[God-Machine Chronicles Actual Play] GMC Test Drive

Last weekend, my gaming group was able to take the new GMC rules out for a spin. I had two players in on this playtest, Mappy and Silver Countess, who put together their characters in about 30 minutes or so.

They’re both old hands at the new World of Darkness system so most of character generation was painless, and aside from a bit of delay reading through the new Merits, everyone was ready to play without any problems.

The characters were a Marcus, a gang leader who uses a gun store as a front for his operations, and Heather, a young survivalist who works for Marcus as a store clerk in his business and runs the occasional errand.

The game starts with both of them having just recently concluded some business of selling illegal guns to a buyer outside of a Bus Station during a snowy day. Having finished the transaction, the two pile into their pickup truck and head back to the store.

Heather was about to turn in when Marcus discovers that there was a young boy who slipped into the pickup. Marcus threatens the boy at gunpoint, who says his name is Sean, and he was running away from his home. Marcus is hesitant about believing the boy’s story, but Heather argued that they ought to at least have the boy stay for the night rather than turn him out into the street in the snow.

Heather interviewed the boy, and learned that the boy was convinced that his mother wasn’t the same person. She looked and sounded the same, but she wasn’t. Heather was reluctant to believe such a thing, and had the boy turn in for the night for now.

She had a nightmare of being stuck in a snowy clearing in a forest of trees composed of countless syringe needles at night. She gingerly made her way through the needle-trees and found another clearing where a strange blue-eyed bird-thing was perched on a rock facing her.

“Give him back!” the bird-thing demanded, turning its head in the jerky, twisty way that birds do. The thing’s voice was a whisper, but it’s impossibly blue eyes held a strange alien malice. “Give him back!”

Heather screamed as she woke, unnerved by the vision. She saw Sean crouched in the far corner of the room, looking at her.

And this is where we got to apply the Spooked Condition

“You’re having the dreams too.” he spoke, “You’re not going to give me back now, are you?”

“You had the same dream?” Heather asked

Sean shook his head, “Only those who take me in. The first couple who took me in threw me in their car and drove me home on the first night. They told me that they didn’t know what it was they saw, but they didn’t want me in their house.”

Heather listened in disbelief. Something was after the boy, and it could follow him in dreams.

Marcus came in, gun in hand. It seems that he’d experienced the dream as well. Whatever it was was capable of affecting more than a single person, and the dreams were so terrifying that those who had given the boy shelter were all too eager to give him back to his parents right away.

Marcus and Heather conferred with each other. Something fishy was going on, and they had to find out how it all ties in together. Heather interviewed Sean again, asking about his family situation. Sean said that his father was alright, but his mother was different.

Looking to confirm the situation, Heather decided to impersonate someone from Child Services to talk to the Father. The following day, she forged an ID and spoke to Sean’s father asking about Sean’s home situation. Heather’s angle was that the boy had run away several times, and that kind of behavior wasn’t normal and possibly indicative of trouble at home.

The father, Richard, grew increasingly agitated at this line of questioning and demanded that they return his son. Heather left after Richard walked off on the conversation threatening to sue if they don’t return Sean to him.

Heather then went on to investigate the local situation, interviewing a local priest and looping in her Social Worker friend to talk to Richard in his home situation. Heather was hoping to get a chance to see the mother as well, which was present during the interview. Heather got a strange stepford wives vibe from the mother, and with a successful perception roll, realized that the Mother doesn’t blink when she’s looking at other people.

That and the eyes were impossibly blue.

The interview turned sour pretty quickly, and they were escorted out, Richard repeating his threat to sue if they don’t return Sean.

Marcus decided that it was time to do things his way. Gathering the rest of his gang, they cased the home until Richard left the house. They cut the power to the house to see if they could get a reaction from the mom, but after five minutes, nothing happened. Nobody lit a candle or a flashlight.

Marcus, feeling weirded out, slipped into the house, to discover that it looked nothing like how Heather had described it. It was filthy, dilapitated and run down. Rust and broken things littered the home, and nothing was right. He asked his gang lackey to re-connect the power line and saw everything turn perfect as soon as the lights were on.

