[Day 4, EA] Court: The Floor

[Doji Arai]

It is time for Doji Arai to step forward. She offers a low bow before speaking.

"Every man's life is a story. So the Tao says. The most respectful monk is right. And wrong at the same time. I do not know who Lady Akiko is, Kenta or his father. I am certain that there are lots of stories to be shared about them if the good monk wishes to do so. Perhaps one day we will know all of them. But. The stories we already know though are those of Hantei and Doji no kami. Of their children. The Shining Prince and Doji Nio no shiryo. Will we shed doubt on all the ways they taught us because of stories of others? If we challenge the elegance of a deal accompanied by the sanctity of a marriage that brings two clans closer, at which point do we stop? What will we challenge next? If we have doubts on our ancestors and out traditions, we have doubts on ourselves."

/D4, Court, court action, courtier/awareness, VP, BB, 2 raises | 8k6 ⇒ 44 (TN: 36)

+20 in favor of marriage

[Kakita Hajime]

Kakita Hajime nodded once.

"Persuasive enough for me. If there is no objection from Tenno-heika..."

[Hantei Retsuhime]

The figure behind the screens was silent.

[Kakita Hajime]

"..then I believe that settles the matter. Let the treaty be recognized, marriages and all."

He cannot help the widening of his grin.

"Now, is there any further business before this court?"

[Daidoji Ryu]

Bowing first, Ryu stepped forward.

"In fact, the Crane have another motion, one that I am putting forth on behalf of my cousin, Daidoji Sae, Emerald Magistrate." He said, raising his soft voice to carry. "An agreement, with the blessing of both parties, has been reached between the Crane and the Dragon. We will create a bond of friendship, and as a symbol of that friendship, join one of our clan and one of theirs in the bonds of marriage."

He tilted his chin up. "Before any objections are raised, I humbly submit that there is nothing singular about the marriage which was just approved. Nothing to make it a single test case. And just as this court saw fit to allow that marriage, so it must surely grant that this one is equally valid, equally sacred, equally blessed."

He frowned at the scroll that he held. "As is traditional, this marriage will involve more than just a simple ceremony, but many exchanges between our two clans. The details are as follows:

Crane to sell: 15 Rice
Dragon to sell: 4 gold, 3 jade, 5 arms, 1 marriage (Crane into Dragon), 1 Dragon only spiritual commodity.

The Two Clans Agree to a formal alliance.

The Two Clans Agree to repeat the deal next year.

Crane marriage candidate: Kakita-ke no kashin Iida Choko (Female, Status 3, age 21) The second daughter of her branch of the massive Iida family, Iida Choko is a senior yoriki to the Emerald Magistrate of South Hub village.

Dragon marriage candidate: Agasha-ke no kashin Hasegawa Kinzo (Male, Status 4, age 27). Hasegawa Kinzo is Gazan’s twin brother and a junior magistrate stationed at Kyuden Agasha

D4 MA- Court Floor - Introducing Position - Courtier/Awareness - 1 CR - TN 31 - Benten's blessing for +0k1 - VP spent, lol this is exactly the same as Hikaru | 8k6 ⇒ 42 (TN: 31)
1/5 court actions used

[Kakita Hajime]

Hajime smiled, nodding along. "Very well. Are there any who wish to comment on this treaty? From the Dragon clan, perhaps?"

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna stepped forward.

"Alliances and inter-marriage aid the cause of peace, a cause I believe all here value. Peace requires inter-relationship and accords. And though the impact of that change is felt, as the Little Teacher says: "At times, the voice of peace must ring like thunder."

"This particular arrangement helps us feed our people. I humbly ask from compassion that the court consider its merit."

"That inter-marriage to the Crane is possible has been established. Now, we only ask for review of our particular trade."

"The marriage proposed has been reviewed by our clan and has its support. We are happy for the particulars to be reviewed, and the precise choice of individual to be made final after consultation with the Imperial Matchmaker, as was just approved for the Lion."


https://sakkaku.org/r/16039 41 vs 31; 1 raise called
+15 court points

[Kakita Hajime]

"As this treaty has received the approval of both sides of the agreement and has encountered no opposition, I accept it on behalf of the Empress."

"Is there any further business before the court?"

