Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

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Day 1

Were the changing of the seasons a war, today feels much like the end of a siege. The banners of Fall can be seen....but for today, Lady Sun holds the field unopposed, able to cast her eyes upon the actions of each soldier beneath Her with not even the tiniest of clouds to take cover beneath. Today's high is 79F/26.1 C. There is a light breeze from the ocean for those near it.

However, it is a lovely evening for stargazing. Once Lady Sun quits the field, temperatures descend rapidly to a low of 57F/13.8C, as Lord Moon continues his eternal pursuit of Lady Sun, nearly fully revealed to the troops below. The gentle winds fade to a quiet whisper as Bayushi's Mask shines brightly in the night sky, seeming even more brilliant than the Celestial Chrysanthemum....though none would say so openly.

Today's Element is Fire

Day 1 Muster Event MM-LA

You do not need to spend every time slot from MM-LA participating in the event, simply the ones keyed to rolls you are making. You are free to roleplay your participation in the appropriate areas or not, but do make sure that the event thread contains links to your posts with rolls, successful or no.

“Since the Intelligence Chief got word about her cousin, she’s been a bit off.”
“Why, did her cousin die?”
“No, but the Kuni have apparently been asking him questions.”
“Oh. That’s never good.”

“So, we’re backing up the Crab? What happened, did someone turn on them again?”

Grizzled Legionnaire 1: “You know, I get that the Rikugunshokan keeps the Reserve Company his own. I get why the First Kaisha is the Shireikan’s. I get why the Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth are doing what they’re doing. But what’s going on with the Sixth?”
Grizzled Legionnaire 2: “Political appointments, maybe? Gotta stick ‘em somewhere.”
Grizzled Legionnaire 1: “Maybe where the sun don’t shine.”

Yojimbo 1- “The Emperor is dead. Long live the Emperor!”
Yojimbo 2- “Which one?”
Yojimbo 1- “The younger, I think.”
Yojimbo 2- “Because that Scorpion said so?”
Yojimbo 1- “Well, didn’t the Emerald Champion sign off on that?”
Yojimbo 2- “You sure it was him, and not some kind of plot? I mean, don’t the Lion go in for tradition and all that?”
Yojimbo 1- “True, but there was Hantei VI Yugozohime. Younger sibling, and Lion-trained. The First Emperor was the youngest child, too.”
Yojimbo 2- “Admittedly. But with neither of them present upon the Throne, it’s unclear who truly will succeed His Majesty.”

“Why would Mirumoto-rikugunshokan have a ronin as his second-in-command?”
“Well, you know the Dragon.”
“Yeah, but why would the Throne allow a Legion to have a ronin as its second-in-command?”
“You gonna argue with the Throne?”
“No, no, no. Clearly not. It just doesn’t make sense, is all.”

“‘Where is the Empress?’ is what I want to know.”
“Yeah, you and a lot of other people.”
“I mean, wouldn’t Her Majesty be a better choice for a Regent than, well, anybody? She’d already know what was going on, after all.”
“Well, how much do you tell your wife about what you do?”
“Hey, no need to get personal!”[/quote]

Day 2
(It's still Session 1, mind you.)

The banners of Fall are clearly flying today...although with barely enough wind to ruffle a child's hair, they'd be hanging almost completely straight down. Despite there being minimal clouds across the sky, it feels much cooler than yesterday, with a high of 73F/22.7C.

In the evening the faint winds stop entirely, as if the Heaven's themselves were holding there breath and the temperatures plunge to a low of 43F/6.1 C, forcing soldiers to huddle around the campfires, and those stuck patrolling away from the fires shivering in as many straw coats as they could wrap around themselves.

The light cloud cover continues, obscuring some of the stars, such as Daikoku's Coin.

Today's Element is: Water

Rumors
“How’d we get so lucky as to have a Karen in logistics?”
“You’d prefer her in command?”

“I heard there was some kind of attack at the Wall, took out some kind of delegation.”
“I’d heard some Crane or another has it in for Mirumoto Tekkan. Something about a lost duel when they were young.”
“I think you’ve both got too much time on your hands if this is what you’re talking about.”
“Sorry, sir.”

“You know, I sometimes feel sorry for that Miya.”

