[D9, EA, Court] Regency: The Floor

[Cearnach]

Court today is as somber as one might expect, given the past few days. The normal susurrus of chattering courtiers has been replaced by a low murmur. Decorations, with the exception of the Imperial Throne and Lord Ikoma’s seat, have been removed, their emptiness a reminder that the Empire is entering a new era without much in the way of precedent to guide it.

[Shiba Rumiko]

Dressed in a strikingly plain kimono, Shiba Rumiko stands at the foot of the dais. She seems not to be interested in speaking to anyone this morning, as there is some distance between her and the rest of the former Empress (of blessed memory)’s staff. While her on is impeccable, there is something of the trained bushi in the way she stands, or perhaps of the wild cat tensing to strike.


Shiba Rumiko is slated to preside over this court. The TN for Court Actions will thus be 24. Shiba Rumiko is an Asako Loremaster and Shiba Artisan

[Kakita Hajime]

Clad in the Emerald Armor and conferring quietly with a grim-looking Hida Kozume, the old man’s eyes seem distant this morning, as though his mind is elsewhere.

[Otomo Keihime]

The doors behind the dais open to reveal a grim-looking Seppun Sadako leading a pair of Miharu. The Seppun take up positions on either side of the open doorway as Sadako takes up her appointed position behind the empty throne. A breath later, Otomo Keihime emerges, leading a small gaggle of Otomo, including Otomo Tooru. Keihime’s expression is serene and she moves with practiced grace to stand on the dais in front of the empty throne. She gestures with her fan, and the resounding crack of the fans of a significant portion of the Imperial delegation opening signals that she is about to speak.

"Beloved subjects of the Emerald Throne, in this time of mourning for our beloved Empress, we have struggled, rudderless, to find a way to carry out our duties. The light of the Empress, our pole-star, was dimmed by fate. But the business of the Empire must continue on, and it must be done legally. Without an Empress to give assent to agreements, it is difficult to see how the Empire can move forward into the future."

"In the past, in a time of great difficulty, when our late and beloved Empress was a child and her mother, the hero Hantei Yugozohime, was taken from us, a member of the family, her uncle Otomo Muhaki, took up the throne until the Empress' majority as a regent. It is my deepest honor to inform you that I have been asked by the Empress' cousins to take up this same burden. I have accepted, with a heavy heart, this weighty task, knowing that, as I do so, the Empire..."

[Shiba Rumiko]

"Excuse me, Otomo-san." Shiba Rumiko's voice cut through Keihime's speech like a sword through a paper screen. "But your cousins, whoever they may be," she shot a fiery glare at Otomo Tooru, "have quite overstepped themselves."

She began to ascend the steps to the dais. "You are not recognized by the court. Nor was this matter brought for debate. In the absence of the Empress, her prerogatives are held vested by the throne itself until a Regent is named by the court. You are quite out of order. Return to your place."

[Otomo Tooru]

Behind Keihime, his face the picture of rage, Otomo Tooru takes a step forward and opens his mouth to speak.

[Kakita Hajime]

Only to be blocked by a strange sight. Not two feet from Tooru's side, the Emerald Champion casually rested his left hand on the saya of his sword.

[Otomo Tooru]

He paused, but hearing no stirring of support coming from the direction of the throne, where Seppun Sadako stood as impassively as ever, Otomo Tooru shut his mouth and took a step back into line.

[Otomo Keihime]

Otomo Keihime seemed for a moment to want to hold her ground. Ignoring Shiba Rumiko, who had now reached her level and was standing firmly on the dais, she spared a look down at Shiba Higashime, searching for something in that impassive face.

Lady Shiba remained impassive. The message could not be clearer. If she had wanted a Keihime regency, she evidently did not want it on these terms.

Keihime's eyes narrowed slightly. Then she turned to address Rumiko. "Shiba-san is, of course, quite right. In our zeal to ensure the sanctity of our system and the well-being of the Empire, we appear to have outpaced procedure. I am sure that I am joined by my cousins in offering our sincere apologies. You have done well, Shiba-san, to defend the letter of civil procedure so rigorously."

She bowed slowly and formally, but as to an equal, before drifting back to the seat prepared for the Imperial Adviser.

[Shiba Rumiko]

Rumiko's tension seems to have been quite expended in her confrontation with Keihime. Turning to face the court, she declares: "Honored Delegates, this session of the Imperial Court is now open for the business of the Empire. In light of the clear and profound desire of the Otomo Family for a Regent to be named, we are willing to entertain motions from the court on this matter today. If it is the will of the court to name a Regent, we must be in accord as to the powers of a Regent and as to the name of the one who shall hold that office."

She took a breath.

