seems. This could be a fatal mistake on his part...

>Play to win. Focus on the game and be aggressive. Force your opponent to react to every move that you make, don't give him the opportunity to breathe. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Chatter casually throughout the game, learn a little more about Atshushi. He likely has a few stories to tell, as a rōnin of his age. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>He has information that is important to you. Use the game as a distraction and try to coax some information out of him, regarding the magistrates of Beiden and his presence at your gempukku. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4006705
>Play to win. Focus on the game and be aggressive. Force your opponent to react to every move that you make, don't give him the opportunity to breathe. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4006705
>Chatter casually throughout the game, learn a little more about Atshushi. He likely has a few stories to tell, as a rōnin of his age. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4006705
>Play to win. Focus on the game and be aggressive. Force your opponent to react to every move you make, don't give him the opportunity to breathe.

Rawr
>>
>>4006705
>>Chatter casually throughout the game, learn a little more about Atshushi. He likely has a few stories to tell, as a rōnin of his age. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4006705
>>Play to win. Focus on the game and be aggressive. Force your opponent to react to every move that you make, don't give him the opportunity to breathe. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>Play to win. Focus on the game and be aggressive. Force your opponent to react to every move that you make, don't give him the opportunity to breathe. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 3d6 using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 2 = 13 (3d6)

>>4006812
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 6 = 11 (3d6)

>>4006812
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 4 = 13 (3d6)

>>4006812
>>
>Going with >>4006839, three successes.

Some samurai put a great deal of effort into the study of games. It is a way of testing your wits and pitting yourself against an opponent without risking your health or your face. By playing a game, you can assess the strengths of the person you're playing against and realise your own weaknesses and shortcomings. You've never been one of these samurai, and it's been over a year since you last had to play Go, but you remember the basic principles. Time to put them to good use.

You place the first stone near the upper right corner, in a position that favours influence over territory. This move defines the rest of your strategy as you focus on the placement of your stones in key positions across the 'board.' You can consolidate and claim territory later, once you have established your dominance in every region. Atshushi is forced to ponder his moves, to consider where your influence is weakest and fill those gaps in your dominion. His fear of contesting you where you are strongest has a resulted in a rather peaceful start to this game, an opening focused on manoeuvring rather than fighting for territory.

He offers occasional remarks but you pay little heed to them. You don't put much thought into your responses either. Instead, your focus remains on the game. You won't accept anything less than victory. However, the rōnin eventually has something interesting to say.

“Didn't expect that you would be this invested in the game, Bayushi-sama. I suppose that's just the sort of woman that you are though, eh? Always have to be the one in control, the one with a grasp on the situation. Like the time when you handled that feud on your own, or when you make that elaborate scheme to fool the merchant into thinking he was on your side. Always pushing yourself, Bayushi-sama. Is there something that you're trying to prove?”

Finally, conflict. While Atshushi asking his question, he's beginning to contest the bottom right corner, deploying a few stones in your area of influence, trying to snatch it for himself even though you have strength there. Perhaps he hopes to outwit you while you're distracted with a response?
>>
>Keep your head in the game. Win this now. First you will crush his attempt to win that corner, then you will exploit your established influence to claim territory. You will have such an advantage over Atshushi that he will have no choice but to concede. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Admit the truth to him. You believe that you are destined for greatness. Your dreams have been full of grandeur since you were young, and you're determined to make those dreams a reality. You will not settle for a mundane life, you will rise above this.
>You know that samurai are meant to serve, they aren't supposed to have ambitions and desires of their own. So, you should lie, or at least hide the truth. It's always been your mother who has encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007691
>>Admit the truth to him. You believe that you are destined for greatness. Your dreams have been full of grandeur since you were young, and you're determined to make those dreams a reality. You will not settle for a mundane life, you will rise above this.
>>
>>4007691
>You know that samurai are meant to serve, they aren't supposed to have ambitions and desires of their own. So, you should lie, or at least hide the truth. It's always been your mother who has encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

Still don't totally trust ronin-chan. Feel as if he's working for someone else.
>>
>>4007691
>It's always been your mother who encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes.

Scorpion clan! Lies and deceit!

We don't even want to be the supreme god empress, but we gotta fulfill moms wishes.
>>
>>4007692
Actually yeah switching to
>You know that samurai are meant to serve, they aren't supposed to have ambitions and desires of their own. So, you should lie, or at least hide the truth. It's always been your mother who has encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007690
>>You know that samurai are meant to serve, they aren't supposed to have ambitions and desires of their own. So, you should lie, or at least hide the truth. It's always been your mother who has encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
we are Scorpion clan hide the truth
>>
>>4007691
>>You know that samurai are meant to serve, they aren't supposed to have ambitions and desires of their own. So, you should lie, or at least hide the truth. It's always been your mother who has encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>You know that samurai are meant to serve, they aren't supposed to have ambitions and desires of their own. So, you should lie, or at least hide the truth. It's always been your mother who has encouraged you to excel, you're just fulfilling her wishes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 4, 2, 3, 1, 4 = 22 (7d6)

>>4007728
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 6, 3, 6, 1, 2 = 24 (7d6)

>>4007728
>>
Rolled 6, 1, 6, 3, 6, 6, 5 = 33 (7d6)

>>4007728
>>
>>4007731
well then
>>
>>4007731
We seem to roll ridiculously well in this quest
>>
>Going with >>4007731, five successes.

“I do not have anything to prove. My mother does. She has always pushed me to succeed, in every aspect of my life. It was never her wish to have an obedient daughter, only a talented one. Even now, I know that she would be disappointed if I spent the rest of my life as a yoriki, if allowed myself to fail. So I try to make her proud, Atshushi-san, in everything that I do.”

It's not necessarily a lie. Everything that you said is true... In fact, it gives you an opportunity to reflect about your mother, Bayushi Shizuko. She married your father at a young age, a guard at Kyuden Bayushi, the seat of your clan. As the spouse of lesser status, she was meant to be the subordinate of the two, the one who was meant to look after the children, the home, the estate. Instead, she was frequently absent, attending court at Kyuden Bayushi and leaving her husband's estate – and you – in the care of servants. Whenever she was present during your childhood though, she always pushed you, always encouraged you to display your superiority. For what purpose? You aren't quite sure.

Regardless, your story seems to have touched Atshushi in some way. His focus has left the game and his thoughts dwell on what you have said. At last, he speaks.

“Parents have a way of shaping us with their decisions, even if they don't mean to. You know, my father was a samurai, long before I was born. Not even a rōnin, but a true samurai of the Lion Clan. He abandoned his duty during one of many summer wars between the Lion and the Crane. See, my father was served in a legion that had just seized a village from the Crane, but his captain knew that it wouldn't remain in Lion hands for long. The Crane would go running to the Emperor and plead for its return, like they always do. By the end of winter, the village would belong to the Crane once more and the Lion Clan would have gotten nothing out of the war.”

“So,” Atshushi continues, “the captain came up with a plan. Every heimin, every hinin in the village was to be put to the sword. The Crane would be left with nothing to reclaim but ashes. My father, he didn't like the plan, thought that it was cruel and heartless. Turns out that most of his legion disagreed with him, because they went through with it. They wiped the village off of the map of Rokugan and marched on to the next one. Rather than take part in the slaughter, my old man ran off and became a wave man.”

“He never thought about the consequences of his action. Never thought about his future. Never thought about how his child would feel, being the son of a rōnin and a farmer's daughter, damned to be treated like filth by the rest of Rokugan because of his father's actions.”

“You blame him for the life that you lead, Atshushi-san?”

“I suppose that I could always blame myself instead, but I've got no idea what I did in my last life to deserve being born as a rōnin's son.”
>>
It seems as though Atshushi was as distracted by his story as you were by yours. That bottom right corner has transformed into a chaotic battlefield, with neither of you truly gaining any advantage over the other. His efforts to distract you by making you talk about your past have backfired and now he left without much in the way of influence or territory on the board. The upper hand is still yours, you just need to take advantage of it.

>Seize the game. Exert your influence and secure the remaining territory. Punish every attempt the rōnin makes to get back in the game. Victory will be yours. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You don't especially care about winning, not at this point. Talk to Atshushi a little more about his past, take this opportunity to bond with him and build some camaraderie. It doesn't matter how the game goes from here. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>After that tale, you can't help but feel a little pity for him. Give him something to feel good about and let him take this victory. Try not to make it obvious though – make his comeback feel legitimate. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007791
>You don't especially care about winning, not at this point. Talk to Atshushi a little more about his past, take this opportunity to bond with him and build some camaraderie. It doesn't matter how the game goes from here. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007791
>>Seize the game. Exert your influence and secure the remaining territory. Punish every attempt the rōnin makes to get back in the game. Victory will be yours. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007791
>Talk to Atshushi a little more, take this opportunity to bond with him. Still try to win though.
>>
>>4007791
>>You don't especially care about winning, not at this point. Talk to Atshushi a little more about his past, take this opportunity to bond with him and build some camaraderie. It doesn't matter how the game goes from here. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007791
>You don't especially care about winning, not at this point. Talk to Atshushi a little more about his past, take this opportunity to bond with him and build some camaraderie. It doesn't matter how the game goes from here. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>You don't especially care about winning, not at this point. Talk to Atshushi a little more about his past, take this opportunity to bond with him and build some camaraderie. It doesn't matter how the game goes from here. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 2d6 using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 2, 6 = 8 (2d6)

>>4007814
>>
>>4007791
>>Seize the game. Exert your influence and secure the remaining territory. Punish every attempt the rōnin makes to get back in the game. Victory will be yours. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Games skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>You don't especially care about winning, not at this point. Talk to Atshushi a little more about his past, take this opportunity to bond with him and build some camaraderie. It doesn't matter how the game goes from here. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Games skill of 0. You will
>>
Rolled 5, 4 = 9 (2d6)

>>4007814
>>
Rolled 2, 4 = 6 (2d6)

>>4007814
>>
Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d6)

>>4007814
>>
>>4007819
Nice barely made it
>>
>Going with >>4007819, two successes.

“Perhaps you're a little too harsh on your father, Atshushi-san. From the sound of it, he was a principled man who held honour highly.”

The rōnin scoffs as he places a stone on the board. “Not high enough to remain true to the man he served. He put his honour before his duty. I've been around the Scorpion long enough to understand that you do things the other way around, so why defend him?”

“We sacrifice our honour because we must,” you explain. “It is the only way that we can fulfil our duty. That does mean it's something to be admired or applauded. Honour is a precious and beautiful thing and if all samurai lacked it, then Rokugan wouldn't be a land worth protecting. Compassion, righteousness, courtesy and courage, all of these things give the lives of samurai meaning. It's what separates us from beasts.”

“What of your clan then? You said you've sacrificed honour but at the same time, you say that samurai are beasts without it. I doubt you mean to compare yourself to animals, Bayushi-sama.”

“Duty is a part of honour as well. We do not sacrifice everything, Atshushi-san. We cling to that particular tenet and use it to ground ourselves, to keep ourselves from becoming self-serving. Your father was put in a difficult position, and he was forced to put one tenet of Bushidō before another. Though I do not think I would have done the same thing, you shouldn't hold his decision against him.”

“I suppose,” he says after a moment's thought, observing the board. “I can't see anything else I can do here. I shall pass, Bayushi-sama.”

“And so shall I.”

Towards the end, your move became clumsier as you focused on explaining the intricacies of honour. However, it wasn't enough for Atshushi to seize the game from you. You had enough of an early advantage that you were able to establish more territory and even take a few prisoners. After counting the amount of territory that your stones have enclosed and the number of prisoners that you have taken, it becomes apparent that you are the victor.

“Hah. Closer than I thought. We'll need to do this again in the future, Bayushi-sama.” He begins to pick the lighter stones from the scored paper, placing them back in his cup while you collect the darker ones.

“I admit, a few more sessions would help the winter pass a little more quickly.” You rise to your feet, smoothing out your heavy clothes. The game and the conversation distracted you from the chill but now that you are standing, you can't help but feel the bite of winter. The two of you return to the warmth of Tamuramaro's house, stepping inside to enjoy the heat of the hearth.
>>
The days go by and the winter worsens. The month of Togashi is about to come to an end when Kagoki is suddenly assaulted by a great blizzard, one that lasts for days. In such weather, even leaving the house is a hazardous course of action. For the duration of the storm, you are forced to station a single dōshin to guard the granary on his own, as the weather is too severe for you to regularly rotate the storage hut's guard. Rinji is the unfortunate one who gets saddled with that duty.

By the time that the blizzard comes to an end, the month of Fu Leng has begun and the snow reaches up to your waist, if not higher. Paths need to be shovelled through the snow for walking to be possible and several heimin seem to be trapped in their huts, unable to leave until their entrances to their homes are excavated.

Unfortunately, not every structure was able to withstand the storm's onslaught. One particular house caved in under the weight of the snow. The roof collapsed on its occupants and killed them, most likely as they slept. According to Tamuramaro, this home harboured a farmer, his wife and their two child, all of whom must have been crushed under the weight of their own home. More than a few of Kagoki's heimin weep when they find out the awful news. However, buried as they are under all of that snow and debris, it's impossible to get the dead out of there.

>As sad as it is, you can't afford to exert yourselves. The wellbeing of the living comes first. The snow will recede in spring and you'll be able to grant them their funeral then. The house should be left as it is.
>Allow the heimin to dig out the ruined house and find the deceased, so that they can be cremated and given their last rites. A little bit of closure might help lift the spirits of the locals.
>Show some solidarity and that you're not just a heartless overlord. Your dōshin can go down to lend a hand in unearthing the deceased, on the behalf of the village. It's not a part of your duty, but it's the least you can do.
>Everyone should help out during a moment of tragedy like this, even you. Get down there, grab a shovel and do your part in digging out the dead. The people of Kagoki will appreciate the effort. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Labor skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4007877
>Show some solidarity and that you're not just a heartless overlord. Your dōshin can go down to lend a hand in unearthing the deceased, on the behalf of the village. It's not a part of your duty, but it's the least you can do.
but talk to your dōshin befor you order any of them.
>>
>>4007877
>Show some solidarity and that you're not just a heartless overlord. Your dōshin can go down to lend a hand in unearthing the deceased, on the behalf of the village. It's not a part of your duty, but it's the least you can do.
>>
>>4007877
>Show some solidarity and that you're not just a heartless overlord. Your dōshin can go down to lend a hand in unearthing the deceased, on the behalf of the village. It's not a part of your duty, but it's the least you can do.
Doshin probably getting pissed with us.
>>
As a display of solidarity, you decide that your assistants are going to help the locals unearth the dead – and for the first time, you're met with some contention when you issue this order to your dōshin. None of them are particularly happy about it, but it's Sosa who speaks out.

“Bayushi-sama, I could understand sending us to guard the granary, even if I hate every moment I spend in that freezing hut. But doing manual labour on the behalf of the villagers? We are just here to keep them in line, not to do all of their work for them. I'm not about to freeze to death digging out the corpses of some heimin. Leave this sort of work for hinin.”

“Are you refusing an order, Sosa-san?” Your words are as much of a threat as they are a question. The pock-marked man has grown too used to his position. He seems to have forgotten he's as much of a heimin as the people he protects.

“No, Bayushi-sama. What I am asking for is for more pay, for all of us. You have been pushing us hard enough already, now you want us to do this as well? Pay us what we deserve. We're getting three bu each when we return to Beiden in the spring, make that a koku each instead. What do you say, Atshushi-san, Rinji-san?”

“Nothing wrong with more coin,” says Rinji. He seems on board with Sosa's suggestion.

“Know your place, you two.” Atshushi isn't so easily seduced, despite being a wave man. You find yourself a little surprised. “We serve Bayushi-sama and we'll do as she asks. Don't complain like some sort of spoiled child.”

“Oh, I'll obey,” says Sosa. “I just want to know that I'll be getting all of the coin that I deserve first.”

>Okay, okay. Forget that you mentioned it. The heimin can take care of this on their own, you won't force your dōshin to do anything that they don't want. The loyalty of your dōshin matters more to you than the appreciation of heimin.
>Fine. You'll pay them all that little extra for their service. You need to keep your dōshin on your side at all costs, you can't maintain order in this village without them. (When spring comes, you will lose 1.2 koku.)
>Assure them that they will all be paid when winter ends... Not that you're telling the truth, of course. They will be furious when spring arrives, but you'll handle that when the times comes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Who does Sosa think he is? He's not getting a single zeni out of you. He will obey you or his head will leave his shoulders, you can promise him that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>You won't tolerate this extortion. Bring over a hinin from the compound and have him flog the dōshin for his disobedience. This will put Sosa in his place and keep Rinji in line.
>>
>>4007959
i dont like any of the choses but loyalty matters
>Fine. You'll pay them all that little extra for their service. You need to keep your dōshin on your side at all costs, you can't maintain order in this village without them. (When spring comes, you will lose 1.2 koku.)
>>
>>4007959
>Fine. You'll pay them all that little extra for their service. You need to keep your dōshin on your side at all costs, you can't maintain order in this village without them. (When spring comes, you will lose 1.2 koku.)
>>
>>4007959
>Assure them that they will all be paid when winter ends... Not that you're telling the truth, of course. They will be furious when spring arrives, but you'll handle that when the times comes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

By not acting as these two and the heimin expect we have upset the natural order of things. We should kill them in the spring, both of them have questioned us too much.
>>
>>4007967
They won't be loyal, they'll squeeze us for more money each time we ask to do something like this. 99 of 100 samurai would not stomach their orders being questioned.

We should be acting more as these people expect Samurai to, otherwise this type of stuff will come up again and again.
>>
>>4007989
hmm you might be right
>Assure them that they will all be paid when winter ends... Not that you're telling the truth, of course. They will be furious when spring arrives, but you'll handle that when the times comes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
or command them then
>>
Could we invoke our imperial blood here?
>>
>>4007959
>>Assure them that they will all be paid when winter ends... Not that you're telling the truth, of course. They will be furious when spring arrives, but you'll handle that when the times comes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
They will forget about it when spring comes and if they do remember, we will laugh it off with sake. Also Scorpions deceives
>>
>>4008011
>Laugh it off with sake
>They kill us in our sleep
>>
>>4007959
>who does he think he is? Fire roll option

Anyone voting to lie to our immediate subordinates who our success is dependent on, why?
>>
>>4007959
>>Who does Sosa think he is? He's not getting a single zeni out of you. He will obey you or his head will leave his shoulders, you can promise him that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4008020
We lie, they are contented for the winter with the promise of more money. We need them during the winter, once it is over we won't need them. They've shown enough disrespect as is.

We tell them to BTFO they are another headache for the winter.
>>
>>4008020
>>4008023
I'm pretty sure Samurai could kill those lower on the food chain for the slightest insult. I imagine its the same in this world.
>>
>>4008023
>>4008026
I think it's pretty out of character to just murder people for convenience. Especially with how we've played so far.
>>
>>4008040
These guys want to treat us like a piggy bank. It is better to lie and have them contented for the winter at least rather than simply demand their obedience and potentially have more problems with them throughout the winter.
>>
>>4008009
That could have been an option, though it would have functionally not been very different from the Fire option - just threatened with eternal damnation rather than physical violence. Still, I apologise for not considering that as a possibility.

Going with:
>Assure them that they will all be paid when winter ends... Not that you're telling the truth, of course. They will be furious when spring arrives, but you'll handle that when the times comes. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
>>4008043
That's pretty short term thinking. Long term it'll be worse if we have to work with underlings who don't trust us, and it certainly won't look good if we go to our boss and say "yeah my doshin disrespected me so I had to kill all of them, new ones please"

That last one is foolish to the point of intentional sabotage
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 6, 4, 6, 5, 4 = 37 (7d6)

>>4008050
Welp, guess we're committed now.
>>
>>4008052
It's short term thinking to force our underlings to do things that are technically below their station. Lowly doshin will likely(hopefully) take it and resent us but if we do this kind of stuff higher up the food chain we won't last long.

These two likely already hate us in any case. They already don't respect us enough to demand money from us, Rinji in Beiden and Sosa now. That is dangerous enough as is, and its not something a Samurai would want marking their reputations. Getting coerced by doshin into paying them extra.


>>4008056
Pretty sick roll
>>
Yeah, I don't even need any other rolls. >>4008056 crushes it.
>>
>>4008062
That's why we needed to take a stand and tell them that this behavior isn't ok and we won't cave, rather than kicking the problem down the road and making it worse.
>>
>>4008064
So given we went so far over the metric could we have done it such a way that would not piss them off?
>>
>>4008068
I don't think it's possible to lie about paying people without pissing them off no matter how well you roll
>>
Ugh. Wish we just commanded them. Pushing this off is only going to make it worse.
>>
>>4008067
We agree that we shouldn't let these doshin push us around just not about when to put them in their place. You want to do it now and I want to do it after winter. I prefer that they remain totally loyal until the end of winter, this lie ensures that.

I still prefer to kill them once Spring comes. I feel like our character would be internally enraged by being questioned by these two. Plus as a bonus it will potentially mean the next doshin that come will not quibble with us over one bu or koku, but simply do as they are told.

>>4008068
I imagine it just means they're utterly convinced by us.
>>
>>4008074
In my opinion it's better to deal with a minor headache this winter than to endure this blow to our reputation for years to come. Killing the three of them in particular, I can't understand why you think it's a good idea. It's out of character, our boss will be mad and likely make us face very serious repercussions, and if we ever get future doshin they might not ask for money but they will never trust us or go the extra mile, and might even sabotage us to be assigned to a less risky boss.


Also for the curious the chances of that roll were one in fifteen thousand five hundred fifty two.
>>
>Going with >>4008056, seven successses. What the hell, guy.

“I will be honest,” you begin. “You have served me well, all of you. You have not only followed every command that I have given, but you have accomplished everything I have asked of you. No one could ask for better dōshin. So I give you my word that when the winter comes to an end, I will ask Tetsunori to give you the payment that you deserve. If he refuses, then I will pay you out of my own pocket. It's the least that you deserve, as a reward for your loyal service.”

Your dōshin are stunned by your words, even if everything you have said is a complete and utter lie. You're not planning on paying them at all, you're just keeping them under control until the snows have melted and you're back in Beiden. A quick word to Tetsunori, and Sosa will be in a cell for attempting to extort the samurai he is supposed to serve. You even share a brief look with Atshushi, the only one of the three was not eager to take more coin from you. Your eyes are full of meaning and while the other two are still astonished by your generosity, he gives an understanding nod. He'll know better than to expect this coin out of you once the winter's over. At least that's one of your dōshin who will not disappointed when the lie surfaces.

“Bayushi-sama,” Sosa begins, falling to his knees to bow, to grovel before you. “... Forgive me, I let my anger get the better of me. I have been doing everything that I can to serve you, fulfilling your every command, it has just taken its toll on me. I lost my senses and I felt as though my work was not appreciated and... and I was so wrong, Bayushi-sama. Forgive me for ever doubting you and thank you, thank you for being so generous. I swear that I will never say a word against you, not ever again, and that anyone who questions you will answer me, I promise.”

Similar words of praise come from Rinji and Atshushi, playing along with the deception, offers his respect as well. All three of them bow before you, humbled by your generosity and eager to serve you. They're not only appreciative of the coin that you have promised, but of the words that you have said. You've left a lasting impression on them and you know without a doubt that they will seek to prove themselves to you, that they will remain true you throughout the rest of the season.

So there's not a word of complaint from them. They're almost eager to rush off and unearth the frozen corpses of the deceased family, digging them out of the snow and the debris. The dread and despair gives way outright sorrow as all four of them are confirmed to be dead. The farmer, his wife and one of the children all died from being crushed, but the fourth is surprisingly unharmed... You come to the unpleasant conclusion that the poor thing must have been trapped and eventually died from exposure.
>>
Many villagers seem to be in mourning over this tragedy, even if they didn't know the departed. It's a significant loss of life, a reminder of their own mortality. Tamuramaro wishes to arrange another funeral, much larger than the previous one, for the entire village to attend. It's necessary to elevate the spirits of the people but such an occasion will likely take a chunk out of the food stockpile.

>It's best to just keep everyone in their homes and out of the cold. The hinin can burn the corpses and bury them at the side of the road, just like Naoaki. No need for anything more than that.
>While it makes good sense to have a funeral and give Kagoki a chance to mourn over this loss, you'd rather not waste any food on the affair. The more you keep in reserve, the better.
>As it stands, after Tamuramaro's last count, you're on track to outlast the winter. You can afford to use food for special occasions such as this funeral, especially if he's the one suggesting it.
>>
>>4008101
>As it stands, after Tamuramaro's last count, you're on track to outlast the winter. You can afford to use food for special occasions such as this funeral, especially if he's the one suggesting it.

If you think about it the food's gonna last even longer now with four less mouths to feed.
>>
>>4008101
>As it stands, after Tamuramaro's last count, you're on track to outlast the winter. You can afford to use food for special occasions such as this funeral, especially if he's the one suggesting it.

>>4008099
Perhaps we can be full of praise for the doshin to Tetsunori and request the money.
>>
>>4008122
Maybe. I don't think that would look good either given that we pushed for more cash prior to this trip. Like you said earlier, giving in here will only encourage this behavior. If we missed our chance to nip it in the bud just now we might want to stick to giving them a nasty spring surprise. Especially since my sweet ass roll got Atshushi understanding how things really be.
>>
>>4008101
>As it stands, after Tamuramaro's last count, you're on track to outlast the winter. You can afford to use food for special occasions such as this funeral, especially if he's the one suggesting it.


>>4008102
good point
>>
>>4008122
We might also want to assign them tasks that aren't taxing, but are subtley impossible to do or do well. That way they don't feel overworked but do feel like they're underperforming. When spring comes we can justify the no extra pay by pointing to all those supposedly simple jobs they bungled and say they didn't meet expectations.
>>
>>4008144
i assumed we are just getting rid of them in spring

treacherous lot
>>
>>4008150
The earnest grovelling changed my opinion. I think it was anon's seven successes that saved them.
>>
>>4008151
I'm not sure how earnest it was. They started groveling when we gave in, I think they will be as quick to change their tunes once it's revealed they won't get any money as they did here.
>>
>>4008150
I have yet to see good justification for killing them off, one that properly weighs the pros and cons. Because the cons are pretty fucking big, and we haven't made Kimiko into a cold blooded murderer type of character.
>>
>>4008164
We don't have to kill them. We just have them locked up.

The pro is that once we betray them we won't be able to trust them anymore as they won't trust us and there is no way we will be able to get them to go above and beyond for us.
>>
>>4008180
That's a con, not a pro. You're right that locking them up may be the best course of action at this point though.
>>
>>4008180
Locking up is pointless, they'd have to die. People can question them if they are locked up.

>>4008164
Again just clarifying if it wasn't clear, we wouldn't be killing Atshushi, just Rinji and Sosa if it came to it.

Pros
>No more Doshin actively questioning our orders
>No more Doshin demanding extra pay when we tell them to do something below their station
>No Doshin potentially spreading rumours about us being soft or easy to demand things from
>Negative reputation from the killings could make next Doshin more dutiful
>If this negative reputation is too undesirable they could die in "accidents" or a "fever over the winter'

Cons
>Killing doshin may be seen as heavy handed resulting in a negative reputation
>Maybe seen negatively by higher-ups if not presented in the right way
>>
>>4008223
Thank you for the list. I would like to note a few things:

This will be seen very poorly. Your cons aren't just maybe. The fact that we killed two doshin in our first year of service could end our career outright. There is no good way to present that.

Second, assuming we get to keep our position, the replacement doshin won't be more dutiful. They'll guard their asses from their psycho of a boss while secretly undermining us. It'll be far worse than what we have now. That fake bribery trick we pulled? Won't happen again, the ruby and note will never make it to the magistrate. Why would they come through for us like that when they could get us executed for corruption and get a boss that won't kill them? They might even plant evidence to frame us.

Third, how are we gonna kill them? Honorable duel? We might lose or get maimed. In their sleep? Good luck selling that to the magistrate as justified.

