The shock this morning was sudden and violent. Sasaki Emiko found herself thrown through the paper divider to come crashing down on top of the still-sleeping Michishita Erina. But Kyuden Ikoma was, mercifully, not the epicenter. No, some distance to the southeast this morning a powerful earthquake struck the Sunshine Valley Copper Mine and cast the works of ningen into confusion. Even now, men choke and groan, trapped in the throat of the great beast whose veins they tapped for the enrichment of the Lion. Something will have to be done.



This is an event with three stages. Only the first stage is mandatory. You may then choose to participate in either Stage 2 or Stage 3, not both.

Kyufoki-kami’s Displeasure, Stage 1: A Fateful Choice
In moments such as these, it is always a concern how one must weigh virtue against virtue. In this case, propriety wars with the natural inclination to be of help, to be a hero.

And, naturally, there are those who have arrayed themselves on either side; they will make their feelings known in due course.

There is no roll at this stage. Rather, this is a place to record your moment of choice, when you choose which virtue you will exhibit. Will you rush to the assistance of trapped miners or will you hold true to the role expected of a guest in a time of crisis, that of the passive observer?

If you choose to leave court and perform either Stage 2 or Stage 3, then: You may purchase a Devotion 1, Influence 4 Ally: Otomo Keihime, Ally: Otomo Tooru, or Ally: Matsu Tsuruyo advantage at a 1-xp discount. You gain a 3-point Sworn Enemy in the Ikoma family for no xp. You gain 3 Glory. If you are a member of the Ikoma family you may choose this option, but you receive only the Glory rewards in the latter stages, no allies, no sworn enemies.

If you choose to remain in court and observe your proper role, then:
You may purchase a Devotion 1, Influence 3 Ally: Ikoma Ryota or a Devotion 1, Influence 4 Ally: Akodo Sanae or Ally: Shiba Higashime advantage at a 1-xp discount. You gain Honor equal to Aiding a Wounded Enemy.

If you have the Darling of the Court: Kyuden Ikoma or Ally: Ikoma Ryota Advantages, you may sacrifice them in order to choose to perform either Stage 2 or Stage 3 without gaining a Sworn Enemy.

Tanji knows his place, and it's not in the middle of an earthquake's aftermath. Instead, he stays with his lord and sees what he do to pray for the quakes to stop.

(Choosing step 3)

Honoka remained at court, as she was assigned.

(Not leaving court, gain 6 honour and xp point deduction on Devotion 1, Influence 4 Ally: Akodo Sanae)

Yuna understood how even the slightest vibrations could create a challenge for a library. That - and her obligation as a guest - had to be the priority. She could quietly offer skilled assistance here, and praise Tenjin if none was needed.

And then carry on pretending as if nothing had happened, as polite guests did.


She remains and purchases a Devotion 1, Influence 3 Ally: Ikoma Ryota. She gains Honor equal to Aiding a Wounded Enemy. (which I will ask for help to calculate)

Sayomi wanted to rush out and make sure everyone was safe, but duty compelled her to remain. This was her place, and she had to have faith in the ones who had been tasked to secure the outer perimeters of Lord Ikoma's domain. She could do what she could here.


----

Sayomi stays, possibly gaining an Ally (Akodo Sanae), as well as Honor for Aiding A Wounded Enemy. (+0.5)

As a famed Lion poet once said: "When you got a job to do you've gotta do it well."

Although there was a part of Kenji that would have loved to rush off into danger, he was here to support his Clan in holding the Imperial Court. All else would resolve itself as it must. He exhibited the virtue of Duty and remained at Kyuden Ikoma.

---
Gain +0.6 honour and xp reduction on Ally: Akodo Sanae.

Even when the earth is shaking Shiba Ryushi stayed and watched.

//Staying in court.

Minase stays put. Umbrellas are of little import inside mines.

--
Gain 0.6 Honour

Matters between the Phoenix and the Lion were already potentially... delicate.

Acting as if their hosts needed their help would be insulting, and implying that the Lion were not adequate to looking after their own lands was... even worse.

There were practical considerations as well.

Ryusei knew he could help coordinate teams, and could issue orders clearly, and all of that... but only in structures where he understood the command. Where he knew who reported to whom, and wouldn't need to waste valuable time asking questions.

If some Matsu showed up after a tsunami in the Phoenix provinces and tried to inject themselves into the relief process, the difference in protocol and the confusion of the chain of command would actually do more harm than good.

Ryusei offered up a prayer for those impacted by the disaster, and kept his place.
--
Discount Ally biz unlocked
No idea what the honor table would call the benefit.

Ryu would do as he was told.

--------------------------------------------------------

(honorably not helping! Discount on the Phoenix)

Shinnosuke had grown up on a very small country estate, one where even samurai hands are needed when disaster strikes. He still vividly remembers the summer when the rains broke the dikes on the river and flooded fields and peasant settlements, and everyone, even he and his cousins, had to pitch in to help shore up the southern polder before the next rainstorm brought high water again. It'd been miserable and disgusting work, but human life is more important than dignity, even for a Crane.