“Do you think I have a shot with the Hiruma?”
“I don’t know. You think she likes fat bald guys?”
“A man can dream.”

“Something about the Seppun gives me the creeps. It’s like he’s not even breathing, man.”
“More like he’s planning how he’ll kill each person here.”

“I sometimes wonder about the physician. What’s he got hiding under all those robes?”
“And with that hair? Maybe he’s got some Lion blood in him.”

“The commander’s armor…seems a bit much, doesn’t it?”
“You know he knows something we don’t.”
“Well, he *is* in charge. I’d hope he knows more about what we’re doing.”

“Gilded mask? Gilded armor? Kind of makes you wonder where she gets the money.”

“Tell you this, that Shinjo leader can hold her liquor.”

“I didn’t know Shosuro-chui was an actor.”
“He’s not. He just likes to dress up like one and pretend.”
“Isn’t that what acting is?”

“Don’t roll dice with the Toritaka. He doesn’t cheat, he’s just damned lucky.”
“Nah. It isn’t that. It’s the clothes. I mean, look at them. How anyone can keep their head on straight looking at that…”

“The Daidoji? Saw her play kemari once. Quite the performance, that.”

"Can you believe that sweet Doji Hametsu is going to be made into a good little wife for one of the Crab? A flower once plucked from the garden soon withers."
"Speaking of flowers, what do you think about the bouquet gracing the Legion?"
"There'll be some bee waiting to sting, I'm sure."

"And then Agasha Daikumo swore to do unspeakable things to that piece of wood and wished it had ancestors and descendants to terrorize. It's good for the fighters to have a fire in their belly...but I've heard letting your emotions get out of control is dangerous down South...and isn't he a healer anyways?"

"Are you sure he's not a duelist? I overheard him belittling the teachings of Kakita. 'Oh, you're trying to be like Kakita? Lame. Why don't you try doing something new instead?' You see? It starts with ignoring the tradition of the throne passing to the eldest, and before you know it you'll have peasants refusing to work because they wanted to try something new."

"First she had the gall to not instruct him properly and then the nerve to criticize him for doing it wrong! Some people are meant to command, and some are meant to be commanded, and it's quite vexing when the latter is put into the position of the former."

Day 3

Please note that, while this is the third in-game day, it is not the third day of the experience. The Legion is in transit, and covering the whole march would be...vexatious. Assume that things have proceeded as normal with the tedium of march, camp, strike camp, and march again currently leaving the Legion out in the country between settlements. The route goes overland along a path of the Rikugunshokan's devising. We are handwaving the weirdness that would occur with another army marching through a Clan's lands; the Emerald banners fly high and show well when they are needed.

Please note, too, that a new session has begun. We'll presume that everybody's gotten a full night of sleep and so will start at full Composure, Endurance, and Void (points equal to Ring).

Weather
Overcast conditions continue and intensify, which has the effect of moderating temperatures but annoying with increased humidity. The high is around 73F/22.7C, the low 44F/6.7C. Along the march, which is moving through open land, the vegetation does not show so much of the approach of fall as might be thought by those of more northern origin.

The day's element is Water.

Rumors
“So, we’re backing up the Crab? What happened, did someone turn on them again?”

"A lot of folks are taking it for granted that Sotorii is the true successor."

“I heard the commander of that company failed his gempukku the first time.”

"Don't know why that guy keeps lurking around the tents at midnight."
"Saw some ronin with him, too. Not at all suspicious, that."

"Been seeing a lot of people sniffing an awful lot of flowers."
"Yeah, but those flowers seem to be looking for noses."

"And then he told her to....go wipe herself with a rock! But what can you expected from someone born a Sparrow? Clearly he just donned the Crane mon before coming here."

With session 1 comlete, please enjoy your shiny 4 xp today.

Day 4
It's a new day but NOT a new session.
If you got three consecutive timeslots of sleep, you start with 0 Strife and Void Points equal to your Void; you also recover Endurance equal to your Water x 2 if you need it.

Please make sure you're reporting your Metagame Rolls in your PFs. The forum's getting populated enough that sifting through is becoming a challenge.

Please also let me know if you've not received Information Tidbits you're due. I need to know which one/s you've got coming.