Fourth, MC is not an unfeeling robot who takes action based solely on personal convenience. These are living people we'd be killing in cold blood. We're ambitious but not psychotic.
>>
>>4008223
>People can question them if they are locked up.
So?
Our word has more worth than theirs and even if it didn't what would it matter.
They tried to extort us and they got punished for it. We lied to them to keep them in check during a crucial situation. Seems like a perfectly normal thing for a Scorpion to do.
>>
>>4008268
Frankly with how well this bluff turned out we might want to make it true. We negotiated higher pay for ourselves, it wouldn't be much of a blow.
>>
The funeral is a rather extravagant affair, or as extravagant as anything in Kagoki can be. Most of the village attends, except for those too young, old or sickly to endure the cold for long. Once more, Tamuramaro is the one who must speak on the behalf of the dead. A great deal of rice is eaten by the dozens of heimin who attend, easily as much as you would eat in an entire month, if not more than that. You're left worrying that although the stocks might last, you might be left eating the same millet gruel that heimin are forced to subsist off of if there are any more funerals.

Still, it's an opportunity for the village get its grief off to its chest and engage in catharsis. The funeral comes to an end, the four deceased are cremated and buried off the side of the road, with those same wooden grave markers as Naoaki. The day comes to an end and it's time for the people of Kagoki to move on.

The next report of any significance comes five days later. You're thankful to hear that it's not another death but instead, it's something more peculiar.

“Bayushi-sama,” Rinji exclaims as he approaches you. “Some of the village's men have been wandering out of their homes, visiting each other. They seem to be organising gatherings. I thought it was simply strange the first time I saw it happen a few days ago but it happened again, earlier today. Five or six of them, all gathering in the same house.”

It is strange that anyone would focus on anything other than staying warm in the middle of winter. Is this really something worth investigating though?

>Ignore it. You don't particularly care what the common rabble get up to in the middle of winter, as long as they don't cause any trouble. Let them drink together, or roll dice, or whatever else they are doing in each other's homes.
>You're curious. Try to have Rinji shadow them, in an effort to figure out what's going on. The next time he sees them, he should follow them to wherever they're gathering and try to listen in on them. As soon as he discovers the reason behind their gatherings, he should inform you.
>Rinji should try to join their gathering, squeeze his way in amongst the locals and try to figure out what they're up to you. It might be good to have an inside-man that the locals believe that they can trust and rely on.
>Honestly, you don't trust Rinji to handle this properly. You'll need to patrol more often and see if you can spot one of these gatherings for yourself. When you do, you'll decide what to do about it on the spot, depending on what you discover.
>You'll put a stop to this right now. Put a curfew in place to prevent unauthorised movement. If anyone is going anywhere for any reason other than to fetch supplies, you want to know about it and you want to put a stop to it.
>>
>>4008282
That's one alternative to the lockup I might be ok with. I do have two issues though.

First, we didn't negotiate higher pay. It was a one time bonus for the job we're doing now, and even with it our finances are in the red and our savings are diminishing.

Two, if we give them money it's only going to encourage their behavior of asking for more, because we keep rewarding them for it. We even told the guy last time that it wouldn't ve a common occurrence, we'd be going back on our word if we give in here.
>>
>>4008297
> Go on patrols yourself and look for the gatherings.

While I actually do trust Rinji after trapping him in that web of lies, I want to handle this personally. It'll be good for us to be seen around the village more and it was mentioned that we were pretty bored when playing Go.
>>
>>4008312
>>4008297
This
>>
>>4008268
All good dude, nice to be putting things out.

Seems like it won't be a problem anyway.

>>4008297
>You're curious. Try to have Rinji shadow them, in an effort to figure out what's going on. The next time he sees them, he should follow them to wherever they're gathering and try to listen in on them. As soon as he discovers the reason behind their gatherings, he should inform you.

>>4008282
>>4008299
Agree.
>>
>>4008297
>Honestly, you don't trust Rinji to handle this properly. You'll need to patrol more often and see if you can spot one of these gatherings for yourself. When you do, you'll decide what to do about it on the spot, depending on what you discover.
>>
>>4008297
>>Honestly, you don't trust Rinji to handle this properly. You'll need to patrol more often and see if you can spot one of these gatherings for yourself. When you do, you'll decide what to do about it on the spot, depending on what you discover.
>>
>>4008299
I concur with your sentiments, but I feel as if we can make a thing of it on the next occurrence. Better to be up front and rebuke them than to break our word to those who are responsible for executing our will.
>>
>>4008297
>>Honestly, you don't trust Rinji to handle this properly. You'll need to patrol more often and see if you can spot one of these gatherings for yourself. When you do, you'll decide what to do about it on the spot, depending on what you discover.
>>
You decide to investigate this matter yourself. While you don't necessarily distrust Rinji, you don't believe that he has the finesse to handle a gathering such as this. He might allow himself to be seen, or he might give away his suspicions if he talks with them. On the other hand, you know that you are skilled at deceit and talented when it comes to skulking. At the Seven Stings Dōjō, your only rival when it came to matters of stealth was Yukiko.

So rather than remain in the warmth, you take the opportunity to join the others in their patrols, keeping an eye out for any sign of these gatherings. Every few hours or so, you perform a circuit of the village, watching the villagers and seeing where they go. Days pass and you find yourself unable to spot these men that Rinji spoke of. There is a chance that you are simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Alternatively, perhaps these meetings are nothing of importance after all and you shouldn't waste your time shuffling through the cold.

>Don't bother with this. The people of Kagoki wouldn't do anything to sabotage their own survival. If these men are still gathering, they're likely not up to anything malicious.
>Continue with this circuit for the rest of the week. You can't afford to do more than that. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to do something with your time other than sit around a fire.
>Spend most of the day outside, patrolling through the snow. It will be unpleasant, but you will not get the cold get to you. You are destined for greatness, and you are above letting such material conditions hinder you. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>Try to patrol during the nights instead. These will be especially freezing but you will shun the chill of winter. A strong mind bolsters the body, and can make it endure any condition. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep three successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>Day and night you will patrol, with no regard for winter's bite. Your will is as strong as steel, you will not wilt beneath the frost. You withstand whatever weather this vile season wishes to throw at you. You refuse to enjoy the comfort of warmth until the moment you discover what the reason behind these gatherings is. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep four successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>>
>>4008297
>>Honestly, you don't trust Rinji to handle this properly. You'll need to patrol more often and see if you can spot one of these gatherings for yourself. When you do, you'll decide what to do about it on the spot, depending on what you discover.

As for what to do with our doshin honestly we should just have let the heimin dig out the house on their own.
>>
>>4008645
>>Spend most of the day outside, patrolling through the snow. It will be unpleasant, but you will not get the cold get to you. You are destined for greatness, and you are above letting such material conditions hinder you. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>>
>>4008645
>>Spend most of the day outside, patrolling through the snow. It will be unpleasant, but you will not get the cold get to you. You are destined for greatness, and you are above letting such material conditions hinder you. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>>
>>4008645
>Spend most of the day outside, patrolling through the snow. It will be unpleasant, but you will not get the cold get to you. You are destined for greatness, and you are above letting such material conditions hinder you. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>>
>>4008645
>Spend most of the day outside, patrolling through the snow. It will be unpleasant, but you will not get the cold get to you. You are destined for greatness, and you are above letting such material conditions hinder you. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
>>
Going with:
>Spend most of the day outside, patrolling through the snow. It will be unpleasant, but you will not get the cold get to you. You are destined for greatness, and you are above letting such material conditions hinder you. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to Jurōjin's Blessing.)
I require a roll of 4d6 using your Void ring of 2 and your Fitness skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 5, 3 = 15 (4d6)

>>4008703
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 6, 5 = 20 (4d6)

>>4008703
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 4, 1 = 10 (4d6)

>>4008703
>>
>>4008712
Built scorpion tough.
>>
>>4008050
I know scorpions are deceitful and all, but this was a fucking braindead choice you guys made. Jesus. Now we look like a weasel and they'll never trust us again, nor will any other doshin we get.
I'm not too big on the idea of actually paying them either. I don't see a good way out of this now.
>>
>>4009368
Agreed, we should have just dressed them down and put them in their place
>>
>>4009369
Also if we pay them it'll straight up make us look weak. We have to follow through on the deception now otherwise people are going to start walking all over us. The fact that they grovelled when we falsely agreed to pay them doesn't take away from the fact that they were WAY out of line. We have to remember where this game is set, and who were are. They are literally beneath us. Anyone else would have had them flogged or worse for refusing to work without more pay. Execution may even be justifiable in the case of a lower caste attempting to extort a samurai.
>>
>>4009373
It's still not going to look good it we have have to ask our boss for replacement doshin, who will also not trust us ever. Also, depending on how "realistic" Fudo is playing it, being such a cold-blooded witch could cause a lot of strife and hurt our mental health. I don't see a good way out. Hopefully qm is not too hard on us, come spring...
>>
>>4009379
I'd say pay them off one last time then once they greedily ask for more the next time come down on them hard.
>>
>>4009381
I'll tentatively support that.
>>
>>4009379
>It's still not going to look good

Agreed to a point that's why I agreed with your previous post about this whole plan being stupid. It's not going to be great either way, but surely the better outcome is to remove insolent servants who don't know their place (especially given how society works here) rather than pay them and look weak.

>>4009381
That's stupid. If we pay them after they literally extorted us we are just going to invite rumours that we're soft and weak and people will start attempting to take advantage of us. They must already think that considering these people of a lower caste, who should be subservient to us no matter what, have just extorted money out of us by refusing to follow orders unless they are paid more. If we give them the money they've demanded we just confirm that we will bend over to ensure we don't look mean, as if that even matters.

We don't have to cut them down, but they certainly shouldn't be benefiting off this behaviour that pretty much no other samurai would tolerate.
>>
>>4009386
If you want to avoid paying then we should just report them to Tetsunori. I didn't agree with the promise of paying them either now it's about trying to choose the lesser evil.
Besides them thinking we're an easy mark all but guarantees they'll try another time which means we can definitely make an example of them when the time comes.
>>
>>4009393
>If you want to avoid paying then we should just report them to Tetsunori

I agree. When I said remove them I wasn't necessarily meaning killing them (although it's an option), reporting them is fine. That being said I don't think we were ever actually planning on paying them in character. Fudo wrote it as us deceiving them so I don't see the issue there.

>Besides them thinking we're an easy mark all but guarantees they'll try another time which means we can definitely make an example of them when the time comes.

I again agree with you there but the problem is I think others will see us as an easy mark as well. Not just the lower castes either but other samurai may see us as weak and exploitable which will invite trouble.
>>
>>4009395
Also another thing to consider is that our rival is out there waiting for us to slip up or do something she can exploit. If we do turn them in hopefully we get replacements because having underlings that may have a grudge against us would be perfect for someone to exploit.
Also as I've said already we should just have let the heimin dig out the bodies by themselves. IMO we should treat them relatively fairly as long as they obey but no need to act like we're desperately trying to curry their favour. After all we're a Scorpion, not a Unicorn.
>>
>>4009403
>If we do turn them in hopefully we get replacements because having underlings that may have a grudge against us would be perfect for someone to exploit.

That's a very good point
>>
>Going with >>4008712, three successes.

You recall what a healer said all those years ago, while you were recovering from Yukiko's poison. She insisted that you must be blessed by Jurōjin, the Lucky God of Long Life. To you, your survival was just another sign that you are destined for something great, that you are not meant to die an ignoble death. She might have had a point however – you never find yourself suffering from the cold or from illness as others do.

Even now, you don't grit your teeth and force yourself to endure the harsh weather. You simply... ignore it. Your mind wanders away from the bite of winter and focuses on the task at hand instead. You are hardly aware of the ice and the snow even as you wade through it, for you are too occupied by the thought of these gatherings and what their purpose could be. The state of your body reflects the state of your mind. It becomes focused and alert, refusing to let anything keep it from fulfilling this task. The elements do not hold you back. Nothing will hold you back. You will achieve your goals, one at a time. No matter how long the road to greatness is, you will reach the end of it.

It finally happens, three hours into the second day of your patrol. You specifically recognise one man far away from his home, none other than Mabumasa himself, the man who tried to steal an ox by deceiving a samurai, by deceiving you. He isn't walking in the direction of the granary either. Instead, he's taking a somewhat winding route through the village and keeping your distance from the man, you shadow him.

The structure that he arrives at is more expansive than most, and belongs to one of the few craftsmen in the village. You believe you've heard about the owner, Yoichibei. His elderly father passed away a few years ago, leaving the younger and less experienced man in charge of his smithy. His establishment is the sole provider of the village's farming implements, a responsibility that is a source of great stress for the inexperienced blacksmith. At least, that's what all of the farmer's wives say when you overhear them swapping gossip with each other.
>>
You suppose it makes sense that a farmer like Mabumasa might have business with Yoichibei. Where else is he meant to get his tools from? Is this something worth investigating?

>There's nothing wrong with a farmer seeking new tools from the village's blacksmith. This must either be unrelated or Rinji's warning was a false alarm.
>Interrupt their little gathering and step inside to ask them what they're both up to. You'd like to question them both at the same time. Plus if they are up to any shady business, they surely won't do it in your presence. This disrupts any unpleasant plan that they might have.
>It's best if you let this proceed without any interruption, but you want to be able to hear what they're saying. Slip close enough to eavesdrop without giving your presence away to the two men inside of the smithy. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Wait until the meeting has come to an end, then catch Mabumasa when he's on his way home. He should know better than to lie to you at this point, so he's the weakest link of the lot.
>Wait until the meeting has come to an end, then go inside to speak with this Yoichibei. Someone as important to the village as a blacksmith must be a key part of these gatherings, if he's involved in them at all.
>>
>>4009474
>>It's best if you let this proceed without any interruption, but you want to be able to hear what they're saying. Slip close enough to eavesdrop without giving your presence away to the two men inside of the smithy. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4009474
>It's best if you let this proceed without any interruption, but you want to be able to hear what they're saying. Slip close enough to eavesdrop without giving your presence away to the two men inside of the smithy. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4009474
>It's best if you let this proceed without any interruption, but you want to be able to hear what they're saying. Slip close enough to eavesdrop without giving your presence away to the two men inside of the smithy. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4009474
>>It's best if you let this proceed without any interruption, but you want to be able to hear what they're saying. Slip close enough to eavesdrop without giving your presence away to the two men inside of the smithy. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>It's best if you let this proceed without any interruption, but you want to be able to hear what they're saying. Slip close enough to eavesdrop without giving your presence away to the two men inside of the smithy. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 3, 3, 1, 5, 3 = 24 (7d6)

>>4009496
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 5, 3, 2, 2, 5 = 23 (7d6)

>>4009496
>>
Rolled 3, 3, 3, 1, 3, 3, 6 = 22 (7d6)

>>4009496
>>
>Going with >>4009499, three successes.

Shortly after Mabumasa enters Yoichibei's smithy, you make your way over to the door, taking care to keep your footfalls light and to remain out of sight of the doorway. The last thing you want is for either of them to peer outside and spot you. Eventually you find a spot to settle down a few feet away from the structure's entrance, pressed against a wall. From there, you're able to hear scraps of the conversation inside, if only just.

“Fine work, Yoichibei-san. You've outdone yourself.”

“Way I see it, this is the last work I'll be doing in Kagoki. Might as well make it count, eh?”

“I can understand that. Eight days until we're doing this, if I'm not mistaken. Are you ready?”

“Still waiting on some of the boys to come and collect. What about you, Mabumasa-san? You got that cart ready to move?”

“Yeah, it's ready. Won't be able to haul it through the snow on my own, so I'll need someone to give me a hand with it once it's loaded. If only that damned ox didn't go sick on me...”

“Just remember to stay indoors from now on. We're in the last stretch now, best if we don't draw any attention until we make our move. You understand?”

“You don't need to worry about me, Yoichibei-san. Stay safe and keep your lips sealed.”

“Don't need to tell me twice.”

You're already skulking along the wall, circling around the building to hide behind a corner as Mabumasa emerges. There's the faint sound of snow being crunched underfoot, but it's quiet enough that the departing Mabumasa doesn't seem to notice it. Peering around the corner, you catch a glimpse of him holding Yoichibei's creation.

It's a kama, an agricultural tool. A sickle used for harvesting wheat, with a curving iron blade that gleams in the light of the winter sun. It's certainly well-made, you can't deny that.

>Stop Mabumasa on his way home for questioning. You want answers and you want them now. You have no doubt that he'll be caught off-guard by you approaching him in the middle of the village, so he'll be more susceptible to questioning.
>Give Mabumasa the time to go home, while you go to collect a dōshin or two to assist you. Once he's settled in and made himself comfortable, you'll make your entrance. You'll have him cornered in his own house and you have no doubt that he'll squeal.
>Head inside to talk to Yoichibei instead. This is the perfect time to meet the blacksmith for yourself. If you make a good first impression, you might be able to learn from him exactly what sort of scheme this is. You just need to make him cooperate.
>You can't afford to do anything just yet. If anything happens to either of them, anyone else involved in this conspiracy will figure out that you're on to them. Leave both of them alone. The smartest course of action is to see what happens eight days from now, and catch them in the act.
>>
>>4009526
>Give Mabumasa the time to go home, while you go to collect a dōshin or two to assist you. Once he's settled in and made himself comfortable, you'll make your entrance. You'll have him cornered in his own house and you have no doubt that he'll squeal.

Get Atsu and Rinji.
>>
>>4009526
>>You can't afford to do anything just yet. If anything happens to either of them, anyone else involved in this conspiracy will figure out that you're on to them. Leave both of them alone. The smartest course of action is to see what happens eight days from now, and catch them in the act.

Unless we cut the snake's head off the others will just try again. I do think we should tell Atshushi ahead of time, but not the other two Doshin.
>>
>>4009526
>>You can't afford to do anything just yet. If anything happens to either of them, anyone else involved in this conspiracy will figure out that you're on to them. Leave both of them alone. The smartest course of action is to see what happens eight days from now, and catch them in the act.
>>
>>4009531
Supporting
>>
>>4009531
+1
>>
>>4009526
>>You can't afford to do anything just yet. If anything happens to either of them, anyone else involved in this conspiracy will figure out that you're on to them. Leave both of them alone. The smartest course of action is to see what happens eight days from now, and catch them in the act.
>>
>>4009526
>>You can't afford to do anything just yet. If anything happens to either of them, anyone else involved in this conspiracy will figure out that you're on to them. Leave both of them alone. The smartest course of action is to see what happens eight days from now, and catch them in the act.
>>
You're not going to disrupt their plan for now. You have some idea of what it involves.

Yoichibei made it sound like he was going to leave Kagoki, possibly for good. Why else would he make the comment that the kama was the last work that he would be doing in the village? Is everyone involved in this plan going to leave Kagoki, or is it just him?
Mabumasa's cart is involved. It's going to be loaded with something and then moved through the snow. They didn't say exactly what they would be moving though, so you're left wondering about the specifics.
From the sound of it, they're almost finished with all of their preparations and they're just waiting for the right moment to hatch this plot of theirs. Specifically, they are going to be waiting until a point in time eight days from now.
Finally, there's the kama that Mabumasa received from Yoichibei. Is there a chance that it might be collected to the plot somehow? While the sickle is typically used for farming, it can also be used as a weapon.

You mention everything that you've discovered to Atshushi, the only one of the three dōshin that you trust. The other two are so hungry for coin that you fear that you can't rely on them for anything – any responsibility you give them with just lead to a request for even more payment. For the first time, the rōnin actually seem concerned when you mention this conspiracy to him.

“Five or six men, that's what Rinji said, isn't it? We're going to have a hard time keeping that many under control if we catch them in the act. Even if we bring Sosa and Rinji along, we'll be outnumbered.”

“You are a samurai, Atshushi-san. A masterless samurai with no clan, but a samurai nonetheless. I am a samurai as well. I don't know about you but I spent most of my upbringing being trained for combat, and I do not believe that I am about to be bested by simple heimin, not unless I am outnumbered five to one. I have no doubt you would be able to stand up against this rabble as well. Surely you carry that daishō of yours for a reason.”

Atshushi reluctantly nods, after thinking over your words. “Well, when you put it like that, we should be able to handle them if they put up a fight. You sure that it's not smarter to grab one of them and make an example out of him? That way, the others will know better than to make a move.”

“That will simply cause them to go underground. Whatever they were planning, they'll just try it another time instead. No, Atshushi-san. I want to uncover the identity of every last one of these schemers and I want to see them all punished for their conspiracy. That way, I will know for certain that I have uprooted the malcontents of this village. I do not want to have to look over my shoulder every time I am in Kagoki, and wonder if every man in this settlement is plotting against me.”
>>
Atshushi can't argue against that. You need to cut the head off of this snake before it can slither back into the shadows. The question is, what preparations can you make? What should you do before the day comes and you need to make a stand against this group of conspirators?

>If there are any particular suggestions that you have, now is the time to make them. Otherwise, if there are no preparations that you want to make or courses of action that you want to pursue, time will pass and the day of their plot will come closer.
>>
>>4009526
>Wait eight days, but monitor Yoichibei. He mentioned others coming to collect, perhaps a good way to identify other members of this conspiracy
>>
>>4009608
I was late with
>>4009611
But it still applies. If it looks like too many people are involved or they're too well armed we can start grabbing them. Mabumasa in particular is expected to stay inside until the day of the plot. If we arrest him at night and imprison him it's possible the rest won't notice until it's too late.
>>
>>4009608
I'll support >>4009611

I'm not sure what else we can do in this situation. Make sure our armour is ready to be put on as quickly as it can be. I doubt we'll have the time, but if we do it'll be useful (both in protecting us and intimidating the enemy)

>>4009619
This is a good idea, we could even do it the night before we think they'll hatch their plan
>>
>>4009606
Supporting >>4009619
>>
>>4009606
>>4009611
Supporting this, but also potentially try and identify their exact meeting time in eight days? To give us a chance to nab a couple of them before whatever move they make and get rid of their numbers advantage?
>>
>>4009608
Prepare our armor.

Sabotage the cart, particularly we should remove something from it that'll prevent it from being used, but can be replaced without incident later (perhaps take an axle out but then put the frame on blocks, if we could do so without being noticed).

Try to catch someone else going to the blacksmith.
>>
As a side tangent I think when we get back to the castle we should imprison the two disloyals and give atshushi their pay.
>>
>>4009942
Give Atsushi their bonuses, and give them their standard wage plus some lashes? I might find that acceptable.
>>
>>4009959
No bonuses. We're poor. Can't afford it.
>>
>>4009970
Are we really? I don't have a good context of what constitutes a goodly amount of wealth in setting. Surely at least Atsushi deserves his bonus.
>>
>>4009959
Perhaps just his bonus. All three bonuses are together mee then we are being paid
>>
>>4009985
Nah, they were each expecting 3 Bu, we promised to bump it up to 1 Koku each, so we'd be providing them 2 more Bu apiece. Essentially we'd have only sacrificed the bonus we negotiated for, receiving 9 Bu net (our standard pay) instead.
>>
>>4009990
Im pretty sure we bumped our full pay to 3 kou
>>
Guys Atsushi isn't expecting more money. He understands that we're deceiving them and understands his position in life
>>
>>4010008
Yes, we did. Did you read anything I wrote anon?
>>
>>4010057
I did just did just for some reason i didnt make the connevtion where 3 of that Bu is being paid by our lord not us.
>>
You settle on a plan.

First of all, the patrol routes are altered so that whoever is on patrol regularly passes by Yoichibei's smithy. With you patrolling as well, this allows you to keep an eye on the blacksmith without attracting suspicion. If any other conspirator comes to collect items from Yoichibei, you'll be aware of it. You won't station anyone to permanently watch the smithy though – while you trust your dōshin to perform simple tasks, they are not particularly subtle people. The last time you asked one of them to keep an eye on someone, Sosa got caught trying to stalk that merchant. So if any stealth is going to be required, you are going to handle that yourself.

Next, there is the matter of Mabumasa. You're thinking about approaching him on the night before the big day, to imprison him or interrogate him. At the very least, you'll be able to disrupt their plot. You hope that you might even be able to discover the true nature of their scheme, but you won't hold out hope. There's a chance that he might fear his co-conspirators more than he fears you. Whatever the outcome, the plotters will be one man down and without Mabumasa's cart, a potentially vital part of their plan.

Finally, there's the matter of your armour. You unpack it and make sure that it's ready for you to don at a moment's notice. If you expect that a fight is going to be involved, then you want to protect yourself from harm. You saw how wicked that kama's blade looked, and you don't find the idea of that sickle sinking into your flesh particularly appealing.

With all of that decided on, you spend the next week watching and waiting, keeping an eye out for anyone that might be visiting Yoichibei's workshop. It takes a couple of days for the man's next unexpected visitor to arrive, but you get a report from Sosa. This one is a burly fisherman known as Thoki, who typically takes his catches to Beiden to sell them. During every other season, he brings wealth and prosperity to Kagoki but in the middle of winter, he is useless to the village. The most interesting part is that like Mabumasa, he leaves Yoichibei's smithy with a newly made kama. The bald man is a farmer, he has a reason to purchase a sickle. On the other hand, this fisherman has no reason to own a farming implement. There's no doubt left in your mind – these tools are going to be used as weapons.

On the next day however, something unrelated to the conspiracy happens. There's another death. This time, the deceased is a child, only three years old. She caught some sort of sickness that was exacerbated by the cold. In a matter of weeks, she went from being a perfectly healthy young girl to passing away in her father's arms.
>>
While this is tragic, it is nowhere near as significant to the village as the last funeral that occurred. The death of infants during winter is a sad fact of life for heimin, and even for less fortunate samurai. The only people likely to attend are the girl's family and any close friends of theirs.

Another complication is that Kagoki seems to be running out of rice, according to Tamuramaro's report. It still has enough grain to survive the winter, but there's not much rice left, a luxury crop reserved for samurai and special occasions. If you use rice for this funeral, you're bound to run out of it before winter is over and at some point, you will be forced to eat the same food as the heimin. The mere thought of having to subsist off of millet gruel makes your stomach churn.

>There's no need for yet another funeral in the freezing cold. Just get the hinin to burn the girl's corpse and shove it in a grave. You can't afford a ceremony for every fool who dies during winter.
>Allow them to gather for the ceremony, but there's no need to waste food on this. The people of Kagoki need to understand that this is a frugal time and that these resources can't be expended.
>You'll allow the heimin to eat at the funeral, but they're going to have to settle for their usual gruel. From this point onward, rice is reserved solely for samurai. You refuse to debase yourself.
>You're left with little choice if you want to keep the villagers happy. Allow the villagers to eat rice and prepare yourself for the awful prospect of eating peasant food. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>>
>>4010138
>Allow them to gather for the ceremony, but there's no need to waste food on this. The people of Kagoki need to understand that this is a frugal time and that these resources can't be expended
>>
>>4010138
>>You're left with little choice if you want to keep the villagers happy. Allow the villagers to eat rice and prepare yourself for the awful prospect of eating peasant food. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>>
>>4010138
>>You're left with little choice if you want to keep the villagers happy. Allow the villagers to eat rice and prepare yourself for the awful prospect of eating peasant food. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>>
>>4010138
>Allow them to gather for the ceremony but there's no need to waste food on this.
>>
>>4010138
>>You're left with little choice if you want to keep the villagers happy. Allow the villagers to eat rice and prepare yourself for the awful prospect of eating peasant food. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)

While we may not prove Tamuramaro wrong in the long run, we can certainly make him feel bad for what he said.
>>
>>4010138
>You're left with little choice if you want to keep the villagers happy. Allow the villagers to eat rice and prepare yourself for the awful prospect of eating peasant food. (You will increase your strife to 3 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
For the void point!
>>
>>4010138
>>Allow them to gather for the ceremony, but there's no need to waste food on this. The people of Kagoki need to understand that this is a frugal time and that these resources can't be expended.
>>
>You suffer three points of strife. Your strife is currently at 3 / 6.

>You gain a void point. Your void points are currently at 1 / 2.

The thought of it makes you miserable. The stockpile of rice is guaranteed to run out at some point and you'll be forced to either starve yourself or eat like a peasant. What other choice do you have though? You're the only samurai in a rural farming village. There are many stories of ungrateful heimin who lynch their overseers and rebel against the caste system. You'd rather keep the people of Kagoki happy than risk them turning on you, especially now that you have this conspiracy to handle.

