by Booksnake » Mon Jan 28, 2019 2:12 am
Year 528 Cont...
Month of the Monkey
-Nakoru hears back from the Nakodo. While marriage to Shiba Tamako is still possible, it is very difficult with his drop in status. He will need to prove himself in the near future, do something to keep himself in the running. The fact he now has two children by his pair of concubines, doesn't help his case. However, he has a few others through the Empire that have passed on their hopes for the marriage, which is what convinces the Nakodo to continue her efforts.
-After months of fighting, Emperor Hantei orders that any monks caught fighting within the bounds of Otosan Uchi are to be exiled from it, not to return. Their place is not to be fighting each other!
-The Crab begin to work more closely with the Jade magistrates, assigning young members to assist them. Both Hiruma and Kaiu are sent.
-The Crane offer five of their most eligible maidens. They found themselves a little tight of choices, due to timing, and though each has impeccable connections and family lineage, they are not all what you would consider the picture of Doji Maidenhood.
-Otosan Uchi Game!
-After much politicking, and an attack of a gigantic Oni-Demon-Gaki, the Emperor chooses to marry Doji Kanekoshiko.
-Seppun Matashi dies in the effort to trap the Oni-Demon-Gaki. He privately acknowledges Asuna at that time, but only she and her brother are witness to it.
-Kurotaka makes a friend of a lowly Seppun student.
-The Oracle of Fire passes on, after granting the position of Dark Oracle and Oracle of Fire to a pair of people. There are a few that know the identity of one, but one that knows the identity of both.
-Moshi Namihime, realizing her fame may be fleeting, uses it to garner the Centipede much needed supplies for the next year.
Month of the Rooster
-Doji Kumihime begins her trip home.
-Doji Sumiko is offered the position of First Attendent to Doji Kanekoshiko.
-Hida Josuke starts working to bring a closer union between the Crab and the Hawk.
-Word begins spreading - Isawa Wao, Master of Water, has passed. The Phoenix begin a hunt for a new one.
-Togashi Chikako begins traveling to return to Dragon lands. Togashi Hou returns with her... at first.
-Ikoma Koganehime begins recruiting among the Ronin of Otosan Uchi.
-Bayushi Shou adopts a child, increasing his already large family. She is somewhere around 2 years old, and outsiders note that she bears features similar to both the Scorpion and the Phoenix. Rumors appear, but his wife appears unconcerned, and welcoming of the child.
Month of the Dog
-New fashions are unveiled by the Empress-to-be - many in the know credit them to Doji Sumiko.
-The Phoenix have begun pushing for the position of Jade Champion to be retired, in honor of Matashi's sacrifice.
-Kurotaka abandons the Hawk, rejoining the Scorpion as Shosuro Kurotaka, daughter in tow. The Hawk are incensed by this betrayal.
-Seppun Mitsue publicly adopts Wei Fu, renaming him Kiyoshen. The lad is sent to training at a Temple.
-Reports begin arriving that Yobanjin forces are beginning to raid along the northern frontier again.
Month of the Boar
-Shosuro O-Shihime, governor of the Brutal Flame District, becomes betrothed to Bayushi Utagawa.
-Gorinno arrives in Otosan Uchi. He is welcomed and sought after by the crowds. Doji Toriageru spends a couple days in close consultation with the man.
-The Order of the 5 Rings, acting as monks, send a contingent to the Hawk lands in Kaihi province. The Hawk there are those that are most agitated by Kurotaka's actions.
-Seppun Samishi, acting as commander, leads an Imperial Legion to southern Hawk lands. He and his men are greeted by the clan with cheer and good wishes. The Seppun sent with a contingent to northern Hawk lands is less eagerly welcomed.
Month of the Rat
-The Emperor's Party, including his Bride to be, travel to Kyuden Bayushi. Though there is an attack on the Grouping, the Scorpion were prepared, and it failed before it had more than begun. The primary attacker, however, escapes.
-Kurotaka announces his betrothal to a very Hawkish Crane, one Kakita Yuzuriha. She is already present in Scorpion lands.
-When the ronin Nakoru is meeting with the nakodos when a fire breaks out nearby. The building they are meeting in is destroyed, and efforts are made to contain the flames before they can spread.
-Togashi Chikako arrives at Dragon lands. She wakes up the morning before crossing the border to find Togashi Hou is gone. When she asks, the border guards say he woke, walked towards the Dragon lands, then there was a flare of fire, and he seemed to 'dissipate'. They credited it to his Togashi abilities. She keeps the what she thinks happened to herself.
