[D14, LM, EVENT] Magisterial Discretion

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Might not calling the Right Hand be a bit of a faux pas? None could deny the Emerald Champion the command of the Emerald Legions, but to call up the Right Hand is a much less.... apolitical call. If action is to be taken, let it be under Imperial auspices."

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Courtier/Awareness, TN 26 to support raising the Legions, Benten's Blessing applies. Action 2 of a possible 3. | 6k4 ⇒ 52 (TN: 26)

There we go, waste of explosions, +10 to the Legions getting called up.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"This is precisely the risk in calling up troops prematurely," Ryoichi argued. "Once one or two armies have gathered, everyone will start to wonder if maybe it would be a good idea if they called up their army too. 'Just in case,' they'll say. The situation could rapidly escalate out of control."

"It would be far better for our overall stability if no armies are called up."

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14LM Magisterial Discretion, 2nd action, advance position with 1 raise Etiquette/Awareness +Benten's +Mastery TN31 | 10k5 ⇒ 48 (TN: 31) +15 Court Points for don't summon the legions

[Daidoji Sae]

Sae listens quietly as discussion continues, nodding slightly at Ryusei's words before addressing Sayomi.

"I am sure none here doubt the strength and honour of the Lion, but should the Lion armies mobilise I am sure we would see every other clan do likewise. To allow your foes to mobilise while you contemplate is to let them hold a knife to your throat, it is why I am more sympathetic to Yasuki-san's point.

But that is the strength and duty of the imperial legions, they are beholden to no one clan but draw on the best of all serving the emerald champion and the emperor or empress. A daimyo has a harder time claiming the legions are a threat to them if they do not seek to disturb the empire's peace.

And should there be unrest, the legions must already be assembled, lest they never be readied at all."

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D14, LM, Magisterial Discretion, Action 2, advance position, etiquette/awareness, benten's, contested calling one raise, TN 31, void | 10k5 ⇒ 62 (TN: 31)
Action 2, +15, raise the legions

[Yasuki Masaki]

The conversation with Doji Minehime a couple days back echoes through Masaki's head as she hears the back and forth.

This was exactly what the worries were about. The discussion revolved around which armies would be raised, and where. Ryoichi's call for no armies being raised was perhaps the closest to her own hopes for peace - but it did leave space for problems if someone else did call to arms.

It would be illegal, of course. But then what the Matsu Daimyo said in court, a week ago or so, was true - what worth would legality be without backing?

"I would expect the one selected by the Heavens will call all clans, in their own way, to reassert their loyalty and duty. This loyalty is what keeps the Empire strong, after all. But if the worry is that some clans would not readily reassert their oaths, I tend to agree with what others said here in that calling the Right Hand might be seen by others as a show of support to the Lion by the Child of Heaven rather than the opposite, and thus further encourage others to raise forces if they're already inclined to do so."

She looks at Sayomi and Kenji. "Note I'm not saying this is what such a calling would be in spirit, and I don't doubt the Lion Clan's dedication to stability. But given what is involved here, appearances are sadly perhaps even more important than essence."

She looks back at Hajime, nods. "And for that reason I would like to make a slightly different suggestion, if Kakita-ue allows." She bows.

"Calling the legions en masse to the Castle would allow it to act swiftly. It would also work as a display of force. Now, as some have said here, this display could have one of two opposite effects: inhibiting malcontents from jumping into unworthy action, or encouraging such unworthy action by seeing appeals to force licensed."

"There is an option, I believe, that could allow swift action and disencourage malcontents, but reduce the chances of any issues escalating further. I would suggest that a part of the legions be called to the Castle of the Emerald Champion - enough for action, even if a large scale conflict might need greater mobilisation, and also a number that would be expected for such an occasion, reducing the chance that it be seen as an invitation to raise arms. Other parts of the Legions could be positioned in strategic places, ready to be called or act locally if needed - but not contributing to a display of force.