So the family of the departed child and their close friends gather to mourn, to indulge in rice and put the deceased to rest. There's nothing noteworthy about the ceremony and yet another wooden gravemarker is put by the road's edge – the death toll of this winter has now risen to six. Hopefully it won't take the lives of any more heimin, for the sake of the village's stockpile.

As the days roll by and the snow continues to fall, your patrols spot another one of the conspirators visit the smithy, emerging with a kama like the other two. You personally don't recognise him, it's a young man, just a year or two behind you. At that age, you doubt he has a household of his own, he likely still lives with the family that raised him. The boy's hair is long and lank and he seems particularly ill at ease. Keeping your distance from him, you're able to shadow the youthful schemer back to his home. Even if you don't know his identity, at least you know where he lives.

The week comes to an end. Seven days have passed since that conversation between Yoichibei and Mabumasa, and the day of their plot is tomorrow. The day gradually flows by and transforms into night, granting you the cover of darkness. You know the identity of three of the conspirators and where a fourth lives, out of the 'five or six' that Rinji mentioned. If you wish to do anything in advance of their scheme, now's the time.

>Time to give Mabumasa a visit like you had intended. Arrive at his house in the dead of night to either detain him or question him. Perhaps both.
>You're going to put a stop to this here and now. You know the identity of enough of the conspirators to kill off their plot before they even act on it. There's still one or two that you're not aware of, but you'll deal with them later.
>No. Take no action, not yet. You want to catch them in the act, whatever it is that they plan to do. Let them think that they've gotten away with their scheme until the last possible moment, and then you'll have them all red-handed.
>>
>>4011012
>Time to give Mabumasa a visit like you had intended. Arrive at his house in the dead of night to either detain him or question him. Perhaps both.
>>
>>4011012
>>Time to give Mabumasa a visit like you had intended. Arrive at his house in the dead of night to either detain him or question him. Perhaps both.
>>
>>4011012
>>Time to give Mabumasa a visit like you had intended. Arrive at his house in the dead of night to either detain him or question him. Perhaps both.
>>
>>4011012
>>Time to give Mabumasa a visit like you had intended. Arrive at his house in the dead of night to either detain him or question him. Perhaps both.
>>
>>4011012
>Party at Mabamusa's house yeeehaw
>>
Tonight, it's Rinji's turn to guard the granary. It'll be Atsushi's shift during the day tomorrow and after that, Sosa will be looking after it during the night. You'll need to decide which of these dōshin you'll want to bring with you. Not only that, but you'll need to decide on how you want to enter Mabumasa's abode. Is it better to shock and awe the schemer by smashing his door down, or do you plan to sneak in while he's resting and abduct him?

>There's no need for you to bring anyone along. You trust yourself to handle Mabumasa on your own – he is a mere heimin, while you are a samurai. Besides, if any subtlety is needed, you'd rather be alone than accompanied by your less stealthy henchmen.
>Just Atsushi will be coming. It's best that you keep Rinji on duty at the granary and give Sosa the opportunity to rest after his shift earlier today. All you need is the rōnin at your side, the only one you've informed of this plot so far.
>Atsushi and Sosa will accompany you. Sosa will get the chance to rest another time, for now you need him at his side. Rinji can remain on guard duty at the granary though.
>Atsushi and Rinji. It doesn't matter if the granary goes without a guard for a night a few hours. At least Sosa will get the opportunity to rest and recover though.
>Everyone. Bring everyone along. You want as much manpower as you're able to muster when you encounter Mabumasa.

>You're going to force the door open and barge your way inside. There's no need for subtlety, you'd rather shock the heimin into submission than sneak inside. The best way going about this is to intimidate him into cooperating with you.
>This time, you're going to resort to a more stealthy approach. You'll wait until you're certain that the heimin is asleep and then you'll sneak inside. You don't want to alert anyone, especially if there's any chance of Mabumasa being watched.
>Lure him outside. A knock on the door or a rustling outside of his house, whatever it takes to get him out and where he's vulnerable. Then you'll snatch him and rush him off to somewhere secure – Tamuramaro's house, or the granary.
>>
>>4011027
>>4011027
>>Just Atsushi will be coming. It's best that you keep Rinji on duty at the granary and give Sosa the opportunity to rest after his shift earlier today. All you need is the rōnin at your side, the only one you've informed of this plot so far.

>>4011027
>>This time, you're going to resort to a more stealthy approach. You'll wait until you're certain that the heimin is asleep and then you'll sneak inside. You don't want to alert anyone, especially if there's any chance of Mabumasa being watched.

I don't trust the other two
>>
>>4011027

Fully agree with >>4011028
>>
>>4011028
this
>>
>>4011027
>Just yourself is fine

>Stealth in

Causing a scene might alert other members
>>
Atsushi is the only one who will be accompanying you and as for how you'll handle this, you're planning on sneaking in. The two of you set out once any trace of twilight has disappeared and there's nothing but blackness in the overcast sky above. All of the villagers are either already asleep or huddled around their hearths, praying to the Fortunes for winter's end to come swiftly.

“So, we're sneaking in?” Atsushi keeps his voice down as he questions you. He can't help but frown as he trudges along at your side, snow crunching underneath his feet. “I understand that the Scorpion Clan has its own view of honour, but I am not certain if I should stoop so low, Bayushi-sama.”

You're surprised. You usually hear that rōnin are selfish creatures without a shred of virtue in their souls. Not this one, apparently. “There is nothing inherently dishonourable about stealth, Atsushi-san,” you explain. “We are not facing Mabumasa in battle. Perhaps then it would be shameful to conceal ourselves. No, we are apprehending a criminal, someone who wishes to take a stand against Rokugan. There is no shame in approaching someone like this without being heard.”

Judging from the rōnin's expression, he's still a little unsure but he offers a begrudging nod. “So be it, Bayushi-sama.” He has nothing else to say on the matter. Before long, the two of you arrive outside of that familiar household. The ox pen is still empty and the cart seems to have remained unmoved since your last visit, months ago... However, the snow around it has already been dug out, as though Mabumasa expects to use the cart at a moment's notice. He's been preparing himself for his part in this scheme, that much is obvious to you.
>>
There's no light coming from inside of the house. It's as dark inside as it is outside. It's more than likely that Mabumasa is sleeping inside, resting in advance of the big day tomorrow.

>The two of you should enter together. You have no doubt that the heavy-footed Atsushi will wake Mabumasa up, but it's not like the heimin has anywhere to go. He'll be trapped in his own home. (This will require a roll using Atsushi's Air ring of 2 and Atsushi's Skulduggery skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Since the rōnin isn't confident or willing about matters of stealth, he can remain outside while you sneak in. Once you're sure that you have Mabumasa cornered then you'll call Atsushi in. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Atsushi can remain outside for the duration of this and remain on guard. You'll sneak in, corner the sleeping Mabumasa and question him while the rōnin remains outside. You'd rather take care of this on your own. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You'll need to be careful. Very careful. You want to get inside and bind Mabumasa without waking him up. Once he's trussed up, then you'll feel confident about waking him and questioning him. You've never had to do something like this before though. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011115
>>You'll need to be careful. Very careful. You want to get inside and bind Mabumasa without waking him up. Once he's trussed up, then you'll feel confident about waking him and questioning him. You've never had to do something like this before though. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011115
>>Since the rōnin isn't confident or willing about matters of stealth, he can remain outside while you sneak in. Once you're sure that you have Mabumasa cornered then you'll call Atsushi in. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)

I was going to vote to have Atsushi wait outside but I think I'd rather risk being surprised inside than have people notice a samurai outside the house and give the game up too early.
>>
>>4011115
>Since the rōnin isn't confident or willing about matters of stealth, he can remain outside while you sneak in. Once you're sure that you have Mabumasa cornered then you'll call Atsushi in. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011115
>Since the rōnin isn't confident or willing about matters of stealth, he can remain outside while you sneak in. Once you're sure that you have Mabumasa cornered then you'll call Atsushi in. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>Since the rōnin isn't confident or willing about matters of stealth, he can remain outside while you sneak in. Once you're sure that you have Mabumasa cornered then you'll call Atsushi in. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 7d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 3 = 21 (7d6)

>>4011164
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 3, 2, 5, 3, 2 = 23 (7d6)

>>4011164
>>
Rolled 5, 2, 1, 5, 6, 3, 4 = 26 (7d6)

>>4011164
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 4, 3, 5, 6, 1 = 27 (7d6)

>>4011164
Will we fail?
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 5, 4, 3, 1, 4 = 21 (7d6)

>>4011164
>>
>Going with >>4011178, four successes.

“As soon as you hear any noise inside, I want you to come in after me.” That's the last thing you say to Atsushi before you enter the room.

With great care, you slide open the door. It doesn't even creak on its hinges. Every footfall that you make is precise. No impact against the floorboards can be heard as she shift deeper and deeper into the darkness. It's almost impossible to see anything at all within the hovel. The last embers of the hearth died long ago and there's no other source of light to be found. Following the regular sound of a man's breathing, you stalk closely towards a barely visible outline in the darkness, the shape of a man lying down on a sleeping man, his body shrouded by a blanket.

Before long, you're looming over the sleeping body of Mabumasa. You have the chance to ready a weapon before you lift your foot, thudding it against the floorboards twice. The gesture will act as a signal to call Atsushi inside but more than that, it serves as a method of waking up the conspirator. When he stirs from his slumber, he'll find two samurai looming over him.

>No need for you to arm yourself at all. You'll make him cooperate without resorting to violence, you're sure.
>You'll be wielding your jitte by the time that Mabumasa wakes up. It's the symbol of your station as a yoriki, and it serves as a way of subduing him if he tries to fight back.
>At such close quarters, you'll be best served by your wakizashi. It's a lethal weapon, a reminder that you are not to be trifled with.
>Bring your full might to bear. When Mabumasa looks up at you, you'll be towering above him with your katana in hand. Let him know that he has earned the wrath of a samurai.

>It's time for him to start talking. As soon as Mabumasa is awake, push him to tell you everything about what's being planned tomorrow. You want to know everything.
>He's coming with you, right now. He's got a minute to get himself dressed and then you will drag him off to somewhere safe to interrogate him.
>You might not have been able to bind and carry off a sleeping man, but it'll be much easier when you knock the senses out of him. The best way of going about that is by bludgeoning him with your jitte. You'll need to do it quickly and cleanly though. If you give him enough time to react, he's likely to respond to someone assaulting him in his sleep by screaming. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011204
>Draw the jitte

>Interrogate him here and now
>>
>Jittey Boi
>Time to start talking
>>
>>4011204
>>You'll be wielding your jitte by the time that Mabumasa wakes up. It's the symbol of your station as a yoriki, and it serves as a way of subduing him if he tries to fight back.

>It's time for him to start talking. As soon as Mabumasa is awake, push him to tell you everything about what's being planned tomorrow. You want to know everything.
>>
>>4011204
Our martial arts skill is so low? Huh.
>>
>>4011204
>>Bring your full might to bear. When Mabumasa looks up at you, you'll be towering above him with your katana in hand. Let him know that he has earned the wrath of a samurai.

>It's time for him to start talking. As soon as Mabumasa is awake, push him to tell you everything about what's being planned tomorrow. You want to know everything.
>>
>>4011218
I think a lot of it went into the fire ring since that's how many successes we actually keep.

Not sure though, I missed character creation
>>
>>4011218
The game goes out of its way to make it difficult for characters to get more than one rank in a Martial Arts skill during character creation. It's possible to make it higher for a starting character, but that requires some optimization.
>>
A faint groan leaves the stirring man. The sound transforms into a sharp whimper when his eyes open and he sees two figures looming over him. He suddenly shifts, his hand reaching for something...

“No you don't, boy.” Atsushi's foot comes swinging forward to kick an object away from Mabumasa's hand, sending it skidding across the floor. It's that kama that he from Yoichibei a week ago. It's good that the rōnin was able to spot it.

“Samurai-sama! What is this... W-what are you doing here?! I've done nothing wrong!” The panic and despair in his tone makes it far too obvious that he's lying.

“There's a few things that I'd like to know, Mabumasa-san. You met with the blacksmith, Yoichibei, to discuss something a week ago, to collect this kam. I know that you aren't going to be using it to harvest rice, Mabumasa-san. I know that you're planning something with Yoichibei and others. I want you to tell me what.”

“I can't, samurai-sama, I can't!” He quails, shuffling back until his back is against the wall. You're only just able to see the terror on his face in the lack of light. “They'll kill me if I say a word! I never had a choice, samurai-sama, you have to understand!”

>They're going to kill him? What does he think that you're going to do if he doesn't comply? He either tells you what you want to know here and now, or you're going to have him tortured and then killed. See how he reacts to that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>You can arrange some sort of deal. You're willing to set him up with a whole new life if he plays along. His part in the conspiracy will be forgiven, and you'll even see to it that he'll get a new ox of his own. You'll buy it personally. All he needs to do is tell the truth. (This will require a roll using your Water Ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed. By choosing this option, you will lose 1 koku.)
>Offer him that deal. A new life, an ox, forgiveness, everything... Except it's a lie, of course. You're not planning on giving him any of this but if it gets him to play along, it'll be worth it. You don't need to tell the truth to heimin. (This will require a roll using your Air Ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>Invoke the blood. This is not the first time that he tried to hide the truth from a descendant of Hantei. Does he really wish for an eternity of poor fortune, to reborn as a beast or a hinin again and again? That is the divine punishment he invites upon himself by trying to lie to a scion of Tengoku. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>4011204
>At such close quarters, you'll be best served by your wakizashi. It's a lethal weapon, a reminder that you are not to be trifled with.
>It's time for him to start talking. As soon as Mabumasa is awake, push him to tell you everything about what's being planned tomorrow. You want to know everything.
>>
>>4011254
Invote the ide.. i mean blood!
>>
>>4011254
>Offer him that deal. A new life, an ox, forgiveness, everything... Except it's a lie, of course. You're not planning on giving him any of this but if it gets him to play along, it'll be worth it. You don't need to tell the truth to heimin. (This will require a roll using your Air Ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

If we can ostensibly assure him of his own security the information we get from him will be more reliable.
>>
>>4011254
>>Invoke the blood. This is not the first time that he tried to hide the truth from a descendant of Hantei. Does he really wish for an eternity of poor fortune, to reborn as a beast or a hinin again and again? That is the divine punishment he invites upon himself by trying to lie to a scion of Tengoku. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>4011254
>>They're going to kill him? What does he think that you're going to do if he doesn't comply? He either tells you what you want to know here and now, or you're going to have him tortured and then killed. See how he reacts to that. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

There's no room for bullshit here and I don't know how effective it'll be to keep invoking our blood with the same person over and over. Lets cut to the chase. He either tells us what we want to know or he goes under the knife. I'm sure that threat will be enough
>>
>>4011254
>Invoke the blood
>>
>>4011254
>Offer him that deal. A new life, an ox, forgiveness, everything... Except it's a lie, of course. You're not planning on giving him any of this but if it gets him to play along, it'll be worth it. You don't need to tell the truth to heimin. (This will require a roll using your Air Ring of 3 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011254
>>Invoke the blood. This is not the first time that he tried to hide the truth from a descendant of Hantei. Does he really wish for an eternity of poor fortune, to reborn as a beast or a hinin again and again? That is the divine punishment he invites upon himself by trying to lie to a scion of Tengoku. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 1, 5 = 14 (4d6)

>>4011337
>>
>>4011337
>>
Going with:
>Invoke the blood. This is not the first time that he tried to hide the truth from a descendant of Hantei. Does he really wish for an eternity of poor fortune, to reborn as a beast or a hinin again and again? That is the divine punishment he invites upon himself by trying to lie to a scion of Tengoku. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep two successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
I require a roll of 4d6 using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three. I'll count >>4011339 as one of the three - reposting to correct an error I made.
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 4, 2 = 14 (4d6)

>>4011346
>>
Rolled 4, 3, 3, 3 = 13 (4d6)

>>4011346
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 2, 6 = 19 (4d6)

>>4011346
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 4, 2 = 11 (4d6)

>>4011346
Watch this quad six roll in too late
>>
>Going with >>4011339, two successes.

“Here I thought you had listened to me, Mabumasa-san.”

“What?”

“You have forgotten that I carry the blood of Hantei in my veins. You have forgotten that it is blasphemous to stand against a child of Tengoku. If you had remembered these things, you would not have been foolish enough to join this conspiracy.”

“Forgive me, samurai-sama!”

“You said that the last time as well, Mabumasa-san. Yet here you are again, pleading for forgiveness for your crimes. Is it because the material punishment for your crimes so light? Did you forget that you would endure far greater suffering if you ever stood against a descendant of Heaven? You will not be punished in this life for your sins. No, you will suffer in your next life and the one after that. Every reincarnation that your spirit experiences will be a miserable one. There is only way to escape this awful, everlasting fate, and that is to repent. Help me right your wrongs, Mabumasa-san. That is the only way to avoid damnation.”

Your words get you a peculiar look from Atsushi, but he knows better than to comment. Once more, just like all of those months ago, Mabumasa is grovelling on the floor, his body folding in on itself as he pleads.

“Never again, samurai-sama! Never again! I'll tell you everything, I swear!”

“Then get started.”

“It's... A few of the village's men came up with a plan, samurai-sama. They all grew sick of wasting away in this village, of toiling away for no gain and of living like this during the winter, sharing their food with the weak. So tomorrow night...” He takes in a quivering breath. “... Tomorrow night they are going to take as much as they can out of stockpile, samurai-sama. They are planning on beating the guard and running away with as much food, water and firewood as they can.”

“And where were you going to go with it?”

“I wasn't a part of this, samurai-sama! I was just going to be hauling along the wagon! I wasn't going to harm anyone!” His kama makes that difficult to believe. “We were... They were thinking of spending the winter wandering between farms...” No doubt stealing from them as well. “... and finding somewhere in the wilderness to settle down when spring came. A place where they wouldn't have to bow to samurai or worry about taxes, where they could live however they wished!”

“So that was your plan? To leave everyone in this village to die of starvation and to live like bandits for the rest of your short, miserable lives?” The disgust is obvious in Atsushi's voice. You find this curious, considering that many rōnin are nothing more than brigands. Maybe he inherited his father's honourable ways?

“It wasn't my plan, samurai-sama! I didn't come up with any of it!”
>>
You're left wandering what to do with Mabumasa. There's still more that you could learn from him but once you've bled him dry of useful information, what then?

>He's going to be your inside-man. You're going to let these conspirators go ahead with their plan to steal from Kagoki's stockpiles as though nothing's wrong. You want to catch all of them in the act. He knows that eternal damnation awaits him if he defies you.
>You don't trust him enough to leave him loose. You're going to find somewhere to keep him incarcerated until tomorrow night... Or until you're able to find to detain all of these plotters. No matter what option you choose, you aren't foolish enough to leave him free.
>As soon as you've gotten everything you need to know out of him, you have no further use for the man. There is no dishonour in putting down such a wretch – he was planning on leaving an entire village to starve out of greed and selfishness. Once you're finished questioning him, you will kill him.
>>
>>4011436
>>As soon as you've gotten everything you need to know out of him, you have no further use for the man. There is no dishonour in putting down such a wretch – he was planning on leaving an entire village to starve out of greed and selfishness. Once you're finished questioning him, you will kill him.

He's totally untrustworthy and is part of a plot that will effectively kill this village. Execute him
>>
>>4011436
>>4011443
Support
>>
>>4011436
>Execute him when finished.

He got his leniency with the ox and the lie.
>>
>>4011436
>As soon as you've gotten everything you need to know out of him, you have no further use for the man. There is no dishonour in putting down such a wretch – he was planning on leaving an entire village to starve out of greed and selfishness. Once you're finished questioning him, you will kill him.
>>
>>4011436
>As soon as you've gotten everything you need to know out of him, you have no further use for the man. There is no dishonour in putting down such a wretch – he was planning on leaving an entire village to starve out of greed and selfishness. Once you're finished questioning him, you will kill him.
>>
>>4011436
>>As soon as you've gotten everything you need to know out of him, you have no further use for the man. There is no dishonour in putting down such a wretch – he was planning on leaving an entire village to starve out of greed and selfishness. Once you're finished questioning him, you will kill him.

Scorpion clan is the best-love being able to do this
>>
You hadn't expected anything quite this dire. You want to end the man's life of the spot but there is still more to learn. Not only that, but you aren't holding a weapon suitable for ending lives. If you put away that jitte only to draw one of your blades, you have no doubt that Mabumasa would scream. At times like this, you wish you were more proficient at iaijutsu or at the very least, that you had your shinobigatana with you. If you did, you would have been able to slice the wretch's throat before he could scream.

Instead, you'll need to handle this with your jitte. Marvellous.

“Who are the others?”

“There's six of them,” Mabumasa says. He's so eager to speak of this group as 'them,' as though he isn't a part of their treacherous lot. “Yoichibei, you know he's involved, yes? Then there's the brothers Oniji and Kinzo, and the boy, Tatsui. Thoki the fisherman, he's involved too and so is old Ippei.”

Tatsui must be the name of the mop-haired young man who went to Yoichibei's worskhop. As for Oniji and Kinzo, you only know the first name – he's a farmer who tend to fields of millet. His brother, Kinzo, must assist him with this. Finally, there's the matter of Ippei. He was one of the village's dōshin before he lost an arm to infection. These days, he is forced to rely off of the kindness of the village to survive. Clearly he didn't feel like Kagoki's charity was enough, if he resorted to this sort of scheme.

“Where are you going to gather, and when?”

“Hour of the Boar, at Yoichibei's. Then the rest of them were going to go from there to ambush the dōshin guarding the granary. A few minutes later, I was meant to bring along the cartand they would be off with everything they stole. They forced me into it, samurai-sama, I swear!” It certainly didn't sound that way when he spoke with Yoichibei.

>You're not done yet – you still have more questions to ask. If there's anything else you want to ask Mabumasa, list your question(s) when you select this option.
>Recall the lessons that you were taught at the Seven Stings Dōjō. You were trained in the ways of the Bayushi Deathdealer – you are at your best when you are able to identify and exploit the weaknesses of the people you face. Observe Mabumasa for any flaw that you might be able to take advantage of. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You've learned everything you know. It's time to end him. Knock him unconscious with a single blow – you'll need to strike with both strength and precision, but it's certainly possible. Once he's unconscious, you'll be able to cut his life short without worrying about him screaming. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011529
>>You've learned everything you know. It's time to end him. Knock him unconscious with a single blow – you'll need to strike with both strength and precision, but it's certainly possible. Once he's unconscious, you'll be able to cut his life short without worrying about him screaming. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)

No point in learning his weaknesses now. He needs to be executed so that we have one less loose end to deal with when this coup begins
>>
>>4011529
>Recall the lessons that you were taught at the Seven Stings Dōjō. You were trained in the ways of the Bayushi Deathdealer – you are at your best when you are able to identify and exploit the weaknesses of the people you face. Observe Mabumasa for any flaw that you might be able to take advantage of. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011529
>>Recall the lessons that you were taught at the Seven Stings Dōjō. You were trained in the ways of the Bayushi Deathdealer – you are at your best when you are able to identify and exploit the weaknesses of the people you face. Observe Mabumasa for any flaw that you might be able to take advantage of. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4011529
>>Recall the lessons that you were taught at the Seven Stings Dōjō. You were trained in the ways of the Bayushi Deathdealer – you are at your best when you are able to identify and exploit the weaknesses of the people you face. Observe Mabumasa for any flaw that you might be able to take advantage of. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
School Technique

>Every samurai has been taught the secret abilities of a particular school. As you belong to the Bayushi Deathdealer school, you know the school ability Way of the Scorpion.
>If you are able to discover an enemy's disadvantage that you could logically exploit during combat – for example, the enemy could be missing an arm – then a roll to attack that enemy requires one less success in order to succeed.
>The number of successes that the target number is reduced by is determined by your school rank, which is currently one. As the story progresses and you become more experienced, your school rank will rise and so will the effectiveness of your school ability.

Going with:
>Recall the lessons that you were taught at the Seven Stings Dōjō. You were trained in the ways of the Bayushi Deathdealer – you are at your best when you are able to identify and exploit the weaknesses of the people you face. Observe Mabumasa for any flaw that you might be able to take advantage of. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 5d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 6, 1, 3 = 15 (5d6)

>>4011585
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 6, 6, 2 = 22 (5d6)

>>4011585
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 2, 2, 4 = 17 (5d6)

>>4011585
>>
>Going with >>4011593, three successes.

It takes only a second or two of silence for you to watch Mabumasa, to peer into his mannerisms. There is something about the bald man that you have known for months but now it's more obvious than ever. He is a coward. Your every movement causes him to flinch, to bow his head. He doesn't want to offend you, to do anything that might be deserving of punishment. His apologies might not be sincere, but his terror most certainly is.

You take a step forward. The selfish scum flinches as he move towards him, bowing his head in the manner that you now expect. You know exactly what position his skull will be in, and where you want to strike it. Without a second of hesitation, you bring the jitte crashing down, aiming to bludgeon the side of the man's skull with a blow so fierce that he will be left stunned, if not immediately unconscious. Only once that is done you will be able to give the man the punishment that he deserves.

>I require a roll of 5d6 using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed at this roll.

>I will accept the best of three. Sorry for this roll-heavy segment.
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 4, 4, 6 = 18 (5d6)

>>4011645
>>
Rolled 1, 2, 3, 3, 2 = 11 (5d6)

>>4011645
>>
Rolled 2, 6, 5, 3, 3 = 19 (5d6)

>>4011645
>>
>Going with >>4011653, three successes.

There's not even a whimper. Just the thud of your jitte smashing against the side of the fool's head, followed by the louder thud of his body slumping to the floor. By now your eyes have adjusted to the low light and you're able to make out his unconscious figure, lying in a heap.

“You're not going to let him live, are you?” Atsushi's question isn't one of worry or concern for the wretch. He sounds almost uncaring.

“Of course not.” That earns a nod from the rōnin, who seems to agree with that decision.

“Good. Way I see it, all of them should be put to the sword. This isn't just some attempt to steal from a neighbour or anything like that, they intend to leave this village to starve to death before the snows melt. Can't let men like that keep on living, if you ask me.”

“That's seven men dead though. Farmers, a fisherman, even a blacksmith. Will Kagoki be able to manage without them?”

“It'll have to, Bayushi-sama. Better than letting this rot fester in the village. Next time they try something like this, they might be able to get more people involved. It's better to cut out the sickness. Although, there is the problem of Tamuramaro...”

“What of it, Atsushi-san?”

“Well, what do we tell him? You expect that he'll just take our word for it as we go around the village, carving up these idiots? He might take some convincing, or maybe a confession. We could take him back for that,” he says, nudging the unconscious Mabumasa with a foot. “Or we could always make another culprit confess.”

>Before Mabumasa dies, you'll be taking him back to Tamuramaro to confess. You want to do this with the blessing of the village leader, rather than leave it as an unpleasant surprise.
>You'll make another one of the conspirators confess instead, once you've caught one. Mabumasa is no longer useful to you and you're done with him.
>You shouldn't need a confession. You've worked with Tamuramaro so far throughout the winter, so he should be receptive and understanding. Just explain it to him before you get to work apprehending the plotters.
>You are a samurai. You do not need to justify yourself to a heimin, no matter how practical or pragmatic it might be to do so. You'll explain the reason behind your actions after you've handled the problem of these bandits-to-be.

And if you are planning on killing Mabumasa:
>No one's planning on checking up on Mabumasa, from what he said. You can just kill him here and have the hinin pick up his corpse for cremation once this sordid affair is over.
>You can't afford anyone finding him. You'll have to make his death as bloodless as possible before carrying his corpse to the hinin for them to dispose of. Handling dead flesh is foul work that will taint your soul, but it has to be done.
>>
>>4011711
>>You are a samurai. You do not need to justify yourself to a heimin, no matter how practical or pragmatic it might be to do so. You'll explain the reason behind your actions after you've handled the problem of these bandits-to-be.

>You can't afford anyone finding him. You'll have to make his death as bloodless as possible before carrying his corpse to the hinin for them to dispose of. Handling dead flesh is foul work that will taint your soul, but it has to be done.

