[RP] The Shogun Crisis

[Kitsuki Bareian]

(OOC: It's no secret that Katsutoshi's ambition is to hold the power of the Shogunate, and with the appearance of the "Express concern" mission in Toshi Ranbo in-game, it looks like he has the chance to start lobbying for a power grab at the position ;D.

This RP thread is for the characters who disapprove the Shogun's action of marching without consent of the emperor, in which, Katsutoshi has seen as a loophole to rally like minded person against the Shogun, thus forging alliance, and making enemies at the same time.

Role players can join anytime as either a potential (what ever their motives are) ally or staunch defenders of the Shogun's name.

REMINDERS: Katsutoshi's ambition to be Shogun is a quest that can lead to utter ruin and failure for him and his allies, and should be treated as a wild goose chase for power in the meantime (unless the Game Developers would like to entertain the idea of the uprising and use it in-game ;D). Anyone who has a concern over the issue or comments we will all be making, can pm me so we can smooth unnecessary RP "crease".

Now... Let us begin.)


One Week ago, Toshi Ranbo...


The Steel Dragon looked on as the massive army of the Shogun slowly became a distant speck. For months, the bold incursion of the Yobanjin raiders in the northwestern borders of Rokugan had thrown the empire in disarray, and although each clan had sent small forces to aid the Unicorn clan to battle the interlopers, it did no good to slow the invaders down.


Then, days ago, a call from the Shogun came; Calling all able bodied warriors, to gather in the capital and march under his banner as answer to the Yobanjin's attack, and in his lifetime, Katsutoshi has never seen the samurais of every clan united for one single purpose... Until Now.

"The power of the Shogun..." Mirumoto Katsutoshi whispered to himself as he stared in awe at the army marching away to where he and his men where.

As the Steel Dragon continued to gawk, one of his men, approached the gawking commander and asked nervously "are we not to join the march Mirumoto-sama?"

Katsutoshi snapped back to reality, and was mildly annoyed for being caught dumbfounded by an inferior, to which he looked at sternly and spoke to with a dangerous tone

"Get back in file soldier! lest I shove your tounge inwards that you will be tasting your own refuse."

Not waiting for the reaction of the soldier, the Steel Dragon, geared his horse towards the soldiers. Stopping in front, and eyeing each men who was part of his 36th legion, Katsutoshi spoke;

"Half of you soldiers camp yourselves here, and half of you hurry up and join the march! Present yourselves to the highest ranking Dragon commander at the army... I will not be making the trip."

At that, leaving his legion confused, Katsutoshi kicked his horse into a full gallop towards the Capital.

"This is going to be interesting..." he smiled as the wind rushed to his face.


* * * * * *


Days later... The Imperial court...


The Otomo's stern gaze made Katsutoshi uneasy, if it this wasn't the Capital, and the Otomo was'nt so far up the hiearchy order, the Steel Dragon would have slit his neck.

"Speak!" the Otomo commanded "What is your bussiness here in court?"

Katsutoshi stared back at the Otomo, trying to imprint the courtier's face in his mind so one day he may have the advantage to make the Otomo learn his place the very painful way.

Bowing low, the Steel Dragon looked at the attendants at the court. There were familiar faces in the crowd, but he had no time to remember names.

Clearing his throat, Katsutoshi nodded and spoke as soft as he could but with acid in his tone;

"I question the Shogun's action and his audacity to ignore the throne..."

(OOC: Now lets see how far this will go ;D)

[kasuga]

Katsutoshi-sama...

The one rule of the empire that is sacrosanct is that we must all serve the Son of Heaven, the Emperor, in whatever capacity we may.

While I have not heard of any Imperial decree for an army to be assembled, perhaps such orders were secretly given? I myself have had members of my clan given orders which were unknown to the larger community of Rokugan.

However, when such orders are given in secret, their observance is only compelled by those in secret.

The Minor Clan Alliance has sent their troops to stop the Yobanjin Hordes. Our cousins the Ox Clan and the Badger Clan have been sorely pressed by the Gaijin hordes, and only their strong hearts, powerful arms, and clever strategies have saved them for obliteration.

Should the Emperor disclaim the Shoguns actions, I will be first in line to stop him. And should such an event happen, I would strongly support you as a Shogun candidate to the Empire, with what little influence I have.

But as for now, I can see no path that does not blunt the power of the Empire to repel the Invader, unless we continue to push back against them.

I await with eager anticipation, word from the Emperor on how to proceed. It is true that our history is unfortunately replete with those who raise armies for one cause, only to use them for another. I pray that in this case, that is not true, and trust the Emperor's guidance.

With great respect and courtesy.

-Kasuga Himiwari

[the monk Basufu]

Jiyuu steps forth, almost seeming to form from the shadows, wearing a fine, dark robe that swirls slightly in an otherwise undetectable breeze.

Kasuga-sama, honored assembly...

What you say may be true, that the instructions were delivered in secret, but why? The Emperor remains in seclusion, still contemplating this matter with such wisdom as only the Son of Heaven can muster. Surely, none among us would protest, and all protests will cease, should it be made clear that the Shogun is operating with the Emperor's authorization. But until then, must we not be cautious? The Shogun commands the armies of the Empire. His power is tremendous, and dangerous. Let us not suggest for one moment that the honorable Kaneka-sama has anything but the most honorable intentions, but intentions and actions are two different things.

Shall we forget the Gozoku of the past, who reduced the Son of Heaven to a figurehead and allowed corruption to flourish? Even without such a conspiracy, there is a great danger in the use of Imperial powers without Imperial sanction. Until and unless the Emperor steps forward and lets us know that, as you suggest, this was an order given in secret, we must at least consider that this act by the Shogun is an illegitimate usurpation of the powers of the Emperor, and what consequences such an action ought to precipitate. It cannot be allowed that those granted powers by the throne should come to see that power as their own.

But, of course, such things are not, in the end, for us to decide. We can merely decide among ourselves what humble advice we might offer, which may indeed be foolishness to the wise Son of Heaven, as our unworthy service to his august majesty.

[Kitsuki Bareian]

As both Kasuga and Kuni voiced their opinion, Katsutoshi nodded and weighed each word said by both parties. As a unspoken rule and tactic inside the court, each letter or word and the tone that rolls out of one's mouth maybe used against themselves by others seeking advantage;

Fixing his eyes on the Kasuga first;

"Ah my friend Kasuga -san! you humble me by seeing me as qualified to step in to the Shogun's sandals" the Steel Dragon smiled genuinely flattered "but that is not my intentions at all for raising this subject."

Turning his gaze towards Jiyuu, then to the other people present;

"The estemeed Kuni has a point would you not agree?" he flashed a conspiratorial smile towards Jiyuu "The question is not whether the Shogun is right or wrong, we know that what he did is "apparently" for the empire's sake, but has he the right to?

The Shogun, as I believe, is responsible for the military might of the empire is he not? I find no fault for all our kinsmen clustering under the Shogun's banner. It is understandable that we fight for the defense of our Empire. The one thing that fails to register in my mind, is simply this;

The Shogun is overall commander to the great armies of Rokugan, but a general still needs orders and direction "When" to deploy by the emperor. Is this not a blatant act of usurpation as our friend Kuni had stated?

For the meantime, his motives maybe for the empire, but now that he has seen that Samurai will flock to him with one word, who is to say he will not do it again in the future? And in that future, who is to say that his motives will not be self serving?"