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Post by Hida Joji on May 24, 2012 13:41:21 GMT -5
Kaneka abdicated his claim to the throne already, then decided to un-abdicate it. Pics or it didn't happen!
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Tamori Manji
Dragon Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Demon Fox (妖狐)
?Dragon Clan ?Hatamoto ?Fire ?Void ?Yamabushi ?Tattoed ?Nonhuman
Posts: 922
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Post by Tamori Manji on May 24, 2012 17:09:31 GMT -5
Hitsuzu-san, there's no "fanaticism" anywhere in my statements, I assure you of that. And Aroru's post pretty much sums up my reasons to say what I've said to you previously. Toturi the 1st did not die yesterday and this is not a succession war, both Sezaru and Kaneka gave up their claims years ago, Naseru's been the ruling Emperor for quite some time now and if you don't call what Kaneka did a rebellion or an insurrection, I'm curious to know what do you consider it to be and what would you call a rebellion. I do concede many points to Mai and some to Joji, because they've raised good questions, but I cannot accept that a dog is a cat simply because you wish to call it so.
EDIT: Another note, Hantei the 38th was notoriously pacifist and beloved by his people for the long period of harmony his reign brought the Empire and that ended only two generations ago. I don't know where you got the idea that Rokugan is "used" to war-mongering Emperors.
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Zeure
Crane Clan
Crane Clan ? Samurai ? Duelist ? Artisan ? Guardian of Metal ? Unique
Posts: 826
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Post by Zeure on May 25, 2012 4:32:48 GMT -5
It may not be immediately obvious, but they are polaroid shots, so... thats' why there is a white border. ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Zeure/L5R/Abdication_pic.jpg) ![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/Zeure/L5R/Abdication_Lied.jpg)
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Post by Hida Joji on May 25, 2012 4:35:45 GMT -5
I don't know who the phoenix guy is, but he is ugly!
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Utaku Mai
Unicorn Clan
*Battle Maiden* *Paragon of Honor* *Goddamn Rockstar*
Posts: 484
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Post by Utaku Mai on May 25, 2012 7:06:48 GMT -5
"We have returned, mother," Sezaru said, bowing tersely. "Daigotsu has been defeated, as you wished."
"Where is Tsudao?" Kaede asked, her coal black eyes wide as she studied her son.
"She perished fighting Daigotsu," Naseru replied, stepping forward. "She died a hero, as her father did. Fu Leng no longer threatens the Celestial Heavens, but has returned to Jigoku where he belongs."
Kaede's eyes widened, as if the news surprised her. A hushed murmur echoed through the court, surprise not only that the Sword had fallen but also that the Oracle had not foreseen it.
"So what becomes of the Empire?" Kaneka asked in a gruff voice. "Who shall take the throne?"
Kaede did not reply, as if the effort to speak were too great. All remembered the last time when Kaede was forced to choose, and was stripped from this world as a result. Now all was tense silence.
Finally, Sezaru stepped forward. "If it makes your decision easier, mother, I have no desire for the throne. I have my own concerns, and they do not allow time to rule an Empire. I hereby abdicate my claim upon the throne of Rokugan."
Kaede nodded, a look of relief crossing her face, as if the pain of the decision had lessened. She turned to Kaneka and Naseru.
Kaneka frowned and turned to Naseru, then looked back upon the throne. "It seems to me," he said, scratching the back of his neck, "that the life of an Emperor involves too much politics. The power it offers is an illusion. I prefer my role as Shogun. If you can keep your bargains, Anvil, and allow me to retain my title, I will relive your mother of this difficult decision and abdicate as well."
"So be it, then," Naseru replied. "And so long as I am Emperor, Kaneka, you and your successors will remain Shogun."
A small smile spread across Kaede's face and she nodded slowly. "So be it then," she said with a small sigh. "All hail Hantei Naseru, Emperor of Rokugan, the Righteous Emperor. Miya Shoin, spread the word across the Empire. Let it be known this day that Rokugan recognizes a new Emperor."
With that, Kaede vanished from the throne without a trace. The court looked at one another in confusion, but Toturi Sezaru only smiled.