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

Jinkan cleared his throat unpleasantly before stepping forward to bow and otherwise do all the right things to address the court. When finished supplicating, he addressed the assembly with an ugly smile.

"The Dragon would like to invite the members of this court to a tournament of the noble game of Go. It is the wish of this member to acquire permission to put on this game for the merriment and good cheer of the court. If it would please the court, such permission is requested." He bowed after he finished speaking.

[Day 4, EA] Court: The Floor, Assume The Position, Courtier/Awareness, Void for 1k1, TN26, 7k4 | 7k4 ⇒ 26 (TN: 26)

(Advance Position: Put On Go Tournament. 10 points I think.)

[Doji Hikaru]

[OOC it looks like someone beat me to the punch. Hikaru will not comment on the Go tournament proposal and would wait for the appropriate time to slot this in]

"There is another matter Doji-dono. It is likely less, ah, contentious than a short time ago" Hikaru readies a scroll. "The Crane and Tortoise submit a simple exchange of goods, each to support each other as they protect the waters of the Emerald Empire: 4 units of rice from the Crane for 2 units of Naval Supplies and 2 units of dyes."

Hikaru once again gives an actors pause. "There are no further arrangements, but was established at our previous gathering it is right and proper for the matter to be reviewed by the Court to ensure that all are protected by the Empress' benevolent will."

The last words are a direct copy of the response Otomo Keihime had given him the day before regarding the Crab and Badger agreement

____________
Court Action 3/4: Advance Position
D4 Court- Action 3/4 - Present position - Crane/Tortoise trade deal - 1 raise called - TN 31 - Courtier/Awareness - Bentens Blessing - VP spent | 8k6 ⇒ 39 (TN: 31)

Pass for 15 Court Points

[Yasuki Masaki]

((OOC: The Crab also have a proposal they're waiting to make. I was waiting for the right moment, but since there was one slotted above, I figured it was worth making the comment here to make it known.
If the GMs would rather have us wait for an opportunity, please be welcome to delete this, and my apologies!))

[Agasha Yuna]

"The Dragon would like to invite the members of this court to a tournament of the noble game of Go. It is the wish of this member to acquire permission to put on this game for the merriment and good cheer of the court. If it would please the court, such permission is requested." He bowed after he finished speaking.

Yuna stepped forward.

"I think the Go tournament will be a wonderful opportunity! It is a game I enjoy, and I know it is a favorite for many here."

For Shiba Ryusei.

She smiled at him. A very bright smile.

https://sakkaku.org/r/16044 44 vs TN 26
+10 court points for Go!

[Kakita Hajime]

"The Court is hearing comment on the possibility of a Go tournament, sponsored by the Dragon clan. Is there a date and time contemplated for this tournament?"

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

"The intended time would be the 10th day of court, in the middle of the evening, before the banquet." Jinkan answered bowing again.

[Kakita Hajime]

"I appreciate the concision of your answer, Mirumoto-san. I do have a small concern about permitting delegates a period to rest from the taxing nature of Go prior to the Floating Banquet. Let us call it the Early Evening of the 10th Day of court."

He pauses. "Having heard no objections to an expression of the Empire's greatest game, I can only say that the court is delighted to accept the Dragon's proposal."

[Kakita Hajime]

"There is another matter Doji-dono. It is likely less, ah, contentious than a short time ago" Hikaru readies a scroll. "The Crane and Tortoise submit a simple exchange of goods, each to support each other as they protect the waters of the Emerald Empire: 4 units of rice from the Crane for 2 units of Naval Supplies and 2 units of dyes."

Hikaru once again gives an actors pause. "There are no further arrangements, but was established at our previous gathering it is right and proper for the matter to be reviewed by the Court to ensure that all are protected by the Empress' benevolent will."

The last words are a direct copy of the response Otomo Keihime had given him the day before regarding the Crab and Badger agreement

____________
Court Action 3/4: Advance Position
D4 Court- Action 3/4 - Present position - Crane/Tortoise trade deal - 1 raise called - TN 31 - Courtier/Awareness - Bentens Blessing - VP spent | 8k6 ⇒ 39 (TN: 31)

Pass for 15 Court Points

"The court is hearing the matter of the exchange between the Crane and the Tortoise. Is there any comment to be made upon this exchange?"