Marcus was dumbfounded, but asked for the lackey to cut the power again as he made his way to the bedroom, where he saw a store mannequin, filthy and broken and missing an arm lying on the bed. He was about to turn to leave when the Mannequin got up and spoke in his mind.

“You shouldn’t have come here.”

He recognized the voice from the bird-thing in his dreams. He opened fire with his gun, realizing to his dismay that it did very little to stop the thing, and beat a hasty retreat.

Marcus met up with Heather giving her a rundown on what he’d encountered. Together they decided that it was imperative to figure out how to end it. Acknowledging that the thing was resistant to bullets, Marcus decided that ganging up on it with hand weapons to crush the mannequin would be the best thing to do.

They returned to the home while Richard was otherwise occupied and snuck into the basement in hopes that they’ll find out what was making the strange illusion of perfection. Upon opening the fusebox, they saw that it was empty, and the mannequin had come down to meet them.

There wasn’t much in terms of talk at this point, as Marcus and his boys basically outnumbered it, turning the thing into dust. They finished just as Richard returned, and started wailing in grief at the loss of his perfect life. Marcus left while Heather called the authorities, hoping that Richard’s state will mean that he is thrown into an asylum somewhere.

She knew that Sean was now orphaned, they didn’t know where his real mother was, and his father was now insane and police custody. She escorted him to the orphanage where she herself grew up and made a vow to come back and check up on him now and then.

And she gains the Guilty Condition for it

—

Right, so with that all over, the team ended the session and got about to talking about their experience with the game.

GM-wise, running GMC is pretty much the same level of complexity as regular nWoD. The Conditions took a little bit of getting used to, and I feel that having a cheat sheet of sorts to refer to with their effects will be pretty handy until I memorize what each one does. The funny thing is how easily it slots into situations in the game. When something disturbing happens, the Integrity system kicks in, and after the rolls were made, everyone gets a Condition. It doesn’t count as a speedbump (even if there was a little bit of rules lookup involved) and served to further the story and hammer home the situation that the players were in.

The Players felt that the new system had more teeth. The Conditions were something that made them feel that interactions of all sorts had actual weight, and wasn’t just pure fluff. Additionally, getting negative Conditions weren’t altogether unwelcome since it was an opportunity to get a Beat out of their trouble. That said, combat was particularly worrisome for Mappy (who played Marcus) since weapons now just added entire levels of damage. That said, he understood that nWoD wasn’t exactly a cinematic game and was keyed more strongly to horror so he enjoyed that.

Overall, I feel that the GMC rules update was a success on my gaming table. Players were more involved, and more willing to get their characters into the thick of things. Conditions gave the sense of risk, but consequently the higher chance of earning a reward in the form of Beats. The resulting Push-Pull dynamic is a very nice touch. Integrity works very well too, with characters reacting thanks to the Conditions to back up a certain behavior in response to seeing something that shakes their character’s sense of self.

I’m very happy with the rules and I’ll be running maybe another one-shot or two for this, before I start tackling what happens if I decide to run Mage with the new rules.

[L5R: Heart and Souls] End of the Road

Hey there,

Due to stress-related circumstances, my Legend of the Five Rings Campaign: Heart and Souls has been cancelled. It’s a tough choice, but a reality in the hobby. Sometimes campaigns just don’t pan out the way you hoped they would. That said I still would like to take the time to thank all my players who have participated in the campaign. I had a blast running the game, and was very amused by the fact that we got this game to 7 sessions without a single initiative roll.

[L5R 4e Actual Play] Hearts and Souls Episode 6: No Plan Survives

Seven games into the campaign, and we’re at an interesting point in the game. Lot’s of things have happened, and now the setting as the team knows it is changing. The team was caught flat-footed by some of the events here, but I’m hoping that by the end of this, the team will have managed to rally together and show the world what the Crane are capable of.

