(IRR) The Rokugan IR Turn 0 Thread

[Knight Otu]

"Representatives of the Mantis Clan, apparently the ears of your raven forms do not hear as well as those of your human forms. Akodo-san never said anything about an alliance with gaijin. And speaking of gaijin, you too, have looks that may hint at a gaijin descendance."
"You, as the representatives of the Mantis clan, who has contacts to many gaijin factions overseas, and propably also trades with them, say that trade with gaijin will destabilize the Empire? It may be just me, but something is wrong with that picture."
Looking at the envelope handed to him by the girl:
"More letters? Everything seems to revolve around letters these days."

To Azimuth:
"You do not seem to understand the workings of the Empire, Azimuth. You insult both the Mantis and the Scorpion in a very crude way, and yuo block the path of representatives of the Mantis Clan. Not a very wise move."
"I do have a question about your display of magic. It is obviously not magic approved by the kami. I do believe that it is what we call name magic, correct?"
"But no matter what kind of magic you use, you should not use it to block the path of a representative of one of the clans."
With that, Akahita prays to the kami and tries to dispel the Wall of Force."

"Personally, I would advise that the embargo against the city of Miir should not be revoked. We do not know the reasoning behind it, and we likely will not find out in the near future. You heard Azimuth. She openly insults our traditions, our sense of honour. Nothing she said makes me think that trade with Miir would be benefitial to the Empire. Thus, I would advocate to keep up the embargo. I realize, however, that my word is of minor importance in this matter, and the final decision should be made by someone greater than me."

 

[The Forsaken One]

The ravens take off and as the wall is put in place it meets four simultanious attempts to dispell it with the adition of another attempt from the Phoenix representative. One of the ravens turns back and morphs back once more.... the old woman steps up to the table again.

"bug, hmmmm that's a new way to be called. But as you said merely amusing and nothing even near worthy about getting worked up over again about honor and such stuff. We're here to do buiseness."

She summons a staff and slowly walks up to the Lion Daimo.

"But as for the rest you are correct, and like Illadin said before me Jola's words are young and rash... but true. She needs to contemplate before she speaks. Please forgive her as well as our Wasp champion whom you were speaking to, the youths need to be tought now they are just young and eager and trying to give themselves a posture and to show you that they are not intimidated by you, while they should. They still have to earn to respect great leaders and those who command great power and skill. So for they are young and rash I ask that you can forgive them."

She makes a slight bow for the Daimo when excusing the actions of her associates. And then faces him again with a faint smile on her old, wrincled face.

"Yes we of the mantis have traded and still do with Gajins, but with people who earn our respect and who do not chase our bretheren across the burning sands and threaten and attack our northern borders for centuries after another! Make no flaw in that assumption! And it sooths me that you respect the late emperors wishes and share in his wisdom now lost to us. I understand your point of view but let's not be rash and not overhaste and share trust with our enemies this quick. Together we stand strong and have nothing to fear as yet as we stand together.. we have always endured and endure we shall still. After we deal with interal problems we can look over the walls and mountains for we must tackle each problem on its own, one at a time."

She makes a faint hand gesture towards the Daimo and with a bent back she steps back. Then she walks to the crane representative and with a slight bow....

"We share similar thoughts and we think both equal about what is wise as we have always done. Our daimo would wish to speak with you later I presume for she hasn't had the pleasure to meet one as radiant as yourself. Then she would also like to talk buiseness... My gratitude extends to you!"

And she steps back and moves to the Phoenix representative.. now with a wide grin on her face, seemingly very pleased with herself or with some thought only known to her.

"You would be surprised honorable one of what our raven ears teach us! And yes there is something about us that just slightly hints at some strange herritage. *chuckle* And I can assure you that you are right but that it is called different from Gajin and we are not what we seem I can assure you! And again I tell you that we trade with honorable Gajin, those who have helped us and served us well for centuries past and not with those who have spend centuries attacking and threatening our northern borders! You yourself have suffered losses at their hands, they have shown themselves to be among our enemies time and time again! So you also must not be mistaken in whom we choose to trade with, us and the Unicorn have traded with Gajin to enrich the Empire and we did! But never to the cost or expense of the safety of the Empire. We do not trade or trust those who attacked and threaten us! The unicorn most of all have suffered at the hands of these Gajin, these nonpeople! So do not mistake that we would trade with them or trust. And especially do not insult the Unicorn by comparing their trustworthy trade connections with those who have been their ancient enemy!"

After turning around and looking at the representative of Miir.