-Yobanjin raids continue even as snow is falling, costing several Phoenix cities difficult winters, with much loss of life.
Month of the Ox
-A book is released at Winter Courts across the land, including the Imperial one. It is focusing on the adventures of a Miya taisa in the Imperial Legions, as he seeks romance while putting down peasant and monk revolts. The Miya in question is very strong and regularly appears topless, performing amazing deeds. The foes he encounters are predominantly blindly obsessed five ring believers/followers causing trouble.
-At the northern Hawk lands, trouble occurs several times over the course of the winter. Though none are killed, blood was spilled, and tempers are running high on both sides.
-Seppun Haruka finally gives in to the nearly unrelenting blandishments of Samishi, and agrees to a betrothal. It still takes the Nakodos a month to work things out.
-The Isawa use the former ronin Mia as a counter, and agree to marry her into the Yogo, for significant resources. The wedding will take place in a year.
Month of the Tiger
-The Dragon and Scorpion announce a new economic alliance, in an effort to bring both clans back to full strength.
-Doji Toriageru is announced as new governor of the Juramashi District. Bettors begin making book immediately on how long he will last, and why he will leave the office.
-After a winter of effort, Chikako is granted an interview with Togashi Hiwata.
-Kitsune Sayuri convinces the Imperial Court to allow the revival of the title chinjufu-shogun (Commander of the Northern Chastisement Forces). After more work, Seppun Mitsue is assigned to it, and given the job of pushing the Yobanjin back again in the spring.
-In a surprise move, the Emperor orders that His Blessing will go to help the Centipede in the next year.
529
Month of the Hare
-Bayushi Shou comes out of his workshop, after a winter seclusion. When the higher-ups in the Scorpion come, wondering at his new spell, he looks at them blankly. He was working on something else. He does share news of how the Yogo curse was removed from him and his bloodline, and is summoned by Yogo Mariko for debriefing immediately she learns of it.
-Soshi Nanako visits him, and they converse for several days before she heads out on pilgrimage.
-Isawa Mia gains a position as a yoriki to an Emerald Magistrate in the Brutal Flame district.
-Using her contacts, Kitsune Sayuri gets the former Boar lands assigned as tax exempt estate with duties to provide lumber for the building and renovation of shrines and temples in the empire. Peasants and ronin are gathered to be settled by those willing to reside in such haunted lands. Hino is given a position as a jito (a sheriff of a landed estate) and helps run the council that sees to the day to day affairs of the estate.
-Kakita Yuzuriha returns to Crane lands, where she searches for ears willing to hear her message, finding several malcontent members of her foreign clan who have begun to doubt the powers that be within the empire to make the proper decision.
-The underworld of Otosan Uchi is shook, as a new figure is seen as responsible for nearly half of the Outer City, in a meteoric rise in power and influence.
Month of the Dragon
-The Emperor weds Doji Kanekoshiko in Kyuden Bayushi. The Empire celebrates.
-Rumors of a new player in the underside of Otosan Uchi begin to circulate.
-During the celebration of the Wedding, there are riots throughout the Scorpion lands. None know what caused them, and they are put down brutally. This is carefully kept from the Imperial Party, though the Scorpion spread word it is caused by 5 Rings monks, when spreading such would be to their advantage.
-The fifth Golden Lotus is opened by Doji Shizuka.
-Seppun Mitsue uses tactics his subordinates scoff at (making friends with other tribes than the war-like one), but they obey his orders.
-Shosuro Kurotaka publishes a treatise. It is distributed throughout Hawk lands by the same channels as the clothing they are still receiving from his efforts. It notes that while there might be some use from the Hawk philosophy, the current set-up and leadership are impossibly wrong. This results in several of the Hawk, of Crane and Ronin orders, leaving, and returning to their previous lives. Those that stay are now the hardest believers.
Month of the Serpent
-A scandalous book is published, that has a non-human as the main character. It is interacting with an empire that is similar to, but different from, Rokugan. It ends with a Star falling in the capitol of that empire, and destroying it.
-After months of work, and trying to get close to the Imperials that are watching them, Taka and Asuna are the acknowledged leaders of the southern branch of the Hawk. Taka, however, has been tainted by association with Kurotaka, while Asuna is seen as less so, from her clashes with him. She is the unofficial leader of the southern branch, and the only Shugenja that lives there. Taka, though the given leader, is not viewed as highly among the Hawk as once he was. It is through their efforts (though most accredited it to Asuna) that the southern branch of the Hawk stays together, after Kurotaka's attacks sent shockwaves through Hawk ranks.