[L5R 4e Actual Play] Hearts and Souls Episode 5: Enter the Shogun

Last weekend’s game was an interesting affair, as we started rather late as compared to our previous sessions, but nobody was complaining as it was due to a free lunch.

That said, this session was very interesting, several characters were starting to find their stride and plots were already in motion. With any luck, this means that the next session will be a series of fun encounters for everyone.

—

Doji Satsu’s Estate

The team was in their regular meetings, going about the usual business to report on the comings and goings of their circles. Haruko gave a quick report on the district court, shaken as it was from the appearance of Akodo Kenji, everything seems to have gone back to normal.

Asahina Tezuka was quiet as always, perhaps having learned much from the monks in his temple, busying himself with plants, watering them as was his way to keep out of trouble.

Satsu and Tomiko led the meeting making certain that everyone understood that Domotai’s arrival in the Imperial City was a matter of absolute importance. She wasn’t a popular figure as far as the Crane were concerned, and it was imperative that her safety was assured.

It was at this moment that Ragan stepped forward and requested for a leave of absence to pursue his training. He reasoned that with the Champion around, there should be a surplus of Crane soldiers in the city, enough to keep Haruko safe. He and Haruko had discussed the matter, and if he was to remain her Yojimbo, he would need additional training to keep up, and this was a good chance to find a sensei.

Satsu agreed to the request. Ragan thanked him for the opportunity, as he was about to leave Naito quietly informed the ronin that he wanted to discuss a matter of some secrecy.

—

“I’m here.” Ragan declared, “What do you want?”

“A small favor.” Naito spoke, as he handed the ronin a scroll, “You are to visit this ruin inside Crane lands. I have it on good authority that you will find several… rebels in the area. They will not harm you, seeing as you share something in common with them.” he eyed the Ronin’s wrists meaningfully.

“Hand the scroll to them, tell them to meet with me as I have a proposal they may wish to consider.”

Ragan narrowed his eyes. He didn’t trust Naito, but if the courtier’s suggestions were right, Ragan could be helping keep Haruko safe. That was enough… for now.

“Very well.” Ragan said, “I won’t be responsible for what else will happen after I deliver the letter.”

“Of course.” Naito bowed, “Fortunes keep you safe in your travels.”

—

The following day, Naito found himself receiving a rather interesting guest. Soshi Arika, a young fourteen year old Shugenja of the Scorpion Clan presented herself carrying a letter from her sensei, Bayushi Kaukatsu.

“I was informed to deliver the letter to you and await further instructions.” The young Scorpion shugenja had a quiet voice and a serene expression underneath the gauze-like veil that she wore. Clearly an influence from the Scorpion Clan’s time in the Burning Sands.

Naito read the contents of the letter. He remembered this, he was the one who offered if there was anything he could do for Kaukatsu, a politeness if anything, but the Chancellor did say that he would need a suitable husband for his protege. The letter was kind enough to suggest that perhaps a shugenja would be appropriate given Arika’s interests.

Inwardly Naito swore, an Air Shugenja of the Scorpion so close to them? Thankfully he had a better way to divert her. “Come with me.” he said to Arika, “There’s someone that I’d like to introduce you to.”

—

Doji Ai and Asahina Tezuka were in the Temple of Ebisu that morning, sampling Ai’s latest discovery, a drink from the Unicorn Clan called kohi, a bitter drink made from roasted beans of some sort.

“It’s a bit of an acquired taste but you should really try it. It keeps you awake even when you’re very, very tired,” Ai’s speech was just a tad faster than usual, “I should know.”

Tezuka tried some, after a lifetime of bitter green teas, a bitter brown tea was more novelty than anything else. Still it was good to have guests in his temple that weren’t just after blessings.

Their quiet morning was disturbed when a servant arrived to inform them that Naito was here.

The Courtier arrived, and along with him was a Scorpion Shugenja. It didn’t take very long for Tezuka to understand the nature of this introduction given that Arika was younger than him.

