Despair and Wisdom: Imperial March

Logistics was really not Mukai's area of expertise but she did have a strong back and a stronger horse so she went to work as best she could hauling things from point to point.

Amid the berating and brow beating it took all she could to keep her teeth gritted and to not lash back out at a superior verbally or otherwise.

(D1, Dragon - Muster Logistics; Unskilled (Labor) Earth, Void spent to Seize the Moment, Belligerent triggers | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 3 / Strife: 3


2 Opportunity spent for Tidbit (D1, Dragon: Tidbit | 2d20 ⇒ 26)
1 Opportunity to subtract 1 Strife, 2 Strife remaining
Additional 3 Strife Gained (5 total), Void point gained

+1 Discipline if Mount is applicable
-1 Strength if it is not)

Utaku Mukai wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 10:51 am

+1 Discipline if Mount is applicable
-1 Strength if it is not)

This one, very yes.

Spotting some loaded carts near the supply depot, Daidoji Nobu decided to help unload them into the warehouse. With his great strength, the big Crane easily hefted sacks of rice two at a time. In short order he had two carts completely unloaded. He was helping!

Nobu’s efforts soon drew the attention of the steely-eyed logistics Karen. “Excuse me, Daidoji-hohei, but surely you are aware that we are loading the supply carts in preparation for the march?” she asked rhetorically, in a voice dripping with condescension.

“Oh~! Uh,” Nobu said, bowing deeply before casting a glance at the now-empty carts. “Thank you for the correction, Otosanuchi-taisa.”

With a rueful expression, Nobu hastened to start loading the carts up again.

—
Assisting the Logistics Chief, Earth/Labor TN2 with Whispers of Failure, nothing could go wrong with this! | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0

Failed, -1 to unit Strength
1 Void spent; 1 Void regained.

Assisting the Logistics Chief, spend 2 Opportunities to gain a Tidbit of Information | 2d20 ⇒ 5

Some distance away, the rumbling voice of a dragon can be heard arguing with someone over their poor smithing technique. It starts getting pretty heated before a higher ranking officer has to get involved and separates the two. "Fine, do it wrong," Daikumo says with a glare as he practically spits the words at the smaller man, dropping the smithing hammer right next to the other man's foot. "I'll be sure to include the fact that they died because of your ineptitude in the prayers I offer our fallen comrades after they die wielding your shoddy work." The large Dragon stalks off away from the other smith with a glower and clearly ready to turn around and just beat the ever-loving daylights out of him, but he respects the chain of command and simply walks away.

Assisting the Logistics Chief, Bluntness, Armament | TN: 2 | Success: 0 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 2:40 pm

Spotting some loaded carts near the supply depot, Daidoji Nobu decided to help unload them into the warehouse. With his great strength, the big Crane easily hefted sacks of rice two at a time. In short order he had two carts completely unloaded. He was helping!

Nobu’s efforts soon drew the attention of the steely-eyed logistics Karen. “Excuse me, Daidoji-hohei, but surely you are aware that we are loading the supply carts in preparation for the march?” she asked rhetorically, in a voice dripping with condescension.

“Oh~! Uh,” Nobu said, bowing deeply before casting a glance at the now-empty carts. “Thank you for the correction, Otosanuchi-taisa.”

With a rueful expression, Nobu hastened to start loading the carts up again.

—
Assisting the Logistics Chief, Earth/Labor TN2 with Whispers of Failure, nothing could go wrong with this! | TN: 2 | Success: 1 / Opportunity: 2 / Strife: 0

Failed, -1 to unit Strength
1 Void spent; 1 Void regained.

Assisting the Logistics Chief, spend 2 Opportunities to gain a Tidbit of Information | 2d20 ⇒ 5

Dressed in a resplendant kimono (in the latest fashion from the Imperial capital), a beautiful maiden bearing the chrysanthemum mon walked confidently towards the supply area. She paused a moment to study the back of her fan, and not watch the upjumped bug berate the Crane simply trying to do his best. Once the bug had developed her poisonous bite and left the Crane to his own devices yet again, she approached, and bowed with the respect due to a superior officer.

"Otosanuichi-sama," she said without rolling her eyes at the brazen name. "This one is Otomo Hana of the Sixth Kaisha, i believe we met once at one of my father's dinners, yes? I seem to remember your name associated with the fine wine you offered as a gift."

A gift that had found it's way into the servant's cookpots, but Hana neglected to mention that.

"I've come with reports and assessments of the weapons and armor in the twenty second warehouse. The blades are sharp, the armor is strong,and the bowstrings are taunt, the numbers are as follows....." she recounted from memory with an accuracy that showed there were brains behind the pretty face.

Once the report was finished, with a few more traded remarks hinting at the possibility of future dinners, Hana bowed respectfully, and though Karen had other places to immediately Karen of to, Hana instead made her way over to where the chastized Daidoji's was working.

She bowed politely as was appropropriate to his station.

"Daidoji-san, this one is Otomo Hana of the Sixth Kaisha. I see that you are quite busy, as are we all, but I hoped I might speak to you if but for a brief moment while you labor." she requested gracefully.

