Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Daikumo Can be seen in the center of the 4th kaisha camp, tools, oil and cloth surrounding him as he makes some adjustments to one of the officers armor. He's got a few sets on small stands nearby that he will get to eventually. He is just finishing up the one that he has been working on for a while. The weathering damage from the decades old set of armor is still visible, But he has done the repairs well enough that it's stronger than even before.



D3 EE, cleaning, polishing, and blessing swords (regular maintenance), Metagame Improve Strength, 1 VP | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 1 / Strife: 2


+2 strength, armament passion removes strife, 1 opportunity used to add the durable trait to whichever officer's armor I am reparing

Not far away, Doji Hametsu was returning from putting a two squads of the 4th kaisha through maneuvers. It turned out that the Legion still had manuals from the days of Hantei Fujiwa and the Battle of the Cresting Wave, so principles of warfare against the monstrosities of the south could (and, indeed, were required to) be studied and performed. Foremost among these, from Hametsu's point of view, was the concept of moving quickly and efficiently to take enemies in the flank--this being a particularly useful concept against oni, who might be particularly dangerous from the front.


Metagame Roll, D3. Void spent | TN: 2 | Success: 4 / Opportunity: 0 / Strife: 2

Result: +2 Discipline

Removing his Kaiu-made kabuto, Hametsu leant his yari against a wall and spent a moment shaking out and resetting his hair. it would not do to be seen neglecting the grooming standard. Noticing Daikumo at work, he waited for a pause before introducing himself.

"Good evening, Agasha-san. I see that the Legion's forge is in good hands."

"Good evening Doji-sama. I do my best to ensure the warriors of the Legion will be kept as safe as possible. Did you need me to look at any of your equipment? Everything fitting right and sturdy?"

He doesn't pause his work, seemingly comfortable with speaking while working, and having no intention of stopping his work while he had the duty of caring for officers' armor.

"I've had requests after the first day of marching. Many had their armor fitted for ceremony or presentation, a functional fit of course, but not quite as comfortable as it could be for the road. Glad to make any adjustments you might want," the big Dragon offers. But his tone also suggests he wouldn't be surprised if Hametsu had already been properly fitted for riding. Mounted commanders are usually familiar with the need to do so.

"I am afraid the manufacture is new and suits me perfectly. Annoyingly so. How he was able to determine my measurements from just two conversations over tea I am not certain. But I cannot say that I am surprised that the Legion was fitted for parade. Many legionnaires found the orders for the campaign to be quite a surprise."

"I imagine that much of my work on our way to our destination will include refits and blade polishing. We have to do our best to make sure we're prepared for the mission upon arrival. As for how he was able to measure your fit over tea? My guess is that he also does tailoring or is familiar with the craft. I can't size someone by sight, but my uncle can. He's the one who made my clothing... and he just showed up with it one day, never asked me thing. Tailors have an uncanny eye for sizing. Years of practice I assume." Daikumo continues his work with a sense of calm about him.

Hametsu was willing to accept that as a reflection of Katsushiro's skill. He nodded in agreement. "Kaiu Katsushiro aside, the legion must be grateful for your abilities, Agasha-san. I understand that some among the Agasha shugenja are incorporated directly into the Dragon armies. Were you trained this way?"

"I wasn't. My family has a tradition of smithing for leadership among the Dragon for several generations now. But I personally have always been more martial minded and feel I'll adapt to the role nearly as easily as those that do integrate into the armies as you said. It will not be an issue," Daikumo replies. "If you don't mind me asking, how many commands have you held in your career thus far? Any military engagements I may have heard of?"

"I am merely an adjutant, Agasha-san, and while I am expected to hold a command eventually, I am still very much a learner. And the legion...well, you saw from the approach to equipment taken by some of the officers; this was not the sort of army one would use in anger until quite recently. I have seen combat, once, against the Lion, but that was when I was attached to my mother's command staff, 5th kaisha, 1st Crane army."

He smiled. "But I read and I get ideas. I am looking forward to taking the opportunity to test them."

" I suppose I just assume because you carry yourself like a commander," Daikumo says, bowing his head respectfully. "I still haven't memorized the entire command stuff. I've only been here for about 3 days And they've been keeping me busy with equipment and medicine. I can't say I'm too aware of many battles between the lion and the crane. Certainly aware that they happen frequently enough for it to be understood to almost be tradition, but an Imperial historian I am not."

Hametsu was relieved by that admission. The rumors surrounding his actions during that battle had become somewhat inflated in the intervening years.

"It was little more than a skirmish, one of dozens that have taken place before Kosaten Shiro in the last few hundred years." He gave a non-committal hand-wave. "We won." That was the important thing. "But you will have time yet to get to know the legion's leadership. The march is long, and I would be happy to make introductions if Agasha-san would like."

"I wouldn't wish to add to your demanding schedule, but if the opportunity presents itself I wouldn't say no," he replies. "What is your assessment of the 4th so far?"

"Why, it is the finest kaisha in the Legion, of course." Hametsu nodded once, as a sort of punctuation. "Our commander is professional and focused, our legionnaires are committed and skilled. I notice that some have interesting relationships with the regulations, but that is easily corrected. We are also fortunate enough to have a healthy contingent of Crab legionnaires who are familiar with the adversaries we are likely to face. This is all to the good."

"Of course, all units carry the seeds of their own destruction. More than one member has an unhealthy streak of moral relativism. We will have to be vigilant against backsliding, but I have confidence we can see this through."

"Results are the most important measure, and it sounds like we have the expertise to get them. That's good to know. Visualizing victory is all the easier when looking at a capable fighting force," he replies.