Naito gave some perfunctory introductions, and Arika tried to make up for Naito’s lack of enthusiasm with some polite chatter.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Tezuka-san.” Arika bowed, “It’s rare to find someone as young as you as a head Shugenja of their very own temple.”

“A necessity rather than any indication of skill.” Tezuka deflected the flattery with humility, “How may I be of service today?”

“Oh, I have merely come to pay a visit to the temple and to meet you.” Arika responded, “I’m currently here on a temporary assignment from my sensei, and I had felt it appropriate to pay my respects to the kami of the city.”

“A fine idea, Arika-san. Perhaps a tour of the temple complex is in order?”

“If it is no trouble.” Arika smiled, “I would not dare interrupt your duties.”

“Not at all.” Tezuka said, “You are a guest, and surely a moment’s diversion will be a good way to spice up an otherwise routine day.”

Doji Ai smiled as she bowed, “Then if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to make a rush order. No rest for the wicked, or kimono makers, it seems.” she grinned, giving knowing winks in Tezuka’s direction.

Silver Countess: GAMBATTE NE, PLAYBOY!

—

Satsu strode into the Imperial Household, led by the guide and soldiers of the Seppun House Guard. He was there to meet with one of his Clan’s highest ranking Courtiers, Doji Tanitsu, the Imperial Advisor.

Tanitsu met him in his quarters, dismissing the Seppun Guardsmen that stood watch with a slight nod. “It is alright, I know and trust this man.”

Satsu bowed, “Thank you again for allowing such a meeting in short notice. I’ve come to discuss a matter that was brought up to me by the Dragon Clan diplomat, Mirumoto Shiori. It seems that she wishes to propose an alliance with regards to the race for the position of Shogun.”

“Interesting.” Tanitsu offered a place by a low table where they could talk, taking the opportunity to serve tea as well. “The position of Shogun is quite a controversial one. The Emperor allowed the position to be valid due to his brother, Akodo Kaneka, but with Kaneka’s passing even the empty position is a threat to us.”

“Hai.” Satsu agreed, “Given our current selection of nominees, I’m afraid that we have little in the way of good choices.”

“Bayushi Paneki, Hida Kisada, Akodo Senji.” Tanitsu agreed, “All three of which have had outstanding abilities in the field and more than a fair share of combat experience. Their men revere them, the empire admires them, and each was hailed as a hero at one point or another.”

“Which leaves us with only Shiba Danjuro.” Satsu agreed, “As a Phoenix, he is well acquainted with the idea of duty over the self, and is the least likely to use his position to advance his Clan.”

“Not entirely.” Tanitsu said, “I’ve received a missive that there is a chance that we might be able to field our own representative to the Shogun. In fact, our Champion is on her way to speak with him before she arrives to the Imperial City.”

“I see.” Satsu said, “Be that as it may, do I have permission to speak with the Dragon and the Phoenix as our backup plan?”

“Of course.” Tanitsu said, “it cannot hurt to have contingencies in place.”

“Very well.” Satsu smiled, “I will wait for Domotai-sama to arrive with our representative, and request for further orders when it becomes necessary.”

Tanitsu nodded, and the conversation flowed to other topics, regarding the economy, how Satsu’s life has been in the Merchant Quarters, and if there is anything that they needed at the moment in court.

—

Later that week, Doji Domotai, the champion of the Crane Clan arrived in the city. Her visit to the estate of Doji Satsu is one that is both dreaded and welcomed given the Champion’s reputation.

Thankfully, the group was well prepared. Doji Satsu and Tomiko were on hand to welcome her to the estate. However, Satsu’s fears were confirmed when the Champion spoke with them.

“I was supposed to arrive withour representative to the position of Shogun.” Domotai explained, “However, the man I approached was apparently one of those who felt that I was unfit to lead the Clan. Rather than accept my invitation, he threw his life away by Kanshi.”

She referred to the ancient art of suicide to protest against one’s lord.