Weather
A strong southern wind pushes against the Legion today, as if their destination itself was trying to repel the oncoming Legion. The high during the day is a relatively pleasant 71F/21.6 C but it's another cold night as the temperatures drop to 49F/9.4C. Through the light cloud cover, Lord Moon finally reveals himself in his full glory, as if the events unfolding below have his full attention.

Today's element is Void.

Rumors
"So....what was the deal with Otomo Hana turning down recognition from command for helping with the muster?"
"I heard that she was too wordy and spoiled her chances."
"That's what you get for relying on third hand gossip. She was grateful for the recognition but she demurred the accolades, saying that Utaku Murai efforts were more deserving than hers."
"So....I guess they're friends then?"
"I guess?"

"Mukai's really looking through the whole bouquet, it seems."

"That Kakita and that Agasha seemed to be getting along well."
"Well, it's not like he's a Mirumoto or a Matsu."
"Oh, yeah, that reminds me: why aren't we seeing many Lions?"

"Man, Fourth Kaisha is sloooooow on the march."
"Maybe they think that because they're walking behind the command unit, command isn't watching them?"
"I sure wouldn't bet my neck on that."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's left-handed. Why?"

"Did you see Kyuden Doji? It's amazing!"
"No, I saw the back of my commander as I marched like I'm supposed to, kid. This is an army march, not a sightseeing tour."
"Have you no art in your soul?"
"Maybe, but I also have no commander's sandal up my behind for daydreaming about the pretty Cranes."

"And then he looked him in the eyes, cold stone sober, and said, 'I am deeply in love with Kakita Hana.'"
"Yogo Adoka said that? But he's a...well....you know..."
"Poor girl."
"Poor girl."

"Why does that Falcon eat so many yams?"

“Mirumoto-chui ain’t lookin’ so good.”
“Eh. He always looks like that.”
“I don’t know, man. I think something’s wrong.”

Day 5
Today is both a new day and a new session.

For the new day, if you got three consecutive timeslots of sleep, you start with 0 Strife and Void Points equal to your Void; you also recover Endurance equal to your Water x 2 if you need it.

For the new session, you gain 4XP. You also reset any per-session abilities, and any session-bound effects from previous days are done.

Again, please make sure you're reporting your Metagame Rolls in your PFs. (The day's rolls are separate and distinct from anything in any event.)

Again, too, please let me know if you've not received Information Tidbits you're due.

Thank you!

Weather
A decent breeze blows down the river, which would be remarkably pleasant if the weather was warmer. Unfortunately, even here, the year is moving towards winter; the local high is 69F/20.6C, while the overnight low is 45F/7.2C. Sporadic cloud cover does not do much to hold in daytime warmth, and the moon is clearly waning, marking the days of the march.

Today's element is Air.

Rumors
“Man, Mirumoto-chui really got a bad result on that fortune telling, and he was so eager to go, too. Just the worst luck.”

"That Utaku Mukai is fearsome! I think I'm in love after watching her take down that bandit."
"Again? Please tell me you're not about to make a suggestive comment about her archery skills."
"....Not if you're going to be unappreciative."

"The Utaku wasn't the only one. Did you see that Agasha?"
"Big as he is, how could you not see him?"
"Yeah, and what about that Isawa, the one with the ribbons? Wow!"

"That Scorpion with the bird popped out of the ground naked?"
"Not quite. Didn't have the bird."

"A whole horse? Seriously, how do you not notice someone stealing a whole horse?"
"Well, you know, by Unicorn standards it was really only half a horse soooo..."
"And by Phoenix standards, you're half a genius."
"Thanks! Wait...."

“Shame about Hiruma Goyo. He’d had such a good run.”
“Yeah, but it’s hard not to wonder when someone you spend so much time with goes missing.”

“Is Mirumoto-chui Mirumoto-rikugunshokan’s brother?”
“Nope, but you’d think that, the way he carries on.”

"So much for our vaunted scouts. How in the name of Akodo's beard do you miss this kind of blockage?"
"I heard they've got a real axe to grind against those bandits for some reason. So they're scouting really wide rather than far, and well, the army doesn't turn on a zeni."

"On the right-hand side of the road, you've got the leatherworkers and the crematorium. On the left, you've got fields and forests. It makes for a decided contrast."

