RP: Summit at Kyuden Gotei

[vegandeathmachine]

[OOC: This is a semi-open RP.

* The meeting is to discuss the military and political state in the Empire in the aftermath of the battle of Mountain Watch Keep.

* Invited are daimyo of the following clans: All Major Clans, Minor Clan Alliance.

* If you're not a daimyo, but feel important enough to be here, or your daimyo isn't, come on in.

* Punch and pie will be served.

* Details of the setting will be posted shortly]

[vegandeathmachine]

The main hall at Kyuden Gotei has been elaborately staged for the summit. The room is as ostentatious as always, with no expense spared on construction or decoration. The walls have been hung with enormous banners embroidered with the heraldry of all the Great Clans and those of the Minor Clan Alliance. A dizzying array of weapons and armor are on display about the hall; most are of respected Rokugani make, but a few are of gaijin influence.

Areas of seating have been established for all the Clans, under their respective banners. Each clan has its own dedicated servants provided to see to their needs. A veritable feast has been laid out.

As a summit to discuss military affairs, armor, if presentable is considered appropriate attire. Wakizashi may be worn, but katana and anything larger are expected to be handed over for polishing; the usual polite ficition to limit the number of yard-long razor blades present in the room.

[Soshi Kiso]

Kiso arrived in a short time after receiving notice from the messenger. He was starting to wonder if he knew Kyuden Gotei better then Shiro no Soshi, as he'd spent most of the last few months here. He was able to procure his most recent quarters, freshing up for the occassion. Donning his finest silks and leaving all forms of weaponry with his yojimbo.

While he had spent recent days with Akihiko, he was sure he would be busy seeing to every detail before the multitude of Daimyos and Ambassadors arrived. So to not take any undue attention to the Mantis Daimyo, he came to the great hall quietly and sat in meditation under the banner of his clan, the servants told he would have no need of them till others appeared.

[Toku Hirotomo]

Toku Kenpachi led his attendents to the halls of Kyuden Gotei. He wondered who among the other Minor Clans would be in attendence. He briefly saw the Soshi Daimyo, and politely bowed to the Scorpion. He ignored the whipsers behind fans. Most did not hear of his elevation or about Sanjuro's condition. Kenpachi sighed inwardly, this was likely to be a political misunderstanding. Kenpachi's face showed no sign of discontent or worry. He was smiling and greeting those he knew. Perhaps he could make a few more powerful friends for the Monkey.

[Takezo]

Mirumoto Takezo, Champion of the Dragon, arrived at Kyuden Gotei in advance of a large number of monk functionaries, his personal guard of warrior monks and Taoist archers, and - most notably - a Yobanjin advisor.

Takezo, at the best of times tall, thin, rangy and grim-visaged, still wore the weariness of hard battle on his face, his dark eyes black in the shadow of the gates as he passed through them. Silently, and with a perfect economy of motion, he handed his katana to the polisher, who accepted it with a trembling hand.

Takezo's advance team of courtiers had arrived a day early to carry out Takezo's unspoken wishes: to prepare his quarters more suitably, removing excess decoration and unnecessary luxuries, and to prepare profiles of the other dignitaries attending the meeting. Takezo would meet with his bankers in Kyuden Gotei as well... the immediate concerns of invasion settled, it was time to turn to the more mundane aspects of Championing a Great Clan - paying for war.

"Go prepare the Mantis for my official greeting", Takezo commanded his hatamoto; "I will go first to offer my respects to the ancestors of this place."

[vegandeathmachine]

Akihiko entered the meeting hall. He was attired in his armor, without kabuto, freshly cleaned and repaired from battle. He saw that the Soshi Daimyo had arrived.

Akihiko was startled to see Toku Kenpachi arrayed as the Monkey Champion; he had thought Sanjuro was Champion.

Turning to greet his acquaintance, Soshi Kiso, first, Akihiko smiled and approached him.

"Soshi Kiso-san! I am quite pleased to see you again! I hope the voyage went well. I suppose I was a bit vague about this meeting."

"My hope was to gather the daimyo of Rokugan together, so we might discuss the threats currently facing Rokugan. The Yobanjin have been halted, but have they been stopped? Is there a further threat? Further, there are many other issues to discuss: bloodspeakers, bandits raiding villages, and more."

"With any luck, this meeting will help us to address the problems we all face."

[Komori Yukio]

Having paid his respects at the various nearby shrines and temples, Komori Warai finally arrived at the meeting hall, followed by a pretty, in a plain sort of way, young priestess. He wore the sleeveless black Kimono bearing the Bat mon and symbols of his office as Bat Clan Champion that he reserved for diplomatic meetings, while wearing the black lacquered komouri mempo on his right hip and wakizashi on his left, the ever-present symbols of his readiness for action.

