Post by Iuchi Ozora on Jan 8, 2012 3:08:24 GMT -5
[OOC] As created in the Unicorn private forums and moved out for all to see and participate in. Please read below for additional OOC comments [/OOC]
The events of this post take place some time after "Path to War" and "Dishonor", and end with the Shogun's reinforcement of the Castle of Swift Sword.
Kitsuki Kaito, like many Dragons, and unlike many other Dragons, did not particularly care who was the emperor. What was more important in his view was that there was an emperor and that His justice be served. Therefore he felt almost no compunctions about being in a Unicorn war camp when his clan was so fervently aligned against that selfsame Unicorn clan.
He was more unnerved, in fact, when he was called upon to look into a matter of no small import by the aforementioned Unicorn, although, again, not for political reasons.
In this particular puzzle, the pieces at hand, by Magistrate Kaito's estimations were thiswise:
Utaku Kasumi, Daimyo of the Utaku and Champion of the Unicorn clan, was missing. She was last seen days after an allegedly eventful dinner with several of her clan members and an envoy from the Crane. She had dismissed her elderly servant and the watch of battle maidens, presuming herself safe within the well-defended war camp.
Her tent showed signs of a great struggle. Among the unusual disarray was found Enginoshi, the Celestial Sword of the Unicorn, on the floor outside of its saya. Furthermore, the carpets in the tent were soaked with what Kaito surmised to be blood. He was unable to identify whose despite the aid of a very willing Iuchi shugenja, but it seemed far too much for one person to lose and still live.
To Kaito's view there had indeed been foul play, and not by just any samurai or bandits. Unfortunately, he had very little other information to go on and after several days of investigation and consideration officially declared that his results were inconclusive. He noted that he would confer with other magistrates in the Dragon lands but honestly expected bureaucratic blocks as the Dragon and Unicorn were not on good terms. With a heavy heart, Kaito left for his homelands in order to continue his investigation.
In the next few days there was much talk among the leadership of the Unicorn who would be chosen as a replacement for the champion but this too found resistance due to a strange but ultimately common anomaly.
Before the elders of the clan had even had a chance to convene, rumors had already sprung up concerning the disappearance. Some whispered that Yoee had returned to exact a dark vengeance; others that the Yodotai had absconded with her to fulfill a destiny outside of the borders of Rokugan. Even quieter whispers cited the fact that the champion ought to have been a Moto, and perhaps the powerful Kolat had made their displeasure at such change in clan leadership known. Throughout all the gossip one idea presented itself above all others: the appointment of the Champion of the Unicorn had become cursed. Between Moto Yoee's fall and Utaku Kasumi's sudden vanishing act, there seemed to be fair precedent to say that whoever took up the title Champion would find their fate darkened.
Therefore, the clan elders resolved not to declare a new champion. Amidst a flurry of controversy the position was left unfilled on the stated logic that �More information needs to be presented to the council before a suitable successor can be chosen.�
And so the Unicorn were left in their time of war and strife to turn to the only leader they had left -- Toturi Kaneka, champion at the battle of Mountain Watch Keep and chosen emperor in the brothers' war. He had observed the investigation and discussions carefully, respecting the decision of the elders, and mourning along with everyone else at the loss.
And when he called for the Unicorn to break camp and move onward to Swift Sword Castle, the Unicorn obeyed.
********************
[OOC]
The Children of the Wind are a passionate people, ones who are determined to follow their own trail through the twists and turns of the cultural maze that is Rokugan. They are those who find release in stories of wandering, exploration, and the glory of battle, rather than maneuverings of authority or intrigue within their own court.
It is with this in mind that the players of the Unicorn clan are united in their desire to delay choosing a new PC champion until a future date yet to be determined.
In IC terms, speedy couriers will be delivering missives to each of the champions of the great clans in short order. While there would be little information about the event itself, the facts would be made plain that Utaku Kasumi has disappeared and is presumed dead, as well as the stated reasons for the elders' decision to delay choosing a successor. Within a few weeks, however, the rumors among the unicorn would deliver themselves to any courtier with an acute ear: the inconclusive investigation, the ever-lengthening list of suspects, and the ever-present fear that the position itself is cursed.
This thread is open. While Kitsuki Kaito or the clan elders are throwaway NPCs and will not be showing up to provide any further explanations, any player can feel free to post their IC reactions to this news or to the rumors, or share them in their own ways at their own leisure. The Crane can gossip, the Scorpion can plot, the Dragon can meditate, and the Phoenix can pray, much like they have always done.