"Finally! After all this marching, I am going to drink until I fall down, stand back up and drink some more."
"Hey careful, we're marching tomorrow you know."

Day 6
It's both a new day and a new session.

For the new day, if you got three consecutive timeslots of sleep, you start with 0 Strife and Void Points equal to your Void; you also recover Endurance equal to your Water x 2 if you need it.

For the new session, you gain 2XP (it was only one day, after all). You also reset any per-session abilities, and any session-bound effects from previous days are done.

Again, please make sure you're reporting your Metagame Rolls in your PFs. (The day's rolls are separate and distinct from anything in any event.)

Again, too, please let me know if you've not received Information Tidbits you're due.

Thank you!

Weather
Temperatures rise with the march southwards, with a daily high of 73F/22.8C and a low of 60F/15.6C. The air grows still during the day, with morning breezes dying off around midday. Even so, cloud cover spreads across the sky, blanking out the stars and moon after nightfall.

The element of the day is Fire.

Rumors
"I never have seen someone drink so much at one sitting--and of such swill, no less!"

“Reports have noted that the attacks have become more frequent, more focused. Local command is worried that the posterns are compromised.”
“And they won’t note where the best positions to assail the posterns are, I take it.”
“In person, perhaps, and after the usual testing.”

“I heard the commander of that company failed his gempukku the first time.”

“Is Mirumoto-chui Mirumoto-rikugunshokan’s brother?”
“Nope, but you’d think that, the way he carries on.”

"Yeah, he had to be sent home. Did bad ukemi, posted out with his right arm. Compound fracture. I mean, he's left-handed, but still."

“Awfully soft hands for someone who’s supposed to be good with a sword.”

“I don’t know. There were some strange sounds coming from his tent. Sounded like crying, almost.”

"Who'd've thought the Hare would be so good with kites?"
"A lot better'n he is singing, anyway."

"...sticking a long beak into the flowers..."

"Ooh, did you see who the shiriekan had dinner with?"
"Dinner? I thought it was just drinks."
"Ooh! Even better!"

"I heard that Hida Kei has really been bullying Yogo Adoka."
"I mean, Yogo Adoka is pretty weird.."
"Sure, but he's an Emerald Legionnaire and a priest. Aren't we all supposed to be fighting against a common Enemy?"

Day 7
Once again, it's both a new day and a new session.

For the new day, if you got three consecutive timeslots of sleep, you start with 0 Strife and Void Points equal to your Void; you also recover Endurance equal to your Water x 2 if you need it.

For the new session, you gain 2XP (again, one day). You also reset any per-session abilities, and any session-bound effects from previous days are done.

Again, please make sure you're reporting your Metagame Rolls in your PFs. (The day's rolls are separate and distinct from anything in any event.)

Again, too, please let me know if you've not received Information Tidbits you're due.

Thank you!

Weather
Temperatures have stabilized, with a daily high of 75F/22.8C and a low of 60F/15.6C. There is a little breeze, but it comes from the south, and there is a...smell, somewhere between sulfur and a cat that refuses to cover what it leaves behind. Cloud cover is thin and sporadic throughout the day and night, and the clouds appear to move against the wind.

The element of the day is Earth.

Rumors
"So, Hida Kei?"
"Yeah. Went first. Went ugly, too. Head yanked clean off."
"I suppose there's some mercy in that."
"Yeah."

"Damned near ambidextrous, though favoring his left a little. Kind of weird to see."

"I don't know who keeps dropping paper on the march. It's kind of annoying."
"Like it's the worst thing we walk though."

"The big Daidoji fought so hard. Makes you wonder why people look at him funny."
"I think I heard him crying afterwards. He fought hard, but he was doing his best to restrain him, not kill him, even after all he had done."
"Meanwhile, that Hare is vicious. I think he was enjoying trying to take an officer's head off."

"So somebody else was sniffing around the bouquet."
"Did any of the flowers get plucked?"
"That would be telling."

"What was that Doji doing with that Miya that long?"
"I hear they're both engaged. Maybe..."
"...are you serious?"

"...He was just one man. I mean, I know he's descended from a famous swordsman and all, but he was one man and it took how many to put him down? And we're heading to where we'll see a lot more than one like him?"