[Kasuga Izumi]

"Since the Lord Emerald has asked for both sides of a treaty to comment this session," Kasuga Izumi says, stepping forward, "then I would affirm it."

Her eyes find Rioshida in the crowd. The air fairly crackles with the intensity of her gaze.

"Some of us, after all, are very much invested in the safety of the Empire's waters from outside forces."

With a smile, she nods a bow to Hikaru and resumes her earlier place.

~~~~~
Basic Concurrence with the Treaty
Successful for 10 Court Points
https://sakkaku.org/r/16072

[Yasuki Masaki]

Masaki takes a small step forward after the Tortoise's words, bowing to Izumi, Hikaru, and the others gathered - her gaze passing through others in the Crane and Tortoise delegation, but also those of the Phoenix, Mantis, and Crab. She then kneels and bows low to the dais, then Hajime before speaking.

"Kakita-ue", she starts, in a calm and steady voice. "This one would like to offer a small gift to the Court - one to provide the occasion, as appropriate for celebrating agreements of friendship and cooperation such as the one now presented."

Attentive listeners might note some connection with Kaiu Masahiko's wording the previous day.

"In keeping with discussions that occupied this highest of courts in previous days, I offer this small token along with the hope that the treaty between Lady Doji's followers and Rokugan's youngest clan may become the first of many similar arrangements aiming to keep the Empire's eyes always open, and our sea-facing arm always ready to strike when ready, and offer aid where necessary."

She opens a small pouch, presenting a set of straw-plaited boats with small animal figurines on top - the colours reflecting those of the seaside clans (gray, azure, light green, sea green, red), and the figurines likewise representing their symbols. A building resembling a lighthouse in gold and imperial green completes the set.

She bows low again, getting up and taking a step back when dismissed.


-------
D4EA - Court. Present an Offering - Artisan: Wara-zaiku/Awareness. Seppun-sanctioned blessing for +4. TN 26. Set of straw-plaited boats with small animals on top, colours reflecting those of the seaside clans (gray, azure, light green, sea green, red). A building resembling a lighthouse in gold and imperial green completes the set. | 7k4+4 ⇒ 55 (TN: 26)

1st Court Action. 25 Court Points

[Gusai Rioshida]

Gusai Rioshida rose, rolled up to the center of the court, and began to boom.

"Well, Kasuga-san is not the only person in this court who's plied big blue and stoved in hulls to defend the Empire. Why, I remember riding in The Spirit of Shuten, couldn't have been too much more than ten, heading north out of Gotei on a bearing of 20 degrees, when all of a sudden the sea started to heave up great big galloping puffs of wave. *Puh* *Puh* And, wouldn't you know it, but the sea vomited a massive sea-worm, (majestic, if slimy). An' this thing flopped left and flopped right and near to swept our deck with its fleshy bulk.

Oh, we tried reasoning with it. We tried saying things like '"hey, we could share the sea, 'cause it's broad an' all."' We tried saying that we understood it felt that our duties were close, but that was all the more reason to work together. It crushed our chief negotiator *WHAM!* like pulp.

An' that, that made us mad. So battle was joined. Now, I could tell you about my heroics that day, but I won't. But, for a boy of ten years old, I did okay for myself. I got my knife to workin', let me tell you. And there was chaos and struggle, but The Spirit of Shuten carried the day, and the great beast rolled in for talks, and now we work together, and all that. So then everybody was happy, and no one else got smushed to pulp, and isn't that a story worth the hearing?"

[Gusai Rioshida, Perform: Storytelling/Awarness: the allegory of the sea-worm. Advance new position: If Kasuga Izumi wants to protect the sea so dang much, she should get off her high horse and start talking to the Mantis. +10 Court Points]

[Kasuga Izumi]

"It is all well and good of the Lord Gusai to speak of consorting with flopping things since his callow youth," Izumi replies. She turns her back on him to add "But my own Champion knows well how the Tortoise have served and still serve, as well as which of the Younger Clans is charged with what."

Here, she bows to the screens, an unsubtle reminder of the unique position the Tortoise occupy.

[Refute Rioshida via Intimidation: "Got a problem? Take it up with my boss."
No TN for NPC on NPC action, so no roll.]