"My mother has returned to the Celestial Heavens to be reunited with the Dragon of the Void," Sezaru replied. "The time of the Oracles is done, for now."
"What are you waiting for, Miya Shoin?" Kaneka demanded. "You have news to deliver, herald."
Shoin nodded vigorously and turned to run for the door, but Naseru held forth a restraining hand as he moved toward the throne. Shoin paused, bowing deeply before the newly named Emperor.
"Shoin, I do not wish to keep you from informing the Empire of this news, but I have something else to add," he replied. "For ten years I have worn the name of a villain, for so was the wish of my father, the Emperor. Though the Steel Chrysanthemum and my father are both dead, it was never my right or my wish to defy the will of an Emperor until today. From this day forth let me be known as Toturi Naseru, Toturi the Third."
Some in the court gasped in shock. Some could not keep themselves from grinning in sheer joy. No member of the court, no matter how practiced they were in concealing their emotions, was unaffected.
"Why not Toturi the Second?" asked Bayushi Kaukatsu.
"Toturi the Third," Naseru replied. "Toturi the Second was my sister, known henceforth as the Glorious Emperor."
"Not officially," replied Shosuro Higatsuku. "Her reign was unrecognized."
Naseru fixed him with a cold look. "You would dispute the word of the Emperor, and the honor he wishes to bestow upon his sister, who sacrificed all for the Empire?"
None present said a word.
Naseru seated himself upon the Steel Throne. Miya Shoin departed to carry news to the Empire.
"And with the aid of this noble court," Naseru continued, "and the blessings of the eternal Kami and Fortunes, may my role be as glorious as my father's."
"And let me be first to bow before you, Naseru-sama," Sezaru said, kneeling before the throne. "If there is anything you wish of me, only speak and it will be done."
"Then from this day forth, you will serve as my Voice, mighty Sezaru," Naseru replied. "It shall be your duty to bring peace between the clans, to insure that arrogance and pride never threaten us again."
"And what of our bargain?" Kaneka said boldly, arms folded across his chest. "Shall I remain Shogun as you promised?"
"Of course," Naseru replied. "However, you cannot serve me if you are my equal. You must release those who have sworn personal fealty to you, and renounce your ties to the Lion Clan immediately. The Shogun's armies will be built anew, to serve me."
Kaneka's eyes narrowed. "You would make me a wave man?"
"Certainly not," Naseru said with a frown. "I have no doubt that any Clan Champion would be honored to offer you fealty& brother."
With that, Doji Akiko, Master of Water from the Elemental Council, stepped forward. "If the Shogun would learn the ways of peace, then what better clan than the Phoenix? We would be pleased to have the Shogun among our number."
Matsu Nimuro looked at Akodo Kaneka, his expression blank.
Naseru looked at Kaneka. "Is this acceptable?
Kaneka scowled. "Very well, then, brother. If Akiko will have it, I shall swear fealty to the Shiba. Within a year my armies will be even greater than before& All for your glory, of course, my brother."
"Indeed," Naseru replied. "Brother."
Kaneka bowed before the Emperor.
"And you, Sezaru?" Naseru asked, looking at the Wolf. "If you to serve, you must find your place among a clan as well."
"Then let that clan be my mother's," Sezaru replied. "I will also join the Clan of the Phoenix." He turned to Isawa Nakamuro, the Master of Air. "Is this acceptable?"
"Of course, Sezaru-sama," Nakamuro said with pride.
"We have an Emperor at last," Doji Tanitsu said with a sad smile. "This is a new day for the Empire."
"To say the least," Naseru replied with a firm nod. "Now gather around, my court. We have much work yet to do"
"It's a simple matter for you to question, is it not?" Sezaru asked. "To doubt? Because it excuses you from having faith, and from accepting that perhaps your role in the grand scheme of things is not so grand as you might wish."
"That is not what this is about," Kaneka insisted.
"Explain it, then, because you seem like little more than dissident military leader that craves power."