"There are three questions before us. We must take them in turn. Therefore, the question is put: that this court shall deem it necessary and desirable to appoint an Imperial Regent until a Successor can be named. The court will hear arguments on this matter."


Court today has officially opened, but as a formal debate on the question of Regency. The first question before the court is whether it is necessary and desirable to appoint an Imperial Regent until a Successor can be named. The TN for Court Actions related to this question is TN 24. The Court does not seem willing to entertain other matters until all three questions related to this matter are resolved. However, if it is not considered necessary or desirable for there to be an Imperial Regent, then the two following questions will be moot, and court will proceed as usual.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

After conferring with his colleagues among the Crab dignitaries, Yasuki Ryoichi stepped forward and bowed.

“It’s my understanding that a Regent is necessary only in the case of a ruler being too young to rule, or otherwise incapacitated,” the Yasuki said. “While it has not yet been determined precisely who will be the successor of our departed Empress, I submit that it is clear that all of them are adults who are capable of ruling. It is evident that as soon as a new Emperor or Empress is named, the position of Imperial Regent would instantly become unnecessary.”

“I am sure that all those present hope that a worthy successor will be determined very soon,” Ryoichi said. “This being the case, I submit that there is no need to appoint an Imperial Regent.” He bowed and stepped back.

—
9EA Court, Advance position “No on Imperial Regent” with 2 raises, Etiquette/Awareness +Benten’s +Mastery +Void Point TN34 | 10k6 ⇒ 65 (TN: 34) succeeds for 20 Court Points

[Kitsu Sayomi]

"A Regent would only complicate matters further," Sayomi agreed as she took the floor. "We have a Chancellor who can set the agenda for court, chosen for this position to not only run the court of the Emperor or Empress in their absence, but also overseeing Ministry of Proclamations and Protocols, the Ministry of Service, and the Imperial Archives."

"I believe appointing a Regent would not contribute anything of value while we await for a successor to the Throne. And let us not forget that it was the work of a 'regent' that placed the Empire in the hands of the treacherous Gozoku conspiracy."

----

D9 EA Court. Courtier/Awareness to support "No Regent". +1k1 Void. 1 Raise. | 8k5 ⇒ 53 (TN: 29)
+15 to "No Regent" position.

[Shiba Higashime]

Shiba Higashime rose to her feet.

"I believe," she says firmly, "that this court is operating with only the barest shred of legality. Its legitimacy is substantiated solely by the presence of the Clans, the Imperial Families, and the Emerald Champion and Chancellor. That is, it is legitimate by virtue of the entire Empire being present. If any element of that Empire is removed, there will be no effective central government, and the pronouncements of this court will be illegitimate. Therefore, as a hazard against the unlikely, but altogether possible, fragmentation of this court and its subsequent close without naming an heir," She shot a look at Keihime. "I support the naming of a Regent with limited powers."

She bowed and sat down.

[+10 points for a Regent]

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

After conferring with his colleagues among the Crab dignitaries, Yasuki Ryoichi stepped forward and bowed.

“It’s my understanding that a Regent is necessary only in the case of a ruler being too young to rule, or otherwise incapacitated,” the Yasuki said. “While it has not yet been determined precisely who will be the successor of our departed Empress, I submit that it is clear that all of them are adults who are capable of ruling. It is evident that as soon as a new Emperor or Empress is named, the position of Imperial Regent would instantly become unnecessary.”

“I am sure that all those present hope that a worthy successor will be determined very soon,” Ryoichi said. “This being the case, I submit that there is no need to appoint an Imperial Regent.” He bowed and stepped back.

—
9EA Court, Advance position “No on Imperial Regent” with 2 raises, Etiquette/Awareness +Benten’s +Mastery +Void Point TN34 | 10k6 ⇒ 65 (TN: 34) succeeds for 20 Court Points

"It seems unwise to appoint a regent when the succession candidates are all of age and of nominally sound mind and body." Jinkan said.

"A regent not only is a caretaker of the Empire but also of the heir, or heirs in this case. Who among the candidates is not responsible for their own person and actions as samurai?"

[D9, EA, Court] Regency: The Floor, Concur with Another's Position, Courtier/Awareness, Void for 1k1, TN24, 7k4 | 7k4 ⇒ 26 (TN: 24)

(10 points.)

[Ikoma Honoka]

"Mina-sama both have good points on both sides" Honoka said as she stepped up " both on the regent is necessary, and on Shiba-samas position of what may happen after this court ends. when a ruler is too young, or is otherwise unable to rule. it is also correct that all of the potential successors of the throne are of adult age, and all are more than capable of the position. However none have been raised to the position, so we are still without a ruler. While we all remain here, the court can continue to operate, but what of after this season finishes? The decision as to who is to ascend to the throne is not a quick or simple one, and to take the risk that one is not named before court has finished is not one that I feel is wise. The naming of a regent not linked to the current heirs with limited powers will allow operations to continue in the event that succession extends beyond the end of this court season."

