[D13, EA, Court] The Floor

[Cearnach]

This thread is for official business using the Court Actions rule system. Presiding today is Kakita Hajime, the Emerald Champion. The TN for court actions is 26.

[Kakita Hajime]

Kakita Hajime, Emerald Champion and all-around cool guy, steps out onto the floor.

"Court is now in session. We will entertain motions from the people of the Empire. Let the first proposal come forward."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke approaches the dais and bows gracefully. "My lord Emerald Champion, if it pleases you, I should like to inform the assembly of a happy agreement between the Crane Clan and our southerly neighbors in the Fox Clan. If there's no objection, I'll read the details?"

Tucking his fan into his obi, he produces a thick and (of course) elegantly tinted roll of paper and recites in his melodious tenor the following sparkling lines:

Kitsune-ke no kashin Kondo Yoshimasa, a poet and diplomat [status 6] and Doji-ke no kashin Tanaka Kinuyo [status 5], a respected officer, will wed. The couple will remain with the Fox Clan.

An artist of the Crane will visit the Fox for the occasion and create an artwork honoring the Minor Clan [Art Service].

A Fox Clan herbalist will be assigned to the service of the Crane Clan for one year to share Fox botanical knowledge and expertise.

The clans will exchange gifts of fine stone from the Crane quarries [1 unit] and dye plants from the Fox woodlands [1 unit].

This done, he bows again and awaits the court's response, tension well-concealed.

D13 EA Court--Advance Own Position (Crane&Fox agreement). Courtier/Awareness, base TN 26. BB, Prodigy, VP, 2CR | 9k6 ⇒ 38 (TN: 36)
+20 Court Points for this position.

[Kakita Hajime]

"The court is pleased to accept this treaty. Is there further business before the court?"

[Cearnach]

Yuna steps forward to present a calligraphic painting.

The words in the center in the largest kanji are 武士道七徳 (Bushido Nana Toku) ”The Seven Virtue of Bushido” and the seven elements are in the smaller kanji to all sides.

義 Integrity
名誉 Honor
勇 Heroic Courage
真 Sincerely and Honestly
忠義 Duty and Loyalty
仁 Compassion
礼 Respect


https://sakkaku.org/r/17471 35 vs 26 today

[Kakita Hajime]

"Who could object to a commemoration of bushido in a Lion keep? The court accepts your offering. Is there further business before the court?"

[Cearnach]

Day 13

Yasuki Ryoichi stepped forward and bowed.

“If it pleases the Court, I have the honor to present a proposed training agreement between the Crab and Badger,” the Yasuki announced. “To spread knowledge and cultural understanding between our clans, the Crab Clan has agreed to accept a Badger student to the Hida bushi school, and another to the Kuni shugenja school. In return, the Badger have agreed to accept two Crab students to the Ichiro bushi school. We believe this sharing of knowledge and techniques will benefit both clans.”

-
13EA Introduce Crab/Badger treaty with 1 called raise, Etiquette/Awareness +Benten's +Void Point TN31 | 10k6 ⇒ 44 (TN: 31) succeeds for 15 Court Points

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna steps forward to present a calligraphic painting.

The words in the center in the largest kanji are 武士道七徳 (Bushido Nana Toku) ”The Seven Virtue of Bushido” and the seven elements are in the smaller kanji to all sides.

義 Integrity
名誉 Honor
勇 Heroic Courage
真 Sincerely and Honestly
忠義 Duty and Loyalty
仁 Compassion
礼 Respect


https://sakkaku.org/r/17471 35 vs 26 today

(Here it is)

[Kakita Hajime]

Day 13

Yasuki Ryoichi stepped forward and bowed.

“If it pleases the Court, I have the honor to present a proposed training agreement between the Crab and Badger,” the Yasuki announced. “To spread knowledge and cultural understanding between our clans, the Crab Clan has agreed to accept a Badger student to the Hida bushi school, and another to the Kuni shugenja school. In return, the Badger have agreed to accept two Crab students to the Ichiro bushi school. We believe this sharing of knowledge and techniques will benefit both clans.”

