[D15, EA, Court] The Floor

[Doji Shinnosuke]

Shinnosuke's fan flutters. "My apologies for contradicting, but really... what Yasuki-san proposes is exactly a vote. It may be a vote with a limited body of voters, but that is no less a vote." He bows apologetically to Masaki.

"To my mind, the only mortals with a true right to exercise discretion in this sort of decision are the Emperors in Hantei's line themselves. Were the Former Empress still among us, her word would be final as to which of these five very qualified princes and princesses should be her heir. It's only because the Former Empress left us without that answer that we have no choice but to look to the wishes left by the rulers before her. The Eighth Hantei, Emperor Muhaki, stood up in the Former Empress's minority but never remarried in all that time, wishing the throne to remain with the heirs of the Seventh Hantei, Empress Yugozohime. And Empress Yugozohime made her own intentions clear in case she should have no direct line descendants. Let this decision be made according to the wishes of the past Hantei rulers."


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D15 EA Court--Support... me. Courtier/Awa, BB, Prodigy, 1cr | 8k5 ⇒ 33 (TN: 29)
+15

action 2/3

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko has listened to the arguments, appalled at the call to war, and only slightly less so for a tournament. The favor of the heavens ought to be something more than a drawn lot, or a moment of a duel.

Shinnosuke's appeal to the revered previous Empress makes quite a bit of sense in that light. But as Hoshiko steps forward, her words do not have the weight she had hoped for as she accidentally touches someone in the crowded court with her death-marked right hand and recoils, stumbling into another. That corner is abuzz as she stumbles out a few words in support that sink into that buzz with barely a ripple.

***********
D15 Court: Concur with Shinnosuke VP for +1k1, +3 AKB 2 raises | 8k5+3 ⇒ 32 (TN: 34)
-20

[Jihen]

Jihen steps forward in a moment of relative quiet, making sure not to step over the proper order of things as one who is outside the samurai class.

When acknowledged he begins speaking in a humble but sincere manner.

"I am the least of all these who are granted permission to speak here and therefore am reticent to step to the fore, but I believe that my position within the realm allows me to speak on behalf of a portion of the empire which otherwise would lack a voice..."

He straightens his spine slowly as he continues to speak.

"The sentiments expressed here by nearly all of the participants help direct us towards the type of guidance we are seeking after. We all wish for these things to be obvious... For clarity and an easy answer to act upon with certainty. We all see this moment as a potential moment of destiny... and true to the teachings of the Little Teacher... we all desire for the clarity that comes when destiny arrives."

He bows his head, "However, as a humble servant of the Way and the people of the realm... I must say that clarity is the one thing that is truly absent in the current discussion. The Empire has thrived throughout the generations as it followed the practices set forth by the Hantei... and those practices, court ritual and others have fallen in to general disrepair at various times of our recent past. The desire for ease, certainty, and immediate solutions, while well-intentioned... has led to imbalance as the protocols of the court have been altered to favor the voices of those who only hold responsibility for a portion of the greater empire."

He continues, "The Way of the Heavens has never been controlled by the popularity of a given project amongst those who are responsible for only a portion of the empire divided out to them through the Hantei and the imperial court. It is court ritual, along with its divining mechanisms, administered by the imperial families which has guided the empire at its greatest heights. It is not 'voting' to entrust those who occupy the closest proximity to the Heavens the right to command from that position. A Clan Champion may confer with their advisors, but the decision belongs to the one who bears that responsibility from the Heavens through the proper hierarchy; the champion... and for one clan's champion to attempt to order someone of another clan lies outside of their divinely delegated responsibility."

He politely gestures towards the young Crab courtier, "In my estimation, the proposal which most closely approximates this order, is the one provided by Yasuki-sama. The scions of the Imperial Families occupy the closest positions to the Heavens, and the Heavens speak through them... They bear no immediate duty to any portion of the empire, but to the empire as a whole. The ritual divinations of the court, administered in the capital, and with the authority of the court, the clans, and the people, will provide the clarity that is so earnestly sought by this body. When that proper order is disturbed, however, and those with duties directly tied to only a part of the empire are allowed to make decisions on behalf of the imperial court and the empire as a whole... outside of the proper protocols and constraints... Our empire has experienced tragedy which extends to the lowest of all of us within that social order."

He bows humbly to the body, "I am one from without that social order... and observer with duties to no portion of the empire... and to all of it. My voice may be least important of all those here, but I would be failing all the people to who I am devoted if I did not raise my voice in alarm against deviating from the proper way of the Heavens. To entrust this to the Imperial families is the option that may take a little while longer... but in the end will give the legitimacy and sanction of the Heavens that will create more lasting harmony and peace."

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D15, Court Debate, Oratory, VP, Voice, Benten's, 4CR | 10k8 ⇒ 48 (TN: 44)

Supporting Yasuki-sama's proposal with an emphasis on court divination/ritual being part of the process that takes place in the capital. The "random draw" part... but with RITUAL behind it.

+30 points?