"She just proved my point exactly indeed and it is only as official representative that he finds safety in these walls as nonperson. Outside of these walls or function you would have found swift death at the direct insult of these honorable Rokugani, greatest among the clans! You show no respect and no honor as you have never done."

Turning back at the Phoenix representative.

"Indeed such is called name magic and I there is wisdom in your words. And I am very satisfied that you agree and also share in our wisdom as does the Crane. Our Daimo hopes to see you soon so we can discuss trade and buiseness!"

And with a bow she takes a step back and again turns to the representative of Miir.

"The scorpion have proven themselves as faithfull protectors of the empire when the dire need arrised and their treachery has not been fully forgotten and fully healed but they have shown themselves time and time again to willing to stand and die for the empire. We all strive for power and so do they but they have their ways but they do not cost us the safety of our empire! And you also forget that the taint, curse its existance lead them to that course of actions. The same taint that was in your armies not so long ago pillaging the lands of the dragon and unicorn! And you have always threatened our lands and took our honor and posessions and now again you gravely insult myself, my companions and the Scorpion for something they were hardly to blame for?! You just proved my point over and over again and I will not abide any longer in this place with such disrespect and dishonor by a nonperson! Now if you don't leave I will for I cannot and will not have my honor insulted any more nor can my patience be tested any longer and my anger be kept incheck! So leave and admit your mistake and show that you know your place or force me to leave to respect the honor even you are due and earn my anger. I suggest you leave and pay the respect to these people and to me as we are due!"

 

[Macbrea]

Nori looks up from his tea at the shimmering area. Then with a hint of anger in his voice, "Those magics shall not be used within this city!" Pulling a scroll out of his kimono, Bayushi Nori raises his hand and the stone wall behind the wall of force explodes in a violent blast of fire. Leaving a section of opening on each side of the force wall. "Your path is not blocked anymore messenger, you may leave."

"The ability to trade with Gaijin is of no consiquence to me. As my people will not be doing so. If Unicorn wishes they may trade freely. I am not going to stop them in the absence of the Emperor. Now, it appears that this meeting is winding down. I will leave Yogo Yo here to deliver messenges to Scorpion clan if need be. I have also delivered the Lady Niomi back to her home. I myself have business to attend in my lands. With that he steps over to the foutain turns to water. Disappearing with a splash.

Everyone will notice the Mantis clan letter has been left on the table unopened.

 

[Janos Audron]

"Kami? Name Magic? It is obvious that I do not know your culture. I did not know that your culture is against my magic, and I sincerely apologize for the use of it. It will not happen again, if I can help it."

"I too want to apologize to Clan Scorpion. I did not know stating facts about ... more sensitive subjects is seen as an insult. Please forgive me my ignorance."

"Mantis. If you are unable to think, and are instead only here to recite history, we have nothing to discuss. Then I will block your way no longer. And, old woman, I had hoped you, as an enlightened being, were above simple threats..."

"Representatives of the other clans. I beg you not to listen to the words of the Mantis. While, indeed, she knows her history, clearly she does not know the situation today. I came in peace, my people want peace, and I am here to see if you want a lasting truce too. I cannot stress that enough. And again I ask: What does it take to gain your trust, to gain your respect?"

 

[Serpenteye]

Toshiro raises an eyebrow at the display of the Scorpion representative and states in dry tones, "We all frown at the practice of foreign magics within this the holiest of cities, however, I do believe that the honourable representative of Miir was simply ignorant of that fact. Though her actions were unfortunate they were not, as far as I can see, intended to offend. Indeed, the intended behavior of the Mantis representatives, in leaving before giving anyone a chance to respond to their proclamation, could also be considered a serious breach of etiquette.
Furthermore, Nori san, the vandalization of imperial property is a criminal act. It seems that not only Gajin are capable of questionable behavior. I would recommend that we all judge our own actions in the same way we judge the actions of each other. I've forgiven the insults of the Unicorn and the Mantis, let us do the same for Miir."


"None of the clans that have yet commented on the matter supports trade with the Burning Sands. We therefore conclude that the embargo is not to be revoked. If there are any who support the reesteblishment of trade with the city of Miir they should speak now, before the matter is settled.
It also seems that none of the clans, besides the Lion, is willing to form and participate in a Council of Regents. The general consensus seems to be that the imerial authority should be represented by an Emerald champion. Let us therefore swiftly begin the process of selection and hope that a champion will be a sufficient replacement for an Emperor."

