I tried asking ChatGPT for a court argument and the result was ... surprisingly good. Someone clearly has been teaching ChatGPT about L5R.
An Otomo Courtier's Oratory: The Fragility of the Crane Clan (ChatGPT) wrote:
Honorable lords, esteemed ladies, and noble samurai,
I stand before you today not as a mere servant of the Empire, but as one who has had the privilege—and the burden—of serving the Emperor and observing the intricacies of our great nation. My words come not from a place of prejudice, but of deep concern for the future of Rokugan, and for the integrity of our Imperial lineage.
We speak today of the prospect of marriage—an alliance between clans that should be forged in the crucible of necessity, in the pursuit of greater strength, and in the spirit of unyielding loyalty. Yet, when we turn our gaze to the Crane Clan, we must ask ourselves—what, truly, does this union offer us?
Yes, the Crane are a noble clan. Their Kakita are renowned for their skills with the blade, their Doji for their poise and diplomacy. But is their beauty and elegance truly enough to secure the strength and unity we require? The Crane, with their obsession with form, are a clan whose values rest not upon substance, but on the fleeting and fragile constructs of courtly grace and delicate refinement. It is these very qualities that make them ill-suited to uphold the interests of the Imperial family, and by extension, the Empire itself.
Consider the nature of their politics. The Crane are experts in the dance of diplomacy, yes, but at what cost? Their obsession with refinement and reputation leads them to prioritize image above reality, form over function. Their ambitions are often tempered by their desire for approval, a desire that frequently leads them to seek favor from the Emperor, or to curry favor with those whose power is fleeting and ephemeral.
But the Crane’s quest for approval is a fragile thing, easily shattered by the winds of fortune. Their alliances are often swayed by their need for prestige, leaving them prone to forming bonds not with those who share their honor, but with those who offer the greatest social benefit. This is a clan that can be influenced by flattery, driven by the desire to remain in the good graces of the court. Can we, in good conscience, place our future in the hands of such tenuous ambitions?
It is precisely this ephemeral nature that should concern us when contemplating a union with the Crane. They are more interested in courtly success than in the real power that sustains Rokugan. While we, the Otomo, seek to uphold the stability of the Empire, to maintain the balance between the Great Clans, and to support the Emperor in all matters of state, the Crane often pursue personal prestige at the expense of unity. To marry into such a clan is to risk watering down the very ideals that the Imperial Family holds dear—loyalty, honor, and true devotion to the Emperor.
Moreover, let us consider the true nature of the Crane’s military presence. Though their samurai are skilled, they are far removed from the frontlines of battle. While our noble samurai stand as the shield and sword of the Empire, ever vigilant against the dangers that threaten our lands, the Crane’s warriors are more often seen in the courts than on the battlefields. The Kakita may be formidable with their blades, but their talents are wasted on politics, rather than on the protection of Rokugan from the true horrors that lurk beyond its borders.
Should we, the Imperial family, risk an alliance with a clan that is so far removed from the realities of war, so disconnected from the protection of the Empire’s very borders? What will this say about the future of our children, should they be raised under the influence of those whose refinement is their greatest strength, rather than their resilience?
Do we wish to live in a world where the Crane Clan’s delicate notions of courtly grace become the defining principle of our Empire? The great samurai of Rokugan are pragmatic, resilient, and stoic in the face of danger. The Otomo and those of the Great Clans who defend our lands know that our strength lies not in appearances, but in substance. It lies in the warriors who shed blood for the safety of the Empire, the strategists who plan for the long-term stability of Rokugan, and the leaders who understand the necessity of difficult choices for the greater good.
To marry into the Crane is to risk sacrificing substance for appearance, endangering loyalty for fleeting favor, and trading true power for empty prestige.
My lords and ladies, we must not be swayed by the illusion of beauty the Crane weave so expertly. The Emperor’s bloodline deserves an alliance that strengthens the Empire, not one that fragilizes it. Let us choose the path of unity, of strength, and of honor—marriage to a clan that shares our true commitment to the Emperor and the well-being of Rokugan.
The Otomo understand the weight of the throne, and we shall always stand as a bulwark against any force that seeks to weaken it. To the Crane, we offer friendship, but we must not risk the future of Rokugan for a fleeting moment of elegance.
For the Empire. For the Emperor. For the future of Rokugan.
Or else in its nondeterministic wanderings around L5R verbiage it just didn't quite make it to that corner.