[Daidoji Sae]

"Many of you have suggested methods of deciding the succession that are frankly little better than 'Everyone whose name is Doji Noriko can be empress' or 'Only Seppun over the age of 50 should be considered'."

Sae offers a baleful look.

"Some of you have offered suggestions more in keeping with the spirit of the task before us, Soshi Eiji-san in particular. But I must disagree with his suggestion of a dueling tournament, half the candidates would be fighting through champions or representatives, that is not how the Tournament of the Kami was conducted, it is a poor way to ask heaven to extend its wisdom."

Straightening up to her full height.

"So I propose a test that every Wind can compete in, that is recognised the length and breadth of the empire and that calls on equal parts skills, character, wisdom, spiritual understanding and the blessing of the heavens.

I move the succession be decided by a fishing tournament to be held across the empire so that the candidates might travel and see their people and that the spirits both great and small may judge them, and that Lady Amaterasu might shine upon their endeavors.

Let heaven show its wisdom through the humble fish."
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Day 15 Court, EA, introduce own position, etiquette/awareness/benten's, contested, void, calling one raise. TN 29

Fishing Tournament, feel the allure, it's the reel way to decide this, you're hooked. | 10k5 ⇒ 36 (TN: 29)

Introduce position the succession be decided by the winner of a fishing tournament, +15 points.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko takes a long moment, listening to the arguments. They're wrong...a vote is a vote. The Imperial families remain human, remain prone to the same sins that saw a Hantei become what she saw last night. That naked ambition is still standing right before them all, glittering.

But dueling, while agreed upon by the Empire as a sign of heaven's decree, did not seem right, and she hadn't quite put her finger on it beyond her Asahina drive to eschew such violence. Miyahara-sama's put a finger on it.

She nods and steps forward to support the magistrate. "Daidoji-sama speaks truly. Duels are by proxy, and introduce all of the side considerations about changing out not just the ruler on the Throne, but another such key office, adding to the unrest of these times. While we argued to avoid a regency, pushing for a decision that would place someone on the throne by the end of this court, it seems likely that the heavens may not speak clearly on that timetable."

With her black and gold fan, held low in a gloved right hand, she bows to Sae. "I'm pleased to support the wisdom of House Miyahara in this. Both the heavens, the miko-kami, and the elemental kami have an opportunity to make their blessings known in this way. It also reduces the possible stain upon anyone's soul of a bloody accident of the sort that have happened in duels before."

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D15 Court: Concur with Sae VP for +1k1, +3 AKB 1 raise | 8k5+3 ⇒ 46 (TN: 29)
+15 (action 2/3)

[Daidoji Sae]

"Thank you Asahina-san. Now, to expand on some of those ideas."

Sae starts expounding on the theological implications of fishing at length

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ay 15 Court, EA, Advance own position, etiquette/awareness/benten's, contested, void, calling one raise. TN 29

Fishing Tournament, let's fin-ish this, stop feeling eel and squidding ourselves and tunaout those negative thoughts | 10k5 ⇒ 26 (TN: 29)

-10 points to the fishing tournament. Never giveup, just keep swiming.

[Daidoji Sae]

"By allowing nature to...

As even the famed Yasuki did...

Consider the humble trout..."

Sae regains momentum after a stumble and continues on.

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ay 15 Court, EA, Advance own position, etiquette/awareness/benten's, contested, void, calling one raise. TN 29

Fishing Tournament, we mustn't flounder, we must swimply carry out and bass our arguments on logic and honour. | 10k5 ⇒ 50 (TN: 29)

+15 to the fishing tournament

[Daidoji Sae]

"And in conclusion let us decide here and now as samurai what our path forward will be.

Let us seek the heavens' wisdom and humble ourselves enough to listen.

Let us not be afraid of the future no matter its uncertainty.

Let us fish."

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Day 15 Court, EA, Advance own position, etiquette/awareness/benten's, contested, no raises, TN 24

Fishing Tournament, we mustn't flounder, we must swimply carry out and bass our arguments on logic and honour. | 9k4 ⇒ 49 (TN: 24)

+10 points to the fishing tournament.

[Hiruma Daichi]

The Daidoji was certainly a fan of fish and fishing. Maybe it was a crane thing? It was quite hard to tell honestly. Daichi liked the idea of such a tournament, and if it didn't take so damned long, he might have agreed. Instead, though he decided to throw his weight in beside the Scorpion.

"I believe Soshi-san has the right or it, a series of duels should be the way forward."

----------------------------------------------------
Basic support. + 10 Court points for Soshi Eiji.

Supporting Eiji, void for 1k1 Koi token for +2k0 TN 24 | 9k4 ⇒ 46 (TN: 24)

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna stepped forward again.

"Jihen-san is correct that there is a tradition of ritual divination of the court. It is right to seek Heaven's will. It is right to show Heaven that all present sincerely want Heaven's will to be shown."

"This debate can identify a process to follow in the absence of clear sign from Heaven today."

"But can we not agree to all sincerely pray that Heaven give us a sign here, in front of all the witnesses present today? I know many of us have prayed individually for this. But we have not tried praying together. Let us show Heaven that we have faith and want to know Heaven's will, together. Let us participate in a traditional ritual of divination here."

