[D13, EM] Huddle with Togashi-ue (open to Dragon)

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna was ready in the meeting area of Dragon House with tea and breakfast treats for the group.

She had several pages of notes with her.

Topic to address included:
- Approve Lion deal
- Report out on a serious spiritual situation (Yuna), in which the Dragon could help
- Update on economic policy discussions
- Any update on duel idea?

[Togashi Mizohachi]

Summoned by the mystic breakfast treats, Togashi Mizohachi appeared.

[Agasha Yuna]

Each person had their own basket of tasty bowls of fresh and pickled vegetables, with a harmonious balance of light bright citrus sauces, and rich umami soy sauces.
https://ibb.co/4RNdbkpC

She smiled at Togashi-ue while they waited for the others to arrive.

"How are you doing, Togashi-ue? Are you achieving - or seeing achieved - all that you'd hoped at this winter court?"

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"Far from it, Agasha-san. The throne remains empty, and the path before us in murky. The Sixth Wind has made itself known."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Am I correct in thinking the Sixth Wind is Hantei Ningi? A hungry spirit thinking itself Hantei's heir? That is the spiritual matter I hoped to discuss this morning. I have several updates, and I think there are opportunities for you and Agasha-san to help."

"But, in these complicated times, there are multiple forces disturbed and disturbing on several fronts. So, I humbly reflect that you might yet mean someone else."

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Jinkan came in with bloodshot eyes and a big smile fixed to his face that did not make him look the least bit happy. He was dressed in black and green checkered robes with green inner layers.

"Minna-sama." A bow and wave before sitting.

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna rose and made Mirumoto-san a cup of tea, and made sure he had a breakfast treats basket if he wanted.

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"Am I correct in thinking the Sixth Wind is Hantei Ningi? A hungry spirit thinking itself Hantei's heir? That is the spiritual matter I hoped to discuss this morning. I have several updates, and I think there are opportunities for you and Agasha-san to help."

"But, in these complicated times, there are multiple forces disturbed and disturbing on several fronts. So, I humbly reflect that you might yet mean someone else."

"No, that's what I meant." Mizhoachi looked aside. "I confounded him once, and Lady Akodo put him to flight before that, but he is persistent."

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Overhearing the discussion as he arrived, Sanjuro says, "yes, it seems he is, that one."

"Thank you for the hospitality, Agasha-san."

[Agasha Yuna]

She bowed to Agasha-san and poured him tea, and offered him a basket of breakfast treats.

"It's good that we are all here."

"I definitely want to talk more about the spiritual threat of Hantei Ningi. Let's all share what we know, and opportunities to help stop him."

"But perhaps we should start with the Dragon-Lion deal so we can verify that is signed off, or let them know if any changes are needed?"

"Agasha-san, chime in if I missed any of the details. I believe the current deal is:

"The Dragon and Lion come together to build a Shrine to Matsu Hitomi. This will help to heal wounds and rebuild understanding between our people. Once it is complete we can revisit the matter of alliance. We can show our peaceful intentions through marriage and this act of mutual cooperation."

"The Shrine will be in Lion lands. The Dragon will contribute to building it with financial resources (1 unit of gold) and by providing an artisan. Our Agasha Masao, our young artisan prodigy very skilled with ceramics, with mosaic and kintsugi. She will play a key role in decorating the shrine, with kintsugi and mosaic a poignant medium to honor the restored relationship from a broken place, over Matsu Hitomi's mistreatment. She will marry into the Lion, to their Kitsu who will be the shrine keeper, Kitsu-ke no kashin Ushio Mantaro (Male, Status 4, Shugenja, Age 25)."

"I believe inherent to this deal is an apology for Mirumoto Turan's treatment of her, and of his Lion allies in general. I recommend that. Our research into spiritual matters suggests that apology and shrine building together do the most good in reducing potential spiritual backlash from wrong-doing."

[Togashi Mizohachi]

Which one was Matsu Hitomi, again? Togashi Mizohachi's mind wandered over the faces of hundreds of samurai who died because of Akodo's silly ideas, and realized that he had no particular memory of these events. Still, if it was important to them...

"Very well. See it done."