“I have fought in wars of my own.” Domotai said, “But to see a capable vassal throw his life away in protest of your own leadership…”

“Is a terrible thing.” Tomiko interjected, “But we cannot let that define you, Domotai-sama. Instead, we must find a way to change how they perceive you. You’ve been slandered even before you know it, and you suffer through no fault of your own.”

Satsu frowned, “It’s a setback, Domotai-sama. Nothing more. Do not be too concerned, the Shogunate is a strong position, but one that we do not really need in order to control it. Sometimes being the advisor is more powerful than the one who holds a title. We have contingencies in place with Tanitsu-sama.”

“It is reassuring to know that.” Domotai said, “I hold my remaining vassals close, but cannot shake the paranoia that accompanies seeing my best men abandon me and claim to be patriots for doing so.”

“We’ve forseen this.” Tomiko smiled, “but we have a plan on how to reinforce those loyal to you and to wipe out the doubt in the hearts of those who are struggling.”

“Oh?” Domotai asked, “And what do you have in mind?”

Tomiko smirked, “To put it simply? We’re going to give you an image change.”  The courtier nodded to the direction of a shoji screen, “Ai-chan?”

“Hai.” Doji Ai smiled as she stepped back, “Sashiburi, Domotai-sama. I’ll be your fashion consultant during your stay today.”

—

Satsu excused himself shortly after the ladies decided to go over their plan with Domotai. He trusted his sister to handle things on his end.

He took a horse and rode towards the Imperial Palace, to meet with Tanitsu. It didn’t take long for him to gain entry, citing it as an emergency. He needed to act, and he needed the authority to do so.

“I’ve heard the news as well.” Tanitsu said, “A shame. He was a good samurai, but perhaps too hidebound in his ways. Domotai is a fine champion, but too many others have judged her for her history, her parents, her upbringing.”

Satsu remained quiet. He knew Tanitsu understood why he was there.

The Advisor snapped his fan closed, “Proceed with the plan, talk with the Phoenix and see what we need to get the votes to place Shiba Danjuro in the Shogun’s place.”

“Arigatou, Tanitsu-sama.” Satsu bowed, “We’ll put things to right. It is what we do.”

“Lady Doji smile on us all.” Tanitsu said, “I don’t imagine the other Clans will give up without a fight.”

“I’m counting on that.”

—

Doji Ai and Tomiko were patiently going over their plan with Domotai.

“The concept is simple.” Ai smiled, “We simply have to leverage our advantage, Tomiko-san and I have made sure to commission all of the kimono makers in the city to make sure that they can’t accept orders from other Clans.

Tomiko-san has already started it, with her introduction to the courts with Satsu-san,” She continued, “Once you make your entrance into the courts in the same style, everyone will want to dress in a similar fashion. Don’t worry about any naysayers, I’ll deal with them.”

Domotai listened intently, “And this is all to make me look more Crane?”

“More Crane and more like Lady Doji.” Tomiko clarified, “The point is to prove that there’s nothing Lion about you. You’re the champion, the very apex of what it means to be Crane, Domotai-sama. People should be able to see that.”

Domotai nodded in understanding. Like Satsu she was raised in the Lion lands to study their tactics and their ways. Her return due to her father’s dishonor and her mother’s execution was not considered to be a good sign. In Tomiko’s mind it was not that she wasn’t Crane, she simply needed time and a chance to show it.

“Ai-san.” Domotai turned to the Artisan, “Would it be possible to make kimonos of the same style for each of the other Champions? I wish to give them as gifts.”

“An excellent idea.” Tomiko agreed, “I believe that we’ll be able to make the most of such gracious a gift.”

—

Naito hurried up the steps to the Temple of Ebisu alone. He needed someplace private, away from the estate. With everyone otherwise occupied, this was his only opportunity to meet with his contact.

He waited in the temple gardens, until a nondescript man walked over giving him the sign that was in the letter he’d sent. He gave the countersign as it was taught to him by his wife.

It was a code used by the Harriers.

“You’re taking a big risk with meeting us,” the Harrier said, “What do you want?”