"Given the magnitude of what is at hand, I would add to my suggestion that other parts of the Legions, or the Magistrature, be drafted to protect important personages from the Clans who will be witnessing the procedures when the Child of Heavens is selected and takes the throne. This would certainly help keep those important to the clans protected - and it would also mean that people important to all the clans, and their actions, are visible and known."

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D10 LM - Magisterial Discretion. AKB active for +4. Advance: Call 'some' of the Legion, leave others in strategic positions but farther, keep important personages from each clan under 'protection' from the Magistrates. | 7k4+4 ⇒ 37 (TN: 26)

10 Court Points for this suggestion
Action 1

Edit: for clarity - 'castle' here refers to the castle of the Emerald champion!

[Yasuki Masaki]

Edit: I thought I'd made the OOC comment here somewhere else! OOC comments don't belong here, so replacing it with this! Sorry!

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"If the Emerald Champion, a Crane, tells the Child of Heaven to honor Akodo's Oath to Hantei, that is a reach across the aisle to the Right Hand. A coordinated effort between the Left and Right Hands."

Her words kind of got lost in the shuffle though. Especially with Masaki raising very good points.

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D14 Magisterial Discretion. Courtier/Awareness, continue on stance to call the Right Hand (2/2 actions). 1 Raise | 7k4 ⇒ 27 (TN: 31)
-10 to own Position (Call upon Akodo's Oath).

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna considered all that had been said. All that she knew of the magistrate office and imperial legion.

Kakita-sama had not addressed a single question asked.

But there were many relevant questions and none moreso than:

"Why not wait and let the Emperor or Empress make this decision, once selected by Heaven?"

"I think there are two scenarios to consider and our advice may require at least that much nuance."

She had already offered her earnest best understanding of actions most helpful in maintaining peace and order. He would consider that input or he would not. It was out of her hands.

"The winter court is nearly over. If the Emperor or Empress ascends to the throne tomorrow, by Heaven's guiding hand, there will have been no need to act without that person's input and it will reinforce that the Imperial Legion serves that Emperor or Empress, and will protect their rule, because you did not act without their direction. Wait at least that long."

"If the candidates remain, and the matter unresolved, I expect we will have to revisit a regency, rather than no decision. Likely by someone who is not one of the remaining candidates. In that case, you might again wait for the input of that regent, but I expect you will want to recall some of the Imperial Legion to Otosan Uchi to guard the regent, the candidates, and the succession."

"Yasuki-san is correct that there is important room between recalling every member of the Legion and recalling none. It is almost certainly best to recall some, and the exact balance is best known to your own analysis, but you will need scouts on the roads leading to the capital, and some presence maintaining order in each place of responsibility. I trust you will keep eyes where you need eyes, to protect the peace."

https://sakkaku.org/r/17596 32 v 26, no raises called
Support to recall some; wait on emperor or regent if possible

[Daidoji Sae]

"And if two candidates declare themselves emperor? Three? More? What if they start rallying samurai to their cause? The last thing the empire needs is a bitter loser trying to rally the support of some clans against others, the imperial institutions paralyzed, rumours swirling."

Sae's voice remains firm.
"I do not wish conflict, but sometimes it is the ready sword that discourages another. Better that sword be the Imperial legions than armies of competing samurai."

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Magisterial Discretion, Action 3, Introduce Position, Contested/Benten's, Etiquette/Awareness, Void, calling one raise to TN 31 | 10k5 ⇒ 44 (TN: 31)
Action 3, +15 to raising the legions.

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Daidoji-sama, you know I greatly respect your opinions, but..."

And she stops. She bows deep, steps back. Giving up? Regrouping? She seems worried, looks around, but keeps quiet for now.


