[D12, LE] hitting the books (open to anyone using library

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna had a lot to think about after the conversation with the shugenja that began on the 11th and continued into the 12th.

She felt like she needed to verify that there wasn't more to know about Hantei Ningi's life.

She'd shared what she knew.
- The history with Tenjin
- The history with Togashi Kaze
- The change to the Emperor's relationship with the land

But best to make sure.

She didn't find anything. But she also didn't feel like she'd had enough time to really know for sure. Best try again tomorrow.

https://sakkaku.org/r/17434 18 v 20, failed.

[Jihen]

One of the monks of the temple, seeing the young Dragon working so diligently remembered seeing the monk Jihen previously working with the young woman and walked over to the adjacent building to call upon him.

A short while later Jihen walked slowly towards Yuna and offered a warm smile and bow in greeting.

“You’re working rather late this evening Agasha-sama. Can I be of assistance?”

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled brightly to see him, and gave a deep bow.

"Jihen-san! It's good to see you. I was just contemplating sending you a note so I could share what I've learned on the matter of balances and disturbances."

She invited him to sit beside her, so they could speak quietly.

He could see the stack of scrolls and books in front of her related to the life of Emperor Hantei III. Hantei Ningi.

"I am still not sure how many forces are disturbed. The elements. Fortunes. You know about the earthquake. There is a vision the plague the Scorpion foresaw will come from the water."

"But central to all of this ... there is a certain hungry spirit haunting this court. Who has been identified."

She pointed to the name on the scrolls in front of her. It fell like a name that ought not to be said out loud in this moment."

"His wrongful action brought a punishing plague during his reign. When he killed Tenjin the poet for a truthful but unflattering account of him. Plague immediately followed. It was resolved when he apologized to Tenjin, elevated him to a Fortune, and built this temple." The Ikoma Library.

"He did at least one wrong thing that he did not make amends for. He had Togasi Kaze killed for teaching peasants an unarmed style of fighting. And had the peasants he'd taught slaughtered."

"There may be more. He did not follow the Way. He did wrongful things. Are there other things important to know?"

"The other point that seems relevant is that he declared that all Rokugani land belonged to the Emperor. That was not the case under Hantei, or Hantei Genji." Jihen had already pointed out that the Hantei had fallen away from the ideal priest-king on the wheel. This seemed to find the point in history of that break.

"The shugenja are working on a way to bind and trap the hungry spirit. There will be a big ritual, likely many ways to help."

"But is that enough? I think we need to thoroughly understand his reign. What may need to be amended, amends made for, yet."

[Jihen]

Jihen listened intently nodding his head as the revelations came pouring out.

At the end he nods one last time and replies, “I see… That is rather concerning then, yes.”

His mind begins making the connections to the various portents and tidbits of information that were available in the things he had read.

“Let me see what I can find to help supplement your efforts.”

Jihen then disappeared into the stacks for several minutes looking up as much relevant material that he could. He knew portions of the library were being lent out and tried to spend his time finding things that would possibly have been missed by a less thorough investigation.


——————

D12, Library Search, VP, 3 CR | 9k8 ⇒ 54 (TN: 35)

[Fukurokujin]

It is hard to find relevant materials at this point, entire shelves having been left bare with notes on borrowers. What materials remain present largely speak, again, of the pestilence that befell the Court after Ningi's actions against Akodo Tenjin and the related unrest accompanying the ossification of the caste system. There is some suggestion, largely from Matsu sources, that the elder child should have acceded to the Throne rather than renouncing her claim and marrying out into the Families, joining the Seppun, but those are few and contradictory.

[Jihen]

"I'm afraid a great deal of the relevant materials are already being read..." Jihen replies somewhat disappointed.

"I hope there is something that can be of use."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Perhaps it is a relief that we already know the key issues."

"And the question about the elder sister's lineage is interesting. If Doji Noriko-sama can be made Empress despite marrying out, perhaps it creates the argument that the eldest sister's line is relevant to succession, and that could alter who stands closest to Hantei."

"But I think the declaration that the land belongs to the Emperor is key. Since the Empress' death, there is a vacuum if the land all belongs to the Emperor. Perhaps that draws the hungry ghost who thinks it is available to claim again."

"I really think it might help for the court to adopt a motion that all lands in Rokugan belong to Heaven, and the Emperor is in a caretaking role. Perhaps particularly if all candidates joined that pledge."

"But I'm not sure that will be something the court wants to do."

[Jihen]

"That is a creative solution." He replies with a nod.

"Although... I would be remiss if I do not express my concern at the implication of the court being able to change the role of the Hantei in the absence of a true Hantei on the throne..." He offers.

"It is perhaps a solution that would be better implemented by one who bears the mantle of responsibility and shares the connection with the Heavens in a way that would be appropriate to make such a change. When the clans, however noble their aspirations may be, speak on behalf of the emperor... There is a divergence from the way of the heavens that could lead to troubling consequences in the future."

[Agasha Yuna]

"You think if one of the candidates made the proposal that is better?"

"It is something to consider."

"But, theologically, what should the relationship of the land to the Emperor be? If the suggestion is to restore it to what Hantei made it, then it is Hantei who is speaking, and we are just listening. Maybe."

[Jihen]

"It would be my humble suggestion that one who is true and fully the Hantei be the one who rectifies the relationship between the land and the heavens." He replied.

"If one who used to be the Hantei is lending his voice to those of us here now... It is still the responsibility of the Hantei... not us... to make that change."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"So it must wait until someone becomes Emperor, and that removes the chance to protect the land in the interim which feels like the time this is most needed."

[Jihen]

"There are both short and long term fixes that can be applied. This ritual you refer to may just be such a case where we can help alleviate the short term manifestation of the greater problem while we wait for the more permanent fix to be fully implemented in the proper manner." He replied with a reassuring tone.

[Agasha Yuna]

"True. That is why we are pursuing it. I'm sure trapping and binding him is a good step."

"I'll let you know as I learn more, but I expect there will be an opportunity to help with the ritual research."

[Jihen]

Jihen nodded in approval.

“Thank you for informing me of these matters. It has been a point of contemplation for me and hearing how the pieces fall into place… provides me with focus.”

[Agasha Yuna]

She smiled.

"I hope a resolution can be found to every spiritual disturbance. But I tell myself to find the patience of earth. It took centuries for matters to swing so far out of balance. It will take time to restore."

"If we can just see the person with the wisdom, humility, piety, spiritual knowledge and ability in place to make all the remaining decisions, all will be well."