“I’m in a particular position to offer you and your men a chance to reconcile with the Clan.”

“A chance to reconcile with the same Clan that ordered us exterminated to a man?” The Harrier was not amused.

“Your skills are wasted as Ronin.” Naito tried to reason, “There are those who still appreciate the work you’ve done for the Clan, and don’t want to lose your skills.”

“We’ve found another who supports our cause.” the Harrier said, “We’re not willing to offer our backs to someone who has betrayed us once. We have a new path, and the old order will suffer for it.”

“What will it take for me to prove my sincerity, then?”

The Harrier regarded Naito cautiously, “Then give up what we want. Make certain that Domotai is in the gardens of the estate at the Spring Festival. Surely a courtier of your caliber can do that much.”

Naito felt his blood run cold. Assassination?

Then again, with the Harriers placated he could get them back for the Clan. Domotai has already been a force of division inside the Clan, will her death be anything but good for the Clan in the long haul?

“I’ll see what I can do.” he replied, even as his thoughts raced.

There was precious little time to turn this crisis into an opportunity.

—

And that is where we left off this weekend. Ragan’s player couldn’t make it to the game so he requested that his character take a short leave of absence in the time being. Overall things are coming to a head with the bigger issues beginning to surface: Domotai’s struggle for recognition, the race to become Shogun, the Harriers and even a little bit about Shourido.

Next game I’m hoping to be able to start early and get more done. The players are all hitting their stride and I need to capitalize on this momentum and make it a really fun ride.

[L5R 4e Actual Play] Hearts and Souls Episode 4: Subtle Maneuvers

Last weekend’s game was rather slow on my end, I was off my game as far as GMing goes. That said, I think we were able to lay down a few new plot hooks as well as tie off a few of the ones I’ve started early on in the campaign.

—

Asahina Tezuka winced at the sight of the violence before him, but did not avert his eyes. Two of the heimin men circled one another, bruised and bleeding. They were fighting bare-handed, with the savagery of dogs.

Around them were a crowd of onlookers cheering for one or another, while a rat-faced man collected bets on who would win.

“Watch closely.” Kage spoke. The monk stood stoically beside the young Shugenja, “Observe man at his true nature. These men fight to the death, so that they may earn enough money to live. This is the true nature of life. We fight every day so that we can survive.

You’ve been cooped up away in your temples, raised to believe in the false teachings of Bushido. Duty, honor… these are mere words to manipulate you into being pawns for someone else.”

Tezuka offered no reply.

“You’re a man with incredible potential as a Shugenja.” Kaze continued, “To throw away that potential in the service of the unworthy would be a waste. They would have you cast yourself in harm’s way without a thought, but think of just how much good you can do if you weren’t asked to be suicidal?

Know your worth, Tezuka. Control, Determination, Insight, Knowledge, Perfection, Strength, Will… this is the basis of Shourido.”

“I will need to think upon this, Kaze.”

“Of course,” Kaze said, “I believe you’ve learned your lesson here.”

—

Doji Naito felt his throat go dry the moment he read the letter. It was an immaculately written one, with elegant calligraphy, precise folding and a simple message.

It was an invitation to a tea ceremony with the Imperial Chancellor, Bayushi Kaukatsu. One of the most influential courtiers in the Empire today.

Naito’s maind was racing a mile a minute, trying to think of what this could be about. An invitation from a Scorpion was a trap, definitely, but what kind?

Already he had little choice in the matter but to accept. The objective now was to somehow get out of that tea ceremony with as little damage as possible.

He arrived at Kaukatu’s residence in the Imperial Palace, accompanied by his wife, Daidoji Akeha. They endured nearly two dozen separate checkpoints, and several interviews to verify their identities and reasons for visiting. Naito shrewdly had to admit it to Kaukatsu, extra-strict security was one way of mentally fatiguing someone even before the battle started.

He arrived and was welcomed in a small building in the gardens of Kaukatsu’s estate. It was meant to give the impression of humility and simplicity, but the craftsmanship spoke otherwise.