Assisting the chief bug.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 5:27 pm

Hana instead made her way over to where the chastized Daidoji's was working.

She bowed politely as was appropropriate to his station.

"Daidoji-san, this one is Otomo Hana of the Sixth Kaisha. I see that you are quite busy, as are we all, but I hoped I might speak to you if but for a brief moment while you labor." she requested gracefully.

Nobu hastily lowered the sacks of rice he was carrying and bowed deeply to the Otomo.

"Good morning, Otomo-sama," the big Crane said respectfully. "I am Daidoji Nobu, and of course I would be glad to assist Otomo-sama in any matter you might require." He bowed again.

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 6:10 pm

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 5:27 pm

Hana instead made her way over to where the chastized Daidoji's was working.

She bowed politely as was appropropriate to his station.

"Daidoji-san, this one is Otomo Hana of the Sixth Kaisha. I see that you are quite busy, as are we all, but I hoped I might speak to you if but for a brief moment while you labor." she requested gracefully.

Nobu hastily lowered the sacks of rice he was carrying and bowed deeply to the Otomo.

"Good morning, Otomo-sama," the big Crane said respectfully. "I am Daidoji Nobu, and of course I would be glad to assist Otomo-sama in any matter you might require." He bowed again.

The Crane's good manners drew forth a brief, yet warm smile from the Otomo.

"That is most excellent Daidoji-san...but you should probably continue to load the cart while we speak. I would not wish to be the cause of you getting an additional reprimand from...a certain taskmaster. I do not mind sharing your attention with your task to support the legion." she decides upon.

"I merely wished to gain a bit of counsel from Daidoji-san on a matter of the bow. Would Daidoji-san not agree that when it comes to striking the target, the responsibility for such lies with the archer rather than the arrow?"

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 6:40 pm

"That is most excellent Daidoji-san...but you should probably continue to load the cart while we speak. I would not wish to be the cause of you getting an additional reprimand from...a certain taskmaster."

"Oh~!" Nobu said, alarmed at the idea of possibly further annoying the logistics Karen. "Uh, I am certain Otomo-sama is correct." Bending down ponderously to scoop up a rice sack in each arm, the big Crane resumed loading them onto the carts.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 6:40 pm

"I merely wished to gain a bit of counsel from Daidoji-san on a matter of the bow. Would Daidoji-san not agree that when it comes to striking the target, the responsibility for such lies with the archer rather than the arrow?"

A thoughtful look crossed the Daidoji's face at Hana's question. "Otomo-sama poses a philosophy question," he mused as he stacked the sacks onto the supply cart.

"My archery sensei always said that the arrow knows the way," Nobu recalled. "However, it is for the archer to aim and release the arrow in such a way that it can fly true. Thus, any fault in striking the target must lie with the archer."

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 7:09 pm

A thoughtful look crossed the Daidoji's face at Hana's question. "Otomo-sama poses a philosophy question," he mused as he stacked the sacks onto the supply cart.

"My archery sensei always said that the arrow knows the way," Nobu recalled. "However, it is for the archer to aim and release the arrow in such a way that it can fly true. Thus, any fault in striking the target must lie with the archer."

This elicits a small nod from the Otomo.

"My sensei has said as much." she agreed.

Of course, she didn't HAVE an archery sensei, but words from a political discourse sensei still counted as words from a sensei, and the Crane didn't really neeed to know the distinction, now did he?

"I think Daidoji-san has clearly understood the lesson his sensei imparted unto him. I think one can draw strong parallels to other such sayings, 'It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools.' for example. And if one steps further, a samurai is a sword held in their master's hand, yes?" she offered.

It wasn't terribly hard for anyone paying attention to decipher the meaning in the Otomo's words. She was implying the reprimand Nobu received belonged to the person who failed to give him clear directions, not to Nobu himself, without openly calling attention to the failure, the reprimand, or directly calling out the person responsible. It was a very courtier way of saying 'It's not your fault, you're doing your best.'

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 7:33 pm

She was implying the reprimand Nobu received belonged to the person who failed to give him clear directions, not to Nobu himself, without openly calling attention to the failure, the reprimand, or directly calling out the person responsible. It was a very courtier way of saying 'It's not your fault, you're doing your best.'

A small smile crossed Nobu’s face as he caught the courtier’s allusion.

“Otomo-sama’s logic is impeccable,” the big Crane said carefully. “Perhaps not everyone would subscribe to this way of thinking.” A very slight tilt of his head in the direction of you-know-who. “But certainly I am persuaded by Otomo-sama’s argument.”

“Still, it’s a samurai’s role to serve,” Nobu said stoically as he lifted the next set of sacks. “I only hope that my efforts are helpful in some small way.”

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 8:11 pm

A small smile crossed Nobu’s face as he caught the courtier’s allusion.

“Otomo-sama’s logic is impeccable,” the big Crane said carefully. “Perhaps not everyone would subscribe to this way of thinking.” A very slight tilt of his head in the direction of you-know-who. “But certainly I am persuaded by Otomo-sama’s argument.”