-
13EA Introduce Crab/Badger treaty with 1 called raise, Etiquette/Awareness +Benten's +Void Point TN31 | 10k6 ⇒ 44 (TN: 31) succeeds for 15 Court Points

"The Court is pleased to accept that proposal. Is there further business before the court?"

[Kitsune Aiko]

Kitsune Aiko steps forward, as planned.

"Well, m' lords an' ladies," she says, "I got an' item o' business as might seem small t' y'all, but looms awful large f'r us in th' Fox. Y'see, my brother, Kitsune Fumihito, has found hisself in a way as he can't rightly do th' work o' Championin' th' Fox Clan. Th' day-t'-day stuff's fallen t' me, an' I been doin' what all I c'n do, but there's only s' much as I c'n do with him in th' world but not really partakin' of it no more. So I'd ask th' Court t' recognize in fact what's been true f'r a while, that I'm runnin' th' Fox Clan, servin' as it's leader.

"I'd ask that the Court formally reco'nize me as Champion o' th' Fox."

She bows and withdraws.

~~~~~
Advance position passes at 43, https://sakkaku.org/r/17479

[Otomo Keihime]

Otomo Keihime rises.

"There comes a time in a samurai's life when he must recognize that his service has come to an end. As this is impossible for Kitsune Fumihito, it would fall upon his lord to make that determination and give him leave to retire. Kitsune Fumihito's lord is the throne, and as the organ that represents the interests of the throne, it is incumbent on this court to extend to him the mercy our beloved Empress would have done, had she lived to hear of his misfortune."

[Concurrence: +10 court points to Kitsune Aiko]

[Kitsu Sayomi]

Sayomi too joins the floor.

"No one can deny the dedication and love Kitsune Aiko-sama holds for her clan. I have had the honor and pleasure of speaking to her many times so far this season, and I personally vouch for her honorable soul and good character. The noble Fox will have a safe and steady future with her as its Champion."

"Some might think this is unorthodox, but I wish to dispel such concerns with the fact that it is not unprecedented according to the records of the Ikoma. It serves the Fox, and the Empire as well, to have such a capable and good samurai take up the mantle for her brother, and I stand with her and recognize her as Champion of the Fox."

----

D13 Court. Concurring with Kitsune Aiko's position. +1k1 Void. 1 raise. | 8k5 ⇒ 33 (TN: 31)

+15 to Kitsune Aiko (1 out of 3 Court Actions)

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko frowns a bit. Something feels both right and wrong about this. She steps forward,.

"It does seem right that there be a way to ensure stewardship of a clan is maintained, even if its rightful champion is no longer able to do that. But...I think the precedent of the court doing so with a simple debate might be a problem." What would stop a great clan's champion from being treated in such a way, otherwise?

She looks to Sayomi, "Were previous examples done so, or decided by the throne? I'd think this better decided by the coming empress or emperor, with the advice of the court declaring it a wise plan for the future of the Fox.

**************************
Advancing position: good idea, but needs an Empr@ vote.
D13 Court. VP 1 called raise to advance | 8k5 ⇒ 45 (TN: 31)
+15

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji decided to step in to support his cousin and the Fox. "While I sympathise with the question raised by Asahina-san, my understanding of this matter is that it is in essence simply recognising the true state of things. Kitsune-sama is leading the Fox, her honourable brother has served well but should be given leave to retire. Under the exceptional circumstances of the present day the court is in a position to help resolve this and allow Kitsune Aiko to take on the burden of leadership officially rather than in all but name."

D13. EA. Court. Flashing Lion gang signs in support of Sayomi. Void for +1k1. | 7k4 ⇒ 38 (TN: 26)

Success, +10 points in support of Aiko and Sayomi.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke chimes in. "I share Asahina-san's opinion. I respect Kitsune-sama very much, and I am sure the next Emperor--er, or Empress--will do what is right for the Fox, but is it the place of this court to make that decision for them? I think it's our place to advise on this matter, not decide. Great Clans and courtiers deciding instead of the future ruler all feels very... Gozokey? Gozokish? Gokk... Gack... er... well, you see what I mean, I'm sure." He retires behind his fan, the tips of his ears flushing.

--

Well, dang, Sakkaku
D13 EA Court--Support Hoshiko, Courtier/Awareness. Base TN 26. Prodigy, BB, +VP. 2CR | 9k6 ⇒ 34 (TN: 36)
-20...