[Agasha Sanjuro]

As Yuna and Togashi-ue spoke, Agashi nodded in agreement with the details and the decision.

"Thank you, Togashi-ue. Agasha-san, what is next?

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna smiled gratefully at Togashi-ue's agreement, and Agasha-san's confirmation.

"It may be possible to propose today, if the Lion confirm with their Daimyo this morning also."

"Alright, let's turn to the serious spiritual threat. I think we all may have pieces of this puzzle. I'll start with what I know."

"There is a hungry ghost - a gaki - who is the spirit of Hantei Ningi, also known as Hantei III. This is a malevolent force. He needs to be stopped. The plan is to develop a ritual to house the spirit. Several are contributing to the research for that ritual. I have been helping. Agasha-san, your knowledge of spellcraft would help also."

"The ritual will likely bind and trap the spirit, perhaps in a physical object, like a lidless sealed box. Agasha-san, there might be an opportunity to help in constructing a component like that, given your skillset."

"The details of the ritual - what will be required - will become clear when everyone completes their spellcraft research and conversations with the kami. There is a meeting tonight to confer." (ME at Crab House)

"Togashi-ue, there is speculation that we may need the spiritual support of those strongest here. Perhaps Clan Champions with their swords, and your spiritual power. I hope we can call on you to help with the details of the ritual when it is known, if that is the case."

"All that said, I think we need to look at the bigger picture. How could an Emperor's spirit be in this awful state? Is there a spiritual wound that began during his reign and will take more than the gaki's capture to heal?"

"Here is what I have collected about his reign."

"He is the first Emperor to claim that all the land of Rokugan belongs to the Emperor. This was not true under Hantei, or Hantei Genji. This may be the source of his hunger and appearance. That he believes the land is 'unclaimed' when no Emperor is present to hold it. This seems like an error that could be corrected. The court, or the new Emperor, once ascended, could declare clearly that all of Rokugan belongs to Heaven and is simply in the Emperor's care-taking during their lifetime, but is safely in Heaven's care at all times, regardless of the presence of an Emperor."

"Perhaps relevant to the omens of coming disease and pestilence, that very thing struck during his reign because he had the poet Tenjin executed for writing a truthful and unflattering account of his reign. He had to apologize to Tenjin, build a temple for Tenjin, and elevate him to a Fortune, in order for the plague to end. And it worked. And that very Temple of Tenjin is the Ikoma Library here."

"He did another wrong for which he did not make amend. He had Togashi Kaze executed for teaching unarmed fighting to peasants. Kaze-do. After Hantei Ningi ruled that peasants could not carry weapons. Togashi Kaze refused to teach the technique to Hantei Ningi. He ordered his Emerald Champion to kill Kaze, but that honorable samurai committed seppuku. He elevated a Lion to become the Emerald, and that one was willing to execute Togashi Kaze. And, though it is little spoken about, he also had all the peasants who had learned the technique slaughtered. This is a wrong as yet unhealed. Perhaps there is more to be done to right it."

"That is all I know. Do you have thoughts about the actions and speculations? Have you all learned other things?"

[Togashi Mizohachi]

Mizohachi listened quietly. "I am happy to help to the extent that I am able. Thank you for your analysis of the reign of Hantei Ningi. It seems that it was a troubled time. But we should be wary, I think, of overcorrection. For example, the trouble with declaring that Ningen-do belongs to Tengoku is that it is not true. It is possible to model an Empire on its precepts, but to declare it a possession of Tengoku may be to err a little too much on the side of order. Humanity should not be asked to surrender its essential nature; it will fail every time, and it may lead to a different set of spiritual troubles. After all, the Shadowlands is a direct consequence of the arrival of the kami in Ningen-do. Actions beget consequences."

"I believe that we should attempt your ritual, and then resolve the succession. Land reform or some sort of gesture of humility on the part of the new Emperor may be a necessary part of mending the ills of the past, but that is a struggle yet to come, I think."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"Your advice is most helpful. I think part of this will resolve simply by selecting a new Emperor. But it does make me think that it might be best if Heaven chose a person attentive to spiritual issues and their healing, and one with a humble spirit."