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D14 LM - Advance own position - call some, some in strategic positions, Magistrates 'protect' important personages from the Great Clans | 7k4+4 ⇒ 25 (TN: 26)

Action 2 - whoops.
No points removed though. So the position is still at 20 Court Points

[Akodo Kenji]

Akodo Kenji had been following the discussion and considering each position carefully. All seemed to have their problems.

"Minna-sama, it occurs to me that the perfect time for malcontents to cause the maximum disruption to the Empire would be immediately following the announcement of summoning the Legions to the Castle of the Emerald Champion. At that point everyone in the Empire would know when and where the Legions will all be, and where they will not be. A clever enemy would choose that moment to cause maximum disruption.

I would suggest that if Legions are to be raised, and Daidoji-sama makes a compelling case, that it be only a subset of them. Perhaps the 1st to 3rd. Summoning all the Legions at once is a significant show of strength, yes. But it is also an opportunity for disruption across the Empire."

Unfortunately his arguments would fall on deaf ears.

D14. LM. Magisterial discussion. Support own position. Etiquette/ Awareness. | 6k3 ⇒ 24 (TN: 26)

Fail. 0 court points.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Uncertainty is why I support calling the Legions. They represent the authority of the Empire, not just a clan, and their readiness to move against any who disturb the peace the late Daughter of Heaven demanded of every Clan is simply a sound precaution."



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Courtier/Awareness, TN 26 to support raising the Legions, Benten's Blessing applies. Action 3 and final | 6k4 ⇒ 29 (TN: 26)

+10 to Legion yes

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko frowns, and begins to make a point...

"It isn't as if the resources exist to call them all up on the wind tonight." Perhaps the Phoenix had the spiritual resources for that, but certainly organizing for the ritual tonight made clear that the court did not. Wondering just how many people in the court might be able to call up the air kami's little message birds derailed her thoughts enough that it was a full breath or two before she realized the polite quiet was people waiting for her to make an actual point.

"um. so we obviously won't do that." She sits back.

*********************
D14: debate (not sure how many position there are out there right now, but basically falling in on having them in readiness) | 7k4 ⇒ 24 (TN: 26)

0 points

[Akodo Kenji]

It seemed the conversation was continuing to pull towards calling up the Legions.

"Allow me to rephrase. Announcing the call up of all the Legions to the Castle of the Emerald Champion means anyone plotting ill will know exactly where and when all those forces will be. It puts everything on a clock, if you will. Is it not more advantageous to summon a small number of key Legions while putting the others on high alert?"

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D14. LM. Magisterial discussion. Support own position. Etiquette/ Awareness. Second attempt! | 6k3 ⇒ 32 (TN: 26)

Success, a whole +10 points for Kenji's position.
(Summon a select few Legions. Calling them all to the Castle of the Emerald Champion at the same time leaves the Empire wide open to acts of disorder.)

[Doji Shinnosuke]

After listening carefully to the back-and-forth, Shinnosuke chimes in. "It seems to me that anyone who feels threatened by the Imperial Legions is already thinking of raising arms against the Empire. If there are such people--I really hope not!--then delaying to defend against them won't make them less of a threat."

"Kakita-sama is right that raising the Legions has a cost in rice and other supplies, but the negotiations at this Court have shown this is not a year of lack for the Empire. And if a little expense now might prevent greater destruction, I think it's worth the cost."


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action 1/3

D14 LM Debate--Yes, summon the dudes. One Raise. BB, Prodigy, using Courtier | 8k5 ⇒ 34 (TN: 31)

+15 to calling up the imperial troops

[Yasuki Masaki]

After hearing more of the arguments, Masaki once again steps forward.

"Kakita-ue, I hope you'll see how similar many of the suggestions here are, and how many of the worries of some may be dissolved with strategic mobilisation."

Her eyes fall on Kenji's for a moment. "Akodo-san's proposal is, in many ways, similar to the one I made. Call some of the legions to the castle - but not all of them. And, as I added, preferably in a way that would be expected for the announcement of a Heaven's Chosen, lessening the incentive for others to take up arms."