-Using his new contacts and power, Uraki reveals the fact of the Scorpion stealing supplies meant for the production of jade petal tea from Hiruma Sadae, and the Crab. Conditions between the two clans worsen considerably as the Crab are insulted by the theft, and fear that the Scorpion are hiding something potentially concerning.
Month of the Goat
-Asuna is noted to be teaching an apprentice she has found, the first Hawk to learn as a Hawk.
-New One-Tattooed Togashi monks have appeared. Their tattoos are either related to a single animal - or an element. The differences aren't obvious to non-Dragons, and even to some non-Togashi.
-Doji Toriageru publishes a treatise on the Five Rings philosophy. It is a little dry, and somewhat technical, but still sells well, as both sides get copies of it, to study and either implement, or try to tear apart.
-A fire breaks out in Otosan Uchi. The only casualty seems to be the business Petals on the Wind, a geisha house that burns to the ground. Most of the girls escape, but the star of the house, Akenohoshi, is killed in the fire.
-Mitsue's unconventional tactics are successful, as, with the aid of a couple of the friendlier tribes, he manages to destroy the majority of the most war-like tribe. About a third of it, however, escape, upon the backs of wyrms.
Month of the Monkey
-Togashi Chikako arrives at the northern Hawk lands, but finds little welcome. She moves quickly across the mountains to the monastery. She is welcomed with trepidation for a few weeks as she is introduced to the teachings.
-Bayushi Kotorin is noted, by those few that note her, to be pregnant again. This news is mostly lost to the news that the Empress is also now pregnant. The Empire celebrates again.
-Suzume Gacho, Champion of the Sparrow, is struck down in an accident while sparring. His son, who is only 8, is given a regent to run the clan till he is ready.
-A new group is acknowledged by the Crane leadership, particularly Daidoji Kisami. The Daidoji Trading Council, brought into being by Daidoji Hiromasa and Doji Shizuka, is formed to counter the sudden strength of the Scorpion/Dragon economic Alliance.
-As Crab animosity rises towards the Crane-Scorpion bloc, from her new position, Doji Shizuka works to minimize the issues between the Crab and Crane, so as to prevent a war from breaking out. She is somewhat successful in diverting the Crab's rage from the Crane, but conditions continue to worsen between the Crab and Scorpion.
Month of the Rooster
-Bayushi Utagawa and Shosuro O-Shihime are married in a lavish wedding in Brutal Flame district.
-The Shadowlands sends more waves of attackers, but the Hawk send a force down south again, who assist in trying to crush it. They are noted as enthusiastic, but only slightly more useful than a Crane might be. Well, a non-Daidoji Crane. The Hawk liaison is Hida Josuke, who is now a Jade Magistrate.
-Chikufasa arrives at the monastery of 5 Rings, and things change. Togashi Chikako is taught the basics on how to access information locked within special mandala by Chikafusa. She learns that there is indeed a great imbalance in the Empire and the elements are calling for some form of reorganization of the political order. She is unwilling to leave the Dragon, however, and therefore becomes unable to continue her training and learn more from her experiences. The monks that are more... belligerent and unfriendly to visitors like her, are sent out into the world, to teach, while those that are more scholarly stay to instruct interested pilgrims.
Month of the Dog
-Ikoma Koganehime begins building a dojo, subsidized by Ikoma Bansho. She quietly announces it will be called Honor's Sacrifice Dojo, with Bansho as the first Sensei. Few outside the Lion care.
-Border clashes occur along the Lion/Crane border, to no change.
-Yohihotsu, the daimyo of the Mantis passes away. It is not a surprise to anyone. He is succeeded by his son, Yorito.
-An attendant to the Master of Fire, Isawa Hikari, acquires a collection of ancient mandala from the libraries in the capital and has them moved to Kyuden Isawa for research. Many monks from the Shintao sects of the Brotherhood begin to travel to Kyuden Isawa to inspect them, leading to an increased presence of Five Ring adherents in the region. Many powerful individuals within the Phoenix begin to express their opinions that the Five Rings philosophy has substance and lend their support to its efforts.
Month of the Boar
-Earthquakes in Crab lands collapse the two most prominent Jade mines. The price of the precious mineral soars.
-Hino, and the other nascent Boar, take this summer's chance, as advised by both Sayuri and Shizuka, independently, to mine the lands of the Lost Boar. They deliver a chest of Jade to the Imperial bureaucracy.
-Kasuga Shinaiko notifies the Nakodo to step up efforts to find her a spouse.