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki steps forward, bowing deeply to Hajime.

"Kakita-ue, minasan. In all my talks with Kitsune Aiko-sama - and also with others - it has always been clear how much her service and dedication to the Fox's well being and success while her brother Kitsune Fumihito could not lead the clan has been exemplary. Kitsune-sama's words mirror those I've heard from others, in the Fox and other clans, that her brother's current condition unfortunately prevents him from effectively leading the clan - so much so that, as Kitsune Aiko-sama says, she has in fact been leading the clan in fact, if not in name, for some time now."

"Now, I agree with Asahina-san that this should normally depend on the express sanction of a rightfully recognised Child of Heaven. In fact, I have argued for much the same thing when it came to sanctioning military conflict. In this case, however, I believe failing to accept and officially recognise the state of things could hinder the Fox Clan's capacity to manage their own lands and matters until the larger question of the succession is fully resolved - and endangering the well being of a clan in such a way hardly seems acceptable."

She nods. "The reason for Kitsune Aiko-sama's request in her testimony, sad as it may be, proves that, in his current conditions, her brother Kitsune Fumihito-sama is incapable of leading the Fox himself, so a change appears to be the proper way of Courtesy and Duty, for him and the clan."

Another nod.

"Of course, given the motivation for the request, should Kitsune Fumihito's condition improve in the future, enough for him to provide his own, unquestionable testimony of his condition and will to return to his position, it would stand to reason that the motivation for this motion would be made null - and then I'm sure Kitsune Aiko-sama will be happier than any to celebrate her brother's improvement and return to his duties."

She bows deeply again and takes a step back.

---------
D13 EA - Court. Supporting Aiko's position (with a caveat). TN 26, +4 from Seppun-inspected blessing (assuming it's approved as in previous days). | 7k4+4 ⇒ 30 (TN: 26)
(Passes even if the blessing isn't approved today for any reason, so all good either way!)
(10 Court Points to Aiko)

Action 1 of 3

[Shiba Higashime]

Shiba Higashime rises.

"The Phoenix clan considers it unfortunate that no notice or opportunity for rebuttal has been extended to Kitsune Fumihito. Without this element, it is unclear whether the action taken would be just, or whether the court is acting on considered information. The Phoenix clan opposes this action unless such an opportunity for rebuttal is extended to him."

[Concur (broadly) with Asahina Hoshiko: +10 points]

[Kaiu Masahiko]

Masahiko rose.

"I believe that the court does not possess enough information to commit to a drastic action such as this. The precedent is troubling. The consequences if we are incorrect are significant. Is the court required to request troops to enforce its writ and install Kitsune Aiko and maintain her in power if this passes and Kitsune Fumihito decides to resist? The Crab have no interest in warfare on our northern border."

[Concurrence. +10 to Asahina Hoshiko]

[Moshi Akane]

That was when Moshi Akane took the field.

"I am not surprised that the Great Clans hesitate to address the concerns of their smaller peers. Under the cover of legal concerns, the Phoenix, Crab, and Crane have chosen to hide their eyes from a clan in need of support. The fact of the matter is that this motion was moved not by some jackanapes courtier from a neighboring clan, but by a member of the ruling family of the Fox, who, out of a deep and abiding concern for her brother and her people, has acted, painful though it be, to ask for help in rectifying an unbearable situation. This court would do well to pause for a moment to consider whether nice legal arguments should stand in the way of a family trying to heal itself."

[+10 to Kitsune Aiko]

[Kakita Hajime]

Kakita Hajime grimaced. This was ugly, and had the potential to get uglier.

"Though my instinct is to err on the side of caution in this matter, the stability of the Empire can only be enhanced by a reinforcement of the stability of its constituent clans. As no one has challenged Kitsune Aiko's account directly," he looked at Masahiko with a raised eyebrow, "we cannot entertain the thought that she has misrepresented her brother's situation. Therefore, the court is inclined to grant Kitsune Aiko a writ acknowledging her as Daimyo of the Fox clan. On the return of the Fox delegation to Fox territory, she will be accompanied by a Miya herald to articulate the court's will."

"Is there any further business before the court?"