Kaukatsu was there, welcoming him with grace and dignity. Naito girded himself for war and returned his pleasantries.

It was during the ceremony that Kaukatsu brought up the real reason for this meeting.

“I called you here today to discuss a private matter. I hope you will forgive my transgressions towards a family matter, but I have come upon information that will be of interest to you and your Father-in-law.”

Naito schooled his features, exerting every ounce of effort to not appear surprised. Just how much did Kaukatsu know?

“I see.” he replied quietly, sipping his tea.

Kaukatsu continued, “My intelligence network has come upon information on the whereabouts of certain missing Daidoji that your Father-in-law may be interested in.”

The Harriers. Naito was alarmed. The Scorpion knew about them, and were dangling them in front of him. A favor, or blackmail?

“That said, would you wish to receive this information?” Kaukatsu offered, “I hesitate to bring this up to your Father-in-law directly, as Daidoji Kikaze does not entirely look upon the Scorpion favorably.”

Naito grimaced. He had an obligation to locate the harriers and convince them to return to the clan. Now the Scorpion was practically giving it to him.

“And what of yourself?” Naito asked, “What do you gain from this?”

“Your goodwill.” Kaukatsu said, “Besides, terrible business, these Daidoji. The Crane shouldn’t be sullied by such characters.”

Naito didn’t like the sound of that. But given this… his biggest lead?

“Very well, I accept your generosity.” he replied, bowing. Knowing full well that Kaukatsu will most likely find ways to call on that ‘goodwill’ at the most opportune time.

—

Tomiko wished that this was just a normal visit. An old friend of hers, a fellow courtier from the Kakita provinces had paid a visit to bring her ill-tidings.

It would seem that there was a growing sentiment against the current Crane Champions, Doji Domotai. Due to her being raised in the Lion Clan, and her decision to exterminate the Harriers, many of the conservative members of the Clan have started harboring resentment at her “ill-considered” actions.

It was troubling news. For one thing, the Champion was the figurehead of the Clan. There was no way for a champion to be removed without giving an impression of weakness for the Clan. The only way she could be deposed without compromising the clan was through assassination.

With disgruntled daimyos, and the harriers missing Tomiko knew that things were going to get a lot worse if they didn’t find a way to stop this.

Add the fact that Domotai was due to arrive in two weeks time. She needed to find a way to swing popular opinion of Domotai somehow… to win over the conservative factions before they decided to resort to violence.

—

Ragan smiled as he sauntered into the nearby tea house. He’d been tasked to find testimony to assist in springing Shinjo Tai out from prison. It seemed easy enough, and being given a bag of Koku as extra incentive for anyone he met to motivate them to testify was always nice to have as well.

Thankfully he didn’t think he needed it.

The tea house was in the military district of the city, and inside he could see that there were plenty of Lions inside. Whatever possessed Tai to start an argument there was beyond Ragan, but he figured that Tai wasn’t very bright.

It was a simple matter for him to suss out a mouthy Lion, encouraging them to brag about the matter until he got what he needed. One of the Lions bragged about how their compatriot took the first shot at Tai, and Ragan quietly took note of his name.

He left the tea house with the information and surrendered it to Ai. Surely calling on the mouthy Lion to testify in court regarding the events will bolster Tai’s case significantly.

—

Doji Satsu bowed as he looked at the diplomat of the Dragon Clan, Mirumoto Shiori. The samurai-ko was a middle-aged woman with a severe expression. Her kimono was austere and perhaps a little on the plain side, tailored more for comfort as opposed to fashion. The twin swords placed in a display case behind her told the rest of the story. She was a diplomat, but also a warrior.

“I find myself increasingly concerned over the current vacancy of the position of Shogun.” She wasn’t the type to beat around the bush, it seemed, “With Akodo Kaneka slain, and revealed to have been part of the Gozoku conspiracy almost every single one of the more militant clans have put forth one candidate or another.”