-Kakita Yuzuriha leaves Crane lands for the last time as a Crane. Instead, she heads to Scorpion lands. She and Shosuro Kurotaka are married in Shiro no Shosuro. She does bring with her a list of contacts among the Crane - those of a more 'worldly' bent. The Kolat are pleased.
Month of the Rat
-Due to the 6 month pregnant status of the Empress, the Imperial Winter court is held at Kyuden Otomo.
-Phoenix push for the now one year vacant position of Jade Champion to be removed.
-Gorinno, at the Imperial Winter Court, stymies several attempts to get the Scorpion Champion's daughter married to persons other than Crane.
-Kurotaka, as the Shosuro second-in-command, in a move many find odd, spends the winter in Otosan Uchi.
-Otosan Uchi is subjected to an Earthquake. The only casualty of note is the governor Tenari, and his brand new estate, which is destroyed.
Month of the Ox
-Kurotaka, in Otosan Uchi, is seen to be friendly with one of the recent passers of their Gempukku, a boy (now man) who took the name Seppun Santoru.
-Seppun Yasunori, rotated back to Otosan Uchi from southern Hawk lands, where he had been serving under Samishi, is instrumental on leading raids that clear the capitol city of Bloodspeaker cells. The Emerald Magistrate that works with him is none other than Doji Kumihime. Both find that an attraction occurs.
-After a fire breaks out in the original Golden Lotus, the manager, the ronin Nakoru, goes on Pilgrimage. This despite that he was due to marry the governor Shiba Tamako in only a few months time. Doji Shizuka has the building rebuilt, and new staff brought in.
-Mia, once a ronin, then an Isawa, now becomes a Yogo, as she weds Yogo Ujihiro, one of the top researchers under Mariko. The Scorpion hope that she will bring unique insights into said research. She brings her bear along.
Month of the Tiger
-At the recommendation of his wife, Hantei announces there will be new Jeweled Championships held the following summer. Not just one, but he is retiring, honorably, the stricken Daidoji Yayoi. So, both will be held!
-The servants are going to tell Daidoji Yayoi the news, when they discover he has passed away. A funeral is quickly held.
-The Phoenix are angered by this ignoring of their efforts, and leave before the paths of winter have cleared.
-Seppun Yasunori among the items confiscated from his raids, is a map that he thinks might lead to a cure for his, and others, unnatural aging. However, the map is obscure, in several cyphers, and he can't immediately figure out the landmarks along the way.
-Bayushi Kotorin gives birth to twins. She almost dies, but Yogo Mia, the former Isawa Mia, visiting the family at the time, is able to call on the water kami to keep her alive.
530
Month of the Hare
-Bayushi Shou challenges Mizuki's half-sister Okimi for her actions. She attempts to use her contacts to prevent it, only to find he and Mizuki (and Kotorin) spent the last year drying those up. Mizuki wins the duel with Okimi's champion. Megumi, the other half-sister, makes her escape, becoming named a ronin.
-The Empress gives birth to a baby boy just before the party returns to Otosan Uchi, delaying the return trip.
-Gorinno makes another trip to Otosan Uchi.
-Otomo Eriko, scouting on her new horse, when she reports on the ambush that Maou had been preparing. The Imperial Guard counter-Ambush, and kill most of his followers, but the enhanced being again escapes. Eriko is noted by the Emperor himself, and promoted to Jade Magistrate, then assigned a pair of Yoriki. One is older, clearly the one that will do the footwork. The second is a young Seppun, one Santoru by name, to give him experience.
Month of the Dragon
-Phoenix presence throughout the Empire is increased. They seem to be exploring all avenues of... something.
-Kurotaka is shocked to discover he isn't the only high-prestige person to be meeting with Santoru. The other, who has been tutoring him, is non-other than Gorinno!
-Maou leads an attack on Crane lands. Several of the most prominent duelists are killed in the fighting.
-After months of negotiations, Doji Kumihime and Seppun Yasunori are betrothed. Kumihime will join the Seppun family.
-After seeming to disappear a year earlier, Hou reappears, this time to the searching Soshi Nanako. He is not able to help her directly, but tells her two paths she could follow. One would cure her, the other her daughter. She does not hesitate to follow the northern route that would help her daughter, instead of the southern one that might help herself.
Month of the Serpent
-The Council of Masters begin calling in all debts owed them. The best and brightest shugenja are now, due to honor, going to be unable to challenge for the position of Jade Champion. The Shiba are incensed at this activity, seeing it as dishonorable.
-Seppun Samishi returns to Otosan Uchi, where he is married to Seppun Haruka.
-The Jade and Emerald Championships occur!