Duty before honour
>>
>>4011711
>>You'll make another one of the conspirators confess instead, once you've caught one. Mabumasa is no longer useful to you and you're done with him.
>No one's planning on checking up on Mabumasa, from what he said. You can just kill him here and have the hinin pick up his corpse for cremation once this sordid affair is over.
>>
>>4011711
>>You are a samurai. You do not need to justify yourself to a heimin, no matter how practical or pragmatic it might be to do so. You'll explain the reason behind your actions after you've handled the problem of these bandits-to-be.
>You can't afford anyone finding him. You'll have to make his death as bloodless as possible before carrying his corpse to the hinin for them to dispose of. Handling dead flesh is foul work that will taint your soul, but it has to be done.
>>
>>4011711
>Before Mabumasa dies, you'll be taking him back to Tamuramaro to confess. You want to do this with the blessing of the village leader, rather than leave it as an unpleasant surprise.
>No one's planning on checking up on Mabumasa, from what he said. You can just kill him here and have the hinin pick up his corpse for cremation once this sordid affair is over.
>>
>>4011711
>>Before Mabumasa dies, you'll be taking him back to Tamuramaro to confess. You want to do this with the blessing of the village leader, rather than leave it as an unpleasant surprise.

No need to be an asshole when this is a convenient way to do it.
>>
>>4012023
My thought was just minimizing exposure. If we drag his unconscious body to the Tamuramaro and then execute him, we've got to again either drag him ourselves or have someone take his body to be buried or recycled. That's a lot of opportunity to be seen and have things kick off sooner than we'd like
>>
>>4012032
Well it's the middle of the night in the dead of winter, even the conspirators likely aren't out and about yet. Once we kill him at Tamuramaro's house we can just leave the body to be dealt with after the big surprise. I don't think we need to worry too much about exposure right now.
>>
>>4012041
Fair points I suppose
>>
>>4011711
>Before Mabumasa dies, you'll be taking him back to Tamuramaro to confess. You want to do this with the blessing of the village leader, rather than leave it as an unpleasant surprise
>>
>>4011711
> Take him back to confess

He seems very likely to crack under pressure.
>>
>>4011711
>>Before Mabumasa dies, you'll be taking him back to Tamuramaro to confess. You want to do this with the blessing of the village leader, rather than leave it as an unpleasant surprise.

>No one's planning on checking up on Mabumasa, from what he said. You can just kill him here and have the hinin pick up his corpse for cremation once this sordid affair is over.
>>
“You have a point, Atsushi-san. We're taking him back. Help me with this fool, will you?”

Perhaps a few months ago, you would have ordered your dōshin to carry the man's weight entirely on his own. Since then, you've learned when it's important to stomach your pride. You've done more growing up in the past third of a year than you might have done in the past decade. Together, you haul the unconscious weight of Mabumasa off of the ground and make your way towards the door, to begin the journey back to the elder's house.

You know better than to talk during this journey. The last thing you want is for someone to look outside and catch a glimpse of you wandering through Kagoki, carrying Mabumasa with the aid of your dōshin. Even if they're unlikely to spot you in this sort of darkness, it isn't worth the risk. You want to catch these conspirators off-guard tomorrow.

... Though that makes you wonder. How exactly are you going to handle them? You know their names, which means you can ask Tamuramaro where they live and round them up, one at a time. Provided that you move quickly, this shouldn't give any of them the opportunity to escape justice. On the other hand, it would be much more incriminating if you actually caught them gathering tomorrow... But if you did, you'd be faced with six men armed with kama. Even if you will have your dōshin at your side, you would still be outnumbered.

It's a difficult decision to make.

>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.
>You don't want to risk an outright battle in the middle of the village with these would-be-bandits. Tamuramaro will have to be satisfied with the confessions that you get out of them, as you hunt them down one by one and punish them for participating in this vile scheme.
>>
>>4012271

Let's demonstrate that the village is kept in line by both the threat of reprisal come spring, and the presence kept in it constantly.Despite this we don't act like a tyrant unless justified.

>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.
>>
>>4012271
>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.
>>
>>4012271
>You don't want to risk an outright battle in the middle of the village with these would-be-bandits. Tamuramaro will have to be satisfied with the confessions that you get out of them, as you hunt them down one by one and punish them for participating in this vile scheme.

If any of these filth doubt the word of a samurai they can also be cut down
>>
>>4012271
>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.
so time too armor up then
>>
>>4012271
>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.
Armour up. Wake Sosa, inform Rinji.
Arrive with Sosa and Atsu to catch them as they are about to enter the granary. Rinji can attack them from behind as the battle begins.
>>
>>4012271
>>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.

Absolutely get into our armour, I knew it was a good idea bringing it. We will instill fear and then cut them down
>>
>>4012271
>It's best if you catch them preparing to attack the granary, or perhaps even in the middle of pilfering the granary. This will leave no doubt that you are justified in the subdual and punishment of these plotters, and you won't need to worry about any of them getting away.
This sounds like the most fun. Also seems in character.
Armor up of course
>>
Let them gather. Let them think that they're going to get away with it. At the last moment, when they're wondering where Mabumasa is and why he hasn't arrived with his cart, you will arrive with your dōshin and you will cut them all down.

That will come tomorrow. First of all, you need to take this wretch to Tamuramaro, make him squeal and put him down. You finish your journey through the snow and the darkness to arrive at your host's home, barging through the doorway with the unconscious weight of the plotter in your arms. The noise of your entrance is enough to stir the village elder from his sleep – a frown is etched into his face when he wanders around the screen, just in time to see you set Mabumasa's body on the floor.

“What is the meaning of this, Bayushi-sama?” There's no accusation in his tone, not yet, only confusion.

“You've got traitors in your town,” Atsushi begins. Removing the sash from Mabumasa's clothes, he sets binding the plotter with the fabric, before he wakes up.

Tamuramaro's eyes shift from the rōnin to the unconscious man, and then finally to you. “Is there truth behind his claims?”

“There is,” you state. “Tomorrow night, at the hour of the Boar, they are going to gather at the blacksmith's workshop. From there they are going to the granary, with the intention of killing my dōshin and stealing as much of the town's supplies as they can. They plan to flee from Kagoki and leave this village to die of starvation before winter is over.” A kick is given to Mabumasa's gut. “This wretched man will admit as much.”

The blow to his belly causes a groan to erupt from Mabumasa. This time when he comes to, you have drawn your katana rather your jitte. His sounds of pain transform into a terrified whimper as he looks up to see you loom over him, steel in hand.

“Mabumasa-san,” Tamuramaro says, his frown now directed at the traitor. “Are you a part of this plot?”

“No, Tamuramaro-sama! They forced me, I never had a choice in the matter! If I didn't take part in their mad plan, they were going to kill me! I never wanted to do this, I swear! Please, I swear--”

“I witnessed him speaking with another one of the traitors, Yoichibei.” Mabumasa cringes at your words, bowing his head in shame. He knows that he has been caught. “When they spoke, he did not sound reluctant or unwilling.”

The pitch and volume of the bald man's protests rises, higher and higher. Pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes, Tamuramaro lets out a long, low sigh and turns away, his back facing towards the pleading plotter. You aren't going to risk Mabumasa becoming any louder. Should he scream, the entire village will be alerted. No, this ends here and now.
>>
Gleaming steel slices through the air and the neck that connects Mabumasa's bowed head to his grovelling body provides no resistance. The last sound that comes from the bald liar is the thud of him hitting the floor. Blood flows freely from the wound where his skull once perched, soaking into the floorboards and flowing between them. Tamuramaro glances over his shoulder only to cast a disgusted look towards the headless body, while his wife reaches up to cover her mouth in horror, to keep herself from crying out. Even Sosa, a known heavy sleeper, has stirred from his rest to gawk at the sight of the deceased heimin.

“We can't afford to call the hinin over to collect his dead body,” Tamuramaro says at last. “They are not particularly subtle... The corpse will either need to be taken to them, or kept here until the last of these plotters have been handled.” He reaches up, covering his nose. “... And I have no wish for his blood to stain my home for much longer. We will need to clean this mess ourselves, and pray to the Fortunes for forgiveness and the chance to rid ourselves of blood's taint.”

>Mabumasa will need to be kept here. You've done enough travelling for the night. The longer you spend outside, the more likely it is that someone will see you. You'll need to wrap up his body and bundle it in a corner, for the hinin to collect once the traitors are handled. It's unclean, but it's the only course of action.
>You're not going to sleep in the same house that harbours a corpse. His carcass is going to be buried in the snow outside, at least until the hinin can collect him a few days from now. The chance of you being seen is low and the cold will freeze his body, and keep it from becoming fouler still.
>The traitor's body needs to be taken to the hinin now, to be cremated. You can't risk him lingering for any longer, there's always a chance that someone might end up discovering him. Besides, it's the middle of the night in the dead of winter. No one's going to see you hauling him over to the hinin compound.

>It's Tamuramaro's house. He and his wife can tend to the blood, you refuse to sully yourself with such foulness, especially for such a simple purpose as cleaning the floor of a peasant's house.
>Atsushi and the now-awake Sosa can help the elder and his wife clean up the gore, before it dries and starts to stain the wood. The sooner it's taken care of, the sooner the stench of death will leave the house where you sleep.
>You should do your part, even if it means tainting yourself with uncleanliness more than you already have by slaying the man. But this is the work of hinin – are you really going to stoop to cleaning blood off of the floor? (You will increase your strife to 6 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur, but you will gain a void point.)
>>
>>4013130
>Mabumasa will need to be kept here. You've done enough travelling for the night. The longer you spend outside, the more likely it is that someone will see you. You'll need to wrap up his body and bundle it in a corner, for the hinin to collect once the traitors are handled. It's unclean, but it's the only course of action.
>It's Tamuramaro's house. He and his wife can tend to the blood, you refuse to sully yourself with such foulness, especially for such a simple purpose as cleaning the floor of a peasant's house.

Tamuramaro can at least clean up the blood, we are saving his village from starvation.
>>
>>4013130
>Mabumasa will need to be kept here. You've done enough travelling for the night. The longer you spend outside, the more likely it is that someone will see you. You'll need to wrap up his body and bundle it in a corner, for the hinin to collect once the traitors are handled. It's unclean, but it's the only course of action.
>Atsushi and the now-awake Sosa can help the elder and his wife clean up the gore, before it dries and starts to stain the wood. The sooner it's taken care of, the sooner the stench of death will leave the house where you sleep.
>>
>>4013130
>>Mabumasa will need to be kept here. You've done enough travelling for the night. The longer you spend outside, the more likely it is that someone will see you. You'll need to wrap up his body and bundle it in a corner, for the hinin to collect once the traitors are handled. It's unclean, but it's the only course of action.
>>Atsushi and the now-awake Sosa can help the elder and his wife clean up the gore, before it dries and starts to stain the wood. The sooner it's taken care of, the sooner the stench of death will leave the house where you sleep.
>>
>>4013130
>Mabumasa will need to be kept here. You've done enough travelling for the night. The longer you spend outside, the more likely it is that someone will see you. You'll need to wrap up his body and bundle it in a corner, for the hinin to collect once the traitors are handled. It's unclean, but it's the only course of action.
>Atsushi and the now-awake Sosa can help the elder and his wife clean up the gore, before it dries and starts to stain the wood. The sooner it's taken care of, the sooner the stench of death will leave the house where you sleep.
but i dont think i will stop them if thy get an hinin too get the body out of the house
>>
You manage to avoid having to touch the corpse yourself, or the blood. All you have to do is wipe your katana clean – you refuse to taint yourself with anything other than that. Atsushi and Sosa see to it that the corpse is bundled up in a blanket, touching the dead flesh as infrequently as they can. Every time their fingers make contact with the cooling skin, they flinch and murmur prayers to protect themselves from spiritual contamination. Similar prayers are murmured as they join Tamuramaro and his wife in cleaning the blood off of the floorboards, even lifting the boards to soak up the gore where it had leaked between the cracks. They can't afford to let it linger, rot and draw the presence of unclean spirits.

Nonetheless, Atsushi and Sosa both appear revulsed by the experience. Once you return to Beiden, you will need to see if you can get them to the shrine of Tenjin, to receive spiritual cleaning from a priest or shugenja. First of all though, you spend the rest of the evening explaining the situation to the bemused Sosa, who you didn't involve in the investigation. Though he remains puzzled about his lack of involvement, he doesn't seem to realise the lack of trust that you have in him. He still feels indebted to you, thanks to your 'agreement' to pay him more.

In the following morning when Rinji returns from his shift, you see to it that the situation is explained to him as well. With all of your dōshin now informed and ready, you set about preparing your armour and making sure that it is ready for the night to come, for the inevitable encounter with these brigands-to-be.

There is just one last factor that remains, one last detail that you need to decide on. Where do you wish to encounter these traitors? Do you want to march in on them as they gather outside of Yoichibei's workshop and face them there, or would you rather catch them in the middle of the act, as they assault the granary? Whatever your choice, you have no doubt that this is going to end in bloodshed. These plotters wish to snuff out all life in Kagoki, simply for the opportunity to eat well throughout the winter and to live like bandits once the snows has melted. They have no right to live.

>You're going to lie in waiting inside of the granary, with Sosa on look-out. They will think that he's the guard for the night, only to suddenly be faced with four of you. With the advantage of surprise on your side, you should be able to make quick work of them.
>The rest of your dōshin will remain back while you watch from the shadows. You'll observe the plotters from a distance and give the signal for the others to move in when you think the time is right. But if you get spotted, you'll be on your own.
>With Mabumasa dead, they're going to be suspicious when he doesn't show up. They might do something unpredictable when their scheme starts falling apart. You should stop them as they gather in front of Yoichibei's workshop.
>>
>>4013161
>>With Mabumasa dead, they're going to be suspicious when he doesn't show up. They might do something unpredictable when their scheme starts falling apart. You should stop them as they gather in front of Yoichibei's workshop.
>>
>>4013161
>>You're going to lie in waiting inside of the granary, with Sosa on look-out. They will think that he's the guard for the night, only to suddenly be faced with four of you. With the advantage of surprise on your side, you should be able to make quick work of them.
protecting the granary is the most importent thing we can do if the rats flee thy will starv so fully armord and armd
>>
>>4013161
>You're going to lie in waiting inside of the granary, with Sosa on look-out. They will think that he's the guard for the night, only to suddenly be faced with four of you. With the advantage of surprise on your side, you should be able to make quick work of them.
>>
>>4013161
>>You're going to lie in waiting inside of the granary, with Sosa on look-out. They will think that he's the guard for the night, only to suddenly be faced with four of you. With the advantage of surprise on your side, you should be able to make quick work of them.
>>
>>4013161
>>You're going to lie in waiting inside of the granary, with Sosa on look-out. They will think that he's the guard for the night, only to suddenly be faced with four of you. With the advantage of surprise on your side, you should be able to make quick work of them.
>>
>>4013161
>>With Mabumasa dead, they're going to be suspicious when he doesn't show up. They might do something unpredictable when their scheme starts falling apart. You should stop them as they gather in front of Yoichibei's workshop.
>>
>>4013161
>>You're going to lie in waiting inside of the granary, with Sosa on look-out. They will think that he's the guard for the night, only to suddenly be faced with four of you. With the advantage of surprise on your side, you should be able to make quick work of them.
>>
You're going to hide in the granary and wait. When the fools arrive to pilfer the granary, you're going to leap out to Sosa's aid and put a swift end to each and every one of them. Their blood will stain the snow and you will be rid of this menace.

It's the middle of winter – the day doesn't last very long. In only a few hours, the sun goes from rising in the East to falling in the West. Once twilight has passed and night has well and truly set in, you don your armour and have the rest of your dōshin ready themselves. Unfortunately, Sosa and Rinji lack anything more dangerous than the jittes tucked into their sashes. Those will have to do, you suppose. You and Atsushi will need to take care of most of the killing, all you can hope is that the two heimin will be able to hold their own against this band of brigands armed with sickles.

Once the preparations have been made, you leave under the cover of night over an hour before their little raid is due to start. As always, everyone retreated into the warmth and security of their homes long ago. No one sane is foolish enough to remain outside in a freezing cold winter night. Trudging down the path, you make your way to the granary where Sosa already stands guard, sitting by a small blaze he's made to keep himself warm. You make your way past him to wait inside, resting your weight against sacks of millet.

You can't afford to give yourself away. You're forced to wait in the darkness of the storage house, lingering in silence, fingers flexing around your unsheathed blade. You're ready to leap out at a moment's notice, to assault this band of fools as soon as they show up...

... Yet they don't. It must have been an hour already. Time continues to crawl by and you're almost certain that they should have arrived by now. Could it be that you're simply impatient? No, you're not that keen to spill bloody, surely. Why are they taking so long? Has something happened? Did they decide to call it off?

“They should be here by now,” Atsushi mutters. In the dim, almost non-existent light of the granary, you raise a hand to silence the wave man.

>They've come this far with their plan. They're not about to abandon it, not after all of the effort they've put into it. They'll come here eventually, you just need to wait them out. Hold your ground and be patient.
>What's keeping them waiting? Are they still coming at all? It might be a good idea to send someone out to keep an eye on them, or maybe to go yourself. You're blind, sitting in here like this.
>It's Mabumasa's absence. He hasn't shown up, so they've gotten paranoid. They know you're on to them now. Waiting in here is pointless, you need to get out and hunt them down before they think of a way to escape justice.
>>
>>4013342
>It's Mabumasa's absence. He hasn't shown up, so they've gotten paranoid. They know you're on to them now. Waiting in here is pointless, you need to get out and hunt them down before they think of a way to escape justice.
>>
>>4013342
>>What's keeping them waiting? Are they still coming at all? It might be a good idea to send someone out to keep an eye on them, or maybe to go yourself. You're blind, sitting in here like this.
>>
>>4013342
>>>What's keeping them waiting? Are they still coming at all? It might be a good idea to send someone out to keep an eye on them, or maybe to go yourself. You're blind, sitting in here like this.
>>
>>4013342
Strategically speaking I think the one thing we don't want to do is to split our forces.

There are two possible outcomes here.

1) They go through with their plan (that is, today), in which case the granary /will/ be assaulted sooner or later
2) They do not go through with their plan (today, that is), in which case waiting does no harm. We can subsequently arrest them one-by-one.

What will not happen, though, is the conspirators leaving the village without coming to the granary, as they presumably don't have any other way to gather enough food for any extended trip.

If we split our forces though, we risk a disaster by mistiming. Between the 4 of us we ought to be able to easily take the 5 remaining conspirators. If we split our forces and have poor luck or timing though, we could easily see one group or the other get overwhelmed and be wiped out, which would be a complete disaster.

>They've come this far with their plan. They're not about to abandon it, not after all of the effort they've put into it. They'll come here eventually, you just need to wait them out. Hold your ground and be patient.
>>
>>4013421
but what if they get desperate and does something stupid and irrational?
>>
>>4013427
If they do and (at worst) they take out some villagers then that's still preferable to us and/or our Doshin being wiped out. It seems more likely to me that they are being extra cautious on account of their mysteriously missing member, and we don't want to be the first to lose our nerve.

If we do send someone out then we should probably send them to check on Tamuramaro.
>>
>>4013421
Yeah this is super true

>>4013342
>wait
>>
>>4013342
>Keep waiting

We really should have confronted them at the gathering place.
>>
>>4013435
you do realize that they are just peasants and don't have any training
>>
>>4013435
and also we have superior gear than them and our weapon has longer reach
>>
>>4013484
>>4013521
And there's six of them and one of us? Plus even a light injury is a big deal in this time period, especially trapped in by winter. We get zerg rushed we dead bro
>>
>>4013548
they are not trained they will probably get scared if we kill one of them, but you do have a point since if they get cornered they might rush us
>>
“We stay,” you hiss. You're not going to risk saying more than that. The tension has risen and every minute that passes feels like an eternity. They have noticed Mabumasa's disappearance by now, but they are likely looking for signs that you're aware of the plot, signs that you're waiting for them. If they have eyes on the granary, all they'll see is one guard – nothing out of the ordinary. Emerging from the storage house now would sabotage everything that you've planned so far. You want this to be clean, not a chaotic mess like the incident with Shungyosai.

It feels like another hour has passed, but in your heart you know that it has only been a matter of minutes. Suddenly, you hear something. Something other than the crackle of fire outside of the granary or the breath of your dōshin. It's the sound of snow crunching beneath feet as someone – no, multiple someones make their approach.

“Halt!” That's the voice of Sosa – his attempt to sound authoritative isn't very convincing. “The granary is restricted at night. Please return to your homes until--”

“We're not going anywhere, lawman. Throw down your jitte, unless you feel like meeting the Fortunes.” The voice is an unfamiliar one. It's coarse, older than that of Yoichibei. Whoever is speaking, they're likely the one behind this conspiracy. You take this opportunity to emerge from the granary, katana in hand. Kicking the door open, you stride out into the orange light of Sosa's fire. Atsushi follows with his sword at the ready and then Rinji emerges after him, clutching at his jitte.

“Damn it, Tatsui! You said that there was only one of them here!” Those words come from a burly, broad-shouldered figure that you recognise as Thoki, who is glaring daggers towards a lank-haired youth – his expression is one of abject terror.

“They weren't here, I swear! I swear I didn't see them!” Tatsui isn't the only one who is frightened – a stocky, flat-nosed nosed man stares at you with obvious apprehension. Another man with identical features stands to his side, scowling. You recognise the rugged, bearded face of Yoichibei, etched with determination and finally, there is the grizzled, one-armed fellow standing at the head of the group, his head and face both peppered with greying stubble. The one common factor that all of these men share is that wield sickles, farming implements that they plan to use for violence.
>>
They stand in the darkness, up to their knees in snow. You stand in the light of Sosa's fire, with the granary to your back. Six of them against four of you – you're outnumbered. There is one advantage that you have over them though. You have two samurai, and they have none.

>The time for talking is over. All of these men are guilty of conspiring to starve Kagoki for their own benefit. They deserve nothing but death, so let the battle commence.
>Try to exert your authority over these men, one last time. Unless they want to die here and now, they should put down their weapons and surrender. It is not likely that they will listen – they know what they have done and what fate awaits them, even if they submit. Either they die fighting now or they're executed later. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Command skill of 1. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
>Invoke the blood. You can do better than threaten them with death, you can threaten them with eternal damnation. You are more than a samurai, you are a scion of Heaven, descended from Hantei himself. If they stand against you, their spirits will carry the burden of their actions for the rest of time. (This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Command skill of 1. You will only need to keep four successes to succeed, thanks to your Blessed Lineage.)
>>
>>4013609
>The time for talking is over. All of these men are guilty of conspiring to starve Kagoki for their own benefit. They deserve nothing but death, so let the battle commence.
>>
>>4013609
>The time for talking is over. All of these men are guilty of conspiring to starve Kagoki for their own benefit. They deserve nothing but death, so let the battle commence.
>>
>>4013609
>Slice and dice

Have rinji and sosa execute stratagem human shield if necessary
>>
>>4013609
>>The time for talking is over. All of these men are guilty of conspiring to starve Kagoki for their own benefit. They deserve nothing but death, so let the battle commence.
>>
>>4013609
>The time for talking is over. All of these men are guilty of conspiring to starve Kagoki for their own benefit. They deserve nothing but death, so let the battle commence.
>>
Combat Rules
Once combat begins, every post that I make can be considered a turn.
Combat is a stressful experience. At the end of every turn, you will suffer a point of strife. The bright side of this is that giving into your rage during combat isn't socially unacceptable. The downside is that during duels where focus is everything, surrendering to your emotions might be the death of you.
In combat, you must choose an element at the start of each turn. You enter a stance associated with that element and can only attack using the elemental ring connected to that stance. However, the stance that you choose for that turn also grants you a particular benefit.
If you choose the Earth stance, you ready yourself to be hit and to endure attacks. For that turn, you cannot be afflicted with any debilitating conditions or wounds – unless you're rendered unconscious.
If you choose the Water stance, you are able to flow through the battlefield and use momentum to your advantage. For that turn, you are able to both move to a new position and attack during the same turn. Normally, you must choose one or the other – unless you're on horseback.
If you choose the Fire stance, you focus solely on your opponent and unleash all of your aggression on them. For that turn, any attack that you make requires one less kept success in order to succeed, making your attack easier.
If you choose the Air stance, you feint and act with subtlety, making yourself a more difficult target. For that turn, any attack that an opponent makes against you requires one more kept success in order to succeed, making their attack harder.
If you choose the Void stance, you enter a single-minded state and let the spirit of your sword guide your blows. For that turn, you will not suffer any strife from any source, allowing to keep a cool head and remain in control of your emotions.
>>
The time for words has passed. There will be no forgiveness for what they were planning to do.

A decade of training honed you into a deadly weapon, a samurai, which is more than any of these worthless heimin will ever be. You move before any of them can react, the black lacquered armour gleaming in the flickering light of the fire. This is the time for you to choose your target and charge, your katana clutched in both hands as you prepare to strike.

>Once you come to a stop, you set your feet against the earth and prepare for your foes to strike you. You want to be ready to endure the brunt of any damage, though your armour should protect you from those feeble kama. (You enter the Earth stance.)
>You start running and you don't stop. Using your momentum to your advantage, you bring your katana slicing through the air, ready to bisect any would-be-bandit foolish enough to stand in your way. (Your enter the Water stance. This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You bare your teeth and snarl at your foe as you run towards them, your posture aggressive, ready to strike them with all of your might as soon as you gather your bearings... But you'll be leaving yourself open to attack. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>Remain out of reach and ready to parry or avoid any strike that they send your way. Once you see an opening, you will lash out but until then, you refuse to let this rabble land a single blow against your armour. (You enter the Air stance.)
>Detach yourself from the moment. These foes are nothing to you, their lives soon to be snuffed out. Close the distance and allow your sword to guide you. When the opportunity to strike reveals itself, your sword will show you the way. (You enter the Void stance.)

>You'll focus on Yoichibei, the determined blacksmith. He seems more invested in this scheme than anyone else.
>You'll focus on Tatsui, the mop-haired boy. He's the most inexperienced of the lot and probably the weakest link.
>You'll focus on Thoki, the burly fisherman. With muscles like that, he might be a threat. You'd rather take care of him first.
>You'll focus on Ippei, the one-armed fellow that seems to be the leader. Cut off the head and the rest of the snake will die. (You can exploit his missing arm for easier attacks, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>You'll focus on Oniji, the scowling brother. Once he's taken care of, his less courageous brother will surrender.
>You'll focus on Kinzo, the fearful brother. Perhaps you'll dampen Oniji's fighting spirit by killing his brother.
>>
>>4013788
>>Detach yourself from the moment. These foes are nothing to you, their lives soon to be snuffed out. Close the distance and allow your sword to guide you. When the opportunity to strike reveals itself, your sword will show you the way. (You enter the Void stance.)

>You'll focus on Ippei, the one-armed fellow that seems to be the leader. Cut off the head and the rest of the snake will die. (You can exploit his missing arm for easier attacks, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013788
>Air stance

>Ippei
>>
>>4013788
>Detach yourself from the moment. These foes are nothing to you, their lives soon to be snuffed out. Close the distance and allow your sword to guide you. When the opportunity to strike reveals itself, your sword will show you the way. (You enter the Void stance.)
>You'll focus on Ippei, the one-armed fellow that seems to be the leader. Cut off the head and the rest of the snake will die. (You can exploit his missing arm for easier attacks, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013788
>>Remain out of reach and ready to parry or avoid any strike that they send your way. Once you see an opening, you will lash out but until then, you refuse to let this rabble land a single blow against your armour. (You enter the Air stance.)
>You'll focus on Ippei, the one-armed fellow that seems to be the leader. Cut off the head and the rest of the snake will die. (You can exploit his missing arm for easier attacks, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013798
>>4013850
I'll switch to air stance to break the dead lock.
>>
>>4013788
>>Detach yourself from the moment. These foes are nothing to you, their lives soon to be snuffed out. Close the distance and allow your sword to guide you. When the opportunity to strike reveals itself, your sword will show you the way. (You enter the Void stance.)
>You'll focus on Ippei, the one-armed fellow that seems to be the leader. Cut off the head and the rest of the snake will die. (You can exploit his missing arm for easier attacks, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
as Tamuramaro said we rule by fear time to put it back in them
>>
>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 4 / 6.