(OOC: D9 EA court - Advance Regent position. Courtier/Awareness ILS1+2+3+bentens+void. TN24+4 raises (TN44) | 10k8 ⇒ 54 (TN: 44)

+30 points to advance position of regent not linked to the winds required (with limited responsibility) to allow the empire to continue while the successor is found (edited by request of GMs)

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"These words may be too blunt from a junior member of this delegation, but," Shinnosuke frowns, clicking his fan closed, "arguing about who should be 'Regent' when the succession is unresolved simply seems to me like a disguised way of arguing about who the Court will choose to crown her- or him- self Emperor after a few more weeks or months of uncertainty. Let those who wish to make that argument cut to the chase and make it without subterfuge, if they dare."

---
Those words were indeed too blunt! Alas!

D9 EA Court--No on Q1. Base TN 24. Prodigy, BB, VP, 3 raises | 9k6 ⇒ 33 (TN: 39)

-̶2̶5̶, I̶ t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶?̶
edit: no, wrong formula, -30!

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I believe my clanmate has the right of it." Daichi offered. "We have a number of heirs here and one of them will one day become emperor. The time it would take to name a regent would be better spent on that matter.

reroll day 9 court roll to support Ryoichi. in the correct campaign this time. Void for 1k1 Tn 24 | 7k4 ⇒ 45 (TN: 24)

+10 no points

[Yasuki Masaki]

"Shiba-ue. With the utmost respect to Shiba-dono's worries on the legal challenges involved in the current situation, this one would have to agree with the position brought forward by my cousin. As has already been raised, appointing a regent when all those identified as possible heirs are of age is not consistent with the very figure of a regent. But there is more."

She looks at Higashihime, bows politely to her, then to the dais again. "This one greatly appreciates Shiba-dono's concern that leads her to call for a regent with limited powers. This is all the more important regarding the matter of succession, of course - with the rightful heir not yet recognised, any real or perceived interference by a regent on the process could call into question the rightfulness of Imperial authority itself." She turns to the court, extending one arm besides her body as if showing doubt. "But suppose a regent is appointed with limited authority. Who would then have the authority to oversee that the boundaries of that power are not crossed? Would we then choose another authority to oversee the regent's? And then who would oversee that authority in turn?"

She shakes her head slightly. "As you see... a regency in such circumstances brings even more uncertainty and conflict into an already difficult situation. And as the noble Kitsu Sayomi-san says, we should not forget that a Regency is not devoid of dangers even at the best of times."

Looking again at the court, then the dais. "The importance of what Shiba-dono says should not be forgotten, of course. If the matter of succession is not resolved before those gathered here return to our homes, there must be some authority in place to keep the Empire running until the rightful answer is found. But even for that, it would seem that a path exists that prevents the risks of a regency. While one single regent could give rise to many of the issues already mentioned, a larger Imperial Bureaucracy - hopefully with equal representation from the Great Clans, again to avoid possible biases - might be able to keep in balance the interferences that might call the timely resolution of the succession into question."

She raises her arms again, questioningly. "But then that would be a temporary council. Not a regency. So if that does prove necessary, that would be another question."

-----------------------------
D9 EA - Court. Question 1: Regency. Supporting Yasuki Ryoichi's position. Seppun-sanctioned effect for +4. Courtier/Awa, VP spent, 1 Raise called. | 8k5+4 ⇒ 40 (TN: 29)

+15 Court Points for 'no regency'.

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro rose to his feet and bowed.

"While it would be ideal that an heir is named before this court fades away, I believe a Regent should be named in the event unforeseen circumstances do not allow the conclusion to be met. I support the naming if a Regent with limited powers until such time as the true heir is identified."

He bower and sat down.

[D9, EA] Court, the floor | 7k4 ⇒ 26 (TN: 24)

[+10 points for a Regent]

[Akodo Kenji]

Kenji stepped forward.

"If it please the court, Shiba-sama, " he bowed to the presiding officer. "It is my belief that selecting a regent at this time would be more divisive than the alternative. Many voices have noted that a regent's role is clearly defined. Now is not the time to add new layers of complications to the succession."

He bowed deeply once more. "I humbly concur with Yasuki Ryoichi-san, there should be no regent at this time."


D9. Court. Support No Regent. Etiquette/ Awareness. Void for +1k1. One raise. | 7k4 ⇒ 31 (TN: 29)

+15 Court points to No regent.