A mine collapse sounds a lot like that. Sure, the Lion might be a little put out that he's away from Kyuden Ikoma for a few hours or a day, but surely they won't mind too much if people are really helping, after all?

A doubtful Toichi saddles up Shin's pony, and after gulping a quick breakfast of rice balls, he rides off with the rescuers.

--

Contrary activated, off to the mines for me (Part 2).

Daichi's family operated a mine, and while he was fortunate to have never experienced a collapse, he had heard enough stories growing up to know how truly horrifying that could be. To leave anyone in such circumstances and sit idle at the estate drinking tea was unthinkable.

He knew most wouldn't go, and there would likely be little to no thanks for his actions but go he would. Despite any consequences.

--------------------------
The Ikoma can go suck an egg. Going to join section 2.

Let's, go Matsu ally discount. +.3 glory Sworn Enemy acquired.

Sae's expression is so carefully neutral it nearly comes out the other side into fury.

Still, duty and she, remains.

----------
Sae may purchase a Devotion 1, Influence 3 Ally: Ikoma Ryota or a Devotion 1, Influence 4 Ally: Akodo Sanae or Ally: Shiba Higashime advantage at a 1-xp discount. Sae gains Honor equal to Aiding a Wounded Enemy.

Shingo had planned a different start to his morning than shaking and reports of danger in a mine. His skin burns like a candle as he steels himself to stay alongside his champion and trust his hosts to their affairs.

----------
Unhappily stays at Court. May purchase a Devotion 1, Influence 3 Ally: Ikoma Ryota or a Devotion 1, Influence 4 Ally: Akodo Sanae advantage at a 1-xp discount. Sae gains Honor equal to Aiding a Wounded Enemy.

Kiuchi sits and considers his options. He understands that the Ikoma will be angry, but... the Empress is here. Her safety is more important than his safety or the Ikoma's honor.

[Going to Part 3]

Sanjuro was meditating at the shrine when the tremors started. It took him a moment to recognize what was happening, but living near mines in the mountains, he understood the impact they could have.
He also knew that leaving the court when the Empress was here was the last thing that should happen.

He offered prayers for the protection of those in the path and implored the kami to hold his displeasure as it understood.

At the end of his prayers, he heads to the court to join the other shugenja.

[Receives a +1 discount on Ally: Ikoma Ryota, Devotion 1, Influence 3]

The boy who had grown up on the shore of Earthquake Fish Bay turned pale when Crab House and the ground beneath it began shaking violently. Ryoichi ran to crouch next to the wall of the house, ducking down to cover his head with his hands; a Kaiu engineer had once told him that next to a wall was the safest place to be. They were crazy about walls, all the Kaiu were … but sheltering by the wall felt more dignified than running around in a panic, so Ryoichi did it.

After the tremors passed, Ryoichi began tidying up the miscellaneous objects that had been knocked over by the quake: his ink pot, a water basin, and a few other loose items. Most everything was still intact. They had been lucky.

Stepping out of Crab house, the Yasuki noticed that there was now a fresh split in the tree in the courtyard. It was the tree that he had met and talked with other samurai under, just two days ago; Ryoichi remembered that Gorobei and Eiji had both likened the strength of the tree to the strength of the dojo that it shaded. “A bad omen for the Ikoma,” he murmured to himself, shaking his head uneasily. “The kami are angry.”

Ryoichi remembered the cracked tree when he heard about the copper mine, and the attempts to mount a rescue. “It’s the giri of the Ikoma,” he said softly behind his fan. “They won’t thank us for interfering.”

—
Ryoichi will remain in court. +0.6 Honor.

Masumi was not a child any longer and therefore did not yearn for the mines. What she did yearn for was helping those people... But since duty dictated that she stay, she stayed put like a good little cub... Wait she wasn't a child, right?

---

Tasty 6 Points of Honor. Discount for Allies too!

There is an idea of a Shosuro Reiko; some kind of abstraction.

But as she was taught by her esteemed teachers, there was no real her: only an entity, something illusory. And though she could hide her cold gaze behind a painted fan and you can exchange deep bows and perfumed letters... She simply is not there.

...In a metaphorical sense, anyway. She very much was there at court because she did not go running off to the mine to bother with her lessers.

The call of the mine collapse immediately hit a chord with Shiori and something that her House had taken seriously. Admittedly, it wasn't because it was completely from a place of compassion, considering that you never just let a collapsed mine sit for any reason. The rocks had to be cleared as soon as possible so that operations could resume and the work would continue to meet production. Sometimes there might have been someone of importance trapped and workers weren't easy to replace, too.

She might have felt a little reluctant to earn the ire of the Lion but she can't say she felt close to them. Well, duty calls. She rose from her seat and made for the mines with a mere deep bow given to excuse herself.

Shiori will leave the court for Stage 2.
Otomo Keihime, Ally: Otomo Tooru buyable at 1 XP discount.
Gain a 3 Point Sworn Enemy in the Ikoma family
+0.3 Glory!

/exit