To her, that was clearly Seppun-sama.

"Has anyone else heard anything else about this spirit? Or had any encounter with it?"

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Yuna smiled gratefully at Togashi-ue's agreement, and Agasha-san's confirmation.

"It may be possible to propose today, if the Lion confirm with their Daimyo this morning also."

"Alright, let's turn to the serious spiritual threat. I think we all may have pieces of this puzzle. I'll start with what I know."

"There is a hungry ghost - a gaki - who is the spirit of Hantei Ningi, also known as Hantei III. This is a malevolent force. He needs to be stopped. The plan is to develop a ritual to house the spirit. Several are contributing to the research for that ritual. I have been helping. Agasha-san, your knowledge of spellcraft would help also."

"The ritual will likely bind and trap the spirit, perhaps in a physical object, like a lidless sealed box. Agasha-san, there might be an opportunity to help in constructing a component like that, given your skillset."

"The details of the ritual - what will be required - will become clear when everyone completes their spellcraft research and conversations with the kami. There is a meeting tonight to confer." (ME at Crab House)

"Togashi-ue, there is speculation that we may need the spiritual support of those strongest here. Perhaps Clan Champions with their swords, and your spiritual power. I hope we can call on you to help with the details of the ritual when it is known, if that is the case."

"All that said, I think we need to look at the bigger picture. How could an Emperor's spirit be in this awful state? Is there a spiritual wound that began during his reign and will take more than the gaki's capture to heal?"

"Here is what I have collected about his reign."

Sanjuro thoughtfully replies, "I see potential outcomes if Hantei Ningi will not atone. His own reign was filled with these plagues and issues as well.
When a new emperor is in place, his argument will no longer apply.
Withdrawal of all but one candidate would determine the new emperor, but seems unlikely.
A tournament to determine the new emperor could be held.

The binding ritual, if successful could prevent or seriously delay future intrusions. We should assemble all who can assist. Kitsune-sama, Kitsu-sama, Moshi-sama, Seppun Sadako, Seppun Tomoru, and any other shugenja delegates. Togashi-ua, your guidance is valuable in this matter. "

[Agasha Yuna]

"Any other information to share on the spiritual side? Has anyone else learned anything about the Hantei Ningi issue, or other troubling spiritual matters that they'd like to share?"

"If not, I can go on to the economic proposal, to be presented tomorrow."

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro nods to Yuna. "Yes, since gold is being used as payment, we may have support for a gold/rice standard. "

"Still on my mind is the binding ritual.. What vessel is best to bind Ningi? How do we ensure that he does not escape no matter who possesses the vessel?"

"Or, is there a better plan to defeat him and then send him back? What would persuade him to return?"

[Togashi Mizohachi]

"There are many choices of vessel possible. Binding comes with its own risks, but fighting the creature may also be unwise. Gaki are best defeated when known utterly, and while we may know something of this one, we do not know all."

[Agasha Yuna]

"You two might have advice for the ritualists on what to do with the box holding a gaki, when it is all done. Perhaps the Seppun will want to guard it for all time. Perhaps they would welcome an offer to take it as far from the imperial court as possible."

She paused, and then shifted the focus to the economic question. She did not want to run out of time to get Togashi-ue's blessing on the evolving plan.

"Togashi-ue, I have been speaking to the other clans regarding the gold standard idea. I am concerned that it cannot be passed without some alteration. It is too nakedly in our self interest, and in few others."

"Here is my current best thinking. The pitch must be made tomorrow. I do not think we should risk waiting to the last day of court when the focus will be on the succession. I think it is still helpful to reference the ways in which metal is a superior basis for tax-paying than rice - it's enduring quality, how much easier it is to store and transport and guard, how much less vulnerable to spoilage, war, fire, drought..."

"But the conclusion that I think could pass is that the imperial court simplify diversify how taxes are paid. That they can be paid in either rice or metal. The court could set the exchanges. This much rice or this much gold or this much iron. And that the imperial court would then have the advantage of that diversification. The stability and balance that comes from having a variety of goods available for use and trade. That is inherently safer and more valuable than a single good."

"Every clan could see benefit - or no harm to their own endeavors - in such a plan."