"Can we not agree to give that a try? Let one of the other processes proposed follow if the call remains unanswered."

"I suggest one hour of prayer together, earnestly, as a court. Together. There is time for that."


https://sakkaku.org/r/17661 49 v 34, 2 raises called

(Yuna's new proposal: Everyone prays together for a sign. Today. Go with one of these other options only if that does not produce a clear answer. She earnestly believes Heaven will answer if all pray together.)

[Yasuki Masaki]

The Yasuki steps forward again.

"I am thankful to hear many others now raising their voices to call for means of decision on the succession that hold a commitment to letting Heavens' will be heard, albeit in different ways. It is of course true that the most traditional way in which this is done, for many things, is through duels, as Soshi-san and Hiruma-sama defend. But given the nature of the question the Empire faces, it would seem most appropriate to let those closest to Heaven to speak and act with their own voices and gestures. Since some of the Winds would have to be represented by appointed champions, a duelling tournament would not allow that, and for that reason I would sustain it is, in this specific case, not the most appropriate path to take."

She gestures towards Sae and Hoshiko.

"Daidoji-sama's suggestion, supported by Asahina-san, is an interesting alternative to letting the will of Heavens be heard. Were this a matter in which the Fortunes had the greatest authority, I might very well have been convinced and swayed from my own suggestion to support them, as a tournament as the one suggested would certainly show the blessings of Hamanari-no-kami, Haruhiko-no-kami and Ebisu-no-kami, and likely other Fortunes as well."

She turns to Rumiko again.

"But this choice is one in which the Fortunes are important, but not foremost. So I insist that we let this decision stem from the voices those closest to Heaven instead. The voices of the Winds, and those of the heads of the Imperial Families, each equal to the others - and the winds strictly following Courtesy in not nominating themselves. The monk Jihen's suggestion that ritual be included is of course very welcome - especially if a further Divination is needed at the end of the process."

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D15 EA - Court. Action 3 - advance own position. 1 Raise, VP. | 8k5+4 ⇒ 39 (TN: 29)

15 more points towards 'Winds and heads of Imperial families decide, no self-nomination, random draw if tied; this happens in Otosan Uchi'

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Agasha-san's view is one I wish we could rely on. Perhaps it's even worth a try. But as has been said a week from now - what if we officially decided that this is the only acceptable way to know Heavens' will, and the Heavens for some reason do not speak direcrly to us today? How long are we willing to wait? How lojg could rhe Empire wait before it starts to falter?"

"Perhaps we could make an attempt today, if the Heavens are ready to speak. But if not, one last time, I ask that this court appeals to what we know to be the clearest way to hear the Heavens' voice - and that is hearing the voice of those we know to be closest to the Heavens."

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D15 EA - Court. Action 4 - advance own position. | 7k4+4 ⇒ 40 (TN: 24)

10 more Court Points to 'Winds and heads of Imperial families decide, no self-nomination, random draw if tied; this happens in Otosan Uchi'

[Chou-sin]

Chou-sin stands forward, voicing his support for his disciple, the Four Temples Monk Jihen.

~~~~~
Concurrence with Jihen (mislabeled in Sakkaku; I need more coffee) succeeds at 48, https://sakkaku.org/r/17664

[Shiba Higashime]

Lady Shiba, though nearly prevented by Lord Ikoma, has reached the dais. Standing ramrod straight, with her hands balled into fists and her eyes flashing white-hot anger, she shouts at the court.

"The people of the Empire have endured this criminal farce long enough! I warned you one week ago that this court is not empowered to determine anything about the succession without an Emperor or a Regent, and I will not permit it to continue to cheapen the idea of rulership, the idea of legitimacy, with the nonsense I have heard today. That first step away from the Law has left space for heretical concepts, and the Phoenix Clan will not be party to them. Winter Court is over. We are leaving. Immediately."

There is a rustling sound as the Phoenix delegation rises.

And without missing a beat, Shiba Higashime strides through the court and out of the room, followed by her people.


Shiba Higashime uses the nuclear option: the court is ended for the day.
Intimidation 5, Willpower 4 Shiba 5 Void Bomb. | 10k9+5 ⇒ 64 (TN: 42)

[Shiba Rumiko]

Shiba Rumiko stands shocked for a moment, but shakes her head from her dazed silence.

"The...the court has ended without a decision. Without the Phoenix clan...we do not speak for the Empire." She looked back up onto the dais. "The court is dismissed sine die. May the Fortunes protect us."

And then she sits on the lowest step of the dais, completely deflated, a look of despair beginning to cover her face.

[Cearnach]

Court Points
Agasha Yuna: 40 (Seppun Tomaru)
Yasuki Ryoichi: 20 (Tatsuya)
Akodo Kenji: 80 (Doji Noriko)
Soshi Eiji: 30 (Doji Noriko)
Yasuki Masaki: 70
Daidoji Sae: 45
Jihen: 40 (Seppun Tomaru)
Doji Shinnosuke: 10
Mirumoto Jinkan: -10