"They should have given Hametsu command of the sixth. He's clearly ready to handle that level of responsibility."

"You know, I thought that Tortoise was just a slick talking womanizer. I don't know what it is, but I think his time in the Legion has made him a better man."

"Agasha-san looked really down after the fight."
"She's got it tough. Fuwanan's been working her hard, I've heard her family back home is struggling, and that fight's got a lot of samurai questioning their worth where we're going."

"...and some parts are still missing. Be careful."

"Man, Masayuki-san's got a good head on his shoiulders in combat but that was Hida class in awkward."
"I know right? Inviting the members of the kaisha the man command to share stories of his honor and glory...and no one came forward."
"Can't imagine what being that isolated while surrounded by people must do to a person. Nothing but the pressures to live up to his name, only to be remembered for being the one to fail."

"Hey, where's Yogo Osamu?"
"He's still arguing the case for sparing Shippai's life."
"Wait, what do you mean still? That was decided well before we got to the Wall."
"I know, but he keeps coming up with new verses from the Tao and then launching into diatribes about how they justify sparing Shippai's life."
"Who...is he arguing it to?"
"Anyone who gets near...in fact I think sometimes even when no one is near. Shippai's ancestors maybe?"

“I heard that the way some of the creatures have been moving, looks like a Hiruma scouting pattern.”
“Great. They’re learning.”

Day 8
Once again, it's both a new day and a new session.

For the new day, if you got three consecutive timeslots of sleep, you start with 0 Strife and Void Points equal to your Void; you also recover Endurance equal to your Water x 2 if you need it.

For the new session, you gain 2XP (again, one day). You also reset any per-session abilities, and any session-bound effects from previous days are done.

Again, please make sure you're reporting your Metagame Rolls in your PFs. (The day's rolls are separate and distinct from anything in any event.)

Again, too, please let me know if you've not received Information Tidbits you're due.

Thank you!

Weather
The skies roil with low-hanging clouds, and a stinking wind from the south blows heavy air northward. Temperatures are much the same as yesterday, with a daily high of 75F/22.8C and a low of 60F/15.6C.

The element of the day is Void.

Rumors
"So the Usagi goes to jail and...what, exactly?"

"How harsh are the Kuni if even other Crab don't measure up?"

"I mean, he really is very nearly ambidextrous. I really couldn't say if he's left- or right-handed at this point."

"Oh, shit! They're coming! TO ARMS!"

Day Final
It's that time.

For the new day, if you got three consecutive timeslots of sleep, you start with 0 Strife and Void Points equal to your Void; you also recover Endurance equal to your Water x 2 if you need it.

For the end of the game, you gain an additional 2XP. You also reset any per-session abilities, and any session-bound effects from previous days are done.

Please let me know if you've not received Information Tidbits you're due.

Please note that D8 non-battle threads may still accept rolls for 24 hours from this post. Please try not to need any rolls in Day Final, itself.

Thank you!

Weather
The skies are still overcast, but the wind has shifted from the south to the west. The stink is much reduced, although the pyres yet burn, adding their peculiar incense. Temperatures remain much the same as yesterday, with a daily high of 75F/22.8C and a low of 60F/15.6C.

The element of the day is Air.

Rumors
"That Utaku Mukai sure was something!"
"But did you see the wrestler at work?"
"I know, right? But then that big Hida woman...wow!"
"Popped his head like a melon!"

"I wonder what it was as rode off like that at the end."

"Daidoji Kumiko leads some good troops."
"That she does."
"Gotta wonder about her adjutant, though. After the battle..."
"Hey, it had to be done."
"Yeah, but his face...you've gotta wonder if he enjoyed it..."

"They're still fighting about which Prince matters, aren't they?"
"Oh, yes."
"Not much chance of anything else, is there?"
"You want something else?"

"Did the bouquet make it through okay?"
"I think so. Why?"
"Didn't want to think I'd missed any chance to pluck a flower."

"Damned shame about that big Agasha."

"How many siblings does that Hare have?"
"I'm more concerned about how much like him they are."

"You know, that Kasuga's a decent guy. Gives his all. I don't care what Karen says about him."

"Did we lose anyone in command?"
"Surprisingly, no. Even the Toritaka made it."
"Huh. Didn't expect that."