“Still, it’s a samurai’s role to serve,” Nobu said stoically as he lifted the next set of sacks. “I only hope that my efforts are helpful in some small way.”

Hana couldn't help but smile a bit at the thought of Nobu having 'small efforts.'

"Ah, but that is the strength of the Imperial Legions, to bring together ways of thought from across the Empire to best serve it." she pointed out.

She made a minor flick of the fan in the general direction of Karen.

"Even those who are....let us say....not in possession of a name as well honored as Daidoji...for example. We all serve as best we are made to." she mused.

She gestures at Nobu and the rice with her fan.

"Today, Daidoji-san's efforts are ensuring that his fellow soldier is nourished. While I am not so mighty to match his strength and endurance that way, I like to think that by supporting him with my strengths, I too am serving the army."

She offered a sly smile.

"Or as might be explained to those looking for idle hands, I am taking a moment in between assignments to instruct and supervise my fellow soldier." she offered with a hint of amusement.

Taking stock, Hida Masayuki stepped immediately to loading carts at the supply tent. He worked quickly and was able to load three carts within the span of the hour.

The ever-efficient Karen nodded to Masayuki to keep going. He nodded back. He was thankful she did not stop to speak. Knowing that all the carts must be ready to go
in time for departure, he steeled his mind and picked up his pace, putting his back into it.

Seeing some of the larger Daidoji, he was sure that they would be prepared.

Labor
Success + 1 Discipline
Strife is negated by opportunity
3 more strife due to anxiety of interfacing with the officer.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2024 9:34 pm

She gestures at Nobu and the rice with her fan.

"Today, Daidoji-san's efforts are ensuring that his fellow soldier is nourished. While I am not so mighty to match his strength and endurance that way, I like to think that by supporting him with my strengths, I too am serving the army."

She offered a sly smile.

"Or as might be explained to those looking for idle hands, I am taking a moment in between assignments to instruct and supervise my fellow soldier." she offered with a hint of amusement.

"Your words have been encouraging," Nobu said with an agreeable smile. "Even if it cannot be counted like quivers of arrows or grains of rice, raising soldiers' morale can make a huge difference when a battle hangs in the balance. So, I would certainly say that Otomo-sama is contributing." The big Crane tilted his head towards Hana in acknowledgement of her efforts.

"Have you often been on military campaigns where you had to raise the spirits of us common soldiers?" Nobu inquired politely. "It seems you have a gift for it."

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 11, 2024 9:15 pm

"Your words have been encouraging," Nobu said with an agreeable smile. "Even if it cannot be counted like quivers of arrows or grains of rice, raising soldiers' morale can make a huge difference when a battle hangs in the balance. So, I would certainly say that Otomo-sama is contributing." The big Crane tilted his head towards Hana in acknowledgement of her efforts.

"Have you often been on military campaigns where you had to raise the spirits of us common soldiers?" Nobu inquired politely. "It seems you have a gift for it."

Hana offers a tilt of the head in return for the Crane's words.

"Ah, Daidoji-san is too kind. In truth, this is my first posting in such a capacity. My last posting was at Pale Oak Castle assisting with whatever the Imperial families needed at the court. I certainly enjoyed my time among your clan's most steadfast ally." she admittted.

"Has Daidoji-san partipating in many military campaigns?" she asked in return.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 11, 2024 9:21 pm

"Ah, Daidoji-san is too kind. In truth, this is my first posting in such a capacity. My last posting was at Pale Oak Castle assisting with whatever the Imperial families needed at the court. I certainly enjoyed my time among your clan's most steadfast ally." she admittted.

"Has Daidoji-san partipating in many military campaigns?" she asked in return.

"Ahh, we have something in common, then," Nobu said, nodding. "This will be my first campaign as well. My previous duties were primarily standing guard over Important People to make sure nothing bad happens to them. It was an important duty, to be sure; but I've recently been promoted to the Imperial Legion, and I only hope I can prove to be worthy of this posting."

Daidoji Nobu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 11, 2024 9:40 pm

"Ahh, we have something in common, then," Nobu said, nodding. "This will be my first campaign as well. My previous duties were primarily standing guard over Important People to make sure nothing bad happens to them. It was an important duty, to be sure; but I've recently been promoted to the Imperial Legion, and I only hope I can prove to be worthy of this posting."

Hana nodded slightly.

"Well, as a fellow solider, I am happy to support a comrade. Should you need assistance, merely seek me out in the sixth kaisha, Daidoji-san" she offered courteously

She hoped that the Crane would work out that he should reciprocate the offer....but she didn't want to dally too overlong lest the wrath of Karen descend once again.

Otomo Hana wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 11, 2024 9:49 pm

"Well, as a fellow solider, I am happy to support a comrade. Should you need assistance, merely seek me out in the sixth kaisha, Daidoji-san" she offered courteously

"Otomo-sama is too kind," Nobu replied, bowing again at her words. "If it isn't too forward to say so, it would be good to have a friend in the Sixth Kaisha. If there is any way I could assist you, as well, please do not hesitate to ask; I would be glad to help."