“What do you have in mind?” Satsu asked, he was well aware that the Dragon as well as the Crane did not have a candidate for the position.

“We’ll have to choose among the candidates, and I’d rather that we work together to choose someone who will serve in that position without… distractions. I’m certain that there are more than a few candidates that we’d rather not succeed.”

Shiori called for some tea to be served, waiting until the servant left before resuming the conversation. “I for one do not wish for the Crab, the Lion or the Scorpion to win this. As those without a candidate, we are in a peculiar situation to be kingmakers to those we support.”

Satsu knew the candidates well enough, and he could see why Shiori would favor the Phoenix. The Lion were in a remarkably strong position, and giving them the seat of Shogun would only cement their independence from Crane funding. The Crab are not to be trusted, as even if Kisada was a fortune, he cannot erase the fact that he led an assault to seize the throne in his lifetime. Paneki, the Scorpion Champion and candidate is well respected, but is still a Scorpion. They already hold half the courts, if they were to secure the rank of Shogun, then they would have an advantage in a place where the Crane could not follow.

Satsu nodded, “In which case, we have two votes to the Phoenix.”

Shiori nodded, “I know that my clan and the Phoenix have not been in the best of terms, but their candidate is the lesser of two evils. Everyone else is a danger to us and the empire.”

—

A short visit to meet with an old Utaku maiden who had retired to become a nun gave Doji Ai much needed information on the nature of the reclusive family of battle maidens as well as their unique role among the Unicorn Clan.

She’d returned from her visit to good news from Ide Xian: finally, Tai was free and she got the embroidered cloths from his ancestors.

Everything was finally in place.

Doji Ai secluded herself in the indoor gardens of the Unicorn Embassy. Tapping into the wellspring of inspiration that she’d compiled with her experiences with the Unicorn Clan, she began to weave threads into cloth, and cloth into a kimono.

The act of creation to her was a means of touching the sublime, as her inspiration drove her hands, and her heart dictated the patterns and designs of her work. She incorporated their histories and their hopes into the kimono. In it she incorporated the classical patterns of their earliest days as the Ki-Rin, and incorporated the alien worksmanship of the times in the Burning Sands.

In the end the kimono sang of wanderlust and discovery, of love and mercy to fellow man. The resplendent patterns shifted as the cloth moved, an illusion woven into it as to dazzle and amaze.

Ai was spent, exhausted from effort, but it was finally complete. A Kimono fit for a god.

Moto Chen, champion of the Unicorn was apparently in Toshi Ranbo to see the gift and judge it if it was worthy of being given to Shinjo. One look at it and his doubts melted away. He worried that the Crane would not be truly able to show the height of Unicorn’s culture and reverence to their kami, but the kimono did all that and more.

—

Determined to find a way to turn popular opinion on the Champion around, Tomiko called on the other courtiers, her brother and Doji Ai to discuss a means to bolster Domotai as a symbol of the Crane, rather than some half-lion pretender.

The idea was simple, they would use their economic strength to lock out all the kimono makers in Toshi Ranbo, and Doji Ai would use her skills to craft a Kimono for Doji Domotai in the same ancient style she used for Tomiko and Satsu in their introduction to the courts.

The other courtiers would then work as gatekeepers, letting slip the rumor that such a kimono would be used by all Crane, and that they could “let” a few of the other courtiers of the clans in on it before Domotai’s arrival. It was the first in a new wave of an artistic revival that the team came up with, one that championed the Crane’s initial contributions to art and culture even before foreign influences from the Scorpion and the Mantis diluted what was beautiful by virtue of something as fleeting as novelty.

—–

With the conclusion of this session, I think I can start taking off the kid gloves. The stage is set and all the plot hooks are foreshadowed. Threats, allies, opportunities… everyone is represented well and the group is poised to make great progress, or run into some serious opposition from the other groups.

At this point I’m going over each of the clans in my head, and finalizing their agendas and next steps. The team is now entrenched to the point that any of the other clans will affect them in one way or another, and it falls to them to find out how to deal with those as they come.