As you close the distance, your focus is on your footwork and the positioning of your katana. With every swipe of a sickle, you are ready to dodge and to weave out of the way, to deflect its blade with your own. There is effortless grace and poise behind your every movement, something that these filthy heimin can't ever hope to match.

Not even a single blow from a kama seems to land on your armour. Though Ippei was supposedly an experienced dōshin before infection took his arm away, he does not appear able to strike true. You remain unharmed, unhindered by the foes that you face. Somewhere behind you, Rinji is left tangling with Tatsui while Sosa faces the brawny Thoki. Atsushi is forced to contend with the brothers Oniji and Kinzo, while Yoichibei seems to have joined Ippei in his fight against you.

Yet all of your focus remains on Ippei, and now it is time for you to strike, to land a decisive blow.

>There remains a chance that their attacks might be able to bypass your armour, however slim. Hold your ground and prepare yourself for their onslaught, even as you lash out at Ippei. (You enter the Earth stance. This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>You might have lost your momentum but you can still flow about your foe, you can still seek to the point of least resistance and strike Ippei where he is at his weakest. (You enter the Water stance. This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>Now is the time for aggression. Now is the time to subject this thankless cripple to all of your wrath and your fury, to slay him and make an example out of him before all of his wretched allies. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>Remain cautious, keep your distance, keep your blade at the ready to parry any blows that come your way. You do not want to suffer a single scratch at the hands of this rabble. Only perfection will suffice. (You remain in the Air stance. This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>Serenity and peace is the path ahead. Focus on your blade, not on the battle. Let it act as the conduit for your instincts, let it follow the path that fate has laid out for it. (You enter the Void stance. This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013891
>Now is the time for aggression. Now is the time to subject this thankless cripple to all of your wrath and your fury, to slay him and make an example out of him before all of his wretched allies. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
we most break there moral thy outnumber us
>>
>>4013891
>>Now is the time for aggression. Now is the time to subject this thankless cripple to all of your wrath and your fury, to slay him and make an example out of him before all of his wretched allies. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013891
>Now is the time for aggression. Now is the time to subject this thankless cripple to all of your wrath and your fury, to slay him and make an example out of him before all of his wretched allies. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
Going with:
>Now is the time for aggression. Now is the time to subject this thankless cripple to all of your wrath and your fury, to slay him and make an example out of him before all of his wretched allies. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
I require a roll of 5d6 using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep zero successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three. Though it will be very easy to succeed at this roll, you will still benefit from rolling more successes.
>>
Rolled 6, 3, 1, 1, 2 = 13 (5d6)

>>4013935
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 2, 1, 3 = 11 (5d6)

>>4013935
>>
>>4013935
dice+5d6
>>
Rolled 1, 1, 5, 2, 5 = 14 (5d6)

>>4013935
ops
>>
>>4013938
>>4013940
>>4013950
Not a good start, good thing we are fighting the cripple.
>>
>>4013954
we have been lucky in most rolls so some poor roll are to be expected
>>
Fatigue and Critical Strikes

>You suffer fatigue whenever someone successfully rolls to attack you. Currently, your fatigue has a maximum capacity of 8.
>Should your fatigue meet or exceed its maximum capacity, you are unable to defend against incoming attacks. If you are successfully attacked again, you will become unconscious and take a Critical Strike.
>Critical Strikes happen when your defences are bypassed and you cannot defend against attacks. They always occur when you are knocked unconscious, but they can also happen if an enemy hits you with a very successful attack. This can be avoided if you are in Earth stance.
>The consequences of Critical Strikes vary greatly. Weaker ones inflict wounds which make you roll less dice, stronger ones can permanently maim you, and the strongest can outright kill you.
>You can reduce your fatigue through various means such as medicine, resting, and the passage of time.
>>
>Going with >>4013950, two successes.

>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 5 / 6.

You move like lightning, suddenly flowing to stand at Ippei's right, the side that lacks an arm. Lashing out with your katana, you slice deep into the man's ribs, causing a cry of pain to erupt from the grizzled brigand... Yet it isn't enough to bring him down. The stubborn old man is hardier than he seems.

Ippei retaliates, scoring a hit against your right arm with his sickle. While the blade thankfully doesn't penetrate the armour, you can't help but wince with pain as the impact reverberates along the limb, making your muscles ache. You have no doubt that it will bruise later. As for Yoichibei, while he manages to land a strike as well, he seems incapable of inflicting any serious damage, as his kama simply bounces off of your armour.

>You suffer two points of fatigue. Your fatigue is currently at 2 / 8.

Atsushi seems to handling himself quite well – the carcass of Kinzo has slumped to the floor, devoid of its guts which are now left steaming in the snow. Sosa seems to be struggling against the onslaught of Thoki, whereas Rinji seems to be hammering at the cowering form of Tatsui with his jitte, beating the boy into submission.

>Sooner or later, Ippei will land a devastating blow. You need to be ready for it. Prepare yourself, even as you retaliate. (You enter the Earth stance. This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>He scored a hit, he won't score a second. Flow with the rhythm of combat and put an end to Ippei before he can do any more harm. (You enter the Water stance. This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>You almost took him down with a single strike – so strike again, and better this time. End him. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>He hit you? Unacceptable. You won't allow yourself to be struck again, you refuse. (You remain in the Air stance. This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>Ignore the pain. Embrace the moment and live through your sword. Let the Fortunes guide you. (You enter the Void stance. This will require a roll using your Void ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep one success to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013994
>>You almost took him down with a single strike – so strike again, and better this time. End him. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
>>
>>4013994
>>You almost took him down with a single strike – so strike again, and better this time. End him. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
thank kami we are using armor
>>
>>4013994
>You almost took him down with a single strike – so strike again, and better this time. End him. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
Do enemy characters also suffer fatigue?
>>
>>4014010
Yes, but I'm handling all of their stuff behind the scenes. I'd rather not splurge mountains of numbers on the screen every time you fight. Their statistics and dice rolls will remain undisclosed. But I will say that you missed instantly killing Ippei by one success.
>>
Going with:
>You almost took him down with a single strike – so strike again, and better this time. End him. (Your enter the Fire stance. This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will only need to keep zero successes to succeed, thanks to the Way of the Scorpion.)
I require a roll of 5d6 using your Fire ring of 3 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep zero successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
>>4014025
All good, just wasn't quite sure of the mechanics.
>>
Rolled 6, 2, 4, 5, 2 = 19 (5d6)

>>4014038
>>
Rolled 3, 5, 6, 5, 5 = 24 (5d6)

>>4014038
>>
Rolled 4, 1, 4, 6, 4 = 19 (5d6)

>>4014038
>>
>>4014052
>>4014058
Let's fuck this cripple up so hard that the rest of the heimin are intimidated.
>>
>Going with >>4014052, four successes.

>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 6 / 6.
>Your strife at or above its maximum capacity. Only your rolls of 6 will contribute to a roll's success until your strife is reduced below its maximum capacity.

With a cry of fury, you lash out at Ippei. This time, you carve through his winter clothes effortlessly and slice him from his throat down to his navel. The cripple slumps to the snow, his organs pouring out at your feet. A cry of anguish leaves the mouth of Yoichibei as he staggers away from you, all hope leaving his face with Ippei's demise. He doesn't even make an effort to strike at you.

Atsushi seems to be handling the second of the two brothers with some ease – a strike of his leaves a nasty slice in Oniji's left leg. This combined with Ippei's death has shattered his morale. He slumps to the snow, grovelling and begging for his life.
However, Sosa isn't doing anywhere near as well. A cry leaves your dōshin's mouth as the tip of Thoki's sickle is embedded in his shoulder and violently torn out, leaving a vicious-looking wound behind. The fisherman doesn't look like he'll be surrendering soon.
Rinji seems to be having some more success, still looming over Tatsui and pummelling him into the snow with his jitte. The boy isn't even putting up a fight at this point, he is just wailing for mercy. He saw how Ippei died.

>Focus on attacking Yoichibei. You need to put him down before you handle anything else. (This will require a roll using your stance's ring and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed, or one if you choose the Fire stance.)
>It looks like Sosa might need your aid. Rush over to his side, hopefully Thoki will consider you a more important threat than your dōshin. If you don't help him now, you fear that he might die at the brigand's hands. (If you choose the Water stance, you will also be able to attack Thoki. You will require two successes to succeed.)
>Surrender to your rage. Scream, scream your lungs out, roar your hatred at the foes that you face. None of your enemies are coming out of this battle alive – none of them. (You will reduce your strife to 0 / 6 by unmasking.)

>Be ready to shrug off any blow that lands against your armour. You will endure. (You enter the Earth stance.)
>Flow like water, use your momentum to your advantage. (You enter the Water stance.)
>Take advantage of your fury, wield it like a weapon against your foes. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>Keep your distance, keep your guard up. You will not be struck again. (You enter the Air stance.)
>Try to keep yourself from buckling under the weight of your emotions. (You enter the Void stance.)
>>
>>4014121
>>Surrender to your rage. Scream, scream your lungs out, roar your hatred at the foes that you face. None of your enemies are coming out of this battle alive – none of them. (You will reduce your strife to 0 / 6 by unmasking.)
>Take advantage of your fury, wield it like a weapon against your foes. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>>4014121
>>Surrender to your rage. Scream, scream your lungs out, roar your hatred at the foes that you face. None of your enemies are coming out of this battle alive – none of them. (You will reduce your strife to 0 / 6 by unmasking.)
>>
>>4014121
>>Take advantage of your fury, wield it like a weapon against your foes. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>>4014121
>Surrender to your rage. Scream, scream your lungs out, roar your hatred at the foes that you face. None of your enemies are coming out of this battle alive – none of them. (You will reduce your strife to 0 / 6 by unmasking.)
>Take advantage of your fury, wield it like a weapon against your foes. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>You unmask. Your strife is currently at 0 / 6.

You scream.

It's a blood-curdling sound. It's the product of four months of being forced to look after ungrateful commoners. It's the result of having to constantly look over your shoulder for a vile woman who once tried to poison you and now seeks to ruin you. It's the outcome of a decade of being trained by a teacher who loathes you. All of the agitation, all of the hatred that has been building inside of you for all of this time is suddenly unleashed.

You will not be kept from your destiny any longer – especially not by these fools. They have earned your wrath and none of them are going to get away from you with their lives.

Yoichibei does not try to fight you. All hope in his heart has been lost and now he is trying to flee into the darkness. To where, you can't possibly begin to fathom. All you know is that you are going to be the one to kill him.
The wounded Oniji lies doubled over in the snow, weeping. He has lost his brother and he is soon to lose his own life. It's no wonder that the man has lost the will to fight. Let him rot in his misery. His end will come soon.
At last Rinji's attention has turned from the cowering form of Tatsui to Thoki. Atsushi has also focused his attention on the fisherman. It's now three on one, and the burly man seems to be having a hard time coping with all three of your dōshin.

>Pursue Yoichibei. He will not get away, no matter where the fool thinks he can escape to.
>Assist with Thoki. Four of you will surely be able to end the brute's life, once and for all.

>You refuse to let these savages injure you more than they already have. You will endure whatever they will throw your way. (You enter the Earth stance.)
>Start moving and don't stop until you've spilled blood. This is the only way that you will be able to catch up with Yoichibei and kill him. (Your enter the Water stance. This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Embrace your fury. You won't be able to spill blood until you've closed the distance between yourself at your target, but you're fallen deep into this black rage to rise out of it. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>These filthy creatures will not sully you with another strike. You want to make sure of that. Be ready to dodge and deflect any pitiful attempt that they make to assault you. (You enter the Air stance.)
>Focus your rage into your sword. Let your indignation guide you to your foe. Put an end to those foolish enough to stand between you and your destiny. (You enter the Void stance.)
>>
>>4014193
>>Assist with Thoki. Four of you will surely be able to end the brute's life, once and for all.
>These filthy creatures will not sully you with another strike. You want to make sure of that. Be ready to dodge and deflect any pitiful attempt that they make to assault you. (You enter the Air stance.)
>>
>>4014193
>>Pursue Yoichibei. He will not get away, no matter where the fool thinks he can escape to.
>Embrace your fury. You won't be able to spill blood until you've closed the distance between yourself at your target, but you're fallen deep into this black rage to rise out of it. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>>4014193
>Pursue Yoichibei. He will not get away, no matter where the fool thinks he can escape to.

>Start moving and don't stop until you've spilled blood. This is the only way that you will be able to catch up with Yoichibei and kill him. (Your enter the Water stance. This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Martial Arts (Melee) skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)

If there were any way we could let any of these rebels live, Yoichibei would be the most valuable of them to let live. Unfortunately there's not, but I see no need to gang up 4-to-1 on the fisherman.
>>
>>4014193
>>Pursue Yoichibei. He will not get away, no matter where the fool thinks he can escape to.
>Embrace your fury. You won't be able to spill blood until you've closed the distance between yourself at your target, but you're fallen deep into this black rage to rise out of it. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>>4014193
>Pursue Yoichibei. He will not get away, no matter where the fool thinks he can escape to.
>Embrace your fury. You won't be able to spill blood until you've closed the distance between yourself at your target, but you're fallen deep into this black rage to rise out of it. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>>4014193
>>Pursue Yoichibei. He will not get away, no matter where the fool thinks he can escape to.
>>Embrace your fury. You won't be able to spill blood until you've closed the distance between yourself at your target, but you're fallen deep into this black rage to rise out of it. (You enter the Fire stance.)
>>
>You suffer a point of strife. Your strife is currently at 1 / 6.

You pursue Yoichibei as he stumbles and flounders through the snow. Like a mountain lion you stalk after him, leaving the other three to take care of Thoki. You're fixated on your prey and you aren't about to let him get away from you.

While you could close the distance and put an end to him, you choose not to. Rather than give the blacksmith a quick demise, you indulge in your sadism and watch the sorry fool as he staggers his way blindly through the darkness and the thigh-deep snow, creating a path for you to follow. After a few minutes of this, Yoichibei eventually gives up. He slumps to the earth, almost submerged in the white powder as you close the distance.

“He... Ippei protected this village for almost twenty years. He risked his life for Kagoki countless times and was never thanked for it, not once. Now he's... Now he's--”

“He's dead, Yoichibei. May his treacherous spirit never find peace.” You hold no sympathy for Ippei or Yoichibei, who seemed to revere the old cripple. The only thing that you feel at this moment is a white-hot fury that scours any other emotion from your heart. “If you have any last words, now's the time to say them.”

“You're a tyrant,” he spits, throwing his kama into the snow. “You and every other samurai. You're despots. You have built this empire of lies, telling us that we are less than you, that we live only for the purpose of serving you. You take almost everything that we produce and you call this theft 'taxation.' You treat us like animals when we are the same, when we are both human. A heimin's life is worth the same as—”

A flash of steel and his words are cut short. Yoichibei is left gurgling, his throat slit and his blood pouring from the wound into the snow. Any attempt to speak is rendered useless – you suppose that he'll never get to say all of his last words after all. Flicking the vile taint of the commoner's blood off of your sword, you turn and begin the journey back to the granary, leaving Yoichibei to bleed out in the snow.

By the time that you arrive, your dōshin are finished with Thoki. It seems that he fought to the last breath, judging from how his carcass lies in the snow, littered with wounds and surrounded with his own blood. Atsushi is busy cleaning his sword on the dead man's clothes, wiping the blood off of the sacred steel while Sosa is clutching his wounded shoulder, struggling to stem the flow of blood. Tatsui is already bound and Rinji seems to be crouched by Oniji, subjecting the surviving brother to the same fate.

“Don't waste your effort, Rinji-san.” The dōshin looks up at you in confusion as you approach. You thought that the idiot would take the hint and get out of your way. Shoving him to one side, you wordlessly raise your sword and then bring it down, cleaving Oniji's body in twain. A wail erupts from the mop-haired Tatsui and you turn towards him next.
>>
“No, please, I didn't realise what I was getting into! I'm sorry, samurai-sama, I'm sorry!” The wretched boy grovels in the snow in front of you, pleading just as pitifully as Mabumasa did. If you let him live, he will grow up to be a wretched, deceitful worm. You aren't going to give him the chance.

“Bayushi-sama, he's just a boy...” You pay no heed to Atsushi's complaint. Thankfully, he's wise enough to stop you as you stride over to the boy and raise your sword. Tatsui's pleading rises in pitch until it becomes a shriek. With a single stroke of your steel, you end his wretched noises and you end his miserable life. The misled youth slumps into the snow, turning in red as his gore saturates it.

You promised yourself that none of your enemies would come out of this alive. It's a promise that you consider fulfilled.

“He was just a boy, yes. It doesn't change the fact that he was willing to leave Kagoki to starve and run away with this band of brigands.” Perhaps there was truth into his words. Maybe he was just a misled boy, looking for an adventure. A youth who fell in with the wrong crowd. It's too late to think about such things though. You had to satisfy your bloodlust and no one will dare hold that against you. In the dim light of the nearby fire, you lock eyes with Atsushi. He's silent for a few seconds but then, reluctantly, the rōnin nods and looks away.

“Suppose you're right, Bayushi-sama.” The wave man is sullen, rather than overcome with a sense of victory. It's almost as though he regrets all of this loss of life. Atsushi might not have a warrior's heart after all. Five dead bodies lie scattered around you and Sosa is left whimpering as he nurses his bleeding shoulder, as pitiful as an injured animal trying to lick at its wound.

>Get back to Tamuramaro. You should let him know that it's over and that one of your dōshin is in need of a healer. If no one in the village will be able to tend to Sosa's shoulder, you suppose that you will have to. The corpses can be collected in the morning.
>You're not going to pamper Sosa, he can go to find a healer on his own. Lead the way over to the hinin compound to inform them that there are seven bodies to be disposed of, including Mabumasa's carcass which is still bundled up Tamuramaro's home.

>I'll also take this moment to ask for your forgiveness concerning Kimiko's sudden outburst of brutality and your lack of control over it, but consider it a demonstration of the consequences of unmasking.
>>
>>4014427
>>Get back to Tamuramaro. You should let him know that it's over and that one of your dōshin is in need of a healer. If no one in the village will be able to tend to Sosa's shoulder, you suppose that you will have to. The corpses can be collected in the morning.
,,, are supposed to have Strife build every turn? Because that seems like a great way to fuck over anyone in this system with a fight.
>>
>>4014427
>>Get back to Tamuramaro. You should let him know that it's over and that one of your dōshin is in need of a healer. If no one in the village will be able to tend to Sosa's shoulder, you suppose that you will have to. The corpses can be collected in the morning.

>I'll also take this moment to ask for your forgiveness concerning Kimiko's sudden outburst of brutality and your lack of control over it, but consider it a demonstration of the consequences of unmasking.
Totally reasonable, when we choose to purge our strife we relinquish a certain degree of control over our character's actions. None of these people were going to live anyway, even if we hadn't killed them here and now the Magistrate would've certainly ordered their death come spring.
>>
>>4014443
Most people would have a higher strife threshold, and additionally that's why the Void stance exists.

>>4014427
Really I'm surprised there weren't more consequences to unmasking, dice-wise. In the event we're ever in a life-and-death duel is there a concrete reason to bide our time in the Void stance for some sort of tactical advantage ?
>>
>>4014427
>>Get back to Tamuramaro. You should let him know that it's over and that one of your dōshin is in need of a healer. If no one in the village will be able to tend to Sosa's shoulder, you suppose that you will have to. The corpses can be collected in the morning.
It amazes me how much they complain about being heimin but it’s good thing, they sound more human.
>Sorry chief, plus the corpse in your house, I need a healer for my dōshin lol
>>
>>4014443
This is an extremely bastardised version of the L5R 5e system - but trust me when I say that strife can build much faster than this in the real system. On top of that, Kimiko is more vulnerable to strife than most characters due to how she was built.
>>4014450
In the event that Kimiko does get involved in a duel, I will talk a little more about how those work. But yes, biding time in the Void stance might be smart.
>>
>>4014427
>Get back to Tamuramaro. You should let him know that it's over and that one of your dōshin is in need of a healer. If no one in the village will be able to tend to Sosa's shoulder, you suppose that you will have to. The corpses can be collected in the morning
>>
You return to Tamuramaro, with a bloody Sosa in tow. There is no revelry or celebration over your victory. The bloody affair that just occurred is something that you would all rather forget. You give Tamuramaro the unenviable task of either tending to Sosa's injury or finding someone that is able to. In the morning, the hinin can be summoned to collect the dead, including the carcass of Mabumasa. With no need to worry about the dead man being discovered any longer, his wrapped-up corpse is thrown out into the snow. That way, his taint shall not defile the household any longer.

While your dōshin's injuries are being tended to, you take the opportunity to enjoy some much-needed rest, dreamless and untroubled by the thought of traitors.

Your eyes open to glimpse the first light of dawn outside of the elder's home and reluctantly, you rise to prepare yourself for the day. One of your dōshin is sent to the hinin compound to fetch them, while the others are sent out to stand guard outside of the granary and explain the situation to the horrified heimin. To most of them, this is shocking news – six villagers, friends and loved ones, lie dead in the snow, victims of horrific violence. The thought of these men betraying the village is almost impossible for them to believe – especially the despairing parents of Tatsui.

Shortly after the hinin have been arrived to collect the dead and take them away for cremation, Tamuramaro assembles every inhabitant of Kagoki to inform them of last night's events and the conspiracy to steal the village's supplies, to leave all of them to starve. Some of them are still disbelieving but they are left with no choice but to come to terms with the truth. Perhaps if one of them was still alive, if one was of them was able to confess before the whole of Kagoki... You dismiss the thought. What's done is done, and you'd be lying if you said that killing every last one of them wasn't at least a little cathartic.

Before long, there is no trace of the carnage left, other than a few empty homes. There is no doubt that the village will suffer from these losses. Yoichibei produced a great deal of Kagoki's tools, Thoki's trading of fish brought wealth into the village and even the brothers Oniji and Kinzo were farmers of some importance. Now they are all gone and with the loss of all these men, this winter's death toll has risen to thirteen. The years to come will be difficult, but there's no use in focusing on them now. You still have over a month of winter left to worry about.

>If there is anything that you would like to do before you allow time to pass, now's the time to mention it.
>>
>>4014530
>Reflect with Atsushi how we might've handled this better, after some time has passed.
>>
>>4014530
Reflect as anon here said>>4014680
>>
>>4014530
Write down what happened in your ledger so that Tetsunori and Yasotarocan review it and maybe give advice in case something similar happens
>>
>>4014732
I will second keeping the ledger as well as reflecting
>>
>>4014530
Spend time cooling off with Haru
>>
>>4014680
+1
>>
>>4014680
>>4014732
These
>>
>>4014680
+1
>>
“We could have done this better.”

Those are the words that you say a few days after the incident, when you're settling in to sleep at the elder's house. Atsushi is busy preparing for a night at the granary, on the lookout for any potential thieves, while your other dōshin are already resting – Rinji after a day of guard duty, and Sosa because of his wound. At your words, the rōnin looks towards you and gives you a puzzled stare.

“Could we? We all got out of this alive, Bayushi-sama. All the plotters are dead. The magistrates back at Beiden should be satisfied with the result.” You can't help but shake your head at his words.

“Yes, but you saw how the people of Kagoki reacted today. They are not pleased that we put a stop to a plot to starve them, they are just even more worried and confused than before. If it was not for Tamuramaro's support, they might have even been vengeful.”

“What choice did we have? What else could we have done? Could we have cornered them one by one and bound them, to make them confess for all of Kagoki to hear? Some of them might've gotten away and found somewhere else to hide and scheme from. This way, we took care of them all in a single night. No loose ends left behind.”

“But then there's Mabumasa, Atsushi-san. His disappearance made them paranoid, they could have done something foolish and desperate. Maybe we should have used him as an inside-man?”

“You really think that you could have trusted him for that?” Atsushi scoffs. “I don't. He would've squealed and they would've been ready for us, they would've changed their plans. I don't think we could've done this better, Bayushi-sama. We could've done it in a different way, but I doubt we would've gotten a better outcome out of it.”

You're not sure you quite believe that. You recall his reaction when you struck at that boy with your blade and brought his life to a swift end. “What about Tatsui? Do you think that I should have spared him, Atsushi-san?”

“... It's what I would've done,” the rōnin says with a sigh of defeat. “But that doesn't mean that it was the right way of going about things, eh? The boy could've still had a taste for banditry in his heart. He could've grown up to be a worm like Mabumasa, rather than learn from the errors of his youth. You chose not to take that risk, and I can't blame you for that.”

“You say that we couldn't have done better, but you hardly seem satisfied with the outcome.” Your eyes follow Atsushi as he finishes the last of his preparations and strides towards the doorway.

“I'd be happier if we didn't have to deal with the situation at all, Bayushi-sama. I'd be satisified if they were just content with what they had and lived out their lives without resorting to theft. I wish that they never came up with this conspiracy at all, but we found them out and we put a stop to them. That's all that matters now.”
>>
The next few days are spent compiling a report in your ledger, detailing how the incident unfolded, as well as every other event that has occurred during theis winter. From the suspected theft from the granary to the disobedience and demand for higher pay from Sosa, you record everything. A written report will serve you better than trying to explain all of this season's events verbally. So much has happened that you would likely trip over yourself trying to explain it all.

You also give Haru more frequent visits in her barn, where she and other beasts take shelter from the snow. There's still plenty of feed left to keep her satisfied and those blankets seem to be keeping her quite warm – as far as you can tell, she isn't suffering from any poor health at all. With the snow being as deep as it is, it's hard to give her the exercise that she deserves but you endeavour to at least walk her through Kagoki on occasion, to ensure that the pony's muscles don't atrophy. You have no doubt that she will survive to see the spring that she is named for, and for that you're glad.

Time continues to flow by. Slowly but surely, you approach the end of the dreaded month of Fu Leng. Weeks pass without event, other than the village's rice being depleted. You knew that the day would come when you spent most of the remaining rice on the funeral of that departed child, but to experience it for yourself is something else entirely. The food that Tamuramaro fed you was bland but at least it was filling, to a degree. This foul gruel that you are forced to imbibe, fit only for heimin and hinin, does nothing to satiate your hunger.

Unfortunately, the Fortunes do not seem to be satisfied with thirteen dead, for a fourteenth villager dies during the final days of Fu Leng's month. It's another child, an infant of eighteen months who eventually succumbed to the chill and sickness that comes with winter. While it is still a tragic loss, few outside of the departed's family seem to mourn. This season has hardened the hearts of Kagoki.

>What importance does one more dead child have, when so many have already died this winter? It can be cremated and buried, without any ritual or ceremony. The snow is still falling and you've still got a month of this dire season left to endure. You must be pragmatic.
>Let them have their funeral but at this point, there is no rice left to spend. All that's left is millet and other peasant grains, food that the village must preserve if it's to outlast the winter. From now on, you can't afford to frivol that away every time someone dies.
>As morbid as it sounds, fourteen dead means fourteen less mouths to feed. The supplies that you have left should last for longer, thanks to the smaller population. Let the heimin indulge themselves as they mourn. Nonetheless, you find yourself praying for spring to come soon. Kagoki can't sustain many more losses.
>>
>>4015334
>>As morbid as it sounds, fourteen dead means fourteen less mouths to feed. The supplies that you have left should last for longer, thanks to the smaller population. Let the heimin indulge themselves as they mourn. Nonetheless, you find yourself praying for spring to come soon. Kagoki can't sustain many more losses.
>>
>>4015334
>As morbid as it sounds, fourteen dead means fourteen less mouths to feed. The supplies that you have left should last for longer, thanks to the smaller population. Let the heimin indulge themselves as they mourn. Nonetheless, you find yourself praying for spring to come soon. Kagoki can't sustain many more losses.
We really have spoiled them
>>
>>4015359
>let them have their funeral but...
>>
>>4015334
>>Let them have their funeral but at this point, there is no rice left to spend. All that's left is millet and other peasant grains, food that the village must preserve if it's to outlast the winter. From now on, you can't afford to frivol that away every time someone dies.
>>
>>4015334
>>As morbid as it sounds, fourteen dead means fourteen less mouths to feed. The supplies that you have left should last for longer, thanks to the smaller population. Let the heimin indulge themselves as they mourn. Nonetheless, you find yourself praying for spring to come soon. Kagoki can't sustain many more losses.
Ok, last time
>>
>>4015334
>>Let them have their funeral but at this point, there is no rice left to spend. All that's left is millet and other peasant grains, food that the village must preserve if it's to outlast the winter. From now on, you can't afford to frivol that away every time someone dies.
>>
>>4015334
>>Let them have their funeral but at this point, there is no rice left to spend. All that's left is millet and other peasant grains, food that the village must preserve if it's to outlast the winter. From now on, you can't afford to frivol that away every time someone dies.\

Better a single family doesn't get to mourn improperly than everyone in the villages starves later.
>>
You use the lack of rice as an excuse to deny the mourners their indulgence. They're on edge as it is, after that fateful night and the death of the conspirators. While many of them have accepted what has happened, some of the heimin are still shaken and full of disbelief. You suppose that they aren't trained to endure the horrors of violence like samurai are – to them, death is something that comes from starvation, exposure and sickness. The prospect of one man killing another is unthinkable.