Kaneka frowned. "I voluntarily surrendered my claim to the throne, just as you did," he said with a sneer. "I do not want the throne. I want an Empire that is safe, with citizens who do not have to fear for their lives or their souls. I want law and order, and if our brother is not going to step forward and supply it, then I have no choice but to do so in his name while he remains indisposed. There are wars, Sezaru, and wars can lead to chaos with nothing more than a breeze or a whisper."
Sezaru's eyes narrowed. "You intend to seize control of the capital?"
"No," Kaneka said emphatically. "I intend to maintain order while the Emperor is absent. If he wishes me to depart, all he must do is emerge from his seclusion and resume the duty himself, or appoint another to do it in my place."
For a brief moment, Kaneka feared that he had overstepped his bounds. Sezaru's eyes seemed to glow, but they gave off no light or energy, merely a strange intensity that the Shogun imagined he could almost feel. "It is your intent, then, to maintain law and order, then?" Sezaru asked quietly. "Your ambition does not extend beyond that?"
"No," Kaneka said adamantly. "I am no brutish conqueror. Not any longer."
The intensity finally faded from Sezaru's eyes, and the Wolf seemed tired. "I should destroy you," he said after a moment's consideration.
Kaneka instantly plotted the location of his blade behind him, and the various items he could use as a shield long enough to get close to Sezaru. He suspected it would not be enough. "You do not believe me, then?"
"On the contrary," Sezaru said. "I can see into your soul. I know that you are an ambitious man. I know that you bear no love for our brother the Emperor. And yet you are honorable, as he is. You desire only the best for the Empire, as he does. And you both believe that the other cannot achieve such goals."
Kaneka frowned. "Then why destroy me, if you know I am genuine."
"Because two men such as you, both desiring the Empire's best interests, and both adamantly opposed to the other's methods, is the greatest threat that Rokugan can face," Sezaru said. "You will tear the Empire apart."
"That cannot happen," Kaneka said firmly.
"Agreed," the Wolf said, turning to leave. "It will not, because eventually I will have no choice but to decide which of my brothers will save the Empire, and which will damn it with war."
"And when that day comes?"
Sezaru turned as he stepped through the doors, raising his mask to his face. "On that day," he said, his voice oddly different, "I will have but one brother remaining."
Not that this is strictly canonical for our purposes, but I thought I'd provide just a bit of...explanation maybe?
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Post by The Blue Ronin on May 25, 2012 11:14:29 GMT -5
Hitsuzu-san, there's no "fanaticism" anywhere in my statements, I assure you of that.. Silly Manji. It can sometimes be hard to tell, in a text-based medium like the internet, whether somebody is expressing their opinions in A) a strident, angry and even fanatical way, or B) whether their opinions are reasonable, moderate and realistic. Luckily it's actually quite easy. You just ask yourself a simple question. DOES THE PERSON AGREE WITH ME? If no, it's A, if yes, it's B.
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Tamori Manji
Dragon Clan Mod ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Demon Fox (妖狐)
?Dragon Clan ?Hatamoto ?Fire ?Void ?Yamabushi ?Tattoed ?Nonhuman
Posts: 922
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Post by Tamori Manji on May 25, 2012 14:29:18 GMT -5
Hahaha, good point Ryumon ;D
To Mai and Joji, I must say though, as a player, that my critics regarding the actions taken by the Shogun do not exempt the Emperor of fault, on the contrary, its quite clear that Naseru's rule has been a far cry from the minimum expected of a good Emperor. I just think that, even though he may have erred by omission, its easier (and less painful to the Empire) to guide an Emperor through hard times with good counsel than trying to depose him by waging a civil war, unless the Emperor actively refuses to listen to his subjects and councilors time and again, which was not the case (and I say this working under the assumption raised by Mai that the Celestial Order lost much of its importance during the last century). Also, any way we look at it, we are in for drastic changes to the political/spiritual scenario of Rokugan and I hope that, however this war ends, we can reestablish some semblance of order to the Empire without having to banish/extinguish whole Clans for their actions. Its a shame that our time now is very limited and we will probably be unable to give these repercussions the proper attention. Still, it was a good run and, despite my personal opinions, I think we were all faced with some very difficult and interesting decisions along the way which made this story a very worthwhile collective effort.
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