Hey y'all!

Apparently the mid-game twist in the succession crisis just dropped in court. . Now the flow of court has been a real challenge this game, given that timezones and availability make this much much harder than sitting around a table with your friends. The GMs have to keep things flowing smoothly, so while they're doing their best, I thought maybe a little coordination here might help out. So while we're all polishing our dice and honing our rhetoric, I wanted to provide you where my character is at. Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree. Maybe you're going to take this knowledge and specifically tune your arguments to against mine. That's fine, I'd rather have everyone put forth their best speech, rather than miss their opportunity because they were holding back just on the off chance I was going to speak up and we ran out of time. I invite others to share their thoughts here as well. Not to debate with each other, that's what the court thread is for, but just to help each other out with their planning.

Question 1: Should we have a regent?

Eiji's answer: Eiji's fine with a regent. No plans to push for it, because this is most likely where the debate will go, but if it fails, then we needn't even do the other questions, and we'll go on as we are.

Question 2: What should the regent's duties do?

Eiji's answer: Rule in the empress's place, excluding interfering with the succession. No naming themselves permanent ruler, no banishing, executing, or otherwise punishing the Winds or their followers for matter that are not explicitly laid out in Imperial law. Eiji will only speak on this point if it's deviating signifantly (They can just name themselves ruler now!)

Question 3: Who should be the regent?

None of the winds can serve as regent because a regent by definition steps down to the true ruler. We'll need the most neutral party on the terms of succession as we can get. Whether this is the Emerald Champion, the Ruby Champion, Lord Ikoma, or one of the non-Crane clan champions here. Eiji will probably end up speaking on this point, because Keihime's trying to just grab the throne, and that isn't fair.

Soshi Eiji wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 23, 2025 6:36 pm

Question 1: Should we have a regent?

Eiji's answer: Eiji's fine with a regent. No plans to push for it, because this is most likely where the debate will go, but if it fails, then we needn't even do the other questions, and we'll go on as we are.

Also of note, this wrecks most action economy bookkeeping- it leeches actions at every step.

So.

I, the player, am anti-regency, to just kill the debate cold and let everybody get back to business- the Court has actually functioned fine without a regent, some tea-soiled Crane and overstepping Otomo notwithstanding.

Ryusei, the character, is a bit more wishy-washy. He could go either way, and would probably welcome a firm hand at the tiller.

Question 2: What should the regent's duties do?

Eiji's answer: Rule in the empress's place, excluding interfering with the succession. No naming themselves permanent ruler, no banishing, executing, or otherwise punishing the Winds or their followers for matter that are not explicitly laid out in Imperial law. Eiji will only speak on this point if it's deviating signifantly (They can just name themselves ruler now!)

I would say reign but not rule. If we need a figurehead to be in charge, they should do as little as possible. I would see their biggest role as holding the leashes of the various Winds' camps and prevent bullshit like Keihime's overplaying her position of the day before. Someone who can censure that sort of behavior- from any side.

Question 3: Who should be the regent?

None of the winds can serve as regent because a regent by definition steps down to the true ruler. We'll need the most neutral party on the terms of succession as we can get. Whether this is the Emerald Champion, the Ruby Champion, Lord Ikoma, or one of the non-Crane clan champions here. Eiji will probably end up speaking on this point, because Keihime's trying to just grab the throne, and that isn't fair.

My first choice is Lord Ikoma. This is his Court, after all, most of the time. And since everybody helped him through his crisis, he's presumably nerved up to shoulder the responsibility.

My second is Higashime, because she takes the law PAINFULLY seriously, isn't in contention for the Throne, and her Clan doesn't have a horse in the race. Keihime sees her as an erstwhile ally, so it'll cut down on Otomo whining a bit, and you can bet your ass she won't stand for any stunting in the Court.

Shin's player's position is that a regency is for when there's an acknowledged monarch who is underage or otherwise not capable of ruling in their own right. That simply isn't the case here. Someone in this room is already the legitimate successor, and whoever that person is, is an adult over the age of majority and (as far as we know!) compos mentis. Logically, it makes vastly more sense for the court to focus on resolving this question ASAP than it does to futz around creating yet another essentially unnecessary, competing power center and arguing about who should hold that.

In-character, the status 1 artisan is unlikely to be the first person to step out and make this case. But he would readily support someone else who does so in a reasonable manner.

Jinkan is of the opinion that appointment of a regent will lead directly to war as such a centralization of power will either lead to an immediate choice of Empress within a couple of days, or will lead to the destruction of the current uneasy peace. No clan is acting, yet. Picking a non-Sadako regent means handing the clans the choice of Empress.

Current running tally:

2 No
1 Player No and a character who could be swayed
1 "Whatever's clever"

As a character Honoka would support a regent (and likely will speak in court on it).

I kinda think having the discussion here instead of IC might spoil things a bit...

... that said, I tend to agree with Shin's player that a regent without an Emperor waiting to come of age is weird. The Gozoku was also just around the corner, and with a succession crisis happening, appointing someone with "imperial-like authority" sounds like a terrible idea to me (for many of the reasons Jinkan noted).

That's mostly as a player. Will think a bit more on what Masaki would do, but she'll likely be influenced by her player

Hell, the Gozoku is part of WHY the Otomo are so down on the Crane.

I threw some dice for "No Imperial Regent". Feel free to chime in if you agree.

Shingo would really only support a regent if it's Shiba Higashime (selfishly) or Seppun Sadako (genuine respect). As a player I agree with the attitude that it's a waste of time. Shingo is hyper suspicious of Keihime, so probably would wait to see how debate is trending before speaking up, but would be most likely to speak up to avoid her getting a leg up in the succession. Or he'll do whatever Higashime tells him, that's his big caveat.

The First Question will be resolved in 1 hour.

The Regency Debate has resolved in the negative. The Empire will remain leaderless for the time being.