You don't waste your time overseeing the funeral. You know how they go by this point. Instead, you leave them to it and let the time flow by.

A few days later and the month of Fu Leng comes to an end. In its footsteps, the month of the Tenth Kami follows. This time of year as mysterious and unknowable as the long-dead Kami for which it is named – there's no knowing whether the winter will become even worse or whether spring will come early. All of Rokugan is left helpless in the hands of the Fortunes, silently praying for their mercy.

It seems as though these prayers have been answered, at least in Kagoki. After a few more days of snowfall, the clouds depart and the white powder stops falling from the heavens. You're left with a brilliant blue sky above you throughout the day and an endless sea of stars during the night. No longer obscured, Amaterasu warms the village with her rays and slowly but surely, the snows begin to melt. What was once as high as your waist gradually melts until it only rises to your knees. Where there are trees, the blanket of white seems to recede entirely.

What's left is a watery, thawing slush that soaks into the earth. According to what Tamuramaro tells you, this thawing snow is still dangerous – should the weather take a turn for the worse, it will freeze once more and solidify into hard, slippery ice, far more treacherous than it was before. For the sake of the village's safety, the snow will need to be cleared while it's still soft enough to be handled.

>You've done enough for the village. You're willing to leave that in the hands of the heimin. You and your dōshin will remain vigilant for anyone breaking Imperial law or endangering Kagoki. That's what you're here for – you aren't here to do their manual labour for them.
>Your dōshin, with the exception of Atsushi, believe that they're getting a lot more pay when they arrive back at Beiden. They might not like having to shovel melting snow out of paths and roads, but they're not going to risk that whole koku you promised each of them.
>You'll try to do your part with the rest of them. You're a samurai and you're supposed to be above labour, but perhaps the elder will appreciate a show of solidarity from you. It might make him a little more cooperative. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Labor skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4015568
>>You've done enough for the village. You're willing to leave that in the hands of the heimin. You and your dōshin will remain vigilant for anyone breaking Imperial law or endangering Kagoki. That's what you're here for – you aren't here to do their manual labour for them.

We're not about to debase ourselves to the point of doing manual labour. We're samurai, this is absolutely a job for the hemin
>>
>>4015568
>>You've done enough for the village. You're willing to leave that in the hands of the heimin. You and your dōshin will remain vigilant for anyone breaking Imperial law or endangering Kagoki. That's what you're here for – you aren't here to do their manual labour for them.
>>
>>4015568
>>You've done enough for the village. You're willing to leave that in the hands of the heimin. You and your dōshin will remain vigilant for anyone breaking Imperial law or endangering Kagoki. That's what you're here for – you aren't here to do their manual labour for them.
>>
>>4015568
>>You've done enough for the village. You're willing to leave that in the hands of the heimin. You and your dōshin will remain vigilant for anyone breaking Imperial law or endangering Kagoki. That's what you're here for – you aren't here to do their manual labour for them.
>>
You let them mourn their dead until all of the rice in the village was depleted, forcing you to eat the same gruel as the heimin you protect. You went out of your way to stop a conspiracy to starve Kagoki and to punish those responsible for it. You already had your dōshin help the people of Kagoki dig out the deceased from that collapsed house. It is an understatement to say that you have already done a great deal for this village, and that you see no reason to pander to them any longer. Let them shovel the melting snow themselves, you are above such menial tasks.

Thankfully, as the month of the Tenth Kami progresses, Tamuramaro's fears do not come to pass. If anything, the warmth from the sun seems to intensify and an unseasonal warmth sets in. It's not quite an early spring but the snows are melting faster than ever, saturating the earth with their runoff. Even the nearby river has thawed, its waters burgeoning and surging over the banks thanks to the snowmelt. What little snow is left is washed away with rain – not freezing sleet but warm, soft rain, so gentle and nurturing in comparison to the ferocity of winter. The people of Kagoki cry out and thank the Fortunes for this blessing, some children even go out to frolic in it. You even muster a little smile.

Kagoki likely isn't the only place to benefit from this pleasant weather. Beiden, Jamihoro and all of the other nearby settlements have likely benefited from the warmth as well and for that reason, you suspect that the roads have become traversable once more. Sure enough, after only a couple of days, the village receives its first visitors from outlying farms. Once more you have a reason to put your ledger to use, checking the stamps and noting the identity of everyone who passes through. At last, a return to normality.

You take advantage of the thawing landscape to take Haru out of the barn, to give her the first real exercise that she's had in over two months. It's a pleasant experience for you as well. After almost a dozen weeks of having to slog through snow, there's no words to describe the relief of being able to ride on a horse's back once more. The freedom that comes from the experience is almost blissful. Perhaps you should have been born as a Unicorn, rather than a Scorpion.

Still, with the roads now open, perhaps you can take advantage of this.

>Create a copy of the report in your ledger and have one of your dōshin carry it to Beiden. Either Atsushi because he's the most trust-worthy, or Rinji because he can't read.
>Leave Kagoki in the hands of Atsushi for the time being. If you spur Haru on, you might be able to arrive the town of Beiden within a day. (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Survival skill of 0. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>You have no reason to leave Kagoki quite yet. Wait out the rest of the month. Once Yasotaro arrives to relieve you, then you'll return to Beiden.
>>
>>4015734
>>You have no reason to leave Kagoki quite yet. Wait out the rest of the month. Once Yasotaro arrives to relieve you, then you'll return to Beiden.

We can wait, we have a duty to be here and I'd rather make sure our ledger is complete when we head back so we don't have to give a second one, or explain more things that happened since
>>
>>4015734
>>Create a copy of the report in your ledger and have one of your dōshin carry it to Beiden. Either Atsushi because he's the most trust-worthy, or Rinji because he can't read.

>Rinji
We should notify our lord of an attempted uprising in one of his villages as quickly as we reasonably can.
>>
>>4015734
>You have no reason to leave Kagoki quite yet. Wait out the rest of the month. Once Yasotaro arrives to relieve you, then you'll return to Beiden.

>>4015762
It wasn't an uprising, simply attempted robbery, no need to rush our winter report.
>>
>>4015734
>You have no reason to leave Kagoki quite yet. Wait out the rest of the month. Once Yasotaro arrives to relieve you, then you'll return to Beiden.
>>
>>4015734
>>You have no reason to leave Kagoki quite yet. Wait out the rest of the month. Once Yasotaro arrives to relieve you, then you'll return to Beiden.
>>
You decide not to. Everything that you have to share with the magistrates can wait. You've been assigned to look after Kagoki for the enitrety of winter and spring technically hasn't arrived yet.

The weather is trying its very hardest to fool you however. Days of brilliant sunshine are interspersed with sudden downpours of fresh, life-giving rain. Green shoots are already starting to erupt from the branches of trees and wild flowers are starting to blossom amongst the grasses as the final traces of frost disappear. The river near Kagoki has transformed from a shallow, frozen stream to an unending deluge of water flowing down from the Seikitsu Mountains, almost threatening to flood the nearby fields.

With a week to go until New Year's Day and the official end of winter, Kagoki is buzzing with life once more. It's a little less busy than it was in the autumn, thanks to all of the death that the village has seen in recent months, yet it is still thriving. Farmers are eager to back to their fields and to make up for all of the time that was spent huddling around the fire, cowering from the cold and the darkness. The first merchants and travellers start coming through, peddling wares and bringing news from nearby settlements. It seems that throughout the province and even beyond, life is returning to the land. The sense of hope and relief is palpable and the morale of Kagoki soars – all of the worries of winter seem to be forgotten.

Your days are spent patrolling the village, tracking the passage of everyone who seeks to come through the village or depart from it. You never saw anywhere near this many people travelling during the autumnal months. All of this work suddenly falling in your lap makes life much busier for you, and the days pass by so much faster. Before you can quite believe it, New's Year Day is almost here, only a couple of days away.
>>
You're soon to depart and it's time for you to make your preparations to return to Beiden, to swap places with Yasotaro. After being trapped here for so long, you're looking forward to patrolling the roads again. First of all, you should think about what to say to Tamuramaro on the day before your departure, especially considering what he said to you during the first days of winter.

>Reconcile with him. Hopefully he understands the importance of having someone to protect the village. Samurai aren't just tyrants, they contribute as much to Kagoki as they take from it. Hopefully he understands that now.
>Chastise him. If it wasn't for the presence of one of the samurai that he loathes so much, Kagoki and its people would have starved to death by now. You want him to admit that he was wrong to speak out against his superiors.
>Bow. Thank him for his hospitality and his generosity. Try to endear yourself to him. You want to part on positive terms with the elder. (You will increase your strife to 4 / 6 for going against your Delusions of Grandeur.)
>You've got nothing to say to him. He's got nothing to say to you. You'll be back here before long and you're probably going to repeat this all over again two years from now, when it's your turn to watch over the village again.
>>
>>4016132
>>Reconcile with him. Hopefully he understands the importance of having someone to protect the village. Samurai aren't just tyrants, they contribute as much to Kagoki as they take from it. Hopefully he understands that now.

Definitely don't bow though, we're still a samurai and he's still a hemin
>>
>>4016132
>You've got nothing to say to him. He's got nothing to say to you. You'll be back here before long and you're probably going to repeat this all over again two years from now, when it's your turn to watch over the village again.
The lion does not concern itself with the opinions of the sheep.
>>
>>4016132
>Reconcile with him. Hopefully he understands the importance of having someone to protect the village. Samurai aren't just tyrants, they contribute as much to Kagoki as they take from it. Hopefully he understands that now.
>Also point out the very people who would have left him and his to a slow wasting painful demise were also espousing equality and how the samurai were tyrants, yet they treated their own with less regard than that. Scorpion are many things, we at least are aware enough not to be hypocrites if we can help it.
>>
>>4016221
+1
>>
>>4016221
Supporting
>>
>>4016221
+1
>>
>>4016221
this
>>
Tomorrow afternoon, you expect Yasotaro to arrive and the following morning, you'll depart for Beiden. When the evening arrives and your dōshin are yet to return from their patrols, you take the opportunity to find Tamuramaro and speak with the man. Once you arrive at his home, the elder lowers himself in a humble bow before you, like he always does.

“Bayushi-sama,” he begins, his distaste for samurai hidden behind etiquette as always. “I pray that your day has gone well.”

“Well enough,” you reply. “It will not be long until I leave for Beiden, with a report of the events that occurred here. What are your thoughts regarding this winter, Tamuramaro-san?” You watch the man closely as he turns away to kneel before the hearth, to warm himself at his side. While spring is almost here and the setting sun shines brightly outside, the air is still quite cool.

“It is one of the worst we have experienced in decades, Bayushi-sama. I will not lie.” You join the elder by the flames of his hearth, seating yourself opposite of him. “The way that house collapsed, an entire family lost to the snow? Not only children but a healthy and fit husband and wife? Tragic. That is the only word for it, tragic. Then there is the matter of Ippei, Mabumasa, Yoichibei and the rest of them...” He falls quiet. For a few seconds, the only sound is the crackling of flames. “... I would also describe that as tragic.”

“You know, they espoused the very same beliefs I heard from you three months ago. I heard them from Yoichibei myself. He spoke of the tyranny of samurai, of the theft of taxation... The man had no respect for the hierarchy of Rokugan and saw himself as someone taking a stand against it.” As you make the comparison, Tamuramaro scrunches up his nose. When he speaks, his tone is low and hushed. He doesn't want anyone to overhear his treasonous beliefs.

“Imagine a world without samurai, a land without castes. Do you think that they would have resorted to such desperate measures if they didn't have to worry about the pressure of taxes or fear the retribution of samurai? Do you not see that the structure of our empire is responsible for this tragedy, Bayushi-sama?”

“I do not,” you reply. “None of them had no regard for their fellow heimin, for anyone other than themselves. They were not crusaders, Tamuramaro-san. Yoichi, Ippei, all of them, they put their own prosperity before the lives of everyone else in Kagoki. These accusations of tyranny and theft? They were an excuse, a way of convincing themselves that their plot to run off with their village's food and water was righteous. In a world without samurai, this band of brigands would have done the very same thing. They would have just found another excuse for it.”
>>
A long silence follows that, as Tamuramaro tries to think of a response, a justification for his faithless thoughts. Instead, all he is able to muster is a rattling sigh of defeat.

“I suppose that you speak the truth. Though I know that everyone in Kagoki owes you their lives, my thoughts about samurai remain unkind. Would you have done this for my village if it was not for the taxes that we pay, the rice that we provide you with?”

“No.” Perhaps if you belonged to the Crane or the Unicorn, you would say something else. You would claim that it is the duty of all samurai to look after the heimin that serve them. You won't resort to such lies. “Our protection is not an act of charity or compassion. It is part of an exchange, Tamuramaro-san. Heimin provide the samurai with food and other resources and in return, we offer you to protect you from beasts, from bandits and when necessary, from yourselves. You need only look back at the past few months to understand how important this protection can be.”

“I had hoped for words of compassion, to hear that you discovered a love for the commonfolk of Rokugan.” A weak, mirthless laugh comes from the elder. “But while I might have hoped, I was too wise to expect. Ah, at least I cannot accuse you of hypocrisy, Bayushi-sama.”

“Accuse me of what you wish.” You push yourself to your feet, to depart and find out what your dōshin are up to. You have made your point. “As long as you have learned how important it is for Kagoki to have the protection of samurai, I am satisfied.” With nothing else to say to the elderly heimin, you depart to seek out your deputies and listen to their daily reports.

The night that follows is uneventful, as is the morning that comes after that. The sun rises from the East to light up a brilliant blue sky, scattered with the occasional wisp of white cloud. Thanks to the knowledge that Yasotaro will be arriving in a matter of hours, the passage of time can only be described as torturous. Still, you force yourself to wait and remain as patient as possible, fulfilling your duty as best you are able in the meantime.

You almost expect something to go wrong, for your fellow yoriki to not arrive at all. Some sort of catastrophe or calamity is surely going to strand you in Kagoki for even longer. Thankfully, these dreadful premonitions do not come to pass. Precisely when he is meant to, the figure of Yogo Yasotaro appears on the road to Beiden with his yoriki marching at his back. You're quietly elated to see that lion-dog mask of his, with its vibrant red and rich gold lacquer.
>>
“Bayushi-san,” he says, offering a disciplined bow that a samurai of equal status surely deserves. You mirror the gesture, slowly recollecting how you are supposed to act around another samurai. Being stuck in this village for so long has almost caused you to regress. “I hope that the winter has passed uneventfully for you?”

>Admit the truth to him. The sooner you get to leave this village and return to the prosperity of Beiden, the better. If you have to spend another week in this rural backwater, you might just lose your wits.
>There's no need to burden him with news. You'll tell him later or he can always learn it from Tamuramaro. All he needs to know is that Kagoki survived and that the village is thriving now that spring has arrived.
>Dump it all on him now. There's fourteen dead, seven of which were a part of a conspiracy to steal from Kagoki's stockpile and purposefully starve the town to death. Let's see how he reacts to that, after spending three luxurious months in the comfort of Beiden.
>>
>>4016515
>tell him the truth, that the snows were bad and a family was killed, and that a former Doshin had been fomenting banditry ins ecret for years, and it got to the point the village is now without a smith and several young men are now dead.
>>
>>4016515
>>Admit the truth to him. The sooner you get to leave this village and return to the prosperity of Beiden, the better. If you have to spend another week in this rural backwater, you might just lose your wits.
>>
>>4016515
>>Admit the truth to him. The sooner you get to leave this village and return to the prosperity of Beiden, the better. If you have to spend another week in this rural backwater, you might just lose your wits.
lend him the sleeping mate we got
>>
>>4016515
>There's no need to burden him with news. You'll tell him later or he can always learn it from Tamuramaro. All he needs to know is that Kagoki survived and that the village is thriving now that spring has arrived.
No need to give him any kind of satisfaction
>>
>>4016618
true lets just skip that then
>>
>>4016618
yeah, you’re right, I choose this instead
>>
>>4016515
>>There's no need to burden him with news. You'll tell him later or he can always learn it from Tamuramaro. All he needs to know is that Kagoki survived and that the village is thriving now that spring has arrived.
>>
“All is well, Yogo-san.” Oh, it feels so good to speak to someone who actually has a family name. This is what civilisation feels like. “I pray that your journey has been a pleasant one. Let us make our way way to Tamuramaro's house. You can rest once you are there and then we can speak of the winter's events. I would like to hear about how Beiden has fared, it has been so long.”

You maintain an air of calm, to conceal just how tired of Kagoki you are. The yoriki and his dōshin follow you as you lead the way to the elder's house, where they are invited to make themselves at home and enjoy tea. It's a tepid and unsophisticated brew, but it's tea nonetheless. After a month of having to stomach heimin gruel, even this is a luxury. Yasotaro takes this opportunity to explain what happened at Beiden throughout the winter. The only noteworthy events that he mentions involve a vengeful husband who burned down the house of a man who cuckolded him, and another yoriki who started a brawl at a sake house.

You almost laugh in disbelief. Really? That was the worse that he had to deal with in Beiden? Trying to keep your incredulity in check, you take your turn explaining everything that happened at Kagoki. You speak of the suspicion that grain was being stolen from the granary, you speak of the house that collapsed and killed the family inside during a blizzard and you speak of the conspiracy to steal Kagoki's stockpiled food and water, to leave the village to starve. Yasotaro sits in a stunned silence while you tell the tale, with only the occasional interjection from Tamuramaro.

“I always thought of Ippei as a loyal man,” Yasotaro mentions once your tale is complete. “I never would have guessed that he would fall to such lows. The infection must have stolen his senses as well as his arm.”

His mood takes a turn from the worse when you mention that the village's supply of rice is depleted, on top of everything else. You suspect that he will have words with Tamuramaro once you have departed but until then, he will have to settle for heimin gruel, just like you have. It makes you feel the slightest bit better, to know that another samurai will experience the same discomfort that you have had to endure for so long.

After you are finished with your tea however, you set about making the final preparations for your departure for Beiden.

>Take the futon back with you. You purchased it for the sake of your own comfort and you're not about to let anyone else take advantage of it.
>Leave the futon with Yasotaro. Whoever has to spend the month at Kagoki will be the one who gets to use it. That's fair, isn't it?

>If there are any other preparations that you want to make, or anything that you want to do before you leave Kagoki for Beiden, now's the time to say so.
>>
>>4016926
>>Take the futon back with you. You purchased it for the sake of your own comfort and you're not about to let anyone else take advantage of it.

Shit's ours, we're keeping it. If he wants a comfy bed roll he can buy one himself. It's not like he hasn't had the time.

>If there are any other preparations that you want to make, or anything that you want to do before you leave Kagoki for Beiden, now's the time to say so.

We'll obviously be taking our armour and stuff back with us as well. Wouldn't make sense to leave it here.
>>
>>4016926
>>Take the futon back with you. You purchased it for the sake of your own comfort and you're not about to let anyone else take advantage of it.
>Ask him how the ledger idea has been working out.
>>
>>4016926
>>Take the futon back with you. You purchased it for the sake of your own comfort and you're not about to let anyone else take advantage of it.
>>
>>4016926
>>Leave the futon with Yasotaro. Whoever has to spend the month at Kagoki will be the one who gets to use it. That's fair, isn't it?
>>
>>4016997
>>4016963
>>4016959
No need to be spiteful.
>>
>>4017074
I don't see it as spiteful. It's ours, we paid for it. In all the time he's been doing this job he didn't buy one for himself. So why should we leave ours here to be used and reduce it's lifespan? He earns the same wage and can buy his own if he wants one, we aren't a charity service
>>
>>4016926
>>Leave the futon with Yasotaro. Whoever has to spend the month at Kagoki will be the one who gets to use it. That's fair, isn't it?
>>
>>4016959
>Supporting
>>
When you leave for Beiden in the morning, you leave nothing that brought behind, nothing except for the discarded bags of feed that you used to keep Haru fed and healthy throughout the winter. Once more the pony is loaded with all of that heavy cargo that you brought with you and with your heimin in tow, you set off from the village of Kagoki towards the Spine of the World, the Seikitsu Mountain, at the foot of which the town of Beiden awaits.

The journey back grants you the opportunity to see the countryside of Rokugan in a new light. When you left the town for the village, the land was dead. Every tree was stripped bare and a light layer of snow covered all but the tallest grasses. It was the miserable sight of a land about to fall into the clutches of winter. On the way back, everything that was once dead or dying is now bursting with new life. Bright flowers proudly display themselves amongst the grass and the trees are covered with emerald shoots and buds, soon to transform into leaves, flowers and even fruit. It's impossible to be in poor spirits, when you're surrounded by such greenery.

Your dōshin are in high spirits as well. Rinji and Sosa spend a great deal of the journey discussing what they are going to be spending all of the coin on. Rinji mentions purchasing the company of a geisha for a night or two, a woman who could make him feel like a samurai. As for Sosa, his shoulder has not healed particularly well. Though it has scarred over by now, he insists that it still causes him great pain and that the only cure for it is opium – a great deal of opium. As for Atsushi, he does his part to preserve the deception. When asked what he'll spend his koku on, he just says the same thing as usual – sake and shōchū.

You arrive during the afternoon, on the second day of your journey. New Year's Day has come and gone, and the same can be said for the festival celebrating that day. Heimin are busy tugging down various decorations as you walk through the gates to Beiden, sweeping the roads clean of the debris that comes with such festivities. The further you get into town, the more bustling the streets become. Merchants of every variety are hawking their wares and their customers are just as numerous, purchasing food, tools, talismans and other such things. Beiden is thriving.

The austere and solid stone of the magistrates' station is almost comforting to behold. It's the closest thing to a true home you have, the only place where you have quarters of your home and something that you can call privacy – a rare thing in Kagoki, to be sure. As you step inside, the dōshin tends to the door leaps to his feet and offers a deep and humble bow.
>>
“Bayushi-sama,” he says, “letters await you in your quarters, though I believe that Soshi Tetsunori – and also Yogo Orinosuke – await your report.” Meanwhile, your dōshin departs to handle their personal affairs, to enjoy the rare comfort of their communal quarters. But as soon as you're done speaking with your superiors, you have no doubt that Rinji and Sosa will be asking after the coin that you 'promised' them.

>Take the opportunity to unpack, read these letters and most importantly, make yourself presentable. You shouldn't meet the Chief Magistrate of Beiden covered in dust and dirt that comes with travel.
>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>dont keep the chief magistrate waiting.
>>
>>4017880
>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
>>
>>4017880
>If the Chief Magistrate himself is waiting for your report, then it's best that you don't keep him waiting. Give yourself a quick dust-down and go to your superiors, your ledger at the ready.
I'm assuming the dust down actually can make us look okay.
>>
You shouldn't keep the magistrates waiting. Dusting yourself off in an effort to make yourself somewhat presentable, you make your way to Tetsunori's quarters. You're not entirely clean, but it should hopefully be enough to avoid causing offense. Besides, the magistrates are a practical lot. They probably value punctuality over presentation.

Stepping into the dim, lamp-lit chamber, you bend at the waist in a respectful bow, submitting to the authority of the two magistrates before you. Soshi Tetsunori sits at his desk as always, his menpō's moustache of horsehair drooping in the still air. To his left sits Yogo Orinosuke, the slick black lacquer of his menpō reflecting the lamplight. They wear identical outfits – suits of ominous black armour covered by open surcoats of the same colour, emblazoned with emerald scorpions. Tetsunori is the first to bow his head in return and eventually, Orinosuke mirrors the gesture.

“Bayushi-san,” Tetsunori begins. “I pray that you will find no issue with the presence of our superior, Yogo Orinosuke. I believe that he wishes to hear your report as much as I do.” What you see in the Chief Magistrate's eyes is not interest or curiosity. It's a much colder scrutiny, judging every action that you take.

“Of course not. I am honoured by your presence, Yogo-sama.” Settling down on the cushion opposite of the two magistrates, taking in a breath to steady yourself and lay down your ledger on your lap. Opening it up, you turn to the report that you wrote concerning the winter's events.

Almost nothing goes unmentioned. Everything from the suspected theft to the diminishing stockpile of rice is mentioned, though you put more focus on the conspiracy than anything else. Neither of the magistrates show any sign of reaction as you relay everything to them, including how that family died during the blizzard due to their house collapsing under the weight of snow, and how the village began to prosper once more after the snow started melting.
>>
There's only one thing that you neglect to mention, as you consider how to tell Orinosuke and Tetsunori – how Sosa refused to cooperate unless you offered him better pay. You will only speak of this event after you have spoken of everything else. You want to figure out what you're going to say first.

>All of your dōshin turned against you and refused to serve you for the remainder of winter, unless you promised them greater pay. You deceived them when you said you were going to pay them, and now you want all three of them incarcerated and punished for daring to make demands of a samurai.
>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
>While Rinji might have been tempted by the prospect of better pay, Sosa was the true instigator and he is the one that should be punished for trying to extort more coin out of a samurai. He has proven himself unworthy of being a dōshin and should be punished for actions. The others are innocent.
>It's best if you don't mention what happened concerning the defiance of your dōshin. You're going to handle this yourself, by deceiving them further, browbeating them for daring to try and exploit a samurai or something else. But this is none of the magistrates' business.
>Your dōshin performed exceptionally and you want to take this opportunity to negotiate better pay for them, for their winter's pay to be elevated from three bu each to one whole koku each. (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep five successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4019070
>>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
>>
>>4019070
>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
>>
>>4019070
>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
>>
>>4019070
>>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
>>
>>4019070
>>>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
>>
>>4019072
>>4019075
>>4019098
>>4019101
>>4019126
I expect we might get called out on hypocrisy.
>>
btw if handling dead flesh is considered impure are all butchers and cooks hinin?

does meat become "purified" when it's cooked or is it not eaten much in rokungan even by the noble castes?
>>
>>4019134
Rokugani generally have a taboo against red meat (unless you're Unicorn or Dragon)
>>
>>4019070
>>>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.
don’t be too harsh on them, just make a reminder about their places in this world
>>
>>4019070
>It's best if you don't mention what happened concerning the defiance of your dōshin. You're going to handle this yourself, by deceiving them further, browbeating them for daring to try and exploit a samurai or something else. But this is none of the magistrates' business
>>
>>4019070
>Sosa refused to serve you any longer unless you promised all of your dōshin better pay. This swayed Rinji to take his side, while Atsushi remained loyal to you. You deceived the two deputies with a false promise but now they should be punished for trying to exploit a samurai.

>>4019132
I don't see why. At no point did we refuse to do our job, we merely asked to be compensated for unexpected and difficult circumstances. Had we been told no, we of course would have immediately set out to do our job regardless. The little heimin shits refused to work without extra pay. They tried to extort us in a difficult and dangerous time. Not only is that unacceptable in a general sense, but the insult is magnified because of their station relative to us
>>
>>4019260
That's a good point, hopefully they see it the same way.
>>
>>4019275
If a samurai tried to do what Sosa did to us on someone like Tetsunori or Orinosuke it's probably grounds for seppuku
>>
While Sosa might have instigated this moment of disobedience, Rinji was eager to take his side when he was met with the prospect of more pay. The only one of your dōshin who remained wholely loyal to you was Atsushi. You take the opportunity to explain to the situation to your superiors, how you had no choice but to acquiesce to their demands at the time, even if you have no desire to fulfill them.