Her gaze returns to Hajime. "Other parts of the Legion could then be kept in other strategic areas - as Akodo-san said. Areas where they might be useful in acting either to join those already in the castle if needed, or elsewhere, if Akodo-san's worries come to happen."

She then looks at all those gathered, then back at Hajime. "I would however also ask once more that serious consideration be given to inviting key, high-ranking personages from each of the Great Clans to witness the ceremonies under the protection - and watchful eyes - of a detachment of Emerald Magistrates. For actual protection, official recognition of the procedures, and a safeguard to maintain stability."

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D14 LM - Magisterial discretion. Advance own position: Call some, leave some in strategic positions, 'protect' important personages TN 26, AKB for +4 | 7k4+4 ⇒ 40 (TN: 26)

Action 3

+10 to 'Call part of the legions to the Castle of the Emerald Champion, leave others in strategic positions, keep important personages from the Great Clans under 'protection' from magistrates.

Should be at 30 Court Points... although this is quite similar to Kenji's proposal XD

[Daidoji Sae]

"Let us not quibble about the details and specifics, have been asked a question, and it must be answered. The exact deployment of the legions will be a matter for the Emerald Champion, although I am sure expert advice on their approach is not amiss.

What matters is they are ready."

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Day 14 LM, Magisterial Discretion, Roll 4, Advance own position, etiquette/awareness, Benten's, contested. No raise. | 9k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 26)
Another +10 to raising those legions.

[Akodo Kenji]

This was going in circles. Kenji shook his head at Doji Shinnosuke's response. "My point was that it is the very act of summoning all of the Legions to the Castle of the Emerald Champion that would give troublemakers their opening."

He looked at Yasuki Masaki and nodded. "I believe Yasuki-san appreciates the point I am attempting to make."

Finally he found he could not disagree with the Magistrate. "Yes, they must be ready, though we all hope they will not be needed."

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D14. LM. Magisterial discussion. Support own position. Etiquette/ Awareness. | 6k3 ⇒ 22 (TN: 26)

Fail, but no change to points.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Conscious that the room's sentiment seemed to be arrayed against his argument, Yasuki Ryoichi nevertheless made one more plea for restraint.

"Calling up the Imperial Legions before a new Empress or Emperor is named seems premature," Ryoichi argued. "With no clear enemy and no clear goal, there is no way to know that the Legions are being called to the right location or to face the right opponent - and the very act of gathering an army may be seen as an excuse for others to do the same."

"I submit that the stability of the Empire would be better served by not calling up the Legions - not unless and not until a clear enemy is identified."

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14LM Magisterial Discretion, 3nd action, advance position with 1 raise Etiquette/Awareness +Benten's +Mastery +Void Point TN31 | 10k6 ⇒ 45 (TN: 31) succeeds for +15 points towards not calling up legions

[Kakita Hajime]

The Emerald Champion rises. "I have heard you. And, while I recognize the concerns that some may have about this maneuver, and reject certain insinuations that have been made about my impartiality in the exercise of my office, I acknowledge that the prospect of a general war is very real, and must be held in check. Consequently, I will be raising the legions and holding them at the Castle of the Emerald Champion in order to defend the capital from eventualities which may arise. Thank you for your support and arguments.

Court Points
Agasha Sanjuro: Raise the legions 110 points (Labeling issue discussed with player. Correct TN and dice observed. Honest mistake logged. Finger wagged.)
Yasuki Ryoichi: Do not raise the legions: 45 points (Tatsuya)
Yasuki Masaki: Only raise part of the Legion, place all important people in protective custody for their own safety: 30 points
Agasha Yuna: Emerald Champion should personally intervene in the Succession crisis without raising the legions. 15 points (Seppun Tomaru)
Akodo Kenji: Call only part of the legions: 10 points
Kitsu Sayomi: Raise the Lion Clan instead: 5 points