Seeing the Mantis Champion and Soshi Daimyo already in conversation, and not wishing to disturb them, Warai simply gave a fluid bow in their direction. He followed that with another bow to the Dragon champion,

Mirumoto-san, it is an honor to finally meet the Champion of the Dragon.

and finally to the Monkey Champion, whom he was seated near. The priestess stood slightly behind him, but close enough that she could hear all that was said.

Kenpachi-san, it is good to see you again. I hope that the fortunes continue to favor you. Any word of Sanjuro-san?

[Soshi Kiso]

The fact Akihiko approached him first almost brought a smile to his lips. He had almost traveled back to Mountain Watch Keep with him to battle more Yobajin when the news had come.

As always Yoritomo Akihiko-sama, it is an honor to see you again. I am interested to see what problems the Daimyos are willing to address. The yobajin threat is not likely to be over, now we see how much more help everyone is willing to lend the Unicorn. Kiso leaned in, to whisper in the Mantis's ear. I advise you might want to speak with your other guests, I've taken more then enough of it already. Though I would be more then willing to take some it tonight after the first meeting. I'm sure you know the best place in town for a fine cup of sake.

[Toku Hirotomo]

Kenpachi turned to the Bat Champion. "It's good to see you again, Komori-san. I'm afraid there has been no word yet. I've done everything but drain the rivers. The Hare should be sending some scouts to search for him soon. Perhaps I can get a few Tsurichi Bounty Hunters to assist as well." Kenpachi looked to the others as they entered. The greatest of the clans were showing up. The Dragon Champion was here. Kenpachi hoped he would also see the Kitsuki Daimyo. Mitsouko was probably to busy to attend, though she might send someone. Kenpachi squared his shoulders. It was time to make himself memorable. The first start was getting aquanted with the host.

[Kitsune Keshi]

Kitsune Keshi was scarcely recognizable as the figure who had attended the Phoenix Champion's Ceremony. Weariness seemed to have settled into the shugenja's bones as she sat beneath the Mantis banner.

Frowning slightly as she watched her champion speak with abandon to the Soshi Daimyo. Her mismatched eyes taking in the surroundings. She would keep her own council for now. Those who were silent had better ears.

[vegandeathmachine]

Akihko smiled at the Soshi daimyo's suggestion,

"Yes, Soshi Kiso-san, and I also know the worst. Perhaps if time allows... But for now, I must greet the other daimyo."

Akihiko made his way towards Komori Warai and Toku Kenpachi, and bowed slightly upon meeting them.

"Komori Warai-sama, Toku Kenpachi-sama, I am pleased you could both attend. Please forgive my bluntness, but what has happened to Toku Sanjuro-sama? I have not been as well-informed as I would like..."

[Toku Hirotomo]

Kenpachi admired the blutness of the Mantis Champion. At least it would be out in the open now. "Toku Sanjuro-sama was attacked by a creature from the shadowlands while in the Crane lands. His memory was erased and he is lost, and wandering the Empire." If he can be blunt, so can I, Kenpachi thought grimly thinking about his Champion. "I am Sanjuro's cousin by birth, so the mantle of leadership falls to me until he can be found and restored." Kenpachi looked around slightly. This could easily turn depressing, and Kenpachi did not want to think about such things during this important time. "This palace is as beautiful as ever, I've only had the pleasure of seeing it with my own eyes a handful of occasions, but it is always an overwhelming sight. Thank you for your gracious invitation."

[Ikoma Buretto]

Arriving, perhaps later than even fashionable, is a large man with a small personal retinue fit for anyone in a position of authority. Flanked by samurai yojimbo all adorned in the golden and tan tones found within the Lion the man hands over his credentials for inspection, the arrival of Ikoma Buretto, Daimyo of the Ikoma to be made known to the Mantis hosts. Once within the palace the man spends some time looking over the value objects placed on display to understand their significance and beauty before he moves on to meet the other present dignitaries.

[Daidoji Fitsu]

Daidoji Fitsu arrived with little fanfare and no more escort than a few travelling companions. He had left his retinue in the lands of the Crab to handle any Ambassadorial duties that needed attending to.

When he entered the chamber he did so trying to draw little attention to himself, dressed in a fine, yet very simple, kimono with a wakizashi of matching quality and aesthetic tucked into his obi.

Looking around the room it was clear to him that he was yet again in a situation surrounded by his betters, where he could only hope his counsel would be sound enough to be worth their time. He privately wondered if he had got in over his head this time.

Fitsu intentionally avoided any eye contact with those above his station to avoid giving offense.

[vegandeathmachine]

[OOC: Will call the meeting to order shortly. If you're late, no big deal. You can say your character arrived on time if you like.]