“It is strange that you complain about your deputies trying to wring coin out of you, when you did the same thing to me only three months ago, Bayushi-san.” The irony of the situation isn't lost on Tetsunori, though you already have a response prepared.

“Soshi-sama, I reasoned that I should be compensated for the unpleasant surprise of having to spend the entire winter in a farming village, with no forewarning. I demanded nothing from you – I did not refuse to obey, I did not shun my duty. All I asked was for you to consider bolstering my stipend for the winter, and I am still grateful that you did so. If I did not make this promise to Sosa and Rinji, they would have refused to serve me for the remainder of winter. It wasn't a request, it was an attempt at extortion.”

“And now that you no longer require their services, you wish to go back on your promise and punish your dōshin for their hubris. Perhaps I should do the same to the yoriki who pleaded for greater 'compensation,' hm?” You feel as though a pit of despair has opened up in your stomach. The silence is defeaning but after a few seconds, Tetsunori makes a dismissive wave of his hand. “Forgive me, Bayushi-san. That was but a jest, or an attempt at one.”

“... Ah. Very good, Soshi-sama.” You start breathing again, relief surging through your body like adrenaline.

“As a matter of fact, I would say that this was the best possible way of handling the disobedience of your dōshin. They should not be rewarded for making such arrogant demands of a samurai, they should be punished. At the same time however, you needed to ensure that they would remain loyal to you and you alone for two months. Had you chastised or rebuked them, who knows how they might have reacted when you uncovered Ippei's conspiracy? They might not have fought beside you or worse, they have taken part in it themselves. Now that you no longer require their services, it only makes sense that they suffer for their crimes against a samurai.”

You find this approval surprising. For the first time, Tetsunori's feedback does not involve any criticism. In fact, he has given you nothing but praise for how you handled your dōshin. You can't help but feel a faint swell of pride in your chest, knowing that what you did was actually right – at least according to the magistrate that you serve.
>>
“All that is left is the question of how they should be punished. What would you suggest, Bayushi-san?”

>Release them from their service. They are no longer fit to work as dōshin, as they have demonstrated that they have no respect for the samurai that they serve. Should you wish, this can be combined with another punishment.
>A fine. In their attempt to try and squeeze wealth out of you, you can appreciate the irony of wringing every last zeni out of your disloyal dōshin. Leave them as paupers.
>Incarceration. They should know what it feels like to spend a few months in a cold cell at the station, with nothing to eat but scraps. It's only fitting.
>Flagellation sounds about right. You'll need to choose where they deserve a lighter sentence, somewhere between ten and forty lashes, or a heavier one, between sixty and a hundred.
>Amputation. Have the station's torturer carve an ear or a nose off of each of the accused. Let this mutilation serve as a reminder of what happens when a heimin seeks to extort a samurai.
>Death. This is personal and you want to see these heimin suffer the ultimate punishment for wronging you. You're almost tempted to execute them yourself, but they aren't worthy of your blade's touch.
>This isn't for you to decide. Let the magistrates consult the Ritsuryō and draw the appropriate punishment from its page. Justice should not be arbitrary.
>Go a step further. Try and recall the correct punishment for this sort of crime. You occasionally read the Ritsuryō during winter, so surely you should be able to remember something... (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Government skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4019619
>>This isn't for you to decide. Let the magistrates consult the Ritsuryō and draw the appropriate punishment from its page. Justice should not be arbitrary.
>>
>>4019619
>>This isn't for you to decide. Let the magistrates consult the Ritsuryō and draw the appropriate punishment from its page. Justice should not be arbitrary.
>>
>>4019619
>>This isn't for you to decide. Let the magistrates consult the Ritsuryō and draw the appropriate punishment from its page. Justice should not be arbitrary.

Although if we're expected to actually make a choice

>Go a step further. Try and recall the correct punishment for this sort of crime. You occasionally read the Ritsuryō during winter, so surely you should be able to remember something... (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Government skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4019619
>Release them from their service. They are no longer fit to work as dōshin, as they have demonstrated that they have no respect for the samurai that they serve. Should you wish, this can be combined with another punishment.

>This isn't for you to decide. Let the magistrates consult the Ritsuryō and draw the appropriate punishment from its page. Justice should not be arbitrary.
>>
>>4019617
>>4019628
I support This combo
>>
>>4019619
Just pointing out a mistake, your Government skill is actually 0. Sorry, my bad.
>>4019134
Red meat is viewed as unclean throughout most of the empire and is eaten only by hinin. Fowl is considered acceptable once it has been cooked and fish is a favorite of samurai. But the meat of cows, goats, pigs and other such beasts is unclean. Even their skin is considered unclean, but leather is so absurdly useful that most samurai try to overlook that particular taboo.
>>
>>4019619
>>Flagellation sounds about right. You'll need to choose where they deserve a lighter sentence, somewhere between ten and forty lashes, or a heavier one, between sixty and a hundred.

A lighter sentence. We've already seen that the Ritsuryo can be arbitrary.
>>
>>4019619
>Release them from their service. They are no longer fit to work as dōshin, as they have demonstrated that they have no respect for the samurai that they serve.
>>
>>4019623
Also supporting releasing them from service because I don't think we can trust them even after whatever punishment is given.
>>
>>4019619
>>Go a step further. Try and recall the correct punishment for this sort of crime. You occasionally read the Ritsuryō during winter, so surely you should be able to remember something... (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Government skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4019619

>> >Release them from their service. They are no longer fit to work as dōshin, as they have demonstrated that they have no respect for the samurai that they serve. Should you wish, this can be combined with another punishment.

>This isn't for you to decide. Let the magistrates consult the Ritsuryō and draw the appropriate punishment from its page. Justice should not be arbitrary.
>>
“Let the Ritsuryō decide, Soshi-sama. If they are going to be punished, they should be punished according to Imperial law, not according to my whims.”

“Is that so? How just of you, Bayushi-sama. Soshi Saibankan would be proud.” Upon noticing the blank look on your face, the magistrate explains. “He was a judge during the second century. With the aid of the Emerald Champion of the time, Doji Hatsuo, he wrote the Ritsuryō. That book is the product of one of the few times that the Scorpion and Crane cooperated. I doubt that we shall see a time like that again, not for another century at least.”

“You speak as though we are at war with the Crane Clan,” you admit. Your mind travels back in time, to when you were first given this duty by Bayushi Taheiji. You met one of the Crane while you were in his court, Kakita Yoshikazu. He was charming and pleasant, not hostile at all.

“In a way, we are. The war that we wage is not one of swords, but of words. Ours is a battle over the Emperor's favour, fought with art and etiquette rather than steel. They might strike you as kind and gentle but beneath the surface, they are anything but. It is a tool, a disguise designed to garner the adoration of everyone they meet. The truth is that they are just as ruthless as our clan, if not more so. There is no one in Rokugan that is quite as dishonest or has quite as much to hide as a samurai of the Crane Clan.”

Yoshikazu certainly didn't strike you as threatening, but perhaps there is truth in Tetsunori's words. “I understand, Soshi-sama. But what of the punishment that the dōshin should receive? What does the Ritsuryō say?” You admit, you're a little bemused by the change of topic. Why bring up the Scorpion's feud with the Crane, in the middle of your report?

“Ah, that. I believe the appropriate punishment is a hundred lashes for attempting to extort a samurai. It is only right that we relieve them of their duty as well, and withhold the payment for their services during the winter. As soon we have your affairs in order here, we shall see to it that Sosa and Rinji are detained and punished from their crimes against you.”

That's... surprisingly harsh. They will almost be crippled after a hundred lashes, without anywhere to call their home or any method of earning coin after being cast out of the magistrates' station. It's practically a death sentence. If they don't succumb to infection, they will be left to beg on the streets of Beiden and unless they miraculously find another line of work, it is likely that neither of them will survive the next winter. The destitute never do.

>Why should you care about their plight? This is the lawful punishment that they deserve, having wronged a samurai, having wronged you. They earned this.
>This is too extreme for your tastes. Surely they can receive a lighter sentence of flogging instead? You do not wish to be responsible for the inevitable death of these men.
>>
>>4019784
>>Why should you care about their plight? This is the lawful punishment that they deserve, having wronged a samurai, having wronged you. They earned this.
>>
>>4019784
>>This is too extreme for your tastes. Surely they can receive a lighter sentence of flogging instead? You do not wish to be responsible for the inevitable death of these men.
>>
>>4019784
>>This is too extreme for your tastes. Surely they can receive a lighter sentence of flogging instead? You do not wish to be responsible for the inevitable death of these men.
we battled toghter so i feel we shoud defend them in some form
>>
>>4019784
>This is too extreme for your tastes. Surely they can receive a lighter sentence of flogging instead? You do not wish to be responsible for the inevitable death of these men.
>>
>>4019784
>While it would be a most just punishment it’ll also quite possibly lead to the creation of more Ippei’s. If that is his will, we will not question but perhaps a more elegant solution can be found? Reduce the number of lashes and transfer Sosa to a job with lots or clerical paperwork. He’s useless as a yoriki with his wound now anyways and he’s unlikely to cause trouble in a job physical strain. As for Rinji? He’s dumb muscle this will serve to chastise him as long as he’s not crippled. That would be our advice, but we defer to his experience and expertise as our superior.
>>
>>4019856
Basically this is an option if he think they are salvageable. If he doesn’t ? Welp sucks to be them.
>>
>>4019784
>>This is too extreme for your tastes. Surely they can receive a lighter sentence of flogging instead? You do not wish to be responsible for the inevitable death of these men.
>>
>>4019856
This
>>
>>4019856
Sure, I love write-ins
>>
>>4019856
This
>>
“There is just one thing, Soshi-sama. The cripple that led the conspiracy, Ippei, was once a dōshin. When he lost his arm, he was no longer fit to serve and became bitter as the years went by. In the end, he became just as bad as the criminals that he once brought to justice. By releasing them from their duty, is it not likely that Rinji and Sosa will become just as jaded and self-serving as he became?”

“They have dug this hole for themselves, Bayushi-san. Catering to their wishes will only embolden them and make them feel like they have power over samurai – I will not tolerate such delusions. Refusing them will make them feel scorned and resent you, after the promise that you made. The sad truth of the matter is that heimin are selfish creatures, with no sense of honour, not even a sense of duty. They care for little other than their own miserable little lives and their own wellbeing, they are incapable of comprehending anything larger or more valuable than themselves. This is why they will always be less than samurai.”

“So you do not think that they could serve the station in some other capacity?”

“No. They will feel wronged, they are incapable of realising that they do not deserve a single zeni for daring to extort a samurai. They will view themselves as the victims and they will seek some method of avenging their lost wealth and the punishment that they shall suffer. If they cannot take out their resentment on you, then they will take it out on the entire station. It is too late to make them see reason.”

“I defer to your wisdom then, Soshi-sama. A hundred lashes seems too harsh however. These men have no home other than the station and if they will not be welcome here, where will they go to heal and recover? They will succumb to infection and die in the streets of Beiden. Surely a lighter sentence is more appropriate, something like forty instead?”

“Here I thought you wished for the Ritsuryō to decide, Bayushi-san. It is strange for you to turn to the book of Soshi Saibankan for justice, only to shun what is written in it.”

It's not the first time you have done so either. Perhaps it would be wise for you to either make your own justice, or stick to the law as it is written. There's an uncomfortable pause as you rack your mind, searching for an excuse to justify your change of heart.

“Ultimately they are my dōshin. I am the one that they have wronged and I am the one who they directly serve. Is it not right that I should be the one to decide their fate, Soshi-sama?”

“While you have the authority to sentence them to whatever you wish, you are only a yoriki. As magistrates, our authority supersedes yours should we find your arbitration to be lacking. Never forget that. This opportunity that you have been given to punish your dōshin as you see fit is a privilege, not a right.”
>>
“Of course, Soshi-sama. Thank you for being generous enough to listen to my wishes.” You bow your head as a show of appreciation. You've grown too used to being amongst heimin – you need to be more careful with how you speak to your superiors.

“Each of the culprits shall be sentenced to forty lashes and dismissed from their duty then. Let us speak no more of the matter.” There is a pause before he continues, his mind moving on to another subject. “Instead, let us speak of your treatment of heimin. According to your report, you did a great deal to appease them throughout the winter. You allowed them to indulge in a crop that is supposed to be reserved for samurai and you had your dōshin protect their stockpiles and even assist them in manual labour. You have proven yourself to be quite a compassionate overseer.”

You're not sure if that's a compliment or an insult. In any other clan, to be called such would be a kindness. Amongst the Scorpion, to be considered honourable is to be considered an outsider, someone unworthy of being involved in the clan's schemes. No matter what meaning lies behind his words, he is still your superior so there is only one way for you to respond.

“Thank you, Soshi-sama.”

“So tell me, what do you think of Kagoki and its people? Why did you show them this kindness?” Tetsunori steeples his fingers as he stares at you. Throughout all of this, Yogo Orinosuke has remained silent. His eyes bore into you as he observes your reactions, listens to your every word. You feel as though you are being weighed, tested.

>It is the duty of samurai to look after the commonfolk that serve them. It would have been wrong of you to put yourself before the people who you were charged in protecting.
>It was not a selfless act. You did what you had to do in order to keep the people complacent and satisfied. If things had gone differently, there might have been a revolt.
>In hindsight, it was a mistake. The people of Kagoki are a thankless and disrespectful lot who never appreciated anything that you did for them, not even when you saved them from starvation.

>This might be a good time to mention Tamuramaro's beliefs and the resentment that he holds for the samurai caste. He needs to be dealt with.
>Keep your lips sealed when it comes to Tamuramaro. You've built bridges with the village elder and you doubt that he will ever act on his ire towards samurai.
>>
>>4020234
>It was not a selfless act. You did what you had to do in order to keep the people complacent and satisfied. If things had gone differently, there might have been a revolt.

>Keep your lips sealed when it comes to Tamuramaro. You've built bridges with the village elder and you doubt that he will ever act on his ire towards samurai.

If we mention this he's going to be punished. Maybe not now and maybe not directly but at some point he'll meet his end because he trusted us and we shared what he said. It's important the the head of the village trusts and confides in us. As long as he doesn't overstep his authority, his trust is useful.
>>
>>4020234
>It was not a selfless act. You did what you had to do in order to keep the people complacent and satisfied. If things had gone differently, there might have been a revolt.

>Keep your lips sealed when it comes to Tamuramaro. You've built bridges with the village elder and you doubt that he will ever act on his ire towards samurai.
>>
>>4020234
>It was not a selfless act. You did what you had to do in order to keep the people complacent and satisfied. If things had gone differently, there might have been a revolt.
>Keep your lips sealed when it comes to Tamuramaro. You've built bridges with the village elder and you doubt that he will ever act on his ire towards samurai.
>>
>>4020234
>It was not a selfless act. You did what you had to do in order to keep the people complacent and satisfied. If things had gone differently, there might have been a revolt.

>This might be a good time to mention Tamuramaro's beliefs and the resentment that he holds for the samurai caste. but i DONT think he needs to be dealt with.
>>
>>4020234
Let me posit a hypothetical
>Whats-her-name somehow oveheard Tamuramaro's rant and has reported it, prompting our overseer's presence here to see if we'll put him to the report or not.
>>
“To keep them in line. Imagine if I had not allowed them to indulge during funerals, if I refused to help them, if I did nothing but play the part of a distant tyrant. How many people might have joined that conspiracy? If I showed no solidarity when an entire family died to a blizzard, do you not think that the heimin might have hardened their hearts and sought to rid themselves of the unkind yoriki that was watching over them?”

“Surely fear would have kept them in check, Bayushi-san. Fear of retaliation once winter passes and spring arrives.”

“You said it yourself – heimin do not think about anything other than themselves. The only time that they worry about the future is when they think about their harvest. Even if they did, anger is stronger than fear. If they felt wronged or slighted, they would have turned against me. They would have done something foolish and the entire village would need to be punished for raising arms against a samurai. It would have been a tragic waste of resources, Soshi-sama. By appeasing the rabble, I ensured that Kagoki remained an obedient and productive village.”

“Hm. Very good. What of the village elder? Tamuramaro, I believe he is called? I pray that he has been cooperative throughout the winter season.”

“He complied with everything that I asked of him, Soshi-sama. He even spoke on my behalf to the people of Kagoki after the conspiracy had been dealt with, to keep them under control. Without his assistance, I cannot say how the villagers would have reacted to seven of their own being slain by a samurai and her dōshin. The old man certainly has his uses.”

Soshi Tetsunori does little other than nod. His dark and sunken eyes turn from you to look towards the austere figure of Yogo Orinosuke, who he bows his head before. “I have nothing else to ask the girl, Yogo-sama. She is yours to judge.” To judge?

Silence lingers in the air for a tense moments as Orinosuke stares across at you, piercing and intense. At last he starts to talk, his voice filtering through his menpō. His tone is devoid of any emotion and the way that he speaks gives nothing away.

“Bayushi Kimiko. You have performed admirably throughout the past five months of service. From your investigation of the mercht Shungyosai to how you put a stop to this heimin plot, you have excelled and proven yourself to be a valuable servant of the Scorpion Clan. For this reason, you are to be elevated from your current post. You will no longer serve as Soshi Tetsunori's yoriki. Instead, you will serve as mine.”
>>
Tetsunori blinks, but Orinosuke doesn't stop there. The Chief Magistrate continues in a calm and clear manner.

“From now on, you needn't worry about tending to Kagoki. Instead, your sole duty will be to maintain order in the town of Beiden. It will be a different challenge – urban rabble have little in common with the farmers that you have become accustomed to dealing with. Despite this, I am certain that you will rise to the occasion.”

>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.
>This is rather sudden. While you appreciate the vote of confidence, you find it hard to believe that you have earned this new position after only five months of service. Try to find out why you have been given this new duty.
>This sounds almost like a promotion – a step higher up the ladder. What new privileges do you get with this position? Is your stipend any better? You want to learn all of the benefits of being the Chief Magistrate's yoriki.
>No. This isn't right. You aren't going to abandon Soshi Tetsunori and leave him with only one yoriki. He deserves better than that and besides, how will Kagoki cope with only one yoriki looking after it? This is a mistake.

>As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>Read the room. You want to figure out how everyone feels about this. You have every reason to be overjoyed but how does Tetsunori feel about the matter? What about Orinosuke himself, what emotions is he hiding? (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>You're most interested in how these two magistrates feel towards you. What's their opinion of you? Does Orinosuke really believe all of the praise that he is saying, or is this just part of an act? What about Tetsunori, how does he feel about you? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4020507
>>This is rather sudden. While you appreciate the vote of confidence, you find it hard to believe that you have earned this new position after only five months of service. Try to find out why you have been given this new duty.

>Read the room. You want to figure out how everyone feels about this. You have every reason to be overjoyed but how does Tetsunori feel about the matter? What about Orinosuke himself, what emotions is he hiding? (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>You're most interested in how these two magistrates feel towards you. What's their opinion of you? Does Orinosuke really believe all of the praise that he is saying, or is this just part of an act? What about Tetsunori, how does he feel about you? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)

something feels wrong too much too soon, but we are not saying no too this we are ment for higher position
>>
>>4020507
can we bluff being humbled by this promotion?
>>
>>4020525
I'd argue that appearing humbled and thankful falls under this option:
>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.
>>
>>4020531
thx
>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.

>You're most interested in how these two magistrates feel towards you. What's their opinion of you? Does Orinosuke really believe all of the praise that he is saying, or is this just part of an act? What about Tetsunori, how does he feel about you? (This will require a roll using your Water ring of 2 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4020507
>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.

>As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4020507
>>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.
>Read the room. You want to figure out how everyone feels about this. You have every reason to be overjoyed but how does Tetsunori feel about the matter? What about Orinosuke himself, what emotions is he hiding? (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)


Honestly I am willing to bet this is a crash course for us for some scorpion plot that involves us in the imperial court.
>>
>>4020514
Sure
>>
We'll be going with this choice:
>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.
But it seems that so far there's an even split between all of the dice roll options. I'll go to sleep and hopefully the tie will be broken and a choice will be made by the time I wake up.
>>
>>4020507
>>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.

>Read the room. You want to figure out how everyone feels about this. You have every reason to be overjoyed but how does Tetsunori feel about the matter? What about Orinosuke himself, what emotions is he hiding? (This will require a roll using your Fire ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep four successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4020507
>As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
While we're at it thank Tetsunori as well for all his guidance these past five months
>>
>>4020507
>>Thank the Chief Magistrate for his generosity and for recognising your accomplishments. Swear that you will not disappoint him. This isn't the time to question him or to argue.

As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4020507
>As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4020971
>As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
>>
Going with:
>As pleasant as this news is, it's a little bit too good to be true. This has to be a trap. Focus on Orinosuke, try to tell whether the man is lying to you. Is this some sort of elaborate deception..? (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed.)
I require a roll of 5d6 using your Air ring of 3 and your Sentiment skill of 1. You will need to keep two successes to succeed at this roll.

I will accept the best of three.
>>
Rolled 3, 2, 3, 1, 1 = 10 (5d6)

>>4021710
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 3, 1, 4 = 15 (5d6)

>>4021710
>>
Rolled 6, 6, 3, 1, 3 = 19 (5d6)

>>4021710
>>
>Going with >>4021716, two successes.

There's no doubt in your mind. Yogo Orinosuke is not trying to deceive you. In fact, he seems quite set on this decision. His tone is serious and you can see strength in his eyes, a wish to make his will a reality. The Chief Magistrate wants you to be his yoriki and you're certain that there is no misdirection or deception involved.

“Thank you, Yogo-sama. I will serve you to the best of my ability and I shall not disappoint you, I swear. ” You offer a deep and respectful bow – not quite grovelling, you're above that sort of subservience, but respectful nonetheless. By the time you raise your head, Tetsunori has focused his attention back on you. You have something to say to him as well.

“And thank you, Soshi-sama, for your guidance these past few months. I have learned a great deal from listening to your wisdom and from performing the duty that you have given me. I am a better samurai than I was five months ago, and I have you to thank for that.” The magistrate offers a nod when he hears your words of gratitude. Above all else, you are thankful for the fact that you will never have to live like a heimin ever again, but you decide not to mention that.

“We must discuss the matter of your dōshin,” Orinosuke says, speaking once more. “Rinji and Sosa are no longer fit to serve this station, leaving you with only Atsushi to assist you. However, Soshi Tetsunori is left with only one yoriki, which is not enough to adequately watch over the village of Kagoki. My suggestion is that Atsushi should be promoted to the position of yoriki once more, which means we shall need to give you a new team of dōshin.”

“There are other ways around this, Yogo-sama.” Tetsunori glances across at the Chief Magistate, making his own opinion known. “You have several yoriki serving you in Beiden. Now that you have added Bayushi Kimiko to their number, perhaps it would be wise to spare one of them to serve me.”

“Do you believe that any of them would appreciate this new position, Soshi-san?”

“Duty comes before 'appreciation,' Yogo-sama. I am sure that they would get used to the hospitality of Kagoki, just as Bayushi Kimiko has.” That has to be another joke at your expense.
>>
>This is entirely up to Yogo Orinosuke. It's not your place to provide suggestions, you will accept any dōshin that you are given.
>You agree with Orinosuke's suggestion. Atsushi should become a yoriki once more, and you should get a new team of dōshin. He will need a team as well though – this choice will require a lot of new deputies, who will likely be inexperienced.
>Perhaps Atsushi should remain a dōshin. One of Orinosuke's yoriki can be transferred to Tetsunori and Atsushi will aid them. Meanwhile, you will take that yoriki's old dōshin and they will serve you instead. They will help you adjust to Beiden.
>Atsushi has served as an important part of your team. You want him to remain as your dōshin – your sole deputy. He will be your partner in Beiden, while Tetsunori's new yoriki can keep their old dōshin.
>Rinji and Sosa have left a bad taste in your mouth. You'd rather not rely on any dōshin – you can handle this new duty on your own. The last thing you want is more greedy underlings who will betray or extort you at any opportunity.
>Not only do you want Atsushi to remain as your dōshin, but you want a team of experienced deputies as well. This is asking for a lot though, and you're not sure how the magistrates will view such a request.
>>
>>4021741
>This is entirely up to Yogo Orinosuke. It's not your place to provide suggestions, you will accept any dōshin that you are given.
>>
>>4021741
>>Atsushi has served as an important part of your team. You want him to remain as your dōshin – your sole deputy. He will be your partner in Beiden, while Tetsunori's new yoriki can keep their old dōshin.
>>
>>4021746
IMO as when we asked Tetsunori for more money I don't think we should be afraid about voicing our opinions as long as they are purely suggestive in nature
>>
>>4021741
>>Atsushi has served as an important part of your team. You want him to remain as your dōshin – your sole deputy. He will be your partner in Beiden, while Tetsunori's new yoriki can keep their old dōshin.
>>
>>4021741
>>Atsushi has served as an important part of your team. You want him to remain as your dōshin – your sole deputy. He will be your partner in Beiden, while Tetsunori's new yoriki can keep their old dōshin.
>>
>>4021741
>>Atsushi has served as an important part of your team. You want him to remain as your dōshin – your sole deputy. He will be your partner in Beiden, while Tetsunori's new yoriki can keep their old dōshin.
>>
“If I might make a suggestion, esteemed magistrates,” you begin, “perhaps the rōnin Atsushi should remain by my side. He has been of great assistance throughout the months I have spent at Kagoki, and I have no doubt that he will continue to be of use to me in Beiden. I need no dōshin other than him. So a yoriki who takes my place will be able to keep their own deputies, and there will be no need to worry about recruiting new dōshin.”

“There is one obvious flaw to this plan, Bayushi-san,” Tetsunori replies. “You will not have anyone by your side who will be familiar with the way things work in Beiden. The yoriki who will serve me won't have anyone to teach them how to keep the peace in Kagoki either.”

“There is not much that your new yoriki will need to learn. The people of Kagoki are simple, your new yoriki will not need any special knowledge to keep them in line. Perhaps Yasotaro will be able to teach them how to check the papers of travellers, but that is the only knowledge that they will require. As for myself, and learning how to police Beiden... I am sure that I will adapt in due time, Soshi-sama.”

“I will place my trust in your confidence.” This time, Yogo Orinosuke is speaking. “Atsushi will remain your sole deputy. Tomorrow, your new duties will begin. For now, you make take your leave and rest.”

“Of course, Yogo-sama. Again, I must thank you for granting me this new opportunity and I pray that I shall not disappoint you.” Standing, you provide a bow to the Chief Magistrat of Beiden. Next, you turn toward Soshi Tetsunori. “And thank you, Soshi-sama, for teaching me so much and giving me the chance to prove myself.” Once more, you bend at the waist to provide a respectful bow.

“Think nothing of it, Bayushi-san. Though you should not forget this, considering how hard you fought to receive it.” He stands as well and offers a small pouch to you, your stipend for the winter. Inside, three koku clink against each other. There's another pouch as well, this one containing Atsushi's payment. There's no need for you to worry about paying Rinji or Sosa – they're soon to be lashed and cast out of the station, without any work or shelter. You almost feel pity for them, but you know that you shouldn't they have earned this.

>You gain 3 koku. Your currently have 10.16 koku.
>>
With your farewells made, you turn to leave the room and leave the magistrates to their affair. You step out into the dimly lit corridor, now serving a new master. The station is a sturdy structure designed with security in mind, with walls of stone rather than paper. However, sound tends to bounce off of the stone walls. If you remain just around the corner from Tetsunori's chamber, you might be able to hear what the two magistrates have to say now that you've departed...