 

[Macbrea]

Yogo Yo nods at Toshiro's statement and comments, "I will send a message of your statement to Bayushi Nori with my report."
He glances at the puddle by the fountain. Then take the position at the table that the Scorpion clan diamyo would sit.


Seppun Niomi, not very interested in normal politics heads out of the room.

 

[Knight Otu]

"Nori-san, that display of destructive magic was unneccessary."

"Azimuth, I would have thought that the chosen representative from Miir would be better informed about our culture. This is certainly not the first meeting between representatives of our cultures, and even if you despise our culture, you should at least try to seem to respect it as long as you are here."
"We, the shugenja of the clans, work our magic by praying to divine spirits, the kami. You work your magic by drawing upon words of power and creation, upon names. This is what we call name magic. Most instances of name magic are distasteful to the kami."
"What can you do to gain our respect? Act respectable. Do not block the path of people who do not wish to talk to you. Respect our traditions, our honor."

 

[Janos Audron]

"So, if someone walks in, insults you, and goes away, does that fit into your perspective of honour? I doubt it. I hope it does not."

"I will not go into a philosophical debate with you, at this time, about what is destructive magic and what is not, but I think it would be suffice to say that my magic was not 'destructive' in the normal sense of the word, and, and I do not want you to interpret this as a threat, I could have used a destructive spell on the birds, except there was no need to do so. I hope this shows you that I am responsible, in a way, except not according to your culture, and that is what this whole argument is about."

"Normally, Lord Vorador is the formal representative of Miir, except that something has come to his attention that he needed to see to personally. He hesitated to send a diplomat, because of the importance of peace. He thought you'd accept differences in culture, and look at the message, not the messenger."

"There is one last thing I'd like to say to you: You ask me to respect your culture, your tradition, your honour. But what did you say when Mantis called me a "nonperson", when they said "leave, or earn our anger", when they called me "the enemy", when they told all of you that "allying with me will risk the safety the Empire", in short: when they told their lies? Did you speak out then? If it is honourable to say these things, I am disappointed. But if it is not honourable, is your honour then, perhaps, selective?"

 

[Knight Otu]

"No, the behaviour of the Mantis representatives was not really our idea of honorable. I thought that was clear from my reaction. Didn't I imply that the Mantis should know better than to insult people simply because they are gaijin? Didn't I tell them that they themselves look similar to gaijin?"
"But repaying insults with insults is not honorable, either. You implied that our traditions, our honor blinds us. Normally, a person who implied such a thing would leave Otosan Uchi in a different condition than he entered in. We usually call this condition "death"."
"And as for the destructive magic, I was speaking to the Scorpion representative. I take that you do notice the hole in the wall?"
"As for you being called a non-person, you may want to be taught some basics of Rokugani culture. It is rather harsh, I must admit. And as for the "lies" of the Mantis representatives, they are apparently historical facts that have to be proven wrong by present actions."
"Do not get me wrong. The behaviour of the Mantis is sadly disappointing and disturbing to me. But your behaviour is not appealing to me, either. We are willing to listen, as is evident, and we are, for the most part, more patient than we are normally."

 

[The Forsaken One]

With a hollow voice the old woman laughs.

"Haha! You lack in the wisdom to investigate the others culture so you insult many of us with you ignorance even though you have had contact with our people for centuries. That borders on outright stupidity! And you "Gajin" are a nonperson as all of you, you are hardly an equal to a peasant. I say about you what I wish and so can anyone in this empire, you have no rights and you have proven yourself an enemy time after time and now you don't even have picked up the slightest in knowledge about our ways and such a person they send for the most delicate peace negotiations, hahahaha! I tell no lies for everything I say is commong knowledge and has been a historical fact for centuries so please quit your babbling and leave, your presence is insulting on its own to these honourable people! You as nonperson have no right for honour, you can claim zero respect as your own. The only reason why you still live is that you are a diplomat and within the walls of this most sacred place!"

She sighs.

"You are foolish and ignorant that you claim us as stupid and stuck to the old ways and thoughts. But we are merely being carefull, only fools accept suddens offers of peace by ancient enemies in times of chaos without counsel or thought, we are not!We are not the rash and easily convincable people you and your master seem to keep us for, we are merely thinking our safety and we seek counsel and wisdom before we trust and change and you do not even see such things and the wisdom in them. In time we might have seen you change and might chance our opinions of you but your ways and manners have again proven our thoughts just! Now again I say begone Gajin, and let your master return if he wants to speak, and I hope he at least posesses some manners!"