With the recent action taken against Kasumi's player on the forum, it is the sincerest wish that the Unicorn and everyone else can move on and look forward to many exciting stories in the future. This announcement is our step toward making that happen. [/OOC]
The events of this post take place some time after "Path to War" and "Dishonor", and end with the Shogun's reinforcement of the Castle of Swift Sword.
Kitsuki Kaito, like many Dragons, and unlike many other Dragons, did not particularly care who was the emperor. What was more important in his view was that there was an emperor and that His justice be served. Therefore he felt almost no compunctions about being in a Unicorn war camp when his clan was so fervently aligned against that selfsame Unicorn clan.
He was more unnerved, in fact, when he was called upon to look into a matter of no small import by the aforementioned Unicorn, although, again, not for political reasons.
In this particular puzzle, the pieces at hand, by Magistrate Kaito's estimations were thiswise:
Utaku Kasumi, Daimyo of the Utaku and Champion of the Unicorn clan, was missing. She was last seen days after an allegedly eventful dinner with several of her clan members and an envoy from the Crane. She had dismissed her elderly servant and the watch of battle maidens, presuming herself safe within the well-defended war camp.
Her tent showed signs of a great struggle. Among the unusual disarray was found Enginoshi, the Celestial Sword of the Unicorn, on the floor outside of its saya. Furthermore, the carpets in the tent were soaked with what Kaito surmised to be blood. He was unable to identify whose despite the aid of a very willing Iuchi shugenja, but it seemed far too much for one person to lose and still live.
To Kaito's view there had indeed been foul play, and not by just any samurai or bandits. Unfortunately, he had very little other information to go on and after several days of investigation and consideration officially declared that his results were inconclusive. He noted that he would confer with other magistrates in the Dragon lands but honestly expected bureaucratic blocks as the Dragon and Unicorn were not on good terms. With a heavy heart, Kaito left for his homelands in order to continue his investigation.
In the next few days there was much talk among the leadership of the Unicorn who would be chosen as a replacement for the champion but this too found resistance due to a strange but ultimately common anomaly.
Before the elders of the clan had even had a chance to convene, rumors had already sprung up concerning the disappearance. Some whispered that Yoee had returned to exact a dark vengeance; others that the Yodotai had absconded with her to fulfill a destiny outside of the borders of Rokugan. Even quieter whispers cited the fact that the champion ought to have been a Moto, and perhaps the powerful Kolat had made their displeasure at such change in clan leadership known. Throughout all the gossip one idea presented itself above all others: the appointment of the Champion of the Unicorn had become cursed. Between Moto Yoee's fall and Utaku Kasumi's sudden vanishing act, there seemed to be fair precedent to say that whoever took up the title Champion would find their fate darkened.
Therefore, the clan elders resolved not to declare a new champion. Amidst a flurry of controversy the position was left unfilled on the stated logic that �More information needs to be presented to the council before a suitable successor can be chosen.�
And so the Unicorn were left in their time of war and strife to turn to the only leader they had left -- Toturi Kaneka, champion at the battle of Mountain Watch Keep and chosen emperor in the brothers' war. He had observed the investigation and discussions carefully, respecting the decision of the elders, and mourning along with everyone else at the loss.
And when he called for the Unicorn to break camp and move onward to Swift Sword Castle, the Unicorn obeyed.
********************
[OOC]
The Children of the Wind are a passionate people, ones who are determined to follow their own trail through the twists and turns of the cultural maze that is Rokugan. They are those who find release in stories of wandering, exploration, and the glory of battle, rather than maneuverings of authority or intrigue within their own court.
It is with this in mind that the players of the Unicorn clan are united in their desire to delay choosing a new PC champion until a future date yet to be determined.
In IC terms, speedy couriers will be delivering missives to each of the champions of the great clans in short order. While there would be little information about the event itself, the facts would be made plain that Utaku Kasumi has disappeared and is presumed dead, as well as the stated reasons for the elders' decision to delay choosing a successor. Within a few weeks, however, the rumors among the unicorn would deliver themselves to any courtier with an acute ear: the inconclusive investigation, the ever-lengthening list of suspects, and the ever-present fear that the position itself is cursed.
This thread is open. While Kitsuki Kaito or the clan elders are throwaway NPCs and will not be showing up to provide any further explanations, any player can feel free to post their IC reactions to this news or to the rumors, or share them in their own ways at their own leisure. The Crane can gossip, the Scorpion can plot, the Dragon can meditate, and the Phoenix can pray, much like they have always done.
With the recent action taken against Kasumi's player on the forum, it is the sincerest wish that the Unicorn and everyone else can move on and look forward to many exciting stories in the future. This announcement is our step toward making that happen. [/OOC]