>You have your own business to attend to. There are belongings that you need to take back to your chamber and there are apparently letters there for you to read as well.
>You should meet with your dōshin. However, the magistrates haven't yet given the order for Rinji and Sosa to be seized and punished. You're likely to run into them as well as Atsushi, and they're likely to be very interested in the coin that you promised them. It will be an awkward encounter.
>You can't help but be a little curious. What do they have to say to each other, and about you, when they are alone? Press yourself against a shadowy nook in the wall and listen. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4021775
>>You have your own business to attend to. There are belongings that you need to take back to your chamber and there are apparently letters there for you to read as well.
>>
>>4021775
>>You have your own business to attend to. There are belongings that you need to take back to your chamber and there are apparently letters there for you to read as well.
>>
>>4021775
>>You can't help but be a little curious. What do they have to say to each other, and about you, when they are alone? Press yourself against a shadowy nook in the wall and listen. (This will require a roll using your Air ring of 3 and your Skulduggery skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes to succeed.)
>>
>>4021775
>>You have your own business to attend to. There are belongings that you need to take back to your chamber and there are apparently letters there for you to read as well.
>>
You set about fetching your belongings from where Haru is tied outside. Thankfully, your dōshin have departed to their communal quarters so you don't run into them on the way. Collecting your armour, your futon and everything else that you had brought to Kagoki for the winter, you haul it back towards the dull, practical comfort of your quarters. When you had first arrived, the room seemed more like a cell taher than a place of comfort and privacy. After having spent three months living with heimin however, you appreciate the luxury of not having to share a room with anyone else, the peace of mind that comes with having your own personal space.

Once everything is where it is meant to be inside of your quarters, you take the opportunity to sit down and find those letters, neatly piled on a little desk. Placing a zabuton before the desk, you take a seat and open these letters one at a time. One is from that childhoold friend of yours from the Unicorn Clan, Utaku Khulan. Another is from Bayushi Shizuko – your mother. The third letter is from none other than Yogo Yukari, the vile wretch who poisoned you years ago, back when you were both students of the Seven Stings Dōjō.

Which would you rather read first?

>Start with something hopefully pleasant. You want to hear how Utaku Khulan has been faring, especially considering that she seemed to be in dire straits last time she wrote to you.
>Family comes first. Open the letter from Bayushi Shizuko and learn why your mother wished to write to you.
>Yogo Yukari? What reason could that spiteful brat possibly have to write to you? You're going to read her letter and then you're going to burn it. You want nothing to do with that wretched woman.
>>
>>4021802
>Family comes first. Open the letter from Bayushi Shizuko and learn why your mother wished to write to you.
>>
>>4021802
>Family comes first. Open the letter from Bayushi Shizuko and learn why your mother wished to write to you.
>>
>>4021802
>>Family comes first. Open the letter from Bayushi Shizuko and learn why your mother wished to write to you.
>>
>>4021802
>>Family comes first. Open the letter from Bayushi Shizuko and learn why your mother wished to write to you.
>>
You settle on reading the letter from your mother first. The last time she spoke to you, it was with words of encouragement before your gempukku. You focus on the carefully painted kanji that sprawls across the paper and begin to read.

Dearest Kimiko,

I was glad to hear of your success during your gempukku. It filled my heart with joy to hear that you had become a true samurai of the Scorpion Clan. However, I was horrified to discover the duty that you have been assigned.

You are meant for more than this. You are not meant to spend your days traipsing down country roads and handling the petty squabbles of our lessers. The task of enforcing Imperial law should fall upon those with less auspicious names. You carry the name of Bayushi Hiyumi, a scion of the Otomo family. You are descended from the line of Hantei itself. You are meant for more than this, my daughter.

I will speak with my allies at the court of Kyuden Bayushi. I will do everything in my power to get you into a position where you are best suited – you belong in a court, not a rural backwater. Anyone who seeks to deny you your rightful place in Imperial politics will face the wrath of the Bayushi family.

You are important to the clan, my dearest daughter. Never forget that, and do not let anyone keep you from your rightful place in the world.

With regards, Bayushi Shizuko, your devoted mother.

>She is your mother. Offer a reverential response, full of thanks and respect. You will prove yourself to be worthy of her aid and worthy of Bayushi Hiyumi's name.
>You are your own woman now. You will prove yourself without her meddling and you will succeed according to your own merit. You don't need your mother speaking of your behalf, and you will make that clear to her.
>You have to know more. How did she discover your duty, when the last time you sent a letter to her was before your gempukku? What sort of power does she have in the court of Kyuden Bayushi, considering that she is nothing but a court guard's wife? In what way are you important to the clan? You demand to know the truth from her.
>There's no need for a reply. This was likely sent before winter. It's horribly outdated and besides, there's nothing that you have to say to your mother.

>You will read Utaku Khulan's letter next.
>You will read Yogo Yukari's letter next.
>>
>>4021855
>>She is your mother. Offer a reverential response, full of thanks and respect. You will prove yourself to be worthy of her aid and worthy of Bayushi Hiyumi's name.

>You will read Yogo Yukari's letter next.
>>
>>4021855
>>>She is your mother. Offer a reverential response, full of thanks and respect. You will prove yourself to be worthy of her aid and worthy of Bayushi Hiyumi's name.
>>You will read Yogo Yukari's letter next.
>>
>>4021855
>>>She is your mother. Offer a reverential response, full of thanks and respect. You will prove yourself to be worthy of her aid and worthy of Bayushi Hiyumi's name.
>>You will read Yogo Yukari's letter next.
Is this how we got promoted so quickly?
>>
>>4021855
>You have to know more. How did she discover your duty, when the last time you sent a letter to her was before your gempukku? What sort of power does she have in the court of Kyuden Bayushi, considering that she is nothing but a court guard's wife? In what way are you important to the clan? You demand to know the truth from her.

>>4021864
I sure hope not.

>You will read Utaku Khulan's letter next.
Or at least check the other letter for poison first.
>>
Lets give Atushi extra pay. The guy deserves it.
>>
>>4021874
I'd say getting him reassigned to stay with us in Beiden is a bonus considering how much he loves the drink plus not having to go back to Kagoki
>>
>>4021855
>>You have to know more. How did she discover your duty, when the last time you sent letter to her was before your gempukku? What sort of power does she have in the court of Kyuden Bayushi, considering that she is nothing but a court guard's wife? In what way are you important to the clan? You demand to know the truth from her.

>>You will read Yogo Yukari's letter next.
>>
Your reply gives your mother the respect that she deserves. Even now, even after you have become a samurai and are expected to stand on your own two feet, she still seeks to support you. She still wants you to reach your ambitions. You are glad that the Fortunes gave you such a considerate and loving parent, and you must offer them thanks for that the next time that you pray.

Next, there is the letter from Yogo Yukari. You're rather carefully when you open this one, half-expecting a venomous beast to crawl out and bite you, or some sort of poisonous powder to be contained within. Thankfully, it appears to be little more than an ordinary letter.

Dear Bayushi Kimiko,

I owe you an apology. I accused you of being corrupt when you sought only to deceive the merchant Shungyosai. Having spoken with your superior, Soshi Tetsunori, it seems that I was wrong in doing so. For that, I am sorry.

Yet I cannot forget the girl that I grew up with. I cannot forget how seldomly you spoke of anyone other than yourself. I cannot forget how frequently you spoke of your destiny, how you believed that you were meant for greatness. I cannot forget how quick you were to point the finger at me when you recovered from your poisoning. You were so eager to ruin my life, never sparing a moment to think about the consequences of your actions.

I do not believe that you have changed since you passed your gempukku. From what I have seen, you remain over-ambitious and self-serving. In your pursuit of greatness, I do not believe you will do anything but bring ruin to our clan. I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to do this.

When the day comes when you put yourself before your duty, I will be there to witness it and I promise that you will be brought to justice.

With regards, Yogo Yukari.

>Write a dismissive response. She can watch you as intently as she wishes, she will see nothing out of place. You serve the Scorpion Clan loyally and you won't let her petty insults get in the way of that.
>How dare she accuse you of ruining her life when she was the one that almost ended yours? Call out her hypocrisy, her jealousy and just how inferior she is compared to you. She is worth less than the dirt on your sandals.
>The next time you see her, her life is forfeit. She is yet to pay for having endangered your life and when you next run into this wretched woman, she can surely expect a duel. You will see if she can back up her words with steel.
>This childish feud should have ended years ago. Try to make it clear that you are willing to let the past go and move on. She should do the same. (This will require a roll using your Earth ring of 1 and your Courtesy skill of 2. You will need to keep three successes, due to your feud with your Sworn Enemy. If you fail, you will gain a void point.)
>Don't waste any ink on a response. She is not worthy of your attention. Dispose of this letter and move on to the next one.
>>
>>4021910
>>How dare she accuse you of ruining her life when she was the one that almost ended yours? Call out her hypocrisy, her jealousy and just how inferior she is compared to you. She is worth less than the dirt on your sandals.
>>
>>4021910
>>How dare she accuse you of ruining her life when she was the one that almost ended yours? Call out her hypocrisy, her jealousy and just how inferior she is compared to you. She is worth less than the dirt on your sandals.
>>
>>4021910
>How dare she accuse you of ruining her life when she was the one that almost ended yours? Call out her hypocrisy, her jealousy and just how inferior she is compared to you. She is worth less than the dirt on your sandals.
>>
>>4021910
>>Don't waste any ink on a response. She is not worthy of your attention. Dispose of this letter and move on to the next one.
>>
You write a spiteful retort, full of scathing remarks regarding Yukari's hypocrisy and envy. When it comes to this woman, you see no reason not to be vicious. You hold nothing back and cover the page with vitriol. It's a moment of catharsis for you, a chance to get back at Yogo Yukari after her accusations of corruption four months ago.

Once your response is complete, you move on to these least perinent letter, the one from Utaku Khulan. While it is unlikely to contain any important news, you still enjoy hearing from the battle maiden.

Bayushi Kiyoko,

I hope that the gods have treated you well and given you the opportunity to succeed. In your last letter, you spoke of your impending gempukku and becoming a samurai. By the time that you read this, that ceremony likely happened months ago but I would love to hear about how it went. I have no doubt that you must be a true samurai by now, proudly serving your clan.

As for myself, I am glad to say that I am walking once more, though I have a limp that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Bayan also survived, but he is no longer suited for battle. The rest of his days will be spent on fields of long grass, surrounded by mares of fine blood. I am sure that many samurai envy him, and wish that they could spend their retirement being attended to by beautiful women.

So far winter has been peaceful, as it usually is. Without a steed to take me into battle, it is likely that I will not be fighting at the front when summer comes. Unless I can find a mighty stallion who considers me worthy of him, I shall likely remain at Battle Maiden Castle, guarding my daimyō's court and watching over her guests. Though it might be tedious, it is still my duty. We samurai are born to serve, are we not?

I cannot wait to hear from you, Kiyoko-chan. What sort of duty do you now perform? I can imagine you as an excellent soldier in the Scorpion Clan's legions, or serving as the yōjimbō of an important courtier. No matter what role you fill, I do hope that the lord that you serve is noble and deserving of your loyalty.

Utaku Khulan.

You might need to tell her that you're called Kimiko now, and not Kiyoko.

>Be sympathetic. Offer your condolences and pray that she will recover from her limp. There are few things more tragic than a warrior whose spirit is held back by their body.
>Keep it light-hearted and playful. Talk about how lucky Bayan is, mention your acquisition of Haru and even ask for a few tips about caring for horses.
>Focus on your accomplishments, how you rose from being the overseer of a backwater village to being the deputy of a Chief Magistrate! This is only the beginning of your ascension.
>No need for a reply. As much as you enjoy remaining in touch with Khulan, your relationship is a little childish. Perhaps it's time to end this.
>>
>>4022035
>>Keep it light-hearted and playful. Talk about how lucky Bayan is, mention your acquisition of Haru and even ask for a few tips about caring for horses.
>>
>>4022035
>>Keep it light-hearted and playful. Talk about how lucky Bayan is, mention your acquisition of Haru and even ask for a few tips about caring for horses.
>>
>>4022035
>Keep it light-hearted and playful. Talk about how lucky Bayan is, mention your acquisition of Haru and even ask for a few tips about caring for horses.
>>
Your response is light and casual. You do speak of your gempukku, your duty and your new name, but that's not the focus. Instead, most of what you write is dedicated to discussing horses and asking for advice regarding Haru. Your pony isn't exactly a mighty Utaku steed, but Khulan might still be able to offer some hints about caring for her. If nothing else, it serves as an amusing topic that might take the battle maiden's mind off of things.

All of the letters have been read and all of the responses have been written. You'll give the letters to a courier at some point tomorrow. For now, you need to find your dōshin and speak with him. Enough time has passed that Sosa and Rinji have likely been detained for their disloyalty and their attempted extortion, so you should be able to speak to Atsushi without any interference.

When you arrive, the rōnin can be found standing outside of the communal quarters of the station's dōshin, leaning against the wall. There's a faint look of amusement on the man's face, before he notices your arrival.

“Ah, Bayushi-sama. It's good to see that the problem of Sosa and Rinji have been handled. Can't believe they were stupid enough to try and squeeze coin out of a samurai. You might be young and just out of gempukku, but you're still a Scorpion.”

“What happened exactly?”

“Tetsunori came along with a few other dōshin in tow. He ordered the two of them seized, said that he had heard about their little attempt at extortion. Rinji wailed all the way to the cell that he had nothing to do with it but let's face it, we both saw how the wretch perked up the second he heard Sosa mention coin.”

“Indeed. I am afraid it is just the two of us from now on, Atsushi-san. They will be released from service once they have been flogged for their actions.”

“That so? Well then, I suppose it'll be travelling a little easier. Two people isn't enough to keep an eye on all of the roads out of Kagoki though, so we'll need to figure that out over the next month.” So it seems that Atsushi hasn't been informed yet.

>Keep it simple. Inform him that you'll no longer be looking after Kagoki. Instead, he'll be acting as your partner on the streets of Beiden, helping you keep the town and its heimin population in check. You have considered paying him a little more, but you can make better use of that wealth yourself. He would likely just waste it all on sake and shōchū anyway.
>With no other dōshin, you're going to be more reliant on him than ever. You need this man's loyalty. As you inform him of his new duty, swap his stipend for the full koku that you promised when you were being extorted by Sosa. The other two might not deserve it, but he certainly does – and you'll need him on your side. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4022111
>>With no other dōshin, you're going to be more reliant on him than ever. You need this man's loyalty. As you inform him of his new duty, swap his stipend for the full koku that you promised when you were being extorted by Sosa. The other two might not deserve it, but he certainly does – and you'll need him on your side. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4022111
>>With no other dōshin, you're going to be more reliant on him than ever. You need this man's loyalty. As you inform him of his new duty, swap his stipend for the full koku that you promised when you were being extorted by Sosa. The other two might not deserve it, but he certainly does – and you'll need him on your side. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4022111
>>With no other dōshin, you're going to be more reliant on him than ever. You need this man's loyalty. As you inform him of his new duty, swap his stipend for the full koku that you promised when you were being extorted by Sosa. The other two might not deserve it, but he certainly does – and you'll need him on your side. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>>4022111
>>With no other dōshin, you're going to be more reliant on him than ever. You need this man's loyalty. As you inform him of his new duty, swap his stipend for the full koku that you promised when you were being extorted by Sosa. The other two might not deserve it, but he certainly does – and you'll need him on your side. (By choosing this option, you will lose 0.4 koku.)
>>
>You lose 0.4 koku. You currently have 9.76 koku.

Opening that pouch you were given, you pluck out a single koku and offer it towards Atsushi.

“We won't be going to Kagoki again,” you explain. “I no longer serve Soshi Tetsunori. Instead, I am now one of Yogo Orinosuke's yoriki. From what I understand, this means that I will be stationed in Beiden from now on. As my sole dōshin, you will assist me in bringing law to this town's streets. Are you ready for this, Atsushi-san?”

“Well, doesn't sound like I have a choice in the matter, eh?” He turns over the koku in his fingers, inspecting the coin with some interest. “Still, a little bit of civilisation will be a nice change. When I first discovered that Kagoki didn't have a sake den, I thought I was going to die.”

“Please, Atsushi-san. Try not to spend it all on liquor.”

“I won't, I won't! At least not all in one go, eh?” The rōnin offers a playful wink as he tucks the koku into a fold in his kimono. “You got any idea of what this new duty involves?”

“Not yet.” Nor do you have any idea if it pays more. Atsushi isn't likely to ask about that, considering what just happened to Sosa and Rinji, but it's a pertinent question. You suppose that your role has not changed and neither has his, so the amount of coin you receive is unlikely to change. This seems like less of a promotion and more of a change in direction. “Just make sure that you rest well tonight. I want you ready for anything tomorrow morning.”

“We'll see, Bayushi-sama. A drink or two should help me sleep more soundly, and I'll try to avoid drinking more than that.” He'll try and likely fail, knowing that man. “But truly, Bayushi-sama, thank you for your generosity. You've done me a great kindness and I only hope that I can prove myself worthy of your trust.” The rōnin surprises you by stooping to offer an earnest bow. At times, Atsushi can almost be eloquent.

“Go on, be on your way. Go and enjoy that rice wine that you love so much. Just keep in mind what you just said – you will not drink any more than one or two.” At that reminder, Atsushi just grins.

“I said that I'd try not to, Bayushi-sama, not that I wouldn't!” His spirits lifted, the rōnin turns and strides away to depart from the station, to enjoy a night in Beiden after a long and difficult winter.

>If there is anything else you wish to do this session, now is the time to say so. Otherwise, I will wrap things up with the next post.
>>
>>4022190
Can't think of anything in particular, although I do have a question. Is it the norm to wear our armour when doing our job in a place like this? I've noticed a lot of our betters often have their armour on, be it Soshi when he is talking to his yoriki or that samurai who was ready to cut down trouble makers at our gempukku. I wasn't sure if wearing it is more appropriate for our day to day work or if it's something done on special occasions and by people who don't need to actively be up and moving about
>>
>>4022190
>>If there is anything else you wish to do this session, now is the time to say so. Otherwise, I will wrap things up with the next post.
Don't think there's anything
>>
You can't help but smile to yourself as your eyes follow the departing rōnin. Perhaps you should celebrate the end of winter as well – another visit to Michie's tea house might be appropriate.

The past five months spent tending to the village of Kagoki have been fruitful, in a way. It has been an opportunity for you to learn and to adapt, to see a side of Rokugan that you were never exposed to as a student. You can't say that you have become sympathetic towards the plight of heimin, but you have certainly gained an understanding. Now that your talents have been recognised by Yogo Orinosuke, you even feel a little satisfied with the work that performed. And yet...

Never be content. The little thought scratches its way from the back of your mind to the very front. You might have impressed the Chief Magistrate, but it's still not enough. Your mother is right, you are meant for more than this, more than being a yoriki. You are destined for greatness, destined to rise to a station high above any other samurai. By the end of your ascension, everyone who ever dared to look down at you will be grovelling at your feet, unworthy of even looking upon you.

As you step out of the magistrates' station, one thought reverberates through your mind until there's nothing else left in your head except for three words, endlessly repeating themselves.

You will rise.

>With that, Session 2 of Legend of the Five Rings: Pursuit of Greatness comes to an end. Bayushi Kimiko has endured almost half a year of overseeing a rural village and now that she is one of the Chief Magistrate's deputies, the future looks brighter.
>>
>At the end of each session, we allocate the experience points that Kimiko has gained over the course of the session.

>In the case of this session, she has earned 12 experience points, which may be spent to improve her. Any unspent experience points will be saved.

>Please choose how you would like to spend her 12 experience points, out of the following options:

>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Survival skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to handling animals and the wilderness of Rokugan.
>Spend 4 experience points to raise her Command skill from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to social interaction with Kimiko's lessers.
>Spend 4 experience points to raise her Sentiment skill from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to empathy and determining the emotions and sincerity of other characters.
>Spend 4 experience points to raise her Martial Arts (Melee) skill from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to fighting with a melee weapon.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Courtesy skill from 2 to 3. This will be used in rolls tied to social interaction with Kimiko's equals and superiors.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Skulduggery skill from 2 to 3. This will be used in rolls tied to sneaking, picking pockets, opening locks and other such things.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>Spend 9 experience points to raise her Water ring from 2 to 3. This will be used in rolls tied to charm, perception and adaptation, and will make Kimiko more emotionally durable as well as more perceptive.
>Spend 9 experience points to raise her Void ring for 2 to 3. This will be used in rolls tied to enlightenment, spirituality and the supernatural, and will raise Kimiko's void point limit.
>Spend 3 experience points to acquire the Courtier's Resolve technique. This will allow Kimiko to spend void points to reduce her strife by an amount of points equal to her glory rank – currently 4.
>Spend 3 experience points to acquire the Animal Bond passion. This will allow Kimiko to lose 3 points of strife whenever she interacts with animals in a friendly or helpful manner.
>>
>>4022204
Different weapons and outfits have different properties. In the case of armour, it's typically seen as wargear and considered impolite to wear in social situations - and potentially offensive to wear in court. However, characters of higher status are able to get with a lot of stuff without being questioned, and wearing armour is included in this. Being able to wear armour in any situation can be seen as a symbol of authority.

So Kimiko might not want to wear armour if she wants to regularly interact with other samurai. When dealing with heimin however, they can't challenge her for wearing armour - they might be a little intimidated by it though.
>>
>>4022370
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Survival skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to handling animals and the wilderness of Rokugan.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>>
>>4022370
This has been fun, thanks for running. I look forward to next session

>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.

We definitely need to bump up our Earth ring. Our emotional instability is one of our biggest weaknesses. Other than that Culture and Government obviously make sense and will be important in both excelling in our job, and avoiding embarrassing mistakes that will cause us to lose face whilst in Beiden. Survive makes sense as a general skill but I'd prefer to save the 2 extra XP for next time. I don't see us really needing to go into the wilderness anytime soon. Although I admit, it's possible we'll have to wrangle an animal here and there, though maybe not super likely
>>
>>4022370
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
and save 2 exp
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>>4022370
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>>
>>4022370
thanks for running. I look forward to next session
hope to see next session soon
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>>4022370
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>Spend 3 experience points to acquire the Animal Bond passion. This will allow Kimiko to lose 3 points of strife whenever she interacts with animals in a friendly or helpful manner.>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.

i think that the animal bond passion might be really good since it can probably be used more often than wordplay and we can't just rely on unmasking or drinking tea to lose strife
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>>4022370
>>4022416
i like to add game to that list rather then save
Spend 2 experience points to raise her game skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls How to discuss and play games to socialize Games)
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I'll leave the voting on experience points open for a while longer.

But I can announce that I'll probably start the next session a week from now, on Monday the 20th of January. And if anyone has any questions about the quest, Rokugan or anything else L5R-related, feel free to ask away.
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>>4022602
Is that a thing? I don't see it on the list. Doesn't seem all that useful honestly
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>>4022643
Games is an available skill. I only listed the skills which are the most relevant to what you did during this session and potentially useful for the future.

Other unlisted skills include:
>Aesthetics
>Composition
>Design
>Smithing
>Fitness
>Meditation
>Tactics
>Martial Arts (Ranged)
>Martial Arts (Unarmed)
>Games
>Performance
>Theology
>Medicine
>Commerce
>Labor
>Seafaring

... But if I listed every possible option at the end of every session, it would result in information overload, so I only focus on the most pertinent and relevant options. I won't deny >>4022602 if he wants to vote for Games though, it can be a useful skill in specific circumstances.
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>>4022677
That's fair, I thought that'd be the case
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>>4022621
First of all, thank you for this quest. Before I’ve never heard about /qst and l5r, I remember just being curious about it after lurking on /tg. And then I found you and your quest and I really got interested into it and the lore. And I think you’re a really good writer. Thank you for this and see you in the next season.
Now I have a lore-related question: I read shinobis are seen as cowards, bad guys and everyone hates them but they’re useful for the Scorpion (who don’t mind about them). So how they live? Are they ninjas 24/7 and no one knows about them or do they have a double life with a more respectable role during the day and a shinobi’s life the night?
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>>4022621
really great quest so far!

It made me download the 5ed rulebook and I have to say its a very fun setting/system
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>>4022732
Shinobi are outright forbidden by Imperial edict. If someone is revealed to be one of these dishonorable assassins/spies, they are to be detained and executed. So no one would dare to publicly admit to being one.

Regarding the Scorpion Clan and their use of them, the Shosuro family trains many Scorpion samurai in the ways of the Shosuro Infiltrator. Samurai of this school who must operate in the public eye call typically have some sort of cover story. In the case of Yogo Yukari, she claims to belong to the school of Shosuro Actors, which is one of the many fronts that the Shosuro family uses for its forbidden activities.

But if one of the Scorpion Clan's shinobi gets discovered and they are publicly identified as a shinobi, then they are immediately disowned and even hunted down by their own clan. It's difficult to make an accusation of shinobi stick though - you need to catch the samurai in the act or with some sort of forbidden item of their person, like poison or dishonourable weapons.

So it's a bit mixed. You've got some dedicated shinobi who are always ninja all the time and stay out of public eye, and you've got some shinobi who have a cover story and a double-life. What they have in common is that either of them get caught and revealed to be shinobi, they're as good as dead.
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>>4022844
i mostly wanna level game for our technique that we started with
>Assess Strengths Rank 1 a skilled courtier can deduce a lot about their opponent over the course of playing a game. Evaluating an opponent’s strategy, moves, and demeanor can let them evaluate the opponent’s character in turn. Activation: As a Scheme action, you may make a Games (Air) check targeting one opponent in a game that you are playing. The TN of this check is equal to
the target’s vigilance.
>Effects: If you succeed, you learn your target's ranks in Games, Tactics, or any one Martial Arts skill. Choose one additional skill to learn for each bonus success on the check
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>>4022931
Yeah, I'll see if I can incorporate that into the quest if Kimiko gets a point where interacting with high society is more prevalent. If she does, skills like Perform, Games, Composition and Aesthetics will become much more important. Meanwhile, in a rural location like Kagoki, skills like Survival and Command were more relevant.

I'll also need to tinker with the techniques that Kimiko's got right now, specifically Striking As Air, and see if I can make them more compatible with my horrid quest-friendly version of the system.
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>>4022370
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>>Spend 3 experience points to acquire the Animal Bond passion. This will allow Kimiko to lose 3 points of strife whenever she interacts with animals in a friendly or helpful manner.
>>
>>4022370
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>Spend 4 experience points to raise her Martial Arts (Melee) skill from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to fighting with a melee weapon.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>>
>>4022370
>>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>>
The most commonly selected options seem to be:
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Culture skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's culture and important figures.
>Spend 2 experience points to raise her Government skill from 0 to 1. This will be used in rolls tied to knowledge about Rokugan's laws and bureaucracy.
>Spend 6 experience points to raise her Earth ring from 1 to 2. This will be used in rolls tied to reasoning, endurance and restoration, and will make Kimiko more durable both physically and emotionally.
There's also a lot of people advocating for saving the last two points, so I think that's what I'm going to go with in the end.

With all of her rings above one, Kimiko's in a pretty balanced spot right now. She's no longer emotionally fragile, she's now able to endure a reasonable amount of strife. On top of that, she's not going to be completely useless in matters involving patience, endurance, reason and memory, which is a positive change.

I'll still be checking this thread on occasion if anyone has any criticism about the thread or questions about Rokugan but for now, the session is over and the next one will start next Monday, on the 20th of January.
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>>4024037
Thanks for running
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>>4024037
Thanks for running
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>>4024037
Looks like she really did learn something valuable from her time in Kagoki

Thanks for running
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>>4024037
Thanks for running! Great quest!
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>>4024037
In the opinion/intuition of Bayushi-chan, what is her mother most likely to try to do and how successful will she be?
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>>4026308
As the brains of Bayushi Kimiko, that's for you guys to guess at and ponder about.

I'll point out some relevant information though. >>4007788 features Kimiko reflecting about her mother and her history with Shizuko, and the only two times Kimiko has heard from her are in the letter in this thread (>>4021855) and the letter in the last thread, which is here:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/3977464/#p3979067
One last thing though. During winter, Rokugan has a habit of freezing over. Communication between settlements grinds to a halt as travel becomes impossible for all but the most intrepid wanderer. As winter has only just ended and the roads have only recently opened up once more, Shizuko might have written her latest letter at any point in the past three or four months, and it might have only just arrived.

That's all the information that you've got (or managed to get). I'll leave it up to you, as Bayushi Kimiko's intuition, to try and figure something out using this knowledge.
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>>4026308
She probably got us transferred to our current post, at the very least.
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>>4029018
That would definitely make sense.



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